Automatic device and method for simultaneously measuring and levelling the height of a joint of multiple poultry legs in a plurality of conveying devices having a proprietary height adjustment system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BOCCHI VALNERI
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure BR2025050112_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
AUTOMATIC DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS MEASUREMENT AND LEVELING OF THE HEIGHT OF A MULTIPLE-LEG JOINT OF BIRDS IN A PLURALITY OF CONVEYOR DEVICES WITH A PROPRIETARY HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a method and an automatic device for the simultaneous measurement and leveling of multiple poultry legs during processing on a food production line. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and an automatic device for the simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a joint of multiple poultry legs on a conveyor device with a proprietary height adjustment system. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a competitive industry like the poultry industry, competition among competitors always drives innovations aimed at increasing efficiency, precision, safety, and quality in the food production process. Among the numerous possibilities for development and innovation, one of the critical steps requiring the highest precision is the deboning of chicken thighs and drumsticks.
[0003] Due to the need, in this process, for all bird legs to have the articulation between the thigh and drumstick bones at the same height, various devices capable of measuring and leveling leg height are known in the state of the art.
[0004] Patent BR112012010258-3 BI presents an automated device for deboning a bone-in leg from a livestock carcass. The BR112012010258-3 BI device consists of several workstations, each responsible for performing predefined tasks. Specifically, at the fifth workstation, an upper portion of meat is detached from the bone and left hanging. At the sixth workstation, the bone-in leg, supported by a clamping unit, is moved vertically upwards, and the knee joint (articulation) is then located by a measuring unit. To perform the cut in the muscle attached to the knee joint at the subsequent workstation, the amount the bone-in leg is raised is adjusted based on the knee joint location measured at the sixth workstation.
[0005] Patent BR112019015893-6 BI presents a method and apparatus for the continuous collection of surrounding meat from a successive plurality of animal hooves possessing first and second articulated bones and an intermediate joint. The method continuously conveys the animal hooves through a transport path and determines the location of the intermediate joint. Based on the determined location of the intermediate joint, a position is adjusted between the intermediate joint and a cutting tool, and the tissue is cut at a location compatible with the location of the intermediate joint. The step of determining the location of the intermediate joint is performed without contact and without interrupting the continuous transport of the animal hooves. After determining the location of the joint, at a subsequent leveling station, the animal hooves are leveled by their respective joints.
[0006] Patent EP3099179B1 discloses a cutting system for processing chicken thighs, including a measuring station that measures the length of each leg's thigh as the leg passes along the processing path. The measuring device at the station may be a mechanical contact measuring device, or alternatively, it may be a non-contact optical measuring device. Such an alternative arrangement may include paired vertical arrays of light emitters and optical sensors positioned on either side of the processing path. As a bent leg passes between the opposing vertical arrays of light emitters and optical sensors, a measurement is taken. The measured length is transmitted to a programmable logic controller or other programmable controller configured to control the operation of the apparatus.
[0007] Although devices and methods exist for measuring and leveling poultry legs by the height of the joint between the thigh and drumstick bones, known from prior art, these devices have limited processing capacity. No systems or methods exist that can measure and level multiple poultry legs simultaneously.
[0008] The device and method presented herein seek to solve the challenge of increasing productivity by automating the leg leveling process for poultry, allowing for faster and more efficient operation—essential characteristics for meeting the demand in large meat processing plants. The increased productivity offered by the device and method of the present invention is advantageous because it is achieved through standardization of deboning, reduction of human error, greater operator safety, and increased operational efficiency. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Considering the aspects and problems presented in the current state of the art, and with the purpose of overcoming them, a new and unprecedented automatic device was developed for the simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in a conveyor device with a proprietary height adjustment system. A corresponding method was also developed.
[0010] The automatic device that is the subject of the present invention is for the simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in a plurality of poultry leg conveyors with a proprietary height adjustment system that circulate in a chain-type, closed-loop system in a poultry processing line, wherein each poultry leg conveyor of the plurality of poultry leg conveyors is configured to transport one poultry leg and contains a height adjustment system. The automatic device of the present invention comprises a plurality of poultry leg conveyors, each poultry leg conveyor of the plurality of poultry leg conveyors configured to transport one poultry leg and containing a height adjustment system;A synchronization mechanism mounted on a pair of rails and configured to transfer and synchronize the movement of the hoist to a transport car containing a plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms, the transport car moving on the pair of rails; wherein each height measuring and leveling mechanism comprises: an articulated device for unlocking the height adjustment system; an articulated contact device with a bone and a joint of the bird's leg; a position reading sensor for the articulated contact device; and a bird's leg support device against the articulated contact device; wherein the articulated contact device, the reading sensor and the bird's leg support device are pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bird's leg support device is positioned opposite the articulated contact device.
[0011] A second object of the present invention relates to a method for simultaneously measuring and leveling the height of a joint of multiple poultry legs in a plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices with a proprietary height adjustment system, which is carried out by the automatic device of the present invention, wherein the method has the steps of: receiving a plurality of hanging and deboned poultry legs up to a joint region of the poultry leg, each in a conveyor device of a plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices that move at constant speed on a conveyor, of the chain type, in a closed circuit in a poultry processing line; transferring and synchronizing, through a synchronization mechanism, the movement of the conveyor to a conveyor carriage containing a plurality of height measurement and leveling mechanisms, the conveyor carriage that moves on a pair of rails;Simultaneously, in each height measurement and leveling mechanism: activate an articulated bird leg support device and an articulated bone contact device to make contact with the bone, where the articulated bird leg support device and the articulated bone contact device are positioned opposite each other; activate an articulated height adjustment system unlocking device from a retracted to an advanced position to release an adjustment gear of the conveyor device; transfer the movement of a gear from the articulated height adjustment system unlocking device to the adjustment gear of the conveyor device, causing the bird leg to rise;When the articulated bone contact device falls into a space between two bones of the bird's leg, a position reading sensor identifies this change in position and sends a signal to retract the articulated unlocking device from the height adjustment system. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] The device and method according to the present invention are further explained by means of the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a complete configuration of the automatic device that is the subject of the present invention.
[0013] Figure 2 illustrates a bird leg transport device of the automatic device object of the present invention in an initial (lower) position.
[0014] Figure 3 illustrates a bird leg transport device of the automatic device that is the subject of the present invention in an elevated position.
[0015] Figure 4 shows in detail the components of a height measuring and leveling mechanism present in the transport carriage of the automatic device that is the subject of this invention.
[0016] Figures 5a and 5b illustrate a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view of the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system of a height measuring and leveling mechanism on the transport carriage of the automatic device that is the subject of the present invention.
[0017] Figures 5c and 5d represent the disengaged and engaged positions of the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system of a height measuring and leveling mechanism on the transport carriage of the automatic device that is the subject of the present invention.
[0018] Figure 6 details a synchronization mechanism of the automatic device that is the subject of this invention.
[0019] Figure 7 shows an initial pre-synchronization position of the automatic device that is the subject of the present invention.
[0020] Figures 8 to 16 show, in a side view, the operating sequence of the automatic device that is the subject of the present invention.
[0021] Figure 17 presents a flowchart of the steps of the method that is the subject of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] This section presents in detail the solution proposed by the present invention, with reference to the figures described in the previous section.
[0023] According to Figure 1 presented, it is possible to observe the automatic device for simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in a plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices 3 with a proprietary height adjustment system, object of the present invention. The plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices 3 circulate on a conveyor 1, of the chain type, in a closed circuit in a poultry processing line, each poultry leg conveyor device 3 of the plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices is configured to transport a poultry leg containing thigh and drumstick and contains a height adjustment system.For the correct functioning of the automatic device object of the present invention, the hoist 1 is aligned with a transport car 2 that is mounted on a pair of rails 15 and that is capable of moving laterally along the rails 15 by means of a plurality of wheels 19. The movement of the hoist 1 is transferred and synchronized to the transport car 2 through a synchronization mechanism 17 that is also mounted on the pair of rails 15.
[0024] The transport carriage 2 of the automatic device of the present invention comprises a plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms 18 shown in detail in Figure 4, wherein each height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 comprises: an articulated device for unlocking the height adjustment system; an articulated device for contacting a bone and a joint of the bird's leg; a position reading sensor for the articulated contact device; and a bird leg support device against the articulated contact device. The articulated contact device, the reading sensor, and the bird leg support device are pivotable between an open and a closed position. The bird leg support device is positioned opposite the articulated contact device.
[0025] An exemplary bird leg transport device 3 is shown in Figures 2 and 3. In Figure 2, the bird leg transport device 3 is in an extended or initial position where a hook 4, configured to receive and support a bird leg, is in a lower initial position. The bird leg transport device 3 also comprises the height adjustment system which is composed of a vertical shaft 5 to which the hook 4 is fixed, a vertical tube 6 fixed to a base 7 and concentric with the vertical shaft 5, wherein the vertical tube 6 has a larger diameter than the vertical shaft 5, so that the vertical shaft 5 is displaceable by an interior of the vertical tube 6.The height adjustment system also comprises a movable Maltese cross 8 for the correct positioning of the hook 4 in relation to a vertical longitudinal axis, and an adjustment gear 10 positioned above and centered on the Maltese cross 8, the adjustment gear 10 being concentric with the vertical axis 5 and with the vertical tube 6. A gear lock 9 is positioned adjacent to the adjustment gear 10 and configured to lock a position of the adjustment gear 10. A spindle 11 fixed to the vertical axis 5 is disposed through the center of the adjustment gear 10, so that when the adjustment gear 10 is actuated, the spindle 11 moves vertically. Figure 3 shows the spindle 11 displaced vertically upwards relative to the position shown in Figure 2; consequently, the hook 4 is also in an elevated position. The bird leg conveyor device 3 further comprises chain rods 12 that support the conveyor device 3 on the hoist 1.
[0026] Figure 4 details a height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 from the plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms 18. As detailed, each height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 comprises an articulated device for unlocking the height adjustment system, an articulated device for contacting a bone and a bird leg joint, a position reading sensor for the articulated contact device, and a bird leg support device against the articulated contact device.
[0027] In a preferred configuration, the articulated contact device of each height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 comprises a counterweight 33 fixed to an articulated arm 34, a drive plate 36 fixed to the articulated arm 34, and a bone contact plate 38 positioned at a lower end of the articulated arm 34 and perpendicular to the articulated arm 34.
[0028] In a preferred configuration, the position reading sensor is a proximity sensor 35 configured to detect the drive plate 36. The position reading sensor is fixed to an articulated structure comprising a horizontal rod 40 and is actuated by a pneumatic cylinder 39, the articulated structure being configured to enclose the articulated arm 34 of the articulated contact device by means of a bone support rod 37 which, when operating in a measuring position, is positioned immediately above and parallel to the bone contact plate 38 of the articulated contact device.
[0029] In a preferred configuration, the articulated bird leg support device against the articulated contact device of each height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 of the plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms 18 comprises an external backrest 43 and an articulated drive mechanism for the external backrest 43 which essentially comprises a horizontal rod 41, a drive cylinder 42 for actuating the horizontal rod 41, and a damper 44.
[0030] In a preferred configuration, the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system of each height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 comprises a geared motor 30 configured to be always on, driving a transmission shaft 45, a gear 31 configured to advance or retract relative to the adjustment gear 10, and a pneumatic cylinder 32. In a preferred configuration, the pneumatic cylinder 32 is a rotary cylinder.
[0031] Figures 5a and 5b show an articulated unlocking device for the height adjustment system of a height measuring and leveling mechanism 18 on the transport car 2. As shown in Figure 5a, the pneumatic cylinder 32 is configured to actuate the gear 31 to advance or retract via a lever 63. The drive shaft 45 transfers its motion to the gear 31 via two other 45° gears 60, 61, wherein the 45° gear 60 is connected to the drive shaft 45, and the 45° gear 61 is connected to a second gear 62 that transfers the motion to the gear 31. In Figure 5b, an actuating element 64 can be observed, located below the gear 31 and configured to actuate the gear lock 9 to release or lock the movement of the adjustment gear 10.
[0032] Figures 5c and 5d show the retracted and advanced positions of gear 31 of the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system of the height measuring and leveling mechanism 18. In figure 5c, gear 31 is in its retracted position and the adjustment gear 10 is locked by means of the gear lock 9. In figure 5d, the pneumatic cylinder 32 actuates gear 31 via lever 63. As gear 31 advances, the actuating element 64 activates the gear lock 9 and releases the adjustment gear 10 to rotate by transferring the rotational motion of gear 31.
[0033] The synchronization mechanism 17 of the automatic device object of the present invention is shown in detail in figure 6. A toothed wheel 20 is driven by the nozzle 1, the toothed wheel 20 being connected to a transmission shaft 21 which transmits the movement of the toothed wheel 20 to a transmission chain 22. The transmission chain 22 is responsible for transmitting, by means of a set of gears and shaft, its movement to a synchronization chain 23 which, in turn, moves a drive roller 24 that engages with a coupling guide 14 in a structure 13 of the transport car 2.
[0034] Next, with reference to figures 7 to 16, the operation of the automatic device for simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in a conveyor device with a proprietary height adjustment system will be described.
[0035] Figure 7 represents the beginning of the height measurement and leveling path. The transport car 2 can be observed in an initial position on the rails. The hoist 1 moves in the direction indicated by arrow A. At this stage, all devices of the height measurement and leveling mechanisms 18 of the transport car 2 are in the open position. The synchronization mechanism 17 acts to transfer and synchronize the movement of the hoist 1 with the transport car 2. With synchronization, the transport car 2, with all devices of the height measurement and leveling mechanisms 18 in the closed position, moves together with the hoist 1 until the end of the measurement and leveling.
[0036] As developed, the automatic device that is the subject of this invention is capable of simultaneously measuring and leveling the joint height of a plurality of bird legs on conveyor devices. To simplify understanding of the measurement and leveling sequence, only one bird leg conveyor device and a height measurement and leveling mechanism 18 will be represented. Figure 8 illustrates the conveyor device entering and aligning with the height measurement and leveling mechanism 18. At this stage, all devices of the height measurement and leveling mechanism 18 are in the open position.
[0037] In Figure 9, the conveyor device is aligned with the height measuring and leveling mechanism 18. The pneumatic cylinder 42 is actuated to move the external support 43 to make contact with the bird's leg bone from the outside, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 9.
[0038] In Figure 10, the pneumatic cylinder 39 is actuated by moving the support rod 37 and the bone contact plate 38 to make contact with the bird's leg bone from the inside, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 10.
[0039] In Figure 11, the geared motor 30 rotates the transmission shaft 45. The movement of the transmission shaft 45 is transferred to the gear 31 through the 45° gears 60, 61 and, consequently, just like the transmission shaft 45, the gear 31 is always rotating. With the actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 32, the gear 31 advances towards the adjustment gear 10 of the conveyor device 3, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 11. During the advance of the gear 31, the actuating element 64 located below the gear 31 is configured to actuate the gear lock 9, releasing the adjustment gear 10 to rotate.
[0040] In Figure 12, once the adjusting gear 10 is rotating, an internal nut inside the adjusting gear 10 causes the spindle 11 to rise, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 12. According to the present invention, the spindle 11 does not rotate, having freedom only to move up or down. The vertical shaft 5 has an oblong-shaped groove (not shown) where a pin (not shown) in the vertical tube 6 prevents it from rotating. Since the spindle 11 is coupled to the vertical shaft 5 to which the hook 4 is attached, as the spindle 11 rises, the bird leg also rises.
[0041] In Figure 13, as the bird's leg rises, at a certain point the bone contact plate 38 falls into a joint of the bird's leg (a space that exists between the thigh bone and the thigh bone of the bird). With this movement of the bone contact plate 38, the entire articulated contact device moves, and the drive plate 36 moves away from the position reading sensor 35, which, in turn, sends a signal to software installed in the automatic device to retract the gear 31.
[0042] In Figure 14, gear 31 is retracted, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 14, and by performing this movement, gear lock 9 returns to its initial position coupled to the adjustment gear 10, causing it to stop rotating and locking its position. In this way, the conveyor device 3 now has the bird leg locked in a level position by the articulation for continuation of its processing.
[0043] In Figure 15, the outer backrest 43, the bone contact plate 38, and the bone support rod 37 are retracted, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 15, and the transport cart 2 reaches the end of its path.
[0044] Figure 16 shows the conveyor device 3 exiting the automatic device of the present invention with the bird's leg leveled by the joint. The conveyor carriage 2 returns to its initial position to level subsequent conveyor devices 3.
[0045] According to a second object of the present invention, a method is presented for the simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in a conveyor device with a proprietary height adjustment system. Figure 17 presents a flowchart with the steps of said method, which are also listed below.
[0046] The method 200, object of the present invention, comprises the following steps: to receive 210 a plurality of hanging and deboned poultry legs up to a region of articulation of the poultry leg, each in a conveyor device of a plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices 3 that move at constant speed in a conveyor 1, of the chain type, in a closed circuit in a poultry processing line; to transfer and synchronize 220, through a synchronization mechanism 17, the movement of the conveyor 1 to a conveyor car 2 containing a plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms 18, the conveyor car 2 that moves on a pair of rails 15; simultaneously, in each height measurement and leveling mechanism 18: to actuate 230 an articulated bird leg support device and an articulated bone contact device to make contact with the bone, wherein the articulated bird leg support device and the articulated bone contact device are positioned opposite each other; Activate 240 an articulated unlocking device for the height adjustment system from a retracted position to an advanced position to release an adjustment gear 10 of the conveyor device 3; transfer 250 the movement of gear 31 from the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system to the adjustment gear 10 of the conveyor device 3 causing the bird's leg to rise; When the articulated bone contact device falls into a space between two bones of the bird's leg, at step 260, a position reading sensor 35 identifies this change in position and sends a signal to retract the articulated unlocking device from the height adjustment system.
[0047] As described, the device and method of the present invention offer increased productivity by automating the leg leveling process for poultry during the deboning process. Advantageously, the device and method of the present invention offer increased productivity combined with: - Standardization of deboning: ensuring that all poultry legs are at the same height at the joint between the thigh and drumstick bones, which is fundamental for the precise operation of deboning systems. This feature eliminates the variability and errors associated with manual leveling, providing precision and consistency in poultry processing; - Reduction of human errors: by automating the process, there is less dependence on human intervention and a smaller margin of error, which improves the consistency of the final product; - Greater safety for workers: by automating the process, it becomes safer for workers by reducing the need for manual intervention; and, - Greater operational efficiency: By reducing the time required to manually adjust each bird's leg, it is possible to ensure that the measurement and leveling process does not interrupt the continuous flow of the production line. By synchronizing the movement of the different system components, the production line can operate at higher speeds without compromising quality.
[0048] The device and method described herein, which are the subject of this patent, may have their basic constituent elements constructed using different technologies, as well as different accessory configurations according to the characteristics, types of installations, and user needs; logically, alterations may be made to the device and method without loss of the innovation presented herein.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Automatic device for simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in a plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices (3) with proprietary height adjustment system circulating in a chain-type conveyor (1), in a closed circuit in a poultry processing line, wherein each poultry leg conveyor device (3) of the plurality of poultry leg conveyor devices is configured to transport a poultry leg and contains a height adjustment system; the automatic device being characterized by the fact that it comprises: a synchronization mechanism (17) mounted on a pair of rails (15) and configured to transfer and synchronize the movement of the hoist (1) to a transport car (2) containing a plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms (18), the transport car (2) being configured to move on the pair of rails (15); each height measuring and leveling mechanism (18) comprising: an articulated device for unlocking the height adjustment system; an articulated device that makes contact with a bone and a joint in a bird's leg; a position reading sensor (35) of the articulated contact device; and, a bird leg support device against the articulated contact device; wherein the articulated contact device, the position reading sensor (35) and the bird leg support device are pivotable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the bird leg support device is positioned opposite the articulated contact device.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that each bird leg carrier device (3) of the plurality of bird leg carrier devices comprises a hook (4) configured to support the bird leg, and the height adjustment system comprises: a vertical axis (5) fixed to the hook (4); a vertical tube (6) concentric with the vertical axis (5); a base (7) to which the vertical tube (6) is fixed; a cmz of Malta (8); an adjustment gear (10) positioned above the cmz of malt (8) and centered, the adjustment gear (10) being concentric with the vertical axis (5) and with the vertical tube (6); a gear lock (9) positioned adjacent to the adjustment gear (10) and configured to engage with the adjustment gear (10); a spindle (11) fixed to the vertical axis (5) and disposed through a central hole of the adjusting gear (10); and, two chain rods (12) configured to support the conveyor device (3) on the hoist (1).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the synchronization mechanism (17) comprises: a toothed wheel (20) driven by the hoist (1), the toothed wheel (20) being connected to a transmission shaft (21) that transmits the movement of the toothed wheel (20) to a transmission chain (22) responsible for transmitting its movement to a timing chain (23) which, in turn, moves a conveyor carriage drive roller (24).
4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the conveyor carriage (2) further comprises a structure and a coupling guide.
5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system of each height measuring and leveling mechanism (18) of the plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms comprises: a geared motor (30) configured to be always on, driving a transmission shaft (45); a gear (31) set to move forward or retract relative to the adjustment gear (10); a pneumatic cylinder (32) configured to actuate the gear (31) to move forward or retract; an actuating element (64) disposed below the gear (31) and configured to actuate the gear lock (9) to release or lock the movement of the adjusting gear (10); wherein the transmission shaft (45) transfers its motion to the gear via two other gears at 45° (60, 61).
6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the articulated contact device of each height measuring and leveling mechanism (18) of the plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms comprises: a counterweight (33) fixed to an articulated arm (34); a drive plate (36) fixed to the articulated arm (34); and, a bone contact plate (38) positioned at a lower end of the articulated arm (34) and perpendicular to the articulated arm (34).
7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the position reading sensor (35) is a proximity sensor configured to detect the drive plate (36).
8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the articulated bird leg support device against the articulated contact device of each height measuring and leveling mechanism (18) of the plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms comprises an external backrest (43) and an articulated drive mechanism for the external backrest (43).
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the position reading sensor (35) is fixed to an articulated structure configured to engage the articulated arm (34) of the contact articulated device by means of a bone support rod (37) which, in operation, is positioned immediately above and parallel to the bone contact plate (38) of the contact articulated device.
10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transport car (2) moves on the pair of rails (15) by means of a plurality of wheels (19).
11. Method for simultaneous measurement and leveling of the height of a multi-leg joint of poultry in poultry leg transport devices (3) with proprietary height adjustment system using an automatic device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: receive (210) a plurality of hanging and deboned bird legs up to a bird leg joint region, each in a conveyor device of a plurality of bird leg conveyor devices (3) moving at constant speed in a chain-type conveyor (1), in a closed loop in a poultry processing line; transfer and synchronize (220), by means of a synchronisation mechanism (17), the movement of the conveyor (1) to a conveyor car (2) containing a plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms (18), the conveyor car (2) being configured to move on a pair of rails (15); simultaneously, in each height measuring and leveling mechanism (18): actuate (230) an articulated bird leg support device and an articulated bone contact device to make contact with the bone, wherein the articulated bird leg support device and the articulated bone contact device are positioned opposite each other; actuate (240) an articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system from a retracted position to an advanced position to release an adjustment gear (10) of the conveyor device (3); transfer (250) the movement of a gear (31) from the articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system to the adjustment gear (10) of the conveyor device causing the bird's leg to rise; when the articulated bone contact device falls into a space between two bones of the bird's leg, a position reading sensor (35) identifies this change in position and sends a signal to retract the articulated unlocking device from the height adjustment system.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that transferring and synchronizing, through a synchronization mechanism (17), the movement of the hoist (1) to a transport car (2) containing a plurality of height measuring and leveling mechanisms (18) comprises driving, with the movement of the hoist (1), a toothed wheel (20) connected to a transmission shaft (21) which, in turn, transmits the movement to a transmission chain (22), the transmission chain (22) transmits, by means of a set of gears and shaft, its movement to a synchronization chain (23) which moves a drive roller (24) which engages in a coupling guide (14) in a structure (13) of the transport car (2).
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that actuating the articulated bird leg support device and the articulated bone contact device to make contact with the bone comprises actuating an actuating cylinder (42) to move the articulated bird leg support device and a pneumatic cylinder (39) to move the position reading sensor (35) and the articulated bone contact device.
14. A method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that actuating an articulated unlocking device of the height adjustment system from a retracted position to an extended position comprises: actuate a pneumatic cylinder (32) to advance the gear (31) and a drive element (64); and, Using the drive element (64), engage the gear lock (9) to release the adjustment gear (10).
15. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that transferring the motion of a gear (31) to the adjusting gear (10) of the conveyor device (3) causing the bird leg to rise comprises rotating the adjusting gear (10) in such a way that an internal nut within the adjusting gear (10) causes a spindle 11 to rise.
16. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the position reading sensor (35) is a proximity sensor that detects a displacement of a drive plate (36).