DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MECHANICALLY MIXING MEAT PRODUCTS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for producing protein digestion in meat products according to claim 1 and to a corresponding method according to claim 13.

[0002] Traditionally, pieces of meat or shredded meat, particularly pieces of meat intended for the production of formed meat, are filled into a mixing drum of a tumbler so that the slow rotation of the mixing drum causes protein to break down on the surface of the mixed pieces of meat. This protein breakup forms a sticky film on the surface of the pieces of meat and can be used as a natural bonding agent to ensure that the pieces of meat adhere better to one another during the production of formed meat and can be bonded together without air pockets. However, when using conventional tumblers, it can take hours for protein to break down on the entire contents of the product because their mixing drums, particularly due to their size, are only rotated at a few revolutions per minute, for example 30 rpm.This well-known mixing process is therefore very time-consuming and energy-intensive.

[0003] In addition, the tumblers used for this purpose, which are designed to produce the desired throughput of meat pieces with protein breakdown, have a relatively large drum volume and therefore require a lot of space. The large drums create a drop height from which the meat pieces intermittently fall to the drum floor to form the protein breakdown. The impact can cause protein breakdown in the meat. However, this only results in a discontinuous force being applied to the meat, so it is necessary to rotate the drums for hours to achieve even protein breakdown across the entire meat product.Because conventional tumbler systems primarily have a single opening for filling and unloading meat, the mixing process must be interrupted when changing batches, which also makes the operation of so-called tumblers very time-consuming and leads to increased energy costs.

[0004] AT 324 875 B discloses a device for massaging meat with a fixed drum and a shaft rotatably mounted therein and provided with massaging blades

[0005] EP 1 508 365 A1 discloses a device with a housing and a mixing tool rotatably mounted therein.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a device and a method for producing protein digestion in meat products with an advantageous energy balance and an improved throughput rate.

[0007] This object is achieved by means of a device according to claim 1 and by means of a method for producing protein digestion in meat products according to claim 13.

[0008] Advantageous further developments of the invention are given by the respective subject matters of the subclaims.

[0009] The invention relates to a device comprising at least one tool for producing protein digestion in meat products, wherein the tool forms a mixing chamber for the meat products. According to the invention, the mixing chamber has opposing chamber walls that can be rotated relative to one another to control the forces exerted on the meat products located therebetween.

[0010] The mixing chamber walls, which can rotate relative to each other, allow the meat product to be kneaded evenly along its surface throughout the entire process. This is achieved by continuously applying forces from the opposing chamber walls, resulting from pressing and counter-pressing forces, to the meat product between the chamber walls, resulting in a uniform surface film of protein decomposition within a short period of time. The application of force to the meat product is particularly efficient when the receiving volume formed by the mixing chamber is essentially completely filled with meat product.

[0011] The facing, rotatable chamber walls can themselves be used in the invention as counterpressure tool parts with enlarged tool surfaces to exert forces on the meat. This results in the sum of the forces acting on the meat being so large within a short period of time that the desired protein breakdown is achieved with minimal energy input.

[0012] For example, shredded or chopped meat could be used as the meat product. Alternatively, it is conceivable that minced meat could be used as the meat product, which would be treated within the mixing chamber to produce protein digestion. Furthermore, it would be conceivable that the mixing chamber could be used to produce a homogeneous mixture of the added minced meat and additionally added spices. The mixing chamber of the device according to the invention can be used in a variety of ways, depending on the type of meat product. However, the device according to the invention is preferably used to produce protein digestion in pieces of meat.

[0013] A variant of the invention provides for the mixing chamber to have chamber walls that can rotate coaxially relative to each other. This results in quiet operation. Furthermore, it is possible to rotate the chamber walls at high speeds, thus enabling high throughput.

[0014] Preferably, the chamber walls are rotatable relative to each other about a common vertical axis of rotation. This allows the rotatable chamber walls to function together as vibration dampers, meaning that vibrations resulting from rotation in one chamber wall can be canceled out by vibrations of the other, rotating chamber wall that are specifically directed against it. This allows the device as a whole to be controlled with low vibration, i.e., with extremely smooth operation.

[0015] The fixture, especially the segment forming the tool, can be configured in the form of a column. This promotes an overall slim design, meaning it requires less installation space. The fixture can therefore be easily integrated into existing production facilities as a retrofit kit.

[0016] An advantageous variant provides for the device to have a housing that surrounds the tool. This prevents interference with the rotating masses of the tool. The housing can be provided with ventilation holes, at least in places, to dissipate drive heat.

[0017] It would be conceivable to create a temperature-controlled chamber within the housing for the tool to control the temperature of the meat processed with the tool. A cooling unit used for this purpose can preferably be dynamically controlled depending on the detected temperature of at least one of the two chamber walls.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the chamber walls can be rotated at different speeds and / or in opposite directions of rotation. This allows for the targeted control of the force applied to the meat product within the mixing chamber. In particular, the chamber walls can be rotated independently of each other. It would therefore also be conceivable for only one of the two chamber walls to rotate, at least temporarily. In this function, the tool can be used, in particular, to thoroughly mix an incoming meat mass due to the reduced force applied, for example, to thoroughly mix pre-prepared minced meat with spices.

[0019] One variant provides that at least one of the two chamber walls can rotate at a speed of up to 300 revolutions per minute, preferably at a speed of up to 500 revolutions per minute. Preferably, the respective speeds of the chamber walls can be continuously adjusted. The speeds of the two chamber walls can, in particular, be synchronized.

[0020] It would be conceivable that at the beginning of a mixing process, i.e., when a new batch of meat is added to the mixing chamber, the chamber walls could only be controlled at a predetermined, limited speed to gently mix the meat that first enters the mixing chamber. This would ensure that the meat introduced at the beginning of the mixing chamber can first settle toward the bottom of the mixing chamber.

[0021] In this context, it would be particularly useful to provide a fill level sensor designed to override the speed limit when a predetermined level of meat can be detected in the mixing chamber. This fill level sensor could then easily determine at what point the mixing chamber is sufficiently filled with meat, allowing the forces exerted by the chamber walls on the meat, in particular the resulting forces transmitted between the pieces of meat, to be maximized.

[0022] The device for driving the chamber walls preferably has two separate electric motors. It is particularly advantageous if both electric motors are arranged one above the other. A streamlined design would be possible, in particular, if their respective drive axes overlapped one another, in particular if both were aligned with the common vertical axis of rotation of the chamber walls. This allows for a space-saving, column-like design of the device, which can thus be easily integrated into an existing production facility with minimal space requirements.

[0023] It would be advantageous if the tool were positioned between the two electric motors. This promotes a particularly robust construction of the device, as it ensures even weight distribution of the components used. High stability of the device can be achieved primarily by designing the lower electric motor to drive the outer chamber wall and the upper electric motor to drive the inner chamber wall.

[0024] It would be conceivable for at least one of the two electric motors to be mounted laterally next to the chamber wall it drives. In this arrangement, a belt drive could be used to transfer the drive torque from the electric motor to the chamber wall mounted to the side. This design, configured side by side rather than one above the other, results in a reduced overall height.

[0025] One variant provides for the mixing chamber to have at least partially conical and / or cylindrical chamber walls that can be rotated relative to one another. Cylindrical, mutually facing chamber walls form a mixing chamber with an annular gap-shaped receiving volume for the meat product, thus offering the advantage of a slim design. Conical, mutually facing chamber walls form a mixing chamber with a conical receiving volume for the meat product, thus leading to a larger capacity compared to a cylindrical design. Furthermore, with the conical design, meat product can be quickly led out of the mixing chamber through an outlet opening formed in the area of ​​the smallest cross-section, thereby further accelerating the protein breakdown process.

[0026] It is advantageous if at least one of the chamber walls, which can be rotated relative to one another, has at least one baffle for the meat product. Such a baffle can be provided in the form of a depression, a protrusion, in particular a helical protrusion, e.g., a screw shape, in order to exert increased forces on the meat product. The baffle can ensure that the protein breakdown formed in the mixing chamber is evenly distributed over the meat product. It would be conceivable for at least one of the two chamber walls to have a surface with a serrated profile, at least in some areas.

[0027] A particularly advantageous variant provides that at least one of the chamber walls, which can rotate relative to one another, forms a helical surface, at least in part. It would be conceivable for the inner chamber wall to be formed by a body in the shape of a worm. The outer chamber wall can be formed by a hollow body with a spiral shape along its inner surface. This allows meat held between them to roll through even more effectively, allowing forces to be exerted on the meat from all sides. This results in even faster protein breakdown in the meat. Furthermore, such surfaces are very easy to clean.

[0028] According to one embodiment, at least one of the two chamber walls is formed by an exchangeable tool part that can be easily replaced by another tool part. This other tool part can have a different surface finish. Preferably, the entire tool can be removed, particularly without tools, for cleaning processes.

[0029] It is conceivable that the device comprises a feed device for feeding meat into the mixing chamber and / or a receiving container for meat, from which the meat can be fed to the mixing chamber. The feed device can have a feed pipe, which in particular connects the receiving container to the mixing chamber. According to a particularly simple embodiment, the feed pipe alone forms the feed device, i.e., no separate receiving container is used for storing meat, but rather the meat enters the mixing chamber directly via the feed pipe.

[0030] It is advantageous if the receiving container for the meat product is positioned above the mixing chamber. This has the effect that the weight generated by the receiving container acts on the device from above, creating a vibration-damping effect on the rotating masses of the mixing chamber positioned below, thus resulting in an overall smoother operation of the device.

[0031] One variant provides for the receiving container to be positioned directly above the mixing chamber, allowing the meat to be fed directly from the receiving container into the mixing chamber. An electric motor used to drive the mixing chamber can be positioned to the side of the mixing chamber in this variant. This allows for a reduced overall height of the device despite the use of a receiving container for storing the meat, and the meat stored in the receiving container can be fed directly from the receiving container into the mixing chamber, i.e., without any intermediate pipe connection.

[0032] The mixing chamber can be supplied with meat directly, in particular from the receiving container positioned above it, through an annular gap-shaped opening in the base. Due to the dead weight of the meat mass above, new meat can be continuously pushed from the top of the receiving container into the mixing chamber connected below as the mixed meat leaves the mixing chamber. To ensure that the meat in the receiving container moves specifically towards the annular gap-shaped opening in its base, the receiving container can have a shape that tapers towards the mixing chamber, in particular in the form of a funnel, so that the meat can be fed directly from the receiving container to the mixing chamber.

[0033] It would be conceivable for the receiving container to have double-walled boundary walls with an air gap between them to better maintain the temperature of the meat stored in the receiving container. The boundary walls could be configured to be temperature-controlled to cool the meat stored therein.

[0034] It would be conceivable for a variety of tools with rotating chamber walls to be connected to the receiving container to collect the meat. These tools could be supplied with meat from the receiving container in parallel, resulting in an increased flow rate.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the mixing chamber comprises both a feed opening for meat and a separately designed discharge opening for meat with protein digestion. These two openings enable an uninterrupted, i.e., continuous, mixing process, since meat to be treated can be fed into the mixing chamber through the feed opening at the exact time that a meat with protein digestion treated within the mixing chamber leaves the mixing chamber through the discharge opening. This means that downtimes of the device can be reduced.

[0036] Both the supply of meat and the removal of meat with protein digestion can be controlled by the intervening mixing process within the mixing chamber. The volume flow can be varied by controlling the respective rotational speeds of the chamber walls. In particular, this allows the device to be easily integrated into a dynamic control or regulation process designed to automatically coordinate the supply of untreated meat with speed control depending on the requested filling quantity of meat with protein digestion.

[0037] In particular, it would be conceivable that a reversal of the speed of at least one of the rotatable chamber walls would result in the discharge of treated meat from the discharge opening of the mixing chamber being prevented by this alone, ie the meat circulated in the mixing chamber could be automatically retained therein without the need for a separate closure mechanism for the discharge opening.

[0038] A particularly advantageous design is achieved by the tool comprising a rotatable drum and a rotating body mounted coaxially within it, which can rotate independently of the drum. The drum and the rotating body form the chamber walls of the mixing chamber that are rotatable relative to each other. The drum forms the outer part of the tool, i.e., the outer chamber wall, and the rotating body forms the inner part of the tool, i.e., the inner chamber wall of the mixing chamber formed between them.

[0039] Preferably, the drum forms a cylindrical or conical drum wall facing the rotating body and the rotating body forms a cylindrical or conical rotating body wall facing the drum, wherein the drum wall and the rotating body wall form the chamber walls of the mixing chamber that are rotatable relative to one another.

[0040] A high degree of force is applied to the meat product, especially when the gap between the drum and the rotating body is less than 10 cm, preferably less than 5 cm. This narrow gap in the mixing chamber prevents the meat product from remaining untreated during the mixing process without the application of force.

[0041] One variant provides for the device to have a discharge device connected to the mixing chamber for the protein-digested meat product treated by the tool. The discharge device can have a conveyor screw designed to transport protein-digested meat product away from the device in a predetermined conveying direction. The conveyor screw can be rotatably mounted within a transport tube connected to the discharge opening of the mixing chamber. This allows the protein-digested meat product to be transported to a predetermined delivery location.

[0042] It would be conceivable for the transport tube, or at least a part of it, to be designed to be pivotable and / or telescopic in order to be able to deliver the meat product with protein digestion conveyed therein to different delivery locations.

[0043] The discharge device can comprise a separator for separating excess protein digestion. In particular, the transport tube can have the separator formed thereon, for example, as a perforated section in the tube bottom, along which excess protein digestion can be separated from the meat product conveyed therethrough.

[0044] Preferably, all surfaces of the device that come into contact with the meat are made of stainless steel components. Some surfaces can even be highly polished to better prevent contaminants from accumulating on them.

[0045] One variant provides for the discharge device to have at least one rotating cutting tool for chopping the protein-rich meat or mixed product conveyed from the mixing chamber. This would also make it possible to produce a mushy, homogeneous protein-rich meat mass from the pieces of meat leaving the mixing chamber.

[0046] The cutting tool may comprise at least one rotatable cutting blade and / or is attached as a removable attachment kit, in particular at the outlet of the discharge device.

[0047] According to an advantageous variant, the production of protein breakdown in the meat product can be enhanced by creating a vacuum within the mixing chamber. For this purpose, the device can have at least one vacuum pump connected to the mixing chamber. In this advantageous variant, the mixing chamber is used as a vacuum chamber, thus fulfilling a dual function from a technical perspective. The applied vacuum can supplement the pressing and counter-pressing forces exerted by rotation on the meat product in the mixing chamber in such a way that protein breakdown can be achieved even better. Above all, the vacuum promotes the absorption of a (seasoning) liquid, for example brine, into the meat product processed in the mixing chamber.

[0048] It would be conceivable for one of the electric motors used to rotate the chamber walls to also drive the vacuum pump. In this embodiment, the vacuum could be coupled to the rotation of the chamber wall, meaning it could be automatically generated in the mixing chamber when the chamber wall rotates. Alternatively, the vacuum pump could also have its own drive, in particular its own electric motor.

[0049] One embodiment of the invention relates to a formed meat production plant, comprising at least one device according to the invention and a filling station, at which the meat product produced by the device with protein digestion can be filled, in particular, into at least one mold provided at the filling station for producing formed meat. The protein digestion of the meat pieces ensures that the pieces of meat held in the mold bond together through a smoking or cooking process, thus creating a cohesive meat body corresponding to its shape, which is excellently suited for slicing.

[0050] One variant provides that the filling station has a vacuum sealer which is designed to package the meat product leaving the device with protein digestion in portions under vacuum sealing.

[0051] In particular, it is conceivable for several devices according to the invention to be connected in series next to one another via the discharge device to the filling station, wherein the discharge device is designed to receive protein-digested meat products from the respective devices according to the invention and transport them further to the filling station. The meat products arriving there can then be filled into provided molds for producing formed meat or, alternatively, fed into a vacuum packaging process.

[0052] In particular, at the filling station, molds fed one after the other can be filled with meat and then removed in a desired direction. To supply empty molds, the formed meat production plant could have an underpass or a low-floor conveyor system. This can run, at least in sections, within a machine frame of the formed meat production plant. Such a formed meat production plant can be integrated as a production line in a confined space. In particular, the formed meat production plant has a linear design. It would therefore be conceivable for several formed meat production plants to operate side by side as parallel production lines.

[0053] The invention further relates to a method for producing protein breakdown in meat products, wherein the meat products, in particular pieces of meat or minced meat, are fed to at least one mixing chamber. The method according to the invention provides that opposing chamber walls of the mixing chamber can be rotated relative to one another to exert mechanical forces on the meat products located therebetween. This makes it possible to quickly control the application of mechanical forces through the chamber walls to the meat products located therebetween in such a way that a desired amount of protein breakdown can be produced thereon, which is advantageous as a binding strength for subsequent processing, in particular in the production of formed meat.

[0054] In particular, the chamber walls can be rotated at least temporarily in opposite directions of rotation and / or around a common vertical axis of rotation in order to produce meat products with protein digestion in between.

[0055] According to one variant, a vacuum is applied to the mixing chamber, whereby the mechanical forces generated by rotation on the meat held in the mixing chamber can be increased, so that the production of protein digestion is possible within a shorter time.

[0056] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a mixing chamber with opposing chamber walls that can be rotated relative to one another for exerting a controlled, mechanical force on meat products located therebetween in order to produce protein breakdown thereon.

[0057] The mixing chamber is preferably used to apply pressing and counter-pressing forces to enclosed pieces of meat that fill the chamber volume by rotating at least one of the chamber walls, so that protein is broken down from the surface cell structure of the enclosed pieces of meat. Optionally, the mixing chamber can also be used as a vacuum chamber by creating a vacuum between the chamber walls.

[0058] It is conceivable that several mixing chambers arranged one after the other in the direction of production are used to produce meat products with protein digestion, which are filled into molds fed to a filling station downstream in the direction of production using a discharge device.

[0059] The invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the following figures. They show: Fig. 1 a side view of the device according to the invention in sectional view, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the Figure 1 shown device, Fig. 3 an embodiment of the device according to the invention with receiving container, Fig. 4a a schematic representation of a device according to the invention with cylindrical chamber walls, Fig. 4b a schematic representation of a device according to the invention with conical chamber walls, and Fig. 5 a formed meat production plant with several devices according to the invention.

[0060] Identical technical components are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0061] Figure 1 shows a device 1 for producing protein digestion of meat G. The meat G is in Figure 1formed by pieces of meat, for example, shredded pork. The device 1 has a tool 2, which forms a mixing chamber 3 for the meat G. The tool 2 consists of Figure 1 has a cylindrical structure.

[0062] The mixing chamber 3 from Figure 1 has opposite chamber walls 4a, 4b which can be rotated relative to one another for controlling the pressing and counter-pressing forces K exerted on the meat product G located therebetween (see Figures 4A and 4B ). According to Figure 1 The chamber walls 4a, 4b of the mixing chamber 3 are cylindrical. As a result, the tool 2 has a cylindrical design.

[0063] The Figure 1 The chamber wall 4a shown inside is driven by an electric motor 5a. For the Figure 1 A further electric motor 5b is provided in the chamber wall 4b shown on the outside. Figure 1shows that the tool 2, including the mixing chamber 3 formed thereby, is mounted between the two electric motors 5a, 5b. The two electric motors 5a, 5b have respective drive axes 6a, 6b, which, together with the chamber walls 4a, 4b, are rotatable about a common vertical axis of rotation 7. The device 1 of Figure 1 It has a slim design and is in the form of a column, which makes it easy to set up in a production facility.

[0064] Figure 1 indicates that the respective chamber walls 4a, 4b of the tool 2 are rotatable in opposite directions 8a, 8b around the vertical axis of rotation 7. Between the two chamber walls 4a, 4b, a chicane 9 is schematically shown (see also Figures 4A and 4B), which is formed on the inner chamber wall 4a and / or on the outer chamber wall 4b. The chicane 9 is, for example, in the form of a spiral, so that the chamber wall 4a or the chamber wall 4b forms a helical surface. It is conceivable that both chamber walls 4a, 4b have a helical chicane 9.

[0065] The Figure 1 The device 1 shown further comprises a feeding device 10. According to Figure 1 The feed device 10 is provided as a feed pipe 11 for feeding meat product G into the mixing chamber 3. The feed pipe 11 opens into a housing 12 for the tool 2 and guides the meat product G into the mixing chamber 3, for example through a feed opening (not shown) in the outer chamber wall 4b. The housing 12 is essentially cylindrical and forms a receptacle for the tool 2.

[0066] Except for the Figure 1In addition to the feed opening (not visible), the mixing chamber 3 has a separate discharge opening 13 for meat product G with protein digestion. This is formed at the lower outlet of the tool 2. According to Figure 1 the discharge opening 13 guides the meat product G formed with protein digestion into a discharge device 14. The discharge device 14 comprises a transport pipe 15 and a screw 16 arranged therein as a conveying means in order to transport the meat product G entering the pipe 15 through the discharge opening 13 in the conveying direction R.

[0067] Meat product G poured into the feed pipe 11 of the feed device 10 passes through the feed pipe 11 formed as a chute into the mixing chamber 3. By setting at least one of the chamber walls 4a, 4b in rotation about the axis of rotation 7, the meat product G received between the chamber walls 4a, 4b can be subjected to pressing and counter-pressing forces K in such a way that protein breakdown forms on the surface of the pieces of meat, which serves as a binding starch for downstream processes, for example as a binding starch for the production of formed meat.

[0068] By rotating in opposite directions, but also in the same direction with possibly different speeds, the two chamber walls 4a, 4b can be controlled in such a way that the meat product G located therebetween passes through the discharge opening 13 into the discharge device 14 at a desired volume flow, wherein the screw 16 rotating therein transports the meat product G away in the conveying direction R.

[0069] The Figure 1 The device 1 shown is a mini-tumbler with speed-controlled chamber walls 4a, 4b due to its column shape. Figure 1 The column-like construction shown can be easily mounted on a U-shaped base, for example by screwing it onto it.

[0070] The device 1 from Figure 1has three module segments in a vertical orientation, namely an upper drive module 17a, a lower drive module 17b and an intermediate tool module 17c including the feed device 10. The modules arranged one above the other in the vertical direction, i.e. the upper drive module 17a, the lower drive module 17b and the intermediate tool module 17c, when assembled one above the other form a slim column with masses rotating along the axis of rotation 7, so that an overall robust, vibration-insensitive construction is created.

[0071] Figure 2 shows the Figure 11 shows a perspective sectional view of the device 1 shown. The device 1 has a casing 18 that encloses the electric motors 5a, 5b and the tool 2 arranged therebetween. The module segments 17a, 17b, 17c arranged one above the other are separated from one another by partition walls 19a, 19b formed in the casing 18, resulting in a particularly stable structure for the device 1. This segmented structure also offers the advantage that the tool 2 located between the electric motors 5a, 5b can be easily removed without having to remove the electric motors 5a, 5b. This removal function for the tool 2 is schematically represented by the double arrow P.

[0072] Furthermore, Figure 2that the casing 18 is formed with lower and upper fastening brackets 20a, 20b. The lower fastening brackets 20b can be used to screw the device 1 onto the base U. The upper fastening brackets 20a can be used to mount a receiving container 21 (see Figure 3 ) can be used. To dissipate motor heat, 18 ventilation holes 22 are assigned to the respective electric motors 5a, 5b in the casing shown.

[0073] Figure 3 shows the device 1 from the Figure 1 and 2 with a receiving container 21 mounted thereon. The receiving container 21 serves to store meat G and is connected to the mixing chamber 3 via a pipe connection 23, which is plugged together with the feed pipe 22. The feed pipe 11 and the pipe connection 23 can also have an integral design.

[0074] The meat product G stored therein slides automatically over an inclined bottom 24 of the receiving container 21 into the pipe connection 23 and further via the feed pipe 11 into the mixing chamber 3, in which it is treated with a mechanical force input by means of chamber walls 4a, 4b which can be set in rotation in order to form protein breakdown therein.

[0075] Figure 3 also indicates in a schematic representation that the upper electric motor 5a, i.e. the upper drive module 17a, can be displaced into a zone 25 shown in dashed lines. An electric motor 5a positioned in this zone 25 or a drive module 17a arranged therein can transmit a rotary movement to the inner chamber wall 4a by means of a V-belt 26 in order to make it rotate. This alternative configuration leads to a lower overall height of the device 1. Should this alternative configuration additionally include a receiving container 21 according to Figure 3 , it can be mounted directly on the tool module 17c. This variant would have the advantage that the meat product G could pass directly from the receiving container 21 through an opening formed in the bottom 24 into the mixing chamber 3, i.e. without a separate feeding device 10. With this direct meat product feeding, it would be advantageous if the receiving container 21 were in the form of a funnel, in the bottom of which an annular gap-shaped opening is formed. This principle of direct meat product feeding is shown schematically in Figure 5 shown.

[0076] The previously related to the Figures 1 to 3 The devices 1 described form a mini-tumbler which, according to Figure 1 in a simple design with the feeding device 10, i.e. without receiving container 21 or according to the Figure 3shown variants, i.e. with indirect or direct meat feed from the receiving container 21. All variants have a compact design and can be easily installed in confined spaces.

[0077] The functioning of a cylindrical mixing chamber 3 is described in Figure 4A shown schematically. A conical mixing chamber 3 is used in conjunction with the Figure 4B described.

[0078] Figure 4A shows cylindrical chamber walls 4a, 4b, which are rotatable about a common vertical axis of rotation 7, and mutually facing helical surfaces 4a', 4b'. The chamber wall 4a is formed by a drum T. The chamber wall 4b is formed by a rotating body D accommodated in the drum T.

[0079] Figure 4Ashows that the chamber walls 4a, 4b are rotatable in opposite directions of rotation 8a, 8b around the axis of rotation 7. Meat product G located between them is mechanically rolled through with pressing and counter-pressing forces K in order to produce protein digestion, whereby meat product G treated between the chamber walls 4a, 4b by means of force input leaves the tool 2 through the schematically shown discharge opening 13, in particular the Figure 1 shown discharge device 14.

[0080] According to Figure 4AThe mixing chamber 3 has a volume V1 formed between the cylindrical chamber walls 4a, 4b, which constitutes the capacity of the mixing chamber 3. The volume V1 is defined, among other things, by a gap width d. The baffles 9 used on the chamber walls 4a, 4b within the volume V1 ensure that the meat product G filled between them is mixed with pressing and counter-pressing forces K, so that it forms protein decomposition on its surface.

[0081] Figure 4B shows a mixing chamber 3 with a volume V2 formed between the conical chamber walls 4a, 4b. These conical chamber walls 4a, 4b also have mutually facing helical surfaces 4a', 4b'. The volume V2 has a larger capacity than that in Figure 4A displayed volume V1.

[0082] The devices 1 shown above can be used either individually or multiple times at a production site.

[0083] Figure 5 shows a formed meat product plant 27 with several devices 1a to 1d operating one after the other in the production direction R, each of which is configured to produce meat product G with protein digestion and together form a production line L. The number of devices 1a to 1d that together form the production line L can vary as desired.

[0084] According to Figure 5 Four devices 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d arranged one behind the other in the production direction R are connected to a common discharge device 28. The common discharge device 28 has a rotatable screw 29 mounted along the production direction R, by means of which the meat product G treated by force application K from the devices 1a to 1d can be conveyed to a filling station 30. Furthermore, Figure 5 that by means of a low-floor conveyor device 31 having conveyor belts 31, 32, molds 33 are successively made available at the filling station 30 so that they can be filled with meat product G from the discharge device 28.

[0085] According to Figure 5 The respective receiving containers 21a to 21d are mounted directly on the respective tools 2a to 2d for direct meat supply, whereby meat G can be supplied from the receiving containers 21a to 21d to the respective mixing chambers 3a to 3d through respective annular gap-shaped supply openings 34a to 34d. The respective receiving containers 21a to 21d have a downwardly tapered funnel shape so that the meat G stored therein can be supplied in a targeted manner to the respective mixing chambers 3a to 3d through the respective annular gap-shaped supply openings 34a to 34d.

[0086] In Figure 5the respective devices 1a to 1d positioned at locations A to D can be operated sequentially. In Figure 5 For example, the device 1a positioned first in the production direction R at location A starts producing meat product G with protein digestion. As soon as the receiving container 21a is empty, the next device 1b at location B can start producing meat product G with protein digestion, so that the empty receiving container 21a can be filled without interrupting the supply of meat product to the filling station 30.

[0087] The Figure 5The low-floor conveyor system 31 shown can be integrated within a machine frame 35 of the formed meat product plant 27. Molds 33 filled with meat product G can be fed in the production direction R to a downstream smoking or cooking station for temperature treatment of the meat product G held in the molds 33, for example for the production of cooked ham.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) with at least one tool (2) for producing protein breakdown on meat material (G), wherein the tool (2) forms a mixing chamber (3) for meat material (G), characterized in that the mixing chamber (3) has opposite, rotatable chamber walls (4a, 4b) rotatable relative to each other for controlling forces (K) exerted on meat material (G) located therebetween.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing chamber (3) has chamber walls (4a, 4b) rotatable coaxially relative to each other.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the chamber walls (4a, 4b) are rotatable relative to each other about a common vertical rotation axis (7), and / or the apparatus (1) comprises two separate electric motors (5a, 5b) for driving the chamber walls (4a, 4b).

4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber walls (4a, 4b) are rotatable at different rotational speeds and / or in opposite rotational directions (8a, 8b).

5. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chamber walls (4a, 4b) of the mixing chamber (3) are at least partially conical and / or cylindrical chamber walls (4a, 4b).

6. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the chamber walls (4a, 4b) rotatable relative to each other has a baffle (9) for the meat material (G) and / or the chamber walls (4a, 4b) rotatable relative to each other have helical surfaces (4a', 4b') facing each other at least in some areas.

7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises a feeding device (10) for feeding meat material (G) into the mixing chamber (3) and / or a receptacle (21) for meat material (G), from which the meat material (G) can be fed into the mixing chamber (3).

8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mixing chamber (3) comprises both a feeding opening for meat material (G) and a discharge opening (13), formed separately therefrom, for meat material (G) with protein breakdown.

9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool (2) has a rotatable drum (T) and a rotating body (D) mounted coaxially therein and rotatable independently of the drum (T), wherein the drum (T) and the rotating body (D) form the chamber walls (4a, 4b) of the mixing chamber (3) which are rotatable relative to each other.

10. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the drum (T) forms a cylindrical or conical drum wall facing the rotating body (D) and the rotating body (D) forms a cylindrical or conical rotating body wall facing the drum (T), wherein the drum wall and the rotating body wall form the relatively to each other rotatable chamber walls (4a, 4b) of the mixing chamber (3).

11. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apparatus (1) has a discharge device (14) connected to the mixing chamber (3) for meat material (G) treated by the tool (2), and / or the apparatus (1) comprises at least one vacuum pump, being connected to the mixing chamber (3), by which a vacuum can be generated within the mixing chamber (3).

12. Reformed meat production plant (27) comprising at least one apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a filling station (30) at which the meat material (G), in particular pieces of meat, with protein breakdown, produced by means of the apparatus (1), can be filled into at least one mold (33) provided at the filling station (30) or can be portioned by means of a vacuumizer formed thereon.

13. Method for producing protein breakdown on meat material (G), wherein meat material (G) is fed to at least one mixing chamber (3), characterized in that opposite chamber walls (4a, 4b) of the mixing chamber (3) can be rotated and rotated relative to each other for exerting mechanical forces (K) on meat material (G) located therebetween.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the chamber walls (4a, 4b) can be rotated at least temporarily in opposite rotational directions (8a, 8b) and / or about a common vertical rotational axis (7).

15. Use of a mixing chamber (3) with opposite, rotatable chamber walls (4a, 4b) rotatable relative to each other for exerting a controlled, mechanical force input (K) on meat material (G) located therebetween in order to produce protein breakdown thereon.