Support structure for cutting tuna

Abstract

The invention relates to a support structure for cutting tuna, comprising a base body (1) that includes an upper recess (4) having an opening delimited by a perimeter reinforcement (6), with an intermediate profile (7) extending through the opening, joined by the ends thereof to the perimeter reinforcement (6) of the upper recess (4). A vertical element (8) is aligned with a central area of the intermediate profile (7). A vertical support (10, 10') rises above the perimeter reinforcement (6) of the upper recess (4), and a moveable cantilevered carriage (11) is coupled to the vertical support (10, 10'), the carriage being height adjustable along the vertical support (10, 10'). The moveable carriage (11) is designed to hang the tuna (A), which is held by the tail using a clamp (12) coupled to the moveable carriage (11). The support structure is designed to hold the tuna (A) in a stable vertical position, hanging upside down from the moveable carriage (11), with the vertical element (8) of the base body (1) fitted inside the mouth of the tuna (A), keeping same immobile.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR TUNA CUTTING

[0003] Object of the invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a support structure for tuna butchering that allows the tuna to be hung stably in a vertical position by holding it by the tail, so that in this vertical position it is much easier and more hygienic to carry out the butchering or butchering of the tuna.

[0005] Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

[0006] Currently, the butchering or cutting of tuna is basically done by supporting the animal on a horizontal support structure, where, using a sharp knife, the different parts of the tuna are separated.

[0007] This butchering technique presents some drawbacks, such as: possible contamination of the fish when it comes into contact with a horizontal support surface that forms part of the support structure; difficulty in cleaning and disinfecting said support surface; sometimes it is necessary to exert physical effort, hindering the movement of the tuna and causing possible injuries; ergonomic problems are generated for users who perform the traditional butchering method; sometimes it is not possible to make a sufficiently precise and clean cut; difficulty in bleeding the tuna with the possibility of impregnation of the cut parts since the tuna is in a horizontal position; and difficulty in the visibility of the butchering process for all those present.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] In order to achieve the objectives and avoid the drawbacks in the previous sections, the invention proposes a support structure for tuna cutting comprising a base body with wheels and a vertical support to which a cantilevered mobile cart is attached, which is height adjustable, and which is located above the base body.

[0010] The base body includes an upper recess in the form of a sink that has an opening delimited by a perimeter reinforcement, while said opening is interrupted by an intermediate profile joined at its ends to the perimeter reinforcement of the upper recess; where in correspondence with a central area of ​​the intermediate profile a vertical element is located.

[0011] The vertical support rises above the perimeter reinforcement of the base body, and the mobile cart, which is height-adjustable along its length, is attached to this vertical support. This mobile cart is configured to hang the tuna, which is held by its tail using a clamp attached to the cart.

[0012] With this arrangement described, the support structure is configured to keep the tuna in a stable vertical position hanging upside down from the mobile cart, and with the vertical element of the base body inserted and fitted inside the mouth of the tuna thus maintaining its immobility.

[0013] In a first embodiment of the invention, the vertical support comprises two parallel tubular bars: first and second, which are joined by short crossbars, while said vertical support includes lower appendages that are configured to fit into tubular elements attached to the structure of the base body; where to ensure the fixation of the vertical support to the base body, the lower appendages are immobilized within the tubular elements by means of screws that thread into holes in the tubular elements.

[0014] The mobile carriage is guided along the second bar of the vertical support, which includes pairs of holes that are configured to insert a pin into one of these pairs of holes as a means of retaining and immobilizing the stable positioning of the mobile carriage at the required height.

[0015] In a second embodiment of the invention, the vertical support comprises a single tubular bar with rotatable mobility around an imaginary vertical axis, while being coupled with articulated connections on a pair of supports fixed to the structure of the base body in correspondence with one of its side walls; where, as in the case of the first embodiment of the invention, the mobile carriage is guided along the vertical support, which also includes pairs of holes that are configured to insert a pin into one of said pairs of holes as a means of retaining and immobilizing the stable positioning of the mobile carriage at the required height.

[0016] The clamp that is attached to the tail of piece A of tuna is hooked to the mobile carriage by means of a tie rod element.

[0017] The clamp comprises two pieces: a first piece and a second piece; where between both pieces an intermediate gap is generated that is configured to house and fit a portion of the tuna's tail, while both pieces of the clamp are joined by two screw and nut anchors.

[0018] The clamp further comprises a threaded element coupled into a hole in the second piece; where said threaded element is configured to press at its end on the portion of the tuna tail that is located in the intermediate gap delimited between the two pieces of the clamp.

[0019] The mobile carriage comprises a tubular body, to which a horizontal bar and an inclined bar are attached, the latter being attached at one end to the horizontal bar; where the two bars of the mobile carriage are attached at one end to the tubular body, by which the mobile carriage is guided along the respective vertical support.

[0020] The upper recess, acting as a sink, of the base unit includes a bottom with a drain hole to remove fluids from the tuna. This base unit also includes support wheels with a braking system. These wheels allow the entire support structure of the invention to be moved and rotated, and also allow it to be locked and immobilized using the wheel brakes, all according to the user's needs during the butchering or processing of the tuna.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, a movable skid, which can be displaced along said intermediate profile, is attached to the intermediate profile. In this case, the vertical element is fixed to said movable skid, thus allowing for a certain degree of adjustment in the positioning of the vertical element to which the tuna's mouth is attached. The support structure of the invention further comprises a lifting system that includes a conventional winch mechanism and a pair of upper pulleys. A cable is mounted on these three elements. One end of the cable is attached to a main pulley that forms part of the winch mechanism, while the other end of the cable engages with the clamp fixed to the tuna's tail. The winch mechanism is fixed to the vertical support.

[0022] One of the upper pulleys is located at a first end of the movable carriage, while the other matching upper pulley is located at a second end of the movable carriage, opposite the first end; where the two upper pulleys are coupled on the same side face of the movable carriage.

[0023] The advantages provided by the support structure of the invention are as follows:

[0024] - It prevents contamination of the fish by not having contact with any surface that does not belong to the support structure of the invention.

[0025] - The support structure is easy and convenient to clean and disinfect.

[0026] - The addition of the 2 wheels facilitates the movement of the support structure without the need for excessive physical effort.

[0027] - The lifting system used to place the tuna eliminates the manual loading of the fish, and therefore the strain involved in handling such heavy pieces.

[0028] - Reduces and / or eliminates the ergonomic problems suffered by users who perform the traditional butchering or cutting process on a horizontal surface on which the tuna is supported.

[0029] - It allows for a much more precise and clean cut of the tuna.

[0030] - Possibility of being able to move the piece of tuna without having to touch it, or take it down from the support structure of the invention.

[0031] - Promotes 100% bleeding of the fish.

[0032] - Because the fish is held vertically at a height, it enhances the visibility of the cutting process for all attendees who are watching the cutting or butchering of the tuna.

[0033] - The use of the support structure for the tuna cutting process prevents injuries to the users who are butchering the tuna, unlike what happens conventionally where during the tuna cutting process the users may suffer some injuries.

[0034] - Regarding the vertical positioning of the tuna, being tense and fixed, it favors the cutting and the art of the ronqueo.

[0035] - The system for securing the tuna piece by its mouth facilitates its placement and prevents the fish from moving.

[0036] - It reduces the space required for the butchering or cutting process, while maintaining and improving the results of the traditional art.

[0037] - The wheels that the support structure of the invention has in its base body make it possible for the fish to be rotated together with the support structure assembly, allowing its position to be adapted according to the desired cut.

[0038] - The support structure of the invention is a fixed structure, which has a welded armature, which provides stability.

[0039] - The crank associated with the main pulley of the winch mechanism reduces the physical strain involved in placing and loading the tuna.

[0040] To facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and forming an integral part thereof, a series of figures are included which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, represent the object of the invention.

[0041] Brief description of the figures

[0042] Figure 1.- Shows a perspective view of the support structure for tuna cutting, the object of the invention, according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0043] Figure 2.- Shows another perspective view of the support structure shown in Figure 1.

[0044] Figure 3.- Represents a perspective view of a top part of the support structure shown in Figure 1.

[0045] Figure 4.- Shows an elevation view of a support structure according to a second embodiment of the invention with the incorporation of a tuna lifting system.

[0046] Description of an example of embodiment of the invention

[0047] Considering the numbering adopted in the figures, the support structure for the cutting of tuna A comprises a base body 1 in the form of a box with wheels 2 to facilitate its mobility on the ground; where said base body 1 comprises side walls 3 and an upper recess 4 in the form of a sink that is delimited by a bottom 5 and portions of the side walls of the base body 1. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, the side walls 3 are formed by methacrylate plates.

[0048] The 3 wheels include a braking system to facilitate the movement of the support structure assembly (with or without tuna) and to immobilize it in the desired location by activating the braking system.

[0049] The upper recess 4 has an opening delimited by a perimeter reinforcement

[0050] 6 profiles, while said mouth is interrupted by an intermediate profile

[0051] 7 joined at its ends to two of the opposite profiles of the perimeter reinforcement 6 that delimits the mouth of the upper recess 4.

[0052] Corresponding to a central area of ​​the intermediate profile 7 is mounted a vertical element 8, such as a cylindrical body, which is intended to stabilize and hold the tuna A by its mouth when the tuna A piece is hung vertically by its tail, as will be described in more detail later.

[0053] In one embodiment of the invention, a movable skid 22 is attached to the intermediate profile 7, which is movable and guided along said intermediate profile 7, so that in this case the vertical element 8 is fixed on said movable skid 22 in order to have a certain margin in the positioning of the vertical element 8 in which the mouth of the tuna A is held.

[0054] On the other hand, the bottom 5 of the upper recess 4 includes in its center a drain hole 9 which is configured to drain the fluids from piece of tuna A that run downwards, such as blood and other parts of tuna A.

[0055] The support structure of the invention further includes a vertical support 10, 10' that rises above the perimeter reinforcement 6 of the base body 1, being fixed in correspondence with one of its side walls 3, while on said vertical support 10, 10' a cantilevered mobile carriage 11 is attached which is adjustable and can be moved vertically along said vertical support 10, 10', so that the tuna A hangs from said mobile carriage 11 and is held by its tail by a clamp 12 attached to the mobile carriage 11 by means of a tie element 13, such as a chain.

[0056] With this arrangement described, the tuna piece A is suspended vertically by its tail from the mobile carriage 11 in a stable manner by means of the clamp 12 and the tie-down element 13. The vertical element 8, mounted either directly on the intermediate bar 7 or on the mobile skid 22, is inserted into the open mouth of the tuna piece A to better stabilize and secure the tuna A for butchering. In this position, the tie-down element 13 and the vertical element 8 are substantially aligned vertically.

[0057] In a first embodiment of the invention, the vertical support 10 comprises two parallel tubular bars: first 10a, and second 10b, which are joined by short crossbars 10c, while said vertical support 10 includes lower appendages 14 that are configured to fit into tubular elements 15 fixed to the structure of the base body 1 in correspondence with one of its side walls 3, so that to ensure the fixing of the vertical support 10 to the base body 1, the lower appendages 14 are immobilized within the tubular elements 15 by means of screws 16 that thread into holes in the tubular elements 15. Said screws 16 abut at their ends against the lower appendages 14 of the vertical support 10, which are fixed to the second bar 10b.

[0058] In this first embodiment of the invention, the movable carriage 11 is guided along the second bar 10b. To immobilize the movable carriage 11 at the required height, the second bar 10b includes pairs of holes 17, one of which contains a pin 18 to maintain the stable position of the movable carriage 11 at the required height. Thus, depending on the length of the tuna piece A, the movable carriage 11 will be positioned higher or lower along the second bar 10b of the vertical support 10.

[0059] The clamp 12, which is attached to the tail of tuna A, comprises two parts: a first part 12a and a second part 12b. Between these two parts, an intermediate gap 20 is created into which a portion of the tail of tuna A fits. The clamp 12 and its two parts 12a and 12b are joined by two screw and nut fasteners 19. The clamp 12 also includes a threaded element 21 engaged in a hole in the second part 12b. Once the portion of the tail of tuna A is positioned within the intermediate gap 20, this threaded element 21 is rotated, pressing against the tail of tuna A and securely attaching the clamp 12 to it.

[0060] The mobile carriage 11 comprises a tubular body 11a, to which a horizontal bar 11b and an inclined bar 11c are attached, the latter being attached at one end to the horizontal bar 11b; wherein the two bars 11b, 11c are attached at one end to the tubular body 11a, by which the mobile carriage 11 is guided along the second bar 10b of the vertical support 10 of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0061] The pairs of holes 17 of the vertical support 10 make it possible to adjust the height of the mobile carriage 11 according to the length of the tuna piece A to be butchered, so that the horizontal bar 11b of the mobile carriage 11 forms a 90° angle in the shape of a right angle with respect to the vertical support 10, which allows improving the stability of the tuna piece A and the entire support structure of the invention.

[0062] As shown in Figure 4, in a second embodiment of the invention, the support structure of the invention comprises the tubular vertical support 10' with a different configuration than the first embodiment, wherein this vertical support 10' has rotatable mobility 23 around an imaginary vertical axis 31, while being coupled for this purpose on a pair of supports 24 fixed to the structure of the base body 1 in correspondence with one of its side walls 3.

[0063] In this second embodiment of the invention, the movable carriage 11 is coupled to the vertical support 10' in the same way as in the first embodiment; where the vertical support 10' also includes pairs of holes 17, into one of which the pin 18 is inserted in order to retain the stable positioning of the movable carriage 11. Thus, depending on the length of the tuna piece A, the movable carriage 11 will be placed higher or lower along the vertical support 10'.

[0064] The rotation of the rotating vertical support 10' can be locked, for example, by means of a set screw (not shown in the figures) fitted onto a threaded hole located in one of the supports 24 fixed to the base body structure 1. In this second embodiment of the invention, the support structure of the invention also includes a lifting system to hang the tuna A on the mobile cart 11 with less effort and more conveniently.

[0065] For this purpose, the lifting system comprises a conventional winch mechanism 25 and a pair of upper pulleys 26, 27; where these three elements are mounted on top of each other.

[0066] 25, 26, 27 A steel cable 28 is mounted to hook the tail of tuna A by means of the clamp 12 and lift it upwards, so that one end of the cable 28 is attached to a main pulley 29 that is part of the winch mechanism 25, while the other end of the cable 28 hooks into the clamp 12 fixed to the tail of tuna A. The winch mechanism 25 is fixed on the vertical support 10'.

[0067] One of the upper pulleys, 26, is located at one end of the movable carriage 11, while the other pair of upper pulleys, 27, is located at the opposite end of the movable carriage 11. It should be noted that the two upper pulleys

[0068] 26, 27 are attached to the same side face of the mobile carriage 11 so that the cable 28 does not interfere with the vertical support 10'.

[0069] With this arrangement described, once the tail of tuna A has been attached to the cable 28 by means of the clamp 12, the main pulley 29 of the winch mechanism 25 is turned by means of a crank 30 until the tuna A is placed substantially at the height of the mobile carriage 11; then proceeding to hang the tuna A from said mobile carriage 11 by means of the tie element 13 and the clamp 12.

[0070] On the other hand, it should be noted that the described lifting system can also be mounted on the vertical support 10 of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0071] Thus, the process for securing piece A of tuna to the support structure of the invention is as follows:

[0072] - Once we receive the tuna, in its same packaging, we attach cable 28 to the tail of piece of tuna A by means of clamp 12.

[0073] - Using crank 30, we turn the main pulley 29 of the winch mechanism 25 to raise the tuna piece A to a height that allows us to secure it by its mouth. - We place the mouth of tuna A around the vertical element 8 and secure it.

[0074] - We finished positioning tuna A with the crank 30 and adjusted the height of the vertical support 11, according to the size of the tuna piece A.

[0075] - With the threaded element 21, materialized by a wing nut, we finish adjusting and immobilizing the tail of tuna A.

[0076] - We begin the vertical butchering / cutting in a comfortable and simple way.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Support structure for tuna butchering, characterized in that it comprises: - a base body (1) that includes an upper recess (4) in the form of a sink that has an opening delimited by a perimeter reinforcement (6), while said opening is interrupted by an intermediate profile (7) joined at its ends to the perimeter reinforcement (6) of the upper recess (4); where in correspondence with a central area of ​​the intermediate profile (7) a vertical element (8) is located; - a vertical support (10, 10') rising above the perimeter reinforcement (6) of the upper recess (4), while on said vertical support (10, 10') is attached a cantilevered mobile carriage (11) that is height adjustable along said vertical support (10, 10'); wherein said mobile carriage (11) is configured to hang the tuna (A) which is held by its tail by means of a clamp (12) attached to the mobile carriage (11); wherein the support structure is configured to keep the tuna (A) in a stable vertical position hanging upside down from the mobile carriage (11), and with the vertical element (8) of the base body (1) inserted and fitted inside the mouth of the tuna (A) keeping it immobile. 2.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical support (10) comprises two parallel tubular bars: first (10a), and second (10b), which are joined by short crossbars (10c), while said vertical support (10) includes lower appendages (14) that are configured to fit into tubular elements (15) attached to the structure of the base body (1); where in order to ensure the fixing of the vertical support (10) to the base body (1), the lower appendages (14) are immobilized within the tubular elements (15) by means of screws (16) that thread into holes in the tubular elements (15).

3. Support structure for tuna cutting, according to claim 2, characterized in that the mobile carriage (11) is guided along the second bar (10b) of the vertical support (10), which includes pairs of holes (17) configured to insert a pin (18) into one of said pairs of holes (17) as a means of retaining and immobilizing the stable positioning of the mobile carriage (11) at the required height.

4. Support structure for tuna cutting, according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical support (10') comprises a single tubular bar with rotatable mobility (23) around an imaginary vertical axis (31), while being coupled with articulated connections on a pair of supports (24) fixed to the structure of the base body (1) in correspondence with one of its side walls (3); wherein the mobile carriage (11) is guided along the vertical support (10'), which includes pairs of holes (17) that are configured to insert into one of said pairs of holes (17) a pin (18) as a means of retaining and immobilizing the stable positioning of the mobile carriage (11) at the required height. 5.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the clamp (12) that holds the tail of the tuna piece A, is attached to the mobile carriage (11) by means of a tie element (13). 6.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamp (12) comprises two pieces: a first piece (12a) and a second piece (12b); where between both pieces an intermediate gap (20) is generated which is configured to house and fit a portion of the tuna tail (A), while both pieces (12a, 12b) of the clamp (12) are joined by means of two screw and nut anchors (19). 7.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to claim 6, characterized in that the clamp (12) further comprises a threaded element (21) coupled in a hole of the second piece (12b); wherein said threaded element (21) is configured to press at its end on the portion of the tuna tail (A) that is located in the intermediate gap (20) delimited between the two pieces of the clamp (12). 8.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the preceding claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the mobile carriage (11) comprises a tubular body (11a), to which a horizontal bar (11b) and an inclined bar (11c) are attached, the latter being attached at one end to the horizontal bar (11b); where the two The bars (11 b, 11c) of the mobile carriage (10, 10') are joined at one of their ends to the tubular body (11a), by which the mobile carriage (11) is guided along the vertical support (10, 10'). 9.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the previous claims, characterized in that the upper recess (4) in the form of a sink of the base body (1) includes a bottom (5) with a drain hole (9). 10.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base body (1) includes wheels (2) for support on the ground with a braking system. 11.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a movable skid (22) is attached to the intermediate profile (7) and can be moved along said intermediate profile (7); where the vertical element (8) is fixed on said movable skid (22). 12.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a lifting system that includes a conventional winch mechanism (25) and a pair of upper pulleys (26, 27); wherein a cable (28) is mounted on these three elements (25, 26, 27); wherein one end of the cable (28) is attached to a main pulley (29) that forms part of the winch mechanism (25), while the other end of the cable (28) hooks onto the clamp (12) fixed to the tail of the tuna (A); and wherein the winch mechanism (25) is fixed on the vertical support (10, 10'). 13.- Support structure for tuna cutting, according to claim 12, characterized in that one (26) of the upper pulleys is located at a first end of the movable carriage (11), while the other paired upper pulley (27) is located at a second end of the movable carriage (11), opposite the first end; wherein the two upper pulleys (26, 27) are coupled on the same side face of the movable carriage (11).

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