METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING A PORTION OF THE CARCASS OF SACRIFICED POULTRY
Patent Information
- Application Number
- MX2022009327
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2021-08-03
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-02-25
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-07-28
AI Technical Summary
Existing methods for processing poultry carcass parts struggle to maximize meat yield and minimize bone chips, particularly when dealing with pre-broken wishbones.
A tool comprising a primary blade, two secondary blades, and a tertiary blade is used to trap the wishbone in a cage, allowing for its removal while retaining meat, with optional pushing members to manage broken wishbone legs and adjustable positioning based on carcass size.
Enhances meat yield and reduces bone chips by effectively removing wishbones with minimal fragmentation, even with pre-broken bones, through precise blade manipulation and adaptive positioning.
Smart Images
Figure MX431138B0
Abstract
Description
The invention relates to a method and device for processing a portion of the carcass of slaughtered poultry on a processing line. The portion of the carcass is supported on a carrier that is movable on the processing line and comprises wing joints, a coracoid bone, an incorporated shank with two legs that combine with each other at an acute angle at a shank head, a keel bone, at least one membrane and / or ligament connecting to the shank, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets. The device comprises a tool for cutting the membrane and removing the shank from the portion of the carcass. The tool comprises a primary blade and two secondary blades arranged on opposite sides of the primary blade for disconnecting the shank from the at least one membrane and / or ligament while retaining the naturally present meat in the portion of the carcass. Such method and device are known from EP-A-2 289 340 and EP-A-2 606 737. In the method and device of EP-A-2 289 340, the fuze legs are cut for fuze removal. In this method known as EP-A-2 289 340, the fuze is first disconnected from a first membrane and / or ligament by which it is attached to the rest of the carcass by introducing a tool to cut the membrane and / or remove the fuze from the carcass. The tool is then operated to cut the fuze legs and to penetrate and / or cut an additional membrane connecting the fuze to the keel bone. In the method and device of EP-A-2 606 737, which is inconsistent with the method and device of EP-A-2 289 340, the fuze legs are not cut, but an arrow-shaped blade and two secondary blades on opposite sides of the blade move in a unit motion from inside the carcass part in a direction away from the carcass part to rotate the fuze legs while still connected to the wing joints, to eventually completely detach the fuze legs from the wing joints of the carcass part. The present invention generally applies to both situations where the fuse legs can be cut or where the fuse legs cannot be cut before the removal of the fuse from the carcass portion. In the following description of the invention, any aspect or feature, or part of such feature as described herein, may be used separately from any other feature or in combination with any other feature or in combination with any part of such feature as described herein, wherein any such use of part of a feature or combination of features may be adapted as the need may arise to address certain objectives, the need not necessarily described herein. It is an objective of the invention to further increase the meat yield in the carcass parts processed with the method and device according to the preamble. It is an additional objective of the invention to further limit the opportunities for bone chips to remain on or in the carcass parts that are processed by the method and device according to the preamble. It is particularly an objective of the invention to limit the opportunities for bone chips to remain in carcass parts when carcass parts are processed with pre-broken spurs. These and other objectives of the invention, which will become evident from the following description, are promoted by the features of one or more of the appended claims. According to a first aspect of the invention, the tool for cutting the membrane and removing the fuze from the carcass portion further comprises a tertiary blade positioned or positionable adjacent to the two secondary blades on one side of the blades opposite the side where the primary blade is positioned or positionable to define a cage for trapping at least part of the fuze, and preferably the fuze head, in the cage delimited by the primary blade, the two secondary blades, and the tertiary blade. Accordingly, the invention is also incorporated in a method for processing a portion of the carcass of slaughtered poultry on a processing line, wherein the portion of the carcass is supported on a carrier that is movable on the processing line, wherein the portion of the carcass comprises wing joints, coracoid bones, an incorporated shank with two legs joining together at an acute angle at a shank head, a keel bone, at least one membrane and / or ligament connecting at least the shank, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets, wherein the method of the invention is characterized in that the processing is carried out with a device comprising a primary blade, two secondary blades, and a tertiary blade, such that after trapping at least a portion of the shank in a cage delimited by the primary blade, the two secondary blades, and the tertiary blade,The cage, with at least part of the fuse trapped within it, is moved away from the carcass to remove at least part of the fuse from the carcass. This also effectively traps any bone chips that may have been caused before or during cage formation. The proper orientation of the device of the invention is promoted by arranging that the tertiary blade has a cutting edge facing forward. The manner in which the cage moves away from the portion of the carcass with at least part of the fuse caught within it is not essential; it can be a linear or a rotational movement, although a rotational movement is preferred. Ideally, the primary blade cuts the fuse legs near the knuckles when moving in the first direction. Furthermore, it is desirable that the two secondary blades, while progressing along the legs of the fuze, move forward synchronously with the primary blade. In order to support the method of the invention, it is therefore desirable that after the formation of the cage by positioning the primary blade, the two secondary blades and the tertiary blade, the tertiary blade is movable together with the two secondary blades and with the primary blade for the removal of at least part of the fuse while it is trapped in the cage. In particular, it is preferred that the cage be arranged to move so that the fuse performs a restricted rotation with reference to the wing joints. While the cage is being completed, it is preferable that the primary blade and the two secondary blades cut the membrane and / or loose ligament of the fuse. Advantageously, the primary blade is fitted at its forward end with a recess designed to receive the fuze head. This keeps the fuze head securely in place, while the fuze is moved by the primary blade, even with a dislocated fuze or pre-broken fuze legs. Furthermore, it is preferable that the two secondary blades be provided with, preferably sharp, thickenings in a selected region behind the forward ends of the two blades, the thickenings facing each other and inwards towards the cage. These thickenings cut the fillets. It is possible, though not essential, for the primary blade to be provided with cutting side edges to sever the fuze legs during cage formation, while at least part of the fuze is trapped within the cage. This facilitates the removal of these fuze parts. Preferably for cage formation, the primary blade, the two secondary blades, and the tertiary blade are arranged to operate in a preselected sequence. The primary blade moves forward in a first direction to a position close to the fuze head, followed by a movement of the primary blade toward the fuze head in a second direction, transverse to the first, to engage and move the fuze head in the second direction. These initial movements of the primary blade serve to precisely position the fuze. Cage formation is then completed to trap the fuze, or at least part of it, within the cage. It is preferred that the two secondary blades that progress along the legs of the fuze be arranged to move synchronously with the primary blade. Alternatively, the two secondary blades are arranged to progress along the fuze legs before the primary blade moves forward. In all configurations, it is preferred that the two secondary blades and / or the tertiary blade be arranged to scrape over the legs of the spur. This applies during the sequence of operations leading to cage formation and is desirable because it promotes meat yield. In another aspect of the invention, the device is in an adjustable position relative to a carrier that is movable on the processing line, where the device's position depends on a monitoring tool that is arranged to determine the size of the carcass portion being processed. This also promotes meat yield. Advantageously, the device of the invention is provided with a pushing mechanism or mechanisms to push the shanks together and / or push the fillets away from the shank head, thereby increasing meat yield. When a shank is pre-broken, meaning broken before being processed by the device of the invention, it is in most cases broken at the shank head, which means the shank is still attached to the wing knuckle. When the blades, in any sequence, enter the poultry carcass, the blades will first pass through the still-fixed or positioned portion of the pre-broken shank. The blades further entering the poultry carcass can dislocate the shank legs because the bones are broken but still connected to a membrane and embedded within the muscles. The pushing mechanisms ensure that the broken legs are pushed back into the cage. Other beneficial features include that the device is provided with secondary blades or guides to guide the route for removing the fuse from the carcass. The invention will then be further clarified with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, which is not limiting to the appended claims. In the drawing: - Figure 1 schematically shows the bones of a part of the carcass of slaughtered poultry; — Figure 2 shows a detailed view of a prior art device, comprising a tool with a primary blade and two secondary blades arranged on opposite sides of the primary blade; — Figures 3-8 show a first embodiment of a device and a method for operating such a device according to the invention; — Figures 9-14 show a second embodiment of a device and a method for operating such a device according to the invention; — Figure 15 shows the application of a monitoring tool; and Figure 16 shows the application of push bars that are added to the secondary blades of the device of the invention. Wherever the same reference numbers are used in the figures, these numbers refer to the same parts. Taking first reference to Figure 1, the bone structure of a carcass part 1 is shown. Apart from the meat (not shown) that is naturally present, carcass part 1 has ribs 2 connected to the spine 3. On the breast side, the carcass part is provided with the sternal crest 4 and the sternal plate 5. Together they are referred to as the sternum or keel bone 6. In addition, Figure 1 shows that carcass part 1 is provided with a shoulder blade or scapula 10, and that there are wing joints 8 on one side connected to the coracoid bone 7, and on the other side connected to the fuse 9 which has legs 9' and 9' that combine with each other at the fuse head 11. The device of the invention is arranged for processing a portion of a poultry carcass 1 slaughtered on a processing line, whereby portion 1 of the carcass is supported on a carrier that moves along the processing line. Such an arrangement has been known from decades of daily practice in the poultry industry, so that its depiction in the drawing may be omitted. In a known arrangement, it is preferable that the device or devices of the invention cooperate with a carousel along which the processing line is guided. Anyone of ordinary skill in the art is well acquainted with such an arrangement of carriers moving along a processing line for the purpose of processing carcass portions supported by such carriers along the processing line, while the carcass portions are being processed by devices arranged on or adjacent to the processing line.For that purpose it is known that the carousel comprises cam tracks that are proposed to cooperate with guide wheels connected to the primary blade, the two secondary blades and the tertiary blade of the device of the invention. Referring now to Figure 2, a detailed view of the blade 12 is provided according to the prior art, showing its arrow-like shape with an arrowhead 14. In addition, Figure 2 shows that two secondary blades 15, 16 are arranged on opposite sides of the blade 12. The blades 15, 16 are preferably arranged to be independently movable with respect to the blade 12, and are provided with forward edges 17, 18 which are proposed to cut any membrane and / or ligament connecting to the fuze, in particular the membrane connecting the fuze to the keel bone in order to allow complete release of the fuze 9 from the rest of the channel portion 1. It is possible, though not essential, that the blade 12 be provided with cutting side edges 12', 12 which cause that when the blade 12 is inserted between the legs 9', 9 of the fuze 9 and moved upward to a position where eventually the arrowhead 14 of the blade 12 approaches the head of the fuze 11 where the legs 9', 9 of the fuze 9 combine with each other, the cutting side edges 12', 12 of the blade 12 cut the legs 9', 9 of the fuze 9 in a position immediately adjacent to the knuckles or joints of the wings 8 to which the fuze 9 is connected. Figures 3-8 and 9-14 show a first and second modality, respectively, for processing a portion of carcass 1 of slaughtered poultry on a processing line. Both modality incorporate a tool 12, 15, 16, 22 for cutting the membrane and removing the fuse 9 from the portion of carcass 1. As clearly depicted in Figures 3 and 9, the tool 12, 15, 16, 22 comprises a primary blade 12 and two secondary blades 15, 16 arranged on opposite sides of the primary blade 12, which are used to disconnect the fuse 9 from at least one membrane and / or ligament while retaining the meat naturally present in the portion of carcass 1.The tool 12, 15, 16, 22 further comprises a tertiary blade 22 positioned or positionable adjacent to the two secondary blades 15, 16 on a side of the blades opposite the side where the primary blade 12 is positioned or positionable to define a cage for trapping the fuze 9, or at least part thereof such as the fuze head, in the cage delimited by the primary blade 12, the two secondary blades 15, 16, and the tertiary blade 22. The manner in which the preferred tool is operated will be explained later herein with reference to the two embodiments in Figures 3-8 and Figures 9-14. However, it should be understood that the following discussion of the method of operation is not the only possible manner of operation and that variations thereof are possible within the scope of the appended claims. The difference between the two modes is immediately evident with reference to Figure 3 of the first mode and Figure 9 of the second mode. In Figure 3, the primary blade 12 is relatively wide, while in Figure 9, the primary blade 12 is relatively narrow. This results in the cutting of the fuze legs 9', 9 when the wide primary blade 12 of Figure 4 is inserted into the channel 1 below the fuze head 11. Conversely, when the narrow primary blade 12 of Figure 10 is inserted into the channel 1 below the fuze head 11, this occurs without cutting the fuze legs 9', 9. Particularly in the first embodiment of Figure 4, the primary blade 12 is therefore provided with cutting side edges 12', 12 to cut the fuze legs 9', 9 during its initial stage of forming the cage in which the fuze 9 will eventually be trapped. The primary blade 12 can be fitted at its forward end with a recess 23 (see figure 9) which is arranged for the reception of the fuze head 11 to ensure the precise positioning of the fuze 9 relative to the primary blade 12. Better results with this recess 23 can be achieved in combination with the relatively smaller primary blade 12 of the modality of figures 9-14. Figure 9 further shows that the two secondary blades 15, 16 are provided with, preferably sharp thickenings 24, 25 in a selected region behind the forward ends of the two secondary blades 15, 16, the thickenings 24, 25 being oriented towards each other and towards the inside of the cage being formed. With reference to Figures 4-6 of the first mode and Figures 10-12 of the second mode, it is shown that for the formation of the cage in which (part of) fuze 9 will be trapped, the primary blade 12, the two secondary blades 15 and 16, and the tertiary blade 22 are arranged to be operational in a preselected sequence. There are several options for this sequence. A preferred option is shown in the figures, where the primary blade 12 moves forward in a first direction to a position near the fuze head 11 (Figures 4 and 10), followed by a movement of the primary blade 12 toward the fuze head 11 in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction to engage and move the fuze head 11 in the second direction.This results in fuze 9 undergoing a restricted rotation with reference to the wing joints 8, causing fuze 9 to be raised (Figures 5 and 11). To complete cage formation, the two secondary blades 15, 16 and the tertiary blade 22 move to trap fuze 9 inside the cage thus formed (Figures 6 and 12). It is also possible that the two secondary blades 15, 16 are arranged to move synchronously with the movement of the primary blade 12, as explained above. Preferably, the moving secondary blades 15, 16 progress along the legs of the fuze 9', 9. It is also possible that the two secondary blades 15, 16 are arranged to progress along the legs of the fuze 9', 9 before the primary blade 12 moves in the manner explained above. In the two operating sequences discussed above, it is preferable that the two secondary blades 15, 16 be arranged to scrape over the legs of the fuse 9', 9 to increase the yield of meat that is collected from the carcass. After the fuze 9 is trapped within the cage formed by the primary blade 12, the two secondary blades 15 and 16, and the tertiary blade 22, as shown in Figures 6 and 12, respectively, the fuze 9, or the portions of the fuze within the cage, can be removed from the channel portion 1. This removal of the fuze 9 preferably occurs by a linear movement of the cage or by a rotational movement of the cage. A rotational movement of the cage is much more preferred, and this movement is depicted in Figures 7 and 13, respectively, for the two discussed methods. In the final Figures 8 and 14, the cage is opened by a further retraction of the two secondary blades 15 and 16 and the tertiary blade 22, followed by the retraction of the primary blade 12. Consequently, the removed fuze 9 becomes visible. Although the invention has been discussed above with reference to exemplary embodiments of the method and device of the invention, the invention is not restricted to these particular embodiments, which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The exemplary embodiments discussed herein shall therefore not be used to consider the appended claims strictly in accordance with them. Rather, the embodiments are merely proposed to clarify the wording of the appended claims without proposing to limit the claims to these exemplary embodiments. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be considered in accordance with the appended claims only, and any possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved by using these exemplary embodiments. Possible variations to the modalities described herein are shown in figures 15 and 16 respectively. Figure 15 shows the device in an adjustable position relative to the carrier, which is movable on the processing line. The carrier supports the poultry carcass 1 being processed. For this purpose, a monitoring tool 26, such as a camera, CCD camera, or other type of sensor, monitors the size of the poultry carcass 1. The monitoring tool 26 provides information on the size of the poultry carcass 1 to a processor 27, which drives an actuator 28. This actuator positions the device of the invention, comprising the respective blades 12, 15, 16, and 22, in the optimal position for processing the poultry carcass 1. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the device of the invention may be provided with a thrust member 5 or members 29, 30, preferably arranged on the secondary blades 15, 16. These thrust members 29, 30 serve to push the fuze legs 9', 9 together into the cage in the event of fuze breakage, which is particularly advantageous in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the device may also comprise thrust members 31, 32 as shown in Figure 16, these members being arranged to push the fillets away from the fuze head 11.
Claims
1. A device for processing a portion of the carcass of slaughtered poultry on a processing line, the portion of the carcass being supported on a carrier that is movable on the processing line and comprising wing joints, a coracoid bone, an incorporated shank with two legs that combine with each other at an acute angle at a shank head, a keel bone, at least one membrane and / or ligament connecting at least one to the shank, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets, the device comprising a tool for cutting the membrane and removing the shank from the portion of the carcass, the tool comprising a primary blade and two secondary blades arranged on opposite sides of the primary blade for disconnecting the shank from at least one membrane and / or ligament while retaining the naturally present meat in the portion of the carcass.characterized in that the tool further comprises a tertiary blade positioned or positionable adjacent to the two secondary blades on one side of the secondary blades opposite the side where the primary blade is positioned or positionable to define a cage for trapping at least part of the fuse in the cage delimited by the primary blade, the two secondary blades and the tertiary blade.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the tertiary blade has a forward-facing cutting edge.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that after the cage is formed by positioning the primary blade, the two secondary blades and the tertiary blade, the tertiary blade is movable together with the two secondary blades and the primary blade for the removal of at least part of the fuse while it is trapped in the cage.
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that while the cage is being completed, the primary blade and the two secondary blades cut the membrane and / or loose ligament of the fuse.
5. The device in conformity with any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the cage is arranged to move in such a way as to cause the fuze to perform a restricted rotation with reference to the wing joints.
6. The device according to any of claims 1-5, characterized in that the primary blade is at its forward end equipped with a recess arranged for receiving the fuze head.
7. The device according to any of claims 1-6, characterized in that the two secondary blades are provided with, preferably sharpened, thickenings in a selected region behind the forward ends of the two secondary blades, the thickenings being oriented towards each other and inwards towards the cage.
8. The device according to any of claims 1-7, characterized in that the primary blade is provided with cutting side edges for cutting the legs of the fuze during cage formation while at least part of the fuze is caught in the cage.
9. The device according to any of claims 1-8, characterized in that in the formation of the cage, the primary blade, the two secondary blades and the tertiary blade are arranged to be operational in a preselected sequence, wherein the primary blade is arranged to move forward in a first direction to a position near the fuze head, followed by a movement of the primary blade towards the fuze head in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction to engage and move the fuze head in the second direction, prior to the completion of the cage in which at least part of the fuze is caught.
10. The device according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the two secondary blades progressing along the legs of the fuze are arranged to move synchronously with the primary blade.
11. The device according to any of claims 1-9, characterized in that the two secondary blades are arranged to progress along the legs of the fuze prior to the movements of the primary blade.
12. The device according to any of claims 1-11, characterized in that the two secondary blades are arranged to scrape over the legs of the fuse.
13. The device according to any of claims 1-12, characterized in that the device is in an adjustable position with reference to the carrier which is movable in the processing line, wherein the position of the device depends on a monitoring tool which is arranged to establish a size of the part of the carcass being processed.
14. The device according to any of claims 1-13, characterized in that the device is provided with a pushing member for pushing the fuse legs together and / or for pushing the fillets away from the fuse head.
15. A method for processing a portion of the carcass of slaughtered poultry on a processing line, wherein the portion of the carcass is supported on a carrier that is movable on the processing line, and comprises wing joints, coracoid bones, an incorporated spur with two legs joining together at an acute angle at a spur head, a keel bone, at least one membrane and / or ligament connecting at least the spur, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets, the method being characterized in that the processing is carried out with a device comprising a primary blade, two secondary blades, and a tertiary blade, such that after trapping at least a portion of the spur in a cage delimited by the primary blade, the two secondary blades, and the tertiary blade,The cage, with at least part of the fuse trapped in it, is moved away from the carcass to remove at least part of the fuse from the carcass.
16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the movement of the cage for removal of at least part of the fuse is either a linear movement or a rotational movement.
17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that for the formation of the cage, the primary blade, the two secondary blades and the tertiary blade are operated sequentially, wherein the primary blade is moved forward in a first direction to a position near the fuze head, followed by a movement of the primary blade in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction towards the fuze head to engage and move the fuze head in the second direction prior to the formation of the cage, wherein at least part of the fuze is trapped inside such cage.
18. The method according to any of claims 15-17, characterized in that the primary blade provision cuts the fuse legs as they move in the first direction.
19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the provision of the two secondary blades, while progressing along the legs of the fuze, moves forward synchronously with the primary blade.