Abstract: Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in netting include a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting and a first cutting cartridge mounted to the pivotable clipper mechanism. The first cutting cartridge includes: (a) a knife; (b) an actuation cylinder with a rod in communication with the knife that advances and retracts the knife; and (c) an anti-rotation block attached to a rear of the knife intermediate the knife and rod to inhibit the knife and rod from rotating, wherein, in operation, the first cutting cartridge pivots with the clipper mechanism.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: A magazine bar having an entry and an exit for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply arranged above a separating window of a closure apparatus to the substantially vertically arranged separating window. The magazine bar has a first deflection configuration such that the line of clips can be introduced into the entry from below. A further embodiment is a clip feed arrangement having such a magazine bar.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clip feed arrangement comprising a magazine bar having an entry and an exit for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply to a separating device of a closure apparatus, and a clip drive arranged in the region of the magazine bar. The clip drive has two drive elements which can be successively brought alternately into engagement with the line of clips and which are so designed that a first drive element in a condition of engagement travels in the advance direction on a first advance path in the form of a segment of a circle while a second drive element in a condition of being out of engagement travels in opposite relationship to the advance direction on a second advance path in the form of a segment of a circle and that the engagement and the travel direction of the drive elements are reversible, wherein the first and the second advance paths have the same axis of rotation about which the drive elements are reciprocatingly pivotable.

Abstract: Systems and devices for automatically pressing a covering material against a product chute during a packaging operation to apply a braking force.

Abstract: A reel for a winding comprising a clip line having openings, with a reel body and a connecting element which is arranged rotatably about the reel body and captively on the reel body and which has a guide for guiding the clip line in the unwinding operation. It further concerns a system for unwinding such a clip line from the reel with a mounting element which defines an operative position for the reel in which it is rotatably supported, and an advance device which is associated with the mounting element and which is adapted to engage the clip line in the region of the connecting element when the reel is in its operative position. It further concerns a clip machine having such a mounting element and advance device.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; (b) pivoting a clipper from a home to a full-clip position to apply a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material; (c) pivoting a cutting assembly in concert with the clipper; and (d) severing a gathered leading and/or trailing edge of the covering using a bottom-up cutting operation.

Abstract: A clip machine comprising a pivotable closing lever having a first closing tool and including a feeder feeding clips into the first closing tool, a second closing tool slidably disposed along linear guide tracks on a linear carriage guide, wherein the first closing tool and the second closing tool are movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position in order to close clips, a drive controller for the closing tools that is configured in such a way that first the first closing tool and then the second closing tool is moved into the closed position, and an adjusting mechanism designed to set the neutral position of the second closing tool and hence the gap between the closing tools.

Abstract: A net derucking rectifier system is described. The system has a stuffer, a product horn having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end mounted to the stuffer, a netting tube having an upstream end and a downstream end, the netting tube removably mounted coaxially over the product horn and having a tubular netting shirred thereon, a bracket mounted coaxially to the netting tube and having a plurality of fingers pointing radially inward to grip the netting, the bracket movable between a first position near the upstream end and a second position near the downstream end, the fingers biased to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the first position to the second position and not to grip the netting when the bracket is moved from the second position to the first position, and a clipper located adjacent the distal end of the netting tube.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: A clipper has a punch movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, a clip rail for feeding a clip into the reciprocating path of the punch, a tag loading window oriented to hold a tag in the reciprocating path of the punch, a die adjacent to the extended position of the punch, a knife movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, the knife having a top side and a bottom side, the reciprocating path of the knife being adjacent to the die, and a tag lifter plate mounted between the die and the reciprocating path of the knife, the tag lifter plate having a top side, the top side being between the top side of the knife and the bottom of the knife when the knife is in the extended position.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.

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

Abstract: In a clip apparatus (1) with a drive (2, 3) and a control (4), on the holder (6, 7, 17) of one of the clip closing work tools a force measuring device (9) is provided. Based on the measured force and through the control the drive is influenced and in the case of excessively high force values, the clip apparatus is stopped to avoid damage.

Abstract: A closing tool assembly for a clip machine, in particular for a sausage clipping machine, containing: at least one first and at least one second tool holder, which can be moved to positions opposite each other and reversibly towards each other, and each of which supports at least one first and at least one second closing tool, wherein the first and second closing tool are each replaceably held on the first and the second tool holder by means of a fixing device. A linear guide contour is further provided on at least one of the two tool holders, and a linear guide counter-contour complementary thereto is further provided on the associated closing tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method involving closing clips designed for closing a flexible packaging tube, comprising two clip limbs (3) and a clip base (2) arranged between the clip limbs (3), the clip limbs (3) being disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the clip base (2). Each clip limb (3) has planar inner surfaces (4) each of which is oriented towards the respective other clip limb (3), and the clip base (2) has an inner surface (41) connecting the inner surfaces (4) of the clip limbs (3). The clip limbs (3) have planar side surfaces (6). When the clip limbs (3) are viewed in cross-section, said side surfaces (6) are arranged perpendicular to the inner surfaces (4) of the clip limbs (3), and the cross-sectional height of the closing clip (1) is smaller than the cross-sectional width (14) of the closing clip (1).

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 and apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window associated with a closure attachment mechanism having a closure punch path for attaching a single clip or two clips to a target tubular work piece in a closure zone include: (a) forcing a plurality of clips to travel in a first predetermined clip travel path having a forward direction toward a first punch path in a closure zone at a first point in time; (b) selectively retracting the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the first predetermined clip travel path; and then (c) forcing the plurality of clips to again travel in the forward direction along the first predetermined clip travel path at a second point in time.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: Systems for enclosing at least one target product in a covering material, include an elongate product chute having an outer surface and opposing receiving and discharge end portions with an interior cavity extending therethrough and an elongate breech loading chute alignably positioned generally above the product chute, the elongate loading chute configured to direct at least one target product into the product chute.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging material in netting is described. The apparatus in a first embodiment is a netter for enclosing material in netting and a scissors assembly for severing the netting. The scissors assembly comprises a pair of blade elements pivotally connected by a pin affixed to the netter and each of the pair of blade elements comprises a knife section extending in a first direction from the pin and a lever section extending in a second direction from the pin. The scissors assembly further comprises a pair of link arms each connecting one of the lever sections of the pair of blade elements to a piston, the piston extendable in a first direction to pivot the knife sections of the blade elements toward each other and extendable in a second direction to pivot the knife sections of the blade elements away from each other. In another embodiment, the piston comprises an air-actuated cylinder.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: A clip feed arrangement including a magazine bar for guiding a line of clips from a clip supply to a separating device of a closure apparatus, and a clip drive arranged in the region of the magazine bar. The clip drive has two drive elements which can be successively brought into engagement with the line of clips and which separately produce the advance.

Abstract: A system comprising a clip machine having at least one interchangeable first closure tool movable relative to a second closure tool for closing clips around a packaging case of tubular or bag shape, and a clip supply; the first closure tool and the clip supply each having a respective identification; the clip machine having a first sensor device adapted to identify the identification of the clip supply and output a corresponding clip information signal, a second sensor device adapted to identify the identification of the first closure tool and output a corresponding closure tool information signal, and a control having a signal input coupled to the first and the second sensor devices and an evaluation unit adapted to evaluate the clip information signal and the closure tool information signal and to output a compatibility signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide translating gates having at least one cooperating stiffener assembly and related, apparatus, systems, methods and computer program products. The translating gates with at least one stiffener assembly may be particularly suitable for non-pivoting clippers, such as, for example, stationary-mount clippers. The stiffener assembly can be configured to stiffen, brace and/or otherwise keep the gate assembly tightly closed during a clipping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for enclosing a product in a covering material includes a product feed and covering system, a clipper mechanism and a tensioning system. The product feed and covering system is configured to apply the covering material over the product. The clipper mechanism is disposed downstream of the product feed and covering system along a flow path of the covering material. The clipper mechanism is adapted to receive the covering material and to secure a clip to the covering material received therein. The tensioning system is adapted to introduce a tensioning load to the covering material after and while the covering material is received in the clipper mechanism.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting, by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through first and second axially aligned product chutes; (b) pulling covering material from an exterior surface of a covering material chute residing about the second product chute to automatically enclose the object in the material as the object exits the second product chute; (c) applying at least one clip to the material to secure the object in the material; and (d) pivoting the covering material chute and second product chute together to load a sleeve of material onto the covering material chute.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and then (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: A clipper has a punch movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, a clip rail for feeding a clip into the reciprocating path of the punch, a tag loading window oriented to hold a tag in the reciprocating path of the punch, a die adjacent to the extended position of the punch, a knife movable in a reciprocating path from a retracted position to an extended position, the knife having a top side and a bottom side, the reciprocating path of the knife being adjacent to the die, and a tag lifter plate mounted between the die and the reciprocating path of the knife, the tag lifter plate having a top side, the top side being between the top side of the knife and the bottom of the knife when the knife is in the extended position.

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: A device for producing a tubular pack which is filled with a product, particularly with a foodstuff, comprises a conveying device for conveying a tube filled with the product. A closing device is provided for producing tubular packs. This closing device comprises pinching elements, which can be moved toward one another and which serve to press a closing clasp together that closes the tube. According to the invention, the closing device comprises at least three pinching elements that can be displaced by a displacing element. This results in the exertion of pinching forces, which are directed in a radially inward manner, by the pinching elements onto the closing clasp.

Abstract: Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include at least one axially extending rib.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a channel formed by a longitudinally extending well and/or at least one pair of axially extending ribs.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window associated with a closure attachment mechanism having a closure punch path for attaching a single clip or two clips to a target tubular work piece in a closure zone include: (a) forcing a plurality of clips to travel in a first predetermined clip travel path having a forward direction toward a first punch path in a closure zone at a first point in time; (b) selectively retracting the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the first predetermined clip travel path; and then (c) forcing the plurality of clips to again travel in the forward direction along the first predetermined clip travel path at a second point in time.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a movable set of voider gates.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a non-circular cross-sectional cavity shape.

Abstract: An improved mechanism feeds loops or ties into clip attachment apparatus such as a clipper. The loops preferably have tie portions, the carrier may be a tape, and the loops should be in substantially equidistant series on the carrier. The carrier passes around rollers and a dancer, and along a stationary plate. Strip plates are preferably pivotally mounted adjacent the stationary plate. A loop and carrier drive indexes the loops on the carrier toward the clip attachment apparatus. A strip plate drive pivots the strip plates to and from positions in which the strip plates strip a loop adjacent the clip attachment apparatus at least partially from the carrier. The strip plate drive pivots the strip plates to catch the loop adjacent the clip attachment apparatus between the strip plates and pull the loop at least partially from the carrier.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.

Abstract: A device for partitioning portion packages from a filled casing string by constricting it and applying at least one closing clip onto the casing string, which consists of two sets of displacement elements and a clipping apparatus consisting of two interacting elements that can move between the displacement element sets in mutually opposite directions, wherein the displacement elements and the elements of the closing apparatus are connected via rotating joints to the cranks driven in the same direction and are guided via a joint guiding element, which is seated in a swiveling manner about the (virtual) casing axis on a carrier holding also the cranks.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: Knitted netting is applied to products in a machine. A chute receives products serially through a receiving end, as from a conveyor, and discharges them serially into netting preferably rucked on the chute. As each product arrives at the product receiver, voiders operate to form a rope section of the netting behind the product, at the chute's discharge end. The clipper also clips the netting, to complete the netting of the product, and clips to create the starting end of the next netted product. A netting handle former operates to loop the rope section behind the product, before clipping, to form a looped handle for a product in the rope section of the netting. The netting that is clipped behind the products is the netting formed into the loops, and thus, the clips that are put on by the clipper secure the loops in their size and condition.

Abstract: A clip applying machine for tubular casings often comprises opposing clip jaw members that pivot toward each other to gather the casing and position a die member on one side of the casing. A punch member is advanced from the other side of the casing to feed a clip around the casing and against the die member. The jaw members are pivoted by a piston/cylinder mechanism which is pivotally connected to the jaw members and the punch is advanced by another piston. A knife is advanced to sever the casing in the area of the clip. In such a machine, an improved piston cylinder arrangement includes the piston having a central bore, with an inner rod in the cylinder passing into the piston. The inner rod and piston together form a closed fluid passage into the piston such that pressurized fluid in the passage tends to put and keep the piston in a retracted position.

Abstract: This invention concerns a segmenting device in particular for the manufacture (portioning) of sausages from a string of sausage filling in a flexible tubular casing, which consists of a plurality of tye elements (12) in the form of strips which can be rotated against each other. One of their ends is secured locally in a ring concentric to the axis of the casing at regular intervals, and whereas the other end region is collected to form a ring (11) concentric with the axis of the casing, which, relative to this, can undergo movement of a rotational nature as well as parallel movement in their major plane, at least tee tying elements are provided, whose contact surface segments, which face the opening, are bent or curved in the main plane. In this manner each strip impinges on the casing with several contact surface segments and promotes the radial tying of the casing, avoiding shearing movements between the casing and the strips.

Abstract: A device for closing packages made of flexible material, wherien a portion of the flexible material is gathered into a neck, the neck is inserted into and overlaps a U-shaped clip, the overlapping portions of the neck are formed in a direction perpendicular to the base of the clip to hold the neck against the base, and the legs of the clip are closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching shaped metal clips at intervals to viscous-product-filled casing includes a support frame, a clipper assembly, a clipper assembly mounting rail, and a clipper assembly reciprocation mechanism. The clipper assembly is reciprocally mounted for reciprocal movement back and forth between a first casing entry station and a second casing exit station. A continuous tube of filled casing enters the apparatus at the first station and exits at the second station. The clipping assembly includes a filled casing support passage. Filled casing is directed through this passage as the casing extends between the first and second stations. The clipper assembly further includes first and second casing gathering plates which are projectible into the passage to gather the filled casing to form a neck section therein. The neck section is for attachment of at least one clip about the casing.