Improvements in Sausage Linking Machines.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Dec.. 1899-Accepted, 10th Feb., 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Sausage Linking Machines.
I, EDWIN JOSEPH TooF, of 74, Crown Street, New Haven, State of Connec-
ticut, United States of America, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to machines for dividing a filled sausage casing into
sections or links of a desired length, and then twisting the same, whereby they
will permanently retain their divided or linked form. In the machines hereto-
fore provided for this purpose, means have been provided for carrying or feeding
a filled sausage casing to a certain position relative to the dividing and twisting
mechanism, and then holding the same in a stationary position while the said
dividing and twisting mechanism performed its function of linking the sausage.
An intermittent feeding and stopping movement of the filled sausage casing
thus occurs during the operation of the machine to form the same into links,
and it is this continuous stopping of the sausage casing during its feeding
movement, and the delay thereby incurred while the linking mechanism per-
forms its function, which renders such machines objectionable, as the rapidity
secured in the operation of linking sausage by the use of the same is but little,
if any, greater than the hand method.
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and effective machine of
this character that will operate to feed or carry the filled sausage casing with
a continuous movement, and operate upon the same during such movement to
form and twist the links. This object I secure by means of the novel con-
struction and combination of parts as hereinafter set forth in detail and pointed
out in the claims.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine embodying my invention, a portion of
the same being broken away.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same partly in section.
Figure 3 is an end elevation, partly in section.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of a machine, partly in section, embodying my
invention in a somewhat different form from that shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3,
and
Figure 5 is an end elevation of the same also partly in section.
To explain in detail, the frame of my improved machine, as herein shown,
consists of an open substantially rectangular casting a which is angular in
cross-section, and supported in a horizontal position upon suitable legs or
supports a forming a part of the frame.
Two pairs of sprocket wheels b, b, and b¹¹, respectively, are supported in a
horizontal position adjacent to the opposite sides of the frame a upon short
vertically arranged shafts 62, each of which latter are loosely journalled in
brackets which are adjustably secured to the cross bars a²a of the frame
by bolts or screws a'. Two endless sprocket chains c and c¹ are connected with
the wheels b, b, and 61, 61, respectively, whereby the inner or adjacent sides of

page_text: the chains will move in the same plane and in parallel lines with each other.
Secured upon each of these chains at certain predetermined distances, are
gripping jaws which are so arranged that their outer ends will be in a
position opposite and adjacent to each other when moving in a central path
between the opposite chains as more clearly shown in Figure 1.
The wheels b, b, and b, b, are adapted to be operated with a continuous move-
ment by any suitable driving means, whereby the said jaws on the opposite
chains and will be caused to grip the filled sausage casing and carry or
feed the same with continuous movement through the machine while it is
being twisted and linked as will hereinafter be described. The means for
operating the said sprocket wheel as herein shown is as follows: A driving
shaft is journalled in the frame a adjacent to one end, thereof and provided
with two gears d', d, thereon which mesh respectively one with a gear on
the vertical shaft which carries one of the pair of wheels b, and the other with
a gear on the shaft which carries one of the pair of wheels b¹. In this
manner it will be understood that both of the chains c and c¹ may be driven
in unison with a continuous and uniform movement.
In the operation of the machine, a filled sausage casing is guided in the front
end of the same through a suitable trough (not shown in the drawings) to
a position to be gripped between the moving jaws when two of the same
are brought to a position opposite each other after being carried around the
sprocket wheels at such end of the machine. When the end of the sausage
casing is gripped, it is carried forward by the moving jaws between the two
chains so that as each of the succeeding jaws come opposite each other, they
also grip and compress the sausage casing so as to carry or feed the same and
also divide the filled casing into sections or links of the desired lengths, as
denoted at 2, 3, and 4 in Figure 2.
In order to twist the divided links whereby they will permanently retain
their divided or linked form, I provide two rolls and f one above the other
at opposite sides of the horizontal path of the gripping jaws (2, the lower
rolle being provided with a spiral rib e¹ thereon, and the upper roll f also having
a spiral rib f' thereon in the form of a spring. Both of the ribs e¹ and fl wind
upon the rolls in the same direction so that as the latter are revolved in like
direction, the adjacent or opposing surfaces of the two ribs will continue imme-
diately opposite as they move past each other throughout their length from
one end of the rolls to the other. By this construction it will be understood
that a sausage section held between the inner or adjacent oppositely moving
surfaces of the two ribs will be rolled between the same, and that such rolling
or twisting action will continue during the forward movement of the casing
between the rolls.
The opposite ribs e¹ and f¹ are arranged relative to the gripping jaws (2 so
as to engage with every alternate sausage section or link that is gripped or
carried through the machine by the moving jaws 3, as clearly shown in
Figure 2. the operation of the said ribs in combination with the jaws being
as follows: When the casing in its forward movement has been gripped between
two successive pairs of jaws, as the section 2 in Figure 2, the movement
of the rolls are SO timed relative to the forward movement of the
jaws that one end of each of the ribs e¹ and f¹ will engage with the opposite
sides of said divided sausage section 2 and, as the adjacent surfaces of the
opposing ribs move in opposite directions, the interposed sausage is thereby
rolled and twisted during the continued forward movement of the same until
it has reached the position occupied by the section 4, at which time the rolls
have made a complete revolution and the opposite rear ends of the ribs move
from engagement with the sausage section or link, the latter having been
sufficiently twisted to permanently retain its linked form.
As the rear ends of the ribs move from engagement with the twisted link
as described, their forward ends engage with the second following link 2 and

page_text: twist the same in like manner, the intermediate link 3 being held opposite the
space between the spirals of the ribs and so remaining unacted upon, it being
understood that it is only necessary to roll every alternate link in order to twist
the casing between each of the same.
The rolls e and f may be supported and operated in any suitable manner,
the lower roll e, as herein shown, being mounted upon a shaft e3 which is
journalled in the frame of the machine and provided with a gear e³ on one end
thereof meshing with a second gear e' on the driving shaft d, whereby the roll
is driven from the latter. The upper roll f is journalled in two arms 99 and
operated from the lower roll e to revolve in unison therewith by means of a
upper and
chain h engaging with two sprocket wheels h¹ and h³ located on the
lower roll shafts 2 and e respectively.
The chain h, if run directly between the sprocket wheels h¹ and he would
prevent vertical adjustment of the rolls relative to each other, which adjustment
is desirable to enable the machine to be adapted for linking sausages of dif-
ferent sizes. To provide for such adjustment, I have run the chains over two
guide wheels h³ and h located adjacent to one side of the machine, the wheel h
being journalled on a cross-shaft h which is supported on the upper side of
the frame at one side thereof, and the wheel 4 being journalled at the end of
a short arm which is pivotally connected with the said cross-shaft 1.
When the sausage casing is being twisted between the ribs on the rolls e
and f as before described, it is desirable that the ribs grip the interposed casing
with just sufficient pressure to turn the same and without unduly squeezing it.
For such reason the rib f¹ of the upper roll f is in the form of a spiral spring
which is loosely supported around the roll with its opposite ends ff seated
within openings in said roll adjacent to its opposite ends, as more clearly shown
in Figure 3. By this construction, the rib f¹ bears upon the sausage casing
with a yielding pressure which is just sufficient to hold the same in operative
engagement with the lower rib e'.
In twisting sausages of slightly different diameter, the spring rib f¹ will
readily adapt itself to such variation, but for any material difference it is
desirable that the space between the rolls be varied accordingly.
To provide for such adjustment, I have supported the upper roll f in the
end of two arms 99 which are pivotally supported on the cross-shaft h³. These
arms are supported with their outer roll supporting ends in a vertically adjust-
able position by means of a cross-bar g¹ which connects with the said arm by
having its ends g² extend through elongated slots g³ in the latter, and two
screws go which pass through screw threaded openings in the cross-bar g¹ and
connect at their lower end with the frame in a vertically stationary position.
By this means the screw may be turned in the proper direction to either raise
or lower the bar g¹ and thereby adjust the vertical position of the connecting
roll as may be desired.
Two
Referring to Figures 4 and 5, I have illustrated my invention in a some-
In this instance I employ
what different form from that before described.
three rolls instead of two, but each being provided with a spiral rib which
co-operate together in twisting a sausage link as it is carried forward between
manner as before
the same by the gripping jaws, in substantially the same
described relative to the construction shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3.
rolls mm are journalled side by side on the supporting frame and each pro-
vided with a gear m¹ at one end thereof meshing with gears m² m² on the
driving shaft d. These two rolls are each provided with a raised spiral rib m³
thereon which are so arranged relative to each other, that as the rolls are
rotated in the same direction, the sausage engaging surfaces of the two ribs will
continue in a position directly opposite each other as before described relative
to the ribs on the rolls e and f. Above the rolls mm and in a central line
This roll n, which is adapted to
between the same is supported a third roll n.
rest upon the sausage casing and hold the same with sufficient pressure against

page_text: the ribs of the rolls mm to be rolled and twisted thereby, is journalled in the
end of two arms n¹n which are pivotally supported upon the cross shaft h³
and correspond to the arms gg before described.
The roll n, instead of being supported in a stationary vertically adjustable
position like the roll f, rests loosely upon the sausage casing, the weight of the
same being sufficient to hold the latter with the desired pressure against the
ribs of the lower rolls. As the only function of the roll is to thus hold the
sausage casing with the desired pressure against the ribs of the lower rolls,
it is made only about one half as large in diameter as the latter. For this
reason it is provided with a rib n² having double the number of spirals of those
on the lower rolls and adapted to be revolved with twice the speed of the
latter whereby a portion of its rib will continue opposite the sausage engaging
portion of the ribs on the said lower rolls; in other words, the sausage section
carried between the rolls to be twisted will be engaged at three points.
The roll n is driven from one of the rolls m to operate in proper time there-
with in the same manner as the roll f is driven from the roll e,i.e., the shaft
of one of the rolls m and the shaft of the roll n are each provided with a
sprocket wheel n³ thereon which are operatively connected by a sprocket
chain operating over two guide wheels n5 and no. Any suitable means for
operating the rolls, however, other than shown and described may be employed
without departure from my invention.
This
In the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, I have provided a wheel o
which is arranged at one end of the machine in a position to receive the twisted
sausage section on its grooved periphery when released by the gripping jaws
and carry the same well forward of the latter, as shown in Figure 4.
wheel is mounted on a short shaft o¹ which is journalled in two bracket
arms o² o secured on the frame a, and is operated by means of a gear o in the
shaft of one of the rolls m meshing with a gear 04 on its supporting shaft o¹.
As
The gripping jaws 2 shown in Figures 4 and 5 differ in form from those
shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3. In this instance the end of the jaws are curved
and bent, as shown, so as to cross each other when performing their work.
the wheel o is located in the path of the gripping jaws at the point where they
begin to open, so as to receive the sausage sections as they are released by said
jaws, it is provided with radial openings into which the jaws enter a short
distance and then move laterally out of the same as the chains to which they
are attached move around the sprocket wheels, it being understood that the
movement of the wheel o is so timed as to bring one of its openings opposite
the gripping jaws as each pair of the latter successively reach a position
adjacent to the same.
Having thus illustrated and described different practical embodiments of my
invention, it will be obvious that the construction and combination of the
several parts may be materially modified without departure from the spirit of
the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
-
1. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a
filled sausage casing with a continuous movement and dividing the same into
sections or links without interrupting said movement, and means for twisting
a divided link relative to another link during such continuous movement.
2. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a
filled sausage casing with a continuous longitudinal movement, jaws travelling
in unison with said carrying means for dividing the casing into links and
holding it so divided without interrupting said movement, and means for
twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous move-
ment,

page_text: 3. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a
filled sausage casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing
the same into links without interrupting said movement, and means for twisting
a divided link relative to another link during such continuous movement,
embodying a revolving spiral roll for engaging with the link, and means for
holding the latter in operative contact with said roll.
4. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying
filled sausage casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing the
same into links, and spiral rolls revolving each in the same direction for engaging
with and twisting a divided link relative to another link during such continuous
movement.
5. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a
filled sausage casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing
the same into links, a revolving spiral roll for engaging with a divided link,
and adjustable means for holding the latter in contact with said roll, for the
purpose set forth.
6. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a
filled sausage casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing
the same into links, and means for twisting a divided link relative to another
link during such continuous movement, embodying two spiral rolls revolving
each in the same direction and one being yielding relative to the other, for
the purpose set forth.
7. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of means for carrying a
filled sausage casing with a continuous longitudinal movement and dividing
the same into links without interrupting said movement, two spiral rolls
revolving both in the same direction for engaging with and twisting a divided
link relative to another link, and a pivoted swinging frame supporting one of
said rolls.
8. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of a pair of continuously
moving carriers provided with a series of co-operating jaws for carrying a filled
sausage casing and dividing the same into links without interrupting its move-
ment, and means for twisting a divided link carried by said jaws relative to
another link.
9. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of a pair of continuously
moving endless chains or carriers, operating over suitable supports and each
being provided with a series of co-operating jaws for carrying a filled sausage
casing and dividing the same into links, and a revolving spiral roll operating
transversely between certain predetermined pairs of the co-operating jaws to
twist a divided link held thereby relative to another link.
10. In a sausage linking machine, the combination, of a pair of continuously
moving endless chains or carriers operating over suitable supports and each
being provided with a series of co-operating jaws for carrying a filled sausage
casing and dividing the same into links, a revolving spiral roll operating trans-
versely between certain pre-determined pairs of the co-operating jaws to twist
a divided link held thereby relative to another link, and means for receiving
the twisted links as they are released by the engaging jaws and carrying the
same forward of the path of the latter, substantially as herein described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of December 1899.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.