Abstract: A mechanical structure for installing cover plates of a pasta machine includes at least two brackets arranged symmetrically; a plurality of cover plates arranged between the two brackets, two ends of each cover plate are respectively and detachably connected to the two brackets. The cover plates are integrally formed by sheet metal technology. The cover plates are connected/mounted to brackets respectively through a snap-on and/or a slide-on connection.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a textured protein material having a meat-like fibrous texture. Solution The textured protein material having a meat-like fibrous texture can be produced by feeding a flat-sheet-like textured protein material prepared via pressurization and heating, and then extrusion by an extruder through cutting blade rolls composed of a pair of rolls facing each other and having a plurality of square-blade-like annular blades arranged in parallel, thereby making slits sheared on the topside and the underside of the textured protein material in the same direction as the extruded direction.

Abstract: The present invention is a processing device, such as a macerator for use in processing various types of food products, that includes an automatic adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a roller disposed within the macerator. The mechanism includes a controller operably connected to a motor that can move the roller within the macerator to vary the position of the roller with respect to another roller located in the macerator. Inputs to the controller are used to control the operation of the motor to move the roll into a desired configuration associated in a storage medium in the controller with a particular food product to be processed. The input to the controller can also be used to simultaneously adjust the position of other components of other processing devices in a food processing system, such as an injector to remove the need for individually adjust each device in the system.

Abstract: A tenderizer system, apparatus and method to tenderize meat products and other foods through a cross-cut tenderizing process. This process can be performed by a tenderizer cartridge including at least two shafts in parallel, where a stack of blades are disposed on each shaft and in contact with each other along a respective shaft, each blade including teeth around outer circumferences such that each blade in contact is aligned to form continuous ridges that extend in parallel with the shafts.

Abstract: A shredding apparatus for value documents, includes two mutually counter-rotatable roller-shaped cutting devices which are disposed opposite each other with reference to a transport path of the value documents to be shredded, in order to cut up the value documents transported along the transport path with the aid of the cutting edges into a multiplicity of value document shreds. A stripper is allocated to each of the cutting devices, which stripper has several stripper elements arranged parallel to each other, which stripper elements engage between the cutting edges of the respective cutting device in order to remove the value document shreds from the cutting edges. The shape of the stripper elements is chosen such that the stripper elements on the front side of the respective cutting device, the front side facing the transport path of the value documents, engage between the cutting edges of the respective cutting device.

Abstract: A cutting machine for cutting up meat strands whose cross section varies over a longitudinal extension into weight precise slices as fast as possible, and a method for slicing such meat strands. Two or more strands may be received adjacent to each other in a respective form tube and pushed against a separately adjustable stop plate, which is assigned to each form tube, independently from each other by a controlled longitudinal press plunger. The strands may be compressed in the longitudinal direction and a cross section of the form tubes may be reduced in a first transversal direction jointly and in a second transversal direction independently from each other. Thus, the respective meat strand may be transversally compressed to a constant cross section for slicing.

Abstract: A meat cutting machine of the present invention includes a machine frame and a cutter group. The cutter group includes at least two groups of cutter bars. Blades on the two groups of cutter bars are crosswise arranged to form a cutting edge region. The machine frame includes an upper machine frame, a lower machine frame and a regulating ejector rod. At least one threaded through hole is formed in a side wall of the machine frame. The cutter bars include shaft shoulders. Since the upper machine frame and the lower machine frame are separable and the cutter bars are convenient for disassembly and removal, the cutter bars can be easily washed and are sanitary in design. The regulating ejector rod can be used to perform minor distance adjustments between interactive blades, which ensures close cooperation between two matched blades and the meat cutting effect of the meat cutting machine.

Abstract: A flattening apparatus with a roller system including an impact resistant system and a first conveyor belt facing and arranged opposite to the impact resistant system and having a flattening area between the first conveyor belt and the impact resistant system. The roller system is rotatable mounted adjacent to the first conveyor belt distally away from the impact resistant system across the first conveyor belt. Foodstuff is flattened and compressed by rotating the roller system while conveying the foodstuff through the flattening area such that an outwardly protruding surface structure presses the first conveyor belt towards the impact resistant system. The surface structure is askew in relation to the longitudinal axis of the roller system and is designed with a portion provided in contact with the first conveyor belt at all times during rotation of the roller system.

Abstract: A massaging press roller for tenderizing a food product includes a shaft and at least one roller element disposed on the shaft. The at least one roller element is configured to impart a pulsating pounding action on a food product.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes transferring a mixture through a conduit, wherein the mixture comprises lean particles with frozen water, fat particles, and a fluid, allowing the frozen water in the lean particles to thaw as the mixture travels through the conduit, and increases a density of the lean particles, accumulating the lean particles with non-frozen water at a first elevation in the conduit, and accumulating fat particles at a second elevation in the conduit, wherein the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for macerating raw meat pieces includes two sets of rotating arbors, each having a different primary function. More particularly, the first arbor set is primarily configured to flatten and roughly tenderize the meat. The second arbor set is primarily configured to increase the surface area and tenderness of the meat without breaking the meat apart, though the second arbor set may also further reduce the thickness of the meat pieces. The second arbor set is positioned downstream of the first arbor set by a conveyor such that the meat pieces advancing through the macerator are only macerated by one of the arbor sets at any give time. Each arbor set has a pair of counter rotating shafts.

Abstract: A skinning machine for separating skin from the tissue of a poultry part is provided, which includes a frame supporting a skin roller comprising bands of teeth and grooves for engaging the skin, a pressure shoe disposed adjacent to the skin roller for removing the skin from the tissue, a pressure roller assembly for biasing the skin and tissue against the skin roller, and a scraper interfacing with the skin roller for removing the skin from the skin roller. The pressure shoe is releasably mounted to the frame allowing removal and cleaning thereof. The pressure roller assembly includes a body that deforms against the poultry part to accommodate parts of varying sizes and thickness without damaging the tissue. The scraper interfaces with the teeth and grooves of the skin roller allowing removal of poultry skin and fat from the roller with little or no need for water.

Abstract: The present invention is a processing device, such as a macerator for use in processing various types of food products, that includes an automatic adjustment mechanism for adjusting the position of a roller disposed within the macerator. The mechanism includes a controller operably connected to a motor that can move the roller within the macerator to vary the position of the roller with respect to another roller located in the macerator. Inputs to the controller are used to control the operation of the motor to move the roll into a desired configuration associated in a storage medium in the controller with a particular food product to be processed. The input to the controller can also be used to simultaneously adjust the position of other components of other processing devices in a food processing system, such as an injector to remove the need for individually adjust each device in the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tenderizing machine for tenderizing pieces of meat, the machine comprising a first tenderizing roller (1) rotating about a first axis (3) supported in a fixed position in a structure (51), a second tenderizing roller (2) rotating about a second axis (4) parallel to said first axis (3) and movably supported in said structure (51) with the possibility of being separated from the first axis (3) against the force of antagonist means due to the effect of the passage of the pieces of meat between said first and second tenderizing rollers (1, 2), and drive means for rotating the first and second tenderizing rollers (1, 2) in opposite directions comprising a first motor (5) operatively connected by means of a first mechanical transmission (7) to rotate the first tenderizing roller (1), and a second motor (6) operatively connected by means of a second mechanical transmission (8) to rotate the second tenderizing roller (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tenderizing machine for tenderizing pieces of meat, the machine comprising a first tenderizing roller (1) rotating about a first axis (3) supported in a fixed position in a structure (51), a second tenderizing roller (2) rotating about a second axis (4) parallel to said first axis (3) and movably supported in said structure (51) with the possibility of being separated from the first axis (3) against the force of antagonist means due to the effect of the passage of the pieces of meat between said first and second tenderizing rollers (1, 2), and drive means for rotating the first and second tenderizing rollers (1, 2) in opposite directions comprising a first motor (5) operatively connected by means of a first mechanical transmission (7) to rotate the first tenderizing roller (1), and a second motor (6) operatively connected by means of a second mechanical transmission (8) to rotate the second tenderizing roller (2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for macerating raw meat pieces includes two sets of rotating arbors, each having a different primary function. More particularly, the first arbor set is primarily configured to flatten and roughly tenderize the meat. The second arbor set is primarily configured to increase the surface area and tenderness of the meat without breaking the meat apart, though the second arbor set may also further reduce the thickness of the meat pieces. The second arbor set is positioned downstream of the first arbor set by a conveyor such that the meat pieces advancing through the macerator are only macerated by one of the arbor sets at any give time. Each arbor set has a pair of counter rotating shafts.

Abstract: A food cutting and manipulating apparatus includes having an aperture extending therethrough. A gear housing is mounted on the table and includes first and second driving axles. A plurality of pairs of food manipulating members is provided. Each of the manipulating members includes a shaft, releasably engageable with the first and second driving axles, attached to an elongated base. The plurality of pairs of food manipulating members includes a plurality of pairs of cutting members. Each of the cutting members includes at least one cutting plate that is attached to the base. The at least one cutting plate extends over the aperture when the shaft is attached to the one of the first and second driving axles. Food is positionable between the food manipulating members and the motor turned on so that the food manipulating members engage the food as the food moves downwardly through the aperture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tenderizing machine which is designed to tenderize deboned meat pieces. The inventive machine is equipped with two stacked tenderizing assemblies, each of the assemblies comprising an integrated pair of rotating rollers which are provided with cutting members that extend out from the periphery thereof and which are disposed close to one another, such as to define an adjustable-size opening. In addition, at least one of the rollers of each assembly is supported such that it can move away from the other roller against an opposer as the meat pieces move between said two rollers. Moreover, each of the tenderizing assemblies is equipped with respective controls for adjusting the distance between the cutting members of each pair of rollers and for selectively blocking the movement of at least one of the moving rollers of each of the assemblies.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus comprises a first and second shaft and first, second, third and fourth subsets of blades. The first and second subsets of blades are mounted to the first shaft. The blades of the first subset of blades are separated by a first displacement. The blades of the second subset of blades are separated by a second displacement differing from the first displacement. The third and fourth subsets of blades are mounted to the second shaft. The blades of the third subset of blades are separated by the first displacement. The blades of the fourth subset of blades are separated by the second displacement. The first and third subset of blades form a first cutting region for cutting food to a first dimension and the second and fourth subset of blades form a second cutting region for cutting food to a second dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus for tenderizing, progressively flattening and smoothing food items includes a roller set of substantially parallel rollers arrayed laterally for contacting, mechanically advancing and tenderizing a first side of a food item; and a compressing conveyor belt opposing and spaced apart from the roller set for contacting and advancing a food item second side, the roller set and the compressing conveyor belt converging toward each other to define a gap between the roller set and the conveyor belt tapering from a wider gap end to a narrower gap end for progressively flattening food items fed into the wider gap end; the roller set and the conveyor belt defining a roller set and conveyor belt combination. A second version includes a series two or more opposing compressing conveyor belt pairs having decreasingly coarse outer surface textures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a more efficient method for treating meat. In one embodiment, a rolling device includes several rolling units comprising in turn several rollers. To optimize the treatment process, sheeting with a degree of play is placed over the rolling units. Smoothing rollers can be provided at the end of the meat treatment nip.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved flattening device for flattening pieces of meat so that said pieces of meat have a larger surface and a reduced thickness. The inventive device comprises a conveyor device (15, 31) on which the pieces of meat to be flattened are supplied to the flattening zone. In the area of the flattening zone mallet rolls or flattening rolls (29) are provided that can be displaced relative to the piece of meat. The distance between the mallet rolls or flattening rolls (29) that can be moved across the piece of meat to be flattened and a counter pressure device or surface (33) can be preferably reduced while the piece of meat is flattened.

Abstract: An apparatus for flattening pieces of meat without piercing nor shredding the meat including a first roller set, each roller in the first roller set having non-sharpened outer edges; a second roller set, each roller in the second roller set having non-sharpened outer edges, the first roller set directly opposing and being spaced and fully separated from the second roller set, the first and second roller sets together having a product in-feed end into which meat pieces are drawn and having a product out-feed end at which flattened meat pieces are expelled from between the first and second roller sets; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the first roller set and the second roller set, where meat passing between the first and second roller sets is substantially flattened but not pierced nor shredded; and an in-feed conveyor belt assembly at the in-feed end including an in-feed conveyor belt and a rolling mechanism for rolling the in-feed conveyor belt in a direction to advance meat pieces p

Abstract: A meat preparing machine having two vertically stacked columns of two or more non-sharpened edge stainless steel rollers, or of various other materials such as plastic or aluminum, adjacent to one another in an aluminum or stainless steel frame. The stacked rollers are configured to tenderize, flatten, scrape or cut the meat into strips. Four threaded shafts with numbers connect each corner of the stacked rollers to an adjacent corner of the other stacked rollers to allow for the adjustment of the spacing between the stacked rollers. A first conveyor belt with scraper at the end to discharge meat into the first and second columns is mounted adjacent the top of the rollers for feeding the meat into the rollers. A second conveyor belt with scrapers to discharge meat is mounted adjacent the bottom of the rollers for retrieving the prepared meat from the machine.

Abstract: A tongue squeezer includes a cylindrical roller operably mounted on one end of a pivot arm to pivot the roller between a "working" position spaced vertically above a second roller, and an "open" position spaced upwardly away from the second roller. A weight is attached to the pivot arm to bias the first roller downwardly towards the second roller to thereby squeeze a meat product directed between the first and second rollers. A second pair of rollers is operably mounted downstream of the first pair of rollers, with a third roller mounted below a fourth roller. The fourth roller is mounted on a second pivot arm with a weight attached thereto, to apply a biasing force to squeeze the meat product as it is directed between the second pair of rollers, from the first pair of rollers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process as well as to the related equipment for the production of strips, or of substantially thin pieces of tenderized meat, which are intended as ingredients for high-tenderness meat products in order to form a basic attribute of acceptability for the consumer, particularly because of the high sensorial quality perceived by the same consumer in chewing. Said process consists in subjecting the pieces of meat--advantageously cut in a preparatory device--to the pressing and tightening action of a tenderizing mechanical equipment, which changes their shape by submitting them to flattening sliding motions in several directions, in order to obtain a geometric shape like thin sheets of meat of complete tenderness and friability with both a higher nutritive quality and market value.

Abstract: A meat tenderizing apparatus is provided including a base and an upper roller assembly each with a roller rotatably coupled thereto, wherein the rollers rotate about separate axes with a distance therebetween which is adjustable.

Abstract: A meat flattening machine having two vertically stacked rows of non-sharpened edge stainless steel rollers adjacent to one another in an aluminum frame. Each row has at least two and preferably six rollers wherein the top row is spaced further apart from the bottom rows The plural stacked rows allow for the meat to be pulled and stretched between the rollers for flattening the meat. Four screws connect each corner of the stacked rollers to an adjacent corner of the other stacked rollers to allow for the spacing between the stacked rows to be adjustable. Each roller has parallel rows of rectangular ridges having non-sharpened edges. The bottom roller of each stack can have grooves approximately 1/16 inch deep, while the above rollers can have grooves approximately 1/8 inch deep between the rectangular ridges. The frame includes a removable electric motor, stainless steel sprockets and stainless steel chains for rotating the rollers.

Abstract: A device and method for superficially incising a sausage-like meat product includes a plurality of rotatable cutting elements which are arranged to define a chute therebetween. Each cutting element includes a cylinder and has a circular blade which projects radially from the cylinder. The centers of the respective blades, also located in the cylinder, define a base plane and the blades are all similarly tilted to rotate in tilt planes which are angled from the base plane. In the operation of the device, all cutting elements are simultaneously rotated and a meat product is inserted into the chute. Rotation of the cutting elements simultaneously causes the cylinder to draw the meat product through the chute and causes the blades on the cylinder to superficially cut a helical shaped incision into the meat product. The depth of the cuts are established by the projection of the blades, and the pitch of the helical incisions, can be controlled by the tilting of the cutting elements.

Abstract: The modular food processing assembly includes a rigid support frame, and two elongated horizontally oriented generally cylindrical rollers being rotatably supported by the frame. The rollers may be provided with a plurality of serrated teeth or compatible ribs and grooves distributed radially and axially about the surface of the rollers, and the rollers are oriented generally parallel to each other. A hand crank is frictionally and removably connected to an end of a roller. Unified translation and compression means or gears connect the rollers proximate the ends of the rollers translating rotation of the hand crank into rotation of the two rollers and farther causing the rollers to be compressed against the food being processed. A clamp assembly is also included which is adapted to secure the frame to a fixed base, whereby when the hand crank is rotated, the food passes through the rotating rollers and becomes processed.

Abstract: A poultry and swine pulverizing or grinding apparatus comprises an enclosed housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. A grinding drum is rotatably mounted within the enclosed housing and provided with raised cutting teeth extending in a helical orientation along the longitudinal length of the grinding drum. A carcass retention element is positioned adjacent the length of the grinding drum and cooperates therewith to facilitate pulverizing or grinding of animal carcasses by the grinding drum into small size particles which exit the housing through the outlet end. The grinding drum of the apparatus is motivated by an operatively connected motor. Also described is an automated system for preparing animal carcasses for lactic acid fermentation and/or further processing utilizing the aforesaid grinding apparatus.

Abstract: A poultry and swine pulverizing or grinding apparatus comprises an enclosed housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. A grinding drum is rotatably mounted within the enclosed housing and provided with raised cutting teeth extending in a helical orientation along the longitudinal length of the grinding drum. A carcass retention element is positioned adjacent the length of the grinding drum and cooperates therewith to facilitate pulverizing or grinding of animal carcasses by the grinding drum into small size particles which exit the housing through the outlet end. The grinding drum of the apparatus is motivated by an operatively connected motor.

Abstract: The modular food processing assembly of the present invention includes a rigid support frame, and two elongated horizontally oriented generally cylindrical rollers being rotatably supported by the frame. The rollers may be provided with a plurality of serrated teeth distributed radially and axially about the surface of the rollers, and the rollers are oriented generally parallel to each other. A hand crank is frictionally and removably connected to an end of a roller. Unified translation and compression means connect the rollers proximate the ends of the rollers translating rotation of the hand crank into rotation of the two rollers and further causing the rollers to be compressed against the food being processed. A clamp assembly is also included which is adapted to secure the frame to a fixed base, whereby when the hand crank is rotated, the food passes through the rotating rollers and becomes processed.

Abstract: A food cutting machine for cutting food into strips or cubes has first and second rotatable shafts, each having an array of cutter discs thereon. The cutter discs on one shaft are offset from corresponding discs on the other shaft and form cutter pairs therewith, the spacing between pairs being substantially greater than the spacing between the discs forming the pairs. Guide means extending between cutter pairs define the maximum thickness of meat that can be cut, and the discs forming a pair overlap a distance equal to or greater than one-half the spacing between the guide means.

Abstract: A meat tenderizing apparatus and process for tenderizing meat, including opposed rollers having pyramidal points arranged in a grid on each roller. The rollers are maintained a set distance apart and partially frozen meat steaks are passed through the rollers and tenderized after only a single pass. The apparatus and process are particularly suited for tenderizing surf clam tongues.

Abstract: In order to achieve a degree of separation of muscular tissue from bones, ligaments, cartilage, fascia, connective tissue, fatty tissue and the like which is as high as possible for a careful treatment, a process and an apparatus for processing meat is proposed in which the meat is cut up by dividing this into planar pieces of a certain thickness in a cutting device, after which a mechanical tenderizing of the planar pieces of meat of a certain thickness takes place in a tenderizing device in a second step, and a single- or multi-stage separating process takes place in a separating device in a further step, the mechanical tenderizing of the planar pieces of meat in the second step being precisely matched with the separating process in the further step.

Abstract: An apparatus for macerating meat-type products includes a pair of counterrotating shafts, each of which contains a one-piece arbor having an integral assembly of alternating radially projecting and axially extending teeth members and spacer members. A plurality of open channels are defined by the spacer members disposed between adjacent radially projecting teeth members. Each of the teeth members has a peripheral outer edge which penetrates the products passing through the counterrotating arbors in the axial plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating meat has several rollers (11 to 14) in a frame (1), which rollers are provided on their surfaces with projections (25), the meat being conveyed from up to down through the gap between each two opposite rollers. Thereby the meat is cut or pressed on its surface. The rollers of each roller pair are driven in opposite directions and transport the meat therebetween (FIG. 1).