AU2014227479B2 - An Improved Tool for Removing the Pelt or Hide From an Animal Carcass - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to an accessory for a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool includes a handle and a blade mounted to the handle, wherein the accessory includes: a guard for the blade, characterised in that the guard includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet being configured to extend forward of the blade when the accessory is fitted to the cutting tool. \\ \\\ \\ \\ (NJ N \ N N \,, \\ "~ K ~' \ \ 0 -' r ~7/ C~J N7 C -~ cm, (0 NC . \N~ .0 - Gin - ~''-j N '-~N N N ~ 's-s ~ /1A-~' ~ N N- LL~3 (U a)

Description

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014

AN IMPROVED TOOL FOR REMOVING THE PELT OR HIDE FROM AN ANIMAL CARCASS

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a tool for use in the removal of a pelt or hide from an 5 animal carcass. The invention has particular application as an accessory for what are known as dehiders although this is not meant to be limiting and the invention may be used with many types of cutting tools.

BACKGROUND ART

Many cutting tools and devices are used in the processing of animal carcasses. These 1 o are used to prepare the carcass for processing as well as for separating the various meat cuts from the carcass. Prior to the carcass being separated into cuts of meat, it is necessary to prepare it by removing the pelt or hide.

In most animal species, the pelt is held to the underlying flesh and muscles by connective tissue. In some portions of the carcass, it can be relatively easy to remove the pelt, but in 15 others, the connective tissue is quite strong, making it difficult to separate the pelt from the carcass.

Dehiders are a handheld cutting tool which includes a pair of pneumatically-driven circular blades which are mounted to a handle. The blades oscillate about their mounting. Examples of typical dehiders in the art are those manufactured by Best & Donovan, Ibex 20 and Jarvis.

By applying the blade to the junction between the pelt and the carcass, it cuts through the connective tissue. While doing so, the pelt is gripped by the user and pulled. This makes it relatively easy to separate the pelt from the carcass. 1

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However, during the removal of the pelt, the person using the dehider must take care to not damage either the pelt or the flesh of the carcass, both of which can have significant commercial value. For example, the processing facility can sell the pelt to a tannery which will treat it so it may be turned into leather goods. 5 Contamination risk is also a significant concern. Should the person use the dehider, or indeed any cutting tool used in processing of carcasses, in such a way that it comes into contact with brain or spinal tissue, this will require cleansing of the tool before it can be used to contact meat that may be intended for human consumption.

Likewise, should the dehider or cutting tool come into contact with the guts and viscera of 10 the carcass through inadvertent penetration of the abdomen or the paunch area of the carcass, it will need to be cleansed before it can be used again. In both instances, the carcass may also need to be washed down to remove contaminants from its flesh before it can be further processed.

Furthermore, any dehider or cutting tool that comes into contact with the pelt should be 15 sterilised between cuts in order to minimise the risk of contaminants, such as dirt and mud, being passed from the hide to the flesh of the carcass being processed or between carcasses.

There is also the risk that the person using the tool may injure themselves when using the dehider. The blades of a dehider can be extremely sharp. Little force is required for 20 penetration of the flesh to be achieved.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications that may be cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any 2

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014 reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission 5 that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other 10 element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an accessory for a 15 cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool includes a handle and a blade mounted to the handle, wherein the accessory includes: a guard for the blade, characterised in that the guard includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet being configured 20 to extend forward of the blade when the accessory is fitted to the cutting tool.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool includes: a handle, 3

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014 a blade mounted to the handle, and an accessory for the blade, wherein the accessory includes a guard for the blade, characterised in that the guard includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet being configured 5 to extend forward of the blade.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool includes: a handle, a blade, 10 characterised in that the tool includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet being configured to extend forward of the blade.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using a cutting tool to remove at least a portion of a pelt from an animal carcass, wherein 15 the cutting tool includes a handle, a blade, and a guard for the blade, wherein the tool includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet being configured to extend forward of the blade, the method including the steps of: a) cutting a portion of the pelt to expose a juncture between the pelt and the flesh of the carcass; and 20 b) inserting the outlet of the cutting tool into the juncture; c) delivering a pressurised gas into the juncture. 4

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a cutting tool to remove at least a portion of a pelt from an animal carcass substantially as described above, the method including the additional step of: d) advancing the cutting tool further into the juncture. 5 The invention is a cutting tool which, in preferred embodiments, is a dehider or reciprocating knife used in the processing of animal carcasses, and a guard for a cutting tool and a method of using same. The guard may be provided as a separate accessory for the dehider.

The guard is fitted about the blade of the dehider and includes a means by which a jet of 10 gas, such as compressed air, is directed ahead of the blade. This jet of gas can assist in the separation of the pelt from the carcass being processed. The guard provides a means of protecting the user of a dehider from its blade and improves the efficiency of the cutting action of the dehider. The guard also acts to guide the pelt into the blade.

Reference is made throughout the present specification to a user, which should be 15 understood to mean the person processing the carcass. However, it is not beyond the scope of the present invention that it be used in an automated carcass processing facility in which the cutting tool is mounted to a robotic arm or the like.

The cutting tool should be understood to mean any tool to which a blade is mounted. For example, the tool may be a circular saw but in preferred embodiments the cutting tool is a 20 dehider.

Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of this specification to the cutting tool being a dehider although it should be understood that this is not meant to be limiting. The present invention may readily be used with reciprocating knifes and other types of cutting tools. 5

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014 A dehider is used in the processing of animal carcasses to remove the pelt or hide from the carcass. A dehider should be understood to include a handle to which a blade is mounted. The dehider may include an internal or external power source to drive the blade. 5 In preferred embodiments, the dehider has a pair of semi-circular disc blades orientated such that the flat sides of the blade are substantially in line or parallel to the elongate dimension of the handle of the dehider. This is the most common blade configuration for dehiders.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and the invention may be used with dehiders 10 which have a different blade arrangement. For example, the dehider may be provided with a single circular blade orientated such that the flat sides of the blade are substantially in line or parallel to the elongate dimension of the handle of the dehider. Alternatively, the dehider may be provided with a circular blade such that the blade is substantially at right angles to the handle. 15 In one embodiment, the invention is an accessory which is configured to be attached to the blade end of the handle of the dehider, and acts as a guide and guard. In another embodiment, the invention is a cutting tool which has been configured with an integral guide and guard.

Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the present specification to the 20 accessory being a guard.

The guard may be fabricated from any suitable material; for example it may be formed from plastics material. However, for ease of cleaning, preferably the guard is fabricated from stainless steel or aluminium. 6

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The guard may take a variety of shapes depending on the requirements of the user. However, to save on materials in manufacture and weight of the final product, it is preferable that the guard be as streamlined as possible and closely follow the dimensions and shape of the blade. 5 In this respect, the preferred embodiment of the guard will be relatively narrow, covering the majority of the flat surfaces of the blade. However, the guard may be used with other blade types and this may warrant a change in shape of the housing.

For example, the invention may be used with a dehider using one or more elongate reciprocating blades, moving back and forth in a linear motion. Another embodiment may 10 be one in which straight blades move in a circular motion. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the shape and dimensions of the housing may need to correspond to the shape and cutting movement of the blades of the dehider.

The guard includes, or is, a housing which is configured with a first end and a second end. 15 The first end of the housing is configured to be complementary to the blade end of the handle.

In preferred embodiments, to attach the guard the user will remove the blade clamp, which holds the blade in place relative to the handle, and mount the guard in its place using the existing mounting holes and associated fasteners. The guard then holds the 20 blade in place.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are a number of ways by which the guide may be mounted to the dehider. For example, in some embodiments, the blade of the dehider is removed, and the first end of the housing slipped over and secured around the end of the handle. 7

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014

While the housing is preferably provided as a one-piece component, in some embodiments of the present invention, the housing may be provided as two halves.

In these embodiments, there may be no need to remove the blade when fitting the housing to the dehider. Instead, the halves are separated and placed on either side of 5 the blade prior to being secured to each other and the handle of the dehider. A two-piece housing not only may be more robust but can be easier to manufacture, assemble and dissemble for maintenance and cleaning.

It should also be appreciated that in some embodiments, the guard is integral with the cutting tool. Thus the guard may lack a “first end” and only have the equivalent of the 10 second end of the accessory embodiment of the invention. A person skilled in the art will understand that the configuration of the first end of the guard may vary, depending on the brand and type of dehider with which the invention is to be used.

The second end of the housing should be understood to have at least one protrusion 15 extending from either an upper or lower side (or in some embodiments, both sides) of the housing.

In preferred embodiments, the housing has an upper side and a lower side and is configured such that an “open recess” is defined there between. The open recess exposes a portion of the blade, which would otherwise be covered by the housing. In this 20 embodiment, the protrusion is a substantially tubular or elongate structure extending from the lower side of the housing.

It will be understood that the exposed or uncovered portion of the blade is its working surface. Because of the presence of the guard, the working surface is reduced relative to many prior art devices. This means that the blade is less exposed with a consequent 8

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014 reduction in potential injury to the user should the blades come into contact with the user’s body.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the upper and/or lower sides of the guard extend forward of the open recess. This in effect acts as a guide for any portions 5 of the pelt, including loose rolls, with which it comes into contact. The pelt is directed towards the blades so that it may be split. However, in some embodiments of the invention, only the side of the guard with the protrusion may extend forward of the open recess. However, it will be appreciated that this may leave more of the blades of the dehider exposed. 10 The extension of the upper and lower sides of the housing of the preferred embodiment of the invention has the effect of limiting the depth of penetration of the working surface of the blades.

This makes the present invention particularly useful for working around the abdomen or paunch area of the carcass. It will be appreciated that the guts and viscera of the carcass 15 contain significant amounts of material that would otherwise contaminate the flesh. Premature penetration of this area is very undesirable. It would also necessitate the need to clean the blades and/or the carcass.

The guard, or cutting tool as the case may be, is provided with an inlet for a pressurised gas. 20 The pressurised gas may be any gas which is biocompatible, as the invention may be used with carcasses that will provide meat cuts for human consumption.

Preferably the gas is highly filtered compressed air and shall now be referred to as such throughout the remainder of the specification. However, it should be appreciated that other gases such as carbon dioxide may be used. 9

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Preferably, the inlet for the compressed gas is positioned on the guard such that in use, it is proximate the handle of the dehider, i.e. orientated away from the blade.

This is preferred as the supply of compressed air can be in the form of a hose or tubing connected to the inlet. The hose or tubing will need to be kept away from the exposed 5 portion of the blade, and this will be easier to achieve if the inlet is proximate the handle of the dehider. However this placement of the inlet is not meant to be limiting. An alternative design could route the compressed air through the guard from any portion of the guard or handle of the dehider so as to minimise the inconvenience to the user.

In preferred embodiments, the inlet is positioned on a portion of the lower side of the 10 housing and is associated with the protrusion extending forward of the blades.

The inlet may be configured with a snap-lock type fitting to ensure a positive fit with a complementary fitting at the end of the supply of the compressed air. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate many types of fittings may be used and the reference to a snap-lock fitting is not meant to be limiting. 15 The guard includes an outlet for the compressed air, the outlet being positioned forward of the blade and associated with the protrusion. It would be understood that the outlet is proximate the second end of the guard.

It will be appreciated that the guard will have ducting or tubing extending between the inlet and the outlet. Preferably, this ducting will be located within the interior of the guard. 20 However, it is possible that the protrusion and housing may be provided with ducting on their exterior surfaces although this may affect the ability to quickly clean this area of the tool.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the outlet is at the end of the protrusion extending from the lower side of the second end of the guard. 10

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This is an important aspect of the invention as this allows the compressed air to be applied to the connective tissue holding the pelt to the underlying flesh of the carcass, weakening it and, in some instances, severing it without needing any contact with the blade of the dehider. 5 This enables the effectively blunt tip to act as a knife on the connective tissues, increasing local stresses so that minimal force is required from the user to articulate the dehider. This can speed up the time in which the pelt is removed from the carcass. It may also mean that less energy is expended by the person using the dehider when removing the pelt and therefore they may be less fatigued, reducing the risk of injuries. 10 The outlet is configured as a nozzle, and in some embodiments is shaped to improve the efficiency of the invention.

It should be understood that the nozzle has an upper surface or side (generally facing the blades of the dehider) and a lower surface or side.

In use, the lower surface contacts the animal carcass and the upper surface contacts the 15 inside of the pelt. The outlet itself is simply a slot between the upper and lower surfaces of the nozzle and the outlet should be understood to have an upper lip (associated with the upper surface) and a lower lip (associated with the lower surface).

The lower surface of the nozzle, the underside of which contacts the carcass, is preferably flat with rounded edges. This is so that it rides over and does not catch and 20 dig into the flesh of the carcass. The lower surface of the nozzle may extend slightly forward of the upper surface, providing a relatively blunt cutting edge on the top side of the lower lip of the nozzle. This can assist in the separation of the pelt from the carcass by raising the local stresses and severing connective tissue. 11

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The upper surface of the nozzle is configured with a rounded nose to slide under the pelt and raise it, thus increasing local stresses on the connective tissue. The nozzle is relatively blunt and does not cut underlying features of the flesh, such as the pizzle of the carcass. Instead the feature is pushed aside, out of the cutting path of the blades. 5 However, this particular configuration for the nozzle is not meant to be limiting, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that the nozzle may take a variety of forms. The shape and size of the nozzle may be dependent on the species and size of the carcass being processed as well as its gender.

In use, depending on how the carcass is processed, the user of the dehider will make a 10 nick in the pelt at an area which hangs loose from the carcass. One such area is the junction between the front legs and the brisket of the carcass.

Alternatively, the carcass is cut down the front legs and brisket in a Y-shaped cut and the resulting flap is peeled back to hang over the abdomen.

The nozzle of the guard is then inserted into the juncture between the pelt and carcass 15 through or behind the nick or flap, and the compressed air delivered to the local connective tissues of the carcass. This acts upon and weakens the connective tissues between the pelt and the carcass. The dehider is then advanced along the pelt, the blades cutting the pelt and allowing its removal by the user. As the connective tissue has been weakened, less force is required to be applied to the pelt in order to achieve its 20 removal. Consequently, a person using the present invention may become fatigued less quickly than a person using a prior art device.

The guard limits the depth of penetration of the blades. This can mean that, in contrast to the prior art devices such as a knife, there is less risk of the belly cavity being penetrated when using a dehider equipped with the guard. 12

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The blades and guard of the dehider part the pelt and pushes it away from the flesh. Therefore, it is unlikely that the hair on the pelt, and any associated dirt, mud, and detritus, is not transferred onto the sterile flesh of the carcass.

The invention has a number of advantages, and these include: 5 · easily retrofitted onto existing dehiders; • improved safety for persons using the dehider; • may result in reduced fatigue for persons using the dehider; • improves cutting efficiency of dehiders; • improved hygiene; or 10 · at the very least, the invention offers the public a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

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: 15 Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 2 is a second front perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The present invention (generally indicated by arrow 1) is a guard for a dehider (2) as depicted in Figure 1. 13

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The dehider (2) includes a handle (3) by which it is held by the user. At one end (3a) of the handle, a power supply (4) is provided. This drives the semi-circular blades (5) of the dehider (2) at the opposing end (3b) of the handle.

The blades (5) oscillate about an axle (not visible) which is perpendicular to the 5 orientation of the blade. The blades are operable via a switch (6) which is squeezed by the user when articulating the dehider.

The guard (1), which can be thought of as a housing, is configured to closely approximate the blades (5), covers a large portion of the blades of the dehider (2), leaving a working area exposed (7). 10 The guard (1) has an upper side (8a) and a lower side (8b) and the portion of the guard between these two features is configured such that it exposes the working area (7). It will be seen that the upper side of the guard does not extend further forward, i.e. extend towards the exposed edges of the blades (5), than its lower side.

The lower side (8b) of the guard (1) includes a nozzle (9) which extends forward of the 15 working area (7) and past the blades (5). The nozzle includes an outlet (9a) for pressurised air, which is supplied to the guard via an inlet (10).

The inlet (10) is connected to a supply of compressed air (11). Although not visible in this view, the internals of the lower side (8b) of the guard (1) includes ducting (not shown) to link the inlet to the outlet (9a). Thus, the supply of compressed air (11) is able to exit the 20 guard via the outlet.

In use, the nozzle (9) of the guard (1) is inserted behind the pelt (not shown), such that it is between the pelt and the carcass (not shown).

When compressed air (not shown) is allowed to exit the nozzle (9) via the outlet (9a), this places additional stress on the connective tissue (not shown) that may link the pelt (not 14

James & Wells ref: 134497/47 2014227479 18 Sep 2014 shown) to the underlying flesh of the carcass (not shown). The nozzle acts as a guide, running ahead of the blades (5), which work to split the pelt and help separate it from the carcass.

Turning now to Figure 2, it will be seen that the nozzle (9), extending forward from the 5 lower side (8b) of the guard (1) has a particular shape which enhances its functionality.

The outlet (9a) is configured as an open mouth in the form of a slot, with an upper lip (9b) and a lower lip (9c). In use, the underside or lower surface (9d) of the nozzle contacts the flesh of the carcass (not shown).

To help it move smoothly over the flesh of the carcass (not shown) as the dehider (2) is 10 advanced along its surface, the underside (9d) of the nozzle (9) is flat and has rounded edges. This minimises the possibility the lower lip (9c) may dig into the flesh.

The upper edge of the lower lip (9c), which helps define the outlet (9a), has relatively sharp edges to assist in cutting the connective tissue (not shown).

The upper lip (9b) has an upper surface which, in use, contacts the pelt (not shown). The 15 upper lip is rounded and tapers downwardly as it progresses towards the lower lip (9c). This helps lift the pelt as the nozzle is moved forward between the pelt and the carcass (not shown).

The upper side (8a) of the guard (1) is configured to act as a guide, directing any loose rolls of pelts (not shown) towards the blades (5). 20 Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof of the appended claims. 15

Claims (16)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

   1. An accessory for a hand-held cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool is a dehider, wherein the cutting tool includes a handle and a disc blade mounted to the handle, wherein the accessory includes: a guard for the disc blade, wherein the guard includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet including a nozzle configured to extend forward of the disc blade when the accessory is fitted to the cutting tool, characterised in that the nozzle has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the outlet is a slot between the upper and lower surfaces of the nozzle.
2. 2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the guard includes a housing which is configured with a first end and a second end.
3. 3. An accessory as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first end of the housing is configured to be complementary to an end of the handle.
4. 4. An accessory as claimed in claim 2 wherein the housing has an upper side and a lower side.
5. 5. An accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein the second end of the housing includes at least one protrusion extending from either the upper or lower side.
6. 6. An accessory as claimed in claim 5 wherein the nozzle of the outlet is at the end of the protrusion.
7. 7. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the lower surface of the nozzle is flat with rounded edges.
8. 8. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the lower surface of the nozzle extends forward of the upper surface.
9. 9. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the upper surface of the nozzle is configured with a rounded front edge.
10. 10. An accessory as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the inlet for the pressurised gas is positioned on the guard such that in use, it is proximate the handle of the cutting tool.
11. 11. A hand-held cutting tool, wherein the cutting tool is a dehider, wherein the cutting tool includes: a handle, and a disc blade mounted to the handle, characterised in that the tool also includes a guard for the blade, wherein the guard includes an inlet and an outlet for a pressurised gas, the outlet including a nozzle configured to extend forward of the disc blade, wherein the nozzle has an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the outlet is a slot between the upper and lower surfaces of the nozzle.
12. 12. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 11 wherein the guard is integrally formed with the handle of the tool.
13. 13. A cutting tool as claimed in claim 11 wherein the guard is an accessory configured to be mounted to the handle of the tool.
14. 14. A method of using a hand-held cutting tool as claimed in claim 11 to remove at least a portion of a pelt from an animal carcass, the method including the steps of: a) cutting a portion of the pelt to expose a juncture between the pelt and the flesh of the carcass; and b) inserting the nozzle of the cutting tool into the juncture; c) delivering a pressurised gas into the juncture.
15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the method includes the additional step of: d) advancing the cutting tool further into the juncture.
16. 16. The method of either claim 14 or claim 15 wherein the animal carcass is that of a sheep.