Food product press

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the present invention, a single, uniform compressive load is applied through a mechanical lever arm arrangement to a unitary arrangement of upper press shelves to cause them to engage the products supported on interposed rigidly supported product shelves.
Once the initial level of compression is reached, the relative product-press shelf space is locked and that spacing is maintained throughout the processing.
It has been found that, particularly in the processing of hams, by establishing an adequate initial compression level, product shrinkage during processing is relatively minimal.
Locking the shelves at the spacing established by the initial level of compression and holding that spacing fixed during the processing helps maintain consistent product size, both across the shelves and from shelf to shelf.
The actual compressive force used may be varied over a wide range or may be the size of products processed.
The ham press apparatus of the present invention can be added by modification to a standard meat truck without structurally altering the latter.
Both sets of shelves are removable for ease of cleaning and, when not used as a ham press, the apparatus is easily reconfigured for use as a standard meat truck.