Abstract: An improved vacuumizer valve assembly is provided which permits precise, infinite valve adjustment from outside of a vacuumizer apparatus, thus eliminating the need to open the vacuumizer chamber during adjustment procedures. The valve assembly of the invention preferably includes a piston and cylinder assembly operated valve member, with a threadably shiftable adjustment stop coupled with the piston and cylinder assembly. During adjustment procedures, the stop is shifted as necessary to thereby alter the stroke length of the valve assembly and thereby the maximum valve clearance achieved when the valve is opened.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for successively supplying substantially equal portions of a flowable comminuted product such as sausage from a source thereof to a delivery zone is disclosed wherein dual product portioning chambers (80, 88, 82, 90) are provided which function such that as meat to be portioned is directed into a first chamber which increases in volume to a predetermined extent, portioned meat is delivered from the other chamber as it decreases in volume to the same predetermined extent. Means (114) is provided externally of the chambers for substantially equalizing the increase and decrease of the effective product-receiving volume of each of the chambers.

Abstract: An improved turret-type portioning apparatus (10) is provided which includes a selectively pivotal portioning assembly (14) for moving a pair of upright product-receiving cylinders (84, 86) between a fill position for receiving product and a discharge position for discharge of accurately sized portions. Cleanout of the apparatus (10) is facilitated by means of a selectively actuatable piston and cylinder assembly (158) which operates to elevate the portioning assembly (14) away from an underlying frame assembly (12). Operational control for the apparatus (10) is achieved by means of pneumatic control circuitry (18).

Abstract: A volumetric apparatus for portioning fluidic material into fractions of predetermined size includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston movable in the housing and defining a product portioning chamber and a compression chamber. Fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber through the inlet under pressure when the inlet is open and the outlet is closed, the pressurized fluidic material forcing the piston from a first position by a preset distance such that a predetermined volume of the fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber. Thereafter, the piston is driven from the second position to the first position when the inlet is closed and the outlet is open so as to deliver the portioned fluidic material from the product portioning chamber through the outlet.