Abstract: There is provided an aeration device including an interchangeable aeration element having needles arranged in an aeration pattern, a slider including the needles, a slider guide element engaged with the slider, a slider spring element biased to position the slider in an undeployed position, wherein the slider is displaced in a downward direction away from the top end of the aeration device frame towards the bottom end of the aeration device frame when a user applies an operating force to the slider, wherein the slider spring element applies a return force on the slider encouraging the slider to return to the undeployed position, and wherein, when the slider is in a fully deployed position at a maximum displacement from the top end of the aeration device frame, the plurality of puck aeration needles extend passed the bottom end of the aeration device, and a method of using the aeration device.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a water heater. The method includes capturing, with a mobile device a scannable feature of a rating plate and receiving, with the mobile device, an input indicative of a configuration selection. The method further includes configuring, with the mobile device, the water heater based on the configuration selection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing food intervention, pumping up, and tenderization are discussed. While such systems and methods can include any suitable component, in some cases, they include an injectade reservoir, a filter, a first pump configured to force injectade from the injectade reservoir and through the filter, a nozzle configured to inject injectade into a food product without having the nozzle contact the food, and a valve that is configured to selectively open and close to regulate when and how much of the injectade that passes through the filter is forced out of the nozzle. In some cases, the described systems further include a chiller configured to cool injectade in the reservoir, a sensor configured to determine a distance between the nozzle and food item, an actuator configured to move the nozzle, and/or a computer processor that controls an amount of injectade sprayed from the nozzle. Other implementations are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brine injection system with a plurality of needles, which are inserted into a product and through which brine is injected into the product, wherein brine which does not end up in the product is collected and recycled and wherein during recycling, the brine flows through a filter.

Abstract: A machine for processing food products, includes a processing tool oscillatingly driven by a motor and a drive train, and a trigger system which, in each cycle of oscillating movement of the processing tool, triggers a predetermined action of the machine at a predetermined timing, the trigger system including a signal generator arranged in the drive train to deliver a reference time signal in each cycle, a timer measuring a time passed since the last occurrence of the reference time signal, and an electronic control device storing a displacement/time curve of the processing tool for at least one processing speed of the machine and in which a position of the processing tool is programmable at which the action shall be triggered, the control device determining on the basis of the displacement/time curve, the trigger timing corresponding to that position and triggering the action when the timer reaches this timing.

Abstract: Injecting machine includes a conveyor having a surface for conveying meat pieces in a forward direction; first and second injection heads consecutively arranged over the conveyor relative to the forward direction and with the second injection head installed at a higher level over the surface than the first injection head; a plurality of needles mounted on each injection head, each needle having a longitudinal inner passage, at least one inlet opening in communication with the inner passage and a plurality of outlet openings in communication with the inner passage; head driving device for alternately reciprocating the first and second injection heads between an upper position, enabling the meat pieces to pass, and a lower position, in which the lower needle portions are stuck into the meat pieces; and brine supplying device for supplying brine to the needles when the injection heads are in the lower position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting chilled water (16) into freshly slaughtered and eviscerated poultry carcasses immediately prior to introducing the poultry carcasses into a conventional chiller (20). The chilled water (16) may be at a temperature slightly above the freezing point of water. The chilled water injector (10) is mounted to the entrance end (21) of a chiller (20). The poultry carcasses are removed from a shackle line and placed on a conveyor (11) which conveys the warm carcasses into and through the injector (10). In the injector (10), needles (13) inject chilled water (16) into the carcasses thereby beginning the chilling process. The injected carcasses then drop into the conventional chiller (20) where they are conveyed from the entrance end (21) to the exit end (22) through a counter-flow of chilled water (23) during which time further chilling occurs.

Abstract: A machine for injecting fluids into meat or fish products includes an injection head with parallel hollow needles that can be retracted by a contrast elastic device, provided to be lifted and lowered in relation to a conveyor for conveying products, each needle having an inlet opening leading into its cannula that can be located in a pressurized fluid injection chamber having a fluid inlet, the chamber being formed by a block with longitudinal ducts interconnected by ducts and a plurality of transverse ducts for the passage of the needles intersecting the longitudinal ducts, each duct including sleeves provided with seals, the block being detachable from a housing for the head and fixed by oscillating plates, one for guiding the needles and the other carrying a plurality of cylinders supplying the contrast elastic device.

Abstract: A machine for injecting liquids is disclosed including use of at least one air pump in fluid communication with at least one injection head having apertures for nozzles. High-pressure injectate flows from the air pump into the head, preferably through a threadlessly mounted filter located within the injection head. To further minimize contamination, fluid that enters the injection head will not contact any threading present in either the head or the nozzles. An air pressure regulator is included to ensure a steady stream of injectate of a desired pressure is delivered to an injection subject via each injection head and also helping to eliminate hesitation in delivery of the fluid by the air pump. Cleaning of the machine is simplified by moving sensitive components into a sealed enclosure, removing them from a wet working environment.

Abstract: A novel device and a novel method to inject solid flavor and liquid flavor into the bodies of meat, bread, cake, sausage, and the like. The device comprises of a hollow tube, a projector rod, and a support rod. One end of the support rod helps in keeping the projector rod steady and stable and the other end of the support rod holds the hollow tube in place and also allows the hollow tube to move back and forth against the projector rod. Once the hollow tube containing the flavor material is injected into the body of meat and the like then the flavor material inside the hollow tube is released into the body of the meat and the like by pulling back the hollow tube against the projector rod and that is the novel idea.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for injecting an injection substance into one or more food objects is provided. The system further provides for detection of the position of injectors relative to the food objects to selectively provide and remove injection pressure to the injectors and to selectively provide and remove movement to the food objects.

Abstract: A machine for injecting fluids into meat or fish products includes an injection head with parallel hollow needles that can be retracted by a contrast elastic device, provided to be lifted and lowered in relation to a conveyor for conveying products, each needle having an inlet opening leading into its cannula that can be located in a pressurized fluid injection chamber having a fluid inlet, the chamber being formed by a block with longitudinal ducts interconnected by ducts and a plurality of transverse ducts for the passage of the needles intersecting the longitudinal ducts, each duct including sleeves provided with seals, the block being detachable from a housing for the head and fixed by oscillating plates, one for guiding the needles and the other carrying a plurality of cylinders supplying the contrast elastic device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus for injecting liquid into food objects, the apparatus is comprised of a frame, an endless belt, and means for propelling the endless belt to convey the food objects. One or more needles with a passage for penetrating said food objects, a needle holder for holding said one or more needle, and a blending means for blending together substances to create the liquid are present. A supply means for supplying the liquid to the needles, a means for moving the needle holder, wherein the needles injects the liquid into the food objects while communicating with the food objects, and control means, wherein the control means controls the blending means for blending together plurality of substances to create the liquid based on predetermined recipes selected by the control means in response to an input from operator as well as the injection process, is further present.

Abstract: A device for introducing a liquid, such as brine, into an animal product, such as meat, ham and the like, comprises a mounting member on which the product can be arranged and a holder at some distance from the mounting member. The holder bears hollow needles oriented transversely with respect to the mounting member and can move to and fro transversely to the mounting member for inserting the needles into the product or, alternatively, for extracting the needles from the product. Said needles have at least one discharge orifice near their free end and one feed orifice at some distance from said free end and are accommodated in the holder such that they can be displaced in the longitudinal direction between a position projecting relatively far out of the holder, in which the feed orifices are blocked, and a position projecting relatively less far out of the holder, in which the feed orifices have a flow connection to a liquid supply.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for injection of refrigerated suspended particles into food products and the products resulting from such process. The present invention applies to the food industry in the field of meat products, and reveals those characteristics which are relevant for the process of preparation of said meat products suspension, to be later aggregated on larger sized meat products, as well as those characteristics which are relevant for said injection process. The main object of the present invention is to increase the final product green weight without incurring loss of flavor, shortening of shelf life, nutritional value or texture, making feasible the incorporation of smaller size pieces to a product featuring a higher commercial value. The term meat products is herein used meaning those products extracted from poultry, fish, cattle, pork, sheep, etc.

Abstract: A method for injecting fluid into meat products comprises taking a plurality of hollow fluid injection needles having sharpened discharge ends, and connecting the needles to a source of pressurized liquid; penetrating the sharpened ends of the needles into the product and thence withdrawing the same while discharging fluid into the product and vibrating the needles for a period of time while they are within the product to enlarge the size of a penetration hole within the product caused by the penetration of the needles to a size greater than the size of the needles to create at least a partial space around the needles to permit fluid from the needles to migrate into the spaces around the needles. The needles have a roughened outside surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: A multi-port, bottom-filling injection device having a filling head that splits a flow of filling among two or more spouts or needles. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an injection device comprises a filling head having several spouts attached to a spout cap, a platen for holding a chambered food item, and a holding apparatus for securing the food item during filling. The injection device can simultaneously provide a food filling to each chamber of a multi-chambered food item without leaving unsightly fill holes in the top or side surfaces.

Abstract: A condiment dispenser (such as a unique condiment packet, or automated device) that is configured for dispensing one or more types of condiment (e.g., ketchup, mustard mayonnaise, barbeque sauce, or Ranch dressing) relative to a food item, such as a French fry. In one embodiment of the invention, the condiment dispenser includes an injection nozzle that is configured for injecting condiment into the interior of the food item. In a particular embodiment, the injection nozzle is configured for piercing the food item's exterior surface before injecting condiment into the interior of the food item.

Abstract: A machine for injecting liquids is disclosed including use of at least one air pump in fluid communication with at least one injection head having apertures for nozzles. High-pressure injectate flows from the air pump into the head, preferably through a threadlessly mounted filter located within the injection head. To further minimize contamination, fluid that enters the injection head will not contact any threading present in either the head or the nozzles. An air pressure regulator is included to ensure a steady stream of injectate of a desired pressure is delivered to an injection subject via each injection head and also helping to eliminate hesitation in delivery of the fluid by the air pump. Cleaning of the machine is simplified by moving sensitive components into a sealed enclosure, removing them from a wet working environment.

Abstract: A method for injecting fluid into meat products comprises taking a plurality of hollow fluid injection needles having sharpened discharge ends, and connecting the needles to a source of pressurized liquid; penetrating the sharpened ends of the needles into the product and thence withdrawing the same while discharging fluid into the product and vibrating the needles for a period of time while they are within the product to enlarge the size of a penetration hole within the product caused by the penetration of the needles to a size greater than the size of the needles to create at least a partial space around the needles to permit fluid from the needles to migrate into the spaces around the needles. The needles have a roughened outside surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head having multiple retractable needles for injecting pieces of meat and the injecting needle for same, said head comprising a liquid supply chamber. Injecting needles (4) extend through the supply chamber. Said needles are provided with a penetration point (14), a passage (12), which communicates with the injection openings (15) located close to the point (14), and distal end (18), far from the point (14), which is provided with a limiting piece (17). The distal end (18) is disposed opposite elastic retaining means that can be used to draw the needle back if said needle comes into contact with a bone in the piece of meat to be injected. The supply chamber comprises numerous parallel, interconnected and elongated conduits (3) through which certain sections (4a) of the needles (4) can be guided to slide.

Abstract: A machine for injecting liquids. An air booster pump is adapted to receive injectate. The air booster pump is in fluid communication with one or more heads having apertures for nozzles. A hollow tube is preferably, but not necessarily, located within each head and is in fluid communication with the air booster pump. Injectate flows from the air booster pump into the head, preferably through the apertures in the wall of the hollow tube. Preferably, but not necessarily, the head is designed so that upon installation one point of the inside of the head will be at the highest elevation. Near such point the head has an escape aperture so that any gas within the injectate that enters the head will tend to flow to and through such escape aperture. Furthermore, a return line preferably, but not necessarily, takes injectate that flows through the escape aperture to the low-pressure side of the air booster pump.

Abstract: A multiple-use injection machine of the type used in food processing, is especially suited for selectively injecting treatment media into meat products including, inter alia, beef, pork, whole chickens and chicken parts. The treatment media is chose from a group including both liquid aqueous solutions utilized at normal ambient temperatures and normal operating pressures and a thermal treatment medium such as live steam at elevated temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A machine for injecting fluid into a meat product has a frame and a meat injection station on the frame. An elongated conveyor is mounted on the frame for carrying a meat products towards and through the injection station. A motor is on the frame for operating the conveyor. A meat injection head on the frame is located at the injection station and includes a plurality of downwardly extending fluid injection needles. A fluid reservoir is mounted on the frame and is connected to a pump, with the pump also being connected to the needles. The motor is connected to a power train for moving the needles into and out of a meat product while it is being moved through the injection station by the conveyor. A bypass control circuit is on the frame and is connected to the pump and the reservoir for diverting fluid moving towards the needles from the pump in the reservoir when the needles are out of the meat product.

Abstract: A device is particularly well suited for introducing a continuous length of food stuffing into an elongated food product. The device uses a tube having opposite, open ends and an inner wall defining a longitudinal passage extending between such opposite ends. The length of foodstuffing is received in this longitudinal passage. The tube is inserted into the food product being stuffed, and a pointed cap on the end of the tube guides it through the food product. A ram is used in conjunction with the tube to keep the foodstuffing material in substantial registration with the ends of the food product and to assist in withdrawing the tube after the foodstuffing has been deposited in the food product. An optional parallel knife assembly is used to create an incision extending through the food product to ease the subsequent insertion of the foodstuffing therein.

Abstract: A pickling machine includes a carrier, a plurality of needles mounted to the carrier, a valve for controlling the supply of brine to the needles, and a pressure cylinder associated with each of the needles for buffering them. The valve includes, for each pair of needle and pressure cylinder, a separate valve for individually closing off the pressure cylinder.

Abstract: A meat injection machine has a frame, and a vertically movable head thereon. A horizontal conveyor is on the frame, and a plurality of injector needles are positioned over the conveyor. A plurality of vertically disposed needles are on the conveyor. Means are provided for connecting the needles to a source of fluid. The modules are in longitudinal and lateral staggered positions over the conveyor.

Abstract: A meat injection machine has a frame, and a vertically movable head thereon. A horizontal conveyor is on the frame, and a plurality of injector needles are positioned over the conveyor. A plurality of vertically disposed needles are on the conveyor. Means are provided for connecting the needles to a source of fluid. The modules are in longitudinal and lateral staggered positions over the conveyor.

Abstract: Needle register for pickling machines, including one or more needles (12) that are fed with brine from a pressurized chamber (18), and valves (22) that are assigned to the individual needles for controlling the flow of brine, in which each needle (12) is connected to the pressurized chamber (18) via a piece of flexible tubing (24), and in that the valves (22) are formed by squeezing-off mechanisms (30, 34) for the pieces of flexible tubing (24).

Abstract: A continuous high-speed pickle injector is provided with improved productivity that can inject a liquid substance such as brine for curing, seasoning or the like into a block of meat such as pork, beef, livestock meat and the like continuously, and disperse the liquid substance uniformly. A pickle injector which can inject a liquid substance such as brine for curing and the like into a block of meat being conveyed continuously while gradually raising the injection pressure from 0 or a low pressure includes two or more injecting sections being able to repeat an injecting operation, that is, from the start to the completion of the injection of a liquid substance. The two or more injecting sections inject a liquid substance while moving at a speed synchronized with the conveying speed of a block of meat continuously being conveyed during the operation of injection. The timing of the injecting operation for each injecting section is controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for rehydrating a predetermined quantity of food granules with a predetermined quantity of water. For this purpose, the water is first of all sprayed as a fine shower onto a portion of the food granules forming a first layer of granules in a chamber (22). Food granules are then deposited in layers on the first layer of granules and sprayed with water in the form of a fine shower in the chamber (22) until the predetermined quantity of food granules and water has been obtained.

Abstract: The present invention intends to provide a method of injection into meat in which brine for curing or seasoning liquid is uniformly dispersed in a green meat efficiently and continuously without deteriorating a meat property; curing and seasoning can be accomplished without using a tumbling machine, a massage machine or the like for a long time; and the brine for curing and the seasoning liquid can be uniformly dispersed even if there is a difference of injection resistance in meat property. The object can be achieved by using a pickle injector which is provided with a high-pressure liquid generator constituted of a plunger pump or the like, a coherent stream injection nozzle for injecting the brine for curing and a pressure control mechanism which can raise an injection pressure gradually from 0 or a low pressure while injecting the liquid substance when the brine for curing is injected from the nozzle to the green meat. In addition, for pressure control, a servo motor or the like can be used.

Abstract: A machine for injecting fluid into a meat product has a frame and a meat injection station on the frame. An elongated conveyor is mounted on the frame for carrying a meat products towards and through the injection station. A motor is on the frame for operating the conveyor. A meat injection head on the frame is located at the injection station and includes a plurality of downwardly extending fluid injection needles. A fluid reservoir is mounted on the frame and is connected to a pump, with the pump also being connected to the needles. The motor is connected to a power train for moving the needles into and out of a meat product while it is being moved through the injection station by the conveyor. A bypass control circuit is on the frame and is connected to the pump and the reservoir for diverting fluid moving towards the needles from the pump in the reservoir when the needles are out of the meat product.

Abstract: Device for injecting fluids into foods, with at least one fluid chamber into which is fed the fluid under pressure, with several hollow needles which each are connected with the fluid chamber or one of the fluid chambers via a valve device and movable in such a way that they puncture the foods, and with a control instrument for operating the valve devices dependent on the needle movement, wherein the valve devices are arranged on a detachable or swivellable cover of the appropriate fluid chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a control for intermittent operation of the reciprocating drive in such a manner, that the drive, taking the topmost position of the multi-needle injector as a point of departure, is started by receiving a synchronizing signal produced when the intermittent advancement of the production line stops in a correct position, after which the drive carries out a complete cycle of downward and upward movement of the multi-needle injector and stopping in said topmost position in readiness for a new synchronizing signal, the cycle time of the drive being shorter than the time of rest for the intermittent advancement of the production line, whereas the multi-needle injector is designed to cover a space in the direction of advancement of the production line corresponding to at least one advancement step for the intermittent advancement of the food product by the production line.

Abstract: Device for the adjustment of the stroke length of a needle carrier (12) of a pickling machine, which can be moved back and forth in such a way that the lower deadpoint of the needle carrier is independent of the stroke length, is characterized by the fact that needle carrier (12) is articulated with an intermediate lever (24) that can be turned around a rigid axis (26) and this lever (24) is joined in turn via a connecting rod (22) with a crankshaft (18) driven in rotation, and that coupling point (32) of connecting rod (22) on intermediate lever (24) can be adjusted in a connecting link (34), which runs concentric to the axis of rotation of crankshaft (18) in the lower dead-point position of intermediate lever (24).

Abstract: A device for and method of injecting a bale of ruminant material with a fluid is taught. The device includes a plurality of injection spikes for insertion into the bale. The spikes are attached to a support for supporting the spikes while they are inserted into the bale. The spikes are attached to the support by a resilient member. The device prevents the deformation of the spikes and thereby increases the useable life of the device over devices in which the spikes are rigidly mounted on a driving structure. The device further has injection drive which allows precise control over the amount of fluid being injected into the bale.

Abstract: A method of injecting fluid into meat entails weighing the meat product, injecting it with fluid, weighing the injected meat product, determining the ratio between these weights, comparing that ratio with a target ratio, and adjusting the time that the needles penetrate the meat product so that the next meat product will have its weight ratio adjusted towards the target ratio if a variance with target ratio exists with respect to the first injected meat product.

Abstract: A machine for injecting fluid into a meat product has a frame and a meat injection station on the frame. An elongated conveyor is mounted on the frame for carrying a meat products towards and through the injection station. A motor is on the frame for operating the conveyor. A meat injection head on the frame is located at the injection station and includes a plurality of downwardly extending fluid injection needles. A fluid reservoir is mounted on the frame and is connected to a pump, with the pump also being connected to the needles. The motor is connected to a power train for moving the needles into and out of a meat product while it is being moved through the injection station by the conveyor. A bypass control circuit is on the frame and is connected to the pump and the reservoir for diverting fluid moving towards the needles from the pump in the reservoir when the needles are out of the meat product.

Abstract: A meat injection machine has a fluid manifold with a plurality of fluid reservoirs, and a group of injection needles associated with each reservoir. Each needle is slidably mounted in a stripper tube which in turn is slidably mounted in the fluid manifold. A valve on the upper end of the stripper tube seats on a valve seat on the upper end of the needle. A stripper pad is mounted on the lower end of each stripper tube and slidably embraces the lower end of each needle. Each fluid reservoir has a fluid pressure regulator to adjust fluid pressure on each reservoir.

Abstract: A meat injection machine has a fluid manifold with a plurality of fluid reservoirs, and a group of injection needles associated with each reservoir. Each needle is slidably mounted in a stripper tube which in turn is slidably mounted in the fluid manifold. A valve on the upper end of the stripper tube seats on a valve seat on the upper end of the needle. A stripper pad is mounted on the lower end of each stripper tube and slidably embraces the lower end of each needle. Each fluid reservoir has a fluid pressure regulator to adjust fluid pressure on each reservoir. The method of injecting fluid into meat entails weighing the meat product, injecting it with fluid, weighing the injected meat product, comparing that weight with a target weight, and adjusting the fluid pressure in each reservoir so that the next meat product will have its injected weight adjusted towards the target weight if a weight variance with the target weight exists with respect to the first injected meat product.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided an injection needle for injecting a processing solution such as a pickle solution into a food material in an apparatus for making a processed food. The injection needle comprises an elongated hollow pie including an opening end, the processing solution being fed into the hollow pipe. A tip is welded or press fitted into the opening end of the hollow pipe to thereby close the opening end. The tip includes a tapered outer surface extending from the opening end of the hollow pipe to the point of the tip to thrust the tip and the hollow pipe into the food material. The injection needle further comprises hole means formed in the tip, the hole means being communicated with the interior of the hollow pipe and opened to the tapered outer surface. Accordingly, the processing solution can be injected into the food material through the hole means in the tip.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus receives a sealed container of food inside a cooking chamber. A controller operates a motor to drive a rack and pinion gear set to lower a nozzle to puncture the cover of the container. Limit switches position the nozzle at a predetermined location within the container. The controller activates solenoids which open steam and/or water valves to permit steam and/or water from a boiler to be introduced inside the food container through the nozzle to mix and complete cooking of the food contents of the container. The controller operates the motor to withdraw the nozzle from within the container and activates a solenoid of a steam valve to provide steam through a confinement cylinder that subjects the nozzle to a steam bath after the nozzle has been retracted from within the food container. A limit switch cooperates with the controller to prevent the nozzle from being withdrawn from the cooking chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the removal, addition, or exchange of marbling fat within meat pieces, an apparatus for practicing the method, and the meat product produced by practicing the method using the apparatus. The apparatus includes a reservoir tank, a temperature control for maintaining a constant, predetermined temperature within the reservoir tank, a hollow needle for piercing a raw meat workpiece, conduit for connecting the reservoir tank to the hollow needle, a reciprocating structure for reciprocating the hollow needle, a stage to hold the meat workpiece, and a die to remove fat which is adhered to the needle as the needle is reciprocated through the meat workpiece.

Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided a machine for treating raw meat, which comprises an injecting apparatus and a plurality of massaging apparatuses. The injecting apparatus includes injecting needle means adapted to be thrust into raw meat for injecting a pickle solution, and an outlet end from which the raw meat is discharged after injecting the pickle solution thereinto. The massaging apparatuses each includes a container adapted to be charged with the raw meat having the pickle solution injected thereinto for massaging, mixing and salting the same, and an inlet end adapted to receive the raw meat and direct the same into the container. The massaging apparatuses extend longitudinally of the injecting apparatus at a position downstream of the injecting apparatus, the massaging apparatuses being arranged side by side widthwise thereof.

Abstract: A device for injecting food products with a liquid, includes a support for the food pieces, a needle carrier placed above the support and movable in a vertical direction, injection needles fixed to the needle carrier and extending downward, feed means for supplying the liquid to each of the injection needles and at least one drive mechanism for driving the needle carrier in the vertical direction. In order to obtain uniform distribution of the liquid in the food pieces, the drive mechanism, which converts a rotational drive into a linear movement, has a number of freely selectable variables so that during the downward stroke the speed of the needle carrier is a constant as possible. This is achieved by equipping the drive mechanism with a planetary gear wheel system. Preferably, the planetary gear wheel system includes a sun-wheel and a planet wheel which have the same diameter and the same number of teeth.

Abstract: Apparatus for injecting pickle into meat products comprising a multiple needle injector with needles, a crank mechanism operated by a motor and connected with the multiple needle injector to move the injector upward and downward, a transport mechanism positioned below the injector, a motor speed regulator to control the speed of the motor and an input signal for deducing the position of the injector.

Abstract: Instead of using injection needles, that have to be inserted into and withdrawn from the meat with the latter substantially stationary relative to the needles, the method and apparatus of the invention use high-pressure nozzles (11) directing powerful jets of liquid penetrating into the meat to the requisite depth, preferably while the meat is being conveyed through a set of conduits, including a unit (7) containing said nozzles (11), preferably also a vibration-massage unit (8) and a deformation-massage unit (9), before being delivered through an outlet unit (10).

Abstract: Disclosed is a seasoning device having a chamber designed to be filled with, for example, liquid and granular seasonings mixed together and having a plurality of hollow needles forming outlets from the chamber. The device includes a pumping mechanism which is motorized and battery operated and designed to pressurize the chamber to cause movement of a piston follower to cause expulsion of the seasoning through the needles as the needles are pulled from embedded positions within a piece of meat or fish. The depth of penetration of the needles may be selectively adjusted.