Method and apparatus for stuffing hams
AssigneeHormel Foods Corporation
InventorJohn K. Buckles
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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.
Claims11
An apparatus for stuffing a meat product in a casing, comprising:
- a) a conveyor having a plurality of holders for receiving a meat product, the holder having an exit;
- b) a pushing mechanism moveable between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of the mechanism on the second position moves the meat product out of the exit of the holder;
- c) a non-circular stuffing horn having a body with first and second open ends, the first end proximate the exit of the holder;
- d) a non-circular skin brake positioned around the stuffing horn;
- and
- e) the skin brake having a non-circular aperture and having an inflatable bladder around the aperture, wherein pressure is exerted on a casing as the meat product is stuffed in the casing.
A combination stuffing horn and skin brake for use with a stuffing apparatus for meat product, the combination comprising:
- a) a stuffing horn having an elongate member having a central bore, through which a meat product passes, the elongate member has an outer cross-section;
- b) a skin brake having an inflatable bladder, the bladder positioned around the elongate member;
- c) the bladder, when inflated, conforms to the outer cross-section, wherein pressure is exerted on a shirred casing as the casing is pulled over the horn as the meat product is stuffed into the casing.
A method of stuffing a meat product into a shirred casing, the method comprising:
- a) placing a shirred casing over a stuffing horn having an outer cross-section;
- b) inserting a meat product into a stuffing horn;
- c) inflating a bladder of a skin brake, wherein the bladder exerts an even pressure on the casing;
- and
- d) pushing the meat product through the stuffing horn and into the casing, thereby stuffing the meat product in the casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.