Apparatus for applying a circumferential layer of liquid to a sausage
AssigneeConAgra, Inc.
InventorJames P. Smithers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed an improvement to an apparatus, and a method for applying a thin layer of liquid at the circumference of a stream of meat product before it enters a casing. Preferably, the liquid being applied is liquid smoke thereby avoiding the necessity of further smoking treatment of the sausage to achieve the desired taste and appearance of a smoked sausage.
Claims35
In an apparatus for making sausages by stuffing a stream of meat product into a casing, the improvement comprising means for applying a thin layer of liquid at the perimeter of the stream of meat product, said means comprising:
- pump means for pumping said liquid;
- first nozzle means for directing a stream of means product through a stuffing horn and into the casing;
- and
- second nozzle means for directing a stream of liquid into contact with the stream of meat product before the stream of meat product exits the stuffing horn, which second nozzle means is configured and positioned so that said stream of liquid is directed into a thin layer at the perimeter of the stream of meat product.
An apparatus for making sausages by stuffing a stream of meat product into a casing comprising:
- a tubular stuffing horn means for directing a stream of meat product into a casing;
- first pump means for pumping the stream of meat product through the stuffing horn means;
- means for applying a thin layer of liquid at the perimeter of the stream of meat product, said means comprising:
- second pump means for pumping said liquid;
- nozzle means for directing a stream of liquid into contact with the stream of meat product before the stream of meat product exits the stuffing horn, which nozzle means is configured and positioned so that said stream of liquid is directed into a thin layer at the perimeter of the stream of meat product.
An apparatus for making sausages by stuffing a stream of meat product into a casing comprising:
- a tubular stuffing horn means for directing a stream of meat product into a casing;
- first pump means for pumping the stream of meat product through the stuffing horn means;
- and
- means for applying a thin layer of liquid at the perimeter of the stream of meat product, said means comprising:
- second pump means for pumping said liquid;
- and
- nozzle means for directing a stream of liquid into contact with the stream of meat product before the stream of meat product exits the stuffing horn, which nozzle means is configured and positioned so that said stream of liquid is directed into a thin layer at the perimeter of the stream of meat product, wherein the nozzle means comprises:
- a first tube member which includes a first annular ridge with channels cut therethrough, which channels pass from the side of the first annular ridge which is distal from the casing to the side which is proximate thereto;
- and
- a second tube member which has an end distal to the casing with an inside diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the first annular ridge, whereby when the distal end of the second tube member is fitted over the first annular ridge, the entire stream of liquid must pass through the channels in the first annular ridge as it travels toward the casing;
- wherein the first and second pump means are adapted so that the stream of liquid is pumped at a pressure which is between about 150 and about 300 percent of the pressure at which the stream of meat is pumped at.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.