Abstract: A stabilizing system stabilizes light-weight articles carried on conveyors for automated bulk processing equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the light-weight articles, such as, for example, tobacco leaf products or wood chips, are moved and stabilized along a conveyor from a first infeed end to a second discharge end where they are projected in-air along a trajectory through an illumination station and sorting station. An enclosed off-belt housing is provided within which the light-weight articles are projected along a controlled trajectory to be processed by the optical inspection and sorting systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for sorting meat chunks of variable fat and lean meat content, in which some of the meat chunks are interconnected by stringy tissue, the method including providing a roller located above a separation panel separating a lean meat outfeed location and a fat meat outfeed location, the roller being rotatable about a central axis in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction to actively displace interconnected meat chunks striking the roller into either the lean meat outfeed location or the fat meat outfeed location and prevent build-up of interconnected meat chunks on the separation panel.

Abstract: An optical inspection system (10) has an inspection region (20) through which articles (12) pass and are illuminated by illumination (22) provided by an illumination source (30). The source is shielded from the inspection region by a protective shield or tube (32) transmissive of the illumination. A cleaning element (42), such as a plastic string, contacts a major surface (45) of the tube and dislodges contaminants (63) from the major surface as the tube rotates. The cleaning element has an active portion (60) held in contact with the major surface by tension in the cleaning element applied at tension locations (56, 58). The cleaning element describes part of a spiral or helix; it preferably occupies less than about 360 degrees, more preferably between about 30 and about 270 degrees, and still more preferably about 120 to about 240 degrees, of arc measured about the axis of the tube.

Abstract: A detectable cutter knife (100) is useful as a replacement for a conventional cutter knife used in product inspection and cutting systems of the type having a cutting wheel assembly. The cutting wheel assembly includes a knife guide having angularly spaced radially oriented knife support slots through which cutter knives having tangs extending therefrom move between a retracted noncutting position and an extended cutting position. The detectable cutter knife (100) includes a shank (102), a tang (114), and an amount of metallic material in the shank sufficient to stimulate a metal detector. The use of metallic material in the shank permits automatic and efficient detection of a broken cutter knife (100) and its removal from product flow. Preferably, the metallic material takes the form of a ball bearing (152) secured within a hole (150) positioned in a low-stress area (154) of shank (102).

Abstract: A product stabilizer for fruits and vegetables on a moving belt includes a very flexible rubber bladder, forming an airtight chamber between two hubs which are mounted for rotation astride the conveyor belt. The bladder is inflated to relatively low pressure less than 1 psi. When the product passes under the pliable surface of the inflated bladder, the bladder conforms to the product and serves to stabilize the product.

Abstract: A self-cleaning cutter knife (100) is described for use as a replacement for prior art cutter knives in product inspection and cutting apparatus having a cutting wheel assembly including a knife guide having angularly spaced radially oriented knife support slots through which cutter knives having tangs extending therefrom move between a retracted noncutting position and an extended cutting position. The self-cleaning cutter knife (100) includes a shank (102) and a tang (114) similar to those of prior art cutter knife (10) but also includes a secondary blade (126) whose cutting edge (128) is positioned to cut product remnants adhering to the shank (102) as it retracts into the cutting wheel assembly. The secondary blade (126) diminishes the knife jamming that results from accumulation of large product remnants in the cutting wheel assembly knife slots.

Abstract: An improved automatic french frying machine and method uses a supply of cooking oil which remains in a cooking vat during normal operation and is heated directly in the cooking vat. A system of thermostats combines with a heating element within the cooking vat to ensure proper cooking temperature and safe operation. An automatic initialization and monitoring system ensures safe startup and operation. Preferred embodiments also include an automatic flushing cycle which is activated at predetermined intervals to clean the cooking vat and replenish the cooking oil within the vat. A specially shaped cooking vat ensures that food particles will be removed from the vat during the flushing cycle. Oil degradation is minimized by either an open-topped cooking vat or a cooking vat having a lid which remains open during cooking.