GB2144022A

GB2144022A - An apparatus for singeing pigs or the like

Info

Publication number: GB2144022A
Application number: GB08320392A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bennie Johan Schuurman; Joop Schneider
Original assignee: Schneider & Schuurman Bv Ingen
Current assignee: Schneider & Schuurman Bv Ingen
Priority date: 1983-07-28
Filing date: 1983-07-28
Publication date: 1985-02-27
Also published as: GB8320392D0; FR2549699A1

Abstract

An apparatus for singeing pigs or for burning off the bristles of pigs or similar animals, is provided with a housing (1) subdivided into a drying section 7 and a singeing or burning section 8 and fitted with doors or air locks (9, 10, 11, 12) and with a discharge opening (21). The animals may be moved through the housing (1) by a transport member (3). The housing (1) is provided with at least one slit-shaped or strip-shaped burner (16) which extends approximately over the width of the animal to be singed and may be moved longitudinally along the animal. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An apparatus for singeing pigs or the like This invention relates to an apparatus for the singeing or burning of pigs or of similar animals, provided with a housing fitted with doors or air locks and a discharge channel, and through which the pigs may be moved by means of a transport member, for example a chain, and the housing has at least one bur ner.

A large number of stationary positioned burners is used in such singeing apparatus which have generally been known for decades. In the best known vertical design, the pigs, suspended from a conveyor rail, are moved through the housing by means of a continuously moving chain, and a large number of burner nozzles which are set up distributed over the height is provided in each of the four corners of the housing. The perfor mance of these known apparatus is particularly low. One of the reasons for this is that the pigs which are moved through the housing are positioned in each case for only a very short time in an optimum position in front of each of the burners. Another reason is that due to the different dimensions, one or more burners are ineffective. Of course, performance losses will also occur if a pig is not correctly suspended from the transport member.

An object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages and, to this end, it has the characteristic that the housing is provided with at least one slitshaped or strip-shaped burner which approximately extends over the width of the animal to be singed and may be moved in the longitudinal direction along the animal. In this arrangement, two or more vertically movable burners may be used which are set up on opposite sides in the housing and are positioned on stands, columns or the like which may move cyclicly with the transport member in the direction of transport.

Another possibility is for the transport member to be moved stepwise. In this case, the burner moves perpendicularly to the forwards movement which has been mentioned, in other words the pig is singed while it is hanging in a still manner.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, each burner may be profiled. Consequently, an optimum position of the burner with respect to the pig is obtained according to the complete movement of the burner along the pig.

The following description will at all times speak about pigs which are transported, suspended, through the apparatus, unless otherwise indicated, although the measures according to the present invention may be readily applied to pigs which have been positioned differently.

A further improvement may be obtained by using a controlled flow of gas, as a result of which, the intensity of the flame may be regulated, depending on the vertical position of the burners, and thus consequently the singeing capability may also be regulated.

This measure ensures that the bristles are also burnt off in very difficultly accessible areas.

The last-mentioned effect may also be obtained by making the spacing adjustable between the burners and the pig to be singed.

In this case, the above-mentioned spacing may be adjustable during the vertical movement of the burners.

Another possibility is obtained by the use of a flame formation control with respect to the pig which is to be burnt off or singed.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first part of the housing, seen in the direction of transport of the pigs, may be designed as a drying section, in which the pigs which come from the damp or wet debristling device are dried before the singeing operation.

In this arrangement, the drying section which is separated from the singeing section by a door, an air lock or the like may be provided with one or more pipes which extend from the top of the singeing section after the drying section and are provided with openings in the area of the drying section, for guiding the waste gases from the burners along the pig to be dried.

Another possibility is for the drying section which is not separated from the singeing section by an air lock to be provided with deflection plates or screens, and for the drying section to be provided on the supply side, seen in the direction of transport of the pigs, with a chimney which is open at the bottom, through which the waste gases are forced to flow downwards from above past the pigs which are guided through the drying section.

One or more fans are used to promote this flow.

Experiments have shown that the singeing apparatus according to the present invention produces a considerable saving in terms of fuel. The fuel which is used may be gaseous or liquid.

The singeing apparatus according to the present invention which is suitable for the normal singeing or burning-off operation, as well as for the so-called "bacon" burning operation, also has the advantage that, as a result of the low fuel consumption, the work may be carried out using gas at a low pressure, thereby increasing the safety with respect to the known apparatus.

On account of the high capacity of the apparatus according to the present invention, this apparatus also has considerably fewer pollution effects compared to the known apparatus.

A further advantage of the apparatus of this invention is that the high capacity facilitates the cleaning of the apparatus, because optionally adhering substances, such as albumins,are prevented from becoming firmly burnt onto the apparatus.

Another important advantage of the present apparatus is provided in that, by using a restricted number of burners with respect to the number of burners in the known apparatus, the so-called connection value, i.e., the dimensions of the gas supply members may be considerably lower compared to the known apparatus.

One embodiment of the singeing or burning apparatus will now be described to illustrate the present invention, with reference to the drawing which is a perspective view, having parts which are broken open to some extent.

The drawing shows a perspective, partially broken-open view of a singeing or burning apparatus.

According to the drawing, a singeing or burning apparatus is provided with a housing 1, through which extends a conveyor rail 2, above which a revolving conveyor chain 3 is provided, fitted with pegs 4. The pegs 4 are used for transporting pigs 6 through the apparatus which are suspended from the conveyor rail 2 by transport hooks 5.

The housing 1 is essentially subdivided into a drying section 7 and a singeing or burning section 8. These sections are separated from each other by a door 9. An air lock 10, provided with doors 11 and 12, is set up on the supply side, upstream of the drying section 7, to restrict the heat loss. Of course, the singeing section is provided with a door (not shown), through which the pigs may be removed.

In the singeing section 8, two stands 1 3 are erected laterally opposite the path of transport, only one of which is shown in the drawing. A burner 1 6 provided with a motor 14 and a fan 15 is attached to each stand in a vertically movable manner. In the embodiment which is shown, the conveyor chain 3 is moved stepwise by means (not shown), in other words, the pigs are dried and singed in a stationary (suspended) manner.

For the drying procedure which has been mentioned, the apparatus is provided at the point of the drying section with a pipe 17, one end of which extends up into the upper end of the singeing section. Three branch lines 1 8 are positioned on the pipe, which are each provided with outlet openings 1 9. The pipe is provided with a fan 20 on the end facing the singeing section. Furthermore, the drying section is provided on the top with a discharge opening 21.

The direction of transport of the pigs, the direction of movement of the burners, the direction of the burner flames, and the movement of the drying air are indicated by arrows in the drawing. In this respect, it is pointed out that the movements of the various parts of the apparatus are controlled by stops which are not stated in more detail.

It is obvious that a large number of modifications is possible within the frame of the inventive concept.

Thus, for example, if a greater production capacity is necessary, each column may be provided with more than one burner, as a result of which a corresponding part of the pig to be treated may be singed.

Claims

1. An apparatus for singeing pigs or burning off the bristles of pigs or similar animals, provided with a housing fitted with air locks and a discharge opening, through which housing the animals may be moved by a transport member, the housing being provided with at least one slit-shaped or stripshaped burner which extends approximately over the width of the animal and may be moved longitudinally along said animal.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising two or more vertically movable burners which are set up on opposite sides in the housing and are positioned on stands, columns or the like which may be moved cyclicly with the transport member in the direction of transport.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transport member is movable stepwise.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each burner is profiled.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the burners are provided with a controlled supply of gas.

6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacing from each burner to the animal is adjustable.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the said spacing is adjustable during the vertical movement of the burner.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a flame formation control with respect to the animals.

9. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the first part of the housing, seen in the direction of transport of the animals, is in the form of a drying section.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the drying section is provided with deflection plates or Screens for guiding waste gases from the burners.

11. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the drying section is provided on the supply side with a chimney which is open at the bottom.

1 2. An apparatus according to any one of claims 9,10 and 11, comprising at least one fan.

1 3. An apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the drying section is separated from the singeing section by a door, and an air lock or the like is provided with one or more pipes which are provided with openings in the area of the drying section and which extend from the top of the singeing section after the drying section.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the transport member comprises a chain.