US3871085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed food measuring and/or forming machine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-14
•
Granted: 1975-03-18
•
Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A food measuring and forming machine is disclosed which can rapidly form and measure food products such as meat and dispense them in a predetermined volume or form. The size of the formed food product can be varied in a rapid manner while the machine is in operation. In a preferred manner when meat products are being formed, a reciprocating cutting knife is positioned adjacent the entrance of a rotating drum member and a scraper element is disposed adjacent the outlet of the rotating drum so as to prevent the accumulation of product on the drum. The drum carries a double acting piston of remotely variable length which is food actuated in that food entering a cavity on one side of the drum dispells formed food from an opposite cavity by the force of movement of the incoming food product. By varying the length of the piston the amount of food product measured or formed is also varied.
Inventors
- 👤 Russell J Hahn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:27
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C7/00; A22C7/0023; A22C7/003; A22C7/0069
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for measuring and forming food products comprising a cylindrical housing, a drum member rotatably disposed in said cylindrical housing, oppositely spaced cylinders carried by said drum member and opening to the outside of said drum member, piston members including two piston heads slidably engaging said cylinders and interengaged so that movement of one piston head effects a corresponding movement of the other and in the same direction, means to incrementally adjust the distance between said piston heads and means to rotate said drum member whereby a food product introduced under force into one cylinder in said drum in one position ejects similarly introduced food product from the opposite cylinder as the drum rotates and adjustment of the amount of the food product introduced may be readily varied.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for measuring and forming food products comprising a cylindrical housing, a drum member rotatably disposed in said cylindrical housing, oppositely spaced cylinders carried by said drum member and opening to the outside of said drum member, piston members including two piston heads slidably engaging said cylinders and interengaged so that movement of one piston head effects a corresponding movement of the other and in the same direction, means to incrementally adjust the distance between said piston heads and means to rotate said drum member whereby a food product introduced under force into one cylinder in said drum in one position ejects similarly introduced food product from the opposite cylinder as the drum rotates and adjustment of the amount of the food product introduced may be readily varied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 1 wherein said means to incrementally adjust the distance between said piston heads is a gear means constructed and arranged to increase or decrease the distance between the piston heads.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 2 wherein said gear means includes a rotatable shaft with a conical engaging portion and further includes a dual conical head member slidably disposed for engaging said conical member on said shaft so as to effect clockwise and alternatively counterclockwise movement of said shaft while said drum member is in operation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 1 wherein said apparatus is specially adapted for forming a meat ball or similar product and further includes a cutting knife disposed adjacent to said openings in said cylindrical housing for severing sinews or fibers in the food product.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 4 further including means to oscillate said knife in a momentary manner.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 5 wherein said means to oscillate said knife functions only when a portion of said rotor containing said opening is adjacent said knife.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 5 wherein said knife is of a serrated type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 7 further including a deflector blade positioned adjacent the opening in said drum opposite to that engaged by said knife and with the leading edge of said deflector blade disposed oppositely to that of the edge of said knife.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 8 further including means to adjust the tension of said deflector blade against the drum housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 1 further including a resilient seal disposed between the cylindrical housing and the drum at the top of the cylindrical housing and the drum except in the areas of said openings, said seal also serving as a bearing member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 10 further including means to adjust the tension between the drum and the seal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for measuring or forming food products as defined in claim 11 wherein said means to adjust the tension between the drum and the seal includes bolt members disposed on the frame for movement of the housing in relation to the drum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2708287A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-17 | 1978-09-16 | 1979-03-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-17 | 1982-09-16 | 1983-03-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-17 | 1986-09-16 | 1987-03-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |