Patent ID: 7014456
Filing Date: 2006-03-21
Classification: A22C,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A food processing machine comprising a. a frame with a hopper for storing a food product; b. a fill plate mounted to the frame and having a fill plate working surface with at least one longitudinal groove in the fill plate working surface that communicates with the atmosphere, the fill plate having at least one fill slot therethrough that communicates with the hopper; c. a breather plate mounted to the frame and having a breather plate working surface, the breather plate defining patterns of small holes in the breather plate working surface and having at least one longitudinal groove in the breather plate working surface in communication with the patterns of small holes; d. a mold plate reciprocable in longitudinal directions between fill and eject positions and having opposed first and second surfaces in sliding contact with the fill plate working surface and the breather plate working surface, respectively, the mold plate having at least one row of transverse cavities in communication with said at least one fill plate fill slot and with the breather plate patterns of small holes when the mold plate is in the fill position, the mold plate further defining at least one vent hole that is in communication with said at least one fill plate longitudinal groove and with said at least one breather plate longitudinal groove when the mold plate is at the fill position; and e. means for forcing food product from the hopper through said at least one fill plate fill slot into the mold plate cavities when the mold plate is at the fill position, so that air in the mold plate cavities is displaced through the breather plate patterns of small holes and said at least one breather plate longitudinal groove, through said at least one mold plate vent hole, and through said at least fill plate longitudinal groove to the atmosphere.