Gutting tool, eviscerating device, cam plate for eviscerating tool, and jaw arm for eviscerating tool

Abstract

To provide an eviscerating tool capable of remedying the influence of wear on the accuracy of the eviscerating tool.SOLUTION: An eviscerating tool 1 comprises jaw arms 2, 3 provided with jaws 4, 5 at extremities thereof, where at least one 3 of the jaw arms 2, 3 is rotatable around an axis of rotation. The eviscerating tool 1 is movable between an open position and a closed position, such that the jaws 4, 5 can grip poultry intestines in the open position and can hold them in the closed position. The at least one 3 of the jaw arms 2, 3 has an actuation part 7 for moving the eviscerating tool 1 between the open position and the closed position. The actuation part 7 includes an aperture to receive a cam plate 9. The cam plate is drivable for moving the at least one 3 of the jaw arms 2, 3. The cam plate 9 fits into the aperture while leaving play between the cam plate and the aperture so as to enable the movement of the cam plate 9 with respect to the at least one jaw arm 3. The cam plate can be subjected to a load so as to bias the cam plate into the preferred position in the aperture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an evisceration tool comprising jaw arms with jaws at their distal ends, at least one of the jaw arms being rotatable about an axis of rotation such that the evisceration tool is movable between an open position and a closed position, in which the jaws are capable of gripping and in which the jaws are capable of holding poultry intestines, and at least one of the jaw arms is provided with an actuator for moving the evisceration tool between the open and closed positions. [Background technology]

[0002] Such eviscerators are known from US Pat. No. 5,629,991 and US Pat. No. 5,629,991.

[0003] The patent application WO 2007 / 023444 claims an evisceration tool for processing chunks of viscera from slaughtered animals, the evisceration tool comprising: two jaw portions adapted to move relative to one another between an open position in which the first jaw portion is spaced apart from the second jaw portion and a closed position in which the first jaw portion is driven toward the second jaw portion; a support means for supporting the jaw portion; first actuation means for moving the support means and jaw members at least partially into and out of the body cavity of a slaughtered animal; second actuation means for moving the jaw portions relative to one another between their open and closed positions; Equipped with The first actuation means and the second actuation means are designed to sequentially: a first actuation means for moving the support means and the jaw portions into the body cavity to place a portion of the visceral mass between the jaw portions without substantially moving the visceral mass, and a second actuation means for previously moving the jaw portions to the open position; a second actuation means for moving the jaw portions to their closed position to clamp the portion of the visceral mass; A first actuation means moves the support means to move the visceral mass.

[0004] Applicant states that while both arms may be movable, only one of the jaw arms may be movable to allow the jaw to move between open and closed positions.

[0005] It is further stated that the applicant has on the market an evisceration tool as described in the preamble, namely an evisceration tool comprising jaw arms with jaws at the distal ends of the jaw arms, at least one of the jaw arms being rotatable about an axis of rotation so that the evisceration tool is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the jaws are capable of gripping and in the closed position the jaws are capable of holding poultry intestines, and at least one of the jaw arms is provided with an actuation member for moving the evisceration tool between the open and closed positions, the actuation member having an opening, the opening being arranged to receive a cam plate that is drivable for moving at least one of the jaw arms provided with the cam plate.

[0006] Patent Document 3 discloses a poultry viscera extraction device having an extraction unit that is movable up and down: a fixing unit for fixing a carcass having a central axis in the up and down direction, and an extraction unit provided on an upper part of the fixing unit so as to move up and down and configured so as to be able to selectively push into or pull out from the body of the poultry fixed by the fixing unit, the extraction unit being arranged to grasp the esophagus of the poultry and thereby extract the viscera connected to the esophagus; and a plurality of extraction assemblies are provided side by side along the periphery of the carcass and rotate along the periphery of the carcass relative to the central axis of the carcass. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] WO 01 / 52659 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2016 / 013931 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2016 / 032059 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] An object of the present invention is to address the effect of wear on the accuracy of an evisceration tool. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To that end, the evisceration tool of the present invention comprises one or more of the features of the accompanying claims. In a first aspect of the invention, a cam plate engages with the opening, leaving play between the cam plate and the opening, allowing movement of the cam plate relative to at least one jaw arm, and the cam plate is loaded to urge the cam plate into a desired position within the opening. Thus, the cam plate used to drive the evisceration tool always assumes a well-defined position.

[0010] Preferably, the play allows for (partial) rotational movement of the cam plate relative to at least one jaw arm.

[0011] Preferably, the cam plate is spring loaded, which is a reliable and inexpensive device for applying a load to the cam plate.

[0012] In a preferred arrangement, the cam plate includes a first laterally extending arm, at least one of the jaw arms provided with the cam plate includes a second laterally extending arm, and the first and second laterally extending arms are spring loaded, thereby providing a reliable and inexpensive method of applying load to the cam plate.

[0013] In a preferred arrangement, the spring is attached to a bolt and nut on the second laterally extending arm.

[0014] The advantages of the present invention are maximized in an evisceration apparatus comprising a plurality of evisceration tools according to the present invention, which evisceration apparatus can be arranged in a processing line for evisceration of poultry, the processing line comprising a carousel-type device for driving each of the evisceration tools.

[0015] The invention is further embodied in a cam plate shown as part of the evisceration tool of the invention, the cam plate having an internal slit adapted to receive a drive pin and an opening in the actuation portion of the jaw arm of the evisceration tool. While still having fun The cam plate has a first laterally extending arm and a mating periphery.

[0016] In particular, the cam plate has a single continuous inner slit defined by an outer peripheral wall, the peripheral wall directly defining the single inner slit on its side facing the inner slit, and the peripheral wall is formed in a shape other than circular on its side facing away from the inner slit, and the cam plate has a first laterally extending arm non-removably fixed to the cam plate.

[0017] The internal slit is positioned to receive the drive pin and the peripheral wall is configured to fit within an opening in the actuation portion of the jaw arm of the eviscerator.

[0018] The invention is also embodied in a jaw arm shown as part of an evisceration tool according to the invention, the jaw arm having an opening adapted to receive a cam plate, the jaw arm having a second laterally extending arm capable of holding a spring attached to a bolt and nut.

[0019] In particular, the jaw arm has an axis of rotation defined by the pinhole and an opening in the working portion of the jaw arm, the opening being spaced apart from the jaw of the jaw arm and located in the working portion on an opposite side of the jaw from the pinhole, the opening being larger than the pinhole and having a different shape than the pinhole, the opening and pinhole being the only through holes in the jaw arm, and the jaw arm having a second laterally extending arm spaced apart from the pinhole and spaced apart from the jaw of the jaw arm.

[0020] The second laterally extending arm is capable of holding a spring attached to a bolt and nut.

[0021] 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]

[0022] When the same reference numbers are used in the following drawings, they refer to the same parts. [Figure 1] FIG. 2 shows the evisceration tool of the present invention in a closed position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the evisceration tool of FIG. 1 in an open position. [Figure 3] 2 shows one of the jaw arms of the eviscerator of FIG. 1 provided with a cam plate; [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows the jaw arm of FIG. 3 without the cam plate. [Figure 5] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Reference is first made to Figures 1 and 2, which show an evisceration tool according to the present invention comprising jaw arms 2, 3 with jaws 4, 5 at their distal ends.

[0024] Typically there will be several evisceration tools 1, all forming part of a evisceration apparatus which can be arranged on a processing line for evisceration of poultry, the processing line comprising a carousel-type device for driving each evisceration tool 1. Such an arrangement is not shown as it will be clear to those skilled in the art.

[0025] At least one of the jaw arms, for example jaw arm 3, has an axis of rotation 6' defined by pin 6, which allows the eviscerator 1 to be movable between an open position depicted in Figure 2 and a closed position depicted in Figure 1. In the open position shown in Figure 2, the jaws 4, 5 are able to grip onto the intestines of the poultry, and in the closed position shown in Figure 1, the jaws 4, 5 are able to hold the intestines of the poultry.

[0026] At least one jaw arm 3 of the jaw arms 2, 3, here only jaw arm 3, includes an actuator 7 for moving the jaws 4, 5 between the open position of the evisceration tool 1 (FIG. 2) and the closed position of the evisceration tool 1 (FIG. 1). As best shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 7 includes an opening 8 adapted to receive a cam plate 9, which is shown separately in FIG. 5. FIG. 3 shows the jaw arm 3 in question, with the cam plate 9 assembled therewith. From this view, it can be seen that the opening 8 is spaced apart from the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3 and is located on the opposite side of the pin hole 6' relative to the jaw 5. The opening is larger than the pin hole 6' and has a different shape than the pin hole 6'. Furthermore, the opening 8 and the pin hole 6' are the only through holes in the jaw arm 3.

[0027] Away from the pinhole 6 ′ and away from the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3 , the jaw arm 3 is provided with a second laterally extending arm 12 .

[0028] As best shown in Figure 3, but also visible in Figures 1 and 2, the cam plate 9 fits into the opening 8 with some play 16 between the cam plate 9 and the opening 8, allowing movement of the cam plate 9 relative to at least one jaw arm 3. To eliminate side play that is important for reliable operation of the evisceration tool 1, a load is applied to the cam plate 9 to bias it into a preferred position within the opening 8. As will be explained below, this load may suitably be applied by a spring, although other loading means may also be implemented.

[0029] 1 and 2, the cam plate 9 is drivable by an external drive pin 10 of an evisceration device 10 of which the evisceration tool 1 is a part, the drive pin being arranged to move the respective jaw arm 3 on which the cam plate 9 is mounted. The external drive pin 10 operates in a known manner by the movement of a cam wheel which follows a cam wheel track around the periphery of a rotary machine, also known as a carousel-type machine. This structure is not relevant to the essence of the present invention and is therefore not further shown in the drawings, it being understood that this structure will be entirely clear to those skilled in the art as a general method for moving the drive pin 10.

[0030] Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, protection is also claimed for an evisceration apparatus comprising a plurality of evisceration tools according to the invention, which evisceration apparatus can be arranged in a processing line for evisceration of poultry, the processing line comprising a carousel-type device for driving each of the evisceration tools according to the invention.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the cam plate 9 is provided with a first laterally extending arm 11. Figures 3 and 4 show that the jaw arm 3 to which the cam plate 9 is attached is provided with the aforementioned second laterally extending arm 12. In particular, Figure 3, but also in Figures 1 and 2, shows that the first and second laterally extending arms 11, 12 are spring loaded with a spring 13. This is one arrangement that applies a load to the cam plate 9 to bias it into a desired position within the opening 8 and limits the effects of wear on the drive motion acting on at least one jaw arm 3.

[0032] Protection is also claimed for a separate cam plate 9, which (as best shown in FIG. 5) has an inner slit 17 capable of receiving the drive pin 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Furthermore, FIG. 3 in particular shows that the cam plate 9 has an outer periphery that fits into an opening 8 provided in the working portion 7 of the jaw arms 3 of the eviscerator 1. In particular, the cam plate 9 is defined by an outer peripheral wall 18 and has a single, uninterrupted inner slit 17 that directly defines the inner single slit 17 on the side facing the inner slit 17, and on the side remote from the inner slit 17, this peripheral wall 18 is shaped to fit into the opening 8 provided in the working portion 7 of the jaw arms 3 of the eviscerator 1. A first laterally extending arm 11 of the cam plate 9 is permanently fixed to the cam plate 9.

[0033] Correspondingly, protection is also claimed for a separate jaw arm 3, which has an opening 8 suitable for receiving the cam plate 9 according to the previous paragraph, and which has a second laterally extending arm 12 capable of holding a spring 13 attached to a bolt 14 and a nut 15. In particular, the jaw arm 3 has a rotation axis 6' in the pin hole 6 and an opening 8 in the actuating part 7 of the jaw arm 3, which is arranged to receive the cam plate 9 for actuating the jaw arm 3. This opening 8 is located opposite the pin hole 6 in the actuating part 7 and at a distance from the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3, compared to the jaw 5, and the opening 8 is larger than the pin hole 6 and has a different shape from the pin hole. The opening 8 and the pin hole 6 are the only through holes in the jaw arm 3. Away from the pin hole 6 and away from the jaw 5 of the jaw arm 3, the jaw arm 3 in question has a second laterally extending arm 12 capable of holding a spring 13 attached to a bolt 14 and a nut 15. In this way, the load that the spring 13 exerts on the cam plate 9 can be easily adjusted.

[0034] An embodiment of the present invention may include any combination of the features disclosed herein, independently of one another. 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 scope of the appended claims, and any ambiguity that may arise in the language of the claims should be resolved using these exemplary embodiments.

[0035] 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 is essential to the operation of the present invention. Rather, desired results may be achieved by substituting the various components and / or rearranging their interrelationships.

Claims

1. An evisceration tool (1) comprising jaw arms (2, 3) with jaws (4, 5) provided at the tips of the jaw arms (2, 3), at least one jaw arm (3) of said jaw arms (2, 3) is rotatable about an axis of rotation such that the eviscerator (1) is movable between an open position and a closed position, in which said jaws (4, 5) are capable of gripping and in which said jaws (4, 5) are capable of holding the intestines of poultry; and at least one jaw arm (3) of the jaw arms (2, 3) is provided with an actuating portion (7) for moving the eviscerator (1) between the open position and the closed position, the actuating portion (7) having an opening (8) arranged to receive a cam plate (9) which is drivable to move the at least one jaw arm (3) of the jaw arm (2, 3) to which the cam plate (9) is attached; the cam plate (9) engages with the opening (8) while leaving a play (16) between the cam plate (9) and the opening (8) to allow movement of the cam plate (9) relative to the at least one jaw arm (3); The evisceration tool is characterized in that the cam plate (9) is subjected to a load so as to bias the cam plate (9) into a desired position within the opening (8).

2. An eviscerator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the cam plate (9) is loaded by a spring (13).

3. The cam plate (9) comprises a first laterally extending arm (11); the at least one jaw arm (3) of the jaw arms (2, 3) on which the cam plate (9) is provided has a second lateral extension arm (12); 2. An evisceration tool (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second laterally extending arms (11, 12) are loaded by a spring (13).

4. 4. An evisceration tool (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the spring (13) is attached to a bolt (14) and a nut (15) provided on the second laterally extending arm (12).

5. 5. An evisceration apparatus comprising a plurality of evisceration tools according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the evisceration apparatus being positionable on a processing line for evisceration of poultry, the processing line comprising a carousel-type device for driving each of the evisceration tools.

6. A cam plate (9) for an evisceration tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cam plate (9) comprises an inner slit (17), The cam plate (9) comprises a single continuous inner slit (17) defined by an outer peripheral wall (18) which directly defines the single inner slit (17) on its side facing the inner slit (17); The peripheral wall (18) is formed in a shape different from a circle on the side facing away from the inner slit (17), A cam plate (9), characterized in that the cam plate (9) comprises a first laterally extending arm (11) permanently fixed to the cam plate (9).

7. The inner slit (17) is arranged to receive a drive pin (10); 7. The cam plate (9) according to claim 6, characterized in that the peripheral wall (18) is formed to fit into an opening (8) provided in the working part (7) of the jaw arm (3) of the eviscerator (1) with a play (16).

8. A jaw arm (3) for an evisceration tool (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising: a rotation axis (6) within a pinhole (6') and an opening (8) in the working part (7) of the jaw arm (3); the opening (8) is located in the working part (7) at a position spaced apart from the jaw (5) of the jaw arm (3) and opposite the jaw (5) with respect to the pinhole (6'); The opening (8) is larger than the pinhole (6') and has a different shape from the pinhole (6'); the opening (8) and the pinhole (6') are the only through holes in the jaw arm (3); A jaw arm (3) characterized in that the jaw arm (3) comprises a second laterally extending arm (12) spaced apart from the pinhole (6') and spaced apart from the jaw (5) of the jaw arm (3).

9. 9. A jaw arm (3) according to claim 8, characterized in that the second laterally extending arm (12) is capable of holding a spring (13) attached to a bolt (14) and a nut (15).

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