Poultry Carcass Holder for Consistent Product Carrier Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual arrangement of poultry carcass parts on product carriers is physically demanding and leads to inconsistent positioning, resulting in lower meat yield and increased physical complaints due to the need for manual force to secure the carcass parts on the carriers.

Innovation Solution

A device with a holder and positioning means that moves the carcass part to a transfer position, allowing it to be easily placed on a product carrier using a pressing mechanism, reducing the physical effort required and ensuring consistent positioning for precise processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual arrangement of carcass parts on product carriers is used, then flexibility in handling is maintained, but physical effort increases and positioning consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical effortVSAvoidpositioning consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a holder as an intermediary device between the carcass part and the product carrier. The holder receives the carcass part in a controlled environment with positioning means, then transfers it to the product carrier at a transfer position. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the need for direct manual handling while ensuring consistent positioning, thereby reducing physical effort and improving positioning consistency simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning means in the holder performs preliminary positioning of the carcass part before transfer to the product carrier. By pre-positioning the carcass part in the holder using positioning means (such as guides, supports, or clamps), the system ensures that the carcass part is correctly oriented and positioned before the transfer operation, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring consistency across all transfers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If manual placement of carcass parts is performed, then adaptability to different carcass types is maintained, but productivity decreases due to physical constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidhandling flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is designed with movable components and adjustable positioning means that can adapt to different carcass part geometries. The holder may include adjustable supports, movable clamps, or reconfigurable guides that can be modified to accommodate various carcass types (breast halves, leg quarters, wings, etc.). This dynamic adaptability allows the automated system to maintain flexibility while achieving high processing speeds.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The holder serves multiple functions: it receives different types of carcass parts, positions them correctly using adjustable positioning means, transfers them to product carriers, and ensures consistent orientation. This multi-functional design allows a single automated device to handle various carcass types without requiring separate manual operations for each type, thereby maintaining adaptability while significantly improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Manufacturing precision

If inconsistent positioning of carcass parts occurs, then manual arrangement simplicity is maintained, but meat yield decreases due to imprecise processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reproducibilityVSAvoidmeat yield
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the inconsistent manual mechanical positioning with an automated mechanical system comprising a holder with positioning means. This automated positioning system uses precisely engineered guides, supports, and transfer mechanisms that ensure the carcass part is positioned with high reproducibility on the product carrier. The consistent positioning enables precise automated processing operations, maximizing meat yield by minimizing waste from imprecise cutting or processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The device enables reproducible and efficient placement of carcass parts on product carriers, enhancing meat yield and reducing operator fatigue by automating the placement process, thus accommodating higher production speeds in poultry slaughterhouses.

Implementation Method 1

the holder (21), together with the associated positioning means (22), effects a movement of the carcass part (1) to a transfer position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical movement: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

any application mechanism is then preferably configured as a pressing mechanism which is designed to press - in the transfer position of the holder with the carcass part - the carcass part onto the product carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2389812B1Device and method for bringing into position and arranging a carcass part of slaughtered poultry on or in a product carrier
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 MAREL STORK POULTRY PROCESSING
  • EP2389812B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2389812B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2389812B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for bringing into position and arranging a carcass or carcass part of slaughtered poultry on or in a product carrier, which device comprises: - at least one assembly of a base part and an associated movable holder (421) for the carcass or carcass part of slaughtered poultry with positioning means associated with the holder for the carcass or carcass part, which holder is adapted for receiving a carcass or carcass part (107) to be arranged on or in a product carrier, - drive means (124) for moving the holder relative to the base part associated with the respective holder between a receiving position in which the carcass or carcass part can be received and a transfer position in which the carcass or carcass part is brought into a position relative to the product carrier that is suitable for transfer to the product carrier (150), wherein the holder is adapted to receive at least one of the following: a back half, a leg, or a leg part.