Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In a sausage stuffing apparatus including means for pushing a sausage mixture at a steady and constant forward motion into a sausage casing for forming a sausage strand; and said apparatus including a gripper apparatus having rotating chains, and contricting forks fastened to said chains adapted to intermittently engage into said sausage strand to divide the latter into regular portions, the improvement comprising: said constricting forks being pivotably fastened to said chains; at least one guide means on said gripper apparatus for the displaceable guidance of said constricting forks; and end core forming a constriction in said sausage strand, said guide means causing said forks to divide and successively release said sausage strand immediately at said constriction formed by said end cone; and means for adjustably positioning said guide means so as to vary the extent of engagement of said forks into said sausage strand.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a sausage stuffing apparatus including means for pushing a sausage mixture at a steady and constant forward motion into a sausage casing for forming a sausage strand; and said apparatus including a gripper apparatus having rotating chains, and contricting forks fastened to said chains adapted to intermittently engage into said sausage strand to divide the latter into regular portions, the improvement comprising: said constricting forks being pivotably fastened to said chains; at least one guide means on said gripper apparatus for the displaceable guidance of said constricting forks; and end core forming a constriction in said sausage strand, said guide means causing said forks to divide and successively release said sausage strand immediately at said constriction formed by said end cone; and means for adjustably positioning said guide means so as to vary the extent of engagement of said forks into said sausage strand.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one additional guide means being fixedly mounted on said gripper apparatus ahead of said end cone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, comprising sideways extending projections being provided on said constricting forks; and guide grooves being formed in said adjustable and additional guide means, said projections being engageable in said guide grooves.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said additional guide means comprising two guide curves for displacing said constricting forks relative to the direction of movement of said chains, so as to engage into said sausage strand directly at the outlet of said end cone and to effect a minimum constriction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, said adjustable guide means comprising guide rails with guide grooves; and adjusting means being connected to said guide rail for varying the inclined position and spacing from the axis of the sausage strand of said guide rail.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising guide elements being mounted on said chains for centering the sausage strand on said chains.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said gripper apparatus comprising an exchangeable frame, said chains being mounted on said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a rotatable filler tube being arranged immediately ahead of said constricting location, said end cone being mounted on the end of said tube proximate said location and being rotatable with said tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, said constricting fork being pivotable in the plane of said chains.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, said end cone having a conical bore and a conical outer configuration so as to facilitate constriction in the crosssection of said sausage strand upon exiting from said filler tube, and to attain the engagement of said constricting forms immediately at the outlet of said end cone.