Batch creation

Abstract

Apparatus, method, and system for combining a plurality of items into a batch having a set number of items. Number of items are put together onto a production line to form a batch along with non-batch items which are not suitable for inclusion within the batch onto the production line. The batch is advanced on the production line as a partial batch without the non-batch item being added to it when a batch is not complete. A reminder batch is created after the non-batch items have been added to the production line and the remainder batch includes the number of items that must be added to the partial batch to make a full batch.

1 . Apparatus arranged to combine a plurality of items into a batch having a set number of items, comprising:
 a production line;   a source of items which is arranged to place the set number of items together on the production line to form batches,   wherein the source additionally supplies items to the production line which are not suitable to be included in the batch such that, if a batch is incomplete when an unsuitable item is supplied, that batch is advanced on the production line as a partial batch without the non-batch item being added to it,   wherein the source is arranged to create a remainder batch after the non-batch items have been added to the production line in which the remainder batch includes the number of items that must be added to the partial batch to make a full batch, and   wherein the apparatus includes a combiner arranged to add the remainder batch to the partial batch to make up a full batch.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the source of items includes a source controller arranged to control the advance of the production line. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the source controller is arranged to control the source of items to create the remainder batches, when required, containing the number of items that must be added to a partial batch to make a full batch. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the source controller is arranged to generate a partial batch signal for directing to the combiner which indicates at least one of: a) the number of items making up a partial batch, and b) the number of items making up a remainder batch. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the source controller is arranged to allocate an electronic label to each item which is held within the source controller, the label for non-batch items being distinguishable from other labels. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the source of items is a source of foodstuff items. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the source of items is a portioning machine which includes a knife arranged to cut a bulk piece of foodstuff into portions which constitute the items. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the portioning machine includes a mould arranged to retain the bulk piece of foodstuff as it is portioned. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the portioning machine is arranged to cut a primal cut of meat into portions. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the combiner includes a retractable conveyor. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the combiner includes a conveyor controller arranged to control the conveyor to add the remainder batch to the partial batch to form a full batch. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the source of items includes a source controller arranged to control the advance of the production line,
 wherein the source controller is arranged to generate a partial batch signal for directing to the combiner which indicates at least one of: a) the number of items making up a partial batch, and b) the number of items making up a remainder batch, and   wherein the conveyor controller is connected to the source controller to receive the partial batch signal.   
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the conveyor controller is further arranged to control the conveyor to add the remainder batch to the partial batch so that the two batches are aligned as if they were formed as a single batch. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the conveyor controller is arranged to control the conveyor so as to run non-batch items off its end away from the partial batch. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the combiner includes a sensor arranged to detect the position of an item on the conveyor. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an arm mounted for movement across the path of the items, operation of which serves to remove non-batch items from the apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . A method of combining a plurality of items into a batch having a set number of items, comprising:
 placing the set number of items together onto a production line to form a batch;   supplying non-batch items which are not suitable for inclusion within the batch onto the production line,   advancing the batch on the production line as a partial batch without the non-batch item being added to it when a batch is not complete,   creating a remainder batch after the non-batch items have been added to the production line, in which   wherein the remainder batch includes the number of items that must be added to the partial batch to make a full batch, and adding the remainder batch to the partial batch to make up a full batch.   
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , further including counting the number of items in a batch, and if the batch is partial, calculating the number of items to be included in the remainder batch which, when added to the partial batch will make a full batch. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 17 , further including generating a partial batch signal indicating at least one of: a) the number of items making up a partial batch, and b) the number of items making up a remainder batch. 
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 17 , further including allocating within an electronic system, an electronic label to each item, the label for non-batch items being distinguishable from other labels. 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the items are foodstuff items. 
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 21 , wherein the step of placing the set number of items together onto a production line to form a batch includes cutting a bulk piece of foodstuff into portions which constitute the items. 
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 22 , wherein the bulk piece of foodstuff is a primal cut of meat. 
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the step of adding the remainder batch to the partial batch is done by use of a retractable conveyor. 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 24  further comprising:
 including generating a partial batch signal indicating at least one of: a) the number of items making up a partial batch, and b) the number of items making up a remainder batch; and 
 including receiving the partial batch signal. 
 
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising controlling the conveyor to add the remainder batch to the partial batch so that the two batches are aligned as if they were formed as a single batch. 
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising controlling the conveyor ( 5 ) so as to run non-batch items off its end away from the partial batch. 
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 25 , further comprising detecting the position of an item on the conveyor. 
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 17 , further comprising removing non-batch items from the apparatus. 
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the set number of items making up a full batch is at least three. 
     
     
         31 . A system for combining a plurality of items into a batch having a set number of items comprising:
 a source of items arranged to identify when a non-batch item which is not suitable to be included in a batch is placed on a production line;   a counter arranged to count the number of items in a partial batch that is created when a batch is incomplete;   a source controller arranged to control a source of the items to subsequently create a remainder batch having the number of items required which, when added to the partial batch, will make the partial batch up to a full batch,   wherein the source controller further generates a partial batch signal which is used to control a combiner to add the remainder batch to the partial batch.   
     
     
         32 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the portioning machine includes a mould arranged to retain poultry breasts as it is portioned. 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the portioning machine is arranged to cut poultry breasts into portions.