Patent Publication Number: US-2011052765-A1

Title: Marinade injector

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
     The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 61/238,460 filed Aug. 31, 2009, and to U.S. Provisional Application 61/328,470 filed Apr. 27, 2010 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a system and a method for injecting an injection substance into a plurality of food products. More specifically the present disclosure relates to a system and a method for controlling the injection of an injection substance into a plurality of food products on a conveyor with reduced damage to the food products and reduced injection substance loss. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     A marinade is a solution which food products are generally soaked in prior to cooking Marinades generally consist of a mixture of liquid ingredients, such as water, oil, or wine, and solid ingredients such as spices, herbs, or seasoning. Marinating food products serves multiple functions including increasing flavor, protecting the food product during the cooking process, and tenderizing the food product. Marinades also may serve to hold in moisture in food products, prior to cooking, and serve to reduce moisture loss during the cooking process. 
     Although the process of marinating food products is generally thought to consist of a process by which food products are soaked in a marinade, achieving the desired results from marinating a food product may be furthered by creating direct contact between the marinade and internal portions of the food product. Thus, the process of marinating a food product may also be accomplished, by injecting a marinade solution directly into a food product. The food processing industry currently employs the process of injecting marinade into many food products such as meat, poultry, and fish. 
     The process of injecting a marinade into food products, however, presents certain issues for the food industry with regards to efficiency and damage to the food products. Further, because marinades generally consist of both liquid and solid state ingredients, issues associated with the marinade and equipment used in the mass marinade injection process exist. For example, it is not uncommon for the solid ingredients of the marinade to clog the injector devices of a marinade injector machine. Additionally, the liquid and solid ingredients of the marinade, when used under the conditions presented in mass production injector machines, may react in a manner which causes the marinade ingredients to separate, degrade, or form chemical bonds in which the physical state changes to form emulsifications or mixtures. 
     Issues associated with injection marinating of food products present various problems for the food production industry, including down-time for injector machine equipment, the loss of marinade ingredients, the destruction of food products, creation of puncture holes in the food product, inability to control the amount of marinade injected into the product, and the need for timely and costly repairs to equipment. As a result of these and other potential issues, there exists a need for a system and a method by which food products on a mass production scale can be injected with various forms of marinade in a manner that does not damage the food product, does not cause the marinade ingredients to separate or undergo undesirable physical state changes, and does not cause malfunctioning of the marinade injector machinery. Further, a system and method which allows for limiting the size of puncture holes in the food product and allows for control over the amount of marinade injected is desired. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure involves a system and a method for injecting an injectable substance, such as a marinade, into an object or a plurality of objects, such as food products. 
     According to one embodiment, an injector device is provided comprising an injector for injecting a substance into an object; and a controller mechanism capable of detecting the location of an object to be injected, selectively isolating pressure from the substance to be injected based upon the detected location of the object to be injected, and preventing movement of the object to be injected based upon the detected location of the object to be injected. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, an injector device is provided comprising an injector for injecting a substance into a foodstuff, the injector including at least one injection conveyance; a first sensor for determining the location of the injection conveyance relative to an object to be injected, wherein the first sensor emits a signal that controls the supply of injection pressure to the injection conveyance and selectively isolates the injection conveyance from the injection pressure based upon the detected location of the injection conveyance; and a second sensor for detecting the location of the injection conveyance, wherein the second sensor emits a signal that controls the movement of the object to be injected and selectively prevents the movement of the object to be injected based upon the detected location of the injection conveyance. 
     According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for injecting an injection substance into a plurality of food objects is provided. The system comprising: a reservoir capable of holding the injection substance; a plurality of injectors for injecting the injection substance into a plurality of food objects; a pressure source capable of advancing the injection substance from the plurality of injectors into the plurality of food objects; a transport apparatus capable of moving the plurality of food objects from a first location to a second location; and a controller mechanism capable of detecting the location of the plurality of food objects, capable of selectively isolating the injection pressure from the substance to be injected, and capable of selectively preventing the movement of the plurality of objects to be injected. 
     According to yet another embodiment, a method for injecting a foodstuff with an injectable substance is provided. The method comprising the steps of placing an injectable substance into a reservoir; advancing the injectable substance from the reservoir to a plurality of injectors; positioning the foodstuff on a transportation apparatus capable of moving the foodstuff from a first location to a second location; electronically detecting the location of the foodstuff on the transportation apparatus; selectively preventing the transportation apparatus from moving the plurality of foodstuffs based upon the detected location of the injectors relative to the foodstuff; providing an injection pressure to a plurality of injectors based upon the detected location of the injectors relative to the foodstuff; and selectively isolating the injection pressure from the plurality of injectors based upon the detected location of the injectors relative to the foodstuff. 
     Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an injector system for injecting marinades into foodstuffs, shown with a portion of an outer housing cut-away; and 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an injector system for injecting marinades into foodstuffs, shown with a portion of an outer housing and an inner housing cut-away. 
     
    
    
     Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The embodiments of the disclosure described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to precise forms disclosed. Rather, the embodiments selected for description have been chosen to enable one skilled in the art to practice the disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , marinade injector  100  is illustrated as having reservoir  104 , conveyor apparatus  102 , pump  106 , transfer conduit  108 , puncturing apparatus  110 , and controller mechanism  112 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes an injection substance  114  within the reservoir  104  and a plurality of foodstuffs  116  positioned on the conveyor apparatus  102 . 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates reservoir  104  including receiving area  120 , overflow retainment area  124 , and output area  122  in communication with pump  106 . Communication between reservoir  104  and pump  106  is illustrated as comprising pipe  123 . 
     Pump  106  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  including intake area  130 , ejection area  132  in physical communication with transfer conduit  108 , motor  134 , and motor controller unit  136  having pressure sensing mechanism  128  for measuring the pressure of injection substance  114  at one or more of locations in marinade injector  100 . The illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 1  depicts pressure sensing mechanism  128  configured to sense the pressure of injection substance  114  at ejection area  132  of pump  106  and in channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  past filter  146 . However, alternate configurations of pressure sensing mechanism  128  are envisioned, for example embodiments of marinade injector  100  are envisioned in which pressure sensing mechanism  128  is configured to sense the pressure of injection substance  114  at valve  144 . Further, although the present embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  illustrates motor controller unit  136  as attached to, or part of pump  106 , alternate embodiments are envisioned in which motor controller unit  136 , while electrically coupled to pump  106 , is separate from pump  106 . 
       FIG. 1  further illustrates transfer conduit  108  as including outer enclosure  140 , valve  144 , and filter  146 . Outer enclosure  140  comprises one or more of a tube, hose, pipe, or canister, defining channel  142  by which injection substance  114  passes from pump  106  to puncturing apparatus  110 . As illustrated in the present embodiment, transfer conduit  108  includes valve  144 , capable of interrupting flow in channel  142  to fluidly isolate pump  106  from puncturing apparatus  110 . Valve  144  is shown as a normally closed air valve that, when activated, allows pressurized marinade to be provided to puncturing apparatus  110 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , filter  146  is illustratively positioned in channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  between pump  106  and valve  144 . In the present embodiment filter  146  comprises outer casing  148  and internal mesh surface  150 . Internal mesh surface  150  is positioned within channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  through which injection substance  114  passes. Although the illustrated embodiment depicts filter  146  as being positioned in channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  between pump  106  and valve  144 , alternate embodiments are envisioned. For example, it is envisioned that filter  146  may be positioned in the communication passage between reservoir  104  and pump  106  or filter  146  may be positioned as part of ejection area  132  of pump  106 , or alternatively filter  146  may be positioned in channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  between valve  144  and puncturing apparatus  110 . It is further envisioned that embodiments of marinade injector  100  may comprise more than one filter  146  in multiple positions. 
     Puncturing apparatus  110  is illustrated as having a plurality of injection conveyances  152 , injection substance receiving port  154 , and conveyance drive motor  156 . Although  FIG. 1  illustrates puncturing apparatus  110  as comprising a single row of injection conveyances  152 , it should be appreciated that puncturing apparatus  110  comprises a plurality of rows of injection conveyances  152  with each row containing a plurality of injection conveyances  152  (see  FIG. 2 ). Further, it is envisioned that the number of injection conveyances  152  may be adjustable based on foodstuffs  116  to be injected, the amount of injection substance  114  to be delivered, and to otherwise customize the delivery of injection substance  114 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , individual injection conveyances  152  are illustrated as having a loading region  151  and a puncturing region  153 . Although puncturing region  153  of injection conveyances  152  are illustrated in the form of a needle, it is envisioned that puncturing region  153  may take other forms capable of introducing injection substance  114  into foodstuffs  116 . Further, although  FIG. 2  depicts loading region  151  as being disposed within housing  157  internal to housing  159 , it is envisioned that loading region  151  may alternatively be either partially disposed or may not be disposed within housing  157  internal to housing  159 . Movement of plurality of injection conveyances  152  is effected by conveyance drive motor  156 . Conveyance drive motor  156  selectively raises and lowers the plurality of injection conveyances  152  as instructed by controller mechanism  112 . Operation of drive motor  156  is further described below with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 . 
     Conveyor apparatus  102  is illustrated in  FIG. 2  as having feed belt  170 , motor  172 , and brake  174 . Although the illustrated embodiment depicts conveyor apparatus  102  as completely disposed outside of housing  159 , it should be appreciated that conveyor apparatus  102  may be may be either partially or fully disposed within housing  159 . 
     Returning briefly to  FIG. 1 , feed belt  170  illustratively includes top surface  180 , bottom surface  182 , initiation location  184 , injection location  186 , and completion location  188 . Feed belt  170  is a hinging metal belt that provides many apertures (not shown) therein. The apertures allow any injection substance  114  not retained with foodstuffs  116  to travel through feed belt  170  and to be captured by overflow retainment area  124 . Retainment area  124  is illustratively a pan having an bottom surface that is inclined such that injection substance  114  retained thereby travels down the incline and returns to reservoir  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , motor  172  of conveyor apparatus  102  is illustrated as including gear box  176 . In the illustrated embodiment motor  172  is positioned between top surface  180  and bottom surface  182  of feed belt  170 . Brake  174  is illustrated as integral with motor  172 , however alternate positioning of brake  174  is envisioned in any position that permits brake  174  to affect movement of feed belt  170 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , controller mechanism  112  is illustrated including sensor  160 , controller coordination unit  162 , first proximity switch  164 , and second proximity switch  166 . 
     Sensor  160  is illustrated in  FIG. 1  as a light barrier, positioned near the junction of loading region  151  and puncturing region  153  of at least one of the plurality of injection conveyances  152 . In the illustrated embodiment, sensor  160  is positioned in such as a manner as to detect when foodstuffs  116  pass under the plurality of injection conveyances  152  and enter injection location  186 . Detection of foodstuffs  116  is communicated to controller coordination unit  162 . Although the embodiment of  FIG. 2  depicts sensor  160  as a light barrier, alternate embodiments of sensor  160  are envisioned. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates controller coordination unit  162  as adjacent to conveyance drive motor  156 , however it should be appreciated that controller coordination unit  162  can be positioned in any manner as long as controller coordination unit  162  is able to electrically couple to sensor  160 , first proximity switch  164 , and second proximity switch  166 . Controller coordination unit  162  is electrically coupled to first proximity switch  164 , second proximity switch  166 , valve  144 , motor  172 , and brake  174 . 
     First proximity switch  164  and second proximity switch  166  are positioned to be activated when the plurality of injection conveyances  152  descend towards injection location  186 . Activation of first proximity switch  164  and second proximity switch  166  send signals to controller coordination unit  162 . The location and settings of first proximity switch  164  and second proximity switch  166  can be adjusted to allow different amounts of travel by the plurality of injection conveyances  152  prior to sending an electrical indication to controller coordination unit  162 . 
     Having described the various portions of marinade injector  100 , the operation thereof will now be discussed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , injection substance  114  is introduced into reservoir  104  through receiving area  120 . The process of introducing injection substance  114  into reservoir  104  may be accomplished manually by a user or through an automated process. 
     According to one embodiment, once inside reservoir  104 , gravity feeds injection substance  114  through output area  122  of reservoir  104 . Other embodiments are envisioned where suction, rather than gravity, is used to drive injection substance  114  into pump  106 . Gravity feed is used for injection substances  114  containing high protein content, hydrophobic content, or components likely to separate from liquid components of injection substance  114 , in that gravity feeding provides a reduced likelihood of phase separation of the components of injection substance  114  relative to when suction is used. For injection substances  114  which have little to no risk of undergoing phase separation, suction feeding and gravity feeding are more readily interchangeable for aiding in the transfer of injection substance  114  from reservoir  104  to pump  106 . Furthermore, while circumstances have been described indicating when to use different feed mechanisms, all mechanisms are envisioned to be used with all injection substances  114  regardless of their likelihood of phase separation. 
     Injection substance  114  enters pump  106  at intake area  130 . After entering pump  106 , motor  134  facilitates the displacement of injection substance  114  through ejection area  132  and into channel  142  of transfer conduit  108 . 
     As injection substance  114  passes into channel  142  of transfer conduit  108 , it passes through internal mesh surface  150  of filter  146 . In the present embodiment, internal mesh surface  150  is comprised of stainless steel with apertures of specified sizes, for example 0.05 mm, in order to prevent material larger than the specified aperture size from passing through transfer conduit  108  and entering the plurality of injection conveyances  152 . 
     Motor controller unit  136  is used in maintaining the speed of motor  134  as it displaces injection substance  114  into channel  142  of transfer conduit  108 . In the illustrated embodiment, motor controller unit  136  is electrically coupled to pressure sensing mechanisms  128  positioned for sensing the pressure of injection substance  114  being displaced through ejection area  132  of pump  106  and for sensing the pressure of injection substance  114  displaced through filter  146 . A desired pressure can be entered into a control interface for motor controller unit  136 . Pressure sensing mechanisms  128  provide feedback to the control interface to allow motor controller unit  136  to be sped up or slowed down to enable motor controller unit  136  to facilitate and provide a substantially uniform pressure (the pressure chosen via the control interface) of injection substance  114  to the plurality of injection conveyances  152 . 
     Injection substance  114  having a high content of larger matter that is unable to pass through aperture sizes, defined by internal mesh surface  150  of filter  146 , may cause filter  146  to become clogged and slow the passage of injection substance  114  through filter  146 . Such clogging reduces the pressure of injection substance  114  displaced into channel  142  after passing through filter  146 . Pressure sensing mechanisms  128  detect this reduction in injection substance  114  pressure in channel  142  after filter  146  and, based on the pressure sensing mechanism  128  recognition, motor controller unit  136  may either automatically adjust motor  134  speed in order to increase the amount of injection substance  114  being displaced through ejection area  132  of pump  106 . Additionally, detection of a large pressure drop across filter  146  alerts an operator who can take manual corrective action such as replacing filter  146  or otherwise. 
     The embodiment in  FIG. 1  illustrates filter  146  as positioned within channel  142  of transfer conduit  108 , and thus pressure sensing mechanisms  128  are positioned between ejection area  132  of pump  106  and in channel  142  downstream of filter  146 . However, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which filter  146  and pressure sensing mechanisms  128  are positioned elsewhere. For example, an embodiment (not shown) utilizing suction to facilitate the feeding of injection substance  114  from reservoir  104  to pump  106  includes filter  146  positioned in the communication passage feeding injection substance  114  from reservoir  104  to pump  106 . When filter  146  is positioned in communication passage between reservoir  104  and pump  106 , pressure sensing mechanisms  128  are similarly moved. 
     As injection substance  114  is driven through channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  towards puncturing apparatus  110 , by pressure generated by pump  106 , injection substance  114  encounters valve  144 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , valve  144  is illustrated as integral with transfer conduit  108 . Valve  144  is further illustrated as a normally closed air operated valve  145  capable of closing off channel  142  of transfer conduit  108  and thus preventing injection substance  114  from entering the puncturing apparatus  110 . Although  FIG. 2  illustrates valve  144  as air operated valve  145 , it is envisioned that alternate forms of valve  144  known in the art would suffice to bar and/or restrict flow of injection substance  114 . Further, alternate embodiments are envisioned in which valve  144  is integral with puncturing apparatus  110  or is a separate entity in communication with both transfer conduit  108  and puncturing apparatus  110 . 
     Additionally, valve  144  is electrically coupled to controller mechanism  112 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the illustrated embodiment depicts first proximity switch  164  of controller mechanism  112  as electrically coupled to valve  144  and as integral with valve  144 . However, embodiments in which first proximity switch  164  is not integral with valve  144  are envisioned. 
     Foodstuffs  116  are positioned on top surface  180  of feed belt  170  at initiation position  184 . Foodstuffs  116  may be positioned on feed belt  170  either manually, as illustrated by  FIG. 1 , or through an automated loading process (not illustrated). Motor  172  drives feed belt  170 , transferring foodstuffs  116  from initiation location  184  to injection location  186  to completion location  188 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , as foodstuffs  116  pass from initiation location  184  to injection location  186 , foodstuffs  116  pass through light barrier of sensor  160  facilitating the detection of the presence of foodstuffs  116  near injection location  186  by sensor  160 . Upon detection of foodstuffs  116  at injection location  186 , sensor  160  generates and communicates an electronic signal to controller coordination unit  162 . Controller coordination unit  162  controls conveyance drive motor  156 . By controlling conveyance drive motor  156 , controller coordination unit  162  is able to determine the time between when foodstuff  116  is detected by sensor  160  and when foodstuff  116  will be located in injection location  186 . Controller coordination unit  162  further determines when conveyance drive motor  156  is initialized such that conveyances  152  properly engage plurality of foodstuffs  116  at injection location  186 . As conveyance drive motor  156  urges plurality of injection conveyances  152  downward, first proximity switch  164  and second proximity switch  166  detect when plurality of injection conveyances  152  has traveled the proper distance such that plurality of injection conveyances  152  engage plurality of foodstuffs  116 . First proximity switch  164  is activated before second proximity switch  166  is activated as conveyance drive motor  156  moves plurality of injection conveyances  152  downward. Activation of first proximity switch  164  and second proximity switch  166  send signals to controller coordination unit  162  of controller mechanism  112 . 
     Controller coordination unit  162  is in electronic communication with motor  172  and brake  174 . Upon electronic communication from first proximity switch  164 , controller coordination unit  162  generates and communicates an electronic signal to motor  172  and brake  174  to effect an operational change thereof. Motor  172  is stopped for the duration of receiving the signal from controller coordination unit  162 . Stoppage of motor  172  prevents movement of feed belt  170 . As previously noted, first proximity switch  164  is positioned to be engaged when plurality of injection conveyances  152  are engaging plurality of foodstuffs  116 . Thus, while the plurality of injection conveyances  152  are in foodstuffs  116 , motor  172 , feed belt  170 , and plurality of foodstuffs  116  are stationary. 
     Similarly, and shortly after activation of first proximity switch  164  and stoppage of motor  172 , feed belt  170 , and plurality of foodstuffs  116 , second proximity switch  166  is encountered and engaged by descending plurality of injection conveyances  152 . Upon receiving a signal from second proximity switch  166 , controller coordination unit  162  sends a signal to effect a state change in valve  144 . This state change takes valve  144  from its normally closed position to a position urging passage of injection substance  114  from channel  142  to puncturing apparatus  110 . Accordingly, once the plurality of injection conveyances  152  are within stationary foodstuffs  116 , injection substance  114  is injected therein. 
     After a pre-set time, or via other indication that an appropriate amount of injection substance  114  has been injected, controller coordination unit  162  emits a control signal to conveyance drive motor  156  instructing it to withdraw the plurality of injection conveyances  152 . Alternatively, drive motor  156  includes a constantly rotating take-off or camshaft where the speed of rotation of the motor is set to provide the appropriate amount of injection substance. Retraction of the plurality of injection conveyances  152  first results in deactivation of second proximity switch  166 . Deactivation of second proximity switch  166  is communicated to controller coordination unit  162  which causes a second state change in valve  144 , fluidly isolating injection substance  114  from puncturing apparatus  110 . Additionally, subsequent deactivation of first proximity switch  164  is communicated to controller coordination unit  162  which electronically communicates with motor  172  causing it to re-start movement of feed belt  170  and foodstuffs  116  thereon. It should be appreciated that these stoppages of movement and injection times are very short times, but can be adjusted to any desired lengths of time. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the deactivation of second proximity switch  166  provides that injection substance  114  ceases to be provided to plurality of injection conveyances  152  prior to plurality of injection conveyances  152  being fully removed from injection substance  114 . 
     The discontinuation of providing injection substance  114  to puncturing apparatus  110  prior to withdrawal of the plurality of injection conveyances  152  from foodstuffs  116  provides reduced loss of injection substance  114  due to that injection substance  114  is not being forcibly ejected from plurality of injection conveyances  152  while the plurality of injection conveyances  152  are outside of plurality of foodstuffs  116 . Accordingly, the embodiments described herein act to reduce loss of injection substance  114 . 
     Additionally, overflow retainment area  124  beneath conveyor apparatus  102  allows for recapture of injection substance  114  which may have not been injected into the foodstuffs  116 , have leaked from the plurality of injection conveyances  152 , or have leaked from the foodstuffs  116  and returns that injection substance  114  to reservoir  104 . Although not illustrated in  FIG. 1 , embodiments are envisioned where a filter mechanism is used in which any captured overflow injection substance  114  passes therethrough before reintroduction to reservoir  104 . Such a filtering mechanism reduces potential particles of foodstuffs  116  or other impurities from entering the reservoir  104 . 
     The present system is envisioned to perform the above identified method in a repeated fashion for a plurality of foodstuffs  116  positioned onto feed belt  170 . Upon foodstuffs  116  reaching completion location  188 , foodstuffs  116  are transferred from conveyor apparatus  102 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , driveshaft  190  of motor  156  is coupled to cam  192  to translate vertical motion  200 ,  202  to conveyance block  155  to which injection conveyances  152  are attached. Conveyance block  155  is coupled to linkages  194 ,  196 ,  198  such that conveyance block  155  and linkages  194 ,  196 ,  198  move as a single unit.  FIG. 3  shows the camshaft (driveshaft  190  and cam  192 ) in a top position. The top position provides a point of maximum elevation for conveyance block  155  that results in injection conveyances  152  being outside of any foodstuff  116 . The position of conveyance block  155  is dictated by the point of contact  206   a - c  between cam  192  and linkage  198 . Contact point  206   a  provides for placement of conveyance block  155  at the top position. When conveyance block  155  is in the top position, the lower edge  208  of conveyance block  155  is at height “A.” 
     Camshaft  190  &amp;  192  rotates counter-clockwise  204 , although moving clockwise would work just as well.  FIG. 4  shows camshaft  190  &amp;  192  after it has moved a quarter turn counter-clockwise  204  from the position shown in  FIG. 3 . The quarter turn results in downward movement  200  of the conveyance block  155  such that lower edge  208  is at height “B.” Height B is below the height at which injection conveyances  152  engage foodstuffs  116 . Indeed, injection conveyances  152  engage foodstuffs  116  before reaching the point shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  shows camshaft  190  &amp;  192  after it has moved a quarter turn counter-clockwise  204  from the position shown in  FIG. 4 , or a half turn from the position of  FIG. 3 . The position of  FIG. 5  shows the low point of travel for conveyance block  155 . Lower edge  208  is at height “C” at the low point shown in  FIG. 5 . It should be appreciated that height C is lower than height B and thus, injection conveyances  152  engage foodstuffs  116  at the low point and at all points between those shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 . It should also be appreciated that the difference between height A and height B is significantly greater than the difference in height between height A and height B. Accordingly, the majority of vertical travel occurs when the point of contact  206  and the longer end of cam  192  is in the upper half of its circular travel. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that this setup provides for a greater dwell time, the time that injection conveyances  152  remain in foodstuff  116 , during a complete revolution of driveshaft  190 . Additionally, the setup provides for slower travel of injection conveyances  152  while in foodstuffs  116  and increased movement speed of injection conveyances  152  when injection conveyances  152  are outside of foodstuffs  116 . 
     A further counter-clockwise quarter turn (not shown) of camshaft  190  &amp;  192  from the position shown in  FIG. 5  results in conveyance block  155  moving upwards  200  to place lower edge  208  at height B. Yet another counter-clockwise quarter turn (not shown) of camshaft  190  &amp;  192  returns camshaft  190  &amp;  192  to the position shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     While this disclosure has been described as having an exemplary design, the present disclosure may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.