Poultry Foot Positioning for Automated Inspection

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for processing poultry suspended by the feet from a conveyor hook lack efficiency in classifying and grading poultry quality, leading to subjective inspection results and lower yields, especially in high-speed production environments where personal opinions influence the processing outcomes.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that position the poultry foot at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the conveyor hook to keep the claw open, combined with image recording and classification for objective grading, and control mechanisms to adjust processing steps based on inspection results, facilitating automatic sorting and activation/deactivation of processing apparatuses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the poultry is processed at high speed on a conveyor hook, then productivity is improved, but the claw may close due to muscle tension making inspection difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The foot is positioned at an angle of approximately 90° relative to the conveyor hook before processing begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that the claw remains in an open state throughout the high-speed processing, allowing inspection apparatus to access the foot pad without obstruction from muscle tension or claw closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If manual inspection is used, then measurement precision can be maintained, but objectivity is reduced due to personal opinion influence

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Manual inspection is replaced with an automated image recording and classification system. The inspection apparatus captures images of the foot pad and processes them objectively through computer-based classification algorithms, eliminating human subjectivity while maintaining or improving measurement precision through standardized digital assessment criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If the foot is positioned at an angle smaller than 180° (preferably 90°), then the claw remains open for inspection, but the processing apparatus becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning mechanism is designed to dynamically adjust the foot angle to approximately 90° relative to the conveyor hook. This dynamic positioning allows the claw to remain open during high-speed processing while using manageable mechanical complexity through controlled movement rather than fixed rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8708784B2Method and apparatus for processing poultry suspended by the feet from a conveyor hook

Publication Date: 2014.04.29

AI summary

A method for processing poultry suspended by the feet from a conveyor hook is provided. The method and apparatus allow the quality of the poultry to be classified and graded in a simpler and more effective manner to realize higher yields or an extra added value. In one exemplary embodiment a processing apparatus for a foot of the poultry is provided that includes a foot pad inspection apparatus.