Automated product profiling apparatus and product slicing system using same

An automated system for processing a food product based on the acquisition of its surface profile, comprising:

• a conveyor line along which a food product is conducted, in sequence, between a profiling apparatus and a subsequent product processor;
• the profiling apparatus having line lasers above and below the product for illuminating the upper and lower surface profiles of the product across at least one transverse plane transverse to the conveyance direction of the product and cameras for imaging the upper and lower surface profiles illuminated by the line lasers to acquire visual images;
• a controller signal-connected to said cameras for determining the volume of the product by acquiring and processing a plurality of said visual images acquired by the cameras along the length of the product as the product is moved through the at least one transverse plane;
• and
• the product processor having a control system for varying its processing operation on the product based in part upon the volume of the product.

An apparatus for acquiring a profile of a product for use in subsequent processing of the product comprising:

• a scanning chamber for accepting a product;
• one or more product drives that are operable to drive the product through the scanning chamber;
• an upper vision system disposed to acquire and send first visual information relating to the profile of the upper portion of the product along the length of the product;
• a lower vision system disposed to acquire and send second visual information relating to the profile of the lower portion of the product along the length of the product;
• a control system connected for control of the upper and lower vision systems and operating to convert the first and second information received from the upper and lower vision systems into a format suitable for use by at least one subsequent product processor, wherein said scanning chamber is spaced from the subsequent product processor such that said first and second information over the entire length of the product is available for use by the at least one subsequent product processor before processing commences;
• wherein said product comprises meat slabs and said at least one subsequent product processor comprises a slicing apparatus.

An apparatus for acquiring a profile of a food product for use in subsequent processing of the food product comprising:

• a scanning chamber for accepting a food product;
• one or more product drives that are operable to drive the product through the scanning chamber;
• an upper vision system disposed to acquire and send first visual information relating to the profile of the upper portion of the product along the length of the product;
• a lower vision system disposed to acquire and send second visual information relating to the profile of the lower portion of the product along the length of the product;
• a control system connected for control of the upper and lower vision systems and operating to convert the first and second information received from the upper and lower vision systems into a calculated volume of the product suitable for use by at least one subsequent product processor, wherein said scanning chamber is spaced from the subsequent product processor such that said calculated volume is available for use by the at least one subsequent product processor before processing commences;
• wherein a first one of said one or more product drives comprises an input section drive, and a second one of said one or more product drives comprises a scanning section drive, and a third one of said one or more product drives comprises an output section drive, said input section drive for moving a product to be engaged by said scanning section drive, said scanning section drive moving said product through said scanning chamber to a position to be engaged by said output section drive, said output section drive delivering said product out of said scanning chamber.