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A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine. The apparatus includes two gripping elements which are movable relative to each other and which grip the concertinaed sausage casing by a reduction in the intermediate space between

A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine. The apparatus includes two gripping elements which are movable relative to each other and which grip the concertinaed sausage casing by a reduction in the intermediate space between the gripping elements and which release the concertinaed sausage casing by an expansion of the intermediate space. The apparatus further includes a drive device for moving at least one of the gripping elements, and at least one lever element for coupling the drive device to at least one gripping element where the gripping element is mounted movably on the lever element.

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1. A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine, comprising: first and second gripping elements and an intermediate space between the first and second gripping elements, the first and second gripping elements being movable relat

1. A sausage casing gripping apparatus for use with gathered concertinaed sausage casings and a sausage filling machine, comprising: first and second gripping elements and an intermediate space between the first and second gripping elements, the first and second gripping elements being movable relative to each other and configured to grip the concertinaed sausage casing by a reduction of the intermediate space, the first and second gripping elements further configured to release the concertinaed sausage casing by an expansion of the intermediate space;a drive device for moving the first gripping element;a first lever element coupling the drive device to the first gripping element;a second lever element, wherein the first and second lever elements are coupled to both the first and second gripping elements; anda mounting between the first lever element and the first gripping element, the mounting allowing relative movement between the first lever element and the first gripping element. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first gripping element operates as a lower gripping element and the second gripping element operates as an upper gripping element. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting between the first lever element and the first gripping element allows for rotational movement between the first lever element and the first gripping element. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first and second gripping elements are mounted for rotation to the first lever element. 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first and second lever elements are arranged in a mutually parallel relationship and are mounted at the same height in one plane passing through both lever elements. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a support;first and second drive shafts; anda longitudinal axis corresponding to each of the first and second drive shafts;wherein the first and second lever elements are mounted for rotation on the support by the first and second drive shafts. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: first and second ends on the drive device; andfirst and second coupling portions;a longitudinal axis corresponding to each of the first and second coupling portions;wherein each end of the drive device is respectively coupled for rotation by a coupling portion to one of the first and second drive shafts, and each coupling point is offset from the longitudinal axis of its respective drive shaft. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the drive device comprises a spring element that stores potential spring energy for moving the first and second gripping elements. 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the spring element is operatively coupled to the first and second drive shafts to drive the first and second gripping elements with a resulting torque. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a parallel arrangement of the longitudinal axes of the first and second coupling portions and the drive device results in the first drive shaft being substantially torque-free. 11. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a third abutment mounted to the support;wherein the third abutment cooperates with the second lever element to limit the rotational movement of the second lever element so that the gripping elements move away from each other only to a defined spacing. 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a guide device for guiding the sausage casing gripping apparatus along a path of movement; anda first abutment arranged adjacent to the path of movement;wherein the first abutment triggers the relative movement of the first and second gripping elements for expanding and reducing the intermediate space between the first and second gripping elements. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the guide device operates as a second drive device for displacing the apparatus along a path of movement. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a support;wherein the first lever element is mounted for rotation to the support by the first drive shaft, and the support is connected to the guide device. 15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a support;wherein the guide device, the support, the drive device, the first lever element, and the first and second gripping elements are collectively mounted so as to allow rotation thereof about an axis parallel to the path of movement. 16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first lever element further comprises: an actuating element;wherein the actuating element contacts the first abutment and is actuated upon collective displacement of the guide device, the support, the drive device, the first lever element, and the first and second gripping elements past the first abutment so that the first and second gripping elements move apart, thereby expanding the intermediate space between the first and second gripping elements. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the actuating element is arranged on an arm fixed to the first lever element, and furthermore is displaced in the direction of the first drive shaft and edged by an impact-resistant material. 18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first abutment cooperates with the actuating element in only one direction of travel of the guide device, the support, the drive device, the first lever element, and the first and second gripping elements collectively. 19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a second abutment;wherein a portion of the first gripping element cooperates with the second abutment in the collective displacement of the guide device, the support, the drive device, the first lever element, and the first and second gripping elements so that the first and second gripping elements move toward each other and the intermediate space between the first and second gripping elements is reduced. 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second abutment comprises a wall portion to which the guide device, the support, the drive device, the first lever element, and the first and second gripping elements are collectively mounted. 21. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the guide device includes one of a rolling ring transmission, a screw-threaded spindle, a pneumatic cylinder, a linear motor, or a linear toothed belt or chain guide. 22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the drive device is provided with a damper element for damping the movement of the first and second gripping elements so as to allow for careful gripping of the concertinaed sausage casings without causing damage to the concertinaed sausage casings. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the damper element includes a spring leg. 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second gripping elements each further comprise: a longitudinal axis; anda recess;wherein each recess substantially spans the longitudinal axis of its respective gripping element and is configured so as to interact with a concertinaed sausage casing at two or more regions of tangential contact. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising: an additional gripping layer disposed in the recess of the first gripping element for increasing the holding force exerted by the first and second gripping elements on the sausage casing. 26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the additional gripping layer comprises a plurality of thin strips arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the first gripping element over entire length of the first gripping element. 27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first gripping element is adapted to receive a concertinaed sausage casing which rolls or falls from a magazine.