JPS63110105A - Filler and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a brightening device and method for producing a casing-packed food product whose ends are substantially flattened by a disc inserted into a casing, and more particularly to The discs, which are previously releasably connected, can be easily separated so that the discs can be individually and selectively introduced into the casing during a brightening cycle to flatten the edges of the cased food product. The present invention relates to a brightening device and method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,465 discloses a casing article (casing and disk) for use in the continuous production of casing-packed foodstuffs having a substantially cylindrical shape and flattened ends. combinations) are disclosed. The disks for this purpose (manufacturing food stuffed in cylindrical casings) are annular, but disks of other shapes such as oval or polygonal can also be used. U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,984 discloses a pair of coupled discs that fit coaxially to the outer circumferential surface of the fill tube and can be inserted into the pleated portion of the casing to be filled. There is.

The coupled pair of discs is separated during the brightening operation, placed over the food outlet of the brightening horn, and inserted into the casing to flatten the edges of the cased food product.

A brightening device using the disk of U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,984 and the casing article of U.S. Pat. No. 4,466,465.

Those patents and applicant's U.S. Patent Application No. 675°47
It is stated in No. 8.

Briefly, the pair of annular disks are coupled in face-to-face overlapping relationship by a mechanical connection such as a snap fit, with a slight gap provided therebetween;
When the disks are properly positioned adjacent to the discharge end of the brightening horn, the filling pressure at the beginning of the brightening operation acts on the gap between the disks and separates them. One of the pair of discs advances with the casing as the casing is filled with food, flattening the leading end of the filled casing. The other or trailing disk is held in place on the intensifying horn until the casing has been filled with food to its predetermined length, and is removed from the horn when the intensifying operation is completed. It is inserted into the filled casing and flattens the rear end of the casing.

The problem is that sometimes the discs do not separate cleanly in response to fill pressure. One reason for this is that the strength of the snap fit between each pair of disks is different due to manufacturing tolerances. Other means than snap-fitting may be used to join the pair of disks, such as adhesives or releasable joining means;
It is difficult to control and requires great care to ensure smooth and uniform disc separation within the desired filling pressure range. Also, disk separation is particularly susceptible to being inhibited when the food to be filled has a large amount of lumps and a low liquid valve or emulsion content. In such food products, there is not enough fluid or emulsion to enter between a pair of discs to reliably separate the discs.

If the disks do not separate, the fill pressure will force the pair of disks together forward through the intensifier horn or fill tube and insert both disks into the forward end of the casing. Therefore, only one end of the cased food product is shaped flat. Also, when both disks are pushed forward from the filling tube, the food to be bulked up tends to cover the outer circumference of the filling tube and flow backwards, in which case the machine must be stopped and cleaned. The filling cycle is disturbed. Further, even if the disks are separated, if the separation is not clean and uniform over the entire circumference of the disk, the preceding disk may be tilted with respect to the brightening axis. In that case, one end surface of the casing-packed food product is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the food product, and therefore the entire casing-packed food product does not have a true cylindrical shape.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the invention to provide means for ensuring proper separation of a pair of coupled disks. According to the invention, this objective is to either weaken the bond between the disks by cambering the flat disks and cause the disks to separate, or to cause the disks to separate easily in response to minimal filling pressure. This is achieved by

These disks have considerable elasticity and will return to their original flat state when the bending force is released. In a preferred embodiment, cambering of the discs is accomplished by pressing a plurality of opposing members against each disc in a staggered spaced relationship around the outer periphery of the disc.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A brightening device of the present invention for filling a casing with a food product has a filling tube disposed along a brightening axis, and a casing drawn from a casing supply source coaxially attached to the outer circumference of the tube. a brightening device for forcing food under pressure through said tube into said casing, wherein said casing is juxtaposed in face-to-face relationship and releasably coupled at mutually opposing inward facing surfaces fr-
a pair of annular leading and trailing disks are coaxially fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the filling tube, and when the pair of disks reaches a predetermined position close to the food discharge end of the filling tube; pressure is created between the pair of discs by the filling pressure of the food product being filled into the casing from the filling tube; positioning means for moving forward along the filling tube to the predetermined position proximate the discharge end of the tube, the positioning means being actuated prior to a brightening operation to press against the pair of coupled disks; retracting from the hindlimb disc by pressing the disc with enough force to distort the disc enough to weaken the coupling means between the discs to the point where they can separate in response to increased pressure between the discs; a pressing means that moves freely back and forth; and a pressing means that moves forward and backward while the leading disk leaves the discharge end of the filling tube and moves forward in the longitudinal direction in response to the filling pressure of the food that is filled into the casing under pressure. The device is characterized in that it has means for holding the device in the predetermined position.

The filling method of the present invention includes: (a) preparing a pair of annular leading disks and trailing disks which are juxtaposed in a facing relationship and are separably coupled at mutually opposing inward surfaces; (b) advancing said pair of discs along said fill tube; and (b) advancing said pair of disks along said fill tube. (e) Applying a pressing force to a pair of coupled discs positioned at the predetermined position to cause at least one of the discs to (d) the casing being withdrawn from said casing source; Under the inward mica, food f: Filling brightening, (・) During the brightening process, the casing is pulled forward over the trailing disk in response to the filling pressure of the food being filled into the casing. and holding the trailing disc in the predetermined position while the leading disc is separated from the trailing disc and moves longitudinally forward away from the discharge end of the filler tube.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS In the accompanying drawings, the components of the brightness intensifier are partially shown, but only schematically, since their structure and function are well known. In addition, although the components required to carry out the present invention are shown schematically to simplify the illustration, there will be no problem in understanding the structure and operation of the present invention.

The brightener has a longitudinal brightening axis 12 along which a brightening tube 14 is arranged. The tube 14 is
It may be the intensifying horn of the intensifier itself, or it may be a member such as a sleeve that is slidably fitted onto the intensifying horn.

Referring to FIG. 1, a pair of disks 16 are mounted at predetermined positions close to the food discharge end of the brightening tube 140. The detailed construction of these disks is detailed in U.S. Pat. It is enough that there is.

These disks are juxtaposed and define a space 24 between them. Additionally, the two disks are releasably coupled along a plane between them, preferably near the outer periphery of the disks. This joint 24 (Fig. 1) is a snap fit, in which a male member 26 provided on one disk fits into a female member 28 provided on the other disk. 24 is shown schematically in figures other than FIG. 1 to also represent any other suitable releasable coupling means. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4.464 mentioned above.
The '984 patent teaches that in addition to snap-fit coupling means with male and female members spaced at intervals around the outer periphery of the disk, suitable adhesives or releasable means may be used.

Each disk is annular and has a central opening. However, the diameter of the opening 30 of the leading disk 18 is larger than that of the opening 32 of the trailing disk 20, so that the leading disk can be moved to a predetermined position t slightly in front of the outlet of the brightness tube.
vc position and place the trailing disk at the ejection port 7.
The trailing disc 20, which is adapted to be held by a lunge 341C, is connected by a tubular gX, 36 to the next disc pair 16 and the 18 leading discs. In this way, multiple disk pairs can be linked.

The disk pair 16 in position is substantially perpendicular to the brightening axis 12, while other disk pairs, represented by disk pair 16A, are spaced rearwardly from the outlet of the brightening tube 14; It is tilted with respect to the brightening axis.

All disk pairs are coaxially mounted around the circumference of a brightening tube that passes through a central opening in each disk. A Q casing 55 is also coaxially fitted over the brightening tube 14 to brighten the food. The casing 35 is the tube 1
A conventional ligating clip 37 is pulled from a casing supply source (not shown) fitted near the rear end of 4 and pulled forward over each pair of discs in front of the discharge end of the brightening tube.
clipped by.

During brightening, the food product is forced into the casing under pressure from the brightening tube. Since the leading disc 18 is located in front of the discharge end of the intensifier tube, the space 22 between the pair of discs is pressurized by the emulsion or liquid component of the food product entering the space. ID2 due to increased pressure
two disks 18 and 20 are separated, leading disk 18
is propelled forward by the food product flowing into the casing, but trailing disc 20 is prevented from advancing from position by seven lunges 34. In this way, the leading edge of the brightened casing of the leading disk 1 is flattened. When the brightness cycle is completed, the push means (first
(not shown in the figures) forces the trailing disc 20 forward over the 7 langes 34' (I-) so that the casing can converge and close behind the trailing disc. The trailing disc 20 thus flattens the trailing end of the brightening corner casing. Either the flange 54 or the inner circumferential edge of the disc 20 allows the disc to be pushed past the 7-lunge 34. It has sufficient flexibility.

As the trailing disc 20 advances, the membrane 56 pulls the trailing disc pair 16 towards a predetermined position at the discharge end of the intensifier horn. In this way, a series of pairs of dies are successively brought into position one pair at a time, producing a casing-packed food product with flat ends.

FIG. 2 shows several components of the intensifier, including a conventional clipping and cutting mechanism 38. Mechanism 38 is indicated by arrow 41
The casing 35t is mounted on a carriage 39 that moves back and forth along a path parallel to the brightening axis 12 as shown in FIG. Other components of the intensifier are an emulsion-sealed monthly shilling 40, and a stop member 42 and disc-to-guide positioning means 44 according to the invention.
Both can be carried by a carriage 39 and movable parallel to the brightening axis 12.

The stop member 42 is mounted on a slide 43 which is also adapted to reciprocate in a plane transverse to the brightening axis 12, as indicated by arrow 46. Stop member 4
Any suitable drive means, such as a pneumatic cylinder 45, can be used to extend the 0th 2.3.
．． 6 and 7, when the stop member 42 is in the fully extended position -
Showing the rollers. 5 shows the stop member 42 in a partially retracted position, and FIG. 4 shows the stop member in a fully retracted position. As best seen in FIG. 7, the stop member 42 includes two
It is composed of two leg parts 42A and 42B, and a protrusion 48 is provided at the end of each leg part. Stop member 42
When fully extended, projection 48 abuts the outer or forward facing surface of leading disk 18 near its outer periphery. The contact points of the two protrusions 480 are approximately at 6 o'clock and 9 o'clock.
It is the position of the hour.

The guide and positioning means 44 are also generally U-shaped (FIG. 7) and have two protrusions 50. These protrusions are
It engages the outer or rearwardly facing surface of trailing disc 20 (FIG. 2) at two locations near its outer periphery. These parts are located approximately at the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions as shown in FIG. For example, by moving the guide positioning means 44 slightly forward parallel to the brightening axis, the disk pair 1
6 can be bent around the protrusion 48.48 of the stop block. As shown in FIG. 3, this bending causes the disk pair to bow relative to the plane of the joint 24 between the disks.

It has been found that this cambering action is sufficient to substantially weaken the bond between the disks, or even to cause them to separate completely. In any event, the bond between the disks is sufficiently weakened by the action of the bow so that the disks separate cleanly in response to minimal fill pressure.

After the disc pair has been bent, the stop member 42 is retracted downwardly from the path of travel of the disc along the brightening axis and the guide positioning means 44 is retracted rearwardly. Next, the clip-fastening carriage 3? is moved rearward until the emulsion sealing split ring 40 is positioned immediately behind the trailing disk 20. The emulsion ring 40 is closed around the trailing disk 200 as shown in FIG. 4, bringing the casing 55 into close contact with the outer periphery of the disk, thereby preventing the emulsion from flowing back through the outer periphery of the disk. Set the sticker. The emulsion sealing ring 40, which is closed around the outer periphery of the trailing disc, also serves to hold the trailing disc in place so that the trailing disc responds to fill pressure in front of it. Prevent from retreating.

When a portion of the food product press-fitted into the casing enters the space between the pair of discs, it separates the discs 18 and 20, and as the food product continues to be press-fitted into the casing, the casing and the leading disc 18 move forward. Being pushed forward. The brightening operation continues in this manner until the casing is filled with food to the required length. During filling, the casing is drawn coaxially over the trailing disc and passes between the trailing disc 20 and the sealing ring 400.

Once the casing has been filled to a predetermined length, the filling cycle ends and the carriage 39 is indexed forward. As the carriage 39 advances along the brightening axis, the closed split ring 40 pushes the trailing disk 20 away from the brightening horn (FIG. 5).
The flange 34 and/or the inner circumferential edge of the disc 20 are sufficiently flexible to allow the disc 20 to pass past the 7 flange 34.

As the trailing disc 20 advances, the next disc pair 16 connected to it via the tubular membrane 36t.
A is pulled forward. The disc pair 16A is pulled axially along the intensifier horn into a position into which it is engaged by guide and positioning means 44 and guided by the means 44 to a predetermined intensifier position.

While the disk pair 16A is being moved to a predetermined brightening position, the stop member 42 is pushed up to its operating position (FIG. 6). The cooperation of the guide positioning means 44 and the stop member 42 first straightens and positions the disk pair in a plane substantially perpendicular to the brightening axis, and then the disk pair is aligned as described above with respect to this plane. to warp.

Preferably, after the stop member 42 and guide positioning means 44 have been retracted, clipping and cutting of the casing is initiated by moving the clipping and cutting mechanism 38 from the dotted line position in FIG. 6 to the solid line position. That is, the casings are converged and clipped by fitting two metal clips onto the casings. The casing is then cut at the site between the two clips. The clip-clip cutting mechanism 38 and splitting ring 40 are then opened to the condition shown in FIG.

As mentioned above, the present invention has a means for positively separating the combined disks, thereby avoiding the problems of the prior art due to insufficient separation of disk pairs during brightening operations. A brightening device and method are provided.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a pair of disks placed in a predetermined position prior to brightening the casing, FIGS. 2 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing extralayer operation of the brightening device of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an end view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 2 with the casing removed; FIG. 12: Brightness axis 14: Brightness tube 16: Disk pair 18: Leading disk 20: Trailing disk 22: Space 24: Coupling part (coupling means) 34: 7 Lunge 35: Casing 39: Carriage 42: Stopping member 43 Ni-Ride 44 : Disk guide positioning means 45 : Pneumatic cylinder 48 : Protrusion 50 : Protrusion. Mouth T12: ;', Go '',,,,+,=no change) FI
G, 1 °''' FIG, 5 Procedural amendment (method) % formula % Indication of case 1985 Patent application No. 219874 Title of invention Brightness increasing device and person who makes the method amendment

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1) having a filling tube disposed along a filling axis;
A filling device for forcing food under pressure through the tube into a casing drawn from a casing source coaxially mounted on the outer periphery of the tube, the filling device being disposed within the casing and in facing relationship with each other. A pair of annular leading disks and a trailing disk are juxtaposed and separably connected at their opposing inward surfaces, and are fitted coaxially to the outer peripheral surface of the filling tube. When the discs reach a predetermined position proximate to the food delivery end of the filling tube, pressure is created between the pair of discs due to the filling pressure of the food being filled from the filling tube into the casing. The filling device includes positioning means for engaging the pair of disks and moving the disks forward along the filling tube to the predetermined position proximate the discharge end of the tube, the filling device comprising: actuated prior to pressing the pair of coupled discs and weakening the coupling means between the discs to a state where they can separate in response to increased pressure between the discs. reciprocatable pressing means for pressing the disc with a force sufficient to cause the disc to become distorted and then retracting from the disc, the leading disc being responsive to the filling pressure of the food product being filled under pressure into the casing; A filling device comprising means for holding the trailing disk in the predetermined position during longitudinal movement forwardly away from the discharge end of the filling tube. 2) The filling device according to claim 1, wherein the reciprocating pressing means includes a member that can come into contact with the outward facing surface of each of the disks and press them inward. 3) The coupling means is located in a plane between the pair of disks and couples the two disks in a separable manner, and the pressing means, which can move forward and backward, warps and bends both disks with respect to the plane. 2. A filling device according to claim 1, wherein said filling device is adapted to press both disks. 4) The movable pressing means is capable of pressing against the outward facing surface of each disk, and includes (a) a stop member movable to a position where it comes into contact with the outward facing surface of one of the disks; (b) a pressing member movable to a position where it abuts the outwardly facing surface of the other disk; (c) said stop member and pressing member abutting and pressing inwardly against the pair of coupled disks, thereby Claim 3 comprising means for moving one of the stop member and the pushing member relative to the other and in a direction perpendicular to said plane in order to bend both discs relative to said plane between them. Filling device as described in section. 5) the member movable to a position abutting the leading disc is moved in a plane perpendicular to the filling axis so as to be selectively movable in and out of the path of movement of the leading disc along the filling axis; 5. A filling device according to claim 4, which is flexible. 6) Each of the stopping member and the pressing member is arranged so as to press the pair of disks at two outer peripheral edge portions separated by approximately 180°, and the pressing portion of the stopping member and the pressing portion of the pressing member are 5. A filling device according to claim 4, wherein the and are offset from each other by 90°. 7) The stop member is movable in a plane perpendicular to the filling axis in front of the leading disc, and the pushing member is movable along a path parallel to the filling axis so as to be able to engage the trailing disc. 5. A filling device according to claim 4, which is movable. 8) the stop member is mounted on the slide;
8. A filling device according to claim 7, wherein the device is adapted to be moved in front of the preceding disk in a direction perpendicular to the filling axis by drive means attached to the slide. 9) A filling device according to claim 8, wherein said slide and drive means are mounted on a carriage movable parallel to the filling axis. 10) A filling method for producing a casing-packed food product having substantially flat ends, comprising: (a) a pair of annular shapes juxtaposed in facing relationship and releasably joined at mutually opposing inward facing surfaces; preparing a leading disk and a trailing disk, fitting the pair of disks coaxially onto a filler tube, and inserting the pair of disks into a casing supply source coaxially mounted on the filler tube; (b) (c) advancing said pair of discs along said filler tube into a predetermined position proximate a food discharge end of said filler tube; and (c) pushing said pair of coupled discs positioned in said predetermined position. After applying pressure, bending at least one of the disks relative to the plane of the joint between the two disks, thereby weakening the joint to facilitate later separation of the disks. (d) filling a casing drawn from said casing source with a food product under pressure; (e) during said filling step said casing is under pressure to fill the food product into said casing; In response to this, the leading disc is separated from the trailing disc as it is pulled forward over the trailing disc, detaches from the discharge end of the filling tube, and moves forward in the longitudinal direction; A filling method comprising holding said trailing disc in said predetermined position. 11) The bending in step (e) is performed by pressing the outward facing surface of each disk in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the joint between both disks.
Filling method described in section. 12) A patent in which said pressing on the outward facing surface of each disc is performed at two locations approximately 180° apart, and the pressing location on one disc is offset by 90° from the pressing location on the other disc. The filling method according to claim 11. 13) Claim 1 in which the pair of disks are completely separated by the warping in step (c).
The filling method described in Section 1. 14) The cambering of step (c) weakens the joint sufficiently for the pair of discs to separate in response to the fill pressure in step (d). The filling method according to item 11. 15) The filling method according to claim 12, wherein each of the pressing portions is a portion close to the outer peripheral edge of each of the disks.