A stuffing machine for food products, comprising a framework that supports at least one die, provided with a recess designed to receive a product to be stuffed, and pusher means adapted to translate the product to be stuffed, formed in the die, through a stuffing tube; at least one conveyor is also provided which is adapted to move the die along at least one forward path from at least one loading position, in which the die is adapted to receive the product to be stuffed, to a working position, in which the die is substantially at a region of action of the pusher means, and along at least one return path from the working position to the loading position; the conveyor is adapted to keep the die with the concavity of its recess directed upwardly along the forward path and along the return path.

A method for the production of a stabilized packaged food product comprising the steps of: filling a tray with a predetermined quantity of a food starting material; introducing the tray into a pressure vessel and conveying the tray through the pressure vessel while performing the following steps in sequence inside the pressure vessel: (i) treating the food starting material with high-temperature pressurized steam to sterilize the material, and (ii) dosing the sterile food material inside said tray with a predetermined amount of sterile water; and (iii) applying a lid to the tray to seal the food product inside the tray while maintaining the tray in a sterile environment. Suitable food starting materials comprise starchy food products, such as rice, wheat or pasta, and/or meat or vegetable pieces. Also provided are an apparatus for performing the method and packaged stabilized full moisture food products obtainable by the process.

A mass of divisible food in a sealed bag is placed between a first part of a frame having a plurality of walls depending from a common plane and forming a plurality of cavities and a second part of the frame having cavities that correspond with and confront the cavities of the first part. The second part is forced toward the first part to pressurize the divisible food in the bag and force the bag to occupy the cavities. Then, the frame, bag and contents are placed in a freezer.

Methods, computer program products and apparatus for producing encased products use a rotary encoder with a measuring wheel, the measuring wheel residing against a depression of a wheel saddle that has a shape that curves inward with a radius of curvature that corresponds to an outer perimeter radius of a cooperating measuring wheel.

The invention relates to a draft handler. The draft handler has a tool stem adapter for coupling to a robotic arm, and has a spatula for lifting a draft product and an elastomeric band for gripping the draft product. The robotic arm moves the draft handler to pick up the draft product in a first orientation from a first conveyor assembly, and to place the draft product on a second conveyor assembly, optionally in a second orientation.

A folding device and a method for folding over limbs of L-boards at the folding device located upstream of the sealing station in the production direction of a deep-drawing packaging machine. The folding device may include at least one folding member for folding over the limb in a production direction and a hold down device for holding down the folded over limbs. In one embodiment, the hold down device can be activated by a pneumatic cylinder. In another embodiment, the folding device may be moved by a servo motor or pneumatic cylinder. The method includes moving the thermo-formed troughs of a packaging film, placing the product and the L-boards in the trough, folding the limbs of the L-boards, and holding down the limbs once folded.

Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, sheared casing and/or netting. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo-motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly.

The present invention relates to a food production line (11) with a forming apparatus (5) that comprises a rotating drum (1), which is utilized to form a product (7) from a food mass and a packaging machine (13), which packages the products in a packaging (14). The present invention further relates to a process for forming a product, whereas several products are formed and subsequently dropped simultaneously from a drum on an accumulation belt.

An apparatus is provided for filling and/or portioning food mass on a carrier. The apparatus includes a machine frame, a carrier movably arranged on the frame, for receiving dispensed food mass, and a drive means for moving the carrier. In the apparatus, a mechanical separator is provided for mechanically separating the carrier and the drive means, the carrier is arranged above the separator, the drive means is arranged at least partly below the separator, and the carrier and the drive means are coupled with the aid of magnetic and/or electromagnetic means in such a way that the carrier can be moved by the drive means using magnetic or electromagnetic force.

Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly.