Patent US3716891A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3716891A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Frankfurter separator mechanism with cutter sensor device
Assignee: LINKER MACHINES
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Filing: 1970-02-12
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Granted: 1973-02-20
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Expires: 1990-02-12
Abstract
Abstract A mechanism for a frankfurter, sausage or the like assembly line in which a device automatically senses the ligature between adjacent frankfurters, and the ligature is also stretched for cutting purposes. Thereafter, an assembly maintains the power on the rotating knife so that a clean cut of the ligature is made and the sensor released for indicating the position of the following ligature for severing the same.
Inventors
- 👤 D Demarest
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 07:24
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C11/00; A22C11/10; A22C11/104; A22C11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A separator mechanism for frankfurters, sausages or the like, wherein a line of frankfurters are connected by casing ligatures comprising: a drive means for moving said frankfurter line through a frankfurter separating area, a sensing device sensing the location of each of the ligatures, said drive means for the frankfurters causing the ligatures between successive frankfurters to be stretched in said frankfurter separating area, a knife operatively connected to said sensing device for severing each of said stretched ligatures, a fixed mounting plate having said knife with a plurality of spaced blades mounted thereon for rotation into and out of cutting position, a pawl operatively connected to said mounting plate, a latch movably mounted on said fixed mounting plate, a power source, a switch connected to said power source, said sensing device having a pivotable arm provided with an adjustable member, an element having one end adjacent to said switch and the other end adjacent to said adjustable member, the latter being adapted to engage said element and thereby selectively close and open said switch whereby power can be applied to or cut-off from said knife, said element having a notch in which said latch can be inserted in order to maintain said element in a position whereby said switch is closed and power is supplied to said knife.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
219 words
A separator mechanism for frankfurters, sausages or the like, wherein a line of frankfurters are connected by casing ligatures comprising: a drive means for moving said frankfurter line through a frankfurter separating area, a sensing device sensing the location of each of the ligatures, said drive means for the frankfurters causing the ligatures between successive frankfurters to be stretched in said frankfurter separating area, a knife operatively connected to said sensing device for severing each of said stretched ligatures, a fixed mounting plate having said knife with a plurality of spaced blades mounted thereon for rotation into and out of cutting position, a pawl operatively connected to said mounting plate, a latch movably mounted on said fixed mounting plate, a power source, a switch connected to said power source, said sensing device having a pivotable arm provided with an adjustable member, an element having one end adjacent to said switch and the other end adjacent to said adjustable member, the latter being adapted to engage said element and thereby selectively close and open said switch whereby power can be applied to or cut-off from said knife, said element having a notch in which said latch can be inserted in order to maintain said element in a position whereby said switch is closed and power is supplied to said knife.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
219 words
A separator mechanism for frankfurters, sausages or the like, wherein a line of frankfurters are connected by casing ligatures comprising: a drive means for moving said frankfurter line through a frankfurter separating area, a sensing device sensing the location of each of the ligatures, said drive means for the frankfurters causing the ligatures between successive frankfurters to be stretched in said frankfurter separating area, a knife operatively connected to said sensing device for severing each of said stretched ligatures, a fixed mounting plate having said knife with a plurality of spaced blades mounted thereon for rotation into and out of cutting position, a pawl operatively connected to said mounting plate, a latch movably mounted on said fixed mounting plate, a power source, a switch connected to said power source, said sensing device having a pivotable arm provided with an adjustable member, an element having one end adjacent to said switch and the other end adjacent to said adjustable member, the latter being adapted to engage said element and thereby selectively close and open said switch whereby power can be applied to or cut-off from said knife, said element having a notch in which said latch can be inserted in order to maintain said element in a position whereby said switch is closed and power is supplied to said knife.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
219 words
A separator mechanism for frankfurters, sausages or the like, wherein a line of frankfurters are connected by casing ligatures comprising: a drive means for moving said frankfurter line through a frankfurter separating area, a sensing device sensing the location of each of the ligatures, said drive means for the frankfurters causing the ligatures between successive frankfurters to be stretched in said frankfurter separating area, a knife operatively connected to said sensing device for severing each of said stretched ligatures, a fixed mounting plate having said knife with a plurality of spaced blades mounted thereon for rotation into and out of cutting position, a pawl operatively connected to said mounting plate, a latch movably mounted on said fixed mounting plate, a power source, a switch connected to said power source, said sensing device having a pivotable arm provided with an adjustable member, an element having one end adjacent to said switch and the other end adjacent to said adjustable member, the latter being adapted to engage said element and thereby selectively close and open said switch whereby power can be applied to or cut-off from said knife, said element having a notch in which said latch can be inserted in order to maintain said element in a position whereby said switch is closed and power is supplied to said knife.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A separator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said latch latches into said notch and maintains said switch in a closed position when said sensing device detects said ligature during the cutting sequence thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A separator mechanism as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a knock-off bar operatively connected to said movable mounting plate, whereby upon elevation of said movable mounting plate said knock-off bar unlatches said latch thereby causing said element to be elevated out of contact with said switch and power is cut-off to said knife.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
A separator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adjustable member is positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane of said arm and is screw-threaded therein in order to provide adjustment for said element towards and away from said element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A separator mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein four equally-spaced blades rotate sequentially through a cutting position of each of said ligatures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-20 | 1976-08-21 | 1977-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-20 | 1980-08-21 | 1981-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-20 | 1984-08-21 | 1985-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |