Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C9/00—Apparatus for tenderising meat, e.g. ham
  • A22C9/004—Apparatus for tenderising meat, e.g. ham by massaging
  • A22C9/005—Tumblers and rotating drums for massaging meat in their interior

Definitions

• This invention relates generally to agitating appa ⁇ ratus having a fixed receptacle and a rotatable stirrer disposed to rotate about a horizontal axis.
• Apparatus used in the curing and processing of meats by mechanical means generally may be classified in two categories. One is tumbling, and the other is massaging. Tumblers generally consist of a round drum into which meat and curing agents are placed. The drum generally rotates about, a horizontal axis and the meat pieces are mechanically worked through the process of falling from the top to the bottom of the drum as it rotates. Some ⁇ tumblers also turn end over end. An example of such ⁇ process and apparatus so used are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,076,713.
• the massaging process is generally accomplished by placing the meat pieces in a stationary tub together with their curing fluids and stirring the mixture by a plural ⁇ ity of stirring arms mounted to rotate about a vertical axis.
• the massaging process is generally slower than tumbling and uses frictional energy as opposed to a more rapid kinetic energy of the tumblers.
• Examples of the process and apparatus for use in massaging are to be found in the Patents No. 3,775,134 to Michels et al and No. 3,934,860 to Michels and Langen. Tumblers generally are operated under a partial vacuum while massagers seldom if ever are so operated.
• the meat processors seek to meet these objectives in a manner that is cost effective with regard to time and labor, and at the same time minimize damage or deformation of the meat shape and general appearance. This latter qualification is especially important in the case of bone-in, semi-boneless, or whole boneless pork or beef products.
• the apparatus of the present invention permits a long, slow mechanical working method similar to a massager to maximize curing objectives.
• the appratus does so without deforming or causing breakup of whole boneless, semi-boneless, or bone-in hams, picnics or other similar pieces.
• tumblers provide for a rotary drum which imparts only kinetic energy due to a falling action of the meat.
• the massagers provide only for frictional energy as a stirrin mechanism moves the meat pieces against each other and against the surfaces of the vat and stirring arms.
• a method and apparatus of the present invention is- intermediate between the two processes in that it provide both frictional and kinetic energy.
• the present apparatu does not cause breakup or deformation of the meat pieces that would occur within a tumbler within the same time span; and the apparatus does not encounter the potential of damage to equipment or meat that might occur when massagers are used.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective, partially phantom view of the apparatus of the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
• the apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 and is designated generally by the numeral 10.
• the apparatus 10 comprises a cylindrical drum 11 disposed with its axis horizontal, a rotatable drive shaft 12, a driving motor 13, and paddles 14 and 15.
• the drum 11 is stationary and is mounted on legs 16 so that its cylin ⁇ drical axis 17 is horizontal.
• the drum 11 preferably is constructed of stainless steel and may be built to with- stand pressures due to a partial vacuum within, and may be of any suitable length or diameter to accommodate the quantity of meat to be processed.
• the drive shaft 12 is rotatably mounted within the drum 11 with its axis coin ⁇ cident with the axis 17 of the drum.
• lids or covers 18 and 19 which cover apertures formed in the side of drum 11.
• the lids 18 and 19 may be designed to withstand pressures due to a partial vacuum within the drum 11 and may be secured by clamps or hasps
• the mechanical motion imparted to the pieces of meat thus provides some of the frictional energy obtained in a massager, and at the same time imparts some of the kinetic energy as encountered in a tumbler.
• the action of machine 10 is such that the mechanical working takes place without the breakup and deformation encountered in a tumbler.
• there are no projections present which might tend to damage the equipment when meat pieces which have bones are used.
• the invention thereby attains some of the desired properties of both the tumbler and the massager without the disadvantages of either.
• the paddle means while being oriented generally radially outwardly from the axis of the drive shaft extending into the container means need not include the axis of the shaft; that is, the plane of the paddle, while it preferably includes the axis of the shaft (the paddle in the presently preferred embodiment being edge- mounted on the shaft) it need not include the entire axis of the shaft.
• the plane of the paddle is canted or turned with respect to the shaft axis and may be varied, for example, by angle adjustment means.
• the offset or axially displaced paddles may also be set at an included angle of less than 180° with respect to each other (when viewed end-on, i.e., along the shaft as in Fig. 2) and the paddle angle may be adjustable by appropriate angle adjustment means.
• the process may be operated at positive pressure, atmospheric pressure, or at a partial or full vacuum.
• the gas within the vessel may be the atmosphere or may be some other gas or gas mix ⁇ ture to promote meat curing, prevent deterioration, or promote preservation of the meat, such as N ⁇ o, or an inert atmosphere (N 2 ) .

Landscapes

• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=22223088

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (8)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (6)

• 1980
  • 1980-10-03 WO PCT/US1980/001329 patent/WO1981001249A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1980-10-03 JP JP50014381A patent/JPS56501473A/ja active Pending
  • 1980-10-31 BE BE0/202675A patent/BE885992A/fr unknown
• 1981
  • 1981-05-19 EP EP19800902374 patent/EP0038855A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 1981-07-01 DK DK291881A patent/DK291881A/da not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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