DK181105B1

DK181105B1 - A device, system and method for skinning a mammal

Info

Publication number: DK181105B1
Application number: DKPA202101054A
Authority: DK
Inventors: Brask Kennet
Original assignee: Limfjordens Smede & Montage
Priority date: 2021-11-08
Filing date: 2021-11-08
Publication date: 2022-12-20
Also published as: DK202101054A1

Abstract

A device 100 for skinning a mammal 2 is disclosed. The device comprises a frame 4; a roller 6 for receiving the skin 3 of the mammal 2 by winding the skin thereon, a drive means 8; wherein said frame 4 comprises a lower base 10 to be supported on a surface 12; wherein said roller 6 is being mounted on said frame 4 in a manner which enables rotation of said roller relative to said frame upon exerting a torque thereto; wherein said drive means 8 is being mechanically coupled to said roller 6 for providing torque to said roller.

Description

. DK 181105 B1 A device, a system and a method for skinning a mammal Field of the invention The present invention relates in general to the field of slaughtering mammals with the view to — provide food for human consumption. More specifically, the present invention relates in a first aspect to a device for skinning a mammal. In a second aspect the present invention relates to a system for skinning a mammal comprising the device of the first aspect in combination with one or more of: a flexible pulling element; and/or a table for carrying the mammal; and/or a suspension means for suspending the mammal; and/or a holding element for holding the two shanks of the mammal apart at a predetermined distance in relation to each other.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a use of a device according to the first aspect or of a system according to the second aspect of the present invention for skinning a mammal.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for skinning a mammal. Background of the invention In the process of slaughtering mammals in order to provide meat for human consumption it is customary, at least in respect of some animals, to initiate the slaughtering process by skinning the animal in order to remove the skin of the animal. Subsequently the animal’s body is cut into the desired meat cuts.

The skinning process itself is performed manually by first making an incision at each shank, at the inner side thereof, from a point above the knee and in a downward direction (relative to an upright standing position of the animal) towards the knee.

Subsequently, the animal is suspended at a lower portion of the shanks so as to hang head down. Thereafter a butcher will pull the skin in a downward direction, and using a knife the butcher will cut loose the skin from the rest of the body.

Such a manual process of skinning a mammal is a tedious, labour-heavy process involving repeating and ergonomically unhealthy incision movements by the butcher.

Moreover, upon performing the manual incisions in order to remove the animal’s skin from the rest of the body, valuable flavouring fat tissue will inevitably be removed from the animal’s body. Besides, it is almost impossible to avoid, while performing the manual cutting, that incisions will be made into the meat, thereby leaving the final meat cuts with undesirably cut marks therein.

, DK 181105 B1 Finally, as the skin which has been cut loose during this manual skinning process has a tendency to curl around itself, it is impossible to avoid that the hairs of the outer surface of the skin of the animal will come into contact with the meaty part of the rest of the animal, thereby leaving loose hair on the meat. This situation constitutes an unhygienic result, as the outer surface of the skin of the animal not only is dirty but usually also is infected by various parasites and/or bacteria. In such a situation, all loose hair will have to be removed before proceeding further. The contamination from the outer surface of the fur or the skin to the meaty part of the mammal is furthermore present throughout the prior art manual skinning procedure every — time the butcher’s hands first touch the outer surface of the skin and subsequently touch the meaty part of the skinned mammal. US 4,229,860 discloses an apparatus for removing the hide from an animal. The apparatus comprises a first vertically extending frame and a second vertically extending frame. The second frame is movable in relation to the first frame by means of a first drive means. A drum having a horizontal rotational axis is arranged on the second frame. The drum can be brought into rotation via a drum drive means. A chain is fastened to the drum and by hanging an animal head down from the first vertically arranged frame the chain may be fasted to a portion of a loosely cut hide of the animal. By bringing the drum into rotation, the chain will be tightened, and the hide will be pulled off. On the drum are arranged a number of coaxial rod holders each comprising a tubing. By arranging a rod in the rod holder and by first making sure that the rod extends through a chain link of a chain, the length of the chain can be adjusted to the size of the animal prior to removing the hide thereof. However, this type of means for adjusting the chain length disclosed in US 4,229,860 is rather cumbersome and time consuming. Accordingly, a problem is involved in the prior art manual skinning process of mammals. Hence, a need persists for improvements in skinning mammals. It is an objective of the present invention to provide such improvements. It is accordingly an objective of the present invention to provide technology which overcomes the problems of the prior art technique for skinning mammals.

Brief description of the invention These objectives are fulfilled according to the first, the second, the third and the fourth aspect of the present invention. Accordingly, the first aspect of the present invention relates to a device for skinning a mammal, wherein said device in the orientation intended during use, comprises: - a frame; - a roller for receiving the skin of the mammal by winding the skin thereon;

- a drive means; wherein said frame comprises a lower base to be supported on a surface; wherein said roller is being mounted on said frame in a manner which enables rotation of said roller relative to said frame upon exerting a torque thereto; wherein said drive means is being mechanically coupled to said roller for providing torque to said roller; characterized in that said roller comprises fastening means for fastening a flexible pulling element, wherein said fastening means comprises a protrusion having an indentation for receiving a link of a chain, wherein said fastening means is being arranged on said elongate — skin receiving portion of said roller.

In a second aspect the present invention relates to a system for skinning a mammal comprising a device according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with one or more of the following: a) a flexible pulling element; and/or b) a support table for supporting the mammal during incision of the shanks thereof; and/or c) a suspension means for suspending the mammal above the device during skinning thereof, and/or d) a holding element for holding the two shanks of the mammal apart at a predetermined distance in relation to each other.

In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of a device according to the first aspect of the present invention or of a system according to the second aspect of the present invention for skinning a mammal.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for skinning a mammal, said method comprises the steps of: 1) providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention or a system according to the second aspect of the present invention; i1) providing a mammal to be subject to a skinning operation; ii1) manually making an incision at each shank of said mammal, at an inner side thereof, and along a portion of the longitudinal extension of said shank, and manually loosening a portion of the skin from the rest of the mammal; iv) hanging the mammal from the shank(s) head down above said device; v) fastening one end of a flexible pulling element to the skin being initially loosened in step iii); vi) fastening the opposite end of the flexible pulling element to the roller of said device;

2 DK 181105 B1 vil) switching on the device so as to make the roller rotate in a specific direction of rotation, thereby winding part of the flexible pulling element, and subsequently also winding part of the skin onto the roller; viii) switching off the device, thereby making the roller stop rotating, once a predetermined — portion of the skin has been pulled off the animal. The present invention in its various aspects provides for better ergonomic working conditions for the butcher. Besides, using the inventive device it will be avoided that an outer furry surface of the skin will come into contact with the meat beneath the skin of the mammal. In addition, with the various aspects of the present invention it is possible to avoid, during the mechanical skinning procedure, the necessity of the butcher to touch the outer surface of the skin and subsequently the meaty surface of the skinned mammal. Hereby, a more hygienic skinning operation is provided. Moreover, the present invention provides the beneficial effect of retaining valuable fat tissue in the mammal’s body upon skinning and it provides for avoiding unintentional cut marks being made into the meat of the mammal. Brief description of the figures Fig. 11s a perspective illustration showing an authentic embodiment of the first aspect of the — present invention. Fig. 2 is an illustration showing the embodiment of Fig. 1 form another perspective. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operational principle of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention. Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are drawings illustrating the operation of skinning a mammal by using the inventive device. Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the holding element of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a support table of the system of the second aspect of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention In a first aspect the present invention relates to a device for skinning a mammal, wherein said device in the orientation intended during use, comprises: - a frame;

- a roller for receiving the skin of the mammal by winding the skin thereon; - a drive means; wherein said frame comprises a lower base to be supported on a surface; wherein said roller is being mounted on said frame in a manner which enables rotation of said 5 roller relative to said frame upon exerting a torque thereto; wherein said drive means is being mechanically coupled to said roller for providing torque to said roller; characterized in that said roller comprises fastening means for fastening a flexible pulling element, wherein said fastening means comprises a protrusion having an indentation for receiving a link of a chain, wherein said fastening means is being arranged on said elongate skin receiving portion of said roller.

With the device the disadvantages of the prior art as mentioned in the introduction to the present application will be avoided fully or at least in part.

Providing a fastening means with a protrusion having an indentation for receiving a link of a chain on the elongate skin receiving portion of said roller enables that a chain fast and easily can be fastened to the fastening means and also fast and easily become detached therefrom.

It should be noted that within the meaning of the present description and the amended claims, it is understood that upon beginning the skinning process, the mammal is an animal which is already dead.

The present invention in its various aspects are particularly, but not exclusively intended for skinning hoofed mammals, such as wildlife animals which has been shot dead during hunting.

Within the meaning of the present description and the amended claims, it is understood that the term “in the orientation intended during use” means in an orientation wherein the lower base of the frame is supported on a horizontally oriented surface, such as a floor.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the roller comprises an elongate skin receiving portion.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the elongate skin receiving portion is oriented in an essentially horizontal direction.

The elongate skin receiving portion of the roller may or may not extend in the full axial length of the roller.

In one embodiment of the device the roller and/or said elongate skin receiving portion is having an elongate extension of 30 — 160 cm, such as 40 — 150 cm, e.g. 50 — 140 cm, such as 60 — 130 cm, for example 70 — 120 cm, such as 80 — 110 cm or 90 — 100 cm.

In one embodiment of the device the extension of said elongate skin receiving portion is having a maximum extension in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal extension of 2 — 35 cm, such as 5 — 30 cm, for example 10 — 25 cm or 15 — 20 cm.

These dimensions have proven suitable for skinning most mammals.

. DK 181105 B1 In one embodiment of the device the roller and/or the elongate skin receiving portion comprises one flange or two separate flanges for guiding the skin onto said roller or elongate skin receiving portion. Hereby can be secured that the skin, upon being winded onto the roller, is guided to a central part of the roller and that the skin does not roll off the roller. In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the lower base of said frame comprises means for enabling fastening of the frame to a surface below, such as by comprising through-going holes for bolting said frame to said surface below.

As huge forces may apply in skinning a mammal, it is advantageous to provide for sturdy fastening of the device to a supporting surface, such as a floor.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the drive means comprises a motor for providing torque to said roller, such as an electrical motor or a hydraulic motor.

Such motors are simple to install and provided for a sufficient torque.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the device comprises a gearing arranged between an output axle of said drive means and said roller, thereby providing reduced rotational speed and/or increased torque to said roller.

In one embodiment of the device the output power of said drive means 8 is 250 — 3,000 W, such as 500—2,500 W, for example 750 — 2000 W or 1,000 — 1,500 W.

Such powers have proven sufficient when skinning mammals.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the roller is being suspended onto said frame in one or more bearings, such as in two bearings arranged at opposite ends of said roller.

Bearing provides for adequate distribution on the load exerted to the roller onto the frame and allows rotation of the roller in relation to the frame.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the device comprises a control unit for controlling, upon being provided with input thereto, the operation of said device.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the control unit comprises a master switch for providing an emergency stop to said drive means. Hereby improved safety is provided.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the control unit comprises an operational switch for manually switching on and off the rotation of — said the roller of said device.

Hereby the operation of the roller of the device is easily controlled.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the operational switch is a “dead man’s switch” which is configured to only make the roller rotate when a force is being exerted thereto. Hereby improved safety is provided.

In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the operational switch is a toggle switch configured to make said roller rotate in one specific rotational direction upon being exerted with a force in one direction; and make said roller rotate in the opposite rotational direction upon being exerted with a force thereto in the opposite direction, and optionally make said roller not rotate upon not being exerted with a — force thereto. Hereby the operation of the roller of the device is easily controlled. Such a toggle switch may even by operated by the butcher’s leg or knee. In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the control unit comprises a regulator for regulating the speed of rotation of said roller. A speed controller can be advantageous in case a specific skin of a mammal requires special attention during skinning. In one embodiment of the device the device is being configured to make said roller rotate, when not being under load, at a rotational speed of 5 — 50 rpms, such as 10 — 45 rpms, for example 15 — 40 rpms, for example 20 — 35 rpms or 25 — 30 rpms. — Such RPMs have proven adequate for the skinning procedure. In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the lower base of said frame comprises one or more wheels arranged at one end of the device, in such a way that when said device is resting on a planar supporting surface, said one or more wheels are having their lowest point above said planer supporting surface, and in such a way — that when the end of the device, opposite to the end comprising the one or more wheels, is lifted, the wheels will come into contact with said planer supporting surface, thereby enabling moving by rolling over the supporting surface of the device. In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the device furthermore comprises one or more bolts or nuts, such as wing bolts or wing nuts for fastening said device to said supporting surface, such as via said holes by means of said bolts or nuts. In these two embodiments the device may easily be removed which is advantageous in order to be able to comply with cleaning requirements. In one embodiment of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention the device is being adapted for skinning of a hoofed mammal, such as a mammal selected from the group comprising: a sheep, a goat, a cattle, a red deer, a fallow deer, a mouflon, a sika deer, a moose, a reindeer, a wild boar or a roe deer. In a second aspect the present invention relates to a system for skinning a mammal comprising a device according to the first aspect of the invention in combination with one or 40 — more of the following:

2 DK 181105 B1 a) a flexible pulling element; and/or b) a support table for supporting the mammal during incision of the shanks thereof; and/or c) a suspension means for suspending the mammal above the device during skinning thereof; and/or d) a holding element for holding the two shanks of the mammal apart at a predetermined distance in relation to each other.

In one embodiment of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention the flexible pulling element is selected from the group comprising: a chain comprising a plurality — of chain links, optionally also comprising a closed ring in one of the chain links at the end of the chain; a rope; a cable; a cord; a string; a band; a strap; a wire; such as a steel wire rope: or a hose.

Such types of a flexible pulling element are useful in use with the device of the first aspect of the invention.

In one embodiment of the system the flexible pulling element is having a maximum length, when being stretched out, of 50 — 400 cm, such as 100 — 350 cm, e.g. 150 — 300 cm, such as 200 — 250 cm.

Such lengths are sufficient in almost all cases of skinning a mammal with the system.

In one embodiment of the system the support table for carrying the mammal during incision comprises one or more wheels.

Hereby the support table can easily follow the movement dictated by the animal upon being hoisted above the device of the system.

In one embodiment of the system the support table at an upper portion is defining a concave support having a first inner portion which is lowered compared a second outer portion, thereby aiding in supporting a mammal on its back.

In one embodiment of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention the suspension means is in the form of a hook or the like to become fastened to a ceiling.

In one embodiment of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention the suspension means comprises a lifting hoist for lifting the mammal above said device.

A lifting hoist reduces the forces needed in order to lift the mammal.

In one embodiment of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention the holding element is in the form of a tiebar comprising two opposite ends and a fastening means arranged between said two opposite ends, wherein each end is configured for penetrating one shank of said mammal. — The tiebar will aid in providing a correct positioning of the two shanks during the initial process of the mechanical skinning procedure.

2 DK 181105 B1 In a third aspect the present invention provides a use of a device according to the first aspect of the present invention or of a system according to the second aspect of the present invention for skinning a mammal.

In a fourth aspect the present invention provides a method for skinning a mammal, said method comprises the steps of: 1) providing a device according to the first aspect of the present invention or a system according to the second aspect of the present invention; i1) providing a mammal to be subject to a skinning operation; ii1) manually making an incision at each shank of said mammal, at an inner side thereof, and — along a portion of the longitudinal extension of said shank, and manually loosening a portion of the skin from the rest of the mammal; iv) hanging the mammal from the shank(s) head down above said device; v) fastening one end of a flexible pulling element to the skin being initially loosened in step iii); vi) fastening the opposite end of the flexible pulling element to the roller of said device; vii) switching on the device so as to make the roller rotate in a specific direction of rotation, thereby winding part of the flexible pulling element, and subsequently also winding part of the skin onto the roller; viii) switching off the device, thereby making the roller stop rotating, once a predetermined — portion of the skin has been pulled off the animal.

In one embodiment of the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention the method further comprising the step of: ix) switching on the device so as to make the roller rotate in the opposite rotational direction of the specific direction of rotation defined in step vii), thereby unwinding the skin and optionally also unwinding at least part of the flexible pulling element from the roller.

Referring now to the figures for better illustrating the present invention, Fig. 1 is a perspective illustration showing an authentic embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention.

Fig 1 shows the device 100. The device 100 comprises a frame 4 and a roller 6 for receiving the skin of a mammal 2 by winding the skin thereon.

The frame 4 comprises a lower base 10 which is supported on the floor surface 12. The roller 6 is being acted upon by a drive means 8 (not seen in fig. 1) comprising an electric motor.

The roller 6 is suspended on the frame 4 by means of a bearing 32. A control unit 34 is being supplied with an electric supply voltage of 380 V AC.

The control unit 34 comprises an operational toggle switch 38 in the form of a joystick.

Upon toggling this toggle switch in one direction, the roller will by means of the drive means 8 receive a torque which implies rotation of the roller 6 in one direction.

Upon toggling the toggle switch in the opposite direction, the roller 6 will rotate, again by means of the drive means 8, in the

DK 181105 B1 10 opposite direction.

A master switch 36 allows for making an emergency stop of the device, thereby stopping rotation of the roller 6. Fig 1 shows that the roller 6 comprises an elongate skin receiving portion 14 arranged between two flanges 22. This portion of the roller 6 will in use receive the skin 3 of a mammal.

The roller 6 comprises a fastening means 16 for fastening a flexible pulling element 202 in the form of a chain.

The fastening means 16 comprises a protrusion 18 having an indentation 20 for receiving a link 204 of a chain 202. The chain 202 comprises in its end links a ring 205. It is seen in Fig. 1 that the lower base 10 of the frame 4 comprises through-going holes 24 for allowing bolting the device 100 onto the floor 12. Fig. 2 is a perspective illustration of the device of fig. 1 as seen from another perspective.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operational principle of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows that a control unit 34 is being supplied with a supply voltage of 380 V AC.

The — control unit comprises a master switch 36 which allows emergency switching off the drive means 8. An electric wire 25 will supply a supply voltage to the drive means 8 in the form of an electric motor 26. The output axle 30 of the electric motor 26 is connected to the reduction gearing 28 for reducing RPMs and increasing torque.

The output axle of the gearing 28 is mechanically — connected to the roller 6 of the device.

An operational switch 38 in the form of a toggle switch or a joystick allows an operator to switch on/off the rotation of the roller.

Besides, depending on which direction (as indicated by the arrow) the toggle switch is moved, the roller 6 will either rotate in one direction or the opposite direction. —A regulator 40 allows an operator to adjust the RPMs of the motor 26. Fig. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are drawings illustrating the operation of skinning a mammal by use of the device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 4a is a perspective view showing a butcher who is in the process of making an initial, manual incisions 46 in the shanks 42 of the mammal 2. It is seen that the butcher 48 along the longitudinal direction, and at an inner side thereof, of one of the shanks 42 of the mammal 2 has manually made an incision 46 with a knife.

The incision 46 is marked with the bold curve.

Subsequently the part of the skin 3 which has been cut loose has been pulled in a direction transversal to the longitudinal direction of the shank, as denoted by the arrow.

This initial incision is made while the mammal is lying down on a supporting table. — Fig. 4b illustrates the mammal 2 lying down on the supporting table 206. The butcher 48 has now manually made an incision along each of the shanks of the mammal 2 and subsequently

1 DK 181105 B1 he has manually pulled away part of the skin 3 originating from the shanks in the downward direction as illustrated by the arrow.

Fig. 4c illustrates the next step in the skinning operation. It is seen in fig. 4c that the shanks 42 of the mammal 2 have been fastened to a holding element 210 and that this holding element via suspension means 208 has been hoisted in an upward direction. Also seen in Fig. 4c is that one end of a flexible pulling element 202 in the form of a chain has been tightened around part of the skin 3 which originates form the shanks 42 and which had manually been cut loose. This is performed by forming a loop by directing some of the chain 202 into the ring 205 and looping this loop around the skin 3 that has been manually cut loose.

— The other end of the flexible pulling element 202 has been attached to the fastening means 16 of the roller 6 of the device 100. In this situation the mammal is prepared for being skinned by using the device of the present invention. Fig. 4d illustrates the situation in which most of the skin 3 of the mammal 2 has been pulled off by being winded onto the roller 6 of the device 100 due to the rotation of the roller. Accordingly, in the situation illustrated in Fig. 4c the roller 6 of the device 100 has been brought to rotation. This has implied the chain 202 being winded onto the roller 6 and thereby tightened. Upon further tightening of the chain 202, the continued rotation of the roller 6 will imply pulling off the skin 3 of the mammal, ending in the situation illustrated in Fig. 4d.

In this situation, the roller 6 may be brought to rotation in the opposite direction thereby freeing the skin 3 and the chain 202 from the roller 6. Next the mammal may be moved to a butchering table for being cut into the desired meet cuts. It is seen in Fig. 4d that due to the pulling technique involved, the outer surface of the skin has no chance of getting in contact with meat of the mammal 2. Accordingly, the skinning procedure provides improved hygiene. Fig. 5 is a plan view illustrating one embodiment of the holding element of the system according to the second aspect of the present invention. The holding element 210 is in the form of a tiebar 218 comprising two opposite ends 220a, —220b. A fastening means 222 is arranged between the two opposite ends 220a,220b. In use for holding a mammal during skinning, each end 220a,220b of the tiebar is penetrating one shank of the mammal 2. Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a support table of the system of the second aspect of the present invention.

2 DK 181105 B1 Fig. 6 shows the support table 206 comprising a frame which is supported on the ground surface 12 via four wheels 224. The support table 206 defines at an upper portion 212 a concave support 214. The concave support 214 comprises two plates, each having a first inner portion 216a which is lowered compared a second outer portion 216b.

Hereby the support table aids in supporting a mammal when lying on its back.

The support table is useful for supporting the mammal 2 during skinning of a mammal from the step of performing the initial manually made incisions into the skin 3 and to the step of starting to make the roller 6 of the device 100 pull off the skin 3 of the mammal 2. — It should be understood that all features and achievements discussed above and in the appended claims in relation to one aspect of the present invention and embodiments thereof apply equally well to the other aspects of the present invention and embodiments thereof.

13 DK 181105 B1 List of reference numerals 2 Mammal 3 Skin of mammal 4 Frame of device 6 Roller of device 8 Drive means of device Lower base of frame 12 Supporting surface 14 Elongate skin receiving portion of roller 10 16 Fastening means of roller for fastening a flexible pulling element 18 Protrusion of fastening means Indentation for receiving a link of a chain 22 Flange on roller 24 Through-going hole of lover base of frame of device 13 25 Electric cable for supplying voltage to electric motor 26 Motor of drive means 28 Gearing 30 Output axle of drive means 32 Bearing for roller 20 34 Control unit for controlling device 36 Master switch of control unit 38 Operation switch 40 Regulator for regulating the rotational speed of the roller 42 Shank of mammal 46 Manually made incision 48 Butcher 100 Device 200 System 202 Flexible pulling element 204 Chain link of chain

1 DK 181105 B1 205 Ring in chain link 206 Support table for supporting a mammal 208 Suspension means for suspending a mammal above the device 210 Holding element for holding the shanks of the mammal apart 212 Upper portion of support table 214 Concave support of support table 216a First inner portion of concave support of support table 216b Second outer portion of concave support of support table 218 Tiebar of holding element 220a,220b Opposite ends of tiebar 222 Fastening means of tiebar 224 Wheels of support table

Claims

DK 181105 B1 15 Patent claim

1. Device (100) for grooming a mammal (2), wherein the device 1 the orientation intended during use comprises: - a frame (4); - a roller (6) for receiving the skin (3) of the mammal (2) by wrapping the skin thereon; - a propellant (8); wherein the roller (6) is mounted on the frame (4) in a manner which enables rotation of the roller relative to the frame by applying a torque thereto; — where the drive means (8) is mechanically coupled to the roller (6) to provide torque to the roller; characterized in that the roller (6) comprises a fastening means (16) for fastening a flexible traction element (202), the fastening means (16) comprising a projection (18) with a notch (20) for receiving a link of a chain, the fastening means is arranged on an elongated skin receiving part of the roll (6).

2. Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the roller (6) comprises an elongated skin receiving part (14).

3. Device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the elongate skin receiving part (14) is oriented in a substantially horizontal direction.

Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower base (10) of the frame comprises means for enabling attachment of the frame to an underlying surface, such as comprising through holes (24) for bolting the frame to the surface (12) below.

Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means (8) comprises a motor (26) for providing torque to the roller (6), such as an electric motor or a hydraulic motor; where the device possibly includes a gear (28) which is arranged between an output shaft (30) for the propellant (8) and the roller (6), thereby achieving reduced rotational speed and/or increased torque for the roller (6).

Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the roller (6) is suspended on the frame (4) in one or more bearings (32), such as in two bearings arranged at — opposite ends of the roller (6).

7. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises a control unit (34) for controlling the operation of the device by providing input thereto.

8. Device (100) according to claim 7, where the control unit (34) comprises a main switch (36) — to enable an emergency stop for the propellant (8).

DK 181105 B1 16

9. Device (100) according to claim 7 or 8, where the control unit (34) comprises an operating switch (38) for manual switching on and off for rotation of the roller (6) for the device.

Device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the operating switch (38) is a "dead man's switch" which is configured to allow the roller to rotate only when a force is applied thereto.

Device (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the operating switch (38) is a rocker switch configured to cause the roller (6) to rotate in one specific direction of rotation by applying a force thereto in one direction; and to bring the roller (6) into rotation in the opposite direction of rotation by applying a force thereto in the opposite direction, and optionally to bring the roller into non-rotation when no force is applied thereto.

12. Device (100) according to any one of claims 7 — 11, wherein the control unit (34) comprises a regulator (40) for regulating the rotation speed of the roller (6).

13. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower base (10) of the frame (4) comprises one or more wheels which are arranged at one end of the device (100) in such a way that that when the device rests on a flat supporting surface (12), — the wheel or wheels have their lowest point above this supporting surface (12), and in such a way that when the end of the device opposite the end comprising the wheel or the wheels, are lifted, then the wheel(s) will be brought into contact with the flat supporting surface (12), whereby movement by rolling over the supporting surface (12) for the device is thereby made possible.

— 14. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device further comprises one or more bolts or nuts, such as wing bolts or wing nuts for attaching the device (100) to the supporting surface (12), such as via holes (24), using the bolts or nuts.

15. Device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device is — adapted to coat a hoof-bearing mammal, such as a mammal selected from the group comprising: a sheep, a goat, a cattle, a red deer, a fallow deer, a mouflon, a sika deer, an elk, a reindeer, a wild boar or a roe deer.

A system (200) for grooming a mammal, comprising a device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with one or more of the following: a) a flexible traction element (202); and/or b) a support table (206) for supporting the mammal (2) during cutting of the shanks (42) thereof; and/or c) suspension means (208) for suspending a mammal above the device (100) during furring thereof; and/or d) a holding element (210) for holding the two legs (42) of the mammal (42) apart at a predetermined distance relative to each other.

17. System (200) according to claim 16, where the flexible traction element (202) is selected from the group comprising: a chain comprising a plurality of chain links (204), optionally also comprising a closed ring (205) in one of the chain links (204) at one end of the chain; a rope; a cable; a string; a 40 — string; a tape; a strap; a wire, such as a steel wire rope; or a snake.

DK 181105 B1 17

18. System (200) according to any one of claims 16 — 17, where the suspension means (208) are in the form of a hook or the like for fixing in a ceiling.

19. System (200) according to any one of claims 16-18, wherein the suspension means (208) comprises a hoisting device for lifting the mammal above the device (100).

20. System (200) according to any one of claims 16 - 19, wherein the holding element (210) is in the form of a suspension rod (218) comprising two opposite ends (220a, 220b) and a fastening means (222) which is arranged between the two opposite ends (220a, 220b), each end being configured to penetrate one of the mammal's (2) shanks.

21. Use of a device (100) according to any one of claims 1 — 15 or of a system (200) according to any one of claims 16 — 20 for furring a mammal (2).

22. Method for furring a mammal (2), wherein the method comprises the steps: i) providing a device (100) according to any one of claims 1-15 or a system (200) according to any one of the claims 16 - 20; i1) providing a mammal (2) to be subjected to furring; iii) manually making an incision at each shank (42) of the mammal, at an inner side thereof and along a portion of the longitudinal extent of the shank, and manually detaching a portion of the skin (3) from the remainder of the mammal (2); ; iv) suspending the mammal (2) from the shank(s) (42) head down above the device (100); v) attaching one end of the flexible traction element (202) to the skin (3) initially detached 1 step iii); vi) attaching the opposite end of the flexible traction element (202) to the roller (6) of the device (100); vii) turning on the device (100) so that the roller (6) rotates in a specific direction of rotation, — whereby part of the flexible traction element (202) is thereby wound and subsequently a part of the skin (3) is also wound on the roller (6) ); viii) disconnection of the device (100), whereby the rotation of the roller (6) is brought to an end when a predetermined part of the skin (3) has been pulled by the mammal.

23. Method according to claim 22 further comprising the step of: ix) turning on the device (100) so that the roller (6) rotates in the opposite direction of rotation in relation to the specific direction of rotation defined in step vii), the skin ( 3) thereby unwound from the roll, and possibly also by unwound from the roll (6) at least a part of the flexible pulling element (202).