Abstract: The present invention relates to a guide device for guiding a suspension element, like a loop, being attached to one end of a sausage-shaped product, like a sausage, from a first apparatus, like an apparatus for producing sausage-shaped products, in a guide direction to a second apparatus, like a handling device for said sausage-shaped products. The guide device comprises a guide unit for guiding the suspension element and support means for radially and axially supporting the guide unit. According to the present invention, the support means comprise a first support unit and a second support unit for a functional separation of the axial support and the radial support of the guide unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for rucking netting onto a tube are described. The apparatus, in a first embodiment, comprises a frame having an axis, a passage along the axis, means for reciprocating movement along the axis, a netting tube releasably attachable to the means for reciprocating movement, a second tube comprising a frustum having a bore, the second tube being slidable co-axially to the netting tube, an annular space defined by the second tube and the netting tube, and spring-loaded fingers attached to the frame and extending into the passage. In another embodiment, a method for rucking netting onto a tube comprises attaching a netting tube to a moveable platform, mounting a second tube axially over the netting tube, the second tube comprising a frustum having a bore therethrough, placing an end of a netting over the second tube, forming an annular space between the netting tube and the second tube, and moving the second tube reciprocatingly through spring-loaded fingers.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for rucking netting onto a tube are described. The apparatus, in a first embodiment, comprises a frame having an axis, a passage along the axis, means for reciprocating movement along the axis, a netting tube releasably attachable to the means for reciprocating movement, a second tube comprising a frustum having a bore, the second tube being slidable co-axially to the netting tube, an annular space defined by the second tube and the netting tube, and spring-loaded fingers attached to the frame and extending into the passage. In another embodiment, a method for rucking netting onto a tube comprises attaching a netting tube to a moveable platform, mounting a second tube axially over the netting tube, the second tube comprising a frustum having a bore therethrough, placing an end of a netting over the second tube, forming an annular space between the netting tube and the second tube, and moving the second tube reciprocatingly through spring-loaded fingers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for shirring netting onto a netting tube. A second tube is placed over and coaxially to the netting tube and netting is stretched over the second tube. The two tubes are caused to move in a reciprocating manner through a plurality of spring-loaded fingers, which allow the netting to pass on the downstroke and hold the netting on the upstroke. As the two tubes move, the netting is pulled over the second tube and shirred onto the netting tube. An annular space formed by a tube ring placed between the netting tube and the second tube causes the netting to shir in multiple, neatly aligned layers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for shirring food stuffing netting onto a net tube utilizing a net rucker head having a plurality of flexible paddles. A net rucker guides the food stuffing netting onto the net tube and reciprocates the net tube up and down through a passage in net rucker head such that the flexible paddles engage the netting to shirr it about the circumference of the net tube.

Abstract: An annular container mounted at the base of a passage between a layering tube and a central mandrel is charged with a layered tube of flexible tubing delivered over a floating mandrel when coaxially in contact with mandrel by driving rollers coacting with pinch rollers on the floating mandrel. The tubing passes over the mandrel and gathers in the layering tube while being compacted by two sets of shoes reciprocated 180.degree. out of phase by rotating discs and connecting rods. When sufficient tubing has been delivered the floating mandrel is raised to enable a hot wire to pass between the mandrels to sever the tubing. The layering tube and central mandrel with the container can then be carried by a turntable through further stationary positions where the layered tubing is further compressed by reciprocable rings, a lid is put on the container to form a cassette and the cassette is discharged.