NZ581870A - Apparatus for removing pelt from a carcass comprising pair of cylindrical clamping mechanisms that rotate - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for removing pelt from animal carcass is disclosed. The apparatus (1) includes a driving mechanism (11) and a clamping mechanism (2) comprising pair of clamping members (3 and 4). During operation a carcass is placed between the pair of opposing teeth (7) of the two clamping members (3 and 4). The clamping members (3 and 4) then moves relative to each other in opposite directions and then rotate about an axel (9) thereby removing the pelt from the carcass.

Description

Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 PATENTS FORM NO. 5 Fee: $250.00 James & Wells Ref: 130954/47 RD PATENTS ACT 19S3 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION After Provisional No: 581870 Dated: 9 December 2009 IMPROVEMENTS IN THE REMOVAL OF ANIMAL PELTS We Ovine Automation Limited, a New Zealand company of Level 13, PWC Tower, 113-119 The Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand do hereby declare this invention to be described in the following statement: Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 IMPROVEMENTS IN THE REMOVAL OF ANIMAL PELTS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to improvements in processing of slaughtered 5 animals. The invention has particular application to the removal of a pelt from an animal carcass.

BACKGROUND ART The slaughtering of sheep and the subsequent processing of the resulting carcass is a significant industry in New Zealand, employing thousands of workers. The 10 separation of the carcass into various cuts of meat is referred to as "dressing".

One of the initial stages of dressing the carcass is the removal of the pelt of the carcass. The pelt can have considerable commercial value, depending on the animal being processed. For example, the hide of a cow may be used for leather goods.

Therefore, it is important that the pelt be removed without damaging the pelt itself or damaging the carcass.

The pelt can be difficult to remove from certain portions of the carcass, particularly the brisket (the sternum of the animal). The connective tissue between the brisket and pelt is particularly robust.

In the prior art, there are a number of apparatus that assist the processor in removing the pelt from the animal.

For example, New Zealand Patent No. 538886 discloses a gas de-pelting apparatus.

The disclosed apparatus utilises a gas injection mechanism with a probe that 2 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 pierces the pelt and injects gas between the pelt and the carcass. The force of the gas as it is expulsed from the probe causes separation of the pelt from the carcass, or at the very least reduces the amount of force that needs to be applied by the processor to remove the pelt.

However, this means that the processing facility needs to incorporate an additional stage in the dressing of the carcass. Furthermore, the gas de-pelting mechanism, in many cases, only assists in the removal of the pelt. A processor may still be required to manually separate the pelt from the carcass.

Alternatively, the pelt can simply be pulled off the carcass. However, as previously noted, it can be difficult to remove the pelt from certain portions of the carcass, particularly the brisket, and the forelegs/forequarter region.

This typically means greater force needs to be applied to the pelt to pull it away from the carcass. Thus, there is a greater likelihood of damaging the pelt.

The force required to remove the pelt from the carcass can be substantial. This means the pelt must be securely gripped in order to apply maximum pulling (or otherwise) force to the pelt. The pelt can be pulled off by hand, but it will be appreciated the processor's grip may be insufficient to compensate for the force required to separate the pelt from the carcass.

It is common for the processor to lose their grip on the pelt as force is applied to the pelt to separate it from the carcass. This means the dressing process must be halted while the loose portion of the pelt is secured again by the processor to continue the pelt removal process.

A significant problem is Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) resulting from doing this repetitive and high force task all day.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their 5 authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein, this reference does not ■ constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for removing an animal pelt from a carcass, the apparatus including a clamping mechanism including a pair of clamping members, wherein the clamping members are slideably moveable relative to each other, and a driving mechanism, and characterised in that 4 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 the apparatus includes an axle, wherein the driving mechanism is configured to rotate the clamping mechanism about the axle.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using an apparatus to remove an animal pelt from a carcass, the apparatus including a clamping mechanism including a pair of clamping members, wherein the clamping members are slideably moveable relative to each other, and a driving mechanism, and wherein the apparatus includes an axle, wherein the driving « mechanism is configured to rotate the clamping mechanism about the axle, the method including the steps of: a) placing the clamping mechanism proximate to a carcass; and b) actuating the clamping mechanism to grip the pelt of the carcass between the clamps; and characterised by the additional step of: c) driving the clamping mechanism about the axle such that as the clamping mechanism rotates, the pelt is removed from the carcass.

A clamping mechanism should be understood to mean a mechanism which clamps an object between at least a pair of clamping members.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the object being clamped is the pelt of an animal carcass.

The pelt should be understood to mean the skin or hide of the animal carcass. The pelt may include wool, fur or hair. The pelt may have commercial value to the processor of the carcass.

Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 It should be understood that preferably the removal of the pelt from the animal carcass is a step in the "dressing" of the carcass, usually performed prior to separation of the carcass into specific cuts of meat. The term "dressing" and its derivatives are used throughout this specification to refer to the processing of the 5 animal carcass.

The animal carcass being dressed may be a caprine (goat) or bovine (cow) carcass, but preferably is an ovine (sheep) carcass.

However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may be used with any type of carcass which is 10 processed for its meat and/or byproducts. For example, the present invention may be used with deer (venison).

The clamping members may be plates, blocks or fingers, but in preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clamping members are a pair of cylinders.

A cylinder should be understood to mean an elongate member having a circular cross-section. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cylinder may be substantially hollow. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the cylinder may be provided with a passage at its centre, the passage running the longitudinal length of the cylinder.

The clamping members shall now be referred to as cylinders throughout the remainder of this specification.

However, this is not meant to be limiting, and the clamping members may be in a variety of configurations.

For example, the clamping members may be square or rectangular in cross-25 section. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that a wide number of possible 6 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 configurations for the clamping members are envisaged, depending on the animal being dressed, and the commercial value of the pelt being removed.

However, a cylinder is preferred, as it has no edges or corners which may inadvertently damage the pelt as it is removed.

It should be understood that the cylinders are arranged along a longitudinal axis. When not actuated, the cylinders are spatially separated along the axis. The space between the cylinders may be regarded as the jaws of the clamping mechanism.

The opposing ends of the cylinders, that is to say the ends of the cylinders which 10 face each other, should be understood to be the contact surfaces of the clamping members.

When actuated, the cylinders are moved towards each other along the longitudinal axis in an attempt to make contact. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that when actuated, the contact surfaces of the cylinders trap the pelt (or whatever is 15 located in the jaws of the clamping mechanism) between them.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the contact surfaces of the cylinders are provided with serrations to form a plurality of teeth. It will be understood that the teeth are not sharp, as this may damage the pelt, but they positively engage with the pelt.

However, this contact surface configuration is not meant to be limiting, and other configurations which provide a convolute path in which the pelt is trapped are envisaged.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that some form of serrated contact surface for the clamping members is preferred, as such a surface, having greater surface 25 area, provides for a more secure grip when the clamping members are actuated 7 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 and trapping the pelt between the clamping members.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the serrations of the contact surface of one clamping member are complementary to the opposing clamping member.

It will be appreciated in this preferred embodiment of the present invention that the serrated ends of the cylinders interlock, providing for a more secure grip of the pelt when the cylinders are actuated.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clamping mechanism includes an actuator for the clamping members.

It should be appreciated that the actuator moves at least one of the clamping members along the longitudinal axis towards the opposing clamping member, thus closing the jaws of the clamping mechanism.

Preferably, the actuating means for the clamps is a pneumatic cylinder, although hydraulic could be used.

However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuating means for the cylinder may be a hydraulic piston or the like.

The clamping mechanism is configured to rotate about the axle via a driving means.

The driving means may be any suitable electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or internal combustion motor driving a belt or chain. A direct or shaft drive could also be used.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the motor drives a sprocket at one end of the axle via a chain. 8 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the axle is any suitable elongate member to which the clamping mechanism may be mounted.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the axle is arranged longitudinally in the interior of the cylinders.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clamping members are locked relative to the axle such that rotation of the axle also causes rotation of the clamping members.

However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that one or both of the clamping members may be configured such that they rotate independently of the axle. For 10 example, one clamping member may be fixed to the axle at the driven end of the axle, while the opposing clamping member is free to rotate about the axle.

In another example, one or both of the cylinders of the clamping mechanism may be provided with a recess circumscribing the exterior of the cylinder with which the belt of the motor may engage. By this means, the cylinder may be rotating as 15 opposed to the axle.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the pelt is collected about the outer face of the clamping mechanism as the clamping members rotate about the axle. This is particularly advantageous for this helps keep the pelt in a relatively tidy package as it is collected.

Furthermore, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that as the pelt is wound onto the outer face of the clamping mechanism, this also increases the grip of the clamping members on the pelt.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the direction of rotation of the clamping mechanism is away from the carcass being dressed. This places the 25 inner surface of the pelt on the outer most on the clamping mechanism, keeping 9 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 the exterior of the pelt away from the carcass. This may help reduce likelihood of contamination of the meat of the carcass from any dirt or detritus present on the exterior of the pelt.

As the clamping mechanism rotates, thus collecting the pelt about its exterior 5 surface, the mechanism is driven and / or pulled down the length of the carcass.

In one embodiment the mechanism is effectively pulled by the pelt rolling around it with the actual drive to the actuators for arm movement is deactivated and/or disengaged.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the clamping mechanism may be 10 assisted by external means (motors, pneumatic cylinders or the like) in its movement along the carcass.

Furthermore, as the clamping mechanism moves down the carcass, the action of rotation and collection of the pelt about the clamping members ensures that the pelt is always under a high degree of tension. This helps in the removal of the pelt 15 from the carcass being dressed.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the cylinders of the clamping mechanism may be triangular or square in cross-section, thus providing the cylinder with corners.

As the clamping mechanism rotates, the corners of the cylinder may assist in 20 enhancing the tension applied to the pelt as it is removed from the carcass. However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this may also result in some damage to the pelt, particularly the portion of the pelt overlying the corners of the cylinder.

Preferably, the clamping mechanism is located on a mechanical arm. This 25 arrangement is preferred as it will better facilitate semi or full automation of the pelt Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 removal process as part of a processing plant.

However, persons skilled in the art will appreciate that with suitable modifications, the present invention may take the form of a handheld implement wielded by a processor.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the mechanical arm includes at least a forearm and a hind arm. It should be understood that the forearm is the portion of the mechanical arm which is presented to the animal carcass being dressed.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the clamping mechanism is mounted to the forearm. Pneumatic cylinders or the like may assist in the movement of the forearm relative to the hind arm to ensure accurate placement of the clamping mechanism relative to the carcass. These cylinders may disengage once the clamping mechanism has been placed in the desired position.

The mechanical arm in one embodiment may include a guiding means, to orientate the carcass relative to the clamping mechanism.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention the guiding means is mounted to the hind arm of the mechanical arm, although this is not meant to be limiting. For example, there may be a guide for both legs and an adjustment system between them.

The guiding means may be mounted to the forearm of the mechanical arm, although persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this may be undesirable due to space constraints.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the guiding means is in the form of a two pronged fork. The carcass is intended to be located between the prongs of the guiding means. 11 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 In other preferred embodiments of the present invention sensors are used to move the arms to the correct position on the animal and a guiding means is not required.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will appreciate that other means of orientating the carcass relative to the clamping 5 mechanism are readily apparent.

In some embodiments of the present invention, pneumatic cylinders or the like may assist in the movement of the guiding means relative to the hind arm.

In use, the carcass to be dressed is presented to the present invention for removal of the pelt. The carcass will be hanging by one or both fore legs from a hook which 10 may be travelling along a conveyor. In some embodiments of the present invention, the carcass may be suspended by all four legs by a plurality of hooks.

The prongs of the fork straddle the carcase or leg as the carcass is presented to the invention. This stabilises the carcass prior to de-pelting with the present invention.

The mechanical arm, through actuation of various pneumatic cylinders, moves the clamping mechanism proximate to the pelt of the animal. Typically, the clamping mechanism will be placed against the leg of the carcass which has been suspended from the hook.

Preferably, the leg and / or neck of the carcass have been prepared with one or 20 more cuts, and the clamping mechanism is placed proximate to these cuts.

The cylinders are then actuated, and the jaws of the clamping mechanism close, trapping a portion of the pelt between the cylinders. The cylinders, having serrated contact surfaces, are able to grip the pelt firmly.

The driving means is activated, causing the clamping mechanism to rotate. At the 12 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 same time, the mechanical arm of the invention then moves progressively down the carcass. This steadily pulls the pelt away from the carcass, the cylinders collecting the pelt about the outer surface of the cylinders as the clamping mechanism moves down the carcass being dressed.

Once the desired section of pelt has been removed, the mechanical arm is moved away from the carcass, and the driving means and clamping mechanism disengaged to release the pelt.

In some embodiments of the present invention, only a portion of the pelt is intended to be removed. In these embodiments, the controller may halt the mechanical arm once the desired section of pelt has been removed.

It will be appreciated that the present invention has a number of advantages over the prior art: • It does not require the operator to manually attach the present invention to the pelt, reducing the risk of injury to the operator; • it may remove a pelt more easily from the carcass than other pelt removers in the art; and • it may require less physical force from the processor to remove the pelt; and • it may facilitate removal of a pelt from a carcass with minimal damage to the pelt; and • it may be more easily implemented in a meat-works processing line than existing de-pelters. • it may enable the automation of tasks that are currently only performed manually 13 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the present invention in use.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention (generally indicated by arrow 1) is illustrated in Figure 1.

The invention includes a clamping mechanism (2) in the form of a pair of clamping members (3, 4) in the form of cylinders. The ends (5, 6) of the cylinders (3, 4) which face each other are serrated to form teeth (7).

The cylinders (3, 4) are slightly axially offset from one another so that as they (3, 4) are bought together, the teeth (7) of the opposing cylinders (3, 4) meet thus 15 trapping and securely holding the pelt (not shown) between the cylinders (3, 4).

A pneumatic cylinder (8) is provided in the outermost cylinder. This is to bring the outer most cylinder (3) into contact with the opposing cylinder (4).

Each cylinder (3, 4) is mounted to an axle (9) passing through the centre of the cylinders (3, 4). The driven end (10) of the cylinder (4) is fixed to the axle (9), such 20 that rotation of the axle (9) causes rotation of the cylinder (4).

The axle (9) is driven by a motor (11) via a belt or chain (12). The motor is mounted to the hind arm (13) of a mechanical arm (14), while the clamping mechanism (2) is mounted to the forearm (15) of the mechanical arm (14). 14 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 Also mounted to the mechanical arm (14) is a guide (16) in the form of a two pronged fork (17, 18). This (16), when placed against the carcass (not shown) being de-pelted, stabilises and accurately places the clamping mechanism (2) when in use.

The mechanical arm (14) may include additional cylinders (19, 20) to allow better articulation of the clamping mechanism and guiding mechanism.

Turning now to Figure 2, the operating principle of the present invention (1) can be appreciated.

The clamping mechanism (2) is placed against the pelt (21), which in figure 2 is the 10 leg portion (22) of the carcass (not shown), and the pneumatic cylinder (8) activated.

This causes the cylinder (3, - 4 not shown) to clamp together, trapping a portion of the pelt (21) between the jaws of the clamping mechanism (2).

The motor (11) is started, which causes the rotation of the cylinder (4 - not shown).

At the same time, the cylinders (19, 20) mounted on the arm (14) of the invention (1) are disengaged. This allows the clamping mechanism (2) to freely wind the pelt (21), being drawn down the carcass (not shown) as it does so.

The pelt (21) is wound about the cylinders (3, - 4 not shown) until it is removed, and the entire apparatus (1) is moved away from the now de-pelted carcass (not 20 shown). The trapped pelt is unwound while the cylinders (19, 20) are activated so as to lay the pelt down on pelt that is still attached to the carcase. In this manner the dirty side of the pelt does not come in contact with any part of the carcase that has had its pelt removed Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 James & Wells 130954/47 it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof. 16

Claims (16)

Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An apparatus for removing an animal pelt from a carcass, the apparatus including a clamping mechanism including a pair of clamping members, wherein the clamping members are slideably moveable relative to each other, and a driving mechanism, and characterised in that the apparatus includes an axle, wherein the driving mechanism is configured to rotate the clamping mechanism about the axle, wherein the clamping members are a pair of cylinders arranged along a longitudinal axis such that the ends of the cylinders face each other.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the facing ends of each cylinder is a contact surface.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the contact surfaces are provided with serrations to form a plurality of teeth.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the serrations of the contact surface of one clamping member are complementary to the opposing clamping member.

5. An apparatus as claimed any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein in the clamping mechanism includes an actuator for the clamping members.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the actuator moves at least one of the clamping members along the longitudinal axis towards the opposing clamping member. Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the actuator for the clamping members is a pneumatic cylinder.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the driving mechanism for the clamping mechanism is a electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or internal combustion motor driving a belt or chain.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the motor drives a pulley at one end of the axle via a belt.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the axle is arranged longitudinally within the clamping mechanism.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the clamping mechanism is locked relative to the axle such that rotation of the axle also causes rotation of the clamping mechanism.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the direction of rotation of the clamping mechanism is away from the carcass being dressed.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the apparatus includes a mechanical arm.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the mechanical arm includes a forearm.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the clamping mechanism is mounted to the forearm.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the apparatus includes a guiding means to orientate the carcass being dressed. 18 Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 17, An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the guiding means is in the form of a two pronged fork. 18, A method of using an apparatus to remove an animal pelt from a carcass, the apparatus including a clamping mechanism including a pair of clamping members, wherein the clamping members are slideably moveable relative to each other, and a driving mechanism, and wherein the apparatus includes an axle, wherein the driving mechanism is configured to rotate the clamping mechanism about the axle, and wherein the clamping members are a pair of cylinders arranged along a longitudinal axis such that the ends of the cylinders face each other, the method including the steps of: a) placing the clamping mechanism proximate to a carcass; and b) actuating the clamping mechanism to grip the pelt of the carcass between the clamps; and characterised by the additional step of: c) driving the clamping mechanism about the axle such that as the clamping mechanism rotates, the pelt is removed from the carcass. 19, A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein, the method includes the additional step of: d) collecting the pelt about an outer face of the clamping mechanism. 20, A method as claimed in either claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the method includes an additional step of: Received at IPONZ on 1 April 2011 21. 22. 23. Ovine Automation Limited by its authorised agents JAMES & WELLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY e) placing a guiding means proximate to the carcass prior to placing the clamping mechanism proximate to the carcass. A method as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the pelt is removed from the forequarter region of the carcass including the brisket and foreleg. An apparatus for removing an animal pelt from a carcass substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying figures. A method of using an apparatus to remove an animal pelt from a carcass substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompany figures. 20