Formax, Inc.

Provisur Technologies, Inc.

Fermax, Inc.

Salvatore Lamartino

Scott A Lindee

Thomas C Wolcott

David M Hansen

Glenn A Sandberg

E William Wight

Steve Ill

Bruce Bauer

James E Pasek

Robert Bania

Gage A Fox

David Hancock

Timothy W Ring

Steven C Ill

Glenn Sandberg

David Hansen

A rotary molding system for molding food products, mold cavities formed when a mold shell rotates mold shapes disposed along the mold shell into a fill position between a fill plate and a wear plate. Molded food products are removed from mold cavities using knock-out cups, the use of air pressure, or the use of a vacuum source disposed below the mold cavity, without the need to slow the rotation of the mold shell. Knock-out cups may be used with a heating system to reduce accumulation of unwanted materials on the knock-out cups. The rotary molding system can also be used to form products with contoured surfaces. A smart tagging system can be used to ensure that compatible sets of mold shells and knock out cups are being used. A vacuum region may be disposed upstream of the fill position to remove air within the mold cavity prior to filling.

Method and apparatus for rotary molding

An apparatus for acquiring a profile of a food product for use in subsequent processing of the food product includes a scanning area and one or more product drives for driving a product through the scanning area in a longitudinal direction. First line lasers project one first transverse laser line transversely to the longitudinal direction on the first surface and two first cameras arranged to capture different, overlapping first transverse image portions of the first transverse laser line. A reference laser projects a beam on the first surface that indicates a transverse reference position, and the two first cameras also capture the reference position. A control system uses the transverse reference position to combine the different first transverse image portions captured by the two first cameras to calculate a first profile of the first surface at multiple positions along a length of the first surface as the product is driven through the scanning area.

Automated product profiling apparatus and product slicing system using the same

Rotary mold system for molding food products

Rotary mold system for molding three dimensional food products

Apparatus for rotary molding

A loaf feed apparatus for a food article slicing machine. The apparatus has at least a first conveyor driven by a hollow shaft and a second conveyor driven by a second shaft. The second shaft independently operates within said hollow shaft. The hollow shaft and the second shaft are driven by independent drive sources. The apparatus also includes at least one lower conveyor driven by a drive roller having a outer diameter and a recessed diameter where the drive belt is connected around the recessed diameter and the conveyor belt is connected around the outer diameter. The drive belt operates within an area defined by the first conveyor belt. The apparatus also has a loaf gate for separating a slicing station from the loaf feed apparatus.

Food article feed apparatus for a food article slicing machine

A food article end location detecting system for a food article slicing machine. The system includes a sensor located so that each food article passes a sensing range of the sensor as the food articles are loaded onto a food article feed apparatus. The system has instructions for calculating the length of each food article based on a location value provided by the sensor. The system also comprises a food article end disposal mechanism. The disposal mechanism has a transport for receiving said food article ends and for removing said food article ends from said food article path. The disposal mechanism also has a paddle for displacing food article ends from the transport.

Food article end detection system for a food article slicing machine

An automated sequenced food article tray loading method and apparatus for a slicing machine where food articles can be loaded sequentially into designated and separated lanes of a lift tray and automatically sequentially assume a preload condition. Food article separation is maintained on the lift tray after the food articles are loaded. A food article sweep mechanism receives the food articles on the lift tray in their separated positions and transfers the food articles into the food article feed mechanism while maintaining the separated positions. The food article sweep mechanism is a substantially open structure without enclosing walls.

Food article transfer mechanism for a food article slicing machine

A system, suitable for high-speed operation, by which raw product (), such as a slab of meat, can be accurately processed, such as by slicing into segments of desired weight, comprises a product profiling apparatus (). The product profiling apparatus () measures the profile of the physical process. The product profiling apparatus () includes line lasers () for directing a line of light across the upper and lower surfaces of the product () and visual image cameras () directed toward the profile surface to capture, at fixed increments, the product profile. The product may also be weighed and the product density determined from the overall profile measurements. A controller () receives this data, and instructs the physical process accordingly.

Automated product profiling apparatus and product slicing system using same

A frame structure is provided for a reciprocating mold plate type food product forming apparatus. The frame structure includes an angular strut configuration for resisting horizontal reciprocating forces caused by the reciprocating mold plate and associated drive, and a tie rod arrangement for resisting separation-reaction forces caused by food product compression by a plunger in a pump cylinder of a food product pump. A base plate supports the frame structure. A first angular strut extends from a rear location forwardly and upwardly to an elevated central location and is fixed to the frame portion. A second angular strut extends from a forward location rearward and upwardly to the elevated central location and is fixed to said frame portion. The first and second struts transfer the horizontal component of the reciprocating forces into the base plate. A plurality of tie rods span between a backing plate that mounts a hydraulic cylinder that drives the plunger, and the pump cylinder. A one piece pump housing and valve manifold is incorporated into the apparatus.

Frame for a patty-forming apparatus

A cooling air system is provided for a patty-forming apparatus having a machine base that includes an enclosing wall and contains equipment within the machine base that generates heat, such as electric motors, electrical and control equipment. The machine base includes an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening through the enclosing wall. At least one air fan is arranged to move outside air from the air inlet opening to the air outlet opening. A first air damper is arranged to close the air inlet opening. A second air damper is arranged to close the air outlet opening. The first and second air dampers are configured to automatically close if power is interrupted to the apparatus. The dampers each includes a cover or plate and at least one inlet pneumatic cylinder that elevates the cover above the inlet or outlet opening when energized, allowing outside air to pass through the machine base. Springs are arranged such that when the pneumatic cylinders are de-energized, the springs urge the covers onto the openings to close up the machine base.

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Orland Park, IL, United States of America

Salvatore Lamartino