IMPROVED METAL SURFACES ANTI-RUB APPARATUS

Abstract

Apparatus for the anti-rub of metal surfaces involved in the process for processing vegetables, flours and preferably for processing animal meat for producing sausages, including, in sequence along the axis (100), an actuation shaft (200), a loading hopper (70), at least one auger (1) adapted to transport the animal meat to be processed; at least one first knife (11), preferably a plurality of knives (11), rotary and arranged at the outlet of the meat from the auger (1); at least one first fixed drawing disc (3), the first disc (3) having a plurality of holes and having the actuation shaft (200) at least one cylindrical projection (300), arranged along the actuation shaft (200), provided with at least one circular bearing (40), preferably a pair of circular bearings (40) adapted to stabilize and reduce the forces acting on the actuation shaft (200).

Claims

1. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and for processing animal meat for the production of sausages, comprising along the central rotation axis (100), a plurality of movable components synergistically rotating along said axis (100) including: the actuation shaft (200), the auger (1) provided with an axial bearing (99), at least one knife (11) arranged in proximity to the outlet of the meat supplied to the auger (1) and said knife (11) being provided with a central portion (101) in which a faceted central seat (104) is obtained adapted to fit into the respective seat (71) present on the actuation shaft (200) and with a plurality of radial supports (103) all provided with at least one cutting surface (102) called cutting blade and having the thickness of said radial support (103) which is progressively reduced moving away from the center of the knife (11), said knife (11) being positioned inside the cutting group (55) so that its central portion (101) and specifically its central faceted seat (104) is stably maintained in the suitable grooved seat (71), present on the actuation shaft (200), by the pressure exerted on the central portion (101) of said knife (11) and specifically at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51) said pressure being adjusted by screwing the nut (50) threaded on the threaded rod (52) in turn inserted in the end part of the same actuation shaft (200), said apparatus for processing foods and meat in particular being further provided with a plurality of fixed elements, situated around said central rotation axis (100), including a loading hopper (70), at least one first fixed disc (3) for drawing meat, stably positioned inside the cutting group (55) due to at least one spacer (60) in turn supported by the thrust bearing (21) and by the connection ring nut (20) positioned on the outlet end of the ground meat of the cutting group (55), so that the threaded inner profile (25) of said connection ring nut (20), is threaded on the corresponding thread (26) obtained on the outer face of the body of the cutting group (55) so that the screwing or unscrewing of said connection ring nut (20) directly adjusts the pressure exerted by said connection ring nut (20) on the thrust bearing (21) which in turn supports and stabilizes the fixed disc (3) and said actuation shaft (200) being provided with at least one cylindrical projection (300) arranged along said actuation shaft (200) provided with at least one circular bearing (40), a pair of pre-loaded circular bearings (40), adapted to stabilize and discharge the forces acting on said actuation shaft (200) on the structure body (64), preventing it from deforming the knife-holder support (11), therefore, all the above mentioned devices are adapted to maintain the knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3) in the predetermined position keeping a predetermined distance or pressure therebetween.

2. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and for processing animal meat in the production of sausages, according to claim 1, wherein the knife (11) is integral with the actuation shaft (200), said actuation shaft (200) having at least one grooved seat (71) adapted to engage with the central portion (101) of said knife (11) and namely the faceted central seat (104), said knife (11) being stably maintained in the desired position inside said groove (71), by the pressure exerted, at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51) in turn finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft (200), due to the fixing nut (50) which is in turn adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element (52), at the terminal end itself of the actuation shaft (200).

3. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages, according to claim 1, wherein said fixed drawing disc (3) is peripherally maintained in the exact desired position, due to the presence of at least one spacer (60) supported by the thrust bearing (21), in turn maintained in the desired position by the connection ring nut (20), whose inner face (25) is threaded on the thread present on the outer face (26) of the cutting group (55), therefore, by screwing or unscrewing said connection ring nut (20) on the corresponding thread (26), the increase or decrease of the pressure exerted on the thrust bearing (21) is obtained and thus on the fixed disc (3) and on any other fixed discs (3) present inside the cutting group (55), so that they are stably tightened with a predetermined locking torque as a function of the size of the processing plant and of the food to be processed.

4. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and for processing animal meat according to claim 3 wherein the grooved seat (71) present on the actuation shaft (200) is shaped so as to receive the central portion (101) of the knife (11) and namely the faceted central seat (104) which is stably maintained inside said grooved seat (71) by the pressure exerted, at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51) whose action is finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft (200), due to the fixing nut (50) which is in turn adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element (52), at the terminal end of the actuation shaft (200), so as to stably tighten it at a predetermined tightening torque as a function of the size of the processing plant and of the food to be processed.

5. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages, according to claim 1 wherein the pressure exerted between the knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3) is finely adjusted and kept constant due to the presence, respectively, as regards the knife (11), of the position taken by the central portion (101) of the knife (11) in the grooved seat (71) which is stably maintained in position by the pressure exerted, at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51), said bushing (51) being in turn finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft (200), due to the fixing nut (50) which in turn is adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element (52) and thus stably tightened at the desired tension, at the terminal end of the actuation shaft (200), while as regards the fixed disc (3), the distance from the corresponding knife (11) is finely adjusted by at least one spacer (60) supported by the thrust bearing (21), in turn maintained in position by the connection ring nut (20), whose inner face (25) is threaded on the thread present on the outer face (26) of the cutting group (55), so that both said knife (11) and said fixed disc (3), can be finely adjusted and positioned with respect to each other so that even when the cutting device is operating and the knife (11) rotates, the pressure exerted by the knife (11) on the fixed disc (3) is constant.

6. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 1, in that wherein the cutting group (55) is provided with a plurality of knives (11), (11) . . . and a plurality of fixed discs (3), (3) . . . interposed therebetween and all finely positioned and stabilized due to the abovementioned positioning means so as to maintain between each knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3), a predetermined constant pressure.

7. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 1, wherein the faceted central seat (104) of the knife (11) is inserted in the corresponding faceted seat present on the end portion (29) of the actuation shaft (200), said end portion (29) being in turn threaded, due to the thread (28), on the inner threaded face of the actuation shaft (200).

8. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and for processing animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 1, wherein the conical bearings (40), are each provided with at least one sealing device (41).

9. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and for processing animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the radial support (103) decreases moving away, along the radial support (103), from the center of the knife 11 from a thickness value of 3.7 along section B, to a thickness value of 2.6 at section C, terminating with a thickness value of 1 at section D.

10. A method of adjusting friction and rubbing of the surfaces forming said cutting group (55), by adjusting the pressure exerted by the cutting blades of the knives (11) and the fixed drawing discs (3) of the apparatus of claim 1, in plants for producing foods and cold meats/salami used for producing sausages.

11. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages, according to claim 2, wherein said fixed drawing disc (3) is peripherally maintained in the exact desired position, due to the presence of at least one spacer (60) supported by the thrust bearing (21), in turn maintained in the desired position by the connection ring nut (20), whose inner face (25) is threaded on the thread present on the outer face (26) of the cutting group (55), therefore, by screwing or unscrewing said connection ring nut (20) on the corresponding thread (26), the increase or decrease of the pressure exerted on the thrust bearing (21) is obtained and thus on the fixed disc (3) and on any other fixed discs (3) present inside the cutting group (55), so that they are stably tightened with a predetermined locking torque as a function of the size of the processing plant and of the food to be processed.

12. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages, according to claim 2 wherein the pressure exerted between the knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3) is finely adjusted and kept constant due to the presence, respectively, as regards the knife (11), of the position taken by the central portion (101) of the knife (11) in the grooved seat (71) which is stably maintained in position by the pressure exerted, at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51), said bushing (51) being in turn finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft (200), due to the fixing nut (50) which in turn is adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element (52) and thus stably tightened at the desired tension, at the terminal end of the actuation shaft (200), while as regards the fixed disc (3), the distance from the corresponding knife (11) is finely adjusted by at least one spacer (60) supported by the thrust bearing (21), in turn maintained in position by the connection ring nut (20), whose inner face (25) is threaded on the thread present on the outer face (26) of the cutting group (55), so that both said knife (11) and said fixed disc (3), can be finely adjusted and positioned with respect to each other so that even when the cutting device is operating and the knife (11) rotates, the pressure exerted by the knife (11) on the fixed disc (3) is constant.

13. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages, according to claim 3 wherein the pressure exerted between the knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3) is finely adjusted and kept constant due to the presence, respectively, as regards the knife (11), of the position taken by the central portion (101) of the knife (11) in the grooved seat (71) which is stably maintained in position by the pressure exerted, at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51), said bushing (51) being in turn finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft (200), due to the fixing nut (50) which in turn is adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element (52) and thus stably tightened at the desired tension, at the terminal end of the actuation shaft (200), while as regards the fixed disc (3), the distance from the corresponding knife (11) is finely adjusted by at least one spacer (60) supported by the thrust bearing (21), in turn maintained in position by the connection ring nut (20), whose inner face (25) is threaded on the thread present on the outer face (26) of the cutting group (55), so that both said knife (11) and said fixed disc (3), can be finely adjusted and positioned with respect to each other so that even when the cutting device is operating and the knife (11) rotates, the pressure exerted by the knife (11) on the fixed disc (3) is constant.

14. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages, according to claim 4 wherein the pressure exerted between the knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3) is finely adjusted and kept constant due to the presence, respectively, as regards the knife (11), of the position taken by the central portion (101) of the knife (11) in the grooved seat (71) which is stably maintained in position by the pressure exerted, at the contact point (53), by the central support or bushing (51), said bushing (51) being in turn finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft (200), due to the fixing nut (50) which in turn is adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element (52) and thus stably tightened at the desired tension, at the terminal end of the actuation shaft (200), while as regards the fixed disc (3), the distance from the corresponding knife (11) is finely adjusted by at least one spacer (60) supported by the thrust bearing (21), in turn maintained in position by the connection ring nut (20), whose inner face (25) is threaded on the thread present on the outer face (26) of the cutting group (55), so that both said knife (11) and said fixed disc (3), can be finely adjusted and positioned with respect to each other so that even when the cutting device is operating and the knife (11) rotates, the pressure exerted by the knife (11) on the fixed disc (3) is constant.

15. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 2, wherein the cutting group (55) is provided with a plurality of knives (11), (11) . . . and a plurality of fixed discs (3), (3) . . . interposed therebetween and all finely positioned and stabilized due to the abovementioned positioning means so as to maintain between each knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3), a predetermined constant pressure.

16. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 3, wherein the cutting group (55) is provided with a plurality of knives (11), (11) . . . and a plurality of fixed discs (3), (3) . . . interposed therebetween and all finely positioned and stabilized due to the abovementioned positioning means so as to maintain between each knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3), a predetermined constant pressure.

17. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 4, wherein the cutting group (55) is provided with a plurality of knives (11), (11) . . . and a plurality of fixed discs (3), (3) . . . interposed therebetween and all finely positioned and stabilized due to the abovementioned positioning means so as to maintain between each knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3), a predetermined constant pressure.

18. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 5, wherein the cutting group (55) is provided with a plurality of knives (11), (11) . . . and a plurality of fixed discs (3), (3) . . . interposed therebetween and all finely positioned and stabilized due to the abovementioned positioning means so as to maintain between each knife (11) and the corresponding fixed disc (3), a predetermined constant pressure.

19. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 2, wherein the faceted central seat (104) of the knife (11) is inserted in the corresponding faceted seat present on the end portion (29) of the actuation shaft (200), said end portion (29) being in turn threaded, due to the thread (28), on the inner threaded face of the actuation shaft (200).

20. Apparatus for processing vegetables, flours and animal meat for the production of sausages according to claim 3, wherein the faceted central seat (104) of the knife (11) is inserted in the corresponding faceted seat present on the end portion (29) of the actuation shaft (200), said end portion (29) being in turn threaded, due to the thread (28), on the inner threaded face of the actuation shaft (200).

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of the plant for the industrial production of meat and preferably of mortadella, subject of the present invention. More in detail, FIG. 1 shows the view of the auger 1 adapted to transfer the meat being processed from the loading hopper (not shown in the figure) to the various components of the cutting group 55 of the plant in question. The knives 11 and 11 of the cutting group 55, provided with the cutting blades adapted to treat the meat to be processed are observable. The central shaped portion of the knife 11 is inserted and locked abutted in the special grooved seat 71, directly obtained on the actuation shaft 200, so that the entire knife 11, being stably constrained to said actuation shaft 200, rotates synergically with respect to the latter. The grooved seat 71 allows the knife 11 to be stably maintained in position, in abutment, by the pressure exerted at the contact point 53, by the central support or bushing 51. Said bushing 51 is in turn locked and made integral with the actuation shaft 200, by means of the fixing nut 50 which is in turn adjustable and threaded by means of the fixing element 52, at the terminal end of the actuation shaft 200. FIG. 1 also shows two fixed discs 3 and 3 stably maintained in the desired position solely by the spacers 60 which also define the preload intended to be applied to each fixed disc. The fixed discs 3 and 3 centrally have a large circular hole, adapted to allow the passage of the actuation shaft 200 and the central support 51 of the knives 11 and 11 therein. The fixed discs 3 and 3 are circular and fixed solid discs maintained in position by the spacers 60 at the front part. Directly acting on the connection ring nut 20 which, in turn pressing on the thrust bearing 21 and on the spacer 60, stabilizes the fixed discs allows the millimetric and stable adjustment of the position thereof and the desired preload of the fixed discs 3 and 3 with respect to the knives 11 and 11. The spacers 60, the thrust bearing 21 and the fixed discs 3 and 3, due to the millimetric adjustment and the sustainment action carried out by the spacers 60, never come to contact with the rotary device like the central support 51, the knives 11 and 11 and the actuation shaft 200. Only the knives 11 and 11 touchwith the desired and predetermined pressurethe fixed discs 3 and 3. FIG. 1 also shows the presence of at least one conical bearing 40, preferably a pair of conical bearings 40, which by acting on the cylindrical projection 300 present on the actuation shaft 200 allows stabilizing and discharging on the body of the machine the considerable forces which would otherwise affect the shaft 200. As a matter of fact, the bearings 40 prevent the shaft 200, by discharging the forces that traverse the cutting group 55, from deforming the knife 11 up to bending it and colliding with the fixed disc 3. The thrust received by the shaft 200, is substantially due to the action exerted by the advancement of the meat to be processed. The shaft 200 actually receives such forwards thrust by the auger, which is in turn pushed backwards in the direction opposite to that of advancement of the meat to be processed, failure to neutralize which by the circular bearings 40, would be so strong to considerably deform the rotary mechanical members and specifically, the knives 11 and 11 of the cutting group 55. FIG. 1 also clearly shows the actuation shaft 200. The actuation shaft 200, when actuated by a common rotary device, being stably connected to the auger 1, receives, from the auger 1, a thrust in the opposite direction with respect to that the auger is subjected to and specifically, it receives a thrust directed towards the direction of advancement of the meat to be treated, and intensity equivalent to the pressure the meat exerts on the cutting group 55. However, this considerable moment is nullified by the presence of at least one circular bearing 40, preferably at least one pair of circular bearings 40. Said circular bearings 40 discharge said considerable thrust, on the metal structure, i.e. on the body of the device in question. This action of lightening the actuation shaft 200 occurs due to the presence of the cylindrical projection 300 arranged on the shaft 200. These devices allow the actuation shaft 200 not to transfer any pressure on the cutting group 55, thus preventing the knife 11 from deforming and scraping against the fixed disc 3. In addition, FIG. 1 shows the sealing devices 41 of the lubricant of the conical bearings 40.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the entire device according to the present patent application, which shows the hopper 70 through which the frozen meat is supplied to the plant, the auger 1 which transfers the meat at the desired speed from the hopper 70 to the cutting group 55, the entire cutting group 55 and the axial bearing 99 adapted to discharge the backward thrust exerted by the auger on the structure of the machine 1. This thrust is precisely directed in the direction opposite to the advancement direction of the meat, in the direction opposite to the direction in which the cutting group 55 is found, and it occurs when said auger 1, rotating alongside the actuation shaft 200, vigorously pushes the meat to be treated compressing it against the cutting group 55. The axial bearings 99 serve, in association with the circular bearings 40, to nullify the vigorous thrusts exerted on the auger 1, on the shaft 200 and on the knife 3 by the frozen meat when pressed against the cutting group 55 so as to be processed.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the device subject of the present invention, which shows the hopper 70, the thrust bearing 21 and the connection ring nut 20 adapted to support, alongside the spacers 60, the fixed disc 3. The figure also shows the numerous circular holes 66 traversing the central portion of the fixed disc 3. The threaded inner profile 25 of the connection ring nut 20, is in turn threaded on the corresponding thread 26 obtained on the outer face of the cutting group 55. The screwing or unscrewing of the connection ring nut 20 adjusts the pressure applied to the thrust bearing 21 which in turn supports and stabilizes the fixed disc 3 from whose circular holes 66 the processed product exits.

[0018] FIG. 4 shows a complete view of the external of the cutting apparatus according to the present patent application, which shows the hopper 70, the auger 1 adapted to supply the meat to be minced to the cutting group 55 which shows the fixed thrust bearing 21 adapted to stabilize the fixed disc 3 arranged therein (not visible), the fixed connection ring nut 20 adapted to lock and adjust said fixed thrust bearing 21. The tightening force of the fixed connection ring nut 20 is adjusted finely acting directly on the threading which receives its external perimeter. The more it is tightened on the external terminal body of the cutting group 55, the more the fixed connection ring nut 20 shall press on the fixed thrust bearing 21 the more the fixed disc 3 shall be pressed and supported. The pressure to be maintained between each fixed disc and the respective knife is preset and depends on the food to be treated and the size of the used plant. There should be observed the fixing nut 50 threaded on the threaded rod 52 in turn connected with the rotary shaft 200. The rotary elements such as the fixing nut 50, the threaded rod 52 and the rotary shaft 200 do not come to contact with the fixed elements 20, 21 and 3 that surround them in any manner whatsoever. The figure also shows the body of the structure 64 and the central support 51.

[0019] FIG. 5 shows a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but providing a cross-section of the entire cutting group 55 which shows the hopper 70, the auger 1, the rotary shaft 200 on which there is arranged the cylindrical projection 300 adapted to stabilize the shaft 200 due to the action of at least one conical bearing 40. The cross-section also shows the knives 11 and 11 arranged between the fixed discs 3 and 3. The central support 51 adapted to lock the knives 11 and 11 and the nut 50 threaded on the threaded rod 52 adapted to lock said central support 51 are clearly observable. The exploded view also shows how the fixed connection ring nut 20, being engaged with the fixed thrust bearing 21, locks it so as to stabilize and support the fixed disc 3 said fixed connection ring nut 20 being integrally connected, by means of screws (not shown), to the external body of the cutting group.

[0020] FIG. 6 shows the alternative system for fixing the knife 11. The knife 11 is inserted in abutment on a special groove arranged on the terminal portion 29. Said terminal portion 29 is in turn threaded, due to the thread 28, on the threaded inner face of the rotary shaft 200. The fixed disc 3, arranged on the same axis 100, is centrally traversed by the terminal portion 29, and it is maintained in position by the fixed thrust bearing 21 and by the spacers 60 (not shown). The fixed disc 3 does not touch the terminal portion 29 and slightly brushes the knife 11 at the pre-established pressure.

[0021] FIG. 7 shows a front view of the knife 11 according to the present invention, in which it can be observed the central portion 101 in which there is obtained the faceted central seat 104 adapted to be inserted, in abutment, in the respective seat 71 present on the actuation shaft 200 (not shown). The figure also shows the radial supports 103 all provided with at least one filed and sharp surface 102 referred to as cutting blade.

[0022] FIG. 8 shows a front view of the knife 11 according to the present invention, in which there are presenton the radial supportthree independent lines, B, C and D which precisely identify the corresponding three sections R1, R2 and R3 shown in FIG. 9 which clearly illustrate how the thickness of the section of the radial support 103 is progressively reduced while moving away from the center of the knife 11.

[0023] FIG. 9 shows how the thickness of the radial support 103 varies moving away, along the radial support 103, from the center of the knife 11. In the example shown in the figure, there is a variation of the thickness value of 3.7 along the section B, to a thickness value of 2.6 at the section C, ending with a thickness value equivalent to 1 at the section D.

[0024] FIG. 10 shows a lateral view of the knife 11 according to the present invention clearly showing how the thickness of the radial support 103 decreases progressively moving away from the central axis. The figure also shows the cutting blade 102.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The apparatus for processing vegetables, flours or preferably for processing the meat for human consumption according to the present invention, is adapted to produce sausages for human consumption and specifically it is preferably studied for producing mortadella, in industrial plants. Said apparatus comprising the following components:

[0026] a hopper 70 for loading the frozen meat to be processed;

[0027] at least one auger 1 adapted to transfer the substance being processed i.e. the meat, from said loading hopper 70 to the various components of the cutting group 55;

[0028] at least one cutting group 55 constituted by a first knife 11, constituted by a plurality of radial supports provided with cutting blades and at least one fixed drawing disc 3 provided with a plurality of holes preferably circular. The cutting group may be constituted by a single duo constituted by a knife 11 and a fixed disc 3, or, a plurality of said duo, all rigorously installed along the axis 100.

[0029] The knife 11 is made in a single block provided with a central portion 101 in which there is obtained the faceted central seat 104 adapted to be inserted, in abutment, in the respective seat 71 present on the actuation shaft 200. From the central portion 101 there are arranged a plurality of radial supports 103, preferably four radial supports 103, all provided with at least one filed and sharp surface 102 referred to as cutting blade. Each radial support 103 of the knife 11 according to the present invention, is characterised by a decreasing thickness going from the center towards the periphery. This reduction of thickness is outlined by the three lines present on the radial support shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. These three independent lines, B, C and D precisely identify the corresponding three sections R1, R2 and R3 shown in FIG. 9 which clearly illustrate how the section of the radial support 103 progressively reduces while moving away from the center of the knife 11. Said cutting group 55 is adapted to perform both a first division, by cutting, of the material being processed and a first step of drawing the cut meat. Said cutting step occurs through the first knife 11, while the drawing occurs through the first fixed disc 3. There may be provided a second step of processing the meat, subsequent to the first, in which said meat is further cut by the second knife 11 and drawn by the second fixed disc 3. Obviously, it is possible to have further subsequent treatment steps, adapted to obtain an even more finely treated finished product. The circular drawing holes, present on each fixed disc 3, shall have a progressively smaller diameter passing from the first 3 to the second 3 fixed drawing disc and so forth up to obtaining the desired meat processing level.

[0030] All the fixed discs are supported by a thrust bearing 21 and a connection ring nut 20, adapted to directly support the last fixed drawing disc 3. The other fixed discs, possibly present, are always indirectly supported by the thrust bearing 21 and the connection ring nut 20 but due to spacers 60. The latter are represented by solid, preferably metal structures whichresting stably on the thrust bearing 21 and on the connection ring nut 20maintain the fixed discs stationary, exactly in the desired position due to the precise screwing torque applied. The spacers 60 stabilize the fixed disc supporting it along its external perimeter, leaving both the circular drawing holes and the large central hole adapted to house the actuation shaft 200. Said first drawing disc 3 is adapted to perform a first operation referred to as rough cutting of the animal meat and swine meat being processed in this specific case. The plant described in the present document is configured so that the auger 1 and the cutting device 55 develop rigorously along the central axis 100. The knife 11, or if more than one, knives 11 and 11 may rotate clockwise or anticlockwise with respect to the central axis 100, while the fixed disc or the fixed drawing discs 3 and 3, are always fixed, i.e., they do not rotate with respect to the axis 100 of the plant in question. The knives 11 and 11 of the cutting group 55 are represented by solid, preferably metal structures, provided with openings and characterized by a plurality of radial supports 103, each provided with cutting blades adapted to cut the meat to be processed. The grooved seat 71 present on the actuation shaft 200 is explicitly made to receive, in abutment, the central portion 101 of the knife 11. The knife 11 being provided with a central faceted seat 104 intended to be insertedin abutmentin said special grooved seat 71 and the latter being suitably faceted and directly obtained on the actuation shaft 200, the entire knife 11, being stably constrained to said actuation shaft 200, rotates synergically with respect to the latter. The faceted seat 104 of the knife 11 is stably maintained in position by the pressure exerted, precisely at the point of contact 53, by the central support or bushing 51. Said bushing 51 is in turn locked and made integral with the actuation shaft 200, due to the fixing nut 50 which is in turn adjustable up to the described torque and thus locked and threaded due to the fixing element 52, at the terminal end of the actuation shaft 200. Thus, the actuation shaft 200, the threaded rod 52 threaded on said actuation shaft, the bushing or fixing element 52 and the fixing nut 50 besides the auger 1 and the knives 11 and 11 are all elements rotating synergically around the axis 100 due to the motion imparted by the rotary shaft 200. The rotary motion of the shaft 200 is guaranteed by the action of a common motor, electrical or of the internal combustion type, arranged on the shaft or connected thereto through a common cascade of kinematisms. The fixed discs 3 and 3 are instead stably maintained in the desired position by the spacers 60 which also definewith the pressure they apply on the perimeter of the fixed discs 3 and 3the preload intended to be applied to each fixed disc. The fixed discs 3 and 3 centrally have a large circular hole, adapted to allow the passage both of the actuation shaft 200 and the central support 51 of the knives 11 and 11 therein. The fixed discs 3 and 3 are circular and fixed solid discs maintained in position by the spacers 60 which exclusively press on the outer peripheral portion of said fixed discs. In order to allow the millimetric adjustment of the positioning and desired preload of the fixed discs 3 and 3, it is sufficient to act on the connection ring nut 20 which, by pressing in turn on the thrust bearing 21 and on the spacer 60, stabilizes the fixed discs exactly at the desired position. The spacers 60, the thrust bearing 21 and the fixed discs 3 and 3 due to the millimetric adjustment and the support action performed by the spacers 60, never come to contact with the rotary devices like the central support 51, the knives 11 and 11 and the actuation shaft 200. The knives 11 and 11 which rotate with the actuation shaft 200 in that stably connected thereto, are arranged between the fixed discs 3 and 3 and they touch them with a preset and constant load. The central support 51 is adapted to lock the knives 11 and 11 at the desired position while the nut 50, threaded on the threaded rod 52, is adapted to adjust and lock said central support 51 at the exact desired position. The fixed connection ring nut 20, by being engaged with the thrust bearing 21, locks it so as to stabilize and support the fixed disc 3 said fixed connection ring nut 20 being firmly constrained, through a thread, to the outer body of the cutting group 55. The tightening force of the fixed connection ring nut 20 is finely adjusted by directly acting on the thread which receives the outer perimeter thereof. The more the thread 26, present on the outer face of the cutting group 55, is threaded on the corresponding thread present on the threaded inner profile 25 of the fixed connection ring nut 20, the more said connection ring nut shall press on the fixed thrust bearing 21 on the spacers 60 and thus, the more the fixed disc 3 shall be pressed and supported, conferring greater preload thereto. The rotary elements such as the fixing nut 50, the threaded rod 52, the bushing 51 and the rotary shaft 200 never come to contact with the fixed elements 20, 21 and 3 surrounding them in any manner whatsoever. The cutting group 55 is thus constituted by at least one rotary knife 11 which rotates in proximity of a fixed disc 3. Thus, the problem to be overcome is to stabilize said elements, preventing them from being bent and scraping against each other, under the pressure exerted by the forces involved. The spacers 60, the thrust bearing 21 and the connection ring nut 20 on the one hand, while the fixing nut 50, the bushing 51 and the threaded rod 52 on the other collaborate to prevent the knife 11 from scraping against the fixed discs 3. With the aim of further stabilizing the system, on the actuation shaft 200 there is provided at least one conical bearing 40, preferably at least one pair of conical bearings 40, which acting on the cylindrical projection 300 present on the actuation shaft 200, allows discharging the considerable forces that would otherwise affect the actuation shaft 200 on the entire body of the machine. By discharging the considerable forces that transverse the actuation shafy on the cutting group 55, the bearings 40 actually prevent the actuation shaft 200 from deforming the knife 11 up to bending it and scraping on the adjacent fixed disc 3. The thrust that the actuation shaft 200 receives, is substantially due to the action exerted by the advancement of the meat to be processed. The actuation shaft 200 actually receivesfrom the augera forward thrust, towards the cutting group 55 to be more precise, which is in turn pushed backwards in the direction opposite to that of advancement of the meat. If not neutralized by the circular bearings 40, this forward thrust would be so strong to considerably deform the movable mechanical members and specifically, the knives 11 and 11 of the cutting group 55. The actuation shaft 200, when actuated by a common device or motor adapted to rotate it, being stably connected to the auger 1, receives from the auger 1 a thrust in the opposite direction with respect to the backward thrust by the auger and specifically, the actuation shaft 200 receives a forward thrust, directed towards the direction of advancement of the meat to be processed, with intensity equivalent to the pressure the meat exerts on the cutting group 55. This considerable moment is now nullified, due to the innovative technique described in the present patent application, due to the presence of at least one circular bearing 40, preferably at least one pair of circular bearings 40. Said circular bearings 40 discharge the considerable thrust, on the metal structure, i.e. on the body of the device in question. This action of lightening the workloads pressing on the actuation shaft 200, occurs due to the presence of the cylindrical projection 300 arranged on the shaft 200. These devices, the cylindrical projection 300 and the circular bearing 40 allow the actuation shaft 200 not to transfer any pressure on the cutting group 55, thus preventing the knife 11 from deforming and scraping against the fixed disc 3. Each circular bearing 40 is provided with at least one sealing device 41 of the lubricant. The auger 1 which transfers the meat at the desired speed from the hopper 70 to the cutting group 55, is provided with at least one axial bearing 99, arranged on the opposite end with respect to the end where the cutting group 55, adapted to discharge on the structure of the machine, on the machine body, the backward thrust exerted by the auger 1 during the processing of the meat.

[0031] The result deriving from the use of the metal surfaces anti-rub apparatus according to the present invention lies in the fact that the surfaces at contact, of the components involved at this stage of the production process, do not rub intensely against each other. In an alternative embodiment of the invention subject of the present industrial invention patent application, the knife 11 is inserted, in abutment, on a directly faceted special groove obtained on the terminal portion 29. Said terminal portion 29 is in turn threaded, due to the thread 28 present on its outer terminal face, on the corresponding threaded inner face of the actuation shaft 200. This simple but efficient fixing system, guarantees the entire terminal portion 29 to synergically rotate with the actuation shaft 200. In this particular embodiment of the invention, the fixed disc 3, still arranged on the axis 100 of the knife 11, is centrally traversed by the terminal portion 29, and it is maintained in position by the fixed thrust bearing 21 and by the spacers 60. The fixed disc 3 does not touch the terminal portion 29 and the knife 11, thus being disconnected from any rotary member. Practically, the present patent application has the aim of describing an innovative device for processing the meat constituted by a plurality of rotary elements such as: the actuation shaft 200, the auger 1, the knife 11 mounted in a special grooved seat directly obtained on the actuation shaft 200 and provided with a plurality of cutting blades and finely positioned due to the central support 51 adapted to lock the knives 11 and 11 and the nut 50 threaded on the threaded rod 52 adapted to lock said central support 51. On the other hand, the millimetric adjustment of the position thereof and the desired preload of the fixed disc 3 only requires acting on the connection ring nut 20 which, in turn pressing on the thrust bearing 21 and on the spacer 60, stabilizes the fixed disc exactly at the desired position. Due to the millimetric adjustment and the support action carried out by the spacers 60, the spacers 60, the thrust bearing 21 and the fixed disc 3 never come to contact with the rotary devices like the central support 51, the knife 11 and the actuation shaft 200. The circular bearings 40 installed on the cylindrical projection 300 present on the actuation shaft 200 allow stabilizing said shaft while the axial bearings 99 stabilize the auger 1. This synergic action of stabilizing the actuation shaft 200 and the auger 1 in association to the precise and adjustable positioning of the knife 11 and the corresponding fixed disc 3, allow optimizing the processing of the meat to be treated dramatically reducing the friction between the movable and fixed components. The adjustment with which the locking of the elements 50, 51 and 52 besides the elements 20 and 21 is carried out, occurs by applying a predetermined torque to said fixing elements, as a function of the size of the mincing plant and thus the workloads they are subjected to.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0032] Now, the invention will be described in its preferred embodiment. Said apparatus comprising the following components:

[0033] a hopper 70 for loading the frozen meat to be processed; an auger 1 adapted to transfer the substance being processed i.e. meat, from said loading hopper 70 to the various cutting components of the cutting group 55. The cutting group 55 is formed by two knives. A first knife 11, provided with a plurality of radial supports each provided with cutting blades and arranged in proximity of a fixed drawing disc 3, provided with a plurality of preferably circular holes 66 and a second knife 11 arranged in proximity of a second fixed disc 3 also provided with a plurality of circular holes 66 but having a smaller diameter with respect to the circular holes present on the fixed disc 3. The cutting group is thus constituted by two duos, each constituted by a knife and a fixed disc, all rigorously installed along the axis 100. The knife 11 is made in a single block provided with a central portion 101 in which there is obtained the faceted central seat 104 adapted to be inserted, in abutment, in the respective seat 71 present on the actuation shaft 200. From the central portion 101 there are arranged a plurality of radial supports 103, preferably four radial supports 103, all provided with at least one filed and sharp surface 102 referred to as cutting blade. Each radial support 103 of the knife 11 according to the present invention, is characterized by a decreasing thickness going from the center towards the peripheral. This reduction of thickness is outlined by the three lines present on the radial support shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. These three independent lines, B, C and D precisely identify the corresponding three sections R1, R2 and R3 shown in FIG. 9 which clearly illustrate how the section of the radial support 103 progressively reduces while moving away from the center of the knife 11.

[0034] Said cutting group 55 is adapted to perform both a first division, by cutting, of the material being processed and a first step of drawing the cut meat. Said cutting step occurs through the first knife 11, while the drawing occurs through the first fixed disc 3 and there is provided a second step of processing the meat, subsequent to the first, in which said meat is further cut by the second knife 11 and drawn by the second fixed disc 3. The circular drawing holes, present on each fixed disc, shall have a progressively smaller diameter passing from the first 3 to the second fixed drawing disc 3.

[0035] The two fixed discs 3 and 3 are supported by a thrust bearing 21, a connection ring nut 20, adapted to directly support the last fixed drawing disc 3. The first fixed disc is always indirectly supported by the thrust bearing 21 and by the connection ring nut 20 but also due to the help of spacers 60. These spacers are of the solid structure, preferably metal, which stably lying on the thrust bearing 21 supported by the connection ring nut 20, maintain the fixed discs stationary, exactly at the desired position. Thus, the spacers 60 stabilize the two fixed discs by supporting them along the outer perimeter thereof, thus leaving both the circular drawing holes 66 and 66 and the large central hole adapted to house the actuation shaft 200 free. Thus said first drawing disc 3 is adapted to perform a first operation referred to as rough cutting of the animal meat and swine meat being processed in this specific case. The plant described in the present document is configured so that the auger 1 and the cutting device 55 rigorously develop along the central axis 100. Said fixed drawing disc 3 is peripherally maintained at the exact desired position, due to the presence of at least one spacer 60 supported by the thrust bearing 21, in turn maintained at the desired position by the connection ring nut 20, whose inner face 25 is threaded on the thread present on the outer face 26 of the cutting group 55, thus, by screwing or unscrewing said connection ring nut 20 on the corresponding thread 26, there is obtained the increase or decrease of pressure exerted on the thrust bearing 21 and thus on the fixed disc 3 and on any other fixed discs 3 present inside the cutting group 55. The first knife 11 is provided with a faceted central hole 103. Said faceted central hole 103 of the knife 11 is inserted in the corresponding faceted seat present on the terminal portion 29 of the actuation shaft 200. Said terminal portion 29 is in turn threaded, due to the thread 28, on the threaded inner face of the actuation shaft 200. The second knife support 11 is also integral with the actuation shaft 200, also being arranged on the terminal portion 29 on the special grooved seat 71, adapted to engage with the central portion of said knife 11. Said second knife 11 is stably maintained in the desired position inside said groove by the pressure exerted, at the contact point 53, by the central support or bushing 51. The pressure exerted on the central portion of said knife 11 is in turn finely adjusted due to the use of the fixing nut 50 which is in turn adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element 52, at the terminal end 29 of the actuation shaft 200. The distance between the knife 11 and the corresponding fixed disc 3 is finely adjusted and managed due to the presence, respectively, as regards the knife 11, of the position taken by the central portion of the knife 11 in the grooved seat 71 which is stably maintained in position by the pressure exerted, at the contact point 53, by the central support or bushing 51, said bushing 51 being in turn finely adjusted and made integral with the actuation shaft 200, due to the fixing nut 50 which is in turn adjustable and threaded due to the fixing element 52 to the terminal end 29 of the actuation shaft 200, while as regards the fixed disc 3 the distance from the corresponding knife 11 is finely adjusted by at least one spacer 60 supported by the thrust bearing 21, in turn maintained in position by the connection ring nut 20, whose inner face 25 is threaded on the thread present on the outer face 26 of the cutting group 55, so that both said knife 11 and said fixed disc 3, can be finely adjusted and positioned with respect to each other at a distance such to be therebetween close but without points of contact even when the production plant is running normally.