CA1127448A - Method and means for injecting fluids into meat products - Google Patents
Method and means for injecting fluids into meat productsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1127448A CA1127448A CA313,856A CA313856A CA1127448A CA 1127448 A CA1127448 A CA 1127448A CA 313856 A CA313856 A CA 313856A CA 1127448 A CA1127448 A CA 1127448A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- needles
- meat product
- fluid manifold
- pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02A40/00—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production
- Y02A40/90—Adaptation technologies in agriculture, forestry, livestock or agroalimentary production in food processing or handling, e.g. food conservation
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- Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract A machine for injecting fluids into meat products or the like is disclosed comprising a table having a conveyor mounted thereon adapted to convey the meat product from one end to the other. A pair of reciprocating arms are pivotally connected at one end thereof to opposite sides of the table. An electric motor is operatively connected to the reciprocating arms to move the reciprocating arms upwardly and downwardly with respect to the conveyor. A fluid manifold apparatus comprised of a plurality of fluid manifolds is rigidly secured to the other ends of the reciprocating arms and extends therebetween across the table transversely to the direction of travel of the meat product. Each of the manifolds has a plurality of injector needles extending downwardly therefrom which are adapted to pierce the product and inject fluid thereinto while the needles are embedded within the product. Each of the fluid manifolds is in operative communication with a displacement pump which is in communication with the source of fluid to be injected.
A stripper plate is secured to each of the fluid manifolds and moves vertically downwardly with the fluid manifold until it engages the product to sense the thickness of the product. The fluid manifold continues to move downwardly or overtravels with respect to the stripper plate after the stripper plate engages the meat product. An actuator arm is pivotally connected to each of the stripper plates to actuate a valve imposed between the displacement pump and the fluid manifold during the overtravel movement. Each of the displacement pumps includes a movable piston which is operatively connected to a cam mounted on the shaft which imparts the reciprocable movement of the reciprocating arms so that the displacement pump is actuated to coincide with the vertical velocity or harmonic motion of the fluid manifold.
A stripper plate is secured to each of the fluid manifolds and moves vertically downwardly with the fluid manifold until it engages the product to sense the thickness of the product. The fluid manifold continues to move downwardly or overtravels with respect to the stripper plate after the stripper plate engages the meat product. An actuator arm is pivotally connected to each of the stripper plates to actuate a valve imposed between the displacement pump and the fluid manifold during the overtravel movement. Each of the displacement pumps includes a movable piston which is operatively connected to a cam mounted on the shaft which imparts the reciprocable movement of the reciprocating arms so that the displacement pump is actuated to coincide with the vertical velocity or harmonic motion of the fluid manifold.
Description
MET~OD AND MEANS FOR INJECTING FLUIDS
INTO MEAT PRODUCTS
Technical Field This invention relates to the injection of fluids into meat products and more particularly to a method and means for injecting fluids into meat products.
In the meat processing industry, bellies and other meat products are injected with a pickling or curing solution in order to cure and flavor the meat product. In order to attain proper curing and flavoring, it is extremely desirable that a controlled amount of fluid be injected and evenly distributed to the product.
Background Art At the present time, the generally accepted method of curing bellies and other meat products is to inject the product, through a series of needles, with a pickle or curing solution, and then curing the product in a smokehouse. It is extremely desirable that a controlled amount of fluid be injected into the product, and the desired amount or percen-tage will vary according to several factors.
Applicant prev~iously proposed a machine for injecting fluid into the meat products which attempted to sense the thickness of the products and to inject a corresponding amount of injector fluid thereinto. In the injector of said machine, the amount of injection is determined by the length of time the control valve is open and the time that the control valve is open is determined by the thickness of the belly or product. In applicant's earlier device a stripper bar moves ~, -down~ard~y and rests on the surface of the pro~uct, and the average height of the stripper bar determines the amount of time that the flow is open. A cam arrangement was used in applicant's earlier device to control the valve opening time as desired based on the thickness of the belly and also on other factors such as the bleed characteristic of a thick belly as compared to a thin belly. As stated, the amount of injection in applicant's earlier machine is dependent on the time that the flow valve is open. This time factor will not vary in 10 exact~proportion to the thickness of the belly because of the crank action which moves the fluid manifold and needles upwardly and downwardly. In other words, when a crank is at the bottom of its stroke, the needles would be in a half-inch of belly much longer than they would be in a half-inch of belly at the middle of the 15 stroke. Therefore, the timing of the valve opening becomes a complicated matter and the control cam becomes e~tremely diffi-cult to establish.
It is impractical to move the needles at a constant velocity into a meat product. Thus, it is common in the art to utilize a
INTO MEAT PRODUCTS
Technical Field This invention relates to the injection of fluids into meat products and more particularly to a method and means for injecting fluids into meat products.
In the meat processing industry, bellies and other meat products are injected with a pickling or curing solution in order to cure and flavor the meat product. In order to attain proper curing and flavoring, it is extremely desirable that a controlled amount of fluid be injected and evenly distributed to the product.
Background Art At the present time, the generally accepted method of curing bellies and other meat products is to inject the product, through a series of needles, with a pickle or curing solution, and then curing the product in a smokehouse. It is extremely desirable that a controlled amount of fluid be injected into the product, and the desired amount or percen-tage will vary according to several factors.
Applicant prev~iously proposed a machine for injecting fluid into the meat products which attempted to sense the thickness of the products and to inject a corresponding amount of injector fluid thereinto. In the injector of said machine, the amount of injection is determined by the length of time the control valve is open and the time that the control valve is open is determined by the thickness of the belly or product. In applicant's earlier device a stripper bar moves ~, -down~ard~y and rests on the surface of the pro~uct, and the average height of the stripper bar determines the amount of time that the flow is open. A cam arrangement was used in applicant's earlier device to control the valve opening time as desired based on the thickness of the belly and also on other factors such as the bleed characteristic of a thick belly as compared to a thin belly. As stated, the amount of injection in applicant's earlier machine is dependent on the time that the flow valve is open. This time factor will not vary in 10 exact~proportion to the thickness of the belly because of the crank action which moves the fluid manifold and needles upwardly and downwardly. In other words, when a crank is at the bottom of its stroke, the needles would be in a half-inch of belly much longer than they would be in a half-inch of belly at the middle of the 15 stroke. Therefore, the timing of the valve opening becomes a complicated matter and the control cam becomes e~tremely diffi-cult to establish.
It is impractical to move the needles at a constant velocity into a meat product. Thus, it is common in the art to utilize a
2~ cam or cranX whereby the needles are moved into and out of the meat product with a crank action. This means that the velocity of the needles varies throughout the penetration and retraction strokes. The velocity of the needles starts from zero at the top of the penetration stroke, moves to maximum velocity halfway 25 through the penetration stroke, and slows to zero velocity as maximum penetration is reached, and the retraction stroke commences. The retraction stroke duplicates the velocity curve of th~ penetration stroke.
Since the velocity of a crank-activated gang of needles 30 varies, a continuous fluid supply pump will provide a varying amount of fluid in different stratas of the meat product. The stratas through which the needles most quickly pass will receive the least fluid, and the stratas through which the needles more slowly pass will receive more fluid. This violates the ultimate 35 objective of uniformly distributing the fluid thr~ugh the thickness of the meat productO
Disclosure of ~nvention ~ . .. .
A machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like is disclosed comprising a table having a conveyor means mounted 40 thereon which is adapted to move the meat product from one end "
I ~f thereof towards the other end thereof. A fluid manifold rneans colnprised of a plurality of fluld manifolds are mounted on the ends of reciprocating arMs pivotally connected to the table so that the injector needles of the fluid manifolds will be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the meat product upon the reciprocating arms being reciproca~ed. A displace~ent pump is in fluid communication, through a valve, to each of the fluid manifolds to supply injection fluid thereto upon the associated control valve being opened. Each of the displacement pumps is in 10 fluid communication with the source of injection fluid. A
stripper plate assembly is ~ounted on each of the fluid manifolds and moves downwardly with the fluid manifold until the stripper plate engages the upper surface of the meat product. After the sens-ing plate has engaged the meat product, the fluid manifold continues 15 to move downwardly relative thereto so that the needles pierce the meat. The continued movement or overtravel of the fluid mani-fold causes a valve actuator mounted on the stripper plate to open the associated control valve so that the associated displacement pump will supply ~luid to the fluid manifold. Each 20 of the displacement pumps is controlled by means of a cam linkage which is driven from the same crank which drives the fluid manifold upwardly and downwardly. The rate of flow of fluid through the needles is coordinated with the velocity of the needles as they penetrate and withdraw from the meat product.
The device and method of this invention overcomes the problem of the prior art by varying the amount of fluid delivered through the needles in proportion to the varying velocity of the nee~dles as they move into and out of the meat product.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to 30 provide an improved machine and method for injecting fluids into meat products wherein the flow of fluid through the injection needles is at a rate proportional to the velocity of the needles.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an injector machine employing displacement pumps which are driven 35 from the same crank which drives the fluid manifold upwardly and downwardly or at least from another means which moves in conjunct-ion with the fluid manifold.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine`for injecting fluid into meat products wherein a stripper 40 plate senses the surface of the meat product and the stripper ~late controls the displ~cement of a displacement pump in ~ccord-ance with the thickness of the meat product.
A still further object of the iovention is to provide a m3chine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which has eliminated the need for controlling the time that the flow valve is open.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.
~ still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which has the capability of injecting fluid into meat products on either or both of the penetration stroke or withdrawal stroke of the needles.
-A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like wherein the q~antity of fluid injected into the meat product for the injection cycle can be adjusted.
Brief Description of the Drawings Flgure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine of this inventlon:
Figure 2 is a view of the machine as seen on lines 2-2 of Figure 1:
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 3-3 of Figure 2:
Figure 4 is a sectional view seen on lines 4-4 of Figure 3:
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure for mounting each of the stripper plates:
Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the displacement pump assembly:
Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 except that the control valve is closed:
Figure 8 is a sectional view as seen on lines 8-8 of Figure 7:
Figure 9 is a schematic of the fluid circuitry:
Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 10-10 of Figure 1:
Figure 11 is a sectional view seen on lines 11-11 of Figure 10; and - s -Fi~ure 12 ls ~ perspective schematic of the means for controllin~ the fluid manifold and displacement pump assemblies.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The injector machine of this invention is generally desig-nated by the reference numeral 10.
Machine 10 generally comprises a table 11 having a con-veyor means 12 provided thereon for conveying the meat product from right to left as viewed in Figure 1.
The numeral 14 refers to a power means having a power 10 snaft 16 extending therefrom which operates a fluid pump 18 and which has a chain 20 extending therefrom to a sprocket 24 mounted on shaft 26 which is rotatably mounted on the machine 10. Shaft !
26 is provided with eccentrics 28 and 30 at its opposite ends.
~eciprocal arms 32 and 34 are connected to the eccentrics 28 and lS 30 respectively and have their upper ends pivotally connected to fluid manifold support arms 36 and 38 which have one end thereof pivotally connected to the machine as illustrated in the drawings.
A fluid manifold means 40 is mounted on the free ends of the arms 36 and 38 as illustrated in Figure 12 and will be described in ~ more detail hereinafter. Rods 42 and 44 are also connected to the eccentrics 28 and 30 in conventional fashion and are opera-tively connected to the conveyor means 12 for driving the same.
Cam 46 is mounted on shaft 26 as illustrated in Figure 11 and 12. Shaft 48 is rotatably mounted on machine 10 and has a 25 crank arm 50 secured to one end thereof and a crank arm 52 secured thereto intermediate the lengths thereof. Cam roller 54 is secured to a crank arm 52 and is in engagement with the cam surface of cam 46. Rod 56 is pivotally connected to one end of crank arm 52 and extends downwardly therefrom and is mounted in 30 an air or spring -type shock absorber referred to generally by the reference numeral 57 which yieldably urges the crank arm 52 downwardly so that the roller 54 is maintained in engagement B with the cam surface of cam 46.
Rod 58 is pivotally connected at its lower end to crank arm 50 and extends up~Jardl~ therefrom as se~n in the drawings. As illustr~ted in Figures 1 and 11, crank arm 50 is provided ~ith an elongated slot 60 ~lhich adjustably receives the rod 5~ to ~ermit the "throw" of rod 58 to he varied. The upper end of rod 58 is connected to a bell crank apparatus referred to generally by the reference numeral 62. Bell crank apparatus 62 includes a triangular-shaped plate 64 having the upper end o~ the rod 5~
pivotally connected thereto at 66. Plate 64 is rigidly connected to shaft 68 at 70 so that pivotal movement of the plate 64 will cause the shaft 68 to be rotated. Shaft ~8 is operatively rotatably mounted on the machine at its opposite ends as illustrated in Fi~ure 12. Bracket 72 is rigidly secured to shaft 68 and extends downwardly therefrom and has rod 7~ pivotally connected thereto which extends substantiallly horizontally therefrom. Rod 76 is pivotally connected at one end to the plate 64 and extends substantially horizontally therefrom parallel to rod 74. Shaft 73 is secure~ to and extends between the rods 74 and 76 an3 has pump rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90 secured 20 thereto and extending therefrom. Pump rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90 extend from displacement pumps 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 and 102, respectively. Inasmuch as each of the displacement pumps are identical, only one displacement pump and its associated hardware will be described in detail. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the typical displacement pump apparatus. As seen in the drawings, displacement pump 92 is mounted within a displacement pump frame means referred to generally by the reference numeral 104.
Displacemen~ pump 92 includes a piston 106 which is connected to thel rod 80 for movement therewith. As seen in Fiqure 6, piston 30 106 is provided with a seal 108 on the inner end thereof which sealably engages the interior wall surface of the pump 92.
For purposes of description, the interior compartment of the pump 92 will be referred to by the reference numeral 110. Pump 92 includes an inner wall member 112 having a port 11~ formed therein.
35 Port 114 is in communication with a bore 116 which extends downwardly and which is in communication with a port 118 formed in a valve housing 120. Valve 122 is movably mounted in housing 120 and has a spring 124 associated therewith which urges the valve 122 from the position of Figure 6 to the position of 40 Figure 7. Valve 122 is provided with annular spool portion 126 ~2~
--7~
for~ned therein intermediate the ends thereof. Valve 122 is provided with an outer end portion 128. The inner end of valve ho~nsing 120 is in communication with a fluid reservoir or chamber 130 which is in communication with a source of injector fluid under pressure. Valve housing 120 has a discharge port ]32 formed therein which is in communication with conduit li4 extending therefrom.
By adjusting the "throw" of rod 58 as it is mounted in slot 60 of crank arm 50, the amount of fluid supplied by each of the pumps,can be carefully regulated and adjusted. This distinguishes the present invention from such prior art devices as Patent No.
Since the velocity of a crank-activated gang of needles 30 varies, a continuous fluid supply pump will provide a varying amount of fluid in different stratas of the meat product. The stratas through which the needles most quickly pass will receive the least fluid, and the stratas through which the needles more slowly pass will receive more fluid. This violates the ultimate 35 objective of uniformly distributing the fluid thr~ugh the thickness of the meat productO
Disclosure of ~nvention ~ . .. .
A machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like is disclosed comprising a table having a conveyor means mounted 40 thereon which is adapted to move the meat product from one end "
I ~f thereof towards the other end thereof. A fluid manifold rneans colnprised of a plurality of fluld manifolds are mounted on the ends of reciprocating arMs pivotally connected to the table so that the injector needles of the fluid manifolds will be moved upwardly and downwardly relative to the meat product upon the reciprocating arms being reciproca~ed. A displace~ent pump is in fluid communication, through a valve, to each of the fluid manifolds to supply injection fluid thereto upon the associated control valve being opened. Each of the displacement pumps is in 10 fluid communication with the source of injection fluid. A
stripper plate assembly is ~ounted on each of the fluid manifolds and moves downwardly with the fluid manifold until the stripper plate engages the upper surface of the meat product. After the sens-ing plate has engaged the meat product, the fluid manifold continues 15 to move downwardly relative thereto so that the needles pierce the meat. The continued movement or overtravel of the fluid mani-fold causes a valve actuator mounted on the stripper plate to open the associated control valve so that the associated displacement pump will supply ~luid to the fluid manifold. Each 20 of the displacement pumps is controlled by means of a cam linkage which is driven from the same crank which drives the fluid manifold upwardly and downwardly. The rate of flow of fluid through the needles is coordinated with the velocity of the needles as they penetrate and withdraw from the meat product.
The device and method of this invention overcomes the problem of the prior art by varying the amount of fluid delivered through the needles in proportion to the varying velocity of the nee~dles as they move into and out of the meat product.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to 30 provide an improved machine and method for injecting fluids into meat products wherein the flow of fluid through the injection needles is at a rate proportional to the velocity of the needles.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an injector machine employing displacement pumps which are driven 35 from the same crank which drives the fluid manifold upwardly and downwardly or at least from another means which moves in conjunct-ion with the fluid manifold.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine`for injecting fluid into meat products wherein a stripper 40 plate senses the surface of the meat product and the stripper ~late controls the displ~cement of a displacement pump in ~ccord-ance with the thickness of the meat product.
A still further object of the iovention is to provide a m3chine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which has eliminated the need for controlling the time that the flow valve is open.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which is economical to manufacture and durable in use.
~ still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which has the capability of injecting fluid into meat products on either or both of the penetration stroke or withdrawal stroke of the needles.
-A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like wherein the q~antity of fluid injected into the meat product for the injection cycle can be adjusted.
Brief Description of the Drawings Flgure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine of this inventlon:
Figure 2 is a view of the machine as seen on lines 2-2 of Figure 1:
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 3-3 of Figure 2:
Figure 4 is a sectional view seen on lines 4-4 of Figure 3:
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure for mounting each of the stripper plates:
Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the displacement pump assembly:
Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 except that the control valve is closed:
Figure 8 is a sectional view as seen on lines 8-8 of Figure 7:
Figure 9 is a schematic of the fluid circuitry:
Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 10-10 of Figure 1:
Figure 11 is a sectional view seen on lines 11-11 of Figure 10; and - s -Fi~ure 12 ls ~ perspective schematic of the means for controllin~ the fluid manifold and displacement pump assemblies.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The injector machine of this invention is generally desig-nated by the reference numeral 10.
Machine 10 generally comprises a table 11 having a con-veyor means 12 provided thereon for conveying the meat product from right to left as viewed in Figure 1.
The numeral 14 refers to a power means having a power 10 snaft 16 extending therefrom which operates a fluid pump 18 and which has a chain 20 extending therefrom to a sprocket 24 mounted on shaft 26 which is rotatably mounted on the machine 10. Shaft !
26 is provided with eccentrics 28 and 30 at its opposite ends.
~eciprocal arms 32 and 34 are connected to the eccentrics 28 and lS 30 respectively and have their upper ends pivotally connected to fluid manifold support arms 36 and 38 which have one end thereof pivotally connected to the machine as illustrated in the drawings.
A fluid manifold means 40 is mounted on the free ends of the arms 36 and 38 as illustrated in Figure 12 and will be described in ~ more detail hereinafter. Rods 42 and 44 are also connected to the eccentrics 28 and 30 in conventional fashion and are opera-tively connected to the conveyor means 12 for driving the same.
Cam 46 is mounted on shaft 26 as illustrated in Figure 11 and 12. Shaft 48 is rotatably mounted on machine 10 and has a 25 crank arm 50 secured to one end thereof and a crank arm 52 secured thereto intermediate the lengths thereof. Cam roller 54 is secured to a crank arm 52 and is in engagement with the cam surface of cam 46. Rod 56 is pivotally connected to one end of crank arm 52 and extends downwardly therefrom and is mounted in 30 an air or spring -type shock absorber referred to generally by the reference numeral 57 which yieldably urges the crank arm 52 downwardly so that the roller 54 is maintained in engagement B with the cam surface of cam 46.
Rod 58 is pivotally connected at its lower end to crank arm 50 and extends up~Jardl~ therefrom as se~n in the drawings. As illustr~ted in Figures 1 and 11, crank arm 50 is provided ~ith an elongated slot 60 ~lhich adjustably receives the rod 5~ to ~ermit the "throw" of rod 58 to he varied. The upper end of rod 58 is connected to a bell crank apparatus referred to generally by the reference numeral 62. Bell crank apparatus 62 includes a triangular-shaped plate 64 having the upper end o~ the rod 5~
pivotally connected thereto at 66. Plate 64 is rigidly connected to shaft 68 at 70 so that pivotal movement of the plate 64 will cause the shaft 68 to be rotated. Shaft ~8 is operatively rotatably mounted on the machine at its opposite ends as illustrated in Fi~ure 12. Bracket 72 is rigidly secured to shaft 68 and extends downwardly therefrom and has rod 7~ pivotally connected thereto which extends substantiallly horizontally therefrom. Rod 76 is pivotally connected at one end to the plate 64 and extends substantially horizontally therefrom parallel to rod 74. Shaft 73 is secure~ to and extends between the rods 74 and 76 an3 has pump rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90 secured 20 thereto and extending therefrom. Pump rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90 extend from displacement pumps 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 and 102, respectively. Inasmuch as each of the displacement pumps are identical, only one displacement pump and its associated hardware will be described in detail. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the typical displacement pump apparatus. As seen in the drawings, displacement pump 92 is mounted within a displacement pump frame means referred to generally by the reference numeral 104.
Displacemen~ pump 92 includes a piston 106 which is connected to thel rod 80 for movement therewith. As seen in Fiqure 6, piston 30 106 is provided with a seal 108 on the inner end thereof which sealably engages the interior wall surface of the pump 92.
For purposes of description, the interior compartment of the pump 92 will be referred to by the reference numeral 110. Pump 92 includes an inner wall member 112 having a port 11~ formed therein.
35 Port 114 is in communication with a bore 116 which extends downwardly and which is in communication with a port 118 formed in a valve housing 120. Valve 122 is movably mounted in housing 120 and has a spring 124 associated therewith which urges the valve 122 from the position of Figure 6 to the position of 40 Figure 7. Valve 122 is provided with annular spool portion 126 ~2~
--7~
for~ned therein intermediate the ends thereof. Valve 122 is provided with an outer end portion 128. The inner end of valve ho~nsing 120 is in communication with a fluid reservoir or chamber 130 which is in communication with a source of injector fluid under pressure. Valve housing 120 has a discharge port ]32 formed therein which is in communication with conduit li4 extending therefrom.
By adjusting the "throw" of rod 58 as it is mounted in slot 60 of crank arm 50, the amount of fluid supplied by each of the pumps,can be carefully regulated and adjusted. This distinguishes the present invention from such prior art devices as Patent No.
3,381,603 issued May 7, 196~ which does not provide any means for adjusting the quantity of fluid supplied to the meat product by the pumps.
Fluid manifold means 40 comprises six individual fluid manifolds designated by the reference numeral 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 and lg6. Inasmuch as each of the fluid manifolds and the supporting structure therefor are identical, only fluid manifold 146 and the associated hardware will be described in detail. Each`
of the fluid manifolds move upwardly and downwardly as a unit due to the mounting thereof on the arms 36 and 38. Each of the 1uid manifolds is provided with a plurality of injector needles 150 extending therefrom which are adapted to pierce the meat product or the like reEerred to generally by the reference numeral 152. As seen om Figure 4, each of the injector needles 150 is slidably mounted in bores which are in communication with the conduit 134. Each of the fluid manifolds has a stripper plate 154 movably mounted thereon and associated therewith as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The stripper plate 154 is provided with a plurality of openings formed therein through which extend the injector needles 150. Stripper plate 154 includes an upwardly extending portion 156 having a rod 158 secured to the upper end thereof and which extends inwardly into a cylinder 160~ As seen in Figure 5, rod 158 has a piston 162 provided at its upper end which engages the inner wall surface of the cylinder 160.
Cylinder 160 is secured to support 164 by bolts 166. Support 164 is rigidly secured to the fluid manifold for movement therewith.
Valve actuator arm 168 is pivotally connected at its lower end to stripper plate 154 at 170 and extends upwardly and laterally there-~0 ~lZ7~
~ro~n as viewed in F~ure ~. Roller 172 is rotatably mounted on support 16~ and is in enga(3ement with the sur~ace 174 of actuator 168. As illustrated in ~igure 4, surface 176 of actuator 168 engages one of the valves associated with the displacement pumps.
~oller 172 is adapted to be seated in notch 172A in actuator 168 (see Figure 1) at which time no ~luid will flow through valve 122.
When it is desired to inject a meat product or the like such as a belly 152, the belly 152 is placed on the conveyor means 12 with ~he motor 14 being actuated. Actuation of the motor 14causes pump 18 to be operated so that injector fluid is supplied to chamber 130. Actuation of the motor 14 also causes shaft 26 to be rotated which causes fluid manifold means 90 to be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly. Rotation of shaft 26 also causes the rods 42 and 44 to be reciprocated so that the conveyor means is operated to move the meat product from one end thereof to the other beneath the reciprocating fluid manifold means.
Assuming that the fluid manifold means 40 is in its upper position, the position of the cam 46 relative to crank arm 52 is such that rod 58 is in its uppermost position to cause the rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 83 and 90 to be withdrawn from the cylinders of the displacement pumps. Wlth the rod being withdrawn, fluid will pass from compartment 130, through the inner end of valve housing 120, upwardly through bore 116, through port- 114 and into compart-ment 110. Such replenishment of the ~luid to the compartment 110 is possible since spring 124 urges valve 122 to the right and since the fluid manifold means 40 is in its uppermost position, actuator 168 will not be sufficiently engaging the outer end of the valve to urge the same inwardly.
As the fluid manifold means 40 moves downwardly, each of the stripper plates moves downwardly with its associated fluid manifold due to the resistance offered by the piston 162 in the cylinder 160. when the stripper plate portion 15~ engages the upper surface of the meat product 152, the stripper plate portion 154 halts its downward travel but the fluid manifold continues to travèl downwardly or overtravel. As the fluid manifold overtravels the stripper plate, roller 172 on the fluid manifold causes the actuator 16~ to be pivotally moved counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 4 which causes the valve 122 to be moved inwardly in its ~0 _9~ 7~4~
housing 120 so that ~1uid Inay pass from compdrtlnent 110, throuyh ~pening 114, bore 116, opening 118, opcning 132 into conduit 134 due to the position of the valve 122 as seen in Fi~ure ~.
If nothing more was done at this time, fluid would not be supplied to the fluid manifold since there is no pressure within compart-ment 110 until the displacement pump is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 6. The movement of the displacemen~ ~ump is controlled by the cam 96 as previously described to coordinate the movement of the displacement pumps in relation to the movement of the fluid manifold or crank action thereof. Thus, when cam 46 causes the rods of the displacement pumps to be moved inwardly, the displacement pump displaces a predetermined volume of injection fluid to the fluid manifold and the amount of fluid supplied to the fluid manifold is dependent upon the amount of fluid permitted lS to bypass the valve 122. It can be appreciated that if an extremely thic~ belly is sensed by the stripper plate, the roller 172 will pivot the actuator 168 much sooner during the downward travel of the fluid manifold so that an additional amount of injector fluid will be supplied to the fluid manifold. The roller 172 normally nests in notch 172A until the needles enter the meat product, and upon the retraction from the meat product so that fluid flow is cut off when the needles are not penetrating the meat product.
By providing a plurality of the stripper plates and displacement pumps, it is possible to sense the thickness of the meat product in a much more accurate manner such as illustrated in Figure 3.
For purposes herein, the downward stroke of the needles will be referred to as the penetration stroke and the upward stroke oflthe needles as the withdrawal stroke. The needles are actually penetrating the meat product only during the lower portion of both the penetration and withdrawal strokes. The velocity of the needles is greatest midway through each stroke and is instantaneously at zero velocity at the end of each stroke.
7~
The cam 46 makes it possible to provi~e fluid through the needles both during the pelletration and ~,ithdrawal strokes. The use of a crank arm instead of a cam would permit fluid to flow during only one stroke but not the other. As indicated heretofore, means are provided to cause fluid to flow through the needles only when the needles are within the meat product. ~lowever, the important phenomenon of the cam 46 and the ability of the nump to provide fluid through the needles at a rate proportional to the speed of the needles is still viable even if fluid were permitted to flow throughout the entire period of the penetration and w~thdrawal strokes, rather than just during the period that the needles are within the meat product.
Thus it can be seen that a machine has been provided wherein injection fluid is supplied to the meat product wherein a stripper bar assembly senses the thickness of the belly and such sensing is employed as the means to control the volume, rather than a time element, output of the pump. By employing a simple displacement pump whose stroke is timed with the stroke of the injector, it is possible to control the displacement per injection.
~0 Such a method provides a much better and simpler means of accurately controlling the amount of injection desired. Thus it can be seen that the machine accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
~5 ~0 _
Fluid manifold means 40 comprises six individual fluid manifolds designated by the reference numeral 136, 138, 140, 142, 144 and lg6. Inasmuch as each of the fluid manifolds and the supporting structure therefor are identical, only fluid manifold 146 and the associated hardware will be described in detail. Each`
of the fluid manifolds move upwardly and downwardly as a unit due to the mounting thereof on the arms 36 and 38. Each of the 1uid manifolds is provided with a plurality of injector needles 150 extending therefrom which are adapted to pierce the meat product or the like reEerred to generally by the reference numeral 152. As seen om Figure 4, each of the injector needles 150 is slidably mounted in bores which are in communication with the conduit 134. Each of the fluid manifolds has a stripper plate 154 movably mounted thereon and associated therewith as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The stripper plate 154 is provided with a plurality of openings formed therein through which extend the injector needles 150. Stripper plate 154 includes an upwardly extending portion 156 having a rod 158 secured to the upper end thereof and which extends inwardly into a cylinder 160~ As seen in Figure 5, rod 158 has a piston 162 provided at its upper end which engages the inner wall surface of the cylinder 160.
Cylinder 160 is secured to support 164 by bolts 166. Support 164 is rigidly secured to the fluid manifold for movement therewith.
Valve actuator arm 168 is pivotally connected at its lower end to stripper plate 154 at 170 and extends upwardly and laterally there-~0 ~lZ7~
~ro~n as viewed in F~ure ~. Roller 172 is rotatably mounted on support 16~ and is in enga(3ement with the sur~ace 174 of actuator 168. As illustrated in ~igure 4, surface 176 of actuator 168 engages one of the valves associated with the displacement pumps.
~oller 172 is adapted to be seated in notch 172A in actuator 168 (see Figure 1) at which time no ~luid will flow through valve 122.
When it is desired to inject a meat product or the like such as a belly 152, the belly 152 is placed on the conveyor means 12 with ~he motor 14 being actuated. Actuation of the motor 14causes pump 18 to be operated so that injector fluid is supplied to chamber 130. Actuation of the motor 14 also causes shaft 26 to be rotated which causes fluid manifold means 90 to be reciprocated upwardly and downwardly. Rotation of shaft 26 also causes the rods 42 and 44 to be reciprocated so that the conveyor means is operated to move the meat product from one end thereof to the other beneath the reciprocating fluid manifold means.
Assuming that the fluid manifold means 40 is in its upper position, the position of the cam 46 relative to crank arm 52 is such that rod 58 is in its uppermost position to cause the rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 83 and 90 to be withdrawn from the cylinders of the displacement pumps. Wlth the rod being withdrawn, fluid will pass from compartment 130, through the inner end of valve housing 120, upwardly through bore 116, through port- 114 and into compart-ment 110. Such replenishment of the ~luid to the compartment 110 is possible since spring 124 urges valve 122 to the right and since the fluid manifold means 40 is in its uppermost position, actuator 168 will not be sufficiently engaging the outer end of the valve to urge the same inwardly.
As the fluid manifold means 40 moves downwardly, each of the stripper plates moves downwardly with its associated fluid manifold due to the resistance offered by the piston 162 in the cylinder 160. when the stripper plate portion 15~ engages the upper surface of the meat product 152, the stripper plate portion 154 halts its downward travel but the fluid manifold continues to travèl downwardly or overtravel. As the fluid manifold overtravels the stripper plate, roller 172 on the fluid manifold causes the actuator 16~ to be pivotally moved counterclockwise as viewed in Figure 4 which causes the valve 122 to be moved inwardly in its ~0 _9~ 7~4~
housing 120 so that ~1uid Inay pass from compdrtlnent 110, throuyh ~pening 114, bore 116, opening 118, opcning 132 into conduit 134 due to the position of the valve 122 as seen in Fi~ure ~.
If nothing more was done at this time, fluid would not be supplied to the fluid manifold since there is no pressure within compart-ment 110 until the displacement pump is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 6. The movement of the displacemen~ ~ump is controlled by the cam 96 as previously described to coordinate the movement of the displacement pumps in relation to the movement of the fluid manifold or crank action thereof. Thus, when cam 46 causes the rods of the displacement pumps to be moved inwardly, the displacement pump displaces a predetermined volume of injection fluid to the fluid manifold and the amount of fluid supplied to the fluid manifold is dependent upon the amount of fluid permitted lS to bypass the valve 122. It can be appreciated that if an extremely thic~ belly is sensed by the stripper plate, the roller 172 will pivot the actuator 168 much sooner during the downward travel of the fluid manifold so that an additional amount of injector fluid will be supplied to the fluid manifold. The roller 172 normally nests in notch 172A until the needles enter the meat product, and upon the retraction from the meat product so that fluid flow is cut off when the needles are not penetrating the meat product.
By providing a plurality of the stripper plates and displacement pumps, it is possible to sense the thickness of the meat product in a much more accurate manner such as illustrated in Figure 3.
For purposes herein, the downward stroke of the needles will be referred to as the penetration stroke and the upward stroke oflthe needles as the withdrawal stroke. The needles are actually penetrating the meat product only during the lower portion of both the penetration and withdrawal strokes. The velocity of the needles is greatest midway through each stroke and is instantaneously at zero velocity at the end of each stroke.
7~
The cam 46 makes it possible to provi~e fluid through the needles both during the pelletration and ~,ithdrawal strokes. The use of a crank arm instead of a cam would permit fluid to flow during only one stroke but not the other. As indicated heretofore, means are provided to cause fluid to flow through the needles only when the needles are within the meat product. ~lowever, the important phenomenon of the cam 46 and the ability of the nump to provide fluid through the needles at a rate proportional to the speed of the needles is still viable even if fluid were permitted to flow throughout the entire period of the penetration and w~thdrawal strokes, rather than just during the period that the needles are within the meat product.
Thus it can be seen that a machine has been provided wherein injection fluid is supplied to the meat product wherein a stripper bar assembly senses the thickness of the belly and such sensing is employed as the means to control the volume, rather than a time element, output of the pump. By employing a simple displacement pump whose stroke is timed with the stroke of the injector, it is possible to control the displacement per injection.
~0 Such a method provides a much better and simpler means of accurately controlling the amount of injection desired. Thus it can be seen that the machine accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
~5 ~0 _
Claims (15)
1.
A method of injecting fluid into a meat product or the like, by means of a fluid pump fluidly connected to a fluid manifold which is fluidly connected to a plurality of needles adapted to be intermittently inserted into and withdrawn from said meat product, comprising, inserting said needles into said meat product and withdrawing said needles from said meat product in penetration and retraction strokes, respectively, varying the velocity of inserting and withdrawing of said needles with respect to said meat product during said penetration and retraction strokes.
characterized by supplying fluid to said meat product from said fluid pump through said manifold and said needles during at least a portion of the time that said needles are within said meat product at a rate proportional to the velocity of said needles with respect to said meat product, whereby the rate of flow of fluid into said meat product is greater at the higher velocities of the needles, and is less at the lower velocities of said needles, and adjusting to a predetermined amount the quantity of fluid supplied to said meat product.
A method of injecting fluid into a meat product or the like, by means of a fluid pump fluidly connected to a fluid manifold which is fluidly connected to a plurality of needles adapted to be intermittently inserted into and withdrawn from said meat product, comprising, inserting said needles into said meat product and withdrawing said needles from said meat product in penetration and retraction strokes, respectively, varying the velocity of inserting and withdrawing of said needles with respect to said meat product during said penetration and retraction strokes.
characterized by supplying fluid to said meat product from said fluid pump through said manifold and said needles during at least a portion of the time that said needles are within said meat product at a rate proportional to the velocity of said needles with respect to said meat product, whereby the rate of flow of fluid into said meat product is greater at the higher velocities of the needles, and is less at the lower velocities of said needles, and adjusting to a predetermined amount the quantity of fluid supplied to said meat product.
2.
The method of claim 1 characterized in that said penetration stroke begins when said needles are not yet inserted into said meat product, and said retraction stroke ends after said needles are withdrawn from said meat product, and the velocity of said needles is greatest during the middle portion of said penetration and retraction strokes.
The method of claim 1 characterized in that said penetration stroke begins when said needles are not yet inserted into said meat product, and said retraction stroke ends after said needles are withdrawn from said meat product, and the velocity of said needles is greatest during the middle portion of said penetration and retraction strokes.
3. The method of claim 1 characterized in that fluid is supplied through said needles substantially only during the time that said needles are in said meat product.
4. A method according to claim 1 characterized in that said adjustment of the quantity of fluid supplied to said meat product is accomplished by adjusting the stroke length of a piston pump used to supply fluid to said needles.
5. A machine for injecting fluids into meat products and the like, comprising, a support means adapted to support a meat product to be injected, a fluid manifold movably mounted to and extending above said support means and being movable between upper and lower portions with respect to said support means, a plurality of injecting needles extending downwardly from said fluid manifold and being adapted to pierce the meat product thereunder when said fluid manifold is moving towards its said lower position, characterized by a pump means in fluid communica-tion with a source of injection fluid and in fluid communication with said fluid manifold, power means on said support means for moving said fluid manifold between its upper and lower positions;
for actuating said pump means; and to vary the velocity of insertion into and withdrawal of said needles with respect to said meats, control means operatively connecting said pump means and said fluid manifold to supply fluid to said meat product from said pump means through said fluid manifold and needles during at least a portion of the time that said needles are inserted into said meat product at a rate proportional to the velocity of said needles with respect to said meat product whereby the rate of flow of fluid into said meat product is greater at the higher velocities of said needles, and is less at the lower velocities of said needles, and adjusting means associated with said pump means for adjusting the quantity of fluid said pump means supplies to said needles during each cycle of movement of said manifold from said upper to said lower positions.
for actuating said pump means; and to vary the velocity of insertion into and withdrawal of said needles with respect to said meats, control means operatively connecting said pump means and said fluid manifold to supply fluid to said meat product from said pump means through said fluid manifold and needles during at least a portion of the time that said needles are inserted into said meat product at a rate proportional to the velocity of said needles with respect to said meat product whereby the rate of flow of fluid into said meat product is greater at the higher velocities of said needles, and is less at the lower velocities of said needles, and adjusting means associated with said pump means for adjusting the quantity of fluid said pump means supplies to said needles during each cycle of movement of said manifold from said upper to said lower positions.
6. The machine of claim 5 characterized in that said control means includes a meat product sensing means secured to said fluid manifold and being adapted to sense the thickness of said meat product; a valve means on said pump means; and a cam on said fluid manifold and in operative engagement with said valve means to control the flow of fluid from said pump means to said meat product.
7. The machine of claim 5 characterized in that said control means includes additional means to provide flow of fluid through said needles only while said needles are inserted into said meat product.
8. The machine of claim 5 characterized in that said pump means is a piston-type displacement pump.
9. The machine of claim 8 characterized in that said adjusting means comprises means for adjusting the stroke length of said displacement pump.
10. The machine of claim 5 characterized in that a meat product sensing means is operatively connected to said fluid manifold for movement therewith during at least the initial portion of the downward travel of said fluid manifold, said fluid manifold continuing to move downwardly relative to said sensing means to overtravel said sensing means after said sensing means have sensed the meat product, valve actuator means operatively connected to said sensing means, said valve actuator means being moved to an actuator position during said overtravel, conduit means fluidly connecting the discharge side of said ?
pump means and said fluid manifold, a valve means in said conduit means, said valve actuator means adapted to open said valve means during said overtravel so that injection fluid from said pump means may be supplied to said needles.
pump means and said fluid manifold, a valve means in said conduit means, said valve actuator means adapted to open said valve means during said overtravel so that injection fluid from said pump means may be supplied to said needles.
11. The machine of claim 10 characterized in that said valve actuator means comprises an elongated arm means pivotally connected at one end thereof to said sensing means, said fluid manifold having means thereon which engages said elongated arm means to pivotally move the same to a first position during said overtravel, said valve means being engaged by said elongated arm when said elongated arm is in its said first position to open said valve means.
12. The machine of claim 11 characterized in that said elongated arm means has an arcuate cam surface thereon, said fluid manifold having a roller means mounted thereon which engages said cam surface.
13. The machine of claim 11 characterized in that said means on said fluid manifold which engages said elongated arm means is a roller element.
14. The machine of claim 11 characterized in that a notch opening is located on said arm means and is adapted to receive said roller element when said valve means in said conduit means is closed.
15. The machine of claim 5 characterized in that said fluid manifold comprises a plurality of fluid manifolds extend-ing transversely with respect to said support means, said pump means comprising a plurality of displacement pumps, each of said displacement pumps being in operative fluid communication with one of said fluid manifolds.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA313,856A CA1127448A (en) | 1978-10-20 | 1978-10-20 | Method and means for injecting fluids into meat products |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA313,856A CA1127448A (en) | 1978-10-20 | 1978-10-20 | Method and means for injecting fluids into meat products |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1127448A true CA1127448A (en) | 1982-07-13 |
Family
ID=4112651
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA313,856A Expired CA1127448A (en) | 1978-10-20 | 1978-10-20 | Method and means for injecting fluids into meat products |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1127448A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114209017A (en) * | 2021-12-25 | 2022-03-22 | 浙江麦尚食品有限公司 | Production method of dried beef |
-
1978
- 1978-10-20 CA CA313,856A patent/CA1127448A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114209017A (en) * | 2021-12-25 | 2022-03-22 | 浙江麦尚食品有限公司 | Production method of dried beef |
| CN114209017B (en) * | 2021-12-25 | 2024-03-19 | 浙江麦尚食品有限公司 | Beef jerky production method |
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