Shirred Sausage Casing Patents (Class 206/802)
  • Patent number: 8833576
    Abstract: The re-closable container (1) for fluid products, particularly for medical, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, includes: a hollow body (2) for containing a fluid product, which extends to a neck (4) having at least a dispensing mouth (5) for the product, and closing elements (7) for closing the dispensing mouth (5), which include: a flat-plane gripping member (8), from which a shutter pin (9) of the dispensing mouth (5) extends substantially coplanar, an annular collar (12), which is associated with the flat-plane gripping member (8) along at least a pre-established breaking area (13) and which is rigidly associable with the neck (4), and a resting base (17) suitable for allowing the flat-plane gripping member (8) to rest on a supporting surface (18) in a resting configuration in which the shutter pin (9) remains lifted with respect to the supporting surface (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Lameplast S.p.A.
    Inventor: Antonio Fontana
  • Patent number: 7361392
    Abstract: A polymer film is disclosed for effectively smoking and/or drying products packed therein, which are to be smoked and/or air dried, in particular, smoked cheeses, smoked, uncooked smoked, and air-and-sunshine dried sausages, meat and fish products. This single-layer film is produced on the base matrix of an aliphatic polyamide and/or copolyamide and/or terpolyamide and contains 4.0-50.0 wt % of a hydrophilic compound which is in a highly dispersed state, wherein the hydrophilic compound forms a disperse phase with a linear size of the domain being 0.1-3.0 ?m in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the film, and either a polymer compound or a low-molecular substance-salt, may be used as such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: OOO PKF “Atlantis-Pak”
    Inventors: Sergei Vasilievich Borodaev, Oleg Vladimirovich Davidenko, Alexandr Vladimirovich Davidenko, Sergei Petrovich Ryzenko
  • Patent number: 7011858
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a shirred concertina formed from a seamless, tubular foodstuff casing that is tied-off at one end, and has an outer surface provided with a coating or impregnation including a food additive. The tied-off end of the present casing is turned back inwardly, into the hollow cavity formed by the concertina. Concertinas of the present invention are particularly adapted for use with automatic sausage filling, portioning, and clipping machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Kalle GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Gerhard Grolig, Martina Koenig, Christian Auf Der Heide, Dirk Auf Der Heide, Furg-Heinrich Kallweit
  • Publication number: 20030121923
    Abstract: A cassette for use in dispensing a pleated tubing to collect waste material is formed of an annular body having a U-shaped cross-section in which is packed the pleated tubing in layered form and of an annular flange which extends over the housing. The flange has an inner portion that extends downwardly to engage the upper part of the inner wall of the annular body and an outwardly projecting portion that extends over the housing. The outwardly projecting portion has an annular funnel area to assist in the sliding of the pleated tubing when pulled through the central core of the annular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Michel Morand, Claude Mauffette, Maurice Pinsonnault
  • Publication number: 20020088735
    Abstract: A folded casing, shirred to form a stick, is packaged in a packaging net (10). The two net ends (12, 13) which are opposite to one another are welded ultrasonically. A strip (14), consisting of the same material as the packaging net 10, is also welded ultrasonically to at least one of the new ends 12 or 13.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: ALOIS WEINHEIMER, GERALD SEEL, RALF ROHOVSKY
  • Patent number: 6409018
    Abstract: A caddy having a plurality of shirred food casing sticks arranged in a unique configuration therein that aids in achieving optimal utilization of available space for a plurality of caddies nested within a carton. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a caddy for packaging and transporting fifty sticks arranged in a semi-rectangular stick configuration having eight (8) generally adjacent and densely packed rows and a stacking of 6-7-6-7-6-7-6-5. The caddy mechanically interlocks with a second caddy via a series of recessed notches and protruding members. The snugness of the fit between the caddy and the second caddy is improved therefore enhancing stability and decreasing the amount of wasted space between adjacent caddies that are nested together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Arteva North America S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Alfonso Ricardo Suarez Manzano
  • Patent number: 6395356
    Abstract: Regenerated cellulose food packaging film, including fibrous food casings which has modified cling properties for packaging sausage products. The cellulosic food casings have a fibrous reinforcement impregnated with regenerated cellulose composition which contains from about 0.01 to 2.5 weight percent of admixture of a viscose solution and a food grade cationic resin adhering agent and from about 0.001 to 2.5 weight percent of a protein. The film is prepared by impregnating a tubular fiber reinforcement with a viscose composition containing the resin and protein. The impregnating composition is applied in a single step by injecting the resin and protein into the viscose solution before being extruded into the fibrous web. This assures both even distribution of the polymeric adhering agent and protein in the web, as well as maintenance of a constant level of polymer and protein being applied during the coating process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Teepak Properties, LLC
    Inventors: Pierre Wielockx, Luc Borgers
  • Patent number: 6279737
    Abstract: Disclosed is a package containing a plurality of cut lengths of fibrous casing which are moisturized to substantially soaked levels of moisture and are retained in an evacuated plastic bag wherein the moisture level of the casing is derived from free water added into the bag prior to evacuation. Also disclosed is a method of packaging cut lengths of casing which provides for the addition of soaked levels of moisture to the casing in the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Clyde Long, Frederick Maynard Merritt, II, Jeffery Allen Oxley
  • Patent number: 6250468
    Abstract: A tubular film package comprising a tubular film provided with a tear strip secured upon an outside surface of the film. The tear strip is defined by a longitudinal edge of the film and a heat seal joint provided in the film essentially parallel to the longitudinal edge. The film is further provided with at least one slit running from an end of the film to the heat seal line so that pulling of the strip away from the package commencing at the slit causes film to separate proximate the heat seal line thus opening the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert John Huchel
  • Patent number: 6174580
    Abstract: A holder for retaining shirred gut sausage casing comprising an elongated, flexible, self-supporting, flattened tube having a longitudinal uninterrupted slit. The flattened tube comprises a pair of opposed parallel walls terminating in longitudinal edges at the slit. The flattened tube is formed from a relatively firm, flexible sheet material having a low coefficient of friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Natpack Tubing, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Flomen, George Ilkich
  • Patent number: 6171668
    Abstract: An improved white food casing comprising regenerated cellulose containing titanium dioxide pigment in a weight ratio of less than 0.5 to regenerated cellulose in the casing and containing from about 0.3 to about 1.2 milligrams per square meter of casing of a water insoluble violet pigment. The titanium dioxide pigment and violet pigment are uniformly dispersed in the regenerated cellulose without agglomeration. The food casing usually has an optical density at least as high as a similar food casing containing fifteen percent more titanium dioxide pigment and no violet pigment. The food casing desirably contains titanium dioxide in an amount of less than 15 and preferably less than 13 grams per square meter of food casing. The invention also includes an improved method for making a white food casing comprising cellulose regenerated from viscose having titanium dioxide incorporated therein; wherein the improvement comprises uniformly dispersing titanium dioxide pigment into viscose at a ratio of less than 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Richard Ocheltree, Bret Alan Trimmer
  • Patent number: 5975301
    Abstract: A caddy for packaging and transporting shirred food casings. A caddy according to the present invention comprises a plurality of shirred food casings, each of the shirred food casings being generally cylindrical and of generally equal length and diameter, with the food casings being arranged in a plurality of generally adjacent but offset rows to form a stack. The stack includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of sidewalls. The stack is further defined by a pair of outside rows and a plurality of inside rows. At least one of the inside rows is laterally offset relative to its adjacent rows to thereby form a recessed notch adjacent one of the sidewalls. The same row also forms a protruding casing on the side opposite of the notch. A vacuum sealed peripheral retaining film surrounds the stack to thereby retain the food casings in the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Alfacel s.a.
    Inventors: Alan D. Stall, Jose-Luis R. Valdes
  • Patent number: 5939156
    Abstract: A package comprising tubular food casing strands encased in a plastic film, said film encompassing said strands, said package being provided with a tear strip secured upon the outside surface of the film; weakened areas being provided in the film along parallel edges of said tear strip so that pulling of said strip away from the package causes film between the weakened areas to be removed with the strip thus opening the package and exposing the strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Teepak Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott James Rossi, Douglas Edward Mosiman
  • Patent number: 5928738
    Abstract: The invention relates to a biaxially stretch-oriented and heat-set, single-layer or multilayer shirred stick, polyamide-based packaging casing which has a shirring density of up to 1:200, at a length of the shirred stick of from 40 to 100 cm, and to a process for producing the packaging casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Kalle Nalo GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Auf Der Heide, Dirk Auf Der Heide, Klaus-Dieter Hammer, Karl Stenger
  • Patent number: 5865312
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are caddies and methods for loading caddies with food casings in a manner that provides optimum food casing support. The caddy includes opposite side panels having alternating support surfaces for supporting alternating rows of n and n-1 food casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Alfacel s.a
    Inventor: Alan David Stall
  • Patent number: 5834076
    Abstract: Such has discontinuous areas soaked in a proofing substance, preferably polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) which is impermeable to both gases and liquids, and thereby on establishing areas representing a logotype, a text, an anagram or any other design with said proofing substance, when the cellulose casing is later filled with the meat emulsion, and the same is smoked or colored through the cellulose casing, the proofing substance will provide a barrier to such later soaking thereby for the smoke or coloring to cross only those areas of the cellulose casing which have not been treated with the proofing substance, that are then colored, providing a background upon which "printed devices" appear that are formally, dimensionally and positionally coincident with those existing on the cellulose casing, when the casing is finally removed, such "printed devices" being duly established upon the sausage proper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Viscofan, Industria Navarra De Envolturas Celulosicas, S.A.
    Inventors: Marino Diago Ferrero, Juan Jose Gato Pecina
  • Patent number: 5811162
    Abstract: A food casing based on cellulose hydrate, which is preferably used as a sausage casing, in addition to cellulose hydrate, includes a copolymer having units of methyl vinyl ether and maleic acid and/or alkali metal maleate. It can additionally contain further polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Kalle Nalo GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hammer, Theo Krams, Martina Koenig
  • Patent number: 5794779
    Abstract: A multifunctional container capable of being used for packaging, transporting and/or soaking folded casings, said containing comprising two transverse walls, at least one of which is provided with an outlet and an outlet cover; two longitudinal side walls; a bottom connected to said longitudinal side walls and said transverse side walls, said transverse walls, longitudinal walls and bottom forming an open cavity therewithin; corner posts located at juncture positions of said transverse and said longitudinal side walls; at least two middle posts positioned vertically on said longitudinal side walls; at least one longitudinal brace which joins said two of said corner posts at a lower portion thereof; and a removable cover which is provided with an inlet and an inlet closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Kalle Nalo GmbH
    Inventors: Alois Weinheimer, Dieter Uhlmann
  • Patent number: 5698279
    Abstract: Tubular, biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable multilayer film food casings comprising inner and outer polyamide layers on either side of a core layer predominantly of one or more ethylenic polymers having a functional moiety selected from the group of esters, anhydrides, and carboxylic acids, and a coextrusion process for making the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen James Vicik
  • Patent number: 5662971
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced cellulose-based food casing which comprises alginic acid and/or alginate, and fats, fat-like compounds, and/or oils and a non-reinforced cellulose-based food casing which comprises a copolymer containing 80 to 20 mol % of units of the formula I and 20 to 80 mol % of units of the formula II or III ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are identical or different and are hydrogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl,Z is O or N--R.sup.5,R.sup.5 is hydrogen or (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl,X.sup.- is Cl.sup.-, Br.sup.-, I.sup.-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl-SO.sub.2 --O.sup.-, (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6)alkyl-O--SO.sub.2 --O.sup.-, HSO.sub.4.sup.- or 1/2 SO.sub.4.sup.2-,n is an integer from 1 to 3 andm is an integer from 2 to 6, andfats, fat-like compounds, and/or oils useful as casings for sausages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hammer, Manfred Siebrecht, Theo Krams
  • Patent number: 5612104
    Abstract: A five-layer, tubular polyamide film for wrapping and/or covering pasty foodstuffs, in particular for use as a sausage casing, in which the film is made up of an inner layer and an outer layer made of the same polyamide material consisting of at least one at least one aliphatic polyamide and/or at least one aliphatic copolyamide and/or at least one partly aromatic polyamide and/or at least one partly aromatic copolyamide, a middle polyolefin layer, and two bonding agent layers each made of the same material. The proportion of partly aromatic polyamide and/or copolyamide is 5 to 60%, in particular 10 to 50%, relative to the total weight of the polymer mixture of partly aromatic and aliphatic polyamides and copolyamides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Naturin GmbH
    Inventor: Hartmut Grund
  • Patent number: 5595796
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optionally fiber-reinforced foodstuff casing based on cellulose hydrate, which is impregnated on the inside with a mixture containing 40 to 200 mg/m.sup.2 of an adhesive component and 20 to 2000 mg/m.sup.2 of a non-stick component. The ratio by weight of adhesive to non-stick component is between 4:1 and 1:4. The foodstuff casing is used as sausage casing, in particular for keeping sausage, which has a second packaging in the form of a film or is provided with a dip coating. The casing shows improved peelability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hammer, Manfred Siebrecht, Theo Krams
  • Patent number: 5549943
    Abstract: Tubular, biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable multilayer film food casings comprising inner and outer polyamide layers on either side of a core layer predominantly of one or more polyolefins such as VLDPE or EVA and a coextrusion process for making the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5501886
    Abstract: A cellulose hydrate-based flat or tubular film which is useful as a food casing, particularly preferably as a sausage casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hammer, Manfred Siebrecht, Leo Mans, Theo Krams, Hermann Winter
  • Patent number: 5419962
    Abstract: A porous fibrous sheet material for use in the manufacture of food casings and the like is pressed prior to bonding and is bonded with about 10% by weight or less of a non-viscose bonding agent. The pressed and bonded material can be used to form casings having characteristics of thinness and elasticity similar to the thinness and elasticity of viscose-bonded casings, without the environmental problems associated therewith. The non-viscose bonding agent will result in significantly less shrinkage in the base web than results from viscose bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: The Dexter Corporation
    Inventors: Diane M. Robertson, Patrick G. Fay, Ludmila Byalik, Ronald H. Pomeroy
  • Patent number: 5405664
    Abstract: This invention relates to a multilayer organochlorine-free tubular casing consiting ofa. a regenerated cellulose substrate,b. optionally a layer of primer,c. a 5 to 40 .mu.m thick, organochlorine-free polymeric water vapor barrier layer which is characterized in that it has a permeability to water vapor of at most 50 g/m.sup.2.24 h and a surface tension.ltoreq.34 mN/m,d. a 5 to 40 .mu.m thick, polymeric organochlorine-free oxygen barrier layer, characterized in that it has a permeability to oxygen of at most 120 cm.sup.3 /m.sup.2.24 h bar and a surface tension of.gtoreq.38 N/m.The invention also relates to its use as a casing for sausages of the Kochwurst and Bruhwurst type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Wolff Walsrode AG
    Inventors: Kirkor Sirinyan, Hanns-Peter Muller, Rolf Dhein, Gunter Weber, Sebastian Meyer-Stork, Michael Stiem
  • Patent number: 5399399
    Abstract: A shirred casing article is composed of a cut length of fibrous casing and must be soaked prior to stuffing. A loop is attached at one end of the cut length for hanging the casing after stuffing. However prior to stuffing, the loop is extended longitudinally about the shirred casing article to maintain the integrity of the shirred casing during soaking. Thus the loop which functions as a means to suspend the casing after stuffing, functions before stuffing as a means to restrain longitudinal expansion of the shirred article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony G. Benik, Jeffery A. Oxley
  • Patent number: 5399427
    Abstract: A single-layered, transparent, biaxially oriented, thermoset tubular food casing, in particular a synthetic sausage casing, based on polyamide, containing a mixture ofa) a linear, aliphatic polyamide,b) a partially aromatic copolyamide,c) an acid-modified polyolefin andd) a pigment of a particle size from 0.01 to 15 .mu.m results in a casing having outstanding properties such as excellent water vapor resistance and excellent UV and visible light impermeability. A process for the production of the food casing and the use thereof are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Karl Stenger, Dieter Beissel
  • Patent number: 5391108
    Abstract: The bundling together of shirred food casing sticks is accomplished by loosely supporting the sticks in a desired stack configuration, drawing a stretch film from below the stack, folding the film over the top of the stack and taping the film to itself, and then pulling the film downwardly to tighten it about the stack and heat sealing across the bottom of the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond A. Feldt
  • Patent number: 5364674
    Abstract: A plastic film is reinforced with a fiber material which exhibits on at least one of its two surfaces an impregnation or covering, which includes a plastic consisting essentially of a copolymer of at least two different monomeric units selected from the group consisting of a vinyl ester, a maleic ester, a fumaric ester, an acrylic ester, a methacrylic ester, a linear alpha-olefin of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and styrene. The film is suitable for producing tubes with a longitudinal seam. The tubes are used in particular as artificial sausage casings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1994
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marliese Saal, Albrecht Harreus, Richard Gutte
  • Patent number: 5356007
    Abstract: A package of shirred food casing sticks Wherein the sticks are bundled together by a wrap disposed in tension transversely about the bundle and the opposite ends of the wrap are overlapped and releasably connected. The releasable connection attaches the outer surface of the underlying wrapper end to the inner surface of the overlying wrapper end and the overlying end having an outer margin which is free and loose from the connection to provide a means for grasping and pulling the overlying end free of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1994
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond A. Feldt
  • Patent number: 5328031
    Abstract: A method which comprises sequentially depositing individual shirred food casing strands into a holder, which, when filled, holds the strands in a desired configuration; stretching a tubular resilient plastic film having a stretched diameter large enough to accommodate the configuration and having a relaxed diameter small enough to tightly engage the external surfaces of strands located proximate the external surface of the configuration; inserting the configuration of strands into the tubular resilient plastic film when at least a portion of the film is so stretched and allowing the film to relax to tightly secure the strands in said configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Teepak, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivo G. Hendriks
  • Patent number: 5328733
    Abstract: A shirred fibrous casing article containing about 20% to about 30% moisture by total casing weight and composed of shirred portions spliced together and retained in an overwrap wherein a flag which identifies the splice location between the shirred portions is extended radially through the overwrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1994
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery A. Oxley
  • Patent number: 5316809
    Abstract: A tubular packaging casing, in particular sausage casing, including a cellulose base layer and a barrier layer against steam and atmospheric oxygen, which is free from chlorine. The barrier layer includes random copolymer based on copolymerized vinyl monomers. The vinyl monomers correspond to the general formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.CR.sup.1 --X, whereinR.sup.1 denotes a methyl group or hydrogen, andX denotes a (--OCOR.sup.2) group or a (--CO.sub.2 R.sup.2) group, with R.sup.2 denoting an alkyl group having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10, and in particular 1 to 5 carbon atoms.In a further embodiment, the copolymer also includes copolymerized vinyl monomers of the above formula except that X denotes a (CO.sub.2 H) group or a (CN) group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus-Dieter Hammer, Manfred Siebrecht
  • Patent number: 5288532
    Abstract: An extruded film article such as a bag comprises a blend of a thermoplastic polymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate and an olefinic oxide polymer such as poly (ethylene oxide), with a modifier such as liquid smoke absorbed in the blend. The modifier is transferable from the film to a receiving surface such as a food body in fluid transfer relationship with the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1994
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Roger L. Juhl, Stanley Lustig, Donatas Tijunelis
  • Patent number: 5228572
    Abstract: A package comprising, shirred, essentially cylindrically shaped, food casing strands, each of which has a strand diameter D. The strands are oriented in the package in such a way that longitudinal axes of the strands are parallel, external surfaces of the strands contact external surfaces of adjacent strands and ends of the strands terminate in approximately the same plane, which plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the strands. The strands are further oriented so that lines passing perpendicularly through the central axes of strands located proximate the external surface of the package intersect to form a hexagon in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes. Sides of the hexagon have side lengths such that the lengths vary by no more than one D from each other. Strands, internally within the package, i.e. which would not have an exteriorly exposed surface if all package wraps were removed, contact six adjacent strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Teepak, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivo G. Hendriks
  • Patent number: 5215495
    Abstract: A one-piece shirred casing article that finds particular utility in making dry sausages such as pepperoni is disclosed, as is a method for making the article and for using it. A tied one-piece casing is shirred into a compact form and encased in a temporary container which enables the operator to easily place the casing onto the stuffing horn for filling without requiring hand shirring. The use of larger diameter and shorter length stuffing horns is enabled when compared to the use of sticks or strands of long lengths of casings used to form multiple sausage products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1993
    Assignee: Viscofan, Industria Navarra de Envolutras Celulosicas
    Inventor: Gary A. Crevasse
  • Patent number: 5137153
    Abstract: The invention comprises a package comprising 50 shirred essentially cylindrically shaped shirred food casing strands. The strands are oriented in the package such that longitudinal axes of the strands are parallel. Within the package external surfaces of the strands contact external surfaces of adjacent strands and ends of the strands terminate in approximately the same plane. In a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the strands, lines passing through the central axes of strands located proximate the external surface of the package intersect to form a hexagon. Strands internally within the package, i.e., which would not have an exteriorly exposed surface if a wrap for the package were removed, contact six adjacent strands. The package consists of nine strand rows. The first row contains four strands. The second row contains five strands. The third row contains six strands and the fourth row contains seven strands. The fifth row is the center row and contains six strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Assignee: Teepak, Inc.
    Inventor: Ivo G. Hendriks
  • Patent number: 5045020
    Abstract: An article is disclosed comprising a cylindrical hollow rod, composed of a shirred packaging tube, with an internal bore having a circular cross-section and ending in cavity openings at the two end faces of the hollow rod, in combination with a sheathing which surrounds the hollow rod, leaving the cavity openings free, and an annular body at one of the two cavity openings. The annular body comprises an annular disk, whose inner side face bears directly against the adjoining end face of the hollow rod. The outer side face of the disk is at least partially surrounded by the sheathing. The internal bore of the disk remains free of the sheathing and contains elements for fixing the disk to a cylindrical filler horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Neeff, Richard Lenhart, Helmut Sattler
  • Patent number: 5021252
    Abstract: A method for making an indicia-containing food package wherein a casing article is provided having a plasticized flexible inner surface with an indicia comprising an aluminum-organic dye lake and a binder-carrier. The casing is filled with water moisturized processable food and the food-containing casing is processed at elevated temperature to cook the food and transfer the indicia to the food outer surface. The casing is then peeled from this surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Alvin S. Huang, Myron D. Nicholson, Rama Ramagopal
  • Patent number: 5007878
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for calibration or standardization of natural intestines for use as skins for foods or the like, and sausage in particular. A previously desalted natural intestine is subjected over a period of several minutes to an alternating electromagnetic field of less than 20 cm, preferably a microwave field, on a carrier of the desired caliber and of nonpolar material or essentially nonpolar material in comparison to that of the natural intestine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1991
    Inventor: Peter A. Klopping
  • Patent number: 4934529
    Abstract: In a cassette for dispensing flexible tubing, the tubing is packed in a tightly layered mass between a tubular core and the vertical wall of a casing. Subsequently a cap is mounted in an expanded portion of the casing. The cap has a vertical part fitting the portion and a flange partially overlapping the pack. The cap is secured against rising by punching tongues out of the portion that engage in a groove in the part. The inner surface of part aligns with surface of casing. The junction beneath expanded portion prevents cap from descending as the tubing is dispensed from the top of the pack, over the core edge and through core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 19, 1990
    Assignee: Process Improvements Limited
    Inventors: David C. Richards, Maurice S. Williams, Brian Ward
  • Patent number: 4924552
    Abstract: Apparatus for shirring food stuffing netting onto a temporary carrier sleeve. An empty sleeve is placed on a platform and an end of the tubular netting is slid over the sleeve. The platform is raised between a pair of rucking wheels which are rotated to pull the netting from a roll thereof and shirr it onto the sleeve in a fast, dense and essentially noise-free manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: The Brechteen Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4897295
    Abstract: A food stuff casing is disclosed, in particular for packing and casing hot packed food stuffs or those that are heated after packing, containing at least one polyamide, which can absorb at leasat 5% of its own weight in water prior to saturation, characterized in that the food stuffs casing contains at least 5%-wt water, no tightening lubricating agent, and no moisture retention agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Naturin-Werk Becker & Co.
    Inventors: Gayyur Erk, Joachim Kuhn
  • Patent number: 4885821
    Abstract: The severing of a shirred stick from unshirred casing is accomplished by pressing and annular tear edge directly against the last-shirred end of the stick and tearing unshirred casing away from the stick along this edge. The result is little or no tail of loose casing at the last-shirred end. Characteristically, the resulting torn ends both extend normal to the casing longitudinal axis. In addition, this torn end at the first-shirred end of the stick is clean and continuous whereas the torn end at the last-shirred end of the stick contains one or more tags or loose shreds of casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1989
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: John Farkonas
  • Patent number: 4873748
    Abstract: A shirred stick of cellulosic casing having an open end formed to a desired profile by burnishing. A portion of the surface of the stick bore adjacent the open end is part of the desired profile. The burnishing action forms the stick end to a surface of revolution which is symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the stick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Evyan, Orville D. Booth
  • Patent number: 4771889
    Abstract: A packaged food casing article includes a dispensing carton, a roll of casing rotatably supported within the carton, and a strip of splice tape releasably attached to a carton closure flap. The tape as oriented on the flap extends transverse to the casing dispensing direction and is attachable to an end of the casing when effecting a splice to the casing length being dispensed from the carton. The flap maintains the splice tape in a proper orientation during splicing and provides a work surface against which the casing is pressed for effecting the splice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Bauer, Robert P. Graves, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4764031
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cylindrically-shaped hollow rod which is closed at one end, comprising a shirred tubular casing, and an integral, essentially cylindrically-shaped, plug-type closure element which is coaxially arranged in the cavity of the hollow rod and which comprises a deshirred tubing portion and an irregularly folded, compressed tubing portion, wherein a first one of the tubing portions is adjacent to the inside wall of the hollow rod, and the second tubing portion is surrounded by the first tubing portion, wherein one end of the first tubing portion, which points in the direction of the open end of the hollow rod, is bent back at an angle of 180.degree. and integrally changes into the second portion, and wherein the other end of the first tubing portion integrally changes into the hollow rod. Also disclosed is a process for producing the hollow rod having the end closure according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1988
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Elfriede Hutschenreuter, Max Bytzek, Klaus Andrae, Alois Weinheimer
  • Patent number: 4671414
    Abstract: A process for the continuously packing shirred tubular food casings in a net, wherein the shirred tubular food casings are introduced parallel and at a mutual spacing between two endless running net film belts and at a right angle to the direction of movement of the belts, the upper net film is sealed with the lower net film in each case between two gathered-up food casings lying parallel, and thus they enclose the casings in the manner of a tube, and the ends of the tubular casings are enclosed by the net films projecting to a greater or lesser extent at both ends of each food casing, depending on the width of the net film belts used, by shrinking and, in so doing, form a circular opening the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter of the shirred food casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Wolff Walsrode Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hagen Bandt, Heinz Zundorf
  • Patent number: 4648509
    Abstract: Discloses a tamper-proof package for an article. A first container in which the article is placed has a sealed end flap whose opening indicates tampering. The first container is cellophane-wrapped with a tear strip whose tearing open of which indicates tampering. The first container is enclosed in a second container having a sealed top cover, overlying band and vertical tear strip. Tearing off the top cover, tearing apart the band and tearing open the second container via its tear strip provide three further indications of tampering. The second container is enclosed in a pouch having top and bottom sealed ends. Tearing across the sealed ends provides two further indications of tampering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1987
    Inventor: Dario M. Alves