Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a suspension unit and a method for taking up and transporting sausage loops with a guide rail and hooks circulating around the guide rail, where the guide rail has an elongate front side and an oppositely disposed rear side. The guide rail is inclined relative to a horizontal plane such that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side.
Claims
1. A suspension unit for receiving and transporting sausage loops with hooks rotating around a guide rail, the guide rail having an elongated front side and an opposite rear side, wherein the guide rail is inclined to a horizontal plane in such a way that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side.
2. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein a drive element is arranged on the guide rail and is inclined together with the guide rail.
3. (canceled)
4. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein a height level of the front side of the guide rail is adjustable continuously or at discrete intervals.
5. (canceled)
6. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail has, at a first end, a deflection region in which the hooks are deflected from 95°-180°, the hooks in the deflection region receiving dividing points of sausage chains.
7. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein a distance b.sub.1 of a guide rail section on the front side immediately before the deflection region from a guide rail section on the rear side immediately after the deflection region is smaller than a distance b.sub.2 in a region following the transport direction.
8. The suspension unit according to claim 7, wherein the guide rail and/or at least respective guide rail sections run towards the deflection region on the front side and the rear side at an acute angle of between 5°-85° in such a way that the distance b.sub.1 widens to the distance b.sub.2, and a guide rail section running obliquely to the transport direction is arranged on the front side after the deflection region.
9. The suspension unit according to claim 7, wherein a concavely curved guide rail section is arranged after the deflection region on the front side, such that the distance widens to the distance.
10. The suspension unit according to claim 9, wherein retaining elements hold the drive element on the guide rail.
11-12. (canceled)
13. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises an additional guide.
14. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein the device has an additional guide and wherein the guide track is mechanically coupled to the additional guide.
15. The suspension unit according to claim 1, wherein the guide rail is twisted at least in sections by an angle γ=α±10°.
16. A method for suspending sausage loops on a suspension unit with hooks rotating around a guide rail, the guide rail having an elongated front side and an opposite rear side, wherein the guide rail is inclined to a horizontal plane in such a way that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side, wherein compartment points of sausage chains are taken over by the hooks in a deflection region of the suspension unit, then after the deflection region are moved simultaneously in a transport direction, upwards and transversely to the transport direction.
17. (canceled)
18. The method according to claim 16, wherein on the front side of the guide rail product processing and/or removal of the sausage loops with a smoke stick takes place and on the rear side removal of the sausage loops with a smoke stick takes place.
19. A filling machine with a calibration line and a suspension unit, the suspension unit for receiving and transporting sausage loops with hooks rotating around a guide rail, the guide rail having an elongated front side and an opposite rear side, wherein the guide rail is inclined to a horizontal plane in such a way that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side.
20. The suspension unit according to claim 2, wherein the drive element is a drive belt.
21. The suspension unit according to claim 7, wherein the distance b.sub.1 is in a range of 50 mm-100 mm and the distance b.sub.2 increases in a following range up to 300 mm-600 mm.
22. The suspension unit according to claim 8, wherein the acute angle is between 15° and 45°.
23. The suspension unit according to claim 10, wherein the retaining elements are retaining strips.
24. The suspension unit according to claim 13, wherein the hooks are rotatably mounted on the guide rail.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] The present disclosure shall be explained below in more detail with reference to the following figures:
[0031] FIG. 1 shows schematically a linking line and a suspension unit according to the present disclosure.
[0032] FIG. 2 shows a rough schematic view of the suspension unit shown in FIG. 1 with an inclined guide rail.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a rough schematic top view of the suspension unit shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0034] FIG. 4A shows an enlarged detail of a region of the suspension unit shown in FIG. 3 that comprises the deflection region.
[0035] FIG. 4B shows portion of the deflection region shown in FIG. 4A in the direction of transport.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a rough schematic alternative to the deflection region shown in FIG. 4.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows a suspension unit with a horizontally pivoted guide rail.
[0038] FIG. 7 shows the guide rail shown in FIG. 6 with the position inclined.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of the guide rail with a twisted guide rail section.
[0040] FIG. 9 shows an enlarged region of the twisted guide rail section of FIG. 8.
[0041] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a further embodiment in a perspective view with an additional guide for adjusting the hook.
[0042] FIG. 11 is an enlargement of region A in FIG. 10.
[0043] FIG. 12 is an enlargement of region B in FIG. 10.
[0044] FIG. 13 is a view in the filling direction with an inclined guide rail of the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 at an angle α=10°.
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the hook shown in FIG. 13.
[0046] FIG. 15 corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 with an angle α of 20°.
[0047] FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the hook shown in FIG. 15.
[0048] FIG. 17 shows the rear side of a suspension unit in which the sausage loops of a sausage group are taken up with a smoke stick.
[0049] FIG. 18A shows sausage loops on hooks.
[0050] FIG. 18B shows a pair of sausages connected by a loop.
[0051] FIG. 18C shows a single sausage shown on a loop on a hook.
[0052] FIG. 19 shows a rough schematic cross section of a hook.
[0053] FIG. 20 shows a sausage stuffing machine.
[0054] FIGS. 1-20 are shown approximately to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0055] FIG. 1 shows a suspension unit 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure which is arranged in the direction of transport TR downstream of a linking line 9. Linking line 9, which is connected to a stuffing machine, such as a vacuum stuffing machine, can divide the sausage casing stuffed with pasty mass, for example link it, so that a sausage chain of individual connected portions is obtained.
[0056] When the sausage chain is transferred to suspension unit 1, hooks 3 engage at predetermined separation points so that several sausage loops are formed from the sausage chain on the suspension unit. A loop consists of at least one or more portions (2-loop, 3-loop, 4-loop), as shown, for example, in FIGS. 18A, B, C. Hooks 3 circulate around a circulating guide rail 2.
[0057] FIG. 19 shows, for example, a corresponding hook 3, which is for example substantially L-shaped, and which comprises a hook tip 15 and a notch 20 between the two arms 21, 22, as well as a guide region 14 at the upper end of arm 21, where, for example, guide region 14 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19 is guided at the upper and lower regions of guide rail 2. Guide rail 2 there runs e.g. in an upper and lower guide groove. The hooks are driven by a drive element 5, for example a revolving belt, which engages in hook 3. While guide rail 2 is stationary, drive element 5 is driven in rotation by a drive. Drive element 5 can be realized, for example, in the form of a toothed belt, for example, with a hook spacing at an interval of 3 mm to 15 mm, such as an interval of 5 mm for optimal smoke stick utilization.
[0058] According to the present disclosure, closed guide rail 2 is inclined relative to a horizontal plane by a pivot angle α. It is possible that the guide rail is fixedly mounted in a respective position on its support 17 to a chassis 4 or a lower part of the suspension unit and the position is not adjustable. Guide rail 2, however, may be pivotable about an axis of rotation D by angle α, such as rotatably mounted on chassis 4, where axis of rotation D extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of the suspension unit, i.e. parallel to the direction of transport TR of the transport device of the linking line or the direction of transport in the working area, respectively, at the front side and the rear side of the suspension unit and also parallel to the filling direction of the stuffing machine. Chassis 4 has a height, for example, of 900 mm to 1200 mm.
[0059] As can be seen from FIG. 2, pivoting guide rail 2 results in the working height X at the front side of the suspension unit being at a higher level than the working height Y at the rear side of suspension unit 1. Working height X, i.e. the distance between the floor and notch 20 of the hook can be adjusted, for example, in a range from 900 mm to 1500 mm, such as 1000 mm to 1200 mm, where working height Y at the rear side is then correspondingly lower. Angle α can be in a range from 0° to 85°. The working height can therefore be adjusted ergonomically to the height of the operator by adjusting the pivot angle α. It is then ergonomically advantageous if the operator performs product processing, e.g. separating and closing sausage portions, at front side of the suspension unit or guide rail 2, respectively. The operator then no longer needs to assume a stooped posture. For small operator staff, angle α can be reduced to provide that the operator's hands are not permanently in too high a working position. If product removal by use of a smoke stick, as shown in FIG. 17, takes place on the rear side of the guide rail or the suspension unit, respectively, a low working height Y is not cumbersome and the smoke stick can be easily inserted into the sausage loops for removing a group of sausages.
[0060] Adjustment can be effected, for example, in a stepless manner in that the guide rail is pivoted and locked by use of a clamping device. Also adjustment in steps is possible, e.g. by locking the guide rail by way of bolts in predetermined hole spacings.
[0061] It is advantageous if the operator further has substantially the entire length on the rear side and 70%-90% of the entire length of the guide rail at the front side of the suspension unit available as a working area for product removal. The reason for this is that the height difference with the hook motion from the front side of the guide rail to the rear side of the guide rail is converted transverse to the direction of transport.
[0062] Drive element 5 is inclined together with guide rail 2 and hook 3 arranged thereon.
[0063] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Closed guide rail 2 comprises a deflection region 6 at its end facing the linking line. The deflection region deflects the hooks by 180° in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3. In deflection region 6, the respective hook 3 receives a sausage loop and transports it further to the front side VS. The distance b.sub.1 of a guide rail section 2a at the rear side RS from guide rail section 2b at the front side VS immediately upstream and downstream of the deflection region is smaller than the respective distance b.sub.2 of the oppositely disposed sections in a downstream working area.
[0064] In FIG. 3, the distance is shown as the perpendicular of guide rail section 2b to a point on guide rail section 2a directly upstream of the beginning of deflection region 6. Distance b.sub.1 increases to distance b.sub.2, where the curved, radius-shaped, presently concavely curved section 11 in this embodiment is provided downstream of deflection region 6. The radius of curvature is, for example, in a range from 400 mm to 1000 mm. For example, a straight guide rail section can further be provided between curved section 11 and deflection region 6, for example, parallel to the guide rail at the front side. This is where section 11 directly adjoins deflection region 6. Width b.sub.1 is, for example, in a range from 50 mm to 100 mm, e.g. 60 mm. The distance between the oppositely disposed guide rail sections widens to a region b.sub.2 of 300 mm to 600 mm or 350 mm to 450 mm.
[0065] Despite the increase in working height at the front side of suspension unit 1, there is a very large working area following the widening section 11 that is presently curved, for example, having a length of 500 mm to 700 mm at a total length 1 of guide rail 2 of 2000 mm to 4500 mm. The working area on the front side is in the range from 70%-90%.
[0066] If a curved section 11 is used, as shown in FIG. 3, then it is possible, as is apparent from FIGS. 4A and 4B, to provide at least one retaining element, presently retaining strips 7, which hold revolving drive element 5 on guide rail 2, because otherwise the revolving drive element would protrude from the guide rail in a string-like manner e.g. during changeover of the hooks or with large group spacing. The two retaining strips 7 in FIG. 4B may be L-shaped and engage in recesses (for example, at the top and the bottom) of the drive element, and thus retain drive element 5. At the same time, retaining strips 7 are fastened to guide rail 2. The drive element can slide past the retaining strip.
[0067] It is also possible that the hooks are deflected in deflection region 6 by an angle <180°, for example 95-180° or 160-180°, as shown in FIG. 5. A guide rail section 2a on the rear side and a guide rail section 2b on the front side can then be arranged such that the sections converge toward deflection region 6 at an acute angle β, where angle β is in a range from 5-85°, or 15 and 45°, and inclined section 2b is selected to be long enough that the desired width b.sub.2 is obtained.
[0068] FIGS. 1-7 show the respective axis of rotation D. As can be seen from the figures, the axis of rotation may extend closer to the rear side RS of guide rail 2. The axis of rotation may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of suspension unit 1, i.e. parallel to the direction of transport TR, which in turn corresponds to the filling direction of the stuffing machine or the direction of transport of the linking line, respectively. Axis of rotation D may be located in a plane that is spanned by a vector which extends substantially parallel to direction of transport TR and a vector which is perpendicular to the upper side or the surface of the closed guide rail, such as in the deflection region. When for example α=0, this surface is a horizontal surface, is otherwise a surface that is, for example, inclined by angle α relative to the horizontal surface. When axis of rotation D is arranged closer to the rear side of guide rail 2 than to the front side, the relative motion of guide rail 2 at the rear side is less than the relative motion of the guide rail at the front side. This may be advantageous since deflection region 6 begins from the rear side of the guide rail and has a relatively narrow size, so that this region remains relatively stationary during pivoting, which may be advantageous for the reliable transfer of the sausage loops. The axis of rotation is located above chassis 4 and the distance of the axis of rotation from a virtual area or plane which is spanned by the lower edges of the guide rail may be 10 mm-150 mm.
[0069] When in a transfer position in the deflection region as shown for example in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, it may be advantageous for hook tip 15 to have the smallest possible distance from the axis of rotation, such as a distance k<=approx. 50 mm, as indicated, for example, in FIG. 4A. The perpendicular of the tip to the axis of rotation is there defined as the distance. This provides that the tip of the hook is as stationary as possible, with a change in the pivot angle α, and reliable operation.
[0070] As is evident from FIGS. 6 and 7, the guide rail can therefore be pivoted together with drive element 5 and hook 3 by the angle α and adapted to the individual height of an operator. The hook position is then also changed, i.e. pivoted with the guide rail. The hooks may be pivoted downwardly at the rear side so that they are no longer properly aligned vertically, for example, guide section 14 is no longer arranged vertically, but pivoted by angle α like the guide rail. If the hooks are not properly inclined, meaning that the separation points of the sausages are not located properly between arms 22 and 21, then the loops are not sufficiently spread and may be difficult to remove with the smoke stick. One possibility is to provide two or more twisted guide rail sections 12, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. For example, the guide rail is then twisted on the rear side. The guide rail may be twisted between the beginning and the end of the rear side by an angle of rotation +γ and −γ such that the inclination of the guide rail or the hook position, respectively, is fully or partially balanced. This means that the hooks are taken back to a position that corresponds to a hook position, at α=0±10°.
[0071] It is also possible to configure the hooks such that they are correctly aligned when guide rail 2 is pivoted in a certain angular range and adequately spread the sausages.
[0072] FIGS. 10-16 show an alternative manner of how the hooks are taken to a correct position at the rear side, such as to a vertical position of the guide section.
[0073] FIG. 10 shows additional guide 13, which is presently arranged e.g. parallel to guide rail 2 in the region of the rear side. As is apparent from FIG. 11, rail 13 is located in a region arranged adjacent to guide region 14 of hook 3 on the inner side of the guide rail. If guide rail 2 is oriented, for example, horizontally, guide region 14 of the hook is then in a correct vertical position, and the arms of the hook are in a correct take-up position, respectively. If guide rail 2 is pivoted by an angle α, as is apparent from FIGS. 13 and 14, then additional guide 13 presses onto guide region 14 of hook 3 in such a manner that the hook mounted rotatably around a correspondingly formed guide rail 2 is pivoted upwardly, namely by an angle that corresponds substantially to α±10°.
[0074] FIGS. 13 and 14 show a view at a pivot angle of 10°. FIGS. 15 and 16 show a view at a pivot angle of 20°. As can be seen when comparing the figures, there is a mechanical connection or coupling 18, respectively, between additional guide 13 and guide rail 2 such that the position of additional guide 13 is automatically adjusted whit the pivot motion of the guide rail. If guide rail 2 is pivoted by angle α in one direction or back again, respectively, then additional strip 13 moves toward the hook or in an opposite direction.
[0075] As can be seen from FIGS. 10 and 11, the hooks in a corresponding embodiment can move along additional guide 13 or additional strip 13, respectively. The width P of additional guide 13 increases continuously in the direction opposite to the direction of transport TR, so that the hooks are not abruptly rotated, but pivot upwardly gradually to a maximum position. In contrast to the preceding embodiments, guide rail 2 is there, for example, formed to be cylindrical so that guide region 14 of the hooks can be rotatably mounted. Drive element 5 also runs between guide rail 2 and hooks 3. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the hooks can then run in an upwardly pivoted position on the rear side RS of guide rail 2 and at the end of guide rail 2 on the rear side RS be pivoted down again, since additional guide 13 terminates there. It is there not necessary that the width P of the additional guide gradually decreases because the sausage loops have already been removed in this region. Although automatic adjustment of the hook position by way of the mechanical coupling may be advantageous, it is also possible, however, that the additional guide is adjusted and locked accordingly by the operator, for example, by way of a bolt 19.
[0076] FIG. 20 shows a stuffing machine and a linking line 9, which is also shown in FIG. 1. The linking line 9, which is upstream of the suspension unit, is connected to the stuffing machine and can divide the sausage casing stuffed with pasty mass. The suspension unit is provided in direction TR after the transport belts 10, as can be seen in FIG. 1. As mentioned previously, the axis of rotation may run substantially parallel to the direction of transport TR, which in turn corresponds to the filling direction of the stuffing machine and the direction of transport of the belts 10 of the linking line 9.
[0077] FIGS. 1-20 show example configurations with relative positioning of the various components. If shown directly contacting each other, or directly coupled, then such elements may be referred to as directly contacting or directly coupled, respectively, at least in one example. Similarly, elements shown contiguous or adjacent to one another may be contiguous or adjacent to each other, respectively, at least in one example. As an example, components laying in face-sharing contact with each other may be referred to as in face-sharing contact. As another example, elements positioned apart from each other with only a space there-between and no other components may be referred to as such, in at least one example. As yet another example, elements shown above/below one another, at opposite sides to one another, or to the left/right of one another may be referred to as such, relative to one another. Further, as shown in the figures, a topmost element or point of element may be referred to as a “top” of the component and a bottommost element or point of the element may be referred to as a “bottom” of the component, in at least one example. As used herein, top/bottom, upper/lower, above/below, may be relative to a vertical axis of the figures and used to describe positioning of elements of the figures relative to one another. As such, elements shown above other elements are positioned vertically above the other elements, in one example. As yet another example, shapes of the elements depicted within the figures may be referred to as having those shapes (e.g., such as being circular, straight, planar, curved, rounded, chamfered, angled, or the like). Further, elements shown intersecting one another may be referred to as intersecting elements or intersecting one another, in at least one example. Further still, an element shown within another element or shown outside of another element may be referred as such, in one example.
[0078] The terms approximately or substantially are defined as a tolerance of 10% greater or less than the stated value or range of values unless otherwise indicated.
[0079] The following claims particularly point out certain combinations and sub-combinations regarded as novel and non-obvious. These claims may refer to “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof. Such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Other combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims in this or a related application. The term approximately is construed to mean plus or minus five percent of the stated values unless otherwise specified. Such claims, whether broader, narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also are regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure.
