U.S. patent application number 10/389372 was filed with the patent office on 2003-12-04 for method and means for stuffing natural casings with sausage emulsion.
This patent application is currently assigned to Townsend Engineering Company. Invention is credited to Hamblin, David S., Hardy, Michael J., Hergott, Steven P..
Application Number | 20030224712 10/389372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29587551 |
Filed Date | 2003-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030224712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hergott, Steven P. ; et
al. |
December 4, 2003 |
METHOD AND MEANS FOR STUFFING NATURAL CASINGS WITH SAUSAGE
EMULSION
Abstract
A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion involves
slidably mounting a collar element on the stuffing tube of the
machine adjacent an end of the stuffing tube opposite to the
discharge end thereof. The collar is slidably advanced towards the
discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a shirred
condition while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream thereof.
The non-shirred portion of the casing is progressively advanced
while the casing is filled with emulsion from the tube. A sensor is
placed in the proximity of the non-shirred portion of the casing to
detect whether shirred or non-shirred casing is present. The sensor
is connected to a controller so that the collar will be advanced to
slide the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred casing
is detected, and the advance of the collar is stopped when shirred
casing material is detected. A machine includes the foregoing
components to accomplish the method.
Inventors: |
Hergott, Steven P.; (West
Des Moines, IA) ; Hamblin, David S.; (Norwalk,
IA) ; Hardy, Michael J.; (West Des Moines,
IA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ZARLEY LAW FIRM P.L.C.
CAPITAL SQUARE
400 LOCUST, SUITE 200
DES MOINES
IA
50309-2350
US
|
Assignee: |
Townsend Engineering
Company
Des Moines
IA
|
Family ID: |
29587551 |
Appl. No.: |
10/389372 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10389372 |
Mar 14, 2003 |
|
|
|
10226826 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
|
|
|
6585580 |
|
|
|
|
10226826 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
|
|
|
10160931 |
May 31, 2002 |
|
|
|
10226826 |
Aug 23, 2002 |
|
|
|
10210122 |
Aug 1, 2002 |
|
|
|
6572464 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
452/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A22C 11/0227 20130101;
A22C 11/0272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
452/31 |
International
Class: |
A22C 011/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion, comprising,
taking a length of hollow natural casing material, inserting into
the casing material an emulsion stuffing tube having a first end
and a discharge end for extruding emulsion into a casing on the
outer surface of the stuffing tube, slidably mounting a collar
element on the stuffing tube adjacent an end of the casing material
nearest the first end of the stuffing tube, slidably advancing a
first end of the casing material on the tube in a direction towards
the discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a
shirred condition along a first portion of the casing material,
while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream of the shirred
portion, progressively advancing the non-shirred portion of casing
off of the tube and filling the same with emulsion from the
discharge end of the tube, placing a sensor in the proximity of the
non-shirred portion of the casing to measure the distance between
the sensor and the casing to detect whether shirred or non-shirred
casing is present, connecting the sensor and a collar advancement
means to a controller so that the collar will be advanced to slide
the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred casing is
detected, and stopping the advance of the collar when shirred
casing material is detected.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sensor is one from the group
of ultrasonic or optical.
3. A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion, comprising,
taking a length of hollow natural casing material, inserting into
the casing material an emulsion stuffing tube having a first end
and a discharge end for extruding emulsion into a casing on an
outer surface of the stuffing tube, slidably mounting a collar
element on the stuffing tube adjacent an end of the casing material
nearest the first end of the stuffing tube, slidably advancing a
first end of the casing material on the tube in a direction towards
the discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a
shirred condition along a first portion of the casing material,
while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream of the shirred
portion, progressively advancing the non-shirred portion of casing
off of the tube and filling the same with emulsion from the
discharge end of the tube, placing an indicia mark on the tube
adjacent the discharge end of the tube, placing a sensor in the
proximity of the indicia mark on the discharge end of the tube so
that the sensor will sense the presence of the indicia mark, and
connecting the sensor to a controller to cause the termination of
flow of emulsion into the tube.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the indicia mark is a polished
surface on the tube.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the sensor is a laser-type
sensor.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein the sensor is a mechanical
switch.
7. A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion, comprising,
taking a length of hollow natural casing material, inserting into
the casing material an emulsion stuffing tube having a first end
and a discharge end for extruding emulsion into a casing on an
outer surface of the stuffing tube, slidably mounting a switch
housing on the stuffing tube at a location in engagement with a
rearward end of the natural casing material opposite the discharge
end of the stuffing tube, providing a switch in the switch housing
with a movable switch actuator foot on the switch in supporting
contact with the rearward end of the natural casing, extruding
emulsion from the discharge end of the stuffing tube into the
casing, moving the casing as it is receiving emulsion from the
stuffing tube off of the stuffing tube and out of supporting
contact with the actuator foot to cause the actuator foot to move
whereupon the switch will send a signal to a controller to stop the
extrusion of emulsion from the stuffing tube.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein a follower rod assembly is
positioned in parallel fashion to the stuffing tube and operatively
connected to the switch housing for sliding the same on the
stuffing tube, and rearwardly withdrawing the switch housing on the
stuffing tube when the actuator foot disengages the casing.
9. A machine for stuffing natural casings with emulsion,
comprising, an emulsion stuffing tube on the machine having a first
end and a discharge end for extruding emulsion into a casing on an
outer surface of the stuffing tube, a collar element slidably
mounted on the stuffing tube adjacent an end of the casing material
nearest the first end of the stuffing tube, means for slidably
advancing a first end of the casing material on the tube in a
direction towards the discharge end of the tube to telescope the
casing into a shirred condition along a first portion of the casing
material, while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream of the
shirred portion, to progressively advance the non-shirred portion
of the casing off of the tube and to fill the same with emulsion
from the discharge end of the tube, a sensor in proximity to the
non-shirred portion of the casing to detect whether shirred or
non-shirred casing is present, the sensor and a collar advancement
means connected to a controller so that the collar will be advanced
to slide the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred
casing is detected, and to stop the advance of the collar when
shirred casing material is detected.
10. The machine of claim 9 wherein the sensor is one from the group
of ultrasonic or optical.
11. A machine for stuffing natural casings with emulsion,
comprising, an emulsion stuffing tube on the machine having a first
end and a discharge end for extruding emulsion into a natural
casing on an outer surface of the stuffing tube, a collar element
slidably mounted on the stuffing tube adjacent an end of the casing
material nearest the first end of the stuffing tube, means for
slidably advancing a first end of the casing material on the tube
in a direction towards the discharge end of the tube to telescope
the casing into a shirred condition along a first portion of the
casing material, while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream of
the shirred portion, to progressively advance the non-shirred
portion of casing off of the tube and filling the same with
emulsion from the discharge end of the tube, an indicia mark on the
tube adjacent the discharge end of the tube, a sensor in the
proximity of the indicia mark on the discharge end of the tube so
that the sensor will sense the presence of the indicia mark, and
the sensor connected to a controller to cause the termination of
flow of meat emulsion into the tube.
12. The machine of claim 11 wherein the indicia mark is a polished
surface on the tube.
13. The machine of claim 12 wherein the sensor is a laser-type
sensor.
14. The machine of claim 12 wherein the sensor is a mechanical
switch.
15. A machine for stuffing natural casings with emulsion,
comprising, an emulsion stuffing tube having a first end and a
discharge end for extruding emulsion into a natural casing on an
outer surface of the stuffing tube, a switch housing slidably
mounted on the stuffing tube at a location in engagement with a
rearward end of the natural casing material opposite the discharge
end of the stuffing tube, a switch in the switch housing with a
movable switch actuator foot on the switch in supporting contact
with the rearward end of the natural casing, means for extruding
emulsion from the discharge end of the stuffing tube into the
casing, means for moving the casing as it is receiving emulsion
from the stuffing tube off of the stuffing tube and out of
supporting contact with the actuator foot to cause the actuator
foot to move whereupon the switch will send a signal to a
controller to stop the extrusion of emulsion from the stuffing
tube.
16. The machine of claim 15 wherein a follower assembly is
positioned in parallel fashion to the stuffing tube and operatively
connected to the switch housing for sliding the same on the
stuffing tube, for rearwardly withdrawing the switch housing on the
stuffing tube when the actuator foot disengages the casing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No.
10/160,931, filed May 31, 2002 and a continuation-in-part of Ser.
No. 10/210,122, filed Aug. 1, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sausages have been traditionally made by filling the natural
intestines of sheep or other animals, with a sausage product
whereupon the filled natural casing was formed into links for
cooking. In more modern times, sausages are predominantly made by
introducing an emulsion into an artificial casing, which encases
the sausage material through linking and preliminary cooking.
Machines for making sausages with artificial casings have a high
volume capability (up to 30,000 sausages per hour). Efforts have
been made to use these high-speed machines with natural casings.
However, because of the nature of the natural casings including
their relatively shorter and variable length and non-uniform
diameter, modern sausage encasing machines have not achieved the
volume and capacity with natural casings as they do with artificial
casings.
[0003] It is therefore a principal object of this invention to
provide a method and a machine for encasing sausages whereby the
position of the casing on the stuffing tube is monitored by a
sensor.
[0004] A further object of this invention is to provide a method
and a machine for encasing sausage which employs a sensor on the
stuffing tube to detect the end of the natural casings.
[0005] A further object of this invention is to provide a method
and machine for encasing sausage which employs a sensor which can
detect the diameter difference between the casings in the shirred
state and in its non-shirred condition.
[0006] A still further object of this invention is to use a
plurality of different types of sensors to determine the position
and condition of the natural casing.
[0007] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in
the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion involves
slidably mounting a collar element on the stuffing tube of the
machine adjacent an end of the stuffing tube opposite to the
discharge end thereof. The collar is slidably advanced towards the
discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a shirred
condition while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream thereof.
The non-shirred portion of the casing is progressively advanced
while the casing is filled with emulsion from the tube. A sensor is
placed in the proximity of the non-shirred portion of the casing to
detect whether shirred or non-shirred casing is present. The sensor
is connected to a controller so that the collar will be advanced to
slide the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred casing
is detected, and the advance of the collar is stopped when shirred
casing material is detected.
[0009] A machine includes the foregoing components to accomplish
the method.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sausage making machine showing
the conventional components, as modified by this invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional longitudinal view showing the
forward end of the stuffing tube adjacent the twister with the
follower bushing shown in section;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the stuffing tube and
the components upstream of the twister thereof as seen generally on
line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but shows an alternate
form of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 3 but taken on
line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but shows a second
alternative form of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 5 being taken
on line 7-7 of FIG. 6;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a third alternate form
of the invention similar to FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 9 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 7 taken on
line 9-9 of FIG. 8.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The term "emulsion" as used herein includes meat or any
other edible substance.
[0020] With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional sausage making
machine 10 has a frame 11, a pump 12 connected to a source of
emulsion (not shown), a slidable stuffing tube 14, a twisting
mechanism 16, a linking mechanism 18, a discharge horn 20, and a
conveyor 22. The numeral 24 in FIG. 1 designates generically any
one of a plurality of sensors to be described hereafter which are
adapted to send a signal to a controller 26 to control various
components of the machine as also described hereafter. Twisting
mechanism 16 includes a center bore 16A and a conventional chuck
17.
[0021] With particular reference to FIGS. 1-3, a hollow follower or
collar 28 with a center bushing 30 is slidably mounted on stuffing
tube 14. A natural animal casing 32 is placed on the outer surface
of the tube 14 downstream from collar 28. The natural animal casing
32 extends between the collar and the discharge end 14A of tube 14.
The dotted line 34 extending between collar 28 and controller 26
designates the control mechanism whereby the controller 26 controls
the movement of collar 28 in a forward or rearward direction as
depicted by the arrow 36. The specific control mechanism can be a
suitable power means to be discussed hereafter.
[0022] The line 38 shows the connection between the controller 26
and the sensor 24A which is located on frame 11 adjacent the
discharge end 14A of stuffing tube 14.
[0023] The collar 28 is used to assist the casing 32 off of the
stuffing tube 14 and into twister 16 while emulsion is
conventionally being pumped into the interior of the casing through
tube 14. The emulsion is pumped through tube 14 by pump 12 shown in
FIG. 1. The natural casing is formed into a linked product by the
cooperative activity of twisting mechanism 16 and linking mechanism
18. The linked product is delivered through horn 20 to conveyor
22.
[0024] The sensor 24A is positioned as described above. When the
casing 32 is shirred, as shown by Zone A in FIG. 2, it has a larger
diameter than when it is in the non-shirred condition in Zone B.
The sensor 24A senses this change in diameter and sends a signal to
the controller 26. This signal then controls the movement of the
collar 28 by advancing the collar 28 when the non-shirred diameter
is sensed, and stopping the advance or retracting slightly the
collar when the shirred diameter is detected. Sensor 14A may be
comprised of a conventional ultrasonic or optical sensing unit. The
sensor measures the distance between the sensor and the casing. The
upper and lower limits of this distance are adjustable within the
software to vary the triggering of the advance of collar 28.
[0025] An alternate form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5
which is substantially identical to the form of the invention shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3 except that a colorized portion 40 is imposed on
the surface of stuffing tube 14 adjacent its discharge end 14A. The
sensor 24B of conventional construction is capable of sensing the
colored portion 14 as the stuffing tube 14 is moved forwardly to a
position adjacent twisting mechanism 16. The sensor 24B will not
sense the colored portion 14 until the casing 32 is about to depart
the discharge end 14A of the tube 14. When the sensor 24B senses
the colored portion 40, after the portion 40 is uncovered by the
departing casing 32, the sensor will send an appropriate signal to
the controller 26 which in turn will signal the pump 12 to cease
operation through the dotted line 34A.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, a further alternate form of
the invention is shown which is similar to the form shown in FIGS.
4 and 5. In FIGS. 6 and 7, the sensor 24C is a laser light sensor
having emitter and receiver capabilities capable of reacting to the
polished portion 42 which is located on the outer surface of tube
14 adjacent its discharge end 14A. The sensor 24C will recognize
the polished portion 42 in the same manner that the sensor 24B
recognized the colored portion 40 in the form of the invention
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, as described above. Both of the
arrangements in FIGS. 4 and 5 and 6 and 7 serve to cause the pump
12 to be inoperative as the casing 32 is substantially removed from
the tube 14.
[0027] A third alternate form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8
and 9. A switch assembly 44 has a switch 46 and an actuator 48
connected to an arcuate foot 50 which is located just above the
upper surface of stuffing tube 14. The switch assembly 44 also has
a bushing 40 to facilitate its sliding engagement with the tube 14.
The casing 32 normally assumes a position between the outer surface
of tube 14 and the lower or outer surface of the foot 50 as best
shown in FIG. 8.
[0028] A follower assembly 52 is a part of switch assembly 44 and
is connected to a suitable power means 54 which is adapted to
conventionally move switch assembly 44 in forward or reverse
directions on the tube 14 as depicted by the arrow 36.
[0029] The casing 32 is installed on the tube 14 and under the foot
50 as described above. The follower assembly 52 is advanced by the
power means 54 and pushes the natural casing 32 into the twister 16
while being filled with emulsion pumped through the stuffing
tube.
[0030] Once the casing 32 is completely filled and removed from the
stuffing tube 14 the foot 50 of the switch assembly 44 drops down
and contacts the stuffing tube. (FIG. 9). This movement is then
transferred via the actuator 48 to the switch 46. The switch then
sends a signal to the controller 26 which instructs the pump 12 to
stop pumping emulsion, and which instructs the power means 54 to
stop its forward movement and begin to retract along the stuffing
tube 14.
[0031] It is therefore seen that by use of a variety of sensors or
by use of a mechanical switch, this invention permits the automatic
control of the filling of natural casings with emulsion to
facilitate the accelerated process of filling natural casings.
* * * * *