A method of creating batches for food items conveyed by a conveyor means, comprises measuring an image profile for a food item, processing the measured image profile for the food item, cutting the food item into a plurality of portions based on the processed measured image profile, and distinguishing the portions within the partial batch from the remaining portions. The number of portions from one or more of subsequent food items needed to complete the partial batch is such that it fulfills the pre-defined batch-criteria taken from the same or similar area of the food items from where the partial batch originates.

A filling machine for food products in cans, particularly of the type with product density control, comprising a supporting frame which forms a chamber and a feeding tunnel which is adapted to convey a food product into the chamber that is provided with a plunger which can move along the chamber, along a predefined compression direction; the chamber being provided with an expulsion piston configured to move transversely with respect to the compression direction for the expulsion of at least one preset shape in the direction of a station for canning the food product; a motor being provided which is associated with the plunger for a movement along the compression direction; and elements for measuring the density of the food product compressed in the chamber in order to control the driving torque of the motor as a function of the achievement of a predetermined density value.

An infeed chamber or channel 12 receives fish fillets 17 from a conveyor belt 13 of an infeed system 14. A plunger 16 pushes the fish 17 upwardly from the infeed channel 12 into an upper compression chamber 18 which includes one or more cavities or lobes 20 into which the fish is pushed by the plunger 16 thereby to fill the lobes 20. Pistons 28 are advanced into the lobes to eject the formed fish cakes 24 out of the lobes and into container cans 30. The end position of the plunger 16 is monitored and measured, and the control system utilizes this information to operate the feed system wherein the fish fillets 17 are loaded into the infeed chamber. In this manner, the volume of fish 17 loaded into the infeed chamber can be controlled so that at the end of the plunger stroke, only a minimum amount of fish 17 remains within the compression chamber 18, thereby avoiding the residual fish 17 to be compressed more than twice.

The invention relates to improvements in or relating to the packaging of food 36 between a first plastic film 16 and a second plastic film 18 using a packaging apparatus 10. A tray 24 is formed from the first plastic film 16, the tray having a floor 33 with at least one channel 32. An absorbent pad 34 is provided on the floor 33 of the tray 24. A portion of food 36 is provided on the floor 33 of the tray 24. The second plastic film 18 is placed on the tray 24 to sandwich the absorbent pad 34 and the portion of food 36 between the plastic films 16, 18. The packaging apparatus 10 is operated to urge the two plastic films 16, 18 together and to create a seal therebetween. At least one duct 76 is formed between said at least one channel 32 and at least one of the second plastic film 18, the absorbent pad 34, and the portion of food 36.

The invention relates to improvements in or relating to the packaging of food 36 between a first plastic film 16 and a second plastic film 18 using a packaging apparatus 10. A tray 24 is formed from the first plastic film 16, the tray having a floor 33 with at least one channel 32. An absorbent pad 34 is provided on the floor 33 of the tray 24. A portion of food 36 is provided on the floor 33 of the tray 24. The second plastic film 18 is placed on the tray 24 to sandwich the absorbent pad 34 and the portion of food 36 between the plastic films 16, 18. The packaging apparatus 10 is operated to urge the two plastic films 16, 18 together and to create a seal therebetween. At least one duct 76 is formed between said at least one channel 32 and at least one of the second plastic film 18, the absorbent pad 34, and the portion of food 36.