AU2006202260A1

AU2006202260A1 - Animal cleaning apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2006202260A1
Application number: AU2006202260A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Francis John Ramsey
Original assignee: CLEAN STOCK NZ Ltd
Current assignee: CLEAN STOCK NZ Ltd
Priority date: 2005-05-17
Filing date: 2006-05-17
Publication date: 2006-12-07
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-17
Also published as: GB0609719D0; GB2426178A; NZ540091A; GB2426178B; AU2006202260B2

Description

From: 17/05/2006 11:30 #385 P.003/022 P/00/009 25.5.91 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 CONVENTION SPECIFICATION Invention Title: ANIMAL CLEANING APPARATUS The invention is described in the following statement: COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:31 4385 P.004/022 -2- Animal Cleaning Apparatus FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an animal cleaning apparatus, and in particular, but not exclusively to an animal cleaning apparatus for use in a sheep meat processing plant.

BACKGROUND

In a meat processing plant, an animal's exterior should ideally be as clean as possible before its hide is removed, as it is very common for contaminants from the exterior of the hide to be transferred onto the meat of the animal during the hide removal process. This transfer often occurs when the knife cuts are made through the hide.

The cleaning of animals in meat processing plants is a continual challenge. Animals typically arrive at a meat processing plant with at least some contamination on their exterior.

This contamination is often worst around the animal's anal region. And when the animals are processed they are typically suspended from their hind legs and this means that contamination from the anal regions can easily be spread from there to other parts of the animal's exterior especially if attempts are made to clean the animal while it is suspended in this way.

For this,. and other reasons, animals have typically been cleaned at meat processing plants while they are still alive and on their own feet. The cleaning often involves swim washes or spray washes and it is usually necessary to allow the animals to at least partially dry before fuirther processing. However, while they are still alive the animals can still defecate and can contaminate one another, and since their bodies are warm any residual water or moisture on the animal's body can simply help to stimulate the re-growth of large populations of microbial contaminants.

The present inventor has been aware of the problems associated with, cleaning animals while they are still alive and has used or trialled a number of methods of cleaning them after they are slaughtered- The methods employed have typically involved the use of manual cleaning steps. However the inventor has found that these manual cleaning methods have not been without problems.

190589NZ-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:35 4385 P.005/022 I-3o For a number of reasons it is important that the cleaning is carried out relatively quickly. As noted above the *animals are typically suspended from a moving chain which moves at a chosen speed to suit a particular production rate. And due to the size of many animals, for example sheep, deer and cattle, it is often difficult for a worker to get around each part of the animal that needs to be cleaned, as it passes along on the moving chain.

o If water is used in the cleaning operation it is difficult for a single operator to apply sufficient INO water and to control where the water goes. Water that is allowed to drain from the anal region, for example, can contaminate other parts of the animal's hide and therefore this drainting action must be minimised. Water that sprays off an animal as it is being cleaned can contaminate other animals on the chain.

It has been found that the cleaning of animals while on a chain creates a dirty environment that is not particularly pleasant for a worker. The spread of contaminants into the air can also mean that the workers involved are liable'to become highly contaminated. Furthermore it is often necessary to contain the cleaning activities within a sealed compartment to prevent the spread of contaminants to other parts of the production line and this can make the environment even less pleasant to work in.

In addition, and perhaps more importantly it is crucial that contaminants are not allowed to spread from one animal to another while they are suspended from a chain within a meat works. The meat regulations of many of New Zealand's trading partners strictly prohibit any practices which may allow this to occur and cleaning practices which are not adequately controlled can easily promote such spreading of contaminants.

The present inventor has also trialled various drying techniques which follow quickly behind any water washing activities. He has found that the use of an industrially sized vacuum nozzle is effective however it is physically difficult to move the suction nozzle about and it can take too much time to get around all of the areas of an animal's that need cleaning before water drains to unwanted places. And again, due to the size of the animals the task is difficult for a single person. And as with the water washing activities described above there is limited room around the animals on a moving chain and it is simply not practical or cost effective to try and squeeze in additional operators.- I 90589NZ-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:39 #385 P.006/022 -4- These difficulties are particularly prevalent when processing sheep since the wool on their hides makes the cleaning of sheep particularly difficult.

OBJECT

It is therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an animal cleaning apparatus which wilt at least go some way towards overcoming the above mentioned problems, or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in an animal cleaning apparatus suitable for cleaning animals while they are supported on, and being transported 'by, a conveyor means, wherein the apparatus is arranged and configured such that it is able to move at least one cleaning device in a first direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

Preferably the animal cleaning apparatus is arranged and configured such that it is also able to move the at least one cleaning device in a second direction that is not parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

Preferably the animal cleaning apparatus has at least one primary carriage which supports the at least one cleaning device.

Preferably the animal cleaning apparatus has at least one secondary carriage which is supported and moveable by the primary carriage and which supports the at least one cleaning device.

Preferably the animal cleaning apparatus fur-ther includes at least one shroud adapted to at least partially contain any matter that is liberated from an animal during a cleaning operation.

Preferably the shroud is adapted to be con~nectable to an air extraction system.

Preferably the cleaning device includes at least one vacuuma cleaning nozzle, or at least one water nozzle, or at least one compressed air nozzle, or at least one mechanical cleaning device, or at least one steam cleaning nozzle, or a combination of any or all of these.

190189NZ-Coinp~pec 05061fA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: rom:17/05/2006 11:40 4385 P.007/022 o Preferably the apparatus is able to move the cleaning device in a direction which is substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor means.

Preferably the apparatus fauther includes the capability of sensing the distance from the, or each, cleaning device to the surface of an animal. The sensing can for example be carried out using a probe to' "feel" for the presence of the animal or by the use of ultrasonic distance o measuring equipment, etc.

Preferably the apparatus firther includes the capability of moving the, or each, cleaning o device toward and/or away from the surface of an animal. This feature is advantageous IN wen for example, applying a vacuum cleaning nozzle, a shearing device, or a rotating Optionally the, or each, cleaning device is held against the surface of an animal by the action of a spring, or a compressed gas filled strut, or the like.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted such that it is adapted to synchronize the movement of the at least one cleaning device relative to the movement of an animal that is being transported by the conveyor means.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted such that it is adapted to synchronize the movement of the primary carriage relative to the movement of an animal that is being transported by the conveyor means.

Preferably the apparatus is adapted such that it. is adapted to move the primary carriage in the direction opposite to the direction of movement of the conveyor means at a pace that is faster than the pace of the conveyor means.

W~hile the mechanical cleaning device can take a number of forms for example a wool or hair removal device or a rotary scraper, preferably the mechanical cleaning device is a rotary brush.

Preferably the, or each,4 compressed air nozzle is in the form of an air knife.

In a second aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a meat processing plant incorporating at least one animal cleaning apparatus as specified herein.

190589NZ-ConiSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 Frorn: rom:17/05/2006 11:44 #385 P.008/022 -6- The invention may also broadly be said to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of the parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents, such equivalents are incorporated herein as if they were individually set forth.

DESCRIPTION

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the front s ide of a first example of an animal cleaning apparatus, FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the first example of an animal cleaning apparatus, and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing a second example of an animal cleaning apparatus.

FIRST EXAMPLE With reference to both Figures I and 2, a first examiple of an animal cleaning apparatus is shown comprising a movable carriage (11) which is supported on horizontal tracks (13) on a main frame A secondary carriage (17) is shown mounted on the primary carriage (11) and is able to move vertically in relation to the primary carriage The apparatus is shown positioned adjacent to and below a section of a conveyor chain (19) as used in many meat processing- plants. The main frame (15) is aligned parallel to the conveyor chain (19) and has two main beams (16) aligned horizontally which support the tracks (13).

In figure 2 the drive motors for the primary and secondary carriages, (11) and are shown- A first drive motor (21) is mounted on the frame (15) and is able to drive a first continuous chain (23) to which the primary carriage (11) is secured via a bracket The 190589NZ-ComnpSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 Frorn: Fom:17/05/2006 11:45 #385 P.009/022 I-7o first drive motor (2 1) is thereby able to move the primary carriage (11) in the direction of movement of the conveyor chain and in the opposite direction, along the tracks (13).

A second drive motor (25) is mounted on. the primary carriage (11) and is able to drive a second continuous chain (27) to which the secondary carriage (17) is secured. The second continuous chain (27) is connected to an ann (28) extending from the secondary carriage o(17). The second drive motor (25) is thereby able to move the secondary carriage (17) in a INO vertical direction relative to the primary carriage The secondary carriage (17) is Ni Ci secured to the vertical edges of the rectangular shaped primary carriage (11) in such a way Ci that it is able to slide up and down the primary carriage (11).

In use, the apparatus is configured such that the primary carriage (11) can move in sync with an animal being transported on the conveyor chain In meat processing plants animals, are typically supported by their hind legs at the beginning of the carcass dressing process and this apparatus (10) can be used in such a plant. Since each animal (not shown) is supported with its hind legs held apart and secured to a conveyor hanger and as the primary carriage (11) can move in sync with the animal on the conveyor chain (19) the secondary carriage (17) is able to move vertically to carry out cleaning operations on the exterior of the animal.

In this example the secondary carriage (17) is substantially shaped, the shape being aligned in the horizontal plane, and is sized such that it can surround the animal and move up and down relative to the animal without contacting the animal. At the beginning of a cleaning operation the primary carriage (11) is positioned towards the end of the frame which faces the approaching animals, and the secondary carriage (17) is positioned low down on the primary carriage (11) such that it can allow the -animal to pass over it. When an approaching animal is adjacent to the centreline of the primary carriage (11) the primary carriage (11) can be moved in sync with the animal. While the primary carriage (11) is moving in sync with the animal the secondary carriage (17) is able to move up and down about the animal.

In this example a series of three air suction nozzles (29) are shown mounted on the secondary carriage The three nozzles (29) are connected to a flexible suction pipe (3 1) via a manifold arrangement Suction can be provided by a remote suction pump (not 190589N7-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: 5BMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:46 #385 P.010/022 shown). Preferably the animals are oriented such that their bellies face the suction nozzles (29) when the secondary carriage (17) is surrounding the animal. In this way the apparatus is able to carry out a vacuum cleaning process on selected areas of the exterior of the animal, for example the belly, the inside leg areas and/or other "under regions" of the animal.

The nozzles (29) in this example are held in an extended position by a spring action (not shown) and can be compressed by contact with the surface of an animal. In this way the nozzles (29) can move to some extent to account for the profile of an animal's hide as the nozzles (29) move up and down relative to the animal.

After the animal cleaning operation the secondary carriage (17) can move to a low position, or clear of the animal, and then the primary carriage (11) can move in the opposite direction to the direction of movement of the conveyor (19) back to a position ready to engage with and clean another animal on the conveyor chain In this way the apparatus (10) can clean each animal as it passes by without having to interrupt the progress of the animals along the conveyor Preferably the primary carriage (11) can travel at a high speed when moving back to engage with another animal, that is, at a high speed relative to the speed of the conveyor chain A typical conveyor chain in a meat processing plant where sheep are processed will operate at a rate of 6 to 8 sheep per minute. This gives a time of approximately 7 to 10 seconds to complete each cycle.

The primary carriage (11) is principally in the form of a flat plate and as such is able to act as a splash guard. This is advantageous in that it can protect the motors and other mechanisms on the other side of the carriage (11) from splashes.

VARIATIONS TO THE FIRST EXAMPLE The apparatus (10) as shown has a single primary carriage (11) and associated attachments, however clearly two or more primary carriages (11) could be used and could operate side by side on the main frame (15) to clean more than one animal on the conveyor at a time. Such a configuration would allow a longer time for cleaning each animal, for example such an apparatus having two primary carriages (11) would have approximately 12 to 17 seconds to complete a cleaning operation in a plant processing at a rate of 6 to 8 animals per minute.

190589NZ-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: rom:17/05/2006 11:48 4385 P.011/022 -9- In the example shown the secondary carriage (17) is provided with suction nozzles to carry out a cleaning operation. However, clearly additional or alternate cleaning device can be mounted to the secondary carriage *for example water spray jets, shearing apparatus, brushes, etc.

Also, in the example shown, while the cleaning devices can incorporate a spring action to allow some movement to account for the profile of an animal's hide, the cleaning devices are not configured to move toward or away from an animal being cleaned,. Alternatively the apparatus can be provided with actuators, and preferably sensors also, allowing the cleaning device to be moved to follow the contours of an animal's hide. For example pneumatic actuators in combination with ultrasonic distance sensors can be used to move a cleaning device so that it follows the contours of an animal's exterior.

As an additional feature, the apparatus (10) can also include a capsule which is adapted to encapsulate the animal during the cleaning operation, for example a partial capsule could be positioned about the animal in such a manner that the partial capsule mated with the rectangular panel of the primary carriage fuly encloses the animal, the partial capsule being driven along by, or in sync with, the primary carriage.

SECOND EXAMPLE With reference to Figures 3, a second example of an animal cleaning apparatus (50) is shown. comprising a cleaning device (51) that is mounted on a movable carriage The movable carriage (53) is mounted on horizontal tracks (55) of a main frame The main frame (57) is situated adjacent to, and substantially parallel to, a movable belt (59) which is supported by a pair of rollers (61) which can rotate about a substantially vertical axis to drive the belt The cleaning apparatus (50) can be situated about a conveyor chain (not shown) of a meat processing plant to carry out cleaning operations on animals that are supported on the conveyor chain. In use, the horizontal tracks (55) of the cleaning apparatus are aligned substantially parallel to the conveyor chain.

A shroud (63) is supported by the movable carriage (53) and can be used to at least partially encapsulate an animal during the operation of the cleaning apparatus The shroud (63) can be brought into contact with the movable belt (59) to provide an enclosure for an animal 1905&9NZ-CozopSpeC 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:49 4386 P.012/022 while it is being cleaned by the cleaning apparatus A backing board (60) situated adjacent to the movable belt (59) can be used to help ensure a positive contact between the shroud (63) and the movable belt A slot (62) can be provided in the shroud (63) to allow it to pass over a hanger on the conveyor chain.

The operation of the cleaning apparatus (50) can be synchronised with the operation of the conveyor chain, for example by sensing the passing of an animal on the conveyor chain and timing the operation of the cleaning apparatus (50) so that it can position the cleaning device 1) adjacent to the animal and move it with the animal as it is carried along by the conveyor chain.

In this example the movable carriage (53) is supported on the tracks (55) and can be moved along the tracks (55) at a speed similar to that of the conveyor chain by a suitable drive system, for example a drive system similar to that shown and described in the first example above. The movable carriage (53) is also able to move toward and away from an animal supported on the conveyor chain. The movable carriage (53) is mounted on arms (65) which are supported by guides (67) and can be moved toward and away from an animal supported on the conveyor chain by an actuator (69).

The cleaning* device (51) can be moved relative to the movable carriage for example moved vertically, by a second actuator (7 to allow the cleaning device (5 1) to be used ove~r a range of parts of an animal.

The cleaning device (5 1) can take a variety of forms depending on the intended use of the cleaning apparatus For example, the cleaning device (5 1) can have one or more water, steamn, air or suction nozzles, one or more air knives, or one or more brushes or shearing devices.

A first conduit (73) can be used to connect the cleaning device (5 1) to a water, steam, compressed air, vacuum and/or power supply. A second conduit (75) can connect the interior of the shroud (63) to an air extraction system to allow any matter that is liberated by the cleaning apparatus (50) to be evacuated from the interior of the shroud (63).

The cleaning apparatus (50) is arranged and configured to clean an animal while it is being transported by the conveyor chain. As an animal passes the apparatus the shroud (63) 190589NZ-CompSpec 05061PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:50 4385 P.013/022 can be moved toward the belt (59) to encapsulate the animal. At the same time the cleaning device (5 1) can be moved in the direction of motion of the conveyor chain and can be used to at least partially clean the animal. This cleaning can include hair or wool removal, water washing, forced air drying, vacuum cleaning/drying, steamn cleaning, or mechanical cleaning for example brushing. To carry out the cleaning operation the cleaning device (5 1) can be moved over various parts of the hide of the animal, for example be moved vertically by the second actuator (71) whvile the animal is moving horizontally.

When. the cleaning operation is finished the shroud (63) and the cleaning device (5 1) can be withdrawn from the animal and can travel back along the tracks in a direction opposite to the direction of travel of the conveyor chain, ready to begin cleaning another animal.

VARIATIONS TO THE SECOND EXAMPLE I this second example an animal supported on a conveyor chain is substantially encapsulated while it is cleaned by bringing a shroud into contact with. a belt that is synchronised to move at the same speed as the shroud. In an alternative embodiment, the belt (59) could be replaced by a. complimentary shroud that can move in a similar manmer to shroud (63) of this example, and. which can he brought into contact with the shroud (63) to encapsulate an animal, eliminating the requirement for the belt.

As with the first example, this second example has been shown in a configuration capable of cleaning a single animal at a time. However, clearly the apparatus can be configured with multiple shrouds (63) and cleaning devices (5 and have the ability to clean more than one animal at a time. For a typical sheep meat processing line which processes six to eight sheep per minute, an apparatus having three shrouds (63) and cleaning devices (51) would be considered appropriate as this would allow approximately fifteen seconds to carry out each cleaning step on each animal, allowing for the* time taken for the apparatus (5 0) to reposition the shrouds (63) and cleaning devices (51) after cleaning each batch of animals.

VARIATIONS, GENERAL To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The 190589NZ-CompSpcc 0506/PA COMS IDNo; SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:51 #385 P.014/022 12 disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

ADVANTAGES

Thus it can be seen that at least the preferred form of the invention provides an animal cleaning apparatus that can be used to clean animals while they are carried by moving conveyor chain and at the same time can be used to carry out the cleaning operations without exposing workers to a potentially hazardous working environment. In addition such an apparatus can be adapted to move cleaning devices about an animal that would be difficult for a worker to manoeuvre. The apparatus can be adapted to reach about parts of an animal's exterior while the animal is supported on a moving conveyor chain that would be difficult for a worker to reach. And the ability to carry more than one cleaning device gives the apparatus the ability to clean an animal more thoroughly and/or efficiently than a manually operated cleaning method.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word, such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

190589NZ-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17

Claims

1. An animal cleaning apparatus suitable for cleaning animals while they are supported on, and being transported by, a conveyor means, wherein the apparatus is arranged and coifigured such that it is able to move at least one cleaning device in a first direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

2. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the animal cleaning apparatus is arranged and configured such that it is also able to move the at least one cleaning device in a second direction that is not parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor means.

3. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the animal cleaning apparatus has at least"one primary carriage which supports the at least one cleaning device.

4. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the animal cleaning apparatus has at least one secondary carriage which is supported and moveable by the primary carriage... An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the animal cleaning apparatus .further includes at least one shroud adapted to at least partially contain any matter that is liberated from an animal during a cleaning operation.

6. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the shroud is adapted to be connectable to an air extraction system.

7. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning device includes at least one vacuum cleaning nozzle, or at least one water nozzle, or at least one compressed air nozzle, or at least one mechanical cleaning device, or at least one steam cleaning nozzle, or a combination of any or all of these.

8. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is able to move the cleaning device in a direction which is substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of the conveyor means. 190589NZ-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17 From: 17/05/2006 11:53 #385 P.016/022 -14-

9. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further includes the capability of sensing the distance from the, or each, cleaning device to the surface of an animal. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus further includes the capability of moving the, or each, cleaning device toward and/or away from the surface of an animal.

11. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is adapted such that it is adapted to synchronize the movement of the at least one cleaning device relative to the movement of an animal that is being transported by the conveyor means.

12. An animal cleaning apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the, or each, compressed air nozzle is in the form of an air knife.

13. An animal cleaning apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.

14. A meat processing plant incorporating at least one animal cleaning apparatus as claimed herein. PIPERS Attorneys for: Clean Stock NZ Limited 190589NZ-CompSpec 0506/PA COMS ID No: SBMI-03615254 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:52 Date 2006-05-17