Circular Blade Cutting Tool for Animal Slaughter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for cutting the sternum and abdomen of animals, particularly pigs, require precise pre-cutting at the hind legs and involve inefficient blade movements, leading to increased cutting time and risk of damaging viscera.

Innovation Solution

A method and tool that cut the sternum from top to bottom and then the abdominal wall from bottom to top, using a circular blade and a pivoting finger to perforate the peritoneum and tension the abdominal wall without removing the heart, eliminating the need for precise pre-cutting and reducing cutting time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the blade is pulled back completely from the pre-cut to rotate the pin to its vertical low position, then the pin can be positioned correctly for cutting, but the animal oscillates and prevents reinsertion of the tool, increasing cutting time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepin positioning precisionVSAvoidcutting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pin is made movable relative to the blade axis, allowing it to rotate between a retracted position (for blade insertion) and a vertical low position (for cutting). This dynamic adjustment enables the pin to be positioned correctly without requiring complete blade withdrawal, thus maintaining precision while reducing cutting time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pin is pre-positioned in a retracted state that allows easy blade insertion. Before cutting begins, the pin is rotated to the vertical low position. This preliminary positioning avoids the need for repeated adjustments during cutting, reducing time loss while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If precise pre-cutting is performed at the hind legs level, then the blade can be inserted with the pin in the vertical low position, but the pre-cut must be made to a very precise height, increasing device complexity and operation difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepre-cut height precisionVSAvoidpre-cut operation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The pin's ability to rotate between retracted and vertical low positions allows the blade to be inserted at various heights without requiring precise pre-cutting. The operator can insert the blade at a convenient height, then rotate the pin to the correct position, simplifying operation while maintaining cutting precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameter of pin position from fixed to variable. By allowing the pin to rotate to different angles, the system accommodates variations in pre-cut height without compromising cutting accuracy, making the operation easier and more flexible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the blade moves extensively during cutting operations, then all cutting positions can be reached, but the cutting time for each animal increases, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting position coverageVSAvoidprocessing rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pin rotates dynamically to different positions during cutting, allowing the blade to reach various cutting positions without extensive blade movement. This reduces the time required for position adjustments while maintaining the ability to perform multiple cutting operations, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cutting operation is made continuous by minimizing interruptions for blade repositioning. The pin's rotational capability allows smooth transitions between cutting positions without requiring complete blade withdrawal or extensive movement, maintaining continuous useful action and improving processing rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentEP1862073B1Method and device for cutting through midriff and chest of an animal
Publication Date: 2008.11.05 COUEDIC MADORE EQUIP
  • EP1862073B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5b
  • EP1862073B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7C
  • EP1862073B1 patent drawingFigure 7D~7G

AI summary

The method involves realizing a cutting of a sternum (84) above heart (86) along a symmetrical plane of an animal using a circular blade (1) of a cutting tool. The blade is descended towards bottom for cutting the sternum till being sliced, where the blade is raised during the cutting. A finger of a cutting tool is inserted between an cutting edge of the blade and heart of the animal, and a peritoneum (87) is perforated by a free end (33) of the finger. An abdominal wall (82) is stretched by the finger by pulling the tool which is raised to cut the stretched wall by the blade. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a tool for cutting a wall of an abdomen and sternum of an animal suspended by its rear legs for implementing a method (2) a device for cutting a wall of an abdomen and sternum of an animal suspended by its rear legs.