Device For Massaging Products

Abstract

A device for treating products, in particular massaging meat products, comprises at least one treatment section with a space for receiving the products. Said space comprises a treatment device for treating the products. A discharge device is provided for discharging the products from the space of the treatment section. The discharge device can be brought into an active and an inactive operating state with the aid of an actuating device.

1 - 47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . A device for treating products comprising at least a first treatment section and a second treatment section through which the products pass in succession, wherein each of the first and second treatment sections comprises: 
 a. treatment means for treating the products in the treatment section; and    b. a discharge means for discharging the products from the treatment section,    wherein the discharge means of the first treatment section can be brought into an active and an inactive operating state, wherein in the active operating state the discharge means of the first treatment section discharges products from the first treatment section into the second treatment section.    
   
   
       49 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein each of the first and second treatment means is rotatable about an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       50 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein each of the first and second treatment means is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation.  
   
   
       51 . The device of  claim 49 , wherein the discharge means of at least one of the first or second treatment sections is configured to discharge the products after one revolution of the treatment means.  
   
   
       52 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein each of the first and second treatment sections comprises a drum.  
   
   
       53 . The device of  claim 52 , wherein each drum is rotatable about an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       54 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the discharge means of the second treatment section can be brought into an active and an inactive operating state.  
   
   
       55 . The device of  claim 54 , further comprising at least one actuating device for moving the discharge means of the first and second treatment sections between an active and inactive operating state.  
   
   
       56 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the at least one actuating device is designed to move the discharge device of the second treatment section into an active operating state in order for the second treatment section to be emptied of products before moving the discharge means of the first treatment section into an active operating state.  
   
   
       57 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein the at least one actuating device is designed to move the discharge means of the first and second treatment sections into active operating states at substantially the same time.  
   
   
       58 . The device of  claim 55 , wherein each of the first and second treatment sections is provided with its own actuating device.  
   
   
       59 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the treatment means of the first and second treatment sections comprise a common bearing.  
   
   
       60 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the treatment means of the first and second treatment sections are mounted on the same shaft.  
   
   
       61 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the treatment means of the first and second treatment sections are rotatable about a common rotational axis.  
   
   
       62 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein at least one of the first or second treatment sections comprises a wall that is at least partly removable.  
   
   
       63 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the first and second treatment sections are connected together.  
   
   
       64 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the discharge means of at least one of the first or second treatment sections comprises a product-guiding part, a discharge end of which is located outside of the at least one of the first or second treatment sections.  
   
   
       65 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the discharge means of the first treatment section extends from a position inside the first treatment section to a position inside the second treatment section.  
   
   
       66 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the discharge means of the first treatment section extends from a first end wall of the first treatment section through an opening in a second end wall of the first treatment section opposite the first end wall and through an opening in a first end wall of the second treatment section and into the second treatment section.  
   
   
       67 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the discharge means of each of the first and second treatment sections is adapted to discharge the entirety of the products within each of the first and second treatment sections.  
   
   
       68 . The device of  claim 48 , further comprising at least one substance feed means for supplying at least one substance to at least one of the first or second treatment sections.  
   
   
       69 . The device of  claim 68 , wherein the at least one substance feed means is capable of supplying a first substance to the first treatment section and a second substance to the second treatment section.  
   
   
       70 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the device is configured to prevent products in the first treatment section from contacting products in the second treatment section.  
   
   
       71 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the treatment means of the first treatment section is configured to move differently than the treatment means of the second treatment section.  
   
   
       72 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the treatment means of the first treatment section and the treatment means of the second treatment section move at different speeds.  
   
   
       73 . The device of  claim 71 , wherein the treatment means of the first treatment section and the treatment means of the second treatment section move in different directions.  
   
   
       74 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the treatment means of the first treatment section is shaped differently than the treatment means of the second treatment section.  
   
   
       75 . The device of  claim 48 , further comprising a portioning device positioned upstream of the first treatment section for converting a supply of meat products into portions of meat products for feeding into the first treatment section.  
   
   
       76 . The device of  claim 48 , wherein the device is configured to: 
 a) separate products from a substance for treating the products in a treatment section;    b) discharge the products from the treatment section; and    c) leave a substantial part of the substance in the treatment section or return a substantial part of the substance to the treatment section.    
   
   
       77 . A method for treating products comprising: 
 a) providing a device for treating products, the device comprising at least a first treatment section and a second treatment section through which the products pass in succession, wherein each of the first and second treatment sections comprises: 
 i. treatment means for treating the products in the treatment section; and  
 ii. a discharge means for discharging the products from the treatment section,  
   wherein the discharge means of the first treatment section can be brought into an active and an inactive operating state, wherein in the active operating state the discharge means of the first treatment section discharges products from the first treatment section into the second treatment section;    b) supplying products to the first treatment section;    c) treating the products in the first treatment section; and    d) moving the discharge means of the first treatment section into the active operating state, thereby discharging the products from the first treatment section into the second treatment section.    
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein treating the products in the first treatment section comprises rotating the treatment means of the first treatment section.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the treatment means are rotated about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 78 , wherein the discharge means of the first treatment section discharges the products after one revolution of the treatment means.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein discharging the products from the first treatment section into the second treatment section comprises discharging the entirety of the products from the first treatment section into the second treatment section.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein each of the first and second treatment sections comprises a drum and wherein treating the products in the first treatment section comprises rotating the drum about an axis of rotation.  
   
   
       83 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein the device further comprises at least one actuating device for moving the discharge means of the first and second treatment sections into an active operating state.  
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one actuating device moves the discharge means of the second treatment section into an active operating state in order for the second treatment section to be emptied of products prior to moving the discharge means of the first treatment section into an active operating state.  
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 83 , wherein the at least one actuating device moves the discharge means of the first and second treatment sections into their active operating states at substantially the same time.  
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 77 , further comprising treating the products in the second treatment section, wherein treating the products in the first and second treatment sections comprises moving the treatment means of the first and second treatment sections respectively.  
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 86 , wherein the treatment means of the first and second treatment sections rotate about a common rotational axis.  
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein: 
 a. the discharge means of the first treatment section is mounted in a fixed position relative to the treatment means of the first treatment section;    b. treating the products in the first treatment section comprises rotating the treatment means of the first treatment section in a first direction; and    c. moving the discharge means of the first treatment section into an active operating state comprises rotating the treatment means of the first treatment section in a second direction opposite the first direction.    
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 77 , wherein treating the products in the first treatment section comprises mixing the products with a substance and wherein discharging the products from the first treatment section further comprises separating the products from the substance such that a substantial part of the substance remains in the first treatment section or is returned to the first treatment section.