Pelvic Bone Suspension Device for Carcass Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for suspending animals for processing, such as the gambrel hook, require lowering the animal to remove rear leg quarters, disrupting the butchering process and potentially leading to quicker spoilage due to inadequate blood drainage.
Innovation Solution
A metal device with a unique geometry that secures to the pelvic bone of the animal using a rope or hook combination, leveraging gravity for a secure grip and allowing complete processing without repositioning, with legs left free for improved drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the gambrel hook is used to suspend the animal by the hind legs, then the animal can be suspended for processing, but the hind legs cannot be processed without lowering and re-suspending the animal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the suspension function from the hind legs and relocates it to the pelvic bone area. By passing the rope through the pelvic cavity and securing it to the iliac bones, the hind legs are freed from their suspension role, allowing them to be processed while the animal remains suspended. This separation of functions resolves the contradiction between maintaining suspension and accessing hind legs for butchering.
2Reliability
If the animal is suspended using existing methods, then it can be raised for processing, but blood drainage is inadequate leading to quicker spoilage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of suspending the animal in a position that hinders drainage, the invention positions the suspension point (pelvic bone area) above the heart level, which inverts the natural blood flow direction to facilitate drainage from the carcass. This inversion of the suspension geometry improves blood drainage efficiency and meat quality preservation while maintaining the suspended position.
3Productivity
If the gambrel hook spreads the legs for suspension, then the animal can be raised, but the legs must be lowered to remove them from the hook for complete processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the hind legs from the suspension mechanism entirely, securing the rope to the pelvic bones instead. This allows the hind legs to remain in their natural position and be processed without interruption, eliminating the time loss associated with lowering and re-suspending the animal during butchering operations.
4Strength
If a simple hook is used to pierce the meat for suspension, then the device is simple, but the meat may tear out during processing
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of piercing the meat directly, the invention copies the functional principle of the gambrel hook but applies it to the pelvic bone structure. The rope is passed through the pelvic cavity and secured to the iliac bones, creating a suspension system that is as simple as a hook but far more secure, as it anchors to bone rather than meat that can tear.
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
Enables thorough and efficient butchering without repositioning, maintaining meat quality by allowing complete processing without interruption and improving blood drainage, thus reducing spoilage.
Implementation Method 1
gravity forces the pelvic bone against the device
Data Source
AI summary
A device for use in suspending an animal carcass in an elevated condition includes a device body having an upper section which is integral with a lower section by way of a compound bend. The upper section is formed with a protrusion and the lower section includes a plurality of arms. The animal carcass includes a pelvic bone and the device is constructed and arranged to be positionable within the animal carcass such that the protrusion engages the pelvic bone in order to suspend the animal carcass in the elevated condition.