GB2335617A

GB2335617A - Animal carcass recycling-unit

Info

Publication number: GB2335617A
Application number: GB9806486A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Robertson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-27
Filing date: 1998-03-27
Publication date: 1999-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2018-03-27
Also published as: GB2335617B; GB9806486D0

Abstract

A machine where there is a chute with a lid 2 to receive an animal carcass through which the carcass is fed down until it is restrained by a grid. Rotating blades are set on a drum inside powered by a shaft 6 and set in such a manner so as that part of the blades project up through the grid and bear upon the carcass causing the carcass to be lacerated and broken up, the broken parts are then able to pass through the grid. The chute is split into two sections about a hinge 3 to enable the blades to be replaced and the unit serviced.

Description

2335617 ANIMAL CARCASS RECYCLING UNIT This invention relates to a machine

which will mechanically shred an animal carcass into a fertiliser mulch.

In animal husbandry, however well the creatures are cared for, animal casualties will occur. Intensive farming techniques can result in a proportionally greater number of carcasses that will require safe disposal. This machine is designed to break down the bulk of a carcass to facilitate safe disposal into either a storage tank, or for agglomeration with other waste products to form a fertiliser mulch.

In this invention there is provided a chute to receive an animal carcass through which the carcass is fed down until it is restrained by a grid. Rotating blades are provided and set in such a manner so as that part of the blades shall project up through the grid and bear upon the carcass causing the carcass to be lacerated and broken up, the parts thereof then being able to pass through the grid.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 shows in perspective, the machine ready to receive a carcass, for clarity, the safety guards and wheels are not shown; Figure 2 shows the elevation view of the front of the machine with the lid closed, for clarity the power unit is not shown; Figure 3 shows the left side elevation of the machine and the power train; Figure 4 illustrates in elevation details of the rotating drum, blades and grid as seen from the front; Figure 5 illustrates the drum assembly, cross-hatched for clarity, in plan view.

2 Referring to Figure 1, the machine comprises a metal chute with a square cross section. The chute is divided into two sections and can open up in the direction of the arrow by rotating the upper part about a pivot 3 after the locking bolts 4 have been removed. The lip of the hinge is made from angle iron. The lower section of this chute is mounted vertically on a chassis. The upper section of the chute is offset to the left from the vertical by about 23 degrees. This upper section is capped by a lid 2, Figure 2, with a sealing rim and can be opened by pulling on a lever 1.

Metal angle iron is welded to the outside of the lower metal chute about a third of the way up from the bottom edge. The angle iron along the right and left sides allows the chute to be bolted onto a wheeled chassis. The angle iron fixed to the front and back is inverted and takes the bolts from the bearings, 5.

The chassis is made from rectangular hollow section steel with the longer side positioned in the vertical plane. Where sections of frame are butt welded together the open end sections are blanked off with steel plate to form an enclosed structure. The axle is designed to accept hubs and wheels of known design and is welded onto the bottom of the chassis frame.

The chassis frame extends beyond the rear of the chute to allow the optional fitting of a crane mast and jib. The mast and jib are designed to be welded into a fixed position with a pulley of known design on the end of the jib so as to be located above the centre of the opening of the top chute. The free end of a wire with a slip noose is then fed through the pulley and onto a winch drum of known design affixed to the lower section of the mast.

With reference to Figure 3, a drawbar is attached to the front of the chassis onto which is attached a towing eye 9. Also attached to the front of the chassis is stand of known design 10, which can be fixed in a raised or lowered position, as shown, by means of a pin. A drum inside the lower chute is fixed onto the mainshaft 6. The mainshaft 6 extends through the chute from front to back and is supported externally by two bearings of known design, 5. The bearings 5 are designed to resist lateral movement and are secured onto the mainshaft 6 by self- cutting grub screws.

The front section of the mainshaft 6 is cut with a longitudinal slot and is designed to accept a key from a special coupling 7 which is joined to a power take off (PTO) shaft 8 of known design.

The construction of the drum 11 and blades is shown in Figures 4 and 5. Twelve blades 12 are fitted by means of bolts onto anchor plates 14. The anchor plates are welded onto the drum. The blades 12 are made from steel plate which has cutting edge ground onto the leading edge. This edge is quench hardened.

A grid of eleven equally spaced solid metal round bars 15 is welded into a frame made from two solid right angled flat bars 16. The frame 16 and grid 15 is secured in a horizontal plane to the chute by countersunk bolts and is demountable. Four fixed blades 13 are welded onto four of the bars 15, as shown in Figure 5, and are also welded onto the frame 16. The blades 12 on the drum 11 are fixed into four rows of three blades set at 90 degrees apart. There is one blade 12 for each of the twelve slots formed by the grid 15.

In the configuration shown the machine is designed to be towed by a tractor and to work when coupled to the tractor's power take off shaft. The machine is also designed to be able to accept the standard tractor three point linkage system of known design and the main shaft 6 to be directly fitted to a stationary motor unit of known design.

Claims

1 A machine with a chute to receive an animal carcass through which the carcass is fed down until it is restrained by a grid. Rotating blades are provided and set in such a manner so as that part of the blades shall project up through the grid and bear upon the carcass causing the carcass to be lacerated and broken up, the parts thereof then being able to pass through the grid.

2 A machine as claimed in Claim 1 where the chute is split into two sections above the cutting blades so as to enable the removal of the grid that restrains the carcass.

3 A machine as claimed in Claim 2 where the chute is split into two sections above the cutting blades so as to enable replacement of the cutting blades.

4 A machine as claimed in Claim 1 where the chute is split into two sections above the cutting blades so as to enable cleaning and the removal of obstructions.

A machine as claimed in Claim 1 where a lid is fitted to the top of the chute to prevent debris from being ejected.

6 A machine as claimed in Claim 1 where the chute is split into two sections the upper one of which is offset from the vertical so as to facilitate loading from both a horizontal and vertical direction.

7 A machine as claimed in Claim 6 where the chute is split into two sections the upper one of which is offset from the vertical so as that the weight from a large carcass is initially partially borne by the bottom side of upper section.

8 A machine as claimed in Claim 1 where fixed blades are also fitted to assist in the cutting and breaking up of the carcass.

9 A machine as claimed in any preceding claim whereby a mast and jib may be fitted to the rear of the chassis in order that large or heavy carcasses can be loaded.

A machine as claimed in any preceding claim whereby it may be fitted with a standard three point linkage or wheels so that it may be towed behind a vehicle.

11 A machine as claimed in any preceding claim whereby it may be powered by a tractor power take off shaft or by the direct attachment of a motor unit.

14 A machine as claimed in any preceding claim whereby all openings into hollow frame sections are capped by welding on metal plate to facilitate cleaning and the prevention of disease.

13 A machine substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.

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