Abstract: A method for severing tubular material around a rigid mandrel. The method comprises piercing the film with a knife such that the edge of the knife faces away from the mandrel, rotating the knife about the mandrel in a direction toward the knife edge while cutting the tubular material from inside of the tubular material to the outside of the tubular material and continuing said rotating until the tubular material is completely severed. In a preferred embodiment the tubular material is held stationary from at least the time of said piercing until at least the time that the tubular material is completely severed. In a further preferred embodiment, the tubular material such as a food casing is inflated to provide a space between the tubular material and the mandrel. The invention further includes an apparatus for practicing the method of the invention.

Abstract: This relates to the mounting of a control shaft for a machine. The control shaft is formed in sections and each shaft section other than a starting section is supported by a single bearing. Adjacent ends of the shaft sections are formed with projecting half-circular cross-sectional portions which are overlapped and then are clamped together by a radially expanding wedge device disposed within a sleeve encircling the shaft portions.

Abstract: This relates to a machine for shirring tubular films such as those used for sausage casings and the like. In accordance with this disclosure, the films are continuously fed onto a mandrel where they are opened from their flat state and then are fed at a selected rate through a shirring head. The shirred casing is then gripped and advanced in a manner so as to control the density thereof and to impart a spin thereto as desired.

Abstract: This relates to a machine for shirring tubular films such as those used for sausage casings and the like. In accordance with this disclosure, the films are continuously fed onto a mandrel where they are opened from their flat state and then are fed at a selected rate through a shirring head. The shirred casing is then gripped and advanced in a manner so as to control the density thereof and to impart a spin thereto as desired. The shirred casing, while being spun, is gripped by a pair of cooperating units and a leading portion of the shirred casing is separated at predetermined spacings into individual strands which are then fed along the mandrel individually and are compressed and doffed from the mandrel into a strand handler which then presents each strand to an end closer and thereafter deposits the closed strand on a receiving tray.

Abstract: This relates to an apparatus for treating a separated strand of shirred casing. The strand is fed along a mandrel and a stop member is positioned transversely of the mandrel adjacent a free end thereof, after which the trailing end of the strand is engaged by a shaping device which, as it advances toward the stop to compress the strand, is oscillated or rotated also to dress the trailing end of the strand. When the stop is opened, the same member is used to doff the strand from the mandrel.

Abstract: This relates to a gripper-separator unit for separating continuously shirred casing into individual strands. The gripper is provided with hold back blades which engage the shirred casing while the separator is provided with like blades which engage the shirred casing substantially in the same plane as the gripper blades. The separator is then rapidly moved away from the gripper so as to snap the casing at the point of engagement by the blades. Suitable drives are provided for separately reciprocating the gripper and the separator and various drives are provided for positioning the blades. When the casing is being spun, the separator and the gripper are spun in unison therewith.

Abstract: One or more shirred artificial sausage casings are tightly packaged in a flexible film to reduce lateral and longitudinal expansion and to protect against moisture loss. The flexible film is caused to fit tightly about the artificial sausage casings by enveloping the casings within at least one flexible film, removing sufficient air from within the resulting envelope for producing a partial vacuum therein and sealing said envelope for maintaining said partial vacuum.