GB2596106A - Stuffing system - Google Patents

Abstract

A system 100 for stuffing a food product into an outer casing, comprising an apparatus having a chamber 20 for receiving a meat product and a lid 40 to cover said chamber, a stuffer piston (figure 7, 9a, 9b) disposed on an input side of said chamber, a casing tube disposed on an outfeed side of said chamber, a presser mechanism and a removable presser mould unit (figure 10, 60) associated with said lid. The system further comprises a control unit configured to detect the presence of the presser mould unit and to selectively operate the apparatus in a first mode, in which the presser mould unit is present in the chamber and presses a meat product between the walls of said chamber and said presser mould unit prior to stuffing the pressed meat product into said casing tube, and a second mode, in which the presser mould unit is not present in the chamber and the meat product is stuffed into said casing tube without being pressed.

Description

STUFFING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a stuffing system and more particularly but not exclusively, to an apparatus for the stuffing of a food product -typically a meat-based food product -into an outer casing. Aspects of the present invention relate to a dual-purpose stuffing system that is suitable for forming either a pressed or non-pressed netted and/or encased meat-product, wherein the meat is automatically stuffed into the net and/or casing.

More particularly but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus that can be operated in first and second modes. In the first mode a pressing of the food-product is conducted before the stuffing process is conducted. In the second mode a stuffing-only process is conducted. Further aspects of the present invention relate to a removable lid for use in the apparatus when operating in the first mode; and to a safety lid for use during a re-configuration process, during which the apparatus is adapted to transition from being operable in the first mode to being operable in the second mode or vice versa.

Beneficially a stuffing system of the present invention is readily and quickly adapted so that it can be converted between operating as a presser and stuffer system where pressing of a meat product is conducted prior to stuffing that pressed meat product into an outer package; and operating as a stuffer system in which a meat-product is stuffed into an outer-casing, (without any pre-pressing).

The invention finds advantageous application in the meat processing industry for the preparation of meat-product, that may be pressed or non-pressed and stuffed into an outer casing and/or net and then subsequently cooked, for example, in a broiler, boiler, poacher, smoker and/or steamer; or delivered to a wholesale or retail outlet as a raw meat product for cooking by a customer, for example by roasting, grilling and/or on a BED.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the meat-product preparation industry, it is known to use apparatus and machine systems to automate processes that traditionally have been conducted manually. Beneficially, the use of machines: increases production time, increases uniformity of the packaged meat-product, reduces labour related injury, for example RSI (repetitive strain injury), reduces running costs and may result in a higher-quality meat-product being produced more quickly.

One such apparatus known in the industry, are known as "stuffers". Stuffers or stuffing systems provide a chamber into which raw meat is loaded. The loading of the meat may be manually done or semi-automated. Once disposed in the chamber the meat is pushed by a piston into and through a tube. On an outer surface of the tube a primary packaging material is loaded. This primary packaging material may be a casing, such as a collagen or plastic tube, or may be a knitted net (or optionally both). As the piston-pushed meat product is forcefully stuffed through and out of the tube it is stuffed into the primary packaging material.

Such stuffer systems are beneficial in reducing the time involved in butchery and product preparation of a raw (uncooked) meat product such as, joints of beef or pork, hams, sausages, salamis, reformed hams and the like; and can improve the appearance and quality of the packaged meat-product. The appearance of a netted joint can make a significant influence on sales and selling price.

To increase through-put, it is known to provide "double-stuffers". Such machines are arranged side-by-side with two adjacent meat-loading chambers; and two adjacently positioned outfeed tubes. Upstream of the two, side-by-side meat-loading chambers and outfeed-tubes, two separate pistons, (for stuffing meat loaded into respective ones of the chambers), are provided. Typically, only one chamber is loaded with meat-product at a time in a double-stuffer; and whilst meat in one chamber is being stuffed into a tube (and optionally netted), the other chamber is ready for being loaded and a semi-continuous process is achieved with encased meat, alternately, coming off one tube and then the next.

It is also known in the industry to shape a meat product before stuffing it into a tube for loading into a casing. This is referred to as "pressing". Casings that hold the shape of the pressed meat may include elasticated and non-elasticated netting, fibrous casings, plastic casings and the like to encapsulate meat products such as sausages, salamis, formed-ham products and joints of beef or pork. The net, casing typically remains on the meat joint, sausage or formed ham during cooking in order to retain the formed-shape during cooking. Tightly encapsulating the meat-product in this way may lead to more even and more thorough cooking of the pressed and shaped meat product. The end-shape of the product may be particularly important where the meat is sold in slices, for example cooked pork, cooked ham, sliced salami, sliced sausage and other cured, sliced meats.

In the industry single-stuffers, double-stuffers, single-press-stuffers and double press-stuffers are currently available from providers such as Talsa®, Pujolas® and ScotNet®.

The applicant is recognised as an innovative leader in the meat-preparation, industry and whilst particularly well-known for its highly successful elastic net with pre-fixed diameter, which is marketed under the trade mark TCNO (Total Control Net), the applicant is a leader in the field of meat packaging more generally and whereas many of its products are high-quality products suitable for use in a range of applications, it is still desirable to develop and improve upon existing stuffing systems, such as those described above.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of stuffing systems, and in particular, but without limitation for the primary-packaging of raw meat-product, by providing an improved stuffer system that is capable of being operated in a first mode in which pressing of a meat product is conducted before stuffing the pressed-meat-product into an outer casing; and which is easily and quickly adapted so that it can be converted to a stuffing machine that operates in a second mode in which meat product is simply stuffed into an outer casing without first being pressed.

Of significant advantage, the improved stuffing system of the present disclosure alleviates the necessity for meat-processors to provide floor space for two separate machines. Further significant savings include the need to only clean, maintain and service a single dual-purpose machine, rather than two separate machines. Furthermore, the flexibility and adaptability offered by the dual-function stuffer system of the present invention allows producers to adapt their production quickly and easily in response to demand. At times of high-demand on stuffed joints, production can be switched to simple stuffing operation; and at times of high-demands on pressed-stuffed goods, such as salamis, production can be switched to pressed-stuffed goods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a system for stuffing a food-product into an outer casing, the system comprising an apparatus and a control unit associated therewith, the apparatus comprising: at least one chamber for receiving a meat-product; a lid moveable to cover the at least one chamber; at least one stuffer piston disposed on an input side of said at least one chamber; a casing tube disposed on an outfeed side of said at least one chamber; at least one presser mechanism; and a removable presser-mould-unit associated with said lid, the control unit associated with said apparatus being: configured to detect the presence of said presser-mould-unit; and configured to selectively operate the apparatus in one of first and second modes; in the first mode of operation said at least one presser mechanism is activated to cause relative movement between said chamber and said presser-mould-unit to press a meat-product between walls of said chamber and walls of said presser-mould-unit; and subsequently said stuffer piston is moved through said at least one chamber for forcing a pressed-meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube; and in the second mode of operation said presser-mould-unit is removed from the apparatus; movement of said at least one presser mechanism is prevented; and only said stuffer piston is operable and is moved through said at least one chamber for forcing a meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube.

Optionally, said removable presser-mould-unit associated with said lid is selectively attachable to and removable from said lid.

Optionally, said apparatus comprises a first chamber housing in which a first chamber is disposed, wherein said lid is slidably moveable over and away from an open top of the first chamber housing for selectively closing and opening said first chamber housing in order to provide selective access to said first chamber disposed therein; and wherein said first chamber is removable from the first chamber housing.

Optionally, removal of the first chamber from said first chamber housing allows for said removable presser-mould-unit to be located within the first chamber housing; and connected to the lid such that a substantial portion of the presser-mould-unit depends from an underside of the lid thereby positioning walls of the presser-mould-unit proximate to and alignment with said first chamber once returned to the first chamber housing such that a meat-product can be pressed between walls of said chamber and walls of said presser-mould-unit when the apparatus is operated in the first mode.

Optionally, said presser mould unit has a sensor associated therewith and wherein a detector associated with said apparatus is configured to detect the presence of said sensor and in dependence upon detecting the presence of said sensor is configured to issue a signal to said control unit which is used by said control unit in initiating operation of the apparatus in the first mode.

Optionally, the presser mould unit comprises at least one attachment component for removably securing the presser mould unit to the slidable lid; wherein the lid comprises at least one slot through which said at least one attachment component is received; and wherein the lid comprises a locking rod which couples a portion of the at least one attachment component upstanding from the lid to the lid, such that the presser mould unit is removably affixed to the lid.

Optionally, said apparatus comprises: first and second chambers each for receiving a meat-product; first and second chamber housings for receiving said first and second chambers therein; first and second stuffer piston disposed on input sides of said first and second chambers respectively; first and second casing tube disposed on outfeed sides of said first and second chambers respectively; and first and second presser mechanisms; wherein said lid is slidably moveable to cover either the first chamber housing or the second chamber housing, said removable presser-mould-unit is associated with said lid; and wherein the system further comprises a safety lid for disposing on the first chamber housing when said system is transitioning between the first and second modes.

Optionally, said safety lid has a sensor associated therewith and wherein a detector associated with said apparatus is configured to detect the presence of said sensor and in dependence upon detecting the presence of said sensor, the detector is configured to issue a signal to said control unit which is used by said control unit in initiating a transitioning protocol between said first and second modes.

According to another aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided an apparatus for use in the system according to relevant preceding paragraphs, the apparatus comprising: said at least one chamber for receiving a meat-product; said lid moveable to cover the at least one chamber; said at least one stuffer piston disposed on an input side of said at least one chamber; said casing tube disposed on an outfeed side of said at least one chamber; said at least one presser mechanism; and said removable presser-mould-unit associated with said lid, the apparatus being operable in said first and second modes; in the first mode of operation said at least one presser mechanism is moveable to cause relative movement between said chamber and said presser-mould-unit associated with said lid to press a meat-product between walls of said chamber and walls of said presser-mouldunit; and subsequently said stuffer piston is moveable through said at least one chamber for forcing a pressed-meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube; and in said second mode of operation said presser-mould-unit is removed from the apparatus; said at least one presser mechanism is prevented from operating; and only said stuffer piston is moveable through said at least one chamber for forcing a meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube.

According to another aspect of the invention for which protection is sought, there is provided a method of transitioning the system, of an above preceding paragraph, out of one mode of operating and into the other mode: the method comprising: (i) stopping said apparatus; (ii) positioning a said lid on the second chamber housing; (hi) coupling a first part of a sensor to said lid; (iv) positioning said safety lid on the first chamber housing; (v) initiating a Transition Protocol on Control Unit and in dependence upon receiving signals indicating that: (a) said safety lid is correctly positioned; (b) said lid is correctly positioned; and (c) access doors to said first and second chamber housings are both closed and locked; actuating said first presser mechanism and thereby positioning the first chamber in a removal position within said first chamber housing; (d) withdrawing said first chamber from said first chamber housing; (e) positioning said lid over said first chamber housing; (f) if transitioning from said first mode to said second mode then disassembling said presser-mould unit from said lid; 30 OR (g) if transitioning from said second mode to said first mode then assembling said presser-mould unit to said lid 40; and (h) returning the first chamber into said first chamber housing.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from an outfeed-end and a first side of a double-stuffer system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this Figure the system is configured for a "press-and-stuff', first-mode of operation; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the system of Figure 1, focussed on side-by-side first and second chamber housings and in particular focussed on a first meat-loading chamber, wherein a top of the first chamber housing is open and a slidable top lid is disposed in a closed configuration over the second chamber housing. In this Figure the system is configured for a "stuff-only", second-mode of operation; FIGURE 3 is a further perspective view of the open-topped first chamber housing and first meat-loading chamber, wherein the removable chamber is shown in a configuration for the "stuff-only" second-mode of operation; FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the first chamber housing, wherein the slidable top lid is disposed in a closed configuration over the first chamber housing, and an access door of the first chamber housing is being opened in order to gain access to the removable chamber disposed therein, in order to adapt the system and transition from a "press-and-stuff" configuration as shown into a "stuff-only" mode of operation; FIGURE 5 is a further view of the first chamber housing from a side aspect, wherein the slidable top lid is still disposed in the closed configuration over the top of the first chamber housing, and an access door is fully open. The removable chamber-body disposed therein is disposed in a high-level "stuff-only" configuration and is accessible for removal from the first chamber housing in order to adapt the system, by installing a removable insert to the slidable lid, into the "press-and-stuff' mode of operation; FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of the first chamber housing, wherein the slidable top lid is disposed in a closed configuration over the first chamber, and the access door is being re-closed and locked in a "press-and-stuff' configuration; FIGURE 7 is a view inside part of a stuffer-piston section of the system of Figure 1; FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of the slidable top lid wherein the removable insert is not attached thereto; FIGURES 9A and 9B show view of the slidable top lid wherein the removable insert (only very partially shown) is attached thereto; FIGURES 10 and 11 show views of the removable insert; FIGURE 12 is a perspective view of a safety lid, used for closing an open-top of a chamber-housing during the transition or change-over from one mode of operation to the other; FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the system of Figure 1, wherein the safety lid of Figure 12 is being used to close the top of the first chamber housing during the transition or changeover from the second stuff-only mode of operation to the first press-and-stuff mode of operation; FIGURE 14 is a perspective view of the system of Figure 13 after a first stage in the transition to the first "press-and-stuff" mode of operation has been conducted. The removable chamber body has been moved down, relative to a top plane of the first chamber housing, in dependence upon a control signal being issued. The safety lid has been removed showing the meat loading chamber in a lower elevation; FIGURE 15 is a further view of the first chamber housing of Figure 14 from a side aspect, wherein the safety-lid is still removed and the access door is fully open. The removable chamber-body disposed therein is disposed in a low-level configuration and is accessible for removal from the first chamber in order to adapt the system, by installing the removable insert to the slidable lid, into the "press-and-stuff' mode of operation; FIGURE 16 is a further view of the first chamber housing of Figure 15 from a side aspect, wherein the removable chamber-body is being manually removed from the first chamber housing in order to adapt the system, (by installing the removable insert to the slidable lid), into the "press-and-stuff" mode of operation; FIGURE 17 is a further view of the first chamber housing from a side aspect, wherein the removable chamber-body has been removed and the slidable lid has been disposed on-top of the first chamber housing in readiness to have affixed thereto, the removable insert shown in Figures 10 and 11; and FIGURE 18 is a flow-chart illustrating a method of transitioning between a first mode and a second mode or a second mode and a first mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the stuffer-systems; removable inserts; adaptable sliding-lids; safety lids; and methods of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the stuffer -systems; removable inserts; adaptable sliding-lids; safety lids; and methods of the present invention described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The Figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a perspective view from an outfeed-end and a first side of a double-stuffer system 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In Figure 1 the system 100 is a dual-purpose stuffing system 100 that is configurable to operate in a first mode in which the system can produce "pressed and stuffed" netted and/or encased meat-products (not shown). The system 100 is also readily configurable to operate in a second mode, in which the system 100 can produce non-pressed, "stuffed-only" netted meat-product (not-shown). The meat-product referred to herein may be a joint of meat or processed or reformed meat and in some embodiments, the meat-product may actually comprise meat-substitute.

The meat-product is manually or automatically loaded into a chamber 20 and is automatically stuffed into a net and/or casing (not shown) by action of a reciprocating piston 9a, 9b. The meat loading chambers 20 are disposed in first and second chamber-housings 14b, 14a respectively.

The stuffer reciprocating pistons 9a, 9b are housed, at least partially, within a stuffer-piston section 10 of the system 100 as shown in Figure 7. The stuffer-pistons 9a, 9b are forcefully driven into and through first and second meat-loading chambers 20. A first of the stufferpistons 9a is partially illustrated in Figure 14. The second of the stuffer-pistons is not shown. The first stuffer-piston 9a is in alignment with the first meat-loading chamber 20 in the first chamber housing 14b (see Figures 10 and 14); and a second stuffer-piston is in alignment with the second meat-loading chamber (not shown) in the second chamber housing 14a.

The first and second reciprocating pistons 9a are optionally operated alternately, one after the other by a suitable controllable drive means. Optionally, the first and second reciprocating pistons 9a are the same, size, configuration, stroke length and type and optionally are cylindrical, stainless steel, pneumatic pistons actuated by a control means (not shown).

The first and second chamber-housings 14a, 14b are disposed upstream of the stuffer-piston section 10. Optionally in the present double-stuffer arrangement 100, two meat-loading chambers 14a, 14b are provided. It will be recognised that in a single stuffer arrangement (not shown) only one chamber housing and only one meat-loading chamber would be provided.

However, the illustrated arrangement is a double-stuffer system 100 comprising first and second chamber-housings 14a, 14b. Each of the first and second meat-loading chambers 20 is removable. A first removable meat-loading chamber 20 is shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, 15, 16.

Optionally, the first and second meat-loading chambers 20 are the same, size, shape, structure as each other, though in other various embodiments, the first and second removable meat-loading chambers 20 may be different to one another. Optionally, they are formed predominantly from stainless steel.

The first removable chamber 20 is best shown in Figure 16, wherein it is shown being withdrawn from the first chamber-housing 14b. The first removable chamber 20 has an outer structure sized and shaped so that the first removable chamber 20 can fit into and be housed completely inside the first chamber-housing 14b. End plates 25a, 25b each comprise an aperture 17b, 19b. In operation the apertures 17b, 19b are sized and positioned so that the first reciprocating stuffer-piston 9b can be moved through the aperture 19b in end plate 25b; and then through the further aperture 17b in the end plate 25a in order to force (stuff) meat product (when disposed within the first removable chamber 20) out into a tube 16a (see Figure 1). An outer surface of the tube 16a, in use, will have a net and/or casing disposed thereon so that as product exits the tube 16a it is stuffed into the net and/or casing. The double stuffer arrangement 100 has two side by side tubes 16a, 16b: one for each chamber housing 14a, 14b of the double-stuffer system 100.

The first removable chamber 20 is shown in Figure 2. This perspective view is focussed on the first meat-loading chamber housing 14b. A top of the first chamber housing 14b is open and the first removable chamber 20 can be seen in a raised or elevated position. A slidable top lid 40 is shown. The slidable top lid can travel along rails 11, 11' between first and second positions wherein it covers the first chamber housing 14b; and second chamber housing 14a respectively. (In Figure 1 the slidable lid 40 is disposed in a closed configuration over the second chamber housing 14a.) In Figure 2 the system 100 is configured for a stuff-only mode of operation; and top panels 22a, 22b of the first removable chamber 20 are shown located just beneath stops or limiters 15. In this second mode of operation, the first removable chamber 20 is locked in the position shown in Figure 2. The first removable chamber 20 is prevented from descending further below to the first meat-loading chamber housing 14b and may be held in this elevated location by various suitable means. Optionally a control system is used to lock the first removable chamber 20 in the elevated position. In some embodiments, one or more presser-mechanisms are provided, which comprise one or more pistons, which may also be referred to as ram pistons 39a, 39b (see Figure 5) and may be used to drive the first removable chamber 20 into the raised position shown and may also be used to hold it there. The ram pistons 39a, 39b are optionally housed beneath the chamber housing 14b. A base of the chamber housing is defined by platform 32 (see Figure 5), beneath which the ram pistons 39a, 39b are substantially housed. The platform 32 and ram pistons 39a, 39b can be seen in Figure 5 because a door 29b to the housing 14b has been opened.

As can be seen in Figure 2, for the stuffer only operation, a piston 9a from piston housing 10 can be driven through aperture 19b, in the direction indicated by 'Ds'. The cylindrical stuffer piston 9a is preferably dimensioned such that it can be driven smoothly and precisely and drive all meat-content loaded in the chamber 20 into and through the tube 16b for shaping the meat product and stuffing the meat product into a net and/or casing.

To convert the, the system 100 from a second "stuff-only mode into the first "press and stuff' mode, the chamber 20 is lowered; removed; an insert-mould 60 (see Figures 10 and 11) is then affixed to the inside of the slidable lid 40; and the chamber 20 returned to the housing 14b. The insert-mould may also be referred to as "presser-mould-unit", "chamber-top", "unit", and "removable mould" The benefits of having an adaptable reconfigurable system 100 as provided by the present invention are many and varied. For a meat-processor, having to house only one system 100 that can perform functions, that in the past has required two separate large machines, represents not only a significant cost saving on machinery, but also significant savings on maintenance, factory space and personnel. A dual performance double-stuffer and double-press stuffer from TruNet® as disclosed herein is a significant improvement upon the prior art and eradicates the need for a meat-processor to purchase, store, service, maintain and run two separate machines such as the ScotNet® DS100P7 High-Speed Stuffer and the ScotNet® DS1200P7XP High Speed Double Press.

Whereas in the present disclosure a specific system is described and illustrated it will be recognised that equivalent components may be substituted to perform the equivalent function without departing from the inventive essence disclosed herein.

Cleverly, the system 100 of the present invention comprises a slidable lid 40 (see Figures 8, (9A and 9B) which can be adapted to have mounted thereto the removable insert 60 (see Figures 10 and 11). Optionally, the insert 60 comprises: first and second spaced apart side panels 64, 64'; and a shaped chamber-top portion 60a disposed between the panels 64, 64'. An attachment component 66, 66' is provided for removably securing the insert-unit 60 to the slidable lid 40. In the presently illustrated system, the attachment component 66, 66' comprises first and second arm elements 66, 66'. The first and second arm elements 66, 66' are each optionally planar and are welded or otherwise affixed to an outer surface of the shaped chamber-top portion 60a. An upper section of each of the first and second arm elements 66, 66', is shaped and sized to be received through a slot 49, 49' provided in the lid 40 (see Figure 8). The first and second arm elements 66, 66' have an aperture formed therein which is sized and positioned for receiving part of a locking bar 42 (see Figures 4, 8, 9A and 9B) Referring again to Figure 8 the locking bar 42 is optionally secured to the lid by attachment elements 44, 44'. First and second attachment elements 44, 44' are optionally provided, and are optionally planar and welded or otherwise affixed to an upper, outer surface of the lid 40.

An upper section of each of the first and second attachment elements 44, 44', has an aperture formed therein which is sized and positioned for receiving part of the locking bar 42 (see Figures 4, 8, 9A and 9B). The locking bar 42 can be held in place by a locking nut or locking nuts 48, 48' or other suitable means. Optionally, the locking bar 42 may conveniently serve as the handle for the lid 40, by which an operator of the system 100 can grasp the lid for slidable movement of the lid 40 in the profiled rails 11, 11'. In other arrangements the means by which an insert-unit 60 is affixed to a lid 40 may be separate to the handle of the lid; and furthermore, may differ from that illustrated.

Once the locking bar 42 has been disassembled from the lid 40; then the removable insert-unit 60 can be aligned beneath the lid 40 and the first and second arm elements 66, 66' and slots 49, 49' brought together by relative movement of the lid 40 and first and second arm elements 66, 66'. Optionally, the lid 40 may remain on the rails 11, 11' when the removable insert-unit 60 is affixed thereto. In other embodiments it is envisaged that the lid 40 may be removed before being attached to the removable insert 60. In other arrangements the lid 40 may be removed and may be swapped for a second lid 40 that has the insert-unit 60 attached thereto. In such an arrangement, the mounting-unit 60 may not be removable.

Beneficially, however, in the illustrated arrangement, the lid 40 stays on the rails 11, thus enabling a one-person manipulation of the insert-unit 60 to be easily and quickly carried out and without the need to provide a second slidable lid 40. In order to affix the removable moulding insert-unit 60 to the lid 40, the system 100 is operated to indicate to a control unit that a change-over is being conducted.

As an optional safety feature, in the present arrangement, the slidable lid 40 is moved over the second chamber housing 14a, leaving the first chamber housing 14b open. The slidable lid 40 can have placed thereon a first part of an interlocking sensor (see 47, 47' in Figure 13) such that a control unit (not shown) is able to determine from a signal issued by said sensor that the slidable lid 40 is located over the second chamber housing 14a. A second part of the interlocking sensor (not shown) may be housed on or within the vicinity of the second chamber housing 14a. The interlocking sensor may comprise a coded magnet actuator and a switch unit that co-operate together so that a control unit for the system 100 can determine that the slidable lid 40 is in place, closing the second chamber housing 14a, before movement of the chamber 20 On the first chamber housing 14b) may be permitted.

A safety lid 70 (see Figure 12) is then located into the open-top of the first chamber housing 14b (see Figure 13). The safety lid 70 optionally comprises handles and a first part of an interlocking sensor (not shown). A second part of the interlocking sensor (not shown) may be housed on or within the vicinity of the first chamber housing 14b. The interlocking sensor may comprise a coded magnet actuator and a switch unit that co-operate together so that a control unit for the system 100 can determine that the safety lid 70 is in place before movement of the chamber 20 can be conducted. This ensures that slidable lid 40 is closing the second chamber housing 14a and that safety lid 70 is closing the first chamber housing 14b before the reciprocating ram-pistons 39a, 39b (see Figure 5) are permitted to operate, to drive the chamber 20 down into a lower position. This lower position is shown in Figure 14 which provides a perspective view of the system of Figure 13 after the first "safety" stage in the transition to the first "press-and-stuff' mode of operation has been conducted. The removable chamber 20 has been moved down to a lower elevation whereat it rests on the platform 32. In Figure 14, the safety lid has been removed to show the meat-loading chamber 20 in a lower elevation. See also Figure 15.

To transition from the stuff-only mode, the chamber 20 is removed from the housing 14b as shown in Figure 16. The slidable lid 14 may then be moved along the rails 11, 11' and returned to a closed position above the first chamber housing 14b. The locking bar 42 is then disassembled from the lid 40. The first and second arm elements 66, 66' are inserted into slots 49, 49' such that an upper part thereof is projecting upwardly beyond the plane of the lid 40.

The first and second arm elements 66, 66' are inserted into slots 49, 49' such that they sit alongside the first and second attachment elements 44, 44' with their respective apertures aligned. The locking bar 42 can then be inserted into the apertures in each of the first and second arm elements 66, 66'; and the first and second attachment elements 44, 44' and secured using locking nut(s) 48, 48' (as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6). The insert-unit 60 is then able to provide the correctly shaped and positioned surface against which the chamber can be upwardly driven by means of ram pistons 39a, 39b in order to press meat content, loaded into the chamber 20.

As an optional control feature, in the present arrangement, the insert-unit 60 may comprise a first part of an interlocking sensor (see 67 in Figures 10 and 11) such that a control unit (not shown) is able to determine from a signal issued by said sensor 67 that the insert-unit 60 is located over the first chamber housing 14b. A second part of the interlocking sensor (not shown) may be housed on or within the vicinity of the first chamber housing 14b. The interlocking sensor may comprise a coded magnet actuator and a switch unit that co-operate together and which are coupled to a control unit, so that the control unit for the system 100 can determine that the insert-unit 60 is in place. In this way the system 100 can self verify that the first mode of operation can be conducted and that the ram pistons 39a, 39b can be safely driven upwardly and downwardly in direction Dp (see Figure 14).

In the first mode, after the presser operates by relative movement of chamber 20 and shaped-chamber top 60a, the meat-product held therebetween can be compressed, compacted and more firmly shaped. The stuffer piston 9a can be operated to force the shaped, compressed food-product into the casing tube 16b. As the compressed and more firmly shaped meat-product is forced out of the casing tube 16b, it is forced into a casing, such as a plastic or collagen film casing that is being withdrawn from the outer surface of the casing tube 16b. A squeezed cylindrical shape of the meat-product is thereby retained.

It will be appreciated that the method of re-configuring the system 100 described above is not limiting. The order of the steps carried out may be adjusted in other embodiments of the disclosure.

In summary the system 100 of the present invention can be operated in first and second modes. In the first mode the food-product is pressed and then stuffed a casing or net. In the second mode the food product is not pre-pressed and is only stuffed into a casing or net. The system is configured so that it can be transifioned between the first and second modes, safely, quickly, easily and without significant re-arrangement or reassembly of the system apparatus being required. The system includes a control unit (not shown) which may be associated with: the interlocking sensors 47, 47', 67 discussed above, as well as with drive means for the pistons 9a, 39a, 39b; and an HMI (Human-Machine Interface) (not shown). According to various aspects of the present disclosure, a method of transitioning the system 100 between a first and a second mode of operation may involve the following steps (which may not necessarily have to be performed in the following sequence): TO TRANSITION OUT OF ONE MODE TO THE OTHER MODE: Al: Stop system 100 A2: Position slidable lid 40 on second chamber housing 14a; A3: Couple first part of interlocking sensor 47, 47' to slidable lid 40; A4: Position safety lid 70 on the first chamber housing 14b; A5: Initiate Transition Protocol on Control Unit: IF receive signals indicating that: 1. safety lid 40 is correctly positioned; 2. slidable lid 70 is correctly positioned; and 3. Access doors 29b to first and second chamber housings 14a, 14b are both closed and locked; THEN ram pistons 39a, 39b are actuated to position chamber 20 in removal position (on platform 32); A6: Open access door 29b and withdraw chamber 20; A7: Position slidable lid 40 over first chamber housing 14b; A8: If transitioning from first mode to second mode: THEN disassemble insert mould 60 from slidable lid 40;

OR

If transitioning from second mode to first mode: THEN assemble insert mould 60 to slidable lid 40; A9: Return removable chamber 20 into first chamber housing 14b; Al 0: Close access door 29b All: START System 100 operation IN NEW MODE.

Once it is desired to transition again from the current mode to the alternative mode of operation then the sequence above can be re-started at step Al. See Figure 18.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention.

It will be recognised that whilst the system 100 is particularly applicable to the meat-processing industry, it may have advantageous application in other areas of the food industry where other types of food-product may be stuffed into a net, or pressed and stuffed into a (collagen) casing and/or net. In the foregoing description reference to "meat' and "meat-product" is not necessarily limited to an animal food product but may also refer to a meat-substitute or plant-based product. For example, the term "meat" may include animal products and may also include, vegetarian, and vegan products, for example mycoprotein-based products such as those sold by Quorne; plant-based meat-free products such as: "Deli Slices" sold by Tofurky0; and sausages sold by Linda McCartney®, and the Meatless Farm Co, as examples.

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS1. A system for stuffing a food-product into an outer casing, the system comprising an apparatus and a control unit associated therewith, the apparatus comprising: at least one chamber for receiving a meat-product; a lid moveable to cover the at least one chamber; at least one stuffer piston disposed on an input side of said at least one chamber; a casing tube disposed on an outfeed side of said at least one chamber; at least one presser mechanism; and a removable presser-mould-unit associated with said lid, the control unit associated with said apparatus being: configured to detect the presence of said presser-mould-unit; and configured to selectively operate the apparatus in one of first and second modes; in the first mode of operation said at least one presser mechanism is activated to cause relative movement between said chamber and said presser-mould-unit to press a meat-product between walls of said chamber and walls of said presser-mouldunit; and subsequently said stuffer piston is moved through said at least one chamber for forcing a pressed-meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube; and in the second mode of operation said presser-mould-unit is removed from the apparatus; movement of said at least one presser mechanism is prevented; and only said stuffer piston is operable and is moved through said at least one chamber for forcing a meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube.
2. 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said removable presser-mould-unit associated with said lid is selectively attachable to and removable from said lid.
3. 3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises a first chamber housing in which a first chamber is disposed, wherein said lid is slidably moveable over and away from an open top of the first chamber housing for selectively closing and opening said first chamber housing in order to provide selective access to said first chamber disposed therein; and wherein said first chamber is removable from the first chamber housing.
4. 4. A system according to claim 3 wherein removal of the first chamber from said first chamber housing allows for said removable presser-mould-unit to be located within the first chamber housing; and connected to the lid such that a substantial portion of the pressermould-unit depends from an underside of the lid thereby positioning walls of the pressermould-unit proximate to and alignment with said first chamber once returned to the first chamber housing such that a meat-product can be pressed between walls of said chamber and walls of said presser-mould-unit when the apparatus is operated in the first mode.
5. 5. A system according to claim 4 wherein said presser mould unit has a sensor associated therewith and wherein a detector associated with said apparatus is configured to detect the presence of said sensor and in dependence upon detecting the presence of said sensor is configured to issue a signal to said control unit which is used by said control unit in initiating operation of the apparatus in the first mode.
6. 6. A system according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the presser mould unit comprises at least one attachment component for removably securing the presser mould unit to the slidable lid; wherein the lid comprises at least one slot through which said at least one attachment component is received; and wherein the lid comprises a locking rod which couples a portion of the at least one attachment component upstanding from the lid to the lid, such that the presser mould unit is removably affixed to the lid.
7. A system according to any preceding claim wherein said apparatus comprises: first and second chambers each for receiving a meat-product; first and second chamber housings for receiving said first and second chambers therein; first and second stuffer piston disposed on input sides of said first and second chambers respectively; first and second casing tube disposed on outfeed sides of said first and second chambers respectively; and first and second presser mechanisms; wherein said lid is slidably moveable to cover either the first chamber housing or the second chamber housing, said removable presser-mould-unit is associated with said lid; and wherein the system further comprises a safety lid for disposing on the first chamber housing when said system is transitioning between the first and second modes.
8. 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein said safety lid has a sensor associated therewith and wherein a detector associated with said apparatus is configured to detect the presence of said sensor and in dependence upon detecting the presence of said sensor, the detector is configured to issue a signal to said control unit which is used by said control unit in initiating a transifioning protocol between said first and second modes.
9. An apparatus for use in the system according to claim 1, the apparatus comprising: said at least one chamber for receiving a meat-product; said lid moveable to cover the at least one chamber; said at least one stuffer piston disposed on an input side of said at least one chamber; said casing tube disposed on an outfeed side of said at least one chamber; said at least one presser mechanism; and 0.said removable presser-mould-unit associated with said lid, the apparatus being operable in said first and second modes; in the first mode of operation said at least one presser mechanism is moveable to cause relative movement between said chamber and said presser-mould-unit associated with said lid to press a meat-product between walls of said chamber and walls of said presser-mould-unit; and subsequently said stuffer piston is moveable through said at least one chamber for forcing a pressed-meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube; and in said second mode of operation said presser-mould-unit is removed from the apparatus; said at least one presser mechanism is prevented from operating; and only said stuffer piston is moveable through said at least one chamber for forcing a meat-product disposed therein, out of said chamber, and into said casing tube.
10. 10. A method of transitioning the system of claim 8 out of one mode of operating and into the other mode: the method comprising: (0 stopping said apparatus; positioning a said lid on the second chamber housing; coupling a first part of a sensor to said lid; (iv) positioning said safety lid on the first chamber housing; (v) initiating a Transition Protocol on Control Unit and in dependence upon receiving signals indicating that: (a) said safety lid is correctly positioned; (b) said lid is correctly positioned; and (c) access doors to said first and second chamber housings are both closed and locked; actuating said first presser mechanism and thereby positioning the first chamber in a removal position within said first chamber housing; (d) withdrawing said first chamber from said first chamber housing; (e) positioning said lid over said first chamber housing; (f) if transifioning from said first mode to said second mode then disassembling said presser-mould unit from said lid; OR (g) if transifioning from said second mode to said first mode then assembling said presser-mould unit to said lid 40; and (h) returning the first chamber into said first chamber housing.