Patent US4210981A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4210981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ectating ring shirring method and apparatus
Assignee: Viskase Corp
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Filing: 1978-09-29
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Granted: 1980-07-08
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Expires: 1998-09-29
Abstract
Abstract Sausage casing is shirred into pleated compressed sticks by an annular shirring ring-disc disposed with its axial centerline displaced from the casing axial centerline and also tilted with respect to the casing axial centerline so as to effect a continuous ectating motion against the casing being shirred as the center of the ring-disc revolves around the casing axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert G. Story
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:15
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C13/00; A22C13/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for shirring inflated cylindrical flexible tubing into shirred sticks, which method comprises directing the tubing along its longitudinal axis against a substantially constantly yielding force with a continuously applied gyrating arcuate line of shirring force, sequential portions of which line are directed to (a) impinge on the tubing outer surface, (b) urge the tubing forward in the direction of shirring progression while simultaneously indenting the tubing radially inward, (c) continue the simultaneous direction of the shirring force forward and radially inward until a substantially complete major shirred pleat is formed, and (d) continue the simultaneous direction of the shirring force forward and radially outward to compact the formed pleat against a shirred stick in formation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for shirring inflated cylindrical flexible tubing into shirred sticks, which method comprises directing the tubing along its longitudinal axis against a substantially constantly yielding force with a continuously applied gyrating arcuate line of shirring force, sequential portions of which line are directed to (a) impinge on the tubing outer surface, (b) urge the tubing forward in the direction of shirring progression while simultaneously indenting the tubing radially inward, (c) continue the simultaneous direction of the shirring force forward and radially inward until a substantially complete major shirred pleat is formed, and (d) continue the simultaneous direction of the shirring force forward and radially outward to compact the formed pleat against a shirred stick in formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the line of shirring force is generated by at least one element disposed to at least partly surround the tubing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for shirring flexible tubing, comprising, in combination: (a) a shirring station housing; (b) an elongated hollow tubular mandrel passing through said housing having a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal centerline of said housing; (c) a yoke assembly disposed around the mandrel, rotatably mounted on said housing so as to have its rotational axis in parallelism with and offset eccentrically from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; (d) annular shirring ring means disposed around the mandrel rotatably mounted within the yoke assembly disposed in a plane displaced angularly from the mandrel longitudinal axis, and (e) motive means to impart rotation to the yoke assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for shirring flexible tubing, comprising, in combination: (a) a shirring station housing; (b) an elongated hollow tubular mandrel passing through said housing having a longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal centerline of said housing; (c) a yoke assembly disposed around the mandrel, rotatably mounted on said housing so as to have its rotational axis in parallelism with and offset eccentrically from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel; (d) annular shirring ring means disposed around the mandrel rotatably mounted within the yoke assembly disposed in a plane displaced angularly from the mandrel longitudinal axis, and (e) motive means to impart rotation to the yoke assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the yoke assembly is provided with a cylindrical bore having a centerline in parallelism with and offset eccentrically from the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and the shirring ring is rotatably mounted within the yoke cylindrical bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 in combination with rotational drive means operably connected to the shirring ring means whereby rotational movement of said shirring ring means may be controllably varied independently of and in either direction with respect to the rotational movement of the yoke assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 in combination with rotational drive means operably connected to the shirring ring means whereby rotational movement of said shirring ring means may be controllably varied independently of and in either direction with respect to the rotational movement of the yoke assembly.
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) | 1983-07-08 | 1984-01-07 | 1984-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-08 | 1988-01-07 | 1988-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-08 | 1992-01-07 | 1992-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |