NL2005429C2

NL2005429C2 - Method and device for collecting meat from an animal part.

Info

Publication number: NL2005429C2
Application number: NL2005429A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Jacobus Eliza Hazenbroek; David Scott Hazenbroek
Original assignee: Foodmate B V
Priority date: 2010-09-30
Filing date: 2010-09-30
Publication date: 2012-04-02

Description

Title: Method and device for collecting meat from an animal part

The invention relates to a method and device for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through 5 a sleeve of meat.

Devices and methods for collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat have been known for some time. The known devices either need grippers for holding the bone and/or require bone pusher rods to protrude through the central aperture of the meat 10 stripper diaphragm, to ensure in use that the bone is reliably separated from the meat. Contact between bone grippers, or bone pusher rods, and the rubber or elastomeric meat stripper diaphragms severely limits their duration of use. Not only are these meat stripper diaphragms relatively expensive to replace, but their replacement is also associated with important down-times for the 15 meat processing lines in which they are used.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved device and method for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat. In a more general sense it is thus an object of the invention to overcome or ameliorate at 20 least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object of the present invention to provide alternative structures which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. Alternatively it is also an object of the invention to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

25 To this end the invention provides a device for mechanically collecting meat from an animal parts that have an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat, the device including: means for positioning at least one of the animal parts for engagement by a deboning unit having a bone pusher and a tubular knife, arranged concentrically thereabout, the 30 positioning means being arranged for aligning the bone of the animal part with one longitudinal end in alignment with both the bone pusher and the tubular P91629NL00 2 knife; a meat stripper diaphragm arranged to be proximate to an opposite longitudinal end of the bone of the animal part; means for relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripper diaphragm towards and away from one another over a first distance, to thereby push the bone only partly through the 5 meat stripper diaphragm; means for relatively moving the tubular knife and the meat stripper diaphragm towards and away from one another, simultaneously with the bone pusher, over a second distance that is smaller than the first distance; a rotating mechanism for rotating the tubular knife upon engagement with the meat stripper diaphragm, to thereby sever the 10 meat from the opposite longitudinal end of the bone; and an engaging member for engaging the bone portion partly extending through the diaphragm, for thereby releasing the bone completely from the diaphragm. In such a device the stripper diaphragm is only contacted by animal tissue and animal bones, which significantly reduces wear and deterioration. In this regard it may have 15 preference, when the device further includes a supporting tray for supporting one of the animal parts; and when the deboning unit is adapted to engage the supporting tray. The means for relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripper diaphragm relative to one another and for simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the meat stripper diaphragm relative to one 20 another may advantageously comprise a mechanism for advancing and retracting the bone pusher rod and the tubular knife between a first position, allowing engagement between the supporting tray and the deboning unit, and a second position, in which the meat of an animal part when supported on the supporting tray is collected against the meat stripper diaphragm and the bone 25 is pushed only partly through the diaphragm, the mechanism for advancing and retracting is adapted to move the bone pusher over the first distance and the tubular knife over the second distance. The second distance is smaller than the first distance, so that thereby the bone pusher movement is limited in the second position, so as not to extend through the diaphragm.

3

It is further preferred that the meat stripper diaphragm confronts the bone pusher and tubular knife, so that rotation of the tubular knife upon engagement with the diaphragm severs the meat from a trailing one of the opposite ends of the elongated bone.

5 In a general sense it is advantageous when the mechanism for advancing and retracting includes a first cam track for moving the bone pusher rod and a second cam track for moving the tubular knife. So a mechanism is easy to lay out and can be exposed for easy cleaning, so as to ensure hygienic conditions, such as required in food processing. In such an 10 arrangement the bone pusher rod can be advanced and retracted by a first cam follower wheel engaging the first cam track and acting on a first carriage. The tubular knife can then be advanced and retracted by a second cam follower wheel engaging the second cam track and acting on a second carriage. Thereby the first and second carriages may preferably be guided for sliding movement 15 along a pair of first and second guiding rods.

It is thus very convenient if the first and second cam tracks on the one hand and the deboning unit on the other hand are arranged to be relatively movable with respect to one another. More preferably however the first and second cam tracks are held in a stationary position and the deboning 20 unit is arranged for movement in a path of movement extending along the cam tracks. In this regard a favourable arrangement is for the first and second cam tracks to be arranged on a periphery of a stationary drum around which the deboning unit, or a plurality of deboning units, can move as a carrousel. In a particular combination of features the toothed element may be an arcuate 25 segment associated with the periphery of the stationary drum.

Further it is advantageous when the supporting tray and the deboning unit are adapted to engage one another with the stripper diaphragm at least during operation on one end of the supporting tray and the bone pusher rod and tubular knife both on an opposite end of the supporting tray. It 30 may also be advantageous when the supporting tray is part of a plurality of 4 supporting trays, and the deboning unit is part of a plurality of deboning units. In this connection favourably the plurality of supporting trays may also be greater than the plurality of deboning units. Alternatively and advantageously in such an arrangement the plurality of supporting trays can be mounted for 5 movement through a first path, and the plurality of deboning units can be mounted for movement through a second path.

In a device according to the invention, the or each deboning unit may also be arranged on a carrousel. In such an arrangement the carrousel may advantageously be mounted for rotation. Similarly the or each supporting 10 tray can be arranged on an endless conveyor loop. With the or each supporting tray arranged on an endless conveyor loop, the endless conveyor loop may conveniently be driven by a rotating carrousel. In particular this can be arranged when the or each supporting tray is adapted to be engaged by a relevant one of the or each deboning unit, for at least part of its movement.

15 Each of these measures in particular contributes to allowing a larger area for loading the device with animal parts. This makes the operation of loading safer to the operating person or persons, enables the work of loading to be performed by co-workers, or allow the operating speed of the device to be increased.

20 In another arrangement the device according to the invention may also have its first and second paths being identical, with the plurality of supporting trays, in number, equalling the plurality of deboning units, and have the supporting tray arranged as a part of the deboning unit.

With respect to all embodiments of the invention it can be 25 advantageous when the meat stripper diaphragm is part of the deboning unit.

It is further advantageous, when the tubular knife has a circumferential cutting edge and/or when the rotating mechanism includes a gear pinion on an end of the tubular knife opposite the circumferential cutting edge. Being able to efficiently cut lose the meat from the bone, not only allows 5 the bone to be easier removed from the diaphragm, but also increase the yield of meat by reducing remnants on the bone part.

It is also advantageous when the rotating mechanism further includes a toothed element for engaging the gear pinion and/or the toothed 5 element to be a stationary toothed rack. Such an arrangement is simple and can make use of the progressive movement of the deboning units through a path of travel through the deboning device, without requiring separate drive motors or transmissions. In such an arrangement it is of further advantage when the gear pinion is a chain pinion and when the toothed element is part of 10 a chain. Such a chain can be a relatively cheap standard element and is not required to extend along a straight path. While the chain can conceivably also be driven, to increase or reduce the rotating speed of the tubular knife, it is preferred from an economic point of view that the part of the chain is held stationary on a chain support. In this connection it is understood to be of 15 advantage, when the toothed element is positioned in a path of movement through which the or each deboning unit is adapted to be moved.

Carrousel. The engaging member for deflecting or removing the bone from the stripper diaphragm is preferably also positioned in a path of movement through which the or each of the deboning units is adapted to be moved.

20 It is also generally advantageous, when the meat stripping diaphragm comprises a rubber or elastomeric disk, having a central aperture, which disk is replaceably held in a mounting collar. Even though the invention has substantially improved the service life of the rubber or elastomeric component, used in the stripper diaphragm, occasional replacement may still 25 be required. The use of a mounting collar may enhance and ensure that such replacements can be performed rapidly and economically. To further increase the service life of the stripper diaphragm a side of the stripping diaphragm facing the tubular knife is preferably covered by a relatively rigid annular cutting surface, arranged for engagement by the cutting edge of the tubular 6 knife. This may be accomplished by a nylon or other suitable polyamide material ring overlying a portion of the elastomeric ring.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts, including a device as recited above, and 5 wherein the stationary drum of the device is positioned with its geometric axis in a horizontal position and parallel to a longitudinally extending discharge conveyer, onto which the collected meat is discharged. Such an apparatus may also further include a supply conveyer extending parallel to the geometric axis of the stationary drum, from which supply conveyor the revolving dehoning 10 units can be loaded in a radial direction with respect to the stationary drum.

The invention further relates to a method of mechanically collecting meat from animal parts that have an elongated bone with opposite longitudinal ends extending through a sleeve of meat, the method including: positioning one of the animal parts for engagement by a deboning unit having 15 a bone pusher and a tubular knife, arranged concentrically thereabout, and aligning the bone of the animal part with one longitudinal end in alignment with the bone pusher and the tubular knife; providing a meat stripper diaphragm proximate to an opposite longitudinal end of the bone; relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripper diaphragm towards one another 20 over a first distance and simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the stripper diaphragm towards one another over a second distance that is smaller than the first distance, and thereby pushing the bone only partly through the diaphragm; rotating the tubular knife upon engagement with the diaphragm and severing the meat from a trailing one of opposite ends of the elongated 25 bone; relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripper diaphragm away from one another and simultaneously moving the tubular knife and stripper diaphragm away from one another; and pulling the bone completely through the diaphragm. In such a method it may be particularly advantageous to include discharging the collected meat onto a conveyor.

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The method according to the invention may be further improved by also providing a supporting tray and loading one of the animal parts onto the supporting tray, prior to positioning the animal part and the supporting tray for engagement by the deboning unit between the bone pusher and the 5 meat stripper diaphragm.

Likewise it is advantageous when, in the method according to the invention, the steps of relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripper diaphragm towards or away from one another and simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the meat stripper diaphragm towards or away 10 from one another are accomplished respectively by simultaneously advancing and simultaneously retracting the bone pusher and the tubular knife towards or away from the meat stripper diaphragm.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will become clear from the appended description of preferred embodiments. The invention will 15 therefore now be described in reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an apparatus for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a deboning unit for use in the apparatus of Figure 1; 20 Figure 3 shows a cam track section for controlling the deboning unit of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross section of the deboning unit of Figure 2 with an animal part in position, prior to deboning;

Figure 5 is a perspective detail view of the deboning unit in a 25 deboning device;

Figure 6 shows a variation of a device for mechanically removing meat from animal parts in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 is a view somewhat similar to Figure 2 of a deboning unit for use in the device of Figure 6; 8

Figure 8 is a detail view of a circumferential portion of a carrousel as used in the device of Figure 6; and

Figure 9 is another circumferential view of the carrousel used in the device of Figure 6.

5 Having reference to Figure 1 there is shown an apparatus 1 for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts with an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat. The apparatus 1 includes a deboning device 3, a first, supply conveyor 5 and a second, discharge conveyor 7. An operating person 9 can take position in front of the first conveyor 5 to pick up 10 animal parts supplied by the supply or first conveyor 5 and position these animal parts into deboning units 11 that are advanced towards and away from the first conveyor 5. The discharge or second conveyor 7 is generally positioned at a lower level than the first conveyor and the deboning units 11 are rotated away from the first conveyor 5, so as to discharge the deboned meat collected 15 by the deboning units 11 onto the second conveyor 7. To allow for a convenient height level for the second conveyor 7, the first conveyor 5, supported on legs 13, 15, 17 and 19, may be at a height level that requires the operating person 9 to be positioned on a platform 21, supported by legs 23. For the rotation of the deboning units 11 in the deboning device or meat collecting device 3, an 20 electric drive motor is housed in motor housing 25.

Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary deboning unit 11, of which a plurality are provided in the deboning device 3 of Figure 1. The deboning units 11 in the deboning device 3 may be arranged either on a rotating carrousel, or revolve in a closed path defined by a conveyor chain as taught by US 4,893,378 25 and US 5,277,649. In the embodiment of Figure 2 a rotating carrousel of deboning units 11 has been employed. The rotating carrousel as illustrated in Figure 1 has a geometric axis of rotation that coincided with a shaft 27, which is driven from the motor housing 25. The deboning unit 11 as shown in Figure 2 comprises a pair of guiding rods 29, 31 by which it can be mounted on a 30 carrousel (not shown but well-known to the skilled person). Fixedly mounted 9 on the pair of guiding rods 29, 31 is a meat stripper diaphragm 33 extending from a mounting block 35. The meat stripper diaphragm 33 includes a mounting collar 37 for holding a rubber disk 39 and a nylon, or other suitable polyamide, ring 41 providing a cutting surface. Also fixedly mounted on the 5 pair of guiding rods 29, 31 is a supporting tray 43 with its respective mounting block 45. Mounted for translating movement along the guiding rods 29, 31 is a first carriage 47 and a second carriage 49. The first carriage 47 has a first cam track follower wheel 51 and the second carriage 49 has a second cam track follower wheel 53 for a purpose to be described herein below. Mounted on the 10 first carriage 47 for translating movement to and from the meat stripper diaphragm 33 is a bone pusher rod 55. The bone pusher rod 55 is concentrically engaged in a tubular knife 57. Tubular knife 57 is mounted for translating movement to and from the meat stripper diaphragm 33 on the second carriage 49. The tubular knife 57 has a circumferential cutting edge 59 15 on its end, facing the meat stripper diaphragm 33. To obtain a cutting action, the tubular knife 57 is also mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis. To this end the second carriage 49 carries a bearing block 61, which also locates a gear pinion 63 for rotatably driving the tubular knife 57.

A cam track section 65 is shown in Figure 3. This cam track section 20 65 represents an unwound, flattened out circumferential surface of a drum, about which the carrousel of deboning units 11 rotates. As explained above, the cam track section or body 65 may also be employed in this flattened state when an array of deboning units 11 is moved through a closed path that includes a straight section. Reference is made again to the disclosures of US 25 4,893,378 and US 5,277,649 as disclosing such an alternative arrangement, so that a further explanation here is superfluous. The cam track body 65 of Figure 3 includes a first track 67 for moving the bone pusher rod 55 through its follower wheel 51. The cam track section 65 further includes a second track 69 for moving the tubular knife 57 by means of its follower wheel 53 that 30 engages in this second track. Relative movement of the deboning unit 11, as 10 shown in Figure 2, in respect of the cam track body 65 is in accordance with arrow 71.

For the further understanding of the cooperation between the first and second cam tracks 67, 69 and the deboning unit 11 reference will be made 5 to Figure 4 in conjunction with Figure 3. The first and second cam tracks 67, 69 in a first section 73 are arranged to keep the deboning unit 11 at idle, so that an animal part may be positioned on the supporting tray 43. This animal part, as shown in Figure 4, has a bone A positioned with its opposite ends B, C between the stripper diaphragm 33 and the tubular knife 57. The bone A still 10 being surrounded by a sleeve of meat D. In this idle position of the deboning unit 11, the first and second tracks 67, 69 run in parallel to one another spaced by a first distance 75. With the deboning unit 11 moving relatively to the cam track body 65 in accordance with the arrow 71 the cam tracks 67, 69 start advancing both the bone pusher 55 and tubular knife 57 over a second section 15 77. The bone pusher 55 is moved over a second distance 79 by means of its follower wheel 51. Simultaneously the tubular knife 57 is moved over a third distance 81, which is smaller than the second distance 79. Movement of the tubular knife 57 is accomplished by its track follower wheel 53. In a next, third, section 83 the first and second tracks 67, 69 run again parallel to one 20 another, spaced at a fourth distance 85 slightly smaller than the first distance 75. This means that the bone pusher 55 is at its maximum advance, but still spaced with its forward end from the stripper diaphragm 33, which it does not touch. The tubular knife 57 in its most advanced position touches the cutting surface provided on the nylon ring 41 of the stripper diaphragm 33 with its 25 circumferential cutting edge 59. While the third track section 83 is engaging the deboner unit 11, the gear pinion 63 at the same time is brought into engagement with a toothed gear rack element 87, as shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a detail in perspective of the deboning unit of the deboning device 3 of Figure 1. The gear pinion 63 located in the bearing block 30 61 engages the toothed gear rack 87 which is conveniently executed by fixing a 11 length of roller chain 88 on a contoured roller chain support 89. The gear pinion 63 thereby conveniently is a roller chain pinion of standardized configuration. Having the gear rack configured like this allows easy adaptation to the path through which the deboning units 11 travel, be it in a straight 5 path, a circular path or any other path that suits the layout of the apparatus. Alternatively it is also conceivable to employ a driven chain, looped over a contoured support, to replace the stationary rack. In this way the rotating speed of the tubular knife can be increased or reduced. The reference numerals inserted in Figure 5 generally correspond to those of Figures 2 to 4. It is to be 10 noticed though that the deboning unit 11 in Figure 5 is viewed from a direction opposite to that of Figure 2.

Engagement of the gear pinion 63 with the toothed rack 87 rotates the tubular knife 57 and thereby the meat D is severed by the cutting edge 59 from the bone end C, which may be a knuckle. In a fourth cam track section 91 15 the gear pinion 63 has disengaged from the rack 87 and rotation of the tubular knife 57 is interrupted. The first and second cam tracks 67, 69 each move the bone pusher rod 55 and the tubular knife 57 back to their initial positions. For a short fifth cam track section 93, the bone pusher rod 55 and the tubular knife 57 are in their idle position. In this position of the deboner unit 11, the bone A 20 has been pushed through the rubber disk 39 of the stripper diaphragm 33, but is still retained thereby by the bone end C, which together with the sleeve of meat D, is at the opposite side of the stripper diaphragm 33. Because the meat D has been cut lose from the bone end C, the bone A can now be easily discharged from the stripper diaphragm 33 by an appropriate bone deflector 25 (not shown, but conventional). The bone deflector represents an engaging member for engaging the bone portion partly extending through the diaphragm and for pulling the bone completely through the rubber disk 39 of the stripper diaphragm 33. The engaging member or bone deflector is thus positioned in the path of movement of the bone portion protruding through the 30 rubber disk 39. Such a bone deflector can additionally be associated with a 12 chute for collecting the bones separate from the meat. The meat D can be discharged from the supporting tray 43. As is shown in Figure 1, the deboning unit 11 eventually progresses to an upside-down position above the second conveyor 7, which collects the meat falling from the deboning device 3 by 5 gravity or other suitable means that the skilled person will be familiar with.

In a sixth cam track section 95 the bone pusher 55 is shortly advanced within the tubular knife 57 to ensure that any meat remnants are also discharged there from. The cam track body 65 subsequently returns the bone pusher rod 55 to its idle position and the deboning unit 11 is thereby 10 ready for another engagement with the cam track body 65. This action is preferably timed to take place simultaneous with collection of the meat onto the discharge conveyor 7.

Hence disclosed is a method, apparatus 1 and device 3 for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone A 15 extending through a sleeve of meat D. The device includes at least one deboning unit 11 with a supporting tray 43 for supporting one of the animal parts, a stripper diaphragm 33 on one end of the supporting tray 43 and a movable bone pusher rod 55 and a movable tubular knife 57 on an opposite end of the supporting tray 43. The bone pusher rod 55 and the tubular knife 57 20 are arranged concentrically to one another. A control mechanism 51, 53, 65, 67, 69 is provided for advancing and retracting the bone pusher rod 55 and the tubular knife 57 between a first position, allowing loading of the animal part, and a second position, in which the meat is collected against the stripper diaphragm 33 and the bone A is pushed only partly through the rubber disk 39 25 of the diaphragm 33. The control mechanism for advancing and retracting 51, 53, 65, 67, 69 is adapted to move the bone pusher rod 55 over a one distance 79 and the tubular knife over another distance 81 smaller than the one distance 79, so as not to extend through the rubber disk 39 of the diaphragm 33. A knife rotating mechanism 63, 87 can rotate the tubular knife 57 upon engagement 30 with the diaphragm 33 for severing the meat D from a trailing one of opposite 13 ends B, C of the elongated bone A. An engaging member for engaging a leading bone portion partly extending through the diaphragm 33 releases the bone A completely from the rubber disk 39 of the stripper diaphragm 33.

One aspect of the apparatus for mechanically collecting meat from 5 animal parts, as described in reference to Figures 1 to 5, is a supporting tray 43 that is part of the deboning unit 11. As a consequence the supporting tray 43 rotates in the carrousel together with the deboning units 11 and the area available to the operating person 9, as shown in Figure 1, for positioning of animal parts is rather confined. Moreover the operating speed of the apparatus 10 is not only dictated by the rotational speed of the carrousel, but also by the area available for manual loading.

A further embodiment of the invention which will now be explained in reference to Figures 6 through 9 provides for an extended loading area for manually positioning of the animal parts. The reference numerals used in 15 Figures 6 to 9 generally differ a full “100” from those used in reference to

Figures 1 to 5, when used to identify elements that are similar of function in a similar way. Figure 6 shows a deboning device 103 for mechanically removing meat from an elongate animal bone. The apparatus 103, for clarity, is shown without any protective covers and includes a frame 110. A plurality of 20 deboning units 111 is arranged about the outer circumference of a carrousel 112. A plurality of supporting trays 143, which are separate from the deboning units 111, are arranged in an endless conveyor loop 114. The endless conveyor loop 114 is trained, like a chain, about part of the circumference of the carrousel 112 an over a return pulley 116 on a frame outrigger 118. An inner 25 surface of the endless conveyer loop 114 carries conventional tooth formations to engage conventional complementary elements associated with the deboning units 111 at the outer circumference of the carrousel 112. The carrousel 112 is driven by an electric motor unit 125. Meat stripper disks 133 are arranged about the carrousel 112 to register with the positions of the deboning units 30 111.

14

Figure 7 is showing one of the deboning units 111, taken from the carrousel of the apparatus of Figure 6. The deboning unit 111 comprises a pair of guiding rods 129, 131. Guided on the pair of guiding rods 129, 131 for translating movement there along is a first carriage 147 that carries a bone 5 pusher 155 and a first cam track follower wheel 151 for advancing and retracting the bone pusher 155. The first cam track follower wheel 151, when the deboning unit 111 rotates with the carrousel 112 engages a first cam track on a stationary cam track drum within the carrousel 112 as is conventional and well known to the skilled person. Such a non-rotating cam track drum can 10 have an outer circumferential surface identical to the cam track body 65 as already described in reference to Figure 3. The same description is valid for the second embodiment of Figures 6 to 9; and need not be repeated here. A second carriage 149 rotatably carries tubular knife 157. The second carriage 149 with the tubular knife 157 is moved in relation to the guiding rods 129, 15 131 by a second cam follower wheel 153. The second cam follower wheel 153 is engaged in a second track (reference number 69 in Figure 3) to reciprocate the tubular knife 157 through an operating cycle about the stationary cam track drum of the carrousel 112. The tubular knife 157 has a circumferential cutting edge 159 that can be rotated for cutting by a pinion 163. The pinion 163 is 20 somewhat different to the pinion of the deboning unit shown in Figure 3 and requires an adapted gear rack or segment for its driving. The particular type of gear is a matter of design choice well within the capabilities of the skilled person and needs no further elaboration here. Also mounted on the second carriage 149 is a rod 150 that extends parallel to the tubular knife 157. The 25 rod 150 assists in keeping the sleeve of meat not supported by the relevant supporting tray 143 of the endless conveyor loop 114 during the deboning operation, from rotating together with the rotating tubular knife 157.

Figure 8 shows a detail of an outer circumferential portion of the carrousel 112 with the deboning units 111 of Figure 7 in an operative position. 30 The detail of Figure 8 is taken in the area of the carrousel’s circumference 15 where the supporting trays 143 are in operative engagement with the relevant deboning units 111. Supporting trays 143 have been brought into association with a relevant one of the deboning units 111 and at a location of the stationary cam drum where it has both the bone pusher 155 and the tubular 5 knife 157 in their most retracted position with respect to the stripper disks 133. This corresponds to the idle cam track section 73 as illustrated in Figure 3. The meat stripper disk 133 is mounted in a mounting collar 137 on the carrousel 112 and includes a rubber disk 139. The remainder of the reference numerals indicated in Figure 8 have already been described in reference to the 10 previous Figures. While for clarity no animal parts are shown on the trays 143 in Figure 8, it should be understood that in normal operation of the apparatus 103 of this second embodiment, the trays 143 are already loaded with a respective animal part, such as a poultry thigh, before they are engaged by a deboning unit 111.

15 A particular advantage of the apparatus of Figure 6 to 9 is that the area for loading has been substantially enlarged by the endless conveyor loop 114 extending beyond the boundaries of the carrousel 112. This not only would enable the trays 143 to be loaded by more than a single operating person, if needed, but also that loading can take place in a safer environment. Because 20 loading can be accomplished less awkwardly and cumbersome, it becomes also possible to raise the operation speed of the apparatus 103 by raising the rotational speed of the motor unit 125 (see Figure 6).

Figure 9 shows a further detail of the carrousel 112 at a portion of its circumference where it meets a bone deflector 170. For clarity the 25 supporting trays have been omitted in this drawing, although these would still be in position in relation to the deboning units 111 in this position of the carrousel 112. As seen in Figure 9, the bone deflector 170 is mounted in a stationary position on the machine frame 110. Also the bone deflector 170 has a V-shaped slot 172 for engaging a bone portion protruding from the meat 30 stripper diaphragm 133, when the carrousel 112 is rotating in the direction of 16 arrow 176. A pulling force on the bone is obtained when a knuckle at a leading end thereof is caught behind the V-shaped slot 172 of the bone deflector 170 and the carrousel 112 is rotated further in the direction of arrow 176. This will eventually “pull” the bone from the stripper disk 133 from the trailing end of 5 the bone that was still partially held thereby. Once released from the meat stripper 133 the bone will drop from the bone deflector 170 simply under the influence of gravity and can be collected separately from the meat. Further shown in Figure 9 is a portion of the stationary cam drum, as referenced by numeral 165, and a portion of its second cam track for advancing and 10 retracting the tubular knife 157, indicated by numeral 169. Finally Figure 9 allows to view a nylon, or polyamide ring 141 that overlies the rubber disk of the meat stripper 133 to provide a cutting surface for the circumferential cutting edge 159 of the tubular knife 157.

It is thus believed that the operation and construction of the 15 present invention will be apparent from the foregoing description. The invention is not limited to any embodiment herein described and, within the purview of the skilled person; modifications are possible which should be considered within the scope of the appended claims. Equally all kinematic inversions are considered inherently disclosed and to be within the scope of the 20 present invention. In the claims, any reference signs shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The term 'comprising' when used in this description or the appended claims should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense but rather in an inclusive sense. Thus the expression ‘comprising’ as used herein does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps then those 25 listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Expressions such as: "means for ...” 30 should be read as: "component configured for ..." or "member constructed to ..." 17 and should be construed to include equivalents for the structures disclosed. The use of expressions like: "critical", "preferred", "especially preferred" etc. is not intended to limit the invention. Features which are not specifically or explicitly described or claimed may be additionally included in the structure 5 according to the present invention without deviating from its scope.

Claims

1. Device for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts which have an elongated bone with opposite ends extending through a sleeve of meat, the device is provided with: positioning means around at least one of the animal parts for engagement by a boning unit to position which has a bone pusher and a tubular knife concentrically around it, the positioning means are adapted to align the bone of the animal part with one end aligned with respect to both the bone pusher and the tubular knife; a meat stripping diaphragm adapted to be in proximity to an opposite end of the bone of the animal part; means for relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripping diaphragm towards and away from each other over a first distance, thereby forcing the bone 15 only partially through the meat stripping diaphragm; means for relatively moving the tubular knife and meat stripper diaphragm toward and away from each other, simultaneously with the bone pusher, over a second distance that is less than the first distance; a rotation mechanism for rotating the tubular knife after engagement with the meat stripping diaphragm, thereby separating the meat from the opposite end of the bone; and an engagement member for engaging the bone portion that partially protrudes through the diaphragm, thereby completely removing the bone from the diaphragm. 25

The device of claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting platform for supporting at least one of the animal parts and wherein the boning unit is adapted to engage the supporting platform.

3. Device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means for relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripping diaphragm relative to each other and for simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the meat stripping diaphragm relative to each other are provided with a mechanism around the bone pusher and the tubular knife forward and retract, between a first position allowing engagement between the at least some supporting platform and the boning unit, and a second position, in which the meat of an animal part when supported on the supporting platform is against the meat stripping diaphragm and the bone is only partially pushed through the diaphragm, the mechanism for advancing and retracting being arranged to move the bone pusher over the first distance and the tubular knife over the second distance.

4. Device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the meat stripping diaphragm is adapted to confront the bone pusher and the tubular knife 20.

Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the tubular knife is arranged for separating the meat from a rear of opposite ends of the elongated bone. 25

The device of claim 3, wherein the mechanism for advancing and retracting includes a first cam track for moving the bone pusher and a second cam track for moving the tubular knife. 30

The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the bone pusher is advanced and retracted by a first cam follower wheel that engages the first cam track and operates a first carriage.

Device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the tubular knife is moved forward and withdrawn by a second cam follower wheel that engages the second cam track and operates a second carriage.

The device of claims 7 and 8, wherein the first and second slides are guided for sliding movement along a pair of first and second guide bars.

10. Device as claimed in any of the claims 6 to 9, wherein the first and second cam on the one hand and the boning unit on the other hand are movable relative to each other.

11. Device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the first and second cam tracks are in a stationary position and the boning unit 20 is adapted for movement in a path of movement that extends along the cam tracks.

12. Device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first and second cam tracks are arranged on a periphery of a stationary drum around which the deboning unit, or a plurality of deboning units, are arranged to move as a carousel.

Device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the rotation mechanism further comprises a toothed element for engaging the gear pinion, and wherein the toothed element is an arcuate segment associated with the periphery of the stationary drum.

14. Device as claimed in claims 2, 3, or 6 to 13, wherein the at least some supporting platform and the boning unit are adapted to engage each other with the stripping diaphragm, at least during operation, while it is on one end of the supporting platform and the bone pusher and the tubular knife are both on an opposite end of the supporting platform. 10

The device of claim 2, 3, or 6 to 14, wherein the at least some supporting platform forms part of a plurality of supporting platforms, and the deboning unit forms part of a plurality of deboning units. 15

The device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of supporting platforms is greater than the plurality of deboning units.

Device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the plurality of supporting platforms is arranged for movement through a first path, and the plurality of boning units arranged for movement through a second path.

The device of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the or each deboning unit is arranged on a carousel.

Device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the carousel is arranged for rotation. 30

The device of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the or each supporting platform is arranged on an endless transport loop.

The device of claim 19, wherein the or each supporting platform is arranged on an endless transport loop and wherein the endless transport loop is driven by the carousel.

22. Device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the or each supporting platform is adapted to be engaged by a relevant single of or each boning unit, for at least a part of its movement.

The device of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the first and second trajectories are identical, wherein the plurality of supporting platforms, in number, equals the plurality of deboning units, and wherein the supporting platform is part of the deboning unit makes a difference.

24. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the meat stripping diaphragm forms part of the deboning unit.

The device of any preceding claim, wherein the tubular knife has a peripheral cutting edge.

The device of any preceding claim, wherein the tubular knife rotation mechanism includes a gear pinion on an end of the tubular knife opposite the circumferential cutting edge.

The device of claim 26, wherein the rotation mechanism further comprises a toothed element for engaging the gear pinion.

The device of claim 27, wherein the toothed element is a stationary rack.

29. Device as claimed in claim 27 or 28, wherein the gear pinion is a chain pinion and wherein the toothed element forms part of a chain 10.

Device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the part of the chain is held stationary on a chain support.

The device of any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the toothed element is placed in a path of movement through which the or each deboning unit is arranged to be moved.

32. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the engaging member is placed in a path of movement through which the or each deboning unit is arranged to be moved.

33. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the meat stripping diaphragm comprises a rubber or elastomeric disc with a central opening which is held interchangeably in a mounting collar.

34. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein one side of the stripping diaphragm which faces the tubular knife is covered by a relatively rigid annular cutting surface which is adapted for engagement by the cutting edge of the tubular knife.

Apparatus for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts, provided with the device according to one of claims 12 or 13, wherein the stationary drum of the device with its geometric axis 5 in a horizontal position and parallel to a longitudinal discharge conveyor is placed on which the collected meat is unloaded.

Apparatus as claimed in claim 35, further provided with a delivery conveyor that extends parallel to the geometric axis of the stationary drum, from which delivery conveyor the rotating boning units can be loaded in a radial direction with respect to the stationary drum.

37. A method for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts that has an elongated bone with opposite ends extending through a sleeve of meat, the method comprising: positioning one of the animal parts for engagement by a boning unit comprising a bone pusher with a tubular knife 20 around it, and aligning the bone of the animal part with one end of the bone pusher and the tubular knife in line; providing a meat stripping diaphragm in proximity to an opposite end of the bone; relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripping diaphragm over a first distance and simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the meat stripping diaphragm towards each other over a second distance that is smaller than the first distance, and therefore the hot only partially through the diaphragm pushing; rotating the tubular knife after engagement with the diaphragm and separating the meat from a posterior end of the opposite ends of the elongated bone; relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripping diaphragm apart and simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the meat stripping diaphragm apart; and pulling the bone completely through the diaphragm.

38. Method according to claim 37, comprising unloading the collected meat on a conveyor belt.

39. Method as claimed in claim 37 or 38, comprising of providing a supporting platform and loading one of the animal parts onto the supporting platform, prior to placing the animal part and the supporting platform for engagement by the boning unit between the bone pusher and the meat stripper diaphragm.

40. A method according to claim 37, 38 or 39, wherein the steps of relatively moving the bone pusher and the meat stripping diaphragm relative to or from each other and simultaneously moving the tubular knife and the meat stripping diaphragm towards or from each other are simultaneously achieved by simultaneously advancing simultaneously. moving and simultaneously retracting the bone pusher and the tubular knife to or from the meat stripper diaphragm.