Abstract: An apparatus for removing the skins or casings from sausage products includes an abrasion means suitably in the form of a pair of counter rotating, rough surfaced rollers through which the sausages pass after the casings have been slit longitudinally, to tear the casings off the sausages abrasively. Immediately downstream of the abrading means is a suction means, preferably in the form of a perforated suction roller, which sucks the casing remnants away from the residual sausages. The apparatus avoids the need for the use of compressed air to loosen and separate the casings from the sausages, thereby drastically reducing tne nose level at which the apparatus operates, and eliminating the risk of bacterial contamination inherent in the use of jets of compressed air.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for gripping and probing food products is provided, so as to test the products while they are moving on a conveyor. The apparatus has a pair of jaws, which move forward and close when the food product is detected in the appropriate position, so as to grip the product between the faces of the jaws. While so gripped, a probe moves forward to penetrate and test the product, e.g. for temperature, pH, conductivity etc. Then the sequence of operations is reversed, withdrawing the probe, releasing and withdrawing the jaws, so that the product can move on and the apparatus is positioned to grip and test the next food item moving down the conveyor. The apparatus is particularly well suited for testing suspended meat products.