CA1303897C - Apparatus for packing and processing a meat product - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

A bag-shaped lining for use in packing a meat product, such as ham, in foil, in which a mould is used to accommodate the bag-shaped foil. The bag-shaped lining is for use with a mould having a cylindrical body formed with the mould cavity of predetermined length and circumference. The lining has a container portion and a collar portion with a combined length greater than the length of the mould cavity so that the collar portion projects beyond the mould when the lining is within the mould. The collar has an internal circumference greater than the container portion of the lining to facilitate the folding of the collar over the open end of the mould during a bag loading operation.

Description

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The invention concerns a hag-shaped lining Eor use in a mould which may be used in packing and processing a meat product, such as ham, in foil.
It is usual to pack pieces of meat, after pre-treatment, in a tin, and to process the meat further in the tin, for example by warming up or heating it to a particular temperature such as pasteurization temperature, by which process the meat achieves its f inal condition. The meat product in the tin is then ready for transport, storage, sale and consumption.
The disadvantages of packing the meat in tins are the high cost, and the weight, involved. The weight, in particular, is disadvantageous during transport and storage.
In a moDld of this kind a number of pieces of meat are deposited, after which the meat is cooked in the mould in order to obtain the desired product like ham. The mould serves here as a support for obtaining the correct shape.
The mould is lined with foil and filled with pieces of meat, and the bag-shaped foil can be sealed airtight; and this in such a way that the foil remains free of fat or meat particles at the places where the seal is made, in order to realize an absolutely airtight seal~
According to the present inv~.ntion, there is provided a bag-shaped linlng for use in a mould of the type having a cylindrical-shaped body ~ormed with a mould cavlty therein which has a predetermined length and a predetermined circumference, said lining comprising a container portion and a collar portion which have a combined length which ls greater than the predetermined length of the mould cavity such that the collar 3~

portion will project beyond the mollld when the lini.ng is located therein, the collar portion having an internal circumference which is greater than that of the container portion to facilitate the Eolding of the collar over the open end of the mould during the bad loading operation, the circumference of the container portion being uniform over the length thereof.
The enlargement of the inner circumference of the extended part can easily take place if the bag-shaped lining is made from a web which is folded and the edges of the web are joined by being impermeably welded, and the longitudinal welded seam of the bag-shaped portion ls wider than that of the extended portion.
The invention will be further explained in th0 description of the drawings, below.
In the drawings:
Figure 1 shows a side view of a part of the apparatus provided with the first support member, Figure 2 shows a standing longitudinal section of part of the apparatus of figure 1, indicated by arrow II;
Figure 3 shows a section corresponding to -figure 2 of that part of the apparatus according to the line III-III in fîgure 4, however with a different positi3n of the turning-down means;
Figure 4 shows an upright transverse section of the apparatus of figure 2;

~3~J3~3~7 Yigures 5a to 5e inclu~ive show a ~:ide view o~ ~he apparatus of figure 2 in variou~ stage~ of u~age;

Figure~ 6 and 7 show upright front and side views, re~pectively, of part of the apparatus, provided with the second support member in the form of a turntable;
~ igure 8 shows a top view Oe the apparatus o~ figure 6;
Fi~ure~ 9a to 9e inclusive show the rsturning means applied ln th~ ~pparatu~ according to figure 6, in various stages of usage;
Figures 10 and 11 3how a front and side-elevation respectively o a part o the apparatus provided with the third ~upport member, made as a vacuum chest;

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Figure 12 shows, on an enlarged scale~ a view of the apparatu~ corresponding to figure 10;
Pigures 13 and 14 show a standing section according to line XIII-XIII in figure 12 through the sealing means, in two respective po~ition3 thereof~
Figures 15a to 15f inclusive show various phase~ of the method according to the invention;
Figure 16 shows a per~pective bottom view of a mould 3uitable for the method of figure 15, and also perspective t:op view of the cover-section which can be applied therein;
Figures 17a and 17b each show a perspective ~op view of one of two alternative smbodiment~ of cover-sections;
Figure 18 shows a perspective side view of a holdar for mould~ from fi~ure 16, Figure 19 shows a side view of part of the holder from figure 18.
Figure 1 shows the fir~t part of the apparatus, which consist3 of a base 1 upon which a frame 2 is mountsd, in which box-~haped frame the support member 3 is placed, the support member partially projecting out of the frame 2. The support organ 3 serves for accommodation of a bag- haped foil, and subsequently for a mould which i~ pushed thereover. The cross-section of the left-hand part of the support member 3 th2refore corresponds to that of the mould to b~ placed upon it, here under~tood as a rectangular mould 4, which lg indicated by dashed line 4 in figure 4. The mould i5 described in detail here below.
The support member 3 i~ ~urther e~bodied with a central ~pindls 5, which is fa~tened in the ~rame 2. Around ~pinclle S there ~3~

is mounted a ~lidable carriage 6, which is provlded at one end with a standing 1ange 7 of rectangular shape (see figure 4). Flange 7 i~ made with a hinge pin 8 at each corner, abo-lt which an elongate ar~ 9 can be swivelled. Arm 9 is extended at t:he end remote from the hinge pin 8 by a blade 10, ~hose function will be further explained below.
On the out~ide of carriage 6 a sleeve 11 is fitted, the sleeve al~o being provided with a radially outward projecting flange 12, in ~hich a hinge arm 13 i8 pivotably ~ournalled. The other end of hinge arm 13 is rotatably attached to arm 9, Between flange 12 and flange 7 to slide 6, a compress on spring 14 is fitted.
~ lange 12 is at one sid~ also provided with a protecting arm 15, to which there is fastened the rod 16 of a piston 17 in a cylinder 18. The cylinder 18 is ~ixed to the rame 2.
Slide 6 i~ provided, opposite flange 7, with a second flange 17 mounted thereon, flange 17 being made with plain bearings 48 which are slidable along slid~ rods 19 9 which arP mounted in frame 2 parallel to spindle 5.
Between flange 17 and flange 7 there is a dowel 20 fitted, along which a bush 21 of flange 12 is slidable, for the purpose of guiding the sleeve 11.
: The length o arm 9 with the blade 10 is such that in the position according to figure 2~ the free end of the blade 10 rests against the inward faeing end surface of ~upport member 3 ~see ~ig~re 2). The extremity of the blade i~ bent inwards to a small extent, in order to ensure a smooth passage of the foil thereover.

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The oparation of the apparatus accordi.ng to figure~ i to 4 inclus~ve i~ explained with reference to figure!s 5a to 5e inclusiveO
A foil F, which is made with an already attached collar M, i~ ~lid over support member 3 The length of foil F and collar M is ~uch that this collar can be entirely slid over the blade~ lO (see figure 5b) D
The mould 4 is then fitted over the foil F (see figure Sc)~
wheraby ~en~ing member~ 21 and 22 detect the presence, and the final po~ition, respectively, of mould 4, and subsequently energize cylinder 18. On actuatlon of cylinder 18, arm 15 of sleeve 11 is fir t ~lld leftward~ in figures 2 and 3, whereby hinge arms 13 pres~
blade~ lO outwards, because ~lide 6 initially remain~ stationary~
A~ ~oon as flange 12 strikes flange 7 t further pushing of piston rod 16 out of cylinder 18 results in slide 6 also moving to the left.
The outward directed movement of blades lO is shown in ficJure Sd On further leftward movement of blades lO~ which are fastened to slide 6, collar M is folded preci~ely over the edge of mould 4, without occurrence of puckeriny. This is efectuated by the above de~cribed widening of the collar M close to the end edge of mould 4, before beginning olding over of the collar.
The mould 4 with the turned~down collar can then be taken off support member 3 and broucJht to a filling station, which operation i8 indicated schematically by the hand in figure Se.
Obviou~ly, this operatlon can be carried out entirely mechanically.
The filling of the mould with the foil fitted therein and the folded-down collar falls outside the scope of the present invention, and ie not urther shown. Every suitable filling machine can bs u~ed for this, and it will be clear to the reacler that the mould can 313~7 . 1 easily be mechanically fllled with pieces of meat without soiling the folded-down collar.
The filled mould is then brought to a second support member of khe apparatus, which is here embodied as a table which is rotatable around a vertical spindle, shown in figures 5 to 9 inclusive.
In the drawing~ numeral 30 indicate~ the frame, which consists of ~our columns, joined at their top ends by a rectangular table 31 (see figure 8). In thi~ rectangular table there i5 mounted a turntable 32, which is journalled on a vertical spindle 33. The driving of table 32 is carried out by a motor and transmission unit 34 mounted in the frame 30. The driving unit can be made in any arbitrary way and therefore needs no further description.
The two rear columns 30~ are extended above table 31, and at the~r upper ends a connecting plate is fitted for accommodatlng the upper end of spindle 33. Around the top part of spindle 33 there are two supporting plates 36 and 37 fitted, one at a distan~e above the other, between which pairs of guiding bars 38 are mountsdc Between the guiding bars there is a carriage 39~ with wheels 40, rollable in a vertical direction, at each of its four corners. The carriage bears on its underside arms 49, each of ~hich is extendcd by a blade 41, which can reach almost to the turntable 32. The arms are suspended pivotably at 42 from the underside of carriage 39, and during upward or downward vertical movement are led guide roller~ 43. The arran~ement i5 such that~ on descending movement, the blades 41 spread away from one another~ ~o that the lower ends amply clear the upper edge o~ a mould 4 which is situated on turntable 32, and come to rest against the outer wall of mould 4 ~3~3~

at some distance beneath the upper edge thereof. On an ascending movement, the blade 41 remain in contact with the outer wall of mould 4, and come into place under the folcled-down collar of the foil The rising and descending mo~ement of carriage 39 along guide bars 38 can also take place in any arbitrary way, and is not further described.
The turntable 32 forms part of a conveyor track 441 upon which the filled moulds are delivered from the right in figure 8, and are brought into a place 46 on the turntable by a rotating transport mechanism 45, and, after the moulds have passed through the five stations of turntable 32 illustrated in figure 8, in the direction of arrow P1, the~ are rep]aced on the conveyer track 44 by a rotating transport organ 47.
The position of blade 41 in relation to the mould 4 at each of the five stations are indicated in figures 9a to 9e inclusive.
Thus, figure 9a shows tha position in which the filled mould 4 with turned-do~n collar M is situated beneath the blade 41.
During descent of the blade 41, these move down with an ample margin past the upper edge of mould ~, after which they come to rest close to the bottom of the mould, in contact with its outer wall. During ascent, the hook-like lower ends of blade 41 pass under the turned-down collar M, (see figure 9c), after which, on further ascent of the levers 41, they pull the collar back into the position according to figure 9e.
It should be noted here that the length of the hook-like portion 41' is greater than the height of the turned-down collar M, so that the extremity of the hook travels in the top ~3~

fold of the collar of the foil while the collar is being folded back up. Since the outside of the collar M/ during filling, has remained free frorn Eat and other contamination, its inner wall, after it has been folded up again, will equally have remained clean, which is important for the sealing phase which follows.
The sealing phase will be further explained by reference to figures 10 to 14 inclusive.
Directly following conveyor belt 44 of figure 8, thare is situated a third supporting organ in the form of a vacuum chest 50. The bottom 51 of the vacuum chest lies at the same level as the conveyor belt 44 (see figure 11 ), so that the insertion of a mould 4 can repeatedly take place without interruption. The vacuum chest consists of two adjacent sections, each of which can be separately evacuated~ Both sections rest on top of a plinth 52, in which the pump for evacuation is situated. The sections can be closed airtight by a cover or door 53. To this end, door 53 is provided at its circumference with a flexible sealing strip, which creates a seal against the flat edge 54 of the vacuum section.
The door can be slid along a top rail 56 across the front faces of the VaCUUIn sections, an action which can take place manually or mechanically.
In the vacuum chest there are situated sealing means (see figures 12 to 14 inclusive), which consist of a horizontally extending table 55, which is securely joined to the rear side o~
the vacuum chest 50, and of which the height above the bottom 51 is such that it approximately at the level of collar M projecting above mould 4. Collar M is either manually or mechanically folded flat, so that the opposing parts come into contact with each other.
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Above ~upporting table 55 there is situe~ted a heatable pre~sing punch 56, which is fixed to the lower side of a flex}ble hose 57. Hose 57 is sealed ~irtight, and contains a medium under a definite pressure.
The pressing punch 56 is equipped on the side facing the front wlth a foldin0-member 58, which is joined with a hinged connection to the punch at 59. The folding-member consist3 of a bent plate whosa breadth correspond~ to that of collar M when folded flat (see figure 12). The folding member can be turned in the direction of arrow Pl to a position under the pressure punch 56, and back again.
The above described apparatus works as follows:
After mould 4 has been positioned and the collar M has been folded out flat (see figure 12), the foldin~-member can fold the collar over through an angle of 90 onto the supporting table 55, and smooth it out. Through this folding process, the collar M can no longer pucker, which helps during airtight sealing.
Then the operator can close the vacuum chest by applying the cover 53 in front of the appropriate section. Consequent to the evacuation of the section, tube S7 will t because of the pressure of the medium, automatically pu~h pressing punch 56 in the direction of pres~ing table 55~ and thus weld the two layers of the collar together. After the sealing operation, the air pressure in the section can be allowad to return~ the mould can be taken out, and the content~ of the evacuated foil can be proce~sed further, for example by pasteurization or cookingO
In igure 15 number 61 indicate~ a bag-shaped lining r which consi3ts of a lower portion 62 and an extended upper position 63 ~3~3~

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whereof the inner circumerence i8 greater than that of the lower po~ition 62, the reason for which will be explained bel~w. This widening of the inner circumference can easily be brought about, starting wi~h a foil material, such as transparent plastic, which is folded shut at the bottom in the usual way, and which is sealed along the side by mean~ o a ].ongitudinal seam, the inner circumference of the bag automatically becomes corres~ondingly wider.
Figure 15b shows the mould according to the invention, which consists o~ a cylindrical portion 65, with a fixed bottom 66 (~ae also igure 16). It should hereby be noted that the cro~s-~ection of the c~lindrical portion 65 has a principally rectangular ~hape. The lower and upper edges of c~lindrical portion 65 are reinforced by thickenings 67, in the walls, which can be made by, before bending a cylinder from sheet material, fi.rst folding th~
edges over through 180 (see item 68 in figure 16). The wide slde~wall of the cylindrical portion 67 is strengthened by a r~cessed portion forming a rein~orcement rib 69. Hereby, potential bulging outwards o the side-wall of cylindrical part 65 during pressurization o~ the contents is avoided.
Figure 15c shows the mould in which lining 61 is fitt~d, with the extended portion 63 being folded down over the upper edge 67, of the mould~ This is possible owing to.the larger inner dimensions o~ the extended portion 63.
Fi~ure 15d shows the situation in which the mould with the lining 61 fitted therein i3 filled with pieces o meat, V. After ~u~ficient pieces o~ maat have been put illtQ the mould, ed~e 63 is folded back again, and then irstly the lining is evacuated at the top by means of a vacuum apparatus 7~ and, subsequently, it is 31~

sealed airtight by a weldin~ apparatus 71. The projectin~ sealed part 63 of the lining is folded down in the usual way, ~or example in the ~ame way as the bottom, a~ter which cover-seetion 72 is placed in the open end o~ ~he mould, according to figure 15f.
Cover-section 72 consists, in the ~orm shown according to ~igure 17, of two members 73 and 74, which are mutuall~ connected by means of spring strips 75, standing perpendicularly thereon, for example by securin~ the ends o~ the curved spring strips by welding at 76. One of the members 73, i8 provided with a lip 77, which fits into a recess 78 of the other cover-member 74. In thls construction, a sideways relatlve movement of members 73 and 74 in the direction of arrow Pl is permissible. In the positiorl during assembly by welding, there is a narrow gap 80 between the members, such that on insertion in moul.d 65, the member 73 and 74 must be pressed towards one another against the prssure of ~pring leaves 75. As soon as cover-section 72 has been inserted in cylindrical mould-section 65, after releasing of the lid, spring strips 75 pres~
cover-member 73 and 74 firmly against the inside of the side-walls of mould part 65, so that all clearance between cover-section 72 and the inside of ~orm part 65 is prevented. The strengthened outer edge 67, as well as the rein~orcement rib 69, help ensure a correct contact. It should be noted that possible a smaller clearance 20 remains between members 73 and 74, but this is covered by the folded-up weld seam of the extended part 63 of lining 61, so that on a possible pressing action on cover-section 72 and the contents of mould section 65, a uni~orm pressure on the contents is ensurad.
Figures 17a and 17b show alternative embodiments of lid part 72. The gap 80 between elements 73' and 74' is dependent for ~L3~ 7 `~

it~ direction on the manner of folding the lining 61 in mould 65.
Should the ~elding seam run diagonall~ then a form of lid corresponding to figure 17a is advantageous. IE the extended part 63 of the lining is folded crossways, then the embodiment of the lid shown in figure 17b is preerable~
The cover-membars 73, 74, in tha various embodiments are in each case mutually connected by curved leaf springs 75, which are welded securely by their end parts at 76 to the cover-member~. In this way a freedom of movement of members 73, 73', 74 and 747 in the directions of arrows Pl or Pl' is made possible.
Figures 18 and 13 show, in perspective, a holder 81, which consists Oe a framework of longitudinal and transverse profiles which ensure that guides 82 are made available for a number of adjacently arran~ed cylindrical mould sections 65. The adjacent]y situated moulds 65 are so positioned that lid section 72 lies with the spring strips 75 which are mounted thereon against the bottom 66 of the adjacent mould. The filllng of the form with meat pieces is such that the spring leaves project beyond the edge 67 o~ mould 65.
Either the guide 82 or the holder 81 is provided at one end with a ~ixed end paetition 83, against which rests the bottom edge 67 of the first mould. At the o~posite end, there is e]astically compliant end partition 84 fitted, which here has the form of a ram. The ram lles against the li~ section 72 of the mould on the right in figure 19, and is ela~tieally supported by a hellcal spring 85, which travel~ along a pin 86 of a clamping frame 87. The clamping frame 87 is made with straps 88 which fit around knobs 8g of the frame of the holder 81. The side of the straps 88 and the placing o~ knob~ 89 is such that when clampin~ frame 87 is fitted on ~3~

~ 14 -the front of holder 81, the compliant part.itions 84 come into spring-loaded contact with the lid sections 72 of the front moulds of each row in a guide 82~ By this means, the whole row of moulds is subject to a definite spriny pressure, and after closing the entire holder 81 with moulds 65 can be placed in a heating space, for example a steam vessel. Through the supply of heat, the meat expands and becomes pasteurized, whilst the lining 61 shrinks as a result of the heat. Owing to this permanent pressure on the contents of the moulds 65 as the result of springs 85, the contents take on the exact shape of the cylindrical mould section 65, and the lining 61 fits closely around the moulded meat product.
The end product is obtained by removing moulds 65 from the holder, removing cover section 72, and taking out the lining with the shaped meat product in it from the mould.
The invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments.

Claims (2)

1. A bag-shaped lining for use in a mould of the type having a cylindrical-shaped body formed with a mould cavity therein which has a predetermined length and a predetermined circumference, said lining comprising a container portion and a collar portion which have a combined length which is greater than the predetermined length of the mould cavity such that the collar portion will project beyond the mould when the lining is located therein, the collar portion having an internal circumference which is greater than that of the container portion to facilitate the folding of the collar over the open end of the mould during the bag loading operation, the circumference of the container portion being uniform over the length thereof.

2. A bag-shaped lining for use in a mould of the type having a cylindrical-shaped body formed with a mould cavity therein which has a predetermined length and a predetermined circumference, said lining comprising; a container portion and a collar portion which have a combined length which is greater than the predetermined length of the mould cavity such that the collar portion will project beyond the mould when the lining is located therein, said lining being in the form of a foil which is welded impermeably along opposite side edges thereof to form side seams, the side seams of the container portion being wider than the side seams to the collar portion such that the collar portion has an internal circumference which is greater than that of container portion to facilitate the folding of the collar over the open end of the mould during the bag loading operation.