US4363822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing a restructured meat product
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-01-28
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Granted: 1982-12-14
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Expires: 2001-01-28
Abstract
Abstract Chopped pieces of meat are placed within a mixer having an outlet with a feed screw, and an elongated discharge tube is coupled to the outlet. The outer end of the discharge tube supports a plate having a predetermined shape corresponding to the shape of a meat product such as a steak or pork chop forming an individual serving portion. A plastic bag is pulled over the discharge tube and end plate, followed by a clamped tubular mold having a longitudinal joint and an inner surface corresponding to the shape of the end plate. The outer end of the mold is closed, and the mixed meat product is extruded through the tube into the bag within the mold while the mold is moved from the tube and end plate under restraining back pressure. The mold is unclamped, and the bag and meat product are slid from the mold onto a tray conforming to the shape of the lower portion of the mold. The meat product is frozen on the tray, after which the bag is removed, and the meat product is cut into individual serving portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles F. Kleptz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:59
CPC Classifications
A; A23; A23B; A23B4/00; A23B4/06; A23B4/08; A23B4/062; A23B4/064; A23L; A23L13/00; A23L13/60; A23L13/67; A23P; A23P30/00; A23P30/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of producing a frozen restructured meat product adapted to have a predetermined non-cylindrical shape, comprising the steps of mixing pieces of meat within a mixer having a screw extruder extending adjacent an outlet, attaching an elongated discharge tube to the outlet, surrounding the discharge tube with a flexible bag, surrounding the bag and the discharged tube with a tubular mold having an inner non-cylindrical surface corresponding to the predetermined shape, mounting on the outer end portion of the discharge tube a retaining member conforming substantially to the inner non-cylindrical surface of the tubular mold, closing the outer end of the tubular mold with an end closure member, extruding the mixed meat product through the discharge tube and into the bag and mold while moving the bag and mold longitudinally relative to the discharged tube, filling the bag while confining the mixed meat product within the mold between the retaining member and the end closure member to produce a predetermined pressure within the product, sliding the bag and formed meat product from the mold, and freezing the formed meat product within the bag while maintaining the shape of the product.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
191 words
A method of producing a frozen restructured meat product adapted to have a predetermined non-cylindrical shape, comprising the steps of mixing pieces of meat within a mixer having a screw extruder extending adjacent an outlet, attaching an elongated discharge tube to the outlet, surrounding the discharge tube with a flexible bag, surrounding the bag and the discharged tube with a tubular mold having an inner non-cylindrical surface corresponding to the predetermined shape, mounting on the outer end portion of the discharge tube a retaining member conforming substantially to the inner non-cylindrical surface of the tubular mold, closing the outer end of the tubular mold with an end closure member, extruding the mixed meat product through the discharge tube and into the bag and mold while moving the bag and mold longitudinally relative to the discharged tube, filling the bag while confining the mixed meat product within the mold between the retaining member and the end closure member to produce a predetermined pressure within the product, sliding the bag and formed meat product from the mold, and freezing the formed meat product within the bag while maintaining the shape of the product.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the steps of forming an elongated tray member having a contour corresponding to the shape of a lower portion of the mold, and supporting the bag and formed meat product with the tray member after the formed meat product and bag are removed from the mold and while the formed meat product is being frozen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as defined in claim 2 and further including the step of placing the tray member in longitudinal alignment with the mold, and sliding the bag and formed meat product from the mold directly onto the tray member to maintain the formed configuration of the meat product before freezing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
86 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the steps of forming the tubular mold with a continuous wall having a uniform thickness and a longitudinally extending joint to provide for flexing the mold and releasing the mold from the bag and formed meat product before sliding the bag and formed meat product from the mold, and confining the mold within a clamping member extending around a substantial portion of the mold to secure the mold together while extruding the meat product into the bag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as defined in claim 1 and including the step of forming the tubular mold by heating a section of cylindrical thermoplastics pipe and then reforming the pipe to the predetermined non-cylindrical shape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-12-13 | 1986-06-14 | 1986-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-12-13 | 1990-06-14 | 1990-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-12-13 | 1994-06-14 | 1994-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |