Carcass packaging material

Abstract

To provide a carcass packaging material with which a carcass coating process is significantly improved, the process including a step of cutting cloth wound around a long roll or the like.SOLUTION: A carcass packaging material for packaging carcass has knitted fabric obtained by circularly knitting ground yarn, wherein identifiable marker yarn is knitted with the ground yarn at each prescribed interval in a length direction of the knitted fabric. When cutting the carcass packaging material itself to a predetermined length, there is provided a configuration in which the marker yarn serving as a reference of a cutting place is knitted, thus an operator can easily advance a cutting operation in a predetermined cutting place. Further, a purse-shape can be made by fastening the marker yarn, thereby exhibiting effects of largely reducing a cutting part, and of significantly reducing even yarn waste causing mixing of foreign matters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carcass packaging material for packaging and handling carcasses obtained by slaughtering and butchering cattle, pigs, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Livestock such as beef cattle are usually inspected individually and holistically, and then slaughtered to remove organs, spines, heads, and other parts, and process the meat into carcasses, which are roughly half the total. Such carcasses are attached with hooks and stored in refrigerators or freezers. They may be distributed in this state, and even when the carcasses are cut into blocks, the carcasses are covered with packaging material for hygiene, traceability, and other reasons (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3121979 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When manufacturing such packaging materials for carcasses, a base fabric is made from fiber yarn such as polyester fiber using a knitting machine, and from the viewpoint of mass production in particular, a circular knitting machine is used to make a tubular fabric. Typically, the tubular fabric is in the form of a long, continuous web, and is therefore often folded in half and wound into a roll for shipping.

[0005] When using tubular knitted fabric as a surface covering for carcasses, it must be cut from the roll to the required length for each carcass. The width of the body used to wrap the carcass ranges from 30 to 150 cm, and the length ranges from 50 to 500 cm. For this reason, workers typically use scissors to cut the fabric from the roll to the required length for wrapping the carcass. While rough cuts are sufficient and precision is not required, care must be taken to avoid generating lint and dust, especially lint, which can become contaminated when it adheres to the meat. At the same time, to ensure meat safety, cutting work must be performed while avoiding the introduction of mold spores, necessitating improvements to the carcass covering process. Furthermore, cutting the fabric to the required length is difficult due to its high elasticity, and the need for multiple workers to measure the fabric to ensure uniformity. Fabric shorter than the carcass length cannot be used, so longer cuts are unavoidable. This necessitates longer cuts, resulting in fabric waste and measurement work.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above technical problems, the present invention aims to provide a carcass packaging material that significantly improves the carcass wrapping process, including cutting fabric wound on a long roll or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the carcass packaging material of the present invention is a carcass packaging material for packaging carcasses, characterized in that it has a knitted fabric made by circular knitting ground yarn, and marker yarns that are distinguishable from the ground yarns are knitted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric.

[0008] As used herein, "carcass packaging material" refers to a packaging material for packaging carcasses, provided as a long tubular knitted fabric, which is cut to a predetermined length before covering the surface of the carcass. Long tubular knitted fabrics are typically wound into rolls, but this form of provision is not limited to this. In this specification, "carcass" refers to livestock, such as cattle or pigs, from which organs have been removed and the edible meat, including bones, has been cut. However, it can also refer to other animals, such as birds and fish. Furthermore, in this specification, "carcass" also includes cut meat. "Predetermined intervals" refer to a fixed interval along the length of the tubular knitted fabric. In the case of cattle, this means an interval between 1.5 m and 6.0 m, which is appropriate for the typical carcass size. Alternatively, it can refer to intervals based on the unit of measurement used. "Every unit of measurement used" can be any interval, such as every 1 m, 2 m, 1 shaku, or 2 shaku. In this specification, the length direction is the axial direction of a circular knitting machine for a fabric knitted on the circular knitting machine, and is the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric when wound into a roll.

[0009] One way to distinguish the marker yarn from the ground yarn is to use a colored yarn that is different from the ground yarn. Generally, a colored yarn such as red, blue, green, or black can be used for a white or colorless ground yarn. Another way is to use a yarn made of a different fiber material. For example, when a polyester fiber yarn is used as the ground yarn, other polymer fibers such as polyolefins or natural fibers can be used as the marker yarn. Even when using a yarn made of a different fiber material, the color can be made different from that of the ground yarn, or the diameter of the yarn can be changed from that of the ground yarn. Furthermore, it is also possible to switch between long and short fibers. One example of using a yarn made of a different fiber material is to use a water-soluble fiber yarn, which makes it possible to cut the tubular knitted fabric at a predetermined location by supplying water.

[0010] The marker yarn, which is distinguishable from the ground yarn, is primarily used as a marker by an operator using scissors or a cutter to cut the tubular knitted fabric along or near the marker yarn. The marker yarn itself may be detected by a sensor and linked to a cutting means, such as a laser beam. Another use of the marker yarn, which is distinguishable from the ground yarn, is to pull the marker yarn out of the knitted fabric, thereby cutting the fabric at the position where the marker yarn was located. This pulling of the marker yarn out of the knitted fabric may cover the entire circumference of the tubular knitted fabric, or it may be a portion of the circumference. When a tubular knitted fabric is actually knitted on a circular knitting machine, the extension direction of the yarn forms a spiral, so that one circumference of the yarn is slightly shifted in the longitudinal direction by the number of yarns knitted simultaneously. However, after the marker yarn is pulled out of the knitted fabric, cutting only the shifted portion in the longitudinal direction allows the individual packaging materials to be separated. The length of the cut portion is generally less than 10%, and the generation of lint is also less than 10%. This is a significant measure to prevent contamination.

[0011] Furthermore, the marker yarn can be either single or multiple. When knitting a tubular fabric with a circular knitting machine, the operation involves switching the number of simultaneously fed yarns to the marker yarn using a yarn feed changeover device (auto striper) or the like. If only one yarn is to be changed to a colored yarn, there will be one marker yarn, but if multiple yarns, for example four, are to be changed at the same time, the configuration can consist of four marker yarns. Since the yarn feed changeover devices used in circular knitting machines can be controlled independently, it is possible to configure, for example, two marker yarns that can be recognized by the operator and one marker yarn that can be pulled out to separate the knitted fabric by cutting it.

[0012] Furthermore, in the carcass packaging material of the present invention, a through thread that passes between the inside and outside of the knitted fabric can be arranged in parallel with the marking thread. By providing a through thread that passes between the inside and outside of the knitted fabric, the opening can be narrowed with the thread, like the tightening part of a drawstring bag. The through thread may be arranged by switching the thread during knitting on a circular knitting machine, like the marking thread, or it may be added in a separate operation. The through thread may be a single thread or a colored thread, or it may be composed of multiple threads or threads of different fibers.

[0013] Furthermore, the carcass packaging material of the present invention can also be configured to have a knitted fabric made by circular knitting ground yarn, with a knitting structure different from the knitting structure of the knitted fabric being knitted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the knitted fabric. Even if the knitted fabric structure is changed, the changed part can function as a marker due to differences in gloss, feel, appearance, etc., and can be configured in a band-like shape with a relatively longer length in the longitudinal direction than when the yarn supply is switched. As an example of the knitting method, it is possible to form a basic knitted fabric with plain knitting, and then temporarily change the knitting structure to jacquard knitting, mesh knitting, pile knitting, etc., and then return it to the original state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the carcass packaging material of the first embodiment of the present invention is used. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a carcass packaging material according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided in a roll. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a carcass packaging material and cutting points according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a carcass packaging material according to a second embodiment of the present invention and its cutting locations. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a carcass packaging material according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a carcass packaging material according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a carcass packaging material according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments of the carcass packaging material of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the carcass packaging material. The carcass packaging material 10 of this embodiment is provided in the form of a roll 22 as shown in FIG. 2. The carcass packaging material 10 provided in roll form can be cut along a marking thread 14 at a carcass processing plant or in the preparation stage to package a single carcass 20. The carcass packaging material 10 provided in roll form in FIG. 2 is made of a tubular knitted fabric 16. Such carcass packaging material 10 provided in roll form is knitted, for example, using a large circular knitting machine (not shown) equipped with multiple yarn cones on a yarn rack, and an opening 12 is formed at any location where the tubular knitted fabric 16 is cut around the entire circumference. When used to cover a carcass 20, the carcass 20 is wrapped around the opening 12, and as shown in FIG. 1, the carcass 20 is finally covered so as to enclose the carcass 20 except for the bones of the front and rear legs and their vicinity.

[0016] In the tubular knitted fabric 16 of the carcass packaging material 10 of this embodiment, marker yarns 14 that are distinguishable from the ground yarns are knitted at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the fabric 16. One example of a method for inserting the distinguishable marker yarns 14 into the knitted fabric 16 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction, in other words, one example of a method for manufacturing a carcass packaging material, is to perform an operation of switching yarns after knitting a predetermined number of intervals on a circular knitting machine. That is, by attaching a predetermined yarn feed switching device (auto-striper) to the circular knitting machine in advance and switching one or more feed yarns from white to, for example, red and back at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tubular knitted fabric, the marker yarns 14 can be inserted into the knitted fabric 16. In this case, if, for example, a white polyester fiber yarn is used as the ground yarn, the yarn switched for the marker yarn 14 can be the same polyester fiber yarn, for example, red. Basically, the operation of switching to a colored yarn for one lap and then switching back to the original color is performed, but it is also possible to switch to a colored yarn for two, three, or more laps and then switch back to the original color.

[0017] When the colored yarn is switched by one revolution, approximately one revolution of the marker yarn 14 is knitted, as shown in Figure 3. In circular knitting, stitches are formed in a spiral pattern by weft knitting. Therefore, when one colored yarn is used as the marker yarn 14, steps in the length direction are created at both ends of the yarn according to the number of stitches of the number of yarns knitted at the same time. The previously described roll 22 has marker yarns 14 with such steps arranged at predetermined intervals, for example, at intervals of 1.5 to 6.0 m in the length direction, and is handled in a wound state. For example, if the wound length of the roll is 100 meters and a marker yarn 14 is knitted every 4.0 m, a total of 25 marker yarns will appear sequentially at predetermined intervals when unwound. Before packaging a carcass, a worker pulls out the tubular knitted fabric 16 of the carcass packaging material 10 from the roll 22 and cuts it to a predetermined length. During this process, the worker cuts the tubular knitted fabric 16 along the marker yarn 14 with scissors or a cutter to obtain a cylindrical piece corresponding to the length of one carcass 20, thereby protecting the surface of the carcass. When cutting along the marker yarn 14 with scissors or a cutter, the worker simply cuts in the horizontal (circumferential) direction, crossing the spiral marker yarn 14 once or an odd number of times. In this embodiment, the marker yarn 14 is woven in, for example, every 4.0 m, but the predetermined interval can also be other lengths or unit lengths. For example, in a configuration in which the marker yarn is inserted every 1 meter, when making a 4.0 m cut, the marker yarn 14 can be cut every four strands. In the case of 3.2m, the third line is added 20cm, so you only need to measure 20cm from the third line. There is no need to prepare a tape measure with a scale of more than 3 meters, or to measure 1 meter three times and then add 20cm, which is a complicated procedure for measuring length.

[0018] In the first embodiment, the marking thread 14 in the carcass packaging material is described as being selected from colored threads that are easily distinguishable by workers, but the marking thread 14 does not have to be distinguished only by humans, and can also be detected by a sensor, etc. As a further alternative, the marking thread 14 can be a marker derived from a special wavelength or particle that cannot be detected by the human eye.

[0019] In the first embodiment of the carcass packaging material, the marker thread 14 is described as being the same type of thread as the ground thread but a different color, but it can also be a thread of a different fiber so that it can be distinguished by visual reflection or feel, and both the type and color of the thread can be set to be different between the marker thread and the ground thread.

[0020] Next, a second embodiment of a carcass packaging material will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the second embodiment of the carcass packaging material, a marker yarn 14 is knitted into a tubular knitted fabric 16, and this marker yarn 14 can be pulled out of the knitted fabric 16. By pulling the marker yarn 14 out of the knitted fabric 16, the portion where the marker yarn 14 was knitted unravels, and the tubular knitted fabric 16 is separated in the lengthwise direction. Therefore, the pulling out of the marker yarn 14 causes a slit along the location where the marker yarn 14 was knitted, and only the step portion caused by the spiral progression of the circular knitting stitches is continuous between the upper and lower knitted fabrics 16, so the entire circumference of the tubular knitted fabric 16 can be separated simply by cutting this portion. In other words, pulling out the marker yarn 14 is equivalent to cutting this portion, making the cutting operation significantly easier than conventional cutting operations.

[0021] Next, referring to FIG. 5, a carcass packaging material according to a third embodiment will be described. The carcass packaging material according to the third embodiment uses two marker yarns 14a and 14b. As already explained, the marker yarns knitted into the knitted fabric 16 may be a set of multiple yarns. Using two or more marker yarns makes it easier for workers to find the markers than using a single yarn. The space between the two yarns also functions as a margin for cutting with scissors, contributing to improved workability. Two parallel marker yarns 14a and 14b can also be knitted by, for example, providing yarn feed switchers at two locations on the circumference of a circular knitting machine. "Multiple" refers to multiple yarns knitted into a portion identified by a single marker yarn. The total number of marker yarns is the sum of the number of markers and the number of each yarn. The packaging material according to the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to a plurality of marker yarns in a certain location of the knitted fabric, all of which are the same. It is also possible to vary the number of threads that make up the marker yarn within the roll; for example, near the end of the roll where there are five remaining knitted fabrics available, the number of marker threads can be changed to notify the worker of the end.

[0022] Next, a fourth embodiment of the carcass packaging material will be described with reference to FIG. 6 . In the fourth embodiment of the carcass packaging material, the marker yarn 14 also functions as a thread passing through the inside and outside of the knitted fabric 16. That is, using the colored marker yarn 14 for visual inspection, an operator cuts the tubular knitted fabric 16 one circumference at the bottom near the marker yarn 14 with scissors or the like, separating the knitted fabric 16 with the marker yarn 14 remaining at the bottom from the knitted fabric 16 located below. After removing the knitted fabric 16 on the lower side, by pulling the marker yarn 14, the marker yarn 14 functions as a thread passing through the inside and outside of the knitted fabric 16. Therefore, the opening at the bottom of the knitted portion 16 can be squeezed closed like the opening of a drawstring bag, and the carcass packaging material can be made into a single bag. Pulling the thread to create a bag can be performed on each individual knitted fabric 16, and the knitted fabric 16 can also be squeezed closed after being cut to a predetermined length. Furthermore, by using each of the multiple marker yarns as a through yarn passing through the inside and outside of the knitted fabric 16, it is possible to form a drawstring-like narrowed portion at each of the upper and lower openings of the tubular knitted fabric 16. Furthermore, since the marker yarns can be narrowed to form a drawstring shape, there is an effect of greatly reducing cut portions and lint, which is a cause of foreign matter contamination.

[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment, in which a different knitting section 30 with a different knitting pattern is formed on the knitted fabric 16 instead of using a marker yarn. The carcass packaging material of the fifth embodiment includes a knitted fabric 16 made by circular knitting a ground yarn, and the different knitting section 30 with a different knitting pattern from the knitted fabric can be knitted at predetermined intervals along the length of the knitted fabric 16. Even when the knitted fabric structure is changed, the difference in gloss, texture, and appearance of the changed section can function as a marker. This allows for a belt-like structure with a relatively longer length compared to when the yarn supply is switched. As an example of a knitting method, the basic knitted fabric 16 is constructed using plain knitting, and the different knitting section 30 is formed by temporarily changing the knitting pattern to jacquard knitting, mesh knitting, or pile knitting. After knitting the belt-like structure, the original structure is returned to its original state, resulting in the production of a carcass packaging material as shown in FIG. 7. The worker can use the different knitting section 30 as a marker to cut the carcass packaging material to the desired length. The different knitting section 30 can also have different yarn colors and diameters. It may also be a configuration that combines a mark yarn and a different knitted section 30, and may have a pattern in which a combination is repeated such that, for example, after four turns of the mark yarn are arranged at a predetermined interval, a different knitted section 30 appears once.

[0024] In addition, in the carcass packaging material of the present invention, it is possible to change the diameter of the thread from that of the ground thread. Furthermore, it is also possible to switch between long fibers and short fibers between the ground thread and the marking thread. In addition, as an example of using threads made of different fiber materials, there is a method of using water-soluble fiber threads such as polyvinyl alcohol fiber threads, which makes it possible to cut the tubular knitted fabric at predetermined locations by supplying water.

[0025] In the carcass packaging material of the above embodiment, the yarn used in the circular knitting machine has been described as polyester fiber yarn, but other examples of yarns can also be used, including yarns made of resins listed in the Positive List System of the revised Food Sanitation Act, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polymethylpentene (PMP), polybutene-1 (PB-1), butadiene resin (BDR), ethylene-tetracyclododecene copolymer (ETD), ethylene-2-norbornene resin (ENB), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-styrene resin (AS), acrylic nitrilobutadiene-styrene resin (ABS), polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), fluororesin (FR), polymethacrylic styrene (MS), methacrylic resin (PMMA), and Examples include nylon (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacetal (POM), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyallylsulfone (PASF), polyarylate (PAR), hydroxybenzoic acid polyester (HBP), polyetherimide (PEI), polycyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate (PCT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyester carbonate (PPC), polylactic acid (PLA), and polybutylene succinate (PBS).

[0026] As described above, the carcass packaging material of the present invention has a structure in which a marker yarn is woven in to serve as a guide for the cutting location when cutting the carcass packaging material itself to a predetermined length, allowing the worker to easily proceed with the cutting work at the predetermined cutting location. When the marker yarn is pulled out of the knitted fabric and the knitted fabric is cut at the position where the marker yarn was present, the cut location in the knitted fabric can be minimized, improving the efficiency of the cutting work and at the same time significantly suppressing the adhesion of dust, lint, etc. to the surface of the carcass. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 10. Carcass packaging materials 12 Opening 14 Marking thread 16 Knitted fabric 20 carcasses 22 rolls 30 Different Parts

Claims

1. This carcass packaging material for packaging carcasses is characterized in that it has a knitted fabric made by circular knitting ground yarns, and that marking yarns that are distinguishable from the ground yarns are knitted at predetermined intervals in the length direction of the knitted fabric.

2. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the marking thread is a colored thread that is different in color from the base thread.

3. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the marking thread is made of a fiber different from that of the base thread.

4. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the marking yarn is pullable from the knitted fabric, and the knitted fabric is separated by pulling out the marking yarn.

5. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric is wound in a roll.

6. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the marking yarn has a length corresponding to one or more circumferences of the circular knitting.

7. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the marking thread is made up of one or more threads.

8. 2. The carcass packaging material according to claim 1, wherein the marking yarn also functions as a thread passing through the inside and outside of the knitted fabric.

9. This carcass packaging material for packaging carcasses is characterized in that it has a knitted fabric made by circular knitting ground yarn, and yarns made of water-soluble fibers are woven into the knitted fabric at predetermined intervals in the length direction.

10. This carcass packaging material for packaging carcasses is characterized in that it has a knitted fabric made by circular knitting ground yarn, and a knitting structure different from the knitting method of the knitted fabric is knitted at predetermined intervals in the length direction of the knitted fabric.

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