Ralph Bethke

US Patent:

58435131, Dec 1, 1998

Filed:

Jan 2, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/778181

Inventors:

Daniel B. Wilke - Waunakee WI
Ralph H. Bethke - Sun Prairie WI
Bonnie M. Hinze - Sun Prairie WI

Assignee:

Kraft Foods, Inc. - Northfield IL

International Classification:

A23L 100
G01F 1100

US Classification:

426646

Abstract:

An apparatus for preparing reduced-fat meat by injecting dry solids such as phosphate powder into a flow of meat supply, includes a passageway for passing the meat therethrough, a ram chamber having a feed ram such that the feed ram is capable of being positioned in any one of a feed position and a fill position, the ram chamber having a particulate opening for entry of dry solids into the ram chamber, and a feed port providing a path for the feeding of the dry solids into the passageway. A control gate is placed generally along the passageway wherein it is capable of opening and closing the feed port. A control assembly is used for controlling the positional movement of the feed ram and the control gate such that the dry solids enter into the ram chamber through the particulate opening as the feed ram travels toward its fill position when the control gate is closed, and such that the control assembly directs the feed ram toward the feed port, blocking the particulate opening, and directs the control gate to the open position, thereby opening the feed port such that the dry solids are injected into the flow of meat supply through the feed port as the feed ram travels toward the feed position.