Closure machine

Abstract

Device for closing tubular packaging containing a pasty substance, comprising a closure device (1) which has a gathering device (3,a, 3b) for gathering a section of the packaging, a clamping device (4) for placing one or more closure clamps on the gathered section, and at least one upright locking plate (2a, 2b) for supporting the gathering device (3a, 3b) and the clamping device (4), and a frame (11) wherein the closure device (1) is pivotable relative to the frame (11) into various pivoting positions, characterized in that the pivoting axis for pivotability is vertical and in at least one pivoting position of the closure device (1) there is a free space below the closure area, free of other elements of the device and accessible from the closure axis in the closure area, which has a free depth (T).which, measured from the lowest position of the lower edges of the lock plates (2a, 2b), is at least 10 cm, has a clearance width (B) which, measured from the locking axis (A) to each of the two sides of the locking axis (A), is at least 15 cm, and has a clearance length which extends along the locking axis (A) over at least 5 cm.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device according to the preamble of claim 1. Devices of this type are used, for example, in sausage production to close the casing filled with sausage meat. To close the casing, the device first gathers the plump casing in a plane perpendicular to its axis, so that a closure clip can completely encircle the casing. Then, one or two closure clips are placed on the gathered section and bent to create a secure closure. Depending on the application, the gathered and closed section can then be cut by a blade of the device to produce individual sausages.

[0002] In such applications, it has always been extremely important that the devices can be cleaned quickly and thoroughly. For this purpose, devices of this type are designed so that the elements responsible for gathering and closing can be pivoted relative to their frame, thus providing better access for cleaning to the individual, potentially soiled areas of the device.

[0003] The pivoting elements are normally supported by two pivoting locking plates. In previously known devices, these in turn rest on a pivoting base plate that supports them. However, the space between the locking plates below the retractable and locking elements is an area that is generally particularly susceptible to contamination.

[0004] The invention is therefore based on the objective of facilitating cleaning in this area. To achieve this, it proposes omitting the base plate and keeping the space below this area free of other elements of the device. By omitting the base plate, it is avoided that the locking plates, together with any lateral elements, form a "pocket" for contaminants from which they can only be removed with difficulty and time.

[0005] The following explains some terms used to define the invention: A gathering device for gathering a section of the packaging comprises elements suitable for constricting the filled packaging to a small diameter. These are typically sheets with suitably shaped gathering edges, as known, for example, from EP 0 963 698 B1. A clamping device for setting one or more closure clamps generally comprises a punch. An example of this is also known from EP 0 963 698 B1. Usually, a clamp feeder is provided from which the punch takes a closure clamp. It then moves this clamp towards the gathered section of the casing, where the clamp feet enclose it and are then bent around the casing on a die. The punch is typically pneumatically driven. In devices according to the invention, the gathering device and usually also the clamping device are supported by at least one locking plate. These are stable, upright plates.Made of steel, the frame of which is shaped so that the elements of the gathering and clamping device can be attached directly or via connecting elements. The locking plates can also be part of the gathering device, with their movable elements pressing the gut against an edge of the locking plate.

[0006] A locking device according to the invention comprises a gathering device, a clamping device and lock plate(s).

[0007] Devices according to the invention further comprise a frame that supports the working elements of the device, including the locking mechanism, but which can otherwise be of any design. It can be a table frame, allowing the device to stand and operate securely on a worktable. Alternatively, it can be a larger frame that holds the working elements at a height easily accessible to operators, without the need for a table. The frame can have casters on its underside, allowing the entire device to be easily moved.

[0008] In devices according to the invention, the closure device can be pivoted relative to the frame into various pivot positions to facilitate access for cleaning. The pivot axis is vertical. When the closure device is in the pivot position in which the closure takes place, the area in which the bending of the closure clip(s) occurs forms the closure area within the meaning of the invention, and the axis of the fully filled tubular packaging material forms the closure axis. If the closure device is pivoted away from this axis, the closure area and the closure axis pivot accordingly.

[0009] The invention differs from previously known devices in that, in at least one pivot position, a clearance of a certain minimum size is located below the locking plates. This facilitates cleaning of the critical area of ​​the device, as contaminants from this area can then be more easily brushed or rinsed away. The clearance is accessible from the locking axis; that is, there is no base plate or other element on an imaginary vertical line from the axis to the clearance. The length of the clearance is the clearance length, its width the clearance width, and its depth the clearance depth. The clearance length is the length of the clearance along the locking axis. The clearance depth extends downwards from the locking plates by the clearance depth. The clearance width is perpendicular to the clearance depth and the clearance length.

[0010] If the clearance extends to the lowest element of the device's frame, there are no further elements of the device below this clearance. Contaminants from this critical area can then fall directly onto the floor or into a bucket or drain located there when brushed or rinsed.

[0011] An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1: A perspective, schematic view of a device according to the invention; Fig. 2: The same device in the same view, with the locking device pivoted to a different pivot position.

[0012] The closure device, designated as 1, comprises two locking plates 2a and 2b, two gathering plates 3a and 3b, and a clamping device, of which a plunger 4 and a pneumatic cylinder 5 driving it are shown. The gathering plates 3a and 3b are pivotally mounted relative to the locking plates about a pin 6. An opening for the passage of the filled package is formed by three mutually perpendicular edges 9a, 9b, and 9c of the gathering plates 3a and 3b, and a section 8 of the rim of the locking plates 2a and 2b. One of the gathering edges 9c is aligned with that of a guide 7 for the sealed package sections. When the gathering plates 3a and 3b are pivoted during closure, this edge of the guide 7 acts on the package, thus becoming part of the gathering device.

[0013] The locking device 1 is pivotably mounted about a pin 10 relative to a frame designated 11. The pin 10 is perpendicular to the frame 11, i.e., the locking device 1 is pivotable about a vertical axis.

[0014] The frame 11 has a support plate 12 that receives the pin 10. The support plate 12 rests on support arms 13a and 13b, which extend below the locking device and whose ends, facing away from the support plate 12, rest on a support column 14. The support column 14 stands on a chassis 15, on the front side of which four rollers are arranged for moving the device; three of these rollers are shown, 16a, 16b, and 16c.

[0015] Below the locking plates 2a and 2b, there is a clearance extending from their lower edges, with a clearance depth T, a clearance width B, and a clearance length L. The locking axis is designated A. The clearance is accessible from the locking axis A, as there is no base plate or other element in this area between the locking plates 2a and 2b. Therefore, from the locking axis A, a downward-directed jet of water can be used to rinse away any adhering substances from the locking plates, for example, into a container located in the clearance. In this way, cleaning the critical area between the locking plates is easily accomplished.

Claims

[1] Device for closing tubular packagings containing pasty contents, comprising a closure device (1) which has a gathering device (3,a, 3b) for gathering a section of the packaging, a clamping device (4) for placing one or more closure clamps on the gathered section and at least one upright locking plate (2a, 2b) for supporting the gathering device (3a, 3b) and the clamping device (4), and a frame (11) wherein the closure device (1) is pivotable relative to the frame (11) into different pivoting positions, characterized by, that the pivot axis for pivotability is vertical and that in at least one pivot position of the locking device (1) there is a free space below the locking area which is free of other elements of the device and accessible from the locking axis in the locking area, which has a free depth (T) which, measured from the lowest position of the lower edges of the lock plates (2a, 2b), is at least 10 cm, a free width (B) which, measured from the locking axis (A) to each of the two sides of the locking axis (A), is at least 15 cm, and has a free length which extends along the locking axis (A) over at least 5 cm. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the clearance width (B) to each of the two sides of the closure axis (A) is at least 20 cm, and preferably at least 25 cm. [3] Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized bythat the clearance depth (T) measured from the closure axis (A) is at least 20 cm, preferably 40 cm, preferably 60 cm. [4] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the clearance depth (T) extends to the lowest element of the frame of the device.

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