METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REHANGING POULTRY, AND A SHACKLE FOR SUSPENDING THE POULTRY

Abstract

A system and method for rehanging poultry suspended by the head in a first shackle of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle of a second shackle conveyor in which the poultry is or will be suspended by the legs. A leg positioning unit may be arranged to support the poultry at the legs while the poultry is maintained suspended by the head in the first shackle of the first shackle conveyor. A movable takeover unit operates on the legs of the poultry and is movable towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor to move the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor.

Claims

1-21. (canceled)

22. A system for rehanging poultry that is suspended by the head in a first shackle of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle of a second shackle conveyor in which the poultry is or will be suspended by the legs, the system comprising a leg positioning unit arranged to support the poultry at the legs while the poultry is maintained suspended by the head in the first shackle of the first shackle conveyor; and a movable takeover unit that is movable towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor for moving the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor, wherein the movable takeover unit is arranged to be operational at least when the leg positioning unit supports the poultry at the legs, wherein the movable takeover unit is independently and separate from the leg positioning unit movable towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor and is arranged to act directly on the legs of the poultry to move the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the leg positioning unit comprises a hook arranged to engage the legs of the poultry while being suspended by the head.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the hook of the leg positioning unit is arranged to follow an essentially circular path in approaching the legs to eventually engage the legs of the poultry, which circular path terminates at a position where the legs of the poultry extend obliquely or sideways away from where the poultry is suspended by the head.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein the movable takeover unit is arranged to engage the legs of the poultry in an upward movement of the takeover unit ending adjacent to where the leg positioning unit engages the legs of the poultry.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein the leg positioning unit, the movable takeover unit, or both, engage the legs of the poultry at or near the ankle at the ankle's front side.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the movable takeover unit is engages the legs at a position that is more distant from the first shackle where the poultry is suspended by the head than the distance of the leg positioning unit to the first shackle when the leg positioning unit is engaging the legs of the poultry.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein the movable takeover unit is provided with first slits for receiving therein the legs of the poultry.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the movable takeover unit is provided with restricting elements for preventing removal of the legs from the first slits.

30. The system of claim 22, wherein the system is arranged to release the head from the first shackle after the movable takeover unit has engaged the legs of the poultry.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the system is arranged to release the head from the first shackle after the restricting elements of the movable takeover unit are actuated to prevent removal of the legs from the first slits in which the legs of the poultry are received.

32. The system of claim 22, wherein the movable takeover unit is arranged to move the legs of the poultry towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor in an essentially horizontal motion.

33. The system of claim 22, further comprising: the second shackle conveyor with the second shackle in which the poultry is or will be suspended by the legs; wherein the second shackle is provided with essentially vertical second slits for receiving and retaining the legs of the poultry, wherein the movable takeover unit is arranged to move downwards after the movable takeover unit with the legs of the poultry has been moved towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor, so as to move the legs for their retainment down into the essentially vertical second slits of the second shackle.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the second shackle comprises an upper horizontal rod distant from and above the second slits, wherein the movable takeover unit is arranged to move the feet extending from the legs above and beyond the upper horizontal rod, and then to move the legs downwards so that the feet engage the upper horizontal rod and the toes of the feet are moved into the second shackle prior to movement of the legs into the essentially vertical second slits of the second shackle.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the movable takeover unit is arranged to move the legs in the downward movement into the second slits once the toes are arranged into the second shackle.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the second shackle comprises a central vertical bar, wherein on a lower end of the central vertical bar and connected to the central vertical bar, two first rods diverge away from each other and connect to a lower horizontal rod distant from the central bar, wherein on opposite ends of the lower horizontal rod, the horizontal rod bends into two upwardly extending second rods that eventually connect to the central vertical bar, and wherein the two first rods and the two second rods delimit and define slits between the two first rods and the two second rods for receiving and retaining the legs of poultry suspended by the legs from the second shackle, wherein the two upwardly extending second rods merge into the upper horizontal rod distant from the lower horizontal rod, which upper horizontal rod is fixed in position at a predetermined distance from the central vertical bar.

37. The system of claim 36, wherein the upper horizontal rod is connected to the central vertical bar with an intermediate connection piece.

38. The system according to claim 22, wherein the system includes a breast support for supporting the poultry before the leg positioning unit supports the poultry at the legs.

39. A method for rehanging poultry that is suspended by the head in a first shackle of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle of a second shackle conveyor in which the poultry is or will be suspended by the legs, wherein the poultry is supported at the legs while the poultry is maintained suspended by the head in the first shackle of the first shackle conveyor, the method comprising: engaging the legs of the poultry with a movable takeover unit acting directly on the legs when the poultry is supported at the legs; and moving the movable takeover unit that acting directly on the legs towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor to move the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor.

40. The method according to claim 39, further comprising supporting the poultry at the legs, engaging the legs, or both, with the movable takeover unit above the ankle at a drum side of the legs.

41. The method according to claim 40, further comprising releasing the head of the poultry after the movable takeover unit has engaged the legs of the poultry.

42. The method according to claim 41, further comprising moving the movable takeover unit downwards after the movable takeover unit has moved the legs of the poultry above the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor, so as to move the legs for their retainment down into the second shackle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The invention will hereinafter be further elucidated with reference to the drawing of a sequence of operations of an exemplary embodiment of a system for rehanging poultry according to the invention that is not limiting as to the appended claims.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system of the invention for rehanging poultry, with such poultry to be rehanged;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary operation of a leg positioning unit forming part of the exemplary system of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 3A shows the exemplary operation of an exemplary movable takeover unit engaging the poultry legs;

[0029] FIG. 3B shows the exemplary movable takeover unit in an isometric view;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows the movable takeover unit with closed retaining elements to secure the legs of the poultry;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows the poultry with the head released and suspended by the legs from the movable takeover unit;

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the exemplary movable takeover unit after approaching the shackle from which the poultry will be suspended from the legs, wherein the legs extend above an upper part of the shackle;

[0033] FIG. 7 shows the exemplary movable takeover unit in a downward moved position by which the poultry legs are introduced into the shackle of FIG. 6;

[0034] FIG. 8 shows the exemplary movable takeover unit in a further downward moved position after the poultry legs are introduced into the shackle of FIG. 6;

[0035] FIG. 9 shows the final position of the exemplary movable takeover unit before it is released from the poultry legs and moved away from the shackle of FIG. 6;

[0036] FIG. 10 shows a conventional shackle for suspending the poultry by the legs;

[0037] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary shackle according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

[0038] FIGS. 12-14 show several subsequent stages of movement of the exemplary movable takeover unit in a different exemplary embodiment of the system of the invention which is equipped with a dedicated breast support for the poultry.

[0039] Whenever in the figures the same reference numerals are applied, these numerals refer to the same parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”).

[0041] The operation of an exemplary system for rehanging poultry according to exemplary aspects of the invention is illustrated with reference to FIGS. 1 thru 9, which show a sequence of exemplary operations of different parts of the system.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows poultry 1 suspended by the head 2 in a first shackle 3 of a first shackle conveyor. This exemplary system of the invention is designed to rehang this poultry 1 into a position in which it will eventually be suspended by the legs from a second shackle 4 of a second shackle conveyor.

[0043] FIG. 1 shows that the system includes a leg positioning unit 5 in a not yet operational position. FIG. 1 clearly shows that the leg positioning unit 5 includes a hook 5′ arranged to engage the legs 6 of the poultry 1 while suspended by the head 2.

[0044] In FIG. 2 the leg positioning unit 5 is shown after it has become operational and has engaged the legs 6 of the poultry 1. FIG. 2 shows that the exemplary leg positioning unit 5 is arranged to support the poultry 1 at the legs 6 while the poultry 1 is maintained suspended by the head 2 in the first shackle 3 of the first shackle conveyor.

[0045] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show that the leg positioning unit 5 is mounted on a hinge 8 which arranges that the hook 5′ of the leg positioning unit 5 follows an essentially circular path in approaching the legs 6 of the poultry 1 wherein it eventually engages the legs 6 of the poultry 1. The circular path terminates at a position where the legs 6 of the poultry 1 extend obliquely or sideways away from where the poultry 6 is suspended by the head 2. This last aspect is also shown in FIG. 2.

[0046] A movable takeover unit 7 which is designed to operate directly on the legs 6 of the poultry 1 as is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, is arranged to become operational after the leg positioning unit 5 supports the poultry 1 at the legs 6, as is shown in FIG. 2. Further, as will be explained hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 6-9, at least this movable takeover unit 7 of the exemplary system is movable independent from the leg positioning unit 5 towards a second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor in order to move the legs 6 of the poultry 1 into such second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor.

[0047] Before the motion of the previous paragraph is executed, the movable takeover unit 7 can be arranged to engage the legs 6 of the poultry 1 in an upward movement of the takeover unit 7 ending adjacent to where the leg positioning unit 5 engages the legs 6 of the poultry 1. For best results the leg positioning unit 5 and/or the movable take-over unit 7 can engage the legs 6 at or near the ankle at the ankle's front side, preferably above the ankle at a drum side of the legs 6, which is most clearly shown in FIG. 3A. Preferably, for this exemplary embodiment, the movable takeover unit 7 is engaging the legs 6 at a position which is more distant from the first shackle 3 where the poultry 1 is suspended by the head 2, than the distance of the leg positioning unit 5 to the first shackle 3 when the leg positioning unit 5 is engaging the legs 6 of the poultry 1.

[0048] With reference to FIG. 3B, it is shown that the movable takeover unit 7 is provided with slits 9 for receiving the legs 6 of the poultry 1. FIG. 3B further shows that the movable takeover unit 7 is provided with restricting elements 10 for preventing removal of the legs 6 from the first slits 9 after the movable takeover unit 7 has engaged the legs 6 of the poultry 1 and received the legs 6 in the slits 9. These restricting elements 10 are activated to prevent removal of the legs 6 from the first slits 9 before the moment that the first shackle 3 from which the poultry 1 is suspended by the head 2 releases the head 2, causing the poultry 1 to flip over and become suspended by the legs 6 only from the movable takeover unit 7. This is depicted in FIG. 5.

[0049] From then on, the exemplary movable takeover unit 7 can be arranged to move the legs 6 of the poultry 1 towards the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor in a preferably essentially horizontal motion, which is illustrated by comparing the sequence of FIGS. 5-7. FIG. 6 depicts that the movable takeover unit 7 has approached the second shackle 4, wherein in the situation of FIG. 6 the feet of the legs 6 have reached a point lying above the second shackle 4. As is common for shackles for suspending poultry 1 by the legs 6, the second shackle 4 is provided with essentially vertical slits 11 for receiving and retaining the legs 6 of the poultry 1; this will hereinafter be further illustrated with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0050] By comparing FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 it is shown that the exemplary movable takeover unit 7 is arranged to move downwards after the feet of the legs 6 have reached a point lying above the second shackle 4, as depicted in FIG. 6 wherein the movable takeover unit 7 has moved the legs 6 of the poultry 1 closely near to and above the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor. With the subsequent downward movement of the movable takeover unit 7, the legs 6 of the poultry 1 are moved down such that the feet with the toes engage an upper bar 18 of the second shackle 4, prior to moving the toes to get into the second shackle 4 as depicted in FIG. 7. A comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8 shows that once the toes of the feet are placed into the second shackle 4, the movable takeover unit 7 moves the legs 6 further into the second shackle 4 in a continued downward movement for retainment of the legs 6 down into the essentially vertical slits 11 of the second shackle 4. FIG. 9 finally illustrates the movable takeover unit 7 immediately prior to the removal of the movable takeover unit 7, after which the poultry 1 will be entirely suspended by the legs 6 from the second shackle 4 of the second shackle conveyor.

[0051] It is possible to use a conventional shackle 4 as shown in FIG. 10 in the above explained exemplary rehanging method. Such a conventional shackle 4 includes a central vertical bar 12, wherein on a lower end 12′ of the central vertical bar 12 and connected to the central vertical bar 12, two first rods 13, 14 diverge away from each other and connect to a lower horizontal rod 15 distant from the central bar 12, wherein on opposite ends of the lower horizontal rod 15, the horizontal rod 15 bends into two upwardly extending second rods 16, 17 that eventually connect to the central vertical bar 12, and wherein the two first rods 13, 14 and the two second rods 16, 17 delimit and define slits 11 between the two first rods 13, 14 and the two second rods 16, 17 for receiving and retaining the legs 6 of poultry 1 suspended by the legs 6 from this second shackle 4.

[0052] Advantageously a shackle according to the design as shown in FIG. 11 can be used. The shackle according to FIG. 11 has the same features as the conventional shackle 4 which is shown in FIG. 10, but has the additional and differentiating feature that the two upwardly extending second rods 16, 17 merge into an upper horizontal rod 18 distant from the lower horizontal rod 15, which upper horizontal rod 18 is fixed in position at a predetermined distance from the central vertical bar 12. For this purpose, the upper horizontal rod 18 can be connected to the central vertical bar 12 with an intermediate connection piece 19. With the second shackle 4 of FIG. 11 it is easier to move the legs 6 of the poultry 1 down into the slits 11 of the second shackle 4 after the feet of the legs 6 have reached a point lying above the second shackle 4, as depicted in FIG. 6, in a single downward movement.

[0053] Embodiments of the present invention can include every combination of features that are disclosed herein independently from each other. Although the invention has been discussed in the foregoing with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the system of the invention, the invention is not restricted to this particular embodiment which can be varied in many ways without departing from the invention. The discussed exemplary embodiment shall therefore not be used to construe the appended claims strictly in accordance therewith. On the contrary the embodiment is merely intended to explain the wording of the appended claims without intent to limit the claims to this exemplary embodiment. The scope of protection of the invention shall therefore be construed in accordance with the appended claims only, wherein a possible ambiguity in the wording of the claims shall be resolved using this exemplary embodiment.

[0054] Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. One such possible variation or modification is depicted in FIGS. 12-14, which in addition to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 also show a breast support 20 for the poultry 1. The FIGS. 12-14 shows several subsequent stages of movement of the leg positioning unit 5 and the movable takeover unit 7, wherein also the breast support 20 assumes different positions to assist in supporting the poultry 1 during the rehanging operation.

[0055] The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above are hereby incorporated by reference. Unless specifically stated as being “essential” above, none of the various components or the interrelationship thereof are essential to the operation of the invention. Rather, desirable results can be achieved by substituting various components and/or reconfiguration of their relationships with one another.