DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING MEAT PRODUCTS

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method that can be carried out using said device, for producing meat products using pieces of raw meat that are joined together and subsequently cooked and/or that absorb a liquid composition. The device has working surfaces that encompass an inner volume, at least one of said working surfaces having a drive for back-and-forth motion and for pressing the at least one working surface against pieces of raw meat situated in the inner volume that is encompassed by the working surfaces.

Claims

1. A device for producing meat products with discontinuously or continuously arranged work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4), which encompass an internal volume and at least one work surface (1) of which is arranged for mechanical loading against raw pieces of meat to be arranged in the internal volume, characterized in that the at least one work surface (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is driven to perform a guided reciprocating movement with a frequency of at least 0.5 Hz for at least 0.5 min by means of a drive motor (M).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal volume is lined with an elastic sheath (11) or a rigid sheath (7).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) are fixed relative to one another into an assembly and in this assembly are driven to a reciprocating movement.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the assembly of work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) fixed against one another is guided in a frame for the reciprocating movement.

5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the device has two assemblies of work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) fixed against one another, which are driven in a common frame to an antagonistic reciprocating movement.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the assembly of work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) fixed against one another is guided to the movement along at least two motion axes, wherein the device is set up to drive the assemblies along the motion axes each at different frequencies, to a reciprocating movement.

7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one work surface (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is driven to a reciprocating movement relative to the other work surfaces (2, 3, 4).

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one work surface (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is driven to a reciprocating movement relative to the other work surfaces (2, 3, 4) and, optionally, its amplitude is dynamically adjustable.

9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one work surface (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is elastic and/or is driven by a linear drive motor (M) or a rotating drive motor (M).

10. The device according to one of the preceding claims claim 1, characterized in that, in work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4), two spaced-apart electric contacts are arranged, which are connected with a conductivity measuring device or an impedance measuring device and in that the elastic sheath (11) or rigid sheath (7) is electrically conductive at least in the area adjacent to the electric contacts or the electric contacts penetrate the elastic sheath (11) or rigid sheath (7).

11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive motor (M) is controlled depending on the conductivity or impedance measuring device or depending on a detector for the amount of aqueous composition, which is present within the internal volume in addition to the raw pieces of meat.

12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reciprocating movement is non-linear.

13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the internal volume comprised by the work surfaces has an at least triangular cross-section and the mean cross-section of the sheath (7, 11) is smaller than the mean cross-section of the internal volume and in that the plane of the reciprocating movement is in a plane that is parallel up to maximally 20 to the cross-section of the internal volume.

14. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the work surfaces are movable against one another, comprising an internal volume with a round to oval cross-section and are driven on a base to perform a rolling movement around this cross-section.

15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that in work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) at least 2 spaced-apart electric contacts are arranged, which are connected with a generator for production of electric current and in that the elastic sheath (11) or rigid sheath (7) is electrically conductive at least in the area adjacent to the electric contacts or the electric contacts penetrate the elastic sheath (11) or rigid sheath (7).

16. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the work surface is formed by a sheath (7, 11), which is driven by rotationally driven work elements to perform a reciprocating movement against the raw pieces of meat (6).

17. A process for producing meat products by mechanical loading of raw pieces of meat (6), wherein the raw pieces of meat (6) are moved relative to a work surface, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) are arranged in an internal volume, which is encompassed by work surfaces, at least one work surface (1, 2, 3, 4) of which is driven and is moved with a frequency of at least 0.5 Hz relatively against the raw pieces of meat (6).

18. The process according to claim 15, characterized in that the work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) are fixed to one another in an assembly and are driven in this assembly to a reciprocating movement.

19. The process according to claim 15, characterized in that the at least one work surface (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) is driven to a reciprocating movement relative to the other work surfaces (2, 3, 4).

20. The process according to claim 17, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) are enclosed by a sheath (7, 11) and the at least one driven work surface (1, 2, 3, 4) is moved relatively against the sheath (7, 11), and the raw pieces of meat (6) are subsequently cooked in the sheath (7, 11).

21. The process according to claim 17, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) that are enclosed by a sheath (7, 11) are arranged in an internal volume, which is encompassed by work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) and at least one of these work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) is moved relatively against the sheath (7, 11).

22. The process according to claim 17, characterized in that the work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) are fixed relative to one another and the raw pieces of meat (6) enclosed by the sheath (7, 11) are loaded against at least one work surface (1, 2, 3, 4) by a reciprocating movement of the work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) with a frequency of at least 0.5 Hz.

23. The process according to claim 17, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) enclosed by the sheath (7, 11) are loaded by a movement of at least two driven work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) that are moved each relative to one another with a frequency of at least 0.5 Hz.

24. The process according to claim 18, characterized in that the pieces of meat are enclosed by the sheath (7, 11) under exclusion of air.

25. The process according to claim 15, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) fill the internal volume encompassed by the work surfaces (1, 2, 3, 4) to at least 80%.

26. The process according to claim 15, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) are enclosed by a sheath, which forms the work surface (1, 2, 3, 4), which is driven by rotationally driven work elements to a reciprocating movement.

27. The process according to claim 15, characterized in that the raw pieces of meat (6) are present in a mixture with an aqueous composition and/or solid salt.

28. The process according to claim 15, characterized in that the movement is non-linear and is performed at a frequency of at least 1.5 Hz for 0.5 to 10 min.

Description

PRECISE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] The invention will now be described more precisely with reference to the figures, which show schematically

[0044] in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the device,

[0045] in FIG. 2 a first embodiment of the device,

[0046] in FIG. 3 a first embodiment of the device,

[0047] in FIG. 4 another first embodiment of the device,

[0048] in FIG. 5 a second embodiment of the device,

[0049] in FIG. 6 a second embodiment of the device and

[0050] in FIGS. 7 to 9 a second embodiment.

[0051] In the figures, the same reference numerals designate functionally equal elements. In all embodiments, the internal volume spanned over by the work surfaces 1-4 can be lined by an elastic sheath 11 or a rigid sheath 7, in which the raw pieces of meat 6 are arranged during the process.

[0052] The first embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 1 has an internal volume with a rectangular or oval resp. round cross-section, which is spanned over by the work surface 1 and the work surfaces 2, which cover the openings on the end faces of the internal volume. As schematically indicated by the motor M, the assembly of work surfaces 1, 2 fixed against one another is movably guided to a reciprocating movement, which can be in particular linear. Opposite the drive motor M, the assembly consisting of work surfaces 1, 2 can be mounted either against a frame or the underground. Alternatively, the assembly of work surfaces 1, 2 can be hung to a drive arm 5 coupled with the motor and, for example, mounted in a longitudinally movable manner in a vertically arranged linear guide.

[0053] The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is set up for an arched reciprocating movement and has a pivot bearing 10, which is, for example, attached to a stationary frame, and a spaced drive arm 5, which is connected with the motor M. FIG. 2 shows a variant, in which the work surface 1 spans over a circular or oval cross-section, the terminal openings of which are covered by the work surfaces 2. Work surfaces, which span over a circular or an oval cross-section, are generally preferably assembled from at least two half-molds resp. half-shells.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment, in which the raw pieces of meat 6 are arranged in a rigid sheath 7, e.g. a cooking box 8 having walls fixed against one another. The sheath 7 is surrounded by work surfaces 1-4, so that the movements that are transferred onto the work surfaces 1-4 by the drive motors M act on the rigid sheath 7. Due to the inertia of the raw pieces of meat 6, which are enclosed by the work surfaces 1-4 resp. the rigid sheath 7, these raw pieces of meat 6 are mechanically loaded during the reciprocating movement of the work surfaces 1-4. The drive motors M can be arranged such that the directions of the generated movements are approximately perpendicular to one another, so that preferably the work surfaces 1-4 fixed against one another are moved in all three spatial directions. The indicated spring elements 9 represent a bearing for the work surfaces 1-4. The drive motors M are schematically indicated by rotary drive shafts with an eccentric drive 12. Alternatively, the drive motors M can be linear drives, e.g. electric or hydraulic resp. pneumatic linear drives.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment, in which the work surfaces 1-4 surround a rigid sheath 7 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in which the raw pieces of meat are arranged during the process. An elastic sheath 11, in which the raw pieces of meat are contained during the process, can be arranged within the rigid sheath 7, wherein the elastic sheath is preferably vacuumed in order to enclose the raw pieces of meat, if necessary in a mixture with salt and spices, tightly and essentially without any air inclusion. When using rotary drives as drive motors M, it is preferred that the connection with the assembly of work surfaces fixed against one another is established by means of an eccentric drive 12 on the drive motor and a rotary bearing 13. Generally, the device can have 2 drive motors as shown here, which are connected with the assembly of work surfaces fixed against one another, in order to drive them to perform two reciprocating movements arranged at an angle, in particular perpendicular to each other. Generally, two or more drive motors can be controlled to perform movements, which overlap to Lissajous figures.

[0056] FIG. 5 shows a device according to the second embodiment, in which the work surfaces 1, 2, 3, 4 span over an internal volume with a rectangular cross-section, wherein the work surface 1 is driven by the motor M to a reciprocating movement, which is preferably linear, but can also be a tilting movement, for example about an axis which runs longitudinally with respect to the work surface 1. FIG. 5 shows an elastic sheath 11, which lines the internal volume, which is spanned over by the work surfaces 1-4 and in which the raw pieces of meat 6 (not represented) are contained during the process.

[0057] FIG. 6 shows the device according to the second embodiment, in which two opposite work surfaces 2 are driven slidably against one another to a reciprocating movement. These work surfaces 2 that are driven to a reciprocating movement can, for example, cover the terminal openings of an internal volume having a circular or an oval cross-section, which is spanned over by the work surfaces 1.

[0058] As an alternative to the two drive motors M shown in FIG. 6, the opposite work surfaces 2 can also be driven by a common motor via drive arms 5 to an antagonistic reciprocating movement.

[0059] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 provides for the raw pieces of meat 6, which are enclosed by an elastic sheath 11, in particular under vacuum, being loaded by work surfaces 1-4, which are driven by a drive motor which carries out a rotary movement, or by a linear drive (not represented). Here, the FIGS. 7 and 8 show an embodiment, in which all work surfaces are driven and an elastic sheath 11 is held between the work surfaces. In this embodiment, the work surfaces 1-4 are discontinuous and comprise a varying internal volume, in which the elastic sheath 11 is arranged. Therein, the work surfaces 1-4 can be driven in the same direction of rotation, so that the elastic sheath 11 arranged between them can rotate freely in the opposite direction.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a turned position of the work surfaces 1-4 compared with FIG. 7 and an elastic sheath 11 deformed according to the discontinuous internal volume formed by the work surfaces 1-4. Optionally, the work surfaces 1-4 can generally, in particular in the embodiment according to FIG. 7-9, be formed at least in sections by rollers 14, which are preferably mounted freely rotating, as is shown by way of example of the upper work surfaces 1-4 of FIG. 7.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 as well as 9, in addition to a reciprocating movement of the work surfaces 1-4, a rotating movement of the work surfaces 1-4 also effects a reciprocating movement of the sheath 11. Therefore, the sheath 11 forms the work surfaces in these embodiments. Therefore, at least with respect to this embodiment, the work surfaces 1-4 are also called work elements, wherein the loaded sheath driven by them to a reciprocating movement forms the work surfaces, which load the raw pieces of meat.

[0062] FIG. 9 shows according to the second embodiment a device with an internal volume, which is encompassed by work surfaces 1-4, of which at least one work surface 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d is driven. Therein, FIG. 9 also shows alternatives for driven work surfaces 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, which are not exhaustive. The work surfaces 2-3 are not driven and rigid. By way of example, the work surface 1a shows an elastic work surface 1a, which is driven by rotating rollers 14 as the drive. The drive is loaded against the work surface 1a on the surface of work surface 1a that is facing away from the internal volume As a further example, the work surface 1b shows a linearly guided work surface 1b, which is driven e.g. by a linear drive. As a further example, the work surface 1c shows a work surface, which has rotary driven protrusions and the work surface 1d a rotary driven work surface 1d, which in sections has rollers 14, in particular at least in the terminal region. The internal volume, in particular its cross-section, can be discontinuous, e.g. as shown for work surfaces 1c and 1d, or continuous, as shown for the driven elastic work surface 1a and the linearly driven work surface 1b. In this embodiment, it is preferred that the internal volume is lined by an elastic sheath 11, resp. that the raw pieces of meat are enclosed by an elastic sheath 11, in particular under vacuum.

EXAMPLE

Introduction of Aqueous Composition in Raw Meat

[0063] As example for raw meat, 10 kg of chicken breast without skin and bones, not size-reduced, with 20% by weight of aqueous composition of 12% by weight of table salt, 6% by weight of potato starch, 1.2% by weight of phosphate, water to 100%, were filled into a rigid cooking box to be closed, which box was covered with a fixed lid.

[0064] The cooking box was reciprocated along a first motion axis with 5 Hz over an amplitude of 7 cm for 8 min. Following this reciprocating movement, the raw chicken breast meat had taken up the aqueous composition essentially fully.

[0065] Alternatively, the reciprocating movement was performed along the first motion axis with 5 Hz and additionally along a second motion axis perpendicular thereto with 4.1 Hz, each over an amplitude of 7 cm for 5 min.

[0066] Alternatively, the meat with the aqueous composition could be contained in a plastic sheath, from which air was extracted, and the filled plastic sheath in the cooking box, which was closed with a fixed lid, could be loaded by the reciprocating movement of the cooking box.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference signs: 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d work surface 2 work surface 3 work surface 4 work surface 5 drive arm 6 raw pieces of meat 7 rigid sheath 8 cooking box 9 spring elements 10 pivot bearing 11 elastic sheath 12 eccentric 13 rotary bearing 14 roller M drive motor