Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing a rod-like element from a loading position of a hanging line in which the rod-like element can successively be loaded with sausage-shaped products, each of which contain a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing provided with a suspension element through which the sausage-shaped products can be suspended on the rod-like element in the loading position.

Abstract: A sausage processing apparatus, including a circulating compartmented belt, a downstream compartmented roller, wherein a sausage is transferred from a compartment of the belt into a compartment of the roller, and a second circulating transport device, onto which the sausages are transferred from the compartments of the roller. A control device controls the conveying operation of the second transport device and of the roller. A sensor device detects the occupancy of the compartments of the belt.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hanging device, a smoke bar top module as well as a method for extracting a sausage group that hangs on multiple hanging hooks of a hanging device. The hanging hooks have a device for guiding a smoke bar or a smoke bar top module.

Abstract: A sausage suspending apparatus includes: a plurality of suspending members for suspending a sausage therefrom; a conveyor having the suspending members; and stick supporting members for supporting a stick. A stick discharging unit has a pair of stick latching arm bodies adapted to move upwardly in a forward direction, and, after the stick latching arm body has taken up the stick from the stick supporting member, the stick latching arm body discharges the stick from the stick latching arm body. The pair of stick latching arm bodies are located in correspondence with both end portions of the stick in a longitudinal direction of the stick, and a moving body and a driving body are provided outside a range between the both end portions of the stick.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling system for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements from or into a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking rods, serving for storing products, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The handling system comprises a robotic device with at least one robotic arm being movably in three dimensions, at least one gripping device for reversibly gripping the rod-like elements, wherein the gripping device is attached to the robotic arm of the robotic device. Moreover, a preventing unit for preventing uncontrolled movement of the products hanging up on the rod-like elements is provided.

Abstract: Hook groups formed by hooks in a number identical to a maximum number of loops of sausage to be suspended from a stick are provided on a wrapping connector moving body of a conveyor with a respective hook absent zone interposed between adjacent ones of the hook groups. When the sausage is suspended from all the hooks of one hook group, the supply of the sausage to the conveyor is interrupted, and the sausage whose supply to the conveyor has been restarted after the hook absent zone moved a predetermined distance is suspended from a first hook of an ensuing hook group to form one loop by a last hook of the one hook group and a first hook of the ensuing hook group.

Abstract: Device for treating a string of sausages composed of a plurality of sausages which are disposed so as to be behind one another, having a sausage casing from an organic material which in the region between two sausages displays in each case a twist, wherein at least one microwave applicator which has at least one application chamber and is assigned at least one microwave generation unit for generating the microwave radiation to be supplied to the application chamber, and which has at least one conveying unit for conveying the string of sausages through the at least one application chamber is provided, wherein at least one measuring unit (28, 29) for identifying at least one measured value which represents a measure of the temperature prevailing in the application chamber (11) is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a loading station for a storage frame. In the loading station, the storage frame serves for temporarily holding and transporting rod-like elements, in particular smoking rods, on which sausage-shaped products, like sausages, are stored, and comprises two side parts, wherein each side part has two supports being substantially parallel to each other and wherein the side parts are connected with each other by at least one cross beam, and horizontally arranged trays for accommodating rod-like elements. The loading station comprises at least one position defining device for defining a predetermined position of the storage frame. Moreover, at least one locking device is provided for releasably locking of the storage frame in its predetermined position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation device for transporting sausage-shaped products with suspension elements from a clipping machine to a handling device. The transportation device comprises a conveying unit, a catching unit for catching the suspension element attached to one end of the sausage-shaped product, and a guide unit for guiding the suspension element caught by the catching unit to said handling device comprising a longitudinally extending guide element and supports for supporting the guide element, wherein the supports provide a passage way for the suspension element to be guided along the guide element. The supports include gear wheels arranged rotatably about an at least substantially horizontally aligned axis engaging the guide element. Moreover, there are provided ratchets for engaging the gear wheels adapted to position a gap between two subsequent teeth of said gear wheels in the passage way of said suspension element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for suspending sausages, where sausages are taken up by suspension hooks moving on a circulation path and are conveyed, suspended from the suspension hooks, in a conveying direction into a removal area. At least a part of the suspension hooks is controllable independently of one another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a discharge device for discharging sausage-shaped products comprising suspension elements from the discharge end of a clipping machine to a handling device for said sausage-shaped products. The discharge device comprises a first guide for said suspension elements, having a first end and a second end as well as an upper guide surface and two side surfaces and extending from the discharge end of said clipping machine towards the handling device, and second guide arranged at said side surfaces and extending at least approximately between the first and second end of said first guide. The discharge device further comprises transportation units for transporting said suspension elements along said first guide, including transportation elements with engagement elements which engage the second guide and which are guided through said second guide in a transportation direction by said transportation elements.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus and a method for suspending sausages, in particular sausage chains, including a plurality of circulating suspension hooks, where the suspension apparatus is configured such that it is able to accommodate a plurality of groups of sausages, the respective sausages being suspended from n suspension hooks. The apparatus includes at least one variable indicator capable of indicating a group end and/or a group beginning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination consisting of a closing device (1) for sausages and a suspension device (2) for the sausages. The closing device is arranged at an angle relative to the suspension device, allowing very long sausages to be closed and suspended.

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 invention concerns an apparatus for picking up and guiding loops or the like which can be applied to articles, in particular sausage-shaped packs, comprising a loop feed means, an angled pick-up means having a front end, a pin which has a contact surface and which is movable between a first position in which it passes through the fed loop and in which the contact surface is in contact with the front end of the pick-up means, and a second position away from the front end of the pick-up means, and a drive for actuation of the contact pin. A torque support means is provided in the front region of the front end of the pick-up means and the contact surface of the pin has means for centering the pick-up means in such a way that the pick-up means does not bear against the torque support means when the pin is in the first position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a handling system for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for transporting, removing or inserting rod-like elements.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for hanging sausage on a rod that does not need the task for suspending sausage on hooks to be paused when a chain of sausages hung on a rod is to be removed or when closure processing is to be performed on the front end portion or the rear end portion of a chain of sausages. Hook units are transferred and each include: a unit body that moves along a rail; a rod portion that is rotatably supported to the unit body and has attached thereto a hook portion at one end for hanging a joining portion of the chain of sausages, and a support portion that supports the chain of sausages suspended on the hook portion; and a rod receiving portion that is attached to the unit body, and has formed thereon a recessed portion in which a rod is to be placed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (2) for transferring longitudinally supplied elongate food products (4), such as for instance sausages. The sausages are placed here in a recess (10) of a rotatable holder body (9) and subsequently set down in lateral direction. The invention further relates to an assembly (1) of such a transfer device and a feed conveyor (3) for sausages connecting to the transfer device. The invention moreover relates to a method for transferring elongate food products such as sausages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a clip machine for a production line for the manufacturing of sausage-shaped products receives a flowable filling material in a tubular wrapper material. The clip machine includes at least two sealing tools, movable relative to one another between a opening position and a closing position for the placing and closing of clips on a sausage-shaped product, at least one clip storage device from which clips can be fed to a sealing tool, a storage device for storing a supply of wrapper material, a separation device for separating an individual sausage product from the supply of wrapper material, a filling pipe for the feeding of filling material, a delivery device for delivering sausage-shaped products from the clip machine along a transport path for the sausage-shaped products and a feeding device for flexible suspension elements from which suspension elements can be fed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method producing a plait-like portion on a tubular packaging casing, which accommodates a filling material includes a plait-like portion at least approximately free of filling material, extending along a longitudinal plait-axis. The apparatus comprises a first displacer unit with a first pair of displacer elements reversibly movable between an opened and a closed position perpendicular to the longitudinal plait-axis. A displacer clearance is created between the first pair of displacer elements, which surrounds the longitudinal plait-axis, in which the tubular packaging casing is being gathered, when the first pair of displacer elements is in the closed position. The apparatus comprises a second displacer unit with a second pair of displacer elements also being reversibly movable between an opened and a closed position perpendicular to the longitudinal plait-axis. A displacer clearance is created between the second pair of displacer elements, similar to first pair of displacer elements.

Abstract: A suspension apparatus and a method for suspending sausages, in particular sausage chains, including a plurality of circulating suspension hooks, where the suspension apparatus is configured such that it is able to accommodate a plurality of groups of sausages, the respective sausages being suspended from n suspension hooks. The apparatus includes at least one variable indicator capable of indicating a group end and/or a group beginning.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for hanging sausage on a rod that does not need the task for suspending sausage on hooks to be paused when a chain of sausages hung on a rod is to be removed or when closure processing is to be performed on the front end portion or the rear end portion of a chain of sausages. Hook units are transferred and each include: a unit body that moves along a rail; a rod portion that is rotatably supported to the unit body and has attached thereto a hook portion at one end for hanging a joining portion of the chain of sausages, and a support portion that supports the chain of sausages suspended on the hook portion; and a rod receiving portion that is attached to the unit body, and has formed thereon a recessed portion in which a rod is to be placed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for suspending sausages, where sausages are taken up by suspension hooks moving on a circulation path and are conveyed, suspended from the suspension hooks, in a conveying direction into a removal area. At least a part of the suspension hooks is controllable independently of one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for producing and handling sausage-like product and a method for controlling for controlling said system with the steps of filling a tubular casing with viscous or granular stuff, dividing the filled tubular casing into sausage-like products and closing the sausage-like products by closure clips in a clipping machine, feeding the sausage-like product out of the clipping machine and storing the sausage-like product on a rod-like element in a hanging line and gripping the rod-like element by a robotic device and storing the rod-like element in a storage frame. The method further comprises the steps of sensing the weight of the sausage-like product after the sausage-like product is stored on a rod-like element, deriving a control signal for the clipping machine on the basis of the weight and controlling the clipping machine by a control unit on the basis of the control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transportation device for transporting sausage-shaped products with suspension elements from a clipping machine to a handling device. The transportation device comprises a conveying unit, a catching unit for catching the suspension element attached to one end of the sausage-shaped product, and a guide unit for guiding the suspension element caught by the catching unit to said handling device comprising a longitudinally extending guide element and supporting means for supporting the guide element, wherein the supporting means provide a passage way for the suspension element to be guided along the guide element. The supporting means include gear wheels arranged rotatably about an at least substantially horizontally aligned axis engaging the guide element. Moreover, there are provided ratchets for engaging the gear wheels adapted to position a gap between two subsequent teeth of said gear wheels in the passage way of said suspension element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking stick feeding unit (10) which comprises lifting device (12) that allow a plurality of smoking sticks (15) to be lifted simultaneously. In the top position of lift, the top smoking stick is transferred to a transport means for a horizontal movement into the loading position. The smoking stick feeding unit can be used to feed smoking sticks for loading with very long packaging units or sausages in a suspension device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a robotic device for inserting or removing rod-like elements into or from a storage frame, the rod-like elements, like smoking bars, serving for storing products, e.g. sausages, each having a sausage-shaped body and a loop for a pendulously storage of the products. The method comprises the steps of providing at least a first storage frame for temporarily storing rod-like elements, moving the storage frame into the operating range of the robotic device, picking up by the robotic device a rod-like element on which at least one sausage-like product is hung up, and inserting or removing the rod-like element into or from the storage frame by the robotic device.

Abstract: A method for controlling a production line for manufacturing sausage-shaped products, a production line provided for this as well as a clip machine and a feeding machine for the manufacture of sausage-shaped products, with a flowable filling material such as sausage meat, a sealing material, granulate and the like being received in a tubular wrapper material and with the production line having at least: a clip machine, in which the wrapper material filled with filling material is divided into portions into individual sausage-shaped products by placing closing clips and is separated from the supply of the remaining wrapper material; with at least one flexible suspension element being applied to the sausage-shaped product during the placing of the closing clips, which is fed in a timed manner into the clip machine; and a feeding machine, which supplies the storage rods individually for further processing of the sausage-shaped products and which has conveyor elements, circulating continuously along a transport p

Abstract: The invention relates to a smoking stick feeding unit (10) which comprises lifting means (12) that allow a plurality of smoking sticks (15) to be lifted simultaneously. In the top position of lift, the top smoking stick is transferred to a transport means for a horizontal movement into the loading position. The smoking stick feeding unit can be used to feed smoking sticks for loading with very long packaging units or sausages in a suspension device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a discharge device for discharging sausage-shaped products comprising suspension elements from the discharge end of a clipping machine to a handling device for said sausage-shaped products. The discharge device comprises a first guide means for said suspension elements, having a first end and a second end as well as an upper guide surface and two side surfaces and extending from the discharge end of said clipping machine towards the handling device, and second guide means arranged at said side surfaces and extending at least approximately between the first and second end of said first guide means. The discharge device further comprises transportation units for transporting said suspension elements along said first guide means, including transportation elements with engagement elements which engage the second guide means and which are guided through said second guide means in a transportation direction by said transportation elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feeding machine for manufacturing sausage-shaped products including storage rods for suspending sausage-shaped products, a device for mounting one end of a storage rod, and a device for feeding the sausage-shaped products, the device for feeding comprising an endless conveyor with a strand running parallel to the storage rod and having conveyor elements spaced at intervals to receive the sausage-shaped products, at least one control element arranged along the strand of the endless conveyor, the conveyor elements being movable and having hooks comprised of two identical partial hooks and being pivotable around horizontal axes from their position holding the suspension elements into their position depositing the suspension elements, the at least one control element forming a moving trigger element along the strand against its forward direction, which triggers the movement of the hooks from their holding into their depositing position.

Abstract: Suspension devices for suspending strings of sausages in loops. The suspension device may include hooks configured for carrying a loop of the string of sausages and a guide and drive device coupled with the hooks. The guide and drive device is configured for guiding and driving the hooks along a path of movement. The guide and drive device has a drivable circulating drive element for spaced receiving of the hooks and for driving the hooks. The suspension device may include a height-altering device that alters the height of the hooks during the movement of the hooks along the path of movement.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus (1) for suspending sausage strings in loops (2), comprising a guide and drive device for guiding and driving hooks (8) along a path of movement, which has a drivable circulating drive element for spacedly receiving and for driving a plurality of hooks (8), and a plurality of hooks (8) which can be coupled to the drive element for carrying a loop (2) of the sausage string. The apparatus has a catch device (10) for catching a loop (2), which is arranged beneath and substantially radially outside the path of movement of the hooks. The invention further concerns a method of feeding sausage strings to an apparatus and a catch device.

Abstract: An apparatus for a sausage-casing-sensitive division of stuffed sausage strands, having at least one pair of dividing elements for dividing the stuffed sausage strand and at least two guide elements between which the stuffed sausage strand is conveyed in the conveying direction. The distance between the guide elements can be adjusted in dependence upon the sausage caliber.

Abstract: A device for transferring sausage-shaped products, carried out of a clipping machine and provided with loop-shaped suspension elements, to a product receiving element, said device containing: a guide bar along which the suspension elements can be guided in the direction of transport by means of conveyor elements, and a front and a rear bearing assembly for the guide bar, the bearing assemblies having a right-hand and a left-hand bearing unit that are each disposed in pairs laterally from the guide bar. It is further provided that the front and rear bearing assemblies form drivable positive guidance mechanisms for the suspension elements.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for suspending strings of sausages in loops, the apparatus including a guide and drive device for guiding and driving hooks along a path of movement. The guide and drive device includes a drivable circulating drive element for spaced receiving and driving a plurality of hooks. The apparatus also includes a plurality of hooks which can be coupled to the drive element for carrying a loop of the string of sausages. The apparatus further includes a fixing device for steplessly fixing the hooks at various spacing relative to each other on the drive element.

Abstract: A device for loading link sausages into a tray package includes a first continuous conveyor adapted and constructed to transport sausage links. A continuous transfer belt receives sausages from the first continuous conveyor, and transfers them to a separation and placement device adapted and constructed to separate the sausages from the first continuous conveyor into discrete groups of pluralities of sausages, and to deposit the sausages received onto packaging trays. A second continuous conveyor transports loaded trays of sausage links away from the metering device.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for transporting articles hanging on loops or the like, in particular sausage-shaped packs, comprising a shaft which has a first axial portion on which a screw is disposed. A drive moment is applied by way of the outside periphery of the screw and the shaft is supported by way of the outside periphery of the screw.

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: The invention described herein relates to a feeding machine for a production line for the manufacturing of sausage-shaped products receives a flowable filling material in a tubular wrapper material. The feeding machine includes storage rods for suspending the sausage-shaped products which have a flexible suspension element on one of their ends, which can be guided via a storage rod and which can assume a closed and an open embodiment, a device for mounting one end of a storage rod that is free at the other end and a device for feeding the sausage-shaped products, suspended from their suspension elements, one after the other to the storage rod and, under guidance of the suspension elements, depositing the suspension elements over the free end of the storage rod at spaced positions along the storage rod.

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: A magazine for storage rods for receiving sausage-shaped products, comprising one or a plurality of vertically extending shafts 2 in which the storage rods 3 are to be arranged one above the other, wherein a separation means is provided at the bottom end of the respective shafts 2, said separation means having retention devices 4, 5 which can be moved into the interior of the shaft for successive operating positions for releasing the bottommost storage rods 7.

Abstract: A smoking rail feed device as well as a method of accurately positioning a smoking rail in sausage loops or in loops of other products suspended from a hanger, and having, for improved insertion of the smoking rail into the loops, a smoking rail support, on which the smoking rail rests, at least partially, and oriented in the direction of the hanger. The smoking rail support is adapted to be displaced such that the smoking rail is transferred substantially in the longitudinal direction from the smoking rail feed device to a pick-up area of the hanger, in which the loops are arranged for being picked up.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for loading items onto a rack is described.

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 system having a sausage and filling clipping machine and a sausage conveyor apparatus as well as a method of controlling the system is described. In the system the sausage filling and clipping machine has a filling pipe. The motor-driven sausage conveyor apparatus includes at least one conveyor element and is arranged downstream of the filling pipe of the sausage filling and clipping machine in the advance direction of the sausage. It is further provided that the sausage conveyor apparatus is formed by a chain link conveyor and is arranged immediately adjacent to the filling pipe of the sausage filling and clipping machine in such a way that a sausage product which is filled at the filling pipe of the sausage filling and clipping machine and closed can be engaged by the at least one conveyor element of the chain link conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus 1 for transferring a stick for suspending loops of sausages, includes: a stick supporting means 9 for supporting the stick 8 at a position 7 located downwardly of suspending portions 4 of hooks 5 each having the suspending portion 4 for suspending the loop 3 of the sausages 2; a first stick transferer 14 which is raised from a lowermost position 11 located downwardly of the stick 8 supported by the stick supporting means 9 to an upper position 13 located upwardly of the hooks 5 to raise the stick 8 moved onto the first stick transferer 14 from the stick supporting means 9, and which is subsequently lowered to the lowermost position 11; and a second stick transferer 15 which is provided at a position upwardly distant from the hooks 5 and which is raised to an uppermost position 17 located upwardly of the upper position 13 to raise the stick 8, which has been moved onto the second stick transferer 15 from the first stick transferer 14, to the uppermost position 17, and which is subsequently lowered

Abstract: A transport device having a screw conveyor for transporting products hanging on loops, in particular for transporting sausage products, the transport device includes a first screw conveyor section, a drive for the first screw conveyor section, wherein the drive torque is transferred to the screw conveyor section via an outer circumferential area of the first screw conveyor section, and further includes a first bearing assembly for the first screw conveyor section, wherein a second screw conveyor section that immediately adjoins the first screw conveyor section in the direction of transport is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for loading items onto a rack is described.

Abstract: A conveyor system for transporting a strand of sausage having a carriage slidably mounted to an operating platform where the carriage has an end turn sprocket where the strand is dropped onto a smoke stick and the carriage moves to drop the strand along the length of the smoke stick.