Abstract: A loading tube sleeve for use with an encasing machine having a stuffing tube is disclosed herein together with the method of preparing the natural casings so that they may be inserted into the machine. The sleeve comprises an elongated hollow member formed from expanded material. The folded casings are placed on the sleeve and are inserted into water until they are to be used. The sleeve is then slipped over the stuffing tube. The configuration of the sleeve is such that the casing will be easily and uniformly filled at the discharge end of the stuffing tube without damage to the casing.

Abstract: A safety means for a skinning and/or slashing machine having a frame means with a skinning blade means mounted thereon which provides skin from the meat product to be skinned as the meat product is moved therepast. A plurality of spaced apart slashing blades are rotatably mounted on the frame means adjacent the skinning blade means and are adapted to slash the meat product to permit the inspection thereof. The blades are supported by a pair of support arms which are pivotally connected to the frame means so that the blades may be moved upwardly away from the skinning blade means. A first normally closed switch means is provided on the frame means and is adapted to deactivate the machine power supply when the support arms are pivotally moved to their raised positions. A transparent safety shield is secured to the support arms and extends over the blades. An inverted U-shaped safety guard extends over the feed conveyor to prevent the machine operator from extending his hands too far towards the skinning blade.