Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: A clip applying machine for tubular casings often comprises opposing clip jaw members that pivot toward each other to gather the casing and position a die member on one side of the casing. A punch member is advanced from the other side of the casing to feed a clip around the casing and against the die member. The jaw members are pivoted by a piston/cylinder mechanism which is pivotally connected to the jaw members and the punch is advanced by another piston. A knife is advanced to sever the casing in the area of the clip. In such a machine, an improved piston cylinder arrangement includes the piston having a central bore, with an inner rod in the cylinder passing into the piston. The inner rod and piston together form a closed fluid passage into the piston such that pressurized fluid in the passage tends to put and keep the piston in a retracted position.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching shaped metal clips at intervals to viscous-product-filled casing includes a support frame, a clipper assembly, a clipper assembly mounting rail, and a clipper assembly reciprocation mechanism. The clipper assembly is reciprocally mounted for reciprocal movement back and forth between a first casing entry station and a second casing exit station. A continuous tube of filled casing enters the apparatus at the first station and exits at the second station. The clipping assembly includes a filled casing support passage. Filled casing is directed through this passage as the casing extends between the first and second stations. The clipper assembly further includes first and second casing gathering plates which are projectible into the passage to gather the filled casing to form a neck section therein. The neck section is for attachment of at least one clip about the casing.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging includes a pivoting transport arm for removing a product from a moving conveyor and placing the product at a first work station. A pusher mechanism pushes the product delivered to the first station between spaced plates into a plastic bag and then through gates of a closure device to the second station. The closure device seals the bag with the product therein and the bagged product is subsequently discharged from the second station.

Abstract: An improved packaging device designed for the filling of flexible, tubular casing and for the sealing of the casing in discreet lengths which may then be further processed or packaged. The device includes a mounting assembly having a floor mounted frame with a rotatable platform supported by the frame. Adjacent the frame and platform is a device for feeding product through a product horn into casing which is shirred on the horn. The platform includes a plurality of specially designed clippers arranged in a circular array. As filled casing is discharged from the feeding mechanism it is directed tangentially into the circular array of rotating clippers which are equally spaced from each other. The clippers sequentially operate to gather the casing, apply spaced, double clips to the casing, sever the connection between adjacent clips, and to then discharge the packaged link from the device.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing fowl which includes first and second work stations. The first work station is provided to receive the product to be packaged. A pusher mechanism pushes the product from the first station between spaced plates into a plastic bag and then through the gates of a clipper mechanism. Advancement is slightly retarded by means of a blocking mechanism to thereby insure that the product is tightly retained within the flexible plastic bag. The bag and product are thereby moved to the second station at which time a holding bar preliminary closes the bag. Thence, gates close and gather the neck of the bag and a metal clip is advanced by means of a punch in a clip channel defined by the closed gates. The clip is thereby fastened about the neck of the closed plastic bag and the excess tail of the bag is cut by means of a knife. Trap doors then release the packaged product onto a conveyor belt, a new bag is positioned on the spaced, guide plates, and the apparatus is ready to recycle.

Abstract: An improved packaging device designed for the filling of flexible, tubular casing and for the sealing of the casing in discreet lengths which may then be further processed or packaged. The device includes a mounting assembly having a floor mounted frame with a rotatable platform supported by the frame. Adjacent the frame and platform is a device for feeding product through a product horn into casing which is shirred on the horn. The platform includes a plurality of specially designed clippers arranged in a circular array. As filled casing is discharged from the feeding mechanism it is directed tangentially into the circular array of rotating clippers which are equally spaced from each other. The clippers sequentially operate to gather the casing, apply spaced, double clips to the casing, sever the connection between adjacent clips, and to then discharge the packaged link from the device.

Abstract: A product stuffing horn assembly includes a vacuum ring affixed near the outlet end of the stuffing horn over which shirred casing may flow. The vacuum ring is connected via appropriate tubing to a vacuum source so that air may be withdrawn from the region adjacent the outlet end of the stuffing horn and within the discharged casing.

Abstract: An improved packaging device designed for the filling of flexible, tubular casing and for the sealing of the casing in discreet lengths which may then be further processed or packaged. The device includes a mounting assembly having a floor mounted frame with a rotatable platform supported by the frame. Adjacent the frame and platform is a device for feeding product through a product horn into casing which is shirred on the horn. The platform includes a plurality of specially designed clippers arranged in a circular array. As filled casing is discharged from the feeding mechanism it is directed tangentially into the circular array of rotating clippers which are equally spaced from each other. The clippers sequentially operate to gather the casing, apply spaced, double clips to the casing, sever the connection between adjacent clips, and to then discharge the packaged link from the device.

Abstract: An improved method for packaging utilizes the two-spaced clippers for simultaneously attaching the first and second U-shaped metal clips to gathered packaging material. Prior to attachment of the clips, the tail end of the packaging material is wrapped around a movable sleeve or post which is extended to effect tight packing of the contents of packaging material. The movable post is then released after attachment of the clips. With the invention, it is possible to form a loop or handle using the same material that is used for packaging of a product. Additionally, the construction and method reduces the likelihood of the operator developing carpal tunnel syndrome.

Abstract: An improved cutting mechanism for cutting plastic netting includes a punch which is movable, toward and away from a heated anvil knife edge.

Abstract: Apparatus for the high speed manufacture of elongated tubular film products from lengths of flexible, flat films. Film is unspooled passed over a forming collar, and onto a tube. On the tube, the film has a circular cross-section, with overlapped edges. A sizing ring correctly sizes the overlap. The film is immediately fed into a heating unit, where a closed-loop band contacts the overlap and heats the film to form a sealed seam. The film is advanced through the heating unit by boggie mounted drive belts. From the heating unit, the film is advanced into accumulation adjacent a casing brake.

Abstract: An improved packaging device designed for the filling of flexible, tubular casing and for the sealing of the casing in discrete lengths which may then be further processed or packaged. The device includes a mounting assembly having a floor mounted frame with a rotatable platform supported by the frame. Adjacent the frame and platform is a device for feeding product through a product horn into casing which is shirred on the horn. The platform includes a plurality of specially designed clippers arranged in a circular array. As filled casing is discharged from the feeding mechanism it is directed tangentially into the circular array of rotating clippers which are equally spaced from each other. The clippers sequentially operate to gather the casing, apply spaced, double clips to the casing, sever the connection between adjacent clips, and to then discharge the packaged link from the device.

Abstract: A stuffing horn mechanism for chub packaging machinery, utilized in association with such machinery to produce chub products by stuffing of casing with comminuted material. The stuffing horn mechanism comprises a telescoping stuffing horn, a comminuted material reservoir, and reservoir volume varying apparatus. The telescoping horn is variable in volume during telescoping, and the reservoir is in communication with the stuffing horn. The reservoir volume varying apparatus is operatively connected to the stuffing horn, for varying the volume of the reservoir in inverse relation to the volume of the stuffing horn during telescoping.

Abstract: An improved packaging device designed for the filling of flexible, tubular casing and for the sealing of the casing in discreet lengths which may then be further processed or packaged. The device includes a mounting assembly having a floor mounted frame with a rotatable platform supported by the frame. Adjacent the frame and platform is a device for feeding product through a product horn into casing which is shirred on the horn. The platform includes a plurality of specially designed clippers arranged in a circular array. As filled casing is discharged from the feeding mechanism it is directed tangentially into the circular array of rotating clippers which are equally spaced from each other. The clippers sequentially operate to gather the casing, apply spaced, double clips to the casing, sever the connection between adjacent clips, and to then discharge the packaged link from the device.