Patent Application
20170006883
The invention relates to a positioning apparatus for positioning poultry legs conveyed in a row in a direction of conveyance along a conveying way in a processing position which represents a reference position for processing of the poultry legs, wherein the drumstick and the thigh of the poultry legs are connected to one another by the knee joint and wherein one axial side of the leg, on which the patella is located, determines the front side of the leg, and the other axial side of the leg, on which the hollow of the knee is located, determines the rear side of the leg, comprising
The invention relates also to a method for removing, during conveying, the thigh meat from poultry legs conveyed in a row in the direction of conveyance, wherein the poultry leg is positioned by means of a positioning apparatus by defined lifting and holding of the knee joint, cuts are applied in the poultry leg meat in the region of the knee of the poultry leg down to the bone, and the thigh meat is pushed from the specifically positioned knee joint to the hip joint bone. The drumsticks and thighs of the poultry legs are connected to one another by the knee joint, and the poultry legs are in a suspended arrangement with the ankle joint balls held in a carrying device.
The poultry legs that are positioned are legs which have been separated from a poultry carcass and consist of the thigh and the drumstick.
A device for processing the legs of poultry is known from EP 0 858 740 A1. The device is equipped with a positioning apparatus of the generic type. The bending device therein has a revolving support plate with recesses, in each of which a poultry leg comes to lie in the region of the knee joint, namely between a fixed (stationary) guide rail and a supporting edge which co-runs with the recesses, which forms a positioning element in each recess. The known device requires a circular or carousel-like guide, the support plate being provided on its lower side with orientation means for orienting the thighs substantially radially in relation to the axis of revolution of the support plate. The bending angle of the poultry leg is made smaller by the guide rail, and the poultry leg is lifted for positioning of the supporting edge in the hollow of the knee. Although a cutting point on the knee joint of the poultry leg is reached independently of certain differences in length of the drumstick, cutting can be carried out only with a single cutting means, whereby the poultry leg has to be brought into the special bent position with the radial orientation of the thigh.
An apparatus having a linear conveying way for removing the thighs from poultry legs is known from DE 691 00 902 T2. The poultry legs are suspended by their tarsal joints and positioned by means of a leg positioning device. This has positioning blocks co-running in a straight direction of conveyance, which cooperate, in the region in which the poultry leg is cut, with a guide strip, which in turn cooperates with a separating device for executing the cut.
DE 600 13 263 T2 (FIG. 21 to 28) discloses a device in which poultry legs are positioned in a space between a carrier block and a cutting block, wherein a carrying edge is arranged beneath the patella and moves upwards in order to position the knee joint in relation to a cutting blade arranged on each cutting block. Instead of the knee carrier block, an arm can be provided for positioning the patella.
A method of the generic type is known from DE 691 00 902 (FIG. 4 to 12). A cylindrical control element of a carousel device has a plurality of scraping units. In each scraping unit, which is equipped with two scraping elements, thigh meat is scraped from the thigh bone of a poultry leg which is suspended by its tarsal joint on a rotating suspension plate. In the scraping unit, the poultry leg is bent approximately at a right angle and brought by means of one of the scraping elements into a reproducible position in which an incision is made at the back of the knee. With the knee joint in an extended position effected by the two scraping elements, an incision is made below the patella. With the aid of a positioning stop, the incision is always made at the same point of the knee joint, and cutting of the patella is prevented. The two scraping elements of the scraping unit are moved towards the hip joint in order to scrape off the thigh meat. In the scraping unit, the thigh meat can be cut away from the thigh bone. The mentioned cuts are made in each scraping unit while the poultry leg is conveyed in its suspended position by means of the suspension plate. The legs from which the thigh meat has been removed are transferred to a straight conveying way, on which the thigh bone is cut.
It is characteristic of the known apparatuses that the poultry leg, during cutting in the region of the knee joint, is to be positioned and held in an associated specific bent position, the positioning effected during cutting by defined bending of the poultry leg being eliminated when a cut at the knee joint is complete. Such positioning is considered to be particularly suitable for a circular guide or carousel transport. Circular guides or carousel devices impair the conveying speed, and the adaptation of conveying paths to desired spatial regions is made more difficult. Carrying out and maintaining the positioning of the poultry leg knee joint in a specific bent position associated with the position of the cutting means limit considerably the processing possibilities as a result of the cut, which is to be applied along the conveying way at the position of the associated bend with a specially adapted cutting tool. The application of the cut and/or the variety of cuts are impaired.
The objects underlying the invention are to improve the processing and positioning of the poultry legs conveyed in a row along a space-saving conveying way. In particular for the removal of the thigh meat from poultry legs, the optimum application of cuts is to be achieved by means of the positioning measures according to the invention. Differences in the lengths of the poultry legs are to be countered. In any case, it is to be possible to carry out cuts and further processing at desired processing points which are separate from one another in a particularly reliable and precise manner. In particular, the cuts are to be made at a point separate from dynamic positioning. Advantages of guiding in a straight conveying line are to be utilised to a particular degree in respect of high speed and space-saving incorporation into a processing plant.
The objects according to the invention are achieved in connection with the features of the positioning apparatus mentioned hereinbefore in
The objects are achieved in connection with the features of the method mentioned hereinbefore in
A number of advantages are achieved with the measures according to the invention.
In the bending conveying section, the poultry leg is conveyed and bent at the knee. In any case, the stationary holding and guiding device arranged downstream of the bending conveying section according to the invention is formed along the linear conveying way by the stationary holding and guiding gap. It is ensured that the poultry leg assumes the reference position along the conveying way before, at and after a or each processing point. Along the sliding stretch of the holding and guiding gap, static (maintained) positioning of the knee joint established with at least one reference position takes place, in contrast to the dynamic (changing, volatile) positioning of the knee joint along the bending conveying section. The reference positioning is independent of a processing point, for example the site of application of a cutting tool, and of the orientation of the poultry leg. This means that the poultry leg, for example, can be in a largely extended or less extended or bent position, while it is suspended, defined by the knee joint, in the holding and guiding gap. The holding and guiding gap extends at least substantially linearly and can advantageously be formed by a gap or slot between two guide plates, guide strips or the like.
The gap width is at least substantially the same along the conveying way. This is understood as meaning that it is the same at least in one section or also converges in the direction of conveyance to a particular degree at least in one section, in particular an entry section. In any case, the gap width over the entire gap length is such that the knee joint is suspended in the reference position in the holding and guiding gap and is thereby suspended in a defined manner at at least one gap edge.
The suspension of the non-defleshed poultry leg by means of the holding and guiding gap is additionally such that the poultry leg slides along the holding and guiding gap or on the edges thereof. In particular, the holding and guiding gap can be arranged horizontally, namely at the same height in relation to the row of conveying carriers or in relation to the axial dimension of the poultry legs. In relation to the axial height of the poultry legs, the holding and guiding gap can also extend, to a certain degree, in an inclined or curved manner relative to the length of the poultry legs. The mentioned linear extent is understood as meaning that the poultry joints in any case continue to be conveyed in a vertical plane, that is to say the course of the gap extends, if at all, slightly downwards or upwards but not laterally or horizontally transversely to those directions.
In any case, the poultry leg is held at a defined reference height during transport to the end of the holding and guiding gap. The or each defined height of the knee joint along the holding and guiding gap, which in particular is retained at the same height, ensures a or each defined reference position of the poultry leg in at least one and in particular one row of processing points along the holding and guiding gap. The holding and guiding gap, or the edges thereof, as such do not form part of a processing tool, or are free of processing elements. The linear sliding transport of the poultry leg in the reference position, which is established and retained during sliding in the holding and guiding gap, ensures a relatively high conveying speed, whereby the poultry leg can advantageously be processed precisely during transport at a plurality of processing points arranged in a row along the holding and guiding gap. The reference positioning is thereby retained irrespective of whether the poultry leg is additionally acted upon above and/or below the holding and guiding gap by orienting, bearing or supporting elements that convey, orient or bend it, namely, for example, by slide elements and/or counter-bearing elements co-running in the direction of conveyance, which engage the poultry leg downstream or upstream. In any case, conveying during the linear reference transport is by means of the carriers of the conveyor device which are moved correspondingly linearly.
The suspension of the poultry leg on the associated carrier is such that, although the ankle joint ball (tarsal joint) remains in engagement with the carrier along the holding and guiding gap for transport, it is held in such a manner that it is substantially freely movable in the height or axial direction of the poultry leg for giving way. In particular, the carriers can be formed by clamps which are open at the top, in which the ankle joint ball is caught and lifted when the poultry leg is lifted.
By means of the holding and guiding gap, the poultry legs are conveyed in the linear direction of conveyance during all the manipulations performed automatically for processing. Each manipulation can be performed, for consistent processing of all the poultry legs, by the same manipulation device associated with a manipulation.
The bending device provided in front of the holding and guiding gap and arranged upstream in the conveying way in relation thereto threads the knee joint of the poultry leg in the region of the knee joint into the holding and guiding gap. The operation of threading is combined with special measures according to the invention of bending the poultry leg. The special discrete co-running positioning elements are important on the one hand. They are driven pressing elements, namely elements that are movable in a plurality of directions by at least one active, independent drive. The mentioned two-dimensional movement in the lifting direction and also transversely to the lifting direction takes place in the axial plane in which the axes of the thigh bone and of the drumstick bone of a poultry leg in any case substantially extend. Moreover, the driven pressing element is moved concurrently in the direction of conveyance. By the lifting/transverse movements in the axial plane, the poultry leg is in particular increasingly offset or displaced during positioning bending, which takes place during transport in the direction of conveyance.
The drive and control device moving and guiding the co-running positioning element can be formed by a device which moves the co-running positioning element, for example, by means of a strand-type drive, for example with a belt, band or chain, or by means of the same device in conjunction with a control curve which is produced, for example, by a mechanical guiding and cam device. It is important that the co-running positioning element is moved in the mentioned axial plane of the poultry leg bones by means of movement components which are preferably increasing, that is to say progressive.
The co-running positioning element operates, forming a functional pair, in cooperation with the stationary positioning element. The stationary positioning element extends in the bending conveying section along the conveying way. The stationary positioning element, in contrast to each co-running positioning element, is bound to a fixed location or location region. It is, for example, fixed to a frame or framework of the positioning apparatus. However, stationary arrangement is also understood as meaning that the stationary positioning element can be movable in a local region, insofar as limited locally thereto, in directions in the mentioned axial plane of the poultry leg bones, for example resiliently or in this respect also by means of a drive, always in such a manner that bending of the poultry leg is effected between on the one hand the stationary positioning element and on the other hand each co-running positioning element. For example, it is conceivable that the stationary positioning element is lifted transversely to the direction of conveyance in a section of the bending conveying section. A movement of the stationary element against the movement executed by the co-running positioning element for bending also comes into consideration. The stationary positioning element can optionally yield against in particular resilient force, as long as the bending action is achieved in cooperation with the co-running positioning element moved in two dimensions in the axial plane of the poultry leg bones.
According to the invention, the bending device is so configured that each poultry leg conveyed in a row is suspended in the holding and guiding gap by its knee joint in a precise position at the beginning of the holding and guiding gap and is consequently threaded into the gap. The width of the holding and guiding gap can be adapted to the knee joint bony prominence on the one hand of an axially conveyed poultry leg and on the other hand of a laterally conveyed poultry leg. Axial conveying and lateral conveying will be described in greater detail below. Threading according to the invention in a defined height position is made possible because the poultry leg—starting from a more or less extended orientation, which is effected by suspending it by means of the ankle joint is brought into an increasingly bent position. Bending is accompanied by lifting of the poultry leg, the knee joint being at a lower height than the holding and guiding gap during lifting. Lateral conveying of the poultry legs takes place in particular along the mentioned converging holding and guiding gap. The holding and guiding gap with the same width, on the other hand, is particularly suitable for axial conveying.
The poultry legs are accessible for processing without any special orientation requirements and they can be positioned with desired different orientations. Processing can advantageously take place at a plurality of processing points which can be configured and set up according to the processing requirement.
According to the form of the invention relating to the method, the poultry legs are conveyed along two linear conveying ways, which are preferably oriented together in a straight conveying line, into the two associated conveying sections in order ultimately for thigh meat to be removed. The thigh of a poultry leg is deboned in order to obtain fillet meat. It is important according to the invention that the cuts made in preparation for pushing or scraping off the thigh meat are divided between the two conveying sections. This is achieved by introducing and suspending the poultry legs in each of the two conveying sections in an associated stationary holding and guiding gap, wherein they are thus each held in the reference position and moved in a sliding manner along the associated holding and guiding gap.
The poultry leg is conveyed transversely along the first conveying section (lateral conveying section). The transverse conveying (which is also called lateral conveying) is generally determined in that the poultry leg runs or is oriented during conveying with one of its lateral sides leading. As a result of this orientation and by means of the reference position for the knee joint established by the associated lateral gap guide, there can be applied in a defined manner a first front-side leg cut on the front side of the leg at the height of the knee joint with a cutting depth to the cartilage and, preferably offset in the direction of conveyance towards the end of the gap, a rear-side leg cut on the rear side of the leg at the height of the knee joint with a cutting depth to the knee joint bone.
Along the subsequent second conveying section (axial conveying section), the poultry leg is conveyed axially with the patella leading. Axial conveying is to be understood as meaning that the poultry leg is conveyed with the axial side of the leg, on which the patella is located, ahead or at the front. The leg axes, namely the axis of the thigh of the leg and the axis of the drumstick of the leg, thereby lie at least substantially in the common axial plane which in this case extends in the direction of conveyance, namely at any bending angle between the thigh and the drumstick. It is important that, as a result of this orientation and guiding in the second gap conveying way (axial gap conveying way), a second reference position similar to the first reference position already described is established. In this second reference position there are applied, in accurate positions in addition to and in accordance with the cuts in the first gap conveying way, on the two lateral leg sides of the poultry leg, at the height of the knee joint, a pair of first lateral cuts with a cutting depth to the cartilage of the bone and then a pair of second lateral cuts below the knee joint with a cutting depth to the thigh bone. With the reference positioning of the conveyed poultry leg in the first position (lateral conveying position) and then in the second position (axial conveying position) and with the sequence of the mentioned associated cuts, the cuts can be applied precisely in terms of position, cutting depth and thus in accordance with one another in the region of the knee joint for removal of the thigh meat. This method, which is preferably carried out on a continuous straight processing line, permits conveying at a relatively high speed. A plant in which the mentioned conveying sections are used can be designed without the use of curved tracks, circular tracks or carousel stations.
One embodiment consists in configuring the drive and control device for the co-running positioning elements in such a manner that, after the poultry leg has been threaded into the holding and guiding gap of the processing conveying section, the co-running positioning element lags in the direction against the direction of conveyance or is moved away from the conveying way in order to eliminate the threading bending position or to effect a reduced bending position. In particular, it disengages from the poultry leg completely. The poultry leg can be held solely by the knee joint suspended in the holding and guiding gap without the engagement of elements for orienting or supporting the poultry leg on the drumstick or thigh, but with the ankle joint ball always engaged in the associated carrier for conveying the poultry leg. According to one embodiment, the configuration is such that the co-running positioning element is moved out of the position which effects the bent position for threading at the start of the holding and guiding gap.
For moving each positioning element, the drive and control device of the co-running positioning elements can be so configured that at least a pivot movement and at least a linear movement are generated, wherein the movements for moving the co-running positioning element are superimposed. In particular, a straight linear movement is generated in the direction of conveyance for co-running in the direction of conveyance. A pivot movement and/or curved movement, which can optionally be linear, is expediently produced for the two-dimensional, preferably gradual, lifting and displacement of the positioning element in the mentioned axial plane.
The processing conveying section of the holding and guiding device advantageously has at least two processing points. These are preferably arranged opposite one another on the conveying way. With regard to reliably precise but nevertheless space-saving processing, processing operations are in particular uncoupled from one another, in order to avoid mutual influencing, by offsetting the mutually opposite processing points along the conveying way. Advantageously, two cutting tools are arranged offset in a pair along the cutting way, which cutting tools perform cuts at the knee joint at least on two opposite sides of the leg. Such cuts can be made locally and with a precise cutting depth, so that the poultry leg is cut through precisely at a desired point or the cartilage and bone remain intact.
Within the stretch of the holding and conveying gap, the poultry leg held in the reference position and guided in a sliding manner can be oriented in a simple manner in accordance with processing points and/or processing operations. In one embodiment, the positioning apparatus has, at least in part of the processing conveying section of the holding and guiding device, first co-running pushing or support elements which co-run with the carriers and come to rest above the holding and guiding gap against the poultry legs upstream and/or downstream. Instead or in addition, in one embodiment, the positioning apparatus has in at least part of the processing conveying section of the holding and guiding device second pushing or support elements which co-run with the carriers and come to rest below the holding and guiding gap against the poultry legs upstream and/or downstream.
In a particular embodiment of a positioning apparatus (axial positioning apparatus) according to the invention
An apparatus is available in which the axially conveyed poultry legs are stabilised for precise processing, in particular on their lateral sides.
In one embodiment of the axial positioning apparatus, the stationary positioning element is so arranged and configured that at the beginning of the knee bone guiding gap, the stationary positioning element ceases to rest against the thigh of the poultry leg.
The stationary positioning element can expediently be formed by a stationary ramp of the threading device of the axial positioning apparatus having a ramp guide which is oriented upwards in the direction of conveyance at least in part, so that the thigh on the front side of the poultry leg runs onto a low guiding section of the ramp and leaves the ramp via a more highly situated guiding section. Such a ramp permits a particularly simple form, wherein particularly effective cooperation with each co-running positioning element for bending and threading the poultry leg is nevertheless achieved. In a preferred form, the ramp guide is divided in the direction of conveyance into at least two guiding sections, wherein an upper or highest guiding section, which is situated closest to the holding and guiding device, is flat, in contrast to at least one preceding guiding section.
For the axial conveying of the poultry leg in the axial bending device, each co-running positioning element can be configured in a special way. Thus, in one configuration, each co-running positioning element is formed by at least one knee hollow pushing element which engages in the hollow of the knee, wherein the drive and control device is so configured that, after the poultry leg has entered the positioning apparatus, the knee hollow pushing element presses into the hollow of the knee of the poultry leg and then, in accordance with the movement of the poultry leg effected by the stationary positioning element, is so moved and guided, preferably with continued engagement in the hollow of the knee, that, during pushing and increasing bending of the poultry leg, the pushing element precedes the carrier on which the poultry leg is suspended, in particular increasingly.
A particularly marked positioning operation can be achieved in that the drive and control device is so configured that the mentioned knee hollow pushing element, upon entry of the axially conveyed poultry leg into the axial positioning apparatus, moves from a position below the hollow of the knee of the poultry leg into the hollow of the knee. In order to achieve the orientation or positioning of the poultry leg for processing in which it is free of the knee hollow pushing element, in one embodiment of the drive and control device the knee hollow pushing element comes to lie in the region of the holding and guiding device below the knee bone guiding gap, where it lags at least in a part-section relative to the conveyed poultry leg or is moved away from the conveying way. An offset is achieved in that the knee hollow pushing element, for eliminating the bent position of the axially conveyed poultry leg, is in particular disengaged from the poultry leg. The offset can be so configured that the poultry leg is transported in a desired reduced bent position with the knee hollow pushing element resting against the poultry leg.
According to a further form, the bending device of the axial positioning apparatus has at least one bracing positioning element which, in the region of a section of the second, namely stationary, positioning element and together therewith, engages the front side of the axially conveyed poultry leg. This engagement temporarily takes place in such a manner that the poultry leg, in the region of the knee joint, is pressed with force, contrary to the direction of conveyance, against the co-running first positioning element, which has moved into the hollow of the knee. The bracing positioning element is advantageously arranged in the region of the beginning of the bending conveying section and/or at a section of the ramp that is steeper than at least a higher section. In one embodiment of the bracing positioning element, it has at least one yielding pressing element which yields, for example swings open, when pressed in the direction of conveyance against in particular resilient restoring force and thereby frees the passage for the poultry leg. Such a pressing element can be formed, for example, by a type of swing door.
The axial positioning apparatus, which is configured for conveying the poultry legs axially, as mentioned, along a linear conveying way, can generally particularly advantageously be configured for applying lateral cuts. There can advantageously be arranged on the processing conveying section of the holding and guiding device a first stationary lateral cutting station which is formed by a first pair of first lateral cutting means advantageously arranged offset along the conveying way which, below the holding and guiding gap, apply first lateral cuts on the lateral sides of the poultry leg at the height of the knee joint with a cutting depth to the cartilage of the bone.
The axial positioning apparatus which is designed with the mentioned first stationary lateral cutting station can advantageously be equipped with further tools. A tool with which thigh meat is pulled or scraped from the poultry leg is advantageously provided. The form is in particular such that a pull-off station for pulling the thigh meat from the thigh bone is arranged on the processing conveying section of the holding and guiding device, following the first lateral cutting station, which pull-off station has pull-off means co-running in the direction of conveyance. The pull-off station advantageously comprises a second stationary lateral cutting station having a second pair of second lateral cutting means, which in particular are arranged offset along the conveying way.
The second lateral cutting means, beneath the holding and guiding gap, apply second lateral cuts below the knee joint on the lateral sides of the poultry leg with a cutting depth to the thigh bone, and each pull-off means pushes the thigh meat to the proximal end of the thigh bone.
In a particular embodiment of the pull-off station, the co-running pull-off means forms a support and holding means which arrives at the thigh close to the knee joint upstream of at least one processing station arranged before the pull-off station (pull-off point). It advantageously arrives at the thigh before the second lateral cuts are applied.
The positioning apparatus is preferably in such a form that third stationary cutting means are arranged downstream of the pull-off station, which third stationary cutting means separate the thigh meat at the proximal end of the thigh bone from the thigh bone.
The axial positioning apparatus having the pull-off station can expediently be equipped with a stationary cutting means associated with the pull-off station, which cutting means is preferably arranged at the end of the knee bone guiding gap and separates the defleshed thigh bone from the poultry leg drumstick bearing the drumstick meat, preferably with a cut made at the front on the front side of the leg, in particular through the knee joint.
The axial positioning apparatus in forms having one or more processing stations, in particular having the first stationary lateral cutting station and optionally additionally having the second lateral cutting station and the pull-off station, in each case forms an independent apparatus which can be inserted into a processing line as a module unit.
In another particular form of the positioning apparatus according to the invention, which instead of axial conveying is configured with lateral (transverse) conveying (lateral positioning apparatus),
The lateral positioning apparatus according to the invention in the form in which the poultry legs are conveyed transversely has the effect that the poultry leg, in particular at its axial sides, namely at the front side of the knee and the rear side of the knee, is brought into precise processing positions for in particular a plurality of processing manipulations. Again, it is important that dynamic positioning of the poultry leg is achieved in the bending conveying section through a particularly pronounced and purposively controlled bending operation, and a reference positioning is established along the downstream stationary holding and guiding gap. The reference positioning can be maintained in at least one sliding section of the holding and guiding gap independently of the bending/threading positioning. Different and desired transport or processing positions can be established by eliminating the threading bent position or with a reduced bent position.
In a preferred form of the positioning apparatus with transverse conveying, the drive and control device of the co-running positioning element is so configured that it disengages from the poultry leg in at least one section, in particular the end section, of the processing conveying section of the holding and guiding device in order to eliminate the bent position of the poultry leg.
A particular design of the bending device of the lateral positioning apparatus is achieved with a pressing and support mounting which co-runs in the direction of conveyance. The form is such that the lateral positioning apparatus is equipped with co-running lateral pushing elements, which are associated with the co-running positioning elements, and is so configured that the co-running positioning element and the co-running lateral pushing element, in each case in a pair, form the co-running pressing and support mounting, wherein the co-running pushing element engages the lateral side of the leg that is situated upstream in the direction of conveyance, that is to say remote from the holding and guiding device, by pushing contact in the region of the thigh of the poultry leg, and the co-running positioning element performs the movements for lifting and increasingly bending the poultry leg transversely to the direction of conveyance. The pressing and support mounting can be so configured that the co-running lateral pushing element maintains the pushing or supporting contact with the mentioned lateral side of the poultry leg at least along a part-section of the holding and guiding gap, and in particular leaves said contact only at the end of the holding and guiding gap.
In a further form, the co-running positioning element in particular of a group of co-running positioning elements of the lateral positioning apparatus is in the form of an arm-like element having two arm sections, namely having a first arm section, which substantially engages the front side of the leg with movement transversely to the direction of conveyance, and a second arm section, which substantially rests against the thigh on the lateral side of the leg situated downstream in the direction of conveyance, that is to say facing the holding and guiding device, in order to support it. This form of the co-running positioning element of the lateral positioning apparatus is advantageously provided for resting against the thigh on the front side of left poultry legs, which are conveyed with the lateral outer side of the leg leading. For both poultry legs, and in particular only for the right poultry leg conveyed with the inner side of the leg leading, the co-running positioning element can be a contact element which has only one contact face, which engages at least substantially only the front side of the leg.
In one embodiment of the lateral positioning apparatus, the positioning apparatus has a stationary initial positioning guide extending in an initial section of the conveying way, which initial positioning guide is associated with the co-running positioning element, against which the front side of the poultry leg abuts in the region of the thigh and which guides the poultry leg transversely to the direction of conveyance against the stationary positioning element, before the co-running positioning element comes to rest against the poultry leg.
In a further form of the mentioned initial section of the lateral conveying way configured for transverse conveying, the stationary positioning element is formed along an entry-side part of the bending conveying section of the lateral positioning apparatus having an edge of wedge-shaped cross-section, the cross-section of which is adapted to a hollow between the drumstick and the thigh that is present when the poultry leg enters the positioning apparatus.
In particular, a pair of poultry legs, namely a right and a left poultry leg, is simultaneously conveyed in the positioning apparatus or apparatuses according to the invention. The pair of poultry legs is then suspended, as is known per se, on a double carrier. In transverse conveying, left and right poultry legs enter the positioning apparatus alternately in sequence. In axial conveying, left and right poultry legs are conveyed in the positioning apparatus in two parallel rows. Between transverse conveying and axial conveying, the double carriers are rotated through 90° in a rotary station. Elements, members or units of each positioning apparatus according to the invention are thus correspondingly adapted to transverse conveying in rows or parallel axial conveying.
Prominence is given to the following forms of the method according to the invention.
Advantageously, on the second gap conveying way belonging to the second holding and guiding gap, lateral cuts of at least one mentioned pair are made opposite the gap conveying way and offset along it. In one form, on the second gap conveying way, the second lateral cuts are guided below the knee joint into the region on the front side of the leg.
On the first gap conveying way, a second front-side cut can be made directly below the knee joint with a cutting depth to the thigh bone, wherein on the second gap conveying way the second lateral cuts are applied at the same cutting height on the poultry leg as the second front-side cut on the first gap conveying way.
It has been found that this second front-side cut on the first gap conveying way can be omitted in particular when, according to a further form of the method, the second lateral cuts on the second gap conveying way are guided below the knee joint into the region on the front side of the leg.
In the second conveying section, further processing stations for deboning (filleting) the poultry leg can expediently be arranged on the second gap conveying way, wherein in each case the poultry leg knee joint, with which the poultry leg is suspended in a sliding manner in the holding and guiding gap, represents a reference point in particular for the height position of the poultry leg for all processing steps, in particular namely for cutting, pulling off meat, also for skinning. In particular, in the second conveying section the thigh meat pushed onto the hip joint bone can be removed. A further advantageous form of the method consists in cutting through the poultry leg, advantageously at the end of the second conveying section, expediently at the height of the knee joint, in order to separate the drumstick from the defleshed thigh.
Each axially conveyed poultry leg can advantageously be threaded into the second stationary holding and guiding gap by being bent and lifted in the second conveying section along a second bending conveying section, which is upstream of the second stationary holding and guiding gap, for suspension in the second stationary holding and guiding gap. The bent positions are determined by a bending angle corresponding to the angle of the hollow of the knee between the thigh and the drumstick, which bending angle becomes smaller during lifting. This method is expediently carried out with a mentioned axial positioning apparatus which, as described, is designed in particular for conveying, positioning and processing.
In a further form of the method, each transversely conveyed poultry leg is bent and lifted transversely to the direction of conveyance in the first conveying section along a first bending conveying section, which is upstream of the first stationary holding and guiding gap, for suspension in the first stationary holding and guiding gap, wherein the bent positions are determined by a bending angle corresponding to the angle of the hollow of the knee between the thigh and the drumstick, which bending angle becomes smaller during lifting. This method is advantageously carried out with a mentioned lateral positioning apparatus which, as described, is designed in particular for conveying, positioning and processing.
In a particular form, at least in a section of a mentioned holding and guiding gap, processing is carried out on the substantially unbent poultry leg suspended in the associated holding and guiding gap. Threading bent positions are then eliminated.
Dependent claims are directed to the mentioned embodiments of the invention and to other expedient and advantageous embodiments. Only particularly expedient and advantageous forms and possibilities are described in greater detail by means of the following description of the embodiments shown in the schematic drawing. Each individual form or detail described within an embodiment is to be understood as being an independent detail example for other embodiments and forms which have not been described or have not been described fully and which fall within the scope of the invention.
In the drawing
Members and units of the two mentioned positioning apparatuses 1 will first be described, insofar as they apply analogously and generally to the positioning apparatuses of examples 1.1 and 1.2 and any positioning apparatus according to the invention. In order that important parts of the apparatuses are clearly visible in the drawing, framework, frame and connecting parts, on which the members and units are mounted and by which they are connected to one another, as well as drive motors or similar elements are not shown.
Each positioning apparatus 1 has a bending device 4 forming a threading device, as well as a holding and guiding device 5, which are arranged along a conveying way (conveying path) 3 which is linear in the direction of conveyance F. Each positioning apparatus 1 is further equipped with a conveyor device 2 which has along the conveying way 3 a series of movable carriers 21 for transporting poultry legs 9 in a suspended position.
As is illustrated by
The conveyor device 2 is an overhead or suspended conveyor device, on which the carriers 21 are suspended at a uniform height and conveyed along a circular path. Each poultry leg 9 is engaged by its ankle joint ball 911 in an associated carrier 21, in the example a carrier clamp 211. The drawing in
Each bending device 4 has a stationary positioning element 6, which extends in a bending conveying section 31 of the conveying way 3, and a series of co-running positioning elements 7. Each positioning element 7 co-runs in the direction of conveyance F in association with an associated carrier 21. In the drawing, only the positioning element 7 associated with the loaded carrier 21 is shown. A co-running positioning element 7 with the stationary positioning element 6 in each case forms a pair of positioning elements.
As is shown schematically in
The co-running positioning elements 7 are formed by driven pressing elements, which are driven and moved by means of a drive and control device 8. This device is shown schematically in each case only with important elements which move the co-running positioning elements 7 for co-running in the direction of conveyance F as well as for bending two-dimensionally in the lifting direction and transversely thereto in the direction of the poultry leg axial plane 90. The guiding/control elements are, for example, slotted elements, cams, rails, rods, pivot elements, pushing elements or the like, which guide, orient and position the co-running positioning elements 7. Such control/guiding devices are in principle known in many different forms. In particular, the drive for the co-running movement is realised by a driven strand 80, for example a chain moved and guided in a revolving manner on which the co-running positioning elements 7 are arranged and fixed in a row. The positioning movement of the co-running positioning element 7 can advantageously be configured by means of a time/displacement control of the drive and control device in such a manner that the positioning movement increases, that is to say is progressive. In the drawing, a section of a strand 80, which is part of the drive and control device 8, which has moved in the direction of conveyance F is shown only by a fragment.
The conveying way 3 has a bending conveying section 31 belonging to the bending device 4. Along this bending conveying section 31, each pair of positioning elements 6, 7 effects the lifting and bending of the poultry leg 9 into a specific, in particular maximum bent position at the end of the bending conveying section 31.
The bending conveying section 31 is followed by a processing conveying section 32 of the conveying way 3. The holding and guiding device 5 extends along the processing conveying section 32. An important component of the holding and guiding device 5 is a holding and guiding gap 51 which extends linearly in the conveying way 3 and is formed between two gap edges 52, 53. The holding and guiding gap 51 is so configured that it receives each poultry leg 9 in the region of the knee joint 93 between its gap edges 52, 53. That is to say, the two gap edges 52, 53 grasp knee joint bones from beneath and thereby form a kind of gap rail guide, in which the poultry leg 9 is suspended by bony prominences of its knee joint 93 and corresponding thickened leg portions and can be pushed along the gap 51, namely with sliding contact of the leg meat between the knee joint 93 and the gap edges 52, 53. The gap edges 52, 53 are expediently chamfered in order to facilitate the sliding movement.
The holding and guiding gap 51 extends in a vertical plane, along which the carriers 21 are moved. In the embodiments, the gap edges 52, 53 extend at the same height in relation to the axial dimension of the poultry leg 9. The gap edges can also be offset slightly relative to one another in terms of height. In any case, they form along the processing conveying section 32 a stationary guide in which the knee joint 93 of each poultry leg 9 is moved in the direction of conveyance F with a defined height of the knee joint. According to the embodiments, the knee joint 93 is located along the processing conveying section 32 in a reference position with a uniform height position. The reference positioning can, however, also be configured with reference positions which change, for example in steps, for example with a guiding reference gap which at least in portions is inclined and/or extends with a curve in a vertical conveying plane. In all cases, the path is linear in the sense that the conveying way 31 is oriented free of horizontal deflections, thus free of carousel guiding, in at least a substantially straight line 200 in the vertical conveying plane.
The bending device 4 forms the threading device in that each poultry leg 9 arrives in the specific lifted and bent position with its knee joint 93 precisely positioned for threading and suspending of the poultry leg 9 in the holding and guiding gap 51. It will generally be seen that the poultry legs 9 are guided, through suspension in the holding and guiding gap 51 or by transfer thereto, with a reference positioning relative to the knee joint 93 in which the axial orientation of the poultry leg 9 for processing thereof is independent of a bending or a bent position at the end of the bending conveying section 31.
The positioning apparatus 1 described hitherto is an independent module unit at which a plurality of processing points can be arranged, preferably opposite and offset relative to one another in the conveying way 3. Examples of the arrangement of processing stations 56 can be seen with reference to the positioning apparatuses 1.1 and 1.2.
In the following, the lateral positioning apparatus 1.1 according to
By means of the conveyor device 2.1, the poultry legs 9 are conveyed transversely, wherein a left poultry leg 9 is to be seen in the embodiment, which is conveyed with its lateral outer side 950, 952 leading.
The stationary positioning element 6, 6.1 is formed by a stationary positioning edge, which is part of a continuous reference holding edge along the conveying way 3.1. Reference numeral 6.1 is also used in the following for the positioning edge as the stationary positioning element. Each co-running positioning element 7.1 of the series of co-running positioning elements is configured to rest against the thigh 92 on the front side 940, 941 of the leg.
The bending device 4.1 has the stationary positioning edge 6.1, which engages in the hollows 95 of the knees of the transversely conveyed poultry legs 9, as well as the series of co-running positioning elements 7.1, which are brought by means of the drive and control device 8.1, in each case with a movement component in the poultry leg axial plane 90, to rest against the thigh 92 on the front side 941 of the leg.
Only important parts of the bending device 4.1 along the bending conveying section 31.1 are shown, wherein a co-running positioning element 7.1, which passes through the bending conveying section 31.1, is shown in
The co-running positioning element 7.1 formed by an angle piece has two arm sections, namely a first arm section 701 and a second arm section 702, oriented at an angle to one another. The angle piece is so guided and moved by means of the drive and control device 8.1 that the arm section 701 substantially engages the front side 941 of the leg while moving transversely to the direction of conveyance F. The second arm section 702 is so oriented and it is so moved that it is oriented transversely to the direction of conveyance F and, co-running in the direction of conveyance F, rests against the thigh 92 substantially at the lateral outer side 952 of the leg located downstream in the direction of conveyance F, for support thereof. The offset movement, guided in a controlled manner, of the double-armed co-running positioning element 7.1 is such that the element is moved in the poultry leg axial plane 90, which advances in the direction of conveyance F, with two superimposed movement components in the direction towards the positioning edge 6.1, namely in a direction which lifts the poultry leg 9 and in a direction transversely thereto which moves the thigh 92 of the poultry leg 9 into the region beneath the positioning edge 6.1. In the embodiment and generally, the co-running positioning element 7.1 can also simply be formed by an element corresponding to the arm section 701, for example in the form of an arm or a plate, for engaging solely or at least substantially the front side 941 of the leg.
The lateral positioning device 1.1 further has a series of lateral pushing elements 811 which co-run with the carriers 21 in the direction of conveyance F and are associated with the positioning elements 7.1 and form therewith running pairs which co-run in the direction of conveyance F and form a pressing and support mounting.
The co-running pushing element 811 engages on the lateral side 950, 951 of the leg that is situated upstream in the direction of conveyance F in the region of the poultry leg thigh 92. The co-running lateral pushing elements 811 can be moved in the direction of conveyance F by a conveyor means which also moves the co-running positioning elements 7.1 in the direction of conveyance and in that respect is part of the drive and control device 8.1. The lateral pushing elements 811 can, however, also be moved by a drive means that is independent of the drive and control device 8.1, for example by a strand-type drive such as a driven revolving chain or similar means, to which the series of lateral pushing elements 811 is fixed.
In the embodiment of
As is apparent from
In the embodiment, the stationary positioning edge 6.1 is formed along an entry-side section, in which the rear side 942 of the poultry leg 9 first comes to rest against the stationary positioning element 6.1, having an edge 60 that is wedge-shaped in cross-section, the orientation and cross-section of which is adapted to a hollow between the drumstick 91 and the thigh 92 of the poultry leg 9 on entry into the positioning device 1.1.
In any case, the carriers 21 of the conveyor device 2.1 are so arranged in terms of height in relation to the stationary positioning edge 6.1 that each poultry leg 9 on entering the bending device 4.1 comes to rest against the rear side 942 of the leg in the hollow of the knee 95 of the leg and preferably slightly above the hollow of the knee 95 of the leg, that is to say against the drumstick 91.
In
While the poultry leg 9 is passing through the bending conveying section 31.1, it slides in the region of its hollow of the knee 95 along the positioning edge 6.1. The positioning edge 6.1 merges into a second reference holding edge section, which forms one gap edge 52.1 of the holding and guiding gap 51.1. The positioning edge 6.1 and the first gap edge 52.1 are expediently configured as sliding edges of guide plates 511. The first gap edge 52.1 and the positioning edge 6.1 can be the edge of a single plate. The two edges can also belong to different guiding sections.
The holding and guiding gap 51.1 of the holding and guiding device 5.1 can narrow a little in the direction of conveyance F. However, this convergence is optionally so slight and the form is such that the laterally conveyed poultry leg 9 regardless of whether it is a left poultry leg 9 with the lateral outer side 952 of the leg leading or a right poultry leg 9 with the lateral inner side 951 of the leg leading (or vice versa) is reliably threaded into the holding and guiding gap 51.1. The plates 511 for forming the holding and guiding gap 51.1 are expediently arranged at the same height.
By means of the poultry leg 9 suspended in the holding and guiding gap 51.1, the knee joint 93 thereof is located in a reference position at any point along the holding and guiding gap 51.1. The knee joint 93 of the transversely conveyed poultry leg 9 forms a knee joint bony prominence with which sliding suspension of the poultry leg 9 in the holding and guiding gap 51.1 is achieved. The holding and guiding gap 51.1 is adapted to the mentioned bony prominence, namely in such a manner that poultry legs 9 of different sizes are received in a sliding manner.
The lateral positioning apparatus 1.1 is an apparatus which is provided and configured along the holding and guiding gap 51.1 to be equipped with or for the attachment of processing tools and processing stations 56 at processing points. In the embodiment, the holding and guiding device 5.1 is equipped with two cutting stations 561 and 563.
The first cutting station is a stationary front-side cutting station 561, which is arranged on an entry-side part conveying section of the holding and guiding device 5.1. The front-side cutting station 561 has a cutting means 551 which operates above the holding and guiding gap 51.1 and is formed in particular, as in the embodiment, by means of a circular knife which moves against a set spring force and is mounted on a pivotable holding arm 54, 541. In the embodiment, a cut with a cutting depth to the cartilage is applied on the front side 941 of the poultry leg 9 at the height of the knee joint 93 by means of the front-side cutting station 561. This cutting position can be seen in
In the embodiment, the drive and control device 8.1 with the co-running positioning elements 7.1 is so configured that the lifting and bending position which is reached for threading and suspension of the poultry leg 9 at the end of the bending conveying section 31.1 is retained for the cut by means of the cutting station 561. To that end, the guiding arm 712 is held by means of a path section 713 of the guide path 711 in an inwardly pivoted position for bending. Control of the drive and control device 8.1 is further so configured in the embodiment that the positioning element 7.1, after passing through the cutting station 561, is guided away from the holding and guiding gap 51.1 in order to eliminate the bent position effected by the positioning element 7.1. The guiding arm 712 is pivoted back and lowered by means of a curve section 714. The lifted position of the poultry leg 9 is thereby retained according to the knee joint 93 suspended in the holding and guiding gap 51.1.
In the embodiment, a further stationary cutting station, namely a rear-side cutting station 563, is arranged on the processing conveying section 32.1 of the holding and guiding device 5.1, which further cutting station has a cutting means which operates above the holding and guiding gap 51.1 and is formed by a circular knife. The circular knife is mounted on a pivot arm 543 so that it moves against spring force. As is shown in
As is shown only schematically in
The plane of each circular knife of the first positioning apparatus 1.1 lies horizontally or slightly obliquely to the horizontal orientation, so that the cut is in each case applied and performed at the described points transversely to the axial orientation of the poultry leg 9.
The carriers 21 are double components of a double carrier 210 on which there are to be suspended, in the carrying position parallel to the direction of conveyance F, the left poultry leg 9 leading and a right poultry leg following. For processing of the right poultry legs, the bending device 4.1 is equipped with parts and members (not shown) which correspond to those designated 7.1, 701, 702 and 811 and in particular can be specially adapted for resting against the right poultry leg conveyed with the inner side 951 of the leg leading. It has been found to be advantageous for the co-running positioning element then to be in the form of an arm or plate, for example, and to engage substantially only the front side of the leg. The co-running positioning elements 7.1 are then divided alternately into two groups for the left and right poultry legs.
In the following, the axial positioning apparatus 1.2 according to
By means of the conveyor device 2.2, the poultry legs 9 are conveyed axially, that is to say with the axial side 940 of the leg, namely the front side 941 of the leg, leading. In the embodiment, a left poultry leg 9 is being conveyed. The stationary positioning element 6, 6.2 is formed by a stationary ramp of the threading device having a ramp guide which is directed upwardly in the direction of conveyance F. Reference numeral 6.2 is also used in the following for the stationary ramp as the stationary positioning element. Each co-running positioning element 7, 7.1 of the series of co-running positioning elements is configured for engaging in the hollow of the knee 95 of the poultry leg 9.
The bending device 4.2 has the stationary ramp 6.2, against which the thigh 92 on the front side 941 of the leg comes to rest, as well as the series of co-running positioning elements 7.2, which each engage by means of the drive and control device 8.2 in the hollows of the knees 95 of the poultry legs 9 conveyed axially with the front side 941 of the leg leading.
In
The stationary ramp 6.2 is divided into six guiding sections 621 to 626 along the bending conveying section 31.2. The ramp 6.2 begins upstream with a relatively steep section 621, which is followed by a less steep section 622. The latter is followed by a flat horizontal section 623, which is followed by a section 624 having a further reduced gradient. Following the section 624 there is a horizontal flat section 625 which is approximately twice as long as the remaining sections, and the ramp 6.2 is formed at its end with a descending section 626. The embodiment of the axial positioning device 1.2 is not limited to such a stationary positioning element (ramp) 6.2. It is possible to provide any stationary positioning element 6.2 defined generally at the beginning which, in cooperation with the co-running positioning element 7.2, effects bending and lifting for the purpose of threading.
The axial positioning apparatus 1.2 optionally further has a stationary bracing positioning element 65 which, together with the ramp 6.2, is provided for engaging the front side 941 of the leg. The bracing positioning element 65 is arranged in particular on an ascending section of the ramp 6.2, for example in the region of the second guiding section 622.
In the embodiment, the stationary bracing positioning element 65 has two pivot arms 651, 652 which are articulated against spring force and which, in the manner of a swing door, form a passage for the conveyed poultry leg 9. The pivot arms 651, 652 initially prevent the poultry leg 9 from passing but then pivot to the side against spring force and while maintaining contact with the poultry leg 9, so that the poultry leg 9 passes against a counter-force generated at the position of the bracing positioning element 65. Any bracing positioning element which generates a temporary counter-force can be used.
Each co-running positioning element 7, 7.2 is formed by a knee hollow pushing element which engages in the hollow of the knee 95 of the poultry leg 9 on the axial side 940 of the leg located upstream in the direction of conveyance F, namely the rear side 942 of the leg. Reference numeral 7.2 is also used in the following for the knee hollow pushing element as the co-running positioning element.
In the embodiment, the knee hollow pushing element 7.2 is an arm-like element having a recess in which the hollow of the knee 95 comes to lie. The knee hollow pushing elements 7.2 are, for example, fixed in a row arrangement to a revolving drive element 720, for example to a strand or a chain of the drive and control device 8.2, whereby they each, in association with a carrier 21, come to lie with an orientation in the direction of conveyance F and transversely thereto.
The drive and control device 8.2 is generally so configured that, when the poultry leg 9 enters the positioning apparatus 1.2, the knee hollow pushing element 7.2 moves from a position situated beneath the hollow of the knee 95 of the poultry leg 9 into the hollow of the knee 95.
In the embodiment, each knee hollow pushing element 7.2 is fixed via a pivot arm 721 to a shaft 722 which passes through an associated carriage 723 which is fixed to the drive element 720. The pivot arm 721 is pivotable to and fro between two stop positions. The stop positions are determined by the ends of a slot 724 formed in the pivot arm 721, which slot is formed by a circular section and into which there engages a stop bolt 725 which is fixed to the carriage 723. Pivot positions of the pivot arm 721 are effected by means of a rotary control (not shown) of the shaft 722 in dependence on the position of the carriage 721 along the conveying path.
The rotary control has, for example, a lever fixed to the shaft 722, the pivot position of which lever is controlled via a follower element, which engages into a guide path extending along the conveying path in such a manner that the pivot arm 721 is pivoted to the left or right in dependence on the height position of the follower element. The knee hollow pushing element 7, 7.2 enters the hollow of the knee 95 at intermediate positions of the stop bolt 725 inside the slot 724. As the position of the pivot arm 721 becomes increasingly steeper, the knee hollow pushing element 7.2 is pushed into the hollow of the knee 95. The degree of this displacement is determined by the shape or gradient of the guide path.
As is apparent from
The carriers 21 of the conveyor device 2.2 are so configured at the same height that the co-running positioning elements 7.2 enter the hollows of the knees 95 of the poultry legs 9 at the entry to the bending device 4.2.
In
In this position, the poultry leg 9 enters the holding and guiding gap 51.2 at the height of its knee joint 93. The poultry leg 9 is thereby threaded and suspended in the holding and guiding gap 51.2 by its knee joint 93. The poultry leg 9 assumes the mentioned, more pronounced V-shaped bent position, in which the co-running positioning element 7.2 precedes the carrier 21 in the direction of conveyance F.
It is clear from the axonometric representations of
The holding and guiding gap 51.2 has a constant width. This gap is particularly suitable for suspending and conveying by sliding the poultry legs 9 with the patella 94 leading. The holding and guiding gap 51.2 is expediently formed between two plates 512 arranged at the same height.
By means of the poultry leg 9 suspended in the holding and guiding gap 51.2, the knee joint 93 thereof is always in a reference position at any point along the holding and guiding gap 51.2. The knee joint 93 of the axially conveyed poultry leg 9 forms a knee joint bony prominence, or a thickened leg portion, with which sliding suspension of the poultry leg 9 in the holding and guiding gap 51.2 is achieved. The holding and guiding gap 51.2 is adapted to the mentioned bony prominence, namely in such a manner that poultry legs 9 of different sizes can be received in a sliding manner. A first gap edge 52.2 and a second gap edge 52.3 form reference holding edges.
The axial positioning apparatus 1.2 is an apparatus which is provided and configured along the holding and guiding gap 51.2 to be equipped with or for the attachment of processing tools and processing stations 56 at processing points. In the embodiment, the holding and guiding device 5.2 is equipped with two stationary lateral cutting stations 564, 565, a third stationary cutting station 566 and a fourth cutting station 567, as well as a pull-off station 569. In the drawing, the pull-off station is provided with the reference numeral 569 at only one point, at which the thigh meat 922 is pulled from the thigh bone 921.
The first stationary lateral cutting station 564 is formed by a first pair of first lateral cutting means 554 arranged offset along the conveying way 3.2. These cutting means apply first lateral cuts with a cutting depth to the cartilage of the bone on both lateral sides 950 of the poultry leg 9 at the height of the knee joint 93, beneath the holding and guiding gap 51.2. The lateral cutting means 554 are formed by circular knives which are each mounted on a pivot arm 544 to move against spring force.
The second stationary lateral cutting station 565 is a member of the pull-off station 569, which is configured for pulling the thigh meat 922 from the thigh bone 921 of the poultry leg 9. The second stationary lateral cutting station 565 has a second pair of second lateral cutting means 555 arranged offset along the conveying way 3.2, which cutting means apply second lateral cuts with a cutting depth to the thigh bone 921 on the lateral sides 950 of the poultry leg 9 below the knee joint 93, beneath the holding and guiding gap 51.2. The lateral cutting means 555 are formed by circular knives which are each mounted on a pivot arm 545 to move against spring force.
The pull-off station 569 has pull-off means 559, conveyed in a row beneath the holding and guiding gap 51.2, for pulling or scraping the thigh meat 922 from the thigh bone 921 of the poultry leg 9. Each pull-off means 559 co-runs with an associated carrier 21 in the direction of conveyance F. The pull-off means 559 are so configured that they push the thigh meat 922 on the thigh bone 921 to its proximal end, the hip joint bone 923.
As can be seen from
As can be seen from
In the embodiment, the pivot arm 721 is pivoted into an intermediate position in which the co-running positioning element 7, 7.2 still performs a supporting and holding function on the rear side 942 of the leg below the hollow of the knee 95 in the region of the thigh 92, for transport in the direction of conveyance F. Moreover, conveying of the poultry leg 9 is continued with the carrier 21, parts of the carrier clamp 211 being in contact with the poultry leg 9. In this position of the poultry leg 9, the first lateral cuts are made by means of the lateral cutting station 564.
The drive and control device 8.1 is so configured and arranged that the supporting/holding contact of the positioning element 7, 7.2 is eliminated downstream of the lateral cutting station 564. The drive element 720 guided in a circular path is deflected at a point 726 transversely to the direction of conveyance F. As can be seen from
As can be seen from
The skinning station 568 has a skinning means 558, namely, as is known per se, a pair of structured skinning rollers which are arranged in parallel in the direction of conveyance F. Between the two skinning rollers, each of which is provided with a spiral coil for removing the skin, an intake gap is formed. The thigh 92 of the poultry leg 9 comes to lie along the roller pair and on the roller pair centrally above the roller gap, on the front side 941 of the leg, in a bent position. The bent position is brought about by means of a horizontal ramp 548. The skinning station 568 can advantageously be configured with vertical adjustment, by means of which the skinning rollers can be brought into the skinning position, as required for skinning, and, if skinning is not to be carried out, into an inactive lowered position.
As is shown schematically only in
As is shown only in
In a first control position, the two gripping and pull-off plates 841 are open in the manner of jaws (
After the second lateral cuts have been made, the pull-off operation is carried out, as shown in
As shown in the embodiment in
As can be seen from
Also visible in
In the embodiment, all the cutting means of the holding and guiding device 5.2 are formed by circular knives which are fixedly mounted on spring-loaded pivot arms. The pivot arms are articulated with a framework, a frame or the like of the holding and guiding device 5.2. The plane of each circular knife lies horizontally or slightly obliquely relative to the horizontal orientation, so that the cut is in each case applied and performed transversely to the axial orientation of the poultry leg 9 at the described points. Other cutting means which apply the desired cuts can be used.
The method according to the invention will be described with reference to the use of the two positioning apparatuses 1.1 and 1.2 by way of example. By means of the positioning apparatus 10 formed by the two positioning apparatuses, the thighs 92 of the poultry legs 9 are deboned or filleted by defined lifting and holding of the knee joints 93 of the poultry legs 9. The processing operations described in connection with the positioning apparatuses 1.1 and 1.2 take place along the linear conveying way 30, the processing operations purposively being associated with the described processing points and being carried out in correspondence with one another.
The poultry legs 9 are conveyed through the two positioning apparatuses 1.1 and 1.2 in the direction of conveyance F in a straight line 200. In the conveying section 301 of the positioning apparatus 1.1, the poultry legs 9 are conveyed transversely with the lateral side 950 of the leg leading and, after rotation of each carrier 21 about a vertical axis, are then conveyed further in the conveying section 303 of the positioning apparatus 1.2, the poultry legs 9 being conveyed with the axial side 941 of the leg leading.
In the first conveying section 301, each poultry leg 9 conveyed transversely in a row is suspended by its knee joint 93 in the first stationary holding and guiding gap 51.1 and thereby lifted into a defined knee joint reference position for carrying out the described processing operations along the first processing conveying section 32.1 and moved in the direction of conveyance F, with the knee joint 93 resting in a sliding manner against the gap edges 52.1, 53.1, whereby the ankle joint ball 911 is held in a freely movable manner in the carrier 21 holding it for lifting of the poultry leg 9.
In the second conveying section 303, each poultry leg 9 conveyed axially in a row is suspended by its knee joint 93 in the second stationary holding and guiding gap 51.2 and thereby lifted into a defined knee joint reference position for carrying out the described processing operations along the second processing conveying section 32.2 and, while retaining the reference position, moved in the direction of conveyance F, with the knee joint resting in a sliding manner against the gap edges 52.2, 53.2, whereby the ankle joint ball 911 is held in a freely movable manner in the carrier 21 holding it for lifting of the poultry leg 9.
The method is generally determined by the described processing operations, or method measures, with the knee joint reference positioning at the first stationary holding and guiding gap 51.1 and the second stationary holding and guiding gap 51.2, without the form of the processing means being important. For carrying out the method, it is generally only important that each poultry leg 9 is introduced first by means of transverse conveying (lateral conveying) into a first holding and guiding gap 51 and then by means of axial conveying into a second stationary holding and guiding gap 51. For carrying out the method, insertion into the holding and guiding gaps 51 can be carried out in any suitable manner.
Particularly advantageously and expediently, each axially conveyed poultry leg 9 in the second conveying section 303 is bent and lifted in the direction of conveyance F along a bending conveying section 31.2, which is arranged before the stationary holding and guiding gap 51.2, for suspension of the poultry leg 9 in the stationary holding and guiding gap 51.2, wherein the bent position is determined by a bending angle 931 corresponding to the angle of the hollow of the knee between the thigh 92 and the drumstick 91, which bending angle becomes smaller during lifting. For carrying out these method steps, the measures for lifting and bending described with reference to the axial positioning apparatus 1.2 are advantageously carried out.
Advantageously and expediently, insertion of the initially transversely conveyed poultry legs 9 takes place in the conveying section 301 along a bending conveying section 31.1, which is arranged before the stationary holding and guiding gap 51.1. Each transversely conveyed poultry leg 9 is bent and lifted transversely to the direction of conveyance F for suspension in the first stationary holding and guiding gap 51.1, wherein the bent position is determined by a bending angle 931 corresponding to the angle of the hollow of the knee between the thigh 92 and the drumstick 91, which bending angle becomes smaller during lifting. For carrying out these method steps, the measures described for bending and lifting by means of the lateral positioning device 1.1 are advantageously provided.
In particular, at least one processing operation is carried out on the at least substantially unbent poultry leg 9 suspended in the associated holding and guiding gap 51.1 or 51.2. A bending position produced for threading is optionally eliminated.
It is also of particular importance according to the invention, independently of the other measures and per se, that the described method steps for deboning the poultry leg thigh 92 are carried out in the described sequence and in correspondence with one another. In this respect, it is important that a first front-side leg cut with a cutting depth to the cartilage is first applied on the front side 941 of the leg at the height of the knee joint 92, and then a rear-side leg cut with a cutting depth to the knee joint bone is applied on the rear side 942 of the leg at the height of the knee joint 93; further that a pair of first lateral cuts with a cutting depth to the cartilage of the bone are applied on the lateral sides 950 of the poultry leg 9 at the height of the knee joint 93, and then a pair of second lateral cuts with a cutting depth to the thigh bone 921 are applied on the lateral sides 950 of the poultry leg 9 below the knee joint 93; and that, after the cuts have been made, the thigh meat 922 is pushed onto the hip joint bone 923 at the proximal end of the thigh bone 921. Expediently, the thigh meat 922 which has been pushed onto the hip joint bone 923 is then removed. Further advantageously, the poultry leg 9 can be cut through in order to separate the defleshed thigh 92 from the drumstick 91.
Further advantageously, the second lateral cuts below the knee joint 93 are guided into the region of the front side 941 of the leg.
Following the first front-side cut, a second front-side cut can be made directly below the knee joint 93 with a cutting depth to the thigh bone, wherein the mentioned second lateral cuts are applied at the same cutting height on the poultry leg 9 as the second front-side cut. As in the embodiment according to
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2014/052465 | 2/7/2014 | WO | 00 |
