Abstract:
The invention relates to arrangements comprising combinations of: a mincer providing a stream of minced meat (V); conveying means with an endless band (T) for transporting the stream (V), exiting from said mincer; and, arranged along said conveyor means (T): means for cutting the stream (V) into portions (P) and means for lateral shaping (/), acting simultaneously on both sides of the stream (V) to shape the contour of the portions (P).

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/FR02/02105, filed Jun. 19, 2002. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to devices for shaping portions of minced meat which can have various shapes, concerning for example reconstituted steaks, standard hamburger steaks, meatballs etc. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   Nowadays, industrially made products of this type are essentially minced meat steaks. During manufacture, the meat issuing from the mincing machine is stored in a hopper, and taken from the bottom of the latter to be introduced under pressure into a chamber with a shaping tray as a base. Since the pressure required for shaping has to be high, the forces acting on the meat in a haphazard manner are very detrimental to the internal structure of the latter. The result is steaks with compact texture, more or less granular, and dry because they have released a lot of exudates. 
   These products are therefore mediocre in quality, compared to minced steaks prepared in the quality, compared to minced steaks prepared in the traditional way, where the meat exiting from the grid of the mincing machine in threads called “angel hairs” has only been slightly compacted without damaging this thread structure, so well that it retains a relatively light and soft texture together with a maximum of flavor. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention has been designed for industrial production of high quality minced meat steaks comparable to those of minced meat steaks prepared in the traditional way. 
   The invention is also aimed at industrial production of portions of minced meat of shapes different from those of minced meat steaks, such as meatballs, for example. 
   Another aim within the scope of the invention is to enable production of portions of minced meat of various shapes with a single machine, needing only practical and quick operational modifications to pass from one shape to another. 
   The invention consists of a device for manufacturing shaped portions of minced meat, such as steaks or meatballs, characterised in that it comprises:
         a mincing machine providing a stream of minced meat, said stream of minced meat having a size determined in function of the portions to be produced;   conveying means with an endless belt, for transporting said stream of minced meat exiting from said mincing machine,   means for cutting said stream of minced meat into portions; and   lateral shaping means acting simultaneously on both sides of said stream of minced meat to shape the contour of said portions.       

   In order to apply minced steak type shaping of portions, the device furthermore includes vertical shaping means co-operating with said lateral shaping means to give the portions the chosen thickness. 
   Since the stream of minced meat is shaped slightly wider and thicker than the final products, the shaping only involves forces that all act closely perpendicular to the orientation of the threads of meat exiting from the meat-mincing machine. This means that the shaping essentially has only a moderate compacting effect rather than a crushing effect, and does not break the thread structure of the meat and which therefore seems very close to the traditional shaping method while still maintaining all the advantages. 
   Said means for cutting said stream of minced meat into portions can be set upstream said shaping means, consisting for example of a passage for said stream of minced meat formed by two endless belts with superposed transversal cleats, that approach each other vertically from upstream to downstream, in such a way that said cleats tighten progressively two by two on said stream of minced meat by pinching it until it is cut. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cutting into portions of said stream is carried out at the same time as shaping. 
   According to the invention, said lateral shaping means can be indented or recessed blocks advancing symmetrically on each side and immediately above a transporting belt for shaping, being part of said transporting means of said stream of minced meat, so that from upstream to downstream they approach each other in order to touch and with their indents or recesses form shaping cavities with said transporting belt. If the device also comprises said vertical shaping means, the latter can then be pushers above said shaping transporting belt, between said lateral shaping blocks, advancing with them in a synchronised way. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, said lateral shaping blocks are mounted on first and second endless loop arrangements set horizontally and symmetrically on each side of said transporting shaping belt and advancing with it in a synchronised way. If pushers are provided to co-operate with said lateral shaping blocks, they can then be mounted on a third endless loop arrangement set above said shaping transporting belt and between said first and second endless loop arrangements, and advancing with them in a synchronised way. 
   In a variant of an embodiment according to the invention, said lateral shaping blocks, possibly with said pushers, are mounted in an identical endless loop arrangement set above said shaping transporting belt, said endless loop arrangement comprising two identical lateral endless chains in parallel carrying transversal runners upon which said lateral shaping blocks are mounted in a sliding manner. In this variant, said lateral shaping blocks can have a central indent or recess in order to co-operate two by two, but in a preferred embodiment they each have two indents or recesses on either side of a part with central separation, in such a way that the shaping cavities are each formed between two consecutive facing pairs of lateral shaping blocks, said stream of minced meat then being able to be cut into portions during shaping, by the sliding runners of said lateral shaping blocks. 
   Advantageously, according to another characteristic of the invention, said pushers constituting the vertical shaping means have a supplementary run to evacuate the portions positively after shaping. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These characteristics and advantages of the invention, together with others, will be understood more clearly from the following description and the attached drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic side view of a first form of embodiment of a device according to the invention for producing minced meat steaks; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic top view of part of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic side view of a second form of embodiment of the device according to the invention, for producing steaks of minced meat; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic top view partly representing the device of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic side view of another form of preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention for producing steaks of minced meat; 
       FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic side view representing, on an enlarged scale, an essential part of the device of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a partial diagrammatic view from above of the part of the device shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, on an enlarged scale, representing partially and in more detail, the part of  FIGS. 6 and 7  that is a shaping assembly. 
       FIGS. 9   a  to  9   d  are diagrammatic views showing the different movements of the pushers of the device in  FIGS. 5 to 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic view in perspective, in operational position, of a shaping assembly similar to that of  FIG. 8 , but intended for the production of meatballs; and 
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are two other diagrammatic views in perspective of the same shaping assembly as  FIG. 8 , respectively in two other operational positions. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The devices according to the invention are intended to be placed in alignment after the mincing machine, not shown, producing a stream of minced meat V of predefined size and having a thread structure created by the exit grid. In all the embodiments according to the invention, they comprise transporting means T for the stream of meat V, advancing them according to the output rate and consisting of a succession of endless belts including one, reference  11 , on which the shaping of portions P is carried out which, afterwards, are loaded simply by gravity into packing trays B passing onto a lower conveyor belt  13 . 
   In the first two forms of embodiments according to the invention, respectively  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the transporting means for the stream of meat V comprise, upstream the shaping transporting belt  11 , a section of cutting-out into portions P, consisting of two endless belts with transversal cleats  10   a  and  10   b , superposed to define a passage contracting vertically from upstream to downstream, and synchronised in such a way that said cleats pass facing each other two by two to tighten progressively on the stream V by pinching it until it is cut. 
   Because of a difference between the passing speeds of the endless belts with cleats  10   a  and  10   b , and the shaping transporting belt  11 , a defined spacing is created between the portions P. 
   The shaping means associated with the belt  11  in the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  comprise lateral shaping blocks  5  which advance symmetrically, sliding on each side of the belt  11 . The blocks  5  are made of a material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) and mounted side by side one after the other in two identical arrangements in endless loop  2 A and  2 B set horizontally (meaning with the axes of their return means vertical) on both sides of the shaping transporting belt  11  with which they advance perfectly synchronised. The blocks  5  have deep indents  50  directed outwards in their respective endless loop arrangement, so that when they coincide two by two opposite each other on the belt  11  define shaping cavities together with it. These are closed along a certain length in the median part of the arrangements  2 A and  2 B, where their facing sides advance longitudinally and in parallel, having converged after the return means upstream and before diverging at the return means downstream. From upstream to downstream, the lateral shaping blocks  5  advancing facing each other progressively approach with a portion P, to enclose it in the cavity they will make, and then they separate again. 
   In co-operation with the lateral shaping blocks  5 , pushers  6 , shown only in  FIG. 1 , arrive to close said cavities from above when they are formed, then descend in them in two separate actions, first for carrying out the required compacting of portions P, and then for transferring them positively to a lower level on a transporting belt  12  following after the shaping transporting belt  11 , and ensuring that they are loaded into the packing trays B. 
   The pushers  6  are mounted in an endless loop arrangement  2 C set vertically (meaning with the return means centered horizontally) above the shaping transporting belt  11 , between the endless loop arrangements  2 A and  2 B and synchronised with them. They comprise a pusher plate  62  at the end of a strut  61  sliding in a base  60  mounted integrally with the endless loop. The sliding movements of the strut  61  are controlled by a cam for the rollers  63  at the end of the latter, said cam consisting of a guide-way  21  following the advancing loop internally. 
   The device in  FIGS. 3 and 4  differs from the one just describe essentially through the layout of its means, but it operates in the same way. Here, the lateral shaping blocks  5  and the pushers  6  are mounted in the same endless loop arrangement  3  set vertically (meaning with its return means centered horizontally) above the shaping transporting belt  11 . The endless loop arrangement  3  comprises two identical lateral endless chains in parallel  30 , that carry double transversal runners  31  on which the lateral shaping blocks  5  slide two by two facing each other, their movement being controlled by lateral rails  32 , as shown diagrammatically in  FIG. 4 . As for the pushers  6 , they have a base  60  mounted on supports fixed to the runners  31  and which, for better understanding of the drawings are not shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The pushers  6  are controlled as in the preceding example by a guide  33  following their advancing loop internally. 
   In this second example, the pushers  6  have a function limited to shaping the portions P. After shaping, the cavities open and free the portions P which remain in place on the shaping transporting belt  11 , that carries them on its own as far as the packing trays B. 
   The two embodiments described above, according to their principle and in their operation, can be used for shaping the portions of meat P into shapes other than steaks, for example meatballs. It suffices to replace the lateral blocks  5  by other blocks which, instead of indents  7 , are provided with recesses which, when the two blocks come face to face, form a completely closed cavity above the transporting belt  11 . The pushers  6  then have no more use for shaping, and are thus superfluous. 
   In the preferred embodiment according to the invention shown in  FIGS. 5 to 9 , the cutting of the stream of minced meat V into portions P is carried out at the same time and by the same means as the shaping. As in the preceding example in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , this device comprises a single arrangement in an endless loop  4 , mounted in the same way above the shaping transporting belt  11 . 
   The arrangement  4  comprises two identical chains  40  set in parallel, on the links of which are fixed adjacent one after the other endplates  41 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The endplates  41  carry two by two a shaping assembly comprising a transversal runner  42  and, above this, a transversal support beam  43 . Preferably, and as shown in  FIG. 8 , the runners  42  are flat bars set according to their width perpendicular to the chains  40 , and can be inserted and blocked in open fixation slits on the side opposite the beam  43  to allow quick mounting/dismantling. 
   In this case the lateral shaping blocks  7  have the particularity of being mounted sliding and straddled, opposite each other two by two, on a runner  42 , by a slit  72  in their lower wall, and of being symmetrical relative to the plane of the latter. They have a median point  70  directed inwards, and edged on each side by two identical indents  71 , in such a way that a shaping cavity will be formed not only by two but by four shaping blocks, meaning two successive pairs of blocks  7  facing each other. Each block  7  and its immediate neighbours on the same side are jointed so as to form cavities by vertical faces  73  before and after prolonging their indents  71  outwards, the faces  73  inclining upwards in  73   a  starting from a certain height to allow passage around the end returns. As in the preceding examples, the transversal movements of the blocks  7  are controlled by guide rails  44 , enclosed by a pair of fingers  74  of the blocks  7  crossing a passageway slit  43   a  set in the beams  43 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The blocks  7  are held in place on their respective runner  42  by the beam  43 . Their base coincides with the lower edge of the runners  42 , in such a way that the latter arrive on a level with the shaping transporting belt  11  and proceed to the cutting of the minced meat stream V into portions. 
   Apart from ensuring the maintenance of the blocks  7  straddling their runner  42 , the beams  43  act as support for the pushers  8  that have their base  80  bracket-mounted in front of or behind the latter. As in the preceding examples, the pushers  8  comprise pushing plates  82  at the end of the struts  81  sliding in the base  80 , and whose distal ends, with the aid of a transversal axle  83 , support rollers, not shown, co-operating with a guide-way  45  to control the movements. It is to be noted that in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the segment  45   a  of the guide-way corresponding to the shaping section is shown as adjustable, to enable modification of the pressing run of the pushers  8  depending on requirements. 
   During operation, when the blocks  7  arrive in contact with the shaping transporting belt  11 , together with their runner  42 , the latter carries out a cut of the stream of meat V, to be completed by the facing blocks  7  when their points  70  come together. 
   Here, as in the first example, the pushers  8  ensure a positive transfer, after shaping, of the portions P on a band  12  whose entry is below the exit from the shaping band  11 . The various operational positions of the pushers  8  are shown diagrammatically in  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c . For example, the pushers  8  are shown in a lifted position in  FIG. 9   a , in a position at the end of pressing in  FIG. 9   b , in a position after evacuation of the portions in  FIG. 9   c , and upon return to the lifted position in  FIG. 9   d.    
     FIGS. 10 to 12  show shaping assemblies for a device of the same type as that in  FIGS. 5 to 9 , where the cutting of the stream of meat into portions is also ensured at the same time and by the same means as the shaping, and where a single endless loop arrangement is mounted in the same way above the shaping transporting belt. But instead of minced steaks, this device serves to produce balls of minced meat. 
   As in the preceding example, the single endless belt arrangement comprises two identical chains in parallel and mounting end plates, homologous respectively to the chains  40  and the end plates  41  shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , and fitted in the same way. 
   And a transversal runner  42 ′ and, above it, a transversal support beam  43 ′, are carried by each pair of end plates opposite each other, exactly in the same way as shown in  FIG. 8  for the runner  42  and the beam  43 . 
   The lateral shaping blocks  9  are mounted sliding, straddling and facing two by two on each runner  42 ′, by means of a median slit  92  in their sliding plane lower wall on the shaping transporting belt. On both sides of the slit  92 , they are double, in other words a meatball will be formed on each side of the runner  42 ′ inserted in the slit  92 . In order to achieve this, in their inward looking face  9   a  and on each side of the slit  92 , the blocks  9  have a recess substantially hemispherical in shape  91 . It can be seen that in the advancing direction, the recess  91  has a dimension or diameter such that it comes as close as possible to the plane of the slit  92  and, on the other hand, as close as possible also to the end wall  9   b.    
   Furthermore, it can be seen in the drawing that each block  9  has, overhanging a recess  91 , an overlap part  93 , and above its other recess, a cut-out defining an external surface  94  complementary to the internal surface  93   a  of the overlap part  93 , allowing interlocking with sliding contact between these two surfaces when the two blocks  9  approach each other, as shown in  FIG. 11 . The advantage of such a design for the blocks  9  with, in each, an overlap part  93  and, on the other side of the slit  92 , a complementary cut-out part  94 , is that the totality of the blocks of the device are strictly identical. 
   It can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 12  that the face  9   a  of the blocks  9  is slightly chamfered on each side of the recess  91 , providing protrusion for the front and back external edges  9   c  at the level where contact is established between the opposite blocks. It follows that the lower half of each cavity formed when the two recesses join together remains in communication on each side with an interstitial space in which excess meat can flow without detaching from the body of the meatball to be shaped, which reduces the volume of rejects and clogging. Furthermore, it is to be noted that advantageously a slight indent  91   a  is formed at the level of the lower pole position of each recess  91 . 
   The blocks  9  comprise, above, a pair of fingers  95  participating in their control when in transversal movement on the runner  42 ′ by co-operating with a guide rail passing in the gap they define. In the example of an embodiment shown, the fingers  95  slide along the extended indents  43 ′ a  in the beam  43 ′. 
   In the same way, another finger  105  controls the movement of cups  100  constituting the base of the recesses  91  when they are in the return position of  FIG. 10 . The cups  100  are supported at the end of struts  101  mounted sliding in blocks  9 . Unlike the cups  100 , the struts  101  are integral in each block  9  with a common crosshead  102  also engaged straddling the runner  42 ′, by a slit  103 . The crossheads  102  comprise a second guide strut  104  engaged in bores provided for this purpose in the upper part of the blocks  9 . 
   The cups  100  have the function of maintaining the shaped meatballs in a centred position when the cavities are opened, in other words when the opposing blocks  9  separate below the shaping zone, as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   As in the preceding example, the runner  42 ′ is advantageously provided for ensuring the cutting of the stream of meat into portions, but here it is a matter of double portions to be processed into not one but two meatballs during shaping. The division of the portions into two is ensured by the points formed by the edges  9   c  of successive adjacent blocks that are perfectly jointed above the transporting belt in the shaping zone. 
   By comparing the shaping assemblies shown respectively in  FIG. 8  and  FIGS. 10 to 12 , it can be seen that it would be simple to design them to be easily interchangeable within a single device. 
   From the above, it is evident that such a device can be adapted to producing tri-dimensional shapes other than a spherical shape, shapes that can be more complex. Furthermore, the invention provides interesting possibilities even for the constitution of products that can be defined at the stage of formation of the stream of meat, produced for example with a core of stuffing, garnish or sauce.