A system for sizing a natural intestine comprising a carrier, a product transport and sealing system, a measuring system, and a control system. The carrier comprises a fluid channel and a measuring portion. A carrier surface at the measuring portion comprises perforations fluidly connected to the channel. The product transport and sealing system is configured for moving the intestine over the carrier. The intestine surrounds the carrier surface, and for temporarily sealing the intestine along the measuring portion. The measuring system comprises a radiation sensor system for measuring a cross-sectional dimension of the intestine at the measuring portion, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure of the fluid in the channel, and a sensor for sensing a flow of the fluid in the channel. The control system determines a cross-sectional size of the intestine at the measuring portion based on signals of the radiation sensor system, the pressure sensor, and the flow sensor.

A system for sizing a natural intestine comprising a carrier, a product transport and sealing system, a measuring system, and a control system. The carrier comprises a fluid channel and a measuring portion. A carrier surface at the measuring portion comprises perforations fluidly connected to the channel. The product transport and sealing system is configured for moving the intestine over the carrier. The intestine surrounds the carrier surface, and for temporarily sealing the intestine along the measuring portion. The measuring system comprises a radiation sensor system for measuring a cross-sectional dimension of the intestine at the measuring portion, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure of the fluid in the channel, and a sensor for sensing a flow of the fluid in the channel. The control system determines a cross-sectional size of the intestine at the measuring portion based on signals of the radiation sensor system, the pressure sensor, and the flow sensor.

A processing line for harvesting hearts from viscera packages taken out from poultry carcasses. An apparatus with an infeed section below a conveying track to mechanically grip the viscera package. The infeed section is equipped to transfer the viscera package from which the gizzard is removed to a processing section. An outfeed section that follows the processing section, which outfeed section is arranged to make the heart as separated from the viscera package available at an outlet for the heart.

A processing line for harvesting hearts from viscera packages taken out from poultry carcasses. An apparatus with an infeed section below a conveying track to mechanically grip the viscera package. The infeed section is equipped to transfer the viscera package from which the gizzard is removed to a processing section. An outfeed section that follows the processing section, which outfeed section is arranged to make the heart as separated from the viscera package available at an outlet for the heart.

The disclosure relates to a system and method for automatic sorting of natural intestines/casings for use in the production of food products, and especially as casings for sausages. A partly hollow feeding mandrel is configured to hold an intestine such that the intestine surrounds the feeding mandrel. The feeding mandrel includes a measuring area configured to transport water through a hollow part of the feeding mandrel through punctures in a surface of the measuring area, and into a cavity of the surrounding intestine. A vision device obtains images of the intestine, and a processor processes the images to sort the natural intestines or casings.

The disclosure relates to a system and method for automatic sorting of natural intestines/casings for use in the production of food products, and especially as casings for sausages. A partly hollow feeding mandrel is configured to hold an intestine such that the intestine surrounds the feeding mandrel. The feeding mandrel includes a measuring area configured to transport water through a hollow part of the feeding mandrel through punctures in a surface of the measuring area, and into a cavity of the surrounding intestine. A vision device obtains images of the intestine, and a processor processes the images to sort the natural intestines or casings.

An intestines processing system and method including a conveyor track with carriers, a tissue breaking section and a gallbladder removal station. The carrier can be equipped to move the intestines package through the tissue breaking section for breaking at least some of the tissue connections in the intestines package below the gallbladder, and to move the intestines package through the gallbladder removal station for removing the gallbladder from the remainder of the intestines package.

An intestines processing system and method including a conveyor track with carriers, a tissue breaking section and a gallbladder removal station. The carrier can be equipped to move the intestines package through the tissue breaking section for breaking at least some of the tissue connections in the intestines package below the gallbladder, and to move the intestines package through the gallbladder removal station for removing the gallbladder from the remainder of the intestines package.

Edible tubular casings for meats, such as sausages are described. The casings are comprised of reconstituted collagen combined with natural casing material comprising bovine, porcine or sheep gut, or combinations thereof. Methods for producing the casings by forming a gel consisting of a combination of the natural material and the reconstituted collagen are also described.

Edible tubular casings for meats, such as sausages are described. The casings are comprised of reconstituted collagen combined with natural casing material comprising bovine, porcine or sheep gut, or combinations thereof. Methods for producing the casings by forming a gel consisting of a combination of the natural material and the reconstituted collagen are also described.