Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, by simulating portioning the workpieces in accordance with one or more directly controlled characteristics (parameters/specifications) and/or indirectly controlled characteristics (parameters/specifications). The workpiece is scanned to obtain scanning information, then simulating portioning of the workpiece is carried out in accordance with the one or more directly controlled characteristics (parameters/specifications), thereby to determine the one or more indirectly controlled characteristics of the one or more final pieces to be portioned from the workpiece. The simulated portioning of the workpiece is performed for multiple combinations of one or more directly controlled characteristics until an acceptable set of one or more directly controlled characteristics and/or one or more indirectly controlled characteristics are determined.

Abstract: A method is provided for classifying incoming products (e.g., chicken butterflies) to be portioned into two or more types of end products (e.g., sandwich portions, strips, nuggets, etc.) to meet production goals. The method includes generally five steps. First, information on incoming products is received. Second, for each incoming product, a parameter value (e.g., the weight of an end product to be produced from the incoming product) is calculated for each of the two or more types of end products that may be produced from the incoming product. Third, the calculated parameter values for the incoming products for the two or more types of end products, respectively, are normalized so as to meet the production goals while at the same time achieving optimum parameter values. Fourth, for each incoming product, the end product with the best (e.g., largest) normalized parameter value is selected as the end product to be produced from the incoming product.

Abstract: A juice extractor includes a strainer tube mounted to receive juice and pulp of a fruit. An orifice tube reciprocates within the strainer tube and has an ejection port and is configured to generate pressure and separate juice and pulp, collect core, and discharge core out of the ejection port. A sensor is positioned adjacent the orifice tube and configured to sense material ejected from the ejection port.

Abstract: A coating system (20) includes a conveyor system (22), a coating distribution assembly (24), and a coating adherence system (26). The coating material (M) is recycled via a coating collection and return system (30) that coating distribution assembly (24) includes a container (64) for receiving and distributing the coating using a coating distribution roller (74). The roller (74) has a plurality of longitudinal channels (78) extending along the length of the roller to receive the coating material and apply the coating material onto food products by rotation of the distribution roller.

Abstract: A method is for handling a sterilized food product and includes securing an aseptic fitment to a filling port of an intermodal container including a rigid shell having an elongate shape with opposed closed ends, and at least one frame assembly supporting the rigid shell. The method also includes sterilizing the intermodal container, and aseptically filling the sterilized intermodal container with the sterilized food product through the aseptic fitment. The method may also include sealing the aseptic fitment after aseptic filling. A related intermodal container and filling station are also disclosed.

Abstract: A produce bin washer for washing produce bins of an open-box type may include a housing and a conveyor for advancing a plurality of empty produce bins along a path of travel through the housing. The produce bin washer may include at least one scrubbing brush within the housing adjacent the conveyor and along the path of travel. The produce bin washer may also include a positioner within the housing for sequentially lifting and rotating each empty produce bin from the conveyor onto the at least one scrubbing brush to scrub the interior, and returning the empty produce bin to the conveyor. A sprayer may be within the housing for spraying a cleaning solution onto the empty produce bins, and a collector may also be within the housing for collecting sprayed cleaning solution.

Abstract: A labeling device may include a platform configured to advance objects, a sensing device directed toward the objects as the objects are advanced, and a label supply. The labeling device may include a robot configured to pick-up labels from the label supply and apply the labels to the objects as the objects are advanced, and a controller configured to operate the robot based upon the vision device.

Abstract: A cooking system having adjustable oven cooking zones generally includes a spiral stack disposed within a cooking oven chamber, the spiral stack including a plurality of tiers, and a circulation system for delivering gaseous cooking medium to the spiral stack in the cooking oven chamber. The system further includes a mezzanine assembly including an inner mezzanine and an outer mezzanine, wherein the position of the inner mezzanine is movable relative to the position of the outer mezzanine. Methods for adjusting cooking zones in an oven, and systems and methods for bidirectional flow systems for cooking ovens, are also provided.

Abstract: A pineapple coating application device may include a frame, and a pineapple roller conveyor carried by the frame and having laterally extending conveyor brushes to advance pineapples along a longitudinal path of travel. Adjacent ones of the laterally extending conveyor brushes may rotatably capture the pineapples therebetween. The pineapple coating application device may include a pineapple coating dispenser, and a laterally extending applicator brush positioned above the pineapple roller conveyor to cooperate with the laterally extending conveyor brushes to apply a coating to the pineapples from the pineapple coating dispenser as the pineapples are rotated and advanced along the longitudinal path of travel.

Abstract: A method of extracting carotenoids from plant material generally includes acquiring plant material including carotenoids, treating the carotenoids with a first enzyme to create a first enzyme treated mixture, wherein the first enzyme includes cellulase, and separating the first enzyme extracted carotenoids from the first enzyme treated mixture. Natural carotenoid concentrate obtained from plant material are also provided.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically portioning workpieces, such as food products, into both shape and other user-defined specification(s). Workpieces are portioned both to shape and weight, such as to a weight-specific uniform shape, by adjusting (e.g., scaling up and down or slightly modifying) a desired template shape until the desired weight is achieved depending on the varying thickness of each workpiece. For example, from a thicker workpiece, a smaller-sized piece having a predefined shape and weight is portioned, while from a thinner workpiece, a larger-sized piece having the same predefined shape and weight is portioned. The system permits a user to scan in and edit a desired (reference) shape to be used as a template in the portioning process.

Abstract: A system for impingement air treatment of a thin film conveyor generally includes a thin film conveyor having a width, a first surface, and a second surface, and a first impingement air device configured to blow impingement air on at least one of the first and second surfaces across at least a portion of the width of the thin film conveyor. Other systems and methods for impingement air treatment of conveyors are also provided.

Abstract: Char marker rings generally include a ring body having first and second sides, an inner hole extending through the body from the first side to the second side, and an outer perimeter marking surface, and at least a first shield extending outwardly from either of the first and second sides, wherein the first shield surrounds at least a portion of the inner hole. Ring assemblies and methods of using char marker ring assemblies are also provided.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a carrier for a container for processing the container in a rotary processing system generally includes a carrier body defining at least one compartment for receiving at least one container, wherein the carrier is capable of rolling, and a retention system for maintaining the at least one container in the at least one compartment and restricting movement of the at least one container within the at least one compartment.

Abstract: Belt cleaning assemblies for a continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces generally include contact and non-contact cleaning assembles. Continuous conveyor belt systems having belt cleaning assemblies and methods for cleaning continuous conveyor belts are also provided.

Abstract: Belt cleaning assemblies for a continuous conveyor belt having a pervious belt assembly and top and bottom belt surfaces generally include contact and non-contact cleaning assembles. Continuous conveyor belt systems having belt cleaning assemblies and methods for cleaning continuous conveyor belts are also provided.

Abstract: A method of cooking in a continuous cooking oven system generally includes transporting food products on a continuous, pervious conveyor through a helical path within a cooking chamber, directing a substantially vertical flow of a heated gaseous cooking medium into either a top end or a bottom end of the helical stack and through the plurality of superimposed tiers, and selectively reversing the substantially vertical flow of heated gaseous cooking medium on a user defined interval.

Abstract: A method for automatically guiding a vehicle along at least a first of a plurality of rows comprising predefined centerlines. At least a second of the rows comprises a number of objects of known dimensions positioned at known locations along the centerline thereof. The method comprises the steps of scanning the objects from the vehicle, generating a set of data points representative of the locations of the objects relative to the vehicle, determining a sensed position and heading of the vehicle from the data points, comparing the sensed position and heading of the vehicle to a position and direction of the first row centerline, and generating offset and heading errors for the vehicle based on differences between the sensed position and heading of the vehicle and the position and direction of the first row centerline.

Abstract: A citrus juice apparatus may include at least one citrus juice processing device. The at least one juice processing device may include at least one juice output having a flow of juice therethrough. The at least one juice processing device upon a malfunction may cause an undesired material release along with the flow of juice into the at least one juice output. An undesired material release detector may be coupled to the at least one juice output for detecting the undesired material release. The detector may operate based upon magnetic proximity sensing of a moving filter plate within a housing of the detector. Alternatively, the detector may operate using a filter plate, and based upon pressure.

Abstract: A method is for handling a sterilized food product including sterilizing an intermodal container comprising a rigid shell with opposed closed ends and a discharge port in one of the closed end, and aseptically filling the intermodal container with the sterilized food product. The method further includes transporting the filled intermodal container while maintaining the sterilized food product in aseptic conditions. In addition, the method may include, at an emptying site, moving the intermodal container to an incline angle of at least 8 degrees from horizontal, and emptying the sterilized food product from the discharge port.