Patent Description:
An automated production line for producing sausage-shaped products often comprises a clipping machine for producing the sausage-shaped products, a discharge device for discharging the sausage-shaped products out of the clipping machine and a feeding device for feeding a rod-like element into a loading position in which the sausage-shaped products are transferred onto the rod-like element. For loading a rod-like element with sausage-shaped products, suspension loops attached to the sausage-shaped products may be grabbed by a transfer device, which takes the sausage-shaped products from the discharge device and transfer it to the rod-like element.

An exemplary automated production line is described in <CIT>. In the automated production line described therein, a filling unit is employed for filling a filling material via a filling tube into a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing.

Subsequently, a clipping machine is used for portioning and closing the sausages using closure means, like clips. In this regard, single-clippers and double-clippers are known. With a double-clipper, two closures are set simultaneously to close one sausage and to start the next yet unfilled packaging unit. A knife then cuts through the packaging casing between the two clips and the next packaging unit is ready to be filled.

Together with a clip, a flexible suspension element such as a suspension loop is generally attached to a sausage. Such a flexible suspension element can be used for transporting the sausages and for stringing the sausages on a rod for further processing such as boiling or smoking. Yet, for stringing the sausages on a rod, an automated production line generally comprises a discharge apparatus for removing the produced sausages from the clipping machine and for transporting the sausages to the rod.

A discharge apparatus generally comprises a discharge section as described inter alia in <CIT>. The transport device implementing a discharge section as described therein has a screw conveyor for transporting sausage products hanging on loops. The transport device comprises a first screw conveyor section and a drive means for the first screw conveyor section. The drive torque is transferred to the screw conveyor section via the outer circumferential area of the first screw conveyor section. The transport device further comprises a first support assembly for the first screw conveyor section. The transport device has a second screw conveyor section, which immediately adjoins the first screw conveyor section in the direction of transport. The first and the second screw conveyor sections are provided as hollow shafts. The right-hand end of the second screw conveyor section is inserted into the left-hand end of the first screw conveyor section.

Yet, it is still desirable to further improve the fabrication of sausage-shaped products and, in particular, to provide an efficient and easy transfer of the sausage-shaped products within an automated production line of the kinds referred to above.

The invention is based on the objective of providing an improved discharge section, in particular, for a discharge apparatus that is to be used as part of an automated production line for the fabrication of sausage-shaped products or the like. The discharge section, in particular, shall enable a more accurate alignment with respect to other machines such as a clipping machine. Thereby, with the discharge section it shall be possible to facilitate a handling of the products, e.g., as provided by a clipping machine.

According to the invention, a discharge section is proposed for a discharge of products with at least one suspension element, in particular, for sausage-shaped products, along the discharge section. The discharge section comprises a catcher unit and a guide unit.

The catcher unit comprises a catching end and is configured for catching at least one suspension element of the product with the catching end. The guide unit is configured for receiving the at least one suspension element of the product from the catcher unit and for transporting the product at its at least one suspension element along the discharge section.

The discharge section is characterized in that the catcher unit and the guide unit are releasably attached to each other by means of an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism is configured to enable an adjustment of a position of the catcher unit's catching end relative to the guide unit.

The invention includes the recognition that an automated production line for the production of sausage-shaped products generally comprises several machines that have to be arranged to each other to enable an efficient transfer of the product within the production line. After a sausage-shaped product is produced, e.g., by a clipping machine, the sausage-shaped product is removed at its suspension element, e.g., a flexible suspension loop or a suspension hook, from the clipping machine and transported at its suspension element to a rod of a feeding device. Eventually, the sausage-shaped product is stringed on the rod on its suspension element. Accordingly, the transfer of the sausage-shaped product within an automated production line particularly depends on an efficient handling of the sausage-shaped product's suspension element.

The transfer of the sausage-shaped product generally starts with the discharge of the sausage-shaped product from, e.g., a clipping machine, with the discharge apparatus. In particular, the suspension element is generally attached to the sausage-shaped product just below a catching end of a discharge section of the discharge apparatus. The sausage-shaped product is then lifted up to guide the suspension element over the catching end. Thereby, the suspension element is caught and threaded by the discharge section to be transported to a rod.

The catching of the suspension element with the catching end generally requires a comparatively accurate alignment of the discharge section's catching end with respect to the sausage-shaped product's suspension element as provided, e.g., by a clipping machine. However, often, a discharge apparatus containing the discharge section is a comparatively large and heavy device making an exact alignment tedious. In addition, the discharge apparatus generally is not only aligned to a clipping machine but also to further machines such that changing the position of the discharge apparatus may require also an adjustment of the positions of several further machines. Accordingly, such an alignment process may be comparatively time-consuming.

With the discharge section according to the invention it is possible to achieve an alignment of the discharge section's catching end relative to a reference position with comparatively high accuracy. In particular, with the discharge section it is not necessary to move a complete discharge apparatus for alignment purposes but to perform the alignment solely with the discharge section itself. This may have the advantage, that an alignment with respect to a reference position, e.g., a position where the catching end shall catch suspension elements of provided products, is facilitated and may also be implemented faster and with higher accuracy.

This is achieved with the discharge section according to the invention in that the catcher unit and the guide unit are releasably attached to each other by means of an attachment mechanism. The catcher unit and the guide unit are thus separate elements. With the attachment mechanism, the catcher unit and the guide unit can be fixed to each other to literally form a single piece. However, since the catcher unit and the guide unit are releasably attached to each other by means of an attachment mechanism, the attachment can be loosened to detach the catcher unit from the guide unit. For adjusting the position of the catching end relative to the guide unit and thereby to a reference position, the attachment mechanism can be employed by losing the attachment, bringing the catching end in the desired position relative to the guide unit and then closing again the attachment between catcher unit and the guide unit. It is thus the attachment mechanism enabling a flexible and releasable connection between the catcher unit and the guide unit that allows an accurate and comparatively easy way of adjusting the catching end's relative position.

The discharge section is particularly suitable for a discharge of products such as sausages or the like that contain a flowable filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing and a suspension element, like a suspension loop or a suspension hook. The filling material can be sausage meat, sealing material, granular material or the like.

The catcher unit, preferably, comprises a catching needle and a widening member for widening a diameter of the product's at least one suspension element. Widening the diameter particularly refers to a widening in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to a transport direction along the discharge section. With the widening member, an opening of the suspension element may be increased by bringing the suspension element in a more circular or drop-like shape. The catching needle, preferably, is attached to the widening member with its one end. The other end is the catching needle's free end and forms the catching end of the catcher unit. Alternatively, the catching needle may be a catching pin or the like. From a functional point of view, the catching needle or the catching pin is configured to enable a catching and threading of the suspension element and the widening member is configured to continuously widen the opening formed by the suspension element. The widening member can be cone-shaped with its flat base pointing towards the guide unit and with its apex pointing towards the catching end. Thereby, when the suspension element moves from the catching needle to the guide unit, its opening becomes steadily widened by the cone-shaped widening member. The flat base of the widening member can have the same or at least a similar diameter as the guide unit such that the widening member provides a smooth and rather continuous transfer of the suspension element from the catcher unit to the guide unit.

The catching needle or catching pin may be releasably connected to the widening member to further facilitate an alignment of the catching end's relative position. For example, for aligning the catching end, the attachment between catching needle or pin and the widening member may be released. The widening member may then be translated or rotated independently of the catching needle or pin. It may be further more beneficial if the attachment of the catching needle or catching pin to the widening member also is configured to provide means for adjusting the position of the catching end relative to the widening member. The means for attaching the catching needle to the widening member may be configured comparable to the attachment mechanism that is configured for attaching the catcher unit to the guide unit, i.e., the means for attaching the catching needle to the widening member may also comprise an attachment pin, an attachment hole and an attachment member as described before.

For example, it may be beneficial if the attachment between the catching needle or catching pin and the widening member is configured to enable a translation or rotation of the catching end relative to the widening member, in particular, relative to an axial direction of the widening member. Such an attachment may be used for fine-tuning the relative position of the catching end.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism is configured to enable an adjustment of the catching end's relative position parallel to an axial direction of the guide unit. Accordingly, with the attachment mechanism it shall be possible to move the catching end further away from the guide unit or to move the catching end towards the guide unit. For example, the guide unit itself may stand still relative to, e.g., a clipping machine or the like, and only the catching end is moved towards or away from a reference position, e.g., a catching position for catching suspension elements. It is particularly preferred that the attachment mechanism is configured to provide an adjustment of the catching end within a predefined distance range of distances between catching end and the guide unit. In this case, there may be a minimum distance between the catching end and the guide unit and a maximum distance between the catching end and the guide unit and a plurality of distance in between at which the catcher unit can be fixed in position relative to the guide unit to adjust the relative position of the catching end. It may be beneficial, in addition, that the attachment mechanism is configured for allowing a rotation of the catching end relative to the guide unit, e.g., around a guide unit's longitudinal axis, for adjusting a relative position of the catching end.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism is configured to enable an adjustment of the catching end's position in a continuous manner. Thereby, it is possible to fix the catching end in a plurality of different positions to corporate with a plurality of different machines such as clipping machines.

Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may be configured to enable an adjustment of the catching end's position in several discrete steps. This way, an improved control for the adjustment of the catching end's relative position may be achieved. In particular, an adjustment of the catching end's position in several discrete steps facilitates a return to a previous position after a relative position of the catching end has been changed.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises an attachment pin formed as part of the guide unit and an attachment hole configured for receiving the attachment pin and being formed as part of the catcher unit. Alternatively, the attachment mechanism may comprises an attachment pin formed as part of the catcher unit and an attachment hole configured for receiving the attachment pin may be formed in the guide unit. Preferably, the attachment pin is positioned in the attachment hole for releasably attaching the catcher unit and the guide unit to each other. With the attachment pin and the attachment hole, a push-in connection may be achieved. With the attachment pin and the attachment hole, the relative position of the catching end may be adjusted within a predefined range of distances parallel to an axial direction of the guide unit. The predefined range of distances may be defined by the lengths of the attachment pin and the attachment hole, e.g., by the maximum length the attachment pin can be moved and still fixed inside the attachment hole.

Since the attachment pin can be moved inside the attachment hole, a relative position of the catching end may be adjusted in a comparatively easy manner by adjusting a length of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole. The attachment hole, in particular, is configured complementary to the pin, e.g., in terms of cross-section and/or length. The guide unit and the catcher unit may have some overlapping area that allows moving the attachment pin inside the attachment hole without forming a gap between the catcher unit and the guide unit. Thereby, the suspension element can be transferred from the catcher unit to the guide unit without being stopped on its way along the discharge section, e.g., by a gap or a step formed at the transition from the catcher unit to the guide unit.

The attachment pin may have circular cross-section or a polygonal cross-section and the attachment hole preferably has a cross-section that is complementary to the pin's cross-section. A circular cross-section has the advantage that the attachment pin can be freely translated and rotated inside the attachment hole. It is therefore possible to adjust the catching end's relative position relatively freely. A polygonal cross-section enables a translation of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole but prevents the attachment pin from being freely rotated. A relative position of the catching end can thus be adjusted in a controlled manner in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the guide unit. Of course, the attachment pin may be removed completely from the attachment hole and inserted again at a rotated position. Thereby, it is possible to effectively rotate the attachment pin in several discrete steps.

In some embodiments, the attachment pin comprises an external thread and the attachment hole comprises an internal thread such that the catcher unit and the guide unit are attached to each other by screwing in the attachment pin into the attachment hole. The external thread can also be present in a certain section of the pin, only, such that the remaining part of the attachment pin may used for fixation of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole. For fixation of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole, the external thread of the attachment pin and/or the internal thread of the attachment hole may also be implemented as a self-locking thread. In these embodiments, the relative position of the catching end may be adjusted by rotating the threaded attachment pin inside the threaded attachment hole. In these cases, it may be particularly beneficial that a catching needle or catching pin is releasably connected to a widening member such that while rotating the widening member relative to the guide unit, the catching needle or catching pin may not be rotated but may be held in a stationary position.

Alternatively to only one single attachment hole, the attachment mechanism may also comprise at least two attachment holes. The at least two attachment holes may each have a different attachment hole depth. The at least two attachment holes may thus be configured such that the attachment pin can be inserted into each of the at least two attachment holes with a different maximum length. This allows an adjustment of the catching end's relative position in at least two steps. The depth of the at least two attachment holes may also be chosen such that they are associated with preferred relative positions of the catching end. It is then possible to bring the relative position of the catching end in one of the preferred relative positions by inserting the attachment pin in the respective attachment hole. Thereby, it is possible to store and remember the preferred relative position by means of the depth of the respective attachment hole. The at least two attachment holes can be arranged on a circle at a distance to a central axis pointing along an axial direction of the guide unit or the catcher unit. The attachment mechanism may also comprise several pins that are arranged complementary to the arrangement of the attachment holes. The pins may have the same lengths or may have different lengths to enable an attachment of the guide unit and the catcher unit at various different predefined configurations translating to several different relative positions of the catching end.

Preferably, the attachment mechanism comprises an attachment member that is configured for fixation of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole. The attachment member may be a screw, a clamp, a pin, a hook or the like. Accordingly, the attachment pin may comprise a complementary structure such as a recess that is configured for receiving the attachment member. Preferably, the attachment member may be configured for fixation of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole and may be configured to be released for enabling a movement of the attachment pin inside the attachment hole for adjusting the relative position of the catching end. When the relative position of the catching end has been adjusted, the attachment member may be used for fixation of the attachment pin in the new position.

For example, the attachment member may be a threaded attachment member accommodated in a fixation thread configured to enable traction of the attachment pin housed in the attachment hole for fixing the attachment pin inside the attachment hole. The fixation thread may be part of the catcher unit and preferably ends at the attachment hole. The threaded attachment member may then be screwed into the fixation thread and may extend into the attachment hole. If the attachment pin is arranged inside the attachment hole, the threaded attachment member may contact the attachment pin and enable traction of the attachment pin to prevent the attachment pin from being moved inside the attachment hole. The attachment pin may also comprise one or more recesses on its outer surface that are configured such that the threaded attachment member may extend into a respective one of the recesses. The recesses may define discrete fixation positons of the attachment pin. The recesses may interrupt an external thread of the attachment pin such that the attachment pin can be screwed into the attachment hole with internal thread into a position where the attachment pin can be fixed inside the attachment hole by moving the attachment pin into one of the recesses to provide traction of the attachment pin. Thereby, the external thread of the attachment pin is not damaged when fixing the attachment pin inside the attachment hole with the threaded attachment member by means of traction.

The guide unit may have a cylindrical shape with a smooth surface such that the product can slide along the guide unit at its suspension element. The guide unit may have a varying diameter. In particular, the guide unit's diameter may increase continuously starting from the catcher unit. The guide unit may be made of a single piece of material, e.g., a rigid body, or may be made of various different components.

For example, it is particularly preferred that the guide unit comprises a bolt and a hollow shaft that is rotatable arranged on the bolt. Preferably, the attachment pin or the attachment hole is formed as part of the bolt. Preferably, the attachment pin has a diameter that is different from the diameter of the rest of the bolt. In particular, the diameter of the attachment pin is preferably smaller than the diameter of the rest of the bolt. The hollow shaft may be configured for transporting the product at its suspension element along the discharge section. For example, the hollow shaft may comprise a thread groove winding around the outer surface of the hollow shaft for transporting the product at its suspension element inside the groove along the discharge section. To this end, the hollow shaft can be rotated using a driving member, e.g., comprising an electric motor. Preferably, the bolt stays stationary and does not move when the hollow shaft is rotated. For example, the hollow shaft may be rotatable arranged on the bolt by means of one or more ball bearings. Alternatively to a thread groove winding around the outer surface, the hollow shaft may have a smooth surface such that the suspension element may slide over hollow haft.

The discharge section may further comprise a guiding member that is configured for guiding the product along at least a part of the length of the guide unit. The guiding member may be implemented as a wire-shaped or tubular structure having a comparatively smaller diameter that is guided parallel to the guide unit at a predefined distance. The guiding member may be used for guiding the product at its suspension element at a distance from the guide unit. In particular, the guiding member may reduce rocking of the product on its suspension element while the product is passed along the catcher unit and/or the guide unit.

The guiding member may be mounted to the catcher unit at a mounting position by means of a mounting mechanism that may be configured to enable adjustment of a mounting position within a predefined mounting range. In particular, the mounting mechanism may be configured to choose the mounting position out of several possible mounting positions within the predefined mounting range. For example, the mounting position may be chosen according to an adjusted relative position of the catching end relative to the guide unit. Thus, the mounting positon preferably fits to the relative position of the catching end such that when adjusting the relative position of the catching end, the mounting position likewise may be adjusted to fit the new relative position of the catching end.

For example, the mounting mechanism may comprise a mounting hole formed as part of the catcher unit that is configured to enable the mounting of the guiding member at several mounting positions. The shape of the mounting hole may define the mounting range within which the mounting position may be selected. For example, the mounting hole may be configured as an elongated mounting hole allowing to change the mounting position along the elongated extension of the mounting hole. That end of the guiding member that contacts the elongated mounting hole may comprise an internal thread. From the opposite side of the elongated mounting hole, a screw may be guided through the elongated mounting hole and screwed into the internal thread to fasten the guiding member at the elongated mounting hole. Thereby, the mounting position of the screw can be chosen to fit the adjusted relative position of the catching end. Alternatively, at its end, the guide means may comprise a threaded part that may be guided through the elongated mounting hole and fastened, e.g., with a screw nut.

The elongated mounting hole, preferably, is arranged to define the mounting range in a direction that is substantially parallel to an axial direction of the guide unit. If the catcher unit is moved away from the guide unit or towards the guide unit, e.g., by moving an attachment pin inside an attachment hole, the mounting position of the guide means may be selected accordingly to fit the respective new relative position of the catching end.

The discharge section may further comprise at least one support unit arranged and configured to rotatably support the guide unit. The support unit, preferably, comprises three support rollers arranged uniformly around the circumference of the guide unit. The support rollers may be arranged with respect to the guide unit in such a way that the product may be guided along the guide unit at its suspension element passing by the respective support unit. Preferably, one of the support rollers has a section with teeth running around the circumference of this support roller, which perform the function of a pinion. The guide unit and, in particular, a hollow shaft of the guide unit, preferably, has teeth running around the circumference of the guide unit, which also fulfil the function of a pinion. The support unit and the guide unit may be arranged relative to one another in such a way that the two pinions mesh with one another so that torque can be transmitted between them. The support roller with pinion may, for example, be driven by a drive, for example, by means of a gear drive or a belt drive in order to set the guide unit in rotation.

The invention also relates to a discharge apparatus that is configured for a discharge of products with at least one suspension element, in particular, for sausage-shaped products, preferably out of a clipping machine that is configured for placing and closing clips on the product. The discharge apparatus, preferably, comprises the discharge section as described above. The discharge apparatus may further comprise a driving member for rotating a hollow shaft of the guide unit in order to transport a product at its suspension element along the guide unit.

The discharge apparatus may be part of an automated production line for the production of sausages. Such an automated production line may further comprise a clipping machine for producing the sausages and/or a feeding device for providing rods for stringing produced sausages for further processing, e.g., boiling or smoking.

It shall be understood that the discharge section of claim <NUM> and the discharge apparatus of claim <NUM>, have similar and/or identical preferred embodiments, in particular, as defined in the dependent claims.

<FIG> show different views of a discharge section <NUM> for a discharge of sausage-shaped products. Discharge section <NUM> may be part of a discharge apparatus (not shown in <FIG>). It is a particular advantage of discharge section <NUM> that a position of a catching end <NUM> can be adjusted for facilitating an alignment of catching end <NUM> relative to a reference position, e.g., a catching position for catching a suspension element of a sausage-shaped product.

<FIG> shows a discharge apparatus having discharge section <NUM> together with a clipping machine (only gathering means of the clipping machine are shown in <FIG>). In particular, <FIG> shows how catching end <NUM> of discharge section <NUM> can be aligned relative to a feeding unit for feeding flexible suspension elements <NUM>, like loops, to the clipping machine for being attached to sausage-shaped products by means of closure means, like closing clips.

As can be inferred from <FIG>, discharge section <NUM> having a central longitudinal axis M and extending in use at least approximately horizontally and substantially at least approximately parallel to production and discharge or feeding direction F, comprises a guide unit <NUM> and a catcher unit <NUM>. Catcher unit <NUM> faces opposite to feeding direction F (cf. Guide unit <NUM> joins catcher unit <NUM> in feeding direction F.

Catcher unit <NUM> comprises a catching needle <NUM> having a free end that forms catching end <NUM> of discharge device <NUM>. Catching needle <NUM> has a bent shape suitable for catching a suspension element such as a suspension loop attached to a product, e.g., a sausage or the like, and for guiding the suspension element to a widening member <NUM> that is attached to the catching needle's other end <NUM>.

Catching needle <NUM> includes a first section 108a, by which it is attached to widening member <NUM>. Adjacent thereto is a second section 108b, by which catching needle 108b is curved in a direction transverse to central longitudinal axis M of discharge section <NUM> and downwardly. This is followed by a third section 108c, by which catching needle 108c is bent downwardly at an angle at least approximately <NUM>° so that free end <NUM> of catching needle <NUM> is oriented at least approximately vertically.

Widening member <NUM> has a cone shape with its apex being attached to end <NUM> of catching needle <NUM> opposite to its free end <NUM>. The widening member's diameter continuously increases starting from its apex towards guide unit <NUM>. If a flexible suspension element is transferred from catching needle <NUM> to widening member <NUM>, the opening formed by the respective suspension member is continuously enlarged while moving along widening member <NUM>. When reaching guide unit <NUM>, the opening formed by said suspension element substantially corresponds to the shape of guide unit <NUM>. For example, the sausage-shaped product may lie on a conveyor belt and is transported parallel to catcher unit <NUM> with its suspension element being threaded onto catching needle <NUM>. When reaching guide unit <NUM>, the product falls off the conveyor belt and hangs at its suspension element below guide unit <NUM>. Guide unit <NUM> may then take over the transporting function for transporting the product along discharge section <NUM>.

For transporting the suspension element with guide unit <NUM>, guide unit <NUM> comprises a hollow shaft <NUM> that is rotatable around a central longitudinal axis M of discharge section <NUM>. Hollow shaft <NUM> has a conical end shape <NUM>, which is tapering towards catcher unit <NUM>. Thereby, it is possible that hollow shaft <NUM> extends with its tapered end into widening member <NUM>. This allows a smooth transmission of a suspension element from catcher unit <NUM> to guide unit <NUM> even when a relative position of catching end <NUM> is adjusted by moving catcher unit <NUM> away from guide unit <NUM>. In this case, no gap is formed between guide unit <NUM> and catcher unit <NUM> that prevents the suspension element from being transported along guide unit <NUM>.

On its outer surface, hollow shaft <NUM> comprises a profile implementing a thread groove winding <NUM>. A suspension element may be arranged inside groove <NUM> such that the suspension element is pushed along thread groove winding <NUM> when rotating hollow shaft <NUM> around central longitudinal axis M. Hollow shaft <NUM> with thread groove winding <NUM> thereby implements a screw conveyor that conveys suspension elements along guide unit <NUM>.

At some elevations between adjacent grooves, thread groove winding <NUM> is provided with a tooth-like structure <NUM> around its circumference that implement a pinion. Pinion <NUM> may be used for driving hollow shaft <NUM> to automatically transport hanging products along discharge section <NUM>. After having travelled all the length along guide unit <NUM>, the suspension elements with their attached products are provided to a transfer unit <NUM> that may be used for loading the products onto a rod for further processing such as boiling or smoking.

Discharge section <NUM> additionally comprises a guiding member <NUM> that extends at a distance parallel to guide unit <NUM>. Guiding member <NUM> has a first section <NUM> with a circular cross-section, arranged at least approximately parallel to guide unit <NUM> and facing opposite to feeding direction F.

With its first section <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> is mounted to widening member <NUM> by means of a mounting mechanism <NUM>. Mounting mechanism <NUM> comprises an elongated mounting hole, which extends at least approximately parallel to central longitudinal axis M and at which guiding member <NUM> is mounted at a mounting position. The mounting position depends on the adjusted relative position of catching end <NUM> of catcher unit <NUM>.

In first section <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> is guided in a bow-shape centrally below guide unit <NUM>. At this position, guiding member <NUM> continuous as a second section <NUM>. In second section <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> has an approximately rectangular cross-section with rounded edges. The lateral width of the cross-section is substantially similar to or at least only slightly smaller than the diameter of guide unit <NUM>. In second section <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> runs at least approximately centrally below and parallel to guide unit <NUM>. With its other end <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> is attached to transfer unit <NUM>.

With guiding member <NUM> it is possible to guide the hanging product at its suspension element along discharge section <NUM> in a comparatively controlled manner, i.e., without swinging or rocking. In particular, second section <NUM> of guiding member <NUM> can be used to prevent excessive oscillation or swinging of the suspended products in a direction transverse to central longitudinal axis M.

<FIG> shows discharge section <NUM> in a longitudinal sectional view. In this view, it can be inferred that hollow shaft <NUM> is rotatably arranged on a bolt <NUM> by means of ball bearings <NUM> arranged at both ends of bolt <NUM>. Hollow shaft <NUM> can be driven by a driving means such as an electric motor while bolt <NUM> stays stationary. For driving hollow shaft <NUM>, some elevations <NUM> of thread groove winding <NUM> are equipped with teeth for implementing a pinion as mentioned above. On its one end <NUM>, bolt <NUM> is attached to transfer unit <NUM>. At its opposite end <NUM> facing opposite to feeding direction F, bolt <NUM> is formed into an attachment pin <NUM> that protrudes beyond or further than hollow shaft <NUM> and has a smaller diameter than the rest of bolt <NUM>.

At its one end <NUM>, bolt <NUM> connects guide unit <NUM> to catcher unit <NUM>. In this view of catcher unit <NUM>, only parts of widening member <NUM> are visible. Hollow shaft <NUM> tapers towards widening member <NUM> and extends into widening member <NUM> such that a comparatively smooth geometrical transition is established between catcher unit <NUM> and guide unit <NUM>.

Attachment pin <NUM> is part of an attachment mechanism <NUM> that further comprises an attachment hole <NUM> which is formed as part of widening member <NUM> which extends at least approximately parallel to central longitudinal axis M. Attachment pin <NUM> is arranged inside attachment hole <NUM> and can be freely moved forward and backward therein. In addition, rotation of attachment pin <NUM> inside attachment hole <NUM> is possible. Thereby, it is possible to use attachment mechanism <NUM> for adjusting a position of catching end <NUM> relative to guide unit <NUM>.

Mounting mechanism <NUM> for mounting guiding member <NUM> to widening member <NUM> comprises an elongated mounting hole <NUM> formed in widening member <NUM> at which guiding member <NUM> is attached by means of a mounting screw <NUM> screwed into an internal thread <NUM> of guiding member <NUM>. Mounting mechanism <NUM> allows a movement of attachment pin <NUM> inside attachment hole <NUM> along an axial direction of guide unit <NUM>. In dependence on the adjusted relative position of catching end <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> may be mounted to widening member <NUM> using mounting screw <NUM>.

<FIG> shows that part of discharge section <NUM> that faces downward when discharge section <NUM> is installed in a discharge apparatus. Attachment mechanism <NUM> further comprises an internal attachment thread <NUM> that extends at least approximately perpendicular to central longitudinal axis M and that leads through widening member <NUM> and ends at attachment hole <NUM> as well as an attachment member <NUM> provided by an attachment screw. By screwing attachment screw <NUM> into internal attachment thread <NUM>, attachment screw <NUM> may contact attachment pin <NUM> to fix attachment pin <NUM> inside attachment hole <NUM> via traction. Attachment screw <NUM> may be a grub screw or a headless screw.

Accordingly, attachment screw <NUM> may be loosened for adjusting the position of catching end <NUM> of catcher unit <NUM> relative to guide unit <NUM>. Guiding member <NUM> is guided below guide unit <NUM> such that with its second section <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> extends parallel and at a distance to guide unit <NUM>. At its one end <NUM>, guiding member <NUM> is attached to transfer unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows catcher unit <NUM> and parts of guide unit <NUM> in a longitudinal sectional view of discharge section <NUM>. In this view, it can be seen that attachment mechanism <NUM> is in a state where attachment pin <NUM> can be moved inside attachment hole <NUM> since attachment member <NUM> is not in contact with attachment pin <NUM>. It is thus possible to adjust the relative position of catching end <NUM>. For fixing attachment pin <NUM> inside attachment hole <NUM>, grub screw <NUM> may be screwed further into internal attachment thread <NUM> such that grub screw <NUM> contacts attachment pin <NUM> to provide a frictional connection.

With the guide unit's bolt <NUM> being rigidly attached to widening member <NUM> via attachment mechanism <NUM>, hollow shaft <NUM> may be rotated for transporting a suspension element attached to a product along discharge section <NUM>.

<FIG> shows discharge section <NUM> from a perspective in which the mounting of guiding member <NUM> at widening member <NUM> via mounting screw <NUM> is visible. Mounting mechanism <NUM> for mounting of guiding member <NUM> comprises an elongated mounting hole <NUM> that extends at least approximately parallel to central longitudinal axis M and that is formed in widening member <NUM> to allow movement of mounting screw <NUM> within elongated mounting hole <NUM> into various potential mounting positions. The geometry of elongated mounting hole <NUM> thus defines a predefined mounting range for mounting guiding member <NUM> to widening member <NUM>.

Mounting screw <NUM> can be screwed into a mounting thread formed in guiding member <NUM> for fastening guiding member <NUM> at widening member <NUM>. Thereby, the mounting position at widening member <NUM> may be selected in dependence on the adjusted position of catching end <NUM> of catcher unit <NUM> relative to guide unit <NUM>. Accordingly, if catching end <NUM> is moved further away from guide unit <NUM>, mounting screw <NUM> moves closer to that side of elongated mounting hole <NUM> that is closer to guide unit <NUM>. Yet, if catching end <NUM> is moved closer to guide unit <NUM>, mounting screw <NUM> moves closer to that side of elongated mounting hole <NUM> that is closer to catching end <NUM>. Elongated mounting <NUM> thereby likewise defines an attachment range in which catching end <NUM> may be moved relative to guide unit <NUM> for adjusting the catching end's relative position.

<FIG> shows discharge section <NUM> in a longitudinal sectional view in which elongated mounting hole <NUM> of mounting mechanism <NUM> can be seen. In particular, elongated mounting hole <NUM> extends through widening member <NUM> such that guiding member <NUM> can contact the elongated mounting hole from one side and guiding member <NUM> can be mounted to widening member <NUM> by screwing in mounting screw <NUM> from the opposite side. For adjusting the relative position of catching end <NUM>, both, mounting screw <NUM> as well as attachment mechanism <NUM> formed by attachment pin <NUM>, attachment hole <NUM> and attachment member <NUM> have to be loosened to be able to move attachment pin <NUM> inside attachment hole <NUM>.

<FIG> shows mounting mechanism <NUM> in more detail in a longitudinal sectional view focussing on the transition from catcher unit <NUM> to guide unit <NUM>. Mounting screw <NUM> is guided through elongated mounting hole <NUM> and screwed into mounting thread <NUM> for fastening guiding member <NUM> to widening member <NUM>. Mounting hole <NUM> is located in a recessed part <NUM> of widening member <NUM> such that elongated mounting hole <NUM> can be accessed from both sides. In this view, also once again, bolt <NUM> with attachment pin <NUM> is visible. Attachment pin <NUM> is arranged inside attachment hole <NUM>. Since mounting mechanism <NUM> is closed to mount guiding member <NUM> to widening member <NUM>, attachment pin <NUM> cannot be moved inside attachment hole <NUM> irrespective of whether attachment pin <NUM> is fixed inside attachment hole <NUM> with an attachment member <NUM>.

If mounting screw <NUM> is removed from mounting thread <NUM>, widening member <NUM> can be moved further towards guide unit <NUM>. Thereby, hollow shaft <NUM> moves further into widening member <NUM> with its tapered end part. Catching end <NUM> then moves further towards guide unit <NUM>.

<FIG> shows discharge section <NUM> held by a first support unit <NUM> and a second support unit <NUM>. In particular, first support unit <NUM> and second support unit <NUM> are arranged to rotatably support guide unit <NUM>. In alternative embodiment, only first support unit <NUM> may be present. For example, in this case, first support unit <NUM> may be located rather in the middle part of guide unit <NUM>.

First support unit <NUM> comprises three support rollers <NUM>, <NUM> of which two support rollers <NUM> are arranged symmetrically below hollow shaft <NUM>. Both support rollers <NUM> below hollow shaft <NUM> are arranged to enable an uninterrupted transport path for the products hanging on suspension elements like loops or hooks or the like along hollow shaft <NUM>. In particular, when hanging at hollow shaft <NUM>, the products pass between both support rollers <NUM>.

Hollow shaft <NUM> has thread groove winding <NUM> arranged on its outer surface for transporting suspension elements in the grooves along discharge section <NUM>. For rotation hollow shaft <NUM>, elevations <NUM> of thread groove winding <NUM> in the area of first support unit <NUM> comprise teeth to implement a pinion. Third support roller <NUM> likewise has a teeth-like structure <NUM> to implement a pinion the meshes pinion <NUM> of hollow shaft <NUM>. Third support roller <NUM> further comprises a drive pinion <NUM> that serves for receiving a torque from a drive that may be part of a discharge apparatus comprising discharge section <NUM>. When driving drive pinion <NUM>, e.g., with an electric motor, third support roller <NUM> starts rotating and thereby transmits the drive torque to hollow shaft <NUM> via teeth-like structure <NUM>. Hollow shaft <NUM> then rotates around bolt <NUM>, which, in turn, stays stationary. After being transported along the length of guide unit <NUM>, the products hanging on their suspension element are provided to transfer unit <NUM> that may deliver the products to rods for further processing of the products.

Second support unit <NUM> also comprises three support rollers <NUM>, <NUM> that are arranged for supporting guide unit <NUM> and for allowing hollow shaft <NUM> to rotate. In contrast to first support unit <NUM>, second support unit <NUM> has no support roller for transmitting a torque to hollow shaft <NUM>. Second support unit <NUM> therefore merely provides support to hollow shaft <NUM>.

Discharge section <NUM> further comprises catcher unit <NUM> that is releasably attached to guide unit <NUM> by means of attachment mechanism <NUM>. Catcher unit <NUM> comprises cone-shaped widening member <NUM> and catching needle <NUM>. The catching needle's free end forms catching end <NUM> of discharge section <NUM> and serves for catching and threading suspension elements attached to products provided, e.g., by a clipping machine. For adjusting the position of catching end <NUM> relative to guide unit <NUM>, attachment mechanism <NUM> may be loosened to allow moving catcher unit <NUM> along an axial direction of guide unit <NUM> relative to guide unit <NUM>. Thereby, catching end <NUM> can be moved away from guide unit <NUM> or closer to guide unit <NUM>.

Yet, for adjusting the relative position of catching end102, mounting mechanism <NUM> that mounts guiding member <NUM> to widening member <NUM> needs to be loosened, too. Discharge section <NUM> comprises a further guiding means <NUM> is attached to widening member <NUM> on its one end <NUM>. Further guiding means <NUM> is guided substantially parallel to guide unit <NUM> and ends approximately at after second support unit <NUM>. Further guiding means' other end <NUM> is a free end. Further guiding means <NUM> thus supports a suspension element during the transition from catcher unit <NUM> to guide unit <NUM>. This is also the location at which the product typically changes its position from a horizontal position when lying on a conveying belt to a hanging position after falling off the convoying belt. Further guiding means <NUM> thus particularly provides additional stability in the situation where the product turns into a hanging position which may result in a larger degree of rocking.

<FIG> shows catching needle <NUM> of discharge device <NUM> in conjunction with a feeding unit <NUM> of a clipping machine <NUM> for feeding flexible suspension elements <NUM>, like loops, for being attached to sausage-shaped products.

It is generally known that for the production of sausages, the filling material is inserted into a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing. The sausages are portioned and closed on both sides with clips. For further processing the sausage, a suspension element is usually inserted into the second clip, usually a loop, and attached to the sausage product with that second clip. Subsequently the sausage products are transported out of the clipping machine with a discharge apparatus to storage rods for further processing, e.g. for boiling or smoking.

For producing a sausage-shaped product with clipping machine <NUM>, the packing casing is positioned upstream to a displacer or gathering unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of clipping machine <NUM>. Filling material, like sausage meat, is fed through a filling tube in feeding direction F and filled into the tubular packaging casing which is thereby pulled off from the filling tube. After a predetermined portion of filling material has been fed into the tubular casing, the filled tubular casing is gathered by the displacer unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, which comprises two pairs of displacer or gathering elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>, whereby a plait-like portion of casing material is formed between the pairs of displacer elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>. The plait-like portion of casing material is at least approximately free from filling material.

Two closure means or closure clips, respectively, are attached to the plait-like portion by a clipping unit (not shown). The clipping unit is positioned between the two pairs of displacer elements <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, <NUM>. One of the closure clips closes the second end of the sausage-shaped product presently produced filled actually and the second closure clip closes the front end of the tubular casing remaining on the filling tube and starting the next sausage-shaped product.

A suspension element <NUM> provided to the clipping unit by a feeding unit <NUM> is attached to the presently produced sausage-shaped product by one of the two closure clips. A cutting unit (also not shown) may cut the plait-like portion between the two closure clips for separating the sausage-shaped product actually produced from the remaining tubular casing material. Suspension element <NUM> is caught by a catching needle <NUM> of the discharge section <NUM> for transporting the actually produced sausage-shaped product out of the clipping machine <NUM>. The sausage-shaped product may be fed to a storage device which may include e.g. a smoking rod for pendulous storing the sausage-shaped product.

For catching suspension element <NUM> with catching needle <NUM>, catching needle's catching end <NUM> needs to be aligned comparatively accurately with respect to the suspension element <NUM>. With attachment mechanism <NUM> it is possible to move catching needle <NUM> forward or backward with respect to feeding unit <NUM> to align catching end <NUM> accurately with respect to suspension element <NUM>. In particular, with discharge section <NUM> comprising attachment mechanism <NUM>, only catcher unit <NUM> is moved while the rest of the discharge apparatus remains stationary. Accordingly, the alignment process can be carried out with comparatively low effort.

Accordingly, subsequent to displacer unit <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and in feeding direction F, discharge section <NUM> of a discharge apparatus is arranged for transporting the sausage-shaped product out of clipping machine <NUM>. Catching needle <NUM> has a circular cross-section and extends approximately from the closing region of clipping machine <NUM>, where the closing clip is applied to the plait-like portion of the filled and gathered tubular packing material, away from clipping machine <NUM> in the feeding direction F. Catching needle <NUM> has its catching end <NUM> directed towards clipping machine <NUM> in a downward direction so that it has the shape of a hook. Its other end <NUM> is directed away from clipping machine <NUM> and is coupled to widening member <NUM> of discharge section <NUM>.

As already mentioned above, clipping machine <NUM> comprises feeding unit <NUM> for feeding flexible suspension elements <NUM>, like loops, in a conveying direction C to clipping machine <NUM> for being attached to the sausage-shaped product by means of the first or second closing clip. Conveying direction C is approximately perpendicularly to feeding direction F. Feeding unit <NUM> comprises a positioning device <NUM>, which extends longitudinally in conveying direction C and which is arranged with one end below catching end <NUM> of catching needle <NUM>. Positioning device <NUM> comprises a first end <NUM>, which is directed towards clipping machine <NUM>. Second end <NUM> of approximately horizontally aligned positioning device <NUM> of feeding unit <NUM> is directed away from clipping machine <NUM>. A carrier belt B is guided around positioning device <NUM>. On carrier belt B, suspension elements or loops <NUM> are subsequently arranged in regular intervals and are aligned at least approximately perpendicular to conveying direction C. Belt B is guided around positioning device <NUM> in a manner as to rest at least on the upper surface of positioning device <NUM> between the first and second end <NUM>, <NUM>. Belt B is moved in conveying direction C as to stepwise slide across the upper surface of positioning device <NUM>, thereby placing a loop <NUM> in a position below the catching end <NUM>.

Moreover, positioning device <NUM> comprises a drive <NUM> coupled to second end <NUM> of positioning device <NUM> by an axis <NUM>. Drive <NUM>, which is a pivot drive, comprises a pivot lever <NUM> coupled at one end to pivot axis <NUM> and at the second end to a drive element <NUM>, which, in the present embodiment, is a piston or cylinder drive element. Positioning device <NUM> may be reversibly pivoted between an upper and a lower position, wherein, in the upper position, positioning device <NUM> is disposed closer to catching end <NUM> and, in the lower position, positioning device <NUM> is moved away from catching end <NUM>. In the upper position, loop <NUM> is positioned closer to catching end <NUM> to assure a save catching of loop <NUM>. In the lower position of positioning device <NUM>, belt B together with loops <NUM> may be moved forward without being engaged by catching needle <NUM>.

Drive <NUM> and pivot axis <NUM> are mounted via a frame element or mounting bracket <NUM> to clipping machine <NUM>. Clipping machine <NUM> further comprises an optional discharge device <NUM> including an engagement element <NUM> having a first end <NUM> facing clipping machine <NUM> and a second end <NUM> facing away from clipping machine <NUM> and a drive (not shown) for moving engagement element <NUM>. Engagement element <NUM> is formed by a flat and at least approximately rectangular element which may be made of metal or plastic.

At the edge <NUM> directed towards the closing region of clipping machine <NUM>, engagement element <NUM> comprises a recess <NUM> for releasing the suspension loop <NUM> disposed in the position to be fixed to a sausage-shaped product, when positioned in the release position. In the region of end <NUM> facing away from clipping machine <NUM>, engagement element <NUM> comprises three slots <NUM> arranged parallel to each other and also parallel to conveying direction C. A mounting pin <NUM> is arranged at mounting bracket <NUM> above positioning device <NUM> and parallel to pivot axis <NUM>. Engagement element <NUM> is coupled to mounting pin <NUM> by respective screws engaging slots <NUM>.

Discharge device <NUM> may reversibly be moved from the release position into an engaging position in which engagement element <NUM> is positioned below catching end <NUM> for preventing a suspension loop <NUM> to be caught by catching needle <NUM>. While reversibly moving engagement element <NUM> from the release position into the engaging position, engagement element <NUM> is shifted along slots <NUM> by a respective drive (not shown). Thus, by moving engagement element <NUM> into the engaging position, the catching of suspension loop <NUM> of the sausage-shaped product is prohibited and said product by-passes the discharge section <NUM> and can be fed to a measuring device for measuring e.g. its weight, length, diameter etc..

Claim 1:
A discharge section (<NUM>) for a discharge of products with at least one suspension element (<NUM>), in particular, for sausage-shaped products, along the discharge section (<NUM>), the discharge section (<NUM>) comprising a catcher unit (<NUM>) and a guide unit (<NUM>), wherein
- the catcher unit (<NUM>) comprises a catching end (<NUM>) and is configured for catching at least one suspension element (<NUM>) of the product with the catching end (<NUM>), and
- the guide unit (<NUM>) is configured for receiving the at least one suspension element (<NUM>) of the product from the catcher unit (<NUM>) and for transporting the product at its at least one suspension element (<NUM>) along the discharge section (<NUM>), characterized in that the catcher unit (<NUM>) and the guide unit (<NUM>) are releasably attached to each other by means of an attachment mechanism (<NUM>), the attachment mechanism (<NUM>) being configured to enable an adjustment of a position of the catcher unit's catching end (<NUM>) relative to the guide unit (<NUM>).