A pumping unit (20) includes a hopper assembly (24) for holding material to be pumped, a pair of identical pumping assemblies (26, 28), and a pumped material outlet (30). The assemblies (26, 28) include directional or spool valves (54) having rotatable spools (76), tubular pumping chambers (56), and pistons (122) within the chambers (56). The pistons (122) include concave operating faces (134), which are complemental and mate with the outer surfaces of the spools (76). Operation of the unit (20) creates successive charges of pumped materials having a minimum of disruptions, such as tearing or smearing.

A pumping unit (20) includes a hopper assembly (24) for holding material to be pumped, a pair of identical pumping assemblies (26, 28), and a pumped material outlet (30). The assemblies (26, 28) include directional or spool valves (54) having rotatable spools (76), tubular pumping chambers (56), and pistons (122) within the chambers (56). The pistons (122) include concave operating faces (134), which are complemental and mate with the outer surfaces of the spools (76). Operation of the unit (20) creates successive charges of pumped materials having a minimum of disruptions, such as tearing or smearing.

A cyclic packaging process, such as VFFS or HFFS, packages a product with a viscosity of ≥100,000 centipoise without leaving substantial air pockets in the package, by utilizing a means (38) for restricting upstream flow of viscous product in the strand of tubing (24). The result is that packages of uniform weight of the viscous product can be made without substantial air pockets therein, and without having to use metal clips. An apparatus (10) for carrying out the process is disclosed.

The present disclosure relates to a filling machine and a method for filling up pasty or liquid masses, for example for sausage production, with a feed pump, in particular a vane pump, for conveying the pasty or liquid masses, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum in the feed pump, in particular the vane cells of the vane pump, wherein the feed pump may be connected with the vacuum pump via a first channel and via an integrated collecting vessel for entrained ingredients. According to the present disclosure, a supply means is provided via which the feed pump may be optionally additionally connected with an external collecting vessel via the first channel. The operator may thus choose between two different operating modes with and without an external collecting vessel.

The present disclosure relates to a filling machine and a method for filling up pasty or liquid masses, for example for sausage production, with a feed pump, in particular a vane pump, for conveying the pasty or liquid masses, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum in the feed pump, in particular the vane cells of the vane pump, wherein the feed pump may be connected with the vacuum pump via a first channel and via an integrated collecting vessel for entrained ingredients. According to the present disclosure, a supply means is provided via which the feed pump may be optionally additionally connected with an external collecting vessel via the first channel. The operator may thus choose between two different operating modes with and without an external collecting vessel.

The present disclosure relates to a filling machine and a method for filling up pasty or liquid masses, for example for sausage production, with a feed pump, in particular a vane pump, for conveying the pasty or liquid masses, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum in the feed pump, in particular the vane cells of the vane pump, wherein the feed pump may be connected with the vacuum pump via a first channel and via an integrated collecting vessel for entrained ingredients. According to the present disclosure, a supply means is provided via which the feed pump may be optionally additionally connected with an external collecting vessel via the first channel. The operator may thus choose between two different operating modes with and without an external collecting vessel.

The present disclosure relates to a filling machine and a method for filling up pasty or liquid masses, for example for sausage production, with a feed pump, in particular a vane pump, for conveying the pasty or liquid masses, a vacuum pump for generating a vacuum in the feed pump, in particular the vane cells of the vane pump, wherein the feed pump may be connected with the vacuum pump via a first channel and via an integrated collecting vessel for entrained ingredients. According to the present disclosure, a supply means is provided via which the feed pump may be optionally additionally connected with an external collecting vessel via the first channel. The operator may thus choose between two different operating modes with and without an external collecting vessel.

A stuffing machine for food products, comprising a framework that supports at least one die, provided with a recess designed to receive a product to be stuffed, and pusher means adapted to translate the product to be stuffed, formed in the die, through a stuffing tube; at least one conveyor is also provided which is adapted to move the die along at least one forward path from at least one loading position, in which the die is adapted to receive the product to be stuffed, to a working position, in which the die is substantially at a region of action of the pusher means, and along at least one return path from the working position to the loading position; the conveyor is adapted to keep the die with the concavity of its recess directed upwardly along the forward path and along the return path.

A stuffing machine for food products, comprising a framework that supports at least one die, provided with a recess designed to receive a product to be stuffed, and pusher means adapted to translate the product to be stuffed, formed in the die, through a stuffing tube; at least one conveyor is also provided which is adapted to move the die along at least one forward path from at least one loading position, in which the die is adapted to receive the product to be stuffed, to a working position, in which the die is substantially at a region of action of the pusher means, and along at least one return path from the working position to the loading position; the conveyor is adapted to keep the die with the concavity of its recess directed upwardly along the forward path and along the return path.

The invention relates to a filling machine for producing sausages and a method for monitoring the state of fouling of a collection container and/or a channel which is in communication with the collection container of such a filling machine, where the filling machine comprises a vane cell pump for delivering pasty mass, a vacuum pump for generating negative pressure of the vane cell pump, where the vane cell pump is via the collection container for the pasty mass that is dragged along in communication with the vacuum pump. The filling machine further comprises an inspection opening that is via a channel in communication with the collection container for inspecting the channel and/or the collection container.