Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus for pulling a cooked meat product into individual strands. A preferred embodiment including a feed roller set that compresses a cooked meat product to initially start the separation process and controllably delivers the food product to a feed station. An auger in the feed station delivers the food product into a rotating drum. Longitudinal rakes are rotatably mounted in the drum and during rotation will engage and elevate the food product. As the food product is elevated the food product will be delivered into the rotational path of a rotating puller bar that is rotatively mounted and driven in the drum. The rotating bar will separate the food product into strands and propel the food product against the surface of the drum. The strands will sift through the rakes and progress toward the exit end of the drum with the remaining large pieces being elevated by the rakes to be delivered into the path of the puller bar. Radial baffles are provided at intervals along the length of the drum to the control the rate of travel of the food product along the drum. The inclination of the drum is adjustable to control the rate of travel of the food product within the drum.

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First Claim