Process and apparatus for forming a terminal closure onto a length of worm-shaped, shirred tubular material, in particular an artificial sausage casing for the production of sausage

摘要

A method and device to close an open end of a length of shirred casing material. A shaft mounted on a housing is moved against the said opened end to engage the same and then turn about its axis to tighten an end portion of the casing material onto the shaft means. The shaft is then retracted, pulling some additional casing material outwardly from the shirred casing material until substantially no portion of the shaft means remains inside of the shirred casing material and the shaft no longer maintains pressure against the casing material. Then, the shaft is again turned in the same first direction to form a double walled twist, the free end of which wanders into the shirred casing material. When the twist has reached a predetermined length the turning movement in this first direction is stopped, and a further rod coaxial with the shaft pushes that twist fully into the interior of the shirred casing material, thereby tearing the tightened end of the casing material from the shaft. Separate drive means are provided from the shaft and the rod, all of which are mounted on a housing which is slideably mounted on a base. The housing and base are mounted adjacent a mechanism which holds and positions the length of shirred casing material.