US3657769A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Humidification of synthetic sausage casings
Assignee: Continental Group Inc
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Filing: 1969-12-29
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract Method and apparatus for shirring synthetic sausage casings, e.g. regenerated cellulose, amylose, alginate, collagen casings, etc., wherein a flattened tubular casing is fed from a storage reel, inflated, and shirred mechanically and the casing, after leaving the storage reel and prior to being discharged from the shirring apparatus, is passed axially through a symmetrical, radially converging pattern of water in which the casing is contacted by and consequently adsorbs a predetermined metered amount of water. The spraying of the casing preferably is effected by an annular spray nozzle having a plurality of equiangularly spaced orifices positioned in its inner periphery to direct water uniformly onto the outside surface of the casing. Control of the spraying is accomplished by positioning valve control means in the water feed line to the spray device and operatively connecting the valve means to be responsive to the operation of the means for feeding casing through the shirring machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas W Martinek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 01:59
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C13/00; A22C13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
A sausage casing shirring apparatus comprising 1. a mandrel on which sausage casing is supported for shirring, said mandrel being provided with means for inflating casing supported thereon, 2. means for shirring said casing supported and inflated on said mandrel, 3. means for feeding a continuous length of said casing onto said mandrel and into engagement with said shirring means, 4. means for humidifying said mandrel-supported and inflated casing to a predetermined moisture content prior to the engagement of said casing with said shirring means, said casing humidifying means comprising a. a plurality of spray-emitting orifices of substantially capillary dimensions positioned equiangularly around and equidistant from the axis of said casing and operable to spray humidification liquid in a plurality of streams onto the exterior of the inflated casing prior to shirring in a symmetrical spray pattern convergent on the axis of said casing, and b. means for supplying predetermined metered amounts of humidification liquid to said spray device, said liquid supply means including valve means for controlling liquid feed to said spray device, said valve means being operatively connected to said casing feeding means to be responsive to the actuation and deactuation of said casing feeding means whereby upon the actuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is opened and upon the deactuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is closed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
A sausage casing shirring apparatus comprising 1. a mandrel on which sausage casing is supported for shirring, said mandrel being provided with means for inflating casing supported thereon, 2. means for shirring said casing supported and inflated on said mandrel, 3. means for feeding a continuous length of said casing onto said mandrel and into engagement with said shirring means, 4. means for humidifying said mandrel-supported and inflated casing to a predetermined moisture content prior to the engagement of said casing with said shirring means, said casing humidifying means comprising a. a plurality of spray-emitting orifices of substantially capillary dimensions positioned equiangularly around and equidistant from the axis of said casing and operable to spray humidification liquid in a plurality of streams onto the exterior of the inflated casing prior to shirring in a symmetrical spray pattern convergent on the axis of said casing, and b. means for supplying predetermined metered amounts of humidification liquid to said spray device, said liquid supply means including valve means for controlling liquid feed to said spray device, said valve means being operatively connected to said casing feeding means to be responsive to the actuation and deactuation of said casing feeding means whereby upon the actuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is opened and upon the deactuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is closed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for shirring said casing supported and inflated on said mandrel,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
means for shirring said casing supported and inflated on said mandrel,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spray device is provided with at least four of said spaced, spray-emitting orifices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
means for feeding a continuous length of said casing onto said mandrel and into engagement with said shirring means,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
means for feeding a continuous length of said casing onto said mandrel and into engagement with said shirring means,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said spray device is an annular ring member having the plurality of equiangularly spaced, spray-emitting orifices positioned in the inner periphery of said ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
165 words
means for humidifying said mandrel-supported and inflated casing to a predetermined moisture content prior to the engagement of said casing with said shirring means, said casing humidifying means comprising a. a plurality of spray-emitting orifices of substantially capillary dimensions positioned equiangularly around and equidistant from the axis of said casing and operable to spray humidification liquid in a plurality of streams onto the exterior of the inflated casing prior to shirring in a symmetrical spray pattern convergent on the axis of said casing, and b. means for supplying predetermined metered amounts of humidification liquid to said spray device, said liquid supply means including valve means for controlling liquid feed to said spray device, said valve means being operatively connected to said casing feeding means to be responsive to the actuation and deactuation of said casing feeding means whereby upon the actuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is opened and upon the deactuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is closed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
165 words
means for humidifying said mandrel-supported and inflated casing to a predetermined moisture content prior to the engagement of said casing with said shirring means, said casing humidifying means comprising a. a plurality of spray-emitting orifices of substantially capillary dimensions positioned equiangularly around and equidistant from the axis of said casing and operable to spray humidification liquid in a plurality of streams onto the exterior of the inflated casing prior to shirring in a symmetrical spray pattern convergent on the axis of said casing, and b. means for supplying predetermined metered amounts of humidification liquid to said spray device, said liquid supply means including valve means for controlling liquid feed to said spray device, said valve means being operatively connected to said casing feeding means to be responsive to the actuation and deactuation of said casing feeding means whereby upon the actuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is opened and upon the deactuation of said casing feeding means said valve means is closed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said annular ring is provided with at least four of said spaced, spray-emitting orifices.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said annular ring is provided with at least eight of said spaced, spray-emitting orifices.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said casing feeding means is electrically operated, said valve means is solenoid operated, and the solenoid of said valve means is operatively connected to be energized when said casing feeding means is energized.
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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) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |