Suspended Poultry Gizzard Fat Harvesting via Rotating Scrapers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for processing poultry viscera do not efficiently separate clean gizzard fat from contamination, limiting its use in food and chemical industries due to contact with other viscera during harvesting.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the suspended conveyance of poultry viscera clusters over rotating scraper bodies with scraper elements, separating gizzard fat from the gizzard wall while preventing contact with other viscera, and a system comprising a conveyor and scraper bodies for continuous and efficient harvesting of clean gizzard fat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gizzard fat is harvested using conventional methods, then the harvesting process is simple, but the gizzard fat becomes contaminated with other viscera and cannot be used in food products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of gizzard fatVSAvoidcomplexity of harvesting system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harvesting system is segmented into distinct functional components: suspended conveyance mechanism, rotating scraper bodies with scraper elements, and collection system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, ensuring clean fat harvesting while maintaining manageable system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the gizzard fat from the gizzard wall by pulling the gizzard over rotating scraper bodies. The scraper elements mechanically separate the fat from the visceral surface, extracting it in a controlled manner that prevents contamination from other viscera contents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If continuous harvesting is implemented, then processing efficiency increases, but the risk of contamination from gizzard contents increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous processing efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination risk from gizzard contents

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The gizzard is pulled over the scraper bodies in a controlled sequence before any potential rupture can occur. The continuous conveyance and scraping action extracts fat while the gizzard remains intact, preventing harmful contents from leaking and contaminating the harvested fat

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating scraper bodies act as an intermediary mechanism between the conveyed gizzard and the collection system. This intermediary allows continuous fat extraction through mechanical scraping while maintaining physical separation that prevents contamination from gizzard contents

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If scraper elements are made flexible, then adaptability to different gizzard sizes improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to gizzard size variationsVSAvoidease of scraper element fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The scraper elements are made flexible only in the specific region where contact with the gizzard occurs, while maintaining structural integrity at the mounting points. This localized flexibility allows adaptation to different gizzard sizes without requiring complete redesign of the entire scraper structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Ensures clean and high-quality gizzard fat harvesting, suitable for various applications, with continuous processing efficiency and reliability, maintaining the fat's quality as a category 1 edible fat.

Implementation Method 1

pulling the gizzard of each cluster of viscera, while the latter are being conveyed in a suspended manner, over two elongate, juxtaposed scraper bodies which rotate in mutually opposite directions of rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

gizzard fat which is present on a gizzard wall is separated from the gizzard by the scraper elements while the gizzard is being pulled

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentUS11129392B2Method and system for the processing of clusters of poultry viscera

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 MAREL STORK POULTRY PROCESSING

AI summary

The invention relates to a system and method for processing clusters of poultry viscera, at least comprising a gizzard. The method comprises conveying the clusters of viscera in a suspended manner, pulling the gizzard of each cluster of viscera, while the latter are being conveyed in a suspended manner, over two elongate scraper bodies which rotate about respective rotation axes, each of the scraper bodies comprising at least one scraper element, wherein, due to the rotation of the two scraper bodies, gizzard fat which is present on a gizzard wall is separated from the gizzard by the scraper elements while the gizzard is being pulled, and collecting the gizzard fat which has been separated from the gizzard of the successive clusters of viscera.