Poultry Hanging Transfer With Movable Leg Takeover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for hanging poultry in a shackle of a conveyor line are complex and require simultaneous suspension by the head and legs, leading to operational inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A system with a movable take over device and pushing equipment that transfers poultry from a supply line to a shackle by engaging and lowering the legs into the shackle, using a push bar and locking elements to simplify the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the poultry is suspended both by the head and by the legs during transfer, then the transfer can be performed, but the system becomes relatively complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the head suspension function from the transfer process. The movable take over device engages only the legs of the poultry to perform the transfer, while the head is left free. This eliminates the need for simultaneous head and leg suspension mechanisms, thereby simplifying the system while maintaining reliable transfer operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the movable take over device is integrated with the supply line, then the structure is compact, but the transfer accuracy decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidtransfer accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the transfer system by making the movable take over device separate from the supply line. The take over device is mounted on a carrousel that is guided along the conveyor line, allowing independent positioning and movement. This segmentation enables precise alignment at the transfer location while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If pushing equipment is not provided, then the system is simpler, but the transfer of poultry becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransfer reliabilityVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pushing function is integrated into the first carrier itself, which automatically pushes the poultry from the supply line to the movable take over device when aligned at the transfer location. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate external pushing equipment while ensuring reliable transfer through the carrier's inherent pushing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4627928A1A system for hanging poultry
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 MEYN FOOD PROCESSING TECH BV
  • EP4627928A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4627928A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4627928A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system (1) for hanging poultry (2) by the legs (3) and feet (3') in a shackle 4 of a conveyor line (5), comprising a supply line (6) with at least one first carrier (7) for the poultry (2), a movable take over device (8) for receiving the legs (3) of the poultry (2) and for transfer of the poultry (2) from the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) to the shackle (4) in the conveyor line (5) at a transfer location wherein the shackle (4), the movable take over device (8), and the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) are aligned, wherein the movable take over device (8) is arranged to engage the legs (3) of the poultry (2) at the transfer location so as to move the feet (3') above the shackle (4) and then downwards to provide the legs (3) into the shackle (4), after which the movable take over device (8) disengages the poultry legs (3), wherein the system (1) comprises pushing equipment (9) for pushing the poultry (2) from the at least one first carrier (7) of the supply line (6) to the movable take over device (8) when the poultry (2) is at the transfer location.