GB2161445A

GB2161445A - Folding strings of sausages

Info

Publication number: GB2161445A
Application number: GB08517337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vries Cornelis Leonardus De
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 1984-07-11
Filing date: 1985-07-09
Publication date: 1986-01-15
Also published as: GB8517337D0; GB2161445B

Abstract

A process and a device for transporting and folding strings of sausages in predetermined string lengths or desired numbers of interconnected units comprises the steps of continuously transporting the predetermined lengths between two sensors 5. As soon as the required length has passed the sensors, it is swept on to two endless strings 8 which run perpendicular to the transport direction. The predetermined length is then lifted off these transport strings 8 and brought in between two guiding means e.g. belts 12 which gradually fold the length together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Process for transporting and folding of strings of sausages The present invention-relates to a process and a device for transporting and folding of strings of sausages in predetermined string lengths or desired numbers of interconnected units.

So far the processing of strings of sausages, of which certain numbers had to be packed in unit packages, was a very labour-intensive affair. For instance, when a short string of e.g. four sausages had to be cut off a string of sausages in the condition that these leave a linking device and that short string had to be packed in a folded condition, all these operations were carried out manually, which is less attractive from a point of view of economy.

A process has now been developed and a device designed which make it possible to take certain lengths, thus predetermined numbers of units, off these sausage strings and transport and fold them.

Consequently, the invention relates to a process for transporting and folding of strings of sausages in predetermined lengths or desired numbers of units, which is characterized in that the desired string length is deposited on a transporting means and, as soon as the string length has been conveyed between two sensors, which, for the detection of the beginning and end of the string length, have been arranged at some distance from each other (seen in the direction of transport) along the transporting means and measure in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means, the string length is removed from the transporting means by a transferring means, which is coupled to the sensors, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means, with the result that the string length is deposited on at least two endless transport strings moving perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the transporting means and away from the transporting means and is transferred by them, after which the string length is lifted off the transport strings by a lift-off means and conveyed between guiding means which gradually fold the string length.

The desired string length is preferably deposited on the transporting means by means of two transport strings, provided on either side of the transporting means, which co-operate therewith and gradually diverge from the transporting means.

The sensors which detect the beginning and the end of the string length are coupled by an electronic circuit to a motor operating the transferring means. The transferring means then slides the string length away from the transporting means in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means and away from the transporting means.

The lift-off means preferably consists of endless belts running at an angle to the transport strings.

This results in the string length being lifted off the transport strings and simultaneously transported in the direction of the guiding means. The guiding means preferably consist of endless belts arranged at some distance from each other, in mirror image, and parallel to each other. When the string lengths have been folded, they can be fed to a packaging machine, which brings them in the desired package in a folded condition.

The device according to the invention will now be described in detail on the basis of the accompanying drawing, which shows an embodiment of the device by way of example.

Figure 1 shows this embodiment in perspective; Figure 2 shows an upper view of the embodiment; Figure 3 shows a side-view and Figure 4 shows a section of the transport strings co-operating with the transporting means.

In Figure 1 the device according to the invention is shown in perspective, in which a string length of sausage is supplied by the transporting means 2, which may e.g. consist of an endless conveyor belt. The string length is now deposited on the transporting means 2 by means of two endless transport strings 3, which are supported by pulleys 4. This is because the transport strings 3 have been disposed divergently with respect to the transporting means 2, as a result which the string length 1 gradually comes to rest on the transporting means 2. This construction is advantageous because in this way undesirable movements of the string length are avoided if this was to be deposited immediately on the transporting means without using these transport strings.

The beginning and end of the string lengths are detected by the sensors 5, measuring in a direction 6 perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means 2. The sensors are coupled to the motor (not shown) of a transferring means 7, as a result of which the string length 1 is removed from the transporting means 2, viz. in a direction perpendicular the direction of travel of the transporting means 2 and away from this means. As a result, the string length 1 comes to lie on at least two endless transport strings 8, moving in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means 2 and away from this transporting means.The string length is then given a W- or M-shaped formation and is subsequently lifted off the transport strings by lift-off means 9, consisting in this case of endless conveyor belts, which are at an angle to the transport strings 8.

This results in the W- or M-shaped string length 1 being transported in the direction of the guiding means 10 and in its being gradually folded therein into a parcel 11, which may be transported further to a packaging machine (PM) (not shown).

Several sensors 5 may have been provided, each pair of which may have been arranged at various distances from each other, so that different string lengths (determined by the distance between a cooperating pair of sensors 5) can be processed by the same device.

Figure 2 shows an upper view of the device, using reference numbers which are the same as those used in Figure 1. In this Figure the guiding means 10 are clearly visible and it can be seen that these consist of an endless conveyor belt 12 running over cylinders 13. Also suitable guiding means can be used.

Figure 3 shows a side-view of this example of an embodiment of the device according to the invention, using again the same reference numbers as in Figure 1. It is clearly shown how the transferring means 7 removes the string length 1 from the transporting means and, as it were, slides the string length on to the transport strings 8. The liftoff means consists an endless conveyor belt 9 which runs over the cylinders 14, taking the string length off the transport strings 8. This lift-off operation is necessary because, owing to the individual weight of the sausages, the string length grips around the transport strings. The string length is now conveyed upwards and lifted off the strings by the endless conveyor belt 9, which is at an angle to the transport strings 8, and simultaneously fed to the guiding means consisting of the endless conveyor belt 12 and the cylinders 13. Herein the string length is finally folded into a parcel 11, which can then be fed to a packaging machine.

Claims

1. A process for transporting and folding of strings of sausages in predetermined lengths or desired numbers of units, characterized in that the desired string length is deposited on a transporting means and as soon as the string length has been transported between two sensors, which have been provided along the transporting means at some distance from each other (seen in the transport direction) for the detection of the beginning or end of the string length and which measure in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means, the string length is removed from the transporting means by a transferring means, which is coupled to the sensors, in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means, as a result of which the string length is deposited on at least two endless transport strings moving perpendicularly to the direction of travel and away from the transporting means and is transferred by them, after which the string length is lifted off the transport strings by a lift-off means and conveyed between the guiding means, which gradually fold the string length.

2. A process according to Claim 1, characterized in that the desired string length is deposited on the transporting means by means of two transport strings provided on either side of the transporting means, which co-operate therewith and gradually diverge therefrom.

3. A process according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensors are coupled to a motor operating the transferring means.

4. A process according to any of Claims 1-3, characterized in that the lift-off means consists of endless conveyor belts running at an angle to the transport strings.

5. A process according to any of Claims 1-4, characterized in that the guiding means consist of endless conveyor belts arranged at some distance from each other, in mirror image, and parallel to each other

6. A process for transporting and folding strings of sausages in predetermined lengths or desired numbers of units, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

7. A device for carrying out the process according to any of Claims 1-6, characterized in that it consists of a transporting means, along which, on one side, at some distance from each other (seen in the transport direction), sensors are provided, measuring in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means, which sensors are coupled to the motor of a transferring means which can remove the transported article from the transporting means in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporting means, and at least two endless transport strings moving perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the transporting means and away from the transporting means, which are provided on the other side of the transporting means opposite the sensors, which transport strings are disposed such that, over a certain length, on both sides, they are enclosed by a transferring means lifting string lengths of transported articles off the transport strings and simultaneously transports them to the entrance of guiding means which gradually fold the string length.

8. A device according to Claim 7, characterized in that at the beginning of the transporting means and extending beyond the first sensor, transport strings have been provided on both sides of the transporting means which co-operate with the transporting means and gradually diverge therefrom.

9. A device according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the transferring means consists of endless conveyor belts running at an angle to the transport strings.

10. A device according to any of Claims 7-9, characterized in the guiding means consist of endless conveyor belts arranged at some distance from each other, in mirror image, and parallel to each other.

11. A device for transporting and folding strings of sausages in predetermined lengths or desired numbers of units, substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.