Abstract: A skinning machine includes a frame, a linkage assembly mounted to the frame, and a skinning assembly mounted to the linkage assembly via lift arms. The linkage assembly raises and lowers the skinning assembly via the lift arms from an open to a closed position, wherein the linkage assembly is located on one side of the skinning assembly. A spring cartridge is operatively associated with the lift arms via an intermediate link to equally apply bias force from the spring cartridge to the independently rotatable lift arms. The linkage assembly includes a cam slot provided through a cam arm to slidably receive a pin therein. The cam slot is shaped to lock the pin when the linkage assembly is in the closed position. A cam block is mounted to the frame and includes a cam notch adapted to slidably secure the end of the pin in a locked open position.

Abstract: A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion involves placing a follower against an upstream end of the natural casing to slide the natural casing forwardly along a hollow meat stuffing tube. The follower is mounted on the stuffing tube and advances the natural casing towards a discharge end of the stuffing tube, where sausage emulsion is injected into the natural casing. The follower pushes the filled casing through a hollow conical-shaped restricting device adjacent the discharge end which limits the outer diameter of the filled natural casing to ensure the uniform shape of the casing as it enters the twisting mechanism. The follower is connected to a longitudinally movable shaft that is parallel to the stuffing tube. A machine includes the foregoing components to accomplish this method.

Abstract: A machine and method for encasing sausages by having a stuffing tube that is vertically disposed in order to allow gravity to help in the sausage making process. A conical shaped restricting device is attached to the stuffing tube to help facilitate the movement of the casing into a twisting mechanism and to ensure bunching in the casing is reduced. The casing is then fed through the twisting mechanism and into a linker.

Abstract: A skinning machine having a skinning blade mounted between a clamp and a shoe. The shoe has a bore that extends therethrough and a cam arm mounted to a bottom surface. The clamp has a recess with an aperture disposed therethrough. A pin extends through the aperture of the clamp and the bore of the shoe and is retained by the clamp arm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.

Abstract: A conveyor system for linked sausage strands having a frame with an operating platform. The platform has opposite first and second ends, opposite sides, a top surface, and a wall extending along the sides and ends. A channel is formed in the top surface and a conveyor chain is disposed within the channel. Secured to the chain are a plurality of pivotable hooks that are movable between a loading position and an unloading position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, a tooth roll assembly attached to a frame and a trimming blade assembly attached to an adjustable frame where the position of the trimming blade assembly is adjusted in relation to the tooth roll assembly based upon the thickness of a layer of fat of the meat part.

Abstract: A casing hopper for sausage encasing machines includes a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom terminating in a downwardly extending fence wall. A chute wall is substantially vertically disposed in parallel spaced condition to the fence wall to form a substantially vertical casing passageway with respect to the fence wall. The chute wall terminates in an inclined flange that extends upwardly and inwardly below the passageway to form a cradle portion to receive a single hollow casing from the passageway. The passageway is of sufficient width to receive a plurality of longitudinally vertically stacked elongated hollow casings.

Abstract: A machine for stuffing natural casings with emulsion, the machine having an emulsion stuffing tube with a first end and a discharge end for extruding emulsion into a casing on an outer surface of the stuffing tube, the stuffing tube extending through a twisting mechanism proximate the discharge end; and a follower having an insert with a central bore that slidably receives the stuffing tube wherein the insert has an outer surface and a receiving chamber with a diameter less than a diameter of the outer surface.

Abstract: A casing hopper for sausage encasing machines includes a hopper. The hopper is adjustable for different sized casings by a single control.