Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for neatening stacks of thin products, such as sliced luncheon meat, within a processing and packaging operation. The neatening apparatus receives an uneven stack of foodstuff slices that are generally horizontally oriented, and the apparatus reorients the stack of foodstuff slices by rotating them through a generally vertical orientation and to a generally horizontal outfeed orientation. A tamping assembly is adjacent to the reorienting assembly, and the tamping assembly contacts the peripheral edges of the foodstuff slices in order to tamp and shake same to a neatened condition. A generally horizontally oriented outfeed assembly receives the thus neatened stack at the location of generally horizontal outfeed orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for feeding elongated products, especially food products having generally square cross-sections. Included is a transporting assembly that has a surface for receiving the products and moving them in a direction generally transverse to their longitudinal axes. An escapement assembly is provided near the downstream end of the transporting assembly in order to move the products one at a time to a product feed assembly. Typically, the product feed assembly pushes the product to a slicing device to thereby provide stacks of sliced product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for receiving products, such as stacks of sliced luncheon meat, in an intermittent flow pattern, for conveying the products in two generally parallel paths at two different flow rates, and for merging the two generally parallel paths into a single path through which the products flow on a non-intermittent basis. The two generally parallel paths have a fill mode during which an intermittent grouping of products are received onto the conveyor path, as well as a feed mode during which the intermittent grouping of products are fed in a continuous flow to a merging device. When one of the conveyor paths is in its fill mode, the other conveyor path is in its feed mode, and vice versa. The speed of each conveyor path during its fill mode is greater than that during its feed mode.

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 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.