The present invention concerns a device for applying a layer on a viscous food product in a tub or the like, in particular for pressing the side edges of a layer between the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub in which the food product has been provided.

It is known that food products can decay, dry out or oxidize when they are exposed to normal ambient conditions or to specific conditions during the production process.

In order to prevent this, a layer is usually provided on the food product which has been provided in a tub or the like, but this layer is disadvantageous in that no protection is obtained at said side edges In order to prevent any adverse effects at the side edges, the above-mentioned layer has been pressed on manually until now, in order to be able to provide the layer between the food product and the side walls of the tub.

However, it is difficult, if not impossible, to control the quality of this manipulation, and it is far from hygienic.

Moreover, this manipulation is labour-intensive and makes such a protection expensive.

Another applied technique consists in that a lid is provided on top of the tub or the like, whereby the lid presses the layer somewhat against the food product.

One of the disadvantages of this technique is that the side edges of the layer cannot be pressed entirely, or not always very precisely, between the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub, so that the layer, when the lid is removed, does not always entirely protect the food product. As a consequence, a sufficient number of lids must be provided, such that they can remain on the tub or the like as long as protection is required.

The present invention aims a device for providing a layer on a viscous food product in a tub or the like as an object, which excludes the above-mentioned and other disadvantages.

To this aim, the device for applying a layer on a viscous food product in a tub or the like comprises at least means which make it possible to press the layer between the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub or the like.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the means consist of at least first and second press-on means which can be activated at least partially independent from each other.

Preferably, the second press-on means work in conjunction with the layer at the edges of the tub or the like, and the first press-on means work in conjunction with the part situated alongside of the latter and/or with the same part of the layer.

This embodiment offers the advantage that it introduces more flexibility, such that, for example, the layer can at first be pressed by first press-on means, and that the second press-on means subsequently press the layer between

the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub or the like. When the second press-on means are removed, the first press-on means make sure that the layer is not removed. Finally, the first press-on means can be removed.

The first press-on means and the second press-on means can be positioned in various manners in relation to each other.

Thus, the first press-on means can be positioned centrally and be surrounded by the second press-on means, but the position of the first press-on means can just as well correspond to the position of the second press-on means, or the first and second press-on means can for example be situated next to each other.

According to, a preferred embodiment, the first press-on means consist of at least one stamp, and also the second press-on means consist of at least one stamp or of outlets connected to a gas pressure circuit which are directed towards the layer.

According to another preferred embodiment, the means which make it possible to press the layer between the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub or the like consist of least one stamp, provided on a motion mechanism which is connected to a base, which stamp is provided with at least one narrow peripheral edge at the bottom, whose shape and dimensions correspond maximally to those of the top edge of the tub or the like.

This embodiment offers the advantage that, with the help of the motion mechanism, the stamp always works in conjunction with the layer provided on the viscous food product in the same manner, either manually or automatically.

According to a preferred embodiment, the motion mechanism comprises guides along which the stamp can be moved.

This embodiment offers the advantage that the stamp, irrespective of the extent to which the tub or the like is filled, is always directed crosswise to the upper surface of the viscous food product.

According to a special preferred embodiment, the guides consist of rods and the stamp mainly consists of a plate which is provided with a protrusion, whose undersurface is excavated in a concave manner and has a narrow peripheral edge.

A device according to this preferred embodiment offers the advantage that it can be made in a simple manner.

According to a practical embodiment, the device according to the invention is provided with several stamps, possibly co-operating in a telescopic manner, as a result of which a better controlled pressing of the layer is obtained. In particular, use is made of several stamps working in conjunction which make it possible to apply the side edge of the layer in a controlled manner up to between the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub or the like, so that the layer stays better in place, also after the removal of the stamps.

According to another special embodiment, the device is provided with a stamp with a sharp peripheral edge, with which the side edges o the layer can be cut off.

According to a special embodiment, the stamp is provided with outlets directed towards the layer which are connected to a gas pressure circuit.

This embodiment offers the advantage that the layer is pressed exactly against the viscous food product and, if the outlets are provided at the undersurface of the stamp, that the layer can be detached from the stamp more easily.

According to a special embodiment, the device is provided with means which create an underpressure at the undersurface of a stamp.

This allows the stamp to lift the layer and to bring it above the product.

In order to better explain the characteristics of the invention, the following preferred embodiments are described as an example only without being limitative in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: figure 1 schematically represents a section of a device according to the invention for applying a layer on a viscous food product in a tub or the like; figure 2 represents a second position of the device according to figure 1 ; figure 3 represents the part as indicated by F3 in figure 2 to a larger scale; figure 4 represents a practical embodiment of the device according to the invention, seen as a section; figures 5,6 and 7 represent three characteristic positions of the device according to figure 4; figure 8 represents the part indicated by F8 in figure 7 to a larger scale.

Figure 1 represents a device according to the invention which is mainly composed of a base 1, preferably made of

stainless steel, onto which are fixed two vertical guides 2, in particular in the form of rods. To this end, the guides 2 are provided with threaded parts 3 at the bottom, which work in conjunction with the threaded holes 4 in the base 1.

Over the guides 2 are provided spacer sleeves 5, which rest on the base 1 and form a stop surface 6.

On the aforesaid guides 2 is provided a stamp 7 which is formed of a plate 8, provided with a protrusion 9 at the bottom whose undersurface 10 is excavated in a concave manner, such that a narrow peripheral edge 11 is obtained, which broadens gradually.

In the aforesaid plate 8 are provided two openings 12 along which the stamp 7 is provided over the guides 2.

The guides 2 are connected to each other at the top by means of a plate 13, by means of bolts 14, which pass through openings 15 in the plate 13, and which work in conjunction with threaded holes 16 provided in the far ends of the guides 2.

To the plate 13 is connected for example a pneumatic drive means 17, by means of bolts 18 which pass through openings in the plate 13 and which work in conjunction with nuts 19.

The free end of the piston rod 20 of the drive means 17 is freely hinge-mounted to the plate 8 of the stamp 7, in this case by means of a pin 21 which is provided through an opening 22 in a protrusion 23 which is connected to the aforesaid plate 8 and an eye 24 at the piston rod 20.

Finally, a tub or the like 25 is provided, in which is provided a viscous food product 26, and where, on the upper surface 27 of the food product 26 and at least up against the side walls 28 of the tub or the like 25, is provided a layer 29.

The use of the above-described device according to the invention is very simple and as follows.

The tub or the like 25, filled with a viscous food product 26 onto which is provided a loose layer 29, is placed on the base 1 and underneath the stamp 7.

Subsequently, the stamp 7 is moved down, in particular by exciting the pneumatic drive means 17, as a result of which the narrow peripheral edge 11 of the stamp 7 makes contact with the loose layer 29, after which, by moving the stamp 6 further down, the layer 29 is pushed between the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25 and the viscous food product 26, as represented in figure 2.

The stamp 7 is moved down until the lower side of the plate 8 makes contact with the stop surfaces 6 of the spacer sleeves 5, as a result of which is obtained that the layer 29 is always pushed up to the same height between the viscous food product 26 and the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25.

When, subsequently, the stamp 7 is moved up, the viscous food product 26 will expand again and thus push the layer 29 up against the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25.

In the variant of the embodiment according to the invention, as represented in figure 4, the base 1 is provided with a cavity 30, whose shape and dimensions

correspond to or are somewhat bigger than the outside dimensions and the shape of the tub or the like 25.

In this embodiment as well, two vertical guides 2 are fixed on the base 1.

Over the guides 2 are also provided spacer sleeves 5, which rest on the base 1 and which form a stop surface 6 in a similar manner as for the embodiment according to figure 1.

Over the guides 2 and over the spacer sleeves 5 are in this case provided compression springs 31.

Also in this embodiment is provided a stamp 7 on the aforesaid guides 2, formed of a plate 8, which is provided with a protrusion 9 at the bottom whose undersurface 10 is excavated in a concave manner, such that a peripheral edge 32 is obtained.

Along the outer wall of the protrusion 9 is provided a second stamp 33 in the embodiment according to figure 4, formed of a plate 34 in which is provided an opening 35 through which the protrusion 9 of the stamp 7 is provided.

On the bottom side of the aforesaid plate 34, connected to the edge of the opening 35, is fixed a sleeve 36, whose inner wall works in conjunction with the outer wall of the protrusion 9 in a sliding manner, and whose free end situated at the bottom forms a peripheral edge 37 which does not reach below the peripheral edge 32 of the protrusion 9 in the upward position.

In the upper side of the plate 34 are fixed two vertical rods 38, in particular by means of screw thread 39 working in conjunction with threaded holes in the plate 34.

In the plate 8 of the first stamp 7 are provided two openings 40 through which the rods 38 are provided. The rods 38 are connected to each other at the top by means of a plate 41, by means of bolts 42 which pass through openings 43 in the plate 41, and which work in conjunction with the threaded holes provided in the far ends of the rods 38.

Along the outer wall of the sleeve 36 is provided a third stamp 44, formed of a plate 45, which is connected with its top side to the lower side of the plate 34 of the second stamp 33, and in which is provided an opening 46 through which the sleeve 36 is provided. On the lower side of the aforesaid plate 45, connected to the edge of the opening 46, is fixed a thin-walled sleeve 47, whose inner wall co- operates with the outer wall of the sleeve 36 in a sliding manner, and whose free end situated at the bottom forms a narrow peripheral edge 11 which does not reach below the peripheral edge 37 of the sleeve 36.

On the top side of the plate 45 are fixed two vertical rods 48, in particular by means of screw thread 49, working in conjunction with the threaded holes 50 in the plate 45.

The vertical rods 48 reach above the aforesaid plate 41, to which end are provided appropriate openings 51, 52 and 53 respectively, in the intermediate plates 34, 8 and 41, through which the rods 48 are provided.

Over the rods 48, between the plates 34 and 8, are provided spacer sleeves 54, whereas, between the plates 8 and 41, spacer sleeves 55 are provided around which are provided compression springs 56, and on the plate 41 are provided spacer sleeves 57 around which are provided compression springs 58.

The rods 48 are connected to each other at the top by means of a plate 59, by means of bolts 60 which pass through openings 61 in the plate 59, and which work in conjunction with the threaded holes 62 provided in the far ends of the rods 48.

To the plate 59 is connected a piston rod 20 of a drive means 17 in a manner similar to the above-described embodiment.

Finally, a tub or the like 25 is provided here as well, in which is provided a viscous food product 26, and whereby, on the upper surface 27 of the food product 26 and at least up against the side walls 28 of the tub or the like 25, is provided a layer 29.

The working of the device according to the invention, as represented in figure 4, is as follows.

The tub or the like 25, filled with a viscous food product 26 onto which is provided a loose layer 29, is placed in the cavity 30 of the base 1, as a result of which is obtained that the tub or the like 25 is always positioned exactly opposite to the stamps 7,33 and 44.

Next, the drive means 17 is excited, as a result of which the stamps 7,33 and 44 are moved down.

The stiffness of the springs 33 is considerably lower than that of the springs 56 and 58, such that when the drive means 17 is excited, the springs 31 are compressed at first, as a result of which the whole of stamps 7,33 and 44 working telescopically together is moved down, without any considerable mutual movement.

As the peripheral edge 32 of the protrusion 9 is situated lower than the peripheral edges 37 and 11 of the sleeves 36,47 respectively which work together in a telescopic manner, it is obtained during said movement that the peripheral edge 32 of the stamp 7 presses on the layer 29 and detains it.

The stamps 7,33 and 44 are moved down until the lower side of the plate 8 makes contact with the stop surfaces 6 of the spacer sleeves 5.

As the springs 56 are significantly less stiff than the springs 58, secondly, while the drive means 17 is being continuously excited, the stamps 33 and 44 will be moved down, without any considerable mutual movement- As the peripheral edge 37 of the sleeve 36 is situated lower than the narrow peripheral edge 11 of the sleeve 47, it is obtained during said movement that the layer 29, which is provided at least up against, and possibly over the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25, is pushed inside the tub or the like 25 and is partially brought in the viscous food product at a distance from the side wall 28.

The stamps 33 and 44 are moved down until the lower side of the plate 41 makes contact with the spacer sleeves 55.

When the drive means 17 is being continuously excited, the compression springs 58 will finally be compressed, as a result of which the stamp 44 is at last moved down.

During this movement, the narrow peripheral edge 11 pushes the part of the layer 29, which is situated between the

side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25 and the sleeve 36, up to between the viscous food product 26 and the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25.

The stamp 44 is moved down until the lower side of the plate 59 makes contact with the spacer sleeves 57, as a result of which is obtained that the layer 29 will always be pushed up to the same height between the viscous food product 26 and the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25.

By subsequently gradually removing the excitement, the stamps 7,33 and 44 are moved up in reverse order.

While the stamp 44 is being lifted, the stamps 7 and 33 keep the layer 29 in place and simultaneously create a light overpressure in the viscous food product 26, as a result of which the viscous food product 26 pushes the layer 29 up against the side wall 28 of the tub or the like 25.

While the stamp 33 is being lifted, the stamp 7 prevents the layer 29 from being simultaneously moved along upward.

Finally, the latter stamp 7 is moved up, whereby, given the large surface of the concave undersurface 10 of the stamp 7, the layer 29 is prevented from being moved along upward.

In this manner, not only a part near the outer edge of the layer but also the outer edge itself is brought between the viscous food product and the side walls of the tub or the like, as a result of which the layer stays better in place, also after the stamps have been removed.

It is clear that the stamps 7,33 and 44 and other components can be made of stainless steel or of other materials that are customary in the food industry.

Thus, parts of the stamps 7,33 and 44 can be made of a material which transforms in an elastic manner while being pressed on in order to prevent any damage to the tub or the like 25.

In a special application of the device according to the invention, the layer 29 will be formed of a layer of bacon, and the viscous food product 26 will be a pate.

It is clear that, in another embodiment, a stamp can be provided with a sharp lower edge, which works like a knife and which cuts off the side edges of a layer 29, for example just outside the tub or the like 25, whereby the sharp lower edge works in conjunction with the upper surface of the base 1.

It is cleat that the device can also be provided with a knife in another manner and at other parts.

It is clear that the device can be provided with a connection to a gas pressure circuit, and that outlets directed towards the layer 29 are provided which are connected to the gas pressure circuit, for example at the undersurface 10 of a stamp 7,33 and/or 44.

A gas stream can press the layer 29 against the viscous food product 26 in an appropriate manner, such that air bells between the layer 29 and the viscous food product 26 are pushed away. Moreover, a gas stream can be used to detach the layer 29 from the stamp 7,33 and/or 44.

The device is possibly provided with means which can create an underpressure at the undersurface 10 of a stamp.

This allows the stamp concerned to lift the layer 29, for example in order to apply the layer 29 on top of the food product 26.

Finally, it is clear that the mutual connection of the stamps 7,33 and 44 and the order of excitement of the discussed embodiments may differ.

The invention is by no means limited to the above-described embodiments given as an example and represented in the accompanying drawings; on the contrary, such a device for applying a layer on a viscous food product in a tub or the like can be made in all sorts of shapes and dimensions while still remaining within the scope of the invention.