Patent ID: 6045441
Filing Date: 2000-04-04
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
An apparatus for removing a casing from a body of a sausage, wherein the casing is formed with a tuft at one end of the body, the apparatus comprising:(a) a frame;(b) an infeed mechanism operatively connected to the frame, the infeed mechanism providing forward movement of the body of the sausage along a feed path with the tuft leading the body of the sausage;(c) a cutting device operatively connected to the frame, for cutting the casing, the cutting device downstream from the infeed mechanism;(d) a tucker plate assembly operatively connected to the frame, the tucker plate assembly having a grasping member moveable from an unengaged position to an engaged position;(e) first and second stripper rollers positioned below the tucker plate assembly having a longitudinal axis, the rollers revolving around their longitudinal axis, the stripper rollers being substantially parallel and generally forming a V-shape surface on which the body of the sausage is position, the rollers revolving in opposite directions;(f) an outfeed mechanism operatively connected to the frame, the outfeed mechanism for providing forward movement of the body of the sausage after the body passes the tucker plate assembly, the outfeed mechanism located down stream from the stripper rollers; and(g) wherein when the body of the sausage contact the tucker plate, the grasping member moves from the unengaged position to the engaged position, forcing the tuft down between the stripper rollers, and the casing is removed.