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 new method for dividing a food product log into separate portions prior to cooking of the portions uses a machine that cuts portions from an end of the product log, a controller that controls the operation of the cutting machine, and a sensing arrangement that generates a signal dependent on a cross-sectional dimension of the product at the end. The controller determines the thickness of the next portion to be cut from the end by the cutting machine using the signal from the sensing arrangement and the value of a cook-out parameter related to the proportion of the end of the product that is formed by at least one constituent of the product. The thickness is calculated with a view to the portion achieving a predetermined target weight after it has been cooked.

Abstract: A food slicing machine is provided for slicing food products such as bacon, cheese or cooked meat for sale as groups of slices in separate packs. The food slicing machine includes a cutter for cutting slices from the food product and a controller for controlling the thickness of the slices. The machine cuts slices according to a first value of a slicing parameter until the controller determines when the amount of food product remaining to be sliced in an end portion of the food product is less than a predetermined group weight threshold. The controller causes a slice to be cut according to a second, different value of the slicing parameter from the end portion for addition to an under-weight group of slices, so that its weight at least equals the predetermined group weight threshold.

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.