CARRIER TO CARRY AN INDIVIDUAL PIG LEG PIECE, DEVICE PORTED BODY LEG PARTS CARRIER, HUCKED PORK LEG

专利摘要:
device and system for transporting slaughtered pork leg parts, and method for transporting pork leg parts. The invention pertains to a slaughtered pork leg carrier device for transporting individual pork leg portions, wherein an individual pork leg portion includes at least a portion of a pork leg and said pork leg. a conveyor device comprising: - a lane (773), one or more movable pig leg carriers (750) along said lane, each carrier being adapter for carrying an individual pig leg portion, wherein each carrier has a set retaining the pig leg in order to retain the pig leg portion in a suspended carrier position, wherein the retaining assembly includes a pig leg opening (762) adapted to receive the pig leg.
公开号:BR112012014725B1
申请号:R112012014725-0
申请日:2010-12-17
公开日:2019-05-21
发明作者:Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johanes Van Der Steen；Adrianus Josephes van den Nieuwelaar；Jan Johannes Meerdink；Cornelis Joannes Janssen
申请人:Marel Meat Processing B.V.；
IPC主号:

专利说明:

“TRANSPORTER FOR TRANSPORTING A PART OF INDIVIDUAL PIG LEGS, DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING PARTS OF SLAUGHED PIG LEGS, TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING PARTS OF SLAUGHED PIG LEGS, METHOD FOR TRANSPORTING INDIVIDUAL PIG LEG PARTS, AND, SYSTEMS FOR PROCESSING A CARCASS OR A PART OF THE CARCASS OF A SWINE, BOVINE, OVINE OR CAPRINE ”[0001] The invention relates to systems and methods for processing a part of the carcass of a swine, bovine, ovine or caprine animal.
[0002] Slaughter of slaughtered animals of red meat and subsequent cutting of the carcass takes place in slaughterhouses and / or meat processing facilities. Even in slaughterhouses and red meat processing facilities, many of the processing is carried out partially or entirely by hand. This is at least partly due to the variation in shapes, sizes and weights of the carcasses or part of the carcass to be processed and the harsh environmental conditions that are present in slaughterhouse processing areas and red meat processing facilities. These manual or semi-automatic processing results in severe working conditions for workers and high labor costs.
[0003] In this document the term pig or pig animal also includes sows, glits, castrated males, wild boar and feeder pigs.
[0004] In this document the term bovine animal covers cattle, steers, heifers, bulls, and also buffaloes.
[0005] In this document the term sheep animal covers sheep and rams.
[0006] In this document the term goat animal covers goats.
[0007] All of these for the purpose of the order with respect to meat
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 12/209 / 125 red.
[0008] The present invention relates predominantly to the processing and / or transportation of individual parts of slaughtered pigs, notably leg parts, legs and shoulder parts of pigs. As applied aspects of the invention they are also applicable to other animals mentioned.
[0009] In general, when a red meat slaughter animal such as a pig is slaughtered, it is first killed, and then the internal organs are removed. Then the carcass is cut in half in length along the spine. The halves thus created are each generally cut into three parts, the front end, the center part and a shank part. The front end can then be cut on a pallet and pallet, but that is not necessary for this invention. For other slaughtered animals, such as cattle, sheep or goats, the name given to different parts may be different (for example front / rear foot, front / rear quarter, front / rear leg), but the parts themselves are similar. Usually, sheep and goats are not cut in half in length, although it is thought that they can be. If the animal is not divided in length, the front / rear portions, etc. can be used with elevation of either one foot or both, as explained below in relation to pigs (where a foot is present in a workpiece).
[00010] The invention belongs to the processing of red meat slaughter animals, in particular pigs, but also bovine, sheep and goat animals.
[00011] The carcass parts that are formed by dividing the intact carcass are then subjected to one or more additional processing. This additional processing can involve many types of skinning, skinning, boning, grease, membrane and other tissue removal, and / or cutting into smaller parts or units. Also processing
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 13/209 / 125 smoking, curing, drying, marinating, salting, coating, boiling and / or cooking are possible. Before, after or during one or more of the operations, the cooling of the carcass part takes place.
[00012] A slaughter animal can be cut and processed in many ways. A total infinite number of combinations and finished products can be made from a single slaughter animal. It must be determined for each individual slaughter animal which final products are to be made from it. Thus, the processing operations and the order in which they take place are determined.
[00013] One of the parameters that influences how an individual carcass should be cut is the desired output from the slaughterhouse or meat processing facility. The desired output is formulated in terms of the quantity of which end products must be available at a certain point in time. This is determined by customer demands from slaughterhouses or meat processing facilities. Based on the desired output from the slaughterhouse or meat processing facility and the number of available carcasses, it can be determined for each individual carcass how it should be cut.
[00014] Once it has been determined for each individual carcass how it should be cut and how the parts are yet to be processed, a route to the carcass and the carcass parts obtained from it can be determined. The route picks up the carcass and / or carcass parts along one or more processing stations. At each processing station, one or more operations or one or more parts of them are performed.
[00015] Carcasses and carcass parts must be transported from one processing station to the next. This takes place in many ways, by means of hooks suspended from tracks, on a conveyor belt, in a container, and on a mobile platform or the like. Transport can be energized by mechanism or by energizing
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 14/209 / 125 per human muscle.
[00016] It is known to group together processing stations, to carry out subsequent operations on a particular type or part of the carcass. An example of a known group is a group of processing stations where a pork shank is boned. In such a known system, a ham is distributed to the first processing station in the group, where the skin is removed. It is then transported, for example by a conveyor belt, to an upcoming processing station. At this next processing station, an operator takes the shank from the conveyor belt and removes excess fat. The ham is then placed back on the conveyor belt, where it is transported to the next processing station. In this next processing station, the ham is chosen from the conveyor belt by another operator, who makes preliminary cuts that make the bone accessible. The ham is then placed back on the conveyor belt, which it transports to its next processing station. Here the next operator removes the ham from the conveyor belt and removes the ham bone. He then places the boneless ham and bone on the conveyor belt again. The bone and boneless ham are thus transported to the group's last processing station, where the next operator distinguishes between boneless ham and bone, and then places each in a dedicated container on a dedicated conveyor belt.
[00017] In this last processing station, for example, a container with a wheel is available in which the removed bones are collected, and another container with a wheel is provided in which the boneless legs are collected. When the container with the bones is full, it is removed from the group's last processing station for a waste department or for storage for transport to, for example, a gelatin or glue production facility. When the container with the boneless legs
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 15/209 / 125 is full, it is, for example, transported to a processing station or a group of processing stations to further process the ham meat such as boiling, cooking, smoking, drying or tempering.
[00018] During the course of the slaughter process and further processing, the carcass or part of the carcass is supported and / or transported by a variety of conveyors. Examples of such conveyors are overhead conveyors with movable conveyors (movable conveyors being driven by both machine and hand), conveyor belts, stationary tables, hooks that penetrate the housing or part of the housing, wheel or wheelless containers. Conveyors can maintain or support a single carcass or carcass part, a plurality of the same type as the carcass parts or a plurality of types of the carcass parts.
[00019] For different stages in the slaughter process, usually different types of conveyors are used. Usually, the transfer from one carrier to another is done manually.
[00020] From the point of view of logistics, the known slaughter systems and methods and additional processing of slaughtered animals of red meat are not very efficient. Also, carcasses are often not cut in the way that they can provide the highest additional value. Also, known conveyors and conveying devices generally do not allow for accurate processing of the housing or the housing part.
[00021] In known carriers, the housing part is usually engaged at one end and the housing part can move freely in one or more degrees of freedom with respect to the carrier. Also in known systems, the location where the conveyor engages the carcass part is not precisely defined or
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 16/209 / 125 reproduced. Conveyors engage the carcass part in a certain area rather than in an anatomically defined position.
[00022] Usually, the foot has already been removed from the carcass part when a ham or front end is being processed. Known carriers that are used in processing the ham and / or the front ends of it, usually hook the ham in the knee region and the front end in the elbow region, or parts of the leg are hooked by what is called small bone, while instead of standing.
[00023] A goal of the invention is to provide improvements or at least an alternative to the known equipment and methods used in the processing of red meat slaughter animals and / or parts thereof.
[00024] A first aspect of the disclosure, which is part of the claimed invention, relates to devices for transporting pig leg parts, for transporting pig leg parts in which an individual pig leg part includes at least a portion of a pig's leg and the pig's foot, the conveyor device of which comprises:
- a clue,
- one or more pig leg parts conveyor along the track, each conveyor being adapted to carry out an individual pig leg part, each conveyor having a pig leg retaining assembly adapted to engage a pig leg single pig in order to retain the pig leg part in a suspended position from the conveyor, wherein the retaining assembly includes a pig leg opening adapted to receive the pig leg.
[00025] The invention is in particular applicable to process fresh red meat. In this context, the processing of fresh red meat refers to the processing of meat that has not been subjected to the process of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 17/209 / 125 conservation that irreversibly reduces the natural flexibility of the soft tissues of the carcass part due to a substantial change in the structure of the protein. A substantial change in the structure of the protein occurs for example during curing or aging, as for example used in the production of the Parma shank or the Serrano shank.
[00026] The conveyor is preferably adapted to transport an individual carcass part, then a carcass part per carrier.
[00027] A carrier can be adapted to transport an individual leg carcass part, for example, of a pig, so that a single leg (or at least a portion of it) and possibly a carcass portion affixed to the end top of the leg, for example, a shoulder portion.
[00028] As is preferred, a conveyor is adapted to act as a single means of transporting the carcass part, which implies that a single conveyor must be able to support the weight of the carcass part. In the case of a part of a pig's shoulder or shank, this weight is typically around 15kg.
[00029] Preferably, the carrier also supports at least part of the forces that are exerted on the carcass part during processing, for example due to cutting or transport.
[00030] According to the first aspect of the disclosure, which is part of the claimed invention, a conveyor is provided that has a retaining assembly that engages an individual carcass part of a pig by the foot, such that the carcass part of the pig is suspended on the conveyor.
[00031] It has been found that this way of transporting an individual pig carcass part to be put to use is advantageous in the processing of pig carcass parts.
[00032] The retaining set has a pig's foot slit
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 18/209 / 125 adapted to receive the pig's foot, whose slit is opened at one end of it to introduce the pig's foot sideways into the slit and remove the pig's foot sideways from the slit. This allows for easy and / or mechanized insertion and / or removal of the pig's foot in the slit of the pig's foot. Thus, the arrangement of the pig carcass part within the conveyor retaining assembly and / or the removal of the pit carcass portion of the conveyor retaining assembly can be easy or be automated.
[00033] The pig's foot opening has a rigid reference face, and the retaining set is adapted to receive the pig's foot with its central metatarsal bones adjacent to the rigid reference face, and the retaining set is adapted to press the lateral metatarsus towards the reference face.
[00034] The opening is a pig foot slit that is open at one end of it to introduce the pig foot sideways into the slit and remove the pig foot sideways from the slit, where the slit has a narrow entry portion in its opening, taking the retaining portion of the slit, with the retaining portion including the reference face, such that by the lateral introduction of the pig's foot into the slit, the narrow entry portion presses the lateral metatarsal bones from their natural position in a position closer to the reference face.
[00035] There are several advantages to using this region of the pigs' feet as a containment area. A first advantage is that the diameter of this region is approximately the same for both the front and rear legs. This allows in many cases to use the same conveyor to engage a part of the front leg as well as a part of the rear leg of a pig. Also, using this region as the region where the conveyor engages the carcass part, it means that no prior cutting of the pig leg parts is required before arranging the pig leg part on the conveyor.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 19/209 / 125 [00036] In an advantageous embodiment of any of the conveyors described above, the mobile conveyor, a provision is also made for a locking means, for example, a handle, which locks the orientation of the conveyor with respect to the structure stationary support or one or more carts to which the carrier is attached. This means that the carcass part can be held in position during processing, or at least one degree of release is then locked. In systems known to process carcass part of slaughtered red meat animals it is sometimes an operator who has to keep the carcass part in the locked position during processing. This is unhealthy and heavy work, and in addition it makes it impossible to use both hands for processing.
[00037] In an advantageous embodiment of any of the conveyors described above, the conveyor is still provided with a control means that controls the orientation of the retaining set with respect to the stationary support structure or the cart to which the conveyor is attached. These control means for actively adapting or changing the orientation of the carcass part with respect to the stationary support structure of the cart that the conveyor is attached when, for example, a cut is made on the other side of the carcass part. In known systems, it is common for the operator to have to bring the carcass part to a different orientation, which is unhealthy and heavy work.
[00038] In an advantageous embodiment of any of the carriers described above, the retaining assembly is pivotable or completely rotatable in a plurality of planes. Preferably, at least two of these planes are perpendicular to each other. This allows the carcass part to be manipulated with more degrees of freedom.
[00039] In a system according to the invention, preferably a plurality of carriers are provided. These carriers, for example, are each adapted to carry a single shoulder part
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 20/209 / 125 or conveyors to transport a single leg of a slaughtered pig. [00040] A system in an advantageous embodiment still provided with a conveyor to transport multiple conveyors along the track. In general, a single carrier will only be equipped with one type of carrier. However, in certain circumstances or in certain arrangements for slaughter animal processing plant facilities, different types of conveyors can be used on the same conveyor.
[00041] A carrier preferably comprises a plurality of carts, where a carrier is supported by one or more, for example, two carts.
[00042] Along the runway, preferably one or more processing stations are arranged. These processing stations can provide a place for an operator to stand or sit while performing processing on the carcass part, for example, making a cut or performing part of the boning processing. The processing stations and the track together form a processing line.
[00043] A processing station can be provided with tools for the operator, such as knives or other types of cutters or additional supports for the housing part (for example, to keep it in a certain position or orientation during processing). These tools can be connected to the processing station, for example, hanging from flexible cables.
[00044] It is also possible that in a processing station one or more processing can be carried out automatically or semi-automatically. In this case, the processing station can be provided with rotating circular knives, waterjet cutters, sensors, guide rails or other components that ensure that automatic or semi-automatic processing can take place.
[00045] It is possible that in all processing stations
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 21/209 / 125 different processing steps are carried out. However, it is also possible that the same processing step is carried out at several processing stations, so that several parts of the carcass go through the same processing step at the same time.
[00046] It is possible that a processing station is arranged in a straight part of the track, so that the carcass part passes through the processing station in more or less a straight line. However, it is also possible for a processing station to be arranged on a curved part of the track.
[00047] It is a particular advantage when the process is carried out automatically at the processing station. In this case, the processing station can comprise a carousel, where processing units are assembled. The track takes the carts with the conveyors along a part of the carousel's circumference. In use, the carousel turns at such a speed that processing units move along the conveyors over the part of the carousel's circumference that is followed by the track. The distance between the adjacent processing units is chosen accordingly, so that each processing unit moves along with a conveyor, side by side. During this side-by-side movement, the processing unit performs its process on part of the carcass that is maintained by the conveyor. When the conveyor and the processing unit reach the point where the track leaves the carousel circumference again, the processing unit is terminated with processing. The track picks up the carrier still downstream along the processing line and the carousel rotation takes the processing unit back to the point upstream where the track meets the carousel circumference. There, the processing unit finds the conveyor to move along the track, so that it can carry out the process on part of the carcass that is maintained by the conveyor.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 22/209 / 125 [00048] The use of the carousel is advantageous when the cart with the conveyors is moved continuously, because it provides a single way for the processing units to return to their initial position, so that they can then start processing the next part of the carcass. It is also a way to obtain extra runway length and extra time to perform processing without a substantial increase in the footprint or space used by the processing line.
[00049] It is particularly advantageous if the carousel is a standard wide processing station, for example, with 1.2 meters.
[00050] The carrier can submit the cart (and the carriers with it) to a continuous or intelligent movement stage.
[00051] In an advantageous embodiment, the conveyor with multiple conveyors is a suspended conveyor, where the retaining assembly of a conveyor is arranged below the cart, where the conveyor is connected, in such a way that the carcass part hangs from the conveyor. Preferably, the conveyor and the conveyor allow part of the carcass part to be processed to hang down from the conveyor, in order to carry out a processing step that is not hampered by the conveyor parts on the conveyor.
[00052] In an advantageous mode, part of the carcass hangs from the conveyor during at least one step of removing the skin, skinning or removing the fat. This allows the operator to move the tool to skin, skin or remove fat in a downward direction during skin, meat or fat removal.
[00053] In a method of removing the skin, skinning or removing the known fat, the operator moves the tool out from it when carrying out the process. In known methods, this means that the carcass part has to be actively held in position during the process. When the operator moves the tool to peel, skin or remove
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 23/209 / 125 fat downwards, when working on a suspended carcass part, the processing force on the carcass part works in the same direction as the cavity, so that it is no longer necessary to actively keep the carcass part in the right position during processing. This means that the operator can use both hands to perform the processing, or that he can keep one hand free.
[00054] This improvement in skin removal, skinning and fat removal operations is even more prominent when the carcass part to be processed is stable during the presence of bones in the carcass part, and / or when the carcass part is supported against forces of processing carried out in the horizontal direction, for example, by the support of a stationary guide. Such guides can also be used to present the housing part to the operator at an angle that allows the operator to maintain an ergonomically sensitive position during the processing of housing parts.
[00055] In an advantageous embodiment, a conveyor further comprises means for controlling the orientation of the conveyor and / or the holding assembly with respect to the conveyor or the cart to which the conveyor is connected, the means of which are arranged along the track. Such means for controlling can be, for example, a cam track rail that operates a lever or the like on the conveyor.
[00056] In an advantageous embodiment, a conveyor comprises means for locking the orientation of the conveyor and / or a conveyor retaining assembly in relation to the cart so that said conveyor is connected, which means that they are arranged beside the track . These means for locking the orientation can be, for example, a guide rail, which contains a lever or the like in the conveyor in a fixed position, for example, a pneumatic, hydraulic or electronic driven rail, or a pin which is driven for example , by a pneumatic cylinder, which prevents the
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 24/209 / 125 movement of the pin of a certain part of the conveyor.
[00057] In a possible mode, where the conveyors are moved along a track, guides are arranged beside at least part of that track. These guides surround the housing parts that are transmitted by the conveyors and bring the housing parts to a position that allows the operator to work in an ergonomic position. The guides can also support the carcass parts while the carcass parts are being processed.
[00058] When the carcass parts that are moved along the track come into contact with the guides, friction can occur between the guides and the carcass parts. Due to this friction, it is possible that the relative position and / or the relative orientation between the conveyor and the carcass part it transports changes. For example, when the carcass part hangs from the conveyor, it will assume a vertical orientation, down from the conveyor, when it is not in contact with a guide. When the carcass part is in contact with the guide and, at the same time, the conveyor moves along the track, the friction between the carcass parts and the guide will prevent the carcass part from falling further down from the conveyor, but at an angle to the vertical. The carcass part is dragged behind the conveyor.
[00059] This can be a problem when the carcass part is moved along the track during processing, in particular when the treatment is carried out automatically. When treatment is carried out automatically, it is important to know the position and orientation of the carcass part, because otherwise cuts can be made in the wrong position on the carcass part. When the treatment is carried out manually, the altered position and / or the orientation of the carcass part in relation to the conveyor could cause the operator to have to manually reposition the carcass part before carrying out the process, which means waste of time and in
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 25/209 / 125 efficiency. In addition, it places additional physical effort on the operator. [00060] In an advantageous mode, this problem is solved by mounting the guides, in such a way that they can move with the carcass part along a part of the track. The guides can, for example, have a circular cycle shape, and rotate around a central axis, together with the movement of the carcass parts along the track. Protrusions such as pins to prevent the housing part from sliding over the guide can be provided. As an alternative, the guide can be mounted elastically so that its assembly allows movement in the direction of the path followed by the carcass parts.
[00061] A different approach to solving this problem is to look at the carrier. The carrier can be provided with a position retainer, which prevents the housing part from changing its position and / or the orientation relative to the carrier due to friction with the guides. A position retainer can be used in combination with any of the carriers according to the disclosure.
[00062] In a possible mode, a conveyor is mounted on a cart. The cart is moved along a track and takes the transporter with it. The cart comprises wheels or sliding blocks that in use are in contact with the track. During the movement of the carcass part and the conveyor along the track, forces will be exerted on the carcass part on the conveyor, for example, due to the processing that is carried out on the carcass part, or because the carcass part is moved in relation to the conveyor to take it to a position that allows processing to be carried out in an ergonomic manner. These forces can be directed perpendicularly or at an angle to the track, causing the wheels or sliding blocks of the cart and / or parts of the track to be subjected to unfavorable mechanical loads.
[00063] Therefore, in an advantageous mode, the cart
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 26/209 / 125 comprises rollers or blockers that support these mechanical loads so as not to produce unacceptable amounts of wear on the cart parts or on the track.
[00064] In a possible embodiment, the retaining set of a conveyor is arranged over the cart to which said conveyor is connected in a conveyor device. In this system, the trolleys can be arranged at a relatively low level above the floor, preferably in such a way that the carcass parts are presented to operators at an ergonomic working height.
[00065] It is possible for a system according to the invention and / or disclosure to be used in only one part of a slaughterhouse or meat processing plant, while in other parts known systems are used. For example, a known system with conveyors can be used when cutting the carcass part into smaller parts, while a system according to the invention and / or disclosure with conveyors of the type described above is used in the boning process.
[00066] In an advantageous mode, a sorting station is present, which is, for example, arranged upstream of a boning line, the boning line of which is preferably equipped with the carriers of the invention and / or disclosure. At the sorting station, for each individual carcass part, the part that passes through the sorting station for the process following the carcass part to be processed is determined. Thus, for example, if the system according to the invention and / or disclosure is used in combination with boning processing, it will be decided by the classification station which of the individual parts of the carcass will be boned or not. In a sophisticated modality, it will be decided at the classification station which stages of the process will be taken during boning and which will not be. THE
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 27/209 / 125 sorting station makes its decisions, for example, based on parameters of the individual carcass part, such as weight, ratio of bones and meat, percentage of fat or similar parameters, which are measured in one or more measuring locations upstream of the grading device. Generally, the decision will be made on the basis of a combination of such parameters.
[00067] For example, in an advantageous mode, the thickness of the fat layer of each leg or front or shoulder to be processed is measured. Preferably, this measurement is carried out after separating the legs or forelegs or shoulder from the rest of the carcass, more preferably, after the cooling of these carcass parts. Even more preferably, the measurement of fat thickness is performed immediately before skin peeling, meat peeling and / or fat peeling is carried out. Based on the thickness of the fat that is measured on the individual shank or on the front or part of the shoulder, it is decided how much of the fat will be removed so that the particular shank or the front or part of the shoulder, and products can be advantageously made out of it. The cutting surface, where the leg part has been cut from the other parts of the carcass part, can be the ideal position for measuring fat thickness.
[00068] For example, when a ham or foreleg or part of the shoulder has only a thin layer of fat, advantageously thin products are made from it, because then only a relatively small amount of fat has to be removed. This saves work. In addition, less weight loss occurs in processing.
[00069] In known systems, the amount of fat in the product remaining after removal of meat and fat removal is determined for a batch of carcass parts, not for individual products. In known systems, operators are instructed, batch by batch, on the quantity of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 28/209 / 125 fat that must remain in the products of each batch. The invention allows the amount of fat to be decided for each individual carcass part.
[00070] In a possible embodiment, the measurements of the fat thickness of the individual carcass parts are stored in a control system, which can be isolated or be part of the general control system of the meat processing plant or one of the lines processing. The control system then decides for each individual carcass part (for example, a ham or front or shoulder part) how much fat has to remain in the carcass part. Generally, a classification system is used so that, for example, with five degrees: product 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D and 5D. In this system, a 5D product has almost no fat remaining after the fat removal process, whereas in a 1D product a relatively thick layer of fat is still present after the fat removal process. For each part of the housing it is decided whether a 1D, 2D, 3D or 4D 5D product should be made out of it. This could be, for example, indicated for the operator who has to remove the excess fat.
[00071] The indication can be provided in many ways. For example, a display is affixed to each conveyor, whose display indicates what grade of product 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D or 5D is to be made of the product on the conveyor. The indication can be provided in many ways, for example, by a number or color code. It is also possible to provide a handle pin, or the like, which is placed in a certain position to provide the indication.
[00072] When grease removal is done (partially or totally) by an automated processing station, the control system that has the measurements stored in it, can also be used to control the settings of the tools in the processing station, from
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 29/209 / 125 so that the right amount of fat is removed from each individual carcass part.
[00073] In a sophisticated mode, information not belonging to the individual carcass is also taken into account when making the decision for the next process or processing steps. Such information can be, for example, the demand for certain types of products for that particular day (or other relevant period of time), the quantity of a particular type of products already produced, which days in relation to the demand for these products for that day , but also, for example, information about the availability of one or more processing lines or treatment plants downstream from the classification system.
[00074] The housing parts can be supplied to the sorting station in many ways, for example, manually, by means of a suspended conveyor system, by means of a belt conveyor, by means of a system according to the invention and / or disclosure, or by a combination or any of those.
[00075] In an advantageous embodiment, a transfer station is provided for the transfer of a carcass part from the classification station to a carrier. The transfer station can be provided with an automatic transfer device, which takes or receives carcass parts from the classification station and arranges them on conveyors of the system according to the invention and / or disclosure. In a sophisticated way, the transfer station distributes the carcass parts from the classification station to different systems that each perform a different process on the carcass parts.
[00076] In a sophisticated modality, the measurements that are taken for the purpose of the decisions to be made at the classification station, are also used to control the processing stations upstream and / or downstream of the place where the measurements were made. If, for example,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 30/209 / 125 it appears that the measurements show an unexpectedly high number of relatively light products, these can trigger an adjustment of the position of a cutter upstream of the measurement site so that more parts of meat or bone are left on the upstream carcass parts. On the other hand, they can also cause an adjustment of the position of one or more cutters downstream of the measurement site, so that cutters can make more precise cuts.
[00077] It is possible that multiple classification systems and / or that more measurement sites are present in a slaughterhouse or meat processing facility.
[00078] In one embodiment, a conveyor is arranged on a stationary support structure. The stationary support structure is arranged so as to have a fixed position in the slaughterhouse or installation. Normally, the carrier will have a fixed position in relation to the stationary support structure, but preferably, the carrier will be arranged in such a way that the orientation with respect to the stationary support structure of the carrier can be changed. This can, for example, be achieved by pivoting the carrier assembly over the stationary support structure. The joint can allow the conveyor to rotate in one or more planes.
[00079] Alternatively or in addition, it is possible for the conveyor to be movably mounted on the stationary support structure so that the position of the conveyor in relation to the stationary support structure can change. In this embodiment, the conveyor can move, for example, back and forth in such a way that the carcass part to be processed can be manipulated in more degrees of freedom.
[00080] Preferably, one or more processing stations are arranged near the stationary support structure. Such processing stations can provide a place for an operator to stay
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 31/209 / 125 standing or sitting while the operator performs a processing of the carcass part, for example, making a cut or performing a part of the boning process. Processing stations can also be provided with tools for the operator, such as knives or other types of cutters or additional supports for the housing part (for example, to hold it in a certain position or orientation during processing). These tools can be connected to processing stations, for example, hanging down from flexible cables.
[00081] It is also possible that at the processing stations, one or more processing can be carried out automatically or semi-automatically. In this case, the processing stations can be provided with circular rotating knives, water jet cutters, sensors, guide rails or other components that make automatic or semi-automatic processing possible.
[00082] It is possible for a red meat processing unit to have a plurality of stationary support frames, each having one or more conveyors arranged on them.
[00083] Conveyors according to any aspect of the disclosure allow a reference cut to be made automatically which can be used as a starting point for skinning, removing the skin and / or removing fat.
[00084] Carriers according to any aspect of the disclosure allow the removal of the foot, or at least the bottom of the foot, to be automatically obtained.
[00085] In a second aspect, which is part of the claimed invention, the disclosure concerns the logistics of meat processing.
[00086] According to the second aspect of the disclosure, the logistics of the treatment of swine, cattle, sheep, goats and their slaughter animals can be improved in several ways. Pig applications are
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 32/209 / 125 the most prominently predicted.
[00087] The second aspect concerns a system for processing a part of the carcass or the carcass of a pig, bovine, sheep, goat or, the processing of which involves a plurality of processing steps, where the system comprises:
- a transport system, the transport system of which comprises:
- a suspended conveyor, the suspended conveyor of which comprises a track and a plurality of trolleys, the trolleys of which are movable along the track,
- a plurality of carriers for carrying the frame or part of the frame, each of the carriers being connected to a cart,
- a plurality of processing stations, the processing stations of which are arranged along the track, each of the processing stations being adapted to carry out one or more processing steps with the substrate or a substrate part,
- a selection device, for determining for each individual carcass or carcass part which processing steps have to be carried out on the carcass or carcass part, where the selection device comprises:
- a unit of measurement to determine at least two properties of the carcass or part of the carcass to be processed,
- a data collection unit for receiving measurement data from the carcass measurement unit, with the data referring to the desired system output,
- a processor to process the data collected by the data collection unit in order to determine for each carcass or individual carcass part which processing steps have to be performed
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 33/209 / 125 in the carcass or part of the carcass,
- a system control device, the system control device of which comprises a distribution control device, the attribution control device of which:
- an input unit, for receiving information from the selection device about which processing steps have to be carried out on the housing or part of the housing,
- an output unit, to control the transport system and / or processing stations in such a way that each carcass or part of the carcass is subjected to the processing steps assigned to it, characterized by the fact that the device's output device assignment control system is adapted to cause the carcass or carcass part to bypass any processing station that is adapted to carry out a processing step to which the carcass or carcass part must not be subjected. [00088] The second aspect also refers to a method for processing in which use is made of such a system.
[00089] The second aspect also refers to a method for processing the carcass or part of the carcass of porcine, bovine, ovine, caprine animals, which involves the processing of a plurality of processing steps, the method of which comprises the following steps:
- arranging the carcass or part of the carcass on a conveyor of a conveyor system which is an overhead conveyor, where the conveyor is connected to one or more mobile carts along an overhead conveyor track,
- determine at least two properties of the carcass or part of the carcass,
- determine the desired quantity and type of final products
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 34/209 / 125 that must be obtained,
- decide a more advantageous way to process the carcass or carcass part based on the determined properties of the carcass or carcass part and the desired quantity and the type of final products to be obtained, and then decide which steps of processing have to be carried out and in what sequence to carry out this most advantageous way to process the carcass or carcass part,
- determining a routing to the carcass or carcass part across a plurality of processing stations, where each is adapted to carry out at least one processing step of what has been determined to be the most advantageous way to process the carcass or housing part,
- move the carcass or part of the carcass along the route by means of the suspended conveyor,
- ignore any processing stations along the route that are adapted to carry out one or more processing steps that are not included in the most advantageous way to process the carcass or carcass part.
[00090] The second aspect also refers to a system used in such a method.
[00091] In all systems according to the second aspect of the disclosure, a suspended conveyor is used to transport the carcasses or parts of the carcass to be processed along the processing stations that carry out the processing steps. A suspended conveyor is more suitable for use in a system according to the second aspect of the disclosure, because a suspended conveyor allows the control and manipulation of the carcass or part of the carcass to be processed in relation to the conveyor.
[00092] The first way in which logistics can be improved by
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 35/209 / 125 means of optimization is the decision on how to cut each carcass or parts of the carcass. In known systems, this decision is made primarily based on the required output from the processing system. Customer demand for a given day or week is added up in order to
X establish how many items or how much weight of the final product has to be made. Sometimes, in addition, a measurement is made of each carcass or carcass part in order to determine the weight or fat percentage of a certain carcass part or carcass part. Based on this additional information, it is determined how the carcass or part of the carcass is to be cut. [00093] In known systems, there is not so much variation in the flexibility of the process steps to which a carcass or part of a carcass is subjected. The carcasses or carcass parts follow a more or less fixed route along the processing stations, and in all the processing stations a predetermined operation is performed on all carcasses or carcass parts that pass through it. In known systems, there are usually only two or three different routes or combinations of processing steps.
[00094] The system according to the second aspect of the disclosure aims to optimize the combination of the processing steps to be carried out on each carcass or carcass part, so that the yield per carcass or carcass part can be optimized and / or the optimal combination of finished products can be produced from each carcass or carcass part, so that the amount of money earned per carcass or carcass part can be optimized.
[00095] There are several aspects to this optimization. One aspect is related to the provision of greater flexibility with regard to the number, type and combination of processing steps that are carried out on individual carcasses or parts of carcasses, with more options on how to process a carcass or carcass part. specific. The provision of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 36/209 / 125 greater flexibility with regard to the number, type and combination of processing steps that are carried out on the individual carcasses or parts of the carcass can be done by supplying a plurality of production lines in order to provide a fixed combination of processing steps, as is known from the prior art.
[00096] More advantageously, as an alternative or in addition, processing flexibility is achieved by providing the possibility that individual carcasses or parts of carcasses bypass certain processing stations. In this way, several processing stations are arranged along a track, each adapted to carry out one or more processing steps. The processing stations that are adapted to carry out the steps that should not be carried out on a particular housing or part of a housing are then ignored by the present housing or housing part. This can be achieved by moving the housing or part of the housing out of the reach of the processing station (in particular the processing station tools that carry out the processing step), or by moving the processing station tools or the entire station process out of the way, so that the processing station tools do not come into contact with the housing or housing part. Of course, a combination of these aspects is also possible.
[00097] Another aspect to optimize the combination of processing steps that are carried out on each individual carcass or part of the carcass, is accomplished by supplying at least one point in the slaughterhouse meat processing facility or a sorting device, such as a sorting station that decides the best combination of processing steps for each carcass or part of the carcass based on the available data. These data preferably comprise the data obtained from measurements on the carcass or part of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 37/209 / 125 individual specific carcass for which a decision has to be made, and / or measurement data on a plurality of carcasses or carcass parts that were processed before the carcass or specific carcass part, and / or measurements on a plurality of carcasses or carcass parts that have been processed after the specific carcass or carcass part, the required demand data and / or the demand data already fulfilled by previous processing of carcasses and / or carcass parts.
[00098] Preferably, a plurality of selection devices are available along the route that each carcass or parts of the carcass take along the processing stations. This allows fine adjustment of the path for each individual housing part during processing.
[00099] The decision on which processing steps are to be carried out on a specific carcass or carcass part is improved if more information is obtained about each individual carcass or carcass part. In this way, better use can be made of the improved flexibility in the available combinations of processing steps. In order to obtain more information, a plurality of measurements are made on each individual carcass or part of the carcass. These measurements can be, for example, measurements of fat percentage in various locations, measurements of size and shape, for example, by means of a camera or other optical sensors, and / or X-ray CT or measurements to determine the location of bones or other parts.
[000100] One of the measurements that can be performed is the measurement of the weight of a carcass part. The weight of a carcass part that is suspended from a suspended conveyor can be determined at any relevant time during processing, but the weight of a piece that has been cut from the carcass or carcass part can also be determined. Preferably, the weight takes place online, for example, by
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 38/209 / 125 weighing a part of the carcass while it is suspended on a conveyor, causing a suspended conveyor cart to pass over a weighing bridge. Alternatively, a scale can be incorporated into a belt conveyor.
[000101] For example, in an advantageous mode, the thickness of the fat layer of each leg or front or shoulder to be processed is measured. Preferably, this measurement is carried out after separating the legs or the front parts or the shoulder from the rest of the carcass, more preferably, after the cooling of these carcass parts. Even more preferably, the measurement of fat thickness is performed just before skin removal, skinning, and / or fat removal is carried out. In known systems, the percentage of fat or thickness of the fat layer is measured only during the slaughter process. The measurement normally takes place on the side flanks of the carcass, close to the chest or belly. It is assumed that the measurement result that is obtained is representative for the entire housing, but in practice this is not always the case. It may be that, for example, a generally lean pig has a fatty area on its shoulder or leg.
[000102] Fat measurement can be performed when the area to be measured is subjected to a certain pressure, to flatten the fat layers for a measurement of the correct and consistent fat thickness. The measurement can also be obtained using a probe.
[000103] Based on the thickness of the fat that is measured on the individual shank or on the front or part of the shoulder, it is decided how much of the fat will be removed from the particular shank or the front or part of the shoulder, and which products can be advantageously made of such a leg or part of it.
[000104] For example, when a shank or front or part of the shoulder has only a thin layer of fat, products advantageously
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. Skinny 39/209 / 125 are made of the same, because then only a relatively small amount of fat has to be removed. This saves work. In addition, less weight loss occurs in processing, which is advantageous from a financial point of view.
[000105] In known systems, the amount of fat in the product remaining after skin removal, skinning and fat removal is determined for a batch of carcass parts, not individual products. In known systems, operators are instructed batch by batch on the amount of fat that must remain on the products in each batch. The invention allows this quantity to be decided for each individual carcass part.
[000106] In a possible embodiment, the measurements of the fat thickness of the individual carcass parts are stored in a control system, which can be isolated or be part of the general control system of the meat processing plant or one of the lines processing. The control system then decides for each individual carcass part (for example, a ham or front or shoulder part) how much fat has to remain in the carcass part. Generally, a classification system is used so that, for example, with five degrees: 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D and 5D. In this system, a grade 5D product has almost no fat remaining after the fat removal process, while in a grade 1D product a relatively thick layer of fat is still present after the fat removal process. For each carcass part it is decided whether a product of grade 1D, 2D, 3D, 4D or 5D should be produced.
[000107] In such a modality, there could be, for example, five processing stations for fat removal: one to make grade 1D products, one to make 2D grade products, one to make 3D grade products, one to make grade 4D products and one for making
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 40/209 / 125 degree 5D. A carcass part that, based on the measurement of the thickness of the fat layer must be made in a 2D grade product, bypasses the processing station for grade 1D products and the processing stations for grade 3D, 4D and 5D products . In this modality, each part of the carcass is processed by only one of the five processing stations for fat removal.
[000108] In a variant of this modality, multiple processing stations for removing fat are provided, for example, three processing stations for removing fat. At each processing station, fat can be removed. If only a little bit of fat has to be removed from the carcass part, it is presented to the operator or to the automatic fat remover of only one processing station, and ignores the other processing stations. If, however, a larger portion of fat has to be removed from the carcass part, it is presented to the operator or to the automatic fat remover at all processing stations for fat removal, and at all these processing stations the fat is removed.
[000109] Advantageously, additional measurements are made during the process. These additional measurements can be used to obtain data that could not be obtained previously in the process (for example, because the measurement site could not be reached before), but also to control the process or one or more of the individual steps of the process.
[000110] Obviously, stroke measurements can take place on the housing or on the housing part as it moves along a processing line. However, it is also possible to carry out measurements on parts that have been removed from the carcass or carcass part, such as pieces of meat that have been removed from the carcass or carcass part.
[000111] The measurement data obtained can be used in the selection
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 41/209 / 125 of an optimal combination of processing steps for a specific housing or housing part, but either additionally or alternatively, such data can be used for other purposes. For example, they can be used to control one or more processing stations. For example, if the measurement data shows that at some point upstream of a determined processing station a relatively high number of small parts of the carcass are present, the position of a cutting tool that is in the processing station can be adapted accordingly. so that the position is more suitable for processing small parts of the carcass. In another example, if the measurement data shows that at some point downstream of a determined processing station a relatively high number of small parts of the housing are present, the position of a cutting tool that is at the processing station can be changed. adapted so that less of the carcass parts that pass through the processing station are cut.
[000112] Another way to use the information obtained from the measurements and / or from the selection device is to provide information to one or more operators at the processing stations. For example, an image displayed on a screen in front of the operator can be used to indicate to the operator which part of the meat has to be cut or released from the carcass or specific part of the carcass in front of him.
[000113] The system and method, according to the second aspect of the disclosure, can be combined with any of the characteristics, including optional characteristics, discussed with reference to the first aspect of the disclosure.
[000114] The third aspect of the disclosure, which is part of the claimed invention, is also aimed at improving the logistics of the treatment of pig, bovine, sheep, goat or goat slaughter animals or parts thereof.
[000115] The third aspect of disclosure concerns a system for
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 42/209 / 125 processing of the carcass or part of the carcass of slaughter of a pig, bovine, sheep, goat, which involves the processing of a plurality of processing steps, the system of which comprises:
- a primary transport system, the primary transport system of which consists of:
- a suspended conveyor, the suspended conveyor of which comprises a track and a plurality of trolleys, the trolleys of which are movable along the track,
- a plurality of carriers for transporting the carcass or part of the carcass, each of the carriers being connected to one or more carts,
- a plurality of processing stations, the processing stations of which are arranged along the track, each of the processing stations being adapted to carry out one or more processing steps with the carcass or a part of the carcass, where in at least one station a step of removing a carcass part or carcass part is taken into account,
- a secondary transport system, the secondary transport system of which is arranged adjacent to the processing station in which the part is removed from the carcass or part of the carcass, the secondary transport system of which is adapted to receive the part.
[000116] The third aspect of disclosure also relates to the use of such a system in processing.
[000117] The third aspect also refers to a method for processing the carcass or part of the carcass of a pig, bovine, sheep, goat slaughter animal, which involves processing a plurality of processing steps, the method of which comprises the following steps:
- arrange the carcass or carcass part on a conveyor
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 43/209 / 125 of a conveyor system which is a suspended conveyor, where the conveyor is connected to one or more mobile carts along a suspended conveyor track,
- transport the carcass or part of the carcass to a processing station,
- at the processing station, separate a part or part from the carcass or carcass part,
- arranging the separate part or piece on or on a secondary conveyor that is disposed adjacent to the processing station,
- transport the rest of the carcass or part of the carcass out of the processing station via the suspended conveyor,
- transport the part or separate part out of the processing station via the secondary conveyor.
[000118] In a system according to the third aspect of the disclosure, in at least one of the processing stations, a carcass part or carcass part is separated from the rest of the carcass or carcass part, respectively. Carcasses or carcass parts pass through the processing station via an overhead conveyor.
[000119] According to the third aspect of the disclosure, a secondary carrier is disposed adjacent to the processing station. This secondary conveyor is adapted to receive the part that is separated. The rest of the carcass or part of the carcass is additionally transported by the carrier.
[000120] In known systems, the separate part and the rest of the carcass or carcass part are transported together at the end of a series of processing stations. There, an operator is faced with a mix of different products and / or intermediate products. The different types of products have to be separated before they can be transported.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 44/209 / 125
Products are usually presented in an arbitrary orientation or even in a pile for the operator who has to sort. This makes the operator's task physically demanding and time-consuming.
[000121] In a system according to the third aspect of the disclosure, the separate parts of the carcass are separated from the rest of the carcass or the carcass part in an orderly manner. This improvement in logistics results makes classification at the end of a series of processing stations no longer necessary.
[000122] In a possible embodiment, the secondary carrier receives only one type of separate parts, for example, parts of high value, or even just one type of final product or intermediate product, for example, a particular part of the muscle, for example example, a tenderloin. The secondary conveyor then takes these separate parts to a packaging station, for storage or to a processing station that is adapted to process that particular separate part.
[000123] It is possible that the secondary conveyor comprises multiple conveyor belts that are arranged side by side, or that the secondary conveyor has a conveyor belt with multiple tracks. In such an embodiment, advantageously, each of the conveyor belts or each of the tracks receives products of the same species. For example, when there are three conveyor belts arranged side by side, or when the conveyor belt has three different tracks, one belt or track can be used to receive and transport prime cuts, one can be used to receive and transport scrap and smaller parts ( meat) and one can be used to receive and transport it to waste.
[000124] It is possible for multiple processing stations to be provided with a secondary conveyor. Preferably, each processing station, in which a part is separated from the rest of the carcass or carcass part, is provided with its own secondary conveyor. IS
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 45/209 / 125 it is also possible for a processing station to remove two or more parts subsequently. In that case, advantageously, for each location within the processing station where a part is removed, a dedicated secondary conveyor is provided.
[000125] It is possible for a processing station to be operated by a human operator who, for example, causes the desired cuts to be made with a normal knife or an auxiliary knife. In that case, the operator, for example, makes a cut to separate a part of the carcass or carcass part and then places the separate part on or on the secondary conveyor.
[000126] It is also possible that the separate part is not maintained or supported, while it is cut out from the rest of the carcass or carcass part. In this case, the separated part falls outside the rest of the housing or part of the housing when the separation is complete. The second conveyor is then preferably arranged in such a way that the separate part falls directly on or into the secondary conveyor. Alternatively, a chute or the like can be provided to capture the separate part and to take it to the secondary conveyor.
[000127] In a preferred embodiment, all the separate parts are arranged in the same orientation on or on the secondary conveyor. This makes subsequent processing easier, because an operator or a machine that has separate parts laterally from the secondary conveyor has all the separate parts presented to it in the same orientation. This can usually be achieved in a relatively simple way, especially when the processing station operates automatically. A processing station that operates automatically will separate the part in the same way from the rest of the carcass or carcass part. By capturing the separate parts directly when they are separated by the automatic processing station, their orientation will be consistent.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 46/209 / 125 [000128] Preferably, the conveyor of the secondary conveyor receives the separate part on a moving surface or on a mobile support or conveyor. Preferably, the speed of the moving surface, the mobile support or receiving conveyor is such that the separate parts do not fall on top of each other. In this way, the separate products are presented individually. This makes it easier for products or separate parts to be picked up from the secondary conveyor, even if it is automated.
[000129] The separate parts can be finished products, intermediate products or waste.
[000130] In the system according to the third aspect of the disclosure, one or more selection devices or stations can be used to determine which processing steps have to be performed on the individual carcasses and / or carcass parts. These sorting stations preferably select the appropriate subsequent processing steps for the individual carcass or carcass part, based on data measured on the specific carcass or carcass part, on data measured on other carcasses or upstream carcass parts. downstream of the carcass or specific carcass part, and / or general data, such as the demand for final products on a specific day or another period of time.
[000131] Measurements can be taken on carcasses or carcass parts that are arranged on conveyors connected to the suspended conveyor, but measurements can also be taken on carcasses or carcass parts that are already on a secondary conveyor.
[000132] The measurement data obtained can be used in the selection of an optimal combination of processing steps for a specific housing or housing part, but either additionally or alternatively, can be used for other purposes. For example, they can be used to control one or more processing stations. For example,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 47/209 / 125 measurements show that at some point upstream of a given processing station, a relatively high number of small parts of the housing are present, so that the position of a cutting tool in the processing station can be adapted accordingly. in order to obtain the position that is most suitable for processing small parts of the carcass. In another example, if the measurement data shows that at some point downstream of a given processing station a relatively high number of small parts of the carcass are present, the position of a cutting tool of the processing station can be adapted accordingly. so that less of the carcass parts that pass through that processing station are cut.
[000133] Another way to use the information obtained from the measurements and / or from the selection device is to provide information to one or more operators at the processing stations. For example, an image displayed on a screen in front of the operator, can be used to indicate to the operator which part of the meat has to be cut from the carcass or specific part of the carcass in front of him.
[000134] The third aspect of the disclosure can be advantageously used for the processing of carcass parts that have been subjected to a cooling process during which carcass parts were still covered with the skin.
[000135] Advantageously, when the third aspect of disclosure is applied, the skin and / or meat is removed from the carcass before boning and / or the removal of noble cuts. This can be advantageous with regards to the process logistics. The removal of the skin and the removal of the meat (meat removal step) occurring before deboning and removal of the noble cuts has the consequence that these steps should no longer be carried out on the separate pieces (for example, the noble cuts) in a way that they can be immediately packaged, stored or
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 48/209 / 125 processed. In addition, it can be advantageous to remove the skin and / or meat when the carcass parts still have the bones as this makes the carcass parts more stable, so that they do not deform as much under the influence of forces of processing induced by the removal of skin and / or meat. This facilitates the removal of skin and meat. In addition, it is more efficient to remove the skin and / or meat from the carcass part as a whole, rather than removing the skin and / or meat from the separate parts individually. [000136] The system and method according to the third aspect of the disclosure can be combined with any functionality, including optional features, discussed with reference to the first aspect of the disclosure.
[000137] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which non-limiting modalities of the invention are shown. The drawing shows in:
Fig. 1: a skeleton of a pig,
Fig. 2: a preferred embodiment of a set of carrier retaining slots according to the invention,
Fig. 2a: shows an additional modality of the locking plate with the slot,
Fig. 2b: shows a first possible cross section A of the locking plate,
Fig. 2c: shows a second possible cross section A of the locking plate,
Fig. 2d: shows a third possible cross section A of the locking plate,
Fig. 3A: the bone structure of a front leg,
Fig. 3B: the bone structure of a pig's hind leg, Fig. 3C: the bone structure of a pig's foot,
Fig. 4: a cross section through a pig's foot in the
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 49/209 / 125 area of the metatarsal bones,
Fig. 5: the pig's foot of Fig. 4 arranged in the retaining set of Fig. 2,
Fig. 6: a retaining assembly according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 and an associated conveyor,
Fig. 7A: a possible modality of an indexing or rotation element,
Fig. 7B: another possible modality of an indexing or rotation element,
Fig. 7C: a bottom view of the rotation element of Fig. 7B,
Fig. 7D to a conveyor with the rotating element of Figs. 7B and 7C;
Fig. 8: a load or transfer station for arranging a carcass part for a conveyor according to the invention,
Fig. 8A: another type of charging station according to the invention,
Fig. 9A and 9B: transferring a carrier from a first carrier to a carrier from a second carrier,
Fig. 10: a side view of another embodiment of the conveyor in Fig. 6,
Fig. 10 *: a side view of another embodiment of the conveyor in Fig. 6, in which the cart was provided with rollers,
Fig. 10 **: a side view of another embodiment of the conveyor in Fig. 6, in which the rollers are not mounted on the cart, but on the support guides,
Fig. 10 ***: another possible modality of a cart with rollers,
Fig. 10 ****: a detail of Fig. 10 ***,
Fig. 10 *** A: a variant of the modality of Fig. 10 ***,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 50/209 / 125
Fig. 10 # A: another mode according to the invention, in which the conveyor is connected to a connector plate,
Fig. 10 # B: the mode of Fig. 10 # A in combination with a chain conveyor system,
Fig. 10 # C: a different conveyor that can be used in combination with the modality of Fig. 10 # A,
Fig. 10 # D: the modality of Fig. 10 # A applied in a processing station,
Fig. 11: the conveyor in Fig. 6 being applied to a system for processing carcass parts, such as legs and front parts,
Fig. 11 *: the effect of friction between a carrier part of the conveyor and the stationary support guides of the product,
Fig. 11 **: rotating support product guides to reduce the effect of friction between housing parts and product support guides
Fig. 11 ***: an adapted conveyor,
Fig. 11X: the modality of Fig. 11 being applied to skin, skin removal, and / or fat removal,
Fig. 11X-1: a manual skin removal process according to the invention in more detail,
Fig. 11X-2: a fat removal process, according to the invention,
Fig. 11X-3: a semi-automatic meat removal tool from 1522,
Fig. 11X-4: a modality of a processing station making a reference cut 799,
Fig. 11X-5: a modality of a processing station in which a reference cut can be made on both sides of the housing part,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 51/209 / 125
Fig. 11X-6: a processing station for separating (either partially or totally) a shoulder blade from a housing part,
Fig. 11X-7A: a type of automatic foot cutter, in which the carcass part approaches the foot cutter,
Fig. 11X-7B: the automatic foot cutter, in which the foot was positioned between the two claws of the cutter by the conveyor,
Fig. 11X-7C: the automatic foot cutter, in which the actuator activated the cutter by joining the claw parts of the cutter,
Fig. 12 *: another modality of a system according to the invention,
Fig. 12 * A: a variant of the modality of Fig. 12 *,
Fig. 12 * B: an additional variant of the modalities of Fig. 12 * and 12 * A,
Fig. 12 * C: a top view of a system according to the modality of Fig. 12 * B,
Fig. 12 * D: the mode of Fig. 12 * C, but now the 1215 containers for receiving the separate parts are shown,
Fig. 12 * E: a top view of a system according to the modality of Fig. 12 *,
Fig. 12 * F: the mode of Fig. 12 * (and Fig. 12 * E) with the containers drawn in the figure,
Fig. 12 **: a more sophisticated version of the modality of Fig. 12 *,
Fig. 12 ** A: a variant of the modality of Fig. 12 **,
Fig. 12 ** B: an additional variant of the modality of Fig. 12 ** and Fig. 12 ** A,
Fig. 12 ** C: a top view of a modality of a system according to Fig. 12 **, in a variant,
Fig. 12 ** D: a variation of the modality of Fig. 12 ** C,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 52/209 / 125
Fig. 12 *** A: an additional embodiment of a system according to the invention,
Fig. 12 *** B: a variant of the modality of Fig. 12 *** A,
Fig. 12 *** C: an additional variant to the modality of Fig. 12 *** A and 12 *** B,
Fig. 12 *** D: another modality of the system according to the invention,
Fig. 12 *** E: a variant of the system in Fig. 12 *** D,
Fig. 12 *** E1: weighing in more detail,
Fig. 12 *** E2: a processing station in more detail,
Fig. 12 *** E3: the end of a processing line,
Fig. 12 *** F: a processing station comprises a robot,
Fig. 12 *** G: a processing station comprising a scanning device,
Fig. 12 *** H: a processing station in which data is collected on the carcass parts 1 to be processed,
Fig. 13: a modality of a system for processing carcass parts of red meat animals according to the invention,
Fig. 14: a first additional modality of a system according to the invention,
Fig. 14A: a more detailed view of the modality shown in Fig. 14,
Fig. 15: a second additional modality of a system according to the invention,
Fig. 16: a third additional modality of a system according to the invention,
Fig. 17: a fourth additional modality of a monitoring system
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 53/209 / 125 according to the invention.
[000138] Fig. 1 shows a skeleton of a pig. At the front, the scapula (shoulder blade) 11, humerus 12, radius 13, ulna 14 and olecranon 15 are indicated. In the ham area, the pelvis 16, femur 17, knee 18, tibia 19 and fibula 20 are indicated.
[000139] They will now be discussed, with reference to Figs. 2-11, various exemplary embodiments of slaughtered pork leg conveyor systems and device according to the disclosure, preferably in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.
[000140] The device and the transport system are, in particular, provided for the transmission and possible processing during transport, of a part of the front leg or part of the rear leg of a slaughtered animal. In these examples, it is assumed that the front part of the leg or leg part includes at least one foot (at least the relevant region of it, as discussed below) and an adjacent portion of the pig's leg. For example, the front leg part is a front end, as is known in the art. For example, the rear leg part includes the shank.
[000141] The conveyor device can advantageously be used in combination with one or more processing stations, where the part of the pig leg transported is subjected to processing.
[000142] For example, processing may involve making one or more cuts on the leg part, for example, to cut a portion of the leg part and / or as a preparatory action for further processing, for example, for a boning processing.
[000143] It is anticipated that one or more processing is carried out with automated devices.
[000144] It is also foreseen that one or more processing is carried out manually, for example, using hand tools, for example, a knife, and / or a hand-held power tool.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 54/209 / 125 [000145] In such a conveyor conveyor device a track is provided, preferably a rail, more preferably a suspended rail.
[000146] As the track is preferred it is an endless track.
[000147] The runway can have a significant length, for example, that extends between and / or across multiple processing stations in a pig slaughtering facility.
[000148] The track can be dedicated to a single processing station and / or processing machine in such a facility, for example, as a circular endless track.
[000149] One or more, preferably a multiplicity, for example, more than 50, pig leg part carriers are movable along the track, each carrier being adapted to transport an individual pig leg part.
[000150] Each conveyor has a pig's foot retention set adapted to engage with a single pig's foot, in order to retain the pig's leg part in a suspended position from the conveyor.
[000151] The retaining set includes a pig's foot opening adapted to receive a pig's foot.
[000152] Fig. 6 shows a part of an example of such a conveyor device. The conveyor 750 has a retaining assembly with a pig's foot slot 762, here formed by a rigid plate slot 761, whose slot 762 is dimensioned to receive the pig's foot in a clamping way, in order to support the part of the pig leg suspended from the retaining assembly.
[000153] Slit 762 is open at one of its ends to introduce the pig's foot sideways into the slit and remove the pig's foot to the sides of the 762 slit.
[000154] Before discussing the 750 carrier in more detail,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 55/209 / 125, the preferred modality of slot plate 761 will initially be discussed. [000155] In general, slot 762 in plate 761 is adapted to receive the pig's foot region, where bones are present.
[000156] Fig. 3A shows the bone structure of a pig's front leg, while Fig. 3B shows the bone structure of a pig's leg. Fig. 3A shows the scapula (scapula) 11, the humerus 12, the radius 13, the ulna 14 and the olecranon 15. Fig. 3B shows the femur 17, the tibia 19 and the fibula 20.
[000157] Fig. 3C shows the bone structure of a pig's foot. The structure is basically the same for the front and rear legs. As it is known, a pig's foot contains four fingers. The central fingers, indicated with MC3 and MC4 are functional and basically support the load of the pig, while the lateral fingers MC2 and MC5 are basically non-functional. In pigs, the latter are referred to as prongs. The references MC2, MC3, MC4 MC5 refer to the metacarpal or metatarsal bones of the pig's foot.
[000158] In Fig. 3C the references P1, P2, P3, refer to the phalanges of the pig's foot.
[000159] Figs. 3A and Fig. 3B show the central metatarsal bones 22 and the lateral metatarsal bones 23. The same bones are also shown in Figs. 4 and 5.
[000160] In Fig. 3C the reference H indicates a region of the pig's foot that is advantageous for use as a retention zone. This region includes the metatarsal bones 22 and 23 of the foot.
[000161] There are several advantages to using this region of the pig's foot as a retention zone. A first advantage is that the diameter of this region is approximately the same for a front leg and a rear leg. This allows you to use the locking plate 761 to engage even a part of the front leg, as well as a part of the rear leg of a pig. This means that legs and foreheads can be attached
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 56/209 / 125 by the locking plate 761, so that the same conveyor can be used for both.
[000162] A second advantage of using this region of the foot as a containment area is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.
[000163] Fig. 4 shows a cross section through a pig's foot in the area of the metatarsal bones 22 and 23, in the H region, as shown in Fig. 3C. The cross section, as shown in Fig. 4, is generally the same for a front leg or a rear leg.
[000164] Fig. 4 shows the pig's foot in its natural state, before engaging with the slotted plate 761. As can be seen, the metatarsal lateral bones 22 are located adjacent to the main phalanges 23 in the natural position, as shown in Fig. 4. A relatively large tendon 24 crosses the cross section. The outer layer 25 of the cross section comprises leather of the skin and some fat. Around tendon 24 and metatarsal bones 22,23, mainly meat 26 is present.
[000165] Thus, in the cross section of the containment zone, as shown in Fig. 4, the metatarsal bones 22, 23 and the soft tissue around the bone comprising skin, leather and fat 25, tendon 24 and meat 26, are present .
[000166] Tests have shown that the deformation of the foot in the region of the metatarsal bones by applying pressure in the direction of arrows A requires a lot of force. This is basically when pressure is applied in the lateral direction on the foot. On the other hand, when pressure is applied in the direction of arrows B, which is usually pressing the front side and the back side of the foot towards each other, this region of the foot is much easier to deform, as it requires less force to obtain a certain deformation and the final deformation that can be achieved is greater.
[000167] The use of this knowledge can be done when suspending the pig leg part from a retention set with opening
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 57/209 / 125 pig foot or slit, for example, with a slit plate 761, as shown in Fig. 2. This is shown in Fig. 5.
[000168] Slit plate 761 has an opening realized as a slit for pig's foot 762 that is open at one of its ends to introduce the pig foot sideways into the slit and remove the pig foot to the sides of the slit .
[000169] The slot has an entry portion 763, as is preferred here, a narrowing entry portion, on one side of the slot plate. The entry portion can include one or more entry faces angled with respect to the main axis of the slot.
[000170] Inlet portion 763 leads to a slot retaining portion 762 that includes a blunt end. A pig's foot is intended to be properly introduced and received in the holding portion.
[000171] As preferred, slot 762 has a rigid reference face 762a in the slot retaining portion. As shown in Fig. 5, the pig foot is preferably inserted into the slit in such a way that the central metatarsal bones 22 are generally adjacent to the rigid reference face 762a, with the front side of the pig foot facing the face of rigid reference 762a.
[000172] The introduction of the pig's foot into the input portion 763 causes a gradual compression of the pig's foot region. Because the retention portion of slot 762 is narrower than the undisturbed cross section of the pig's foot region received therein, the metatarsal lateral bones are pressed into the central metatarsal bones and also towards the rigid reference face 762a. This fixation of the pig's foot provides a reliable suspension of a part of the pig's leg, for example, up to a weight of 15 kg.
[000173] As explained the lateral introduction of the pig's foot into the slit, this orientation will require limited force, since the compression of the pig's foot in the direction perpendicular to the introduction direction is relatively easy. This by
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 58/209 / 125 example, allows the manual introduction of the pig's foot into slot 762.
[000174] As preferred, slit plate 762 also includes a protrusion 765 between the entry portion and the retaining portion of the pig foot slot. This projection generally defines a narrower passage of the slit, in order to keep the pig's foot in the retaining portion, once it has been properly inserted.
[000175] Alternatively, or in combination with a protrusion 765, the retaining assembly may include (in an embodiment not shown) a locking member that is movable between a locking position, where the locking member extends through at least part of the width of the slit 762, so as to prevent the pig's foot from leaving the slit of the pig's foot, and a retracted position in which the pig's foot can be removed from the slit. For example, the locking member is a rotating lever. For example, the locking member is adapted to be operated manually or equipped with a cam follower which can cooperate with a cam track arranged along the track where the operation of the locking element is desired.
[000176] The width of the crack will, in practice, be preferably chosen in such a way that a pig's foot with the smallest cross-sectional dimensions (indicated with diameter D in Fig. 4) of the pig leg parts to be transported and / or transformed, it will still be compressed upon introduction into the crack (having a width W less than the diameter D). Compression and / or other soft tissue deformation lead the pig's foot to a tight fit and firm grip of the slit plate on the pig's foot.
[000177] Slot 762 is adapted to accommodate a retention zone of a carcass part. However, carcass part retention zones come in a diameter lane, due to the natural variation in carcass part shapes and sizes. Width W must be chosen from
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 59/209 / 125 such that the carcass parts which also have a retention zone of relatively small diameter are retained in the slot 762.
[000178] Preferably, the width W of the locking part 764 of the slot 762 is less than the smallest diameter in the expected diameter lane of the containment zone, less than the smallest diameter that the lock is expected to retain. The containment zone comprises a bone surrounded by soft tissue. The soft tissue can be compressed or otherwise deformed to some extent, so that the containment area of the carcass or part of the carcass can be provided in the relatively narrow slot 762. The protrusion 765 reduces the risk of unwanted release from the containment out of the locking part 764 of the slot 762.
[000179] In a possible embodiment of the conveyor device, fixed guides are arranged on the side of the track which is followed by conveyors, and these guides can be configured to bring and support the leg part in an orientation such that it is presented to an operator, in an ergonomically advantageous manner. For example, the guides can rotate the leg part towards the operator and hold it in position during processing. The flexibility of the soft tissue allows this processing to take place without the carcass part sliding in relation to the locking plate 761.
[000180] When the guides release the carcass part again, the carcass part will return to its initial orientation relative to the conveyor. This return can be caused or aided by the soft tissue elasticity and / or by external influences, such as gravity or another set of guides.
[000181] Fig. 2a shows an additional embodiment of locking plate 761 with slot 762. Figs. 2b, 2c, 2d show possible cross sections of a locking plate 761. The locking plate shown in Fig. 2b, 2c, 2d can be the locking plate of FIG. 2a, or
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 60/209 / 125 any other locking plate, in particular any other locking plate, as shown here.
[000182] Fig. 2a shows the rigid reference face 762a, the final face 762b and the opposite face 762c. In addition, input faces 762d are indicated.
[000183] In the modalities shown in Figs. 2b, 2c, 2d, the rigid reference face 762a and the opposite face 762c were provided with a chamfered or rounded edge. The purpose of these adaptations to the shape of these faces is to have one line (or surface) in contact with the carcass part, instead of two. When these faces are straight and perpendicular to the top face and the bottom face of the locking plate, any oscillation of the housing part in relation to the locking plate would result in the housing part moving downwards in relation to the locking plate. The sway of the carcass part would result in the carcass part being alternately in contact with the upper edge of the rigid reference face 762a and the lower edge of the opposite face 762c at the same time and with the lower edge of the rigid reference face 762a and the top opposite face edge 762c with each other. This, in combination with gravity, causes the housing part to more or less "walk" down in relation to the locking plate 761.
[000184] This can be avoided by preventing the oscillation of the housing part from causing alternating contact points between the housing part and the locking plate.
[000185] One way to achieve this is by providing the reference face 762a and / or the opposite face 762c with a beveled or rounded edge. The upper part of the rounded or chamfered face, which is in contact with the housing part, may be located at or near half the thickness of the locking plate 761, as shown in Figs. 2b and 2d. Alternatively, it can also be located near the top of the bottom surface of the locking plate 761, as shown in Fig. 2c.
[000186] Preferably, the shape of both reference face 762a and
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 61/209 / 125 of the opposite face 762c is adapted to create a line or contact point surface. However, it is also possible that only one of them two has an adapted shape.
[000187] Furthermore, the end face 762b can also be provided with an adapted face, for example, rounded or chamfered. If desired, this can also be done with the inlet face 762d, for example, if this is easier from an operator's point of view.
[000188] Fig. 6 shows a locking plate 761 according to Figs 2 and 5 to be used on a conveyor 750.
[000189] The conveyor 750 is connected to two carts 772 through a connection plate 775. Carts 772 are connected to a drive chain 774. Drive chain 774 moves the carts along a track 773, which follows a way over a series of processing stations. In Fig. 6, the transport direction of the carts 772, and thus the transport direction of the conveyor 750 is indicated by the arrow T.
[000190] On the conveyor according to Fig. 6, the locking plate 761, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, is also shown. Slit 762 of locking plate 761 is arranged at an angle to the direction of transport T. Preferably, a housing part is arranged in slot 762 of locking plate 761 as shown in Fig. 5. In this case, with the slot 762 arranged at an angle, as shown in Figures 2 and 5, the housing part has an initial spatial orientation that allows it to be presented to an operator and in an ergonomically sensitive manner. Whether the treatment is carried out automatically or semi-automatically, the initial orientation allows the housing part to be oriented in a way that makes it easily accessible to the processing tools.
[000191] The conveyor 750 in this example comprises two flanges 751, an articulated pin 753 and a support 754. Flanges 751 are connected together by a track 752 for additional stability. Support is connected
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 62/209 / 125 to the guide block 770, on top of which a rotating element 771 is arranged. The rotating element is rotatable about a vertical axis in relation to the connection plate 775. When the rotating element 771 rotates in relation to the connection plate 775, the conveyor elements that are arranged underneath (with the guide block 770, the support 754, the pivot pin 753, the flanges 751, the track 752 between the flanges and the locking plate 761) rotate with the rotating element 771.
[000192] In the embodiment of Fig. 6, the pivot pin 753 provides the possibility to rotate the locking plate 761 about an axis parallel to the part of the track 773 to which the carts 772 are connected. Thus, if the track 773 runs horizontally, an articulated pin 753 allows the locking plate 761 to rotate, and thereby the housing or part of the housing that is held by the locking plate, about a horizontal axis.
[000193] The rotating or indexing element 771 provides the locking plate 761 with the possibility of rotating about an axis that is perpendicular to the part of the track 773 where the carts 772 are. Thus, if the track 773 runs horizontally, the pin 753 allows the locking plate 761 to rotate, and thereby the housing or part of the housing that is held by the locking plate, about a vertical axis.
[000194] The rotation element 771 is used to control the orientation of the locking plate 761 of the conveyor 750 with respect to rotation about the vertical axis (or an axis in the vertical plane and is perpendicular to the part of the track 773 that the carts 772 run if runway 773 does not run horizontally in the specific part). This can, for example, be achieved by giving the rotating element 771 a shape of the type shown in Figs. 7A. Fig. 7 A shows the top view.
[000195] The rotating or indexing element has a center of rotation C, four sides 776 and slots 777 extending inwardly from the corners between the sides towards the sides of the center of rotation C. The four
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 63/209 / 125 sides are arranged at different distances from the center of rotation C, as indicated by the arrows a, b, c, d in Fig. 7A.
[000196] Along with the track, in fixed positions, one or more pins 778 are arranged. These fixed positions correspond to the positions along the track where the conveyor has to be rotated by the rotating element 771. The distance between the pins and the track is such that after the passage of a conveyor moving in the direction of transport T, one pin 778 becomes housed in one of the slots 777. Because this pin is stationary and the rotation element 771 is rotatable, the relative rotation movement of element 771 in the transport direction T and pins 778 causes the rotation element 771 rotate 90 ° in the direction of arrow R.
[000197] When using combinations of pins that are arranged at different distances from the track, either individually or in series, the rotation element 771 (and thus the elements of the conveyor that are arranged below it) can be rotated in steps of 90 °. This means that the locking plate has four positions of rotation (in relation to rotation about an axis in a vertical plane perpendicular to the track), in which it can contain the housing or part of the housing. The flexibility of the soft tissue allows the carcass or carcass part to rotate around any of these four locking plate positions.
[000198] Fig. 7B shows another embodiment of the rotating element 771. In this embodiment, the rotating element 771 comprises two eccentric disks 779a, b which have a fixed position stacked on top of each other. Together, the eccentric discs 779a, b are rotatable with respect to the base 779c around an axis 779d. The axis is offset from the center of both discs. The relative position of the two eccentric discs 779a, b is shown in Fig. 7C, which shows a bottom view of the rotating element of Fig. 7B.
[000199] The base 779c is connected to two carts 772, which are in the present example, connected to the transmission chain 774 of a
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 64/209 / 125 suspended conveyor, as shown in Fig. 7D.
[000200] The position of the eccentric discs 779a, b in relation to the base 779c is controlled by guides that are arranged along the path that the conveyors are imposed by the suspended conveyor. The advantage of using the rotation element of Fig. 7B is that this rotation element allows a smooth rotation movement.
[000201] The rotating element 771 of Fig. 7B further comprises a locking element 779e that cooperates with block 779f to temporarily lock the position of the eccentric discs 779a, b with respect to the base 779c. The locking element 779e is driven by guides or other elements arranged along the path imposed on the conveyors by the suspended conveyor to lock or unlock the position of the eccentric discs 779a, b in relation to the base 779c.
[000202] Fig. 7D shows the rotation element of Fig. 7B used on a conveyor of the type shown in Fig. 6. Although not shown in Fig. 7D, a guide block 770, as shown in Fig. 6, can be used on the support of Fig. 7D.
[000203] The person skilled in the art will understand that Fig. 7 shows only two of the many possible ways to control the orientation of the conveyor about an axis in a vertical plane perpendicular to the track.
[000204] At the level of the guide block 770, support guides can be provided against or between which the guide block 770 of the conveyor can be guided when the conveyor moves along the track. The support guide supports the conveyor through the guide block 770 so that it does not rotate around the vertical axis (or the axis of a vertical plane perpendicular to the track if the track is not executed horizontally in that specific location), under the influence of forces that occur during processing.
[000205] Fig. 8 shows a charging station for arranging
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 65/209 / 125 a housing part for a conveyor. In the example, the conveyor, as shown in Fig. 6, is used. In the loading station of Fig. 8, use is made of the carrier's ability to rotate the locking plate 761 around an articulated pin 753. The person skilled in the art will understand that this loading station can also be used in combination with different conveyors, as well as the conveyor allows the rotation around an axis parallel to the track and the lock is suitable for sliding in the housing part from the side of the lock.
[000206] The charging station is adapted for use along with a plurality of conveyors 750 that move along the track. For the sake of clarity, in Fig. 8 only one conveyor is shown.
[000207] The loading station comprises a conveyor belt 780 and a guide 781. The top of the moving surface of the conveyor belt is adapted to move in the same direction as the transport direction T of the conveyors.
[000208] Initially, before reaching the loading station, the conveyor hangs from the track under the influence of gravity or because it is actively positioned. When the conveyor reaches the conveyor belt 780, the conveyor belt chooses the underside of the conveyor so that it rests on the moving top surface of the conveyor belt.
[000209] In this position, the retaining assembly is turned upwards, such that the open end of the slot 762, in the locking plate, is upwards. An operator then places a carcass part on the conveyor belt 780. The containment area of the carcass part is arranged slightly at the entrance part of the slot 762.
[000210] The conveyor belt moves the carcass part towards the 781 guide. The conveyor moves along with it, having substantially the same speed. The housing part comes in engagement with the 781 guide, which
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 66/209 / 125 forces the containment zone into the retaining portion of the slot 762 of the locking plate 761. In this way, the operator does not have to apply force to move the containment zone of the carcass part 1 from the inlet portion. in the slot retaining portion on the locking plate 761. The elasticity of the soft tissue of the foot is used to secure it to the slot. Optionally, an additional external gripping force can be applied, but it is usually not necessary.
[000211] Fig. 8A shows an additional embodiment of the charging station according to the invention.
[000212] In the embodiment of Fig. 8A, the carcass parts 1 are received in a supply conveyor 1240. The carcass parts 1 arrive at the supply conveyor 1240 in a more or less random orientation. An operator 1200 working at the processing station holds a housing part 1 and arranges it with the bottom of the foot 1X in the opening opening of the slot 762 of the conveyor 750. The operator does not have to place the foot 1X entirely in the slot 762, just fix it it in the wide part of the entrance opening is sufficient.
[000213] Supply conveyor 1240 runs at about the same speed as carts 772 with conveyors 750, so that carcass parts 1 move along with conveyors 750.
[000214] The rotating belt guide 781b supports the foot area of the carcass part 1 when it engages with the guide 781. The guide 781 provides support and additional guide. Together, guides 781, 781a and 781b force foot 1X into slot 762 of conveyor 750.
[000215] As carcass part 1 reaches the end of supply conveyor 1240, foot 1X is securely positioned in slot 762 of conveyor 750. The carcass parts fall out of supply conveyor 1240, and the conveyor hangs down around pivot pin 753. Housing part 1 is now suspended from the conveyor
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 67/209 / 125
750, and is ready to be moved along track 773 by carts 772, and drive chain 774.
[000216] In a possible variant for this modality, a scale is arranged upstream of the supply conveyor 1240, for example, as shown in Fig. 12 *** E1.
[000217] The same concept of moving the carcass part into or out of the locking plate 761 by means of the guides can also be applied to transfer the carcass part of a conveyor from a first conveyor device to a conveyor of a second conveyor device, or in general from a first conveyor to a second conveyor.
[000218] The invention aims at a transfer station where parts of pig leg or other parts of carcass are transferred directly from the first conveyor to the second conveyor.
[000219] The conveyor devices are incorporated in such a way that in the transfer station the movement of the conveyors of the first and second conveyors are synchronized so that a carcass part is initially suspended from the conveyor retaining assembly of the first conveyor device being transferred in the slot of the retaining assembly of a conveyor of the second conveyor device, the carcass part remaining suspended in the transfer process by at least one of the retaining members.
[000220] As is preferred, the transfer station comprises one or more transfer guides arranged along the track of the first conveyor device, the transfer guides being arranged so as to contact the carcass part, preferably under the slot member, for example, 5 centimeters, with the transfer guides forcing the carcass part out of the slot and into the carrier slot of the second conveyor device while passing the part along the transport guides.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 68/209 / 125 transfer.
[000221] As is preferred, at the transfer station the paths of the first and second conveyor retaining assemblies are at different heights, and the retaining assemblies are brought during the transfer process in an overlapping portion when viewed from above.
[000222] To do this, the locking plates of two conveyors are arranged in such a way that the slots in the locking plates are more or less in line with each other. However, in general the locking plates are arranged at a different height.
[000223] Fig. 9 shows this in side view (Fig. 9A) and in top view (Fig. 9B).
[000224] Fig. 9A shows a carcass part, such as a pig leg part comprising the foot and at least a pig leg part, which is transferred from the first conveyor 750 to a second conveyor 750 * . A transfer guide 795 (shown only in cross section) moves the containment zone of the housing part 1 out of the slot of the first carrier plate 750 into the slot of the second carrier plate 750 *.
[000225] Fig. 9B shows this process in top view. For the sake of clarity, only carrier locking plates are shown.
[000226] At the beginning of the transfer process, the plate 761 of the first conveyor keeps a part of carcass 1 in the containment zone. Plate 761 of the first conveyor and locking plate 761 * of the second conveyor move towards each other.
[000227] The plates 761 and 761 * are brought in a position where they partially overlap where the slits of both plates 761, 761 * are generally in line with each other.
[000228] The transfer guide 795 comes in contact with the housing or part of housing 1. The shape of the transfer guide 795 is such that
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 69/209 / 125 moves the carcass part 1 of plate 761 of the first conveyor to plate 761 * of the second conveyor as the conveyors move in their direction of transport T, T * as illustrated in Fig. 9B.
[000229] When the carcass part 1 is arranged on the plate 761 * of the second conveyor, the conveyor moves out of each other again.
[000230] Fig. 10 shows a side view of a special embodiment of the conveyor in Fig. 6. The reference numerals used to differentiate parts in Fig. 10 correspond to those in Fig. 6.
[000231] In the embodiment of Fig. 10, the conveyor is provided with a cam follower 787, which rotates on a cam track 786 that is arranged along at least part of the path that is followed by the conveyor 750. The track cam follower 786 prescribes the position of cam follower 787 when the conveyor 750 is moved along track 773. With this, the rotation of plate 761 over pivot pin 753 can be controlled.
[000232] As preferred, the cam follower 787 is arranged on the track 752 that connects the flanges 751. The person skilled in the art will understand that the cam follower may alternatively be arranged in a different location on one or more of the flanges or other position of the moving part of the conveyor.
[000233] Fig. 10 also illustrates the preferred embodiment in which a guide or a pair of parallel support guides 785 are arranged at a fixed location along track 773, preferably at a processing station where a portion is processed carcass transported by the carrier. The guide or guides 785 are adapted to cooperate with the passing conveyors, in particular in such a way that a guide block 770 of a conveyor 750 slides along the guide 785, or between the pair of parallel spaced guides 785. The guide 785 or a pair of 785 guides is designed to prevent the conveyor from rotating about an axis
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 70/209 / 125 vertical, as well as to prevent lateral movement of the conveyor part above the guide block 770. In a simple embodiment, each guide 785 is a linear bar of low friction material, for example, plastic. [000234] Fig. 10 * shows an additional embodiment of a cart 772 with a conveyor 750 according to the invention. In Fig. 10 *, a carrier according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown. [000235] As in the embodiment of Fig. 10, the embodiment of Fig. 10 * comprises a pair of support guides spaced in parallel 785, between which a guide block 770 of the cart runs. In the embodiment of Fig. 10 *, the cart 772 was supplied with rollers 788. Rollers 788 are arranged on both sides of the guide block 770, so that they also run between the support guides 785. When the guide block 770 is in the position shown in Fig. 10 *, the rollers preferably do not touch the support guides 785.
[000236] Due to the forces exerted on the cart during the processing of a carcass part that is held by the conveyor, in the form of Fig. 10, the guide block 770 can be pulled against one of the guide supports 785 or it can be tilted such that its upper edge on one side is pushed against a guide support 785 and its lower end on the opposite side is pushed against the other guide support. This leads to undesirable friction between the guide block 770 and the support guides 785, leading to excessive wear and increased energy consumption for the drive system that moves the carts along the track.
[000237] In the embodiment of Fig. 10 *, in such a situation, the guide block 770 will not come in direct sliding contact with the support guides 785. Instead, one or more of the 788 rollers will involve one or both. 785 support guides.
[000238] As preferred, the rollers are 788 spherical rollers having a larger diameter in the center than at the ends.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 71/209 / 125 [000239] 788 rollers avoid excessive mechanical loads with the guides
Support X 785. As long as the guide block 770 supplied with roller does not come into frictional contact with the support guides 785, the guide block 770 is also not excessively subjected to mechanical loads and the resulting wear.
[000240] Due to the ability of the rollers 788 to rotate about their axis of rotation 789, excessive friction between the parts of the cart and the support guides 785 is prevented. This reduces wear on both the cart and the 785 support guides. This also reduces the energy consumption of the cart drive system.
[000241] Preferably, there is some play between the rollers 788 and the support guide 785, when the guide block 770 is in a neutral position (ie: when the guide block is not pushed or pulled out of position straight under lane 773). In this way, there is no friction between the cart and the support guides when the guide block 770 is in its neutral position, which avoids unnecessary wear and unnecessary energy consumption of the drive system.
[000242] However, it is also possible for the system to be placed in such a way that there is contact between rollers 788 and support guides 785 when the guide block is in its neutral position. In this way, additional support is provided for the cart.
[000243] Another aspect of the embodiment of Fig. 10 * is that the cam follower 787 and the cam track 786 are arranged differently than in the embodiment of Fig. 10. The person skilled in the art will immediately recognize that the arrangement shown in Fig. 10 * is interchangeable with the cam follower and cam track arrangement, as shown in Fig. 10. The arrangement of the cam follower and cam track can be chosen independently from the arrangement of the guide block and support guides. It is also possible that no cam and cam follower tracks are
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 72/209 / 125 used to control the orientation of the conveyor.
[000244] Fig. 10 ** shows an additional embodiment of a cart 772 with a conveyor 750 according to the invention. In Fig. 10 **, a carrier according to the third aspect of the disclosure is shown.
[000245] As in the embodiment of Fig. 10, in Fig. 10 ** a pair of parallel support guides 785 is provided, among which runs the guide block 770 of the cart. And, as in the embodiment of Fig. 10 *, in the embodiment of Fig. 10 ** rolls 788 are provided. However, in the embodiment of Fig. 10 **, the rollers 788 are not mounted on the cart but on the support guides 785.
[000246] Fig. 10 ** shows what happens when the guide block 770 is pulled out of its neutral position. This situation can, for example, occur when the housing part 1 is tilted to a processing position by product guides 790, and the hinge formed by an articulated pin 753 is secured.
[000247] In the situation shown in Fig. 10 **, the guide block 770 is tilted in relation to the rest of the cart. The guide block 770 then comes in contact with the 788 rollers, and high mechanical loads and excessive friction are avoided.
[000248] Fig. 10 *** shows another possible modality of a cart with rollers 788. In this modality, the rollers are not arranged next to each other when viewed in the direction of transport, but one downstream of the other. In this mode, if desired, the guide block can even be dispensed with. Rollers 788 are mounted on a support for wheel 784. For clarity, support guides 785 are not shown in Fig. 10 ***, only in Fig. 10 **** which is a detail of Fig. 10 ***.
[000249] Fig. 10 **** shows one of the rollers 788 from a different angle, and how it is positioned in relation to both support guides 785.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 73/209 / 125 [000250] Preferably, there is some play between the rollers 788 and the support guides 785 when the upper part of the conveyor is in its neutral position (that is: when the part of the conveyor, just below the cart does not is pushed or pulled out of its straight position below track 773). In this way, there is no friction between the cart and the support guides when the top of the conveyor is in its neutral position, which avoids unnecessary wear and unnecessary energy consumption of the drive system.
[000251] In this embodiment, the placement of rollers 788 'makes them capable of taking not only the inclination of the conveyor around an axis parallel to the horizontal direction of the track, but also the rotation of the conveyor around a vertical axis.
[000252] In the embodiment of Fig. 10 ***, a rotating element 771 is present. In this mode, the rotation element is a Geneva drive wheel. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 ***, the wheel support 784 is mounted in a fixed position in relation to the cart 772. The Geneva drive wheel 771 and the conveyor 750 are rotated relative to the cart 772.
[000253] The mode of Fig. 10 *** is provided with means to lock the position of the Geneva 771 wheel unit in relation to the cart 772. This allows the Geneva 771 drive wheel to bring the conveyor with the housing in the right orientation for carrying out a processing step before reaching the processing station where that processing step is carried out. When the conveyor is in the right orientation, the Geneva drive wheel can be blocked at least during the processing step. In this way, the rotation processing is prevented from causing the Geneva wheel to rotate, thereby taking the housing part from its right orientation. Preferably, the orientation of the Geneva drive wheel remains locked until
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 74/209 / 125 a different orientation of the housing part, and with that of the conveyor, is necessary.
[000254] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10 ***, the Geneva drive wheel 771 is provided with a projection 771a, which has four notches 771b. On the wheel support 784, a cantilever 782 is mounted, which has a first arm 782a, a second arm 782b and a pivot axis 783. The wheel support 784 has a notch 784a, which in any of the four positions of the Geneva drive wheel 771 is aligned with one of the notches 771b on the projection 771a of the Geneva drive wheel.
[000255] The first arm 782a of cantilever 782 has a point 782c that fits into the mutually aligned grooves 784a and 771b. When the point 782c is in the mutually aligned notches 784a and 771b, the Geneva drive wheel 771 cannot rotate in relation to the wheel support 784. This prevents the rotation of the conveyor 75 in relation to the cart 772.
[000256] When the conveyor has to be brought in a different orientation, the 782c end of the arm 782a first has to be taken out of the mutually aligned notches 784a and 771b. To achieve this, the cantilever 782 is actuated in such a way that it is rotated around its axis 783. The actuation of the cantilever can be achieved by engaging the second arm 782b of the cantilever. When pushing the second arm 782b inward (thus for the rollers 788) the tip 782c of the first arm 782a of the cantilever comes out of the notches, 784a 771b. The Geneva 771 drive wheel can then be brought into one of its other three orientations.
[000257] When the Geneva drive wheel 771 (and with it the conveyor 750) is in its desired orientation, again one of the notches 771b on the projection 771a of the Geneva drive wheel is aligned with the notch 784a on the wheel holder 784. The cantilever 782 is then
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 75/209 / 125 moved back to the position shown in Fig. 10 ***, with the tip 782c in the aligned notches 771b and 784a. The orientation of the Geneva relative drive wheel to the cart is then locked again.
[000258] The 782 cantilever can be operated in many alternative ways. For example, it is possible that a stationary guide element positioned along track 773 engages the first or second arm of the cantilever at the desired moment, or at the desired point along track 773. It is also possible that such a guide just engages the second arm to take the tip 782 out of the notches, and that a spring turns the cantilever back to the position where the end remains in the notches.
[000259] Fig. 10 *** A shows a variant of the modality of Fig. 10 ***. In the embodiment of Fig. 10 *** A, the conveyor 750 is connected to two trolleys instead of a single trolley.
[000260] The person skilled in the art will understand that the characteristics of the embodiments of Fig. 10 *** and Fig. 10 *** A, such as the two rollers 788 of the locking mechanism for the Geneva drive wheel they can also be applied to other conveyors and / or with trolleys of another or other transport systems, together or alone.
[000261] Fig. 10 # A shows another modality according to the disclosure. In this mode, the conveyor 750 is not connected to a cart, but to a connection plate 792. The connection plate connects the conveyor 750 with a transport system.
[000262] Fig. 10 # B shows the mode of Fig. 10 # A in combination with a chain conveyor system 1500. The conveyor system of Fig. 10 # B comprises a chain 1501, which is guided on chain wheels 1502 Connector plate 792 is connected to chain 1501. Fig. 10 # B shows a simple arrangement of the conveyor, but the person skilled in the art will understand that it is possible for the chain to be
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 76/209 / 125 arranged in a more complicated way.
[000263] Fig. 10 # C shows a different conveyor that can be used in combination with the modality of Fig. 10 # A. In this case, the conveyor comprises a guide beam 1510, which has a groove 1511 at the top. Guide wheels 1512 are connected to the connection plate 792. The axes on which the guide wheels 1512 are mounted run through the groove 1511 in the guide beam 1510. In Fig. 10 # C only one straight guide beam is shown, but the person skilled in the art will understand that the guide beam can also be curved.
[000264] Fig. 10 # D shows the mode of Fig. 10 # A applied in a processing station, with an operator 1200 processing a carcass part 1.
[000265] The person skilled in the art will understand that other carriers can also be applied in the embodiments of Figs. 10 # A-D.
[000266] Fig. 11 shows the conveyor in Fig. 6 being applied in a system for processing carcass parts, such as legs and front parts. The person skilled in the art will understand that the system of Fig. 11 can also be used for other parts of the carcass.
[000267] In the system of Fig. 11, a track 773 is provided, under which trolleys 772 run. Trolleys 772 are driven by a drive chain 774.
[000268] The system further comprises a plurality of conveyors 750. Each of the conveyors 750 is connected to one or more carts 772. Each of the carcass parts 1 to be processed is arranged on a conveyor 750, which carries the parts of frame 1 to and across processing stations. In Fig. 11, T indicates the direction of transport.
[000269] In Fig. 11, a processing station is shown. In this
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 77/209 / 125 processing station, three operators 700 perform manual operations on the carcass parts 1. For example, they loosen a piece of meat or they separate a bone or part of it from the surrounding tissue.
[000270] Before entering the processing station, the rotation element 771 of the conveyors (see, for example, Fig. 6) takes the carcass parts 1 in a suitable orientation in relation to the rotation about the vertical axis.
[000271] Between runway 772 and operators 700, product support guides 790 are organized. The product support guides 790 are positioned and shaped in such a way that they engage the carcass part 1 on top of the inlet to the processing station, and so that they will then be presented with the carcass parts 1 in an orientation with respect to regarding the rotation around the articulated pin 753 which is suitable for the operation that the operators will perform.
[000272] In known systems, the operator had to take a part of the carcass and position it himself. This obviously takes time. In addition, handling the generally relatively heavy carcass parts requires enormous physical effort from operators. By offering housing parts 1 to operators already in a position that is suitable for the processing they have to perform, time is saved and the work of 700 operators is improved from an ergonomic point of view.
[000273] In addition, in the system of Fig. 11, operators can use both hands to carry out the operation on the carcass parts. For example, they can take the carcass part and make the cut with a knife they have in their other hand. This is a natural way to perform such an operation, which has been shown to lead to shorter learning periods for 700 operators.
[000274] In Fig. 11 it is shown that between operators 700 and the housing parts 1, a fence 791. is arranged. The height of this fence is such that the
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 78/209 / 125 operators can lean against it when working. This helps the 700 operator to focus on the cutting action, which makes the job easier to learn and easier to do.
[000275] In a particular embodiment of the system of Fig. 11, the processing system is used for deboning. In that case, it is advantageous if at least one of the 790 product support guides is arranged at the level of a joint of a bone to be removed. In this way, the operator can bend the open joint over the 790 product support guide. As the 790 product support guide is relatively small in diameter, the operator can bend open the assembly at a significant angle, allowing him to reach the fabric behind the joint better, so when it, for example, fold the set over the edge of a table. Cutting through the fabric behind the joint facilitates boning processing.
[000276] Product support guides 790 can be used in combination with any of the carriers according to the disclosure. It is not necessary for the conveyor to allow rotation, it is also possible that the housing part is rotated in relation to the conveyor, when it comes to engaging with the 790 product support guides.
[000277] Fig. 11 * shows two carts 772, with each conveyor 750 connected to it. The carts are connected to the drive chain 774, which moves the carts 772 along the track 773. Each conveyor 750 carries a part of carcass 1, such as a part of the pig leg comprising the pig's foot and at least one part of the pork leg.
[000278] At some point along the track, 790 product support guides are provided. When a carcass part 1 is provided for engagement with the product support guides, it is brought to a position in which an operator can ergonomically perform a process (for example, as shown in Fig. 11) or in which a
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 79/209 / 125 automatic processing can perform a process.
[000279] When the carcass part 1 is moved along the product support guides 790 in the transport direction T, due to the movement of the carts 772 on the track 773, friction occurs between the carcass part 1 and the transport guides product support 790. Before the housing part 1 engages with the product support guides 790, the housing part 1 hangs vertically from the conveyor 750, as shown on the left side in Fig. 11 *. When the carcass part 1 engages with the product support guides 790, it is not only tilted perpendicular to the product support guides (as shown in Fig. 11), but also in the plane of the support guides for the product. product 790. This is shown on the right in Fig. 11 *, by the angle γ between the housing part 1 and the vertical plane V (which extends in a vertical perpendicular direction to the product support guides).
[000280] In many cases, this will not be a problem. When an operator performs a process at a processing station, he can most likely still perform his processing. However, it may be that he has to perform processing with his body in a not-so-ergonomic position.
[000281] In some cases, however, the carcass part 1 dragged backwards in relation to the conveyor and the cart, due to friction between the carcass part and the product support guides can cause problems. This is particularly the case when the process at the treatment plant is carried out automatically. In such a case, the relative position of the housing part 1 for the processing station tools must be known precisely, otherwise the processing may not be carried out with sufficient precision.
[000282] This problem can be solved in several ways. Firstly, it is possible to make the product support guide 790 move along with the housing part 1 on the support 750. This can, for example, be
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 80/209 / 125 obtained by replacing the stationary product support guides shown in Figs. 11 and 11 * by an auxiliary conveyor.
[000283] Another way to provide product support guides that move along with the housing parts is to use circular (or cycle-shaped) product support guides and mount them on a vertical axis, which allows the rotation of the product support guides around this axis. This is shown in Fig. 11 **.
[000284] Fig. 11 ** shows a structure 1101, on which a rotary means 1102 has been mounted. For this rotary means 1102, circular product support guides 1103 have been mounted. The circular product support guides can all have the same diameter. In this case, they hold the carcass part in a vertical position against the forces exerted on the carcass part, when the process is carried out. However, it is also possible that the circular support guides 1103 have different diameters, for example, an upper part with a relatively small diameter, a middle part having a slightly larger diameter and a lower part having a larger diameter. In this way, the carcass parts are tilted towards the operator who performs the process.
[000285] In the form of Fig. 11 **, conveyors 750 are connected to trolleys 772. The trolleys run on track 773 and are connected to each other by a drive chain (not shown). The drive chain works on corner wheels 1110, so the carts follow track 773, which is curved in the vicinity of the circular product support guides 1103. Corner wheels 1110 work in the same way as when carousel machines are applied on a processing line.
[000286] It is possible that one or more of the circular support product support guides 1103 are provided with stops 1104. These stops 1104 can be pins, blocks or other types of projections. They make sure
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 81/209 / 125 that the housing parts 1 maintain their desired position in relation to the product support guides 1103.
[000287] A different approach is to adapt the conveyors in such a way that they prevent the carcass parts from tilting away from their desired position. One possible way to accomplish this is shown in Fig. 11 ***.
[000288] Fig. 11 *** shows a modified version of the carrier of Fig. 6. The person skilled in the art will understand that the same or a similar modification can also be carried out on the other carriers according to the disclosure.
[000289] Fig. 11 *** shows a strap 1120 that has been connected to the conveyor 750. The strap 1120 circulates downwards from the locking plate 761 and then backwards, so that it extends backwards the carcass part when a carcass part is present on the conveyor.
[000290] The strap 1120 is provided with a projection 1121, which is arranged perpendicular or at an angle to the track 773. When a part of the carcass that is on the conveyor tilts away, to a certain extent, in the direction opposite to the direction of transport T, the projection 1121 engages with the housing part and prevents it from tilting an additional distance.
[000291] The person skilled in the art will understand that the 1120 belt can be connected to the conveyors in different ways and in different locations. The belt can be relatively mobile with respect to the rest of the conveyor or maintain a fixed position in relation to the conveyor. In the mobile belt, for example, its position can be controlled by fixed guides that are arranged adjacent to the track that the conveyors follow.
[000292] Fig. 11X shows the modality of Fig. 11 being applied to skin, remove skin, and / or remove fat. The person
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 82/209 / 125 technician will understand that the method for removing skin, meat and / or fat described below can alternatively be performed using other types of carriers according to the disclosure. The carcass part processed in Fig. 11X could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000293] When an operator removes skin, meat and / or fat, he usually uses a knife or other dedicated auxiliary tool. The operator starts by making the knife or auxiliary tool engage with the housing part. According to the previous technique, it would start in the far part of the foot area. Thus, if the carcass part hangs from the foot as in the situation in Fig. 11X, it should, according to the previous technique, start at the bottom, and then move the knife or the appropriate tool upwards in the direction of the arrow P.
[000294] Carrying out the skin, meat and / or fat in this way requires that the operator keep the part of the carcass he is processing with one hand. Because of the upward processing force, the housing part will be tilted to change position and will move relative to the conveyor.
[000295] In addition, the removal of skin, meat and / or fat begins in an area that is relatively soft and flexible. Therefore, the fabric in the outer layers of the carcass part will move before the knife or other auxiliary tool makes a hold on it. This is inconvenient as it reduces accuracy and can lead to security problems.
[000296] In the process of removing the skin, meat and / or fat according to the invention, the knife or other first auxiliary tool engages the carcass part just below the conveyor, preferably in the area between the conveyor and the knee or elbow. In this area, the carcass part is quite rigid, as only thin layers of meat, fat and meat are there
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 83/209 / 125 present. When bringing the knife or other auxiliary tool to engage with the housing part in this area, the knife or other auxiliary tool almost immediately grasps the housing part.
[000297] Then, according to the invention, the operator moves the knife or other auxiliary tool downwards, in the direction of the arrow D in Fig. 11X. The downward force causes the housing part to maintain its position in relation to the conveyor. Product support guides 790 (if present) also support the housing part against processing forces, preventing the housing part from being pushed by processing forces.
[000298] As a consequence, the operator no longer has to hold the active part of the carcass in the right position during the removal of skin, meat and / or fat. This reduces the operator's physical effort.
[000299] In an advantageous embodiment of the method of removing the skin, meat and / or fat according to the invention, a 799 reference cut is made into the carcass part at the location where the first knife or other auxiliary tool engage the carcass part, just below the conveyor, preferably in the area between the conveyor and the knee or elbow. This 799 reference cut can then be used as a starting point for removing skin, meat and / or fat.
[000300] The reference cut 799 makes it even easier for the knife or other auxiliary tool to grab the engaged part of the carcass, and also ensures that all parts of the carcass are removed from the skin, meat and / or fat from the area to which it is attached. right.
[000301] In the system shown in Fig. 11X, the reference cut 799 can be made automatically, arranging a stationary blade or a rotary cutter at the right height next to track 773, upstream of the processing stations where the skin removal , meat and / or fat is carried out.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 84/209 / 125 [000302] Fig. 11X-1 shows a manual skin removal process according to the invention in more detail. The carcass part processed in Fig. 11X-1 could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000303] In the skin removal processing station, the carcass part 1 is preferably supported by support guides 790. The support guides 790 take the carcass part 1 to a position in which the operator 1200 can easily perform the procedure. skin removal process. In addition, the support guides 790 support the carcass part 1 against the transformation forces that the removal of the skin causes.
[000304] In the manual skin removal process, the 1200 operator uses a 1520 skin removal instrument. In the skin removal process according to the invention, the 1200 operator starts the process, bringing the 1520 skin removal tool in contact with housing part 1 in area S, just below the conveyor. From there, the skin removal tool is moved down in the D direction, towards the wide part of the carcass part
1. Parts of 1Y skin are removed during this process, and preferably they fall on a conveyor or in a container.
[000305] Fig. 11X-2 shows a fat removal process, according to the invention. The carcass part processed in Fig. 11X-2 can be, for example, a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000306] Again, carcass part 1 is preferably supported by support guides 790. The support 790 guides to bring the carcass part 1, in a position where the operator can easily 1200 perform the fat removal process. In addition, the support guide 790 of the housing part 1 supports against the processing forces that the removal of fat causes.
[000307] In the manual grease removal process, the 1200 operator uses a grease removal tool, such as a 1521 auxiliary knife.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 85/209 / 125
In the grease removal process according to the invention, the operator starts the process 1200, bringing the grease removal tool 1521 in contact with the carcass part 1 at the highest point of the carcass part from which the fat must be removed. The “highest point” is to be understood as the highest point in the area to be processed, as it is presented to the operator. As the carcass part 1 will generally be presented to the operator with the foot directed upwards, so that the highest point of the area to be processed, as presented to the operator would be the lowest point of the area if the carcass part it would be in its natural state (foot down).
[000308] In the case of fat removal, it may very well be that the area to be processed does not extend to the part of the carcass between the knee or elbow and the conveyor. In this case, according to the invention, preferably, the first contact between the grease removal tool and the carcass part is simply at the highest point of the area to be processed, seen in the position of the carcass part, as shown for the operator.
[000309] When the grease removal tool 1521 is brought into engagement with the carcass part 1, it is moved downwards D, towards the wide part of the carcass part 1. Grease 1Y is removed during this process, and preferably it falls downwards on a conveyor or in a container.
[000310] Fig. 11X-3 shows a semi-automatic meat removal tool 1522, which is arranged on a support 1523. In this embodiment, the conveyor 750 takes the carcass part 1 over the meat removal tool 1522. From preferably, an operator (not shown) ensures that the right part of the carcass comes into contact with the meat removal tool 1522 and that the correct force is applied.
[000311] The carcass part processed in Fig. 11X-3 could, for
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 86/209 / 125 example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000312] Fig. 11X-4 shows a modality of a processing station making a reference cut 799, whose reference cut could, for example, be used as a starting point for skin removal, meat removal and / or fat removal.
[000313] The carcass part processed in Fig. 11X-4 could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000314] In this embodiment, the device 1530 for making a reference cut comprises a single rotating knife disc 1531 that is mounted on a movable arm 1532. The device is mounted on the frame 1201 of the processing station.
[000315] Parts of frame 1 are driven through the processing station by conveyors Ί50. The path that the conveyors follow causes the carcass part 1 to be provided for engagement with the rotating knife 1531. A spring 1533 causes an appropriate force to be applied when making the cut.
[000316] The 1532 mobile arm is rotatable on a vertical axis. This allows the 1531 rotary knife disk to maintain the proper depth of cut along the entire length of the cut.
[000317] In the mode of Fig. 11X-4, the reference cut is made on one side of the carcass part.
[000318] Fig. 11X-5 shows a modality of a processing station in which a reference cut can be made on both sides of the housing part. The cuts can be mutually aligned so that, in fact, a single cut is formed around the carcass part, but this is not necessary.
[000319] The modality of Fig. 11X-5 is a double version of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 87/209 / 125 embodiment of Fig. 11X-4. Such an embodiment comprises two rotary disc knives 1531a, b, which are each mounted on a movable spring loaded arm 15321b. The rotating disc knives are mounted on both sides of the path that the carcass parts follow. Preferably, the rotary disc knives are mounted at the same height.
[000320] Fig. 11X-6 shows a processing station for manually separating (either partially or completely) a Z shoulder blade from a housing part 1. The housing part processed in Fig. 11X-6 can be , for example, a pig leg front part, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig front leg.
[000321] The separation of the shoulder blade Z, even in the case of partial separation, requires a lot of force. Therefore, even in manual processing, a 1540 shoulder blade separation tool is used.
[000322] A conveyor 750 takes the carcass part 1 to be processed to the shoulder blade separation station. In this embodiment, support guides 790 preferably ensure that the housing part will be presented to operator 1200 in the appropriate orientation.
[000323] Total or partial separation of the shoulder blade requires the operator to pull the shoulder blade towards him. This means that in this case, the support guides 790 cannot provide support for the housing part against processing forces. Therefore, an additional product support guide 790 * is provided, which is arranged on the housing part. Thus, the housing part 1 is held between the product support guides 790 and the additional product support guide 790 *.
[000324] At the beginning of the separation processing, the operator arranges pull plates 1541 of the shoulder blade separation tool 1540 behind the shoulder blade. When pulling the trigger 1542 of the tool 1540, the pull plate 1541 moves towards the operator 1200 and pulls the shoulder blade Z that detaches at least partially from the housing part 1. A
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 88/209 / 125 housing part 1 is held in position by the additional product support guide 790 *.
[000325] The 1540 tool leaves the shoulder blade practically free of the housing part. Any remaining connections between the shoulder blade and the rest of the carcass part can then be cut with a knife.
[000326] In an additional embodiment of the invention, an automatic foot cutter is arranged close to the track, to cut the foot or the bottom of the foot just above or just below the conveyor. The automatic foot cutter preferably comprises a rotary disc knife or scissor cutter.
[000327] Figures 11X-7A, 11X-7B and 11X-7C show an embodiment of an automatic foot cutter 1550. The housing part processed in Figs. 11X-7A, 11X-7B and 11X-7C can be, for example, a pig's foot part, comprising a pig's foot and at least a part of the pig's foot.
[000328] In the embodiment of Figs. 11X-7A, 11X-7B and 11X-7C, the automatic foot cutter is arranged at the end of a boning processing line. In this way, most of the meat has been removed from the carcass parts 1 when they arrive at the 1550 automatic foot cutter. At this point, the carcass part only comprises a foot F and a few bones B.
[000329] A conveyor 750 takes the housing part 1 to the foot cutter 1550 moving in the transport direction T. The foot cutter comprises a 1551 actuator and a 1552 cutter. The actuator can be, for example, a hydraulic cylinder or pneumatic.
[000330] In Fig. 11X-7A it is shown that the carcass part 1 approaches the foot cutter 1550. Fig. 11X-7B shows that the foot was positioned between the two claws of the cutter 1552 by the conveyor 750. The
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 89/209 / 125 foot cutter 1550 rotates about an axis 1553 in order to follow the movement that the conveyor 750 imposes on the carcass part 1.
[000331] Fig. 11X-7C shows that the actuator 1551 actuated the cutter 1552 joining the claw parts of the cutter 1552. The cutter cut the bone B of the foot F.
[000332] The foot cutter can be used, for example, to remove the carcass part of the conveyor. In an alternative embodiment, the foot cutter only cuts through the soft tissues of the foot, not through the bones. After that, it is easy to remove the foot from the conveyor.
[000333] In the modalities of Figs. 11X-1 to 11X-7, carriers are shown according to the first aspect of the disclosure. The person skilled in the art will understand that as an alternative, other types of conveyors can also be used.
[000334] Fig. 12 * is shown to illustrate an additional embodiment of a system according to the invention and optional or preferred details thereof. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 * could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000335] In this embodiment, two tracks 773 have parallel track sections, as the tracks pass through a group of processing stations where multiple operators 1200 are on opposite sides of the track in the row of one, or preferably, multiple operators 1200. It will be appreciated that in a simpler version, a 773 runway extends along a row of one or more 1200 operators.
[000336] As is preferred, tracks 773 are suspended tracks 773 maintained by structure 1201 at a height between 1.5 and 3.0 meters above floor 1203 of the slaughterhouse. Preferably, frame 1201 is affixed to the floor to increase stability.
[000337] Here, structure 1201 includes a vertical pole 1201a, here
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 90/209 / 125 centered between tracks 773, and horizontal arms 1201b, each arm 1201b supporting a track 773. As is preferred, multiple of these T-shaped frames 1201 are arranged in a row to support tracks 773 as they pass through the group of processing stations.
[000338] When two lanes 773 extend through a group of opposing processing stations 1205, it is possible that on one lane 773, the conveyors 750 receive left shoulders, left ends or left legs, and that on another lane 773, the conveyors 750 receive the right shoulders, right extremities or right legs.
[000339] Carts 772 run over each of the tracks 773. As is preferred, a pair of parallel support guides 785 is supported by the frame 1201 for each of the tracks, for example, the cart having a guide block that passes between the pair of guides 785.
[000340] Conveyors 750 are suspended from one or more carts 772.
[000341] In Fig. 12 *, carriers 750 are shown according to the first aspect of the disclosure, but the person skilled in the art will understand that other carriers can also be used.
[000342] Each conveyor here is adapted to maintain a single carcass part 1.
[000343] One or more 1205 processing stations are arranged along each track.
[000344] Each processing station 1205 preferably comprises a platform 1210 for an operator 1200, preferably the platform being raised above the floor.
[000345] Preferably, a fence 1211 is provided at the station in front of the operator's platform 1200 for security and extra stability for operator 1200. For example, fence 1211 extends to the operator's waist region, for example, between 1 and 1.3 meters.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 91/209 / 125 [000346] As an optional feature a tray 1212, for example, a tool tray, is arranged in front of operator 1200, for example, mounted on fence 1211 on the side returning out of operator 1200.
[000347] As is preferred for processing stations, frame 1201 is additionally provided with one or more product support guides 790 which are adapted to hold the products to be processed in a predetermined orientation, preferably a suspended orientation from the conveyor. and inclined towards the operator 1200, so that the housing parts 1 can be processed manually, for example, with tool (s) (power) handled by the operator 1200 in an ergonomic manner.
[000348] Here, as in a possible embodiment, for each track one or more horizontal support guide rods 790 are mounted on the frame 1201 (in a manner not shown here), to support and guide the carcass part in multiple different positions with respect to the coupling point of the conveyor 750.
[000349] In front of each of the operators 1200, generally below the path of the carcass part 1, one or more mobile open top containers 1215 are arranged, preferably on the floor 1203 or on a low height support structure.
[000350] Preferably, each container 1215 has a bottom wall and a rectangular peripheral wall. Preferably, each container 1215 is adapted for transporting the forklift, for example, having cavities for receiving the knives of a forklift.
[000351] Operators drop the parts they remove from the carcass part 1 into these 1215 containers, or the removed parts fall into these containers under the influence of gravity. Dropping products into 1215 containers prevents the operator from being exposed to unintentional physical effort
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 92/209 / 125 desired. The removed parts can be waste, final products or intermediate products.
[000352] In an advantageous embodiment, each processing station 1205 handled by a single operator is adapted to receive two 1215 containers, preferably side by side in the direction of the conveyor of lane 773. In this way, when a container is filled it can be removed without interrupting the work done at the processing station.
[000353] In a possible embodiment, platform 1205 and / or fence 1211 are movable between an operating position and a retracted position, for example, swung outwards, to allow replacement of a 1215 container. [000354] Fig. 12 * A is shown to illustrate possible variations of the modality of Fig. 12 *. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 * A could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000355] In the embodiment of Fig. 12 * A, at least some of the processing stations 1205 are equipped with one or more silos with open lid 1216, which are arranged closed to the operator in the processing station. The operator can drop small pieces of meat or waste into those additional silos, such as pieces of meat with blood or inflamed parts.
[000356] Preferably, one or more silos 1216 are supported at a height above container 115, for example, the hip height of operator 1200.
[000357] Preferably, the silo 1216 is disposed above the platform 1205 on the operator's side, so as to extend to the operator's side.
[000358] Preferably, a silo 1216 is disposed on the side of the fence 1211 facing away from the operator, for example, next to the tool tray 1212. It will be appreciated that the silo 1216 is dimensioned so as to leave the access to the container open open top.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 93/209 / 125 [000359] Fig. 12 * B is shown to illustrate a variant of the modalities of Fig. 12 * and 12 * A. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 * B could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and / or at least a part of the pig leg.
[000360] In the mode of Fig. 12 * B, there is only a single lane 773, for example, passing through a single row of processing stations. This scheme makes it easy to remove and / or replace 1215 containers when they are full, as frame 1201 is incorporated to allow access to 1205 containers by the transport equipment, for example, a stacker or forklift, on the remote side of platform 1210 and for removal / replacement through the side. The person skilled in the art will understand that this scheme is also possible in the modality without the addition of 1216 silos.
[000361] Fig. 12 * C is shown to illustrate a top view of a processing system of the single-track housing part with one or more rows of processing stations, generally according to the embodiment of Fig. 12 * B. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 * C could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000362] In Fig. 12 * C the 1215 containers are not shown in detail, for the sake of clarity.
[000363] In the top view of Fig. 12 * C, it is clear that lane 773 forms an endless cycle. In practice, this will be preferred for many slaughterhouse applications, despite the other characteristics of the system. Carts with conveyors are moved along track 773 in the direction of transport T. A corner or guide wheel 1207 guides drive chain 774 (not shown in Fig. 12 * C) so that it follows the course of track 773 there is where lane 773 and returns.
[000364] As preferred, one of the 1207 wheels is mounted on a
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 94/209 / 125 chain tensioning station 1208. In this tensioning station 1208, wheel 1207 is arranged in a movable manner in order to keep drive chain 774 under tension during operation.
[000365] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 * C, one or more rows of multiple processing stations 1205 are arranged side by side in such a way that operators are, for example, on platforms 1210, inside the cycle formed on the track 773.
[000366] The structural beams or posts 1201 of the structure 1201 are arranged outside the cycle formed by the lane 773. In this way, it is easy to remove and replace the containers 1215 in which the operator places the parts that they separate from the parts of the housing that they sue. Preferably, a path 1218 (see Fig. 12 * D) for transport equipment, for example, a forklift 1217, is present along the outside of lane 773 in each section where the processing stations are within lane 773.
[000367] As an alternative, it is possible that the processing stations are arranged in such a way that the operators are outside the cycle formed on the runway 773.
[000368] Structure 1201 could also alternatively be arranged or arranged inside the cycle formed by lane 773. Combinations are also possible: some operators inside the cycle and others outside, and / or some parts of structure 1201 inside the cycle and others outside . In practice, the scheme of the system will always be chosen in such a way that it corresponds with the specific circumstances of the best meat processing facility.
[000369] Fig. 12 * C further illustrates the provision of a supply conveyor for housing part 1240, for example, a conveyor belt that runs in the direction of transport T.
[000370] The supply carrier 1240 supplies the supplies
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 95/209 / 125 carcass parts that are to be processed in the cycle lane processing system, for example, the single lane cycle system as shown in Fig. 12 * C. The supply conveyor 1240 will usually be a conveyor belt, but it is acceptable for other types of conveyors to be used in place, for example, a roller conveyor or a conveyor comprising individual conveyors. Alternatively, it is possible that in place of the supply conveyor 1240, the carcass parts are brought into the system by means of a container.
[000371] The cycle processing system includes one or more charging stations 1241, where the carcass parts are, one by one, arranged on the conveyor 750, for example, manually or automatically, for example, using a robot, whose conveyor 750 will take the carcass part and receive it through processing stations 1205 by moving the carcass part along track 773. In practice, each carrier will preferably maintain a single carcass part. For example, a system according to Fig. 8 could be used to automatically arrange the carcass parts on the conveyors.
[000372] The supply of carcass parts for the station or the charging stations 1241 can occur continuously with the conveyor 1240 or discontinuously, for example, in containers.
[000373] Fig. 12 * D shows the mode of Fig. 12 * C, but now 1215 containers for receiving the separate parts of the housing are shown. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 * D could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000374] In the situation shown in Fig. 12 * D, most processing stations 1205 have a container 1215 arranged with them, but not all. Processing stations that do not have a 1215 container present
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 96/209 / 125 are waiting to receive an empty container, after the previous one has been removed because it was full. A forklift 1217 or similar device could be used to remove the full containers 1215 and bring in empty containers.
[000375] In order to avoid having to stop processing in the whole system of Fig. 12 * D when a container 1215 in one of the processing stations is removed because it is full, several options are available.
[000376] It is possible to always have an empty reserve container disposed next to each 1205 processing station (or one for a limited number of processing stations, for example, for two or three processing stations), in order to exchange one container filled by an empty can be done very quickly.
[000377] It is also possible that for each processing station it is estimated when the container 1215 could be full, for example, based on experience based on monitoring the processing carried out at each processing station. Just before the processing station's container is expected to be full, an empty container is disposed close to the particular processing station, so that when container 1215 for that processing is actually full, exchanging the full container for an empty one can be performed very quickly.
[000378] The level at which a 1215 container in a processing station is filled can be monitored by the processing system control system, for example, by the continuous or intermittent measurement of the weight of each 1205 container present in the station, by means of a level meter in the containers, or through an automated vision system including a camera.
[000379] A simple way to monitor the filling level of the containers and to make sure that a lot of time was not wasted in replacing a full 1215 container with an empty one, it might be possible for
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 97/209 / 125 an operator 1200 at the processing station gives a signal when the container is almost full and / or when it is fully full. Such a signal could be given by the operator by pressing a button or operating in conjunction with a trigger device at the processing station. Pressing this button then triggers a signal to the logistics team (who are responsible for moving the filled containers and replacing them with the empty ones) to take an empty container to the processing station from which the signal comes. Preferably, the operator fires the signal before container 1215 at its processing station is completely full, so he does not have to wait for an empty container to be brought to his processing station when container 1215 in front of him is completely full.
[000380] The signal that the logistics team receives could take many forms. It could be that an indicator light shown in a schematic representation of the processing station, indicating the processing station that will need (or will soon need) an empty container. It could also be on a screen showing a schematic representation of the processing system, so that the color of the processing station that wants to receive an empty container changes. It could also be that at the current processing station, a light is turned on. The color signal light could be accompanied by a sound signal.
[000381] In a different approach, not all processing stations are occupied by human operators at all times. For example, processing stations are grouped in pairs of two adjacent processing stations. Only one of the processing stations in the pair is occupied by an operator. When container 1215 from the busy processing station is full, the operator moves to the other processing station in the pair and continues processing the carcass parts there, performing the same process that he did at the other station
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 98/209 / 125 of par. Preferably, a signal is created for the logistics team so that they know that the container at the particular processing station is full. They then have time to replace it with an empty one until the container at the pair's processing station is full.
[000382] Fig. 12 * E is shown to illustrate a top view of a system according to the invention, generally including details of the modality according to the modality of Fig. 12 *. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 * E could, for example, be a part of the leg of the foot, comprising a pig's foot and at least a part of the pig's leg. In Fig. 12 * E, containers 1215 are not shown for the sake of clarity.
[000383] In the top view of Fig. 12 * E, it is clear that two tracks 773 of this two cycle processing system form two endless cycles; an external cycle and an internal cycle.
[000384] Each track arrangement is generally in accordance with the cycle track described with reference to Fig. 12 * C.
[000385] The carts with the conveyors are moved along the tracks 773 in the direction of transport T. Corners or guide wheels 1207 guide the drive chains 774 (not shown in Fig. 12 * E) so that they can follow the lanes 773 course where lanes 773 turned.
[000386] One of the wheels 1207 of each track is mounted on a tensioning station 1208. In a tensioning station 1208, the wheel 1207 is movable in order to keep the respective driving chain 774 under tension during operation.
[000387] In the embodiment of Fig. 12 * E, processing stations 1205 or one or more parts thereof (for example platform 1210, about 1211 and, if present, tray 1212) are movable, so that they they can make way for transport equipment, for example, a forklift allowing you to replace a full container with an empty one. In
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 99/209 / 125
Figs. 12 * E and 12 * F, the platform and the fence of the processing station 1205 'are in the remote position. Fig. 12 * F shows the mode of Fig. 12 * (and Fig. 12 * E) with containers.
[000388] Fig. 12 ** is shown to illustrate features of one or more sophisticated versions of the modality of Fig. 12 *. In this embodiment, containers 1215 have generally been replaced by one or more carriers. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 ** could be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000389] Right in front of each of the operators 1200, as is preferred on the side of the fence 1211 facing away from the operator 1200, and a weighing device 1220 is optionally arranged. When the operator 1200 has cut a portion, for example, a primary cut, from the carcass part 1 presented to him, he places the primary cut on the weighing device 1220 in front of him. The weighing device then determines the weight of the cutting portion, and this data is stored in the overall control system of the processing system.
[000390] As a preferred feature, a cushioning belt conveyor 1221 extends out of each operator position (usually across the direction of runway 773), in the direction of frame 1201, here to the center region between two opposite rows of operators 1200, for a main conveyor 1222, here a belt conveyor, which extends towards lanes 773 along posts 1201a of the structure, for example, to a collection station where primary cuts are collected, for example, in a or more containers.
[000391] Here, each damping belt 1221 extends between the weighing device 1220 and the main conveyor 1222. From the weighing device 1220, the cut portion (which is the separate part of the carcass part), for example, a primary cut, is then moved (by
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 100/209 / 125 operator or by the weighing device (for example a belt of the same) on the cushioning belt conveyor 1221. The weighing device can also be integrated into the cushioning belt.
[000392] Damping belt 1221 moves the primary cut to a primary conveyor or primary cut conveyor 1222. Advantageously, a global computerized control system of the processing system records for each primary cut when which station is placed on the primary cut conveyor 1222. In this way, the system knows when which primary cut reaches the end of the primary cut conveyor 1222. In a sophisticated mode, the damping belt places the part on the main conveyor 1222 only after the control system has indicated that there is space in the main carrier for this separate part.
[000393] Primary cuts are pieces of meat of high value, such as, for example, pork tenderloin.
[000394] If desired, containers 1205 can be replaced by one or many conveyors in parallel to separate each of the parts extending towards the runway 773 at a level below the path of the suspended housing parts, for example, in height operator's knee, for example, between 0.4 and 0.9 meters above the floor.
[000395] In the embodiment shown here, at a level below the level of the primary cutting conveyor 1222, a separate parts conveyor 1235 has been arranged. This separate parts conveyor 1235 has parallel tracks, here three, multiple 1230, 1231, 1232. Each track is used to transport a different type of separate part that is removed from the carcass part. For example, the first lane 1230 receives the secondary cuts (small pieces of meat that are, however, suitable for human consumption), the second lane 1231 receives waste and the third lane 1232 receives bones.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 101/209 / 125 [000396] At the end of each track 1230, 1231, 1232, the parts present in the respective tracks are moved to a specific destination for the type of parts present in each track. In the modality shown in the drawings, three tracks are present. However, alternatively, a different number of tracks is possible. There could be fewer tracks (one or two), but also more than three, for example, five or even ten.
[000397] Fig. 12 ** A shows a variant of the modality of Fig. 12 **. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 ** A could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000398] In the embodiment of Fig. 12 ** A, at least some of the processing stations are equipped with one or more additional silos, for example, one on the side of the weighing device 1220 when present, which are arranged close to the operator in the processing station. The operator can drop small pieces of meat residue into these additional silos, such as pieces of meat with blood or inflamed parts.
[000399] Fig. 12 ** B shows an additional variant of the modality of Fig. 12 ** and Fig. 12 ** A. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 ** B could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a foot and at least part of the pig leg.
[000400] In the embodiment of Fig. 12 ** B, two main cutting conveyors 1222 were provided in the central region, here on opposite sides of the vertical posts 1201a. Each primary cut conveyor 1222 receives the primary cuts from the carcass parts carried along each lane 773.
[000401] It is possible that the primary cut conveyors 1222 each take the primary cuts arranged therein to a different location. As an alternative, primary cut conveyors could both take the primary cut devices on the same to a
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 102/209 / 125 same location. In a variant for this, the primary cut conveyors 1222 converge at the same point. After the point of convergence, primary cuts are collected for further processing, storage or packaging.
[000402] In the modalities of Fig. 12 **, 12 ** A and 12 ** B, each carrier of separate parts 1235 has three different tracks 1230, 1231, 1232 for transporting different types of separate parts. In an alternative embodiment, additional spares carriers have a different number of lanes.
[000403] It is also possible that in place of separate part carriers 1235 with multiple lanes, multiple carriers are used, which are arranged side by side. In general, each carrier will take the separate parts therein to a dedicated end point, where the separate parts will be received for further processing, storage and / or packaging. As each carrier or carrier track carries a specific type of separate part, at the end point of each carrier or carrier track a specific type of separate part is received.
[000404] When one or both carriers of separate parts are made of multiple parallel carriers, it is possible that not only all carriers transport parts of the same in the same direction.
[000405] Fig. 12 ** C is shown to illustrate an optional and / or preferred feature of a two cycle processing system, generally including the features explained with reference to Fig. 12 **. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 ** C could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg and at least a pig leg part.
[000406] In this mode, two tracks with a cycle usually in parallel 773 are shown, an external track and an internal track. Carriage transport carriers (not shown) run along
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 103/209 / 125 of these lanes 773. Each conveyor is preferably adapted and used to maintain a single part of the carcass to be processed. It is possible that in a lane 773, for example, the outer lane, the carriers receive the left shoulders, the left front ends or the left legs, and that in the other lane, for example, inner lane, the carriers receive the right shoulders, end right front, or right legs.
[000407] The carcass parts to be processed can be supplied to the system through the 1240 supply conveyors, for example, one for each track in the system. At one or more loading stations 1241, which are arranged here at the ends of the supply conveyors 1240, each housing part is arranged on the conveyor. The conveyors are moved along one of the tracks 773 by means of carts that are preferably driven by a drive chain or a cable.
[000408] The carcass parts can be arranged manually or automatically on their respective conveyors.
[000409] The carcass parts are passed along the rows of processing stations 1205, two rows of multiple processing stations 1205 per cycle lane 773 are shown here.
[000410] For example, primary cuts which are separated from the carcass parts during processing, are placed on the primary or main cutting conveyor 1222. Other separate parts are arranged on one of the conveyors that form part of an additional 1235 separate parts conveyor It is possible that the separate parts, whether primary cut or other separation parts, are actively placed on their respective conveyor by an operator or by an automatic processing station, but it is also possible that the separate part is allowed to fall from the carcass part from which is separated from the carrier.
[000411] It is possible for 790 stationary guides to be provided for
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 104/209 / 125 keep the housing part in the right orientation, for example, tilted towards the operator 1200, so that the separate housing part falls into the right conveyor.
[000412] Spare part conveyors 1235 take the separate parts therein to moving containers 1218 which are preferably arranged at the ends of straight and linear embedded conveyors 1235. Each of these containers 1218 receives a specific type of separate part, the type of part separate which is placed on the conveyor in which the ends of the containers 1218 are arranged.
[000413] Mobile containers 1219 are provided to receive primary cuts or other separate parts from each of the primary or main cut conveyors 1222. Near the end of each of the primary cut conveyors 1222, computer controlled palettes 1223 are arranged which are connected to the computerized global control system. Palettes 1223 are controlled to direct each primary cut to their desired container 1219.
[000414] It is possible that the computerized global control system of the processing system has recorded on it which primary cut was placed where and when on the primary cut conveyor 1222. In this case, the global control system knows in which order the primary cuts will go reach the final section 1224 of the primary cutting conveyor 1222. Based on that information, the right palette 1223 can be activated at the right time, so that the primary cutting ends in the right container 1219.
[000415] As an alternative or in addition, a camera can be arranged above the primary cut conveyor 1222. The camera can be coupled to a vision system that recognizes primary cuts. With which information added to the global control system, the right vane 1223 can be activated at the right time, so that the primary cut ends in the right container 1219. Images from the camera can also be
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 105/209 / 125 shown to an operator, who then controls the 1223 palettes, both directly and indirectly.
[000416] Containers 1218 and 1219 can have the same space as tracks 773 with the processing stations, or a different space.
[000417] Fig. 12 ** D shows a variant of the modality of Fig. 12 ** C. In Fig. 12 ** D, only a single cycle track is present. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 ** D, could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg at least a part of the pig leg.
[000418] Fig. 12 *** A is shown to illustrate an additional possible detail of a system according to the invention. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 *** A could, for example, be a pig's foot part comprising a pig's foot and at least a pig's foot part.
[000419] In this embodiment, all separate parts are transported along the processing station by means of a separate part carrier 1235. Preferably, this separate part carrier 1235 has multiple tracks 1230, 1231, 1232, with each track preferably receiving a specific type of separate parts. For example, primary cuts could be placed in lane 1230, secondary cuts (useful meat, but in smaller pieces) in lane 1231 and residue in lane 1232.
[000420] In the modality shown in the drawings, three tracks are present. However, alternatively, a different number of tracks is possible. It could be less tracks (one or two), but also more than three, for example, five or even ten.
[000421] One or more funnels 1245 could be provided in front of each operator 1200 standing on a platform 1210, inside the fence 1211, when present, in order to make it easier for the operator to play the part he separated from the part carcass on the correct track 1230, 1231, 1232.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 106/209 / 125
Usually, only a portion will be separated at the processing station 1205, so it would be sufficient to have a single funnel at a processing station. If desired, a single funnel 1245 is provided, which is movable between different positions corresponding to a selected separate parts conveyor. Alternatively, more 1245 funnels could be present at one or more processing stations.
[000422] Fig. 12 *** B shows a variant of the modality of Fig. 12 *** A. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 *** B could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, comprising a pig leg in at least part of the pig leg.
[000423] In the embodiment of Fig. 12 *** B, three conveyors 1230 *, 1231 *, 1232 *, for example, operable at different speeds, are used in place of a single conveyor 1235 with multiple tracks 1230, 1231, 1232.
[000424] In the modality shown in the drawings, three carriers are present. However, alternatively, a different number of carriers is possible. There could be fewer carriers (one or two), but also more than three, for example, five or even ten.
[000425] Fig. 12 *** C also shows a variant of a modality of Fig. 12 *** A and 12 *** B. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 *** C could, for example, be a pig leg part, comprising a pig leg at least a part of the pig leg.
[000426] In the embodiment of Fig. 12 *** C, a funnel 1245 'disposed within the reach of the operator 1200 is connected to the vacuum conveying system 1246. The vacuum conveying system is in particular suitable for removing contaminated parts from waste (for example material that could pose a risk to the health of operators or the consumption of processed meat, such as inflamed parts) from the processing station in a safe manner. The hazardous waste is removed from the processing station
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 107/209 / 125 in a closed system, which significantly reduces the risk of contamination from other processing stations on one or more conveyors.
[000427] Each processing station 1205 could be equipped with a funnel 1245 'connected to a vacuum system to remove hazardous waste. Alternatively, only those processing stations where hazardous waste is likely to be found could be equipped with such a funnel.
[000428] The person skilled in the art will understand that funnels 1245 (or chutes in general) as shown in Figs. 12 *** A, 12 *** B and 12 *** C can be used in combination with all disclosure modalities. The person skilled in the art will also understand that funnels or gutters 1245 'connected to a vacuum system 1246 for the removal of hazardous waste as shown in Fig. 12 *** C can be used in combination with all modes of disclosure.
[000429] Fig. 12 *** D shows an additional embodiment of the system according to the invention. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 *** D could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, comprising a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000430] The system comprises two generally parallel tracks 773, with two rows of multiple processing stations arranged along each of the tracks, the rows of the inner track being inside the inner track and the rows of the outer track outside the track, generally the rows inside and outside being opposite each other.
[000431] In the form of Fig. 12 *** D, processing at processing stations is performed by 1200 human operators.
[000432] As preferred, operators stand on platforms 1210. The height of the platform above the floor is preferably adapted to the distance of runway 773 from the floor in the area where the
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 108/209 / 125 processing is arranged. Optionally, the height of the platform above the floor can be adjusted to the length of the operator's body.
[000433] The carcass parts 1 are in this example supplied to the system by means of conveyors 1238. From conveyor 1230, the carcass parts 1 pass over the weighing device 1239, where the carcass parts 1 are weighed individually.
[000434] The weight of each part of carcass 1 is stored in the global computerized control system of the processing system. The weighing device 1239 is an optional feature.
[000435] From weighing devices 1239, the carcass parts proceed to the supply conveyor 1240, which brings the carcass parts 1 to the charging station 1241. At the charging station, each carcass part 1 is arranged in a conveyor 750. In this embodiment, this is done manually. The loading process is facilitated by the supply conveyor 1240, which raises the carcass parts 1 to the level of the conveyors 750. This way, the operator does not have to lift the carcass parts 1 to the conveyor 1240 in order to place them on another carrier. This means that less physical effort is put by the operator.
[000436] Conveyors pick up the carcass parts 1 along the runway 773 along a series of processing stations. Preferably, in the first series of processing stations, the skin, meat and / or fat is removed from the carcass parts. After that, the carcass part is deboned in the next series of processing stations. However, it is also possible that the carcass part is only boned at the processing stations, and that the skin, meat and / or fat is later removed from the pieces of meat that have been separated from the carcass parts.
[000437] In this example, the 1200 operators release the parts that
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 109/209 / 125 separate from housing parts 1 on 1235 separate part conveyors. The separate parts can be finished products, intermediate products or waste.
[000438] Preferably, the split carrier 1235 has at least two separate and parallel tracks. At some processing stations, one or more 1245 hoppers are available. If the operator drops a separate part for the 1245 funnel, the separate part comes in the right lane of the 1235 conveyor, without any additional effort or operator attention.
[000439] A 1220 weighing device can be arranged in one or more processing stations. The operator of such a processing station separates a part from the carcass part and places the part separate from the weighing device. The weighing device weighs the separate part and preferably stores the weight in the global computerized control system.
[000440] The separate parts conveyor 1235 takes the separate parts to the waste conveyors 1251 and 1252. Separate parts on the lane of the conveyor 1235 that is closest to the operators come to the discharge conveyor 1251. The discharge conveyor 1251 drops these separate parts in a 1218 container. The separate parts in the lane of the conveyor 1235 that are further away from the operators go to the discharge conveyor 1252. Along this discharge conveyor 1252, three operators are present. They take specific types of separate parts of the discharge conveyor 1252 and place them on a conveyor 1253 that is arranged next to them. Spare parts carrier 1253 takes the spares into a container 1281. In this way, all containers 1218 receive a specific type of spares. When a 1218 container is filled, it is removed and replaced with an empty one. When the full container 1218 is to be taken, it depends on the nature of the parts
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100/125 separate it contains.
[000441] Spare parts carriers 1235 can run in the same direction as the carts with the carriers along track 773, but one or more of them can also run in the opposite direction. This is shown in Fig. 12 *** D. The conveyors 1235 run in the same direction as the conveyors in the runway 773 in the vicinity of processing stations 1205 at the front of the structure. Near the processing stations, at the rear of the structure, the conveyors of encountered parts 1235 and the normal conveyors move in opposite directions.
[000442] Fig. 12 *** E is shown to illustrate variants of the system of Fig. 12 *** D. The carcass part processed in Fig. 12 *** E could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000443] The supply of carcass parts 1 to the system, the spare parts carrier 1235 that receives the parts and discharge conveyors and containers 1218 are the same as in Fig. 12 *** D, but can be designed differently.
[000444] In the form of Fig. 12 *** E, several, here all, of the processing stations are automated processing stations 1250. There are still some operators positioned next to tracks 773, but they are there merely to check the operation of the automated processing stations, for inspection and / or cutting, if necessary.
[000445] Automated treatment plants are preferably incorporated as carousel type 1260 devices.
[000446] One or more rails 1261 are arranged under each of the carousels 1260 to receive the parts that are separated by the automated processing stations 1250 and place them on the conveyor of separate parts 1235.
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101/125 [000447] Fig. 12 *** E1 shows the weighing by scale 1239 in more detail. The housing parts 1 are supplied to the system by the conveyor belt 1238. From the conveyor belt 1238, they pass through the scale 1238 for the supply conveyor 1240. From the supply conveyor 1240 each housing part is arranged on a conveyor.
[000448] The operation of scale 1239 is such that only a part of frame 1 is on it.
[000449] When the electronic components of scale 1239 feel that a housing part 1 is present on the scale, the housing part is weighed. The weighing data is processed by the electronic scale 1239a and 1239b. From the electronic scale, the data can be displayed on screen 1239c, and / or transferred to a global control processing system downstream of the weighing line or the entire meat processing facility.
[000450] Fig. 12 *** E2 shows a processing station in more detail. Operator 1200 is manually cutting a portion of the carcass part 1 that passes through the processing station while it is to be suspended by a conveyor 750. Product support guides 790 present the carcass part 1 in a position for the operator that he can make the cut in an ergonomic way, for example, tilted towards the operator.
[000451] Scale 1220 is arranged directly in front of operator 1200, and under the suspended housing part 1. After he has separated the piece from the housing part, operator 1200 places the separate piece on scale 1220 in front of him.
[000452] Scale 1220 weighs the separate part, and optionally shows the weight on the 1220A display (optional). After weighing, scale 1220 or operator 1200 transfers the part to a separate part carrier 1235 (not shown) or to the damping belt (when
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102/125 present).
[000453] In a variant of the present modality, not only the separate part is weighed, but also the part that remains on the support 750. This can, for example, be done by moving the cart that holds the conveyor 750 across a bridge on the track it runs on, or by attaching a scale to the 790 product support guides. The force with which the carcass part on the conveyor touches this scale can be used to calculate the weight of the carcass part. As an additional alternative, the housing part can be lifted and guided on a scale that is arranged in a horizontal plane.
[000454] Fig. 12 *** E3 shows the end of a processing line, for example, as shown in Fig. 12 *** D or Fig. 12 *** E in greater detail.
[000455] The separate parts 1 * reach this part of the system via conveyor 1252. Mobile pallets 1223 direct each separate part 1 * to one of the operators 1200. In one embodiment the sophisticated global control system of the processing line is aware of each part separated when it arrives and preferably also from the properties it has. In such an embodiment, pallets 1223 direct each of the separate parts to a predetermined operator position.
[000456] Operator 1200 takes a separate piece of meat 1X that was presented to him and performs a process (for example, making a cut) on work bench 1256 in front of him. At least some of the operating positions are provided with a 1255 scale, so that the separate parts 1 * can be weighed before and / or after processing by the operator.
[000457] Waste that is cut by operators can be disposed of through 1257 boxes.
[000458] Instead of or in addition to a 1260 carousel shown in Fig.
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103/125
12 *** E, a robot 1270 can be applied to an automated processing station arranged along a track 773. It is possible to assemble a robot 1400 together with track 773, as shown in Fig. 12 *** F. In Fig. 12 *** F, the robot is mounted on the floor, but alternatively, it can be mounted on the ceiling, or on the structure that also holds track 773. As an additional alternative, one or more robots can be mounted on a carousel .
[000459] In the modality shown in Fig. 12 *** F, the robot has two arms 1402, 1402 and three joints 1403, 1404, 1405. At the free end of the second robot arm 1402, a tool 1410 (for example, a auxiliary knife or another type of knife) is attached. The joints allow rotation in directions R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 as shown in Fig. 12 *** F.
[000460] The robot shown in Fig. 12 *** F is very versatile in the movements it can make, but it is also highly complex. A robot like this can move the tool in relation to the carcass part 1 following a path that is necessary to carry out the process and, at the same time that the tool follows the carcass part 1 in its movement along track 773.
[000461] As an alternative, it is possible to use a simple robot, for example, one that can carry out the relative movement to the carcass part 1 that is necessary to carry out the process. The robot itself can then be mounted on a cart or on a carousel, whose cart or carousel follows the carcass part 1 in its movement along the track.
[000462] In particular, when one or more processing is carried out with the carcass part carried by a conveyor, for example, a conveyor 750, in an automatic way, the use of machines instead of a human operator to pick up at least some of the cuts in the carcass parts, it can be very useful to know the spatial position and / or the orientation of one or more elements of each carcass part,
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104/125 and / or the size of it, and / or what the shape they have. Due to the natural variation in animals, these parameters show considerable variation, even in carcass parts from the same animals even from the same properties.
[000463] Fig. 12 *** G shows a processing station 1205, comprising a scanning device 1430 for the housing part, for example, a scanning device or other, preferably non-contact, scanning device, for example, using laser technology.
[000464] The carcass part seen in Fig. 12 *** G can, for example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000465] The scanning device here comprises a ring 1431 which comprises a scanner, for example, a computed tomography. At the beginning of the scanning process, ring 1431 is positioned around a section of the housing part that has to be checked.
[000466] The scanning device 1430 follows the movement of the carcass part 1 along the track 773, moving along a track 1432, which is, for example, mounted on the frame 1201.
[000467] During the movement of the scanning device 1430 along the cart 1432, the scanning device also moves to sweep along the length of the housing part, here the ring 1431 is moved in the vertical direction. During this vertical movement, the CT scanner performs a check of the housing part 1 on the ring. The scan can be performed during an upward movement of the ring, during a downward movement of the ring or during both.
[000468] As soon as the scanning device 1430 reaches the end of cart 1432, the check is completed, here ring 1431 is in its lowest position again, below the housing part 1. The scanning device then returns to its initial position in the uppermost part of the
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105/125 cart 1432. The sweep of the carcass part continues its movement along track 773.
[000469] As an optional feature, the processing station shown in Fig. 12 *** G has an auxiliary conveyor 1420, comprising one or more fasteners of the housing part 1422 which can open and close on the control, and which move at the same time. long with the housing part fixed here by means of a drive chain 1421 (for example, in cycle) on which the fasteners 1422 are mounted. A fastener 1422 is operated to hold a housing part 1 during movement through the processing station 1205 with the scanner and to move, together with the housing part 1 through the processing station. This provides additional stability for the carcass part, reducing any oscillation of the carcass part and with it the improvement of the quality of the data that can be obtained during the scan.
[000470] The data that was acquired in the scanning process, is preferably transformed into an image that can be presented to an operator, and / or be stored within the global computerized control system. The data can, instead or in addition, be used to control equipment or processing at processing stations downstream from the processing station with the scanning device. Fig. 12 *** G shows the variant in which the collected data are processed to form an image, which can be presented to an operator, anywhere in the processing system.
[000471] Data collected by the scanning device can be assigned to an individual carcass part, but the combined data can also be used to detect serial trends in carcass parts (for example, all carcass parts from the same farm ) or to detect possibilities for optimizing the transformation.
[000472] In variations for the present modality, other types of
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106/125 scanning devices can also be used.
[000473] Fig. 12 *** H also shows a processing station 1205 in which data is collected on the carcass parts 1 to be processed. The carcass part examined in Fig. 12 *** H could, for example, be a part of the pig leg, which comprises a pig leg and at least a part of the pig leg.
[000474] At processing station 1205 of Fig. 12 *** H, data is collected using a 1450 vision system. The vision system of Fig. 12 ** H comprises multiple, here two, 1451 cameras that they are arranged on two opposite sides of track 773. In this way, images can be obtained from the front and the back of the carcass part to be processed. Together, they give a lot of information about the carcass part. It is, as an alternative version of low cost, also possible to use only a single camera.
[000475] The image or images obtained by the vision system can be presented to an operator, and / or be stored within the global control system. The data can, instead or in addition, be used to control equipment or processing at processing stations downstream from the processing station with the scanning device. Fig. 12 *** H shows the variant in which the collected data is processed as a combination of two images, each shown on a 1460 screen. The images can be presented to an operator, at any point in the processing system. The data obtained using the vision system can be used to determine the thickness of the fat, the color of the meat and / or the presence of blood in the meat, etc.
[000476] The collected vision system data can be attributed to an individual carcass part, but the combined data can also be used to detect trends in carcass part series (for example, all carcass parts from the same farm ) or to
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107/125 detect possibilities for optimization of the transformation. For example, images can be used to detect an incorrect or suboptimal configuration of an automated processing device upstream of the processing station with the vision system.
[000477] With an adequate positioning of the vision system at the beginning of the processing line, the vision system allows to detect abnormalities in carcass parts or in groups of carcass parts at the beginning of the process. In this way, corrections can be made before the abnormalities cause problems, for example, by removing the entire carcass part from the line or by removing part of the carcass part where the abnormality occurs.
[000478] Fig. 13 shows an embodiment of a system for processing red meat carcass parts of slaughter animals according to the invention. In particular, the system of Fig. 13 is used for deboning front parts, for example, pigs.
[000479] The conveyor belt 901 takes the front ends that are to be boned for the system. Already to the right of the conveyor belt 901 a first processing station 902 is arranged. In this first processing station, two operators perform some pre-processing of the front ends. In particular, they make a cut to expose the bone. Downstream of this first processing station 902, a second processing station 903 is arranged. The second processing station 903 receives the front ends with exposed bone from the first processing station 902. In the second processing station 903, the front ends are arranged on a loading apparatus 904 by a single operator.
[000480] At a third processing station 905, the front ends are received from the loading device 904 and automatically arranged on conveyors 950 of the conveyor
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108/125 suspended 951. The suspended conveyor 951 then takes the front ends to the fourth processing station 906, where the front part of the leg is cut using an automatic knife. The cut leg falls into the wheeled container 907, which is disposed under the knife of the fourth processing station 906. When the wheeled container 907 is full, it is removed and replaced with a vacuum.
[000481] From the fourth processing station 906, the suspended conveyor transports the front part to the fifth processing station 908. Here, the lip part of the chin is removed by an automatically operated knife. The removed lip parts fall into the wheeled container 908, which is arranged under the knife at the fifth processing station 907. When the wheeled container 908 is full, it is removed and replaced with a vacuum.
[000482] The suspended conveyor 951 then takes the front ends to the sixth processing station 909. Here, the chin is cut automatically. Chins 910 fall from the fifth processing station to the secondary conveyor 911, which transports them to the additional processing stations 912, 913, 914, 916. At the first post processing station 912, pre-cuts are made on the chins 910. In Then, at the second post processing station 913, an operator checks for any anomalies, such as abscesses. Chins that contain such anomalies, he puts in a 918 container and thereby eliminates them from further processing.
[000483] At the third additional processing station 914, the meat is removed from the chins. The removed meat is transferred to the wheeled container 915, which is disposed of at the discharge of the third additional processing station 914.
[000484] At the fourth postprocessing station 916 a final check is performed and then the chins are unloaded for
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109/125 a container with 917 wheels. When the 917 container is complete, it is moved to a storage facility and replaced with an empty one. [000485] Meanwhile, the suspended conveyor 951 moves the fronts after the sixth processing station 919. At the sixth processing station 919, two operators open the neck strap. An auxiliary conveyor 920 which is arranged under the suspended conveyor 951 engages the front ends and raises the lower part of the front end part. In this way, the front ends are presented to the operators of the sixth processing station 919 in such a way that they can easily make the cut in an ergonomically advantageous manner.
[000486] The front ends then move to the seventh processing station 921. This is a large processing station, where six operators together move the neck bones of the front ends. For waste that is produced in the neck bone removal process, a 922 funnel that is connected to a vacuum system is disposed of at the location where the waste was produced. The last of the six 924 operators actually removes the neck bone from the front end. He places the neck bone on the secondary conveyor 923 that takes the neck bones out.
[000487] The suspended conveyor 951 then moves the front parts along the eighth processing station 925. Here, an operator checks whether the neck bone has been removed correctly and completely. If not, it corrects that. Any residue he separates from the front can be placed in funnel 926, which is again connected to a vacuum system. Funnel 926 is disposed directly adjacent to the operator of the eighth processing station 925.
[000488] The suspended conveyor 951 then moves the front ends to the tenth processing station 927. There, the
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The rear 110/125 is cut using an automatic cutting system. The rears fall from the front to secondary conveyor 928. In this example, secondary conveyor 928 is a conveyor belt, which transports the rears over a number of additional processing stations.
[000489] At the first additional processing station 929 for the rear, an operator introduces the rear to the desired position and orientation for this additional processing.
[000490] At the second additional processing station 930 for the rear, the meat is removed using a meat remover. The removed meat is discharged to a wheeled container 931 which is arranged at the discharge end of the automatic meat remover.
[000491] In the third additional processing station 932 for the rear, four operators to trim the rear to pre-prepare them for packaging. The cut waste material can be placed in a funnel 933, which is arranged in front of the operators of the additional third processing station 932 to the rear. Funnel 933 is connected to a vacuum system.
[000492] In the fourth additional processing station 934 for the rears, the rears are automatically packaged. From the fourth additional processing station 934 to the rear, the packaged rears are transported to storage.
[000493] Meanwhile, the suspended conveyor 951 moves the additional front end to the eleventh processing station 935. At the eleventh processing station 935, skin massage is performed on the front ends.
[000494] From there the front ends are transported to the twelfth processing station 936, by means of the suspended conveyor 951. At the twelfth processing station 936, a pre-cut for the removal of the meat is made (automatically).
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111/125 [000495] The suspended conveyor 951 transports to the front after the thirteenth processing station 937, where a single operator finishes the removal of the meat.
[000496] The suspended conveyor 951 then transports the additional front ends to the fourteenth processing station 938, where five operators work to expose the humerus bone.
[000497] The suspended conveyor 951 then transports the additional front end to the fifteenth processing station 939, where a single operator works to remove the exposed humerus bone. The operator places the removed humerus bones on the secondary carrier 940, which unloads the removed humerus bones into the 941 wheel container.
[000498] The suspended conveyor 951 then transports the additional front ends to the sixth processing station 942, where three operators work to deploy the cushion. The residue that they scrape in this process can be placed on the secondary conveyor 943, which is well disposed in freight from the operators. Secondary conveyor 943 discharges the waste into the 944 wheel container.
[000499] The suspended conveyor 951 then transports the front ends to the seventeenth processing station 945, where two operators work to remove the pad. He places the separate pad on the secondary conveyor 946, which is arranged directly in front of it. Secondary conveyor 946 unloads the pads into the 947 wheel container.
[000500] The suspended conveyor 951 then transports the additional front ends to the eighteenth processing station 948 where the meat is automatically removed from the radius bone. The removed meat falls on the secondary conveyor 949.
[000501] The secondary conveyor 949 takes the meat to an automatic meat remover 952. The meat remover unloads the meat
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112/125 meat removed in the wheeled container 953, which is arranged at the discharge end of meat remover 952.
[000502] Meat without imperfection is then presented to two operators at the additional processing station 954. The operators carry out a final inspection, and if necessary, some trimming.
[000503] After the removal of meat at the eighteenth processing station 948, only the radio bone is still transported by the conveyor 950 of the suspended conveyor 951. At the final processing station 955, the bone is removed from the conveyor 950. It is discharged directly into the 956 wheel container.
[000504] The now empty conveyor 950 is returned to the third processing station 905 by the suspended conveyor 951, where a front end is arranged on it again.
[000505] In a process of the type described above, the carcass part loses much of its stiffness when most bones have been removed. However, it has been found that if the meat is not removed before most bones, the meat will provide sufficient stability for the carcass part still to be processed.
[000506] Additionally, it can be advantageous if the removal of the meat from the part of the carcass part that is arranged in (in particular, suspended) of the conveyor occurs after the removal of most bones.
[000507] It is possible that this meat removal is carried out while the carcass part is still suspended on the conveyor. An additional advantage of this is that the carcass part is still maintained by the containment zone or reference portion that has been maintained throughout processing. This means that the location and orientation of the elements of the carcass part remain known for the meat removal process.
[000508] In a variant for the modality of Fig. 13, the withdrawal of
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113/125 skin, meat removal and fat removal take place after the carcass part is arranged on the conveyor of the system in which it is processed (eg boned) but before the removal of primary cuts, for example, after removal the chin. This variant is particularly suitable for processing carcass parts that have been cooled with the skin on it.
[000509] Fig. 14 shows a first additional embodiment of a system according to the invention.
[000510] In the example of Fig. 14, a first suspended conveyor 359 bears half red meat carcass 301 in the system.
[000511] In a first processing station 310, the halves of the housing 301 are cut into three parts: a front end 302, a central part 303, and a shank 304. Fig. 14A shows this in more detail. [000512] Before they were separated from the rest of the carcass halves, the front ends already engaged by the first front end conveyor 360. Once the separation of the front end from the rest of the carcass half is complete, the first front end conveyor 360 carries the weight of the separate front ends and transports them to a front end processing system.
[000513] The front end processing system comprises a 321 sorting station. In this sorting station some measurements are made at the front ends (such as weight and fat percentage measurements at various locations), and automatic visual inspection takes place using an image analysis system. Based on the measurement results and the results of the visual inspection, it is decided which processing steps will be performed at each individual front end.
[000514] Downstream of the selection station 321, the front ends are distributed over two processing lines. Some of
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114/125 front ends are removed from the first front end conveyor 360 by the unloading station 322. These front ends fall on the secondary conveyor 323, which transports them to a first front end processing line (not shown). [000515] The front ends that remain on the first front end conveyor are subjected to a final check by a human inspector before they are transferred to a second front end processing line 320 via transfer station 325. The second line front end processing conveyor comprises a second front end conveyor 321, which is an overhead conveyor, and a plurality of processing stations 326 which are arranged along the runway of the second front end conveyor 361. At processing stations, Processing is carried out at the passing front ends, either manually, automatically or semi-automatically.
[000516] To assist in the processing of the front ends, an auxiliary conveyor 326 is provided below the second front end conveyor 361. The auxiliary conveyor 362 engages the front ends and raises the lower part of the front ends upwards. This results in the front ends being tilted towards the operator or towards the tools of the processing stations. Also provide additional support, as the processing forces do not move the front ends much compared to the tools used in the processing stations.
[000517] Additionally, a discharge conveyor 363 is provided to receive any waste that is produced at the processing station and to remove it from the front end processing system.
[000518] Preferably, at least the second line of
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115/125 front end processing 320 is flexible with respect to the processing steps that are carried out. For example, operators working at 326 processing stations where one or more processing steps are performed manually, are instructed (for example by means of a screen in front of them or at a time adjacent to them) separately for each individual front end which is transported through the processing station whether to carry out its processing step or not, or, for example, to make a cut to a specified location. The instructions come from the selection station 321. The information from the selection station 321 is preferably also used to control the automated processing stations 326 of the second front end line 320. Based on this information, processing stations can be controlled to stand still. or to perform one or more processing steps when a particular front end passes through, or to make a cut at a certain location.
[000519] Before they are separated from the rest of the carcass half, the central parts are already engaged by the carrier of the central part 370. Once the separation of the central part from the rest of the carcass half is complete, the carrier from the central part 370 transports the weight of the separate central parts. The separate central parts are then arranged on the conveyor 371 and further transported to a central parts processing system (not shown in further detail).
[000520] When the front and center end parts are removed, only the shank is still arranged on the first conveyor of the first suspended conveyor 350. This first suspended conveyor takes the legs for a transfer station 381 * and arranged on the conveyors of a leg conveyor 380. The leg conveyor 380 is also a suspended conveyor.
[000521] The leg carrier 380 takes the legs for both a
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116/125 first shank processing line (not shown) or a second shank processing line 340.
[000522] The shank processing system comprises a 341 sorting station. In this sorting station some measurements are carried out on the shank (such as weight measurement and fat percentage in various locations), and an automatic visual inspection takes place using a image analysis system. Based on the measurement results and the results of the visual inspection, it is decided which processing steps will be performed on each individual shank.
[000523] Upstream of the selection station 341, the legs are distributed over two processing lines. Some of the products are removed from the first leg conveyor 380 by the unloading station 342. Those legs fall on the secondary conveyor 343, which transports them to the first leg processing line (not shown).
[000524] Legs that remain on the first conveyor are subjected to a final check by a human inspector before they are transferred to a second leg processing line 340 via transfer station 345. The second leg processing line 340 comprises a second leg conveyor 381, which is an overhead conveyor, and a plurality of processing stations 346 which are arranged along the track of the second leg conveyor 381. At the processing stations, processing steps are carried out on the passing legs, either manually, automatically or semi-automatically.
[000525] To assist in the processing of legs, an auxiliary conveyor 346 is provided below the secondary leg conveyor 381. The auxiliary conveyor 382 engages the legs and raises the lower part of the leg upwards. This results in the legs being tilted towards the operator or towards the tools of the processing stations. And also
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117/125 additional support is provided, so that processing forces do not move the bolts much with respect to the tools used in the processing stations.
[000526] Furthermore, a discharge conveyor 383 is provided to receive any waste that is produced at the processing station and to remove it from the ham processing system.
[000527] Preferably, at least the second leg processing line 340 is flexible with respect to the processing steps that are performed. For example, operators working at 346 processing stations where one or more processing steps are performed manually, are instructed (for example by means of a screen in front of it or other times adjacent to them) separately for each individual shank which is transported through the processing stations either to carry out the processing step or not, or, for example, to make a cut at a specified location. The instructions come from the selection station 341. The information from the selection station 341 is preferably also used to control the automated processing stations 326 of the second leg processing line 340. Based on this information, processing stations can be controlled to stay stop or perform one or more processing steps when a particular shank passes through or to make a cut at a certain location.
[000528] Fig. 15 shows a second additional embodiment of a system according to the invention.
[000529] In this embodiment, a suspended conveyor is provided (not shown for reasons of clarity), which comprises a track 1051. Transporters 1050 are driven by carts (not shown for reasons of clarity) along track 1051 in the direction of transport T The carts are preferably connected to the adjacent carts by means of
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118/125 of a chain or cable.
[000530] Each of the carriers carries a carcass or part of a carcass of red meat to be processed. Processing is performed by processing stations 1020, 1030, 1040. The first processing station 1020 is adapted to make a first cut using a circular knife 1021. The second processing station 1030 is adapted to make a second cut using a circular knife 1031. The third processing unit 1040 performs two meat removal steps, which are transported by carts 1041 and 1042, respectively.
[000531] The system of Fig. 15 further comprises a selection device 1010. The selection device 1010 comprises a measuring unit with a plurality of sensors 1011, 1012, 1013. The sensors 1011, 1012, 1013 determine different properties of the housing or the carcass part to be processed in the system. The measurement data is collected by the data collection unit 1014 and is then processed by the processor 1015. The processor also receives data from data input 1016 around the required system output, in terms of which end products should be produced and how much of each type of the final product is to be produced. The processor 1015 determines which processing steps must be performed on each individual frame or part of the frame to be processed based on the combined information from the data collection unit 1014 and the data entry 1016.
[000532] This information is then transferred to a 1067 system control device, which comprises a 1060 allocation control device. The 1060 allocation control device receives instructions regarding the processing of each carcass or carcass part in this unit. input 1065. The output unit 1066 of the allocation control device 1060 is in the example of Fig. 15 connected to the cams 1061, 1062 which are arranged in various locations along the track 1051
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119/125 of the suspended conveyor.
[000533] In the embodiment of Fig. 15, the conveyors are all provided with orientation control arms 1052 and 1053. Additionally, all conveyors are rotatable about the vertical axis 1054 with respect to the cart to which they are connected.
[000534] Cams 1061, 1062 are movable between a closed position for a track and a position further ahead of the track. The positions are shown in solid and dashed lines respectively in Fig. 15. When they are in the closed position for the track, they are engaged by one of the arms 1052, 1053 of the conveyors that they pass. When this happens, the cams stop the arm, while the cart moves the conveyor. This causes the conveyor to rotate around the 1054 axis. Through this rotation, the conveyor can take the housing or part of the housing that it keeps either within reach or out of reach of the processing station tools.
[000535] In the example of Fig. 15, the carcass part 1002 has to be processed by the first processing station 1020. The conveyor is in such a position that circular knife 1021 can engage with the carcass part 1002.
[000536] In contrast, the carcass part 1003 could not be processed by the second processing station 1030. Thus, the cam 1062 just upstream of the second processing station 1030 assumes its position close to the track before the conveyor maintaining the carcass part 1003 about to pass. As a result, this arm 1053 of cam 1062 of the housing part held on the conveyor 1003, which resulted in the housing part 1003 being pivoted away from the circular knife.
[000537] If part of carcass 1003 is to be processed by the next processing station, cam 1061 just downstream of processing station 1030 will be arranged in its position near runway 1061,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 130/209
120/125 thus engaging arm 1052 and pivoting the carrier around axis 1054.
[000538] In the same way, in the example of Fig. 15, the housing part 1004 has been pivoted away because it should not be processed by roll 1041.
[000539] In the embodiment of Fig. 15, additionally a measuring device 1068 has been provided. It takes measurements of the carcass parts passing a location downstream from the second 1030 processing station. The measurement data is transmitted to the 1067 system control device, which uses the information from the 1068 measuring device as input for the control from processing stations 1020 and 1030. Measuring device 1068 can, for example, comprise a camera, which checks whether the first and second cuts are made in the right positions. If not, knife position 1021, 1031 can be adapted based on the information provided in measuring device 1068.
[000540] Fig. 16 shows a third additional embodiment of a system according to the invention.
[000541] In this embodiment, a suspended conveyor is provided (not shown for reasons of clarity), which comprises a track 1051. Conveyors 1050 are driven by carts (not shown for reasons of clarity), along track 1051 in the direction of transport T. The carts are preferably connected to the adjacent carts by means of a chain or cable.
[000542] Each of the carriers carries a carcass or part of a carcass of red meat to be processed. Processing is carried out by processing stations 1020, 1030, 1040. The first processing station is adapted to make a first cut using a circular knife 1021. The second processing station 1030 is adapted to make a second cut using a circular knife 1031 The third unit of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 131/209
121/125 processing 1040 performs two meat removal steps, which are carried out by rolls 1041, 1042, respectively.
[000543] The system of Fig. 16 further comprises a selection device 1010. The selection device 1010 comprises a measuring unit with a plurality of sensors 1011, 1012, 1013. The sensors 1011, 1012, 1014 determine different housing properties or the carcass part to be processed in the system. Measurement data is collected by the data collection unit 1014, and then processed by the processor 1015. The processor also receives data from data input 1016 about the required system output, in terms of which end products should be produced and how much each type of final product is to be produced. The processor 1015 determines which process steps are to be performed on each frame or part of the frame to be processed based on the combined information from the data collection unit 1014 and the data entry 1016.
[000544] This information is then transferred to a system control device, which comprises a 1060 allocation control device. The 1060 allocation control device receives instructions regarding the processing of each carcass or carcass part in its unit. input 1065. The output unit 1066 of the allocation control device 1060 is in this example of Fig. 16 connected to the cams 1061, 1062 which are arranged at various locations along the track 1051 of the suspended conveyor.
[000545] In the embodiment of Fig. 16, the processing station tools of all processing stations are movable in and out of track 1051. If the housing part that has to be processed passes, the tool or processing station processing takes its position close to the track, so that the tool or tools of the processing station can engage the housing or part of housing to be processed. If the carcass or passing part of the carcass should not be
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122/125 processed by the processing station, the respective processing station or tool takes its position off the track, so that the processing station tool does not engage with that particular housing part.
[000546] In the example of Fig. 16, the housing part 1002 has to be processed by the first processing station 1020. The processing station 1020 is further positioned close to the track 1051 so that the circular 1021 can engage the part of frame 1002 in order to make the first cut.
[000547] In contrast, the carcass part 1003 should not be processed by the second processing station 1030. Thus the entire processing station 1030, and its circular knife 1031, has been retracted to its position off runway 1051. The housing 1003 can now pass processing station 1030 without being cut by circular knife 1031.
[000548] Likewise, the carcass part 1004 should not be processed by the first roll 1041 of the third processing station 1040. The third processing station 1040 has a fixed position with respect to track 1051, but its rolls 1041, 1042 are you move in and out of the track. Because the casing part 1004 should not be processed by roll 1041 from the third processing station 1040, the first roll 1041 has been retracted to its position off track 1051. The casing part 1004 can now pass the first roll 1041 from the third station process 1040 without being treated by roller 1041.
[000549] The carcass part 1005 should be processed by the second roll 1042 of the third processing station 1040. Thus, roll 1042 has assumed its position close to the track so that it engages and processes the carcass part 1005.
[000550] Although not shown, the mode of Fig. 16 can be provided with a measuring device to control the stations
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 133/209
123/125 processing as the embodiment of Fig. 15.
[000551] Fig. 17 shows an additional fourth embodiment of a system according to the invention.
[000552] In this embodiment, a suspended conveyor is provided (not shown for reasons of clarity), which comprises a track 1051. Conveyors 1050 are driven by carts (not shown for reasons of clarity) along track 1051 in the direction of transport T The carts are preferably connected to adjacent carts by means of a chain or cable.
[000553] Each of the carriers carries a carcass or part of a carcass of red meat to be processed. Processing is performed by processing stations 1020, 1030, 1040. The first processing station 1020 is adapted to make a first cut using a circular knife 1021. The second processing station 1030 is adapted to make a second cut using a circular knife 1031. The third processing unit 1040 performs two meat removal steps, which are carried out by rolls 1041, 1042, respectively.
[000554] The system of Fig. 17 further comprises a selection device 1010. The selection device 1010 comprises a measuring unit with a plurality of sensors 1011, 1012, 1013. Sensors 1011, 1012, 1013 determine different housing properties or carcass part to be processed by the system. The measurement data is collected by the data collection unit 1014, and then processed by the processor 1015. The processor also receives data from data input 1016 about the required system output, in terms of what end products should be produced and when each type of product is to be produced. Processor 1015 determines which process steps are to be performed on each individual frame or part of the frame to be processed based on the processed information from the data collection unit 1014 and the input of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 134/209
124/125 given 1016.
[000555] This information is then transferred to a 1067 system control device, which comprises a 1060 allocation control device. The 1060 allocation control device receives instructions regarding the processing of each individual carcass or carcass part in its input unit 1065. The output unit 1066 of the allocation control device 1060 is in this example of Fig. 17 connected to the cams 1061, 1062 which are arranged at various locations along the track 1051 of the suspended conveyor.
[000556] In the embodiment of Fig. 17, movable guides 1070 are provided that can engage a frame or part of the through frame. The guides 1070 are movable between a closed position of the track 1051 and an off-track position 1051. When a guide 1070 in its position close to the track, it engages a carcass or passing carcass part and pushes the carcass or carcass part out from the reach of the processing station tools the guide is arranged close to it.
[000557] In the example of Fig. 17, carcass part 1002 has to be processed by the first processing station 1020. The guide 1070 is thus positioned outside the track 1051 so that the circular knife 1021 can engage the carcass part 1002 in order to make the first cut.
[000558] In contrast, the housing part 1003 should not be processed by the second processing station 1030. Thus, the guide 1071 is positioned close to the runway 1051. The housing part 1003 is pressed out of the reach of the circular knife 1031 of so that the housing part 1003 can now pass to the processing station 1030 without being cut in the circular knife 1031.
[000559] Similarly, the housing part 1004 should not be processed by the first roll 1041 of the third processing station 1040. Thus, the guide 1072 is positioned close to the runway 1051. The
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 135/209
125/125 housing 1004 is pressed out of the reach of the first roll 1041 so that the housing part 1004 can now pass the first roll 1041 without being processed by it.
[000560] Housing part 1005 should be processed by the second roll 1042 of the third processing station 1040. Thus, the guide 1073 has assumed its position away from the track so that the second roll 1042 can engage and process part of the housing 1005.
[000561] Although not shown, the embodiment of Fig. 17 can be provided with a measuring device to control the processing stations as the embodiment of Fig. 15.
[000562] The modalities of Figs. 15, 16 and 17 show ways in which certain processing stations on a processing line can be bypassed. This allows carcass parts, for example, pork legs to be processed differently while they all go through the same processing line. This helps with flexibility for the meat processing system.
[000563] It is possible to incorporate deviations, for example, in the form shown in Figs. 10, 16 and 17 in the processing systems according to other modalities shown here, for example, the modalities shown in Figs. 12 to 14.

权利要求:
Claims (21)
[1]
1. Carrier (750) for transporting an individual pig leg part, where an individual pig leg part includes at least a portion of a pig leg and pig leg, characterized by the fact that the carrier (750) has a pig's foot retaining assembly adapted to engage a single pig's foot so as to retain the pig's leg portion in a suspended position of the conveyor (750), where the retaining assembly includes an adapted pig's foot opening to receive the pig's foot, the opening having a rigid reference face (762a), the retaining assembly being adapted to receive the pig's foot with its central metatarsal bones (22) adjacent to the reference face (762a), and the retaining assembly being adapted to press the lateral metatarsals (23) towards the reference face (762a), in which the opening is a pig foot slit (762) that is open at one end of it to introduce the foot of pig laterally in the slit (762) and remove the pig's foot laterally from the slit (762), where the slit (762) has a narrow entry portion (763) at its open end towards a slit retaining portion (762) , the retaining portion including the reference face (762a), such that the narrow entry portion (763) presses the lateral metatarsal bones (23) from their natural position closer to the reference face (762a).
[2]
2. Conveyor (750) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the conveyor (750) is provided with a strap (1120), to prevent unwanted tilting of the pig leg part in relation to the track (773).
[3]
Carrier (750) according to either of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least a part of the faces (762a, 762c) that delimit the slit (762) of the pig's foot are chamfered or round.
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 137/209
2/10
[4]
Conveyor (750) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the retaining assembly comprises a projection (765) between the entrance portion (763) and the slot retaining portion (762) pig feet that define the narrowest passage of the slit (762) in order to keep the pig foot in the retaining portion, and / or where the retaining assembly comprises a rigid slit member where the slit (762) of the foot pig is formed, eg a metal plate.
[5]
Conveyor (750) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the retaining assembly is pivotal around the horizontal axis (753), preferably freely pivotal.
[6]
Conveyor (750) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the retaining assembly has a support (754) including a slot member where the pig foot receiving slot (762) is formed, a top member (754.1) at a higher elevation than the slot member, and one or more flanges (751) between the top member (754.1) and the slot member, where preferably the support (754) comprises two separate flanges (751) supporting the slot member, where optionally the slot (762) in the slot member is arranged laterally offset from one or more legs of the support (754), and / or where optionally the retaining assembly is pivotal around a horizontal axis (753), preferably freely pivotal, and the top member (754.1) has a horizontal pivot member (753) that allows pivoting of the support (754) around the horizontal axis (753).
[7]
7. Slaughtered pig leg parts conveyor device for transporting individual pig leg parts, where an individual pig leg part includes at least a portion of a pig leg and pig foot, the conveyor device comprising:
- a track (773);
- characterized by the fact that the conveyor device
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 138/209
3/10 further comprises one or more pig leg part conveyors (750) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6, the conveyors (750) being movable along the track (773), each conveyor (750) being adapted to carry an individual pig leg part.
[8]
Device according to claim 7, characterized by the fact that each track (773) comprises a track, preferably a suspended track, and where each conveyor (750) is connected to the track via one or more trolleys (772), where optionally the conveyor (750) is connected to the rail via two trolleys (772) which are spaced in the direction of the track (773), each trolley (772) being preferably pivotally connected around the vertical axis to a common connecting member ( 775) of the conveyor (750), and / or where the cart (772) is optionally provided with a strap (1120), to avoid unwanted tilting of the pig leg part in relation to the track (773).
[9]
9. Device according to any of the claims
7 or 8, characterized by the fact that the conveyor device comprises one or more transfer guides (795) arranged along the track (773) in a location where removal of the pig's foot from the slot (762) is desired, the transfer guide transfer (795) being arranged so as to contact the pig leg part, preferably under the slit member, e.g. ex. within 5 centimeters, the transfer guide (795) forcing the pig's foot out of the slot (762) during the passage of the pig leg part along the transfer guide (795), and / or where the retention is pivotal around the horizontal axis (753), preferably freely pivotal, and where - at the processing station - one or more product support guides (790, 1103) are arranged along the track (773), and / or one or more product support members (790, 1103) are movably arranged along the track (773) at the processing station, each product support member (790, 1103)
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 139/209
4/10 being moved in sync with a pig leg part, where the conveyor device is preferably adapted to arrive at the processing station with the horizontal axis (753) parallel to the track (773), and where the product support guides (790, 1103) engage, and / or the product support member (790, 1103) is adapted to engage, the leg part and cause an inclination of the leg part and retaining assembly around the horizontal axis (41, 43, 833) in a laterally inclined position with respect to the runway (773), for example, the station having one or more standing positions, for example platforms (1210).
[10]
10. Slaughtered pork leg parts conveyor system comprising a first and second slaughtered pork leg parts conveyor for carrying individual leg parts, characterized in that an individual leg part includes at least a portion of a leg pig and the pig's foot, each of said first and second conveyor device, as defined in any of claims 7 to 9, where the system includes a transfer station (325, 345, 381 *) where parts of the pig leg are transferred directly from the first conveyor to the second conveyor, where the conveyor devices are incorporated such that in the transfer station (325, 345, 381 *) the movement of the conveyors (750) of the first and second conveyors is synchronized so that a part of the leg that is initially suspended from the leg retaining assembly of a carrier (750) of the first transposing device The carrier is transferred in the slot of the carrier retaining assembly (750, 750 *) of the second carrier device, the leg part remaining suspended in the transfer process by at least one of the leg retaining assemblies.
[11]
11. System according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the transfer station comprises one or more guides of
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 140/209
5/10 transfer (795) arranged along the track (773) of the first conveyor device, the transfer guide (795) being arranged so as to contact the part of the pig leg, preferably under the slit member, for example, within 5 centimeters, the transfer guide (795) forcing the pig foot out of the slot (762) and into the carrier slot of the second conveyor device while passing the pig leg part along the transfer guide (795) , and / or where at the transfer station (325, 345, 381 *) the paths of the first and second conveyor leg restraints are of different heights, and the leg restraints being brought in an overlapping position - when top view.
[12]
System according to either of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the conveyor (750) and / or the cart (772) is provided with at least one roller (788, 788 '), and where at the station process where the pig leg is subjected to a process, one or more support guides (785) are arranged along the track (773), the support guide (785) cooperating with at least one roller (788, 788 ' ) to prevent unwanted rotation of the conveyor (750) about the horizontal axis (753) and / or about the vertical axis and / or unwanted lateral movement of the conveyor (750), and / or where in the processing station where a leg pig is subjected to a process, one or more support guides (785) of conveyors and / or carts are arranged along the track (773), where at least one of the support guides (785) are provided with one or more rolls (788, 788 '), the at least one roller (788, 788') of the support guide (785) cooperating with a guide face of u m conveyor (750) and / or cart (772), for example a guide block (770), and preventing unwanted rotation of the conveyor (750) and / or cart (772) about the vertical axis and / or lateral movement not of the carrier (750) and / or cart (772).
[13]
13. System according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by the fact that, at the processing station where
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 141/209
6/10 a part of the pig leg is subjected to a process, one or more support guides (790, 1103) of pig leg are arranged along the track (773), and where the support guides (790, 1103 ) of the pork leg engage the leg part and keep the pig leg part in the desired position and / or orientation relative to the runway (773) during the processing of that pig leg part.
[14]
System according to claim 13, characterized in that at least one support guide (790, 1103) of product is in the form of a cycle, preferably circular, where the product guide (790, 1103) is in the form of a The cycle is rotatable about an axis, preferably a vertical axis, the product guide (790, 1103) in the form of a cycle being adapted to be rotated in sync with a pig leg part that is movable along the track (773 ), where optionally the support guide (790, 1103) of product in cycle form is provided with one or more stops (1104) to prevent unwanted tilting of the pig leg part in relation to the track (773).
[15]
15. Method for transporting individual pig leg parts, each pig leg part including at least a portion of a pig leg and the pig leg, characterized by the fact that the method comprises the following steps:
- using a conveyor device or a conveyor system as defined in any one of claims 7 to 14; and,
- optionally transport the front pig leg parts and rear pig leg parts with the same conveyor device.
[16]
16. Method according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the method comprises the following steps:
- arranging the pig leg part on a conveyor (750) of a conveyor device as defined in claim 7,
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 142/209
7/10
- remove the skin from the pork leg part,
- boning the pork leg part.
[17]
17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the skin is removed from the pig leg part before the pig leg part is boned, and / or where the pig leg part is arranged on the conveyor ( 750) before removing the skin of that pig leg part, where optionally the pig leg part is arranged on the conveyor (750) after removing the skin of that pig leg part, but before the boning of the leg leg part pig, and / or where the method still comprises the step of cooling the pig leg part, which is cooled before removing the skin from the pig leg part.
[18]
18. Method according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the method comprises the following steps:
- arranging the pig leg portion on the conveyor (750) of the conveyor device as defined in any one of claims 7 to 14,
- measure the thickness of the fat layer and / or the fat percentage of the pork leg part,
-determine the desired amount of fat to be removed from the pork leg part depending on the measurement, and
- removing the desired amount of fat from the pork leg part, where optionally the pig leg part is arranged on the conveyor (750) before measuring the thickness of the fat layer and / or fat percentage of the leg leg pig, and / or where optionally the measurement data obtained by measuring the thickness of the fat layer and / or percentage of fat in one or more parts of pork leg is stored in a control system and / or used in the removal process .
[19]
19. Method according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the method comprises the step of:
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 143/209
8/10
arranging the pig leg part on a conveyor (750) of a conveyor device as defined in claim 7, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:
- cutting the pig leg from the pig leg part, and where the leg is cut after the pig leg part is arranged on the conveyor (750), and where preferably, the pig leg part is boned after arranging the part leg on the conveyor (750) before cutting the foot, or where the method further comprises the following steps:
- make a reference cut (799) on the pork leg part,
- remove the skin, skin and / or remove fat from the pork leg, using the reference cut (799) as a starting point,
- and optionally the step of cutting the leg of the pig leg after removing the skin, skinning and / or removing fat.
[20]
20. System for processing a carcass or part of the carcass of a pig, bovine, sheep, or goat, the processing involving a plurality of process steps, the system characterized by the fact that it comprises:
- a conveyor device as defined in any one of claims 7 to 14, where the track (773) is part of a suspended conveyor that still comprises a plurality of trolleys (772), where the trolleys (772) are movable along said track (773), and where the conveyor device comprises a plurality of conveyors (750) of portions of pig legs, each of the conveyors (750) being connected to a cart (772),
- a plurality of processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040), whose processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040) are arranged along the track (773), each of the processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040) being adapted to perform one or more processing steps
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 144/209
9/10 with a carcass or part of the carcass,
- a selection device (1010), for determining, for each individual carcass or carcass part, which processing steps have to be carried out on said carcass or carcass part, where the selection device (1010) comprises:
- a measuring unit for determining at least two properties of the carcass or part of the carcass to be processed,
- a data collection unit (1014) for receiving measurement data from the housing measurement unit, the data relating to the desired system output,
- a processor (1015) for processing the data collected by the data collection unit (1014) in order to determine for each carcass or individual carcass part that the processing steps have to be carried out on said carcass or carcass part,
- a system control device (1067), the system control device (1067) comprising an allocation control device (1060), which allocation control device (1060) comprises:
- an input unit (1065), for receiving information from the selection device (1010) about which processing steps have to be carried out on said housing or part of housing,
- an output unit (1066), to control the transport system and / or processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040) in such a way that each carcass or part of the carcass is subjected to processing steps assigned to it, where the output device of the allocation control device (1060) is adapted to cause the carcass or carcass part to bypass any processing station, which is adapted to carry out a process step, which the carcass or carcass part does not will be submitted.
[21]
21. System for processing a carcass or part of the carcass
Petition 870180149475, of 11/08/2018, p. 145/209
10/10 a pig, bovine, sheep, or goat, processing involving a plurality of processing steps, the system characterized by the fact that it comprises:
- a primary transport system, the primary transport system comprising:
- a conveyor device as defined in any one of claims 7 to 14, where the track (773) is part of a suspended conveyor that still comprises a plurality of trolleys (772), where the trolleys (772) are movable along said track (773), and where the conveyor device comprises a plurality of conveyors (750) of pig leg parts, each of the conveyors (750) being connected to a cart (772),
- a plurality of processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040), said processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040) being arranged along the track (773), each of the processing stations (1020, 1030, 1040) being adapted to carry out one or more processing steps with a carcass or part of the carcass, where at least in one processing station a step of removing a carcass part or carcass part is performed,
- a secondary transport system, said secondary transport system being disposed adjacent to the processing station where said part is removed from the carcass or carcass part, the secondary transport system being adapted to receive said part.

类似技术:

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BR112012014725B1|2019-05-21|CARRIER TO CARRY AN INDIVIDUAL PIG LEG PIECE, DEVICE PORTED BODY LEG PARTS CARRIER, HUCKED PORK LEG PARTS CARRYING METHOD, METHOD TO TRANSPORT INDIVIDUAL PIG LEG PIECES, AND A PROCESSING SYSTEM FOR PIG, BEEF, GOAT OR GOAT.

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引用文献:

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法律状态:
2018-04-10| B07A| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|

---

2018-08-14| B07A| Application suspended after technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|

---

2019-04-16| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|

---

2019-05-21| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 17/12/2010, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. (CO) 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 17/12/2010, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS |

优先权:

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申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题

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NL2003969|2009-12-17|

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NL2003969A|NL2003969C2|2009-12-17|2009-12-17|System and method for processing slaughtered animals and/or parts thereof.|

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NL2003967|2009-12-17|

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NL2003966|2009-12-17|

---

NL2003967A|NL2003967C2|2009-12-17|2009-12-17|System and method for processing slaughtered animals and/or parts thereof.|

---

NL2003966|2009-12-17|

---

NL2003968A|NL2003968C2|2009-12-17|2009-12-17|System and method for processing slaughtered animals and/or parts thereof.|

---

NL2003968|2009-12-17|

---

PCT/NL2010/050865|WO2011074966A1|2009-12-17|2010-12-17|System and method for processing slaughtered animals and/or parts thereof|BR122015030049A| BR122015030049A2|2009-12-17|2010-12-17|conveyor device for transporting an individual part of pork leg, system for transporting slaughtered pork leg parts, method for transporting individual parts of pork leg, and system for processing a carcass or carcass part of a pig, bovine, sheep, or goat|

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BR122015030044A| BR122015030044A2|2009-12-17|2010-12-17|slaughtered pork leg carrier, and method for transporting individual pork leg carrier|

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BR122015030056A| BR122015030056A2|2009-12-17|2010-12-17|slaughtered pork leg carrier, method for transporting individual pork leg portions, and system for processing a carcass or carcase part of a pig, bovine, sheep or goat|