Device for dual dosing in an automated overhead conveyor of the meat industry ending in two independent hooks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for dual dosing in an automated overhead conveyor of the meat industry ending in two independent hooks, consisting of an improvement in the useful life of the dosing system located at the inlet of the conveyor, which allows hams and pigs to be easily and safely loaded on the automated conveyor two by two, applicable in the feeders or dosing system located at the inlet of a conveyor or between two consecutive conveyors.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry, terminating in two independent hooks.

[0003] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The main object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in the dosing system tool located right at the entrance of the conveyor, which allows the hams and pigs to be loaded onto the automated conveyor two by two, in a comfortable and safe manner.

[0005] It falls within the field of machinery and accessories specifically developed for the meat industry, specifically for handling pigs and hams, providing a new configuration of its "introducers" or dosing system for access to the conveyor that offers significant advantages over the state of the art.

[0006] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] As an introduction to the state of the art, the use of machinery designed for automated aerial transport in the meat industry is well known. These machines require that animals be slaughtered whenever possible with the animal suspended, and under no circumstances should the animal come into contact with the ground.

[0008] In this regard, it is clear how overhead airways in meat processing plants represent a significant time saver, helping to optimize space and making work easier for staff, allowing them to move loads comfortably and without unnecessary strain that could lead to future injuries.

[0009] In these, the feeders or dosing system, located just at the conveyor entrance, consist of a pneumatic system that doses and feeds trolleys into the conveyor, placing one trolley per conveyor pusher. In other words, the feeders are placed on the overhead lines and are used to feed hooks one by one into an overhead chain or to connect different sections until the line is deployed throughout the entire industry throughout its different processes. They consist of a section of rail that moves by means of a pneumatic piston, a pneumatic valve for its operation, two limit switches, and a guide with nylon bushings. They are usually manufactured from hot-dip galvanized F-114 steel for installation on both double-rail and tubular overhead tracks.

[0010] Reviewing the state of the art regarding related inventions, the following are provided, identified by publication number and title, respectively: s ES-2 282 011 , “Cart for transporting ham hangers in drying rooms”. s ES2317767B1 , “Articulated cart for transporting ham hangers in drying rooms”.

[0011] « ES 2 455 595 T3, “Transport tray and manufacturing plant for food products comprising such trays”.

[0012] ® WO2020165475, “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor for hams or pigs”.

[0013] Although these proposals address improvements to automated air transport systems used in the meat industry, they do not offer simple solutions that would allow the line's transport capacity to be doubled using existing infrastructure. Only the latest proposal, by the inventor of the present invention, contemplates a proposal aimed at doubling the line's transport capacity. This would increase meat production without the need to renovate the air transport system and is easily implemented without any construction work.

[0014] However, the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor for the meat industry ending in two independent hooks” contributes, with respect to the state of the art, specifically with respect to the aforementioned protection of the same inventor, a new design in the introducers, making use of lower extensions in the form of equal hooks separated by a small distance that provides greater comfort in its loading, unloading and handling operation as well as greater structural solidity of the assembly associated with greater independence in the movement of each ham or pig by each hook and its associated inertial forces.

[0015] EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] By way of explanation of the invention, the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry ending in two independent hooks” is applied to the introducers or dosing system located at the entrance of a conveyor or between two consecutive conveyors, by adapting its conventional hydraulic drive arm provided with angular movement around a rotation axis located at one of its ends while the opposite end carries out the dragging of the slat between the two sections of the transport line to be connected at the programmed rate, consisting of doubling its bearing capacity by means of lower extensions from a common upper end, in the manner of equal and parallel hooks although separated by a small distance, in order to carry out the vertical dragging of two slats of goods instead of only one for each cycle,ensuring that the two shanks are placed on the same shanks in a single cycle and providing it with structural solidity as a whole and independently for each of the two hooks, in order to carry out the dragging of the two shanks without it collapsing.

[0017] DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] To complement the description being made and in order to help better understand the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, in which the following has been represented for illustrative and non-limiting purposes:

[0019] Figure 1 Main perspective view of two conveyor chains arranged for continuity using the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry ending in two independent hooks”.

[0020] Figure 2.- Main elevation view of the box to which the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor for the meat industry with two independent hooks” is attached at its upper end.

[0021] Figure 3.- Main perspective view of “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry, ending in two independent hooks”.

[0022] Figure 4.- Main elevation view of the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry, ending in two independent hooks” to visualize its lower extensions as equal and parallel hooks, although separated by a small distance.

[0023] Figure 5.- Alternative elevation view of the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry, ending in two independent hooks” to visualize its lower extensions as equal and parallel hooks, although separated by a small distance.

[0024] In the aforementioned figures the following constituent elements can be highlighted:

[0025] 1. Overhead conveyor chain in first section.

[0026] 2. Overhead conveyor chain in second section.

[0027] 3. Introducer drawer.

[0028] 4. Pneumatic piston.

[0029] 5. Connection ball joint.

[0030] 6. Pusher.

[0031] 7. Slaughterhouse with prisoner chain.

[0032] 8. Piece object of invention.

[0033] 9. 2" tubular track. PREFERRED EXAMPLE OF IMPLEMENTATION

[0034] As a preferred embodiment, the “Device for double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor for the meat industry ending in two independent hooks” in view of Figures 1-5, can be integrated into a slaughterhouse, aisle and chamber conveyor that is limited to pushing each slaughterhouse with a prisoner chain (4), arranged by means of the composition of several conveyors (1-2) in order to make the overhead and automated route between the different slaughterhouse and cutting rooms of the industry, making use of the introducer boxes (3) to resolve the discontinuity between the two continuous conveyors (1-2) as shown in Figure 1-2.Thus, as shown in Figure 2, the introducer drawer (3) houses the part object of the invention (8) designed to make contact with two chambers (7) to which it transmits the desired movement by the effect of a pneumatic piston (4) ending in a connection ball (5) to the device object of the invention (8).

[0035] More specifically, the aforementioned piece object of the invention (8) as shown in Figures 3-5, has been carried out according to lower extensions in the form of equal hooks and in parallel although separated by a distance comprised between one and five millimeters, conceived as a finishing piece of the introducer box (3), whose mission is to collect by its lower end the respective beds (7) of the overhead conveyor chain in the first section (1) for its dragging and positioning in the overhead conveyor chain in the second section (2), where the corresponding pusher (6) will provide the continuity of the movement on it.

[0036] These conveyors (1-2) can be adapted to all types of track or layout and are made up of UPN profiles in F-111 steel or similar, receiving a subsequent galvanized surface treatment.

[0037] The traction is achieved by direct transmission with a 1.5 kW planetary gearmotor attached to the shaft, allowing us to achieve the desired speed. The drive shafts are made of F-125 steel, ensuring sufficient strength for use. All auxiliary transmission elements, such as crown wheels, bushings, etc., are made of F-114 steel. Like the conveyor frame, all carbon steel components undergo a subsequent galvanized surface treatment.

[0038] The chain is tensioned by a spring cylinder. This cylinder is actuated by compressed air at 4 bar pressure.

[0039] The chain used can be of the X-458 type, forged 4” and is guided by the UPN profiles by means of polyethylene wheels from which the pushers (6) hang. In it, for each conveyor, both the drive wheel, the tension wheel and eight return wheels can contain hardened teeth. Regarding the speed of the chains, they can be designed depending on the reducer that is equipped and the variations in the control panel.

[0040] Just below the chain, arranged equidistant from it, a 2" tubular track (9) is installed, on which the corresponding pieces to be transported hang horizontally due to the drag of each pusher (6) attached to the chain.

[0041] Regarding its mode of operation, when the overhead chain is activated:

[0042] 1. A pusher (6) signals one of the two limit switches to activate the pneumatic cylinder (5), which transfers the device object of the invention (8) a movement from its starting position where two shanks (7) have already been located until they move vertically from the end of the conveyor in the first section (1), to the beginning of the conveyor in the second section (2), where the corresponding pusher (6) in its natural passage through its sweeping area, drags it.

[0043] 2. The pusher (3), after traveling a section on the conveyor chain (2), signals the other limit switch to activate the pneumatic cylinder (4), returning the device object of the invention (8), which provides continuity to the rail, back to its initial position as the end of the conveyor in the first section (1), waiting to receive two new beds (7).

[0044] 3. This cycle repeats indefinitely until the overhead chain stops. Obviously, it is necessary to adapt the flow of the transport line in all its interactions with the outside world to double its capacity, both in terms of loading, handling, and unloading, as well as automatic regulation by adjusting the limit switches to the load of two pieces, and to ensure the structural strength of the elements affected by doubling the line's load-bearing capacity.

[0045] It is not considered necessary to expand this description further so that any person skilled in the art can understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it in its application to any piece to be transported in the meat industry, adapting to the configuration of the hooks or slaughterhouses themselves. The materials used, the shapes of the different elements described, the size and dimensions, or the pneumatic or hydraulic technology used to implement them, are subject to variation as long as this does not alter the essence of the invention. The terms used in the specification are to be understood in a broad, non-limiting sense.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 20 February 2023 (20.02.2023) 1.- Device for the double dosing of an automated overhead conveyor in the meat industry with a termination in two independent hooks, designed for integration into the feeders or dosing system located at the entrance of a conveyor or between two consecutive conveyors, by adapting its hydraulically driven arm equipped with angular movement around a pivot axis located at one of its ends while the opposite end carries out the dragging of the carcass between the two sections of the transport line to be connected, which consists of two lower extensions, from a common upper end, in the form of equal and parallel hooks although separated by a distance between one and five millimeters, designed to house and drag two carcasses in a single cycle.