DD207850A5 - ROTATABLE DRUM, ESPECIALLY FOR FOOD TREATMENT AND DAFUER, CERTAIN TOWER MECHANISM - Google Patents

Abstract

A TREATMENT APPARATUS FOR TREATING VARIOUS PRODUCTS INCLUDES A ROTATABLE DRUM (10). THE TREATMENT INCLUDES THE KNEADING OF FOODSTUFFS AND THE MIXTURE OF FOODSTUFFS WITH SPECIFIC ADDITIONS. THE DRUM IS MOUNTED ON A PITCHED AXLE. SINCE THE SIDE WALL OF THE DRUM, SPIRALFOOD FLOORS ARE DESIGNED. THE CHARGING AND UNLOADING OF THE DRUM IS PERFORMED BY AN OPEN END OF WHICH THE DRUM IS CLOSED BY MEANS OF A DOOR UNDER INTERMEDIATE AIR CONDITIONING SEAL. IN THE DRUM, A VACUUM OR OVERPROPOSPHERIC PRESSURE CAN BE ADJUSTED TO DIFFERENT TREATMENT MODES. THE FLYING EFFECTS MAKE A MASSIVE PROCESSING OF MEAT PIECES WHICH CAN BE TREATED WITH TREATMENT FLUIDS. A DOOR CONTROL MECHANISM FOR THE DOOR INCLUDES A MOVABLE ARM (47) WHICH IS FIXED TO AN ANCHORING DEVICE (48) ON THE SIDE OF THE FRAME OF THE DRUM. THE DOOR OFFERS A CLAMPING EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH A SHAFT WHILE IN THE CLOSED CONDITION THE DOOR THE CLAMPING DEVICE IS LOCKED FROM THE SHAFT SO THAT THE DOOR IS SECURED AND INTEGRATED PART OF THE DRUM. THEREFORE AVOIDING A POWERSHIP OF THE FISHING MOVABLE ARM AND THE SHAFT OF THE TUER, AS WELL AS THE TUERBETAETIGUNGSMECHANISM.

Description

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Rotatable drum, in particular for food handling and door mechanisms thereof

Field of use:

The invention is applicable to the treatment of: food and nutritional products. In particular, the invention is directed to the kneading of a plurality of substantially integrated food pieces, such as the kneading of pieces of meat, fruits or cheese wheels or the like. chen. The invention is further applicable to the treatment of products in a rotary drum, which is usually mounted on an inclined axis to the horizontal.

Finally, the invention is applicable to a door operating mechanism, in particular such a mechanism for a door of a rotary drum for treating the above-mentioned products.

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Characteristic of the known technical solutions:

The known food treatment will be described with reference to the massaging and tumbling of pieces of meat. In this regard, meat products such as stewed ham, ham products, bacon bellies, corned beef briskets or fresh meat such as beef legs, roasts, turkey breasts or other poultry products may be mentioned. Such meat was subjected to drumming or massaging, which was done in various types of known apparatus.

Laced meat products are usually needle-injected with a salting solution prior to mechanical drum or massage treatment at atmospheric pressure or alternatively under vacuum. The purpose of the trituration or massaging is to accelerate the process of pockeling, to improve the distribution of the puckelingredient and to extract the bound protein myosin.

The extraction of myosin results in a sticky meat surface that improves moisture absorption and retention and improves product cohesiveness during treatment.

The massaging of bone-free ham can be improved while the distribution of the injected pöckel-. be accelerated, resulting in an improved

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Pöckeln leads in less time. In particular, it is important that the shielding of the ham after cooking is increased by 5 to 7%. The drumming of cattle rumps or Truhahnbrüsten results in a state which allows the stuffing of different pieces in Λ a housing or in a mold for pre-cooking. After freezing, the agglomerated meat can be cut into thin slices without falling apart. The tumbling or massaging results in further advantages such as improved uniformity, color, improved shrinkage control and reduced cooking losses, as well as improved delicacy and improved pliability.

ΐ5:. . ' '. '. , '-' '.' . ' ·. ; In general, pale, soft meat, such as pork and chicken, is massaged, while durik, les, solid meat, such as beef, mutton, and turkey meat is tumbled. Drumming involves the result of "impact energy" effects on the muscles that occur when the meat is dropped from the top of the rotary drum or when the meat hits baffles. Massaging is a less physically affecting process and involves "rubbing energy" resulting from rubbing the meat surfaces together or on a smooth surface of the container.

Known apparatuses for this massage process include vertical vane massage parts known, for example, from U.S. Patents 4,038,426 and 3,934,860.

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In such vertical vane massagers, vanes hang from above and touch the product. The units may be portable and portable from a brine injection line to a treatment area. Tanks are unloaded by tilting the entire unit with hydraulically actuated tippers. Such scoop massagers are not for with

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Bone stocked ham usable because of the risk of damage. They are used almost exclusively for boneless Schinkel products. Even for such boneless products, the rotating blades or the stirring blades pull the products through the bulk of the charge. This results in a severing and tearing off pieces of the main pieces »

rs- .. '.:.' ·. [ ·; _: '''.; .- ^v _; 'Vacuum massagers are basically divided into two types': one includes a drum or barrel shaped kettle, which is rotatable in a horizontal position on driven pulleys The drum is loaded from the top while it is in a vertical position and then rotated 90 degrees for drum-drums on rollers, which require a considerable amount of effort for the drum to rotate and mix Loading and Unloading An example of such an arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent 3,880,067.

The second type is a vacuum massage device described in Swiss Patent Nos. 4,029,824, 4,036,122 and 3,746,316

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Art. This system involves a kettle with a Y-shape in which one leg of the "Y" is removable. The drum rotates about a central axis so that the meat can be tumbled, under vacuum from one chamber to the next. This system typically involves various removable chambers or round roasterless meat pans mounted on wheels. These wheels are used as product collection and transport containers.

Food containers are mounted on a conveyor system for indexing on the "Y" drum area. Saline injection heads equipped with a pattern of hypodermic needles may be provided in two permanent chambers. Due to the height from which the pieces of meat fall from compartment to compartment, damage occurs in the sense of gassing or crushing the mash. When hypodermic needles are used, tearing or shredding of the muscle also occurs. In the known '. Tumbling (tumbling) is known to use atmospheric pressure tumblers, which are horizontal drums, conical at each end and equipped with a manually operated door. Inner horizontal compartments effect the need of lifting the product.

Such tumblers are primarily used to extract the bound protein myosin in preparation of the pre-cooked, sectioned and shaped beef products.

Vacuum tumblers include a horizontal drum that runs on powered rollers. These tumblers.

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work much like laundry tumblers by tilting the tumbler for delivery of the treated product. The product is loaded by means of a fold-away chute, which is arranged in the drum center: The ^f chute can be swiveled out of the way and a vacuum door can be placed over the loading opening during the treatment.

There are several other devices that are intended for other purposes and have been used experimentally from time to time for the meat processing industry, such as ribbed mixers equipped with helical blades and rotating about a central axis. This device is used in < "the chemical industry. In addition, you have drum-like concrete mixers used with a small tilting. Jedich was not this device, as far as could be determined, for the meat, treatment suitable so that actually -no use of such devices took place.

Object of the invention: '. \.

In the field of kneading of food pieces and in view of the aforementioned limitations and disadvantages of the prior art, there is a need to provide a device and method for food treatment which provides for smooth low speed rolling or massaging of the food pieces.

In particular, it is necessary when treating meat, crushing the product and situations minimally

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where static load conditions cause tearing or cutting of pieces of meat. Essence of the invention:

The object of the invention with regard to the vacuum slumping or massaging of meat is to produce high quality meat products which are uniform in color, bright in color, free from bruises with a completely intact meat structure and dense in bulk.

Furthermore, a single, highly productive meat massager is needed which allows prompt treatment of slaughtered animals, thereby minimizing the time during which the muscles shrink and set the rigor of death. Therefore, there is a need for a massager that the time is kept short, during which the curing liquid would penetrate only by osmosis.

Furthermore, there is a need for a treatment device which can be operated both as a massage device and as a fall device, in contrast to known units that can either be used as Tumbler (tumble) or as massagers. In such a composite unit, therefore, there is a need for low speed massaging and high speed dynamic stalling where a considerable amount of physical abrasion is desirable.

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Additional requirements include reduced capital costs, reduced energy and reduced capital costs

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reduced handling requirements. In addition, the work space and maintenance should be reduced. It is also desirable to have a treatment device that is substantially more self-cleaning than existing treatment devices.

In this regard, according to the invention there is provided an apparatus and method for kneading a plurality of substantially integrated food pieces in a rotatable drum having rotatable drum spirally disposed wings extending along the inner wall of the drum between a closed end and an open end of the drum. are arranged. As the drum is rotated, the food pieces are kneaded by touching each other. tet. The type and strength of the kneading effect are variable by changing the drum speed and the direction of rotation. Another aspect of the invention includes a door assembly disposed at the open end of the drum. In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a device for adjusting a vacuum in the drum during the treatment process is provided.

The invention continues to find application to various requirements in the treatment of food products, such as mixing various ingredients for a final food product, cooking food products and adding heat ¹ by steam injection or the like, introducing flavor additives into the drum to effectively produce the product

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desirably treated at either atmospheric pressure, vacuum or superatmospheric pressure.

When a door is provided according to the invention, this is provided with a door operating mechanism be tee t ⁱ to open the mouth opening of the rotary drum or to close. This door operating mechanism comprises a clamping device which is detachably engageable with a projecting shaft of the door surface. In addition, a curved movable arm is provided, which is mounted around an anchoring device, which is articulated to a support in the vicinity of the drum. The support is mounted on an extension of the foundation on which the rotary drum is mounted. The clamping device is mounted on the end of the movable arm and can be firmly engaged with the door shaft until a predetermined vacuum pressure has been set in the drum after the drum has been closed by the door. The release of the clamping device thereafter allows rotation of the drum and the door as an integrated unit without the application of forces on the anchorage for the door. .

When the vacuum is released and the vacuum pressure increases in the direction of atmospheric pressure, the arm is caused to move axially relative to the drum axis and away from the door. There is a delay before the clamp again engages the shaft of the door.

The mechanism comprises a door pivot cylinder for

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Actuation of the movable arm. To operate, the clamping device cylinders are also provided. Vacuum sensor switches can be operated together with the cylinders. There is also provided a circuit for effecting a predetermined sequence of operation of the cylinders of the mechanism ¹ relative to the vacuum pressure in the drum.

Adjusting bolts are provided around the hinge anchor support so that the movable means can be adjusted via its hinge pin in the transverse and axial direction to the axis of rotation of the drum. The door can be adjusted relative to the drum mouth to accommodate the manufacturing tolerances and misalignments due to drum rotation wear on the drum. Foundation is done.

According to the invention, the apparatus for treating food products comprises a rotatable drum having a sidewall, a closed end and an open end for feeding the food pieces into the drum and dispensing the food pieces from the drum, the open end being on the side of the drum which is opposed to the closed end. A fastening device for the drum is provided such that these can by-one Längsachse.drehen between the ends in an ^inclination: supply extends to the horizontal. The attachment means is at least around the side of the drum. wall and connected at a distance to the closed end.

Spiral wings are on the inside of the sidewall

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the drum formed and extend over at least a substantial part of the length between the closed end and the open end of the drum. In addition, the apparatus according to the invention comprises means for driving engagement of the drum to thereby permit drum rotation, whereby food pieces located in the drum are touched. be kneaded each other.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention in which the food product is present as a plurality of substantially integral pieces of food, the spirally wound wings have a shape such that substantially all food pieces within the drum are continuously moved during rotation thereof.

Also in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a door assembly is provided which is mounted for movement between a closed position of the open end of the drum and a position in which the door is remote from the open end, wherein

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device with the open end of the drum in the closed, nen operating state forms an airtight connection. '' '' ... '' '' '· -

Also, according to the invention, there is provided a door operation mechanism for the door to be attached to the drum mouth, the drum being mounted on a foundation for rotation. The rotation takes place about an axis which runs essentially centrally through the drum mouth. The mechanism can be mounted on props

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In addition, the mechanism comprises anchoring means, a movable means emanating from these anchoring means, which closes the door between a closed position on the drum mouth and Finally, clamping means are provided between the door and the moving means, which means can release the moving means from the door when the door is in the closed position relative to the drum mover.

Embodiment;

Further, details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description

in the drawings, which are shown purely schematically in the drawings, and show:

Fig.1.1 is a side view of the apparatus with the representation of the drum, which partially in

Section is reproduced,

Fig. 2 is an end view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the drum at the open end, which is through a Türmecha

is closed,.

Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned side view showing details of a first embodiment of the door mechanism

and also with the representation of the door mechanism in the open state, which is shown in dash-dotted lines,

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4 is a detailed sectional side view showing the engagement of the reinforcing flange of the door mechanism with the reinforcing flange around the open end of the drum.

Fig. 5 is a sectional end view through the drum along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the open end of the drum, 10th

Fig. 6. a sectional end view through the drum along the line 6-6 of Figure 1 in the direction of the closed end of the drum.

Fig. 7 is a detailed sectional front view

by a wing of the plow in the drum and a representation of the connection of the wing with the side wall of the drum,

Fig. 8 is a detailed sectional side view

with the representation of a hatch device in the .Seitenwand the drum,

9 is an end view of the door operating mechanism of a second embodiment of a

<Door mechanism for a rotatable drum, wherein

a part of the hinged anchorage for the mechanism is shown in section, and a representation of the cylinder for the Be

actuating clamping device of the mechanism,

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Pig. FIG. 9 is a side view of the door operating mechanism of FIG. 9, showing one; FIG. Partial view of the door, a Türschwenkzylin- ¹

ders and a piston for the movable "'"'. Arm together with solenoid vacuum valves for

Actuating the door pivoting cylinder and the cylinder for the clamping device, and

Fig. 11 is a plan view of the Türbetätigungsmecha-. nism of Fig. 9 with the representation of a

Part of the drum, wherein the door is in abutment over the mouth of the drum, wherein the movable arm and the door pivot cylinder adjacent to the drum is arranged laterally on a support means, and with the

Presentation of the opened door in dotted lines »

The invention will first be described with reference to the embodiment shown in Figs

8 is shown. .

The apparatus for kneading a plurality of substantially integrated food pieces, such as meat pieces, comprises a rotatable drum 10 made of stainless steel and has a blown finish glass bed mounted on an axis inclined to the horizontal and passing through Supports 11 and 12 is supported. The drum comprises a side wall 13, which consists of four

Segments consists, so that the segment 13 a away from the closed end 14 to a region of larger diameter

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of the middle segment. Thereafter, the circumference of the drum in the region of the segments 13c and 13d gradually tapers, except for a small diameter at the open end of the drum 10. The closed end 14 of the drum 10 comprises a centrally located, inner, conical housing 15. This housing is of a portion 16 of the end wall 14, a conical inner wall 17 and a central circular segment 18 within the drum 10 is formed. The conical housing 15 forms a region through which a relatively conventional, direct-hydrostatic drive means 19 can be drivingly coupled to the closed end 14 of the drum 10. The hydrostatic drive 19 is itself mounted on the support 11 and thereby causes the axial support of the drum at the closed end 14 thereof.

The support 12 is located away from the closed end 14 about the side wall 13 and thus provides for further storage of the drum 10 before. At the top of the support 12 are rollers 20 on which a rail 21 runs, which is arranged on the side wall 13d of the drum. In this way, the drum is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, which is inclined relative to the horizontal in the range between approximately 10 and 15 °, preferably 12 °.

The drum 10 provides an open end 22 which is closed by a door means 23, which is required in the operation of the drum 10. Stirring means are arranged on the inside of the side wall 13 and

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extend between the closed end 14 and the open end 22 substantially along the length of the drum 10. This stirrer is formed by, two spirally wound wings 24, which are phase-shifted by 180 ° and mounted on the inside of the side wall 13 of the drum 10 , The lead angle of the blade 24 is designed relative to the sidewall segments 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d such that upon rotation in a first direction the food pieces or food product 25 within the drum 10 towards the closed end 14 of FIG Drum 10 are pressed or transported. The rotation in the opposite direction causes the contents 25 of the drum to move toward the open end 22 so that, with the door assembly 23 open, the contents can be dispensed through the open end 22 of the drum 10. The lead angle in the central portions 13b and 13c of the drum 10 is about 26 ° and is slightly lower in the discharge portion 13d of the side wall 13 due to the decreasing diameter of the side wall 13. *** "

The wings 24 meet the conical inner wall 17 of the closed end 14 substantially at right angles.

This is accomplished by the provision of lips 26 which are oriented at substantially right angles relative to the normally planar portion 27 of the wings 24. Such a rectangular engagement between the wings 24 and the wall 17 ensures that the food pieces 25 are not pinched at a narrow acute angle which, on the other hand, is formed

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would be when the wing portions 27 were gradually oblique in engagement with the conical wall 17 obliquely.

The rim or edge 28 of the wing 24 has or have a thickened "cross-section 29, to maintain a deleterious effect on the food pieces during _v rotation of the drum 10 small Such 'adverse effect could crushing the pieces of meat or a. undesirable separation of pieces of meat from the larger pieces 25. The thickened cross-section 29 is made by welding a tube portion 29 to the top of the edge forming the wings 24.

The door device 23 is formed by a plate-shaped plate 30. Centrally located in the plate 30 is • a through hole 31 which is connected to a pipe. Between the opening 31 and the interior of the drum 10, a filter screen 33 is provided, which prevents particles of the food pieces from entering the opening 31 and the tube 32. Around the plate 30, a Verstärkungskreisflansch 34 is arranged, which is provided with a circular slot in which a sealing ring 36 is located.

The flange 34 forms an edge 37 which is inclined to the plane of the plate 30 and which is arranged to abut against an inclined edge 38 of a reinforcing circle flange 39 which terminates at the end 40 of the segment 13d, i. at the open end 22 of the drum 10, is welded. The interengaging inclined edges 37 and 38 facilitate self-alignment

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the door device. 23 with the open end 22 of the drum 10 so that, together with the sealing ring 36, which abuts the inclined edge 38 'as shown in the drawings, an airtight seal can be produced.

In the side wall 13 of the drum TO are two hatch devices 54 and 55. The hatch devices are offset from each other in the longitudinal and lateral directions. Each hatch means 54 and 55 includes an opening 56 in the side wall 13 and a dekel 57 which is arranged to be axially movable in and out of engagement with the opening 56 such that effective sealing of the opening 56 is achievable. A sealing ring 58 abuts around the opening 56 on the mouth 59. For the operation of ~ lid 57, a handle 60 and a cross bar 62 are provided. '

Mounted around the open end 22 of the drum 10 is a shield 61 which shields the bearing rollers 20 and the rail 21 and shields the opening 22 from those parts of the drum and drive mechanisms 19 and 14 which are directed toward the closed end 14 of FIG Drum 10 are behind the shield 61. On the shield 61, a discharge hopper 62 'is fixed so that the food pieces 25 discharged from the drum 1Q can be appropriately set in a removing means.

Via the tube 32, by means of a vacuum pump 41, which is mounted on the frame 42 below the drum 10,

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within the drum 10 a vacuum can be generated. The tube 32 is defined by a guide portion 43, which is connected to the opening 31 and a rotary port 44. Furthermore, the tube 32 is formed by a bend 45, which is connected to a flexible vacuum hose 46 or the like.

In the pipe 32, a valve may be disposed at a suitable location so that the vacuum pump 41 and the drum 10 can be isolated from each other or connected to each other, depending on which state is desired. In some cases, the port 44 may be omitted, and after a suitable vacuum has been adjusted via the tube 32, the valve is closed.

The vacuum pump 41 is thus insulated from the door device 32 and the drum 10. ;

The door device 23 is connected to an arm 47, which extends from the guide portion 43 of the tube 32, surrounding this, to a fastening part 48, which at a lateral distance from the side wall 13 of the drum

j is arranged. The attachment portion 48 of the projecting arm 47 forms a hinge 49 about which the door 23 is pivotable. By arranging the hinge 49 away from the plate-shaped plate 30, a sufficient flexibility of the door device 23 is allowed, so that the self-alignment of the door device 23 with the open end 20 is facilitated. From the fastening part 48 is a nozzle 50 from which is connected to a piston rod 51. This piston rod 51 extends in a cylinder 52. Such

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a piston-cylinder device may be pneumatically driven via supply pipes 53 to open and close the door device 23 as desired. In operation of the treatment apparatus, the door device 23 is opened and pieces of meat 25 are introduced into the drum 10. If desired, a spin-on or the like 63 is also charged to a required level. Alternatively, the liquid 63 may be injected into the pieces of meat 25 prior to loading the drum 10.

The door means 23 is then closed and the drum is rotated in one direction to exert a force on the pieces of meat in the direction of the closed end 14. This acts with respect to a massage of the pieces of meat 25 until the pieces of meat 25 receive the desired properties. If desired, the drum can also be rotated in the reverse direction. In this case, a different and opposite force is exerted on the pieces of meat 25 when the door is closed, whereby the meat pieces other properties are imposed. For some treatments, the drum may be kept stationary for desired periods of time. , _y , so as to give the meat pieces 25 in the drum 10 other desired properties.

The meat pieces 25 are discharged through the opening of the door 23 and by rotating the drum 10 in a suitable direction so that the pieces of meat 25 are pulled up towards the open end 22,

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from where they fall into the dispensing funnel 62 and are removed. ,

In another application of the invention, with the door 23 closed, a suitable vacuum is created up to one atmosphere by the activation of the vacuum pump 41. A pressure gauge 64 measures the vacuum within the drum 10. The rotary pump 44 connects the vacuum pump 41 held with the drum 10. In other cases, the vacuum hose can be separated from the door device 23. The vacuum acts with respect to the properties imposed on the pieces of meat 25 and also increases the speed with which the meat pieces can be forced to have these properties. For different treatments, the vacuum and the pressure can be applied to different extents and different dimensions. *

In a particular example of the treatment apparatus of the invention for massaging boned and boneless meat products, pieces of meat weighing; between 22.23 and 25.85 kg per 0.0283 m ³ (49 lbs to 57 lbs per foot ³ ) is introduced into the drum 10. The pieces 25 are treated with up to 40% Pickling 63. Apart from the overflow of indicated brine solution, there is a small amount of free brine solution in the drum, so that there is a small amount of flooding in the charge. During massaging, any free moisture is absorbed by the meat 25. After

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Completely performing the treatment process, the charge becomes even more viscous and remains slippery and easy to handle.

The apparatus can be used for kneading and treating others.

Food center pieces are used. Examples include massaging citrus products, softening the fruit prior to squeezing and squeezing. Likewise, another treatment process is to mass cheese wheels to create homogeneous conditions in the cheese. In addition, there are applications in blending food products with various components for food products in the apparatus, as well as cooking food products, such as cooking wheat kernels by adding pressure from a pressure pump, or adding a vacuum or atmospheric pressure Heat may also be supplied by steam injection or otherwise, as well as taste additives may be added in an appropriate manner Inspection of the contents of the drum is accomplished by the hatch assemblies 54 and 55. By displacing the hatches 54 and 55 on the drum 10 as well The contents of the hatch can also be inspected at various points within the drum.The hatch openings also facilitate the flooding of the drum during cleaning.The cleaning is done by introducing a cleaning fluid into the drum. Then the hatch covers 54 and 55 as well as the door 23 are closed. The drum will be in one or both

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Directions rotated / to achieve a suitable cleaning effect. After the flooding and cleaning, the draining of the cleaning liquid by the hatch means 54 and 55 or by the open end 22, when the drum 10 is rotated in the reverse direction.

When mounted on the flange 34 of the door device 23 ring 36, it is possible to simply remove the ring 36 to facilitate the cleaning of the slot 35. Thus, the hygiene of the device is improved.

A suitable dispensing funnel is provided on founders for feeding the food pieces 25, such as pieces of meat into the drum 10. In this connection, it is desirable that the dispensing hopper has a chute which projects into the open end 22 of the drum 10. 'This avoids overspray of liquid which has a high protein content. This can also avoid a loss of the final yield of the product.

The vacuum pump 41 may be mounted separately from the framework 42 in other embodiments of the invention. An automatically programmed operation of the vacuum pump 41 and the hydrostatic drive 19 may be provided so that preferred treatment operating cycles may be followed.

Advantages of the apparatus include the feature that the design allows for increased productivity with less equipment than the known ones

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Apparatuses for such productivity is necessary. For example, a unit of the invention having a capacity of 68,000 kg (15,000 lb) corresponds to nine 771 kg (1,700 lb) vertical vertical blade massagers. While the unit according to the invention requires only a 6 to 7 hour time cycle under vacuum, the vertical fences require three times the time for the same end product to be massaged. Likewise, a Langen-type vacuum tambler system according to the aforementioned prior art would require two systems having the same production output.

Under atmospheric pressure, a massage takes place over a period of 18 to 24 hours. The speed during the massage is normally 2 to 4 ampm. Preliminary tests with the apparatus of the invention have shown that. a rapid massaging of the pieces of meat at a speed of about 10 rpm is possible without damaging the product,

\ The inventive apparatus effectively creates an excellent product with minimal damage, whether the operation under vacuum or at atmospheric pressure takes place, both in operation with a

25. Light low-speed Eollwirkung or in a high-speed massage. '~

Furthermore, the massager can drum meat or other pieces of food at atmospheric pressure or under vacuum at a speed of up to 12 rpm. This versatile application and multiple application

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The invention is an additional significant advantage. Thus, the invention represents a significant contribution in the art of food processing equipment.

Initial capital costs, such as operating costs and manufacturing costs, are significantly reduced by the device according to the invention. Likewise. the costs and the trouble for the cleaning of the apparatus are reduced. This can be done at a speed of about 10 to 12 rpm.

In the various embodiments of the invention, it is possible to apply a pitch angle of the wing 24 in the central regions 13b and 13c of the drum 10 in a range between 20 and 45 °. However, it seems highly desirable that this angle is in the vicinity of 25 to 30 °. One factor that determines the desirable pitch angle is the angle of inclination of the drum to the horizontal, which is also variable according to the specific product requirements.

In still another different form of the invention, it is possible that the hatch means 54 and 55 are offset only longitudinally or only laterally from each other. The hatch devices 54 and 55 may be arranged in a single section 13 a, 13 b, 13 c or 13 d of the side wall 13. The hatch devices may lie in the middle between the wings 24 of the stirring device.

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Adjusting the piston 51 and the cylinder 52, which are pneumatically operated, the door device · 23 can be actuated hydraulically. It is also possible to use another suitable actuating means.

According to another embodiment of the invention, another sealing arrangement is located between the door 23 and the open end 22. The door 23 is provided with a surface which contacts the periphery of the open end 22 rather than a flange 34. Between, this surface and the circumference is a seal 36th

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the door is mounted on a support structure which is part of the basic support of the drum. Despite the correct orientation of the drum and door, when the apparatus was new, it has been found that there is misalignment between the mouth of the drum and the door due to wear, for example the rollers on which the drum is supported, or manufacturing tolerances may be present, which is used to close the drum mouth.

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It is important for this closure to be tight so that the appropriate vacuum can be set within the barrel. Therefore, it has been found that the operating characteristics of the drum of the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 8 are not always desirably effective. Regarding this misalignment

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There may be undue stress on the bucket attachment mechanism, and particularly the articulation of the door operating mechanism, which is an elongated part of the support structure upon which the drum rests.

Now, the second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to Figs. In this embodiment, there is a door operating mechanism in which a movable container and the door to the mouth of the container can be aligned to minimize misalignment due to wear or normal manufacturing tolerances. In this second embodiment of the invention, the deterioration of the hinge support of the door is prevented. Other deteriorations are avoided, which act on the support means of the door operating mechanism. There are provided means for adjusting the relative position of the door to the drum, in a simple manner, so that an effective seal of the door with the drum mouth can be achieved. '

A door operating mechanism for a door 310, which is disposed on the mouth 311 of a rotatable drum 312, comprises learning means 313. The keying means comprise a pair of lever members 314 which together form at their one end a pair of jaws 315. The jaws 315 are arranged so as to receive a hollow shaft 316 through which a vacuum can be generated in the drum 312. Apart from the jaws 315, the> · '

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iff

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Levers 314 a common pivot point 317 with the end of an extension 318 away from an arm 319 in front, which, a part of a movable means 320 for moving the door 310 from a position for closing the mouth 311 of the rotatable drum, 312 in one of the mouth 311 off located location.

Between the arm 319 and the extension 318 is a mounting plate 321 on which .a pair of pneumatic cylinders 322 are mounted. The ends of the cylinders 322 are formed by pistons 323 which are connected to the free ends 324 of the lever members 314. The opposite ends 325 of the cylinders 322 are connected via hoses 326 to a pneumatic power source, which hoses are connected to a tee 327. A hose 328 is connected to a pneumatic source via a solenoid valve 329 and a hose 330, as will be described in more detail below.

One end 331 of the arm 319> which is remote from the anchoring clamping means 313 is attached to a tube wall 332 which forms a hinge anchoring means 333 of the door 310.

, The tube wall 332 is pivotally mounted about a central hinge pin 334 which is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation 335 of the drum 312. The hinge pin 334 is defined by two of four adjustment pins 336 on the top of the hinge pin 334 and four adjustment pins 336 on

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Ground of the gel stick 334 held in place. The bolts 336 are circumferentially spaced about the pin 334 at approximately 90 ° intervals.

The bolts 336 are threaded into a circular support ring 337 and may be adjusted into the interior of the wall 332 by adjustment bolts 338 of the relative protrusion of the bolts 336.

The hinge pin 334 of the hinge anchoring device 333 can be moved transversely and axially relative to the axis of rotation 335 of the drum 312. Thus, an alignment of the door 310 relative to the mouth 311 of the drum 312 can be effected in an exact manner and takes into account the manufacturing tolerances and the wear during the operation of the drum 312.

The bracket 332, together with bearings 339 / a spacer plate 340 and an axial ring bearing 341, form a composite housing for the hinge anchor 333. A bail arm 342 is secured by bolts 3.43 to a pillar 344 of the door operating mechanism foundation 345. This column 344 forms a Part of the foundation 345, on which the rotatable drum 312 rests, and between the drum 312 and the foundation 345 are provided rollers and rails on which the drum 312 can be rotatably supported.

Below the joint anchoring device 333 is supported a bracket 200, on which the

· '- .. 7 .. ·

2 340 77 7

Solenoid valve 329 and a solenoid valve 346 are attached. A hose 347 is connected via an elbow 348 to a door opening 349 of a door pivot cylinder 350. A tube 351 is also connected to the arcuate piece 348, and "connected to an opening 352 for closing the door of the door swing cylinder 350th ^v

The bracket 342. provides an end wall 353 into which a hole is drilled to provide a shaft 354, wel-. rather forms an extension to the end 355 of the door pivot cylinder 350. The shaft 354 is mounted on tabs which are secured at the end 355. Nuts 357 on each side of the end wall 353 allow the adjustment of the shaft 354 and therefore the adjustment

, The relative position of the Türschwenkzylinders 350 in relation to the movable arm 320. In this way, the

 , effective degree of movement of the piston 358 forward and backward adjustable. As a result, the amount of movement or the pressing pressure of the door 310 on the mouth 311 of the drum 312 can be changed as desired. The end of the piston 358 is provided with an eye 359,

  , '... , '

through which a bolt 360 is guided to a

Set a pair of rags with the eye 359. The floor 360 is defined by a nut 362. The flaps 361 extend from the side wall 332 of the anchor 333, and as the piston of the door swivel cylinder 350 moves forward and backward, the arm 319 moves out of the position in which the door 310 is against the mouth 311 of the rotatable drum 312 or is moved away from the mouth 311.

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2340 77 7

Provided around the circumference 201 of the door 310 are spaced tongues 202 which are arranged around the mouth 311 of the rotatable drum 312. These tongues

202 assist in aligning the door 310 with the mouth 311 so that when improper wear or misalignment occurs, a mutual engagement occurs between the tongues 202 and the periphery 201 of the outside of the wall 364 of the rotatable drum 312.

The hollow shaft 316 is fixed to a surface 203 of the door 310 by means of a mounting plate 365. This mounting plate 365 is formed in the door surface 203 substantially centrally about the rotation axis 335 of the rotatable drum 312. The end of the hollow shaft 316 for placement on the mounting plate, 365 provides an adapter plate or terminal plate 366, which suitably extends through bolts 367 on the door surface

203 is attached. The opposite end 368 of the hollow shaft 316 provides a thread 369 to attach the apparatus for generating the vacuum. Spaced inside the thread 369 is a collar 370 such that between another collar 300 on the shank 316 and the collar 370 there is defined a clearance for receiving the width of the jaws 315 between ends 204 and 205 of the lever members 314 which define the anchorage effect with the door shaft 316. From Fig. 11 it can be seen that a narrow gap 371, which is nearly 0.635 cm (1/4 inch), exists between the collar 370 and an end portion 372 of the jaws 315. This gap 371 exists when the door

34077 7

around the mouth 311 is closed and the arm 319 extends in its farthest position, and accordingly pushed forward by the piston 358. In this position, the claws 315 are detached from the outside of the hollow shaft 316.

At the beginning of the operation of the Türaktiviermechanismus the claws 315 are held with the hollow shaft 316 and the door is in the open position.

. ' After the drum 312 is loaded, the door is closed under the action of the operating mechanism. After via the vacuum pump in the drum 312, a vacuum has been adjusted, ¹ "which reached a level of 1 (^, 6'mm Hg (4 inches Hg), the claw 315 of the lever members 314 by activating the piston 323 of the cylinder 322 detached from the shank 316. This drum shaft 316 is now free to rotate since the door 310 is essentially an integral unit with the rotatable drum 312. In this way, the shank 316 and the mechanism of the anchoring means 333 are fixed to the Pillar 344, forces, movements, and vibrations are minimized over the arm 319. The effective sealing of the drum over 311 and the door 310 is thus obtained with a minimum of wear of the shaft 316 and the hinge anchor 333. It consists Res.tdruck in the door pivoting cylinder 350 so that after releasing the claws 315 of the shaft 316 of the arm 319 slightly further swing inward towards the door surface 203 ka nn, under the effect of Restdruqkes the door, swing cylinder 350. This creates a, gap

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of 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) between the end 372 of the jaws 315 and the collar 370.

In the event of the vacuum falling within the rotatable drum 312, the collar 370 secures the claws 315 around the shaft 316 so that, although the switch 316 is not prevented from rotating, the collar 370 and the claws 315 engage the shaft 316 and the door 310 in terms of unintentional disconnection from the arm 319 hinder.

When the rotatable drum degrades during operation, the necessary adjustment of the position of the door 310 relative to the rotatable drum 312 can be effected by the movement of the adjusting bolts 336 on the anchoring means 333, so that the door '. transversely or axially relative to the axis of rotation 335 can be moved.

When the treatment operation is completed, the vacuum is released and at approximately 101.6 mm Hg (4 inches Hg), the door pivot cylinder 350 causes the arm 319 to pivot and the end 372 of the jaws 315 to engage the collar 370. After a time delay 1 second, the cylinders 322 are activated to clamp the claws 315 about the shaft 316. When the pressure within the drum is substantially reduced to the atmospheric pressure, the arm 319, under the action of the cylinder 350, pulls the door 310 away from the mouth 311 of the rotatable drum.

Ψ-- 2 340 77 7

Between the door 310 and the mouth 311 of the drum, a 0-ring seal is provided to ensure that an effective seal of the closed drum can be achieved. The drum 312 provides helical vanes on the inside 206 of the wall 364, which allow treating the drum contents which contents may consist of food pieces such as pieces of meat. The axis 335 of the drum 312 is inclined in this embodiment of the invention relative to the horizontal, so that the drum rotation is carried out in a tilt. The mouth 311 opposite end of the drum 312 is formed as a closed, hes end. ·.

Although in the embodiment of the described invention, the shaft 316 is hollow and used to ',. For example, if a vacuum is to be generated in the drum 312, it is possible for the stem 316 to form it solidly and a suitable means for a suitable vacuum in the drum 312 at a suitable central location of the axis at the closed end of the drum provided. Instead of the shank 316 for receiving the clamping means 313, alternative receiving means may be provided on the door for engagement by the clamping means 313. Although a time delay of one second has been set between the movement of the jaws 315 adjacent the collar 370 and the time of engagement of the jaws 315 with the shank 316, other time intervals may be adjusted according to different predetermined operating characteristics.

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In another embodiment employing a door in which the drum operates at atmospheric or higher pressure, a suitable latch may be used to keep the door free of fasteners on the drum.

The inventive door mechanism can also be used on drums that are not intended for the treatment of food. "

Claims (51)

234.0 77 7 CHALLENGE-COOK BROS., INCORPORATED, CITY OF INDUSTRY, CALIF. / UNITED STATES Turnable drum, especially for food handling and dedicated door mechanism CLAIM THE INVENTION 1. apparatus for kneading a plurality of substantially integrated food pieces, g e - ke η η ζ e η et, (a) a rotatable drum (10; 310), / a closed end (14) of the drum, and an open end (22) for adding the food pieces (25) to the drum and dispensing the food pieces from the drum, the open end being opposed to the closed end; ^f - 2340 7 7 7 (b) an attachment means for the drum for rotation of the drum about a longitudinal axis extending between the ends at a slope to the horizontal, the attachment means being connected to the drum at least about the side wall (13) away from the closed end; (c) helical kneading blades (24) are fixed to the inside of the side wall (13) of the drum (10) and extend over at least a substantial part of the length between the closed end and the open end of the drum, said spiral vanes having a shape substantially continuous in their motion Cause pieces of food inside the drum during rotation; and (d) means (19) for drivingly engaging the drum whereby the drum is rotatable and the food pieces within the drum are kneadable by contact with each other. 2. Apparatus according to item 1, characterized in that a door means (23) is provided, which between a position closing the open end (22) of the drum (10) and one from the open end outlying position: is movable. 3. Apparatus for treating a nutrient product, characterized 2 34077 7 (A). a rotatable drum (1.0-310) has a closed end (14) of the drum and an open end (22) for adding the food pieces (25) to the drum and discharging the pieces of food from the drum • open end is located opposite the closed end; (B) a fastening device for the Drum for rotation of the drum about a longitudinal axis extending between the ends at a slope to the horizontal, the mounting means being connected to the drum at least about the side wall (13) away from the closed end; / '. ·.' '. , , , ' (c) helical kneading blades (24) * are attached to the inside of the side wall (13) of the drum (10) and extend over at least a substantial part of the length between the closed end and the open end of the drum; (d). means (19) for driving engagement with the drum (10) to thereby effect drum rotation; and (e) door means (23) mounted for movement between a position for closing the open end (22) of the drum (10) and a position remote from the open end, wherein 2 34 0 77 7 this door device with the open end (22) of the drum (10) forms an airtight seal in the closed operating state. 4. Apparatus according to one of items 2 or 3, characterized in that the door device (23) comprises a plate-shaped plate (30) which extends outside the drum (10) and with the open end (22) of the drum (10) in closed state forms an airtight seal. 5. Apparatus according to at least one of the items 2 to 4, characterized g e k e η η ζ e i c h. η et, that an opening (31) communicates with the interior of the drum (10) to cause a pressure swing in the drum relative to the atmospheric pressure, said opening (31) communicating with a conduit (32), which pipeline can be brought into contact with a vacuum or pressure pump. 6. Apparatus according to item .5, characterized in that the opening (31) in " J-. the door device (23) is located. 7. Apparatus according to one of the items 5 or 6, characterized in that in the pipe (32) is a valve through which the pipe is apparent and closable. 8. apparatus according to at least one of items 5 to 7, ^r - 2 340 77 7 characterized in that a swivel port (44) is disposed in the conduit (32) to allow the pump (41) to communicate continuously with the port (31) during drum rotation. 9. Apparatus according to at least one of the "Items 5 to 8, characterized in that the, Druekwechsel in the range up to substantially a 10th atmosphere. 10. Apparatus according to at least one of the items 2 to 9, characterized in that a slot (35) is formed around the edge of the door device (23), which slot has a sealing ring (36). which at an adjacent investment edge _:. (38) which is arranged around the open end (22) of the drum (10). 11. Apparatus according to item 10, characterized in that the edge (37) of the door device forming the slot. (35), relatively inclined to the plane of the door means (23), _t and that the abutment edge (38) of the open end (22) is correspondingly inclined, the inclined, running, engaging edges (37, 38 ) facilitate alignment of the door assembly (23) with the open end (22). ₍ 12. The apparatus according to at least one of the items 2 to 11, characterized g e k e η η ze ic h η et that a 4V 234 0 77 7 Filter element (33) is mounted on the door device (23) which is arranged within the opening (31) of the door device to prevent the passage of food from the drum into the tube (32). 13. Apparatus according to at least one of the points S ₁ to 12, characterized in that the door device (23) comprises an arm (47) which extends from the door device (23) and the door device (23) with one of the side wall (13) of the drum (.10) laterally spaced BEFE ⁱ stigungseinrichtung (48) is connected, which fastening means is a hinge for the door assembly (23) forms. 14. Apparatus according to item 1.3, characterized in that g e characterizes that a power actuator , (52) for activating the projecting arm (47) -. ·. ι the door device (23) is provided so that the door between the closing and the opening position is movable. 15. Apparatus according to at least one of the aforementioned points characterized in that there are openings (54, 55) in the side wall (13) of the drum (10), 16. Apparatus according to item 15, characterized in that e e η η is characterized in that at least two hatches (54, 55) in the side wall (.13) of the drum (10) 2 340 7 7 7 ''. ' '. are provided, which are offset from one another. 17. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding points, characterized in that at least two wings (24) are arranged offset from one another. 18. Apparatus according to item 17, characterized ge "10. ζ e i c h η e t that of the side wall (13) facing away from the edge (28) of the wings (24) is thickened (29), in order to minimize the damaging effect of the wings on the pieces of meat or the product (25).
, ; , ·. , "..;'- ... -'. '.'.; 19. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding points, characterized g e k e η η ζ e i c h η e t, in that the wings (24) have a lip portion (26) which is oriented substantially perpendicular relative to the normal direction of the wings, and in that the lip portion meets the closed end (22) of the drum (10) substantially at right angles. 20. Apparatus I • that a means for introducing heat is provided in the drum during the food treatment according to at least one of the preceding points, 'characterized ge ke η η η ze et. , , 21. Apparatus according to at least one of the preceding 2 3.4 0.7 7 ... 7 Points, characterized in that the food pieces or products are pieces of meat (25) which are massaged by the kneading action. 22. A method for kneading a variety of integrated food pieces, I e η η ζ e I net by (a) inputting pieces of food in ν a rotatable drum mounted on an inclined axis and provided with spiral kneading blades; (b) rotating the drum in a first direction about the axis, the food pieces touching each other, the food pieces being drawn inwardly into the drum by the rotation of the drum and the action of the kneading blades, and substantially all of the food pieces are passed through the drum continuously moved; and (C) that the direction of rotation of the drum is reversed and thereby the food pieces are discharged from the drum under the effect of the spiral kneading blades. 23. Method according to item 22, characterized in that the drum is closed during rotation in the first direction. 234077 7 24. Method according to item 23, whereby g e k e η η - ζ eich n _x et that the drum during rotation. is closed in the opposite direction. 25. The method η fum treating foodstuffs or ingredients for food products in an inclined rotary drum having disposed therein spiral kneading blades, geke η, ζ calibration ne _(t by:.     - '' (a) introducing the ingredients of the food product into the drum; (b) closing the open end of the drum with a door means; > \. (c) rotating the drum in a first or. opposite direction, or keep the drum stationary for desired time intervals, thereby applying different effects on the food product; (d) 'opening the door after a predetermined time interval; and 25 ·, · · .-; - · · ·. '''·''..'''.' :. : (e) rotating the drum in the opposite direction. 26. Method according to at least one of the items 22 to 25, characterized in that a treatment liquid is added to the food. 234077 7 27. Method according to at least one of the items 22 to 26, characterized in that heat is introduced into the drum during the food treatment.   5 '. , , .-:. '; '. .- '.'. ' 28. Method according to at least one of the items 22 to 27, characterized in that, alternatively, the drum is rotated or held stationary for predetermined time periods in the first direction or in the second direction. 29. Method according to at least one of items 22 to 28, characterized in that the food pieces or products are pieces of meat. 30. Apparatus according to at least one of the points .3 to 21, characterized in that the door (310) can be released from the door fastening device during drum rotation by means of a door actuating mechanism, so that the door and the drum engage integrated unit, which is free of the fastening means. A door opening mechanism for attaching a door (310) to the mouth (311) of a drum, characterized in that the drum is mounted for rotation about an axis on a foundation, which axis is substantially centrally through the mouth (311) of Figs Drum runs, that the mechanism near the foundation on one 2340 77 7 Supporting device is mounted, and that the mechanism comprises: An anchoring Einriehtung (333), a 'emanating from the Anankerungseinriehtung movable device with which the. Door (310) is movable between a mouth closed with the mouth (311) and the drum (312) and, between the door and the movable means, a clamping device (313) is arranged, with which the movable device is detachable from the door when the door is in the closed position with the mouth (311.). \ 32. A door actuation mechanism according to item 31, characterized in that the moveable means comprises an arm (319), and that the anchoring means is pivotally hinged to the support means, whereby the arm moves in a curved path between a position in which the door Drum mouth closes, and a.Lage, in which the door is removed from the drum mouth, is movable. 33. Tüfbetätigungsmechanismus according to the points 31 or 32, characterized in that the axis of rotation (335) of the drum (10) centrally through the door (.310) runs, when this is in the closed position, and that the door is a shaft (33 316). which extends axially from the door surface (203) along the axis of rotation through the door, the clamping means (313) releasably connecting the arm (319) to the shaft (316). "234077 7 34. Door actuation mechanism according to item 33, characterized in that the clamping device comprises a pair of claws (315) for releasably clamping the shaft (316). 35. Door operating mechanism according to at least one of the items 31 to 34, characterized in that a device for determining the closing state of the door (310) 1.0 'the drum mouth (311) is provided when the door is in the closed state with the drum mouth. 36. A door operating mechanism according to item 35, characterized in that the means for determining the closing state is a vacuum generating device for the drum, which device is connected to the inside of the drum (312), and that the vacuum pressure generated in the drum (312) Door (310) on the mouth (311) holds the container. >"' ^{: i} : ./.' . ";' . ' 37. Door operating mechanism according to item 36, characterized ge η η ζ ¹ eich η et that a vacuum sensor switch is provided and that the clamping device (313) is coupled to the switch for cooperation so that a door closure of the clamping device is capable of Door to release after the sensor switch has detected a predetermined vacuum pressure nevau. - 13 - - vs. - 2340 7 7 7 38. Door operating mechanism according to item 37, Thereby, there is no such thing as: that the . · Χ clamping device (313) with regard to a Door handle (310) acts after the sensor switch detects vacuum vacuum below the predetermined level. * .39. Door operating mechanism after at least one. Points 35 to 38, characterized geke η η 'characterized in that the movable means comprises a door pivot cylinder (350) which is operable under pressure to the door (310) between the closed position in contact with the drum mouth (311) uild of the Drum mouth (311) to move remote location. . 40. Door actuation mechanism according to item 38, characterized in that a vacuum sensor switch is provided by which a predetermined range of movement of the movable device and the clamping device of the door is possible prior to operation of the clamping device for applying the door, 41. Door operating mechanism according to item 40, characterized characterized in that a stop is provided for limiting the .Motion of the clamping device of the door. 42. Treatment drum mounted on a foundation for rotation about an axis, thereby 2 34 0 77 characterized in that the drum (312) comprises a mouth (311) and a door (310) for the mouth (311), that the door is fixed to an anchoring device (333) by a movable device, that the door is movable by means of the movable device (320) can be opened and closed relative to the mouth, that the movable means comprises clamping means (313) for engaging or disengaging the door from the movable means, that the door comprises a stem (316) through which a vacuum in the closed one Drum is producible that the shaft (316) with the clamping device (313) in the opened state of the door and in the state closed by the vacuum inside the drum at a predetermined level state of the drum is detectable, and that the clamping device of the shaft (316) solvable when the vacuum is above a predetermined level, so that the door and the drum form an integrated unit, which is substantially f from the anchoring means (333) and the movable means (320), and that the door is thereby substantially free to rotate with the drum. , "' ^;' - 43. Treatment drum according to item 42, characterized in that the movable device (320) comprises an arm (319) which can be actuated by the door pivoting cylinder (35) between the closed and the opened position, that the sequence of the opening and Closing the arm  - 15 - 2340 77 7 , and the opening and closing of the clamping device (313) and the generation of the vacuum in the drum is a predetermined sequence. 44. Treatment drum after point. 43 / characterized in that the door pivoting cylinder (350) is further movable toward the door to / close to closing the door to the drum mouth and releasing the clamping means from the shaft (316). 45. A treatment drum according to at least one of items 42 to 44, characterized in that the drum has a side wall, a closed end and a mouth for feeding the food pieces into the drum, that the mouth is arranged opposite the closed end, that further a foundation is intended for the drum so that the drum \.! is rotatable about a longitudinal axis * extending between the closed end and the mouth in a slope to the horizontal, that within the side wall of the drum for treating the food during drum rotation wings are arranged, and that the anchoring means a 'Articulated attachment comprises, and in that on the anchoring device, a pivot arm is attached, the end of which is located away from the joint attachment including the clamping device. , , '. , · '·. · · «·. 46. Method of operating a rotatable handling device -β- 23Α077 7 drum, η η ζ e lean t by loading the drum via a drum mouth with the desired material to be treated, by activating a door operating mechanism, lent the moving of a door to close the drum mouth and by releasing the door operating mechanism of the door, thereby the drum and the door as an integrated unit, are substantially free to rotate from the door operating mechanism.   : '·:. -. '' '. , '. ! , ' 47. The method according to item 46, characterized in that before releasing the door from the door operating mechanism in the closed drum, a vacuum is generated to fix the door to the drum. 48. The method of item 47, characterized in that the door is opened by releasing the vacuum in the drum, that the door actuating mechanism is activated to move the door a predetermined amount, that the door operating mechanism for the door Is energized to the door, and that the door operating mechanism is activated to move the door from the drum mouth. 49. The method of item 48, characterized ge k e η η is characterized in that the excitation of the door operating mechanism is delayed for a predetermined time after the fall of the vacuum pressure to a predetermined level. - 17 - 5Z 2 340 7 7 7 50. The method according to at least one of the items to 49, ^ characterized in that the material to be treated is a food product. 51. The method according to item 50, characterized in that the food product Meat pieces includes. 10, drawings