Abstract: A machine for forming rissoles (2) has a hopper (3) for a food (4); a dispensing element (5) of at least a portion (6) of said food (4) taken from the hopper (3); a forming element (10) of each portion (6) having a shaped element (11) and a facing contrast element (12). The shaped element (11) includes a motor roller (13) provided with a pair of circumferential grooves (14) and the contrast element (12) includes a fixed guide (15) provided with two grooves (16) facing the recesses (14). Each recess (14) and each groove (16) form a channel (21) and internally have respectively a series of reliefs or notches (22) and a series of protrusions or cavities (23). The reliefs or notches (22) and the protrusions or cavities (23) interact with each portion (6) to help rototranslational movement thereof within the channel (21) to form a spherical shaped rissole (2).

Abstract: An energy transmission system for exchanging thermal energy of a medium in a sealed loop with a compressor, a control valve, and two heat exchangers between the compressor and the control valve such that a medium flowing between the compressor and the control valve absorbs thermal energy from one heat exchanger and releases thermal energy through the other heat exchanger. The compressor (22) changes the pressure of the medium in the loop such that the pressure through one heat exchanger is different from the pressure through the other heat exchanger, and the physical state of the medium is different between regions of the sealed loop.

Abstract: The invention provides pseudo-loaf food compositions comprising meat analog chunks and gravy, the gravy comprising a thickener selected from the group consisting of a gum present in the gravy in an amount from about 0.5 to about 3.0% of the gravy by weight, a starch present in the gravy in an amount from about 2.0 to about 9.0% of the gravy by weight, and combinations thereof. The food composition has a moisture content from about 60% to about 74% of the composition by weight and has a loaf-type structure. In an embodiment, the moisture content of the pseudo-loaf food composition is from about 67% to about 74% of the composition by weight. In addition, the invention provides methods of making pseudo-loaf food compositions and also provides blended food compositions comprising one or more pseudo-loaf compositions and one or more comestible ingredients compatible with the pseudo-loaf food compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pasta-like shaped edible product comprising surimi, fish or portions thereof, prepared by a process consisting of the steps of: a. chopping frozen surimi to chips; b. introducing the surimi chips in a predetermined ratio to cold water and salt to provide a mixture; c. providing additives to said mixture; d. homogenizing under vacuum; e. adding vegetable oil and homogenizing to a homogenic emulsion; f. injecting the mass to a pasta molding head; g. refrigerating said mass for at least about 6 hours; h. molding a predetermined shape,; i. transporting said molded pasta on a conveyor belt heated to about 40 to about 50 degrees Celsius; j. cooling said edible product for about 4 hours at about 4 degrees Celsius to about 6 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: An edible product including surimi, fish or fish portions, in various pasta-like shapes. The edible product has a high satiety index relative to unprocessed cooked fish and also provides a low glycemic index when compared to conventional pasta. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the edible product in various pasta-like shapes. The product may include between 1%-25% protein, between 1%-20% fat, and a ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 of at least 5:1.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to food products and methods and systems for producing such products. The food products of the present invention may include uncooked crab meat from species within Decopada Infrorders Anomura (i.e., King Crab and the like) and Brachyura Swimming Crabs and the like) that has been treated with an agent to promote gelation without cooking the meat.

Abstract: An edible product including surimi, fish or fish portions, in various pasta-like shapes. The edible product has a high satiety index relative to unprocessed cooked fish and also provides a low glycemic index when compared to conventional pasta. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the edible product in various pasta-like shapes. The product may include between 1%-25% protein, between 1%-20% fat, and a ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 of at least 5:1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an mass distribution device for supplying a mass of foodstuff starting material to one or more cavities of a mold drum for molding products from the mass, comprising a base member which extends partially around the outer cylindrical circumference of the drum and which has an introduction area through which the mass is the fed to the cavities. The invention further relates to a molding device and to a process for operating the inventive mass distribution device.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming pressed food products can utilize up to 98% chicken breast meat in high profit margin products. Breast meat is marinated and then extruded into a slab which is then frozen and shaped into a plank. The plank is sliced into unit portions which are then pressed into shaped portions with a preferred, or other, press. One preferred press linearly reciprocates unit portions into the press. This or another preferred press imparts three dimension exterior shape to the pressed food products.

Abstract: Improved processes for the production of engineered feed or food ingredients by extrusion comprise the steps of directing a dry fraction and a byproduct slurry fraction in serial order through a preconditioner and twin-screw extruder in order to create a wet extrudate, which is thereafter dried. The dry fraction is selected from sources of plant-derived starch and/or protein, sources of animal-derived functional proteins, and mixtures thereof. The slurry fraction comprises aqueous byproduct slurries from meat, dairy, vegetable, and fruit processing. The extrusion processes yield high-quality ingredients without the need for conventional rendering.

Abstract: Described herein is a pet food composition comprising between 55 and 90% by weight raw ground meat, between 1 and 45% absorbent fiber, between 1 and 25% hydrocolloid, between 0.1 and 25% humectant; and a flavouring agent, wherein the composition comprises between 25 and 45% by weight water, and the composition is suitable for rotary molding. The composition can be used to make high meat inclusion pet treats that do not contain flour, and that can be made by rotary molding.

Abstract: A method of processing a belly for pre-cooked bacon includes injecting a belly with 1 to 3% by green weight of the belly of a solution comprising water, sodium nitrite, and sodium erythorbate to create an injected belly. The injected belly is tumbled under vacuum with dry ingredients comprising salt, sugar, and dextrose to create a tumbled belly. The tumbled belly is molded in a mold and then frozen in the mold to create a hardened belly. The hardened belly is removed from the mold to create a molded belly. The molded belly is sliced to create belly slices, and the belly slices are cooked.

Abstract: A formed food product is made by first performing a first pressing of the frozen primary product between a stamp and a cavity of a mold with a predetermined force to produce a preformed initial food product. Then, without removing the initial food product from the mold and immediately after the first pressing is completed, reducing during a relaxation phase a pressure force applied by the stamp to the intermediate food product for a predetermined time to produce an intermediate product. Finally without removing the intermediate product from the mold and immediately after the predetermined time has elapsed, performing a second pressing of the intermediate food product between the stamp and the mold cavity at a higher force than that used in the first pressing until a final food product with a contour corresponding to that of the mold cavity is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing an animal feed or a foodstuff, comprising the steps of (i) preparing at least one first stream of material and at least one second stream of material, (ii) dispersing the second stream of material in the first stream of material in a laminar fashion in a device for at least partially incompletely blending the first and second streams of material, so that the second stream of material is distributed in the first stream of material preferably in the form of droplets ranging in size from 0.3 mm to 8 mm, (iii) discharging the first stream of material containing the second stream of material in the form of droplets through a nozzle, and (iv) solidifying the first stream of material containing the second stream of material in the form of droplets.

Abstract: A device for producing shaped meat portions, the device including a sorting device for sorting meat into a first set of pieces having a weight which is below a desired weight, a second set of pieces having a weight which corresponds to a desired weight, and a third set of pieces having a weight which is above a desired weight. The device further includes a cutting device which cuts each of the third set of pieces to a desired weight so that the cut pieces having a desired weight define a set of selected meat pieces. A transport device transports the set of selected meat pieces and a freezing facility through which the transport device conveys the set of selected meat pieces and which freezes the set of selected meat pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for forming a product from a food mass, the system comprising a mould member, e.g. a mould drum with an axis of rotation and a feed pump.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for forming and texturing a comestible product are provided. In one aspect a machine includes a product hopper adapted to receive comestible product, and a product forming and texturing assembly. The assembly includes a plate defining a product opening therein, and a texturing unit coupled to the plate and including a plurality of projections extending therefrom into the product opening to form indentations in comestible product positioned in the product opening The machine also includes a knock-out mechanism adapted to engage comestible product positioned in the product opening in order to dislodge the comestible product from the product opening. The assembly is moveable between a first position, in which comestible product is adapted to be introduced into the product opening from the product hopper, and a second position, in which the knock-out mechanism is adapted to engage the comestible product positioned in the product opening.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff. The systems include a rotatable drum provided with mold holders that accept removable molds that are filled with the mass of foodstuff to form the three-dimensional products. The method includes use of the system to fill removable molds in filling operations to form the three-dimensional products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an mass distribution device for supplying a mass of foodstuff starting material to one or more cavities of a mold drum for molding products from the mass, comprising a base member which extends partially around the outer cylindrical circumference of the drum and which has an introduction area through which the mass is the fed to the cavities. The invention further relates to a molding device and to a process for operating the inventive mass distribution device.

Abstract: A cut-off device is used for providing a deposit of known portion weight of the ground meat or paste. This deposit is dropped accurately onto a conveyor belt for transport to a press wheel the height of which, from the conveyor, can be adjusted to provide a finished product of correct thickness. The press wheel has a system of vacuum ducts around the circumference in four chambers that pull paper from a de-nesting tray situated at the top of the press wheel, at the correct interval as to meet up with the deposit at the base of the wheel. This results in the deposit being pressed to the required thickness onto the conveyor, with the interleave paper attached to the top of the now formed patty.

Abstract: A method and installation for processing a mass of pumpable foodstuff material, for example a ground meat mass. The installation comprises a hopper and a positive displacement pump having an inlet and an outlet. A tube structure connects to the outlet of the pump and has a mouth, e.g. leading to a moulding device or a sausage machine. A controllable vacuum assembly is provided to cause controlled evacuation of air from the mass in the trajectory of the mass from and including the hopper to and including a pump chamber at a position where it is in communication with the pump inlet. A controllable aeration assembly is provided to cause controlled introduction of a gas into the mass at one or more locations in the trajectory of the mass between the pump outlet and the mouth.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and molding devices for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff. The molding device includes a rotatable drum provided with mold cavities that are filled with the mass of foodstuff to form the three-dimensional products. The method includes use of the molding device to continuously fill mold cavities in filling operations without a time gap between successive filling operations.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing slices of sausages that appear to have been cut from a conventional round sausage log at an angle.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing slices of sausages that appear to have been cut from a conventional round sausage log at an angle.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing a ground meat product through the application supercritical CO2 during the processing of the meat by introducing supercritical CO2 into an extruder as the meat passes through the extruder while controlling the pressure and speed at which the meat passes through the extruder to maintain the meat in contact with the supercritical CO2 for a time sufficient achieve a log reduction in colony forming units of microbial contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a food product-forming apparatus, with a movable form-body, in which the food product is formed, and a knock out cup, which executes a knock-out-movement, that removes the food product from the form-body, whereas the knock out cup comprises an at least partially permeable bottom, through which a fluid-medium can be ejected and whereas, during the knock-out movement, a fluid-medium cushion is created, at least temporarily beneath the permeable bottom. The present invention furthermore comprises a process for the production of food products.

Abstract: A flexible, strip-shaped food product is made by comminuting substantially frozen meat, such as chicken, and heating the comminuted meat to at least partially denature the meat proteins and cooling the cooked meat. About 4% by weight to about 45% by weight of wheat flour is admixed with the cooked meat, with other ingredients, such as an alginate gum, to form a dough. The wheat flour unexpectedly increases tensile strength of the dough and products baked from the dough, and maintains flexibility of the strip-shaped food products over an extended period of time. Cooking of the meat in the presence of salt unexpectedly increases water activity of the pieces, resulting in a product that has a skin and moist middle, while maintaining tensile strength. The dough is rotary-molded into strip-shaped pieces. The rotary mold may have angled die cups. The strip-shaped dough pieces are then baked and dried.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed to manufacture a plurality of edible pieces in a continuous process where each piece is generally different in thickness, shape, size and/or texture from another piece, so as to create, in the aggregate product distribution, pieces of randomly varying thickness, size, shape and/or texture.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing semi-moist meatballs. An illustrative embodiment provides a method of manufacturing generally spherical pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a portioning device that divides said mix into smaller portions of roughly uniform volume, (b) placing said portions on a first belt of a first conveyor moving at a first speed in a longitudinal direction, (c) periodically pressing said portions with a second belt of a second conveyor, where said second belt operates in a plane at a height above, and substantially parallel to, said first belt, said second belt moving at a second speed in substantially the same longitudinal direction as said first belt, while also oscillating back and forth in a lateral direction that is at an angle to said longitudinal direction, such that said portions are transformed into generally spherical shapes.

Abstract: A first preliminary product comprising individual frozen pieces of a first food and a second preliminary product comprising individual frozen pieces of a second food are combined by precompacting the frozen individual pieces of the first preliminary product in a premolding process so as to form a concavity in the first preliminary product and placing the frozen individual pieces of the second preliminary product into the concavity of the first preliminary product to form a single frozen starting product that is put into at least one mold cavity. There the single frozen starting product is molded into a ready-to-prepare frozen end product by compacting the single frozen starting product.

Abstract: The invention features a press for making a football shaped pressed food that may include, e.g., a logo, insitodgnia, and/or indicium of a football, e.g., the laces, pebble-grain texture, and/or vertical stripes) imprinted therein or thereon, and methods and uses thereof.

Abstract: A device and a method for portioning food, in particular meat, into portions with a predetermined weight and/or predetermined thickness are proposed.

Abstract: Food processing apparatuses and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a fish processing apparatus includes two sets of the shim magazines on the opposite sides of mold(s) for making food products. Food shuttles alternate in transporting food shims from their corresponding shim magazines to a position under the mold(s). An actuator presses the mold(s) against the food shim to form food products. The force of the mold(s) can be controlled to improve separation of the food products from the food shim. Formed food products fall on a conveyor, which transports them away from the apparatus for further processing.

Abstract: An extrusion process incorporates a forming manifold where a tubular flow of a second material is intermittently interrupted while a core flow of a first material is discharged substantially continuously. Subsequently, the core flow is severed to form individual food items or treats for humans, animals, and the like, where the tubular flow results in an outer component surrounding an inner component which protrudes from one or both ends of the outer component. Material of the core flow is bone-like, while material of the tubular flow is meat like. Material of the tubular flow may include material from the core flow subjected to mixing in a static mixer to achieve a marbled texture of the outer material.

Abstract: A system and method of food preparation is provided. A tool for manipulating and shaping food products, such as ground meats, is provided with specific structural features for applying a force to a raw food product. Methods of using the same are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for cooking food on a grill having opposed upper and lower platens wherein a gap spacing between the platens is adjusted in an initial stage and in subsequent stages of the cooking time for the meat. The method includes causing the food to be located between two opposed platens, the opposed platens each having opposed cooking surfaces and the opposed cooking surfaces defining a gap spacing that is adjustable, and adjusting the gap spacing between the platens so that during an initial stage of the cooking the gap spacing is equal to or less than the nominal initial uncooked thickness of the food, and during one or more subsequent stages of the cooking, after the initial stage, the gap spacing between the platens is varied.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing slices of sausages that appear to have been cut from a conventional round sausage log at an angle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an mass distribution device for supplying a mass of foodstuff starting material to one or more cavities of a mold drum for molding products from the mass, comprising a base member which extends partially around the outer cylindrical circumference of the drum and which has an introduction area through which the mass is the fed to the cavities. The invention further relates to a molding device and to a process for operating the inventive mass distribution device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food article and methods and systems of making the same.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are disclosed for manufacturing semi-moist meatballs. An illustrative embodiment provides a method of manufacturing generally spherical pet treats comprising: (a) providing a ground mix of proteinaceous material, flavor enhancers and preservatives to a portioning device that divides said mix into smaller portions of roughly uniform volume, (b) placing said portions on a first belt of a first conveyor moving at a first speed in a longitudinal direction, (c) periodically pressing said portions with a second belt of a second conveyor, where said second belt operates in a plane at a height above, and substantially parallel to, said first belt, said second belt moving at a second speed in substantially the same longitudinal direction as said first belt, while also oscillating back and forth in a lateral direction that is at an angle to said longitudinal direction, such that said portions are transformed into generally spherical shapes.

Abstract: In the process, at least one piece of meat is destructured by fragmenting it, and the meat fragments are transformed into a restructured meat article. The fragments are transformed into a restructured meat article by: forming a block of meat fragments by cohesive compaction of the meat fragments; removing at least a portion of the block, termed a preform; and compressing the preform between complementary surfaces for molding the preform. The meat fragment compacting device comprises two conveyor belts for cohesive compaction of the meat fragments, the belts converging from upstream to downstream relative to a direction of movement of the meat fragments. The device for compressing a preform for a meat article comprises pistons having surfaces for molding the preform, which surfaces vary from one piston to another.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a patty forming apparatus with a mould plate (17) that is reciprocable between two positions (3, 4) and that comprises cavities (5), which are filled in the filling station (6) with a patty material and which are emptied in the discharge station.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a venturi effect through an orifice.

Abstract: Essentially carbohydrate-free, protein-based pizza crusts and methods for preparing the same are disclosed herein. The pizza crusts comprise a meat or nut flour, a flavor-masking spice, salt, and a vegetable, fruit, or plant-based oil or an oil-based spray. The pizza crusts resemble traditional pizza crusts in both appearance and taste.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and molding devices for molding three-dimensional products from a mass of foodstuff. The molding device includes a rotatable drum provided with mold cavities that are filled with the mass of foodstuff to form the three-dimensional products. The method includes use of the molding device to continuously fill mold cavities in filling operations without a time gap between successive filling operations.

Abstract: A food product having aligned fibers.

Abstract: A molded animal chew toy including a resin, a fluid such as water, and meat jerky, particularly chicken jerky, is provided. Processes for forming such resin/water/jerky composition into shapes by direct injection molding, including a desired screw design, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.

Abstract: A food molding mechanism for a patty-forming machine that uses a servomotor to drive a crank arrangement. The crank arrangement drives a mold plate. The mechanism uses a reducer with a replaceable output shaft. The reducer engages a servomotor utilizing a double enveloping worm gear providing gear enmeshment across an arc portion of the servomotor main gear. A servomotor driven knockout apparatus comprises a cam and lever arrangement. Oil reservoirs for the knock-out cams are substantially sealed in the mold cover.