Method and apparatus for coating a food product
AssigneeW. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
InventorTom G. Stanek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sizing ring includes a cylindrical sleeve and optionally a frustoconical portion, in which a least one channel located within the sleeve provides for the transfer of liquid additive from a liquid source to the outer extremity of the sizing ring. Grooves in the outer face of the ring provide a means of transmitting the liquid additive from the ring onto the interior of the casing as it is unshirred. The liquid additive, such as liquid smoke or colorant, is then transferred to the exterior surface of the stuffed meat product.
Claims15
In a sizing ring suitable for use with a tubular casing and a stuffing horn, the sizing ring comprising a cylindrical sleeve having
- (i) an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing ,
- (ii) an inner diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the stuffing horn, and
- (iii) two parallel, lateral faces defining the lateral thickness of the sleeve, the improvement comprising:
- (a) at least one channel within the sleeve, said channel having a first end and a second end, the first end terminating in an orifice at one of the lateral faces of the sleeve;
- and
- (b) an annular groove located at an outer extremity of the sleeve, in communication with the second end of the channel, and intermediate the lateral faces of the sleeve.
In a sizing ring suitable for use with a tubular casing and a stuffing horn, the sizing ring comprising a cylindrical portion having
- (i) an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing,
- (ii) an inner diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the stuffing horn, and
- (iii) parallel, lateral faces defining the lateral thickness of the cylindrical portion;
- the sizing ring further comprising a frustoconical portion having
- (i) its greater outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing,
- (ii) an inner diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the stuffing horn, and
- (iii) its larger lateral face being a lateral face of the cylindrical portion, the improvement comprising:
- (a) at least one channel within the ring, said channel having a first end and a second end, the first end terminating in an orifice at an inclined surface of the frustoconical portion of the ring;
- and
- (b) an annular groove located at an outer extremity of the cylindrical portion, in communication with the second end of the channel, and intermediate the lateral faces of the cylindrical portion of the ring.
An apparatus for coating a food product with a liquid comprising:
- (a) a sizing ring comprising a cylindrical sleeve having
- (i) an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing,
- (ii) an inner diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the stuffing horn,
- (iii) two parallel, lateral faces defining the lateral thickness of the sleeve,
- (iv) at least one channel within the sleeve, said channel having a first end and a second end, the first end terminating in an orifice at one of the lateral faces of the sleeve;
- and
- (v) an annular groove located at an outer extremity of the sleeve, in communication with the second end of the channel and intermediate the lateral faces of the sleeve;
- and
- (b) A means for delivering the liquid from a source of the liquid through the cylindrical sleeve to the annular groove.
An apparatus for coating a food product with a liquid comprising:
- (a) A sizing ring comprising a cylindrical portion having
- (i) an outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing,
- (ii) an inner diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the stuffing horn, and
- (iii) parallel, lateral faces defining the lateral thickness of the cylindrical sleeve portion;
- the sizing ring further comprising a frustoconical portion having
- (i) its greater outer diameter substantially corresponding to the inside diameter of the casing,
- (ii) an inner diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the stuffing horn, and
- (iii) its larger lateral face being a lateral face of the cylindrical portion;
- and
- (b) a means for delivering the liquid from a source of the liquid, through the frustoconical portion of the ring, to the annular groove.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.