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 fine 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. 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 rotating stuffing tube to permit the stuffing tube to be separately controlled as to speed independent of all other drives.
Inventors
👤 Ray T Townsend
👤 Donald L Beasley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-03 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C11/00; A22C11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
259 words
Linking apparatus for use with a product encasing machine, said machine being adapted to expel an elongated casing filled with plastic product and being adapted to rotate said casing about its longitudinal axis; said linking apparatus comprising, a support; first and second sets of drive wheels rotatably mounted on said support; means for rotating said drive wheels; first and second loop members each comprising a chain trained around said first and second sets of drive wheels respectively, said wheels being adapted to move said chains past a linking station adjacent said casing; a plurality of pinching members detachably mounted on each of said chains and having pinching surfaces thereon carried around said first and second sets of drive wheels, each of said pinching surfaces on said first loop member being positioned for cooperating with one of said pinching surfaces on said second loop member while passing said linking station so as to collapse said casing therebetween and reduce its cross sectional size, said chains having a plurality of pairs of pin members extending therefrom; each of said pinching members comprising a base portion having a pair of openings formed therein and a wall member extending upwardly from said base portion and having said pinching surface formed therein; said pair of openings receiving one of said pairs of pins on said chains; and a resilient attachment means extending from said base portion for detachably partially embracing said chain to maintain said pinching member on said chain whereby each of said pinching members are independently quickly removable from said loop members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
259 words
Linking apparatus for use with a product encasing machine, said machine being adapted to expel an elongated casing filled with plastic product and being adapted to rotate said casing about its longitudinal axis; said linking apparatus comprising, a support; first and second sets of drive wheels rotatably mounted on said support; means for rotating said drive wheels; first and second loop members each comprising a chain trained around said first and second sets of drive wheels respectively, said wheels being adapted to move said chains past a linking station adjacent said casing; a plurality of pinching members detachably mounted on each of said chains and having pinching surfaces thereon carried around said first and second sets of drive wheels, each of said pinching surfaces on said first loop member being positioned for cooperating with one of said pinching surfaces on said second loop member while passing said linking station so as to collapse said casing therebetween and reduce its cross sectional size, said chains having a plurality of pairs of pin members extending therefrom; each of said pinching members comprising a base portion having a pair of openings formed therein and a wall member extending upwardly from said base portion and having said pinching surface formed therein; said pair of openings receiving one of said pairs of pins on said chains; and a resilient attachment means extending from said base portion for detachably partially embracing said chain to maintain said pinching member on said chain whereby each of said pinching members are independently quickly removable from said loop members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pinching members are constructed of a one-piece molded material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said pinching members are constructed of a thermo-plastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said loop members carries said pinching members in a position wherein a portion of each of said pinching surface travels at a constant velocity around said sets of drive wheels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said resilient attachment means comprises a downwardly extending flexible wall having a beveled shoulder extending therefrom adjacent its lower end for partially embracing the undersurface of said chain.