(19)
(11) EP 0 894 729 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
19.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/51

(21) Application number: 98500152.8

(22) Date of filing: 29.06.1998
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7B65D 33/16

(54)

Staple for the sealing of sausages

Verschlussklammer für Würste

Agrafe de fermeture pour saucisses


(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE IT

(30) Priority: 28.07.1997 ES 9702061 U

(43) Date of publication of application:
03.02.1999 Bulletin 1999/05

(73) Proprietor: Lorenzo Barroso, Angel
08310 Argentona (Barcelona) (ES)

(72) Inventor:
  • Lorenzo Barroso, Angel
    08310 Argentona (Barcelona) (ES)

(74) Representative: SUGRANES - VERDONCES - FERREGÜELA 
Calle Provenza, 304
08008 Barcelona
08008 Barcelona (ES)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A-90/07459
FR-A- 2 363 492
US-A- 2 067 093
CH-A- 377 270
GB-A- 1 020 220
US-A- 2 716 751
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Technical Field of the Invention.-



    [0001] The present invention relates to a staple of a general "U" configuration, applicable to the sealing of sausages.

    State of the Art.-



    [0002] Different types of staples applicable to the sealing of sausages are well known, but they all present an important drawback.

    [0003] During the stapling process of the sausage, in principle, the outer face of the central branch of the staples and the end of the stapling machine coincide perfectly, however, as in any mechanical process, there can occur small dis-adjustments between the staples and the staple sealing punch and/or the sealing die of the corresponding stapling machine. This is due to the fact that the contact surface is smooth and so cannot take on the lateral forces derived from a non-uniform pressure along the whole outer face of the staples, so that a small angle is formed between the contact surfaces which causes a poor sealing of the sausage, including the possible tearing of the intestine of the same with the danger of microbes and bacteria entering and altering the hygienic conditions of the sausage.

    Explanation of the Invention.-



    [0004] The invention has as object a new embodiment of staples destined for the sealing of sausages, which provides a solution to the said drawback from which the known embodiments of this type of staples suffer.

    [0005] The staple destined for the sealing of sausages, considered as an independent unit or forming part of a longitudinal string of staples, according to the present invention is characterised in that the central branch of the staple is provided on its outer face with multiple grooves, transversally placed on the said branch, adapted to collaborate with some similar and complimentary ribs, placed on the outer edge of the staple sealing punch and/or the sealing die of the corresponding stapling machine.

    Brief Description of the Drawings.-



    [0006] There follows a detailed description of one form of preferred embodiment, although not exclusive, of the present invention, for the better comprehension of which, are attached some drawings, given merely as a non-limitative example, in which:

    Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a staple and a string of staples according to the invention, respectively; and

    Figures 3 and 4 each show a front elevation view of the staple and the string of staples of figures 1 and 2, respectively, with the corresponding sealing punch.


    Detailed Description of the Drawings.-



    [0007] In the drawings it can be seen that the staple 1, of a general "U" configuration, applicable to the sealing of sausages, is comprised of a central branch 2, provided on its outer face with multiple grooves 3.

    [0008] The grooves 3 are transversally placed on the external face of the central branch 2, observable in Figure 1 on which can be seen the staple 1, considered as an independent unit, that these grooves 3 are adapted to collaborate with some ribs 4, similar and complimentary to the grooves 3, placed on the outer edge 5 of the sealing punch 6 of the staple 1 of the corresponding stapling machine.

    [0009] The staple 1 can also form part of a longitudinal string of staples 7, essentially flat, of a more or less rectangular and uniform transversal section, which presents two alternating series of pairs of obtuse angle folds, the pair of folds of one same series being in the same direction and in a contrary direction those of the next series and being alternated the pairs of folds of both series.

    [0010] The entirety adopts a configuration such that, as can be seen in figures 1 and 2, it comprises two series of essentially flat and quadrangular, staggered, multiple zones, each zone being joined longitudinally to the adjacent zones of the other series by inclined and flat respective branches which converge in them. One of the faces of the string presents some transversal grooves 3, while the other face is smooth. The essentially quadrangular zones of the same series are of equal proportion.

    [0011] In the case of a string of staples 7, shown in figure 4, the grooves 3 of the staple 1 are adapted to collaborate with respective and complementary ribs 4 placed in the immobile sealing die 8, while the mobile sealing punch 9 is provided with an end blade 10, to cut one unit of staple 1 from the string 7, as well as a folding concavity 11.

    [0012] The nature of the invention being sufficiently described, as well as the means of putting it into practice, it is here stated that inasmuch as its functioning principle as disclosed in the appended claim is not altered, modified or changed, it may undergo minor changes.


    Claims

    1. Staple (1) for the sealing of sausages, of a general "U" configuration, characterised in that the central branch (2) of the staple (1) is provided on its outer face with multiple grooves (3), transversally placed on the said branch (2) and adapted to collaborate with some similar and complementary ribs (4), placed on the outer edge (5) of the sealing punch (6) of the staple (1) and/or on the sealing die (8) of the corresponding stapling machine.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Klammer (1) für den Verschluss von Würsten, die im wesentlichen eine "U"-Form aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zentralzweig (2) der Klammer (1) an seiner Außenseite mit Mehrfachnuten (3) versehen ist, die transversal auf dem Zweig (2) angeordnet sind und so ausgestaltet sind, dass sie mit ähnlichen und komplementären Rippen (4) zusammen arbeiten, die an der Außenkante (5) des Schließstempels (6) der Klammer (1) und/oder auf dem Schließgesenk (8) der entsprechenden Klammermaschine vorgesehen sind.
     


    Revendications

    1. Agrafe (1) de fermeture pour saucisses configuré en général en U, caractérisée parce que la branche central (2) de l'agrafe (1) est provis dans sa face extérieure avec multiples rainures (3) placées transversalement dans la branche mentionnée (2) et adaptée pour collaborer avec quelques nervatures similaires et complémentaires (4) placés dans la face extérieure (5) de la étampe de fermeture (6) de l'agrafe (1) et/ou dans la matrice de scellement (8) de la machine a agrafer correspondante.
     




    Drawing