Abstract: This invention utilizes a conventional meat skinning machine having a frame, an elongated skinning blade, a rotatable gripping roll closely positioned adjacent the blade, an electrical motor operatively connected to the gripping roll and to a source of electrical power, and a danger zone defined by the area approximate to the gripping roll closely adjacent the blade. The motor is a braking motor which has a normally inoperative braking means adapted to stop the motor substantially instantaneously when becoming operative. A safety circuit is electrically connected to the braking motor, the blade and the gripping roll. The safety circuit is normally open and is adapted to be closed when the blade and gripping roll are electrically connected by any electroconducting means, such as an operator's glove made of electroconducting material, that simultaneously comes into electrical contact with the blade and the gripping roll.

Abstract: An ergonomic hand tool of this invention comprises an elongated support bar adapted to be positioned adjacent the forearm and wrist of the wearer. The support bar has forward and rearward ends with the forward end being adjacent the wrist of the wearer. Attachment means are on the support bar for securing it to the forearm and wrist of the wearer. A hand gripping member is pivotally secured to the forward end of the support bar. A locking mechanism is operatively connected to the hand gripping member to selectively lock the hand gripping member in a predetermined position with respect to the support bar. A tool member, such as an elongated knife, is secured to the hand gripping member. The hand gripping member has a plurality of finger gripping portions thereon. The locking means includes a spring coil operatively connected to a thumb actuated lever on the hand gripping member.

Abstract: The encased product of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible casing cylindrically shaped substantially along its length and having opposite end closures. A product material fills the cavity formed by the flexible casing and maintains the casing in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical casing is formed from a elongated strip of flexible material having opposite side edges, the strip being formed into a finished tubular casing with the side edges of the strip within each casing frictionally overlapping and engaging the side edges thereof. The product is formed by continuously applying an elongated flexible ribbon to the outer cylindrical surface of a stuffing tube at a canted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and rotating the flexible ribbon at the point where it is applied to the stuffing tube so that it will wrap around the tube in a plurality of helical revolutions to form a cylindrical casing on the tube.

Abstract: The meat skinning machine of this invention comprises the conventional components of a frame with a rotatably powered gripping roll having a cylindrical peripheral surface mounted thereon. A plurality of gripping teeth are formed on the peripheral surface of the gripping roll. An elongated blade holding means is mounted on the frame and extends parallel to the gripping roll and is positioned closely adjacent thereto. An elongated blade is secured to the blade holding means, with the blade having a forward edge portion protruding from the blade holding means and terminating in an elongated sharp cutting edge. The cutting edge of the blade is closely adjacent the teeth on the gripping roll. An elongated plate is on the blade holding means either as an integral part or an attachment thereto. The plate has a forward edge and an upper surface.

Abstract: This invention utilizes a conventional meat skinning machine having a frame, an elongated skinning blade, a rotatable gripping roll closely positioned adjacent the blade, an electrical motor operatively connected to the gripping roll and to a source of electrical power, and a danger zone defined by the area approximate to the gripping roll closely adjacent the blade. The motor is a braking motor which has a normally inoperative braking means adapted to stop the motor substantially instantaneously when becoming operative. A safety circuit is electrically connected to the braking motor, the blade and the gripping roll. The safety circuit is normally open and is adapted to be closed when the blade and gripping roll are electrically connected by any electroconducting means, such as an operator's glove made of electroconducting material, that simultaneously comes into electrical contact with the blade and the gripping roll.

Abstract: The encased product of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible casing cylindrically shaped substantially along its length and having opposite end closures. A product material fills the cavity formed by the flexible casing and maintains the casing in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical casing is formed from an elongated strip of flexible material having opposite side edges, the strip being formed into a finished tubular casing with the side edges of the strip within each casing frictionally overlapping and engaging the side edges thereof. The product is formed by continuously applying an elongated flexible ribbon to the outer cylindrical surface of a stuffing tube at a canted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and rotating the flexible ribbon at the point where it is applied to the stuffing tube so that it will wrap around the tube in a plurality of helical revolutions to form a cylindrical casing on the tube.

Abstract: The encased product of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible casing cylindrically shaped substantially along its length and having opposite end closures. A product material fills the cavity formed by the flexible casing and maintains the casing in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical casing is formed from an elongated strip of flexible material having opposite side edges, the strip being formed into a finished tubular casing with the side edges of the strip within each casing frictionally overlapping and engaging the side edges thereof. The product is formed by continuously applying an elongated flexible ribbon to the outer cylindrical surface of a stuffing tube at a canted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and rotating the flexible ribbon at the point where it is applied to the stuffing tube so that it will wrap around the tube in a plurality of helical revolutions to form a cylindrical casing on the tube.

Abstract: The encased product of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible casing cylindrically shaped substantially along its length and having opposite end closures. A product material fills the cavity formed by the flexible casing and maintains the casing in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical casing is formed from an elongated strip of flexible material having opposite side edges, the strip being formed into a finished tubular casing with the side edges of the strip within each casing frictionally overlapping and engaging the side edges thereof. The product is formed by continuously applying an elongated flexible ribbon to the outer cylindrical surface of a stuffing tube at a canted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and rotating the flexible ribbon at the point where it is applied to the stuffing tube so that it will wrap around the tube in a plurality of helical revolutions to form a cylindrical casing on the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an encased meat product which includes means for forming an enclosed casing from a series of overlapped helical revolutions of a strip of casing material, means for filling the casing with a meat emulsion, means for rotating the filled casing, and means for holding the filled casing against rotation while the unfilled casing is rotated to create a twist point at the end of the filled casing, whereby the twist point will have the same number of twists therein as there are helical revolutions of strip material in said enclosed casing.

Abstract: The encased product of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible casing cylindrically shaped substantially along its length and having opposite end closures. A product material fills the cavity formed by the flexible casing and maintains the casing in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical casing is formed from an elongated strip of flexible material having opposite side edges, the strip being formed into a finished tubular casing with the side edges of the strip within each casing frictionally overlapping and engaging the side edges thereof. The product is formed by continuously applying an elongated flexible ribbon to the outer cylindrical surface of a stuffing tube at a canted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and rotating the flexible ribbon at the point where it is applied to the stuffing tube so that it will wrap around the tube in a plurality of helical revolutions to form a cylindrical casing on the tube.

Abstract: A method of lubricating the passage of meat emulsion through the stuffing horn of a meat emulsion encasing machine is disclosed, involving forcing meat emulsion under a first magnitude of pressure through a passage into the inlet of a stuffing horn; then providing a first concentric ring of fluid under a second magnitude of pressure around the passage; and then providing a second tapered concentric ring of fluid around the passage with the tapered concentric ring having an outer perimeter of greater depth than its inner perimeter, and with the outer perimeter being in communication with the first concentric ring and its inner perimeter being in communication with the passage.

Abstract: A method for encasing a meat product and removing air particles therefrom by forcing a plastic meat emulsion through a stuffing horn having an exit end with an elongated casing slidably mounted in close spaced relationship on the horn so that the meat emulsion extruded through the exit end of the horn will fill the elongated casing adjacent the exit end. The space between the exit end of the horn and the casing is subjected to a negative pressure so that air in that space is removed, and so that air in the meat emulsion extruded through the exit end will be removed. A machine for encasing meat products comprising a frame, a pump means on the frame for pumping meat emulsion under pressure, and a hollow elongated stuffing horn connected to the pump means so that meat emulsion under pressure can flow into the stuffing horn.

Abstract: A method of forming an encased meat product by forming an enclosed casing from a series of overlapped helical revolutions of a strip of casing material, filling the casing with a meat emulsion, rotating the filled casing and then holding the filled casing against rotation while the unfilled casing is rotated to create a twist point at the end of the filled casing, whereby the twist point will have the same number of twists therein as there are helical revolutions of strip material in said enclosed casing. An encased meat product made by the foregoing method.

Abstract: A method of lubricating the passage of meat emulsion through the stuffing horn of a meat emulsion encasing machine is disclosed, involving forcing meat emulsion under a first magnitude of pressure through a passage into the inlet of a stuffing horn; then providing a first concentric ring of fluid under a second magnitude of pressure around the passage; and then providing a second tapered concentric ring of fluid around the passage with the tapered concentric ring having an outer perimeter of greater depth than its inner perimeter, and with the outer perimeter being in communication with the first concentric ring and its inner perimeter being in communication with the passage.

Abstract: A blade means for a meat skinning machine is disclosed. The blade means involves an elongated blade element having a tapered cutting edge portion terminating in a cutting edge, and upper and lower surfaces. The blade element includes a heel portion comprising an elongated edge surface terminating in a lower heel line which is parallel to the cutting edge of the blade. The angle between the cutting edge and the heel line is greater than the angle comprising the tapered cutting edge portion. Preferably, the angle comprising the tapered cutting edge portion is in the order of 30.degree. or less, and the angle between the cutting edge and the heel line is in the order of 20.degree.-45.degree.. One embodiment of the invention provides a blade with a plastic strip partially adhered to the underside of the blade. A shoulder on the strip provides a heel line. The free edge of the blade is received in a slot in the skinning machine shoe, and the free edge of the strip conforms to the arcuate lower surface of the shoe.

Abstract: A safety device for meat skinning machines comprising an elongated bar mounted on the machine in close parallel spaced relation to the cutting edge of the cutting blade. The elongated bar has a straight support edge immediately opposite the cutting edge of the machine, with a plurality of substantially straight, stiff, spaced wire elements secured to the bar and extending from the support edge towards the cutting edge, with the wire elements having wire ends that terminate in spaced relation to the cutting edge.

Abstract: A stirrup extension is disclosed comprised of an elongated frame constructed of a continuous rod. The frame has a pair of vertically disposed hooks at its upper end adapted to fit over the upper shoulder of a conventional stirrup on opposite sides of a conventional vertically disposed stirrup strap. A step is located at the lower end of the frame at a position below the elevation of the conventional stirrup step. An arm is secured to the frame and extends vertically upwardly therefrom and terminates in a horizontally disposed U-shaped hook which is adapted to engage the inner surface of the conventional stirrup strap. The arm and hook stabilize the frame and prevent its movement with respect to the stirrup and the stirrup strap as the rider steps into the frame for mounting the horse upon which the equipment is positioned.

Abstract: A meat skinning machine and method for skinning wherein a shelf means is adjustably positioned between a meat support surface and the cutting edge of a skinning knife just beyond the periphery of the teeth of a gripping roll wherein the meat is supported immediately adjacent the cutting edge at a position beyond the periphery of the gripping roll just prior to the time the meat moves into contact with the cutting edge to permit the meat to move in an angular direction towards the roll and into contact with the edge.

Abstract: An encased product is formed by continuously applying an elongated flexible ribbon to the outer cylindrical surface of a stuffing tube at a canted angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tube and rotating the flexible ribbon at the point where it is applied to the stuffing tube so that it will wrap around the tube in a plurality of helical revolutions to form a cylindrical casing on the tube. The adjacent edges of the helical revolutions of the ribbon are frictionally overlapped to one another so as to form a cylindrical casing and product is forced through the tube from the rearward end to the discharge end and into the cylindrical casing. The stuffing tube may be a rotating stuffing tube or it may be a stationary stuffing tube. A ribbon feed device is provided for feeding a continuous strip of ribbon to the stuffing tube.

Abstract: The encased product of the present invention comprises an elongated flexible casing cylindrically shaped substantially along its length and having opposite end closures. A product material fills the cavity formed by the flexible casing and maintains the casing in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical casing is formed from an elongated strip of flexible material having opposite side edges, the strip being formed into a plurality of helical revolutions with the side edges of the strip within each one of the helical revolutions frictionally overlapping and engaging the side edges within adjacent helical revolutions of the strip.