AU8555901A - Improvements in and relating to cutting apparatus - Google Patents

Description

SDHRef: 1108-3AU Customer No. 3710000433

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventors: MILLERS MECHANICAL (NZ) LIMITED of Portsmouth Drive, Strathallan, Dunedini, New Zealand BRUCE EDWARD MULDREW of 40 Park Road, Warrington, Dunedin, New Zealand and WILLIAM GRAY HAMILTON of 18 Scroggs Hill Road, Brighton, Dunedin, New Zealand.

Don Hopkins Associates Spruson Ferguson, Patent Attorneys Level 33, St Martins Tower, 31 Market Street Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CUTTING

APPARATUS

Address for Service: Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO CUTTING APPARATUS

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to cutting apparatus which is primarily intended for use during the processing of animal carcasses.

During the processing of an animal carcass, it is normal for a hock cutting operation to be carried out. Over the years, the processing of animal carcasses (especially small animals such as sheep, etc) has progressively become more mechanised. A difficulty, however, arises with mechanisation of the hock cutting operation due to varying carcass lengths.

15 SUMMARY TO THE INVENTION "i It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide cutting apparatus which can be used in the processing of animal carcasses for carrying out the hock cutting operation and to SPEC344 30 October. 2001 (I '1 3 operate in a substantially uniform manner irrespective of variations in carcass lengths.

Broadly, in one aspect of the invention, there is provided cutting apparatus including hock engaging means adapted for engagement with the legs of a suspended animal carcass, means for moving the hock engaging means when engaged with a carcass to apply a stretching force to the carcass, cutting means for applying a cutting action to the carcass legs when engaged with the hock engaging means and adjustment means for adjustment of the position of the hock engagement means and cutter means relative to the carcass prior to applying the cutting action.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following more detailed description reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an elevation view of the general arrangement 2fcooa of the cutting apparatus, 0 e0 SPEC344 30 October, 2001

I

4 Figure 2 is an end view of the arrangement shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the housing and internal componentry of the cutting apparatus as shown in Figures 1 and 2, Figure 4 is an elevation view of the arrangement shown in Figure 3, 4 Figure 5 is an end view of the arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4, and Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4 but with the hock S* 15 engagement means and cutter means in the extended position.

"DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, the general arrangement of the cutting apparatus is shown. The cutting apparatus according to its preferred form includes a housing 10 slidingly SPEC344 30 October, 2001 coupled to a column 11 via a guide arrangement 12. A linear actuator 13 (eg an hydraulic cylinder) is mounted between the column 11 and housing 10 by, for example, the ram body 14 being coupled to a mount 15 attached to the column 11 and the piston rod 16 having its distal end coupled (in a manner which is not shown) to the guide arrangement 12. Thus, by extending and retracting the linear actuator 13 the position of the housing on column 11 can be adjusted.

The guide 12 can, as shown in the illustrated arrangement, be formed of a pair of substantially U-shaped elements 17 which are bolted or otherwise fastened together about the column 11.

The column is of angular cross-section and engaged on each surface by pairs of rollers 18 mounted within the U-shaped members 17. The guide 12 is thus able to smoothly slide *"longitudinally along column 11 but is restrained from substantially angular movement.

The column 11 is provided with a foot 19 to provide a stable foundation for the lower end of the column.

o SPEC344 30 October, 2001 6 The housing 10 is mounted to the guide 12 by flanges 20 which have strengthening and stabilising webs 21 extending between the flange 20 and the housing 10. This provides a stable base for the cantilevered mounting of the housing The forward end of housing 10 is provided with a pair of openings 22 and 23. As will hereinafter become apparent, the hock engagement means is formed by a hock plate which is movable to project through opening 22. The hock cutters are movable to project through opening 23.

The housing 10 is in the preferred form produced from stainless steel as it not only provides a suitably robust enclosure for the operative elements of the cutting apparatus but also S 15 functions as a wash/sterilising cabinet.

In the following more detailed description of the invention the cutting apparatus will be described in connection with the hind leg hock cutting of a sheep carcass. However, the cutting S 20 apparatus according to the present invention can be applied to the forelegs and also to other types of stock, eg beef, pigs, deer, goats, calves, etc. The carcass to be cut is therefore deer, goats, calves, etc. The carcass to be cut is therefore SPEC344 30 October, 2001 located so that the hind legs are free hanging with the hocks to be cut therefrom.

The linear actuator 13 is proportionally controlled in a known manner. A carcass length sensor (not shown) is provided so as to provide data on the length of each carcass to be cut arriving at the cutting apparatus. This enables automatic vertical positioning of the housing so that the cutters are correctly positioned relative to the length of the carcass being processed. Attached to the column 11 but not shown is a linear transducer for height feedback.

Within the cabinet 10 is a primary carriage 24 which provides horizontal movement via a magnetic rodless cylinder 25. The 1 5 rodless cylinder 25 extends longitudinally between mountings at the front end plate 27 and rear end plate 26 of the housing A hock plate 28 is attached to a pair of arms 29 which are attached to a pivot shaft 30 supported via hangers extending downwardly from the primary carriage 24. Arm 29 has an upwardly extending extension 31, the distal end of which is SPEC344 30 October, 2001 8 coupled to an air cushion 32 carried by mounting bracket 33 from the primary carriage 24.

The hock plate 28 acts as a guide and locating device for the hind legs of the carcass. As can be seen more clearly in Figure 3, the hock plate has a portion 34 which projects out through opening 22 and serves as a separator for the legs of the carcass so that one leg engages in each V-shaped portion of the hock plate 28.

The hock plate arm 29 which extends up to the air cushion 32 is provided with a rotary encoder (shown generally at 36) at the pivot axis of pivot shaft 30 which, as will hereinafter become ~*apparent, provides feedback for activating the hock cutters and for altering cutting positions.

i.: Also mounted on the primary carriage 24 is a secondary carriage

I

00*0." 37 which provides a secondary horizontal movement via a pneumatic cylinder 38 for the hydraulically operated hock o 2otr3 "20 cutters 39.

a a.

SPEC344 30 October, 2001 Surrounding the hock cutters 39 are spray bars (not shown) for cold and hot washes of the cutters when in the retracted position (ie within the confines of the housing 10). The wash cycle is controlled through hot and cold water solenoids via the programmable logic control of the apparatus. As shown in some of the Figures of the drawings, the housing 10 includes a plumbing connection 40 mounted with the floor of the housing Not shown but in accordance with conventional construction the apparatus will include an operator's panel. In the preferred form the operator panel will be a unit mounted by the machine or connected to it and consisting of an ON/OFF control, low air 9Oe* pressure warning, alarm warning and reset, four position 1 15 insertion switch, four position cut position switch, auto/manual selector with manual operation buttons. Also on the operator's panel will be the hydraulic power pack controls, 0 ie pump STOP/START, blocked filter, low oil and high temperature indicators.

0 S All of the foregoing control features are in accordance with 0 neew normal process engineering techniques and will be readily SPEC344 30 October, 2001 apparent to those skilled in the art, especially in light of the following description of the operational sequence and in light of the construction disclosed thus far with reference to the drawings.

To more fully describe the invention reference will be made to the following operational sequence.

The carcass length sensor previously referred to will provide a confirmation to the machine that a carcass has been received (located) relative to the housing 10. Height data will be established from information from the carcass length sensor and the rotary encoder.

The machine attachment sensor will be activated by the carcass conveyor attachment causing the primary carriage 24 to move eoe.e: forward (the hock plate 28 will thus extend through opening 22) so that the hock plate engages the hind legs (the hind legs o .o :engaging one in each of V-shaped slots 35). The hock plate locates with the trotter joints, this latter operation being achieved by relative downward position of the primary carriage SPEC344 30 October, 2001 11 24 as a consequence of downward movement of housing 10 relative to column 12.

This vertical down movement will continue as the carcass is "stretched" to a preset tension which is adjustable via a pressure regulator on the air cushion 32.

As the preset tension is reached the hock plate 28 rotates (along with encoder 36) relative to the downward movement.

Consequently, a preselected cutting position (adjustable on the operator's panel) is reached (via a signal from encoder 36) which results in the secondary carriage 37 extending so that the cutters 39 extend to locate about the hind legs.

The fact that the cutters 39 extend after the hock plate 28 moves into position ensures that the tips of the hock cutter blades cannot score the legs. When the secondary carriage is extended to its full extent the hock cutters 39 are activated to carry out the cutting action.

e.e 5At the completion of the cutting action, the hock cutters 39 are opened and the primary and secondary carriages 24 and 37 SPEC344 30 October, 2001 retract back into the housing 10. At this point the cold and hot wash cycle is activated. During this wash cycle the height is set for the next carcass thereby minimising any operational delay between processing each carcass being presented to the apparatus.

The apparatus according to the present invention thus provides a two stage process for location of the free hanging legs of the carcass. The stretching of the carcass ensures even cutting of the legs. The apparatus is thus able to automatically compensate for different lengths of carcass presented to the machine. Accordingly, automatic hock cutting can be carried out in an effective and consistent manner.

i.*1 iooo .•go.i .oeeoi o SPEC344 30 October, 2001

Claims (18)

1. 2. The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hock S 15 engaging means and cutting means are mounted on or in a support structure.
2. 3. The cutting apparatus of claim 2 wherein the adjustment means is by virtue of the support structure being 20 slidingly engaged with a column.
3. 4. The cutting apparatus of claim 3 wherein a linear o* actuator is coupled between a mounting on the column and the support structure to effect adjustment. SPEC344 30 October, 2001 14 The cutting apparatus of claim 3 or 4 wherein the support structure includes a guide means including a pair of u- shaped elements fastened together about the column.
4. 6. The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 3, 4 or wherein the column has an angular cross section.
5. 7. The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 6 wherein the column includes a supporting foot at its lower end.
6. 8. The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein the support structure includes a housing able to at least partially enclose the hock engaging means and cutting 15 means when not engaging/cutting a carcass.
7. 9. The cutting apparatus of claim 8 wherein the housing includes openings through which the hock engaging means and cutting means may extend. .SPEC3 30 o 2 1 SPEC344 30 cobr, 2001 The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein a carcass length sensor is provided to activate the adjustment means.
8. 11. The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 7 wherein the column includes a linear transducer for height feedback.
9. 12. The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the support structure includes a linear actuator to enable extension/retraction of the hock engaging means.
10. 13. The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 9 wherein the support structure includes a linear actuator to 15 enable extension/retraction of the cutting means relative to the hock engaging means.
11. 14. The cutting apparatus of claim 12 wherein linear actuation is by virtue of a carriage mounted upon a magnetic rodless cylinder. SPEC344 30 October. 2001 The cutting apparatus of any one of claims 2 to 9 or 11 to 14 wherein the hock engaging means is pivotally movable relative to the support structure.
12. 16. The cutting apparatus of claim 15 wherein pivotal movement is arrested by an air cushion.
13. 17. The cutting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the hock engaging means includes two substantially v-shaped or otherwise notched portions to receive one leg each of the carcass.
14. 18. The cutting apparatus of claim 17 wherein the hock engaging means includes an elongate separator element 15 projecting from a position between the two notched portions. o0 i
15. 19. The cutting apparatus of either one of claims 15 or 16 S"wherein pivotal movement is associated with a rotary encoder providing feedback for activating the cutting ***means (dependent on a specified stretching force being reached). SPEC344 30 October, 2001 The cutting apparatus of claim 1 wherein the cutting means is activated to engage with the carcass legs when a specified stretching force is reached.
16. 21. The cutting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein the hock cutters each include a pivotally mounted curved blade element linearly actuated to capture and chop the carcass legs.
17. 22. The cutting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein spray heads are located adjacent the cutting means. 15 23. The cutting apparatus of any one of the preceding claims wherein "foreleg" is substituted for "hock"
18. 24. The cutting apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. SPEC344 30 October, 2001 Dated this 30th day of October 2001 DON HOPKINS ASSOCIATES Cl- Spruson Ferguson GPO Box 3898 Sydney NSW 2001 Australia SPEC344 SPC34430 October, 2001