Meat trussing system

Abstract

A meat trussing system is provided which incorporates the use of an elastomeric net to receive and restrain meats and other food components, both unitary and combinations including independent meat and/or food elements. At least one flexible wrapper is provided into which the meat and/or food products are encased forming a cylindrical circumferential wrap having a low coefficient of friction with respect to the elastomeric net. The wrapper permits a relatively easy insertion of the wrapped food products into the elastomeric net. The wrapper is preferably provided with at least one perforation adapted to be circumferentially disposed near the midpoint of the food products within the elastomeric net. A method of use includes the deformation of the meat and/or food product. In order to sever the perforation which permits the relatively easy removal of the now separated wrapper portions from between the meat and/or food products and the elastomeric net.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method for restraining food products, comprising:
 wrapping said food products in at least one wrapping sheet;   inserting said wrapped food products into a preformed net truss;   dividing said at least one wrapping sheet into parts within said net truss; and   slidably removing said now divided at least one wrapping sheet from said net truss while allowing said food products to remain within said net truss.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of dividing said at least one wrapping sheet at the location of at least one perforation line. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising the step of applying compressive force to said food product, said compressive force causing longitudinal stress to said at least one perforation line and dividing said at least on wrapping sheet at the location of said at least one perforation line. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of applying said compressive force with an implement. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of applying said compressive force by deforming said food product. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of wrapping said food products in a plurality of said wrapping sheets longitudinally overlapped to form at least one overlap zone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of affixing at least one end of said at least one wrapping sheet onto said wrapped food product with an adhesive strip disposed on said at least one side of said wrapping sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of partially inserting said wrapped food products into said preformed net truss such that a portion of at least one end of said at least one wrapping sheet extends outwardly from said preformed net truss. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of grasping the at least one end of said at least one wrapping sheet extending outwardly from said preformed net truss and sliding said at least one wrapping sheet outwardly from said net truss. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising the step of wrapping said food products in at said at least one wrapping sheet forming a cone encasing said food product.