Poultry Evisceration Tool Bracket Curvature Window

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing evisceration methods and apparatuses face challenges in preventing larger viscera parts from tipping over and covering the hinge of the evisceration tool, which hinders automated processing and can result in damage to the viscera during removal.

Innovation Solution

The evisceration apparatus features two bracket halves with curvatures forming a window adjacent to the clamping faces in the closed position and a support bracket that moves synchronously with the bracket halves to prevent tipping, along with a neck clamp to secure the poultry carcass orientation, ensuring the viscera package can be removed without covering the hinge and facilitating automated handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the evisceration tool uses a hinge connection between two bracket halves, then the tool can effectively clamp and remove viscera, but the hinge may be covered by larger viscera parts (such as gizzard and liver) during removal, hindering automated processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping effectivenessVSAvoidautomated processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The evisceration tool is divided into two movable bracket halves that can open and close around the viscera. This segmentation allows the brackets to adapt to different viscera sizes while maintaining effective clamping, and the divided structure creates a window that prevents hinge coverage during removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket halves are given specific curvatures that create a window space between them during the removal process. This dimensional arrangement ensures that larger viscera parts can pass through the window without covering the hinge connection, enabling automated processing while maintaining clamping effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the evisceration tool is designed with a fixed structure, then the design is simpler, but larger viscera parts may tip over and cover the hinge during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool structureVSAvoidviscera package stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The evisceration tool uses two bracket halves that can move relative to each other via a hinge connection, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This movement capability allows the brackets to open and close for clamping while creating a window during removal that prevents viscera tipping, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket halves are designed with specific curvatures that are not symmetric, creating an asymmetric window structure. This asymmetric design ensures that larger viscera parts are guided to pass through the window in a controlled manner, preventing them from tipping over and covering the hinge during removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If the evisceration tool allows free movement of viscera during removal, then the removal process is simpler, but the viscera may tip over in undesired directions and cover the hinge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremoval processVSAvoidsingle-action transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket halves are pre-designed with specific curvatures that create a window structure before the removal process begins. This preliminary structural arrangement guides the viscera to pass through the window in the correct direction, preventing tipping over and enabling single-action transfer without requiring additional corrective actions during removal

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3172968B1Evisceration apparatus and a method for eviscerating suspended poultry
Publication Date: 2018.05.09 MEYN FOOD PROCESSING TECH BV
  • EP3172968B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3B
  • EP3172968B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B
  • EP3172968B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Evisceration apparatus comprising an evisceration tool movable up and down, and into and out of a body cavity of the poultry, two bracket halves that connect to each other with a hinge at a lower extremity of the tool, said bracket halves being embodied with cooperating clamping faces adjacent to said hinge for clamping a part of the viscera of the poultry when the two bracket halves are moved towards each other from an open position into a closed position, and wherein said bracket halves are provided with curvatures such that the bracket halves delimit a window in one of the open and closed positions of the two bracket halves. The curvatures are such that the window is present immediately adjacent to the clamping faces when the two bracket halves are in the closed position and is substantially closed or absent when the two brackets are in the open position.