Device and method for manufacturing sausages

p0001The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for manufacturing sausages according to the preamble of claim 1.

p0002Such devices and methods are already known from the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="EP1371293A"><text>EP 1371293</text></patcit> known. Here is a pasty material (sausage meat) is coated with a sausage casing film and following the coextrusion of the sausage strand produced is divided. Such coextrusion for example in<figref idrefs="f0005">Fig. 5</figref> shown. The sausage casing material is applied by an extrusion nozzle 7 via the annular gap 4 on the paste mass fed through the filling tube. 2 After coextrusion, the sausage casing, which is supplied as a gel-like mass (eg alginate) through the annular gap 4, is solidified by applying a fixing solution of auβen such as calcium chloride solution and made available for subsequent processing steps, such as necking or twisting.

p0003Since the hardening process, however, a certain time is typically 1 to 2 seconds until the shell is loaded, it is problematic to strangle immediately after the coextrusion the sausage strand to initiate for example a calibration process. The sausage casing is not sufficient for stable, so that the sausage strand breaks off.

p0004Proceeding from this, the present invention seeks to provide a simple apparatus and a rapid method for the manufacture of sausages, which make it possible to produce a higher duty sausage casing.

p0005According to the invention the object is achieved by the features of claims 1 and 10. FIG.

p0006According to the present invention, the sausage casing is now no longer applied directly to the paste mass ejected from the filling tube but extruded onto the filling tube. For this purpose the filling tube protrudes beyond the annular gap a distance X. The extruded casing material can then solidify on the line X of the above filling tube. Thus, a continuous sausage casing produced on the filling tube. Only after that the paste mass is fed. The sausage casing is drawn off on the filling pipe from the filling tube. The shell is resilient and therefore it can subsequent processing steps, such as necking, twisting, displacing, etc., are performed. The distance x of the extended filling tube serves here also as a buffer zone to provide a sausage casing directly on the filling tube as stock.

p0007Advantageously, the apparatus comprises a device for feeding fixing for the ejected case material, the device being arranged at least in a partial region of the distance X, in particular at the beginning of distance X. Thus, a reliable and fast fixing in the region of the distance X is ensured. Preferably, the distance X is greater or equal to 10 to 200 mm, but can be longer. Such distance is sufficient to solidify the shell material.

p0008Thus, the extruded casing material, ie the sausage casing produced can move on the filling tube in the direction of the filling tube, it is advantageous if the filling tube having a Füllrohroberfläche, at least in the preceding distance X a low sliding friction coefficient μ which is lower than that of polished stainless steel is (eg., in a range of 0.01 to 0.1) has. This ensures that the sausage casing can move well on the filling tube without breaking or being damaged. Such favorable sliding properties can be achieved for example by a corresponding coating.

p0009However, it is also possible that the apparatus additionally or alternatively comprises a slide means for feeding a lubricant between filling tube and ejected casing material. The fact that a lubricant is produced between the filling tube and sausage casing, the sausage casing does not stick to the filling tube and does not tear. Thus, the coefficient of sliding friction can be minimized.

p0010According to a preferred embodiment, the lubricating device, a feed for lubricant, which is arranged in the filling pipe, and an annular gap via which the lubricant on the surface of the ejected by the distance X above the fill tube.

p0011In the end region of the filling tube can then also at least one opening of a return channel may be provided for the lubricant to discharge the lubricant, such that no or very little lubricant is introduced between sausage casing and paste mass. Alternatively it can be provided at least in the region of the distance X with return grooves and the outside of the filling tube. Thus, excess lubricant may be removed.

p0012It may also be advantageous if an annular stripping element is arranged around the filling tube in the region of Füllrohrendes which exerts a pressure on the sausage casing. Thus it can be prevented that lubricant passes through the filling tube between paste mass and the sausage casing. The retained lubricant may then be removed via the feedback channels or grooves previously mentioned.

p0013In the inventive method the filled sausage casing following the filling tube can be divided by a twist-off or constricting in individual portions. That is, the filled sausage strand can be rotated around its longitudinal axis to generate a twist-off or displacement elements can divide the sausage casing in individual portions, without the sausage casing is injured.

p0014About the Fixierlösungszufuhr the fixing solution can be applied from the outside at least in the initial region of the distance X onto the extruded casing material. If a lubricant is used and this is eingepritzt between fill tube and sheath material, this lubricant may also have hardening characteristics, so that a solidification occurs simultaneously from the inside. Thus, it is possible to solidify the sausage casing from the inside and outside, in order to stabilize faster for the subsequent processing process.

p0015If the lubricant between filling pipe and casing material is introduced and the lubricant is further introduced between sausage casing and paste mass, a simple displacement of the paste results in relation to the sausage casing due to lack of bond between paste mass and the sausage casing. This can be useful in subsequent processes, such as. For packaging the products or even in the event that a simple removal (easy peeling of the casing) is desired

p0016If no lubricant between sausage casing and paste mass is desired, the lubricant is discharged at the end portion of the filling tube. The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings.<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>shows a filling machine according to the present invention.</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>shows a cross-section through a coextrusion head according to a first embodiment of the present invention.</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>shows a cross-section through a coextrusion head according to a second embodiment of the present invention.</dd><dt>Fig. 4</dt><dd>shows a cross section through a third embodiment according to the present invention. </dd><dt>Fig. 5</dt><dd>shows a cross-section through a coextrusion head as known from the prior art.</dd></dl>

p0017As shown in the <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a filling machine comprises in a known manner, a hopper 16, via which a pasty mass, such as sausage meat out to a funnel disposed below the conveyor. The conveyor brings the paste mass under pressure into a filling tube 2, so that it is pushed into a sausage casing for the production of sausages. With the help of the coextrusion head 1 can be further 20 produced for the sausages, the sausage casing. To solidify the shell material means 6 for feeding fixing for the ejected casing material is also provided. Here the device is designed as an annular shower through which the sausage casing to be solidified is passed on the filling tube. The shower ring is connected to a supply for a fixing solution which is supplied by means of a pump from another reservoir of the annular shower.

p0018After the filling tube 8 different devices 21 can be arranged downstream, as shown schematically in <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is shown. For example, a compartment means here can be provided which divides the produced sausage skein when it is rotated, for example by means of the drive 17 about the longitudinal axis A. A compartment device, for example, divides the paste mass of the sausage strand by displacement elements in single sausages and / or conveying direction, which further promotes the produced sausage skein or the single sausages in the transport direction T, can also be arranged behind the filling tube. However, on these different devices should not be discussed here further.

p0019<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> shows a cross section through a first embodiment according to the present invention. As from<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> apparent comprises the coextrusion head 1 has a housing 22 in which the extrusion nozzle 7 is rotatably supported for discharging wrapper material via corresponding bearings. 13 The housing 22 has a supply 5 for envelope mass material. The extrusion nozzle 7 comprises a nozzle cavity 15 via the sheath material may be extruded through the annular gap onto the filling tube 4 second The filling pipe 2 extends through the extrusion nozzle 7. The filling tube 2 is together with the extrusion nozzle about the longitudinal axis of the filler pipe, as indicated by arrow in<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> shown, rotatably mounted and can be rotated for a calibration process for dividing a sausage strand produced. The coextrusion head 1 here comprises an elongated filling tube through the annular gap 4 second The filling tube 2 protrudes a distance X beyond the annular gap. 4 The distance X is preferably 10 to 200 mm in length, but can be chosen longer. Thus, the sheath material may be extruded through the annular gap onto the filling tube 4 2, wherein the casing material to solidify on the line X. The extruded casing material moves in the direction of the filling tube 8 in the transport direction T. For hardening is here a means for feeding fixing 6 which preferably the filler tube as in<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> is illustrated, is disposed, and the fixing of the ejected casing material applied from the outside. Thus, the shell material, such as alginate, solidify by applying, for example, a fixing solution (eg calcium chloride) itself.

p0020The extended spout, ie the elongated filling tube, thus the curing can effectively be extended to more than 1 s. 8 at the end of the filling tube 2, the ejected casing material is sufficiently solidified, and subsequent processing steps can be supplied. Only now is the paste-like mass, which was fed via the feed 3 the filling tube under pressure, are ejected. The pasty mass is pushed into the sausage casing 20, whereby sausage casing 20 is withdrawn from the filling tube 2, so that the sausage casing and the ejected casing material moves in the transport direction T. This means that the ejected casing material or sausage casing can move well in the transport direction T, it is advantageous if the filling tube 2 has good gliding outdoors. Preferably, the surface of the filling pipe is formed at least in the region of the distance X so that it has a coefficient of sliding friction μ in a range from 0.01 to 0.1. This can be done for example by applying a coating to reduce the sliding friction is applied at least in the area X of the filling tube second Thus, according to the present invention, already at the end of the filling tube 2 a stable solidified sausage casing be provided 20, the subsequent processing steps withstands. Thus, it is possible, for example, a constriction and twisting off directly after the filling tube 2, for example by a twist-off 21 to perform 17 wherein the sausage casing is twisted together with the filling tube 2 and the extrusion die 7 about the longitudinal axis through the drive 17, while the filled sausage skein is held on the device 21 against rotation so that a constriction can be produced. A divide is also possible by displacing the paste-like mass in the filled sausage strand, for example by Verdrängerarme or scissors etc.. It is also possible, the distance X to use in addition a buffer zone to provide a sausage casing directly on the filling tube as stock. Then the route is chosen x longer. Thus, the present invention enables the production of a continuous sausage casing, so that a continuous process is possible.

p0021<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> shows a cross section through a second embodiment according to the present invention. If the friction coefficient between the filling tube and the ejected casing material or the produced sausage casing can be minimized, so, in addition, a lubricant, such as water are supplied. This in<figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> Embodiment shown corresponds to the in <figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2</figref> illustrated embodiment with the exception that here a lubricating device is further provided for supplying a lubricant. The lubricating device includes a supply 9 of the lubricant. The supply 9 is here as a channel in the filling tube 2 is formed. In particular, here the channel runs in the annular Füllrohrwandung. In the area of ​​the annular gap 4 here a further annular gap 10 is arranged around the Auβenfläche of the fill tube. 2 For this purpose the filling tube 2 in the area behind the further annular gap 10 has a smaller diameter than the filling tube 2 in a region in front of the annular gap 10 through the annular gap 10 can be made an inner injection of the lubricant between the ejected casing material and the surface of the stuffing horn second Thus, the ejected casing material, ie to be produced sausage casing slide well on the filling tube 2 in the direction of the filling tube. 8 The injection of the lubricant is thus used as a means for reducing the coefficient of friction on the surface of the filling tube. For this purpose, X additional openings can be arranged in the course of the route, can be injected by the additional lubricant, so that over the course X of the lubricating film can not tear. The lubricant is then introduced at the ejection of the paste mass through the filling tube 2 in the sausage casing 20, and between the sausage casing 20 and the paste-like mass. This allows easy movement of the paste mass relative to the sausage casing 20 due to the lack of bonding between inner mass and the sausage casing. This can be useful in subsequent processes, such as, in the packaging of products, or also for the case that a simple removal (easy peeling) of the sheath is desirable

p0022It is advantageous if the lubricant additionally possesses hardening properties for the sausage casing. Thus, it is possible to solidify into producing sausage casing from the inside and from the outside, in order to stabilize more quickly for the subsequent processing.

p0023<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> shows a cross section through a third embodiment according to the present invention. This in<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> Shown embodiment essentially corresponds to the in <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 3</figref> illustrated embodiment. It is not desirable in all cases, that the lubricant is introduced, as in the second embodiment between the paste-like mass and the sausage casing. For this purpose, according to the present invention, a means can be provided that the lubricant is recycled in such a way in the end portion of the filling tube 2, so that no or only very little lubricant reaches between the sausage casing and the ejected paste mass. As from<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> shows this can in the end region of the filling tube 2, at least one opening, for example a ring-opening 11a be provided which b is in communication with at least one return duct eleventh The at least one return duct 11b may also be arranged, for example in the filling pipe annular second Through this channel or the channels 11 b, the lubricant via the discharge opening 14 in the filling pipe can be returned to the 2wieder Gleitmittelversorgung to be used again. Thus the lubricant can better be discharged via the opening 11a in the filler pipe T is an annular stripping member 12 is disposed behind the opening 11a to the filling tube 2 in the direction of transport, which exerts a pressure on the sausage casing 20th The stripping 12 is formed of elastic material and here has a wedge-shaped cross section, which only pushes the tip of the sausage casing. Thus the Gleitmittelstrom can be stopped and directed into the opening 11a.

p0024As an alternative to the in <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 4</figref> shown means for deriving or recycling of the lubricant, it would also be conceivable to provide the outer surface of the filling tube 2 with return grooves. can About the scraper 12 then the lubricant will be dammed and drained into the return grooves against the transport direction T.

p0025The method of the invention with reference is the <figref idrefs="f0002 f0003 f0004">FIGS. 2-4</figref> explained in more detail. For the manufacture of sausages is thereby, as previously described, casing material, which is supplied via the supply 5 of the extrusion nozzle 7 is ejected via the ring gap 4 on the surface of the stuffing horn second At least in the starting region of the distance X of the gap 4 via the annular protruding fill tube 2, 6 fixing solution is applied to the surface of the ejected casing material over a device. The shell material slides in the direction of transport T about Füllrohroberfläche and thus cures from 8 to the end of the filling tube, so that the sausage casing produced can be subjected to 20 subsequent treatment steps. About the filling tube 2 passes via the feed 3 pasty mass to the filling tube 8 and fills here the sausage casing beforehand generated 20. When ejecting the paste mass is the same shell material 20 withdrawn from the filling tube 2, as is the case for example in the production of sausages, gathered at the sausage casing on the filling tube. Thus, therefore, according to the present invention a continuous sausage casing, that an "infinite" sausage casing produced, which allows a continuous process. Since the sausage casing produced 20 at the end of the filling tube 8 is already highly consolidated, immediately after filling pipe constriction or twisting off the filled sausage strand can occur. Upon twisting off the filling tube 2 is rotated together with the extrusion nozzle 7 about the longitudinal axis of the stuffing tube to, for example, via a drive 17, while the filled sausage strand about the device 21 can be held against rotation. Thus arises a Abschnürstelle between individual portions. Alternatively, the filled sausage strand can also be divided by displacing the paste-like mass in the sausage strand by means of displacement elements, in which case the sausages are closed with clips. Although not shown in the figures, the apparatus may also further comprises a transport device, for example, opposing transport rollers or belts have that move the filled sausage strand or the individual portions in the transport direction T.

p0026According to a preferred method, a lubricant is injected between the filling tube 2 and the shell material. The lubricant can also have solidifying properties, so that to be produced sausage casing hardens from the outside and inside. In this case, the lubricant either together with the to be produced sausage casing in the transport direction T to the ejected paste mass, ie be applied between the paste mass and the sausage casing 20, or via a corresponding device in the end of the filling tube 2 are retained and recycled so that no lubricants or very little lubricant between sausage casing and paste mass remains.

p0027With production beginning, ie before production of the first portion of the extruded over the filling tube casing material is carefully removed and manually threaded through subsequent modules. Goods from the production beginning is possibly discharged prior to a further processing us the production line.