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GB2332134A - Preparation of cooked bacon slices - Google Patents

Preparation of cooked bacon slices Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2332134A
GB2332134A GB9726371A GB9726371A GB2332134A GB 2332134 A GB2332134 A GB 2332134A GB 9726371 A GB9726371 A GB 9726371A GB 9726371 A GB9726371 A GB 9726371A GB 2332134 A GB2332134 A GB 2332134A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
slices
curing liquid
raw
conveyor
pork
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9726371A
Other versions
GB2332134B (en
GB9726371D0 (en
Inventor
Peter Queally
John Queally
Laurence Murrin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
MOZEMO Ltd
Original Assignee
MOZEMO Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to IE970868 priority Critical patent/IES79037B2/en
Application filed by MOZEMO Ltd filed Critical MOZEMO Ltd
Priority to GB9726371A priority patent/GB2332134B/en
Publication of GB9726371D0 publication Critical patent/GB9726371D0/en
Publication of GB2332134A publication Critical patent/GB2332134A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2332134B publication Critical patent/GB2332134B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23BPRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES
    • A23B4/00Preservation of meat, sausages, fish or fish products
    • A23B4/02Preserving by means of inorganic salts
    • A23B4/023Preserving by means of inorganic salts by kitchen salt or mixtures thereof with inorganic or organic compounds
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A23FOODS OR FOODSTUFFS; TREATMENT THEREOF, NOT COVERED BY OTHER CLASSES
    • A23LFOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PREPARATION OR TREATMENT THEREOF
    • A23L13/00Meat products; Meat meal; Preparation or treatment thereof
    • A23L13/70Tenderised or flavoured meat pieces; Macerating or marinating solutions specially adapted therefor
    • A23L13/72Tenderised or flavoured meat pieces; Macerating or marinating solutions specially adapted therefor using additives, e.g. by injection of solutions
    • A23L13/75Tenderised or flavoured meat pieces; Macerating or marinating solutions specially adapted therefor using additives, e.g. by injection of solutions using macerating or marinating solutions, e.g. marinades containing spices, acids, condiments or flavouring agents

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Food Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Polymers & Plastics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Nutrition Science (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)

Abstract

Cooked bacon slices are produced substantially continuously by slicing raw pork bellies at a temperature of typically -1‹C to form slices of raw pork which are laid flat on an openwork mesh belt 4. Upper and lower spray heads, 34 apply a curing solution onto top and underneath faces of the slices 3 on the conveyor 4. The conveyor 4 delivers the raw pork slices 3 with the curing solution applied to a continuous cooker 6 in which the slices 3 are cooked at about 275‹C for about 2 minutes. The cooked bacon slices are thus produced substantially continuously to a high quality and with reduced labour input.

Description

1 2332134 "A Method and Apparatus for Producing Cooked Bacon SliceC
Introduction
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices.
Bacon slices are conventionally produced by first tempering frozen pork bellies to a temperature of about 4'C. A curing solution is then injected into the pork using a multineedle injector. The pork is massaged to promote the distribution of the curing solution and the massaged bellies are left overnight to cure. After curing, the bellies are put into moulds and tempered to typically - WC. The cured bellies are drawn from stock when required, sliced, cooked and frozen.
This process is not only labor intensive and expensive but can also result in product quality difficulties. One of the essential ingredients of the curing formulation is common salt, sodium chloride. In the conventional process, after the salt is introduced into the pork, the bacon may be stored for several weeks before use. However, as salt is a strong pro-oxidant the bacon can become rancid in storage. For this reason, bacon prepared in the conventional manner has a relatively short lift span. In addition, the presence of salt results in ice crystals which cause problems on slicing the bacon as a clean cut is difficult to achieve due to tearing in the region where the ice crystals are broken. This leads to slices with an inferior surface. In addition, the useful life of the cutting blade used on slicing is shortened.
There is therefore a need for an improved method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices which will overcome at least some of these difficulties.
Statements of Invention
According to the invention there is provided a method for producing cooked bacon slices substantially continuously comprising the steps of.- slicing raw pork bellies to form slices; laying the raw slices flat on a support; applying a curing liquid onto the raw pork slices on the support; leading the cured bacon slices to a cooker; and continuously cooking the raw slices with the curing liquid applied.
Preferably the curing liquid is applied onto both faces of the raw slices. Most preferably the curing liquid is applied by spraying the liquid onto the slices.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support is a conveyor on which the raw slices are laid flat for leading the slices to the cooker. Preferably the conveyor has an openwork support surface to facilitate application of the curing liquid to both flat faces of the raw slices. Ideally the openwork support of the conveyor is a mesh belting.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention cooking is commenced within 30 seconds of applying the curing liquid. Most preferably cooking is commenced within 15 seconds of applying the curing liquid. In one embodiment of the invention the raw slices are cooked at a temperature of from 2700 to 2800 C for a period of from 1 to 3 minutes, preferably at a temperature of approximately 275'C for a period of approximately 2 minutes.
3 Preferably the raw pork bellies are sliced to a thickness of from 1 to 5 mm, most preferably to a thickness of from 1.5 to 2min.
In one embodiment of the invention the method includes the steps of collecting excess curing liquid not taken up by the raw slices, on application and recycling the collected curing liquid.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the curing liquid is applied to the pork slices at a rate to achieve an uptake of approximately 10% by weight of the pork slices. Ideally the curing liquid is applied at a rate of approximately 10 litres per 100 kg of meat.
In one arrangement the method includes the step, after cooking, of dicing the cooked cured slices to a desired size. Typically the method includes the step, after cooking, of freezing the cooked bacon slices.
In one embodiment of the invention the curing liquid comprises a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium nitrite. Preferably the curing liquid includes smoke flavour.
Typically the curing liquid comprises:
approximately 20 wt % of sodium chloride approximately 600 ppm of sodium nitrite; and approximately 3% of liquid smoke flavour The invention also proves an apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices comprising; a slicer for slicing raw pork bellies to form slices 4 application means for applying a curing liquid on the raw pork slices; means for leading the cured slices to a cooker; and a cooker for substantially continuously cooking the raw slices with the curing liquid applied.
Most preferably the means for leadmig the cured slices to the cooker comprises a conveyor. Preferably the conveyor has an openwork support belting, ideally a mesh belting.
In one embodiment of the invention the application means comprises a spray means for spraying the curing liquid onto the raw pork slices. Preferably the spray means comprises upper and lower spray heads for applying curing liquid to both faces of the raw pork slices supported on the conveyor.
Most preferably the apparatus includes a tray for collecting excess curing liquid not taken up on application to die raw pork slices. In this case preferably there is a recycling pump for recycling excess curing liquid collected in the tray to the application means.
In one embodiment of the invention the upper spray means comprises at least two spray heads spaced-apart above the conveyor for applying overlapping sprays of curing liquid onto the raw pork slices.
2 Preferably the lower spray means comprises at least two spray heads spaced-apart below the conveyor for applying overlapping sprays of curing liquid onto the under face of the raw pork slices. Ideally the lower spray means comprises three spray heads spaced apart below the conveyor for applying overlapping sprays of curing liquid onto the raw pork slices.
The apparatus also preferably includes valve means for controlling the flow of curing liquid to the application means.
Brief description of the drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description therefore given by any of example only with reference to the accompanying claims in which: - to Fig. 1 is a perspective view of apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices according to the invention; Fig. 2 is an end view of an applicator means of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a conveyor part of the apparatus; Fig. 4 is perspective view of the applicator means; Fig. 5 is an end view of the applicator means; and Fig. 6 is a perspective, partially exploded view of the applicator means; Detailed Desgdption Referring to the drawings there is illustrated an apparatus and method for producing cooked bacon slices substantially continuously. The apparatus comprises a slicer 1 for slicing raw pork bellies at a temperature of typically - PC to form slices 3 of raw pork which are laid flat on a support provided by a conveyor in the form of an openwork mesh belt 4. The conveyor belt 4 delivers the raw pork slices to an applicator means 5 which applies a curing solution to both flat faces of the slices 3 on the belt 4.
6 The conveyor belt 4 then delivers the raw pork slices 3, with the curing solution applied, to a continuous cooker 6 in which the pork slices 3 are cooked at a temperature of from 27WC to 28WC, preferably 275'C for a period of from 1 to 3, most preferably approximately 2 mins. To optimise the slicing, curing and cooking process cooking is commenced within 30, and most preferably within about 15 seconds of the application of the curing liquid. After cooking, the cooked cured slices may be diced to a desired size prior to freezing.
The curing solution applied is M this case a mixture of approximately 20 wto/o of sodium chloride, approximately 600 ppm of sodium nitrate, and a smoke flavour, typically 3 wt% of liquid smoke flavour. The smoke flavour may be a mixture of smoke flavour such as a 2:1 ratio of flavour types LFIDN and P50 available from Red Arrow.
The curing solution is applied at a rate to achieve an uptake of approximately 10% by weight of the pork slices corresponding to an application rate of 10 litres per 100 kg of meat.
The curing solution is applied using the applicator 5 which is shown in detail in Figs. 2, and 4 to 6. The applicator 5 comprises a chassis 10 fitted with wheels. Four support legs 12, 13, 14, 15 extend upwardly ftom the chassis 10. For ease of moving the applicator into and out of the inline position illustrated m Fig. 1 one pair 14, 15 of the support legs are movable as illustrated in Fig. 6 for pushing the applicator into the in-line position of Fig. 1 and are readily bolted back into the support position. Cross members 17, 18 extend between the legs 12, 14 and 13 and 15 and these support an excess curing liquid collection tray 19 having an outlet pipe 20 for delivery of collected curing liquid to a supply tank 41.
7 The support leg 12 extends upwardly and an upper cross member 30 extends outwardly therefrom and supports an upper spray bar 3 1. A lower spray bar 32 is supported on the cross member 17.
Referring particularly to Fig. 2 it will be noted that in this case the lower spray bar 32 is fitted with three lower spray heads 33 to deliver a spray of curing liquid to the underface of the pork slices 3 on the mesh belt 4. The lower spray heads 33 are spaced-apart to deliver an even spray of curing liquid to the lower face of the pork slices 3 on the belt 4. Similarly, the upper spray bar 31 is fitted with two spray heads 34 which are positioned to deliver an even spray of curing liquid to the upper face of the slices 3 on the mesh belt 4. Excess curing solution which is not taken up by the pork slices 3 is collected by the recycle tray 19. In this way an even spread of curing liquid is applied to both the top and underneath faces of the slices 3. A cowl 40 is provided above the upper spray bar 31 to direct any mist rising from the sprays downwardly onto the slices 3 on the conveyor 4.
The curing liquid is supplied to the spray bars 31, 32 by a pump which delivers the liquid from a supply tank 41 along a supply line 42. The supply line is fitted with a valve 43 which may be used to regulate the flow of liquid and hence the rate of application of the curing liquid onto the slices. The flow of curing liquid from the lower spray heads 33 may be further regulated by a restrictor 50.
The method of producing cooked bacon slices according to the invention offers very considerable advantages. The method allows cooked bacon slices to be produced highly efficiently, substantially continuously and with a high level of quality and reduced labour. As the pork slices do not come into contact with the curing liquid until just before cooking there is no possibility of the pro-oxidant properties of the salt in the curing solution developing. Thus, the shelf life of the product is extended as rancidity is avoided.
8 The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described which may be varied in both construction and detail.
9

Claims (36)

CLAINIS
1. A method for producing cooked bacon slices substantially continuously comprising the steps of- slicing raw pork bellies to form slices; laying the raw slices flat on a support; applying a curing liquid onto the raw pork slices on the support; leading the cured bacon slices to a cooker; and continuously cooking the raw slices with the curing liquid applied.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the curing liquid is applied onto both faces of the raw slices.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the curing liquid is applied by spraying the liquid onto the slices.
A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the support is a conveyor on which the raw slices are laid flat for leading the slices to the cooker.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the conveyor has an openwork support surface to facilitate application of the curing liquid to both flat faces of the raw slices.
6. A method as claimed m claim 5 wherein the openwork support of the conveyor is a mesh belting.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein cooking is commenced within 30 seconds of applying the curing liquid.
8. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein cooking is commenced within 15 seconds of applying the curing liquid.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the raw slices are cooked at a temperature of from 270' to 28TC for a period of from 1 to 3 minutes.
10. A method as claimed m any preceding claim wherein the raw slices are cooked at a temperature of approximately 2751C for a period of approximately 2 minutes.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the raw pork bellies are sliced to a thickness of from 1 to 5 mm.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the raw pork bellies are sliced to a thickness of from 1.5 to 2 mm.
13. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12 including the steps of collecting excess curing liquid not taken up by the raw slices, on application, and recycling the collected curing liquid.
14. A method as claimed m any preceding claim wherein the curing liquid is applied to the pork slices at a rate to achieve an uptake of approximately 10% by weight of the pork slices.
11 A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the curing liquid is applied at a rate of approximately 10 litres per 100 kg of meat.
16. A method as claimed in any preceding claim including the step, after cooking, of dicing the cooked cured slices to a desired size.
A method as claimed in any preceding claim, including the step, after cooking, of freezing the cooked bacon slices.
18. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the curing liquid comprises a mixture of sodium chloride and sodium nitrite.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the curing liquid includes smoke flavour.
20. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the curing liquid comprises:
approximately 20 wtO/o of sodium chloride approximately 600 ppm of sodium nitrite; and approximately 3% of liquid smoke flavour
21. A method for producing cooked bacon slices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the example and drawings.
22. Cooked bacon slices whenever produced by a method as claimed in any preceding claim.
23. Apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices comprising; a slicer for slicing raw pork bellies to form slices; 12 application means for applying a curing liquid on the raw pork slices; means for leading the cured slices to a cooker; and a cooker for substantially continuously cooking the raw slices with the curmg liquid applied.
24. Apparatus as claimed m claim 23 wherein the means for leading the cured slices to the cooker comprises a conveyor.
Apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein the conveyor has an openwork support belting.
26.Apparatus as claimed m claim 25 wherein the belting is of mesh material.
27. Apparatus as claimed in any of claim 23 to 26 wherein the application means comprises a spray means for spraying the curing liquid onto the raw pork slices.
28. Apparatus as claimed in claim 27 wherein the spray means comprises upper and lower spray heads for applying curing liquid to both faces of the raw pork slices supported on the conveyor.
29. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 23 to 28 including a tray for collecting excess curing liquid not taken up on application to the raw pork slices.
30. Apparatus as claimed in claim 29 including a recycling pump for recycling excess curing liquid collected in the tray to the application means.
13
31. Apparatus as claimed m any of claims 28 to 30 wherein the upper spray means comprises at least two spray heads spaced-apart above the conveyor for applying overlapping sprays of curing liquid onto the raw pork slices.
32. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 28 to 31 wherein the lower spray means comprises at least two spray heads spaced-apart below the conveyor for applying overlapping sprays of curing liquid onto the underface of the raw pork slices.
33. Apparatus as claimed in claim 32 wherein the lower spray means comprises three spray heads spaced apart below the conveyor for applying overlapping sprays of curing liquid onto the raw pork slices.
34. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 23 to 33 including valve means for controlling the flow of curing liquid to the application means.
35. Apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
36.Cooked bacon slices whenever produced using an apparatus as claimed in any of claims 23 to 35.
GB9726371A 1997-12-09 1997-12-12 A method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices Expired - Fee Related GB2332134B (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE970868 IES79037B2 (en) 1997-12-09 1997-12-09 A method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices
GB9726371A GB2332134B (en) 1997-12-09 1997-12-12 A method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IE970868 IES79037B2 (en) 1997-12-09 1997-12-09 A method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices
GB9726371A GB2332134B (en) 1997-12-09 1997-12-12 A method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9726371D0 GB9726371D0 (en) 1998-02-11
GB2332134A true GB2332134A (en) 1999-06-16
GB2332134B GB2332134B (en) 2002-05-15

Family

ID=26312761

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9726371A Expired - Fee Related GB2332134B (en) 1997-12-09 1997-12-12 A method and apparatus for producing cooked bacon slices

Country Status (2)

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GB (1) GB2332134B (en)
IE (1) IES79037B2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004019708A1 (en) * 2002-08-28 2004-03-11 Schirnhofer Gesellschaft M.B.H. Method and device for coating food products with a finishing substance

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1092769A (en) * 1965-10-04 1967-11-29 Armour & Co Improvements in or relating to the preparation and packaging of shingled cooked bacon
US5567460A (en) * 1995-05-04 1996-10-22 Osi Industries, Inc. Method of preparing fully cooked bacon derived from pork bellies

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB848014A (en) * 1957-05-09 1960-09-14 Unilever Ltd Improvements relating to cured pig meat products

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1092769A (en) * 1965-10-04 1967-11-29 Armour & Co Improvements in or relating to the preparation and packaging of shingled cooked bacon
US5567460A (en) * 1995-05-04 1996-10-22 Osi Industries, Inc. Method of preparing fully cooked bacon derived from pork bellies
US5567460B1 (en) * 1995-05-04 1997-10-14 Osi Ind Inc Method of preparing fully cooked bacon derived from pork bellies

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004019708A1 (en) * 2002-08-28 2004-03-11 Schirnhofer Gesellschaft M.B.H. Method and device for coating food products with a finishing substance

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2332134B (en) 2002-05-15
GB9726371D0 (en) 1998-02-11
IES970868A2 (en) 1998-03-25
IES79037B2 (en) 1998-03-25

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20121212