Abstract: An apparatus for closing a ham mold, in which at least one two-part mold, consisting of a container and of a cover that fits loosely into it, is positioned in a chamber that can be vacuumized. The cover can be moved in relation to the container in order to compress a ham that has been placed in the mold. The apparatus is equipped with a compression bridge consisting of a strut, compression springs and a securing arm and is positively or non-positively connected to at least one compresion-medium cylinder that is positioned on one wall of the chamber and forces the parts on the mold into one another. A compression beam is positioned in such a way that it can be raised and lowered on two pressure-medium cylinders and that has two points of compression positioned at a distance along the compression-bridge strut and operates non-positively in conjunction with the compression bridge.

Abstract: A tumbling machine for tumbling and agitating foodstuffs, for example, meat, fish, etc., under vacuum. The foodstuffs are placed in evacuable containers provided with wheels permitting the use of the containers as transport means. The tumbling machine has a substantially U-shaped frame which rotates around a horizontal axis in preferably interval-programmed rotation. For insertion and removal of the containers in the frame, the U-shaped frame is so positioned as to present its open end to the floor of the machine. In that position, the container is rolled into the frame along guide rails defining its lateral location. The depth of entry of the container into the frame is limited by the cooperation of symmetrically spaced guides on the outside of the containers, a pair of opposite guides on the containers cooperating with suitably positioned stops on the rotatable frame that limit the maximum entry of the containers and correctly position the containers with respect to the frame.