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.

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 means 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 means to a pick-up area of the hanger, in which the loops are arranged for being picked up.

Abstract: A device (3) for portioning a string of material (2) moving in the conveying direction (F), particularly a string of sausage, into individual sections (2a) of a predetermined length, including at least one portioning tool (18, 18a, 18b, 19, 19a, 19b, 119a, 119b), which is movable in a circular path around an axis in a manner that it can be moved transversely with respect to the conveying direction (F) into the string of material (2) and out of the string of material and follows the movement of the conveying direction (F) in a limited manner. The portioning tool is rotatable on a circular path around a first axis (20, 21) and on a second circular path around a second axis (16), wherein the axes (16, 20, 21) are arranged at a distance with respect to one another and the rotary movements around the first and around the second axis (16, and 20, 21, respectively) are formed in a manner controllable independent of one another.

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: A high capacity food processing system, including for an elongated strand of food product such as hot dogs, sausage links, etc., has first and second loading stations with serial accumulators enabling intermittent stopping of the loading operation, which is a necessary and normal part of use, without disrupting a downstream thermal process, and enabling differential conveyor velocities through the loading stations, including a loading velocity for loading food product on the conveyor, a bypass velocity during intermittent non-loaded conveyor segments, and a transport velocity through the processing station, wherein the transport velocity is less than the bypass velocity and greater than the loading velocity, and where the transport velocity remains constant and the same during both of the loading and bypass velocities of the conveyor at the loading stations and also remains constant and the same during stopped movement of the conveyor at the loading stations.

Abstract: A machine for stuffing a food product in a casing, comprising a clipping unit which is adapted to apply two clips with an intermediate cut at the trailing end of a product introduced in a casing and comprising a device for inserting ties which are supported by a ribbon which moves stepwise, moving progressively the ties, one after the other, to a clipping standby position, in which the tie is available for being engaged by a clip in its motion from the magazine to the closure position, a bar being provided which is adapted to be associated with the tie in its movement from the clipping standby position.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station, loading, and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in spaced-apart relationship, a plurality of carrier members having opposing first and second ends and an associated width and length, along a selected travel path to a loading station; (b) presenting, in serial order, the carrier members to the loading station in a substantially horizontal orientation; (c) discharging elongated product from a winder arm that moves in a selected pattern about the carrier member at the loading station; and (d) straddling elongated product over each respective carrier member at the loading station responsive to the discharging step so that portions of the elongated product are serially draped over the carrier member along a length thereof, the straddling being carried out so that certain lengths of the elongated product hang from opposing sides of the carrier member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing dry sausages by the successive processing steps of: A) manufacturing a half-finished product which is still to be dried and consists of a skin filled with a sausage filling, and B) drying the half-finished product for a period of more than one day, wherein the half-finished products are moved, optionally intermittently, during drying. The invention also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing dry sausages, comprising means for manufacturing half-finished products consisting of a skin filled with a sausage filling still to be dried, and a container for drying a plurality of half-finished products for dry sausages in a drying space with a frame in which at least one endless conveyor is arranged, which conveyor is provided with a plurality of product carriers and wherein the conveyor with product carriers is displaceable relative to the frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending a sausage from a stick includes an endless circulating body provided with hooks; stick supporting members for supporting a stick at a position below the hooks; a pair of stick-supporting-member actuating devices for moving the stick supporting members toward or away from the stick; and a stick transferring device for transferring the sausage suspended from the hooks onto the stick while removing the stick from the stick supporting members, and for concurrently supplying an ensuing stick onto the stick supporting members.

Abstract: A food processing system for an elongated strand of food product, such as hot dogs or sausage links, provides aligned orientation of conveyor hooks and identical arrival time spacing between adjacent hooks at a reference loading point at a strand producing machine discharge station.

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing a sausage strand includes at least two opposite spaced-apart guide elements having a distance which can be adapted to a sausage caliber such that the filled sausage strand can be moved between and through the guide elements in the transportation direction along a first axis and rotated by the guide elements about the first axis, and a means for jointly rotating the guide elements about the first axis. The sausage strand is first filled with a filling tube of a filling unit, and then guided in the transportation direction through the at least two opposite spaced-apart guide elements whose distance can be adapted to the sausage caliber, and the guide elements are rotated about a first axis extending along the transportation direction, wherein the filled sausage strand is also rotated about the first axis, the filled sausage strand being simultaneously supported at a place in the transportation direction behind the guide elements.

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: An apparatus for automatically delivering raw sausages to a smokehouse rack is described. A continuous rotating conveyor holds a plurality of half-tubular trays hung on gimbals. Sausages are extruded into a tray at a loading station, and the tray is carried around by the conveyor to an unloading station, where an arm causes the tray to tilt and to roll the sausage onto a smokehouse rack.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and associated devices for supplying support members to a product loading station, loading, and automatically removing loaded members therefrom include: (a) advancing in spaced-apart relationship, a plurality of carrier members having opposing first and second ends and an associated width and length, along a selected travel path to a loading station; (b) straddling elongated product over each respective carrier member at the loading station so that portions of the elongated product are serially draped over the corner member along a length thereof, the straddling being carried out so that certain lengths of the elongated product hang from opposing sides of the carrier member; and (c) advancing the carrier members loaded with the straddled product downstream of the loading station.

Abstract: A loading system is provided for loading an elongated strand of food product of given diameter on a moving transport conveyor. First and second loading conveyors are separated by a gap of dimension less than or equal to the diameter of the food product strand and convey the strand to a transfer ramp by an indexed drive.

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: An apparatus for suspending a sausage (6) from a stick (7) includes an endless circulating body (3) provided with hooks (4) stick supporting members (10) for supporting the stick at a position below the hooks, a pair of stick-supporting-member actuating devices (11) for moving the stick supporting members toward or away from the stick, and a stick transferring device (104) for transferring the sausage suspended from the hooks onto the stick while removing the stick from the stick supporting members, and for concurrently supplying an ensuing stick onto the stick supporting members.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for shaping or forming the leading edge portion of an elongated food product include: (a) moving an elongated food item forward over a first travel lane in a predetermined travel path in a food processing system, the elongated food item having a leading edge portion that extends beyond the primary body portion of the food, the travel lane having a floor food support surface, the food item residing on the floor support surface; (b) blowing the leading edge portion of the food item in an upward direction away from the floor support surface while the food item is moving forward in the first travel lane; and then (c) forcing the leading edge portion of the food item rearward so that it overlies and contacts an upper portion of the primary body of the food item while the food item is moving forward. Other methods and devices cut the leading edge portion of the elongated product, that may be a meat product stuffed into a casing, before the product moves up an inclined ramp.

Abstract: Automated loaders are configured with winding mechanisms that load elongated products directly onto transfer members, such as sticks or rods, by causing the arm to follow a repetitive motion pattern proximate to the stick or rod to discharge the elongated product in a desired motion onto the stick or rod. Methods for discharging elongated product, such as encased meats, so that they straddle or loop directly onto the stick, bar or other desired food support are also described.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for lying transport of elongated meat products has at least one endless displacing member for advancing product carriers. The displacing member is moved in a frame by a driver. The endless displacing member is driven at two separate positions. Tensing elements are placed between the separate positions of the drives.

Abstract: A device for positioning separately supplied elongate meat products, comprises two driven endless aligning conveyors running with the transport 5 paths substantially parallel to each other, which transport paths together form a support for the meat products for transporting such that, at the position where the transport paths are mutually adjacent, they are in a lower position than when at a greater mutual distance. This structure also relates to a method for positioning separately supplied elongate meat products.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing ends of a chain of natural intestine sausages which is used together with a suspending device for suspending and transporting a chain of natural intestine sausages includes: a heating device having a liquid tank in which a heating liquid is stored and which is disposed at a position below suspending members of the suspending device, so as to thermally contract a leading end portion and a trailing end portion of the chain of sausages on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A food processing system for an elongated strand of food product, such as hot dogs or sausage links, provides aligned orientation of conveyor hooks and identical arrival time spacing between adjacent hooks at a reference loading point at a strand producing machine discharge station.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for changing the position of chains of sausages in sausage production processes with two endless conveying belts which convey the sausages of the chain of sausages over a first length in a first direction and which then deflect the chain of sausages into a second direction and convey it over a second length in said second direction, the distance between the conveying belts being chosen such that it is larger during transport in said second direction than during transport in said first direction, for use in transferring a chain of sausages from a twist-off station to a suspension station.

Abstract: A system for conveying and collating a crimped line of sausage has an elongated vibratory conveyor deck powered to oscillate on a supporting frame. A tray having a bottom and upright sides on a tray mounted on the vibrating conveyor will absorb the oscillations of the conveyor. A plurality of elongated channels extend longitudinally on the upper surface of the tray from the intake end to the exit end, whereupon the elongated line of crimped sausages deposited on the intake end of the tray in the form of sausage line segments or individual links will progressively move into the channels of the tray and will progressively move towards the exit end of the tray with the links and the line of sausage segments being aligned in parallel fashion.

Abstract: A method for determining the number of loops of linked sausages for deposit on a smokestick includes; preparing an elongated strand of stuffed sausages; dividing the strand of sausages into a plurality of sausage links; determining the desired number of looped sausages to be prepared; depositing the linked sausages into the determined loops and depositing the loops on a plurality of adjacent hooks on a moving conveyor; intercepting the deposit of linked sausages on adjacent hooks when the predetermined number of linked loops of sausages have been deposited in the predetermined number of loops on the hooks to provide a visible variation in the configuration of linked sausages on the conveyor; and repeating the foregoing steps to create another group of sausages similar to the group of sausages created by the foregoing steps.

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: An apparatus for producing and processing a strand of sausage or foodstuff has a sausage producing machine which produces a linked strand of sausage for deposit of loops of the strand on the hooks of a continuous conveyor. The conveyor picks up the loops of the strand at a loading station immediately adjacent the discharge end of the machine, and conveys the loops to a processing station for smoking or the like. The conveyor then moves the loops to an unloading station for removal of the strand from the conveyor, whereupon the conveyor downstream of the unloading station returns to the loading station to pick up additional product. A conveyor take-up mechanism is located immediately downstream from the loading station to permit the conveyor to cease movement at the loading station (while the casing on the machine is being replenished) while the conveyor can continue movement in the processing area. Sensors and controls interconnect the machine and the conveyor to coordinate the operational functions of each.

Abstract: A sausage conveyor hook has an elongated flat support arm having first and second ends and first and second arm portions disposed at an angle with respect to each other. The first arm portion normally is disposed in a horizontal position on the conveyor, and the second arm portion extends downwardly and outwardly from the first arm portion. The support arm extends outwardly from the conveyor chain at a right angle. The support arm is of a flat construction and has forwardly and rearwardly side edges. A head is located on a lower end of the second arm portion and has a blade with an upper support edge extending upwardly and forwardly from the lower end of the second arm portion. An elongated tang element is on the head and has a link engaging portion located rearwardly and below the support edge. When a strand of linked sausages comprised of a plurality of sausage links separated by link points is draped over the support edge, the strand will bend on the pivotal link point proximate the support edge.

Abstract: A collating conveyor is provided for sausage links. The conveyor includes a frame with opposite ends and chains trained about the opposite ends of the frame. A motor drives the chains in a vertically oriented loop. A plurality of brackets are mounted on the chains in longitudinally spaced positions so as to move with the chains. Each bracket includes a basket pivotally mounted thereon. A cam arm with a cam follower is provided on each bracket and connected to the basket. The cam follower tracks in a cam groove on the frame so as to pivot the baskets from a longitudinal position at the mid point of the conveyor to a lateral position at each end of the conveyor. Sausage links from an encasing machine are deposited into each longitudinally oriented basket, which carries the sausage links around the end of the conveyor for discharge onto a tray in collated, parallel rows.

Abstract: A conveyor station for a pair of sausage producing machines, has a pair of sausage producing machines capable of discharging a rope of sausages through a discharge end thereof. A pair of spaced elongated substantially parallel horizontal conveyors having one end of each adjacent the discharge ends of the machines, with the conveyors having adjacent sides. The conveyors have a continuous conveyor assembly adapted to rotate in a substantially horizontal plane to pick up and carry away the rope of sausage discharged from each machine. A power drive for rotating the conveyor assemblies in either a first or second rotational direction is operatively connected to the conveyor assemblies.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving the strand from a sausage making machine has J-hooks extending downwardly from a continuous chain conveyor. The conveyor picks up the loops of the strand at a loading station immediately adjacent the discharge end of the machine, and conveys the loops to a processing station for smoking or the like. The conveyor then moves the loops to an unloading station for removal of the strand from the conveyor, whereupon the conveyor downstream of the unloading station returns to the loading station to pick up additional product. A conveyor take-up mechanism is located immediately downstream from the loading station to permit the conveyor to cease movement at the loading station (while the casing on the machine is being replenished) while the conveyor can continue movement in the processing area. Sensors and controls interconnect the machine and the conveyor to coordinate the operational functions of each.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for handling strands of meat product links, the apparatus utilizing a strand flow forward end movement control apparatus in combination with a sausage stuffing machine which halts forward strand flow and allows the balance of the strand to collect in a nearby receptacle. Strands are continuously connected to each other and moved to a loop forming apparatus having a rotatable wheel formed from a pair of side plates to configure a link strand receiving channel. Catch rods are positioned on the side plates and are operable selectively in combination with a camming device to actuate the catch rods and release the strand for engagement with the hangers. As the strands are released for hanger engagement, they are looped over each individual hanger in loops of controllable size.

Abstract: A suspending device is provided with a device frame; a guiding device provided on an upper portion of the device frame and having a guide tube for guiding given portions of a chain of sausages, which are being conveyed and supplied by a nipping and conveying device, to a predetermined position while circularly moving its free end; a conveying device provided on the upper portion of the device frame in the same way as the guiding device, and adapted to convey the sausages formed into loops as the given portions of the sausages guided to the predetermined position by the guide tube of the guiding device are caught by the conveying device; a power generating device provided on the upper portion of the device frame and adapted to generate power constituting a conveying force for the sausages in the conveying device as well as a circularly moving force for circularly moving the guide tube of the guiding device; and a power transmitting device for transmitting the power generated by the power generating device to t

Abstract: An apparatus for producing and processing a strand of sausage or foodstuff has a sausage producing machine which produces a linked strand of sausage for deposit of loops of the strand on the hooks of a continuous conveyor. The conveyor picks up the loops of the strand at a loading station immediately adjacent the discharge end of the machine, and conveys the loops to a processing station for smoking or the like. The conveyor then moves the loops to an unloading station for removal of the strand from the conveyor, whereupon the conveyor downstream of the unloading station returns to the loading station to pick up additional product. A conveyor take-up mechanism is located immediately downstream from the loading station to permit the conveyor to cease movement at the loading station (while the casing on the machine is being replenished) while the conveyor can continue movement in the processing area. Sensors and controls interconnect the machine and the conveyor to coordinate the operational functions of each.

Abstract: A meat encasing machine has a looper horn, linking chain and conveyor which, prior to production, have home positions which are determined. A pulsed signal is generated as the looper horn rotates and is transmitted to an amplifier from an encoder on the servo motor for the looper horn and the conveyor. The output pulse signal is then reduced in frequency so that it can be read by a PLC. The PLC counts the pulses in the signal and can determine the relative position of the looper horn based on the count and can therefore minimize the rotation of the looper horn in the home position at the beginning of each new cycle. The meat encasing machine may also be controlled such that the linking chain, looper, and conveyor have no direct mechanical or electrical interaction between each other. By driving the components with separate servo motors, each can be precisely controlled in the desired ratios with respect to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming a chain of sausage links is described in which the formed links are less likely to unwind. The apparatus includes a conveyor (10) for moving a tubular food casing (18) filled with a food emulsion around an axis (12), the conveyor having a plurality of crimping (14a-h) and twisting (15a-h) means for forming a continuous adjacent links. The conveyor (10) moves the links through a semicircular path past station (A-I) where twisting and crimping operations are performed. The links so formed have a first set twisted in one direction about the tubular food casing axis and a second set of adjacent links twisted in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A food processing method and system, including a continuous cooker/chiller conveyor system (24) for meat products such as hot dogs and the like, is provided with an automatic unloader (36) having a first discharge transfer mode (FIGS. 1 and 2) automatically transferring the food product (22) to an automatic transfer member (38) for conveyance to a packaging line (32, 34), and a second discharge holding mode (FIGS. 3 and 4) holding the food product (22) on rack-off discharge arms (54, 56) until manually removed. In the event of an interruption in the packaging line (32, 34), rather than automatically transferring the food product (22) from the automatic unloader (36) to the transfer member (38), a rack-off procedure is instituted and the food product (22) is manually unloaded from the automatic unloader (36) and manually transferred to a holding rack (44, 46) on a temporary basis until resumption of operation of the packaging line (32, 34).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for making and transferring natural skin sausages formed in coherent chains to a smoke stick. To design a device of this type in such a manner that it is suited for automatically or semiautomatically transferring chains of natural skin sausages to a smoke stick, the filling tube has arranged downstream thereof a transportation device to which the natural skin sausages are transferred with the aid of a transfer chute which is provided with an access space for an operator's hand.

Abstract: A process for controlling combustion of burners arranged in a plurality of respective control zones divided in a furnace, includes the step of repeating a cycle of successively subjecting the burners to combustion for a short time. At least one temperature sensor is fitted in each control zone, a time period during which each burner is subjected to combustion is controlled according to a difference between a temperature detected by the corresponding temperature sensor and a preset temperature in a respective control zone. An apparatus is also disclosed for effecting such a controlling process.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a chain of linked sausages or the like includes a nozzle having a material-discharging end for discharging meat serving as a material; a material-supplying device for intermittently supplying a substantially fixed amount of the material into the nozzle; a braking member for braking the release of a sheep intestine fitted over the nozzle from the material-discharging end; a rotation-imparting device for rotating the nozzle; a determining device for determining the position of a twisted portion occurring in the sheep intestine which contains the material discharged from the material-discharging end and is released from the material-discharging end; a removing device for removing from a vicinity of the material-discharging end the sheep intestine containing the meat and released from the material-discharging end; and a controlled-pusher device for pushing a trailing end of the sheep intestine fitted over the nozzle toward the material-discharging end in a controlled state.

Abstract: Tubular casing with a food filling is linked and hung by a rotatable hanging stick having an array of notches or grooves (18) extending along the length of the stick at its perimeter. The grooves (18) are generally V-shaped but the trough has straight parallel sides and a curved bottom. The straight tubular casing is simultaneously gripped and formed or necked into a pigtail by the grooves (18) and links are formed between pigtails. The loaded stick is suitable for hanging in a smoke house.

Abstract: A sausage reel includes first and second end plates with a plurality of support bars extending therebetween. The bars are releasably fastened between the end plates in either first or second arrays. A continuous sausage is wound about the entire selected array with the reel then placed in a smoker oven. Upon removal of the reel from the cooker a knife is guided along each bar to present a plurality of sausage links having a length corresponding to the distance between adjacent bars of the selected array. The releasable fastening of the bars in extension between the end plates allows the user to vary the size and/or configuration of the bar array so as to vary the length of the sausage links. The reel is rotatable within a stand to enhance the initial winding of the sausage about the array as well as subsequent cutting of the sausage links therefrom.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically arranging a flexible casing of food on a support is disclosed. The device includes a rotating barrel assembly having hinged doors which rotate inwardly to reduce the effective perimeter of the barrel assembly. The barrel assembly includes a vacuum port for releasably securing one end of the food casing to the barrel assembly. In operation, the food casing is attached to the barrel assembly, the barrel assembly is rotated and advance laterally along a horizontal support as the food casing is coiled about the barrel assembly. The food casing is deposited on the support by raising the support, moving the doors inwardly, and withdrawing the barrel assembly laterally.

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for hanging sausage chains in loops. Successive hooks that move in an essentially horizontal transport plane engage and carry sausage links at twist points located between predetermined adjacent links. Twist points are engaged at an interception point of the hook defined by a portion of a first member disposed perpendicularly to the direction of movement of the hooks. Each engaged twist point is then rotated about an approximately vertical axis in a predetermined direction of rotation over an angle of about 90.degree.. After this rotation, the engaged twist points are disposed on a prong at the outer end of the hook. The prong and two adjacent spreading elements extend in the direction of transport and serve to support adjacent links without allowing them to touch. The suspended links are thereby supported in a spiral loop which is then placed over a smoking skewer.

Abstract: A food processing system (10) includes a first conveyor (12) having sprocket driven chains (14 and 16) extending along a loading run (26) and a return run (28) at a loading station (80). A support bar (52) extends transversely between the chains (14 and 16), and has a first movable hook (62) and a second stationary hook (64) mounted thereto. A food stick (74) for supporting a food product (76), such as a string of hot dogs, has a leading end (72) engageable with the movable first hook (62) for manually pushing the first hook along the support bar, and a trailing end (82) engageable with the stationary second hook. A second conveyor (102) at a transfer station (114) has spaced parallel sprocket driven chains (104 and 48) for transporting the food stick (74) and food product (76) to a processing station for cooking, smoking, chilling, etc.

Abstract: A storage rack and linker for an elongated meat strand has a pair of spaced parallel plates with a plurality of elongated parallel bars extending there between. The parallel plates are comprised of two overlapping plate elements, one of which has a series of radially extending slots therein, which overlap some arcuate slots in the other of the plate elements.Each of the bars is equipped with a cutting mechanism which is adapted to engage linked products draped around the parallel bars for severing the linked products from each other at an appropriate time during their creation. Each rack has a drive element on one end and a drive socket on the other so that racks can be nested with each other for rotational purposes, but can easily be removed from each other for storage or transporting purposes.