WO1984001692A1

WO1984001692A1 - Process and apparatus for cutting slaughtered chickens into parts

Info

Publication number: WO1984001692A1
Application number: PCT/NL1983/000044
Authority: WO
Inventors: Heinrich Willy Markert
Original assignee: Heinrich Willy Markert
Priority date: 1982-11-01
Filing date: 1983-10-31
Publication date: 1984-05-10
Also published as: NL8204223A

Abstract

A process and apparatus for cutting slaughtered chickens into parts, in which the animals are suspended by the legs from a conveyor system (2) and moved past several treating stations where parts of the animal are cut off, characterized in that the chickens hanging by their legs from the conveyor system are caused to assume an almost horizontal backward position by moving them up an obliquely rising slide way (1), whereupon they are passed in virtually the same position between two knives (4, 4a) disposed at some distance from each and rotating in opposite directions.

Description

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR CUTTING SLAUGHTERED CHICKENS INTO PARTS

The invention relates to a process for cutting slaughtered chickens into parts, in which the animals are suspended by the legs from a conveyor system and moved past several treating stations where parts of the animals are cut off.

In the known process for dissecting slaughtered animals, the cutting at the several treating stations was carried out by butchers who removed parts, for instance parts of the breast, by hand. As this known process was substantially carried out by hand and therefore was an expensive one, it has been tried to find ways of conducting the process at least in part with the aid of machines.

It is the object of the present invention to sever the breast meat from the carcass by mechanical means. To this end, the slaughtered chickens, while hanging by their legs from the conveyor system, are caused to assume an almost horizontal backward position by moving them up an obliquely ascending slide way, whereupon they are passed in virtually the same position between two knives disposed at some distance from each other and rotating in opposite direction.

According to the process of the invention, the animals are preferably differentiated by weight in categories of about 400 grams before the cutting operation and the knives and the distance between the back and the breast bone are set to an anatomically predetermined position for each weight category. In this way it is possible to attain a high degree of accuracy in the cutting. The distance between the rotating knives is adjustable between 10 and 30 mm; 20 mm is an especially suitable value. Similarly, the height of the slide way is adjustable, and so is the height of suspension of the conveyor system vis-à-vis the knives. The invention also provides an apparatus for the operation of the process, comprising a conveyor system whereby slaughtered animals suspended by the legs can be moved past treating stations which are suitably equipped for the removal of parts from the slaughtered animals.

The treating station according to the invention includes

(a) a channel rising in the direction of travel of the carcasses, through which an animal can be moved lying backwards;

(b) beyond the upper end of the channel, two knives which can be rotated almost horizontally in opposite directions;

(c) guide rails for holding the animal to be conveyed and dissected in a fixed position.

In order to ensure the requisite accuracy in cutting and/or correct adaptation to the weight category, one or more of the following dimensions are adjustable:

(a) the distance between the rotatable knives, which should be such that the position remains symmetrical vis-à-vis the channel;

(b) the highest position of the channel vis-à-vis the plane of the knives;

(c) the distance between the means of suspension (hooks) of the conveyor system vis-à-vis the plane of the knives.

A V-shaped channel has proved satisfactory. The adjustability of the knives, the channel and the suspension system serves, as stated, to attain an optimum effect with regard to weight category (in other words, to the sizing of the slaughtered animal). Thereby it becomes possible to remove parts of the breast with optimum effect.

The invention will now be elucidated by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 presents a lateral view of the treating station and Figure 2 a front view of the same treating station.

Both figures show a V-shaped channel 1 in which the slaughtered animal, suspended according to Figure 2 by its legs on hooks 2 of a schematically represented conveying system 3, is gradually brought into a more horizontal position as it moves in the direction indicated by an arrow. Two knives 4 and 4^a which can be rotated in opposite directions by means of motors 5 and 5^a are disposed just beyond the end of channel 1. These knives cut off parts from the breast as the animal is moved on.

As stated hereinbefore, the adjustment of various dimensions is essential for gaining an optimum effect. These dimensions have been determined anatomically and depend on the weight category/size. On that account, the distance between the knives 4 and 4^a is adjustable from, say, 10 mm to 30 mm in mutual syrrmetry relative to channel 1 by means of spindle 6 with hand wheel and glide blocks 7 and 7^a, enabling the motors 5 and 5 and hence the knives 4 and 4 to be displaced in opposite directions relative to the channel 1.

In similar fashion, the highest position of channel 1 can be varied with the aid of sliding sleeve 8. The same applies to the hooks 2, for which purpose the height setting of the conveyor system 3 at the location of the knives 4 and 4 can be varied by means of a schematically shown height-setting attachment 9.

In order to place or hold the animal in the proper position in the channel as it moves on, guide rails 10, 10^a are provided on both sides above the channel 1. Similar means of guidance may be present at the location of knives 4 and 4^a in order to hold the animal firmly in crosswise direction during the cutting. It stands to reason that the animal must hang in the right position before reaching the novel apparatus, that is to say, with its back turned to the channel 1. Obviously, the knives and motors should be adequately screened and plates 11 are provided to receive and discharge parts cut off. The apparatus described is in principle also suitable for use as so-called "groin cutter". In that case the animal must be held in a different position relative to the rotating knives, which is substantially accomplished by modifying the position of the channel and adapting the distance between the knives.

Claims

1. A process for cutting slaughtered chickens into parts, in which the animals are suspended by the legs frcm a conveyor system and moved past several treating stations where parts of the animals are cut off, characterized in that the chickens hanging by their legs from the conveyor system are caused to assume an almost horizontal backward position by moving them up an obliquely rising slide way, whereupon they are passed in virtually the same position between two knives disposed at some distance from each other and rotating in opposite directions.

2. A process according to claim 1, characterized in that the animals are classified into weight categories before the cutting operation and that for each weight category the distance between the rotating knives, the height of the slide way, as well as the height of suspension vis-à-vis the knives are set to an anatomically predetermined position.

3. Apparatus for conducting the process according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a conveyor system and several treating stations, such that the animals hanging by the legs are moved past one or more treating stations which are suitably equipped for the removal of parts from the slaughtered animals, characterized in that the treating station includes

(a) a channel rising obliquely in the direction of travel, in which an animal can be conveyed lying backwards;

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the following dimensions are variable: (a) the distance between the rotatable knives (4 and 4^a), which should be such that the position remains symmetrical vis-à-vis the channel; (b) the highest position of the channel (1) vis-à-vis the plane of the knives (4 and 4^a); (c) the distance between the suspension hooks (2) of the conveyor system (3) vis-à-vis the plane of the knives (4 and 4^a).

5. Apparatus according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that two guide rails (10, 10^a) are present on both sides above the channel (1).

6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that means of guidance are present above the knives (4 and 4^a).

7. A process and apparatus as described and elucidated by reference to a drawing.

8. Parts of chickens cut off according to the process as claimed in any one of claims 1 and 2.