Abstract: A conveyor system 24, 24E, 24F carries work items, such as flexible, pliable, food products 22, through a scanning system 28 which generates data pertaining to various physical parameters of the food products. Thereafter, the food products are transported through a processing station which may be in the form of a portioning system 30. Next, the portioned food products are transported to a harvesting system 32-32F utilizing an actuator 34-34F to unload the food product portions 36 by vacuuming the portions into at least one nozzle 90, 90E, 90F. Such food products are transported to one or more desired locations through a hose/tube connected to a nozzle or may be launched through the air in a trajectory aimed at the desired placement location.

Abstract: A scanner comprises an electromagnetic wave source; and a detector positioned to measure emissions from the electromagnetic wave source, wherein the electromagnetic wave source comprises a first technology, and the electromagnetic wave source is interchangeable with a second electromagnetic wave source comprising a second technology and/or wherein the detector comprises a first technology, and the detector is interchangeable with a second detector comprising a second technology. Training the scanner to inspect for contaminants includes generating electromagnetic wave emissions at a plurality of combinations of parameters; moving a conveyor belt to expose product having a plurality of contaminants of different sizes to the emissions generated at more than one combination of parameters; recording attenuated emissions that pass through the product at more than one combination of parameters; and selecting a combination of parameters to use when inspecting for the contaminant.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a cleaning process of a food processing machine having at least one sensor and a computing device having at least one processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is communicatively coupled to the food processing machine and a data store and computer-executable instructions stored thereon including executing instructions by the at least one processor to cause the computing device to perform actions including: receiving, by the computing device, data from the at least one sensor; processing, by the computing device, the data from the at least one sensor; and displaying, by the computing device, processed sensor data as a first metric relating to at least one cleaning step of a selected cleaning session of the food processing machine compared to an average first metric of the at least one cleaning step of a plurality of past cleaning sessions of the food processing machine.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to adsorb calciprotein particles. An adsorbent for calciprotein particles of the present invention is characterized in that the surface of a water-insoluble carrier is covalently bonded, through a hydrocarbon group, to at least one selected from the group consisting of amino group, carboxyl group, phosphate group, phosphono group, phosphino group, and thiol group.

Abstract: A conveyor belt is arranged in tiers at spiral stack conveyor unit. A ceiling is positioned over the spiral stack(s). A circulation fan draws thermal processing medium laterally from the tiers of the spiral stack, up the exterior of the stack and across the ceiling and through a heat exchanger. The treated thermal processing medium is then routed across the remainder of the diameter of the spiral stack and then down the side of the spiral stack diametrically opposite to the circulating fan to enter the spiral stack in a lateral direction diametrically toward the circulating fan. The thermal processing medium flows into an opening formed in the ceiling downstream of the heat exchanger and into the interior of the conveyor drive hub and then into the spiral stack through openings in the drive hub outer wall.

Abstract: A system for optimizing a cleaning process of a food processing machine having at least one sensor and a computing device having at least one processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is communicatively coupled to the food processing machine and a data store and computer-executable instructions stored thereon including executing instructions by the at least one processor to cause the computing device to perform actions including: receiving, by the computing device, data from the at least one sensor; processing, by the computing device, the data from the at least one sensor; and displaying, by the computing device, processed sensor data as a first metric relating to at least one cleaning step of a selected cleaning session of the food processing machine compared to an average first metric of the at least one cleaning step of a plurality of past cleaning sessions of the food processing machine.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to adsorb calciprotein particles. An adsorbent for calciprotein particles of the present invention is characterized in that the surface of a water-insoluble carrier is covalently bonded, through a hydrocarbon group, to at least one selected from the group consisting of amino group, carboxyl group, phosphate group, phosphono group, phosphino group, and thiol group.

Abstract: A system 10 for processing work products 12 includes a housing 14 to contain the components of the system, which include a conveyor 16 for carrying the work products through the housing and past a work tool 18 being supported and moved relative to the conveyor by an X-Y actuator apparatus 20. A scanning system 21 is positioned in the housing 14 upstream of the X-Y actuator for ascertaining selected physical parameters of the work products so as to determine the manner in which the work tool 18 operates on the work products. The housing includes a compartment 22 in which is mounted a high-pressure pump system 23 to provide high pressure working fluid for the work tool 18. Also, a compact guard system 24 is positioned at the outlet 26 of the housing to prevent individuals from reaching into the housing from the exterior.

Abstract: A conveyor system 24 carries work items, such as flexible, pliable, food products 22, through a scanning system 28 which generates data pertaining to various physical parameters of the food products. Thereafter, the food products are transported through a processing station which may be in the form of a portioning system 30. Next, the portioned food products are transported to a harvesting system 32 utilizing a actuator 34 to unload the food product portions 36 by vacuuming the portions into a nozzle 90. Such food products are transported to one or more desired locations through a hose/tube connected to a nozzle or may be launched through the air in a trajectory aimed at the desired placement location.

Abstract: A fruit processing apparatus includes a chute through which fruit passes to be placed into a series of holding cups positioned around the perimeter of a first rotating indexing delivery carousel. A second rotating indexing delivery carousel is located side by side the first delivery carousel and also includes a series of cups positioned around its perimeter. Two corresponding holding cups from the rotating delivery carousels close towards each other to cooperatively form a cavity to retain the fruit therein. A small separation remains between the two cups through which passes a splitting device for splitting, with one section/half remaining within each of the two cups. An ejector for ejecting the pit from the split fruit includes at least one pick configured to strike against the pit to remove the pit from the fruit.

Abstract: A filler head apparatus 20 for hygienically filling and emptying containers 22 through a fitment 24 incorporated with the container 22 includes a cylindrical outer housing 30 for receiving a hollow bore inner cylinder 32 which is actuated to simultaneously reciprocate and rotate about a central axis 33 within the outer housing. A transfer tube assembly 34 is mounted to the inner cylinder 32 to travel with the inner cylinder between an extended position engaged with the fitment 24 and a retracted position disengage from the fitment. When the transfer tube assembly is engaged with the fitment, flowable content or product may be transferred to or from the container 22.

Abstract: In some aspects, the systems and devices described herein relate to an injection needle for injecting fluid into a substrate such as a food product, including: an elongated hollow shank having a center longitudinal axis, an inner shank wall, and an outer shank wall; and a needle tip, including: an injection opening; and a curved end portion extending from the elongated hollow shank and having a radius of curvature, the curved end portion terminating distally in a bottom outer edge and a cutting face extending from the bottom outer edge toward the inner shank wall at a bottom end of the injection opening, wherein the bottom outer edge and the cutting face are in substantially vertical alignment with an axis of a first portion of the inner shank wall extending from a top end of the injection opening.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A first brine free of salt and phosphate for treating a food product by injection of the brine into the food product. The brine is formed from an emulsion consisting of water, saltless flavoring and protein. The protein is from the same type of food product as the food product being injected with the brine. A second brine especially for ham with the bine being similar to the first brine, but with a low sodium content of a maximum of 0.5% to 1.0% of the weight of the food product. A third brine for pork bellies without phosphate. A fourth brine consisting of only protein from the same type of food product as the food product being injected with the brine and water.

Abstract: A rail and track cartridge for building straight or radial belt conveyors comprises two or more rails connected to each other, wherein the two or more rails each has a first and second free end; and a track connected to each rail, wherein each track is supported by tabs protruding from the rail, wherein the track is offset to the side from the rail, and an upper track surface is above a top surface of the rail. An adjustable cartridge has bent free ends of the two or more rails attached to the same tier arm to adjust the length of the rails to fit within the tier arms.

Abstract: Mist management systems are configured for a processing machine having a portioning station configured to portion a workpiece within an enclosed portioner housing having a first side wall extending along the portioning station, a second side wall, at least one hood portion between the first and second side walls, and at least one end wall between the first and second side walls, using at least one liquid jet cutter and a conveyor configured to move the workpiece in a longitudinal direction beneath the at least one liquid jet cutter. The systems may include a tray secured within the enclosed portioner housing beneath the at least one liquid jet cutter and the conveyor, the tray being downwardly angled and configured to direct a waterjet of the liquid jet cutter toward a low pressure plenum chamber positioned external to the first side wall of the enclosed portioner housing.

Abstract: A sensing system (110) positioned relative to the conveyor belt (34) to sense the physical configuration of the belt side links (44) and (46) as well as the inclination or tilt of the side links.