NL2016723B1

NL2016723B1 - Back meat harvester for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry

Info

Publication number: NL2016723B1
Application number: NL2016723A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Antoon Vincent Van Kippersluis Johannes; Eduardus Theodorus Van Esbroeck Maurice; Pierre Hubertus Maria Claessens Roger
Original assignee: Marel Stork Poultry Proc Bv
Priority date: 2016-05-03
Filing date: 2016-05-03
Publication date: 2017-11-10

Abstract

The invention pertains to a back meat harvester for harvesting back meat from a poultry carcass part. The carcass part is arranged on a product carrier, which supports the carcass part with back meat suspended from the bone structure. The suspended back meat is connected to the bone structure by a remaining tissue connection. The back meat harvester comprises a back meat separator, which has a first guide device and a second guide device, and a separation slit between the first guide device and the second guide device. The back meat separator is arranged relative to the product carrier such that the remaining tissue connection is received in the separation slit and the suspended the back meat remains outside the separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part past the back meat separator. The back meat separator is adapted to sever the remaining tissue connection.

Description

P32637NL00/NBL

Back meat harvester for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry

The invention pertains to a back meat harvester for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, a system for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, a method for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry and a back meat harvester blade. W02007/067052 discloses in its fourth and fifth aspect device and method for harvesting back meat of slaughtered poultry. In accordance with this known method and device, first two incisions are made in the back meat, one on each side of the spine. Then, the back meat is partially scraped loose from the bone structure of the carcass part, the scraping starting from the incisions next to the backbone. The carcass part is then oriented in such a way that the detached parts of the back meat, one on the left side of the carcass part and one on the right side of the carcass part, come to hang down from the bone structure. Each of these suspended parts of back meat is grabbed between a pair of rotatable rollers. The rotatable rollers pull the two back meat parts away from the bone structure of the carcass part, and the entire back meat part passes between the rollers.

The quality of the back meat that is harvested by this known method and device is clearly better than the quality of back meat harvested for example by using a bone press, but the structure of the meat is still damaged to some extent. However, recently food regulations have become stricter, and now the meat harvested by the method and/or device of W02007/067052 is qualified as being of relatively low value because the structure of the meat is still somewhat damaged.

The invention aims to provide a back meat harvester, a system for harvesting back meat and a method for harvesting back meat which allows to harvest back meat with a good quality in terms of meat structure.

According to the invention, this object is achieved with a back meat harvester for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part comprises back meat, and a bone structure onto which the back meat is naturally present and naturally connected to by tissue connections, wherein a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat and the bone structure has been severed and at least one tissue connection remains, which carcass part is arranged on a product carrier, which product carrier is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction, which product carrier is adapted to support the carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the back meat is suspended from the bone structure, wherein the suspended part of the back meat is connected to the bone structure by the remaining tissue connection, which back meat harvester comprises a back meat separator, which back meat separator comprises a first guide device, which comprises a first guide surface, and a second guide device, which comprises a second guide surface, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation slit is present between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, which separation slit is adapted to receive the remaining tissue connection, wherein the back meat separator is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the remaining tissue connection is received in the separation slit and the suspended part of the back meat remains outside the separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the back meat separator, and wherein the back meat separator is adapted to sever the remaining tissue connection which is received in the separation slit.

The carcass part which is to be processed by the back meat harvester according to the invention comprises back meat, and a bone structure onto which the back meat is naturally present. The back meat is naturally connected to the bone structure by tissue connections. Before the carcass part is processed by the back meat harvester according to the invention, in a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat and the bone structure has been severed, but at least one tissue connection remains.

An example of such a carcass part is a front half, which is for example processed in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention as described in W02007/067052.

The carcass part is arranged on a product carrier which is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction. The conveying path extends through or along the back meat harvester. The product carrier is adapted to support the carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the back meat is suspended from the bone structure. Then suspended part of the back meat is connected to the bone structure by the remaining tissue connection. This remaining tissue connection is a tissue connection between the back meat and the bone structure that has been maintained when other tissue connections between the bone structure and the back meat were severed prior to the processing of the carcass part by the back meat harvester in accordance with the invention. The remaining tissue connection may for example comprise a membrane, a tendon or a piece of back meat. The suspended part of the back meat generally has the form of a flap. Generally, the suspended part of the back meat is thicker than the remaining tissue connection or has substantially the same thickness as the remaining tissue connection. The suspended part of the back meat can be suspended from the bone structure because the direct tissue connections between this part of the back meat and the bone structure have been severed. If the remaining tissue connection is a piece of back meat, this piece of back meat is not regarded as being part of the suspended part of the back meat in the sense of the current invention.

The back meat harvester according to the invention comprises a back meat separator.

The back meat separator comprises a first guide device and a second guide device.

The first guide device comprises a first guide surface, and the second guide device comprises a second guide surface.

The first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation slit is present between the first guide surface and the second guide surface. This can for example be achieved by arranging the first and second guide devices relative to each other in such a way that the first and second guide surfaces face each other. Optionally, the top edge of the first guide surface is arranged at a level above the lower edge of the second guide surface.

The separation slit is adapted to receive the remaining tissue connection, so, the separation slit is wide enough to receive the remaining tissue connection.

The back meat separator is in accordance with the invention arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the remaining tissue connection is received in the separation slit and the suspended part of the back meat is remains outside, e.g. below, the separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the back meat separator.

The back meat separator in accordance with the invention is adapted to sever the remaining tissue connection which is received in the separation slit. It is not necessary that the part of the remaining tissue connection that is actually present in the separation slit is severed. It is possible that the remaining tissue connection is cut through by a blade or sharp edge that is arranged just outside the separation slit, or that the remaining tissue connection is pulled loose from the bone structure of the carcass part or from the suspended part of the back meat.

The severing of the remaining tissue connection can takes place in several ways, for example by cutting, scraping and/or pulling.

In the device according to the invention, only the part of the carcass part that has to be severed in the back meat harvesting process (i.e. the remaining tissue connection) is positioned in the separation slit by the back meat harvester. So, in the back meat harvester according to the invention, the suspended part of the back meat does not pass through a narrow slit during the harvesting process. As a result, the structure of the harvested back meat generally remains unharmed.

The remaining tissue connection that needs to be severed to separate the back meat from the bone structure of the carcass part is confined in the separation slit, which makes it easier to sever. The separation slit provides a defined location for the remaining tissue connection, which is advantageous because the suspended part of the back meat is generally light and the remaining tissue connection is very flexible. Therefore, the suspended part of the back meat and the remaining tissue connection are highly moveable relative to the part of the carcass part that is fixed on the product carrier. By confining the remaining tissue connection in the separation slit, the remaining tissue connection can be severed in a reliable way.

In addition, arranging the remaining tissue connection in the separation slit allows for example to exert a force on it, for example to pull it taut to facilitate cutting or scraping, or to pull it loose from the bone structure.

By focusing on severing the remaining tissue connection to separate the back meat from the bone structure, no or hardly any force has to be exerted on the suspended part of the back meat. This also helps to keep the meat structure of the back meat intact.

In a possible embodiment, the separation slit has a width that is smaller than the expected width of the suspended part of the back meat and the expected width of the remaining tissue connection together.

This prevents that the suspended part of the back meat enters the separation slit by accident when the remaining tissue connection has already been arranged in the separation slit, for example due to a dangling movement of the suspended part of the back meat relative to the part of the carcass part that is fixed onto the product carrier.

In a variant of this embodiment, the separation slit has a width that is smaller than the expected width of the suspended part of the back meat.

Keeping the slit so narrow that only the remaining tissue connection can enter it reduces the amount of meat that can come within reach of for example the cutting edge of a blade, e.g. a rotatable circular blade if one is used, which prevents the build-up of excessing soiling of the back meat separator. This way, the back meat separator can be used for a longer time before it has to be cleaned.

In a possible embodiment, the first and/or the second guide device is provided with a sharp edge in or adjacent to the separation slit. Pulling the remaining tissue connection over this edge, preferably in such a way that the remaining tissue connection is held taut while this occurs, provides a suitable way for severing the remaining tissue connection or at least facilitating the severing of the remaining tissue connection. For example, the remaining tissue connection can be cut through or scraped loose by the sharp edge or shape edges, or the remaining tissue connection can be scored to that it can be severed later in an easy and defined way by pulling. The severing is in that case defined because the remaining tissue connection is most likely to break at the point where it has been scored.

In a possible embodiment, the first separation surface of the first separation member and the second separation surface of the second separation surface are arranged facing towards each other, but at an angle relative to each other. In this case, a tapering space is created between the first and second separation surface.

In a possible embodiment, the first guide device comprises a rotatable circular blade having a cutting edge and a rotation axis. The rotatable circular blade is adapted to engage the remaining tissue connection and/or the suspended part of the back meat upstream of the separation slit. The direction of rotation of the rotatable circular blade is such that the part of the rotatable circular blade which engages the remaining tissue connection and/or the suspended part of the back meat upstream of the separation slit moves towards the second guide device, e.g. upward.

This arrangement improves the transport of the suspended part of the back meat and the remaining tissue connection along the conveying path and propels the remaining tissue connection in a guided manner towards and into the separation slit. In addition, it reduces the strain on the remaining tissue connection between the bone structure and the suspended part of the back meat, which helps to prevent an uncontrolled severing of the remaining tissue connection.

Optionally, a side face or a part thereof, and/or a facet (if present) of the rotatable circular blade form or form part of the first guide surface.

Optionally, the rotatable circular blade is arranged at an angle relative to the vertical. This facilitates arranging the separation slit at an advantageous location relative to the conveying path of the product carrier.

Optionally, the cutting edge is a serrated cutting edge.

Optionally, in the embodiment described above in which the first guide device comprises a rotatable circular blade having a cutting edge and a rotation axis, the rotatable circular blade is provided with a first facet and a second facet. The first facet is arranged on the side facing the separation slit, and the second facet is larger than the first facet. As the second facet faces away from the separation slit, it may face towards the product carrier and/or towards the carcass part. By arranging the second, larger facet on this side, the risk of damaging the product carrier and/or the carcass part by this side of the rotatable circular blade is reduced.

Optionally, the first facet is provided with a surface texture which is adapted to increase the friction between the first facet and the remaining tissue connection. For example, the first facet may be provided with ridges or teeth, e.g. with a fine toothing. Alternatively or in addition, the cutting edge of the rotatable circular blade may be a serrated cutting edge.

In a possible embodiment, the second guide device comprises a back meat guide. The back meat guide comprises a back meat engagement surface which is arranged adjacent to the second tissue guide surface.

Optionally, the edge between the second guide surface and the back meat engagement surface is a sharp edge.

Optionally, the back meat engagement surface comprises a first portion and a second portion. The second portion is arranged downstream - as seen in the transport direction of the product carrier - of the first portion. The first portion extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the second portion slopes downward relative to the first portion.

The embodiment in which the second guide device comprises a back meat guide having a back meat engagement surface may be combined with any of the other described embodiments, but the combination with the embodiment in which the first guide device comprises a rotatable circular blade appears to be particularly advantageous.

In such a combined embodiment, optionally the separation slit extends between the cutting edge of the rotatable circular blade of the first guide device and the back meat engagement surface of the second guide device, e.g. in the area where the cutting edge of the rotatable circular blade is arranged above the back meat engagement surface. For example, the cutting edge of the rotatable circular blade may form the top edge of the separation slit on the side of the first separation member, and the edge of the back meat engagement surface may form the lower edge of the separation slit on the side of the second separation member. A part of the side face and/or a facet (if present) of the rotatable circular blade may form the first separation surface. The cutting edge of the rotatable circular blade severs the remaining tissue connection in a reliable way, and at a predictable position.

In an embodiment in which the second guide device comprises a back meat guide having a back meat engagement surface with a first portion and a second portion as described above is combined with the embodiment in which the first guide device comprises a rotatable circular blade, optionally the second portion of the back meat engagement surface is arranged adjacent to the rotatable circular blade.

Optionally, the second portion of the back meat engagement surface is arranged adjacent to the side face of the rotatable circular blade.

In this embodiment, the second portion of the back meat engagement surface blocks the suspended part of the back meat from proceeding further along the conveying path, and therewith assists in the separation of the suspended part of the back meat from the bone structure of the carcass part, for example by pulling the remaining tissue connection which is arranged in the separation slit loose or by pulling this remaining tissue connection taut so that it can easily be severed, e.g. by cutting.

In a possible embodiment, the first guide device comprises a rotatable circular disk, which is provided with a surface texture, e.g. at the circumferential surface of the disk, which is adapted to increase the friction between the rotatable circular disk and the remaining tissue connection and/or the back meat. For example, this surface may be provided with ridges or teeth, e.g. with a fine toothing, or it may comprise a serrated edge, e.g a serrated circumferential edge.

Optionally, the rotatable circular disk may be made of plastics or metal.

Optionally, the first guide device comprises a rotatable circular disk and a rotatable circular blade, which optionally are adapted to rotate at the same speed.

Optionally, the direction of rotation of the rotatable circular disk is such that the part of the rotatable circular disk which engages the remaining tissue connection and/or the suspended part of the back meat upstream of the separation slit moves towards the second guide device. This arrangement improves the transport of the suspended part of the back meat and the remaining tissue connection along the conveying path and propels the remaining tissue connection in a guided manner towards and into the separation slit.

In a possible embodiment, the second guide device comprises a rotatable circular disk which is provided with a surface texture, e.g. at the circumferential surface of the disk, which is adapted to increase the friction between the rotatable circular disk and the remaining tissue connection and/or the back meat. Alternatively or in addition, in this embodiment the second guide device is provided with a circumferential cutting edge.

Optionally, the direction of rotation of the rotatable circular disk is such that the part of the rotatable circular disk which is arranged upstream of the separation slit moves towards the second guide device.

In a possible embodiment, the back meat harvester further comprises a cutter or scraper which is arranged in or directly downstream of, e.g. less then 10 centimeters downstream of, optionally less than 5 centimeters downstream of, the separation slit. A distance of less than 10 cm downstream of the separation slit has shown the best results.

In a possible embodiment, the back meat harvester according to the invention comprises an additional back meat separator, which is arranged along the conveying path downstream - as seen in the transport direction - of the back meat separator in accordance with the general concept of the invention.

The additional back meat separator is optionally a back meat separator in accordance with the general concept of the invention. In this case, the additional back meat separator comprises a first additional guide device, which comprises a first additional guide surface, and a second additional guide device, which comprises a second additional guide surface. The first additional guide surface and the second additional guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a additional separation slit is present between the first additional guide surface and the additional second guide surface. The additional separation slit is adapted to receive a second remaining tissue connection. The additional back meat separator is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the second remaining tissue connection is received in the additional separation slit and the second suspended part of the back meat remains outside the additional separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the additional back meat separator. The additional back meat separator is adapted to sever the second remaining tissue connection.

In a variant of the above embodiment, the carcass part comprises left side back meat on the left side of the carcass part and right side back meat on the right side of the carcass part. A portion of the tissue connections between the left side back meat and the bone structure has been severed and at least one tissue connection between the left side back meat and the bone structure remains. Likewise, a portion of the tissue connections between the right side back meat and the bone structure has been severed and at least one tissue connection between the right side back meat and the bone structure remains.

In this variant, the product carrier is adapted to support the carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the left side back meat is suspended from the bone structure and at least a part of the right side back meat is suspended from the bone structure. The suspended part of the left back meat is connected to the bone structure by a left remaining tissue connection and the suspended part of the right back meat is connected to the bone structure by a right remaining tissue connection.

In this variant, the back meat harvester comprises a left back meat separator and a right back meat separator. Both back meat separators are arranged along the conveying path of the product carrier, either with the right back meat separator being arranged downstream of the left back meat separator or with the right back meat separator being arranged upstream of the left back meat separator.

The left back meat separator comprises a first left guide device, which comprises a first left guide surface, and a second left guide device, which comprises a second left guide surface. The first left guide surface and the second left guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a left separation slit is present between the first left guide surface and the left second guide surface. The left separation slit is adapted to receive the left remaining tissue connection.

The right back meat separator comprises a first right guide device, which comprises a first right guide surface, and a second right guide device, which comprises a second right guide surface. The first right guide surface and the second right guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a right separation slit is present between the first right guide surface and the right second guide surface. The right separation slit is adapted to receive the right remaining tissue connection.

In this variant, the left back meat separator is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the left remaining tissue connection is received in the left separation slit and the suspended part of the left back meat remains outside the left separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the left back meat separator.

The right back meat separator is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the right remaining tissue connection is received in the right separation slit and the suspended part of the right back meat remains outside the right separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the right back meat separator.

The left back meat separator is adapted to sever the left remaining tissue connection which is received in the left separation slit. The right back meat separator is adapted to sever the right remaining tissue connection which is received in the right separation slit.

Optionally, the left back meat separator and the right back meat separator are back meat separators in accordance with one or more of the embodiments described above and/or in relation to the figures.

The invention further pertains to a system for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part comprises back meat, and a bone structure onto which the back meat is naturally present and naturally connected to by tissue connections, wherein a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat and the bone structure has been severed and at least one tissue connection remains, which system comprises: a conveyor, which conveyor comprises a plurality of product carriers, wherein each product carrier is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction, and wherein each product carrier is adapted to support a carcass part, and wherein the product carrier is adapted to support the carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the back meat is suspended from the bone structure, wherein the suspended part of the back meat is connected to the bone structure by the remaining tissue connection, and a back meat separator, which back meat separator comprises a first guide device, having a first guide surface and a second guide device having a second guide surface, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation slit is present between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, which separation slit is adapted to receive the remaining tissue connection, wherein the back meat separator is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the remaining tissue connection is received in the separation slit and the suspended part of the back meat remains outside the separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the back meat separator, and wherein the back meat separator is adapted to sever the remaining tissue connection which is received in the separation slit.

Optionally, the back meat separator is a back meat separator in accordance with one or more of the embodiments described above and/or in relation to the figures.

The invention further pertains to a system for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part comprises back meat, and a bone structure onto which the back meat is naturally present and naturally connected to by tissue connections, which system comprises: a conveyor, which conveyor comprises a plurality of product carriers, wherein each product carrier is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction, and wherein each product carrier is adapted to support a carcass part, and a tissue connection separation device, which is adapted to sever a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat and the bone structure, wherein at least one tissue connection between the back meat and the bone structure remains, which tissue connection separation device is arranged adjacent to the conveying path of the conveyor, wherein downstream of the tissue connection separation device, each product carrier is adapted to support a carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the back meat is suspended from the bone structure, wherein the suspended part of the back meat is connected to the bone structure by a remaining tissue connection, a back meat separator, which back meat separator comprises a first guide device having a first guide surface and a second guide device having a second guide surface, wherein the first guide surface and the second guide surface are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation slit is present between the first guide surface and the second guide surface, which separation slit is adapted to receive the remaining tissue connection, wherein the back meat separator is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier in such a way that the remaining tissue connection is received in the separation slit and the suspended part of the back meat remains outside the separation slit when the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the back meat separator, wherein the back meat separator is adapted to sever the remaining tissue connection which is received in the separation slit.

Optionally, the tissue connection separation device comprises a scraper.

In a possible embodiment, the above system according to the invention comprises a back meat harvester, in particular a back meat separator, in accordance with one or more embodiments described above and/or in relation to the figures.

In a possible embodiment, the tissue connection separation device is a scraper device in accordance with the fourth aspect of the invention as described in W02007/067052.

The invention further pertains to a method for harvesting back meat of a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part comprises back meat, and a bone structure onto which the back meat is naturally present and naturally connected to by tissue connections, wherein a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat and the bone structure has been severed and at least one tissue connection remains which method comprises the following steps: - arranging the carcass part onto a product carrier which product carrier is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction, - making that the product carrier comes to support the carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the back meat is suspended from the bone structure, wherein the suspended part of the back meat is connected to the bone structure by the remaining tissue connection, - conveying the product carrier with the carcass part arranged thereon to a back meat harvester according to the invention, - arranging the remaining tissue connection which connects the suspended part of the back meat to the bone structure of the carcass part in the separation slit of the back meat harvester, and making that the suspended part of the back meat remains outside the separation slit while the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the back meat separator, - severing the remaining tissue connection which is received in the separation slit.

In a possible embodiment of this method according to the invention, the remaining tissue connection is severed by cutting, by scraping or by pulling.

The invention further pertains to a method for harvesting back meat of a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part comprises back meat, and a bone structure onto which the back meat is naturally present and naturally connected to by tissue connections, which method comprises the following steps: - arranging the carcass part onto a product carrier which product carrier is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction, - conveying the product carrier with the carcass part arranged thereon to a tissue connection separation device, - in the tissue connection separation device, severing a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat and the bone structure wherein at least one tissue connection between the back meat and the bone structure remains, - making that the product carrier comes to support the carcass part in such a position that at least a part of the back meat is suspended from the bone structure, wherein the suspended part of the back meat is connected to the bone structure by the remaining tissue connection, - conveying the product carrier with the carcass part arranged thereon to a back meat harvester according the invention, - arranging the remaining tissue connection which connects the suspended part of the back meat to the bone structure of the carcass part in the separation slit of the back meat harvester, and making that the suspended part of the back meat remains outside the separation slit while the product carrier moves the carcass part along the conveying path past the back meat separator, - severing the remaining tissue connection which is received in the separation slit.

The invention further pertains to a back meat harvester blade which is suitable for use in the back meat harvester according to the invention, which back meat harvester blade is a circular blade, which is provided with a first facet and a second facet, and wherein the second facet is larger than the first facet, wherein the first facet is provided with a surface texture which is adapted to increase the friction between the first facet and the remaining tissue connection.

Optionally, the back meat harvester blade according to the invention is suitable for rotatable mounting in the first guide device, with the first facet arranged on the side facing the separation slit.

The invention will be described in more detail below under reference to the drawing, in which in a non-limiting manner exemplary embodiments of the invention will be shown.

The drawing in:

Fig. 1: illustrates an example of a carcass part of slaughtered poultry which is arranged on a product carrier,

Fig. 2: illustrates an example of a tissue connection separation device,

Fig. 3: illustrates the carcass part 1 after the scraping performed by the scraping device of fig. 2,

Fig. 4: illustrates a first, basic, embodiment of the back meat harvester according to the invention,

Fig. 5: illustrates, in side view, an embodiment of a back meat separator which can be used in the back meat harvester according to the invention and in the system for harvesting back meat in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 6: illustrates the embodiment of fig. 5 in rearview,

Fig. 7: illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the back meat separator according to the invention,

Fig. 8: illustrates a further alternative embodiment of the back meat separator according to the invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a carcass part 1 of slaughtered poultry which is arranged on a product carrier 10.

The product carrier 10 is moveable along a conveying path 12 in a transport direction 13. In this example, the product carrier is pivotable about pivot axis 11 which is perpendicular to the transport direction 13, and optionally also about pivot axis 14 which is also perpendicular to the transport direction 13. In an alternative embodiment, the product carrier is not pivotable, or pivotable about a different number of pivot axes.

Optionally, the product carrier 10 forms part of a conveyor. The conveyor comprises a plurality of product carriers 10. Each product carrier is moveable along the conveying path 12 in the transport direction 13, and each product carrier 10 is adapted to support a carcass part 1.

In the example of fig. 1, the carcass part 1 is a front half, which comprises back meat 2, breast meat 3 and wings 4. In different embodiments, different types of carcass parts can be processed, for example front halves without wings.

Underneath the back meat and the breast meat, a bone structure is present in the carcass part 1. In the case that the carcass part is a front half with wings, the bone structure comprises the rib cage, at least a part of the spine, the breastbone, optionally the wishbone or a part thereof, optionally the coracoids or a part thereof, and optionally at least some bones of in the wings.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example of a tissue connection separation device 15. The tissue connection separation device 15 as shown in fig. 2 can be arranged upstream of the back meat harvester in accordance with the invention. Alternatively, the tissue connection separation device 15 can be part of a system for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry in accordance with the invention.

The tissue connection separation device 15 is adapted to sever a portion of the tissue connections between the back meat 2 and the bone structure of the carcass part, and to maintain at least one remaining tissue connection between the back meat 2 and the bone structure.

In the example of fig. 2, the tissue connection separation device 15 comprises a pair of rotatable circular blades 18, which are arranged to make an incision along the spine of the carcass part. One blade of the pair of blades 18 makes an incision on the right side of the spine and the other blade of the pair of blades 18 makes an incision on the left side of the spine.

Downstream of the pair of blades 18 (as seen in the transport direction 13), a pair of scraper elements 16,17 is arranged. The scraper elements 16,17 have a shape that is adapted to match the shape of the back of the carcass part. Each of the scraper elements 16,17 enters an incision made by one of the pair of blades 18, and from there starts scraping loose the back meat 2 from the underlying bone structure. Some of the tissue connections that naturally connect the back meat 2 to the bone structure are severed by the scraper elements 16,17 but at least one tissue connection remains. One scraper element 16 severs tissue connections on the left side of the carcass part, starting from the incision on the left side of the spine. The other scraper element 17 severs tissue connections on the right side of the carcass part, starting from the incision on the right side of the spine.

Fig. 3 illustrates the carcass part 1, in cross section, after the severing of the tissue connections by the tissue connection separation device of fig. 2.

The scraper element 16 has scraped loose most of the back meat 2L on the left side of the carcass part 1, by severing most of the naturally present tissue connections between the back meat and the back part of bone structure 6 left of spine 7. At least one tissue connection 5L on the left side of the carcass part remains . This remaining tissue connection 5L still connects the part of the back meat 2L on the left side of the carcass parts to the bone structure 6 of the carcass part. This remaining tissue connection 5L may for example be connected to the left shoulder blade and/or a part of the rib cage.

The scraper element 17 has scraped loose most of the back meat 2R on the right side of the carcass part 1, by severing most of the naturally present tissue connections between the back meat and the back part of bone structure 6 right of spine 7. At least one tissue connection 5R on the right side of the carcass part remains. This remaining tissue connection 5R still connects the part of the back meat 2R on the right side of the carcass parts to the bone structure 6 of the carcass part. This remaining tissue connection 5R may for example be connected to the left shoulder blade an/or a part of the rib cage.

In fig. 3, the product carrier 10 is arranged to support the carcass part 1 in such a way that the parts of the back meat from which the direct tissue connections to the bone structure 6 have been severed are suspended from the carcass part 1. In this position of the product carrier 10, the suspended part of the left back meat 2L is connected to the bone structure 6 by a left remaining tissue connection 5L and the suspended part of the right back meat 2R is connected to the bone structure 6 by a right remaining tissue connection 5R.

In the example of fig. 3, the breast meat 3 is still present on the carcass part 1 when the back meat is harvested. Alternatively, the breast meat 3 is removed from the carcass part before the back meat is harvested.

Fig. 4 shows a first, basic, embodiment of the back meat harvester according to the invention.

The carcass part 1 from which the back meat 2L, 2R is harvested comprises a bone structure 6 onto which the back meat is naturally present and naturally connected to by tissue connections. A portion of the tissue connections between the back meat 2L, 2R and the bone structure 6 has been severed, but at least one tissue connection 5L, 5R remaiins. In this example, the back meat has been loosened from the carcass part 1 in two portions, one on the right side of the carcass part and one on the left side of the carcass part. The severing of the tissue connections can for example be effected by using the tissue connection separation device as shown in fig. 2.

The carcass part 1 is arranged on a product carrier which is moveable along a conveying path in a transport direction. In fig. 4, the transport direction is towards the viewer. As can be seen in fig. 4, the product carrier 10 is adapted to support the carcass part 1 in such a position that the two loosened parts of the back meat 2L, 2R are suspended from the bone structure 6. Each of the suspended parts of the back meat 2L, 2R is connected to the bone structure 6 by an associated remaining tissue connection 5L, 5R.

In the embodiment of fig. 4, the back meat harvester comprises two back meat separators 20L, 20R.

Each back meat separator 20L, 20R comprises a first guide device 23L, 23R and a second guide device 21L, 21R. The first guide device 23L, 23R comprises a first guide surface 24L, 24R. The second guide device 21L, 21R comprises a second guide surface 22L, 22R.

As can be seen in fig. 4, the first guide surface 24L, 24R and the second guide surface 22L, 22R or each back meat separator 20L, 20R are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation slit 25L, 25R is present between the first guide surface 24L, 24R and the second guide surface 22L, 22R of each back meat separator 20L, 20R.

The separation slit 25L, 25R is adapted to receive the respective remaining tissue connection 5L, 5R. In this exemplary embodiment, the separation slit has a width which is too narrow for the suspended part of the back meat 2L, 2R to pass through.

As can be seen in fig. 4, each back meat separator 20L, 20R is arranged relative to the conveying path of the product carrier 10 in such a way that the remaining tissue connection 5L, 5R is received in the separation slit 25L, 25R and the suspended part of the back meat 2L, 2R is generally arranged outside the separation slit 25L, 25R when the product carrier 10 moves the carcass part 1 along the conveying path past the back meat separator 20L, 20R.

Each back meat separator 20L, 20R is adapted to sever the associated remaining tissue connection 5L, 5R which is received in its separation slit 25L, 25R. In the embodiment of fig. 4, each back meat separator is provided with a cutter 26L, 26R, for example a stationary blade, which is adapted to cut through the respective remaining tissue connection 5L, 5R which is arranged in the separation slit 25L, 25R of the back meat separator 20L, 20R.

Fig. 5 shows, in side view, an embodiment of a back meat separator 20 which can be used in the back meat harvester according to the invention and in the system for harvesting back meat in accordance with the invention. Fig. 6 shows this embodiment in rearview, so the transport direction of the product carrier is away from the viewer.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 and fig. 6, the first guide device 23 comprises a rotatable circular blade 30 having a cutting edge 32 and a rotation axis 31.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 and fig. 6, the second guide device 21 comprises a back meat guide 40, which comprises a back meat engagement surface 41 which is arranged adjacent to the second guide surface 22. The edge between the back meat engagement surface 41 and the second guide surface 22 is optionally a sharp edge 42.

In this embodiment, the separation slit 25 extends between the cutting edge 32 of the rotatable circular blade 30 of the first guide device 23 and the back meat engagement surface 41 of the second guide device 21, in the area where the cutting edge 32 of the rotatable circular blade 30 is arranged above the back meat engagement surface 41. A first facet 33 and the side face 37 of the rotatable circular blade 30 form the first guide face 24.

In this embodiment, the cutting edge 32 is arranged entirely below the top of the second guide device 21. Alternatively, a part of the cutting edge 32 extends above the top of the second guide device 21.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 and fig. 6, the back meat engagement surface 41 comprises a first portion 43 and a second portion 44. The second portion 44 is arranged downstream of the first portion 43. The first portion 43 extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the second portion 44 slopes downward relative to the first portion 43. Optionally, as can be seen in fig. 5 and fig. 6, the second portion 44 of the back meat engagement surface is arranged adjacent to the rotatable circular blade 30, in this case adjacent to the side face of the rotatable circular blade 30.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 and fig. 6, the rotatable circular blade 30 is provided with a first facet 33 and a second facet 34. The first facet 33 is arranged on the side facing the separation slit 25, and the second facet 34 is larger than the first facet 33. Optionally, the first facet 33 is provided with a surface texture 35 which is adapted to increase the friction between the first facet 33 and the remaining tissue connection 5. For example, the surface of the first face is provided with teeth or an otherwise rough structure. Alternatively or in addition, the cutting edge 32 of the rotatable circular blade 30 may be a serrated cutting edge.

In the embodiment of fig. 5 and fig. 6, the carcass part is moved past the back meat separator 20 in the transport direction 13. The conveying path of the product carrier is arranged relative to the back meat separator such that the suspended part of the back meat is arranged below the back meat engagement surface 41. When the product carrier is moved along the back meat guide 40 of the second guide device 21, the remaining tissue connection 5 comes to be arranged in the separation slit 25 between the second guide surface 22 of the back meat guide 40 and the first guide surface 24 of the rotatable circular blade 30.

As can be seen in fig. 5, the rotatable circular blade 30 is adapted to engage the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2 upstream of the separation slit 25. In addition, the direction of rotation 36 of the rotatable circular blade 30 is such that the part of the rotatable circular blade 30 which engages the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2 upstream of the separation slit 25 moves towards the second guide device 21, which is in this embodiment the back meat guide 40.

This arrangement improves the transport of the suspended part of the back meat 2 and the remaining tissue connection 5 along the conveying path and propels the remaining tissue connection 5 in a guided manner towards and into the separation slit 25. In addition, it reduces the strain on the remaining tissue connection 5 between the bone structure 6 and the suspended part of the back meat 2 during the transport to the separation slit 25, which helps to prevent an uncontrolled, e.g. too early, severing of the remaining tissue connection 5.

Fig. 6 shows that the remaining tissue connection 5 which extends between the bone structure 6 and the suspended part of the back meat 2 is arranged in the separation slit 25 between the rotatable circular blade 30 and the second guide surface 22 of the back meat guide 40. In fig. 6, the transport direction is away from the viewer. The product carrier 10 and the carcass part 1 are shown in fig. 6 only in part.

The cutting edge 32 of the rotatable circular blade 30 may cut the remaining tissue connection 5 through already in the situation shown in fig. 5. It is however possible that the remaining tissue connection 5 is not held taut enough to effectively sever the remaining tissue connection 5. In that case, when the product carrier 10 moves the carcass part further along the conveying path, the second portion 44 of the back meat engagement surface 41 comes into engagement with the suspended part of the back meat 2 and forces the suspended part of the back meat 2 downwards. This increases the tension on the remaining tissue connection 5, which facilitates the severing of this remaining tissue connection 5.

Fig. 7 shows a further alternative embodiment of the back meat separator 20 according to the invention.

In the embodiment of fig. 7, the first guide device 23 comprises a rotatable circular disk 50. This disk 50 is rotatable about rotation axis 51.

The rotatable circular disk is provided with a circumferential surface which has a surface texture 52 that is adapted to increase the friction between the rotatable circular disk and the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2. In the example of fig. 7, this surface texture comprises ridges or teeth, e.g. a fine toothing. In an alternative embodiment, the rotatable circular disk 50 may comprise a serrated circumferential edge.

In the embodiment of fig. 7, the direction of rotation of the rotatable circular disk 50 is such that the part of the rotatable circular disk 50 which engages the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2 upstream of the separation slit 25 moves towards the second guide device 21.

In the particular embodiment of fig. 7, the width of the separation slit 25 is less than the expected width of the suspended part of the back meat 2 The edge between the back meat engagement surface 41 and the second guide surface 22 is a sharp edge 42.

In the embodiment of fig. 7, the back meat engagement surface 41 comprises a first portion 43 and a second portion 44. The second portion 44 is arranged downstream of the first portion 43. The first portion 43 extends in a substantially horizontal direction and the second portion 44 slopes downward relative to the first portion 43. Optionally, as can be seen in fig. 5 and fig. 6, the second portion 44 of the back meat engagement surface is arranged adjacent to the rotatable circular blade 30, in this case adjacent to the side face of the rotatable circular blade 30.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 7, the product carrier 10 moves the carcass part 1 along the conveying path. Upon approaching the back meat separator 20, the rotatable circular disk 50 engages the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2 upstream of the separation silt 25 by the surface structure 52, and propels the remaining tissue connection 5 and the suspended part of the back meat 2 towards the separation slit 25.

The remaining tissue connection 5 then comes to be arranged in the separation slit 25, while the suspended part of the back meat 2 remains outside the separation slit 25. The remaining tissue connection 5 is partly arranged over the rotatable circular disk 50, and is therewith pulled taut. The sharp edge 42 of the second guide device 21 scores the remaining tissue connection 5.

The product carrier 1 keeps on moving along the conveying path, which results in that the suspended part of the back meat 2 at some point comes into contact with the second portion 44 of the second guide device 21. As the second portion 44 extends in the downward direction and the product carrier 1 keeps on moving along the conveying path, the tension on the remaining tissue connection increases and eventually the remaining tissue connection 5 breaks. Most likely, the remaining tissue connection 5 breaks at the location at which it was scored by the sharp edge 42.

Fig. 8 shows a further alternative embodiment of the back meat separator 20 according to the invention.

In the embodiment of fig. 8, the second guide device 21 comprises a rotatable circular disk 60. This disk 60 is rotatable about rotation axis 61.

The rotatable circular disk is provided with a circumferential surface which has a surface texture 62 that is adapted to increase the friction between the rotatable circular disk 60 and the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2. In the example of fig. 8, this surface texture comprises ridges or teeth, e.g. a fine toothing.

In the embodiment of fig. 8, the direction of rotation of the rotatable circular disk 60 is such that the part of the rotatable circular disk 60 which engages the remaining tissue connection 5 and/or the suspended part of the back meat 2 upstream of the separation slit 25 moves towards the first guide device 23, which is in this example a rotatable circular blade 30.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 8, the rotatable circular disk 60 is substantially parallel to the rotatable circular blade 30. Alternatively, the rotatable circular disk 60 is arranged at an angle relative to the rotatable circular blade 30, for example perpendicular to the rotatable circular blade 30.

Claims

A back meat harvester for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part (1) comprises back meat (2), and a bone structure (6) on which the back meat (2) is naturally present and is naturally connected to it by tissue connections a part of the tissue connections between the back meat (2) and the bone structure (6) being broken and at least one tissue connection (5) remaining, which carcass part (1) is arranged on a product carrier (10), which product carrier (10) is movable along a conveying track (12) in a conveying direction (13), the product carrier (10) being adapted to support the carcass part (1) in such a position that at least a part of the back meat (2) hangs down from the bone structure (6), wherein the downward-hanging portion of the back meat (2) is connected to the bone structure (6) through the remaining tissue joint (5), the back meat harvester comprising a dorsal separator (20), which dorsal meat cheider (20) comprises: a first guiding device (23), which comprises a first guiding surface (24), a second guiding device (21), which comprises a second guiding surface (22), the first guiding surface (24) and the second guiding surface (24) 22) are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation gap (25) is present between the first guide surface (24) and the second guide surface (22), which separation gap (25) is adapted to connect the remaining tissue connection (5) receiving, wherein the dorsal separator (20) is arranged with respect to the transport path (12) of the product carrier (10) such that the remaining tissue connection (5) is received in the separation gap (25) and the downward-hanging part of the back meat ( 2) remains outside the separation gap (25) when the product carrier (10) moves the carcass part (1) along the conveyor track (120) beyond the dorsal separator (20), and wherein the dorsal Ash separator (20) is arranged to disconnect the remaining tissue connection (5) received in the separation gap (25).

The back meat harvester according to claim 1, wherein the first and / or second guiding device (23, 21) is provided with a sharp edge (42, 32) in or near the separation gap (25).

3. A back meat harvester according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first guiding device (23) comprises a rotatable circular knife (30) with a cutting edge (32) and a rotation axis (31), which rotatable circular knife (30) is adapted to to engage the remaining tissue joint (5) and / or the downward-hanging portion of the back meat (2) upstream of the separation gap (25), and wherein the direction of rotation of the rotatable circular knife (30) is such that the part of the knife which engages the remaining tissue connection (5) and / or moves the downward-hanging part of the back meat (2) upstream of the separation gap (25) to the second guide device (21).

A back meat harvester according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second guiding device (21) comprises a back meat guide (40), which comprises a back meat engaging surface (41) disposed near the second guiding surface (22).

The back meat star according to claim 4, wherein the back meat guide surface (41) comprises a first part (43) and a second part (44) arranged downstream of the first part (43), the first part (43) being substantially in horizontal direction and the second part (44) is inclined downwards with respect to the first part (43).

The back meat harvester according to claim 3, wherein the second guiding device (21) comprises a back meat guide (40), which comprises a back meat engaging surface (41) disposed near the second guiding surface (22), and wherein the separation gap (25) extends between the cutting edge (320 of the rotatable circular knife (30) of the first guiding device (23) and the back meat guiding surface (41) of the second guiding device (21).

The back meat harvester according to claim 3, wherein the second guide device (21) comprises a back meat guide (40), which comprises a back meat engaging surface (41) arranged near the second guide surface (22), and wherein the back meat guide surface (41) comprises a first part ( 43) and a second part (44) arranged downstream of the first part (43), the first part (43) extending substantially in the horizontal direction and the second part (44) inclined downwards with respect to the first part (43), and wherein the second part (44) of the back meat guide surface (41) is arranged next to the rotatable circular knife (30).

The back meat harvester according to claim 3, wherein the rotatable circular knife (30) is provided with a first facet (33) and a second facet (34), the first facet (33) being arranged on the side facing the separation gap (25) and wherein the second facet (34) is larger than the first facet (33).

The back meat harvester according to claim 8, wherein the first facet (33) is provided with a surface texture (35) adapted to increase the friction between the first facet (33) and the remaining fabric joint (5).

The back meat harvester according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first guiding device (23) comprises a rotatable circular disc (50), which is provided with a surface texture (52) adapted to increase the friction between the rotatable circular disc ( 50) and the remaining tissue connection (5) and / or the downward-hanging portion of the back meat (2).

A back-meat harvester according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second guiding device (21) comprises a rotatable circular disc (60), which is provided with a surface texture (62) adapted to increase the friction between the rotatable circular disc ( 60) and the remaining tissue connection (5) and / or the downward-hanging part of the back meat (2), and / or of a cutting edge in the circumferential direction.

The back meat harvester according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the back meat harvester further comprises a cutter (26L, 26R) or a scraper arranged in or directly downstream of the separation gap (25).

A system for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part (1) comprises back meat (2), and a bone structure (6) on which the back meat (2) is naturally present and naturally connected to it by tissue connections wherein part of the tissue connections between the back meat (2) and the bone structure (6) is broken and at least one tissue connection (5) remains, which system comprises: a conveyor, which conveyor comprises a plurality of product carriers (10), each product carrier (10) is movable along a conveyor track (12) in a conveying direction (13), wherein each product carrier (10) is adapted to support the carcass part (1) in such a position that at least a part of the back meat (2) hangs down from the bone structure (6), the downward-hanging portion of the back meat (2) being connected to the bone structure (6) through the remaining tissue joint (5), and a back meat separator (20), which back meat separator (20) comprises: a first guide device (23), which comprises a first guide surface (24), a second guide device (21), which comprises a second guide surface (22), the first guide surface (24) and the second guide surface (24) 22) are arranged at a distance relative to each other such that a separation gap (25) is present between the first guide surface (24) and the second guide surface (22), which separation gap (25) is adapted to connect the remaining tissue connection (5) receiving, wherein the dorsal separator (20) is arranged with respect to the transport path (12) of the product carrier (10) such that the remaining tissue connection (5) is received in the separation gap (25) and the downward-hanging part of the back meat ( 2) remains outside the separation gap (25) when the product carrier (10) moves the carcass part (1) along the conveyor track (120) beyond the dorsal separator (20), and wherein the dorsal The separator (20) is arranged to break the remaining tissue connection (5) received in the separation gap (25).

A method for harvesting back meat from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part (1) comprises back meat (2), and a bone structure (6) on which the back meat (2) is naturally present and naturally linked to it by tissue connections, a part of the tissue connections between the back meat (2) and the bone structure (6) being broken and at least one tissue connection (5) remaining, which method comprises the following steps: - applying a carcass part (1) to a product carrier ( 10), which product carrier (10) is movable along a conveyor track (12) in a conveying direction (13), ensuring that the product carrier (10) supports the carcass part (1) in such a position that at least a part of the back meat ( 2) hangs down from the bone structure (6), the down-hanging part of the back meat (2) being connected to the bone structure (6) through the remaining tissue joint (5), transporting the product carrier (10) with the carcass part (1) mounted thereon to a back meat harvester according to claim 1, positioning the remaining tissue joint (5) connecting the downward hanging part of the back meat (2) to the bone structure (6) of the carcass part (6) 1) in the separation gap (25) of the back meat harvester, and ensuring that the downward hanging part of the back meat (2) remains outside the separation gap (25) while the product carrier (10) moves the carcass part (10) along the conveyor track ( 12) beyond the dorsal separator (20), breaking the remaining tissue connection (5) received in the separation gap (25).

The method of claim 14, wherein the remaining tissue connection (5) is broken by cutting, scraping, or pulling.

The back meat harvesting knife suitable for use in the back meat harvester according to claim 1, which back meat harvesting knife is a circular-forming knife (30), which is provided with a first facet (33) and a second facet (34), the second facet (34) is greater than the first facet (33), wherein the first facet (33) is provided with a surface texture (35) adapted to increase the friction between the first facet (33) and the remaining fabric joint (5).

The back meat harvesting knife according to claim 16, which back meat harvesting knife is suitable for rotatable arrangement in the first guide device (23), with the first facet (33) on the side facing the separation gap (25).