Patent ID: 8371909
Filing Date: 2013-02-12
Classification: A22C,B65B

Abstract:
1. A method for facilitating the production of encased products, comprising: automatically rerucking netting in an upstream direction on a netting chute or horn proximate in time to a clipping operation carried out by a clipper that applies at least one clip to a leading end portion of a length of netting, wherein the rerucking comprises automatically directing at least one gripper to close against the netting chute or horn to pull a clipped end portion of the netting in an upstream direction so that the clipped end portion of the netting resides snugly stretched across an open channel at a discharge end of the chute and/or horn, wherein the at least one gripper comprises a pair of cooperating rerucker grippers that, during the rerucking step, close against opposing sides of the chute or horn and are configured to move axially rearward between about 1-24 inches while pressing the netting against an outer wall of the horn or chute, then, once the netting is stretched tight across the open channel at the discharge end of the horn or chute, the grippers stop rearward movement and apply less contact force so as to slip to allow netting to pull forward.