Abstract:
A sealing member that includes an upstream first end and an opposite downstream second end. The upstream first end is located upstream of a feed member that supplies food product to the food forming member, and the downstream second end is located downstream of the feed member. The upstream first end includes a multitude of recesses and convexities. Food product that is transported by the food forming member towards the sealing member is guided toward or into product cavities defined in rows around the surface of the food forming member with the convexities and the recesses. Each of the recesses has a shape that generally corresponds to a shape of the product cavities, and each of the recesses are aligned with the product cavities extending in one of the rows. Each of the convexities are aligned with the surface of the food forming member located between the product cavities.

Description:
FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a sealing member whose surface interacts sealingly with the surface of a food forming member and which has a first end and opposite a second end. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Such sealing members are well known from the state of the art and normally extend around the feed channel for a food mass, which is pressed through the feed channel and into product cavities, which are provided in a movable food forming member. In the product cavities, the food mass is formed into individual products such as patties or the like. The sealing member is in contact with the surface of a food forming member and sealingly interacts with this surface to avoid that food mass is spilled during filling of the product cavities. In the food industry, there is a constant demand to improve the quality of the product, the yield and/or to reduce ware of the machines. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is therefore the objective of the present invention to provide a sealing member that meets such needs. 
     The objective is achieved with a sealing member whose surface interacts sealingly with the surface of a food forming member and which has a first end and opposite a second end, characterized in, that at least one end comprises at least one recess. 
     The disclosure regarding the embodiment of the present invention also applies to the other embodiments of the present invention and vice versa. 
     The present invention relates to a sealing member of a food forming apparatus. Such a sealing member preferably has a plate-like shape. Conventionally, the sealing member extends around a feed channel for a food mass, which is pressed through the feed channel and into product cavities, which are provided in a food forming member, for example a plate or a drum, which moves relative to the feed channel. In the product cavities, the food mass is formed into individual products such as patties or the like. The sealing member is in contact with the surface of a food forming member and thus sealingly interacts with this surface to avoid that food mass is spilled during filling of the product cavities. The sealing member is preferably flexible to maximize the contact area to the food forming member. The sealing member comprises a first and an opposite second end, which, for example extend parallel to an axis of rotation of a food forming drum which rotates or perpendicular to the movement of a plate which reciprocates between a filling- and a discharge position. 
     In case of a rotating drum, the first end is located upstream from the feed channel and relative to the rotation of the drum. Correspondingly, the second end is located downstream from the feed channel. 
     The sealing member is directly or indirectly connected to the frame of a food forming apparatus and thus preferably stationary. A food forming member moves relative to the sealing member. 
     According to the present invention, at least one of the first- and/or the second end comprises a recess, so that the surface of this end is not a plane. Due to this recess, the contact area of the sealing member and the food forming member is reduced in comparison to a sealing member, with the same extensions but without the recess. 
     Preferably, the shape of the circumference of each recess located at the second end of the sealing member partially corresponds to the shape of the circumference of the product cavities. Preferably, each recess is aligned with a product cavity. Due to the recess, the smearing of the resulting product is reduced. 
     A recess at the first end preferably moves food product which sticks to the surface of the forming member towards and/or into a product cavity. Preferably, each recess at this end is aligned with a product cavity that moves beneath the recess. 
     Preferably, the cross section of the recess, at the first and/or second end, which is parallel to the contact area with the food forming member is the segment of a circle, is square, rectangular or trapezoid. 
     Preferably, the sealing member comprises a recess between the first- and the second end through which the food mass is forced into the product cavities. This recess is in the following the “filling recess”. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the first- and/or the second end comprises a multitude of recesses and a convexity between two recesses. The convexity may have any shape, which more preferably results from two adjacent recesses. The convexity may be essentially spare, essentially rectangular, essentially a triangle, essentially a wedge, essentially a trapezoid or a combination thereof. More preferably, the tip of the convexity, which is located in the upstream region of the convexity is sloped towards each recess. Food product, which is transported by the food forming member towards the sealing member is guided towards or into the product cavities of the food forming member. According to a preferred embodiment, the convexity is shaped as a wedge. 
     According to a preferred or inventive embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the seal plate is reduced at least at one of the first- and/or second end. 
     The disclosure regarding the embodiment of the present invention also applies to the other embodiments of the present invention and vice versa. 
     Due to this reduction, the sealing member is, at its first end preferably not in contact with the food forming member, wherein the gap between the surface of the sealing member and the adjacent surface of the food forming member decreases from the first end towards the filling recess of the sealing member. 
     According to yet another preferred or inventive embodiment of the present invention, the sealing member comprises a guiding element which guides food mass towards the center of the sealing member. 
     The disclosure regarding the embodiment of the present invention also applies to the other embodiments of the present invention and vice versa. 
     This guiding member extends parallel to the direction of movement of the food forming member. 
     In case the food forming member is a drum, the guiding member is preferably a ring or the segment of a ring. The diameter of the ring may vary over its length. 
     Preferably, the sealing member comprises a cutting member. This cutting member is preferably located downstream from the filling recess or is part of the filling recess. The cutting member cuts off filaments or the like and/or cuts off food mass that extends out of the product cavity. 
     Preferably, the cutting member and the sealing member are a single piece, for example molded during one molding step. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the cutting edge of the cutting member is profiled, preferably toothed, which enlarges the cutting edge in comparison to a straight cutting edge and/or increases the local cutting pressure. 
     Another subject matter of the present invention is a food forming apparatus comprising a food forming member with product cavities and a feed channel through which a food mass is pressed into the product cavities, wherein the inventive sealing member extends around the surface of the food forming member. 
     The disclosure regarding the embodiment of the present invention also applies to the other embodiments of the present invention and vice versa. 
     The food forming apparatus according to the invention comprises a food forming member, preferably a food forming drum, which has a multitude of product cavities arranged around the outer circumference of the drum. The product cavities are preferably made from a porous material, so that the formed products can be removed from the cavities for example by compressed air. Furthermore, the food forming apparatus comprises a feed channel through which the food mass, for example minced meat and/or chunks of meat are pressed into the product cavities. The food forming member moves, for example rotates, past this feed channel and during this movement, the product cavities are filled with the food mass and thereby products, for example patties, schnitzels or the like, are formed. Downstream, relative to the movement of the forming member or in the so called discharge section, the products are removed from the forming member and then the product cavities can be filled again. 
     According to the present invention, the food forming apparatus comprises the inventive sealing member, which extends around the surface of the food forming member and is in sealing cooperation with the surface of the food forming member. 
     The sealing member preferably extends upstream and downstream from the filling channel. However, downstream, preferably, the sealing member only covers the product cavities during their filling. Right after the product cavity is filled with a food mass, which is pressed into the product cavity with a filling pressure, this product cavity is preferably subjected to ambient pressure, i.e. the surface of the cavity is at least partially opened. 
     Preferably, the sealing member comprises a cutting member. The cutting member may extend parallel to the surface of the food forming member or not. 
     According to a preferred or another inventive subject matter of the present invention, the food forming apparatus comprises a manifold around the feed channel, wherein a pressure is extended on a cutting member which is independent from the pressure extended on the manifold. 
     Preferably, the inventive food forming apparatus comprises a stabilization block, which is located adjacent to the sealing member, preferably, this stabilization block is sloped at its upstream end to guide food mass which sticks on the food forming member, preferably the drum into a product cavity. 
     The inventions are now explained according to  FIGS. 1-11 . These explanations do not limit the scope of protection. The explanations apply to all subject matters of the present invention likewise. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    show a forming apparatus. 
         FIGS. 2 a -2 l    and  3  show the inventive sealing member 
         FIG. 4  shows the guiding means 
         FIGS. 5-11  show a cutting member 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    show the inventive food forming apparatus  4 . The food forming apparatus  4  comprises a rotating drum  11 , which rotates in the present case counter-clockwise and is mounted rotatable at the frame of the inventive apparatus  4 . At the outer circumference of the drum a multitude of product cavities  12  are provided, which are filled with a food mass, for example minced meat or meat chunks to form the resulting food product. Around its circumference the drum comprises a multitude cavities, here six cavities, which are spaced preferably equidistantly. The drum further comprises a multitude of cavities, which are placed in rows side by side parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum. The cavities in each of these rows are filled and emptied simultaneously. The product cavities are preferably made from a porous material, for example sintered metal, so that the formed products can be ejected from the product cavities  12  with compressed gas and/or liquid. The inventive apparatus further comprises a food mass feed member  1 , whose housing  2  is, at one end mounted at a frame of the inventive apparatus, for example by means of a hinge. The other, preferably opposite end is also connected to the frame, for example by means of a lever. Preferably, the lever is adjustable to adjust the position of the food mass feed member  1  relative to the drum  11 . The housing  2  is preferably very stiff, i.e. the housing  2 , at least essentially does not deform under normal operation conditions. Preferably, the housing is made from metal, more preferably steel and/or from a fibre, preferably glass-fibre reinforced plastic material. The width of the food mass feed member  1  is at least essentially equal to the length of the drum  11 . The member  1  comprises a feed channel  10 , through which a food mass starting material is pumped into the cavities  12  of the drum. The feed channel  10  comprises in the present case a manifold  3 , which has here a rectangular cross section. In the present case, the manifold  3  presses against a sealing member  7 , here a sealing plate which is in direct contact with outer surface of the drum  11 . The manifold  3  is pressed against the sealing plate  7  by pressure means  21  the sealing plate  7  seals the food mass feed member  1  against the drum, in order to avoid leakage between the food mass feed member  1  and the drum  11 . The sealing plate  7  extends upstream and downstream from the feed channel  10 . The sealing member  7  can be made from a single- or more piece(s). Preferably, the sealing member  7  is a flexible, preferably thin, more preferably preformed plate, that extends over the entire axial extension of the drum and which is pressed against the outer surface of the drum to avoid leakage of food particles and/or food-juice. The pressure of the manifold  3  and/or the sealing plate(s)  7  against the drum  11  should be as low as possible; e.g. just high enough to control leakage to a desired amount. Each sealing plate  7  can be made from an abrasion-resistant material or can comprise an abrasion resistant coating. In the present case, each sealing plate  7  is connected to the manifold  3 . Due to the flexibility of the sealing plate, the sealing plate is at least partially always in contact with the circumferential surface of the drum, which reduces leakages. In order to further increase the contact area between the sealing plate  7  and/or the manifold  3  and the circumferential surface of the drum, the food mass feed member  1  comprises pressure means  20 ,  21 , here rows of pressure cylinders. 
     Preferably, the inventive apparatus comprises cutting means  9 , to cut of meat mass that extends over the outer circumference of the drum. The cutting means can be pressed against the drum by pressure means  22 , for example a hose that extends here through the manifold and whose diameter can be changed by changing pressure in hose. 
     The downstream sealing area  6  are designed such that it comprises no holding means, i.e. the length of the sealing member  7  is designed such that the product cavities  12  in drum  11  are exposed to ambient pressure immediately after their filling is completed. 
       FIG. 2  shows the inventive sealing plate  7 . This sealing plate comprises a first end  7 . 2 , which is provided upstream from the feed channel  10  and a second end  7 . 3  which is provided downstream from the filling channel, relative to a drum, which rotates counter-clockwise. Both ends  7 . 2 ,  7 . 3  are provided in parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum.  FIGS. 2 a - d  and  g    show a sealing plate  7  with an inner surface  7 . 1  that sealingly cooperates with the outer circumference of the drum  11 . In the present case, the sealing plate comprises recesses  13  at its second end, i.e. downstream, from the filling channel. Each recess is aligned with the product cavities that pass underneath the recess. The shape of the recess partially corresponds to the shape, dimension and axial position of the product cavity. In the present case, the product cavity is a circle and the recess a segment of a circle with preferably the same radius as the radius of the product cavity. Between two recesses  13  is a convexity  16 , here a wedge shaped convexity. 
       FIG. 2 c    and  FIG. 2 d    show sequence of the position of a product cavity relative to a recess  13 , as the product cavity rotates past the recess. In  FIG. 2 d   , the product cavity is completely open. However due to the convexity  17  between two recesses, the area between two product cavities is still partially in sealing connection with the surface of the drum, so that no product can leak out between two cavities. 
     However, the outer surface of the drum can be contaminated with fat and/or (mass) particles due to leakage in circumferential direction of the drum for example due to insufficient sealing between the sealing plate  7  and the surface of the drum  11 . Such contaminations can be removed with recesses  14  at the first end  7 . 2  upstream from the feed channel  10  as depicted in  FIGS. 2 h -2 l   . Preferably, the shape of the recesses  14  at least partially coincides with the shape of the product cavities. The recesses  14  are preferably aligned with the product cavities that pass underneath. Each convexity  16 , here wedge-shaped, resulting from two recesses  14 , respectively, guides food mass on the surface of the food forming drum into or towards a product cavity  12 , as can be seen from  FIGS. 2 h  and 2 i   . Preferably, the tip  17 . 1  is sloped towards the adjacent recesses to guide food product from the tip  17 . 1  of the convexity  17  towards the product cavities, as can be seen from  FIG. 2 h   . Food mass on the surface of the drum, for example fat/particles on the drum surface, will be directed towards the passing empty product cavities by the convexity  16 , here a wedge  16 . Food mass between two adjacent cavities in a row will also be scraped/guide and directed into a passing empty cavity if the seal plate is provided with a profiled section at its first end  7 . 2 . The combination of a convexity  16 , here a wedge  16 , provided between two recesses  14 , will assure that the entire drum surface will be cleaned particularly at spots without cavities. 
     Reference now is made to  FIGS. 2 j -2 l   . The food mass feed member  1  is at the upstream sealing area  7 . 2  is provided with a negative angle  15 . This negative angle can be part of housing  2  as depicted in the  FIGS. 2 e  and 2 f  and 2 j -2 l    and/or part of the stabilization block  8  and/or the sealing plate  7 . When the drum surface is provided with a layer of food material, for example fat and/or particles this material will during counter-clockwise rotation of the drum move into the wedge created by this negative angle  15  and forced in the direction of the product cavities which will pass underneath the wedge during rotation of the drum. An additional advantage of a seal plate with recesses is a reduced friction surface between seal plate and outer surface drum which will result in less force on the drum and bearings. 
     In case the venting of the porous cavities during filling is insufficient, the dimension and/or shape of the sealing plate particularly in the upstream sealing area can be changed. 
     By decreasing the sealed length in circumferential direction of the drum, such the sealed length is smaller than the length of a product cavity in circumferential direction of the drum, there is a direct connection between the feed channel  10  and the ambient. 
     The minimum sealed length to be used to prevent leakage of the food mass, depends mainly on the food mass to be processed and/or the speed of rotation of the drum and should be as short as possible. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3  Beside that the outer surface of the drum can be contaminated with fat and/or (mass) particles due to leakage along an eventually used cutting member and the seal plate, leakage can also occur between the seal plate and the outer surface of the drum at the head ends of the manifold, see arrow I in  FIG. 3 , for example in case the pressure setting in this sealing area is not sufficient. Food mass leakage which sticks to the outer surface of the drum will be transported by the rotation of the drum in the direction of arrow II and will be caught and/or scraped into recess  14  at the first, upstream end of the sealing plate  7 . The convexities  16  guide the food mass towards the center of the drum. In a more preferred embodiment recess  14  is partially ellipse-shaped. 
       FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the inventive sealing member and/or the inventive food forming apparatus. In the present case, the sealing member comprises a guiding element  18 , here a ring element  18 , each partially covering a front end of the drum. The guiding element hinders food mass from leaking out of the side areas of the sealing member between the first- and the second end. In the present case, the ring extends over the circumference of the entire drum and will direct food mass, for example fat and/or particles back into a passing cavity. This ring element does not necessarily have to extend 360° and can be a separate part but also part of the forming apparatus  4 , particularly part of one of the covers which will be used to cover the front ends of the drum during production. 
     WO2013014010, which is herewith enclosed by reference and thus part of the disclosure of the present patent application. This reference describes in detail the inventive food forming apparatus, particularly the food forming member, e.g., the food forming drum.  FIG. 5  essentially shows the food forming apparatus according to  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    which is provided with a recess in manifold  3  which is provided with cutting member  9  and a pressure means  22 , for example an expandable hose, which presses the cutting member against the drum and this assures a clean cut of the food mass above the product cavity as they pass by the cutting member due to the rotation of the drum. 
       FIG. 6  shows the sealing member here the sealing plate  7  also comprises a recesses  23 . This recess  23  accommodates the cutting member  9 . 
     In the embodiment according to  FIG. 7 , the sealing member  7 , here the sealing plate  7 , will be pressed against the outer surface of the drum by the pressure member  21 , for example a pressure cylinder, which presses the manifold against the drum. The sealing member  7  is provided with a cutting edge  24  and during rotation of the drum, the food mass pressed into product cavities  2  will be cut off at the circumference of the drum by cutting line  24 . The cutting action can be improved by providing the sealing plate  7  with multiple cutting edges  24  for example a toothed profile as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
     In  FIG. 9  the sealing member  7  is provided with a recess wherein a cutting member  9  can be positioned which can be provided with the same radius as the outer circumference of the drum or with a deviant form to improve the cutting action. 
       FIG. 10  shows an alternative of pressing the cutting member  9  again the drum. In comparison to the pressure means according to  FIG. 5 , here the pressure means  22  are in direct contact with the cutting member  9  and will not influence the pressure that is exerted on the sealing plate  7  by the manifold. 
       FIG. 11  shows the embodiment of  FIGS. 7, 8 and 9  however pressure means  22  are positioned outside manifold  3 . 
     WO2013014010 also describes a cutting member  9  which can be attached to the sealing member, here a sealing plate, by a form-, force- and/or friction-connection, e.g. by means of screws, a snap connection and/or other bonding means and can be made from, preferably reinforced plastic, but is, due to the high cutting forces, preferably made from a more wear resistant material without damaging the outer surface of the rotating drum. Additionally, the friction coefficient between outer drum surface and seal plate should be low. WO2013014010 describes further a plastic material which can be provided with small metal particles. In case pieces of the plastic cutting member break off and will end off in the formed food products, these plastic pieces can easily be found by checking the formed products with a metal scanner. Due to food safety all used materials have to be FDA approved. 
     Nano particles can also be integrated into the plastic material to improve its detectability in the resulting food product and/or to increase its strength. 
     In all embodiments the cutting member should always be in contact with the outer surface of the drum and/or pressed against the drum and the design of the pressure means and/or cutting member should be such that in case of deformation of the drum the cutting member will follow the deformation. The drum functions as a sheer-edge. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           1  food mass feed member 
           2  housing 
           3  manifold 
           4  forming apparatus 
           5  upstream sealing area 
           6  downstream sealing area 
           7  sealing member, seal plate, flexible plate 
           7 . 1  surface of the sealing member 
           7 . 2  first end of the sealing plate, upstream end of the sealing plate 
           7 . 3  second end of the sealing plate, downstream end of the sealing plate 
           8  stabilization block 
           9  cutting member 
           10  feed channel 
           11  food forming member, drum 
           12  product cavities 
           13  recess in downstream sealing area 
           14  recess in upstream sealing area 
           15  thickness, reduced thickness, negative angle at the sealing member  7   
           16  wedge in recess upstream sealing area 
           17  convexity, wedge shaped convexity 
           17 . 1  tip of the convexity, tip of the wedge shaped convexity 
           18  guiding element, ring element/curved guide 
           20  pressure means sealing member 
           21  pressure means manifold 
           22  pressure means cutting member 
           23  recess in seal plate for cutting member 
           24  cutting member, cutting line, cutting edges