Butchering – Carcass subdivision
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-05
2001-11-20
Little, Willis (Department: 3643)
Butchering
Carcass subdivision
C452S086000, C452S151000, C452S152000, C452S155000, C452S165000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06319110
ABSTRACT:
The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for dividing carcasses and/or carcass parts of poultry.
An invention of this kind is known from EP 0 310 713 B1, in which a method and an apparatus for dividing a carcass of slaughtered poultry are disclosed, the latter comprising an arm which is mounted so as to be pivotably connected to the extension of an essentially rod-shaped holder and to the end thereof, wherein it is suitable to pass via the rear opening through the front half of the slaughtered poultry and to hold the back portion of the front half in order thus to guide the front half to an adjoining processing station. A drawback here is that several separating elements are necessary for dividing front and rear halves. Furthermore exact symmetrical division is not possible with the apparatus disclosed, which has an adverse effect on the quality of the end product. In particular division of the front halves is problematic when considered closely. With young poultry the breastbone is very resilient and tends to shift to the side, which makes symmetrical division almost impossible. With older poultry the breastbone sections are highly ossified, which results in these regions shattering in case of incorrect division, which adversely affects the product quality.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus which avoid the above-mentioned drawbacks and allow a better product at the same time with more efficient use of apparatus.
The object is achieved according to the invention by the fact that a method for dividing a carcass of slaughtered poultry is provided, wherein the carcass hangs down by its legs from a transport means, is transported with the breast at the front in the direction of transport and is cut through during transport thereof by means of a first cutting operation, wherein the carcass before and during the first cutting operation is brought into a position inclined to the direction of transport so that the legs are located in front of the rest of the carcass, wherein the carcass is moved towards a spike in such a way that the spike enters a rear opening between the legs located between the legs of the carcass and the first cutting operation is performed in a diagonal direction in a plane which passes essentially between the thighs of the legs and the spike, so that the carcass is divided into a rear half including the legs, the thigh portions corresponding to the legs and a back portion, and a front half including a breast portion and a main proportion of the back portion of the carcass, wherein the front half surrounds the spike and is held thereby and is transported along a special path and in a special position to an adjoining processing station comprising at least one separating means, wherein the rear half is transported by the transport means to the processing station, wherein the rear half and the front half are essentially vertically divided by the at least one separating means with at least one second cutting operation. In this way further expenditure on a third cutting device is saved, which leads to more efficient use of resources.
A development according to the invention provides that a method is provided in which the rear half passes by the transport means with progressive conveying into a guide region in which the rear half is centred relative to a subsequent dividing plane, so that it is symmetrically vertically divided by the subsequently arranged cutting operation. An advantage here is that the increasing demands of end consumers with respect to product quality can be met.
In another development according to the invention it is provided that the front half surrounding the spike passes by means of an auxiliary conveyor with progressive conveying into a guide region in which the front half is centred relative to a subsequent dividing plane, so that it is symmetrically vertically divided by the subsequently arranged cutting operation. An advantage here is that the demands of end consumers with respect to product quality are met.
Further it can be provided according to the invention that the rear and front halves are divided essentially simultaneously by at least one separating means. Advantageously two cutting operations are completed at once in a very narrow space.
The object is achieved according to the invention by the fact that an apparatus is provided including at least one knife, an element plus controller for breastbone centring of the front halves arranged behind an auxiliary conveyor, and at least one pressing device, a guide, a centring guide and a transport means for the rear halves, wherein the rear halves with the transport means can be brought essentially between the guide and the pressing device, wherein the at least one knife is arranged in such a way that the front and/or rear halves which are moved towards the knife can be divided. In an alternative embodiment there is at least one dislocating bar, wherein the dislocating bar which is suitable for dislocating the joints is arranged essentially between the guide, the centring guide, the pressing device and the knife. The control element acts on the one hand as a counterholder during breastbone centring, on the other hand it acts as a return device on reaching a given angular position in which a controller switch triggers a control pulse, so that e.g. by means of compressed air the control element is reset to the starting position.
The object is achieved according to the invention by the fact that an apparatus is provided for dividing the carcass of slaughtered poultry, including a transport system which is connected to a frame and which is suitable for hanging up the carcass by its feet and transporting it with the breast at the front, at least one cutting device and a spike which is mounted so as to be connected to the frame, wherein the end of the spike is suitable for passing through the rear opening located between the feet into the poultry carcass, so that during further transport the breast of the carcass is rotated forwards in the direction of transport and the carcass is cut through in a diagonal direction by at least one cutting element of the cutting device above the lower side of the rear opening in such a way that the carcass is divided into a rear half including the feet, the thigh portions corresponding to the feet and part of the back, and a front half including a breast portion and the main proportion of the back portion of the carcass, is mounted and suitable for passing via the rear opening through the front half and holding the back portion of the front half, in order thus to guide the front half by means of an auxiliary conveyor to an adjoining processing station, wherein the rear half can be guided by means of the transport system to the processing station.
A development according to the invention provides that the spike comprises a recess for receiving the at least one knife. An advantage here is that the front half can be divided exactly centrally.
In another development according to the invention it is provided that the element for breastbone centring is designed as a pendulum. Movement of the pendulum is effected parallel to the knife plane, or in the same plane. Here it is an advantage that the front half can be divided exactly in its plane of symmetry.
Further it can be provided according to the invention that the element for breastbone centring has an essentially wedge-shaped recess for receiving the breastbone of the front half. This is effected in such a way that the auxiliary conveyor conveys the front halves, which are lined up on the spike, in the direction of the element for breastbone centring which is fixed to a pendulum, so that the breastbone of the corresponding front half, which protrudes in the direction of conveying, finds its way into the wedge-shaped recess of the element for breastbone centring and, due to the wedge-shaped taper in the element itself, undergoes centring by its own movement. As the element is mounted in a pendulum, it performs a circular movement, caused by the forward movement of th
Peters Manfred
Wagner Wolfgang
Wruck Siegbert
Ziebell Klaus
Little Willis
Mattingly Stanger & Malur, P.C.
Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & C. KG
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