Viscera removing tool, viscera removing device, cam plate and clamping jaw arm

Abstract

The invention relates to a gutting tool, a gutting device, a cam plate and a jaw arm. The gutting tool comprises clamping jaw arms provided with clamping jaws at the ends of the clamping jaw arms, at least one of the clamping jaw arms being rotatable about an axis of rotation such that the gutting tool is movable between an open position, in which the clamping jaws can clamp the poultry intestines, and a closed position, in which the gutting tool is closed by the clamping jaws. The jaw arms can hold a poultry intestine, at least one of the jaw arms is provided with an actuation portion for moving the gutting tool between an open position and a closed position, the actuation portion comprising an aperture configured to receive a cam plate, the cam plate can be driven to move at least one of the jaw arms provided with the cam plate, the cam plate is fitted into the aperture while leaving play between the cam plate and the aperture, thereby enabling the cam plate to move relative to the at least one jaw arm, the cam plate being subjected to a load to bias the cam plate into a preferred position in the aperture.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an evisceration tool, which includes jaw arms, and jaws are provided at the ends of the jaw arms. At least one of the jaw arms can rotate about a rotation axis, so that the evisceration tool can move between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the jaws can grip the poultry intestine, and in the closed position, the jaws can hold the poultry intestine. And at least one of the jaw arms is provided with an actuating part for moving the evisceration tool between the open position and the closed position. Background Art

[0002] Such an evisceration tool is known from WO01 / 52659 and WO2016 / 013931.

[0003] WO01 / 52659 claims an evisceration tool for handling the viscera mass of a slaughtered animal, which includes:

[0004] Two jaw parts, the jaw parts are adapted to move relative to each other between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the first jaw part is at a certain distance from the second jaw part. In the closed position, the first jaw part is driven towards the second jaw part;

[0005] Support means for supporting the jaw parts;

[0006] First actuating means for moving the support means and the jaw parts at least partially into and out of the body cavity of the slaughtered animal; and

[0007] Second actuating means for moving the jaw parts relative to each other between their open position and their closed position,

[0008] wherein the first actuating means and the second actuating means are designed in sequence such that:

[0009] The first actuating means moves the support means and the jaw parts into the body cavity with substantially no movement of the viscera, so as to place a part of the viscera mass between the jaw parts, and the second actuating means has pre-moved the jaw parts to the open position;

[0010] The second actuating means moves the jaw parts to their closed position to clamp onto the said part of the viscera mass;

[0011] The first actuating means moves the support means to move the viscera mass.

[0012] The applicant points out that not only can both arms be movable, but also only one of the jaw arms can be moved such that the jaws can move between an open position and a closed position.

[0013] It is further pointed out that the applicant has brought to the market an eviscerating tool according to the preamble, i.e., an eviscerating tool including jaw arms, the jaw arms being provided with jaws at the ends of the jaw arms, wherein at least one of the jaw arms can rotate about a rotation axis such that the eviscerating tool can move between an open position and a closed position, wherein, in the open position, the jaws can grip the poultry intestine, and in the closed position, the jaw arms can hold the poultry intestine, and wherein at least one of the jaw arms is provided with an actuating part for moving the eviscerating tool between the open position and the closed position, the actuating part including an orifice configured to receive a cam plate, the cam plate being drivable to move at least one of the jaw arms provided with the cam plate.

[0014] WO2016032059 discloses a poultry viscera removal device including a removal unit capable of moving upward or downward, the poultry viscera removal device including: a fixing unit for fixing a body having a central axis in an upward direction and a downward direction; a removal unit provided on an upper part of the fixing unit so as to move upward or downward, configured to be selectively pushed into or pulled out of a poultry body fixed by the fixing unit, the removal unit being arranged to grip the esophagus of the poultry and thereby remove the viscera connected to the esophagus; and a plurality of removal components arranged side by side along a circumference of the body and rotating relative to the central axis of the body along the circumference of the body. Summary of the Invention

[0015] The object of the present invention is to counteract the influence of wear and abrasion on the accuracy of the eviscerating tool.

[0016] For this purpose, the eviscerating tool of the present invention is provided with one or more features of the various aspects of the present invention.

[0017] In a first aspect of the present invention, the cam plate is fitted into the orifice while leaving a clearance between the cam plate and the orifice, so that the cam plate can move relative to at least one jaw arm, and the cam plate is subjected to a load to bias the cam plate into a preferred position in the orifice. Therefore, the cam plate for driving the eviscerating tool always occupies a clearly defined position.

[0018] Preferably, the clearance allows a (partial) rotational movement of the cam plate relative to at least one jaw arm.

[0019] Preferably, the cam plate is loaded with a spring. The spring is a reliable and inexpensive tool for providing a load to the cam plate.

[0020] In a preferred arrangement, the cam plate is provided with a first laterally extending arm, and at least one of the jaw arms in which the cam plate is provided is provided with a second laterally extending arm, and the first laterally extending arm and the second laterally extending arm are loaded with springs. This provides a reliable and inexpensive way to apply a load to the cam plate.

[0021] In a suitable arrangement, the spring is mounted on bolts and nuts provided on the second laterally extending arm.

[0022] The benefits of the present invention are most fully utilized in an eviscerating device including a plurality of eviscerating tools according to the present invention, the eviscerating device being capable of being placed in a processing line for eviscerating poultry, the processing line including a conveying device for driving the respective eviscerating tools.

[0023] The present invention is also embodied in a cam plate as described as part of an eviscerating tool according to the present invention, the cam plate including: an internal opening capable of receiving a drive pin; and an outer circumference adapted to fit into an orifice provided in an actuating portion of a jaw arm of the eviscerating tool, wherein the cam plate is provided with a first laterally extending arm.

[0024] In particular, the cam plate includes a single uninterrupted internal opening defined by a circumferential wall, the circumferential wall directly defining the single internal opening on the side facing the internal opening, wherein the circumferential wall is shaped on the side facing away from the internal opening to be different from a circular shape, and wherein the cam plate is provided with a first laterally extending arm fixedly attached to the cam plate in a non-removable manner.

[0025] The internal opening is arranged to receive the drive pin, and the circumferential wall is customized to fit into an orifice provided in an actuating portion of a jaw arm of the eviscerating tool.

[0026] The present invention is also embodied in a jaw arm as described as part of an eviscerating tool according to the present invention, the jaw arm including an orifice adapted to receive the cam plate, and wherein the jaw arm is provided with a second laterally extending arm capable of holding a spring mounted on bolts and nuts.

[0027] In particular, the jaw arm includes a rotational axis defined by a pin hole and an orifice in an actuating portion of the jaw arm, the orifice being located in a position opposite to the jaw of the jaw arm with respect to the pin hole and away from the jaw of the jaw arm in the actuating portion, wherein the orifice is larger than the pin hole and is shaped differently from the pin hole, and the orifice and the pin hole are the only through holes of the jaw arm, and wherein, away from the pin hole and away from the jaw of the jaw arm, the jaw arm is provided with a second laterally extending arm.

[0028] The second laterally extending arm is capable of holding a spring mounted on bolts and nuts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the application illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating only one or more embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

[0030] In the drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 the eviscerating tool of the invention in the closed position is shown;

[0032] Figure 2 the eviscerating tool in the open position is shown Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figure 3 the eviscerating tool is shown Figure 1 with one of the jaw arms of the eviscerating tool having a cam plate disposed therein;

[0034] Figure 4 the jaw arm as shown in Figure 3 is shown without the cam plate; and

[0035] Figure 5 the cam plate is shown.

[0036] Whenever the same reference numerals are used in the drawings, these reference numerals refer to the same components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Now turning first to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , which show an eviscerating tool 1 according to the invention, the eviscerating tool 1 including jaw arms 2, 3 having jaws 4, 5 provided at the ends of the jaw arms 2, 3.

[0038] There are generally a number of eviscerating tools 1, all of which form part of an eviscerating device that can be positioned in a processing line for eviscerating poultry, the processing line including a conveyor for driving the respective eviscerating tools 1. This configuration will be clear to the person skilled in the art and is therefore not shown in the drawings.

[0039] At least one of the jaw arms, namely jaw arm 3, has a rotational axis 6' provided by a pin 6 that enables the eviscerating tool 1 to move between an open position as depicted in Figure 2 and a closed position as depicted in Figure 1 . In Figure 2In the open position shown in, the jaws 4, 5 can grip the poultry intestine, and in Figure 1 In the closed position shown in, the jaws 4, 5 can hold the poultry intestine.

[0040] At least one of the jaw arms 2, 3, in this case only the jaw arm 3, is provided with an actuating part 7 for moving the jaws 4, 5 between the open position of the eviscerating tool 1 ( Figure 2 ) and the closed position of the eviscerating tool 1 ( Figure 1 ). As best shown in Figure 4 , the actuating part 7 includes an orifice 8 which is configured to receive a cam plate 9 shown separately in Figure 5 . In Figure 3 , the associated jaw arm 3 is shown while the cam plate 9 is assembled with the jaw arm 3. It can be noted from the drawings that the orifice 8 is located at a position opposite to the pin hole 6' relative to the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3 and away from the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3. The orifice is also larger than the pin hole 6' and is shaped differently from the pin hole 6'. In addition, the orifice 8 and the pin hole 6' are the only through holes in the jaw arm 3.

[0041] Away from the pin hole 6' and away from the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3, the jaw arm 3 is provided with a second laterally extending arm 12.

[0042] Although also visible in Figure 1 and Figure 2 , it is best shown in Figure 3 that the cam plate 9 is fitted into the orifice 8 with a small clearance 16 between the cam plate 9 and the orifice 8, so that the cam plate 9 can move relative to at least one jaw arm 3. In order to eliminate the clearance on the important side related to the reliable operation of the eviscerating tool 1, a load is applied to the cam plate 9 to bias the cam plate 9 into a preferred position in the orifice 8. As will be explained below, the load can be appropriately applied by a spring, but other loading means are also feasible.

[0043] With further reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , it is shown that the cam plate 9 can be driven by an external drive pin 10 of an eviscerating device of which the eviscerating tool 1 forms a part, and the drive pin is arranged to move the associated jaw arm 3 provided with the cam plate 9. The external drive pin 10 operates in a known manner by the movement of a cam, and the movement of the cam follows a cam track at the circumference of a rotary machine also known as a transfer machine. This structure does not relate to the essence of the present invention and is therefore not further shown in the drawings, let alone this structure is completely clear to those skilled in the art as it is a common way to move the drive pin 10.

[0044] Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraphs, there is also claimed a right to protection for an evisceration device including a plurality of evisceration tools according to the present invention, said evisceration device being capable of being arranged in a processing line for eviscerating poultry, and said processing line including a conveying device for driving the respective evisceration tools according to the present invention.

[0045] As Figure 3 and Figure 5 shown in, the cam plate 9 is provided with a first laterally extending arm 11. Figure 3 and Figure 4 shows that the relevant jaw arm 3 provided with the cam plate 9 is provided with the above-mentioned second laterally extending arm 12. In particular, in Figure 3 and also in Figure 1 and Figure 2 it is shown that the first laterally extending arm 11 and the second laterally extending arm 12 are loaded with a spring 13. This is an arrangement for applying a load to the cam plate 9 to bias the cam plate 9 into a preferred position in the orifice 8 and to limit the influence of wear and abrasion on the driving movement applied to at least one jaw arm 3.

[0046] There is also claimed a right to protection for the individual cam plate 9 which, as best shown in Figure 5 has an internal opening 17 capable of receiving a drive pin 10 as depicted in Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition, in particular, Figure 3 it is shown that the cam plate 9 is provided with an outer circumference which is adapted to an orifice 8 provided in an actuating portion 7 of a jaw arm 3 of the evisceration tool 1. In particular, the cam plate 9 includes a single uninterrupted internal opening 17 which is defined by a circumferential wall 18, the circumferential wall 18 directly defining the single internal opening 17 on the side facing the internal opening 17, wherein said circumferential wall 18 is shaped on the side facing away from the internal opening 17 to fit into an orifice 8 provided in an actuating portion 7 of a jaw arm 3 of the evisceration tool 1.

[0047] The first laterally extending arm 11 of the cam plate 9 is non-removably fixed to the cam plate 9.

[0048] Correspondingly, protection is also claimed for a separate gripper arm 3, which gripper arm 3 includes an orifice 8 adapted to receive the cam plate 9 according to the preceding paragraph, and the gripper arm 3 is provided with a second laterally extending arm 12 capable of holding a spring 13 mounted on bolts 14 and nuts 15. In particular, the gripper arm 3 includes a rotational axis 6' in a pin hole 6 and includes an orifice 8 in an actuating portion 7 of the gripper arm 3, which orifice 8 is arranged to receive a cam plate 9 for actuating the gripper arm 3. The orifice 8 is located away from the gripper 5 of the gripper arm 3 at a position opposite to the pin hole 6 relative to the gripper 5, and the orifice 8 is larger than the pin hole 6 and shaped differently from the pin hole 6. The orifice 8 and the pin hole 6 are the only through-holes of the gripper arm 3. Away from the pin hole 6 and away from the gripper 5 of the gripper arm 3, the gripper arm 3 is provided with a second laterally extending arm 12 capable of holding a spring 13 mounted on bolts 14 and nuts 15. In this way, the load that the spring 13 can exert on the cam plate 9 can be easily adjusted.

[0049] Embodiments of the present invention may include every combination of features disclosed herein independently of each other. Although the present invention has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to that particular embodiment, and the embodiment may vary in many ways without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments discussed should not be used to strictly interpret the appended claims accordingly. Instead, the embodiment is only intended to explain the wording of the appended claims and is not intended to limit the claims to that exemplary embodiment. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted only according to the appended claims, and any possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims should be resolved using that exemplary embodiment.

[0050] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents in the appended claims. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. Unless specifically stated above as "necessary", various components or their interrelationships are not necessary for the operation of the present invention. Instead, the desired results can be achieved by replacing various components and / or reconfiguring the relationships between various components.

Claims

1. An evisceration tool (1), comprising a clamping arm (2, 3), wherein the clamping arm (2, 3) is provided with a clamping jaw (4, 5) at the end of the clamping arm (2, 3), wherein: At least one of the gripper arms (2, 3) is rotatable about a rotation axis so that the evisceration tool (1) is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the gripper arms (4, 5) are capable of gripping poultry intestines and in the closed position the gripper arms (4, 5) are capable of retaining poultry intestines, and wherein at least one of the gripper arms (2, 3) is provided with an actuating portion (7) for moving the evisceration tool (1) between the open position and the closed position, the actuating portion (7) comprising an orifice ( 8), the orifice (8) being equipped to receive a cam plate (9), the cam plate (9) being capable of being driven to move at least one of the clamping arms (2, 3) on which the cam plate (9) is provided, characterized in that the cam plate (9) is fitted into the orifice (8), and a clearance (16) is left between the cam plate (9) and the orifice (8), so that the cam plate (9) can move relative to the at least one clamping arm (3), and the cam plate (9) is subjected to a load so as to bias the cam plate (9) to a preferred position in the orifice (8).

2. The evisceration tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The cam plate (9) is loaded with a spring (13).

3. The evisceration tool (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cam plate (9) is provided with a first lateral extension arm (11), and at least one of the clamping arms (2, 3) provided with the cam plate (9) is provided with a second lateral extension arm (12), and the first lateral extension arm (11) and the second lateral extension arm (12) are loaded with the spring (13).

4. The evisceration tool (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The spring (13) is mounted on a bolt (14) and a nut (15) provided on the second laterally extending arm (12).

5. An evisceration device comprising a plurality of evisceration tools according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the evisceration device being capable of being arranged in a processing line for eviscerating poultry, the processing line comprising a conveying device for driving the respective evisceration tools.

6. A cam plate (9) for an evisceration tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the cam plate (9) comprising an inner opening (17), characterized in that: The cam plate (9) comprises a single uninterrupted inner opening (17), which is delimited by an outer peripheral wall (18), which directly delimits the single inner opening (17) on its side facing the inner opening (17), wherein the peripheral wall (18) is shaped differently from a circular shape on its side facing away from the inner opening (17), wherein the cam plate (9) is provided with a first laterally extending arm (11) fixed to the cam plate (9) in an irremovable manner.

7. The cam plate (9) according to claim 6, characterized in that The inner opening (17) is arranged to receive a drive pin (10), and the circumferential wall (18) is tailored to fit into an aperture (8) provided in an actuating portion (7) of a jaw arm (3) of the evisceration tool (1).

8. A jaw arm (3) for an evisceration tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the jaw arm (3) comprising a rotation axis (6') in a pin hole (6') and an orifice (8) in an actuating portion (7) of the jaw arm (3), characterized in that The orifice (8) is arranged in the actuating portion (7) at a position opposite to the jaw (5) relative to the pin hole (6') away from the jaw (5) of the jaw arm (3), wherein the orifice (8) is larger than the pin hole (6') and is shaped differently from the pin hole (6'), and the orifice (8) and the pin hole (6') are the only through holes of the jaw arm (3), and wherein the jaw arm (3) is provided with the second laterally extending arm (12) away from the pin hole (6') and away from the jaw (5) of the jaw arm (3).

9. The clamping jaw arm (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that The second laterally extending arm (12) is capable of retaining a spring (13) mounted on a bolt (14) and a nut (15).

Images