An apparatus and method for creating a venturi effect in a food product molding machine. The venturi effect accelerates food product in order to cause the product to be stretched aligning the fibers of the product.

Systems and methods for a food processing are provided. A food processing knockout assembly includes: a motor; a crank arm connected to the motor and configured to be rotated by the motor, around an axis that passes through the crank arm; a connecting arm connected to the crank arm and configured to move in a vertical direction in response to rotation of the crank arm; a beam connected to the connecting arm and configured to move in the vertical direction in response to movement of the connecting arm in the vertical direction; and at least one knockout shaft connected to the beam, at one end of the at least one knockout shaft, and configured to move in the vertical direction in response to movement of the beam in the vertical direction.

This invention relates to a method for moulding products from a mass of food stuff, comprising: —moving a mould cavity, which is part of a mould member past a feed channel which fills the mass into the cavity, wherein the feed channel is connected to a feed pump which pumps the mass through the feed channel into the cavities. —determining and/or detecting the position of the mould cavity relative to the feed channel, controlling the desired set pressure of the pump.

This invention relates to a method for moulding products from a mass of food stuff, comprising: —moving a mould cavity, which is part of a mould member past a feed channel which fills the mass into the cavity, wherein the feed channel is connected to a feed pump which pumps the mass through the feed channel into the cavities. —determining and/or detecting the position of the mould cavity relative to the feed channel, controlling the desired set pressure of the pump.

A system for forming a food product, the system includes a mould drum that includes a multitude of cavities; a feed channel that feeds the food mass into the cavities; a seal plate located downstream of the feed channel, which seals the cavities against leakage during and/or after filling; a valve provided in the seal plate, the valve includes a piston that reciprocates between a retracted position and an extended position to open and close a connection between the feed channel and the cavities in the mould member. The feed channel is tapered or includes an insert that is tapered in a direction opposite a flow direction of the food mass through the feed channel. The feed channel includes a sloped wall that tapers in a direction opposite a flow direction of the food mass, and the feed channel has a straight wall downstream of the sloped wall.

A patty forming machine configured to mold food products, and its method of use, is provided. The patty forming machine includes a stripper plate through which food product is configured to pass when the stripper plate is in a fill position, a sensor configured to determine positions of the stripper plate, a movable mold, and a sensor configured to determine positions of the mold. A processor is operatively coupled with the sensors. The processor is configured to receive information from the sensors and to determine when the stripper plate is to be moved from the non-fill position to the fill position relative to a determined position of the mold.

The food product machine with a food supply, a rotary food pump connected to the food supply, a molding mechanism having a mold plate and a knockout drive, and a mold plate reciprocating between a fill and a discharge position. The knockout drive reciprocates a knockout plunger to discharge molded food products from the mold plate, the mold plate being reciprocated between a cavity fill position and a cavity discharge position. The machine includes a manifold connected an outlet of the food pump and having an outlet passageway connected to an inlet of the molding mechanism for filling the cavity of the mold plate. The machine can further include a fill plunger system for increasing the fill pressure of the food mass prior to filling the mold cavities. Plungers extend into the manifold to displace food mass volume and increase the pressure in the manifold.

A patty forming machine is configured to mold food products. The machine includes a stripper plate through which food product is configured to pass when the stripper plate is in a fill position, a sensor configured to determine positions of the stripper plate, a movable mold, and a sensor configured to determine positions of the mold. A processor is operatively coupled with the sensors. The processor is configured to receive information from the sensors and to determine when the stripper plate is to be moved from the non-fill position to the fill position relative to a determined position of the mold.

A rotary molding system configured to mold food products includes a fill plate through which food product is configured to pass, a cylindrical rotatable drum having mold cavities into which the food product is configured to be deposited, and a platen mounted within the drum. The platen has a plurality of passageways configured to be in communication with the mold cavities. Drum roller supports and rollers are provided on the platen. The extends partially outwardly from the platen and are in contact with the drum.

A rotary molding system for use in a patty forming machine and configured to mold food products and a fill plate for use within the rotary molding system are provided. A replaceable wear plate is provided which seats between a reciprocating stripper plate and a fill plate. Each plate has holes through which food product passes. A drum having mold cavities receives the food product from the fill plate.