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 clip feed arrangement including a magazine bar for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply to a separating device of a closure apparatus, and a clip drive arranged in the region of the magazine bar. The clip drive has two drive elements which can be successively brought into engagement with the line of clips and which separately produce the advance.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a loop to the end of a chub package formed by a chub machine. The apparatus includes a drive sprocket and variable speed drive motor for feeding a roll of loops to a clipping head assembly of the chub machine and positioning the loops sequentially for capture by the wire to be cinched around one end of the chub package. A chub machine incorporating the loop attachment apparatus is provided for forming chub packages have a loop attached under the clip at one end of each package. A method for attaching the loop to chub packages is also provided.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a loop to the end of a chub package formed by a chub machine. The apparatus includes a drive sprocket and variable speed drive motor for feeding a roll of loops to a clipping head assembly of the chub machine and positioning the loops sequentially for capture by the wire to be cinched around one end of the chub package. A chub machine incorporating the loop attachment apparatus is provided for forming chub packages have a loop attached under the clip at one end of each package. A method for attaching the loop to chub packages is also provided.

Abstract: An improved mechanism feeds loops or ties into clip attachment apparatus such as a clipper. The loops preferably have tie portions, the carrier may be a tape, and the loops should be in substantially equidistant series on the carrier. The carrier passes around rollers and a dancer, and along a stationary plate. Strip plates are preferably pivotally mounted adjacent the stationary plate. A loop and carrier drive indexes the loops on the carrier toward the clip attachment apparatus. A strip plate drive pivots the strip plates to and from positions in which the strip plates strip a loop adjacent the clip attachment apparatus at least partially from the carrier. The strip plate drive pivots the strip plates to catch the loop adjacent the clip attachment apparatus between the strip plates and pull the loop at least partially from the carrier.

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: A device for closing tubular containers of flexible material, such as sausage casings or the like, contains plate-shaped constricting components for the purpose of forming constrictions in the container and a power-driven device for fastening a closure clip around the constrictions. The closure clip is advanced and pressed against a closing matrix by a punch. The power source for driving the punch and closing the closure clip is fastened to one of the constricting components and can swivel with it, whereby the punch of the device is guided on this constricting component across its entire advance path.

Abstract: A device for closing packages made of flexible material, wherien a portion of the flexible material is gathered into a neck, the neck is inserted into and overlaps a U-shaped clip, the overlapping portions of the neck are formed in a direction perpendicular to the base of the clip to hold the neck against the base, and the legs of the clip are closed.

Abstract: A method and device for stuffing meat materials into sausages closed by stapling. The processed meat materials, before their introduction into an endless sleeve having a first closed extremity and further narrowing of the stuffed material at regular intervals by spaced staples to produce a line of stuffed elements, are previously subjected to a cutting step at regular intervals of the continuous flow of meat material to be stuffed into the sleeve, making the cuts coincide with posterior zones of narrowing. The device for implementing the process includes a stuffing zone with continuous flow of meat materials, from a stuffing machine through an outlet tube introduced into the sleeve, having a first closed extremity, and includes between the outlet tube of the stuffing machine and the stuffing zone, a guillotine assembly intended to cut transversally the meat material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for stuffing meat materials into sausages closed by stapling. The processed meat materials, before their introduction into an endless sleeve (4) having a first closed extremety and further narrowing of the stuffed material at regular intervals by means of spaced staples in order to produce a line of stuffed elements, are previously subjected to a cutting step at regular intervals of the continuous flow of meat material to be stuffed into the sleeve (4), making said cuts coincide with posterior zones of narrowing. The device for implementing the process comprises a stuffing zone (3) with continuous flow of meat materials, from a stuffing machine (1) through an outlet tube (2) introduced into the sleeve (4), having a first closed extremity, and includes between said outlet tube (2) of the stuffing machine (1) and said stuffing zone (3), a guillotine assembly (8) intended to cut transversally the meat material.

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: 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: Apparatus for producing sausages, including a mechanism for automatically drawing new sausage casings onto a filling tube.

Abstract: Machine to produce sausages with twisted casing, comprising a feeding pump for minced meat, a skin dressing tube located at the exit of said pump in order to sustain a flexible casing and to consent the introduction of meat into the casing itself for the formation of a continuous sausage. A device of separation and feed of the sausage provided with mobile pincers that can be brought near to each other is located at the exit of the skin dressing tube in order to advance the sausage and to nip the casing so as to form a squeezing point between each sausage downstream and the rest of the sausage upstream. The machine provides for controlling means to produce the rotation of the skin dressing tube for the twisting of the casing around said squeezing point in such a way as to obtain a separation tang between a sausage downstream and the rest of the sausage upstream.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for portioning a food mass, comprising: a path to be traversed by the food mass which is connected on one side to a feed device for feeding the food mass for portioning; a cutting device incorporated in the path for severing the food mass situated in the path; and a channel incorporated in the path which is connected to the feed device at its feed end and which is open at its other end, wherein control means are arranged in order to control the feed means and the cutting device such that the distance between successive cuts made in the food mass is adjustable. The invention further relates to a cutting device for severing a food mass situated in a channel, comprising a cutting blade which extends substantially perpendicularly of the axis of the channel and which is movable substantially parallel to itself, wherein the cutting blade is formed by a plate provided with at least one hole.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing chain-like food products such as sausages or the like includes a stuffing nozzle over which a natural intestine is fitted and a pinching device for pinching and conveying a stuffed natural intestine in the forward direction of the stuffing nozzle. A stuffing material is discharged from a distal end of the stuffing nozzle into a straightened natural intestine portion of the natural intestine to form a stuffed natural intestine portion. The stuffed natural intestine portion is nipped, and is pulled. The stuffed natural intestine portion being rotated and moved is pinched to form a twist. The discharge of the stuffing material into the straightened natural intestine portion is effected while the stuffed natural intestine portion and the straightened natural intestine portion are being moved.

Abstract: A method for stuffing food product into a tubular food casing by continuously filling a tubular food casing to obtain a predetermined linear rate of movement of stuffed food product; moving a closing device with the food casing at said predetermined linear rate of movement; activating said closing device to apply a closure in the form of a tie or clip to segregate the stuffed food product into links while the stuffed food product continues to move at the predetermined rate; and supporting the filled food casing during the filling and closing by means of a roller table comprising indented rollers and upon which the filled food casing rests, the roller table being provided with opposing link side supports containing bearings which support the rollers and which permit the rollers to freely rotate. The roller table lacks a roller directly beneath the closing device to form a space which permits closing of the food casing.

Abstract: A folded casing arrangement capable of being used for individually filled products is provided. The casing arrangement comprises: a casing having an extended length, the casing being arranged to have at least three portions: 1) a first end portion formed at one end of the casing which forms a stick configuration, the first end portion having a plurality of folds compressed into one another; 2) a middle portion; and 3) a second end portion including a folded portion that is folded transversely to the length of the casing. The folded portion is pleated in a longitudinal direction with respect to the casing, and the second end portion is provided with a tying means.

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. The linking chains have spaced apart linking elements. 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 is located on the machine adjacent the outlet of the pump to measure the mass of meat emulsion exiting the pump.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for closing off the bunched end of a packaging wrapper and for trying in a label (4) in the closure element (3) which closes off the end (2). The proposed method and device are distinguished by the fact that the end (5) of the label (4) which is to be tied in is introduced before the strand into the closure area (13) of the closure device, while its rear end (6) is held in the label guide (21).

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a chain of sausage links is described in which the formed links are less likely to unwind. The apparatus includes a conveyor (10) for moving a tubular food casing (18) filled with a food emulsion around an axis (12), the conveyor having a plurality of crimping (14a-h) and twisting (15a-h) means for forming a continuous adjacent links. The conveyor (10) moves the links through a semicircular path past station (A-I) where twisting and crimping operations are performed. The links so formed have a first set twisted in one direction about the tubular food casing axis and a second set of adjacent links twisted in the opposite direction.

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: An air-powered apparatus (10) for separating a string of sausages (S) connected by twisted casings (TC) is provided. The apparatus (10) has a first sausage mouth (46) spaced from a second sausage mouth (48) defining a cutting zone (C). Each sausage mouth (46,48) has a slot (54) for receiving a twisted casing (TC) connecting adjacent sausages. A first knife (70) is movably supported in the first sausage mouth (46), and a second knife (72) movably supported in the second sausage mouth (48). A tensioning cylinder (76) has a fixed end and an extendable end connected to the first sausage mouth (46) to move the first sausage mouth (46) relative to the second sausage mouth (48) to stretch the twisted casing (TC). A first cutting cylinder (66) has a fixed end and an extendable end connected to the first knife (70) for moving the first knife (70) into the cutting zone (C).

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing chain-like food products such as sausages or the like includes a stuffing nozzle over which a natural intestine is fitted and a pinching device for pinching and conveying a stuffed natural intestine in the forward direction of the stuffing nozzle. A stuffing material is discharged from a distal end of the stuffing nozzle into a straightened natural intestine portion of the natural intestine to form a stuffed natural intestine portion. The stuffed natural intestine portion is nipped, and is pulled as it is moved forwardly of the distal end of the stuffing nozzle to reduce the diameter of the straightened natural intestine portion so as to cause the straightened natural intestine portion to come into contact with an outer periphery of the stuffing nozzle. The stuffing nozzle with which the straightened natural intestine portion is brought into contact is rotated to rotate the stuffed natural intestine portion.

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 clip attachment mechanism includes therewith a two-stage mechanism for feeding a cord loop sequentially and singly into the pathway of a u-shaped metal clip moving down a channel in the clipper for attachment about casing material. The two-stage operation includes a mechanism for removing loops, one at a time, from a tape having a plurality of loops mounted thereon. The loop removed from the tape is positioned through a series of shutters. It is then transported by a second transport mechanism along a defined pathway and the tie end of the loop is inserted into a window to the clip channel of the clipper.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process of producing sausages, wherein a tubular sausage casing closed at one end and provided with a figurative print is filled with sausage meat by pressing the sausage meat through the open end of the sausage casing into the same, where the sausage casing is carried along against the resistance of a casing brake and, corresponding to markers on the sausage casing, filled partial lengths of the sausage casing are divided off by compressing and closing them and are subsequently cut off from the remaining sausage casing, which process is characterized in that each filled partial length (sausage) is weighed after having been cut off, and the weight difference between a predetermined desired weight and the actual weight of the partial length is determined, and that the braking force of the casing brake is increased when the actual weight of the filled partial length is smaller than its desired weight, but is decreased when the actual weight is larger than the desired weight, until th

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for supplying sausage strings made coherently in chains to a smoke stick, the device comprising a transportation device including rotating transportation hooks to which the sausages are transferred. To facilitate the closing of sausages, especially of natural skin sausage strings, the device for closing is arranged on the transportation device to be movably supported at least over part of the longitudinal extension of the transportation device.

Abstract: In the manufacture and use of tubular casing material, a starting material having heat-shrinkable properties is partially shrunk to a controlled reduced calibre and then is further shrunk during use. The shrinking may either take place during use, for example by partially shrinking tubular film material over a stuffing horn 2 in a shrinker 6 (FIG. 1) or may be carried out during manufacture by partially shrinking a length of tubular film material to a controlled reduced calibre before sale (FIGS. 2 and 3).

Abstract: In a method for the continuous automated manufacture of stuffed food casings containing imprinted labels, wherein tubular material for the casings from a supply source is axially shirred into sections and the sections are stuffed with food emulsion into divided off portions, the improvement comprising measuring linear motion of the casing as the portions are filled with food emulsion; inputting the measured motion to a programmable logic controller; within the programmable logic controller, calculating an approximate distance between eye-mark bars separating the individual portions, where the calculation is based upon a known distance between eye-mark bars; based upon the calculated approximate distance and the measured motion, selectively sensing eye-mark bars which separate individual casings while ignoring printed label material between eye-mark bars; and, clipping individual sections of the casing closed at precise locations in response to the sensing of eye-mark bars to accurately position the labels bet

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a chain of linked sausages or the like includes a nozzle having a material-discharging end for discharging meat serving as a material; a material-supplying device for intermittently supplying a substantially fixed amount of the material into the nozzle; a braking member for braking the release of a sheep intestine fitted over the nozzle from the material-discharging end; a rotation-imparting device for rotating the nozzle; a determining device for determining the position of a twisted portion occurring in the sheep intestine which contains the material discharged from the material-discharging end and is released from the material-discharging end; a removing device for removing from a vicinity of the material-discharging end the sheep intestine containing the meat and released from the material-discharging end; and a controlled-pusher device for pushing a trailing end of the sheep intestine fitted over the nozzle toward the material-discharging end in a controlled state.

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: Improved apparatus for attachment of a U-shaped metal clip around gathered material in a first tie operation along with means for attachment of a string loop includes a tape feed which feeds loops mounted on the tape one at a time into position for engagement with a loop feed mechanism that directs the loop into the throat of a clipper. There the clip is attached about gathered casing or netting material by means of a clipper. Once the clip is attached, the entire first tie assembly is removed by take out wheels.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for forming loops on a stuffed-casing-product sealing machine. For this purpose a loop former is provided which, in conjunction with a line guide and a deflector, forms loops, which can be subsequently tied and separated by a known tying head. The apparatus can easily be fitted in situ to a sausage clipper.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing a continuous sausage skein coming for a stuffing machine into individual sausages in which rotating V-shaped plates for constricting the skein, that are relatively thin in the area of their V cutouts compared to their remaining wall thickness, are obliquely disposed in opposite directions relative to one another so that they staggeredly interlock as they constrict the sausage skein.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing a continuous sausage skein coming from a stuffing machine into individual sausages in which the rotating displacement elements for dividing the skein consist of a wire strap bent into a V-shaped contour.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a loop attachment device and a casing brake and horn having portions moveable relative to each other for a stuffing position and a clipping position. In the clipping position, a reduced tension is applied and the loop is attached with the clip.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for voiding food product from the tail of a stuffed casing including a single pair of voider gates which close after the stuffed casing is gathered and a first closure is applied. The closed voider gates move to progressively constrict casing extending from the closure to strip any food product therein back to the stuffing horn and then a second closure is affixed to the constricted and stripped casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dividing into individual sausages a sausage strand exiting from a filler machine, wherein the sausage strand is rotated about its longitudinal axis and constricted by revolving constrictor elements, the thus divided sausages being provented from being further rotated, in which the apportioned size and length of the sausages can be varied by varying the revolving speed of the constrictor elements during the inoperative phase of their revolution relative to their revolving speed during their engagement with the sausage strand by providing the constrictor elements with a separate electric drive mechanism, the rotational speed of which is controlled by an electronic contol unit during its revolution.

Abstract: The method for linking a strand of an elongated coextruded meat emulsion product having an outer surface exposed to the atmosphere without the benefit of an enclosed casing comprises subjecting the strand to a constrictive force at spaced intervals along its length to create a plurality of link points of reduced diameter along the length of the strand. The link points are surrounded by an edible linking material capable of holding the link points in a condition of reduced diameter during a cooking cycle at a temperature in excess of 60.degree. C. After cooking, the link strand is then subjected to a water based rinse at a temperature of less than 60.degree. C. wherein the linked material will dissolve and will be removed from the strand. The preferred linking material is one from a group of hydroxypropylcellulose and methylhydroxyproplycellulose.