A food processing apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for processing food objects where the food objects are exchange between a releasing and a receiving surface through the air. To collect liquid and debris and prevent contamination in a gap between the releasing and the receiving surface, the apparatus comprises at least one collecting conveyor with a movable endless belt arranged such that it receives splashes of liquid or debris and moves the received splashes away from the gap.

Description

[0001] A FOOD PROCESSING APPARATUS

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing food objects. The apparatus comprises a releasing surface and a receiving surface located at a distance to define a gap. The releasing surface is configured for launching the food object in a launch direction into the gap and the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is common to use various sensors in machinery for automatic food processing. Such sensors include lasers, water sensors, and optical imaging devices such as cameras. If such sensors are contaminated e.g. with debris which could arise from protein particles etc., or with fluids which could be water from the processing, or with blood and stain from the food object etc., it may reduce the ability of the sensor to function correctly.

[0006] If the sensor is a camera, the contaminants may influence the quality of the image and it may require frequent cleaning of a camera screen. Particularly when food objects are exchanged between different surfaces, there is a risk of splashing and contamination of the surroundings.

[0007] Current food processing machinery deals with contaminants in various ways. Particularly when using optical imaging devices such as cameras and laser scanners etc., it is often necessary to use wiper blades or similar structures known e.g. from a car or boat windscreen. Disadvantages include that the blade will intrude the sight of the camera and eventually wear down or become dirty and therefore ineffective.

[0008] In some machines, the product is handled at a distance from the sensor. While this can reduce the spray of water and debris onto the sensor, it also increases the size of the machine and typically requires an increased conveyor length. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of embodiments of the disclosure to improve handling of spray of water and debris in a food processing apparatus and particularly to improve the conditions for using sensors, and particularly for using optical imaging devices such as cameras in food processing.

[0010] For these and other objects, the disclosure, in a first aspect provides a food processing apparatus as mentioned in the introduction and comprising at least one collecting conveyor with a movable endless belt arranged to receive splashes of liquid or debris and to move the received liquid and debris away from the gap.

[0011] Since the collection conveyor has a movable belt on which the contaminants are moved away from the gap, the collection conveyor acts as an active drip-pan, or a splashguard facilitating a controlled transport of the contaminants and allows collection thereof at a predetermined location. Accordingly, the disclosure provides a new way of protecting the environment from contaminants by collecting splashes on a conveyor belt transporting the contaminants away from the gap.

[0012] The apparatus may form part of a food processing apparatus comprising one or more processing stations, e.g. for filleting, trimming, weighing, batching, packing, or otherwise handling food products such as fish, chicken, meat, or fruit etc.

[0013] The gap could have a variable size. This may be provided e.g. by one or both of the releasing and receiving surfaces being movable towards or away from the other one of the releasing and the receiving surfaces.

[0014] The launch direction could be determined e.g. by an angle of the releasing surface, e.g. relative to horizontal, or it could be determined by a speed of the movement of the food object when it is released from the releasing surface. Both the angle and / or the speed could be variable settings of the apparatus, and the apparatus may include a control structure for defining and setting these variables. The apparatus may, e.g. include a trajectory planner configured to determine the launch direction based on a desired way of exchanging the food objects and to control the variables based on the desired trajectory.

[0015] The collecting conveyor could be located anywhere near, in, or at the gap, sufficiently close to allow splashes from the food object to be received by the belt. The collecting conveyor is arranged to move the splashes away from the gap which means that the contamination of the surroundings can be reduced. However, this disclosure is not limited to a complete collection of all splashes on the at least one collecting conveyor, the disclosure includes that just a subset of splashes is collected on the collecting conveyor, and it includes that only splashes ejected in a certain direction from the food object, or from the releasing surface or from the receiving surface.

[0016] The collecting conveyor may be arranged to convey the received splashes either sideways away from the gap or downwards away from the gap. That reduces the amount of dripping from the collecting conveyor as compared to a conveyor leading the splashes upwards against gravity.

[0017] The at least one collecting conveyor may comprise a drip-pan conveyor extending below the releasing surface. The drip-pan conveyor is a conveyor having a function which could be compared to a drip-pan for the releasing surface, i.e. liquid or debris dripping from the releasing surface or from the food objects on the releasing surface or food objects just having been released from the releasing surface can drip onto the drip-pan conveyor where it is conveyed away from the gap.

[0018] The drip-pan conveyor belt may extend between a head end and a tail end. The head end may be defined by a head pulley and the tail end may be defined by a tail pulley around which pulleys the belt is circulated. The head end and thus the head pulley may be closer to the releasing surface where the food objects are dispatched into the air. With this nomenclature, the endless belt of the drip-pan conveyor may be rotated in a direction causing the endless belt of the drip-pan conveyor to move upwards towards the releasing surface at the head end. This may improve the ability of drip-pan conveyor to move the liquid and debris away from the gap.

[0019] The head end of the drip-pan conveyor could be ahead of the releasing surface in the launch direction. This means that the releasing surface is between the head end and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane such that the drip-pan conveyor extends underneath the releasing surface.

[0020] Alternatively, the releasing surface is ahead of the releasing surface in the launch direction. This means that the head end is between the releasing surface and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane.

[0021] The drip-pan conveyor could be movable relative to the releasing surface such that the position of the drip-pan conveyor can be changed. The relative motion could be created by movement of the drip-pan conveyor, the releasing surface, or both.

[0022] The movability could be static such that the position of the drip-pan conveyor can be changed, e.g. manually by moving fixtures etc. or mechanically by movement of a flexible fixture. Alternatively, or additionally, the movability could be dynamic meaning that the drippan conveyor is movable relative to the releasing surface during use of the apparatus. In one such embodiment, the drip-pan conveyor is moved relative to the releasing surface e.g. based on the weight, size, shape, or speed of the food object and / or based on an angle of the releasing surface.

[0023] The at least one collecting conveyor may comprise a splashguard conveyor extending in an upright plane between the releasing surface and the receiving surface. The upright plane may e.g. be plus or minus 20 degrees from vertical. The splashguard conveyor may particularly receive splashes arising when the food objects lands onto the receiving surface. In case of wet food products the landing may cause splashes of liquid and debris towards the gap, and the splashguard conveyor may particularly receive such splashes.

[0024] The conveyor belt of the splashguard conveyor may extend between an upper end and a lower end. The upper end may be defined by an upper pulley and the lower end may be defined by a lower pulley. The belt may be arranged about the pulleys to be circulated between these pulleys. The upper end may be above the receiving surface and the lower end may be below the receiving surface. This may improve the shielding effectiveness of the splashguard conveyor relative to splash generated by a food object landing on the receiving surface.

[0025] The belt of the splashguard conveyor may move towards the receiving surface at the upper end of the splashguard conveyor, e.g. on the downstream side of the upper pulley, where the belt begins a downwards movement. This may improve the ability of splashguard conveyor to move the liquid and debris away from the gap.

[0026] The splashguard conveyor may be closer to the receiving surface than to the releasing surface. This may improve the shielding effectiveness of the splashguard conveyor relative to splash generated by a food object landing on the receiving surface.

[0027] Particularly, the apparatus may comprise both a drip-pan conveyor and a splashguard conveyor. In this case, the drip-pan conveyor particularly reduces splashes at the releasing surface from reaching into the gap, and the splashguard conveyor reduces splashes at the receiving surface from reaching into the gap. The apparatus may comprise a sensor arranged to interact with food objects in the gap. The interaction could be any kind of interaction, e.g. visual interaction, magnetic interaction, sensing of liquid or gas, or other ways of interacting with the food object, and by help from the at least one collecting conveyor, splashes that could impair the function of the sensor can be reduced or eliminated.

[0028] The sensor could be arranged below the drip-pan conveyor, e.g. underneath the drip-pan conveyor. This may protect the sensor further from being contaminated by the splashing liquid or debris. I this embodiment, the drip-pan conveyor may become arranged between the sensor and the releasing surface. This will be the case if the head end of the drip-pan conveyor is ahead of the releasing surface in the launching direction. This may further improve the protection of the sensor against contamination.

[0029] The splashguard conveyor may extend between the sensor and the receiving surface. This may improve the protection of the sensor against contamination from the splashes when the food objects land on the receiving surface.

[0030] The sensor may comprise an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap. This could e.g. be a camera, e.g. with a camera screen arranged below the gap, e.g. underneath the releasing surface, and arranged such that the focal point is in the gap. This allows the optical imaging device to focus on food objects while they are being exchanged. This allows e.g. capturing of images on all surfaces of the food objects - particularly if the optical imaging devices is complemented by an additional optical imaging device, e.g. arranged above the gap, above the releasing surface, or above the receiving surface.

[0031] The splashguard conveyor may define a surface facing the sensor and being configured to move in an upwards direction. This means that the opposite surface of the splashguard conveyor, i.e. the surface facing the receiving surface moves downwards, and that improves the protection of the sensor against splashes from the receiving surface when the food object lands.

[0032] A belt cleaner may be arranged to clean the belt of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors. Such belt cleaners are known in the art and could include brushes, cleaning fluid nozzles, pressure air nozzles, and other means for cleaning the collecting conveyors.

[0033] Additionally, the apparatus may include a pan arranged underneath the at least one collecting conveyor to collect liquid and debris dripping from the collecting conveyor(s). This may further prevent contamination of the surroundings. The belt of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors may be impermeable to water to thereby prevent dripping of liquid through the collecting conveyor and thereby further protect e.g. a sensor from being contaminated.

[0034] The releasing surface could be formed by a releasing conveyor configured to convey the food object towards the receiving surface. The releasing conveyor could be a traditional belt conveyor comprising a head pulley and a tail pulley and optionally one or more further pulleys arranged to provide a desired shape of the releasing conveyor.

[0035] The receiving surface is formed by a receiving conveyor configured to convey the food object away from the releasing surface. The receiving conveyor could be a traditional belt conveyor comprising a head pulley and a tail pulley and optionally one or more further pulleys arranged to provide a desired shape of the receiving conveyor.

[0036] A control structure may be provided for control of movement of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors. When the releasing or receiving surfaces are formed by conveyors, the control structure may further control movement of one or both of these conveyors. The control structure may be configured to control movement of the drip-pan conveyor and the releasing conveyor such that they move in opposite directions. Further, the control structure may be configured to change at least one of: a. an angle of the conveying direction relative to horizontal, and b. a speed of the movement of the food object along the releasing conveyor

[0037] When the apparatus comprises an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap, the apparatus may further comprise a trajectory planner configured to determine if the trajectory extends through the focal point, and optionally to operate the control structure until the trajectory extends through the focal point. This may reduce the need for adjusting the focal point which can be a difficult task not least when the apparatus comprises several imaging devices all being adjusted with the same focal point.

[0038] The trajectory planner could be configured to operate the control structure e.g. based on a weight, size, shape, or speed of a food objects being exchanged between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0039] When the releasing conveyor is controllable, e.g. when it has an orientation which can be controlled or when it has a conveying speed which can be controlled, the control structure may be configured to control movement of the releasing conveyor based on a desired trajectory of the food object from the releasing surface to the receiving surface.

[0040] At least one of the at least one collecting conveyors may have a width which exceeds the width of at least one of the releasing surface and the receiving surface. When used herein, the term width is a dimension perpendicular to the launch direction, e.g. a dimension in a horizontal plane.

[0041] The releasing surface could be above the receiving surface. This may improve the ability to exchange the food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface through the air.

[0042] In a second aspect, the disclosure provides a method for avoiding debris on a screen of a camera in a food processing apparatus according to the first aspect. The method comprises obtaining data from the sensor while transporting liquid or debris away from the gap by the at least one collecting conveyor.

[0043] The liquid or debris may be transported in a direction against the launch direction.

[0044] The exchanged food objects may be airborne in the gap while the data is obtained from the sensor, and the data from the sensor may be complemented with data from other sensors. In one embodiment, two cameras are placed in different positions relative to the gap and both cameras are focused on the food objects when they are in the air, in the gap. This requires that both, or all cameras have a mutual focal point, and it may allow an image to be generated of all surfaces of the food object. Meanwhile this image is generated, the at least one collecting conveyor protects the cameras against contamination with liquid and debris.

[0045] In a third aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for processing food objects. The apparatus comprises a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing conveyor is configured for launching the food object from the releasing surface in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0046] The releasing conveyor comprises a control structure configured to amend a trajectory of the food object during the exchange. By controlling the trajectory of the food objects, the trajectory may be placed where most suitable for several sensors to interact with the food object while it is in the air. Particularly, this may be used when different cameras are arranged with the same focal point to take pictures of the food object in the air from different angles.

[0047] The releasing surface may be formed by a releasing conveyor configured to move the food object along the releasing conveyor in a conveying direction towards the releasing surface, and wherein the control structure is configured to change at least one of: a. an angle of the conveying direction relative to horizontal, and b. a speed of the movement of the food object along the releasing conveyor

[0048] An optical imaging device may be provided, and it may be arranged to define a focal point in the gap.

[0049] A trajectory planner may be configured to determine if the trajectory extends through the focal point.

[0050] The trajectory planner may be configured to operate the control structure until the trajectory extends through the focal point.

[0051] The control structure and trajectory planner could be implemented in a CPU with memory and computer executable code for enabling the functions. The control structure could e.g. be constituted at least partly by a standard computer system, e.g., a PLC or simply a PC with suitable control output. The controller comprises a data interface for communication of data to servo systems controlling the movement of the releasing conveyor or the angle of the releasing surface.

[0052] The electronic control structure may be a distributed controller comprising more than one CPU arranged in connection with specific components and interconnected e.g., by a data bus structure.

[0053] The controller may be configured for the following functions: a) execute an exchange of food objects between the releasing and the receiving surface by setting an initial speed of the releasing conveyor. b) capturing a picture one by camera number one placed below the gap. c) capturing a picture two by camera number two placed above the gap. d) evaluating sharpness of picture one and picture two. e) based on the evaluation of sharpness, determining a lifting or a lowering of the trajectory, and f) amending the initial speed of the releasing conveyor and / or changing an angle of the releasing surface based on the determined lifting or lowering.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, the disclosure provides an apparatus for processing food objects, the apparatus comprising a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing surface is configured for launching the food object in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the food processing apparatus further comprises at least one collecting conveyor with a movable endless belt arranged to receive splashes of liquid or debris and to move the received splashes away from the gap, wherein the at least one collecting conveyor comprises a splashguard conveyor extending in an upright plane between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0055] The belt of the splashguard conveyor may extend between an upper end and a lower end, and where the upper end is above the receiving surface and the lower end is below the receiving surface.

[0056] The belt of the splashguard conveyor may be configured to move towards the receiving surface at the upper end of the splashguard conveyor.

[0057] The splashguard conveyor may be closer to the receiving surface than to the releasing surface.

[0058] The apparatus of the fourth aspect may comprise a sensor arranged to interact with food objects in the gap.

[0059] The splashguard conveyor may extend between the sensor and the receiving surface.

[0060] The sensor may comprise an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap. The splashguard conveyor may define a surface facing the sensor and being configured to move in an upwards direction.

[0061] The releasing surface could be formed by a releasing conveyor configured to convey the food object towards the receiving surface.

[0062] The receiving surface may be formed by a receiving conveyor configured to convey the food object away from the releasing surface.

[0063] The apparatus may comprise a control structure configured for control of movement of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors.

[0064] NUMBERED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] Additionally, the present disclosure provides the following numbered embodiments:

[0066] 1. An apparatus for processing food objects, the apparatus comprising a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing surface is configured for launching the food object in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the food processing apparatus further comprises at least one collecting conveyor with a movable endless belt arranged to receive splashes of liquid or debris and to move the received splashes away from the gap.

[0067] 2. The apparatus according to embodiment 1, wherein the at least one collecting conveyor comprises a drip-pan conveyor extending below the releasing surface.

[0068] 3. The apparatus according to embodiment 2, wherein the belt of the drip-pan conveyor extends between a head end and a tail end, wherein the head end is closer to the releasing surface than the tail end, and wherein the belt of the drip-pan conveyor moves towards the releasing surface at the head end.

[0069] 4. The apparatus according to embodiment 3, wherein the releasing surface is between the head end and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane such that the drip-pan conveyor extends underneath the releasing surface. 5. The apparatus according to embodiment 3, wherein the head end is between the releasing surface and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane.

[0070] 6. The apparatus according to embodiment 2, wherein the drip-pan conveyor is movable relative to the releasing surface.

[0071] 7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one collecting conveyor comprises a splashguard conveyor extending in an upright plane between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0072] 8. The apparatus according to embodiment 7, wherein the belt of the splashguard conveyor extends between an upper end and a lower end, and where the upper end is above the receiving surface and the lower end is below the receiving surface.

[0073] 9. The apparatus according to embodiment 8, wherein the belt of the splashguard conveyor moves towards the receiving surface at the upper end of the splashguard conveyor.

[0074] 10. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 7-9, wherein the splashguard conveyor is closer to the receiving surface than to the releasing surface.

[0075] 11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising a sensor arranged to interact with food objects in the gap.

[0076] 12. The apparatus according to embodiment 2 and 11, wherein the sensor is arranged below the drip-pan conveyor.

[0077] 13. The apparatus according to embodiment 12, wherein the sensor is arranged underneath the drip-pan conveyor.

[0078] 14. The apparatus according to embodiment 12 or 13, wherein the drip-pan conveyor is arranged between the sensor and the releasing surface.

[0079] 15. The apparatus according to embodiment 7 and 11, wherein the splashguard conveyor extends between the sensor and the receiving surface.

[0080] 16. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 11-15, wherein the sensor comprises an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap. 17. The apparatus according to embodiments 7 and 11, wherein the splashguard conveyor defines a surface facing the sensor and being configured to move in an upwards direction.

[0081] 18. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one belt cleaner arranged to clean the belt of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors.

[0082] 19. The apparatus according to embodiment 15 or 16, wherein the belt of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors is impermeable to water.

[0083] 20. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the releasing surface is formed by a releasing conveyor configured to convey the food object towards the receiving surface.

[0084] 21. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the receiving surface is formed by a receiving conveyor configured to convey the food object away from the releasing surface.

[0085] 22. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments comprising a control structure configured for control of movement of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors.

[0086] 23. The apparatus according to embodiment 2, 20, and 22, wherein the control structure is configured to control movement of the drip-pan conveyor and the releasing conveyor such that they move in opposite directions.

[0087] 24. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 2, 20, and 22, wherein the control structure is configured to control movement of the releasing conveyor based on a trajectory of the food object from the releasing surface to the receiving surface.

[0088] 25. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors has a width formed by a dimension perpendicular to the launch direction which exceeds the width of at least one of the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0089] 26. The apparatus according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the releasing surface is above the receiving surface. 27. A method for avoiding debris on a screen of a camera in a food processing apparatus according to any of embodiments 1-26, the method comprising obtaining data from the sensor while transporting liquid or debris away from the gap by the at least one collecting conveyor.

[0090] 28. The method according to embodiment 27, wherein the liquid or debris is transported in a direction against the launch direction.

[0091] 29. The method according to embodiment 26 or 27, wherein a food object is airborne in the gap while the data is obtained from the sensor and while the liquid or debris is transported by the at least one collecting conveyor.

[0092] 30. An apparatus for processing food objects, the apparatus comprising a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing conveyor is configured for launching the food object from the releasing surface in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing conveyor comprises a control structure configured to amend a trajectory of the food object during the exchange.

[0093] 31. The apparatus according to embodiment 30, wherein the releasing surface is formed by a releasing conveyor configured to move the food object along the releasing conveyor in a conveying direction towards the releasing surface, and wherein the control structure is configured to change at least one of: a. an angle of the conveying direction relative to horizontal, and b. a speed of the movement of the food object along the releasing conveyor

[0094] 32. The apparatus according to any of embodiments 30-31, comprising an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap.

[0095] 33. The apparatus according to embodiment 32, comprising a trajectory planner configured to determine if the trajectory extends through the focal point. 34. The apparatus according to embodiment 33, wherein the trajectory planner is configured to operate the control structure until the trajectory extends through the focal point.

[0096] 35. The apparatus according to embodiment 34, wherein the trajectory planner is configured to operate the control structure based on a weight, size, shape and / or speed of a food objects being exchanged between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

[0097] LEGENDS TO THE FIGURE

[0098] Fig. 1 illustrates schematically an apparatus according to disclosure; Fig. 2 illustrates details of the drip-pan conveyor;

[0099] Fig. 3 illustrates details of the splashguard conveyor;

[0100] Fig. 4 illustrates details of the exchange of food objects;

[0101] Fig. 5 illustrates a sensor with a focal point in the gap;

[0102] Fig. 6 illustrates movability of at least one collection conveyor relative to the releasing or receiving surfaces;

[0103] Fig. 7 illustrates further details of movability of the drip-pan conveyor;

[0104] Fig. 8 illustrates further details of movability of the splashguard conveyor; and

[0105] Fig. 9 illustrates trajectory planning for the food objects. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0106] Definitions

[0107] When used herein, the term below means arranged at a lower height taken relative to gravity in an orientation considered for normal use of the apparatus. Y below x would therefore be considered as y is at a lower position than x but not necessarily located underneath x.

[0108] When used herein, the term y underneath x means that y is arranged within a vertical projection underneath x. I.e. the term underneath is a subset of the term below.

[0109] When used herein, the term above means arranged at a higher height taken relative to gravity in an orientation considered for normal use of the apparatus. Y above x would therefore be considered as y is at a higher position than x but not necessarily that x is located underneath y.

[0110] When used herein, the terms horizontal or vertical refer to the directions relative to gravity and refers to the intended orientation of the apparatus in use.

[0111] When used herein, the terms releasing surface and receiving surface refers to that surface portion of a larger surface of a conveyor, chute, slide or any other kind of transport surface from which the food object is released or received . I.e. it refers to the point or area of that larger surface where the food object takes off or lands.

[0112] When used herein, the term width is a dimension perpendicular to the launch direction

[0113] Specific embodiments of the invention

[0114] Each feature in the below description of specific embodiments may be considered individually or in combination with those other features included in the specific embodiments.

[0115] Fig . 1 illustrates an apparatus 1 for processing food objects 2. The apparatus is illustrated schematically without unnecessary details. The Apparatus comprises two surfaces, referred to herein as a releasing surface 3 and a receiving surface 4. The releasing surface 3 is formed by an endless conveyor belt 5 thereby forming a releasing conveyor configured for moving in the direction visualized by the arrow 6 and thereby bringing the food object 2 towards the receiving surface 4.

[0116] The receiving surface 4 is formed by an endless conveyor belt 7 thereby forming a receiving conveyor arranged for moving in the direction visualized by the arrow 8 and thereby bringing the food object 2 further away from the releasing surface 3.

[0117] As an alternative to the illustrated belts, the releasing surface and the receiving surface could be low friction surfaces on which the food objects can slide.

[0118] The receiving surface is located at a distance from the releasing surface which defines a gap. The gap is illustrated by the arrow 9.

[0119] The apparatus further comprises two different collecting conveyors 10, 11 arranged to receive splashes of liquids and debris and to move the received liquids and debris away from the releasing surface and the receiving surface. The apparatus may include one or both of the two different collecting conveyors.

[0120] The collecting conveyor illustrated with reference number 10 is referred to herein as a drippan conveyor. The drip-pan conveyor extends underneath the releasing surface 3 and ends in a head end 12 which is close to the releasing end 13 of the releasing surface 3.

[0121] The tail end 14 of the drip-pan conveyor 10 could be anywhere behind the releasing end, and as illustrated, it could be behind the conveyor belt 5 which forms the releasing surface. In operation, the drip-pan conveyor moves the upper rejection surface 15 towards the tail end, and the lower rejection surface 16 towards the head end 12. Accordingly, the drip-pan conveyor moves towards the releasing surface at the head end 12 and away from the releasing surface at the tail end 14.

[0122] The collecting conveyor illustrated with reference number 11 is referred to herein as a splashguard conveyor. The splashguard conveyor extends in a plane 18 between the releasing surface 3 and the receiving surface 4.

[0123] A conveyor belt cleaning structure 17 is arranged at the tail end 14 for removing contamination from the drip-pan conveyor 10. The cleaning structure could be a rotating tubular brush arranged to brush off contamination, it could be a scraping blade, or it could be an array or liquid spraying nozzles etc. A controller 19 controls speed of the collecting conveyors and the releasing conveyor and the receiving conveyors. Additionally, the controller may control the relative position of the collecting conveyors relative to one or both of the releasing and receiving conveyors.

[0124] Fig. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the drip-pan conveyor 10 including arrows illustrating the direction in which the belt moves. As illustrated, the belt moves opposite the direction of the belt 5 and thus against the direction in which the food objects are moved.

[0125] Fig. 2 also illustrates a horizontal plane 20 and illustrates that the head end of the drip-pan conveyor is between the releasing surface and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto the horizontal plane. In an alternative embodiment, the head end 12 extends into the gap and the releasing surface is therefore between the head end and the tail end when viewed in the same projection onto the horizontal plane 20.

[0126] The drip-pan conveyor defines a section illustrated with reference number 21 which is essentially parallel to the releasing surface 3.

[0127] Fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of the splashguard conveyor 11 including arrows illustrating the direction in which the belt moves. As illustrated, the belt moves such that splash of liquid and debris from the receiving surface 4 is moved downwards and away from the surface.

[0128] The splashguard conveyor 11 includes a section 30 which extends above the receiving surface 4 and due to the angled layout, the receiving end 31 becomes located underneath the upper end 32 of the splashguard conveyor 11. The opposite lower end 33 of the splashguard conveyor 11 is below the receiving surface 4, but it is not underneath the receiving surface 4.

[0129] The splashguard conveyor moves towards the receiving surface at the upper end of the splashguard conveyor.

[0130] The splashguard conveyor is located close to the receiving surface 4, and much closer to the receiving surface than to the releasing surface 3.

[0131] Fig. 4 illustrates the apparatus in use. The food object 2, e.g. chicken fillets, fish, meat, or any other kind of food object is launched into the air by the releasing surface 3. The food object in a launch direction into the gap and the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects. In this way, the food objects are exchanged between the releasing surface and the receiving surface. In this process of exchanging food objects, it is not unlikely that splashes of liquid and debris emit from the food objects when they leave the releasing surface, when they fly between the surfaces, or when they land onto the receiving surface.

[0132] Fig. 5 illustrates the apparatus including a sensor 50 arranged to interact with food objects in the gap. The sensor 50 is arranged underneath the drip-pan conveyor 10, such that the drippan conveyor 10 becomes located between the sensor 50 and the releasing surface 3. The splashguard conveyor 11, extends between the sensor 50 and the receiving surface 4.

[0133] The illustrated sensor is a camera defining a focal point 51 in the gap to thereby capture images of the food objects when they fly between the surfaces.

[0134] The splashguard conveyor defines a surface 52 facing the sensor and being configured to move in an upwards direction as indicated by the arrow.

[0135] Fig. 6 illustrates that the at least one collecting conveyor may be movable relative to the releasing surface or the receiving surface. This relative motion may be created by translatory or rotational movement of one of the collecting conveyors, one of the releasing and / or receiving surfaces or both movement of the conveyor(s) and the surface(s).

[0136] Fig. 7 illustrates a situation where the drip-pan conveyor is moved between a forward position where the releasing surface is between the head end and the tail end and a rearward position wherein the head end is between the releasing surface and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane such that the drip-pan conveyor extends underneath the releasing surface.

[0137] Fig. 8 illustrates a situation where the splashguard conveyor is moved between an upper position where the receiving surface is at a distance from the upper end of the splashguard conveyor and a lower position, where the upper end of the splashguard conveyor is directly adjacent the receiving surface.

[0138] Fig. 9 illustrates an apparatus comprising a control structure, as indicated, the control structure is integrated in the controller 19, also illustrated in Fig. 1. The control structure is configured to amend a trajectory of the food object by amending the way the food object moves on the releasing surface. Two different trajectories are visualized, each corresponding to a setting of the control structure. During the exchange, the food objects of one of the trajectories extends through the focal point 51 of a sensor (not illustrated). The control structure may be configured to change an angle of the conveying direction relative to horizontal and / or a speed of the movement of the food object along the releasing conveyor. Moreover, the apparatus may include a trajectory planner configured to determine if the trajectory extends through the focal point and to operate the control structure until the trajectory extends through the focal point. Taken as an example, this may provide clear images without having to amend the settings of a camera.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for processing food objects, the apparatus comprising a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing surface is configured for launching the food object in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the food processing apparatus further comprises at least one collecting conveyor with a movable endless belt arranged to receive splashes of liquid or debris and to move the received splashes away from the gap, wherein the at least one collecting conveyor comprises a drip-pan conveyor extending below the releasing surface.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the releasing surface is formed by an endless releasing conveyor belt which rotates opposite the endless belt of the drip-pan conveyor.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the endless belt of the drip-pan conveyor extends between a head end and a tail end, wherein the head end is closer to the releasing surface than the tail end, and wherein the belt of the drip-pan conveyor moves towards the releasing surface at the head end.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the releasing surface is between the head end and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane such that the drippan conveyor extends underneath the releasing surface.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the head end is between the releasing surface and the tail end when viewed in a projection onto a horizontal plane.

6. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the drip-pan conveyor is movable relative to the releasing surface.

7. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one collecting conveyor comprises a splashguard conveyor extending in an upright plane between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

8. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the belt of the splashguard conveyor extends between an upper end and a lower end, and where the upper end is above the receiving surface and the lower end is below the receiving surface.

9. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the belt of the splashguard conveyor moves towards the receiving surface at the upper end of the splashguard conveyor.

10. The apparatus according to any of claims 5-7, wherein the splashguard conveyor is closer to the receiving surface than to the releasing surface.

11. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a sensor arranged to interact with food objects in the gap.

12. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the sensor is arranged below the drippan conveyor.

13. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sensor is arranged underneath the drip-pan conveyor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the drip-pan conveyor is arranged between the sensor and the releasing surface.

15. The apparatus according to claim 5 and 9, wherein the splashguard conveyor extends between the sensor and the receiving surface.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 9-13, wherein the sensor comprises an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap.

17. The apparatus according to claims 5 and 9, wherein the splashguard conveyor defines a surface facing the sensor and being configured to move in an upwards direction.

18. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one belt cleaner arranged to clean the belt of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors.

19. The apparatus according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the belt of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors is impermeable to water.

20. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the releasing surface is formed by a releasing conveyor configured to convey the food object towards the receiving surface.

21. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving surface is formed by a receiving conveyor configured to convey the food object away from the releasing surface.

22. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims comprising a control structure configured for control of movement of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors.

23. The apparatus according to claims 18 and 20, wherein the control structure is configured to control movement of the drip-pan conveyor and the releasing conveyor such that they move in opposite directions.

24. The apparatus according to claims 20 and 22, wherein the control structure is configured to control movement of the releasing conveyor based on a trajectory of the food object from the releasing surface to the receiving surface.

25. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors has a width formed by a dimension perpendicular to the launch direction which exceeds the width of at least one of the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

26. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the releasing surface is above the receiving surface.

27. A method for avoiding debris on a screen of a camera in a food processing apparatus according to any of claims 1-26, the method comprising obtaining data from the sensor while transporting liquid or debris away from the gap by the at least one collecting conveyor.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the liquid or debris is transported in a direction against the launch direction.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein a food object is airborne in the gap while the data is obtained from the sensor and while the liquid or debris is transported by the at least one collecting conveyor.

30. An apparatus for processing food objects, the apparatus comprising a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing surface is configured for launching the food object from the releasingsurface in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing surface comprises a control structure configured to amend a trajectory of the food object during the exchange.

31. The apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the releasing surface is formed by a releasing conveyor configured to move the food object along the releasing conveyor in a conveying direction towards the releasing surface, and wherein the control structure is configured to change at least one of: a. an angle of the conveying direction relative to horizontal, and b. a speed of the movement of the food object along the releasing conveyor32. The apparatus according to any of claims 30-31, comprising an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap.

33. The apparatus according to claim 32, comprising a trajectory planner configured to determine if the trajectory extends through the focal point.

34. The apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the trajectory planner is configured to operate the control structure until the trajectory extends through the focal point.

35. The apparatus according to claim 34, wherein the trajectory planner is configured to operate the control structure based on a weight, size, shape and / or speed of a food object being exchanged between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

36. An apparatus for processing food objects, the apparatus comprising a releasing surface and a receiving surface, the receiving surface being located at a distance from the releasing surface to define a gap between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the releasing surface is configured for launching the food object in a launch direction into the gap and wherein the receiving surface is arranged to receive the food objects which are launched into the gap to thereby exchange food objects between the releasing surface and the receiving surface, wherein the food processing apparatus further comprises at least one collecting conveyor with a movable endless belt arranged to receive splashes of liquid or debris and to move the received splashes away from the gap,wherein the at least one collecting conveyor comprises a splashguard conveyor extending in an upright plane between the releasing surface and the receiving surface.

37. The apparatus according to claim 36, wherein the belt of the splashguard conveyor extends between an upper end and a lower end, and where the upper end is above the receiving surface and the lower end is below the receiving surface.

38. The apparatus according to claim 37, wherein the belt of the splashguard conveyor moves towards the receiving surface at the upper end of the splashguard conveyor.

39. The apparatus according to any of claims 36-37, wherein the splashguard conveyor is closer to the receiving surface than to the releasing surface.

40. The apparatus according to any of claims 36-39, comprising a sensor arranged to interact with food objects in the gap.

41. The apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the splashguard conveyor extends between the sensor and the receiving surface.

42. The apparatus according to any of claims 40-41, wherein the sensor comprises an optical imaging device defining a focal point in the gap.

43. The apparatus according to claims 40-42, wherein the splashguard conveyor defines a surface facing the sensor and being configured to move in an upwards direction.

44. The apparatus according to any of claims 36-43, wherein the releasing surface is formed by a releasing conveyor configured to convey the food object towards the receiving surface.

45. The apparatus according to any of claims 36-44, wherein the receiving surface is formed by a receiving conveyor configured to convey the food object away from the releasing surface.

46. The apparatus according to any of claims 36-45, comprising a control structure configured for control of movement of at least one of the at least one collecting conveyors.

Images