A gripper (1) and a method of gripping an object (2). The gripper (1) comprises two jaws having leading edges towards each other and being arrangeable in an open or a closed state. A belt extends across the gap between the leading edges. To allow rotation of the object while it is gripped, the gripper comprises a belt pulling structure which can be actuated to pull the belt to thereby cause movement of the belt in a first direction from one of the jaws towards the other jaw.
A CUTTING ASSEMBLY, A KNIFE FOR THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY, A COUNTER DEVICE FOR THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY, AND A METHOD OF SLICING FOOD WITH THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY
A cutting assembly for cutting thin slices of non-rigid food objects, includes a circular knife, a counter-structure with a counter-hold, and a movement-structure configured for moving the knife in a cutting-plane relative to the counter-structure with the frontside facing the counter-hold such that a point at which the knife contacts the counter-hold moves along the counter-hold from an enter-point to an exit-point while the food object is cut between the counter-hold and the knife. The knife has a rim frontside defining a cutting angle to the centre axis and a centre backside defining at least one eject angle to the centre axis, the eject angle is smaller than the cutting angle, and the counter-hold is movable relative to the counter-structure such that the counter-hold moves in a direction away from the knife during movement of the knife in the cutting-plane.
B26D 1/00 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
B26D 7/00 - Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
3.
CHUTE FOR COMBINATION WEIGHER WITH PATH CONTROLLING MECHANISM
There is presented a chute (110, 1110, 1210, 1410) suitable for a combination weigher (100), said chute comprising a plurality of receiving sections (524), each receiving section being arranged for receiving one or more products (522), such as each receiving section being arranged for receiving one or more products from a dedicated hopper system (106) within a plurality of hopper systems in a combination weigher, one or more controllable path controlling mechanisms (114) for controlling for each receiving section (524) individually a path of the one or more products (522) exiting or passing the chute, such as the one or more path controlling mechanisms being controllable by a control device.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
4.
A COMBINATION WEIGHER WITH A MOUNTING STRUCTURE, A METHOD OF MOUNTING A SCREW FEEDER, AND A MOUNTING STRUCTURE
The present disclosure provides a combination weigher comprising a screw feeder configured to convey objects by rotation about a rotation axis extending in an axial direction and being rotated by a motor by a mounting structure. The mounting structure comprises a male part and a female part. One of the male part and the female part comprises a pin structure and the other one of the male part and the female part comprises a receiving slot. The receiving slot is designed for allowing the pin structure to slide therein when the male part slides into the female part. The receiving slot extends from an open end via an intermediate zone to a closed end and defines at least a first section and a second section extending in different directions from the intermediate zone. The first section extends from the intermediate zone to the open end, and the second section extends from the intermediate zone to the closed end. The intermediate zone is defined within a first end-wall, a second end-wall, and a ceiling connecting the first end-wall and the second end-wall. The first end-wall and the second end- wall are non-parallel. The first section is in communication with a first zone part of the intermediate zone and the second section is in communication with a second zone part of the intermediate zone.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
5.
A GRIPPER AND A METHOD OF USING A ROBOT WITH THE GRIPPER
A gripper for gripping an item, particularly a plate shaped item, includes a base, and a first jaw member and a second jaw member movable to grip the item. To ensure release of the item from the jaw members and thereby precise delivery of the item, the gripper comprises a guard structure forming contact surfaces located such that inner surfaces of the other jaw member moves between positions on opposite sides of the contact surface when the item is gripped and released.
A conveyor system includes an endless belt conveyor with an endless belt and one or more curve guide elements arranged for guiding at least a part of a stretch of the upper run of the endless conveyor belt to extend laterally from one side of the support structure and the lower run of the endless conveyor belt.
Gripper device configured to be attached to a robotic device and to pickup a food product from a pickup area and to release it from a releasing location to a receiving location
A gripper device is configured to be attached to a robotic device and to pick up a food product from a pickup area and to release it from a releasing location to a receiving location. A method is provided for picking up a food product from a pickup area and releasing it from a releasing location to a receiving location can be used with the gripper device.
Disclosed herein is an apparatus for portion cutting of meat items, wherein the apparatus comprises: a first shape sensor for measuring a shape of a meat item to be cut into portions, the shape defining a reference direction, a cutter for cutting the meat item into portions, a cutter feed conveyor for conveying the meat item to the cutter, the cutter feed conveyor defining a feed direction, a control module configured to compute, based on the measured shape and based on one or more predetermined cut criteria, a target orientation associated with the meat item, the target orientation being indicative of a target angle between the reference direction and the feed direction, and an item positioner configured to position the meat item on the cutter feed conveyor at the computed target orientation.
Apparatus for sorting and orienting food items, comprising a first conveyor having a first and second end, a second conveyor extending from said second end and for transporting items received from the first conveyor, an opening at said second end, a first sensor device for obtaining information on the items, a pick-and-place robot to pick said items from the first conveyor and place them on the second conveyor, a control module receiving information from the first device and controlling said robot. The shape of each item is determined based on said information. Said food items are categorized in two categories based on said determination. The robot is controlled to pick items from the first conveyor and to place and orient the item on the second conveyor, if the item belongs to the first category only, and such that items belonging to the second category will pass into the opening
A method and system is provided for generating batches of food pieces, and includes: conveying incoming food objects through at least one cutting device, where the at least one cutting device is configured to cut the incoming food objects into plurality of food pieces according to at least one first cutting rule, conveying the resulting plurality of cut food pieces to at least one batching system where at least one batch is generated fulfilling at least one first criterion including at least one first weight target. The at least one first cutting rule is selected in accordance to the at least one first weight target such that the resulting weight distribution of the plurality of food pieces entering the batching system fulfils at least one first pre-defined weight target distribution adapted to the at least one first weight target.
A22C 25/08 - Holding, guiding, or conveying fish before, during or after its preparation
13.
A CUTTING ASSEMBLY, A KNIFE FOR THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY, A COUNTER DEVICE FOR THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY, AND A METHOD OF SLICING FOOD WITH THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY
A cutting assembly (1) for cutting thin slices of nonrigid food objects, the cutting assembly comprising a circular knife (4, 5), a counter-structure (8) with a counter-hold (7), and a movement-structure configured for moving the knife in a cutting-plane relative to the counter-structure with the frontside facing the counter-hold such that a point at which the knife contacts the counter-hold moves along the counter-hold from an enter-point to an exit- point while the food object is cut between the counter-hold and the knife. To ensure the ability to slice food objects into very thin slices, and the ability to eject such thin slices in a well-ordered manner from the knife, the knife has a rim frontside (37) defining a cutting angle (52) to the centre axis and a centre backside defining at least one eject angle (53, 54) to the centre axis, the eject angle being smaller than the cutting angle, and the counter-hold (7) is movable relative to the counter-structure (8) such that the counter-hold moves in a direction away from the knife during movement of the knife in the cutting-plane.
B26D 1/00 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
B26D 7/00 - Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
14.
A CUTTING ASSEMBLY, A KNIFE FOR THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY, A COUNTER DEVICE FOR THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY, AND A METHOD OF SLICING FOOD WITH THE CUTTING ASSEMBLY
A cutting assembly (1) for cutting thin slices of non-rigid food objects, the cutting assembly comprising a circular knife (4, 5), a counter-structure (8) with a counter-hold (7), and a movement-structure configured for moving the knife in a cutting-plane relative to the counter-structure with the frontside facing the counter-hold such that a point at which the knife contacts the counter-hold moves along the counter-hold from an enter-point to an exit- point while the food object is cut between the counter-hold and the knife. To ensure the ability to slice food objects into very thin slices, and the ability to eject such thin slices in a well-ordered manner from the knife, the knife has a rim frontside (37) defining a cutting angle (52) to the centre axis and a centre backside defining at least one eject angle (53, 54) to the centre axis, the eject angle being smaller than the cutting angle, and the counter-hold (7) is movable relative to the counter-structure (8) such that the counter-hold moves in a direction away from the knife during movement of the knife in the cutting-plane.
B26D 1/00 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
B26D 7/00 - Details of apparatus for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
A method to grind meat in a grinder, includes: providing the meat to the grinder via a hopper where the hopper includes a feeder worm for feeding the meat to a process unit. The process unit has a rotating processing worm and a cutting set. The rotating processing worm can receive the meat from the feeder worm and convey it to the cutting set, which grinds the meat. The method involves automatically adjusting the revolutions per minute of the rotating processing worm in response to a pressure creation in the process unit.
A gripper (1) for gripping an item (2), particularly a plate shaped item. The gripper (1) comprises a base (4), and a first jaw member (5) and a second jaw member (6) movable to grip the item. To ensure release of the item from the jaw members and thereby precise delivery of the item, the gripper comprises a guard structure forming contact surfaces located such that inner surfaces of the other jaw member moves between positions on opposite sides of the contact surface when the item is gripped and released.
A gripper (1) for gripping an item (2), particularly a plate shaped item. The gripper (1) comprises a base (4), and a first jaw member (5) and a second jaw member (6) movable to grip the item. To ensure release of the item from the jaw members and thereby precise delivery of the item, the gripper comprises a guard structure forming contact surfaces located such that inner surfaces of the other jaw member moves between positions on opposite sides of the contact surface when the item is gripped and released.
A GRIPPER DEVICE CONFIGURED TO BE ATTACHED TO A ROBOTIC DEVICE AND TO PICK UP A FOOD PRODUCT FROM A PICK UP AREA AND TO RELEASE IT FROM A RELEASING LOCATION TO A RECEIVING LOCATION
Picking up a food product from a pick up area and release it from a releasing location to a receiving location using a gripper device having a first jaw (101, 201) and a second jaw (102,202), each having a leading edge (104, 105), the jaws being configured to be moved by a moving mechanism (103) relative to each other from a gripping position to an open position where there is a suitable opening between the leading edges so that the food product (209) may be controllably released from the gripper device (100), and vice versa, by moving the gripper device to a gripping position and picking up the food product, followed by moving the gripper device to the releasing location and releasing the food product at the releasing location to the receiving location by means of moving the first jaw (101, 201) relative to the second jaw from the gripping position to the open position such that one side (208) of the food product (209) is un-supported from the first jaw (101,102) while an other side (207) of the food product (209) is temporarily resting on the second jaw (102,202) so as to cause a tilting of the food product around a longitudinal axis (205) of the food product (209) when releasing the food product to the receiving location.
A GRIPPER DEVICE CONFIGURED TO BE ATTACHED TO A ROBOTIC DEVICE AND TO PICK UP A FOOD PRODUCT FROM A PICK UP AREA AND TO RELEASE IT FROM A RELEASING LOCATION TO A RECEIVING LOCATION
Picking up a food product from a pick up area and release it from a releasing location to a receiving location using a gripper device having a first jaw (101, 201) and a second jaw (102,202), each having a leading edge (104, 105), the jaws being configured to be moved by a moving mechanism (103) relative to each other from a gripping position to an open position where there is a suitable opening between the leading edges so that the food product (209) may be controllably released from the gripper device (100), and vice versa, by moving the gripper device to a gripping position and picking up the food product, followed by moving the gripper device to the releasing location and releasing the food product at the releasing location to the receiving location by means of moving the first jaw (101, 201) relative to the second jaw from the gripping position to the open position such that one side (208) of the food product (209) is un-supported from the first jaw (101,102) while an other side (207) of the food product (209) is temporarily resting on the second jaw (102,202) so as to cause a tilting of the food product around a longitudinal axis (205) of the food product (209) when releasing the food product to the receiving location.
A conveyor system comprising an endless belt conveyor with an endless belt (4) and one or more curve guide elements (8) arranged for guiding at least a part of a stretch of the upper run (6) of the endless conveyor belt (4) to extend laterally from one side of the support structure (1) and the lower run (7) of the endless conveyor belt (4).
A conveyor system comprising an endless belt conveyor with an endless belt (4) and one or more curve guide elements (8) arranged for guiding at least a part of a stretch of the upper run (6) of the endless conveyor belt (4) to extend laterally from one side of the support structure (1) and the lower run (7) of the endless conveyor belt (4).
This invention relates to a method and a system for of operating helical screws adapted to be used in relation with a combination weigher, where the combination weigher comprises a plurality of elongated trenches, where within each of the elongated trenches such a helical screw is provided and driven by a motor, where the helical screw is configured to advance, via an initial revolutions per minute (RPM) value of the helical screw, received food items from receiving ends of the trenches towards releasing ends of the trenches where the food items are released therefrom, the method comprising identifying if a change in the RPM value has occurred from the initial RPM value of the helical screw, where in case a change is identified, automatically adjusting the helical screw to another RPM value different from the initial RPM value.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
23.
A METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR GENERATING BATCHES OF FOOD PIECES
This invention relates to a method and a system for generating batches of food pieces, comprising:. conveying incoming food objects through at least one cutting device, where the at least one cutting device is configured to cut the incoming food objects into plurality of food pieces according to at least one first cutting rule,. conveying the resulting plurality of cut food pieces to at least one batching system where at least one batch is generated fulfilling at least one first criterion including at least one first weight target, wherein the at least one first cutting rule is selected in accordance to the at least one first weight target such that the resulting weight distribution of the plurality of food pieces entering the batching system fulfils at least one first pre-defined weight target distribution adapted to the at least one first weight target, wherein in case the at least one first weight target is changed to at least one second weight target a control signal is generated for the at least one cutting device to adjust the at least one first cutting rule to at least one second cutting rule such that the resulting weight distribution of the plurality of resulting cut food pieces entering the batching system fulfils at least one second pre-defined weight target distribution adapted to the at least one second weight target.
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
G01G 19/387 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value
B26D 7/32 - Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for conveying or stacking cut product
G01G 11/00 - Apparatus for weighing a continuous stream of material during flowConveyor-belt weighers
24.
CONTROLLING ANGULAR SPEED OF ECCENTRIC MOVEMENT OF CIRCULAR BLADE
A cutting apparatus for cutting a food object includes at least one circular blade being rotatable around a first axis through a center of the circular blade. The circular blade is rotatable around a second axis, such that the second axis is parallel and non-coaxial with respect to the first axis. The apparatus includes a measurement device for determining a position of at least a part of the surface of the food object to be cut, such as a height profiler arranged for determining a height profile of the food object, and a processor arranged for controlling an angular speed of the circular blade around the second axis based on the position of at least a part of the surface of the food object to be cut, such as the height profile.
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
B26D 5/32 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed having the cutting member controlled by scanning a record carrier with the record carrier formed by the work itself
25.
Cutting apparatus with element for receiving and abutting cutting blade
A cutting apparatus for cutting a food object includes at least one cutting blade, an actuator arranged for moving the cutting blade before and during cutting, and an element comprising a receiving section arranged for receiving and abutting the cutting blade, and a supporting section arranged for supporting a food object before and during cutting. During cutting, the supporting section is arranged for being displaced, such as displaced by elastic deformation, by the cutting blade with respect to a position of the supporting section prior to cutting. During moving of the cutting blade, the cutting blade is arranged for displacing the supporting section subsequent to the cutting blade abutting the receiving section. The cutting blade and the element are arranged for being continuously in contact with each other.
A turning apparatus has a turning device for engaging and turning a food item conveyed by a conveying means. The turning device includes a sweep arm structure for engaging the food item, a moving mechanism for turning the sweep arm structure from a first angular position to a second angular position, and a height displacement mechanism for raising and lowering the turning device.
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
B65G 47/244 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
A cutting system and method for cutting food items includes an in-feed conveyor having an in-feed conveyor surface and an out-feed conveyor having an out-feed conveyor surface. The in-feed and the out-feed conveyors are arranged in an end-to-end arrangement. The system has a cutting knife defining a cutting plane within which it moves as it performs a cut. The cutting plane is defined between the ends of the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors. The cutting system has an out-feed hold down device with a surface facing the out-feed conveyor surface and being arranged in relation to the out-feed conveyor surface such that it is able to apply a pressure onto a portion of a food item resting on the out-feed conveyor surface while it is being cut by the cutting knife.
B26D 7/02 - Means for holding or positioning work with clamping means
B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
B26D 7/14 - Means for treating work or cutting member to facilitate cutting by tensioning the work
A cutting apparatus for cutting a food object where inlet and outlet conveyors are arranged in an end-to-end arrangement. A moving mechanism is provided for adjusting the relative position between the ends of the inlet and outlet conveyors, a cutting device is provided having a cutting plane extending between the inlet and outlet conveyors, a detection mechanism is provided for detecting at least one characteristics related to the food object, and a control device is provided for controlling the moving mechanism and the cutting device. Controlling the moving mechanism includes utilizing the at least one detected characteristics in determining a target width of an opening between the ends of the inlet and outlet conveyors, and controlling the cutting device includes subsequently cutting the food object into smaller food pieces. The target width of the opening is selected such that it allows smaller food pieces to fall through the opening.
A gripper device is configured to pick up a pliable food product having a tail-like part from a pick-up area and releasing it at a releasing area, where a support is provided. A pair of jaws is mounted to the support for movement of distal ends thereof towards each other defining a closing position of the pair of jaws and away from each other defining an open position of the pair of jaws. A tail bender device is attached to the support and adjacent to one end of the pair of jaws. The tail bender device is moveable in relation to the pair of jaws and is configured to bend the tail-like part while transferring the food product from the pick-up area until releasing it at the releasing area.
A food singulator apparatus is configured to generate a sequence of spaced apart food slices from a food product conveyed by a conveyor apparatus. The apparatus includes an engagement member for engaging with a front side of the food product and temporarily halt the food product while cutting by a cutting device a front food slice of the food product, and a takeaway device for downwardly sliding the front food slice from the remaining part of the food product and slide it downwards and under the takeaway device where the food slice is subsequently received as an individual food slice.
There is presented a cutting apparatus for cutting a food object, said apparatus comprising at least one cutting blade, an actuator arranged for moving the cutting blade before and during cutting, and an element comprising a receiving section arranged for receiving and abutting the cutting blade, such as at a point in time prior to cutting, and a supporting section arranged for supporting a food object before and during cutting, wherein during cutting the supporting section is arranged for being displaced, such as displaced by elastic deformation, by the cutting blade with respect to a position of the supporting section prior to cutting, wherein during moving of the cutting blade, the cutting blade is arranged for displacing the supporting section subsequent to the cutting blade abutting the receiving section, wherein the cutting blade and the element are arranged for being continuously in contact with each other from a point of contact is made between the cutting blade and the receiving section prior to cutting, and at least until a point in time during cutting.
B26D 1/157 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
B26D 1/22 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter coacting with a movable member, e.g. a roller
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
32.
CONTROLLING ANGULAR SPEED OF ECCENTRIC MOVEMENT OF CIRCULAR BLADE
There is presented a cutting apparatus (100) for cutting a food object (120, 124), said apparatus comprising at least one circular blade (102) being rotatable around a first axis (103) through a centre of the circular blade, and wherein the circular blade (102) is rotatable around a second axis (107), wherein the second axis is parallel and non-coaxial with respect to the first axis, and said apparatus further comprising a measurement device (110) for determining a position of at least a part of the surface of the food object (120, 124) to be cut, such as a height profiler arranged for determining a height profile of the food object, and a processor arranged for controlling an angular speed of the circular blade (102) around the second axis (107) based on the position of at least a part of the surface of the food object to be cut, such as the height profile.
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
B26D 5/32 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed having the cutting member controlled by scanning a record carrier with the record carrier formed by the work itself
33.
CONTROLLING ANGULAR SPEED OF ECCENTRIC MOVEMENT OF CIRCULAR BLADE
There is presented a cutting apparatus (100) for cutting a food object (120, 124), said apparatus comprising at least one circular blade (102) being rotatable around a first axis (103) through a centre of the circular blade, and wherein the circular blade (102) is rotatable around a second axis (107), wherein the second axis is parallel and non-coaxial with respect to the first axis, and said apparatus further comprising a measurement device (110) for determining a position of at least a part of the surface of the food object (120, 124) to be cut, such as a height profiler arranged for determining a height profile of the food object, and a processor arranged for controlling an angular speed of the circular blade (102) around the second axis (107) based on the position of at least a part of the surface of the food object to be cut, such as the height profile.
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
B26D 5/32 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting with interrelated action between the cutting member and work feed having the cutting member controlled by scanning a record carrier with the record carrier formed by the work itself
34.
CUTTING APPARATUS WITH ELEMENT FOR RECEIVING AND ABUTTING CUTTING BLADE
There is presented a cutting apparatus for cutting a food object, said apparatus comprising at least one cutting blade, an actuator arranged for moving the cutting blade before and during cutting, and an element comprising a receiving section arranged for receiving and abutting the cutting blade, such as at a point in time prior to cutting, and a supporting section arranged for supporting a food object before and during cutting, wherein during cutting the supporting section is arranged for being displaced, such as displaced by elastic deformation, by the cutting blade with respect to a position of the supporting section prior to cutting, wherein during moving of the cutting blade, the cutting blade is arranged for displacing the supporting section subsequent to the cutting blade abutting the receiving section, wherein the cutting blade and the element are arranged for being continuously in contact with each other from a point of contact is made between the cutting blade and the receiving section prior to cutting, and at least until a point in time during cutting.
B26D 1/22 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter coacting with a movable member, e.g. a roller
B26D 1/157 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
A method to grind meat in a grinder, includes: providing the meat to the grinder via a hopper where the hopper includes a feeder worm for feeding the meat to a process unit. The process unit has a rotating processing worm and a cutting set. The rotating processing worm can receive the meat from the feeder worm and convey it to the cutting set, which grinds the meat. The method involves automatically adjusting the revolutions per minute of the rotating processing worm in response to a pressure creation in the process unit.
A turning apparatus (100) having a turning device (105, 200) for engaging and turning a food item (101) conveyed by a conveying means (103, 104). The turning device including a sweep arm structure (106) for engaging the food item (101), a moving mechanism (115) for turning the sweep arm structure (106) from a first angular position to a second angular position, and a height displacement mechanism (116) for raising and lowering the turning device (105, 200).
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
B65G 47/244 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
B65G 47/71 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged to several conveyors
37.
TURNING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING FOOD ITEMS
A turning apparatus (100) having a turning device (105, 200) for engaging and turning a food item (101) conveyed by a conveying means (103, 104). The turning device including a sweep arm structure (106) for engaging the food item (101), a moving mechanism (115) for turning the sweep arm structure (106) from a first angular position to a second angular position, and a height displacement mechanism (116) for raising and lowering the turning device (105, 200).
B65G 47/244 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles by turning them about an axis substantially perpendicular to the conveying plane
B65G 47/71 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices adapted to receive articles arriving in one layer from one conveyor and to transfer them in individual layers to more than one conveyor, or vice versa, e.g. combining the flows of articles conveyed by more than one conveyor the articles being discharged to several conveyors
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
This invention relates to a pick and place gripper device and a method for picking up and re-positioning an item carried by a support surface. The gripper device includes a base, at least one jaw pivotally mounted to the base having at least one leading edge, at least one belt of flexible material being wrapped around at least the leading edge of the at least one jaw such that it is sandwiched between the at least one jaw and the item when the at least one jaw penetrates below the item and as the at least one jaw moves below the item there is substantially no relative sliding movement between the sandwiched portion of the at least one belt and the item, wherein the leading edge of the at least one jaw, when coming into contact with the support surface, is configured to adjust to the support surface when penetrating between the item and the support surface.
This invention relates to mounting device for mounting a screw feeder (200) to a combination weigher, comprising: a cylindrical mounting end (201) having an outer diameter being essentially the same or less than an inner diameter of a hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap (203), where one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first pin structure (202a) and the other one of the cylindrical mounting end and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises a first receiving slot (205a) and a first longitudinal arranged mounting slot (206a), the first receiving slot (205a) extending from a free end (210) along a first longitudinal axis (207) towards a first position (311), where the first receiving slot is designed for allowing the first pin structure (202a) to slide therein when the cylindrical mounting end (201) slides into the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap (203) until the first pin structure (202a) reaches the first position, the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot (206a) having a second longitudinal axis (208) forming an angle in relation to the first longitudinal axis (207) of the first receiving slot, where one of the cylindrical mounting end (201) and the hollow cylindrical shaped receiving cap comprises an attachment end (211) for attachment to a motor unit, whereby during operation of a rotational movement of the motor unit, the first pin structure becomes automatically advanced from the first position and along the first longitudinal arranged mounting slot causing the first pin structure to be propped therein.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
B65G 33/14 - Screw or rotary spiral conveyors for fluent solid materials comprising a screw or screws enclosed in a tubular housing
A cutting system and method for cutting food items is disclosed. The cutting system comprises an in-feed conveyor comprising an in-feed conveyor surface and an out-feed conveyor comprising an out-feed conveyor surface. The in-feed and the out-feed conveyors are arranged in an end-to-end arrangement. The system also comprises a cutting knife defining a cutting plane within which it moves as it performs a cut. The cutting plane is defined between the ends of the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors. The cutting system further comprises an out-feed hold down device comprising a surface facing the out-feed conveyor surface and being arranged in relation to the out-feed conveyor surface such that it is able to apply a pressure onto a portion of a food item resting on the out-feed conveyor surface while it is being cut by the cutting knife.
A cutting system and method for cutting food items is disclosed. The cutting system comprises an in-feed conveyor comprising an in-feed conveyor surface and an out-feed conveyor comprising an out-feed conveyor surface. The in-feed and the out-feed conveyors are arranged in an end-to-end arrangement. The system also comprises a cutting knife defining a cutting plane within which it moves as it performs a cut. The cutting plane is defined between the ends of the in-feed and the out-feed conveyors. The cutting system further comprises an out-feed hold down device comprising a surface facing the out-feed conveyor surface and being arranged in relation to the out-feed conveyor surface such that it is able to apply a pressure onto a portion of a food item resting on the out-feed conveyor surface while it is being cut by the cutting knife.
A combination weigher includes: a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit; a plurality of V-shaped like guide structures extending radially away from a center of the dispersion unit and arranged such that a narrower end of the V-shaped like guide structures face a center point of the dispersion unit; a plurality of hoppers associated to each of the trenches arranged below the outfeed ends of the trenches; and a control unit; and screw feeders arranged in each of the trenches operated by the control unit. The space between adjacent V-shaped like guide structures at a distance R1 defines a buffer zone for radially dispersed food products from the dispersion unit. The screw feeders in the adjacent trenches have opposite orientation and rotate in opposite directions such that upper part of the screw feeders are rotating away from each other.
B65G 19/04 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for moving bulk material in open troughs or channels
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
G01G 13/06 - Means for automatically loading weigh-pans or other receptacles, e.g. disposable containers, under control of the weighing mechanism involving dribble-feed means controlled by the weighing mechanism to top up the receptacle to the target weight wherein the main feed is effected by gravity from a hopper or chute
G01G 13/02 - Means for automatically loading weigh-pans or other receptacles, e.g. disposable containers, under control of the weighing mechanism
This invention relates to a screw feeder adapted to be used in relation with a combination weigher, where the combination weigher comprises a dispersion unit, and a plurality of trenches surrounding the dispersion unit, where each of the plurality of trenches comprise an infeed end and a releasing end where each of the trenches and have a circular sector like shaped bottom portion, where the dispersion unit is adapted to radially disperse food products into the trenches at their receiving ends, where at each trench the received food product is advanced by said screw feeder towards the releasing end, where said screw feeder is made of a material being softer than the material of the trenches and is designed such that it has a polygon cross sectional shape having three or more edges.
G01G 13/20 - Means for automatically discharging weigh receptacles under control of the weighing mechanism by screw conveyors in the weigh receptacle
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
B65G 19/04 - Conveyors comprising an impeller or a series of impellers carried by an endless traction element and arranged to move articles or materials over a supporting surface or underlying material, e.g. endless scraper conveyors for moving bulk material in open troughs or channels
G01G 13/02 - Means for automatically loading weigh-pans or other receptacles, e.g. disposable containers, under control of the weighing mechanism
G01G 13/06 - Means for automatically loading weigh-pans or other receptacles, e.g. disposable containers, under control of the weighing mechanism involving dribble-feed means controlled by the weighing mechanism to top up the receptacle to the target weight wherein the main feed is effected by gravity from a hopper or chute
44.
A FOOD SINGULATOR APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR GENERATING A SEQUENCE
This invention relates to a food singulator apparatus (100) configured to generate a sequence of spaced apart food slices (106) from a food product (103) conveyed by a conveyor apparatus (108, 109), comprising: • a halting mechanism (101) for engaging with a front side of the food product and temporarily halt the food product while cutting by a cutting device (105) a front food slice (106) of the food product, and • a take away device (102) for downwardly sliding the front food slice from the remaining part of the food product and slide it downwards and under the take away device where the food slice is subsequently received as an individual food slice.
A method for processing and batching food items in a food processing system according to a predefined batch target criterion, comprises the steps of conveying a food item to weight determining means, determining the weight of the food item by means of the weight determining means, and processing the determined weight of the food item together with a weight of a plurality of food items. The processing includes dynamically generating a control-cutting signal. The method further comprises determining if the dynamically generated control cutting signal indicates that cutting off a part of the food item will increase a prospect to meet the predefined batch target criterion, and in the confirmative convey the food item to a separation device wherein a part of the food item is cut off.
G01G 15/02 - Arrangements for check-weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers with provision for adding or removing a make-up quantity of material to obtain the desired net weight
G01G 15/04 - Arrangements for check-weighing of materials dispensed into removable containers with provision for adding or removing a make-up quantity of material to obtain the desired gross weight
G01G 19/387 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value
This invention relates to a method to grind meat in a grinder, comprising: providing the meat to the grinder via a hopper where the hopper includes a feeder worm for feeding the meat to a process unit, where the process unit comprises a rotating processing worm and a cutting set, the rotating processing worm being configured to receive the meat from the feeder worm and convey it to the cutting set which grinds the meat, wherein the method further comprises: automatically adjusting the revolutions per minute (RPM) of the rotating processing worm in response to a pressure creation in the process unit.
This invention a cutting apparatus for cutting a food object while the food object is conveyed from an inlet conveyor to an outlet conveyor, where the inlet and outlet conveyors are arranged in an end-to-end arrangement. A moving mechanism is provided for adjusting the relative position between the ends of the inlet and outlet conveyors, a cutting device is provided having a cutting plane extending between the inlet and outlet conveyors, a detection mechanism is provided for detecting at least one characteristics related to the food object, and a control device is provided for controlling the moving mechanism and the cutting device, wherein controlling the moving mechanism includes utilizing the at least one detected characteristics in determining a target width of an opening between the ends of the inlet and outlet conveyors, wherein controlling of the cutting device includes subsequently cutting the food object into smaller food pieces, the target width of the opening being selected such that it allows at least one of the smaller food pieces to fall through the opening.
This invention relates to a screw feeder adapted to be used in relation with a combination weigher, where the combination weigher comprises a dispersion unit, and a plurality of trenches surrounding the dispersion unit, where each of the plurality of trenches comprise an infeed end and a releasing end where each of the trenches and have a circular sector like shaped bottom portion, where the dispersion unit is adapted to radially disperse food products into the trenches at their receiving ends, where at each trench the received food product is advanced by said screw feeder towards the releasing end, where said screw feeder is made of a material being softer than the material of the trenches and is designed such that it has a polygon cross sectional shape having three or more edges.
B65G 53/66 - Use of indicator or control devices, e.g. for controlling gas pressure, for controlling proportions of material and gas, for indicating or preventing jamming of material
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
This invention relates to a combination weigher, including a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit, a plurality of V-shaped like guide structures extending radially away from a center of the dispersion unit and arranged such that a narrower end of the V-shaped like guide structures face a center point of the dispersion unit, and where the V-shaped like guide structures are designed such that for every second V-shaped like guide structure the distance R1 from the narrower end of the V-shaped like guide structure to the center point of the dispersion unit is smaller than the distance R2 from the narrower end of the remaining V-shaped like guide structures to the center of the dispersion unit, and where the sides of adjacent V-shaped like guide structures define side walls of trenches, where the trenches comprise circular sector shape bottom portions, where the trenches comprise receiving ends where the radially disperse food products are received from the dispersion unit and outfeed ends where the food products are released from the trenches, a plurality of hoppers associated to each of the trenches arranged below the outfeed ends of the trenches, a control unit, and screw feeders arranged in each of the trenches operated by the control unit, where the operation includes operate a rotational movement of the screw feeders and thus the conveying of the food products from the receiving ends of the trenches towards the outfeed ends of the trenches where they are released into the plurality of hoppers, wherein the space between adjacent V-shaped like guide structures at a distance R1 defines a buffer zone for radially dispersed food products from the dispersion unit, and where the screw feeders in the adjacent trenches thereof have opposite orientation and rotate in opposite directions such that upper part of the screw feeders are rotating away from each other.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
G01G 13/20 - Means for automatically discharging weigh receptacles under control of the weighing mechanism by screw conveyors in the weigh receptacle
This invention relates to a combination weigher, including a dispersion unit adapted to radially disperse food products dropped in from above and onto the dispersion unit, a plurality of V-shaped like guide structures extending radially away from a center of the dispersion unit and arranged such that a narrower end of the V-shaped like guide structures face a center point of the dispersion unit, and where the V-shaped like guide structures are designed such that for every second V-shaped like guide structure the distance R1 from the narrower end of the V-shaped like guide structure to the center point of the dispersion unit is smaller than the distance R2 from the narrower end of the remaining V-shaped like guide structures to the center of the dispersion unit, and where the sides of adjacent V-shaped like guide structures define side walls of trenches, where the trenches comprise circular sector shape bottom portions, where the trenches comprise receiving ends where the radially disperse food products are received from the dispersion unit and outfeed ends where the food products are released from the trenches, a plurality of hoppers associated to each of the trenches arranged below the outfeed ends of the trenches, a control unit, and screw feeders arranged in each of the trenches operated by the control unit, where the operation includes operate a rotational movement of the screw feeders and thus the conveying of the food products from the receiving ends of the trenches towards the outfeed ends of the trenches where they are released into the plurality of hoppers, wherein the space between adjacent V-shaped like guide structures at a distance R1 defines a buffer zone for radially dispersed food products from the dispersion unit, and where the screw feeders in the adjacent trenches thereof have opposite orientation and rotate in opposite directions such that upper part of the screw feeders are rotating away from each other.
G01G 13/20 - Means for automatically discharging weigh receptacles under control of the weighing mechanism by screw conveyors in the weigh receptacle
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
This invention relates to a screw feeder adapted to be used in relation with a combination weigher, where the combination weigher comprises a dispersion unit, and a plurality of trenches surrounding the dispersion unit, where each of the plurality of trenches comprise an infeed end and a releasing end where each of the trenches and have a circular sector like shaped bottom portion, where the dispersion unit is adapted to radially disperse food products into the trenches at their receiving ends, where at each trench the received food product is advanced by said screw feeder towards the releasing end, where said screw feeder is made of a material being softer than the material of the trenches and is designed such that it has a polygon cross sectional shape having three or more edges.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
G01G 13/20 - Means for automatically discharging weigh receptacles under control of the weighing mechanism by screw conveyors in the weigh receptacle
52.
A GRIPPER DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR PICKING UP AND RE-POSITIONING AN ITEM CARRIED BY A SUPPORT SURFACE
This invention relates to a pick and place gripper device and a method for picking up and repositioning an item carried by a support surface. The gripper device includes a base, at least one jaw pivotally mounted to the base having at least one leading edge, at least one belt of flexible material being wrapped around at least the leading edge of the at least one jaw such that it is sandwiched between the at least one jaw and the item when the at least one jaw penetrates below the item and as the at least one jaw moves below the item there is substantially no relative sliding movement between the sandwiched portion of the at least one belt and the item, wherein the leading edge of the at least one jaw, when coming into contact with the support surface, is configured to adjust to the support surface when penetrating between the item and the support surface.
This invention relates to a gripper device (100) configured to pick up a pliable food product having a tail-like part (107) from a pick up area and releasing it at a releasing area, where a support (101) is provided, a pair of jaws (102) mounted to the support for movement of distal ends thereof towards each other defining a closing position of the pair of jaws and away from each other defining an open position of the pair of jaws, and a tail bender device (103) attached to the support and adjacent to one end of the pair of jaws, the tail bender device being moveable in relation to the pair of jaws and is configured to bend the tail- like part while transferring the food product from the pick up area until releasing it at the releasing area.
A food processing system and a method for processing and batching food items conveyed by a conveyor means where the batches fulfil at least one target criteria including at least one weight target, including a first weight determining means for determining the weight of incoming food items, a batching system, a food item separation device positioned downstream in relation to the first weight determining means and upstream in relation to the batching system, and a control system for controlling the batching system and the food item separation device. The controlling including, repeatedly: monitoring the weight of the incoming food items, determining, based on the weight of the incoming food items, a prospect indicator indicating the prospect to meet the target criteria for the batches such that each batch fulfils the at least one target criteria, and comparing if the prospect indicator fulfils a pre-defined criteria.
G01G 13/00 - Weighing apparatus with automatic feed or discharge for weighing-out batches of material
G01G 19/24 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for apportioning materials by weighing prior to mixing them using a single weighing apparatus
B07C 5/38 - Collecting or arranging articles in groups
B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
B26D 7/30 - Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for weighing cut product
G01B 15/04 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of electromagnetic waves or particle radiation, e.g. by the use of microwaves, X-rays, gamma rays or electrons for measuring contours or curvatures
G01G 9/00 - Methods of, or apparatus for, the determination of weight, not provided for in groups
G01N 23/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of wave or particle radiation, e.g. X-rays or neutrons, not covered by groups , or
A method of generating batches of food items, includes transferring food items to a weight determination means where the weight of the food items are obtained for single food items and/or food items in groups, and generating a plurality of batches based on the obtained weight of the single food items and/or food items in groups. The step of generating batches is controlled such that the weight of batches is within a pre-defined weight range, and such that the distribution of the batches within the weight range is pre-defined.
G01G 13/24 - Weighing mechanism control arrangements for automatic feed or discharge
G01G 19/387 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value
56.
Method of creating batches for food items conveyed by a conveyor
A method of creating batches for food items conveyed by a conveyor means, comprises measuring an image profile for a food item, processing the measured image profile for the food item, cutting the food item into a plurality of portions based on the processed measured image profile, and distinguishing the portions within the partial batch from the remaining portions. The number of portions from one or more of subsequent food items needed to complete the partial batch is such that it fulfills the pre-defined batch-criteria taken from the same or similar area of the food items from where the partial batch originates.
The invention relates to a method for processing and batching food items in a food processing system (1) according to a predefined batch target criterion, said method comprising the steps of conveying a food item (2a) to weight determining means (3), determining the weight of said food item (2a) by means of said weight determining means (3), and processing said determined weight of said food item (2a) together with a weight of a plurality of food items. The processing includes dynamically generating a control cutting signal. The method further comprises determining if said dynamically generated control cutting signal indicates that cutting off a part of said food item will increase a prospect to meet the predefined batch target criterion, and in the confirmative convey said food item to a separation device wherein a part of said food item is cut off.
The invention relates to a method for processing and batching food items in a food processing system (1) according to a predefined batch target criterion, said method comprising the steps of conveying a food item (2a) to weight determining means (3), determining the weight of said food item (2a) by means of said weight determining means (3), and processing said determined weight of said food item (2a) together with a weight of a plurality of food items. The processing includes dynamically generating a control cutting signal. The method further comprises determining if said dynamically generated control cutting signal indicates that cutting off a part of said food item will increase a prospect to meet the predefined batch target criterion, and in the confirmative convey said food item to a separation device wherein a part of said food item is cut off.
This invention relates to method of automatically cutting a meat product, in particular beef tenderloin, having a thumb-like part extending away from a head part of the meat product towards a tail part such that the meat product has a V-shape. The method includes conveying a meat product to be cut, obtaining image data of the meat product, determining a boundary position between a thumb-like part and a head part of the meat product, and utilizing the image data in instructing a cutting unit to cut the meat product into portions, where the cutting includes cutting on both sides of the boundary position such that the resulting portion fulfills a pre-defined criteria including a criteria indicating the extent of the thumb-like part in the resulting portion.
A tray feeding system having a buffer conveyor for trays including a belt with spaced apart free running rollers having a rotation axis perpendicular to the conveying direction. These rollers extend upward from the belt such that the trays partly rest on the rollers. A tray conveyor receiving end is adjacent to an outputting end of the buffer conveyor where items are placed into the trays by a tray filler. A roller interactor is positioned below and adjacent to the surface of the buffer conveyor belt at an outputting end to engage with the rollers at the outputting end area when the buffer conveyor belts move forward rotating the rollers positioned within the outputting end area accelerating the trays on the buffer conveyor within the outputting end area of the buffer conveyor towards the receiving end of the tray conveyor.
B65G 17/24 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of rollers which are moved over a supporting surface by the traction element to effect conveyance of loads or load-carriers
B65G 47/31 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors by varying the relative speeds of the conveyors forming the series
B65G 39/20 - Arrangements of rollers attached to moving belts or chains
B65G 15/00 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration
B65G 17/30 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface DetailsAuxiliary devices
B65G 47/30 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors
B65G 37/00 - Combinations of mechanical conveyors of the same kind, or of different kinds, of interest apart from their application in particular machines or use in particular manufacturing processes
B65G 43/08 - Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed, or discharged
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
61.
Gripper device and a packing system including such a gripper device
Provided is a gripper device to pick up items, such as sausages, from a first position with the items in a side by side arrangement, to a second position where the items are released. Provided are a plurality of side by side and spaced apart item holders each adapted to the shape of the items configured for picking up the side by side items and having a pitch distance between adjacent item holders substantially the same as the pitch distance between adjacent items at the first position. A pitch distance adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the pitch distance between adjacent spaced apart item holders to arrange the received items into a group of items, before release at the second position.
A palletizing system (200), comprising: a pallet storage (220) for accommodating a plurality of pallets (213, 214) at fixed positions, at least one robotic system (210-212) in the proximity of the fixed positions, conveying means (205, 206, 230) for conveying a flow a containers, each container containing a plurality of food items. The control system (231) is configured to: determine the order line associated with each container, determine the type of each container and the associated flow rate of that type of container, determine one single of the pallet positions to which each of the containers is to be allocated. A selection of the pallet position for each container among the plurality of pallet positions is made on the basis of the order line identifier of the container and the associated flow rate, and the at least one robotic system is instructed to arrange each container at the determined pallet position
This invention relates to method of generating batches of food items, including transferring food items to a weight determination means where the weight of the food items are obtained for single food items and/or food items in groups, generating a plurality of batches based on the obtained weight of the single food items and/or food items in groups, wherein the step of generating batches is controlled such that the weight of batches is within a pre-defined weight range, and such that the distribution of the batches within the weight range is pre-defined.
G01G 19/387 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value
64.
A FOOD PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING AND BATCHING FOOD ITEMS
This invention relates to a food processing system (100, 200)and a method for processing and batching food items (107)conveyed by a conveyor means (109)where the batches (302, 303)fulfil at least one target criteria including at least one weight target, including a first weight determining means (101, 201)for determining the weight of incoming food items (107), a batching system (103, 203), a food item separation device (102, 202) positioned downstream in relation to the first weight determining means (101, 201)and upstream in relation to the batching system (103, 203), a control system (104, 204)for controlling the batching system (103, 203)and the food item separation device (102, 202), the controlling including, repeatedly: monitoring the weight of the incoming food items (107), determining, based on the weight of the incoming food items (107), a prospect indicator indicating the prospect to meet the target criteria for the batches (302, 303)such that each batch fulfils the at least one target criteria, comparing if the prospect indicator fulfils a predefined criteria, where in case the prospect indicator does not fulfils the pre-defined criteria, instructing the food item separation device (102, 202)to separate at least some of the incoming food items (107)such that the weight of the food items (107)coming to the batching system (103, 203), after passing the food item separation device (102, 202), have a prospect indicator fulfilling the pre-defined criteria so that the weight of the food items (107) coming to the batching system (103, 203)becomes useful for completing batching the food items (107) according to the target criteria.
G01G 19/30 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for apportioning materials by weighing prior to mixing them using a single weighing apparatus having electrical weight-sensitive devices
G01G 19/24 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for apportioning materials by weighing prior to mixing them using a single weighing apparatus
65.
A CUTTING DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE PLACED ABOVE A GAP EXTENDING ACROSS A CARRYING SURFACE OF A CONVEYOR SYSTEM
This invention relates to a cutting device adapted to be placed above a gap extending across a carrying surface of a conveyor system with the cutting plane of the cutting device extending through the gap. The cutting device is adapted for cutting food items into smaller food items via rotational movement of the cutting device while the food items conveyed by the conveyor system pass the gap. The cutting device includes an arm and a cutting blade mounted to one end of the arm, the opposite end of the arm being adapted to be mounted to a driving unit for supplying rotational movement of the arm and thus the cutting blade,wherein the cutting blade is mounted to the arm such that, while cutting a food item into smaller food items, a cutting edge side of the cutting blade engages with the food item under an angle such that the cutting blade exerts with a downwardly facing force onto the food item and towards the carrying surface of the conveyor system during the cutting.
B26D 1/28 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis substantially perpendicular to the line of cut and rotating continuously in one direction during cutting
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
66.
A CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH A KNIFE FOR CUTTING FOOD ITEMS INTO SMALLER FOOD ITEMS
This invention relates to a conveyor system with a knife (100, 500) for cutting food items (401) into smaller food items (510, 511). The conveyor system with a knife includes a first rotatable knife device (104) having a knife blade (106), a conveying system (101, 102) for conveying food items to be cut, wherein the rotatable knife device is positioned above a carrying surface of the conveying system with the knife plane of the rotatable knife device extending through a first gap, the rotatable knife device being adapted for cutting a food item (401) into smaller food items (510, 511) while the food item passes the first gap, wherein the shape of the carrying surface around the first gap is concave and essentially follows the knife path of the rotatable knife blade.
B26D 7/06 - Arrangements for feeding or delivering work of other than sheet, web, or filamentary form
B26D 1/30 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a non-circular cutting member moving about an axis substantially perpendicular to the line of cut with limited pivotal movement to effect cut
B26D 1/16 - Cutting through work characterised by the nature or movement of the cutting memberApparatus or machines thereforCutting members therefor involving a cutting member which does not travel with the work having a cutting member moving about an axis with a circular cutting member, e.g. disc cutter rotating about a movable axis mounted on a movable arm or the like
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
B65G 15/22 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration comprising a series of co-operating units
B65G 15/08 - Conveyors having endless load-conveying surfaces, i.e. belts and like continuous members, to which tractive effort is transmitted by means other than endless driving elements of similar configuration the load-carrying surface being formed by a concave or tubular belt, e.g. a belt forming a trough
67.
A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR AUTOMATICALLY CUTTING MEAT PRODUCTS SUCH AS BEEF TENDERLOIN INTO PORTIONS
This invention relates to method of automatically cutting a meat product, in particular beef tenderloin, having a thumb-like part extending away from a head part of the meat product towards a tail part such that the meat product has a V-shape. The method includes: conveying (201) a meat product to be cut, obtaining image data (202) of the meat product, determining a boundary position (203) between a thumb-like part and a head part of the meat product, utilizing the image data (204) in instructing a cutting unit to cut the meat product into portions, wherein the cutting includes cutting on both sides of the boundary position such that the resulting portion fulfills a pre-defined criteria including a criteria indicating the extent of the thumb-like part in the resulting portion.
A22C 17/00 - Other devices for processing meat or bones
B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
An apparatus for cutting food objects conveyed from an inlet conveyor to an adjacent outlet conveyor. A moving mechanism is operably connected to the outlet conveyor to provide movement of the inlet end of the outlet conveyor from an adjacent position. The inlet end of the outlet conveyor is moved from a position adjacent to the outlet end of the inlet conveyor to an open position and back to an adjacent position. A cutting device cuts the food objects into portions and trim. A control unit controls the moving mechanism to move the inlet end of the outlet conveyor to an open position when separating trim portions to fall as desired and subsequently instructs the inlet end the outlet conveyor to move back to the adjacent position before the next cutting to provide a support for the remaining parts of the food object.
This invention relates to a method of creating batches for food items conveyed by a conveyor means, comprising: measuring an image profile for a food item, processing the measured image profile for the food item, where the processing includes: dividing the image profile of the food item into at least one batch fulfilling a pre-defined batch-criteria, where each of the at least one batch includes two or more portions each of which fulfil a pre-defined portion-criteria, determining whether there is a partial batch that does not fulfill the pre-defined batch-criteria, where in case a partial batch is present, determining and registering the number of portions within the partial batch that fulfil the pre-defined portion- criteria, selecting an area within the food item where the partial batch originates from, cutting the food item into a plurality of portions based on the processed measured image profile, distinguishing the portions within the partial batch from the remaining portions, wherein the number of portions from one or more of subsequent food items needed to complete the partial batch such that it fulfils the pre-defined batch-criteria is taken from the same or similar area of the food items as where the partial batch originates from.
This invention relates to a tray feeding system (200). A first conveyor (202) is adapted to be used as a buffer conveyor for trays (209), where the first conveyor includes a first conveyor belt (210) including a plurality of spaced apart rollers acting as free running rollers (207) having rotation axis being substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction of the first conveyor. The plurality of spaced apart rollers are arranged such that the rollers partly extend upward from the carrying surface of the first conveyor belt such that the trays resting on the first conveyor at least partly rest on the rollers. A second conveyor (293) has a receiving end (211) placed adjacent to an outputting end of the first conveyor and is adapted to be used as a tray conveyor where items are placed into the trays by a tray filling means (204; 205). The tray feeding system further includes a roller interacting means (212) positioned below and adjacent to the carrying surface of the first conveyor belt at an outputting end area (206) of the first conveyor, the roller interacting means being adapted to engage with the rollers upon arriving at the outputting end area when the first conveyor belts is moving forward causing a rotational movement of the rollers positioned within the outputting end area and thus an acceleration of the tray or trays resting on the first conveyor within the outputting end area of the first conveyor towards the receiving end of the second conveyor.
B65G 17/24 - Conveyors having an endless traction element, e.g. a chain, transmitting movement to a continuous or substantially-continuous load-carrying surface or to a series of individual load-carriersEndless-chain conveyors in which the chains form the load-carrying surface comprising a series of rollers which are moved over a supporting surface by the traction element to effect conveyance of loads or load-carriers
B65G 47/26 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
B65G 47/31 - Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles during transit by a series of conveyors by varying the relative speeds of the conveyors forming the series
71.
Roller system adapted to be used in relation to a flattening apparatus for flattening foodstuff
A flattening apparatus with a roller system including an impact resistant system and a first conveyor belt facing and arranged opposite to the impact resistant system and having a flattening area between the first conveyor belt and the impact resistant system. The roller system is rotatable mounted adjacent to the first conveyor belt distally away from the impact resistant system across the first conveyor belt. Foodstuff is flattened and compressed by rotating the roller system while conveying the foodstuff through the flattening area such that an outwardly protruding surface structure presses the first conveyor belt towards the impact resistant system. The surface structure is askew in relation to the longitudinal axis of the roller system and is designed with a portion provided in contact with the first conveyor belt at all times during rotation of the roller system.
B30B 5/06 - Presses characterised by the use of pressing means other than those mentioned in groups and wherein the pressing means is in the form of an endless band co-operating with another endless band
A22C 9/00 - Apparatus for tenderising meat, e.g. ham
72.
A CUTTING APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR CUTTING FOOD PRODUCTS INTO SMALLER FOOD PRODUCTS
This invention relates to a cutting apparatus for cutting food objects into smaller food products, where the cutting apparatus includes an infeed conveyor having a first end and a second end, a conveyor system having a first end and a second end, the conveyor system being arranged such that the first end of the conveyor system is adjacent and essentially parallel to the second end of the infeed conveyor defining a first slit there between, and a first cutting unit having a cutting plane extending through the first slit and controlled by a control unit for cutting food objects conveyed by the infeed conveyor into smaller food products, wherein the first slit and the cutting plane of the cutting unit forms an angle to an axis perpendicular to the conveying direction.
This invention relates to a hopper adapted to be used in relation to a packaging apparatus, such as multihead weigher. The hopper has an open upper end for receiving articles, and a discharge for delivering a group of articles received from the open upper end from the hopper towards a target destination positioned below the discharge. The discharge includes at least one gate. The at least one gate is divided into two or more sub-gates that are operated by a control unit and where the controlling includes releasing the group of articles from the hopper towards the target destination by successively opening the two or more sub-gates so as to release the group of articles in a non-simultaneous way such that the release of the group of articles in the hopper is stretched out over time.
G01G 19/387 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value
This invention relates to a apparatus for cutting food objects while the food objects are conveyed from an inlet conveyor to an outlet conveyor. A moving mechanism is operable connected to the outlet conveyor for providing movement of the inlet end of the outlet conveyor from an adjacent position, where the inlet end of the outlet conveyor is adjacent to the outlet end of the inlet conveyor, to an open position where the inlet end of the outlet conveyor is moved away from the outlet end of the inlet conveyor, and vice versa, from an open position back to the adjacent position. A cutting device cuts the food objects into portions and trim portions. A control unit controls the moving mechanism, the controlling including instructing the moving mechanism to move the inlet end of the outlet conveyor to an open position when separating the cut trim portions from the remaining part of the food objects such that the cut trim portions fall down between the inlet end of the outlet conveyor and the outlet end of the inlet conveyor, and subsequently instructs the moving mechanism to move the inlet end the outlet conveyor back to the to the adjacent position at a speed such that the inlet end of the outlet conveyor reaches the adjacent position before the next cutting such that it provides a support for the remaining part of the food object.
This invention relates to a apparatus for cutting food objects while the food objects are conveyed from an inlet conveyor to an outlet conveyor. A moving mechanism is operable connected to the outlet conveyor for providing movement of the inlet end of the outlet conveyor from an adjacent position, where the inlet end of the outlet conveyor is adjacent to the outlet end of the inlet conveyor, to an open position where the inlet end of the outlet conveyor is moved away from the outlet end of the inlet conveyor, and vice versa, from an open position back to the adjacent position. A cutting device cuts the food objects into portions and trim portions. A control unit controls the moving mechanism, the controlling including instructing the moving mechanism to move the inlet end of the outlet conveyor to an open position when separating the cut trim portions from the remaining part of the food objects such that the cut trim portions fall down between the inlet end of the outlet conveyor and the outlet end of the inlet conveyor, and subsequently instructs the moving mechanism to move the inlet end the outlet conveyor back to the to the adjacent position at a speed such that the inlet end of the outlet conveyor reaches the adjacent position before the next cutting such that it provides a support for the remaining part of the food object.
This invention relates to a multihead weighing system having a multiple of feeder systems for conveying and discharging at least one food product into a receptacle. The feeder system includes an inlet-end for receiving food products, an outlet-end for discharging the food products into the receptacle positioned below the outlet end,a feeder unit operated by a feeder-control unit for conveying the food products from the inlet-end towards outlet-end, and a determination unit that is positioned such that the light beam emitted by the optical device crosses a fall path of the at least one food product when discharged from the outlet-end. The optical device is operable connected to the determination unit that determines when a food object falls from the outlet-end towards said receptacle and based thereon the monitoring unit determines whether the receptacle is empty or not.
B65B 25/06 - Packaging slices or specially-shaped pieces of meat, cheese, or other plastic or tacky products
B65B 35/08 - Separating single articles from loose masses of articles using pocketed conveyors
B65B 57/14 - Automatic control, checking, warning or safety devices responsive to absence, presence, abnormal feed, or misplacement of articles or materials to be packaged and operating to control, or stop, the feed of articles or material to be packaged
B65B 57/20 - Applications of counting devices for controlling the feed of articles
B65B 5/10 - Filling containers or receptacles progressively or in stages by introducing successive articles, or layers of articles
77.
AN ANTI-STICKING SURFACE PLATE STRUCTURE TO BE USED AS A LOW-FRICTION BASED MATERIAL IN A FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ITS MANUFACTURE
This invention relates to an anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) and a method of manufacturing such a plate structure (200). This plate structure (200) is adapted to be used as a low- friction base material in a food processing apparatus for interacting physically with food products when the food products move from one position to another position within the food processing apparatus on the anti-sticking surface plate structure. The anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) includes a multiple of louver-like structures (201), each of which louver-like structure (201) includes openings (202, 203) at the opposite end of each of said louver-like structures (201), and a top louver parts (204) extending between the openings (202, 203). The top louver parts (204) are positioned upstream in relation to the traveling direction (205) of the food products and form, in respect to the side of the anti-sticking surface plate structure (200) interacting physically with the food products, outwardly protruding portions such that openings (303) are created between the top louvers (204) and the anti-sticking surface plate structure (200).
This invention relates to a flattening apparatus and to a roller system adapted to be used in such a flattening apparatus. The flattening apparatus includes an impact resistant system, and a first conveyor belt that arranged opposite to the impact resistant system with the first conveyor belt facing the impact resistant system. The area between the first conveyor belt and the impact resistant system defines a flattening area. The roller system is rotatable mounted adjacent to the first conveyor belt distally away from the impact resistant system across the first conveyor belt. The flattening of the foodstuff includes rotating the roller system while conveying the foodstuff through the flattening area such that the at least one outwardly protruding surface structure presses the first conveyor belt towards the impact resistant system causing a compression of the foodstuff. The at least one outwardly protruding surface structure is askew in relation to the longitudinal axis of the roller system and is designed such that at least a portion of the at least one outwardly protruding surface structure is in contact with the first conveyor belt at all times during rotation of the at least one roller system.
This invention relates to a flattening apparatus and to a roller system adapted to be used in such a flattening apparatus. The flattening apparatus includes an impact resistant system, and a first conveyor belt that arranged opposite to the impact resistant system with the first conveyor belt facing the impact resistant system. The area between the first conveyor belt and the impact resistant system defines a flattening area. The roller system is rotatable mounted adjacent to the first conveyor belt distally away from the impact resistant system across the first conveyor belt. The flattening of the foodstuff includes rotating the roller system while conveying the foodstuff through the flattening area such that the at least one outwardly protruding surface structure presses the first conveyor belt towards the impact resistant system causing a compression of the foodstuff. The at least one outwardly protruding surface structure is askew in relation to the longitudinal axis of the roller system and is designed such that at least a portion of the at least one outwardly protruding surface structure is in contact with the first conveyor belt at all times during rotation of the at least one roller system.
This invention relates to a combination weigher(100) including a dispersion unit(101) adapted to radially disperse product material dropped in from above onto the dispersion unit, plurality of weighing hoppers(108), plurality of conveyor units (103) arranged around and below a periphery of the dispersion unit(101). The conveyor units include troughs having infeed ends positioned below the dispersion unit (101) and outfeed ends positioned above the weighing hoppers(108), and spiral shaped members(104)extending from the infeed ends towards the outfeed ends. The spiral shaped members being operable connected to an operation unit for operating a rotational movement of the spiral shaped members and thus the conveying of the product material from the infeed ends towards the outfeed ends and into the weighing hoppers(108). The combination weigher further includes conical shaped members (105)that are arranged within the spiral shaped members (104) with the wider ends positioned adjacent to the infeed ends of the troughs and the narrower end extending towards the outfeed ends of the troughs.
G01G 19/393 - Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in groups for combinatorial weighing, i.e. selecting a combination of articles whose total weight or number is closest to a desired value using two or more weighing units
81.
SYSTEM FOR CONVEYING BATCHING MEANS AND FOR BATCHING OBJECTS
A conveyor system (1) for carrying and/or conveying batching means such as trays (8) or the like, said conveyor system comprising at least one batch conveyor (6) for carrying and/or conveying said batching means, while objects (2) such as food objects are being transferred from a supply (4) of said objects to said batching means by means of at least one robotic handling means, e.g. a robot (14), a pick-and-placing apparatus, or the like, wherein said at least one batch conveyor (6) is configured for being adjustable in an essentially vertical direction in relation to said at least one robotic handling means.
An apparatus for portion cutting food items includes a first cutting device which comprises a cutting unit for the cutting of food items into strips. The apparatus includes one or more additional cutting devices, each comprising a cutting unit for cutting the strips into pieces of predetermined weight and dimensions. Measuring means are arranged in the first cutting device for scanning at least one of a shape, a structure and a dimension of the food item. The apparatus further comprises processor means with a control program for the planning of a portion-cutting profile on the basis of the scanning.
B26D 3/18 - Cutting work characterised by the nature of the cut madeApparatus therefor to obtain cubes or the like
B26D 7/30 - Means for performing other operations combined with cutting for weighing cut product
B26D 11/00 - Combinations of several similar cutting apparatus
B26D 5/00 - Arrangements for operating and controlling machines or devices for cutting, cutting-out, stamping-out, punching, perforating, or severing by means other than cutting
83.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PORTION CUTTING OF FOOD PRODUCTS OR SIMILAR ITEMS
The invention concerns a method and apparatus for increasing the capacity and precision of a portion cutter wherein the items are positioned abutting each other. In particular, the invention relates to providing means (2) for identifying the boundary between consecutive items (100) to be cut when they are placed on the conveyor (1) abutting each other without any gab between them.
patents
