Patent ID: 6604338
Filing Date: 2003-08-12
Classification: A22C,B65B

Abstract:
Apparatus for attaching a shaped metal clip at intervals to casing filled with a viscous product, said apparatus comprising, in combination:a support frame; a clipper assembly; a clipper assembly mounting rail for reciprocally mounting the clipper assembly on the frame for reciprocal movement back and forth between a first casing entry station and a second casing exit station, a continuous filled tube of casing entering the apparatus at the first station, exiting at the second station and clipped intermediate the first and second station by the reciprocating clipper assembly; a clipper assembly reciprocation mechanism for reciprocating the clipper assembly on the rail between the first and second stations; said clipper assembly including a filled casing support passage through which filled casing is directed as said casing extends between the first and second station, said clipper assembly further including first and second casing gathering plates which are projectible into the passage to gather the filled casing to form a neck section therein for attachment of at least one clip about the casing, said clipper assembly further including a clipper mechanism for attachment of a clip about gathered casing; and a control mechanism for the apparatus to synchronously operate the reciprocation mechanism with movement of casing between the first and second stations and to simultaneously operate the gathering plates and clipper sequentially only during synchronous movement of the clipper assembly from the first to the second station, and otherwise for release and disengagement of the plates and clipper, whereby filled casing is continuously moving through the apparatus and gathered and clipped during said movement but only when the clipper assembly is synchronously moving therewith.