Townsend Engineering Company

Theo R Bruinsma

David W Smith

Kenneth Leon Lebsack

Matthew A Bergman

Paul J Joynt

Liansuo Xie

David L McClung

A method and apparatus that uses safety apparel that has an identification element so that a sensor on a machine may detect the presence of the identification element. Upon detecting the presence of the identification element, the sensors electronically activate a series of switches and relays that allow the machine to operate. A plurality of relays can be set up so that when certain operational parameters occur, or do not occur, the machine is shut down. This includes a timing circuit to ensure the machine is being properly operated. Once the machine shuts down the operator must repeat the procedure of placing the identification element in communication with the sensors.

Method and means for controlling the operation of a machine based upon the wearing apparel by the machine operator

A twister mechanism for sausage encasing has a first housing member (,) having a center bore. A rotatable ring (,) has a center bore (,) concentric with the center bore of the housing. A rotatable sleeve (,) is mounted on the ring and forms the center bore of the ring and being rotatable with the ring. A second housing member (,) is secured to the first housing member and has a center bore receiving the sleeve. A bearing member extending around the sleeve and extending radially to engage a surface of the second housing member. The ring includes a circular disk (,) extending outwardly from the center bore, and has an outer peripheral edge. A plurality of radially spaced vanes (,A) are on the disk extending outwardly therefrom. The vanes are spaced from the second housing member and the bearing to enhance the cooling of the mechanism when the ring is rotated.

Twister mechanism for a sausage making machine

A linking and link cutting assembly for sausage encasing machines has a pair of endless linking chains having portions which are parallel and which are laterally spaced. They carry spaced pinching blocks which register during the parallel movement, and pinch a sausage rope moving longitudinally therebetween to form links in the rope. A cutting knife is incorporated into one of the registering blocks and is actuated by a cam block having a cam surface that engages the knife to selectively move the knife to cut the desired link. The linking chains are conventionally driven and are adaptable for operative connection to the typical drive shaft of a conventional linking apparatus of a sausage encasing machine. The method of separating cutting links in a sausage rope while the rope is moving longitudinally. The knife which cuts the links is a part of the blocks on the linking chain that forms the links, and is actuated by a cam block. By selectively positioning the cutting knives on the linking chain, two or more sausage members can be linked together if desired.

Method and means for linking and then separating encased sausage

The apparatus for rotating the strand of meat product has an elongated barrel with a plurality of bores therein, with each bore having a tube rotatably mounted therein. An elongated strand of extruded meat product is inserted into one of the elongated tubes, whereupon the strand is cut and clipped into a closed condition at the inlet end of the tube. The tube is then selectively rotated, and a drive gear is provided for indexing the barrel for an incremental amount of rotation to align the incoming strand with a second of the tube members. While the second tube member is being loaded with an elongated strand of meat product, the elongated strand in the first tube is removed therefrom and is introduced into a conventional linking means while it is still rotating from the action of the first tube member. A first alternative apparatus introduces the elongated strand of meat product into one of two elongated tubes arranged in a serpentine configuration. Bearings are provided for holding the opposite ends of each tube from all movement by rotational movement about the axes of the tubes, and means for providing rotational power to each of the tubes is provided. A strand of meat emulsion is moved into the first of the tubes while it is in a static condition. After the first tube is filled, it is rotated about its own axis and the second tube is then filled with the elongated strand of meat emulsion. The loading and unloading of the two tubes continues sequentially.

Apparatus and method for rotating a fragile extruded strand of meat

A storage rack and linker for an elongated meat strand has a pair of spaced parallel plates with a plurality of elongated parallel bars extending there between. The parallel plates are comprised of two overlapping plate elements, one of which has a series of radially extending slots therein, which overlap some arcuate slots in the other of the plate elements. Each of the bars is equipped with a cutting mechanism which is adapted to engage linked products draped around the parallel bars for severing the linked products from each other at an appropriate time during their creation. Each rack has a drive element on one end and a drive socket on the other so that racks can be nested with each other for rotational purposes, but can easily be removed from each other for storage or transporting purposes.

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Oss, Netherlands

Theo R Bruinsma