Abstract: A reconstituted meat product comprising a plurality of meat pieces agglomerated together, wherein the meat pieces are of an elongate shape and are arranged in a substantially helical array through the meat product. The helical arrangement of the meat pieces aids in binding the meat pieces and gives to the reconstituted product a natural appearance.

Abstract: A meat product comprising intimately mixed together sinewed meat which has been finely ground together to render the sinews therein substantially organoleptically undetectable and essentially sinewless meat which has been coarsely severed and subjected to a physical disorientation while substantially preserving its fibrous character. A process for forming such a meat product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for the production of a coherent meat product from pieces of deboned meat, including meat derived from birds, fish, crustaceans and molluscs. The apparatus comprises receiver (11) for receiving pieces of deboned meat, meat tenderizer (33) adapted to form in the meat a plurality of cuts, scores or tears, conveyor (25) to convey the meat pieces from the receiver (11) to the tenderized (33). The meat is agglomerated by a meat reformer (44) which comprises a hopper to receive the tenderized meat pieces, a tubular member (46) extending outwardly from the hopper, a helical conveyor (45) adapted to convey meat pieces into a container (57) slidably disposed on the tube. The conveyor (45) carries at its free end a comb (54) adapted to engage with meat pieces being conveyed through the tube and to press them uniformly into the container (57).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for forming paste-like materials into discrete product units, comprising an elongate, open ended tube (11) of substantially constant internal cross-sectional shape, an inlet port (37) through the wall of the tube intermediate its ends to allow the entry of the paste-like material into the interior of the tube, first and second piston members (12, 13) spaced apart in axial alignment and adapted to be moved together relative to the tube between a position in which the space between them is effectively external of the tube and a position in which that space is completely within the tube and in communication with the inlet port therein.