Abstract: A method cuts an extruded pipe to length using a separating device. The separating device includes a separator rotating about an extrusion axis of the extruded pipe, the separator being rotatably mounted in the separating device, and cutting tools being arranged on the separator. The cutting tools are configured to carry out the separation. The method includes transferring energy to move the cutting tools. The energy is transferred from a stationary outer region of the separating device to a movable inner region of the separating device. The energy is transferred continuously or cyclically and the transferred energy is buffered in an energy storage device. The energy is transferred inductively or capacitively. A discharge time of the energy storage device is between 2% and 25% of a total separation cycle.

Abstract: A cutting device, a separator and a method for separating food components using a separator compensates the effects which an increasing wear on a cutting tool arranged on a rotating body have on comminuting a foodstuff by movably arranging the cutting tool on the rotating body.

Abstract: A sausage cutting apparatus 10 for cutting an extruded length of sausage into smaller sausage portions includes first and second cutting assemblies located at opposite sides of a feed path. The cutting assemblies include flexible toothed belts 38 driven by toothed pinions, to which a number of longitudinally-spaced cutting device 30 are fixedly attached. The apparatus includes a drive system for synchronously driving the belts 38 and a guide system for guiding displacement of the cutting devices into and out of meshing engagement with one another for cutting the length of sausage. Each cutting device includes a cutting blade defining a domed cutting face at an inner side thereof. The cutting devices are displaced along arcuate cutter paths during meshing engagement of the cutting blades wherein the cutting faces of opposing pairs of cutting blades mesh with a slight interference fit in a conjugate meshing action.

Abstract: An improved processing assembly having a meat emulsion pump connected to a stuffing horn. The stuffing horn positioned to fill casings with meat emulsion which form a strand of processed meat that is received by a twister, then a linker, and subsequently deposited on a conveyor.

Abstract: A crimping device having a pair of crimping posts operatively connected to a frame such that the posts may rotate to a generally vertical position where the posts are in spaced parallel relation to one another. In the vertical position the posts pinch a rope of food product such that emulsion is pushed away from the posts without cutting the casing. The result of the pinching are partially crimped segments that do not close all the way.

Abstract: A method for producing a plait-like portion on a tubular packaging casing which accommodates a filling material, wherein the plait-like portion is at least approximately free of filling material and comprises a longitudinal plait-axis, including the steps: constricting a filled tubular packaging casing by moving a first pair of displacer elements of a first displacer unit and a second pair of displacer elements of a second displacer unit from an opened into a closed position by means of a first drive unit, creating a displacer clearance between the first and second pair of displacer elements, producing a plait-like portion by moving the second displacer unit parallel to the longitudinal plait-axis away from a narrow position in which the second displacer unit is adjacent to the first displacer unit, into a spread position in which the second displacer unit is away from the first displacer unit.

Abstract: A method and a device for portioning a sausage string generated by a filling machine into individual sausage portions, having the following steps: transportation of the sausage string in the direction of transport, portioning the filled sausage string by means of opposing portioning elements, which engage in the sausage string, wherein the movement of the portioning elements is controlled, in each case, along a freely adjustable track.

Abstract: A variable speed linking device wherein the rotational speed of the chains is reduced approximately when the outer edge of the pinchers first engage a casing.

Abstract: A feeding device for suspension elements, for feeding flexible suspension elements into a packaging machine, in particular into a clipping machine, wherein the suspension elements are detachably disposed in the form of loops by an adhesive on a carrier strip transversely to the feeding direction and may be conveyed of said carrier strip to a delivery point at which a suspension element may be removed from the carrier strip. In the region of the delivery point for the suspension elements, a holding-down device is provided above the carrier strip.

Abstract: A feeding device for suspension elements, for feeding flexible suspension elements into a packaging machine, in particular into a clipping machine, wherein the suspension elements are detachably disposed in the form of loops by an adhesive on a carrier strip transversely to the feeding direction and may be conveyed of said carrier strip to a delivery point at which a suspension element may be removed from the carrier strip. In the region of the delivery point for the suspension elements, a holding-down device is provided above the carrier strip.

Abstract: A feeding device for suspension elements, for feeding flexible suspension elements into a packaging machine, in particular into a clipping machine, wherein the suspension elements are detachably disposed in the form of loops by an adhesive on a carrier strip transversely to the feeding direction and may be conveyed of said carrier strip to a delivery point at which a suspension element may be removed from the carrier strip. In the region of the delivery point for the suspension elements, a holding-down device is provided above the carrier strip.

Abstract: An improved processing assembly having a meat emulsion pump connected to a stuffing horn. The stuffing horn positioned to fill casings with meat emulsion which form a strand of processed meat that is received by a twister, then a linker, and subsequently deposited on a conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for a sausage-casing-sensitive division of stuffed sausage strands, having at least one pair of dividing elements for dividing the stuffed sausage strand and at least two guide elements between which the stuffed sausage strand is conveyed in the conveying direction. The distance between the guide elements can be adjusted in dependence upon the sausage caliber.

Abstract: A displacer assembly for a clip machine, in particular a sausage clip machine, including at least a first pair of displacer shears and a second pair of displacer shears arranged parallel thereto. The displacer shears are arranged pivotably about a common axis and are reversibly movable towards each other for constriction of the filled packaging casing for forming a filling material-free plaited portion. In that respect the first pair of displacer shears comprises two displacer shears which are at least approximately identical in minor image relationship and the second pair of displacer shears has a second displacer shear which is at least approximately identical to the displacer shears of the first pair of displacer shears, as well as a first, shorter displacer shear.

Abstract: An improved processing assembly having a meat emulsion pump connected to a stuffing horn. The stuffing horn positioned to fill casings with meat emulsion which form a strand of processed meat that is received by a twister, then a linker, and subsequently deposited on a conveyor.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device (1) for portioning a food product (3) continuously extruded from a filling apparatus, preferably for making meat-base elongated extrusions in form of sausages, frankfurters and the like, wherein two front and opposed pincers (4) carry out a succession of neckings onto the extrusion (3), via outwardly and inwardly reciprocating alternate motions therebetween parallel, carried out by plural gearings, the kinematic motion enabling the pincers (4) to carry out axial displacement s concomitantly to said reciprocating motions, so as to follow the extruded product (3) in the feeding direction thereof and in predetermined lengths which are variable by variably adjusting the angular velocities of said gearings.

Abstract: A feeding device for suspension elements, for feeding flexible suspension elements into a packaging machine, in particular into a clipping machine, wherein the suspension elements are detachably disposed in the form of loops by an adhesive on a carrier strip transversely to the feeding direction and may be conveyed of said carrier strip to a delivery point at which a suspension element may be removed from the carrier strip. In the region of the delivery point for the suspension elements, a holding-down device is provided above the carrier strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for a sausage-casing-sensitive division of stuffed sausage strands, having at least one pair of dividing elements for dividing the stuffed sausage strand and at least two guide elements between which the stuffed sausage strand is conveyed in the conveying direction. The distance between the guide elements can be adjusted in dependence upon the sausage caliber.

Abstract: A chain intended to be used in a machine for forming sausages or the like starting from a sausage meat tube (15), the chain having in use a portion arranged adjacent to a corresponding portion of a second chain of the device with the sausage meat tube interposed between the two adjacent portions of the two chains, the chain comprising a plurality of links (17, 18, 117, 118, 217, 218, 317, 417, 517) interconnected in sequence and having pinching elements (28, 128, 228) of the sausage meat tube suitable for corresponding to pairs with respective pinching elements (40) of the second chain of the device, the chain also comprising positioning elements (19, 20, 119, 120, 219, 220, 319, 320, 419, 420, 519, 520) suitable for grasping at least partially the sausage meat tube (15) along said portion adjacent to the second chain. The positioning elements are made as one piece with the links of the chain.

Abstract: A flexible, composite unitary belt for forming spaced intervals in a stuffed casing, and method therefore, the belt cooperating with another belt to pinch the stuffed casing. The belt comprises a body forming a continuous loop and having at least one embedded flexible reinforcing member extending throughout. Additionally, the belt has at least one pinching member extending outwardly from the body and positioned to cooperate with a pinching member of another belt to pinch the stuffed casing when fed between the belts and pinched by the pinching members.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for dividing a stuffed sausage skein, wherein a transport element pair is provided, including rotating opposite transport elements between which the stuffed sausage skein is conveyed in a transport direction and each of which include at least one dividing element. To be able to configure the length of the portions flexibly without mechanical adaptation, the apparatus comprises several adjacently arranged transport element pairs drivable independently of each other with corresponding dividing element pairs. The speed of the transport element pairs is adjusted such that the spacing between the points of separation corresponds to a predetermined length of the divided sausage skein.

Abstract: A clip machine for dividing and sealing tubular-shaped packaging filled with stuffing having at least two axially spaced pairs of radially opposed displacement elements, relating to the axis of the packaging tube, which are linked to and equipped with a linear guide, to be compressed radially towards one another and then separated axially in pairs, for the local constriction of the filled packaging and the formation of a tubular braid radially-linearly, and a pivotably arranged first sealing tool and a second sealing tool, with the first and second sealing tools being equipped to set and close at least one clamp fastener around the formed tubular braid, to be compressed radially between the axially separated displacement element pairs, the radial movement direction of displacement element pairs coincides with the radial movement direction of sealing tools.

Abstract: A machine and method for encasing sausages by having a stuffing tube that is vertically disposed in order to allow gravity to help in the sausage making process. A conical shaped restricting device is attached to the stuffing tube to help facilitate the movement of the casing into a twisting mechanism and to ensure bunching in the casing is reduced. The casing is then fed through the twisting mechanism and into a linker.

Abstract: A clipping device is provided for closing stuffed food casing with a clip and an apparatus is provided for causing a taped, holding string loops, to be directed toward the clipping device for closing an end of the food casing so that a string loop is transferred directly from the tape into an entry into a channel in the clipping device. The clip draws the loop to the casing and holds the loop to the food casing. The stuffing apparatus preferably also includes a novel readily cleanable food flow cut-off valve. A punch and clip anvil is provided to apply clips bent around the casing in essentially mirror image helixes. An extending and retracting conveyor is provided to remove stuffed food product from the vicinity of the clipping device after stuffed food casing is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing ends of a chain of natural intestine sausages which is used together with a suspending device for suspending and transporting a chain of natural intestine sausages includes: a heating device having a liquid tank in which a heating liquid is stored and which is disposed at a position below suspending members of the suspending device, so as to thermally contract a leading end portion and a trailing end portion of the chain of sausages on a continuous basis.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing foodstuffs such as sausages includes: a stuffed-casing forming and rotating device for forming a stuffed casing by discharging meat emulsion or ground meat as a stuffing material into an unstuffed casing formed of a natural intestine, and for rotating the stuffed casing via the unstuffed casing in a direction R about an axis X; a stuffed-casing constriction-forming and conveying device for producing a twisted portion in the stuffed casing by causing the stuffed casing formed by the stuffed-casing forming and rotating device and rotating in the direction R to be consecutively squeezed and constricted at a predetermined interval, and for conveying the stuffed casing, in which the twisted portion has occurred, in a direction A; and a cutting device for consecutively separating at the twisted portions the stuffed casing which has been formed by the stuffed-casing constriction-forming and conveying device.

Abstract: A sausage link forming machine having a rotating frame secured on a drivable axle and wherein the frame has opposed parallel discs. Control cams are secured to the axle intermediate the discs. A plurality of sausage grasping head assemblies are secured between the discs and equidistantly spaced apart along a circular path. A link forming pincer mechanism is secured between each of the grasping head assemblies. These head assemblies have rotatable support rollers which are displaceable towards one another from a sausage casing receiving position to a sausage casing engaging position. A first cam follower is associated with each of the grasping head assemblies and engages a first cam portion of the control cam to displace the support rollers. A second cam follower is associated with each of the link forming pincer mechanisms and engages a second cam portion to cause the fork members to pivot to and away from one another.

Abstract: A movable casing closure apparatus is longitudinally movably-mounted on the top of a horizontal sausage conveyor and slides or rolls back and forth so that a closure element on the closure apparatus is readily available for the operator at a plurality of positions along the length of the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for manufacturing sausages as chain-like food products is comprised of: a stuffing nozzle (5) over which an unstuffed natural intestine casing (2) is fitted and which is adapted to continuously discharge a fixed amount of meat (M) as a stuffing material from a distal end (5a) into the unstuffed natural intestine casing (2) so as to form a stuffed natural intestine casing (4) forwardly of the distal end (5a), and is rotated so as to rotate the stuffed natural intestine casing (4) about an axis (X) in the direction of (A) by means of the fitted unstuffed natural intestine casing (2); and two pairs of pincher members (6a), (6b) and (7a), (7b) for consecutively pinching the stuffed natural intestine casing (4) in predetermined cycles and adapted to circulatingly move in the direction of (C) to move the pinched stuffed natural intestine casing (4) from a position forward of the distal end (5a) of the stuffing nozzle (5) further downstream (in the direction of (B)).

Abstract: An apparatus for applying liquid smoke to the outer surface of an extruded sausage strand has a frame with an elongated stationary outer tube thereon. A rotatable tube is concentrically mounted within the outer tube. Power components are on the frame for extruding a meat emulsion through the inner tuber while it is rotating, and for winding a strip material into a casing on the outer tube wherein the formed casing slides and rotates as it progresses down the stationary tube to receive meat emulsion from a discharge end of the inner tube. A fluid, such as liquid smoke, is introduced between the rotating casing and the rotating strand of meat, which rotate in the same direction and at the same speed to prevent any turbulence from developing in the meat emulsion. A meat strand linker creates the extruded strand into links. A conveyor takes the link strand to a heating station for cooking.

Abstract: Method and closing device for producing sausage-like products with a flexible tubular or pouch-like wrapper, wherein the various stages of the closing process include constriction of the wrapper, elongation of the braid, setting and closure of the clamp fastener, which can be controlled in a partially autonomous manner by means of a programmable control unit.

Abstract: A plurality of unit bags 2a, 2b . . . are composed of a permeable strip-shaped nonwoven and arranged in a successive fashion without break so that they can be easily accommodated and stored by being rolled. An annular elastic body 5 disposed around an opening 3a formed to an end of each bag 2a permits the opening 3a to be opened. Since an optically sensing object or a magnetically sensing object is disposed around the opening 3a or at a position spaced apart from the openings 3a, 3b . . . a prescribed distance, the portion of the sensing object can be positioned by a sensing device 15. Further, when, for example, sludge, and the like containing water are accommodated in a waste accommodating bag 1 and squeezed, the sludge, and the like can be easily dehydrated.

Abstract: A machine for linking sausage has a pump, a stuffing tube, a casing on the stuffing tube, and a pair of linking chains downstream from the outlet end of the stuffing tube. A scale is located downstream of the discharge end of the stuffing tube and is operatively connected to the pump to increase or decrease the output speed of the pump as the weight of the encasing product decreases or increases, respectively from a predetermined target weight. A proximity sensor monitors the linking chains as they are rotating and senses variations in the distance between the linking elements as compared to a predetermined distance to determine stretching of the chains. A mass flow sensor on the machine adjacent the outlet of the pump measures the mass of meat emulsion exiting the pump, and increases or decreases the output of the pump as the mass thereof decreases or increases, respectively from a predetermined target mass.

Abstract: A meat encasing machine has a meat emulsion pump in communication with a stuffing tube which terminates in a twister housing adjacent a linker. A stuffing tube with power means associated with the twister housing rotates a strand of sausage extruded from the stuffing tube. A motor is provided for rotating the looper horn. The motor associated with the twister housing is adapted to rotate the sausage strand in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and the motor associated with the looper horn is adapted to rotate the looper horn in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The foregoing structure is used in sausage making machines arranged in a sausage making station comprised of pairs of machines and conveyors arranged in spaced parallel positions to create a mirror image of each other.

Abstract: A meat encasing machine has a looper horn, linking chain and conveyor which, prior to production, have home positions which are determined. A pulsed signal is generated as the looper horn rotates and is transmitted to an amplifier from an encoder on the servo motor for the looper horn and the conveyor. The output pulse signal is then reduced in frequency so that it can be read by a PLC. The PLC counts the pulses in the signal and can determine the relative position of the looper horn based on the count and can therefore minimize the rotation of the looper horn in the home position at the beginning of each new cycle. The meat encasing machine may also be controlled such that the linking chain, looper, and conveyor have no direct mechanical or electrical interaction between each other. By driving the components with separate servo motors, each can be precisely controlled in the desired ratios with respect to each other.

Abstract: A sausage making machine (10) has a meat pump, (22), a twister with a chuck 30 to rotate a strand of sausage, a linker (32) to create links in the strand of sausage, a conveyor (38) with movable hooks to grasp loops in the sausage strand. Four separate motors (22A, 30A, 32A, 38A) are operatively connected to the pump (22), twister (30), linker (32) and conveyor (38), and the motors (22A, 30A, 32A, 38A) are all connected to and controlled by a computer (44) control having a memory with the operating parameters of the separate components. The method of operation involves imposing the operational parameters on the memory of the computer (44) to permit the computer (44) to control and coordinate the components (22A, 30A, 32A, 38A).

Abstract: A meat encasing machine has a looper horn, linking chain and conveyor which, prior to production, have home positions which are determined. A pulsed signal is generated as the looper horn rotates and is transmitted to an amplifier from an encoder on the servo motor for the looper horn and the conveyor. The output pulse signal is then reduced in frequency so that it can be read by a PLC. The PLC counts the pulses in the signal and can determine the relative position of the looper horn based on the count and can therefore minimize the rotation of the looper horn in the home position at the beginning of each new cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for manufacturing sausages or the like includes: a rotating device 5 for rotating a stuffed casing 3 about its longitudinal axis in an R direction; a plurality of nipping devices 7 for nipping the stuffed casing 3 from the rotating device 5; a moving device 8 for circulatingly moving the nipping devices 7 such that the nipping devices 7 are moved in a B direction in a circulating manner in conjunction with the movement of the stuffed casing 3 in an A direction; and a device 9 for causing a predetermined nipping device 7 to effect a constricting operation with respect to the stuffed casing by fully closing the predetermined nipping device in association with the movement of the nipping devices in the B direction by the moving device 8.

Abstract: A method for stuffing food product into a tubular food casing at a predetermined linear rate of movement of stuffed food product, closing the stuffed food product to segregate the stuffed food product into links while the stuffed food product continues to move at said predetermined rate. The invention also includes an improved food product stuffing machine which stuffs food product into a tubular food casing at a predetermined linear rate of movement of stuffed food product, a closing device which applies closures to the stuffed food product to segregate the stuffed food product into stuffed food product links while the stuffed food product continues to move at said predetermined rate. After clipping, means is provided for returning the closing device to an original position to repeat the operation after another desired length of casing is stuffed.

Abstract: A linking and link cutting assembly for sausage encasing machines has a pair of endless linking chains having portions which are parallel and which are laterally spaced. They carry spaced pinching blocks which register during the parallel movement, and pinch a sausage rope moving longitudinally therebetween to form links in the rope. A cutting knife is incorporated into one of the registering blocks and is actuated by a cam block having a cam surface that engages the knife to selectively move the knife to cut the desired link. The linking chains are conventionally driven and are adaptable for operative connection to the typical drive shaft of a conventional linking apparatus of a sausage encasing machine. The method of separating cutting links in a sausage rope while the rope is moving longitudinally. The knife which cuts the links is a part of the blocks on the linking chain that forms the links, and is actuated by a cam block.

Abstract: The machine of the invention comprises downstream a squeezing device defining portions (P), successive pairs of first and second plates (1), 1') disposed parallel inside which the portions (P) are engaged. The first and second plates (1, 1') of each pair move forward in the machine by keeping their spacing and remaining longitudinally in coincidence, whilst moving transversally at the same speed but in opposite directions so as to make the portion (P) they enclose rotate. Secondly, the transversal movement directions are alternate between the first successive plates (1) and between the successive second plates (1'). Consequently, the continuous filled-up casing (B) driven by the pairs (1, 1') advances inside the machine in the form of successive portions (P) between which a twist is formed.

Abstract: A process, a storage line and a device for applying U-shaped bending staples (17) to an object (6) to be bound are disclosed. The staples are produced and stored as straight little rods (4). They are coded and if necessary bent into the U-shape by means of the stroke of the closing machine before being transferred to the closing station of the machine.

Abstract: End-closures are formed on tubular food casings by means of a self-contained gathering and closing device comprising dual shutter assemblies with angular levers having thumb and finger extensions which are pivotally mounted from their respective thumb extensions for circumferentially gathering casing from a casing opening therebetween. The angular levers are positioned relative to one another such that when pivoted in the same direction travel in overlapping arcs to produce a narrowing of the casing opening as the levers converge. A punch is then actuated to apply an end-closure clip to the gathered casing.

Abstract: Three parallel auger shafts having identical flighting thereon disposed on axes equally spaced from each other to provide a central axis equidistant from the axes of the augers. An elongated strand of extruded meat product is moved through the central axis thereof so that when the flighting on the augers meet at a common point, the diameter of the strand is compressed to create a link in the strand. In a second embodiment of the invention places the three augers in a rotatable assembly with the augers rotating about their own axes as well as the central axis. A third embodiment utilizes a casing control element on the inlet end of each auger to cooperate with the nozzle or horn through which the extruded material is being delivered whereupon the control elements rotate the casing material and control the expansion of the casing material to its full diameter as the meat emulsion flows into the casing.

Abstract: An end closure for a shirred casing stick is formed by compacting an inturned portion of the casing within the stick bore. During compaction a portion of the end closure is formed by pressing directly against the stick bore while an opposite portion is formed by pressing against a member inserted between the inturned portion and the stick bore. The member is then removed to provide a space between a portion of the end closure surface and the bore surface.

Abstract: A device automatically forms a suspension loop of sausage at preprogrammable intervals in a machine for automatically tying, by string with a knot, meat stuffed in a casing. The machine has an orifice through which a stuffed casing passes, jaws for gripping the casing, a reel for holding a reserve of string, and a guide for moving the reel around the casing. The reel makes it possible to avoid unwinding of the string by inertia in a descent phase within the guide due to the fact that the reel has two heads which have identical geometric shapes provided with vertices, i.e. points. These vertices run along the guide with friction of a preset amount so that the vertices are able to make the reel, at the end of a movement cycle around the casing, retain a preset kinetic energy.

Abstract: A sausage encasing machine has an improved looper horn thereon mounted to be in communication with the horizontal flow path of encased linked sausages being discharged from the machine. The looper horn is mounted on a looper horn adapter which rotatably secures the horn for rotation with respect to the machine about a rotational axis that extends downwardly from the looper horn adapter. The looper horn is connected to a suitable source of rotational power. The geometry of the adapter and the looper horn causes the horn to be rotated from a substantially horizontal position of maximum elevation through a circular continuous arc which is located below the position of maximum elevation whereby the strand will never have to be moved in an upwardly inclined direction as it passes through the looper horn. The looper horn is U-shaped in cross section and thereupon has an elongated side opening having a discharge axis.

Abstract: Sausage meat is fed through a tube of a cutting head and is cut by a cutter which is connected to a part of the cutting head which is rotatable.

Abstract: The machine comprises a rotary drum provided with a circumferential series of twisting and cutting parts arranged along generatrices of the drum. The twisting parts are composed of pairs of male-female pliers made to translate relatively between an open position and a closed position and with partially telescoping of the same. The cutting parts are composed of sliding knives normally housed in corresponding recesses of one of the pliers and which can be driven to project therefrom to cut the continuous sausage when the pliers are in the closed position.

Abstract: A gathering device for a stuffed meat product. Pneumatically controlled noose means intermittently close as the meat product passes therethrough. This closure compresses the meat product and gathers the wrapping materials so that the operator need only twist the product to prepare it for the clipping process.