Butchering – Viscera processing – Gripper or hook type eviscerator
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-08
2001-08-28
Little, Willis (Department: 3643)
Butchering
Viscera processing
Gripper or hook type eviscerator
C452S063000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280310
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to apparatus for putting gullet ligatures into place.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The term “gullet” is used to designate the esophagus, and in cattle, when the gullet is cut during the slaughtering process, any plant matter that was being digested therein is then ejected, thereby spilling out and soiling the meat.
It is therefore important to be able to discharge into the rumen of the carcass any plant matter that was to be found in the gullet at the moment of slaughter and to close off the gullet as close as possible to the rumen.
Clips for ligating the gullet are already known, which clips are constituted by a kind of clamp which is placed on the gullet of a carcass to avoid soiling the meat when it is eviscerated.
Such a clamp is put into place as follows.
With the slaughtered carcass suspended head down, its throat is incised vertically to reach the gullet which is then taken hold of, and a segment thereof is extracted from the throat.
A split ring is engaged around the gullet and is slid up the gullet to the vicinity of the rumen so as to separate the gullet from all of the ligaments that are attached thereto, after which the ring is brought back down to the end of the gullet and then to the throat.
A ligature clamp is then placed on the gullet and is slid along the gullet up to the rumen.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an apparatus that is simple and that operates reliably so as to facilitate these operations greatly.
The present invention thus provides apparatus for putting gullet ligatures into place on ruminants, and in particular on cattle, said apparatus comprising a ring designed to be engaged around the gullet and a rod enabling the ring to be pushed along the gullet to the vicinity of the rumen of the carcass, the apparatus comprising in combination: an actuator suitable for displacing the rod over a length substantially equal to that of the gullet, a device enabling the actuator to be immobilized relative to the gullet, an open ring secured to the end of the rod, and a control device enabling the actuator to be actuated to move the rod in both directions.
Having the actuator immobilized relative to the gullet presents the advantage of making it easy to position the apparatus on the carcass regardless of the height at which it is to be found above the ground.
In addition, the apparatus of the invention positions itself automatically, thereby making it easier to orient the rod relative to the gullet, particularly since the weight of the apparatus and the reaction of the gullet on the actuator during displacement of the rod contribute to tensioning the gullet and straightening its portion that extends between the apparatus and the rumen of the carcass.
In a first embodiment of the invention, the device enabling the actuator to be immobilized relative to the gullet is a hook secured to the actuator, which hook is hooked onto the un-severed gullet after it has been pulled out from the carcass through an incision made in the throat.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the device enabling the apparatus to be immobilized relative the gullet is constituted by a clamp which closes on the gullet so as to secure it to the actuator, thereby enabling the apparatus to be used even after the animal has been sacrificed by cutting its throat.
In accordance with the invention, it is advantageous to use a pneumatic actuator with a control device that can cause it to move in both directions.
In the second embodiment, it is advantageous to use the same control button to actuate the device pneumatically, enabling the actuator to be immobilized on the gullet, and then for urging the rod of the actuator into the inside of the carcass.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2512290 (1950-06-01), Spang
patent: 3216055 (1965-11-01), Palmer et al.
patent: 4262387 (1981-04-01), Scheier et al.
patent: 4610050 (1986-09-01), Tieleman et al.
patent: 5707280 (1998-01-01), Tieleman et al.
patent: 479 929 B (1976-03-01), None
patent: 520862 (1982-03-01), None
patent: 39 00 698 A1 (1990-07-01), None
patent: 92 01 720 U (1992-05-01), None
patent: 1 312 788 (1963-04-01), None
Little Willis
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Societe Nouvelle des Establissements Termet Solefi
LandOfFree
Apparatus for putting gullet ligatures into place does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Apparatus for putting gullet ligatures into place, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Apparatus for putting gullet ligatures into place will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2530386