Conveyor assembly for in a lying position, in X-direction from an inlet to an outlet, conveying products serially supplied in transverse series comprising: an inlet conveyor situated on the inlet side; a drive for driving the inlet conveyor for in X-direction conveying the transverse series of products lying thereon; a first recording device for recording the position of the products within a transverse series, in a Y-direction that is horizontally transverse to the X-direction; a first correction device for influencing the positions in Y-direction of the products within a transverse series; a programmable control unit which is configured for receiving and processing the recording data from the first recording device and for controlling the first correction device, if the products within the recorded transverse series are not in the wanted position in Y-direction, wherein the first correction device comprises a first conveyor and a first drive for it for conveying the products in X-direction, wherein the first conveyor comprises a number of first sub-conveyors positioned next to each other for respective conveyance in X-direction of the products situated in a transverse series, according to paths that are situated next to each other, wherein the first correction device further comprises first sub-drives for individually from each other setting the upstream ends of the first sub-conveyors in position in Y-direction, which first sub-drives can be controlled for that purpose by the control unit in response to the recording data received from the first recording device relating to the positions of the products in a transverse series in Y-direction, wherein the first conveyor is situated downstream of the inlet conveyor.

A wrapping machine for wrapping trayed food products includes a wrap station at which trayed food products are wrapped, a film dispensing station for drawing out film over trayed food products at the wrap station and a conveying system for moving trayed food products along a defined path from an input station to the wrap station. A controller is operatively connected to operate the conveying system, components of the film dispensing station and components of the wrap station. The controller is configured as a state machine with sequential wrap stages, where each wrap stage must successfully complete before the controller initiates a next wrap stage.

A method for packaging and processing products in a continuously operating production line, including filling individual packaging containers with products in a filling station; dispensing the filled containers to an individualizing device in multiple tracks by a dispensing station, the individualizing device transferring the packaging containers onto a single track of a conveyor; transporting the containers by the conveyor one after another to at least one additional processing station and operating the individualizing device in one of three operating modes, dependent upon the respective situation:

a) a normal mode in which the packaging containers are transferred from the dispensing station onto the single track of the conveyor,
b) an on-stock mode in which the packaging containers are transferred from the dispensing station to a temporary store, and
c) a low-load mode in which the packaging containers are transferred from the temporary store onto the single track of the conveyor.

A form-fill-seal packing apparatus of the flow wrapper type accepts individuated items via in-feed conveyor. Items are moved through horizontal open lower-sided forming tube 10 by resting indirectly on an underneath transit conveyor, through the underside part of a continuous film bag forming from a supply of film around the forming tube, using a forming shoulder. The bag is longitudinally sealed beside the forming tube. Data may be printed on an upper film surface over a platen including an upper part of the forming tube. An outfeed conveyor carries transversely sealed wrapped items on to a vacuum sealer.

This invention relates to a dynamic loading device for horizontal form, fill and seal machine (“HFFS”) and in particular the loading of fresh hamburger patties into a package in an HFFS machine and sealing of said package. This invention involves a dynamic loading device in a form, fill and seal machine for packaging and stacking fresh meat patties. The HFFS machine involves opposing rolls of film wherein the bottom film is drawn to form a package or pocket for food product. The product is dropped into the pocket by a shuttle conveyor while a cylinder raises the base of the pocket to minimize the product drop into the precisely dimensioned pocket. After the product is placed in the package, an upper film is introduced for covering. Before the cover is sealed, the package is generally evacuated of atmosphere. The package is then sealed by the opposing rolls of film.

The gripper (2) according to the invention comprises a first receiving plate (6) for receiving a first product portion (5a) and a second receiving plate (7) for receiving a second product portion (5b), wherein the receiving plates (6, 7) are movable relative to one another, and a first movable stop (9) which is movable relative to the first receiving plate (6), and a second movable stop (10) which is movable relative to the second receiving plate (7). The gripper (2) is distinguished by the fact that the first stop (9) and second stop (10) are movable relative to one another so as to move the product portions (5a, 5b) towards one another when the gripper (2) is closed such that the product portions (5a, 5b) then overlap one another.

Food manipulation apparatus (10) is provided and comprises manipulation means (20) which moves two parts of a food item (30) between a first relative disposition and a second relative disposition. Furthermore, a robot (70) may be provided to place the food item (30) into a container (85).

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 tray for receiving sausages is provided. The tray includes cells which are adapted to substantially match the shape of sausages or other soft materials. The tray may be vacuum sealed to cause a relatively uniform top surface suitable for stacking. The tray may be sealed without pre-freezing the sausages and without causing significant deformation to said sausages upon thawing. The tray may be loaded in an automated manner without the use of robotic arms placing individual sausages into the tray.

A food product handling device is provided. The food product handling device can include a movable loading head having a plurality of rails and a vacuum system operatively associated with the head. In addition, a plurality of suction devices carried by the head and configured to pick up and transport a food product as the head is moved can be provided. A plurality of mounting blocks can be slidably coupled to the rails where at least one suction device is coupled to each mounting block. An actuating device can be operatively associated with the mounting blocks such that each mounting block is configured to slide between a first position and a second position.