Apparatus and method for processing poultry parts

Abstract

An apparatus and method for processing poultry leg or drumstick portions to form a "drumstick tulip" product. A conveyor includes drumstick holder assemblies each configured to receive and carry a leg or drumstick portion along a processing path through a cutting station and to a discharge. The cutting station includes cutting assemblies on opposite sides of the processing path for separating a knee and joint portion from the leg or drumstick portion to form the drumstick tulip product. Each of the drumstick holder assemblies includes a base having a clamping recess and a pivoting clamp arm having a clamping portion adapted to cooperatively engage with the clamping recess to at least partially define a skinning channel through which a portion of the leg or drumstick portion is held. A skinner is configured to at least partially push at least a portion of the leg or drumstick portion through the skinning channel.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 329,528, filed on April 11, 2022.

[0003] By incorporating references

[0004] The disclosure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 329,528, filed on April 11, 2022, is specifically incorporated herein by reference, as set forth in its entirety. Technical Field

[0005] This application generally relates to apparatus and methods for processing animal parts, and in particular to equipment for cutting poultry legs into drum parts to remove the hoof and knee portions to form a poultry drum tube product. Background Technology

[0006] The processing of animal parts, such as poultry, has become increasingly automated to provide increased production speed, greater efficiency, and consistency of the resulting products. However, some operations involved in cutting various animal parts still involve significant manual labor; and furthermore, the increasing demand for such newer and / or different products, driven by changing consumer preferences and needs worldwide, often necessitates the further development of automated processing equipment. For example, the "tulip-shaped" product, formed from poultry legs or drumsticks, has recently become popular. Previously produced by hand, this involved one or more workers manually operating and cutting parts of the poultry leg to create this tulip-shaped product. This manual processing was clearly time-consuming and labor-intensive, further exacerbating the problem of consistency with the resulting tulip-shaped drumsticks.

[0007] Therefore, it is evident that there is a need for apparatus and methods for processing animal parts such as poultry legs or drumsticks to form tulip-shaped drumstick products in a substantially automatic manner. This application addresses these problems and needs in the art, as well as other related and unrelated problems and needs. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This application is generally directed to apparatus and methods for processing animal parts, and in embodiments thereof, to apparatus and methods for processing the legs or flanks of poultry to form a "flank tulip" product.

[0009] According to some aspects, the device includes a frame along which a conveyor is supported. The conveyor includes a series of basking leg retainer assemblies arranged at intervals therebetween. Each of the basking leg retainer assemblies is configured to receive and carry poultry legs or basking leg portions along a processing path from a loading area through a cutting station or cutting area to a discharge section. As the leg or basking leg portion moves along the processing path through the cutting station or cutting area, at least a portion of the knee portion and the joint of the leg bone of each leg or basking leg portion separates from the leg or basking leg portion to form a basking leg tulip-shaped product. The basking leg tulip-shaped product is then discharged from their respective associated basking leg retainer assemblies, and the empty basking leg retainer assemblies continue back to the loading area along the return section of the conveyor.

[0010] In an embodiment, each of the leg retainer assemblies will include a base bracket having a hanger comprising a seat or rest portion configured to support the leg or hindquarters and a clamping recess through which the elbow end of the leg or hindquarters portion extends. A pivoting clamping arm is attached to the base along its rear side and may include a first end or proximal end having a generally semi-circular clamping portion adapted to engage with and cooperate with the clamping recess of the hanger. The clamping portion of the clamping arm and the clamping recess define a stripping channel through which a portion of the leg or hindquarters portion extends and is held as the leg or hindquarters portion moves along the processing path via a conveyor through a downstream cutting area or cutting station.

[0011] The cam can be located at the second or distal end of the clamping arm, and as the flared leg retaining assembly is conveyed along the machining path, the cam moves to engage with a cam surface upstream of the cutting area or cutting station. As the cam engages with and moves along the cam surface, it causes the clamping arm to pivot toward partial engagement with a leg or flared leg portion housed in a clamping recess of the hanger, so as to clamp the leg or flared leg portion and retain it on its flared leg retaining assembly.

[0012] In one implementation, the frame may be configured to accommodate and provide loading areas of varying sizes. For example, in one implementation, the frame may be configured to include a loading area that is large enough to enable one to three workers (or possibly more) to load the leg or flank portion into a provided flank retaining assembly.

[0013] The cutting station or cutting area is located downstream of the loading area and may include a first cutting assembly and a second cutting assembly mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor. Each of the first and second cutting assemblies generally includes a cutting blade, which may include a motor-driven rotary cutting blade, although other types of cutting tools may also be used. The first cutting assembly will be generally positioned upstream of the second cutting assembly and will be positioned to cut at least a portion of the knee from the leg or flank section. The second cutting assembly will be generally positioned downstream of the first cutting assembly and arranged along the processing path to engage and cut off at least a portion of the rear end, such as at least a portion of the joint of the leg bone of the leg or flank section.

[0014] In one embodiment, a front guide and a rear guide are positioned adjacent to the first and second cutting assemblies. The front guide may include one or more guide rods or guide plates configured to support and guide the leg or thigh portion to position its knee portion aligned or substantially aligned with the cutting blade of the first cutting assembly for separation of the knee portion. The front guide may also include a scraper, which may include a plate or support configured to engage and push the leg bone of the leg or thigh portion through a peeling channel defined between a gripping portion of a gripping arm and a gripping recess of a hanger of a thigh holding assembly. This causes the joint of the leg bone to move toward a desired alignment selected for cutting from its joint, and simultaneously causes portions of meat from the leg or thigh portion adjacent to the joint to be peeled and pushed away from the joint along the leg bone, thereby creating space defining a handle portion for the thigh tulip-shaped product after cutting from its joint. In one embodiment, the scraper may be located at least partially downstream of the second cutting assembly. The rear guide generally includes a ramp having a cam surface that engages with a cam of a clamping arm of a flared leg retaining assembly for moving the clamping arm to clamp engagement with a leg or flared leg portion disposed therein; and one or more guide rails or plates configured to further assist in guiding and supporting the leg or flared leg portion during disengagement of the joint from the leg or flared leg portion.

[0015] Additionally, the device may include a controller mounted along the frame, and the controller may include one or more processors configured to control motors used to drive the conveyor and the cutting blades of the cutting assembly. The controller may monitor and communicate with a range of sensors to detect blockages or misfeeding of the legs or flapper legs, or other malfunctions, and may stop continuous operation of the device as needed. For example, the controller may monitor one or more safety stop sensors such as a safety arm, a blade cap sensor that detects the removal of a protective cap from the cutting blade, and / or other sensors that may engage through misaligned legs or flapper legs, causing the sensors to trip or disconnect, thus halting further operation of the device.

[0016] In another aspect, a method is provided in which poultry legs or hind legs are loaded into a hanger of each of a series of hind leg retaining assemblies, the assemblies being conveyed along a processing path, wherein each poultry leg or hind leg includes a hind leg bar having an elbow joint end and a leg bone having a joint end extending therethrough, as well as a knee portion. As the hind leg retaining assembly moves along the processing path, the leg bone of the leg or hind leg portion is captured between a clamping portion of a clamping arm and a corresponding clamping recess of the hanger of its respective hind leg retaining assembly.

[0017] The leg or drumstick portion moves into and through the first cutting assembly, engaging with the cutting blade at the knee of its cut portion. Then, as the leg or drumstick portion continues along the processing path, it is guided and pushed across the processing path in a substantially transverse direction by the scraper of the front guide. This causes the leg bone of the leg or drumstick portion to be pushed through a stripping channel defined between the clamping portion of the clamping arm and the corresponding clamping recess of the hanger in each of the drumstick holding assemblies. As a result, the leg bone extends or protrudes to a position for cutting the joint off the leg bone. Simultaneously, at least a portion of the meat from the leg or drumstick portion is stripped and advanced or pushed along the leg bone to create space between the meat and the end of the leg bone, thereby defining a handle portion for the resulting drumstick tulip-shaped product. The cut-off knee and joint portions can be guided downwards into a collection or storage container, while the pipa-leg tulip-shaped products are further conveyed to the discharge section of the device. Thus, as the empty pipa-leg retaining assembly continues along the return section of the conveyor toward the loading area, each pipa-leg tulip-shaped product will detach from its pipa-leg retaining assembly for collection.

[0018] The foregoing aspects and embodiments of this application, as well as further or other aspects, features, embodiments, options, and advantages, will be explained in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings described below. It will also be understood that any aspect, feature, advantage, and option described with respect to any method disclosed herein is equally applicable to the apparatus of this application, and any aspect, feature, advantage, and option described with respect to any apparatus disclosed herein is equally applicable to the methods of this application. Furthermore, it will be clear that any one or more aspects, features, and / or options discussed herein may be combined. Attached Figure Description

[0019] It should be understood that, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, the elements shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to others. Examples incorporating the principles of this application are shown and described with reference to the accompanying drawings and are provided by way of non-limiting description. It should also be noted that the drawings include explicit illustrations of this application, in which: Figure 1AThis is a perspective view of an apparatus for processing animal parts according to the principles of this application, including forming a tulip-shaped product of poultry flanks.

[0020] Figure 1B From Figure 1A A perspective view taken from the rear or opposite side of the device used for processing animal parts.

[0021] Figure 2 yes Figure 1A-Figure 1B A three-dimensional end view of a device for processing animal parts, taken from its distal end or discharge end.

[0022] Figure 3A This is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a conveyor having multiple flank-leg holding assemblies with a device for processing animal parts, based on the principles of this application.

[0023] Figure 3B yes Figure 3A An illustration of one of the pipa-leg retaining components.

[0024] Figure 4A and Figure 4B The illustration shows examples of animal legs or lute legs before and after cutting to form a tulip-shaped lute leg product.

[0025] Figure 5A This is a perspective side view illustrating an embodiment of a device for processing animal parts according to the principles of this application, showing the arrangement of safety arm sensors, the cutting area, and the discharge end.

[0026] Figure 5B The illustration shows an embodiment of the front guide of an apparatus for processing animal parts according to the principles of this application.

[0027] Figure 6 yes Figure 1A-Figure 2 and Figure 5A A perspective view of an embodiment of a device for processing animal parts.

[0028] Figure 7A and Figure 7B The illustration shows the parts used to guide the animal leg or hindquarter portion to the meat scraper and the front guide for cutting.

[0029] Figure 8 This is a perspective view of the discharge end of an apparatus for processing animal parts, including forming tulip-shaped products with lute legs, according to the principles of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Therefore, the features and advantages of embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as well as other embodiments that will become apparent, can be understood in more detail. The embodiments of the systems and methods briefly summarized above can be described more specifically by referring to the following detailed description of their embodiments, wherein one or more embodiments are further illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification. However, it should be noted that the drawings only illustrate various embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein and should therefore not be considered as limiting the scope of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as other effective embodiments may also be included.

[0031] Now refer to the attached diagram, Figures 1A-3B And Figure 5- Figure 8 The illustration shows an apparatus 10 for processing animal parts according to an embodiment of this application. Figures 4A-4B As shown, animal parts may include poultry components (e.g., chicken, turkey, etc.), and specifically, in the example embodiments illustrated in this application, may include a leg or hindquarter portion 5 of poultry, which generally includes a hindquarter shaft portion 6, a leg bone 7 including a joint end or elbow joint end 8, and a knee end 9, wherein meat surrounds the leg bone 7. Those skilled in the art will also understand that the principles of this application can also be applied to the processing of other types of animal parts. Figure 4B As shown, after processing by the device 10, at least a portion of the joint end or elbow joint end 8 of the leg bone 7 and at least a portion of its knee end 9 will be removed to form the resulting “tulip-shaped” product P (e.g., cut product P) having a flat end P1 and a handle portion P2.

[0032] like Figure 1A-Figure 2 and Figure 5A As generally shown, in an embodiment, the device 10 generally includes a frame 11 having a first proximal or upstream end 12 and a second distal or downstream end 13. The frame may be configured with: at least one loading station or loading area 14 defined thereal, the loading station or loading area 14 being adjacent to the proximal or upstream end 12 of the frame 11; a cutting station or cutting area 16 downstream of the loading station or loading area 14; and a discharge portion 17 located downstream of the frame 11, at the second distal or downstream end 13.

[0033] Additionally, in some embodiments, the frame 11 may be extended to provide multiple loading positions for loading stations or loading areas 14 as needed. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 11 may be extended to provide two, three, or more loading stations, where multiple workers can load a series of leg or flared leg sections 5 into the device 10 for processing, with sufficient spacing provided between each loading position.

[0034] like Figure 1A-Figure 2As further generally shown, in the embodiment, a series of covers or protective devices 18 may be arranged generally along the frame 11 to substantially prevent unintentional access to the various operating components of the device 10. For example, a removable blade cover 19 may be provided along the cutting station or cutting area 16 to substantially close and prevent access to the cutting components of the cutting area. Additional covers or protective devices 18 may also be provided.

[0035] like Figure 1A-Figure 2 As further shown, the conveyor 21 is positioned along the frame 11, extending between its first, proximal, or upstream end 12 and its second distal or downstream end 13. Although the conveyor 21 is shown as a chain conveyor, those skilled in the art will also understand that other types of conveying systems, including belt conveyors, may also be used. The conveyor 21 will extend around a pair of sprockets or gears 22, wherein one or both of the sprockets or gears 22 may be driven by a motor 23 (e.g., as shown in the image). Figure 1A-Figure 2 As shown, where motor 23 is located at the second far end or downstream end 13 of frame 11, and conveys a series of tumbler leg retaining assemblies 25 along processing path 26 for loading legs or tumbler leg portions 5 in each of the tumbler leg retaining assemblies 25, then the legs or tumbler leg portions 5 are cut through cutting station or cutting area 16 and reach discharge section 17, in which tumbler leg tulip-shaped products P are discharged from each of the tumbler leg retaining assemblies. After unloading, the tumbler leg retaining assemblies 25 will move back to loading station or loading area 14 along return path 27 (e.g., along the lower part of conveyor 21) for continued use.

[0036] like Figures 3A-3B , Figure 5A and Figure 8 As shown, in an embodiment, each of the flank leg retaining assemblies 25 generally includes a base or bracket 30 formed of a rigid, durable material, such as various plastic materials, metals such as stainless steel, or other materials, and the base or bracket will be secured to one or more links of the chain of the conveyor 21. The base or bracket 30 of each flank leg retaining assembly 25 generally defines a support 31 (…). Figure 3B It may have a seat portion or rest portion 32 along its first side or front side, and a clamping recess 33 on its second side or rear side.

[0037] In embodiments, the seat portion or resting portion 32 is generally configured to receive and support the portion of the leg or flank leg portion 5 adjacent to its knee end 9, while the clamping recess 33 may be configured to receive and accommodate the portion of the leg or flank leg portion 5 adjacent to its joint end or elbow joint end 8. For example, in situations such as... Figure 3BIn the illustrated embodiment, the clamping recess 33 may include a generally semi-circular recess 34 between the raised sides 36, and may also include a rib or protrusion 37 along the recess 34, which may help retain the leg or leg portion 5 and peel meat from the leg or leg portion 5 when the leg or leg portion is engaged in a clamping engagement within its associated or corresponding leg holding assembly 25.

[0038] like Figure 3B and Figure 8 Further generalizing, each of the leg retaining assemblies 25 will include a pivoting clamping arm 38, which is attached to the base or bracket 30, such as via a pin or fastener 39, adjacent to one of the raised sides 36 of the adjacent clamping recess 33. The clamping arm 38 includes a body 41 having a first end or proximal end 42 including a generally semi-circular clamping portion 43, and a second end or distal end 44 including a cam 46, such as a cylinder or other enlargement formed or attached to the distal end 44 of the body 41 of the clamping arm 38. The clamping portion 43 of the clamping arm 38 may be configured in a cooperative configuration generally opposite to the clamping recess 33 of the base or bracket 30, such that when the clamping arm 38 is in its lowered position, the clamping portion 43 rests on the clamping recess 33 of the base or bracket 30 to define a meat-peeling channel 45. Figure 3A , Figure 5A and Figure 7A ).like Figure 3A As shown, as the leg or drumstick portion 5 moves along the processing path 26 from the loading station or loading area 14 through the downstream cutting station or cutting area 16 as the conveyor 21 moves forward, a portion of the leg or drumstick portion 5 is received and extends through the meat stripping channel 45.

[0039] like Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown in general, the front guide 47 and the rear guide 48 are positioned along the conveyor 21. The front and rear guides are arranged along the processing path 26 such that as the legs or flank portions 5 move into and through the cutting station or cutting area 16 via their flank holding assemblies 25, the cams 46 of the clamping arms 38 of each of the flank holding assemblies 25 move to a clamping position to hold the joint end or elbow end of each leg or flank portion 5, wherein the flank rod portion 6 of each leg or flank portion 5 is supported adjacent to their knee end 9 to align the knee or at least part thereof for separation and removal of that portion of the knee.

[0040] like Figure 5BAs shown, the front guide 47 includes a frame 51 with a series of guide plates, the guide plates including, for example, plate or blade guides 52, which may have blade guide slots or openings 53 defined thereal. The plate or blade guide 52 may also have an upwardly extending front end 52A, which, together with the lower guide plate 54, helps guide the knee end 9 to a desired alignment or position for cutting off at least a portion of the knee end 9.

[0041] like Figures 5A-5B and Figure 7A As shown, the front guide 47 may also include a scraper 56, which may be formed as a plate or support having a flared front end 57 configured to receive and assist in guiding the currently cut knee end 9 of the leg or flank portion 5 to engage with an inclined body portion 58, which extends forward and spans the processing path 26 and the conveyor 21. As the leg or flank portion 5 continues its forward movement, the scraper 56 guides and pushes the leg bone 7 of each leg or flank portion 5 across the processing path 26 in a generally transverse direction, wherein the leg or flank portion 5 is carried by the conveyor 21. As a result, the leg bone 7 of each leg or flank portion 5 is pushed through a stripping channel 45 defined between the clamping portion 43 of the clamping arm 38 and the base of its flank holding assembly 25 or the clamping recess 33 of the bracket 30 to position the joint or elbow end 8 of the leg bone 7 for cutting off at least a portion of the joint or elbow end 8. Simultaneously, the edges of the clamping portion 43 of the clamping arm 38 and the ribs or protrusions 37 of the clamping recess 33 will generally scrape and push or hold the meat along the leg or lute leg portion 5, which may define the handle or holding portion P2 for the lute leg tulip-shaped product P, such as Figure 4B As shown.

[0042] like Figure 6 As shown, the rear guide 48 includes a series of guide plates, including a first joint guide plate 59A and a second joint guide plate 59B positioned along the processing path, and the guide plates may define a channel or panel through which the joint end or elbow end 8 of the leg or flank portion 5 will pass to cut at least a portion of the joint end or elbow end 8 from its leg bone 7. The rear guide 48 also includes a ramp or cam plate 61, the ramp or cam plate 61 having an inclined, upwardly extending cam surface 62 at its upstream end or first end.

[0043] like Figure 5A and Figures 6-7BAs shown, as the leg holding assembly 25 moves along the processing path 26 with the forward movement of the conveyor 21, the cam 46 of the clamping arm 38 of each leg holding assembly 25 is carried into engagement with the inclined cam surface 62 of the ramp or cam plate 61. As the cam 46 moves along the cam surface 62, the clamping arm 38 is pivoted such that the clamping portion 43 of each clamping arm rotates downward toward its clamping position to capture and retain the leg bone 7 of the leg or leg portion 5 loaded within its leg holding assembly 25 as the leg or leg portion 5 is conveyed into the cutting station or cutting area 16 of the device 10.

[0044] like Figure 1A-Figure 2 As generally shown, in this embodiment, the cutting station or cutting area 16 of the device 10 generally includes a first cutting assembly 65 and a second cutting assembly 66. The first cutting assembly 65 is generally located upstream of the second cutting assembly 66 and is arranged or positioned along the processing path 26 for cutting off the knee end 9 or at least a portion thereof from each of the leg or flank portions 5. The second cutting assembly 66 is generally located downstream of the first cutting assembly 65 and is located along the opposite side of the conveyor 21 and the processing path 26. The second cutting assembly 66 is generally arranged or positioned to engage and cut off at least a portion of the joint end or elbow end 8 of each leg or flank portion 5.

[0045] like Figure 6 As further shown, when at least a portion of the joint end or elbow end 8 of the leg or flank portion 5 is cut off, it may fall into a chute or slide 67, which may guide it into a container or the like for processing. Similarly, at least a portion of each knee end 9 cut off from the leg or flank portion 5 may fall into a container or otherwise be guided away from the cutting station or cutting area 16 for processing for storage and handling.

[0046] First cutting component 65 and second cutting component 66 Figure 1A , Figure 2 , Figure 5A and Figure 6 Each of these components may generally include a rotary cutting blade 68 driven by a drive motor 69. Other types of cutting assemblies or cutting mechanisms may also be used. Figure 5AAs shown, the rotating cutting blade 68 of the first cutting assembly can be received within the blade guide opening 53 of the plate or blade guide 52 and will be operable to cut off at least a portion of the knee end 9 from the leg or hind leg portion 5. The rotating cutting blade 68 of the second cutting assembly 66 may include a slotted or notched cutting blade adapted to cut off the bone, and after the leg or hind leg portion 5 has been further extended or pushed through each defined peeling channel 45 in the hind leg holding assembly 25, the cutting blade will be positioned to engage the leg bone 7 of each leg or hind leg portion 5 to cut at least a portion of its joint end or elbow joint end 8, as Figure 4B As shown.

[0047] In one embodiment, as the flared leg holding assembly 25 is conveyed out of the cutting station or cutting area 16, the cam 46 of the clamping arm 38 is released from engagement with the cam surface 62 of the inclined plane or cam plate 61, thereby allowing the flared leg holding assembly to move to the second distal or downstream end 13 of the frame 11. Figure 8 When the clamping arm 38 is pivoted or moved to the open position, the clamping portion 43 of the clamping arm 38 is released from engagement within its associated flared-leg tulip product P. For example, the clamping arm 38 may be biased to the open position by means of a spring, and / or another cam surface that pushes the cam 46 downward after the cam 46 disengages from the cam surface 62. As the flared-leg tulip product P continues further along and around the second distal or downstream end 13 of the frame 11 of the device 10, driven by a sprocket or gear 22, the flared-leg tulip product P may fall into a collection bin or other container as the flared-leg tulip product P rotates and advances along its return path 27.

[0048] Additionally, the finger-shaped part or meat scraper 71 ( Figure 2 , Figure 5A and Figure 8 It may also be located adjacent to the discharge section 17 to assist in removing the tulip-shaped product P from the thigh holding assembly 25 as needed. This finger or meat scraper 71 may generally include flexible rods, fingers, tubes or other similar features adapted to push the tulip-shaped product P out of the thigh holding assembly 25 without damaging the meat of the tulip-shaped product.

[0049] like Figure 1A-Figure 2As shown, the device 10 may also include a controller 75, which may be mounted in a control cabinet 76 arranged along the rear of the device 10. The controller 75 will generally include one or more processors having programs configured to monitor and control various operating elements of the device, including motors for driving the operation of the conveyor 21, and control of drive motors for the first cutting assembly 65 and the second cutting assembly 66. In embodiments, the controller 75 may also be connected to a centralized server or controller at the plant or facility using the device, and in some embodiments, may also include an operator interface or controller. The controller 75 may also communicate with a series of sensors arranged at different locations along the device 10, and may send control signals in the event of blockage or misfeeding of the leg or flared leg portion 5, when the protective cover is removed, or when other fault conditions are detected.

[0050] For example, such as Figure 1A-Figure 2 and Figure 5A As shown, in some embodiments, a safety line or pull cord 78 may be provided, for example, extending along the length of the frame, and if triggered, it may signal to the controller 75 to initiate an emergency stop for all operations of the device 10.

[0051] Additionally, in the implementation method, such as Figure 5A and Figure 6 As generally shown, the safety arm accessory 80 may be positioned upstream of the cutting station or cutting area 16 along the processing path, and may include an arm or bracket 81 pivotally mounted to the frame 11. A magnetic sensor 82 or other type of sensor may be mounted to the frame, with corresponding magnetic contacts or magnetic sensors 83 mounted to the pivoting safety arm. When the arm or bracket 81 engages or otherwise pivots and moves, causing the contact between the magnetic sensor 82, magnetic contacts, or magnetic sensors 83 to break, a signal is sent to the controller 75. This signal may initiate the cessation of operation of the device 10, for example, shutting off the rotating cutting blades 68 operating the first cutting assembly 65, the second cutting assembly 66, and / or stopping the motor 23 of the conveyor 21, and may also provide an alarm to the operator, such as a warning light or alarm.

[0052] In addition, such as Figure 2 , Figure 5A and Figure 6 As shown, the sensor can be positioned along a protective device or cover mounted on the frame. For example, sensor 86 can be mounted to blade cover 19 to indicate the removal of the blade cover, which generally prevents any further operation of device 10. Sensor 86 may include a magnetic sensor similar to a magnetic sensor of arm or bracket 81, or other similar types of sensors or detectors.

[0053] According to one embodiment, during operation of the device 10, one or more workers or operators can load a series of legs or flared leg portions 5 into each of the flared leg holding assemblies 25 as the series of legs or flared leg portions 5 are conveyed along the length of the frame 11. As the flared leg holding assemblies 25 move out of the loading station or loading area 14 and toward the cutting station or cutting area 16 along their processing path 26, the cams 46 of their clamping arms 38 will engage the ramp of the rear guide 48 or the inclined cam surface 62 of the cam plate 61 and travel along the ramp of the rear guide 48 or the inclined cam surface 62 of the cam plate 61. This allows the clamping arm 38 to pivot toward a closed clamping position, wherein the clamping portion 43 of the clamping arm 38 is positioned above and engages with the leg bone 7 of the leg or flank portion 5, clamping the leg or flank portion 5, the leg or flank portion 5 being held within its associated flank holding assembly 25 and abutting against the clamping recess 33 of the flank holding assembly. As the legs or flank portions 5 continue along their processing path 26 and enter the cutting station or cutting area 16, the first cutting assembly 65 engages and cuts off at least a portion of the knee end 9 of each leg or flank portion 5, which can be detached for collection.

[0054] After at least a portion of the knee end 9 is cut off, the leg or hind leg portion 5 is moved to engage with the scraper 56 of the front guide 47, such that each leg or hind leg portion 5 is pushed across the processing path 26 in a generally lateral direction as the leg or hind leg portion 5 moves further forward along the processing path 26. As a result, the leg bone 7 of each leg or hind leg portion 5 moves through the peeling channel 45 defined between the clamping portion 43 of the clamping arm 38 and the base of the hind leg holding assembly 25 or the clamping recess 33 of the bracket 30 to position or position at least a portion of the joint end or elbow end 8 of the leg bone 7 aligned or for cutting off the joint end or elbow end 8 of the leg bone 7. Simultaneously, at least a portion of the flesh along the joint end or elbow end 8 of the leg bone 7 will be joined and scraped or pushed backward along the leg bone 7, such that once at least a portion of the joint end or elbow end 8 is cut off from the leg bone 7, a tulip-shaped product P with a flared leg is formed, thus having a flat end P1 near the knee, and also having a handle portion defined by the scraped portion extending from the leg bone 7, as... Figure 4B As shown in the overall diagram.

[0055] Several embodiments of a system and method for providing tulip-shaped products from cut animal parts have been disclosed in the accompanying drawings and description. Although specific terminology has been used, it is for descriptive purposes only and not for limiting purposes. Embodiments of the system and method have been described in considerable detail with reference to the illustrated embodiments. However, it is apparent that various modifications and variations can be made within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the system and method described in the foregoing description, and such modifications and variations are considered equivalents and part of this application.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing animal parts, comprising: frame; A conveyor, supported along the frame, is configured to move along the processing path; A series of fowl leg retainer assemblies are arranged at spaced intervals along the conveyor, each of the fowl leg retainer assemblies being configured to receive and carry multiple fowl leg portions from the loading area through the cutting station along the processing path. The cutting station is configured to separate at least a portion of the knee portion and the joint from each of the leg or flank portions to form a cut product as the leg or flank portion moves through the cutting station along the processing path. as well as A discharge station, located downstream of the cutting station, is configured to discharge the cut product from a corresponding pipa leg retainer assembly.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the lute leg retainer assemblies includes: The base has a support configured to support at least a portion of a leg or flared leg portion housed therein; and A clamping recess for accommodating at least a portion of the joint of the leg or flank portion near the corresponding leg or flank portion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, Each of the lute leg retainer assemblies also includes: A clamping arm, pivotally mounted to the base, having a clamping portion adapted to engage with and cooperate with a clamping recess on the base, so as to hold the leg or flared leg portion as it moves at least along the processing path through the cutting station.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The clamping portion of the clamping arm and the clamping recess of the base cooperate to at least partially define the meat-peeling channel.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the lute leg retainer assemblies includes: A base and a clamping arm mounted to the base, the clamping arm having a clamping portion at a first end of the clamping arm and a cam at a second end of the clamping arm; The cam is configured to engage a cam surface located at least partially along the cutting station, such that when the cam engages the cam surface, the clamping arm pivots toward engagement with the leg or flared leg portion supported by the base.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, The clamping portion of the clamping arm moves above a clamping recess defined on the base to hold the leg or flared leg portion between the clamping portion and the clamping recess when the cam engages the cam surface.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The cutting station includes: A first cutting blade and a second cutting blade are mounted on opposite sides of the conveyor. The first cutting blade is positioned to cut the knee portion of each of the legs or flanks as the leg or flank portion moves along the corresponding flank retainer assembly by the conveyor in the cutting station. The second cutting blade is positioned to cut the joint of each of the legs or flanks as the leg or flank portion moves along the corresponding flank retainer assembly by the conveyor along the cutting station.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a blade guide mounted relative to a first cutting blade of the cutting station for engaging the knee portion of the leg or flank leg portion and, as the leg or flank leg portion moves along the cutting station by the conveyor on a corresponding flank leg retainer assembly, at least partially aligning the knee portion with the first cutting blade.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further includes a joint guide plate mounted relative to a second cutting blade of the cutting station for engaging the joint of the leg or flank portion and for at least partially aligning the joint with the second cutting blade as the leg or flank portion moves along the cutting station on a corresponding flank retainer assembly by the conveyor.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a meat scraper positioned at least partially along the cutting station, and each of the drumstick retainer assemblies at least partially defining a meat-scraping channel, wherein, The meat scraper includes a support with an extended front end and is adapted to guide the leg bone of each of the leg or hindquarter portions across the processing path and through a corresponding meat-scraping channel so that the leg bone moves relative to the meat portion of the corresponding leg or hindquarter portion as the leg or hindquarter portion moves through the cutting station.

11. A method for processing animal parts, the method comprising: A series of fowl leg retainer assemblies are moved along a processing path, each of the fowl leg retainer assemblies at least partially supporting a corresponding poultry leg or fowl leg portion of a plurality of legs or fowl leg portions along the processing path; Cutting the leg or flank portion to separate at least a portion of the knee and joint from each of the leg or flank portions to form a tulip-shaped flank product, while moving the leg or flank portion along the processing path on a corresponding flank retainer assembly; and The tulip-shaped product with flared legs is discharged from the corresponding flared leg retainer assembly at the downstream end of the processing path.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Each of the lute-leg retainer assemblies includes a base and a clamping arm, the base having a clamping recess configured to support at least a portion of a corresponding leg or lute-leg portion, the clamping arm being pivotally mounted to the base, the clamping arm having a clamping portion, wherein the method further includes: While moving the respective flank leg retainer assembly along the processing path, the clamping arm of each of the flank leg retainer assemblies is pivoted to move the clamping portion above the clamping recess, such that the clamping portion and the clamping recess cooperate to hold the leg or flank leg portion between the clamping portion and the clamping recess before cutting the leg or flank leg portion.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, For each of the lute-leg retainer assemblies, the clamping portion is at a first end of the clamping arm, the clamping arm includes a cam at a second end of the clamping arm, and wherein pivoting the clamping arm of each of the lute-leg retainer assemblies includes: The cam is engaged with a cam surface positioned along the travel path, such that as the flank retainer assembly moves along a portion of the machining path, the cam surface moves the cam to pivot the clamping portion toward the clamping recess of the base.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The ejection of the tulip-shaped product with pipa legs includes: Pivot the clamping arm to move the clamping portion away from the clamping recess at the base of each lute-leg retainer assembly, and As the conveyor transports the flaming leg retainer assembly through the discharge section, the leg or flaming leg portion is released from the flaming leg retainer assembly.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein, Cutting the leg or flank portion includes: As the leg or flank portion moves along the processing path past the first and second cutting blades on the corresponding flank retainer assembly, the knee portion of each of the leg or flank portions is cut with the first cutting blade. The joint of each of the leg or flank portions is cut using a second cutting blade mounted on the opposite side of the processing path of the first cutting blade.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The knee portion of cutting off each of the leg or flank portions includes: Engage the knee portion with a blade guide mounted relative to the first cutting blade to at least partially align the knee portion with the first cutting blade.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The joints that cut each of the leg or flank portions include: Engage the joint with a joint guide mounted relative to the second cutting blade to at least partially align the joint with the second cutting blade.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: By engaging the respective leg or hind leg portion with the support of the meat scraper, at least the leg bone of each of the leg or hind leg portions is moved at least partially across the processing path through the meat-scraping channel of the respective hind leg retainer assembly, such that the leg bone of the respective leg or hind leg portion moves relative to the meat portion of the leg or hind leg portion.

19. An apparatus for processing animal parts, comprising: A series of flank leg retainer assemblies, moving along a processing path, each of the flank leg retainer assemblies including a base and a clamping arm mounted to the base, wherein each of the bases is configured to receive and carry a plurality of flank leg portions of poultry fowl along the processing path, and wherein the clamping arm is pivotable to a position for cooperating with the base to retain the flank leg portion as it moves at least partially along the processing path; A cutting assembly, including a cutting blade mounted along the processing path, for separating the end of each of the leg or flank portion as the leg or flank portion moves past the cutting blade on the corresponding flank retainer assembly; and A meat scraper, adapted to cause at least a portion of each of the leg or drumstick portions to move across the processing path as a portion of the leg or drumstick portion moves along the processing path on a corresponding drumstick retainer assembly. Each of the leg retainer assemblies at least partially defines a stripping channel, wherein the scraper is adapted to guide the leg bone of each of the leg or leg portions across the processing path and through the corresponding stripping channel so as to move the leg bone relative to the meat portion of the corresponding leg or leg portion as the leg or leg portion moves along a portion of the processing path.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein, The cutting assembly is a first cutting assembly, and the cutting blade is a first cutting blade positioned along a first side of the processing path, wherein the device further includes a second cutting assembly having a second cutting blade positioned on a second side of the processing path opposite to the first side for separating opposite ends of each of the leg or hind leg portions as the leg or hind leg portion moves past the second cutting blade on the corresponding hind leg retainer assembly, and wherein the meat scraper is located downstream of at least one of the first cutting blade and the second cutting blade.

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