AU2012101552A4 - A press and method for pressing food products - Google Patents

Abstract

A press (10) suitable for pressing food products such as smoked meat and the like, said press comprising: (a) a first support frame (12) having spaced apart first racks (28); (b) a second support frame (14) having spaced apart second racks (30), wherein the frames are movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the racks (28, 30) being aligned and positioned such that the food may be loaded onto the first racks (28) in the open condition and such that the food is pressed between first racks (28) and second racks (30) by relative movement of the frames (12, 14) to a closed condition, wherein the closed condition is achieved by mechanical means.

Description

GIUSEPPE MAIORANA AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT "A PRESS AND METHOD FOR PRESSING FOOD PRODUCTS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 1 A PRESS AND METHOD FOR PRESSING FOOD PRODUCTS FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the field of presses and producing pressed food products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Pressed food such as smoked meats and other products including smoked cheeses and the like are becoming increasingly popular especially in affluent nations. [0003] Generally products such as ham and smoked chicken are produced within a membrane or casing. The food is placed in the membrane and pressed, then smoked, cooked or otherwise treated to preserve it, [0004] A number of different means for pressing food exist. These range from the very simple system of manually placing the food between two wire mesh screens and attaching metal springs around the edge of the screens to more complex apparatus. [0005] Systems such as the Deltec ultimate ham press are an example of complex apparatus. This press consists of a series of spaced apart shelves which are supported by bars connected to concertina mechanisms on either side of the press. Compression is achieved by gravity which acts on the shelves; however the concertina mechanism has metal links which only allow the shelves to compress a predetermined distance. The metal links must be changed if a different amount of compression is required. [0006] As will be appreciated the use of metal springs is a difficult and time consuming operation and may have variable results whereas the use of complex apparatus has its disadvantages such as difficulties in achieving even compression of the food and cleaning of the apparatus. Even compression of the product is desirable as uneven compression adversely affects its quality and uniformity, Hygiene and ease of cleaning of equipment are also considerations which affect cost of production.

2 [0007] Other proposals such as US Patent No. 5,980,966 relate to a press which relies on a complicated hydraulic system to apply pressure where the press must be docked on and off of the closing unit. This is a complex system requiring specialized equipment. [0008] The above references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. [0009] The present inventors have set out to address at least some of the problems associated with the production of pressed foods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In one aspect the present invention provides a press for pressing food products such as smoked meat and the like, said press comprising: (a) a first support frame provided with a plurality of spaced apart first racks; (b) a second support frame of the press provided with a plurality of spaced apart second racks, the support frames in the press being movable between an open condition and a closed condition of the press, said pluralities of racks being aligned and positioned so that the food may be loaded onto the plurality of first racks in the open condition and that the food being pressed between the pluralities of first and second racks by movement of at least one of the frames to a closed condition, wherein movement to the closed condition is achieved by mechanical means. [0011] The term "food products" in the specification refers to food products which require pressing such as hams, smoked poultry, dairy products, including smoked cheeses and panir, and non-dairy food products such as tofu. Generally the food in the food product will be in a casing or membrane which is sealed after pressing. [0012] The term "a support frame" in the specification refers to a rigid structure which supports the racks. The support frames may include a number of members forming the skeleton of the frame and a plurality of mounts for holding racks. These frames generally are disposed vertically. The support frames are movable relative to each other.

3 [0013] The term "racks" in the specification refers to a shelf, tray or platen suitable for holding the food. Where the press is used for smoked foods these racks will generally be of wire mesh or screen material, The racks generally are disposed horizontally. [0014] The term "open condition" in the specification refers to a condition of the press where there is sufficient room between the pluralities of racks to place or remove a food product onto or from the racks. [0015] The term "closed condition" in the specification refers to condition of the press where, as a result of the relative movement of the support frames, the pluralities of racks are in such close proximity that pressure is exerted on the food product. As will be appreciated, the term "closed condition" is a relative term depending on the height or size of the product. [0016] The "mechanical means" may take the form of sets of gears which when driven interact with threaded rods to raise and/or lower a frame. Alternatively, the mechanical means may take the form of chains and sprockets interacting with threaded rods to raise and/or low a frame. [0017] In another aspect the invention provides a method of pressing food products such as smoked meats and the like, said method including: providing: I (a) a first support frame having spaced apart first racks; (b) a second support frame having spaced apart second racks wherein the press is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the racks being aligned and positioned such that food may be loaded onto the first racks in the open condition and such that the food is pressed between the racks by movement of the frames to a closed condition, wherein the closed condition is achieved by mechanical means and; II. performing the steps of: (c) loading the food into the racks and; (d) pressing the food. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0018] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood a preferred embodiment will now be described with reference to the following non limiting illustrative drawings, in which: 4 [0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention in a "closed" condition. [00.20] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure I in an "open" condition. [0021] Figure 3 is an elevational view from the front of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a "closed" condition. [0022] Figure 4 is an elevational view from the left hand side of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a "closed" condition. [0023] Figure 5 is a plan view from above of the embodiment of Figure 1. [0024] Figure 6 is a partial elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an "open" condition containing food product to be pressed. [0025] Figure 7 is a partial elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in a "closed" condition containing food product being pressed. [0026] Figure 8 is a partial perspective view, partly in phantom, of the embodiment of Figure 1 in an "open" condition. [0027] Figure 9 is an exploded partial perspective view of the embodiment of Figure I showing the operating mechanism. [0028] Figure 10 is a view from above of part of the operating mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 1. [0029] Figure 11 is a sectional view along 11-11 of Figure 10. [0030] Figure 12 is a view of the central part of the shaft of the operating mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 1 5 [0031] Figure 13 is a view of part of a spring and an anchoring point of the operating mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 1. [0032] Figure 14 is a view of upper ends of threaded rods and rotation restraining means as in the operating mechanism of the embodiment of Figure 1. {0033] Figure 15 is another view of the upper ends of threaded bolts and rotation restraining means as shown in Figure 14. [0034] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a rack of the embodiment of Figure 1. [0035] Figure 17 is a close up view of portion of the rack of Figure 16 showing the movable side piece having been moved out of the plane of the rack. [0036] Figure 18 is a close up view of portion of the rack of Figure 16 showing the movable side piece having been moved out of the plane of the rack and with several rods in the rack having been removed. [0037] Figure 19 is a view from above of an alternate mechanical means for raising or lowering racks. [0038] Figure 20 is a sectional elevational view along line 20-20 of the mechanical means of Figure 19. [0039] The press, indicated generally by the numeral 10, is constructed of stainless steel material suitable for food production and comprises a plurality of first support frames 12 and a plurality of second support frames 14, said first support frames 12 being mounted securely on base 16. The second support frames 14 are mounted on springs 18 and threaded rods 20 passing through holes 22, 24 in the top plate 26 of the base 16. Each of these sets of first and second support frames bears a number of racks (28, 30) in vertically stacked configurations. The set of second support frames can move relative to the first support frames to bring the press into a "closed" condition as shown in Figure 1 and an "open" condition as illustrated in Figure 2. The movement between "open" condition and 6 "closed" condition is effected by use of mechanical means (including shaft-mounted gears mounted on threaded rods) mounted within base 16. [0040] Although the press 10 as illustrated is in the form of a trolley with wheels 32 attached to base 16 it may also take the form of a truck which runs on rails. Alternatively a press according to the invention may be fixed to a floor to assist in maintaining stability. [0041] The plurality of first support frames 12 is composed of four upright members (34, 36, 38 and 40) made of angle bar, mounted in pairs on that top plate 26 adjacent the front 42 and the back 44 of upper side of base 16. [0042] Each of the plurality of racks 30 is composed of a stainless steel grid 46 located within a frame 48. The grid 46 consists of a plurality of support members 52 and cross members 54. A plurality of parallel aligned stainless steel rods 58 pass through support members 52. One side 58 of the frame is pivotally attached to adjacent sides of the frame 48 at pivot points 60. In use the side 58 is in the same plane as the other sides of the frame. However, as shown in Figures 17 and 18 the side 58 can be pivoted out of the plane of the other sides of the frame to allow rods 56 to be withdrawn from the frame for cleaning or replacement. Each of the plurality of racks 30 is mounted horizontally at spaced intervals between uprights 34, 36 and uprights 38, 40. In the preferred embodiment shown, first support frame 20 and racks 38 are in a fixed position. As will be explained a second plurality of racks 30 move in relation to the first plurality of racks 28 although the reverse is also contemplated. [0043] The second support frame 14 includes two U-shaped members 62 and 64 (comprising upright portions 66, 68 joined by a cross bar 70), also made of angle bar, with the upper ends of threaded rods 20, made of stainless steel or the like, mounted in rotation restraining.mounts 72 secured to the under sides of the cross bar. Additionally, the upper ends of a plurality of springs 18 are attached to the under sides of the cross bars 70. [00441 The second plurality of racks 30 are similar in construction to the first plurality of racks 28 and made of the same materials but are inverted as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. This provides a relatively uniform array for exerting pressure on product 7 to be passed. The second plurality of racks are mounted horizontally at spaced intervals on the upright portions 66, 68 of the U-shaped members 62 and 64 of the second support frame 14. Conveniently the rods in each of the first racks 28 and second racks 30 are detachable from their frames as previously discussed. This is both to facilitate loading and for ease of cleaning. Product may be placed on the rods. The rods in the racks may be replaced by plate material secured to the grid 46 in certain circumstances. [0045] Second support frame 14 is able to move relative to first support frame 12, as uprights 22, 24, 26 and 28 as U-shaped members 62 and 64 are not restrained from movement by engagement with any of the upright members 34, 36, 38 or 40. Optionally, locating guides which may be in the form of wheels, nylon bushes, rollers or bearings may be mounted on the U-shaped members to provide some form of interaction with the upright members to aid stability. [0046] The pluralities of first racks 28 and second racks 30 are disposed so that adjacent pairs of respective first racks and second racks can be brought together from an open position as shown in Figure 2 to a closed position as shown in Figure 1. The pairs of racks are configured such that the lowermost of the first racks 28 is closest to base 16 and the topmost rack is one of the second racks 30, there being 7 pairs in the embodiment shown. (0047] The mechanical means for moving the second racks includes a shaft 74 and gears described as follows. Shaft 74 extends across the housing 76 of base 16, is supported by bearings 78 mounted on the inner sides of the housing 76, and has a driving end 80 engageable with a rotating driving means, such as a power drill. To reduce misalignment, the shaft 74 is composed of two mating half shafts 82, 84, which mate by means of engaging teeth (not shown) at mating ends 86, 88. A plastic sheet 90 is fitted between the mating ends and partially overlaps the mating ends to aid alignment and smooth out the effects of any misalignment. [0048] The shaft 74 carries helical gear 92 disposed towards the non-mating ends of the half shafts 82, 84. Each helical gear 92 engages a pair of helical gears 94, each of which is mounted rotatably at the lower end of one of the threaded rods 20. Each of the helical gears 94 is contacted on the upper and lower faces thereof by washers 95 and a plate 97 which is fixed to the lower face of the lowermost washers 95. Rotation of the shaft 74 results in rotation of helical gears 92 and consequent rotation of helical gears 94 on the threaded rods 20, which leads to the U-shaped members 62, 64 being raised or lowered depending on the direction of rotation. The rate and extent of raising or lowering is restricted by the presence of springs 18 mounted between the underside of cross bars 70 and towards the bottom of the housing 76 on mounts 96 fixed to housing 76. It will be noted that an additional inner housing 98 is provided within housing 76 to accommodate springs 20 in tubes 100. A role of the housings 76 and 98 is to also protect the springs from spatter. An alternative mechanical means is depicted in Figures 19 and 20. [0049] Drive chain 102 and sprockets 108, 110 may be covered by chain cover 104 forming the top surface of base 16a. Driveshaft 106 extends to drive a pair of main sprockets 108 and 110 which pair is centrally located on the underside of base 16. Main sprockets 108 and 110 drive small sprockets 112 and 114 respectively by chains 116. Small sprockets 112 and 114 act on threaded rods 118 attached to second frame (not shown) to pull second frame (not shown) down into the closed position such as shown in Figure 1. This brings the pairs of racks (28 and 30) closer together. [0050] Chain cover 104 and base 16a act as a housing for this alternative mechanical means and protect it from splatter during cooking/processing and from cleaning fluids during washing of the press. Bolts (not shown) holding chain cover 104 may be simply undone to access the mechanical means for maintenance. From here the individual components may be removed and replaced as necessary. [0051] To open and close the press means such as a cordless drill may be applied to the drive shaft 106. [0052] In use food products 120 are loaded into first racks 28 of press 10 when the press is in an open condition such as shown in Figure 2. In order to assist in achieving uniform compression the food should be prepared in portions of approximately the same thickness. The cordless drill or other power source is engaged with the end 80 of the shaft 74 or to the drive shaft 106 to act on the mechanical means which draws second frame 14 9 downwardly so that second racks 30 press on to the food products. Figures 6 and 7 show this. The amount of compression achieved can be judged visually. An even application of pressure to the products allows more efficient and uniform expulsion of air from casings and results in more uniform and visually appealing product. [0053] Further, if it is desired to press smaller products such as turkey breasts at the same time as larger products such as hams, then the relative positions of the pairs of first and second racks may be set up accordingly when the press is manufactured. Alternatively some embodiments of the invention contemplate the use of adjustable racks. [0054] Parts of the press made from sheet material may be conveniently produced by use of nested parts technology to ensure dimensional accuracy of the parts and provide easy and rapid fabrication. [0055] As can be seen from the above the use of mechanical means to achieve compression allows for a more visually appealing and uniform product to be made. In addition the feature that the mechanical means is covered makes cleaning of the press very convenient and allows for good hygiene. Further the present invention is easier and safer to operate than that disclosed in US Patent No. 5,980,966 and the application of mechanical pressure rather than by hydraulic means enables greater consistency to be achieved in the amount of pressure applied to the product from batch to batch and makes over pressing of the product less likely. EXAMPLE 1 [0056] Food products such as hams and turkeys are prepared by deboning the hind quarter, cutting it to a predetermined size, treated with curing agent and then inserted into casings which are subsequently sealed. The products are then loaded onto the racks of the press in the form of a trolley which is then brought to a closed condition by applying a drill to the crankshaft. The amount of compression applied will depend on the shape and size of the food product but will be sufficient to ensure uniformity of compression across the rack. The trolley in then manoeuvred into an oven for cooking.

10 [00571 It is understood that that deboned hams and turkeys are frequently compressed during cooking to close the hole which is created by removal of the bone. As the meat is cooked, protein is released and solidifies between the contacting faces of the closed hole to create a unitary product. In a similar manner, a plurality of hams or turkeys, or pieces thereof, can be joined together into a unitary loaf by compressing the meat in a suitably shaped mold during cooking. [0058] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous modifications and variations can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concept of the present invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific embodiment illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims. [0059] Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise the words "comprise", "comprises", "comprising" will be understood to mean the inclusion of the stated integer, step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any of other integer, step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (3)

1. A press suitable for pressing food products such as smoked meat and the like, said press comprising: (a) a first support frame having spaced apart first racks; (b) a second support frame having spaced apart second racks, wherein the frames are movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the racks being aligned and positioned such that the food may be loaded onto the first racks in the open condition and such that the food is pressed by relative movement of the frames to a closed condition, wherein the closed condition is achieved by mechanical means.

2. The press of claim 1 wherein said mechanical means comprises sprockets and chains, and the second frame comprises a threaded portion which is acted on by said mechanical means.

3. A method of pressing food products such as smoked meats and the like, said method comprising: providing: I. (a) a first support frame having spaced apart first racks; (b) a second support frame having spaced apart second racks wherein the press is movable between an open condition and a closed condition, the racks being aligned and positioned such that the food may be loaded onto the first racks in the open condition and such that the food is pressed between the racks by movement of the frames to a closed condition wherein the closed condition is achieved by mechanical means and; I. performing the steps of: (c) loading the food into the racks and; (d) pressing the food,