A method for grasping a row of multiple separate blocks of frozen food originating from a plate freezer, the row extending in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the plate freezer, includes the steps of grasping the row of blocks along its opposing lateral edges by closing a clamp (1) having two grasping elements (2, 20) that extend along the opposing lateral edges of the row, wherein at least one of the grasping elements along its length includes multiple separate pinching elements (4, 40), each element for pinching one or more of the blocks, the pinching elements being individually movable with respect to the at least one grasping element in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of this grasping element, the method further including adjusting the lateral position of each pinching element when closing the clamp, by individually moving each pinching element.

An apparatus may include a grinder for grinding raw whole muscle meat into a ground meat material and a heater for heating the ground meat material to cook the ground meat material into a cooked ground meat material suitable for consumption. The apparatus may also include a freezer for freezing the cooked ground meat material and a mixer for mixing the frozen and cooked ground meat material with an additive comprising a starch to produce a meat mixture. The apparatus may further include a press for pressing the meat mixture into a formed shape and a slicer for slicing the formed shape into meat portions of a predetermined size.

A thermal processing apparatus includes a conveyor belt for supporting work products during thermal processing that moves along a spiral path moving in a first direction arranged as a first tiered stack and then moves along a spiral path in a second direction arranged as a second tiered stack. A circulation system induces gaseous thermal processing medium from the tiers of the first and second spiral conveyor belt stacks and forces the thermal processing medium through a heat exchanger and then back to the tiers of the spiral conveyor belt stacks. The first tiered stack is divided into a first processing zone and a second processing zone, and the second tiered stack is divided into a third processing zone and fourth processing zone. A source of thermal processing medium is directed at the first processing zone to thermally treat the work product in the first zone by enhanced heat transfer. Optionally, a source of thermal processing medium is directed at the fourth processing zone to complete the thermally treatment the work product.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and method for efficient frozen food thawing. An example system includes a movement mechanism comprising a surface configured to receive a plurality of cascade trays, wherein: the movement mechanism is configured to translate the plurality of cascade trays under a tempered water flow; and a respective cascade tray is configured to accommodate a frozen food product, the tempered water flow configured to induce thawing of the frozen food product. The thawing system may include at least one dispensing mechanism positioned superior to the movement mechanism and configured to emit the tempered water flow toward the surface of the movement mechanism in a direction that causes the tempered water flow to impact the frozen food products in a direction such that the water moves oblique to a movement direction of the movement mechanism.