Michael Allen Hardy

US Patent:

6572464, Jun 3, 2003

Filed:

Aug 1, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/210122

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - Ankeny IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 33

Abstract:

A method for rapid loading of casing-bearing sleeves on the stuffing tube of a sausage machine, provides for placing the preloaded sleeves on a feeder mechanism and selectively and sequentially moving the sleeves into registering position with the discharge end of an emulsion stuffing tube; sequentially moving the stuffing tube into each of the sleeves and extruding emulsion through the stuffing tube into the casing mounted on the sleeve until the sleeve is slidably removed from the tube caused in part by the movement of emulsion entering the casing. The apparatus has a fixture suitably movably mounted on the machine with a plurality of preloaded sleeves thereon for sequential movement for selective alignment of the sleeves with the stuffing tube for sequential filling of the casings with emulsion.

US Patent:

6585580, Jul 1, 2003

Filed:

Aug 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/226826

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - West Des Moines IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 32

Abstract:

A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion involves slidably mounting a collar element on the stuffing tube of the machine adjacent an end of the stuffing tube opposite to the discharge end thereof. The collar is slidably advanced towards the discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a shirred condition while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream thereof. The non-shirred portion of the casing is progressively advanced while the casing is filled with emulsion from the tube. A sensor is placed in the proximity of the non-shirred portion of the casing to detect whether shirred or non-shirred casing is present. The sensor is connected to a controller so that the collar will be advanced to slide the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred casing is detected, and the advance of the collar is stopped when shirred casing material is detected. A machine includes the foregoing components to accomplish the method.

US Patent:

6641474, Nov 4, 2003

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/309806

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - West Des Moines IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1102

US Classification:

452 45

Abstract:

A method for rapid loading of casing-bearing sleeves on the stuffing tube of a sausage machine, provides for placing the preloaded sleeves on a feeder mechanism and selectively and sequentially moving the sleeves into registering position with the discharge end of an emulsion stuffing tube; sequentially moving the stuffing tube into each of the sleeves and extruding emulsion through the stuffing tube into the casing mounted on the sleeve until the sleeve is slidably removed from the tube caused in part by the movement of emulsion entering the casing. The apparatus has a fixture suitably movably mounted on the machine with a plurality of preloaded sleeves thereon for sequential movement for selective alignment of the sleeves with the stuffing tube for sequential filling of the casings with emulsion.

US Patent:

6659853, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Mar 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/389372

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - West Des Moines IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 31

Abstract:

A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion involves slidably mounting a collar element on the stuffing tube of the machine adjacent an end of the stuffing tube opposite to the discharge end thereof. The collar is slidably advanced towards the discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a shirred condition while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream thereof. The non-shirred portion of the casing is progressively advanced while the casing is filled with emulsion from the tube. A sensor is placed in the proximity of the non-shirred portion of the casing to detect whether shirred or non-shirred casing is present. The sensor is connected to a controller so that the collar will be advanced to slide the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred casing is detected, and the advance of the collar is stopped when shirred casing material is detected. A machine includes the foregoing components to accomplish the method.

US Patent:

6659854, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Dec 4, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/309449

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - Ankeny IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 33

Abstract:

A method for rapid loading of casing-bearing sleeves on the stuffing tube of a sausage machine, provides for placing the preloaded sleeves on a feeder mechanism and selectively and sequentially moving the sleeves into registering position with the discharge end of an emulsion stuffing tube; sequentially moving the stuffing tube into each of the sleeves and extruding emulsion through the stuffing tube into the casing mounted on the sleeve until the sleeve is slidably removed from the tube caused in part by the movement of emulsion entering the casing. The apparatus has a fixture suitably movably mounted on the machine with a plurality of preloaded sleeves thereon for sequential movement for selective alignment of the sleeves with the stuffing tube for sequential filling of the casings with emulsion.

US Patent:

6669545, Dec 30, 2003

Filed:

Oct 10, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/268853

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - Des Moines IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 33

Abstract:

A controlled follower on a stuffing tube engages and causes a natural casing thereon to be longitudinally moved toward the discharge end of a stuffing tube to be filled with emulsion, twisted and formed into links. The follower is controlled by a sensor, in conjunction with a controller, and in instances, influenced by a sensor, to have a controlled movement of the casing along the stuffing tube.

US Patent:

6676502, Jan 13, 2004

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/160931

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - West Des Moines IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1100

US Classification:

452 33

Abstract:

A method and structure of stuffing natural casings with sausage material involves taking a plurality of natural casings of different lengths and diameters; pre-loading each of the casings on elongated hollow open ended sleeves shorter than the casings and having a diameter less than the casings by telescoping the casings on the outer surfaces of the sleeves, slidably mounting the sleeves on the open end of a meat stuffing tube of a sausage encasing machine; extruding meat emulsion through the stuffing tube into the casing mounted on the sleeve until the sleeve is slidably removed from the tube, removing the sleeve from the stuffing tube, repeating the use of the sleeve by preloading the sleeve with another natural casing.

US Patent:

6719621, Apr 13, 2004

Filed:

Mar 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/389403

Inventors:

Steven P. Hergott - West Des Moines IA
David S. Hamblin - Norwalk IA
Michael J. Hardy - West Des Moines IA

Assignee:

Townsend Engineering Company - Des Moines IA

International Classification:

A22C 1300

US Classification:

452 33

Abstract:

A method of stuffing natural casings with emulsion involves slidably mounting a collar element on the stuffing tube of the machine adjacent an end of the stuffing tube opposite to the discharge end thereof. The collar is slidably advanced towards the discharge end of the tube to telescope the casing into a shirred condition while leaving a non-shirred portion downstream thereof. The non-shirred portion of the casing is progressively advanced while the casing is filled with emulsion from the tube. A sensor is placed in the proximity of the non-shirred portion of the casing to detect whether shirred or non-shirred casing is present. The sensor is connected to a controller so that the collar will be advanced to slide the casing material on the tube when the non-shirred casing is detected, and the advance of the collar is stopped when shirred casing material is detected. A machine includes the foregoing components to accomplish the method.