# US 11,003,155 B2 · Calibration apparatuses and methods for food processing machines > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,003,155 B2 - Document ID: US11003155B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/222,172 - Filed: 2018-12-17 - Published: 2019-06-20 - Granted: 2021-05-11 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-18 - Assignees: MP Equipment, LLC - Applicants: MP Equipment, LLC - Inventors: Tuan Anh Phan; Ernest Merrill; Matt Jones; James S. Tomlin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11003155B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/402: characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position (G05B19/19 takes precedence) - A47J 43/07: Parts or details, e.g. mixing tools, whipping tools - G05B 2219/31269: Convey tool and workpiece to workcenter - G05B 2219/37087: Cutting forces - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - A47J: KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES ## Abstract A calibration system for a food processing machine has a conveyor for conveying a workpiece, scanning system for scanning the workpiece and creating a digital image of the workpiece, and a cutting device downstream from the scanning system for cutting the workpiece. A calibration object is conveyed through the food processing machine by the conveyor and scanned. A controller, with a memory, is in communication with the cutting device and the conveyor such that the controller can track position of the cutting device as the cutting device is moved into alignment with the calibration object and store calibration values on the memory corresponding to the movement of the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. The controller is configured to calibrate movement of the cutting device relative to the workpiece based on the digital image of the workpiece and the calibration values to thereafter accurately cut the workpiece. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A calibration system for a food processing machine comprising: a conveyor configured to convey a workpiece; a scanning system configured to scan the workpiece and create a digital image of the workpiece; a cutting assembly downstream from the scanning system that has a cutting device configured to cut the workpiece based on the digital image of the workpiece; a calibration object that is conveyed by the conveyor and scanned by the scanning system prior to cutting the workpiece, wherein the scanning system creates a digital image of the calibration object; and a controller in communication with the cutting assembly, the scanning system, and the conveyor, the controller configured to: determine that the cutting device is in alignment with the calibration object based on the digital image of the calibration object and signals from the conveyor and the cutting assembly, store calibration values based on the alignment of the cutting device with the calibration object, and thereafter move the cutting device based on the calibration values in order to cut the workpiece. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to move the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The calibration system according to claim 1, further comprising a user input device for receiving a user input and in communication with the controller, and wherein the controller is further configured to move the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object based on the user input. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the calibration object has a target, and wherein the cutting device is aligned with the target. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The calibration system according to claim 4, wherein the target is a pinhole that extends through the calibration object, and wherein the cutting device dispenses a water stream that passes through the pinhole when the cutting device is aligned with the target. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The calibration system according to claim 5, wherein the calibration object has a line that extends from the target. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The calibration system according to claim 4, wherein the calibration object has a sloped upper portion that converges to the target. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The calibration system according to claim 6, wherein the calibration object has a flexible gasket that contacts the conveyor. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to analyze the digital image of the workpiece and determine cuts along which the cutting device cuts the workpiece, and wherein the controller moves the cutting device based on the calibration values and the cuts to thereby cut the workpiece. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The calibration system according to claim 1, wherein the calibration object has a plurality of sensors, and wherein the controller is in communication with the plurality of sensors; and wherein the determining that the cutting device is in alignment with the calibration object includes receiving signals from the plurality of sensors. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The calibration system according to claim 10, wherein the sensors of the plurality of sensors are pressure sensors or proximity sensors. ### Claim 12 A method for calibrating a food processing machine having a conveyor for conveying a workpiece, a scanning system for scanning the workpiece and creating a digital image of the workpiece, and a cutting device downstream from the scanning system for cutting the workpiece, the method comprising: conveying, with the conveyor, a calibration object to the scanning system; scanning the calibration object to create a digital image of the calibration object; further conveying, with the conveyor, the calibration object to the cutting device; determining, with a controller, that the cutting device is in alignment with the calibration object; storing calibration values on the controller based on the alignment of the cutting device with the calibration object; conveying a workpiece to a scanning system that scans the workpiece and creates a digital image of the workpiece; further conveying the workpiece to the cutting device; and moving, with the controller, the cutting device based on the on the digital image of the workpiece and the calibration values in order to cut the workpiece. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, further comprising moving, with the controller, the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method according to claim 13, further comprising: receiving a user input, with a user input device in communication with the controller, that corresponds to desired movement of the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object; and moving, with the controller, the cutting device into alignment with the calibration object based on the user input. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, wherein the calibration object has a target, and further comprising: moving, with the controller, the cutting device into alignment with the target of the calibration object. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the target is a pinhole that extends through the calibration object, and the method further comprising: dispensing, with the cutting device, a water stream, wherein when the cutting device is misaligned with the calibration device, the water stream deflects off the calibration object, and wherein when the cutting device is aligned with the calibration object, the water stream passes through the pinhole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the cutting device is a first cutting device and wherein the food processing machine has a second cutting device; and further comprising: further conveying, with the conveyor, the calibration object to the second cutting device; determining, with the controller, that the second cutting device is in alignment with the calibration object; storing secondary calibration values—on the controller based on the alignment of the second cutting device with the calibration object; and moving, with the controller, the second cutting device based on the secondary calibration values in order to cut the workpiece. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17, further comprising: receiving a secondary user input, with the user input device, that corresponds to the desired movement of the second cutting device into alignment—with the calibration object; and moving, with the controller, the second cutting device into alignment with the calibration object based on the secondary user input. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the calibration object has a plurality of sensors, and the method further comprising: receiving signals, with the controller, from the plurality of sensors; and wherein the determining that the cutting device is in the alignment with the calibration object includes incorporating the signals from the plurality of sensors. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the sensors are pressure sensors or proximity sensors. ### Claim 21 A calibration system for a food processing machine comprising: a conveyor configured to convey a workpiece; a scanning system configured to scan the workpiece and create a digital image of the workpiece; a cutting device downstream from the scanning system that is configured to cut the workpiece based on the digital image; a calibration object that is conveyed by the conveyor prior to cutting the workpiece; and a controller in communication with the cutting device, the scanning system, and the conveyor, the controller configured to: determine that the cutting device is in alignment with the calibration object, store calibration values based on the alignment of the cutting device with the calibration object, and move the cutting device based on the calibration values in order to cut the workpiece.