Device and method for processing poultry rear halves comprising at least two legs and a central piece connecting the two legs

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for processing poultry rear halves (14) comprising at least two legs (11, 12) and a central piece (13) connecting the two legs (11, 12) and including remaining ribs, namely for separating the two legs (11, 12) from the central piece (13), comprising a frame (15), a transport conveyor (16), wherein the transport conveyor (16) comprises a rotationally driven conveyor element (17) with shackles (18) arranged thereon for receiving the legs (11, 12) of the poultry rear halves (14), at least one support conveyor (19) which is arranged below the transport conveyor (16) at a distance from same, which is mounted on the frame (15) and comprises a rotationally driven conveyor element (20), as well as multiple processing stations which are arranged along the transport path and can be operatively connected to the poultry rear halves (14) transported in the transport direction, at least for guiding and / or spreading the suspended poultry rear halves (14), for aligning the suspended poultry rear halves (14), for abdomen-side separating of skin and tissue in the transition region between the legs (11, 12) and the central piece (13), for abdomen-side separating of tendons and tissue around the joints, with which the legs (11, 12) are flexibly connected to the central piece (13), for turning the suspended poultry rear halves (14), for rear-side cutting of skin and membrane lying between the skin and the meat, as well as for complete separation of the legs (11, 12) from the central piece (13), characterized in that the processing station for abdomen-side separation of tendons and tissue in the transition region between the legs (11, 12) and the central piece (13) comprises a separation means (21) with four separation plates (22, 23, 24, 25) on both sides of the central piece (13), wherein two respective separation plates (22, 23; 24, 25) lying on opposite sides of the transport path form a separation plate pair (26, 27) and the distance between the two separation plates (22, 23) of the first separation plate pair (26) in the transport direction (T) from one another in the transverse direction to the transport direction (T) is greater than the distance between the two separation plates (24, 25) of the second separation plate pair, downstream in the transport direction (T). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] Device and method for processing poultry hindquarters comprising at least two legs and a central piece connecting the two legs.

[0002] The invention relates to a device designed and equipped for processing poultry hindquarters comprising at least two legs and a central section connecting the two legs and containing rib remnants, namely for separating the two legs from the central section, comprising a frame, a transport conveyor designed and equipped for suspended transport of the poultry hindquarters along a transport path in the transport direction T, wherein the transport conveyor comprises a continuously driven conveying element with shackles arranged thereon for receiving the legs of the poultry hindquarters, and at least one support conveyor arranged below the transport conveyor at a distance from it for supporting and guiding the central section from the underside, which is mounted on the frame and comprises a continuously driven conveying element.as well as several processing stations arranged along the transport path and capable of being brought into functional contact with the poultry hindquarters transported in transport direction T, at least for guiding and / or stretching the hanging poultry hindquarters, for aligning the hanging poultry hindquarters in such a way that, hanging by their legs, they initially point essentially with their back side towards the support conveyor and with their belly side towards the transport conveyor, for separating skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs and the belly section on the belly side, for separating tendons and tissue located around joints by which the legs are articulated to the belly section on the belly side, and for turning the hanging poultry hindquarters in such a way thatthat these, hanging by their legs, with their central section essentially facing the ventral side towards the support conveyor and the dorsal side towards the transport conveyor, for cutting into the skin and the membrane between the skin and meat on the dorsal side, as well as for completely separating the legs from the central section. The invention further relates to a method for processing poultry hind halves comprising at least two legs and a central section connecting the two legs and containing rib remnants, namely for separating the two legs from the central section, comprising the steps: transporting the poultry hind halves, hanging by their legs, along a transport path in the transport direction T, ventral side first, by means of a transport conveyor; supporting and guiding the poultry halves in the area of ​​the central section from the underside during the suspended transport in the transport direction T by means of a support conveyor.Guiding and / or stretching the poultry hindquarters hanging on the conveyor, aligning the hanging poultry halves by moving them from a belly-first orientation into a flat orientation also lying in relation to the support conveyor, in which they essentially point with their backs towards the support conveyor and their bellies towards the conveyor, belly-side separation of skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs and the midsection, belly-side separation of tendons and tissue located around joints by which the legs are articulated to the midsection, turning the hanging poultry hindquarters in such a way,by rotating them from a position where the back is essentially facing the support conveyor and the belly is essentially facing the transport conveyor to a position where the belly is essentially facing the support conveyor and the back is essentially facing the transport conveyor, thereby dislocating the legs from the center piece, and completely separating the legs from the center piece, wherein, prior to the complete separation of the legs from the center piece, the skin and the membrane lying under the skin are incised on the back side of the center piece.

[0003] Such devices and processes are used in the poultry processing industry. In this industry, whole slaughtered poultry carcasses are processed by first separating the front half (the abdominal side) from the carcass, leaving an open rear half. The back half consists essentially of the two legs, which are connected by a central section, the lower back or hip area, that still contains ribs or rib remnants. These rear halves, where the legs are still connected to the lower back or hip area, are also called saddles.The two legs are connected to the midsection at the transition point by a joint, as well as by tendons, flesh, tissue, and membranes located around, on, and within the joint. Some tendons and similar structures run around the joint at a distance. Others run within the joint itself, directly at the joint junction between the leg and the joint socket of the midsection, and even extending into the joint space, forming a connecting component between the leg and the midsection. To separate the legs from the midsection, all components involved in the connection must be separated. For this purpose, the poultry hindquarters are transported through the appropriate processing device. The goal of this process is to optimally prepare the legs for the final separation from the midsection in order to achieve the highest possible yield.

[0004] The poultry hindquarters, suspended by their legs, are initially transported belly-side up and head-side down along the conveyor path through the device. During this process, the hindquarters interact with all processing stations arranged along the conveyor path, ensuring that both sides of the hindquarter are processed identically to separate the two legs from the midsection. Processing stations, located on both sides of the conveyor path, include tools for preparing and separating the legs. These stations encompass all components, guides, separating elements (knives and / or scrapers), and the like involved in the processing, such as guiding, stretching, aligning, redirecting, turning, scraping, cutting, tearing, etc.In the first section along the transport path, each poultry hind half is oriented for processing so that, after alignment, the open belly side essentially faces upwards, which simplifies the immersion of the processing components. After the removal of tissue, tendons, skin, and the like, the middle section is turned relative to the legs so that, in a second section along the transport path, the middle section faces downwards.

[0005] The turning process dislocates the legs from their joints located at the transition to the midpiece. To achieve a high yield during the final tearing of the dislocated legs from the midpiece, the following procedures are performed along the transport path: In addition to separating the skin, tendons supporting and holding the joint, and tissue located at the transition between the legs and the midpiece on the ventral side, the skin and underlying membrane on the midpiece are incised on the dorsal side. Furthermore, the tendons running within the joint are cut to reduce any potential recoil forces exerted by the tendons during the turning of the midpiece.

[0006] After the joints have been freed, i.e., after the skin and tissue around the joints have been separated, the tissue and tendons running close to the joint in the groin area and / or within the joint space are separated. This ventral separation or cutting of the tissue and tendons around and within the joints is performed using at least one pair of separating plates. At least one separating plate, designed to be resilient and deflectable, is positioned on each side of the transport path. During transport of the poultry hindquarters along the transport path, the separating plates penetrate the groin area on the ventral side. The opposing separating plates are pushed outwards by the midsection of the poultry hindquarters, to a greater or lesser extent depending on the size of the poultry hindquarters.For optimized and anatomically correct separation of the legs from the midsection, resulting in improved meat yield efficiency, the separating plates must engage and separate as precisely as possible and at the correct positions in the groin area. With existing solutions, the midsection of the poultry hindquarters is not guided by the separating plates in the joint area during the tissue and tendon separation process. This allows the midsection to deviate from the optimal separation position, leading to unsatisfactory separation results. This effect is particularly pronounced when processing poultry hindquarters of varying sizes. Therefore, existing solutions require the separating plates to be adjusted to the different sizes of the poultry hindquarters, resulting in increased downtime for the machine.To avoid these downtimes, the poultry hindquarters to be processed can be pre-sorted to ensure optimized operation of the device. However, pre-sorting is time-consuming. Furthermore, pre-sorting within a preset size range can only be done to a limited extent. As a result, known solutions are insufficiently capable of processing poultry hindquarters of different sizes precisely and efficiently. The invention therefore aims to create a device that ensures the precise and efficient separation of the legs from the midsection of poultry hindquarters of different sizes. The further objective is to propose a corresponding method.

[0007] This task is accomplished by the aforementioned device in that the processing station for separating tendons and tissues located in the transition area between the legs and the midsection comprises a separating element with four separating plates on both sides of the midsection. Two separating plates located on opposite sides of the transport path form a pair of separating plates, and the distance between the two separating plates of the first pair of separating plates in the transport direction T is greater, perpendicular to the transport direction T, than the distance between the two separating plates of the second, subsequent pair of separating plates in the transport direction T. The first pair of separating plates is the one first reached by the poultry hindquarters transported in the transport direction T. The second pair of separating plates is located downstream of the first pair of separating plates in the transport direction T.Due to the greater distance between the two separating plates of the first pair of separating plates transverse to the transport direction T, the legs are spread even further away from the middle section, thus improving access to the rib remnants located in the middle section in order to capture and guide them.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the processing stations, starting from an entry area of ​​the poultry hindquarters into the device and continuing to an exit area of ​​the poultry hindquarters or parts thereof from the device in the transport direction T, successively include at least one saddle-shaped stretching shoe, preferably two stretching shoes arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, as a means for guiding and / or stretching the hanging poultry hindquarters, which is designed and configured for ventral immersion into the abdominal cavity of the poultry hindquarters, and two guide rods extending to both sides of the transport path in the transport direction T as a means for aligning the hanging poultry hindquarters.which are designed and equipped for ventral immersion between the two legs of the poultry hindquarters and taper towards the support conveyor in the transport direction T, a sickle-shaped pair of scraping blades as a means for ventral separation of skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs and the midsection, which is designed and equipped on the facing inner sides of the legs for ventral immersion into the expanded abdominal cavity and for separating at least skin and tissue, at least the separating means comprising four separating plates as a means for ventral separation of tendons and tissue lying around the joint, which is designed and equipped for ventral immersion and for separating at least tendons and tissue, at least one deflecting body as a means for turning the hanging poultry hindquarters,The device is designed and configured for immersing the poultry hindquarters, transported in shackles in the transport direction T, into the abdominal cavity and temporarily holding them in place. It comprises two separate processing tools arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, serving as means for cutting the skin and the membrane between the skin and the meat from the back. The first processing tool, designed and configured for cutting the skin, is arranged along the transport path of the poultry hindquarters in the transport direction T, and the second processing tool, designed and configured for cutting the membrane after it has been freed from the skin, is arranged at a distance behind it in the transport direction T. This embodiment allows for particularly simple and efficient processing of the poultry hindquarters.

[0009] In a first embodiment, the two separating plates of the first pair of separating plates (in the transport direction T) are arranged separately from the two separating plates of the second pair of separating plates (in the transport direction T) on the frame. The two pairs of separating plates are thus not directly connected to each other, but merely attached separately to the frame and can be moved independently of each other. This allows the separating plates of the pairs to be guided more individually, regardless of the size of the poultry hindquarters, into the optimal separation position in the ridge area.

[0010] In a further embodiment, the two separating plates of the first pair of separating plates in the transport direction T and the two separating plates of the second pair of separating plates in the transport direction T are arranged on a common support, the support being arranged on the frame. Both pairs of separating plates are connected to each other, namely attached to the common support, and may only be movable together. This can result in stable and precise positioning of the separating plates in the strip area.

[0011] The spacing between the separating plates of a pair of separating plates can be rigid or, preferably, resiliently flexible. The two pairs of separating plates, positioned one behind the other, allow for reliable cutting around the joints, particularly to cut the skin, tissue, and tendons surrounding the joint. Advantageously, at least one separating plate of each pair of separating plates, but preferably all separating plates, are resiliently flexible, at least transversely to the transport direction T. If the pairs of separating plates are arranged separately on the frame, the separating plates of one pair are resiliently flexible relative to the frame and relative to the other pair. If the pairs of separating plates are arranged on a common support, then all separating plates are resiliently flexible synchronously.Due to the spring-like flexibility, the separating plates can find the optimal separating position depending on the size of the poultry hindquarters, or be moved from the middle section of the poultry hindquarters into the anatomically correct and optimal position regardless of size.

[0012] Advantageously, the first pair of separating plates is designed and configured for at least scraping, and the second pair of separating plates, arranged behind the first pair in the transport direction T, is designed and configured for at least cutting. Accordingly, the separating plates of the first pair are designed and configured as scraping plates, and the separating plates of the second pair are designed and configured as cutting plates. Both pairs of separating plates can optionally also be designed and configured for scraping and cutting in order to reliably expose the joints in several steps. This allows tissues and tendons in the joint area to be pre-loosened and then reliably separated.

[0013] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized by the fact that a guide body is arranged in the entry area between the two separating plates of the first pair of separating plates on both sides of the transport path. This guide body is designed and configured to guide the rib remnants between the respective guide body and the respective separating plate spaced transversely to the transport direction T. The guide bodies form a guide channel between the separating plate and the guide body in the area of ​​the first pair of separating plates. The rib remnants can be threaded into this channel and are threaded / collected, thereby ensuring the stable positioning and guidance of the center section.

[0014] Advantageously, each guide body has an outer edge facing the respective separating plate, which diverges from an inlet area in the transport direction T to reduce the distance to the separating plate. This means that during transport in the transport direction T, the rib remnants are initially guided towards the separating plates, allowing the separating plates or scraping plates better access to the anatomically correct and optimal scraping position.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, an outer edge of the guide body facing the respective separating plate has a curved profile to form a positive guide for the rib remnants, reducing the distance to the separating plate. The curved or swept profile of the outer edge ensures reliable and precise guidance of the rib remnants for optimal positioning of the separating or scraping plates with respect to the joint area. The outer edge can also be designed and configured in other ways and with other profiles.

[0016] Particularly advantageous is the extension of each guide body in the transport direction T from an inlet area, beginning in front of the separating plates, to between the separating plates and beyond, ending in the transport direction T at a distance from the leading edges of the separating plates. The guide bodies project from the first pair of separating plates in the opposite direction of transport, so that the incoming products, with their central sections containing the rib remnants, first encounter the guide body to pick up and thread the rib remnants. In one section, the separating plates and the guide bodies, which serve as a counter-bearing, form the guide channel. Before the separating plates of the first pair of separating plates end in the transport direction T, the guide body terminates, allowing the rib remnants, which were guided and deflected by the guide bodies towards the separating plates, to relax and deflect transversely to the transport direction T towards the support conveyor.This facilitates optimized placement of the separating plates in the joint area. Particularly preferred are guide rods arranged on opposite sides of the transport path in the transport direction T, upstream of the first pair of separating plates of the separating agent. These guide rods are oriented in the transport direction T, sloping downwards towards the entry area of ​​the first pair of separating plates and converging towards the guide bodies. Through the interaction of the guide bodies with the guide rods, the rib remnants in the midsection can be threaded and guided with exceptional precision and safety. This ensures that the area to be processed—namely, the joint area at the transition from the leg to the midsection—is positioned optimally relative to the separating plates for anatomically correct separation.The overall arrangement, consisting of the inventive arrangement and design of the separating plates on the one hand and the arrangement and design of the guide bodies and guide rods on the other, ensures a particularly precise and yield-efficient separation of the legs from the middle piece.

[0017] The guide rods are preferably round profiles, which are optionally arranged either on the frame or on the guide rods of the means for aligning the hanging poultry hindquarters, extending on both sides of the transport path in the transport direction T. The round profiles enable easy and low-friction alignment of the poultry hindquarters during transport along the transport path. Other cross-sectional shapes of the guide rods, as well as other mounting options and orientations of the guide rods, are also possible.

[0018] Preferably, the inner surfaces of the guide rods facing the guide bodies are essentially flush with the inner surfaces of the separating plates of the first pair of separating plates in the entry area of ​​the first pair of separating plates and are spaced apart from the outer edge of the guide bodies. This creates a smooth, step-free transition when the rib remnants enter the guide channel formed between the separating plates and the guide bodies.

[0019] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that a rib guide is arranged in the transition area between the first and second pair of separating plates. The rib guide bridges the offset of the separating plates—namely, between the more widely spaced plates of the first pair and the more closely spaced plates of the second pair—in a simple and reliable manner, so that the remaining rib material can be reliably guided into the area between the plates of the second pair.

[0020] Advantageously, the rib guide includes a ramp-like guide plate on both sides of the transport path. Instead of guide plates, other guide and / or guiding elements can also be used to direct the rib remnants converging perpendicular to the transport direction T towards the support conveyor.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the guide plate is arranged on the separating plates of the second pair of separating plates and is oriented diverging against the direction of transport. In the transport direction T, the guide plates arranged on both sides of the transport path thus converge in order to bridge and compensate for the step existing between the pairs of separating plates transverse to the direction of transport. The guide plates can be formed integrally with the separating plates or formed separately and preferably detachably attached to the separating plates. The guide plates can also be arranged completely separately, for example, on the frame.

[0022] The processing stations preferably include, in the entry area into the device, at least one spreading bar for guiding and / or stretching the poultry hindquarters, which are initially transported with their belly side first. This spreading bar is designed and configured above the support conveyor to allow the poultry to be inserted between the two legs of the hindquarters. A single spreading bar is sufficient, but two spreading bars are optional. The spreading bar(s) is preferably fixed to the frame and, for example, U-shaped. The spreading bar(s) is positioned so that the poultry hindquarters enter the spreading bar(s) with their open belly side before reaching the stretching shoe(s), thus engaging the transition area between the legs and the midsection, i.e., the groin area.The spreading action simplifies the insertion of subsequent processing tools. Other spreading elements, particularly for spreading the legs transversely to the transport direction T, can also be used. The design and / or positioning of each spreading element can also vary. Additionally, each spreading bar assists in aligning the poultry hindquarters, as it slightly slows down the hindquarters hanging by their legs in the area of ​​the midsection, ensuring that the hindquarters lie flat with their backs against the support conveyor during transport in the transport direction T.

[0023] Advantageously, the processing stations also include means for cutting tendons located at and / or within the joints, comprising at least one pair of separating blades and a joint spreader. The joint spreader effectively expands the joints before and during the separation process. In other words, the joint spreader lifts the tendons and their joint connections out of the sockets on the midpiece, thereby enlarging the joint space. The pair of separating blades can then enter this enlarged joint space to reliably separate all tendons extending from and into the joint. This results in improved yield and enhanced processing quality.

[0024] Advantageously, the pair of separating blades for cutting tendons located at and / or within the joints is arranged in the transport direction T behind the separating element, which has at least two separating plates, on both sides of the central piece. In this position, the pair of separating blades can penetrate directly into the area of ​​the joint and the joint space formed in the joint by the joint spreader.

[0025] Advantageously, the pair of separating blades comprises two individual blades arranged on opposite sides of the transport path. This allows the tendons in the joints to be separated synchronously on both sides of the central piece. The blades can be arranged at different positions on the separating element. Attachment to the scraping plates is possible. Preferably, the blades are arranged on the cutting plates, particularly on the inner surfaces of the cutting plates facing each other.

[0026] Advantageously, the device includes a control unit connected to all automatically controllable components. This ensures automatic processing of the poultry hindquarters. The task is also accomplished by a method with the steps mentioned above, whereby the legs are further spread away from the midsection before the tendons and tissue are separated on the ventral side, and the remaining rib fragments in the midsection are first captured and guided during the separation of the tendons and tissue. This allows for particularly precise and anatomically correct separation of the tendons and tissue in the joint area, resulting in a better and more efficient separation of the legs from the midsection.

[0027] The rib remnants, including even the smallest rib fragments, short or long rib remnants, are preferentially introduced into a gap formed by the separating plates of a first pair of separating plates of a separating agent and a guide body during transport in the transport direction T. The guide body then directs the remnants transversely to the transport direction T towards the separating plates. Before reaching the separating plates of a second pair of separating plates, the rib remnants are released from the gap and move away from the separating plates of the first pair due to natural restoring forces, transversely to the transport direction T. In the transition zone between the separating plates of the first and second pairs, the rib remnants are guided towards each other by a rib guide, with the distance between them decreasing. Through contact with the rib guide, the rib remnants press the separating plates of the second pair outwards against a spring force transversely to the transport direction T.This sequence of steps allows the separating plates to precisely separate the tissue and tendons surrounding the joint area, resulting in an improved and more efficient separation of the legs from the midsection.

[0028] The tendons and tissue are preferentially scraped by the separating plates of the first pair of separating plates and cut by the separating plates of the second pair. This two-stage separation ensures a reliable and efficient separation of the legs from the midsection.

[0029] The method is particularly preferably carried out with a device according to one or more of claims 1 to 22. The resulting and further advantages have already been described in connection with the device, therefore reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.

[0030] Further expedient and / or advantageous features and developments of the device and the method are described in the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention and the method are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in side view,

[0032] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the device according to Figure 1 in a perspective view from the side, obliquely from above and in front,

[0033] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the device according to Figure 1 in a perspective view from the side, obliquely from above and behind, with a poultry hindquarters suspended in shackles of the transport conveyor.

[0034] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a separating agent for separating tendons and tissue of the device according to Figure 1 in an enlarged side view.

[0035] Fig. 5 shows the representation according to Figure 4 in perspective view from the side, obliquely from above and in front,

[0036] Fig. 6 shows the representation according to Figure 4 in perspective view from the side, obliquely from above and behind, and

[0037] Fig. 7 is an enlarged representation of the release agent from Figure 5 in a perspective view from the side, obliquely from above and from the front.

[0038] The device according to the invention and shown in the drawing serves for automatically separating the legs from the midsection of a poultry hindquarters. The preferred embodiment shown in the drawing depicts a device

[0039] 10, which are used to process at least two legs 11, 12 and one of the two legs

[0040] The device 10 is designed and configured to separate the two legs 11, 12 from the central section 13 of the poultry hind halves 14, which have connecting legs 11, 12 and rib remnants. The device 10 comprises a frame 15, a transport conveyor 16 designed and configured for the suspended transport of the poultry hind halves 14 along a transport path in the transport direction T, wherein the transport conveyor 16 comprises a continuously driven conveying element 17 with shackles 18 arranged thereon for receiving the legs 11, 12 of the poultry hind halves 14, and at least one support conveyor 19 arranged below the transport conveyor 16 at a distance from it for supporting and guiding the central section 13 from the underside, which is mounted on the frame 15 and comprises a continuously driven conveying element 20.as well as several processing stations arranged along the transport path and capable of being brought into functional contact with the poultry hindquarters 14 transported in the transport direction T, at least for guiding and / or stretching the hanging poultry hindquarters 14, for aligning the hanging poultry hindquarters 14 such that, hanging by their legs 11, 12, their central section 13 initially points essentially with their back side towards the support conveyor 19 and with their belly side towards the transport conveyor 16, for separating skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs 11, 12 and the central section 13 on the belly side, for separating tendons and tissue located around joints by which the legs 11, 12 are articulated to the central section 13 on the belly side, for turning the hanging poultry hindquarters 14 such that they are attached to the legs 11,12 hanging with their middle section 13 essentially with the ventral side facing the support conveyor 19 and with the dorsal side facing the transport conveyor 16, for cutting the skin and the membrane lying between the skin and the flesh from the dorsal side, as well as for completely separating the legs 11, 12 from the middle section 13.,

[0041] According to the invention, this device 10 is characterized in that the processing station for separating tendons and tissues located in the transition area between the legs 11, 12 and the middle section 13, which has rib remnants, comprises a separating means 21 with four separating plates 22, 23, 24, 25 on both sides of the middle section 13, wherein two separating plates 22, 23; 24, 25 located on opposite sides of the transport path form a pair of separating plates 26, 27 and the distance between the two separating plates 22, 23 of the first pair of separating plates 26 in the transport direction T is greater transversely to the transport direction T than the distance between the two separating plates 24, 25 of the second, subsequent pair of separating plates 27 in the transport direction T.

[0042] The features and further developments described below represent preferred embodiments, either individually or in combination. It is expressly pointed out that features summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the figures, or described in a common embodiment, can also functionally and independently further develop the device 10 described above.

[0043] The transport conveyor 16, a continuously driven overhead conveyor with a plurality of shackles 18, is preferably arranged separately above the frame 15 and transports the poultry hindquarters 14, which are suspended individually in the shackles 18 and are manually or automatically hooked into the shackles 18, essentially horizontally in the transport direction T. In the preferably continuous transport, the poultry hindquarters 14 come into contact with several processing stations along the transport path. Starting from an entry area 28 of the poultry hindquarters 14 into the device 10 and continuing to an exit area 29 of the poultry hindquarters 14 or the parts thereof, namely the legs 11, 12 separated from the middle section 13, the poultry hindquarters 14 first encounter the first support conveyor 19.The initially freely hanging hind halves of the poultry 14 are transported with the (open) belly side facing forward and are then supported from below by the first support conveyor 19.

[0044] In the transport direction T, the poultry hind halves 14 first encounter a U-shaped spreading bar 30, which serves to guide and / or expand the poultry hind halves 14, initially transported with their ventral side facing forward. The U-shaped spreading bar 30 is positioned above the support conveyor 19 and is designed and configured to insert the poultry hind halves 14 between the two legs 11, 12 and is detachably attached to the frame 15. The poultry hind halves 14 then encounter two stretching shoes 31, 32 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, which serve to guide and / or expand the hanging poultry hind halves 14. These shoes are designed and configured to insert the poultry hind halves 14 into the abdominal cavity of the poultry hind halves 14. The stretching shoes 31, 32 are detachably mounted on the frame 15, preferably in a resilient position centrally along the transport path.The stretching shoes 31, 32 can additionally be suitable and appropriately designed and configured to deflect abdominal fat and / or skin flaps away from the engagement area of ​​the separating or cutting tools. Starting from the U-shaped spreading bar 30 to the separating element 21, guide rods 33 extend on both sides of the transport path as a means of aligning the hanging poultry hindquarters 14. These rods are designed and configured for ventral insertion between the two legs 11, 12 of the poultry hindquarters 14 and taper towards the first support conveyor 19 in the transport direction T.

[0045] Overlapping with the second stretching shoe 32, the poultry hind halves 14 encounter a pair of sickle-shaped scraping blades 34, which serve to separate skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs 11, 12 and the midsection 13 from the ventral side. These blades are designed and configured for ventral immersion into the expanded abdominal cavity and for separating at least skin and tissue on the facing inner surfaces of the legs 11, 12. The pair of scraping blades 34 comprises two sickle-shaped scraping blades that are detachably attached to the frame 15 on opposite sides of the transport path. Following the pair of scraping blades 34 is the separating element 21, comprising the four separating plates 22, 23, 24, 25, which serves for ventral separation of tendons and tissue surrounding the joint. This separating element is designed and configured for ventral immersion and for separating at least tendons and tissue.

[0046] The separating agent 21 is followed by at least one deflecting body 35, which serves to turn the hanging poultry hindquarters 14. This deflecting body is designed and configured for immersion into the abdominal cavity and temporary holding the poultry hindquarters 14, which are transported in the transport direction T in shackles 18. The means for cutting the skin and the membrane between the skin and the meat from the back comprises at least two separate processing tools 36, 37 arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T. The first processing tool 36, designed and configured for cutting the skin, is arranged along the transport path of the poultry hindquarters 14 in the transport direction T, and the second processing tool 37, designed and configured for cutting the membrane after it has been freed from the skin, is arranged at a distance behind it in the transport direction T.The first processing tool 36 is arranged in the transport direction T upstream of the release agent 21. The second processing tool 37 is arranged downstream of the deflector 35 in the transport direction T. Optionally, a release agent 38 follows the two processing tools 36 and 37, serving as a means for separating the legs 11 and 12, suspended in the shackles 18, from the central section 13. The second processing tool 37 is arranged upstream of the optional release agent 38 in the transport direction T. A skin spreader 48 is provided between the deflector 35 and upstream of the second processing tool 37. This spreader pushes aside the skin incised by the first processing tool 36 to allow the second processing tool 37 free access to the membrane.

[0047] In the illustrated embodiment, the two separating plates 22, 23 of the first pair of separating plates 26 in the transport direction T are arranged separately from the two separating plates 24, 25 of the second pair of separating plates 27 in the transport direction T on the frame 15. All separating plates 22 to 25 are designed and configured to be resiliently deflectable transversely to the transport direction T. The first pair of separating plates 26 is designed and configured for scraping, and the second pair of separating plates 27, arranged behind the first pair of separating plates 26 in the transport direction T, is designed and configured for cutting. Accordingly, the separating plates 22, 23 of the first pair of separating plates 26 are designed and configured as scraping plates, and the separating plates 24, 25 of the second pair of separating plates 27 are designed and configured as cutting plates.

[0048] As can be seen particularly in Figures 4 and 5, a guide body 40 is arranged in the inlet area 39 between the two separating plates 22, 23 of the first pair of separating plates 26 on both sides of the transport path. This guide body is designed and configured to guide the rib remnants between the respective guide body 40 and the respective separating plate 22, 23, which is spaced transversely to the transport direction T. The guide bodies 40 are detachably mounted on the frame 15. The positioning of the guide bodies 40 on the frame 15 is chosen such that a guide gap 41 is formed between each guide body 40 and the separating plates 22, 23. Each guide body 40 has an outer edge 42 facing the respective separating plate 22, 23, which diverges from the inlet area 39 in the transport direction T to reduce the distance to the separating plate 22, 23.The outer edge 42 of each guide body 40 facing the separating plates 22, 23 has a curved profile to form a positive guide for the rib remnants, reducing the distance to the separating plates 22, 23. For reliable insertion of the rib remnants into the guide gap 41 and deflection of the rib remnants towards the separating plates 22, 23, each guide body extends in the transport direction T from the inlet area 39, which begins in front of the separating plates 22, 23, to between the separating plates 22, 23, so that the separating plates 2, 23 and the guide body 40 overlap section by section in the transport direction T. The guide bodies 40 extend to just before the end of the separating plates 22, 23 of the first separating pair 26 and terminate at a distance from the leading edges 43 of the separating plates 22, 23.

[0049] Firstly, the guide bodies 40, together with the separating plates 22, 23 of the first pair of separating plates 26, form the guide gap 41. Secondly, a further guide channel is formed in the transport direction T upstream of the separating plates 22, 23. For this purpose, guide rods 44 are arranged on opposite sides of the transport path in the transport direction T upstream of the first pair of separating plates 26 of the separating agent 21. The rib remnants can be threaded onto or inserted between the externally acting guide rods 44 and the internally acting guide bodies 40 and guided in a targeted manner into the guide gap.The guide rods 44, which in the illustrated embodiment are designed as round profiles, are arranged on the guide rods 33 for aligning the hanging poultry hindquarters 14 and are oriented in the transport direction T, sloping downwards on one side towards the inlet area 39 of the first pair of divider plates 26 and converging on the other side, i.e., tapering in distance towards the guide bodies 40. The inner surfaces of the guide rods 44 facing the guide bodies 40 are, in the region of their free ends 45 in the inlet area 39 of the first pair of divider plates 26, essentially flush with the inner surfaces of the divider plates 22, 23 of the first pair of divider plates 26 and are spaced apart from the outer edge 42 of the guide bodies 40.

[0050] In the transition area between the first pair of separating plates 26 and the second pair of separating plates 27, a rib guide 46 is arranged. The rib guide 46 comprises a ramp-like guide plate. The guide plate is arranged on the separating plates 24, 25 of the second pair of separating plates 27 and is oriented diverging against the transport direction T. Due to the funnel-shaped arrangement of the two guide plates on opposite sides of the transport path, the rib remnants can converge towards the support conveyor 19 between the

[0051] Separating plates 24, 25 of the second pair of separating plates 27 are guided

[0052] Optionally, the processing stations additionally include means for cutting tendons located at and / or within the joints, the means comprising at least one pair of separating blades and a joint spreader. The pair of separating blades for cutting tendons located at and / or within the joints is arranged in the transport direction T behind the separating means 21, which has the four separating plates 22, 23, 24, 25, on both sides of the central piece 13. The pair of separating blades has two individual blades arranged on opposite sides of the transport path.

[0053] The device 10 comprises a control unit 47, which is connected to all automatically controllable components of the device 10, in particular the transport and conveying elements and the processing stations. The processing of the poultry hindquarters 14 can be carried out at least semi-automatically, but preferably fully automatically, by means of the control unit 47.

[0054] The following explains the process in more detail with reference to the drawing: The process is used to process poultry hind halves 14 comprising at least two legs 11, 12 and a central section 13 connecting the two legs 11, 12 and containing rib remnants, namely to separate the two legs 11, 12 from the central section 13. The poultry hind halves 14, which are manually or automatically suspended in the transport conveyor 16, are transported by the transport conveyor 16, belly-first, along a transport path in the transport direction T. Along the transport path, the poultry halves 14 are guided at least partially from the underside in the area of ​​the central section 13 during suspended transport in the transport direction T by means of a support conveyor 19.During transport along the conveyor path, the poultry hindquarters 14 suspended from the conveyor 16 are guided and stretched to be aligned. This alignment is achieved by moving them from a belly-first orientation to a flat orientation, also facing the support conveyor 19, where they essentially have their backs pointing towards the support conveyor 19 and their bellies towards the conveyor 16. The poultry hindquarters 14, thus aligned, are then processed by separating the skin and / or tissue located on the belly side in the transition area between the legs 11, 12 and the midsection 13. This separation of skin and tissue located on the belly side in the groin area serves as preparation for separating tendons and tissue located around the joints by which the legs 11, 12 are articulated to the midsection 13.These tendons and tissues surround the joint by which legs 11, 12 are supported or connected to the middle section 13.

[0055] The legs 11, 12, thus detached from the central section 13, are then turned over as a single-piece hindquarter 14 of the poultry by rotating them from a position where their backs are essentially facing the support conveyor 19 and their bellies the transport conveyor 16, to a position where their bellies are essentially facing the support conveyor 44 and their backs are facing the transport conveyor 16. By rotating the central section 13 by almost 180 degrees relative to the legs suspended in the shackles 18, the legs 11, 12 are dislocated from the joint on the central section 13.Since essentially all components connecting the legs 11, 12 with the central piece 13 are now separated, the legs 11, 12 can be completely separated from the central piece 13, whereby, prior to the complete separation of the legs 11, 12 from the central piece 13, the skin and the membrane lying under the skin are incised dorsally on the central piece 13.

[0056] This method is characterized according to the invention in that the legs 11, 12 are further spread apart from the central piece 13 before the ventral separation of tendons and tissue, and that the rib remnants located in the central piece 13 are initially captured and guided during the separation of the tendons and tissue. For this purpose, the central pieces 13 with their rib remnants are inserted into a gap formed by separating plates 22, 23 of a first pair of separating plates 26 of a separating agent 21 and guide body 40 during transport in the transport direction T and are guided by the guide body 40 transversely to the transport direction T in the direction of the separating plates 22, 23. The rib remnants are then released from the gap before reaching separating plates 24, 25 of a second pair of separating plates 27 and move away from the separating plates 22, 23 of the first pair of separating plates 26 in the direction of the support conveyor 19 by natural restoring forces transversely to the transport direction T.The tissue and tendons are initially pre-scraped by the separating plates 22, 23 of the first separating plate pair 26. At the end of the separating plates 22, 23 of the first separating plate pair 26, the central sections 13 with their rib remnants reach a rib guide 46. In the transition area from the separating plates 22, 23 of the first separating plate pair 26 to the separating plates 24, 25 of the second separating plate pair 27, the rib remnants are guided towards each other in a narrowing manner by the rib guide 46, specifically between the separating plates 24, 25 of the second separating plate pair 27. Through contact with the rib guide 46, the rib remnants press the separating plates 24, 25 of the second separating plate pair 27 outwards against a spring force transverse to the transport direction T. The tissue and tendons are then cut by the separating plates 24, 25 of the second pair of separating plates 27.

[0057] Preferably, the method is carried out using the device 10 described in detail above.

Claims

Device (10), designed and equipped for processing poultry hindquarters (14) comprising at least two legs (11, 12) and a central section (13) connecting the two legs (11, 12) and having rib remnants, namely for separating the two legs (11, 12) from the central section (13), comprising a frame (15), a transport conveyor (16) designed and equipped for suspended transport of the poultry hindquarters (14) along a transport path in the transport direction T, wherein the transport conveyor (16) comprises a continuously driven conveying element (17) with shackles (18) arranged thereon for receiving the legs (11, 12) of the poultry hindquarters (14), at least one support conveyor (19) arranged below the transport conveyor (16) at a distance from it for supporting and guiding the central section (13) from the underside, which is mounted on the frame (15) and has a continuously driven Conveying element (20) includes,as well as several processing stations arranged along the transport path and capable of being connected to the poultry hind halves (14) transported in the transport direction T, at least for guiding and / or stretching the hanging poultry hind halves (14), for aligning the hanging poultry hind halves (14) such that, hanging by their legs (11, 12), their midsection (13) initially points essentially with their back side towards the support conveyor (19) and with their belly side towards the transport conveyor (16), for separating skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs (11, 12) and the midsection (13) on the belly side, for separating tendons and tissue located around joints by which the legs (11, 12) are articulated to the midsection (13) on the belly side, and for turning the hanging poultry hind halves (14) such that they on the legs (11 ,12) hanging with their middle section (13) essentially with their ventral side facing the support conveyor (19) and with their dorsal side facing the transport conveyor (16), for posterior incision of skin and membrane lying between skin and meat, as well as for complete separation of the legs (11, 12) from the middle section (13), thereby indicating that the processing station is designed for ventral separation of tendons and tissue located in the transition area between the legs (11, 12) and the middle section (13) to both, The sides of the central piece (13) comprise a separating agent (21) with four separating plates (22, 23, 24, 25), wherein two separating plates (22, 23; 24, 25) located on opposite sides of the transport path form a pair of separating plates (26, 27) and the distance between the two separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) in the transport direction T is greater perpendicular to the transport direction T than the distance between the two separating plates (24, 25) of the second, subsequent pair of separating plates (27) in the transport direction T.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing stations, starting from an entry area (28) of the poultry hind halves (14) into the device (10) up to an exit area (29) of the poultry hind halves (14) or parts thereof from the device (10) in the transport direction T, successively provide at least one saddle-shaped stretching shoe (31 or 32), preferably two stretching shoes (31, 32) arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T, as a means for guiding and / or stretching the hanging poultry hind halves (14), which is / are designed and configured for ventral immersion into the abdominal cavity of the poultry hind halves (14), and two guide rods (33) extending to both sides of the transport path in the transport direction T as a means for aligning the hanging poultry hind halves (14), which are designed and configured for ventral immersion between the two legs (11,12) of the poultry hind halves (14) are formed and equipped and taper towards the support conveyor (19) in the transport direction T, a sickle-shaped pair of scraper blades (34) as a means for ventrally separating skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs (11, 12) and the middle section (13), which is formed and equipped on the facing inner sides of the legs (11, 12) for ventrally immersion into the expanded abdominal cavity and for separating at least skin and tissue, at least the separating means (21) comprising four separating plates (22, 23; 24, 25) as a means for ventrally separating tendons and tissue lying around the joint, which is formed and equipped for ventrally immersion and for separating at least tendons and tissue, at least one deflecting body (35) as a means for turning the hanging poultry hind halves (14),which is used for abdominal immersion into the abdominal cavity and temporary retention of the contents, Shackles (18) are formed and equipped for the poultry hind halves (14) transported in the transport direction T, and comprise two separate processing tools (36, 37) arranged one behind the other in the transport direction T as means for cutting the skin and the membrane located between the skin and the meat from the back, wherein the first processing tool (36), which is formed and equipped for cutting the skin, is arranged in the transport direction T of the poultry hind halves (14), and the second processing tool (37), which is formed and equipped for cutting the membrane freed from the skin, is arranged spaced behind it in the transport direction T.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) in the transport direction T are arranged separately from the two separating plates (24, 25) of the second pair of separating plates (27) in the transport direction T on the frame (15).

4. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) in the transport direction T and the two separating plates (22, 23) of the second pair of separating plates (27) in the transport direction T are arranged on a common support, wherein the support is arranged on the frame (15).

5. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one separating plate (22, 23, 24, 25) of each pair of separating plates (26, 27), but preferably all separating plates (22, 23, 24, 25) are designed and configured to be resiliently deflectable at least transversely to the transport direction T.

6. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first pair of separating plates (26) is designed and configured at least for scraping, and the second pair of separating plates (27) arranged in the transport direction T behind the first pair of separating plates (26) is designed and configured at least for cutting.

7. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) are designed and configured as scraping plates, and the separating plates (24, 25) of the second pair of separating plates (27) are designed and configured as cutting plates.

8. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the inlet area (39) between the two separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) a guide body (40) is arranged on both sides of the transport path, which is designed and configured to guide the rib remnants between the respective guide body (40) and the respective separating plate (22, 23) spaced transversely to the transport direction T.

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that each guide body (40) has an outer edge (42) facing the respective separating plate (22, 23), which is designed to diverge from the inlet area (39) in the transport direction T to reduce the distance to the separating plate (22, 23).

10. Device (10) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that an outer edge (42) of the guide body (40) facing the respective separating plate (22, 23) has a curved profile to form a forced guidance for the rib remnants that reduces the distance to the separating plate (22, 23).

11. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that each guide body (40) extends in the transport direction T from the inlet area (39), which begins in front of the separating plates (22, 23), to between the separating plates (22, 23) and beyond, and ends in the transport direction T at a distance from the leading edges (43) of the separating plates (22, 23).

12. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that in the transport direction T in front of the first pair of separating plates (26) of the separating agent (21) guide rods (44) are arranged on opposite sides of the transport path, which are directed in the transport direction T on the one hand downwards towards the inlet area (39) of the first pair of separating plates (26) and on the other hand converging towards the guide bodies (40).

13. Device (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide rods (44) are round profiles which are optionally arranged on the frame (15) or on the guide rods (33) of the means for aligning the hanging poultry hind halves (14) extending to both sides of the transport path in the transport direction T.

14. Device (10) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the inner surfaces of the guide rods (44) facing the guide bodies (40) in the area of ​​their free ends (45) in the entry area (39) of the first pair of separating plates (26) are substantially flush with the inner surfaces of the separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) and are spaced apart from the outer edge (42) of the guide bodies (40).

15. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a rib guide (46) is arranged in the transition area between the first pair of separating plates (26) to the second pair of separating plates (27).

16. Device (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the rib guide (46) comprises a ramp-like guide plate on both sides of the transport path.

17. Device (10) according to claim 16, characterized in that the guide plate is arranged on the separating plates (24, 25) of the second pair of separating plates (27) and is aligned diverging against the transport direction T.

18. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the processing stations are additionally located in the entry area (28) the device (10) shall include at least one spreading bar (30) as a means for guiding and / or expanding the poultry hind halves (14) which are initially transported with their ventral side forward, and which is designed and arranged above the support conveyor (19) for ventral immersion between the two legs (11, 12) of the poultry hind half (14).

19. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the processing stations additionally comprise means for cutting tendons located on and / or within the joints, wherein the means comprises at least one pair of cutting blades and a joint spreader.

20. Device (10) according to claim 19, characterized in that the pair of separating blades for cutting tendons located at and / or within the joints is arranged in the transport direction T behind the separating means (21) having the four separating plates (22, 23; 24, 25) on both sides of the central piece (13).

21. Device (10) according to claim 20, characterized in that the pair of separating knives has two individual blades which are arranged on opposite sides of the transport path.

22. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that it comprises a control device (47) which is connected to all automatically controllable components.

23. Method for processing poultry hindquarters (14) comprising at least two legs (11, 12) and a central section (13) connecting the two legs (11, 12) and having rib remnants, namely for separating the two legs (11, 12) from the central section (13), comprising the steps: Transporting the poultry hindquarters (14) hanging by the legs (11, 12) along a transport path in the direction of transport T, belly side first, using a transport conveyor (16), - supporting the poultry halves (14) in the area of ​​the middle section (13) from the underside during suspended transport in transport direction T by means of a support conveyor (19, 44), - Guiding and / or stretching the poultry hind halves (14) hanging on the transport conveyor (16), - Aligning the hanging poultry halves (14) by moving them from the belly-side leading orientation into a flat orientation also lying in relation to the support conveyor (19), in which they essentially point with their back side towards the support conveyor (19) and with their belly side towards the transport conveyor (16), - abdominal separation of skin and tissue located in the transition area between the legs (11, 12) and the midpiece (13), - ventral separation of tendons and tissues that are located around joints by which the legs (11, 12) are articulated with the midpiece (13), - Turning the hanging poultry hind halves (14) such that they are rotated from the position in which they are substantially facing the back towards the support conveyor (19) and the belly towards the transport conveyor (16) to a position in which they are substantially facing the belly towards the support conveyor (44) and the back towards the transport conveyor (16), thereby dislocating the legs (11, 12) from the middle section (13), - and complete separation of the legs (11, 12) from the middle section (13), - wherein, prior to the complete separation of the legs (11, 12) from the midpiece (13), the skin and the subcutaneous membrane are incised dorsally on the midpiece (13), thereby indicating that the legs are further spread away from the midpiece before the ventral separation of tendons and tissue, and that the rib remnants located in the midpiece are initially captured and guided during the separation of the tendons and tissue.

24. Method according to claim 23, characterized in that the rib remnants are introduced into a gap formed by separating plates (22, 23) of a first pair of separating plates (26) of a separating means (21) and guide body (40) during transport in the transport direction T and are guided by the guide body (40) be directed transversely to the transport direction T in the direction of the separating plates (22, 23).

25. Method according to claim 24, characterized in that the rib remnants are released from the gap before reaching separating plates (24, 25) of a second pair of separating plates (27) and move away from the separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) by natural restoring forces transverse to the transport direction T.

26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the rib remnants in the transition area from the separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) to the separating plates (24, 25) of the second pair of separating plates (27) are guided towards each other in a space-tapering manner by means of a rib guide (46).

27. Method according to claim 26, characterized in that the rib remnants, through contact with the rib guide (46), push the separating plates (24, 25) of the second pair of separating plates (27) outwards against a spring force transverse to the transport direction T.

28. Method according to one or more of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the tendons and tissue are scraped from the separating plates (22, 23) of the first pair of separating plates (26) and cut from the separating plates (24, 25) of the second pair of separating plates (27).

29. Method according to one or more of claims 23 to 28, characterized in that it is carried out with a device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 22.

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