US3919931A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for injecting fluid into pierceable, fluid-permeable bodies
Assignee: Danish Technological Institute
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Filing: 1973-12-11
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Granted: 1975-11-18
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Expires: 1993-12-11
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for introducing a fluid such as brine into pierceable, fluid-permeable bodies, such as meat bodies, moving along a predetermined path. The fluid is being introduced through an arrangement of hollow needles reciprocating into and out of engagement with the meat bodies and having fluid discharge openings adjacent to the needle points. The reciprocating movement is preferably performed at a substantially uniform rate without any considerable dwelling when the movement of the needles penetrated into the meat bodies is reversed. A number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship are preferably separately movable up and down in relation to the conveyor so as to prevent the meat bodies from following the needles when they are moved out of engagement with said bodies. Means may be provided for interrupt supply of fluid to the needles as soon as they have been moved out of engagement with all of the meat bodies and to resume supply of fluid or brine immediately before one or more of the needles penetrate into the highest body. Furthermore, means may be provided for indicating clogging of one or more of the needles and for facilitating replacement of the same.
Inventors
- 👤 Knud Liljenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:50
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B4/00; A23B4/26; A23B4/28; A23B4/285; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into pierceable, fluid-permeable bodies, said apparatus comprising a. a conveyor for moving said bodies along a predetermined path, b. a plurality of substantially parellel hollow needles extending transverse to said conveyor and having fluid discharge openings, c. means for supplying pressure fluid into said hollow needles, d. means for reciprocating said needles between a first position in which they penetrate into bodies aligned transversely with respect to said predetermined path, and a second position in which said needles are out of engagement with said bodies, e. a number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship above said conveyor and each extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, said stripping members being separately and independently movable up and down in relation to said conveyor in order to allow said bodies to pass between said conveyor and said stripping members, said stripping members substantially preventing said bodies from being moved out of engagement with said conveyor by said needles when they move from their first to their second position, f. means for controlling said fluid supply means so as to start supply of fluid to said needles in a third position thereof between said second and first positions aand approximately at the point of penetration by said needles, and to interrupt supply of fluid in a fourth needle position between said first and second positions and approximately at the point of disengagement by said needles, g. means for adjusting said third and fourth positions along the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the needles and sensing means engaging said stripping members and controlled by the immediate position of the uppermost of said stripping members to operate said means for adjusting said third and fourth positions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
288 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into pierceable, fluid-permeable bodies, said apparatus comprising a. a conveyor for moving said bodies along a predetermined path, b. a plurality of substantially parellel hollow needles extending transverse to said conveyor and having fluid discharge openings, c. means for supplying pressure fluid into said hollow needles, d. means for reciprocating said needles between a first position in which they penetrate into bodies aligned transversely with respect to said predetermined path, and a second position in which said needles are out of engagement with said bodies, e. a number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship above said conveyor and each extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, said stripping members being separately and independently movable up and down in relation to said conveyor in order to allow said bodies to pass between said conveyor and said stripping members, said stripping members substantially preventing said bodies from being moved out of engagement with said conveyor by said needles when they move from their first to their second position, f. means for controlling said fluid supply means so as to start supply of fluid to said needles in a third position thereof between said second and first positions aand approximately at the point of penetration by said needles, and to interrupt supply of fluid in a fourth needle position between said first and second positions and approximately at the point of disengagement by said needles, g. means for adjusting said third and fourth positions along the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the needles and sensing means engaging said stripping members and controlled by the immediate position of the uppermost of said stripping members to operate said means for adjusting said third and fourth positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein all of said fluid discharge openings in each needle are positioned adjacent to the pointed end of the needle, said reciprocating means being adapted to commence movement of the needles from the said first position substantially immediately after reaching that position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said stripping members comprise elongated stripping levers or fingers independently rockable about a common axis extending transversely to said predetermined path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprise a fluid valve and valve actuating means movable in relation to said valve into and out of an actuating position in correspondence with the reciprocating needle movement, said actuating means comprising a wedge-shaped member displaceable in response to the position of said uppermost stripping member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said adjusting means comprises a vertically movable abutment member extending transversely in relation to and above said stripping members, and connecting means connecting said abutment member with said wedge-shaped member so as to displace said last-mentioned member in response to the vertical movement of said abutment member produced by said uppermost stripping member.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
260 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into pierceable, fluid-permeable bodies, said apparatus comprising a. a conveyor for moving said bodies along a predetermined path, b. a plurality of substantially parallel hollow needles extending transverse to said conveyor and having fluid discharge openings, c. means for supplying pressure fluid into said hollow needles, d. means for reciprocating said needles between a first position in which they penetrate into bodies aligned transversely with respect to said predetermined path, and a second position in which said needles are out of engagement with said bodies, e. a number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship above said conveyor and each extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, said stripping members being separately movable up and down in relation to said conveyor in order to allow said bodies to pass between said conveyor and said stripping members, said stripping members being adapted to substantially prevent said bodies from being moved out of engagement with said conveyor by said needles when they move from their first to their second position, f. means for indicating clogging of one or more of said hollow needles, said indicating means comprising a chamber with a discharge opening or channel, a conduit for connecting said chamber with a source of pressurized gas, conduit means connecting said chamber with one or more of said hollow needles, and a non-return valve controlling said conduit means so as to allow fluid to flow from said hollow needles into said chamber and out of said discharge channel when one or more of said needles are clogged.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
260 words
An apparatus for introducing a fluid into pierceable, fluid-permeable bodies, said apparatus comprising a. a conveyor for moving said bodies along a predetermined path, b. a plurality of substantially parallel hollow needles extending transverse to said conveyor and having fluid discharge openings, c. means for supplying pressure fluid into said hollow needles, d. means for reciprocating said needles between a first position in which they penetrate into bodies aligned transversely with respect to said predetermined path, and a second position in which said needles are out of engagement with said bodies, e. a number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship above said conveyor and each extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, said stripping members being separately movable up and down in relation to said conveyor in order to allow said bodies to pass between said conveyor and said stripping members, said stripping members being adapted to substantially prevent said bodies from being moved out of engagement with said conveyor by said needles when they move from their first to their second position, f. means for indicating clogging of one or more of said hollow needles, said indicating means comprising a chamber with a discharge opening or channel, a conduit for connecting said chamber with a source of pressurized gas, conduit means connecting said chamber with one or more of said hollow needles, and a non-return valve controlling said conduit means so as to allow fluid to flow from said hollow needles into said chamber and out of said discharge channel when one or more of said needles are clogged.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus for introducing brine or a similar fluid into meat bodies, said apparatus comprising a. a conveyor for moving said meat bodies along a predetermined path, b. a plurality of substantially parallel hollow needles extending transverse to said conveyor, each needle having brine discharge openings which are all positioned adjacent to the pointed end of the needle, c. means for supplying brine under pressure into said hollow needles, d. means for reciprocating said needles between a first position in which they penetrate into meat bodies aligned transversely with respect to said predetermined path, and a second position in which said needles are out of engagement with said bodies, said reciprocating means being adapted to commence movement of the needles from the said first position substantially immediately after reaching that position, e. stripping means arranged above said conveyor so as to allow said bodies to pass between said conveyor and said stRipping means which substantially prevent said bodies from being moved out of engagement with said conveyor by said needles when they move from their first to their second position, said stripping means comprising a number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship and each extending in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, said stripping members being separately and independently movable up and down in relation to said conveyor when engaged by the meat bodies passing beneath them, and f. means for controlling said brine supply means so as to start supply of brine to said needles in a third position thereof between said second and first positions and approximately at the point of penetration by said needles, and to interrupt supply of brine in a fourth needle position between said first and second positions and approximately at the point of disengagement by said needles, g. means for adjusting said third and fourth positions along the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the needles and sensing means engaging said stripping members and controlled by the immediate position of the uppermost of said stripping members to operate said means for adjusting said third and fourth positions.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
345 words
An apparatus for introducing brine or a similar fluid into meat bodies, said apparatus comprising a. a conveyor for moving said meat bodies along a predetermined path, b. a plurality of substantially parallel hollow needles extending transverse to said conveyor, each needle having brine discharge openings which are all positioned adjacent to the pointed end of the needle, c. means for supplying brine under pressure into said hollow needles, d. means for reciprocating said needles between a first position in which they penetrate into meat bodies aligned transversely with respect to said predetermined path, and a second position in which said needles are out of engagement with said bodies, said reciprocating means being adapted to commence movement of the needles from the said first position substantially immediately after reaching that position, e. stripping means arranged above said conveyor so as to allow said bodies to pass between said conveyor and said stRipping means which substantially prevent said bodies from being moved out of engagement with said conveyor by said needles when they move from their first to their second position, said stripping means comprising a number of stripping members arranged in side-by-side relationship and each extending in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor, said stripping members being separately and independently movable up and down in relation to said conveyor when engaged by the meat bodies passing beneath them, and f. means for controlling said brine supply means so as to start supply of brine to said needles in a third position thereof between said second and first positions and approximately at the point of penetration by said needles, and to interrupt supply of brine in a fourth needle position between said first and second positions and approximately at the point of disengagement by said needles, g. means for adjusting said third and fourth positions along the stroke of the reciprocating movement of the needles and sensing means engaging said stripping members and controlled by the immediate position of the uppermost of said stripping members to operate said means for adjusting said third and fourth positions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control means comprise a brine valve and valve actuating means movable in relation to said valve into and out of an actuating position in correspondence with the reciprocating needle movement, said actuating means comprising a wedge-shaped member displaceable in response to the position of said uppermost stripping member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
59 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said adjusting means comprise a vertically movable abutment member extending transversely in relation to and above said stripping members, and connecting means connecting said abutment member with said wedge-shaped member so as to displace said last-mentioned member in response to the movement of the abutment member produced by said uppermost stripping member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising means for indicating clogging of one or more of said hollow needles.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
81 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said indicating means comprise a chamber with a discharge opening or channel, a conduit for connecting said chamber with a source of pressurized gas, conduit means connecting said chamber with one or more of said hollow needles, and a non-return valve controlling said conduit means so as to allow brine to flow from said hollow needles into said chamber and out of said discharge channel when one or more of said needles are clogged.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
90 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said hollow needles form part of a needle assembly, said assembly comprising a. a needle holder body having a surface with a number of needle receiving bores, b. a plurality of hollow needles having end portions removably received in said bores and abutment means extending radially in relation to the respective needle and limiting the insertion thereof in the respective bore, c. a retaining member, and d. clamping means for releaseably clamping said abutment means between said holder body and said retaining member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
94 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said bores in said holder body are arranged along at least one pair of spaced, substantially parallel extending lines, said retaining member extending between said parallel lines and being displaceable along said lines from a retaining position to a releasing position and vice versa when said clamping means are released, said retaining member being shaped so as to cover at least part of each of said abutment means in said retaining position and so as to completely uncover all of said abutment means in said releasing position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said retaining member is an elongated member having a substantially T-shaped cross section, the stem portion of said retaining member being received in a corresponding open channel or slot extending between and along said parallel lines, and the web portions of said T-shaped retaining member covering said abutment means in said retaining position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said abutment means comprise an annular collar or flange arranged on each of said needles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said clamping means comprise at least one shaft or stub member rotatably mounted in a bore in said holder body and extending transversely to and intersecting said channel or slot, said shaft or stub member having at its inner end an eccentric member received in a longitudinally extending slot or elongated opening in the stem portion of said T-shaped retaining member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-17 | 1979-05-19 | 1979-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-17 | 1983-05-19 | 1983-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-17 | 1987-05-19 | 1987-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |