Brake-sizing devices for food stuffing apparatus and methods of use
AssigneeTeepak, Inc.
InventorGalen J. Klusmire
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A highly versatile, resilient and durable food casing sizing device for regulating the release of unfilled casing from a stuffing horn is specially useful in filling casings having string tied end-closures. The sizing ring provides a high degree of product dimensional uniformity and density. The sizing device which is flexible can also be used for stuffing delicate thin walled casings, such as unreinforced thermoplastic types and collagen casings without damage. The sizing devices are especially useful in relation to the production of smaller code products stuffed in plastic or plastic coated casings.
Claims15
A food casing braking device, which comprises a resilient, generally sheave-like sizing ring in combination with means for pressing together said sizing ring, said sizing ring having a grooved outer rim and an inner rim defining a double tapered bore for receiving a filling horn of a stuffing apparatus, said sizing ring being adapted to compress against the food casing and said filling horn when axially compressed.
The method for filling a tubular food casing which comprises the steps of:
- (a) loading a food casing on a stuffing horn at a filling station, said casing having interior and exterior walls;
- (b) applying a casing brake to said loaded stuffing horn, said brake comprising a resilient, generally sheave-like sizing ring having a grooved outer rim and an inner rim defining a double tapered bore for receiving the loaded stuffing horn, said ring being axially compressed to circumferentially expand the inner rim of the sizing ring to engage the exterior wall of said casing, and
- (c) filling the food casing while controlling the release of casing from the stuffing horn for dimensional uniformity.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.