US3835503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for encasing a product
Assignee: Marel Inc
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Filing: 1972-12-14
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Granted: 1974-09-17
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Expires: 1992-12-14
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for encasing a product including a product encasing machine, linking apparatus, and a looping apparatus. The product encasing machine includes a rotatable stuffing tube having a fin head mounted on its forward end. The fin head imparts rotational drive and longitudinal drag to the casing as the casing passes thereover as the casing is being filled. The rearward end of the stuffing tube is mounted in a socket type apparatus to permit the stuffing tube to be pivotally moved upwardly and laterally to facilitate the installation of the folded casing thereon. A modified means of supporting the discharge end of the stuffing tube is also disclosed comprising a split bearing member which embraces the rotating fin head and casing. The bearing member may be selectively opened to permit the stuffing tube to be pivotally raised to its loading position. The bearing member is spring loaded to permit different dragging forces to be selectively applied to the casing. Means is also provided for fluidly lubricating the interior surfaces of the stuffing tube to prevent product smear. The linking apparatus includes a pair of loop members carrying pinching members thereon. The pinching members are constructed of a moldable material and are detachably mounted on the loop members. The pinching members include pinching surfaces adapted to engage and collapse the rotating casing issuing from the encasing machine. The pinching surfaces each include at least one portion in vertical alignment with the longitudinal center line of the loop on which it is carried so that it will travel at a uniform velocity as it is carried by the loop members. A separate control means is provided for the rotation stuffing tube to permit the stuffing tube to be separately controlled as to speed independent of all other drives.
Inventors
- 👤 R Townsend
- 👤 D Beasley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:11
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C11/00; A22C11/10; A22C11/107; A22C11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for encasing a product; within a cylindrical casing having an interior surface therein, said apparatus comprising: a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, means rotatably mounting said stuffing tube on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis; a fin head means on said forward end of said stuffing tube for rotation therewith, said fin head means having at least a pair of longitudinal fins extending longitudinally with respect to said stuffing tube and protruding outwardly therefrom; said stuffing tube and said fin head means protruding within a folded casing with said fins engaging the interior surface of said casing, whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes said fins too rotate said casing and to impart a drag to said casing as said casing is unfolded an pulled off said forward end of said stuffing tube; 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, an drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing botH before and after it is filled.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for encasing a product; within a cylindrical casing having an interior surface therein, said apparatus comprising: a support; an elongated stuffing tube having a product receiving rearward end and a discharge forward end, means rotatably mounting said stuffing tube on said support for rotation about its longitudinal axis; a fin head means on said forward end of said stuffing tube for rotation therewith, said fin head means having at least a pair of longitudinal fins extending longitudinally with respect to said stuffing tube and protruding outwardly therefrom; said stuffing tube and said fin head means protruding within a folded casing with said fins engaging the interior surface of said casing, whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes said fins too rotate said casing and to impart a drag to said casing as said casing is unfolded an pulled off said forward end of said stuffing tube; 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, an drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing botH before and after it is filled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fin head means comprises a sleeve means embracing the forward end of said stuffing tube, said pair of fins being on the exterior surface of said sleeve means and protruding outwardly therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fins are constructed of resilient material to permit their deflection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fins extend outwardly from said sleeve means at an oblique angle thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fins are yieldably movable towards said sleeve means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fin head means comprises means for detachable mounting on said stuffing tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means for detachable mounting on said stuffing tube comprises a slip-clutch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said casing engaging means on said fin head means imparts longitudinal drag on said casing as it passes thereover during the filling of the casing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fin head means protrudes outwardly from said stuffing tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fin head means has a rearward end and a discharge forward end, said fins being positioned adjacent the forward end of said sleeve means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
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, a fin head means on the forward end of said stuffing tube for rotation therewith and protruding within and supporting a folded casing, said fin head means having casing engaging means thereon for imparting rotational movement to said casing as said stuffing tube is rotated, whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said fin head means and 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, drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; an means for introducing a film of lubricating fluid between the product being pumped and the stuffing tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
166 words
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, a fin head means on the forward end of said stuffing tube for rotation therewith and protruding within and supporting a folded casing, said fin head means having casing engaging means thereon for imparting rotational movement to said casing as said stuffing tube is rotated, whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said fin head means and 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, drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled; an means for introducing a film of lubricating fluid between the product being pumped and the stuffing tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
176 words
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, a fin head means on the forward end of said stuffing tube for rotation therewith and protruding within and supporting a folded casing, said fin head means having casing engaging means thereon for imparting rotational movement to said casing as said stuffing tube is rotated, whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said fin head means and said folded casing, said fin head means comprising sleeve means, means for detachably mounting said fin means on said stuffing tube comprising an internally threaded portion formed in said sleeve means, 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, drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
176 words
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, a fin head means on the forward end of said stuffing tube for rotation therewith and protruding within and supporting a folded casing, said fin head means having casing engaging means thereon for imparting rotational movement to said casing as said stuffing tube is rotated, whereby rotation of said stuffing tube causes rotation of said fin head means and said folded casing, said fin head means comprising sleeve means, means for detachably mounting said fin means on said stuffing tube comprising an internally threaded portion formed in said sleeve means, 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, drive means for rotating said stuffing tube thereby imparting a rotation to said casing both before and after it is filled.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said sleeve means has a central bore extending therethrough, said internal threads extending the entire length of said central bore.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said internal threads are flexible.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said sleeve means and said internal threads are comprised of a plastic material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said fins extend outwardly from said sleeve means, each of said fins having opposite sides, one side of each of said fins being disposed in a plane which is substantially transverse to the exterior surface of said sleeve means, the other side of each of said fins being disposed in a plane which is inclined with respect to the exterior surface of said sleeve means.
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) | 1977-09-16 | 1978-03-18 | 1978-09-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-09-16 | 1982-03-18 | 1982-09-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-09-16 | 1986-03-18 | 1986-09-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |