Abstract: A method for identifying and removing tissue from a food product that includes generating a three-dimensional model of a food product using a scanner and mapping the three-dimensional model onto the food product. The method also includes scanning the food product such that cross-sectional scanning images are generated based on the model, and, for each cross-sectional scanning image, determining a maximum thickness of the model and identifying a corresponding estimated tissue point, by using an identification method based on suitable characteristics of the food product model. The method includes fitting a curve to the estimated tissue points and generating a cut path based on the fitted curve, wherein the cut path defines an area of unwanted tissue that includes the estimated tissue points. The method further includes cutting the food product along the cut path, thereby, removing the area of unwanted tissue.

Abstract: A method for identifying and removing tissue from a food product that includes generating a three-dimensional model of a food product using a scanner and mapping the three-dimensional model onto the food product. The method also includes scanning the food product such that cross-sectional scanning images are generated based on the model, and, for each cross-sectional scanning image, determining a maximum thickness of the model and identifying a corresponding estimated tissue point, by using an identification method based on suitable characteristics of the food product model. The method includes fitting a curve to the estimated tissue points and generating a cut path based on the fitted curve, wherein the cut path defines an area of unwanted tissue that includes the estimated tissue points. The method further includes cutting the food product along the cut path, thereby, removing the area of unwanted tissue.

Abstract: An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.

Abstract: A calibration system for a food processing machine has a conveyor for conveying a workpiece, scanning system for scanning the workpiece and creating a digital image of the workpiece, and a cutting device downstream from the scanning system for cutting the workpiece. A calibration object is conveyed through the food processing machine by the conveyor and scanned. A controller, with a memory, is in communication with the cutting device and the conveyor such that the controller can track position of the cutting device as the cutting device is moved into alignment with the calibration object and store calibration values on the memory corresponding to the movement of the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. The controller is configured to calibrate movement of the cutting device relative to the workpiece based on the digital image of the workpiece and the calibration values to thereafter accurately cut the workpiece.

Abstract: A method for identifying and removing tissue from a food product that includes generating a three-dimensional model of a food product using a scanner and mapping the three-dimensional model onto the food product. The method also includes scanning the food product such that cross-sectional scanning images are generated based on the model, and, for each cross-sectional scanning image, determining a maximum thickness of the model and identifying a corresponding estimated tissue point, by using an identification method based on suitable characteristics of the food product model. The method includes fitting a curve to the estimated tissue points and generating a cut path based on the fitted curve, wherein the cut path defines an area of unwanted tissue that includes the estimated tissue points. The method further includes cutting the food product along the cut path, thereby, removing the area of unwanted tissue.

Abstract: An adjustable breading machine for applying a coating material onto a food product, the machine includes a frame and a breading chamber enclosure through which the food product travels along the food path to receive a coating material. The adjustable breading machine may also include a hopper fixedly connected to the frame to deliver a coating material into the breading chamber enclosure. At least partially within the breading chamber enclosure is a main conveyor and an outfeed conveyor. In a first mode of operation, the outfeed conveyor lies in the food path and receives food product from the main conveyor. The adjustable breading machine includes a drum assembly operatively disposed above the outfeed conveyor having a rotatable drum for transporting food product and coating material to the outfeed conveyor. The adjustable breading machine also includes a drum adjustment assembly for moving the drum assembly between modes of operation.

Abstract: A calibration system for a food processing machine has a conveyor for conveying a workpiece, scanning system for scanning the workpiece and creating a digital image of the workpiece, and a cutting device downstream from the scanning system for cutting the workpiece. A calibration object is conveyed through the food processing machine by the conveyor and scanned. A controller, with a memory, is in communication with the cutting device and the conveyor such that the controller can track position of the cutting device as the cutting device is moved into alignment with the calibration object and store calibration values on the memory corresponding to the movement of the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. The controller is configured to calibrate movement of the cutting device relative to the workpiece based on the digital image of the workpiece and the calibration values to thereafter accurately cut the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a coating material onto the food products includes a machine having a machine framework provided with a conveyor framework for receiving a moving endless conveyor belt arranged to move food products thereon from an input end of the machine to an output end thereof. The machine framework is further configured with a coating material transfer arrangement for coating the food products during movement thereof on the conveyor belt and through the conveyor framework. A shaker assembly is mounted to the machine framework, and is configured with a set of opposed fixtures arranged to oscillate back and forth, and receive food products coated on the conveyor belt between the opposed fixtures and through the shaker assembly such that the coated food products are processed with a uniform coating material texture and released from the shaker assembly to the output end of the machine.

Abstract: A control system and method that controls the processing, logging, visual display, and product tracking functions for thermal processing equipment includes one or more wireless temperature probes. The wireless temperature probes allow the system to obtain and process real time data information and provide real time control, logging, display and validation for thermal processing. The wireless temperature probes transmit a signal to a receiver through an antenna configured in the thermal processing equipment, and the receiver sends that information to a control panel. The control panel utilizes a graphical user interface with touch screen capabilities, an input/output device, a process and storage media to log and control the process implemented for the food product.

Abstract: Packaging machines are disclosed including a web transport conveyor transporting a web of flexible packaging material from upstream to downstream locations through a series of stations. Packaging apparatuses are disclosed including a forming station and a closing station, each having movable die members that are counterbalanced. Methods of operating the packaging apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A frying system for frying a food product is disclosed having an endless conveyor system for cooking product in a bath of hot cooking oil. The endless conveyor system includes a submerging conveyor, a main conveyor, and a sediment conveyor, permanently, successively linked to one another. The endless conveyor system is also permanently linked to a hood portion of the housing. The sediment conveyor includes a heat exchanger constantly connected thereto for heating the bath of hot cooking oil. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of elongated elliptical shaped conduits and further may include a baffle that may operate as an elongated fluid flow optimization member to re-direct the flow of fluid. The hood portion of the housing of the frying system is capable of being raised and lowered from a closed, operative position to an open, inoperative position, and to intermediate positions therebetween.

Abstract: A door seal arrangement and method for sealing between a door and a door frame on food processing equipment are provided. The door seal is inflatable to create a seal between the door and the door frame and deflatable to release the seal between the door and the door frame. An air supply applies positive air pressure to the door seal to inflate the door seal. A vacuum applies a negative air pressure to the door seal to deflate the door seal.

Abstract: A forming station comprises first and second forming die members. A closing station comprises first and second closing die members. A lift operatively couples at least three of the members together such that operation of the lift moves the three members together. The closing station is located downstream of the loading station and is for closing a pocket in a first web of packaging material with a second web of packaging material. The second web of packaging material is oriented in the closing station so as to engage with the first web of packaging material and fold a foldable flap downwardly with respect to a conveyor as the conveyor moves from upstream to downstream.

Abstract: Methods and systems for supplying a web of packaging material to an indexing-motion packaging machine include rotating a roll of a web of packaging material, sensing changes in position of a dancer caused by rotation of the roll, rotating the roll at a starting speed of rotation that is based upon sensed changes in position of the dancer, and then maintain substantially constant tension in the web of flexible packaging material during indexing motion of the packaging machine.

Abstract: Packaging machines are disclosed including a web transport conveyor transporting a web of flexible packaging material from upstream to downstream locations through a series of stations. Packaging apparatuses are disclosed including a forming station and a closing station, each having movable die members that are counterbalanced. Methods of operating the packaging apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A web packaging system provides easy access and changing of forming plug tooling.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for antimicrobial injection in a web packaging pasteurization system are provided. A pressurized mixture of pasteurizing medium and at least one antimicrobial agent is applied to the surfaces of a food product. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one microbial agent is injected into and thereby mixed with the pressurized supply of pasteurizing steam prior to its discharge into a pressurized chamber and application to the food surfaces. Preferably, the mixture is introduced into the pressurized chamber at an inflow rate and vented from the chamber at an outflow rate that is slower than the inflow rate such that the pressure in the chamber increases to increase the temperature of the mixture to an effective temperature for killing bacteria.

Abstract: A food processing system includes sweep belt transfer of food product from a conveyor to a food processor such as a cooker or chiller. The conveyor may include upstream conveyance around a turn having a moving fence. The system may include an upstream conveyor to conveyor transfer from a widening gap upper conveyor to a lower conveyor.