Food press

Claim 2

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a stationary die supporting surface; means forming a lower die supported by said surface and having an upwardly facing elongated channel with spaced planar inwardly facing side surface portions; a movable die carrier on said support; an upper die secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable between said inwardly facing side surface portions with a substantial clearance gap therebetween to form with the lower die-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectional shape; means to move said movable die carrier between a first position in which said upper die is spaced from said lower die-forming means; and a second position in which said upper die is at least partly received in said lower die-forming means with the lower side of the part thereof within said channel spaced from portions of the lower die-forming means that are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement; a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture; a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof; and a closure for the opposite end of the aperture.

Claim 3

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a lower die supporting surface; an upper die supporting member carried by said support for vertical movement relative to said lower die supporting surface; a die box on the lower die supporting surface opening upward and having two parallel elongated sides with flat vertical facing surfaces; an elongated die insert part in said box with an upwardly facing cavity below top surfaces of said sides; an elongated die secured to said upper die supporting member in opposed relationship to said lower die insert part with a downwardly facing cavity and parallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit within said die box with a substantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both the upper die and the lower die insert part extending the full length and the full width of the respective parts and forming with the sides of said die box a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuator connected to said upper die supporting member to move it vertically toward and away from the lower die supporting surface; a horizontal ram movable longitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof and conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperture for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing a second end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end when said upper member is in a lower position.

Claim 4

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a lower die supporting surface; an upper die supporting member carried by said support for vertical movement relative to said lower die supporting surface; a die box on the lower die supporting surface opening upward and having two parallel elongated sides with flat vertical facing surfaces; an elongated die insert part in said box with an upwardly facing cavity below top surfaces of said sides; an elongated die secured to said upper die supporting member in opposed relationship to said lower die insert part with a downwardly facing cavity and parallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit within said die box with a substantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both the upper die and the lower die insert part extending the full length and the full width of the respective parts and forming with the sides of said die box a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuator connected to said upper die supporting member to move it vertically toward and away from the lower die supporting surface; a horizontal ram movable longitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof and conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperture for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing a second end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end when said upper member is in a lower position.

Claim 5

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a lower die supporting surface; an upper die supporting member carried by said support for vertical movement relative to said lower die supporting surface; a die box on the lower die supporting surface opening upward and having two parallel elongated sides with flat vertical facing surfaces; a side plate along said facing surface; an elongated die insert part in said box with an upwardly facing cavity below top surfaces of said side plates; an elongated die secured to said upper member in opposed relationship to said lower die insert part with a downwardly facing cavity and parallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit between said side plates with a subStantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both the upper die and the lower die insert part extending the full length and the full width of the respective parts and forming with the side plates a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuator connected to said upper member to move it vertically toward and away from the lower die supporting surface; means to limit downward movement of said upper member and die and maintain the upper die spaced from the lower die insert part; a horizontal ram movable longitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperture for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing a second end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end when said upper member is in a lower position.

Claim 6

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a lower die supporting surface; an upper die supporting member carried by said support for vertical movement relative to said lower die supporting surface; a die box on the lower die supporting surface opening upward and having two parallel elongated sides with flat vertical facing surfaces; a side plate along said facing surface; an elongated die insert part in said box with an upwardly facing cavity below top surfaces of said side plates; an elongated die secured to said upper member in opposed relationship to said lower die insert part with a downwardly facing cavity and parallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit between said side plates with a subStantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both the upper die and the lower die insert part extending the full length and the full width of the respective parts and forming with the side plates a straight tubular aperture; a hydraulic actuator connected to said upper member to move it vertically toward and away from the lower die supporting surface; means to limit downward movement of said upper member and die and maintain the upper die spaced from the lower die insert part; a horizontal ram movable longitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperture for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by said upper member for closing a second end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end when said upper member is in a lower position.

Claim 7

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a stationary die supporting surface, lower die-forming means in the shape of an upwardly facing elongated channel supported by said surface, a movable die carrier above the stationary die supporting surface, an upper die secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable within said lower die-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectional shape, means to move said movable die carrier and upper die toward and away from said stationary die supporting surface and lower die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof, said ram actuator including a fluid cylinder and a reciprocable piston rod one end of which extends from one end of the cylinder and carries the ram, said cylinder being of a length at least equal to the length of said aperture and said rod being of a length equal to at least twice the length of said aperture, means mounting said one end of the cylinder a distance from the aperture along the path of piston rod movement a distance at least equal to the length of the aperture, and a closure for the opposite end of said aperture.

Claim 8

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support having a stationary die supporting surface, lower die-forming means in the shape of an upwardly facing elongated channel supported by said surface, a movable die carrier above the stationary die supporting surface, an upper die secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable within said lower die-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectional shape, means to move said movable die carrier and upper die toward and away from said stationary die supporting surface and lower die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof, said ram actuator including a fluid cylinder and a reciprocable piston rod one end of which extends from one end of the cylinder and carries the ram, said cylinder being of a length at least equal to the length of said aperture and said rod being of a length equal to at least twice the length of said aperture, means mounting said one end of the cylinder a distance from the aperture along the path of piston rod movement a distance at least equal to the length of the aperture, and a closure for the opposite end of said aperture.

Claim 9

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary support, a stationary die-forming means carried by said support and having spaced planar inwardly facing side portions, a movable die carrier on said support, a movable die-forming means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable between said inwardly facing side portions of said stationary die-forming means with a substantial clearance gap therebetween to form with the stationary die-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die carrier and the movable die-forming means carried thereby between a first position spaced from said stationary die-forming means and a second position in which said movable die-forming means extends into said stationary die-forming means with portions of the movable die-forming means between said side portions of said stationary die slightly spaced from portions of the stationary die-forming means that are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof.

Claim 10

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary support, a stationary die-forming means carried by said support and having spaced planar inwardly facing side portions, a movable die carrier on said support, a movable die-forming means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable between said inwardly facing side portions of said stationary die-forming means with a substantial clearance gap therebetween to form with the stationary die-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die carrier and the movable die-forming means carried thereby between a first position spaced from said stationary die-forming means and a second position in which said movable die-forming means extends into said stationary die-forming means with portions of the movable die-forming means between said side portions of said stationary die slightly spaced from portions of the stationary die-forming means that are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof.

Claim 11

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary member having a first die supporting surface, a movable member carried by said stationary member and having a second die supporting surface movable to and from said first die supporting surface, a die box on the first die supporting surface opening towardS said second die supporting surface and having two parallel elongated sides with flat facing surfaces; a side plate along each said facing surface, an elongated first die part in said die box with an outwardly facing cavity, an elongated second die part secured to said second die supporting surface in opposed relationship to said first die part with parallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit between said side plates with a substantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both die parts extending the width of the respective die parts and forming with the side plates when said die parts are adjacent to one another a straight tubular aperture, hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to said movable member to move the second die part to and from a position adjacent to the die part, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperture movable longitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by said movable member for closing a second end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end as said second die part is moved towards said first die part.

Claim 12

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary member having a first die supporting surface, a movable member carried by said stationary member and having a second die supporting surface movable to and from said first die supporting surface, a die box on the first die supporting surface opening towardS said second die supporting surface and having two parallel elongated sides with flat facing surfaces; a side plate along each said facing surface, an elongated first die part in said die box with an outwardly facing cavity, an elongated second die part secured to said second die supporting surface in opposed relationship to said first die part with parallel longitudinally extending side surfaces constructed to fit between said side plates with a substantial clearance on each side of approximately 0.010 to 0.015 inch, the cavities in both die parts extending the width of the respective die parts and forming with the side plates when said die parts are adjacent to one another a straight tubular aperture, hydraulic actuator means operatively connected to said movable member to move the second die part to and from a position adjacent to the die part, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within the aperture movable longitudinally within said tubular aperture from a first end thereof for compressing a product located within the tubular aperture; and an end plate carried by said movable member for closing a second end of said tubular aperture opposite said first end as said second die part is moved towards said first die part.

Claim 13

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixed to said support, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at least partially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means to and from said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the cross sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable within said aperture, a fluid actuator for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture, said fluid actuator including a relatively reciprocable cylinder element and piston rod element, and means fixedly supporting one of said elements of said fluid actuator spaced from said stationary die-forming means a distance at least equal to the length of the stroke of said actuator.

Claim 14

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixed to said support, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at least partially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross sectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means to and from said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the cross sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable within said aperture, a fluid actuator for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture, said fluid actuator including a relatively reciprocable cylinder element and piston rod element, and means fixedly supporting one of said elements of said fluid actuator spaced from said stationary die-forming means a distance at least equal to the length of the stroke of said actuator.

Claim 15

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixed to said support, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at least partially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means to and from said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable within said aperture, a fluid actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture, said actuator including a cylinder and a reciprocable piston rod projecting from one end of the cylinder and connected to said ram and said cylinder being spaced from said stationary die-forming means a distance at least equal to the length of the stroke of said actuator.

Claim 16

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a support, a stationary die-forming means detachably fixed to said support, a movable die-forming means constructed to be at least partially receivable within said stationary die-forming means and when so received to form therewith an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die-forming means to and from said stationary die-forming means, a ram conforming in shape to the cross-sectional shape of said aperture closely receivable within said aperture, a fluid actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture, said actuator including a cylinder and a reciprocable piston rod projecting from one end of the cylinder and connected to said ram and said cylinder being spaced from said stationary die-forming means a distance at least equal to the length of the stroke of said actuator.

Claim 17

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary support, a stationary die-forming means carried by said support and having spaced planar facing side portions and an outwardly facing die cavity open at both ends and extending the full width between said facing side portions, a movable die carrier on said support, a movable die-forming means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable between said facing side portions of said stationary die-forming means with a substantial clearance gap therebetween and having a die cavity open at both ends and extending the full width of the part received between said facing side portions to form with the stationary die-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die caRrier and the movable die-forming means carried thereby between a first position spaced from said stationary die-forming means and a second position in which said movable die-forming means extends into said stationary die-forming means with portions of the movable die-forming means between said facing side portions of said stationary die slightly spaced from portions of the stationary die-forming means that are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof.

Claim 18

A press for shaping a comestible product such as meat or the like, comprising: a stationary support, a stationary die-forming means carried by said support and having spaced planar facing side portions and an outwardly facing die cavity open at both ends and extending the full width between said facing side portions, a movable die carrier on said support, a movable die-forming means secured to said movable die carrier and constructed to be at least partially receivable between said facing side portions of said stationary die-forming means with a substantial clearance gap therebetween and having a die cavity open at both ends and extending the full width of the part received between said facing side portions to form with the stationary die-forming means an elongated aperture of uniform cross-sectional shape, means to move said movable die caRrier and the movable die-forming means carried thereby between a first position spaced from said stationary die-forming means and a second position in which said movable die-forming means extends into said stationary die-forming means with portions of the movable die-forming means between said facing side portions of said stationary die slightly spaced from portions of the stationary die-forming means that are opposed thereto in the general direction of die movement, a ram conforming in shape to the aperture cross section and closely receivable within said aperture, a ram actuator on said support for reciprocating said ram longitudinally within said aperture from one end thereof.