IES991000A2

IES991000A2 - Meat packaging

Info

Publication number: IES991000A2
Application number: IE19991000A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Michael Queally; Peter Queally
Original assignee: Agri Dev Ltd
Priority date: 1999-11-30
Filing date: 1999-11-30
Publication date: 2001-04-18

Abstract

Apparatus (1) for packaging elongate generally cylindrical cuts of meat, especially a pork tenderloin (2) into a tubular bag (3) comprises a stand (4) with clamps (5) for clamping the stand to a shelf (6). The apparatus (1) is of stainless steel material and includes a first guide means in the form of an open half-cylindrical tube (7) mounted to the stand (4). The tube (7) is inclined downwardly to a second guide means in the form of a cylindrical tube (8) having a funnel (9) with an open inlet mouth (10) for receiving the tenderloin (2) and an open outlet mouth (11) for receiving the bag (3) through which the tenderloin (2) is delivered into the bag (3).

Description

The invention relates to meat packaging and in particular to packaging of pork cuts, especially pork tenderloins. ·o Og—£? S-P ’/> '’Λ On a factory scale it is essential to optimise the packing operation for very many different meat cuts. Some cuts are much more difficult than others to handle and pack. One such cut is a pork tenderloin which is an elongate relatively thin cylindrical shaped cut of high value. It is generally a tedious and labour intensive job to effectively package such cuts in tubular pouches.

The invention is directed towards providing a packaging apparatus which will allow meat cuts to be efficiently and effectively packaged.

Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided apparatus for packaging elongate generally cylindrical cuts of meat in a tubular bag comprising: pi o P pi g! ! a stand; first guide means mounted on the stand for receiving and guiding the meat cut; οο second guide means mounted on the stand for receiving the meat cut from the first guide means; IE991000 AGRI04/C/IES -2the second guide means having a funnel with an open inlet mouth for receiving a meat cut and an outlet mouth for receiving a bag and for delivering the meat cut into the bag.

Preferably the second guide means includes a tubular extension for leading the meat cut into a bag for packing. Most preferably the second guide means forms an extension of the first guide means.

The invention also provides meat cuts, especially pork tenderloins whenever packaged using an apparatus of the invention.

Brief Description of the 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. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for packaging elongate meat cuts according to the invention; and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus, in use.

Detailed Description Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an apparatus 1 for packaging elongate generally cylindrical cuts of meat, especially a pork tenderloin 2 into a tubular bag 3. The apparatus 1 comprises a stand 4 with clamps 5 for clamping the stand to a shelf 6.

The apparatus 1 is of stainless steel material and includes a first guide means in the form of an open half - cylindrical tube 7 mounted to the stand 4. The first IE991000 AGRI04/C/IES -3guide is inclined downwardly to a second guide means in the form of a cylindrical tube 8 having a funnel 9 with an open inlet mouth 10 for receiving the tenderloin 2 and an open outlet mouth 11 for receiving the bag 3 for through which the tenderloin 2 is delved into the bag 3.

In use, a box 20 of pork tenderloins 2 is positioned on the shelf 6 adjacent to the stand 4. A single tenderloin 2 is taken from the box 20 and placed in the guide 7. With a tubular bag 3 in position attached to the tube 8 the tenderloin 2 is pushed downwardly along the guide 7, into the funnel 9, through the tube 8 and into the bag 3. The configuration allows tenderloins to be easily packed into individual tubular bags for further processing.

Side wings 15 on the guide 7 assist in supporting and guiding larger tenderloins.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in detail.

Claims

1. Apparatus for packaging elongate generally cylindrical cuts of meat in a tubular bag comprising: a stand; first guide means mounted on the stand for receiving and guiding the meat cut; second guide means mounted on the stand for receiving the meat cut from the first guide means; the second guide means having a funnel with an open inlet mouth for receiving a meat cut and an outlet mouth for receiving a bag and for delivering the meat cut into the bag.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second guide means includes a tubular extension for leading the meat cut into a bag for packing.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the second guide means forms an extension of the first guide means.

4. Apparatus for packaging elongate cylindrical cuts of meat in a tubular bag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. Meat cuts, especially pork tenderloins whenever packaged using an apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim.