Abstract: A single rotationally driven cam plate having cam follower grooves in its opposite faces generates and coordinates the movements of all apparatus components necessary to the product molding apparatus. The advancing and retracting of mold halves is coordinated through the rotating cam plate and directly associated mechanisms with the cutting off of pieces of moldable stock and the carrying of such pieces to a position for charging the mold. In conjunction with these operations and in properly timed relationship, the stock is advanced to a new cutting position. Certain of the cam driven mechanisms also act in proper sequence to advance molded product encapsulating films through a film guidance means and to operate film clamping and severing devices in such a way that the encapsulating film is always severed midway between molded product units.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for filling packages with cooked or blanched foods in the form of sticky masses containing water wherein the foods are first placed in a hopper and caused to gravitate into pockets on the outer periphery of a drum rotatable about a generally horizontal axis above a conveyor carrying a number of open packages. As the drum rotates, a mass of the food product is received in each pocket as the pocket moves beneath the hopper. The food product mass in each pocket is retained therein until the pocket approaches the conveyor below the drum. At this point, the food product mass gravitates from the pocket into a package aligned with the pocket and carried by the conveyor. The gravitational movement is assisted by a shiftable piston at the radially inner end of the pocket.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing fibrous material into containers wherein a predetermined amount of fibrous material is extruded from a chamber holding the main mass of material into a slidable member mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the chamber. The sliding member is movable to shear the predetermined extruded amount from the main mass and permit it to be deposited into receiving containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to the food industry and can be utilized to utmost advantage in the production of sausage-like articles, sausage-shaped processed cheeses, packages of minced meat, flour, curd cream, cereals and like products.The disclosed automatic machine includes a chargeable hopper for the product to be packaged, a positive displacement pump, a nozzle with a sleeve thereon, for feeding the product to be packaged into a casing, a mechanism for supplying a flat web of an elastic film onto the sleeve for forming the longitudinal layer of the casing on this sleeve and a device for pulling the casing stuffed with the product being packaged off the nozzle. In accordance with the invention, the automatic machine further including a mechanism for supplying a web of flat elastic film for forming a helically wound layer of the casing superimposed upon the longitudinal layer, the device for pulling the casing with the product being packaged off the nozzle being mounted directly on the latter.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for stuffing viscous product into a shirred casing to produce stuffed casings having product-free end closures. The stuffing apparatus comprises a stuffing horn having disposed interiorly therein a product stoppering means axially translatable between a first site away from the discharge opening in the stuffing tube and a second site blocking the discharge opening in the stuffing tube, said product stoppering means comprising a plunger adapted to seat within and project sufficiently outward from the discharge opening of the stuffing horn so as to effectively sever and compact a product in the trailing end of a stuffed casing thereby effectively providing the trailing end of the stuffed casing adjacent the product with a product-free closure zone.

Abstract: A stuffing tube apparatus for an encasing machine which includes a product pump in combination with a source of meat product and having an outlet conduit extending therefrom. The outlet conduit of the product pump is in communication with a conduit extending through a spindle member which is rotatably mounted in a spindle housing. The stuffing tube apparatus comprises a stuffing tube support member which is rotatably mounted on the spindle housing and which has at least a pair of stuffing tubes mounted thereon in a spaced apart relationship. The stuffing tube support member may be manually rotated with respect to the spindle housing so that the inlet end of one of the stuffing tubes is placed in operative engagement with the spindle so that the spindle conduit is in communication with the inlet end of the one stuffing tube. The other stuffing tube is in a casing loading position when the said one stuffing tube is in the encasing position.

Abstract: A sheet applicator for applying individual thin, flexible sheets of paper or similar material to a series of relatively thick, flat articles (e.g., hamburger patties) as those articles fall along a defined discharge path terminating at a stacking position, comprising a shuttle with vacuum grippers for transferring each flexible sheet from a transfer position to an application position on the article discharge path, where one of the articles engages the sheet and carries it to the end of the discharge path. The grippers engage at least three peripheral points around the edges of the sheet; the falling article pulls the sheet from the gripper, falling through a central opening in the shuttle. The carriage then returns for the next sheet. A single-sheet feeder applies the sheets to the shuttle in registry with the vacuum grippers.