US3316103A - Method of packaging sausages and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Method of packaging sausages and apparatus therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US3316103A
US3316103A US347929A US34792964A US3316103A US 3316103 A US3316103 A US 3316103A US 347929 A US347929 A US 347929A US 34792964 A US34792964 A US 34792964A US 3316103 A US3316103 A US 3316103A
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United States
Prior art keywords
conveyor
sausages
group
grouping
relay
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US347929A
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English (en)
Inventor
Thomas M Scopelite
Roy G Hlavacek
Howard P Bonheimer
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JBS USA LLC
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Swift and Co Inc
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Priority to US347929A priority Critical patent/US3316103A/en
Priority to FR7026A priority patent/FR1430474A/fr
Priority to NL6502343A priority patent/NL6502343A/xx
Priority to BE660273D priority patent/BE660273A/xx
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Publication of US3316103A publication Critical patent/US3316103A/en
Assigned to SWIFT INDEPENDENT PACKING COMPANY reassignment SWIFT INDEPENDENT PACKING COMPANY CHANGE OF NAME (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SWIFT & COMPANY
Assigned to SWIFT & COMPANY, (FORMERLY NAMES TRANSITORY FOOD PROCESSORS, INC.) reassignment SWIFT & COMPANY, (FORMERLY NAMES TRANSITORY FOOD PROCESSORS, INC.) CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SWIFT INDEPENDENT PACKING COMPANY
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B35/00—Supplying, feeding, arranging or orientating articles to be packaged
    • B65B35/30—Arranging and feeding articles in groups
    • B65B35/44—Arranging and feeding articles in groups by endless belts or chains
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B19/00—Packaging rod-shaped or tubular articles susceptible to damage by abrasion or pressure, e.g. cigarettes, cigars, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws or welding electrodes
    • B65B19/34—Packaging other rod-shaped articles, e.g. sausages, macaroni, spaghetti, drinking straws, welding electrodes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for collating generally cylindrical objects into groups for packaging. More specifically the present invention comprises an improved method and apparatus for aligning and grouping a desired number of cylindrical items, such as sausages, and transferring such groups regularly and in close sidewise alignment to a wrapping machine.
  • the herein described embodiment of the present invention was specifically devised for the food processing industry to assemble uniform groups of frankfurters, which groups would be of suitable number and configuration for automatic wrapping in commercially available wrapping equipment.
  • the major portion of frankfurter production is of the so-called skinless frank variety.
  • the most widely practiced method for forming such frankfurters is to stuff a raw frankfurter emulsion into substantial lengths of casing material, tying off the casing into a plurality of links, cooking and smoking the frankfurters, and, finally, peeling the casing therefrom.
  • casings made of an artificial material such as regenerated cellulose.
  • Such franks are known to the industry as A.C. franks.
  • the wrapping machines may be grouped in two classes.
  • One class of machine is suitable to wrap a single layer of sausages or similar items.
  • An example of this type of machine is known as the Flex- Vac 6-16.
  • This machine rotates in a vertical plane and accepts a continuous stream of grouped product aligned in two parallel or adjacent rows of groups.
  • Another wellknown class of machines are available to wrap a double layer group of such product.
  • An example of the latter class of machines is known as the Wrap-King.
  • the latter machine accepts a single continuous row of groups wherein each group preferably consists of two layers of product.
  • the present method comprises moving cylindrical items in a lateral direction along a path.
  • the items are counted as they pass a given point whereupon they are assembled into a group of closely adjacent items of a given number.
  • the group is advanced further in the lateral direction and a subse quent group is assembled.
  • both ends of the items in the group are gently buffed in an inward direction so as to align the ends of the units comprising the group.
  • the group is swept in a longitudinal direction, at substantially right angles to their previous motion, onto the infeed equipment of a packaging apparatus and subsequently wrapped.
  • the present method further encompasses the assembling of a multi-layer group, if desired, where each initial group is first buffed and swept as above described, and thereafter a second group comprising a single layer of items is swept upon the top of the first and preceding group. Then the assembled group comprising two layers of units is again buffed to align the ends of both layers and thereafter swept onto the infeed of a packaging apparatus and subsequently wrapped.
  • An apparatus devised for carrying out the foregoing method basically comprises a means for delivering -cylin-, drical items, such as frankfurters, in continuous lateral relationship past a sensing means for counting the frankfurters.
  • a grouping means is positioned to receive a number of items in closely adjacent relationship until a devised number has been counted.
  • the grouping means is then moved forward and the next succeeding group of frankfurters is assembled.
  • aligning means, adjacent thereto are actuated to buff the ends of the units. Further movement of the grouping means brings the group into the path of a trans fer means disposed to move the group at substantially a right angle from the grouping means onto a packaging apparatus.
  • the transfer means may be arranged to move the initially formed group onto a second grouping means whereupon the next succeeding group is received upon the top of the first and preceding group.
  • the second grouping means then moves the multi-layer group adjacent a second aligning means; and thereafter into the path of a second transfer means, which moves substantially at right angles to the path of the second grouping means,
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view showing a basic first embodiment of a collator apparatus, with certain overhead structure removed, associated with a continuous-type frankfurter production line and a single layer type packaging apparatus;
  • FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGURE 1 leading to the collator
  • FIGURE 3 is a general plan view of a second embodiment of a collator apparatus, with certain overhead structure removed, associated with the production of AC. type frankfurters, and a double layer type packaging apparatus;
  • FIGURE 4 is a side elevation view of the collator apparatus shown in FIGURE 1;
  • FIGURE 5 is an end elevation view, with certain parts removed, of the apparatus of FIGURE 4 taken at line 5-5 therein;
  • FIGURE 6 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the collator apparatus shown in FIGURE 3;
  • FIGURE 7 is an end elevation, with certain parts removed, of the apparatus of FIGURE 6 taken at line 77 therein;
  • FIGURE 8 is an opposite end elevation of the apparatus of FIGURE 6 taken at line 88 therein;
  • FIGURES 9A and 9B are a circuit diagram of the control and power apparatus for the collator of FIGURE 3.
  • the present method may be understood from the following description of an embodiment devised for handling frankfurters.
  • frankfurters are normally aligned axially, that is longitudinal, to one another, and are thus discharged longitudinally from roduction.
  • these frankfurters are reoriented into a laterally spaced series and moved in a direction transverse to the frankfurter axis, that is in a lateral direction with respect to the frankfurter.
  • a preliminary aligning of the frankfurters in this attitude is first undertaken; and also it is preferred that the frankfurters are distributed and spaced in a single layer.
  • the franks, while moving laterally, may be rotated so that they may be visually inspected.
  • each frank is assisted into contact by being spun in the direction of motion and additionally urged forward by a fluid jet, such as air, emanating in the same direction.
  • a fluid jet such as air
  • both ends of each frank within the group are simultaneously buffed, by momentarily pressing longitudinally, to align the ends. Thereafter the shaped group is swept in a longitudinal direction, with respect to the frankfurters, from the first path.
  • a multi-layer group consisting, for example, of two layers of product
  • first one group is swept in a longitudinal direction from the first path to a lower level adjacent that path where they are held stationary.
  • the next succeeding group is swept in the same longitudinal direction onto the preceding group; and then the juxtaposed layers are moved laterally, with respect to the frank-furters, as a single group.
  • the new group is then preferably again buffed at both ends of the frankfurter s.
  • the double layer group is swept, again in a direction longitudinal of the items therein, to the infeed of a suitable packaging machine such as the aforementioned Wrap-King device.
  • FIG- URES 1, 2, 4 and 5 A basic and first embodiment of a collator apparatus for performing the foregoing method is shown in FIG- URES 1, 2, 4 and 5.
  • the collator apparatus generally 1% is adapted to receive frankfurters from the discharge end of a continuous-type production apparatus generally 11; and adapted to deliver the frankfurters in single layer groups to the infeed conveyor generally 12 of a single layer-type wrapping machine generally 13, such as the Flex-Vac 6-16.
  • FIGURES 3, 6, 7 and 8 a second embodiment of a collator generally 15 is illustrated for receiving frankfurters from peelers generally 16 (AC. frankfurter production) and delivering double layer groups of frankfurters to the infeed conveyor generally 17 of a multilayer-type packaging machine such as a Wrap-King apparatus (not shown).
  • a multilayer-type packaging machine such as a Wrap-King apparatus
  • frankfurters are de osited from the production machine generally 11 onto a narrow ribbon conveyor 20, the upper run of which is tilted downwardly away from the machine.
  • a guide member 21 is positioned adjacent the lower side of the ribbon conveyor 21 opposite the production machine 11 to prevent the frankfurters from falling off the conveyor, before reaching a delivery means described hereinafter.
  • the guide member 21 terminates short of the end of conveyor 20 at a point above a roller conveyor generally 22 which is trained at right angles to the ribbon conveyor from a point slightly below the upper run of the latter.
  • the roller conveyor generally 22, as seen in FIGURE 2, comprises a plurality of freely rotatable cylindrical members 23 which extend transversely between a pair of spaced endless chains 24 trained about sprockets. The latter are driven in conventional manner from an electric motor, not shown.
  • the cylindrical rollers 23 are spaced slightly so as to receive frankfurters between adjacent rollers without permitting the frankfurters to drop therebetween.
  • a gate generally 25 comprising a vertically reciprocable guide section 26, attached to a pneumatic cylinder 27, is located at that point and is operable to move the guide section 26 into alignment with the guide member 21 on the occasion that a malfunction occurs downstream of that point.
  • frankfurters will be confined to travel the full length of the ribbon conveyor 20 from which they may be discharged into any convenient receptacle, such as a tub (not shown), and subsequently reprocessed in the assembling and packaging equipment, or packaged by other means.
  • the delivery means comprising the roller conveyor generally 22 is trained to move frankfurters, laterally to one another, in a direction substantially normal to the ribbon conveyor 20 past a preliminary aligning means.
  • a pair of vanes 28 At points spaced “from the ribbon conveyor and positioned above each side of the path of the cylindrical rollers 23 are a pair of vanes 28. These vanes are preferably constructed from stainless steel spring and are mounted only at the upstream end to rapid vibrators 29. The downstream ends of both vanes 28 are unsupported and free to vibrate. Thus as frankfurters pass between the vanes the vibratory motion of the latter will tend to slide each frankfurter into a central position on the roller 43 to form a substantially continuous surface.
  • a wiper bar 30 is positioned just above the path of frankfurters carried between rollers 23. Thus the wiper bar will not contact properly positioned frankfurters. However, should one frankfurter be astride another, the wiper bar will cause the excess upper frankfurter to be retarded until it can fall into an unoccupied space between two rollers.
  • a track 31 is located to contact the undersurface of the rollers and thus cause them to rotate, in the direction of movement, as they roll thereacross.
  • the rotation of the rollers 23 will impart an opposite or reverse spin to any frankfurters residing therebetween, thus exposing the entire surface of each frankfurter for visual observation and inspection by an operator.
  • a friction bar 32 is held against the upper surface of the rollers by a tension spring 33.
  • the bar 32 causes the rollers 23 to rotate opposite to movement and thus impart a forward spin to frankfurters supported therebetween.
  • a sensing means is positioned above the pan 36 for counting franks as they roll thereacross.
  • the counting means comprises a photoelectric cell unit generally 37 (seen only in FIGURE 9A) within a housing 38 (seen in FIG- URE 4). A light beam from the cell will be reflected from the pan back to the photo cell and will thus be broken to activate the latter as each frankfurter passes across the pan 36.
  • Each frankfurter in turn is received within a grouping means which includes a grouping conveyor generally 41.
  • the latter conveyor preferably comprises a plurality of flat slats 42 mounted transversely upon an endless chain
  • the chain 43 in turn is trained about a pair of sprockets, one of which is intermittently driven from a suitable drive means to be subsequently explained.
  • the grouping conveyor generally 41 includes a plurality of spaced divider bars 46 demountably attached at equal intervals to the upper surface of the slats 42 so as to define pockets in which a specified number of items such as frankfurters may be received.
  • the divided bars 46 be mounted by releasable means in such a way that they may be adjusted to a desired spacing for any given installation, whereby the owner of the device may have the option to determine the number of items which will make up a group and accordingly size the pockets.
  • a plurality of air jets 47 are located adjacent the pan as and aimed in the direction of the upper run of the grouping conveyor generally 41.
  • An additional air jet 48 may also be located beneath the upper run of the roller conveyor 22 directed toward the pan 36.
  • the divider bars 4-6 on the grouping conveyor 41 are centrally notched to allow forward projection of air from at least the central air jet 47 to urge each frankfurter fully forward into contact with either the preceding divider bar or frankfurter.
  • the grouping conveyor 41 is intermittently driven by a suitable power source which may include a Geneva drive generally 51, and an electric motor 52 and clutch 53. Control of this apparatus is in the photo cell unit 37 so that upon the desired number of frankfurters being counted crossing the pan 36,
  • the clutch 53 will be engaged, whereby the electrrc motor 52 will turn the Geneva drive 51 to move the conveyor 41 a distance equal to the space between two succeeding divider bars 46.
  • the drive and conveyor are synchronized to position a divider bar 46 immediately beneath the lower edge of pan 36 when the conveyor halts.
  • the conveyor 41 will then be in position to receive the next group of frankfurters arriving from the roller conveyor 22. Where an owner of the apparatus adjusts the spacing of the divider bars 46, a corresponding adjustment will also be made in the drive means.
  • the hold down belt 56 Located directly above the grouping: conveyor and in light contact with the divider bars 46 thereon is an endless hold down belt 56, for inhibiting any tendency for the product to bounce or spring from the space between divider bars 46.
  • the hold down belt 56 is provided with a conventional belt tightener roll 59, and may be suitably driven by means of a chain 60 trained about sprockets associated with both the belt 56 and chain 43 of the conveyor generally 41.
  • the aligning means are in the form of a pair of ram plates 63, 64, as may be seen in FIGURE 5, which are reciprocably actuable in a. horizontal plane by a pair of pneumatic cylinders 65, 66, respectively, to buff the ends of the franks.
  • the pneumatic cylinders are actuated to briefly extend the ram plates inwardly toward the conveyor 41 one or more times during each moment of dwell of the latter.
  • the ram plates are then immediately withdrawn with the result that both ends of the items making up a group are squared-up.
  • provisions is made to remove the groups of objects from the grouping conveyor 41 by a suitable transfer means. At this location the groups are transferred to an intermediate receiving means and thence to the infeed conveyor of a suitable wrapping machine.
  • provision is made to transfer two adjacent groups simultaneously across a stationary tray 68, positioned at one side and level with the grouping conveyor 41, and thence on to the infeed conveyor generally 12 of the aforementioned single layer type wrapping machine.
  • a transfer means suitable for this purpose is illustrated as including a plurality of sweeper blades 70 transversely mounted between a pair of endless chains 71, '72, or the like, in turn trained about pairs of sprockets 73, '74 which are located so that the path of the sweeper blades 70 along the lower runs of the chains 71, 72 will be closely spaced above the upper surface of the slats 42 making up the grouping conveyor generally 41.
  • each pair of sprockets 73, 74 are mounted on shafts 75 which are rotatably secured in the apparatus frame.
  • One of these shafts is rotatable by means of another chain 77, or the like, trained about a sprocket 78 fixed to shaft 75 and a sprocket 79 on a separate drive means to be further explained.
  • each sweeper blade is relieved at the central portion thereof to pass across a divider bar 46 on the grouping conveyor 41.
  • the two ends of the sweeper blades 70 fit closely between successive divider bars 46; and obviously where the divider bars are respaced'the sweeper blades should be replaced.
  • An appropriate number of blades 70 are mounted, equally spaced, on the chains 71, 72; and the lower run of the latter extends from beyond one side of the grouping conveyor 41 and transversely across the latter to beyond the further edge of the tray 68.
  • the distance between successive sweeper blades 7t should be substantially equal to the distance between opposite edges of the conveyor 41 and tray 68.
  • chains 71, 72 are of sufficient length to carry three blades.
  • the sweeper blades 70 may be driven through the aforementioned drive belt 77 by means of a suitable electric motor 80 clutch 81 combination.
  • blades 70 are driven in two steps, first across the conveyor 41 and thence across tray 68.
  • the clutch S1 is energized every second period of dwell of the grouping conveyor 41 provided that the infeed conveyor generally 12 for the wrapping machine is in position to receive the groups of product.
  • the two driving steps of the blades 70 are uninterrupted and indistinguishable.
  • a timer control in association with the wrapping machine overrides this operation so that if the wrapping machine cannot accept product, due to a malfunction or the like, the sweeper blades 70 will not be moved, and groups of product will be indexed past the sweeper station for the duration of the malfunction.
  • Such product may be collected in baskets or the like as it falls from the end of the grouping conveyor 41.
  • a second embodiment of the apparatus for assembling and feeding double-layer groups of product to a wrapping machine, operates in substantially the same manner except that initial groups making up one layer are first swept onto a second grouping conveyor whereupon a second layer of objects is also swept upon top of the first layer after which the ends of the double-layer group are again shaped and thence each group swept to the infeed of a wrapping machine.
  • elements of the first stages of the apparatus corresponding to those described in the first embodiment are denoted by like reference characters bearing a prime exponent.
  • the first stages of the second embodiment of the present apparatus illustrated in FIGURES 3, 6, 7 and 8 are substantially the same as the first embodiment of the apparatus.
  • a similarly constructed roller conveyor generally 22' is trained to carry product laterally between a pair of vibrating vanes 28' and beneath a wiper bar 30.
  • Product is discharged from the roller conveyor across a pan 36 and beneath a photo cell counting means onto a first grouping conveyor generally 41' comprised of a series of slats 42' mounted on an endless chain 43.
  • the first grouping means similarly has a plurality of equally spaced divider bars 46' adjustably mounted on slats 42 and a plurality of air jets 47, 48' assist in the grouping of the items.
  • the first grouping conveyor 41' is similarly driven through a Geneva drive generally '51; and includes a stationary end guide 55' and a hold down belt 56. Also a pair of oppositely disposed reciprocable ram plates 63' and 64 operate to shape both ends of a group of product on the first grouping conveyor generally 41.
  • the sweeper blades 70' are of a dimension accommodating but a single group of product at one time and are thus of a length equal to the space between two successive divider bars 46.
  • the sweeper blades 70' are mounted upon a single endless chain 71.
  • Sprocket 73 is in turn mounted on a shaft 75 along with a sprocket 78 which is driven by means of a chain 77 from a sprocket 79 mounted upon an electric motor and clutch mechanism 80, 81.
  • the first transfer means comprising the above-described sweeper blades operates during the dwell period of each indexing of the grouping conveyor 4-1 to sweep product transversely onto a second grouping means comprising a second grouping conveyor generally 85, the upper run of which is mounted parallel to and at a lower level closely adjacent the upper run of the first grouping conveyor 41.
  • the upper run of the second grouping conveyor 85 is located a distance equal to the height of the product below the upper run of the first grouping conveyor 41'.
  • the second grouping conveyor is similarly constructed of a plurality of slats 36 transversely mounted upon an endless chain 87 which is trained about a pair of sprockets.
  • a stop deflector S9 is fixed adjacent the end of slats 86 opposite conveyor 41 and in line with sweepers 74) to arrest the frankfurters.
  • a plurality of second divider bars 91 are adjustably mounted to the substantially continuous surface formed by the slats 86.
  • the latter divider bars 91 are desirably of a height equal to two layers of product.
  • a second drive means similar to the drive of the first grouping conveyor is provided.
  • the second drive (not shown) comprises a second Geneva drive connected to a motor and clutch in common with the Geneva 51' for conveyor 41.
  • the latter Geneva includes two drive cams, and the second Geneva includes one cam for intermittently indexing the second grouping conveyor generally 85, one station for every two index movements of the first grouping conveyor 41. Consequently, it will be seen that two succeeding groups of product will be swept from the first grouping conveyor 41 onto the second grouping conveyor 35 before the latter indexes forward.
  • a second aligning means comprising a pair of ram plates 95, 96 reciprocable in a horizontal plane by a pair of pneumatic cylinders 97, 98, respectively.
  • Ram plates 95, 96 are of a. height slightly greater than the double layer of the group of product on conveyor 85 and are briefly reciprocated inwardly and returned to the withdrawn position at least once during each period of dwell of the second grouping conveyor 85. Their function is similar to that of the first pair of ram plates 63', 6 to buff and shape theends of the double-layer group.
  • a second transfer means comprising a plurality of sweeper blades 101 attached at equal intervals to an endless chain 192 trained about a pair of sprockets 1G3, 104.
  • Sweeper blades 101 are of construction similar to blades 70 except that their vertical dimension is greater so as to contact the entire height of a group of product.
  • an equal number of hold down plates 105 are connected to the endless chain 102, each slightly in advance of a corresponding sweeper blade 1111. The upstream edge of each hold down plate 1&5 is curbed slightly upwardly so that a double-layer group of product approaching on the second conveyor 85 will be compressed very slightly as it enters thereunder. Thereafter, during the period of dwell and as a sweeper blade m1 forces a double-layer group of product from between divider bars 91, the hold down plates 105 hold the group from vertical displacement.
  • a stationary transfer tray 1107 leading to the infeed conveyor generally 17 of a double-layer wrapping machine such as the aforementioned Wrap-King apparatus is secured to the tray 107 opposite the index station of two adjacent divider bars 91 and provides a means for maintaining the shape of a group of franks as it is transferred from the second grouping conveyor to between a pair of spaced dogs 114 and 115.
  • the latter infeed conveyor comprises a pair of chains 110, 111 mounted longitudinally between a pair of parallel rails 112, 113. Chain 110 is connected to a plurality of equally spaced dogs 114.
  • Chain 111 is connected to a plurality of similarly equally spaced dogs 115; and the dogs 114, 115 are paired off in abutting relation so as to form spaces between one dog 114 and the next dog 115 which are equal to the dimension of groups of product being swept from the second grouping conveyor 85.
  • a stationary bumper 116 is mounted on rail 113 opposite the guideway 108 to arrest the frankfurters between a pair of dogs 114, 115.
  • the illustrated circuit controls the sequence of the aforementioned apparatus by the sensing means, particularly photo cell unit generally 37, comprising a photo cell detector 120 and light 121; and a plurality of switches comprising four cam actuated switches 124, 125, 126, 127, mounted on the collator itself, two cam actuated switches 130, 131, mounted on the wrapping machine, and a two-bank stepping switch generally 134 and seven relay units 136- 142, inclusive, mounted in a control panel.
  • the sensing means particularly photo cell unit generally 37, comprising a photo cell detector 120 and light 121; and a plurality of switches comprising four cam actuated switches 124, 125, 126, 127, mounted on the collator itself, two cam actuated switches 130, 131, mounted on the wrapping machine, and a two-bank stepping switch generally 134 and seven relay units 136- 142, inclusive, mounted in a control panel.
  • a 1l0-volt A.C. supply source is connected across two bus wires 145, 146 which delivers power to all of the various electric motors and elements of the control circuit.
  • the grouping conveyor motor 52 and sweep drive motor 80 each connected in series with overload switches 148, 149, respectively, are connected in parallel across wires 145, 146 through a motor control relay switch 150.
  • a lamp 151 is connected parallel with motor control relay 150 to indicate when power is available at the motors 52, 80; and a normally closed stop switch 152 and a normally open start switch 153 are series connected between the wire 145 and both relay 150 and lamp 151.
  • a relay switch operated by the motor control relay 150 is connected to close and selfhold a parallel circuit around the start switch 153 when the relay is energized.
  • a power switch 154 series connects bus line 145 with a bus line 155.
  • Switch 154 must be closed to connect power to a motor 22m for roller conveyor generally 22 and the sequence control circuit including the sensing unit generally 37 and stepping switch 134.
  • a lamp 156 is connected between bus lines 146 and 155 down line of switch 154 to light when the latter is closed.
  • Switch 154 is also preferably mechanically connected to a heater switch 157 which, in turn, is series-connected with a heater resistor element 158 across the bus wires 145 and 146.
  • the heater is preferred to be mounted within a control panel which houses most of the electrical control elements so as to warm the latter during periods that the apparatus is inoperative.
  • switch 154 when control switch 154 is open, switch 157 will be closed to energize the heater 158, and vice versa.
  • the sensing unit generally 37 is connected between bus wires 146 and 155 and is energized upon closing switch 154.
  • a normally open-biased machine starting' switch 161 is also series-connected between bus wire 155 and a further distribution line 162.
  • one or more normally closed stop switches 163 may be series-connected between switch 161 and the distribution line 162, and physically located at convenient points about the collator apparatus, to provide an operator ready access to means to stop action of the machine.
  • relay 166 will remain energized. once switch 161 is momentarily closed, subject to the opening of either the overload switch 167 or a pair of normally closed relay contacts 169 connected in series therewith. (The relay will also be de-energized when the apparatus is disconnected by opening either switches 163 or 154 at the normal end of operation.) [Relay contacts 169 are mechanically actuated by a timer 170 which is associated with the sensing unit generally 37 as hereafter explained.
  • the sensing unit generally 37 prefer-ably is comprised of a photo detector cell and light 121, as previously mentioned, and includes a pair of photo-electric amplifiers 173, 174 to produce a substantial electric signal each time a unit of product crosses the pan 36.
  • Both amplifiers 173, 174 are connected between bus wires 146 and 155. Conveniently the detector cell 120 is connected to one amplifier 173; and the light 121 is energized from a connection with the other amplifier 174. Suitable amplifiers for this purpose are commercially available. While the light beam is broken by a unit of product, the detector 120 causes an electric signal to be sent directly to the timer 170, and also a second simultaneous signal is sent through a resistor network 175 to the other amplifier 174.
  • the first signal is concurrent with the period that the light beam is broken and the timer 170 will start to time out during that period.
  • the signal terminates and the timer 170 automatically resets.
  • the contacts 169 will be opened thereby deenergizing the motor control relay 166, for roller conveyor motor 22m, and solenoid for gate 25.
  • the roller conveyor 22 will stop and the control elements will be deenergized by the opening of contacts 168 connected to the motor control relay 166.
  • the gate 25 will also close and franks will be diverted to the end of conveyor 20.
  • the timer is set to time out at second; and if the light beam to the detector 120 is dark for that period of time, the apparatus will automatically stop.
  • the second signal from the photoelectric amplifier 173 is impressed, through resistor network 175, on the other amplifier 174 which normally results in a brief electrical pulse being developed as each unit of product passes the photo cell 120.
  • This pulse is delivered through a pair of wires 176, 177 to the stepping mechanism of the step switch generally 134.
  • the same pulse causes an internal connection within the amplifier, to be made between a wire 178 and a lead to bus wire 155.
  • the wire 178 is in turn connected to a relay contact, to be subsequently explained, through which the clutch 53 for the drive of grouping conveyor 41 is periodically energized.
  • step switch 134 this element is connected across bus wires 146 and 162 and the stepping mechanism is connected to the amplifier 174 as above described.
  • the switch generally 134 comprises two separate banks 181, 182, which rotate step-wise in unison. Keeping in mind that the specific embodiment of the inventions illustrated was devised to assemble groups of live units of product, each bank includes ten contact points and has a wiper arm connected to the bus wire 162.
  • the first and sixth contacts are left blank.
  • the second, third, seventh and eighth contacts are jumped together to a wire and in turn connected to the coil of relay 136 which is also connected to bus wire 146.
  • the relay 136 when energized, closes its contacts 187 to connect a solenoid 188 across bus wires 146, 162.
  • Solenoid 188 directs air under pressure to the pneumatic cylinders 65, 66 which actuate ram plates 63, 64, respectively, to buff the ends of a group of product on the conveyor 41.
  • the fourth and ninth contact points on bank 181 are jumpered together to a wire 190 in turn connected to the coil of relay 137 which is also connected to bus wire 146.
  • Relay 137 when energized, closes two sets of contacts 191, 192.
  • the first set of contacts 191 forms a connection between wire 178 (to amplifier 174 and thence to the bus wire 155) and the clutch 53 of the grouping conveyor generally 41.
  • the clutch will be energized and engaged only upon every fifth and tenth unit passing the photo cell 120.
  • the brief pulse is sufficient to cause the conveyor 41 to index forward one station; and the relay 137 becomes deenergized immediately upon bank 181 stepping to the fifth or tenth contact points.
  • the clutch 53 is also connectable between bus wires 145 and 146 directly through a jog switch 193 which allows the clutch to be energized to continuously operate the grouping conveyor 41.
  • the second set of contacts 192 on relay 137 forms part of a circuit from the bus wire 162 to the coil of relay 140.
  • the remainder of the circuit to relay 140 is completed by a set of contacts 194 which close upon energization of relay 139.
  • a second set of contacts 195 on the latter relay form part of a self'holding circuit to maintain the relay 139 energized under certain conditions. This and the following portion of the control apparatus control the cycling of the sweeper blades 78'.
  • the relay 139 will, in turn, be energized only when both cam switch 124 and contacts 197, the later operated by relay 138, are closed.
  • Cam switches 124 through 127 are actuated by a like number of cams (not shown) which are driven directly from the sweeper drive.
  • Switch 124 is normally closed and will be opened by a cam only during the period that a sweeper blade 78 is moving product from the conveyor 41 onto the intermediate tray 68.
  • the fifth and tenth contacts on bank 181 of the stepping switch 134 are jumpered together and connected to the relay 138 to energize the latter briefly as the wiper passes those contact points.
  • contacts 197 will be closed briefly upon each fifth and tenth unit entering the grouping conveyor 41 to energize relay 139 which in turn self-holds through its contacts 195 and the cam switch 124 until the latter is opened when units are moved from the grouping conveyor.
  • Relay contacts 202 form part of a first circuit to energize the clutch 81 of the sweeper drive.
  • the remainder of the first circuit to the clutch 81 is normally first completed through a set of contacts 204, operated by the relay 141, and the cam switch 125, series connected.
  • Cam switch 125 is normally open but is closed by a second cam, driven from the sweeper, when a sweeper blade 78 is in position on the side of conveyor 41 opposite the tray 68 (ready to sweep product from conveyor 41).
  • Relay 14-1 is jumpered to the second and seventh contact points of the second bank 182 of the step-ping switch 134.
  • Clutch 81 will be energized only briefly through the above-described circuit as the contacts 284 are closed only briefly during a single index movement of the stepping switch 134, and also because the cam switch 124 will be opened, causing relay 14-0 to de-energize, when a sweeper blade 78 moves across the grouping conveyor 41.
  • the clutch 81 will thus only engage sufiicient to move a sweeper 78 across conveyor 41 transferring product only to the tray 68 and cause cam switch 125 to open.
  • a second circuit for energizing the clutch 81 for further movement of a sweeper 78 across tray 68 to ad vance product onto the wrapping machine infeed generally 12, is provided through a cam switch 126, associated with the sweeper drive, and cam switch 138 associated with the wrapping machine infeed drive.
  • the cam switch 126 is normally open but is closed by an appropriate cam (not shown) when a sweeper blade 70 is adjacent and between the conveyor 41 and tray 68.
  • Cam switch 130 is normally open, but is closed by another cam (the latter driven from the wrapping machine) when the infeed conveyor 12 is in position to receive product.
  • a further cam actuated switch 131 associated with the wrapping machine infeed drive, is completed in series with relay 142 and each of the cam switches 127 and contacts 207.
  • the switch 131 is normally closed and opened only momentarily each time the infeed conveyor 12 is first moved toward the wrapping machine generally 13.
  • the conveyor 41 will continue to index separately and independently every time five units of product are received, and product not swept therefrom will simply be dumped over the terminal end of the grouping conveyor.
  • An improved method for collating sausages into groups of a specified number for packaging comprising: moving a plurality of successive substantially parallel sausages in a given direction and path lateral to their longitudinal axes; sensing the passage of each sausage passing a point in said path to count a desired number of sausages; spinning each sausage in said given direction just in advance of said point to assist the sausage in passing said point; halting the motion of a first sausage at a location beyond said point and thereby arresting the motion of a number of subsequent sausages after passing said point to assemble a first quantity of said desired number of sausages; confining said number of sausages to a single layer; thereafter advancing said layer of sausages beyond said location in said direction upon sensing said desired number of sausages at said point and halting the next succeeding sausage to assemble a subsequent layer; aligning the end of said sausages in said first layer; and then transferring said first layer of sausages in a longitudinal direction from said path as a unit.
  • An improved apparatus for collating cylindrical items into groups of a specified number for packaging comprising: a declining pan across which said items will roll downwardly in a lateral direction; a counting mechanism adjacent said pan to count each item as it rolls thereacross; an endless conveyor disposed in line and adjacent with the lower end of said pan, said conveyor having a plurality of transversely disposed divider members equally spaced a distance to accommodate a desired number of said items between successive members; an indexing drive mechanism connected to said endless conveyor to intermittently advance said conveyor in said direction, said drive mechanism being operatively connected to said counting mechanism to be actuated to drive said conveyor said distance upon said desired number of items crossing said pan; and at least one sweeper member positioned above said conveyor beyond said pan and disposed to be movable transversely of said conveyor to sweep at least one group of said desired number of items from between at least two successive divider members and from said conveyor.
  • the apparatus of claim 8 including an intermittently reciprocable buffing member positioned adjacent an edge of said conveyor between said pan and said sweeper member, said buffing member being reciprocable generally transverse to said conveyor to align the ends of said items between successive divider members.
  • the apparatus of claim 8 including packaging means for wrapping said items, said packaging means being positioned to receive items from said sweeper member.
  • the apparatus of claim 8 including a first conveying means for transporting said items from production in longitudinal alignment; a second conveying means disposed normal to said first conveying means for receiving said items therefrom and moving said items laterally spaced substantially in said lateral direction to said declining pan.
  • the apparatus of claim 11 including packaging means for wrapping said groups of items, said packaging means being positioned to receive groups of items swept from said endless conveyor by said sweeper member.
  • said second conveying means comprises a movable endless plurality of transverse rollers spaced to receive said items between rollers; and a track positioned beneath said rollers and in rolling contact therewith to rotate said rollers in the direction of motion toward said pan.
  • said second conveying means comprises a movable endless plurality of transverse rollers spaced to receive said items between rollers; a track positioned beneath said rollers and in rolling contact therewith to rotate said rollers in the direction of motion toward said pan; and a friction bar positioned above said rollers and in rolling contact therewith immediately in advance of said pan to impart a rotation in the reverse of said direction, whereby a forward rotation in said direction will be imparted to said items to assist them across said pan.
  • the apparatus of claim 8 including fluid jet means positioned adjacent said declining pan and directed toward said endless conveyor for assisting the movement of said items onto said conveyor and toward said dividing members.
  • An improved apparatus for collating sausages into groups of a specified number for packaging comprising: a declining pan across which said items will roll downwardly in a lateral direction; a counting mechanism adjacent said pan to count each sausage as it rolls thereacross; an endless conveyor disposed in line with and adjacent the lower end of said pan, said conveyor having a plurality of transversely disposed divider members equally spaced a distance to accommodate a desired number of said sausages between successive members; at least one fluid nozzle adjacent said pan directed toward said divider members to urge said sausages thereto; a hold down means spaced above said conveyor extending from said pan to confine said sausages to a single layer; an indexing drive mechanism connected to said endless conveyor to intermittently advance said conveyor in said direction, said drive mechanism being operatively connected to said counting mechanism to be actuated to drive said conveyor said distance upon said desired number of items crossing said pan; and at least one sweeper member positioned above said conveyor beyond said pan and disposed to be movable transversely of said first conveyor to sweep at least one layer of said desired
  • the apparatus of claim 16 including a movable endless plurality of spaced transverse rollers trained to carry sausages therebetween in said lateral direction to said declining pan; and means to rotate said rollers as they approach said pan in reverse of said direction whereby a spin in said direction will be imparted to each sausage to assist it in rolling across said pan.
  • An improved apparatus for collating sausages into groups of a specified number for packaging comprising: a declining pan across which said items will roll downwardly in a lateral direction; a photo electric device adjacent said pan to count each sausage as it rolls thereacross; a first endless conveyor disposed in line with and adjacent the lower end of said pan, said conveyor having a plurality of transversely disposed divider members equally spaced a distance to accommodate a desired number of said sausages between successive members; at least one fluid nozzle adjacent said pan directed toward said divider members to urge said sausages thereto; a hold down belt spaced above said conveyor extending from said pan to confine said sausages to a single layer; a first indexing drive mechanism connected to said first endless conveyor to intermittently advance said conveyor in said direction, said drive mechanism being operatively connected to said photo electric device to be actuated to drive said first conveyor said distance upon said desired number of items crossing said pan; at least one first sweeper member positioned above said first conveyor beyond said pan and disposed to be movable transversely of said first conveyor
  • the apparatus of claim 18, including a movable endless plurality of spaced transverse rollers trained to carry sausages therebetween in said lateral direction to said declining pan; and means to rotate said rollers as they approach said pan in reverse of said direction whereby a spin in said direction will be imparted to each sausage to assist it in rolling across said pan.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
US347929A 1964-02-27 1964-02-27 Method of packaging sausages and apparatus therefor Expired - Lifetime US3316103A (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US347929A US3316103A (en) 1964-02-27 1964-02-27 Method of packaging sausages and apparatus therefor
FR7026A FR1430474A (fr) 1964-02-27 1965-02-25 Procédé et appareil pour grouper des articles cylindriques, notamment des saucisses, pour les emballer
NL6502343A NL6502343A (fr) 1964-02-27 1965-02-25
BE660273D BE660273A (fr) 1964-02-27 1965-02-26

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US (1) US3316103A (fr)
BE (1) BE660273A (fr)
FR (1) FR1430474A (fr)
NL (1) NL6502343A (fr)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0038324A1 (fr) * 1979-10-25 1981-10-28 Jestec, Inc. Machine de collationnement et d'empaquetage
EP0230795A2 (fr) * 1986-01-29 1987-08-05 Epiciers Unis Metro-Richelieu Inc. Procédé et appareil pour emballer automatiquement des saucisses
US4776146A (en) * 1985-10-26 1988-10-11 Wilson Foods Corporation Packaging apparatus
EP0446658A1 (fr) * 1990-03-12 1991-09-18 Handtmann A-Punkt Automation Gmbh ProcédÀ© et dispositif pour transférer des saucisses
EP0456155A1 (fr) * 1990-05-07 1991-11-13 Industries D.M.P. Inc. Machine d'emballage et de manipulation de saucisses en chapelets
US5265400A (en) * 1984-10-29 1993-11-30 Roberts Systems, Inc. Apparatus for conveying and packaging groups of articles
US5433061A (en) * 1991-06-06 1995-07-18 Ricegrowers' Co-Operative Limited Air removal apparatus
US5560184A (en) * 1993-12-17 1996-10-01 Tisma Machinery Corporation Means for and methods of loading and packaging variable numbers of products

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2574196A (en) * 1944-12-07 1951-11-06 Solo Products Corp Machine for automatically packaging conveyer supported products
US2685996A (en) * 1952-11-15 1954-08-10 Roto Table Co Apparatus for packaging wieners and the like
US2698693A (en) * 1950-12-29 1955-01-04 American Can Co Machine for assembling articles in unit layers at successive stations
US2713449A (en) * 1951-04-13 1955-07-19 William E Carmichael Packaging apparatus
US2757411A (en) * 1952-12-01 1956-08-07 Grand Duchess Steaks Inc Apparatus for forming and sorting meat patties
US2908576A (en) * 1956-12-05 1959-10-13 Grace W R & Co Packaged sausage product and method of making same
US2980541A (en) * 1958-09-29 1961-04-18 Luer Packing Co Method of packaging bacon
US3027697A (en) * 1959-01-30 1962-04-03 American Can Co Article packing apparatus
US3089297A (en) * 1960-12-08 1963-05-14 Int Cigar Mach Co Cigar accumulator

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2574196A (en) * 1944-12-07 1951-11-06 Solo Products Corp Machine for automatically packaging conveyer supported products
US2698693A (en) * 1950-12-29 1955-01-04 American Can Co Machine for assembling articles in unit layers at successive stations
US2713449A (en) * 1951-04-13 1955-07-19 William E Carmichael Packaging apparatus
US2685996A (en) * 1952-11-15 1954-08-10 Roto Table Co Apparatus for packaging wieners and the like
US2757411A (en) * 1952-12-01 1956-08-07 Grand Duchess Steaks Inc Apparatus for forming and sorting meat patties
US2908576A (en) * 1956-12-05 1959-10-13 Grace W R & Co Packaged sausage product and method of making same
US2980541A (en) * 1958-09-29 1961-04-18 Luer Packing Co Method of packaging bacon
US3027697A (en) * 1959-01-30 1962-04-03 American Can Co Article packing apparatus
US3089297A (en) * 1960-12-08 1963-05-14 Int Cigar Mach Co Cigar accumulator

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0038324A1 (fr) * 1979-10-25 1981-10-28 Jestec, Inc. Machine de collationnement et d'empaquetage
EP0038324A4 (fr) * 1979-10-25 1983-02-14 Jestec Inc Machine de collationnement et d'empaquetage.
US5265400A (en) * 1984-10-29 1993-11-30 Roberts Systems, Inc. Apparatus for conveying and packaging groups of articles
US4776146A (en) * 1985-10-26 1988-10-11 Wilson Foods Corporation Packaging apparatus
EP0230795A2 (fr) * 1986-01-29 1987-08-05 Epiciers Unis Metro-Richelieu Inc. Procédé et appareil pour emballer automatiquement des saucisses
EP0230795A3 (fr) * 1986-01-29 1988-12-21 Epiciers Unis Metro-Richelieu Inc. Procédé et appareil pour emballer automatiquement des saucisses
EP0446658A1 (fr) * 1990-03-12 1991-09-18 Handtmann A-Punkt Automation Gmbh ProcédÀ© et dispositif pour transférer des saucisses
EP0456155A1 (fr) * 1990-05-07 1991-11-13 Industries D.M.P. Inc. Machine d'emballage et de manipulation de saucisses en chapelets
US5433061A (en) * 1991-06-06 1995-07-18 Ricegrowers' Co-Operative Limited Air removal apparatus
US5560184A (en) * 1993-12-17 1996-10-01 Tisma Machinery Corporation Means for and methods of loading and packaging variable numbers of products

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR1430474A (fr) 1966-03-04
NL6502343A (fr) 1965-08-30
BE660273A (fr) 1965-06-16

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Effective date: 19801024

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Effective date: 19801024

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Owner name: SWIFT & COMPANY, (FORMERLY NAMES TRANSITORY FOOD P

Free format text: CONDITIONAL ASSIGNMENT;ASSIGNOR:SWIFT INDEPENDENT PACKING COMPANY;REEL/FRAME:003842/0177

Effective date: 19801027