Abstract: A one-piece shirred casing article that finds particular utility in making dry sausages such as pepperoni is disclosed, as is a method for making the article and for using it. A tied one-piece casing is shirred into a compact form and encased in a temporary container which enables the operator to easily place the casing onto the stuffing horn for filling without requiring hand shirring. The use of larger diameter and shorter length stuffing horns is enabled when compared to the use of sticks or strands of long lengths of casings used to form multiple sausage products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a smoked meat product is provided. A mold frame is provided which has an opening. A piece of elastic netting is stretchedly secured over the opening. A piece of edible film is placed on the elastic netting, massaged meat product parts are placed on the film over the opening causing the netting to extend through the opening. A grid secures the parts into the frame. The parts are held under compression by the apparatus during smoking and a unitary smoked meat product is thus produced preferably of turkey meat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for netting meat products wrapped in an edible collagen film. The apparatus includes a receiving surface into which the meat products are deposited and wrapped with the film. The wrapped meat products are then forced through an extrusion device and into a netting. The apparatus includes a lubrication distribution system for lubricating the surfaces which contact the wrapped meat products. Also associated with the apparatus is a container for storing edible collagen film pieces trimmed to selected lengths and stacked therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for netting meat products wrapped in an edible collagen film. The apparatus includes a receiving surface into which the meat products are deposited and wrapped with the film. The wrapped meat products are then forced through an extrusion device and into a netting. The apparatus includes a lubrication distribution system for lubricating the surfaces which contact the wrapped meat products. Also associated with the apparatus is a container for storing edible collagen film pieces trimmed to selected lengths and stacked therein.