Abstract: A clipping device is provided for closing stuffed food casing with a clip and an apparatus is provided for causing a taped, holding string loops, to be directed toward the clipping device for closing an end of the food casing so that a string loop is transferred directly from the tape into an entry into a channel in the clipping device. The clip draws the loop to the casing and holds the loop to the food casing. The stuffing apparatus preferably also includes a novel readily cleanable food flow cut-off valve. A punch and clip anvil is provided to apply clips bent around the casing in essentially mirror image helixes. An extending and retracting conveyor is provided to remove stuffed food product from the vicinity of the clipping device after stuffed food casing is closed.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stuffing tubular food casing with food product. The apparatus includes a stuffing horn through which food product flows into tubular food casing which is deshirred from a shirred food casing stick on the stuffing horn. An input end of the stuffing horn is interconnected with a pressurized source of food product. A clipping device is provided for closing stuffed food casing with a clip and apparatus is preferably provided for causing a tape holding string loops, to be directed toward the clipping device for closing an end of the food casing so that a string loop is transferred directly from the tape into an entry into a channel in the clipping device so that when the end of the food casing is closed with the clip, the clip draws the loop to the casing and holds the loop to the food casing. The apparatus preferably also includes a novel readily cleanable food flow cut-off valve.

Abstract: A roll-up door operable to slide between tracks by using an operating mechanism having a handle which extends substantially the width of the door. When the handle is pushed, it pivots in a housing attached to the door to an actuated position so that a latch at the end of the handle is retracted clear of a slot in one of the tracks. A spring is also provided between the handle and the housing for biasing the handle to pivot to a relaxed position where the latch is engaged in the slot in the track. The operating mechanism also has a lock which can be turned to position a lock bar between the handle and the housing so that the handle cannot be pivoted to the actuated position.

Abstract: The invention provides a roll-up door for operation with a pre-tensioned balancer and having fastening apparatus comprising a cable with fasteners, one on each end, and which is coupled to the door at first and second positions spaced substantially equally from respective sides of the door. The balancer has a clip located centrally with respect to the first and second positions so that as the cable is positioned on the balancer during initial installation, the cable can adjust in the clip so that the lengths of the cable from the balancer to the door are equalized. The cable is wound onto the balancer as the door is opened. This winding creates sufficient friction between the cables and the balancer to lock the cables to the balancer so that the cables effectively retain their equal lengths during use.

Abstract: A removable and movable partition (10) for dividing up the interior of a cargo transporter has a boundary made up of mutually perpendicular inflatable tube sections (11,13,15,17) which rigidify upon inflation and urge themselves tightly into contact with the walls floor and ceiling respectively of the transporter. The inflation of the tubes also tensions between them a double dividing wall (33), of two parallel sheets of flexible material which are respectively secured tangentially to the tubes, and which may have a flap (39) for access to inflation/deflation valves (25,27). Shaped spacer means may be interposed between the tube(s) and floor and ceiling if they are corrugated or otherwise interrupted.