A cutting machine comprising one or more form tubes that are divided in two in the longitudinal direction into a front form tube section and a rear form tube sectionat least across a portion of its circumference, so that the two form sections can be moved from a pressing position in which they are aligned with each other into a loading position in which they are not aligned with each other, and in the loading position the rear form tube section can be loaded with a new meat strand while the rest of the previous meat strand is still being cut into slices and moved in the front form tube section. The blade may be disposed to simultaneously cut slices from a plurality of form tubes and may be disposed for motion in the longitudinal direction as well as a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

A cutting machine comprising one or more form tubes that are divided in two in the longitudinal direction into a front form tube section and a rear form tube sectionat least across a portion of its circumference, so that the two form sections can be moved from a pressing position in which they are aligned with each other into a loading position in which they are not aligned with each other, and in the loading position the rear form tube section can be loaded with a new meat strand while the rest of the previous meat strand is still being cut into slices and moved in the front form tube section. The blade may be disposed to simultaneously cut slices from a plurality of form tubes and may be disposed for motion in the longitudinal direction as well as a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

A cutting machine for cutting up pre-compressed meat strands into slices and a method for slicing pre-compressed meat strands, wherein the blade is moved forward in the feed direction to a limited extent after the blade has completely cut off a slice, and is either subsequently or simultaneously moved backward in the transversal direction. In this way, the forward movement of the meat strand to cut off the next slice can be started earlier.

A new method for dividing a food product log into separate portions prior to cooking of the portions uses a machine that cuts portions from an end of the product log, a controller that controls the operation of the cutting machine, and a sensing arrangement that generates a signal dependent on a cross-sectional dimension of the product at the end. The controller determines the thickness of the next portion to be cut from the end by the cutting machine using the signal from the sensing arrangement and the value of a cook-out parameter related to the proportion of the end of the product that is formed by at least one constituent of the product. The thickness is calculated with a view to the portion achieving a predetermined target weight after it has been cooked.

A new method for dividing a food product log into separate portions prior to cooking of the portions uses a machine that cuts portions from an end of the product log, a controller that controls the operation of the cutting machine, and a sensing arrangement that generates a signal dependent on a cross-sectional dimension of the product at the end. The controller determines the thickness of the next portion to be cut from the end by the cutting machine using the signal from the sensing arrangement and the value of a cook-out parameter related to the proportion of the end of the product that is formed by at least one constituent of the product. The thickness is calculated with a view to the portion achieving a predetermined target weight after it has been cooked.

A cutting machine for cutting up meat strands whose cross section varies over a longitudinal extension into weight precise slices as fast as possible, and a method for slicing such meat strands. Two or more strands may be received adjacent to each other in a respective form tube and pushed against a separately adjustable stop plate, which is assigned to each form tube, independently from each other by a controlled longitudinal press plunger. The strands may be compressed in the longitudinal direction and a cross section of the form tubes may be reduced in a first transversal direction jointly and in a second transversal direction independently from each other. Thus, the respective meat strand may be transversally compressed to a constant cross section for slicing.

A cutting machine for cutting up meat strands whose cross section varies over a longitudinal extension into weight precise slices as fast as possible, and a method for slicing such meat strands. Two or more strands may be received adjacent to each other in a respective form tube and pushed against a separately adjustable stop plate, which is assigned to each form tube, independently from each other by a controlled longitudinal press plunger. The strands may be compressed in the longitudinal direction and a cross section of the form tubes may be reduced in a first transversal direction jointly and in a second transversal direction independently from each other. Thus, the respective meat strand may be transversally compressed to a constant cross section for slicing.

An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

An automated food slicing device is provided. The automated food slicing device may automate the cutting, packaging, and/or labelling of food items such as delicatessen food items. The automated food slicing device may also have a computerized input that allows a user to provide inputs regarding selected options which the slicing device will follow to provide a customized food product.

A conveyor belt support system for a conveyor having a belt movable along a frame includes a plurality of support slats each extending substantially along a longitudinal axis of the belt. The plurality of support slats is adjustable in position relative to the belt.

A processing machine for scanning and portioning a workpiece includes a scanning station configured to scan a workpiece to ascertain at least one physical parameter of the workpiece, a portioning station configured to portion the scanned workpiece, a conveyor for moving the workpiece beneath the scanning station and the portioning station that includes a belt with an open form moveable along a frame, and the conveyor belt support system located beneath at least the scanning station.