US 5,197,914 A · Casing brake mechanism for stuffing apparatus

Abstract

An improved casing brake mechanism (10) is provided for selectively engaging and braking the movement of a casing (14) applied over a casing horn (12) during filling of the casing (14). The mechanism (10) includes a pair of resilient, laterally spaced apart, obliquely oriented, annular casing-engaging rings (16, 18) which are selectively compressed and caused to engage a casing (14) by means of a thrust assembly (20) including a pair of separate, co-acting thrust elements (62, 68); the thrust elements (62, 68) are moved in a direction generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of horn (12) by means of a source of pressurized air (P). A remotely actuatable, three-position valve (80) is preferably employed, which allows alternate and selective connection to the pressurized air source (P), an atmospheric vent (A), and a source of vacuum (V). In this manner, the thrust elements (62, 68) can be selectively moved for compressing the rings (16, 18), or the operating pressure may be relieved via vent (A) or source (V). A shifting assembly (90 ) may be coupled with brake assembly (10) for translatory movement of the latter between a forward braking position and a rearward sealing position preventing passage of air entrapped between the casing (14) and horn (12) into the confines of the latter; an annular sealing element (92) is provided on the horn (12) which is cooperable with the braking assembly (10) when the latter is moved to its sealing position.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A casing brake mechanism adapted for selectively engaging and braking a casing positioned over an elongated, tubular casing horn presenting a longitudinal axis, said mechanism comprising:

a resilient annular ring positioned about said horn and including an inner surface for engaging said casing, and an opposed, outer, enlarged shoulder region;
a substantially rigid, annular retainer disposed about said ring and including an inner face proximal to said shoulder region;
a movable thrust element adjacent said ring and presenting a first ring-engaging face and a second trailing face remote from said ring-engaging face;
and
means for selectively moving said thrust element in a direction generally parallel with said horn longitudinal axis for alternately compressing said ring and causing the ring to engage said casing, and for releasing said ring,
said thrust element being movable relative to said annular retainer,
said element-moving means including a source of pressurized fluid for selective action against said trailing face in order to effect said ring compression, and means for selectively relieving pressure exerted against said trailing face.

4 more elements

In stuffing apparatus including an elongated tubular stuffing horn adapted to receive casing thereover to be successively stuffed with portions of material to form individual casings thereof, means for feeding individual portions of said material into successive sections of said casing material including a piston reciprocal between a retracted position allowing a portion of the material to pass into the horn, and a forward position within the horn is stuffed into a casing section, the improvement which comprises:

a casing brake assembly including
a resilient annular braking ring positioned about said horn for engaging said casing thereover;
a thrust element adjacent said braking ring and presenting a first ring-engaging face and a second remote trailing face;
and
means for selectively moving said thrust element in a direction for compressing the braking ring to engage said casing and for alternately releasing the ring;
an annular sealing element separate from said brake assembly and extending circumferentially about the horn to present a radially outwardly extending sealing surface;
and
means for selectively axially shifting said braking assembly between a sealing position wherein the assembly compresses the casing against said sealing surface during retraction of said piston from said horn in order to prevent air entrapped between the casing and horn to pass into the interior of the horn, and a braking position wherein the braking assembly is spaced from said sealing surface and said braking ring is in engagement with said casing for braking thereof.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Casing brake mechanism for stuffing apparatus

Life of this patent

Casing brake mechanism for stuffing apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17