Abstract:
The invention pertains to a device for the packaging of free-flowing fill materials in a tube-shaped casing with a feeder tubed to conduct the flow of fill materials. The feeder tube features a hookup, a mouth, a basically straight first segments adjoining the hookup, with a first longitudinal axis, and a second segment that is conjoined with the first segment and proximate to the mouth. The first segment is designed to accept and conduct a casing on its outer surface. The casing infeed consists of a plastic filmstrip, which is formed into a tube around the first feeder tube segment. The second segment is designed to further conduct the plastic filmstrip-derived, newly formed casing. Alternatively, a supply of casing and/or net material may be loaded onto the second segment from its mouth. Upstream and ahead of the first segment, the feeder tube features a feeder tube swivel bearing ( 140 ) around the first longitudinal axis. There is at least one change of feeder tube direction between the first and second segments.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of German patent application serial number 10 2005 050 614.3, filed Oct. 21, 2005, and is hereby incorporated by reference.  
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The invention pertains to a packaging device for free-flowing bulk materials in a casing (a tube-like flexible covering). Part of the packaging device is a feeder tube, which attaches to the fill unit, and brings the stream of fill material from the fill unit to the closing unit for the casing. Feeder tube features are a hookup, a mouth, and a largely straight first segment with a first longitudinal axis next to the hookup and a second segment proximate to the mouth that conjoins with the first segment. The first feeder tube segment is designed to accept and conduct an infeed of plastic film and form it into a casing around its outer surface. The second feeder tube segment accepts and conducts the casing (derived from the plastic filmstrip) or alternatively, accepts and conducts a supply of casing after it has been manually loaded onto the second segment from the mouth end.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     As outlined, the fill unit delivers the fill material under pressure into the feeder tube at the hookup. The fill material is transported or conducted through the feeder tube to the closing unit. The casing moves over the outer surface of the feeder tube toward the closing unit. Adjacent to the closing unit, the fill material emerges from the feeder tube mouth and fills the casing, which is sealed with a clip at the leading end. Once the specified or desired fill portion is reached, constricting elements in the closing unit partition off the stuffed casing, thus creating an empty, collapsed casing segment for the sausage end. Usually, two sealing clips are placed one after the other around the collapsed casing at the sausage end and closed using punching tools. Now, the casing may be cut with a knife between sealing clips.  
         [0004]     It is also known how to make the required casings for sausages or similarly packaged items on site as part of the packaging process. The methods involve forming the plastic filmstrip and then closing the longitudinal seam either continuously or intermittently using a sealing device. An example of such a sealing method is known from European patent EP 0 908 103 A1, in which a feeder mechanism first pushes the plastic film strip over a forming pad and then pulls it through a sealing device. The forming pad encircles the feeder tube and covers a short section of it with the plastic filmstrip in such a way that its longitudinal edges either meet each other flush or overlap. The sealing device fuses overlapping plastic film edges directly, in cases where the longitudinal edges meet flush, a sealing band that covers the adjoining edges is added before the fusion process. Sealing is defined as forming any permanent seal between the longitudinal edges of the plastic filmstrip. This may, for example, be accomplished through the preferred fusion method or alternatively, also through bonding.  
         [0005]     The casing is formed in the above-described way as a quasi-endless plastic film tube. Infeed drives then push the tube forward over the feeder tube to a segment where a casing supply accumulates (bunches up) in harmonica folds. There has to be an excess casing supply when the sealing process (continuous or intermittent) is slower than the filling process, during which the forced output of filling intermittently pulls the casing off the feeder tube.  
         [0006]     Other known versions of sealing devices do not require an infeed drive because there are no extra folds of casing supply. With these devices, the casing is consecutively sealed and filled in a synchronized rhythm. During the fill process, the forced output of filling directly pulls the casing off the feeder tube, while the sealing device is on standby.  
         [0007]     Still longer known in sausage making are methods, in which the required supply of ready-made casing is manually pushed onto the outer feeder tube from its mouth end, e.g. in harmonica-like folds. Through the filling output, the required length of the casing is pulled off the feeder tube against the friction from the brake ring of a retaining device. Once exhausted, new casing must be supplied. To apply the new casing, the feeder tube is pivoted out from its operating/fill position gain free access to the feeder tube mouth. Even today, casing is applied to the feeder tube in this way when it is not cost-effective to produce the casing continuously from plastic filmstrips, e.g. when using natural casing or when producing small quantities of sausages of variable caliber.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The ideal device for the packaging of free-flowing material in a tube-like casing allows two operating modes: The first (automatic) operating mode involves the production of quasi-endless casing as part of the packaging process, and in the second (manual) operating mode, a casing supply is loaded by hand. As initially outlined, such a device is familiar from US 2005/0053699 A1. The device features a first feeder tube for the automatic operating mode. Its first feeder tube segment is located inside the housing with the sealing device. The plastic filmstrip is formed and sealed around this first segment. The second segment of the feeder tube extends by a certain length from the sealing device and its housing and carries both, the newly formed casing on its outside and the fill material inside, to the closing unit for the casing at its mouth.  
         [0009]     The first feeder tube is reversibly attached to the housing with the sealing device. A second feeder tube assembly may replace it for the second operating mode. The second feeder tube assembly consists of a first feeder tube segment that spans the housing for the sealing unit, which is inactive in this operating mode. A second feeder tube segment outside the housing is flange connected to the first feeder tube segment. The second segment features a swivel joint and can therefore pivot around the axis of the first segment. The lengths of the second segments in the first and second feeder tube assemblies are identical. The first and second segments of the second feeder tube assembly are coaxial when the mouth of the second segment is in the effective range of the sealing device (operating position of the second feeder tube assembly). This ascertains that the distances and positions of fill unit, sealing device and sausage closing unit do not have to be adjusted with a change in operating mode. With the second segment of the second feeder tube assembly swiveled out of its operating position into its provisioning position, a supply of casing can be manually added around it from its mouth. The feeder tube mouth is then pivoted back into its operating position nearest to the closing unit.  
         [0010]     The objective of the present invention is to create a device of the above-described type, but simpler in design and easier to handle.  
         [0011]     This objective is met for the above-described type of device through the following design elements: A feeder tube swivel bearing is located upstream, in front of the first feeder tube segment, pivoting around the first longitudinal axis, and there is at least one change of direction between the first and second feeder tube segments.  
         [0012]     According to the present invention, and in contrast to the device known from patent US 2005/0053699 A1, the same feeder tube can be used in both operating modes, either in combination with the sealing device in the first operating mode or with a manually loaded source of casing in the second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the plastic filmstrip is loaded onto the first feeder tube segment where it is shaped into a casing and sealed. The endless plastic film casing then moves over the first and second segments of the feeder tube to its mouth and to the closing unit next to it.  
         [0013]     The feeder tube swivel bearing makes it possible to pivot the entire feeder tube around the first longitudinal axis of the first feeder tube segment when operations are to be switched to manual load of casing and/or net supplies. Based on the change of direction, this pivoting action turns the second feeder tube segment out of the range of the adjoining closing unit and consequently, from its operational position into its provisioning position. Unlike in the second feeder tube assembly of the known device, the change of direction is permanent and not variably pivoted. In this position, the casing is loaded onto the second segment from the feeder tube mouth. The feeder tube is then pivoted back around the longitudinal axis of the first feeder tube segment into its operating position.  
         [0014]     Without having to replace or detach the entire feeder tube or a part of it, the invention-based device thus allows it to switch operating modes from an automatic feed of a quasi endless plastic film casing to the manual load of a casing supply (plastic film casing and/or net materials). The use of a single all-purpose feeder tube makes handling the device easier and also eliminates the need for a pivot joint to swivel a segment of the feeder tube. In contrast to the second feeder tube assembly of the known device, the change in direction is permanent. Advantageously, this makes it possible to engineer the entire feeder tube with its first and second segments in one workpiece. The advantages of this design are the enhanced inherent stability of the feeder tube and also its cost-effective production by shaping a cranked tube from a straight one.  
         [0015]     In an easy to execute design, the second feeder tube segment is basically straight with a second longitudinal axis, which includes an angle of &lt;180° with the first longitudinal axis of the first feeder tube segment. In other words, the axes of the two segments do not run parallel, thus defining a fixed change in direction.  
         [0016]     In an alternative design, the second feeder tube segment is basically also straight and has a second longitudinal axis. However, an intermediate segment is inserted between the first and second feeder tube segments in such a way that the first and second longitudinal feeder tube axes run indeed parallel but staggered. In this design, the orientation of the feeder tube changes twice, once between the first feeder tube segment and the intermediate piece and a second time between intermediate piece and the second segment. The advantage of this design is the parallel positioning of the sealing device and the closing unit at the feeder tube mouth. This is in contrast to the aforementioned design, which must arrange for an angle between the sealing device and the closing unit at their respective feeder tube ends to match the angle between the first and second feeder tube segments. The design allows a different Installation and orientation of the components, and it gives the user more layout choices.  
         [0017]     In an advantageous design, a net holder encases the second feeder tube segment at least partially, and a net holder swivel bearing allows pivoting it around the first longitudinal axis.  
         [0018]     Some sausage products have an extra net casing around the plastic film casing to achieve better stability or more visual and aesthetic impact. During production and filling, their plastic film casing and the net material are pulled off simultaneously from the feeder tube and the outer net holder, respectively. Pertinent procedures and devices are known. However, they cannot be combined with a pivoted feeder tube, let alone with a type of device as established in US 2005/0053699 A1.  
         [0019]     The present invention now provides a remedy by adding a net holder swivel bearing that allows pivoting of the net holder around the first longitudinal axis. This independent aspect of the present invention permits pivoting of the feeder tube and the net holder around the same axis of rotation. Even though the net holder at least partially encases the second feeder tube segment, it does not have to be completely removed from the device when, for example, the feeder tube pivots into the provisioning position, as perhaps expected. When a change in orientation pivots the second feeder tube segment that pivot motion drags along the net holder. This permits the infeed of net casing to the net holder and incidentally, also the infeed of net casing in both operating modes.  
         [0020]     In a favorable implementation of the feeder tube swivel bearing, the device features a support structure to which the first element of the feeder tube swivel bearing is attached. In this assembly, the feeder tube can be attached to a second element of the swivel bearing.  
         [0021]     In an advantageous design, the feeder tube has a coaxial flange upstream in front of the first segment, which can be inserted in the first element of the feeder tube swivel bearing and, through clamping, can be reversibly connected to the second element of the feeder tube swivel bearing. This makes it easy to remove or reinstall the feeder tube, e.g. for the purpose of cleaning or maintenance.  
         [0022]     Advantageously, the feeder tube flange is sealed at its periphery from the first element of the swivel bearing. From the fill unit, the fill materials usually enter the feeder tube under pressure, and the seal prevents the fill material from entering the feeder tube swivel bearing.  
         [0023]     It is advantageous when the first element of the feeder tube swivel bearing has a flange to connect it with the fill unit. This combines the feeder tube swivel bearing and the flange connection for the feeder tube in one element.  
         [0024]     In an advantageous development, a forming pad encircles part of the first segment of the feeder tube where the infeed of plastic filmstrip is formed into a casing. Placing the longitudinal edges of the filmstrip together, edge to edge pre-forms the casing. A sealing device is located in the same first feeder tube segment downstream of the forming assembly where the adjacent longitudinal edges of the pre-shaped casing are fused or sealed on the feeder tube. In this process, the longitudinal edges of the plastic filmstrip may meet flush, edge against edge, on the feeder tube. A sealing strip must then cover the seam, while overlapping edges of a plastic film are sealed directly.  
         [0025]     Advantageously, the sealing unit is located inside a housing, which also serves as a support structure for the feeder tube swivel bearing, with the first element of the feeder tube swivel bearing protruding from the housing. This makes the flange for the connection to the fill unit freely accessible from the outside without having to open the housing.  
         [0026]     According to an advantageous implementation of the present invention, the first feeder tube segment downstream of the sealing unit is supported by at least one rolling element. This reduces the torque on the feeder tube swivel bearing due to the length of the feeder tube.  
         [0027]     Advantageously, at least two angularly offset rolling elements stabilize the feeder tube. This further abuts the feeder tube and so reduces the torque on the feeder tube swivel bearing.  
         [0028]     It is advantageous to employ pivoted rolling elements, which abut the first feeder tube segment in a V-shaped arrangement and in turn, pivot between two positions. In the first position, they pivot vertically in relation to the first longitudinal axis of the first feeder tube segment and parallel to this axis in the second position.  
         [0029]     In the first operating mode, the quasi-endless casing is moved over the first feeder tube segment and passes between rolling elements and feeder tube surface. The vertical orientation of the rolling element axes in relation to the longitudinal axis of the first feeder tube segment ensures that no frictional resistance at the rolling elements hinders the movement of the casing. In the second operating mode, a casing supply is manually loaded onto the second feeder tube segment from the feeder tube mouth so that the casing never comes in contact with the rolling elements. The rolling elements axes can therefore be oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first feeder tube segment, and so the feeder tube rotation around the first longitudinal axis is almost without friction.  
         [0030]     Advantageously, the device features a drive for the rotation of the feeder tube around the longitudinal axis with a drive motor, a first gear element that is connected to the first segment, and a second gear element that couples to a drive motor.  
         [0031]     The first gear element, for example, can be a gear ring, which interlocks with a worm gear as a second gear element. This second gear element is coupled with a drive motor. In this case, the drive motor is an electric motor, for instance. In case the drive motor is a hydraulic piston &amp; cylinder motor, for instance, then the second gear element can be a gear rack, which interlocks with the gear ring. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     Further uses, attributes and advantages of the present invention will now be further discussed:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  Top view showing a first design of the invention-based device with an angled feeder tube.  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  Top view showing a second design of the invention-based device with offset feeder tube segments.  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  Side view showing the device in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  Detail view showing a cross-section of the connecting area with the feeder tube swivel bearing according to a first design.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  Detail view showing a cross-section of the connecting area with the feeder tube swivel bearing according to a second design.  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  Top view showing a third design of the invention-based device with angled feeder tube and net holder.  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  Top view showing part of the second feeder tube segment with net holder according to the design shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 8A, 8B  Two detail views showing the feeder tube swivel bearing of the net holder according to the design shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  Detail view showing the first feeder tube segment with support structures and manual drive for the feeder tube rotation.  
         [0042]      FIG. 10A, 10B  Two detail views from inside the housing, showing the support structures in the first feeder tube segment according to the design shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 11A, 11B  Two detailed front views showing the design for the manual drive to rotate the feeder tube as also shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 12  Detailed front view of the design with motor drive to rotate the feeder tube. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]     In the illustrations, components with identical function are labeled with identical numbers; modified components with predominantly similar functions are labeled with identical numbers followed by apostrophes.  
         [0046]      FIG. 1  shows in top view a system to package free-flowing fill materials in a tube-like casing. The system features device  100  according to the present invention and also shows downstream at the feeder tube mouth a closing unit  200 , which partitions and seals the filled (sausage) casing.  
         [0047]     The device  100  has a housing  110  for components, such as the sealing unit (not shown in this view), a forming unit or forming pad to transform a plastic film strip in a plastic film casing  118  as well as an infeed unit  142  that consists of two conveyor bands  142 ,  143  to advance the sealed plastic film casing  118  in automatic operating mode. Details for the sealing device follow below as part of the description to  FIG. 2 . The device  100  also includes a feeder tube  120  with a hookup  122 , a first segment  124  inside the housing  110 , a change in direction  126 , a second segment  128  outside the housing  110  and a mouth  130  at the end of the second feeder tube segment. The feeder tube  120  has an end-to-end hollow profile. Fill material is transported through its lumen from the feeder tube hookup at the infeed unit (not shown) to the feeder tube mouth  130 . The arrow  131  at the hookup indicates the direction of flow.  
         [0048]     A dash-dotted line  132  marks the center or longitudinal axis of the first straight feeder tube segment  124 . The second feeder tube segment  128  is also straight. The dash-dotted line  134  indicates its midline or longitudinal axis (second longitudinal axis of the feeder tube). The longitudinal axes  132  and  134  of the first and second feeder tube segments do not run parallel but rather intersect at the point where the feeder tube changes direction  126 . The angle  136  between the two axes is &lt;180°. In the illustration shown here, the angle is about 172°. Therefore, the closing unit located proximate to the feeder tube mouth  130 , slants relative to the sealing device  100  by about 8°. This assembly orients the closing unit  200  and its work plane  220  vertical to the second longitudinal axis  134 . Moving in the work plane inside the closing unit  200 , constricting elements partition off the filled casing, and closing tools set and tighten the clips around the casing.  
         [0049]     Close to the hookup  122 , and upstream in front of the first feeder tube segment  124 , the feeder tube has a feeder tube swivel bearing  140 . As will be further elucidated in reference to  FIG. 5 , the feeder tube swivel bearing  140  is assembled at the housing  110  and affixed to it. The swivel bearing radial supports and positions the feeder tube  120 , and makes it possible to pivot the entire feeder tube  120  around the first longitudinal axis  132 . Such a pivot motion moves the second feeder tube segment  128  from its operating position (indicated by a solid line) to its provisioning position  138  (indicated by a double dash-dotted line).  
         [0050]     In the provisioning position, the mouth  130  at the end of the second feeder tube segment  128  is freely accessible and a supply of compressed casing or net material can be manually loaded from the feeder tube mouth  130  onto the second segment  128 . Pivoting into the provisioning position does not necessarily involve a rotation of 180° around the first longitudinal axis, as depicted here. As the space permits, a required rotation by more or less than 180° is feasible. The direction of the swivel motion is optional and may be clockwise or counter-clockwise. After the casing has been loaded onto the second feeder tube segment  128 , the entire feeder tube can be pivoted back into its operating position in order to resume or start the production of sausages.  
         [0051]     The truss  260  under the first segment  124  of the feeder tube  120  on the wall of the housing  110  and opposite the swivel bearing  140  reduces torque on the swivel bearing  140 . Details are given with reference to  FIG. 10 .  
         [0052]     A short section of the first feeder tube segment  124  protrudes downstream of the truss  145  from the housing  110 . A faceplate  149  provides a seal between housing and feeder tube  120  (see further details with reference to  FIG. 9 ). The faceplate is necessary during manual operations to exclude water from the housing  110  for the sealing unit.  
         [0053]     Located farther downstream but still in the range of the first feeder tube segment  124 , is a handle  240  to rotate the feeder tube  120  around the first longitudinal axis  132 . The handle is described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 11 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 2  shows in top view a different design for the invention-based device  100 ′ as well as the closing unit  200  proximate to the feeder tube mouth. Different from the design according to  FIG. 1 , here the feeder tube  120 ′ features two changes of direction  150 ,  152  between its first segment  124 ′ and its second segment  128 ′. An intermediate segment  154  between the two changes of direction connects feeder tube segments  124 ′ and  128 ′. The longitudinal axes  132 ′,  134 ′ of the first feeder tube segment  124 ′ and the second segment  128 ′ run parallel. In the operating mode shown here, axes  132 ′ and  134 ′ are offset horizontally, i.e., they are offset in the horizontal image plane. Therefore, the work plane  210  of the closing unit  200  can be arranged vertical to the longitudinal axis  134 ′ of the second feeder tube segment  128 ′ and in general, also parallel to the feeder tube mouth. The constrictive elements and punching tools to close the casing operate in work plane  210 .  
         [0055]     Rotating the feeder tube  120 ′ around its first longitudinal axis  132 ′ pivots the intermediate segment  154  and the second feeder tube segment  128 ′ from their operating position (indicated by a solid line) to the provisioning position  138 ′ (indicated by the double dash-dotted line). In this provisioning position, the mouth of the second feeder tube segment  128 ′ is freely accessible so that it can be manually loaded with new casing supply—the same as in the first mentioned invention-based design.  
         [0056]     However, the latter is unnecessary in the automatic operating mode, which is shown in  FIG. 2 . In comparison with the design attributes shown in  FIG. 1 , the continuous production of plastic film casing calls for another design modification, namely the omission of the face plate that seals the housing. If present, the faceplate would interfere with the transport of casing as it exits from the housing  110 .  
         [0057]     The device  100 ′ according to  FIG. 2  also does not have a handle to rotate the feeder tube. A motor  180  drives the rotation in this design. The two versions also differ in the implementation of the swivel bearing  140 ′. In unit  100 ′ according to  FIG. 2 , the swivel bearing  140 ′ is no longer located outside but inside the housing  110 . This design permits a more compact construction and also protects the drive motor  180 , now an integrated component inside the housing  110 . More details are given in  FIG. 4  about the swivel bearing and in  FIG. 12  about the drive.  
         [0058]      FIG. 3  shows unit  100 ′ in side view according to the design in  FIG. 2 . The feeder tube  120  is in its operating position. In side view, a change in feeder tube direction is hidden from view because the entire feeder tube  120 ′ in  FIG. 3  lies in the horizontal plane, i.e. vertical to the image plane (cf.  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0059]     Aside from the forming pad  116  and the transport unit  142  from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the housing for device  100 ′ also contains the already mentioned sealing unit  112  and plastic filmstrip  115  on a supply roll  114 . The plastic filmstrip is moved over the forming pad  116  where its longitudinal edges are brought together edge-to-edge to form a plastic tube. Using the sealing unit  112  (here shown simplified as a sealing bar), the adjacent plastic film edges are then sealed to form the finished casing. For the sealing process, the sealing bar  112  is pressed against the adjacent edges of the plastic film  115 , i.e. the preformed, not yet sealed plastic film tube  118 . The first section of the first feeder tube segment  124  serves as a counter bearing in this process.  
         [0060]     The conveyor bands  142 ,  143  continuously pull the casing  118  out from underneath the sealing bar  112  to prevent the casing seam from melting all the way.  
         [0061]     The sealing process in this operation is continuous, while on the side of the closing unit  200  the filling, partitioning and closing proceeds intermittently. Therefore, a supply of casing  144  is allowed to gather (bunch up) in folds on the feeder tube. It is known how to register the length of the casing supply with sensors and trigger the on/off switch for the sealing unit as needed.  
         [0062]     As an alternative to the continuous production of sealed casing, the sealing can also be synchronized with the filling, partitioning and closing processes. In time with the sealing of the longitudinal edges of the plastic film strip, the sealing bar  112  can, for example, be moved off the preformed, still open plastic film tube to interrupt the sealing process and lowered back on the preformed casing to resume the sealing.  
         [0063]      FIG. 4  shows a detail view of the invention-based device around the hookup  122  and the feeder tube swivel bearing  140 , respectively. The hookup  122  features a flange  156  with a larger outer diameter than the feeder tube but preferably with the same inside diameter to achieve a constant flow diameter. The flange  156  runs coaxial with the first feeder tube segment  124  and is connected to it through a weld seam, for example. When different feeder tubes are used e.g. for different sausage calibers, the flange is used to keep the outer diameter constant and the different feeder tubes compatible with always the same feeder tube swivel bearing  140 .  
         [0064]     The feeder tube swivel bearing  140  consists basically of a first element  158 , which is attached to the housing for the sealing device, or more precisely, with a wall segment  110 ′ of the housing and a second element  160 , which pivots around element  158 . The second element  160  can be attached to the feeder tube segment  120 . From the outside, the first element  158  is directly flanged with a flange section  159  to the housing wall  110 ′. This turns the housing  110  into a structural support for the feeder tube swivel bearing. According to the design shown in  FIG. 4 , the second element  160  is seated radial on the first element  158  via two cylinder bearings  162 ,  163 . In this assembly, the second element  160  and the cylinder bearings reside inside the housing, or precisely, at the inner wall of housing  110 ′.  
         [0065]     The feeder tube  120  with flange  156  is inserted in the first element  158  of the feeder tube swivel bearing. The swivel bearing is sealed from the feeder tube using two O-rings  166 ,  167 , which are seated around the outer feeder tube on the seal surface  164 . The fill material is usually pushed under pressure from the fill unit into the feeder tube, and the seal keeps it from entering the feeder tube swivel bearing  140 . Furthermore, clamping  168  reversibly connects the feeder tube  120  at its flange  156  with the second element  160  of the swivel bearing  140 . The feeder tube position is therefore radial to the first element  158  and opposite the housing. Once the clamp  168  is opened, the feeder tube can be pulled out from the first element  158  of the swivel bearing  140  and removed for cleaning and maintenance.  
         [0066]     On the first element  158  of the feeder tube swivel bearing on the outside of the housing  110 , a flange  170  is provided to connect the fill unit upstream (not shown). As is known, the fill unit contains a pump with an extruder to infeed fill material downstream in direction  131 . The flange has a coupling nut  172 , which is adapted to the fill unit. Using undercuts  174  at the first element  158  and a split retaining ring  176 , the coupling nut forms a non-losable connection with the feeder tube swivel bearing  140 .  
         [0067]     A motor drive  180  generates the feeder tube rotation around axis  132  of the first feeder tube segment  124 . The drive features a linear drive motor  182  and a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder/piston assembly. A toothed rack  184  is attached to the piston and transmits the linear piston movement to the gear ring  168 , which is affixed to the second element  160  of the feeder tube swivel bearing  140 , and thus finally to the feeder tube  120  (cf.  FIG. 12 ).  
         [0068]     In the place of the linear drive motor, an electric torque (rotation) drive motor, for example, may also be used. The rotational force is transmitted via a gear (worm gear, rack-wheel or belt drive) to the second element  160 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 5  shows an alternative design for the feeder tube swivel bearing as depicted in  FIG. 4 , in which the first element  158 ′ with the flange segment  159 ′ via the spacer bushing  192  is flange connected to the housing wall from the outside. The bushing length  192  is determined in such a way that the second element  160 ′, including the cylinder bearings  162 ,  163 , is now positioned inside the first element  158 ′ outside on the housing wall  110 ′.  
         [0070]     As an alternative to the pneumatic motor drive in  FIG. 4 , the design here shows a simple handle  194  for the manual rotation of the feeder tube  120 ′. Different from the design in  FIG. 1 , the handle  194  does not act upon the first feeder tube segment  124 , but directly on the second element  160 ′ of the feeder tube swivel bearing  140 ′. The handle  194  is guided to the outside through a slot  196  in the bushing  192 .  
         [0071]      FIG. 6  shows in top view a third design of the invention-based device  100 ′, which basically resembles the device in  FIG. 1  but additionally features a net holder  220 . The net holder is tube-shaped and runs coaxial with second feeder tube segment. It covers the second, angled feeder tube segment  128 ″, ending just before its mouth. The feeder tube and the net holder together pivot around the same longitudinal axis  132 ″. To achieve this, a net holder swivel bearing  222  pivots the net holder around the longitudinal axis  132 ″ (cf.  FIGS. 7 and 8 ).  
         [0072]     At the front end, close to the feeder tube mouth  130 ″, a second support  250  stabilizes the second feeder tube segment while it is in operating position. The support  250  includes cylinder-shaped rolling elements  252 ,  253 , which are placed angularly offset underneath the second longitudinal axis  134 ″. The rolling elements are pivoted around axes, which are vertically oriented to the second longitudinal axis  134 ″ in a V-shaped assembly. Consequently, when the casing and/or the net casing are pulled off the feeder tube segment  128 ″ or off the net holder, respectively, the rolling elements  252 ,  253  will be set in motion, thus preventing additional frictional resistance at the rolling elements. Frictional resistance arises only on the outer surface of the feeder tube where the roll elements  252  support the feeder tube.  
         [0073]     According to  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the net holder swivel bearing  222  features disk  224  and three stabilizer and guide rolls  226 ,  227 ,  228 . The disk  224  is attached to the net holder  220 , in this case through welding. In the here depicted operating mode, the longitudinal axis of the net holder  220  and the longitudinal axis  134 ″ of the feeder tube  120  coincide, i.e. in this example, the axis of the net holder  220  deviates by 8° from a vertical position at the disk  224 .  
         [0074]     In axial direction, the disk  224  is still located within the first feeder tube segment  128 ″. The stabilizer and guide rolling elements  226 ,  227 ,  228  are connected to the housing wall  110 ′ of the sealing unit in a way that positions the disk  224  vertical to the first longitudinal axis  132 ″. As a result, the net holder  220  and the feeder tube  120 ″ pivot around the same axis of gyration.  
         [0075]     The top stabilizer and guide roll  228  is located at the lever  230 . The lever is attached to the housing wall  110 ′ with a hinge and can pivot around axis  232 . Upon pivoting the lever  230  out of its position, the stabilizer and guide rolling elements will release the disk  224 , and the idling net holder  220  can be pulled upward and away from the sealing unit  100 ′ for maintenance or cleaning. This can also be done in the presence of the mounted feeder tube  120 ″.  
         [0076]     In this version, the net holder  220  does not rely on an active drive of its own but is carried along by the pivoting motion of the feeder tube  120 ″. To ascertain that the net holder and the feeder tube maintain their coaxial alignment in all operating position, i.e. next to the closing unit, or pivoted away into its provisioning position, a limit stop  234  is affixed to the housing wall  110 ′. Two corresponding stop pins  236 ,  238  are placed at the disk  224 . Limit stop and pins interact in a way that locks the disk  224  in position when the net holder  220  is horizontally aligned.  
         [0077]     The net holder does not have to be tube-shaped. For instance, an open frame construction with bracing along the second feeder tube segment, such as multiple rods, may also be used. The significant criterion is that, if at all possible, the net must not touch the feeder tube segment  128 ″ or the casing and casing supply underneath the net holder.  
         [0078]      FIG. 9  depicts a cutout of the design shown in  FIG. 1 . Details are shown for the area where the feeder tube segment  124  emerges from the housing wall  110 ′ with the support  260 , the manual drive or handle  240  to rotate the feeder tube  120 , and the face plate  149 . It is still the first segment of the feeder tube  124 , which protrudes from the housing  110  through an opening  148  in the housing wall  110 ′ on the side, which is opposite of the swivel bearing. The face plate  149  seals the opening  148  in the housing wall  110 ′ from the feeder tube  120 , thus protecting the housing from ingressing moisture and such. In flow direction  131  behind the opening  148 , the faceplate  149  is flange connected to the housing wall  110 ′ opposite the feeder tube  120 . The seal is applied during manual operations with a manually loaded casing supply  139 , which is usually soaked before use. The faceplate  149  features a flexible ring-shaped peripheral sealing lip  147 , which forms a seal around the first feeder tube segment  124 . In this assembly, the feeder tube  120  can be pulled out through the faceplate.  
         [0079]     The support  260  with two stabilizing rolls  262 ,  264  supports the feeder tube swivel bearing  140 . It is located in the area of the first feeder tube segment  124  and also on the side of the housing  110  opposite of the swivel bearing. The support  260  is attached from inside the housing on the housing wall  110 ′.  
         [0080]     As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , the cylinder-shaped rolling elements  262 ,  264  are located angularly offset underneath the longitudinal axis of the feeder tube  120  and vertically abut the first feeder tube segment  124  in a V-shaped assembly. The rolling elements  262 ,  264  can be pivoted into two positions relative to the longitudinal feeder tube axis, so that their axes of rotation  266 ,  268  are either parallel or vertical to the first longitudinal axis. For this purpose, the rolling elements  262 ,  264  are seated in separate roller bearings  270 ,  272 , which in turn are pivoted in a bearing  274 . The rolling elements extend in vertical and radial direction toward the longitudinal axis of the feeder tube  120 . Using the release handles  278 , the roller bearings  270 ,  273  and consequently, the axes of rotation  268 ,  268  can be locked in the desired orientation and angle.  
         [0081]     In the first manual mode, a position with parallel axes of rotation  266 ,  268  is selected. When the feeder tube  120  pivots around its longitudinal axis  132 , the rolls  262 ,  264  will counter this motion only with rolling resistance, not with frictional resistance.  
         [0082]     For the second, automatic operating mode however, the angle adjustment according to  FIG. 10B  is selected. Now, the axes of rotation  266 ,  268  are vertical to the first longitudinal axis  132  and the transport of the casing  118  over the first feeder tube segment encounters only rolling resistance, not frictional resistance. In this arrangement, frictional resistance is created only between casing and the outer feeder tube surface.  
         [0083]     The support (strut)  260  is attached to the housing wall  110 ′ using the screw fitting of the bearing body  274 . The bearing body  274  has two slots  280 ,  281 , which allow mounting the strut with variable spacing from the longitudinal feeder tube axis  120 . This is a simple way to adapt the struts to feeder tubes with different diameters, so that the positioning of their longitudinal axis remains always the same.  
         [0084]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  show front views of the manual drive to pivot the feeder tube, thus elaborating on details from  FIG. 9 . The manual drive consists of a handle  240 , which is attached to a clamp device, with a base  242  in the shape of a prism and a clamping plate  244 . The feeder tube  120  or  120 ′″, respectively, is enclosed by the clamping base  242  and the clamping plate  244 . The prism-shaped base  242  permits it to center feeder tubes  120 ,  120 ′″ with variable outer diameters inside the clamp.  
         [0085]      FIG. 12  depicts in front view a design version with a motor drive  180  to pivot the feeder tube. Aside from the linear drive motor  182 , the gear rack  184  and the gear ring  186 , the clamping  186  is also clearly discernible in  FIG. 12 . The clamping consists of two ring halves. Put together, they form an opening, which is adapted to the outer diameter of the flange  156 . Flange  156  is clamped into the opening. In the shown version of the design, the clamping device  168  is screwed to the second element  160  of the swivel bearing to entrain the clamping.