Poultry processing equipment

Abstract

To provide a poultry processor which can improve the yield of a meat part of a neck of a poultry carcass.SOLUTION: A poultry processor of one embodiment comprises a scraper part for separating a meat part around a shoulder blade of a poultry carcass which is held at a holding tool from the shoulder blade, and an incision blade having a blade tip extending toward a direction which separates from the holding tool as progressing toward an upstream side of a progress direction in which the scraper part progresses toward the holding tool when separating the meat part from the shoulder blade, and incising a skin between the shoulder blades at the meat part which rides on the scraper part by the blade tip.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a poultry processing apparatus for disassembling a poultry carcass composed of poultry such as chickens.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, in the disassembly process of disassembling a poultry carcass composed of poultry such as chickens and separating the meat part and the bone part, the poultry carcass is defeathered and bled, and pretreatment such as removing internal organs (gutting) is performed, and then disassembly and boning are performed. Since the work efficiency is poor when this disassembly and boning process is performed manually, automation has been promoted (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] [[ID=3,4]] In the scapular muscle inserting device described in the above-mentioned patent document, the meat part around the scapula of the poultry carcass can be separated from the scapula. After separating the meat part around the scapula from the scapula in this way, the skin between the scapulas is incised through a process, and the skin between the scapulas is incised from the outside of the meat part. At that time, there is a risk of damaging the meat part of the neck of the poultry carcass. If the damaged part in the meat part of the neck is cut and removed, the remaining part of the meat part of the neck may crack significantly, and the commercial value of the meat part of the neck may decrease.

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide a poultry processing apparatus that can improve the yield of the meat part of the neck of a poultry carcass.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (1) The poultry processing apparatus according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is A scraper portion for separating the meat around the scapula of a poultry carcass held in a holder from the scapula, When separating the flesh portion from the scapula, the scraper portion has a cutting edge that extends toward the direction away from the holder as it moves upstream in the direction of movement toward the holder, and the cutting edge is for cutting the skin between the scapula in the flesh portion that has ridden up on the scraper portion, It is equipped with. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, the yield and quality of the neck meat portion of a poultry carcass can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an overall schematic diagram of a poultry processing device according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a grooved section according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 2. [Figure 4A] This is a perspective view of a pair of scraper members. [Figure 4B] This is a perspective view of the pair of scraper members, viewed from a different direction than in Figure 4A. [Figure 5] This is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating how the muscle tissue around the scapula is separated from the scapula by the muscle incision, and how the skin between the scapulae is incised. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B in Figure 2. [Figure 7A] This is a diagram illustrating the action of raising the neck using a posture adjustment device. [Figure 7B] This is a diagram illustrating the action of raising the neck using a posture adjustment device. [Figure 7C] This is a diagram illustrating the action of raising the neck using a posture adjustment device. [Figure 7D]This diagram illustrates the movement of raising the neck using a posture adjustment device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, several embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc., of the components described or shown in the drawings as embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure, but are merely illustrative examples. For example, expressions describing relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction," "along a certain direction," "parallel," "orthogonal," "center," "concentric," or "coaxial" should not only strictly describe such arrangements, but also describe states of relative displacement with tolerances or angles or distances that allow for the same function to be achieved. For example, expressions such as "identical," "equal," and "homogeneous" that describe things being in an equal state not only describe a state of being strictly equal, but also describe a state in which there is a tolerance or a difference that is sufficient to achieve the same function. For example, expressions describing shapes such as squares or cylinders shall not only represent geometrically precise shapes such as squares or cylinders, but also shapes that include protrusions, chamfers, etc., to the extent that the same effect can be achieved. On the other hand, expressions such as "to possess," "to be equipped with," "to have," "to include," or "to have" a single component are not exclusive expressions that exclude the existence of other components.

[0010] Figure 1 is an overall schematic diagram of a poultry processing device according to one embodiment. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a grooved section according to one embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in Figure 2. The bird processing device 10 includes an endless chain conveyor 12 arranged horizontally. The chain conveyor 12 is wound around a drive sprocket 14 at its starting end, and the drive sprocket 14 is driven by a motor 16. In the figure, the forward path of the chain conveyor 12 moves in the direction of arrow a. The terminal end of the endless chain conveyor 12 is wound around a driven sprocket (not shown). A plurality of fixed fixtures 20 called "cones" are attached to the chain conveyor 12 at equal intervals. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper half of the fixed fixture 20 has a conical shape and stands perpendicular to the chain conveyor 12, but is configured to be tiltable as needed during conveyance. The chain conveyor 12 forms a conveyance path for the fixed fixture 20, and the fixed fixture 20 is conveyed along this conveyance path.

[0011] In the pre - treatment process, poultry carcasses (hereinafter referred to as "workpieces") w, such as chickens, from which the legs have been separated and hollowed out to leave only the upper body, are placed and fixed on each fixed fixture 20 by an operator at the starting end of the chain conveyor 12. The workpiece w is placed and held on the fixed fixture 20 with its chest facing the upstream or downstream side in the conveyance direction (in the illustrated embodiment, the downstream side in the conveyance direction). Note that the fixed fixture 20 is also referred to as a holding tool. In an exemplary embodiment, it includes a conveyance distance detection unit for detecting the conveyance distance of the fixed fixture 20 from a reference point of the chain conveyor 12. The above - mentioned conveyance distance detection unit is, for example, composed of an encoder 18 provided on the motor 16 to detect the cumulative rotation speed of the motor 16. By measuring the cumulative rotation speed of the motor 16 with the encoder 18, the movement amount (conveyance distance) of each fixed fixture 20 from the motor position can be detected, for example, with the motor position as the reference point.

[0012] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8, and 10, a stitching portion 22 is provided above the chain conveyor 12. The rib insertion part 22 includes a scraper part 24 provided above the chain conveyor 12 so as to be vertically movable, a driving device for moving the scraper part 24 in the vertical direction, a cutting blade 60 attached to the scraper part 24, and an attitude adjustment device 40. The above-mentioned driving device is constituted by, for example, a servo motor 26 supported by a support base 28 as shown in FIG. 2. The servo motor 26 rotates a screw shaft 26a that penetrates the support base 36 vertically. A movable block 30 that slides on the screw shaft 26a by the rotation of the screw shaft 26a is provided on the screw shaft 26a. One end of the bracket 32 is rotatably attached to the movable block 30 via a shaft 32a, and the scraper part 24 hangs down from the other end.

[0013] In an exemplary configuration, the rib insertion part 22 includes an elastic support part that elastically supports the scraper part 24 and the cutting blade 60 attached to the scraper part 24 so as to be retractable to the downstream side in the conveyance direction of the workpiece w. The above-mentioned elastic support part is constituted by an air cylinder 34 fixed to the support base 28. The piston rod 34a of the air cylinder 34 penetrates the support base 28 downward and is coupled to the end of the bracket 32 on the side where the scraper part 24 is fixed. Thereby, when a reaction force greater than or equal to a certain level is applied to the scraper part 24 from the workpiece w, the scraper part 24 can escape to the downstream side in the conveyance direction (arrow b direction). Further, the rib insertion part 22 is configured to operate the servo motor 26 to lower the scraper part 24 and the cutting blade 60 attached to the scraper part 24 along the surface of the scapula of the workpiece w and move the scraper part 24 in accordance with the timing when the workpiece w fixed to the fixing jig 20 reaches the meat separation position below the scraper part 24. In an exemplary embodiment, a synchronization device (not shown) that enables the operation of the scraper part 24 based on the detection value detected by the encoder 18 is provided. With such a configuration, the meat part around the scapula of the workpiece w at the above-mentioned meat separation position is separated from the scapula by the scraper part 24, and the skin between the scapulas is incised by the cutting blade 60. The scraper part 24 and the cutting blade 60 will be described in detail later.

[0014] In an exemplary embodiment, the scraper section 24 consists of a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b positioned on either side of a center line C (see Figure 3) passing through the center of the fixing jig 20, along the transport path of the fixing jig 20 formed by the chain conveyor 12. The scraper members 24a and 24b are formed, for example, in the shape of long plates, and are arranged so that the distance between them gradually decreases toward the downstream side in the transport direction of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a). When the scraper members 24a and 24b of this shape descend, they come into contact with the surface of the scapula of the workpiece w, and the flesh attached to the surface of the scapula can be separated from the scapula with good yield.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, a reinforcing rod 48 is provided adjacent to the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b.

[0016] Figure 4A is a perspective view of a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b. Figure 4B is a perspective view of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b, viewed from a different direction than Figure 4A. In the illustrated embodiment, one of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b, the scraper member 24a, has a scraper member body portion 25a formed in the shape of a flat, elongated plate, and a back plate portion 25c extending from the downstream end of the scraper member body portion 25a in the direction of workpiece w transport (arrow a direction) toward the other scraper member 24b of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b. The other scraper member 24b of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b has a scraper member body portion 25b that is formed in the shape of a flat, elongated plate.

[0017] As clearly shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the lower end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b are formed to extend downstream in the direction of workpiece w transport (direction of arrow a) as they extend upward. Furthermore, the lower end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b are located downstream in the direction of travel (arrow c direction) in which the scraper portion 24 moves toward the fixing jig 20 when separating the flesh from the scapula.

[0018] As described later, when the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b penetrate the workpiece w, they penetrate from the upstream ends 252a and 252b of the lower end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b in the direction of transport of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a). Therefore, if the end faces 251a and 251b are formed to extend downstream in the direction of transport of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a) as they move upward, the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b will penetrate the workpiece w more easily. As a result, when separating the flesh from the scapula, the pair of scraper members will be able to reach the surface of the scapula more easily, and the yield of the separated flesh will be improved.

[0019] As clearly shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b have cutting edges 253a and 253b formed only in a portion of region R1, including the ends 252a and 252b on the upstream side in the workpiece w transport direction (arrow a direction) of the lower end faces 251a and 251b. As described above, when the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b enter the workpiece w, they enter from the upstream ends 252a and 252b of the lower end faces 251a and 251b in the direction of transport of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a). Therefore, the cutting edges 253a and 253b formed on these ends 252a and 252b can cut the flesh, making it easier for the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b to enter the workpiece w. As a result, when separating the flesh from the scapula, the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b can easily reach the surface of the scapula, improving the yield of the separated flesh. Furthermore, since the cutting edges 253a and 253b are not formed in the area R2 of the lower end faces 251a and 251b other than the area R1 mentioned above, the risk of the scapula being scraped by the area R2 is reduced. As a result, the risk of the scapula being scraped and adhering to the flesh as a foreign object is reduced.

[0020] The back plate portion 25c is fitted with an incision blade 60 for cutting the skin between the scapulae and a flesh guide portion 70. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing how the muscle portion 22 separates the muscle portion wm around the scapula wb from the scapula wb, and how the skin ws between the scapula wb is incised. In the illustrated embodiment, the cutting blade 60 has a cutting edge 61 that extends in a direction away from the fixing jig 20, i.e., downstream in the direction of workpiece w transport (arrow a direction), as it moves upward, i.e., upstream in the direction of movement (arrow c direction) in which the scraper portion 24 moves toward the fixing jig 20 when separating the flesh portion wm from the scapula wb.

[0021] In the illustrated embodiment, the meat guide portion 70 is ,vinegar Creper Club 24 Downstream from the conveying direction of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a) The device has a plate-shaped member 71 that is positioned such that it overlaps with the scraper portion 24 when viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a). When viewed from the downstream side in the transport direction of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a), at least a portion of this member 71 is positioned upstream of the cutting blade 60 in the direction of travel (direction of arrow c). Also, as is clearly shown in Figure 4B, at least a portion of the member 71 is positioned such that it is located on one side of the cutting blade 60 and on the other side of the cutting blade 60 in the thickness direction (direction of arrow d).

[0022] By lowering the scraper portion 24 and the cutting blade 60 attached to the scraper portion 24 and moving the scraper portion 24 along the surface of the scapula wb of the workpiece w, the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b separate the fleshy portion wm with the skin attached from the scapula wb, as shown in Figure 5. Separated from the scapula wb leather The attached meat portion wm rides up onto the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b, is guided between the pair of scraper member bodies 25a and 25b and the meat portion guide portion 70, and is cut by the cutting blade 60.

[0023] According to the poultry processing device 10 described above, the skin ws between the scapula wb in the meat portion wm that has been carried over by the scraper portion 24 can be cut from the inside of the workpiece w by the cutting blade 60. This makes it less likely to damage the meat portion of the neck portion wn of the workpiece w, thereby improving the yield and quality of the meat portion of the neck portion wn of the workpiece w. Furthermore, with the poultry processing device 10 described above, the process of separating the meat portion wm around the scapula wb from the scapula wb and the process of cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb, which were conventionally performed in two steps, can be performed in one step, thus improving the processing efficiency of the workpiece w.

[0024] In the poultry processing device 10 described above, the cutting blade 60 is fixed to the scraper section 24. This allows for easy cutting of the skin ws between the scapula wb in the flesh wm that has risen onto the scraper portion 24.

[0025] Furthermore, in the poultry processing apparatus 10 described above, the scraper section 24 comprises a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b arranged spaced apart in a direction intersecting the direction of travel (direction of arrow c). The cutting blade 60 is fixed to either one of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b (scraper member 24a in the illustrated embodiment). This allows the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b to be positioned in accordance with the position and orientation of the scapula wb of the workpiece w, so that when separating the flesh portion wm from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can be reliably made to conform to the surface of the scapula wb. This improves the yield of the separated flesh portion wm.

[0026] In the above-described poultry processing device 10, when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, the meat portion wm with the skin ws attached can be guided to the cutting blade 60 by the meat portion guide portion 70, thereby improving the reliability of cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb by the cutting blade 60.

[0027] (Regarding the posture adjustment device 40) Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B in Figure 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the poultry processing device 10 is located upstream of the scraper section 24 in the conveying direction (arrow a direction) of the workpiece w and includes a posture adjustment device 40 for raising the neck portion wn of the workpiece w. The posture adjustment device 40 is located above the trajectory of the movement of the fixing jig 20 and includes a guide member 41 for guiding the neck portion wn of the workpiece w, and a tapered passage 42 located above the trajectory and downstream of the guide member 41 in the conveying direction (arrow a direction), with the passage width Pw narrowing toward the downstream side in the conveying direction.

[0028] In other words, the poultry carcass posture adjustment device 40 comprises a fixing jig 20, which is a holder for holding the poultry carcass (workpiece w) from the inside while it is inserted inside the poultry carcass (workpiece w); a guide member 41 located above the trajectory of the movement of the fixing jig 20 and for guiding the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (workpiece w); and a tapered passage 42 located above the trajectory and downstream of the movement direction of the fixing jig 20 relative to the guide member 41, the passage width Pw narrows toward the downstream direction of movement.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide member 41 has a pair of first plate members 41a and 41b spaced apart in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the workpiece w (direction of arrow a). The pair of first plate members 41a and 41b are arranged such that the distance between them decreases as you move from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction of the workpiece w. A pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b are connected to the downstream side in the transport direction of each of the pair of first plate members 41a and 41b to form a tapered passage 42.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b each extend parallel to the transport direction (direction of arrow a) toward the downstream side in the transport direction. In the illustrated embodiment, a protruding plate portion 43 is attached to one of the pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b. The protruding plate portion 43 is formed such that the distance between it and the other second plate portion 42b of the pair of second plate portions 42a and 42b narrows as it moves from the upstream side to the downstream side in the transport direction. Therefore, the tapered passage 42 is formed such that the passage width Pw narrows toward the downstream side in the transport direction due to the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b. The protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b are a pair of wall portions that constitute the tapered passage 42. In the illustrated embodiment, the relative position between the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b remains unchanged.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, one and the other of the pair of wall portions, namely the protruding plate portion 43 and the second plate portion 42b of the other, are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line through which the center position of the fixing jig 20 passes when viewed from above, i.e., the center line C passing through the center of the fixing jig 20. The protruding plate portion 43, which is one of the pair of wall portions, is formed to gradually approach the second plate portion 42b of the other wall portion as it moves downstream in the direction of movement.

[0032] Figures 7A, 7B, 7C, and 7D are diagrams illustrating the operation of raising the neck portion wn, which is tilted toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, by the posture adjustment device 40. Since the workpiece w mounted on the fixing jig 20 has its dorsal side facing downstream in the direction of movement, the neck portion wn is tilted toward the downstream direction of movement. Therefore, as described above, the tilted neck portion wn may get in the way when separating the muscle portion wm around the scapula wb and when incising the skin ws between the scapula wb. Therefore, in some embodiments of the poultry processing apparatus 10, the neck portion wn is raised by the posture adjustment device 40 immediately before separating the meat portion wm around the scapula wb and cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb.

[0033] The workpiece w mounted on the fixing jig 20 moves downstream in the direction of movement as shown in Figure 7A, and when it reaches the posture adjustment device 40 as shown in Figure 7B, the base portion nb of the neck portion wn is guided by the guide member 41 and led into the tapered passage 42. In the illustrated embodiment, as the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the passage width Pw narrows toward the downstream side in the direction of movement. This makes it increasingly difficult for the neck portion wn to pass through the tapered passage 42, allowing the neck portion wn, which was tilted toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, to be raised toward the upstream side in the direction of movement. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7C, when the base portion nb of the neck portion wn gets caught in the tapered passage 42, the portion of the workpiece w below the base portion nb moves downstream of the base portion nb in the direction of movement, causing the neck portion wn to rotate clockwise (in the direction of arrow e) around the base portion nb. As a result, as shown in Figure 7D, the tip portion of the neck portion wn rotates clockwise and rises up. Furthermore, after the base portion nb passes through the tapered passage 42, the neck portion wn attempts to tilt again toward the downstream side in the direction of movement. However, the tilting of the neck portion wn is restricted when it comes into contact with the scraper portion 24 or bracket 32, etc., which are located downstream of the posture adjustment device 40 in the direction of movement.

[0034] In the poultry processing device 10 described above, the posture adjustment device 40 raises the neck portion wn of the workpiece w just before separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb. This prevents the neck portion wn from getting in the way when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, thus improving the certainty of separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb.

[0035] In the above-described poultry processing apparatus 10, the posture adjustment device 40 may move relative to the fixing jig 20 toward the upstream side in the direction of movement to raise the neck portion wn. That is, in the above-described poultry processing apparatus 10, the posture adjustment device 40 may remain stationary and the fixing jig 20 may move toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, or the posture adjustment device 40 itself may move toward the upstream side in the direction of movement. In the above-described poultry processing apparatus 10, the neck portion wn can be raised by the relative movement of the posture adjustment device 40 and the fixing jig 20 in the direction of movement. This allows the neck wn to be easily raised using the posture adjustment device 40, which has a simple configuration.

[0036] In the posture adjustment device 40 described above, the relative position between the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b remains unchanged, so there is no need to move the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b relative to each other, and the configuration of the posture adjustment device 40 can be simplified. Furthermore, in the attitude adjustment device 40 described above, the relative position between the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 remains unchanged, so there is no need to move the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 relative to each other, which simplifies the configuration of the attitude adjustment device 40.

[0037] In the posture adjustment device 40 described above, as stated above, the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line C passing through the center of the fixing jig 20. This makes it possible to increase the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42, even with the same passage width Pw, compared to when they are formed symmetrically. Increasing the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42 makes it possible to raise the neck portion wn more reliably. However, if the passage width Pw of the tapered passage 42 is narrowed in order to increase the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the thickness of the neck portion wn will differ for each poultry carcass, so in some poultry carcasses the resistance may become excessively large, potentially unnecessarily increasing the burden on the poultry carcass. Therefore, if the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b are formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line C when viewed from above, it is possible to increase the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42 while ensuring a certain amount of passage width Pw, thereby suppressing the burden on the poultry carcass when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42.

[0038] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also includes modified forms of the embodiments described above, as well as forms that combine these forms as appropriate. For example, in the embodiment described above, the posture adjustment device 40 is used to raise the neck portion wn immediately before separating the flesh portion wm around the scapula wb and cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb. However, the use of the posture adjustment device 40 is not limited to the use described above, and it may be used for other processes in the poultry processing process.

[0039] The contents described in each of the above embodiments can be understood, for example, as follows: (1) A poultry processing apparatus 10 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a scraper section 24 for separating the meat portion wm around the scapula wb of a poultry carcass (workpiece w) held in a holder (fixing jig 20) from the scapula wb, and a cutting blade 60 having a cutting edge 61 that extends toward the direction away from the holder (fixing jig 20) as the scraper section 24 moves toward the holder (fixing jig 20) when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, and the cutting edge 61 for cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb of the meat portion wm that has been carried over by the scraper section 24.

[0040] According to the configuration described in (1) above, the skin ws between the scapula wb in the meat portion wm that has been carried over by the scraper portion 24 can be cut from the inside of the poultry carcass (workpiece w) by the cutting blade 60. This makes it less likely to damage the meat portion of the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (workpiece w), thereby improving the yield and quality of the meat portion of the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (workpiece w). Furthermore, according to the configuration described in (1) above, the process of separating the meat portion wm around the scapula wb from the scapula wb and the process of cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb, which were conventionally performed in two steps, can be carried out in one step, thereby improving the processing efficiency of poultry carcasses.

[0041] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, the cutting blade 60 may be fixed to the scraper portion 24.

[0042] According to the configuration described in (2) above, the skin ws between the scapula wb in the flesh wm that has come into contact with the scraper portion 24 can be easily cut.

[0043] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) or (2) above, the scraper section 24 may include a pair of scraper members 24a and 24b that are spaced apart in a direction intersecting the direction of travel. The cutting blade 60 may be fixed to either the pair of scraper members 24a or 24b.

[0044] According to the configuration of (3) above, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can be positioned in accordance with the position and orientation of the scapula wb of the poultry carcass (workpiece w), so that when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can be reliably made to conform to the surface of the scapula wb. This improves the yield of the separated meat portion wm. Furthermore, according to the configuration of (3) above, the cutting blade 60 can be easily fixed to either of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b.

[0045] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (3) above, the downstream end faces 251a and 251b of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b in the direction of travel may extend toward the downstream side in the direction of movement of the holder (fixing jig 20) as it moves toward the upstream side in the direction of travel.

[0046] According to the configuration of (4) above, when the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b enter the poultry carcass (workpiece w), they enter from the ends 252a and 252b on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the holder (fixing jig 20), which are the downstream end faces (end faces 251a and 251b) of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b in the direction of movement. This makes it easier for the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b to enter the poultry carcass (workpiece w). As a result, when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can easily reach the surface of the scapula wb, and the yield of the separated meat portion wm can be improved.

[0047] (5) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (4) above, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b may have cutting edges 253a and 253b formed only in a portion of the region R1, which includes the ends 252a and 252b on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the holder (fixing jig 20), among the downstream end faces (end faces 251a and 251b) of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b in the direction of travel.

[0048] According to the configuration of (5) above, when separating the muscle portion wm from the scapula wb, the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b can easily reach the surface of the scapula wb, thereby improving the yield of the separated muscle portion wm. Furthermore, according to the configuration of (5) above, since the cutting edges 253a and 253b are not formed in the region R2 other than the region R1 of the pair of scraper members 24a and 24b on the downstream end faces 251a and 251b in the direction of travel, the risk of scraping the scapula wb by the region R2 is reduced. As a result, the risk of the scapula wb being scraped off and adhering to the flesh wm as foreign matter is reduced.

[0049] (6) In some embodiments, the configuration of (1) to (5) above may include a meat guide portion 70 located on the opposite side of the scraper portion 24 from the cutting blade 60.

[0050] According to the configuration described in (6) above, when separating the flesh portion wm from the scapula wb, the flesh portion wm with the skin ws attached can be guided to the cutting blade 60 by the flesh portion guide portion 70, thereby improving the certainty of cutting the skin ws between the scapula wb with the cutting blade 60.

[0051] (7) In some embodiments, the configuration of (1) to (6) above may include a posture adjustment device 40 located upstream of the holder (fixing jig 20) in the direction of movement relative to the scraper section 24, for raising the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (workpiece w). The posture adjustment device 40 may include a guide member 41 located above the trajectory of the movement of the holder (fixing jig 20) for guiding the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (workpiece w), and a tapered passage 42 located above the trajectory and downstream of the holder (fixing jig 20) in the direction of movement relative to the guide member 41, with the passage width Pw narrowing toward the downstream side in the direction of movement.

[0052] According to the configuration of (7) above, as the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42, the passage width Pw narrows toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, making it increasingly difficult for the neck portion wn to pass through the tapered passage 42. This allows the neck portion wn, which was tilted toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, to be raised toward the upstream side in the direction of movement. By raising the neck portion wn of the poultry carcass (workpiece w) with the posture adjustment device 40 just before separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, the neck portion wn does not get in the way when separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb, thus improving the certainty of separating the meat portion wm from the scapula wb.

[0053] (8) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (7) above, the posture adjustment device 40 may move relative to the holder (fixing jig 20) toward the upstream side in the direction of movement to raise the neck portion wn.

[0054] According to the above configuration (8), the neck wn can be easily raised.

[0055] (9) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (7) or (8) above, the tapered passage 42 is preferably composed of a pair of wall portions (a protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) that are spaced apart in a direction intersecting the direction of movement. The relative position of one of the pair of wall portions (the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) is preferably constant.

[0056] According to the configuration of (9) above, there is no need to move one of the pair of wall portions (the protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) relative to the other (the other second plate portion 42b), so the configuration of the attitude adjustment device 40 can be simplified.

[0057] (10) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (9) above, one of the pair of wall portions (protruding plate portion 43 and the other second plate portion 42b) (protruding plate portion 43) and the other (the other second plate portion 42b) may be formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line (center line C) through which the center position of the holder (fixing jig 20) passes when viewed from above, and one of the pair of wall portions (protruding plate portion 43) may be formed to gradually approach the other of the pair of wall portions (the other second plate portion 42b) as it moves downstream in the direction of movement of the holder (fixing jig 20).

[0058] According to the configuration of (10) above, while ensuring a certain passage width Pw, the resistance when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42 can be increased, thereby reducing the burden on the poultry carcass (workpiece w) when the neck portion wn passes through the tapered passage 42.

[0059] (11) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations (7) to (10) above, the relative position between the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 is preferably constant.

[0060] According to the configuration of (11) above, there is no need to move the tapered passage 42 and the guide member 41 relative to each other, so the configuration of the attitude adjustment device 40 can be simplified. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Poultry processing equipment 20 Fixing fixtures (holding devices) 22 Grooving section 24 Scraper section 24a, 24b Scraper members 40 Posture adjustment device 41 Guide member 42 Tapered passage 60 cutting blades 70 Meat Department Internal Affairs

Claims

1. A scraper portion for separating the meat around the scapula of a poultry carcass held in a holder from the scapula, When separating the flesh portion from the scapula, the scraper portion moves toward the retainer, and as it moves toward the upstream side in the direction of movement, it has a cutting edge that extends toward the downstream side in the direction of movement of the retainer, and the cutting edge is for cutting the skin between the scapula in the flesh portion that has been raised on the scraper portion, A poultry processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The cutting blade is fixed to the scraper portion. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The scraper section comprises a pair of scraper members arranged spaced apart in a direction intersecting the direction of travel, The cutting blade is fixed to one of the pair of scraper members. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The downstream end faces of the pair of scraper members in the direction of travel extend toward the downstream direction of movement of the holder as they move toward the upstream direction of travel. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The pair of scraper members have cutting edges formed only in a portion of the downstream end faces of the pair of scraper members in the direction of travel, including the ends on the upstream side in the direction of movement of the holder. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. A fleshy guide portion located downstream of the scraper portion in the direction of movement of the holder, Equipped with, The cutting blade is capable of cutting the meat portion guided between the scraper portion and the meat portion guide portion with its cutting edge. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

7. A posture adjustment device for raising the neck of the poultry carcass, located upstream of the movement direction of the holder relative to the scraper portion, Equipped with, The aforementioned posture adjustment device is A guide member is positioned above the trajectory in which the holder moves and guides the neck portion of the poultry carcass, A tapered passage is located above the aforementioned trajectory and downstream of the guide member in the direction of movement of the holder, with the passage width narrowing toward the downstream side in the direction of movement, Having, The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

8. The posture adjustment device moves relative to the holder toward the upstream side in the direction of movement to raise the neck portion. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The tapered passage is composed of a pair of wall sections spaced apart in a direction intersecting the direction of movement, The relative positions of one and the other of the pair of wall sections remain unchanged. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 7.

10. One of the pair of wall portions is formed asymmetrically with respect to the center line through which the center position of the holder passes when viewed from above. One of the pair of walls is formed to gradually approach the other of the pair of walls as it moves downstream in the direction of movement of the holder. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The relative position between the tapered passage and the guide member remains unchanged. The poultry processing apparatus according to claim 7.

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