US4448793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for producing elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product
Assignee: Nestec SA
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Filing: 1982-04-23
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Granted: 1984-05-15
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Expires: 2002-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A process for the continuous production of an elongate rod-shaped comminuted meat product which comprises feeding a flowable protein-containing food mixture into a hollow mould which travels through a microwave oven and which is formed by the co-operation of the adjacent runs of a pair of endless flexible belts which have a sealing system and afterwards releasing the meat product from the hollow mould characterized in that the sealing system comprises, on each side of the hollow mould, at least one longitudinal projection on one belt engaging with at least one corresponding recess on the other belt.
Inventors
- 👤 Yngve R. Akesson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:35
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C11/00; A22C11/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A process for the continuous production of an elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product which comprises: (a) feeding a flowable protein-containing food mixture into a hollow mold which is formed by the cooperation of the adjacent runs of a pair of endless flexible belts and which mold has a sealing system formed by at least one longitudinal projection on one of the flexible belts which is engaged with at least one corresponding recess on the other of the flexible belts; (b) passing the mold containing the food mixture through a microwave oven; and then (c) releasing the meat product from the said mold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for the continuous production of an elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product which comprises: (a) feeding a flowable protein-containing food mixture into a hollow mold which is formed by the cooperation of the adjacent runs of a pair of endless flexible belts and which mold has a sealing system formed by at least one longitudinal projection on one of the flexible belts which is engaged with at least one corresponding recess on the other of the flexible belts; (b) passing the mold containing the food mixture through a microwave oven; and then (c) releasing the meat product from the said mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal projections have substantially U- or V-shaped cross-sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped comminuted meat product is a skinless Vienna sausage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the rod-shaped comminuted meat product is a frankfurter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the hollow mould has a circular cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the hollow mould is formed by the belts co-operating one above the other and that there is a longitudinal ridge or groove on each side of the lower belt beyond the sealing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the endless flexible belts are made of isoprene rubber or an Indian rubber compound composed of ethylene-propylene-diene material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the microwave oven is a microwave tunnel composed of a pair of surface wave-guide applicators facing each other at a certain distance thus constituting a double-sided microwave field between the wave-guide applicators.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein after releasing the meat product from the hollow mould, the meat product is maintained at a temperature of 60° to 75° C. for a period of from 1 to 10 minutes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
85 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein there is situated after the microwave oven but immediately before a feeding belt leading to a canning machine an accumulation conveyor system which comprises an upper and lower fixed conveyor each having an endless belt wherein both belts travel in the same direction and that a mobile conveyor capable of moving longitudinally to and from a position between the fixed conveyors has an endless belt which travels in the opposite direction to the belts of the fixed conveyors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process according to claim 3, wherein the Vienna sausage is cut to its final size by jet cutting.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for the continuous production of an elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product which comprises: (a) feeding a flowable protein-containing food mixture into a hollow mold having a cavity wall free of surface irregularities which is formed by the cooperation of the adjacent runs of a pair of endless flexible belts and which mold has a sealing system formed by at least one longitudinal projection on one of the flexible belts which is engaged with at least one corresponding recess on the other of the flexible belts; (b) passing the mold containing the food mixture through a microwave oven; and then (c) releasing the elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product having a substantially smooth surface from the said mold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
A process for the continuous production of an elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product which comprises: (a) feeding a flowable protein-containing food mixture into a hollow mold having a cavity wall free of surface irregularities which is formed by the cooperation of the adjacent runs of a pair of endless flexible belts and which mold has a sealing system formed by at least one longitudinal projection on one of the flexible belts which is engaged with at least one corresponding recess on the other of the flexible belts; (b) passing the mold containing the food mixture through a microwave oven; and then (c) releasing the elongated rod-shaped comminuted meat product having a substantially smooth surface from the said mold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3421434A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-05-15 | 1987-11-14 | 1988-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-05-15 | 1991-11-14 | 1992-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-05-15 | 1995-11-14 | 1996-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |