Method and means for injecting fluids into meat products

摘要

A machine for injecting fluids into meat products or the like comprising a table having a conveyor mounted thereon adapted to convey the meat product from one end to the other. A pair of reciprocating arms are pivotally connected at one end thereof to opposite sides of the table. An electric motor is operatively connected to the reciprocating arms to move the reciprocating arms upwardly and downwardly with respect to the conveyor. A fluid manifold apparatus comprised of a plurality of fluid manifolds is rigidly secured to the other ends of the reciprocating arms and extends therebetween across the table transversely to the direction of travel of the meat product. Each of the manifolds has a plurality of injector needles extending downwardly therefrom which are adapted to pierce the product and inject fluid thereinto while the needles are embedded within the product. Each of the fluid manifolds is in operative communication with a displacement pump which is in communication with the source of fluid to be injected. A stripper plate is secured to each of the fluid manifolds and moves vertically downwardly with the fluid manifold until it engages the product to sense the thickness of the product. The fluid manifold continues to move downwardly or overtravels with respect to the stripper plate after the stripper plate engages the meat product. An actuator arm is pivotally connected to each of the stripper plates to actuate a valve imposed between the displacement pump and the fluid manifold during the overtravel movement. Each of the displacement pumps includes a movable piston which is operatively connected to a cam mounted on the shaft which imparts the reciprocable movement of the reciprocating arms so that the displacement pump is actuated to coincide with the vertical velocity or harmonic motion of the fluid manifold.