Suspension device for transporting and spreading at least one sausage chain and method

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a suspension device for suspending and transporting at least one sausage chain, comprising a transport device for transporting the at least one sausage chain, which has at least one receiving hook for receiving the sausage chain, which can be moved along a movement path by means of a guide and drive device.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for spreading at least one sausage chain by means of a suspension device according to the invention.

[0003] In sausage production, individual sausages are created by twisting a filled casing. The resulting pairs or chains of sausages are then fed to a hanging machine during the further production process. The twisted constrictions are gripped by hooks, so that a pair of sausages or a chain of sausages is positioned on each hook. For the purposes of the invention, a sausage chain is understood to be a stringing of at least two sausages, i.e., a pair of sausages, or a plurality of sausages strung together; the term "sausage chain" is used below to refer to these various cases. Subsequently, a group of suspended sausage chains is usually transferred to a so-called smoking rod. For this purpose, the smoking rod is threaded between the sausage chains.

[0004] To simplify threading the smoke stick, reduce the time required for this process, and avoid product damage, a certain degree of spreading of the sausage chains is advantageous. The greater the spread of the sausage chains on the hanging machine, the easier it is to insert the smoke stick. Traditionally, a spreading effect is achieved directly at the hook. Using a special, usually roof-shaped geometry of the hook or a groove in the hook, the sausage chains are spread during hanging directly below the constriction point.

[0005] Due to the resulting widened hook groove, it is difficult to accurately detect the constriction points when transferring the sausage chains to the hanging machine. In particular, sausages with a small diameter or underfilled sausages in sausage chains are usually hung very tightly together without any significant spreading. To achieve the required spreading effect even with such sausage chains, a large and correspondingly wide hook groove would be necessary. Such large hooks require correspondingly more space to be able to transfer the sausage chains from the hooks onto the smoking rod. This would result in a smaller number of hooks per unit length and thus a smaller number of sausage chains per smoking rod.

[0006] Discontinuously operating systems for spreading sausage chains are also known. A movable external spreading device is inserted between the sausage chains and then moved apart to achieve the spreading effect. The disadvantage of such a system is that the production process would have to be interrupted. Furthermore, a certain amount of pre-spreading of the sausage chains is required to insert the spreading device between the sausage chains.

[0007] EP 1 915 910 A1 and US 5 067 620 A show a suspension device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0008] EP 2 497 367 A2 shows a suspension device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] The invention is based on the object of at least partially reducing the above-mentioned disadvantages and of providing a hanging device or machine and a corresponding method which reliably achieve a sufficient spreading of sausage chains during operation, in particular for the safe insertion of a smoking stick.

[0010] The invention solves the problem with a suspension device having the features of claim 1 and optionally the subclaims.

[0011] The object is achieved in a first aspect by a suspension device of the type mentioned at the outset, which has a spreading device arranged in a fixed position relative to the transport device for spreading the sausage chain, which has at least one spreading element arranged adjacent to the path of movement of the receiving hook, which during operation acts on the sausage chain carried by the receiving hook in such a way that the sausage chain is spread.

[0012] The stationary spreading device according to the invention has the advantage that, with relatively simple means, the sausages or a sausage chain can be reliably spread at any time, even during production. The ongoing production process does not need to be interrupted. The sausage chains carried by the support hooks can thus be spread during transport along the movement path of the transport device. The movement of the suspended sausage chains is used to achieve the required spreading effect. The support hooks advantageously do not need to be specially designed with a view to spreading sausages. The spreading device is preferably mounted on a machine frame and thus arranged in a stationary manner.It can be positioned at different locations on the machine frame and may be adjustable if necessary, but in operation the spreading device is essentially stationary and immobile, while the sausage chain is moved relative to the spreading device.

[0013] According to the invention, the guide and drive device for the receiving hook is designed such that its movement path is curved at least in sections and extends in particular along a circular arc section, wherein the spreading device is arranged at least partially in the region of the circular arc section, in particular adjacent to one end of the circular arc section, for guiding the sausage chain onto the spreading device. The gravity of the suspended sausage chain causes a gap extending essentially vertically below the receiving hooks, in particular below the hook groove, between a first end of the sausage chain and a second end of the sausage chain. The gap is delimited in the vertical direction at its upper end by the hook groove and is open at its lower end. By definition, the gap can take on different shapes depending on the type and geometry of the sausage.Hanging sausage chains transported along a curved path, especially a circular arc, are subject to centrifugal forces. Due to these centrifugal forces, the gap is deflected at an angle around the tangent of the circular arc in a direction outside the circular arc. By arranging the spreading device at one end of the circular arc in the transport direction, the guidance of the gap onto the spreading elements can be improved.

[0014] According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is also achieved, or the suspension device according to the invention is advantageously further developed, in that a collecting element or plate is arranged in the region of the curved section, in particular the circular arc section, in particular vertically below the transport device, which collecting element or plate prevents at least one sausage or part of the sausage chain from deflecting due to centrifugal forces during operation. This advantageously prevents, in particular, a part of the sausage chain hanging on the inside within the circular arc section from being deflected outwards due to centrifugal forces arising from the curved movement path. As a result, the sausage chain already begins to spread out, since the part of the sausage chain hanging on the outside is deflected due to the centrifugal forces.Consequently, a particularly preferred positive interaction with a spreading device according to the invention also results.

[0015] According to the invention, the collecting element and the transport device interact in such a way that a vertical distance is set between the collecting element and the transport device, wherein the vertical distance is selected such that a first free end of a sausage chain in a transport direction along the movement path, in particular of a sausage hanging on the inside within the circular arc section, of a sausage chain, at least in sections, forms a frictional or positive connection with the collecting element, and a second free end of a sausage chain is freely movable in the transport direction along the movement path, in particular of a sausage hanging on the outside within the circular arc section, of a sausage chain. The collecting element or plate according to the invention optimizes the guidance of the gap extending between the sausage chains on the spreading device.By temporarily stopping the movement of a free end of a sausage chain using the catch element, the gap geometry changes in sections from a substantially rod-shaped gap geometry to a V-shaped, widened gap geometry. The spreading of the sausage chain thus occurs indirectly via the influence of the movement forces acting on the sausage chain. This reproducibly improves the guiding of the gap to a first spreading element.

[0016] In a further preferred embodiment, the spreading device is arranged substantially below the movement path of the receiving hook. A spreading device arranged below the suspended sausage chain has the advantage that the spreading device is configured independently of the length of the sausage chain and the type of sausage. Due to the force of gravity acting on the suspended sausage chains, the gap extends accordingly below the receiving hooks, in particular substantially vertically below the hook groove.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the at least one spreading element is at least partially curved. The gap of the sausage chain, which moves along the movement path during transport, is guided in the direction of the spreading device, in particular towards the spreading elements, to increase the gap width, i.e. to spread the sausage chain. Depending on the arrangement and shape of the spreading elements, the gap geometry can thus be influenced during transport of the sausage chains. A curved spreading element has the advantage that the spreading can occur via a defined curvature of the spreading elements, whereby the gap geometry, in particular the gap width, can be determined relative to the movement path. Furthermore, the spreading effect of the spreading elements can be influenced and optimized by changing the position of the spreading elements within the gap between the sausage chains.The position of the expansion elements within the gap can be changed by means of a curved course of the expansion elements.

[0018] According to a preferred development, the spreading device comprises a plurality of rod- or rail-shaped spreading elements, wherein a first spreading element is arranged in front of a second and a third spreading element in a transport direction by means of a connecting element, wherein the first spreading element is arranged at least partially parallel to the movement path. Rod-, bar-, or rail-shaped spreading elements can be integrated cost-effectively into conventional systems due to their simple design. A further advantage arises, especially for rod- or bar-shaped spreading elements, from their simple geometry, which makes the spreading elements easy to clean. Easy cleaning of device or machine elements is essential, especially in the food industry. In addition to easy cleaning of the individual elements, easy cleaning of the entire device is also important.Three expansion elements arranged next to one another, particularly rod- or bar-shaped ones, meet this criterion due to their simple geometric arrangement.

[0019] Preferably, at least two spreading elements are arranged at least partially spaced from one another, with the spacing increasing at least partially in the transport direction in a transverse direction that extends horizontally and orthogonally to a transport direction. Two spreading elements arranged at least partially spaced from one another in the transverse direction cause the sausage chain to spread at least partially. An increase in the spacing of the spreading elements in the transport direction enables a distance-dependent spreading of the sausage chain along the movement path. This can be advantageous for different sausage thicknesses or a different number of sausage chains along the movement path.

[0020] Furthermore, it is preferred that the spacing of the spreading elements in the transverse direction is adjustable at least in sections. A variable spacing of the spreading elements in the transverse direction is advantageous for different sausage geometries. For example, long and thin sausages in a sausage chain and / or long sausage chains require a greater spread to insert a smoking stick than small and thick sausages in a sausage chain and / or short sausage chains. A minimum spacing of the spreading elements at the position at which a smoking stick is to be inserted into the spread sausage chains or at which the spread sausage chains are to be guided onto the smoking stick is defined by a width of the smoking stick. The spacing of the spreading elements in the transverse direction is at least in sections greater than the width of the smoking stick.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferred that the cross-sectional areas of the spreading elements are substantially round, or substantially form a polygon, in particular a rectangle or a triangle, wherein in particular one or more free ends of the spreading elements terminate with a terminal element in the form of a point or a hemisphere. The cross-sectional areas of the spreading elements also influence the optimized spreading of the sausage chains. It is important that the sausages in a sausage chain are not damaged during the production process. In the suspension device according to the invention, the sausage chains are guided along the spreading elements, whereby frictional forces arise between the sausages and the spreading elements. It is therefore advisable to provide an adapted cross-sectional area of ​​the spreading elements depending on the type of sausage and sausage geometry in order to thus optimize the contact area between the sausages and the spreading elements.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the spreading device is at least partially vertically spaced relative to the receiving hook, wherein the vertical distance is variably adjustable, preferably in a range between 0 mm and 300 mm, particularly preferably in a range from 10 mm to 100 mm. Flexible use of a suspension device according to the invention with a spreading device is necessary in order to be able to meet different customer requirements. This means that depending on the sausage geometry and / or sausage chain length, a different spreading effect is required for the optimized insertion of a smoking stick. For this purpose, the vertical distance between the spreading device and the receiving hooks is an important parameter for influencing the spreading effect.

[0023] In a further preferred embodiment, the guide and drive device for the receiving hook is designed such that its movement path has a height difference at least in sections, with a first height level and a second height level, wherein the distance between the first height level and the second height level is preferably in a range between 50 mm and 500 mm, particularly preferably in a range from 50 mm to 20 mm. The sausage chains are preferably guided onto a first spreading element at a gap position just below the hook throat, since the pre-spreading of the sausage chain is greatest at this position. Furthermore, the freedom of movement of the sausage chain is small at this gap position due to its proximity to the suspension on the hook throat. A small freedom of movement leads to small tolerances, which are advantageous for a stable production process.To achieve an optimized spreading effect, it is advisable to subsequently guide the spreading elements to a position in the middle of the gap. This is easily achieved in the exemplary embodiment according to the invention by transferring the movement path to a second height level. In addition, the height of the spreading device can also be adjusted using a first and a second height level. Thus, there are several variables for adjusting the vertical distance between the hook grooves and the spreading device.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferred that at least part of the spreading device is adjustable in a transport direction and can be locked in various positions. Depending on the sausage type and geometry, different movement forces act on the sausage chain. To optimally guide the gap of the sausage chain on the spreading device along the movement path, precise position adjustment in the horizontal and vertical directions is important to achieve an optimized spreading effect.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferred that the spreading device cooperates with a smoking rod guide device for guiding a smoking rod, wherein the smoking rod guide device is arranged adjacent to the spreading device. A smoking rod guide device for guiding a smoking rod is advantageous, particularly with long smoking rods, in order to be able to insert the smoking rod precisely at the gap position of the sausage chains with maximum spread. Accordingly, the invention provides that the position of the smoking rod guide device for the smoking rod is adjustable, depending on the setting of the distances in the horizontal and vertical directions of the spreading elements of the spreading device.

[0026] Preferably, the spreading device is coupled to a feed conveyor device for automatically feeding a smoke stick into the spreading device, in particular along the smoke stick guide device. To save time and personnel, an automatic feed conveyor device for feeding a smoke stick can be coupled to the spreading device.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for spreading at least one sausage chain by means of a suspension device according to the invention.

[0028] With regard to the advantages of the method according to the invention and its embodiments, reference is made to the above explanations of the spreading device according to the invention.

[0029] The invention is described below using a preferred embodiment of a suspension device and a method with reference to the figures. They show: Figure 1 a perspective view of a suspension device Figure 2 a side view of the suspension device Figure 3 a front view of the suspension device Figure 4 a rear view of the suspension device Figure 5 a top view of the suspension device Figure 6 a perspective view of a second embodiment of the suspension device Figure 7 a front view of the suspension device according to Figure 6

[0030] Figure 1shows a suspension device or machine 1 according to the invention for transporting a plurality of sausage chains 2. The suspension device 1 has a transport device 6 arranged on a machine frame, which is equipped with a plurality of receiving hooks 8. The receiving hooks 8 can be moved along a movement path 10 by means of the transport device 6, which has a drive; for example, they are attached to a revolving chain, belt, or band that can be moved by the drive, and can be moved along a guided movement path 10. In the exemplary embodiment according to the invention, the movement path 10 of the transport device 6 forms a closed circuit. Other forms of the movement path 10 can also be considered to be according to the invention, including movement paths 10 that do not form a closed circuit.The receiving hooks 8 are arranged spaced apart from one another along the movement path 10 in the transport direction. The receiving hooks 8 have a hook groove 9. The hook groove 9 is designed to receive a sausage chain 2 at a constriction point. Each receiving hook 8 is designed to receive one sausage chain 2. Thus, a plurality of sausage chains 2 can be transported along the movement path 10 using the receiving hooks 8.

[0031] Figures 2 to 5show the path of movement 10 of the receiving hooks 8 of the transport device 6, which is mounted on a plurality of supports 12 that are part of a machine frame. A spreading device 14 is arranged on the supports 12 of the transport device 6. The spreading device 14 is mounted and supported on the machine frame and is thus arranged in a stationary manner. It can be positioned at different locations on the machine frame and can be adjusted if necessary; however, during operation, the spreading device 14 is essentially stationary and immobile, while the sausage chain 2 is moved relative to the spreading device 14.

[0032] The spreading device 14 has a plurality of spreading elements 16, which during operation come into at least partial contact with the sausages 4 of the sausage chain 2 and interact with them in such a way that the sausages 4 of the sausage chain 2 change their position relative to one another and are spread apart. The spreading elements 16 are arranged in such a way that they Fig. 1A clearly visible fork-shaped element 18 is formed with a fork handle 20 and a fork head 22. The fork-shaped element 18 is arranged vertically spaced below the receiving hooks 8, in particular vertically spaced below a hook groove 9 of the receiving hooks 8. The fork-shaped element 18 is arranged relative to the transport device 6 such that the sausage chains 2, along the movement path 10 in the transport direction, first pass the fork handle 20, in particular a first spreading element 16a, and subsequently the fork head 22, in particular a second and a third spreading element 16b and 16c. The fork head 22, in particular the second and the third spreading element 16b and 16c, is connected to the fork handle 20, in particular the first spreading element 16a, via a connecting element 24.

[0033] The fork head 22 preferably has two spaced-apart, rod-shaped spreading elements 16b and 16c. Instead of rod-shaped spreading elements 16, rod-shaped, plate-shaped, or rail-shaped elements can also be used to spread the sausage chains 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the spreading elements 16b and 16c of the fork head 22 are arranged at a distance from one another in the transverse direction Q. The transverse direction Q extends orthogonally to the transport direction in a horizontal plane. For the definition of the transport direction, the vertical direction component is to be disregarded in the exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The distance in the transverse direction Q of the spreading elements 16 defines a spreading distance, wherein the spreading distance is measured starting from the outer edges of the spreading elements 16.

[0034] Starting from the connecting element 24, the spreading elements 16b and 16c diverge in a V-shape, whereby their distance in the transverse direction Q, in particular the spreading distance, continuously increases. According to the invention, different configurations of the spreading elements 16b and 16c can be used to achieve a required spreading of the sausage chains 2 along the movement path 10, depending on the configuration. For example, the spreading elements 16 can have curved, angular, or straight sections, or a combination thereof. The purpose is to achieve a spreading distance in the transverse direction Q, at least in sections along the spreading elements 16b and 16c, for spreading the sausage chains 2 suspended on the transport device 6. The spreading distance is defined by the shape and configuration of the fork-shaped element 18.Accordingly, depending on the design, in particular in the embodiment shown, the spreading distance increases in the direction of the fork head 22, starting from a minimum spreading distance which is defined by the width, in particular in the transverse direction Q, of the fork stem 20 with a first spreading element 16a.

[0035] The fork-shaped element 18, in particular the spreading elements 16, are coupled to the machine frame by means of support elements 26, in particular in the exemplary embodiment to the supports 12 of the transport device 6, as also in the Fig. 3 and 4shown. The support elements 26 are arranged integrally on the spreading elements 16. The rod-shaped support elements 26 are fastened to the supports 12, preferably by means of a clamping connection 28. The clamping connection 28 can be positioned at different positions on the supports 12, whereby the position of the fork-shaped element 18 in the vertical direction V can be adjusted, in particular the vertical distance of the fork-shaped element 18 to the receiving hooks 8 of the transport device 6. The length of the support elements 26 can be regulated by means of a further clamping connection within the clamping connection 28, wherein the length of the support elements 26 defines the position of the spreading elements 16 in the horizontal plane, in particular the spreading distance of the spreading elements 16b and 16c.By rotating the support elements 26 about a horizontal axis and / or by rotating the clamping connection 28 about a vertical axis, the position of the fork-shaped element 18 relative to the transport device 6 can be additionally adjusted.

[0036] The movement path 10 runs partially along curved sections, preferably along at least one circular arc section 30. The circular arc section 30 changes the transport direction in the exemplary embodiment according to the invention by preferably 180°, whereby the change in direction can also be greater or less than 180° according to the invention. The fork-shaped element 18 is arranged adjacent to the circular arc section 30. The first spreading element 16a of the fork stem 20 is preferably arranged starting in a range of 180° ± 10° of the circular arc section 30. Depending on the movement behavior of the sausage chains 2, this range can be individually adapted according to the invention.

[0037] Following the circular arc section 30, in particular when passing through the fork-shaped element 18 in sections, the movement path 10 with the receiving hooks 8 runs from a first height level B1 to a second height level B2. Corresponding to the movement path 10 of the transport device 6, the fork-shaped element 18 runs at least in sections in the vertical direction V parallel to the movement path 10. The fork-shaped element 18 accordingly runs from a first height level G1 to a second height level G2. The vertical distance from the first height level B1 of the movement path 10 to the first height level G1 of the fork-shaped element 18, in particular of the fork stem 20 with the first spreading element 16a, is smaller than the vertical distance from the second height level B2 of the movement path 10 to the second height level G2 of the fork-shaped element 18, in particular of the fork head 22 with the second and third spreading elements 16b and 16c.

[0038] The Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the suspension device 1. The second embodiment of the suspension device 1 essentially corresponds to the first embodiment and can be considered an extension thereof. Therefore, reference is made in full to the features of the first embodiment. The additions to the second embodiment will be discussed below.

[0039] This concerns, on the one hand, a collecting element 32, the spatial position of which is adjustable relative to the suspension device 1. Preferably, the collecting element 32 is arranged below the circular arc section 30 and / or can be arranged at a decreasing angle of inclination in the transport direction. The collecting element 32 is preferably in the form of a sheet metal. The collecting element 32 is designed to restrict the freedom of movement of at least part of the sausage chain 2 during transport.

[0040] On the other hand, a further addition to the second exemplary embodiment is a transfer device 34. The transfer device 34 is designed to transfer sausage chains 2 to the suspension device 1, in particular to receiving hooks 8 of the transport device 6. The transfer device 34 is preferably arranged in the region of the circular arc section 30 of the movement path 10 at a distance therefrom.

[0041] To create a spread in sausage chains 2 with the suspension device 1 according to the invention, each sausage chain 2 is to be picked up at a constriction point of the sausage chain 2 by a respective receiving hook 8 on the hook groove 9. This constriction point is preferably located in the central region of the sausage chain 2, so that the two free ends of the sausage chain 2, which hang down from the hook groove 9, are essentially the same length.

[0042] The suspended sausage chains 2 can now be transported along the movement path 10 by means of the transport device 6. For this purpose, the sausage chains 2 are guided along the movement path 10 onto the spreading device 14, which is preferably arranged below the receiving hooks 8. The sausage chains 2 first pass the first spreading element 16a. The first spreading element 16a, which in particular forms a forked handle 20, is arranged vertically spaced below the hook groove 9, preferably parallel to the movement path 10.

[0043] Following the first spreading element 16a, two further spreading elements 16b and 16c are arranged, spaced apart from one another in the transverse direction and preferably diverging in a V-shape. During transport in the transport direction, the sausage chains 2 pass the spreading elements 16b and 16c following the first spreading element 16a, which is connected to the spreading elements 16b and 16c by a connecting element 24. As a result, the sausage chains 2 are spread apart during transport along the spreading elements 16b and 16c.

[0044] A smoking rod is then inserted between the spreading elements 16b and 16c along a guide device. The sausage chains 2 can then be dropped onto the smoking rod for further processing and removed from the suspension device. The smoking rod and the guide device are not shown in the figures.

[0045] To achieve an optimized spreading effect, the position of the spreading device 14 relative to the transport device 6 can be adjusted: Depending on the sausage chain length or the length of the free ends of the sausage chain 2, the vertical distance of the spreading device 14 from the receiving hooks 8, in particular from the hook grooves 9, can be adjusted. The vertical distance can be adjusted using the clamping connection 28 on the supports 12.

[0046] Furthermore, depending on the sausage geometry, i.e., in particular, the sausage thickness and length, as well as the sausage chain length, the position, in particular of the first spreading element 16a relative to the movement path 10 of the transport device 6, and the spreading distance of the spreading elements 16b and 16c can be adjusted. The spreading distance can be selected, on the one hand, via the shape of the spreading elements 16. On the other hand, the spreading distance and the position of the spreading elements 16 can be regulated using the clamping connection 28 of the support elements 26.

[0047] The guiding of the sausage chains 2 onto the first spreading element 16a can be optimized by an upstream circular arc section 30 of the movement path 10. For this purpose, the collecting element 32 is to be arranged below the circular arc section 30. The vertical and horizontal position of the collecting element 32 relative to the receiving hooks 8 is to be adjusted such that a free end of a sausage chain 2, in particular the free end of the sausage chain 2 hanging inside within the circular arc section 30, touches the collecting element 32 in sections when passing the circular arc section 30. The free end of the sausage chain 2, which preferably hangs inside, is therefore held back from the transport movement in sections by frictional forces by the collecting element 32. The free end of the sausage chain 2, which preferably hangs outside, remains free in its movement, i.e. it preferably does not touch the collecting element 32.This effect expands the gap geometry in sections within the circular arc section 30. This effect is amplified by the centrifugal forces acting on the free end hanging outside within the circular arc section 30. This means that the gap geometry between the free ends of the sausage chain 2 is enlarged, thereby optimizing the guidance of the gap to the first spreading element 16a. The first spreading element 16a is therefore to be arranged starting in the end region of the circular arc section 30 located in the transport direction. List of reference symbols:

[0048] 1 Suspension device 2 Sausage chain 4 Sausages 6 Transport device 8 Pick-up hook 9 Hook groove 10 Movement path 12 Support 14 Spreader device 16 Spreader element (16a, 16b, 16c) 18 Fork-shaped element 20 Fork stem 22 Fork head 24 Connecting element 26 Support elements 28 Clamp connection 30 Circular arc section 32 Collecting element 34 Transfer device B1First height level of the movement path B2Second height level of the movement path G1First height level of the fork-shaped element G2Second height level of the fork-shaped element QTransverse direction VVertical direction

Claims

1. A suspension apparatus (1) for hanging up and transporting at least one sausage string (2) including - a transport device (6) for transporting the at least one sausage string (2), that has at least one carrier hook (8) for carrying the sausage string (2), the hook being movable along a path of movement (10) by means of a guide and drive device, - a spreading device (14) arranged stationarily relative to the transport device (6) for spreading the sausage string (2), that has at least one spreading element (16) which is arranged adjacent to the path of movement (10) of the carrier hook (8) and which in operation acts on the sausage string (2) carried by the carrier hook (8) in such a way that the sausage string (2) is spread, characterised in that the guide and drive device for the carrier hook (8) is so designed that the path of movement (10) thereof is at least portion-wise curved and in particular extends along an arcuate portion (30), wherein the spreading device (14) is arranged at least partially in the region of the arcuate portion (30), in particular adjoining an end of the arcuate portion (30), for guiding the sausage string (2) on to the spreading device (14).

2. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1, characterised in that disposed in the region of the curved portion, in particular the arcuate portion (30), in particular vertically below the transport device (6), is a catch element (30) or plate which in operation prevents at least one sausage (4) or a part of the sausage string (2) from being deflected by virtue of centrifugal forces.

3. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in claim 1, wherein disposed in the region of the curved portion, in particular the arcuate portion (30), in particular vertically below the transport device (6), is a catch element (30) or plate which in operation prevents at least one sausage (4) or a part of the sausage string (2) from being deflected by virtue of centrifugal forces, characterised in that the catch element (32) and the transport device (6) co-operate in such a way that a) a vertical spacing between the catch element (32) and the transport device (6) is set, wherein the vertical spacing is so selected that b) a first free end of a sausage string (2) in a transport direction along the path of movement (10), in particular a sausage (4) hanging inwardly within the arcuate portion (30), of a sausage string (2) is at least portion-wise in frictional or positively locking connection to the catch element (32), and c) a second free end of a sausage string (2) is freely movable in the transport direction (T) along the path of movement (10), in particular a sausage (4) hanging outwardly within the arcuate portion (30) of a sausage string (2).

4. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the spreading device (14) is arranged substantially beneath the path of movement (10) of the carrier hook (8).

5. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the at least one spreading element (16) is at least partially curved.

6. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the spreading device (14) includes a plurality of bar-shaped or rail-shaped spreading elements (16), wherein a first spreading element (16a) is arranged in a transport direction before a second and a third spreading element (16b, 16c), wherein the first spreading element (16a) is arranged at least portion-wise parallel to the path of movement (10).

7. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that at least two spreading elements (16b, 16c) are arranged at least portion-wise in mutually spaced relationship, wherein the spacing increases at least portion-wise in the transport direction in a transverse direction (Q) extending horizontally and orthogonally to the transport direction.

8. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in claim 7 characterised in that the spacing of the spreading elements (16b, 16c) is at least portion-wise adjustable in the transverse direction (Q), and / or that the spreading device (14) is spaced at least portion-wise vertically relative to the carrier hook (8), wherein the vertical spacing is variably adjustable, preferably in a range between 0 mm and 300 mm, particularly preferably in a range of 10 mm through 100 mm, and / or that the guide and drive device for the carrier hook (8) is so designed that the path of movement (10) thereof at least portion-wise has a difference in height with a first height level (B1) and a second height level (B2), and / or that at least a part of the spreading device (14) is adjustable in a transport direction and can be fixed in different positions.

9. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the spreading device (14) co-operates with a smoke stick guide device for guiding a smoke stick, the smoke stick guide device being arranged adjacent to the spreading device (14).

10. A suspension apparatus (1) as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims characterised in that the spreading device (14) is coupled to a feed conveyor device for automatically feeding a smoke stick into the spreading device (14), in particular along the smoke stick guide device.

11. A method of spreading at least one sausage string (2) by means of a suspension apparatus (1), preferably as set forth in at least one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: - receiving the sausage string (2) by means of at least one carrier hook (8) of a transport device (6), - transporting the sausage string (2) along a path of movement (10) with the carrier hook (8) of the transport device (6), and - spreading the sausage string (2) on the transport device (6) by means of a stationarily arranged spreading device (14), preferably a spreading device (14) having the features of preceding claims 1 through 10.

12. A method as set forth in claim 11 comprising the step: - setting a vertical spacing of the spreading device (14) relative to the transport device (6).

13. A method as set forth in claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the spreading device (14) further includes a plurality of spreading elements (16), comprising the steps: - setting a horizontal spacing of at least two of the bar-shaped elements (16b, 16c), - adjusting the spreading device (14), in particular the first spreading element (16a) adjoining an end of the arcuate portion (30) of the path of movement (10).

14. A method as set forth in one of claims 11 through 13, wherein the apparatus further has a catch element (32), comprising the steps: - positioning the catch element (32) beneath the transport device (6) in the region of the arcuate portion (30), - a) setting a vertical spacing of the catch element (32) relative to the transport device (6) corresponding to a vertical length of the hanging sausage string (2), wherein the spacing is so selected that b) a first free end of a sausage string (2) in a transport direction along the path of movement (10), in particular a sausage (4) hanging inwardly within the arcuate portion (30), of a sausage string (2) at least portion-wise involves a connection to the catch element (32), and c) a second free end of a sausage string (2) is freely movable in the transport direction (T) along the path of movement (10), in particular a sausage (4) hanging outwardly within the arcuate portion (30) of a sausage string (2).

15. A method as set forth in one of claims 11 through 14, wherein the apparatus further has a smoke stick and a guide device for guiding a smoke stick, the guide device being arranged adjacent to the spreading device (14), comprising the steps: - introducing the smoke stick between the sausage string (2) beneath the carrier hook (8) of the transport device (6), in particular along the guide device, - ejecting the sausage string (2) from the carrier hook (8) on to the smoke stick, and - exiting the smoke stick from the transport device (6).