In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to ensuring quality of meat cuts. In some embodiments, a system for ensuring quality of meat cuts comprises a capture device comprising an image capture device configured to capture an image of a cut of meat, a depth sensor configured to capture depth data, a transceiver configured to transmit the image and the depth data, a microcontroller configured to control the image capture device, the depth sensor, and the transceiver, a database configured to store meat cut specifications, and the control circuit configured to receive, from the capture device, the image and the depth data, retrieve, from the database, a meat cut specification, evaluate the image of the cut of meat and the depth data associated with the cut of meat, and classify the cut of meat.

Workpieces WP are scanned at a scanning station (14) while being transported on a conveyor (12). A control system (18) analyzes the scanning data to develop a three-dimensional model of the workpiece WP and determine how to portion or trim the workpiece as desired. The cutting/trimming paths made through the workpiece is compared with the predetermined cutting paths to quantify the correspondence (or deviance) of the actual cutting paths from the predetermining cutting paths. This information is reviewed to determine whether the system (10) is operating property. If the alignment of the actual cutting/trimming paths with the predetermined cutting/trimming paths are not within a predetermined set point, the control system (18) seeks to determine the cause of the deviation as well as determine what remedial steps to take to restore the alignment of the actual cutting/trimming paths with the predetermined cutting/trimming paths.

In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods are provided herein useful to ensuring quality of meat cuts. In some embodiments, a system for ensuring quality of meat cuts comprises a capture device comprising an image capture device configured to capture an image of a cut of meat, a depth sensor configured to capture depth data, a transceiver configured to transmit the image and the depth data, a microcontroller configured to control the image capture device, the depth sensor, and the transceiver, a database configured to store meat cut specifications, and the control circuit configured to receive, from the capture device, the image and the depth data, retrieve, from the database, a meat cut specification, evaluate the image of the cut of meat and the depth data associated with the cut of meat, and classify the cut of meat.

A method for processing food products (12) includes transporting the food products by a first conveyor (11), an X-ray unit (13) positioned between the intake end and the discharge end of the first conveyor to acquire a first set of product-specific data relating to the food product transported. At least one first optical camera (17), assigned to the first conveyor, is used to acquire a second set of product-specific data relating to the food product. A control unit (18) is used to receive and integrate the first and second data sets to analyze the composition of the food product and determine parameters for the food product. Based on the determined parameters of the food product, the food product is cut with a cutting unit, under the control of the control unit.

This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.

The invention relates to an apparatus (10), designed and configured to acquire and analyse product-specific data for products (12) of the food processing industry, comprising a conveyor (11), which is gap-free in the transport plane, for transporting separated products (12) in transport direction T from an intake end to a discharge end, an X-ray unit (13) having at least one X-ray source (14) and at least one X-ray camera (15) for acquiring product-specific data, wherein X-ray source (14) and X-ray camera (15) are assigned to the conveyor (11) in such a manner that the products (12) can be guided along between the X-ray source (14) and the X-ray camera (15), as well as a control unit (16) which is connected to the X-ray unit (13) and is designed and configured to receive and analyse the product-specific data, forming a first data set, acquired by said X-ray unit (13), which is characterised in that at least one optical camera (17) is assigned to the same conveyor (11) between its intake end and discharge end, by means of which, in addition to the X-ray unit (13), product-specific data of the products (12) transported on said conveyor (11) can be acquired, wherein the optical camera (17) is connected to a control unit (18) which is designed and configured to receive and analyse the product-specific data, forming a second data set, acquired by the optical camera (17). The invention also relates to a system (29) comprising such an apparatus (10) as well as a method for processing products (12) of the food processing industry.

A system for processing meat pieces includes a radiation inspection apparatus configured to receive a primary stream of meat pieces conveyed by a conveyor and to detect trim products containing undesired objects; a reject device; a control unit configured to operate the reject device using the detected undesired objects as an operation parameter such that the meat pieces containing the undesired objects are separated from the primary stream of trim products; an object remover configured to remove the undesired objects from the meat pieces separated from the primary stream of trim products; and a recirculation apparatus configured to receive the meat pieces after undergoing the object remover and recirculate it as a secondary stream into the radiation inspection apparatus. The secondary stream is separated from the primary stream, and the radiation inspection is configured to detect whether any remaining undesired objects are in the secondary stream.

A thermal processing and control system (300) includes a thermal processing station (312) for receiving food products (14) being carried on a conveyor system (316). A first scanning station (318) is located upstream from the thermal processing station (312) for scanning the food products being carried by the conveyor (316). An actuator (420) automatically connects temperature measuring devices (402) with selected food products (14). A diverter conveyor (324) diverts selected food products (14) from the conveyor (316) to a transverse conveyor (326) for either further processing or alternative processing, depending on how system (300) is configured. The temperature measuring devices (402) are automatically removed from the food products at station (329).

The image sorting system sorts normal chicken breast meat fillets from chicken fillets that exhibit wooden breast myopathy (i.e. WB fillets). In the preferred embodiment, a camera and associated controller gather data and construct a digital image of a chicken breast fillet as it travels on a conveyer belt. The digital image is used to calculate a centroid (i.e. center of mass) of the fillet. As the fillet moves over a nose of the conveyor belt and free-falls to a lower conveyor belt, the controller determines the distance between the fillet centroid and a reference point (preferably the conveyer belt axis of rotation). If the distance exceeds a predetermined minimum distance, the fillet is designated a WB fillet.

This disclosure concerns methods for processing and grading food articles including x-raying the food articles a first time and taking a 3D image of the food articles.