Automated poultry plucking device

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated poultry (2) plucking device moved by a linear conveyor (3) from which the poultry (2) are suspended by their legs, the movement takes place along the X axis of an orthonormal XYZ frame.According to the invention, the device comprises a trolley (4) movable along the X-axis along the conveyor (3) and in a manner intended to be synchronized with that of the poultry (2). The trolley (4) comprises: - at least one tube (10) movable along the Y-axis and comprising at its lower end a tubular knife (11) for cutting the cloaca of a poultry bird, and connected at its upper end to means (12) for suctioning and evacuating the poultry viscera; - a thigh element (22) positioned directly above the tube and movable along the Z-axis from a neutral position to a working position to rest between the poultry's thighs and hold them apart; - means (23) for aligning the poultry's body in X and Y with respect to the tube, positioned directly above the thigh element (22). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Automated poultry plucking device technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of poultry plucking, that is, the action of removing the viscera from the poultry, and more specifically the intestines. The objective is to leave the heart, liver, and gizzard in place to obtain a plucked bird. Prior art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to carry out poultry plucking operations moved transversely by a linear conveyor from which the poultry are suspended by their legs so that their spine extends essentially vertically.

[0003] The operation consists of cutting the cloaca with a specific tubular knife and pulling on the intestine to remove it from inside the carcass.

[0004] To date this action is carried out either manually or semi-automatically for rates below 800 poultry per hour.

[0005] The resulting disadvantage is the incompatibility of this solution with production rates of around 800 poultry per hour, but also the necessary presence of an operator, with adequate training, to carry out the manual operations. Description of the invention

[0006] One of the aims of the invention is therefore to provide an automated poultry deveining device allowing for a rapid and efficient removal of the viscera, without contaminating the rest of the poultry, or the other poultry present on the line.

[0007] Another objective is to provide such a device with an industrial working rate, i.e. one which allows the plucking of about 800 poultry per hour.

[0008] Another objective is to provide such a device which can be operated by a single person.

[0009] For this purpose, an automated poultry plucking device has been developed, moved by a linear conveyor to which the poultry are suspended by their legs; the movement is carried out transversely and horizontally, that is to say along the X axis of an orthonormal XYZ frame where X is the horizontal direction and Y the vertical direction.

[0010] According to the invention, the device comprises a trolley that moves about the X-axis along the conveyor and in a manner intended to be synchronized with that of the poultry, and the trolley comprises: - at least one tube that can be moved along the Y-axis, that is, vertically, and comprising at a lower end a tubular knife for cutting the cloaca of a bird, the tube being connected at an upper end to means for suctioning and evacuating the viscera of the bird; - a thigh element positioned vertically above the tube and movable along the Z axis, i.e. in depth, from a neutral position to a working position, in particular towards the poultry, to come to rest between the thighs of the poultry and keep them apart; - means of alignment in X and Y, that is to say in the transverse direction and in depth, of the body of the poultry in relation to the tube, which are positioned vertically above the thigh element.

[0011] Thus, upon the arrival of a bird, the thigh element is moved inward to rest between the bird's thighs, keeping them separated with the cloaca correctly centered. The bird is then supported against the alignment means.

[0012] The mobile carriage moves forward in sync with the poultry, then the tube descends as it moves, so as to have a diagonal penetration stroke to achieve the tapering during the advance of the poultry.

[0013] In practice, suction is performed with the tube in its lowered position to aspirate the main viscera, particularly the intestines. The tube then rises and falls a second time to complete the tapering. The carriage and tubes then return to their original position.

[0014] The invention makes it possible to perform the plucking automatically, at a high rate since it is carried out synchronously with the movement of the poultry. The downtime of the device according to the invention is significantly reduced, or even eliminated.

[0015] The presence of the thigh element allows for reliable shredding, and the X and Y alignment means ensure clean, efficient, and repeatable shredding since these means maintain the poultry in a stable position aligned with the tube. If shredding is performed too close to the back of the poultry, there is a risk of damaging the carcass; if the tube penetrates the belly of the poultry, shredding is not performed.

[0016] According to a particular embodiment, the thigh element is mounted pivoting around the X axis to move from the substantially vertical storage position to the inclined working position towards the poultry.

[0017] The working position allows the body of the poultry to be held effectively, with the cloaca centered with the tube, and the storage position inclined behind the thigh element allows not to obstruct the rearward return of the mobile trolley.

[0018] The inner thigh element comprises, for example, two elongated and spread-apart arms one from the other to allow the tube to pass between them, and are folded at one end to rest around the cloaca of the poultry.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the carriage is mounted rolling on at least one transverse guide extending along the X axis, and preferably two guides with an upper guide and a lower guide, and is movable along the guide by means of a first motor driving the X movement of a first transmission element, such as a belt, attached to the carriage and mounted around two sprockets, one of which is driven in rotation by the first motor.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, the tube is attached to a rolling structure mounted on at least one vertical guide extending along the Y axis, and preferably on two parallel vertical guides, and is movable along the vertical guide by means of a second motor driving the Y-axis movement of a second transmission element, for example a belt, attached to the structure and mounted around two sprockets, one of which is driven in rotation by the second motor.

[0021] Advantageously, the carriage comprises two parallel and aligned tubes, connected to the same suction means, and whose tubular knives are driven in rotation by the same third motor.

[0022] In this way, the design is simplified, and the rate is doubled to reach 800 poultry per hour, 400 poultry / h per tube.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment, the alignment means are in the form of a lower piece and an upper piece, parallel to each other and extending along the X axis, the upper piece being positioned above the lower piece along the Y axis, and is removable, in particular to be removed when plucking male poultry, the lower and upper pieces each having a hollow shape, i.e. recessed along the Z axis, aligned with the tube and against which the body of the poultry is intended to come to rest.

[0024] Advantageously, the trolley also includes: - a protective cover mounted pivoting to move from a neutral position away from the tubular knife, to a protective and washing position in which the cover covers the tubular knife; - means of spraying water or an air / water mixture into the hood to clean the tubular knife.

[0025] Of course, in the case where the device comprises two tubes, each is subject to a protective cover.

[0026] Preferably, the hood is arranged at the lower end of an arm, the upper end of which is connected to the carriage and pivotally about an axis extending in Z; the arm includes a cam track within which moves a finger fixed in movement with the tube. The cam path tilts in the direction of the X axis away from the tube towards the upper end of the arm, so that the upward movement of the tube causes the hood to pivot into the protection and washing position.

[0027] In order to further automate the device according to the invention, the latter includes sensors for the presence of poultry suspension elements on the conveyor, and sensors for the presence of poultry, the sensors being positioned on the path of the linear conveyor, and are connected to a control unit for the movement of the trolley and the tube. Brief description of the drawings

[0028] [Fig-1] illustrates the device according to the invention in perspective and front view.

[0029] [Fig.2] illustrates the side device.

[0030] [Fig.3] shows the installation in perspective from behind, a protective casing having masked summer

[0031] [Fig.4] is a view illustrating the tubes, the suction means, the element of the thigh and the means of aligning poultry.

[0032] [Fig.5] is a detailed view of the inner thigh elements and the means poultry alignment.

[0033] [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.5], side view and without the poultry.

[0034] [Fig.7] is a detailed view of the tubular knives and protective covers.

[0035] [Fig.8] is a view illustrating in detail the means of movement of the mobile cart.

[0036] [Fig.9] is a view illustrating in detail the means of vertical movement of the tubes.

[0037] [Fig. 10] is a view illustrating the tubes connected by means of suction and driven by a common motor.

[0038] [Fig. 11] is a view illustrating the positioning of the sensors for detecting the presence of poultry suspension elements on the conveyor, and the sensors for detecting the poultry. Detailed description of the invention

[0039] With reference to figures 1 to 11, the invention relates to a device (1) enabling automated plucking, with a high rate of around 800 poultry per hour.

[0040] To do this, the poultry (2) are suspended by their legs from a linear conveyor (3) which successively passes the poultry (2) in front of a trimming station along an X axis of an orthonormal XYZ frame, where X is horizontal and Y is vertical.

[0041] In practice, the poultry (2) are suspended by their legs by means of suspension elements (not shown) including for example a hook connected to a trolley, itself attached to the linear conveyor (3).

[0042] The device (1) according to the invention comprises a carriage (4) movable about the X axis, and the along the conveyor (3), in particular to follow in a synchronized manner the movement of the poultry (2).

[0043] To do this, the carriage (4) is mounted to roll on two transverse guides (5), for example rails, extending along the X axis, of which there is an upper transverse guide and a lower transverse guide.

[0044] In particular, and with reference to [Fig. 8], the carriage (4) comprises a frame equipped with rollers (6) at the four corners, which are adapted to roll on guides (5) positioned internally within the frame. The assembly is moved by means of a first motor (7) driving the movement along the X-axis of a first transmission element (8) in the form of a belt attached to the frame of the carriage (4) and mounted around two sprockets, one of which is driven in rotation by the first motor (7).

[0045] With reference to [Fig. 10], the trolley (4) also includes two tubes (10) extending substantially along the vertical axis Y and parallel to each other along the axis X. Each tube (10) includes at its lower end a tubular knife (11) for cutting the cloaca of a bird, and is connected at its upper end to means (12) for suctioning and evacuating the bird's viscera. As can be seen in the figures, these evacuation means are preferably common to both tubes (10).

[0046] The tubular knives (11) are driven in rotation by means of a common motor (13) driving in rotation a transmission element (14), in particular a belt mounted around gears (15) fixed in rotation to each tubular knife (11).

[0047] With reference to [Fig. 9], and in order to lower the tubes (10) and perform the tapering operations, the tubes (10) are movable along the Y-axis, being attached to a frame (16) mounted to roll on two vertical guides (17). In practice, this frame also includes four rollers (18) at the four corners adapted to roll on the guides (17) positioned internally within the frame (16). The movement is achieved by means of a second motor (19) driving, for example indirectly, the Y-axis movement of a second transmission element (20) in the form of a belt attached to the frame (16) and mounted around two sprockets (21), one of which is driven in rotation by the second motor (19).

[0048] From the above, the device (1) comprises tubes (10) equipped with tubular knives (11) to carry out the shredding operations, movable in X to follow the movement of the poultry (2), and in Y to penetrate the cloaca and carry out the shredding.

[0049] With reference to Figures 5 and 6, to carry out the plucking operations, the poultry (2) arrive in practice two by two, each directly above one of the tubes (10), the trolley (4) includes thigh elements (22), positioned directly above the tubes (10) and movable along the Z axis from a neutral position to a working position (the one illustrated) to come into contact between the thighs of the poultry (2) and keep them apart.

[0050] These thigh elements (22) are integral with the structure of the trolley (4), that is to say they move only in X and not in Y, and are mounted pivotally, for example by means of a cylinder (23a), around an axis X to move from the substantially vertical storage position to the working position inclined towards the poultry.

[0051] These thigh elements (22) each comprise, for example, two elongated branches spread apart to allow the tubes (10) to pass between them, and folded at their free end to rest around the cloaca of the poultry. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends of the branches are joined together to form a U.

[0052] In order to correctly perform the shredding operation, the carriage (4) includes means (23) for aligning the poultry body in X and Y with the tube (10), positioned directly above the thigh element (22). If the poultry body is not correctly aligned with the tube (10), there is a risk of carcass damage or failure of the shredding operation.

[0053] According to the illustrated embodiment, these means (23) comprise a lower part and an upper part, for example in the form of metal strips, parallel to each other and extending along the X axis. The upper part is positioned above the lower part and is removable by means of a screw (24) in order to remove it to carry out the plucking operations on male poultry (2).

[0054] In practice, these two pieces (23) form a support for the carcass, and each has for this purpose a hollow shape (25), i.e. recessed along the Z axis, aligned with the tube (10), in which the body of the poultry is intended to come to rest.

[0055] With reference to [Fig. 11], the device (1) includes sensors (26) for the presence of the poultry suspension elements, i.e., the trolley attached to the linear conveyor (3), to determine the rate at which the plucking operations are performed, as well as sensors (27) for the presence of poultry (2), to trigger the operation only when a bird is detected. These sensors (26, 27) are connected to a control unit (not shown) for the movement of the trolley (4) and the tubes (10) so that when a trolley and a bird are detected, the X and Y movements of the tubes (10) are triggered. The tubes (10) therefore move along a diagonal path, from top left to bottom right, to penetrate the cloaca, suction the viscera, and perform the plucking operation. In practice, the trajectory of the tubes (10) is W-shaped since, once raised, the tubes (10) penetrate a second time into the cloaca to complete the tapering. The upward stroke is less than the total stroke of the tubes (10).

[0056] Of course the left and right directions can be reversed since the machine can operate in the other direction, without changing any part.

[0057] Then the tubes (10) rise and return to the top left in the original position, the tapered poultry (2) are evacuated by the conveyor (3).

[0058] In order not to hinder the return of the tubes (10) to the original position, the crotch elements (22) are pivoted into a storage position, substantially vertical.

[0059] The return to the original position of the tubes (10) must be carried out safely and allow the tubular knives (11) to be cleaned.

[0060] For this purpose and with reference to [Fig.7], the trolley (4) includes protective hoods (28) mounted pivoting to move from a neutral position away from the tubular knives (11), to a protective and washing position in which the hoods (28) each cover a tubular knife (11), and means for spraying (29) water or an air / water mixture into the hoods (28) to clean the tubular knives (11).

[0061] According to the illustrated embodiment, each hood (28) is arranged at the lower end of an arm (30) whose upper end is connected to the carriage (4) and pivotally about the Z axis.

[0062] Each arm (30) is for example in the form of a vertically extending piece, and openworked with a cam track (31) inside which moves a finger (32) fixed in movement with the structure of the tube (10).

[0063] From bottom to top, the cam tracks (31), or the arms (30), tilt in the direction of the X axis away from the tubes (10), so that the upward movement of the tubes (10) causes the hoods (28) to pivot into the protection and washing position, and the downward movement of the tubes (10) causes the hoods (28) to pivot into the neutral spread-away position.

[0064] In this way, when the tubes (10) descend to perform the thinning operations, the covers (28) are moved aside and do not interfere with the operation, and when the tubes (10) return to their upper storage position, the covers (28) come over the tubular knives (11) to ensure a safe return, i.e., without the risk of catching a bird, and also allow the spraying of water or an air / water mixture into the covers (28) to clean the tubular knives (11). The spraying means (29) are in the form of nozzles positioned in the bottom of the covers (28), and supplied by a hose connected to a water source and optionally an air source.

[0065] The cleaning is therefore carried out in the background on the return X of the tubes (10), and the protective covers (28) also prevent water from falling on other poultry (2), which could lead to cross-contamination. With reference to the [Fig.2], the assembly formed by the tubes (10), the thigh elements (22), the alignment means (23) and the hoods (28) is inclined towards the rear, that is to say around the X axis, to facilitate the flow of water towards reception and evacuation means (33), offset from the movement path of the poultry (2).

[0066] The control unit allows parameterization, for example, of the Y displacement of the tubes (10), in particular the displacement stroke to adapt to the different types and kinds of poultry (2) and / or to manage the rotation speed of the tubular knives (11).

[0067] Of course, the system includes an emergency stop button (34) and a human-machine interface (35) for adjusting the various parameters.

[0068] It follows from the foregoing that the invention provides an automated poultry (2) plucking device (1), enabling rapid and efficient removal of the viscera without risk of contaminating the rest of the poultry or other poultry (2) present on the line. The device (1) allows for an industrial working rate of plucking 800 poultry (2) per hour. The device (1) operates in a fully automated manner and can be monitored by a single operator, who does not necessarily need to be trained.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (1) for automated plucking of poultry (2) moved by a linear conveyor (3) from which the poultry (2) are suspended by their legs, the movement is carried out along the X axis of an orthonormal XYZ frame characterized in that it comprises a carriage (4) movable along the X axis along the conveyor (3) and in a movement intended to be synchronized with that of the poultry (2), the carriage (4) comprises: - at least one tube (10) movable along the Y axis and comprising at a lower end a tubular knife (11) for cutting the cloaca of a poultry, and being connected at an upper end to means (12) for suctioning and evacuating the viscera of the poultry; - a thigh element (22) positioned vertically above the tube and movable along the Z axis from a neutral position to a working position to come into contact between the thighs of the poultry and keep them apart;- means (23) for aligning the body of the poultry in X and Y with respect to the tube, positioned vertically above the thigh element (22).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner thigh element (22) is mounted pivotally about the X-axis to move from the substantially vertical storage position to the working position inclined towards the poultry.

3. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the thigh element (22) has two elongated branches separated from each other to allow the tube (10) to pass between them, and folded at one end to rest around the cloaca of the poultry.

4. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage (4) is mounted rolling on at least one transverse guide (5) extending along the X axis and movable along the guide (5) by means of a first motor (7) driving the X-axis movement of a first transmission element (8) attached to the carriage (4) and mounted around two pinions (9), one of which is driven in rotation by the first motor (7).

5. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube (10) is integral with a structure (16) mounted to roll on at least one vertical guide (17) extending along the Y-axis and movable along the vertical guide (17) by means of a second motor (19) driving the Y-axis movement of a second transmission element (20) attached to the structure and mounted around two pinions (21), one of which is driven in rotation by the second motor (19).

6. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage (4) comprises two parallel and aligned tubes (10), connected to the same suction means (12), and whose tubular knives (11) are driven in rotation by a common motor (13).

7. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the alignment means (23) are in the form of a lower piece and an upper piece, parallel to each other and extending along the X axis, the upper piece being positioned above the lower piece along the Y axis and is removable, the lower and upper pieces each having a recessed shape (25), i.e. set back along the Z axis, aligned with the tube against which the body of the poultry is intended to rest.

8. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the trolley (4) comprises: - a protective hood (28) mounted pivotally to move from a neutral position away from the tubular knife (11), to a protective and washing position in which the hood (28) covers the knife; - means for spraying (29) water or an air / water mixture into the hood (28) to clean the tubular knife (11).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the hood (28) is arranged at the lower end of an arm (30) the upper end of which is connected to the carriage (4) in a pivotal manner about an axis extending in Z, the arm (30) includes a cam track (31) inside which moves a finger (32) fixed in movement with the tube, the cam track (31) tilts along the X axis away from the tube towards the upper end of the arm (30) so that the upward movement of the tube causes the hood (28) to pivot into the protection and washing position.

10. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises sensors (26) for the presence of poultry suspension elements (2) on the conveyor (3), and sensors (27) for the presence of poultry (2), the sensors being positioned on the path of the linear conveyor (3), and are connected to a control unit for the movement of the trolley (4) and the tube (10).

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