• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    This invention relates to a system and a method for automatic and intelligent decision making when portioning food products. More specifically, the invention provides a system for CT scanning of larger pieces of meat, before cutting into smaller portions considering the substance, quality, and value of the starting material.
    公开号:DK201901357A1
    申请号:DKP201901357
    申请日:2019-11-20
    公开日:2021-05-27
    发明作者:Bager Christensen Lars；Toftelund Madsen Niels；Ryding Ole；Bradnorg Nielsen Dennis；Vibeke Olesen Eli
    申请人:Teknologisk Inst；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    DK 2019 01357 A1 1PORTION CUTTING OF MEAT PRODUCTS
    TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a system and a method for automatic and intelligent decision making when portioning food products. More specifically, the invention provides a system for CT scanning of larger pieces of meat, before cutting into smaller portions considering the substance, quality, and value of the starting material.
    BACKGROUND ART Food products, and in particular meat products, are typically split or otherwise cut into smaller units or portions, whether of uniform or specific sizes, weight, thickness, or other specifications, according to customer needs.
    WO2002007937, US2006156878, US2006161380 and US2006162515 describe portioning stations comprising scanning stations based on existing scanning techniques, including video cameras and x-rays equipment; WO2004034794 describes a portion cutting apparatus comprising a scanning station adapted to perform a 360° scanning of the food piece based on vision system, such as a ring scanner; US2004200365 describes a system for slicing food products having a non-uniform cross-sectional area, which system includes the use of a laser line scanner and a line scan camera to determine an area of the cut face of the food product; WO2004106020 describes an apparatus for portion cutting of food articles, which apparatus comprises scanning means comprising ultrasonic and/or X-ray sensor; WO2005079588 describes a system for increasing the capacity and precision of a portion cutter, which systems comprises a computer vision scanning function, e.g. a ring scanner; WO2007022782 describes a system for cutting meat items by use of laser vision equipment, X-ray equipment, ultrasonic equipment or similar measuring/scanning equipment; US2009143886 describes a system for portioning food products according to customers need, which system comprises the use of camera vision technique; EP2251158 describes an apparatus for cutting food products into portions, which system includes a sensing arrangement comprising e.g. a visible and/or non-visible light detection arrangement, an x-ray analysis arrangement, an MRI arrangement; or an ultrasound analysis arrangement;
    DK 2019 01357 A1 2 US2012073415 and US2013133490 describe an apparatus for slicing a block of food into portions of precise weight, which apparatus comprises a scanning station based on the use of an irradiation scanner, preferably an X-ray scanner; US2012198974 describes a method for acquiring slices or portions of slices of constant weight from food products, which method comprises e.g. the use of one or more vision or ultrasound scanning heads pivotable about the product., or, alternatively, the use of laser scanners; US2014083268 describes a food processing apparatus comprising a scanning unit for determining properties of the food product, which scanning unit is based on the use of an irradiation scanner, e.g. an X-ray scanner; WO2014169925 describes a food cutting apparatus which apparatus involves the use of an image device such as a scanning device, e.g. laser vision equipment, X-ray equipment, ultrasonic equipment or similar measuring/scanning equipment; US2015321369 describes a multi-type food processing device comprising the use of X-ray equipment; WO2016045683 describes a method for automatically cutting a meat product, e.g. beef tenderloin, which method is based on the use of image data; WO2018022598 describes a cutting/portioning station using combined X-ray and optical scanning techniques; and US2018143607 describes a system for automatic portioning of food products, comprising a scanning station using existing scanning techniques, including video cameras and x-rays equipment.
    These food-portioning systems all involve the use of existing 2D-imaging techniques.
    In contrast, WO2006108690 describes a system for determining spatial/3D quality characteristic of food products, and the use of this system for producing food- portions of a desired weight, which system comprises the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data.
    MRI technology is based on activation of water molecules by magnetic resonance, which process is relatively slow compared to e.g. an x-ray CT-scanner. Moreover, bones and fat tissue contain roughly the same amount of water, making it more difficult to discern between these components in meat items using MRI technology.
    WO2006128456, WO2017191162 and WO2017191163 describe CT-scanners for industrial use, e.g. at abattoirs for scanning animal carcasses or cuttings hereof.
    However, the use of CT-technology for assisting portion cutting of meat products has never been suggested.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTI ON
    DK 2019 01357 A1 3 It has now been found that the use of CT-scanning techniques offers distinct possibilities when applied in meat cutting and portioning procedures. CT-scanning is a rapid technology with good capabilities for distinguishing between the various elements present in meat items, including bones and fat tissue, and it offers full 3-dimensional (3D) resolution of the object to be processed.
    The general problem of food workpiece portioning is to fit acceptable or desired portions into highly variable workpieces and then cutting them, and at the same time utilize as much of the food workpieces as possible, achieving best value. The meat items to be processed typically vary in every dimension, have random defects, and have areas of fat and cartilage that often must be avoided. The thickness varies throughout each workpiece in addition to the average thickness varying from workpiece to workpiece.
    Weight optimization and limited waste, off course, gives better operating economy. CT-technology allows for making a more optimal analysis of the meat object, for establishing the maximal utilisation of the food object. CT-technology, for instance, is particularly ideal for cutting e.g. beef from tenderloin or strip loin, to meet specific weight requirements, and for determining precisely when it is better to continue/stop cutting the steaks, or if the meat portion becomes too small, so that the rest may be used for e.g. roast.
    In its first aspect, the invention provides a system for portion cutting of a meat product, characterised by comprising the following elements: one or more conveyor belts; a CT-scanning station; a cutting station; and a processing means (5).
    In another aspect the invention provides a method for automatic portion cutting a meat product, which method involves use of the system of the invention.
    Other objects of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
    Any combination of two or more of the embodiments described herein is considered within the scope of the present invention.
    DETAI LED DI SCLOSURE OF THE INVENTI ON The present invention provides a system for automatically portioning and cutting larger pieces of meat into smaller portions considering the substance and the quality of the starting material, and in view of the customer needs, and the invention also provides a method for use of this system for automatically portioning meat products.
    The system and method of the invention are in particularly suited for slicing food products having a non-uniform cross-sectional area and allow division of such food products into separate portions of a pre-determined portion yield.
    DK 2019 01357 A1 4 The system of the invention In its first aspect, the invention provides a system for automatically cutting larger pieces of meat into smaller portions considering the substance and the quality of the starting material and considering the needs of the customer.
    The meat portioning system of the invention may be characterised by comprising the following elements: e a conveyor belt (2); e a CT-scanning station (3); e a cutting station (4); and e a processing means (5). The conveyor The system of the invention comprises one or more conveyor belts (2) for supply of the meat products (6) through a CT-scanning station (3), and for transport of the scanned meat product to the cutting station (4). The conveyor belts (2) for use according to the invention shall be operatively linked to, and capable of receiving feed-back from, the processing means (5). In one embodiment, the system of the invention comprises an in-feed or in-let conveyor belt (2A) for supply the food products (6) to be CT-scanned, which in-let conveyor is capable of continuously transporting products through the tube of the CT- scanner (3). The in-let conveyor (2A) may also be able to transport the scanned meat product all the way to the cutting station (4). It should be intended that the food products arrive evenly distributed on the conveyor belt, so distinction between products is possible for the subsequent portioning.
    In another embodiment, the system of the invention also comprises an out-let conveyor belt (2B) for transport of the scanned and subsequently divided meat product (6) to the different sorting groups requested.
    For the processing means (5) to be able to calculate and track the position of the incoming food product while in motion, and to keep the cutting station (4) synchronized with the conveyor belt (2), the system need to know the speed of the conveyor belts (2). This may be accomplished in various ways.
    The in-let conveyor belt (2A) for use according to the invention may be equipped with an encoder, in communication with, the processing means (5). This ensures that the system can perform certain functions, like controlling (i.e. determine and adjust) the speed of the conveyor belt and synchronize with the cutting means (4).
    DK 2019 01357 A1 There are four widely used methods for applying encoders to conveyors: motor mount, roller shaft mount (rotary encoder}, belt/chain driven and surface mount. Any type of encoder may be employed according to the invention.
    5 The CT-scanning station The system of the invention comprises a CT-scanning station (3), operatively linked to, and in communication with, the processing station (5) of the invention.
    In the system of the invention, the incoming meat product (6) is subjected to a computer tomography (CT) scanning, while conveyed on the in-let conveyor (2A), i.e.
    while on the fly. For such use, a high capacity, industrial CT-scanner suited for continuous (on-line) product transport should be employed. Such industrial CT-scanners are known from e.g. WO2006128456, WO2017191162 and WO2017191163, and are commercially available from Teknologisk Institut, DMRI, Denmark.
    In the CT-scanning station (3), the workpieces are scanned to ascertain selected physical parameters, e.g. their size and shape, and then to determine their weight. CT- scanners are capable of determining the internal structure of the scanned product, e.g. the distribution of muscles, fat, cartilage, etc. within the meat pieces.
    The data and information obtained by the CT-scanning station (3) are subsequently transmitted to the processing means (5), along with an ID for the specific position obtained in collaboration with e.g. an encoder, mounted on the in-let conveyor. The processing means will then analyse the meat piece as a stack of thin slices, to decide where and how to cut in the optimal way.
    The cutting station The system of the invention comprises one or more portioning devices/cutting stations (4), each station comprising cutting means, and being operatively linked to, and in communication with, the processing means (5).
    In the cutting station (4) for use according to the invention, the incoming meat product (6) is cut-up into portions, and the term "portion" is the term often used for the small pieces of meat.
    The physical division of the meat product (6) taking place at the cutting station (4), may be accomplished by conventional cutting means, and may include the use of a knife or "sword”, a rotating blade portioner/circular saw, or by use of a high-pressure waterjet cutter, including highspeed liquid jet cutters (liquids may include, for example, water or liquid nitrogen) or rotary or reciprocating blades, after the food product is transferred from the infeed to a cutting conveyor.
    DK 2019 01357 A1 6 Portion cutting usually takes place when the workpiece approaches a gap between to conveyors (e.g. the gap between 2A and 2B), and the spot at which the piece of meat is to be cut is positioned immediately over the gap.
    Once the portioning/trimming has occurred, the resulting portions may be off- loaded from the actual conveyor and, based on the outcome of the CT-scanning analysis, the resulting meat pieces may be transferred (via one or more additional conveyors) to various working stations, or may be placed on an out-let conveyor (2B) for further processing or, perhaps, to be placed in a storage bin.
    The processing means The processing means (5) for use according to the invention may be any commercially available processor/PC, in operation with, and capable of receiving and processing data obtained i.a. from the one or more conveyors (2) of the system (1), the CT-scanning station (3), and the cutting station (4).
    The processing means (5) for use according to the invention shall be operatively linked to the conveyor belts (2), the CT-scanning station (3), and the cutting station (4), used in the system of the invention.
    In one embodiment, the processing means (5) is in communication with the in- let conveyor (2A), and determines and adjusts, e.g. in communication with an encoder associated with the conveyor, the speed by which the inlet conveyor (2A) transports the incoming workpiece (6).
    In another embodiment, the processing means (5) records the location of the workpiece (6) on the conveyor (2), as well as the selected physical parameters of the workpiece obtained from the CT-scanning station (3). With this information, the processing means (5) determines how to optimally cut or portion the workpiece (6) at the cutting station (4), e.g. in view of the different requirement made by the particular product recipes included in the production.
    The processing means (5) for use according to the invention shall be able to calculate the optimal cutting line, e.g. by taking into account the actual product recipe in question, the nature of the meat product in question, as well as e.g. bones, sinews, price, delivery plan and the like, relevant for the optimal utilization at the moment in time.
    The meat product The meat products (6) applied to the system and the method of this invention may be any (expensive) workpiece where optimal utilization depends on characteristics not easily determinable from surface inspection alone.
    DK 2019 01357 A1 7 Workpieces/meat product (6) subjected to the method of the invention may in particular be the more expensive meat cuts, whether from beef, pork, lamb or poultry, and whether containing bones or not.
    Examples of workpieces contemplated subjected to the method of the invention include e.g. beef tenderloin, long loin, short loin, strip loin, full rib (bone or boneless), entrecote, cube; pork loin; lamb chops, cutlets; and chicken breast. The method of the invention In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for automatic portion cutting of meat products. The method of the invention allows for division of food products into separate portions, and for pre-determining of the portion yield. The method also is good for slicing a food product having a non-uniform cross-sectional area, and for slicing meat products into portions (3) of precise weight.
    The method of the invention may be characterised by comprising the subsequent steps of: a) providing the workpiece/meat product to be cut (6) via an in-let conveyor (2A); b) scanning the incoming workpiece (6) in a CT-scanning station (3), and obtaining 3D data derived from (the inside of) the meat product (6); c) transmitting the 3D data obtained in step b to a processing means (5) for computing and calculating the optimal cutting lines/cutting pattern, optionally as determined or prescribed by a product recipe; d) conveying the meat product (6) to a portioning device/cutting station (4), wherein the product is placed in a position for being cut; e) cutting/portioning the workpiece/ meat product (6) accomplished by the portioning device/ cutting means (4); f) sorting of the resulting meat pieces into (uniform) streams of products for further distribution/processing; and (f) automatically un-loading portioned meat product (6) (i.e. end product) from the conveyor (2).
    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is further illustrated by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 shows the essential elements of the system (1) of the invention: in-let conveyor (2A), outlet conveyor (2B); CT-scanning station (3); cutting station (4); processing means (5); and meat product (6); and
    DK 2019 01357 A1 8 Figs. 2A and 2B show examples of out-puts (CT images) from the CT-scanning process: slices (scans) showing the contour of an in-coming meat product, for assisting the optimal cutting of the meat product in question, detailing the characteristics of each voxel (cube) in the piece.
    List of reference signs In this application the following reference numbers are used:
    1. Meat portioning system
    2. Conveyor 2A. In-let conveyor 2B. Out-let conveyor
    3. CT-scanning station
    4. Portioning device/cutting station
    5. Processing means/CPU/ PC
    6. Workpiece/meat product
    权利要求:
    Claims (6)
    [1] 1. Asystem (1) for portion cutting of a meat product (6), which system comprises the following elements: e one or more conveyor belts (2); e a CT-scanning station (3); e acutting station (4); and e a processing means (5).
    [2] 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more conveyor belts comprise an in-let conveyor (2A) and an out-let conveyor (2B), each conveyor operatively linked to, and capable of receiving feed-back from, the processing means (5).
    [3] 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the CT-scanning station (3) comprises an industrial CT-scanner, operatively linked to, and in communication with, the processing station (5).
    [4] 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the cutting station (4) comprises one or more portioning devices/cutting stations (4), each station comprising cutting means, and being operatively linked to, and in communication with, the processing means (5).
    [5] 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processing means (5) is a commercially available processor/ PC, in operation with, and capable of receiving and processing data obtained from the one or more conveyors (2), the CT-scanning station (3), and the cutting station (4).
    [6] 6. A method for automatic portion cutting a meat product, which method comprises the subsequent steps of: a) providing the workpiece/ meat product to be cut (6) via an in-let conveyor (2A); b) scanning the incoming workpiece (6) in a CT-scanning station (3), and obtaining 3D data derived from (the inside of) the meat product (6); c) transmitting the 3D data obtained in step b to a processing means (5) for computing and calculating the optimal cutting lines/cutting pattern, optionally as determined or prescribed by a product recipe; d) conveying the meat product (6) to a portioning device/cutting station (4), wherein the product is placed in a position for being cut;
    DK 2019 01357 A1 2 e) cutting/portioning the workpiece/ meat product (6) accomplished by the portioning device/ cutting means (4);
    f) sorting of the resulting meat pieces into (uniform) streams of products for further distribution/processing; and
    (f) automatically un-loading portioned meat product (6) (i.e. end product) from the conveyor (2).
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    DK180499B1|2021-05-28|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2021-05-27| PAT| Application published|Effective date: 20210521 |
    2021-05-28| PME| Patent granted|Effective date: 20210528 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DKPA201901357A|DK180499B1|2019-11-20|2019-11-20|Portion cutting of meat products|DKPA201901357A| DK180499B1|2019-11-20|2019-11-20|Portion cutting of meat products|
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