IE84086B1 - Food packaging incorporating separation of different food types - Google Patents
Food packaging incorporating separation of different food types Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- IE84086B1 IE84086B1 IE2001/1079A IE20011079A IE84086B1 IE 84086 B1 IE84086 B1 IE 84086B1 IE 2001/1079 A IE2001/1079 A IE 2001/1079A IE 20011079 A IE20011079 A IE 20011079A IE 84086 B1 IE84086 B1 IE 84086B1
- Authority
- IE
- Ireland
- Prior art keywords
- station
- tray
- food processing
- processing apparatus
- trays
- Prior art date
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- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 title claims abstract description 52
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 title abstract description 7
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 title description 3
- 239000004615 ingredient Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 71
- 235000012054 meals Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 235000015067 sauces Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 235000007164 Oryza sativa Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 235000009566 rice Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 240000007594 Oryza sativa Species 0.000 claims 1
- 241000209094 Oryza Species 0.000 abstract description 10
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract description 6
- 238000007710 freezing Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000011031 large scale production Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000002360 preparation method Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 240000002057 Secale cereale Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000007238 Secale cereale Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Abstract
ABSTRACT FOOD PROCESSING The invention concerns a food processing apparatus for producing ready to cook meals on a single portion tray comprising a tray loading station; an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led; a plurality of tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor; the tray filling stations including: a sauce filling station; and a dry ingredient filling station; a dry ingredient pusher station at which dry ingredients, such as rice, filled into the tray are pushed to one side to leave a space substantially free of dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product a sealing such as a sauce; an inspection station; station for sealing the tray; and a check weigher station. RYE008/ P/ IE “FOOD PROCESSING” Introduction The invention relates to a food processing apparatus for producing ready to cook meals on a single portion tray. Various food processing methods have been developed for highly efficient production of single portion trays containing ready to cook meals. One such system is described in our GB-A-2328668. There is however a continuing need to optimise such production systems to produce trays of ready to cook meals at high rates of production while ensuring that the physical and organoleptic properties of the food products are improved and that the appearance of the food is appetising. Rice is a particularly difficult food product to produce and manipulate in a large scale production facility. This is because it must be cooked and handled to very exacting standards to be properly cooked and yet remain relatively free flowing for filling and packaging. Thus the preparation of ready to cook meals containing rice presents particular problems. This invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved food processing apparatus which will address these issues. Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided food processing apparatus for producing a ready to cook meal in a single portion tray comprising: - ‘ ou=i=.uromaucuePacuou r./: -:5 -1 <3,/"1; 9 IIOERSECT-ION HGEXIB ‘*:'~—-9-‘—-—°" r. lE0i1079‘ lEu1io/9 RYE008/P/IE a tray loading station; an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led; a plurality of tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor; the tray filling stations including: a sauce filling station; and a dry ingredient filling station; a dry ingredient pusher station at which dry ingredients, such as rice, filled into the tray are pushed to one side to leave a space substantially free of dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product such as a sauce; an inspection station; a sealing station for sealing the tray; and a check weigher station. The invention also provides a dry ingredient pusher station as such. In a preferred embodiment the dry ingredient pusher station includes an arm for engaging an edge of a mound of dry ingredients in a tray and actuating means for moving the arm to push the dry ingredients to reduce the extent of the mound. Typically the actuating means comprises a ram means to operate the arm . IEMHH9 RYEU08/P/IE - 3 - In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes at least two adjacent dry ingredient pusher stations for pushing dry ingredients in trays at longitudinally spaced-apart locations along a conveyor. Preferably the or each dry ingredient pusher station includes at least two arms, associated with a respective lane of trays, for pushing dry ingredients in at least two trays substantially simultaneously. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a multi-head weigher having means for delivering a predetermined portion on the tray. Preferably the apparatus includes at least two separate multi-head weighers spaced-apart longitudinally along the line. Brief Description of Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: — Fig. l is a schematic perspective view of a dry ingredient pusher station forming part of the food processing apparatus of the invention; and Figs. 2(a) to 2(d) are side views illustrating the operation of the pusher station. Detailed Description Food processing apparatus of the invention is used for producing a ready to cook meal in a single portion tray. In general, the apparatus comprises a tray loading station, an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led and a plurality of IEoi1n7s RYE008/P/IE _ 4 _ tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor. The tray filling stations include a sauce filling station and a dry ingredient filling station. The apparatus also includes an inspection station, a sealing station for sealing the tray and a check weigher station prior to final packaging, usually for freezing. Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a dry ingredient pusher station 1 at which dry ingredients such as rice 2 filled into two lanes of trays 3 travelling along a conveyor 4 is pushed to one side to leave a space 5 substantially Free of dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product such as a sauce. The pusher station 1 includes a bar 10 having a pair of spaced-apart downwardly extending arms 11 for engaging an edge of a mound of dry ingredients 2 in the respective trays 3. The dry ingredients 2 in the two trays 3 are pushed to one side substantially simultaneously. The arms 11 are moved by an actuating means such as a ram from a pushing position in which the arm ll is engaged with an edge of the mound 2 of dry ingredients to a release or retracted position when the dry ingredients 2 have been pushed back to leave the space 5. There may be at least two adjacent dry ingredient pusher stations for pushing dry ingredients in trays at longitudinally spaced-apart locations along a conveyor. For increased flexibility the apparatus preferably includes at least two separate multi-head weighers spaced-apart longitudinally along the line. The invention provides a food processing apparatus which can be used to produce a wide range of ready to cook meals on a single portion tray in a highly efficient manner. lEaHnm RYED08/P/IE - 5 - The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be Varied in detail. lEOH079 RYE008/P/IE CLAIIVIS 1. Food processing apparatus for producing a ready to cook meal in a single portion tray comprising: - a tray loading station; an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led; a plurality of tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor; the tray filling stations including: a sauce filling station; and a dry ingredient filling station; a dry ingredient pusher station at which dry ingredients, such as rice, filled into the tray are pushed to one side to leave a space substantially free of dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product such as a sauce; an inspection station; a sealing station for sealing the tray; and a check weigher station. lE01:u79 RYED08/P/IE - 7 - Food processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dry ingredient pusher station includes an arm for engaging an edge of a mound of dry ingredients in a tray and actuating means for moving the arm to push the dry ingredients to reduce the extent of the mound. Food processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the actuating means comprises a ram means to operate the am. Food processing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including at least two adjacent dry ingredient pusher stations for pushing dry ingredients in trays at longitudinally spaced-apart locations along a conveyor. Food processing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each dry ingredient pusher station includes at least two arms, associated with a respective lane of trays, for pushing dry ingredients in at least two trays substantially simultaneously. Food processing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a multi—head weigher having means for delivering a predetermined portion on the tray. Food processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including at least two separate multi—head weighers spaced—apart longitudinally along the line. Food processing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. lEflIl079 lEu11u‘79 _\ «N 7/ d x M,
Description
PATENTS ACT, 1992
2000/1079
FOOD PACKAGING INCORPORATING SEPARATION OF DIFFERENT
FOOD TYPES
RYE DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED
D86
Food Packaging Incorporating Separation of Different Food Types
Introduction
The invention relates to a food processing apparatus for producing ready to cook
meals on a single portion tray.
Various food processing methods have been developed for highly efiicient
production of single portion trays containing ready to cook meals. One such
system is described in our GB-A-2328668. There is however a continuing need
to optimise such production systems to produce trays of ready to cook meals at
high rates of production while ensuring that the physical and organoleptic
properties of the food products are improved and that the appearance of the food
is appetising.
Rice is a particularly difficult food product to produce and manipulate in a large
scale production facility. This is because it must be cooked and handled to very
exacting standards to be properly cooked and yet remain relatively free flowing
for filling and packaging. Thus the preparation of ready to cook meals
containing rice presents particular problems.
This invention is therefore directed towards providing an improved food
processing apparatus which will address these issues.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided food processing apparatus for
producing a ready to cook meal in a single portion tray comprising: -
a tray loading station;
an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led;
a plurality of tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor;
the tray filling stations including:
a sauce filling station; and
a dry ingredient filling station;
a dry ingredient pusher station at which dry ingredients, such as rice,
filled into the tray are pushed to one side to leave a space substantially
free of dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product such as a
sauce;
an inspection station;
a sealing station for sealing the tray; and
a check weigher station.
In a preferred embodiment the dry ingredient pusher station includes an arm for
engaging an edge of a mound of dry ingredients in a tray and actuating means
for moving the arm to push the dry ingredients to reduce the extent of the
mound. Typically the actuating means comprises a ram means to operate the
arm.
In one embodiment of the invention the apparatus includes at least two adjacent
dry ingredient pusher stations for pushing dry ingredients in trays at
longitudinally spaced-apart locations along a conveyor.
Preferably the or each dry ingredient pusher station includes at least two arms,
associated with a respective lane of trays, for pushing dry ingredients in at least
two trays substantially simultaneously.
In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a multi-head weigher having
means for delivering a predetennined portion on the tray. Preferably the
apparatus includes at least two separate multi-head weighers spaced-apart
longitudinally along the line.
Brief Description of Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description
thereof given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings in which: -
Fig. l is a schematic perspective view of a dry ingredient pusher station
forming part of the food processing apparatus of the invention; and
Figs. 2(a) to 2(d) are side views illustrating the operation of the pusher
station.
Detailed Description
Food processing apparatus of the invention is used for producing a ready to cook
meal in a single portion tray. In general, the apparatus comprises a tray loading
station, an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led and a plurality of
tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor. The tray filling stations
include a sauce filling station and a dry ingredient filling station. The apparatus
also includes an inspection station, a sealing station for sealing the tray and a
check weigher station prior to final packaging, usually for freezing.
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated a dry ingredient pusher station 1 at
which dry ingredients such as rice 2 filled into two lanes of trays 3 travelling
along a conveyor 4 is pushed to one side to leave a space 5 substantially free of
dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product such as a sauce.
The pusher station 1 includes a bar 10 having a pair of spaced-apart downwardly
extending arms 11 for engaging an edge of a mound of dry ingredients 2 in the
respective trays 3. The dry ingredients 2 in the two trays 3 are pushed to one
side substantially simultaneously.
The arms 11 are moved by an actuating means such as a ram from a pushing
position in Which the arm 11 is engaged with an edge of the mound 2 of dry
ingredients to a release or retracted position when the dry ingredients 2 have
been pushed back to leave the space 5.
There may be at least two adjacent dry ingredient pusher stations for pushing dry
ingredients in trays at longitudinally spaced-apart locations along a conveyor.
For increased flexibility the apparatus preferably includes at least two separate
multi-head weighers spaced-apart longitudinally along the line.
The invention provides a food processing apparatus which can be used to
produce a wide range of ready to cook meals on a single portion tray in a highly
efficient manner.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which
may be varied in detail.
Claims (1)
1. Food processing apparatus for producing a ready to cook meal in a single portion tray comprising: - a tray loading station; an elongate conveyor along which the trays are led; a plurality of tray filling stations along the course of the conveyor; the tray filling stations including: a sauce filling station; and a dry ingredient filling station; a dry ingredient pusher station at which dry ingredients, such as rice, filled into the tray are pushed to one side to leave a space substantially free of dry ingredients to receive at least one other food product such as a sauce; an inspection station; a sealing station for sealing the tray; and a check weigher station. .7- Food processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dry ingredient pusher station includes an arm for engaging an edge of a mound of dry ingredients in a tray and actuating means for moving the arm to push the dry ingredients to reduce the extent of the mound. Food processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the actuating means comprises a ram means to operate the arm. Food processing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including at least two adjacent dry ingredient pusher stations for pushing dry ingredients in trays at longitudinally spaced-apart locations along a conveyor. Food processing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the or each dry ingredient pusher station includes at least two arms, associated with a respective lane of trays, for pushing dry ingredients in at least two trays substantially simultaneously. Food processing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a multi-head weigher having means for delivering a predetermined portion on the tray. Food processing apparatus as claimed in claim 6 including at least two separate multi-head weighers spaced-apart longitudinally along the line. Food processing apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO., AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IE2001/1079A IE84086B1 (en) | 2001-12-18 | Food packaging incorporating separation of different food types | |
GB0229152A GB2383319B (en) | 2001-12-18 | 2002-12-16 | Food packaging incorporating separation of different food types |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IE2001/1079A IE84086B1 (en) | 2001-12-18 | Food packaging incorporating separation of different food types |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
IE20011079A1 IE20011079A1 (en) | 2003-06-25 |
IE84086B1 true IE84086B1 (en) | 2005-12-14 |
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