Abstract: A device is particularly well suited for introducing a continuous length of food stuffing into an elongated food product. The device uses a tube having opposite, open ends and an inner wall defining a longitudinal passage extending between such opposite ends. The length of foodstuffing is received in this longitudinal passage. The tube is inserted into the food product being stuffed, and a pointed cap on the end of the tube guides it through the food product. A ram is used in conjunction with the tube to keep the foodstuffing material in substantial registration with the ends of the food product and to assist in withdrawing the tube after the foodstuffing has been deposited in the food product. An optional parallel knife assembly is used to create an incision extending through the food product to ease the subsequent insertion of the foodstuffing therein.

Abstract: A device is particularly well suited for introducing a continuous length of food stuffing into an elongated food product. The device uses a tube having opposite, open ends and an inner wall defining a longitudinal passage extending between such opposite ends. The length of foodstuffing is received in this longitudinal passage. The tube is inserted into the food product being stuffed, and a pointed cap on the end of the tube guides it through the food product. A ram is used in conjunction with the tube to keep the foodstuffing material in substantial registration with the ends of the food product and to assist in withdrawing the tube after the foodstuffing has been deposited in the food product. An optional parallel knife assembly is used to create an incision extending through the food product to ease the subsequent insertion of the foodstuffing therein.

Abstract: The filling systems according to the invention utilize pneumatic pressure maintained within closely held tolerance limits to impose a constant dispensing force upon the material being dispensed. The invention in one embodiment utilizes a buffer tank system in which the product to be dispensed is transferred from a supply tank (11) to the buffer tank (12) where the desired pressure is induced through a pneumatic head which is introduced above the product level. The product level in the buffer tank (12) is allowed to fluctuate within a relatively narrow band of depth so as to negate the effect of changes in gravity head pressure. The closed and pressurized system is refilled by forcing the incoming product into the tank (12) under a higher pressure than that in the buffer tank (12). The air within the tank (12) that is displaced as a result of introducing the new product is automatically vented to atmosphere through a precision regulation system (45).