Four clip clipping machine
AssigneePoly-clip System GmbH & Co. KG
InventorDetlef Ebert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for reconfiguring a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products from a first clipping mode to a second clipping mode, the method comprising the steps of: providing an input to a control unit of the clipping machine indicative of the reconfiguration of the clipping machine from the first clipping mode to the second clipping mode; and changing a number of closure clips, supplied to a closing unit of the clipping machine from a first number of closure clips associated with the first clipping mode, to a second number of closure clips associated with the second clipping mode.
Claims8
A closing tool carriage for use with a clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products, the closing tool carriage comprising:
- a main body comprising:
- a drive connection portion for coupling the closing tool carriage to a crankshaft of a clipping machine;
- a carriage portion configured to be disposed over and to linearly slide along a pair of guide shafts of the clipping machine such that continuous rotation of the crankshaft results in an oscillating linear movement of the closing tool carriage as a whole along an axis;
- a quick release mechanism for reversibly attaching a closing assembly to the closing tool carriage;
- and
- an actuator unit configured for being operatively connected to the closing assembly when the closing assembly is attached to the closing tool carriage;
- wherein the actuator unit is configured to selectively switch the closing assembly between at least a first clipping configuration and a second clipping configuration;
- wherein, in the first clipping configuration, the closing assembly is adapted to close a first number of closure clips placed on a plait-like portion of a sausage-shaped product to be produced;
- wherein, in the second clipping configuration, the closing assembly is adapted to close a second number of closure clips placed on the plait-like portion of the sausage-shaped product to be produced;
- and
- wherein the first number of closure clips is different from the second number of closure clips.
A clipping machine for producing sausage-shaped products containing a filling material in a tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, the clipping machine comprising:
- gathering means for forming a plait-like portion of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing;
- and
- a closing unit for applying closure clips to the plait-like portion of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing, the closing unit comprising:
- a crankshaft;
- a pair of guide shafts,
- a closing tool carriage disposed over and linearly slideable along the pair of guide shafts, wherein the closing tool carriage:
- is linked to the crankshaft via connecting rods such that continuous rotation of the crankshaft results in an oscillating linear movement of the closing tool carriage along an axis;
- and
- comprises an actuator unit operatively connected to a closing assembly attached to the closing tool carriage;
- wherein the clipping machine is adapted to be selectively operated in one of a plurality of selectable clipping modes comprising at least a two-clip-clipping mode and a four-clip-clipping mode;
- wherein, in the two-clip-clipping mode, the closing unit is configured to apply two closure clips to the plait-like portion of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing;
- and
- wherein, in the four-clip-clipping mode, the closing unit is configured to apply four closure clips to the plait-like portion of the tubular or bag-shaped packaging casing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.