Abstract: Portable apportioning apparatus, readily attachable to a meat grinder or stuffer or similar product dispensing mechanism, including a product flow tube having an inlet and an outlet and an internal stop; a housing, defining a closed cavity, rotatingly engaging the flow tube, the cavity in fluid communication with a first opening cut-out of the wall of the flow tube above the internal stop and a second opening cut-out of the wall of the flow tube below the internal stop; and a rotatable apportioning baffle engaging the walls of the housing cavity to define two separate apportioning cavities. A semi-solid product, such as meat, flows from the grinder or stuffer through the inlet of the flow tube and through the top cut-out into one of the apportioning cavities causing rotational movement of the baffle to a predetermined apportioning stop. Movement of the baffle forces an apportioned amount of the product through the bottom cut-out and through the outlet of the flow tube where it may be packaged.

Abstract: Apportioning control apparatus used principally for metering and dispensing foodstuff, said apparatus including an apportioner housing having an internal bore containing a free-floating piston, and an inlet and outlet port located adjacent both ends of the housing and opening into the bore. Working fluid is contained within the bore on both sides of the piston. Intake and discharge of the working fluid from the bore is controlled by a plurality of switch activated valves, permitting simultaneous intake and discharge. An adjustable piston stop permits precision control of the volume of working fluid flowing to and from the apparatus. The apparatus may include a holding tank for the working fluid, a pump, and a foodstuff dispenser operable to dispense foodstuff in a volume equal to fluid intake from the apportioner.

Abstract: A self-locking butterfly valve adapted for placement in a tubular housing including a longitudinally slotted shaft with opposing grooves and a disc slideably received by the shaft. The disc is provided at one end with a slot engaging the grooves of the shaft and at the other end with a tab which, with the shaft, extends through an aperture in the housing for locking the disc to the shaft without use of external fasteners. A pin through the shaft may be used to prevent withdrawal of the shaft from the tubular housing.