Abstract: A crimping device having a pair of crimping posts operatively connected to a frame such that the posts may rotate to a generally vertical position where the posts are in spaced parallel relation to one another. In the vertical position the posts pinch a rope of food product such that emulsion is pushed away from the posts without cutting the casing. The result of the pinching are partially crimped segments that do not close all the way.

Abstract: A conveying system that corrects spacing inconsistencies between food products on transport conveyors. Sensor elements are used to determine the position of food products on a first conveyor. Displacement members then move the food products to a slower second conveyor and different locations to correct the position between the food products.

Abstract: A conveying system that corrects spacing inconsistencies between food products on transport conveyors. Sensor elements are used to determine the position of food products on a first conveyor. Displacement members then move the food products to a slower second conveyor and different locations to correct the position between the food products.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a meat skinning device having a frame, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame and having a female groove, and an elongated roller having a male prong frictionally received within the female groove, a bearing housing secured to the drive shaft, and a seal mounted on the roller and separated from a food zone of the roller.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a strand of sausage having a carriage slidably mounted to an operating platform where the carriage has an end turn sprocket where the strand is dropped onto a smoke stick and the carriage moves to drop the strand along the length of the smoke stick.

Abstract: A conveyor system for linked sausage strands having a frame with an operating platform. The platform has opposite first and second ends, opposite sides, a top surface, and a wall extending along the sides and ends. A channel is formed in the top surface and a conveyor chain is disposed within the channel. Secured to the chain are a plurality of pivotable hooks that are movable between a loading position and an unloading position.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a meat skinning device having a frame, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame and having a female groove, and an elongated roller having a male prong frictionally received within the female groove, a bearing housing secured to the drive shaft, and a seal mounted on the roller and separated from a food zone of the roller.

Abstract: A skinning machine includes a frame, a linkage assembly mounted to the frame, and a skinning assembly mounted to the linkage assembly via lift arms. The linkage assembly raises and lowers the skinning assembly via the lift arms from an open to a closed position, wherein the linkage assembly is located on one side of the skinning assembly. A spring cartridge is operatively associated with the lift arms via an intermediate link to equally apply bias force from the spring cartridge to the independently rotatable lift arms. The linkage assembly includes a cam slot provided through a cam arm to slidably receive a pin therein. The cam slot is shaped to lock the pin when the linkage assembly is in the closed position. A cam block is mounted to the frame and includes a cam notch adapted to slidably secure the end of the pin in a locked open position.

Abstract: A skinning machine having a skinning blade mounted between a clamp and a shoe. The shoe has a bore that extends therethrough and a cam arm mounted to a bottom surface. The clamp has a recess with an aperture disposed therethrough. A pin extends through the aperture of the clamp and the bore of the shoe and is retained by the clamp arm.

Abstract: A conveyor system for linked sausage strands having a frame with an operating platform. The platform has opposite first and second ends, opposite sides, a top surface, and a wall extending along the sides and ends. A channel is formed in the top surface and a conveyor chain is disposed within the channel. Secured to the chain are a plurality of pivotable hooks that are movable between a loading position and an unloading position.

Abstract: A casing hopper for sausage encasing machines includes a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom terminating in a downwardly extending fence wall. A chute wall is substantially vertically disposed in parallel spaced condition to the fence wall to form a substantially vertical casing passageway with respect to the fence wall. The chute wall terminates in an inclined flange that extends upwardly and inwardly below the passageway to form a cradle portion to receive a single hollow casing from the passageway. The passageway is of sufficient width to receive a plurality of longitudinally vertically stacked elongated hollow casings.

Abstract: A casing hopper for sausage encasing machines includes a hopper. The hopper is adjustable for different sized casings by a single control.

Abstract: A method of filling a natural hollow elongated casing with meat emulsion involves placing a natural casing on an elongated meat emulsion stuffing tube having a meat emulsion discharge end, closing an extended end of the natural casing over the discharge end of the stuffing tube so that meat emulsion exiting the discharge end will push the natural casing longitudinally by pumping meat emulsion through the stuffing tube for expansive discharge into the natural casing at a sufficient volume and velocity to provide the primary energy within the natural casing to move the natural casing forwardly off of the discharge end of the stuffing tube. The casing is extended through a hollow chuck (100). A resilient brake element (160) in the chuck is extended around the casing to impede its longitudinal movement. A thrust collar (200) is slidably mounted on the stuffing tube and is intermittently manually pushed against the casing to limit the length thereof but is insufficient to create compression pressure thereon.

Abstract: A method for filling a natural hollow elongated casing with meat emulsion that involves placing a natural casing on an elongated meat emulsion stuffing tube and longitudinally pumping meat emulsion through the stuffing tube for expansive discharge into the natural casing at a sufficient volume and velocity to provide the primary energy within the natural casing. The method also involves providing a casing hopper that can be pivoted from a forward operating position to a rearward inoperative position.

Abstract: A method of filling a natural hollow elongated casing with meat emulsion involves placing a natural casing on an elongated meat emulsion stuffing tube having a meat emulsion discharge end, closing an extended end of the natural casing over the discharge end of the stuffing tube so that meat emulsion exiting the discharge end will push the natural casing longitudinally by pumping meat emulsion through the stuffing tube for expansive discharge into the natural casing at a sufficient volume and velocity to provide the primary energy within the natural casing to move the natural casing forwardly off of the discharge end of the stuffing tube. The casing is extended through a hollow chuck. A resilient brake element in the chuck is extended around the casing to impede its longitudinal movement. A thrust collar is slidably mounted on the stuffing tube and is intermittently manually pushed against the casing to limit the length thereof but is insufficient to create compression pressure thereon.

Abstract: A method of filling a natural hollow elongated casing with meat emulsion involves placing a natural casing on an elongated meat emulsion stuffing tube having a meat emulsion discharge end, closing an extended end of the natural casing over the discharge end of the stuffing tube so that meat emulsion exiting the discharge end will push the natural casing longitudinally by pumping meat emulsion through the stuffing tube for expansive discharge into the natural casing at a sufficient volume and velocity to provide the primary energy within the natural casing to move the natural casing forwardly off of the discharge end of the stuffing tube. The casing is extended through a hollow chuck. A resilient brake element in the chuck is extended around the casing to impede its longitudinal movement. A thrust collar is slidably mounted on the stuffing tube and is intermittently manually pushed against the casing to limit the length thereof but is insufficient to create compression pressure thereon.

Abstract: A method of filling a natural hollow elongated casing with meat emulsion involves placing a natural casing on an elongated meat emulsion stuffing tube having a meat emulsion discharge end, closing an extended end of the natural casing over the discharge end of the stuffing tube so that meat emulsion exiting the discharge end will push the natural casing longitudinally by pumping meat emulsion through the stuffing tube for expansive discharge into the natural casing at a sufficient volume and velocity to provide the primary energy within the natural casing to move the natural casing forwardly off of the discharge end of the stuffing tube. The casing is extended through a hollow chuck. A resilient brake element in the chuck is extended around the casing to impede its longitudinal movement. A thrust collar is slidably mounted on the stuffing tube and is intermittently manually pushed against the casing to limit the length thereof but is insufficient to create compression pressure thereon.

Abstract: A casing hopper for sausage encasing machines includes a hopper. The hopper is adjustable for different sized casings by a single control.

Abstract: A casing hopper for sausage encasing machines includes a hopper having a downwardly sloping bottom terminating in a downwardly extending fence wall. A chute wall is substantially vertically disposed in parallel spaced condition to the fence wall to form a substantially vertical casing passageway with respect to the fence wall. The chute wall terminates in an inclined flange that extends upwardly and inwardly below the passageway to form a cradle portion to receive a single hollow casing from the passageway. The passageway is of sufficient width to receive a plurality of longitudinally vertically stacked elongated hollow casings.

Abstract: A sausage encasing machine has a computer and a casing diameter sensor located on a frame downstream of an exit end of a meat stuffing tube. The sensor is connected to the computer to transmit casing diameter data to the computer as the casing is being sensed. The computer is programmed to sausage diameter parameters, and the computer is programmed to signal a machine power system to cease operation whenever the computer detects that the casing diameter exceeds the predetermined parameters.