Macerator having automated roller spacing control

摘要

The present invention is a processing device, such as a macerator for use in processing various types of food products, that includes an automatic adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a roller disposed within the macerator. The mechanism includes a controller operably connected to a motor that can move the roller within the macerator to vary the position of the roller with respect to another roller located in the macerator. Inputs to the controller are used to control the operation of the motor to move the roll into a desired configuration associated in a storage medium in the controller with a particular food product to be processed. The input to the controller can also be used to simultaneously adjust the position of other components of other processing devices in a food processing system, such as an injector to remove the need for individually adjust each device in the system. Also, the controller can utilize other devices on the macerator to dynamically adjust the position of the rollers in response to the individual food products being treated in the macerator.

主权项

1. A food processing system comprising:
a) a first food processing device adapted to receive and process a food product and including a first adjustable component therein; b) an adjustment motor connected to the first adjustable component; and c) a controller including operably connected to the adjustment motor and to an input device, the controller configured to operate the motor in response to operation of the input device to adjust the position of the first adjustable component, wherein the controller includes a storage medium in which a number of different parameters for the first adjustable component are stored, wherein each parameter is linked with a distinct input from the input device.