US 5,334,081 AGranted

Combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for meat products with improved ring seal

OwnerAlexander Calderoninventor

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Abstract

A combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for a machine that stuffs meat product into a casing which includes an upright cylindrical chamber that can be evacuated and an agitator assembly that is rotated inside the chamber. An entrance port with a sliding gate valve is located on the side of the chamber so that when the valve is opened, ground meat is drawn by vacuum into the chamber. An exit port is located on the floor of the cylinder. The agitator assembly is detachably mounted on one end of a spindle having its other end external to the chamber for attachment to a drive means. A number of agitator assemblies are provided, each having a configuration designed to homogenize a particular meat product having its own consistency, depending on content of fat, moisture, and fiber. A ring seal features three elastomeric seals operating in combination to provide a reliable vacuum seal between the homogenizing unit and the meat stuffing machine. The homogenizer may be lifted off the meat stuffing machine by actuating a hydraulic ram hingably attached to the homogenizer and base stand.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An apparatus for sealing a joint between a first cylinder having a first flat end surface and a second cylinder having a second flat end surface interfacing said first flat end surface, which comprises:

a ring having a flat top end surface and an inner and outer cylindrical surface and cut to form two meeting ends;
said inner cylindrical surface having a first circumferential groove;
a first elastomeric 0-ring positioned in said first circumferential groove:
said top end surface having a second circumferential groove;
a second elastomeric 0-ring positioned in said second circumferential groove;
two flanges, one flange attached to one of said meeting ends and facing said other flange attached to said other meeting end;
a flat elastomeric gasket positioned between said flanges;
a means for fastening said flanges together thereby tightening said ring around said first cylinder with said top end surface coplanar with said first flat end surface permitting said second flat end surface of said second cylinder to be positioned against said first flat end surface of said first cylinder and said top end surface and providing that a vacuum generated in said first and second cylinders is maintained by said first and second O-rings and flat elastomeric gasket and forcing said first and second flat end surfaces against one another.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.