Apparatus and method for linking an elongated extruded meat product

摘要

Three parallel auger shafts (44) having identical flighting (46) thereon disposed on axes equally spaced from each other to provide a central axis (52) equidistant from the axes of the augers. An elongated strand (54) of extruded meat product is moved through the central axis thereof so that when the flighting on the augers meet at a common point, the diameter of the strand is compressed to create a link (56) in the strand. A second embodiment of the invention places the three augers (44) in a rotatable assembly with the augers (44) rotating about their own axes as well as the central axis. A third embodiment utilizes a casing control element (78) on the inlet end of each auger (44) to cooperate with the nozzle or horn (16) through which the extruded material is being delivered whereupon the control elements (78) rotate the casing material and control the expansion of the casing material to its full diameter as the meat emulsion flows into the casing.