Gripper-separator device for continuously shirred casings

摘要

This relates to a gripper-separator unit for separating continuously shirred casing into individual strands. The gripper is provided with hold back blades which engage the shirred casing while the separator is provided with like blades which engage the shirred casing substantially in the same plane as the gripper blades. The separator is then rapidly moved away from the gripper so as to snap the casing at the point of engagement by the blades. Suitable drives are provided for separately reciprocating the gripper and the separator and various drives are provided for positioning the blades. When the casing is being spun, the separator and the gripper are spun in unison therewith.