Food article defect removal apparatus

A food article defect removal apparatus for removing defective food articles from a food processing line, the food article defect removal apparatus comprising:

• a manifold comprising an extrusion including an exterior wall at least partially defining a first chamber and a second chamber configured for holding pressurized fluid, the exterior wall defining a first plurality of channels extending from a first side of the extrusion into fluid communication with at least one of the first chamber or the second chamber, the extrusion comprising an interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the interior wall defining a second plurality of channels extending from the first side of the extrusion to a second side of the extrusion, the second chamber proximate to the first side of the extrusion, the exterior wall at least partially defining a third chamber proximate to a third side of the extrusion opposite the first side of the extrusion, the interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the third chamber, the exterior wall defining a third plurality of channels extending from the third side of the extrusion into fluid communication with at least one of the first chamber or the third chamber, the interior wall defining a fourth plurality of channels extending from the third side of the extrusion to the second side of the extrusion;
• and
• a plurality of valves selectively connecting each one of the first plurality of channels to a corresponding one of the second plurality of channels for selectively dispensing the pressurized fluid from the second side of the extrusion.

A food article defect removal apparatus for removing defective food articles from a food processing line, the food article defect removal apparatus comprising:

• a manifold comprising an exterior wall at least partially defining a first chamber and a second chamber configured for holding pressurized fluid, the exterior wall defining a first plurality of channels extending from a first side of the manifold into fluid communication with at least one of the first chamber or the second chamber, the manifold comprising an interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, the interior wall defining a second plurality of channels extending from the first side of the manifold to a second side of the manifold, the second chamber proximate to the first side of the manifold, the exterior wall at least partially defining a third chamber proximate to a third side of the manifold opposite the first side of the manifold, the interior wall disposed between the first chamber and the third chamber, the exterior wall defining a third plurality of channels extending from the third side of the manifold into fluid communication with at least one of the first chamber or the third chamber, the interior wall defining a fourth plurality of channels extending from the third side of the manifold to the second side of the manifold;
• and
• a plurality of valves selectively connecting each one of the first plurality of channels to a corresponding one of the second plurality of channels for selectively dispensing the pressurized fluid from the second side of the manifold.