Abstract: A horizontal conveyor for linked sausage strands has a frame (10) having a horizontal operating platform (12) with opposite first (16) and second ends (18), opposite sides, a top surface (20), and a continuous perimeter wall (14) extending along the sides and first and second ends. The perimeter wall (14) is substantially semi-circular at the first end (16); and has a substantially parallel side portions at a midsection; and has end portions that converge towards each other from the side portions to meet at a semi-circular end portion (18A) at the second end (18). A channel (24) is located in the top portion in uniform inwardly spaced relation to the perimeter wall, and a continuous conveyor chain (26) is in the channel. A plurality of spaced hook members (28) are secured to the conveyor chain and have a shank (30) slidably engaging the top of the perimeter wall, and a hook portion extends downwardly and outwardly with respect to the perimeter wall.

Abstract: The method for ordering a coherent packaging line is characterized in that prior to cutting the coherent packaging line into product portions, the latter are arranged in loop form, so that the loop apexes formed can be used for manipulation purposes. It is used for storage in transportable large units or for intermediate buffer storage during the packaging process. The apparatus is characterized by a conveying means with receptacles for positioning the loop apexes and at least one collecting device cooperating with the conveying means and having at least one gripper receiving the packaging line from the packaging machine and used for the formation of loop apexes, the collecting device being able to perform a collecting stroke enabling the packaging line received from the gripper to be transferred to a receptacle on the conveying means.

Abstract: A support rod steamer rod lock has a slot for receiving a support rod end and provided at the slot's ends with normally closed spring-biased latches which at one end of the slot are opened by engagement with the rod end and at the other end of the slot are opened by engagement with a cam.

Abstract: A mechanism for stacking and accumulating a plurality of stacks of predetermined numbers of flat flexible articles, such as pillowcases and like products, sequentially received therein, such as from a machine fabricating such articles.

Abstract: A device for uncoupling and thereafter recoupling both ends of horizontally travelling bars to a conveyor consisting of two parallel chains. Each chain is provided with a great number of supporting means composed of an unmovable first member and a rotatable second member capable of receiving and temporarily retaining an end of a bar and of releasing said end again. The locking and unlocking of the end of the bar is rendered possible by a rotational movement of said second member caused by four stationary abutments along the path of the advancing conveyor chains.