PROCESSING A MASS OF PUMPABLE FOODSTUFF MATERIAL

摘要

A method and installation for processing a mass of pumpable foodstuff material, for example a ground meat mass. The installation comprises a hopper (1), and a positive displacement pump (5) having an inlet (6) and an outlet (7). A tube structure (10) connects to the outlet of the pump and has a mouth, e.g. leading to a moulding device (20) or a sausage machine. A controllable vacuum assembly (40) is provided to cause controlled evacuation of air from the mass in the trajectory of the mass from and including the hopper (1) to and including a pump chamber at a position where it is in communication with the pump inlet (6). A controllable aeration assembly (50) is provided to cause controlled introduction of a gas into the mass at one or more locations in the trajectory of the mass between the pump outlet (7) and the mouth (26). The assembly comprises a source (51) of pressurized gas and a gas pressure control device (52) to introduce said gas into the mass at a controlled pressure that is at least equal to the actual pressure of the mass at the location of introduction of the gas into the mass. An aeration member (53) is disposed in the path of the mass between the pump outlet (7) and the mouth (26) of the mass feed member. The aeration member is connected to the source (51) and has one or more orifices from which said gas is emitted.