Method and system for bleeding livestock carcasses

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for bleeding a slaughtered animal, comprising: (A) stunning the slaughtered animal using an electric shock device, while fixing the slaughtered animal for a certain period of time using a fixing jig of the electric shock device to determine the position of the slaughtered animal; (B) acquiring an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal whose position is determined using a camera device; (C) selecting the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm of a control device; and (D) inserting a cutting device into the selected position to puncture the carotid artery and perform bleeding, wherein steps (A) through (D) are carried out as an automated process.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for bleeding slaughtered animals, and more specifically, to a method and system for bleeding slaughtered animals that identifies the carotid artery area of ​​the slaughtered animal and automatically performs bleeding operations while simultaneously or immediately after performing an electric stunning operation on the slaughtered animal. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, in the processing of livestock such as pigs, the animals are stunned by applying physical shock or using methods such as electric shock, and a worker directly stabs the carotid artery with a knife to drain the blood.

[0003] In this bleeding process, particularly for pigs, the bleeding site is the center of the neck, midway between the chest and the throat (the muscular passage of the trachea and esophagus); the operator must perform the bleeding by inserting a knife at a right angle into this area and severing the carotid artery.

[0004] At this time, the worker must accurately puncture the carotid artery of the livestock without damaging the esophagus and trachea, and must drain more than 50% of the heart blood to make it valuable as a product.

[0005] However, since the worker directly inserts a knife into the carotid artery of the livestock to drain blood after the livestock is stunned without a machine or automated process, there is a problem with reduced accuracy, and furthermore, if the livestock is not sufficiently stunned, there is a risk that the worker may be injured if the livestock reacts reflexively. The problem to be solved

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the aforementioned prior art. The objective of the present invention is to provide a method and system for bleeding a slaughtered animal, which involves identifying the jugular artery of the slaughtered animal and automatically performing a bleeding operation while simultaneously performing an electric stunning operation on the slaughtered animal or immediately after performing the electric stunning operation. means of solving the problem

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of the present invention provides a method for bleeding a slaughtered animal, comprising: (A) stunning the slaughtered animal using an electric shock device, while fixing the slaughtered animal for a certain period of time using a fixing jig of the electric shock device to determine the position of the slaughtered animal; (B) acquiring an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal whose position is determined using a camera device; (C) selecting the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm of a control device; and (D) inserting a cutting device into the selected position to puncture the carotid artery and perform bleeding, wherein steps (A) through (D) are carried out as an automated process.

[0008] In one embodiment of the present invention, the steps (A) to (D) may be a method for bleeding a slaughtered animal, characterized in that they are performed on a single individual carcass during a single processing cycle.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the method for bleeding a slaughtered animal may be characterized in that, in step (A), the location where the electric shock device is applied is on both sides of the head of the slaughtered animal.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, in step (A), the electrode generating electricity of the electric shock device is mounted on the fixing jig, and fixing and electric shock are performed simultaneously on the slaughtered animal, which may be a method for bleeding a slaughtered animal.

[0011] To achieve the above objectives, one aspect of the present invention provides a system for bleeding a slaughtered animal, comprising: a fixing jig that fixes the slaughtered animal for a certain period of time to determine the position of the slaughtered animal; an electric shock device that stuns the slaughtered animal by applying an electric shock; a camera device that acquires an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal whose position has been determined; a control device that selects the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm; and a cutting device that is inserted at the position of the carotid artery selected by the control device to pierce the carotid artery and perform bleeding.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system for bleeding a slaughtered animal may be characterized in that the electrode generating electricity of the electric shock device is mounted on the fixed jig.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, the camera device may be a system for bleeding a slaughtered animal, characterized by comprising one or more of: a laser scanner for scanning and generating two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal; a digital imaging device for capturing two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal; and an X-ray device for capturing X-ray data representing the internal structure of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal. Effects of the invention

[0014] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method and system for bleeding a slaughtered animal of the present invention can automatically process the treatment from stunning the slaughtered animal to bleeding without human intervention, thereby improving the accuracy of bleeding and preventing the risk of injury to the worker due to the reflexes of the slaughtered animal compared to manually processing the bleeding operation.

[0015] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and should be understood to include all effects that can be inferred from the configuration of the invention described in the detailed description of the invention or the claims. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a system for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cutting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a system for bleeding slaughtered animals according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0017] The present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different forms and is therefore not limited to the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted, and similar parts throughout the specification have been given similar reference numerals.

[0018] Throughout the specification, when it is stated that a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly connected" with other members interposed between them. Furthermore, when it is stated that a part "includes" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but rather allows for the inclusion of additional components.

[0019] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a system for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cutting device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] The system (10) for bleeding a slaughtered animal (P) according to the present invention includes a moving device (100), an electric shock device (200), a camera device (300), a control device (400), and a cutting device (500).

[0022] More specifically, a system (10) for bleeding a slaughtered animal comprises a moving device (100) for moving a slaughtered animal (P) via a conveyor or the like, a fixing jig (210) for fixing the slaughtered animal (P) for a certain period of time to determine the position of the slaughtered animal (P), an electric shock device (200) for stunning the slaughtered animal by applying an electric shock, a camera device (300) for acquiring an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal (P) whose position has been determined, a control device (400) for selecting the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm, and a cutting device (500) that is inserted at the position of the carotid artery selected by the control device (400) to pierce the carotid artery and perform bleeding.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the system (10) for bleeding a slaughtered animal may be an automated process that is carried out without human intervention in the process from stunning the slaughtered animal to bleeding it.

[0024] The electric shock device (200) can be used to deliver electric stimulation to a slaughtered animal (P) and is configured to apply electric stimulation strong enough to stun the slaughtered animal (P).

[0025] The electric shock device (200) includes a fixed jig (210) and an electrode (220).

[0026] More specifically, the electric shock device (200) is equipped with a fixing jig (210) that fixes the slaughtered animal (P) for a certain period of time to determine the position of the slaughtered animal (P), and an electrode (220) that generates electricity is mounted on the fixing jig (210).

[0027] The fixing jig (210) fixes the head of the slaughtered animal (P) by applying pressure from both sides of the slaughtered animal (P), and an electrode (220) that generates electricity may be formed at the contact area between the fixing jig (210) and the slaughtered animal (P). The fixing jig (210) can fix the slaughtered animal (P) for 2 to 3 seconds while an electric shock is being administered to the slaughtered animal (P).

[0028] That is, the electric shock device (200) can determine the position of the slaughtered animal (P) by simultaneously performing fixation and electric shock on the slaughtered animal (P).

[0029] The camera device (300) is positioned by the electric shock device (200) and acquires an image of the head area, including the neck, of a slaughtered animal (P) that is stunned or is stunned.

[0030] The camera device (300) is configured to acquire images to determine the location of the carotid artery in the head area including the neck, and may include one or more of a laser scanner, a digital imaging device, and an X-ray device.

[0031] More specifically, the camera device (300) is configured to include one or more of a laser scanner for scanning and generating two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal (P), a digital imaging device for capturing two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal (P), and an X-ray device for capturing X-ray data representing the internal structure of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal (P).

[0032] Image data acquired by the camera device (300) can be transmitted to the control device (400).

[0033] The control device (400) calculates and sets the location of the carotid artery of a slaughtered animal (P), that is, the location where the cutting device (500) must pierce, according to a predetermined algorithm in the image data obtained from the camera device (300). In addition, the control device (400) controls the cutting device (500) to move based on information regarding the set carotid artery location.

[0034] The cutting device (500) moves according to a control signal transmitted from the control device (400) and performs a bloodletting operation by puncturing the carotid artery.

[0035] The cutting device (500) may include a robot arm (510) having one or more joints (511), and a blade (520) may be provided at the end of the robot arm (510). One end of the blade (520) is connected to the robot arm (510) which is implemented to be rotatable, and can be controlled to be inserted into the carotid artery of the head region including the neck at a desired angle and speed.

[0036] Thus, the system (10) for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to the present invention can automatically process the process from stunning the slaughtered animal (P) to bleeding without human intervention, thereby improving the accuracy of bleeding, and can prevent the risk of injury to the worker due to the reflex action of the slaughtered animal (P) compared to manually processing the bleeding operation.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a system for bleeding slaughtered animals according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, the system (10) for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to the second embodiment of the present invention is identical to the system (10) for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to the first embodiment, except for the cutting device (500'), and the cutting device (500') will be described below.

[0039] The cutting device (500') includes a drive unit (510') that rotates a rod equipped with a blade (520') or moves the blade (520') toward a slaughtered animal (P). The blade (520') may be mounted on each end of the rod, preferably both ends of the rod, which is connected to and operated by the drive unit (510').

[0040] The cutting device (500') may further include a washing section (530') for washing a blade (520') that has already been used. At this time, the blade (520') located on the opposite side of the blade (520') being washed may be used for bleeding the slaughtered animal (P). That is, the blades (520') mounted on both ends of the rod may be used alternately, and the washing of one blade (520') and the bleeding of the other blade (520') may be performed simultaneously, allowing the bleeding operation to proceed quickly.

[0041] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The method (20) for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to the present invention comprises: (A) a step of stunning a slaughtered animal using an electric shock device, and fixing the slaughtered animal for a certain period of time using a fixing jig of the electric shock device to determine the position of the slaughtered animal (S100); (B) a step of acquiring an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal whose position was determined using a camera device (S200); (C) a step of selecting the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm of a control device (S300); and (D) a step of inserting a cutting device into the selected position to puncture the carotid artery and perform bleeding (S400). At this time, steps (A) to (D) can be carried out as an automated process without human intervention.

[0043] Additionally, steps (A) through (D) are performed on a single individual carcass during a single processing cycle. That is, steps (A) through (D) are performed sequentially for each individual slaughtered animal (P).

[0044] Additionally, in step (A), the electric shock device may be applied to both sides of the head of the slaughtered animal.

[0045] In addition, in step (A), the electrode generating electricity of the electric shock device is mounted on a fixing jig, and fixation and electric shock can be performed simultaneously on the slaughtered animal.

[0046] Thus, the method (20) for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to the present invention can automatically process the process from stunning the slaughtered animal to bleeding without human intervention, thereby improving the accuracy of bleeding, and can prevent the risk of injury to the worker due to the reflex action of the slaughtered animal compared to manually processing the bleeding operation.

[0047] The foregoing description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that other specific forms can be easily modified without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. For example, each component described as a single unit may be implemented in a distributed manner, and components described as distributed may likewise be implemented in a combined form.

[0048] The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts thereof should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0049] 10 System for bleeding slaughtered animals 20 Method for bleeding slaughtered animals 100 Mobile device 200 electric shock device 210 Fixed jig 220 electrode 300 Camera device 400 controller 500 Cutting device 510 robotic arm 520 Blade 500' Cutting device 510' drive unit 520' Blade 530' Washing section P slaughtered animals

Claims

Claim 1 A method for bleeding a slaughtered animal, comprising: (A) a step of stunning the slaughtered animal using an electric shock device, while fixing the slaughtered animal for a certain period of time using a fixing jig of the electric shock device to determine the position of the slaughtered animal; (B) a step of acquiring an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal whose position was determined using a camera device; (C) a step of selecting the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm of a control device; and (D) a step of inserting a cutting device into the selected position to pierce the carotid artery and perform bleeding, wherein steps (A) through (D) are carried out as an automated process. Claim 2 A method for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to claim 1, wherein steps (A) to (D) are performed on a single individual carcass during a single processing cycle. Claim 3 A method for bleeding a slaughtered animal, characterized in that, in step (A) above, the location where the electric shock device is applied is on both sides of the head of the slaughtered animal. Claim 4 A method for bleeding a slaughtered animal, wherein, in step (A) above, the electrode generating electricity of the electric shock device is mounted on the fixing jig, and fixing and electric shock are performed simultaneously on the slaughtered animal. Claim 5 A system for bleeding a slaughtered animal, comprising: a fixing jig that fixes the slaughtered animal for a certain period of time to determine the position of the slaughtered animal, and an electric shock device that stuns the slaughtered animal by applying an electric shock; a camera device that acquires an image of the head area including the neck of the slaughtered animal whose position has been determined; a control device that selects the position of the carotid artery from the acquired image according to a predetermined algorithm; and a cutting device that is inserted at the position of the carotid artery selected by the control device to pierce the carotid artery and perform bleeding. Claim 6 A system for bleeding slaughtered animals, characterized in that, in claim 5, the electrode generating electricity of the electric shock device is mounted on the fixed jig. Claim 7 A system for bleeding a slaughtered animal according to claim 5, wherein the camera device comprises one or more of a laser scanner for scanning and generating two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal, a digital imaging device for capturing two-dimensional or three-dimensional image data of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal, and an X-ray device for capturing X-ray data representing the internal structure of a head region including the neck of the slaughtered animal.

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