Abstract: A holding device which is adapted to be flanged to a machine for filling and for automatically twisting off sausages and which acts on the front end of a twist-off nozzle of the machine via a brake ring housing for effecting automatic twisting off. For providing, on the one hand, a possibility of exactly positioning the holding device relative to the twist-off nozzle and for maintaining, on the other hand, the twist-off nozzle in a condition in which it is always accessible for the purpose of fitting new caterpillar sausage skins, the holding device is provided with a support tube, which is supported in a guide link in a manner free from play and which permits the brake ring housing of the holding device to be pivoted away in the case of a movement taking place in the horizontal direction of a pivotable lever, said support tube having, in addition, the effect that the position which has once been adjusted is re-established when the brake ring housing is pivoted back.

Abstract: A sausage skin storage and feeder apparatus comprises a storage container for storing a plurality of layers of shirred sausage casings, an upwardly sloping bottom wall in said container, a conveyor disposed along the bottom wall for transporting the bottom layer of casings upwardly to a discharge location, the upper layers of casings rolling backward in the container, a chute extending from the discharge location to a loading location opposite a stuffing horn and means for dispensing casings onto the stuffing horn.