System for hanging poultry

Abstract

To provide a system for hanging poultry with legs with improved system operation reliability.SOLUTION: A system 1 is for hanging poultry 2 in a shackle 4 of a conveyor line 5 with leg parts 3 and feet 3'. The system 1 includes: a supply line 6 including at least one first carrier 7 for the poultry 2; and a movable delivery device 8 that receives the leg parts 3 of the poultry 2. The movable delivery device transfers the poultry 2 from the first carrier 7 to the shackle 4 at a transfer position in which the shackle 4, the movable delivery device 8, and the first carrier 7 are aligned in one line. The movable delivery device 8 engages the leg parts 3 of the poultry 2 at the transfer position, moves the feet 3' to a part above the shackle 4, then moves the feet 3' downward and puts the legs 3 inside the shackle 4, and then, is arranged so as to release the engagement with the leg parts 3 of the poultry. An extruder 9 is provided and extrudes the poultry 2 from the first carrier 7 to the movable delivery device 8 when the poultry 2 is at the transfer position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for suspending poultry by their legs on shackles of a conveyor line, the system comprising a feed line with at least one first carrier for the poultry, and a movable transfer device for receiving the legs of the poultry, the movable transfer device being arranged to transfer the poultry from the at least one first carrier of the feed line to the shackles of the conveyor line at a transfer position in which the movable transfer device and the at least one first carrier of the feed line are aligned, the movable transfer device being arranged to engage the legs of the poultry at the transfer position and move the legs up and down the shackles to insert the legs into the shackles, after which the movable transfer device disengages from the legs of the poultry. [Background technology]

[0002] US Patent No. 5,649,999 discloses such a system in which poultry are suspended by both the legs and the head during the re-hanging operation. This is a relatively complex system in which, while the poultry is suspended by the head, a movable transfer device engages the legs and moves them towards the shackles of the conveyor line.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a system for transporting birds from a weighing line to a cutting line via an intermediate stacking device. The system includes a continuously rotating buffer wheel with multiple bird carriers slidably mounted on its periphery. The bird carriers are transported on the buffer wheel toward an entrance gate or an exit gate. When the bird carriers arrive at the entrance gate or exit gate, they are stopped by a gate arm and remain stationary relative to the continuously moving buffer wheel. As the birds move along the weighing line toward the buffer wheel, the gate arm opens, and a first pressure wheel assembly is activated to carry the bird carriers on the periphery of the buffer wheel toward the entrance area toward the shackles on which the birds are suspended. There, the birds are transferred from the shackles to the bird carriers, and then transported on the buffer wheel toward the exit gate. Then, when an empty shackle on the cutting line approaches the exit area, the gate arm opens, and a second pressure wheel assembly is activated to carry the bird carriers with the suspended birds and move them to the exit area, where the birds carried on the bird carrier plates are transferred to the shackles on the cutting line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 4275507 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5,453,045 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to simplify the known procedures and ultimately to provide a system for suspending poultry by their legs that is simpler than prior art systems, thereby improving the reliability of the system's operation. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following disclosure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The system of the invention comprises one or more of the features of the appended claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a system comprises the features of claim 1, whereby the system comprises a pusher device for pushing poultry from at least one first carrier of the feed line to a mobile transfer device when the poultry are in the transfer position. The system of the invention is therefore significantly simplified, which is achieved by the relatively simple means embodied by the aforementioned pusher device, and which avoids the need in prior art systems to simultaneously suspend the poultry by head and legs during the transfer of the legs into the shackles.

[0008] To ensure a reliable, accurate and correct transfer of the poultry, the mobile transfer device is separate from the supply line and is attached to a carousel along which a conveyor line with receiving shackles is guided.

[0009] The extrusion device may be fixed to the system. Preferably, at least one first carrier of the supply line is equipped with an extrusion device, which ensures that the extrusion device is automatically synchronized with the movement of the at least one first carrier.

[0010] As a relatively simple way of realising the extrusion device, it is preferred that the extrusion device comprises a push rod.

[0011] A further preferred feature is that the mobile transfer device comprises one or more locking elements for capturing the poultry leg after it has been received by the mobile transfer device. This feature is useful when the foot is moved downwards from above into the shackle after which the mobile transfer device can disengage from the poultry leg, i.e. the one or more locking elements are desirably arranged to release the poultry leg when the foot is moved into the shackle of the conveyor line.

[0012] The system of the invention can be applied with additional features for feeding the poultry into at least a first carrier, such as a suspension system as described in the unpublished specification of Dutch patent application no. 2035845. A preferred application of the system is when it comprises an input conveyor and at least one robot for picking up the poultry from the input conveyor and suspending them into at least one first carrier of the feed line. The robot can pick up the poultry by the head or alternatively by the legs or feet.

[0013] In one preferred embodiment, at least one robot is provided to pick up poultry from the input conveyor and maintain the poultry suspended by its head while the robot moves the legs of the poultry to at least one first carrier in the feed line.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, a portion of at least one first carrier is rotatable about a horizontal axis to allow the poultry to be inverted from a head-hanging position to a leg-hanging position, thereby enabling the poultry to be converted from a head-hanging position to a leg-hanging position in an efficient and controlled manner.

[0015] When the poultry is suspended by its legs, it is preferred that its back is facing towards at least one first carrier of the feeding line, which aids in the subsequent transfer of the poultry to the shackles of the conveyor line.

[0016] Additionally, at least one robot preferably includes a resilient engagement flap to reduce relative movement of the poultry with respect to the robot.

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute 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 explanation of the drawings]

[0018] When the same reference numbers are used in the following drawings, they refer to the same parts. [Figure 1] 1 shows a system of the present invention for suspending poultry by their legs and feet from shackles on a conveyor line. [Figure 2] 1 shows a system of the present invention for suspending poultry by their legs and feet from shackles on a conveyor line. [Figure 3] 1 shows a system of the present invention for suspending poultry by their legs and feet from shackles on a conveyor line. [Figure 4] 1 shows a system of the present invention for suspending poultry by their legs and feet from shackles on a conveyor line. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows a movable transfer device of the system of FIGS. [Figure 6] 5A-5C illustrate the operation of the robot for suspending poultry by their legs in a carrier on a feeding line preceding a conveyor line with shackles, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 7] 5A-5C illustrate the operation of the robot for suspending poultry by their legs in a carrier on a feeding line preceding a conveyor line with shackles, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 8] 5A-5C illustrate the operation of the robot for suspending poultry by their legs in a carrier on a feeding line preceding a conveyor line with shackles, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 9] 5A-5C illustrate the operation of the robot for suspending poultry by their legs in a carrier on a feeding line preceding a conveyor line with shackles, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] 1 to 4 show (part of) a system 1 for suspending poultry 2 by their legs 3 and feet 3' in shackles 4 of a conveyor line 5. FIG.

[0020] 1 and 2 show that the system 1 comprises a feed line 6 with at least one first carrier 7 for the poultry 2, and a mobile transfer device 8 for receiving the legs 3 of the poultry 2 and transferring the poultry 2 from the at least one first carrier 7 of the feed line 6 to the shackles 4 of the conveyor line 5. As shown in the figures and within the scope of the present invention, the first carrier 7 for the poultry 2 carries the poultry preferably suspended by its hocks.

[0021] The transfer of poultry from the at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 to the shackles 4 of the conveyor line 5 occurs at a transfer position where the mobile transfer device 8 and the at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 are aligned, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the mobile transfer device 8 is separate from the supply line 6 and is attached to a carousel on which the conveyor line 5 with the receiving shackles 4 is guided.

[0022] The movable transfer device 8 is arranged to engage the legs 3 of the poultry 2 in the transfer position, as shown in Figure 3, and first move the feet 3' into position above the shackles 4, and then move the legs 3 downwards and towards the shackles 4, as shown in Figure 4. Once the feet 3' and legs 3 have been moved into position relative to the shackles 4, as shown in Figure 4, the movable transfer device 8 disengages the legs 3 of the poultry so that the poultry is fully suspended from the shackles 4 by the feet 3'. This is shown in Figure 4.

[0023] To support the transfer of the poultry 2 from the at least one first carrier 7 of the feeding line 6 to the shackles 4 of the conveyor line 5, the movements of the legs 3 and feet 3' are predominantly determined by the movable transfer device 8. In this regard, the system 1 further comprises a pushing device 9 for pushing the poultry 2 from the at least one first carrier 7 of the feeding line 6 to the movable transfer device 8 when the poultry 2 is in the transfer position shown in Figure 2. Preferably, this pushing device 9 comprises a pushing rod.

[0024] To ensure manipulation of the legs 3 and feet 3' of the poultry 2 by the mobile transfer device 8, the device comprises one or more locking elements 10 for capturing the legs 3 of the poultry after the legs have been received in the closable slits 14 of the mobile transfer device 8. This is shown in Figure 5. This feature is particularly useful when the mobile transfer device 8 first moves the feet 3' above the shackle 4 as shown in Figure 3, and then the legs 3 of the poultry 2 are moved downwards towards and into the shackle 4 as shown in Figure 4, during which the toes are pressed against the upper side of the shackle 4.

[0025] The one or more locking elements 10 are arranged to release the leg 3 of the poultry when the leg 3 enters the shackle 4 as shown in FIG.

[0026] Referring now to Figure 6, which highlights another aspect of the invention, the system comprises an input conveyor (not shown) and at least one robot 11 for picking up poultry 2 from the input conveyor. The robot 11 is positioned to first suspend the poultry 2 by its head 12, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Afterwards, through a series of movements, the poultry 2 is finally suspended by its legs 3 onto at least one first carrier 7 of the feed line 6.

[0027] In a first step of the sequence, at least one robot 11 is arranged to initially hold the poultry 2 suspended by its head 12 and move the legs 3 of the poultry in a head-up position to at least one first carrier 7 on the feed line 6. This sequence is completed in Figure 7.

[0028] Figure 8 shows that at least one part 7' of the first carrier 7 which engages with the legs 3 of the poultry 2 is rotatable about a horizontal axis to enable the poultry 2 to be inverted from a position where it is suspended by its head 12 to a position where it is suspended by its legs 3, as shown in Figure 9.

[0029] In FIG. 9 it is shown that when the poultry 2 is suspended by its legs 3 , its back 2 ′ faces towards the at least one first carrier 7 of the feeding line 6 .

[0030] Figures 6 and 7 show that at least one robot 11 is provided with an engagement flap 13 made of a resilient material such as rubber or polymer to reduce relative movement of the poultry 2 with respect to the robot 11 when the poultry 2 is picked up and moved by the robot 11.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the described exemplary embodiments should not be used to interpret the scope of the appended claims in this strict manner. Rather, the embodiments are merely intended to explain the language of the appended claims without intending to limit the language to these exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted solely in accordance with the language of the appended claims, and any ambiguity that may arise in the language of the claims should be resolved using these exemplary embodiments.

[0032] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and it is intended that the appended claims 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 designated above as "essential," none of the various components or their interrelationships are essential to the operation of the present invention. Rather, the various components may be substituted for one another or their relationships may be rearranged to achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. A system (1) for suspending poultry (2) by their legs (3') on shackles (4) of a conveyor line (5), comprising a feed line (6) with at least one first carrier (7) for transporting the poultry (2) while suspended from its legs (3'), and a mobile transfer device (8) for receiving the legs (3) of the poultry (2), the mobile transfer device (8) being adapted to transfer the poultry (2) to the feed line (6) at a transfer position where the mobile transfer device (8) and the at least one first carrier (7) of the feed line (6) are aligned. transferring the poultry (2) from the at least one first carrier (7) of the feeding line (6) to the receiving shackles (4) of the conveyor line (5), the movable transfer device (8) being arranged to engage the legs (3) of the poultry (2) at the transfer position to move the feet (3') up the shackles (4) and then move them downwards to insert the feet (3') into the shackles (4), after which the movable transfer device (8) disengages from the legs (3) of the poultry; The system (1) is characterized in that it comprises a pusher (9) for pushing the poultry (2) from the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) to the movable transfer device (8) when the poultry (2) is in the transfer position.

2. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the mobile transfer device (8) is separate from the supply line (6) and is attached to a carousel along which the conveyor line (5) with the receiving shackles (4) is guided.

3. 3. A system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said at least one first carrier (7) of said supply line (6) comprises said extrusion device (9).

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extrusion device (9) comprises a push rod.

5. 5. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the mobile transfer device (8) comprises one or more locking elements (10) for capturing the legs (3) of the poultry after they have been received by the mobile transfer device (8).

6. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the one or more locking elements (10) are arranged to release the poultry legs (3) when the poultry legs (3) are moved into the shackles (4) of the conveyor line (5).

7. 7. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the system (1) comprises an input conveyor and at least one robot (11) for picking up the poultry (2) from the input conveyor and suspending the poultry (2) on the at least one first carrier (7) of the feed line (6).

8. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one robot (11) is arranged to keep said poultry (2) suspended by its head (12) while picking up said poultry (2) from said input conveyor and transferring said legs (3) of said poultry to said at least one first carrier (7) of said feed line (6).

9. 9. The system of claim 8, characterized in that at least a part (7') of the at least one first carrier (7) is rotatable about a horizontal axis to enable the poultry (2) to be inverted from a position suspended by the head (12) to a position suspended by the legs (3).

10. 10. The system of claim 9, characterized in that when the poultry (2) is suspended by the legs (3), the back (2') of the poultry (2) faces towards the at least one first carrier (7) of the feeding line (6).

11. 11. The system of any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the at least one robot (11) comprises at least one flap (13) arranged to contact the poultry (2) while the poultry is being picked up by the robot and to reduce the relative movement of the poultry (2) with respect to the robot (11).

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said at least one flap (13) is elastic.

13. 13. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that in the feeding line (6), the poultry (2) are suspended by their knees in the first carrier (7).

Images