Hanging and changing device for poultry processing

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a poultry hanging and transferring system including a first conveyor line and a first loading mat. The first conveyor line may include a plurality of shackles. Each of the shackles may have a first opening configured to receive a first leg of a first WOG and a second opening configured to receive a second leg of the first WOG. The first loading mat may have a shape configured to passively align the first leg and the second leg of the first WOG with the corresponding first opening and second opening of the shackle such that linear movement of the first WOG on the first loading mat in a direction toward the shackle causes the first leg of the first WOG to be received in the first opening and the second leg of the first WOG to be received in the second opening.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 480,584, filed January 19, 2023, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth below.

[0002] (Technical field) Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to poultry processing, and more particularly to a poultry processing transfer device. [Background technology]

[0003] In poultry processing, workers must suspend WOG (eviscerated, partially processed poultry products) from a moving shackle line. This task is necessary for the process, but it is also difficult and dangerous. Currently, line workers must manually remove 5-pound birds from a bin or conveyor, lift the carcass to approximately head height, and suspend the bird by its legs from a moving shackle. This action is repeated approximately 5 to 10 times per minute. This task requires both strength and endurance, and as a result, it is difficult to staff such positions. Therefore, a device to assist with the re-suspending process is needed. The present disclosure provides such a device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a poultry hanging and transferring system including a first conveyor line and a first loading mat. The first conveyor line may include a plurality of shackles. Each of the shackles may have a first opening configured to receive a first leg of a first WOG and a second opening configured to receive a second leg of the first WOG. The first loading mat may have a shape configured to passively align the first leg and the second leg of the first WOG with the corresponding first opening and second opening of the shackle such that linear movement of the first WOG on the first loading mat in a direction toward the shackle causes the first leg of the first WOG to be received in the first opening and the second leg of the first WOG to be received in the second opening.

[0005] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first mounting mat may be placed on a second conveyor line comprising a plurality of mounting mats including the first mounting mat.

[0006] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first and second conveyors may be configured to move at the same speed.

[0007] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first loading mat may have a shape configured so that the first leg and the second leg of the first WOG are placed on a first horizontal surface, and at least a first portion of the first conveyor line may be configured to transport the first shackle in a first direction so that the first opening and the second opening of the first shackle pass beside the first loading mat on the first horizontal surface.

[0008] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first mounting mat may be placed on a second conveyor line having a plurality of mounting mats including the first mounting mat, and at least a portion of the second conveyor line may be configured to transport the plurality of mounting mats in a second direction parallel to the first direction.

[0009] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, at least a second portion of the first conveyor line that is ahead of the first portion of the first conveyor line in the direction of travel of the first conveyor line may be configured to transport the first shackle such that the first opening and the second opening of the first shackle pass through a second horizontal plane that is above the first horizontal plane.

[0010] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, at least a third portion of the first conveyor line that is behind the first portion of the first conveyor line in the running direction of the first conveyor line may be configured to transport the first shackle such that the first opening and the second opening of the first shackle pass through the second horizontal plane.

[0011] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the placing mat may include a first recess, a second recess, and a third recess. The first recess may be configured to receive a body portion of the first WOG. The second recess may be configured to receive the first leg portion of the first WOG. The third recess may be configured to receive the second leg portion of the first WOG.

[0012] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first recess may be located between the first recess and the second recess.

[0013] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first recess may be deeper than the second recess and the third recess.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for re-hanging poultry, the method comprising: conveying a plurality of shackles using a first conveyor line, each shackle having a first opening for receiving a first leg portion of a corresponding eviscerated chicken (WOG), conveying a plurality of loading mats using a second conveyor line, each loading mat having a shape configured to passively align the first leg portion of a corresponding WOG with the first opening of the corresponding shackle, and inserting the first leg portion of the corresponding WOG into the first opening.

[0015] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the step of inserting the first leg of the corresponding WOG into the first opening may include sliding the WOG horizontally from the corresponding mounting mat toward the corresponding shackle.

[0016] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first conveyor line may include a first portion at a first height and a second portion at a second height that is lower than the first height, and the second portion may be downstream of the first portion.

[0017] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, when the shackle is in the second portion of the first conveyor line, the first opening of the shackle may be in the same horizontal plane as the corresponding recess in the mounting mat.

[0018] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the first conveyor line may further include a third section at a third height that is higher than the second height, and the third section may be downstream of the second section.

[0019] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, when the first leg of the corresponding WOG is inserted into the first opening, the corresponding placing mat and the corresponding shackle can run at the same speed.

[0020] In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, the method may further comprise the step of placing WOG on the plurality of mounting mats.

[0021] These and other aspects of the present disclosure are described below in the Detailed Description and accompanying drawings. Other aspects and features of the embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following description of certain exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. While features of the present disclosure may be described with reference to particular embodiments and drawings, all embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the features described herein. Furthermore, while one or more embodiments may be described as having certain advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be used with various embodiments described herein. Similarly, while exemplary embodiments may be described below as device, system, or method embodiments, it will be understood that such exemplary embodiments may be implemented in various devices, systems, and methods of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] The following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments shown in the drawings.

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a shackle and mounting mat according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a poultry re-hanging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a poultry re-hanging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of a poultry re-hanging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of a poultry re-hanging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of a poultry re-hanging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a shackle according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A shows a schematic side view of a mounting mat according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B shows a schematic side view of a mounting mat according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of a poultry re-hanging method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the present disclosure, various exemplary embodiments are described below. The components, steps, and materials described below as making up various elements of the embodiments disclosed herein are intended to be exemplary and not limiting. Many suitable components, steps, and materials that perform the same or similar functions as the components, steps, and materials described herein are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Such other components, steps, and materials not described herein include, but are not limited to, similar components or steps developed after the development of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0033] The present disclosure provides a transfer system for use in poultry processing. The system is designed to reduce and simplify the task of shackling WOGs onto a moving shackle line. As discussed above, with conventional systems, even a single WOG can be a very difficult object to manipulate, requiring operators to almost always use both hands to shackle the WOG. The transfer system disclosed herein allows operators to position the bird with one hand, with minimal lifting required. The device can allow for more ergonomic movements with less force, reducing the risk of injury from repetitive lifting. In addition to the benefits for operators, the device can also benefit production flow. Each unit can be designed to handle multiple WOGs simultaneously, allowing WOGs to be loaded onto a moving shackle line without downtime.

[0034] To perform the rehanging operation, the overhead rehanging device (OHRD) comprises several important features. The drawings shown herein conceptualize the process for performing this operation. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Rather, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the exact details or mechanisms herein may be varied within the spirit of the present disclosure. Nevertheless, the specific apparatus and intent employed in some embodiments of the rehanging system are described below.

[0035] Various embodiments of the present disclosure allow poultry processing plant workers to resuspend a WOG without having to lift it and suspend the WOG from a moving shackle on a conveyor. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 , a shackle 105 may include one or more openings 106, 107 configured to receive legs of a WOG 101. For example, the shackle 105 may include a first opening 106 configured to receive a first leg of the WOG 101 and a second opening 107 configured to receive a second leg of the WOG 101. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the shackle design shown in the figures. Rather, various embodiments of the present disclosure may employ many different shackle designs for suspending a WOG.

[0036] To allow the WOG 101 to be suspended from the shackle 105 without having to be lifted up to the shackle overhead, some embodiments of the present disclosure employ a mounting mat 110, as shown in FIG. 1 . The mounting mat 110 may be positioned such that the WOG 101 can be pushed / slid forward on the mounting mat 110 toward the shackle 105 so that the legs of the WOG 101 are received in the openings 106, 107 of the shackle 105. When the shackle 105 is lifted, for example by a conveyor, with one or more legs of the WOG 101 received in the openings 106, 107, the WOG 101 can be suspended from the shackle 105 without having to be lifted up to the shackle 105 by a worker.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1 , the mounting mat 110 may have a shape configured to passively align the first and second legs of the WOG 101 with the corresponding first and second openings 106 and 107 of the shackle 105. For example, the mounting mat 110 may have one or more recesses 111, 112, and 113. In some embodiments, the mounting mat 110 may include a first recess 111 configured to receive a body portion of the WOG 101. In some embodiments, the mounting mat 110 may further include a second recess 112 configured to receive the first leg of the WOG 101. In some embodiments, the mounting mat 110 may further include a third recess 113 configured to receive the second leg of the WOG 101. The mounting mat 110 shown in FIG. 1 includes such a first recess 111, second recess 112, and third recess 113. 1, the recesses 111, 112, and 113 may have an elongated shape to allow the WOG 101 to move linearly toward the shackle 105. Thus, the recesses 111, 112, and 113 may passively align the WOG 101 such that the first leg of the WOG 101 is received in the first opening 106 and the second leg 101 of the first WOG is received in the second opening 107 as the WOG moves linearly on the mounting mat 110 toward the shackle 105. FIGS. 8A and 8B show cross-sectional side views of an exemplary mounting mat. As shown in FIG. 8A, the first recess 111 may be deeper than the second recess 112 and the third recess 113. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific mounting mat design shown in the figures.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a poultry transfer system including a first conveyor line 115 and a second conveyor line 120. The first conveyor line 115 may include a plurality of shackles 105 suspended therefrom. The first conveyor line 115 may be used to transport the suspended WOG to various locations within a poultry processing plant. The second conveyor line 120 may include a plurality of loading mats 110. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the second conveyor 120 may be configured as a belt conveyor. In some embodiments, the loading mats 110 may be integrated into the surface of the second conveyor 120.

[0039] 2, the mounting mat 110 may have a shape configured to allow the first and second legs of the WOG to rest on a horizontal plane, and at least a portion of the first conveyor line 115 may be configured to transport the shackle 105 in one direction so that the first opening 106 and the second opening 107 of the shackle 105 pass by the mounting mat 110 on the horizontal plane. For example, the first conveyor 115 may have a first portion 116, a second portion 117, and a third portion 118. As the first conveyor 115 moves, the first portion 116 may be upstream of the second conveyor line 120. When the first conveyor 115 is adjacent to the second conveyor 120, the second portion 117 of the first conveyor 115 is partially lowered to a height lower than the first portion 116, allowing the shackle 105 to be positioned substantially flush with the loading mat 110 on the second conveyor 120. At this point, the WOG can be slid forward to engage the shackle 105. As the first conveyor 115 continues to move, the third portion 118 of the first conveyor 115, which is downstream of the second portion 117, can rise to a height above the second portion 117 of the first conveyor 115. As the height increases, the WOG (not shown) is lifted off the loading mat 110 and suspended by the shackle 105.

[0040] 2, the second portion 117 of the first conveyor 115 may move the shackle 105 in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of movement of the mounting mat 110 on the second conveyor 120. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first conveyor 115 and the second conveyor 120 may be configured to move at approximately the same speed so that the shackle 105 and the mounting mat 120 are aligned along the length of the second conveyor 120 to allow the WOG to engage the shackle 105.

[0041] However, the configuration of the first conveyor 115 is not limited to the particular configuration shown in the figures. For example, in some embodiments, the first and second portions 116, 117 of the first conveyor 115 can be substantially the same height. In some embodiments, the second and third portions 117, 118 of the first conveyor 115 can be substantially the same height so that when the shackle 105 of the first conveyor 115 passes by the end of the second conveyor 120, the WOG drops off the end of the second conveyor 120 and the legs of the WOG engage with the openings 106, 107 of the shackle 105 and are suspended from the shackle 105.

[0042] Figures 3-6 show various schematic views of the portion of the poultry transfer system shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 shows a side view perpendicular to the direction of travel. As shown in Figure 3, the second portion 117 of the first conveyor 115 is in substantially the same horizontal plane as the second conveyor 120 and rises after passing by the second conveyor 120. Figure 4 shows a top view of the same portion of the poultry transfer system shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows an end view of the poultry transfer system shown in Figure 2, looking at the system from the opposite direction of travel of the first conveyor 115. Figure 6 shows a side view of a portion of the poultry transfer system where the height of the first conveyor 115 rises after passing by the second conveyor 120. As shown in FIG. 6, the height of the shackle 105 increases from shackle position 1 to shackle position 4, while the WOG (not shown) is lifted from the second conveyor 120 and suspended from the shackle 105.

[0043] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for re-hanging poultry. FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the method. Method 900 may include step 905 of transporting a plurality of shackles using a first conveyor line, each shackle having a first opening for receiving a first leg of a corresponding eviscerated chicken (WOG); step 910 of transporting a plurality of mounting mats using a second conveyor line, each mounting mat having a shape configured to passively align the first leg of the corresponding WOG with the first opening of the corresponding shackle; and step 915 of inserting the first leg of the corresponding WOG into the first opening. In any of the embodiments disclosed herein, step 910 of inserting the first leg of the corresponding WOG into the first opening may include sliding the WOG horizontally from the corresponding mounting mat toward the corresponding shackle.

[0044] It is to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components described herein and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the specification and drawings provide examples of contemplated embodiments. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are capable of yet other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0045] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception underlying the present application and claims may be readily utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the purposes of the embodiments and claims presented herein, and it is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

[0046] Furthermore, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the general public, including those skilled in the art who are not particularly familiar with patent and legal terminology and language, to quickly grasp the content and gist of the technical disclosure of the application upon a single reading. The Abstract does not define the scope of the claims of the application or in any way limit the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. a first conveyor line comprising a plurality of shackles, each of the shackles having a first opening configured to receive a first leg portion of a first eviscerated chicken (WOG) and a second opening configured to receive a second leg portion of the first WOG; a first placing mat having a shape configured to passively align the first leg and the second leg of the first WOG with the corresponding first opening and second opening of the shackle such that the first leg of the first WOG is received in the first opening and the second leg of the first WOG is received in the second opening by linear movement of the first WOG on the first placing mat in a direction toward the shackle.

2. 2. The poultry hanging and transferring system of claim 1, wherein the first resting mat is disposed on a second conveyor line having a plurality of resting mats including the first resting mat.

3. 3. The poultry hanging and transferring system of claim 2, wherein the first conveyor and the second conveyor are configured to move at the same speed.

4. 2. The poultry hanging and transferring system of claim 1, wherein the first placement mat has a shape configured to allow the first leg and the second leg of the first WOG to be placed on a first horizontal surface, and at least a first portion of the first conveyor line is configured to transport the first shackle in a first direction so that the first opening and the second opening of the first shackle pass by the first placement mat on the first horizontal surface.

5. 5. The poultry hanging and transferring system of claim 4, wherein the first placing mat is disposed on a second conveyor line having a plurality of placing mats including the first placing mat, and at least a portion of the second conveyor line is configured to transport the plurality of placing mats in a second direction parallel to the first direction.

6. 5. The poultry hanging and transferring system according to claim 4, wherein at least a second portion of the first conveyor line, which is located before the first portion of the first conveyor line in the running direction of the first conveyor line, is configured to transport the first shackle such that the first opening and the second opening of the first shackle pass through a second horizontal plane that is above the first horizontal plane.

7. 7. The poultry hanging and transferring system according to claim 6, wherein at least a third section of the first conveyor line, which is behind the first section of the first conveyor line in the running direction of the first conveyor line, is configured to transport the first shackle so that the first opening and the second opening of the first shackle pass through the second horizontal plane.

8. The mounting mat is a first recess configured to receive a body portion of the first WOG; a second recess configured to receive the first leg of the first WOG; a third recess configured to receive the second leg of the first WOG.

9. 9. The poultry hanging and transferring system according to claim 8, wherein the first recess is located between the first recess and the second recess.

10. 9. The poultry hanging and transferring system according to claim 8, wherein the first recess is deeper than the second recess and the third recess.

11. conveying a plurality of shackles using a first conveyor line, each of the shackles having a first opening for receiving a first leg of a corresponding eviscerated chicken (WOG); transporting a plurality of mounting mats using a second conveyor line, each of the mounting mats having a shape configured to passively align the first leg of a corresponding WOG with the first opening of a corresponding shackle; and inserting the first leg of the corresponding WOG into the first opening.

12. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of inserting the first leg of the corresponding WOG into the first opening comprises sliding the WOG horizontally from the corresponding placement mat toward the corresponding shackle.

13. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first conveyor line comprises a first portion at a first height and a second portion at a second height that is lower than the first height, the second portion being downstream from the first portion.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first opening of the shackle is in the same horizontal plane as a corresponding recess in the mounting mat when the shackle is in the second portion of the first conveyor line.

15. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first conveyor line further comprises a third portion at a third height greater than the second height, the third portion being downstream from the second portion.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein when the first leg of the corresponding WOG is inserted into the first opening, the corresponding placing mat and the corresponding shackle are traveling at the same speed.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of placing WOG on the plurality of mounting mats.

18. The mounting mat is a first recess configured to receive a body portion of the first WOG; a second recess configured to receive the first leg of the first WOG; a third recess configured to receive the second leg of the first WOG.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first recess is located between the first recess and the second recess.

20. The method of claim 18 , wherein the first recess is deeper than the second recess and the third recess.

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