GB788072A - Improvements in or relating to apparatus for carrying out plucking, stubbing and like operations - Google Patents

Abstract

788,072. Plucking-machines. BUDD, A. G. June 29, 1956 [April 13, 1955], No. 10581/55. Class 28 (2). Feathers are plucked out by being gripped between anti-clockwise rotating blades 5, 6, &c. and a co-operating rubber thumb grip 7 which rocks about a pin 9, so that the first grip is in the position in Fig. 2 and thereafter the grip is increased by the thumb 7 becoming more radial to the axis 4 and then after the feathers are pulled out it releases its grip and then oscillates back relatively clockwise to meet the succeeding blade 6 for the next grip. The rocking movement of the thumb during gripping contact also increases its total speed of rotation to that of the blade itself. The first and clockwise part of the rocking of 7 engages and raises the feathers to ensure gripping by the blade 5. The thumb carrier comprises a sleeve 8, Fig. 1, with end extensions supporting a hinge pin 9 about which the thumb 7 is rocked by a crank-pin 17 and connecting rod 18 to a pin 19. A gearwheel 15 rotates a smaller gear 14 of the crankshaft 13 to give two or more rocking motions to the thumb 7 in proportion to the number of plucking blades 5, 6, &c. on the cylinder 1. A spring 22 tends to pull the thumb 7 clockwise in Fig. 2 to give a quick grip and tends to pull it anti-clockwise in Fig. 5 (not shown) to give quick release after the dead-centre has been passed. A fixed cam path 27 and cam roller 26 held in a web-like crank 25 of the thumb mounting controls the action of the spring 22 so that after plucking the thumb 7 moves ahead of its blade 5. The inwardly directed face 28 of the cam path 27 prevents the thumb 7 from swing- ing outwardly temporarily to avoid blocking the exit of the plucked feathers, but 28 terminates in time to allow the thumb to rock into the next gripping position. This unblocking of the feather exit also allows accommodation for any unwanted solid matter, e.g. the leg of chicken. Specifications 478,081 and 747,355 are referred to.