EP0419374B1 - Method and apparatus for making calibrated cubes of meat - Google Patents

Abstract

The method is noteworthy in that it comprises a chamber (1) delimiting a closed and variable volume for receiving the portion of meat (V), the said chamber (1) receiving a pressing element (2) subject to the means (3) capable of varying the compressive force exerted on the portion, one of the ends of the chamber interacting with an element (4) capable of ensuring the linear displacement of the portion in the direction of a cutting system (5-6) shaped in order to form the calibrated diced or cubed meat. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a method and means for implementing said method for the automatic production of calibrated pieces of meat.

The invention relates more particularly to machines making it possible to continuously produce, from one or more slices of meat, or other food products, pieces sized in the form of dices for example. A particularly advantageous application is found in the production of bacon strips from a slice of pork belly in particular.

Known machines capable of fulfilling this function are designed to process only very thick pieces of meat or several superimposed slices.

In the case of very thick slices, it is necessary to cut them not only along several vertical planes but also along several horizontal planes in order to obtain pieces of reduced thickness. Generally, a cutting system using a first grid composed of several vertical blades and a second grid composed of several horizontal blades is used. In relation to these grids a rotating blade arranged laterally ensures a cut in an orthogonal plane. Given the large thickness, the lateral cutting blade exerts on the vertical blades, in particular grids, at the time of cutting the meat, a very significant effort which tends to bend the vertical blades causing them to break.

This state of the art can be illustrated by the teaching of patent US-A-4031789 which describes a machine comprising a system capable of making a plurality of cuts of the slice of meat, in two orthogonal planes to form diced meat.

This same problem is encountered in the case of several superimposed layers where, moreover, the different slices can remain glued together so that the pieces obtained are not regular.

In an attempt to reduce the risk of breakage of the blades by reducing their number, the piece of meat to be treated is generally cut beforehand across the width. However, the result obtained is not satisfactory.

The object of the invention is to remedy these drawbacks in a simple, efficient and rational manner, and proposes to solve the problem posed of being able to continuously produce calibrated pieces obtained from a slice whose thickness which may vary directly corresponds to the thickness of the desired calibrated piece without being obliged to cut such a slice beforehand.

To solve this problem, a method with the features of claim 1 has been designed and developed.

The manufacturing process is carried out using a machine which, according to the invention, comprises the characteristics stated in claim 2.

To solve the problem of being able to continuously process directly a slice of determined thickness and its entire width in order to obtain calibrated pieces as regular as possible, the pressing member is constituted by a support block which covers almost the entire volume of the enclosure, said block being coupled to a cylinder system shaped on the one hand to vary the volume of the enclosure (1) and on the other hand to subject the block to an adjustable pressure force.

To solve the problem of feeding the machine, in particular for the introduction of the slice of meat into the processing enclosure, one of the sides of the enclosure located perpendicular to those cooperating with the means of movement and cutting , is, open to receive the slice of meat in combination with the pusher member which after having introduced said slice into the end to constitute the closed volume of said enclosure.

The problem posed of continuously obtaining a plurality of pieces calibrated in combination with the treatment chamber is obtained by a cutting system which comprises in combination a first assembly having a plurality of vertical blades, being shaped to ensure, as and as the slice moves, its cutting along a plurality of parallel lines and a second set capable of ensuring a second cut in an orthogonal plane in order to obtain the calibrated pieces of meat.

Advantageously, the scraper block for the displacement for the displacement of the slice of meat in the direction of the cutting system, has a facial plurality of vertical slots in number and in correspondence with the blades of the first set.

According to another characteristic, the pusher member is slidably mounted on a part of the machine arranged laterally to the enclosure and in communication with a set of meat slice feed.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe longitudinale de la machine.
• La figure 2 est une vue en plan et en coupe correspondant à la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale considérée selon la ligne 3-3 de la figure 2.
• Les figures 4 à 7 sont des vues à caractère schématique montrant les principales phases du fonctionnement.

The invention is set out below in more detail with the aid of the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the machine.
• FIG. 2 is a plan view and in section corresponding to FIG. 1.
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2.
• Figures 4 to 7 are schematic views showing the main phases of operation.

The machine according to the invention comprises, suitably mounted on a support frame designated as a whole by (B), an enclosure (1) delimiting a closed volume by being equipped with means capable of varying the said volume. This enclosure (1) is intended to receive at least the entire slice of meat (V) to be cut.

The means allowing the volume of the enclosure to be varied at will essentially comprise a pressing member (2) subject to a jack system (3) capable of exerting an adjustable bearing force on the slice of meat (V) placed in the bottom of the enclosure. The pressing member (2) and the actuator system (3) are arranged in the upper part of the enclosure (1).

One of the ends of the enclosure (1) cooperates with a member (4) capable of ensuring, by exerting a pushing force, the progressive linear movement of the slice of meat in the direction of a shaped cutting system (5-6) to constitute dices or pieces of meat calibrated as indicated in the following description. This member (4) is constituted by a scraper block (4a) which occupies substantially the entire width of the enclosure (1). The block (4a) is coupled to a jack system (4b) for its linear displacement in translation.

As shown in the figures of the drawings, the pressing member (2) consists of a support block (2a) which covers almost the entire volume of the enclosure (1). The system of cylinder (3) is controlled by a control logic to subject the block (2a) to an adjustable pressure force so as to exert, initially, a pressing force having the effect of crushing the slice of meat then , in a second step, to keep said edge flat while allowing its linear movement in combination with the pusher member (4). In addition, in an important way, the pressing member (2) by means in particular of its control jack, makes it possible to vary the volume of the enclosure by adapting to the thickness of the product to be treated, it that is, the slice of meat.

The cutting system (5-6) is arranged at the end of the enclosure (1) directly opposite to that receiving the pusher member (4) for moving the slice of meat. In a known manner, the cutting system comprises in combination two assemblies (5 and 6). The first set (5) consists of a series of parallel blades arranged vertically, being shaped to ensure as and when the movement of the slice of meat (V) its cutting along a plurality of parallel lines. The second set (6) is determined to ensure a second cut in a plane orthogonal to the lines of parallel cuts in order to obtain pieces of calibrated meat.

For example, the blades (5a) of the assembly (5) are arranged in a support (5b) fixed on a part of the frame of the machine and and cooperating by means of a light (5c) with an eccentric (7) mounted at the end of a drive shaft so as to subject said assembly and therefore the blades (5a) to an alternative movement of movement in height. As regards the assembly (6), the latter consists of a blade which is positively driven in rotation and mounted eccentrically.

Given the cutting system as described, in particular the assembly (5), the scraper block (4a) for moving the slice of meat has a plurality of vertical slots (4d) in number and in correspondence with the blades (5a) of said assembly (5).

As it appears in particular in Figure 2, one of the sides (1a) of the enclosure located perpendicular to those cooperating with the pusher member (4) and the cutting system (5-6) has an opening for receiving the slice of meat in combination with a pusher member (8). The member (8) after introduction of the slice of meat (V) into the enclosure (1) closes the opening on the side (1a) so as to constitute the closed volume of the enclosure. The movement of the member (8) is effected by means of a jack (8a).

The pusher member (8) is slidably mounted on a part (9) of the machine arranged laterally to the enclosure (1) and in communication with an assembly (10) capable of ensuring the supply of meat slices from the 'enclosure (1). This supply assembly (10) is of any known and suitable type. Similarly at the cutting system (5-6) the machine has arrangements (11) capable of collecting pieces of cut and calibrated meat.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 to 7 of the drawings to explain the operation of the machine according to the invention.

After having introduced the slice of meat into the bottom of the enclosure (1) by means of the member (8), the pressing block (2) which is supported on said means is actuated by means of the jack system (3). edge (V) to keep it strictly flat (Figure 4).

Then the pressure of the jack (3) is released so as to release the slice of meat while keeping it in support with displacement capacity. We then act on the block (4a) to move the slice of meat (V) linearly towards the cutting system (5 and 6). Note that the active part of the block (4) passes under the pressing member (2a) which thus keeps the slice of meat flat as it moves towards the cutting system (5 and 6).

As indicated above, the cutting system (5 and 6) ensures continuous cutting in parallel rows of the slice of meat and simultaneously cutting in an orthogonal plane to constitute pieces calibrated in the form of dice for example.

The machine according to the invention is particularly well suited for the continuous production of calibrated pieces, in particular in the form of diced meat or any other food product and makes it possible to continuously process directly the whole of a slice of meat, whatever its thickness. .

Claims (9)

1. Process for the automatic production of pieces of meat cut to size from bacon-style meat, particularly from at least one slice of meat (v) in a machine comprising a system (5-6) suitable for making a plurality of cuts in the slice in two orthogonal planes in order to make cubes of meat, characterized by the following steps:

   - at least one slice of meat (v) is placed in a chamber (1) enclosing a variable, closed space in conjunction with a press (2, 2a) and pushers (4, 4a) (8, 8a),

   - the slice is subjected to the action of the press (2a) in order to keep it flat,

   - the pressure of the press (2, 2a) is reduced in order to release the slice of meat (v) whilst keeping it in contact so that it is able to move,

   - the pusher (4, 4a) is used to move the slice (v) towards the system (5-6) capable of making a plurality of cuts in the slice of meat in two orthogonal planes in order to make cubes or pieces of meat cut to size.
2. Means of implementing the process as claimed in claim 1 in the form of a machine comprising a system (5-6) capable of making a plurality of cuts in the slice in two orthogonal planes so as to make cubes of meat characterised in that it comprises:

   - a chamber (1) accommodating the slice of meat (v) and enclosing a variable, closed space in conjunction with, on the one hand, pushers (4, 4a) and (8, 8a), pusher (8, 8a) being capable of moving the slice of meat (v) in chamber (1) whereas pusher (4, 4a) is capable of ensuring linear movement of the slice of meat (v) towards cutting system (5-6) and, on the other hand, with a press (2, 2a) controlled by means (3) capable of varying the pressure exerted on the slice (v) so that it initially exerts a force capable of crushing the slice of meat (v) then, during a second stage, of keeping said slice flat whilst allowing it to move linearly in conjunction with pusher (4, 4a).
3. Means as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that press (2) consists of a block (2a) that fills almost all the volume of chamber (1), said block (2a) being coupled to a cylinder system (3) designed, on the one hand, to alter the volume of chamber (1) and, on the other hand, to subject block (2a) to an adjustable pressure.
4. Means as claimed in any of claims 2 and 3 characterised in that pusher (4, 4a) consists, of a scraper (4a) that essentially takes up the width of chamber (1), said scraper (4a) being connected to a cylinder system (4b).
5. Means as claimed in any of claims 2, 3 and 4 characterised in that one of the sides of chamber (1) situated at right angles to those that cooperate with pusher (4, 4a) and cutting system (5-6) is open in order to accommodate the slice of meat (v) in conjunction with pusher (8, 8a) which shuts off said side after said slice has been placed in chamber (1) in order to constitue the closed space of said chamber (1).
6. Means as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5 characterised in that cutting system (5-6) comprises, in combination, a first assembly (5) having a plurality of vertical blades (5a) being designed to ensure, as the slice (v) is fed, gradual cutting of the slice (v) along a plurality of parallel lines and a second assembly (6) capable of ensuring a second cut in an orthogonal plane in order to obtain pieces of meat cut to size.
7. Means as claimed in any of claims 4 and 6 characterised in that scraper (4a) to feed the slice of meat (v) towards cutting system (5-6) has on its face a plurality of vertical slits of which the number matches that of the blades (5a) on the first assembly (5).
8. Means as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that pusher (8, 8a) is mounted so that it slides over part of the machine, arranged at the side of chamber (1), that communicates with an assembly for feeding slices of meat (v).
9. Means as claimed in any of claims 2 and 6 characterised in that, at the level of cutting system (5-6), the machine has features capable of collecting the pieces of meat cut to size.

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