Abstract:
A method and apparatus for analyzing one or more elements of targeted moving snack food surfaces uses laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy to detect the presence, absence, or amount of an element on a heterogeneous surface, including seasoned and ready-to-eat snack foods. A laser is used to quantify the element concentration without destroying the targeted sample. An automated on-line system may be integrated into the method to create a closed-loop feedback control system, adjusting the concentration as desired.
Abstract:
A composition and method for an improved stuffed fry or other cooked food product. Stuffed fries can be made, for example, by coextruding a substrate and filling in a desired ratio to form an extrudate, then cutting, crimping, par frying, freezing, and final frying the extrudate. One composition for stuffed fries comprises a fried substrate that is made from a dough with crimped ends. One composition comprises potatoes, corn syrup, or water in specific weight percentages. One composition for the filling of the stuffed fries is a low moisture filling. One composition comprises at least one gum to reduce free water in the filling and/or substrate by binding to the water in the filling and/or substrate.
Abstract:
For use with the technique of transversely aligning the transducer in an ultrasonic welding assembly, the presently disclosed principles provide a unique ultrasonic sonotrode for use in ultrasonic welding assemblies having such a transversely aligned transducer. In one embodiment, an exemplary ultrasonic sonotrode comprises a body having nodal and anti-nodal regions, and configured to propagate ultrasonic waves received at a nodal region along a first direction. Such an exemplary sonotrode may further comprise a plurality of redirecting features formed in the body and configured to cause received ultrasonic waves propagating along the first direction to propagate along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, upon encountering one or more of the redirecting features. In such embodiments, the body is further configured to stretch and compress along the second direction based on corresponding peaks and valleys of the waves propagating along the second direction. Such a sonotrode may also include at least one ultrasonic welding surface at an anti-nodal region of the body configured to oscillate based on the stretching and compressing.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for reducing stress marks and pleats on a package. The apparatus includes the use of an elongated filling tube. The dimensions of the elongated filling tube reduce the stress on the film as it is being formed around the filling tube. Further, the dimensions of the elongated filling tube prevent the formation of pleats as the sealing jaws must travel a decreased distance to seal, and the filling tube cross section better resembles the final package.
Abstract:
For use with the technique of transversely aligning the transducer in an ultrasonic welding assembly, the presently disclosed principles provide a unique ultrasonic sonotrode for use in ultrasonic welding assemblies having such a transversely aligned transducer. In one embodiment, an exemplary ultrasonic sonotrode comprises a body having nodal and anti-nodal regions, and configured to propagate ultrasonic waves received at a nodal region along a first direction. Such an exemplary sonotrode may further comprise a plurality of redirecting features formed in the body and configured to cause received ultrasonic waves propagating along the first direction to propagate along a second direction, perpendicular to the first direction, upon encountering one or more of the redirecting features. In such embodiments, the body is further configured to stretch and compress along the second direction based on corresponding peaks and valleys of the waves propagating along the second direction. Such a sonotrode may also include at least one ultrasonic welding surface at an anti-nodal region of the body configured to oscillate based on the stretching and compressing.
Abstract:
A method for scoring and controlling the quality of dynamic food products transitioning in the processing steps is performed using image analysis. An image of a plurality of moving food products on a conveyor system is captured by on-line vision equipment and image analysis is performed on the image via an algorithm that determines the percentage of pixels having varying intensities of colors and applies predetermined preferences to predict consumer dissatisfaction. The entire group of food products of one or more images is given an overall appearance score and each individual food product is also scored such that each may be ranked from least to more acceptable. The ranked food products can then be ejected in the order of worst to better rank to increase the overall quality score of the entire group.
Abstract:
An improved method and apparatus for making a multi-compartment package on a form, fill, and seal machine. Two pairs of heat sealing jaws are provided which produce seals having different sealing strengths.