A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR PROCESSING A PIECE OF PORK HALF-CARCASS
Patent Information
- Application Number
- BR112021022026
- Authority / Receiving Office
- BR · BR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Publication Date
- 2026-09-08
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
/ 12 “A DEVICE AND A METHOD FOR PROCESSING A PIECE OF PORK HALF-CARCASS” FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the deboning of a slaughtered quadruped animal carcass suspended from a conveyor of an overhead carcass transport system. More particularly, it relates to splitting the half-carcass to separate the forequarter from a suspended half-carcass. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION
[002] It is known how to transport parts of slaughtered animal carcasses suspended from conveyors, involving holes in the leg parts of these carcass pieces. These carcass pieces may be a half-carcass that has been eviscerated and cleaned. The conveyors used may be of the gambrel type, having two opposite ends of the conveyor facing in opposite directions and being joined by a crossbar. This crossbar has a hanging arrangement, which cooperates with an overhead conveyor system. Another type of conveyor may be the Euro Hook variant, which has a pointed end and a conveyor part shaped like a fish conveyor. The Euro Hook also has a hanging arrangement, which cooperates with an overhead conveyor system similar to that used in the gambrel case.Single conveyors can comply with DIN 5047 (Conveyors for meat and other foodstuffs: sliding conveyor on tubular rail).
[003] Traditionally, a half-carcass of pork is divided into front end, middle part and rear end (or ham) before deboning and other processes. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 7 / 26 / 12 subsequent processing. This division into three parts can occur on a processing table, where the half-carcass piece is laid horizontally, or it can occur while the half-carcass is still hanging, in a stationary or mobile manner. The actual cut is made using a rotary saw-type blade. Firstly, it generates an excessive amount of bone and meat dust, which reduces the quality of the product(s) generated. Secondly, cutting through the ribs will cut through these ribs, and cutting through the scapula will remove a piece of this scapula, leaving pointed bone ends that depreciate the cut for consumer acceptance. Thirdly, cutting between the leg and the middle part leaves a large amount of high-quality meat in the middle part, because of the straight cut made by the rotary saw-type blade.
[004] Reference JP2013031916 (A) describes a carcass splitter device having an anterior body splitter section and a posterior body splitter section distributed serially along a rail. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] The embodiments of the invention preferably seek to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the disadvantages mentioned above, either exclusively or in combination. In particular, an object of the embodiments of the present invention may be considered to be providing a method for processing a pig half-carcass that is hanging at least partially freely from a conveyor, wherein that conveyor encloses the hind leg of that piece of pig half-carcass.
[006] According to an embodiment, a method is provided for processing a piece of pork half-carcass that is hanging at least partially freely from a conveyor, wherein that conveyor Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 8 / 26 / 12, involves the leg portion of such a piece of half-pork carcass, comprising: • detection of the rib positions of the half-carcass piece of pork, • identification of the positions of the first and second adjacent target ribs and, based on these identified positions, • cutting by a cutting device between the first and second target ribs (in order to create a rib cut, such as a rib cut between the first and second target ribs, such as a rib cut in the meat and / or rib parts between the first and second target ribs), wherein such method further comprises the step of: • Separation of the front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece using a separating device, cutting through the spine, using the rib cut as a reference.
[007] A possible advantage of the present invention may be that it makes it easier, requiring less precision at the start of the cut through the spine, is faster, more certain of being successful and / or more efficient in obtaining a separating device, such as a scissor knife, a rotary knife or a rotary saw, positioning the workpiece to be able to perform the cut through the spine, so as to move it in a direction to and through that spine, where the rib cut is located.One possible reason for this is the creation of a relatively large division of the carcass (due to the thrust of gravity on the half-carcass piece, which hangs at least partially freely from a conveyor, with said conveyor enclosing the leg portion of the half-carcass piece), which, in turn, effectively creates a target for the separating device (such as enabling the use of a cut in the first stage, such as the resulting rib cut, as a marker in the second stage), which may facilitate the... Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 9 / 26 / 12 cut through the spine, requiring less precision at the beginning of this cut through the spine, more speed, and more certainty of being successful and / or more efficient compared to, for example, a cut from the dorsal side (spine) of the carcass and / or a cut with the separating device from the front side (rib) before cutting by a cutting device between the first and second target ribs.
[008] According to an alternative aspect, a method may have the following steps: • detection of at least one characteristic property of the pork half-carcass piece, including the positions of the ribs of that pork half-carcass piece, • identification of the positions of the first and second adjacent target ribs and, based on the identified positions, • cutting using a cutting device between the first and second target ribs.
[009] Better yield and consistency are observed in the resulting products when using this method, and there is less staining on the cut, with no sharp edges on the resulting products (ribs). This is because it is possible to cut uniformly up to the spine of the half-carcass piece instead of using, for example, a saw. Therefore, better yield and appearance of the final product result.
[010] It can be understood, as within an embodiment, that cutting by a cutting device between the first and second target ribs creates a rib cut in the meat and / or costal cartilage between the first and second target ribs.
[011] The first and second adjacent target ribs may comprise the Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 10 / 26 / 12 third and fourth ribs, where the cut is made up to the tip of the scapula, with such a cut causing a part of the front end to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the half-carcass piece of pork by gravity. A possible advantage of this may be that the scapula can function and be used as a natural stop for the cut and / or the cutting device.
[012] Alternatively, the first and second adjacent target ribs comprise the fourth and fifth ribs, with the cut causing a portion of the forequarter to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the half-carcass piece of pork by gravity.
[013] In an incorporation, the step of detecting the positions of the ribs of the half-carcass piece of pork can be carried out by means of a detection device.
[014] In an incorporation, the detection step of at least one characteristic property of a pork half-carcass piece, including the positions of the ribs of that pork half-carcass piece, can be carried out by means of a detection device.
[015] In an embodiment, this detector device includes one or more of the following items: • a laser scanner to scan and generate three-dimensional image data of one and / or both sides of the pork half-carcass piece, • a digital imaging device to capture three-dimensional image data of one and / or both sides of the pork half-carcass piece, and • a radiographic device to capture X-ray data, indicating the internal bone structure of the pork half-carcass piece, including the positions of the ribs of that pork half-carcass piece. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 11 / 26 / 12
[016] The method may additionally include processing the detected data using a processing unit connected to the detector device to determine the positions of the first and second target ribs.
[017] The method may further comprise the operation of a cutting device by means of the processing unit to automatically cut the cartilaginous part between the first and second target ribs.
[018] Alternatively, an operator positioned in a suitable position relative to the half-carcass can manually perform one or more of these cuts.
[019] The method may comprise the operation of the separating device by the processing unit to automatically cut the front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece by means of a cut through the spine, using the rib cut as a reference.
[020] In an embodiment, the separating device may comprise a scissor knife or a saw.
[021] In a second aspect of the invention, a device is provided for processing a piece of pork half-carcass that is hanging at least partially freely from a conveyor, with such conveyor enclosing the leg part of the piece of pork half-carcass, comprising: • a detector unit to detect the positions of the ribs of the pork half-carcass piece, • an identifier device to identify the positions of the first and second adjacent target ribs, • a cutting device for cutting based on the identified positions between the first and second target ribs, with such cutting causing the front end to be partially separated from the ribs Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, p. 12 / 26 / 12 remaining part of the half-carcass piece of pork by means of gravity, and • a separating device to separate the front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece when cutting through the spine, using the rib cut as a reference.
[022] The detector unit may be understood interchangeably with detector device within the present application, wherein detector device is different (such as a subunit) from the device is provided as a device for processing a piece of half-carcass pig hanging at least partially freely from a conveyor.
[023] According to an alternative aspect, a device is provided for processing a piece of pork half-carcass that is hanging at least partially freely from a conveyor, with such conveyor enclosing the leg part of the piece of pork half-carcass, comprising: • a detection unit to detect at least one characteristic property of the pork half-carcass piece, including the positions of the ribs of that pork half-carcass piece, • an identification device to identify the positions of the first and second target ribs and, based on those identified positions, • a cutting device to cut between the first and second target ribs, with such cutting causing a portion of the front end to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the pork half-carcass piece by gravity.
[024] The cutting device may comprise any type of cutting blade that can, in one embodiment, be fixed to a robotic arm to perform the cut up to the scapula in a completely automatic manner. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 13 / 26 / 12
[025] According to an embodiment, the cutting device comprises a robotic arm to perform the cut up to the scapula in a completely automatic manner.
[026] According to an embodiment, the separating device comprises a robotic arm to perform the separation of the front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece in a fully automatic manner by means of a cut through the spine, using the rib cut as a reference.
[027] This cutting can also be semi-manual or fully manual, where, for example, an operator can be told where to start cutting, for example, by means of a reference marker.
[028] The cutting device may additionally comprise a scissor cut to completely separate the front part from the rest of the pig half-carcass.
[029] According to one embodiment, such a cut by means of a cutting device between the first and second target ribs creates a rib cut, such as a rib cut between the first and second target ribs, such as a rib cut in the parts of meat and / or costal cartilage between the first and second target ribs.
[030] Accordingly, a method and device are provided which, among other things, enable complete automation of the separation of a half-carcass hanging at the forequarter, middle part and ham. Additionally, the yield of each part is optimized by enabling precise cuts along the muscle contours or ribs, even when the method is performed at least partially manually. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 14 / 26 / 12
[031] The embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:
[032] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view, showing a half-shell suspended from an overhead conveyor system, according to an embodiment of the invention;
[033] Fig. 2 is a schematic side view, showing a half-carcass after the first cut has been made at the reference point between the 3rd and 4th ribs;
[034] Fig. 3 is a schematic side view, showing a half-carcass after the first cut and preparing for the second cut;
[035] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view, showing a half-carcass after the second cut has been made and the front end has been separated from the rest of the carcass. DESCRIPTION OF INCORPORATIONS
[036] With reference to Fig. 1, a pig half-carcass 10, which has been advantageously eviscerated and cleaned, is hung from a conveyor 15 of an overhead conveyor system 20. The conveyor system is described as a simple single-hook conveyor system, but it can be any type of overhead conveyor system suitable for loading and transporting a pig half-carcass using any suitable type of conveyor. There are several known suitable conveyor systems that can be used and are well known to a person skilled in the art.
[037] The half-carcass 10 hangs from the conveyor 15 through an opening 18 in a rear leg 25 of the carcass. The half-carcass has a front leg 30 that hangs freely. The half-carcass has a spine portion 35, which becomes visible after splitting the whole carcass along the spine. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 15 / 26 / 12 in a previous operation (not shown). Additionally, several ribs are visible in the rib area 40.
[038] To begin processing the half-carcass piece, at least one characteristic property of this pork half-carcass 10 must be detected, for example, using a detection device 50. This detection device 50 may include one or more of the following items: • a laser scanner to scan and generate data from a three-dimensional image of one and / or both sides of the pig half-carcass 10, • a digital imaging device to capture data from a three-dimensional image of one and / or both sides of the pig half-carcass 10, and • a radiographic device to capture X-ray data indicating the internal bone structure of the pig half-carcass 10, including the positions of the ribs of that pig half-carcass.
[039] Then, the resulting data, for example, radiographic data, can be processed by means of control processing unit 60 to determine a reference point A, which, as shown here, is located on the edge of the pig, adjacent to the ribs, consequently not adjacent to the spine. As shown, the scapula 45 is embedded in the pig's muscle mass adjacent to the spine and the first four ribs and is marked with a dotted line.
[040] Based on the identified positions, the reference point is located. This position is stored in the memory of a control processing device 60 or marked directly on the pig carcass. This marking can be done using a visible light beam (not shown) or an edible dye. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, p. 16 / 26 / 12 (or any other form of indication) to inform, for example, an operator where to start cutting first or an automatic cutting device 70, which can perform this cut automatically between ribs 3 and 4, for example, using a robotic arm.
[041] Consequently, the first cut is made by means of the cutting device 70, which comprises a cutting blade 75, and in which this cutting blade 75 is configured to cut through a portion of the costal cartilage between the third and fourth ribs (or the fourth and fifth), up to the scapula 45. This cut causes a portion of the anterior end 80, including the first to the third (or fourth) ribs, to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the pig half-carcass 10 by means of gravity. Fig. 2 shows the situation after making the first cut.
[042] After that, as shown in Fig. 3, a separating device 90 bearing a separating blade 95 makes a second cut to separate the carcass connection between the fourth (or fifth) rib and the scapula and, additionally, through the spine 35 of the half-carcass piece of pork and up to the back of that half-carcass piece of pork to separate the front end 80 from the rest of the half-carcass 10, using the first cut as a reference. The scapula includes cartilage (semilunar bone), using the method according to the invention, when, in making the second cut, cutting the scapula or the cartilage is avoided.
[043] The separating blade 95 can be a scissor knife or any other cutting tool that makes a clean cut through the carcass, without leaving bone and meat dust, for example. An articulated robotic arm can be used for both the cutting device 70 and the separating device 90. The robotic arm would change the tool from the initial cutting blade 75, for the first cut to the blade. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 17 / 26 / 12 of subsequent separation 95, for the second cut and then returning to the next cycle.
[044] Fig. 4 finally shows the situation when the front end part 80 has been completely separated from the rest of the pig half-carcass 10 and is falling into a collection device (not shown) for further processing.
[045] The above description of possible embodiments of the present invention should not be interpreted as a limitation of the scope of the present invention. Factors such as cost, mechanical stability and component weight will determine which solution is chosen for each case. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 18 / 26
Claims
1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. A METHOD FOR PROCESSING A PORK HALF-CARCASS PIECE (10) that is hanging in a manner at least partially free from a conveyor (15), with such conveyor enclosing the leg part of said pork half-carcass piece, comprising: • detecting the positions of the ribs of the pork half-carcass piece, • identifying the positions of the first and second adjacent target ribs and, based on these identified positions, • cutting by means of a cutting device (70) between the first and second target ribs, wherein said method is further characterized by comprising the step of: • separating by means of a separating device (90) a front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece by cutting through the spine, using the rib cut as a reference.
2. METHOD according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second adjacent target ribs comprise the third and fourth ribs and in that the cut is made up to a tip of the scapula (45), with such cut causing the front end part to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the half-carcass piece of pork (10) by means of gravity.
3. METHOD according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second adjacent target ribs comprise the fourth and fifth ribs, with the cut causing part of the front end to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the half-carcass piece of pork (10) by means of gravity. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 19 / 26 2 / 4 4. METHOD according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the detection of the rib positions of the half-carcass piece of pork being carried out by means of a detector device (50).
5. METHOD according to claim 4, characterized by further comprising processing the detected data using a processing unit connected to the detector device (50) to determine the positions of the first and second target ribs.
6. METHOD according to claim 5, characterized by further comprising the operation of the cutting device (70) by the processing unit (60) to automatically cut between the first and second target ribs.
7. METHOD according to any one of claims 5 or 6, characterized by further comprising the operation of the separating device (90) by the processing unit to automatically cut the front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece of pork by cutting through the spine, using the rib cut as a reference.
8. METHOD according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separating device (90) is selected from one or more of: - a scissor knife or - a saw.
9. METHOD according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by such cutting by means of a cutting device (70) between the first and second target ribs creating a rib cut in the meat parts Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, p. 20 / 26 3 / 4 and / or costal cartilage between the first and second target ribs.
10. A PROCESSING DEVICE FOR A PORK HALF-CARCASS PIECE (10) that is suspended at least partially freely from a conveyor (15), with said conveyor enclosing the leg part of the pork half-carcass piece, comprising: • a detector unit for detecting the positions of the ribs of the pork half-carcass piece, • an identifier device for identifying the positions of the first and second adjacent target ribs, • a cutting device (70) for cutting based on the identified positions between the first and second target ribs, with such cutting causing a part of the front end to be partially separated from the remaining ribs of the pork half-carcass by gravity, and the device characterized by comprising: • a separating device (90) for separating the front end from the middle part of the half-carcass piece by cutting through the spine,using rib cut as a reference.
11. DEVICE according to claim 10, characterized in that such cutting by means of a cutting device (70) between the first and second target ribs creates a rib cut in the meat and / or costal cartilage between the first and second target ribs.
12. DEVICE according to any one of claims 10 to 11, characterized in that the detector unit (50) includes one or more of the following items: • a laser scanner for scanning and generating data from a three-dimensional image of one and / or both sides of the pig half-carcass piece, Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, page 21 / 26 4 / 4 • a digital imaging device for capturing data from a three-dimensional image of one and / or both sides of the pig half-carcass piece, and • a radiographic device for capturing X-ray data, indicating the internal bone structure of the pig half-carcass piece, including the positions of the ribs and scapula of that pig half-carcass piece.
13. DEVICE according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the cutting device (70) comprises a robotic arm for performing the cut up to the scapula (45) in a completely automatic manner. Petition 870250075032, dated 08 / 25 / 2025, pp. 22 / 26