Poultry processor

Abstract

To provide a poultry processor which can improve the yield of a meat part of a neck of a poultry carcass.SOLUTION: A poultry processor of one embodiment comprises a scraper part for separating a meat part around a shoulder blade of a poultry carcass which is held at a holding tool from the shoulder blade, and an incision blade having a blade tip extending toward a direction which separates from the holding tool as progressing toward an upstream side of a progress direction in which the scraper part progresses toward the holding tool when separating the meat part from the shoulder blade, and incising a skin between the shoulder blades at the meat part which rides on the scraper part by the blade tip.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a poultry processing apparatus for slaughtering and processing poultry carcasses comprising poultry such as chickens. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, in the process of butchering poultry carcasses such as chickens and separating the meat from the bones, the poultry carcasses are pre-processed by removing the feathers and blood, removing the internal organs (evisceration), and then butchering and deboning. This butchering and deboning process is inefficient when done by hand, so efforts are being made to automate it (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6216056 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The scapular muscle cutting device described in the above-mentioned patent document can separate the meat around the scapula of a poultry carcass from the scapula. After the meat around the scapula is separated from the scapula in this way, the skin between the scapula is cut open from the outside of the meat. During this process, there is a risk of damaging the neck meat of the poultry carcass. If the damaged part of the neck meat is cut and removed, the remaining part of the neck meat may be significantly cracked, which may reduce the commercial value of the neck meat.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure has an object to provide a poultry processing apparatus that can improve the yield of neck meat of poultry carcasses. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) At least one embodiment of the poultry processing apparatus according to the present disclosure comprises: a scraper portion for separating a meat portion around a shoulder blade of a poultry carcass held by the holding tool from the shoulder blade; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending in a direction away from the holder as the scraper moves toward the upstream side of the moving direction of the scraper toward the holder when separating the meat portion from the scapula, the cutting blade being used to cut the skin between the scapulae in the meat portion that has climbed onto the scraper portion with the cutting edge; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0007] At least one embodiment of the present disclosure can improve yield and quality of neck meat from poultry carcasses. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a poultry processing apparatus according to one embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an incision making portion according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pair of scraper members. [Figure 4B] 4B is a perspective view of the pair of scraper members as viewed from a different direction than in FIG. 4A. [Diagram 5] 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the flesh around the scapula is separated from the scapula by the incision section, and how the skin between the scapula is incised. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Figure 7A] 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of raising the head shifting section by the posture adjustment device. FIG. [Figure 7B] 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of raising the head shifting section by the posture adjustment device. FIG. [Figure 7C] 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of raising the head shifting section by the posture adjustment device. FIG. [Figure 7D]13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of raising the head shifting section by the posture adjustment device. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of components described as the embodiments or shown in the drawings are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. For example, expressions expressing relative or absolute configuration, such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," "concentric," or "coaxial," not only strictly express such a configuration, but also express a state in which there is a relative displacement with a tolerance or an angle or distance to the extent that the same function is obtained. For example, expressions indicating that things are in an equal state, such as "identical," "equal," and "homogeneous," not only indicate a state of strict equality, but also indicate a state in which there is a tolerance or a difference to the extent that the same function is obtained. For example, expressions describing shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape do not only refer to rectangular shapes, cylindrical shapes, etc. in the strict geometric sense, but also refer to shapes that include uneven portions, chamfered portions, etc., to the extent that the same effect is obtained. On the other hand, the expressions "comprise," "include," "have," "includes," or "have" of one element are not exclusive expressions excluding the presence of other elements.

[0010] FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a poultry processing apparatus according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the incision making portion according to one embodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. Poultry processing device 10 is equipped with an endless chain conveyor 12 arranged horizontally. The starting end of chain conveyor 12 is wound around a drive sprocket 14, which is driven by a motor 16. In the drawing, the outgoing path of chain conveyor 12 moves in the direction of arrow a. The terminal end of endless chain conveyor 12 is wound around a driven sprocket (not shown). A plurality of fixing jigs 20 called "cones" are attached at equal intervals to the chain conveyor 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper half of the fixing jig 20 has a cone shape and is installed vertically to the chain conveyor 12, but is configured to be inclined as necessary during transportation. The chain conveyor 12 forms a transport path for the fixture 20, and the fixture 20 is transported along this transport path.

[0011] Poultry carcasses (hereinafter referred to as "workpieces") w of poultry, for example chickens, whose legs have been separated and gutted in the pre-processing step, leaving only the upper body, are placed and fixed on each fixing jig 20 by an operator at the start end of the chain conveyor 12. The workpieces w are placed and held on the fixing jig 20 with the breast portion facing the upstream or downstream side of the conveying direction (the downstream side of the conveying direction in the illustrated embodiment). The fixing jig 20 is also referred to as a holder. In the exemplary embodiment, a conveying distance detection unit is provided for detecting the conveying distance of the fixture 20 from a reference point of the chain conveyor 12 . The conveying distance detection unit is configured, for example, with an encoder 18 that is provided in the motor 16 and detects the cumulative number of rotations of the motor 16. By measuring the cumulative number of rotations of the motor 16 with the encoder 18, it is possible to detect, for example, the amount of movement (conveying distance) of each fixing jig 20 from the motor position, with the motor position being used as a reference point.

[0012] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 10, a creasing station 22 is provided above the chain conveyor 12. The incision making section 22 includes a scraper section 24 that is arranged above the chain conveyor 12 so as to be able to move up and down, a drive device for moving the scraper section 24 in the vertical direction, a cutting blade 60 attached to the scraper section 24, and a posture adjustment device 40. The drive device is composed of, for example, a servo motor 26 supported on a support base 28, as shown in Fig. 2. The servo motor 26 rotates a screw shaft 26a that vertically penetrates a support base 36. A movable block 30 that slides on the screw shaft 26a as the screw shaft 26a rotates is provided on the screw shaft 26a. One end of a bracket 32 ​​is rotatably attached to the movable block 30 via a shaft 32a, and the scraper portion 24 hangs down from the other end.

[0013] In an exemplary configuration, the creasing portion 22 includes a scraper portion 24 and an elastic support portion that elastically supports the incision blade 60 attached to the scraper portion 24 so that the incision blade 60 can be moved backward downstream in the transport direction of the workpiece w. The elastic support portion is composed of an air cylinder 34 fixed to the support base 28, and a piston rod 34a of the air cylinder 34 penetrates the support base 28 downward and is connected to the end of the bracket 32 ​​on the side to which the scraper portion 24 is fixed. As a result, when a reaction force of a certain level or more is applied to the scraper portion 24 from the workpiece w, the scraper portion 24 can escape to the downstream side in the conveying direction (in the direction of the arrow b). The incision making unit 22 is configured to operate the servo motor 26 to lower the scraper unit 24 and the incision blade 60 attached to the scraper unit 24 in synchronization with the timing when the workpiece w fixed to the fixing jig 20 arrives at the meat separation position below the scraper unit 24, and move the scraper unit 24 along the scapular surface of the workpiece w. In the exemplary embodiment, a synchronizing device (not shown) is provided that enables the operation of the scraper unit 24 based on the detection value detected by the encoder 18. With this configuration, when the workpiece w reaches the meat separating position, the meat around the scapula is separated from the scapula by the scraper portion 24, and the skin between the scapula is cut by the cutting blade 60. The scraper portion 24 and the cutting blade 60 will be described in detail later.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the scraper unit 24 is composed of a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b arranged on both sides of a center line C (see FIG. 3) passing through the center of the fixed jig 20 along the transport path of the fixed jig 20 formed by the chain conveyor 12. The scraper members 24a and 24b are formed, for example, in the shape of long plates, and are arranged in a direction such that the distance between them gradually narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction (direction of arrow a) of the workpiece w. When the scraper members 24a and 24b having such a shape are lowered, they come into contact with the surface of the scapula of the workpiece w, and the meat adhering to the surface of the scapula can be separated from the scapula with good yield.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a reinforcing bar 48 is provided adjacent to the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b.

[0016] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b when viewed from a direction different from that of FIG. 4A. In the illustrated embodiment, one scraper member 24a of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b has a scraper member main body portion 25a formed in the shape of a flat, long plate, and a back plate portion 25c extending from the downstream end of the scraper member main body portion 25a in the transport direction (direction of arrow a) of the workpiece w toward the other scraper member 24b of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b. The other scraper member 24b of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b has a scraper member main body 25b formed in the shape of a flat, long plate.

[0017] As clearly shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the lower end faces 251a and 251b of a pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b are formed so as to extend toward the downstream side in the conveying direction (direction of arrow a) of the workpiece w as they extend upward. In addition, the lower end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b are located downstream of the traveling direction (direction of arrow c) in which the scraper portion 24 advances toward the fixing jig 20 when separating the meat portion from the scapula.

[0018] As described later, when the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b enter the workpiece w, they enter from the end portions 252a and 252b on the upstream side in the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the workpiece w among the lower end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b. Therefore, if the end faces 251a and 251b are formed to extend toward the downstream side in the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the workpiece w as they move upward, the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b can easily enter the workpiece w. This makes it easier for the pair of scraper members to reach the surface of the shoulder blade when separating the meat portion from the shoulder blade, and improves the yield of the separated meat portion.

[0019] As clearly shown in Figures 4A and 4B, cutting edges 253a and 253b are formed only in a portion R1 of the lower end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 251b, including the ends 252a and 252b upstream of the conveying direction (direction of arrow a) of the workpiece w. As described above, when the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b enter the workpiece w, they enter from the end portions 252a and 252b on the upstream side in the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the workpiece w among the lower end faces 251a and 251b. Therefore, the meat portion can be cut by the cutting edges 253a and 253b formed on the end portions 252a and 252b, so that the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b can easily enter the workpiece w. As a result, when the meat portion is separated from the scapula, the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b can easily reach the surface of the scapula, and the yield of the separated meat portion can be improved. In addition, since the cutting edges 253a and 253b are not formed in the region R2 of the lower end faces 251a and 251b other than the region R1, there is less risk of scraping the scapula by the region R2. This reduces the risk of the scapula being scraped and adhering to the flesh as a foreign object.

[0020] A cutting blade 60 for cutting the skin between the shoulder blades and a meat guide portion 70 are attached to the back plate portion 25c. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the meat wm around the scapula wb is separated from the scapula wb by the incision making section 22, and how the skin ws between the scapula wb is incised. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade 60 has a cutting edge 61 that extends upward, i.e., toward the upstream side of the traveling direction (direction of arrow c) in which the scraper portion 24 moves toward the fixed jig 20 when separating the flesh portion wm from the scapula wb, and in a direction away from the fixed jig 20, i.e., toward the downstream side of the transport direction of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a).

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the meat guide portion 70 has a plate-shaped member 71 that is located on the opposite side of the incision blade 60 across the scraper portion 24 and is arranged to overlap the scraper portion 24 when viewed from the downstream side of the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the workpiece w. This member 71 is arranged so that at least a part of the region is located upstream of the incision blade 60 in the above-mentioned traveling direction (arrow c direction) when viewed from the downstream side of the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the workpiece w. Also, as shown clearly in FIG. 4B, the member 71 is arranged so that at least a part of the region is located on one side and the other side of the thickness direction (arrow d direction) of the incision blade 60 across the incision blade 60.

[0022] By lowering the scraper portion 24 and the cutting blade 60 attached to the scraper portion 24 and moving the scraper portion 24 along the surface of the scapula wb of the workpiece w, the pair of scraper member main bodies 25a and 25b separate the meat portion wm with skin from the scapula wb, as shown in Figure 5. The attached flesh wm separated from the scapula wb rides up onto the pair of scraper member body parts 25a and 25b, is guided between the pair of scraper member body parts 25a and 25b and the flesh guide part 70, and is cut by the cutting blade 60.

[0023] According to the poultry processing apparatus 10 described above, the skin ws between the shoulder blades wb of the meat portion wm that has climbed onto the scraper portion 24 can be cut from the inside of the work w by the incision blade 60. This makes it difficult to damage the meat portion of the neck portion wn of the work w, thereby improving the yield and quality of the meat portion of the neck portion wn of the work w. Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned poultry processing apparatus 10, the process of separating the meat wm around the scapula wb from the scapula wb and the process of incising the skin ws between the scapula wb, which were previously performed in two steps, can be performed in one step, thereby improving the processing efficiency of the workpiece w.

[0024] In the poultry processing apparatus 10 described above, the incision blade 60 is fixed to the scraper portion 24 . This makes it possible to easily cut the skin ws between the shoulder blades wb in the flesh part wm that has climbed onto the scraper portion 24.

[0025] In the poultry processing apparatus 10 described above, the scraper unit 24 includes a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b spaced apart in a direction intersecting the traveling direction (the direction of arrow c). The incision blade 60 is fixed to one of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b (scraper member 24a in the illustrated embodiment). This allows the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b to be positioned in accordance with the position and orientation of the scapula wb of the workpiece w, so that when the meat portion wm is separated from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can be reliably made to conform to the surface of the scapula wb. This improves the yield of the separated meat portion wm.

[0026] In the above-described poultry processing apparatus 10, when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, the meat portion wm with the skin ws attached can be guided to the incising blade 60 by the meat guide portion 70, thereby improving the reliability of the incision of the skin ws between the scapula wb by the incising blade 60.

[0027] (Regarding the attitude adjustment device 40) FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, the poultry processing apparatus 10 is provided with a posture adjustment device 40 that is located upstream of the scraper unit 24 in the conveying direction (direction of arrow a) of the workpiece w and that raises the neck portion wn of the workpiece w. The posture adjustment device 40 is located above the path along which the fixing jig 20 moves and has a guide member 41 for guiding the neck portion wn of the workpiece w, and a tapered passage 42 that is located above the path and downstream of the guide member 41 in the conveying direction (direction of arrow a) and has a passage width Pw that narrows toward the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0028] That is, the poultry carcass posture adjustment device 40 comprises a fixing jig 20, which is a holder for holding the poultry carcass (work w) from the inside when inserted inside the poultry carcass (work w), a guide member 41 which is located above the trajectory along which the fixing jig 20 moves and for guiding the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (work w), and a tapered passage 42 which is located above the trajectory and downstream in the movement direction of the fixing jig 20 relative to the guide member 41, and whose passage width Pw narrows towards the downstream side in the movement direction.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide member 41 has a pair of first plate members 41a and 41b spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction (direction of arrow a) of the workpiece w. The pair of first plate members 41a and 41b are arranged such that the distance between the first plate members 41a and 41b narrows from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction of the workpiece w. A pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b for forming the tapered passage 42 are connected to the downstream sides of the pair of first plate members 41a and 41b in the transport direction, respectively.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b each extend parallel to the conveying direction (arrow a direction) toward the downstream side in the conveying direction. In the illustrated embodiment, a protruding plate portion 43 is attached to one of the pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b, that is, the second plate portion 42a. The protruding plate portion 43 is formed such that the distance between the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b of the pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b becomes narrower as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction. Therefore, the tapered passage 42 is formed such that the passage width Pw becomes narrower toward the downstream side in the conveying direction by the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b. The protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b are a pair of walls that configure the tapered passage 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the relative position between the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b remains unchanged.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, one and the other of the pair of wall portions, i.e., the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b, are formed asymmetrically with respect to a center line passing through the center position of the fixing jig 20 when viewed from above, i.e., center line C passing through the center of the fixing jig 20. The protruding plate portion 43, which is one of the pair of wall portions, is formed so as to gradually approach the other second plate portion 42b, which is the other of the pair of wall portions, as it moves downstream in the movement direction.

[0032] 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are diagrams for explaining the operation of raising the neck wn, which has fallen toward the downstream side in the movement direction, by the posture adjustment device 40. The workpiece w attached to the fixing jig 20 has its back side facing downstream in the direction of movement, and therefore its neck wn is tilted toward the downstream side in the direction of movement. Therefore, as described above, when separating the flesh wm around the scapula wb and incising the skin ws between the scapula wb, the tilted neck wn may get in the way. Therefore, in some embodiments of the poultry processing apparatus 10, the neck wn is raised by the posture adjustment device 40 immediately before separating the meat wm around the shoulder blades wb and incising the skin ws between the shoulder blades wb.

[0033] The workpiece w attached to the fixed jig 20 moves toward the downstream side in the moving direction as shown in FIG. 7A, and when it reaches the posture adjustment device 40 as shown in FIG. 7B, the base portion nb of the neck wn is guided by the guide member 41 and led to the tapered passage 42. In the illustrated embodiment, when the neck wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the passage width Pw narrows toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, making it gradually more difficult for the neck wn to pass through the tapered passage 42, so that the neck wn, which had been tilted toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, can be raised toward the upstream side in the direction of movement. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7C, when the root portion nb of the neck wn gets caught in the tapered passage 42, the part of the workpiece w below the root portion nb moves downstream in the moving direction from the root portion nb, causing the neck wn to rotate in the illustrated clockwise direction (the direction of the arrow e) around the root portion nb. As a result, as shown in Fig. 7D, the neck wn on the tip side of the root portion nb rotates in the illustrated clockwise direction and rises up. After the root portion nb passes through the tapered passage 42, the neck portion wn tries to fall again toward the downstream side in the moving direction. However, the neck portion wn hits the scraper portion 24 and the bracket 32, which are located downstream of the attitude adjustment device 40 in the moving direction, thereby preventing the neck portion wn from falling.

[0034] In the above-mentioned poultry processing apparatus 10, the posture adjustment device 40 raises the neck portion wn of the work w just before separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, so that the neck portion wn does not get in the way when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, thereby improving the reliability of separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb.

[0035] In the above-mentioned poultry processing apparatus 10, the posture adjustment device 40 may move upstream in the movement direction relative to the fixing jig 20 to raise the neck part wn. That is, in the above-mentioned poultry processing apparatus 10, the posture adjustment device 40 may be stationary and the fixing jig 20 may move downstream in the movement direction, or the posture adjustment device 40 itself may move upstream in the movement direction. In the above-mentioned poultry processing apparatus 10, the neck part wn can be raised by the relative movement of the posture adjustment device 40 and the fixing jig 20 in the movement direction. This allows the neck wn to be easily raised by the posture adjustment device 40 having a simple configuration.

[0036] In the above-mentioned posture adjustment device 40, the relative position between the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b remains unchanged, so there is no need to move the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b relatively, and the configuration of the posture adjustment device 40 can be simplified. Furthermore, in the above-described posture adjustment device 40, the relative position between the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 remains unchanged, so there is no need to move the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 relative to each other, and the configuration of the posture adjustment device 40 can be simplified.

[0037] In the above-mentioned posture adjustment device 40, as described above, the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line C passing through the center of the fixing jig 20, so that even if the passage width Pw is the same, the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42 can be made greater than if they were formed symmetrically. By increasing the resistance when the neck wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the neck wn can be raised more reliably. However, if the passage width Pw of the tapered passage 42 is narrowed to increase the resistance when the neck wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the thickness of the neck wn varies from poultry carcass to poultry carcasses, and the resistance may become excessively large depending on the poultry carcass, which may unnecessarily increase the burden on the poultry carcass. Therefore, if the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line C when viewed from above, the resistance when the neck wn passes through the tapered passage 42 can be increased while ensuring a certain degree of passage width Pw, and therefore the burden on the poultry carcass when the neck wn passes through the tapered passage 42 can be reduced.

[0038] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes modifications to the above-described embodiments and appropriate combinations of these modifications. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the posture adjustment device 40 is used to separate the meat portion wm around the shoulder blades wb and raise the neck portion wn immediately before cutting the skin ws between the shoulder blades wb. However, the use of the posture adjustment device 40 is not limited to the above-described use, and the device may be used for other steps in the poultry processing process.

[0039] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows. (1) A poultry processing apparatus 10 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a scraper unit 24 for separating the meat portion wm around the scapula wb of a poultry carcass (work w) held in a holding device (fixed device 20) from the scapula wb, and a cutting blade 60 having a cutting edge 61 extending in a direction away from the holding device (fixed device 20) as it moves upstream in the direction of travel of the scraper unit 24 toward the holding device (fixed device 20) when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, and for using the cutting edge 61 to incise the skin ws between the scapula wb of the meat portion wm that has landed on the scraper unit 24.

[0040] According to the above configuration (1), the skin ws between the shoulder blades wb of the meat part wm that has climbed onto the scraper part 24 can be cut from the inside of the poultry carcass (work w) by the cutting blade 60. This makes it difficult to damage the meat part of the neck part wn of the poultry carcass (work w), thereby improving the yield and quality of the meat part of the neck part wn of the poultry carcass (work w). In addition, according to the above configuration (1), the process of separating the meat wm around the scapula wb from the scapula wb and the process of incising the skin ws between the scapula wb, which were previously carried out in two steps, can now be carried out in one step, thereby improving the efficiency of processing poultry carcasses.

[0041] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the incision blade 60 may be fixed to the scraper portion 24.

[0042] According to the above configuration (2), the skin ws between the shoulder blades wb in the flesh part wm that has climbed onto the scraper portion 24 can be easily cut open.

[0043] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the scraper unit 24 may include a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b spaced apart in a direction intersecting the traveling direction. The incision blade 60 may be fixed to one of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b.

[0044] According to the above configuration (3), the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can be arranged in accordance with the position and orientation of the scapula wb of the poultry carcass (workpiece w), so that when the meat portion wm is separated from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can be reliably made to conform to the surface of the scapula wb, thereby improving the yield of the separated meat portion wm. Furthermore, according to the above configuration (3), the incision blade 60 can be easily fixed to either one of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b.

[0045] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (3) above, the downstream end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b in the traveling direction may extend toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the holder (fixing jig 20) as they move toward the upstream side in the traveling direction.

[0046] According to the above configuration (4), when the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b enter the poultry carcass (workpiece w), they enter from the end faces 252a and 252b upstream in the moving direction of the holder (fixed jig 20) among the end faces (end faces 251a and 251b) downstream in the moving direction of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b, so that the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can easily enter the poultry carcass (workpiece w). As a result, when the meat portion wm is separated from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can easily reach the surface of the scapula wb, and the yield of the separated meat portion wm can be improved.

[0047] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b may have cutting edges 253a and 253b formed only in a portion of an area R1 of the end faces (end faces 251a and 251b) of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b downstream in the traveling direction, including the end faces 252a and 252b upstream in the moving direction of the holder (fixed jig 20).

[0048] According to the above configuration (5), when the meat portion wm is separated from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can easily reach the surface of the scapula wb, thereby improving the yield of the separated meat portion wm. In addition, according to the above configuration (5), the cutting edges 253a and 253b are not formed in the region R2 other than the partial region R1 of the end faces 251a and 251b on the downstream side in the traveling direction of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b, so that the risk of scraping the scapula wb by the region R2 is reduced. This reduces the risk that the scraped scapula wb will adhere to the meat part wm as a foreign object.

[0049] (6) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (1) to (5) above, a meat guide portion 70 may be provided that is located on the opposite side of the incision blade 60 with the scraper portion 24 interposed therebetween.

[0050] According to the above configuration (6), when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, the meat portion wm with the skin ws attached can be guided to the incising blade 60 by the meat guide portion 70, thereby improving the reliability of the incision of the skin ws between the scapula wb by the incising blade 60.

[0051] (7) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (1) to (6) above, a posture adjustment device 40 may be provided that is located upstream of the moving direction of the holder (fixed jig 20) with respect to the scraper portion 24 and that raises the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (work w). The posture adjustment device 40 may include a guide member 41 that is located above the path along which the holder (fixed jig 20) moves and that guides the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (work w), and a tapered passage 42 that is located above the path and downstream of the moving direction of the holder (fixed jig 20) with respect to the guide member 41 and that has a passage width Pw that narrows toward the downstream side in the moving direction.

[0052] According to the above configuration (7), as the neck wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the passage width Pw narrows toward the downstream side in the moving direction, so that it becomes gradually more difficult for the neck wn to pass through the tapered passage 42, and so the neck wn that has fallen toward the downstream side in the moving direction can be raised toward the upstream side in the moving direction. By raising the neck wn of the poultry carcass (work w) by the posture adjustment device 40 immediately before separating the meat part wm from the scapula wb, the neck wn does not get in the way when separating the meat part wm from the scapula wb, improving the reliability of separating the meat part wm from the scapula wb.

[0053] (8) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (7) above, the attitude adjustment device 40 may move toward the upstream side in the movement direction relative to the holder (fixed jig 20) to raise the neck portion wn.

[0054] According to the above configuration (8), the neck wn can be easily raised.

[0055] (9) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (7) or (8) above, the tapered passage 42 may be configured by a pair of walls (the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) spaced apart in a direction intersecting the moving direction. The relative position of one (the protruding plate portion 43) of the pair of walls (the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) to the other (the other second plate portion 42b) may be invariable.

[0056] According to the above configuration (9), there is no need to move one (the protruding plate portion 43) and the other (the other second plate portion 42b) of a pair of wall portions (the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) relative to each other, thereby simplifying the configuration of the posture adjustment device 40.

[0057] (10) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (9) above, one (protruding plate portion 43) and the other (the other second plate portion 42b) of the pair of wall portions (protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) may be formed asymmetrically with respect to a center line (center line C) passing through the center position of the holder (fixing jig 20) when viewed from above, and one (protruding plate portion 43) of the pair of wall portions may be formed so as to gradually approach the other (the other second plate portion 42b) of the pair of wall portions as it moves downstream in the movement direction of the holder (fixing jig 20).

[0058] According to the above configuration (10), it is possible to increase the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42 while maintaining a certain degree of passage width Pw, thereby reducing the burden on the poultry carcass (work w) when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42.

[0059] (11) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (7) to (10) above, the relative position between the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 may be invariable.

[0060] According to the above configuration (11), since it is not necessary to move the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 relatively, the configuration of the attitude adjustment device 40 can be simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Poultry processing equipment 20 Fixture (holding fixture) 22 Crease section 24 Scraper part 24a, 24b scraper member 40 Posture adjustment device 41 Guide member 42 Tapered passage 60 Cutting blade 70 Meat Case Interior

Claims

1. a scraper portion for separating a meat portion around a shoulder blade of a poultry carcass held by the holding tool from the shoulder blade; a cutting blade having a cutting edge extending in a direction away from the holder as the scraper moves toward the upstream side of the moving direction of the scraper toward the holder when separating the meat portion from the scapula, the cutting blade being used to cut the skin between the scapulae in the meat portion that has climbed onto the scraper portion with the cutting edge; A poultry processing device comprising:

2. The incision blade is fixed to the scraper portion. The poultry processing machine of claim 1.

3. The scraper portion includes a pair of scraper members spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting the traveling direction, The incision blade is fixed to one of the pair of scraper members. The poultry processing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The downstream end faces of the pair of scraper members in the traveling direction extend toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the holder as they move toward the upstream side in the traveling direction. The poultry processing machine of claim 3.

5. The pair of scraper members have cutting edges formed only in a partial region of the end surfaces of the pair of scraper members downstream in the advancing direction, the region including the end portions upstream in the moving direction of the holder. The poultry processing machine of claim 4.

6. The incision blade is a meat guide portion located on the opposite side of the scraper portion, Equipped with The poultry processing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

7. a posture adjustment device located upstream of the scraper unit in the moving direction of the holder for raising the neck of the poultry carcass; Equipped with The attitude adjustment device is a guide member positioned above the path along which the holding tool moves and for guiding the neck of the poultry carcass; a tapered passage located above the trajectory and downstream of the guide member in the moving direction of the holder, the tapered passage having a passage width narrowing toward the downstream side in the moving direction; having The poultry processing machine according to claim 1 or 2.

8. the posture adjustment device moves toward the upstream side in the movement direction relative to the holder to raise the neck portion; The poultry processing machine of claim 7.

9. the tapered passage is formed by a pair of wall portions spaced apart from each other in a direction intersecting the moving direction, The relative positions of the pair of walls are unchanged. The poultry processing machine of claim 7.

10. one and the other of the pair of walls are formed asymmetrically with respect to a center line passing through a center position of the holder when viewed from above, One of the pair of wall portions is formed so as to gradually approach the other of the pair of wall portions toward the downstream side in the moving direction of the holder. The poultry processing machine of claim 9.

11. The relative position between the tapered passage and the guide member is unchanged. The poultry processing machine of claim 7.

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