Poultry hanging system, poultry conveying line, and method of hanging poultry

Abstract

To perform poultry hanging operation more stably and reliably with simpler means.SOLUTION: A poultry hanging system 1 for feeding a primary line 2 in which poultry is or will be suspended from first carriers that are movable at a first conveying speed comprises a poultry feedline 3 for transferring non-suspended poultry to at least one secondary line 4, where transfer units 5 may be provided for transferring the poultry from the at least one secondary line 4 to the primary line. The at least one secondary line can be equipped with second carriers for suspending the poultry. The poultry feedline transfers the non-suspended poultry to a suspension location where the poultry is suspended in the second carriers of the at least one secondary line. At least in the suspension location, the second carriers of the at least one secondary line are movable at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a poultry hanging system for supplying poultry from a plurality of first carriers movable at a first conveying speed to a primary line on which poultry are or will be suspended, the poultry hanging system comprising a poultry supply line for transporting unsuspended poultry to at least one secondary line, at least one transport unit being provided for transporting poultry from the at least one secondary line to the primary line, the at least one secondary line comprising a plurality of second carriers for suspending the poultry. [Background technology]

[0002] US Pat. No. 5,399,633 discloses such a poultry hanging system. US 2007 / 0133963 A1 discloses a poultry hanging system for feeding a primary line on which poultry are or will be hung from a number of first carriers movable at a first conveying speed, comprising a poultry feeding line for transferring unsuspended poultry to at least one secondary line, and a number of transfer units are provided for transferring poultry from the at least one secondary line to the primary line. The transfer units may be of any design known from the prior art.

[0003] More precisely, the document US 2007 / 0133933 discloses a method and a device for suspending poultry to be slaughtered, in a live or stunned state, on conveyor brackets of an overhead conveyor. The belt conveyor conveys the poultry to a distribution surface, where it is continuously guided or pushed outwards towards the end of the distribution surface to a separate position for receiving poultry with legs, the legs of the poultry protruding from the end of the position, where the legs are fixed to a fixing means. The separate position is then subsequently moved upwards relative to the distribution surface, and the poultry is suspended for its next downward movement by a bracket of the overhead conveyor running above and arranged at a distance from the distribution surface. The position is then subsequently moved downwards again to the level of the distribution surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1276382 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0052924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Known poultry suspension systems are stated to provide a more reliable and gentler suspension of the poultry, but this appears to require that the legs of the poultry be reliably positioned over the edge of the dispensing surface to enable a lifting device such as that disclosed in figures 1-7 of US 2007 / 0133991 to pick up the poultry and lift it from the dispensing surface. This means that the accuracy of the suspension system depends not only on the work of an operator who accurately positions the legs of the poultry over the edge of the dispensing surface, but also on the dimensional accuracy and operating accuracy of the lifting device, which is designed to determine where and how the legs of the poultry will extend over the edge of the dispensing surface. Overall, this is rather complicated and prone to misalignment in some cases.

[0006] The above problems are further intensified by the fact that the worker's work pace depends on the conveying speed of the first carrier on the primary line. Specifically, the standard conveying speed in recent years can reach 15,000 chickens per hour at a pitch of 15 cm / 6 inches, and at such a high line speed, the worker's work is stressful and the hanging efficiency is also compromised.

[0007] In other words, there is room for a simpler solution and an improvement over the prior art.The present invention aims to provide this simplification and improvement, in particular improving the working conditions of the workers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the invention, a poultry suspension system, a poultry conveying line which may be used in such a poultry suspension system, and a poultry suspension method are proposed, comprising the features according to one or more of the appended claims.

[0009] In a first aspect of the present invention, the premises poultry hanging system is amended such that there are at least two transport units for transporting poultry from at least one secondary line to the primary line such that, in use, the poultry supply line transports unsuspended poultry to at least two separate hanging positions where it can be hung on the second carrier of the at least one secondary line, and the second carrier of the at least one secondary line is adapted to be able to move at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line, at least at the hanging positions.

[0010] By means of the invention, the advantage is achieved that the operation can be carried out in a manner adapted to the second conveying speed of at least one secondary line, which may be half or even lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line, while avoiding the need for more workers and the occurrence of more stress in the execution of the task of hanging the poultry.A further advantage of the invention is that the precision required during the operation of the system is concentrated on the hanging position at which the poultry are to be hung on the carriers of the at least one secondary line.Altogether, the entire operation of hanging the poultry can then be carried out more stably, reliably and with simpler means.

[0011] As indicated above, the suspension location may comprise one of the worker's locations, but it is also envisaged that the suspension is carried out by means of an automatic suspension device, which may be any type of automatic suspension device known in the art.Suitable such automatic suspension devices are disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application No. 23162287.9 ​​and European Patent Application No. 23164542.5, both in the name of the Applicant.

[0012] It may be beneficial for the system to have more than one secondary line, as more secondary lines allow the individual conveying speeds to be further reduced without compromising the conveying speed of the primary line.

[0013] Although the first distance or pitch between the carriers of the primary line may be variable, it is envisaged that preferably the distance between the carriers of the primary line is constant.

[0014] Preferably, the second carrier in the secondary line is at a second distance in the hanging position and at a third distance near the transfer unit, the third distance being greater than the second distance, so that the working conditions in the hanging position and near the transfer unit can be optimized for the functions of hanging the poultry and transferring the poultry, respectively.

[0015] To support reliable operation, it is further preferred that the transfer unit is synchronized with the primary line so that all poultry suspended on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line are transferred individually to available empty first carriers of the primary line. This can be done by (known from the prior art) the following: 1) A mechanical connection between the primary and secondary lines, or 2) Electronically controlled linkage (electronic gear) between the primary and secondary lines using sensors, encoders (pulse generators), electric drives and control systems.

[0016] The features described in this paragraph may be applied separately and independently of the other features described herein. The structure of the secondary line or each of the secondary lines may be according to other embodiments as known from the prior art, each of such secondary lines comprising a carrier for hanging poultry. However, it is preferred that the secondary line or each of the secondary lines comprises an endless path for the second carrier, a plurality of rotating wheels driving the second carrier along at least a part of said path, one or more substantially linear sections of the path being provided between the rotating wheels, and the secondary line or each of the secondary lines comprises a spindle drive for driving the second carrier in the linear sections between the rotating wheels. The spindle drive ensures a precise manner of driving the carrier at a predetermined speed dedicated to the hanging operation with respect to poultry in said linear sections in which the hanging positions in which the poultry are hung are implemented in at least one secondary line.

[0017] Preferably, each of the carriers includes a protrusion or protrusions extending to and cooperating with at least one of the spindle drive and the rotating wheel.

[0018] It is further preferred that the rotating wheel drives the second carrier in the at least one secondary line independently of the spindle drive for the second carrier in the at least one secondary line. This is particularly advantageous for optimizing and differentiating between the speed applied when hanging the poultry in the at least one secondary line and the speed applied when hanging the poultry back from the at least one secondary line to the primary line. In this connection, it should also be noted that preferably a transfer unit is arranged in the at least one secondary line opposite the rotating wheel.

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] When the same reference numbers are used in the drawings, they refer to the same parts. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a poultry hanging system of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the poultry hanging system of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 1 shows a poultry conveying line according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Figures 1 and 2 show two different embodiments of a poultry hanging system 1 according to the invention. Such a poultry hanging system 1 is used to feed a primary line 2 traveling at high speed, in which poultry are or will be hung from first carriers, for example suspended by their feet or suspended by their heads. The primary line 2 subsequently transports the suspended poultry to specific processing equipment where they undergo further processing. Due to the high speed, it is a challenge to occupy all the individual first carriers of the primary line 2 with suspended poultry to avoid carriers remaining empty.

[0022] The poultry suspended on the primary line 2 are fed on a conveyor line or poultry feeding line 3, in which the poultry are not in a particular orientation but are transported in crates or freely. To meet the requirement that all the individual first carriers of the primary line 2 are able to receive the suspended poultry, at least one secondary line 4 is used having second carriers movable at a second conveying speed, which is lower than the first conveying speed of the first carriers of the primary line 2.

[0023] Figure 1 shows only one secondary line 4, whereas figure 2 shows two secondary lines 4. The number of secondary lines 4 can be further increased if required.

[0024] In both figures 1 and 2 it is shown that a transfer unit 5 is provided for transferring the poultry from the or each of the secondary lines 4 to the primary line 2. What is particular to the invention is that the or each of the secondary lines 4 is provided with a second carrier for suspending the poultry (for example by the feet or by the head), which second carrier is known per se, like the first carrier of the primary line 2. In figure 3 a second carrier 8 of at least one secondary line 4 is shown diagrammatically.

[0025] As shown in both Figures 1 and 2, the poultry supply line 3 transports unsuspended poultry to at least two suspension locations where workers 6 are positioned to remove the poultry from the conveyor line 3 and suspend the poultry onto a second carrier on each of a secondary line 4 or multiple secondary lines 4.

[0026] It is also shown that at least two transport units 5 are provided for transporting poultry from the at least one secondary line 4 to the primary line 2, adjusted to enable the aforementioned second carriers of the at least one secondary line 4, at least in the hanging position, to be movable at a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed of the primary line 2.

[0027] Although only a worker 6 is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the removal of the poultry from the conveyor line 3 and the hanging of the poultry on the second carriers of the secondary line 4 may be performed by a robot or by a combination of human workers and robots. The hanging position is therefore provided with a workspace for a worker and at least one automated hanging device, preferably in the form of a robot with vision and handling capabilities.

[0028] Although the distance between the carriers in the primary line 2 may be variable, it is preferred for the sake of simplicity that the first distance between the first carriers in the primary line 2 is constant.

[0029] Meanwhile, the distance of the second carrier in the secondary line 4 may be uniform, but it is preferable that the second carrier in the secondary line 4 is at a second distance at the hoisting position and at a third distance near the transfer unit 5, the third distance being greater than the second distance. Thus, the distance of the carrier in the secondary line 4 can be adjusted to the hoisting operation and the transfer operation.

[0030] It is further advantageous if the transfer unit 5 is synchronized with the primary line 2 so that all poultry suspended on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line 4 are individually transferred to available free first carriers on the primary line 2.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a secondary conveyor line 4. Figure 3 shows that the secondary line 4 or each of the secondary lines 4 includes an endless path 7 for carriers 8, with a plurality of rotating wheels 9 driving the second carriers 8 along at least a portion 7' ​​of the path 7, with one or more substantially linear sections 7'' of the path 7 being provided between the rotating wheels 9.

[0032] Figure 3 shows that the or each of the secondary lines 4 is equipped with a spindle drive 10 for driving the second carriers 8 in the linear section 7'' between the rotating wheels 9. It also shows that a transfer unit 5 is arranged in at least one secondary line 4 opposite the rotating wheels 9, which is the optimal position for carrying out a re-hanging of the poultry from the at least one secondary line 4 to the primary line 2. In one embodiment (not shown), the rotating wheels 9 may be combined with the transfer unit 5.

[0033] 3 further shows that each of the second carriers 8 comprises a protrusion 11 which extends to and cooperates with the spindle drive 10. This same protrusion or a different protrusion may be used to extend to and cooperate with the rotating wheel 9.

[0034] Further, the rotating wheel 9 is shown to drive the second carrier in the at least one secondary line 4 independently from a spindle drive 10 for the second carrier in the at least one secondary line 4.

[0035] The embodiments of the present invention may include any combination of the features disclosed herein, independently of each other. Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments described should not be used to interpret the appended claims in this exact form. Rather, the embodiments are merely intended to explain the language of the appended claims without the intention of limiting the language of the appended claims to these exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted only according to the appended claims, and any ambiguity that may arise in the language of the claims should be resolved using these exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all documents, applications, patents, and publications cited above are incorporated herein by reference. Unless expressly specified above as "essential," none of the various components or their interrelationships are essential to the operation of the present invention. Rather, desired results can be achieved by substituting the various components and / or rearranging their interrelationships.

Claims

1. A poultry hanging system (1) for feeding a primary line (2) on which poultry are or will be suspended from a plurality of first carriers movable at a first conveying speed, comprising a poultry feeding line (3) for transferring unsuspended poultry to at least one secondary line (4), at least one transfer unit (5) being provided for transferring said poultry from said at least one secondary line (4) to said primary line (2), said at least one secondary line (4) comprising a plurality of second carriers for suspending said poultry, In use, the poultry supply line (3) transports the unsuspended poultry to at least two separate suspension positions where they can be suspended on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4); A poultry hanging system, characterized in that there are at least two transport units (5) for transporting the poultry from the at least one secondary line (4) to the primary line (2) in such a way that the second carrier of the at least one secondary line (4) can move at a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed of the primary line (2) at least in the hanging position.

2. 2. Poultry hanging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hanging location comprises one of a work area for an operator (6) and an automatic hanging device.

3. Poultry hanging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that two or more secondary lines (4) are provided.

4. A poultry hanging system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the first distance between the first carriers of the primary line (2) is constant.

5. 5. The poultry hanging system according to claim 1, wherein the second carrier in the at least one secondary line (4) is at a second distance in the hanging position and at a third distance in the vicinity of the transfer unit, the third distance being greater than the second distance.

6. A poultry hanging system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the transfer unit (5) is synchronized with the primary line (2) so that all poultry hung on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4) are individually transferred to available free first carriers of the primary line (2).

7. said at least one secondary line (4) including an endless path (7) for said second carrier, a plurality of rotating wheels (9) driving said second carrier (8) along at least a portion (7') of said path (7); one or more substantially linear sections (7'') of the path (7) are provided between the rotating wheels (9); A poultry hanging system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one secondary line (4) comprises a spindle drive (10) for driving the second carrier (8) in the linear section (7'') between the rotating wheels (9).

8. Poultry hanging system according to claim 7, characterized in that said hanging positions are in one or more substantially linear sections (7'') of said path (7).

9. A poultry hanging system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of said carriers (8) comprises a protrusion (11) or protrusions extending to and cooperating with at least one of said spindle drive (10) and said rotating wheel (9).

10. A poultry hanging system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the rotating wheel (9) drives the second carrier in the at least one secondary line (4) independently from the spindle drive (10) for the second carrier in the at least one secondary line (4).

11. Poultry hanging system according to claim 10, characterized in that the transfer unit is arranged in the at least one secondary line (4) opposite the rotating wheel (9).

12. A poultry conveying line comprising an endless path (7) for a plurality of carriers (8) for suspending poultry, wherein a plurality of rotating wheels (9) drive the carriers (8) along at least a portion (7') of the path (7), and wherein one or more substantially linear sections (7'') of the path (7) are provided between the rotating wheels (9), A poultry conveying line, characterized in that it comprises a spindle drive (10) for driving said carriers (8) in said linear sections (7'') between said rotating wheels (9).

13. 13. Poultry conveying line according to claim 12, characterized in that each of said carriers (8) comprises a protrusion (11) or protrusions extending to and cooperating with at least one of said spindle drive (10) and said rotating wheel (9).

14. 14. Poultry conveying line according to any one of claims 12 to 13, characterized in that the rotating wheels (9) drive the carriers independently of the spindle drives (10) for driving the carriers in the linear sections (7'') between the rotating wheels (9).

15. A method for feeding a primary line (2) on which poultry are suspended or to be suspended from a first carrier movable at a first conveying speed, the method comprising transferring unsuspended poultry to at least one secondary line (4) and transferring said poultry from said at least one secondary line (4) to said primary line (2), A method for hanging poultry, comprising transporting the unhung poultry to at least two hanging positions, where the poultry are hung on a plurality of second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4), characterized in that the second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4) are moved at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line (2), at least at the hanging positions.

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