Method for configuring a food processing system to produce multiple liquid food products

Abstract

A computer-implemented method (400) for configuring a food processing system (100) to produce a number of food products (102a, 102b) is disclosed, comprising retrieving (402) food processing steps (116) linked to a number of food products (102a, 102b) from a recipe database (114), generating (404) an execution scheme (120) based on the food processing steps (116), and executing (406) the execution scheme (120) on a virtual food processing system (200) corresponding to the food processing system (100) and receiving (408) a virtual process output data set (122) from the execution executed on the virtual food processing system (200). Upon receiving (410) a receipt (124) of the virtual process output data set (122), the execution scheme (120) is uploaded (412) to the food processing system (100) such that the food processing system is configured in accordance with the execution scheme (120).

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Food manufacturers are now increasingly interested in automation solutions. There are many reasons for this. One of the reasons is that the right automation system ensures food safety. For example, in a dairy farm, a well-coordinated automation solution combined with high-quality food processing equipment ensures that each batch of milk is properly heated, killing bacteria, spores and other unwanted microorganisms. The other reason, which is related to the first reason, is that it ensures quality consistency. For example, in a dairy farm, the introduction of an automation system ensures food safety while at the same time ensuring that the smell and taste of the food is consistent or at least has only slight deviations. Being able to guarantee food safety and consistent product quality is important to many food manufacturers.

[0002] Automation systems made to achieve consistent and proper product quality and at the same time ensure food safety are well known. It is also known that there are automation systems for food production systems producing various food products. For example, food production systems producing yogurt, milk, cream, etc. can also use current automation systems. Even if there are automation systems for the production of several products in sequence, there is still room for improvement.

[0003] For example, the order in which various food products are produced is important, in part because the order in which multiple products are produced can affect, for example, food waste. For example, producing flavored milk before plain milk will generally generate more food waste than producing plain milk before flavored milk. This is because if flavored milk is produced before plain milk, the food production system needs to be cleaned before producing the plain milk to avoid imparting flavor to the plain milk. Conversely, if plain milk is produced before flavored milk, the same cleaning is not required. Because cleaning food production results in food waste, water use, and in some cases the use of cleaning chemicals, the order in which foods are produced directly impacts both costs and environmental footprint.

[0004] Another factor to consider when scheduling production, i.e. deciding how to configure the system for future timeslots, is how to perform maintenance and cleaning as efficiently as possible. Having multiple process paths makes it possible, for example, to clean one part of the system at the same time that another part of the system is being used for food production.

[0005] As explained above, there are good reasons to have a food production system with multiple process paths. However, the downside of increased versatility is that the system becomes more complex and sometimes difficult for operators to overlook. As a result, scheduling can be done in an inefficient way, leading to inefficient use of utility bills, increased food waste, and longer production times.

[0006] In view of the above, although several automation systems are currently available to ensure safe and efficient food production, there is a need for automation systems that can be used to further improve the efficiency of complex, multi-process pathway food production systems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome one or more of the limitations identified in the prior art above, and in particular to provide a method and system for efficiently configuring complex food processing systems adapted to produce multiple food products in continuous and parallel process paths.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a computer-implemented method for configuring a food processing system to produce a plurality of food products is provided, the food processing system comprising food processing components, storage units, nodes and transport elements, and at least two process paths in the food processing system are provided. The method comprises: obtaining food processing steps linked to a number of food products from a recipe database; generating an execution scheme based on the food processing steps, the execution scheme comprising a timetable of the food processing steps, a link table between the food processing components and the food processing steps, and a configuration of the food processing components, the storage units and the nodes; executing the execution scheme on a virtual food processing system, the virtual food processing system corresponding to the food processing system and comprising the virtual food processing components, the virtual storage units, the virtual nodes and the virtual transport elements; receiving a virtual process output dataset from an execution executed on the virtual food processing system; and uploading the execution scheme to the food processing system upon receiving an acceptance of the virtual process output dataset, such that the food processing system is configured according to the execution scheme.

[0009] Uploading of the execution scheme should be interpreted broadly in this context. If the execution scheme is determined in a server remote from the food processing system, the execution scheme is transferred from the server to the food processing system, i.e. uploaded to the food processing system. However, it is equally possible for the food processing system to be equipped with a data processing device configured to perform the above steps. In this latter example, the uploading step is interpreted as providing the execution scheme to the different components of the food processing system, i.e. uploading the execution scheme or relevant parts of the execution scheme to the individual components of the food processing system, such that the food processing system is configured according to the execution scheme. Based on the above, the step "uploading the execution scheme to the food processing system, such that it is configured according to the execution scheme" can be replaced with "configuring the food processing system according to the execution scheme".

[0010] The advantage of having a virtual food processing system is that it allows one to try out a running scheme in the virtual environment before implementing it in a real food processing system. This is a general advantage, but particularly for food processing systems that produce different foods in sequence and that have multiple process paths, some of which are at least partly parallel. Such complex food processing systems are difficult to overlook, and there is a risk that adverse effects of a running scheme will not be identified before it is implemented in the real food processing system.

[0011] Sharing information and learnings between different food processing systems, for example by using Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies, is advantageous in that implementation schemes that are found to be beneficial can be efficiently disseminated. However, using information and learnings made in other food processing systems also entails risks, and even if various measures are taken to reduce these risks, it can be beneficial to try out implementation schemes in virtual food processing systems before making a real-world implementation. The same is true for operators and other stakeholders to come up with ideas on how to set up operational plans. The substantial costs of trying new ideas in real-world systems can lead to new ideas not being tried out, and as a result, opportunities for ways to reduce environmental impacts may be missed.

[0012] If the food being processed is a liquid food, the process path may be a flow path. It is also possible for a process path to start as a flow path and end as a non-flow path. For example, in a food processing system that dries liquid whey to whey powder, the first step of the food processing system may handle liquid food, and subsequent steps after the drying step may handle non-liquid food.

[0013] The food products mentioned above may be complex foods defined by multiple characteristics such as fat content, color, viscosity, etc. These different characteristics may be taken into account when retrieving the food processing steps linked to the food products from the recipe database. In other words, as an example, there may be multiple ambient white dairy products, each with different characteristics. As a result, different ambient white dairy products may be linked to different food processing steps. Having such complex foods increases the overall scheduling complexity and therefore the benefits of having a virtual food processing system.

[0014] The food processing system may comprise at least two subsystems formed of a first group of subsystems shared between at least two process paths and a second group of subsystems in which separate subsystems are provided for the at least two process paths.

[0015] The method may further include comparing the hypothetical process output data set to a threshold value.

[0016] The advantage of comparing with a threshold is that it allows easy discarding, automatically or manually, of less interesting execution schemes. The threshold may for example be the current value of electrical energy usage, steam consumption, etc.

[0017] The method may further comprise the step of adding or deleting one or more virtual food processing components prior to the step of generating the execution scheme.

[0018] In a complex food processing system, it is often difficult to understand the impact of, for example, adding another tank or replacing two small tanks with one larger one. The possibility to make changes before an execution scheme is generated and tested on the virtual food processing system allows such impacts to be easily investigated. The availability of virtual replicas of the different food processing components allows easy addition of new food processing components to the virtual food processing system.

[0019] The method may further comprise adding or removing a clean-in-place (CIP) step prior to the step of generating the execution scheme.

[0020] Cleaning is necessary to ensure food safety and product quality. However, cleaning too frequently or in too large a volume can have a greater environmental impact than necessary. Tools are available to improve the environmental impact of food processing systems by adapting cleaning procedures, potentially using existing CIP equipment in a different way, or adding or removing CIP steps by adding or removing CIP equipment.

[0021] The method may further comprise adding or deleting a maintenance step prior to the step of generating the execution scheme.

[0022] For example, frequent replacement of wear parts in a food processing system not only increases costs for the food producer, but also increases the environmental footprint. Conversely, replacing wear parts too infrequently can lead to machine breakdowns, resulting in food waste and downtime. By offering the possibility to add or remove maintenance steps, including cleaning routines by operators or service steps in the form of mechanical overhauls, before execution schemes are generated and tested in the virtual food processing system, it becomes possible to find a balance between more cost-efficient food production and maintenance that results in a more environmentally friendly food production.

[0023] The method may further comprise the step of altering an order for producing the plurality of food products prior to the step of generating the execution scheme.

[0024] The order in which foods are produced has both cost and environmental impacts. For example, as explained above, by changing the order, for example by producing plain milk before flavoured milk instead of vice versa, the need for cleaning can be reduced, reducing costs and environmental impacts. Changing the order may be done in different ways. For example, the different steps may be presented to the operator via a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and the order may be changed by drag and drop actions performed by the operator.

[0025] The execution scheme may comprise a food waste focused execution scheme, an electrical energy focused execution scheme, a machine failure risk focused execution scheme, a minimum production time focused execution scheme, or a cleaning time focused execution scheme.

[0026] As explained above, the execution scheme may be set automatically by using an algorithm created for this purpose, although the changes may be made by an operator or other person involved in the operation of the food production system. As an input to the algorithm generating the execution scheme, the operator may provide input as to what factors should be prioritized. For example, if raw material prices have increased significantly, the operator may request an execution scheme that focuses on food waste. The generation of such a scheme may be configured, for example, such that a reduction in food waste is made at the cost of increased washing needs and / or additional steam consumption.

[0027] The execution scheme emphasizing minimum production time is an execution scheme adapted to shorten the production time as much as possible, that is, an execution scheme that gives top priority to production time.

[0028] The recipe database is communicatively connected to the recipe cloud and may also be connected to other recipe databases.

[0029] The execution scheme database is communicatively connected to an execution scheme cloud, and may be further connected to other execution scheme databases.

[0030] The method may further include generating at least one alternative execution scheme based on the food processing steps, executing the at least one alternative execution scheme on the virtual food processing system, capturing at least one alternative virtual process output data set from the execution executed on the virtual food processing system, and, upon receipt of an alternative acceptance of one of the at least one alternative virtual process output data set, causing one of the at least one alternative execution schemes to be an execution scheme uploaded to the food processing system such that it is configured according to the one of the at least one alternative execution schemes.

[0031] As explained above, multiple execution schemes may be generated and the user may be offered to choose from multiple options before deciding which one to select and execute in the virtual food processing system. The advantage of offering many options is that it provides the user with options that may not align with the specific requests made by the operator, but are still very likely to be good options based on learnings gained from other similar food processing systems.

[0032] The term execution scheme should be interpreted broadly and need not be limited to actual facilities. For example, factors such as labor costs, available storage space, available personnel, etc. may also be used as the basis for an execution scheme. As an example, during the night shift, when fewer operators are available, a different execution scheme may be used compared to an execution scheme used during the day shift when more operators are available. In this context, an execution scheme may be understood as an operational strategy.

[0033] According to a second aspect, there is provided a data processing system including a processor configured to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0034] The same advantages apply to this second embodiment as those indicated above with reference to the first embodiment.

[0035] The data processing system may include a data processing device communicatively connected to a recipe database and / or an execution scheme database.

[0036] The recipe database is communicatively connected to a recipe cloud that is communicatively connected to recipe databases of other data processing systems, and / or the execution scheme database is communicatively connected to an execution scheme cloud that is communicatively connected to execution scheme databases of other data processing systems.

[0037] According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a data processing system, cause the data processing system to perform a method according to the first aspect.

[0038] The same advantages apply to this third embodiment as given above with respect to the first embodiment.

[0039] Further objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a food processing system, a virtual food processing system, and a data processing system arranged to configure the food processing system using the virtual food processing system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates, by way of example, an execution scheme in further detail. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method of configuring a food processing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] In FIG. 1, a food processing system 100 is shown as an example, in a schematic manner. In this particular example, a number of different food products 102a, 102b can be produced, here illustrated as two brick-shaped packages of different sizes. The food processing system 100 can comprise food processing components 104a-e, storage units 106a-c, nodes 108a-b and transport elements 110a-g. As shown, the food processing components 104a-e, storage units 106a-c, nodes 108a-b and transport elements 110a-g can be arranged such that a number of process paths PP1, PP2 are formed. Having different process paths not only provides versatility in that a wide variety of different products can be produced by the food processing system 100, but also allows food production to continue even if, for example, part of the system 100 is subject to maintenance. If the food products 102a-b are liquid foods, the storage units 106a-c can be tanks, the nodes 108a-b can be valves and the transport elements 110a-g can be pipes.

[0043] The data processing device 111 with the processor 140 can be used to configure the system 100 to produce the food products 102a, 102b. The process for such configuration can begin with a request 112 being received. The request can be received via a user interface or, if the data processing device 111 is a server, by receiving the request 112 from a client. The request 112 can include different types of information in different formats, and from the request it can be read which food products to produce.

[0044] Once the request 112 is received, it is sent to the recipe database 114, either without modification or with modification. The recipe database 114 may contain information on how to prepare various food products. For example, this information may include information on how long and at what temperature to heat the product, how much to separate the product, at what pressure to homogenize the food, what type of packaging material to use, what type of straw to apply, etc., but also information on different condition parameters related to the product, for example, how long the product can be stored in a tank without being adversely affected, etc. This information is referred to herein as food processing steps 116, and in response to the request 112, the food processing steps 116 are sent from the recipe database 114 to the data processing device 111.

[0045] Once the food processing steps 116, i.e., information on how the food is produced, are obtained, these steps are sent to the execution scheme database 118. For the request 112, the food processing steps 116 can either be sent without modification or with modification. As shown, the food processing steps 116 can be sent from the recipe database 114 to the execution scheme database 118 via the data processing device 111. Another option, not shown, is to have the food processing steps 116 sent directly from the recipe database 114 to the execution scheme database 118. The advantage of having the data processing device 111 as an intermediary is that the two databases do not communicate directly. This can be beneficial from the perspective of data integrity. For example, the recipe database 114 may be shared within a company, while the execution scheme database 118 may be provided by a food processing equipment supplier or the like and shared among many companies. Also, although the data processing device 111, the recipe database 114, and the execution scheme database 118 are shown as different units and collectively referred to herein as the data processing system 119, other implementations are possible. For example, the data processing device 111 and the recipe database 114 can be on the same server, and the execution scheme database 118 on another server, or all three can be on the same server. Additionally, server farms can be used, and the selection of the appropriate hardware can be outsourced.

[0046] In response to the food processing steps 116 transmitted to the execution scheme database 118, an execution scheme 120 is received by the data processing device 111. As shown in Figure 2, the execution scheme 120 may comprise a timetable 300 of the food processing steps, a link table 302 between the food processing steps and the food processing components 104a-e, and settings 304 of the food processing components 104a-e.

[0047] The execution scheme 120 can then be transmitted to a virtual food processing system 200, which is a digital replica or, in other words, a digital twin of the food processing system 100. Similar to the food processing system 100, the virtual food processing system 200 can produce virtual food products 202a-b corresponding to the food products 102a-b produced by the food processing system 100. Furthermore, the virtual food processing system 200 can comprise virtual food processing components 204a-e, virtual storage units 206-ac, virtual nodes 208a-b, and virtual transport elements 210a-g. Once received at the virtual food processing system 200, the execution scheme 120 is executed. As an output from the execution of the execution scheme 120 in the virtual food processing system 200, a virtual process output data set 122 is generated. This data set can consist of any information related to the execution of the execution scheme 120 in the virtual food processing system 200. Since the virtual food processing system 200 is a digital replica, or at least substantially a digital replica, of the food processing system 100, the virtual process output data 122 provides information relevant not only to the virtual food processing system 200, but also to the food processing system 100, i.e., a non-virtual food processing system. The virtual food processing system 200 may be built in parallel with the food processing system 100. For example, if a new food processing component is added to the food processing system 100, a digital replica of this food processing component may also be provided by the food processing equipment provider so that the virtual food processing system 200 can be upgraded in parallel with the food processing system 100. By having the execution scheme database 118 shared among many food manufacturers, any deviations between the digital replica of a particular food processing component and the food processing component itself may be identified, for example, using machine learning algorithms or any other algorithms suitable for processing huge amounts of data.

[0048] The virtual process output data 122 may comprise any information that can be extracted from the virtual food processing system 100, such as electrical energy usage, water usage, food waste, packaging waste, cleaning agent usage, maintenance needs, cleaning downtime, maintenance downtime, etc., similar to food processing system 100. In some cases, a general understanding may be sufficient to understand the effect of the execution scheme 120, and in such cases, the virtual food processing system 200 may be a simplified version of the food processing system 100. In effect, in these cases, the virtual process dataset 122 may comprise a subset of the information extractable from the food processing system 100.

[0049] Additionally, the virtual process output data 122 may comprise electrical energy usage over time, steam usage, etc. for different food processing components, storage units, etc. By including the time aspect, an operator may better understand the effect of using the execution scheme 120 in the food processing system 100.

[0050] In addition to the execution scheme 120, an alternative execution scheme 121 can also be generated. Similar to the execution scheme 120, the alternative execution scheme 121 can be input to the virtual processing system 200 and in return receive an alternative virtual process output data set 123. An advantage of having two execution schemes executed on the virtual processing system 200 is that the operator can be provided with two different choices instead of just one. Even though one alternative execution scheme is illustrated being evaluated, more than one alternative execution scheme is possible, i.e., more than two options can be provided to the operator.

[0051] If the operator determines that the virtual process output dataset 122 linked to the execution scheme 120 is acceptable, an acceptance 124 can be received. Similarly, if the alternative virtual process output dataset 123 is determined to be acceptable, an alternative acceptance 125 can be received. Since only one execution scheme 120 is uploaded to the food processing system 100, either the virtual process output dataset 122 or the alternative virtual process output dataset 123 will be accepted.

[0052] If the hypothetical process data set 122 is not accepted and an alternative hypothetical process data set 123 is provided, which is also not accepted, a rejection 126 may be received.

[0053] As mentioned above, recipe database 118 may be connected to other recipe databases exemplified by recipe cloud 128, as well as one or several reference recipe databases to verify that optimal settings can be provided. This connection of recipe database 118 to recipe cloud 128 provides for quick and easy distribution of learnings made regarding, for example, how to optimally set up food processing equipment. For example, if it is discovered that the holding time of a particular product can be reduced without introducing food safety risks or deterioration of food quality, this information can be easily and quickly distributed from one of the reference recipe databases to recipe database 114 connected via recipe cloud 128.

[0054] In a similar manner, the execution scheme database 118 may be connected to the execution scheme cloud 130, for example, to facilitate the dissemination of newly discovered insights related to execution scheme generation.

[0055] As shown, the food processing system 100 comprises a number of subsystems, a first subsystem 132, a second subsystem 134, a third subsystem 136, and a fourth subsystem 138. In this particular example shown, the first subsystem 132 and the fourth subsystem 138 are referred to herein as a first group and may be shared by a first process path PP1 and a second process path PP2. Unlike the first group, the second subsystem 134 and the third subsystem 136, which form a second group, are used separately by the first and second process paths PP1, PP2. In this particular example, the first process path PP1 uses the second subsystem 134, and the second process path PP2 uses the third subsystem 136. These subsystems are also reflected in the virtual food processing system 200, in which a virtual first subsystem 232, a virtual second subsystem 234, a virtual third subsystem 236, and a virtual fourth subsystem 238 are provided.

[0056] After uploading and configuring the food processing system 100 according to the execution scheme, sensors may be provided in the food processing system 100 to capture sensor data. This sensor data may be used for feedback purposes. If the sensor data indicates that the actual output from the food processing system 100 does not match the virtual process output data set 122, i.e. the predicted output made by the virtual processing system 200, this actual output may be used to improve the virtual food processing system 200. If the deviation is serious, i.e. the actual output differs significantly from the virtual output data set 122, a notification may be issued to initiate debugging. Furthermore, if a serious deviation is found, the virtual food processing system 200 may be shut down until the reason for the serious deviation is identified and corrected.

[0057] As mentioned above, the execution scheme does not have to be limited to real facilities, and factors such as available storage space may also form part of the execution scheme. In this way, access to the virtual food processing system 200 allows the evaluation of various options, where the availability of storage space is a key factor. For example, if the availability of storage space is taken into account, a first option including large batch production with fewer changeovers, lower operating costs, but higher demand for storage space, i.e., requiring a large area for storage, can be compared with a second option including small batch production with more changeovers, higher operating costs, but lower demand for storage space. Depending on the operating costs, storage costs, and even the benefit of a higher market service level, which is the effect of keeping more inventory according to the first option, different results may be achieved. In this way, an improvement in the configuration of the food processing system 100 can be achieved by considering factors such as storage space, rather than limiting the execution scheme to real facilities.

[0058] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 400 of configuring the food processing system 100.

[0059] The first step 402 is to search the recipe database 114 for food processing steps 116 linked to the food products 102a, 102b. As mentioned above, this step may be triggered by sending a request 112 to the recipe database 114 with information about the food products 102a-b.

[0060] The second step 404 is to generate an execution scheme 120 based on the food processing steps 116 .

[0061] In a third step 406 , the execution scheme 120 is executed on the virtual food processing system 200 .

[0062] A fourth step 408 includes receiving the virtual output data set 122 generated from the execution of the execution scheme 120 in the virtual food processing system 200 .

[0063] If, in a fifth step 410, the virtual output data set 122 is accepted, i.e., if it is determined that it is appropriate to execute the food processing system 100 in accordance with the execution scheme 120, then, in a sixth step 412, the execution scheme 120 is uploaded to the food processing system 100.

[0064] Optionally, in a seventh step 414, the virtual data output set 122 may be compared to a threshold value. The threshold value may be a company specific threshold value aligned with, for example, environmental goals. Alternatively, the threshold value may be set as a current value of the food processing system. In this latter case, the comparison reveals whether the implementation scheme 120 tested on the virtual food processing system 200 brings about an improvement and in what way the implementation scheme 120 improves the current implementation scheme when multiple values ​​such as production time, utilization, electrical energy usage, food waste, etc. are provided.

[0065] Optionally, in an eighth step 416, virtual food processing components may be added or removed from the virtual food processing system 200. By modifying the virtual food processing system 200 in this manner, the impact on the food processing system 100 may be tested in the virtual environment before being implemented in the real-world processing system.

[0066] Optionally, in a ninth step 418, CIP steps may be added or removed. Having this possibility allows different CIP setups to be tested in the virtual environment before implementation. CIP steps may include how to use existing CIP equipment, or may include adding or removing CIP equipment.

[0067] Optionally, maintenance steps may be added or removed in tenth step 420. Because the virtual food processing system 200 is a digital replica of the food processing system 100, different maintenance intervals and different maintenance programs may be tested and evaluated if the virtual food processing system 200 is accessible.

[0068] Optionally, the order in which the food products are produced may be changed in an eleventh step 422. By having the possibility to change this order, different orders may be evaluated before deciding which order to select for the actual food product production.

[0069] Optionally, an alternative execution scheme 121 may be generated in a twelfth step 424, as described above. After generating the alternative execution scheme 121, which may be an alternative execution scheme or alternative execution schemes, it may be executed in the virtual processing system 200 in a thirteenth step 426. An alternative virtual process output data set 123 from the execution executed on the virtual food processing system 200 may be captured in a fourteenth step 428. If an alternative acceptance 125 of the alternative virtual process output data set 123 is received in a fifteenth step 430, in a sixteenth step 432, the alternative execution scheme 121 becomes the execution scheme 120 uploaded to the food processing system 100, such that the food processing system 100 is configured according to the alternative execution scheme 121.

[0070] Optionally, in a seventeenth step 434, which may be performed subsequent to the first step 402, an order linked to food products may be received. Based on the order, which may provide information on when and how much of different products to be produced in different time periods, e.g., daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, it may be determined how to split the order, based on the predicted availability of the food processing system 100, the predicted available storage space, etc. After splitting the order into sub-orders, a fulfillment scheme for the different sub-orders may be determined.

[0071] Although the above steps are shown in one order, they may be in other orders.

[0072] Although liquid food products are given above as an example, the principles and disclosures presented above are not limited to such liquid food products and may be applied to other types of food products such as powder production, cheese production, ice cream production, etc. Furthermore, the principles may be applied to both continuous and batch production, and to both discrete and non-discrete products.

[0073] From the foregoing description, while various embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, the invention is not limited thereto and may be embodied in other ways within the scope of the subject matter defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method (400) for configuring a food processing system (100) to produce a plurality of food products (102a, 102b), comprising: The food processing system (100) comprises food processing components (104a-e), storage units (106a-c), nodes (108a-b) and transport elements (110a-g), and at least two process paths (PP1, PP2) within the food processing system (100) are provided; The method (400) comprises: retrieving (402) food processing steps (116) linked to a number of food products (102a, 102b) from a recipe database (114); generating (404) an execution scheme (120) based on the food processing steps (116), the execution scheme (120) comprising a timetable (300) for the food processing steps (116), a link table (302) between the food processing components (104a-e) and the food processing steps (116), and settings (304) for the food processing components (104a-e), the storage units (106a-b) and the nodes (108a-b); executing (406) the execution scheme (120) on a virtual food processing system (200), the virtual food processing system (200) corresponding to the food processing system (100) and comprising virtual food processing components (104a-e), virtual storage devices (206a-b), virtual nodes (208a-b) and virtual transport elements (210a-g); receiving (408) a virtual process output data set (122) from a run performed on the virtual food processing system (200); Upon receiving (410) a receipt (124) of the virtual process output data set (122), uploading (412) the execution scheme (120) to the food processing system (100) so that the food processing system is configured according to the execution scheme (120); A method comprising:

2. The food processing system (100) comprises at least two subsystems (132, 134, 136, 138) formed by a first group of subsystems (132, 138) shared between at least two process paths (PP1, PP2) and a second group of subsystems (134, 136) in which separate subsystems are provided for the at least two process paths (PP1, PP2). The method of claim 1.

3. comparing (414) the hypothetical process output data set (122) to a threshold value; Further provided with The method of claim 1.

4. adding or removing (416) one or more virtual food processing components (204a-e) before generating (404) the execution scheme (120); Further provided with The method of claim 1.

5. adding or removing (418) a clean-in-place (CIP) step before the step (404) of generating the execution scheme (120); Further provided with The method of claim 1.

6. Adding or deleting (420) a maintenance step before the step (404) of generating the execution scheme (120); Further provided with The method of claim 1.

7. Before generating the execution scheme (120) (404), changing the order (422) of producing the plurality of food products (102a, 102b); Further provided with The method of claim 1.

8. The execution scheme (120) comprises a food waste-focused execution scheme, an electric energy-focused execution scheme, a machine failure risk-focused execution scheme, a minimum production time-focused execution scheme, or a cleaning time-focused execution scheme. The method of claim 1.

9. The recipe database (114) is communicatively connected to a recipe cloud (128) and is further connected to other recipe databases; The method of claim 1.

10. The execution scheme database (118) is communicatively connected to the execution scheme cloud (130) and is further connected to other execution scheme databases; The method of claim 1.

11. generating (424) at least one alternative execution scheme (121) based on said food processing steps (116); executing (426) the at least one alternative execution scheme (121) on the virtual food processing system (200); capturing (428) at least one alternative virtual process output data set (123) from a run performed on the virtual food processing system (200); If an alternative acceptance (125) of one of the at least one alternative hypothetical process output data set (123) is received (430), configuring (432) one of the at least one alternative execution schemes (121) as an execution scheme (120) uploaded to the food processing system (100) to be configured according to the one of the at least one alternative execution schemes (121); Further provided with The method of claim 1.

12. A data processing system (119) comprising a processor (140) configured to perform the method of claim 1.

13. The data processing system (119) comprises a data processing device (111) communicatively connected to a recipe database (114) and / or an execution scheme database (118); 13. The data processing system (119) of claim 12.

14. the recipe database (114) is communicatively connected to a recipe cloud (128) communicatively connected to recipe databases of other data processing systems, and / or the execution scheme database (118) is communicatively connected to an execution scheme cloud (130) communicatively connected to execution scheme databases of other data processing systems; A data processing system (119) according to claim 13.

15. A computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by a data processing system (119), cause the data processing system to perform the method of claim 1.

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