A substrate insertion system is configured for insertion of a substrate under a product being carried on a conveyor. A pre-perforated substrate and a method of inserting the pre-perforated substrates under products carried on a conveyor are also provided. Furthermore, a method is described including the construction and operation of a substrate insertion system.

A learning device includes an input processor and a learning processor. The input processor acquires a physical quantity related to a cutting process, and inputs a state variable based on the physical quantity to the learning processor, and the learning processor updates, based on a measured cutting result, an evaluation model that outputs an evaluation result of the cutting process based on the state variable.

The utility model discloses a flavor injector. The flavor injector includes: a shroud tube, a storage tube, a sealing cap, a pushing rod, and a needle connector; wherein one end of the shroud tube is detachably or fixedly connected to the needle connector; the storage tube is sealingly fixed inside the shroud tube via the needle connector and the sealing cap; the sealing cap is provided with a through hole allowing the pushing rod to be pushed or pulled; one end of the pushing rod is passable through the through hole and is disposed inside the storage tube; and one end of the pushing rod extending into the storage tube is provided with a sealing plug that is detachably or fixedly connected thereto. Parts of the flavor injector according to the utility model may be separately cleaned in a detachable fashion, which solves the problem of flavor residues.

A method and apparatus for improving processing whole muscle for a thinly slice meat item, such as a meat item for Philly Cheese Steaks. One implementation of the method and apparatus as disclosed and claimed herein includes grounding whole muscle and pumping the ground whole muscle through an in-line rotary multi-blade slicer and further extruding the product from the in-line slicer and pumping the product through a cooking horn. For one implementation of the method and apparatus, the product is pumped through and in-line sheeter before pumping the product through the cooking horn.

A shredding drum for a cutting and separating device, including a pressure housing, on a first end portion of which an inlet opening is formed and on a second end portion of which an outlet opening is formed, wherein a multiplicity of cutting openings are arranged in a pressure housing portion of the pressure housing and pass right through the pressure housing portion from an inner wall to an outer wall, wherein the cutting openings are oriented with hole axes inclined at an angle (α.sub.O1, α.sub.O2) in relation to the inner wall. The underlying object was therefore to improve a shredding drum in such a way that the cutting performance of the cutting and separating device and the quality of the desired food ingredient are significantly improved. The object is achieved in that the inclination of the hole axes being chosen such that they are facing the inlet opening on the inner wall.

A robot gripper that takes stacked patties from a conveyor and moves then to a packaging device.

A food processing attachment for a food processing device includes a rotational adapter configured to be selectively coupled with a drive system of the food processing device. A food holder is coupled to the rotational adapter and having a base, wherein the food holder is selectively rotated by the rotational adapter. A central spear extends perpendicularly from a center of the base. A plurality of radial flanges extend perpendicularly from the base, wherein each radial flange of the plurality of flanges is discontinuous with the other radial flanges, wherein the central spear and the plurality of radial flanges are adapted to secure a food item in a processing space and in communication with the rotational adapter. A blade is coupled to an operable carriage and is adapted to selectively engage the food item within the processing space to remove at least a portion of the food item.

A food processing device includes a feeding structure arranged for the transport of food objects downstream from an inlet to an outflow of a flow path. The feeding structure has a first feeder with a transport auger arranged upstream a knife, and a second feeder arranged downstream a knife, a knife configured to cut the food objects in the flow path to provide a substance of sliced lumps. The flow path defines an unhindered passage between the knife and the outflow to facilitate a free flow of the substance of sliced lumps away from the knife. An inspection unit is configured to detect undesired objects in the substance of sliced lumps. The food object could be meat, fruit, or vegetables. The processing device provides an unhindered flow of the sliced lumps away from the knife, facilitating an easier inspection and removal of undesired objects from the lumps.

The machine (1) for laying sliced food products (2) in containers (3), comprises: a first conveyor (4) able to convey slices (2) or groups of slices (2) along at least one advancement direction and provided with an end portion (40) from which the slices (2) are released; a second conveyor (5) able to convey containers (3) suitable for receiving one or more slices (2) from the end portion (40) of the first conveyor (4), the second conveyor (5) being placed below the first conveyor (4); and a positioning apparatus (45, 46, 47, 81, 82) for regulating the arrangement of the first and the second conveyor (4, 5) with respect to each other. The machine (1) further comprises a detection apparatus (6) able to determine the arrangement of the slices (2) or of the groups of slices (2) on the first conveyor (4), and a processing unit (7) connected to the positioning and detection apparatuses and configured to control the activation of the positioning apparatus according to detections carried out by the detection apparatus (6).

A food processing system and method for cutting a food item into cut food item portions includes a conveyor, an imaging system, a cutting device, and a controller. The conveyor conveys the food item past the imaging system allowing the imaging system to image the food item and image data is obtained. The controller receives the imaging data and determines the location of defective areas on the basis thereof. Then a distribution of portion cuts over the food item dividing the food item into food item portions is determined on the basis of at least the determined location of defective areas and a desired portion size and/or weight. The cutting device cuts the food item according to the determined distribution of portion cuts.