SUSPENSION UNIT WITH ANGLED GUIDE RAIL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a suspension unit and a method for receiving and transporting sausage loops according to the preamble of claims 1 and 16.

[0002] DE202009015265 already describes a suspension unit according to the preamble of claim 1 for receiving and transporting sausage loops, wherein the guide rail has an elongated front side and an opposite rear side and the guide rail is inclined such that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side.

[0003] From DE102011005201 A1, a device and a method for feeding sausage chains to a hanging device are also already known, wherein the front side is at a higher level than the back. In the production of sausages or sausage products using filling and portioning systems, sausage casings, e.g. natural, alginate, artificial or collagen casings, are filled with a pasty mass by means of a filling machine, in particular a vacuum filling machine. By twisting the filled casing, a sausage chain consisting of connected individual sausages or portions is produced in the twisting line. When the sausage chain is transferred to a hanging unit, predetermined division points are gripped by hooks, so that several sausage loops are formed from the sausage chain on the hanging unit (see, for example, Fig. 18a ). Such a loop consists of several sausages (3-loop, 4-loop, in Fig. 18a e.g. 6-Loop). It is also possible to hang the sausages in pairs ( Fig. 18b ) or to hang one or more individual sausages, for example, on a loop on a hook ( Fig. 18c ).

[0004] Several hooks with their respective sausages can be combined into so-called sausage groups. During product processing on the hanging unit, the operators must, for example, separate the group transitions (from the end of one smoking rod 16 to the beginning of the next smoking rod 16) and, for example, close open portion ends (regardless of the casing type). During manual product removal from the hanging unit, the operators must insert or thread a smoking rod 16 into the loops of a group, as is the case, for example, in Fig. 17 and then remove the smoking stick 16 hung with sausage loops from the hooks for further processing.

[0005] Since the sausages are transported from a filling machine or a linking line to the conventional hanging units, the hooks of the hanging device are located at a relatively low height. Conventional filling machines and linking lines, for example, have a filling height of approximately 1000 mm to 1250 mm.

[0006] This means that a tall operator has to bend down to the sausages to process the product, which is unacceptable from an ergonomic point of view.

[0007] There are already approaches to raising the level in the prior art. For example, EP 1 172 035 proposes raising the sausages via a conveyor belt with a raised level and only then transferring them to the hanging unit. Such a solution is complex. Individual adjustment of the working height is not possible.

[0008] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of providing an improved suspension unit and a method which enable the working height on the suspension unit for product processing to be optimal for all operator sizes.

[0009] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 16.

[0010] The suspension unit according to the invention for holding and transporting sausage loops comprises a guide rail with several circumferential hooks. The guide rail has an elongated front side and an opposite rear side. The working areas are located on these sides. According to the invention, the closed guide rail is not positioned in a horizontal plane as in the prior art, but is inclined relative to a horizontal plane such that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side.

[0011] This has the advantage that by simply tilting the guide rail or the orbit, for example on the raised front, product processing such as cutting through sausage chains or closing open sausage ends can be carried out without the operator having to bend down. On the opposite side, which is at a lower level, a group of sausages can then be easily removed using a smoking stick. A low working height is acceptable for this work step. This significantly improves ergonomics for the operator. This means that a straight, i.e. horizontally aligned conveyor belt can be used to convey the sausages in the linking line, which both increases performance and reduces costs. This means that the increase in working level does not take place in the area of ​​the linking line, but rather within the suspension unit.

[0012] The invention also allows for the length of the working area to be completely unobstructed at the rear and only slightly restricted at the front. This results in a very high degree of utilization of the length of the suspension unit. The operator has a large part of the length available as a working area, since the height difference during the hook movement is converted from the front to the rear, i.e., perpendicular to the filling direction.

[0013] A drive element, in particular a drive belt, can be arranged on the guide rail and is inclined together with the guide rail. This allows a simple and cost-effective use of a rotating drive element, such as a toothed belt, for example, with hook spacing in a predetermined grid (e.g., 5 mm grid for optimal smoke stick utilization). The drive element then also moves in an inclined plane. Such a solution is particularly simple and cost-effective.

[0014] The guide rail can either be fixedly mounted in an inclined position. It is also possible for the guide rail to be pivotable about a rotation axis D and by an angle α, i.e., continuously adjustable. In this case, the guide rail is, in particular, rotatably mounted on a chassis. Such an arrangement is particularly simple and cost-effective to implement and, compared to a conventional suspension unit, requires only a rotation and locking mechanism. The rotation axis is preferably aligned substantially parallel (where "substantially" means with a deviation of <= + - 10°) to the longitudinal axis of the suspension unit, i.e., substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chassis. This means that the rotation axis runs, in particular, substantially parallel to the transport direction TR, which in turn corresponds to the filling direction of the filling machine and the transport direction of the conveyor belts of the linking line.

[0015] Thus, the height of the front of the guide rail can be adjusted continuously or at discrete intervals, i.e., locked. This has the advantage that, depending on the pivot angle α, the hooks can move in the filling direction, i.e., on the front of the suspension unit, to a higher working level, and in the opposite direction, i.e., on the rear, to a lower working level or essentially a constant working level. By varying the pivot angle, the height on the front can be precisely adjusted to the operator's height for optimal ergonomics.

[0016] The swivel angle α, for example, starting from a horizontal orientation, is in a range between 0° and 85°, preferably in a range of 5° - 30°.

[0017] The guide rail has a deflection area at a first end in which the hooks are deflected from 95° to 180°, preferably 160° to 180°, in particular by 180°. The hooks in the deflection area accommodate the separation points of the sausage chains. This deflection angle range is particularly advantageous because it allows the sausage chains to be removed precisely and the sausage loops can be fully formed within the 95° to 180° angle.

[0018] Der Abstand According to the invention, the distance b 1 of a guide rail section on the front side immediately before the deflection area from a guide rail section on the back side immediately after the deflection area is smaller than the distance b 2 in a subsequent area in the transport direction TR, wherein in particular the distance b 1 lies in a range from 50 mm to 100 mm and the distance b 2 in the subsequent area increases to 300 mm to 600 mm.

[0019] The guide rail and / or at least respective guide rail sections (in the sense of partial areas of the guide rail on the front and back) on the front and back run at an acute angle between 5° - 85°, preferably between 15° and 45° towards the deflection area in such a way that the distance b 1 widens to a distance b 2.

[0020] For example, on the front side after the deflection area, a section is provided that runs diagonally to the transport direction, such that the distance b 1 extends to a distance b 2 . In particular, a concavely curved section can also be arranged after the deflection area. The hooks can be guided ideally by a curved section once the hooks have been deflected by 180°. The curved section can be directly connected to the deflection area, but it is also possible for a section on the front side of the guide rails to initially run parallel to the deflection area and then be followed by a concave section.

[0021] Advantageously, retaining elements, in particular retaining strips (e.g., L-shaped), are provided on the concavely curved section to hold the rotating drive element to the guide rail. Otherwise, the drive element would protrude like a chord from the beginning to the end of the concavely curved section.

[0022] Advantageously, the axis of rotation lies in a plane spanned by a vector extending substantially parallel to the transport direction TR and a vector extending perpendicular to the top side of the closed guide rail (i.e. a virtual surface bounded by the top side of the guide rails).

[0023] This vector is arranged closer to the back of the guide rail than to the front of the guide rail. The fact that the axis of rotation is located closer to the back (e.g. coincides with it or is directly below it) has the advantage that the height of the guide rail at the front can be adjusted as required, while the height at the back can be kept essentially constant or only changes slightly. This means that the guide rail on the back, where, for example, a group of sausages is removed with a smoking stick, is not positioned too low, allowing the sausage groups to be removed easily. Advantageously, the vector extends vertically through the top side of the guide rail in the deflection area. With this type of axis of rotation, the take-over position of the hooks changes only insignificantly.

[0024] The distance of the rotation axis D to a virtual surface or plane spanned by the lower edges of the guide rail is in a range of 10 mm to 150 mm, preferably 30 mm to 70 mm.

[0025] Advantageously, the distance K between the hook tip of a substantially L-shaped hook and the rotation axis is within a range of <= 50 mm. If the rotation axis is positioned as close as possible to the hook tip in a transfer position in the deflection area, it can be ensured that the hook tip is positioned essentially the same regardless of the height adjustment of the guide rail, i.e., regardless of the pivoting movement.

[0026] According to a preferred embodiment, the device comprises a device that additionally changes the position of the hooks, i.e., in addition to the pivoting mechanism of the guide rail. The device can, for example, additionally pivot the hooks by an angle of 5° to 30°. This means, for example, bringing the hooks, when the guide rail is offset by an angle α, into a position that essentially corresponds to a hook position at α = 0 ± 10°. This ensures sufficient spreading of the sausage loops in the hooks, which is advantageous for removal with a smoking stick.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the hooks are rotatably mounted on the guide rail.

[0028] This means, for example, that on the lower back side, the one-piece hooks can be pivoted upwards to ensure a suitable position for removing the sausage loops. However, the hook position can also be changed on the lower back side, for example, by the hooks themselves having a joint, and the hook sections can be moved around a pivot axis to change the hook position.

[0029] In particular, it is possible for the device to have an additional guide that, when the guide track is pivoted, can press against a guide area of ​​the hooks (e.g., at the upper end of the hooks), such that the hooks can be pivoted upward on the back of the guide rail. Additionally or alternatively, it would also be possible to pivot the hooks on the front side, which have been tilted by the pivoting, downward to restore the correct alignment of the hooks or to correct their position.

[0030] Advantageously, the additional guide automatically presses against the guide area of ​​the hooks when the guide track is pivoted, i.e. the guide rail is mechanically coupled to the additional guide.

[0031] Another possibility for correcting the hook position when the guide track is pivoted is for the guide rail to be twisted at least in sections, in particular by an angle γ, where preferably γ = α ± 10°. With continuous adjustment of the height of the front of the guide rail, for example, a predetermined value can be determined on the basis of the maximum pivot angle α and α = 0 for the twist angle γ and the guide rail can be twisted at the factory so that the hook position is acceptable for all angles α in the possible pivot range. Thus, a guide rail whose front is aligned vertically or at a predetermined angle to the vertical when the guide rail is aligned horizontally can be brought back into a suitable position by twisting even when the guide track is pivoted at an angle α.For example, if the guideway is twisted at one end of the front or back, it is twisted back in one direction at the other end.

[0032] In the method according to the invention, sausage loops are picked up by the hooks in a deflection area of ​​the suspension unit and then simultaneously moved upwards in the transport direction and transversely to the transport direction. This has the advantage of providing a large working area at the front. The guide rail can either be fixed at an angle to the horizontal or pivoted around a rotation axis D by an angle α, allowing the height at which the guide rail rests on the front to be adjusted and fixed.

[0033] In the invention, product processing and / or product removal by means of a smoking stick can then take place on the raised front side of the guide rail, and the sausage loops can be removed by means of a smoking stick on the rear side.

[0034] The invention also relates to a filling machine with a twist-off line and a suspension unit according to at least one of claims 1 to 14. The suspension unit is oriented in the transport direction such that the transport direction of a transport device of the twist-off line or filling machine corresponds, i.e., in turn, to the filling direction. The deflection area of ​​the suspension unit can be arranged directly behind the transport device of the twist-off line in the transport direction.

[0035] The present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following figures: Fig. 1 shows schematically a twisting line and a suspension unit according to the present invention. Fig. 2 shows roughly schematically the Fig. 1 shown suspension unit with inclined guide rail. Fig. 3 shows a rough schematic view of the Fig. 1 and 2 shown suspension unit. Fig. 4a shows an enlarged section of an area of ​​the Fig. 3 shown suspension unit, which has the deflection area. Fig. 4b shows a part of the Fig. 4a shown deflection area in the transport direction. Fig. 5 shows a rough schematic of an alternative to the Fig. 4 shown deflection area. Fig. 6 shows a suspension unit with horizontally pivoted guide rail. Fig. 7 shows the Fig. 6 shown guide rail with inclination. Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the guide rail with a twisted guide rail section. Fig. 9 shows an enlarged area of ​​the twisted guide rail section of the Fig. 8 . Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of another embodiment with an additional guide for adjusting the hooks. Fig. 11 is an enlargement of area A in Fig. 10 . Fig. 12 is an enlargement of area B of the Fig. 10 . Fig. 13 is a view in the filling direction with the guide rail inclined in Fig. 10 shown embodiment with an angle α = 10°. Fig. 14 shows a sectional view of the Fig. 13 shown hook. Fig. 15 corresponds to the one in Fig. 13 shown embodiment with an angle α of 20°. Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the Fig. 15 shown hook. Fig. 17 shows the back of a hanging unit in which the sausage loops of a sausage group are picked up with a smoking stick. Fig. 18a shows sausage loops on hooks. Fig. 18b shows a pair of sausages connected by a loop. Fig. 18c shows a single sausage displayed on a loop on a hook. Fig. 19 shows a rough schematic of a cross-section of a hook.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a suspension unit 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is arranged behind a twisting line 9 in the transport direction TR. The twisting line 9, which is connected to a filling machine (not shown), in particular a vacuum filling machine, can separate, in particular twist, the sausage casing filled with pasty mass, so that a sausage chain consisting of connected individual portions is produced.

[0037] When the sausage chain is transferred to the hanging unit 1, predefined division points are detected by hook 3, so that several sausage loops can be formed from the sausage chain on the hanging unit. A loop consists of at least one or more portions (2-loop, 3-loop, 4-loop), as in Fig. 18a, b, c is shown. The hooks 3 run around a circumferential guide rail 2.

[0038] Fig. 19 shows, for example, a corresponding hook 3, which is, for example, essentially L-shaped, and which has a hook tip 15 and a notch 20 between the two arms 21, 22, as well as a guide area 14 at the upper end of the arm 21, wherein, for example, in the case of Fig. 19 In the embodiment shown, the guide area 14 is guided on the upper and lower areas of the guide rail 2. The guide rail 2 runs, for example, in an upper and lower guide groove. The hooks are driven by a drive element 5, for example a rotating belt that engages with the hook 3. While the guide rail 2 is stationary, the drive element 5 is driven in rotation by a drive (not shown). The drive element 5 can be implemented, for example, in the form of a toothed belt, for example with a hook spacing in a 3 mm to 15 mm grid, in particular a 5 mm grid for optimal smoke stick utilization.

[0039] According to the present invention, the closed guide rail 2 is inclined relative to a horizontal plane by a pivot angle α. It is possible for the guide rail to be fixedly mounted on its holder 17 in a corresponding position on a chassis 4 or lower part of the suspension unit and for the position to be no longer adjustable. Advantageously, however, the guide rail 2 is pivotable about an axis of rotation D by the angle α, in particular is rotatably mounted on a chassis 4, wherein the axis of rotation D runs parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suspension unit, i.e. parallel to the transport direction TR of the transport device of the twist-off line or the transport direction in the working area on the front and rear of the suspension unit and also parallel to the filling direction of the filling machine. The chassis 4 has, for example, a height of 900 mm to 1200 mm.

[0040] By pivoting the guide rail 2, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 2 It can be seen that the working height X on the front of the suspension unit is at a higher level than the working height Y on the back of the suspension unit 1. The working height X, i.e. the distance between the floor and the notch 20 of the hook, can be set, for example, in a range from 900 mm to 1500 mm, in particular 1000 mm to 1200 mm, with the working height Y on the back then being correspondingly lower. The angle α can be in a range from 0° to 85°. The working height can therefore be ergonomically adjusted to the operator's height by adjusting the swivel angle α. It is then ergonomically advantageous if the operator carries out product processing on the front of the suspension unit or the guide rail 2, e.g. separating and closing sausage portions. The operator then no longer has to adopt a stooped posture.For smaller operating personnel, the angle α can be reduced to ensure that the operator's hands are not permanently in a working position that is too high. If product removal is performed using a smoke stick, as shown in . Fig. 17 shown, is carried out on the back of the guide rail or the suspension unit, a low working height Y does not interfere and the smoking stick can simply be inserted into the sausage loops so that a specific group of sausages can be removed.

[0041] For example, adjustment can be achieved continuously by pivoting the guide rail and securing it with a clamping device. Stepwise adjustment is also possible, e.g., by locking the guide rail with bolts at predetermined hole spacing.

[0042] It is advantageous that the operator continues to have access to essentially the entire length of the guide rail at the rear and 70% - 90% of the total length of the guide rail at the front of the suspension unit as a working area for product removal. This is due to the fact that the height difference during the hook movement is transferred from the front of the guide rail to the rear of the guide rail perpendicular to the transport direction.

[0043] The drive element 5 is positioned at an angle together with the guide rail 2 and the hooks 3 arranged thereon.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a view of the Fig. 1 and 2 The closed guide rail 2 has a deflection area 6 at its end facing the turning line. The deflection area deflects the hooks during the Fig. 3 shown embodiment by 180°. In the deflection area 6, the respective hook 3 picks up a sausage loop and transports it further to the front side VS. The distance b 1 of a guide rail section 2a on the rear side RS to the guide rail section 2b on the front side VS immediately before and after the deflection area is smaller than the corresponding distance b 2 of the opposite sections in a subsequent working area.

[0045] In Fig. 3 the distance is shown as a perpendicular from the guide rail section 2b to a point on the guide rail section 2a directly in front of the beginning of the deflection area 6. The distance b 1 increases to the distance b 2 , whereby after the deflection area 6 in this embodiment the curved, radius-shaped, here concavely curved section 11 is provided. The radius of curvature is, for example, in a range from 400 mm to 1000 mm. Between the curved section 11 and the deflection area 6, for example, a straight guide rail section can also be provided, for example parallel to the guide rail on the front. Here, the section 11 directly adjoins the deflection area 6. The width b 1 is, for example, in a range from 50 mm to 100 mm, e.g. 60 mm. The distance between the opposite guide rail sections increases to a range b 2 of 300 mm to 600 mm, in particular 350 mm to 450 mm.

[0046] Despite the increased working height on the front of the suspension unit 1, there is a very large working area adjacent to the extended, here curved, section 11, for example, with a length of 500 mm to 700 mm for a total length I of the guide rail 2 of 2000 mm to 4500 mm. The working area on the front is in a range of 70% - 90%.

[0047] If a curved section 11, as in Fig. 3 shown, it is, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 4a und 4b As can be seen, it is possible to provide at least one retaining element, here retaining strips 7, which holds the rotating drive element 5 to the guide rail 2, since otherwise, e.g. when refitting the hooks or in the case of a large group spacing, the rotating drive element would protrude chord-like from the guide rail. The two retaining strips 7 in Fig. 4b are advantageously L-shaped and engage in recesses (e.g., at the top and bottom) of the drive element, thus holding back the drive element 5. At the same time, the retaining strips 7 are attached to the guide rail 2. The drive element can slide past the retaining strip.

[0048] It is also possible that in the deflection area 6 the hooks are deflected by an angle <180°, for example 95 - 180°, preferably 160 - 180°, as in Fig. 5 is shown. Then, a guide rail section 2a on the rear side and a guide rail section 2b on the front side can be arranged such that the sections run towards the deflection region 6 at an acute angle β, wherein the angle β lies in a range of 5 - 85°, preferably between 15 and 45°, and the inclined section 2b is selected to be long enough until the desired width b 2 is achieved.

[0049] In the Fig. 1 - 7 the respective axis of rotation D is shown. As can be seen from the figures, the axis of rotation runs closer to the rear side RS of the guide rail 2. Advantageously, the axis of rotation extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suspension unit 1, i.e. parallel to the transport direction TR, which in turn corresponds to the filling direction of the filling machine or the transport direction of the twist-off line. Preferably, the axis of rotation D lies in a plane spanned by a vector that extends essentially parallel to the transport direction TR and a vector that extends perpendicular to the top side or surface of the closed guide rail, in particular in the deflection area. This surface is, for example, a horizontal surface if α = 0, otherwise a surface that is inclined by the angle α to the horizontal surface.If the rotation axis D is arranged closer to the rear of the guide rail 2 than to the front, the relative movement of the guide rail 2 on the rear is smaller than the relative movement of the guide rail on the front. This is particularly advantageous because the deflection area 6 begins at the rear of the guide rail and has a relatively narrow dimension, so that this area remains relatively constant in position during pivoting, which is advantageous for reliably picking up the sausage loops. The rotation axis is located above the chassis 4, and the distance of the rotation axis from a virtual surface or plane spanned by the lower edges of the guide rail is preferably 10 mm - 150 mm.

[0050] It is particularly advantageous if the hook point 15, when it is in a takeover position in the deflection area, such as in Fig. 3 , 4 and 5shown, has the smallest possible distance from the axis of rotation, in particular a distance k < =approx. 50 mm, as for example in Fig. 4a is indicated. The distance here is defined as the perpendicular from the tip to the rotation axis. This ensures that the tip of the hook remains as stationary as possible – even when the swivel angle α changes – and ensures safe operation.

[0051] As from Fig. 6 und 7 As can be seen, the guide rail, together with the drive element 5 and the hooks 3, can be pivoted by the angle α and adjusted to the individual size of an operator. The hook position is then also changed, i.e. pivoted, with the guide rail. In particular, at the rear, the hooks are pivoted downwards, so that they are no longer properly aligned vertically. For example, the guide section 14 is no longer arranged vertically, but is pivoted by the angle α like the guide rail. If the hooks are not properly inclined, which means that the sausage separation points are not properly positioned between the arms 22 and 21, the loops are not spread sufficiently and are difficult to remove with the smoking stick. One possibility is to provide two or more twisted guide rail sections 12, as shown in Fig. 8 und 9 As shown. For example, the guide rail is twisted on the back side. Preferably, the guide rail is twisted between the beginning and end of the back side by a rotation angle of +γ and -γ, such that the inclination of the guide rail or the hook position is fully or partially compensated. This means that the hooks are returned to a position that corresponds to a hook position, at α = 0 ± 10°.

[0052] It is also possible to design the hooks in such a way that when the guide rail 2 is pivoted in a certain angular range they are correctly aligned and the sausages are sufficiently spread.

[0053] In Fig. 10 - 16 An alternative way is shown how the hooks on the back can be brought into a correct position, in particular into a vertical position of the guide section.

[0054] Fig. 10 shows the additional guide 13, which is arranged here, for example, parallel to the guide rail 2 in the area of ​​the rear. The rail 13 is located, as can be seen in particular from the Fig. 11 in an area located next to the guide area 14 of the hook 3 on the inside of the guide rail. If the guide rail 2 is aligned horizontally, for example, the guide area 14 of the hook is in a correct vertical position or the arms of the hook are in a correct receiving position. Fig. 13 und 14 emerges, the guide rail 2 is pivoted by an angle α, the additional guide 13 presses on the guide area 14 of the hook 3 in such a way that the hook, which is rotatably mounted about a correspondingly designed guide rail 2, is pivoted upwards by an angle which essentially corresponds to the angle α ± 10°.

[0055] Fig. 13 und 14 show a view at a pan angle of 10°. Fig. 15 und 16 show a view at a pivot angle of 20°. As can be seen from comparing the figures, there is a mechanical connection or coupling 18 between the additional guide 13 and the guide rail 2, such that the position of the additional guide 13 is automatically adjusted with the pivoting movement of the guide rail. If the guide rail 2 is pivoted by the angle α in one direction or back again, the additional bar 13 moves toward the hooks or in the opposite direction.

[0056] In a corresponding embodiment, as can be seen in particular from Fig. 10 and 11The width p of the additional guide 13 increases continuously in the direction of transport TR, so that the hooks are not suddenly rotated, but gradually pivot upwards to a maximum position. In contrast to the previous embodiments, the guide rail 2 is here, for example, cylindrical in design, so that the guide area 14 of the hooks can be rotatably mounted. The drive element 5 also runs between the guide rail 2 and the hook 3. The hooks can then, as can be seen from the Fig. 10 - 12, run in an upwardly pivoted position on the rear side RS of the guide rail 2 and are pivoted downwards again at the end of the guide rail 2 on the rear side RS, since this is where the additional guide 13 ends. Here, it is not necessary for the width p of the additional guide to gradually decrease, since the sausage loops have already been removed in this area. Although automatic adjustment of the hook position via the mechanical coupling is advantageous, it is also possible for the additional guide to be adjusted and fixed accordingly by the operator, for example via a bolt 19.

Claims

1. Suspension unit (1) for taking up and transporting sausage loops with hooks (3) circulating around a guide rail (2), where said guide rail (2) has an elongate front side (VS) and an oppositely disposed rear side (RS) wherein said guide rail (2) is inclined relative to a horizontal plane such that said front side (VS) is at a higher level than said rear side (RS) characterized in that that the distance (b1) of a guide rail section (2b) at said front side (VS) immediately upstream of said deflection region (6) from a guide rail section (2b) at said rear side immediately downstream of said deflection region (6) is smaller than the distance (b2) in a region that is in the direction of transport (TR) downstream.

2. Suspension unit according to claim 1, characterized in that a drive element (5), in particular a drive belt (5), is arranged at said guide rail (2) and inclined together with said guide rail (2).

3. Suspension unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said guide rail (2) is pivotable about an axis of rotation (D) by an angle (α), and in particular rotatably mounted on a chassis (4), where said axis of rotation (D) preferably runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said suspension unit (1), in particular substantially parallel to the direction of transport (TR).

4. Suspension unit (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height level of said front side (VS) of said guide rail (2) is adjustable steplessly or at discrete intervals.

5. Suspension unit (1) according to claim 3 , characterized in that said pivot angle α is in a range from 0° - 85°, in particular in a range from 5° - 30°.

6. Suspension unit (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide rail (2) at a first end comprises a deflection region (6) in which said hooks (3) are deflected by 95° - 180°, in particular 160° - 180°, preferably by 180°, where said hooks in said deflection region (6) take up the separation points of the sausage chains.

7. Suspension unit (1) according to at least one of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the distance (b1) is in a range from 50 mm - 100 mm and distance b2 in the downstream region increases up to 300 mm to 600 mm.

8. Suspension unit (1) according to at least claim 7, characterized in that said guide rail (2) and / or at least respective guide rail sections (2a, 2b) at said front and rear side converge toward said deflection region (6) at an acute angle between 5° - 85°, preferably between 15° and 45°, such that said distance (b1) widens to a distance (b2), and preferably a guide rail section (2b) extending obliquely relative to the direction of transport is arranged at said front side downstream of said deflection region (6).

9. Suspension unit according to at least claim 7, characterized in that a concavely curved guide rail section (11) is arranged downstream of said deflection region (6) on said front side, such that said distance (b1) widens to a distance (b2).

10. Suspension unit according to claim 9, characterized in that retaining elements, in particular retaining strips (7), hold said revolving drive element (5) at said guide rail (2).

11. Suspension unit (1) according to at least one of the claims 1 - 10, characterized in that said axis of rotation (D) is in a plane which is spanned by a vector which extends substantially parallel to the direction of transport (TR) and a vector which extends perpendicular to the upper side of said closed guide rail (2) and which extends closer to said rear side of said guide rail (2) than at said front side of said guide rail, in particular perpendicularly through an upper side of said guide rail in said deflection region (6), and the distance of said axis of rotation from a plane that is spanned by the lower edges of said guide rail is 10 mm - 150 mm.

12. Suspension unit (1) according to claim 3 , characterized in that said axis of rotation extends substantially parallel to said direction of transport (TR) and said distance (K) of said hook tip (15) in a transfer position in said deflection region (6) of a substantially L-shaped hook (3) from said axis of rotation D is <= 50 mm.

13. Suspension unit according to at least one of the claims 1 - 12, characterized in that said device comprises an apparatus (13) which additionally changes the position of said hooks (2), in particular, pivots it by an angle (α) of 5° - 30°, and, preferably at a position of said guide rail (2) pivoted by an angle (α), can take said hooks to a position which corresponds substantially to hook position at α = 0° ± 10°, where said hooks are preferably rotatably mounted at said guide rail.

14. Suspension unit according to at least one of the claims 1 - 13, characterized in that said apparatus comprises an additional guide (13) which, when said guide track (2) is pivoted, can press against a guide region (14) of said hooks (3), in particular such that said hooks (3) at said rear side of said guide rail can be pivoted upwardly and that said guide track (2) is preferably mechanically coupled to said additional guide (13).

15. Suspension unit according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said guide rail (2) is at least in sections twisted, in particular, by an angle (γ), where preferably γ = α ± 10°.

16. Method for suspending sausage loops on a suspension unit (1), in particular according to at least one of the claims 1 - 15, wherein said separation points of said sausage chains are received in a deflection region (6) of said suspension unit (1) by said hooks (3), are then downstream of said deflection region (6) moved simultaneously in said direction of transport (TR) upwardly and transversely to said direction of transport (TR) and wherein the distance (b1) of a guide rail section (2b) at said front side (VS) immediately upstream of said deflection region (6) from a guide rail section (2b) at said rear side immediately downstream of said deflection region (6) is smaller than the distance (b2) in a region that is in the direction of transport (TR) downstream.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that said guide rail (2), on which said hooks (3) run, is pivoted about an axis of rotation (D) by an angle (α), whereby the height level, at which said guide rail (2) is at said front side (VS), is adjusted and then locked.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that product processing and / or the removal of said sausage loops with a smoke stick takes place at the raised front side of said guide rail (2) and the removal of the sausage loops with a smoke stick (16) at the rear side.

19. Stuffing machine with a linking line and a suspension unit (1) according to at least one of the claims 1 to 14.