System and method for analyzing and processing food product

• US 9,159,126 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2013
• Issued: 10/13/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barclays Bank PLC (Barclays PLC)
• Original Assignee: JBS USA LLC (JBS SA)
• Inventors: Johnson, John Erick
• Primary Examiner(s): STREGE, JOHN B
• Application Number:
  US14/081,179
• Publication Number:
  US 20140079291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 382/110, 382/143
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 17/008 for measuring quality, e.g. to determine further processing
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 17/0093 Handling, transporting or packaging pieces of meat
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 2207/30128 Food products
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/0008 checking presence/absence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 7/001 using an image reference approach

Abstract

Systems and methods are described that provide a fast and simple way of processing meat or food products. Information is compiled and analyzed regarding the condition of a carcass, meat product, styling of the meat product and associated tray or package. Information is used in various processes, including determining which further processing steps are required. The information is also stored for future reference and analysis.

Claims

1. A system for screening and packaging meat products, comprising:

a meat production apparatus comprising at least one packaging area, wherein meat product on a tray is conveyed to the at least one packaging area by a conveyor means;

a means for capturing images of the meat products on trays conveyed along the conveyor means;

a database comprising information relating to the suitability of meat products and trays for packaging; and

a central processor adapted to receive information related to the captured images and, by referencing the suitability information in the database, evaluating whether the meat product and the tray are suitable for further packaging;

wherein the processor is configured such that the step of evaluating the suitability of the meat product and the tray for further packaging comprises at least one of;

determining the presence of abnormalities of said meat product and determining whether the meat product and the tray are in a desired orientation relative to one another;

a directing means for directing the conveyance of the meat products on trays, wherein the directing means is electrically connected to the central processor;

wherein the central processor is configured such that when, based on the evaluating step, the central processor identifies the meat product as unsuitable for further packaging, the directing means is positioned such that the tray containing the unsuitable meat product is conveyed away from subsequent processing operations that comprise a step of over-wrapping the meat product and the tray; and

a re-working area having a conveyance means for receiving trays containing unsuitable meat product conveyed away from the subsequent processing operations comprising an over-wrapping step;

wherein the re-working area comprises a means for identifying those trays comprising meat products in an undesired orientation relative to the tray; and

,

a means for re-positioning the meat product on the tray such that the meat product and tray are suitable for packaging.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured such that the step of determining whether the meat product and the tray are in a desired orientation relative to one another comprises comparing a captured image to a pre-existing image.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the central processor is configured such that when, based on the evaluating step, the central processor identifies the meat product as being free of abnormalities and in the desirable orientation relative to the tray, the directing means is positioned such that the tray containing the meat product is conveyed to subsequent processing operations comprising a step of over-wrapping the meat product and the tray.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the image capturing means is selected from the group consisting of a digital color camera, a digital black and white camera, and a digital video camera.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the central processor comprise a means for storing information relating to the number of meat products in trays having abnormalities or that are in an undesirable orientation relative to the tray.

6. A system for screening and packaging meat products, comprising:

a meat production apparatus comprising at least one packaging area, wherein meat product on a tray is conveyed to the at least one packaging area by a conveyor means;

a means for capturing images of the meat products on trays conveyed along the conveyor means;

a database comprising information relating to the suitability of meat products and trays for packaging; and

a central processor adapted to receive information related to the captured images and, by referencing the suitability information in the database, evaluating whether the meat product and the tray are suitable for further packaging;

wherein the processor is configured such that the step of evaluating the suitability of the meat product and the tray for further packaging comprises at least one of;

determining the presence of abnormalities of said meat product and determining whether the meat product and the tray are in a desired orientation relative to one another;

a directing means for directing the conveyance of the meat products on trays, wherein the directing means is electrically connected to the central processor;

wherein the central processor is configured such that when, based on the evaluating step, the central processor identifies the meat product as unsuitable for further packaging, the directing means is positioned such that the tray containing the unsuitable meat product is conveyed away from subsequent processing operations that comprise a step of over-wrapping the meat product and the tray; and

further comprising a re-working area having a conveyance means for receiving trays containing unsuitable meat product conveyed away from the subsequent processing operations comprising an over-wrapping step;

wherein the re-working area comprises a means for identifying those trays comprising meat products in an undesired orientation relative to the tray; and

,

a means for re-positioning the meat product on the tray such that the meat product and tray are suitable for packaging; and

a means for conveying trays comprising re-positioned meat products to the subsequent processing operations.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the image capturing means is selected from the group consisting of a digital color camera, a digital black and white camera, and a digital video camera.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the central processor comprise a means for storing information relating to the number of meat products in trays having abnormalities or that are in an undesirable orientation relative to the tray.