Importance

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Abstract

This invention relates to a casing (10) for use in encasing meat products. The casing (10) comprises a combination of a first tubular casing (11) which may comprise a fibrous casing material and a knitted tubular net (12) located around and substantially concentric to the first tubular member (11). The tubular net (12) comprises circumferential elastic cords (13) and longitudinal cords (14), and the relative diameter of the circumferential cords (13) to the first tubular casing (11) are such that when the casing (10) is being filled the circumferential cords (13) are placed under tension prior to the first tubular casing (11) reaching its maximum diameter. This enables the circumferential cords (13) to absorb some of the hoop stress before it is applied to the first tubular member (11) thereby preventing splitting of the first tubular member (11) which might otherwise occur without the tubular netting (12). The specification also discloses a method of shirring the casing (10) to an injection nozzle (16) which enables even spacing of the tubular net (12) around the first tubular casing (11) as the casing (10) is drawn from the injection nozzle (16). The method involves inflation of the casing (10) prior to shirring onto the injection nozzle (16).

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First Claim