Poultry hanging system, poultry conveying line and poultry hanging method

Abstract

To perform poultry hanging operation more stably and reliably with simpler means.SOLUTION: A poultry hanging system 1 for feeding a primary line 2 in which poultry is or will be suspended from first carriers that are movable at a first conveying speed comprises a poultry feedline 3 for transferring non-suspended poultry to at least one secondary line 4, where transfer units 5 may be provided for transferring the poultry from the at least one secondary line 4 to the primary line. The at least one secondary line can be equipped with second carriers for suspending the poultry. The poultry feedline transfers the non-suspended poultry to a suspension location where the poultry is suspended in the second carriers of the at least one secondary line. At least in the suspension location, the second carriers of the at least one secondary line are movable at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a poultry hanging system for feeding poultry from a plurality of first carriers movable at a first conveying speed to a primary line on which poultry are or will be hung, the poultry hanging system comprising a poultry feeding line for transferring unhanged poultry to at least one secondary line, at least one transfer unit being provided for transferring poultry from the at least one secondary line to the primary line, the at least one secondary line comprising a plurality of second carriers for hanging poultry. [Background technology]

[0002] US Pat. No. 5,629,999 discloses such a poultry hanging system. Patent document 2 discloses a poultry hanging system for feeding poultry from a plurality of first carriers movable at a first conveying speed to a primary line on which poultry are suspended or to be suspended, the system including a poultry feeding line for transferring unsuspended poultry to at least one secondary line, and a plurality of transfer units for transferring poultry from the at least one secondary line to the primary line. The transfer units may be of any design known from the prior art.

[0003] More precisely, the document discloses a method and apparatus for suspending live or stunned poultry to be slaughtered on conveyor brackets of an overhead conveyor. The belt conveyor transports the poultry to a distributing surface, where the poultry are continuously guided or pushed outward toward the end of the distributing surface to individual positions for receiving poultry with legs protruding from the end of the position, where the legs are secured by a securing means. The individual positions are then subsequently moved upward relative to the distributing surface, and the poultry are suspended by brackets of the overhead conveyor, which run above and are spaced apart from the distributing surface, for the next downward movement of the individual positions. The individual positions are then subsequently moved downward again to the level of the distributing surface. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 1276382 [Patent Document 2] US Patent Application Publication No. 2013 / 0052924 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While known poultry suspension systems are said to provide a more secure and gentle suspension of the poultry, this secure suspension of the poultry appears to require that the legs of the poultry be securely positioned over the edge of the dispensing surface to allow a lifting device such as that disclosed in Figures 1-7 of U.S. Patent No. 5,627,493 to pick up and lift the poultry from the dispensing surface. This means that the accuracy of the suspension system depends not only on the operator's precision in accurately positioning the legs of the poultry over the edge of the dispensing surface, but also on the dimensional accuracy and operational precision of the lifting device, which is designed to accommodate the extent to which the legs of the poultry will extend over the edge of the dispensing surface. Overall, this is quite complex and prone to misalignment in some cases.

[0006] The above problems are further exacerbated by the fact that the worker's work pace is dependent on the conveying speed of the first carrier on the primary line. Specifically, the standard conveying speed in recent years can reach 15,000 chickens per hour at a pitch of 15 cm / 6 inches. At such high line speeds, the worker's work becomes stressful and the lifting efficiency is also compromised.

[0007] In other words, there is room for a simpler solution and improvement over the prior art, and the present invention is intended to provide this simplification and improvement, in particular improving the working conditions of the workers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the present invention, a poultry suspension system, a poultry conveying line that can be used in such a poultry suspension system, and a poultry suspension method are proposed, which have the features according to one or more of the appended claims.

[0009] In a first aspect of the present invention, the ante-station poultry hanging system is modified so that there are at least two transfer units for transferring poultry from at least one secondary line to the primary line such that, in use, the poultry supply line transports unhanged poultry to at least two separate hanging positions where they can be hung on second carriers of the at least one secondary line, and the second carriers of the at least one secondary line are adjusted to be able to move at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line, at least at the hanging positions.

[0010] The present invention achieves the advantage that the task of hanging poultry can be carried out in a manner that is adapted to the second conveying speed of at least one secondary line, which may be half or even lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line, while avoiding the need for more workers or the occurrence of more stress in the execution of the task of hanging poultry.A further advantage of the present invention is that the precision required in operating the system is concentrated on the hanging position at which the poultry are to be hung on the carriers of at least one secondary line.Altogether, the entire poultry hanging operation can thus be carried out more stably, reliably and with simpler means.

[0011] As indicated above, the suspension location may comprise one of the worker's locations, but it is also envisaged that the suspension may be carried out by means of an automatic suspension device, which may be any type of automatic suspension device known in the art. Suitable such automatic suspension devices are disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application Nos. 23162287.9 ​​and 23164542.5, both in the name of the Applicant.

[0012] It may be beneficial to have more than one secondary line in the system, as the number of secondary lines allows for further reductions in the individual conveying speeds without compromising the conveying speed of the primary line.

[0013] The first distance or pitch between the carriers of the primary line may be variable, but preferably it is envisaged that the distance between the carriers of the primary line is constant.

[0014] Preferably, the second carrier in the secondary line is at a second distance in the hanging position and at a third distance near the transfer unit, the third distance being greater than the second distance, so that the working conditions in the hanging position and near the transfer unit can be optimized for the functions of hanging the poultry and transferring the poultry, respectively.

[0015] To support reliable operation, it is further preferred that the transfer unit is synchronized with the primary line so that all poultry suspended on the second carriers of at least one secondary line are transferred individually to available empty first carriers of the primary line. This can be done by (known from the prior art) by: 1) A mechanical connection between the primary and secondary lines, or 2) Electronically controlled linkage (electronic gear) between the primary and secondary lines using sensors, encoders (pulse generators), electric drives and control systems.

[0016] The features described in this paragraph may be applied separately and independently of other features described herein. The structure of the secondary line or each of the secondary lines may be in accordance with other embodiments known from the prior art, with each of the secondary lines comprising a carrier for suspending poultry. However, it is preferred that the secondary line or each of the secondary lines comprises an endless path for the second carrier, with a plurality of rotating wheels driving the second carrier along at least a portion of the path, with one or more substantially linear sections of the path being provided between the rotating wheels, and that the secondary line or each of the secondary lines comprises a spindle drive for driving the second carrier in the linear sections between the rotating wheels. The spindle drive ensures a precise manner of driving the carrier at a predetermined speed specific to the poultry suspending operation in said linear sections, in which the suspension positions for suspending poultry are implemented in at least one secondary line.

[0017] Preferably, each of the carriers includes a protrusion or protrusions extending to and cooperating with at least one of the spindle drive and the rotating wheel.

[0018] It is further preferred that the rotating wheel drives the second carrier in the at least one secondary line independently of the spindle drive for the second carrier in the at least one secondary line. This is particularly advantageous for optimizing and differentiating between the speed applied when suspending the poultry in the at least one secondary line and the speed applied when suspending the poultry from the at least one secondary line back to the primary line. In this connection, it should also be noted that a transfer unit is preferably arranged in at least one secondary line opposite the rotating wheel.

[0019] 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]

[0020] When the same reference numbers are used in the drawings, they refer to the same parts. [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a first embodiment of a poultry hanging system of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second embodiment of the poultry hanging system of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a diagram showing a poultry conveying line according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] 1 and 2 show two different embodiments of a poultry hanging system 1 according to the invention. Such a poultry hanging system 1 is used to supply a primary line 2 traveling at high speed, on which poultry are or will be suspended from first carriers, for example suspended by their feet or suspended by their heads. The primary line 2 continuously transports the suspended poultry to specific processing equipment where they will undergo further processing. Due to the high speed, it is a challenge to occupy all of the individual first carriers of the primary line 2 with suspended poultry to avoid carriers remaining empty.

[0022] The poultry suspended on the primary line 2 is fed on a conveyor line or poultry feeding line 3, in which the poultry is not oriented in a particular way but is transported in a crate or freely. To meet the requirement that all of the individual first carriers on the primary line 2 be able to receive the suspended poultry, at least one secondary line 4 is used having second carriers movable at a second conveying speed, which is lower than the first conveying speed of the first carriers on the primary line 2.

[0023] Figure 1 shows only one secondary line 4, while Figure 2 shows two secondary lines 4. The number of secondary lines 4 can be increased if desired.

[0024] In both Figures 1 and 2 it is shown that a transfer unit 5 is provided for transferring poultry from the or each of the secondary lines 4 to the primary line 2. What is particular to the present invention is that the or each of the secondary lines 4 is provided with a second carrier for suspending the poultry (e.g. by the feet or by the head), which second carrier is known per se, like the first carrier of the primary line 2. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a second carrier 8 of at least one secondary line 4.

[0025] As shown in both Figures 1 and 2, the poultry supply line 3 transports unhung poultry to at least two hanging locations where workers 6 are stationed who remove poultry from the conveyor line 3 and hang the poultry onto a secondary carrier on each of one or more secondary lines 4.

[0026] It is also shown that at least two transport units 5 are provided for transporting poultry from at least one secondary line 4 to the primary line 2, adjusted to enable the aforementioned second carriers of at least one secondary line 4, at least in the hanging position, to be movable at a second transport speed lower than the first transport speed of the primary line 2.

[0027] Although only a worker 6 is shown in Figures 1 and 2, the removal of the poultry from the conveyor line 3 and hanging of the poultry on the second carriers on the secondary line 4 may be performed by a robot or a combination of human workers and robots. The hanging position is therefore provided with a workspace for a worker and at least one automated hanging device, preferably in the form of a robot with vision and handling capabilities.

[0028] Although the distance between the carriers in the primary line 2 may be variable, it is preferred for simplicity that the first distance between the first carriers in the primary line 2 is constant.

[0029] On the other hand, the distance of the second carrier in the secondary line 4 may be constant, but it is preferable that the second carrier in the secondary line 4 is at a second distance at the hanging position and at a third distance near the transfer unit 5, the third distance being greater than the second distance. This allows the distance of the carrier in the secondary line 4 to be adjusted to suit the hanging operation and the transfer operation.

[0030] It is further advantageous if the transfer unit 5 is synchronized with the primary line 2 so that all poultry suspended on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line 4 are transferred individually to available free first carriers on the primary line 2.

[0031] Referring to Figure 3, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a secondary conveyor line 4. Figure 3 shows that the secondary line 4 or each of the secondary lines 4 includes an endless path 7 for carriers 8, with a plurality of rotating wheels 9 driving the second carriers 8 along at least a portion 7' ​​of the path 7, with one or more substantially linear sections 7'' of the path 7 provided between the rotating wheels 9.

[0032] Figure 3 shows that the secondary line 4 or each of the secondary lines 4 is equipped with a spindle drive 10 for driving the second carriers 8 in the linear section 7'' between the rotating wheels 9. It also shows that a transfer unit 5 is arranged on at least one secondary line 4 opposite the rotating wheels 9, which is the optimal position for carrying out re-hanging of the poultry from the at least one secondary line 4 to the primary line 2. In one embodiment (not shown), the rotating wheels 9 may be combined with the transfer unit 5.

[0033] 3 further shows that each of the plurality of second carriers 8 comprises a protrusion 11 that extends to and cooperates with the spindle drive 10. This same protrusion or a different protrusion may be used to extend to and cooperate with the rotating wheel 9.

[0034] Furthermore, the rotating wheel 9 is shown to drive the second carrier in at least one secondary line 4 independently from the spindle drive 10 for the second carrier in the at least one secondary line 4.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention may include any combination of 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 may 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 their strict terms. Rather, these 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.

[0036] 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. A poultry hanging system (1) for feeding poultry from a plurality of first carriers movable at a first conveying speed to a primary line (2) on which poultry are or will be hung, the poultry hanging system comprising a poultry feeding line (3) for transferring unhanged poultry to at least one secondary line (4), at least one transfer unit (5) for transferring the poultry from said at least one secondary line (4) to said primary line (2), said at least one secondary line (4) comprising a plurality of second carriers for hanging the poultry, wherein, in use, the poultry feeding line (3) transports the unsuspended poultry to at least two separate suspension positions where they can be suspended on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4); A poultry hanging system, characterized in that there are at least two transfer units (5) for transferring the poultry from the at least one secondary line (4) to the primary line (2) so as to adjust the second carrier of the at least one secondary line (4) to be able to move at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line (2) at least at the hanging position.

2. 2. Poultry hanging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the hanging location comprises one of a work area for an operator (6) and an automatic hanging device.

3. Poultry hanging system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that two or more secondary lines (4) are provided.

4. 2. A poultry hanging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the first distance between the first carriers of the primary line (2) is constant.

5. 2. The poultry hanging system according to claim 1, wherein the second carrier in the at least one secondary line (4) is at a second distance in the hanging position and at a third distance near the transfer unit, the third distance being greater than the second distance.

6. 2. The poultry hanging system according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer unit (5) is synchronized with the primary line (2) so that all poultry hung on the second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4) are individually transferred to available free first carriers of the primary line (2).

7. the at least one secondary line (4) includes an endless path (7) for the second carrier, a plurality of rotating wheels (9) driving the second carrier (8) along at least a portion (7') of the path (7); one or more substantially linear sections (7'') of the path (7) are provided between the rotating wheels (9); 2. A poultry hanging system according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one secondary line (4) comprises a spindle drive (10) for driving said second carrier (8) in said linear section (7'') between said rotating wheels (9).

8. Poultry hanging system according to claim 7, characterized in that the hanging positions are in one or more substantially linear sections (7'') of the path (7).

9. 9. A poultry hanging system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that each of said carriers (8) comprises one or more protrusions (11) extending to and cooperating with at least one of said spindle drive (10) and said rotating wheel (9).

10. 8. A poultry hanging system according to claim 7, characterized in that the rotating wheel (9) drives the second carrier in the at least one secondary line (4) independently from the spindle drive (10) for the second carrier in the at least one secondary line (4).

11. Poultry hanging system according to claim 10, characterized in that the transfer unit is arranged in the at least one secondary line (4) opposite the rotating wheel (9).

12. 1. A poultry conveying line comprising an endless path (7) for a plurality of carriers (8) for suspending poultry, wherein a plurality of rotating wheels (9) drive the carriers (8) along at least a portion (7') of the path (7), and wherein one or more substantially linear sections (7'') of the path (7) are provided between the rotating wheels (9), A poultry conveying line, characterized in that it comprises a spindle drive (10) for driving said carriers (8) in said linear section (7'') between said rotating wheels (9).

13. 13. Poultry conveying line according to claim 12, characterized in that each of said carriers (8) comprises one or more protrusions (11) extending to and cooperating with at least one of said spindle drive (10) and said rotating wheel (9).

14. 14. Poultry conveying line according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the rotating wheels (9) drive the carriers independently of the spindle drives (10) for driving the carriers in the linear sections (7'') between the rotating wheels (9).

15. 1. A method for feeding poultry from a first carrier movable at a first conveying speed to a primary line (2) on which poultry are suspended or to be suspended, the method comprising transferring unsuspended poultry to at least one secondary line (4) and transferring the poultry from the at least one secondary line (4) to the primary line (2), A poultry hanging method, comprising: transferring the unhanging poultry to at least two hanging positions, where the poultry is hung on a plurality of second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4); and transferring the poultry from the at least one secondary line (4) to the primary line (2) by at least two transfer units (5) so that the second carriers of the at least one secondary line (4) are adjusted to be movable at least at the hanging positions at a second conveying speed lower than the first conveying speed of the primary line (2).

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