Method for processing meat cut products, system for processing meat cut products

Abstract

Method for processing cut meat products, and system for processing cut meat products. Method and system for processing cut meat products, where cut products are supplied as a sequence of cut collections (cots), each cut collection (cot) comprising a plurality of cut products, whereby a fat / meat ratio for a cut collection (cot) is measured, a cut collection (cot) is transferred to a selected station (24) by a separator (20), controlled by a controller (50, 51, 52), and whereby a batch is finalized at a selected station (24), based on data for said fat / meat ratio, said batch comprising one or more cut collections (cots), and fulfillment of a predetermined criterion, with respect to a total fat / meat ratio.

Description

1 / 28 METHOD FOR PROCESSING MEAT CUT PRODUCTS, AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MEAT CUT PRODUCTS Field of Invention

[00001] The invention relates to a method and a system for processing cut meat products, wherein the cut products are supplied from a meat processing operation involving meat cutting in the food industry. The method and the system, according to the invention, may also be referred to as a method for classifying cuts and a system for classifying cuts, respectively. Background of the Invention

[00002] Within the food industry, it is well known that a cut in meat products is made in connection with meat processing.

[00003] When a meat product is cut, the fat is removed from it, and the result is - (a) a primary cut and - (b) some fat and cut products.

[00004] The fat product is essentially composed only of fat, while the cut product is any combination of fat and meat. A cut is the result, for example, when the operator, during the fat cutting process, cuts to a certain extent deeply and removes a certain portion of meat along with the fat, for example, when a first cut removes some of the fat but reveals that more fat needs to be removed, which requires a second cut, which, in many cases, inevitably results in a certain portion of meat also being cut away. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, p. 14 / 80 2 / 28

[00005] It is observed that, during meat processing, secondary cuts are also produced, as well as other small pieces of meat.

[00006] For the purposes of this Patent Application, the pieces of fat / meat produced by the cutting process, secondary cuts and any other pieces of meat, other than primary cuts, shall be referred to as cuts, cut products, etc. This also means that the expression collection of cuts (COT), used hereafter and in the claims, also designates a collection of pieces, where the pieces may be what is traditionally referred to as cuts or cut products, but where the collection also includes pieces such as secondary cuts, other pieces of meat, which are not primary cuts, etc.

[00007] The cut is normally classified into categories according to the percentage of meat content. Generally, it is evaluated on the line by the operator, and the cut is sorted accordingly. Most often, cut products are classified into only a limited number of groups, for example, from 1 to 4 groups. Fat products are treated separately.

[00008] Cut products can be used for a plurality of purposes, for example, ground meat etc., which requires further processing of the cut products.

[00009] When the cut is used in further processing, it is desirable and, in most cases, necessary to know the fat percentage with a greater degree of precision than that obtained by manual assessment. In many cases, it is also necessary to adjust the fat percentage to a specified number in order to use the product for various purposes and applications. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, p. 15 / 80 3 / 28

[00010] International patent WO 2009 / 102457 A1 discloses methods and systems for classifying meat cut portions, employing quantitative leanness analysis and one or more sorting steps. The document reveals embodiments adapted to make leanness determinations, to compare the determinations with one or more classification parameters, and to direct meat cut portions to one of a plurality of containers, based on the comparison. Meat cut portions from each container are subsequently processed into ground meat. Meat cut portions, which are obtained from one or more processing stations, are identified by one or more meat cut types, e.g., chicken, ham, loin, and associated leanness information (estimated leanness, e.g.).Portions of meat cuts are then preferably pre-sorted into a plurality of containers, and the lean doneness of the meat cuts from a specific pre-sorted container is determined using a lean doneness analysis system by means of, for example, X-ray analysis. After performing lean doneness analysis, the meat cuts are then sorted into a plurality of combination boxes, based on one or both of the determined lean doneness analysis and a previously identified meat type, identified in connection with the pre-sorting.

[00011] International patent WO A2 03 / 046533 refers to an apparatus and a process for determining the relative proportions, by mass, of two or more different substances contained in a sample comprising a combination of two or more different substances, wherein the sample comprises animal meat, and wherein the different substances contained in Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 16 / 80 4 / 28 samples comprise, respectively, meat and fat. The apparatus and process utilize an X-ray radiation technique to calculate the relative mass proportions of two or more different substances, which may be meat and fat. According to a particular embodiment, the proportions of meat and fat were determined for each of a plurality of meat sample pieces and fed into a computer. The meat sample pieces are transported by a conveyor belt to a series of mechanisms to move the samples into a series of sorting boxes, where the aim of the system is to achieve, as closely as possible, a target fat / lean meat ratio in each of the boxes.

[00012] Thus, the prior art, according to international patent WO 03 / 046533 A2, refers to the handling of meat sample pieces, whereas the present invention relates to the processing of cut products, which are produced in connection with meat processing in general, as explained above, and in particular to the treatment of cut collections (COTs), which are being produced in connection with meat processing.

[00013] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system for treating cut products resulting from meat processing.

[00014] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and a system which provides a greater degree of precision with regard to the qualification of the percentage of fat in cut products, that is, the fat / meat ratio.

[00015] Furthermore, an objective of the present invention is Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 17 / 80 5 / 28 present a method and a system that facilitate a greater degree of automatic handling of cutting products.

[00016] Thus, one objective is also to provide batches of cut products, which facilitate better quality of the final products.

[00017] These and other objects are affected by the invention, as explained in more detail below. Summary of the Invention

[00018] The invention relates to a method for processing cut meat products, as specified in claim 1, wherein the cut products are provided as a sequence of cut collections (CCOs), each cut collection (CCO) comprising a plurality of cut products, whereby - a fat-to-meat ratio for a collection of cuts (COT) is measured, - a collection of cuts (COT) is transferred to a station selected by a separator, controlled by a controller, and by which - A batch is completed at a selected station, based on data for the aforementioned fat / meat ratio, said batch comprising one or more collections of cuts (COTs) and fulfilling a predetermined criterion regarding a total fat / meat ratio.

[00019] In addition, the invention relates to a system for processing meat cut products, as specified in claim 16, wherein the cut products are supplied to the system in a sequence of cut collections (CCOs), each cut collection (CCO) comprising a plurality of cut products, said system Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 18 / 80 6 / 28 including - Cutting parameter measuring device (TPMA) designed to measure the fat / meat ratio for a collection of cuts (COT), - separator for transferring a collection of cuts (COT) to the selected station, and - controller to control the separator, to complete a batch at a selected station, based on input information from the said cutting parameter measuring device (TPMA), said batch comprising one or more collections of cuts (COTs) and meeting a predetermined criterion regarding a total fat / meat ratio.

[00020] It is noted that, in relation to the present invention, it should be understood that the fat / meat ratio for each of a plurality of cut collections (COTs) is determined or measured when the cut collections are supplied sequentially. After that, the cut collections (COTs) are transferred to a selected station based on the fat / meat ratio for each of the available cut collections (COTs), based on the data for the cut collections (COTs) that have already been transferred to each of the available stations (for example, the total fat / meat ratio for the cut collections (COTs) already accumulated at each station and possibly also the total weight), and based on the predetermined criterion that has been met regarding the total fat / meat ratio. It should be understood that the controller will operate accordingly.

[00021] Furthermore, it is noted that, according to the terminology of the attached claims, a batch is completed Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 19 / 80 7 / 28 and can be removed, for example, when the cut collections (COTs), possibly only one, that have been transferred to a station, meet the predetermined criterion with respect to a total fat / meat ratio (with the relevant tolerances). The predetermined criterion, with respect to a total fat / meat ratio, can be determined, for example, to have been met only by the controller, since, in many cases, the controller will operate in such a way as to achieve the desired result by accumulating cut collections (COTs), which only in the specific combination will satisfy the predetermined criterion, but, in other cases, the controller may operate so that the cut collections (COTs) accumulated at any time, or at any specific time, (for example, after, for example, at least two, three, etc. cut collections (COTs) have been supplied to a station) meet the predetermined criterion.In such cases, the batch can be said to be completed when it fulfills the predetermined criteria and when it is, in fact, for example, removed from the station for further processing. It is evident that, in such cases, the controller will need confirmation that the batch is now completed and that the construction of a new batch has begun. An example of such a case will be explained in more detail in the detailed description section. Thus, it will be understood that the term "completed" includes both of the aforementioned concepts.

[00022] Through this method and / or system, it is possible to supply cut products for further processing with a higher quality, in terms of fat percentage, than has been the case previously. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 20 / 80 8 / 28 is possible by using the manual methods and systems available until now. Furthermore, it is also possible to achieve a greater degree of uniformity regarding the accuracy and / or margins of the fat percentages of the supplied batches of cut products. These advantages also ensure that a greater economic result can be achieved, and that the quality of the final products manufactured from such batches of cut products is improved. In addition, the greater degree of automation involved in the process also provides greater cost efficiency.

[00023] In addition, preferred embodiments of the method and system according to the invention are characterized in the dependent claims, for example, in claims 2 to 15 and claims 17 to 32, respectively.

[00024] Preferably, the weight can be determined for the provided collections of cuts (COTs), for example, by weighing means, and the weighing data can be provided as input to the controller, to control the separator.

[00025] Preferably, the collections of cuts (COTs) can be supplied with approximately the same weight.

[00026] In this way, the efficiency of the method and the system can be increased when the individual COTs do not differ significantly from each other, since it is easier for the controller to find suitable COTs to create a desired batch, for example, since the number of COTs available with a predicted weight and with various percentages of fat will be relatively high.

[00027] According to other advantageous embodiments, said weighing means may be integrated into the cutting parameter measuring apparatus (TPMA), or into the separator, or the Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 21 / 80 9 / 28 weighing devices can, alternatively, be independent.

[00028] By this means, a high degree of flexibility is achieved with regard to the design and adaptation of the system as a whole.

[00029] According to another preferred embodiment, the batch, which is completed at a selected station, may also satisfy a predetermined criterion with respect to the total weight of the batch.

[00030] By this means, the additional advantage is achieved, in that batches can also be created with a desired precision with regard to weight, for example, that the final weight is within a predetermined range, that the weight satisfies a minimum criterion and / or other weight requirements and / or options, which also contributes to overall optimization and efficiency.

[00031] According to a particular preferred embodiment, batches that are completed in at least two different seasons may comply with different criteria with regard to the total fat / meat ratio and / or total weight.

[00032] In this way, it is made easier to use COTs, which are available for batch processing, for example, when COTs can be used to create batches having two or more different target fat percentages, whereby, for example, the efficiency of the system is increased and the use of material, for example, of cutting products, is optimized.

[00033] According to another advantageous embodiment, said lot may be completed at said selected station, to meet said predetermined criterion, with respect to a Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 22 / 80 10 / 28 total fat / meat ratio, whereby the aforementioned predetermined criterion with respect to a total fat / meat ratio comprises that the percentage of meat from the cut collections (COTs) transferred to the selected station exceeds a minimum value at any time during the completion of the batch.

[00034] By this means, it is possible to ensure that the production at the station has, at any given moment from time zero, a meat content that is above a guaranteed percentage.

[00035] Thus, it is also achieved that the operator(s), for example, in the packaging process, can simply remove material from the station, that is, from the position where the COTs are supplied by the separator, and pack it into boxes, or similar forms, of more or less random size, and allocate it to a batch of material, which comprises one or more pallets or similar, and at the same time ensure that the batch contains the specified meat content.

[00036] Thus, it is also achieved that a batch can be supplied at any given time, if desired, while still satisfying the predefined criterion.

[00037] It should be understood that a zero-time reset is performed when a specific batch has been completed, for example, when the total weight of a batch has been obtained, and all the material, for example, all the transferred COTs have been removed from the station and allocated to the batch, after which the system starts a subsequent job, for example, the construction of a new batch with the guaranteed meat percentage.

[00038] According to a more advantageous implementation method, said lot can be completed at said station. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 23 / 80 11 / 28 selected to meet said predetermined criterion, with respect to a total fat / meat ratio, whereby said predetermined criterion, with respect to a total fat / meat ratio, is met at a specific point in time, determined by the controller.

[00039] Preferably, the fat / meat ratio for a collection of cuts (COT) can be measured by the said cut parameter measuring apparatus (TPMA) by a radiation measurement, preferably using X-ray radiation and detection means for carrying out said measurements, in particular, in the form of a dual-energy system.

[00040] By this means, measurements can be carried out reliably and efficiently. It should be noted, however, that other means and principles of measurement and / or detection may also be used.

[00041] Advantageously, the sequence and / or positions of said collections of cuts (COTs) provided can be detected and / or recorded, the data from which can be provided to the controller.

[00042] By this means, the measured data can be assigned to the individual COTs, and the separator control, to create the desired batches, can be implemented in an advantageous way.

[00043] Advantageously, additional products, for example, meat and / or fat products, can be added to a station, or to a subsequent processing step, to complete a batch, in order to meet said predetermined criterion regarding a total fat / meat ratio.

[00044] By this means, the efficiency of the method and the system can be increased, since a batch, for example, can be Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 24 / 80 12 / 28 completed relatively quickly, for example, since it will not be necessary to wait for a longer period of time for a given COT having certain characteristics.

[00045] According to particular aspects of the invention, said collections of cuts (COTs) can be supplied manually or automatically, from a cutting source, such as a cutting bench, a flow line bench and / or any other cutting production source.

[00046] Thus, it will be understood that a high degree of flexibility, with regard to the sources of cutting products and COTs, is achieved.

[00047] According to other aspects of the invention, measured and / or calculated data, for example, data relating to the fat / meat ratio for one or more cut collections (COTs) and / or relating to one or more cut collections (COTs) required for a batch, can be provided as feedback information.

[00048] By this means, a number of advantages can be achieved, including that the controller can use the data to optimize the processing of meat products and, in particular, the formation and completion of COT batches.

[00049] According to further embodiments of the invention, said measured and / or calculated data, in particular, data relating to the fat / meat ratio for one or more collections of cuts (COTs) can be fed to an operator who produced said one or more collections of cuts (COTs).

[00050] By this means, a number of advantages can be achieved. For example, body fat percentage measurements. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, p. 25 / 80 13 / 28 can be transmitted back to individual operators in order to provide guidance and / or training to the operator(s) regarding the cutting process, for example, regarding whether the operator cuts more meat than the normal and / or necessary procedure, etc. and, in addition, the measurements can be used for other purposes, such as overall planning, etc.

[00051] According to other embodiments of the invention, said measured and / or calculated data can be fed into the cutting source, which provides collections of cuts (COTs).

[00052] The information, which is transmitted back, can be fed, for example, to the cutting bench system, the flow line bench and / or any other cutting production source, for example, to the control unit for such cutting source system, in order to provide an input to the system control unit.

[00053] In this regard, it is observed that such feedback information to the system control unit, or to the operator(s), as also mentioned above, may be related to specific system requirements according to the invention, for example, in situations where the meat / fat quality system requires a number of TOCs having, for example, a higher percentage of fat, in order to complete one or more batches, and where the source system can thus be controlled to provide such a number of TOCs, if possible.

[00054] Other analogous situations may occur, in which the control system of the fat / meat quality system may cooperate with a control system of a source system. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 26 / 80 14 / 28 and vice versa. In this way, additional advantages can be achieved, since the efficiency of the fat / meat quality system, as well as the efficiency of the source system as such, can be increased. Thus, the fat / meat quality system, according to the invention, and a source system can be seen as a cooperative system, which is composed of the attached claims.

[00055] According to another aspect of the invention, a finished batch at a station may comprise a plurality of sub-batches.

[00056] By this means, the advantage is obtained that each of the sub-lots can be packaged independently, so that they are easier to handle and, for example, faster to freeze. The lot can, for example, be collected on a pallet of boxes, each containing one or more sub-lots.

[00057] In this regard, it is mentioned that particular advantages can be achieved in connection with the aforementioned embodiment, according to which a batch can be completed at a selected station to satisfy a total fat / meat ratio, whereby the percentage of meat in the cut collections (COTs) exceeds a minimum value at any time during the completion of the batch, and where the operator(s), e.g., in the packaging process, can simply remove the material from the station, i.e., from the position to which the COTs are supplied by the separator, and pack it in boxes, or similar forms, of more or less random size.

[00058] Preferably, the system may comprise means for driving the given sequence of cutting collections (COTs) to and / or within the system, for example, under the Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 27 / 80 15 / 28 conveyor belt shape or similar.

[00059] Preferably, the system may include means for transporting finished batches for further processing, packaging, boxing, labeling, etc., said means for transport comprising, for example, conveyor belts or the like. The Figures

[00060] The invention will be explained in more detail below, with reference to the figures, where Figs. 1a - c show different embodiments of a system according to the invention, shown in a schematic way; and Figs. 2a - b show embodiments of a system according to the invention in more detail. Detailed Description

[00061] Different embodiments of a system 1, according to the invention, are shown schematically in Figures 1a to 1c, the embodiments of which will be described below. The system, which is generally referred to as 1, comprises an apparatus 10, which is generally a cutting parameter measuring apparatus, also referred to as a TPMA, designed to measure the fat / meat ratio for meat, cuts of meat, etc., and in this respect, especially for measuring the fat / meat ratio for a collection of cuts (COT), which is supplied to the apparatus 10. The TPMA 10 may be a machine with a conveyor belt feeding the products, for example, collections of cuts (COTs), which machine or apparatus 10 measures the fat / meat ratio by means of X-rays as the products pass through it. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 28 / 80 16 / 28 It is preferably a dual-energy system, that is, a system using X-ray radiation of two frequencies, in which the attenuation of the radiation, for example, of the two frequencies as they pass through the products, is measured and detected, after which characteristics, for example, the fat / meat ratio of the product, can be determined. However, X-ray radiation systems with a single energy / frequency can also be used for this purpose, for example, when the height / thickness of the products are the same, or when the products are formed to have a substantially uniform thickness, as, for example, in the technique described in the international document WO 2005 / 090964.

[00062] In addition, system 1 comprises an apparatus 20 for separating the products after they have passed through the TPMA 10. Such a separator or separator-shaped unit 20, which will be described in more detail later, may comprise, for example, a belt conveyor with articulated diverting arms on one or both sides. The diverting arms may rotate at an angle around the conveyor belt to guide the products, for example, COTs, off the belt into boxes, jars, containers or the like (generally referred to as boxes), which are placed, for example, at stations along the conveyor. Other means of diverting or moving the products may be used.

[00063] The cut products are sequentially fed into the TPMA 10, which supplies cut products in approximately the same weight quantities. This can be anything practical, for example, in the range of 2 to 10 kg. However, other ranges can be used. Furthermore, Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 29 / 80 17 / 28 the quantities may differ from one another to a greater extent. Such a quantity is, as also mentioned above, referred to as a collection of cuts (COT).

[00064] Figs. 1a to 1c show that COTs can be provided from different sources 31, 32 and 33. It should be understood that COTs can be provided from a single specific source, or from two or more sources, and that the three sources shown in figs. 1a to 1c are for illustrative purposes only.

[00065] Such sources, from which collections of cuts (COTs) are provided, can be any cutting bench 31, where operators place the cut into vessels, boxes or similar. As mentioned above, the cut products can be evaluated in the line by the operator, and the cut can be sorted accordingly, where, most often, the cut products are sorted into only a limited number of groups, for example, from 1 to 4 groups. From such vessels, the products are manually or automatically transferred to the sorting system of cut 1 into COTs of suitable sizes.

[00066] The source may be a flow line bench 32, in which the COTs are driven from the operators in suitable sizes and guided directly to the cut classification system. Examples of flow line benches are disclosed, for example, in international patents WO 01 / 91565, WO 03 / 077662 and WO 2009 / 098171.

[00067] In addition, other sources 33 may be a source of cutting products, where the cutting products are delivered in a more or less continuous stream or flow. In such cases, the flow may be directed to a worker / operator, who performs Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, p. 30 / 80 18 / 28 The task of creating collections of cutting COTs of appropriate dimensions, which are manually, automatically, or semi-automatically conveyed to TPMA 10 in system 1. Furthermore, the operator can evaluate the cutting products and classify them accordingly, as mentioned above, where, most often, the cutting products are classified into only a limited number of groups before the COTs thus created are conveyed to TPMA 10. In situations where the worker / operator performs the task of classifying cutting products as a primary function, the operator may be specially trained and / or experienced, and may perform the task in a more sophisticated and specialized manner, for example, by categorizing the products into more categories than usual, etc.

[00068] In addition, any combination of the previous sources 31, 32 and 33 can be applied.

[00069] In addition, system 1 comprises a controller or control unit to control the separator 20, to complete a batch at a selected station, based on input from the cutting parameter measuring device (TPMA) 10, wherein the batch comprises one or more collections of cuts (COTs) and meets a predetermined criterion on a total fat / meat ratio. Thus, the control unit controls, for example, the diverter arms of the separator 20, so that the planned output is achieved.

[00070] As shown in Fig. 1c, the controller can be an independent controller 50, connected by communication lines 55 to the parts of the system 1, the control unit can be a controller 52, which is part of the TPMA 10, and / or the control unit can be a controller 51, which is part of the separator. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 31 / 80 19 / 28 20. In addition, the controller can be part of a weighing machine, for example, a weighing machine, which will be explained with reference to Fig. 1b.

[00071] As mentioned, the system comprises means for determining the weight of products, for example, weighing means, estimation means, measurement, calculation, etc., the weight based on different measurement principles, as will be evident to a person skilled in the art.

[00072] As shown in fig. 1b, the weight of the COTs can be determined by the TPMA 10, indicated in 40, or a separate weight-determining means or weighing apparatus 41, 42 can be used, for example, a conveyor belt-based weighing machine, which can optionally be placed before (42) or after (41) the TPMA 10.

[00073] In addition, system 1 may include means of transport or conductors 60 to supply the finished batches for further processing, packaging, freezing, etc.

[00074] In general, system 1 is operated as follows: Cut products, which, as mentioned above, are supplied in cut collections (COTs), are fed sequentially to TPMA 10 and to the separator unit 20. TPMA 10 measures the fat / meat ratio of the COTs, by means of X-rays, for example, when the products are passing through it.

[00075] The TPMA 10 or the optional weighing machine 41, 42 determines the weight of the COTs, one by one.

[00076] Separator 20, controlled by controller 50, 51 and / or 52, performs batch processing of the fed COTs, by directing the COTs off the conveyor belt into boxes, vessels, containers or similar (generally referred to as Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 32 / 80 20 / 28 as boxes), which are placed in stations along the 20 divider.

[00077] The contents in a box are called a batch when they are ready to be removed and fed to the next process.

[00078] The control unit 50, 51 and / or 52 controls the separator 20, for example, the separator's diverter arms, so that the planned output is achieved. The control of such a separator 20 can be carried out in various ways, which will be evident to an expert in the field of batch processing, as per, for example, the English patents GB 2 1 16 732, European EP 781 172, International WO 01 / 07324, WO 01 / 27567, WO 03 / 069285 and related prior art documents describing various batch processing techniques in the food industry.

[00079] An example of an embodiment of system 1, according to the invention, in which a separator 20 is shown in greater detail, is illustrated in Fig. 2a. As described above, system 1 comprises a cutting parameter measuring apparatus. TPMA 10, which receives collections of cut COTs 2, schematically shown, from a source 30, where the COTs 2 are delivered by a belt conveyor 4. As shown, the weight of the individual COTs can be determined by a separate weighing machine 42, but instead, it can be determined by the TPMA. 10, as explained above. After the fat / meat ratio, for example, the percentage of fat is determined by the TPMA. 10, the COTs are transported further on by a belt conveyor 6 forming part of the separator 20. The separator has a number of separator arms 22, diverter wings, or similar, by means of which the COTs can be diverted to a Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 33 / 80 21 / 28 selected station 24, as described above and as further exemplified below, where TOCs are collected in containers, vessels, receptacles or the like.

[00080] Fig. 2a shows that for each station 24, a separator arm 22, diversion wing or similar is placed, but it should be understood that a station 24 may comprise two or more positions, meaning that two or more separator arms 22 may divert COTs to a single station 24, for example, in cases where relatively large batches are being made in one or more of the stations 24.

[00081] In addition, a belt conveyor 61, or similar, is illustrated, for the purpose of transporting finished batches for further processing, which may include, for example, packaging, boxing, labeling, freezing, transport, etc.

[00082] The controller is shown as a separate control unit 50 in this example, which control unit 50 is connected by lines, cables or channels 55 to the system units, to receive measured or determined data, and to control the separator 20, for example, the separating or diverting wings 22.

[00083] Furthermore, it should be mentioned that system 1 is designed, for example, to record the sequence and / or position of the COTs, whose data are combined with the measured and / or determined data, with respect to the weight data of individual COTs and the fat / meat ratio, which is necessary to perform batch processing, to obtain batches with the desired target data. Thus, means such as detectors to detect the passage of COTs, means to control and / or record, detect etc. the position and / or speed of conveyor belts etc. may be Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 34 / 80 22 / 28 included in the system, which will also be evident to an expert in the art of batch processing and the food industry in general.

[00084] In addition, as shown in fig. 2a, return information 58, from controller 50 to source 30 of the cutting products, may be present, the meaning of which will be explained below.

[00085] Fig. 2b shows an embodiment corresponding essentially to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2a, but with six stations 24a - 24f and illustrating that a lot can contain sub-lots. Furthermore, the feature of providing lots that can be removed, for example, at any time, for example, lots that, at any time, meet the predefined criteria, will be explained below with reference to Fig. 2b.

[00086] The product of the method and system, according to the invention, can be, for example, as follows: A. Relatively small plots.

[00087] These are generally made from one or a few COTs 2. In general, they are created by jointly selecting COTs 2 of approximately the same percentage of fat, so that the final batch contains a certain weight (minimum weight or a target weight, plus or minus a tolerance) with a percentage of fat within a predetermined range (or below / above a certain number).

[00088] In this case, it may be necessary to run another job in parallel with this job, simply to use all the COTs, since only a relatively small number of COTs will be usable for a job like this. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 35 / 80 23 / 28 B. Relatively large plots of land.

[00089] These are made from several COTs 2. These batches are generally created by jointly mixing COTs 2 of different fat percentages in a controlled manner so that a predetermined final fat percentage (within relatively narrow limits) is obtained. The batch weight can also be controlled to meet a specific final batch weight within controlled tolerances (or below / above a certain number). If the supplied COTs cannot be mixed / grouped together to obtain the target fat percentage, the process is stopped before the final batch weight is obtained, and meat or fat is added to achieve the final percentage. Such an operation is supported by the system according to the invention.

[00090] To make the best use of COTs 2, that is, to have an option for COTs, it is advantageous to form several batches in parallel and, even better, if these have to be supplemented with different percentages of fat. C. Relatively large batches packaged in sub-batches.

[00091] This is generally like B, but the batch is divided into several sub-batches. This has the advantage, compared to B, that the sub-batches can each be packaged independently, so that they are easier to handle and, for example, faster to freeze.

[00092] The batch can, for example, be collected on a pallet of boxes, each containing one or more sub-batches. Such an example is shown in fig. 2b, where station 24c illustrates that the COTs are packed in boxes 63, which are placed or collected on a pallet 62. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 36 / 80 24 / 28 D. Average fat / meat ratio maintained.

[00093] Another embodiment, which may be of particular importance when dealing with relatively large batches, such as embodiment C, as described above, involves the feature that, in one or more, possibly all, of the separating positions or stations 24, the output is arranged so that the meat content of the COTs, at any given time from time-zero, is above a guaranteed percentage.

[00094] If, for example, a system is considered where a total of six separating positions or stations, for example, 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, 24e and 24f, as shown in Fig. 2b, are operated according to this characteristic, stations 24a, 24b and 24c can, for example, be set to a minimum meat percentage of 94%, and stations 24d, 24e and 24f can, for example, be set to a minimum meat percentage of 85%.

[00095] When a collection of COT cuts arrives at the measuring equipment, for example, TPMA 10, the controller, or control unit, guides it to one of six positions, so that the meat content at that position is maintained slightly above the chosen percentage.

[00096] In this way, operators, e.g., in the packaging process, can simply pick material from a sorting position or station, for example, 24a - 24f, and pack it into boxes of more or less random size, and allocate them to a batch of material, where a batch can be one or several pallets, and at the same time ensure that such a batch contains the specified percentage of meat. This is shown for station 24c, where the material, i.e., COTs, are packed into 62 boxes, which are Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 37 / 80 25 / 28 placed on a pallet 62. As mentioned above, a lot may comprise one or more pallets 62.

[00097] When a batch is nearly complete, the operator(s) must (1) stop conveying material to that particular sorting position or station, (2) pack the remaining material (COTs) at the sorting position or station in question into boxes and allocate it to the batch in question, and (3) reset the sorting position or station so that it starts from zero again, for example, perform an operation that indicates to the controller or control unit that the zero time for the sorting position or station in question has been reset.

[00098] Furthermore, it is noted that the batch can be completed at any time, starting from time zero, once the predefined criterion, that is, that the percentage of meat is above a guaranteed percentage, is met. E. A return signal to the operator.

[00099] For informational and / or guidance purposes, feedback information may be provided on the fat percentage of each COT 2 for operators from a specific source 30, 31, 32, 33. Such information may be presented in various ways to suit the objective (average percentage over shorter or longer periods, trends, etc.). Such feedback information may, for example, facilitate the aforementioned embodiment D, in which an average fat / meat ratio is maintained at each station, and in which requirements for material of a given fat / meat ratio may be fed back, for example, to operators cutting the Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 38 / 80 26 / 28 meat, so that the system meets the requirements in question. [000100] In addition, feedback information, for example, to operators processing and / or cutting the meat may, in addition to or instead of instructional purposes, serve for training purposes. [000101] Furthermore, it is mentioned that the return information can also be, or instead be, fed back into the source system itself, for example, a control unit of the source system, where it can be used, for example, as a control input to, for example, optimize the efficiency of the source system. Additionally, such a return signal can also serve as a control input to the source system in order to cause the source system to deliver, for example, COTs of a particular characteristic to the fat / meat classifier system 1, as previously exemplified, which will improve the efficiency of the fat / meat classification system 1. Other examples of ongoing cooperation between the two systems are possible, through which a certain advantageous symbiotic effect will be achieved.For example, in cases where the source system performs meat processing that, in addition to primary cuts, also results in secondary cuts, the source system can be controlled by the fat / meat classifier system 1 to deliver these secondary cuts in COTs, for example, in a situation where the fat / meat classifier system 1 needs COTs to have a low percentage of fat in order to complete a batch to a specified target fat percentage, or to maintain an average fat / meat ratio. Other scenarios. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, page 39 / 80 27 / 28 similar cases are possible. [000102] Furthermore, it is noted that return information can be used to establish traceability between batches being processed by system 1 and meat products being processed by the source system. Meat products processed by the source system have, for example, identifications to establish traceability, particularly for primary cuts, but when return information can be established from the fat / meat grading system 1 to the source system, traceability can also be provided for the cut products being used for finished batches. Thus, in this way it may be possible to identify, for example, which animals were used for the production of, for example, a batch of cut products. [000103] A similar traceability effect can be achieved by providing / transmitting information about the source system to the fat / meat grading system 1. [000104] Any combination of the above options can be arranged. [000105] Furthermore, it is noted that, in industrial applications, it will be advantageous, for example, to utilize knowledge of operator performance during batch processing. Thus, control unit 50 (among other things, more or less of the same nature) can take into account that a given operator produces a cut with a higher percentage of fat than another operator, and keep track of how many times that operator feeds a COT 2. [000106] Furthermore, it is noted that the method and the system, of Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, pp. 40 / 80 28 / 28 according to the present invention, have been described above with reference to particular embodiments, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above and represented in the drawings, but may be modified in numerous ways within the scope of the invention, as specified in the claims. Petition 870240017212, dated 29 / 02 / 2024, p. 41 / 80

Claims

1 / 5 - CLAIMS - 1. METHOD FOR PROCESSING MEAT CUT PRODUCTS, wherein the cut products are supplied as a sequence of cut collections (CCTs), each cut collection (CCT) comprising a plurality of cut products, whereby - a fat / meat ratio for a cut collection (CCT) is measured, - a cut collection (CCT) is transferred to a selected station (24) by a separator (20), controlled by a controller (50, 51, 52), and whereby - a batch is completed at a selected station (24), based on data for the said fat / meat ratio, said batch comprising cut collections (CCTs) and meeting a predetermined criterion with respect to a total fat / meat ratio, characterized by measured and / or calculated data, including data relating to the fat / meat ratio required to complete said batch at said selected station (24),to be provided as feedback data to a cutting source, which supplies collections of cuts (COTs), where the cutting source, in response to said feedback data, provides one or more collections of cuts (COTs) with an appropriate fat / meat ratio, necessary to complete said batch.

2. METHOD, according to claim 1, characterized in that the weight is determined for the supplied cut collections (COTs), and in that the weight data are supplied to the controller (50, 51, 52), wherein said lot which is completed at a selected station (24) still satisfies a predetermined criterion in relation to the total weight of the lot, and wherein the lots which are completed at at least two different stations (24) satisfy different criteria in relation to the total fat / meat ratio and / or the total weight.

3. SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING MEAT CUT PRODUCTS, in which cut products are supplied to the system in a sequence of cut collections (CCOs), each cut collection (CCO) including a plurality of cut products, said system comprising - cut parameter measuring apparatus (TPMA) (10), designed to measure the fat / meat ratio for a cut collection (CCO), - separator (20) to transfer a cut collection (CCO) to a selected station (24), and - controller (50, 51, 52), to control the separator (20), to complete a batch at a selected station (24), based on input from said cut parameter measuring apparatus (TPMA) (10), said batch comprising cut collections (CCOs) and meeting a predetermined criterion on a total fat / meat ratio, characterized in that said system was designed to feed measured and / or calculated data,including data relating to the fat / meat ratio required to complete said lot at said selected station (24), as feedback data to a cutting source, which provides cut collections (COTs), where the cutting source, in response to said feedback data, provides one or more cut collections (COTs) with an adequate fat / meat ratio required to complete said lot. Petition 870240053218, dated 06 / 24 / 2024, page 11 / 14 3 / 5, 4. SYSTEM, according to claim 3, characterized in that the system further comprises weighing means (40, 41, 42) for determining the weight of each collection of cuts (COT), and in that said controller (50, 51, 52) for controlling the separator (20) receives an input from said weighing means.

5. SYSTEM, according to claim 4, characterized in that said weighing means (40, 41, 42) are integrated into the cutting parameter measuring apparatus (TPMA), or into the separator, or in that the weighing means are independent.

6. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said controller (50, 51, 52) is adapted to control the separator, to complete a batch at a selected station (24), which batch also meets a predetermined criterion in relation to the total weight of the batch.

7. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said controller (50, 51, 52) is adapted to control the separator (20), to complete batches in at least two different stations (24), where said batches satisfy different criteria with respect to the ratio of total fat / meat and / or total weight.

8. SYSTEM, according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said system is configured to complete said batch at said selected station (24), to meet said predetermined criterion with respect to a total fat / meat ratio, whereby said predetermined criterion with respect to Petition 870240053218, dated 24 / 06 / 2024, page 12 / 14 4 / 5 to the total fat / meat ratio comprises that the percentage of meat from cut collections (COTs), transferred to the selected station (24), exceeds a minimum value at any time during batch completion.

9. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that said predetermined criterion with respect to a total fat / meat ratio is met at a specific point in time, determined by the controller (50, 51, 52).

10. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that said cutting parameter measuring apparatus (TPMA) (10) comprises radiation means for measuring the fat / meat ratio for a collection of cuts (COT), preferably X-ray radiation means and detection for carrying out said measurements, in particular, in the form of a dual-energy system.

11. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 10, characterized in that the system comprises means for detecting and / or recording the sequence and / or positions of said collections of cuts (COTs) provided.

12. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that the system is designed to add more products, for example, meat and / or fatty products, at a station (24), or at a subsequent processing step, to complete a batch, in order to meet said predetermined criterion with respect to a total fat / meat ratio.

13. SYSTEM, according to any of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that said collections of cuts (COTs) are supplied manually, or Petition 870240053218, dated 06 / 24 / 2024, page 13 / 14 5 / 5 automatically, from said cutting source, such as a cutting bench (31), a flow line bench (32) and / or any other cutting producing source (33).

14. SYSTEM, according to claim 3, characterized in that said system is designed to feed said measured and / or calculated data, in particular, data relating to the fat / meat ratio for one or more collections of cuts (COTs), to an operator of said cutting source.

15. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 14, characterized in that said system is designed to produce a batch, which is completed at a station (24), as a plurality of sub-batches.

16. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 15, characterized in that said system comprises means for transporting said given sequence of cutting collections (COTs) to and / or within the system, for example, in the form of conveyor belts (4, 6), or similar.

17. SYSTEM, according to any one of claims 3 to 16, characterized in that said system comprises means for transporting finished batches for subsequent processing, packaging, boxing, labeling, etc., said means for transport comprising, for example, conveyor belts (61) or similar. Petition 870240053218, dated 06 / 24 / 2024, page 14 / 14

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