Rotating Paw Selector for Poultry Carcass Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paw holding and correlation systems in poultry processing plants face challenges in maintaining the correlation between poultry paws and carcasses due to long and expensive belt systems, which often result in the disposal of good paws and difficulties in tracking, especially when the evisceration line stretches or stops.
Innovation Solution
A paw selector system comprising a rotatable tray with inner and outer walls, tray dividing walls, and a stationary annular tray bottom with voids, allowing paws to be rotated and sorted into designated receptacles based on acceptance or rejection, with a control system to manage rotation speed and tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a long belt conveyor system is used to hold and correlate paws with carcasses, then the correlation tracking capability is improved, but the system complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The paw holding system is divided into multiple discrete trays arranged vertically, each tray being an independent unit that can be individually managed. This segmentation allows the system to maintain correlation tracking without requiring a single long continuous belt, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a horizontal belt conveyor layout to a vertical stacked tray configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the patent achieves the necessary paw holding capacity and correlation tracking without the extensive horizontal space and complexity of a long belt system.
2Reliability
If a long belt conveyor system is installed to maintain paw correlation, then the tracking capability is improved, but the installation space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the system from a horizontal expansion model to a vertical stacking model. Multiple trays are stacked one above another, utilizing vertical space instead of horizontal space. This dimensional change maintains the correlation tracking capability while dramatically reducing the floor space required for installation.
3Productivity
If a long picking line is used to extend the processing capacity, then the productivity is improved, but the maintenance difficulty and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The picking line capacity is achieved through multiple independent trays rather than a single long continuous line. Each tray is a discrete, easily accessible unit that can be independently maintained or replaced, significantly reducing maintenance difficulty compared to a long continuous belt system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple trays that can operate in sequence, providing the necessary processing capacity through repeated use of compact, maintainable units rather than requiring an excessively long single-pass line that would be difficult to maintain.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional belt systems are used to hold paws, then the paw holding capacity is maintained, but the correlation between paws and birds is lost due to line stretching and stopping
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the paw holding system into discrete, numbered trays, each tray's position and contents can be independently tracked. This segmentation prevents correlation loss even if the overall system experiences stretching or stopping, as each tray unit maintains its identity and associated paw information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable and movable tray configurations that can adapt to line speed changes and stopping conditions. The dynamic capability allows trays to be repositioned or held in place as needed, maintaining paw-bird correlation despite variations in line operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A paw selector for maintaining poultry paws in an ordered, indexed manner so that each paw can be matched with the carcass from which it was removed is provided. The paw selector has a tray coupled to a rotatable shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes the walls of the tray to rotate, thereby urging paws on the tray over a stationary tray bottom. Upon reaching a void in the tray bottom, the paws drop through the void on a lower tray or into a predetermined receptacle for further processing. At least on sensor can maintain correlation between the paw and the carcass from which it was removed for disposal of any rejected paws.