AU638948B2 - Carcass cargo handling - Google Patents

Description

i-i OPI DATE 14/05/90 APPLN. ID 44906 89 AOJP DATE 21/06/90 PCT NUMBER PCT/SE89/00597 PCr INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (51) International Patent Classification 5 (11) International Publication Number: WO 90/04540 25/00, 45/00, B65D 81/00 Ai 85/62 B65B 67/12 (43) International Publication Date: 3 May 1990 (03.05.90) (21) International Application Number: PCT/SE89/00597 (22) International Filing Date: 26 October 1989 (26.10.89) Priority data: PJ 1191 27 October 1988 (27.10.88) AU (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): COOL CAR- RIERS SVENSKA AB [SE/SE]; Svirdvigen 7, S-182 Danderyd (SE).

(72) Inventor; and Inventor/Applicant (for US only); FRIMAN, Erik, Ake [SE/ SE]; Svardvagen 7, S-182 85 Danderyd (SE).

(74) Agents: GRAHN, Thomas et al.; Oscar Grahn PatentbyrA AB, P.O. Box 19540, S-104 32 Stockholm (SE).

(81) Designated States: AT (European patent), AU, BE (European patent), BF (OAPI patent), BJ (OAPI patent), BR, CF (OAPI patent), CG (OAPI patent), CH (European patent), CM (OAPI patent), DE (European patent), DK, FR (European patent), GA (OAPI patent), GB (Eutopean patent), IT (European patent), JP, KR, LU (European patent), ML (OAPI patent), MR (OAPI patent), NL (European patent), NO, SE (European patent), SN (OAPI patent), TD (OAPI patent), TG (OAPI patent),

US.

Published With international search report.

638948 (54) Title: CARCASS CARGO HANDLING

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12 (57) Abstract The present invention relates to a carcass carrying cargo unit and a method of transporting carcasses using said unit, ccmprising a bag (13) open at one end, a frame structure (16) comprising a base frame (18) and two upright (19) end frames and strapping means whereby in use said frame structure (16) is placed within said bag (13) with its opening between the end frames facing to one side of the frame structure and where the carcasses are loaded into said bag (13) onto said base frame (18) to the approximate height of the side frames the opening (15) of the bag is drawn tight and the strapping means engaged around the thus loaded bag to secure the carcasses in the bag.

I c i WO 90/04540 PCT/SE89/00597 Carcass cargo handlina The present invention relates to a carcass carrying cargo unit and a method of transporting carcasses using said unit.

Australia exports a large volume of carcasses, mutton, lamb and beef, and beef fore and hind quarters. The existing methods of storage and handling have involved a high degree of "manhandling" of the carcasses.

After the animal is processed at the meat works, the soft carcasses are hung in frames and transported to the coldstore blastfreezers where they are deep frozen. After blastfreezing, the deepfrozen carcasses are removed by hand and stacked in open ended frames, in which the carcasses are stored until loading on the ships for export.

The carcasses are then transported in the said frames by refrigerated truck to the ship for loading where the carcass loaded frames are loaded aboard the ship where the carcasses are removed from the frames and hand stowed and the frames dismantled and returned ashore for return to the coldstore.

When the ship reaches its destination the carcasses have to be loaded by hand into a sling or a similar frame unit for transportation ashore. The present invention seeks to lessen the manhandling of the carcasses by providing an improved carcass cargo unit.

i W- M v 0655v/MS 2 In one form the invention is a method of packing objects, comprising the steps of: a) placing a bag within a jig, comprising a base and two upright ends and bag securing means, one end being movable with respect to the base, said bag having a closable open mouth facing a free side of the jig said mouth being held open by the bag securing means; b) placing within the thus held open bag a stiffening frame comprising a frame base and two upright frame ends; c) loading and stacking objects to be packed into the bag on top of the frame base between and to the approximate height of the upright frame ends; d) releasing and closing the open mouth of the bag; and e) applying fastenings around the thus loaded bag 1 and frame to secure the loaded objects therein, to form together with the frame a stable unit which can be lifted by crane or forklift.

Preferably the bag unit has lifting sling means fixed thereto, and is of total dimensions so as to be held in a standard loading frame unit.

SiTT 'iN o& 0655v/MS 3 The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates a jig for holding the bag and frame structure of the cargo unit in one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates one embodiment of the frame structure of the carcass cargo carrying unit of the present invention with the bag unit shown in broken lines; Figure 3 shows the position of one embodiment of the carcass cargo unit positioned lin the jig illustrated in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows the fully loaded carcass cargo unit in the holding jig with the enveloping bands secured in position around the bag and its contents; Figure 5 illustrates schematically six loaded bags being lifted from a common lifting bar arrangement after having been tilted S'-i WO 90/04540 PCT/SE89/00597 4 A jig 1 for loading of carcasses is shown in Figure 1. This comprises a lower frame 2 consisting of two elongated members 3 connected to each other by transverse profiles 4 and having elongated members 5 telescopically movable in the ends thereof. The elongated members 5 may be hingedly connected to a pair of uprights 6 at one end but such uprights may also be rigidly connected to both ends of such members.

Connectable to the jig 1 is a planar end members door li"'e member 7 arranged as a rear abutment surface at the jig The transverse support profiles 4 connected to the elongated members 3 form openings allowing the insertion of a fork of a forklift above the lower frame members to engage and lift a loaded carcass cargo units from the jig. Further the jig 1 has forklift loops located below the elongated members 3 to assist in moving the jig by forklift.

One set of straps (not shown) j- arranged to be laid along guides 10 on the lower frame 2 transverse profiles 4 and on transverse profiles of uprights 6 and a further set of transverse straps (not shown) laid in continuous strap guaies 11 in parallel with orofiles 4.

A stiffening frame 16 shown in Figure 3 is to he placed within a bag 13 which can be of any suitable material such as plastics. The frame 16 is preferably made from wood, and comprises two longitudinal members 18 affixed to two side frames 19 comprising two wooden uprights and appropriate crossmembers.

Figure 3 shows how the bag 13 is inserted into and connected onto the jig of Figure 1 by securing the upper bag portion by clamps and braces 14 to the jig uprights, with the open mouth 15 of the bag facing the free side of the jig, and with the stiffening frame 16 inside the bag resting on top of raised projections 17 secured top the transverse profiles 8.

CIC

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WO 90/04540 PCI/SE89/00597 ''ith the unit as set up, as shown in Tioure the carcasses are stacked lengthwise across the elongated frane menbers 3 of the stifzen.ing frame to abut against the rear door li-e sunnort member 7. The jig itself can be tilted by an- means such as electric or hydraulic lifting devices to ensure tight stacking. The bag is then filled to the height of or above the sti-eening Crame side frames In and the open mouth 15 cf the bag is then drawn tight and secured.

The set of straps resting in the guides 10 and the set of straps c resting in the guides 11 are then tightened one in each direction around the bag as shown in Figure to securely hold the carcasses in nosition. The fork of a forklift can easily engage under the carcass cargo unit so enclosed and strapped for lifting and for transporting of the carcass cargo unit from the jig i to other handling means.

The bag may include lifting straps 20 sev.'n or otherwise secured to the bag material such that the carcass carr,-ing unit can after being removed fror' the jig i and tilted r9 ma" be lifted b" an'. crane or the like.

Figure 5 shows how a number of bags are arranged and hooked onto a lifting bar. The six bags are thus arranged to be lifted in a single lift.

Ventilation holes are provided on two sides of the hpg to assist in the flow of air through the stacked carcasses.

Thus, once the carcasses have been loaded into and secured in thE cargo units bags, there is no more "manhandling" of the individual carcasses, during transportation or storage. In transncrtation the carcass cargo units are positioned w.ith the ventilation holes on the top and bottom to provide ar efficient flow of cold air to keer the carcasses frozen.

WO 90/04540 PCT/SE89/00597 6 The carcass cargo units can be of any suitable size, but preferably have the width of the length of the carcass to be handled. A typical size is 2 metres long by 1.5 metres high by 1.10 to 1.40 in depth. Further the units can be stored and transported on either their bases or sides and self-contained bases could be attached through the bag to the stiffening frame to avoid the use of separate pallets.

An added feature of the present invention is that the bag is additional protection against staining and pollution during transportation and storage.

It should be obvious to people skilled in thr art that modifications and alterations can be made to the cargo unit and packaging method described above without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention.

Claims (15)

1. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the loaded bag is of dimensions such that it can be held within the dimensi-)ns of a standard cargo pallet or frame unit.
2. 3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 including the step of laying fastenings in arranged guides or holders on said jig, both laterally and transversely, before applying the fastenings around said bag.
3. 4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein as movable substantially planar door-like support member, connected to said jig remote from and opposite to the open mouth of the bag, is arranged to form an abutment means for the objects on loading and stacking the same inside said bag. A method according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the objects are irregular. yjrJ rPF" I c~ 0655v/MS 8
4. 6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the objects are frozen carcasses.
5. 7. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the moveable end of the jig is moved to facilitate removal of the loaded and strapped bag.
6. 8. A method of handling frozen carcasses, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. 9. A method of packing objects as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stable unit is a cargo unit. A cargo unit as claimed in claim 9 wherein the objects are irregular.
8. 11. A cargo unit as claimed in claim 10 wherein the objects are frozen carcasses.
9. 12. A cargo unit as claimed in any one of claims 9, 10 or 11 wherein said bag includes lifting slings.
10. 13. A cargo unit substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 4 of Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
11. 14. A jig for forming a stable unit comprising objects stacked in a stiffening frame within a bag; said jig comprising a base having two elongated base members; a plurality of elongated transverse members mutually connecting said two base members and forming underlying supports for said stiffening frame; first and second upright ends, the first upright end being movably attached to a respecti-e end of the base and the second said upright end being attached to the other end of the base and securing i means located on said first and second upright ends and operable to hold said bag opened in the jig with its opening i i I I I -;i 0655v/MS 9 facing a side of the jig, for use in the method of packing objects according to claim 1. A jig as claimed in claim 14 wherein both upright ends are movably attached to their respective ends of the said elongated members.
12. 16. A jig as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein means are located on said jig to temporarily position said fastenings which are to be tightened around the bag to secure the loaded objects in the bag in use.
13. 17. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein at least son of the upright ends 4s telescopically movable with respect to the elongated base members to allow adjustment of the distance between the two upright member to allow adjustment of the distance between the two upright ends.
14. 18. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the bag and loaded receiving space between the base and upright ends is comparable with the load dimensions defined by standard cargo pallets or frames.
15. 19. A jig as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein a vertical, movable, substantially planar, door-like support member is connected to said jig remote from and opposite to the position taken by an open mouth of a bag, said support member being arranged to from an abutment means in use for the objects on loading and stacking the same inside the bag. A jig substantially as herein described with reference to FIures 1, 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings. DATED this 28th day of April, 1993. COL CARRIERS SVENSKA AB By Their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE