GB2108366A - Apparatus for pulling-off the skin on heads of animals - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus for pulling-off the skin from the heads of small cattle, especially sheep, comprises pulling means 1 arranged for clamping to at least one skin flap 4 which is provided in advance from a cut in the skin in the longitudinal direction of a head 5, and means 9, 11, 12, 13 for moving the pulling means 1 in relation to the head 5 in such a manner that the skin is pulled off in a direction approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the head 5. The pulling means 1 may be a reeling device in the form of an elongated clip 2, 3 which at one end thereof is attached to the output shaft 6 of a drive motor 7 mounted on the moving means. The clip may be replaced by a pair of clamping rollers or gripping jaws which roll the skin back from either side of the cut; the neck being supported by hoop 15 during skinning.

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for pulling-off the skin on heads of animals The invention relates to an apparatus for pulling off the skin on heads of animals, especially small cattle, in connection with slaughtering.

In connection with mechanized and automated slaughtering of sheep and other small cattle the flaying of the head is problematic. Thus, the skin easily breaks when it is to be pulled off the head, i.a.

as a result of the fact that eyes, ears, horns and other bone substances on the surface of the head weaken the skin.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a skin puller apparatus which overcomes the previously existing problems in this connection.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a skin puller apparatus which is characterized in that it comprises a pulling means arranged for clamping of at least one skin flap which is provided in advance from a cut in the skin in the longitudinal direction of the head, and a means for relative movement of the pulling means in relation to the head in such a manner that the skin is pulled off in a direction approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the head.

By pulling or rolling off the skin with such an apparatus so that the pulling direction in ail essentials is approximately normal to the longitudinal axis of the head, optimum conditions for the skin pulling are achieved.

The invention will be described more closely in the following in connection with exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a first skin puller apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of schematically shown members of a modified embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention; and Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of schematically shown members of a third embodiment of such a skin puller apparatus.

The exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings are shown in connection with carcasses of small cattle, e.g. sheep carcasses, which are suspended from the hind legs, e.g. in an overhead conveyor (not shown) extending between different stations in a butchery. However, the apparatus according to the invention may also be used in connection with animal carcasses suspended or suitably supported in another manner.

The apparatus in Fig. 1 comprises a pulling means in the form of an elongate clip 1 having a pair of jaw members 2,3 between which there is clamped a skin flap 4 which is pulled out from a cut formed in the skin at the underside of the head 5 of the carcass in the longitudinal direction of the head. At one end the clip 1 is attached to the output shaft from a drive motor 7.for rotation of the clip about its longitudinal axis, which longitudinal axis is oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the head 5. In its clamping position the clip 1 is locked by means of an eccentric lock 8.

The shown clip constitutes a reeling means on which the skin is wound during the pulling-off operation. Alternatively, the clip may be replaced by a more or less cylindrical roller or the like having a suitable clamping means.

The drive motor 7 is mounted on a movement means allowing movement of the clip or reeling means 1 along the surface of the head 5 during the pulling-off operation. The movement means comprises a holder or bracket 9 forming a support for the motor 7 and which, in the illustrated embodiment, also constitutes a bearing support for the clamping clip 1. The bracket 9 is connected to a base 10 via a longitudinally adjustable means which, in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a pair of telescopically adjustable rods 11 i connection with an adjustment cylinder 12, and further via a flexible bearing means 13 in the form a universal joint of the gimbal joint type. The adjustment cylinder 12, which may be hydraulic or pneumatic, is surrounded by a guide ring 14 having an outwards projecting, U-shaped portion forming a "parking position" for the adjustment cylinder.

In Fig. 1 there is further partly shown a supporting hoop 15 which partly surrounds the neck of the suspended animal carcass and is suitably formed for support of the head 5 during the pulling-off operation.

It will be clear that the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is only to be considered as an example, as e.g. the drive motor holder as well as the length-adjustable means and the flexible bearing means may be replaced by alternative means. Instead of using an e.g. hydraulic adjustment cylinder, one may for example utilize a cam disc means or another mechanical means enabling a desired length adjustment.

When using the apparatus, the clip 1 is put in rotation in the direction of the shown arrow by means of the motor 7 after the preformed skin flap 4 is clamped in the clip. The universal joint 13 allows the rotating clip to follow around the head 5 as the skin is pulled off during winding thereof on the clip, and the telescopic means makes possible that the clip can also get displaced axially. By means of the adjustment cylinder 12 the clip or reeling means can be given an appropriate initial position in dependence of the size of the actual, suspended carcass.

In Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment of the pulling means is schematically shown to comprise a pair of rollers 16 and 17 having suitable clamping means for respe.ctive skin flaps 18, 19 and which are arranged to be rotated as shown, with opposite rotational directions. The rollers are mounted in respective, resilient suspension means (not shown) so that they can move outwards and inwards during the pulling off operation in the direction of the shown arrows 20 and 21. Further, there is provided an underlying, movable arm 22 which is provided with a head holder 23 for supporting the head of the suspended carcass 24 during upward movement of the arm 22, and therewith the suspended carcasse 24, in the direction of the arrow 25.

Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of the pulling means wherein said rollers are replaced by a pair of gripping arms 26 and 27 with associated means 28, 29, e.g. gripping jaws, for clamping of skin flaps 30, 31 on each side of the cutformed along the underside of the head. In a manner corresponding to that of the embodiment according to Fig. 2, there is provided an arm 32 having a holder 33 for supporting the head of the suspended carcass 34. The relative movement between skin and head is achieved in that the arms 26, 27 and be moved outwards and inwards in relation to the head while the head is pushed upwards by upward movement of the arm 32 in the direction of the shown arrow 35.

Instead of moving the head upwards by means of the arm 32 during the pulling-off operation, the gripping arms 26, 27 can be arranged in sush a manner that they can be moved downwards in addition to the outward and inward movement. The arm 32 may then be stationary during the pulling-off operation.

Claims (8)

1. Apparatus for pulling-off the skin from the head of an animal in connection with slaughtering, comprising pulling means arranged for clamping of at least one skin flap which is provided in advance from a cut in the skin in the longitudinal direction of the head, and means for relative movement of the pulling means in relation to the head in such a manner that the skin is pulled off in a direction substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the head.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulling means comprises reeling means which is arranged to be rotated by a driving means mounted on said movement means, thereby to pull off the skin during winding thereof on the reeling means, the movement means being arranged to allow movement of the reeling means along the surface of the head during the pulling-off operation.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reeling means comprises an elongate clip which at one end thereof is attached to the output shaft of a drive motor.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the driving means is mounted on a holder which is connected to a base via a flexible bearing means, e.g. a universal joint.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the holder is connected to the flexible bearing means via a longitudinally adjustable means.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the pulling means comprises a pair of rollers which are rotatable in opposite directions and are mounted in respective, resilient suspension means, a head-supporting, moveable arm being provided for movement of the head in relation to the pulling means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pulling means comprises a pair of gripping arms with associated means for clamping of skin flaps on each side of said cut, a head-supporting arm being provided for retention and movement of the head in relation to the gripping arms.

8. Apparatus for pulling-off the skin from the head of an animal, constructed and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 1,2 or 3 of the accompanying drawings.