Field of the invention
This invention relates to sausage filling machine and more particularly relates to the
mechanism for moving the piston in the filling cylinder of sausage filler.
Background of the invention
Reference may be made to US Patent No. 4,376,327 having a horizontally
positioned sausage stuffer, an elongated, cylindrical hopper, a removable outlet
opening having an elongated, rigid, plastic tube extending there from, including a
piston in the hopper actuated by water pressure from a city or town water faucet, and
means to control the water.
US Patent No. 4,712,274 discloses an elongated cylinder having a piston therein
which is operable by water under pressure with means to control the water input and
valving means in a header to control the sausage meat entering the stuffing tUbe.
US Patent No. 3,805,329 discloses a sausage filler which is fed through an outlet
into one of the plurality of elongate nozzle members mounted with their axes parallel.
The nozzles are movable in a circular path to position the inlet of each nozzle
sequentially in alignment with the outlet. A casing sealing device for sealing an open
end of casing is movable longitudinally of a nozzle between a first position towards
the inlet end of a nozzle and second position away from the inlet end. However,
control of sausage filling process is difficult in these systems. Hydraulic systems are
used to achieve the precise control over filling process which is easy to operate.
The sausage filler with hydraulic system is costly and requires elaborate
maintenance. The hydraulic systems are designed to operate at high pressures.
Spilling of hydraulic oils due to leaks leads to unhygienic conditions food processing
plants. In order to mitigate these constraints a sausage filler with pneumatic
components is envisaged which replace the hydraulic components. The pneumatic
systems are cost effective and provide easy control over sausage filling process.
High pressures are needed for smooth filling through the funnel nozzles of hydraulic
systems. The design of filling funnel nozzle also needs to be modified so that smooth
filling can be achieved at moderate pressures developed by pneumatic systems.
Objects of the invention
An object of the invention is to develop a sausage filling machine that is cost
effective and requires least maintenance.
1
Summary of the invention
An air powered sausage filling machine had been developed with Pneumatic control
system which is cost effective and easy to maintain. The sausage filler consists of
the filling cylinder (6a), pneumatic cylinder (5a), double solenoid direction control
valve (5 port! 3 position)(3a), air silencer (3b), foot sWitch(4), FRL unit (2), air
compressor(1) and a funnel(Fig.6). The whole construction is mounted on square
steel frame, a pneumatic cylinder (Sa) is fitted inside the frame, and the side wall of
frame is covered with the steel plates. The FRL unit (2) is attached with one side of
steel plate and its fluidity connects air compressor (1) with pneumatic cylinder (Sa).
The air compressor(1) to supply compressed air to pneumatic cylinder for extension
and retraction of the piston is mounted on cylinder. FRL is placed between direction
control valve and compressor to remove dirt particles and to lubricate and regulate
the supply of air. The extension stroke forces the filling piston (6b) forward and
pressurizes the sausage emulsion to come out through the funnel.
Brief description of drawings
Fig. 1. Shows block diagram of components used in the air powered sausage filler
comprising of air compressor (1), FRL Unit (2), double solenoid direction
control valve (5 port! 3 position)(3a), silencer with speed regulator (3b), foot
switches (4), pneumatic cylinder (Sa) having a first end (5e) and a second end
(5d), pneumatic piston (5b), piston rod (5c) and filling cylinder of sausage filler
(6) having filling piston (6b) and filling cylinder(6a).
Fig. 2. Photograph of the air powered sausage filler (a) and funnel nozzle (b) with
smaller cone angle
Fig. 3. is a representation of the front view of the Sausage filler showing Funnel
nozzle (7 ), Carriage bolt (a), Supporting rods (9), housing (10 ), Solenoid
valve (11)
Fig. 4. is a side view of the apparatus showing the funnel having an outlet (12),
funnel nozzle (3), tapered cone of funnel, funnel holder, outlet bend, filling
cylinder (17), housing (10) and the solenoid valve (11)
Fig. 5. is top plan of the machine showing the position of the funnel on the filling
cylinder (17)
Fig. 6. is a drawing of the tapered funnel nozzle showing the tapered cone (14),
nozzle (3) and outlet (12)
Detailed description of invention
A sausage filling machine (Fig. 1) had been developed with pneumatic control
system which is cost effective and easy to maintain. The sausage filler consists of
the filling cylinder (6), pneumatic cylinder (5), double solenoid direction control valve
(5 port! 3 position)(3a), silencer with speed regulator (3b), foot switches (4), FRL unit
2
(2), air compressor (1) and a funnel (Fig. 6). The whole construction mounted on
square steel frame, a pneumatic cylinder (5) is fitted inside the frame, and the side
wall of frame is covered with the steel plates. The FRL unit (2) is attached with one
side of steel plate and connected with the air compressor (1) to supply compressed
air to pneumatic cylinder for extension and retraction of the piston mounted on piston
rod.
The filling cylinder (6) of the sausage filler has the volumetric capacity of 4-8 litres.
The height and diameter of filling cylinder are chosen based on volumetric capacity.
The machine was tested with minced meat to make the sausages. The filling
capacity of the machine is about 40 kg/hr.
The system consists of 5 port I 3 position double solenoid direction valve (3a). The
filling piston (6b) can be stopped at desired position during extension stroke or
retraction stroke. Foot switches (4) were provided so that single operator can control
the unit. It was integrated with sausage filler. Figures 3, 4 and 5 show the front view,
side view and top plan of the machine.
One limitation of pneumatic systems is moderate pressures developed for actuation
of filler. The pneumatic sausage filler with cone angle of 48° (which are usually used
for hydraulic sausage filler) could not develop enough pressure to force the sausage
emulsion from funnel. To overcome this, a funnel (Fig. 6) with cone angle of 18° or
less was developed. The sausage emulsion could easily flow through this funnel.
Therefore the cone angle of funnel should be less than or equal to 18°·
A pneumatic control system is provided for moving the piston within the filling
cylinder at desired speed and comprises a 5 port / 3 position double solenoid
direction control valve (3a) for regulating the flow of compressed air into and out of
pneumatic piston (5b) side and piston rod (5c) side of the pneumatic cylinder (5a).
First and second solenoid valves (3c) are used to activate the spool. When the two
foot switches (4) are in disengaged mode, the air on pneumatic piston (5b) side and
piston rod (5c) side in pneumatic cylinder (5a) balance each other and the filling
piston (6b) is in static position. When one foot switch (4) is engaged, the air on piston
rod (5c) side is emptied through the silencer of first exit of direction control valve (3a
and 3b) and the extension stroke forces the filling piston (6b)forward and pressurizes
the sausage emulsion to come out through the funnel (Fig. 6). When the other foot
switch (4) is engaged, the air on pneumatic piston (5b) side is emptied through the
silencer of second exit of direction control valve and retraction stroke brings down
the filling piston in filling cylinder. The opening area of exits can be adjusted to
regulate the air flow. This feature allows the control over speed of extension stroke
and retraction stroke.
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Statement of Invention
A pneumatic control system for sausage filling machine, compnslng of air
compressor (1), FRL unit (2), double solenoid direction control valve (5 port! 3
position)(3a) with silencer and speed control valve (3b), foot switches and
pneumatic cylinder for controlling the movement of the piston rod in filling cylinder
provided with a funnel nozzle(Fig. 6) having long taper cone (14) angle less than 18°
In order that the present invention may be more fully understood, the following
examples are set forth for the purpose of illustration with reference to the drawings,
but in no way to be construed to narrow the scope of the invention:
Example1
The pneumatic circuit was designed consisting of air compressor (1), FRL unit (2),
flow control valve, single solenoid valve (5 port 2 position), pneumatic cylinder(5a)
and barrel of sausage filler with piston and nozzle (Fig. 6). The stroke direction of
piston in barrel of sausage filler controlled by solenoid valve operated by switch
which controls the flow direction of air. However the piston could not be stopped in
intermediate position. It will complete extension stroke and stop or it will complete
retraction stroke and stop.
Example2
The pneumatic circuit was modified· by replacing single solenoid valve (5 port 2
position) with double solenoid direction valve (5 port 13 position) (3a) and the switch
was replaced with two foot switches (4). With 5 port I 3 position double solenoid
direction control valve, the piston (5b) can be stopped at desired position during
extension stroke or retraction stroke. Foot switches (4) were provided so that single
operator can control the unit. It was integrated with sausage filler. The sausage filler
consists of the filling cylinder (6a), pneumatic cylinder (5a), double solenoid direction
control valve (5 port! 3 position)(3a), air silencer (3b), foot switch (4), FRL unit (2), air
compressor (1) and a funnel (Fig. 6). The whole construction mounted on square
steel frame, a pneumatic cylinder (5a) is fitted inside the frame, and the side wall of
frame is covered with the steel plates. The FRL unit (2) is attached with one side of
steel plate and connected with the air compressor (1) to supply compressed air to
pneumatic cylinder (Sa) for extension and retraction of the piston mounted on
cylinder. The height of barrel of sausage filler is 38.5 cm and having diameter 6
inches.
The sausage filler cylinder (6a) has the volumetric capacity of 6 Iitres. The machine
was tested with minced chicken meat to make the sausages. The filling stuffing
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capacity of the machine is about 40 kg/hr.
Example3
The dimension of steel frame is 33x33 cm2 and height 57 cm. The cover plate on the
upper side of fame has dimensions 34x34 cm2 and height 6 cm. The two supporting
rod dimensions are 50 cm in height and 22.86 mm diameter.
The funnel from which the sausages comes out having inner dia. 27.78 mm and
outer dia. 33.80 mm. While the pipe mounted on top cover plate of horizontal cylinder
having inner dia. 52.84 mm and outer dia. 58.52 mm.
The horizontal cylinder has capacity of 5 kg. meat can be stored in it.
The machine was tested with 2.8 kg of minced chicken to make the sausages. Out of
which the meat come out from the funnel was about 2.03 kg. and remained meat
inside the funnel and cylinder was measured around 0.650 gm. The meat remained
at the top dead end of cylinder was 0.05 gm, waste meat (leaked from bottom end)
was about 0.02gm. the horizontal cylinder height is about 38.5 cm and having
diameter about 6 inches.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiment of the present invention have
been presented for purpose of Illustration and description. They ARE NOT
INTENDED TO BE EXHAUSTIVE OR TO LIMIT THE present invention to the
precise form disclosed and obviously many modifications and variations are possible
in the light of above mentioned teachings. The embodiment were chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its
practical application and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilized the
present invention and its various embodiment with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or
render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims
of the present invention.
Advantages
1. Cost effective
2. Easy maintenance

We claim:
1. A pneumatic control system for sausage filling machine, comprising of air
compressor, FRL unit, double solenoid valve (5ports/3 position) with silencer
and speed control valve, foot switches and pneumatic cylinder for controlling
the movement of the piston rod in filling cylinder provided with a funnel nozzle
having long taper cone angle less than 18°