Patent EA-002790-B1 (EA)
Title: Method for preparing restructured meat having a foliate structure
Inventor: FRADIN MAURICE
IPC: A23L13/60
Filed: 1999-07-20
Abstract: 1. A method for preparing restructured meat, comprising the following successive steps: breaking down a muscle into chunks, preferably warm ( before rigor mortis), forming blocks in a mould from said chunks whereof the surface has been first chilled, slicing the block along a direction perpendicular to their length to obtain superfine films, a thickness not exceeding a few tenth of mm, restructuring the meat into one piece by assembling the superfine films in a step of non destructive forming of foliate structure, characterized in that superfine films have a surface area exceeding 10cm<2>. 2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the chunks obtained after the step of breaking down are in the form of slices having a surface area changing between 5 to 500cm<2> and a thickness between 5 to 30mm. 3. The method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the blocks are formed in a mould (4), in which broken down meat pieces are compacted in a press (41). 4. The method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the broken down meat pieces are introduced in the mould (4) such that meat slices are disposed horizontally close to each other and perpendicular to the axis of a piston displacement. 5. The method according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the blocks are cut into thin slices parallel to their main surface. 6. The method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cut is effected by a rotatable disc performing a translation circular movement through the block, being rigidly connected to a rotating round plate, wherein the disc rotates in the direction opposite to the direction of the plate rotation. 7. The method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that after the step of cutting slices fall onto a hopper (T), the bottom of which is formed by a first port (P1), which regulates an input to a screen (S) where vacuum is sequentially created, wherein the output of the screen is regulated by a second port (P2) which provides an access to a vacuum forming device (9). 8. The method according to Claim 7, characterized in that the ports (P1, P2) are controlled alternately, so that vacuum is created only when the input port (P1) is closed and the output port (P2) is open. 9. The method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the step of forming is performed in an extruder provided with at least one helical screw (20, 21). 10. The method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the extruder has two helical screws (20, 21) arranged parallel and spaced from each other at such a distance that the screws are fit in cylinders and which are practically adjacent to each other, wherein screw helixes are directed in an opposite direction. 11. The method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that if the restructured meat is used as a fresh product, the chunks, forming blocks, are chilled by mechanical chilling means and that if the restructured meat is frozen said chilling is achieved by using an artificial ice from carbon dioxide.