Abstract: An apparatus for removing the casing from sausages is improved by modifying the product loading horn with a structure that brings about venturi effects whereby fluid for conditioning the casing is impelled through the product loading horn and contacts the casing within the product loading horn at a velocity greater than the velocity at which the conditioning fluid is supplied to the apparatus. The venturi aspects of the apparatus insure thorough conditioning of the casing while substantially eliminating escape of the conditioning fluid to the environment. The improved structure includes restricted passageways at fluid interfaces where the conditioning fluid enters the product loading horn and after the conditioning fluid exits the product loading horn.

Abstract: Deformable products (that is, resizable products) which are within preformed packages are resized by the application of mechanical forces so that the products substantially conform to the size and shape of the inside surface of the package. Such resizing is accomplished by an apparatus and method utilizing a pressure generating member to apply a preselected force to the product in cooperation with a restrained cavity concept, whereby the force applied is directed and restrained to resize the product to substantially the same size and shape as the inside surface of the package. Such apparatus and method may be useful before, during or after closing the package.

Abstract: A laminated film for packaging use which film has at least one lamina of a crystalline flexible polyvinylidene chloride film adhered to a lamina of chlorinated polyethylene film, the chlorinated polyethylene film having a chlorine of concentration of up to approximately 60%, by weight, with the particular chlorine concentration of from 30% to 50%, by weight, being preferred. The laminated film being formed by contacting a polyvinylidene chloride film while in a supercooled noncrystalline state with a chlorinated ethylene film and thereafter effecting crystallization of the polyvinylidene chloride film with substantially random crystal distribution throughout, such as, by heating the thus formed laminate to the crystallization temperature of the polyvinylidene chloride.

Abstract: The ram housings of a volumetric metering stuffer are provided with ram seals to prevent leakage of the product being stuffed. The rams are reciprocated translatorily along substantially straight lines to prevent sidewise thrust on the seals. Cushions absorb the shock incident to the ends of the strokes of the rams and provide smooth deceleration thereof. Each ram has a clean-up cage to receive the ram when the ram is withdrawn from its housing.

Abstract: A folding paperboard carton having an improved window construction in an elongated rectangular side panel. A preferred embodiment is a rhomboidal carton for sliced and shingled bacon. The side window construction comprises an elongated rectangular piece of non-wrinkling clear plastic which is adhered to the inner surface of the window aperture-containing side panel. The non-wrinkling plastic piece has one edge aligned with a score line between the side panel and top panel. The score line is discontinuous because of the presence of the window openings in the side panel having partitions therebetween hinged to the top panel at the score line. The combined stiffness provided by the apertured side panel and adhered plastic piece serves to cause the discontinuous score line to fold when the tubular carton is erected for filling from its manufactured flat condition.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a molded meat product on a continuous basis, including the stuffing of a meat material into molds, where a plurality of molds are arranged together in a magazine and a plurality of magazines are utilized in the continuous process. The method and apparatus further includes a closed loop through which the magazines are driven incrementally through cooking, chilling, product knockout, washing and release agent application stations. The magazines of molds are removed from the closed loop for stuffing of the meat material and then reinserted in the closed loop to be processed in the stations of the closed loop.

Abstract: The method of forming a uniform cross-sectionally dimensioned loaf of food in a mold by filling a mold, which has a moveable plug covering one end, with stuffable food, cooking the food which expands and pushes the plug in one direction, and thereafter squeezing the food while chilling by pushing the plug in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A machine for removing skin from animal carcasses, and particularly hog carcasses, which includes an upstanding inclined from the vertical rotatable cylinder having an axially extending slot, a skin clamp at the slot for clamping a portion of the skin to the cylinder, a stationary peel bar positioned adjacent the cylinder and against which a carcass engages during the skinning operation, a fluid drive for closing the skin clamp and rotating the cylinder, and spray nozzles for cleaning the cylinder and peel bar following a skinning operation. A system is provided for automatically handling the carcasses moving to and from the machine.

Abstract: A method for stuffing meat material into loaf molds for processing in a continuous loaf processing system where the loaf is open at one end and closed at the other end, and which includes the steps of moving the mold onto a stuffing horn until the stuffing horn is positioned at the closed end of the mold, discharging pressurized meat material from the stuffing horn and causing the mold to be filled and to be moved off the stuffing horn, controlling the return of movement of the mold off the stuffing horn, and ending the discharge of the meat material from the stuffing horn when the mold is filled. The apparatus includes a stuffing platform having a mold supporting carriage movable therealong, a stationary stuffing horn, control means for initiating and ending discharge of meat material from the stuffing horn, and means for controlling the rate of stuffing.

Abstract: A laminated anode including a layer of sacrificial metal and a layer of impermeable material. The laminated anode is utilized to protect a metal mold from corrosion where the mold is used for processing a corrosive meat material.

Abstract: An assembly of loaf molds defining a magazine, including a pair of vertically extending and horizontally spaced forks and a plurality of horizontally extending and vertically spaced molds secured near opposite ends to the forks. Wheels are mounted on the forks to coact with support rails along which the magazine may be driven. Driving pins are also mounted on the forks to coact with a suitable driving mechanism.

Abstract: A package display and support rack for mounting on shelves formed of wire rods found in refrigerators with glass doors such as used in convenience food stores. The display racks are inexpensively assembled from readily available or easily manufactured components and include forwardly projecting support feet attached at their heels or rear ends to the bottom ends of upright side members of the rack. The support feet have clamps on their distal ends for clamping attachment to at least one wire rod of a shelf.

Abstract: A product knockout and receiving means for removing a loaf meat from a mechanism of loaf molds including a gang of knockout bars, one each in alignment with each mold for engaging and pushing a plug within the mold to drive the loaf meat product from the mold, and a gang of receiving means (such as trays) for receiving the loaf meat product as it is removed from the molds.

Abstract: A system for loading a continuously moving conveyor belt comprises a slicer for producing bacon strips from a bacon slab, a conveyor for conveying bacon strips from the slicer, and a transfer station for transferring bacon strips from a serial arrangement on the conveyor to a side-by-side arrangement of spaced transverse rows on the continuously moving conveyor belt. A novel control system is provided to coordinate the operation of the slicer and the transfer station to obtain a continuous and uniform loading of the conveyor belt and to avoid the production of partial or deformed bacon strips by the slicer. The loading system is particularly well adapted to loading unfried bacon strips onto the conveyor of a bacon frying oven.

Abstract: A mold for processing a food material, including a plug and ratchet take-up mechanism for accommodating expansion and contraction of the food product. The plug is provided with ratchet arms having ratchet teeth and the take-up mechanism includes spring biased pins or pawls coacting with the ratchet teeth.

Abstract: A conveyer for indexing wheeled support magazines along a track or rail, including coacting moving and locking bars which alternately connect to the unit for either moving the unit from one position through a given distance to a next position or locking the unit at a position for a desired dwell time.

Abstract: An apparatus associated with a closed loop of indexing magazines, including a bottom transfer means for transferring a magazine from the closed loop outside of the closed loop to a work station, a center transfer means for transferring a magazine from the work station to an elevator which moves the magazine to a given point in the closed loop and a top transfer means for transferring the magazine from the elevator into the closed loop. A further elevator is provided in the closed loop for bypassing the work station outside the closed loop in the event that no magazine is being transferred from the work station to the elevator for reinsertion into the closed loop.