Continuously rotating platform with multiple mounted double clippers for continuously forming link product

An improved packaging device for filling flexible casing and sealing discrete lengths of filled casing comprising, in combination:

• a clipper mounting assembly including a floor mounted frame and a platform supported by the frame, said platform rotatable in a horizontal plane relative to the frame;
• a plurality of clippers mounted on the platform, each clipper spaced radially from a vertical axis through the platform, each clipper including pressurized-fluid-driven means for attaching a clip about filled casing by gathering said casing and subsequently forming a U-shaped clip about the gathered casing with cooperative punch and die means, each of said clippers extending radially outwardly from its axis on the platform;
• means for continuously rotating the platform and clippers mounted thereon about an axis in a uniform direction;
• means positioned at one side of the platform for feeding filled casing sequentially into each clipper as each one of said clippers moves, by platform rotation, past the means for feeding;
• and
• means for sequentially operating the clippers as the platform is rotated whereby as each clipper is in position to receive filled casing as it moves past the means for feeding, said clipper operates to subsequently gather the casing, to form a U-shaped metal clip about the casing, to separate separate links of casing, to release the casing link and to discharge the filled link from the platform.