Abstract: A method and apparatus for an extrusion horn including an inner compression chamber having an interior channel extending from an open infeed port to an open exit port, where a top inner surface of the interior channel progressively tapers down with an initial slope having an initial downward taper to a target thickness, then top inner surface abruptly steps to an increased thickness of the channel, and then progressively tapers down with a secondary slope where the secondary slope has a steeper downward taper than the slope of the initial downward taper. An apparatus and method for extruding extrudate through an extruding horn conducive for producing bacon bits and jerky.

Abstract: A method of determining wear of a seal element includes rotating a seal plate relative to the seal element and such that the seal plate and the seal element form a rotational sealing interface. The seal element includes an insert embedded in the seal element. A portion of the seal element is worn with a sealing face of the seal plate. The insert is contacted with the sealing face of the seal plate. A portion of the insert is worn to create a wear particle of the insert. The presence of the wear particle in a lubrication oil is sensed with an oil monitoring system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a drill pipe tool joint and a drill pipe which are optimized for repeated make-up/break-out operations without the use of screw grease. Embodiments of the disclosure are environment friendly as well as having improved operating efficiency. In particular, the box and pin can be formed from different materials having different hardness.

Abstract: A motorized device for making sausages including a meat product situated inside a casing, the device has a first cutting element cutting a meat product; a second element carrying out an insertion of a product portion inside the casing and immediate twisting; and a single geared motor actuating both the elements.

Abstract: A motorized cutting and twisting device for making sausages including a meat product situated inside a casing, has a first cutting element cutting a meat product; a second element carrying out an insertion of a product portion inside the casing and immediate twisting; and a single geared motor actuating both the elements.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for eliminating sharp edges that typically result during the production of uncut lenses.

Abstract: A device for connecting a meat portioning-filling machine to a clipping machine, comprising a tube which is adapted to convey the meat and to support the tubular casing to be filled; the tube has, at its output section, a fixed contrast cutter which is adapted to work in cooperation with a cutter provided with an actuation for moving the cutter substantially at right angles to the output section.

Abstract: A filling mechanism which does not dehydrate or deoil the stuffing, comprises a main frame on which is mounted a hopper and a hose, the hopper guiding the stuffing into the hose, the hose having a front end positioning part that is tightly fixed; a pushing device for guiding and pushing the stuffing, the pushing device being mounted below the hose and including a transverse seat plate on the upper surface of which is disposed a slide rail, a slide seat slidably displaceable along the slide rail, a pneumatic cylinder disposed on the slide seat, and a fixing plate mounted on the upper portion of the pneumatic cylinder, the pneumatic cylinder having a piston rod which can shuttle back and forth out of the fixing plate; and a transverse roller member having two side arms by which the roller member is pivotally onto the fixing plate, whereby upon raising the piston rod and displacement of the slide seat, the roller member rolls and presses against the hose, causing the hose to be partially deformed and the stuffin

Abstract: A stuffing machine for product such as ground sausage having a pivoting safety stop supported by a flanged end of a casing and a pivoting clamp assembly engageable with the flanged end. The clamp assembly supporting a retractable cover which is supported by the safety stop when in a closed position with respect to the casing. The pivoting safety stop and pivoting clamp assembly providing easy access for cleaning to an internal cavity of the casing as well as to a cover/safety stop seal and a safety stop/flange seal.

Abstract: An elastomeric material for articles such as dynamic seals and the like is rendered detectable by conventional metal detectors through the incorporation of particles of a metallic alloy. Preferably, the resulting impregnated material contains at least 0.25% and no more than about 50% by volume of the alloy, with 2% by volume being the most favored. In one embodiment, the alloy contains 11.0% to 22.0 % by weight of Iron, 70.0% to 90.0% by weight of Nickel, and 0.0% to 7.0% by weight of Molybdenum. In another embodiment, the alloy contains 14.0% to 19.0% by weight of Iron, 80.0% to 83.0% by weight of Nickel, and 1.0% to 3.0% by weight of Molybdenum, and in the most preferred embodiment, the alloy contains about 15.43% by weight of Iron, about 82.39% by weight of Nickel, and about 2.17% by weight of Molybdenum.

Abstract: To enhance safety in cases where an upper die is fitted to a lower die into which a meat mass is fed, a state in which the upper die is fitted to the lower die is made basic. A measure is provided to ensure that a safety cover does not open in a state in which the upper die is raised, and the meat mass is automatically fed to the lower die as the upper die is raised, thereby enhancing the operating efficiency.

Abstract: A piston pump for conveying fragile particulate food products without damaging the product. The pump includes a filler and a discharge conduit containing piston valves actuated by hydraulic cylinders. The pumping chamber in which the product is compressed is equipped with a linear displacement transducer/magnet sensor which senses not only the position, but the speed of the piston. In response to the sensor, a proportioning valve releases hydraulic fluid at increasing pressure to a desired maximum, to the hydraulic cylinder actuating the piston in the pumping chamber of a second pump operating in tandem with the first pump. The product is expelled alternatively from the two pumps at the maximum desired pressure appropriate for the character of the product. The pump also includes means for flushing the pump without dismantling.

Abstract: A meat stuffing machine that operates under vacuum conditions during loading for the purpose of improving the homogeneity of the final product. The machine consists of: a tank supported on a machine frame, which includes a duct connecting it to a vacuum source, a duct for loading meat, and a recess on a side of the tank which houses a pneumatic cylinder used to push the meat product toward the bottom of the tank. An interchangeable gauging cavity contains a pusher means operated by a pneumatic cylinder. The gauging cavity is connected to a plate that is slidably secured to a flat wall of the machine frame, which has an aperture connecting to the tank and a second aperture that leads to a hollow tube that supports a casing. Once the gauging cavity is filled with meat product it slides to the second aperture and fills the casing supported by the hollow tube.

Abstract: A dual piston device (10) for handling and casing of flowable materials such as whole muscle meat products is provided which eliminates the problem of tailing, or creation of a tail of meat product extending outwardly from a casing adjacent an endmost clip. The device (10) includes a transfer conduit (20) having a slidable transfer piston (26) therein, together with an auxiliary conduit (34) connected to the transfer conduit (20) intermediate the ends thereof. The auxiliary conduit (34) is equipped with a deaerating severing piston (42). The pistons (42, 26) are configured to mate and coact so as to cleanly sever whole muscle meat pieces which may otherwise lie in the open end of a casing in the region thereof to be clipped.

Abstract: A dual piston device (10) for handling and casing of flowable materials such as whole muscle meat products is provided which eliminates the problem of tailing, or creation of a tail of meat product extending outwardly from a casing adjacent an endmost clip. The device (10) includes a transfer conduit (20) having a slidable transfer piston (26) therein, together with an auxiliary conduit (34) connected to the transfer conduit (20) intermediate the ends thereof. The auxiliary conduit (34) is equipped with a deaerating severing piston (42). The pistons (42, 26) are configured to mate and coact so as to cleanly sever whole muscle meat pieces which may otherwise lie in the open end of a casing in the region thereof to be clipped.