Continuous vacuum grinding method and apparatus.

摘要

An improved method and apparatus for the continuous vacuum grinding of meat or other products is provided which permits continuous deaeration and grinding so as to materi. ally enhance the organoleptic properties of final meat products such as sausages and the like. Broadly speaking, the apparatus of the invention includes a pumping apparatus(12) together with a grinder (14) and a closed conduit (16) coupling the pump and grinder; deaeration apparatus is also provided which serves to deaerate the meat products prior to grinding, and the latter are maintained in that condition throughout the grinding operation. In preferred forms, use is made of a reciprocating piston-type pump together with remote, separately powered grinding apparatus. In this form of the invention, deaeration is accomplished by means of apertured pistons (34) within the pumping unit which are operatively coupled to a vacuum pump (38) or other suitable evacuating device.