Abstract: A shuttle for advancing the free end of a flat sleeve of casing onto a stuffing horn includes a bore therethrough and a vacuum manifold which causes the casing to expand into gripping relationship with the bore, to permit the shuttle and casing end to be advanced onto the horn. When vacuum is released from the manifold, the casing is released from the gripping relation with the shuttle bore and moves towards a gripping relation with the horn, which is increased by reducing the pressure in the horn. This permits the shuttle to be withdrawn at least sufficiently to apply a casing brake to lock the casing to the horn. The shuttle is also used to consolidate meat stuffed into the casing by locking the casing to the shuttle with the vacuum manifold and moving the shuttle away from a restricting orifice surrounding the casing.

Abstract: Apparatus for stuffing meat into a casing mounted on a horn comprising a pair of plates mounted in facing relationship, on one of which plates the horn is mounted, and on the other a meat supply conduit, together with a ram. The plates are relatively movable between a first station at which the conduit and horn are in communication, and a second station at which the ram and conduit are in communication, the ram serving to extrude meat contained in the horn into the casing. A knife is inlaid into one or both plates to sever meat bridging the horn and conduit when the plates are relatively moved. In the preferred embodiment the plates are mounted on an elongated shaft for rotary movement, and the shaft is itself mounted so as to be axially movable, so as to transmit a clamping pressure to retain the plates together. When the clamping pressure is released the plates can be relatively moved along the shaft for cleaning and maintenance purposes.

Abstract: A brake for exerting a tensioning force on a casing into which meat or the like is stuffed includes a movable braking element whereby the tensioning force may be released at an appropriate point in the cycle to permit air to be exhausted from the stuffing horn. Preferably the braking element comprises an inflatable elastomeric collar.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing product such as meat into packaging therefor comprises a portioning cell movable between a first station wherein it is charged with product and a second station wherein it locates above the packaging. A funnel is associated with the second station, and is mounted for vertical movement so as to locate the discharge opening of the funnel below the level of the upper perimeter of the packaging when the portioning cell is at the second station, and to raise the funnel thereafter so as to permit the passage of the packaging. A gutter is provided adjacent the second station for intercepting fluid leakage from the portioning cell.

Abstract: A meat packaging apparatus comprises a horn having an inlet thereto intermediate the ends thereof. A knife is located adjacent the inlet for severing meat locating partly in the horn, and a ram locates normally in the rearward part of the horn for extruding meat in the horn into a casing therefor mounted on the forward portion of the horn.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing encased meat or the like and meat or the like for encasing, one of the methods disclosed comprises the steps of: conveying the meat or the like along a linear path and maintaining the linear path from a first point where the meat is dispensed from a stuffer or the like to a second point where the meat is in a form for encasing. The apparatus also serves as a portioner for providing uniform portions of the meat or the like being handled, the apparatus further including adjustment means for controlling the length of the portions produced.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for automatically providing a predetermined portion of a meat product in a casing, and for automatically closing and clamping closed the open end of the casing. The apparatus includes a portioning piston and cylinder arrangement including a second piston and cylinder arrangement which regulates the speed of the first piston and cylinder arrangement. Meat product is fed to the portioning cylinder from a source of the meat product by a valve arrangement, and the valve arrangement then passes the meat from the portioning cylinder to a horn. The portioned product is inserted in a casing whose end is automatically clamped closed after the complete portion is inserted in the casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a continuous flow meat pump which is in the form of a hollow cylindrical chamber enclosed by a top wall, a bottom wall and a side wall. There is an inlet opening in the top wall and an outlet opening in the side wall, and a movable blocking means is disposed over the inlet opening and can be moved to block, alternately, a first portion or a second portion of the inlet opening. A V-shaped wall is included in the chamber to define a V-shaped chamber portion, and the V-shaped chamber portion is disposed underneath the inlet opening. Openings extend through each of the legs of the V-shaped wall, and flap means, freely movable from one leg to another, are included between the legs in the V-shaped chamber portion. The flap means will cover the opening in one leg at any one time. A vane is disposed in the chamber outside of the V-shaped chamber portion and is movable from the outside surface of one leg to the outside surface of the other leg and back again.