Device and method for manufacturing sausages

(54) Title: DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAUSAGES (30) Unionist Priority: 20/07/2007 ep 07014354.0 (73) Holder (s): Albert Handtmann Maschinenfabrik GMBH & CO. KG (72) Inventor (s): Manfred Bãchtle, Markus Schliesser, Siegfried Reutter (57) Summary: device and method for making SAUSAGES. The present invention relates to a device and a method for making sausages from pasta, in particular sausage meat, with a co-extrusion head for co-extruding the pasta and a sausage wrapper, in which the The co-extrusion head comprises a filling tube for ejecting the dough, as well as an extrusion die fixed to the filling tube with an extrusion space for ejecting the wrapping material. In order to produce strong sausage wrappers, the filling tube protrudes over a distance X beyond the annular space so that the wrapping material is extruded through the annular space in the filling tube and solidifies along the filling tube.

<img file="BRPI0803431A2_D0001.tif" />

ΡΙ0803431 -1

Invention Patent Descriptive Report for DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING SAUSAGES.

The present invention relates to a device and method for making sausages according to the introductory part of claim 1.

Devices and methods of this nature are already known in EP 1 371 293. Here a sausage wrapping film is pulled over a dough (sausage meat) and then, following the co-extrusion process, the sausage skein produced is divided. A co-extrusion head of this nature is, for example, illustrated in figure 5. The sausage wrapping dough is applied to the dough fed through the filling tube 2 through the annular space 4 by an extrusion die 7. After coextrusion, the sausage casing, which is fed as a gel-like mass (eg alginate) through the annular space 4, is solidified by feeding an external fixation solution, for example calcium chloride solution, and prepared for the following processing steps, such as for example constriction or twisting.

However, since the solidification process takes a certain amount of time, typically 1 to 2 seconds before the casing can be stressed, constricting the sausage skein directly following the co-extrusion head presents a problem, for example, the in order to start a twisting process. The sausage wrap is not strong enough for this, so the sausage skein tears.

Based on this, the objective of the invention is to provide a simple device and a quick method for the manufacture of sausages, which facilitate the manufacture of a sausage wrapper that can be subjected to the highest voltage.

According to the invention, the objective is solved by the aspects of claims 1 and 10.

According to the present invention, the sausage wrapper is no longer applied directly to the mass ejected from the filling tube, but instead is extruded into the filling tube. To facilitate this, this filling tube projects a distance X beyond the annular space. The extruded shell material can then solidify at distance X from the projecting filler tube. Thus, a continuous sausage wrap can be produced in the filling tube. The dough is then fed into it.

Here, the sausage casing in the filling tube is removed from the filling tube. The casing can thus be subjected to tension and the following processing steps, such as constriction, twisting, displacement, etc., performed. The distance X from the filling tube extended here therefore also serves as a buffer section to provide a reserve of sausage wrap directly on the filling tube.

In an advantageous manner, the device has an arrangement for feeding the fixing solution to the ejected shell material, wherein the device is at least arranged in a partial region of distance X, in particular at the beginning of distance X. Thus, the safe and quick fixing is ensured in the region of distance X. Preferably, distance X is greater than or equal to 10 to 200 mm, but it can also be longer. Such a distance is sufficient to solidify the sheath material.

In order that the extruded casing material, i.e. the sausage casing produced, can move in the filling tube towards the end of the filling tube, it is advantageous if the filling tube has a filling tube surface. that, at least in the projecting distance X region, has a low slip friction coefficient μ less than that of polished stainless steel (for example in a range of 0.01 to 0.1). It is thus ensured that the sausage wrapper can move easily in the filling tube without tearing or becoming damaged. Favorable sliding properties of this nature can, for example, be obtained through an appropriate coating.

However, it is also possible that the device in addition or alternatively comprises a lubrication device for feeding the lubricant between the filling tube and the ejected shell material. In this way, as long as a lubricant is produced between the filling tube and the sausage casing, the sausage casing does not adhere to the filling tube and does not tear. Thus, the sliding friction coefficient can be minimized.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lubrication device has a lubricant feed, which is arranged in the filling tube, as well as an annular space through which the lubricant is ejected onto the surface of the filling tube which protrudes from distance X.

In the end section of the filling tube, at least one opening of a return channel can then be provided for the lubricant in order to drain the lubricant, so that no or very little lubricant is introduced between the sausage wrap and the dough. Alternatively, the outside of the filling tube can also be provided with return grooves at least in the region of distance X. Thus, the excess lubricant can be drained.

It can also be advantageous if, in the region of the end of the filling tube, an annular separating element is arranged around the filling tube which exerts pressure on the sausage casing. Thus, the release of lubricant over the end of the filling tube between the dough and the sausage wrap can be prevented. The retained lubricant can then be guided through the previously mentioned return channels or grooves.

With the method, according to the invention, following the filling tube, the filled sausage wrapper can be divided by a twisting or constriction process into single parts. This means that the full sausage skein can be rotated around its longitudinal axis to produce a twisting point or displacement element, it can divide the sausage wrap into single parts without the sausage wrap being damaged.

The fixing solution can be applied externally by means of the fixing solution fed into the extruded casing material at least in the region of the start of distance X. If a lubricant is used and is injected between the filling tube and the casing material, this lubricant can also have solidifying properties so that at the same time, solidification can occur from the inside. Thus, it is possible to simplify the sausage wrapper from the inside and outside in order to reinforce it more quickly for the next treatment process.

When the lubricant is introduced between the filling tube and the casing material, and the lubricant is additionally introduced between the sausage casing and the dough, the easy movement of the dough with respect to the sausage casing occurs due to the lack of connection between the dough and the sausage wrapper. This can be useful with the following processes, such as, for example, product packaging, or also for the case where simple removal (easy peeling of the wrapper) is desired.

If no lubricant is required between the sausage wrap and the dough, then the lubricant is guided away in the end section of the filling tube. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the following drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates a filling machine according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a cross section through a co-extrusion head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates a cross section through a co-extrusion head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a cross section through a third embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates a cross section through a co-extrusion head as is known in the prior art.

As shown in Figure 1, a filling machine comprises, in a known manner, a hopper 16, through which a dough, such as sausage meat, is fed into a transport mechanism. and positioned below the hopper. The conveying mechanism puts the dough under pressure in a filling tube 2, so that it is pushed into a sausage wrapper for the production of sausages. With the help of the co-extrusion head 1, the sausage wrap 20 can also be produced for sausages. For the solidification of the casing material, a device 6 is formed as an annular spray through which the sausage casing to be solidified is passed through the filling tube. The annular sprayer is connected to a supply for a fixing solution which is fed via a pump from an additional storage container for the annular sprayer.

After the end of the filling tube 8, several devices 21 can be arranged next, as illustrated schematically in figure 1. For example, here a separation device can be provided, which divides the sausage skein produced when, for example, twisted around longitudinal axis A with the help of drive 17. A separating device, which for example separates in the dough to divide the sausage skein into single sausages using a displacement element and / or a conveyor device, which transports the produced sausage skein or the unique sausages in the transport direction T , it can also be arranged after the filling tube. However, these various devices will not be discussed further here.

Figure 2 illustrates a cross section through a first embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in figure 2, the co-extrusion head 1 comprises a housing 22, in which the extrusion die 7 is pivotally supported by suitable bearings 13 for the ejection of the shell material. Housing 22 has a feed 5 for the wrapping dough material. The extrusion die 7 with 25 comprises a die cavity 15 through which the casing material can be extruded through the annular space 4 in the filling tube 2. The filling tube 2 extends through the extrusion die 7. Along with the extrusion die, the filler tube 2 is pivotally supported

-around the longitudinal axis of the filling tube, -as indicated_ by the arrow in figure 2, and can be rotated for a separation process to separate a produced sausage skein. The co-extrusion head 1 here has a filling tube 2 extended beyond the annular space 4. The filling tube 2 protrudes over a distance X beyond the annular space 4. The distance X is preferably 10 to 200 mm long, but it can also be selected longer. Thus, the casing material can be extruded through the annular space 4 in the filling tube 2, where the casing material can be solidified at distance X. The extruded casing material here moves towards the end of the filling tube 8 in the direction of transport T. To harden a device, it is provided here to feed the fixing solution 6, which is preferably arranged around the filling tube as shown in figure 1, and to apply the fixing solution10 externally to the ejected shell material. Thus, the sheath material, for example alginate, can solidify by applying, for example, a fixing solution (for example calcium chloride solution).

Due to the extended sleeve, that is, the extended filling tube, the curing time can thus be effectively extended for more than 1 second. At the end 8 of the filling tube 2, the ejected shell material is sufficiently solidified and can be passed on to the following processing stages. The mass, which was fed under pressure through feed 3 to the filling tube, is only ejected now. Here, the dough is pushed into the sausage wrap 20, by means of which the sausage wrap 20 is pulled out of the filling tube 2, so that the sausage wrap or ejected wrap material is moved in the direction of transport T. Thus, the ejected casing material or the sausage casing can be advantageously easily moved in the transport direction T if the filling tube 2 ti25 sees good sliding properties in the outer region. Preferably, the surface of the filling tube is at least formed in the region of distance X such that it has a slip friction coefficient μ in a range of 0.01 to 0.1. This can occur, for example, because a coating can reduce the sliding friction that has been applied at least in the X region of the filling tube 2. Thus, according to the present invention, a strong solidified sausage casing 20, which supports the following processing stages, may already be available at the end of the filling tube 2. Thus, it is possible, for example, to constrict and twist by directly following the filling tube 2, for example, using a twisting device 21, 17, in which the sausage wrapper is twisted together with the filling tube 2 and the extrusion die 7 around the longitudinal axis by the drive 17, while the filled sausage skein is held by the device 21 against twisting so that the constriction can be produced. Dividing is also possible by moving the dough in the full sausage skein, for example by shifting arms or scissors, etc. It is also possible to use distance X as a buffer section in order to make a sausage wrap available as a reserve directly in the filling tube. Then the distance X is chosen to be appropriately longer. The invention thus facilitates the manufacture of a continuous sausage wrap so that continuous processing is possible.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through a second embodiment according to the present invention. If the sliding friction coefficient between the filling tube and the casing material ejected from the sausage casing to be manufactured is to be minimized, then in addition, a lubricant, such as for example water, can be added. The mode illustrated in figure 3 corresponds to the mode illustrated in figure 2 with the exception that here also a lubrication device is provided to supply a lubricant. The lubrication device comprises a feed 9 for the lubricant. The feed 9 here is formed as a channel in the filling tube 2. In particular, the channel here moves in an annular shape in the wall of the filling tube. In the region of the annular space 4, an additional annular space 10 is arranged around the outer surface of the filling tube 2. For this purpose, the filling tube 2 in the region behind the additional annular space 10 has a smaller diameter than the filling tube 2 in a region in front of the annular space 10. The internal injection of the lubricant can occur through the annular space 10 between the ejected shell material and the surface of the filling tube 2. Thus, the ejected casing material, that is, the sausage casing to be produced, can easily slide into the filling tube 2 towards the end of the filling tube 8. The injection of the lubricant therefore acts as an aid to reduce the friction coefficient on the surface of the filling tube. For this purpose, additional openings can be arranged along distance X through which additional lubricants can be injected, so that the sliding film cannot tear along distance X. The lubricant is then, with the mass ejection, introduced through the filling tube 2 in the sausage wrap 20, also between the sausage wrap 20 and in the dough. This facilitates the movement of the dough with respect to the sausage wrap 20 due to the lack of connection between the inner dough and the sausage wrap. This can be useful with the following processes, such as for example the packaging of the products or also for the case where simple removal (easy peeling) of the wrapper is desired.

It is advantageous if the lubricant has solidifying properties for the sausage wrap. Thus, it is possible to solidify the sausage wrap, which must be produced, from the inside and outside in order to reinforce it more quickly for the next treatment process.

Figure 4 shows a cross section through a third embodiment according to the present invention. The modality illustrated in figure 4 corresponds essentially to the modality illustrated in figure 3. It is not desirable, in all cases, that the lubricant is introduced between the dough and the sausage wrapper as with the second modality. For this purpose, a device can be provided according to the present invention that returns the lubricant to the end section of the filling tube 2 such that no or very little lubricant enters the sausage casing and the ejected mass. As shown in figure 4, at least one opening can be provided for this in the end section of the filling tube 2, for example an annular opening 11a, which is connected to at least one return channel 11b. At least one return channel 11b can also be arranged, for example in an annular shape, in the filling tube 2. The lubricant can be refilled via this channel or the channels

11b through the drain opening 14 in the filling tube 2 for the lubricant supply to be reused. In order that the lubricant can be better drained through opening 11a in the filling tube, an annular separating element 12 is arranged around the filling tube 2 which exerts pressure on the sausage housing 20. The separating element 12 is formed from elastic material and has a wedge-shaped cross section with only the tip pressing on the sausage wrap. Thus, the flow of lubricant can be stopped or deflected within opening 11a.

As an alternative to the device illustrated in figure 4 for diverting or returning the lubricant, it would also be conceivable to provide the outer side of the filling tube 2 with return grooves. The lubricant can then be collected by the separation element 12 and diverted into the return grooves against the transport direction T.

In the following, the method according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to figures 2 to 4. To manufacture sausages, as previously described, the casing material, which is fed into the extrusion die 7 via feed 5, it is ejected through the annular space 4 on the surface of the filling tube 2. At least in the region at the beginning of the distance X of the filling tube 2 projecting beyond the annular space 4, the fixing solution is applied to the surface of the wrapping material ejected by a device 6. The wrapping material slides in the transport direction T on the surface of the filling tube and hardens to the end 8 of the filling tube so that the sausage casing 20 produced can be subjected to the following treatment stages. The dough arrives at the end of the filling tube 8 through the filling tube 2 and the feed 3 and fills the sausage wrap 20 previously produced. When the dough is ejected, the wrapping material 20 is simultaneously pulled from the filling tube 2, as is also the case for example in the manufacture of sausages where the sausage wrapping is collected in the filling tube. Thus in accordance with the present invention, a continuous sausage wrap, i.e., an endless sausage wrap, can be produced, which facilitates a continuous process. As long as the produced sausage wrap 20 is substantially solidified at the end 8 of the filling tube, the constriction or twisting of the filled sausage skein can occur directly after the filling tube. During twisting, the filler tube 2 is rotated together with the extrusion die 7 around the longitudinal axis of the filler tube, for example, using a drive 17, while the full sausage skein can be held against twisting by the device 21. Thus a point of constriction is produced between the unique parts. Alternatively, the full sausage skein can also be divided by displacing the dough on the sausage skein with the help of displacement elements, where the sausages are then closed with fasteners. Although not illustrated in the figures, the device may furthermore have a transport device, for example, opposing located transport rollers or conveyors that move the full sausage skein or single parts in the transport direction T.

According to a preferred method, a lubricant is injected between the filling tube 2 and the housing material. The lubricant can also have solidifying properties so that the sausage casing to be produced hardens from the outside and the inside. Here, the lubricant can either be applied to the ejected dough together with the sausage wrapper to be produced in the transport direction T, that is, between the dough and the sausage wrapper 20, or retained by means of a suitable device in the end section from the filling tube 2 and returned so that no lubricant or very little lubricant remains between the sausage wrap and the dough.

At the start of production, that is, before the production of the first part, the casing material extruded over the filling tube is carefully pulled by hand and threaded manually in the following assemblies. Products from the start of production are optionally ejected from the production line before further processing.