Frito-lay North America, Inc.

Other

Applied Spectra, Inc.

Scott Fagan

Shahmeer Ali Mirza

Wilfred Marcellien Bourg, Jr

Ou Bai

Enrique Michel-Sanchez

Chen C Shao

Richard E Russo

Michael Grant Topor

Scott G Richardson

Rick Wendell Bajema

Chunyi Liu

Jong Hyun Yoo

David Ray Warren

Paul Allan Martin

Sonchai Lange

Scotty G Richardson

Kerwin Bradley

Amanda Grzeda

Wilfred Marcellien Bourg

Wilfred Bourg

A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a liquid. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a surface of a liquid contained in a container and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Textures of liquids are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Quantitative liquid texture measurement method

A photo acoustic non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an acoustic capturing device, and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool directs a laser towards a food snack placed on a surface and creates pressure waves that propagate through the air and produce an acoustic signal. The acoustic capturing device records and forwards the signal to a data processing unit. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Quantitative liquid texture measurement apparatus and method

A feedback and feedforward as well as a statistical predictive control system and method for continuously controlling texture of a food snack in a manufacturing process. The feedback system includes a quantitative texture measuring tool that is positioned downstream of a food processing unit. The texture measuring tool continuously measures a texture attribute of food snack from the food processing unit and feeds back texture attribute information to a controller that controls input parameters to food processing unit such that the texture attribute of a resultant food snack falls within an acceptable limit. The texture measuring tool comprises an excitation tool that strikes the food snack and produces an acoustic signal that is processed by a data processing unit. The data processing unit identifies relevant frequencies in the acoustic signal and quantitatively measures a texture attribute based on a correlated model that includes the relevant frequencies.

Feedback control of food texture system and method

Quantitative liquid texture measurement apparatus and methods

A non-destructive measurement apparatus and method for quantitatively measuring texture of a food snack is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser generating tool, an ultrasound excitation device, an acoustic capturing device, an ultrasound capturing device and a data processing unit. The laser generating tool and the ultrasound excitation tool direct energy towards a food snack placed on a surface and produce an acoustic signal and an ultrasound signal. The data processing unit further comprises a digital signal processing module that processes the received acoustic signal and ultrasound signal. A statistical processing module further filters the acoustic signal from the data processing unit and generates a quantitative acoustic model for texture attributes such as hardness and fracturability. The quantitative model is correlated with a qualitative texture measurement from a descriptive expert panel. Texture of food snacks are quantitatively measured with the quantitative acoustic model.

Quantitative texture measurement apparatus and method

A fryer system and method for producing fried food pieces are disclosed herein. A fryer, located in a frying region of the fryer system, produces fried food pieces. An adjustable draining device, located in a draining region of the fryer system, is downstream from the frying region and controls a residence time of the fried food pieces in the draining region. A set of takeout conveyors bridges the frying region and the draining region and reduces a bed depth of the fried food pieces as the set of takeout conveyors transfers the fried food pieces from the fryer to the draining device. An enclosure at least partially encloses the frying region and the draining region to maintain a controlled environment within the draining region.

System and method for controlling oil content in fried food products

A system and method for calibrating a dynamic digital imaging system for the detection of defects in a moving product stream. The system has an elevated platform above a conveying unit for receiving a reference color tile. The elevated platform allows for the passage of products to be inspected on the below conveying unit surface such that calibration and re-calibration processes during image capturing may be accomplished on a continuous basis without interruption of the product stream.

Calibration of a dynamic digital imaging system for detecting defects in production stream

A method and apparatus for analyzing one or more elements of targeted moving snack food surfaces uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to detect the presence, absence, or amount of an element on a heterogeneous surface, including seasoned and ready-to-eat snack foods. A laser is used to quantify the element concentration without destroying the targeted sample. An automated on-line system may be integrated into the method to create a closed-loop feedback control system, adjusting the concentration as desired.

Method for elemental analysis of a snack food product in a dynamic production line

A method for analyzing moisture content in an analyzer. In one embodiment a sample is introduced into an analyzer and an initial weight is obtained. The sample is then fortified where it is allowed to pick-up moisture. The temperature of the analyzer is increased and an initial fortified point is obtained wherein the sample has returned to its initial weight. Thereafter the analyzer obtains the final moisture content of the sample at a test finish time. In one embodiment satellite analyzers are biased against a standard analyzer so that more uniform results are obtained.

Method for decreasing variability in a moisture analyzer

Growing community of inventors

Dallas, TX, United States of America

Scott Fagan