In order to be able to slice product pieces, whose cross-section varies along their length, into weight-accurate slices, after pressing to a uniform product caliber it is possible to measure these realistically in terms of cross-sectional area and length and not in a pumped up state of the machine. On the one hand, this is promoted by the fact that even before pressing, a cross-press stamp is set to a forming tube cross-section oriented to the unpressed product piece. On the other hand, this is promoted by the fact that after pressing, by lowering pressing force to a substantially lower holding force, it is possible to deform back the deformed, pumped up machine parts before measuring the product caliber.

A machine for forming rissoles (2) has a hopper (3) for a food (4); a dispensing element (5) of at least a portion (6) of said food (4) taken from the hopper (3); a forming element (10) of each portion (6) having a shaped element (11) and a facing contrast element (12). The shaped element (11) includes a motor roller (13) provided with a pair of circumferential grooves (14) and the contrast element (12) includes a fixed guide (15) provided with two grooves (16) facing the recesses (14). Each recess (14) and each groove (16) form a channel (21) and internally have respectively a series of reliefs or notches (22) and a series of protrusions or cavities (23). The reliefs or notches (22) and the protrusions or cavities (23) interact with each portion (6) to help rototranslational movement thereof within the channel (21) to form a spherical shaped rissole (2).

A tray apparatus includes an elongated platform and a tray mechanism. The tray mechanism includes a plate disposed onto the platform and an arm assembly coupled to the plate and including a post and an arm. The post is coupled to the plate and extends upwardly therefrom. The arm is rotatably coupled to the post between a first position and a second position. The plate receives a box containing foodstuffs from a conveyance apparatus. The plate moves in a first direction when moving from a first state toward a second state. The arm is configured to contact the box and rotate from the first position toward the second position when the plate is moving in the first direction. The arm is configured to contact and move the box in a second direction opposite the first along the platform when the plate moves from the second state toward the first state.

A cold forming process for forming a meat patty includes heating a ground meat product to a temperature T.sub.1, wherein T.sub.1≤40° F. The ground meat product is formed into an uncooked patty at temperature T.sub.1. The uncooked patty is precooked to form a precooked patty having a skin of depth D comprising denatured protein. The skin is formed on at least an area on the outside of the precooked patty. At least a first portion of the meat product disposed beneath said skin is at approximately T.sub.1. The precooked patty is cooked to form a cooked patty, wherein said at least a first portion of the meat product is at a temperature T.sub.2. The cooked patty is then frozen and then packaged.

A cold forming process for forming a meat patty includes heating a ground meat product to a temperature T.sub.1, wherein T.sub.1≤40° F. The ground meat product is formed into an uncooked patty at temperature T.sub.1. The uncooked patty is precooked to form a precooked patty having a skin of depth D comprising denatured protein. The skin is formed on at least an area on the outside of the precooked patty. At least a first portion of the meat product disposed beneath said skin is at approximately T.sub.1. The precooked patty is cooked to form a cooked patty, wherein said at least a first portion of the meat product is at a temperature T.sub.2. The cooked patty is then frozen and then packaged.

A method is provided for cleaning food product molding inserts that have been temporarily detached from a movable mold member of a molding device that is configured for molding food products from a pumpable foodstuff mass.

Methods and devices heat or cool viscous materials, such as meat emulsions useful for producing food and other products. The devices include a heat exchanger including a first plate, a second plate attached to the first plate, and a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, the first spacer, and the second spacer define at least one temperature controlled passaged for a product to pass through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can be used in a system including one or more of a grinder, a mixing tank, an emulsifier device, a positive displacement pump, or a cutting device.

Methods and devices heat or cool viscous materials, such as meat emulsions useful for producing food and other products. The devices include a heat exchanger including a first plate, a second plate attached to the first plate, and a first spacer and a second spacer arranged between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate, the second plate, the first spacer, and the second spacer define at least one temperature controlled passaged for a product to pass through the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can be used in a system including one or more of a grinder, a mixing tank, an emulsifier device, a positive displacement pump, or a cutting device.

In order to be able to slice product pieces, whose cross-section varies along their length, into weight-accurate slices, after pressing to a uniform product caliber it is possible to measure these realistically in terms of cross-sectional area and length and not in a pumped up state of the machine. On the one hand, this is promoted by the fact that even before pressing, a cross-press stamp is set to a forming tube cross-section oriented to the unpressed product piece. On the other hand, this is promoted by the fact that after pressing, by lowering pressing force to a substantially lower holding force, it is possible to deform back the deformed, pumped up machine parts before measuring the product caliber.

A method is provided of pressing an irregularly shaped, elongated loaf of an elastic material into a strand with a cross-section which is constant along its longitudinal extension. The method includes disposing the loaf in a form tube of the slicing machine, and determining basic data of the loaf before pressing, the basic data comprising at least physical basic data of the loaf before pressing. The method further includes determining a target length change of the loaf between an unpressed state and a pressed state, determining a target cross-sectional change of the loaf between the unpressed state and the pressed state, and pressing the loaf in the form tube in at least one cross direction to the longitudinal extension by a cross press stamp and in a longitudinal pressing direction of the form tube by a longitudinal press stamp, according to the target length change and the target cross-sectional change.