US5017175A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Brake-sizing devices for food stuffing apparatus and methods of use
Assignee: ViskoTeepak Belgium NV
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Filing: 1990-05-07
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Granted: 1991-05-21
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Expires: 2010-05-07
Abstract
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.
Inventors
- 👤 Galen J. Klusmire
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:25
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C11/00; A22C11/02; A22C11/0245; A22C11/0263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
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.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
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.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The food casing braking device of claim 1 wherein the outer rim of the sizing ring comprises a symmetrically shaped groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The food casing braking device of claim 1 wherein the outer rim of the sizing ring comprises an asymmetrically shaped groove.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The food casing braking device of claim 2 wherein the outer rim of the sizing ring comprises a substantially concave-shaped groove.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The food casing braking device of claim 2 wherein the outer rim of the sizing ring comprises a substantially V-shaped groove.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The food casing braking device of claim 3 wherein the outer rim of the sizing ring comprises an off-center, generally U-shaped groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The food casing braking device of claim 1 wherein the inner rim of the sizing ring includes groove means running generally with the axial bore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The food casing braking device of claim 1 wherein said sizing ring comprises first and second end plates and said means for pressing together said sizing ring comprises first and second compressing means for engaging opposite sides of said end plates.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The food casing braking device of claim 8 wherein the outer rim of said sizing ring comprises a symmetrically-shaped groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The food casing braking device of claim 8 wherein the outer rim of said sizing ring comprises an asymmetrically-shaped groove.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The food casing braking device of claim 8 wherein said first compressing means comprises means for housing said sizing ring and said second compressing means comprises a pressure plate for pressing together said sizing ring in said housing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The food casing braking device of claim 8 including means for holding the first and second compressing means towards one another for compressing segments of the sizing ring together with greater force than other segments to impart an elliptical configuration to the sizing ring axial bore and for forming at least one gap between said inner rim and filling horn.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The food casing braking device of claim 8 including means for holding the first and second compressing means towards one another for expanding the sizing ring inner rim inwardly to engage casing on the filling horn circumferentially.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
114 words
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.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
114 words
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.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the casing is a member selected from the group consisting of cellulose, fibrous reinforced cellulose, thermoplastic, and collagen.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-20 | 1994-11-19 | 1995-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-20 | 1998-11-19 | 1999-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-20 | 2002-11-19 | 2003-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |