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BR-112021015435-B1 - SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BONING A PART OF A POULTRY LEG

BR112021015435B1BR 112021015435 B1BR112021015435 B1BR 112021015435B1BR-112021015435-B1

Abstract

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEBONING A POULTRY LEG PART. A system and method for deboning a part of a poultry leg, including at least one bone and meat surrounding the bone. The system includes a transport unit arranged to transport the poultry leg part along a transport path. The system also includes a deboning unit. The deboning unit includes a gripper arranged to grasp the meat surrounding the bone, the gripper being associated with a first conveyor; a gripper actuator arranged to open and close the gripper, the gripper actuator being associated with a second conveyor; and a gripper tensioner arranged to provide a tilting force to close the gripper, the gripper tensioner being associated with a third conveyor. The first, second, and third conveyors are arranged for displacement relative to a base member, and the base member is arranged to be transported in the horizontal direction along the transport path.

Inventors

  • Dirk Cornelis Stooker
  • JUUL FLORIS VAN DEN BERG
  • DAVID SCOTT HAZENBROEK

Assignees

  • FOODMATE B.V

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20200210
Priority Date
20190208

Claims (20)

  1. 1. System (1) for deboning a part of a bird's leg, including at least one bone and meat around the bone, the system (1) comprising: - a transport unit (2) arranged to suspend the part of the bird's leg therefrom, and to transport the part of the bird's leg along a transport path; - a deboning unit (10) including: - a gripper (12) arranged to grip the meat surrounding the bone, the gripper (12) being associated with a first conveyor (24); - a gripper actuator (26) arranged to open and close the gripper (12), the gripper actuator (26) being associated with a second conveyor (28); and a clamp tensioner (34) arranged to provide a tilting force to close the clamp (12), the clamp tensioner (34) being associated with a third carrier (36); characterized in that the first (24), the second (28) and the third (36) carriers are arranged to move relative to a base member (44), and the base member (44) is arranged to be carried in the horizontal direction along the transport path, wherein the third carrier (36) is movable relative to the first carrier (24) to determine the tilting force.
  2. 2. System (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first (24), the second (28) and the third carriers (36) are arranged for vertical displacement relative to the base member (40).
  3. 3. System (1), according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the base member (40) includes a linear guide (42) to guide the first (24), second (28) and third (36) conveyors in the vertical direction (B).
  4. 4. System (1), according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that: - the deboning unit (10) includes a first guide (8) and the first conveyor (24) includes a first follower (50) to follow the first guide (48); - the deboning unit (10) includes a second guide (52) and the second conveyor (28) includes a second follower (54) to follow the second guide (52); and - the deboning unit (10) includes a third guide (56) and the third conveyor (36) includes a third follower (58) to follow the third guide (56).
  5. 5. System (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first (48), second (52) and third (56) guides are stationary.
  6. 6. System (1), according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the first guide (48) is a first guide channel and/or the second guide (52) is a second guide channel and/or the third guide (56) is a third guide channel.
  7. 7. System (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the gripper (12) includes a first jaw (14) and a second jaw (16), rotating relative to each other and mounted on the first carrier (24).
  8. 8. System (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the gripper actuator (26) includes a first arm (30) connecting the first rotating jaw (14) to the second conveyor (28), such that a relative displacement of the second conveyor (28) with respect to the first conveyor (24) rotates the first jaw (14).
  9. 9. System (1), according to claim 8, characterized in that the gripper actuator (26) includes a second arm (32) connecting the second rotating jaw (16) to the second conveyor (28), such that a relative displacement of the second conveyor (28) with respect to the first conveyor (24) rotates the second jaw (16).
  10. 10. System (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a resilient member (38), such as a spring, is interposed between the second carrier (28) and the third carrier (36).
  11. 11. System (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, in a first mode, the clamp (12) is in an open state and, in a second mode, the clamp (12) is tilted to a closed position.
  12. 12. System (1), according to claim 11, characterized in that, in the second mode, a tilting force of the resilient member (38) is, on the one hand, supported by the third guide (56) and, on the other hand, supported by the clamp (12), or the leg held by the clamp (12).
  13. 13. System (1), according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that, in a third mode, the clamp (12) is forced into a closed position.
  14. 14. System (1), according to claim 13, characterized in that, in the third mode, the tilting force of the resilient member (38) is not applied to the gripper (12).
  15. 15. System (1), according to any one of claims 6 or 7 to 14, when dependent on claim 6, characterized in that the second guide channel includes at least one section in which the second follower (54) is guided with clearance, allowing the second carrier (28) to move vertically relative to the first (24) and third (36) carriers to transfer the tilting force of the third carrier (36) to the gripper (12).
  16. 16. System (100) for processing poultry legs including: - a transport system (101) arranged for suspending the poultry leg part thereof; - a pre-cutting system (106) arranged for cutting meat and including a height adjustment unit (108) for adjusting the height of the poultry leg relative to a pre-cutting system (106) of the cutting device; characterized in that it further comprises - a measuring system (104) arranged for measuring the length of each poultry leg suspended in the transport system (101); and - a deboning system (1) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 15.
  17. 17. Method for deboning a part of a bird's leg, including at least one bone and meat around the bone, the method characterized in that it includes: - transporting the suspended part of the bird's leg along a transport path; - grasping the meat surrounding the bone with a clamp (12) associated with a first conveyor (24); - actuating the closing of the clamp (12) around the part of the leg by moving a clamp actuator (26) associated with a second conveyor (28) relative to the first conveyor (24); and - determining a tilting force to close the clamp (12) by a clamp tensioner (34) associated with a third conveyor (36), moving the third conveyor (36) relative to the first conveyor (24).
  18. 18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the first (24), second (28) and third (36) carriers are arranged for vertical displacement relative to a base member (40) and the base member (44) is arranged to be transported in the horizontal direction along the transport path.
  19. 19. Method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it includes: - moving the first conveyor (24) causing a first follower (50) of the first conveyor (24) to follow a first guide (52); - moving the second conveyor (28) causing a second follower (54) of the second conveyor (28) to follow a second guide (52); and - moving the third conveyor (36) causing a third follower (58) of the third conveyor (36) to follow a third guide (56).
  20. 20. Method according to claim 19, characterized in that the first (48), second (52) and third (56) guides are stationary.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a method and a system for deboning a leg or part of a leg of a bird. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and a system for deboning a bird thigh. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Automatic harvesting of meat from the legs or parts of the legs of poultry is known. Generally, the meat is removed from the bone by mechanical means, such as clamps or diaphragms. These clamps or diaphragms can be moved linearly for the removal process. [0003] However, the precision of the movement of the pincers or diaphragms and the accuracy of a force applied to the bone can be difficult to achieve. If a pincer grips the meat too firmly, there is a risk of breaking the bone. If a pincer grips the meat too weakly, there is a risk of incomplete meat harvesting. [0004] Consequently, there is still a need to improve known leg deboning methods to allow automated processing steps to be carried out more reliably and with higher yields of meat products harvested from slaughtered poultry. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Consequently, it is an object of the present invention to propose an improved system and method for harvesting meat from poultry legs or leg parts. In a more general sense, it is an object of the invention to overcome or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. [0006] According to one aspect, a system is provided for deboning a part of a bird's leg, including at least one bone and meat around the bone. The leg part may include a thigh and a drumstick. It is also possible for the leg part to be a thigh or a drumstick. [0007] The system includes a transport unit designed to suspend the bird's leg part and to transport the bird's leg part along the transport path. The transport unit may be a suspended transport unit. The transport unit may be a transport chain. The transport unit may include one or more shackles for suspending the bird's leg parts. The bird's leg may, for example, be suspended from the shackle by the ankle joint. [0008] The system also includes a deboning unit. The deboning unit includes a gripper arranged to grasp the meat surrounding the bone, the gripper being associated with a first conveyor. The deboning unit includes a gripper actuator arranged to open and close the gripper, the gripper actuator being associated with a second conveyor. The deboning unit includes a gripper tensioner arranged to provide a tilting force to close the gripper, the gripper tensioner being associated with a third conveyor. The first, second, and third conveyors are arranged for vertical displacement relative to a base member. The base member is arranged to be transported in the horizontal direction along the transport path. The gripper can be opened to grasp the part of the leg around the bone, for example at or near the knee joint. The gripper can be closed to tear the meat from the bone. The gripper actuator acts on opening and closing the gripper. The gripper tensioner can selectively provide a tilting force to close the gripper. Therefore, a highly flexible system is provided with which the gripper can be selectively closed with or without a tilting force. Furthermore, the magnitude of the tilting force closing the gripper can be adjusted by the movement of the third conveyor relative to the first conveyor. [0009] Optionally, the base member includes a linear guide to guide the first, second, and third conveyors in the vertical direction. The linear guide may, for example, include two guide bars. Therefore, the first, second, and third conveyors can be easily moved independently vertically while being transported synchronously in the horizontal direction along the conveying path. The base member may be part of an endless belt, preferably moving in synchronization with the conveying unit. [00010] Optionally, the deboning unit includes a first guide and the first conveyor includes a first follower to follow the first guide. Optionally, the deboning unit includes a second guide and the second conveyor includes a second follower to follow the second guide. Optionally, the deboning unit includes a third guide and the third conveyor includes a third follower to follow the third guide. By providing an individual guide for each of the conveyors, the mutual movement of the conveyors can be achieved easily and efficiently. Optionally, the first, second, and third guides are stationary. Therefore, the guides can be easily provided. [00011] Optionally, the first guide is a first guide channel and/or the second guide is a second guide channel and/or the third guide is a third guide plate including at least a portion of the first, second and/or third guide channel. Preferably, at least a portion of the first, second and third guide channels are provided as cutouts in the guide plate. Preferably, a plurality of guide plates is provided, together forming the first, second and third guide channels. Therefore, in a simple way the first, seco