Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
  • A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
  • A22C11/00—Sausage making ; Apparatus for handling or conveying sausage products during manufacture
  • A22C11/12—Apparatus for tying sausage skins ; Clipping sausage skins
  • A22C11/122—Apparatus for tying sausage skins ; Clipping sausage skins by forming knots

Definitions

• the present invention relates to an automatic machine for the formation of a knot using a string at the end of a tubular sheath to be closed by constriction of its wall under the effect of the tightening of the knuckle. node, this tubular sheath can be pre-filled with a meat food product for example or be intended to receive a food product.
• the food product may be sausage meat or the like.
• the node formed in this way does not ensure under certain conditions a good ligating of the end of the sheath, the node can relax. This results in leaks that may be detrimental to a good preservation of the food product contained in the sheath.
• the present invention aims to solve the drawback mentioned above by implementing a machine capable of making a stronger node unfit to discard.
• the automatic machine for the formation of a knot with a string at the end of a flexible tubular sheath to close the latter by constriction of its tubular wall under the effect of the tightening of the knot, which ser ⁇ rage is operated by traction on the string, comprises means for maintaining horizontal part 1a of the string on which the knot must be formed, said part 1a twine being held horizontally by clamp members facing a mechanism for forming two loops on said twine portion and juxtaposing the two loops formed.
• This machine further comprises means for introducing the end of the sheath into the two loops by relative movement of the end of the sheath relative to the two said loops.
• This machine is essentially characterized in that the mechanism for forming the two loops on the twine and juxtaposition part 1a of the two loops formed comprises: a vertical rotary drive shaft around its longitudinal axis, engaged in a bearing of the frame of the machine and coupled to a motor assembly adapted to ensure its rotational drive according to a lathe, and during the completion of the lathe, its drive in translation in an upward and downward movement, and two movable flaps, each articulated along a horizontal axis to a rigid ⁇ ment support fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft, said flaps being asso ⁇ ciated to a positioning means, which ensures the holding in position of these last horizontally coplanar and diametrically opposite, or vertically vis-à-vis each other, each flap, opposite its axis articulat ion to the support, having a notch passing therethrough from one side to another according to its thickness, which notch is open to that of the flanks of the flap opposite to the axis of
• the node thus formed between the pawns flaps is then transferred to the end of the sheath.
• This action is performed by means of introducing the end of the sheath into the two loops, this introduction being effected by relative movement of the end of the sheath relative to the two said loops.
• said introduction means comprises: a tubular horizontal chargenouage mandrel, horizontally movable in transla ⁇ tion along its horizontal axis, said mandrel being associated by its rear end to a motor means which positions it is in an erasing position according to which it is removed from movable flaps either in a waiting position of the node se ⁇ lon which it is engaged in the indentations of the movable flaps and in the bou ⁇ cles of the node, said flaps being in a vertical position, a clamp with two jaws mounted in the mandrel and associated with a mo ⁇ body that arranges it is in a first position according to which it is enti ⁇ ment retracted in the mandrel is in a second position in which it is deployed and protrudes in the axis of the mandrel, the two jaws is having in open position waiting for the end of the sheath, and a transfer sleeve, slidably mounted on the
• one of the gripper members de main ⁇ tien of the portion (1a) of horizontal string is fixed and occupies an upstream position relative to the mechanism of forming loops of the node and the other is rotatable about the longitudinal vertical axis of the drive shaft of the formation mechanism of the two loops of the node, and this between an upstream gripping position of the free end of the string , which position is located near said first gripper member and a downstream position angularly offset from the previous one, the movable gripper member, during its movement from the upstream position to the downstream position partially winding the fi ⁇ the one around the a first return roller then around a second return roller, the axes of rotation of said rollers being vertical and the movable clamp member being moved from one to the other position and vice versa by a motor assembly.
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine according to the invention, according to a first embodiment, the dressing being removed,
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a machine according to the invention, according to the first embodiment
• FIG. 3 is a view of the front face of the machine with the wire guide members, not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the front face
• FIG. 5 is a front view of the mechanism for forming the two loops on the thread and for juxtaposing the two loops
• FIG. 6 is a right view of FIG. 5,
• FIG. 7 is a view from above of said mechanism
• FIG. 8 is a schematic bottom view of said mechanism, the flaps being in a horizontal position and two loops being formed,
• FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the transfer means of the two loops formed towards the end of the sheath, the mandrel of this means not being shown,
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the mandrel of the loop transfer means
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mandrel of the transfer means
• FIG. 12 is a front view of a movable clamp member
• Figure 13 is a perspective view of a movable clamp member
• FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the motor assemblies associated with the formation mechanism of the loops of the node and with the movable abutment member,
• FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a transfer clip member
• FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a machine according to a second embodiment
• FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the machine according to the second form of réali ⁇ tion, protective clothing being removed,
• FIG. 18 is a detailed view of the machine showing in perspective the mechanism for forming the two loops of the node
• FIGS. 19 and 20 are views in perspective and in section of a protec ⁇ tion cowling of the cutting blade of the sheath
• FIG. 21 shows a top view of the detail of a prenouing mandrel according to a se ⁇ fourth embodiment
• FIG. 22 is a sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 21,
• FIG. 23 is a side view of the machine, the dressing being removed.
• the automatic machine according to the invention is intended for the formation of a knot using a string on the end of a flexible tubular sheath in order to close by constriction of its wall, this sheath being designed to receive a food product of the meat type for example.
• the machine comprises on a frame B forming a supporting structure, carried by rolling members on the ground, on which are installed a reel in which a coil of string is engaged with which are formed nodes ex ⁇ tremity sheaths to close.
• a horizontal tensioning means of the part 1a of the string on which the knot must be formed On the frame is also installed a horizontal tensioning means of the part 1a of the string on which the knot must be formed. said string part 1a being kept stretched horizontally, in particular by gripper organs 2, 3 facing a mechanism 4 for forming two loops on said string part 1a and juxtaposition of the two loops formed, mechanism 4 being carried by the frame.
• the machine further comprises a means 5 for introducing the end of the sheath into the two loops, by relative movement of the end of the sheath with respect to the two said loops, the knot being then formed by tightening the two loops under the effect of two opposite tensile forces exerted on the string part 1a on either side of the loops.
• the machine also comprises on its front face and / or its lateral face shown in FIGS. 3 and 17, members 6 for guiding the twine and putting it in tension with the latter, the gripper member 2 being carried by this front face. or by this side face.
• the tensioning members 6, in combination with the gripper members 2, 3 ensure the maintenance in tension and horizontally of the string part 1a.
• the machine has cutting members both of the string after formation of the node that the sheath; if the latter is in great length, the nodes to be operated on sections of sheath of suitable length.
• the mechanism 4 for forming the two loops on the twine portion and juxtaposition of the two loops formed comprises: a drive shaft 40, vertical, rotatable, about its longitudinal axis, engaged in a bearing of the frame B of the machine and coupled to a motor assembly 41 adapted to ensure its rotational drive according to a lathe, and during the completion of the lathe, adapted to ensure its drive in translation in an upward and downward movement, and two movable flaps 42 articulated each along a horizontal axis to a support 43 rigidly fixed to the lower end of the drive shaft 40, said flaps 42 being associated with a positioning means 44, which ensures the maintenance in position of the latter either horizontally coplanar and diametrically opposite, or vertically facing each other, each of said flaps, opposite its axis of articulation at support 43 having an indentation 45 passing therethrough from one side to the other according to its thickness, which notch is open to that of the ri ⁇ ves of the flap opposite to the axis of articul
• each flap 42 are as ⁇ sociated two pins 46, these pins being arranged respectively facing the two ex ⁇ tremities of the notch 45, corresponding.
• a third pion may be provided at the periphery of the notch and disposed, considering the perimeter of the notch halfway between the first two pawns. These third pieces are represented in strong dotted line in FIG.
• the drive shaft 40 is splined and is slidably mounted in a grooved ring mounted in the gui ⁇ dage bearing. This ring is equipped with an external toothing, engaged, according to a first embodiment, with a rack actuated by a motor member of the pneumatic cylinder type.
• the drive shaft 40 of the mechanism 4 is equipped in the upper part with a radial arm 47 carrying a rolling roller 48 and on the frame B of the ma ⁇ chine is mounted a fixed cam 49 provided with an endless rolling track on which bears and rolls the roller 48, the profile of said path determining the height position of the shaft 40 and flaps 42 and in relation to their angular position about their vertical axis of rotation.
• the raceway of the cam pre ⁇ sente a lower portion which can be flat and horizontal, an upward portion, a top portion which can be flat and horizontal or curved and a descen ⁇ part dante.
• the cam 49, of tubular form is mounted around the upper part of the drive shaft 40. By the configuration of the raceway of the cam, the drive shaft, during its rotation is animated by vertical movement upward descending.
• the cam is an element of the motor assembly 41.
• the positioning means 44 of the two flaps 42 is constituted by two drive members respectively associated with the two components, these mo ⁇ tors organs being advantageously constituted by pneumatic cylinders. Each of these cylinders is articulated respectively to a structure carried by the support 43 and the flap 42 corresponding.
• This support 43 is preferably in the form of a profile of U-shaped cross section, the U-shape being turned downwards. As can be seen in Figure 5, the support 43 forms a housing 43a between the flaps, open downwards, and limited by a horizontal upper face, said upper face being disposed at a higher height level relative to the flaps.
• Each gripping pin 46 will be of frustoconical shape. Through the small base of the truncated cone, each peg is applied against the corresponding face of the shutter. This arrangement ensures the maintenance of the string in the flaps of the mechanism 4 during the node forming operation.
• the flaps 42 for the formation of the knot, are positioned horizontally above the string part 1a, and symmetrically with respect to a geometrical plane P containing the longitudinal axis of the knot. part 1a string on the one hand and parallel to the axis of articulation of each flap 42 to the support 43 on the other hand. Then the drive shaft 40 is rotated and driven down so that the pins 46 of the flaps 42 are successively apprehend the string part 1a. Before the pins 46 come to apprehend a second time the part 1a of string, the drive shaft 40, is moved upwards to bring said pieces 46 spaced from the part 1a of string so that it does not not be caught by these pieces.
• This gripping finger is disposed upstream of the mechanism 4 for forming the two loops and juxtaposing them, and is associated with a motor member which brings it to the upper position so as to bring the mechanism 4 upwards to the upper position.
• a motor member which brings it to the upper position so as to bring the mechanism 4 upwards to the upper position.
• this strand is inserted into the housing 43a of the support 43.
• This means 5 comprises: a mandrel 50 preenouing, tubular, horizontal, horizontally movable tran ⁇ slation along its horizontal axis, said mandrel being associated by its rear end to a motor means 51 which positions it is in a position of erasure according to it is removed from the movable flaps 42, or in a waiting position of the node in which it is engaged in the notches 46 of the movable flaps 42 and in the loops of the node, said flaps 42 being in a vertical position, a clip 52 to two jaws, mounted in the mandrel 50 and associated with a drive member 520 which ia has a first position in which it is entiè ⁇ mentally retracted in the mandrel 50 and a second position in which it is deployed mandrel 50, the two jaws in the open position waiting for the end of the sheath, and a transfer sleeve 53 slidably mounted on the prenouing mandrel 50, e t associated with
• the means 5 comprises a vertical fixed wall 55 provided with a through hole in which is engaged in fixing, a horizontal tubular sleeve 56 in which is slidably mounted the mandrel 50 and on which is slidably mounted on the transfer sleeve 53.
• the motor means 51 is for example constituted by a pneumatic cylinder 511 arti ⁇ abutment on the one hand to the vertical wall 55 and on the other hand to a lever structure 512 articu ⁇ lée to a yoke 513 attached to the wall 55.
• This lever structure comprises at distance from its axis of articulation to the yoke 513, two rollers 514 which are respectively engaged in two grooves 515 formed in a block 516 integral with the mandrel 50.
• the clamp 52 has two jaws of unequal length, the longest jaw occupying a lower position. This arrangement facilitates the engagement of the end of the sheath between the jaws.
• the drive member 520 associated with the clamp 52 is for example constituted by a pneumatic cylinder. This cylinder is fixed by its body to the block 516. Each of the two jaws of the clamp 52 is provided with a shoulder, which when the clamp is moved in the direction of its deployment relative to the mandrel, abuts against a mounted cross pin fixedly in the mandrel. This arrangement ensures automatic opening of the jaws of the clamp. During the retraction of the clamp in the mandrel, the jaws are disengaged from their abutment pins and bearing against the inner face of the mandrel, are brought back into the closed position and thus clamping the corresponding end of the mandrel. sheath.
• the clamp 52 is associated with a fixed cutting member 57 mounted in the mandrel 50 to cut, during the retraction of the sheath in the mandrel, the free end of the sheath overflow relative to the clamp .
• This cutting member is lateral to the clamp and is in the form of an inclined cutting blade.
• the transfer sleeve 53 is advantageously provided with a wiper seal to prevent the node from engaging in the internal bore of the latter.
• the sleeve 53 is provided with a radial tab to which is fixed the drive member 54.
• this motor or ⁇ gane is constituted by a pneumatic cylinder fixed by its rod to the said tab and by its body to the fixed wall 55.
• a pulling means of the part 1a of the string is provided for tightening the knot around the sheath, this pulling means being constituted by at least one movable finger 60 ac ⁇ tioned by a motor member advantageously constituted by a pneumatic cylinder.
• the string part 1a is cut by a cutting member 8 mounted movable upwards and downwards and carried by an actuating motor member, for example a pneumatic jack. Then the motor of the clamp 520 is activated for the purpose of loosening the clamp and disengaging the sheath.
• a centering means constituted by a pusher 9 in the form of ga ⁇ let, mounted on an oscillating arm actuated by an organ motor type pneumati ⁇ cylinder.
• the roller is brought in support against the string by pivoting the swingarm.
• the cutting member 57 is independent of the means 5 for introduction and is carried by the chassis of the ma ⁇ china in the axis of said means d ' Introduction 5.
• the vertical cutting blade is protected by a suitable cowling 570 comprising an introduction slot 571 of the sheath for cutting.
• This slot 571 is closed by an erasable shutter member 572 mounted in a guided manner in the cowling between a closed position of the slot 571 and a position of disengagement thereof.
• This shutter member 572 is provided with two horizontal guide columns 573 each en ⁇ gaged in a bore formed in an inner wall 574, this drilling consti ⁇ killing bearing guide of the column.
• FIGS. 21 and 22 the handle 50 and the first jaw 530 of the clamp are split and the other jaw 531 of the clamp 52 occupies a lateral position with respect to the slot of the first jaw 530. Finally, the first jaw 530 at the front end has a form of hook for gripping the sheath.
• the first jaw 520 of the clamp In advance movement of the mandrel 50, the first jaw 520 of the clamp, by its slot, is disposed on either side of the cutting blade 57 and the hook shape is disposed in front of the cutting edge of the latter.
• the shutter element 572 is pushed into the disengaged position by said first jaw 530, the second jaw 531 being open.
• the opening slot of the sheath is disengaged and said sheath can then be introduced into the slot in order to be caught by the jaws 530, 531 of the clamp 52 and to be able to retract during the retraction.
• pliers be sliced by the cutting blade 57.
• one 2 of the clamp members holding the horizontal string portion 1a is fixed and occupies an upstream position with respect to the mechanism 4 for forming the loops of the knot.
• This clamp member 2 will be advantageously associated with a downstream braking device 200 capable of exerting radial braking forces on the string, this braking device occupying an upstream position in relation to the mechanism 4 forming the node.
• the clamp member 2 is activated to exert a clamping force on the string before tightening the knot.
• the other clamp member 3 is rotatable about the longitudinal vertical axis of the drive shaft 40 of the mechanism 4 for forming the two loops of the node, and this between an upstream gripping position of the the free end of the string, which posi ⁇ tion is located near said first clamp member 2 and a downstream position, angularly offset from the previous one, the movable clamp member 3, during its mou ⁇ vement from the upstream position to the downstream position partially winding the string around a first return roller 61 then around a second return roller 610, the axes of rotation of said rollers being vertical and the movable clamp member 3 being moved from one to the other position and vice versa by a motor assembly 30.
• the first return roller 61 in combination with the clamp member 2, parti ⁇ cularly with the braking device 200 and with the second clamp member 3 ensures the maintenance of the string portion 1a horizontally. and in the geometric plane P.
• the first return roller 61 is mounted on a mount 62 movable horizontally between a first partial winding position of the string and a second recoil position relative to the previous one, corresponding to a pull on the string, said mount 62 being moved from one to the other position and vice versa by a motor member 63 advantageously constituted by a pneumatic cylinder.
• a motor member 63 advantageously constituted by a pneumatic cylinder.
• the clamp member 3 comprises a radial horizontal arm 31 at the end of which is fixed a ring gear 32 engaged on a hollow guide bearing traversed from one side by the drive shaft 40. With this ring gear 32 cooperates a stirring spindle actuated by a drive member of the pneumatic cylinder type.
• This drive member, the drive rack and ring gear 32 constitute the motor assembly 30.
• the movable clamp member 3 comprises a fixed lower jaw 33 and an upper jaw 34 vertically movable and actuated by a motor member 35 of the pneumatic cylinder type.
• the movable upper jaw 34 is for example constituted by a cylindrical finger fixed to the end of the cylinder rod. This jaw 34 is guided in translation in the bore of a tubular body 36 of clip member, attached to the body of the vé ⁇ rin.
• the lower fixed jaw 33 In the lower part of the clamp member body is formed the lower fixed jaw 33.
• the radial arm 31 is fixed to the cylinder body, in the upper part thereof.
• the machine is provided, according to a first embodiment, with a transfer clip member 7, movable between a rear position and a front position and vice versa, under the effect of the action of a driving member 70, said transfer clamp member 7, in its rear position being disposed behind the downstream position of the movable clamp member 3, and said transfer gripper member 7, during its movement from its rear position to its forward position, coming snap the end of the string carried by the movable clamp member 3 and bring said ex ⁇ tremity substantially in the plane P.
• the second return roller 610 on which is partially wound the string is mounted on a movable mount between an initial position of partial winding of the string and a low position in which the roller is clear of the string, said mount being moved from one to the other position and vice versa by a motor member.
• the free end of the string is transferred to the plane P after formation of the two loops of the node and before juxtaposition of the two loops by pivo ⁇ ment of the flaps 42 to their vertical position.
• the second return roller 610 is brought into the erasing position and the strand of twine caught by the transfer clamp member and the fi ⁇ fi ⁇ strand that downstream to the braking device 200 and occupying an upstream position relative to the mechanism 4 are introduced into the housing 43a under the upward effect of the movement of the gripping finger. Subsequently the flaps 42 are pivoted to their vertical position. This arrangement allows to associate the formed node, a suspension loop.
• the upstream strand of the string portion 1a is section ⁇ born by the cutting member 8 and the motor 520 of the clamp is activated in the direction of opening the jaws in order to clear the sheath of the grip of the latter.
• the transfer clamp member 7 has a body 72 to which is fixed a grooved support arm 71 engaged in a grooved guide bearing mounted in the wall 55.
• the body motor 70 which is consti ⁇ killed advantageously by a pneumatic cylinder.
• the rod of this jack will be fixed to the body 72, the body of the jack will be fixed to the wall 55.
• the body 72 carries a drive member 73 for actuating a movable jaw 74, this movable jaw being carried by the body 72. the top part.
• the fixed jaw is constituted by the body itself.
• the movable jaw 74 has an upper clearance 75, in the path of which, is located the lower part of the movable clamp member 3 when the latter is in the downstream position.
• the machine no longer comprises a transfer clamp 7.
• the mobile clamp now has a rotational movement latitude of about one turn.
• the machine With the machine according to the invention it is possible to bind by a single string several tubular sheaths.
• a retractable stop which is positioned on the path of the movable clamp member to limi ⁇ ter the angular movement.
• the length of the trajectory of the movable gripper member is sufficient to partially wind the twine on the first roller. 61.
• the machine may be equipped with a second cutting member to cut, after making the first node and transfer and tightening of the latter on the first sheath, the downstream strand of the string part 1a. to limit its length.
• the machine has a first cutting member 8 adapted to cut the upstream twine strand to the node and a second cutter adapted to cut the string downstream to the node.
• the machine as described will advantageously be equipped with a movable member for releasing the string from the right-of-way of the first return roller.
• the machine is mainly intended to form knots on charcu ⁇ tery casings for example for the manufacture of sausages, sausages and other sausages.

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• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
• Zoology (AREA)
• Food Science & Technology (AREA)
• Basic Packing Technique (AREA)

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• 2004
  • 2004-11-21 FR FR0412338A patent/FR2878241B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2005
  • 2005-11-21 WO PCT/EP2005/056119 patent/WO2006053909A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2005-11-21 EP EP05825236A patent/EP2009996A1/de not_active Withdrawn

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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