FR3107430A1 - Sausage portioning device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for portioning sausages from a continuous sausage formed from a flexible casing containing a food product, the device (1) comprising a support (10). ) provided with: - a succession of cutting members (2), the cutting members (2) being coupled to actuating means (3) to be driven in a back and forth movement between a disengaged position and a cutting position; - a twisting assembly (4) located between each pair of contiguous cutting members (2), and coupled to the actuating means (3) to be animated, each twisting assembly (4) having a flat element (41) on which the continuous sausage is intended to roll during twisting, the actuating means (3) driving the cutting members (2) in movement on the support (10), and each twisting assembly (4), the support (10) having a planar portion (100) on which the continuous sausage is intended inée to be twisted by a twisting assembly (4). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Sausage portioning device

The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of equipment for the production of sausages.

The invention relates in particular to a device for portioning sausages from a continuous sausage, and in which the portions of cut sausages are closed at their ends.

In the field of the invention, butchers can manually produce sausages by twisting a continuous sausage and partitioning it by cutting it at the twists.

In some cases, these professionals have mechanical portioning devices that make it possible to produce individual portions from a product manufactured in long lengths.

More specifically, devices are known for making sausages from a continuous sausage consisting of a food product, such as minced meat or fish, and/or vegetables, inserted inside a flexible hose.

Portioning devices for the manufacture of sausages generally comprise at least one pair of opposing clamps adapted to be moved towards each other by actuation means between an open position and a closed position in order to clamp the casing filled with foodstuffs.

Each clamp includes a substantially V-shaped front pinching edge. 'a shears, and form by their front edge a passage or diaphragm whose section gradually decreases.

When pinching, the casing is tightened and the food product is pushed out on either side of the point of contraction.

These pairs of pliers are equipped with a blade. In this way, a pair of pliers also forms a continuous sausage cutter. Indeed, once the casing is tightened, it is then cut at the place of the tightening.

To properly form a sausage, the food product must be held within the portion thus formed. To prevent the food product from coming out of the casing via the two open ends of the casing, a first solution consists in surrounding the end with a flexible tie which is tied tightly, or with a U-shaped mechanical clip which is then crushed so that the two legs of the U overlap.

These two solutions are effective but complex to implement and involve the use of an element for tying the casing, which stands out compared to a sausage made manually without a tie.

Another solution consists in increasing the thickness of the pliers which constitute the cutting device so as to lengthen the length of casing in which the food product is driven. In this solution, a twist is performed on the casing between the pliers of the cutting device when the portion of casing is still held by the pliers. Subsequently, a cut is made on the casing between the clamps. After cutting, the two ends remain twisted and effectively hold the food product in its individual portion.

However, it is considered that this solution is too complex and expensive to implement in an apparatus.

The solution described in the patent document published under the number EP3187051 is also known. The solution consists in providing a device in which the front, V-shaped edges of each of the clamps come into contact with the continuous sausage to pinch it. These front pinch edges completely overlap when the pinches are in a closed position.

This solution allows the casing of the continuous sausage to be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis of the continuous sausage. Thus, when the casing is cut, it has then been pinched beforehand and stretched over a certain length, so that it undergoes a tightening intended to allow, following the cutting of the casing, the maintenance of the food product at the inside of the hose.

However, this solution does not bring full satisfaction because it has been found that, in some cases, the product is not perfectly maintained inside the individual portion of the sausage. In addition, the appearance of the sausage portion does not correspond to that of a hand-made sausage.

Finally, the device described in the patent document published under the number FR2766670B1 is known. This device makes it possible to twist and portion cut a continuous sausage. It comprises in particular a support having a succession of cutting elements and twisting assemblies located between each cutting element. This device makes it possible to twist the continuous sausage before cutting it into portions.

However, it has been found that the twisting assembly is not suitable for food production in a professional or even industrial setting. Indeed, the mechanism integrating drums and pinions forms an easily favorable environment for bacterial development, which is prohibitive for certification of the device by veterinary authorities.

In addition, such a mechanism can cause irreparable tearing of the flexible casing of the continuous sausage under the effect of an undesirable attachment.

The aim of the invention is in particular to resolve the drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a device for portioning sausage from a continuous sausage which has the ability to produce individual sausages whose food product is perfectly contained inside the casing, while presenting an easy-to-implement design.

The invention also aims to provide such a device which has a reliable design, limiting the risk of damaging the sausages during production.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device which makes it possible to produce sausages having as much as possible the appearance of sausages made manually.

These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved by the invention which relates to a device for portioning sausages from a continuous sausage formed from a flexible casing containing a food product, the device comprising a support provided with:
- A succession of cutters, the cutters being coupled to actuating means to be moved back and forth between a release position and a cutting position;
- a twisting assembly located between each pair of contiguous cutting members, and coupled to the actuating means to be driven, each twisting assembly having a flat element on which the continuous sausage is intended to roll during twisting,
the actuating means causing the cutting members to move on the support, and each twisting assembly, the support having a flat portion on which the continuous sausage is intended to be twisted by a twisting assembly,
characterized in that each twisting assembly also has a blade complementary to the flat element such that the continuous sausage is intended to roll between the flat element and the blade during twisting, the actuating means being configured to simultaneously drive the paddle in a reverse motion relative to the flat member to roll the continuous sausage between them.

Thanks to the invention, the sausages obtained have a particularly visually attractive shape. In particular, these sausages have twisted tails at their ends corresponding to those that can be obtained during manual production.

The formation of such twisted tails makes it possible to properly contain the food product in the flexible casing.

The twisting assemblies, due to the use of the flat element and the pallet, also have a simple and easy-to-clean design, which validates their integration into a food product production line.

This design also avoids twisting the sausages during their manufacture, and limits the risk of snagging and tearing the flexible casing.

According to an advantageous characteristic, for each twist assembly located between a pair of contiguous cutters, the flat element and the blade extend in width between said pair of cutters over at least 80% of a distance separating said cutting elements.

Thanks to this characteristic, each portion of the continuous sausage is twisted as close as possible to the cutting elements.

Indeed, the edges of the flat element and of the blade are then located directly near the cutting devices and thus allow them to perform their function on the flexible casing of the continuous sausage as close as possible to these cutting devices.

In a preferred design, each twist assembly has a continuous sausage-receiving configuration in which:
- The flat element extends below an axis of extension of the continuous sausage on the flat portion of the support;
- the pallet is held apart from the axis of extension of the continuous sausage.

The flat element then serves as a support to receive the continuous sausage.

This design makes it possible to avoid integrating into the device additional holding means at the level of each of the twisting assemblies in order to be able to maintain the continuous sausage at an adequate level to be twisted by the twisting assemblies.

According to an advantageous solution, each pallet includes:
- a base coupled to the actuating means;
- a flat part intended to come into contact with the continuous sausage, and to roll the continuous sausage, the flat part being coupled to the base by means of a hinge having an axis of rotation parallel to an axis of extension of the sausage continues on the flat portion;
the flat part having a low position in which it is parallel to the flat element, the flat part being freely movable in rotation upwards from its low position.

Thanks to this solution, the device makes it possible to portion continuous sausages of different diameters.

For example, for a continuous sausage having a large diameter, then the flat part, when driven in motion by the actuating means, will come into contact with the flexible casing of the continuous sausage and rise above it.

The flat part can rise up, adapting to the larger diameter of the continuous sausage and exerting its twisting action on the upper part of the continuous sausage.

Only the progression and the weight of the pallet are sufficient to participate in the twisting of the continuous sausage between the pallet and the underlying flat element.

This design making it possible to make the device compatible with sausages of different diameters is particularly easy and inexpensive to implement, as well as to maintain.

According to a preferred embodiment, the actuating means comprise:
- At least one moving belt around the support;
- a drive mechanism for the belt or belts;
- At least one plate forming at least partially the flat portion of the support, the plate having cams;
and each of the cutters and twisting assemblies comprises:
- A first part integral with at least one of the belts;
- A second part movable in translation on the first part, the second part having a cam follower complementary to one of the cams of the plate.

Thanks to this embodiment, the device has a simple design which is particularly easy to clean.

This embodiment is thus suitable for installation in a laboratory for manufacturing food products.

Preferably, each cutting device comprises:
- A blade capable of being driven by the actuating means;
- an upstream clamp located directly in front of the blade in a direction of movement of the continuous sausage on the flat portion;
- a downstream clamp located directly behind the blade in the direction of movement of the continuous sausage on the flat portion;
the upstream gripper and the downstream gripper being capable of being moved by the actuating means independently of the blade.

These cutting members thus have the ability to pinch and expel the food product from the section of the continuous sausage prior to their twisting and cutting.

By being thus pinched, twisted, and finally cut, the portions of sausages obtained have a significant capacity to contain the food product in the flexible casing.

In addition, this design allows the animation of the claws to be out of phase with that of the blade. In this case, the cutting of the casing is not carried out at the same time as its pinching. This ensures that the casing is correctly pinched before cutting it.

Advantageously, the device comprises two parts for centering the continuous sausage framing each cutting member.

These centering devices make it possible to ensure that the continuous sausage is correctly positioned in relation to each of the cutting devices when it is placed on the support.

These centering pieces also make it possible to ensure, in the event that the continuous sausage is misaligned during the twisting operation, that the sausage remains correctly positioned in relation to the cutting devices.

According to an advantageous characteristic, for each cutting member, the device comprises means for stretching the flexible casing.

Thanks to this feature, the flexible casing can be stretched before being cut. This stretching promotes the removal of the food product from the portion of the continuous sausage located at the level of the cutting member prior to its cutting.

This characteristic thus makes it possible to promote good closing of the flexible casing at this level, in a complementary manner to the actions carried out by the twisting assemblies.

According to an advantageous embodiment, each cutting member has:
- a clearance provided between the blade and the upstream gripper;
- clearance provided between the blade and the downstream gripper;
and the blade has:
- a front part having a bevel with a non-cutting edge;
- a rear part having a cutting edge,
the continuous sausage being intended to be stretched transversely by the bevel of the front part until it reaches the cutting edge of the rear part.

This design of the blade and of the cutting member forms particularly advantageous means for stretching the flexible casing.

Indeed, in this case, the flexible hose is stretched in the space located between the upstream clamp and the downstream clamp.

The cutting is also carried out in a particularly predictable manner thanks to the blade which first stretches the flexible casing thanks to its bevel with non-cutting edges, then cuts the flexible casing using its cutting edge after this flexible casing has been stretched by the bevel.

Indeed, the progression of the blade causes a stretching of the flexible hose which overlaps the bevel as the blade progresses. After passing completely beyond the bevel, the flexible hose finally reaches the rear part of the blade and is cut.

Alternatively, the blade has a simple cutting edge intended to cut the continuous sausage clamped between the upstream clamp and the downstream clamp.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for portioning sausages, in a side view;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of the device according to the invention, in a top view;

FIG. 3 is a view along section plane AA of FIG. 2, illustrating a cutting member of the device according to the invention, the cutting member being in a disengaged position;

FIG. 4 is a view according to section plane BB of FIG. 2, illustrating a twist assembly of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a view according to section plane CC of FIG. 2, illustrating a cutting member;

FIG. 6 is a view according to section plane DD of FIG. 2, illustrating a twist assembly;

FIG. 7 is a view according to section plane EE of FIG. 2, illustrating a cutting member;

FIG. 8 is a view according to section plane FF of FIG. 2, illustrating a twist assembly;

Figure 9 is a view along section plane GG of Figure 2, illustrating a cutting member in a cutting position;

Figure 10 is a schematic representation seen from above of a cutting member.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, a device 1 for portioning sausages from a continuous sausage is shown.

A continuous sausage is formed from a flexible casing that contains a food product.

As described below, to obtain portions of sausages, the device 1 according to the invention makes it possible to pinch the continuous sausage at regular intervals, to twist the continuous sausage, and to cut twisted portions of this continuous sausage.

The device 1 comprises a support 10 making it possible to create a flat portion 100 on which the continuous sausage is intended to be twisted and then cut.

The support 10 is provided with a succession of cutters 2, and twisting assemblies 4 located between two contiguous cutters 2.

The device 1 also comprises actuating means 3 which make it possible to animate the cutting members 2, as well as the twisting assemblies 4, while driving them in movement around the support 10, as shown by the arrows D in figure 1.

The animation and movement of the cutting members 2 and the twisting assemblies 4 makes it possible, as is detailed below, to also drive the continuous sausage into the device 1 to put it into portions.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the continuous sausage has a direction of movement S above the flat portion 100.

Still with reference to Figures 1 and 2, the actuating means 3 comprise, according to the present embodiment:
- three belts 301, 302, 303, in particular rubber, which are movable around the support 10;
- a drive mechanism 31 of the belts 301, 302, 303;
- two plates 321, 322 which at least partially form the flat portion 100 of the support 10.

The drive mechanism 31 of the belts 301, 302, 303 takes the form of at least one wheel coupled to an axis movable in rotation relative to the support 10. This axis is also integral with a crank 33 allowing it to be driven. in rotation.

According to this embodiment, the wheel or wheels have teeth and the belts 301, 302, 303 are toothed belts meshed with this drive mechanism 31.

The actuating means 3 also comprise a rotating assembly 34 free to rotate on which the belts 301, 302, 303 are coupled.

The belts 301, 302, 303 are stretched between the rotary assembly 34 and the wheel(s) of the drive mechanism 31, thereby forming a continuous strip having a flat section participating in forming the flat portion 100 of the support.

Thus, the actuation of the crank 33 rotates the axis of the drive mechanism 31, causing the rotation of the wheels and thus the driving of the belts 301, 302, 303.

The belts 301, 302, 303 more specifically comprise a first side belt 301, a second side belt 303, as well as a central belt 302.

The first plate 321 is located between the first side belt 301 and the central belt 302, and the second plate 322 is located between the central belt 302 and the second side belt 303.

These plates 321, 322 can in particular be formed from hard plastic, such as POM-C.

Referring to Figure 2, the device also comprises guides 3210, 3220 which respectively connect the ends of the plates 321, 322. These guides 3210, 3220 have a first portion having the shape of a half-cylinder, a second flat portion located at plumb with a plate 321, 322, as well as a third portion having the shape of a half-cylinder.

These guides 3210, 3220 can also be made of hard plastic, such as POM-C.

As detailed below, the plates 321, 322 have cams 51.

The cams 51 are also presented by the guides 3210, 3220 which ensure the continuity of the continuous cams around the support 10.

The cutting elements 2 and the twisting assemblies 4 are coupled in a fixed manner, on at least one of the belts 301, 302, 303.

Thus, a movement of the belts 301, 302, 303 causes a movement of the cutting elements 2 and the twisting assemblies 4 around the support 10.

As mentioned previously, the displacement of the cutting elements and the twisting assemblies 4 around the support 10 makes it possible to animate them.

Referring to Figure 2, several cutting members 2 and twisting assemblies 4 are shown along the flat portion 100. They thus have different stages of actuation resulting from their position along this flat portion 100.

The device 1 comprises a preliminary guide member 6 of the continuous sausage.

This preliminary guide member 6 comprises a crown 61 carried by an arm 60 coupled to the support 10.

The passage of the continuous sausage in the ring 61 makes it possible to ensure the correct alignment of the continuous sausage with the various members of the device 1, in particular the twisting assemblies 4 and the cutting members 2.

According to a top view, the crown 61 is centered on an axis of extension A of the continuous sausage on the flat portion 100.

With reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8, the twisting assemblies 4 are described below.

The twisting assemblies 4 are located between two adjacent cutters 2.

According to the principle of the invention, each twist assembly 4 has a flat element 41 as well as a pallet 42 complementary to the flat element 41.

During twisting, the continuous sausage is intended to roll on the flat element 41. The pallet 42 is itself intended to roll the continuous sausage by exerting a force above the sausage in opposition to a force exerted by the flat element 41.

The continuous sausage is thus intended to roll between the flat element 41 and the pallet 42 during twisting.

Indeed, as will be described later, the actuating means 3 are configured to simultaneously drive the flat element 41, and the pallet 42 according to a common direction movement and opposite direction to each other. , to roll the sausage continues between them.

Referring to Figure 2 and according to a projection from above, the flat elements 41 and the pallets 42 are in particular movable along axes perpendicular to an axis of extension A of the continuous sausage on the flat portion 100.

As illustrated by FIG. 2, each twisting assembly 4, and in particular the flat element 41 and the blade 42 of each twisting assembly 4 extend in width between two contiguous cutting elements 2 over at least 80% of a distance separating the cutting elements 2 framing said twisting assembly 4.

The flat element 41 has a greater length than that of the pallet 42. This greater length allows the flat element 41 to be able to receive the continuous sausage during a first phase of depositing this continuous sausage on the twist set 4.

Indeed, with reference to Figure 4 and Figure 2, each twist assembly 4 has a configuration for receiving the continuous sausage, or "receiving position". This reception configuration is reached by each twist assembly 4 when they are located at or directly upstream of the twist element 4 on which the cutting plane BB is shown in Figure 2.

In this configuration for receiving the continuous sausage, the flat element 41 extends below an axis of extension A of the continuous sausage on the flat portion 100 of the support 10, and the pallet 42 is held away from the extension axis A of the continuous sausage. The continuous sausage is thus deposited on a part of the flat element 41.

According to the present embodiment, the device 1 is suitable for portioning sausages of different sizes, or diameters.

Indeed, and with reference to Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, the pallet 42 comprises a base 421 and a flat part 420 coupled to the base 421 via a hinge 422.

As detailed below, the base 421 is coupled to the actuating means so as to be able to animate the pallet 42.

The flat part 420 is for its part intended to come into contact with the continuous sausage and thus, to roll the continuous sausage.

This flat part 420 can be raised in the case where a continuous sausage has a diameter greater than the distance between the flat element 1 and the pallet 42.

Indeed, the hinge 422 has an axis of rotation which is parallel to an axis of extension A of the continuous sausage on the flat portion 100.

As illustrated by Figures 4, 6 and 8, the flat part 420 has a low position in which it is parallel to the flat element.

However, this flat part 420 is freely movable in rotation upwards from its low position to accommodate continuous sausages of a larger diameter.

The sheer weight of paddle 42 is sufficient to roll the continuous sausage against an underside of flat portion 420.

Thus, the mechanism of the hinge 422 and of the liftable flat part 420 allows the device 1 to portion continuous sausages of variable diameters.

Referring to Figures 4, 6 and 8, each twist assembly 4 comprises a first part 401 which is integral with the three belts 301, 302, 303.

Indeed, the first part 401 has three coupling portions 404 allowing it to be assembled on the belts 301, 302, 303, for example by means of screws.

As illustrated in these figures, the twisting assemblies 4 also include two second parts 402a, 402b which are movable in translation on the first part 401.

Each of these second parts 402a, 402b are in particular movable in slides presented by the first part 401 of the twisting assemblies 4.

Each of these second parts 402a, 402b has a cam follower 403a, 403b which is complementary to one of the cams 51 of one of the plates 321, 322.

According to this embodiment, the second part 402a forms the base 421 of the pallet 42 and the second part 402b carries the flat element 41.

As illustrated by Figures 2, 4, 6 and 8, and as explained above, the pallet 42 and the flat element 41 each describe a reverse movement between them.

Thus, when the continuous sausage is deposited on the end of the flat element 41 and then each of the flat element 41 and the blade 42 of the twisting assemblies progress towards each other, then the continuous sausage is twisted on itself, and this until the flat element 41 and the pallet 42 reach their extreme position illustrated by figure 8.

Then, once the sausage has been portioned, as described below, and following the progression of a twisting element beyond the flat portion, then below the support 10, then the flat part 420, thanks to its hinge 422, opens and allows dropping of the continuous sausage portion.

Now, the cutters 2 are described below in relation to Figures 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9.

As explained previously, each cutting member 2 is coupled to the actuating means 3 so as to be able to be driven in a back and forth movement between a release position illustrated by FIG. 3 and a release position. section shown in figure 9.

According to the present embodiment, each cutting member 2 comprises a blade 21 capable of being moved by the actuating means 3.

Indeed, and as illustrated by Figure 3 in particular, each cutting member 2 comprises, according to a design similar to the twisting assemblies 4, a first part 201 integral with at least one of the belts 301, 302, 303 , as well as three second parts 202a, 202b, 202c which are movable in translation on the first part 201.

According to the present embodiment, the first part 201 of each cutting member 2 has two coupling portions 204 allowing it to be assembled on the belt 301, and on the belt 302, for example by means of screws.

For the blade 21, in particular, each cutting member 2 comprises a second part 202c movable on the first part 201. The blade 21 is fixed on the second part 202c.

This second part 202c is in particular mobile inside a slide presented by the first part 201.

This second part 202c has a cam follower 203c which is complementary to one of the cams 51 of the plate 321.

According to this embodiment, the blade 21 has a front part 211, a central part 212, and a rear part 213.

The front part 211 has a bevel 2111 which is not sharp. Indeed, the bevel 2111 has a non-cutting edge 2112.

For example, bevel 2111 has a round section edge.

According to the present embodiment, the central part 212 makes it possible to form a hook between the front part 211 and the rear part 213. It thus distances the front part 211 from the rear part 213.

The rear part 213 has for its part a cutting edge 2131 able to cut the continuous sausage.

The continuous sausage is thus intended to be stretched transversely by the bevel 2111 of the front part 211 until it reaches the cutting edge 2131 of the rear part 213, as illustrated by figures 5, 7 and 9.

As described below, this design of the blade participates in forming means for stretching the flexible hose for each cutting member 2.

According to this embodiment and as illustrated by Figures 3, 5, 7, 9 and in particular by Figure 10, each cutting member 2 also comprises:
- an upstream clamp 22 located directly in front of the blade 21 in a direction of movement of the continuous sausage on the flat portion 100;
- a downstream clamp 23 located directly behind the blade 21 in the direction of movement of the continuous sausage on the flat portion 100.

By direction of movement it is understood that, above the flat portion 100 of the support 10, the continuous sausage has a front end having progressed on the flat portion, and a rear end coming from the preliminary guide member. By being driven continuously, the continuous sausage scrolls over the flat portion 100

These upstream clamp 22 and downstream clamp 23 are likely to be driven by the actuating means 3 independently of the blade 21.

According to the present embodiment, the upstream gripper 22 and the downstream gripper 23 are driven in an inverse movement with respect to each other by the actuating means 3 which are configured to drive them simultaneously.

According to the present embodiments, each of the upstream gripper 22 and the downstream gripper 23 of each cutting member 2 has a front edge 24 having a V shape provided with a hollow 240 at the heart of the V.

These downstream gripper 23 and upstream gripper 22 are movable between a release position and a pinching position.

In the release position, the clamps are far enough apart from each other to present a space allowing the introduction of the continuous sausage from above.

Then, in the pinch position illustrated in Figure 5, a diaphragm 2400 is created by the depressions 240 presented by each of the front edges 24 of the clamps 22, 23.

As mentioned previously, each cutting member comprises three second parts 202a, 202b, 202c which are movable in translation on the first part 201.

The second parts 202a, 202b are used to animate the upstream clamp 22 and the downstream clamp 23.

Indeed, each of the grippers has two jaws and:
- The second part 202a carries one of the jaws of the upstream gripper 22 and one of the jaws of the downstream gripper 23;
- the second part 202b carries the other of the jaws of the upstream gripper 22 and the other of the jaws of the downstream gripper 23.

The upstream gripper 22 and the downstream gripper 23 are thus driven simultaneously.

As for the second part 202c, each of the second part 202a and the second part 202b is movable inside a slide presented by the first part 201.

The second part 202a and the second part 202b each have a cam follower 203a, 203b which is complementary to one of the cams 51 of the plate 321.

The cams 51 in which the cam followers 203a, 203b are movable are symmetrical to each other. Consequently, during a progression of the cutting elements 2 on the support 10, the second part 202a and the second part 202b simultaneously describe a movement opposite to each other, resulting in a closing of the clamps or an opening.

According to a non-illustrated embodiment, the device 1 can also comprise parts for centering the continuous sausage which frame each cutting member 2.

These centering pieces are in particular intended to be centered on the axis of extension A of the continuous sausage, and on either side of the second part 202a and the second part 202b. These centering pieces are in particular integral with the first part 201.

These centering pieces can in particular take the shape of a U, allowing the deposit of the continuous sausage inside each cutting member 2.

As explained above, for each cutting member 2, the device 1 comprises means for stretching the flexible casing.

Indeed, as illustrated by FIG. 10, in cooperation with the particular shape of the blade 21, each cutting member 2 also has a clearance provided between the blade 21 and the upstream gripper 22, as well as a clearance provided between the blade 21 and the downstream gripper 23.

These clearances allow the casing to be stretched without it being directly severed by contact of the front part 211 of the blade 21 with the upstream clamp 22 and the downstream clamp 23.

The portioning of a continuous sausage is described below, in relation to figures 1 to 10.

A continuous sausage must first be prepared and introduced through the crown 61 of the preliminary guide member 6.

Then the continuous sausage is driven and introduced into a cutter 2 which is in a disengagement position. This release position is that adopted by the cutting member 2 located at the level of the section plane A-A of figure 2, and is represented by figure 3.

To initiate the drive of the continuous sausage, the latter must be held punctually in the cutting member 2 during a first handling phase, by means of the crank 33, the actuating means 3.

This first phase makes it possible to bring the cutting member 2 receiving the continuous sausage into a position where it is located in place of the twisting assembly 4 on which the cutting plane B-B is represented.

At this stage, the upstream clamp 22 and the downstream clamp 23 have closed over the continuous sausage. This animation of the clamps is permitted thanks to the two cams 51 located closest to the central belt 302. Indeed, these two cams 51 approach each other simultaneously between these two positions along the axis of expansion a.

Now, the continuous sausage is driven on the device 1 as soon as the actuating means 3 are manipulated again.

When the aforementioned cutting member 2 arrives in the position corresponding to the cutting plane C-C, and represented by FIG. 5, the continuous sausage rests on the flat element 41 located behind said cutting member 2. The continuous sausage is then also deposited in the next cutting member 2 which then adopts the position situated at the level of the cutting plane A-A.

In the position of the cutting member 2 corresponding to the cutting plane C-C, the blade 21 begins its progression towards the continuous sausage.

As soon as the actuating means 3 are manipulated again, the twisting of the sausage begins under the effect of the twisting assembly 4 mentioned above.

At the stage where the cutting member 2 reaches the position corresponding to the cutting plane E-E, as illustrated by figure 7, the part of the continuous sausage previously pinched is also stretched by the blade 21.

At this level of the flat portion 100 of the support 10, the continuous sausage portion located between the two aforementioned cutting elements 2 is even more twisted.

It can be noted that at this point in the cutscene, another portion of sausage begins to be prepared. This other position of sausage is in particular intended to be twisted in a direction different from that of the first portion, thanks in particular to an alternation of the twisting assembly 4 visible in Figure 2.

Arrived in the cutting position of the cutting device 2, corresponding to the cutting plane G-G visible in Figure 2 and in Figure 9, the continuous sausage is cut.

In addition, the portion of sausage located between this cutting member 2 and the previous one is then completely twisted by the adjacent twisting assembly 4.

By continuing to manipulate the actuating means 3, the cutting member 2 which follows arrives in its turn in its cutting position and completes the production of a portion of the continuous sausage.

Portions of sausage can thus be obtained in the chain, thanks to a continuous manipulation of the actuating means 3 and to the progression of the cutting elements 2 and the twisting assemblies 4 around the support 10.

Claims (9)

Device (1) for portioning sausages from a continuous sausage formed from a flexible casing containing a food product, the device (1) comprising a support (10) provided with:
- a succession of cutting elements (2), the cutting elements (2) being coupled to actuating means (3) to be moved back and forth between a release position and a cutting position ;
- a twisting assembly (4) located between each pair of contiguous cutting members (2), and coupled to the actuating means (3) to be driven, each twisting assembly (4) having a flat element (41) on which the continuous sausage is intended to roll during twisting,
the actuating means (3) causing the cutting elements (2) to move on the support (10), and each twisting assembly (4), the support (10) having a flat portion (100) on which the sausage continuous is intended to be twisted by a twisting assembly (4),
characterized in that each twisting assembly (4) also has a blade (42) complementary to the flat element (41) such that the continuous sausage is intended to roll between the flat element (41) and the blade ( 42) during twisting, the actuating means (3) being configured to simultaneously drive the pallet (42) in a reverse movement with respect to the flat element (41) to cause the continuous sausage to roll between them. Device (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, for each twisting assembly (4) located between a pair of contiguous cutting members (2), the flat element (41) and the blade (42) s extend in width between said pair of cutters (2) over at least 80% of a distance separating said cutters (2). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each twisting assembly (4) has a configuration for receiving the continuous sausage in which:
- the flat element (41) extends below an extension axis (A) of the continuous sausage on the flat portion (100) of the support (10);
- The pallet (41) is held apart from the axis of extension (A) of the continuous sausage. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each pallet (42) comprises:
- a base (421) coupled to the actuation means (3);
- a flat part (420) intended to come into contact with the continuous sausage, and to roll the continuous sausage, the flat part (420) being coupled to the base (421) by means of a hinge (422) presenting an axis of rotation parallel to an extension axis (A) of the continuous sausage on the planar portion (100);
the flat part (420) having a low position in which it is parallel to the flat element (41), the flat part (420) being freely movable in rotation upwards from its low position. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating means (3) comprise:
- at least one belt (301, 302, 303) movable around the support (10);
- a drive mechanism (31) for the belt(s) (301, 302, 303);
- at least one plate (321, 322) at least partially forming the planar portion (100) of the support (10), the plate (321, 322) having cams (51);
and in that each of the cutting means (2) and twisting assemblies (4) comprises:
- a first part (201, 401) integral with at least one of the belts (301, 302, 303);
- at least one second part (202a, 202b, 202c, 402a, 402b) movable in translation on the first part (201, 401), the second part (202a, 202b, 202c, 402a, 402b) having a cam follower ( 203a, 203b, 203c, 403a, 403b) complementary to one of the cams (51) of the plate (321, 322). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each cutting member (2) comprises:
- a blade (21) capable of being driven by the actuating means (3);
- an upstream gripper (22) located directly in front of the blade (21) in a direction of movement (S) of the continuous sausage on the flat portion (100);
- a downstream clamp (23) located directly behind the blade (21) in the direction of movement (S) of the continuous sausage on the flat portion (100);
the upstream gripper (22) and the downstream gripper (23) being capable of being driven by the actuating means (3) independently of the blade (21). Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two parts for centering the continuous sausage framing each cutting member (2). Device (1) according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that, for each cutting member (2), it comprises means for stretching the flexible casing. Device (1) according to the preceding claim and to claim 6, characterized in that each cutting member (2) has:
- a clearance provided between the blade (21) and the upstream gripper (22);
- a clearance provided between the blade (21) and the downstream gripper (23);
and in that the blade (21) has:
- a front part (211) having a bevel (2111) with a non-cutting edge (2112);
- a rear part (213) having a cutting edge (2131),
the continuous sausage being intended to be stretched transversely by the bevel (2111) of the front part (211) until it reaches the cutting edge (2131) of the rear part (213).