Importance

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Abstract

The method and means of compressing meat products is described which ensure that the top and bottom portions of the meat or poultry product or the like will be flattened and so that the meat product will have a predetermined thickness. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a support; (2) placing a first basket on the support; (3) placing in the first basket material to be compressed having a height greater than the height of the first basket; (4) placing a second basket on top of the material in the first basket; (5) placing in the second basket material to be compressed having a height greater than the height of the second basket; (6) repeating sequentially the foregoing steps until a sufficient quantity of material-filled baskets are vertically stacked to cause the weight of the material in the upper of the baskets to compress the material in the lower baskets to a predetermined thickness; and (7) mechanically compressing the material in at least the uppermost of the baskets to the predetermined thickness. The means for compressing the meat product comprises a plurality of nesting backets which are supported upon a wheeled support. The meat product is placed in each of the individual baskets and the weight of the uppermost baskets causes the meat product to be compressed to the desired thickness. Each of the baskets includes means thereon to limit its vertical movement with respect to the next lower basket. Each of the baskets includes a false bottom so that an air space is provided between the baskets.

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First Claim