A method is provided for equipping at least one filling tube of an apparatus for filling tubular cases with a gathered tubular case. The method includes opening at least one gripping element of a case gripping device, feeding a gathered tubular case into a region of the at least one gripping element of the case gripping device, and closing at least one gripping element for fixing and axially centering the case. The method also includes moving the filling tube and the gripping device relative to each other towards each other for introducing the filling tube into an interior space of the case, partially opening at least one gripping element, and moving the filling tube and the gripping device relative to each other towards each other, such that the filling tube entrains the case and the case is guided by the gripping elements.

A food processing machine, such as a filling machine and/or twisting line for the manufacture of foods, particularly sausages, and a corresponding operating method, having at least one function module and at least one control section for controlling the corresponding function modules. Through at least one activation device, and after the input of an access authorization, at least one function module can be activated and/or one performance range from a plurality of possible performance ranges of at least one function module can be activated.

A food-processing system having a metering pump for filling a casing with food material, a linker for forming links in the filled casing and depositing a linked strand on a conveyor, and a plurality of servo motors arranged to drive each of a plurality of driven components of the processing system. The food-processing system being implemented according to a two-step ramp-up method that enables increased control of a first end and a second end of the linked strand using a first speed, and enables faster processing of the linked strand between the ends at a second speed higher than the first speed.

A method is provided for equipping at least one filling tube of an apparatus for filling tubular cases with a gathered tubular case. The method includes opening at least one gripping element of a case gripping device, feeding a gathered tubular case into a region of the at least one gripping element of the case gripping device, and closing at least one gripping element for fixing and axially centering the case. The method also includes moving the filling tube and the gripping device relative to each other towards each other for introducing the filling tube into an interior space of the case, partially opening at least one gripping element, and moving the filling tube and the gripping device relative to each other towards each other, such that the filling tube entrains the case and the case is guided by the gripping elements.

An equipping apparatus for and method of equipping a filling tube is provided. The equipping apparatus includes a feed device for feeding a gathered tubular case to a case gripping device, and a case gripping device having gripping elements for gripping and orienting a gathered tubular case. The equipping apparatus further includes a pushing-on member moveable axially relative to a filling tube longitudinal axis for pushing the case on to a filling tube. A detecting device is associated with the gripping elements for sensing the position of at least one of the gripping elements.

An equipping apparatus for and method of equipping a filling tube is provided. The equipping apparatus includes a feed device for feeding a gathered tubular case to a case gripping device, and a case gripping device having gripping elements for gripping and orienting a gathered tubular case. The equipping apparatus further includes a pushing-on member moveable axially relative to a filling tube longitudinal axis for pushing the case on to a filling tube. A detecting device is associated with the gripping elements for sensing the position of at least one of the gripping elements.

The present application discloses a speed-adjustable automatic limiting sausage stuffer. The sausage stuffer includes a rack and photoelectric sensors. A first limiting sensing hole is disposed on the top end of the rack, a second limiting sensing hole is disposed on the middle of the rack, and a perpendicular distance between the first limiting sensing hole and the second limiting sensing hole is a height of a barrel. The photoelectric sensors are disposed symmetrically on two sides of the rack, and when the first limiting sensing hole or the second limiting sensing hole on the rack is located on a same plane as the photoelectric sensors, the symmetrically disposed photoelectric sensors and the first limiting sensing hole or the second limiting sensing hole lie on a single straight line.

The present application discloses a speed-adjustable automatic limiting sausage stuffer. The sausage stuffer includes a rack and photoelectric sensors. A first limiting sensing hole is disposed on the top end of the rack, a second limiting sensing hole is disposed on the middle of the rack, and a perpendicular distance between the first limiting sensing hole and the second limiting sensing hole is a height of a barrel. The photoelectric sensors are disposed symmetrically on two sides of the rack, and when the first limiting sensing hole or the second limiting sensing hole on the rack is located on a same plane as the photoelectric sensors, the symmetrically disposed photoelectric sensors and the first limiting sensing hole or the second limiting sensing hole lie on a single straight line.

The present invention relates to a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products, like sausages, by filling a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing with filling material and closing said filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. The clipping machine includes a filling tube through which the filling material is fed into said tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing which is stored on said filling tube, a casing brake assembly arranged on the filling tube for limiting the movement of the tubular packaging casing at least while being filled, gathering means for gathering said filled tubular packaging casing and for forming a plait-like portion thereto, and a clipping device for applying at least one closure means, like a closure clip, to the plait-like portion formed on the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing in a closing region. The clipping machine further comprises a housing defining at least a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls of the clipping machine, for enclosing at least the clipping device and the gathering means. The housing includes at least one housing element arranged in the front wall of the housing for covering at least the closing region, wherein the at least one housing element is coupled to the clipping machine by a linking device including a shifting mechanism for reversibly shifting the housing element relative to the clipping machine, in a shifting direction, for granting access to the closing region of the clipping machine.

A filling machine includes a suspension device, and is operable to suspend sausages, in particular sausage chains, with a plurality of circulating suspension hooks. The suspension device includes an integrated weighing unit for weighing at least one sausage or at least one sausage chain.