Universal slaughtering machine for animals, especially cattle

Abstract

Universal slaughtering machine for animals, particularly cattle. The invention relates to a traditional and ritual slaughtering machine for animals, particularly cattle, comprising a barrel (3) mounted pivotally and delimiting a restraint compartment, the machine comprising an internal support (35) for the animal's head, extending inside the restraint compartment (13) and mounted pivotally, being controlled in pivoting by an actuator (37) to move from a lowered position to a raised position, the ceiling (9) comprising a support structure (51) on the animal,pivoting and pivot-controlled mounting by an actuator (52) capable of moving the support structure between a support position in which the support structure (51) is inclined inside the restraint compartment towards the internal support (35) to immobilize the animal's neck, and a retracted position in which the support structure (51) is located substantially in line with the fixed part. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 6.

Description

Title of the invention: Universal slaughtering machine for animals, particularly cattle technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of slaughtering meat animals and in particular cattle such as oxen, cows, bulls or calves, by ritual slaughter or traditional anesthesia. Previous technique

[0002] Prior art has proposed various slaughtering devices designed to immobilize the animal to allow its sacrifice according to traditional practice or slaughter to be carried out according to ritual rules.

[0003] French patent FR 2 632 491 describes an apparatus comprising a barrel or cylinder mounted pivotally about its central axis on a base. This barrel has a floor, a ceiling superimposed on the floor, and two side walls mounted on either side to delimit a restraint compartment closed by a rear wall forming an entrance for the animal and, on the opposite side, by a front wall. One of the side walls is pivotally mounted to allow the ejection of the slaughtered animal. The front wall has an opening for the animal's head to pass through. The animal's neck is held in position by means of a restraint element actuated by a hydraulic cylinder.

[0004] According to traditional practice, the barrel is set to rotate to allow the animal to be stunned. The barrel completes its half-turn to allow the animal, which is on its back, to be ejected. According to ritual slaughter, an additional device for holding the animal's head is activated to block the animal's muzzle and, once the barrel has completed a half-turn, allow the slaughterer complete freedom to act.

[0005] With the device described in this patent, the animal's head is positioned outside the restraint compartment, passing through the opening in the front wall. Consequently, positioning the animal in this way and ejecting the slaughtered animal are delicate operations to perform. Furthermore, during traditional slaughter, when the operator wants to stun the animal, only the animal's neck is restrained, which does not allow for a safe anesthetic procedure. Finally, this device is not designed to be adapted for slaughtering animals of different sizes, such as oxen, cows, bulls, and calves.

[0006] French patent FR 2 546 036 describes an apparatus comprising a barrel or cylinder mounted pivotally about its central axis on a base. This barrel comprises a A floor, a ceiling superimposed on the floor, and two side walls mounted on either side to delimit a restraint compartment closed by a rear wall forming an entrance for the animal and, on the opposite side, by a front wall. The front wall has a notch for the passage of the animal's head.

[0007] However, according to traditional practice, the animal's head remains inside the compartment, and the animal is struck through an opening in the barrel's ceiling. For ritual slaughter, the barrel is positioned so that the animal's head can pass through the opening in the front wall. A chin rest is operated on the outside of the front wall, allowing the animal's throat to be stretched.

[0008] It should be noted that, according to traditional practice, this device does not ensure that the animal's head is held securely inside the barrel, which makes the stunning procedure unsafe, and therefore this method of slaughter by stunning is not in accordance with animal welfare and operator safety. Furthermore, this device is not designed to be suitable for slaughtering animals of different sizes, such as oxen, cows, bulls, and calves. Description of the invention

[0009] The object of the invention aims to remedy the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a machine adapted to allow a stunning type slaughter in a ritual barrel, ensuring effective restraint of the animal, more particularly of the head inside the barrel, so as to guarantee effective stunning in accordance with animal welfare, and protecting the operator from the risk of being injured by a movement of the animal.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted to allow universal slaughter, both traditional and ritual, for animals of different sizes taken from, for example, oxen, cows, bulls and calves.

[0011] To achieve such an objective, the object of the invention relates to a traditional and ritual slaughter machine for animals, particularly cattle, comprising a base supporting a barrel mounted pivoting about its central axis and comprising a floor, a ceiling superimposed on the floor, and two side walls mounted on either side to delimit a restraint compartment closed by a rear wall forming an entrance for the animal and, on the opposite side, by a front wall delimiting an opening for the passage of the animal's head and having an external support for the animal's head. The machine includes an internal support for the animal's head, extending inside the restraint compartment at the level of the front wall and mounted pivoting, being controlled by an actuator to move from a lowered position to a raised position. The ceiling includes a part fixed and a support structure on the animal, mounted pivoting around an axis transverse to the front-back direction of the restraint compartment, the support structure being controlled in pivoting by an actuator capable of moving the support structure between a support position for which the support structure is inclined inside the restraint compartment towards the internal support to block the neck of the animal and a retracted position for which the support structure is located substantially in line with the fixed part.

[0012] According to an advantageous feature, the support structure is mounted to occupy a retracted position during ritual slaughter, for which the support structure at least partially closes an access window to the animal's head.

[0013] Advantageously, the support structure is equipped with a sliding and moved stop, which is moved by an actuator allowing the distance of the stop relative to the internal support to be adjusted in the support position.

[0014] According to another feature, the support structure includes a sliding part provided at its free end with a stop and moved during ritual slaughter by the actuator in the retracted position to close at least part of the access window.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment, the internal support is supported by a sliding wall controlled by an actuator to adjust the height of the internal support.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the internal support is provided with a connecting arm passing through the opening in the front wall and provided with a pivot axis cooperating with guides carried by the front wall, outside the containment compartment.

[0017] Advantageously, the internal support is mounted as a unit with the external support so that the external support is pivoted when the control actuator ensures that the internal support moves from a lowered position to a raised position.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the internal support is mounted removable relative to the external support.

[0019] Advantageously, the connecting rod and the arm of the internal support on the one hand and the guides and the pivot axis of the internal support on the other hand include a removable assembly system allowing the removal of the internal support. Brief description of the drawings

[0020] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of a slaughtering machine according to the invention.

[0021] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view from the rear of the slaughtering machine according to the invention.

[0022] [Fig.3] The [Fig.3] is a simplified perspective view showing the slaughtering machine according to the invention.

[0023] [Fig.4] Fig.4 is a simplified plan view showing the slaughtering machine in accordance with the invention illustrated, pending during a traditional slaughter.

[0024] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a simplified plan view showing the slaughtering machine according to the invention illustrated in effective position during a traditional slaughter of a bovine.

[0025] [Fig.6] Fig.6 is a simplified perspective view showing the slaughtering machine according to the invention during traditional slaughter, illustrated in the same position as in Fig.5.

[0026] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a simplified plan view showing the slaughtering machine according to the invention illustrated in effective position during a traditional slaughter of a calf.

[0027] [Fig.8] Fig.8 is a simplified perspective view showing the slaughtering machine according to the invention during traditional slaughter, illustrated in the same position as in Fig.7.

[0028] [Fig.9] Fig.9 is a simplified perspective view showing the slaughtering machine according to the invention during a ritual slaughter. Description of the implementation methods

[0029] As can be seen from the figures, the object of the invention relates to a universal slaughtering machine or equipment for animals, in particular for cattle, commonly called a slaughter box 1. As will be explained in the rest of the description, this slaughter box 1 is suitable for ritual slaughter and traditional stunning-type slaughter, in particular of cattle such as oxen, cows, bulls and calves.

[0030] This slaughter box 1 comprises a base 2 supporting a barrel 3 mounted to pivot about its central axis in a direction of rotation represented by arrow f in [Fig. 1]. The barrel 3 comprises a vertical front ring 4 and a vertical rear ring 5 joined by a bracing structure 6 on which rests a floor 8, a ceiling 9 superimposed on the floor 8, and first and second side walls 11, 12 mounted on either side of the floor and ceiling to delimit a restraint compartment 13 for an animal. This restraint compartment 13 is closed by a front wall 15 and, at the opposite end, by a rear wall such as a guillotine door 16 forming an entrance for the animal. The front and rear of the slaughter box are defined in relation to the direction of entry of the animals while the ceiling 9 and the floor 8 are defined in relation to the positioning of the animal inside the box during traditional slaughter in a standing position.

[0031] Conventionally, this barrel 3 also includes an animal restraint system 17, formed by a pivoting part of the first side wall 11 actuated transversely by a cylinder and equipped with a push-out gate 18 for the animal. This barrel 3 also includes an ejection system 19 for the slaughtered animal comprising by example the second movable side wall 12 operated by a jack to open and eject the bovine after tilting of a false floor forming part of the floor 8.

[0032] This barrel 3 is supported by rollers 21 mounted on the base 2 and is driven in rotation around its axis, by a rotation drive system 22 comprising for example, an output pinion 22a of a geared motor controlled by driving a chain 22b cooperating with attachment points 22c distributed over the circumference of the barrel.

[0033] The various characteristics of the slaughter box 1 described above are not detailed more precisely because they are well known in the prior art and are not specifically part of the subject matter of the invention.

[0034] The front wall 15 is provided with an opening 30 adapted to allow, during ritual slaughter, the passage of the animal's head out of the restraint compartment 13. In the illustrated example, the opening 30 is delimited between a notch 31 provided in the front wall 15 and a superimposed cap 32 mounted to slide vertically and moved by actuators to block the head of the bovine from above, during ritual slaughter.

[0035] According to the invention, the machine 1 comprises an external support 34 for the animal's head mounted to extend outside the restraint compartment 13 and an internal support 35 for the animal's head mounted to extend inside the restraint compartment 13 at the level of the front wall 15. The external support 34 is adapted for use during ritual slaughter, while the internal support 35 is adapted for use during traditional stunning-type slaughter. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the external support 34 is in the form of a chin rest having two lateral arms 34a connecting to a central sector 34b. This external support 34 allows the animal's throat to be stretched for ritual slaughter. The internal support 35 is made in the illustrated example, in the form of a head-locking channel for the animal into which the animal's head is engaged.Of course, the external support 34 and the internal support 35 can be made differently from the examples illustrated in the drawings.

[0036] According to an advantageous embodiment, the internal support 35 is removable so that it can be taken down during ritual slaughter to allow the animal's head to be positioned outside the restraint compartment 13 without risk of injury to the animal. Conversely, during conventional slaughter, the external support 34 remains in place since its positioning outside the restraint compartment 13 does not interfere with the placement of the animal's head on the internal support 35. According to another advantageous embodiment, the external support 34 is positioned to partially obstruct the opening 30 during conventional slaughter, as will be described later.

[0037] Advantageously, the internal support 35 is pivotally mounted and is pivotally controlled by an actuator 37 to move from a lowered position ([Fig. 4]), allowing the animal to advance to the front wall 15 without being obstructed by the internal support 35, to a raised position ([Fig. 5]), allowing the animal's head to be held in the position suitable for traditional slaughter. In the lowered position, the internal support 35 is located along the front wall 15, while in the raised position, the internal support 35 extends substantially horizontally from the front wall 15. The actuator 37, such as a hydraulic cylinder, is mounted on the front wall 15, and more specifically on its outer face, so as to be located outside the restraint compartment 13.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the internal support 35 and the external support 34 are fixed together. The external support 34 is pivoted when the actuator 37 moves the internal support 35 from a lowered position to a raised position, as illustrated in the figures. According to an advantageous embodiment, the internal support 35 and the external support 34 are mounted such that, in the lowered position of the internal support 35 ([Fig. 5]), the external support 34 is positioned to partially obstruct the opening 30 to prevent the animal from sticking its head out through the opening 30. In this position, the base of the lateral arms 34a of the external support rises substantially in line with the opening 30.

[0039] According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 37 acts on a pivot axis 34c extending on either side of the lateral arms 34a of the external support 34. This pivot axis 34c is guided in rotation within bearings 38 mounted on the outer face of the front wall 15. The pivot axis 34c is integral with a connecting rod 37a, which is rotated by the actuator 37. Rotating the pivot axis 34c of the external support 34 causes the external support 34, as well as the internal support 35, to pivot.

[0040] To this end, the internal support 35 is provided, on the side of the front wall 15, with a connecting arm 39 passing through the opening 30 in the front wall and provided on each side with a rotation axis 39a cooperating with guides 41 carried by the front wall 15, on the outer face so as to be located outside the containment compartment 13. The free end of the connecting arm 38 is connected by a connecting rod 43 to the external support 34 and more specifically to the central sector 34b. It should be noted that the internal support 35 rotates about the rotation axis 39a while the external support 34 rotates about the pivot axis 34c, the offset between these axes being compensated by the connecting rod 43 between the external support 34 and the internal support 35.

[0041] According to an advantageous embodiment, the connecting rod 43 and the external support 34 on the one hand, and the guides 41 and the axis of rotation 39a of the internal support 35 on the other hand, are mounted together using a removable assembly system 45 allowing the support to be removed from the external support 34. internal 35, connecting arm 38 and also connecting rod 43 in the illustrated example. For example, each removable assembly system 45 has a Beta-type pin engaged in a bore provided on one side, in the guides 41 to allow the removal of the rotation axis 39a and on the other side, in the connecting rod 43 and the external support 34 to allow the connecting rod 43 to be separated from the external support 34. Figure 9, which illustrates the box configured for ritual slaughter, shows the external support 35 alone since the internal support is removed.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment, the front wall 15 is slidably mounted in guides 46 and controlled by a linear actuator 48 to adjust the height of the internal support 35 and the external support 34. This front wall 15 is slidably mounted relative to a fixed transverse wall 15a to which the guides 46 are fixed. In the embodiment, the bearings 38 for guiding the pivot axis 34c of the external support 34, on the one hand, and the guides 41 for guiding the rotation axis 39a of the internal support 35, on the other hand, are fixed to the outer face of the sliding front wall 15 so that the height of the external support 34 and the internal support 35 is adjustable. The sliding mounting of the front wall 15 allows the height of the internal support 35 and the external support 34 to be adjusted and thus adapted to the size of the animals.

[0043] According to another feature of the invention, the ceiling 9 of the slaughter box 1 comprises a fixed part 50 and a support structure 51 on the animal, mounted pivotally about an axis Y transverse to the front-back direction of the restraint compartment 13 ([Fig.6]). The support structure 51 includes a transverse wall 51a provided with the pivot axis Y which is guided in rotation in longitudinal members 6a of the bracing structure 6 delimiting the ceiling 9. The support structure 51 is controlled in pivoting by a pivoting actuator 52 capable of moving the support structure 51 between a support position for which the support structure is inclined inside the restraint compartment 13 in the direction of the internal support 35 to block the neck of the animal and a retracted position for which the support structure 51 is located substantially in the extension of the fixed part 50.In the retracted position, the support structure 51 and the fixed part 50 extend in a substantially horizontal plane (figures 1 and 4).

[0044] The pivoting actuator 52, such as a cylinder whose body 52a is mounted by a pivot joint on the fixed part 50, is suitable for tilting the support structure 51 downwards to allow the animal to be restrained from above, between the internal support 35 and the support structure. It should be noted that the tilting angle of the support structure 51 is adjustable. Typically, the tilting angle of the support structure 51 is approximately 45°.

[0045] According to an advantageous embodiment, the support structure 51 is equipped with a stop 54 adapted to bear against the animal's neck and includes, for example, two pads made of elastic material. Advantageously, the stop 54 is mounted to slide by being moved by a linear actuator 55, allowing, in the support position, adjustment of the distance of the stop 54 relative to the internal support 35. According to an advantageous embodiment, this stop 54 is fixed to the free end of a sliding part 56 moved by the linear actuator 55. In the illustrated example, this sliding part 56 comprises two juxtaposed slides guided in two supports 57 supported by the transverse wall 51a. For example, a cross member 58 is mounted between the longitudinal members 6a of the bracing structure 6, ensuring a stop position for the support structure 51 and, more specifically, for the supports 57.

[0046] Thus, for traditional stunning, the linear actuator 55 can be controlled to ensure an extension stroke of the stop 54 adapted to the size of a calf ([Fig.7]) or to allow a limited extension stroke of the stop to come into contact with a bovine ([Fig.5]).

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment, the support structure 51 is adapted to allow, during traditional slaughter, a window 59 in the front wall to provide access to the animal's head for stunning. As can be seen more specifically in [Fig. 5], this window 59 is located above the internal support 35. According to an advantageous feature, the support structure 51 is adapted so that, in its retracted position during ritual slaughter, it at least partially closes the access window 59. For this purpose, the linear actuator 55 is controlled to bring the stop 54 into a position close to the front face 15 ([Fig. 9]). It follows that the sliding part 56 and the stop 54 partially close the window 59, allowing it to serve as a support for the animal's back during ritual slaughter as will be explained later in the description.

[0048] Of course, the slaughter box 1 according to the invention includes a control unit of all types known in itself, adapted to control the different equipment and actuators according to the type of slaughter to be carried out.

[0049] The implementation of the slaughter box 1 according to the invention follows directly from the preceding description. The positioning of the animal in the restraint compartment 13 is carried out according to conventional rules, considering that during traditional slaughter, the animal's head remains inside the restraint compartment, whereas during ritual slaughter, the animal's head passes through the opening 30 of the front door.

[0050] During traditional slaughter, the front door 15 is positioned at a height that prevents the animal's head from passing through the opening 30. Advantageously, the front door 15 is positioned according to the size of the animal so that the The internal support 35 is positioned at the correct height to receive the animal's head. To achieve this, the linear actuator 48 is controlled to adjust the height of the internal support 35. The actuator 37 is also controlled to lower the support 35 into its lowered position ([Fig. 4]). In this lowered position, the external support 34 partially obstructs the opening 30, causing the animal to advance its head to the front wall 15 so that the animal's head is positioned above the internal support 35. The animal is then fully positioned inside the restraint compartment 13.

[0051] When the animal is in position, the actuator 37 is actuated so that the internal support 35 moves from its lowered position to its raised position to restrain the animal's head. The pivoting actuator 52 is also actuated to pivot the support structure 51 so as to clamp the animal's head, and more specifically its neck, between the stop 54 and the internal support 35. Depending on the size of the animal, the linear actuator 55 can be actuated to adjust the position of the stop 54 relative to the internal support 35. In this position, the animal's head is held tightly to ensure effective stunning through the access window 59, in accordance with animal welfare standards, and to protect the operator from the risk of injury due to the animal's movement. During this operation, the animal is restrained inside the barrel 3 by conventional restraint systems.

[0052] During ritual slaughter, the internal support 35 is disassembled to allow the passage of the animal's head through the opening 30. For this purpose, the Beta type pins 45 are removed from the guides 41 to allow the removal of the rotation axis 39a and between the connecting rod 43 and the external support 34 to remove the connecting rod 43, the connecting arm 38 and the internal support 35.

[0053] The front door 15 is positioned according to the size of the animal so that the external support 34 is positioned at the correct height to receive the animal's head. The actuator 37 is controlled so that the external support 34 occupies its raised position to support the animal's head, which is held in place by the cap 32. The linear actuator 55 of the support structure 51 is extended to at least partially close the window 59 ([Fig. 9]). The barrel 3 is rotated through a range of 90° or 180° to perform the ritual slaughter. In this inverted position, the animal's back rests against the ceiling 9, which is closed by the fixed part 50 and the support structure 51, and in particular, the stop 54 and the sliding part 56.

Claims

1.

2.

3. Demands A traditional and ritual slaughter machine for animals, particularly cattle, comprising a base (2) supporting a barrel (3) mounted pivoting about its central axis and comprising a floor (8), a ceiling (9) superimposed on the floor and two side walls (11, 12) mounted on either side to delimit a restraint compartment (13) closed by a rear wall (16) forming an entrance door for the animal and, on the opposite side, by a front wall (15) delimiting an opening (30) for the passage of the animal's head and having an external support (34) for the animal's head, the ceiling (9) comprising a fixed part (50) and a support structure (51) on the animal, characterized in that: - the machine includes an internal support (35) for the animal's head, extending inside the restraint compartment (13) at the level of the front wall and mounted to pivot, being controlled in pivoting by an actuator (37) to move from a lowered position to a raised position, -The support structure (51) is pivotally mounted about a transverse axis (Y) to the front-to-back direction of the restraint compartment. Its pivoting is controlled by an actuator (52) capable of moving the support structure between a supported position, in which the support structure (51) is inclined inside the restraint compartment towards the internal support, and a retracted position, in which the support structure (51) is located substantially in line with the fixed part. It is mounted to define an access window (59) to the animal's head to allow slaughter by stunning. The support structure (51) includes a sliding part (56) provided at its free end with a stop (54) moved by an actuator (55). In the inclined position of the support structure, the distance of the stop (54) relative to the internal support (35) can be adjusted to restrain the animal's neck. hidden away,to at least partially close the access window (59) to the animal's head during ritual slaughter. Machine according to the preceding claim wherein the stop (54) of the support structure (51) which rests on the neck of the animal to block it comprises two pads. Machine according to one of the preceding claims, whereby the internal support (35) is supported by the front wall (15) which is mounted to slide and is controlled by an actuator (48) to adjust the height of the internal support.

4. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the internal support (35) is provided with a connecting arm (39) passing through the opening (30) in the front wall and provided with a pivot axis (39a) cooperating with guides (41) carried by the front wall, outside the containment compartment.

5. Machine according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the internal support (35) is mounted integrally with the external support (34) such that the pivoting of the internal support (35) by the control actuator (37) ensures the pivoting of the external support (34).

6. Machine according to the preceding claim wherein the external support (34) at least partially closes the opening (30) when the internal support (35) is in its lowered position.

7. Machine according to any one of claims 5 or 6 wherein the internal support (35) is mounted removably relative to the external support (34).

8. Machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the external support (34) has a pivot axis (34c) on which the control actuator (37) acts, the external support (34) being connected to the arm (39) of the internal support (35) by a connecting rod (43).

9. Machine according to the preceding claim wherein the connecting rod (43) and the arm (39) of the internal support (35) on the one hand and the guides (41) and the pivot axis (39a) of the internal support on the other hand comprise a removable assembly system (45) allowing the removal of the internal support (35).

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