IE84086B1 - Food packaging incorporating separation of different food types - Google Patents

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