Abstract: A method of forming consumer portions from a block of frozen foodstuff is described, in which similarly sized sections of the frozen block are removed by severing for shaping into the differently shaped consumer portions under pressure between tooling of a forming press. Each section is of a similar size and volume so that when the press is operated the severed section is formed into a consumer portion of known volume. Each consumer portion is ejected for further processing after the tooling separates. The surface of each severed section of frozen foodstuff is wetted with a liquid (typically water) just before the pressing operation.

Abstract: A method of forming consumer portions from a block of frozen foodstuff is described, in which similarly sized sections of the frozen block are removed by severing for shaping into the differently shaped consumer portions under pressure between tooling of a forming press. Each section is of a similar size and volume so that when the press is operated the severed section is formed into a consumer portion of known volume. Each consumer portion is ejected for further processing after the tooling separates. The surface of each severed section of frozen foodstuff is wetted with a liquid (typically water) just before the pressing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus for sizing and bandsaw cutting of meat, wherein the pieces of product to be cut are mounted in a magazine for rotation around a path which intercepts a sensor means and a bandsaw, with the pieces resting on a vertically adjustable horizontal table, the sensor means being disposed in the surface of the table to sense the area of the lower face of the product, thereby to enable automatic adjustment of the level of the table so that the bandsaw cuts a slice of product of required size from the lower end of the pieces.

Abstract: In apparatus for sizing and bandsaw cutting of meat, the product is conveyed in a rotary path over a table (18) equipped with a radial line of inspection devices (22), the output signals of which are processed to detect the area of the product moving over the table, and the signal output from the inspection devices are weighed to compensate for the greater path length travelled by radially outer regions of the product.

Abstract: A machine for portioning meat, comprising a rotatable meat containing drum which moves the meat in a circular path intersecting the cutting flight of a bandsaw, the meat sliding around on a table on to a depth stop in the form of a flush conveyor which assists transport of the meat through the cutting station and to a downstream separating station at which a deflector engages the cut slice of meat below the level of the bandsaw to push said cut slice out from under the main joint, so that the said slice is further transported by the conveyor to an outlet while the main joint is retained by the drum and drops down back on to the table.