Live poultry sorting machine

Abstract

The present invention relates to a machine designed for use in the commercial poultry sector, with the function of sorting live poultry into different weight categories. The machine comprises a structure (E) on which a first ramp (R1) is mounted, on which the bird is initially deposited and slides involuntarily to a dynamic scale (B), where it is weighed and sent (automatically) to a second ramp (R2) which is provided with articulated collecting paddles (K) for removing the bird to a side ramp (R3), from where it falls into a collecting box according to its weight category. The inclination of the ramps thus ensures that the bird does not stop or turn back along the way but slides at a constant speed, preventing errors in the sorting process.

Description

LIVE POULTRY SORTING MACHINE Field of invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine designed for use in the commercial poultry farming sector, to be used within facilities dedicated to the treatment of poultry, more particularly small live birds; to be used to separate said birds into distinct weight categories, for subsequent treatment according to their weight categories, among other needs. State of the art

[0002] It is known that raising poultry for meat consumption, especially chickens, is of great importance to human civilization, as these birds and their by-products constitute a significant portion of the human diet. Therefore, in regions most suited to poultry farming, there are a large number of poultry farms, each housing thousands of confined birds. These birds are then sent to slaughterhouses after their growth and fattening period, or remain there for longer periods, in the case of egg-laying birds or breeding birds.

[0003] In turn, one of the most important tasks within a poultry farm for human consumption is sorting them by weight. This process begins as soon as the eggs hatch, categorizing the chicks according to weight, sex, and other characteristics. Currently, to enable breeders to select birds based on their weight, they use small commercial scales, which are "platform" models widely used in commercial establishments for weighing various goods (scales used in bakeries, grocery stores, etc.). These scales offer a satisfactory degree of accuracy; however, their operation is difficult. It is slow and lacks the ability to record the weights performed. Therefore, when used to weigh live birds inside poultry farms, employees must place the birds one by one on the scale, and then, based on the weight obtained, the same employee deposits the bird in a collection box specific to each weight category. This operating method does not provide satisfactory productivity, requiring a large number of scales and trained employees to meet production demands.

[0004] In turn, some more dedicated weighing equipment has already been designed and offered to farmers, such as suspended scales, on which birds are hung individually. These scales offer more sophisticated features, such as recording of the weights performed and software for processing the collected data. However, these scales also result in the same low productivity observed with conventional scales, in addition to being more expensive.

[0005] Other models of weighing and weight-category separation equipment are also known for their use in poultry cuts manufacturing facilities. These configurations are primarily defined by horizontal conveyor belts, onto which the cuts are deposited automatically or manually by employees. At the end of the conveyor belt, a dynamic scale is placed, which weighs the cut in motion and deposits it downstream onto a second horizontal conveyor belt. This conveyor belt is equipped with angularly articulated collection paddles that collect the cuts from the second conveyor belt according to their weight category and deposit them in collection bins located on the sides of the second conveyor belt. This type of equipment is highly efficient for handling inert materials, such as poultry cuts, among others; however, its use for Weighing and separating live birds is extremely inefficient, since live birds move around and can make movements that defeat the purpose of the machine, as some birds may accelerate their pace and meet with another in the scale area, resulting in a weighing error, or the birds may move backwards or forwards in the area of ​​the collecting blades, where the operation is carried out based on a time counting relationship, from the time they leave the scale, which can result in birds being removed to the wrong collecting box, among other inconveniences. Objectives of the invention

[0006] To address these drawbacks and limitations, the present invention was developed. It proposes a machine specifically designed for weighing and separating live birds, especially chicks. This machine solves the problem of live bird mobility by providing a first sliding ramp from the bird's entry point to the scale, allowing the bird to slide involuntarily and at a constant speed, ensuring that each bird passes individually across the scale. After passing the scale, the live bird is automatically directed to a second ramp, which is equipped with articulated collection blades for removal. The slope of this second ramp ensures that the bird does not stop or return along the route, also sliding at a constant speed and being collected at the programmed points according to its weight category. Description of the drawings

[0007] For a better understanding of the present invention, a detailed description is given below, with reference to the attached drawings, where: FIGURE 1 illustrates the machine in perspective and assembled layout; FIGURE 2 illustrates the machine in perspective and exploded layout; FIGURE 3 illustrates the machine in top view; FIGURE 4 illustrates the machine in front view; and FIGURE 5 illustrates the machine in side view. Detailed description of the invention

[0008] According to the figures presented, the present Invention: LIVE POULTRY SORTING MACHINE initially comprises a base structure (E), made up of profiles, which has a higher rear region, while its front region is lower. Whereas, on the rear region of said structure (E), from its rear end, a rear descending ramp (Rl) is mounted, which is laterally delimited by walls (Pl). In turn, in the middle region of the structure (E), contiguously downstream of said rear ramp (Rl), a dynamic scale (B) is mounted, which is arranged horizontally, and is laterally delimited by walls (P).And being that, in the anterior region of the structure (E), downstream of the scale (B), a anterior ramp (R2) is mounted, which is laterally delimited by walls (P2), which are provided with open intervals, next to which descending lateral ramps (R3) are mounted; and being that, in the transition regions of the anterior ramp (R2) to the lateral ramps (R3), automated collecting blades (K) are mounted, which perform an angular semi-rotation movement by means of a motorized drive (not illustrated) - as shown in FIG 3 - Finally, the structure (E) also contains control panels (not illustrated), or any other equipment necessary for the operation of this machine.

[0009] The operation of this LIVE BIRD SORTING MACHINE is simple and practical. The live birds to be selected must be placed one by one on the rear ramp (R1), at its highest point; this operation can be carried out manually - by employees - or, in an automated manner, by a machine that is fed with live birds, and that has the functionality of depositing one bird at a time on the aforementioned rear ramp (Rl), in a continuous flow. As soon as each live bird is deposited at the top of the rear ramp (Rl), said bird involuntarily slides to the front - and lowest - end of said rear ramp (Rl), from where it falls gently onto the dynamic scale (B), where its weight is identified and recorded, while the scale (B) transports the bird forward, subsequently falling gently onto the rear - highest - end of the front ramp (R2).At this point, according to the programming entered, the logic system of the present machine has already determined to which side ramp (R3) the bird should be sent, according to its weight, so that the bird begins to slide down the previous ramp (R2), and the collecting blade (K) corresponding to the side ramp (R3) determined to receive the bird with that weight articulates angularly to the opposite edge of the previous ramp (R2) - as illustrated in FIG 3 - and, upon returning to its initial position, said collecting blade (K) pushes the bird perpendicularly towards the corresponding side ramp (R3), from where the bird falls into a collecting box duly positioned there.Finally, if any bird does not fit into any of the pre-programmed weight categories, or whose weighing was inconclusive, or any other abnormality is detected during its weighing, none of the collecting blades (K) are activated, and the bird slides to the end of the previous ramp (R2), where it is collected in a corresponding collecting box.

[0010] Logically, this LIVE POULTRY SORTING MACHINE can be built with a variety of materials, and a diversity of dimensions and proportions, according to the needs of use, as long as its essential and particular characteristics, which are necessary for its realization, are maintained.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) LIVE POULTRY SORTING MACHINE, characterized by comprising a base structure (E), which has a higher rear region, while its front region is lower; and, on the rear region of said structure (E), from its rear end, a rear descending ramp (Rl) is mounted, which is laterally delimited by walls (Pl); and, in the middle region of the structure (E), contiguously downstream of said rear ramp (Rl), a dynamic scale (B) is mounted, which is arranged horizontally, and is laterally delimited by walls (P); and, in the front region of the structure (E), downstream of the scale (B), a front ramp (R2) is mounted, which is laterally delimited by walls (P2), which are provided with open intervals, next to which descending lateral ramps (R3) are mounted;and, in the transition regions from the front ramp (R2) to the side ramps (R3), automated collector blades (K) are mounted, which perform a semi-angular rotation movement through motorized drive.;

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