Blade arrangement, cutting device and method for removing a wishbone from a poultry carcass or parts thereof still comprising at least the wishbone, a keel bone, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone, and inner fillets and outer fillets
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- AU · AU
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAADER POULTRY HLDG GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-08-06
AI Technical Summary
Existing knife arrangements for removing wishbones from poultry carcasses result in incomplete cuts, leaving residual meat on the wishbone and damaging surrounding meat, thus reducing yield and efficiency in meat harvesting.
A knife arrangement with three knives, including two side knives with vertically and horizontally directed cutting edges, and a cover knife, ensures precise cutting from all sides, defining the wishbone's area for controlled detachment, minimizing meat loss and improving yield.
The knife arrangement achieves a close and controlled cut around the wishbone, ensuring safe and gentle removal, thereby optimizing meat yield by minimizing residual connections and meat damage.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[0001] Knife arrangement, cutting device and method for removing a wishbone from a poultry carcass or parts thereof comprising at least the wishbone, a keelbone, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone, as well as inner fillets and outer fillets
[0002] Description
[0003] The invention relates to a knife arrangement, designed and configured for removing a wishbone from a poultry carcass or parts thereof which still comprises at least the wishbone, a keelbone, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, comprising three separate knives, two knives being arranged as side knives opposite one another and tapering towards one another in a V-shape, first cutting edges of the two side knives lying at the converging free ends in a substantially vertical cutting plane, while the third knife serving as cover knife covers the interior formed by the two side knives on one side, cutting edges of the cover knife lying in a substantially horizontal cutting plane.
[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a cutting device designed and configured for removing a wishbone from a poultry carcass or parts thereof comprising at least the wishbone, a keelbone, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, comprising a conveyor element arranged on a frame for conveying the poultry carcasses or parts thereof along a transport path in the transport direction T, at least one transport saddle arranged on the conveyor element for holding and guiding the poultry carcass or parts thereof during transport along the transport path, and a cutting device arranged along the transport path for removing the wishbone from a poultry carcass or parts thereof, having a knife arrangement which can be brought into operative connection with the poultry carcass or parts thereof.
[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for removing a wishbone from a poultry carcass or parts thereof comprising at least the wishbone, a keelbone, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, comprising the steps of: conveying the poultry carcasses or parts thereof along a transport path in the transport direction T by means of a conveyor element, wherein the poultry carcasses or parts thereof are held and guided on transport saddles during transport, removing the wishbone from the poultry carcass or parts thereof by means of a knife arrangement, wherein for removing the wishbone, three knives of the knife arrangement penetrate into the poultry carcass or parts thereof in such a way that two side knives with first cutting edges lying in a substantially vertically directed cutting plane and a cover knife with cutting edges,which lie in an essentially horizontal cutting plane, cut the fork leg free from three sides.
[0006] Such knife assemblies, cutting devices, and methods are used in the poultry processing industry to cut out wishbones from a poultry carcass or a part thereof, for example a front half, the so-called front half. Such carcasses or front halves have, in addition to the bone structure, which includes at least the keel bone and the wishbone, tendons and / or ligaments with which the wishbone is connected to the carcass, as well as the meat to be obtained, namely inner fillets and outer fillets covering the inner fillets. The wishbone is surrounded by the meat. For maximum yield, namely the maximum amount of meat obtained, the wishbone must be cut out of the carcass or the front half as precisely as possible, i.e. without any meat remaining on the wishbone and without any residual connections to the carcass.In other words, the knives must, on the one hand, cut as close and as precisely as possible along the fork leg, and on the other hand, precisely define the area to be cut out in order to guide the cut-out fork leg gently out of the carcass or front half. In the known solutions, two side knives are provided, which are arranged in a V-shape so that they converge towards each other. This creates a space between the two side knives, which is covered by a third knife, the cover knife, which is designed separately from the two side knives. These three knives cut the fork leg free from three sides, with the two side knives cutting from the outside towards the fork leg, while the cover knife cuts from the inside towards the fork leg. By cutting from three sides, the fork leg is only partially cut free, orResidual connections remain, resulting in the area to be cut out being insufficiently defined. This means that, on the one hand, at least in some sections, a cut is made at a distance from the wishbone, leaving meat on the wishbone and thus reducing the yield. On the other hand, the wishbone is uncontrollably detached or torn from the meat on at least one side where no cutting edge engages. In places where no defined cut is made, the meat is damaged. Residual connections are severed in an uncontrolled manner.
[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a knife assembly that ensures optimized and gentle removal of the wishbone with improved meat yield. The object is further to propose a corresponding cutting device and method.
[0008] This object is achieved by a knife arrangement with the features mentioned at the outset in that at least one of the two side knives has at least one second cutting edge which extends essentially horizontally on an inner side facing the other side knife. This knife arrangement according to the invention achieves a defined cut from all sides of the wishbone with three knives. The three knives, which provide cutting edges on both sides as well as above and below the wishbone, ensure a particularly close cut close to the wishbone. The two vertically directed and two horizontally directed cutting edges ensure controlled cutting out of the wishbone, whereby less meat remains on the wishbone. Conversely, the yield when harvesting the inner and / or outer fillets is improved.With the knife arrangement acting on the wishbone from all sides, the region in which the wishbone is located is clearly defined, so that all connections of the wishbone to the surrounding area are separated safely and in a controlled manner in order to then remove the wishbone, which has been cut free on all sides, safely and gently from the poultry carcass or part thereof.
[0009] Advantageously, at least one second cutting edge is formed on each of the two side knives on their mutually facing inner sides, each of which lies in a substantially horizontal cutting plane. This allows a substantially closed receiving space to be formed around the wishbone with the cutting movement, so that the wishbone, cut free on all sides, can be removed from the poultry carcass and the part thereof with the knife assembly.
[0010] A particularly preferred embodiment of the knife assembly is characterized in that the vertically directed first cutting edges and the horizontally directed second cutting edges of the side knives are designed and configured for engagement from the outside in the direction of the fork leg, while the horizontally directed cutting edges of the cover knife are designed and configured for engagement from the inside in the direction of the fork leg. This creates a space-saving knife assembly that can be guided closely along the fork leg, enabling precise free cutting and gentle removal.
[0011] The horizontally directed second cutting edges of the side knives are expediently designed as triangular cutting blades. The opposing cutting blades thus form a scissor-like cutting blade arrangement, by means of which the fourth side of the fork leg can be reliably cut free.
[0012] Particularly preferably, the horizontally directed second cutting edges of the two side blades are arranged offset from one another in a vertical alignment, above or below one another. The size of the vertical distance can vary. A distance at which the two cutting edges lie one above the other in a scissor-blade manner is preferred.
[0013] The horizontally directed second cutting edges of the side blades advantageously overlap horizontally. This reliably ensures the complete separation of all residual joints located within the effective area of the second cutting edges. A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the horizontally directed second cutting edges are arranged in the front, tapered area of the side blades. This ensures a good and reliable initial cut and a reliable cut through the residual joints.
[0014] The horizontally directed second cutting edges arranged on the inside of the side blades are advantageously formed integrally with the side blades. This creates a compact and stable side blade. With the exception of the cutting edges, the inner and outer surfaces of the side blades are generally flat and smooth. Other designs and shapes of the second cutting edges are also possible. The cutting edges or cutting blades can also be removably attached to the inside of the side blades, for example, to allow for replacement.
[0015] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the side blades have an elongated base body that is fork-shaped at the free ends opposite the vertically directed first cutting edges. The fork shape or a corresponding recess or several recesses serve to releasably attach and center the blades to an actuating mechanism, for example, to a frame assembly controlled by a pneumatic drive.
[0016] Particularly preferably, the first cutting edges of the side blades, which lie essentially in a vertical cutting plane, extend from a thick base to a comparatively thin edge, with an upper edge of the side blades facing the cover blade being designed to slope downwards at least in sections from the fork-shaped end toward the cutting edge. This embodiment ensures a particularly precise cut close to the fork leg.
[0017] An advantageous further development is characterized in that, in the region of one of the two side blades, a groove is formed along and parallel to the substantially vertically directed cutting edge, which groove is designed and configured to receive the substantially vertically directed cutting edge of the other side blade. Due to the groove extending over the entire length of the cutting edge in one side blade, the cutting edge of the other side blade can be inserted into the groove during the cut, with the groove forming a kind of counter-support for the cutting edge. This ensures the reliable and complete severing of existing residual connections.
[0018] Preferably, the cover blade comprises a fork-shaped support section and an arrow-shaped blade section extending in the direction of the substantially vertically directed first cutting edges of the side blades. This allows for a precise free cut of the fork leg.
[0019] The object is also achieved by a cutting device having the features mentioned above in that the knife arrangement is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 12. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the knife arrangement, which is why reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.
[0020] Advantageously, the knife assembly is designed and configured to move synchronously as a unit from a retracted standby position to a forward cutting position and back. This ensures precise and controlled cutting. The synchronous and simultaneous cutting of the defined area around the fork leg ensures yield-optimized removal of the fork leg.
[0021] Particularly preferably, the two side knives are each attached to a holder which is designed to be linearly movable back and forth along guide bodies and is fastened to a lower frame of a frame arrangement via bearing blocks. The cover knife is attached to a holder which is designed to be linearly movable back and forth along guide bodies and is fastened to an upper frame of a frame arrangement. This frame arrangement is designed and configured to be movable as a unit, preferably by means of a single pneumatic drive. Other drive concepts are also usable. Optionally, the individual knives can also be controlled separately, preferably synchronized with one another.The object is also achieved by a method with the steps mentioned above in that the wishbone is cut free from a fourth side by second cutting edges of the side knives, which lie in a substantially horizontal cutting plane, penetrating the poultry carcass or parts thereof on the side opposite the cover knife. The resulting advantages have already been explained above and are also obtained in a corresponding manner by the method according to the invention.
[0022] Advantageously, the side knives perform a cutting motion directed from the outside toward the fork leg. This means that the side knives penetrate the poultry carcass or parts thereof from the outside to the inside, starting from the side facing away from the transport saddle on which the poultry carcass or parts thereof are held. This allows the external residual joints to be reliably severed.
[0023] Preferably, both the vertically directed first cutting edges of the side knives and the horizontally directed second cutting edges of the side knives cut the wishbone from the outside inward toward the wishbone. For reliable and controlled free cutting, particularly of the tendons and / or ligaments connecting the wishbone to the poultry carcass or parts thereof, the penetration of the horizontally directed second cutting edges of the side knives from the outside toward the wishbone is advantageous.
[0024] The cover knife expediently performs a cutting motion directed from the inside toward the wishbone. This makes the cover knife, with its cutting edges, the only knife whose arrow-shaped cutting edges execute an outward-facing cut when moving from the waiting position to the cutting position. This cuts free the wishbone in a horizontal cutting plane from both the inside and outside, ensuring yield-optimized removal of the wishbone.
[0025] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that all three knives for freeing the wishbone are moved together from four sides from a retracted waiting position to a forward cutting position and back. This allows both the freeing of the wishbone within the poultry carcass or parts thereof and the removal of the freed wishbone from the poultry carcass or parts thereof in a gentle and yield-efficient manner.
[0026] Conveniently, all three knives are moved synchronously by a single pneumatic drive. This movement involves inserting all knives with their vertical and horizontal cutting edges to cut the wishbone free on all sides, as well as removing the cut-free wishbone from the poultry carcass or parts thereof. Accordingly, the cut-free wishbone is guided out of the poultry carcass or parts thereof, surrounded by the three knives on four sides.
[0027] An advantageous embodiment provides that the horizontally directed second cutting edges of the side knives move toward each other in a scissor-like manner when performing the cutting movement transversely to the transport direction T. The scissor-like collision of the two cutting blades ensures a reliable separation of the tendons and / or ligaments with which the wishbone is connected to the poultry carcass or parts thereof.
[0028] The method is particularly preferably carried out with a cutting device according to one or more of claims 13 to 16.
[0029] Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments of the knife arrangement according to the invention and the cutting device as well as preferred method steps of the method according to the invention can be found in the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawing. The drawing shows in
[0030] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a knife arrangement according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from above and in front,
[0031] Fig. 2 the knife arrangement according to Figure 1 in perspective view obliquely from below and behind,
[0032] Fig. 3 shows the knife arrangement according to Figure 1 in a first side view, Fig. 4 shows the knife arrangement according to Figure 1 in a second side view,
[0033] Fig. 5 the knife arrangement according to Figure 1 in front view,
[0034] Fig. 6 the knife arrangement according to Figure 1 in rear view,
[0035] Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a first side knife in a perspective view obliquely from above and inside,
[0036] Fig. 8 the side knife according to Figure 7 in perspective view from below and outside,
[0037] Fig. 9 the side knife according to Figure 7 in plan view,
[0038] Fig. 10 is a schematic representation of a second side knife in a perspective view obliquely from above and outside,
[0039] Fig. 11 the side knife according to Fig. 10 in perspective view from below and inside,
[0040] Fig. 12 the side knife according to Figure 10 in plan view,
[0041] Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of a cutting device of a cutting apparatus according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from above and in front,
[0042] Fig. 14 the cutting device according to Figure 13 in perspective view from below and in front,
[0043] Fig. 15 is a schematic representation of parts of a cutting device according to the invention, and
[0044] Fig. 16 shows an enlarged section of the cutting device according to Fig. 15 with a poultry carcass positioned on a transport saddle and a cutting device. The invention relates to a knife assembly 10 for removing a wishbone 11 from a poultry carcass 13 comprising at least the wishbone 11, a keelbone 12, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone 11, as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, a cutting device 14 with such a knife assembly 10, and a corresponding method.
[0045] The preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawing shows a knife assembly 10 for removing the wishbone 11 from a front half. In other words, the disclosed subject matter relates to the deboning of a poultry breast. Automated deboning is a step in the processing of poultry on a processing line, and the removal of the wishbone 11 impacts the yield of the breast meat, i.e., the inner and outer fillets.
[0046] The knife arrangement 10 comprises three separate knives 15, 16, 17, wherein two knives 15, 16 are arranged as side knives opposite one another and tapering towards one another in a V-shape, wherein first cutting edges 18, 19 of the two side knives 15, 16 lie at the converging free ends 20, 21 in a substantially vertical cutting plane Sv, while the third knife 17 as cover knife covers the interior 22 formed by the two side knives 15, 16 on one side, wherein cutting edges 23, 24 of the cover knife 17 lie in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH.
[0047] This knife arrangement 10 is characterized according to the invention in that at least one of the two side knives 15, 16 has at least one second cutting edge 27, 28 formed on an inner side 25, 26 facing the other side knife 16, 15, which second cutting edge extends substantially horizontally.
[0048] The features and developments described below represent preferred embodiments, considered individually or in combination with one another. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarized in the claims and / or the description or described in a common embodiment can also functionally independently develop the knife arrangement 10 described above and a cutting device 14. The same applies to the method described further below. The two side knives 15, 16 have an elongated base body 29, 30 which is fork-shaped on the free ends 31, 32 opposite the vertically directed first cutting edges 18, 19. The fork shape or recess serves to detachably fasten and center the side knives 15, 16 on an adjusting mechanism described further below.On each of the two side blades 15, 16, at least one second cutting edge 27, 28 is formed on their mutually facing inner sides 25, 26, each of which lies in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH. The horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side blades 15, 16 are designed as triangular cutting blades 33, 34. The second cutting edges 27, 28 or the cutting blades 33, 34 are formed integrally with the side blades 15, 16.
[0049] The first cutting blade 33 as a first inner knife has a lower surface and an upper surface with a front cutting edge 27 formed by a bevel that tapers from a thicker base to a relatively thinner cutting edge 27. The front cutting edge 27 extends from the inner surface of the side knife 15 and terminates at a rear edge. In one implementation, the first inner cutting blade 33 forms a substantially triangular shape. The second cutting blade 34 as a second inner knife has a lower surface and an upper surface with a front cutting edge 28 formed by a bevel that tapers from a thicker base to a relatively thinner cutting edge 28. The front cutting edge 28 extends from an inner surface of the side knife 16 and terminates at a rear edge.
[0050] The horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the two side knives 15, 16 are arranged vertically offset from one another above or below one another. As can be seen in particular from Figure 6, the two side knives 15, 16 and their base bodies 29, 30 have different heights. One side knife 15 and the base body 29 has a first height Hi. One cutting blade 33 is arranged on the lower edge of the base body 29. The other side knife 16 and the base body 30 has a height H2, where H2 is greater than Hi. As a result, the base body 30 projects downwards beyond the base body 29 with a projection 35. The other cutting blade 34 is arranged in the area of this projection 35, so that the two cutting blades 33, 34 are guided one above the other during cutting. In the horizontal direction, the horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side knives 15, 16 overlap.As can be seen in particular in Figure 7, the horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side knives 15, 16 are arranged in the front, tapered area of the side knives 15, 16.
[0051] The vertically directed first cutting edges 18, 19 and the horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side knives 15, 16 are designed and arranged to engage from the outside in the direction of the fork leg 11, while the horizontally directed cutting edges 23, 24 of the cover knife 17 are designed and arranged to engage from the inside in the direction of the fork leg 11. The first cutting edges 18, 19 of the side knives 15, 16, which are essentially located in a vertical cutting plane Sv, extend from a thick base 36, 37 to a comparatively thin edge 38, 39, which forms the cutting edge 18, 19, wherein an upper edge 40, 41 of the side knives 15, 16 or the base body 29, 30 facing the cover knife 17 is designed to slope downwards at least in sections from the fork-shaped end in the direction of the cutting edge 18, 19 (see in particular Figure 5).In the area of one of the two side knives 15, a groove 42 is formed along and parallel to the substantially vertically directed cutting edge 18, which groove is designed and configured to receive the substantially vertically directed cutting edge 19 of the other side knife 16.
[0052] The cover knife 17 comprises a fork-shaped support section 43 and an arrow-shaped knife section 44 extending in the direction of the substantially vertically directed first cutting edges 18, 19 of the side knives 15, 16. In other words, the cover knife 17 as the upper blade forms, on the one hand, a fork-shaped fastening section at a base at the rear for fastening to a rear holder and, on the other hand, extends forward in an arrow shape, forming a triangular blade at the front which ends at a nose 45 with a front cutting edge 46 which is formed by a bevel which tapers from a thicker base to a relatively thinner front cutting edge 46.On a first side, the deck knife 17 as the upper blade forms a first cutting edge 23, which is formed by a bevel that tapers from a thicker base to a relatively thinner cutting edge 23, and on a second side, the deck knife 17 as the upper blade forms a second cutting edge 24, which is formed by a bevel that tapers from a thicker base to a relatively thinner cutting edge 24. The nose 45 of the deck knife 17 extends slightly downwards, with the first side and the second side being shaped to match the front edges of the side knives 15, 16.
[0053] The described blade assembly 10 can be used as a separate component, for example, as a replacement or spare part. However, the blade assembly 10 is preferably part of a cutting device 14.
[0054] The cutting device 14 is designed and configured to remove a wishbone 11 from a poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof, which at least still comprises the wishbone 11, a keelbone 12, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone 11, as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, and comprises a conveyor element 48 arranged on a frame 47 for conveying the poultry carcasses 13 or parts thereof along a transport path in the transport direction T, at least one transport saddle 49 arranged on the conveyor element 48 for holding and guiding the poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof during transport along the transport path, and a cutting device 50 arranged along the transport path for removing the wishbone 11 from a poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof, having a knife arrangement 10 which can be brought into operative connection with the poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof.
[0055] This cutting device 14 is characterized according to the invention in that the knife arrangement 10 is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the conveyor element 48 is an endless conveyor chain 51 that is guided in a circumferential manner around deflection and / or drive elements and driven by a drive means. Several transport saddles 49 are arranged on the conveyor chain 51, by means of which the poultry carcasses 13 or parts thereof are held, guided, and positioned. At least the drive means and the cutting device 50, or all cutting devices 50, are connected to a control device 53. The cutting device 50 comprises a frame arrangement 54 with an upper frame 55 and a lower frame 56. The two side knives 15, 16 are each fastened to a holder 57, 58, which is designed to be linearly movable back and forth along guide bodies 59, 60 and is fastened to the lower frame 56 of the frame arrangement 54 via bearing blocks 61, 62.The cover knife 17 is attached to a holder 63, which is designed to be linearly movable back and forth along guide bodies 64 and is attached to the upper frame 55 of the frame assembly 54. The knife assembly 10 is designed and configured to be synchronously movable as a unit from a retracted standby position to a forward cutting position and back. For this purpose, a pneumatic drive 65 is assigned to the frame assembly 54, which is also connected to the control device 53.
[0057] The procedure is explained in more detail below using the drawing.
[0058] The method is used to remove a wishbone 11 from a poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof, which at least still comprises the wishbone 11, a keelbone 12, tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone 11, as well as inner fillets and outer fillets. For this purpose, the poultry carcasses 13 or parts thereof are conveyed along a transport path in the transport direction T by means of a conveyor element 48, wherein the poultry carcasses 13 or parts thereof are held and guided on transport saddles 49 during transport. Before reaching the knife assembly 10, the poultry carcasses 13 or parts thereof are aligned and positioned in order to then remove the wishbone 11 from the poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof by means of a knife assembly 10.To remove the wishbone 11, three knives 15, 16, 17 of the knife arrangement 10 penetrate into the poultry carcass 13 or the parts thereof, such that two side knives 15, 16 with first cutting edges 18, 19, which lie in a substantially vertically directed cutting plane Sv, and a cover knife 17 with cutting edges 23, 24, which lie in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH, cut the wishbone 11 free from three sides.
[0059] This method is characterized according to the invention in that the wishbone 11 is cut free from a fourth side by second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side knives 15, 16, which lie in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH, penetrating the poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof on the side opposite the cover knife 17. In doing so, the side knives 15, 16 perform a cutting movement directed from the outside in the direction of the wishbone 11. As a result, both the vertically directed first cutting edges 18, 19 of the side knives 15, 16 and the horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side knives 15, 16 cut the wishbone 11 free from the outside inwards in the direction of the wishbone 11. When the cutting movement is carried out, the horizontally directed second cutting edges 27, 28 of the side knives 15, 16 move towards each other in a scissor-like manner transversely to the transport direction T.
[0060] The cover knife 17 performs a cutting movement directed from the inside towards the fork leg 11. All three knives 15, 16, 17 are moved together from a retracted waiting position to a forward cutting position and back to cut the fork leg 11 free from four sides, whereby all three knives
[0061] 15, 16, 17 are moved synchronously by means of a single pneumatic drive 65. The fork leg 11, which has been cut free on all sides, is then guided out of the poultry carcass 13 or parts thereof, surrounded on four sides by the three knives 15, 16, 17. By moving the cutting device 50 from a working position back to a waiting position, the knife assembly 10 with the knives 15, 16, 17 in their cutting position and a counter-support body is retracted from the abdominal cavity of the poultry carcass 11, whereby the fork leg 12 is removed from the poultry carcass 13. Only after the fork leg 12 has been completely removed from the poultry carcass 13, the knives 15,
[0062] 16, 17 of the knife arrangement 10 is moved from its cutting position back to the waiting position.
[0063] The method is particularly preferably carried out with a cutting device 14 according to one or more of claims 13 to 16.
[0064] In summary and in other words, the invention can be described as follows:
[0065] An apparatus, system, and method for a wishbone blade assembly are shown and described in the following detailed description and in Figures 1-15. The assembly 10 is mounted in a fixture 14, which is a component of a machine in a poultry processing line. A poultry carcass 13 is presented to the assembly, and the fixture 14 assists in aligning the blade assembly 10 with the poultry carcass 13 and moving the blades of the assembly to cut the tissue connecting the wishbone 11 to the carcass 13 and to engage the wishbone 11 in the blade assembly 10 to remove the wishbone 11 from the poultry carcass 13. The blade assembly 10 generally includes a first side blade 15, a second side blade 16, and a top blade 17.The side blades 15, 16 include internal blades 27, 28 that more precisely control the amount of meat removed with the wishbone 11, for example, by increasing the accuracy of cut placement. The blades 15, 16, 17 are connected to the device 14 by brackets. The device 14 has an upper frame 55 and a lower frame 56 and is connected to machinery at a rear end 66, and the blades 15, 16, 17 are operatively connected to the poultry carcass 13 at a front end 67.
[0066] The first side cutter 15 is connected to a right-hand bracket 57, which is movable back and forth along guide rails 59, wherein the guide rails 59 are connected to the lower frame 55 via mounting blocks 61. The second side cutter 16 is connected to a left-hand bracket 58 and moves back and forth along guide rails 60, wherein the guide rails 60 are connected to the lower frame 55 by mounting blocks 62. The upper blade 17 is connected to a rear bracket 63 and moves back and forth within the frame assembly 54 along a guide rail 64. The synchronous forward and backward movement of the blade assembly 10 can be achieved by an actuator 65, which is connected to the blade brackets by an actuator bracket.In one embodiment, the rear bracket 63 is received between the arms of an actuator bracket 68, and a guide rod extends through the brackets 57, 58, 63 and the actuator bracket 68 and provides a sliding connection between the brackets 57, 58, 63 and the actuator bracket 68, wherein rearward movement of the brackets causes the blades 15, 16, 17 to diverge towards the rear end 66, and forward movement of the brackets causes the blades 15, 16, 17 to converge towards the front end 67. In use, the blades of the blade assembly 10 move from a first or rearmost position to a second, forwardmost position, as shown in the figures, with the blades 15 and 16 having severed the tissue connecting the wishbone 11 to the keelbone 12, and with the blade 17 severing the legs of the wishbone 11 at a position adjacent the wing joints.With reference to Figures 1 to 12, the blade assembly 10 will be further described. In one embodiment, the blades 15, 16, 17 are formed from stainless steel. The first side blade 15 has an elongated body 29 with a generally flat outer surface and a flat inner surface. The rear of the blade 15 is fork-shaped to facilitate mounting to the right bracket 57. A forward cutting edge 18 at the front of the blade 15 is formed by a bevel that tapers from a thick base to a relatively thin cutting edge. A top edge 40 of the blade 15 extends from the rear of the blade 15 and forms a forward sloping edge. The second side blade 16 has an elongated body 30 with a generally flat outer surface and a flat inner surface. The rear of the blade 16 forms a fork shape for attachment to the left bracket 58.A front cutting edge 19 at the front of the blade 16 is formed by a bevel that tapers from a thick base to a relatively thin cutting edge 19. A vertical groove 42 is formed through the inner surface adjacent the front cutting edge 19 to receive the front cutting edge 18 of the first side blade 15. A top edge 41 of the knife 16 extends from the rear of the knife 16 and forms a forwardly sloping edge.
[0067] The lower portion of the inner surface of the first side knife 15 forms a first inner blade 33, which passes a second inner blade 34 formed on the lower inner surface of the second side knife 16 when the blade assembly 10 moves from the first position to the second position to cut around the fork leg 11. The first inner blade 33 has a lower surface and an upper surface, with a leading cutting edge 27 formed by a bevel that tapers from a thick base to a relatively thin cutting edge 27. The leading cutting edge 27 extends from the inner surface and terminates at a trailing edge. In one embodiment, the first inner blade 33 forms a generally triangular shape. The second inner blade 34 has a lower surface and an upper surface with a leading cutting edge 28 formed by a bevel that tapers from a thick base to a relatively thin cutting edge 28.The front cutting edge 28 extends from the inner surface and ends at a rear edge.
[0068] The upper knife 17 forms a fork-shaped attachment portion at a base at the rear for attachment to the rear bracket 63 and extends forward, forming a triangular blade at the front, terminating at a nose 45 with a front cutting edge 46 formed by a bevel tapering from a thick base to a relatively thin front cutting edge 46. On a first side, the upper knife 17 forms a first side cutting edge 23 formed by a bevel tapering from a thick base to a relatively thin cutting edge 23, and on a second side, the upper knife 17 forms a second side cutting edge 24 formed by a bevel tapering from a thick base to a relatively thin cutting edge 24. The nose 45 extends slightly downward, the first side and second sides corresponding to the front edges.
[0069] In use, when the blade assembly 10 is moved from the first position to the second position, the leading edges of the side knives 15, 16 move under the upper knife 17, and the leading cutting edge 18 of the first side knife 15 is received by a groove 42 formed in the inner surface of the second side knife 16. The wishbone blade assembly 10 of the disclosed subject matter increases the yield of breast meat from the poultry carcass due to the use of opposing first and second inner cutting blades 33, 34 that better define the area of material to be removed, thereby leaving more meat on the breast portion of the front half of the poultry carcass or breast cap being processed.
Claims
1. Knife arrangement (10), designed and configured for removing a wishbone (11) from a poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof, which at least still comprises the wishbone (11), a keelbone (12), tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, comprising three separate knives (15, 16, 17), wherein two knives (15, 16) are arranged as side knives opposite one another and converging in a V-shape, wherein first cutting edges (18, 19) of the two side knives (15, 16) lie at the converging free ends (20, 21) in a substantially vertical cutting plane Sv, while the third knife (17) as cover knife covers the interior space (22) formed by the two side knives (15, 16) on one side, wherein cutting edges (23, 24) of the cover knife (17) are arranged in a substantially horizontal Cutting plane SH, characterized in that at least one of the two side knives (15,16) on an inner side (25, 26) facing the other side knife (16, 15) at least one second cutting edge (27, 28) is formed, which extends substantially horizontally.
2. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one second cutting edge (27, 28) is formed on each of the two side knives (15, 16) on their mutually facing inner sides (25, 26), which are each located in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH.
3. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vertically directed first cutting edges (18, 19) and the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) of the side knives (15, 16) are designed and arranged to engage from the outside in the direction of the fork leg (11), while the horizontally directed cutting edges (23, 24) of the cover knife (17) are designed and arranged to engage from the inside in the direction of the fork leg (11).
4. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the horizontally directed second Cutting edges (27, 28) of the side knives (15, 16) are designed as triangular cutting blades (33, 34).
5. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) of the two side knives (15, 16) are arranged offset from one another in vertical alignment above or below one another.
6. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) of the side knives (15, 16) overlap in the horizontal direction.
7. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) are arranged in the front, tapered region of the side knives (15, 16).
8. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) arranged on the inside of the side knives (15, 16) are formed integrally with the side knives (15, 16).
9. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the side knives (15, 16) have an elongated base body (29, 30) which is fork-shaped on the free ends (20, 21) opposite the vertically directed first cutting edges (18, 19).
10. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the first cutting edges (18, 19) of the side knives (15, 16), which are located essentially in a vertical cutting plane Sv, extend from a thick base (36, 37) to a comparatively thin edge (38, 39), wherein an upper edge (40, 41) of the side knives (15, 16) facing the cover knife (17) starting from the fork-shaped end (31, 32) in the direction of the cutting edge (18, 19) is designed to slope downwards at least in sections.
11. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the region of one of the two side knives (15 or 16) along and parallel to the substantially vertically directed cutting edge (19 or 18) a groove (42) is formed, which is designed and arranged to receive the substantially vertically directed cutting edge (18 or 19) of the other side knife (16 or 15).
12. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the cover knife (17) comprises a fork-shaped support section (43) and an arrow-shaped knife section (44) extending in the direction of the substantially vertically directed first cutting edges (18, 19) of the side knives (15, 16).
13. Cutting device (14) designed and configured for removing a wishbone (11) from a poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof, comprising at least the wishbone (11), a keelbone (12), tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone (11), as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, comprising a conveyor element (48) arranged on a frame (47) for conveying the poultry carcasses (13) or parts thereof along a transport path in the transport direction T, at least one transport saddle (49) arranged on the conveyor element (48) for holding and guiding the poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof during transport along the transport path, and a cutting device (50) arranged along the transport path for removing the wishbone (11) from a poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof, with a knife arrangement (10) which can be brought into operative connection with the poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof,characterized in that the knife arrangement (10) is designed and arranged according to one or more of claims 1 to 12., 14. Cutting device (14) according to claim 13, characterized in that the knife arrangement (10) is synchronously formed as a unit from a retracted waiting position into a forward cutting position and is designed and arranged to be movable back.
15. Cutting device (14) according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the two side knives (15, 16) are each fastened to a holder (57, 58) which is designed to be linearly movable back and forth along guide bodies (59, 60) and is fastened to a lower frame (56) of a frame arrangement (54) via bearing blocks (61, 62).
16. Cutting device (14) according to one or more of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the cover knife (17) is fastened to a holder (63) which is designed to be linearly movable back and forth along guide bodies (64) and is fastened to an upper frame (55) of a frame arrangement (54).
17. A method for removing a wishbone (11) from a poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof comprising at least the wishbone (11), a keelbone (12), tendons and / or ligaments connected to the wishbone (11), as well as inner fillets and outer fillets, comprising the steps: Conveying the poultry carcasses (13) or parts thereof along a transport path in the transport direction T by means of a conveying element (48), - wherein the poultry carcasses (13) or parts thereof are held and guided on transport saddles (49) during transport, removing the wishbone (11) from the poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof by means of a knife arrangement (10), - wherein, for removing the wishbone (11), three knives (15, 16, 17) of the knife arrangement (10) penetrate into the poultry carcass (13) or the parts thereof, such that two side knives (15, 16) with first cutting edges (18, 19) lying in a substantially vertically directed cutting plane Sv, and a cover knife (17) with cutting edges (23, 24) lying in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH, cut the wishbone (11) free from three sides, characterized in that the wishbone (11) is cut free from a fourth side by second cutting edges (27, 28) of the side knives (15, 16), which lie in a substantially horizontal cutting plane SH, penetrating into the poultry carcass (13) or parts thereof on the side opposite the cover knife (17).
18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the side knives (15, 16) carry out a cutting movement which is directed from the outside in the direction of the fork leg (11).
19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that both the vertically directed first cutting edges (18, 19) of the side knives (15, 16) and the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) of the side knives (15, 16) cut the fork leg (11) free from the outside to the inside in the direction of the fork leg (11).
20. Method according to one or more of claims 17 to 19, characterized in that the cover knife (17) carries out a cutting movement which is directed from the inside in the direction of the wishbone (11).
21. Method according to one or more of claims 17 to 20, characterized in that all three knives (15, 16, 17) for cutting the fork leg (11) free from four sides are moved together from a retracted waiting position into a forward cutting position and back.
22. Method according to one or more of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that all three knives (15, 16, 17) are moved synchronously by means of a single pneumatic drive (65).
23. Method according to one or more of claims 17 to 22, characterized in that the cut-free wishbone (11) is guided out of the poultry carcass (13) or the parts thereof by the three knives (15, 16, 17) surrounded on four sides.
24. Method according to one or more of claims 17 to 23, characterized in that the horizontally directed second cutting edges (27, 28) of the side knives (15, 16) move towards each other in a scissor-like manner when carrying out the cutting movement transversely to the transport direction T.
25. Method according to one or more of claims 17 to 24, characterized in that it is carried out with a cutting device (14) according to one or more of claims 13 to 16.