Extruder apparatus for forming a tubular casing

Abstract

An edible collagen casing for sausages and the like comprising at least two layers of hardened ropes of collagen wherein the ropes of one layer are helically directed in one direction and the ropes of the other layer are helically directed in the opposite direction and wherein the collagen fibrils and/or fibers in said ropes are, at least on the surface, substantially aligned in the direction of the rope. A method of making an edible collagen casing for sausages and the like which includes providing at least two collagen gel sources having fibrils and/or fibers therein, dividing each source into a plurality of ropes by subjecting the ropes to mechanical force to thereby orient, at least on the outside surface, the fibrils and/or fibers in the direction of movement of said ropes, directing said ropes into two layers in a tubular form with the ropes of one layer helically directed in one direction and the ropes of the other layer being helically directed in the opposite direction. An apparatus for making the collagen casing product described above including inner and outer extruder members each having a plurality of orifices for dividing and/or extruding two main sources of gel into a plurality of ropes with the fibrils and/or fibers oriented, at least on the surface, in the direction of movement. Means are provided to direct the two sets of ropes into a tubular form having two layers. There is a passageway between the inner and outer extruders, which are rotating in opposite directions to thereby helically orient the ropes of collagen in one layer in one direction and the ropes of collagen in the other layer in the opposite direction. Means are provided to size the tubular product.