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Food processing method and system

  • US 10,235,749 B2
  • Filed: 12/27/2014
  • Issued: 03/19/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method for forming a packaged product and ensuring that the packaged product is adequately filled, the method comprising:

  • a) forming a product, wherein forming the product comprises;

    a-1) supplying a plurality of ingredients to a mixer; and

    a-2) mixing the plurality of ingredients to form the product, the product having a viscosity;

    b) introducing the product into a package, thereby forming the packaged product;

    c) obtaining an x-ray image of the packaged product utilizing an x-ray apparatus;

    d) analyzing the x-ray image utilizing a processor to identify whether bounded contours exist in the x-ray image;

    e) for each of the bounded contours identified in step d), the processor determining whether the bounded contour is a threshold defect based at least in part on a bounded area of the bounded contour;

    f) for each of the threshold defects identified in step e), the processor classifying the threshold defect as one of a plurality of pre-determined defect types; and

    g) determining a source of at least one of the threshold defects in the packaged product based at least in part on the classification of the at least one of the threshold defects; and

    h) adjusting the supply of one or more of the plurality of ingredients to adjust the viscosity of the product being formed in the mixer to minimize and/or eliminate the formation of threshold defects in a subsequent packaged product,wherein the plurality of pre-determined defect types includes a spin hole, an air cell and a side void.

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