Suspension Element Feeding for Sausage Clipping Without Catcher Pickup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for producing sausage-shaped products face complexity in construction and control efforts to prevent flexible suspension elements from being captured by catching devices, limiting their application to specific types of suspension apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a control unit and a feeding device with a control pin to selectively deform flexible suspension elements, preventing them from being captured by the catching unit, allowing for secure attachment to sausage-shaped products without transferring them to subsequent devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a slider is used to prevent suspension elements from being captured by the catching device, then the suspension elements can be prevented from being suspended from a smoking rod, but the construction complexity and control effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the prevention function from a complex slider mechanism and implements it through a simple control pin that can be manually positioned. The control pin is removed from the system when not needed, eliminating the complexity of automated slider control while maintaining the prevention function when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The control pin is designed to be manually operable by the operator, who can directly position it to block or allow suspension element passage based on immediate needs. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex automated control systems while providing reliable prevention when needed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the slider path length is adapted to the size of the largest possible loops, then all suspension element sizes can be handled, but the device becomes more complex and requires higher control effort
Solution Approach 1:
The control pin can be dynamically positioned by the operator according to the specific suspension element size being processed. Rather than having a fixed path length adapted to the largest loops, the operator can adjust the pin position to match the actual loop size, reducing control effort while maintaining versatility.
3Productivity
If a catching device is used to capture suspension elements, then sausage-shaped products can be suspended on a rod-like element, but the system cannot easily perform quality checks without cutting elements
Solution Approach 1:
The control pin is positioned in advance to block the catching device when quality checks are needed. This preliminary action prevents the suspension element from being captured, allowing the sausage-shaped product to be removed for quality inspection without cutting the element. The same mechanism that enables suspension also prevents capture when needed.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces construction and control complexity while ensuring reliable attachment of suspension elements, enabling flexible operation and quality checks without cutting elements, and allowing reintroduction into the production process.
Implementation Method 1
means for selectively or optionally deforming a flexible suspension element as it is fed into the pick-up position to prevent the flexible suspension element from being captured by the catching unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) and a method for producing sausage-shaped products (S), by filling a flowable or granular filling material into a tubular packaging casing (M). The system (1) includes a clipping machine (CM) and a control unit (CU) for controlling at least the clipping machine (CM). The clipping machine (CM) comprises a clipping device (20) having first and second closing tools (22, 24) being reversibly movable between an open position and a closed position, for applying at least one closure means (C) to a plait-like portion (P) formed to a filled and gathered tubular packaging casing (M), and closing said closure means (C) by moving the closing tools (22, 24) into their closed position. The system (1) further comprises a feeding device (100) for feeding flexible suspension elements (L) in a feeding direction (LF) to the clipping machine (CM) into a pick-up position to be attached to a sausage-shaped product (S) by means of the at least one closure means (C), and a catching unit (300) for capturing a suspension element (L) attached to the sausage-shaped product(S). The feeding device (100) includes means (230) for selectively or optionally deforming a flexible suspension element (L) as it is fed into the pick-up position, to prevent said flexible suspension element (L) from being captured by the catching unit (300).