A system for suspending poultry

Abstract

To provide a system for hanging poultry with legs with improved system operation reliability.SOLUTION: A system 1 is for hanging poultry 2 in a shackle 4 of a conveyor line 5 with leg parts 3 and feet 3'. The system 1 includes: a supply line 6 including at least one first carrier 7 for the poultry 2; and a movable delivery device 8 that receives the leg parts 3 of the poultry 2. The movable delivery device transfers the poultry 2 from the first carrier 7 to the shackle 4 at a transfer position in which the shackle 4, the movable delivery device 8, and the first carrier 7 are aligned in one line. The movable delivery device 8 engages the leg parts 3 of the poultry 2 at the transfer position, moves the feet 3' to a part above the shackle 4, then moves the feet 3' downward and puts the legs 3 inside the shackle 4, and then, is arranged so as to release the engagement with the leg parts 3 of the poultry. An extruder 9 is provided and extrudes the poultry 2 from the first carrier 7 to the movable delivery device 8 when the poultry 2 is at the transfer position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for suspending poultry by the feet on shackles of a conveyor line. The system includes a supply line having at least one first carrier for poultry, and a movable transfer device for receiving the legs of the poultry. The movable transfer device transfers the poultry from at least one first carrier of the supply line to a shackle of the conveyor line at a transfer position where the movable transfer device and at least one first carrier of the supply line are aligned in a row. Here, the movable transfer device engages with the legs of the poultry at the transfer position, moves the feet upward above the shackle, then downward to insert the feet into the shackle, and then the movable transfer device is arranged to release the engagement with the legs of the poultry.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses such a system, in which during the operation of suspending the poultry again, the poultry is suspended by both the legs and the head. This is a relatively complex system. While the poultry is suspended by the head, the movable transfer device engages with the legs and moves the legs towards the shackles of the conveyor line.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a system for transporting birds from a weighing line to a cutting line via an intermediate accumulation device. This system includes a continuously rotating buffer wheel on which multiple bird carriers are slidably mounted, and the bird carriers are transported on the buffer wheel toward an entrance gate or an exit gate. When a bird carrier arrives at the entrance gate or an exit gate, it is stopped by a gate arm and remains stationary relative to the continuously moving buffer wheel. As birds move toward the buffer wheel along the weighing line, the gate arm opens and a first pressure wheel assembly is activated to carry the bird carrier on the outer circumference of the buffer wheel toward the entrance area toward the shackle on which the birds are suspended, where the birds are transferred from the shackle to the bird carrier and then transported toward the exit gate on the buffer wheel. Subsequently, as an empty shackle on the cutting line approaches the exit area, the gate arm opens and a second pressure wheel assembly is activated to carry the bird carrier with birds suspended toward the exit area, and the birds being transported on the bird carrier plate are transferred toward the shackle on the cutting line. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 4275507 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent No. 5453045 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] The object of the present invention is to simplify known procedures and ultimately simplify the system for suspending poultry by foot compared to prior art systems. This improves the reliability of the system's operation. Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following disclosures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The system of the present invention has one or more features of the appended claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the system has the features of claim 1, thereby comprising an extrusion device for pushing poultry from at least one first carrier of a supply line to a movable transfer device when the poultry is in a transfer position. Thus, the system of the present invention is greatly simplified, which is achieved by relatively simple means embodied by the aforementioned extrusion device, and avoids the need to suspend the poultry by its head and legs simultaneously during the transfer of its legs to a shackle, which was required in prior art systems.

[0008] To ensure the safe, accurate, and appropriate transfer of poultry, the movable transfer device is separate from the supply line and is mounted on a carousel through which a conveyor line equipped with receiving shackles is guided.

[0009] The extruder may be fixed to the system. Preferably, at least one first carrier in the supply line is equipped with an extruder. This ensures that the extruder automatically synchronizes with the movement of at least one first carrier.

[0010] As a relatively simple method for realizing an extrusion device, it is preferable that the extrusion device includes an extrusion rod.

[0011] A further preferred feature is that the movable transfer device includes one or more locking elements for capturing the legs of the poultry after they have been received into the movable transfer device. This feature is useful when the leg is moved downward from above the shackle into the shackle, after which the movable transfer device can disengage from the poultry's leg; i.e., it is desirable that one or more locking elements be positioned to release the poultry's leg when the leg has moved into the shackle of the conveyor line.

[0012] The system of the present invention can be applied with additional features for feeding poultry to at least a first carrier, such as a suspension system as described in the specification (unpublished) of Dutch Patent Application No. 2035845. A preferred application of the system is when the system comprises an input conveyor and at least one robot for picking up poultry from the input conveyor and suspending the poultry on at least one first carrier of the supply line. The robot can pick up the poultry by head, or by leg or foot.

[0013] In one example of a preferred embodiment, at least one robot is provided to pick up poultry from an input conveyor and maintain the poultry suspended by its head while the robot moves the poultry's legs to at least one first carrier in the supply line.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the system of the present invention, a portion of at least one first carrier is rotatable around a horizontal axis to allow the poultry to be reversed from a head-suspended position to a leg-suspended position. This allows the poultry to be effectively and controlledly transformed from a head-suspended position to a leg-suspended position.

[0015] When the poultry is suspended by its legs, it is preferable that its back faces at least one first carrier in the supply line. This helps in later transferring the poultry to a shackle on the conveyor line.

[0016] Furthermore, it is preferable that at least one robot is equipped with an elastic engagement flap to reduce the relative movement of the poultry to the robot.

[0017] 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 should not be construed as limiting the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] When the same reference numerals are used in the following drawings, those numerals indicate the same parts. [Figure 1] A diagram showing the system of the present invention for suspending poultry by the legs and feet from the shackles of a conveyor line. [Figure 2] A diagram showing the system of the present invention for suspending poultry by the legs and feet from the shackles of a conveyor line. [Figure 3] A diagram showing the system of the present invention for suspending poultry by the legs and feet from the shackles of a conveyor line. [Figure 4] A diagram showing the system of the present invention for suspending poultry by the legs and feet from the shackles of a conveyor line. [Figure 5] A diagram showing the movable transfer device of the system from FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 6] A diagram showing the operation of a robot for suspending poultry by the legs in the carrier of a supply line preceding a conveyor line with shackles shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 7] A diagram showing the operation of a robot for suspending poultry by the legs in the carrier of a supply line preceding a conveyor line with shackles shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 8] A diagram showing the operation of a robot for suspending poultry by the legs in the carrier of a supply line preceding a conveyor line with shackles shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. [Figure 9] A diagram showing the operation of a robot for suspending poultry by the legs in the carrier of a supply line preceding a conveyor line with shackles shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Figures 1 to 4 show a system 1 (part of) for suspending poultry 2 from shackles 4 on a conveyor line 5 by legs 3 and feet 3'.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 show that the system 1 includes a supply line 6 having at least one first carrier 7 for poultry 2, and a movable transfer device 8 for receiving the legs 3 of the poultry 2 and transferring the poultry 2 from at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 to the shackles 4 on the conveyor line 5. As shown in the figures and also within the scope of this invention, the first carrier 7 for poultry 2 preferably transports the poultry in a suspended state by the hocks.

[0021] The transfer of the poultry from at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 to the shackles 4 on the conveyor line 5 occurs at a transfer position where the movable transfer device 8 and at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 are aligned, as shown in Figure 2. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the movable transfer device 8 is separate from the supply line 6 and is attached to a carousel on which the conveyor line 5 with receiving shackles 4 is guided.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3, the movable transfer device 8 is arranged to engage the legs 3 of the poultry 2 at the transfer position, first move the foot 3' to a position above the shackle 4, and then move the leg 3 downward and towards the shackle 4 as shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 4, when the foot 3' and the leg 3 are moved to a predetermined position relative to the shackle 4, the movable transfer device 8 releases the engagement of the legs 3 of the poultry, allowing the poultry to be completely suspended from the shackle 4 by the foot 3'. This is shown in Figure 4.

[0023] <0, To support the transfer of poultry 2 from at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 to the shackle 4 of the conveyor line 5, the movement of the legs 3 and feet 3' is predominantly determined by the movable transfer device 8. In this regard, the system 1 further comprises an extruder 9 for pushing the poultry from at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6 to the movable transfer device 8 when the poultry 2 is in the transfer position shown in Figure 2. Preferably, this extruder 9 comprises an extruder rod.

[0024] To ensure the operation of the poultry's legs 3 and feet 3' by the movable transfer device 8, the device includes one or more locking elements 10 for capturing the poultry's legs 3 after they have been received into the closable slit 14 of the movable transfer device 8. This is shown in Figure 5. This feature is particularly useful when the movable transfer device 8 first moves the feet 3' above the shackle 4 as shown in Figure 3, and then the poultry's legs 3 move downward into the shackle towards the shackle 4 as shown in Figure 4, during which the toes are pressed against the upper side of the shackle 4.

[0025] One or more locking elements 10 are positioned to release the poultry's leg 3 when the leg 3 is inserted into the shackle 4, as shown in Figure 4.

[0026] Referring now to Figure 6, another aspect of the present invention is highlighted, in which the system comprises an input conveyor (not shown) and at least one robot 11 for picking up poultry 2 from the input conveyor. The robot 11 is positioned to first suspend the poultry 2 by its head 12, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. Subsequently, through a series of movements, the poultry 2 is finally suspended by its legs 3 to at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6.

[0027] In the first step of this series of operations, at least one robot 11 is configured to first maintain the state in which the poultry 2 is suspended by its head 12, and then move the legs 3 of the poultry in a head-up position to at least one first carrier 7 on the supply line 6. This operation is completed in Figure 7.

[0028] Figure 8 shows that a portion 7' ​​of at least one first carrier 7 that engages with the leg portion 3 of the poultry 2 is rotatable around a horizontal axis, allowing the poultry 2 to be reversed from a position where it is suspended by its head 12 to a position where it is suspended by its leg portion 3, as shown in Figure 9.

[0029] Figure 9 shows that when the poultry 2 is suspended by its legs 3, the back 2' of the poultry 2 faces at least one first carrier 7 of the supply line 6.

[0030] Figures 6 and 7 show that, in order to reduce the relative movement of the poultry 2 to the robot 11 when the poultry 2 is picked up and moved by the robot 11, at least one robot 11 is equipped with an engaging flap 13 made of an elastic material such as rubber or polymer.

[0031] While the present invention has been described above with reference to exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments and can be modified in various ways without departing from the present invention. Therefore, the described exemplary embodiments should not be used to interpret the appended claims strictly in this form. Rather, these embodiments are intended to illustrate the wording of the appended claims without the intention of limiting them to such exemplary embodiments. Thus, the scope of protection of the present invention should be interpreted solely in accordance with the appended claims, and any ambiguity that may arise in the wording of the claims should be resolved by using these exemplary embodiments.

[0032] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entirety of the disclosures of all documents, applications, patents, and publications cited herein is incorporated herein by reference. Unless explicitly stated herein as “essential,” none of the various components or their relationships are essential to the operation of the present invention. Rather, desired results can be obtained by substituting various components with one another or by rearranging their relationships.

Claims

1. A system (1) for suspending poultry (2) by their legs (3') from a shackle (4) of a conveyor line (5), comprising: a supply line (6) having at least one first carrier (7) for transporting the poultry (2) while suspended from its legs (3); and a movable transfer device (8) for receiving the legs (3) of the poultry (2), wherein the movable transfer device is positioned at a transfer location where the movable transfer device (8) and the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) are aligned in a line, The poultry (2) is transferred from the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) to the receiving shackle (4) of the conveyor line (5), and the movable transfer device (8) engages with the leg portion (3) of the poultry (2) at the transfer position, moves the leg (3') above the shackle (4), then moves it downward to put the leg (3') into the shackle (4), and then the movable transfer device (8) is positioned to disengage from the leg portion (3) of the poultry. The system (1) is characterized by comprising an extrusion device (9) for pushing the poultry (2) from the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) to the movable transfer device (8) when the poultry (2) is in the transfer position.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable transfer device (8) is separate from the supply line (6) and is attached to a carousel on which the conveyor line (5) equipped with the receiving shackle (4) is guided.

3. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) comprises the extruder (9).

4. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the extrusion device (9) comprises an extrusion rod.

5. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the movable transfer device (8) comprises one or more locking elements (10) for capturing the legs (3) of the poultry after they have been received by the movable transfer device (8).

6. The system of claim 5, characterized in that the one or more locking elements (10) are arranged to release the leg (3) of the poultry when the leg (3) of the poultry is moved to the shackle (4) of the conveyor line (5).

7. The system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the system (1) comprises an input conveyor and at least one robot (11) for picking up the poultry (2) from the input conveyor and suspending the poultry (2) on at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6).

8. The system according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one robot (11) is provided to pick up the poultry (2) from the input conveyor and move the legs (3) of the poultry to the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6), while maintaining the state in which the poultry (2) is suspended by its head (12).

9. The system of claim 8, characterized in that at least a portion (7') of the at least one first carrier (7) is rotatable about a horizontal axis to allow the poultry (2) to be reversed from a position in which it is suspended by its head (12) to a position in which it is suspended by its legs (3).

10. The system according to claim 9, characterized in that when the poultry (2) is suspended by the leg portion (3), the back portion (2') of the poultry (2) faces the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6).

11. The system of claim 7, characterized in that the at least one robot (11) comprises at least one flap (13) positioned to contact the poultry (2) while the poultry is being picked up by the robot to reduce the relative movement of the poultry (2) to the robot (11).

12. The system according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one flap (13) is elastic.

13. The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the poultry (2) is suspended from the first carrier (7) at the knees in the supply line (6).

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