Apparatus and method for preserving mucosa

Abstract

A mixing apparatus ( 1 ) for mixing slaughter offal with a preservative agent, the apparatus comprising an offal collection tank ( 3 ) with a bottom ( 4 ) provided with a discharge opening ( 5 ) connectable to a closable discharge, an agitator ( 8 ) extending into the offal collection tank, and a pump unit ( 9 ) operatively connectable to the discharge, wherein the apparatus further comprises a preservative reservoir ( 7 ) mounted on top of the collection tank ( 3 ). A collection and preservation system is provided, wherein the addition of preservation agent can be strictly controlled, can easily and quickly be installed and connected when it is to be used. After use, the system is easily removed and cleaned.

1 . A mixing apparatus ( 1 ) for mixing slaughter offal with a preservative agent, the apparatus comprising an offal collection tank ( 3 ) with a bottom ( 4 ) provided with a discharge opening ( 5 ) connectable to a closable discharge, an agitator ( 8 ) extending into the offal collection tank, and a pump unit ( 9 ) operatively connectable to the discharge, wherein the apparatus further comprises a preservative reservoir ( 7 ) mounted on top of the collection tank ( 3 ). 
     
     
         2 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the collection tank is provided with one or more supports ( 15 ) for carrying the preservative reservoir ( 7 ). 
     
     
         3 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein the support for the preservative reservoir ( 7 ) is detachable and wherein the collection tank comprises a connection point ( 16 ) for the support at two opposite sides of the agitator ( 8 ). 
     
     
         4 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 2  or  3  wherein the preservative reservoir ( 7 ) is adjustable in height. 
     
     
         5 . Mixing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the collection tank comprises a second discharge opening ( 6 ) at a lower level than the first discharge opening ( 5 ). 
     
     
         6 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the bottom ( 4 ) of the collection tank tapers down to the second discharge opening ( 6 ). 
     
     
         7 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 5  or  6  wherein the agitator ( 8 ) has a lowest end between the level of the first discharge opening ( 5 ) and the level of the second discharge opening ( 6 ). 
     
     
         8 . Mixing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the agitator ( 8 ) has a longitudinal axis under an angle with the vertical. 
     
     
         9 . Mixing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the collection tank is covered by a lid ( 17 ) having a permanently closed lid section ( 18 ) and a removable lid section ( 19 ). 
     
     
         10 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the removable lid section ( 19 ) is linked to the permanently closed lid section ( 18 ) by means of one or more hinges ( 20 ). 
     
     
         11 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the removable lid section ( 19 ) is provided with a folded edge ( 34 ) covering the upper edge of the collection tank when the lid section is in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 10  or  11  wherein the adjacent edges of the hingable lid section and the permanently closed lid section are provided with raised edges ( 35 ,  36 ) and wherein the raised edge ( 35 ) of the hingable lid section is folded' over the raised edge ( 36 ) of the permanently closed section and connected to the one or more hinges ( 20 ). 
     
     
         13 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 10 ,  11  or  12  wherein the collection tank comprises a sensor ( 38 ) arranged to send a stop signal to a control unit for the agitator (B) when the hingable lid section is not in its closed position. 
     
     
         14 . Mixing apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the apparatus further comprises a support pallet ( 10 ) carrying the collection tank ( 7 ). 
     
     
         15 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 14  wherein the support pallet ( 10 ) is a frame, e.g., of a corrosion resistant metal. 
     
     
         16 . Mixing apparatus according to  claim 14  or  15  wherein the support pallet comprises positioners ( 11 ) for positioning the pump unit. 
     
     
         17 . A method for preserving slaughter offal comprising the following steps:
 a) providing an empty preservative reservoir ( 7 ) and an empty collection tank ( 3 ),   b) detecting the absence of preservative agent by the minimum level sensor in the preservative reservoir ( 7 ),   c) filling the preservative reservoir ( 7 ) until the maximum level in the preservative reservoir is reached,   d) stopping the supply of preservative agent,   e) adding the total amount of preservative agent to the collection tank ( 3 ),   f) detecting the absence of preservative agent by the minimum level sensor in the preservative reservoir ( 7 ),   g) starting the supply of mucosa,   h) filling the collection tank ( 3 ) with mucosa until the maximum level in the collection tank ( 3 ) is reached,   i) opening the discharge and activating the pump unit ( 9 ) and discharging preserved mucosa compound to a container or storage tank,   j) closing off the discharge and deactivating the pump unit when the level of the preserved mucosa in the collection tank reaches a certain minimum level, and   k) optionally starting the cycles a-j.