Sausage encasing machine having an improved looper horn

Abstract

A sausage encasing machine has an improved looper horn thereon mounted to be in communication with the horizontal flow path of encased linked sausages being discharged from the machine. The looper horn is mounted on a looper horn adapter which rotatably secures the horn for rotation with respect to the machine about a rotational axis that extends downwardly from the looper horn adapter. The looper horn is connected to a suitable source of rotational power. The geometry of the adapter and the looper horn causes the horn to be rotated from a substantially horizontal position of maximum elevation through a circular continuous arc which is located below the position of maximum elevation whereby the strand will never have to be moved in an upwardly inclined direction as it passes through the looper horn. The looper horn is U-shaped in cross section and thereupon has an elongated side opening having a discharge axis. The discharge axis is in a lateral direction when the looper horn is in its position of maximum elevation. The discharge axis then rotates downwardly as the looper horn moves downwardly on the continuous arc from the position of maximum elevation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.