Abstract: A packaging machine 20 includes a feeding system 22 for delivering and positioning work products, in registry with a chute system 28 as well as in registry with a pushing system 26 for pushing the work products through a stuffing tube 24 of the chute system 28. The chute system 28 also includes a plurality of individual chute assemblies 30, each constructed with an elongate chute 32 positionable in registry with the stuffing tube 24 for receiving the food products from the stuffing tube and guiding the work product into packaging material 34 which has been shined over the elongate chute. The plurality of chute assemblies 30 are mounted on a transverse mounting structure 44 to slide along the mounting structure to sequentially position chute assemblies, loaded with packaging material, in alignment with the stuffing tube 24 to receive the work products. Additional chute assemblies 30 are positionable on either side of the chute assembly in use.

Abstract: A packaging machine 20 includes a feeding system 22 for delivering and positioning work products, in registry with a chute system 28 as well as in registry with a pushing system 26 for pushing the work products through a stuffing tube 24 of the chute system 28. The chute system 28 also includes a plurality of individual chute assemblies 30, each constructed with an elongate chute 32 positionable in registry with the stuffing tube 24 for receiving the food products from the stuffing tube and guiding the work product into packaging material 34 which has been shined over the elongate chute. The plurality of chute assemblies 30 are mounted on a transverse mounting structure 44 to slide along the mounting structure to sequentially position chute assemblies, loaded with packaging material, in alignment with the stuffing tube 24 to receive the work products. Additional chute assemblies 30 are positionable on either side of the chute assembly in use.

Abstract: Packaging systems and apparatus include a product chutes a clipper mechanism residing downstream of the product chute, and a vertically extendable and retractable product holding member disposed downstream of the clipper mechanism. In operation, the product holding member is configured to: (a) automatically vertically move to a first operative position whereby the holding member contacts and traps a target product to inhibit the target product from traveling downstream thereof, then (b) automatically vertically move to a second different position to allow a product to travel downstream thereof.

Abstract: Systems and devices for automatically pressing a covering material against a product chute during a packaging operation to apply a braking force.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; (b) pivoting a clipper from a home to a full-clip position to apply a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material; (c) pivoting a cutting assembly in concert with the clipper; and (d) severing a gathered leading and/or trailing edge of the covering using a bottom-up cutting operation.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and associated devices for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a plurality of spaced apart rotatable wheels having a primary axis of movement, wherein, in operation, the plurality of wheels have an automated stroke cycle whereby each is configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of a chute body and remain in contact with the chute body while the wheels travel in a first direction about the primary axis of movement and in an opposing second direction about the primary axis of movement.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and associated devices for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a translating member disposed in a housing having an axis of movement configured to reciprocally translate a chute body about the axis of movement; and at least one gripping member disposed in the housing in cooperating alignment with the translating member. Each at least one gripping member has a gripping edge portion that defines a gripping surface. The at least one gripping member configured to reciprocally translate substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

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: 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: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.

Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing a product in a covering material includes a product feed and covering system, a clipper mechanism and a tensioning system. The product feed and covering system is configured to apply the covering material over the product. The clipper mechanism is disposed downstream of the product feed and covering system along a flow path of the covering material. The clipper mechanism is adapted to receive the covering material and to secure a clip to the covering material received therein. The tensioning system is adapted to introduce a tensioning load to the covering material after and while the covering material is received in the clipper mechanism.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a non-circular cross-sectional cavity shape.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a channel formed by a longitudinally extending well and/or at least one pair of axially extending ribs.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically or semi-automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by pulling a covering material upstream of a product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute, then applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the covering material.