Clamp feeding system

Abstract

The invention discloses a clamp feeding system. A system (1) for feeding closing clips (C) to a shearing device (20) of a shearing machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), such as sausages, comprises: feeding means (300) for feeding at least a first and a second string of closing clips (C) to the shearing device (20); and guiding means (200) for guiding at least the first and the second string of closing clips (C) towards the closed position of the shearing means (20) of the shearing machine (CM). The guiding device (200) comprises a holding unit (220) for holding at least one of the first and second strings of closing clips (C) in its position when not fed by the feeding device (300). The invention also relates to a shearing machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), to a system (1) comprising a shearing device (20) for feeding a closing clip (C) to the shearing machine (CM), to a guiding device (200) for use in the shearing machine (CM), and to a method for producing sausage-shaped products (S).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a feeding system for feeding closing clips to a shearing device of a shearing machine for producing sausage-shaped products, such as sausages, a shearing machine for producing sausage-shaped products, comprising a system for feeding closing clips, a guiding device for use in a shearing machine, and a method for producing sausage-shaped products. Background Art

[0002] In practice, packaging machines (such as shearing machines) for producing sausage-shaped products (such as sausages) are known, wherein filling material (such as flowable or granular filling material) is fed into a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, which is stored or supported on a filling tube and is closed at its front end, i.e., the end of the packaging casing facing the filling direction of the filling material, by a closing device (such as at least one closing clamp). After a predetermined portion or a predetermined amount of filling material is filled into the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, the filled tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing is gathered by a gathering device to form a pleated portion or section at least substantially free of filling material, and at least a first closing clamp is placed and closed on the pleated portion by a shearing device to close the just-filled portion of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. In addition, at least one second closing clamp can be placed to close the front end of the sausage-shaped product to be produced next. In order to separate the sausage-shaped product just produced from the remaining supply of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, a cutting device can be provided to cut the pleated portion between the first closing clamp and the second closing clamp. If the sausage-shaped products are intended to be stored or deposited on rod-shaped or rod-like elements (such as tobacco rods), for example for further processing (such as cooking or smoking), the shearing machine can be provided with a suspension element (such as a suspension ring) via a feeding device to be attached to one end of each sausage-shaped product or to one end of a chain of sausage-shaped products via a closing clamp, which closes the corresponding end of the sausage-shaped product.

[0003] EP 2 457 445 A2 discloses a shearing machine in which a tubular casing is filled with a filler material. The filled tubular casing is then gathered and sealed by applying at least one closing clamp to the gathered portion. Closing clamps, in the form of a string or chain of closing clamps linked to one another in a row (also called R-clips), are guided along a tool arm, with one of the closing tools (i.e., dies) arranged at the front of the tool arm. The closing clamp is fed toward the die by a feed rod that engages the gap between two consecutive closing clamps in the string of closing clamps, so that the frontmost closing clamp engages the closing tool or die.

[0004] The string of closing clips, usually made of metal (such as aluminum or an alloy containing aluminum), is wound on a reel and is therefore under tension. As a result, there is a risk that the string of clips will change position without an active drive. This can also be the result of vibrations caused by the closing process, so that the front clip is not positioned precisely in the mold while the operation continues. Or, in the case of two strings being fed in parallel to a shearing machine in a mold of corresponding shape, while only one string is to be processed, the front clip of the second string of clips may also remain in the mold and then close around the pleated part of the product to be produced, which is actually not the intended result. Summary of the Invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a system for feeding closing clips to a shearing device of a shearing machine, a shearing machine, a guiding device and a method for producing sausage-shaped products that overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and enable a safe and reliable production process.

[0006] According to the present invention, a system for feeding closing clips to a shearing device of a shearing machine for producing sausage-shaped products, such as sausages, is provided. The system comprises a feeding device for at least selectively feeding at least a first string of closing clips and a second string of closing clips toward a closed position of the shearing device, in which the frontmost clips of one or both strings of closing clips can be attached to the sausage-shaped product, and a guiding device having at least a first guide rail and a second guide rail for guiding the at least first and second strings of closing clips toward the closed position of the shearing device of the shearing machine. Furthermore, the guiding device comprises at least one holding unit for holding one of the strings of closing clips (the first or second string of closing clips) in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device while the feeding device feeds the other string of closing clips to the closed position.

[0007] During two subsequent feeding steps, at least the first and / or second string of closing clips can be disengaged from the feed device and the closing tool. In this case, the guide device, in particular one or two retaining units provided with the guide device, prevents one or both strings of closing clips from being unintentionally displaced, in particular from being pushed forward by machine vibrations or pulled backward by tension. This ensures that the string of closing clips is in the correct position for precise feeding to the closing tool of the shearing device.

[0008] Typically, a shearing machine is equipped with one or two strings of closing clips for applying one or two closing clips to the pleat portion. In the case of two strings of closing clips, a first closing clip is applied to the pleat portion for closing the end of the newly filled portion of tubular casing material, and a second closing clip is applied to the pleat portion for closing the leading end of the next tubular casing to be filled. However, the feed device may also be adapted to feed additional strings of closing clips, such as third and fourth strings of closing clips, toward the closing position of the shearing machine, where the closing position of the shearing machine is adapted to simultaneously apply and close three or four closing clips to the pleat portion. In this configuration, the guide device includes additional guide channels or rails, such as third and fourth guide channels, for guiding the additional strings of closing clips toward the closing position of the shearing machine, and a retaining unit is adapted to retain at least one of the first or second strings of closing clips, or at least one of the additional strings of closing clips, in position while the feed device feeds the other string of closing clips into the closing position. Of course, one, two, three, or all four strings of closing clips may remain in place. This can be achieved by a single holding unit or by a plurality of holding units, with one holding unit being provided for each string of closure clips.

[0009] It will also be appreciated that the holding unit may be adapted to hold only one string of closing clips when not being fed by the feeding device, or to hold more than one string of closing clips, such as a second string, a third string or a fourth string of closing clips.

[0010] Furthermore, when the holding unit is adapted to hold more than one or more strings of closing clips, it can also be adapted to hold a string of closing clips selected from the plurality of strings. At least in the region of the guide means, the strings of closing clips are generally aligned side by side or parallel to one another. Thus, the holding unit can be adapted to hold the outermost string of closing clips, the innermost string of closing clips, or selected strings of closing clips (e.g., the first and third strings of closing clips) in their position while not being fed by the feeding device.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, at least a first string of closing clips and a second string of closing clips are progressively fed toward the closed position of the shearing device by a feeding device, and the holding unit is configured to hold at least one of the strings of closing clips (the first string of clips or the second string of clips) in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device at least between two consecutive or successive feeding steps.

[0012] The holding unit for holding the string of closing clips can be implemented in various ways. For example, the holding unit can include one or more elements, such as pneumatically driven pins or the like, which engage a gap or recess between two subsequent clips in the string of clips. In another preferred embodiment, the holding unit includes at least one fixing element that is reversibly movable between a holding position for holding at least one string of closing clips (the first or second string of clips) in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device by reversibly engaging or alignably engaging with the string of closing clips to be held, and a release position in which the fixing element is disengaged from the string of closing clips.

[0013] In this embodiment, at least one securing element may include at least one engagement portion or part for engaging with one or more recesses or gaps formed in at least one of the first and second strings of closure clips when the securing element is in the retaining position.

[0014] In a simple design, the holding unit, in particular the fixing element, can be made of a biasing material so that when the closing clip string is pushed forward by the feeding device, the fixing element automatically springs back and forth. In an advantageous design, the holding unit includes at least one actuating element for reversibly holding or fixing the at least one fixing element in the holding position.

[0015] In another advantageous design, the actuating element is passively or actively moved into the retaining position. The actuating element can be a compression spring that pushes the securing element into the retaining position. By selecting a specific spring with a selected force, the clamping pressure used to hold the string of closing clips in the retaining position can be adjusted. The actuating element can also be formed by a magnetic switch or the like.

[0016] In the system of the invention, the guide means may comprise a cover, preferably forming part of the first guide rail and the second guide rail, and at least one fixing element is arranged in a recess arranged in the cover. Thus, the fixing element does not extend beyond the outer surface of the cover, whereby it does not contact or collide with other elements or components of the shearing machine.

[0017] In the system of the present invention, the feeding device comprises a feeding unit for feeding a first string of closing clips and a second string of closing clips towards a closed position of the shearing device, the feeding unit having a feeding rod with a first feeding element and a second feeding element, wherein the first feeding element engages the first string of closing clips during the feeding of the first string of closing clips and the second feeding element engages the second string of closing clips during the feeding of the second string of closing clips. In the system, at least one of the feeding elements, i.e. the first feeding element or the second feeding element, is reversibly movable between a feeding position, in which, during the feeding of the string of closing clips, the at least one feeding element engages with one of the strings of closing clips, i.e. the first string or the second string of closing clips, and a retracted position, in which, during the feeding of the other string of closing clips, the at least one feeding element disengages from one of the strings of closing clips, i.e. the first string or the second string of closing clips, to interrupt the feeding of the string of closing clips.

[0018] This design makes it possible both to apply two closing clamps to the closed position of the shearing device and then to the pleated portion of the tubular packaging casing, for example for the production of individual sausage-shaped products, and to apply only one closing clamp to the pleated portion, for example for the production of a chain of sausage-shaped products, wherein only one closing clamp is arranged between two subsequent sausage-shaped products and / or at the beginning or end of the supply of the tubular packaging casing and / or at the beginning or end of the production process.

[0019] In order to reversibly move one of the first and second feed elements between the feed position and the retracted position, at least one of the first and second feed elements can be pivotally coupled to the feed rod such that the feed element can be pivoted out of the feed position and into the retracted position. However, at least one of the first and second feed elements can also be moved linearly along the feed rod. In this case, a linear actuator, such as a pneumatic piston / cylinder actuator, can be provided, wherein the respective feed element is coupled to a piston of the piston / cylinder actuator.

[0020] According to the present invention, a shearing machine for producing sausage-shaped products by filling a tubular casing with a filling material is provided. The shearing machine includes a shearing device having first and second closing tools that are reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position. The first and second closing tools are used to apply at least one, preferably two, closing clips to the pleated portion formed in the filled and gathered tubular casing, and to close the one or two closing clips by moving the closing tools to their closed positions. In the case of two closing clips, the first closing clip is used to close the recently filled portion of the tubular casing, and the second closing clip is used to close the next portion of the tubular casing to be filled. The shearing machine also includes a control unit for controlling the shearing machine, and a system as described above for supplying closing clips to the shearing device of the shearing machine.

[0021] In the shearing machine of the present invention, the control unit may further control the feeding device to selectively feed the first and second strings of closing clamps toward the closed position of the shearing device.

[0022] The control unit may be provided with a program for producing a specific product, which includes control commands for controlling the feed device. However, an operator may also manually input control commands for controlling the feed device, for example, for adjusting an existing program or for creating a new program.

[0023] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a guiding device for use in a shearing machine for producing sausage-shaped products, such as sausages, is provided. The guiding device comprises at least a first guide rail and a second guide rail for guiding at least a first string of closing clips and a second string of closing clips towards a closed position of a shearing device of the shearing machine, in which the frontmost clips of one or both strings of closing clips can be attached to the sausage-shaped product. The guiding device further comprises a holding unit for holding at least one of the strings of closing clips (the first string of closing clips or the second string of closing clips) in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device when the feeding device feeds the other string of closing clips to the closed position. The guiding device of the present invention can be provided as a spare part or as a replacement part for replacing an existing guiding device that does not include a holding unit according to the present invention.

[0024] Furthermore, a method for producing a sausage-shaped product, such as a sausage, is provided. The method comprises the following steps: filling a tubular casing with a filling material and forming a pleated portion on the filled tubular casing; applying two closing clips to the pleated portion; and closing the closing clips by a shearing device having first and second closing tools reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position, the first closing clip for closing the portion of the tubular casing that has just been filled, and the second closing clip for closing the portion of the tubular casing that is to be filled next. The method further comprises the following steps: selectively feeding a first or second string of closing clips toward a closing position of the shearing device by a feeding device, wherein the leading clip of one or both strings of closing clips can be attached to the sausage-shaped product; guiding the first and second strings of closing clips toward the shearing device by a guiding device so that the leading clips of the first and second strings of closing clips are arranged in the closed position; and maintaining at least one string of closing clips in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device while the feeding device feeds the other string of closing clips to the closed position.

[0025] The method further comprises the step of interrupting the feeding of one of the strings of closed clips towards the closed position of the shearing device during at least one feeding step.

[0026] The method according to the invention therefore offers all the advantages explained in conjunction with the system according to the invention, the shearing machine according to the invention and the guiding device according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Other advantages and preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings listed below. The expressions "left", "right", "below" and "above" used in the following description refer to the drawings aligned so that the reference numerals and symbols of the drawings used can be read in a normal orientation.

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the main design of a system for producing sausage-shaped products;

[0029] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a lower shear bar of a shearing machine according to the invention, wherein the feed element of the feed unit is in a transport position;

[0030] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A perspective view of the lower shear bar of FIG. 1 , wherein one feed element of the feed unit is in a retracted position;

[0031] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 Another perspective view of the lower shear bar;

[0032] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a guide device according to the present invention viewed from below;

[0033] Figure 6 It has two strings of closed clips Figure 5 Another perspective view of the guide device;

[0034] Figure 7 It is observed from below Figure 6 A perspective view of the guide device; and

[0035] Figure 8 is a perspective view of a fixing element of a holding unit according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] exist Figure 1 Schematically shown in FIG is the general structure of a system 1 for producing sausage-shaped products S, such as sausages, which contain a flowable or granular filling material in a tubular encapsulating casing M.

[0037] The system 1 comprises as main component a closing or shearing machine CM having a filling tube 10, the central axis A of which extends in the longitudinal direction, and in the embodiment shown horizontally. The longitudinal direction coincides with the filling direction F of the filling material.

[0038] The filling tube 10 has a discharge opening at its first end 12 for discharging the filling material fed or introduced through the filling tube 10 and a feed opening at its second end 14 for feeding or introducing the filling material into the filling tube 10 along the filling direction F. The filling material is, for example, Figure 1 The feed pump of the filling material on the right side of the illustrated system 1 conveys or feeds it in a filling direction F from a feed opening to an outlet opening of the filling pipe 10 .

[0039] Furthermore, in the region of the first end 12 of the filling tube 10, a sleeve brake assembly 16 is arranged on the filling tube 10 and coaxially with the filling tube 10. The filling tube 10 is made of a suitable material, such as stainless steel. In addition to the horizontal orientation shown, the filling tube 10 can also extend at an angle to the horizontal plane.

[0040] A tubular casing M made of a sheet or film material is mounted or stored on a filling tube 10 folded in an accordion-like manner. During the manufacturing process for producing a sausage-shaped product S, as filling material is filled into the tubular casing M, the tubular casing M is pulled out, in particular by feed pressure. A casing brake assembly 16 provides a preferably adjustable braking force that enables the tubular casing M to be pulled out of the filling tube 10 in a controlled manner during the filling process.

[0041] The shearing machine CM further comprises a gathering device 30 for gathering or converging a portion of the filled tubular casing M and forming a pleat or section P thereon. Furthermore, the shearing device 20 is configured to close the portion of the tubular casing M that has just been filled, and preferably to close the leading end of the next section of the tubular casing M that is subsequently filled by means of a further closing device, such as at least one further or second closing clamp C, by applying or attaching a closing device, such as at least a first closing clamp C, to the pleat P. These components are all arranged downstream of the filling pipe 10.

[0042] As from Figure 1 It can be inferred that the shearing device 20 is positioned directly downstream of the first end 12 of the filling tube 10 and is coaxially aligned with the filling tube 10, that is, when the closing tools of the shearing device 20 are reversibly moved together to close one or more closing devices C, the axis of the pleated portion P extends at least approximately coaxially with the central axis A of the filling tube 10.

[0043] The shearing device 20 includes a first shearing or closing tool 22 and a second shearing or closing tool 24 formed by at least one punch 22 and at least one die 24. It should be noted that the punch 22 and the die 24 can apply and close a single closing clamp C to close the tubular packaged casing M that has just been filled, or can apply and close two or more closing clamps C simultaneously, at least the first closing clamp C being used to close the rear end of the tubular packaged casing M that has just been filled to form a complete sausage-shaped product S, and at least the second closing clamp C being used to close the front end of the tubular packaged casing M to be filled subsequently.

[0044] Depending on the type of shearing machine CM and / or the type of closing clamp C processed on the shearing machine CM, the shearing machine CM may include an upper shear bar and a lower shear bar carrying closing tools 22, 24, and the closing tools 22, 24 are moved by the upper shear bar and the lower shear bar to close the closing clamp C. The position in which the closing clamp C is closed by the closing tools 22, 24 can also be referred to as the closed position of the shearing device 20. Figures 2 to 4 An embodiment of a lower shear bar 100 is shown in FIG. 1 , which carries the second closing tool or die 24 .

[0045] One closing clip C or two closing clips C are fed as a chain or string of connected closing clips C to the closing tools 22, 24. During the closing process, the frontmost clip C of the one or both strings of closing clips C is separated from the chain of closing clips C by the punch 22. Viewed in a direction transverse to the center axis A, the closing clips C can have an at least approximately U-shaped shape and are connected to each other at the free ends of the respective U-shaped shapes. The closing clips C fed as a chain are also called R-clips (see also Figure 6 ).

[0046] The gathering device 30 includes a first displacer unit 32 and a second displacer unit 34, wherein the first displacer unit 32 is located downstream of the second displacer unit 34. The first shearing tool 22 and the second shearing tool 24 of the shearing device 20 can be positioned between the first displacer unit 32 and the second displacer unit 34 to apply and close one or more closing clips C to the pleat portion P. The first displacer unit 32 and the second displacer unit 34 can each have a first displacer element and a second displacer element that can be reversibly moved toward each other in a scissor-like manner to form the pleat portion P. The first displacer unit 32 can be reversibly moved parallel to the filling direction F of the filling material to form the pleat portion P having a desired length.

[0047] If the sausage-shaped products S are intended to be stored on rod-shaped elements (e.g. tobacco rods), for example for further processing such as cooking or smoking, a suspension element L, e.g. a suspension ring, can be provided and attached to one end of each sausage-shaped product S or to one end of a chain of sausage-shaped products S. An annular feed device feeds the suspension element L to one of the closing tools 22, 24, which attach the suspension element L to the respective end of the sausage-shaped product S by means of a closing clamp C, which closes said end of the sausage-shaped product S.

[0048] In order to separate the sausage-shaped product S that has just been produced from the remaining tubular casing M stored or supported on the filling tube 10, a cutting device 40 can be provided. Said cutting device 40 cuts the tubular casing M upstream of the closing clamp C that closes the just filled portion of the tubular casing M, with reference to the filling direction F. In case two closing clamps C are applied to the pleated portion P by the shearing device 20, the cutting device 40 cuts the pleated portion P between said two closing clamps C.

[0049] In order to remove the sausage-shaped products S just produced from the shears CM in a conveying direction T which at least substantially coincides with the filling direction F, a discharge device 50 is arranged downstream of the cutting device 20 , which discharge device 50 may be a belt conveyor comprising a conveyor belt and guide rollers.

[0050] In order to store or place the sausage-shaped product S on the rod-shaped element, the suspension element L is captured or caught by a catching unit, which may comprise a catching element, such as a catching needle, arranged for guiding the suspension element L to the rod-shaped element.

[0051] The shearing machine CM further comprises a control unit CU for controlling at least the shearing machine CM, in particular components of the shearing machine CM, such as at least the first and second shearing tools 22 , 24 of the shearing device 20 and the first and second shifter units 32 , 34 of the gathering device 30 .

[0052] At least when processing the closing clips C provided in the form of a plurality of strings of closing clips C, the shearing machine CM comprises a lower shear bar 100 (e.g. Figure 2-4 As shown), the lower shear bar 100 carries the lower shear tool or die 24 of the shear tools 22, 24.

[0053] Figures 2 to 4 1 shows the lower shear bar 100 of the shearing machine CM according to the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the lower shear bar 100 has a substantially triangular base body 110, wherein the die 24 is arranged in its left corner area so that the die 24 can accommodate the frontmost one or two closing clips C of one or two strings of closing clips. Along the upper side of the main body 110 of the closing bar 100, the two strings of closing clips C can be guided in the feed direction FE by the guide device 200.

[0054] The shear bar 100 further comprises a feeding device 300 for feeding a plurality of strings of closing clips C to the shearing device 20 so that the frontmost closing clip C of the plurality of strings of closing clips C is positioned in the die 24, as shown in FIG. Figure 2 The feeding device 300 includes a feeding rod 310. At the upper end 312 of the feeding rod 310, a first feeding element 320 and a second feeding element 330 are arranged. Figures 2 to 4 The first feeding element 320 and the second feeding element 330 have a pointed form extending upward from the first end 312 of the feeding rod 310 .

[0055] The lower end 314 of the feed rod 310 is connected to a feed drive in the form of a crank drive 340. The feed rod 310 and the crank drive 340 form a feed unit 310, 340. Figure 4 As can be seen in particular in the figure, in the central region of the feed lever 310, a pivot point is formed by a slot arranged in the feed lever 310, through which a pivot pin extends. When driven by the crank drive 340, the feed lever 310 pivots about this pivot point, whereby the first feed element 220 and the second feed element 230 reversibly engage the gap between two subsequent closing clips C and push the plurality of strings of closing clips C in the feed direction FE by a length approximately corresponding to the length of the closing clips C. The gap can be formed by a connecting web between two mutually connected U-shaped clips C.

[0056] exist Figure 2 In the configuration, the first feeding element 320 and the second feeding element 330 are in a transport or feeding position, wherein the feeding elements 320, 330 engage with multiple strings of closing clamps C for feeding the multiple strings of closing clamps C to the closed position of the shearing device 20.

[0057] The second feed element 330 is integrally formed to the first end 312 of the feed rod 310 and extends upwardly from the feed rod 310 and at least generally parallel to the longitudinal direction thereof.

[0058] The first feed element 320 is pivotally coupled to the first end 312 of the feed rod 310. A pivot pin PP extends through the first end 312 of the feed rod 310 in an at least approximately horizontal plane and in a direction perpendicular to the feed direction FE and forms a pivot axis PA. Figure 2 and Figure 3 , the first feed element 320 is connected to the front end of the pivot axis PA with its lower end. One end of the pivot rod 356 of the pivot driver 350 is connected to the rear end of the pivot pin PP. Figures 2 to 4 In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot drive 350 is a pneumatic piston / cylinder drive comprising a cylinder 354 mounted to the body 110 of the shear bar 100 and a piston 352 having a free end coupled to the other end of the pivot rod 356. The pivot drive 350 may also be formed by other drive means.

[0059] When the pivot drive 350 is actuated, the first feed element 320 is moved from Figure 2 The transport position shown is reversibly movable to Figure 3 and Figure 4 Due to the fact that the second feed element 230 is formed integrally with the feed rod 310, it remains in the transport position. When the first feed element 320 is in the retracted position, the string of closing clips C fed by the first feed element 320 is not fed further.

[0060] Figure 5 1 is a perspective view of a guide device 200 according to the present invention, viewed from below. The guide device 200 includes a substantially U-shaped cover portion 210 having a first end 211 and a second end 212, a top plate 210a formed by the bottom of the "U," and side plates 210b, 210c formed by the legs of the "U." The open side of the "U" faces downward, and the channel or track formed by the cover portion 210 extends in the feed direction FE. Inside the cover portion 210, a separating block 214 is arranged, which forms a first guide channel or first guide rail 216 and a second guide channel or second guide rail 218 between its side surfaces and the corresponding side plates 210b, 210c of the cover portion 210. An offset fork 219 extends the first guide channel 216 and the second guide channel 218 at the first end 211 of the cover portion 210.

[0061] from Figure 6 and 7 It can be seen that Figure 6 and 7is a further perspective view of the guide device 200, with a string of closing clips C arranged in each of the first guide channel 216 and the second guide channel 218 so that the ends of the offset prongs 219 rest on the connecting portion or connecting web between the foremost closing clip C and the following closing clip C in the string of closing clips C.

[0062] As in Figure 6 As can be seen in particular, a holding unit 220 is arranged on the top plate 210a of the cover portion 210. The holding unit 220 includes two brackets 222, 224, which extend vertically and in the feed direction FE. The brackets 222, 224 are arranged along the longitudinal edges of the top plate 210a of the cover portion 210. Between the brackets 222, 224, a first guide bolt 226 and a second guide bolt 228 extend in a horizontal plane and perpendicular to the feed direction FE.

[0063] The holding unit 220 also includes Figure 8 The fixing element 230 is shown separately in FIG. Figure 8 As can be seen in the figure, the fixing element 230 has an L-shaped portion with a horizontal arm 231 and a vertical arm 232, and the horizontal arm 231 and the vertical arm 232 are arranged in an approximately vertical plane. An engaging element E in the form of a protrusion is arranged on the side surface of the horizontal arm 231 facing the closing clip C string. The horizontal plate 233 extends leftward from the upper end of the vertical arm 232 and terminates at a guide block 234 that is approximately rectangular. Figure 8 As can be further seen in FIG, the first guide hole 235 and the second guide hole 236 are arranged in the guide block 234 so that the guide block 234 is guided along the first and second guide bolts 226 , 228 between the brackets 222 , 224 .

[0064] In the right side plate 210b of the cover portion 210, an L-shaped cutout 210d is provided, the shape of which corresponds to the shape of the L-shaped portion of the fixing element 230. In addition, in the outer surface of the bracket 222, a rectangular recess 222a is arranged for receiving the upper end of the vertical arm 232 of the L-shaped portion of the fixing element 230 and a portion of the horizontal plate 233 extending through the recess 222a in the bracket 222.

[0065] like Figure 5 As shown, the cutout 210d in the side panel 210b of the cover portion 210 extends completely through the side panel 210b, so that the L-shaped portion of the fixing element 230, in particular the horizontal arm 231, is visible on the inner side of the side panel 210b. The thickness of the L-shaped portion of the fixing element 230 at least approximately corresponds to the thickness of the side panel 210b. Therefore, the L-shaped portion is approximately flush with the inner and outer surfaces of the side panel 210b, while the engagement element E extends beyond the inner surface of the side panel 210b of the cover portion 210. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Figure 7As shown, the engagement element E engages in the gap between two consecutive closed clips C of a series of clips C.

[0066] The holding unit 200 further includes an actuating element AE in the form of a compression spring. The actuating element or compression spring AE is arranged at the guide bolt 226 between the bracket 222 and the guide block 234, so that the guide block 234 is pushed to the left, whereby an L-shaped portion having a horizontal arm 231 and a vertical arm 232 is forged into the recesses 210d and 222a.

[0067] To produce sausage-shaped products S on the system 1, a tubular casing M, which is stored on a filling tube 10 of a shearing machine CM and closed at its front end by a closing clamp C, is filled with a filling material, and the filling material is fed into the tubular casing M through the filling tube 10 in a filling direction F. After a predetermined portion of the filling material has been fed into the tubular casing M, the upper and lower displacer elements of the first and second displacer units 32, 34 are moved from their open positions to their closed positions to form a gathered portion or segment of the filled tubular casing M. Thereafter, the first displacer unit 32 performs a linear movement in a horizontal direction and coaxially with the filling direction F. As a result, a pleated portion P is formed on the gathered or pleated portion of the tubular casing M. Two closing clamps C are applied to the pleated portion P and closed by a shearing device 20. The first closing clamp C is used to close the newly filled tubular casing M to form a complete sausage-shaped product S, while the second closing clamp C is used to close the leading end of the sausage-shaped product S to be produced subsequently. A hanging element L is provided by a corresponding feed device and attached to one end of the sausage-shaped product S via one of the closing clamps C. To sever the newly produced sausage-shaped product S from the remaining tubular casing M, a cutting device 40 is activated, causing the pleated portion P to be cut between the two newly applied closing clamps C. The newly produced sausage-shaped product S can then be discharged from the shearing machine CM via a discharge device 50. The hanging element L of the newly produced sausage-shaped product S is captured by a capturing unit and guided to, for example, a rod-shaped element provided in a suspension line, where it is suspended by the hanging element L.

[0068] During the production process, the string of closing clips C is fed stepwise by the feeding device 300 towards the shearing device 20 so that the next closing clip C is placed in the mould 24 after the closing process is completed and the sausage-shaped product S just produced has been removed from the shears CM.

[0069] After the closing clip C currently positioned in the die 24 has been severed from the string of closing clips C, the feed elements 320, 330 of the feed rod 310 are disengaged from the string of closing clips C. In this case, the holding unit 220 holds the string of closing clips C in this position, the engagement element E engages the gap between two subsequent closing clips C in the string of closing clips C, and prevents the string of closing clips C from sliding forward out of the guide device 200 or being pulled back by tension.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, cutouts 210d may be adapted in the side panels 210b of the cover 210 and / or the L-shaped portion of the fixing element 230 so that the horizontal arms 231 of the fixing element 230 laterally abut the string of closing clips C and apply a clamping force thereto.

[0071] As mentioned above, usually two closing clips C are applied to the pleat portion P for producing sausage-shaped products S. However, if a chain of sausage-shaped products S is intended to be produced, it may be desirable to place only one closing clip C at the pleat portion P between two subsequent sausage-shaped products S.

[0072] In order to place only one closing clip C on the pleated portion P, before the closing clip C string is fed to the shearing device 20 by the feeding device 300, the pivot drive 350 is activated and the first feeding element 320 is rotated from the pivot rod 356 to the pivot pin P. Figure 2 The transport position shown is moved to the Figure 3 Thereafter, the feeding device 300 is started.

[0073] Since the first feed element 320 is in the retracted position and the second feed element 330 remains in the conveying position, only the second string of clips is fed towards the shearing device 20 and only one closing clip C (i.e. the frontmost closing clip C of the second string of closing clips C) is placed in the mold 24 to be applied to the pleated portion P of the filled and gathered tubular casing M.

[0074] The first feed element 320 is held in the retracted position depending on the length of the string of sausage-shaped products S. When producing the final sausage-shaped product S of the string of sausage-shaped products S, particularly when filling the final portion of the tubular casing M, the first feed element 320 is moved back to the transport position. Therefore, when the closing clamps C for closing the rear end of the final sausage-shaped product S are supplied, two closing clamps are placed in the mold 24, so that one closing clamp C closes the rear end of the final sausage-shaped product S in the string, and one closing clamp C closes the front end of the sausage-shaped product S in the string of sausage-shaped products S to be produced next.

[0075] The activation and deactivation of the pivot drive 350, which interrupts or continues the feeding of the closing clip C to the shearing device 20, can be controlled by the control unit CU. A program for producing a string of sausage-shaped products S can be stored in the control unit CU and called up by an operator. However, the operator can also first select the type of sausage-shaped product S to be produced and then adjust the number of sausage-shaped products S in the string to be produced. It is also possible for the operator to adjust or modify the number of sausage-shaped products S in the string during production, or for the operator to permanently activate the pivot drive 350 to produce a "ring-shaped" string of sausage-shaped products S.

[0076] In accordance with Figures 2 to 4 In the embodiment of the shear bar 100, only one holding unit is provided for holding one string of closing clips C in position. However, a second holding unit for holding a second string of closing clips C in position may also be provided, or the holding unit may be provided with a second fixing element acting on the second string of closing clips C.

[0077] Furthermore, the shearing machine CM can be equipped to apply more than two closing clips C, for example three or four closing clips C, to the pleated portion P. Thus, the shearing machine can be provided with a guide device comprising more than one holding unit, or with a holding unit capable of holding in place more than one string of closing clips C. Furthermore, such a holding unit can be adapted to hold in place one or more selected strings of closing clips C.

[0078] It is also possible that not only the first feed element but also the second feed element can be reversibly moved between the transport position and the retracted position.In this case, the first feed element and the second feed element can also be moved together or independently of each other.

[0079] The feeding device can also be provided with more than two feeding elements, for example three or four. In this case as well, one or more feeding elements can be moved between the transport position and the retracted position.

[0080] The feed element 320 of the feed device 300 has been described as being pivoted between the transport position and the retracted position by the pivot drive 350. However, the feed element 320 can also be moved linearly between the transport position and the retracted position. In this configuration, a linear drive can be provided, which can, for example, include a piston / cylinder drive for linearly moving the feed element 320 along the feed rod 310.

[0081] Although this specification discloses closure clips as closure devices, the present invention may also be implemented in conjunction with other closure devices.

Claims

1. A system (1) for feeding a closing clamp (C) to a shearing device (20) of a shearing machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), such as sausages, said system (1) comprising: a feeding device (300) for at least selectively feeding at least a first or a second string of closing clips (C) towards a closed position of the shearing device (20), in which the frontmost clip (C) of the one or both strings of closing clips (C) can be attached to the sausage-shaped product (S), and a guiding device (200) having at least a first guide rail (216) and a second guide rail (218), the first guide rail (216) and the second guide rail (218) being used to guide at least a first string and a second string of closing clips (C) towards the closed position of the shearing device (20), The guiding device (200) includes at least one holding unit (220) for holding one of the strings of closing clips (C), i.e., the first string or the second string of closing clips (C), in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device (20) when the feeding device (300) feeds the other string of closing clips (C) to the closed position.

2. The system (1) according to claim 1, in, The feeding device (300) is configured to gradually feed at least the first string and / or the second string of closing clips (C) towards the closed position of the shearing device (20), and Wherein, the holding unit (220) is configured to hold one of the strings of closing clips (C), i.e. the first string or the second string of clips (C), in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device (20) at least between two consecutive feeding steps.

3. System (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in, The holding unit (220) comprises at least one fixing element (230), which is movable between a holding position and a release position, wherein the fixing element (230) holds one of the strings of closing clips (C), i.e. the first string or the second string of closing clips (C), in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device (20) by reversibly engaging with the string of closing clips (C) to be held, and wherein the fixing element (230) is disengaged from the string of closing clips (C).

4. The system (1) according to claim 3, in, The at least one fixing element (230) has an engagement portion (E) for engaging with a recess formed in at least one string of closure clips (C) in the first and second strings of closure clips (C) when the fixing element (230) is in the retaining position.

5. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in, The holding unit (220) has an actuating element (AE) for reversibly holding the at least one fixing element (230) in the holding position.

6. System (1) according to claim 5, in, The actuating element (AE) is moved passively or actively into the holding position.

7. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in, The guide device (200) comprises a cover portion (210), the cover portion (210) preferably forming part of the first guide rail (216) and the second guide rail (218), and The at least one fixing element (230) is arranged in a recess (210d) arranged in the cover portion (210).

8. System (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in, The feeding device (300) comprises a feeding unit (310, 340) for feeding the first string of closing clips (C) and the second string of closing clips (C) towards the closed position of the shearing device (20), the feeding unit having a feeding rod (310) with a first feeding element (320) and a second feeding element (330), wherein the first feeding element (320) engages the first string of closing clips (C) during feeding of the first string of closing clips (C) and the second feeding element (330) engages the second string of closing clips (C) during feeding of the second string of closing clips (C), and Wherein, at least one of the feeding elements (320, 330), i.e., the first feeding element (320) or the second feeding element (320), is capable of reversibly moving between the feeding position and the retracted position, wherein in the feeding position, the at least one feeding element (320, 330) engages with one string of the closing clips (C), i.e., the first string or the second string of closing clips (C), during the feeding of the closing clip string, and in the retracted position, during the feeding of the other string of closing clips (C), the at least one feeding element (320; 330) disengages from one string of the closing clips (C), i.e., the first string or the second string of closing clips (C) to interrupt the feeding of the string of closing clips (C).

9. System (1) according to claim 8, in, The at least one of the first feed element (320) and the second feed element (330) is pivotally coupled to the feed rod (310).

10. The system (1) according to claim 8, in, At least one of the first feeding element (320) and the second feeding element (330) is capable of linear movement along the feeding rod (310).

11. A shearing machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), such as sausages, by filling a filling material into a tubular encapsulating casing (M), the shearing machine (CM) comprising: A shearing device (20) having a first closing tool (22) and a second closing tool (24) reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position for applying two closing clamps (C) to a pleated portion (P) formed on a filled and gathered tubular casing (M), and closing the closing clamps (C) by moving the closing tools (22, 24) to their closed positions, wherein the first closing clamp (C) is used to close the portion of the tubular casing (M) that has just been filled, and the second closing clamp (C) is used to close the portion of the tubular casing (M) that is to be filled next, a control unit (CU) for controlling the shearing machine (CM), and A system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, for feeding closing clips (C) into a closed position of the shearing device (20), in which the frontmost clip (C) of one or two strings of closing clips (C) is configured to be attached to the sausage-shaped product (S).

12. The shearing machine (CM) according to claim 11, in, The control unit (CU) also controls the feeding device (300) to selectively feed the first string or the second string of closing clips (C) toward the closed position of the shearing device (20).

13. A guiding device (200) for use in a shearing machine (CM) for producing sausage-shaped products (S), such as sausages, the guiding device (200) comprising at least a first guide rail (216) and a second guide rail (218), the first guide rail (216) and the second guide rail (218) being used to guide at least a first string and a second string of closing clips (C) towards a closed position of a shearing device (20) of the shearing machine (CM), in which the frontmost clip (C) of the string or the two strings of closing clips (C) is configured to be attached to the sausage-shaped product (S), in, The guiding device (200) includes a holding unit (220) for holding one string of closing clips (C), i.e., the first string or the second string of closing clips (C), in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device (20) when the feeding device (300) feeds the other string of closing clips (C) to the closed position.

14. A method for producing a sausage-shaped product (S), such as a sausage, comprising the following steps: Filling a filling material into a tubular packaging casing (M) and forming pleated portions (P) on the filled tubular packaging casing (M), Two closing clamps (C) are applied to the pleated portion (P) and the closing clamps (C) are closed by a shearing device (20) of a shearing machine (CM), the shearing machine (CM) having a first closing tool (22) and a second closing tool (24) reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position, the first closing clamp (C) being used to close the portion of the tubular casing (M) that has just been filled, and the second closing clamp (C) being used to close the portion of the tubular casing (M) that is to be filled next, feeding at least selectively a first or a second string of closing clips (C) towards the closed position of the shearing device (20) by means of a feeding device (300), wherein the leading clip (C) of the one or both strings of closing clips (C) is configured to be attached to the sausage-shaped product (S), guiding the first and second strings of closing clips (C) toward the shearing device (20) by means of a guiding device (200) so that the foremost closing clip (C) in the first or second string of closing clips (C) is arranged in a closed position of the shearing device (20), and When the feeding device (300) feeds the other string of closing clips (C) to the closed position, one of the strings of closing clips (C), i.e. the first string or the second string of closing clips (C), is maintained in a position outside the closed position of the shearing device (20).

15. Method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of interrupting the feeding of one of the strings of closing clips (C) towards the closed position of the shearing device (20) during at least one feeding step.

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