GB1214114A - Process and apparatus for feeding foodstuffs - Google Patents

Abstract

1,214,114. Forming blocks of foodstuffs. UNILEVER Ltd. 20 May, 1969 [24 May, 1968], No. 25692/69. Heading B5A. [Also in Division A4] Apparatus for forming portions of a foodstuff comprises:-a hopper for receiving pieces of a foodstuff; a supply channel located adjacent the hopper which can receive pieces from the hopper; a wedge which is movable in a direction oblique to the axis of the supply channel so that it can separate pieces of foodstuff in the area between the hopper and the channel, compress pieces in the channel and close off the channel by forming part of a wall section thereof; and a piston within the channel which compresses pieces in the channel to form a bar of substantially constant density and crosssection and means for sub-dividing portions from the bar. As shown, the apparatus comprises a hopper 1 fixed above a supply channel 3 and separated therefrom by a movable wedge 4, reciprocated by piston and cylinder 7 and 8. A plunger 10 operated by shaft 11 from cylinder 12 forces material in supply channel 3 into cavity 16 which can then be lowered by pneumatic cylinder 15 and the ejecting means 17 actuated to discharge the portion of foodstuff. The wedge 4 is withdrawn and the hopper 1 is filled with foodstuff, e.g. chicken meat, which also fills the supply channel 3. With plunger 10 to the right, the wedge is forced into the position shown, separating the hopper from the supply channel and closing and compressing material therein. The material is compressed by actuating cylinder 12 and foodstuff is forced into the cavity 16 against the ejector 17. The cavity is lowered by cylinder 15, the edge 22 severing the end of the foodstuff portion and closing the supply channel and when the cavity is in the lowered position, ejector 17 is moved by supplying compressed air through cavity 21 and the portion is ejected. The ejection pressure is higher than the pressure of ram 10 and the cavity is raised to its normal position with the ejector 17 held flush with edge 22. When the cavity has reached its normal position, the ejection pressure is reduced and the cavity is again filled. When, after a number of strokes of piston 15, ram 10 approaches the outlet 13 of the channel it is returned to its starting position and wedge 4 is opened to allow more foodstuff to fall into the channel. In alternative embodiments, the cavity 16 may be divided into component cavities by thin vertical members and cutter blades may be provided in the outlet 13 or on the sliding edge 22 to cut the foodstuff before it enters the divided cavity. The cavity 16 may also be formed in an arcuate reciprocating member (Fig. 5, not shown) and a paddle wheel may be provided to assist the transfer of material from the hopper to the supply channel.