Systems and methods are provided for inspecting a structure. One embodiment is a method for inspecting a structure. The method includes advancing a structure along a track in a process direction, aligning a Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) station at the track with an edge of the structure that was trimmed upstream of the cleaning station, imaging the edge via the Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) station, characterizing the edge based on the imaging, and advancing the structure further in the process direction via the track.

An blade assembly for use with a produce slicer includes a first blade set having a first pair of opposing frame bars and a plurality of blades extending between the first pair of opposing frame bars, a blade cover positioned relative to the first blade set, and a blade support extending from the first target ring to support the plurality of blades. The blade cover includes a planar top portion having a first target ring that defines a first target area through which a piece of produce passes during slicing.

The present invention relates to a device (5) for slicing one or more food products (2), especially sausage, ham and/or cheese, wherein for every food product (2) a separate track (7) is provided along which said food product is transported towards a moving blade (11) which separates food slices (12) from the front end of the food product (2).

The device serves to separate flexible packaging products (4) that have been cut out from a web (3), more particularly packaging bags, from waste parts (5). To this end, a transport device (1) for transporting the web (3) along a transport path (2) and a workstation (8) for cutting out the packaging products (4) from the web (3) are provided. The transport device (1) is provided with means (14, 23) for selectively retaining and releasing packaging products (4) and waste parts (5). Further workstations (9 to 12) are arranged along the transport path (2), at least one of which is provided with means for selectively picking up packaging products (4) and waste parts (5), respectively, that are located on the transport device (1). It is thus achieved that both the packaging products (4) and the waste parts (5) are always retained until they are laid down in a container intended therefor and are never in an uncontrolled state.

Size-reduction machines and components thereof for producing reduced-size products. Such a size-reduction machine has a case and an impeller that rotates within the case, is surrounded by the case, and has a common axis with the case. A particular feature but optional feature of such a machine is a moveable gate that promotes the ability to produce slices having a very uniform thickness throughout their lengths, from their leading edges to their trailing edges.

The present invention relates to a method of producing gelatine, the method comprising the steps of: providing animal material containing collagen; cutting the animal material with at least one fluid cutting jet to form animal material sections; hydrolysing the collagen in the animal material sections to form gelatine; and isolating the gelatine. The invention also relates to a fluid jet cutting device and to the use of a fluid jet cutting device in the production of gelatine. The invention is particularly useful in the production of gelatine from pig skin and/or cow hides and/or fish skin.

A separator (10) for separating waste (820) from product (810; 2302) in a pre-cut substrate (2600) having one or more cut lines. An inlet feeder feeds the substrate (2600) into the separator (10) along a material path. A separation edge (2500) is disposed in a location downstream of the inlet feeder and defines a line below the plane of the material path. A plurality of punch tools (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) above the plane of the material path, upstream of the separation edge (2500), each has an actuator configured to position the tool in an extended configuration with a contact end of the punch tool (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) disposed below the separation edge (2500), and a retracted configuration with the contact end disposed above the plane of the material path. A controller commands each actuator to position the corresponding punch tool (30; 1800; 1900; 2000) contact end synchronized with the position of the pre-cut substrate (2600) to cause the separation edge (2500) to separate the waste (820) from the product (810; 2302) along the cut lines.

The invention relates to a slicing machine (1) for preferably elongated food, with a blade (2) driven by a motor and a deposit table (3) arranged in a deposit area with a deposit plate (31), which can be moved, motor-driven, linearly in a horizontal direction via a belt drive (47).

In order to manufacture the slicing machine (1) as compactly as possible with a small overall height, it is proposed that the belt drive (47) has at least two deflection rollers (431, 432) and a driving roller (42), which guide the drive belt (45) in endless rotation in a horizontal plane, and that the driving roller (42) is arranged in a perpendicular projection between the first deflection roller (431) and the second deflection roller (432).

Media cutting assemblies are disclosed. An example media cutting assembly includes a stationary surface extending along a plane; a circular blade to traverse the stationary surface along the plane, a portion of the circular blade being in contact with the stationary surface; and a guide to direct media along a path that interests the plane, wherein the guide extends toward the plane at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the plane.

A unidose blister cutting machine comprises a cartridge for holding blister packs, a first positioning arm for pushing a blister pack in a first direction, a second positioning arm for pushing the blister pack in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, a flipping robotic arm having a suction means for retaining the blister pack during a flipping movement, a grabbing jaw for grabbing the blister pack from the flipping robotic head, a cutting device, and a collecting chute located below the cutting device for collecting the cut blister packs.