Apparatus for encasing a product

Claim 2

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product a rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supPorting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forward end into said casing; and drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; a spindle fixed to said stuffing tube at a point spaced axially rearwardly from said forward end; said spindle carrying a chuck and at least two lands; said chuck having an aperture therein which surrounds said tube adjacent its forward end in spaced relationship to its outer surface, said lands being positioned axially forwardly of said forward end and being adapted to embrace and guide said casing after it is filled with said product, said spindle including a first section which is fixed to said stuffing tube and is held against movement with respect thereto; said spindle also including at least two arms movably mounted to said first section and adapted to move toward and away from the longitudinal axis of said stuffing tube; each of said lands being mounted on one of said arms so that movement of said arms toward and away from said longitudinal axis causes similar movement of said lands.

Claim 3

Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first section of said spindle includes a fixed ring which surrounds said tube in spaced relation thereto; said arms extending through said fixed ring in the space between said ring and said tube; said arms each being swingably connected to said fixed ring by means of a link which is pivoted at its opposite ends to said ring and said arm; mechanism drivingly connected to said arms and adapted to be manually manipulated to move said arms axially with respect to said tube, whereupon axial movement of said arms causes them to swing on said links, thereby altering the distance of said arms from said tube.

Claim 4

Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said spindle includes a slidable ring which surrounds said tube in spaced relation thereto, each of said arms being hinged to said slidable ring at a point spaced from the pivotal connection between said arm and said link, said slidable ring being free to move axially with respect to said tube; and said mechanism including a handle swingably mounted to said support, said handle slidably engaging said slidable ring so as to permit rotation of said slidable ring with respect to said handle; said handle being adapted to swing in a direction which causes it to urge said slidable ring axially with respect to said tube.

Claim 5

Apparatus according to claim 1 including linking apparatus mounted on said support adjacent said forward end of said stuffing tube, said linking apparatus including gripping means for gripping a portion of said casing after it is filled and for holding said gripped portion against rotation whereupon rotation of said stuffing tube causes twisting of said casing at said gripped portion.

Claim 6

Looping and conveying apparatus for use with means adapted to issue forth an elongated linked casing, said apparatus comprising: a support; an elongated tube-like horn extension having first and second end portions and a bore extending therethrough and therebetween for slidably receiving said casing, said second end portion having a length substantially greater than the length of said first end portion, bearing means on said support having an axis of rotation and rotatably supporting said first end portion of said horn extension, said second end portion having a longitudinal axis which is substantially straight and which is angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said first end portion and angularly disposed with respect to said axes of rotation of said bearing means, drive means for rotating said horn extension on said bearing means; and a conveyor including a plurality of spaced apart hooks thereon and also including carrying means for moving said hooks alOng a predetermined path, said conveyor being positioned so that said hooks will pass adjacent said second end of said horn extension when being moved by said carrying means, whereupon said hooks will catch and carry away said casing at spaced points along the length of said casing as said casing passes out of said second end of said horn extension.

Claim 7

Looping and conveying apparatus for use with means adapted to issue forth an elongated linked casing, said apparatus comprising: a support; an elongated tube-like horn extension having first and second end portions and a bore extending therethrough and therebetween for slidably receiving said casing, said second end portion having a length substantially greater than the length of said first end portion, bearing means on said support having an axis of rotation and rotatably supporting said first end portion of said horn extension, said second end portion having a longitudinal axis which is substantially straight and which is angularly disposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of said first end portion and angularly disposed with respect to said axes of rotation of said bearing means, drive means for rotating said horn extension on said bearing means; and a conveyor including a plurality of spaced apart hooks thereon and also including carrying means for moving said hooks alOng a predetermined path, said conveyor being positioned so that said hooks will pass adjacent said second end of said horn extension when being moved by said carrying means, whereupon said hooks will catch and carry away said casing at spaced points along the length of said casing as said casing passes out of said second end of said horn extension.

Claim 8

Linking apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the apexes of said V-shaped notches are in substantial vertical alignment with the longitudinal centerline of the loop member associated therewith to achieve said constant velocity.

Claim 9

Linking apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said portions of said pinching surfaces are held by said loop members so that they trace a path identical to and spaced from the longitudinal centerlines of the one of said loop members on which they are mounted.

Claim 10

Linking apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each of said portions of said pinching surfaces traces a curve as it passes around each of said drive wheels, said curve having the same radius of curvature as the curve defined by the longitudinal centerline of said loop member at the point where it carries said pinching surface.

Claim 11

Linking apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said first and second loop members carry a plurality of guide members and move them past said linking station, said guide members being adapted to loosely embrace said casing and guide it as they pass said linking station.

Claim 12

Linking apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said pinching members on said first loop member are canted with respect to said pinching members on said second loop member when passing said linking station.

Claim 13

Linking apparatus for use with a product encasing machine, said machine being adapted to expel an elongated casing filled with plastic product and being adapted to rotate said casing about its longitudinal axis; said linking apparatus comprising, a support; first and second sets of drive wheels rotatably mounted on said support; means for rotating said drive wheels; first and second loop members trained around said first and second sets of drive wheels respectively, said first and second loop members defining two separate horizontal planes, said first loop members having a first loop portion which overlaps a second loop portion of said second loop member to define a linking station, said first and second loop portions being vertically spaced and horizontally disposed with respect to each other so as to pass on opposite sides of said casing, means for moving said wheels, a plurality of pinching members having pinching surfaces thereon carried around said first and second sets of drive wheels by said first and second loop members respectively, each of said pinching surfaces on said first loop member being positioned for cooperating with one of said pinching surface on said second loop member while passing said linking station so as to collapse said casing therebetween and reduce its cross-sectional size; each of said loop members carrying said pinching members in a position wherein a portion of each of said pinching surface travels at a constant velocity around said sets of drive wheels, said pinching surfaces being formed by the edges of V-shaped notches formed in said pinching members, said portions of said pinching surfaces having constant velocity being located adjacent the apexes of said V-shaped notches.

Claim 14

Linking apparatus for use with a product encasing machine, said machine being adapted to expel an elongated casing filled with plastic product and being adapted to rotate said casing about its longitudinal axis; said linking apparatus comprising, a support; first and second sets of drive wheels rotatably mounted on said support; means for rotating said drive wheels; first and second loop members trained around said first and second sets of drive wheels respectively, said first and second loop members defining two separate horizontal planes, said first loop members having a first loop portion which overlaps a second loop portion of said second loop member to define a linking station, said first and second loop portions being vertically spaced and horizontally disposed with respect to each other so as to pass on opposite sides of said casing, means for moving said wheels, a plurality of pinching members having pinching surfaces thereon carried around said first and second sets of drive wheels by said first and second loop members respectively, each of said pinching surfaces on said first loop member being positioned for cooperating with one of said pinching surface on said second loop member while passing said linking station so as to collapse said casing therebetween and reduce its cross-sectional size; each of said loop members carrying said pinching members in a position wherein a portion of each of said pinching surface travels at a constant velocity around said sets of drive wheels, said pinching surfaces being formed by the edges of V-shaped notches formed in said pinching members, said portions of said pinching surfaces having constant velocity being located adjacent the apexes of said V-shaped notches.

Claim 15

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supporting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forWard end into said casing; and drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled, at least two fingers being mounted on said tube for rotational movement therewith; said fingers each having a land thereon positioned in front of said discharge opening; said lands being adapted to embrace said casing when it is filled by said product, said lands being movable radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube; said lands being yieldably urged radially inwardly by spring means, each of said lands having in cross-section a middle portion and two side portions on opposite ends of said middle portion, said side portions extending inwardly towards each other in a converging manner, the terminal ends of said side portions of each of said lands being spaced with respect to each other.

Claim 16

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supporting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forWard end into said casing; and drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled, at least two fingers being mounted on said tube for rotational movement therewith; said fingers each having a land thereon positioned in front of said discharge opening; said lands being adapted to embrace said casing when it is filled by said product, said lands being movable radially outwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of said tube; said lands being yieldably urged radially inwardly by spring means, each of said lands having in cross-section a middle portion and two side portions on opposite ends of said middle portion, said side portions extending inwardly towards each other in a converging manner, the terminal ends of said side portions of each of said lands being spaced with respect to each other.

Claim 17

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supporting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forward end into said casing; and drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; a chuck operatively mounted on said support for rotational movement in unison with said stuffing tube; said chuck having an aperture extending therethrough; said discharge end of said tube protruding within and being spaced radially inwardly from the margins of said aperture so as to provide space for a portion of said casing to surround said tube and protrude through said aperture; a land means operatively secured to said chuck for rotation therewith and being closely positioned forwardly of said chuck, said land means being adapted to embrace said casing when it is filled by said product and has been discharged from said chuck.

Claim 18

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supporting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forward end into said casing; and drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; a chuck operatively mounted on said support for rotational movement in unison with said stuffing tube; said chuck having an aperture extending therethrough; said discharge end of said tube protruding within and being spaced radially inwardly from the margins of said aperture so as to provide space for a portion of said casing to surround said tube and protrude through said aperture; a land means operatively secured to said chuck for rotation therewith and being closely positioned forwardly of said chuck, said land means being adapted to embrace said casing when it is filled by said product and has been discharged from said chuck.

Claim 19

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said land means has a rearward end which partially receives the forward end of said chuck.

Claim 20

Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein a spindle is fixed to said stuffing tube at a point spaced axially rearwardly from said forward end, said chuck being mounted on said spindle and being formed from at least two chuck members which are movable from a closed position wherein they combine to form said aperture to an open position wherein they are spaced radially outwardly from their closed position, said land means being comprised of at least two lands, said first land operatively secured to one of said chuck members forwardly thereof for rotational movement therewith, said second land operatively secured to the other of said chuck members forwardly thereof for rotational movement therewith, said first and second lands also being movable from closed to open positions with said chuck members.

Claim 21

Apparatus according to claim 15 wherein lands are movable radially outwardly with respect to said chuck and said tube, said lands being yieldably urged radially inwardly by spring means.

Claim 22

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supporting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forward end into said casing; and drivE means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; said means for introducing said product to said tube being a product pump; said drive means including a power means and first and second power transmission means, said first transmission means connecting said power means to said pump, said second transmission means connecting said power means to said stuffing tube; first and second adjustment mechanisms connected to said first and second transmission means respectively for providing independent adjustment of the speed at which said pump and stuffing tube are driven by said power means.

Claim 23

Apparatus for encasing a product comprising, a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, said tube being rotatably mounted on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said forward end of said stuffing tube being adapted for protruding within and supporting a folded casing whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said folded casing; means for introducing said product into said rearward end of said tube and for forcing said product out of said tube through said forward end into said casing; and drivE means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; said means for introducing said product to said tube being a product pump; said drive means including a power means and first and second power transmission means, said first transmission means connecting said power means to said pump, said second transmission means connecting said power means to said stuffing tube; first and second adjustment mechanisms connected to said first and second transmission means respectively for providing independent adjustment of the speed at which said pump and stuffing tube are driven by said power means.

Claim 24

Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein a linking apparatus is provided adjacent said discharge end of said stuffing tube, said linking apparatus including loops carrying pinching members thereon; third transmission means connecting said loops to said power means for causing said loops to move said pinching members along an elongated linking station located adjacent said discharge end of said tube; said second adjustment mechanism being connected to said third transmission means for varying the speed of said stuffing tube and said loops simultaneously with respect to one another and independently of said product pump.