A meat processing unit for the production of an extruded meat product lacking a wrapping film and a gelled coating, the meat processing unit comprising:
- an extruder apparatus for a minced meat product including a distribution chamber comprising an inlet opening connected to an impeller pump for the minced meat product,
- the extruder apparatus further comprising a plurality of outlet openings, each one comprising an identical section, and disposed in communication with a corresponding one of an assembly of extruder heads, through a corresponding one of a plurality of distribution ducts for an extrusion of the minced meat product in the shape of elongated strings of the minced meat product, the elongated strings of the extruded minced meat product collectively defining the extruded meat product;
- a conveyor surface facing each one of the assembly of the extruder heads and configured to receive the extruded meat product;
- each one of the plurality of outlet openings disposed equidistant to the inlet opening and in a radial symmetry around a geometric axis defined by the geometric centre of the inlet opening in an annular arrangement;
- the distribution chamber further comprising a bottom wall oppositely disposed to the inlet opening and centred relative to the geometric axis;
- the distribution chamber further comprising a perimeter wall surrounding the inlet opening and the bottom wall;
- the perimeter wall comprising a radial symmetry around the geometric axis that corresponds to the radial symmetry of the outlet openings;
- each one of the plurality of outlet openings being disposed equidistant to the perimeter wall;
- each one of the plurality of distribution ducts comprising the same length between a corresponding one of the plurality of outlet openings and the corresponding one of the assembly of extruder heads;
- each one of the assembly of extruder heads comprising a cutting device;
- the conveyor surface being structured to move through a closed enclosure of an air treatment unit where a number of blow openings direct a treated air flow against the conveyor surface that supports the extruded meat product to apply an air current comprising a controlled temperature, humidity and speed, against the extruded meat product in a raw stage, thereby producing a hardened and dehydrated outer crust that provides cohesion and allows for a handling of the extruded meat product;
- each one of the assembly of extruder heads consisting of an extruder duct with a plunger opening disposed on one end thereof, and an extruding opening on an opposed end thereof;
- the extruding opening facing the conveyor surface for an ejection of the extruded meat product;
- each one of the assembly of extruder heads further comprising a side opening connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of distribution ducts, the side opening disposed between the plunger opening and the extruding opening;
- and
- the cutting device comprising a plunger inserted in the extruder duct through the plunger opening and movable within the extruder duct from an extruding position, in which the plunger does not interfere with the side opening, to a cutting position, in which the plunger completely blocks the side opening and in which the plunger reaches or goes beyond the extruding opening of the extruder duct to eject all of the extruded meat product from the interior of the extruder duct.