Alkar-rapidpak-mp Equipment, Inc.

Alkar-rapidpak, Inc.

Dennis Conohan

Seth T Pulsfus

Andi J Mikelsons

Noel R Johnson

Jerome P Lehman

David C Nordby

Steve O Schultz

Kenneth Ian Eke

Luke A Titel

Graham Christopher Eke

Tom Sonntag

Jesse A Gavin

Bryan Davis

Greg Campbell

Paul Kjorlie

Wendell J Holl

Robert E Hanson

David L Brethorst

Bryan J Lemmenes

Richard J Jozwiak

Steve Loomis

Dennis P Roelke

Brian G Sandberg

Robert Wayne Fessenden

Peter G Senn

Christopher D McLinn

Glenn L Leach

Thomas J Betley

In certain examples, a food processing machine for processing a food product includes a housing defining a cavity, a conveyor with a belt comprising metal for conveying the food product through the cavity in a longitudinal direction, and a convection heating system for heating air in the cavity such that heated air heats the food product as the food product is conveyed through the cavity. A microwave launch box system is configured to emit microwave energy into the cavity in a lateral direction transverse to the longitudinal direction to thereby further heat the food product as the food product is conveyed through the cavity.

Ovens with metallic belts and microwave launch box assemblies for processing food products

A control system and method that controls the processing, logging, visual display, and product tracking functions for thermal processing equipment includes one or more wireless temperature probes. The wireless temperature probes allow the system to obtain and process real time data information and provide real time control, logging, display and validation for thermal processing. The wireless temperature probes transmit a signal to a receiver through an antenna configured in the thermal processing equipment, and the receiver sends that information to a control panel. The control panel utilizes a graphical user interface with touch screen capabilities, an input/output device, a process and storage media to log and control the process implemented for the food product.

Control system and method for thermal processing equipment

A door seal arrangement and method for sealing between a door and a door frame on food processing equipment are provided. The door seal is inflatable to create a seal between the door and the door frame and deflatable to release the seal between the door and the door frame. An air supply applies positive air pressure to the door seal to inflate the door seal. A vacuum applies a negative air pressure to the door seal to deflate the door seal.

Door seal arrangements and methods

A food processing system includes a food processing chamber for processing a food product, such as meat products such as hot dogs, sausages, poultry, fish, and other food items. A high speed serial to parallel loading station delivery system is provided. The food product is loaded onto a conveyor in the processing chamber having a plurality of two-piece food product cradles having openings receiving the food product at the loading station and discharging the food product at the unloading station and having gaps between food product carriers distally oppositely spaced from the openings and defining food product cavities therebetween, the width of the openings varying during traversal of the conveyor through the chamber from the loading to the unloading stations.

Food processing apparatus and method

Food product carrier

A food processing system includes sweep belt transfer of food product from a conveyor to a food processor such as a cooker or chiller. The conveyor may include upstream conveyance around a turn having a moving fence. The system may include an upstream conveyor to conveyor transfer from a widening gap upper conveyor to a lower conveyor.

Food processing system

Apparatus and methods for pasteurizing food product are provided. The apparatus includes a cabinet enclosing the food product as it is transported from upstream to downstream through a series of processing zones including a pre-condensing zone, a pre-heating zone, a pasteurizing zone, a post-heating zone, and a post-condensing zone. In use, the food product is conveyed through the series of processing zones, which together function to efficiently and effectively heat and apply pasteurizing steam to the surfaces of the product to kill bacteria, while at the same time managing migration of steam from the pasteurizing zone and preventing steam from migrating out of the cabinet into the surrounding area.

Apparatus and methods for pasteurizing food product

A loading system is provided for loading an elongated strand of food product of given diameter on a moving transport conveyor. First and second loading conveyors are separated by a gap of dimension less than or equal to the diameter of the food product strand and convey the strand to a transfer ramp by an indexed drive.

Loading system for elongated strand of food product

A food processing system circulates a processing medium along a circulation path having first and second segments perpendicular to food product travel along a horizontal conveyor. In another aspect, desired sequencing is provided including reversal of orientation order of return and supply path segments of the circulating processing medium.

Food processor with circulation system and method

Growing community of inventors

Cross Plains, WI, United States of America

Dennis Conohan