Patent ID: 9366580
Filing Date: 2016-06-14
CPC Classification: A22C,A23B,A23L,A23V,B65G,G01K,G01N,G05B

Claim Text:
1. A method of measuring the internal temperature of discrete food products thermally processed in a thermal processor while being conveyed by a conveyance system, comprising: (a) physically characterizing the food products being conveyed on the conveyance system; (b) based on the physical characterizing of the food products selecting sample food products for temperature measurement; (c) based on the physical characteristics of the selected sample food products, determining one or more locations on the selected sample food products that are expected to give a representative temperature at which to measure the internal temperature of the selected sample food products; (d) inserting temperature sensing devices into the selected sample food products at the selected locations using a powered insert apparatus and then retracting the powered insert apparatus away from the temperature sensing devices, the temperature sensing devices traveling with the selected sample food products on the conveyance system through the thermal processor as the food products are being processed; and (e) monitoring the temperatures sensed by the temperature sensing devices, including during the thermal processing of the selected sample food products.