Abstract: A flap-folding module for a food processing line is arranged to receive a food product lying on a sheet of material and to fold a portion of the sheet over the food product. A conveyor system carries the food product and sheet along a product flow path through the module. A gas jet outlet device provides a pulse of gas to raise a leading edge of the sheet, and an edge catch device receives the leading edge, temporarily retaining the leading edge whilst the food product passes beneath, thereby folding a leading portion of the sheet over at least part of the food product. The conveyor system comprises a mid-conveyor section and an upstream conveyor section which is upstream of the mid-conveyor section, and the upstream conveyor section is pivotable relative to the mid-conveyor section about a pivot axis which extends transversely across the product flow path.

Abstract: A food processing machine (10) and a method of cutting slices or portions from a food product (60, 70, 72, 74) in a food processing machine are described. The food processing machine comprises a cutter (30) to cut portions from a food product and a sensing apparatus (43, 45) configured to sense a profile of the food product. The machine is arranged to control sensing and cutting feed rates independently.

Abstract: A food processing machine (10) and a method of cutting slices or portions from a food product (60) in a food processing machine are described. The food processing machine comprises an end gripper (40) for gripping a trailing end (62) of a food product travelling along a food product flow path towards the cutter. A gripper drive assembly (41) is arranged to move the end gripper from stowed position below the food product flow path to a raised position in the food product flow path after a food product has passed over the end gripper and then bring the end gripper into engagement with the trailing end of the food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gripper device for picking up and releasing a group of food slices, the group of slices being arranged with a slice at one end lying on a support surface and each subsequent slice through to the slice at the other end lying against the preceding slice and being displaced relative to the preceding slice. A counter hold is provided opposite a first structure which comprises a first blade portion. A displacement mechanism is provided for moving at least one of the first structure and the counter hold away from and towards the other. A tilting mechanism is able to rotate the blade portion. To pick up a group of food slices, at least one of the first structure and the counter hold moves towards the other. The tilting mechanism rotates the first blade portion such that it tilts towards the counter hold causing the group of food slices to be arranged in a stack between the first blade portion and the counter hold.

Abstract: A food processing system includes a food slicing machine having a control arrangement for regulating a thickness of slices cut by the machine so that they are cut according to a current value of a slice size parameter. An under-weight signal is generated which is responsive to generation of any under-weight groups of slices by the slicing machine, and an end-of-line weighing device monitors the weight of groups of slices outputted by the system and generates an end-of-line weight signal responsive thereto. The system identifies any under-weight groups of slices so that their weight can be increased by addition of a further slice before being outputted by the system. The control arrangement receives the two signals and determines the value of the slice size parameter having regard to them. The slice size parameter may be adjusted to minimize give-away by the system.