Vertical Carousel Skinning Rollers for Poultry Meat Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for skin removal from defeathered whole leg or drumstick poultry products suffer from poor skin removal results, including tearing and damage to the meat, due to inadequate engagement and pressure control during the skin removal process.

Innovation Solution

A carousel skin removal device with vertically arranged rotary skinning rollers and counter rollers, along with a pressing mechanism, is used to ensure prolonged and gentle skin removal, avoiding undue pressure on the drumstick and enhancing contact control, allowing for improved skin removal quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional skin removal devices with horizontal skinning rollers are used, then the skin removal process is relatively quick, but the skin may become torn and only fractionally removed, requiring undue manual trimming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin removal speedVSAvoidskin removal quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal skinning roller arrangement to a vertical configuration. The skinning rollers are arranged vertically with their axes of rotation extending upward and inward at an angle of between 45° and 80° to the horizontal, which fundamentally changes the engagement mechanics between the rollers and the poultry product, allowing for gentler and more complete skin removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the skinning rollers from horizontal to vertical, with the axes of rotation extending upward and inward at a specific angle range (45°-80° to horizontal). This parameter change optimizes the contact between the rollers and the poultry product surface, improving skin removal quality while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the skinning rollers are arranged horizontally as in prior art, then the device structure is simple, but the drumsticks tend to dance on the rollers leading to poor skin removal results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller arrangement structureVSAvoidskin removal consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal skinning roller arrangement to a vertical configuration. The skinning rollers are arranged vertically with their axes of rotation extending upward and inward at an angle of between 45° and 80° to the horizontal, which fundamentally changes the engagement mechanics between the rollers and the poultry product, preventing the drumstick dancing effect and improving skin removal consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetric arrangement of the skinning rollers, with the axes of rotation extending upward and inward at a specific angle range (45°-80° to horizontal) rather than being symmetrically horizontal. This asymmetric configuration optimizes the contact pressure distribution and prevents the poultry product from bouncing or dancing on the rollers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Ease of operation

If conventional skin removal devices are used, then the process is straightforward, but damage to meat of the drumstick or thigh is occasionally observed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation simplicityVSAvoidmeat damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the orientation parameter of the skinning rollers from horizontal to vertical, with the axes of rotation extending upward and inward at a specific angle range (45°-80° to horizontal). This parameter change optimizes the contact between the rollers and the poultry product surface, distributing pressure more evenly and reducing the risk of meat damage while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs mobile pressing members that can move to engage directly on the thigh or drumstick as needed. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to adapt to different product positions and shapes, applying pressure only where necessary for skin removal while avoiding damage to the meat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 carousel system achieves longer engagement times and reduced tearing, resulting in higher quality skin removal with less meat damage, and can be easily integrated into existing poultry processing plants.

Implementation Method 1

two rotary driven skinning rollers having an axis of rotation and being driven in opposite directions so that the skin is gripped in the nip between the rollers and pulled from the thigh

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3068229B1System, method, and carousel device for skin removal from defeathered whole leg or drumstick poultry products
Publication Date: 2018.01.17 MAREL STORK POULTRY PROCESSING
  • EP3068229B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3068229B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3068229B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

System for skin removal from defeathered whole leg or drumstick poultry products, wherein the system comprises: • - a poultry products conveyor comprising: • - a track (10) including a circle arc track portion, • - a series of poultry product carriers (2) which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the track and which are movable along said track, wherein each poultry product carrier is adapted to hold at least one defeathered whole leg or drumstick poultry product at the ankle joint thereof such that the poultry product is conveyed hanging from said carrier, a carousel skin removal device (20) arranged along the track of the poultry products conveyor at the circle arc track portion and adapted to remove skin from whole leg or drumstick poultry products held and conveyed by said poultry products conveyor.