A method and apparatus for evacuating pockets of injected fluid in meat
products involves the structure and use of a machine which has a
longitudinal movable conveyor surface on the machine; a fluid injection
station on the machine for injecting fluid into a meat product on the
conveyor surface; a second station on the machine downstream of the fluid
injection station; the second station comprising an assembly for applying
compressive pressure to the injected meat and penetrating the meat with a
plurality of projecting elements to create a plurality of fluid conduits
in the injected meat wherein the compressive pressure will force fluid
out of the injected meat through the fluid conduits when the projecting
elements penetrate the pockets of fluid.