Transport device for transporting de-fleshed poultry bodies or parts thereof, as well as device and method for mounting and processing the poultry bodies or parts thereof.

Description

[0001] WO2019001728 A1 discloses a conveying device for the continuous conveying of poultry carcasses in the conveying direction, designed and configured for aligning the poultry carcasses into different processing positions, comprising an endless conveyor provided with receiving elements for holding the poultry carcasses, wherein the endless conveyor is arranged circumferentially in a conveying plane and forms a conveying section, and wherein the receiving elements each comprise a saddle element designed to receive one of the poultry carcasses and pivotably arranged on a base element about a rotation axis perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0002] The invention relates to a transport device according to claim 1, designed and configured for transporting eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry carcasses, in the transport direction T along a transport path, comprising a frame, a transport unit mounted on the frame with a continuously driven transport means, and at least one holding device attached to the transport means, which is designed and configured for mounting and holding the poultry carcass or part thereof during transport and during processing in a device for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof, wherein the holding device comprises a clamping device which has a clamping hook for fixing the poultry carcass or part thereof, which is designed to be pivotable from a waiting position to a clamping position and back by means of an actuating mechanism about a rotary axis DK.wherein the actuating mechanism comprises an actuating lever which is designed to pivot about a pivot axis DS and which can be brought into operative contact with an actuating element which is arranged on the frame along the transport path, in order to pivot the actuating lever and thus to pivot the clamping hook.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device according to claim 13 for processing eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry carcasses, comprising a transport device for transporting the poultry carcasses or parts thereof along at least one processing station for processing the poultry carcasses or parts thereof, and at least one processing station for processing the poultry carcasses or parts thereof.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method according to claim 14 for mounting and processing a disemboweled poultry carcass or a part thereof, in particular a front half of the poultry carcass.

[0005] Such transport devices, equipment, and processes are used in the poultry processing industry. In this industry, eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, particularly so-called front halves, are held and transported in appropriate transport devices and processed within these devices. For processing, the poultry carcasses or parts thereof must be transported along the transport path through the processing stations by means of the transport unit's transport mechanism and positioned with respect to the respective processing stations of the device. Typically, several holding devices are attached to a continuously driven transport mechanism of the transport unit, by means of which the poultry carcasses or parts thereof are fed to one or more processing stations or brought into their operating area.The continuously driven transport element, guided around deflection and / or drive elements, forms an upper run and a lower run. The upper and lower runs can lie directly above one another in a vertical plane, so that the drive and / or rotation axes DU of the deflection elements are essentially horizontally aligned. However, the plane can also be inclined, e.g., at 45° to the vertical (inclined orientation of the drive and / or rotation axes DU of the deflection elements), so that the upper and lower runs lie obliquely offset from each other. Alternatively, the upper and lower runs can lie side by side in a plane, in which case the rotation axes DU of the deflection elements are essentially vertically aligned. The processing stations are positioned accordingly, allowing the poultry carcasses or parts thereof to be processed either vertically to the transport direction T or parallel to the transport direction T.

[0006] For processing, the poultry carcasses or parts thereof are automatically or manually placed onto the holding device and manually or semi-automatically aligned, centered, and secured. This entire process is also referred to as loading or feeding. For high-quality and efficient processing of the poultry carcasses or parts thereof, secure and, above all, symmetrical loading onto the holding device is essential. Loading initially involves loosely placing the poultry carcasses or parts thereof onto the holding device. For complete loading, the respective poultry carcass or part thereof must be aligned and centered on the holding device, pressed firmly onto the device, and then secured by moving the clamping hook from its waiting position to its clamping position.

[0007] As mentioned, the symmetrical and secure mounting of poultry carcasses or parts thereof, especially fore halves, onto the holding device is of particular importance. Using a fore half as an example, the poultry carcasses to be processed have a carcass that includes at least part of a breastbone. A breast plate is part of the breastbone, which also includes the keelbone. The breast plate and the keelbone thus form the breastbone, which has a T-shaped cross-section. The breast plate forms the short part of the T, while the keelbone forms the long part. When processing fore halves, for example, when removing the breastbone, the secure and symmetrical mounting of the fore halves onto the holding device is of particular importance so that the fore halves are optimally aligned and centered before being fed to the respective processing stations.

[0008] Manual mounting is a strenuous and demanding task due to the high work rate on the one hand and the force required under ergonomically suboptimal conditions on the other. It also requires extensive experience from the operator to mount the poultry carcasses or parts thereof centrally and securely onto the holding device – usually while the device is being transported in the direction of transport T. Accordingly, at least semi-automatic mounting aids are provided. Transport devices of this type are known in which the holding devices are fixed and rotationally secure to the transport vehicle in an orientation parallel to the direction of transport T and rotate with the transport vehicle in the upper run and the lower run, which runs in the same plane below the upper run.The known holding devices have an adjusting lever that can be pivoted about a rotary axis DS, which is aligned parallel to the rotary axis DK of the clamping lever. This means that the adjusting lever projects downwards into a transport plane described by the holding devices as they are transported in the transport direction T. In other words, the adjusting lever is arranged and aligned such that it pivots in a plane that is parallel to, or lies within, the vertical center plane of the holding device and is perpendicular to the transport plane.

[0009] With these holding devices, loading occurs parallel to the transport direction T, in the horizontal orientation of the holding device, due to their rigid, horizontal alignment. The poultry carcasses or parts thereof are manually positioned in front of the holding devices, which are transported in the direction of transport T, and then placed onto them. During transport in the direction of transport T, the holding device itself secures the poultry carcasses or parts thereof. This is achieved by the actuating lever engaging with the operating mechanism on the frame during transport, which moves the clamping hook from its waiting position to the clamping position. This design has the disadvantage that, depending on the quality of the loading process, the poultry carcasses may not be sufficiently centered, which can lead to processing errors.On the other hand, manual positioning in front of the horizontally and parallelally aligned holding devices (T) is time-consuming (at the expense of higher cycle speed) and ergonomically inadequate or user-unfriendly. For user-friendly loading without increased effort, it is easier to place the front halves onto a vertically aligned holding device. Loading, i.e., feeding the holding devices with poultry carcasses or parts thereof, is not possible in transport devices with vertically aligned holding devices of the known type. The adjusting lever does not allow the known holding device to be rotated into a position where it is perpendicular to the transport direction, as such a rotation would result in a collision with other components of the transport device.

[0010] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a compact and user-friendly transport device that ensures simple and precise loading of poultry carcasses or parts thereof. The further objective is to propose a corresponding device and method.

[0011] This problem is solved by a transport device of the type mentioned above in that the holding device is designed and configured to be rotatable about an axis AH, which runs perpendicular to the transport direction T, relative to the means of transport, and can be brought into operative connection with an actuating lever which is arranged on the frame along the transport path, and that the axis of rotation DS of the actuating lever is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation DK of the clamping hook, wherein the actuating lever for rotating the holding device in the transport direction T is arranged in front of the actuating element for actuating the actuating lever, wherein the holding device comprises a fastening body and a support body detachably attached to the fastening body, wherein the fastening body is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation AH by means of a shaft in a bearing plate attached to the means of transport, and comprises a rotary element, preferably a rotary cross, which spans a plane ED.which can be brought into operative contact with the actuating lever for rotating the fastening body and thus the holding device about the axis AH, wherein the actuating lever spanning a plane ES comprises an eccentric plate section and an actuating section, and the axis of rotation DS of the actuating lever runs parallel to and spaced apart from the axis AH, wherein the actuating lever is pivotable relative to the rotating element, and the plane ES and the plane ED run essentially parallel to each other. Due to the rotatable design of the holding device about the axis of rotation AH, it is possible to bring the holding device into a vertical position, at least for mounting, by engaging the actuating lever, in which the operator, or possibly an automated handling aid, such as a robot,The poultry carcasses or parts thereof can be quickly and reliably attached to the holding device without any effort. This simple attachment requires no force and, in particular, no experience regarding centering, and can be performed by any operator at high speed to increase efficiency. Furthermore, the design and alignment of the pivot axes DS (of the adjusting lever) and DK (of the clamping hook) according to the invention ensures simple and precise operation of the adjusting lever, especially in the vertical orientation of the holding device. This means that the plane in which the adjusting lever lies and can be pivoted is perpendicular to the vertical center plane of the holding device and parallel to the transport plane.which is described by the holding devices transported in the transport direction T. This ensures safe and collision-free rotation of the holding devices around the axis of rotation AH as well as simple and reliable actuation of the actuating lever by the actuating element.

[0012] The plane ED spanned by the rotary element runs parallel to the plane EL spanned by the bearing plate and also parallel to the respective transport plane ET. The actuating lever for triggering the rotary movement of the holding device can be an actively controlled lever. Preferably, however, it is a fixed lever that projects into the transport path, such that the rotary element, using a rotary cross as an example (a so-called Maltese cross is particularly preferred), engages with recesses in the lever, so that the further transport of the holding device in the transport direction T results in a rotation of the holding device by approximately 90°, allowing it to be moved from a position oriented horizontally and parallel to the transport direction T to a position oriented perpendicular to the transport direction T and back again.

[0013] The adjusting lever is a flat lever. The adjusting section, which protrudes in a quasi-nose-like manner, can be brought into contact with the actuating lever during transport of the holding device in the transport direction T, causing the adjusting lever to pivot or rotate about the axis of rotation DS. The pivoting (also referred to as rotation in the context of the invention) of the adjusting lever is transmitted to the clamping hook by means of the actuating mechanism, which interacts with the eccentric plate section. The parallel arrangement of the adjusting lever and the rotating element with parallel planes ES and ED enables a compact and secure design of the holding device for transmitting the pivoting movement of the adjusting lever to the clamping hook. Other designs of the adjusting lever as well as other mechanisms for transmitting force and / or pivoting movements are also possible.

[0014] Advantageously, the clamping hook of the clamping device is pivotably mounted on a support structure, which in turn is connected to the mounting body. The actuating lever and the clamping hook are connected to each other via an actuating rod, such that one end of the actuating rod is pivotally and eccentrically connected to the eccentric plate section of the actuating lever, and the opposite end is pivotally connected to the clamping hook. This allows the actuating lever to move the clamping hook from a release position, past a dead center, into a closed position and back. In other words, the pivot point of the actuating rod on the eccentric section of the actuating lever is eccentric to the axis of rotation DS of the actuating lever. This creates a type of classic toggle lever. The support structure can, for example, be formed by two support arms that are detachably mounted on the mounting body.An axle is positioned between the two support arms, with its opposite ends mounted on each support arm. The clamping hook is rotatably mounted on this axle. Other designs for the holding structure are also possible. Without the adjusting rod, the clamping hook could potentially swing freely. However, due to its connection to the adjusting rod, the position of the clamping hook is dependent on the position of the adjusting lever.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the actuating lever is spring-loaded, with a spring element being tensioned between the mounting body and the actuating lever such that the actuating lever is held in the respective position in both the release and closed positions. The spring element can, for example, be tensioned between a fixed element of the mounting body on the one hand and a pin-like body on the other, which is also arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation DS on the eccentric section. The pin can be oriented perpendicular to the actuating lever or to the plane ES spanned by the actuating lever. Preferably, however, the pin is slightly inclined to the perpendicular orientation, preferably at an angle β of approximately 10° to 30°.The spring element can also be attached to a movable element, such as a rocker arm on the mounting body. This rocker arm is pivotally mounted on the mounting body and simultaneously serves as a locking element for the support body on the mounting body. For this purpose, the rocker arm has corresponding locking lugs that engage with corresponding recesses on the support body. The spring element can be mounted directly on the rocker arm. In other variations, the spring element can be mounted on a bolt or similar component, which is preferably detachably attached to the rocker arm. A pneumatic cylinder, for example, can also be used instead of the spring element.

[0016] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the transport device according to the invention, a mounting aid is arranged behind the actuating lever for rotating the holding device in the transport direction T from a position oriented essentially vertically to the transport direction T to a position oriented essentially parallel to the transport direction T. This mounting aid includes the actuating element for actuating the adjusting lever. By means of the mounting aid, it is possible to automatically center the poultry carcass, which is only loosely attached, and to slide it firmly onto the holding device and fix it there, without human intervention, by the actuating element of the mounting aid coming into operative contact with the adjusting lever.Simply put, the mounting aid is located in the transport path of the holding device, such that the holding device, with the poultry carcass or part thereof, contacts the mounting aid during transport. This continuous transport centers the poultry carcass or parts thereof on the holding device before the actuating mechanism, via the lever, moves the clamping hook from the waiting position to the clamping position. Through the interaction of the holding device and the mounting aid, centering and locking occur virtually simultaneously, ensuring a symmetrical position of the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device for optimized processing. Preferably, the mounting aid is passive, with the exception of the actuating mechanism, thus ensuring a particularly simple and compact design.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the actuating element comprises a pivoting lever that can be moved from a standby position to an actuated position and back again by means of a pneumatic cylinder, such that the actuating lever of the mechanism can be moved from a release position, past a dead center, to a closed position. Due to the toggle lever effect, the actuating lever remains in its respective position before or after the dead center and can ultimately only be moved to another position by applying a force. Instead of the pneumatic cylinder, other actuating elements, such as a servo motor or the like, can also be used.

[0018] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the loading aid comprises at least one impact plate which, in a starting position, projects into the transport path and is spring-mounted such that the impact plate can be moved against a spring force into a guiding position by any holding device transported along the transport path with the poultry carcass or part thereof. This impact plate, or, for example, two impact plates, is arranged at the inlet side of the loading aid such that the first contact of the poultry carcass or part thereof occurs with the impact plate. The impact plate essentially "receives" the rotating poultry carcass or part thereof, which is not yet fixed to the holding device, and ensures that uncontrolled movements between the poultry carcasses or parts thereof and the holding device are prevented or at least reduced.The guiding position extends over several positions, as the impact plate, lying against the poultry body or part thereof, is gradually pressed into an essentially horizontal orientation.

[0019] For this purpose, the impact plate is preferably arranged in the transport direction T approximately at the height of the actuating lever for rotating the holding device and is held in its initial position against a stop by means of a spring element. Other damping elements, such as a pneumatic cylinder, can also be used instead of the spring element.

[0020] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the mounting aid includes a pressing device having two spring-loaded pressure plates designed and configured to guide and / or hold the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device. This pressing device, which is arranged behind the impact plate in the transport direction T, ensures that the poultry carcass or part thereof is pressed firmly and flat against the holding device immediately before and during fixation by the clamping hook. Ultimately, the pressing device exerts pressure on the breast plate so that it rests as closely and tightly as possible against the support body of the holding device to ensure secure penetration of the clamping hook above the breast plate for precise and secure fixation.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the two pressure plates are synchronized with respect to their movement towards and away from each other via a synchronous gear, with each pressure plate being held in a standby position against a stop by a spring element. The pressure plates, which can also be referred to as pressure arms, can be designed to move independently of each other. For this purpose, the pressure plates are each individually and separately rotatably / pivotably mounted on the mounting body. Preferably, however, the two pressure plates are synchronized with each other, for example, via interlocking gear segments or the like.The spring element is stretched between the two pressure plates in such a way that they are held towards each other and the poultry body or part thereof entering in the transport direction T pushes the pressure plates apart against the spring force, thereby exerting a centering and holding force on the poultry body or part thereof, by means of which the mounting is completed.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure plates converge at an angle to each other in two planes in the transport direction T. This exerts increasing pressure on the poultry carcass or part thereof in the transport direction T, from two sides or from both sides in two directions each. Simply put, the double inclination of the pressure plates ensures that the poultry carcass or part thereof is pressed against the holding device from above and from the front, against the transport direction T. In other embodiments, the pressure plates can also be parallel to each other and / or linearly aligned.

[0023] In a further particularly advantageous embodiment, the mounting aid comprises a centering device for centering the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device. This centering device has a fork-shaped element that is arranged on a support frame of the mounting aid in a manner that allows it to deflect against the spring force of a spring element. The centering device is designed and configured to prevent or at least limit the rotation of the poultry carcass or part thereof after it has been rotated into the horizontal orientation and in the transport direction T behind the impact plate and until it is finally fixed by the clamping hook.

[0024] Advantageously, the fork-shaped element has two spaced-apart struts designed and configured to center the keel of the poultry carcass or part thereof being transported. These circular guides on both sides of the vertical center plane of the holding device allow the poultry carcass or part thereof to be centered and guided into the area where the clamping hook is released. The increasingly springy load in the transport direction T securely holds the poultry carcass or part thereof in position. Other damping elements can be used instead of the spring element.

[0025] The problem is also solved by a device for processing eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry carcasses, with the features mentioned above, in that the transport device for transporting the poultry carcasses or parts thereof is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.

[0026] The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the transport device, therefore reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.

[0027] The problem is further solved by the aforementioned method, which comprises the following steps: placing the poultry carcass from top to bottom onto a substantially vertically oriented holding device of a transport device according to claim 4, rotating the holding device and thus the still free poultry carcass or part thereof from the position oriented substantially vertically to the transport direction T into a position oriented substantially parallel to the transport direction T during transport of the poultry carcass or part thereof in transport direction T along the transport path, fixing the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device by triggering a pivoting movement of a clamping hook from a waiting position into a clamping position during transport in transport direction T.and processing the poultry carcass or part thereof during its transport at at least one processing station arranged along the transport path, wherein the poultry carcass or part thereof is centered centrally to the holding device by means of a centering device of the mounting device in the area of ​​a keel of the poultry carcass or part thereof before and during the fixing by the clamping hook. The mounting process, i.e., the complete mounting, is essentially divided into two steps: a first step, which can be carried out easily and without experience, manually or automatically, in which the holding device is vertically aligned, and a second step, which is carried out automatically or automatically, in which the poultry carcass or part thereof is centered and fixed, with the holding device parallel to the transport direction.namely, it is horizontally aligned. Centering is achieved by placing the sternal crest into the centering device, thus ensuring a symmetrical mounting.

[0028] Advantageously, the poultry carcass or part thereof is held and guided during the rotation of the holding device, and thus the rotation of the poultry carcass or part thereof from a vertical to a horizontal orientation, by means of at least one impact plate of the mounting aid. The impact plate "accompanies" the unsecured / unfixed poultry carcass or part thereof as it rotates into the horizontal orientation and thus holds the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device.

[0029] The method is further advantageously characterized in that the poultry body or part thereof is pressed firmly and flatly onto the holding device by means of a pressing device of the mounting aid device before and during fixing by the clamping hook.

[0030] The advantages resulting from the above-mentioned process steps have already been described in connection with the transport device, therefore reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.

[0031] Further expedient and / or advantageous features and further developments of the transport device, the device for processing eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, and the method are set forth in the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a section of a transport device according to the invention in front view, Fig. 2 the representation according to Figure 1 in perspective rear view, Fig. 3 the representation according to Figure 1 in side view, Fig. 4a to your schematic representation of a holding device formed from a fastening body and a support body in various assembly states, Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the fastening body in top view with the clamping hook in waiting position, Fig. 6 the representation according to Figure 5 in perspective view, Fig. 7 a schematic representation of the fastening body in top view with the clamping hook in clamping position, Fig. 8 the representation according to Figure 7 in perspective view, Fig. 9 a schematic representation of a mounting aid in front view, and Fig. 10 the representation according to Figure 9 Rear view.

[0032] The transport device shown in the drawing is designed and configured for transporting and securing at least the front halves of poultry carcasses, including parts of the breastbone. The invention is similarly designed and configured for transporting and securing other parts of the poultry carcass and can be used accordingly.

[0033] The in the Figures 1 to 3The illustrated transport device 10 is designed and configured for transporting eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry carcasses, in the transport direction T along a transport path and comprises a frame 11, a transport unit 12 mounted on the frame 11 with a continuously driven transport means 13, and at least one holding device 14 attached to the transport means 13, which is designed and configured for mounting and holding the poultry carcass or part thereof during transport and during processing in a device 15 for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof, wherein the holding device 14 comprises a clamping device 16 which has a clamping hook 17 for fixing the poultry carcass or part thereof, which is designed to pivot from a waiting position to a clamping position and back by means of an actuating mechanism 18 about a rotary axis DK,wherein the actuating mechanism 18 comprises an actuating lever 19 which is designed to pivot about a pivot axis DS and which can be brought into operative contact with an actuating element 20, which is arranged on the frame 11 along the transport path, for pivoting the actuating lever 19 and thus for pivoting the clamping hook 17.

[0034] The number of holding devices 14 is variable. Several holding devices 14 are shown as an example, preferably evenly spaced and detachably attached to the transport means 13. The transport means 13 forms an upper run 21 and a lower run 22 and is guided around deflection elements 23, which are designed and configured to deflect and / or drive the transport means 13 and are rotatable about pivot axes DU. The pivot axes DU can be oriented vertically, horizontally, or inclined. In the exemplary illustration, the pivot axes DU are inclined at approximately 45° to the vertical orientation.

[0035] According to the invention, this transport device 10 is characterized in that the holding device 14 is rotatable and designed to allow at least the complete mounting of the poultry carcass or part thereof about an axis AH, which runs perpendicular to the transport direction T, relative to the transport means 13, and can be brought into operative connection with an actuating lever 24, which is arranged on the frame 11 along the transport path, and that the axis of rotation DS of the actuating lever 19 is aligned perpendicular to the axis of rotation DK of the clamping hook 17, wherein the actuating lever 24 for rotating the holding device 14 in the transport direction T is arranged in front of the actuating element 20 for actuating the actuating lever 19.

[0036] According to the invention, each holding device 14 is designed in two parts and comprises a fastening body 25 and a support body 26 detachably attached to the fastening body 25. The fastening body 25 is rotatably mounted about the axis of rotation AH in a bearing plate 28 attached to the transport means 13 by means of a shaft 27 and includes a rotary element 29, preferably a rotary cross, which spans a plane ED and can be brought into operative contact with the actuating lever 24 for rotating the fastening body 25 and thus the holding device 14 about the axis AH. The bearing plates 28 can be arranged directly on the transport means 13. Preferably, the bearing plates 28 are fastened via a connecting element 30. The transport means 13 itself is, for example, designed as a conveyor chain to which the bearing plates 28 are attached. The bearing plates 28 have at least one guide groove 31.Corresponding / matching guide plates 32 are arranged on the frame 11 for this guide groove 31, extending at least sectionally along the upper run 21 and / or lower run 22.

[0037] Using the example of Figures 1 to 3 It can be seen that different transport planes are defined. In the upper run 21, the holding devices 14 point outwards, while in the lower run 22 they point downwards. Due to the rotation of the holding devices 14 on the one hand and the inclination of the rotation axes DU of the deflection element 23 on the other, different transport planes result during transport in the transport direction T. In the upper run 21, a vertically oriented transport plane EO is defined, while in the lower run 22, a horizontally oriented transport plane EU is defined. However, the arrangement of the upper run 21 and the lower run 22 relative to each other, as well as their respective orientations, is variable.

[0038] The rotation of the holding device 14, preferably by 90° in each direction, e.g., by using a so-called Maltese cross as a rotating element 29, serves to hold the holding device 14 in a position vertically oriented to the transport direction T, at least in the area of ​​a mounting position, i.e., a position in which the poultry carcass or part thereof is placed onto the holding device 14, in order to place the poultry carcass or part thereof onto the holding device 14 from top to bottom. For the final and complete mounting, i.e., the centering and fixing of the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device 14, a horizontal position oriented parallel to the transport direction T is preferred. For this purpose, the Maltese cross can be brought into engagement with a preferably stationary and fixed actuating lever 24 – accordingly, to be described as passive.However, movable and active actuating elements can also be used. For fixing, the adjusting lever 19 can be moved by means of the actuating element 20, such that the clamping hook 17 can be moved from its waiting position into its clamping position.

[0039] The preferably planar actuating lever 19 spans a plane ES in which it is also pivotable. According to the invention, the actuating lever 19 comprises an eccentric plate section 33 and an actuating section 34. The axis of rotation DS of the actuating lever 19 runs parallel to and spaced apart, i.e., eccentrically to the axis AH of the shaft 27, whereby the actuating lever 19 is pivotable relative to the rotary element 29. The plane ES of the actuating lever 19 and the plane ED of the rotary element 29 are essentially parallel to each other. The actuating lever 19 is designed to pivot the clamping hook 17. For this purpose, the clamping hook 17 of the clamping device 16 is pivotably mounted on a retaining structure 35, which in turn is connected to the fastening body 25.The actuating lever 19 and the clamping hook 17 are connected to each other via an actuating rod 36, such that the actuating rod 36 is pivotally and eccentrically connected at one end to the eccentric plate section 33 of the actuating lever 19 and pivotally connected at the opposite end to the clamping hook 17, such that the actuating lever 19 is designed and configured to move the clamping hook 17 from a release position, past a dead center, into a closed position and back, thereby allowing the clamping hook 17 to move from its waiting position into its clamping position. The actuating rod 36, or any other suitable coupling element, is preferably designed to be variably adjustable in its longitudinal extent. In the exemplary embodiment (see in particular ). Figures 5 to 8The holding structure 35 is formed, for example, by two support arms 37, 38, which are detachably arranged on the fastening body 25. An axis 39 is arranged between the two support arms 37, 38 and is supported or arranged at its opposite ends on each of the support arms 37, 38. The clamping hook 17 is rotatably or pivotably mounted on the axis 39.

[0040] Preferably, the actuating lever 19 is spring-loaded, with a spring element 40 being tensioned between the mounting body 25 and the actuating lever 19 such that the actuating lever 19 is held in the respective position in both the release and closed positions. In the illustrated example, the spring element 40 is tensioned between a movable rocker arm 41 of the mounting body 25 on the one hand and a pin-like body 42, which is also arranged eccentrically to the axis of rotation DS on the eccentric section 33. The pin-like body 42 is slightly inclined to the vertical orientation, i.e., inclined to the plane ES of the actuating lever 19, preferably at an angle β of approximately 10° to 30°. The rocker arm 41 is pivotably arranged about an axis of rotation D KH on the mounting body 25 and is simultaneously designed and configured as a locking element for the support body 26 on or attached to the mounting body 25.For this purpose, the rocker arm 41 has corresponding locking lugs 43 which can be brought into engagement with corresponding recesses 44 on the support body 26. The spring element 40 can be arranged directly on the rocker arm 41. In other variants, the spring element 41 can be arranged on a bolt 45 or the like, which is preferably detachably attached to the rocker arm 41.

[0041] The previously described design of the holding device 14 is particularly well suited to enabling optimal mounting, as the holding device 14 can be individually rotated into any desired position, in particular into a position where it is oriented essentially perpendicular to the transport direction T for mounting the poultry carcass or part thereof, and also into a position where it is oriented essentially parallel to the transport direction T for complete mounting, i.e., in particular for centering and fixing. Preferably, a mounting aid 46 is arranged behind the actuating lever 24 in the transport direction T for rotating the holding device 14 from the position oriented essentially perpendicular to the transport direction T to the position oriented essentially parallel to the transport direction T. This mounting aid includes the actuating element 20 for actuating the adjusting lever 19.The coupling aid 46 can be assigned to the upper run 21 and / or the lower run 22. Preferably, the coupling aid 46 is arranged in the area of ​​the upper run 21 on the frame 11. The coupling aid 46 comprises a support frame 47, which is attached to the frame 11 of the transport device 10.

[0042] Preferably, two guide plates 32 are provided, one arranged above and one below the transport means 13. These guide plates 32 or guide profiles extend particularly in the area of ​​the mounting, and thus also and especially in the area of ​​the mounting aid 46. The actuating levers 24 for rotating the holding device 14 are preferably arranged on the guide plates 32, namely, for example, directly in front of the mounting aid 46 for rotating it from a vertical to a horizontal orientation, and behind the mounting aid 46 for rotating it from the horizontal to the vertical orientation. Further actuating levers 24, particularly also in the area of ​​the lower run 22 in front of and behind machining stations, are also possible.

[0043] The actuating element 20, as part of the mounting aid 46, comprises a pivot lever 48 which can be moved from a standby position to an actuating position and back by means of a pneumatic cylinder 49, such that the actuating lever 19 of the actuating mechanism 18 can be moved from a release position, past a dead center, to a closed position. The pneumatic cylinder 49, which is arranged on the support frame 47 together with the pivot lever 48, can be triggered mechanically. Preferably, however, the pneumatic cylinder 49 is controllable via a control device (not explicitly shown), to which, for example, the drives for the transport means 13, possible sensors, or the like may also be connected. The pivot lever 48 is arranged and designed such that, when actuated, it moves the actuating lever 19 to its dead center, such that the actuating lever 19 "jumps" into the closed position upon overcoming the dead center.The actuating lever 19 is actuated by the pivot lever 48 beyond the dead center until it reaches its end position.

[0044] The mounting aid 46 comprises at least one impact plate 50 which, in a starting position, projects into the transport path and is spring-mounted such that the impact plate 50 can be moved against a spring force into a guide position by each holding device 14 transported along the transport path with the poultry carcass or part thereof. In particular, the Figure 9 and 10It can be seen that the impact plate 50, or each of them, is pivotably mounted on the support frame 47 about a pivot axis DP. The impact plate 50 can be a simple impact plate. In other embodiments, other impact elements can also be used. The impact plate 50 is arranged in the transport direction T approximately at the height of the actuating lever 24 for rotating the holding device 14 and is held in its initial position by means of a spring element 51 against a stop 52 formed on the support frame 47. The spring element 51 can also be replaced by another damping element, for example, a pneumatic cylinder. Optionally, the spring force of the spring element 51 or any other damping element is adjustable.

[0045] The mounting aid 46 can further comprise a pressing device 53, which has two spring-mounted pressure plates 54, 55 designed and configured for guiding and / or holding the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device 14. Each pressure plate 54, 55 is pivotably mounted on the support frame 47 about a pivot axis D DP. The pivoting movement is essentially parallel to the transport plane EO of the upper run 21. In other words, the pivot axes D DP are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular, i.e., with a slight inclination of a few degrees, to the transport plane EO. Preferably, the two pressure plates 54, 55 are operatively connected to each other, preferably via a synchronous gear 56 formed from two meshing tooth segments 57, 58.This synchronizes the movement of the two pressure plates 54, 55 towards and away from each other, with each pressure plate 54, 55 being held in a waiting position against a stop 60, 61 by a spring element 59. The synchronization of the two pressure plates 54, 55 can also be achieved in another way. The pressure plates 54, 55 are arranged at a distance from each other such that the holding device 14 can move between the pressure plates 54, 55 in its orientation parallel to the transport direction T. In other words, one pressure plate 54 is arranged above and the other pressure plate 55 below the holding device 14, provided the holding device 14 is located in the mounting aid 46.

[0046] The spring element 59 is tensioned between the two pressure plates 54, 55 and is replaceable, particularly for adjusting the spring force. In the preferred embodiment shown, each pressure plate 54, 55 is formed in two parts. Specifically, each pressure plate 54, 55 comprises a support section 62, 63 and a pressure section 64, 65. The support section 62, 63 and the pressure section 64, 65 are detachably connected to each other. However, the pressure plates 54, 55 can also be formed in one piece or in multiple parts. The pressure plates 54, 55, and in particular their pressure sections 64, 65, which come into contact with the poultry body or part thereof, are inclined towards each other in two planes in the transport direction T. Other shapes and configurations of the pressure plates 54, 55 are also possible.

[0047] Optionally, the mounting aid 46 includes a centering device 66 for centering the poultry carcass or part thereof on the holding device 14. The centering device 66 has a fork-shaped element 67 that is arranged on the support frame 47 of the mounting aid 46 so as to deflect against the spring force of a spring element 68. The fork-shaped element 67 has two spaced-apart struts 69, 70, which are designed and configured to center a keel of the poultry carcass or part thereof to be transported. The two struts 69, 70 are preferably round profiles arranged in a gap on a rotating body 71, which is rotatably mounted on the support frame 47.The spring element 68 holds the rotating body 71 with the struts 69, 70 in a waiting position in which the holding device 14 with the poultry carcass or part thereof necessarily comes into contact with the struts 69, 70, which then guide the breastbone or the keel bone as transport progresses and the spring force increases. The rotating body 71 itself is rotatable about a pivot axis D DK, which is essentially perpendicular to the transport direction T.

[0048] Along the transport path, at least one unlocking device (not explicitly shown) is provided, by means of which the actuating lever 19 can be moved from its closed position to the release position in order to pivot the clamping hook 17 from the clamping position to the waiting position.

[0049] The transport device 10 forms a self-contained unit. Preferably, however, the transport device 10 is part of a device 15 for processing eviscerated poultry carcasses or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry carcasses, comprising a transport device 10 for transporting the poultry carcasses or parts thereof along at least one processing station for processing the poultry carcasses or parts thereof, and at least one processing station for processing the poultry carcasses or parts thereof. According to the invention, this device 15 is characterized in that the transport device 10 for transporting the poultry carcasses or parts thereof is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.

[0050] The processing station or stations are preferably arranged in the area of ​​the lower stem 22, so that the poultry carcass or part thereof is transported overhead, which in particular simplifies the extraction of breast fillets from the front halves of the poultry carcasses.

[0051] The method is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The method is used for mounting and processing a gutted poultry carcass or part thereof, in particular the front half of the carcass. According to the invention, this method is characterized by the following steps: First, the poultry carcass or part thereof is placed from top to bottom onto a substantially vertically oriented holding device 14 of a transport device 10. The mounting is carried out essentially without force and without aligning and centering the poultry carcass or part thereof. The mounting can be done manually or automatically, e.g., by means of a robot.After placement, the holding device 14, and thus the remaining free poultry carcass or part thereof, is rotated from a position essentially vertical to the transport direction T to a position essentially parallel to the transport direction T during transport of the poultry carcass or part thereof along a transport path. This rotation is automated. After rotation, the poultry carcass or part thereof is fixed to the holding device 14 by triggering a pivoting movement of a clamping hook 17 from a waiting position to a clamping position during transport in the transport direction T. This fixing is also automated. After fixing, the poultry carcass or part thereof is processed at at least one processing station arranged along the transport path during transport.The processing can take place in the position oriented horizontally and parallel to the transport direction T or in the position oriented vertically to the transport direction T. After rotating the holding device 14 and before and during fixing, the poultry carcass or part thereof is centered on the holding device 14. The method according to the invention can thus be carried out semi-automatically or fully automatically. According to the invention, the poultry carcass or part thereof is centered centrally on the holding device 14 before and during fixing by means of a centering device 66 of a mounting device 46 in the area of ​​a keel of the poultry carcass or part thereof.

[0052] Preferably, the poultry carcass or part thereof is held and guided during the rotation of the holding device and thus of the poultry carcass or part thereof from a vertical to a horizontal orientation by means of at least one impact plate of a mounting aid. During transport in the transport direction T, the poultry carcass or part thereof is supported and held during the rotation into the horizontal orientation by the impact plate as it moves into the guide position.

[0053] For complete mounting, the poultry carcass or part thereof is pressed firmly and flat onto the holding device 14 by means of a pressing device 53 or a mounting aid 46, both before and during the mounting process. During transport in the direction of transport T, the poultry carcass or part thereof is pressed firmly and completely against the pressing device 53 and held in place on the holding device 14. The holding device 14, with the poultry carcass or part thereof, is moved between pressure plates 54, 55 of the pressing device 53, which are deflected by the poultry carcass or part thereof against a spring force. During transport in the direction of transport T, the keel is inserted between two spring-loaded struts 70, 71.This aligns and positions the poultry body or part thereof symmetrically on the holding device 14 before and during which the clamping hook 17 is pivoted into its clamping position by means of a pivot lever 48, which is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 49.

Claims

1. Transport apparatus (10), configured and adapted for transporting eviscerated poultry bodies or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry bodies, in a transport direction T along a transport path, comprising a frame (11), a transport unit (12) mounted on the frame (11) and having a revolvingly driven transport means (13), and at least one holding apparatus (14) which is fastened to the transport means (13) and is configured and adapted for saddling and holding the poultry body or the part thereof during transport and during processing in an apparatus (15) for processing poultry bodies or parts thereof, wherein the holding apparatus (14) comprises a clamping device (16) which has a clamping hook (17) for fixing the poultry body or the part thereof, which clamping hook is configured to be pivotable by means of an actuating mechanism (18) about a rotational axis DK from a standby position into a clamping position and back, wherein the actuating mechanism (18) comprises an adjusting lever (19) which is configured to be pivotable about a rotational axis DS and can be brought into operative connection with an actuating member (20), which is arranged on the frame (11) along the transport path, for pivoting the adjusting lever (19) and thus for pivoting the clamping hook (17), wherein the holding apparatus (14), at least for the complete saddling of the poultry body or of the part thereof, is configured and adapted to be rotatable relative to the transport means (13) about an axis AH which runs perpendicular to the transport direction T, and to that end can be brought into operative connection with an actuating lever (24) which is arranged on the frame (11) along the transport path, and in that the rotational axis DS of the adjusting lever (19) is oriented perpendicular to the rotational axis DK of the clamping hook (17), wherein the actuating lever (24) for rotating the holding apparatus (14) is arranged before, in the transport direction T, the actuating member (20) for actuating the adjusting lever (19), wherein the holding apparatus (14) comprises a fastening body (25) and a supporting body (26) which is releasably fastened to the fastening body (25), wherein the fastening body (25) is rotatably mounted about the rotational axis AH by means of a shaft (27) in a bearing plate (28) fastened to the transport means (13) and comprises a rotating element (29), preferably a rotating cross, which spans a plane ED and, for rotation of the fastening body (25) and thus of the holding apparatus (14) about the axis AH, can be brought into operative connection with the actuating lever (24), wherein the adjusting lever (19) spanning a plane ES comprises an eccentric plate portion (33) and an adjusting portion (34), and the rotational axis DS of the adjusting lever (19) runs parallel to and spaced apart from the axis AH, wherein the adjusting lever (19) is pivotable relative to the rotating element (29) and the plane ES and the plane ED run substantially parallel to one another.

2. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 1, wherein the clamping hook (17) of the clamping device (16) is pivotably mounted on a holding structure (35), which in turn is connected to the fastening body (25), and the adjusting lever (19) and the clamping hook (17) are connected together by way of an adjusting rod (36), such that the adjusting rod (36) is connected at one end in an articulated and eccentric manner to the eccentric plate portion (33) of the adjusting lever (19) and is connected at the opposite end in an articulated manner to the clamping hook (17), such that the adjusting lever (19) for moving the clamping hook (17) is configured and adapted to be movable from a release position past a dead centre into a closed position and back.

3. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 2, wherein the adjusting lever (19) is spring-biased, wherein a spring element (40) is tensioned between the fastening body (25) and the adjusting lever (19), such that, both in the release position and in the closed position, the adjusting lever (19) is held in the respective position.

4. Transport apparatus (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein a saddling assist apparatus (46) is arranged after, in the transport direction T, the actuating lever (24) for rotating the holding apparatus (14) from a position oriented substantially vertical to the transport direction T into a position oriented substantially parallel to the transport direction T, which saddling assist apparatus comprises the actuating member (20) for actuating the adjusting lever (19).

5. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 4, wherein the actuating member (20) comprises a pivot lever (48) which is movable by means of a pneumatic cylinder (49) from a standby position into an actuating position and back, such that the adjusting lever (19) of the actuating mechanism (18) can be brought from a release position past a dead centre into a closed position.

6. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the saddling assist apparatus (46) comprises at least one impact plate (50) which projects into the transport path in a starting position and is spring-mounted, such that the impact plate (50) is movable against a spring force into a guiding position by any holding apparatus (14) having the poultry body or part thereof that is transported along the transport path.

7. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 6, wherein the impact plate (50) is arranged in the transport direction T approximately at the height of the actuating lever (24) for rotating the holding apparatus (14) and is held against an abutment (52) in its starting position by means of a spring element (51).

8. Transport apparatus (10) according to one or more of claims 4 to 7, wherein the saddling assist apparatus (46) comprises a pressing device (53) which has two spring-mounted pressure plates (54, 55) which are configured and adapted for guiding and / or holding the poultry body or the part thereof on the holding apparatus (14).

9. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 8, wherein the two pressure plates (54, 55) are synchronised in respect of movability towards one another and away from one another by way of a synchronous gear (56), wherein the two pressure plates (54, 55) are each held against an abutment (60, 61) in a standby position by a spring element (59).

10. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the pressure plates (54, 55) run in the transport direction T in two planes in such a manner that they are inclined relative to one another and converge.

11. Transport apparatus (10) according to one or more of claims 4 to 10, wherein the saddling assist apparatus (46) comprises a centring device (66) for centring the poultry body or part thereof on the holding apparatus (14), which centring device (66) has a forked element (67) which is arranged on a carrying frame (47) of the saddling assist apparatus (46) in such a manner that it can be deflected against the spring force of a spring element (68).

12. Transport apparatus (10) according to claim 11, wherein the forked element (67) has two bars (69, 70) which are arranged spaced apart from one another and are configured and adapted for centring a breastbone crest of the poultry body or part thereof to be transported.

13. Apparatus (15) for processing eviscerated poultry bodies or parts thereof, in particular front halves of the poultry bodies, comprising a transport apparatus (10) for transporting the poultry bodies or parts thereof along at least one processing station for processing the poultry bodies or parts thereof, and at least one processing station for processing the poultry bodies or parts thereof, wherein the transport apparatus (10) for transporting the poultry bodies or parts thereof is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 12.

14. Method for saddling and processing an eviscerated poultry body or a part thereof, in particular a front half of the poultry body, comprising the following steps: - placing the poultry body from the top down onto a substantially vertically oriented holding apparatus (14) of a transport apparatus (10) according to claim 4, - rotating the holding apparatus (14) and thus the poultry body or part thereof, which is still free, from the position oriented substantially vertical to the transport direction T into a position oriented substantially parallel to the transport direction T during transport of the poultry body or part thereof in the transport direction T along the transport path, - fixing the poultry body or the part thereof on the holding apparatus (14) by triggering a pivot movement of a clamping hook (17) from a standby position into a clamping position during transport in the transport direction T, and - processing the poultry body or part thereof during transport thereof at at least one processing station arranged along the transport path, wherein, before fixing and during fixing, the poultry body or the part thereof is centred centrally relative to the holding apparatus (14) in the region of a breastbone crest of the poultry body or of the part thereof by means of a centring device (66) of the saddling apparatus (46).

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein, during the rotation of the holding apparatus (14) and thus of the poultry body or part thereof from the vertical orientation into the horizontal orientation, the poultry body or the part thereof is held and guided by means of at least one impact plate (50) of the saddling assist apparatus (46).

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the poultry body or the part thereof, before fixing and during fixing, is pressed firmly and flatly onto the holding apparatus (14) by means of a pressing device (53) of the saddling assist apparatus (46).