Production process for encased food using filling pipe

Abstract

The invention shows a food casing comprising a hose casing and cover plates terminally attached thereto in a liquid tight manner, which cover plates cover the terminal cross-sectional openings of the hose casing. At least one of the cover plates has a filling opening comprising a check valve, which is passable for food mass filled in the hose casing and blocks against the leakage of food mass out of the hose casing.

Claims

1. A process for producing a food stuff by filling a hose casing with a food mass, in which the hose casing is closed on its terminal cross-sectional openings by one cover plate each, the first surface of which facing the internal volume of the hose casing is flat, wherein at least one cover plate has a filling opening covered by a check valve, and that a filling pipe is moved to or into the filling opening and the food mass is pushed through the filling pipe and subsequently the filling pipe is moved away from the cover plate and the check valve shuts.

2. The process according to claim 1, in which at least one cover plate has at least one through hole, which is gas permeable and impermeable for the food mass filled in and/or under the filling pressure is blocked by food mass and gas leaks through the through hole during the filling.

3. The process according to claim 1, in which the filled hose casing is ripened, cooled and/or cooked and subsequently the cover plates are removed and the food stuff is cut into slices in parallel to the surface of the food stuff, which was lying against a cover plate.

4. The process according to claim 1, in which the filled hose casing is ripened, cooled and/or cooked and subsequently the cover plates are removed and a gripper is arranged directly on the surface of the food stuff, which was lying against a cover plate.

5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the filled hose casing is treated for at least 0.5 min at an excess pressure of at least 1,000 bar.

6. The process according to claim 1, wherein the hose casing is ruffled and evacuated prior to the filling and that the filling opening is opened by the filling pipe prior to the food mass being pushed through the filling opening, wherein the filling opening is covered by an elastic material, which is pierced by the filling pipe, or that the filling opening is covered in that it is connected circumferentially along its edge to the check valve in a tight manner and this connection is disconnected by the filling pipe, or that the filling opening is covered by the check valve lying against a check valve of the opposite cover plate or against the opposite cover plate.

7. The process according to claim 5, wherein the excess pressure is up to 12,000 bar.

8. The process according to claim 7, wherein the excess pressure is 5,000 to 8,000 bar.

Description

(1) The invention shall now be described in more detail having reference to the figures, in which

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a food casing according to the invention during filling;

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a further food casing according to the invention; and

(4) FIG. 3 schematically shows a further food casing according to the invention during filling.

(5) Identical reference signs in the figures refer to functionally equal elements. In the figures, both cover plates 2, 3 have check valves 8 according to an embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 1 shows a food casing made of a hose casing 1, the terminal cross-sectional openings of which are closed by cover plates 2, 3, the hose casing 1 having a longitudinal tear-off strip 4. The cover plates 2, 3 with their first surfaces 5 facing the internal volume of the food casing are arranged perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 6 of the hose casing 1. The cover plates 2, 3 each have an eyelet, from which the food casing may hang from after filling.

(7) Each cover plate 2, 3 has a check valve 8 which covers the filling opening 9 and is formed as a non-return flap valve hinged on the cover plate 2, 3, and when being in block position fastens to the first surface 5, while being pivoted into the internal volume of the hole casing 1 into the open position during filling. The cover plates 2, 3 have through holes 10, which are impermeable for the food mass filled in or are blocked by the food mass. Such optional through holes 10 serve as an outlet of gas, for example air, which is contained in the food casing.

(8) A filling pipe 11 lies against the filling opening 9 of a cover plate 3, in order to push a food mass through the filling opening 9 into the food casing. In the embodiment shown herein, the filling pipe 11 lies against a socket 15, which is attached to the cover plate 2, 3 opposite the first surface 5. The socket 15 may have an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the filling pipe 11, so that the filling pipe 11 is unable to damage the check valve 8.

(9) During this filling, the hose casing 1 stretches itself from the initial condition in which it is preferably ruffled. During the filling, gas contained in the food casing may leak out of the through holes 10.

(10) FIG. 2 shows a food casing, the cover plates 2, 3 of which have in each case dome-shaped extensions on the second surface 13 opposite the first surface 5. The extensions may solidly join to the cover plates 2, 3, for example may be in one piece or be glued on or be welded on, preferably the extensions are bowl-shaped. In the embodiment shown herein, the filling openings 9 have a diameter equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the filling pipe 11. In this embodiment, the filling pipe 11 may be pushed into the filling opening 9 until being adjacent to the check valve 8, so that after disconnecting the filling pipe 11 from the cover plate 2, 3 only a minor proportion of food mass remains lost in the cover plate 2, 3.

(11) Preferably, the filling pipe 11 and/or the cover plate 2, 3 has a mechanical stop 16 which restricts the pathway of the filling pipe 11 into the filling opening 9, for example until the filling pipe 11 is arranged directly on or at a minor distance on the check valve 8, for example at a minor distance of from 0.1 to 2 mm.

(12) Prior to the filling the hose casing 1 preferably exists ruffled between its terminally arranged cover plates 2, 3. In the embodiment shown herein, the hose casing 1 has no tear-off strip.

(13) A sensor 14 may be arranged on the cover plate 2, 3, which sensor is adapted to record the temperature, the electric conductivity, the pH value and/or a chemical or biochemical parameter of the food mass.

(14) As shown in FIG. 2, an optically identifiable code and/or a writable electronic memory may be attached to a cover plate 2, 3, for example by means of an extension.

(15) FIG. 3 shows a food casing during filling using a beveled filling pipe 11. The filling opening 9 has a diameter equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the filling pipe 11, so that the filling pipe 11 may be pushed forward into the internal volume of the hose casing 1 and lies against the check valve 8 formed as a flap valve in open position. For use with a beveled filling pipe 11 it is preferred, on the one hand, that the cover plate 2, 3, especially the filling opening 9 of which and/or the socket 15 of which and/or an optional extension, and, on the other hand, the filling pipe 11 or a mounting device for the food casing connected to the filling pipe 11 have asymmetric forms being compatible to each other, which allow the arrangement of the filling pipe 11 on and through the filling opening 9 only in one rotary position relative to the cover plate 2, 3 in order to adjust a predetermined rotary position of the filling pipe 11 relative to the check valve 8.

(16) In embodiments in which the food casing is ruffled and evacuated, the filling openings may be covered, for example by an elastic material, which is arranged, for example on the second surface 13 of a cover plate 2, 3, or which is arranged at the end of a socket 15, which end lies opposite the check valve 8. Alternatively, in embodiments in which the food casing is ruffled and evacuated, the filling opening may generally be covered by that the check valve being detachably connected to the adjacent edge of the filling opening, for example is connected circumferentially to the filling opening in a tight manner, for example by means of a glued edge or is circumferentially welded on or formed on the filling opening, so that the circumferential connection of the check valve and the filling opening is disconnected by entry of the filling pipe.

(17) Furthermore, FIG. 3 shows electric contacts 17, which are arranged in each cover plate 2, 3 in order to conduct electric current into the food mass.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(18) 1 hose casing 2 cover plate 3 cover plate 4 tear-off strip 5 first surface 6 longitudinal axis 8 check valve 9 filling opening 10 through hole 11 filling pipe 13 second surface 14 sensor 15 socket 16 mechanical stop