FR2809929A1 - Processing headless beef carcass by introducing hollow insert into neck end of medulla canal to keep dura mater in place and introducing suction pipe thru insert to remove marrow from spine - Google Patents

Abstract

Processing a headless beef carcass includes introducing a hollow insert into the neck end of the medulla canal. The insert keeps the dura mater in place. A pipe connected to a suction source is passed thru the insert to remove the marrow from the spine. Independent claims are included for the following: (a) The suction pipe for use as above is flexible with a rounded end and external diameter of 9 - 13 mm and wall thickness 0.5 - 1.5 mm. (b) The insert for use as above is tubular with a device for engaging the dura mater. (c) A driving device for performing the above has arms for gripping the neck bone and a device for advancing the pipe into and preferably out of, of the medulla canal. (d) A cutter for exposing the medulla canal for use with the above has a blade movable relative to a fixed part introduced into the anus of the carcass. A device moves the blade so part of the carcass can be removed in one piece. (e) A sterilizer for use as above has a tubular body rotatable about a vertical axis contains nozzles delivering turbulent hot water. The body is large enough to receive the suction pipe

Description

The present invention relates in particular to a process intended to be implemented in a slaughterhouse before the carcasses are cut up.

The current trend is to seek to reduce the risk of contamination of beef with tissues likely to be infected with the prion of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis).

The present invention relates to a new process for reducing the risk of contamination during the cutting of carcasses, this process being characterized by the fact that it comprises steps consisting in a) the carcass being stripped, introduce on the side of the collar into the medullary canal a hollow retaining piece capable of holding the dura mater in place, b) insert into the medullary canal, through the retaining piece, a pipe connected to a suction source, so as to aspirate the spinal cord.

 Thanks to the presence of the aforementioned retaining piece, the dura mater is held in place even if the tube is removed during the process of aspiration of the spinal cord.

In the absence of such a holding piece, the dura mater is only held in place by the spinal cord.

Once the latter is aspirated, the dura is likely to come off and in the event of withdrawal and then reintroduction of the tube by the collar, it tends to form a plug at the entrance to the medullary canal, hampering the insertion of the hose and requiring the operator to handle difficult.

The use of a holding piece in the invention therefore makes it possible to aspirate the spinal cord in a reliable manner fast enough to be compatible with the production requirements of large slaughterhouses.

Thanks to the marrow aspiration, considered to be a high risk material, marrow projections are avoided during the cutting of the carcass along the medullary canal by means of a band saw.

This avoids the dissemination into the atmosphere of marrow particles and reduces the risk of contamination of healthy parts.

 In a preferred implementation of the method according to the invention, the pipe used has a rounded end, so as not to damage the dura mater during its movement in the medullary canal. It is thus possible to perform numerous movements back and forth inside the spinal canal to exert a mechanical action facilitating the aspiration of the spinal cord, without damaging the dura mater.

Still according to a preferred implementation of the method according to the invention, the pipe is' of a tool capable of separating pieces of marrow when it is moved in the medullary canal.

such a tool can for example consist of a blade or a fixed in the mouth of the pipe, but more complex tools can be used, for example tools driven by an energy source.

Still in a preferred implementation of the method according to the invention, the medullary canal is brought to the open air on the side opposite the collar, before the introduction of the suction pipe.

This venting is advantageously carried out by means of a shear comprising a fixed part capable of being introduced into the animal's anus and a movable blade making it possible to remove, like a cookie cutter, the terminal region of the spine, considered a risk material.

The aforementioned retaining piece may consist of a disposable insert.

The holding part can also be reusable, and be secured for example by a blocking device making it possible to hold it in place, this blocking device being able to hang on the collar for example.

The holding part can also be integral with a device for driving the tube, making it possible to assist the introduction of the latter into the medullary canal.

Thus, in a preferred implementation of the method according to the invention, the movement of the pipe is assisted by means of a drive device, this relieves the operator.

Preferably, the pipe is engaged by a succession of upward downward movements, the upward movement being greater downward movement.

such a succession of movements makes it possible to generate a mechanical action promoting the removal of the spinal cord. Still in a preferred implementation of the method according to the invention, remove the pipe from the medullary canal at least once before reaching the upper end of the latter, in order to allow the pipe to be vented, which facilitates the evacuation of spinal cord debris contained inside.

Advantageously, during this intermediate step, water is sucked, preferably hot, in order to promote the flow of the marrow in the pipe and lubricate the latter.

The invention also relates to a pipe for implementing the above-mentioned method.

The invention thus relates to a pipe for the suction of the marrow contained in the medulla of a bovine, this pipe being characterized in that it comprises a hose provided at one end with a nozzle whose end exterior is rounded.

The end piece advantageously comprises an inner skirt fixed to the flexible, for example by welding, this inner skirt connecting to an annular crown whose outer surface is rounded, the annular crown and the inner skirt forming a recess capable of coming to bear on the end edge of the hose and preferably having substantially the same width.

Advantageously, the tip carries a means capable of exerting a mechanical action on the spinal cord, for example a sharp means.

This means for exerting a mechanical action on the cord comprises for example a wire extending along a diameter of the inner skirt, between two opposite regions thereof.

The invention also relates to a single-use holding insert, the implementation of the above method.

The subject of the invention is therefore a disposable insert, characterized in that it comprises a tubular body provided with means capable of being applied against the dura mater at the level of the collar.

Such an insert is advantageously produced by molding plastic material. The insert may include a plurality of flexible lamellae, which are elastically deformable in the radial direction.

The body of the tubular insert may have a conical surface at at least one of its axial ends, intended to facilitate the introduction of the insert into the medullary canal or to facilitate the engagement of the tube through the insert, or the centering of a pipe drive member.

The subject of the invention is also a piece for holding the dura mater of a bovine vertebral column, this holding piece being characterized by the fact that it comprises a hollow part of generally frustoconical shape arranged to bear against dura mater and hold it in place.

Such a holding piece is advantageously secured to locking means capable of engaging on the collar.

These blocking means are preferably actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism.

The holding piece can also be integral with the pipe drive mechanism.

The retaining piece may also be integral with gripping means allowing the operator to hold it in place during the introduction or the withdrawal of the tube from the medullary canal.

The invention also relates to a device for driving a pipe inside the medullary canal of a bovine, this device being characterized in that it comprises - blocking means capable of coming to bear on the collar to maintain the drive device in a substantially fixed position relative to the collar, - drive means capable of moving the pipe relative to the collar, at least in the direction of introduction into the medullary canal preferably also in the opposite direction.

These drive means comprise for example drive rollers capable of coming into contact with the pipe to drive it by friction.

The drive device advantageously includes control means making it possible to periodically reverse the direction of movement of the pipe.

The pipe can be provided with a pipe allowing liquid to be brought to the level of the end introduced into the medullary canal, for example hot water, in order to facilitate the detachment of the marrow and its aspiration by the pipe.

The pipe can also include means making it possible to bring a motive energy at the end of the pipe, in order to actuate for example a tool intended to exert a mechanical action on marrow to disintegrate it and facilitate its removal by aspiration.

The pipe drive device may advantageously include a projecting part intended to engage in the medullary canal in order to facilitate the insertion of the pipe therein.

This projecting part can come to bear on a disposable insert previously introduced into the medullary canal.

The projecting part can also be used to introduce the insert into the medullary canal.

Another subject of the invention is a shear intended to vent the medullary canal of a bovine at the end opposite the collar, this shear being characterized by the fact that it comprises - a fixed part to be introduced the animal's anus, - a blade movable relative to the fixed part and allowing part of the bovine to be removed as a cookie cutter, - means for driving the movable blade.

 This blade advantageously has a U-shaped profile when observed in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis and to the longitudinal direction of the fixed part, so as not to remove the rump from the animal. The invention will be better understood from reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting examples of implementation of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which - FIG. 1 schematically represents a suspended carcass, bare and with l end of the medullary canal opposite the collar vented, - Figure 2 is a schematic and partial section in a median plane of the vertebral column of cattle, - Figure 3 shows schematically and partially a shears for perform the aforementioned venting, - Figure 4 is a front view along arrow IV of Figure 3, - Figure 5 shows a pipe drive device, attached to the collar , - Figure 6 shows very schematically the mechanism for driving the pipe, - Figure 7 shows the end of the pipe, - Figure 8 shows the insert to be introduced into the mouth of the spinal canal, - Figure 9 illustrates the temporary fixing of the insert on the pipe drive mechanism, and - Figure 10 shows an alternative embodiment of the holding part of the dura.

FIG. 1 shows a back view of a bovine carcass B held vertically suspended in a conventional manner by the rear legs of the animal.

Carcass B has been stripped.

A cookie cutter D was also made to vent the upper end of the spinal canal.

In the example of Figure 1, the tail of the animal is still present the carcass but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when it has been previously removed.

The vertebral column of the bovine is shown in FIG. 2 very schematically.

This column has a bone structure O and a sheath G called dura mater, filled with spinal cord M.

The lower part of the column constitutes the collar C, the upper part S is free thanks to the cutout D.

There is shown in Figures 3 and 4 the shears 10 for performing this cutting D.

This shears 10 comprises a fixed part 11 intended to be introduced into the animal's anus and a blade 12 able to be driven in pivoting relative to the fixed part 11 by means of a drive mechanism not shown, by example a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism.

The fixed part 11 includes reliefs 13 making it possible to improve its retention in place in the animal.

When the blade 12 is pivotally driven until it covers the fixed part 11 with little play, it removes part of the animal like a cookie cutter.

The method according to the invention is implemented, in the example illustrated, by means of an insert 20 introduced into the medullary canal, suction pipe 30 and a drive device 40 making it possible to assist the operator in moving the pipe 30.

The drive device 40 includes, inside a housing, a roller drive mechanism 41, shown in FIG. 6, these rollers 41 coming to be applied with friction to the pipe 30 and being actuated a gear mechanism 42 , and by a motor 43, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic motor, connected to a control device 44 and to a source of energy (for example a source of compressed air) by a hose 47.

The control device 44 allows the operator to select the direction of rotation of the rollers 41 and therefore the upward displacement downward of the pipe 30.

The drive device 40 comprises blocking means constituted in the example illustrated by arms or jaws 50 capable of coming to bear against the collar C, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

These arms 50 are actuated by any suitable mechanism, preferably pneumatic or hydraulic, not shown for the sake of clarity of the drawing.

The pipe 30 comprises, as shown in FIG. 7, a hose 31 able to work in vacuum, provided at its end with a nozzle 60.

This nozzle 60 has an inner skirt 61 fixed by welding or bonding to the inner surface of the hose 31 and an outer ring 62 whose outer surface 63 is rounded so as not to injure the mother G during the displacement of the pipe 30 in the channel medullary.

The crown 62 is connected to the internal skirt 61 by forming a recess 64 bearing against the end edge of the hose 31.

A cutting tool such as a wire 70 is fixed inside the end piece 60, for example at two diametrically opposite locations of the internal skirt 61. The end piece 60 can be made of plastic or metal.

If the end piece 60 is made of metal, the 70 is preferably metallic and welded to the inner skirt 61.

The wire 70 can be replaced by any other member capable of exerting a mechanical action on the cord when the tube 30 is moved in the medullary canal, for example blade or other.

The insert 20 is shown in isolation in FIG. 8 comprises a tubular body whose internal diameter is large enough to allow the passage of the pipe 30, this body 21 being provided externally with a plurality of elastically deformable members in the radial direction, constituted here by lamellae 22 able to flex while approaching the tubular body 21 when the insert 20 is placed in the medullary canal.

The insert 20 is advantageously made in one piece by plastic molding.

 lamellae 22 are arranged so as to press the mother G against the bone structure O when the insert 20 is put in place, in order to keep the dura mater G in position even in the absence of marrow M and of the pipe 30.

The insertion of the insert 20 into the medullary canal can be done by means of any suitable insertion tool.

It will be noted that in the embodiment described, the drive device 40 comprises a portion 45 forming a projection, capable of engaging in the opening of the medullary canal and in the insert 20, as illustrated in FIG. 9, so as to guide the pipe 30 inside the insert 20.

The drive device 40 also serves here to place the insert 20 in the medullary canal.

The method according to the invention can be implemented in the following manner. It is assumed that the carcass B is in the state shown in FIG. 1, that is to say that it has been exposed and that the cut D has been made for example by means of the shears 10 described previously.

We start by placing the insert 20 in the end of the medullary canal opening at the level of the collar C, after having mounted the insert 20 on the part 45 of the drive device 40, so as to use the latter as an insertion tool.

The drive mechanism 40 is put in place while the arms 50 are separated and then the latter are moved in approach towards one another so as to bear higher on the edge of the collar, as shown in FIG. 5. The pipe 30 is connected to a suction assembly, not shown, comprising means making it possible to separate the air to recover the solid materials, in a conventional manner.

 The advancement of the pipe 30 the medullary canal is preferably carried out by a succession of upward displacements, for example of about twenty centimeters, followed by downward displacements of a lower distance, for example about ten centimeters , in order to exert a mechanical action on the marrow facilitating its detachment from the dura mater G and the formation of easily aspirated chips.

 The operator actuates the control device 44 so as to cause this succession of upward and downward movements.

The operator proceeds in this way until it reaches approximately half the length of the spine, then takes out the pipe 30 to allow the spinal canal to be released into the open air at the level of the collar and to be vented. also pipe 30.

Preferably, a certain amount of hot water is then sucked in order to clean the pipe 30 and lubricate the latter, then the pipe 30 is reintroduced into the medullary canal to aspirate the second half of the spinal cord, proceeding by a succession of movements. up and down as before.

Thanks to the presence of the retaining piece 20, the reinsertion of the pipe 30 in the lower part of the medullary canal, devoid of marrow M, is done without damaging and without displacing the dura mater G, which thus does not hinder the reinsertion of the pipe 30 and retains its function as a sealing sheath.

Thanks to the presence of the rounded end of the pipe 30, the dura G is practically never damaged.

If this were the case, blood from the air would be drawn in place of the marrow M and the treatment could no longer be carried out correctly.

After complete suction of the cord M, the drive device 40 is removed, the insert 20 remaining in place and the carcass can be cut in a conventional manner using a band saw, following the medullary canal.

Due to the absence of marrow M therein, marrow projections and the dissemination of potentially contaminated particles are avoided in the environment of carcass B.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. It is possible in particular to use as a retaining piece a piece of generally frustoconical shape 70 such as that shown in FIG. 10, comprising on its outer surface a plurality of reliefs 71 intended to allow this piece to be wedged in the medullary canal, against the hard -mother G.

Such a holding part also comprises a conical lower mouthpiece intended to facilitate the insertion of the pipe 30.

The part 70 can be secured to a blocking device similar to that shown in FIG. 5.

The retaining piece 70 may also be integral with a gripping member which allows the operator to participate in its retention on the collar during operation of the pipe, 'necessary.

The tube can be provided with a means enabling mechanical energy to be brought to the level of the end introduced into the medullary canal, in order to drive in movement a mechanism intended to exert a mechanical action on the spinal cord, for example a tendril capable of fragmenting the spinal cord.

It is also possible to provide the pipe with a conduit making it possible to inject the medullary canal with a fluid simultaneously with aspiration, for example hot water in order to facilitate the removal of the marrow M.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the displacement of the pipe is carried out manually only, without mechanical assistance.

Claims (37)

<U> CLAIMS </U> 1. Method making it possible to reduce the risks of contamination, in particular by prion of BSE, during the cutting of bovine carcasses, this method being characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps consisting in a) the carcass (B) being stripped, introduce a hollow holding piece (20; 70) on the side of the collar into the dull canal, able to hold the dura mater (G) in place, b) insert into the medullary canal, through the holding piece (20 ; 70), a pipe (30) connected to a suction source, so as to aspirate the spinal cord (M). 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipe (30) has a rounded end, so as not to damage the dura mater (G) during its movement in the medullary canal. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pipe is provided with a tool (70) capable of separating pieces of marrow when it is moved in the medulla. 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that such a tool is constituted by a blade or a wire (70) fixed in the mouth of the pipe. 5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the medullary canal is placed in the open air on the side opposite the collar before the introduction of the suction pipe. 6. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the setting is carried out by means of a shears (10) comprising a fixed part (11) capable of being introduced into the anus of the animal and a movable blade (12) allowing the terminal region of the spine to be removed as a cookie cutter. 7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part is constituted by an insert (20) for single use. 8. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the holding part is reusable. 9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part is integral with a blocking device making it possible to hold it in place, this blocking device being able to hang on the collar ( C) for example. 10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding part is integral with a drive device (40), making it possible to assist the introduction of the tube into the medullary canal. 11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement of the pipe is assisted by means of a drive device (40). 12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe engaged by a succession of upward and downward movements, the upward movement being greater than the downward movement. 13. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube (30) is removed at least once from the medullary canal before reaching the upper end thereof, in order to allow a venting of the hose. 14. Method according to the preceding claim, characterized in that water, preferably hot, is sucked in after the withdrawal of the pipe (30) during this intermediate step, in order to promote the flow of the marrow in the hose and lubricate it. 15. Pipe for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a hose (71) provided at one end with a nozzle (60) whose outer end is rounded. 16. Pipe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the end piece comprises an inner skirt 1) fixed to the hose (71), preferably by welding, this inner skirt (61) connecting to an annular ring (62) of which the outer surface (63) is rounded, the annular ring and the inner skirt forming a step (64) capable of coming to bear on the edge of the hose and preferably having substantially the same width. 17. Pipe according to one of claims 15 or 16, characterized in that the endpiece carries a means (70) capable of exerting a mechanical action on the spinal cord, for example a cutting means. 18. Pipe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the means intended to exert a mechanical action on the cord includes a wire (70) extending along a diameter of the inner skirt between two opposite regions thereof. 19. Pipe according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that it is provided with a conduit allowing liquid to be brought to the level of the end introduced into the medullary canal. 20. Pipe according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it comprises means making it possible to bring motive energy to the level of the end. 21. Insert (20) for single use for implementing the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a tubular body (21) provided with means (22) able to be applied against the mother (G) at the level of the collar. 22. Insert according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is made by molding plastic material. 23. Insert according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of flexible strips (22), elastically deformable in the radial direction. 24. Insert according to one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that the body (21) of the tubular insert has a conical surface at at least one of its axial ends, intended to facilitate the insertion of the insert into the medullary canal or to facilitate the engagement of the pipe through the insert, or even the centering of a device for driving the pipe. 25. Holding piece (70) for implementing the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, intended to hold the dura mater (G) of a bovine vertebral column, characterized by the fact that it comprises a hollow part of generally frustoconical shape arranged to come into abutment against the dura mater and keep the latter in place. 26. Holding piece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is integral with locking means capable of engaging on the collar. 27. Holding piece according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the locking means are actuated by a hydraulic or pneumatic mechanism. 28. Holding piece according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that it is integral with a pipe drive mechanism. 29. Holding piece according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that it is integral with gripping means allowing the operator to hold it in place during the introduction or withdrawal of the pipe (30) in the spinal canal. 30. Device for driving (40) a pipe situated inside the medullary canal of a bovine, for implementing the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, this device being characterized by the fact that it comprises - blocking means (50) capable of coming to bear on the collar to maintain the drive device in a position substantially fixed relative to the collar - drive means (41, 42 , 43) able to move the pipe relative to the collar, at least in the direction of introduction into the medullary canal, preferably also in the opposite direction. 31. Drive device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the drive means comprises drive rollers (41) capable of coming into contact with the pipe to drive it by friction. 32. Drive device according to one of claims 30 and 31, characterized in that it comprises control means (44) making it possible to periodically reverse the direction of movement of the pipe. 33. Drive device according to one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that it comprises a projecting part (45) intended to engage the medullary canal in order to facilitate the insertion of the tube therein. this. 34. Drive device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the projecting part (45) is capable of coming to bear on an insert (20) for single use previously introduced into the medullary canal. 35. Drive device according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the projecting part is used for the introduction of an insert (20) into the medullary canal. 36. Shears intended to vent the medullary canal of a bovine at the end opposite the collar, seen from the implementation of the method according to one of claims 1 to 14, this shears being characterized by the fact that it comprises - a fixed part (11) to be introduced into the animal's anus, - a blade (12) movable relative to the fixed part, making it possible to remove part of the bovine, - means for driving the movable blade. 37. Shears according to the preceding claim, the blade being pivoting, characterized in that it has a U-shaped profile when observed in a direction perpendicular to the pivot axis of the blade and to the longitudinal direction of the fixed part.