System for homogeneously mixing plural incoming product streams of different composition

A method of mixing incoming product streams to yield a final product stream, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a mixer comprising
• a continuous mixer for mixing incoming product streams to yield a final product stream of desired characteristics, said mixer comprising:
• an elongated housing having a plurality of inputs for receiving said incoming product streams, and an output for said final product;
• and
• a plurality of elongated, side-by-side, axially rotatable mixing screws located within said housing and extending along the length thereof for conveying and mixing said incoming product streams and for moving said final product out said output,
• at least a pair of said mixing screws having a central section and a series of mixing elements projecting outwardly from said central section, said mixing elements each having a base and a plurality of converging sidewall surfaces extending outwardly from said base to present an outer end having a surface area less than the surface area of the base,
• at least certain of said elements being located along at least a portion of said central section;
• passing a plurality of incoming product streams comprising meat products of different fat/lean ratios into said housing through said inputs;
• rotating said mixing screws in order to convey and mix said incoming product streams along the length of said housing, and for moving final product out said housing output.

A method of mixing incoming product streams to yield a final product stream, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a mixer comprising
• a continuous mixer for mixing incoming product streams to yield a final product stream of desired characteristics, said mixer comprising:
• an elongated housing having a plurality of inputs for receiving and incoming product streams, and an output for said final product;
• and
• a plurality of elongated, side-by-side, axially rotatable mixing screws located within said housing and extending along the length thereof for conveying and mixing said incoming product streams and for moving said final product out said output,
• at least a pair of said mixing screws having a central section and a series of mixing elements oriented in a helical pattern and projecting outwardly from said central section, each of said mixing elements being generally pyramidal in shape and presenting a base which is generally diamond-shaped in plan configuration with four outwardly extending and converging sidewall surfaces terminating in an apex-like outer end having a surface area less than the surface area of the base,
• at least certain of said elements being located along at least a portion of said central section;
• passing a plurality of incoming product streams into said housing through said inputs;
• rotating said mixing screws in order to convey and mix said incoming product streams along the length of said housing, and for moving final product out said housing output.