Vacuumized internal sizing ring assembly

摘要

Internal sizing ring assembly and method for its use on a stuffing horn to extract air from within a tube-like casing having a closed end during stuffing operations, includes a sizing ring having an inner mounting surface adapted to conform to the outer surface of the stuffing horn, a peripheral casing-expanding surface to expand the casing into an open configuration, and front and back surfaces; and vacuum means defined by at least one port extending through the sizing ring and a longitudinally extendable tube connected to the port and in cooperation with a vacuum source. The internal sizing ring assembly can further include a hollow mold having an internal cross-section configured to slidingly receive the sizing ring with the casing effectively sealed between the two for producing shaped products substantially free of air voids.