JPH0344731B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to processing food and comestibles. In particular, the present invention is directed to the kneading of a large number of substantially stacked food pieces, such as thick slices of meat, slices of fruit or cheese, or the like. The present invention relates to the processing of food products in a rotating drum, usually mounted on an axis oblique to the horizontal.

The invention also relates to a door actuation mechanism. In particular, the invention relates to such a mechanism as applied to a door for a rotating drum in which food products are processed.

The prior art in food processing has been described with respect to the rolling and rolling of thick cuts of meat, in which the meat products may, for example, be cured hams, ham products, bacon bellies, corned beef breasts or fresh meat. For example, beef thighs, roast roasts, turkey breasts, or other edible poultry products. Such meat has been subjected to rolling or kneading actions in various types of known equipment.

Preserved meat products are typically injected with a preservative brine with a needle prior to mechanical rolling or massaging, either under atmospheric pressure or alternatively under vacuum. The purpose of the rolling and kneading process is to accelerate the preservation process, improve the distribution of preserved components, and extract the "bind" protein myosin.

Extraction of myosin produces a sticky or sticky surface that improves moisture absorption and retention as well as increases the cohesiveness of the product during processing.

Massaging the boneless ham can improve and accelerate the distribution of the injected preserved brine,
The result is better storage in less time and, more importantly, a 5% to 7% increase in ham yield after cooking. Rolling the beef thigh or turkey breast creates conditions that make it possible to stuff several pieces into a casing or place them in a pre-cooking mold. After cooling, the chunks of meat can be cut into thin pieces without falling apart. The rolling or kneading action also provides other benefits such as color uniformity, softness, pliability, shrinkage control, and reduced material loss due to cooking.

Generally, pale, soft meats such as pork and chicken are rolled, while dark, firm meats such as beef, lamb, and turkey are rolled. The rolling action is carried out by the effect of "impact energy" on the muscles, which allows the meat to fall from the upper part of the rotating drum or causes it to be struck by the webs or baffles. The kneading action is a physically less intense process;
This is done by "frictional energy" resulting from rubbing one meat surface against another or the smooth surface of the container.

This known device for kneading is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
No. 4038426 (Jefferson) and U.S. Patent No.
No. 3,934,860 (Michaels) includes a vertical webbed kneading device. In this vertical web rolling operation, the webs are suspended from above to engage the product, and the units can be transported from the brine injection pipe to the processing site. Tank unloading is accomplished by tilting the entire unit using a hydraulically operated tipping device. This web-like massaging device is used almost exclusively for the production of boneless hams, since it damages the product for hams with bones inside. Even in the case of such boneless products, the rotating webs or stirring blades pull the product due to the mass of the load. the result,
Small pieces are torn and separated from larger chunks.

There are basically two types of vacuum kneading devices. One incorporates a drum- or barrel-shaped container that rotates in a horizontal position on power-driven rollers. Such units have internally a body which can be rotated longitudinally or angularly to effect lifting and mixing. The drum is loaded from the top while in a vertical position and then tilted down 90 degrees to roll on rollers. This kneading device requires considerable effort to load and unload. An example of such an arrangement is U.S. Patent No. 3,880,067
No. (Hoffmann).

A second type of vacuum kneading device is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
4029824 (Langen), No. 4036122 (Langen), and No. 3746316 (Langen). The system includes a sophisticated "Y" shaped container, with one leg of the "Y" being removable. The drum rotates about a central axis, allowing the meat to roll from one chamber to the next in a vacuum. This system typically includes several separable chambers or round stainless steel meat troughs mounted on wheels. Containers of food are attached to the conveyor system for directing to the "Y" drum area. A saline injector head with an injection needle mold can be provided in the two durability chambers. Because of the height at which the thick pieces of meat fall from chamber to chamber, damage occurs in the sense of bruising the meat. If the injector needle is adopted,
Additional tearing or tearing of the muscle occurs.

It is known in the rotary tube prior art to provide an atmospheric rotary tube which is a horizontal drum that is conical at each end and equipped with a manually operated door. An internal horizontal shelf provides the necessary lifting of the product. Such rotary cylinders are primarily used to extract the binding protein myosin during the preparation of pre-cooked, sectioned and shaped beef products.

The vacuum rotary tube incorporates a horizontal drum driven on power-driven rollers and functions much like a laundromat rotary tube in that it is tilted for evacuation. The product is charged through a folding downhill located in the center of the drum. The downhill slope is swung out of the way and a vacuum door is placed above the charging opening during processing.

There are various other devices designed for other purposes that may have been used or attempted from time to time in the meat processing industry. For example, there are strip blending devices and small inclined drum type concrete mixers that employ a helical paddle mounted on and rotated by a central axis within a cylinder used in the chemical industry. However, as far as can be ascertained, none of these devices can be considered satisfactory or successful. The reason is that they have not been adopted.

In view of the above-mentioned limitations and shortcomings of the prior art in the field of kneading food pieces, there is a need to provide an apparatus and method for food processing that can impart a gentle, low-speed rolling or kneading action to food pieces.

Particularly in the processing of meat, it is necessary to minimize static loading conditions that can cause tearing or separation and bruising of the product. In addition, regarding the vacuum rolling or massaging action of meat, the preservation is uniform, the color is bright, there is no bruising,
There is also a need to produce high quality meat products in which the overall meat texture in the mixed food is intact and dense.

Furthermore, by allowing rapid processing of the slaughtered animal, the time required for the muscles to contract and the precision mortise to harden is minimized. There is a need for a high productivity single meat massaging device. Therefore, there is a need for a massaging device that requires less time for the stored brine to penetrate by osmosis.

There is also a need for a processing device that can act as both a kneading device and a rotary barrel, and the prior art discloses units that are either rotary barrels only or kneading devices only. In such a complex unit,
Therefore, high speed dynamic rotation where the required amount of physical abrasion is desired creates a requirement for low speed kneading action.

Additionally, it is also desirable to reduce capital costs, power, handling requirements, work space, and maintenance. It would also be desirable to have processing equipment that is substantially more self-cleaning than existing processing equipment.

In accordance with the present invention, a plurality of substantially integrally stacked food pieces are kneaded in a rotating drum having helical flight means mounted around the inner wall between a closed end and an open end of the rotating drum. Apparatus and methods are provided. Based on the rotation of the drum, the food pieces are kneaded by mutual contact, and the type and magnitude of the kneading action can be varied by the rotation speed and direction of the drum. Other aspects of the invention include door means at the open end of the drum and, in certain preferred embodiments of the invention, means for drawing a vacuum into the drum during processing.

The present invention relates to the formulation of various ingredients for finished foods, cooking of the foods, heating by steam injection or other methods,
For various requirements in food processing, such as introducing flavoring additives into the drum to effectively process the product either at atmospheric pressure, vacuum, or superatmospheric pressure as desired. also has applications.

In some embodiments of the invention, where a door is provided, a door actuation mechanism is provided for the door at the mouth of the rotating drum, the door actuation mechanism releasably engaging a shaft projecting from the front face of the door. and includes tightening means for release. There is an arcuately movable arm mounted around a pin-coupled mooring means on a support located adjacent to the drum.
The support is mounted on the extension of the foundation and the rotating drum is mounted on the foundation. Tightening means are mounted on the end of the movable arm and are adapted to securely engage the door shaft until the vacuum pressure in the drum closed by the door reaches a predetermined value. Loosening the tightening means allows the door and drum to rotate together, without exerting stress or force on the door anchorage.

When the vacuum is released and the vacuum pressure approaches atmospheric pressure, there is a movement performed by the arm axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum and away from the door. There is also a time delay before the tightening means re-engages the door shaft.

The door actuation mechanism includes a door swing cylinder for actuating the movable arm and is provided with a cylinder for actuating the tightening means. The vacuum sensing switch can be operated by a cylinder,
There is a switching circuit for effecting a predetermined sequence of operation of the cylinders of the door actuation mechanism with respect to the vacuum pressure in the drum.

Adjustment bolts are provided around the hinged mooring support so that the means movable through the hinge pin can be adjusted laterally and axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the drum. The door is thus adjustable with respect to the mouth of the drum to accommodate manufacturing tolerances and misalignment due to wear as the drum rotates on its foundation.

A food processing device according to the invention has a side wall, a closed end for the drum, and an open end for feeding metal pieces into the drum and discharging food pieces from the drum, the open end and the closed end being opposite. a rotating drum having at least one closed end; a drum mounting device coupled to the drum around a sidewall located remote from; a drum mounting device mounted inside the sidewall of the drum and at least a substantial portion of the length between the closed end and the open end of the drum; a helical flight device extending over the length of the drum; a device adapted to be in driving engagement with the drum to permit rotation of the drum; thereby causing the food pieces contained within the drum to interact with each other; It is characterized by being kneaded by contact with.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, where the food product is a plurality of substantially integrally stacked food pieces, the helical flight device is configured to control substantially all of the food pieces inside the drum during rotation of the drum. It has a contour that causes continuous movement.

In one preferred form of the invention, there is door means mounted for movement between a position closing the open end of the drum and a position removed from the open end, said door means being operable when closed. and is adapted to form an airtight seal with the open end of the drum at the location.

Also in accordance with the invention there is a door actuation mechanism for a door to a drum mouth, the drum being mounted on the foundation means for rotation about an axis passing substantially through the center of the drum mouth; The door actuation mechanism is adapted to be mounted on the support means in adjacent relationship with the foundation means, the door actuation mechanism comprising:
mooring means; movable means extending from the mooring means and adapted to move the door between a closed position and an open position disengaged from the mouth of the drum; the door and the movable means; a clamping device disposed between and adapted to release the movable means from the door when the door is in the drum mouth closing position.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The invention will first be described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1-8.

A device for kneading a large number of substantially integrally stacked food pieces, such as thick slices of meat, is mounted on an axis inclined to the horizontal and mounted on a bearing pedestal 1.
a rotating drum 10 made of stainless steel supported by 1 and 12 and having a glass bead spray finish;
includes. The drum has four segments 13
a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, the segment 13a has a closed end 1
4 to a larger diameter around central portion 13b, then segments 13c and 1
3d to the smaller diameter of the open end of the drum 10. The closed end 14 of the drum 10 includes a centrally located inner conical housing 15. This housing 15 is formed by a portion 16 of the end wall 14 , a conical inner wall 17 and a central circular segment 18 inside the drum 10 . The conical housing 15 accommodates a conventional relatively direct hydrostatic drive 19.
Defines an area driveably connectable to the closed end 14 of the drum 10. The hydrostatic drive means 19 are themselves mounted on the bearing pedestal 11, thereby providing mounting support for the drum axially at the closed end 14 of the drum 10.

A bearing pedestal 12 is arranged around the side wall 13 remote from the closed end 14, thereby providing a further pedestal for the drum 10. At the top of the bearing pedestal 12 is a roller 20 adapted so that a track 21 on the side wall 13d of the drum runs over the roller 20. In this way, the drum will be approximately 10 degrees to horizontal.
It is rotatable about its longitudinal axis inclined by 15 degrees, preferably 12 degrees.

The drum 10 has an open end 22 which is closed by a door arrangement 23 when required during operation of the drum 10. Flight means is side wall 1
3 and extends over substantially the entire length of the drum 10 between the closed end 14 and the open end 22. The flight device is defined by two helical vanes 24 180 degrees out of phase with each other and mounted around the inside of the sidewall 13 of the drum 10. The advance angle of the vanes 24 is such that the food particles or food products 25 within the drum 10 are forced toward the closed end 14 of the drum 10 when the drum 10 rotates in the first direction.
13c and 13d. If rotated in the opposite direction, the contents 25 will be transferred to the open end 22
and is ejected through the open end 22 of the drum 10 when the door means 23 is opened.
The advance angle in the central regions 13b and 13c of the drum 10 is approximately 26 degrees, and the discharge section 13d of the side wall 13
is somewhat smaller because the diameter of the side wall 13 is reduced.

The vanes 24 are substantially perpendicular to the conical wall 17 at the closed end 14;
This is achieved by providing the lip 26 oriented substantially at right angles with respect to the normally planar portion 27 of the holder. This orthogonal engagement of vane 24 and wall 17 allows the vane portion 27 to be gradually tapered into engagement with the conical wall 17 within the narrow tight angle formed. The food piece 25 is not forced into it.

The edges 28 of the vanes 24 have a thick cross-section 29 to minimize harmful effects on the food particles during operation of the drum 10. This harmful effect may result in bruising of thick cuts of meat or large pieces of meat.
This includes things like being cut into pieces. The thick section 29 is formed by welding a tubular piece 29 to the top of the plate forming the vane 24.

The door means 23 is formed by a dish-shaped plate 30. Through the center of plate 30 an opening 31 is provided which is connected to a tube 32 . A strainer 33 is provided between the interior of the drum 10 and the opening 31, which prevents the passage of food particles into the opening 31 and the tube 32. Around the dish 30 there is a circular reinforcing flange 34 with a circular slot 35 in which a sealing ring 36 is placed. The flange 34 has a tapered edge 37 with respect to the plane of the dish 30.
, the tapered edge 37 has a circular reinforcing flange 3
A circular reinforcing flange 39 is arranged to abut a tapered edge 38 formed in the segment 13d at its end 40, i.e. in the drum 10.
is welded to the open end 22 of. Engaging tapered edges 37 and 38 facilitate self-centering of open end 22 and door means 23 such that, together with sealing ring 36 mating with tapered edge 38 as shown, an airtight seal can be created. .

In the side wall 13 of the drum 10 there are two hatching means 54 and 55. The hatching means are mutually offset laterally and longitudinally. Each hatch means 54 and 5
5 is arranged to move axially into and out of engagement with the opening 56 in the side wall 13 so as to create an effective seal of the opening 56. and a cover 57. A sealing ring 58 abuts the mouth 59 around the opening 56 . The cover 57 is effectively operated by the handle 60 and the crossbar 62.

Around the open end 22 of the drum 10 is a mounted shield 61 that covers the mounting rollers 20 and track 21 and protects the shield 61 from these parts of the drum and drive mechanisms 19 and 14.
The opening 22 is effectively hidden towards the rear of the closed end 14 of the drum 10. A delivery hopper 62 is fixed to the shield 61 so that the food pieces 25 discharged from the drum 10 can be suitably fed to the removal means.

A vacuum pump 41 mounted on the framework 42 below the drum 10 allows a vacuum to be created inside the drum 10 through the tube 32 . Generally, the tube 32 has an opening 31 and a rotating union 4.
4 and an elbow 45 connected to a flexible vacuum tube system 46 or the like.
and is defined by. Valves can be provided at suitable locations within the tube 32 so that the vacuum pump 41 and the drum can be isolated from each other or coupled as desired. In some cases, union 44 can be removed and the valve closed after a suitable vacuum is achieved through tube 32. vacuum pump 41
In this way, the door device 23 and the drum 10
separated from An arm 47 and a door means 2 project from about the lead portion 43 of the tube 32 to a mounting portion 48 spaced laterally from the side wall 12 of the drum 10.
3 are combined. Attachment part 48 of protruding arm 47
forms a hinge 49 and the door means 23 forms a hinge 49
can move around. Hinge 4 far from dish plate 30
9, the open end 22 and the door means 23
door means 23 to facilitate automatic centering of the
There is sufficient flexibility to allow for There is a stub 50 connected to a piston rod 51 that passes from the mounting 48 into the cylinder 52. This piston and cylinder means can be driven pneumatically through the supply pipe 53 to open and close the door means 23 as required. During operation of this processing device, the door means 23
is opened and thick slices of meat 25 are fed into drum 10. If desired, a storage fluid or the like 63 is also introduced into the drum to the required level. Alternatively, the storage fluid 63 may be stored in a thick slice of meat 25.
Before putting the meat into the drum 10, cut the thick pieces of meat 25
It can be injected inside.

The door 23 is then closed and the drum is rotated in a first direction creating a general force in the direction of the closed end 14. This acts to massage the meat slice 25 until the desired properties and characteristics of the meat slice 25 are obtained. If desired, the drum can also be rotated in the opposite direction, in which case the door remains closed and a force in a different and opposite direction is applied to the thick slices of meat 2.
5, thereby giving different properties to the meat slices. In one embodiment, drum 10
The drum can be held stationary for a desired amount of time to impart other necessary properties to the food pieces 25 within.

By rotating the drum 10 in the appropriate direction and opening the door 23 so that the meat slices 25 are drawn upwardly towards the open end 22 and from there fall into the feed hopper 62 and are removed. , thick slices of meat 2
5 discharges are performed.

In another application of the invention, when the door 23 is closed, a suitable vacuum is created in the drum by activating the vacuum pump 41, which can be up to about 1 atmosphere. . A pressure gauge 64 measures the vacuum inside the drum 10 .
A vacuum pump 41 is coupled and held to the drum using a rotating union 44. In other cases, the vacuum tube system 46 can be removed from the door means 23. When the vacuum condition is applied, thick slices of meat25
It is possible to increase the properties imparted to the meat, increase the speed and impart these improved properties to the meat. Different degrees of vacuum and pressure can be applied to drum 10 for different methods.

In a particular embodiment of the processing apparatus of the present invention for massaging boney and boneless meat products, pieces of meat weighing between 49 and 57 pounds per cubic foot (785 and 913 Kg/m ³ ) enter the drum 10. be introduced. The piece of meat 25 is injected with up to 40% preserved brine 63. Apart from the injected brine and the infiltration of a small amount of free brine, there is almost no suspended matter in the charge. During the kneading action, all free moisture will be absorbed by the meat 25. Upon completion of the process, the charge becomes more viscous, yet remains slippery and easy to handle.

The device can be used for kneading and processing other food pieces. An example of this is the massaging of citrus products, where the fruit is softened prior to pressing or pulping. Similarly,
Another method is cheese wheel rolling to create uniform conditions within the cheese.
There is also an application for compounding food products and various components for food products within the device. There is also use of drums for cooking foods such as wheat kernels under additional pressure generated by pressure pumps, or under vacuum or atmospheric pressure. by steam injection or other methods;
May add heat. Flavoring additives can also be suitably introduced.

The contents of the drum 10 are inspected by a hatching device 54,
55. Hatch 54 displaced on drum 10 as shown
and 55, it is possible to inspect various areas inside the drum. The hatch device also facilitates flushing of the drum during cleaning by keeping it in working condition. Purge fluid is added to the drum and hatch device 5
4 and 55 are closed like door 23, and the drum is rotated in either direction or both directions to effect the appropriate cleaning action. Flushing and drainage then takes place through the hatch devices 54 and 55, or through the open end 22 when the drum 10 is rotated in reverse.

By providing the ring 36 within the flange 34 of the door device 23, the ring 36 can be easily removed to facilitate cleaning of the slot 35, thus improving public hygiene associated with the device.

A suitable supply hopper can hold food pieces such as thick slices of meat2.
5 into the drum 10. In this regard, the feed hopper is preferably provided with a sliding slope that enters the open end 22 of the drum 10. This can avoid slipping of liquids with high protein content and avoid loss of final yield of food.

Vacuum pump 41 can be mounted separately from framework 42 in other embodiments of the invention. Vacuum pump 41 and hydrostatic drive 19 so that a favorable operating cycle of processing can follow.
Automatic program operations can be arranged.

Advantages of the present device include the feature that the construction allows for increased productivity with fewer equipment than prior art devices. For example, one unit of the present invention with a capacity of 15,000 pounds (6,804 Kg) is
Equal to nine vertical paddle kneading devices, each with a capacity of 1700 lbs (771 Kg). The unit of the invention, operating under vacuum, requires only 6-7 hours of cycle time, whereas the vertical paddle device takes as much as three times as long to obtain the same amount of rolled final product. I need. Similarly, the Langen-type vacuum rotary barrel system mentioned in the prior art above requires two systems to obtain the same output.

Under atmospheric pressure, the kneading operation is carried out for about 18 to 24 hours. The rotation speed during the kneading operation is usually 2 to 4 rpm. Preliminary experiments according to the present invention
It has been shown that rapid kneading of thick cuts of meat is possible at speeds of about 10 rpm without producing harmful effects on the food.

The device of the invention, operating with a gentle, slow rolling action or a faster kneading action, produces excellent food products with minimal damage, whether operated under vacuum or at atmospheric pressure. give to the target.

Additionally, the rolling device can also roll meat or other food pieces at speeds of 12 rpm or less under atmospheric pressure or vacuum.

Initial capital costs include work labor as well as expenses;
The invention saves money. Although the cost and labor to clean the equipment is reduced, this reduction is approximately 10
This can be achieved by a rotation speed of ~12 rpm.

In various embodiments of the invention, the drum 10
It is possible to have the advance angle of the blades 24 in the central regions 13b and 13c within the range of 20 degrees to 45 degrees. The most desirable advance angle appears to be around 25 degrees to 30 degrees. One factor determining the desired advance angle is the angle of inclination of the drum relative to the horizontal, which may also vary according to specific food requirements.

In other embodiments of the invention it is possible to provide hatching means 54 and 55 which are offset from each other only longitudinally or only laterally. Hatch means 54
and 55 are parts 13a, 13b, 13 of the side wall 13
c, or 13d. These hatch means can be intermediate between the vanes 24 of the flight means.

Piston 51 and cylinder 5 operated by air pressure
2, the door means 23 can be hydraulically actuated or any other suitable actuating device can be used.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the door 23
and the open end 22 are provided with different seal arrangements. The door 23 is arranged with the front side engaging the outer periphery of the open end 22 rather than the flange 34, with a seal 36 between the front side and the outer periphery.

In some embodiments of the device, the door is mounted on a support structure that is part of the foundation that supports the drum. Despite accurate adjustment of the drum and door, when the equipment is new, the door used to close the drum and the drum mouth may be damaged, for example due to wear of the rolls supporting the drum above, or due to manufacturing tolerance characteristics. It has been found that poor adjustment may occur between the two.

It is important that this enclosed space is airtight so that a suitable vacuum can be obtained.
It has been found that the operating characteristics of the drum of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 are not always as efficient as desired. In view of this misalignment, excessive stress may be placed on the drum mounting mechanism, particularly on the hinge formation of the door actuation mechanism, which is part of the structure extending from the foundation upon which the drum rests.

In the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 9-11, the movable container and the door to the mouth of the movable container are adjusted to minimize misalignment due to wear or normal manufacturing tolerances. A door actuation mechanism is provided which prevents deterioration of the hinged support attachment of the door and other deleterious effects on the support means of the door actuation mechanism. Means are also provided for adjusting the relative position of the drum and door in an easy manner so that an effective seal between the drum mouth and the door can be achieved.

Door 31 to mouth 311 of rotating drum 312
The door actuation mechanism for 0 includes a tightening device 313. The tightening device includes a pair of lever elements 314, each of which together define a pair of jaws 315 at one end thereof. JIYO 315
is positioned to receive a hollow shaft 316 through which a vacuum can be created within the drum 312 . The lever member 314 removed from the jaw 315 provides an arm 319 with a common pivot point 317 with the end of the distal extension 318, and the arm 319 is connected to the mouth 3 of the rotating drum 312.
11 is part of a movable device 320 for moving the door 310 from a closed position to a position where it is removed from the mouth 311.

Between the arm 319 and the extension 318 is a mounting plate 321 on which a pair of pneumatic cylinders 322 are fixed. cylinder 32
The end of 2 provides a piston coupled to the free end 324 of lever member 314. Opposite end 325 of cylinder 322 is coupled to a pneumatic power source through hose 326 , which is coupled to T-piece 327 . Hose 328 is coupled to a source of air pressure through a solenoid valve 329 and hose 330, as described in more detail below.

End 3 of shallow arm 319 from mooring element 313
31 is fixed to a tubular wall 332 forming a hinged anchoring means 333 for the door 310.

Tubular wall 332 supports axis of rotation 33 of drum 312.
5 is pivotally mounted about a central hinge pin 334 that is rotatable about an axis substantially linear with respect to 5 .
The hinge pin 334 is held in place by two sets of bolts: four adjustment bolts 336 at the top of the hinge pin 334 and four adjustment bolts 336 at the bottom. Bolts 336 are circumferentially spaced about pin 334 at approximately 90 degree intervals.

Bolt 336 is threaded into a circular support ring 337 and the relative protrusion of bolt 336 into the interior of wall 332 is adjustable by adjusting nut 338. The hinge pin 334 of the hinged mooring means 333 is movable laterally and axially with respect to the axis of rotation 335 of the drum 312. Therefore, the door 310 to the mouth 311 of the drum 312
The centering of the drum 312 can be performed accurately and the adjustment can be adjusted to compensate for wear and manufacturing tolerances during rotation of the drum 312.

The wall 332 includes a bushing 339 and a spacer plate 3.
40, and together with the thrust ring bearing 341 form a composite housing for the hinged mooring means 333. The bracket arm 342 is fixed by a bolt 343 to a post 344 of the foundation means 345 for the door actuation mechanism. This column 344 forms part of a foundation means 345 on which a rotating drum is mounted. drum 312
and the foundation means 345 there are rollers and tracks on which the drum can rotate.

A bracket 200 is provided supported below the hinged mooring assembly 333, and a solenoid valve 329 and a solenoid valve 346 are mounted on the bracket 200. The hose 347 is attached to the elbow member 34
8 to the open door opening 349 of the door swing cylinder 350. The hose 351 is also coupled to the elbow 348 and is connected to the door swing cylinder 35.
0 closed door opening 352.

The bracket 342 is connected to the door swing cylinder 350.
A perforated end wall 353 is provided to provide an axis 354 that is an extension to an end 355 of the. axis 35
4 is mounted on ears 356 fixed to end 355. Nuts 357 on either side of end wall 353 allow adjustment of shaft 354,
It is therefore possible to adjust the relative position of the door swing cylinder 350 with respect to the movable arm 320. In this manner, the effective degree of back and forth movement of piston 358 can be adjusted. As a result, the drum 312
The amount of pressure or movement of the door 310 over the mouth 311 of the door 310 can be varied as desired. piston 3
The end of 58 includes a ring 359 and a pair of ears 361.
The bolt 360 for fixing the ring 359 to the ring 3
Pass through 59. The ears 361 are attached to the mooring assembly 333
A door swing cylinder 350 extends from the side wall 332 of the
When the piston 358 of the rotating drum 312 moves back and forth, the arm 319 moves the door 31 from a position where it closes the mouth 311 of the rotating drum 312 to a position where it is removed from the mouth 311.
0 is moved.

Around the outer periphery 201 of the door 310 are provided spaced ears 202 that fit around the mouth 311 of the rotating drum 312. If there is excessive wear or large misalignment, the wall 3 of the rotating drum 312
These ears 202 are connected to the mouth 3 such that interference occurs between the outer circumference 201 of the mouth 64 and the legs 202.
11 and door 310.

The hollow shaft 316 is secured to the front face 203 of the door 310 through a mounting plate 365 formed in the door face 203 substantially centrally about the axis of rotation 335 of the rotating drum 312 . The end of the hollow shaft 316 is placed on the mounting plate 365, so
03 is provided with a counterbalance plate 366 suitably secured by bolts 367. Opposite end 36 of hollow shaft 316
8 is provided with a screw 369 for mounting the vacuum generator. Spaced inside the screw 369, the collar 3
70, and the collar 370 is arranged between the other collar 300 on the stub shaft 316 so as to accommodate the width of the jaw 315 between the ends 204 and 205 of the lever member 314 that performs the mooring with the door shaft 316. There is a defined space. As shown in FIG. 11, there can be seen a slight gap 371 between the end of the collar 370 and the end 372 of the jaw 315, measuring approximately one-quarter inch (6.35 mm). . This gap 371 exists when the door 310 is closed around the mouth 311 and the arm is extended to its furthest position when extended by the piston 358. In this position, the jaw 315 is in a released or disengaged position from the outside of the hollow shaft 316.

At the beginning of the operation of the door actuation mechanism, the Joe 31
5 is held firmly by the hollow shaft 316 and the door is in the open position. After the drum 312 is loaded, the door is closed under the action of the actuation mechanism. After the vacuum pressure inside the drum 312 generated through the vacuum pump reaches a predetermined level of 4 inches Hg (10.16 cm of mercury), the lever member 314's jaw 315 moves the shaft 3 by the actuation of the piston 323 of the cylinder 322.
Freed from 16. The drum shaft 316 is now
As a substantially integral unit with rotating drum 312, door 310 can freely rotate. In this way, via the arm 319, the column 34
Forces, movement, and vibrations on the shaft 316 and hinge mechanism of the mooring device 333 on the 4 are minimized. Mouth 311
In this way, an effective sealing of the drum through the door 310 and the door 310
Minimize and maintain top wear. hollow shaft 316
After the opening of the jaw 315 from
Residual pressure is maintained within the door swing cylinder 350 to cause it to swing further inwardly toward the door swing cylinder 350. This is the end 372 of Jyo 315 and collar 370.
Leave a 1/4 inch (6.35mm) gap between them.

If the vacuum inside the rotating drum 312 is broken,
Although the shaft 316 is not prevented from rotating, the collar 370 and the jaw 315 are attached to the door shaft 316.
The collar 370 is attached to the door 310 to prevent inadvertent separation of the door 310 from the arm 319
15 hollow shaft 316.

An adjustment bolt 3 on the mooring device 333 so that the door can move laterally or axially with respect to the axis of rotation 335 as the rotating drum wears during operation.
The movement of 36 allows the necessary adjustment of the position of the door 310 with respect to the rotating drum 312 to be made.

When the process is complete, the vacuum is released and the door swing piston 3 is opened at approximately 4 inches (10.16 cm) Hg.
50 swings the arm 319 to
end 372 of is engaged with collar 370. After a one second time delay, cylinder 322 is actuated to tighten jaw 315 around hollow shaft 316;
When the pressure within the rotating drum is reduced to approximately atmospheric pressure, the arm 319 causes the drum rocking piston 35 to
The door 310 is opened to the mouth 3 of the rotating drum based on the action of
Pull from 11.

An O-ring seal is provided between the drum mouth 311 and the door 310 to ensure that an effective seal of the closed drum can be achieved. The drum 312 is equipped with helical vanes or flights on the inside 206 of the wall 364, which enable processing of the contents of the drum, which may be food pieces, such as chunks of meat. In this embodiment of the invention, the axis 335 of the drum 312 is such that rotation of the drum is performed obliquely.
It is inclined to the horizontal.

In the embodiment of the invention described above, shaft 316
Although the stub shaft 316 is hollow and used to create a vacuum within the drum 321, in other embodiments the stub shaft 316 is solid and the drum 321 is hollow.
It is possible to provide a suitable vacuum for 12 with a suitable axial center point at the closed end of the drum. Instead of the stub shaft 316 for receiving the fastening means 313, alternative receiving means are provided on the door,
It can be provided to be engaged by a tightening device 313. Additionally, although a one second time delay has been described between the movement of jaw 315 against collar 370 and the time of engagement of jaw 315 with shaft 316, different time intervals may be used according to different predetermined operating characteristics. It will be understood that it is possible to set

In different embodiments employing the door when the drum operates under atmospheric pressure or higher pressure, a suitable latch can be used to hold the door on the drum free of attachment means.

The applications of door mechanisms with drums within the scope of the present invention extend beyond food processing drums.

The provided embodiments of the invention are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus with the drum partially shown in section. Figure 2 shows 2-2 in Figure 1.
An end view along a line showing the drum from its open end and the door arrangement closed at its open end. FIG. 3 is a side view, partly in section, detailing the first embodiment of the door arrangement, showing the door arrangement in phantom in the open position; FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional side view with the engagement reinforcement flange around the open end of the drum and the engagement reinforcement flange of the door arrangement. FIG. 5 is a cut-away end view through the drum taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 1, viewed from the direction of the open end of the drum. Figure 6 shows
2 is a cut-away end view through the drum taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1, looking toward the closed end of the drum; FIG. FIG. 7 is a detailed cut-away end view through the vanes of the flight means in the drum, showing the connection of the vanes to the side wall of the drum. FIG. 8 is a detailed cut away side view showing the hatching device in the side wall of the drum. FIG. 9 is an end view of the door actuating mechanism of a second embodiment of the door device for a rotating drum, showing in cross section a portion of the hinge mooring for the door actuating mechanism; and FIG. A cylinder is also shown. FIG. 10 is a side view of the door operating mechanism of FIG. 9, showing a partial view of the door, the door swing cylinder, and the movable arm piston;
and a solenoid vacuum valve for actuating the door swing cylinder and the clamping device cylinder. 1st
1 is a top view of the door actuating mechanism of FIG. 9, showing a portion of the rotating drum, the door abutting over the mouth of the drum, the movable arm, and the door operating mechanism of FIG. The door swing cylinder is shown in place and the door in the open position is shown in phantom. 10... Rotating drum, 13... Side wall, 13a,
13b, 13c, 13d... side wall portion, 14...
... closed end, 19 ... hydrostatic drive, 21
... Track, 22 ... Open end, 23 ... Door device,
24... spiral flight device, 26... lip,
30... dish-shaped plate, 31... opening, 32... pipe,
33...Strainer, 35...Slot, 36...
...Seal ring, 41...Vacuum pump, 44...
Rotating union, 47...arm, 51...piston rod, 52...cylinder, 54, 55...hatch means.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1 (a) having a side wall 13, a closed end 14 and an open end 22 for feeding food particles into and discharging food particles from the rotating drum; (b) a mounting device 11, 12 for the drum provided for rotation of the drum about a longitudinal axis extending between the ends inclined to the horizontal; c) a helical flight device mounted inside the side wall of the drum and extending over at least a substantial portion of the length between the closed and open ends of the drum, which said helical flight device 2 having a contour that causes continuous movement of substantially all the food particles;
4; and (d) by rotating the drum, the drum 1
The food pieces 25 contained in
a plurality of substantially stacked devices 19 adapted to be in driving engagement with the drum so as to be kneaded by movement of the drums 19 to each other and by contact with the helical flight device 24; A device for kneading the mixed food pieces 25. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a door arrangement mounted for movement between a closed position at the open end of the drum and a position remote from the open end. 3. Claim 2, characterized in that the door arrangement includes a dish plate extending outwardly from the drum and is adapted to form an airtight seal with the open end of the drum when in the closed position. The equipment described in section. 4. includes an opening leading into the interior of the drum so that the pressure within the drum can be varied with respect to atmospheric pressure, said opening being connected to a tube, said tube being adapted to be connected to a vacuum pump or a pressure pump; Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that
The equipment described in section. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the opening is in the door device. 6. The device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a valve is included in the pipe to enable opening and closing of the pipe. 7. Any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that it includes a rotating union in the tube, thereby allowing the pump to be continuously connected to the opening during rotation of the drum. Apparatus according to paragraph 1. 8. Device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the pressure change is in the range of substantially up to 1 atmosphere. 9 including a slot device around the edge of the door device, said slot device being adapted to receive a sealing ring in mating arrangement against an adjacent mating edge around the open end of the drum; An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that: 10 The edge of the door device containing the slot is tapered with respect to the plane of the door device, the abutment edge of the open end including a mating taper, said mating tapered edge aligning the open end and the door device. 10. A device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that it facilitates. 11 comprising a strainer member mounted on the door means, said strainer being disposed inside an opening in the door means, thereby preventing passage of food from the drum into the tube. An apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 10. 12. The door arrangement includes an arm projecting from the door arrangement, said arm coupling the door arrangement to a mounting portion laterally spaced from a side wall of the drum, said mounting portion having a hinge for the door arrangement. The device according to any one of claims 3 to 11, characterized in that: 13. Claim 12, comprising a power actuator for actuating the projecting arm of the door arrangement, thereby enabling movement of the door between a closed position and an open position. The equipment described in section. 14. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it includes a hatch device in the side wall of the drum. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that at least two hatch devices are offset relative to each other in the side walls of the drum. 16. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the flight device includes at least two mutually biased blades. 17. Device according to claim 16, characterized in that the edges of the blades remote from the side walls are thickened in order to minimize the harmful effect of the blades on the food particles or food products. 18. Claim 1, characterized in that said flight device comprises a lip in a direction substantially perpendicular to the normal direction of the flight device, said lip contacting the closed end of the drum substantially at right angles. 18. The device according to any one of items 1 to 17. 19. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it includes a device for introducing heat into the drum during food processing. 20 including a door actuation mechanism arranged to release the door from the door attachment device during rotation of the drum such that the door and the drum form a unitary body substantially separate from the door attachment device; An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 19. 21 (a) feeding food particles into a rotating drum mounted on an inclined axis and having a helical flight device; (b) rotating the drum about an axis in a first direction;
thereby bringing the food particles into contact with each other and drawing the food particles into the center of the drum by the rotation of the drum and the action of the flight device, resulting in continuous movement of substantially all of the food particles throughout the drum. and (c) reversing the direction of rotation of the drum, thereby ejecting the food pieces from the drum by the action of a helical flight device. . 22 closing the drum while rotating in the first direction;
Claim 2, characterized in that it includes
The method described in Section 1. 23 Closing the drum while rotating in the opposite direction;
Claim 2, characterized in that it includes
The method described in Section 2. 24. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that it comprises adding a treatment liquid to the food. 25. A method according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that it comprises introducing heat into the drum during the processing of the food. 26. The method of claims 21 to 25 includes rotating the drum alternately in the first direction and the opposite direction and holding the drum stationary for a predetermined time interval. The method described in any one of the paragraphs. 27. The food piece or food is a thick slice of meat;
27. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 26, characterized in that: