ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR SKINNING POULTRY PARTS CONTAINING THE POULTRY BREAST

Abstract

An arrangement for skinning poultry parts containing the poultry breast includes a conveying device having saddle elements configured for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along a skinning device. The skinning device has at least one rotationally driven profiled roller and a guide element. The roller, together with an entry edge of the guide element, is adapted to form an entry gap for gripping the skin on the side of the poultry breast. The guide element has flank guide elements each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part, wherein the flank guide elements have inner guide surfaces adapted for contacting the flesh of the poultry part. A method is also provided.

Claims

1-33. (canceled)

34. An arrangement for skinning poultry parts containing a poultry breast, comprising: a skinning device having at least one rotationally driven profiled roller and a guide element with an entry edge, the roller, together with an entry edge of the guide element, being adapted to form an entry gap for gripping skin on a side of the poultry breast, the guide element having flank guide elements each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part, the flank guide elements having inner guide surfaces adapted for contacting flesh of the poultry part; and a conveying device having saddle elements configured for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along the skinning device

35. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the flank guide elements each comprise outer guide surfaces which are adapted for guiding the skin on the side of the poultry breast, each of the outer guide surfaces extending between the entry edge and a separating edge, each inner guide surface adjoining the respective outer guide surface at the separating edge.

36. The arrangement according to claim 35, wherein the inner guide surfaces with their respective separating edge are each curved concavely.

37. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the guide element comprises a contact surface arranged between the inner guide surfaces, the contact surface, starting from the entry edge, forms a run-on ramp which is inclined by an angle relative to a tangential of the roller.

38. The arrangement according to claim 37, wherein the separating edge in each case seamlessly laterally adjoins an edge the contact surface.

39. The arrangement according to claim 38, wherein the contact surface edge is adapted to directly adjoin the entry edge.

40. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the flank guide elements are configured such that a clear width between the inner guide surfaces tapers in the conveying direction.

41. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the inner guide surfaces of the flank guide elements each have an end edge, each end edge being shorter than a respective portion of the separating edge of the same inner guide surface.

42. The arrangement according to claim 41, wherein each of the inner guide surfaces is configured as an enveloping surface which spans a region between the end edge and the separating edge of the respective inner guide surface.

43. The arrangement according to claim 41, wherein the separating edge, the contact surface edges and/or the end edges are in rounded form.

44. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the roller is driven by means of a drive unit in such a manner that a circumferential speed of the roller is greater than a conveying speed of the conveying device.

45. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein, in a region of the flank guide elements, the roller has a peripheral surface profile which is inclined relative to its axis of rotation.

46. The arrangement according to claim 45, wherein the peripheral surface profile in the region of the flank guide elements is inclined to end faces of the roller contrary to a direction of rotation of the roller.

47. The arrangement according to claim 37, wherein, in a region of the contact surface forming the run-on ramp, the roller has a peripheral surface profile oriented parallel to its axis of rotation.

48. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the skinning device is mounted such that the skinning device is resiliently deflectable relative to the conveying device.

49. The arrangement according to claim 34, wherein the flank guide elements each comprise cutting means adapted for separating a connection between the skin and the poultry breast.

50. The arrangement according to claim 49, wherein each cutting means is arranged on an exit side, downstream of the guide element relative to the conveying direction.

51. The arrangement according to claim 49, wherein each of the cutting means has a cutting edge, the cutting edges being configured to be inclined relative to the conveying direction.

52. The arrangement according to claim 51, wherein each cutting edge is sickle-shaped.

53. The arrangement according to claim 51, wherein the cutting edges are each bevelled on both sides.

54. The arrangement according to claim 49, wherein the cutting means are mounted such that the cutting means are resiliently deflectable transversely to the conveying direction.

55. A method for skinning poultry parts containing a poultry breast, comprising the steps of: conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along a skinning device by means of saddle elements of a conveying device; driving at least one profiled roller in rotation, wherein the roller, together with an entry edge of a guide element, forms an entry gap for gripping skin on a side the poultry breast; automatically gripping the skin by means of the entry gap; wherein lateral guiding of the poultry part is by means of flank guide elements, by contact of an inner guide surface of each flank guide elements with the flesh of the poultry part.

56. The method according to claim 55, further comprising: guiding the skin on the side of the poultry breast part by means of outer guide surfaces of the flank guide elements, each outer guide surface extending between the entry edge and a separating edge, each inner guide surface adjoining the respective outer guide surface at the separating edge.

57. The method according to claim 55, further comprising: elastic squeezing at least of part-regions of the poultry part by conveying the poultry part over a run-on ramp which is formed by a contact surface arranged between the inner guide surfaces, the contact surface of the run-on ramp, starting from the entry edge, is inclined by an angle relative to a tangential of the roller.

58. The method according to claim 55, further comprising: lateral squeezing of the poultry part transversely to the conveying direction by means of the flank guide elements, a clear width of which between the inner guide surfaces tapers in the conveying direction.

59. The method according to claim 55, wherein: the driving of the roller is by means of a drive unit such that that a circumferential speed of the roller is greater than a conveying speed of the conveying device.

60. The method according to claim 55, further comprising: removal of the skin at least with a sub-component in a direction of end faces of the roller by means of a peripheral surface profile of the roller in a region of the flank guide elements which is oriented inclined relative to an axis of rotation of the roller.

61. The method according to claim 57, further comprising: pulling of the skin into the entry gap in the region of the run-on ramp in a direction of rotation of the roller by means of a peripheral surface profile oriented parallel to an axis of rotation of the roller.

62. The method according to claim 55, further comprising: resiliently deflecting the skinning device relative to the conveying device as one of the poultry bodies passes through.

63. The method according to claim 55, further comprising: separation of a remaining connection between the skin and the poultry part by means of cutting means.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein the separation takes place on an exit side, immediately before the poultry part has passed completely through the guide element.

65. The method according to claim 63, wherein the separation takes place by means of the cutting means having a cutting edge which is inclined relative to the conveying direction.

66. The method according to claim 63, further comprising resiliently deflecting of the cutting means transversely to the conveying direction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Further preferred and/or expedient features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description. Particularly preferred embodiments will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the arrangement according to the invention in a perspective view;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the skinning device according to the invention,

[0049] FIG. 3 is a front view of the skinning device shown in FIG. 2, looking in the conveying direction;

[0050] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guide element according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

[0051] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the guide element according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

[0052] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the guide element shown in FIG. 5 from a further viewing direction;

[0053] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the guide element according to the invention according to a third embodiment; and

[0054] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the guide element according to the invention according to a fourth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of the arrangement 10 according to the invention in a perspective view. The arrangement 10 is configured and adapted for skinning poultry partsnot shown in the drawingcontaining the poultry breast. The poultry parts are preferably poultry breast caps or front halves of poultry carcasses. The poultry skin to be removed generally lies over the breast fillet but is not fixedly adhered thereto. In the region of the respiratory fold, at each of the flanks of the poultry carcass, the skin is adhered to the poultry carcass.

[0056] The arrangement 10 according to the invention comprises a conveying device 11 which is configured and adapted for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction 24. Along the conveying line formed by the conveying device 11 there is arranged a skinning device 12. The conveying device 11 comprises saddle elements 13 which are configured and adapted for receiving the poultry parts.

[0057] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the skinning device 12 according to the invention in detail in different views. For reasons of clarity, the two figures do not show the entire conveying device 11 but in each case only one of the saddle elements 13.

[0058] The skinning device 12 comprises a rotationally driven profiled roller 14 and a guide element 15. The roller 14, together with an entry edge 16 of the guide element 15, forms an entry gap 17 for gripping the skin on the poultry breast side. By pulling the poultry skin into the entry gap 17, the skin is removed from the poultry part.

[0059] The guide element 15 comprises flank guide elements 18 which are each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part. The flank guide elements 18 are adapted to contact the flesh of the poultry part, that is to say, while the poultry skin is being removed via the profiled roller 14, the flank guide elements 18 come into direct contact with the underlying flesh of the breast fillets. For this purpose, the flank guide elements 18 each have inner guide surfaces 19. The flank guide elements 18 therefore have a guiding and directing function, in order to guide the poultry body in a defined manner and guide it past the roller 14 without parts of the poultry bodywith the exception of the skincoming into contact with the roller 14.

[0060] The flank guide elements 18 preferably each comprise outer guide surfaces 20 adapted for guiding the skin connected on the poultry part side, wherein the outer guide surfaces 20 each extend between the entry edge 16 and a separating edge 21, at which in each case the inner guide surface 19 adjoins the outer guide surface 20. The poultry skin is pulled over the separating edge 21 by the interaction of the rotationally driven profiled roller 14 and in each case laterally via the flank guide elements 18. Graphically described, the poultry skin flows round the guide element 15 laterally and is removed from the poultry part via the entry gap 17.

[0061] Advantageously, the inner guide surfaces 19 with their separating edge 21 are each curved concavely or substantially concavely. It is particularly advantageous that the concavity of the inner guide surfaces 19 is configured corresponding substantially to the anatomy of the poultry part to be skinned, that is to say, for example, is adapted to the outer form of the outer fillet that is still on the poultry carcass. Depending on the types of poultry to be processed, the inner guide surfaces 19 can be of correspondingly different forms. The inner guide surfaces 19 are in any case preferably so adapted that they come into contact as far as possible with the entire surface of the outer fillets of the poultry part.

[0062] Further preferably, the guide element 15 has a contact surface 22 which is arranged between the inner guide surfaces 19 and forms an inclined run-on ramp extending from the entry edge 16. The contact surface 22 is inclined by an angle relative to a roller tangential 23. The roller tangential 23 denotes the tangential of the roller circumference that lies in the XY plane. In other words, the contact surface 22 is arranged inclined by the angle relative to the XY plane.

[0063] Such an inclined contact surface 22 is shown in particular in each of FIGS. 4 to 8. The poultry parts conveyed in the conveying direction 24 meet this contact surface 22. Because the contact surface 22 is inclined, the poultry parts are on the one hand compressed to a certain extent and at the same time lifted slightly relative to the Z-axis, that is to say directed away from the roller 14, so that the above-described flowing round of the poultry skin around the flank guide elements 18 is additionally assisted. Because of the comparatively larger clear width between the contact surface 22 and the saddle elements 13 in the entry region 26, the entry of the poultry part into the guide element 15 takes place with as little resistance as possible, so that reliable entry of the poultry carcass between the inner guide surfaces 19 is ensured. The inclined arrangement of the contact surface 22 leads to a continuous reduction of the clear width in the direction of the exit region 27 of the guide element 15, so that the mechanical resistance contrary to the conveying direction likewise increases continuously and the above-described lifting and compression effect occurs.

[0064] Preferably, the separating edge 21 in each case laterally adjoins the contact surface edge 25 seamlessly. In this manner, the contact surfaces 22 form with the separating edge 21 a closed enveloping surface which is free of steps and protrusions, so that the poultry carcass is able to slide thereover. For the same reasons, the contact surface edge 25 of the contact surface 22 in the form of a run-on ramp is further preferably adapted to adjoin the entry edge 16 directly.

[0065] Advantageously, the flank guide elements 18 as a whole are so configured that the clear width between the inner guide surfaces 19 tapers in the conveying direction 24. The inner guide surfaces 19 are consequently not only curved in the XZ plane but additionally form surfaces that face one another in the XZ plane. For this purpose, the inner guide surfaces 19 can be arranged, for example, sloping in the XZ plane or, as shown in the drawing, can be curved. The inner guide surfaces 19 are thus curved relative to one or more spatial directions.

[0066] The inner guide surfaces 19 of the flank guide elements 18 each have end edges 28. Preferably, the end edge 28 of one of the inner guide surfaces 19 is shorter than the respective portion of the separating edge 21 of the same inner guide surface 19. The described geometry of the end edges 28 and of the respective portions of the separating edge 21 thus define the edge geometry of the inner guide surfaces 19. The inner guide surfaces 19 are themselves configured as enveloping surfaces which span the region between that defined edge geometry. In other words, the inner guide surfaces 19 are so adapted that they span the region between the end edge 28 and the separating edge 21 of the respective inner guide surface 19.

[0067] Preferably, the separating edge 21, the contact surface edges 25 and/or the end edges 28 are in rounded form. This effects better gliding of the skin and poultry part over the guide element 15 and at the same time prevents damage and injury to the flesh as a result of mechanical action, which can ultimately lead to an end product of lesser quality.

[0068] Advantageously, the roller 14 is driven by means of a drive unit 29shown only in FIG. 3 for reasons of clarityin such a manner that the circumferential speed of the roller 14 is greater than the conveying speed of the conveying device 11. The skin which has entered the entry gap 17 is thus removed with a higher speedcompared to the conveying speed of the poultry part. In this manner, a correspondingly high pulling force is exerted on the poultry skin, which deforms elastically to a certain extent under the action of the force. The difference in speed is specifically chosen so that the developing pulling force is sufficiently great to detach the skin from the poultry carcass in regions in which it is not adhered to the poultry carcass and to allow it to glide over the guide element 15, but the skin is not uncontrollably torn from the poultry part or the skin is not ripped.

[0069] It is apparent from FIG. 2 that the roller 14 has, preferably in the region of the flank guide elements 18, a peripheral surface profile which is inclined relative to its axis of rotation 30. The roller 14 is thus provided with a toothing in those regions. This has the effect that the skin is not only pulled in the circumferential direction of the roller 14, but the skin is also distributed on the circumferential surface 32 of the roller 14 in a further directional component, namely parallel to the axis of rotation.

[0070] Particularly preferably, the inclination of the peripheral surface profile in the region of the flank guide elements 18and optionally laterally therebeyondis inclined to the end faces of the rollers contrary to the direction of rotation of the roller 14. This has the effect that the skin which enters the entry gap 17 is additionally pulled laterally outwards and thus spreads extensively over the circumferential surface 32 of the roller 14.

[0071] Advantageously, the roller 14 has, in the region of the contact surface 22 forming the run-on ramp, a peripheral surface profile which is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 30 of the roller 14. This offers the advantage that, the first time the skin comes into contact with the roller 14 and the entry edge 16, the skin is pulled as quickly as possible into the entry gap 17 parallel to the conveying direction 24 and in this manner is gripped with a high degree of reliability. Once the first skin region has been pulled into the entry gap 17 and has extended over the entire width of the peripheral profile oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 30, even spreading of the skin over the circumferential surface 32 of the roller is effected via the above-mentioned peripheral profiles in the region of the flank guide elements 18.

[0072] The circumferential surface 32 of the roller 14 is consequently divided into three regions. An inner region 33, which is associated substantially with the contact surface 22, has the mentioned peripheral profile with a profile oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 30, while the described peripheral profile inclined relative to the axis of rotation 30 is provided in each case in outer regions 34.

[0073] The skinning device 12 is preferably arranged mounted to be resiliently deflectable relative to the conveying device 11. For example, the skinning device 12, as is shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3, is arranged to be pivotable about a pivot axis 35 and is resiliently mounted via a pneumatic element 40. When a poultry part passes through the skinning device 12, the entire skinning device 12 is deflected downwards by a pivoting movement against the spring bias by the pneumatic element 40 as soon as the poultry part passes through the guide element 15 with corresponding compression. In this manner, the compression effected on the poultry part by the guide element 15 is compensated for to a certain extent, so that the processing of poultry bodies of differing anatomy and size is possible. Instead of the pneumatic element 40, other elements having a spring action, for example tension springs, can be used as an alternative. The pneumatic element 40 offers the advantage that the spring force is adjustable by the application of compressed air and is optimally adaptable to the particular production requirements. Furthermore, the pneumatic element 40 is actively activated subsidiarily or solely in order to effect the deflection of the skinning device and as rapid a return thereof as possible to the starting position.

[0074] As is shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, flank guide elements 18 each comprise cutting means 36 adapted to separate the connection between the skin and the poultry part. By means of the cutting means 36, the connection of the skin to the poultry carcass in the region of the respiratory fold is cut through and thus the skin is detached completely from the carcass. In this manner, a controlled cut is performed. In conjunction with the precise guiding of the poultry carcass effected by the guide element 15 and the sections of skin already detached from the poultry part, the last skin connection is cut through precisely at exactly the correct point. An optimal separating cut for every poultry geometry is thus performed by a surprisingly simple structural design of the arrangement 10 according to the invention.

[0075] Preferably, the cutting means 36 are arranged on the exit side, downstream of the guide element 15 relative to the conveying direction 24. Cutting through of the skin connection by means of the cutting means 36 therefore only takes place shortly before the poultry part has passed through the guide element 15 completely.

[0076] The cutting edges 37 of each of the cutting means 36 are preferably inclined relative to the conveying direction 24. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the knives are in the form of triangular knives. Alternatively, the cutting means 36, as is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, are configured with a sickle-shaped cutting edge 37. This offers the advantage that the skin which is adhered to the carcass is caught in the concave cutting edge form. It is thus ensured that the skin connection is cut through by means of the cutting means 36 in every case. The skin thus cannot slide over the cutting edge 37 without being cut through completely.

[0077] As is apparent in FIGS. 5 to 8, the cutting means 36 are preferably each in the form of double knives 38, that is to say they have cutting edges 37 on each of their front and rear sides. This offers the advantage that a blunt cutting edge 37 can be exchanged in a simple manner by rotating the cutting means 36 through 180, without having to replace the whole cutting means 36.

[0078] As is shown in FIG. 8, it is provided according to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention that the cutting edge 37 is so inclined that the cutting edges 37, starting from the flank guide element 18, extend contrary to the conveying direction 24. In this manner, a function comparable to the embodiment variant with a sickle-shaped cutting edge 37 is achieved, namely to prevent the skin from gliding over the cutting means 37 without the section of skin being cut through completely. Further preferably, the cutting edges are each bevelled on both sides.

[0079] Optimal first cutting of the section of skin that is to be cut through is thus ensured, and at the same time undesirable cutting into the poultry fillets is avoided. Alternatively, the cutting means 36 are mounted to be resiliently deflectable transversely to the conveying direction 24 (not shown in the drawing). The cutting means 36 thus deflect laterally, if required by the width of the poultry carcass. The cutting means 36 are thus adapted to self-adapt to the poultry part.

[0080] The method according to the invention is likewise described in connection with the arrangement described hereinbefore. In addition, some selected aspects of the method according to the invention are additionally described hereinbelow.

[0081] The method according to the invention for skinning poultry parts containing the poultry breast comprises the steps: conveying the poultry parts in the conveying direction 24 along the skinning device 12 by means of the saddle elements 13 of the conveying device 11, driving at least one profiled roller 14 in rotation, wherein the roller 14, together with an entry edge 16 of a guide element 15, forms an entry gap 17 for gripping the skin on the poultry breast side. The skin is automatically gripped by means of the entry gap 17 while the poultry part is guided laterally by means of flank guiding elements 18. Guiding takes place by contact of inner guide surfaces 19 with the flesh of the poultry part.

[0082] The skin connected on the poultry part side is preferably guided by means of the outer guide surfaces 20 of the flank guide elements 18, which in each case extend between the entry edge 16 and a separating edge 21, at which in each case the inner guide surface 19 adjoins the outer guide surface 20.

[0083] Advantageously, at least part-regions of the poultry part are squeezed elastically by conveying the poultry part over a run-on ramp, wherein the run-on ramp is formed by a contact surface 22 arranged between the inner guide surfaces 19. The contact surface 22 of the run-on ramp is arranged, starting from the entry edge 16, inclined by an angle relative to a roller tangential 23.

[0084] Preferably, the poultry part is additionally transversely squeezed laterally transversely to the conveying direction 24 by means of the flank guide elements 18, the clear width of which between the inner guide surfaces 19 tapers in the conveying direction 24.

[0085] Further preferably, the roller 14 is driven by means of a drive unit 29, so that the circumferential speed of the roller 14 is greater than the conveying speed of the conveying device 11.

[0086] Advantageously, the removal of the skin takes place at least with a sub-component in the direction of the end faces 29 of the roller 14 by means of a peripheral surface profile of the roller 14 in the region of the flank guide elements 18, which is inclined relative to the axis of rotation 30 of the roller 14. In particular, the skin is pulled into the entry gap 17 in the region of the run-on ramp in the direction of rotation of the roller 14 by means of a peripheral surface profile oriented parallel to the axis of rotation 30 of the roller 14.

[0087] Preferably, the skinning device 12 is resiliently deflected relative to the conveying device 11 as one of the poultry parts or a poultry carcass passes through.