GB2203409A - Container for poultry - Google Patents

Abstract

A container for poultry comprises a framework and a basket movable within the framework and having a normal lowered position within the framework, the basket having one or more basket compartments for poultry, the or each basket compartment having an openable lid 27A, 27B. At least one further compartment is defined within the framework above the basket, the or each further compartment having an openable lid 17 whereby the or each basket compartment can be raised when the or each further compartment is empty so as to be loaded or unloaded through the top of the framework. <IMAGE>

Description

POULTRY CONVEYANCE This invention relates to poultry conveyance.

Poultry is produced on farms and then conveyed to factories where the birds are killed, bled, de-feathered and packaged etc. Very large numbers of birds are sent to the factory each day and the aim is to achieve the loading, transport and unloading of them with economy and with minimum hardship for and damage to them.

It is usual to load the birds into cages which are placed upon lorries or trailers to be conveyed to the factory. There are various types of cage and systems of operating them.

Some years ago the cages, which comprise stacks of compartments separated by floors, had doors at the sides through which they were both loaded and unloaded. This proved somewhat awkward in practice.

British Patent 1556538 discloses a container for conveying birds having a plurality of compartments above one another with hinged panels which are the ceilings for the compartments and the floors for others, except in the case of the topmost compartment. These panels are hinged on hinge lines each of which is further from the adjacent wall than the one above so that all the panels can be raised to an open position simultaneously allowing access to the lowest compartment of the cage. Thus, starting with all the panels open the compartments can be successively filled and closed. The compartments are normally provided with side doors as well.

Usually a container of this type, known as a module, has four stacks of compartments, there being three or four compartments in each stack. The stacks are all connected together with ventilation passages between them.

The compartments are defined between walls which have a high proportion of open area for ventilation purposes.

Usually the loading of such a container is done through the top with the modules on the ground in the manner described above. Once loaded the modules are placed upon a lorry designed for the purpose and adapted securely to receive the modules. The reverse procedure can be followed on unloading but it is more common to unload via the side doors with the modules still on the lorry. This saves the trouble of unloading the modules from the lorry and then re-loading them once they have been emptied. In many arrangements the lorries are drawn up between pairs of unloading systems each comprising a platform, and associated conveyors for the birds. Operators stand on the platform, and open and empty the compartments by placing the birds on the conveyor.The platform and conveyor are adjustable in height so that the operators can conveniently obtain access to all the compartments through the side doors.

As the modules are also designed for ease of cleaning after unloading, the turn around time of lorries at the factory can be kept very low.

Other systems involve containers comprising a plurality of drawers located within a frame. Such are disclosed in British Patent Specifications 2050309, 1064299 and 1064298. Again with these systems loading takes place when the containers are on the ground and they are then placed upon the lorry and conveyed to the factory.

However, at the factory they are normally unloaded from the lorry before being emptied.

Thus these systems involve additional handling of the containers at the factory. Usually the drawers are removed from the containers after off-loading from the lorry and despatched to unloading stations, the drawer removal being done by some mechanical apparatus. Thus there is the expense of extra operations at the factory which is quite significant. Also, the drawers can easily become rather heavy making it difficult to open or close them and there can be the danger of the heads of the birds being damaged during drawer movement. Nevertheless advocates of these systems claim that removing the birds from opened drawers is likely to decrease the incidence of damage to such an extent that these extra operations are worthwhile.

In order to provide improved poultry handling we propose to provide a poultry container which opens at the top and includes a basket movable within a framework with at least one poultry compartment in the basket and at least another poultry compartment defined in the container above the basket. This means that all compartments can be unloaded when they are at or near to the top of the container, because the basket can be rasied for loading and unloading.

According to the present invention therefore there is provided a container for poultry comprising a framework and a basket movable within the framework and having a normal lowered position within the framework, the basket having one or more basket compartments for poultry, the or each basket compartment having an openable lid, and there being at least one further compartment defined within the framework above the basket, the or each further compartment having an openable lid whereby the or each basket compartment can be raised when the or each further compartment is empty so as to be loaded or unloaded through the top of the framework.

Preferably the lids are hinged, and preferably they are each hinged on lines which are further from an adjacent wall than the next lid above so that all the lids can be opened and remain open simultaneously. Normally the lid of each compartment except the topmost is the floor of the one above.

Desirably there are three compartments in the container, two being defined in the basket and one further compartment being defined above it. With this arrangement, in loading, the basket can be raised and its compartments in turn filled and its lid closed It is then lowered so that the lower of the further compartment, bounded at the bottom by the lid of the basket, can be filled. Its lid is then closed. The reverse will happen in unloading. This is a particularly convenient arrangement, because a framework which is of the height of three compartments is most convenient for loading when it is standing on the ground.

Obviously however other arrangements could be used, for instance the basket could itself have one or more than two compartments to be successively filled, and there can be other numbers of further compartments above the basket.

Preferably, in addition to the openable lids, each compartment has a side door through which its interior is accessible. These doors may be of the up and over type and may each have a spring clip arrangement to hold it alternatively in the up and down positions.

It is preferable for a plurality of containers to be joined together into a module, so that members of the frameworks are common but so that there are gaps between the containers for ventilation purposes. The most common and desired arrangement is one involving four containers in a module. The modules desirably are provided with means by which they can be lifted so as to be placed and stacked upon each other on a lorry or trailer after being loaded at the farm, and so that they can likewise be easily unloaded at the factory. Such means can be a shaped channel across the top of the module, with a corresponding recess in the bottom to receive the channel of a module below and increase security of positioning.

With the invention, it is the intention that poultry should be both loaded and unloaded into the compartments through the top so that there is no need for side off-loading although that may still be possible. For top unloading it will be necessary to remove the containers and modules from the lorry at the factory, but this operation is perceived to be worthwhile, because of the improved ease of handling of the poultry in the unloading operation leading to less damage and stress for the birds and an easier task for the unloader. However the preferred provision of the side doors means that when on a lorry access to the birds can always be achieved. This is an important consideration against the event of breakdown or the like.

It is possible for the baskets to be raised within the containers by some means which are part of the containers of the invention. It is presently preferred, however, to provide a stand adapted to receive the container and including a jack operative through the bottom of the framework to raise the basket within the framework.

Such a stand for a module of containers of the invention will have as many jacks as there are containers.

Preferably the stand is rotatable, together with the jacks, so that the containers can be successively presented to an operator at an unchanged unloading, or loading position.

Thus, in another aspect the invention provides a stand for a container of the invention having a jack to engage and raise the basket. The jack can be operated by any appropriate means such as hydraulic or electric means so that the basket can be quickly and easily elevated within the framework for loading or unloading as the case might be.

Preferably, and for use with modules according to the invention which comprise a plurality of containers, the stand is a rotatable stand having a number of jacks corresponding to the number of containers in the module.

Unloading from the containers is direct to a conveyor, and it is advantageous for the operator to remain in the most convenient position relative to the conveyor whichever of the containers in a module is being unloaded. Further, given that unloading takes place with the containers or modules off the lorry, the operation of carrying the containers from the lorry requires convenient access to that station. The most advantageous arangement of conveyor is to have a single conveyor moving continuously past the or each unloading station most conveniently in a straight line.The best relative position between the containers while being unloaded and the conveyor is such that the operator who stands facing the container also faces the conveyor so that all that he has to do is to reach down into the container and lift the birds straight up onto the conveyor which is above the container and in front of him.

Given this arrangement it is easy to see how it is advantageous to have the modules of a number of containers on a turntable so that the containers on one side can be unloaded after the containers on another.

Thus the present invention also provides an unloading arrangement for poultry containers including one or more stations at which containers can be placed for unloading, a turntable at the or each station upon which the container is to be placed, and a conveyor for unloaded poultry running above the turntable and thus above containers when placed thereon. Preferably, and for use with containers of the invention, the turntables have jacks for each container to be mounted thereon.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood the following description is given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the frame of a container of the invention Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the basket of the container of the invention to fit into the frame of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a module including four containers according to the invention of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 2 joined together; Fig. 4 is a side view illustrating the loading of a module such as shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side view showing the first step in unloading the module; Fig. 6 shows the second step in unloading the module of Fig. 5, and Fig 7 is a diagramatic view from above illustrating two unloading stations in an unloading arrangement according to the invention.

As shown in Fig. 1 framework 10 has upright members 11 at four corners extending from an open rectangular base formed by members 12. The framework has one poultry compartment in it near the top. Over about one-third of its height the frame is closed by continuous or mesh type walls 13 onthree sides. On the fourth side, while a similar wall could be provided, there is as shown, an up and over door 14 with ventilation holes and a spring catch 15 to keep it located in the closed or open position.

The door has projections running in L shaped grooves 16 at each end to cause it to move in the up and over fashion.

The frame has a lid 17, typically of fiber glass pivoted adjacent to the rear wall of the container. The lower two thirds of the framework can be left open.

To fit in this framework is a basket 20 as shown in Fig. 2. This also has rectangular cross-section slightly smaller than that of the framework. It has walls 23 on three sides and upright members 21 and base members 22. The walls can be mesh or continuous. There are two poultry compartments within the basket, and so the fourth wall comprises two up and over doors 24A, 24B similar to the door 14 of Fig. 1. A lid 27A is aranged to close the top of the basket. The hinge point for this lid is spaced from the rear wall of the basket more than is the hinge point of the lid 17 spaced from the rear wall of the frame, so that both lids 17 and 27A can be opened at once to make the interior of the upper of the two compartments defined within the basket 20 accessible.Similarly the lower compartment is closed from above by a lid 27B and from below by a floor 28, and can in turn be opened by raising the lid 27B which is hinged still further from the rear wall so that it too can remain open while the other two lids are open. Lips extend along the side walls of the framework and basket upon which the lids 17, 27A and 27B rest when they are closed. It will be understood that lid 27B provides the floor for the upper compartment in the basket, and lid 27A provides the floor for the compartment defined in the framework above the basket.

Fig. 3 illustrates a module of the invention comprising four containers 10 integrally formed and spaced apart by passages 33, 34 so as to allow ventilation between them. Across the top of the module is formed a channel 31 of triangular section into which a lifting prong of a motorised lift truck can be inserted to lift the module to and from lorries or trailors. Generally the direction of this channel is transverse to the lorry so that the modules can be loaded thereon from the side. With the invention it is preferred for the hinges of the lids 17, 27, 27A to extend transversely to the direction of this lifting channel for reasons which will become clearer below on.

Likewise the up and over doors such as 14 should be in the faces of the modules transverse to the direction of the channel, so that they are accessible at all times even when the modules are on a lorry. Modules are stacked on lorries, so that there is in the bottom a groove 35 to receive the channel 31 of the module below.

Fig. 4 shows schematically a module of the invention at a loading position as loading is about to commence. The two containers which are shown including their baskets are fully open so that the operator shown at 40 can load birds into the lowermost compartment in the first basket. When that is full, lid 27B will be closed, the second compartment filled, lid 27A closed and so on.

Alternatively the baskets could be elevated for loading purposes.

Fig. 5 shows the first step of unloading. A module is placed on a rotatable platform 50 which has a plurality of jacks 51 to elevate the baskets 20 within each framework. The module is positioned below a conveyor 52 having a plurality of hangers 53 to which the birds will be attached. This is a continuously running conveyor passing at the most convenient position over the container of the module which is being emptied.

As seen in Fig. 5, the operator has lifted the lid 17 to the compartment above the basket in the first container, and is removing birds therefrom to the conveyor.

Once that compartment is emptied, the basket is elevated as shown in Fig. 6 and the lid 27A of the upper compartment therein is opened so that the birds that are inside can be unloaded. Subsequently the lid 27B of the lower compartment of the basket is opened. This is unloaded in the same way.

It will be seen that for only one of the three compartments does the operator have to bend over further than to the level of the upper compartment.

A single operator can unload the two side by side compartments of a module such as is illustrated in Fig. 3 in a manner shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Alternatively two may stand side by side each unloading one compartment. When both compartments on one side are unloaded, the module is rotated on the turntable 50 and the two compartments on the other side are unloaded in the same way. The modules can be transported to and from the station from the left as shown in these Figures.

Fig. 7 shows one general arrangement of unloading stations having a plurality of positions at which modules can be located having been conveyed there in the direction of the arrow. This is a view from above and it will be seen that a single continuous straight conveyor 52 passes at the same convenient position over all stations. This Figure illustrates two operators working on both modules, so as to empty the containers first on one side, then the other. The arrangement allows convenient and easy access to the unloading position from lorries using lift trucks of known type.

The invention has been particularly illustrated with containers of three compartment height, two of the compartments being in the basket. Other arrangements are possible. There may be more compartments and the distribution of them between the basket and the remainder of each container can be varied.

The invention will allow rapid and convenient unloading which will be easier for the operator than previously. The operator is always in the position where he does not have to bend far to get into the container from the top, nor does he have to bend to unload the container from the side. Transport of the birds from the container to the conveyor is made very easy and efficient, resulting it is expected, in significantly less damage and hardship.

The invention has utility with or without the turntable and the jack arrangement, at the factory but without it a more complicated arrangement of the conveyor would be needed, such that it would pass in a convenient position over a module while it was being unloaded from both sides.

The optional provision of up and over doors will permit the containers to be unloaded from the side in the present manner if desired. It also makes washing of the unloaded containers much easier because they can be washed through.

The jacks can be self contained on the turntables, typically electric or hydraulic.

Claims (16)

1. A container for poultry comprising a framework and a basket movable within the framework ana having a normal lowered position within the framework, the basket having one or more basket compartments for poultry, the or each basket compar-tment having an openable lid, and there being at least one further compartment defined within the framework above the basket, the or each further compartment having an openable lid whereby the or each basket compartment can be raised when the or each further compartment is empty so as to be loaded or unloaded through the top of the framework.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lids are hinged.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein tne lids are hinged on respective lines each of which is further from the adjacent wall than the one above so that all lids can be raised to the open position simultaneously.

4. A container according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein there are three compartments, two in the basket and another normally above the basket.

5. A container according to any preceding claim including a side door to each compartment.

6. A module for conveying poultry comprising a plurality of containers according to any preceding claim fixedly joined together.

7. A module according to claim 6 including a shaped channel on top of the module engageable by a lifting means for removing modules from and to lorries and trailers.

8. A module according to claim 6 or 7 together with a stand on which the module can be located and at least one jack on the stand to raise the baskets in the containers and operable through the bottom of the module.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein the stand is rotatable and a number of jacks is the same as the number of containers in the module.

10. A stand for a container or module according to any preceding claim having a jack to engage and raise and lower baskets therewith in.

11. A stand according to claim 10 which is rotatable.

12. An unloading arrangement for poultry containers including one or more stations at which containers can be placed for unloading, the turntable at the or each station upon which the container is to be placed, and a conveyor for unloading poultry running above the turntable and thus above containers when placed thereof.

13. An unloading arrangement according to claim 12 wherein the turntables have jacks for each container to be mounted thereon.

14. The poultry container constructed and arranged substantially as herebefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

15. A module of poultry containers constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

16. An unloading arrangement for poultry containers constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 5 to 7 of the accompanying drawings.