GB2117224A - Method of, and apparatus for, leg severing - Google Patents
Method of, and apparatus for, leg severing Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2117224A GB2117224A GB08307967A GB8307967A GB2117224A GB 2117224 A GB2117224 A GB 2117224A GB 08307967 A GB08307967 A GB 08307967A GB 8307967 A GB8307967 A GB 8307967A GB 2117224 A GB2117224 A GB 2117224A
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- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- leg
- cut
- joint
- carcass
- fold
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 32
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 210000002414 leg Anatomy 0.000 claims description 125
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 claims description 35
- 210000003127 knee Anatomy 0.000 claims description 25
- 210000001364 upper extremity Anatomy 0.000 claims description 17
- 210000004124 hock Anatomy 0.000 claims description 15
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003111 delayed effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 210000000629 knee joint Anatomy 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 241001494479 Pecora Species 0.000 description 11
- 241000287828 Gallus gallus Species 0.000 description 6
- 235000013330 chicken meat Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 210000000003 hoof Anatomy 0.000 description 5
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 210000002435 tendon Anatomy 0.000 description 4
- 239000012634 fragment Substances 0.000 description 3
- 210000000236 metacarpal bone Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 210000001872 metatarsal bone Anatomy 0.000 description 3
- 241000283690 Bos taurus Species 0.000 description 2
- 241000283086 Equidae Species 0.000 description 2
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000003141 lower extremity Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000283707 Capra Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282994 Cervidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 241000282887 Suidae Species 0.000 description 1
- 210000003010 carpal bone Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000000845 cartilage Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000003307 slaughter Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000001137 tarsal bone Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000000115 thoracic cavity Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22B—SLAUGHTERING
- A22B5/00—Accessories for use during or after slaughtering
- A22B5/0017—Apparatus for cutting, dividing or deboning carcasses
- A22B5/0058—Removing feet or hooves from carcasses
Landscapes
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Processing Of Meat And Fish (AREA)
Abstract
The leg is suspended with a probe and then probe and leg are pivoted into horizontal plane to bend the joint whereupon the probe is extended to find the fold so that the first cut can be made opposite the fold of the leg, allowing sufficient relative movement between the lower leg regions and the upper leg regions of the leg or legs having the opening cut so as to further distort the joint and thereafter making a second cut from the same side as the first cut although possibly at a different angle so as to sever the lower leg regions from the carcass, said second cut commencing in the open cut resulting from the first cut and at some region of the joint so as to minimise, if not, avoid completely bone cutting and achieving severance. Preferably the carcass is also supported below the severed joint and both fore legs and rear legs can be severed. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Method of, and apparatus for, leg severing
The present invention relates to improvements in and/or relating to methods of removing by severance at or adjacent a joint the lower leg regions from the leg of a carcass of a hoofed animal and in particular although not solely the carcass of a sheep animal and to apparatus and means and methods generally and/or applicable thereto.
Hoofed animals such as sheep, cattle, horses, goats, deer, pigs and the like have a plurality of joints on both the front pair of legs and the rear pair of legs. In such animals there is a joint which for the forelegs at least equates with the knee of a human and indeed the joint in question is referred to as the knee. The corresponding joint on the hind legs however is referred to as the hock and in fact is hinged in the opposite direction to the knee such that the leg moves forward about the joint.
With for example sheep very little economic value is attached to the meat contained on a leg below its hock or knee as the case may be. With larger animals such as horses or cattle this may not in fact be the case. There is however a need to provide means whereby it is possible to mechanism the severance of the leg from at or about the hock or knee as the case may be without giving rise to a multitude of bone fragments which would be the case if a saw or other type of cut was made straight through the leg with a total disregard of where the bone could be penetrated without a need to break through the bone itself.
While a system has been proposed in relation to chickens which employs leg suspension and a progressive cutting of the carcass from the lower legs no satisfactory system has been devised for hoofed animals. It should be remembered that hoofed animals when submitted to slaughter are on a much larger scale both in respect of their bones and their body mass than chickens and also are subject to much wider variations in size than chickens which are normally broilers grown to almost an identical weight and skeletial structure.
Moreover with the progressive cutting techniques applied hitherto to chickens no close attention has been given to the need to avoid splintering of the bones since the soft bones of young chickens can be readily severed without bone fragment difficulties.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide means and/or methods which will go at least some way to meet the abovementioned desiderata and which preferably will also afford for the machine assist or automated severance of leg portions from the carcass of the slaughtered animal.
Accordingly in one aspect the present invention consists in a method of removing by severance at a joint the lower leg region at least from one leg of the carcass of a hoofed animal comprising the steps of
supporting the carcass and/or at least the leg to be removed so that the said joint of the leg to have the lower region thereof removed can operate or be distorted if some relative movement is permitted between the lower leg region and the upper leg region,
making a first transverse cut at or adjacent, the joint on that side opposite the fold of the joint (i.e.
making the cut on that side which will be under tension when the joint is bent),
allowing sufficient relative movement between the lower leg region and the upper leg region of the leg or legs having said first transverse cut as will both open the cut and bend and/or distort the joint more than previously, and
thereafter making a second transverse cut from substantially the same side as the first transverse cut to sever said lower leg region from the carcass, said second cut commencing in the opened cut resulting from the first cut and said relative movement and at some region of the joint so as to minimise, if not avoid completely, bone cutting in achieving severance.
Preferably said joint is the knee if the leg is a fore leg, or the hock if the leg is a rear leg. In such a case the said side is on the front of the knee (i.e.
from the front of the animal) and in the case of a rear leg to the rear of the hock (i.e. from the rear of the animal).
Preferable where the lower leg regions trimmed is the fore leg the first of the two cuts involved is substantially transverse and perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis of the leg. The second cut is preferably at 450 to the longitudinal axis of the lower region of the leg. Where the rear leg is involved preferably said first cut is substantially normal to the leg. The second cut is substantially at 450 as it is best determined by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Preferably said leg is indexed with respect to
means to achieve said first and/or said second cut by either: (i) reference to both the longitudinal inclination of said lower leg and the "fold" of the joint;
(ii) Reference to the fold or;
(iii) Reference to the fold and the upper leg.
As used herein the term "fold" refers in the case of a knee to the line formed substantially behind the knee especially when the knee is bent.
Correspondingly with a hock the line would appear
in front of the joint. In either case however it is a clearly determinable line especially when the leg is
bent.
In a further aspect the present invention
consists in apparatus for removing by severance the lower leg region from a leg of the carcass of a
hoofed animal in accordance with the method of the present invention
means supporting in use the leg of an animal in
a predetermined condition with reference to the fold of the knee (in the case of a fore leg) or the fold of the hock (in the case of a rear leg),
means which in use provides a joint opening
cut on that side of the joint opposite its fold while
said leg is supported at least in part by said means for supporting the same,
means for allowing or causing relative movement which will bend and/or distort the joint more than previously (if any) so as to open the cut and
means to make a leg severing cut through the opened cut substantially from the same side as for the opening cut.
In yet a further aspect the present invention preferably consists in said means to support a leg suspended hoofed animal by at least its fore legs comprises a double V block or the equivalent block carried by a conveyor, a wrist of each fore leg being wedged into each V, and said means to locate the fold comprises means to cam the lower leg regions down over fold indexing means whether carried by the V block or not and thus to at least partially take the weight of the carcass from the V engagement with each wrist, to thereby facilitate the distortion of the joint after an opening cut owing to carcass movement down in each V.
Preferably the apparatus is arranged to sever both the fore legs of an animal.
The means for providing the two cuts for a fore leg or a rear leg provide first the transverse cut and then the 450 cut.
In another aspect the present invention is arranged to sever both the rear legs of the animal.
In a further aspect the present invention consists in apparatus (for example substantially as hereinafter described) for supporting the legs of an animal, said apparatus being capable of supporting the lower leg region of a carcass and positioning the same in an indexed manner by reference to the "fold" of the joint.
In a further aspect the present invention may broadly be said to consist in said apparatus when formed as part of a conveying chain system. In some forms of the present invention said apparatus forms part of a carousel with the carousel carrying the carcasses to cutting stations.
Preferred forms of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Figure 1 is a side view of the skeleton of a sheep showing all four legs and showing with dotted lines the approximate severance points which for the knee are at or about or between the carpal bones and in the case of the hock between,
about or adjacent the tarsal bones,
Figure 2 is a clearer diagram of the fore leg of a sheep showing more clearly the position of a cut
in the preferred form of the present invention immediately above the metacarpal bone,
Figure 3 shows the rear leg with the severance line being shown immediately above the metatarsal bone,
Figure 4A shows the rear leg of a sheep suspended by means gripping the leg about the leg just up from the hoof and showing apparatus capable of sliding relative to the lower regions of the leg to be severed to support the same,
Figure 4B shows the whole arrangement pivoted about pivot axis indicated by the letter A showing how the fold of the joint is defined using gravity,
Figure 4C shows how the sliding arrangement of the leg support can allow movement of the leg in the arrowed direction until such time as the fold comes into an indexing contact with a contact point mounted from a rod or the equivalent on which the sliding leg support arrangement can move to the right,
Figure 4D shows the position of the furst cut which is adjacent the joint but down when the leg is straightened from the fold of the joint,
Figure 4D shows the position of the first cut a disc or other type blade cutting arrangement can travel over those portions of the leg to provide the initial cut,
Figure 4E shows how the first cut can be broken open to present for a subsequent severing cut the remaining tendons etc., and
Figure 4F shows the nature of the final transverse cut which will not make any cutting contact with bones whatsoever,
Figure 5A shows a similar arrangement to that shown in the figure 4 series of figures but in relation to the fore leg and the knee,
'Figure 5B shows the apparatus creating the bend in-the joint for indexing purposes,
Figure 5C shows both of the fore legs held in a similar manner and shows how the spreader is moved in the arrowed direction to free the trotters,
Figure 5D is a view from the side showing the indexing in a similar manner to that depicted in respect of the rear legs in figure 4C,
Figure 5E and Figure 5EE show that the trotters are now forced hard up against the locating pins C and D and down on face E and how the required joint is now lined up to the cutting wheels and/or knives,
Figure 5F shows the preliminary cut which is just down or adjacent the knee and showing that the same opens up owing to that cut being transversely at a position under tension,
Figure 5FF shows how both fore legs of the animal move in the arrowed direction to the left and the pivoted circular knife will ride over both providing the preliminary cut.
Figure 5G shows the preferred direction of the second cut,
Figure 5H shows how the apparatus with a screen or the like disposed beneath the apparatus can run the trotters clear of the carcass for hygiene purposes, and
Figure 51 shows how the spreader can be ejected onto a return rail,
Figures 6 and Figure 7 show an alternative and manual way of achieving the method of the present invention, figure 6 showing the position of the first cut which would be in a vertical plane when the trotters have been manually placed in the position as shown, the vertical cut being made over the top half of the joint through the skin down to the bone while figure 7 shows the second and final cut position and direction, the weight of the caracass being sufficient to open the joint as shown and showing how the joint when opened for a fore leg provides a clear path at approximately 45 for the knife to pass and sever the main tendons to complete the operation,
Figures 8, 9 and 10 show in more detail the nature of the cuts and presentation of a rear leg and shows how that too can be achieved substantially manually, figure 9 showing the trotters over a support or supported in the required way and showing the nature of the first cut which is over the top half of the joint and through the tendons as depicted and down to the bone, and figure 10 shows the second and final cut which is made after the trotters are forced down to break open the joints thereby allowing a vertical knife cut to be made which will completely sever the joint,
Figure 11 is a perspective view showing how it is envisaged that conveyors can pass spreader supported sheep carcasses onto a carousel and the method of the present invention can then be performed with the rear legs first being severed in accordance with the method of the present invention and then subsequently at a further station downstream at which stage preferably the animal is gamble supported by its rear legs, a similar carousel arrangement can be employed to sever the lower regions of the fore legs from each carcass,
Figure 12 is a plan diagrammatic view of a six station carousel for receiving a carcass to have its front legs severed as the carcasses pass sequentially past the various operative stations,
Figure 1 3 is a side elevation view of the arrangement depicted in figure 12,
Figure 14 is a section X-X of the arrangement depicted in figure 13,
Figure 1 5 is a diagrammatic view of an arrangement substantially similar to that depicted in figures 12 to 14 showing an animal supported by its fore legs after its rear legs have been severed and showing how the same could have had its rear legs gambled so that with the carousel as shown in figure 15 (as distinct from that shown in figure 12 to 14) the method of the present invention can be applied to the fore legs, figure 1 5 showing the apparatus capable of tilting the apparatus to bend the knees of the animal, figure 1 5 also showing in dotted outline the alternative of having the carcass hanging without rear legs gambrelled during at least the first segment of the fore leg removal sequence, it being realised for instance the fore legs could be clamped above the cut,
Figure 1 6 is a plan view of the apparatus for supporting the rear legs of an animal hereinafter such apparatus being referred to as the "rear head",
Figure 1 7 is a side elevation of the apparatus of figure 16,
Figure 1 8 is a similar view to that in figure 1 6 but this time showing the "front head",
Figure 19 is a side elevation of the front head
shown in figure 1 8 showing in dotted outlines the
nature of the movements about the indicated pivot
F under the action of a ram acting on the regions
indicated as G,
Figures 20A and 20B show the outline of a trotter with supports J and K being spaced preferably 54 mm apart and being adjustable between the condition of figure 20a where a is 5 mm to the condition of figure 20B where a is 3 mm, such a slight variation showing the advantage of indexing of the inclination of the lower leg with reliance also on the "fold" of the joint rather than indexing from lower leg side which can in sheep vary by up to 60 mm.
Figure 21 a to 21 f shows progressively a form of leg removal in accordance with the present invention which unlike that previously described which bends the legs and then takes up the weight but rather takes up the weight and then bends to provide the requisite deformation to allow the progressive cutting etc., figures 21 A through F showing a system best atuned for use with a linear rather than carousel system although still capable of being employed in a carousel system.
Figure 22A shows a front view of a double V block grip suitable for supporting the legs as in figures 21a to 21f and Figure 22B is an end view of the block grip of figure 22A, figure 22A showing it in direction X-X with respect to figure 22B.
The method of the present invention can be performed with a variety of different types of apparatus. However, preferred forms of apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. It may be appropriate to deal with each type of leg separately. Accordingly, reference will be first had to figure 4 which describes the method and apparatus suitable for use therewith dealing with the severance of the lower regions of the rear legs of a hoofed animal and in particular a sheep.
Firstly, it is important to appreciate the fact that in order to provide the two cuts automatically as the animal moves for example along a conveyor or about a conveyor it is important to ensure that the joint and the lower leg region to be severed therefrom is accurately indexed. In this respect, reference should be had to figures 20A and 20B where it can be shown that while in respect of the metacarpal and/or metatarsal bones can vary in length. Also, the phalanges of the thoracic appendage and/or pelvic appendage respectively can vary significantly and indeed up to 60 mm in length from the hoof to where the cut is to take place. Some other means of indexing sheep so that the requisite cut occurs is necessary.The present invention takes advantage of the fact that while the length of metacarpal or metatarsal bones can vary significantly two reference points taken at a distance of for example 54 mm apart on one side allow for accurate alignment of the lower leg regions notwithstanding the fact that the variation indicated can vary by about 2 mm. Such slight differences are not critical having regard to the fact that indexing is completed by also locating accurately the "fold" of the leg. Turning therefore to figure 4 it can be seen that the leg can be supported about the hoof to carry the dead load
and can have means providing the reference points J and K referred to in figure 20 provided by means of members dependent from a member 2 capable of sliding on a rod or the like member 3.
This member 3 has at its distal end a probe 4 capable of locating the fold of the leg as depicted in figure 4C. Such a probe 4 is shown in more detail in the preferred form of the head for the rear legs which is depicted in figures 16 and 1 7.
Indeed the same reference numerals are used.
Such an indexing system is ideal for the fore legs as it is accurate to within 3 mm longitudinally. With the rear legs the accuracy is much less (i.e. within 10 mm) thus meaning some additional cutting alignment is desirable.
In figure 4A it can be seen that the structure is pivoted so as to be suspended substantially vertically. The apparatus is then caused to rotate about the pivot axis A as depicted in figure 4B. The slide 2 under the urging of some hydraulic pneumatic or other means moves to the right in the arrowed direction dragging with it the lower leg region until such time as the fold 5 of the hind leg, i.e. that portion in front of the hock, contacts the probe 4, thereby completing the indexing of the joint. At this stage, the apparatus is moved to a cutting position where as depicted in figures 4D and 4DD the cut down to the bone is made with for example a circular blade mounted for example on the distal end of a swinging arm.In such an arrangement it is easy for an arrangement as depicted in figures 11, 12 and 13 to be provided where a carousel mounting having six stations each with rear heads as depicted in figures 1 6 and 1 7 are provided which will sequentially present the rear legs to a preliminary rotary cutting blade 6 and then to the final severing rotary blade 7.
Preferably such blades are not saw toothed and preferably the same are rotatable but are not driven. A person skilled in the art will appreciate the need to support the carcass in order to maintain hygiene throughout the operation and the desire to provide shielding about the carcass so that trotters when removed fall clear of the carcass.
It can be seen also from figure 4 how the prelir;,inary cut as depicted in figure 4D is substantially below the true bend of the joint but at a position which more or less coincides with the location of the line depicted in figure 3. Once the preliminary cut has been made the apparatus operates to achieve a breaking open of the joint, i.e. a distortion or bending thereof which will allow the easy passage of a blade through the remaining tendons, cartilage etc. holding the lower leg region to the remainder of the leg. Such a breaking open is depicted diagrammatically in figure 4A.
Thereafter, a similarly directioned cut to that depicted in figure 4D achieves final severance.
This is depicted by the dotted line in figure 4F.
The arrangement for the fore legs is substantially the same. However, the preliminary cut is more on the joint and preferably the animal is supported so that the animal's weight achieves the breaking open depicted in figure 5F, thus distorting the joint sufficiently to allow a cut of about 450 as depicted in figure 5G to achieve the necessary final severance.
Figure 5 shows a similar indexing arrangement taking advantage of the alignment of the lower leg region and the fold of the joint. Also shown in figure 5 are the various means which would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. For example figure 5C shows means for engaging from a conveyor onto the carousel the hooves of the carcass, figure 5C showing with the arrow how such apparatus can be released from the hooves when desired.
Figures 6 to 10 show an alternative form of performing the present invention to that depicted in figure 5 with again the principle of the method remaining the same.
As previously stated with reference to the description of the drawings the head arrangement for engaging the fore legs is substantially as shown in figures 1 8 and 1 9. A person skilled in the art will appreciate how the apparatus works and operates. The arrangement shown in figures 14 and 1 5 shows the carousel type arrangement envisaged for use with the method of the present invention wherein the fore legs are to be separated.As can be seen ideally two separate carousel arrangements would be provided such that a carcass would be moved by conveyor to a first carousel and have for example the rear legs trimmed therefrom, then having the sarcass carried by its fore legs to the fore leg carousel assembly where the carcass with the rear legs appropriately gambled the lower regions of the fore legs can be severed.
The foregoing description has primarily been directed to a system where the animal's leg whether it be a sheep or other hoofed animal has first been bent and then the weight is taken up. A more preferred system is one where the animals weight is taken up first (preferably above the knee or hock) and the leg is subsequently bent and whereupon severance there takes place with the progressive cuts i.e. first the transverse "opening" cut and then the follow-up severance cut (hereinafter referred to as the slicing).In both forms, however, in order to obtain the advantages
of the present invention using mechanical means,
if the carcass is to be supported after severance in
part by the legs being severed, it is necessary to
(a) bend the leg at the knee or the hock depending on the leg being severed and thereafter (b) taking the weight of the carcass by gripping the leg just
up from the knee of hock since after severance the
lower portion of the leg can not carry the carcass.
In the preferred form of the present invention
means is employed so that before severance and
bending the weight is taken and upon severance the weight of the carcass is still supported even though there might be some small degree of
movement owing to the taking of the weight by
whatever means is engaged with or grips the leg just up from the knee or hock.
Turning therefore to figures 21 a through 21 it can be seen that a partially worked-up carcass is
shown supported by the front legs by an appropriate means. Figures 22a and 22b shows in more detail the nature of this support. Figure 22a is a view of the apparatus depicted in figure 22b in direction X-X. As depicted in figure 21 a it can be seen that the double block of figures 22a and 22b takes the weight of the manually workedup carcass (this is not essential, but is preferred) while at the same time (not shown) means supports the rear legs in some appropriate way.
The structure 8 is supported by means 9 movable along the guide 10 under, for example, the action of a chain. It is envisaged that the requisite bending of the hock would take place using a stationary camming means 11 which in the manner depicted in figures 21 band 21 c upon the movement of the carcass in the arrowed direction will cause the requisite bending to place the joint in tension whereupon a stationary (or alternately moving) cutter 12 makes the opening transverse cut whereupon the carcass moves sufficiently downwards since the weight taken by the action of the camming member 11 in conjunction with the member 8 no longer takes the weight and the carcass must again slip down to a condition substantially as it was supported by the double V block 8 in figure 21 a.It is at this stage (preferably a different) stationary cutter 1 3 makes the slicing cut to leave the carcass in the condition as depicted in figure 21f.
To review therefore we list as follows:- Figure 21 a. Carcass fore quarter weight causes the double V block grips to hold the carcass wrists tighter.
Figure 21 b. Carcass is suspended from double
V wrist grips and carcass moves past the stationary bar and that passes over the trotters.
Figure 21 c. As the carcass moves along its set direction the stationary bar pushes the trotters down.
Figure 21 d. With trotters securely pushed down by bar the weight of the carcass is suspended from the wrists and cutter is positioned to cut joint of wrist.
Figure 21 e. Carcass trotters move under roller cutter that cuts along joint of wrist.
Figure 21 f. Trotters removed (preferably shielded from body by a shield) and carcass is suspended by its wrists.
If both cutters 12 and 1 3 are stationary cutters having a rotary blade it is envisaged that the apparatus of the present invention would be almost as simple as it could possibly be, it then being possible to simply sever the rear legs by either a method in accordance with the present invention or a simple "chomping" means or a sawing means. Such a brutal severance technique in relation to the rear legs is satisfactory if after pelt removal a higher severance of the joint can be made more carefully to thereby cut from the carcass portions of the leg containing bone fragments.
While in the preferred form of the present invention the method of the present invention has been described in relation to the front legs, it should be remembered that this is a preferred sequence only and it may equally be performed first on the rear legs and then on the front. It is also not necessary as has previously been indicated that both the front and rear legs be handled in the manner described although preferably they are.
In relation to figure 21 the method shows the preferred suspension technique for the two fore legs which has them suspended close together in a double grip. This is a preferred method only as it would be feasible to use separate grips either close together or as far apart as desired.
As far as the stationary cutters depicted in figures 21 are concerned preferably they make cuts at the angles previously set forth in connection with the first approach of the present invention.
It is to be noted that in all approaches of the present invention it is desirable that some tension (weight) be applied to the joint itself in order to cause the joint to open during the opening cut i.e.
the first transverse cut. If this does not occur the requisite opening of the cut does not occur. It is not critical whether the opening of the first cut is achieved by additional bending or simple movement under the weight of the carcass. It is for this reason reference has been made generally to "means for allowing or causing relative movement which will bend and/or distort joint more than previously (if any) so as to open the cut". In respect of the method described in connection with figure 21 the distortion is achieved by taking some of the weight of the carcass back on to the lower limb as it is bent prior to the opening cut. Reference to figure 22 will show that this is achieved by means of a flat plate attached to the grip. Such a support plate 1 4 is depicted in figure 22a and 22b.The location, size and shape of the support plate is such that the top locates in the fold of the joint when bent. In this regard reference should be made to figures 6 and 7 from which the principle can be determined whereby the indexing is obtained. Alternative a rubbing bar can be provided which will locate in the same position and fulfil the same function. In either case the bending action tends to lift the leg(s) from the gripping mechanism. During the cut the weight of the carcass pulls the legs back into the gripping mechanism and at the same time distorts the joint(s).
It should also be appreciated that the 'V' block whether double or single could be of a skeletal construction (e.g. bent bars) and hence as used herein throughout including the appended claims the terms is to be construed to encompass such mechanical equivalents.
On the basis of the foregoing therefore it can be seen that the present invention achieves the severance of the lower leg regions in a way that enables the application of automation owing to the accurate indexing of the joint to be cut and the sequential severance with the joint disruption or breaking open between the first initial cut and the subsequent final severing cut. The various types of apparatus as depicted in the present invention will
also have widespread application in the
application of the present invention and
accordingly the present invention should not be
construed narrowly but also should cover individually as well as collectively various types of apparatus specifically shown the appended drawings and/or described generally herein.
Claims (13)
1. A method of removing by severance at a joint the lower leg region at least from one leg of the carcass of a hoofed animal comprising the steps of
supporting the carcass and/or at least the leg to be removed so that the said joint of the leg to have the lower region thereof removed can operate or be distorted if some relative movement is permitted between the lower leg region and the upper leg region,
making a first transverse cut at or adjacent, the joint on that side opposite the fold of the joint (i.e.
making the cut on that side which will be under tension when the joint is bent),
allowing sufficient relative movement between the lower leg region and the upper leg region of the leg or legs having said first transverse cut as will both open the cut and bend and/or distort the joint more than previously, and
thereafter making a second transverse cut from substantially the same side as the first transverse cut to sever said lower leg region from the carcass, said second cut commencing in the opened cut resulting from the first cut and said relative movement and at some region of the joint so as to minimise, if not avoid completely, bone cutting in achieving severance.
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the carcass is supported by least its two fore legs and it is the knee at which the leg is to be severed.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 2 wherein said carcass is supported in a hanging condition at least in part by gripping part of the upper leg of each fore leg, and thereafter some weight of the carcass is taken up by bending the fore legs about the knee over indexing means which index into the fold of each knee joint whereupon the first transverse cut is made to each knee which allows some movement under gravity of the carcass to distort the joint before the severance cut of each respective leg then proceeds.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the legs are supported by grips at least partial taking of the weight and indexing of the fold of the legs to be severed is effected by camming means as the carcass moves in a direction, one leg alongside of and trailing the other.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 4 wherein both the first cut and the severance cut is performed using rotary cutters past which the carcass moves.
6. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when performed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one sum or all of the accompanying drawings.
7. Apparatus for removing by severance the lower leg region from a leg of the carcass of a hoofed animal in accordance with the method of
Claim 1 comprising
means supporting in use the leg of an animal in a predetermined condition with reference to the fold of the knee (in the case of a fore leg) or the fold of the hock (in the case of a rear leg),
means which in use provides a joint opening cut on that side of the joint opposite its fold while said leg is supported at least in part by said means for supporting the same,
means for allowing or causing relative movement which will bend and/or distort the joint more than previously (if any) so as to open the cut and
means to make a leg severing cut through the opened cut substantially from the same side as for the opening cut.
8. Apparatus for removing by severance the lower leg region from the leg of a carcass of a hoofed animal comprising
means to support a leg suspended hoofed animal by at least its fore iegs,
means to locate the fold of the knees and to take some of the weight of the carcass in conjunction with the located support of the knee fold,
means to provide an opening cut for the joint from that side of the leg opposite said fold,
means to provide a severance cut substantially between bones of the joint through the opehed cut from substantially the same side as the opening cut was made, the severance cut being delayed until there has been some distortion of the joint to open the joint following the opening cut and
means to take the weight of at least part of the carcass as it is no longer supported by said means to support a leg suspended hoofed animal by at least its fore legs.
9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said means to support a leg suspended hoofed animal by at least its fore legs comprises a double
V block or the equivalent block carried by a conveyor, a wrist of each fore leg being wedged into each V, and said means to locate the fold comprises means to cam the lower leg regions down over the fold indexing means whether carried by the V block or not and thus to at least partially take the weight of the carcass from the V engagement with each wrist, to thereby facilitate the distortion of the joint after an opening cut owing to carcass movement down in each V.
10. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the means to provide each of said first and second cuts is a separate cutter held substantially stationary and past which the carcass will progress.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 7 to 10 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one sum or all of the accompanying drawings.
1 2. A method of leg severance when performed substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
13. Apparatus for performing a method as claimed in Claim 12 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| NZ20014382 | 1982-03-26 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8307967D0 GB8307967D0 (en) | 1983-04-27 |
| GB2117224A true GB2117224A (en) | 1983-10-12 |
Family
ID=19919918
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08307967A Withdrawn GB2117224A (en) | 1982-03-26 | 1983-03-23 | Method of, and apparatus for, leg severing |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU1257183A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2117224A (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2228858A (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1990-09-12 | Skanska Slakterimaskiner Ab | Front leg cutter in a slaughterhouse processing line |
| EP0506619A1 (en) * | 1991-03-29 | 1992-09-30 | Europork S.P.A. | A device for identifying and evidencing distinct anatomical regions in animals, in particular specific points in the limb joints |
| ES2051209A2 (en) * | 1992-02-18 | 1994-06-01 | Martinez Manuel Foglietti | Machine for the uniform cutting of limbs of slaughtered animals |
| US5421773A (en) * | 1994-06-01 | 1995-06-06 | Jarvis Products Corporation | Automatic hock shear with carcass leg positioner |
| US5433659A (en) * | 1994-04-07 | 1995-07-18 | Jarvis Products Corporation | Automated leg shear with sterilization station |
| BE1007533A4 (en) * | 1993-09-23 | 1995-07-25 | Raaijmakers Waltherus | Trimming machine |
| CN102652515A (en) * | 2011-02-28 | 2012-09-05 | 梅恩食品加工技术有限公司 | Method and apparatus for processing a wing of a poultry carcass while the wing is attached to said poultry carcass |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3038197A (en) * | 1959-03-19 | 1962-06-12 | King Mfg Corp | Disjointing machine for carcass limbs |
| GB1181462A (en) * | 1968-01-02 | 1970-02-18 | Gainesville Machine Company In | Device for Separation of Jointed Animal Members |
| GB1188379A (en) * | 1966-10-17 | 1970-04-15 | Internat Agri Systems Inc | Apparatus for Severing the Hocks from Poultry Carcasses |
| GB1377419A (en) * | 1971-07-23 | 1974-12-18 | Schlumberger Cie N | Machine for separating a shoulder from a forequarter of meat |
| US3882570A (en) * | 1970-02-26 | 1975-05-13 | Prince Corp | Method and apparatus for removing an animal foot in the vicinity of the tarsus joint |
-
1983
- 1983-03-18 AU AU12571/83A patent/AU1257183A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1983-03-23 GB GB08307967A patent/GB2117224A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3038197A (en) * | 1959-03-19 | 1962-06-12 | King Mfg Corp | Disjointing machine for carcass limbs |
| GB1188379A (en) * | 1966-10-17 | 1970-04-15 | Internat Agri Systems Inc | Apparatus for Severing the Hocks from Poultry Carcasses |
| GB1181462A (en) * | 1968-01-02 | 1970-02-18 | Gainesville Machine Company In | Device for Separation of Jointed Animal Members |
| US3882570A (en) * | 1970-02-26 | 1975-05-13 | Prince Corp | Method and apparatus for removing an animal foot in the vicinity of the tarsus joint |
| GB1377419A (en) * | 1971-07-23 | 1974-12-18 | Schlumberger Cie N | Machine for separating a shoulder from a forequarter of meat |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2228858A (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1990-09-12 | Skanska Slakterimaskiner Ab | Front leg cutter in a slaughterhouse processing line |
| GB2228858B (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1992-08-05 | Skanska Slakterimaskiner Ab | Slaughterhouse processing line with front leg cutter |
| EP0506619A1 (en) * | 1991-03-29 | 1992-09-30 | Europork S.P.A. | A device for identifying and evidencing distinct anatomical regions in animals, in particular specific points in the limb joints |
| ES2051209A2 (en) * | 1992-02-18 | 1994-06-01 | Martinez Manuel Foglietti | Machine for the uniform cutting of limbs of slaughtered animals |
| BE1007533A4 (en) * | 1993-09-23 | 1995-07-25 | Raaijmakers Waltherus | Trimming machine |
| US5433659A (en) * | 1994-04-07 | 1995-07-18 | Jarvis Products Corporation | Automated leg shear with sterilization station |
| US5514031A (en) * | 1994-04-07 | 1996-05-07 | Jarvis Products Corporation | Automated leg shear with bi-directional cutting arm |
| US5421773A (en) * | 1994-06-01 | 1995-06-06 | Jarvis Products Corporation | Automatic hock shear with carcass leg positioner |
| CN102652515A (en) * | 2011-02-28 | 2012-09-05 | 梅恩食品加工技术有限公司 | Method and apparatus for processing a wing of a poultry carcass while the wing is attached to said poultry carcass |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU1257183A (en) | 1983-09-29 |
| GB8307967D0 (en) | 1983-04-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |