Poultry processing device and processing method

Abstract

To provide a bird processing device and processing method capable of efficiently processing hundreds of thousands to millions of processing objects.SOLUTION: A bird processing device is formed like a storage and can be mounted on a load-carrying platform of a truck. The processing device includes double doors whose front surfaces can be opened. In the double doors, airtight rubber packing is applied to the whole circumference of the doors such that the interior of the processing device constitutes a sealed space when closed. Also, the double doors have the width that allows a forklift to access to the inside of the processing device from the door side when opened. A hole for forklift fork claw is formed at a lower end part of the processing device so as to allow the fork of the forklift to be inserted in the front-rear direction from the front surface side on which the doors are formed. Also, a hole for forklift fork claw is formed at a lower end part on the opposite side to the doors in the front-rear direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bird processing device and a processing method for processing chickens from a chicken farm where avian influenza has occurred, and particularly to a bird processing device and a processing method suitable for processing a large number of chickens. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, avian influenza originating from migratory birds has become a seasonal epidemic. Once chickens at a poultry farm are infected with avian influenza, it is necessary to quickly dispose of (cull) all the birds at that farm to prevent the spread of the virus to other areas. The disposal method involves capturing the birds at the farm, placing several birds at a time in plastic bags, and replacing the air in the bags with carbon dioxide gas to suffocate the birds inside the bags. The suffocated birds are then removed from the bags and buried at a predetermined disposal facility.

[0003] In order to carry out this series of treatments on hundreds of thousands to millions of birds being raised on poultry farms in a short period of time, a human wave tactic is being used, with hundreds of people working nonstop. Because this is a sudden event, it is difficult to secure the necessary personnel, and the current situation is somewhat dependent on support from various government agencies.

[0004] An example of a countermeasure against such damage caused by avian influenza is disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a mobile photovoltaic device. In order to achieve the combined effects of environmental protection, convenience, and infection prevention, the device described in this publication includes a mobile carrier, and a laser vaporizer, gas processing device, and power supply device that are installed within the carrier's transport space.

[0005] The laser vaporization equipment performs the laser vaporization work for the waiting materials, the gas treatment equipment takes in and exhausts the gas for the laser vaporization equipment, and the power supply equipment stores and supplies the required electrical energy.When an animal-borne infectious disease such as avian influenza occurs, it can arrive at the scene quickly and flexibly and carry out the work directly on site with high efficiency.

[0006] Another example of disposing of animals suffering from infectious diseases is disclosed in Patent Document 2. The vehicle-mounted infected livestock rendering treatment device described in this publication transports livestock, particularly livestock suffering from infectious diseases, to a farm and sets them up there, where they are immediately sterilized and disposed of.

[0007] That is, mounted on a trailer chassis that can be connected to a towing vehicle is a crusher that continuously crushes infected livestock, a heat sterilization container that is circulated and heated by an electric heater heating device with an automatic temperature control function that uses oil as a heat medium, a raw material pump screw and a first lamellar pump that transport the livestock crushed by the crusher to the heat sterilization container, and a raw material transfer pipe that connects the first lamellar pump and the heat sterilization container, and the livestock that have been heat sterilized by the second lamellar pump are transported from the heat sterilization container by a product discharge screw and transferred and filled into a sealed metal container with a lid via the product pump supply screw and product transfer pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3235222 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-217629 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] As mentioned above, the outbreak of avian influenza is a sudden event, making it difficult to respond. With the current human wave tactics, there is a limit to the number of people that can be gathered, and the need for an immediate response means that workers have to work long hours, and working while preventing secondary damage increases the damage to the workers' health.

[0010] Patent Document 1 describes a vehicle compartment formed on the bed of a truck or the like, where the entire vehicle compartment is used as a treatment chamber and carbon dioxide gas is treated within the treatment chamber.As this is an on-board treatment device, it can be quickly dispatched to the site of an outbreak, and as it is equipped with advanced scientific equipment such as a laser vaporization device and an image recognition device, advanced treatment is possible.

[0011] However, if avian influenza breaks out at a poultry farm, the number of chickens to be processed could be hundreds of thousands, or even millions in some cases, so one or two such advanced devices could be ineffective. Furthermore, from a practical standpoint, capturing a large number of chickens and placing them in the same processing room requires a great deal of time to capture them while avoiding secondary damage, as they are living creatures that move around.

[0012] The livestock rendering treatment device described in Patent Document 2 crushes diseased livestock to process them, and therefore is likely to require a large number of post-processing steps from the perspective of preventing the spread of contamination. Furthermore, when processing huge quantities of farmed chickens, ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions, improvements are desired in terms of the labor required to capture and collect the objects and the simultaneous processing capacity.

[0013] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and its object is to enable efficient mass processing of materials ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of birds. In addition, another object of the present invention is to provide a simple processing device and processing method that avoids the need for labor-intensive methods. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] The feature of the present invention that achieves the above-mentioned object is that it is a bird processing device for avian influenza that is shaped like a storage shed and can be loaded onto the bed of a truck, the bird processing device having a door that is wide enough that a forklift can access the inside of the bird processing device from the door side when the door is open, and the lower end of the bird processing device has holes for forklift fork claws so that the forks of the forklift can be inserted, and a tube or hose that can introduce carbon dioxide gas into the bird processing device can be attached.

[0015] In this feature, the door is preferably a double-hinged door with an airtight rubber gasket around the entire periphery of the door so that when closed, the inside of the bird processing device forms an airtight space.

[0016] In this feature, it is preferable that a hanging ring be welded and fixed to the ceiling of the bird processing device.

[0017] In this feature, it is preferable that the tube or hose can be airtightly attached to a part of the door via a leak-proof packing.

[0018] Another feature of the present invention that achieves the above-mentioned object is a bird processing method for avian influenza using the above-mentioned bird processing device, which includes the steps of moving and setting up the bird processing device near a poultry farm where chickens suspected of being infected with avian influenza are kept, moving the birds to be processed together with their cages from the poultry farm to the processing device, introducing carbon dioxide gas into the bird processing device, stopping the introduction of carbon dioxide gas after a predetermined time has passed or when a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide gas has been filled, and opening the door of the bird processing device and removing the birds that have been processed together with their cages.

[0019] In this feature, it is preferable that the objects to be treated are placed in the poultry treating apparatus by transporting the cages using a forklift. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, the objects to be treated are placed in the treatment device while still in their cages at the poultry farm, and carbon dioxide gas is introduced into the treatment device to replace the air, thereby enabling efficient capture and collection of the objects to be treated and simultaneous mass treatment.Furthermore, since the cages can be moved and placed in the treatment device simply by using a forklift or the like, a simple treatment device and treatment method are provided that avoid the need for labor-intensive methods. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] Schematic perspective view of a bird treatment device for avian influenza according to the present invention placed near a poultry farm. [Figure 2] 1 is an external view of an embodiment of a bird treatment apparatus for avian influenza according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an external view with the door open. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing details of a carbon dioxide introduction unit provided in the bird treatment device shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 3B] Figure 3B is a photograph showing the nozzle attached. [Figure 4] A diagram and photograph showing an example of sealing applied to the poultry processing device shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a forklift hole and a hanging ring provided in the bird processing device shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] An embodiment of a bird treatment device and method for treating avian influenza according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a poultry farm 50. A plurality of poultry houses 10 are built in the poultry farm 50.

[0023] Although not shown in the figure, there are multiple longitudinal aisles inside the poultry house 10, and cage shelves with over 100 rows of cages arranged vertically in multiple tiers are located on both sides of each aisle. Each cage houses one chicken, and is configured so that feed, water, and other items necessary for chicken farming are supplied automatically or manually.

[0024] Once avian influenza breaks out at such a poultry farm 50, one or more bird processing devices 100 are loaded onto a truck 30 and transported to an appropriate location near the poultry farm 50 to process (cull) the infected and suspected infected chickens.

[0025] Mobile crane 20 or forklift 40 is prepared in advance at poultry farm 50. In the case of mobile crane 20, (hoisting) wire 26 is passed through hook 24 attached to the tip of boom 22 and connected to fixed hoisting rings 102 attached to multiple locations on the upper end of poultry processing device 100, so that mobile crane 20 hoists poultry processing device 100 from the bed of truck 30 and sets poultry processing device 100 in an appropriate location. In this way, since fixed hoisting rings 102 are provided, poultry processing device 100 can be easily transported to the desired location by crane and set up.

[0026] Furthermore, when a forklift 40 is prepared, the tines 42 of the forklift 40 are inserted into the forklift claw holes 104b (104) provided in the base 110 at the bottom of the bird processing device 100, and the bird processing device 100 is lifted from the bed of the truck 30, moved to a suitable location, and set up. As the device is provided with the fork claw holes 104b (104), it is easy to move the device to a suitable location and set it up using a forklift.

[0027] Here, the number of birds to be processed at poultry farm 50 where avian influenza has occurred ranges from hundreds of thousands to millions, so naturally multiple bird processing equipment 100 is required, and therefore bird processing equipment 100 is constructed simply and inexpensively. At the same time, since it is not normally used, it is sized to be easily transported by truck 30 from the designated storage location to the designated location.

[0028] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of bird processing device 100. Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the exterior of bird processing device 100, and Figure 2(b) is a front perspective view with front doors 120 (120a, 120b) open. Bird processing device 100 is a storage shed-like structure that is an improved version of a portable storage shed, with double doors on the front, and multiple hinges 114 spaced apart in the vertical direction on right door 120a and left door 120b, respectively, allowing the device to rotate around hinges 114. Here, it is desirable for the front door 120 to be a double door, as this allows for a wide opening and makes it easy for a forklift to enter, but doors other than double doors can also be used as long as the opening is wide enough for a forklift to access the interior. The overall width of a small forklift is about 1050 mm, so it is desirable that the width of the opening when front door 120 is opened be 1050 mm or more. With an opening width of 1050 mm or more, birds, which are the objects to be processed, can be moved and stored inside bird processing device 100 together with their cages using a forklift, so that a large number of birds can be placed into bird processing device 100 in a short period of time.

[0029] Door handles 112 in the form of vertically extending rods are provided on each door 120 at the center of poultry processing device 100. The upper and lower ends of door handles 112 fit into door fasteners 116 attached to the main body of poultry processing device 100 to prevent doors 120 from being left open. The upper end of each door 120 at the center of poultry processing device 100 is provided with seals 118 for fastening or locking both doors 120a, 120b when closed.

[0030] Bird processing device 100 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the ceiling has eaves 172 extending slightly forward. Eaves 172 are provided to reduce corrosion of door opening and closing hinges 114, door handle 112, and door fasteners 116, which are located on the front of bird processing device 100, due to rain falling on bird processing device 100 installed outdoors.

[0031] Similarly, to prevent the paint on the roof of poultry processing device 100 from peeling off due to wind and rain, and to reduce corrosion of the roof material, the roof has a gentle slope from the center of poultry processing device 100 to both ends, preventing raindrops from accumulating on the roof. Carbon dioxide gas inlet 130, which will be described in detail later, is provided above right door 120a, allowing CO2 gas to be introduced into poultry processing device 100.

[0032] In addition to front door 120, poultry processing machine 100 is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes: base 110, which is located at the bottom and supports the weight of the interior of poultry processing machine 100, and which has fork claw holes 104 formed therein; floor plate 140, which forms the upper surface of base 110; side plates 150, which are erected at both the left and right ends of base 110; back plate 160, which is erected at the rear end of base 110; and ceiling plate 170, which is attached to the upper ends of side plate 150 and back plate 160. Both side plates 150 and back plate 160 have metal siding on the surfaces exposed to the outside, and particle board is arranged on the inner surfaces.

[0033] The ceiling boards 170 that form the roof are made of galvalume steel (registered trademark) on the surface exposed to the outside and particle board on the inside. The floor boards 140 are made of waterproof plywood, and are structured to be resistant to corrosion even when forklifts or workers access the interior.

[0034] As described above, the door fixing device 116 is attached to the front end surface of the ceiling panel 170 and the front end surface of the base portion 110, and the fork claw holes 104 are formed in the base portion 110 at a position outside the door fixing device 116.

[0035] Bird processing device 100 has a width W of just under 2000 mm, a total height H including base 110 of just over 2100 mm, a depth L of just over 1800 mm, and weighs approximately 500 kg. One bird processing device 100 can be mounted on a light truck, and multiple bird processing devices 100 can be mounted on a 2-ton vehicle.

[0036] The carbon dioxide gas inlet 130 (FIG. 2) formed in the right door 120a is shown in detail in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3A(a) is a front view thereof, FIG. 3A(b) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof, and FIG. 3A(c) is a schematic diagram of the path through which carbon dioxide gas is introduced. In the carbon dioxide gas inlet 130, a circular soft rubber stopper member 132 fits into an opening formed in the right door 120a.

[0037] The plug member 132 forms a thin membrane on the front side of the right door 120a, and multiple slits 136 extending radially outward from the center are formed in the membrane. As a result, multiple fan-shaped fins 134 are formed in the membrane. A cylindrical fitting portion is formed on the back side of the membrane, which fits airtightly into the opening of the right door 120a. A stopper is formed on the back side of the fitting portion. If the fitting portion has substantially no gap in the radial direction, a stopper is not necessary. Here, plug member 132 may be attached to a location other than right door 120a. For example, it may be attached to a wall, a ceiling, or other location. In short, it may be attached to any location as long as carbon dioxide gas can be introduced.

[0038] A resin or metal tube or hose 902 is fitted into plug member 132 formed in this manner and is extended inside bird processing device 100 up to the vicinity of ceiling board 170. Carbon dioxide gas ejection part 300 fixed to the tip of hose (tube) 902 is fixed with mounting jig 301 to the framework of bird processing device 100 provided between ceiling boards 170. Here, explanation will be made with reference to Fig. 3B, which is a photograph showing the state in which the jetting part 300 is attached. Mounting jig 301 is configured to include fixing device 302 fixed to a framework material in the ceiling portion of bird processing device 100, and insertion device 303 fixed to jetting unit 300 and inserted into fixing device 302 to fix the jetting unit and fixing device 302. In this way, not only is fixing easy because it can be done simply by inserting insertion device 303 into fixing device 302, but fixing device 302 can also be installed in various locations, and it is easy to install multiple fixing devices, so jetting unit 300 can be easily fixed in various locations. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the ejection unit 300 is fixed inside the bird processing device using the mounting jig 301 configured as described above, but various other fixing methods can be used to fix the ejection unit 300. Furthermore, if the ejection unit 300 is not fixed, the ejection unit 300 and the hose 902 will move violently when the carbon dioxide gas is ejected, so it is desirable that the ejection unit 300 be fixed.

[0039] Here, the fin portion (leak-prevention packing) 134 of the plug member 132 through which the hose (tube) 902 is inserted is deformed in the insertion direction of the hose 902 by the insertion force at the time of insertion, thereby maintaining an airtight seal between the hose 902 and the plug member 132. In Fig. 3A(c), the hose 902 is inserted from the inside to the outside of the poultry processing device 100, but it goes without saying that the opposite is also possible.

[0040] In this case, fin portion 134 is deformed toward the inside of bird processing device 100, but fin portion 134 is in close contact with hose 902 and plug member 132, so airtightness is maintained between hose 902 and plug member 132.

[0041] The gas introduced into bird processing device 100 is carbon dioxide gas, which is led from gas supply source 900 to hose 902 via valve 904. Once a predetermined number of cages have been brought into bird processing device 100, front door 120 is locked and valve 904 is operated to supply carbon dioxide gas from gas supply source 900 to hose 902.

[0042] After a predetermined amount of gas has been supplied, or until the gas concentration inside the poultry processing device reaches a predetermined value, or after the gas has been supplied for a predetermined time (filling inside poultry processing device 100), valve 904 is again operated to stop the supply of carbon dioxide gas, and a predetermined time period is waited. Then, front door 120 is unlocked, the cage is removed from the poultry processing device, and the chickens inside the cage are collected and sent to the next process. The cages containing the chickens can be transported into and out of poultry processing device 100 by hand, but it is preferable to use a forklift or similar to minimize human contamination.

[0043] Since bird processing device 100 is installed outdoors with few or no houses nearby, a small amount of carbon dioxide gas leakage is not a problem. Furthermore, the better the airtightness, the better. In the present invention, further measures are taken to ensure the airtightness of bird processing device 100.

[0044] Since the bird processing device 100 is a device that was previously used as a storage shed but has been specially adapted for the treatment of avian influenza, it lacks airtightness if used as a storage shed. If the interior is airtight when used as a storage shed, mold and mildew will grow inside if moisture or humidity accumulates inside. Therefore, the device ensures breathability while preventing theft and other damage.

[0045] Therefore, in the present invention, in order to achieve airtightness, the various airtight means shown in Figure 4 are provided inside bird processing apparatus 100. The details of rubber packing (sealing member) 124 attached to the peripheral edges of front doors 120a and 120b are shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), respectively, in a perspective view (Figure 4(a)) and a cross-sectional view (Figure 4(b)).

[0046] The front surface of the front door 120, which is exposed to wind and rain, is made of Galvalume steel plate (registered trademark) 122a (hereinafter simply referred to as steel plate 122a or steel plate), which is a construction that enhances aesthetics and weather resistance. The inside side of the front door 120 is made of plywood 122b to reduce weight.

[0047] Seal member 124, which is disposed around all four edges of front door 120 (the entire periphery of the door), is made of rubber or synthetic resin and includes: door retaining portion 124a overlapping the front surface of steel plate 122a; door retaining portion 124d overlapping the front surface of plywood 122b; door thickness portion 124e extending in the thickness direction of door 120 and formed to fit onto front door 120 together with door retaining portions 124a and 124d; seal reinforcing portion 124c extending upward from plywood-side door retaining portion 124d; and seal surface forming portion 124b extending upward from steel-plate-side door retaining member 124a and finally bent to form the exterior of seal member 124. Sealing surface forming portion 124b fits tightly against the front opening (door closing opening) of bird processing device 100, thereby maintaining the airtightness of bird processing device 100 and enabling the creation of an airtight space within bird processing device 100.

[0048] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(c), the inner surfaces of the bird processing device 100, where the steel frame material and particle board are joined, and where the particle boards are joined together, are caulked with a caulking material such as silicone rubber to form a caulking treatment section 180, thereby sealing the bird processing device 100. However, it is not completely sealed because if it were completely sealed, the internal pressure would increase when carbon dioxide gas was introduced, which would be dangerous. Therefore, it is desirable to have an airtightness that does not increase the internal pressure even when carbon dioxide gas is introduced.

[0049] Next, means added to improve the portability of poultry processing machine 100 according to the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5(a) is a rear view of poultry processing machine 100. As already explained, fork claw holes 104 are arranged on the front side of base 110 of poultry processing machine 100, but in the present invention, fork claw holes 104b are also provided on the rear side. By inserting the fork claws of a forklift into the fork holes provided on the rear side, damage to the door of poultry processing machine 100 during transport can be prevented, and since there is nothing obstructing the front side when poultry processing machine 100 is unloaded from the forklift, it is possible to immediately start using poultry processing machine 100.

[0050] Additionally, eyebolt holes are typically provided in the roof, but in the present invention, to ensure airtightness of the roof and prevent rainwater and other water from entering through the eyebolt holes, a roughly rectangular hanging ring 102 with openings 102b is welded 98 to the front and rear ends of the top of the side of the bird treatment device. This is shown in the side view of Figure 5(b) and the front view of Figure 5(c). Welding the hanging ring 102 reduces corrosion of parts located near the eyebolt holes, such as hinges.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, the poultry processing device has a carbon dioxide gas inlet, a fixed hanging ring, and rear fork claw holes, which increases the likelihood of use outdoors or indoors near a poultry farm. Furthermore, since it can be mounted on a light truck or a 2-ton vehicle, it becomes easy to simultaneously transport a large number of poultry processing devices from their storage locations when they are not always needed.

[0052] In addition, it will be possible to transport all the chickens in the chicken farm into the bird processing equipment, along with their cages, for simultaneous mass processing, which will enable processing with fewer personnel than currently required while preventing secondary contamination. This will make it easier to respond to sudden outbreaks of avian influenza and reduce the burden on workers. Furthermore, since the processing equipment is simple and not too large, it will be easy to prepare a large number of units, making it possible to process avian influenza at low cost. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10... Poultry house, 20... Mobile crane, 22... Boom, 24... Hook, 26... (Lifting) wire, 30... (Transport) truck, 40... Forklift, 42... (Forklift) claw, 50... Poultry farm, 98... Welding, 100... Poultry processing device, 102... (Fixed) hanging ring, 102b... Opening, 104... (Forklift) fork claw hole, 104b... Rear (Forklift) fork claw hole, 110... Base, 112... Door handle, 114... Hinge, 116... Door fixing device, 120... (Front) door, 120a... Right door, 120b... Left door, 122... Door plate, 1 22a...Galvalume steel plate (registered trademark), 122b...plywood, 124...rubber packing (sealing member), 124a...door holding portion, 124b...seal surface forming portion, 124c...seal reinforcing portion, 124d...door holding portion, 124e...door thickness portion, 130...carbon dioxide gas introduction portion, 132...plug member, 134...fin portion (leak prevention packing), 136...slit, 140...floor board, 150...side board, 160...back board, 170...ceiling board, 180...caulking processing portion, 900...gas supply source, 902...hose (tube), 904...valve, L...depth, H...(total) height, W...width

Claims

1. A bird treatment device for avian influenza that is formed like a storage shed and can be mounted on the bed of a truck, The bird processing device has a door, and the door has a width that allows a forklift to access the inside of the bird processing device from the door side when the door is opened, The lower end of the bird processing device is formed with forklift fork holes so that the forks of a forklift can be inserted, A tube or hose capable of introducing carbon dioxide gas into the bird processing device can be attached via an attachment jig, The mounting jig is composed of a fixing device fixed to a framework material of the ceiling part of the bird processing device, and an inserting device that fixes the nozzle part at the tip of the tube or hose and is formed so that it can be inserted into the fixing device and fixed; The door is a double-hinged door on the front, and an airtight rubber gasket is fitted around the entire periphery of the door, so that when closed, the inside of the bird processing device forms an airtight space, and the bird processing device is airtight enough so that internal pressure does not increase when carbon dioxide gas is introduced.

2. 2. The bird processing device according to claim 1, wherein a hanging ring is welded to an upper end of the bird processing device.

3. 2. The bird processing device according to claim 1, wherein the tube or the hose can be airtightly attached to a part of the door via a leak-proof packing.

4. A bird processing method for dealing with avian influenza using the bird processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a step of moving and installing the bird treatment device near a poultry farm housing chickens suspected of being infected with avian influenza; A step of transporting and storing the birds to be treated together with their cages from the poultry farm into the treatment device; introducing carbon dioxide gas into the poultry processing apparatus; a step of stopping the introduction of carbon dioxide gas after a predetermined time has elapsed or when a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide gas has been filled; A bird processing method comprising the step of opening the door of the bird processing apparatus and removing the processed birds together with the cage.

5. 5. The bird processing method according to claim 4, wherein the objects to be processed are placed in the bird processing device by transporting the cages using a forklift.

Images