Food or feed processing systems (10, 96) include an extruder (14) and a downstream processor (16, 16a), and are operable to process high meat food or feed formulations. The processors (16, 16a) include an elongated processor barrel (38) presenting an inner surface (44) with a central body or tube (60) within the barrel (38) and presenting an outer surface (62). The surfaces (38, 62) thereby define an elongated annular processing region (70). The barrel (38) and tube (60) are steam heated by means of apparatus (52, 66). A rotatable processing element (72) is also located within the region (70). The element (72) has a plurality of helical vanes (88, 104), which scrape the surfaces (44, 62) to prevent buildup of material on these surfaces.

Food or feed processing systems (10, 96) include an extruder (14) and a downstream processor (16, 16a), and are operable to process high meat food or feed formulations. The processors (16, 16a) include an elongated processor barrel (38) presenting an inner surface (44) with a central body or tube (60) within the barrel (38) and presenting an outer surface (62). The surfaces (38, 62) thereby define an elongated annular processing region (70). The barrel (38) and tube (60) are steam heated by means of apparatus (52, 66). A rotatable processing element (72) is also located within the region (70). The element (72) has a plurality of helical vanes (88, 104), which scrape the surfaces (44, 62) to prevent buildup of material on these surfaces.

A distributor apparatus 10 for distributing a plurality of portions or streams of a flowable material. The apparatus 10 comprises an enclosure 16 which locates rotors 48, 50. An inlet port 66 is provided in an upper part of the enclosure, which connects to a manifold 34 with five spaced inlets 36 through which material can pass to drive the rotors 48, 50. Material can pass round the rotors 48, 50 to a plurality of spaced outlets 38 for discharging to and from the apparatus 10.

A distributor apparatus 10 for distributing a plurality of portions or streams of a flowable material. The apparatus 10 comprises an enclosure 16 which locates rotors 48, 50. An inlet port 66 is provided in an upper part of the enclosure, which connects to a manifold 34 with five spaced inlets 36 through which material can pass to drive the rotors 48, 50. Material can pass round the rotors 48, 50 to a plurality of spaced outlets 38 for discharging to and from the apparatus 10.

The present disclosure refers to a filling machine and to a method for filling a foodstuff which comprises at least two components to be mixed, particularly for sausage production. The foodstuff may be filled into a filling hopper of the filling machine and thoroughly mixed with a mixing cam. The mixing cam may be driven via its own drive at different speeds according to a specific speed profile while the foodstuff is conveyed out of the lower portion of the filling hopper via a conveying mechanism and is filled via a filling unit.

A filling and portioning system for food products and a method for rotational speed control of a feeder and/or mixing arm and/or counterholding device present thereon for conveying the food product in a filling hopper are described. According thereto, the feeder/mixing arm in the filling hopper can be rotated about itself by way of a motor for conveying the food product and is driven independently of a downstream conveyor mechanism. The counterholding device is also arranged in the filling hopper and can optionally be rotated about itself by way of a motor for conveying the food product and is driven independently of a downstream conveyor mechanism. The rotational speed of at least one of the motors is controlled in an automated manner in dependence of at least one machine or product parameter measured during operation of the filling and portioning system.

A filling and portioning system for food products and a method for rotational speed control of a feeder and/or mixing arm and/or counterholding device present thereon for conveying the food product in a filling hopper are described. According thereto, the feeder/mixing arm in the filling hopper can be rotated about itself by way of a motor for conveying the food product and is driven independently of a downstream conveyor mechanism. The counterholding device is also arranged in the filling hopper and can optionally be rotated about itself by way of a motor for conveying the food product and is driven independently of a downstream conveyor mechanism. The rotational speed of at least one of the motors is controlled in an automated manner in dependence of at least one machine or product parameter measured during operation of the filling and portioning system.

The invention relates to a filling machine for producing sausages and a method for monitoring the state of fouling of a collection container and/or a channel which is in communication with the collection container of such a filling machine, where the filling machine comprises a vane cell pump for delivering pasty mass, a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure of the vane cell pump, where the vane cell pump is via the collection container for the pasty mass that is dragged along in communication with the vacuum pump. The filling machine further comprises an inspection opening that is via a channel in communication with the collection container for inspecting the channel and/or the collection container.

The invention relates to a filling machine for producing sausages and a method for monitoring the state of fouling of a collection container and/or a channel which is in communication with the collection container of such a filling machine, where the filling machine comprises a vane cell pump for delivering pasty mass, a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure of the vane cell pump, where the vane cell pump is via the collection container for the pasty mass that is dragged along in communication with the vacuum pump. The filling machine further comprises an inspection opening that is via a channel in communication with the collection container for inspecting the channel and/or the collection container.

A filling machine and a method for filling a pasty mass, in particular for the production of sausages, with a delivery pump for conveying the pasty mass with a first drive, and a dosing pump that is coupled to an outlet of the delivery pump and a transmission train via which the dosing pump is coupled to a second drive integrated into the filling machine housing.