NL2022719B1

NL2022719B1 - A poultry supporting structure and method

Info

Publication number: NL2022719B1
Application number: NL2022719A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Hendrik Woltman Gerrit
Original assignee: Foodmate Bv
Priority date: 2019-03-11
Filing date: 2019-03-11
Publication date: 2020-09-18

Abstract

A poultry support structure and method for supporting poultry in a poultry processing system. The structure comprises a supporting surface for supporting a poultry part carried by a carrier moving along a conveyor path of the poultry processing system. Further, the structure comprises a guiding structure for symmetrically aligning the poultry part relative to a cutting device arranged on the conveyor path.

Description

P122798NL00 Title: A poultry supporting structure and method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a poultry supporting structure, and a method.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In known poultry processing systems poultry parts are cut into symmetrical portions for further preparing for consumption. It appears that poultry portions having deviating characteristics e.g. in terms of weight, shape may result in poultry products that may be less uniform, e.g. in terms of consumption perception. Therefore, there is a need for improving an accuracy in cutting symmetric poultry portions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a structure and method providing improved accuracy in cutting symmetric poultry portions. According to an aspect a poultry supporting structure is provided for supporting poultry in a poultry processing system, the structure comprising a supporting surface for supporting a poultry part carried by a carrier moving along a conveyor path of the poultry processing system, the structure further comprising a guiding structure for symmetrically aligning the poultry part relative to a cutting device arranged along the conveyor path. By providing a guiding structure for symmetrically aligning the poultry part relative to a cutting device arranged along the conveyor path, an improved accuracy is obtained in forming obtaining anatomic symmetrically lengthwise separated poultry parts. Optionally, the supporting surface is arranged for receiving the breast of the poultry part carried by the carrier, thereby providing even more accurately anatomic symmetrically lengthwise separated poultry parts, based on the insight that poultry bones are generally closer to the breast than to the back.

Optionally, the guiding structure is arranged for symmetrically aligning the poultry part relative to a plane of symmetry that extends along the conveyor path, preferably substantially vertically, thereby matching the orientation of the poultry part with a preferred vertical cutting orientation of a cutting device.

Preferably, the supporting structure includes a supporting vehicle that is movable along the conveyor path between a position remote from the cutting device and a position adjacent the cutting device, such that poultry parts can be aligned in the remote position and subsequently can be cut in the adjacent position.

Advantageously, the supporting vehicle is then biased towards the remote position, to automatically bring the supporting vehicle in a state ready for receiving a next poultry part.

Optionally, the supporting surface is formed on the supporting vehicle, and the guiding structure includes a pair of rotatable aligning arms positioned above the supporting surface and biased towards each other for positioning the poultry part therebetween, thereby providing an effective implementation for aligning the poultry part.

Optionally, the supporting surface includes a pair of support portions separated by an intermediate slot aligned with the plane of symmetry, for symmetric support of the poultry part.

Optionally, the pair of support portions are arranged for pivotally moving away from each other when the vehicle approaches the position adjacent the cutting device, thereby providing optimal cutting conditions.

Preferably, the guiding structure includes a pair of side walls mounted on the supporting surface, opposite to each other relative to the plane of symmetry, for positioning the poultry part therebetween.

Optionally, the supporting structure further includes a stationary frame located along the conveyor path upstream to the vehicle, the vehicle being movable relative said stationary frame, the stationary frame preferably being provided with a stationary supporting surface for pre- aligning the poultry part, thereby further minimizing misalignment of poultry parts.

In a further embodiment, the guiding structure may include a pair of stationary side flanges located symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry and bounding the supporting surface in a lateral direction, thereby providing an effective structure for aligning poultry parts.

Optionally, the side flanges run from an upstream portion of the supporting surface, wherein a lateral offset between the side flanges is relatively large, towards a downstream portion of the supporting surface, wherein the lateral offset between the side flanges is relatively small, thereby further aligning the poultry parts.

Advantageously, the side flanges run substantially parallel from an intermediate portion, between the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the supporting surface, towards the downstream portion of the supporting surface, forming a gap between the side flanges for aligning a keel bone of the poultry part.

Further, the supporting surface may have a downstream section that is mainly horizontal, and an upstream section that adjoins the downstream section and is tilted slightly downwards in the upstream direction, thereby also aligning the poultry parts in a vertical direction.

The supporting surface can be stationary, thus providing a simple aligning structure.

According to an aspect is provided a method for supporting poultry in a poultry processing system. The method includes the step of: - providing a poultry processing system with a carrier carrying a poultry part,

- providing a poultry supporting structure according to any one of claims 1-15, - moving the poultry part along the conveyor path, - supporting the poultry part, preferably its breast side, by the supporting surface, - aligning, by the guiding structure, the poultry part relative to a cutting device arranged on the conveyor path.

Optionally, the method further includes a step of: - moving the supporting vehicle along the conveyor path, from the position remote from the cutting device towards the position adjacent the cutting device by a pulling force exerted by the carrier, against a biasing force of the vehicle.

It will be appreciated that all features and options mentioned in view of the poultry supporting structure apply equally to the structure and the method. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above aspects, features and options can be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a poultry processing system including a poultry supporting structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic partial view of the poultry supporting structure shown in Fig. 1 including a vehicle; Figure 3 is a schematic partial view of the poultry supporting structure shown in Fig. 1 including a locking mechanism; Figure 4 is a schematic partial view of a poultry supporting structure according to the invention including a stationary supporting surface; and Figure 5 1s a schematic representation of a method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a poultry processing system 1 including a poultry supporting structure 2 according to the invention. The poultry processing system 1 includes a conveyor system 10, a poultry 5 supporting structure 20 and a cutting device 30. The conveyor system 10 is provided with a conveyor line 13 and a multiple number of carriers 14, 14 such as shackles attached on said conveyor line 13 for carrying poultry parts

80. During operation, the carriers 14, 14 move in a moving direction M along a conveyor path P. The supporting structure 20 is provided with a supporting surface 23 for supporting a poultry part 80 carried by a carrier

14. Further, the supporting structure 20 is provided with a guiding structure 24, 24’ for symmetrically aligning the poultry part 80 relative to the cutting device 30 arranged along the conveyor path P. The cutting device 30 is provided with a cutting wheel 33, a mandrel 34 for stabilizing the poultry part 80 and guiding arms 35 for guiding a portion 81 of the poultry part 80 that 1s facing upwardly. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the poultry supporting structure 20 comprises a supporting vehicle 25 and a stationary frame 26 both located along the conveyor path P. The stationary frame 26 is located upstream to the supporting vehicle 25, i.e. located in a position shifted in a direction opposite to the moving direction M. The supporting vehicle 25 is movable relative to the stationary frame 26. The frame 26 1s preferably provided with a stationary supporting surface 26’ supporting the poultry part 80. Here, a portion 82 of the poultry part 80 that is facing downwardly, preferably the breast of the poultry part 80, contacts the stationary supporting surface 26’. In the shown embodiment, the stationary supporting surface 26’ is provided with side walls 27 for pre-aligning the poultry part 80 relative to the cutting device 30. In another embodiment, the stationary supporting surface 26’ can be provided without side walls 27.

The supporting vehicle 25 is movable along the conveyor path P between a position remote from the cutting device 30, also referred to as remote position RP, and a position adjacent the cutting device 30, also referred to as the adjacent position AP. In the remote position RP, the vehicle 25 is offset from the cutting wheel 33, for receiving the poultry part 80 from the stationary supporting surface 26’ and for positioning the poultry part 80. On the other hand, in the adjacent position AP, a downstream edge of the vehicle 25 is close to the cutting wheel 33 such that the cutting wheel 33 can initiate cutting or sawing the poultry part 80. In Fig. 1, the vehicle 251s positioned in a current position CP, between the adjacent position AP and the remote position RP.

It is noted that the poultry supporting structure 20 can be implemented without the stationary frame 26 shown in Fig. 1. Then, the poultry part 80 can be directly received on the vehicle 25 without a transition from a supporting surface on a stationary frame.

Preferably, the guiding structure 24, 24’ is arranged for symmetrically aligning the poultry part 80 relative to a plane of symmetry PS that extends along the conveyor path P, preferably substantially vertically. Then, the poultry part 80 can be aligned with the cutter wheel 33 extending in said vertical plane of symmetry PS.

During operation, the poultry part 80 moves along the conveyor path P in the moving direction M caused by a pulling action of the carrier 14 carrying the poultry part 80. Then, the vehicle 25 supporting the poultry part 80 moves to the adjacent position AP induced by the pulling force exerted by the carrier 14. Upon arriving at the adjacent position AP, the vehicle 25 stops. However, the poultry part 80, then aligned by the poultry support structure 20, moves on allowing the cutting wheel 33 to cut the poultry part 80 into two portions that are symmetric relative to the vertical plane of symmetry PS. Then, a lengthwise anatomic symmetric cut poultry part 80 is obtained.

Advantageously, the vehicle 25 is biased towards the remote position RP such that after a cutting action the vehicle 25 automatically moves back to the remote position RP for receiving a next poultry part 80. It is noticed, however, that the vehicle 25 can be provided without any biasing force. Then, the vehicle 25 can be moved back to the remote position RP in another way, e.g. be providing an electric actuator.

Figure 2 shows a schematic partial view of the poultry supporting structure 20 shown in Fig. 1 including the vehicle 25 described above. As illustrated, a supporting surface 41 is provided on the vehicle 25, the supporting surface 41 including a pair of support portions 42a, 42b, separated by an intermediate slot 43, aligned with the plane of symmetry PS. During operation, the support portions 424, 42b support the poultry part 80, contacting a portion 82 of the poultry part 80 that is facing downwardly, preferably the breast of the poultry part 80. Hence, the breast of the poultry part 80 is facing downwardly, towards the support portions 42a, 42h.

The guiding structure of the supporting structure 20 is provided with a pair of side walls 24a, 24b mounted on the corresponding support portions 42a, 42b of the supporting surface 23, opposite to each other relative to the plane of symmetry PS, for positioning the poultry part 80 therebetween, thereby aligning the poultry part 80 with respect to the plane of symmetry PS.

Further, the guiding structure of the supporting structure 20 is provided with a pair of rotatable aligning arms 24a’, 24b’ positioned above the supporting surface 23 and biased, preferably in a gently manner, towards each other for positioning the poultry part 80 therebetween, thereby further aligning the poultry part 80 with respect to the plane of symmetry PS. The biasing arms 24a’, 24b’ can be driven by a pressure force, e.g. by providing pressure lines, or by another force, e.g. by providing an electric actuator.

During operation, the arms 24a’, 24b’ can be open in an initial state. Then, after receiving a poultry part 80 on the support portions 42a, 42b, the arms 24a’, 24b’ can be driven to move to a biased state wherein the arms are forced against a side portion of the poultry part 80 for aligning.

Alternatively, the arms 24a’, 24b’ are always biased towards each other, during operation, the biasing force being small enough to be counteracted by inserting a poultry part 80 between them.

In the shown embodiment, the rotatable aligning arms 24a’, 24b’ rotate around mainly vertical rotating axes A, A’ for performing a mainly horizontal swivel path SP, SP’ towards one another.

It is noted that, in principle, the guiding structure can be provided with side walls 24, biasing arms 24’ or both for aligning the poultry part 80.

In the shown embodiment, the pair of support portions 42a, 42b are arranged for pivotally moving away from each other in a first and second swivel direction SD, SD’, around mainly vertical axes VA, VA’ when the vehicle 25 approaches the adjacent position AP, i.e. the position adjacent the cutting device 30, for facilitating an optimal cutting process.

The supporting vehicle 25 also includes a frame 41 carrying the support portions 424, 42b and other components of the vehicle 25. The frame 41 1s movably attached to a stationary structure, e.g. the stationary frame 26 shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a schematic partial view of the poultry supporting structure 20 shown in Fig. 1 including a locking mechanism 44 that is used for locking the pair of support portions 42a, 42b to each other when the vehicle 25 is not approaching the adjacent position AP, and for releasing the pair of support portions 424, 42b from each other when the vehicle 25 approaches the adjacent position AP.

Here, the locking mechanism 44 includes a lever 45 mounted on the vehicle 25 that is shown twice, viz. in a first state, on the right hand side, and in a second state, in the left hand side in Fig. 3. The lever 45 may swivel around a lever axis LA and is provided with a first, upper end 46 and a second, lower end 47. The locking mechanism 44 further includes a biasing element 48, e.g. implemented as a spring, biasing the lever to swivel in a counter clock-wise direction CC. Also, the locking mechanism 44 includes a stationary wall 44 mainly running along the conveyor path P. In the first state, the upper end 46 locks both support portions 42a, 42b to each other. Here, the lower end 47 is blocked against moving in a counter clock-wise direction as said lower end 47 contacts the stationary wall 49 having a straight portion 49a that is parallel to the conveyor path P and an adjoining portion 49b that is tilted away from the orientation of said conveyor path P. In the first state of the lever 45, the lower end 47 of the lever 45 contacts the straight portion 49a of the wall. In the second state of the lever 45, the vehicle 25 approaches the adjacent position AP and has moved beyond the straight wall portion 49a such that the lower end 47 of the lever 45, induced by the biasing force of the spring 48, moves in the counter clock-wise direction CC, as far as the adjoining, deviating wall portion 49b allows such, thereby allowing the upper end 46 of the lever 45 to release the support portions 42a, 42b. It is noted that the locking mechanism 44 can be implemented in another way, e.g. using an electric actuator.

In principle, the pair of support portions 42a, 42b can be located adjoining each other without defining an intermediate slot or slit. Further, the support surface 41 can be formed as an integral piece. Further, as an alternative to the shown embodiment, the support portions 42a, 42b can be fixed relative to each other.

Figure 4 is a schematic partial view of a poultry supporting structure 20 according to the invention including a stationary supporting surface 51. Here, the guiding structure of the supporting structure 20 includes a pair of stationary side flanges 52, 52’1ocated symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry PS and bounding the supporting surface 51 in a lateral direction LD, transverse to the plane of symmetry PS.

The side flanges 52, 52° run from an upstream portion UP of the supporting surface 51, wherein a lateral offset OFF 1 between the side flanges 51 is relatively large, e.g. 10 cm or more, towards a downstream portion DP of the supporting surface 51, wherein the lateral offset OFF2 between the side flanges 51 is relatively small, e.g. circa several cm or less. By providing converging side flanges 51, the poultry part 80 can be effectively aligned with respect to the plane of symmetry PS.

In the shown embodiment, the side flanges 51 run substantially parallel from an intermediate portion IP, between the upstream portion UP and the downstream portion DP of the supporting surface 51, towards the downstream portion DP of the supporting surface 51, forming a gap 52 between the side flanges 51 for aligning a keel bone of the poultry part 80.

Alternatively, the side flanges 51 may converge towards each other following a straight contour, without forming a gap structure having an invariant cross section along a portion thereof.

Further, in the shown embodiment, the supporting surface 51 has a downstream section 51a that is mainly horizontal, and an upstream section 51b that adjoins the downstream section via a bend section 51e and is tilted slightly downwards in the upstream direction, thus also aligning the poultry part 80 also in a vertical direction. In another embodiment, the supporting surface 51 is mainly flat and oriented in a mainly horizontal direction.

The supporting surface 51 of the poultry supporting structure 20 shown in Fig. 4 is stationary, e.g. for the purpose of processing so-called 9 piece poultry parts. However, in principle, the supporting surface 51 shown in Fig. 4 can also be provided on a support vehicle 25 shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 5 shows a flow chart of a method for supporting poultry in a poultry processing system according to an embodiment of the invention. The method is illustrated schematically in Figure 5. The method may include a step of providing 110 a poultry processing system with a carrier carrying a poultry part, a step of providing 120 a poultry supporting structure according to any one of claims 1-15, a step of moving 130 the poultry part along the conveyor path, a step of supporting 140 the poultry part, preferably its breast side, by the supporting surface, and a step of aligning 150, by the guiding structure, the poultry part relative to a cutting device arranged on the conveyor path.

In performing the method, advantageously a step may be included of moving the supporting vehicle along the conveyor path, from the position remote from the cutting device towards the position adjacent the cutting device by a pulling force exerted by the carrier, against a biasing force of the vehicle. After the cutting process has been performed, the supporting vehicle may move back towards the remote position, driven by the biasing force.

Herein, the invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged.

As an example, in principle, the cutting device can be provided with a linear cutting element or with another cutting blade replacing the cutting wheel for cutting or sewing the poultry part However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The specifications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense.

For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

In the claims, any reference sign placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim.

The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those 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 an advantage.

Claims

Conclusions

A poultry support structure for supporting poultry in a poultry processing system, the structure comprising a support surface for supporting a poultry portion carried by a carrier moving along a conveying path of the poultry processing system, the structure further comprising a guide structure for the poultry processing system. symmetrically aligning the poultry portion with respect to a cutting device arranged along the conveyor track.

A poultry support structure according to claim 1, wherein the support surface is adapted to receive the breast of the poultry portion carried by the wearer.

Poultry support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the guide structure is arranged to symmetrically align the poultry portion with respect to a plane of symmetry extending along the conveying path, preferably substantially vertically.

A poultry support structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the support structure comprises a support vehicle that is movable along the transport path between a position remote from the cutting device and a position near the cutting device.

The poultry support structure of claim 4, wherein the support vehicle is biased to the remote position.

A poultry support structure according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the support surface is formed by the support vehicle, and wherein the guide structure comprises a pair of rotatable alignment arms positioned above the support surface and biased towards each other for positioning the poultry portion therebetween.

A poultry support structure according to claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein the support surface comprises a pair of support portions separated by an intermediate groove aligned with the plane of symmetry.

A poultry support structure according to any one of claims 4-7, wherein the pair of support portions are arranged to pivotally move away from each other as the vehicle approaches the position near the cutting device.

A poultry support structure according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein the guide structure comprises a pair of side walls attached to the support surface, opposite one another from the plane of symmetry, for positioning the poultry portion therebetween.

A poultry support structure according to any one of claims 4-9, wherein the support structure further comprises a stationary frame disposed along the conveyor path upstream of the vehicle, the vehicle being movable relative to the stationary frame, the stationary frame being preferably has a stationary support surface for pre-aligning the poultry portion.

Poultry support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the guide structure comprises a pair of stationary side flanges positioned symmetrically with respect to the plane of symmetry and defining the support surface in a lateral direction.

A poultry support structure according to claim 11, wherein the side flanges extend from an upstream portion of the support surface, where a lateral offset between the side flanges is relatively large, to a downstream portion of the support surface, the lateral offset between the side flanges being relatively large. is relatively small.

A poultry support structure according to claim 12, wherein the side flanges are substantially parallel from an intermediate portion,

between the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the support surface, to the downstream portion of the support surface, forming a space between the side flanges for aligning a breastbone (throat bone) of the poultry portion.

A poultry support structure according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the support surface has a downstream section that is substantially horizontal and an upstream section which is adjacent to the downstream section and tilted slightly downward in the upstream direction.

Poultry support structure according to any of claims 11-14, wherein the support surface is stationary.

A method for supporting poultry in a poultry processing system, comprising: - providing a poultry processing system with a carrier carrying a poultry portion, - providing a poultry support structure according to any one of claims 1-15, - moving the poultry poultry section along the conveyor track, - supporting the poultry section, preferably the breast side, by the support surface, - aligning, by the guiding structure, the poultry section with respect to a cutting device arranged on the conveyor track.

A method according to claim 16, further comprising: - moving the support vehicle along the transport path, from the position remote from the cutting device to the position near the cutting device by a pulling force exerted by the carrier against a biasing force of the vehicle .