The present disclosure provides a mechanical system for portioning a sausage string by forming links while continuously feeding the sausage string through the portioning apparatus. The portioning apparatus includes pincers that rotate and interleave for a portion of the rotation and apply pressure while interleaved to the sausage string thereby forming a link. The pincers face substantially towards each other while rotating. The pincers are configured to be at an angle when they are in an open position compared to when they are in a closed position.

A method for reconfiguring a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products from a first clipping mode to a second clipping mode, the method comprising the steps of: providing an input to a control unit of the clipping machine indicative of the reconfiguration of the clipping machine from the first clipping mode to the second clipping mode; and changing a number of closure clips, supplied to a closing unit of the clipping machine from a first number of closure clips associated with the first clipping mode, to a second number of closure clips associated with the second clipping mode.

A method for reconfiguring a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products from a first clipping mode to a second clipping mode, the method comprising the steps of: providing an input to a control unit of the clipping machine indicative of the reconfiguration of the clipping machine from the first clipping mode to the second clipping mode; and changing a number of closure clips, supplied to a closing unit of the clipping machine from a first number of closure clips associated with the first clipping mode, to a second number of closure clips associated with the second clipping mode.

A system and method for a sausage link maker, with a board for supporting a sausage while twisting it into even length portions, the board having a plurality of holes for receiving support block elements, the support block elements having a V-shaped cutout for securing sausage links whereby the bottom of the V-shaped cutout is a small aperture for retaining a narrow portion of twisted sausage skin.

A system and method for a sausage link maker, with a board for supporting a sausage while twisting it into even length portions, the board having a plurality of holes for receiving support block elements, the support block elements having a V-shaped cutout for securing sausage links whereby the bottom of the V-shaped cutout is a small aperture for retaining a narrow portion of twisted sausage skin.

A portioning device is provided for forming portions from elongate casings stuffed with food mass, in particular for forming sausages from alginate casings stuffed with sausage meat. The portioning device includes two circulating conveyor members spaced apart from one another and drivable by at least one drive element, and at least one crimping member arranged on each conveyor member and projecting laterally from the conveyor member. It is proposed that at least one of the crimping members has such a shape, on its functional area that in the conveying area at least partially faces an opposite crimping member, that corrugations, creases and/or folds extending substantially parallel to the conveying direction, in particular, are formed in the constricted portion of the casing, thereby producing a desirable shape for the portions separated.