Abstract: The present invention relates to a processing line and a method for controlling a food processing line, the food processing line comprising a plurality of processing stations and at least one utility supply station. Further at least one food product sensor is provided, and at least one utility sensor and at least one processing sensor. A processing line controller is provided comprising a data collection module, input means for specifying at least one desired food product output characteristic, input means for specifying a nominal operating condition, an anomaly detection module configured to detect an anomaly, and a root cause module configured to determine a root cause of the detected anomaly. A corrective measure module is configured to determine a corrective measure in response to a detected anomaly and to provide the corrective measure to at least one physical actuator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed processing system for treating elongated food products, comprising: a housing bounding a process space, a transport path for displacing the elongated food products through the process space, at least one airflow generator for generating an airflow in the process space, and at least one detector for detecting process conditions in the process space, wherein the detector includes at least one pressure sensor for detecting the relative airflow pressure in the process space compared to the ambient air pressure and wherein the system is arranged to control the process conditions by adjusting the at least one airflow generator based on the detected process conditions. The present invention further relates to a method for treating elongated food products.

Abstract: A food process line and method are provided for processing food in a food process line. The food process line includes at least two of the following process line stations: a food preparation station, cold store, pump station or forming station for a pumpable food mass, or a dry coater, wet coating device, fryer, heater or freezer for the discrete food products. In each process line station at least one process step is carried out, the process line station having one or more actuators and/or one or more sensors. The food process line comprises an interstation control system configured to control an actuator of a first process line station on the basis of data from a sensor of a second process line station.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed processing system for treating elongated food products comprising a housing bounding a process space, a transport path for displacing the elongated food products through the process space, at least one airflow generator for generating an airflow in the process space, at least one airflow conditioner for conditioning the generated airflow, and at least one detector for detecting process conditions in the process space, wherein the detected process conditions include at least the relative humidity and wherein the system is arranged to control the process conditions by adjusting the at least one airflow generator and/or at least one airflow conditioner based on the detected relative humidity. The present invention further relates to a method for treating elongated food products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed processing system for treating elongated food products comprising a housing bounding a process space, a transport path for displacing the elongated food products through the process space, at least one airflow generator for generating an airflow in the process space, at least one airflow conditioner for conditioning the generated airflow, and at least one detector for detecting process conditions in the process space, wherein the detected process conditions include at least the relative humidity and wherein the system is arranged to control the process conditions by adjusting the at least one airflow generator and/or at least one airflow conditioner based on the detected relative humidity. The present invention further relates to a method for treating elongated food products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a closed processing system for treating elongated food products, comprising: a housing bounding a process space, a transport path for displacing the elongated food products through the process space, at least one airflow generator for generating an airflow in the process space, and at least one detector for detecting process conditions in the process space, wherein the detector includes at least one pressure sensor for detecting the relative airflow pressure in the process space compared to the ambient air pressure and wherein the system is arranged to control the process conditions by adjusting the at least one airflow generator based on the detected process conditions. The present invention further relates to a method for treating elongated food products.

Abstract: A treatment device for treating food products with conditioned air includes a housing with a product inlet and product outlet. The housing defines a treatment chamber. The device includes at least one conveyor means for conveying the products through the treatment chamber from the product inlet to the product outlet, an air-circulator for causing an air stream to flow through the treatment chamber, and an air-conditioning for conditioning the air stream. The air-conditioner includes a heater and a moisture-feeder. The treatment device is also provided with controllable air-discharger for discharging air from the treatment chamber. A control device controls the moisture content of the conditioned air in the treatment chamber within a range defined by a predetermined lower limit and a predefined upper limit.

Abstract: A molding device (10) for molding three-dimensional products (76) from a mass of foodstuff comprises a molding roller (16) and a filling device (18). The molding roller (16) has a molding surface with at least one mold cavity (44) which is delimited by a mold cavity (44) opening. The filling device (18) has a dispensing mouth (36) and a pump. The dispensing mouth (36) and the mold cavity (44) opening each have, viewed in the direction of the movement path, a front edge and a rear edge which is situated at a fixed distance thereof. A position-determining device determines the position of the front edge of the mold cavity (44) opening with respect to the front edge of the dispensing mouth during the movement of the mold cavity (44) opening and the dispensing mouth (36) with respect to each other. A control unit controls the pump on the basis of the position-determining device during the movement of the mold cavity (44) opening and the dispensing mouth (36) with respect to each other.