Casing sizing means and method

Claim 3

A method as in claim 1 including the step of positioning a stop against said petal members to prevent the pivotal movement thereof to an over-center position beyond said casing stretching position during the stuffing of said casing.

Claim 4

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein moving said casing is accomplished by initiating the stuffing of said casing.

Claim 5

A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein solely the movement of said casing across said petal members is utilized for the step of pivoting said petal members to said casing stretching position.

Claim 6

A method as in claim 1 wherein said urging step (b) is accomplished with a bias means acting on said petal members, said bias means being weaker than the stretch strength of said casing so that said casing remains substantially unstretched prior to the step (c) of moving said casing over said contacting petal members.

Claim 7

A method as in claim 2 wherein said positioning step is accomplished by locating a stop against the exterior of said casing and forward of said petal members, and passing said casing between said stop and petal members during the stuffing of said casing so that the movement of said casing between said stop and petal members draws said petal members against said stop.

Claim 8

A method as in claim 2 wherein said positioning step is accomplished by providing said sizing means with a rigid upstanding stop forward of said petal members, passing said casing over both said petal members and upstanding stop and utilizing the movement of said casing to draw said petal members against said stop.

Claim 9

A method as in claim 7 including the step of moving said stop to a preset spaced position from said petal members prior to initiating the stuffing of said casing.

Claim 10

An expandable sizing means for implanting within an unshirred portion of casing and adapted to diametrically stretch the casing during the stuffing thereof, said sizing means comprising: (a) a hub for attachment about the discharge of a stuffing horn assembly; (b) a plurality of petal-like sizing members hinged to said hub for pivoting upwardly and forwardly from a generally reclined non-stretching position to an expanded, more upright casing stretching position; (c) bias means associated with said sizing members for urging said members towards said upright position and against the inner surface of the casing to be stuffed; and (d) said bias means being able to maintain said sizing members in contact with the inner surface of the casing during the stuffing thereof but said bias means lacking sufficient strength to move said sizing members to said casing stretching position against the stretch resistance offered by the casing, whereby the casing remains substantially unstretched until movement of the casing over the contacting sizing members pulls said sizing members to said expanded, more upright casing stretching position.

Claim 11

An expandable sizing means for implanting within an unshirred portion of casing and adapted to diametrically stretch the casing during the stuffing thereof, said sizing means comprising: (a) a hub for attachment about the discharge of a stuffing horn assembly; (b) a plurality of petal-like sizing members hinged to said hub for pivoting upwardly and forwardly from a generally reclined non-stretching position to an expanded, more upright casing stretching position; (c) bias means associated with said sizing members for urging said members towards said upright position and against the inner surface of the casing to be stuffed; and (d) said bias means being able to maintain said sizing members in contact with the inner surface of the casing during the stuffing thereof but said bias means lacking sufficient strength to move said sizing members to said casing stretching position against the stretch resistance offered by the casing, whereby the casing remains substantially unstretched until movement of the casing over the contacting sizing members pulls said sizing members to said expanded, more upright casing stretching position.

Claim 12

An expandable sizing means as in claim 9 including a stop located forward of said petal like sizing members to prevent the pivotal movement of said members to an over-center position beyond said casing stretching position.

Claim 13

An expandable sizing means as in claim 10 wherein said stop comprises a radial member extending from about said hub.

Claim 14

An expandable sizing means as in claim 10 wherein said stop is adjustable longitudinally towards and away from said sizing members.

Claim 15

An expandable sizing means as in claim 12 wherein said stop a comprises a nut threaded to said hub.

Claim 16

An expandable sizing means as in claim 9 wherein said petal like members are arranged to form a generally conical configuration about said hub, the base perimeter of said conical configuration defining the casing engaging, expandable perimeter of said sizing means.

Claim 17

An expandable sizing means as in claim 9 wherein said bias means comprises a living hinge formed of the material of said sizing means.

Claim 18

A casing article comprising, in combination: (a) a shirred casing having an unshirred portion; (b) a plurality of petal-like sizing members disposed within said unshirred portion and arranged to pivot upwardly and forwardly from a generally non-stretching position to an expanded, more upright casing stretching position; (c) bias means associated with said petal-like sizing members for urging said members towards said upright position and against the inner surface of said unshirred portion of casing; and (d) said bias means acting to maintain said sizing members in contact with the inner surface of said unshirred portion but lacking sufficient strength to substantially stretch said unshirred portion, whereby said unshirred portion remains substantially unstretched until movement of said unshirred portion over said petal-like sizing members pulls said sizing members to said expanded, more upright casing stretching position.

Claim 19

A casing article comprising, in combination: (a) a shirred casing having an unshirred portion; (b) a plurality of petal-like sizing members disposed within said unshirred portion and arranged to pivot upwardly and forwardly from a generally non-stretching position to an expanded, more upright casing stretching position; (c) bias means associated with said petal-like sizing members for urging said members towards said upright position and against the inner surface of said unshirred portion of casing; and (d) said bias means acting to maintain said sizing members in contact with the inner surface of said unshirred portion but lacking sufficient strength to substantially stretch said unshirred portion, whereby said unshirred portion remains substantially unstretched until movement of said unshirred portion over said petal-like sizing members pulls said sizing members to said expanded, more upright casing stretching position.

Claim 20

A casing article as in claim 16, including a hub member within said unshirred portion, said hub being adapted for attachment about the discharge of a stuffing horn and said petal-like sizing members being hinged to said hub.

Claim 21

A casing article as in claim 16, including an elongated tubular member extending through the bore of said shirred casing, said petal-like sizing members being hinged to a fore end of said tubular member and said shirred casing being in gripping engagement about the outer surface of said tubular member.

Claim 22

A casing article as in claim 18 wherein said tubular member includes means for connecting the aft end of said tube to the discharge of a stuffing machine.

Claim 23

A casing article as in claim 19 wherein said tubular member is adapted to function as the stuffing horn of a stuffing machine upon connection of said aft end to said stuffing machine.