Abstract: A portioning device for portioning foodstuffs such as sausage meat and dough. The portioning device includes a forming space filled by a means of the foodstuff and a cutting device for portioning the mass of foodstuff. The cutting device features a cutter that is introducible at least part way into the forming space to provide the portioning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film which is produced form a thermoplastic polymer mixture containing the following: a) thermoplastic starch and/or a thermoplastic starch derivative and b) at least one polyester urethane, with the weight ratio a):b) being in the range from 75:25 to 5:95, and the surface-related degree of stretching the film being 2 to 70. The polyester urethanes forms a matrix in the mixture and the thermoplastic starch or a thermoplastic starch derivative being distributed in a microdispersion in the form of particles with a diameter dp of 0.05 to 30 &mgr;m. The invention also relates to a method for the inventive film and its use as a packaging film, especially for artificial sausage skins.

Abstract: A method of creating curved sausage links involves extruding an elongated sausage strand having linear protein fibers therein out of an elongated hollow meat emulsion extrusion tube. The flow of meat emulsion through the tube is partially restricted by a restrictor element within the tube which permits a portion of the meat emulsion to pass thereover in a substantially uninterrupted manner, but which requires a separate layer of meat emulsion to have its movement through the tube inhibited by engaging the restrictor element and having to move thereover to exit the tube. When the sausage strand is subjected to heat, the uninterrupted portion is inclined to have more lengthwise shrinkage in the presence of heat than the other layer, thus causing the sausage link to assume a curved configuration. The machine for practicing this method has a stuffing tube with the restrictor element therein as described heretofore.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and associated devices for casingless production of food products include: (a) providing a series of shells, the shells having sufficient structural rigidity to define an enclosed cavity space of predetermined substantially constant size and shape; (b) injecting a quantity of flowable food emulsion into the shells in serial order; (c) moving the shells forward along a predetermined travel path with the emulsion in the enclosed cavities; (d) exposing the emulsion in the shells to predetermined processing conditions that alter the emulsion held in the respective shells to a non-flowable edible food product having the molded shape of their respective shell cavities; and then (e) releasing the non-flowable food products from their respective shells.

Abstract: A method and device for stuffing meat materials into sausages closed by stapling. The processed meat materials, before their introduction into an endless sleeve having a first closed extremity and further narrowing of the stuffed material at regular intervals by spaced staples to produce a line of stuffed elements, are previously subjected to a cutting step at regular intervals of the continuous flow of meat material to be stuffed into the sleeve, making the cuts coincide with posterior zones of narrowing. The device for implementing the process includes a stuffing zone with continuous flow of meat materials, from a stuffing machine through an outlet tube introduced into the sleeve, having a first closed extremity, and includes between the outlet tube of the stuffing machine and the stuffing zone, a guillotine assembly intended to cut transversally the meat material.

Abstract: A combination stuffing horn (60) and skin brake (70) allows for a stuffing apparatus (10) for meat products (130) to be utilized. The stuffing horn (60) includes an elongate member (62) with a bore (62a) through which the meat product passes. The elongate member (62) has an outer cross section. The skin brake (70) has an inflatable bladder which is positioned around the elongate member. The bladder, when inflated, conforms to the outer cross section, wherein pressure is exerted on a shirred casing as the casing is being pulled over the horn (60) as the meat product (130) is stuffed into the casing.

Abstract: A thrust collar for slidably mountable on an elongated hollow stuffing tube of a meat emulsion encasing machine, comprises a main body having a center bore and a radially extending annular flange, and a disk rotatably mounted on a forward end of the main body and having a center bore registering with the center bore on the main body and being adapted to engage an end of the tubular casing on a stuffing tube so that the disk can rotate with respect to the main body.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station, loading, and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in spaced-apart relationship, a plurality of carrier members having opposing first and second ends and an associated width and length, along a selected travel path to a loading station; (b) presenting, in serial order, the carrier members to the loading station in a substantially horizontal orientation; (c) discharging elongated product from a winder arm that moves in a selected pattern about the carrier member at the loading station; (d) straddling elongated product over each respective carrier member at the loading station responsive to the discharging step so that portions of the elongated product are serially draped over the carrier member along a length thereof, the straddling being carried out so that certain lengths of the elongated product hang from opposing sides of the carrier member; and (e) advancing the carrier mem

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stuffing tubular food casing with food product. The apparatus includes a stuffing horn through which food product flows into tubular food casing which is deshirred from a shirred food casing stick on the stuffing horn. An input end of the stuffing horn is interconnected with a pressurized source of food product. A clipping device is provided for closing stuffed food casing with a clip and apparatus is preferably provided for causing a tape holding string loops, to be directed toward the clipping device for closing an end of the food casing so that a string loop is transferred directly from the tape into an entry into a channel in the clipping device so that when the end of the food casing is closed with the clip, the clip draws the loop to the casing and holds the loop to the food casing. The apparatus preferably also includes a novel readily cleanable food flow cut-off valve.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of chain-like or concatenated foodstuff products. A pasty filling material is conveyed by a filling pump through a filling tube which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, and introduced into a tubular case or skin which partially surrounds the filling tube. The filled skin is fed to a portioning device having a plurality of dividing elements. The filled skin is engaged by two dividing elements which are disposed in opposite paired relationship and acted upon by a clamping force. A torque is applied to the skin by the filling tube so that the filled skin is caused to rotate at least in a portion between an exit opening of the filling tube and the portioning device and is locally prevented from rotating by application of the clamping force by the dividing elements, so that a twist-off location is produced. At a location spaced from the twist-off location, a further twist-off location is produced on the filled skin, to produce portioned sausages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stuffing-dosing machine which comprises a container (1) which receives the food material and which is subjected to a vacuum (V), means for removing and impulsing the food material towards compaction-stuffing cavities, two alternating stuffing cylinders (2) and a rotary collector valve (9) synchronized with said cylinders for the selective collection and distribution of material to an outlet conduit. Piston heads (5) of the cylinders (2) are inside the container (1), the first portion (B) of the stroke (A) of the cylinder (2) taking place in a narrow area (1a) of the container (1) wherein the piston heads (5) stir and impulse the food material and a second portion (C) of the stroke (A) takes place inside stuffing-dosing chambers (4) in the lower terminal portion of the container (1) of which the internal walls match the piston heads (5) and of which the stuffing-dosing chambers (4) are adjacent to the compaction-stuffing cavities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sausage producing device comprising a charging pipe for stuffing sausage skins and a length-dimensioning unit for controlled removal of the stuffed sausage skins.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding device for a stuffing and dosing pump of a vacuum stuffing machine for alimentary paste products, preferably ground or extruded meats. More specifically, the feeding device provides two elical scroll thrusting elements, facing each other and placed in the space under the hopper in order to operate continuously on the meat paste, thrusting and compacting it in the direction and toward the inlet of the stuffing pump.

Abstract: Described is a filling machine comprising a machine frame structure and a supply container which is pivotable from an operative position into a pivoted-away position and in front of the outlet of which is disposed a feed device which can be driven in rotation, in such a way that it can be pivoted away together with the supply container. In that respect there is provided a two-part drive ring for the feed device, of which the first ring part is mounted to the machine frame structure and is driven there, and the second ring part carries the feed device and can be pivoted away together with the supply device and in the operative position of the supply container is so coupled to the first ring part that the first ring part carries forces acting on the feed device and rotationally entrains the second ring part for driving the feed device.

Abstract: A plurality of unit bags 2a, 2b . . . are composed of a permeable strip-shaped nonwoven and arranged in a successive fashion without break so that they can be easily accommodated and stored by being rolled. An annular elastic body 5 disposed around an opening 3a formed to an end of each bag 2a permits the opening 3a to be opened. Since an optically sensing object or a magnetically sensing object is disposed around the opening 3a or at a position spaced apart from the openings 3a, 3b . . . a prescribed distance, the portion of the sensing object can be positioned by a sensing device 15. Further, when, for example, sludge, and the like containing water are accommodated in a waste accommodating bag 1 and squeezed, the sludge, and the like can be easily dehydrated.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous manufacture of food products such as sausages is provided which eliminates the need for intermediate stuffing of the food product into casings which are discarded prior to final packaging. The preferred apparatus of the invention includes first and second heated rollers (16, 17) each presenting a plurality of elongated, axially aligned channels or recesses (18,20) which are circumferentially and axially spaced on the corresponding rollers (16, 17); in addition, the second roller (17) includes a series of elongated, continuous, tube-receiving openings (22) extending between each series of aligned recesses (20). Mechanisms (28, 29) are associated with the rollers (16, 17) in order to continuously feed elongated synthetic resin sheets (34, 35) into the nip between the rollers (16, 17).

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for filling casings for a machine for filling sausage casings, with a filling pipe (14) driveable and rotatable around its longitudinal axis (12), onto which pipe a casing (8) fillable through the filling pipe (14) is pulled, and a casing take-along apparatus (30) that is rotatable simultaneously with the filling pipe (14) for rotating the casing (8). According to the invention, the casing take-along apparatus (30) is arranged so as to be axially movable relative to the filling pipe (14) and, for transmitting a torque, is coupled to the filling pipe (14) in an essentially interlocking manner.

Abstract: A separating device for the filling in and the clipping of products which may have been melted and then resolidified, solid, in the form of a paste or dense of different size, to be interposed between the metering machine of the product to be filled in such as a machine which divides the product in different portions and the clipping machine is characterized by the fact that it has a substantially tubular structure (1) and in the proximity or at the extremity of the feeding conduit (2) of the product to be filled in (3) is provided with a plurality of cutting blades preferably in the number of two cutting blades (4) and (5). The cutting blades are disposed radially, preferably diametrically on the feeding conduit. The blades are reciprocally independent one from the other and are arranged one close to the other and at least one of the blades is capable of rotating angularly around the longitudinal axis (8) of the feeding conduit (2).

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a thin liquid coat to muscle meat comprises a conduit of generally constant cross-section along which the muscle meat is forced under pressure. The conduit has an entry port for the introduction of the liquid, and fixed structure is provided for promoting the relative movement of the meat chunks within the conduit to cause the liquid material to be smeared over the surface of the meat chunks. Suitably the fixed structure comprises at least one zone wherein the cross-section differs from that of the conduit. The cross-section of the zone may be characterized by one or more of an increased cross-section area, or by a decreased cross-sectional area, or by a different aspect ratio. The liquid may be one part of a two part settable adhesive; the other part of which is applied to the meat separately from the one part.

Abstract: A machine for linking sausage has a pump, a stuffing tube, a casing on the stuffing tube, and a pair of linking chains downstream from the outlet end of the stuffing tube. A scale is located downstream of the discharge end of the stuffing tube and is operatively connected to the pump to increase or decrease the output speed of the pump as the weight of the encasing product decreases or increases, respectively from a predetermined target weight. A proximity sensor monitors the linking chains as they are rotating and senses variations in the distance between the linking elements as compared to a predetermined distance to determine stretching of the chains. A mass flow sensor on the machine adjacent the outlet of the pump measures the mass of meat emulsion exiting the pump, and increases or decreases the output of the pump as the mass thereof decreases or increases, respectively from a predetermined target mass.

Abstract: A method of applying liquid, such as liquid smoke to the outer surface of an extruded sausage strand, involves locating a rotatable inner tube within a stationary outer tube; rotating an elongated casing on the stationary outer tube, and advancing the casing longitudinally over a discharge end of the inner tube; simultaneously rotating the inner tube within the outer tube and extruding a meat emulsion strand in a rotatable direction out of the discharge end to move the rotating meat emulsion into the rotating casing; and introducing a fluid material on the inside of the casing material for deposit on a strand of meat emulsion being discharged from the discharge end of the inner tube. The casing material is of the non-osmosis type. The casing and discharged meat emulsion rotate in the same direction at the same speed.

Abstract: A meat encasing machine has a meat emulsion pump in communication with a stuffing tube which terminates in a twister housing adjacent a linker. A stuffing tube with power means associated with the twister housing rotates a strand of sausage extruded from the stuffing tube. A motor is provided for rotating the looper horn. The motor associated with the twister housing is adapted to rotate the sausage strand in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the motor associated with the looper horn is adapted to rotate the looper horn in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The foregoing structure is used in sausage making machines arranged in a sausage making station comprised of pairs of machines and conveyors arranged in spaced parallel positions to create a mirror image of each other.

Abstract: This invention relates to a casing (10) for use in encasing meat products. The casing (10) comprises a combination of a first tubular casing (11) which may comprise a fibrous casing material and a knitted tubular net (12) located around and substantially concentric to the first tubular member (11). The tubular net (12) comprises circumferential elastic cords (13) and longitudinal cords (14), and the relative diameter of the circumferential cords (13) to the first tubular casing (11) are such that when the casing (10) is being filled the circumferential cords (13) are placed under tension prior to the first tubular casing (11) reaching its maximum diameter. This enables the circumferential cords (13) to absorb some of the hoop stress before it is applied to the first tubular member (11) thereby preventing splitting of the first tubular member (11) which might otherwise occur without the tubular netting (12).

Abstract: A meat diminution and emulsifying apparatus comprising a housing having a plurality of interconnected chambers for rotatably receiving feed screws and rotary cutter assemblies therein, said feed screws and cutter assemblies being sequentially arranged and being provided intermediated two sets of rotary cutter assemblies with a chamber within which meat may be mixed and kneaded and provided with spices and other additives. The sequentially arranged cutter assemblies provide for progressively finer chopping of meat. A filler is provided at an output of the final cutter assembly for feeding chopped product into casings, and a conduit is provided between the output of the final cutter assembly and a feed screw ahead of it for recirculating meat for repeated chopping.

Abstract: An extrusion attachment for sausage making machines have three concentric tubes with the inner tube defining a first passageway, the space between the inner and intermediate tubes comprising a second passageway, and the space between the outer tube and the intermediate tube defining a third passageway. The diameter of the inner tube is small so that meat emulsion passing into the inner tube is subjected to a higher pressure than that of the pressure in the second passageway. The lower pressure meat material in the second passageway is thinly coated on the strand of the high pressure meat material extruded from the inner tube. A thin layer of collagen material is extruded from the third passageway for deposit on the outer surface of the meat layer extruded from the second passageway. An alternate extrusion attachment has only two concentric tubes as defined above with an elongated hollow casing on the outer surface of the two tubes adapted to receive a coextruded strand of sausage.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for filling sausage casings, comprising a filling machine in which the filling material is ejected through a filling tube into a sausage casing, said casing being twisted off after a portion which is representative of an individual sausage has been filled in, so as to form individual sausages, the filled sausage casing being discharged at a speed which is set in dependence upon a set filling-material output characteristic. For obtaining sausages of identical length and volume in a natural casing, the sausage discharge speed is controlled according to the invention in compliance with a function which is applied to the set filling-material output characteristic and comprises charge-dependent parameters, the function simulating the actual filling-material output characteristic.

Abstract: Sausage casings of starch which can be processed like a thermoplastic and to processes for the production and use thereof. The sausage casing comprises a thermoplastic starch which is comprised of natural starch which has been converted into an amorphous state.

Abstract: A casing brake construction in combination with a product discharge horn includes three generally parallel mounting plates with one of the plates holding the skin brake and the other two plates connected with the first plate and moveable relative to one another in an axial direction with respect to the product discharge horn to thereby position the horn in any one of three positions. The casing brake moves between a clipping and a rearward position with respect to the discharge horn and then moves over the end of the horn to remove excess product from the horn in order to enhance the aesthetics of the product.

Abstract: An extrusion attachment for sausage making machines have three connection tubes with the inner tube defining a first passageway, the space between the inner and intermediate tubes comprising a second passageway, and the space between the outer tube and the intermediate tube defining a third passageway. The diameter of the inner tube is small so that meat emulsion passing into the inner tube is subjected to a higher pressure than that of the pressure in the second passageway. The lower pressure meat material in the second passageway is thinly coated on the strand of the high pressure meat material extruded from the inner tube. A thin layer of collagen material is extruded from the third passageway for deposit on the outer surface of the meat layer extruded from the second passageway.

Abstract: A folded casing arrangement capable of being used for individually filled products is provided. The casing arrangement comprises: a casing having an extended length, the casing being arranged to have at least three portions: 1) a first end portion formed at one end of the casing which forms a stick configuration, the first end portion having a plurality of folds compressed into one another; 2) a middle portion; and 3) a second end portion including a folded portion that is folded transversely to the length of the casing. The folded portion is pleated in a longitudinal direction with respect to the casing, and the second end portion is provided with a tying means.

Abstract: A conveyor system, for forming slack-filled casing into a generally uniform cross-section product uniformly along the length of the casing, includes an upper and lower conveyor assembly which are both driven by an air motor and which are adjustably spaced. The upper conveyor assembly includes a lower, supported belt run for engaging the casing product and an upper, supported belt run to form the product in an appropriate configuration and fill the casing tail.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing sausages or the like. The apparatus includes a stuffing pump for supplying a material to be stuffed; a stuffing nozzle over which a casing is fitted and which receives the material to be stuffed fed out from the stuffing pump; a hampering member into which the tip of the stuffing nozzle is inserted; and a conveying device for conveying the casing in which the material to be stuffed discharged from the hampering member is stuffed, wherein the material to be stuffed is continuously discharged from the tip of the stuffing nozzle into the casing while the casing is being pulled in its longitudinal direction by the hampering member and the conveying device.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus which permit continuous stuffing of tubular food casing without stopping the stuffing operation to replace food casing on the stuffing horn. The method comprises placing a first shirred food casing strand onto a stuffing horn. An end portion of the food casing is then extended over the open end of the stuffing horn and the end portion is closed. The stuffing horn is suspended within the food casing by means of a first suspension means engaging the outer surface behind the shirred food casing and foodstuff is injected into the stuffing horn through a hole in the first suspension means which mates with a first inlet hole in the stuffing horn so that foodstuff flows through the stuffing horn into the food casing. A subsequent food casing strand is then placed onto the stuffing horn over the stuffing horn closed end and the stuffing horn is clamped by means of a second suspension means engaging the stuffing horn behind the subsequent food casing strand.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced cellulose-based food casing which comprises alginic acid and/or alginate, and fats, fat-like compounds, and/or oils and a non-reinforced cellulose-based food casing which comprises a copolymer containing 80 to 20 mol % of units of the formula I and 20 to 80 mol % of units of the formula II or III ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are identical or different and are hydrogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl,Z is O or N--R.sup.5,R.sup.5 is hydrogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl,X.sup.- is Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl-SO.sub.2 --O.sup.-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl-O--SO.sub.2 --O.sup.-, HSO.sub.4.sup.- or 1/2 SO.sub.4.sup.2-,n is an integer from 1 to 3 andm is an integer from 2 to 6, andfats, fat-like compounds, and/or oils useful as casings for sausages.

Abstract: A method for removing a splice at a location on a tubular food casing product applies a tape to the food casing proximate the position of the splice, which tape has metallic properties. At least one of the metallic properties is detected when the tape reaches a particular location during movement of the casing. The splice is removed in response to the detection of the tape. Apparatus for removing a splice from a tubular food casing product employs a detector for detecting the tape when the tape reaches a particular location during movement of the casing; and employs a casing cutting apparatus for removing the splice which is activated in response to detection of the tape.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of processes for preparation of foodstuffs in sacks, in particular mortadella, and precisely it relates to a process for forming food in sacks which provides, subsequently to an extrusion of a principal mixture, fo an extrusion of a second mixture internal to the principal mixture and designed to give identification to single slices of the product with a well-defined design formed by extrusion of the second mixture.

Abstract: For molding and packaging a product having paste, semiliquid or liquid form, e.g., frankfurter-type sausage paste, two films such as thermoplastic films are fed longitudinally, respectively above and below tubes feeding the product. For each of the feeding tubes, a longitudinal tubular cavity is formed between the films, e.g., by localized longitudinal welding, and the tubular cavities are filled with the product being fed. In feeding the films and the product, transverse seals are formed at intervals to terminate the filled cavities, e.g., by localized transverse welding of the films.

Abstract: A casing holding device for a machine for filling and twisting off sausages includes a filling tube rotatable along its longitudinal axis, onto which a slug can be pulled, and which, on its free end, is equipped with an output opening for the output of sausage fill, and a casing brake which is equipped with a braking ring which surrounds the free end of the filling tube and which essentially rests against this under contact pressure, and a clamping member to secure the slug to the filling tube so as to rotate the slug with the filling tube.

Abstract: A joining system for flat end discs is used in an elongated encased food product. The food casing is joined to the flat end discs permitting food stuffing of the casing. An adhesive joining, a clamping joining, a tension band joining or a piercing joining takes place in an area external to and within the peripheral boundaries of the flat end discs. The axial outward force of the food product on the discs is thus coupled to the axial tension of the casing joined to the discs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer organochlorine-free tubular casing consiting ofa. a regenerated cellulose substrate,b. optionally a layer of primer,c. a 5 to 40 .mu.m thick, organochlorine-free polymeric water vapor barrier layer which is characterized in that it has a permeability to water vapor of at most 50 g/m.sup.2.24 h and a surface tension.ltoreq.34 mN/m,d. a 5 to 40 .mu.m thick, polymeric organochlorine-free oxygen barrier layer, characterized in that it has a permeability to oxygen of at most 120 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2.24 h bar and a surface tension of.gtoreq.38 N/m.The invention also relates to its use as a casing for sausages of the Kochwurst and Bruhwurst type.

Abstract: A method for stuffing a tubular food casing to reduce trapped air in the finished product. The method comprises placing a shirred stick of food casing on a stuffing horn having an exit end through which food product flows into the casing, withdrawing a leading end portion of the casing over the exit end of the horn, closing the leading end portion, sealing the casing against the horn, drawing a vacuum within the tubular food casing, conducting food product through the exit end of the stuffing horn into said tubular food casing while maintaining the vacuum to stuff a portion of the food casing while withdrawing more casing over the exit end of the stuffing horn, and closing the food casing behind the stuffed portion of the food casing.

Abstract: A device for loading a product into a container wherein the device includes a delivery apparatus movable during a travel cycle toward and away from a travel limit and wherein the product is delivered through the delivery apparatus into the container during a certain portion of the travel cycle includes means operable during another portion of the travel cycle prior to the certain portion for applying a coating to an inner wall of a container.

Abstract: A combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for a machine that stuffs meat product into a casing which includes an upright cylindrical chamber that can be evacuated and an agitator assembly that is rotated inside the chamber. An entrance port with a sliding gate valve is located on the side of the chamber so that when the valve is opened, ground meat is drawn by vacuum into the chamber. An exit port is located on the floor of the cylinder. The agitator assembly is detachably mounted on one end of a spindle having its other end external to the chamber for attachment to a drive means. A number of agitator assemblies are provided, each having a configuration designed to homogenize a particular meat product having its own consistency, depending on content of fat, moisture, and fiber. A ring seal features three elastomeric seals operating in combination to provide a reliable vacuum seal between the homogenizing unit and the meat stuffing machine.

Abstract: A joining system for flat end discs is used in an elongated encased food product. The food casing is joined to the flat end discs permitting food stuffing of the casing. An adhesive joining, a clamping joining, a tension band joining or a piercing joining takes place in an area external to and within the peripheral boundaries of the flat end discs. The axial outward force of the food product on the discs is thus coupled to the axial tension of the casing joined to the discs.

Abstract: Tubular food casings for preparing dimensionally uniform processed meat products with flat ends for maximizing yields for prepackaged product. Casings reinforced with one or more narrow polymeric bands securely bonded to the terminal ends of casing units are able to receive flat end plates which cooperate with the bands to form reliable end closures without clips and minimal casing requirements.

Abstract: An improved casing brake mechanism (10) is provided for selectively engaging and braking the movement of a casing (14) applied over a casing horn (12) during filling of the casing (14). The mechanism (10) includes a pair of resilient, laterally spaced apart, obliquely oriented, annular casing-engaging rings (16, 18) which are selectively compressed and caused to engage a casing (14) by means of a thrust assembly (20) including a pair of separate, co-acting thrust elements (62, 68); the thrust elements (62, 68) are moved in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of horn (12) by means of a source of pressurized air (P). A remotely actuatable, three-position valve (80) is preferably employed, which allows alternate and selective connection to the pressurized air source (P), an atmospheric vent (A), and a source of vacuum (V).

Abstract: A combination homogenizer-vacuum loader for a machine that stuffs meat product into a casing which includes an upright cylindrical chamber that can be evacuated and an agitator assembly that is rotated inside the chamber. An entrance port with a sliding gate valve is located on the side of the chamber so that when the valve is opened, ground meat is drawn by vacuum into the chamber. An exit port is located on the floor of the cylinder. The agitator assembly is detachably mounted on one end of a spindle having its other end external to the chamber for attachment to a drive means. A number of agitator assemblies are provided, each having a configuration designed to homogenize a particular meat product having its own consistency, depending on content of fat, moisture, and fiber.

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: A meat stuffing machine that operates under vacuum conditions during loading for the purpose of improving the homogeneity of the final product. The machine consists of: a tank supported on a machine frame, which includes a duct connecting it to a vacuum source, a duct for loading meat, and a recess on a side of the tank which houses a pneumatic cylinder used to push the meat product toward the bottom of the tank. An interchangeable gauging cavity contains a pusher means operated by a pneumatic cylinder. The gauging cavity is connected to a plate that is slidably secured to a flat wall of the machine frame, which has an aperture connecting to the tank and a second aperture that leads to a hollow tube that supports a casing. Once the gauging cavity is filled with meat product it slides to the second aperture and fills the casing supported by the hollow tube.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for supplying casings to a stuffing device having a stuffing tube for stuffing a content into a casing. The apparatus includes a supplying member having an arranging surface for arranging thereon a plurality of casings between an upstream portion and a downstream portion and having a restricting portion for preventing the casing to be fitted over the stuffing tube from moving in a downstream direction; and an axis extending at a distance from, and along a longitudinal direction of, the restricting portion. The supplying member is rotatable about the axis between a position in which the casing located at the restricting portion is aligned with the stuffing tube on the one hand, and another position on the other.