Abstract: A method and apparatus for an extrusion horn including an inner compression chamber having an interior channel extending from an open infeed port to an open exit port, where a top inner surface of the interior channel progressively tapers down with an initial slope having an initial downward taper to a target thickness, then top inner surface abruptly steps to an increased thickness of the channel, and then progressively tapers down with a secondary slope where the secondary slope has a steeper downward taper than the slope of the initial downward taper. An apparatus and method for extruding extrudate through an extruding horn conducive for producing bacon bits and jerky.

Abstract: There is provided a system and a process for picking up and transporting a casing of indefinite length into relationship with a device, such as a device for measuring the diameter of the casing. The process comprises the steps: i) placing the casing on a support; ii) directing an actuated arm equipped with a finger towards the casing; iii) moving the actuated arm away from the support and activating rollers to coil the casing onto the finger; and iv) moving the finger with the casing to a device, such as a device for measuring the diameter thereof, and decoiling the casing to transfer the casing to the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation assembly for transporting sausage shaped products out of a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products in a transportation direction to a rod-like storing element. Each sausage-shaped product comprises a filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing closed on at least one end by a closing means and a suspension element attached to the end closed by said closure means, the transportation assembly comprises a guiding device having a bar-shaped guiding element along which the sausage-shaped product is guided by its suspension element, and a transportation device for transporting the sausage-shaped product along the guiding element by engaging the suspension element of the sausage-shaped product. The suspension element is held in an open configuration by the weight of the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. A separation device is provided at the guide element, for removing a suspension element from the guiding element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation assembly for transporting sausage shaped products out of a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products in a transportation direction to a rod-like storing element. Each sausage-shaped product comprises a filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing closed on at least one end by a closing means and a suspension element attached to the end closed by said closure means, the transportation assembly comprises a guiding device having a bar-shaped guiding element along which the sausage-shaped product is guided by its suspension element, and a transportation device for transporting the sausage-shaped product along the guiding element by engaging the suspension element of the sausage-shaped product. The suspension element is held in an open configuration by the weight of the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. A separation device is provided at the guide element, for removing a suspension element from the guiding element.

Abstract: A method and a device for separating a sausage chain into single sausages, where filled, portioned sausages are initially transported with a first transport device and with a second transport device arranged behind the first transport device in the transport direction T. The portioning point between two consecutively arranged sausages is enlarged due to the transport speed of the second transport device being faster at least intermittently than the transport speed of the first transport device. The sausage chain is then parted at the portioning point in the second transport device.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for producing sausages (28) in which sausage meat is introduced into a tubular case (20) by means of a filling machine (2) and the filled case (20) is divided into portions by means of a twisting-off device (40) for producing twist-off locations (22) so that the result is a sausage chain. The sausage chain is further transported by means of at least two transport devices (6, 8) connected in succession in the sausage chain transport direction (30), and the transport devices (6, 8) can be controlled by means of a control device (38) so that the transport speed of the second transport device (8) in the transport direction is at least at times greater than the transport speed of the first transport device (6).

Abstract: A method and a device for separating a sausage chain into single sausages, where filled, portioned sausages are initially transported with a first transport device and with a second transport device arranged behind the first transport device in the transport direction T. The portioning point between two consecutively arranged sausages is enlarged due to the transport speed of the second transport device being faster at least intermittently than the transport speed of the first transport device. The sausage chain is then parted at the portioning point in the second transport device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dividing a continuous sausage into portions, in particular sausage links. The invention includes at least one pair of opposing clamps which can be moved towards one another by actuation means in order to crush the sausage. Each clamp includes at least a first plate (141, 151) and a second plate (142, 152), each of said plates having front clamping edges (141a, 151a; 142a, 152a) and being arranged such that the front edge of the first and second plates form respectively first (181) and second (182) variable-cross-section passages. The invention also includes at least one blade associated with the pair of clamps, which can be moved transversely to the plates between the first passage and the second passage in order to cut the sausage.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process and an apparatus for producing sausages (28) in which sausage meat is introduced into a tubular case (20) by means of a filling machine (2) and the filled case (20) is divided into portions by means of a twisting-off device (40) for producing twist-off locations (22) so that the result is a sausage chain. According to the invention the sausage chain is further transported by means of at least two transport devices (6, 8) connected in succession in the sausage chain transport direction (30), and the transport devices (6, 8) can be controlled by means of a control device (38) so that the transport speed of the second transport device (8) in the transport direction is at least at times greater than the transport speed of the first transport device (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for dividing a continuous sausage into portions, in particular sausage links. The invention includes at least one pair of opposing clamps which can be moved towards one another by actuation means in order to crush the sausage. Each clamp includes at least a first plate (141, 151) and a second plate (142, 152), each of said plates having front clamping edges (141a, 151a; 142a, 152a) and being arranged such that the front edge of the first and second plates form respectively first (181) and second (182) variable-cross-section passages. The invention also includes at least one blade associated with the pair of clamps, which can be moved transversely to the plates between the first passage and the second passage in order to cut the sausage.

Abstract: A method for phased separation of a sausage strand, a separating element for phased separation of a sausage strand, and an assembly of a plurality of such separating elements. In the production of sausages it frequently occurs that a sausage strand must be divided into smaller segments, and the result of this division is achieved in controlled manner by the present invention.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlled closure of at least one clip around a filling material-free plait portion of a casing between two filling material portions enclosed with the casing, comprising two closure tools that are to be controlledly moved and, in the closure operation, are to be arranged at both sides of the plait portion, where the two closure tools have a common guide device with which the closure tools are guided movably transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the plait portion, where to arrange the closure tools at the two sides of the plait portion one of the two closure tools is moved past the plait portion and is moved into a position of being aligned with the other closure tool for the closure operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing co-extruded food products, comprising the processing steps of: A) co-extruding an elongate dough strand and a casing enclosing the elongate dough strand to form a non-coagulated food product, B) bringing the casing into contact with a salt solution, and C) dividing the encased elongate food strand into individual products, whereafter the co-extruded food products are subjected to an airflow. The invention also relates to a device for manufacturing co-extruded food products.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for controlled closure of at least one clip around a filling material-free plait portion of a casing between two filling material portions enclosed with the casing, comprising two closure tools that are to be controlledly moved and, in the closure operation, are to be arranged at both sides of the plait portion, where the two closure tools have a common guide device with which the closure tools are guided movably transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent of the plait portion, where to arrange the closure tools at the two sides of the plait portion one of the two closure tools is moved past the plait portion and is moved into a position of being aligned with the other closure tool for the closure operation.

Abstract: In an apparatus for severing a link between two sausages, in particular for cutting out a clip at a twisting point by means of a cutting device which has a cutting edge, comprises at least two cutting edges lying opposite one another and movable toward one another when the twisting point is located between them.

Abstract: A method of creating curved sausage links involves extruding an elongated sausage strand having linear protein fibers therein out of an elongated hollow meat emulsion extrusion tube. The flow of meat emulsion through the tube is partially restricted by a restrictor element within the tube which permits a portion of the meat emulsion to pass thereover in a substantially uninterrupted manner, but which requires a separate layer of meat emulsion to have its movement through the tube inhibited by engaging the restrictor element and having to move thereover to exit the tube. When the sausage strand is subjected to heat, the uninterrupted portion is inclined to have more lengthwise shrinkage in the presence of heat than the other layer, thus causing the sausage link to assume a curved configuration. The machine for practicing this method has a stuffing tube with the restrictor element therein as described heretofore.

Abstract: In an apparatus for severing a link between two sausages, in particular for cutting out a clip at a twisting point by means of a cutting device which has a cutting edge, comprises at least two cutting edges lying opposite one another and movable toward one another when the twisting point is located between them.

Abstract: A device for separating sausages from a string of sausages, in which the sausages are connected by a twisted section comprising at least one clip. The invention is characterized in that a knife rotates about the twisted section, cutting the latter with its blade positioned in front of and/or behind the clip.

Abstract: A sausage encasing machine has a computer and a casing diameter sensor located on a frame downstream of an exit end of a meat stuffing tube. The sensor is connected to the computer to transmit casing diameter data to the computer as the casing is being sensed. The computer is programmed to sausage diameter parameters, and the computer is programmed to signal a machine power system to cease operation whenever the computer detects that the casing diameter exceeds the predetermined parameters.

Abstract: A device for separating sausages (2.1, 2.2, 2.3) from a string of sausages, in which the sausages are connected by a twisted section (3) comprising at least one clip (4.1, 4.2). The invention is characterized in that a knife (7) rotates about the twisted section (3), cutting the latter with its blade (9.1, 9.2) positioned in front of and/or behind the clip (4.1, 4.2).

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for manufacturing sausages as chain-like food products is comprised of: a stuffing nozzle (5) over which an unstuffed natural intestine casing (2) is fitted and which is adapted to continuously discharge a fixed amount of meat (M) as a stuffing material from a distal end (5a) into the unstuffed natural intestine casing (2) so as to form a stuffed natural intestine casing (4) forwardly of the distal end (5a), and is rotated so as to rotate the stuffed natural intestine casing (4) about an axis (X) in the direction of (A) by means of the fitted unstuffed natural intestine casing (2); and two pairs of pincher members (6a), (6b) and (7a), (7b) for consecutively pinching the stuffed natural intestine casing (4) in predetermined cycles and adapted to circulatingly move in the direction of (C) to move the pinched stuffed natural intestine casing (4) from a position forward of the distal end (5a) of the stuffing nozzle (5) further downstream (in the direction of (B)).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for conveying and individually separating sausages or other elongate foodstuff products, wherein the sausages are fed by a conveyor device (46) to a separating apparatus (8) with a separating tool. A sensor (64) which is responsive to the conveyor device (4) and which preferably cooperates with the drive motor of the conveyor device (4) or with the movable conveyor elements (36) of the conveyor device (6) produces a signal which represents a measurement for a current position of a movable conveyor element (36) of the conveyor device (6) and thus for a current position of one or more constriction or twist-off locations in the chain of sausages, and that the signal is fed to the separating apparatus (8) in order to control the drive motor (13) in such a way that the severing tool separates the sausages in the region of a twist-off location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting sausages squeezes the meat inside the casing by a crimping wheel to move the meat emulsion away from the linking point to provide sufficient casing to close the ends of the proposed links and to prevent bursting of the casing. This is accomplished by passing the unlinked sausage strand over a crimping wheel to crimp the proposed linking points, reshaping the sausage strand at the linking points, and then subsequently cutting the precrimped link points.

Abstract: A link cutting apparatus for cutting a twist between two links. The apparatus includes a link aligning device and a trimming device. The link aligning device is movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position where the device will engage a link and align the twist with the cutting device. In one embodiment, the link aligning device includes a link aligning member pivotable between the engaged and disengaged positions. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a second link aligning device that will engage a second link and align a second twist with a cutting device. The trimming device includes at least two cutting edges that will remove at least a portion of the twist from both of the links. In one embodiment, the cutting edges comprise at least two knives and at least one blade sized to fit between the knives. Preferably, the apparatus further includes a second trimming device having at least two cutting edges that will remove at least a portion of a second twist from a second pair of links.

Abstract: A metal detector is incorporated in a discharge horn of a product filling machine in a manner which shortens the length of the horn to thereby prevent the formation of aesthetically displeasing product due to extended transport of the comminuted product through a filling horn and metal detection equipment.

Abstract: A separating device for separating sausages at division locations with at least two conveying belts moving into the same direction for transporting a sausage string and with at least two separator elements which are driven so that for cutting the sausage string they cooperate at division locations, and means which provide a distance between the conveying belts during the cooperation of the separator elements in the region of the division location to be separated which distance is greater than the diameter of the sausage, and a process for separating sausages.

Abstract: A declipper blade assembly for removing a clip from the end of a sausage package, the assembly including a pair of plates mounted on a power head in a parallel spaced relation, a curved end piece mounted in the space between the end of the plates, a curved cutting blade pivotally mounted on the power head between the end of the plates, the cutting blade including a cutting edge on the end thereof for cutting the clip from the end of a sausage package, the clip being discharged through the space between the pair of plates.

Abstract: A cutting tool is provided which includes a cutter blade assembly. The cutter blade assembly is adaptable to a universal power head. The cutter blade assembly includes a pair of plates pivotally mounted on the power head. The pair of plates are mounted in a parallel spaced relationship to each other to form a space therebetween. Each plate of the pair of plates has an inside edge on one end thereof. The cutter blade assembly also includes a cutter blade mounted on the power head for pivotal motion in the space between tne pair of plates and a cutting edge on the cutter blade. The cutting edge has at least one point therealong which is contained in an imaginary line transverse to imaginary lines containing the inside edges of each plate of the pair of plates. The cutter blade and the pair of plates pivot simultaneously in opposite directions with respect to each other for the cutting edge of the cutter blade to cooperate with the inside edges of each plate of the pair of plates to cut a material to be cut.

Abstract: A separation device for separating sausages at separation points, comprising at least one first separation element and one second separation element, which are driven so as to circulate in opposite directions on circular paths in such a way that, when circulating, they cooperate such that the sausage strand is cut through. The first separation element comprises a first forming element which circulates together therewith and which precedes the first separation element on its circular path, and that the second separation element comprises a second forming element which circulates together therewith and which follows the second separation element on its circular path, with the first and second forming elements holding the sausages to be separated at a desired distance. Through a corresponding method sausages can be separated at separation points and cut.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described to completely separate linked sausages, wieners, or similar products and to remove the links from the ends of the product, i.e., delinking, through mechanical agitation, through the use of direct contact with refrigerant cryogens. The delinked and separated product can then also be individually quick frozen.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for separating sausages from a string of sausages linked by connecting portions and comprises a conveyor system including at least two conveyors connected in series and comprising upper and lower belts, between which the sausage string is held. The apparatus further comprises a sensing device and cutting means controlled by the sensing device. In order to ensure reliable operation of the apparatus at high speeds and when sausages are misshapen, the connecting portion detection is improved by driving the downstream conveyor at a higher speed than the upstream conveyor so effecting a stretching of the sausage string as it is transferred from one to the other and by using two photosensing detectors mutually spaced along the conveyor and adapted to signal the detection of a connecting portion when the downstream detector registers a low light value and the upstream detector registers a high light value.

Abstract: An air-powered apparatus (10) for separating a string of sausages (S) connected by twisted casings (TC) is provided. The apparatus (10) has a first sausage mouth (46) spaced from a second sausage mouth (48) defining a cutting zone (C). Each sausage mouth (46,48) has a slot (54) for receiving a twisted casing (TC) connecting adjacent sausages. A first knife (70) is movably supported in the first sausage mouth (46), and a second knife (72) movably supported in the second sausage mouth (48). A tensioning cylinder (76) has a fixed end and an extendable end connected to the first sausage mouth (46) to move the first sausage mouth (46) relative to the second sausage mouth (48) to stretch the twisted casing (TC). A first cutting cylinder (66) has a fixed end and an extendable end connected to the first knife (70) for moving the first knife (70) into the cutting zone (C).

Abstract: A linking and link cutting assembly for sausage encasing machines has a pair of endless linking chains having portions which are parallel and which are laterally spaced. They carry spaced pinching blocks which register during the parallel movement, and pinch a sausage rope moving longitudinally therebetween to form links in the rope. A cutting knife is incorporated into one of the registering blocks and is actuated by a cam block having a cam surface that engages the knife to selectively move the knife to cut the desired link. The linking chains are conventionally driven and are adaptable for operative connection to the typical drive shaft of a conventional linking apparatus of a sausage encasing machine. The method of separating cutting links in a sausage rope while the rope is moving longitudinally. The knife which cuts the links is a part of the blocks on the linking chain that forms the links, and is actuated by a cam block.

Abstract: Sausage meat is fed through a tube of a cutting head and is cut by a cutter which is connected to a part of the cutting head which is rotatable.

Abstract: The machine comprises a rotary drum provided with a circumferential series of twisting and cutting parts arranged along generatrices of the drum. The twisting parts are composed of pairs of male-female pliers made to translate relatively between an open position and a closed position and with partially telescoping of the same. The cutting parts are composed of sliding knives normally housed in corresponding recesses of one of the pliers and which can be driven to project therefrom to cut the continuous sausage when the pliers are in the closed position.

Abstract: A cutting assembly for severing a chain of linked articles joined together by joining segments, the linked articles and joining segments being comprised of a semi-rigid casing, for example, collagen, the cutting assembly having a pair of knives positioned perpendicular to the path of movement of the linked articles, the distance between the knives adjustable to accommodate joining segments of differing lengths, the knives being activated upon registration of the joining segments between the knives to sever the joining segments from adjacent linked articles.