WO2008102148A1 - Method and apparatus for handling food pieces - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for handling food pieces Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2008102148A1
WO2008102148A1 PCT/GB2008/000605 GB2008000605W WO2008102148A1 WO 2008102148 A1 WO2008102148 A1 WO 2008102148A1 GB 2008000605 W GB2008000605 W GB 2008000605W WO 2008102148 A1 WO2008102148 A1 WO 2008102148A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
food piece
foreign object
mark
food
operator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2008/000605
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ulrich Nielsen
Original Assignee
Ishida Europe Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ishida Europe Limited filed Critical Ishida Europe Limited
Priority to EP08709488A priority Critical patent/EP2112887A1/en
Publication of WO2008102148A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008102148A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
    • A22B—SLAUGHTERING
    • A22B5/00—Accessories for use during or after slaughtering
    • A22B5/0064—Accessories for use during or after slaughtering for classifying or grading carcasses; for measuring back fat
    • A22B5/007—Non-invasive scanning of carcasses, e.g. using image recognition, tomography, X-rays, ultrasound
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/02—Food
    • G01N33/12—Meat; fish
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N2223/00—Investigating materials by wave or particle radiation
    • G01N2223/60—Specific applications or type of materials
    • G01N2223/612—Specific applications or type of materials biological material

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling food pieces, for example pieces of meat, in order to enable foreign objects, particularly bone, to be detected and subsequently removed.
  • a problem which has arisen in the past is that it is difficult for the operator to locate the foreign object in order to remove it. Even if the location is shown on a display, it is difficult for an operator to find the object when handling the food piece. This is particularly the case with bone and so in the past bone pieces have been ignored or if the level of bone contamination was too high the food piece has simply been discarded.
  • a method of handling food pieces comprises subjecting a food piece to an X-ray analysis at an analysis position to detect a foreign object in the food piece; if a foreign object is detected, transporting the food piece from the analysis position to an operator and providing the operator with an indication of the location of the foreign object in the food piece, and is characterised in that the step of providing an indication comprises providing a mark on the food piece.
  • apparatus for handling food pieces comprises an X-ray analysis unit; a transport system for transporting food pieces through the X-ray handling unit and from there to one or more operator locations; a control system for determining if the X-ray analysis unit detects a foreign object in a food piece and for controlling the transport system to transport the said food piece to an operator to allow the foreign object to be removed; and a marking system for providing a mark on the food piece indicating the location of the foreign object in the food piece.
  • the results of the X-ray analysis are provided to the operator as a mark on the food piece rather than simply being displayed on the X-ray unit or other display so that the operator can determine much more conveniently the location of the foreign object, such as bone, and thus can remove it much more easily and quickly.
  • a visual representation of the X-ray image may be projected directly onto the food piece thus allowing the operator to see where the foreign object is located.
  • a printed indication may be provided on a record medium. This could be, for example, a label which is adhered to the food piece at or just after leaving the X-ray analysis unit.
  • the indication is provided in the form of a physical mark on the food piece.
  • the location of the mark on the food piece can correspond to the location of the foreign object.
  • the mark could be provided on the surface of the food piece above the location of the foreign object.
  • the mark may have characteristics indicating the depth of the foreign object within the food piece. These characteristics may include one of colour or shape.
  • the mark could be in the form of a bar code or alphanumeric code.
  • the mark could be printed on the food piece using, for example, an ink jet printer or cut into the surface of the food piece using a suitably controlled knife.
  • the mark is printed, it could be in the form of a visual indication, that is visible under white light illumination, or an invisible indication such as a fluorescent mark.
  • the latter form of mark may be preferred in order to reduce the amount of printed ink perceived on the food piece.
  • the method may further comprise detecting the indication and controlling an electronic display in response to the detected indication so as to indicate the location of the foreign object.
  • the method preferably further comprises storing food pieces with foreign objects in a buffer location associated with the operator.
  • more than one operator may be involved, the method comprising transporting food pieces with foreign objects to a plurality of operators in a selected order.
  • the X-ray analysis will be made from one perspective, typically from above or below, so that the location of the foreign object is only known with respect to a plan view of the food piece.
  • the location of the foreign object can be determined in three dimensions.
  • the method comprises generating an identifier for each food piece and optionally associating with the identifier details of the operator to whom the food piece was transported when a foreign object was detected.
  • the operator or operators will be a human operator.
  • the invention is also applicable to the use of a foreign object removal machine which responds automatically to the indication, which in this case could be a suitable electronic signal, to locate and remove the foreign object from the food piece.
  • the term "foreign object” refers to an object that is not wanted in a food piece. This includes objects often found in food pieces such as bone, cartilage, fat, blood vessels and tendon, as well as objects not normally found such as metal pieces.
  • Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 in Figure 1 ;
  • Figures 4A-4C illustrate examples of marks.
  • the apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a conventional X-ray inspection unit 1.
  • This can have any conventional form and a typical example is the IX-GA series x-ray inspection system manufactured and sold by lshida Europe Limited.
  • the unit comprises an X-ray device for exposing a food piece such as a meat cut, to X-ray irradiation, sensing the resultant radiation and providing a display on a monitor 2 attached to the unit.
  • a transport system 3 is defined by a number of conveyor belts 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F that are operated to transport food pieces 10 through the apparatus. They may be operated at the same or different speeds, as appropriate.
  • the food pieces 10 are placed sequentially on the conveyor belt 3A by any conventional placement mechanism such as a robot etc. and are conveyed at a steady speed through the X-ray unit 1 and from there onto the conveyor belt 3C.
  • the food pieces are transported past sequentially arranged pairs of operator stations 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and from there on to a packaging unit (not shown).
  • a packaging unit not shown
  • Above the conveyor belt 3C is mounted an inkjet printer 12 on a robot arm (not shown) which can cause the inkjet printer head to be positioned at an appropriate location relative to each food piece as will be described in more detail below.
  • a food piece 10 In use, when a food piece 10 is located in the X-ray unit 1 , it will be inspected in a conventional manner and a processor (not shown) will analyse the resultant X-ray signals to determine whether a foreign object such as a bone piece is present in the food piece. If a piece of bone is detected then the processor will control the inkjet printer 12 to place or print a visible mark on the food piece as it passes under the printer on the conveyor belt 3C. The mark is printed at a position corresponding to that of the detected bone piece. In a simple example, the mark will be placed above the location of the bone piece when viewing the food piece in plan.
  • the processor actuates a selected diverter 5C, 5D, 6C, 6D, 7C, 7D associated with a respective one of the operator stations to divert the food piece to the selected operator.
  • each station comprises a sloped table 6E, 6F.
  • the operator stands by the appropriate table and can view the food piece delivered onto the table. The operator will see the mark placed on the food piece by the inkjet printer 12 and from that knows the approximate location of the bone piece which can then be removed.
  • Beneath the operator stations 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B are located respective dispensing units of which the units 6G, 6H are shown in Figure 3.
  • Each dispensing unit has a sloped base 30 which extends down to a lower conveyor 31.
  • Each dispensing unit also has a pivoted gate 32.
  • the processor causes timed operation of the respective gates 32 so that the food piece is slid onto the conveyor 31. This timed operation enables the food pieces on which bone removal or the like has been carried out to be clearly traced.
  • the inkjet printer 12 could print more than a simple mark.
  • a bar code or other indicia could be printed providing more accurate details of the location of the foreign object. For example, the depth of the foreign object in the food piece could be given.
  • the inkjet printer 12 could be replaced by a knife which is then operated to cut a mark or other indication into the food piece.
  • FIGS 4A-4C illustrate just three examples.
  • a mark 20 in the form of a circle is provided on a food piece 21. This mark 20 could be located directly above the location of a previously detected foreign object so that the operator can insert a knife through the circle knowing that this will be aligned with the foreign object.
  • Figure 4B illustrates a mark 22 in the form of a cross.
  • Figure 4C illustrates a barcode mark 23.
  • the mark could be a number located in alignment with the object, the value of the number giving the depth of the object e.g. in centimetres.
  • the X-ray image itself could be projected locally to the operator on to the food piece in such a way that the X-ray image of the foreign object is aligned with the object itself. This would require the orientation of the food piece to be known as it passes from the X-ray inspection unit 1 to the operator.

Abstract

A method of handling food pieces, comprises subjecting a food piece to an X-ray analysis at an analysis position (1) to detect a foreign object in the food piece. If a foreign object is detected, the food piece is transported from the analysis position (1) to an operator (5A, 5B) and the operator is provided with an indication of the location of the foreign object in the food piece, characterised in that the step of providing an indication comprises providing a mark on the food piece.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FOOD PIECES
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling food pieces, for example pieces of meat, in order to enable foreign objects, particularly bone, to be detected and subsequently removed.
In the food industry, it is becoming more and more important to provide food pieces, such as raw meat and the like, which do not contain foreign objects such as bone. Conventionally, food pieces have been transported through an X-ray unit which can carry out an X-ray analysis of the food piece and provide a display on the unit to indicate the location of foreign objects such as bone, metal pieces and the like. If a foreign object is detected, an indication is provided by the display that a foreign object is present. The food piece then has to be removed from the transport system, inspected by an operator who will then attempt to locate the foreign object and remove it. Raw meat cuts in which unacceptable levels of bone can be found include pork belly and loin but also beef. Examples of these processes are described in US-A-5319547, GB-A-2362710, and US-A-2003-098409.
A problem which has arisen in the past is that it is difficult for the operator to locate the foreign object in order to remove it. Even if the location is shown on a display, it is difficult for an operator to find the object when handling the food piece. This is particularly the case with bone and so in the past bone pieces have been ignored or if the level of bone contamination was too high the food piece has simply been discarded.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a method of handling food pieces comprises subjecting a food piece to an X-ray analysis at an analysis position to detect a foreign object in the food piece; if a foreign object is detected, transporting the food piece from the analysis position to an operator and providing the operator with an indication of the location of the foreign object in the food piece, and is characterised in that the step of providing an indication comprises providing a mark on the food piece. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, apparatus for handling food pieces comprises an X-ray analysis unit; a transport system for transporting food pieces through the X-ray handling unit and from there to one or more operator locations; a control system for determining if the X-ray analysis unit detects a foreign object in a food piece and for controlling the transport system to transport the said food piece to an operator to allow the foreign object to be removed; and a marking system for providing a mark on the food piece indicating the location of the foreign object in the food piece.
In this new method and apparatus, the results of the X-ray analysis are provided to the operator as a mark on the food piece rather than simply being displayed on the X-ray unit or other display so that the operator can determine much more conveniently the location of the foreign object, such as bone, and thus can remove it much more easily and quickly.
There are a variety of ways in which this indication can be provided. In a first example, a visual representation of the X-ray image may be projected directly onto the food piece thus allowing the operator to see where the foreign object is located.
In a second example, a printed indication may be provided on a record medium. This could be, for example, a label which is adhered to the food piece at or just after leaving the X-ray analysis unit. In a third, and particularly preferred example, the indication is provided in the form of a physical mark on the food piece.
For example, the location of the mark on the food piece can correspond to the location of the foreign object. Thus, for example, the mark could be provided on the surface of the food piece above the location of the foreign object. In addition, or alternatively, the mark may have characteristics indicating the depth of the foreign object within the food piece. These characteristics may include one of colour or shape. Alternatively, the mark could be in the form of a bar code or alphanumeric code.
The mark could be printed on the food piece using, for example, an ink jet printer or cut into the surface of the food piece using a suitably controlled knife.
If the mark is printed, it could be in the form of a visual indication, that is visible under white light illumination, or an invisible indication such as a fluorescent mark. The latter form of mark may be preferred in order to reduce the amount of printed ink perceived on the food piece. Where the indication is in the form of a mark on the food piece, the method may further comprise detecting the indication and controlling an electronic display in response to the detected indication so as to indicate the location of the foreign object.
Typically, it will be desired to process the food pieces through the X-ray analysis step at relatively high speed and at a speed faster than corresponds to the speed with which an operator can remove a foreign object. In order to handle this, the method preferably further comprises storing food pieces with foreign objects in a buffer location associated with the operator.
To provide further efficiency, more than one operator may be involved, the method comprising transporting food pieces with foreign objects to a plurality of operators in a selected order.
In a simple case, the X-ray analysis will be made from one perspective, typically from above or below, so that the location of the foreign object is only known with respect to a plan view of the food piece. However, by providing an additional X-ray analysis from a side of the food piece or by turning the food piece, the location of the foreign object can be determined in three dimensions.
For the purposes of quality control and the like, in one preferred example, the method comprises generating an identifier for each food piece and optionally associating with the identifier details of the operator to whom the food piece was transported when a foreign object was detected. Typically, the operator or operators will be a human operator. However, the invention is also applicable to the use of a foreign object removal machine which responds automatically to the indication, which in this case could be a suitable electronic signal, to locate and remove the foreign object from the food piece.
In general, the term "foreign object" refers to an object that is not wanted in a food piece. This includes objects often found in food pieces such as bone, cartilage, fat, blood vessels and tendon, as well as objects not normally found such as metal pieces.
Some examples of methods and apparatus according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an example of the apparatus;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 ;
Figure 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 in Figure 1 ; and,
Figures 4A-4C illustrate examples of marks.
The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a conventional X-ray inspection unit 1. This can have any conventional form and a typical example is the IX-GA series x-ray inspection system manufactured and sold by lshida Europe Limited. The unit comprises an X-ray device for exposing a food piece such as a meat cut, to X-ray irradiation, sensing the resultant radiation and providing a display on a monitor 2 attached to the unit. A transport system 3 is defined by a number of conveyor belts 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F that are operated to transport food pieces 10 through the apparatus. They may be operated at the same or different speeds, as appropriate.
Thus, the food pieces 10 are placed sequentially on the conveyor belt 3A by any conventional placement mechanism such as a robot etc. and are conveyed at a steady speed through the X-ray unit 1 and from there onto the conveyor belt 3C. From the conveyor belt 3C, the food pieces are transported past sequentially arranged pairs of operator stations 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and from there on to a packaging unit (not shown). Above the conveyor belt 3C is mounted an inkjet printer 12 on a robot arm (not shown) which can cause the inkjet printer head to be positioned at an appropriate location relative to each food piece as will be described in more detail below.
In use, when a food piece 10 is located in the X-ray unit 1 , it will be inspected in a conventional manner and a processor (not shown) will analyse the resultant X-ray signals to determine whether a foreign object such as a bone piece is present in the food piece. If a piece of bone is detected then the processor will control the inkjet printer 12 to place or print a visible mark on the food piece as it passes under the printer on the conveyor belt 3C. The mark is printed at a position corresponding to that of the detected bone piece. In a simple example, the mark will be placed above the location of the bone piece when viewing the food piece in plan.
Food pieces without any foreign objects are conveyed without marking past the operator stations 5-7 and on to the packaging unit.
If a foreign object such as bone is detected in the food piece then, as well as causing the food piece to be marked, the processor actuates a selected diverter 5C, 5D, 6C, 6D, 7C, 7D associated with a respective one of the operator stations to divert the food piece to the selected operator.
In Figure 1 , it can be seen that the diverter 5C and the diverter 7D have been moved into the path of the food pieces so that an incoming food piece will be diverted into the operator station 5A or 7B respectively. The operators will be selected by the processor in an ordered sequence.
The operator stations 6A, 6B are shown in more detail in Figure 3 where it can be seen that each station comprises a sloped table 6E, 6F. The operator stands by the appropriate table and can view the food piece delivered onto the table. The operator will see the mark placed on the food piece by the inkjet printer 12 and from that knows the approximate location of the bone piece which can then be removed. Beneath the operator stations 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B are located respective dispensing units of which the units 6G, 6H are shown in Figure 3. Each dispensing unit has a sloped base 30 which extends down to a lower conveyor 31. Each dispensing unit also has a pivoted gate 32. Once an operator has removed the identified foreign object, for example by cutting it out using a water cutter or knife, the remaining food piece 10 is placed on the sloped base 30 and the processor causes timed operation of the respective gates 32 so that the food piece is slid onto the conveyor 31. This timed operation enables the food pieces on which bone removal or the like has been carried out to be clearly traced.
As explained above, and as will be recognized by a person of ordinary skill in the art, there are many different ways in which the operators can be provided with indications of the location of a foreign object.
In one alternative, the inkjet printer 12 could print more than a simple mark. A bar code or other indicia could be printed providing more accurate details of the location of the foreign object. For example, the depth of the foreign object in the food piece could be given. In this case, it would be necessary for there to be more than one X-ray source within the machine 1 or a means for rotating the food piece could be provided within the X-ray machine 1. In another embodiment, the inkjet printer 12 could be replaced by a knife which is then operated to cut a mark or other indication into the food piece.
In another alternative, a separate printer could be provided at each operator station to print a local bit map image or the like of the food piece indicating the location of the bone or other foreign object. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of different marks could be provided on a food piece. Figures 4A-4C illustrate just three examples. In Figure 4A a mark 20 in the form of a circle is provided on a food piece 21. This mark 20 could be located directly above the location of a previously detected foreign object so that the operator can insert a knife through the circle knowing that this will be aligned with the foreign object.
Figure 4B illustrates a mark 22 in the form of a cross. Figure 4C illustrates a barcode mark 23.
A multitude of other marks could be used such as dots, alphanumeric characters, geometric shapes, symbols etc. The mark could be a number located in alignment with the object, the value of the number giving the depth of the object e.g. in centimetres.
In a further possibility, the X-ray image itself could be projected locally to the operator on to the food piece in such a way that the X-ray image of the foreign object is aligned with the object itself. This would require the orientation of the food piece to be known as it passes from the X-ray inspection unit 1 to the operator.
As mentioned above, it also possible to provide a buffer in one or more of the operator stations. This could be achieved by extending the length of the operatortable.

Claims

1. A method of handling food pieces, the method comprising subjecting a food piece to an X-ray analysis at an analysis position to detect a foreign object in the food piece; if a foreign object is detected, transporting the food piece from the analysis position to an operator and providing the operator with an indication of the location of the foreign object in the food piece, characterised in that the step of providing an indication comprises providing a mark on the food piece.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a mark on the food piece comprises projecting a visual representation of the X-ray image of the food piece onto the food piece.
3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a mark on the food piece comprises printing the mark on a record medium, such as a label, which is adhered to the food piece.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of providing a mark on the food piece, comprises physically marking the surface of the food piece.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the mark is printed on the food piece.
6. A method according to claim 4, wherein the mark is cut into the food piece.
7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the location of the mark corresponds to the location of the foreign object.
8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mark has one or more characteristics indicating the depth of the foreign object in the food piece.
9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the characteristics comprise one or more of colour and shape of the mark.
10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mark is in the form of a bar code or alphanumeric code.
11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mark is visually apparent under white light illumination.
12. A method according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the mark is provided by an invisible material such as a fluorescent material.
13. A method according to any of the preceding claims, the method further comprising detecting the indication and controlling an electronic display in response to the detected indication so as to indicate the location of the foreign object.
14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising storing food pieces with foreign objects in a buffer location associated with the operator.
15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising transporting food pieces with foreign objects to a plurality of operators in a selected order.
16. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the location of the foreign object is defined as the position of the foreign object with respect to a plan view of the food piece.
17. A method according to any of claims 1 to 15, wherein the location of the foreign object is defined as the position of the foreign object within the food piece.
18. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the foreign object is bone.
19. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the food piece is meat, for example a meat cut.
20. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising generating an identifier for each food piece and optionally associating with the identifier details of the operator to whom the food piece was transported when a foreign object was detected.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the identifier is printed on a label adhered to the food piece.
22. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the operator comprises a foreign object removal machine which responds automatically to the indication of the location of the foreign object to locate and remove the foreign object from the food piece.
23. A food piece handling assembly comprising an X-ray analysis unit; a transport system for transporting food pieces through the X-ray handling unit and from there to one or more operator locations; a control system for determining if the X-ray analysis unit detects a foreign object in a food piece and for controlling the transport system to transport the said food piece to an operator to allow the foreign object to be removed; and a marking system for providing a mark on the food piece indicating the location of the foreign object in the food piece.
24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the marking system comprises an image projector for projecting a visual representation of the X-ray image of the food piece onto the food piece.
25. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the marking system comprises a printer for printing the mark on a record medium or the food piece.
26. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the marking system comprises a knife for cutting the mark into the food piece.
27. Apparatus according to any of claims 23 to 26, further comprising a buffer location associated with the operator for storing food pieces with foreign objects.
PCT/GB2008/000605 2007-02-22 2008-02-21 Method and apparatus for handling food pieces WO2008102148A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08709488A EP2112887A1 (en) 2007-02-22 2008-02-21 Method and apparatus for handling food pieces

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0703496.0 2007-02-22
GB0703496A GB0703496D0 (en) 2007-02-22 2007-02-22 Method and apparatus for handling food pieces

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008102148A1 true WO2008102148A1 (en) 2008-08-28

Family

ID=37945583

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2008/000605 WO2008102148A1 (en) 2007-02-22 2008-02-21 Method and apparatus for handling food pieces

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2112887A1 (en)
GB (1) GB0703496D0 (en)
WO (1) WO2008102148A1 (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014079448A1 (en) * 2012-11-22 2014-05-30 Attec Danmark A/S A method and a means for controlling and allowing removal of foreign matter from food products
WO2019151394A1 (en) * 2018-01-31 2019-08-08 株式会社ニチレイフーズ Food inspection assistance system, food inspection assistance device, and computer program
WO2019234054A1 (en) * 2018-06-06 2019-12-12 Marel Iceland Ehf. A method of providing feedback data indicating quality of food processing performed by an operator
WO2020109210A1 (en) 2018-11-26 2020-06-04 Teknologisk Institut System for cutting and trimming meat cuts
US11014257B2 (en) 2014-06-27 2021-05-25 Ishida Europe Limited Method and apparatus for removing foreign objects from food pieces
WO2023283596A1 (en) * 2021-07-08 2023-01-12 Cargill, Incorporated System and method for smart manufacturing
IT202100031448A1 (en) * 2021-12-15 2023-06-15 Biometic S R L Method and facility for examining an animal carcass

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5079951A (en) * 1990-08-16 1992-01-14 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of Agriculture Ultrasonic carcass inspection
US5319547A (en) * 1990-08-10 1994-06-07 Vivid Technologies, Inc. Device and method for inspection of baggage and other objects
US5428657A (en) * 1994-03-22 1995-06-27 Georgia Tech Research Corporation X-ray monitoring system
GB2362710A (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-11-28 Intelligent Mfg Systems Ltd Scanning meat samples for bones where sample container has a data storage element read by control means
US20030098409A1 (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-05-29 Bond Leonard J. Systems and techniques for detecting the presence of foreign material

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5319547A (en) * 1990-08-10 1994-06-07 Vivid Technologies, Inc. Device and method for inspection of baggage and other objects
US5079951A (en) * 1990-08-16 1992-01-14 Her Majesty The Queen In Right Of Canada, As Represented By The Minister Of Agriculture Ultrasonic carcass inspection
US5428657A (en) * 1994-03-22 1995-06-27 Georgia Tech Research Corporation X-ray monitoring system
GB2362710A (en) * 2000-05-25 2001-11-28 Intelligent Mfg Systems Ltd Scanning meat samples for bones where sample container has a data storage element read by control means
US20030098409A1 (en) * 2001-11-28 2003-05-29 Bond Leonard J. Systems and techniques for detecting the presence of foreign material

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2014079448A1 (en) * 2012-11-22 2014-05-30 Attec Danmark A/S A method and a means for controlling and allowing removal of foreign matter from food products
US11014257B2 (en) 2014-06-27 2021-05-25 Ishida Europe Limited Method and apparatus for removing foreign objects from food pieces
JP7317702B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2023-07-31 株式会社ニチレイフーズ Food Inspection Auxiliary System, Food Inspection Auxiliary Device, and Computer Program
WO2019151394A1 (en) * 2018-01-31 2019-08-08 株式会社ニチレイフーズ Food inspection assistance system, food inspection assistance device, and computer program
JPWO2019151394A1 (en) * 2018-01-31 2020-12-03 株式会社ニチレイフーズ Food inspection assistance system, food inspection assistance device, and computer program
JP7391173B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2023-12-04 株式会社ニチレイフーズ Food inspection aid system, food inspection aid device, and computer program
US11830179B2 (en) 2018-01-31 2023-11-28 Nichirei Foods Inc. Food inspection assisting system, food inspection assisting apparatus and computer program
WO2019234054A1 (en) * 2018-06-06 2019-12-12 Marel Iceland Ehf. A method of providing feedback data indicating quality of food processing performed by an operator
US11227249B2 (en) 2018-06-06 2022-01-18 Marel Iceland Ehf Method of providing feedback data indicating quality of food processing performed by an operator
WO2020109210A1 (en) 2018-11-26 2020-06-04 Teknologisk Institut System for cutting and trimming meat cuts
WO2023283596A1 (en) * 2021-07-08 2023-01-12 Cargill, Incorporated System and method for smart manufacturing
EP4197337A1 (en) * 2021-12-15 2023-06-21 Biometic S.r.l. Method and plant for inspecting an animal carcass
IT202100031448A1 (en) * 2021-12-15 2023-06-15 Biometic S R L Method and facility for examining an animal carcass

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2112887A1 (en) 2009-11-04
GB0703496D0 (en) 2007-04-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2112887A1 (en) Method and apparatus for handling food pieces
US11829056B2 (en) Grade annunciator
US20070193425A1 (en) Slicing of food products
JP7455135B2 (en) Food processing equipment and food processing method
US11014257B2 (en) Method and apparatus for removing foreign objects from food pieces
GB2076549A (en) Weight measuring price computing and packing apparatus
US6031567A (en) Method and apparatus for video lumber grading
EP3399862B1 (en) Device and method for loosening bones from a meat piece such as ribs from a belly piece of a slaughtered animal
EP3439480A1 (en) System for registration and presentation of performance data to an operator
US20070251197A1 (en) System and method of repackaging an item having a unique identification code
EP3716771B1 (en) A method of providing feedback data indicating quality of food processing performed by an operator
EP1276381B1 (en) Improving the traceability of meat
JP5966354B2 (en) Labeling system
WO2020109210A1 (en) System for cutting and trimming meat cuts
JP2005015026A (en) Labeling system
JP4346768B2 (en) Automatic egg sorting device
WO2009110320A1 (en) X-ray examination device
WO2005099460A1 (en) Apparatus for analysing meat products
DK180419B1 (en) System for cutting and trimming meat cuts
AU2021391959A1 (en) A method of tracking a food item in a processing facility, and a system for processing food items
JPH0634570A (en) Printed matter inspection method and apparatus
JP2014133294A (en) Sheet processing device, and sheet processing method
JPH03108074A (en) Method and apparatus for checking seal stamp
JP2005238563A (en) Material wood marking method and apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08709488

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2008709488

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE