Food processing line and food processing method for in-line processing of food

Abstract

To provide a food processing line and a method for processing food in the food processing line.SOLUTION: The food processing line comprises at least two of a food preparation station, a cold storage, a pump station, a pumpable food mass forming station, or a dry coater, a wet coater, a fryer, a heater or a freezer for individual food products. At least one process step is performed at each process line station. The process line station includes one or more actuators and / or one or more sensors. The food processing line of the present invention includes an inter-station control system configured to control an actuator of a first processing line station based on data from a sensor of a second processing line station.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a food processing line for in-line processing of food products and to a method for processing food products in such a food processing line. Summary of the Invention

[0002] A food processing line may include, for example, the following process line stations: A. A food preparation station for preparing pumpable food masses. B. A cold storage section for cold storage of pumpable food masses. C. A pumping station for pumping pumpable food masses. D. A forming station for forming individual food products from the pumpable food mass. E. Dry coater for coating individual food items with a dry coating. F. Wet coating equipment (optionally including a batter mixer) for coating individual food products with a wet coating. G. Fryer for frying individual foods. H. Heaters for subjecting individual foods to heat treatment. I. Cold storage section for freezing individual foods.

[0003] Exemplary individual food products that may be processed in a food processing line according to the present invention are hamburgers, hamburger balls, nuggets, schnitzels, sausages, and the like.

[0004] At least one process step is performed on a food product at a process line station of the food processing line, and according to the present invention, the process step is performing an operation related to the food product by one or more actuators and / or acquiring data by one or more sensors.

[0005] Thus, it is conceivable that a process line station may be formed by a transport unit equipped with a sensor. A process line station may also be formed by a plurality of actuators for performing operations related to the food product and one or more sensors for acquiring data related to the food product and / or the process line station. It is known in the art to provide a station controller communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the same process line station and configured to control the actuators of the same process line station based on data from the sensors of the same process line station. For example, a process line station may be formed by a mixer, a viscosity sensor in the mixer, and a mixer control system, where the mixing speed is controlled based on data from the viscosity sensor. In another example, a process line station may be formed by a heater, a product temperature sensor provided when the product exits the heater, and a heater control system, where the temperature in the heater is controlled based on data from the product temperature sensor.

[0006] Actuators are provided to perform operations related to the food product, which may involve contact with the food product, such as mixing or forming, but may also involve non-contact operations, such as controlling the climate of a process line station.

[0007] Exemplary actuators associated with a process line station include thermal actuators that set the temperature of the process line station, humidity systems that set the humidity of the process line station, and conveying speed actuators that control belt speed or robot speed, etc., to control the residence time (also called dwell time) of a food product or individual food product in the process line station.

[0008] One or more sensors at a process line station are provided to acquire data related to the food product and / or the process line station. In a process line station where a food product-related operation is performed, the one or more sensors can acquire data before, during, and / or after the operation is performed, for example, upon entry or exit from the process line station.

[0009] Exemplary and frequently applied sensors associated with process line stations are temperature sensors, using, for example, thermocouples or thermal radiation thermometers, such as infrared thermometers. Contact temperature sensor types are also contemplated, as are non-contact sensor types. Other common sensors include optical systems, such as cameras, that can detect, for example, volume, color, shape, and one or more dimensions, such as width, length, and height. Weight sensors, such as weight scales, are also common.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a food processing line and method that provides improved control over the processing of food.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a food processing line comprises at least three of the following process line stations: A. A food preparation station for preparing pumpable food masses. B. A cold storage section for cold storage of pumpable food masses. C. Pumping station for pumping pumpable food mass D. A forming station for forming individual food products from the pumpable food mass. E. Dry coating equipment for dry coating individual food products (e.g., including an air knife for blowing off excess dry coating). F. Wet coating equipment (optionally including a batter mixer) for applying a wet coating to individual food products. G. Fryer for frying individual foods. H. Heaters for applying heat treatment to individual foods. I. Cold storage section for freezing individual foods.

[0012] The food processing line comprises: a first process line station of the three process line stations, the first process line station including an actuator for performing a food product-related operation; a second process line station of the three process line stations, the second process line station including a sensor for acquiring data regarding the food product and / or the process line station; a third process line station of the three process line stations, the third process line station being located on the food processing line between the first process line station and the second process line station; an interstation control system communicatively connected to an actuator of the first process line station and a sensor of the second process line station, the interstation control system configured to control the actuator of the first process line station based on data from the sensor of the second process line station.

[0013] Such interstation control systems use control loops to manage, command, direct, or regulate the behavior of process line stations. Control actions from the interstation control system depend on actual process variables obtained from sensors. Control actions may also depend on desired process variables, allowing for a feedback loop to ensure that the interstation control system exerts control actions on the process line stations at the same value as the desired process variable.

[0014] This configuration provides improved control of the process, as will be elucidated in connection with the following examples.The present invention allows, for example, for intelligent feedback routines and intelligent setting look-ahead.

[0015] In embodiments, a food processing line of the present invention includes two or more process line stations, including process line stations not listed above. It is conceivable that an interstation control system may connect two of the process line stations in the non-exhaustive list above, or that an interstation control system may be configured to connect to one or more process line stations not listed above.

[0016] In an embodiment, a first process line station at which an actuator is controlled is provided upstream of a second process line station with which the sensor is associated.

[0017] In an embodiment, a first process line station at which an actuator is controlled is provided downstream of a second process line station at which a sensor is associated.

[0018] At each process line station where at least one process step is performed, each process line station comprises: one or more actuators for performing a food-related operation; and / or having one or more sensors that acquire data about the food product and / or the process line station; In some cases, the process line station includes a station controller communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the same process line station and configured to control the actuators of the same process line station based on data from the sensors of the same process line station.

[0019] Such a station controller may, for example, increase the temperature or dwell time if a sensor measures that the food is too cold.

[0020] In an embodiment, the interstation control system is also communicatively connected to at least two station controllers of different process line stations, thereby forming a master control system.

[0021] In an embodiment, the interstation control system is communicatively connected to the actuators and / or sensors of a process line station through a controller of that same process line station.

[0022] In an embodiment, the interstation control system is configured to control an actuator at a first process line station and, based on data from a sensor at a second process line station, control an actuator at a further process line station. Thus, based on data from one sensor, actuators at multiple process line stations are controlled. For example, given a certain consistency of a mass at a food preparation station, the temperature of a fryer and heater are controlled.

[0023] In an embodiment, the interstation control system is configured to control an actuator of a first process line station based on data from a sensor of a second process line station and based on data from sensors of additional process line stations. Thus, actuators of other process line stations are controlled based on data from sensors of multiple process line stations. For example, residence time at a flyer is adjusted based on product weight data from sensors of a dry coater and a wet coater. Advantageously, the more coatings and the heavier the product, the longer the residence time.

[0024] In an embodiment, the interstation control system is configured to acquire and store in memory a collection of data from the sensors, and the actuator of the first process line station is controlled based on an analysis of this collection of data. Thus, the actuator is not controlled based on a single result from the sensor; rather, the actuator is controlled only when a trend is revealed by analysis of the collection of data. This prevents "over-actuation" of the actuator due to common fluctuations in the acquired data.

[0025] In an embodiment, a computing system is provided that includes one or more processors and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions, in particular computer readable program code, that when executed by the one or more processors causes the one or more processors to at least determine data from a second process line station and, based thereon, provide instructions to an actuator of a first process line station.

[0026] In an embodiment, a computer system is provided. The computer system includes one or more processors and a memory. The memory is coupled to the one or more processors and stores program instructions (particularly computer-readable program code). When executed by the one or more processors, the program instructions activate the one or more processors to at least operate sensors at a second process line station to acquire data, communicate data from the sensors to an interstation control system, and control actuators at a first process line station based on data from the sensors at the second process line station.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a method for treating food in a food processing line, preferably as described above, comprising the steps of: operating a sensor at a second process line station to acquire data; communicating data from the sensors to an interstation control system; Controlling an actuator at the first process line station based on data from a sensor at the second process line station.

[0028] The present invention further relates to a computer-implemented method of processing food in a food processing line as described above, further comprising a computing system including one or more processors (preferably microprocessors), said method comprising executing computer-readable program code: operating a sensor at a second process line station to acquire data; communicating data from the sensors to the interstation control system; An actuator at the first process line station is controlled based on data from a sensor at the second process line station.

[0029] The present invention further relates to a computer-implemented method for the method of treating food in a food processing line as described above, further comprising a computing system including one or more processors (preferably microprocessors), the method including the processor executing computer readable program code for determining data from a second process line station and directing an actuator of a first process line station based thereon.

[0030] The invention further relates to a computer program or group of computer programs comprising at least one computer readable code portion, or a computer program product storing at least one computer readable code portion, which, when executed on a computer system, is configured to carry out a method as described above.

[0031] The functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a computer processor / microprocessor. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable medium(s) having computer-readable program code embodied (e.g., stored) thereon.

[0032] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized.

[0033] A computer-readable signal medium may include, for example, a propagated data signal having computer-readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as (a part of) a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, such as electromagnetic waves, light, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium is not a computer-readable storage medium but may be any computer-readable medium capable of communicating, propagating, or carrying a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0034] The program code embodied in the computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, such as wireless, wired, fiber optic, cable, RF, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention can be written in one or more programming languages, or combinations thereof, such as object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java™, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language, or similar programming languages. In embodiments, the program code runs on the user's computer as a standalone software package, or alternatively runs on part of the user's computer, or alternatively runs on part of the user's computer and part of a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. The remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be to an external computer.

[0035] Below, exemplary embodiments of such process line stations are elucidated, along with optional actuators and / or sensors.

[0036] A. Food Prep Station The food preparation station for preparing pumpable food may have, for example, a tumbler, cutter and / or grinder. An additive addition device may be provided for adding marinades and / or seasonings. A CO2 addition device may be provided.

[0037] Exemplary actuators associated with such food preparation stations are speed actuators that set the operating speed of, for example, the tumblers, cutters, and grinders. Also, the amount of additives (marinades, seasonings, CO2) added can be set. Preferably, actuators are provided to set the additives, e.g., marinade ingredients, particularly salt and glucose. Exemplary sensors in the food preparation station measure the glucose content of the food mass and / or the mass density and / or viscosity.

[0038] In an embodiment, a food preparation station controller is provided that is communicatively coupled to the actuators and sensors of the food preparation station and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors. For example, marinade addition rate and / or marinade ingredients at a food preparation station may be controlled based on a color scan of the food mass as it exits the food preparation device. CO2 addition at a food preparation station may be controlled based on the food temperature during or after food preparation. Temperature within a food preparation station may be controlled based on the food temperature before and / or during and / or after food preparation.

[0039] B. Cold storage for pumpable food masses The cryogenic storage section may hold the food mass, for example, as a buffer or to actively bring the food mass to a desired temperature. In an embodiment, cooling is performed by liquid nitrogen.

[0040] In an embodiment, a cold storage control system is provided that is communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the cold storage to control the actuators based on data from the sensors, e.g., the temperature within the cold storage is controlled based on the temperature of the food before, during, and / or after freezing, e.g., to control liquid nitrogen cooling.

[0041] C. Pumping stations for pumpable food masses A pump station typically includes a hopper and a pump. The pump may operate continuously, such as a screw pump, or batchwise, such as a plunger pump. Actuators associated with such pump stations include a speed actuator that sets the pump's operating speed. Thermal actuators that set the temperature within the pump are also common. Such pump stations may also include a viscosity sensor for the food mass.

[0042] In an embodiment, a pump station controller is provided. The pump station controller is communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the pump station and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors. For example, the temperature in the pump is controlled based on the temperature of the food in the hopper. The pump speed is controlled based on the viscosity of the food.

[0043] D. Forming station for forming individual food products The forming station forms individual food products from the pumpable food mass. Such stations typically include a food mass hopper, a forming device, and a conveying means for the formed individual food products, such as a belt conveyor. The forming device may, for example, be a molder or sausage machine.

[0044] It is possible for the pump station and the forming station to be separate stations, for example manufactured by different machine shops. However, in an embodiment, the forming station includes an associated pump and possibly a hopper. This ensemble of pump and forming station can be manufactured as a single unit by the same machine shop.

[0045] Such molding apparatus are commercially available from the same applicant and are described, for example, in several applications of the same applicant, such as WO0030458, WO2004002229, WO2005107481, WO2010110655, WO2014017916, etc. Exemplary actuators of such molding apparatus include actuators for setting the fill pressure, pressure settings of the fill plate, thermal actuators for heating the hopper and / or piping between the hopper and the molding apparatus, pump speed, etc.

[0046] A sausage machine is also commercially available from the same applicant. Exemplary actuators for such a sausage machine include thermal actuators for heating the hopper and / or the piping between the hopper and the sausage machine, pump speed, etc.

[0047] Generally, temperature sensors are applied to measure the temperature of the food in the hopper and in the forming device, and scales are applied to measure the weight.

[0048] In an embodiment, a forming station controller is provided that is communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the forming station and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors, for example: The fill pressure and / or fill plate pressure settings of the forming device are controlled based on the temperature of the food product in the hopper. The fill pressure and / or fill plate pressure settings are controlled based on the product weight and / or product dimensions upon exiting the forming station. The temperature of the piping between the hopper and the former / sausage machine is controlled based on the food temperature in the hopper. If the dimensions of the formed food product are out of range and / or if a foreign object is detected, the forming machine will be shut down.

[0049] E. Individual food grade dry coater In a dry coater, a dry coating is applied to individual food products. Such stations generally have a hopper of dry paint, a means for dispensing the paint, and sometimes an air knife to blow off excess dry paint.

[0050] An example of a dry coater actuator is a dry coating dispense rate actuator, which can set the coating speed. Other actuators can set the blow-off rate, blow-off air temperature, and / or food transport speed.

[0051] Exemplary sensors in the dry coater monitor the consumption of the dry coating and / or the stickiness of the food product before coating.

[0052] In an embodiment, a dry coater control system is provided that is communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the dry coater station and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors. For example, The dry coater's blow-off air temperature and / or blow-off speed are controlled based on the weight of the food product after coating. The blowing air temperature and / or blowing speed of the dry coater are controlled based on the coating area after coating. The coating rate is controlled based on the stickiness of the food product before coating.

[0053] F. Food wet coating equipment In a wet coating station, loose food products are wet coated. Such a station includes a batter mixer for wet coating, a liquid container for wet coating, and a dispensing means.

[0054] Exemplary actuators for wet coating equipment include actuators that set the blow rate, batter temperature, batter mixing rate, batter mixture, food conveying rate, dosing rate, and the like.

[0055] Exemplary sensors in the wet coating apparatus capture data related to batter viscosity, batter temperature in the batter mixer, batter temperature upon entry into the coating apparatus, wet coating consumption, and the like.

[0056] In an embodiment, a wet coater control system is provided that is communicatively connected to actuators and sensors of the wet coater station and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors, for example: The outlet air temperature and / or outlet speed of the wet coating device are controlled based on the batter mixture. The outlet air temperature and / or outlet speed of the wet coating device are controlled based on the weight of the food product after coating.

[0057] G. Individual Food Fryers In a fryer, individual pieces of food are fried. Typically, deep fryers are used, in which the food is submerged in hot fat, typically oil. Other industrial frying techniques include pressure fryers and vacuum fryers. Such fryer stations are optionally available with mechanisms for separating excess frying fat, e.g., excess oil, from the individual pieces of fried food, for example, by absorption or by allowing the food to drain.

[0058] Exemplary actuators for fryers include actuators that set oil circulation, oil composition, particularly old / new oil mix, etc. Residence time within the fryer can be controlled, for example, by controlling the belt speed along which the food is conveyed through the fryer.

[0059] Sensors installed in the fryer capture data on oil quality, e.g., color, oil filter information, oil consumption (per product), coating quality of food products as they leave the fryer, etc. Cameras may also be installed to detect agglomerated products as they leave the fryer. It is also common to measure the temperature of the products, e.g., before and after the frying process. Such sensors advantageously measure the core temperature of the products.

[0060] In an embodiment, a fryer control system is provided that is communicatively connected to actuators and sensors of the fryer and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors, for example: The residence time within the fryer is controlled based on the temperature of the food product prior to entering the fryer. The residence time in the fryer is controlled based on the color of the food after frying. The residence time and oil temperature in the fryer are controlled based on the oil consumption per product, or the color of the food product after frying, or the coating quality of the food product after frying.

[0061] H. Individual food heaters In the heater, the food is subjected to a heat treatment, e.g., cooking. The heater optionally includes a conveyor belt along which the individual food products are transported. In an embodiment, a convection heater is provided, e.g., with two independently controllable climate chambers.

[0062] Exemplary actuators for the heater include actuators that set the air circulation rate and / or dew point.

[0063] Examples of sensors for the heater include dew point sensors and cameras that detect fat (lecithin) buildup on food on the conveyor belt after it leaves the heater. Also, the temperature of the product is typically measured, for example, before and after the heating process. Such sensors advantageously measure the core temperature of the product.

[0064] In an embodiment, a heater control system is provided that is communicatively connected to an actuator and a sensor of the heater and controls the actuator based on data from the sensor. For example, The residence time in the heater and / or the air circulation rate are controlled based on the color of the food after cooking or the fat (lecithin) buildup of the food on the conveyor belt after cooking. The air temperature and / or air circulation rate and / or residence time and / or dew point within the heater are controlled based on a comparison of the weight and / or volume of the food product before heating and the weight and / or volume of the food product after heating.

[0065] I. Individual food cold storage units In the cold storage section, bulk food products are frozen. The cold storage section generally consists of a conveyor belt for transporting food products, preferably to create individually quality frozen (IQF) food products.

[0066] In an embodiment, a cold storage control system is provided. The cold storage control system is communicatively connected to actuators and sensors in the cold storage and controls the actuators based on data from the sensors. For example, the temperature within the cold storage is controlled based on the temperature of the food product before, during, and / or after freezing. Such sensors advantageously measure the core temperature of the product. [Example]

[0067] A first embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention for in-line processing of food products comprises, in succession, five process line stations: A forming station, such as a forming apparatus for forming three-dimensional discrete food products from a mass. In particular, the forming apparatus is designed to produce discrete food products, such as hamburgers or nuggets, from a mass of pounded meat. Wet coating equipment, such as equipment designed to coat the outside of discrete food products with a layer of liquid material, e.g., batter. Dry coating equipment, for example, crumbing equipment, which can be used to apply a layer of crumb-like coating material to the outside of individual food products. For example, a fryer with a frying tub. A cold storage section for freezing food.

[0068] The forming station may, for example, comprise a hopper, a pump, and a molding drum. The pump preferably includes sensors for acquiring data about the food mass, such as temperature and viscosity. The fryer may include a conveyor, such as a belt conveyor, for transporting the food through the fryer. Advantageously, the speed of the conveyor may be controlled to regulate the residence time of the food within the fryer.

[0069] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an interstation control system is provided that is communicatively connected to the conveyor actuator and the pump sensor. The interstation control system is configured to control the conveyor actuator and, therefore, the residence time in the freezer based on data such as temperature and viscosity from the sensor in the pump of the forming station. Thus, in this case, two processing stations, a wet coater and a dry coater, are provided between the station with the actuator and the station with the sensor. An advantage of this interstation control system of the present invention is that it can adjust the flyer settings based on the viscosity before the first product arrives.

[0070] A second exemplary embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention has three process line stations in series. A forming station, e.g., here, a forming device for forming three-dimensional discrete food products from a mass. In particular, the forming device is for producing discrete food products, e.g., hamburgers or nuggets, from a pounded meat mass. Preferably, a camera is installed downstream of the forming device to detect the dimensions of the food products as they exit the forming station. Wet coating equipment, where this is equipment for coating the outside of discrete food products with a layer of liquid material, for example, batter. A heater (here an oven for heating individual food items). Preferably the heater includes an actuator for controlling the air temperature and / or air circulation speed and / or residence time within the convection heater.

[0071] According to the present invention, an interstation control system is provided, for example, communicatively connected to the camera and heater actuator of the forming station. Advantageously, the interstation control system is configured to control the heater actuator based on the size of the food product as it leaves the forming station. Thus, here, the wet coating device is provided between the station having the sensor and the station having the heater actuator. An advantage is that the oven temperature can be set based on the size of the food product before it arrives.

[0072] Other embodiments of the invention are provided in connection with the drawings.

[0073] The present invention also relates to one or more of the aspects described below.

[0074] 1. A food processing line for in-line food processing, A. a food mass preparation station for preparing a pumpable food mass; B. A cold storage section for cold storage of pumpable food masses; CD. A pump and forming station for forming individual food products from a pumpable food mass; E. Dry coating equipment for dry coating individual food products, including, for example, an air knife for blowing off excess dry coating; F. A wet coating apparatus for applying a wet coating to individual food products, optionally including a batter mixer; G. Fryers for frying individual foods; H. Heaters for subjecting individual foods to heat treatment; I. Cold storage for freezing individual foods; at least two of a plurality of process line stations including The food processing line, a first process line station of the two process line stations, the first process line station including an actuator for performing a food product-related operation; a second process line station of the two process line stations, the second process line station including a sensor for acquiring data regarding the food product and / or the process line station; an interstation control system communicatively connected to the actuators of the first process line station and the sensors of the second process line station; The food processing line, wherein the interstation control system is configured to control an actuator of a first process line station based on data from a sensor of a second process line station.

[0075] 2. A food processing line of form 1, wherein at least a third process line station in the list of process line stations is provided between a first process line station to which the actuator is controlled and a second process line station to which the sensor is associated.

[0076] 3. A food processing line of form 1 or 2, wherein a first process line station to which the actuator is controlled is located upstream of a second process line station to which the sensor is associated.

[0077] 4. A food processing line of form 1 or 2, wherein a first process line station to which the actuator is controlled is located downstream of a second process line station to which the sensor is associated.

[0078] 5. The food processing line of any of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the process line stations further comprise station controllers communicatively connected to the actuators and sensors of the same process line station and configured to control the actuators of the same process line station based on data from the sensors of the same process line station. Preferably, the inter-station control system is communicatively connected to at least two station controllers of different process line stations, thereby forming a master control system.

[0079] 6. A food processing line of any of configurations 5, wherein the interstation control system is communicatively connected to the actuators and / or sensors of the process line stations via a controller of the same process line station.

[0080] 7. A method for treating food in a food processing line according to one or more of the preceding clauses, comprising: operating a sensor at a second process line station to obtain data; communicating data from the sensors to the interstation control system; and controlling an actuator at the first process line station based on data from a sensor at the second process line station.

[0081] 8. A food processing line for in-line processing of food, the food processing line comprising: A. a food mass preparation station for preparing a pumpable food mass; B. A cold storage section for cold storage of pumpable food masses; C. A pumping station for pumping pumpable food masses; D. A forming station for forming individual food products from the pumpable food mass; E. Dry coating equipment for dry coating individual food products, including, for example, an air knife for blowing off excess dry coating; F. A wet coating apparatus for applying a wet coating to individual food products, optionally including a batter mixer; G. Fryers for frying individual foods; H. Heaters for subjecting individual foods to heat treatment; I. at least two of a plurality of process line stations including a cold storage section for freezing individual food products; a first process line station of the two process line stations, the first process line station including an actuator for performing a food product-related operation; a second process line station of the two process line stations, the second process line station including a sensor for acquiring data regarding the food product and / or the process line station; an interstation control system communicatively connected to the actuators of the first process line station and the sensors of the second process line station; The interstation control system is configured to control the actuators of the first process line station based on data from the sensors of the second process line station.

[0082] 9. The food processing line of claim 8, wherein at least a third process line station in the list of process line stations is provided between the first process line station at which the actuator is controlled and the second process line station at which the sensor is associated.

[0083] 10. A food processing line of configuration 8 or 9, wherein a first process line station to which the actuator is controlled is located upstream of a second process line station to which the sensor is associated.

[0084] 11. A food processing line of form 8 or form 9, wherein a first process line station to which the actuator is controlled is located downstream of a second process line station to which the sensor is associated.

[0085] 12. The food processing line of any of aspects 8 to 11, wherein the process line stations further comprise station controllers communicatively connected to actuators and sensors of the same process line station and configured to control actuators of the same process line station based on data from sensors of the same process line station, and preferably the inter-station control system is communicatively connected to at least two station controllers of different process line stations, thereby forming a main control system.

[0086] 13. A food processing line of any of configurations 8 to 12, wherein the interstation control system is communicatively connected to the actuators and / or sensors of the process line stations via a controller of the same process line station.

[0087] 14. A method of treating food in a food processing line, comprising: operating a sensor at a second process line station to obtain data; communicating data from the sensors to the interstation control system; 14. A method for processing food in a food processing line according to any one of aspects 8 to 13, comprising the step of controlling an actuator of the first process line station based on data from a sensor of the second process line station.

[0088] In an embodiment, a computing system is provided that includes one or more processors and a memory that stores program instructions, particularly computer readable program code, coupled to the one or more processors and that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine data from at least a second process line station and, based thereon, provide instructions to an actuator of a first process line station.

[0089] In an embodiment, a computer system is provided comprising one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions, in particular computer readable program code, which when executed by the one or more processors causes the one or more processors to operate sensors of at least a second process line station to acquire data, communicate data from the sensors to an interstation control system, and control actuators of a first process line station based on data from the sensors of the second process line station.

[0090] The present invention also relates to a method for treating food in a food processing line, preferably as described above, comprising the steps of: operating a sensor at a second process line station to obtain data; communicating data from the sensors to an interstation control system; The method includes controlling an actuator of a first process line station based on data from a sensor of a second process line station.

[0091] The present invention further comprises a computing system including one or more processors, preferably microprocessors, in accordance with the computer-implemented method for processing food in a food processing line as described above, the method comprising the processor executing computer readable program code for: operating a sensor at a second process line station to obtain data; communicating data from the sensors to the interstation control system; controlling an actuator of the first process line station based on data from a sensor of the second process line station.

[0092] The present invention further relates to a computer-implemented method for the above-described method of treating food in a food processing line, further comprising a computing system including one or more processors, preferably microprocessors, the method including the processor executing computer readable program code for determining data from the second process line station and directing an actuator of the first process line station based thereon.

[0093] The invention further relates to a computer program or group of computer programs comprising at least one computer readable code portion, or a computer program product storing at least one computer readable code portion, which, when executed on a computer system, is configured to carry out a method as described above.

[0094] The functions described in this disclosure may be implemented as an algorithm executed by a computer processor / microprocessor. Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable medium(s) having computer-readable program code embodied therein, e.g., stored thereon.

[0095] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized.

[0096] A computer-readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal in which computer-readable program code is embodied, for example, in baseband or (as part of) a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, such as electromagnetic waves, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer-readable signal medium is not a computer-readable storage medium but may be any computer-readable medium that can communicate, propagate, or carry a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0097] The program code embodied in the computer-readable medium can be transmitted using any suitable medium, such as wireless, wired, fiber optic, cable, RF, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention can be written in one or more programming languages, or combinations thereof, such as object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java™, Smalltalk, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the “C” programming language, or similar programming languages. In embodiments, the program code runs on the user's computer as a standalone software package, or alternatively runs on part of the user's computer, or alternatively runs on part of the user's computer and part of a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. The remote computer may be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be to an external computer. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0098] An example of an embodiment of a food processing line according to the invention will now be elucidated with reference to the drawings.

[0099] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a food processing line of the present invention having five process line stations. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a second embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a third embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fourth embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a fifth embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a sixth embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a seventh embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating an eighth embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a ninth embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 10a] FIG. 10a shows a schematic representation of an alternative tenth embodiment of the food processing line of the invention. [Figure 10b] FIG. 10b shows a schematic representation of an alternative tenth embodiment of the food processing line of the invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating an eleventh embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a twelfth embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically illustrating a thirteenth embodiment of a food processing line according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100] A first embodiment of a food processing line 1 according to the invention for in-line processing of food products is shown in Figure 1. The food processing line 1 shown comprises five process line stations in series. Forming Station D (a forming device for forming three-dimensional discrete food products from a mass. In particular, forming device D is designed to produce discrete food products, such as hamburgers or nuggets, from a mass of pounded meat.) Wet Coating Equipment F (This equipment is designed to coat the outside of discrete food products with a layer of liquid material, e.g., batter.) Dry Coater E (A crumbing device that can be used to apply a layer of crumb-like coating material to the outside of individual food products.) Fryer G (equipped with a frying tub). Freezer (a device for freezing individual foods).

[0101] Forming station D comprises a hopper D1, a pump D2, and a molding drum D3. Pump D2 preferably comprises sensors that acquire data about the food mass, such as temperature and viscosity. The illustrated fryer G comprises a conveyor G1, e.g., a belt conveyor, that transports the food through the fryer. Advantageously, the speed of the conveyor can be controlled to regulate the residence time of the food within the fryer.

[0102] According to the present invention, a sensor is provided in the pump D2 of the forming station D, and an actuator (here, the conveyor G1) is provided in the flyer G. An interstation control system IC1 is provided. The interstation control system is communicatively connected to the actuator G1 of the conveyor G1 and the sensor of the pump D2. The interstation control system IC1 is configured to control the actuator of the conveyor G1 and, therefore, the residence time in the flyer G based on data such as temperature and viscosity from the sensor in the pump D2 of the forming station. Therefore, here, two processing stations, a wet coater F and a dry coater E, are provided between the station with the actuator and the station with the sensor. The advantage of this configuration is that the settings of the upstream device (the flyer) can be adjusted while taking the product into consideration based on information from the downstream device, the pump.

[0103] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the food processing line of the present invention, which includes: a forming station D (a forming device for forming three-dimensional discrete food products from a mass. In particular, the forming device D is for producing discrete food products from a pounded meat mass, such as hamburgers or nuggets. Preferably, a camera D1 is provided downstream of the forming device to detect the dimensions of the food products as they leave the forming station D); Wet coating device F (a device designed to coat the outside of discrete food products with a layer of liquid material, e.g., grasshoppers); It has three consecutive process line stations of heaters H (oven for heating individual food items. Preferably, the heaters H include actuators Ha such as air temperature and / or air circulation speed and / or residence time in the convection heater).

[0104] According to the present invention, an interstation control system IC2 is provided that is communicatively connected to the camera D1 and the heater actuator Ha of the forming station D. The interstation control system is configured to control the heater actuator Ha based on the size of the food product as it leaves the forming station D. Thus, here, the wet coating device F is provided between station D with sensor D1 and station H with heater actuator Ha.

[0105] The advantage of this configuration is that based on data from the forming station cameras, the heater actuators can be set predictively for the product.

[0106] Actuator upstream of the sensor In Figures 3-7, an embodiment of a food processing line according to the invention is shown schematically, in which a first process line station equipped with an actuator is provided upstream of a second process line station equipped with a sensor.

[0107] In FIG. 3, a dry coater process line station E is provided, where discrete food items are coated with a dry coating. Such stations typically comprise a dry coating hopper, a coating dispensing means, and possibly an air knife for blowing off excess dry coating. The dry coater E includes one or more actuators Ea for, for example, setting the blowing temperature and / or blowing speed of the air knife. Possibly, the dry coater also includes sensors Es for, for example, monitoring dry coating consumption, and / or the stickiness of the food item before coating, and / or the weight of the food item after coating.

[0108] In an embodiment, a dry coater controller Ec is provided, which is communicatively connected to the actuator Ea and the sensor Es of the dry coater station and controls the actuator Ea based on data from the sensor Es. for example The dry coater's blow-off air temperature and / or blow-off speed are controlled based on the weight of the food product after coating. The blowing air temperature and / or blowing speed of the dry coater are controlled based on the coating area after coating. The coating rate is controlled based on the stickiness of the food product before coating.

[0109] A wet coating apparatus F is provided downstream of the dry coater E. The wet coating apparatus F is provided with a sensor Fs for measuring the batter temperature. Optionally, the wet coating apparatus F also includes an actuator Fa, for example for setting the batter temperature. Advantageously, a wet coating apparatus controller Fc is communicatively connected to the actuator Fa for setting the batter temperature and the sensor Fs for measuring the batter temperature, and the wet coating station controller Fc is configured to control the actuator Fa for setting the batter temperature based on data from the sensor Fs for measuring the batter temperature.

[0110] In accordance with the present invention, the interstation control system IC3 is communicatively connected to an actuator Ea of a first dry coater process line station E, e.g., an actuator Ea for setting the outlet air temperature and / or outlet air speed of an air knife, and a sensor Fs of a second wet coater process line station F, e.g., a sensor Fs for measuring the batter temperature of the wet coater. The inventive interstation control system IC3 is configured to control the actuator Ea of the first process line station E based on data from the sensor Fs of the second process line station F, and thus, in particular, to control the outlet air temperature and / or outlet air speed of the air knife of the dry coater E based on the batter temperature of the wet coater F.

[0111] For example, the higher the batter temperature, the more advantageous it is to set the blow-off air temperature. Alternatively, the lower the batter temperature in the wet coater F, the slower the blow-off speed of the air knife in the dry coater E.

[0112] In the illustrated embodiment, the interstation control system IC3 is directly connected to the actuator Ea and the sensor Fs. It is also conceivable that the interstation control system IC31 is connected to the actuator Ea via the dry coater controller Ec. By analogy, it is conceivable that the interstation control system IC3 is connected to the sensor Fs of the wet coater F via the wet coater controller Fc. Therefore, instead of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the interstation control system IC3 is connected to the dry coater controller Ec and the wet coater controller Fc.

[0113] In Figure 4, a dry coater process line station E is provided. The dry coater process line station applies a dry coating to discrete food products. The dry coater E is equipped with one or more actuators Ea for setting the blowing speed of the air knife.

[0114] Downstream of the dry coater process line station E is a fryer G. The fryer G is equipped with one or more sensors Gs for measuring the weight and / or volume of discrete food products exiting the fryer.

[0115] In accordance with the present invention, the interstation control system IC4 is communicatively connected to an actuator Ea of the dry coater E for setting the blow-off speed of the air knife and a sensor Gs of the fryer G for measuring the weight and / or volume of the discrete food products exiting the fryer G. The interstation control system IC4 of the present invention is configured to control the actuator Ea of the first process line station E based on data from the sensor Gs of the second process line station G, and thus is adapted to control the blow-off speed of the air knife of the dry coater E based, inter alia, on the weight and / or volume of the discrete food products exiting the fryer G. Alternatively, the larger the volume of the discrete food products exiting the fryer G, the higher the blow-off speed of the air knife of the dry coater E.

[0116] In Figure 5, a food processing line according to the present invention is shown schematically, with a first process line station being a wet coater F equipped with an actuator Fa. The wet coater is provided upstream of a second process line station, a fryer G, equipped with a sensor Gs. The wet coater F is equipped with an actuator Fa for setting the blow speed of an air knife of the wet coater. The fryer G is equipped with a sensor Gs for measuring the weight and / or volume of the loose food product exiting the fryer G.

[0117] An interstation control system IC5 is communicatively connected to the actuator Fa of the first wet coater station F and the sensor Gs of the fryer G to measure the weight and / or volume of the discrete food items exiting the fryer G. The inventive interstation control system IC5 is configured to control the actuator Fa of the first process line station F based on data from the sensor Gs of the second process line station G, and thus is particularly configured to control the blowing speed of the air knife of the wet coater F based on the weight and / or volume of the discrete food items exiting the fryer G. For example, the smaller the weight of the discrete food items exiting the fryer G, the lower the blowing speed of the air knife of the wet coater F; alternatively, the larger the volume of the discrete food items exiting the fryer G, the higher the blowing speed of the air knife of the wet coater F.

[0118] 6 is a schematic diagram of a food processing line according to the present invention, in which a dry coater E equipped with an actuator Ea is provided upstream of a wet coater F equipped with an actuator Fa, which is provided upstream of a fryer G equipped with a sensor Gs. The actuators Ea and Fa are provided to set the blowing speeds of the air knives of the dry coater E and the wet coater F, respectively. The sensor Gs of the fryer G determines the oil quality and / or oil filter information of the fryer.

[0119] An interstation control system IC6 is communicatively connected to the actuators Ea, Fa and sensor Gs. The interstation control system IC6 of the present invention is configured to control the actuators Ea and / or Fa based on data from the sensor Gs, and is therefore particularly configured to control the blowing speed of the air knife of the dry coater E and / or wet coater F based on oil quality and / or oil filter information of the flyer G. The interstation control system IC6 has the advantage that, when it detects a decrease in oil quality or a clogged oil filter in the flyer G, it can feed back that information and increase the blowing speed of the air knife of the dry coater E or wet coater F.

[0120] 7 shows a schematic diagram of a food processing line according to the invention, in which a dry coater E equipped with an actuator Ea is provided upstream of a wet coater F equipped with an actuator Fa, which is provided upstream of a fryer G equipped with a sensor Gs. The actuators Ea and Fa are provided to set the conveying speed of the food product in the dry coater E and the wet coater F, respectively. The sensor Gs in the fryer G determines the proportion of agglomerates as they leave the fryer G.

[0121] An interstation control system IC7 is communicatively connected to the actuators Ea, Fa and sensor Gs. The interstation control system IC7 is configured to control the actuators Ea and / or Fa based on data from sensor Gs (thereby controlling the food conveying speed in the dry coater E and / or wet coater F based, inter alia, on the amount of agglomerates exiting the fryer G). This has the advantage that the food conveying speed in the dry coater E and / or wet coater F can be adjusted if more agglomerates are detected exiting the fryer G. Such "intelligent feedback" can prevent unnecessary product waste.

[0122] In Figure 8, the food processing line comprises a fryer G equipped with an actuator Ga for setting the residence time in the fryer G, and downstream of the fryer is a heater H equipped with a sensor Hs for determining the color of the food as it leaves the heater H. An interstation control system IC8 according to the present invention is connected to the actuator Ga and the sensor Hs and is configured to control the residence time in the fryer G based on the color of the food as it leaves the heater H.

[0123] 9 shows a portion of a food processing line. The food processing line has a wet coating apparatus F and an actuator Fa for setting the conveying speed of the food products in the wet coating apparatus F. Downstream of the wet coating apparatus F is a conveyor 10. The conveyor is provided with scales 10s for measuring the weight of each food product. Optionally, between the wet coating apparatus F and the conveyor 10, a wet coating apparatus and / or a fryer and / or a heater and / or a freezer are provided for each food product.

[0124] An interstation control system IC9 according to the present invention is connected to the actuators Fa and sensors 10s and is configured to control the food conveying speed in the wet coating device F based on the weight of the discrete food items on the conveyor 10. Advantageously, the conveying speed is pre-adjusted before the arrival of the first food item.

[0125] Actuator downstream of the sensor In the following figures, an embodiment of a food processing line according to the invention is shown schematically, in which a first process line station comprising an actuator is arranged upstream of a second process line station comprising a sensor.

[0126] 10a and 10b, a portion of a food processing line is shown that includes, in series, a food preparation station A for preparing pumpable food masses, a cold storage section B for cold storing the pumpable food masses, a pumping station C for pumping the pumpable food masses, and a forming station D for forming individual food products from the pumpable food masses.

[0127] In Figures 8a and 8b, food preparation station A includes a sensor As that measures the temperature of the pumpable food mass. In the embodiment of Figure 8b, food preparation station A further includes an actuator Aa for setting the temperature within food preparation station A. A food preparation station controller Ac is provided. The food preparation station controller is configured to control the temperature actuator Aa of food preparation station A based on data from the temperature sensors As of several process line stations A.

[0128] The cold store B has a sensor Bs for measuring the temperature of the pumpable food mass. In the embodiment of Figure 8b, the cold store B further has an actuator Ba for setting the temperature within the cold store B. There is further provided a cold store controller Bc configured to control the temperature actuator Ba of the cold store B based on data from the same cold store B temperature sensor Bs.

[0129] The pump station C has a sensor Cs for measuring the temperature of the pumpable food mass. In the embodiment of Figure 8b, the pump station C further includes an actuator Ca for setting the temperature within the pump station C. A pump station controller Cc is provided that is configured to control the temperature actuator Ca of the pump station C based on data from the temperature sensor Cs of the same pump station C.

[0130] Forming station D comprises actuators Da (e.g., actuators for setting the filling pressure), thermal actuators for setting the filling plate pressure, heating the hopper and / or the piping between the hopper and the forming device, pump speed, etc. In the embodiment of FIG. 8b, forming station D further comprises sensors Ds for measuring, for example, the temperature of the formed individual food products. Forming station D further comprises a forming station controller Dc. The forming station controller is configured to control, for example, the filling pressure of forming station D based on data regarding the temperature of the formed individual food products from the temperature sensor Ds of the same forming station D.

[0131] In accordance with the present invention, interstation control system IC10 is communicatively connected to actuator Da at forming station D, sensor As at the food preparation station, and / or sensor Bs at the cold storage section, and / or sensor Cs at the pump station to measure the temperature of the pumpable food mass. Interstation control system IC10 of the present invention is configured to control actuator Da at forming station D based on data from one or more of sensors As, Bs, and Cs at second process line stations A, B, and / or C. Advantageously, interstation control system IC10 is configured to control the fill pressure based on the temperature of the food mass at the food preparation station and / or cold storage section and / or pump station. For example, the lower the temperature of the pumpable food mass, the higher the fill pressure will be set.

[0132] In the configuration shown in Figure 8A, interstation control system IC10 is directly connected to actuator Da and one or more of sensors As, Bs, and / or Cs. It is also contemplated that interstation control system IC10* is connected to actuator Da via a molding station controller Dc, as shown in Figure 8b. Similarly, interstation control system I8 is connected to sensor As of food preparation station A via food preparation station controller Ac, cold storage controller Bc, and / or pump station controller Cc.

[0133] In embodiments not shown, dry coater actuators such as dry coater blow-off air temperature and / or blow-off speed are controlled based on the food temperature upon leaving the food preparation station and / or the food temperature upon leaving cold storage and / or the food temperature upon leaving the pump and / or the food temperature upon leaving the forming station.

[0134] In an alternative embodiment not shown, wet coating device actuators such as wet coating device outlet air temperature and / or outlet speed are controlled based on the food product temperature upon leaving the food preparation station and / or the food product temperature upon leaving cold storage and / or the food product temperature upon leaving the pump and / or the food product temperature upon leaving the forming station and / or the food product temperature upon leaving the dry coater.

[0135] In an alternative, not shown, embodiment, the fryer's actuators, such as oil temperature and / or oil circulation, are controlled based on the food temperature upon leaving the food preparation station and / or the food temperature upon leaving cold storage and / or the food temperature upon leaving the pump and / or the food temperature upon leaving the forming station and / or the food temperature upon leaving the dry coater and / or the food temperature upon leaving the wet coater.

[0136] In the embodiment shown in Figure 11, a portion of a food processing line is shown. The food processing line includes a food preparation station A, followed downstream by a pump station C, a forming station D, and a dry coater E. The dry coater E includes an actuator Ea for setting the speed at which the food is conveyed through the dry coater E. Upstream of the dry coater E is a food preparation station A. The food preparation station includes a sensor As for measuring the glucose content of the food mass.

[0137] An interstation control system IC11 according to the present invention is connected to the actuators Ea and sensors As and is configured to control the food conveying speed in the dry coater E based on the glucose content of the food mass at the food preparation station A. The pump station C and forming station D may also have associated actuators Ca, Da, sensors Cs and Ds, and associated pump station controllers Cs and forming station controllers Ds.

[0138] In the embodiment shown in Figure 12, a food processing line is shown having a food preparation station A followed downstream by a forming station D for forming individual food products and a fryer G. Other process line stations may be located between stations A, D, and G, although this is not necessarily the case.

[0139] The fryer G is equipped with an actuator Ga for setting the residence time of the individual food products in the fryer G. Upstream of the fryer G are a food preparation station A and a shaping station D, which are equipped with sensors As, Ds, respectively, for determining the color of the food mass at the food preparation station A and the color of the individual food products leaving the shaping station D.

[0140] An interstation control system IC12 according to the present invention is connected to the actuators Ga and sensors As and / or Ds and is configured to set the residence time in the fryer G based on the color of the food mass in the food preparation station A and / or the color of the individual food items exiting the forming station D.

[0141] Alternatively, a sensor As at the food preparation station determines the glucose content of the food as it leaves the preparation station. An interstation control system connected to the sensor As and the actuator Ga is advantageously configured to control the residence time within the fryer G based on the glucose content of the food as it leaves the preparation station A.

[0142] In the embodiment shown in Figure 13, a food processing line is shown. The food processing line includes a forming station D for forming individual food products, a wet coater F, and a fryer G. Although not required, other process line stations may be provided prior to and / or between stations D, F, and G.

[0143] The fryer G is equipped with an operating unit Ga for setting the residence time of each food item in the fryer G, and / or the fryer oil temperature, and / or the circulation speed within the fryer. A food product forming station D and a wet coating device F are provided upstream of the fryer G. The food product forming station D and / or the wet coating device F are each equipped with sensors Ds and Fs for determining the dimensions of the food items as they leave the forming station D, and a sensor Fs for measuring with a camera the wet coating coverage of each food item as it leaves the wet coating device.

[0144] The interstation control system IC13 according to the present invention is connected to the actuators Ga and sensors Ds and / or Fs and is configured to set the actuators Ga of the fryer G, such as the oil temperature of the fryer G and / or the residence time and / or oil circulation rate in the fryer G, based on the size of the food products as they leave the forming station D and / or based on the thickness of the wet coating of each individual food product as it leaves the wet coating device as determined by the camera.

[0145] In an embodiment not shown, an interstation control system IC is provided that is configured to control actuators of the fryer G, such as fryer oil temperature and / or residence time and / or oil circulation rate within the fryer, based on the weight and / or volume of the food product as it exits the wet coating device F.

[0146] In an embodiment not shown, an interstation control system IC is provided that is configured to control actuators of the fryer G, such as fryer oil temperature and / or residence time and / or oil circulation rate within the fryer, based on a color scan of the food item as it exits the preparation station A or refrigerated store B.

[0147] In an embodiment not shown, an interstation control system IC is provided that is configured to control actuators of the fryer G, such as fryer oil temperature and / or residence time and / or oil circulation rate in the fryer, based on the glucose content of the food product as it leaves the preparation station A.

[0148] In an embodiment not shown, an interstation control system IC is provided. Food temperature at or upon leaving food preparation station A, and / or the temperature of the food in or upon leaving cold storage section B, and / or the food temperature at or upon leaving pump C, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon leaving forming station D, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon exiting the dry coater E, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon exiting the wet coating unit F, and / or It is configured to control actuators in the cold storage section, such as residence time in and / or temperature in the cold storage section, based on the temperature of the food product in or upon exiting the fryer G.

[0149] In an embodiment not shown, an interstation control system IC is provided. the temperature of the food at or upon leaving food preparation station A, and / or the temperature of the food in or upon leaving cold storage section B, and / or the food temperature at or upon leaving pump C, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon leaving forming station D, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon exiting the dry coater E, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon exiting the wet coating unit F, and / or the temperature of the food in or upon exiting the fryer G, and / or The convection heating device H is configured to control cold store actuators, such as cold store residence time and / or cold store temperature, based on the food product temperature at or upon exiting the device.

[0150] In an embodiment not shown, an interstation control system IC is provided. the temperature of the food at or upon leaving food preparation station A, and / or the temperature of the food in or upon leaving cold storage section B, and / or the food temperature at or upon leaving pump C, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon leaving forming station D, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon exiting the dry coater E, and / or the temperature of the food product at or upon exiting the wet coating unit F, and / or the temperature of the food in or upon exiting the fryer G, and / or The convection heating device H is configured to control cold store actuators, such as cold store residence time and / or cold store temperature, based on the food product temperature at or upon exiting the device.

Claims

1. A food processing line for in-line processing of food, the food processing line comprising: A. a food loaf preparation station for preparing a pumpable food loaf; B. A cold storage section for cold storage of pumpable food mass; C. A pumping station for pumping the pumpable food mass; D. a forming station for forming individual food products from the pumpable food mass; E. A dry coater for dry coating individual food products; F. Wet coating equipment for wet coating individual food products; G. Fryers for frying individual foods; H. Heaters for subjecting individual foods to heat treatment; and I. A cold storage section for freezing individual food products; The food processing line comprises: a first process line station of the three process line stations, the first process line station including an actuator for performing a food product related operation; a second process line station of the three process line stations, the second process line station including a sensor for acquiring data related to the food product and / or the process line station; a third process line station of the three process line stations, the third process line station being located on the food processing line between the first process line station and the second process line station; 10. A food processing line comprising: an interstation control system communicatively connected to an actuator at the first process line station and a sensor at the second process line station, the interstation control system configured to control the actuator at the first process line station based on data from the sensor at the second process line station.

2. 2. The food processing line of claim 1, wherein the first process line station at which the actuator is controlled is located upstream of the second process line station with which the sensor is associated.

3. 2. The food processing line of claim 1, wherein the first process line station at which the actuator is controlled is downstream of the second process line station with which the sensor is associated.

4. the process line station one or more actuators for performing an operation related to the food product; and / or one or more sensors that acquire data related to the food product and / or the process line station; and In some cases, 4. The food processing line of claim 1, further comprising a station controller communicatively connected to actuators and sensors of a same process line station and configured to control the actuators of the same process line station based on data from the sensors of the same process line station.

5. 5. The food processing line of claim 1, wherein the inter-station control system is communicatively connected to at least two station controllers of different process line stations to form a master control system.

6. 6. The food processing line of claim 4 or 5, wherein the inter-station control system is communicatively connected to actuators and / or sensors of one process line station via the controller of the same process line station.

7. The interstation control system controlling an actuator of the first process line station; 7. A food processing line according to any one of claims 1 to 6, configured to control actuators of further process line stations based on data from sensors of the second process line station.

8. 8. The food processing line of claim 1, wherein the interstation control system is configured to control actuators of the first process line station based on data from sensors of the second process line station, and to control sensors of the second process line station based on data from sensors of the further process line station.

9. the interstation control system is configured to acquire and store in memory a collection of data from the sensors; 9. The food processing line of claim 1, wherein an actuator of a first process line station is controlled based on analysis of the data set.

10. one or more processors; and a memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing program instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, determine data from at least the second process line station and provide instructions to an actuator of the first process line station based thereon.

11. 11. A method for processing food in a food processing line according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: operating a sensor at the second process line station to obtain data; communicating data from the sensors to the interstation control system; The method includes controlling an actuator of the first process line station based on data from a sensor of the second process line station.

12. 11. A computer-implemented method for processing food in a food processing line according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a computing system including one or more processors, preferably microprocessors, The method further comprises: operating a sensor at the second process line station to acquire data; communicating data from the sensors to the interstation control system; 10. A computer-implemented method for processing food in a food processing line, comprising: executing computer readable program code for: controlling an actuator of the first process line station based on data from a sensor of the second process line station.

13. A computer program or group of computer programs comprising at least one computer readable code portion or a computer program product storing at least one computer readable code portion, characterized in that the computer readable code portion is configured to perform the method according to claim 12 when executed on a computer system.

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