METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR FORMING A BATCH OF MEAT HAVING A PREDETERMINED WEIGHT AND FAT CONTENT

Abstract

A system and method are provided for forming a batch (4) of a meat product. Portions of meat products from a plurality of sources (6a, b, c) having different fat contents are measured using a fat analyzer (12) and a weighing device (14). The measurement results are then presented to a computer (16) configured to construct a 'virtual' sub-batch having a target weight lower than the predetermined weight and a target fat content. The computer (16) is arranged to determine the actual fat content of the sub-batch and to generate control information that relies on regulating the supply of meat product on the conveyor (8) upstream of the fat analyzer (12) to achieve the target fat content.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORMING A BATCH OF W PRODUCT MEAT

[0001] The present invention relates to a system or method for forming a batch of a meat product having a predetermined weight and fat content.

[0032] It is known, for example, in US patent 7,123,685, to provide a system and method for forming a batch of meat by continuously determining the fat content of a known weight of meat on a conveyor belt using an X-ray-based sensor before the meat is added to the batch. A computer is provided that calculates the weight and fat content of the meat to be added to complete the batch based on the measured weight and fat content of the meat already added to the batch. This calculation is used by a control unit in the system to control the feeding of fatty and lean meat supplied from different sources for measurement by the sensor. In this way, the fat content of the meat still to be supplied to form the batch is corrected on the fly to ensure that the total weight and fat content requirements for the final batch of meat are met.To ensure that a batch of meat has a. IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 1 of 20 consistent fat content throughout its volume, and 1 batch is mixed in a mixer.

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for forming a batch of meat having a predetermined weight and a predetermined fat content comprising: a; constructing in a computer device a batch having a target weight that is less than the predetermined weight and having a target fat content by: i} supply a meat product conveyor system from various meat product sources, preferably a plurality of meat product sources with different fat contents; ii) determine at a location in the conveyor system a fat content of the meat product supplied in portions using a fat analyzer; iii) determine the weight of the portion of the meat product supplied using a passing device; rv¡ add to the computer device at least a part of the portion of the meat product supplied to the subject; vj determine on the computer device a current weight and a current fat content of the subject; vi) adjust the fat content of the meat product IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 2 of 20 supplied the conveyor upstream of the grease analyzer to achieve the target fat content in response to the control information issued by the computer device based on the current fat content determined from the slug; and vii¡· repeat steps i) to vi} until the weight of the slug is reached and thus the slug is built, and b) add the portion to the batch of meat; and c) repeat steps a) and b) until the predetermined sediment and fat content for the batch of meat are reached. In some embodiments, the target fat content of the sub-unit is the predetermined fat content of the batch. In this way, a batch can be formed that has a constant fat content throughout its volume without the need for mixing, since each sub-unit has the same fat content (within an acceptable variation) as the predetermined fat content. 10305] In some forms of realization, cl sublets is part of a more or less continuous stream of meat product,

[0006] In some embodiments, the fat content of the supplied meat product is adjusted IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 3 of 20 manually depending on the comparison. [0CC7] In some embodiments, the supplied meat product is automatically adjusted based on the comparison.

[3008] In some embodiments, additional meat product sources may be provided upstream of the fat analyzer and downstream of the number of meat product sources to supply additional meat product to adjust the fat content of the supplied meat product. Being physically closer to the fat analyzer than the number of meat product sources reduces the time elapsed between adjusting the fat content of the meat product and analyzing the adjusted fat content in the fat analyzer. In other embodiments, the operation of the number of meat product sources may be additionally or alternatively controlled to adjust the fat content of the supplied meat product.

[0333] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a system is provided for forming a batch of meat having a predetermined weight and a predetermined fat content, comprising: ij a conveyor means that it has an input end and an output end and is configured to IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 4 of 20 transport the meat product in one direction from the input end to the output end; 11) a plurality of meat product sources arranged to provide meat products to the conveying media towards the feed end; iii) a fat analyzer arranged in a location between the feed end and the discharge feed end and configured to determine in portions a fat content of the deposited meat product being conveyed; (iv) a weighing device arranged to determine the weight of the deposited portion of the meat product; and (v) a computing device; wherein the computing device is arranged to construct a desired number of subgroups, each with a target weight and target fat content, by adding to a current subgroup at least a portion of the current subgroup; to determine a current fat content and current weight of the current subgroup and to generate and generate control information to regulate the fat content of the meat product supplied to the fat analyzer based on the current fat content to achieve the target fat content for the current subgroup.

[0010] The forms of embodiment of the invention will now be described only in a simplified manner and with IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 5 of 20 references 1 drawing of the attached figures of which: Fig. i shows a representation of a first embodiment of a system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows exemplary control information displayed to a system operator in accordance with the present invention; and Fig. 3 shows a representation of a portion of a second embodiment of a system according to the present invention.

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a system 2 for forming a batch 4 of meat. System 2 comprises a number, here a plurality, of meat product sources (here three) 6a, b, c, each of which contains meat products of different fat contents, say high-fat source 6a, medium-fat source 6b, and low-fat source 6c. The assignment of the meat product to the correct meat product source 6a, b, c can be done using a fat analyzer to provide an accurate determination of the fat / fat ratio, often referred to as Chemical Lean (CL) level determination, or the assignment can be made after a IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 6 of 20 Visual inspection of the meat product to determine an estimated lean / fat ratio, often referred to as the Visual Lean (VL) level. The meat product sources 6afb, c are arranged to deposit their contents in a controlled manner onto a conveyor belt 8c at a fixed feed end of a conveyor system 8 of system 2 that moves on the fixed conveyor belt (in the direction of the arrows) towards a fixed feed outlet end of the conveyor system 8.

[0012] In the present embodiment, an optional Lampón 10 is provided as a component of system 2 at the feed outlet end of the conveyor system 8 to receive and retain portions of meat product as the meat batch 4 is formed.

[0013] System 2 further comprises a fat analyzer, herein a known X-ray fat analyzer 12, which preferably employs a multi-energy (typically dual) X-ray source and a complementary detector, which are arranged to measure the fat content of a portion of meat product being conveyed on the conveyor belt Be of the conveyor system 8 at a location between its inlet end 8a and its outlet end 8b. IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 7 of 20 [□Old] A weighing device 14 of system 2 is arranged to weigh the portion of meat product whose fat content is measured by the fat analyzer 12 and can be positioned with the X-ray fat analyzer 12 to weigh the portion of the meat product substantially simultaneously with a determination of the fat content. The weighing device 14 can be any known weighing device, such as a weighing cell, or it can be a 'virtual' weighing device whereby the weight of the portion of meat product is obtained indirectly in a manner known to the X-ray fat analyzer from a prediction of the area density (g / cm²) at each individual pixel, i.e., the amount of meat per unit area. The area densities of all the pixels in the image are summed and converted into the weight of the meat product. [C-C1 5] A computer device 16 is also provided in operational communication with the X-ray fat analyzer 12 and the weighing device 14 to receive information on the fat content and weight, respectively, of the portions of the meat product being measured by the fat analyzer 12 and is configured through programming to generate and produce usable control information in IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 8 of 20 Adjustment of the fat content of the meat product upstream of the X-ray fat analyzer 12. The computing device 16 may be a single unit, as illustrated in Figure 1, or may comprise a plurality of separate elements that cooperate to function as the single unit. Furthermore, the computing device 16 or some or all of its elements may be located remotely from the X-ray fat analyzer 12 and the conveyor system 8 and connected via a telecommunications network, for example, via a wide area network, a local area network, or the Internet. Control information may be sent to one or both of the display units 1S and a controller 20. The controller 20 is arranged to control the meat product output from each of the meat product sources 6a, b, c.

[16] System 2 of the present embodiment also comprises one or more hoppers (hereinafter two hoppers 22, 24) provided to hold additional meat products having a common fat content (within an acceptable range), for example, a common VL level. In the present embodiment, one hopper 22 is to hold meat product of a relatively high VI level, and the other hopper 24 is to hold meat product of a VI level. IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 9 of 20 relatively low and is used in system 2 for adjusting the fat content of the meat product transported by conveyor system 8. In some embodiments (illustrated by the dashed line construction) each hopper 22, 24 is individually controllable in response to control information issued by the computer device 16 to automatically deposit part or all of its contents onto the conveyor belt 8c of conveyor system 8 at the location upstream of the fat analyzer 12 and downstream of the meat product sources 6a, b, c. In some embodiments, as illustrated herein Fig. 1, part or all of the contents of each hopper 22, 24 are manually deposited onto the conveyor belt 8c in response to control information displayed by the display unit 18. The inclusion of hoppers 22, 24 is advantageous but not essential.The location of hoppers 22, 24 near the fat analyzer 12, at least closer than the meat product sources 6a, b, c, means that the time between the adjustment of the fat content of the meat product on the conveyor belt 8c until the measurement on the fat analyzer 12 is reduced.

[0017] In some embodiments, the controller IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 10 of 20 may additionally or alternatively operate in response to control information issued by the computer device 16. In these embodiments, the controller 20 is configured to respond to the control information to automatically control the operation of each of the meat product sources 6a, brc to adjust the flow of the respective meat product in order to achieve a desired fat content of the meat product being analyzed by the fat analyzer 12, and the hoppers 22, 24 may be omitted. In some embodiments, the computer device 16 may also be configured to control the operation of other components of system 2, such as the speed of the conveyor belt 8c of the conveyor system 8 or the operation of the X-ray fat analyzer 12.

[0018] The system according to the present invention, for example, system 2 described above in relation to Fig. 1, operates to form a batch of meat product having a predetermined weight and a predetermined fat content (CL level) in the following exemplary manner: the computing device 16 obtains in its memory a value for the predetermined weight and a value for the predetermined fat content of the batch 4 to be formed. These values IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 11 of 20. The data may be stored permanently or temporarily in memory and can be entered by an operator using a conventional input device (not shown), such as a keyboard or touch screen, or the computer device 16 can be accessed from a remote location. The computer device 16 operates to internally construct sub-batches by retrieving into its memory a target weight for a current sub-batch that is less than the predetermined weight and a target fat content for the current sub-batch. A processor (not shown) of the computer device 16 may calculate one or both of the target weight and target fat content of the current sub-batch, or they may be obtained internally from memory or externally, for example, from a remotely located server memory or from an operator using the input device, and which may be a variable or a constant for all sub-batches comprising batch 4. ..□319] In some embodiments, such as that illustrated in Figure 1, the formed batch 4 is intended to be divided (here manually) into 26 batches, each with a batch weight, typically between 20-40 kg, which are, for example, contained in boxes 28a, b, c, d. In such embodiments, it may be that the target weight of the actual batch is selected so that IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 12 of 20 see equal - within acceptable limits; to the weight of the batch and be the same for all subgroups. In some embodiments, the target fat content for each subgroup is a constant and is equal to the predetermined fat content for the batch formed 4 - This has the advantage that each partial volume of batch 4 corresponding to a subgroup will have a uniform fat content value (LE) and this LE will be just as uniform throughout batch 4 without the need to perform a mixing operation for batch 4. Therefore, each batch 26 extracted from batch 4 will have a substantially similar LE level.

[0020] Z1 meat product from one or more of the meat product sources fiafb, c is fed onto the moving conveyor belt Se of the conveyor system 8 towards its feed end 8a and is transported as a more or less continuous stream of meat product to the X-ray fat analyzer 12. The analyzer 12 can operate conventionally to expose a portion of the moving meat product to X-ray beams of at least two different energies and detect the intensities of the X-ray beams after they have passed through the portion. From the intensities detected in a computer of the analyzer 12 (which can be considered to be functioning IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 13 of 20 co.TiG, an element of the computing device 16J, determines the fat content (level CL) of the moving stream portion of the meat product. The area of ​​the portion is delimited by the extent of the X-ray beam incident on the meat product. Currently, the computer in the analyzer 12 is also configured to determine the weight of the illuminated meat product portion using the detected intensities and to pass the fat and weight values ​​thus determined to the computing device 16. In some embodiments, the detected intensities can be output (with or without conventional pretreatment) to the computing device 16, which is then also programmed to determine the weight and fat values ​​from the output.

[3021] The computer device 16 of the present embodiment operates to determine from the portion weight and the combined weight of the previously analyzed portion(s) comprising the current sub-batch whether a part or the entire portion will be included as part of the current sub-batch (i.e., whether the target weight of the current sub-batch is exceeded, within an acceptable error, by including a part or the entire portion in the current sub-batch) or whether the construction of a new sub-batch should IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 14 of 20 Start on the computer device 16.

[0022] If the determination is such that part or all of the portion will not be included in the current sub-lot, then the computer device 16 functions to combine the determined fat content of the portion with the determined fat content of this previously analyzed portion; to generate an average fat content for the current sub-lot and the weight of the current sub-lot. The current weight is increased by the determined weight of at least part of the portion. [QC23] Upon completion of the current sub-batch, when it is determined that the target weight for that sub-batch has been reached, computer device 16 determines whether a new sub-batch should be formed by comparing the current weight of the sub-batch being formed with the predetermined weight for sub-batch when formed. In some embodiments, computer device 16 functions to determine a new target weight for the new sub-batch based on a difference between the current weight of sub-batch and the predetermined weight. In some embodiments, the fat content of the current sub-batch, or portion, is combined in computer device 16 with the fat content of the previous sub-batches or portions (as applicable) to determine a IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI 5 Page 15 of 20 Actual fat content of batch 4 being formed This current fat content of batch 4 can be compared with the predetermined fat content and a new target fat content is calculated for the new batch to achieve the predetermined fat content for batch 4. [CC24] The current weight of batch 4 can be calculated on computer device 16 by adding the weight of the current batch to the combined weights of any previously formed batches. Alternatively, the portion weight can be added to the weights of all previous portions to determine the current weight of the batch 4 being formed.

[0025] The computer device 16 generates and outputs control information that is used to adjust the fat content of the meat product upstream of the X-ray fat analyzer 12 to meet the target fat content (typically the predetermined fat content for batch 4) for the current sub. The control information may include a signal to drive the display unit 18 to show information to the operator O based on the current fat content values ​​and the current sub's weight, as determined as described above. The operator O responds to the values IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 16 of 20 shows how to add meat products from one or more of hoppers 22, 24 as needed to achieve the target fat content for the current batch. These and other types of control information that may be usefully displayed to an operator C are exemplified in the illustration in ii g. 2.

[3026] Considering Fig. 2, a display 30 of the visualization unit 18 can be actuated by the control information issued by the computer device 16 to display: In a first region 32, entitled Batch, the predetermined batch weight and fat content are addressed together with a current cumulative weight and fat content for the batch, as derived from the portions that have been analyzed by the fat analyzer 12; In a second region 34, titled "Subito," the current weight of the target subito and the fat content of the target subito (preferably the default fat content for the batch) are displayed, along with the current cumulative weight and fat content of the subgroup / batch. This information allows the operator to perform a manual adjustment check of the fat content (CL) by manually adding meat products from one or more of the hoppers 22, 24, depending on whether the current status shows that the fat content is above (leaner). IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 17 of 20 product to add} or below (more fat product to add} the target fat content of the soup; In a third region 36, entitled Sub Batch History, I read the history and therefore the trend of some or all of the virtual subgroups formed previously; and in a fourth region 38 I graphically showed the trend in fat content with batch weight over some or all of the virtual subgroups formed previously.

[0027] In some embodiments, the computer device 16 may additionally or alternatively generate a control signal depending on the information determined as described above and issue the signal to automatically control the selective addition of the additional meat product from one or more hoppers 22, 24 and / or control the supply of meat products from meat product sources 6a, b, c to adjust the fat content of the added product that is passed to the fat ana_izadcr 12 to achieve the target fat content for each sub.

[0028] A further embodiment of a system 40 for forming a batch of meat 42 is partially illustrated in Figure 3. System 40 differs from system 2 of Figure 1 only towards the feed outlet end 8b of the conveyor system 8 and, therefore, IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 18 of 20. These differences are illustrated and described below. Unlike system 2 in Fig. 1, a batch 42, in the present system 40, is formed directly into large containers 44, often called combos or bins, which typically hold a batch of about 50 kg of meat product. In some embodiments, the outlet feed end 8b is fed directly into such a container 44. However, in such an embodiment, the process must be stopped once a predetermined batch weight has been reached, and the full container is replaced with an empty one before the process can be continued.

[0029] In the present embodiment, the system 40 includes a multidirectional conveyor 46 (herein bidirectional) that is configured to be fed from the outlet feed end 8b with the meat product 48 and to change the transport of this fed meat product 48 to another of a plurality (herein two) containers 44 when a batch 42 has been formed in one of the containers 44. Therefore, a new batch 50 can be started when a batch 42 is completed without stopping the process. [003C[ In some embodiments, one of the 44 containers can be located on a device of IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI -i Ú Page 19 of 20. Associated weighing device 52, which is configured to determine a weight of the contents of the associated container 44. In some embodiments, this weight can be sent to a controller 54 that operates to control the direction of movement of the multidirectional conveyor 46 and can also be used in the computer device 16 as a check weight against the weight of the new batch 50 that is formed as determined from the output of the weighing device 1.4. Information. The final batch weight of the container 44 and the fat content can be usefully printed on labels that are attached to a complete batch 42.

[0031] It will be appreciated that the systems 2, 40 according to the present invention can be integrated with other processing units in a meat processing plant. For example, a dicing machine 56 can be integrated with system 2, 40 to grind the meat product before adding it to form batch 4, 42, 50, or a foreign object detector can be employed to reject portions of meat product containing a foreign object before the portion enters batch 4, 42, 50. IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI Page 20 of 20 Argentine Republic - National Executive Branch 2020 - Year of General Manuel Belgrano Additional Signature Sheet Graphic Report Number: IF-2020-17916779-APN-ANP#INPI CITY OF BUENOS AIRES Wednesday, March 18, 2020 Reference: 20190103592 The document was imported by the GEDO system with a total of 20 page(s). Digitally signed by GESTION DOCUMENTAL ELECTRONICA- GDE Date: 2020.03.18 18:57:05 -03:00 Mariela Flavia Gonnet Administrative Advisor National Patent Administration National Institute of Industrial Property Digitally signed by DOCUMENTAL MANAGEMENT ELECTRONICS-GDE Date: 2020.03.18 18:56:26 -03:00

Claims

1. A method for forming a batch of meat (4; 42; 50) having a predetermined weight and a predetermined fat content, said method characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) constructing in a computing device (16) a sub-batch having a target weight that is less than the predetermined weight and having a target fat content that is the predetermined fat content by: i) supplying a conveyor system (8) with meat products from various meat product sources (6a, b, c), each of which contains a meat product with a different fat content; ii) determining at a location in the conveyor system (8) a fat content of the supplied meat product in portions using a fat analyzer (12); iii) determining a weight of the portion of the supplied meat product using a weighing device (14);(iv) adding at least a portion of the supplied meat product to the sub-batch in the computing device (16); (v) determining the current weight and fat content of the sub-batch in the computing device (16); (vi) adjusting the fat content of the supplied meat product on the conveyor (8) upstream of the fat analyzer (12) to achieve the target fat content in response to the information output control by the computing device (16) based on the determined current fat content of the sub-batch; and (vii) repeating steps (i) to (vi) until the target weight of the sub-batch is reached; (b) adding the supplied meat product to the meat batch (4; 42; 50); and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) until the predetermined weight and fat content for the meat batch (4; 42; 50) are achieved. Six claims follow;