The present invention relates to a tube-removing machine and method of manufacturing artificial casings by means of said machine, allowing a fast, efficient and automatic cutting of the sections of casing (2) which contain tubes (5), subsequently splicing the remaining casing (2) once said tube (5) is discarded, comprising detection means (10) for detecting the arrival of a tube (5) contained in the casing (2); cutting means (20) for cutting a section of the casing (2) incorporating said tube (5); splicing means (30) for splicing the ends of the cut casing (2); and temporary storage means (40) for storing the casing (2) which allow continually taking in casing (2) in the tube-removing machine (1) during the time used in the cutting and splicing phases, preventing interruptions in the subsequent shirring process.

Provided are a paper material for fibrous casing enabling a fibrous casing to deliver favorable performance, a production method thereof, and a fibrous casing employing the paper material for fibrous casing. The paper material for fibrous casing of the present invention is used as a food packaging material in heat processing of a foodstuff, and is formed from pulp as a principal component, with one face being a glossy face and another face being a matte face. The fibrous casing of the present invention comprises: a paper layer that is arranged as an innermost layer and formed from a paper material; and a synthetic resin layer that is overlaid on an outer face of the paper layer, the paper material being the paper material for fibrous casing. The matte face of the paper material is preferably directed inward. The glossy face of the paper material is also preferably directed inward.

A dispersion of cellulose fibers, a method of preparing the same and uses thereof. The dispersion is produced by providing a cellulose feedstock comprising cellulose fibers; by providing a mixture of an ionic liquid and a protic antisolvent for cellulose as a dispersion medium, the ionic liquid being selected from the group of protic salts of superbases capable of dissolving cellulose; and by mixing said cellulose feedstock into said dispersion medium so as to disperse the cellulose fibers therein to form a dispersion which is stable for at least 24 hours at room temperature. The dispersion can be used as an additive of cellulose pulps for making of fibrous products.