Apparatus for the processing of meat

Abstract

The water holding capacity of meat is improved by agitating the meat at an alleged temperature with the processing solution and by maintaining the agitation temperature with precision. A preferred temperature is in the range of 45° to 60° F. and the agitation is preferably a massaging action after injection of the liquid into the meat. The heating or agitation at the elevated temperature can be carried out in one vessel while the subsequent cooling is carried out in at least one second vessel.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for the treatment of meat comprising: 
 at least one first vessel for agitating bodies of meat in contact with a treating solution at a predetermined elevated temperature and for maintaining said temperature substantially constant while said meat is agitated therein for a period of time sufficient to distribute the treating solution in the meat; and    at least one second vessel for receiving bodies of meat from said first vessel for cooling said bodies of meat to a temperature below said elevated temperature.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein at least said first vessel is a rotary paddle massager or a tumbler.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein at least said second vessel is a rotary paddle massager or tumbler.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1  wherein at least on of said vessels has a jacket and said apparatus includes a system for passing a heated or cooled fluid through said jacket.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a temperature controller for regulating temperature in at least one of said vessels within ±2° F.