CA1170013A - Sausage casing automatic closing system - Google Patents

Abstract

SAUSAGE CASING AUTOMATIC CLOSING SYSTEM
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
This relates to apparatus for effecting the closing of one end of a shirred casing strand. A strand is to be automatically presented to a previously developed closer in alignment therewith and under a preselected pressure. A
transfer device is provided for receiving a doffed strand, transferring the strand transversely and then moving the strand longitudinally so that an end of the strand engages the closer. A gripping mechanism is provided which includes a pair of jaws having opposing clamp elements of a generally V-shape or angle cross section. The two jaws are simultan-eously movable either together or apart and are urged apart by compression springs. A fluid cylinder actuated linkage urges the jaws towards closed positions. By varying the closing force, the clamp members can be first moved to a pre-set spacing providing a receptacle into which a doffed strand of a predetermined size may be readily slid. Then by increas-ing the the pressure of the cylinder, the strand may he suf-ficiently tightly gripped to prevent relative movement during the closing operation. The closer members are separated to release a closed strand at the end of the closing operation.
By varying the pressure to the cylinder in the receptacle forming stage of the clamping members, the size of the re-ceptacle may be adjusted in accordance with variations in size of casing strands to be handled. A control cystem for the automatic operation of the transfer device in conjunction with the closing device is provided.

Description

11'70n~3 i SAUSAGE CASING AUTOMATIC CLOSING SYSTEM
This invention relates to the closing of one end of a stick of shirred casing used in the manu~cture of "skinless" hot do~s~
There has previously b~en developed.a closing head for closing an elld of a hollow shirred casinc~ stick which is the sub~ec~ o~ prior U~S. Patent: Nc~. 4,075,938, granted February Z8, 1978~ This invention has to do with the provision of a stick or strand handler for autolnatically positioning a strand relative t~ J~he closin~ mechanism of Patent No. 4,075,938 under a contxolled pressure condi.~ion wh~re~y end closure may be consist:ent throughout plural casing stic~s or.s~rands~ ~
A primary feature of this invention is the forma-tion o~ a jaw ~rrangement Eor receiving a shirred casingstrand or stick, which jaw arranc3ement is particularl~ con~
structed fo~ n~rmally defining a receptacle into which a shirrecl casing stic~ or strand may he readily inse.rt~d in a~ endwise directic3ll a~ it ls do:Efea fr:om i~ s carrier mandrel, and-therea~ter the jaws:are closable. unde~ a con--trolled pressure condition -or fi.rmly gripping the c~sing : strand for directing one end of the casing strand agai.nst the closinc3 llead.
~ hex feature of the jaw assembl~ is ~he~ r~-silient se~aration of the jaws after an end o~ a casinystrand has ~een closed to the extent that: the strand is xel.eased ~rom t}le jrlWS in a trar)sverse direction.
The several positions oi the ja-~s is ef~ect:ed by resilielltly urgin~ the j~ws apart by sprinc3 al~ments which are compressible under load~ The spri nc3 elements, .
~;, - ~ 3~

when the jaws are not loaded, will urge the jaw elements widely apart for receiving casing strands of different diameters. Tnen, by applying a selected pressure urging the ~aws together against the resistence of the spring elements, the jaws may be partially moved together to form the aforementioned receptacle or the specifiecl casing strard diameter. The exertion of a still clreater, hut controlled, pressure on the jaws will cause the jaws to move to a closing position wherein the jaws grip a casing 1~ strard at a preselected pressure. This ma~ be accomplished using a single fluid cylinder and supplyiny a fluid thereto at different pressures.
Another feature of the invention i$ the movement of the j~w asse~ly lonyitudinally after a casing strana is gripped thereby so that one end of the casing strand is presented to a closing head under controlled pressure con-ditic,ns which are repeatable. Further, a fluid cylinder may be utilized for this purpose and the flow of fluid wlder pressure to the cylinder may be metered so as to control the rate at which the strand may be presented to the closing head.
Finally, the jaw assembly ma~ be carr;ed fox move ment in a transverse direction for first alignin~ the jaws with a mandrel from which a shirred casing is to be do~fed, and ~fter the casinc~ strand is received within the jaw asse~_bly, the jaw as~embly may be shif~ed transversely of the xis o~ the jaw assembl~ to align the cas;nc~ strand with the closing head.
A further feature of the invent:;on is the prvvi-~ion of a fluid control circuit for automatically actuating the ~.?arious ~luid cylinders of the strand handling device as well as the various components of the closing head in th~
recIu red tilhed sequence in response to the actllation of control device fort;he ca~ing shirring machine.
With the ahove and other objects in view tha-t will herelnafter appearr the nature of the invention will be more clearly undersgood by re~erence to the following detailed ~:17~

description, the appended claims, and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
N THE DRAI~INGS:
Eigure 1 is a schematic elevational view of a casing shirring machine incorporating the closing mechanism of this invention.
Figure 2 is a transverse schematic view showing the relationship of the casing strand closing apparatus with respect to the shirring machine mandrel stations.
Figure 3 is an enlarged end eleyational yiew vf the trans-fer mechanism.
Figure 4 is a front elevational view of the txans fer mechanism, and shows it in xelation to a closing head, with the closing head being in section generally along the line ~-4 of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view taken generally along the line 5-5 of Figure 4, and shows further the details of the transfer mechanism.
Figure 6 is a top plan View similar to Figure 5, and shows the jaw assembly moved both transversely and longitudinally for positioning the jaw assembly, and a casing strand carried thereby relative to the closing head.
Figure 7 is a fragmentary schematic plan view with parts in section o~ the jaw assembly, sho~ing the Various positions of the jaws thereo~, the view being taken generally along the line 7-7 o~ Figure 4.
Eigure 8 is a series of schematic ena yiews o~ the jaw assembly, showing the various positions o the jaws with respect to a casing strand.
Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sec-tional vie~7 taken generally alon~ the line 9-9 of Figure 5, and shows the means for actuating the jaws.
Fiyure 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken generally along the line 10-10 o~ Figure 6, and shows the mounting of the jaw assembly for transverse shif~ing movement between a stxand receiving position and a strand closing position.

- ' _4 '~ 3 Figure 11 is a fxagmentary longitudinal sectional view showing the mounting of the ~aw assembly for longi.tudi-nal movement to present a strand to the closing head.
Figure 12 is a ~ragmentary longi-tudinal vertical sectional view taken ~enerally along -the lin'e 12-12 of Fig-ure 10, and shows the mou~ting of the transfer cylinder.
Figures 13 and 14 combined sho~Y a fluid system circuit for operating the transfer dev:ice and the closing head.
Al-~hou~h the closiny apparatus of this invention may be used with various types o. shirring machines, in order that the invention may be clearly understood there i5 il-lustrated the invelltion in conjunction with one type of ex-isting shirring machine ~hîch is c,~enerally identified by the numeral 20. Very broadly, the shirring machine 20 includes a turret 22 which is indexable about a horiæontal axis 24 and carries a plurality of circumferenkially spaced mandrels 26. ThP mandrels 26 are sequentially alic~ned with a shirr.ing mechanism, generally identified by the numeral 28. The shirring mechanism .includes a casing eed belt arrangement 30 which controls the mo~ement of a casing 32 through a pair of guide rollers 34 to a shirrin~ head 36 which includes a plurality of shirrir,g wheels 38. Th~ casing 32 is pxogres-sively shirred and move~ onto the active man~rel 26 until the desired length of shirred casing stick or strand 40 has been formed~ The casing is -then cut off by way of a cutoff device 42. At this time shirrin~ i6 discontinuea and the turret 22 is indexed to bring a new empty mandrel 26 into alignment with the shirring meçhanism 28. While the next strand is being shirred OiltO the new mandrel, the previously shirred casi.ng is axially compressed at a second station as schematically indicated in Figures 1 and 2.
Xn the illustrated shirring machine the third station i.s a holdin~"~ station and at the fourkh stat:ion the compressed shirred casiny strarLd is doffed from the In~narel so that the empty mandrel is avai.lable for presentation to the shirring station.

In the past, the doffed casings were manually pre~
sented to a closing head fox closing one end thereo~. This invention relates to the provision o~ an automatic transfer mechanism, generally identified by the numeral 44, which will receive the d~ffed casing strand or stick, fi~ly grip the strand, transfer the strand transverse].y into alignment with a closing head, generally identi.~ied ~y the numeral 46 and illustrated in Fi.gures 3 and 4, and then longitudinally move the transferred strand into controlled pressure engagement with the closing head to effect a repeatable closing of the strand one end.
Referring now to Figures 3, 5 and 6 in particular, it will be seen that the shirring machine 20 has a frame plate ` 48 on which the transfer mechanism 44 is mounted. Most spe~
cifically, the plate has secured thereon a pair o~ mounting brackets S0, 52 which, in turn, mount a comhined guide and support member 54. The combined guide and support-member 54 has guideways thereth~ough on which a pair o* parallel support rods 56 are mounted for horizontal transverse movement. t~he rods 56 carry a first carrier 58.
The combined.guide and support member 54 has a mounting flange 60 to which there is secured t.he foreward end o~ a mandrel ap~rc~sh fluid c~linder 62. The cylinder 62 is secured in place by way of a nut 64 and has a piston rod 66 which is connected to the carrier 58 by way of a nut 68 and a lock me~r~er 7C as is best shown in Figure 10. The f~ id cylinder 62 is thus operable to reciprocate the carrier 58 and the rods 56 as a unit transversely of the shirring machine 20~
The carrier 58 is eloncJated transversely of t~--rods 66, as sho~n in Figure 6, and has projecting from the face th~:reof opposite from the rods 66 two sets o~ guide ears 72 as is best shown in Figures 10 and 11. T~le guide ears 72 are axranged in vertically spaced, lo~gitudinally aligned sets and have slideably mounted therein a pair of com~i.ned guide and support rods 74. The rods 74, in turn~ mount a second carrier 76. It is to be noted that the carrier 76 is ~ I ~ Q (~ 1 3 basically in the form of a longitudinally extending vertical plate 78 wh;,ch has extending from the xear surface ~hereo-f at opposite ends a pair of flanges 80 in which the rods 74 are fixedly secured by means of set screws 82~ In this mann~r the carrier 76 is locked to the rods 74 for movement therewith.
A mounting plate 84, which i.s horizontally disposed and lon~itudinally extending, projects fxom the opposite face of the plate 78 and has rnounted thereon a gripper assembly 8 which will be described in detail hPreinaf~er.
~he carrier 58 has mounted ~-hereon a closer ap-proach fluid cylinder 88 as i.s best shown in Fic3ure 6. The cylinder 88 is provided at the foreward end thereof with a mounting block 90 carrying fas-teners 92, as is best shown in Figure 11. The cylirlder 88 'has a projecting piston rod ~
which is threaded into one of the flanges 80 in the manner also best shown in Fiyure 11. The cylinder 88 seryes to move the carrier 76 longitudinally of thc shirring machine 20 ~or moving a strand carried by the gripper assen~ly 86 into e~-gagement with the closer head ~6 and will be descri~ed in more detail hereinafter.
The ~ripp~r assembly 86 includes a pair of trans-ersely extending support pins or rods 96 which e~tend from Ihe front face of the plat.e 7~ as is genera~ly sh~wn in Fi~-.ures 3 and 7. Mounted on the pin~ 76 for tLansverS~ movelnent is a pair of jaws 98. Each jaw 98 includes a mounting b~r 100 which is ~irectly mounted on the roas 96 arld each bar carries an an~le shape clamp member 102 as is best shown in Figure 3. It is to be noted that the clamp ~nembers 102 open towards one another and because of the anc~le shape configuratior, are .readily adaptahle to engage strands of different diameters.
The bars 100 are Ereely mounted on the pins 96 ~or transverse movement and are resilient:ly urged apart by a compressi.on spring 104 carried by each pin 96 between th~
adjacent bars 100. It is to be understood that the ~prin~3s 104 are to be special.ly selec~ed ~or a purpose to be de-srri.bed hereinafter and are operable to open the jaws 98 to full open position.

Each of the bars 100 is provided in its upper sur-face with a pair of elongated slots 106 as is best shown in Figure 7. The slots in the two bars are ?~ngitudinally off set and receive therein depending pins 108 carri.ed by oppo-S site end portions of double lever members 110. ~s is bestshown in Figure 9, one set of pins 108 merely extends down~
wardly into one of the bars 100, while the opposite set of pins 108 have upper extensi~ns 112 and are connected together by a link 114. The ~ink 114 thus synchronizes the movement of the levers 110.
Each of the levers 110, as is also best shown in Fi.gure 9, underlies the support plate 84 an~ is carried hy a pin 116 which is journalled within a bushing 11~ in the plate 84. It is to be understood that the pin 116 is driv-ingly connected with at least one of the levers 110 ~orpivoting in unison therewith. That one pin 116, as is bes~
shown in Figure 9, has an upper extension 120 to which there i5 secured a c.rank arm 1~2 for rotat,ion with the pin 116.
The crank a~n 122, in turll~ is engaged by a fitting 124 carried by an end of a piston rod 126 of a ~ripper fluid cylinder 128. It is to be noted from ~igure 6 that the cylinder 128 has a rear mounting flange 130 which i5 con-nected ~y a vertical piYot pin 132 ~o a sup~ort flallge 1.~4 carried by a longitudinally extending mounting plate 136 25' which is part of the carrier 76.
Reference ;.s now made to Fi.gllres ~a, b and c.
In Figure 8b, it will be seen that the fluid cyli.nder 128 has been actuated by the intxoduction of fl.uid so as to ur~e the clarnp members 102 towards one another ~g~ins.t the cvmbina- -tion of the springs 98. By properly coordinating the strenyth of the springs 98 and the force exerted by the cylinder 128, there can be an automatic bringing to~ether of the cI~nping members 10~ to a preselected spac.ing which is larger than the diameter of the intended casing strand t:o be closed.
Thus, when the gripper assembly 86 is ali,gned with the mandrel 26 from ~hich the compressed shirred casing strand 40 is to be doffed, the strand 40 will freely sli.de longitudinally into the rece~t~cle defined by the clamp members 1~2.

3 ~

Thereafter, when the fluid pressure to the cylinder 128 is increased, as will be described in deta.il hereinafter, the clamp members 102 will be further urged together a5 shown in Figure 8a and will grip the casing strand 40 therebetween.
It is to be understood that the gripping pressure of the clamp members 102 on the casing strand will be controlled by the fluid pressure directed to the cylinder 120 and, ~f course, by a proper selection of cylinder.
After the strand 40 has been grîpped, the mandrel approach cylinder 62 is actuated so as to shift the gri.pper assembly 86 transversely of the shirring machine ~0 and into alignment with the closer head 46. ~his position .is assured by engagement of st~ps 148 carried by the ricJht ends of the rods 56 with the right end of the combined guide and support 54. It is also to be noted at this time- that the gripper assembly 86 is aligned with the mandrel fxom which a strand is to be ~offed by the engagement of the carrier 58 wîth the left end of the combined yuide and support 54 as viewed in Figure 30 After the strand has been ali.gr1ed with the closer head 46, the gripper assembly 86 .is moved longitudinally to the left, as viewed in Figure 1, to bring the left end of the strand 40 .nto ergagemert with the closer head 4~ a-t a controlled rate and at a controlled pressure so that the closer head may function uniformly to close the end vf the strand 40 in the manner described in Patent No. ~,075,938.
Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the closer head 4G r which is the suhject of ~.S. Patent No.
4,075,938, is mounted generally to the left of a frame plate 140 and includes, among other features, a pair of pivotally mounted wedges 142 which are actuated by a fluid cyli.nder 144 (Figure 13) identified as a wedge cylinder. The ~loser head also includes a rotatable mandrel 146 which is dri.ven by an a.ir mot:or 148 (E`igure 13)~
It is to be understood that in accordance wikh the disclosure of Patenk No. 4,075,938 there is a stop mech-anism (not shownJ which is controlled by a fluid cylinder 3 ~
g 150 illustrated in Figure 13 and identified as a stop cylin-der.
In order bes~ to understand the control system t specific control elements will now be identified. In Figure 13, there is illustrated a reset closure mode valve 152 and a reset arbor mode delay valve 154. There is also illustrated a motor-stop cylinder-lubricator 156. There are control valves including an arbor motor-stop cylinder valYe 158, a closer mode valve 160 and an arbor mode delay val~e 162.
Also of consequence in Figure 13 is a stop cylinder shuttle valve 164 and a closer stop cylinder needle valve 166.
With reference to Figure 14, there is associated with the closer approach cylinder 88 a closer approach cylin-der needle valve 168. A plurality of control valves are provided including a system mode pilot switch 170, a system mode valve 172, a mandrel approach valve 174, a mandrel approach delay valve 176, a drop strand pulse valve 17~, a drop strand pulse delay volume 180, a closer approach cylin-der valve 182, a gripper cylinder shuttle valve lB4, a gr:ip pressure regulator 186, a start closer pulse valve 188, a pulse valve delay volume 190 and a closer approach cylinder pressure regulator 192. The mandrel. approach cylinder i~
provided with an adjustable needle valve ~94.
Referring once again to Figure 13, it will be se~n that the system includes a maniold 196 to which air is supplied from an air source 198 throuyh a pressure ~egulator 200 so that air is directed into the manifold at house pres-sure.
The operation o~ khe control system is as follows.
The shirring machine 20 is provided with control - cams includin~ a control cam for controlli.ny the ~peration of the system mode pilot switch 170 to an on position. Thus the switch 170 functions as a start switch.
The movement of the switch 170 to the on posit;on causes pressure at port 4 at the system mode yalve 172 which causes the valve 172 to shifk. The shifting of the valve 172 causes (a) house pressure at port 7 of the gripper cylinder - 10 - 1 ~

shuttle valve 1~4, and ~b) exhausting of pressure at port 6 of the closer approach cylinder valve 182, retract side of closer approach cylinder 88, port 6 of the closer approach delay valve 176 and port 4 of the mandrel approach valve 174~
This, in turn, results in house pressure on the retract side of the gripper cylinder 128 causing a strand 40 to be clamped tightly'between the clamp members 102. The exhausting oE
pressure at port 6 of the valve 182 allows the closer approach cylinder valve 182 to be shifted. E~hausting of pressure at the retract side of the closer approach cylinder 88 allows the cylinder to be advanced. Exhausting of -the pressure at port 6 of the valve 1'76 allows the -valve 176 to be shifted. Exhausting o~
port 4 of the valve 174 allows the spring actuator Qf that valve to shift the valve.
The exhausting o pressure at port 4 of the valve 174 also increases pressure at the mandrel approach cylinder ~2 on the advance side and the port 4 of the closer approach delay valve 176.
Pressure on the advance side of the cylinder 62 causes the tightly clamped strand 40 to be shifted from alignment with the ~andrel from which it is doffed to alignment with the closer head 46 while the application of pressure at port 4 of the valve 176, af~er a preset delay to allow completion of the shifting of the strand, causes the valve 176 to shift.
The shifting of the valve 176 causes pressure at port 4 of the closer approa,ch cylinder valve 182 and port 1 of the start closure pulse valve 188 with the pressure at port 4 of the valve 182 ~ausing ~he valve 182 to shift and to cause regulated pressure at the advance side of the closer approach cylinder 88~
The closer approach cylinder 88 then causes the strand 40 to move into the closer head 46.
Pressure at port 1 of the valve 188 results in a pulse of air ~,o port 4 of the closer mode valve 1~0 ~7hich results in house pressure at t'he advance si(le of the wedge cylinder 144, at the stop cylinder shuttle valve 164 and por~ 4 of the arbor mode delay valve 162~ The wedge cylinder 144, being actuated, causes the wedges 142 to project from -the face of the closer head.
Pressure at the stop cylinder shuttle valve 162 causes the stop cylinder 150 to advance, preventing worm gears (not shown) of the closer head 46 from turning when ~he arbor 146 turns. Pressure at port 4 of the valve 162 causes shiftin~ of the valve 162 after a delay, and -this, in turn, results in pressure at port 4 of the arbor motor stop cylinder valve 158.
Pressure at port 4 of the valve 158 causes pressure to the arbor motor 148 using lubricated air from the lubricator 156 and pressure with lubricated air to ~he stop cylinder shuttle valve 164. The operation of the mo-tor 148 causes the casing from the strand 40 to be picked up by the wedges 142 and wound on the point 202 of the arbor 146 as it is advanced because the aforementioned worm gears cannot turn. Pressure to the valve 164 serves to keep thP stop cylinder 150 engaging the worm gears.
As the arbor shaft 146 advances to the right, a follower o the shaEt ~not shown~ depresses the reset closer mode valve 152 which causes a pressure pulse at port 6 of the closure mode valve 160 which results in the shifting of the valve 160 causing pressure at the retract side of the wedge cylinder 144, exhaust of pressure at the advance side of the wedge cylinder 144, exhaust of pressure at one side of the stop cylinder shuttle valve 1 6/~J and e~haust of pressure at port 4 of the arbor motor delay valve 162.
The reverse movement of the wedge cylinder 144 causes the wedges 142 to retract flush with the face of th~ closer head 46. Exhaust of pressure on one side of the valve 164 allows pressure to advance the stop cylinder 150 to be interrupted when the other side of the cylinder 150 is exhausted. Exhaust of pressure at port 4 of the valve 162 allows the arbor motor delay va]ve 162 to be shifted by pilot pressure at port 6.
The aforementioned arbor shaft follower depresses reset arbor delay valve l 54 which results in pressure at port 6 of the arbor delay valve 162 which, in turn, causes the valve 162 to shift. Shifting of the valve 162 causes exhaust of pressure at port 4 of the arbor motor stop cylinder valve 158 which allo~7s the spring in the valve to shift the valve 158.
Shifting of the valve 158 causes exhaust of pres-sure at the arbox motor 148 causing the moto.r to stop turn~
ing; exhaust of pressure on the other side of the stop cylinder shuttle valve 164; and pressure at retract side of the stop cylinder 150. These .wo latter even-ts cause the nQn-illustrated stop block attached to the s-top cyl.inder 150 to retract and pull the arbor shaft 146 out of the closure newly formed in the end of the casing strand.
At this time the cam of .the shirrinc~ machine 20 which actuates the 5ystem mode pilot switch 70 moves the switch to the off position, and this causes exhaust of the pressure at port 4 of the system mode pilDt valve 172. Pres-sure at port 4 o.f the valve 172 causes the valve to shif~
with this causing exhaust of house pressure at the gxipper cylinder shuttle valve 184, house pressure at retract ~ide of the closer approach cylinder 88, pressure at port 6 o~ the closer approach valve 182, house pressu.re at port 6 of the closer approach dela~ valve 176~ and hou~e pxessure at poxt 4 ol the mandrel approach valve 17~. This results in a reduced pressure to the retract side of the gripper cylinder 128 to the low pressure regulated ~v the grip pressure regulator 186 which results in the closed strand now t:o be held loosely.
House pressure at the xetract side of the clQser approach cylinder 88 causes the.cylinder 88 to move the closed strand away from the closer head 46 while pressure at port 6 of the ~ valve 182 perrnits the c~linder 88 to be ackuated.
:~ House pressure at port 6 of the valve 176 causes the valve 176 to shift which, in turn, causes exhaust of pressure at port 4 of the closer approach valve 182 and the port 1 o~ the star-t closer pulse valve 188. Exhaust of pressure at port 4 of the valve 182 allows the valve 182 to shift under the influence of pressure at port 6 thereof, the shifting of which permits the actuation of the closer ap-proach cylinder 88 to move the strand.
Exhaust of pressure at port 1 of the valve 188 allows the spring of the valve 188 to reset the valve for a next pulse. Pressure at port 4 of the valve 174 causes the valve 174 to shift, causing pressure at port 1 of the drop strand pulse valve 178 and in the volume cylinder 180 and pressure to the retract side of the mandrel approach cylin-der 62. Pressure at the valve 178 causes a pulse of pressure at the advance side of the gripper cylinder 128 causing ~he clamp members 102 momentarily to open and drop the closea strand.
Pressure on the retract side of the mandrel ap-proach cylinder 62 causes the cylinde~ to retract and hring the gripper assembly into position to receive a next strand.
The transfer assembly is now ready to receive a next strand by repetition of the above-described operations.
~ t this time it is pointed out that the control circuitry also includes a manual control for applyiny an actuating pressure to the port 4 of the closer mode valve 160 for effecting the manual operation o~ the eloser head 46 when so desired. However, since this manual control ci~cuit, whicll is identified by the numeral 2~4, is not ~art of this invention, it is n~t specifically described here.
It is to be understood that while a specific ~echanism has been specifically illustrated and described fox use in a shirring mach;ne such as the shirring machine 20, the mechanism may be changea ~or use ~ith other shirriny machines and/or other closing devices without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It is to be unde~stood tha~ the es-sential ~eatures oE the inventi n tnclude mearls to receive strands ~ varylny si~es. ~o this end, it is pointed ou~:
that with rcEerence to Fiyure 8, basically the illustrat~d 3S strand of the lar~est di~neter strand for which the apparatus is desiyned. However, if sm~ller diameter 5trands are t~ be handled~ then it is necessa~y to increase the pressu~e - 14 - ~ 0~3 directed to the gripper cylinder 128 by controlling -the pressure of air supplie~ by the pressure regulator 18~. It will be apparent that by increasing the pressure supplled by the regulator 186 the springs 98 will be further compressed and thus reduce the size of the opening defined by the clamp members 102 as shown in Figure 8b.
Another essential feature is the provision of a means to grip the strand sufficiently tight to prevent rotatio~ or axial movement of the strand during the closing operation. This is controlled by the air pressure directed to the gripper cylinder 128 through the system mode valve 172 and the shuttle valve 184.
Another feature of the invention is to provide a means to transport the strand to the closing device an~ a means to press the end of the strand against the closing device with correct pressure to produce a suitable closure. With respect to this, it is to be noted that the closer approach cylinder 88 has in series therewith a needle valve 168 which controls the rate of fluid directed thereto and thus controls the ra-te of operation.
The needle valve 194 serves the same function with respect to the mandrel approach cylinder 62.
The invention should also include a rneans to start the closing operation while the strand i8 ~aintained in contact with the closing device -as well as means for transporting the closed strand from the closing device, together with means Eor dropping the closed strand. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention these are all effected by the gripper cylinder 128 and the closer approach cylinder 88.
The final essential features of the i-nvention are means for resetting the gripping means to the correct size to receive the next strand and a means for transporti-ng the gripping means back to the correct position to receive the next strand. While in accordance with this invention the gripper cylinder 128 in association with the springs 98 perform this first function, other means may be provided and whiLe the transportation of the gripper means baclc to -15~ 7~ 0 ~. ~

the staxtinq position is ffected by the mandrel apProach cYlinder 62, other types of positioninq means may be pro-vided.

: ' ' ~ ' .

.

.
'

Claims (19)

1. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
   
   l. A strand handler for positioning a strand relative to a closing mechanism to effect a controlled closing at one end of a strand, said strand handler comprising a strand receiving means, including a carrier, a strand gripper including a pair of axially elongated jaws and means for moving said jaws together carried by said carrier, a feed means for feeding said strand gripper axially towards a closing mechanism under controlled pressure conditions, and means for feeding said strand gripper axially away from said closing mechanism.
2. 2, A strand handler according to claim 1 wherein said feed means includes a fluid cylinder and a fluid supply for said fluid cylinder.
3. 3. A strand handler according to claim l wherein said feed means includes a fluid cylinder and a fluid supply for said fluid cylinder, and means for varying the pressure of fluid supplied to said fluid cylinder.
4. 4. A strand handler according to claim l wherein said feed means includes a fluid cylinder and a fluid supply for said fluid cylinder, means for varying the pressure of fluid supplied to said fluid cylinder, and fluid flow rate restrictor means disposed between said fluid supply and said fluid cylinder for controlling the rate of feeding of said strand gripper.
5. 5. A strand handler according to claim l wherein said strand gripper includes a pair of axially elongated jaws defining in an open state thereof a receptacle for a strand to be closed, and means for moving said jaws together to grip a strand positioned therein.
6. 6. A strand handler according to claim 5 wherein said means for moving said jaws together include a fluid cylinder, resilient means urging said jaws apart to a widely separated state for releasing the largest, intended strand; first fluid supply means having a first pressure means, valve means for coupling said first fluid supply to said fluid cylinder for moving said jaws together against the resistance of said resilient means to said open state defining said strand receptacle, second fluid supply means having a second pressure higher than said first pressure, and valve means for coupling said second fluid supply to said fluid cylinder to further move said jaws together to a strand gripping position.
7. 7. A strand handler according to claim 6 wherein there are longitudinally spaced transverse supports, means mounting said jaws on said transverse supports for transverse movement, and there is linkage connected to said jaws for moving said jaws simultaneously equal distance and in opposite directions, said fluid cylinder being coupled to said linkage for positioning said linkage.
8. 8. A strand handler according to claim 7 wherein said resilient means are in the form of compression springs mounted on said transverse supports between said jaws.
9. 9. A strand handler according to claim 7 wherein there is a fixed longitudinal axis between said jaws, said means for moving said jaws together including a pair of levers spaced longitudinally of said jaws and each having a pivot axis intersecting said longitudinal axis, means connecting said levers to said jaws, and means connecting said fluid cylinder to said levers for movement in unison.
10. 10. A strand handler according to claim 1 together with a second carrier supporting the first mentioned carrier for movement longitudinally of said strand gripper means towards a closing mechanism, and means mounting said second carrier for movement transversely of said strand gripper means for selective positioning in alignment with a mandrel of a shirring machine for receiving a doffed strand and in alignment with a closing mechanism.
11. 11. A strand handler according to claim 10 wherein there is a fluid cylinder for separately positioning each of said two carriers and said strand gripper, and a control system for actuating said fluid cylinders in timed sequence.
12. 12. A strand handler according to claim 11 wherein said control system includes a master control device constructed for automatic actuation by a shirring machine.
13. 13. A strand gripper comprising a pair of axially elongated jaws defining in an o-pen state thereof a receptacle for a strand to be closed, and means for moving said jaws together to grip a strand positioned therein.
14. 14. A strand gripper according to claim 13 wherein said means for moving said jaws together include a fluid cylinder, resilient means urging said jaws apart to a widely separated state for releasing the largest, intended strand; first fluid supply means having a first pressure means, valve means for coupling said first fluid supply to said fluid cylinder for moving said jaws together against the resistance of said resilient means to said open state defining said strand receptacle, second fluid supply means having a second pressure higher than said first pressure, and valve means for coupling said second fluid supply to said fluid cylinder to further move said jaws together to a strand gripping position.
15. 15. A strand gripper according to claim 14 wherein there are longitudinally spaced transverse supports, means mounting said jaws on said transverse supports for transverse movement, and there is linkage connected to said jaws for moving said jaws simultaneously equal distance and in opposite directions, said fluid cylinder being coupled to said linkage for positioning said linkage.
16. 16. A strand gripper according to claim is wherein said resilient means are in the form of compression springs mounted on said transverse supports between said jaws.
17. 17. A strand gripper according to claim 15 wherein there is a fixed longitudinal axis between said jaws, said means for moving said jaws together including a pair of levers spaced longitudinally of said jaws and each having a pivot axis intersecting said longitudinal axis, means connecting said levers to said jaws, and means connecting said fluid cylinder to said levers for movement in unison.
18. 18. A method of gripping a strand comprising the steps of providing a pair of jaws, mounting the jaws for selective transverse movement, spacing the jaws by resilient means urging said jaws apart to form a receptacle for receiving a strand of a preselected size in a longitudinal direction, then moving the jaws together to firmly grip a strand by fluid cylinder pressure means, and thereafter opening the jaws sufficiently for the jaws to release the strand in a transverse direction.
19. 19. The Method of claim 18 wherein the jaws are resiliently urged to the open position, and the jaws are moved to said receptacle forming position by the application of a first pressure and to grip a strand by the application of a second and greater pressure.