Poultry Backhalve Turning Device for Leg Meat Yield

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for processing poultry carcass backhalves often result in damage to leg meat and suboptimal yield due to the mechanical stress and rotation involved in separating the legs from the back portion.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a back turning device with a receiving element that moves to turn the back portion upside-down, reducing tension on the leg meat, and a separation device that separates the legs from the back portion in the upside-down orientation, minimizing meat damage and maximizing yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the back portion is turned over using prior art apparatus with deflector bars, then the legs are separated from the back, but significant pulling forces are exerted on the legs causing damage to leg meat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidmeat damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The process is segmented into two distinct stages: first turning the back portion over using a receiving element, then separating the legs in a subsequent stage. This segmentation allows the turning operation to be performed without the legs being subjected to pulling forces, as the separation occurs after the back is already in the inverted position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The back portion is turned over as a preliminary action before the leg separation takes place. By using the receiving element to invert the back portion first, the legs are positioned in a way that prevents them from being pulled during the subsequent separation process, thereby preventing meat damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Speed

If the back portion is turned over quickly, then processing speed is improved, but tension on leg meat increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveturning speedVSAvoidtension on leg meat

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The back portion is turned over as a preliminary action before the leg separation takes place. By using the receiving element to invert the back portion first, the legs are positioned in a way that prevents them from being pulled during the subsequent separation process, thereby preventing meat damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving element acts as an intermediary device that facilitates the turning of the back portion without directly transmitting pulling forces to the legs. It provides a controlled interface between the turning mechanism and the back portion, allowing the inversion to occur without harmful tension on the leg meat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If the back portion is turned over, then leg separation is enabled, but yield of legs is reduced due to meat damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation capabilityVSAvoidleg meat yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The process is segmented into two distinct stages: first turning the back portion over using a receiving element, then separating the legs in a subsequent stage. This segmentation allows the turning operation to be performed without the legs being subjected to pulling forces, as the separation occurs after the back is already in the inverted position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful turning process into a beneficial operation by performing it at the right moment. By turning the back portion over before separation, the process actually protects the leg meat rather than damaging it, thereby increasing yield while maintaining separation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS12213491B2System and method for processing a backhalve of a slaughtered poultry carcass

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 MAREL STORK POULTRY PROCESSING

AI summary

A system and method are provided for processing a backhalve of a slaughtered poultry carcass, comprising a back portion and legs, and transported by a conveyor in a suspended manner. The system comprises a back turning device, having a stationary frame and a receiving element movably connected to the frame and configured to receive at least a part of the back portion and configured to be moved in the conveying direction with at least said part of the back portion received in the receiving element during continued movement of the backhalve so as to turn the back portion upside-down; and a separation device for separating the legs from the back portion with the back portion in said upside-down orientation.