Method for introducing blocks of food into a food processing system, and processing line or device for carrying out such a method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for feeding incoming material (1) in the form of packaged food blocks (2) into a food processing system. Typically, frozen food blocks (2) are delivered in waxed incoming material packaging (3). During unpacking, residues may remain on the unpacked food blocks (2). For quality control, the invention uses scanning devices (6) that, after the incoming material packaging (3) has been removed, check the packaging (3) for integrity and only allow the unpackaged food block (2) to proceed to further processing if the result is positive. Fig. 2

Description

[0001] Method for introducing food blocks into a food processing and processing line or device for carrying out such a method

[0002] The invention relates to a method for introducing food blocks into a food processing plant according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a processing plant or a device for carrying out such a method.

[0003] The generic method is particularly characterized by the delivery of packaged, frozen food blocks to a processing line. These food blocks are typically wrapped in waxed paper or cardboard, with the wax layer intended to prevent packaging material used for incoming goods from adhering to the food block, for example, due to freezing. Incoming goods packaging typically serves as transport packaging and also to protect and maintain the shelf life of the product.

[0004] Typical food blocks used in this generic process are, for example, cubic or cuboid-shaped and weigh between 5 kg and 10 kg, preferably 7.5 kg. They are deep-frozen to a temperature below -15°C, preferably below -20°C, and are sometimes processed frozen after unpacking. When reference is made to a food block in the claims of this description, this also refers to a combination of several individual blocks into a cluster combined in a common incoming goods package.

[0005] After delivery, the food block is first unpacked manually or automatically. It is then often checked for any remaining packaging material by the personnel operating the processing line and performing incoming goods inspection. This manual inspection, if performed at all, is usually performed randomly and is subject to a certain degree of error, even with a complete inspection of all incoming goods.

[0006] However, packaging residues cause significant problems during the subsequent processing of the food block and, in the worst case, can even lead to the recall of an entire batch of finished products if it cannot be ruled out that individual products contain packaging residues.

[0007] It is known from the prior art to also perform automated inspections of unpacked incoming goods for quality assurance purposes. WO 2018 / 236 844 A1 describes a method in which the incoming goods are observed and automatically visually inspected. A similar method is known from EP 3 801 934 B1.

[0008] Optical detection devices for optical image processing are described in EP 3 895 541 B1. However, no quality assurance measures are implemented with these devices.

[0009] US 2019 147 576 A1 discloses a method in the field of block packaging that enables the automatic inspection of packaging material blanks as a packaging blank and ensures that each individual blank meets quality standards before processing. For this purpose, the blank, from which a carton is unfolded, for example, is first compared with a master image and, if necessary, sorted out if the error deviation is too large. By using scanned images of the blank and comparing them with previously created reference images, the system used can quickly detect errors or inconsistencies in the blanks based on their specific positions, leading to more precise quality control.

[0010] US 2013 177 233 A1 also discloses a method for quality control of blanks prior to packaging of goods. Here, a reference file is created from the data for generating the printed image and the embossed and / or punching pattern. This reference file is divided into relevant and irrelevant sectors, and the relevant sectors of the produced blank are then compared with the expected images. In the aforementioned methods, however, quality control extends to the inspection of the incoming goods from which cartons or other packaging are made.

[0011] The object of the invention is to subject incoming goods to a quality control that is as simple as possible, yet reliable, so that the risk of packaging residues entering the processing process along with the food block is eliminated as far as possible, or at least reduced. A further object of the invention is to provide a processing plant or device with which the method according to the invention can be carried out.

[0012] The object with regard to the method is achieved according to the invention by a method according to claim 1. With regard to the processing plant or the device, the object is achieved by a processing plant or device according to claim 15.

[0013] The new method is particularly characterized by the fact that, after the incoming goods packaging has been removed, a quality control check is carried out using scanning equipment and electronic data analysis. This quality control check comprises the optical scanning of the incoming goods packaging after it has been removed from the frozen food block using the scanning equipment and a comparison of the result of the optical scanning with at least one target image and / or target value of pixels. For ease of reading, the terms "images" are used in the claims of this description. This includes all digital equivalents of a visually recognizable image of the incoming goods packaging; the only essential requirement is that the stored data and the recorded data are suitable for a target-actual comparison. Thus, "image" also includes pixel data that is compared with the target data as a whole or line by line.

[0014] A preferred application is a method for providing deep-frozen, unpacked food blocks, wherein this method initially comprises the production of deep-frozen, packaged food blocks, after an optional storage step, unpacking, and then optionally introducing them into a processing line under quality assurance by avoiding packaging residues on or in the food block. In one possible application, which is regarded as an inventive supplement to the method described here for introducing food blocks into a food processing plant, for example, the incoming goods packaging in the form of a carton that can be unfolded from a blank is inserted into a filling frame provided for this purpose with the lid open after the base carton has been unfolded.Next, unfrozen food, such as freshly caught, deboned, and filleted fish, is placed inside the carton, the carton is closed, and then frozen. During the process, pressure is typically applied using a press to create the most regular cuboid possible. Freezing can occur simultaneously with the pressing pressure or immediately after pressing, maintaining the same pressure. All steps can be automated.

[0015] After the closed carton has been deep-frozen, the food can optionally be stored and prepared for further processing. Packing into incoming goods packaging can, for example, take place immediately after the fish is caught on the ship, where the goods are also frozen. This can be done, for example, using plate freezers. For further processing, in an example application, the food block can be divided, for example, sawn, and then formed using a pressing process or thawed and processed in another way. In the case of fish products, fish fingers or other fish blocks can also be produced using sawing processes.

[0016] While the application of the method to fresh fish is part of the present invention, it is to be understood merely as an example. Of course, meat products, suitable food preparations, and mixtures can also be combined into blocks in this way. The light method according to the invention is part of this manufacturing process and serves as quality assurance to prevent cardboard residues from the incoming goods packaging from adhering to the product or being enclosed in the product when the unpacked product is sent for further processing.

[0017] In particular, when filling the folded carton of the incoming goods packaging with a product that is not yet frozen, the problem can arise that the flaps of the side walls of the folded carton do not fit completely against the adjacent side walls, so that they protrude into the food that is not yet frozen.

[0018] Such an effect can occur particularly when the not-yet-frozen food is pressed into the incoming goods packaging. In this case, however, a piece of the cardboard is encapsulated in the food block and may tear off when the food block is unpacked. This tear is barely visible from the outside, as the largest piece is located within the food block. In addition, freezing burn effects occur due to condensed humidity, which can further visually conceal the break point. The detection of this quality problem is made significantly easier by the quality control method according to the invention.

[0019] According to the invention, the core step does not check the unpacked incoming goods, but rather the empty incoming goods packaging after removal from the food block for integrity and completeness. Cracks or other damage that obviously do not indicate that remnants of the incoming goods packaging remain on the food can usually be ignored. If, however, entire pieces of the incoming goods packaging are missing, it is likely that these remain as packaging residues adhering to the food block, and there is a risk that this packaging residue will enter the processing process.

[0020] Furthermore, it is possible that surface areas, for example parts of the waxed inner layer, have detached as surface residue and although the packaging appears to be generally intact from the outside, parts of this inner layer are stuck to the frozen food block.

[0021] In a preferred and easily implemented step, the invention evaluates the image of the incoming goods packaging captured by scanning devices after the incoming goods packaging has been removed from the food block. In contrast to observing and inspecting the food block as it is introduced into the processing line, this evaluation can be performed comparatively easily and cost-effectively within a continuous process. The scanning devices capture the appearance of all surfaces that have come into contact with the food block.

[0022] An inspection of the exterior packaging that does not come into contact with the food can also be optionally performed to prevent any residues from the exterior that could potentially have entered the production process, if the design of the processing facility allows this. Inspecting the incoming goods packaging has the additional advantage of also detecting external damage to the incoming goods packaging that could lead to contamination or other quality impacts, rather than having to be searched for separately.

[0023] A data evaluation contains a target image or other data suitable for a target / actual comparison, for example in the form of a pixel threshold. This data is referred to collectively as the “target image” below, although this does not necessarily have to be an image of the incoming goods packaging. The target image corresponds to the image or the pixel equivalent of an image that should be captured when the incoming goods packaging is intact. The data evaluation carries out the target / actual comparison by comparing this target image with the result of the optical capture using the scanning equipment. If no deviations are found between the result of the optical capture and the target image, this is classified as “non-critical” and the unpacked food block is released for further processing.

[0024] However, if deviations are detected between the optical scanning result and the target image, the result is classified as "critical," and the food block is preferentially removed from the continuous feed for the processing line and subjected to more detailed inspection as part of an additional check. A critical result can mean that packaging residue is adhering to the frozen food block. However, this is not necessarily the case. Such defects can also have occurred due to the initial use of damaged incoming goods packaging during packing, or due to dropped pieces that were torn off the incoming goods packaging during unpacking but did not adhere to the food block.

[0025] To distinguish food blocks that actually contain parts of the incoming product packaging, such as packaging residue or surface tears, from non-critical food blocks, the rejected food block is subjected to an additional, as thorough an inspection as possible. Since there is a certain amount of advance warning, a more extensive manual inspection can be performed by staff. Alternatively or additionally, an additional, more intensive automated inspection can of course be performed using image capture devices. Ultimately, this depends on how well the optical capture devices can distinguish the surface of the food block from the remnants of the incoming product packaging.

[0026] By examining the incoming goods packaging after unpacking, it is possible to determine what damage this unfolded incoming goods packaging has. This makes it easier to inspect the unpacked food blocks. One problem can arise from tabs on the side walls of the folded cartons becoming frozen into the food block during deep freezing and tearing off during subsequent unpacking. In this case, only the narrow side of the torn cardboard strip is visible on the food block, which may also be covered with freezer burn. However, since the inspection of the unfolded incoming goods packaging according to the invention now shows where to look for what, the contamination can be found and removed much more quickly and easily.

[0027] If remnants of incoming goods packaging are found on the food block during the additional inspection, these can also be optically recorded. The data evaluation can include software tools capable of overlaying these detected remnants with the optical image results, then using the combined image to perform a new target-actual comparison with the target image. The result may then be that the affected food block is classified as non-critical. If parts are still missing, the food block is either completely inspected manually or processed in another way.

[0028] In addition to simply examining the incoming goods packaging after unpacking the food block, further measures can be taken to optimize quality assurance. Firstly, optical capture via the scanning devices and the quality of the evaluation of the results can be improved by implementing suitable measures to improve the detectability of the inner layer of the incoming goods packaging. For example, it is possible to provide the inner layer of the incoming goods packaging, which will usually be the waxed layer, with an additional color that can be detected using suitable means. These can be pure contrast colors or colors with special effects. For example, there are so-called infrared colors that can only be detected by infrared cameras after irradiation with infrared light.

[0029] For example, if the inner layer of incoming goods packaging is made of a plastic or paper layer and is printed or coated with an infrared ink, an infrared camera can particularly easily detect holes in the expected, uniform appearance after scanning the surfaces. Conversely, there are also colors that become partially transparent or completely invisible under infrared light. These colors can also be used to perform a target-actual comparison with increased reliability.

[0030] Finally, it is possible, alternatively or additionally to increase quality, to inspect the frozen food block after removing the incoming goods packaging using the scanning equipment and to compare the result of the optical capture with at least one target image. Here, too, the target image is stored in the data evaluation so that any differences can be identified. The appearance of the food block, which usually has a very specific appearance under UV light, for example, will change significantly when using incoming goods packaging printed or coated with UV-sensitive materials. This means that such film residues can be detected particularly easily and reliably, particularly using the measures described above using UV-dependent printing inks or coatings and by examining the areas with an infrared camera.In each case, the electronic target-actual comparison of the optical capture result with the target image is used to evaluate the data, classifying it as "critical" or "non-critical." In the case of a non-critical assessment, the food block is sent for processing, and the incoming goods packaging is recycled or disposed of.

[0031] If, however, the result is classified as critical, additional quality control is activated, and the affected food block undergoes special inspection. This requires, of course, that a clear association between the food block and the previous incoming goods packaging from which it has since been unpacked is possible. This association can be achieved in a variety of ways. For example, in a particularly simple case, after the food blocks have been separated from the incoming goods packaging, the order of the food blocks lying on conveyor belts is monitored, thus enabling an association.

[0032] Alternatively, the incoming goods packaging can also contain an indicator or be provided with an indicator before, during, or after unpacking that is clearly assigned to a food block. This assignment can be made, for example, via a corresponding indicator that can be attached to the food block or a workpiece carrier on which the food block is located after unpacking. This method is particularly suitable if quality control is not carried out immediately after the incoming goods packaging has been removed, but at a later time.

[0033] The method according to the invention is preferably used in the field of industrial production. In this case, a plurality of food blocks are unpacked one after the other, with the unpacked food blocks and the removed incoming goods packaging then being separated from one another. In addition to manual logistics, a more complex solution could include, for example, separate conveyor belts via which the food blocks and incoming goods packaging can be removed separately. The conveyor belt removing the incoming goods packaging then feeds the incoming goods packaging to the scanning devices or guides the incoming goods packaging through the scanning devices. Of course, the handling and logistical management of the food blocks and the incoming goods packaging is not decisive for the present invention; all other possible solutions are also conceivable.

[0034] In a particularly simple case, the scanning devices can be line scanners or flatbed scanners capable of scanning the passing incoming goods packaging in such a way that the relevant areas are captured. Relevant areas are, in particular, those areas that have been in contact with one side of the food block.

[0035] The use of the scanners mentioned above has the advantage that the incoming goods packaging can be folded or unfolded flat after unpacking. This is helpful because flat incoming goods packaging, as a layer of film or paper, can be more easily scanned or traced. Depending on the design of the incoming goods packaging, the scanners can scan or trace the incoming goods packaging on one relevant side or on both sides. As an alternative to line or flatbed scanners, other optical capture devices, in particular photo or video cameras or infrared cameras, can also be used. Ultimately, all that is required is that the capture devices can capture an image of the relevant areas that is suitable for the target-actual comparison in data analysis.

[0036] If a critical comparison result is determined, the food block can be released, as described above, after an additional check, including a manual inspection by staff. An alternative is to automatically cut off the area that led to the critical result as a layer in the layer. The scanning equipment has detected damage on the surface of the incoming goods packaging. This damage can be clearly assigned to one side of the food block if the relative position between the food block and the incoming goods packaging is still stored, allowing the data analysis to identify the side to which parts of the incoming goods packaging may be adhered.Once the critical side has been identified, the affected food block can be transferred to a cutting station or other processing station without human intervention, so that a layer is automatically removed, specifically cut off. This removal also removes the remaining adhering packaging. The removed material can be further processed, for example, after inspection by personnel, transferred to another processing station.

[0037] If defined pieces of a specific target weight and desired geometry are to be produced from the food block, it is recommended to take this requirement into account when trimming the edge area affected by the critical result. For example, if the food block is divided into whole-number multiples of a single block, the trimmed edge area can be chosen to be large enough that the remaining food block can be divided into such whole-number multiples without creating any residue. This also allows the desired geometry of the final result to be taken into account.

[0038] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings.

[0039] In the drawings shows:

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an overview of the essential process steps of the process according to the invention,

[0041] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the process steps from the overview according to Figure 1,

[0042] Fig. 3 is a schematic representation of the reading of the marking of the incoming goods packaging and the marking of the workpiece carrier for connection in the database,

[0043] Fig. 4 the scanning of a marking applied to an inner layer and

[0044] Fig. 5 a multi-layer design of the incoming goods packaging with lower barrier layer.

[0045] Figure 1 depicts the essential process steps of the new process in the form of a block diagram. First, a plurality of frozen, packaged food blocks 2 are delivered to the processing line as input goods 1. These are unpacked on-site, with this unpacking typically performed mechanically. This is followed, preferably, by a quality control inspection of the input goods 1.

[0046] If necessary for the subsequent process, the packaging material of the incoming goods packaging 3 and the food block 2 can be marked or otherwise identified with at least one marking 8 after unpacking. Markings 8 can, for example, be transponders known from manufacturing technology. All other markings 8 that allow the subsequent assignment of an incoming goods packaging 3 to a food block 2 previously packaged in it are also possible.

[0047] Subsequently, an automated, visual inspection of the packaging material of the incoming goods packaging 3 is carried out using a scanning device comprising scanning means 6. This can be a flatbed scanner to which the unfolded material of the incoming goods packaging 3 is fed. The scanning means 6 captures an image of the incoming goods packaging 3 as a result. This image is then fed to the data evaluation unit 7, which, as a data processing system, has programming means capable of performing a target-actual comparison using known target images. These target images are preferably stored in the data evaluation unit 7. Alternatively, a comparison can also be made with the incoming goods packaging that was separated from previously introduced food blocks 2. In this way, the data evaluation unit 7 can also be designed to be adaptive, so that it is not necessary to store the target images in a database.

[0048] If the first food block 2 is already contaminated with remnants of the incoming goods packaging 3, this will be noticed when scanning the incoming goods packaging 3 of the second and, if applicable, third food block 2. In this case, it is expedient to assign the incoming goods packaging 3 to the specific food block 2 and to scan at least two further food blocks 2 before further processing the scanned food block 2 in order to generate a reference image as a target image in good time and to temporarily store it in the memory of the data evaluation 7. If, during the evaluation of the target-actual comparison by the data evaluation 7, it turns out that the incoming goods packaging 3 is intact, i.e., no remnants of the incoming goods packaging 3 can adhere to the food block 2, the food block 2 is forwarded for further processing.This further processing may involve dividing the food block 2 into individual portions by punching, sawing, or other means. The individual portions can then be further processed in any desired manner, for example, by breading, frying, baking, or cooking, embossing in compression molds, or any other known means. Further processing of the complete, undivided food block 2 is also possible.

[0049] However, if the target-actual comparison reveals that the result of the optical scanning is "critical" because there is a (too large) difference between the target image and the optical scanning result, the affected food block 2 is initially considered contaminated and removed from further processing. A manual or automated inspection of the affected food block 2, which belongs to the incoming goods packaging 3 identified as critical, can then be performed. This result may indicate that the food block 2 is safe; in this case, it is returned for further processing.

[0050] If, however, it turns out that residues are adhering to the affected food block 2, manual cleaning can be performed so that it can then be forwarded for further processing. Alternatively, a layer identified as a critical layer 15 can be removed, or the food block 2 can be put to a completely different use.

[0051] Figure 2 shows the steps described above in a schematic view. The incoming goods 1 in the form of a packaged food block 2 is delivered deep-frozen at a temperature of less than -15 °C. First, the incoming goods packaging 3 of the cubic food block 2 here is unfolded and the thus exposed food block 2 is removed from the incoming goods packaging 3. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the incoming goods packaging 3 has, for example, two areas of damage. Firstly, there is a defect 4 caused by the entire material of the incoming goods packaging 3 being torn off. At another location, however, only the inner layer of the waxed layer is damaged as a defect 5 due to partial detachment of this layer. The two areas of damage, namely the defect 5 caused by detachment and the defect 4 caused by tearing off, are recorded by optical detection means, here schematically represented as a camera, scanning means 6.For this purpose, the disassembled, spread-out carton of the incoming goods packaging 3 is completely scanned and the resulting image is compared with the target image stored in a data evaluation 7.

[0052] The above comparison now shows that there must be adhesions on the food block 2 that correspond to the damage to the incoming goods packaging 3. In the example shown, these are the packaging residue 4', which resulted from the tearing off of the defect 4, and the surface residue 5', which resulted from the defect 5 when the waxed inner layer of the incoming goods packaging 3 was removed. The data evaluation 7 has thus determined, by examining the image of the incoming goods packaging 3, that the incoming goods 1 of the food production is contaminated by residues of the incoming goods packaging 3, and can automatically ensure that the affected food block 2 is subjected to manual inspection or other processing before further processing.

[0053] The logistical tasks associated with implementing the method, which is schematically illustrated in Figure 2 as an example, can be performed by conventional manufacturing equipment. For example, two conveyor belts serving as conveying devices 12 can feed the frozen and packaged food blocks 2 into the processing plant as incoming goods 1. Automated unpacking means or personnel workstations known from the prior art can open the incoming goods packaging 3 and place the unpacked food block 2 on the one hand and the unfolded incoming goods packaging 3 on the other hand onto separate conveyor belts or transfer them to them.Figure 2 schematically shows the discharged food block 2 being fed to a processing station in the form of a saw 16, where the side area classified as a critical layer 15 due to the adhesion of the residue of the incoming goods packaging 3 is sawn off. This is an example of processing; of course, other measures can also be taken to remove the contamination.

[0054] The incoming goods packaging 3 is fed manually or automatically to the optical detection means. The manner in which this occurs will depend on the intended use, the quantity of product to be processed, and other factors. The feeding can, for example, take place via the conveyor belt for the incoming goods packaging 3, without the invention being limited thereto. This conveyor belt can, for example, comprise or run through camera means or scanning means 6, so that an automatic scanning of the relevant surfaces that have come into contact with the food block 2 can take place. The conveyor belts are controlled by programs stored in the data evaluation unit 7 or a separate control system.This may also be used to control necessary transfer stations or other means for transferring, for example, the food block 2 to another means of transport or for placing the unfolded incoming goods packaging 3 on top.

[0055] The allocation of the food blocks 2 to the now separated, separated incoming goods packaging 3 can be handled automatically by the data evaluation system 7 using optical markings, workpiece carriers, or by recording the sequence of the parts lying on the respective conveyor belts, so that even after the incoming goods packaging 3 has been separated from the food block 2, a clear identification of the food block 2 assigned to a damaged incoming goods packaging 3 is possible. These measures are known from industrial mass production.

[0056] Figure 3 schematically illustrates the assignment of the incoming goods packaging 3 to the unpacked food block 2 after unpacking. The unfolded incoming goods packaging 3 is shown on the left. In this case, it has two markings 8, which allow it to remain individually identifiable after evaluation of the optical scanning. The two markings 8 are formed here by a QR code (shown above) and a barcode (shown below). However, this is merely an exemplary embodiment; two markings 8 are usually not necessary.

[0057] After unpacking, the unpacked food block 2 was placed on a workpiece carrier 11. This is fed to the processing via the conveyor device 12 in the feed direction V. The workpiece carrier 11 has a marking 10, here also as a QR code. Using the marking 8 and the marking 10, the assignment can be clearly established in data processing even after the incoming goods packaging 3 has been separated from the food block 2. If, during subsequent inspection and evaluation of the comparison with the expected image, it becomes apparent that the incoming goods packaging 3 is incomplete or damaged, the affected food block 2 can be identified in a later processing step using the marking 8 and the associated marking 10 and removed from further processing.

[0058] In one possible embodiment, immediately after unpacking the food block 2 and placing the unpacked food block 2 on the workpiece carrier 11, the respective code, i.e., the marking 8 and the label 10, is scanned and stored in the data processing system so that the assignment is saved. At the same time, the incoming goods packaging 3 can also contain further information, for example, about the type of food, the date of production or freezing, or even the country from which the food originates. Through the assignment to the identifier 10, this information can also be retained during further processing and assigned to the subsequent end product.

[0059] Figure 4 shows an individual view of the unfolded incoming goods packaging 3. This is multi-layered here and has an inner layer 9, on which, shown here in section, the marking 8 is arranged. This marking 8 becomes visible when the incoming goods packaging 3 is irradiated with ultraviolet light 13. Figure 5, in turn, shows the area of ​​the marking 8 in a further enlarged view, wherein in this part of the incoming goods packaging 3 it can be seen that the lower layer of the multi-layer incoming goods packaging 3 is designed as a barrier layer 14. This barrier layer can be formed from a suitable film material or also be a waxed paper, in which case a food-safe wax is used, which does not impart any taste-altering or even toxic substances to the food block.

[0060] 2.

[0061] In summary, the invention can firstly ensure that no residues of the incoming goods packaging 3 adhere to the product, or that such food blocks to which residues adhere can be safely removed from production after they have been identified. This avoids the need to recall larger batches. In particular, if the subsequent end product or its packaging is also given an additional marking, which in turn is linked to the marking 10 in a database, products can be clearly assigned to an incoming goods 1 and also to an incoming goods packaging.

[0062] 3. In addition to the assignment of the properties of the incoming goods 1 to the final product, a product that may be contaminated by packaging residues can also be precisely identified.

[0063] List of reference symbols:

[0064] 1 incoming goods

[0065] 2 food blocks

[0066] 3 Incoming goods packaging

[0067] 4 Defect due to tear

[0068] 4' packaging tear-off

[0069] 5 Defect caused by detachment of a surface layer

[0070] 5' surface residue

[0071] 6 scanning devices

[0072] 7 Data analysis

[0073] 8 Marking

[0074] 9 Inner layer

[0075] 10 Marking of the food block or workpiece carrier

[0076] 11 workpiece carriers

[0077] 12 Conveyor device

[0078] 13 Ultraviolet light (UV light)

[0079] 14 Barrier layer

[0080] 15 Critical situation

[0081] 16 saw

[0082] V feed direction

Claims

Patent claims:

1. A method for introducing incoming goods (1) in the form of packaged food blocks (2) into a food processing plant in which the food blocks (2) are further processed as food, wherein deep-frozen food blocks (2) packaged in an incoming goods packaging (3) are fed to the process as an input product and the deep-frozen food blocks (2) are unpacked by removing the incoming goods packaging (3) and subsequently processed further, wherein after the incoming goods packaging (3) has been removed, a quality control is carried out via scanning means (6) and an electronic data evaluation (7), characterized in that the quality control comprises the optical detection of the incoming goods packaging (3) after removal from the deep-frozen food block (2) by means of the scanning means (6) and a comparison of the result of the optical detection with at least one, from an image or other,for a target-actual comparison, suitable data, in particular in the form of a pixel threshold as a target value of pixels, formed target image, which corresponds to the data of an undamaged, complete incoming goods packaging (3), wherein as a result of the comparison via the data evaluation (7), the correspondence of the result of the optical detection with the target image is assessed as non-critical and a deviation therefrom as critical, and the food block (2) is passed on for further processing if the result is non-critical and is passed on to an additional control to check for possible residues of the incoming goods packaging (3) if the result is critical.

2. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to claim 1, characterized in that the quality control additionally comprises the optical detection of the deep-frozen food block (2) after removal of the incoming goods packaging (3) by means of the scanning means (6) and a comparison of the result of the optical detection with at least one target image which corresponds to the image of a food block (2) without packaging residues (4') or surface residues (5') of the incoming goods packaging (3), 3. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the incoming goods packaging (3) contains a marking (8) which can be detected by the scanning means (6), in particular by illuminating the incoming goods packaging (3) after removal from the food block (2) or by illuminating the food block (2) after removal of the incoming goods packaging (3), and by means of a light of a defined wavelength, in particular ultraviolet light (13).

4. Method for introducing food blocks (2) in the Food processing according to claim 3, characterized in that the incoming goods packaging (2) is constructed in several layers, wherein as a security feature an inner layer (9) from the perspective of the packaged food block (2) is provided with a coating, an insert behind an at least partially transparent cover or a print, which changes its appearance when irradiated with ultraviolet light (13), becoming transparent, invisible or visible and the data evaluation (7) uses the detection of the security feature to assess the comparison.

5. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incoming goods packaging (3) and the still-packed food block (2) to be unpacked or the already unpacked food block (2) are provided with a unique marking (10) directly or indirectly via an associated workpiece carrier (11) and / or via the detection of the sequence of the food blocks (2) flowing out of the packing station and the empty incoming goods packaging (3) flowing out, subsequently the affiliation of a Incoming goods packaging to a specific food block (2) and the identification of the food block (2) concerned is made possible.

6. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a paper, cardboard or film packaging provided with a barrier layer (14), in particular in the form of packaging made of waxed paper or cardboard, is used as the incoming goods packaging (3).

7. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that cubic or cuboid-shaped food blocks (2) are used, wherein, when a critical result is detected, the possible position of a residue of the incoming goods packaging (3) possibly adhering to the food block (2), in particular in the form of a surface residue (5') or a packaging tear (4'), is extracted from the result of the optical detection and the comparison with the target image, and the side of the food block (2) on which the position is located is defined and / or marked as the critical side.

8. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a critical layer (15) is cut off from the critical side, wherein the cut-off critical layer (15) is disposed of or subjected to additional inspection with the aim of further processing the cut-off food material.

9. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the weight of the cut-off critical layer (15) is determined by means of an optical detection and evaluation or by means of a scale and is taken into account in the further processing of the food block (2) into food portions with a required unit weight or that the thickness of the section in the form of the critical layer (15) is it is determined that the food block (2) can be divided into integer multiples of the unit weight during subsequent processing, if necessary with a required geometry.

10. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after a critical result has been detected, the food block in question (2) is checked manually or via optical detection means for any remaining residues of the incoming goods packaging (3) as part of the additional check, any residues found being removed and optically detected and compared with the target image in order to determine whether the differences which occurred when comparing the result of the optical detection via the scanning means (6) with the target image have been compensated for by adding the detected residues of the incoming goods packaging (3), wherein if the difference is compensated for, the result of the comparison is set to non-critical and the food block (2) is fed to further food processing.

11. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scanning means (6) are formed by at least one flatbed scanner or other devices and apparatus for generating an at least two-dimensional image, which is preferably capable of scanning the front and back of the incoming goods packaging (3) folded into a flat layer after removal from the food block (2), wherein for this purpose the incoming goods packaging (3) is folded in such a way that all surfaces which have been in contact with the food block (2) are arranged on the underside and / or the top side and the scanning means (6) are designed in such a way that they are capable of detecting these surfaces.

12. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the scanning means (6) comprise a camera, an infrared camera or other optical image capture means.

13. Method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the incoming goods packaging (3) has an inner layer, in particular a waxed layer, and an outer layer, wherein the inner layer has a different color than the outer layer for better detectability via the scanning means (6).

14. A method for introducing food blocks (2) into a food processing plant according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that blocks of meat, game, fish, vegetables, protein-containing meat substitutes, or mixtures thereof are used as food blocks (2).

15. Processing line or device for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the processing line or device comprises: • a feed system for incoming goods (1) in the form of deep-frozen, packaged food blocks (2) to an unpacking station, in which the packaged food blocks (2) are separated manually or mechanically from an incoming goods package (3), • a scanning device with scanning means (6) for optically detecting at least the surfaces of the incoming goods packaging (3) that were in contact with the deep-frozen, packaged food block (2), • a data evaluation (7) connected to the scanning device in the form of a data processing system for carrying out a target-actual comparison, in the context of which the data evaluation (7) is able to determine, via program means, a difference between a stored target image or a target image determined by evaluating the optically recorded appearance of the previous optical recording by the scanning device with the result of the optical recording recorded by the scanning device and • a device for discharging food blocks (2), the incoming goods packaging (3) of which is used as part of the target-actual comparison as classified as critical, from the processing line or device.