Patent US4055435A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3777331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus to be used in connection with the filling of tubular films, so called synthetic casings
Assignee: MASKINFAB HEFA
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Filing: 1971-03-26
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Granted: 1973-12-11
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Expires: 1991-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A continuous length of tubular synthetic casing is filled with successive charges of sausage meat or other food product by transporting the free end of the casing by means of a conveyor onto a filling tube from which the food charges are extruded, clamping the casing end on the filling tube, retracting the conveyor to its starting position, extruding the charge of food into the casing, and tying off and cutting the ends of the filled casing. The food charge is inserted into the casing with flat end pieces at each end thereof, and the casing is tied or clamped to the end pieces providing the finished product with ends of uniform diameter for slicing.
Inventors
- 👤 H Falborg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:39
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C11/00; A22C11/02; A22C11/0281; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S100/00; Y10S100/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for filling a continuous length of synthetic tubular casing with a food product extruded from a filling sleeve, comprising means for feeding a continuous length of tubular casing from a location remote from said filling sleeve, conveyor means movable toward and away from said filling sleeve between a first position adjacent said feeding means and a second position adjacent said filling sleeve, a block sized to fit snugly within the end portion of said tubular casing and adapted to be supported by said conveyor means, and first releasable gripping means for clamping said tubular casing to the block therewithin, and holding said block rigidly on said conveyor means as the latter is moving toward said filling sleeve from said first position to said second position, said conveyor means being arranged to move toward said filling sleeve to said second position in which the end portion of said tubular casing projecting from said block is received upon and around said filling sleeve, said apparatus also including second releasable gripping means for clamping said end portion of the casing to said filling sleeve, and means for opening said first clamping means to release said block for return movement of said conveyor means to its first position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for filling a continuous length of synthetic tubular casing with a food product extruded from a filling sleeve, comprising means for feeding a continuous length of tubular casing from a location remote from said filling sleeve, conveyor means movable toward and away from said filling sleeve between a first position adjacent said feeding means and a second position adjacent said filling sleeve, a block sized to fit snugly within the end portion of said tubular casing and adapted to be supported by said conveyor means, and first releasable gripping means for clamping said tubular casing to the block therewithin, and holding said block rigidly on said conveyor means as the latter is moving toward said filling sleeve from said first position to said second position, said conveyor means being arranged to move toward said filling sleeve to said second position in which the end portion of said tubular casing projecting from said block is received upon and around said filling sleeve, said apparatus also including second releasable gripping means for clamping said end portion of the casing to said filling sleeve, and means for opening said first clamping means to release said block for return movement of said conveyor means to its first position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which also includes a follower member mounted on said conveyor means and having an aperture through which said tubular casing is threaded, said follower member being positioned to engage and support said block with a portion of the tubular casing disposed between said block and said carrier member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 in which said follower member is a ring having an internal diameter smaller than the diameter of said block, said ring having rounded internal edges at the end facing the block.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 which also includes a pair of flat end pieces bordering the ends of said food product as the latter is extruded into said tubular casing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in which said conveyor means is adaPted to commence its return movement before the food product extruded from the filling sleeve has advanced to a point in which the foremost end piece engages said block.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said conveyor means includes a carriage and rails supporting and guiding said carriage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said conveyor means also includes drive means for said carriage, comprising an automatic prime mover for driving said carriage in both directions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which said carriage is adapted to move in its return movement toward its first position only under the force applied to said follower member by the block driven through the tubular casing by the extruded food product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the carriage is provided with a surface shaped to provide a support bed for the portion of the casing filled with the extruded food product and said block during the return movement of said carriage.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 in which said filling sleeve is longitudinally slotted and tapered in the direction of the extrusion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-10 | 1977-06-11 | 1977-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-10 | 1981-06-11 | 1981-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-10 | 1985-06-11 | 1985-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |