Abstract: A method and apparatus for food processing includes a processing compartment, two trunnions, a sensor and an alarm. The processing compartment includes a rotating component having two ends. Each trunnion includes a component for rotational movement and the trunnions are disposed to support one of the ends. The sensor is disposed to sense a rotational speed of one of the components for rotational movement and the alarm is responsive to the sensor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering fluid for a food processing system is disclosed and includes a fluid inlet, a filtered outlet, a drain outlet, two filters - each having inlets, inlet valves, drain outlets, drain valves, filtered outlets, and return valves. A first recycling flow path includes an inlet valve, an inlet, a filter, a return valve, and a filtered outlet. A first drain flow path includes the inlet valve, the inlet, the filter, the drain valve, and the drain outlet. A second set of like flow paths for the second filter is provided. A controller is connected to control each of valves, and the controller has a first filter purge module, a first filter filter module, a first filter power purge module, a first filter off module, second filter purge module, a second filter filter module, a second filter power purge module, and a second filter off module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering fluid for a food processing system is disclosed and includes a fluid inlet, a filtered outlet, a drain outlet, two filters—each having inlets, inlet valves, drain outlets, drain valves, filtered outlets, and return valves. A first recycling flow path includes an inlet valve, an inlet, a filter, a return valve, and a filtered outlet. A first drain flow path includes the inlet valve, the inlet, the filter, the drain valve, and the drain outlet. A second set of like flow paths for the second filter is provided. A controller is connected to control each of valves, and the controller has a first filter purge module, a first filter filter module, a first filter power purge module, a first filter off module, second filter purge module, a second filter filter module, a second filter power purge module, and a second filter off module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering fluid for a food processing system is disclosed and includes a fluid inlet, a filtered outlet, a drain outlet, two filters—each having inlets, inlet valves, drain outlets, drain valves, filtered outlets, and return valves. A first recycling flow path includes an inlet valve, an inlet, a filter, a return valve, and a filtered outlet. A first drain flow path includes the inlet valve, the inlet, the filter, the drain valve, and the drain outlet. A second set of like flow paths for the second filter is provided. A controller is connected to control each of valves, and the controller has a first filter purge module, a first filter filter module, a first filter power purge module, a first filter off module, second filter purge module, a second filter filter module, a second filter power purge module, and a second filter off module.

Abstract: A control system and method that controls the processing, logging, visual display, and product tracking functions for thermal processing equipment includes one or more wireless temperature probes. The wireless temperature probes allow the system to obtain and process real time data information and provide real time control, logging, display and validation for thermal processing. The wireless temperature probes transmit a signal to a receiver through an antenna configured in the thermal processing equipment, and the receiver sends that information to a control panel. The control panel utilizes a graphical user interface with touch screen capabilities, an input/output device, a process and storage media to log and control the process implemented for the food product.

Abstract: A high capacity food processing system, including for an elongated strand of food product such as hot dogs, sausage links, etc., has first and second loading stations with serial accumulators enabling intermittent stopping of the loading operation, which is a necessary and normal part of use, without disrupting a downstream thermal process, and enabling differential conveyor velocities through the loading stations, including a loading velocity for loading food product on the conveyor, a bypass velocity during intermittent non-loaded conveyor segments, and a transport velocity through the processing station, wherein the transport velocity is less than the bypass velocity and greater than the loading velocity, and where the transport velocity remains constant and the same during both of the loading and bypass velocities of the conveyor at the loading stations and also remains constant and the same during stopped movement of the conveyor at the loading stations.

Abstract: A high capacity food processing system, including for an elongated strand of food product such as hot dogs, sausage links, etc., has first and second loading stations with serial accumulators enabling intermittent stopping of the loading operation, which is a necessary and normal part of use, without disrupting a downstream thermal process, and enabling differential conveyor velocities through the loading stations, including a loading velocity for loading food product on the conveyor, a bypass velocity during intermittent non-loaded conveyor segments, and a transport velocity through the processing station, wherein the transport velocity is less than the bypass velocity and greater than the loading velocity, and where the transport velocity remains constant and the same during both of the loading and bypass velocities of the conveyor at the loading stations and also remains constant and the same during stopped movement of the conveyor at the loading stations.

Abstract: A high capacity food processing system, including for an elongated strand of food product such as hot dogs, sausage links, etc., has first and second loading stations with serial accumulators enabling intermittent stopping of the loading operation, which is a necessary and normal part of use, without disrupting a downstream thermal process, and enabling differential conveyor velocities through the loading stations, including a loading velocity for loading food product on the conveyor, a bypass velocity during intermittent non-loaded conveyor segments, and a transport velocity through the processing station, wherein the transport velocity is less than the bypass velocity and greater than the loading velocity, and where the transport velocity remains constant and the same during both of the loading and bypass velocities of the conveyor at the loading stations and also remains constant and the same during stopped movement of the conveyor at the loading stations.

Abstract: A loading system is provided for loading an elongated strand of food product of given diameter on a moving transport conveyor. First and second loading conveyors are separated by a gap of dimension less than or equal to the diameter of the food product strand and convey the strand to a transfer ramp by an indexed drive.

Abstract: A high capacity food processing system, including for an elongated strand of food product such as hot dogs, sausage links, etc., has first and second loading stations with serial accumulators enabling intermittent stopping of the loading operation, which is a necessary and normal part of use, without disrupting a downstream thermal process, and enabling differential conveyor velocities through the loading stations, including a loading velocity for loading food product on the conveyor, a bypass velocity during intermittent non-loaded conveyor segments, and a transport velocity through the processing station, wherein the transport velocity is less than the bypass velocity and greater than the loading velocity, and where the transport velocity remains constant and the same during both of the loading and bypass velocities of the conveyor at the loading stations and also remains constant and the same during stopped movement of the conveyor at the loading stations.