THERMAL MEASUREMENT AND PROCESS CONTROL

A thermal processing and control system () includes a thermal processing station () for receiving food products () being carried on a conveyor system (). A first scanning station () is located upstream from the thermal processing station () for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor (). An actuator () automatically connects temperature measuring devices () with selected food products (). A diverter conveyor () diverts selected food products () from the conveyor () to a transverse conveyor () for either further processing or alternative processing, depending on how system () is configured. The temperature measuring devices () are automatically removed from the food products at station (). 1. A system for measuring the temperature of food products processed at a thermal processing station under process parameters , comprising:(a) a conveyance system for conveying the food products in a stream through the thermal processing station;(b) a characterizing system for physically characterizing all or some of the food products of the stream being carried by the conveyance system for selection of sample food products for temperature measurement;(c) an automatic system for automatically functionally connecting temperature sensing devices with the selected sample food products as the selected sample food products are carried by the conveyance system; and(d) temperature monitoring devices for monitoring the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensing devices.2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system for automatically connecting the temperature sensing devices with the selected sample food products comprises an actuator adapted to carry the temperature sensing devices and place the temperature sensing devices at selected locations on the selected sample food products.3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the actuator is selected from the group consisting of: (a) an actuator capable of moving over the food products being conveyed by the ...

High speed jet blocker with readily replaceable blocking material

A blocker apparatus ( 20 ) for blocking a stream ( 22 ) of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball ( 30 ), or a rod ( 160 ) receivable within a partially surrounding seat ( 34/162 ) at the forward end of a seat carrier ( 40 ) to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier ( 40 ) is extended and retracted by an actuator ( 32 ) to place the blocking member within the path of the stream ( 22 ) and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member ( 30/160 ) off of the seat ( 34/162 ) and lowering a new blocking member into the seat.

HIGH SPEED JET BLOCKER WITH READILY REPLACEABLE BLOCKING MATERIAL

A blocker apparatus () for blocking a stream () of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball (), or a rod () receivable within a partially surrounding seat () at the forward end of a seat carrier () to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier () is extended and retracted by an actuator () to place the blocking member within the path of the stream () and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member () off of the seat () and lowering a new blocking member into the seat. 1. An apparatus for deflecting the flow of a high-pressure stream of fluid , comprising:a. a spherically shaped blocking member;b. a seat that is at least partially circular in shape for receiving and supporting the spherically shaped blocking member, the seat configured to enable the blocking member to change position within the seat during operation of the apparatus;c. an actuator system connected to the seat for advancing the blocking member into the high-pressure fluid stream to disrupt and deflect the flow of the high-pressure fluid stream and/or for retracting the blocking member out of the high-pressure fluid stream to end the disruption and deflection of the flow of the high-pressure fluid stream;d. wherein the blocking member is movable relative to the seat when struck by the high-pressure fluid stream to present a different portion of the blocking member to the high-pressure fluid stream; ande. wherein the seat at least partially surrounds and supports the underside of the spherically-shaped blocking member, whereby the spherically-shaped blocking member is positioned on the seat by setting the spherically-shaped blocking member downwardly onto the seat, whereby the underside of the blocking member is supported by the seat.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:the blocking member is rotatable on the seat; andimpingement of the high-pressure fluid stream on the ...

BLADE PORTIONER CALIBRATION

Calibrating the operation of a cutter used in a portioning system to cut workpieces into portions, wherein the workpiece is carried along a driven conveyance device past a scanner and then to a cutting apparatus. The calibration method employs a correction algorithm to correct for variables or limitations in the condition of one or more components of the portioning system and/or variations or limitations in the operation or operational capabilities of the portioning system. The correction algorithm may also factor in the physical condition, configuration, or composition of the workpieces being portioned, as well as whether the workpieces move on the conveyance device prior to and/or during the portioning operation. 1. A method for calibrating a portioning system having a conveyance device for conveying workpieces past a scanner used to physically characterize the workpiece and then to a cutting device to cut the workpiece into portions , the method comprising:a. operating the portioning system with respect to representative workpieces carried on the conveyance device by scanning the sample workpieces at the scanner;b. using the data from the scanner to physically characterize the workpieces as well as the portions to be cut from the workpieces with respect to one or more selected physical parameters;c. portioning the sample workpieces using the cutting device;d. physically measuring the cut portions for the one or more selected physical parameters;e. determining the variance between the one or more selected physical parameters of the cut portion as determined by the scanner and as physically measured; andf. adjusting the operation of the cutting device based on the variance between the one or more selected physical parameters as determined by the scanner and as physically measured.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the operation of the cutting device is adjusted by adjusting the timing of the cuts of the workpiece made by the cutting device.3. The method ...

SORTER

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system. 1. A sorting system , comprising:a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction; andone or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system, wherein the blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction, wherein the blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.2. The sorting system of claim 1 , comprising one or more lane diverter bars positioned over the conveyor system claim 1 , wherein the lane diverter bars extend along the forward advancing direction and are located before the blow off bars.3. The sorting system of claim 2 , wherein the one or more lane diverter bars and the one or more blow off bars are elongated bars that extend lengthwise along a top surface of the conveyor system.4. The sorting system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid transversely across the conveyor system.5. The sorting system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are aimed upstream or downstream with respect to the forward advancing direction.6. The sorting system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzles are aimed upwards or downwards with respect to a top surface of the conveyor system.7. The sorting system of claim 1 , further comprising a scanner placed over the conveyor system and before the one or more blow off bars claim 1 , wherein the scanner is programmed with instructions to determine one or more characteristics of workpieces and assign each ...

Portioning accuracy analysis

Workpieces WP are scanned at a scanning station ( 14 ) while being transported on a conveyor ( 12 ). A control system ( 18 ) analyzes the scanning data to develop a three-dimensional model of the workpiece WP and determine how to portion or trim the workpiece as desired. The cutting/trimming paths made through the workpiece is compared with the predetermined cutting paths to quantify the correspondence (or deviance) of the actual cutting paths from the predetermining cutting paths. This information is reviewed to determine whether the system ( 10 ) is operating property. If the alignment of the actual cutting/trimming paths with the predetermined cutting/trimming paths are not within a predetermined set point, the control system ( 18 ) seeks to determine the cause of the deviation as well as determine what remedial steps to take to restore the alignment of the actual cutting/trimming paths with the predetermined cutting/trimming paths.

THERMAL MEASUREMENT AND PROCESS CONTROL

A thermal processing and control system () includes a thermal processing station () for receiving food products () being carried on a conveyor system (). A first scanning station () is located upstream from the thermal processing station () for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor (). An actuator () automatically connects temperature measuring devices () with selected food products (). A diverter conveyor () diverts selected food products () from the conveyor () to a transverse conveyor () for either further processing or alternative processing, depending on how system () is configured. The temperature measuring devices () are automatically removed from the food products at station (). 1. A method of measuring the internal temperature of discrete food products thermally processed in a thermal processor while being conveyed by a conveyance system , comprising:(a) physically characterizing the food products being conveyed on the conveyance system;(b) based on the physical characterizing of the food products selecting sample food products for temperature measurement;(c) automatically functionally connecting temperature sensing devices to the selected sample food products, said temperature sensing devices traveling with the selected sample food products on the conveyance system; and(d) monitoring the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensing devices, including during the thermal processing of the selected sample food products.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the food products are physically characterized by the scanning of the food products.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein functionally interconnecting the temperature sensing devices with the selected sample food products includes inserting the temperature sensing devices into the selected sample food product.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensing devices are carried by the conveyance system and the selected sample food products are placed over the temperature sensing ...

HIGH SPEED JET BLOCKER WITH READILY REPLACEABLE BLOCKING MATERIAL

A blocker apparatus () for blocking a stream () of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball (), or a rod () receivable within a partially surrounding seat () at the forward end of a seat carrier () to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier () is extended and retracted by an actuator () to place the blocking member within the path of the stream () and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member () off of the seat () and lowering a new blocking member into the seat. 1. An apparatus for controlling the flow of a high-pressure stream of fluid , comprising:a. a blocking member;b. a seat for receiving the blocking member, said seat configured to enable the blocking member to change position within the seat during operation of the apparatus;c. an actuator system for advancing the blocking member into the high-pressure fluid stream to disrupt the flow of the high-pressure fluid stream and/or for retracting the blocking member out of the high-pressure fluid stream to end the disruption of the flow of the high-pressure fluid stream; andd. wherein the blocking member is movable relative to the seat when struck by the high-pressure fluid stream to present a different portion of the blocking member to the high-pressure fluid stream.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:the blocking member is rotatable within the seat; andthe impingement of the high pressure fluid stream on the blocking member causes rotation of the blocking member relative to the seat to present a different portion of the blocking member to the high-pressure fluid stream.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blocking member is spherical in shape and the seat is at least partially circular in shape.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the blocking member has a cylindrical exterior shape and the seat comprises spaced-apart sections defining a gap therebetween that is separated ...

Sorter

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.

DETERMINING THE THICKNESS PROFILE OF WORK PRODUCTS

A processing system () and a corresponding method are provided for processing work products (WP), including food items, to locate and quantify voids, undercuts and similar anomalies in the work products. The work products are conveyed past an X-ray scanner () by a conveyance device (). Data from the X-ray scanning is transmitted to control system (). Simultaneously with the X-ray scanning of the work product, the work product is optically scanned at the same location on the work product where X-ray scanning is occurring. The data from the optical scanner is also transmitted to the control system. Such data is analyzed to develop or generate the thickness profile of the work product. From the differences in the thickness profiles generated from the X-ray scanning data versus the optical scanning data, the location of voids, undercuts and similar anomalies can be determined by the control system. This information is used by the processing system () to process the work product as desired, including adjusting for the locations and sizes of voids, undercuts and similar anomalies present in the work product. 1. A method for determining the thickness profile of a work product , comprising:a. scanning a work product with an X-ray scanner,b. analyzing the data from the X-ray scanner with a computer processor to develop a thickness profile of the work product,c. scanning the work product with an optical scanner,d. analyzing the data from the optical scanner with a computer processor to develop a thickness profile of the work product based on the optical scanning data,e. comparing the thickness profiles from the X-ray scanning data and the optical scanning data and determining (quantifying) the differences between the thickness profiles from the X-ray scanning data and the optical scanning data, andf. mapping the location(s) on the work product where a difference exists between the thickness profiles from the X-ray scanning data and the optical scanning data.2. The method of ...

Thermal measurement and process control

A thermal processing and control system ( 300 ) includes a thermal processing station ( 312 ) for receiving food products ( 14 ) being carried on a conveyor system ( 316 ). A first scanning station ( 318 ) is located upstream from the thermal processing station ( 312 ) for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor ( 316 ). An actuator ( 420 ) automatically connects temperature measuring devices ( 402 ) with selected food products ( 14 ). A diverter conveyor ( 324 ) diverts selected food products ( 14 ) from the conveyor ( 316 ) to a transverse conveyor ( 326 ) for either further processing or alternative processing, depending on how system ( 300 ) is configured. The temperature measuring devices ( 402 ) are automatically removed from the food products at station ( 329 ).

Thermal measurement and process control

A thermal processing and control system ( 300 ) includes a thermal processing station ( 312 ) for receiving food products ( 14 ) being carried on a conveyor system ( 316 ). A first scanning station ( 318 ) is located upstream from the thermal processing station ( 312 ) for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor ( 316 ). An actuator ( 420 ) automatically connects temperature measuring devices ( 402 ) with selected food products ( 14 ). A diverter conveyor ( 324 ) diverts selected food products ( 14 ) from the conveyor ( 316 ) to a transverse conveyor ( 326 ) for either further processing or alternative processing, depending on how system ( 300 ) is configured. The temperature measuring devices ( 402 ) are automatically removed from the food products at station ( 329 ).

Determining the thickness profile of work products

A processing system (10) and a corresponding method are provided for processing work products (WP), including food items, to locate and quantify voids, undercuts and similar anomalies in the work products. The work products are conveyed past an X-ray scanner (14) by a conveyance device (12). Data from the X-ray scanning is transmitted to control system (18). Simultaneously with the X-ray scanning of the work product, the work product is optically scanned at the same location on the work product where X-ray scanning is occurring. The data from the optical scanner is also transmitted to the control system. Such data is analyzed to develop or generate the thickness profile of the work product. From the differences in the thickness profiles generated from the X-ray scanning data versus the optical scanning data, the location of voids, undercuts and similar anomalies can be determined by the control system. This information is used by the processing system (10) to process the work product as desired, including adjusting for the locations and sizes of voids, undercuts and similar anomalies present in the work product.

High speed jet blocker with readily replaceable blocking material

A blocker apparatus (20) for blocking a stream (22) of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball (30), or a rod (160) receivable within a partially surrounding seat (34/162) at the forward end of a seat carrier (40) to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier (40) is extended and retracted by an actuator (32) to place the blocking member within the path of the stream (22) and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member (30/160) off of the seat (34/162) and lowering a new blocking member into the seat.

Blade portioner calibration

Calibrating the operation of a cutter used in a portioning system to cut workpieces into portions, wherein the workpiece is carried along a driven conveyance device past a scanner and then to a cutting apparatus. The calibration method employs a correction algorithm to correct for variables or limitations in the condition of one or more components of the portioning system and/or variations or limitations in the operation or operational capabilities of the portioning system. The correction algorithm may also factor in the physical condition, configuration, or composition of the workpieces being portioned, as well as whether the workpieces move on the conveyance device prior to and/or during the portioning operation.

High speed jet blocker with readily replaceable blocking material

A blocker apparatus (20) for blocking a stream (22) of high-pressure fluid includes a blocking member in the form of a sphere or ball (30), or a rod (160) receivable within a partially surrounding seat (34/162) at the forward end of a seat carrier (40) to rotate in the seat. The seat carrier (40) is extended and retracted by an actuator (32) to place the blocking member within the path of the stream (22) and/or remove the blocking member from the path of the high-pressure stream. The blocking member is replaced by simply lifting the blocking member (30/160) off of the seat (34/162) and lowering a new blocking member into the seat.

Determining the thickness profile of work products

A processing system (10) and a corresponding method are provided for processing work products (WP), including food items, to locate and quantify voids, undercuts and similar anomalies in the work products. The work products are conveyed past an X-ray scanner (14) by a conveyance device (12). Data from the X-ray scanning is transmitted to control system (18). Simultaneously with the X-ray scanning of the work product, the work product is optically scanned at the same location on the work product where X-ray scanning is occurring. The data from the optical scanner is also transmitted to the control system. Such data is analyzed to develop or generate the thickness profile of the work product. From the differences in the thickness profiles generated from the X-ray scanning data versus the optical scanning data, the location of voids, undercuts and similar anomalies can be determined by the control system. This information is used by the processing system (10) to process the work product as desired, including adjusting for the locations and sizes of voids, undercuts and similar anomalies present in the work product.

Sub-primal cut identification and packaging optimization system and method

A method carried out by a computing device may include: receiving a plurality of models each associated with a type of sub-primal cut, including a reference shape(s) for detection of a corresponding match characteristic by a corresponding scan type, and including a plurality of attribute characteristic value ranges; receiving a registered scan of a sub-primal cut including scans showing corresponding match characteristics; identifying attribute characteristics for the sub-primal cut using the registered scan; concurrently aligning reference shape(s) of each model to corresponding match characteristics and calculating a shape match values based on the alignment; determining a best model match for the registered scan using a plurality of attribute match values calculate based on the identified attribute characteristics compared to the attribute characteristic value ranges and the plurality of shape match values; and assigning a type of sub-primal cut to the sub-primal cut based on the best model match.

Sub-primal cut identification and packaging optimization system and method

A method carried out by a computing device may include: receiving a plurality of models each associated with a type of sub-primal cut, including a reference shape(s) for detection of a corresponding match characteristic by a corresponding scan type, and including a plurality of attribute characteristic value ranges; receiving a registered scan of a sub-primal cut including scans showing corresponding match characteristics; identifying attribute characteristics for the sub-primal cut using the registered scan; concurrently aligning reference shape(s) of each model to corresponding match characteristics and calculating a shape match values based on the alignment; determining a best model match for the registered scan using a plurality of attribute match values calculate based on the identified attribute characteristics compared to the attribute characteristic value ranges and the plurality of shape match values; and assigning a type of sub-primal cut to the sub-primal cut based on the best model match.

Determining the thickness profile of work products

Sorting system and method

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.

Industrial carryover cooking

A system ( 20 ) for thermal processing food products ( 28 ) includes an oven 22 operating under selected parameters. A buffer area ( 26 ) receives and holds the food products heated in the oven for a selected time period before further processing. The buffer area can be heated or cooled as needed. A temperature determining system ( 120 ) determines the temperature of the food product during the thermal processing. A control system ( 30 ) receives the operational parameters of the oven and/or the buffer area and receives the temperature determination system data. The control system uses the temperature determination system data to determine over time the temperature equilibration of the interior of the food product after being heated in the oven to model the lethality of pathogenic microorganisms in the interior of the food product. The control system can adjust one or more of the operational parameters of the oven and/or buffer area as needed to achieve a desired lethality of the pathogenic microorganisms in the interior of the food product.

Verfahren zum modellieren des Sterilisationsgrades in Nahrungsmitteleinrichtungen

Bestemmelse af tykkelsesprofilet af arbejdsprodukter

Verfahren zum modellieren des sterilisationsgrades in nahrungsmitteleinrichtungen

Verfahren zum modellieren des Sterilisationsgrades in Nahrungsmitteleinrichtungen

Blade portioner calibration

Calibrating the operation of a cutter used in a portioning system to cut workpieces into portions, wherein the work- piece is carried along a driven conveyance device past a scanner and then to a cutting apparatus. The calibration method employs a correction algorithm to correct for vari- ables or limitations in the condition of one or more com- ponents of the portioning system and/or variations or limi- tations in the operation or operational capabilities of the portioning system. The correction algorithm may also factor in the physical condition, configuration, or composition of the workpieces being portioned, as well as whether the workpieces move on the conveyance device prior to and/or during the portioning operation.

Continuous low temperature food pasteurization system and method

A continuous low temperature food pasteurization system (10) includes a conveyor system (20) for conveying food products (FP) through a pasteurization chamber (40). A pre heater (140) may be located upstream from the pasteurization chamber, and an optional post heater (160) may be located downstream from the pasteurization chamber. A chiller and/or freezer (100) rapidly chills and/or freezes the food product after pasteurization as the conveyor system conveys the food product through the freezer. A control system (250) controls the operation of the pasteurization system to ensure that a desired percentage of pathogenic microorganisms present on the surface and/or within the interior of the food product are killed.

Industrial carryover cooking

A system (20) for thermal processing food products (28) includes an oven 22 operating under selected parameters. A buffer area (26) receives and holds the food products heated in the oven for a selected time period before further processing. The buffer area can be heated or cooled as needed. A temperature determining system (120) determines the temperature of the food product during the thermal processing. A control system (30) receives the operational parameters of the oven and/or the buffer area and receives the temperature determination system data. The control system uses the temperature determination system data to determine over time the temperature equilibration of the interior of the food product after being heated in the oven to model the lethality of pathogenic microorganisms in the interior of the food product. The control system can adjust one or more of the operational parameters of the oven and/or buffer area as needed to achieve a desired lethality of the pathogenic microorganisms in the interior of the food product.

Qa system and method

A computer-implemented method of performing a quality assurance (QA) analysis for a QA sample may include capturing image sensor data of a QA sample with an image sensor assembly; generating, with a computing device, at least one of a 2D model and a 3D model of the QA sample using the image sensor data; and performing, with a computing device, a QA analysis of the QA sample by comparing data points of the at least one of the 2D model and 3D model of the QA sample and a corresponding 2D model and 3D model from a QA specification of the QA sample.

Sorter

A method and system for sorting workpieces, such as chicken nuggets. The sorting system includes a conveyor system that advances in a forward direction and one or more blow off bars positioned over the conveyor system. The blow off bars extend along the forward advancing direction. The blow off bars include one or more valved nozzles connected to a pressurized source of a fluid, and the nozzles are positioned to discharge the fluid across the conveyor system.