Abstract: Apparatus and process for kneading food pieces includes a rotatable drum mounted on an inclined axis. There are spiral flights along the side wall of the drum. Charging and discharging the drum is effected through an open end and the drum includes a door for airtight sealing of the drum. A vacuum can be drawn inside the drum for different types of food processing. The processor can be used for blending constituents for food products. The kneading action can be applied to massaging or tumbling meat chunks, and treatment liquids can be added to the drum and/or the food pieces for processing.

Abstract: Apparatus for kneading food pieces includes a rotatable drum mounted on an inclined axis. There are spiral flights along the side wall of the drum. Charging and discharging the drum is effected through an open end and the drum includes a door for airtight sealing of the drum. A vacuum can be drawn inside the drum for different types of food processing. The processor can be used for blending constituents for food products. The kneading action can be applied to massaging or tumbling meat chunks, and treatment liquids can be added to the drum and/or the food pieces for processing.

Abstract: A door-operating mechanism for a rotatable drum which has a mouth to be closed by a door includes a moveable arm hingedly mounted with anchoring means on the side of the frame of the drum, and clamp means for connection with a stub shaft extending from the door. When the door is closed on the mouth of the drum, the clamp means is disengaged from the stub shaft so that the door is secured, under vacuum pressure within the drum, as an integral part of the rotating drum. Force is thus avoided on the hinged, moveable arm, and stub shaft of the door and door-operating mechanism. The clamp means includes jaws which are activated to release the door after a predetermined vacuum pressure exists within the drum. Energization of the jaws to engage the shaft is effected after the vacuum pressure has decreased to a predetermined level, the mechanism has moved a predetermined axial distance from the door and there has also been a predetermined time delay.