Abstract: Method and apparatus for voiding food product from the tail of a stuffed casing including a single pair of voider gates which close after the stuffed casing is gathered and a first closure is applied. The closed voider gates move to progressively constrict casing extending from the closure to strip any food product therein back to the stuffing horn and then a second closure is affixed to the constricted and stripped casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming stuffed food products having one flat end by cutting a slit in a food casing forward of a stuffing horn and inserting an end flattening disc directly into the casing through the slit. A fixture at the end of the stuffing horn holds the disc while the slit casing is drawn forward to clear the slit away from the disc. The casing is then gathered and closed to capture the disc within the casing. On stuffing, the pressure of food product forces the disc to release from the fixture to form a flat leading end of the stuffed product.

Abstract: A stuffing method and apparatus is disclosed which produces a stuffed log having a front end portion which is larger in diameter than the remainder of the log. This is accomplished by spacing the sizing disc and pressure ring apart when food product is first introduced into the casing and the immediately pressing the sizing disc and pressure ring together while stuffing the front end portion of the casing and then moving the sizing disc and pressure ring to a set predetermined distance apart and holding them in this position while stuffing the remainder of the product.

Abstract: Sizing means for a food casing including an internal casing sizing means having a convoluted outer periphery which increases the perimeter length of the internal casing sizing means relative to its diameter. An external casing sizing means forces unstretched casing to conform to the convoluted perimeter to stretch the casing to the desired size. Also disclosed is a shirred casing article including the internal sizing means of the present invention as well as a method and apparatus for stretch sizing a food casing employing the internal sizing means of the present invention.

Abstract: A disposable tension sleeve for a stuffing machine having a snap-lock connector component at one end which is detachably attachable to either a male connector or a female connector on the stuffing machine.

Abstract: A stuffing apparatus and method for producing flat ended encased products using flat annular discs which are releasably joined together in pairs, wherein during the stuffing operation the discs are wraped to facilitate the separation of the discs so they may be individually passed over the stuffing tube and introduced into the casing to form the flat leading and trailing ends of the encased product.

Abstract: A tension sleeve for a stuffing machine on which is predisposed a casing supply prior to connection of the tension sleeve to the stuffing machine. A sizing means is attached to the tension sleeve by a nosepiece. The nosepiece has a collar extending into a nesting relationship with the tension sleeve. A stop on the nosepiece limits the nesting relationship and also positions and locates the sizing means on the nosepiece. A one-way lock on the collar and aft of the stop attaches to the tension sleeve and a second one-way lock forward of the stop attaches to the sizing means.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically and continuously producing encased food product having a uniform diameter and flat ends.

Abstract: A magazine for containing a plurality of flattening discs which can be introduced over a stuffing horn and into a casing during the stuffing thereof to produce a stuffed casing product having two substantially flat ends. The magazine is loaded with a plurality of such discs and maintains the discs in an ordered array. The magazine is easily mounted to a stuffing apparatus and facilitates the feeding of the discs into the casing to permit the continuous and automatic production of a plurality of flat-ended stuffed casing products from a single, continuous length of casing.

Abstract: Package article useful in producing sausages having flat ends. The package article comprises a shirred casing having at least one unshirred portion and having disposed inside said unshirred portion at least two pairs of flattening annular disks with a central hole in each of said annular disks. The disk pairs are detachably-attached, at least one disk of each pair being fixedly-attached by flexible means to a disk of an adjoining pair. Additionally, the disks are overwrapped with a rigid or flexible material. Also disclosed is a method of making the package article comprising disposing inside an unshirred portion of a shirred casing stick at least two overwrapped annular disks.

Abstract: Package article useful in producing sausages having flat ends. The package article comprises a shirred casing having at least one unshirred portion and having disposed inside said unshirred portion at least two flattening annular disks with a central hole in each of said annular disks. The disks are overwrapped with a rigid or flexible material. Also disclosed is a method of making the package article comprising disposing inside an unshirred portion of a shirred casing stick at least two overwrapped annular disks.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for stuffing food product into shirred casing in which a stuffing machine designed to stuff fully soaked casing is adapted to the use of controllably premoisturized casing. An internal sizing ring stretches the casing to about its recommended stuffed circumference so that the stuffing pressures required to fill the casing are reduced to manageable proportions. During the clipping cycle an increase in product pressure is avoided, by creating slack during the constricting phase of the gathering and clipping operation, and by gripping more tightly with the second tie gripper than with the first.

Abstract: A combination end closure and loop hanger for stuffed casings comprising a flexible tape looped with the free ends disposed adjacent to and secured to a gathered end of the casing by a U-shaped clip member. The clip comprises a crown member connecting corresponding ends of two opposed legs and having an internal crown length shorter than the width of the tape so that as the legs are deformed to encircle the gathered casing and free ends of the tape in pressure engagement, the free ends of the tape will be crimped and anchored between said legs.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stuffing cold, viscous product into normally flexible film tubing such as shirred tubular plastic film, comprising a stuffing horn having secured to its discharge end a pleat dispersing collar, and inboard thereof a loosely fitted deshirring ring, which coact during stuffing of the tubing to uniformly unfold the pleated film and thereby provide a smoothly stuffed tubular article.FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stuffing a flowable mass of materials, such as food emulsions, into flexible tubing, such as flexible plastic film casings. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method ideally suited for use in refrigerated room packaging operations with cold, stiff viscous meat emulsions which are stuffed into shirred lengths of normally flexible plastic film tubing whereby the folds and pleats in said shirred tubing are effectively and substantially straightened and removed as the tubing is being stuffed.