Abstract: A cutting machine includes a cutting device and a co-operating conveyor device for conveying food products in a conveying direction. The conveyor device includes at least one conveyor unit having a conveyor belt which is guided by at least one deflection roll and which comes into contact with the food products in the contact area and having at least one guide means for guiding the conveyor belt. The at least one guide means has a first support portion for supporting the conveyor belt at a first height and a second support portion for supporting it at a second height, these heights being spaced apart in a direction extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction, and at least one recess arranged between the first height and the second height, in which the conveyor belt can give way at least partly due to contact with a food product.

Abstract: A casing brake assembly is provided for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing being arranged on a filling tube of a production apparatus, like a clipping machine, which is used in the production of sausage-shaped products, like sausages, and for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled. The casing brake assembly comprises a tubular support device for supporting at least one brake element having an at least approximately ring-shaped design. The casing brake assembly further comprises a tubular bushing for accommodating the tubular support device and the at least one brake element, and an attachment device including an at least approximately tubular accommodation portion for accommodating the tubular bushing, and at least one attachment portion configured for attaching the casing brake assembly to the production apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing sausage-shaped products, like sausages, containing a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, on a clipping machine, and a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products. The method comprises the steps of feeding the filling material in a feeding direction into the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing stored on a filling tube and being closed at the front end by a closure means, like a closing clip, limiting the movement of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing while being pulled-off from the filling tube by a casing brake assembly arranged on the filling tube, gathering the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing by gathering means arranged downstream the filling tube, for forming a plait-like portion thereto, and placing and closing at least one closure means on the plait-like portion for closing the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing.

Abstract: A flexible tubular food casing having a flat support material is provided which, on at least one side, has a continuous coating based on a hotmelt polymer, with the coating preferably situated on the outside. The continuous coating has a weight per unit area of 3 to 200 g/m2, preferably 15 to 50 g/m2. The hotmelt polymers have an MVR value in the range of about 25 to 500 cm3 per 10 min, measured at 190° C. with a load of 2.16 kg. The flexible tubular food casing is suitable as a synthetic sausage casing for raw sausage, scalded-emulsion sausage or cooked-meat sausage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a packaging plant for packing sausages or other objects, comprising a manufacturing device, a buffer device, a feeding device, an insertion device, and a packaging machine, the buffer device comprising a length-variable transport section, and a method for operating a packaging plant according to the invention.

Abstract: A casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus used for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, wherein the filling tube has a circular cross-section, the casing brake assembly comprising a housing and at least a first brake body and at least a second brake body, wherein at least the second brake body is reversibly movable relative to the first brake body between a releasing position and a braking position about said common central axis wherein, in releasing position, the brake bodies are forming a ring, which has an open segment, wherein the filling tube is pivotable through the open segment, and wherein, in braking position, the brake bodies are forming a substantially closed ring.

Abstract: A stuffing tube centering device for concentric alignment of the stuffing tube to a casing stick and a corresponding method, and where two oppositely disposed centering members movable towards each other between which the stuffing tube can be held and centered.

Abstract: A casing brake assembly for applying a frictional force to a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing arranged on a filling tube of an apparatus used for filling and closing said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and for limiting the movement of said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing at least while being filled, wherein the filling tube has a circular cross-section, the casing brake assembly comprising a housing and at least a first brake body and at least a second brake body, wherein at least the second brake body is reversibly movable relative to the first brake body between a releasing position and a braking position about said common central axis wherein, in releasing position, the brake bodies are forming a ring, which has an open segment, wherein the filling tube is pivotable through the open segment, and wherein, in braking position, the brake bodies are forming a substantially closed ring.

Abstract: A stuffing tube centering device for concentric alignment of the stuffing tube to a casing stick and a corresponding method, and where two oppositely disposed centering members movable towards each other between which the stuffing tube can be held and centered.

Abstract: A method for producing a foodstuff, in particular sausages, produced by coextrusion, including extruding a paste mass, coextruding a casing, and where a bonding agent is fed between paste mass and coextruded casing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing a string of a pasty material, such as sausagemeat. The apparatus includes an extrusion head that includes at least one conveyor conduit for the pasty material to be shaped into a string. The conveyor conduit has an inlet, an outlet, and a receiving chamber for a casing material to be applied to the string. The receiving chamber has an entry for the casing material and an exit for applying the casing material to the string surface. The receiving chamber is also adapted to impart to the casing material, when flowing through the receiving chamber, a movement having at least a rotatory movement component about at least a longitudinal axis of the receiving chamber.

Abstract: Systems with reruckers configured to automatically reruck netting in an upstream direction on a netting chute or horn proximate in time to a clipping operation to pull a clipped end portion of the netting snugly against a discharge end of the chute or horn.

Abstract: A method for coating tubular food-casings (2), particularly skins with flavoring substances in particle form, includes wetting the casing (2) on the inside with adhesive, and then applying desired flavoring substances (6) onto the formed adhesive layer. The tubular casing (2), coated on the inside with adhesive, is guided through a first squeezing zone (5) and a second squeezing zone (8) in the travel direction, where the respective interior cross-sections of the tubular casing are temporarily closed. The second squeezing zone (8) is positioned higher than the first squeezing zone (5). The tubular casing is brought into the form of an inflated sack (2b) in between the two squeezing zones (5, 8) by a supply of particulate flavoring substances (6) and an air pocket (7) inserted into the interior of the tubular casing. During travel, the casing entrains the flavoring substances (6) from the supply.

Abstract: Reruckers and associated methods and systems configured to automatically reruck netting in an upstream direction on a netting chute or horn proximate in time to a clipping operation to pull a clipped end portion of the netting snugly against a discharge end of the chute or horn.

Abstract: A system for producing sausage-shaped products that includes a filling machine for filling a tubular casing with viscous or granular stuff, a clipping machine for dividing the filled tubular casing into sausage-shaped products and closing the sausage-shaped products by closing means; and a transportation device for discharging the sausage-shaped products out of the clipping machine and transporting the sausage-shaped products along a transport path for storing them on rod-like elements, being positioned in an automatic hanging line for accommodating the rod-like elements; wherein the transport path extends from the clipping machine to the distal end of said smoking rod.

Abstract: A machine utilizing gravity to reduce costs when rolling a food dough casing around a sausage. The machine includes first, second, and third conveyors, a carrier, and a pusher block. The third conveyor is disposed to one side of the carrier, and is rotatably affixed to a horizontal surface. The second conveyor is rotatably affixed above the third conveyor. The pusher block is disposed to the other side of the carrier, is slidably affixed to the horizontal surface, and pushes the sausage towards the carrier, initially. The first conveyor is rotatably affixed above the pusher block, and conveys the food dough casing initially, and thereafter, the food dough casing falls downwardly by the gravity. The carrier is disposed between the pusher block and the third conveyor, is rotatably affixed to the horizontal surface, and relays a partially food dough cased sausage to between the second conveyor and the third conveyor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for allowing a quality check of sausage shaped products. The system includes a filling tube for feeding filling material into a tubular packing casing. The system further includes a clipping machine having a displacer unit with at least two pairs of displacer elements for gathering the filled tubular packing casing and for providing a plait-like portion. The system further includes a clipping unit for applying two closure means to the plait-like portion of the tubular packing casing, and a feeding unit for feeding flexible suspension elements to the clipping unit. The system further comprises a discharge device for by-passing the transportation unit by at least one of the sausage-shaped products and for discharging the by-passed sausage-shaped product out of the clipping machine.

Abstract: A cutting valve for portioning a paste-like mass, having a partitioning piston which is drivable in a portioning chamber with an inlet relative to the inlet and which comprises a cutting edge which during partitioning is movable to sweep over the inlet, the partitioning piston is drivable in the partitioning process to perform a helical movement with simultaneous translatory and rotatory movement components, so that the cutting edge carries out a draw cut in the mass strand.

Abstract: Chucks for a meat encasing machine that increase the holdback force on plastic casing sticks resulting in fully formed initial links. The invention also includes a method for controlling the deshirr rate of shirred plastic casing sticks inserted in a meat encasing machine to generate fully formed initial sausage links.

Abstract: A casing brake and method of adjusting the casing brake, to allow the casing brake to be adjusted by hand, without making use of any tools, and to guarantee simultaneously that the casing brake cannot be displaced during operation. The casing brake includes a brake ring, inner and outer shells between which the brake ring is tensioned, and a locking element provided between said inner and outer shells, the locking element connected to said inner or outer shell and establishing a positive or a frictional connection with the respective other shell at a locked position, and further having an actuating device for eliminating the positive or the frictional connection.

Abstract: A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine. The apparatus includes two gripping elements which are movable relative to each other and which grip the concertinaed sausage casing by a reduction in the intermediate space between the gripping elements and which release the concertinaed sausage casing by an expansion of the intermediate space. The apparatus further includes a drive device for moving at least one of the gripping elements, and at least one lever element for coupling the drive device to at least one gripping element where the gripping element is mounted movably on the lever element.

Abstract: A detecting structure for a stuffing apparatus includes: a stuffing nozzle having a material discharge port and a photoelectric sensor for detecting a terminating end of a casing loaded on an outer periphery of the stuffing nozzle, wherein the photoelectric sensor is accommodated in a protective case having a transparent portion, and a first air supplying arrangement for supplying air into the protective case is provided on the protective case. Further, the first air supplying arrangement may have an air nozzle which is provided in the protective case and jets air toward an inner surface of the transparent portion. Still further, second air supplying arrangement may be provided for supplying air toward an outer surface of the transparent portion. Furthermore, third air supplying arrangement may be provided for supplying air toward the casing.

Abstract: Computer program products for ruckers 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. In operation, the at least one gripping member has an automated stroke cycle whereby the at least one gripping member is configured to travel inwardly a distance sufficient to snugly abut an outer surface of the chute body while the chute body travels in a first direction about the axis of movement and to travel outwardly a sufficient distance to prevent contact with the chute body while the chute body travels in a second opposing direction about the axis of movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a stick with a strand of sausage or the like suspended therefrom includes a transversely transferring device for transferring a stick from a first position to a second position by stick transverse transfer members; and a vertically transferring device having stick vertical transfer members which receive the stick from the stick transverse transfer members at the second position and deliver the stick to a conveyor device. The transversely transferring device has a stick transfer body having the stick transverse transfer members provided thereon, a rail body for supporting the stick transfer body and guiding its linear movement, and a transverse wrapping connector traveling body wound around and trained between transverse transfer wheels. A stick transfer body is adapted to be reciprocatingly moved by a transverse transfer electric motor.

Abstract: A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine. The apparatus includes two gripping elements which are movable relative to each other and which grip the concertinaed sausage casing by a reduction in the intermediate space between the gripping elements and which release the concertinaed sausage casing by an expansion of the intermediate space. The apparatus further includes a drive device for moving at least one of the gripping elements, and at least one lever element for coupling the drive device to at least one gripping element where the gripping element is mounted movably on the lever element.

Abstract: A system for producing sausage-shaped products that includes a filling machine for filling a tubular casing with viscous or granular stuff, a clipping machine for dividing the filled tubular casing into sausage-shaped products and closing the sausage-shaped products by closing means; and a transportation device for discharging the sausage-shaped products out of the clipping machine and transporting the sausage-shaped products along a transport path for storing them on rod-like elements, being positioned in an automatic hanging line for accommodating the rod-like elements; wherein the transport path extends from the clipping machine to the distal end of said smoking rod.

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: A casing brake and method of adjusting the casing brake, to allow the casing brake to be adjusted by hand, without making use of any tools, and to guarantee simultaneously that the casing brake cannot be displaced during operation. The casing brake includes a brake ring, inner and outer shells between which the brake ring is tensioned, and a locking element provided between said inner and outer shells, the locking element connected to said inner or outer shell and establishing a positive or a frictional connection with the respective other shell at a locked position, and further having an actuating device for eliminating the positive or the frictional connection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for allowing a quality check of sausage shaped products. The system includes a filling tube for feeding filling material into a tubular packing casing. The system further includes a clipping machine having a displacer unit with at least two pairs of displacer elements for gathering the filled tubular packing casing and for providing a plait-like portion. The system further includes a clipping unit for applying two closure means to the plait-like portion of the tubular packing casing, and a feeding unit for feeding flexible suspension elements to the clipping unit. The system further comprises a discharge device for by-passing the transportation unit by at least one of the sausage-shaped products and for discharging the by-passed sausage-shaped product out of the clipping machine.

Abstract: A packing wrapper filling device includes a filling machine (1) having at least one pivotable filling tube (11) on rotary plate (10). A gathered packing wrapper (14) is fitted onto the filling tube. The invention includes a closing mechanism (2) and store (3) for gathered packing wrappers. The closing mechanism (2) closes both sides of filled wrapper sections. Control device (22) interconnects filling machine (1), closing mechanism (2), store (3), and rocking arms (16). The lateral wall(s) of store (3) include a longitudinal flap (16) in the lower section, pivotable by rotary articulation (20) via rocking arms (15). The control device (22) controls individual envelope (14) removal from store (3). Transport devices (5, 6, 7, and 8) and deflection rollers (9) arranged along feed belt (4) transport envelope (14) along the feed belt (4) from store (3) to filling tube (11 or 12).

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: A system for encasing food products in film is described. The system comprises a mixer, a sealer in fluid communication with the mixer, a swivel mounted to a downstream side of the sealer, a stuffing horn mounted to a downstream side of the swivel, and a clipper. The stuffing horn is movable from a first position adjacent to said clipper, to a second position remote from said clipper.

Abstract: A system for encasing food products in film is described. The system comprises a mixer, a sealer in fluid communication with the mixer, a swivel mounted to a downstream side of the sealer, a stuffing horn mounted to a downstream side of the swivel, and a clipper. The stuffing horn is movable from a first position adjacent to said clipper, to a second position remote from said clipper.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of and an apparatus for redistribution of pasty filling material in a closed, individually separated packaging casing in tube or bag form. At least two conveyor belts form between mutually facing first belt portions a through-passage cross-section which is of such a dimension that, when the packaging casing is conveyed through the through-passage cross-section, the filling material is distributed substantially over the entire length of the closed packaging casing in tube or bag form. The invention further concerns a manufacturing installation in which such a redistribution apparatus is disposed upstream of a closure device for dividing off a sausage, closing it by means of closure clips and individually separating the closed sausage.

Abstract: A device for producing meat products by stuffing meat mass in a double casing made up of a film and a net, has a stuffing tube with a diameter, a mechanism for passing the meat mass through the stuffing tube and into the double casing and a mechanism for shaping the film into a cylinder that is adapted to the diameter of the stuffing tube, the shaping mechanism forming longitudinal folds for allowing radial expansion of the cylinder when the cylinder is fed with meat mass through the stuffing tube by unfolding the folds.

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: A retention device for a tubular casing material for receiving a viscous or granular filling material in a packaging machine, in particular a clipping machine that has a filling tube for filling the tubular casing material with the filling material, where the retention device includes: a first brake ring, which can be mounted coaxially on the filling tube, the inner diameter of first brake ring being larger than the outer diameter of the filling tube and on the inner circumference of which a first brake is provided, along which the casing material can be guided in the filling direction of the filling material against a friction force acting upon the casing material.

Abstract: A device and a method for filling a paste-like substance into a skin, and having a filling tube through which the paste-like substance is pushed into the skin, and a casing brake which is arranged in the area of the ejection end of the filling tube and which presses the skin in the direction of the filling tube. In order to prevent the formation of blisters below the skin, a second casing brake is provided, which, when seen in the direction of ejection, is arranged ahead of the first casing brake and which presses the skin in the direction of the filling tube so that air can be sucked off from below the skin between the first and the second casing brake.

Abstract: A machine for preparing encased cured meats, comprising a first tube for conveying the product to a clipping head, the tube being adapted to be wrapped by a cellulose sheet designed to contain the cured meats and drawn continuously from a reel, and a second tube, which is arranged coaxially and externally to the first tube and is designed to be wrapped by a gauged wrapper and is provided with means for drawing the wrapper so that it is superimposed on the cellulose sheet at a braking device arranged upstream of the clipping head.

Abstract: Commercial production transport systems, mechanisms, and guides for food processing are configured so as to automate food handling and/or transport. The systems employ fingers that can be inserted to gap spaces in a carrier surface so as to dislodge, guide and/or route food to travel over predetermined travel lanes. Associated methods can angularly translate food being transported in an automated food processing system in a longitudinally offset direction.

Abstract: A system for producing food products is described. The system comprises a mixer, a stationary horn connected to the mixer and mounted in a heat-sealer, a plow connected to the stationary horn, a first product horn having a first end and a second end, the first product horn being rotatably attached to the heat-sealer and movable from a first position whereby the first end is attachable to the stationary horn and the second end is proximate a clipper, to a second position remote from the stationary horn and the clipper, and a second product horn having a first end and a second end, the second product horn being rotatably attached to the heat sealer and movable from a first position remote from the stationary horn and the clipper, to a second position whereby the first end is attachable to the stationary horn and the second end is proximate the clipper.

Abstract: Apparatus for engaging a filler/product pump that include: (a) a horn having a length, an outer surface and an internal product channel extending therethrough; (b) a forming collar in communication with the horn, wherein, in operation, the forming collar is configured to cooperate with the horn to direct planar casing material to take on a generally tubular shape over an outer surface of the horn while product travels through the internal channel; (c) a netting chute sized and configured to receive a portion of the horn therein, the netting chute configured to hold a sleeve of elastic netting material thereon; and (d) an automated derucker operatively associated with the netting chute whereby the derucker is configured to automatically travel through a derucker stroke cycle comprising upstream and downstream locations to pull segments of netting material toward a downstream end portion of the netting chute while product is pumped out of the horn.

Abstract: In order to manufacture a sausage skein of any geometrical external contour, a sausage-forming device has a coextrusion head for coextruding a paste mass and a casing enclosing the mass, wherein the extrusion head is provided with a filling tube for ejecting the paste mass and an extrusion die assigned to the filling tube with an extrusion gap for the casing material, wherein the filling tube exhibits, at least in the region of the ejection end, a cross-sectional shape deviating from the circular shape and the extrusion gap exhibits a cross-sectional shape deviating from the annular ring.

Abstract: A system for applying plastic clips to tubular products is described. In one embodiment, the system comprises a die and a punch. The die has a peripheral face, an arcuate wall in the die peripheral face forming a half-cylindrical bore, the bore separating the die peripheral face into a first side and a second side, and a groove formed in the arcuate wall and the second side, the groove extending from the first side, through the arcuate wall and the second side, and forming a slot in an outer edge of the die. The punch has a peripheral face, an arcuate wall in the punch peripheral face forming a half-cylindrical bore, the bore separating the punch peripheral face into a first side and a second side, and a pair of grooves, the grooves extending from the first side to the second side of the punch peripheral face.

Abstract: A shirred fibrous food casing defines a shirred stick formed from a tubular fibrous casing. The shirred stick includes an average outside diameter at least 120% of the average inflated diameter of the deshirred casing. Additionally, the shirred stick includes an average inside diameter of at least 70% of the casing inflated diameter and a pleat pitch defined as the distance between adjacent apexes of major pleats measured on the casing after the shirred stick is deshirred.

Abstract: Based on a conventional installation including a stuffing-portioning machine (1) and a fast clipper (2), duly synchronised, between which is established a shaping device (3) that converts the film (5) meant to wrap food products that is supplied in the form of a coil into a tubular element that can be coupled to the stuffing tube (3), on which is coaxially mounted a second tube (8) bearing an external casing (9) based on a tubular net, the invention consists of using tubes (4) and (8) with a small diameter, much smaller than that of the finished product, so that the film (5) is adapted to the tube (4) after the former is profusely folded longitudinally, while the small diameter of the tube (8) allows the multilayer shirring of the tubular net (9), using the pressure provided by the pumping system of the stuffing machine (1) to achieve the radial expansion of the film (5) and the tubular net (9) to obtain the final diameter of the finished product, which will vary according to the speed with which it is separa

Abstract: A device as well as a method for forming a sausage tail on a casing material, that receives a filling product, in particular sausage meat, wherein the sausage tail at least approximately does not contain filling product at least while it is being formed. The device contains a feeding path for the casing material, which extends in an at least approximately linear direction and along which the sausage tail is formed, a supply unit for receiving a supply of empty casing material and a first unit for forming sausage tails that is capable of acting on the casing material in direction of the feeding path for forming a first sausage tail length by pulling casing material from the supply. Furthermore, a second unit for forming sausage tails is provided that is capable of forming a second sausage tail length by pulling further casing material from the supply.

Abstract: Shirred casing is packaged in pockets on a belt to assist in the stuffing of the shirred casing by an automated stuffing machine. The package is made up of a belt with pockets for the shirred casings. The pockets provide structural integrity to the shirred casings and are spaced evenly for automated handling. The automated stuffing machine has a strand drum with indentations to receive the pocket of the package. The strand drum acts as an indexing mechanism to position each successive pocket so that the shirred casings within may be stuffed. A stuffing horn moves between a stuffing position and an indexing position that is clear of the strand drum. A method for automating the stuffing of shirred casings is disclosed as well.

Abstract: A machine for preparing encased cured meats, comprising a first tube for conveying the product to a clipping head, the tube being adapted to be wrapped by a cellulose sheet designed to contain the cured meats and drawn continuously from a reel, and a second tube, which is arranged coaxially and externally to the first tube and is designed to be wrapped by a gauged wrapper and is provided with means for drawing the wrapper so that it is superimposed on the cellulose sheet at a braking device arranged upstream of the clipping head.

Abstract: A retention device for a tubular casing material for receiving a viscous or granular filling material in a packaging machine, in particular a clipping machine that has a filling tube for filling the tubular casing material with the filling material, where the retention device includes: a first brake ring, which can be mounted coaxially on the filling tube, the inner diameter of said first brake ring being larger than the outer diameter of the filling tube and on the inner circumference of which a first brake means is provided, along which the casing material can be guided in the filling direction of the filling material against a friction force acting upon the casing material.