FR2563183A1 - Automatic machine permitting simultaneous tying, according to a preestablished cycle, of the two ends of a product defined from a continuous chain of several products to be tied and having alternate full zones and empty zones - Google Patents

Abstract

The automatic machine according to the invention is noteworthy in that it comprises a support frame 1 arranged in order to receive: - at the front, a mechanism which is reversible in position for the presentation and temporary holding of a product to be tied at both ends and a cutting means for detaching the product to be tied from the remaining string-form products; - in its central part, a device comprising several matrices 2, 3, 4 arranged in order to receive the mechanisms and means for forming the knots and the openings disposed inside the tangles of string constituting the knots; - in its rear part a mechanism which is movable in translation and capable of being displaced towards the front part of the frame, while engaging in and projecting from the said openings, and comprising means for grasping the ends of the product to be tied, the means seizing the product to be tied disposed on the mechanism with reversible position and bringing it back against the said matrices while introducing the said ends of the product to be tied into the said openings in order to permit, on the one hand, packing down of the contents of the product, and, on the other hand, knotting of its ends; - the frame having an opening for discharging the product to be tied.

Description

The invention relates to an automatic machine for ligating according to a predetermined cycle, simultaneously the two extr
chain moths of a product defined from a / z-ntinue of several products to be ligated and alternately having full and empty areas.

 According to a nonlimiting application, the invention is used in the manufacture of sausages, sausages and other similar products.

 The aim sought after according to the invention was to carry out the automatic ligating of the ends of sausages or the like X products according to a continuous production line, starting from a long length of casing comprising at regular intervals zones filled with meats necessary for the definition of the aforementioned products.

According to a first characteristic, the automatic machine comprises a support frame (1) arranged to receive at the front a reversible mechanism in position for the presentation and the temporary maintenance of a product to be ligated with two ends and a cutting means in order to detaching the product to be tied from the remaining stranded products, in its middle part a device comprising several dies (2-3-4-) arranged to receive the mechanisms and means for forming the knots, and openings arranged inside tangles of twine constituting the knots;
- In its rear part a movable mechanism in translation capable of moving towards the front part of the frame by engaging and overflowing in said openings and comprising means for gripping the ends of the product to be ligated, these means gripping the product to be ligated disposed on the mechanism in a reversible position and bringing it back against said dies by introducing said ends of the product to be ligated in said openings to allow on the one hand the packing of the product content and on the other hand the knotting of its ends; the frame having an opening for discharging the ligated product.

 These characteristics and others will emerge clearly from the following description.

To fix the subject of the invention illustrated in a nonlimiting manner in the figures of the drawings where
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a string of products such as it appears before the ligating operation for each of the products.

 Figure 2 is an overall perspective view of the machine object of the invention, it can be mounted on a support table not shown.

 FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 are partial views on a large scale illustrating the different stages of placing the product to be ligated, the operations of ligating the product and the ejection of the latter after the final operation.

Figure 8A is a partial sectional view along the line
BB of Figure 8 B illustrating the introduction of the product to be ligated inside the means used for ligating the ends of said product.

Figure 8B is a partial sectional view along the line
AA of figure 8A with approximation of the clamping dies of the end of the product.

 Figure 8 C is a view along arrow F of Figure 8 B.

 Figure 9 is an enlarged view with sections through.

illustrating the wire feeding and tying mechanisms.

 In order to make the object of the invention more concrete, it is now described in a nonlimiting manner illustrated in the figures of the drawings.

The automatic machine according to the invention has the function of carrying out the simultaneous ligating of the two ends of a product in a chain, as well as the final evacuation of the ligated product, this
machine finding a non-limiting application to the manufacture of sausages, sausages and similar products. For clarity of description, the product will generally be called sausage and referenced by S while the string of sausages is referenced by C. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the string C is presented before the operation to be carried out by the machine, in the form of a very long casing into which volumes of meat have been introduced in a known manner. Between two consecutive products, the casing has a void defining the ends of the products, these then being used to serve of medium for ligature support. To carry out in an automatic manner the ligating of the products of the rosary, the cutting of the finished product with respect to the remaining part of the rosary and the evacuation of said finished product, the machine according to the invention comprises mechanisms acting according to a predetermined cycle in combination. More particularly it includes - a mechanism ensuring the presentation of the product to be ligated
The sectioning of the casing between two consecutive sausages, the packing of the meat in the casing of each of the sausages and the maintenance of this casing during the operation of tightening the knot. This mechanism is illustrated more particularly as a whole in FIG. 2, a mechanism of knotting with twine supply and tightening means of the nodes illustrated more particularly as a whole in FIG. 9. The aforementioned mechanisms are described successively, then the mode of operation of the machine will be explained.

 The machine firstly comprises a tray or frame (1) arranged in an appropriate manner and not illustrated on any support frame or work table. This plate is arranged to present substantially in its middle part and transversely the means of the knotting device, in its rear part the means capable of gripping and moving the product to be tied to the knotting device; and at the front means for presenting the product to be ligated, and an opening (lb) made in the tray for the exhaust of the finished ligated product.

 The knotting device comprises a fixed matrix (2) perpendicular to the plate (1) and appropriately secured. This rectangular-shaped matrix comprises two slots (21) arranged in the same horizontal plane allowing the passage of gripping and gripping pliers which will be described later. The openings having a rectangular shape for example (Figure 9).

 Adjacent to the fixed matrix and on the front side of the tray are two opening dies (3-4). These dies (3-4) are hingedly connected to the fixed matrix (2) by links (5a-5b) (5c), another link (5c) being placed on the hidden side by dies protected in the drawing. The links (5a) (5c) are actuated by jacks (6a - 6b). The cylinders (6a-6b) are fixed at their lower ends to the plate (1) while their rods are secured to the rods. The action of these jacks makes it possible either to separate the three matrices (2, 3, 4) in FIG. 7, or to apply them strongly against each other so as to ensure the sealing of the surfaces brought into contact. The matrices (3) and (4) have opposite semicircular openings (31.41) defining complete openings after the matrices have been brought together, these openings being in the same plane and facing the openings (21) with smaller sections made on the matrix (2). The dies (2, 3, 4) are arranged internally with a groove having a particular trajectory for the engagement by blowing of the string which will thus carry out the paths necessary for the realization of two knots. The spacing of the dies (3,4) between them and relative to the fixed matrix allows the release of the string so that after a pull on the ends of said string the nodes are tightened.

 The fixed matrix (2) is arranged to receive the means for guiding the string, the means for supplying the tightening string to the knot (FIG. 9).

 The groove is thus produced with a part on the matrix (2) being visible on one side and another part at a complementary location on the matrix (4in referring to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the groove produced on the matrix (2 ) comprises a first vertical straight part (2a) for the introduction of the string.

and extending by a loop (2b) surrounding the lumen (21), said loop extending on a complementary profiled groove produced on the matrix (4) and not illustrated. The groove (2) has, according to a new curved zone (2c) starting on the other side of the straight part (2a) and then continuing with a straight rectilig (2d). Then again and in opposition to the previous zones, there is a new curved zone (2e) extending over a complementary groove established on the matrix (4) then by a new loop (2 f) surrounding the second lumen (21) of the matrix (2) and finally a last vertical straight part (2g) for the evaluation of the string.

 On the matrix (2) are further arranged an initial device for distributing and withdrawing the wire, and a secondary device for distributing and withdrawing the wire, a device for pinching the wire at the end of entanglement, and the wire cutter.

The aforementioned initial device is produced as follows
In the lower part of the matrix is produced a vertical assembly forming a body (25) and fitted with a bore (25a) allowing the sliding of a cylindrical wire clamp element (26).

A vertical light (25b) produced on one of the sides of the body allows the passage of the rod of a jack (28), of its support (29) secured to the wire clamp element, and of the wire (40) from a ball (39). The pinch assembly of the wire constituted by the elements (26) (28) and <29) is translated vertically by a jack (27), the fixed part of which is appropriately secured to the plate (1);
The secondary wire distribution and withdrawal device is located between the slots (21) of the matrix (2). I1 comprises a roller (34) ì.train rotation by a motor (36) .The roller (35) is vertically translated by the jack (37), said roller in the high position being rotated by friction by the upper roller (34 ). The common generator of these rollers is located in the axis of the straight path (2d) of the groove. It should be noted that to allow the twine to advance towards the other end of the groove, the rollers (34-35) rotate in an anticlockwise direction.

 The wire pinching device at the end of entanglement is located at the end of the matrix (2) behind the second loop-shaped part (2g) of the groove. it comprises an arm (32) capable of being displaced under the effect of the development of a jack (33) thus causing the support of said jaw on the wire against the wall of the groove. The jaw and the jack are arranged in a suitable housing provided in said matrix.

 Furthermore, the wire cutter is placed in the front part of the die near the zone (2a) of the first loop of the groove.

The wire cutter comprises a blade (30) associated with a jack (31) disposed in an appropriate manner in the matrix, said blade sliding in a light (2 h) during its translation under the effect of the development of the rod of the jack.

 A blower device known per se, not shown, is located near the initial device for distributing and removing the node.

 It is now necessary to describe the device for presenting the node with reference to FIG. 1.

 This device for presenting the product essentially comprises three distinct parts: a reversible mechanism for temporarily clamping the hose, a device for gripping and moving the product to be ligated by its two ends by means of pliers, and a hose cutter.

 The reversible mechanism for pinching the hose at its two ends comprises a U-shaped bracket (11) pivoting about an axis (lla) mounted on a front wing (la) of the frame (1). The legs of the stirrup are arranged so that galls have a fixed part at the end drilling a fixed jaw (16-17) and a mobile part, sliding in a limited way along said branches and constituting the mobile jaws (12) ( 13). These movable jaws (12) (13) are actuated by jacks (i4-35) arranged at the rear of the legs of the stirrup being mlaintens in any suitable manner.

 As it appears in the drawings. the aforementioned fixed and mobile jaws are mounted in the opposite direction allowing during the rotation of the stirrup (11) relative to the axis (lla) the reversibility of use of said stirrup during the continuous operation of the machine.

The rotation of the stirrup (11) can be ensured manually and mechanically by any suitable means. This 180 degree rotation is fixed and limited by an indexing device not shown.

 The device for gripping and moving the product to be ligated by its two ends comprises, with reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, two parallel clamps (7-8) between them braced to form a single set of a double clamp, capable of 'be moved under the action of a jack (21). This double clamp is arranged in the rear part of the tray and is mounted from a support wing (lc) of the tray (1). The jack is appropriately fixed on said wing (lc), while its rod is associated with the connecting spacer of two clamps (7-8). Cylindrical rods (19-20) are slidably mounted in bores made in the frame; the end being also associated with said spacer.

 Each clamp (7-8) is formed by a fixed jaw (7a) or (8a), in the form of a swan neck and a movable jaw (7b) (8b). The fixed jaws have in their middle part a bulge made in the form of a yoke to allow engagement and articulation of the movable jaw on an appropriate axis. The ends of the mobile jaws are opposite the front ends of the fixed jaws, while the rear ends of said mobile jaws are associated with jacks (9-10) fixed to the lower swan neck parts of the fixed jaw. The development of the cylinders (9-10) thus allows the opening or closing of the clamps (7-8). These jaws pass through the openings (21) made in the matrix (2) as well as the openings (31) and (41) of the dies (3-4). During the development of the jack (21), said clamps (7-8) have penetrated into the aforementioned openings of the dies (2,3,4) and open towards the stirrup serving to pinch the ends of the product to be ligated. More particularly, the clamps (7 and 8) are placed to the left of the jaws (16 and 17) of the stirrup as it appears in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

 I1 should be observed that the lights (21) of the matrix (2) are of reduced dimensions but compatible with the free passage of the jaw (7-8) in open or closed position around the empty meat casing that i2 > train. On the other hand, the openings (31 ~ 41) made on the dies (3,4) are of sufficient dimensions so as not to hinder the engagement of larger sausages to be tied.

By
Furthermore and as indicated above, the hose cutter (18) is arranged in the front part of the plate (1). This hose cut consists of a blade (18c) housed in a body associated with the jack (18a) on the plate. The hose cutter (18) intervenes when the clamp (8) is at the end of the front stroke, the fixed and mobile jaws (8a - 8b) (7a - 7b) being in firm support against each other. In this position, an interval or clearance is defined sufficiently between the clamp (8) and the jaws (13 - 17) or alternatively (12 - 16) on the wings of the reversible stirrup (11), allowing the passage of the blade and its support.

 It is now necessary to explain the mode of operation of the automatic machine with reference to the various figures of the drawings.

 During their manufacture, the sausages (S) formed in a chain are limited by empty areas of meat (FIG. 1) on which the ligations are carried out.

 Referring to Figure 3, the operator at the start of the first cycle positions the free end (S1) of the sausage between the jaw (12) and (16) of one of the legs of the stirrup (11 ); said end being clamped after the jaws (12-16) are brought together under the effect of the development of the jack (14). The operator then grabs the next empty portion of meat and manually introduces it between the jaws (13 - 17) arranged in the inverted position, of the second branch of the stirrup. The jaws (13 - 17) are then brought together to firmly clamp said empty part.

 The operation according to FIG. 4 consists in moving the double clamp (7-8) under the actuating effect of the jack, the machines being open and passing through the dies and projecting forward. At the end of the cylinder stroke, the jaws (7a - 7b) - (8a -8b) in turn close on said empty areas of meat under the action of the cylinders (9 - 10). The hose cut then intervenes under the effect of the jack (18a); the cutting blade (18c) moves in height between the jaws (13 - 17) of the caliper and the jaws of the gripper facing each other, then cutting the hose in the empty area.

 The next phase is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this case, the jack (14) retracts, thus releasing the first end of the sausage between the jaws (1216). Simultaneously the actuator (21) controls the double clamp back, bringing with it the sausage, the ends of which have been grasped and are held between said clamps (7-8). The part of the hose previously cut and cut constituting the end of the next sausage remains clamped between the jaws (13-17) of the other branch of the stirrup.

 In the case of FIG. 6, two operations are carried out, on the one hand the engagement of the ends of the sausage entered in the openings (31 41 ~ 21) of the corresponding dies (2-3-4) and on the other part-fvotage angular 180 degrees from the stirrup. The sausage, the end of which is clamped between the jaws (13-17), is therefore moved forward so that the operator can have the next new empty meat area and place it between the caliper jaws (12-16). .

 Referring to Figures 6, 7, 8A, 8B, 8C, it appears that the ends of the first sausage are introduced into the openings of the dies (2,3,4). The lights (21) being of reduced section, it is understood that the extreme parts of the sausage come to bear firmly against the wall of the material (2) thus causing the compaction of the meat in the casing.

 According to the operation, the dies (3) and (4) are released one from the other in opening under the actuating action of jacks (6a - 6b) acting on the rods (5a - 5b - 5c). At the same time, as will be described below, the ends of the sausage were knotted, and after tightening, the string was cut by the blade 30.

 The sausage is then released by the opening of the jaws of the tongs (7-8) under the effect of the actuation of the jacks (9-10), then it falls into the opening (lb) arranged for this purpose in the tray. and is disposed of properly. The various mechanisms then return to the initial position for a new cycle according to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3, the only difference being due to the inversion in position of the stirrup (11).

Referring now to FIG. 9 of the drawings, the fabrication of the knots and the tightening of the string are successively described.
The knots are made when the dies (2,3,4) are closed and in contact with each other. The thread clamping member (26) is in the low position, the thread cutter (30) and the jaw (32 are in the withdrawal position, the roller t35) is not in contact with the drive roller (34), the motor (36) being stopped. The end of the severed twine is in the vertical part (2a) of the groove at the cutting blade (30), while the other parts of the groove are empty of wire.

 The operating mode is as follows: the jack (28) is actuated and tightens the string in the wire clamp (26), then the latter is translated vertically under the action of the jack (27) pushing the string in the groove. To ensure and facilitate the guiding of the string, provision is made for the use of a pneumatic blowing device not illustrated in the figures of the drawings. The travel of movement of the wire clamp is determined so that when the latter reaches the end of the stroke, the jack (28) ceases to act on the wire (40) the end of the string having been guided along the trajectory of the groove made on the dies, and being arranged between the drive rollers (34-35), the jack (37) having brought the above-mentioned rollers into contact, triggering the starting of the motor (36). thus continues its trajectory towards the other end of the groove. When the end of the string emerges from the groove, a signal triggers the stopping of the motor (36) as well as the actuation of the jack (33), the jaw (32) associated with the rod of this jack tightening said string against the wall of the groove. The formation of the nodes is thus carried out.

 The formation of ligatures is carried out as follows.

After the ends of a sausage have been gripped by the tongs (7-8) and introduced into the openings and openings (21-3l-4l) causing the meat to settle, the dies (2, 3, 4) are separated from each other, after opening of the dies (3-4). At this moment, the motor (36) is again actuated but in a clockwise direction thus causing by the rollers (34 - 35) the pulling back of the string and its positioning around the light (21) thus ensuring the tightening of the knot around the end of sausage placed in the lumen. In order to ensure proper guidance of the string, a simultaneous operation of pulling the string towards the ball is carried out. For this purpose, the jack (28) ensuring the pinching of the wire in the wire clamp (26) is itself driven downwards by the jack (27) in order to absorb the excess of twine resulting from the formation of the first knot. . When the wire clamp (26) is in the low position, the jack (28) releases the string, the wire clamp is again repositioned in height sag the action of the jack (27) then again clamps the string under the action of the jack (28). The jack again brings the wire clamp (26) to the low position thus causing the formation of the second noelld around the second end of the sausage introduced into the second lumen (21) and after escaping the twine from the groove around the end of the hose tightening the knot. The wire clamp (26) cannot reach its maximum lower position due to the tension due to said string when tightening the knot. This position is reached after removing the effect of the jack (28) tightening the string in the wire clamp.

 The next phase corresponds to the evacuation of the tied sausage. After the second downward movement of the wire clamp (26) the jack (31) is actuated and causes the displacement of the blade (30) which cuts the string. The jack (33) retracts releasing the facing part of the string; the jaws of the tongs (7-8) are open, releasing the ligated sausage. This one under the effect of its own weight falls in the evacuation orifice (lb) of the tray, the string of attachment of the two ends of the ligature sausage passing between the open dies (3 and 4). These matrices are then closed for a new operational cycle.

 The advantages are apparent from the description. In particular, the reduced intervention of the operator is emphasized, which only has the task of positioning the ends of the sausages in a chain on the stirrup.

 The pneumatic control of the jacks and the Corsican programming: laying are carried out in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.

 The mechanism for forming the nodes is described according to a particular embodiment, other equivalent mechanisms can be used.

 The invention is in no way limited to that of its modes of application any more than to those of the embodiments of its various parts which have been more particularly indicated; on the contrary, it embraces all its variants.

Claims (11)

-1- Automatic machine allowing the simultaneous ligating of the two ends of a product such as sausages and the like presented in a chain with an alternating succession of solid and empty zones characterized in that it comprises a support frame (1) arranged to receive - at the front a reversible mechanism in position for the presentation and the temporary maintenance of a product to be ligated at both ends and a cutting means in order to detach the product to be ligated from products in remaining strings, - in its middle part a device comprising several dies (2,3,4) arranged to receive the mechanisms and means for forming the nodes, and openings arranged inside the tangles of twine constituting the nodes. - In its rear part a movable mechanism in translation capable of moving towards the front part of the frame by engaging and overflowing said openings and comprising means for gripping the ends of the product to be ligated, the means gripping the product to be ligated disposed on the mechanism in reversible position and bringing it back against said dies by introducing said ends of the product to be tied into said openings to allow on the one hand the packing of the product content and on the other hand the knotting of its ends. - The frame having an opening for discharging the product to be tied up.  sort on its axis its reversibility of use.  being mounted in opposite directions allowing during rotation of the  constituting the movable jaws (12,13); the so-called fixed and mobile jaws  movable sliding movably along said branches and  fixed part at the end forming a fixed jaw (16-17) and a part  wing (la) of the frame, the legs of the stirrup being arranged with a  a U-shaped bracket (11) pivoting about an axis (lia) mounted on a  that the mechanism for the presentation of a product to be ligated includes  -2- Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that  with movable jaws (12 - 13).  and maintained of appropriate nianrere are associated by their stems  only cylinders (t24 -15 arranged at the rear of the stirrup arms  -3- Automatic machine according to claim 2 characterized in that -4- Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the means disposed in the front part of the frame comprises a blade (18c) housed in a body associated with the rod of a cylinder (18a), the positioning of said cutting means being as during its operation, it develops in a defined interval between one of the branches of the stirrup (11) and the means for gripping the product to be ligated. -5- Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises in its central part a fixed matrix arranged with two lights (21) arranged in the same horizontal plane. and authorizing the passage of the gripping and gripping means of the product to be ligated, two dies (3-4) being linked at articulation to said fixed die (2); said dies (3-4) having opposite semicircular openings t31-34) defining openings between them after approximation, these openings (31 ~ 41) being in the same plane and facing the lights (21), these being smaller sections.  -6 - 'Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the dies (2,3,4) are arranged internally with a groove having a profiled path for the realization of two nodes made around -openings formed on said dies said dies (2) being arranged to receive the means for guiding the twine, the means for supplying the twine and for tightening the knots and a thread cutting means. -7- Automatic machine according to claim 6 characterized in that in the lower part of the die is made a vertical assembly forming a body (25) arranged with a bore (25a) and a light (25b) formed on one side of the body and authorizing iB sliding of a wire nipping assembly consisting of a wire nipping element (26), a support (29) and a jack (28), said assembly being vertically translated by a jack (27). -8- Automatic machine according to claim 6 characterized in that the matrix comprises between the lights (21) a device disp-condaire distribution and withdrawal of the wire consisting of a roller (34) rotated by a motor (36) , a roller (35) controlled in position by a jack being driven in its position by said roller (@@@, the string being guided between said rollers. -9- Automatic machine according to claim 6 characterized in that a wire clamping device at the end of entanglement is disposed at the end of the die behind the groove part for the formation of the second knot, and comprises an arm (32) forming a jaw capable of being displaced by a jack (33) for clamping the wire against the wall of the groove. -10- Automatic machine according to claim 6 characterized in that the wire cutter is arranged in the front part of the matrix near the zone of formation of the first knot and comprises a blade (30) associated with a jack arranged in the matrix, said blade sliding in a lumen (24) produced in the matrix. -11- Automatic machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the device e gripping and moving the product to be ligated at its two ends comprises two parts (7-8) parallel to each other braced to form a single assembly capable of being moved under liaction a control cylinder (21); this double clamp being mounted on the rear part of the frame; the trans lation of said double clamp causing the engagement of the clamps (7-8) in the openings (1, 41) of the dies and their overflow until reaching the product to be ligated positioned on the stirrup (11).