WING-CUTTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEVERING WINGS OR WING PARTS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a wing cutting apparatus for processing poultry carcasses (10), comprising a conveying device (12) configured to convey the poultry carcasses (10) along a conveying line in a transport direction (11), and a first separating device (13) and a second separating device (14) which are designed for separating wings or wing parts (15) in pairs from one of the poultry carcasses (10), and is characterised in that the first separating device (13) and the second separating device (14) are arranged offset along the conveying line in the transport direction (11) in such a manner that the wings or wing parts (15) of a pair are each separated in succession. The present invention relates further to a corresponding method.

Claims

1. Wing cutting apparatus for processing poultry carcasses (10), comprising a conveying device (12) configured to convey the poultry carcasses (10) along a conveying line in transport direction (11), a first separating device (13) and a second separating device (14) which are designed to separate wings or wing parts (15) in pairs from one each of the poultry carcasses (10), characterised in that the first separating device (13) and the second separating device (14) are arranged offset along the conveying line in the transport direction (11) in such a mariner that the wings or wing parts (15) of a pair are each separated in succession.

2. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveying device (12) comprises carrier elements (16) for conveying and holding the poultry carcasses (10), the carrier elements (16) being so configured that the poultry carcasses (10) are mounted to be deflectable at least substantially transversely to the transport direction (11).

3. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the conveying device (12) is in the form of an overhead conveyor for receiving the poultry carcasses (10) suspended by their legs (19) by means of the carrier elements (16).

4. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the first separating device (13) and the second separating device (14) comprise guiding devices (20), each of the guiding devices (20) having a guiding gap (21) extending parallel to the transport direction (11), and are configured to hold the wings or wing parts (15) in one of the guiding gaps (12) and to guide them at least substantially parallel to the transport direction (11).

5. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that the guiding gaps (21) are configured to taper in the transport direction (11).

6. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that a threading device (22) is arranged upstream of each guiding device (20), which threading device is configured to thread the wing or wing part (15) into the guiding gap (21).

7. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 4, characterised in that a cutting means (23) is arranged downstream of each guiding device (20), the cutting means (23) being configured to separate the wing or wing part (15).

8. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the cutting means (23) are arranged to be stationary.

9. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that each of the cutting means (23) comprises two cutting edges (25) forming a cutting gap (24), Which cutting edges are configured to separate the wing or wing part (15).

10. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 9, characterised in that the cutting means (23) are so arranged that a cutting plane formed by the cutting edges (25) and the cutting gap (24) is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal.

11. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a plurality of concurrent pushing elements (29) which run along in the transport direction (11) each in association with one of the carrier elements (16) and are configured to come into engagement with the wing or wing parts (15).

12. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the pushing elements (29) are further configured to come into engagement with the corresponding poultry carcass (10) in a shoulder region (30).

13. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 12, characterised in that the pushing elements (29) are each designed in the form of a U-shaped profile and each comprise a shoulder region pushing piece (31) and a wing region pushing piece (32) with a pushing piece recess (33) located therebetween.

14. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 13, characterised in that the pushing elements (29) are so arranged transversely to the transport direction (11) that at least one of the guiding devices (20) is arranged at least partially in the pushing piece recess (33).

15. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the pushing elements (29) are driven by means of at least one drive unit (34) for moving the pushing elements (29) in the transport direction (11).

16. Wing cutting apparatus according to claim 15, characterised in that the drive speed of the drive unit (34) is configured to be variably adjustable in such a manner that each of the pushing elements (29) is configured to be in advance of or to lag behind the associated carrier element (16) at least temporarily.

17. Method for separating wings or wing parts (15) from poultry carcasses (10), comprising the steps conveying the poultry carcass (10) along a conveying line in transport direction (11) by means of a conveying device (12), separating the wings or wing parts (11) in pairs from one of the poultry carcasses (10), characterised in that separation in pairs of the wings or wing parts (11) is each performed in succession by means of a first separating device (13) and a second separating device (14).

18. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the poultry carcasses (10) are held and conveyed by means of carrier elements (16) in such a manner that the poultry carcasses (10) are each mounted to be deflectable at least transversely to the transport direction (11).

19. Method according to claim 17, characterised in that the poultry carcasses (10) are conveyed suspended by their legs (19) by means of the carrier elements (16).

20. Method according to claim 17, characterised by parallel guiding of the wings or wing parts (11) by means of guiding devices (20) which each have guiding gaps (21) extending parallel to the transport direction (11).

21. Method according to claim 20, characterised by threading the wings or wing parts (15) into the respective guiding gaps (21) by means of a threading device (22).

22. Method according to claim 20, characterised by separation of the wings or wing parts (15) by means of cutting means (2) arranged downstream of the guiding devices (20).

23. Method according to claim 22, characterised in that the separation is carried out by means of cutting means (23) which are arranged to be stationary.

24. Method according to claim 21, characterised by guiding of the wings or wing parts (15) into a cutting gap (24) formed by means of two cutting edges (25) for separation thereof.

25. Method according to claim 24, characterised in that the separation takes place by cutting in a cutting plane which is formed by the cutting edges (25) and the cutting gap (24) and which is inclined relative to the horizontal.

26. Method according to claim 20, characterised in that a plurality of concurrent pushing elements (29) are associated with in each case one of the carrier elements (16) and run along in the transport direction (11) in engagement with one of the wings or wing parts (15).

27. Method according to claim 26, further characterised in that the carrier elements (16) each come into engagement with the poultry carcasses (10) with a shoulder region (30).

28. Method according to claim 26, characterised in that the pushing elements (29) are driven for movement in the transport direction (11) by means of a drive unit (34).

29. Method according to claim 28, characterised by at least temporary variation of the drive speed of the drive unit (34), so that each of the pushing elements (29) is in advance of or lags behind the associated carrier clement (16) at least temporarily.

Description

[0039] Further preferred and/or expedient features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments will be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the wing cutting apparatus according to the invention,

[0041] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the wing cutting apparatus according to the invention,

[0042] FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the wing cutting apparatus according to the invention, and

[0043] FIG. 4 is a front view of the wing cutting apparatus according to the invention, viewed in the transport direction.

[0044] The wing cutting apparatus according to the invention will be described in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The following embodiments also serve to illustrate the method according to the invention.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of the wing cutting apparatus according to the invention. The wing cutting apparatus is configured and designed to process poultry carcasses 10, of which only one is shown in each of the figures for the sake of clarity. The poultry carcasses 10 are conveyed along a conveying line in a transport direction 11 by means of a conveying device 12. The conveying device 12 is indicated only schematically in the drawing.

[0046] FIGS. 1 and 2 each show the poultry carcass 10 in a first position, while the poultry carcass 10 in FIG. 3 is shown in a second position, after the poultry carcass 10 has been conveyed further in the transport direction.

[0047] The wing cutting apparatus according to the invention comprises a first separating device 13 and a second separating device 14. The separating devices 13, 14 are designed to separate wings or wing parts 15 in pairs from one of the poultry carcasses 10. The first separating device 13 and the second separating device 14 are arranged offset along the conveying line in such a manner that the wings or wing parts 15 of a pair are each separated in succession.

[0048] FIG. 1 shows how the poultry carcass 10 first passes the first separating device 13 as it is conveyed in the transport direction along the conveying line. The separating device 13 is configured to separate the wing or wing parts 15 from the right-hand side of the poultry carcass 10. The poultry carcass 10 then passes the second separating device 14. The separating device 14 is configured to separate the wing or wing parts 15 from the left-hand side of the poultry carcass 10. The illustrated order of separation of the wings or wing parts 15 is purely by way of example. Alternatively, the left-hand side of the poultry carcass 10 can also be processed first by means of the first separating device 13 and then the right-hand side of the poultry carcass 10 can be processed.

[0049] The poultry carcass 10 is advantageously as is shown in the drawing conveyed in the transport direction breast first. Alternatively, it is also possible to convey the poultry carcass with its back first.

[0050] The conveying device 12 preferably comprises carrier elements 16 for conveying and holding poultry carcasses 10. For reasons of clarity, only one of the carrier elements 16 is shown in the drawing. However, the conveying device 12 comprises a plurality of carrier elements 16. The carrier elements 16 are so configured and designed that the poultry carcasses 10 are mounted to be deflectable transversely to the transport direction 11, or substantially transversely to the transport direction 11.

[0051] The poultry carcass 10 is consequently mounted as is shown in FIG. 4with its centre axis 17 deflectable relative to a conveying axis 18 by means of the carrier elements 16 which are configured therefor. In particular, the poultry carcass 10 is thus mounted transversely or substantially transversely to the transport direction 11. In other words, the deflectable mounting is so configured that the poultry carcass 10 is con-figured with its centre axis 17 displaceable relative to the conveying axis 18. The centre axis 17 is a virtual axis which runs through the middle of the poultry carcass 10 and divides it into two halves.

[0052] The conveying axis 18 denotes an axis which runs vertically through the middle of one of the carrier elements 16 and which is perpendicular to the transport direction 11. The conveying axis 18 runs parallel to the Z-axis of the coordinate system shown in FIG. 4. The transport direction 11 is directed into the XZ plane. The deflectable mounting of the poultry carcass 10 is so configured that the poultry carcass is able to deflect with its centre axis 17 on the one hand transversely to the transport direction 11, that is to say at least with a subcomponent in a transverse direction. In the drawing, the transverse direction denotes the X direction. This leads to the above-described displacement between the centre axis 17 and the conveying axis 18. The conveying axis 18 can be displaced both transitionally, that is to say by displacement in the X direction, and by a pivot movement. A combined pivot/displacement movement leads to an inclined position of the centre axis 17 relative to the conveying axis 18. The deflectable mounting optionally further permits rotation of the poultry carcass 10 about the Z-axis, that is to say about the conveying axis 18.

[0053] The conveying device 12 is preferably in the form of an overhead conveyor, for receiving the poultry carcass 10 suspended by its legs 19 by means of the carrier elements 16. Further preferably, the carrier elements 16 are in the form of shackles and configured to receive the ankle joints of the poultry carcasses 10.

[0054] The first separating device 13 and the second separating device 14 each comprise guiding devices 20. Each of the guiding devices 20 has a guiding gap 21 which extends parallel to the transport direction 11. The guiding devices 20 are configured to hold the wings or wing parts 15 in one of the guiding gaps 21 and guide them at least substantially parallel to the transport direction 11.

[0055] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the guiding gaps 21 taper in the transport direction 11. This has the effect that the wings or wing parts 15 are guided into an optimal cutting position. As a result of the tapered guiding gaps 21, the wings or wing parts 15 are aligned in the guiding gaps 21 in such a manner that the joint regions of the wings or wing parts in particular are positioned exactly in the guiding gaps 21.

[0056] Further preferably, a threading device 22 is arranged upstream of each of the guiding devices 20. The threading devices 22 are configured to thread the wing or wing part 15 into the guiding gap 21, or into the respective guiding gaps 21. For example, the threading device 22as shown in the drawingis in the form of a guide plate. Alternatively, however, the threading devices 22 can also be formed of one or more guide rods or the like.

[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, a cutting means 23 is arranged downstream of each of the guiding devices 20. By means of the cutting means 23, the wing or wing parts 15 are separated from the poultry carcass 10. The cutting means 23 are preferably arranged to be stationary. Further preferably, each of the cutting means 23 comprises two cutting edges 25 forming a cutting gap 24, which cutting edges are configured to separate the wing or wing part 15. The guiding devices 20, the cutting means 23 and the cutting edges 25 are in particular in one piece.

[0058] According to a further preferred embodiment, a cutting plane formed by the cutting edges 25 and the cutting gap 24 is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal. In other words, the cutting plane is arranged inclined relative to the X- or Z-axis. The cutting plane is particularly preferably arranged inclined by an angle which corresponds to the anatomical characteristics of the wing parts 15 of the poultry carcasses 10 that are to be separated. As is shown by way of example in the drawing, the cutting plane is aligned parallel or substantially parallel to the natural position of the upper wing part 26 of the poultry carcasses 10, so that the mid-wing part 27 is separated from the upper wing part 26 by means of the cutting means 23. By correspondingly specifying an angle of inclination of the cutting plane that is adapted to the anatomical characteristics, it is thus possible, for example, also to separate the wing tips 28 of the poultry carcasses 10 from the mid-wing part 27 and/or the upper wing part 26 from the poultry carcass 10.

[0059] A further preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of concurrent pushing elements 29. The cutting elements 29 are configured to run along in the transport direction 11 each in association with one of the carrier elements 16. The pushing elements 29 are further configured to come into engagement with the wing or wing parts 15. The pushing elements 29 are consequently designed to guide the wings or wing parts 15 that are to be separated.

[0060] The pushing elements 29 are further configured to come into engagement with the poultry carcass 10 in a shoulder region 30. The pushing elements 29 thus support both the poultry body 10 in its shoulder region 30 and the wing or wing parts 15 that are to be separated. To that end, the pushing elements 29 are preferably each in the form of a U-shaped profile and each have a shoulder region pushing piece 31 and a wing region pushing piece 32 with a pushing piece recess 33 located therebetween.

[0061] Further preferably, the pushing elements 29 are arranged transversely to the transport direction 11 in such a manner that at least one of the guiding devices 20 is arranged at least partially in the pushing piece recess 33. In other words, at least one of the guiding devices 20 is so arranged that the respective pushing element 29 surrounds it at least partially.

[0062] The pushing elements 29 are advantageously driven by means of at least one drive unit 34indicated only schematically in the drawingfor moving the pushing elements 29 in the transport direction 11. The drive unit 34 is, for example, in the form of a motor-driven, revolving endless conveyor. However, the present invention is not limited solely to the type of drive for the pushing elements 29 which has been described above merely by way of example.

[0063] According to a preferred further development, the drive speed of the drive unit 34 is configured to be variably adjustable in such a manner that each of the pushing elements 29 is configured to be in advance of or to lag behind the associated carrier element 16 at least temporarily. In other words, the drive speed of the drive unit 34 is configured to he variable in such a manner that one of the pushing elements 29 is in advance of or lags behind the associated carrier element 16. This advance or lag is either static, that is to say configured to be constantly adjustable during the processing operation, or configured to be definable as a drive speed curve, so that the drive speed is varied during the processing operation.

[0064] A receiving element 35 is preferably arranged along the conveying line and is con-figured to support the poultry carcasses 10 on the neck side.