Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
MET~OD AND MEANS FOR INJECTING FLUIDS
INTO MEAT PRODUCTS
Technical Field
This invention relates to the injection of fluids into
meat products and more particularly to a method and means for
injecting fluids into meat products.
In the meat processing industry, bellies and other meat
products are injected with a pickling or curing solution in
order to cure and flavor the meat product. In order to
attain proper curing and flavoring, it is extremely desirable
that a controlled amount of fluid be injected and evenly
distributed to the product.
Background Art
At the present time, the generally accepted method of
curing bellies and other meat products is to inject the
product, through a series of needles, with a pickle or curing
solution, and then curing the product in a smokehouse. It
is extremely desirable that a controlled amount of fluid be
injected into the product, and the desired amount or percen-
tage will vary according to several factors.
Applicant prev~iously proposed a machine for injecting
fluid into the meat products which attempted to sense the
thickness of the products and to inject a corresponding amount
of injector fluid thereinto. In the injector of said machine,
the amount of injection is determined by the length of time
the control valve is open and the time that the control valve
is open is determined by the thickness of the belly or
product. In applicant's earlier device a stripper bar moves
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down~ard~y and rests on the surface of the pro~uct, and the
average height of the stripper bar determines the amount of
time that the flow is open. A cam arrangement was used in
applicant's earlier device to control the valve opening
time as desired based on the thickness of the belly and also
on other factors such as the bleed characteristic of a thick
belly as compared to a thin belly. As stated, the amount of
injection in applicant's earlier machine is dependent on the time
that the flow valve is open. This time factor will not vary in
10 exact~proportion to the thickness of the belly because of the crank
action which moves the fluid manifold and needles upwardly and
downwardly. In other words, when a crank is at the bottom of its
stroke, the needles would be in a half-inch of belly much longer
than they would be in a half-inch of belly at the middle of the
15 stroke. Therefore, the timing of the valve opening becomes a
complicated matter and the control cam becomes e~tremely diffi-
cult to establish.
It is impractical to move the needles at a constant velocity
into a meat product. Thus, it is common in the art to utilize a
2~ cam or cranX whereby the needles are moved into and out of the
meat product with a crank action. This means that the velocity
of the needles varies throughout the penetration and retraction
strokes. The velocity of the needles starts from zero at the top
of the penetration stroke, moves to maximum velocity halfway
25 through the penetration stroke, and slows to zero velocity as
maximum penetration is reached, and the retraction stroke
commences. The retraction stroke duplicates the velocity curve of
th~ penetration stroke.
Since the velocity of a crank-activated gang of needles
30 varies, a continuous fluid supply pump will provide a varying
amount of fluid in different stratas of the meat product. The
stratas through which the needles most quickly pass will receive
the least fluid, and the stratas through which the needles more
slowly pass will receive more fluid. This violates the ultimate
35 objective of uniformly distributing the fluid thr~ugh the
thickness of the meat productO
Disclosure of ~nvention
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A machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like
is disclosed comprising a table having a conveyor means mounted
40 thereon which is adapted to move the meat product from one end
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I ~f
thereof towards the other end thereof. A fluid manifold rneans
colnprised of a plurality of fluld manifolds are mounted on the
ends of reciprocating arMs pivotally connected to the table so
that the injector needles of the fluid manifolds will be moved
upwardly and downwardly relative to the meat product upon the
reciprocating arms being reciproca~ed. A displace~ent pump is
in fluid communication, through a valve, to each of the fluid
manifolds to supply injection fluid thereto upon the associated
control valve being opened. Each of the displacement pumps is in
10 fluid communication with the source of injection fluid. A
stripper plate assembly is ~ounted on each of the fluid manifolds
and moves downwardly with the fluid manifold until the stripper
plate engages the upper surface of the meat product. After the sens-
ing plate has engaged the meat product, the fluid manifold continues
15 to move downwardly relative thereto so that the needles pierce
the meat. The continued movement or overtravel of the fluid mani-
fold causes a valve actuator mounted on the stripper plate to
open the associated control valve so that the associated
displacement pump will supply ~luid to the fluid manifold. Each
20 of the displacement pumps is controlled by means of a cam linkage
which is driven from the same crank which drives the fluid manifold
upwardly and downwardly. The rate of flow of fluid through the
needles is coordinated with the velocity of the needles as they
penetrate and withdraw from the meat product.
The device and method of this invention overcomes the
problem of the prior art by varying the amount of fluid delivered
through the needles in proportion to the varying velocity of the
nee~dles as they move into and out of the meat product.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to
30 provide an improved machine and method for injecting fluids into
meat products wherein the flow of fluid through the injection
needles is at a rate proportional to the velocity of the needles.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an
injector machine employing displacement pumps which are driven
35 from the same crank which drives the fluid manifold upwardly and
downwardly or at least from another means which moves in conjunct-
ion with the fluid manifold.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a
machine`for injecting fluid into meat products wherein a stripper
40 plate senses the surface of the meat product and the stripper
~late controls the displ~cement of a displacement pump in ~ccord-
ance with the thickness of the meat product.
A still further object of the iovention is to provide a
m3chine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which
has eliminated the need for controlling the time that the flow
valve is open.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a
machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which
is economical to manufacture and durable in use.
~ still further object of the invention is to provide a
machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like which
has the capability of injecting fluid into meat products on either
or both of the penetration stroke or withdrawal stroke of the
needles.
-A still further object of the invention is to provide a
machine for injecting fluid into meat products or the like
wherein the q~antity of fluid injected into the meat product for
the injection cycle can be adjusted.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Flgure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine of this
inventlon:
Figure 2 is a view of the machine as seen on lines 2-2
of Figure 1:
Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 3-3
of Figure 2:
Figure 4 is a sectional view seen on lines 4-4 of
Figure 3:
Figure 5 is a sectional view of a portion of the structure
for mounting each of the stripper plates:
Figure 6 is a partial sectional view of the displacement
pump assembly:
Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6 except that
the control valve is closed:
Figure 8 is a sectional view as seen on lines 8-8 of
Figure 7:
Figure 9 is a schematic of the fluid circuitry:
Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines
10-10 of Figure 1:
Figure 11 is a sectional view seen on lines 11-11 of
Figure 10; and
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Fi~ure 12 ls ~ perspective schematic of the means for
controllin~ the fluid manifold and displacement pump assemblies.
Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
The injector machine of this invention is generally desig-
nated by the reference numeral 10.
Machine 10 generally comprises a table 11 having a con-
veyor means 12 provided thereon for conveying the meat product
from right to left as viewed in Figure 1.
The numeral 14 refers to a power means having a power
10 snaft 16 extending therefrom which operates a fluid pump 18 and
which has a chain 20 extending therefrom to a sprocket 24 mounted
on shaft 26 which is rotatably mounted on the machine 10. Shaft !
26 is provided with eccentrics 28 and 30 at its opposite ends.
~eciprocal arms 32 and 34 are connected to the eccentrics 28 and
lS 30 respectively and have their upper ends pivotally connected to
fluid manifold support arms 36 and 38 which have one end thereof
pivotally connected to the machine as illustrated in the drawings.
A fluid manifold means 40 is mounted on the free ends of the arms
36 and 38 as illustrated in Figure 12 and will be described in
~ more detail hereinafter. Rods 42 and 44 are also connected to
the eccentrics 28 and 30 in conventional fashion and are opera-
tively connected to the conveyor means 12 for driving the same.
Cam 46 is mounted on shaft 26 as illustrated in Figure 11
and 12. Shaft 48 is rotatably mounted on machine 10 and has a
25 crank arm 50 secured to one end thereof and a crank arm 52
secured thereto intermediate the lengths thereof. Cam roller 54
is secured to a crank arm 52 and is in engagement with the cam
surface of cam 46. Rod 56 is pivotally connected to one end of
crank arm 52 and extends downwardly therefrom and is mounted in
30 an air or spring -type shock absorber referred to generally by
the reference numeral 57 which yieldably urges the crank arm
52 downwardly so that the roller 54 is maintained in engagement
B with the cam surface of cam 46.
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Rod 58 is pivotally connected at its lower end to crank arm
50 and extends up~Jardl~ therefrom as se~n in the drawings. As
illustr~ted in Figures 1 and 11, crank arm 50 is provided ~ith
an elongated slot 60 ~lhich adjustably receives the rod 5~ to
~ermit the "throw" of rod 58 to he varied. The upper end of rod
58 is connected to a bell crank apparatus referred to generally
by the reference numeral 62. Bell crank apparatus 62 includes a
triangular-shaped plate 64 having the upper end o~ the rod 5~
pivotally connected thereto at 66. Plate 64 is rigidly connected
to shaft 68 at 70 so that pivotal movement of the plate 64 will
cause the shaft 68 to be rotated. Shaft ~8 is operatively
rotatably mounted on the machine at its opposite ends as
illustrated in Fi~ure 12. Bracket 72 is rigidly secured to shaft
68 and extends downwardly therefrom and has rod 7~ pivotally
connected thereto which extends substantiallly horizontally
therefrom. Rod 76 is pivotally connected at one end to the plate
64 and extends substantially horizontally therefrom parallel to
rod 74. Shaft 73 is secure~ to and extends between the rods 74
and 76 an3 has pump rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and 90 secured
20 thereto and extending therefrom. Pump rods 80, 82, 84, 86, 88 and
90 extend from displacement pumps 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 and 102,
respectively. Inasmuch as each of the displacement pumps are
identical, only one displacement pump and its associated hardware
will be described in detail. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate the
typical displacement pump apparatus. As seen in the drawings,
displacement pump 92 is mounted within a displacement pump frame
means referred to generally by the reference numeral 104.
Displacemen~ pump 92 includes a piston 106 which is connected to
thel rod 80 for movement therewith. As seen in Fiqure 6, piston
30 106 is provided with a seal 108 on the inner end thereof which
sealably engages the interior wall surface of the pump 92.
For purposes of description, the interior compartment of the pump
92 will be referred to by the reference numeral 110. Pump 92
includes an inner wall member 112 having a port 11~ formed therein.
35 Port 114 is in communication with a bore 116 which extends
downwardly and which is in communication with a port 118 formed
in a valve housing 120. Valve 122 is movably mounted in housing
120 and has a spring 124 associated therewith which urges the
valve 122 from the position of Figure 6 to the position of
40 Figure 7. Valve 122 is provided with annular spool portion 126
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for~ned therein intermediate the ends thereof. Valve 122 is
provided with an outer end portion 128. The inner end of valve
ho~nsing 120 is in communication with a fluid reservoir or
chamber 130 which is in communication with a source of injector
fluid under pressure. Valve housing 120 has a discharge port ]32
formed therein which is in communication with conduit li4
extending therefrom.
By adjusting the "throw" of rod 58 as it is mounted in slot
60 of crank arm 50, the amount of fluid supplied by each of the
pumps,can be carefully regulated and adjusted. This distinguishes
the present invention from such prior art devices as Patent No.
3,381,603 issued May 7, 196~ which does not provide any means
for adjusting the quantity of fluid supplied to the meat product
by the pumps.
Fluid manifold means 40 comprises six individual fluid
manifolds designated by the reference numeral 136, 138, 140, 142,
144 and lg6. Inasmuch as each of the fluid manifolds and the
supporting structure therefor are identical, only fluid manifold
146 and the associated hardware will be described in detail. Each`
of the fluid manifolds move upwardly and downwardly as a unit
due to the mounting thereof on the arms 36 and 38. Each of the
1uid manifolds is provided with a plurality of injector needles
150 extending therefrom which are adapted to pierce the meat
product or the like reEerred to generally by the reference numeral
152. As seen om Figure 4, each of the injector needles 150 is
slidably mounted in bores which are in communication
with the conduit 134. Each of the fluid manifolds has a stripper
plate 154 movably mounted thereon and associated therewith as
illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. The stripper plate 154 is provided
with a plurality of openings formed therein through which extend
the injector needles 150. Stripper plate 154 includes an upwardly
extending portion 156 having a rod 158 secured to the upper end
thereof and which extends inwardly into a cylinder 160~ As seen
in Figure 5, rod 158 has a piston 162 provided at its upper end
which engages the inner wall surface of the cylinder 160.
Cylinder 160 is secured to support 164 by bolts 166. Support 164
is rigidly secured to the fluid manifold for movement therewith.
Valve actuator arm 168 is pivotally connected at its lower end
to stripper plate 154 at 170 and extends upwardly and laterally there-
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~ro~n as viewed in F~ure ~. Roller 172 is rotatably mounted on
support 16~ and is in enga(3ement with the sur~ace 174 of actuator
168. As illustrated in ~igure 4, surface 176 of actuator 168
engages one of the valves associated with the displacement pumps.
~oller 172 is adapted to be seated in notch 172A in actuator
168 (see Figure 1) at which time no ~luid will flow through valve
122.
When it is desired to inject a meat product or the like such
as a belly 152, the belly 152 is placed on the conveyor means 12
with ~he motor 14 being actuated. Actuation of the motor 14causes pump 18 to be operated so that injector fluid is supplied
to chamber 130. Actuation of the motor 14 also causes shaft 26
to be rotated which causes fluid manifold means 90 to be
reciprocated upwardly and downwardly. Rotation of shaft 26 also
causes the rods 42 and 44 to be reciprocated so that the conveyor
means is operated to move the meat product from one end thereof
to the other beneath the reciprocating fluid manifold means.
Assuming that the fluid manifold means 40 is in its upper
position, the position of the cam 46 relative to crank arm 52 is
such that rod 58 is in its uppermost position to cause the rods
80, 82, 84, 86, 83 and 90 to be withdrawn from the cylinders of
the displacement pumps. Wlth the rod being withdrawn, fluid will
pass from compartment 130, through the inner end of valve housing
120, upwardly through bore 116, through port- 114 and into compart-
ment 110. Such replenishment of the ~luid to the compartment 110
is possible since spring 124 urges valve 122 to the right and
since the fluid manifold means 40 is in its uppermost position,
actuator 168 will not be sufficiently engaging the outer end of
the valve to urge the same inwardly.
As the fluid manifold means 40 moves downwardly, each of the
stripper plates moves downwardly with its associated fluid
manifold due to the resistance offered by the piston 162 in the
cylinder 160. when the stripper plate portion 15~ engages the
upper surface of the meat product 152, the stripper plate portion
154 halts its downward travel but the fluid manifold continues
to travèl downwardly or overtravel. As the fluid manifold overtravels
the stripper plate, roller 172 on the fluid manifold causes the
actuator 16~ to be pivotally moved counterclockwise as viewed in
Figure 4 which causes the valve 122 to be moved inwardly in its
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housing 120 so that ~1uid Inay pass from compdrtlnent 110, throuyh
~pening 114, bore 116, opening 118, opcning 132 into conduit
134 due to the position of the valve 122 as seen in Fi~ure ~.
If nothing more was done at this time, fluid would not be supplied
to the fluid manifold since there is no pressure within compart-
ment 110 until the displacement pump is moved to the right as
viewed in Figure 6. The movement of the displacemen~ ~ump is
controlled by the cam 96 as previously described to coordinate
the movement of the displacement pumps in relation to the movement
of the fluid manifold or crank action thereof. Thus, when cam 46
causes the rods of the displacement pumps to be moved inwardly,
the displacement pump displaces a predetermined volume of injection
fluid to the fluid manifold and the amount of fluid supplied to
the fluid manifold is dependent upon the amount of fluid permitted
lS to bypass the valve 122. It can be appreciated that if an extremely
thic~ belly is sensed by the stripper plate, the roller 172 will
pivot the actuator 168 much sooner during the downward travel of
the fluid manifold so that an additional amount of injector fluid
will be supplied to the fluid manifold. The roller 172 normally
nests in notch 172A until the needles enter the meat product, and
upon the retraction from the meat product so that fluid flow is
cut off when the needles are not penetrating the meat product.
By providing a plurality of the stripper plates and
displacement pumps, it is possible to sense the thickness of the
meat product in a much more accurate manner such as illustrated in
Figure 3.
For purposes herein, the downward stroke of the needles will
be referred to as the penetration stroke and the upward stroke
oflthe needles as the withdrawal stroke. The needles are actually
penetrating the meat product only during the lower portion of both
the penetration and withdrawal strokes. The velocity of the needles
is greatest midway through each stroke and is instantaneously
at zero velocity at the end of each stroke.
7~
The cam 46 makes it possible to provi~e fluid through the
needles both during the pelletration and ~,ithdrawal strokes. The
use of a crank arm instead of a cam would permit fluid to flow
during only one stroke but not the other. As indicated
heretofore, means are provided to cause fluid to flow through the
needles only when the needles are within the meat product. ~lowever,
the important phenomenon of the cam 46 and the ability of the
nump to provide fluid through the needles at a rate proportional
to the speed of the needles is still viable even if fluid were
permitted to flow throughout the entire period of the penetration
and w~thdrawal strokes, rather than just during the period that
the needles are within the meat product.
Thus it can be seen that a machine has been provided wherein
injection fluid is supplied to the meat product wherein a stripper
bar assembly senses the thickness of the belly and such sensing
is employed as the means to control the volume, rather than a
time element, output of the pump. By employing a simple
displacement pump whose stroke is timed with the stroke of the
injector, it is possible to control the displacement per injection.
~0 Such a method provides a much better and simpler means of
accurately controlling the amount of injection desired. Thus it can
be seen that the machine accomplishes at least all of its
stated objectives.
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