Device and method for producing meat products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for mechanically loading raw meat to stick together are time-consuming and expose the meat to ambient air, leading to increased germ load and limited capacity for processing large quantities within a common casing.

Innovation Solution

A device with reciprocating work surfaces driven at high frequencies and amplitudes to mechanically load raw meat within a casing, allowing for efficient absorption of aqueous or oily compositions and reducing processing time by applying intense mechanical stress to facilitate sticking and cooking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional rumbling machines or tumblers are used to mechanically load raw meat, then the meat pieces can be joined together, but the process takes a lot of time (several hours)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidrumbling time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies mechanical vibration through a vibration generator that vibrates the container at high frequencies (e.g., 50-100 Hz) to rapidly mechanically load the meat pieces. This vibration causes the meat pieces to collide and press against each other, achieving joining in minutes rather than hours, thus dramatically improving productivity while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Object-affected harmful factors

If open drums are used for rumbling, then the mechanical loading can be performed, but the pieces of meat are treated in contact with ambient air leading to increased germ load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegerm loadVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a closed container that can be evacuated to create a vacuum or filled with inert gas, replacing the ambient air environment. This prevents contamination of the meat pieces with germs from the air during the mechanical loading process, reducing germ load while maintaining processing efficiency through the vibration-based rapid treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Quantity of substance

If conventional rumbling machines are used, then the meat pieces can be treated, but the raw pieces of meat must be freely movable which limits treatment of large quantities within a common casing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of meatVSAvoidoperational flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vibration-based system allows meat pieces to be densely packed in a container without requiring free movement space. The high-frequency vibrations transmit through the container and cause the meat pieces to collide and press against each other effectively, enabling treatment of large quantities of meat in a compact arrangement while maintaining ease of operation through simple container placement on the vibration generator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The device significantly reduces processing time for meat products, allowing for efficient absorption of compositions and preventing contamination by maintaining the meat within a sealed environment, achieving results comparable to conventional methods in a fraction of the time.

Implementation Method 1

a vibration generator is arranged in the container for subjecting the raw pieces of meat to vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

raw pieces of meat to be subjected to mechanical stress in a mold, either in an elastic casing or a rigid mold, for example a cooking box, until they are joined together or stuck together, for example by leakage of meat juice and/or loosening their structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical stress: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3099178B1Device and method for producing meat products
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 HUKELMANN BERNHARD
  • EP3099178B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3099178B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3099178B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device and a method that can be carried out using said device, for producing meat products using pieces of raw meat that are joined together and subsequently cooked and/or that absorb a liquid composition. The device has working surfaces that encompass an inner volume, at least one of said working surfaces having a drive for back-and-forth motion and for pressing the at least one working surface against pieces of raw meat situated in the inner volume that is encompassed by the working surfaces.