Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080250755 | AUTOMATED PUSHER MECHANISMS THAT COOPERATE WITH CLIPPERS - Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute using an automated pushing mechanism with a pushing head. | 10-16-2008 |
20090100798 | AUTOMATED CLIPPERS - Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in netting include a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting and a first cutting cartridge mounted to the pivotable clipper mechanism. The first cutting cartridge includes: (a) a knife; (b) an actuation cylinder with a rod in communication with the knife that advances and retracts the knife; and (c) an anti-rotation block attached to a rear of the knife intermediate the knife and rod to inhibit the knife and rod from rotating, wherein, in operation, the first cutting cartridge pivots with the clipper mechanism. | 04-23-2009 |
20090100800 | METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PACKAGING OBJECTS - Methods of automatically packaging an object in netting include: (a) automatically extending a product pusher having a pusher head through a product chute; (b) pushing at least one object from a location upstream of the product chute, through a product chute to a location downstream of the product chute in response to the extending step; (c) pulling netting material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the netting material as the object exits the product chute; (d) automatically retracting the pusher head after the pushing step extends the pusher head outside the product chute; then (e) automatically directing a clipper to pivot into position when the pusher head is partially retracted a distance sufficient to position the pusher head inside the product chute; and (f) applying at least one clip to the netting material using the clipper to secure the object in the netting material. | 04-23-2009 |
20090124185 | SYSTEMS WITH HORNS THAT EXTEND INTO NETTING CHUTES AND HAVING COOPERATING DERUCKERS FOR PRODUCING ENCASED PRODUCTS AND RELATED DEVICES, METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS - Apparatus for engaging a filler/product pump that include: (a) a horn having a length, an outer surface and an internal product channel extending therethrough; (b) a forming collar in communication with the horn, wherein, in operation, the forming collar is configured to cooperate with the horn to direct planar casing material to take on a generally tubular shape over an outer surface of the horn while product travels through the internal channel; (c) a netting chute sized and configured to receive a portion of the horn therein, the netting chute configured to hold a sleeve of elastic netting material thereon; and (d) an automated derucker operatively associated with the netting chute whereby the derucker is configured to automatically travel through a derucker stroke cycle comprising upstream and downstream locations to pull segments of netting material toward a downstream end portion of the netting chute while product is pumped out of the horn. | 05-14-2009 |
20090158688 | ROTATING MULTI-CLIPPER PLATFORM SYSTEMS WITH COOPERATING ADHESIVE SEAL MODULES, ADHESIVE SEAL SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS - Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets. | 06-25-2009 |
20090277137 | METHODS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS SUITABLE FOR PACKAGING WHOLE MUSCLE - Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting, by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through first and second axially aligned product chutes; (b) pulling covering material from an exterior surface of a covering material chute residing about the second product chute to automatically enclose the object in the material as the object exits the second product chute; (c) applying at least one clip to the material to secure the object in the material; and (d) pivoting the covering material chute and second product chute together to load a sleeve of material onto the covering material chute. | 11-12-2009 |
20100064632 | COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR OPERATING CLIPPING PACKAGING APPARATUS AND RELATED SYSTEMS - Systems, devices and computer program products automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material. | 03-18-2010 |
20100107566 | COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR AUTOMATED CLIPPING PACKAGING APPARATUS - Computer program products that operate packaging systems with an automated product pusher and clipper for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in a covering such as netting. | 05-06-2010 |
20100223884 | AUTOMATED CLIPPERS - Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in netting include a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting and a first cutting cartridge mounted to the pivotable clipper mechanism. The first cutting cartridge includes: (a) a knife; (b) an actuation cylinder with a rod in communication with the knife that advances and retracts the knife; and (c) an anti-rotation block attached to a rear of the knife intermediate the knife and rod to inhibit the knife and rod from rotating, wherein, in operation, the first cutting cartridge pivots with the clipper mechanism. | 09-09-2010 |
20100279591 | CASING ASSEMBLIES FOR SYSTEMS WITH NETTING CHUTES - Apparatus for engaging a filler/product pump that include: (a) a horn having a length, an outer surface and an internal product channel extending therethrough; (b) a forming collar in communication with the horn, wherein, in operation, the forming collar is configured to cooperate with the horn to direct planar casing material to take on a generally tubular shape over an outer surface of the horn while product travels through the internal channel; (c) a netting chute sized and configured to receive a portion of the horn therein, the netting chute configured to hold a sleeve of elastic netting material thereon; and (d) an automated derucker operatively associated with the netting chute whereby the derucker is configured to automatically travel through a derucker stroke cycle comprising upstream and downstream locations to pull segments of netting material toward a downstream end portion of the netting chute while product is pumped out of the horn. | 11-04-2010 |
20110056171 | AUTOMATED CLIPPERS - Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in netting include a pivotable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to netting and a first cutting cartridge mounted to the pivotable clipper mechanism. The first cutting cartridge includes: (a) a knife; (b) an actuation cylinder with a rod in communication with the knife that advances and retracts the knife; and (c) an anti-rotation block attached to a rear of the knife intermediate the knife and rod to inhibit the knife and rod from rotating, wherein, in operation, the first cutting cartridge pivots with the clipper mechanism. | 03-10-2011 |
20110083406 | COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES SUITABLE FOR PACKAGING WHOLE MUSCLE - Computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting using actuators for operating barrier doors, pushers, and locks. | 04-14-2011 |
20110209331 | METHODS OF BUILDING MODULAR CLIPPING PACKAGING APPARATUS - Packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations. | 09-01-2011 |
20110212676 | COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR SYSTEMS WITH CASING ASSEMBLIES AND NETTING CHUTES - Computer program products for an apparatus with an automated derucker operatively associated with a netting chute whereby the derucker is configured to automatically travel through a derucker stroke cycle comprising upstream and downstream locations to pull segments of netting material toward a downstream end portion of the netting chute while product is pumped out of the horn. | 09-01-2011 |
20110281706 | PACKAGING SYSTEMS WITH ADHESIVE SEAL MODULES - Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets. | 11-17-2011 |
20110283658 | ROTATING MULTI-CLIPPER PACKAGING SYSTEMS - Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets. | 11-24-2011 |
20110296798 | AUTOMATED PUSHER MECHANISMS FOR PACKAGING SYSTEMS - Automated pusher mechanisms with pusher heads that reciprocally travel in a product chute. The pusher head has a laterally extending planar forward portion and semi-circular side portions. | 12-08-2011 |
20120114816 | AUTOMATED METHODS OF PACKAGING OBJECTS USING A CLIPPER - Methods of automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting include: (a) automatically pushing at least one object through a product chute; (b) pulling a covering material upstream of the product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute; and (c) applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the packing material. | 05-10-2012 |
20120311964 | ROTATING MULTI-CLIPPER PACKAGING SYSTEMS - Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets. | 12-13-2012 |
20130000249 | FACTORY LAYOUTS OF PACKAGING APPARATUS WITH CLIPPERS - Factory layouts of packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations. | 01-03-2013 |
20130026007 | ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN PUSHERS FOR AUTOMATED CLIPPING PACKAGING APPARATUS - Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly. | 01-31-2013 |
20130199129 | AUTOMATED PUSHER MECHANISMS FOR PACKAGING SYSTEMS - Automated pusher mechanisms with pusher heads that reciprocally travel in a product chute. The pusher head has a laterally extending planar forward portion and semi-circular side portions. | 08-08-2013 |
20130211580 | COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR AUTOMATED CLIPPING PACKAGING APPARATUS - Computer program products that operate packaging systems with an automated product pusher and clipper for attaching at least one closure clip to a product held in a covering such as netting. | 08-15-2013 |
20130247521 | AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN ACTUATORS FOR COMPRESSION CHAMBERS - Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly. | 09-26-2013 |
20140013705 | PACKAGING SYSTEMS WITH CLIP SPOOL CRADLES - Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products configured to provide one or more of the following: clip spool cradles, improved rotary table or platform packaging systems, improved adhesive (glue) based film seal systems, and/or easier loading or releasing mounting systems of horns, forming collars and/or sprockets. | 01-16-2014 |
20140033646 | CLIPPER MECHANISMS AND RELATED DEVICES - Pivotable clipper assemblies for attaching closure clips to a product held in casing and/or netting include a retractable clipper mechanism having a clipper body configured to deliver clips to a clip window and attach the clips to the casing and/or netting; and a pair of clipper gathering plates attached to the clipper body so that the clipper gathering plates retract with the clipper mechanism, wherein, in operation, the clipper gathering plates gather casing and/or netting upstream of a product held therein prior to attachment of clips to the gathered casing and/or netting by the clipper mechanism. | 02-06-2014 |
20140047800 | AUTOMATED PACKAGING METHODS AND RELATED COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS - Methods, devices and computer program products automatically or semi-automatically package an object in a covering material such as casing and/or netting by pulling a covering material upstream of a product chute off an exterior surface of the product chute to automatically enclose the object in the covering material as the object exits the product chute, then applying a clip to the covering material to secure the object in the covering material. | 02-20-2014 |
20140256239 | AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN ACTUATORS FOR COMPRESSION OF TARGET PRODUCT - Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, sheared casing and/or netting. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo-motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly. | 09-11-2014 |
20150035460 | ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN PUSHERS FOR AUTOMATED CLIPPING PACKAGING APPARATUS - Methods, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material, such as, for example, netting. The devices include a pusher assembly, an electric motor, preferably a servo motor with a gear box, that drives a linear drive assembly. The devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the pusher assembly. | 02-05-2015 |
20150073602 | AUTOMATED PACKAGING SYSTEMS WITH ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVEN ACTUATORS FOR COMPRESSION CHAMBERS - Methods, systems, apparatus, devices and computer program products automatically package an object, such as, for example, whole muscle meat pieces, in a covering material. The devices include an automated compression assembly with an electric drive motor and a pusher assembly with an electric motor, preferably each electric motor is a servo motor. The systems/apparatus devices can include a programmably adjustable index and/or speed profile for the compression and/or pusher assembly. | 03-12-2015 |