Closure for shirred casing sticks

A device for forming an end closure in a hollow shirred casing stick which comprises in combination:

• a. a rod member of a length to form a passage in an end closure formed thereabout that is pervious to the passage of gases;
• b. means for inserting said rod member into the bore of one end of said shirred casing stick;
• c. a rotatable, twisting member disposed about said rod member having means for engaging and twisting terminal pleats from the end of said shirred casing stick relative to the rest of said shirred casing stick into the bore of said shirred casing stick about said rod member when it has been inserted therein;
• d. means for urging said rotatable, twisting member into engagement with and maintaining engagement with said terminal pleats at the end of said shirred casing stick;
• e. means for rotating said rotatable, twisting member;
• and
• f. means for retracting said rod member from within said shirred casing stick without disturbing the end closure formed thereabout in said shirred casing stick.