Apparatus for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first suspension conveyor towards a second suspension conveyor

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first suspension conveyor towards a second suspension conveyor, and includes a supply station and a discharge station and with a receiving station which is drivable in synchronisation with the supply station as well as a delivery station which is drivable in synchronisation with the discharge station. Further, a transfer track with transfer means movable there along is provided with carriers for the poultry. The transfer track comprises a roundgoing support which is provided with an endless plastic guide means guiding the transfer means. The guide means includes guide profiles positioned at its outer side and inner side, respectively, wherein the guide profiles each comprise two guide faces which therebetween enclose an angle between 120° and 140° and wherein each transfer means is provided with at least two guide wheels engaging the respective ones of the guide profiles of the guide means and having a circumferential shape which corresponds with the shape of the guide faces.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first suspension conveyor towards a second suspension conveyor, comprising a supply station contiguous with the first suspension conveyor and a discharge station contiguous with the second suspension conveyor and comprising a transfer unit positioned between said two suspension conveyors. The transfer unit is provided with a receiving station which is drivable in synchronisation with the supply station and with a delivery station which is drivable in synchronisation with the discharge station and further with a transfer track connecting the receiving station with the delivery station and vice versa. The track comprises transfer means movable there along with carriers for the poultry, wherein the transfer track comprises a roundgoing support onto which the transfer means are mounted such that in a not obstructed situation, the transfer means do not carry out a relative movement with respect to said support but can move relative to said support when in an obstructed situation.

Such an apparatus is described in Dutch patent application 1.000.029 in the name of applicant. (U.S. application Ser. No. 08/623,467). Basically such a known apparatus operates in the following way. At the receiving station, as well as at the delivery station, the transfer means, which comprise carriers for the poultry, move in synchronisation with the passing suspension hooks of the first suspension conveyor and the second suspension conveyor, respectively. Thus, it is possible that the poultry suspended by its legs from the first suspension conveyor, at the supply station and in the receiving station is transferred towards the transfer means in such a way that the poultry with its legs will be suspended in the carriers thereof. At the delivery station the opposite occurs, such that at that location the poultry is transferred towards the suspension hooks of the second suspension conveyor which at that moment are present in the discharge station. Finally the poultry is discharged by means of the second suspension conveyor.

Such an apparatus, also indicated as buffer transfer device, is mainly meant for connecting two suspension conveyors of which the conveying velocities do not always fully correspond. If, for example, the velocity of the first suspension conveyor is temporarily higher than the velocity of the second suspension conveyor a small amount (buffer amount) of transfer means will be created on the transfer unit between the receiving station and the delivery station. When the velocity of the second suspension conveyor increases relative to the velocity of the first suspension conveyor (or even exceeds it) this amount is used to compensate this difference in velocity.

It will be clear that for a proper operation of such an apparatus a sufficiently large number of transfer means should be present between the receiving station and delivery station or between the delivery station and the receiving station, respectively.

In the so-called not obstructed situation, the transfer means move along with the roundgoing support such that between these no relative movement occurs. This means that the transfer means (and more important, the poultry supported thereby) are fully stationary relative to the roundgoing support, such that no undesired vibrations are introduced into the transfer means (or poultry, respectively). As a result, it specifically becomes possible to conduct measurements of the poultry which are not disturbed by undesired influences. Among others one can imagine the measurement of the weight of the poultry.

The apparatus described in Dutch patent application 1.000.029 uses an aluminum guide ring with folded-in steel rings mounted to the support. It is engaged by steel guide wheels mounted on the transfer means. It is a disadvantage of this construction that, due to the relative motion between the steel rings and the steel guide wheels, iron atoms are forced outwardly and cause oxidation. This oxidation is in a characterising manner visible as red corrosion. This phenomenon is known as tribocorosion. Due to the created corrosion, disturbances occur in respect of the motion of the transfer means relative to the support, as a result of which the operation of the apparatus may be influenced in a negative way.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a solution for this problem. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

Thus, the apparatus according to the invention is characterised in that the support comprises an endless plastic guide means guiding said transfer means, said guide means comprising guide profiles positioned at its outer side and inner side, respectively, wherein said guide profiles each comprise two guide faces which therebetween enclose an angle between 120° and 140° and wherein each transfer means is provided with at least two guide wheels engaging the respective ones of the guide profiles of the guide means and having a circumferential shape which corresponds with the shape of the guide faces.

According to the invention, a combination of a number of measures is proposed which have as a result that a proper motion of the transfer means relative to the support is guaranteed under all circumstances. At one hand a plastic guide means is provided, thus avoiding a steel to steel contact. For taking care that replacement of a steel ring (as applied in the apparatus described before, which serves as a starting point) by a plastic guide means does not have any influence on the accuracy with which the transfer means is guided and positioned relative to the support, the guide means in correspondence with a further measure is provided at its inner side and at its outer side each with a specially shaped guide profile having two guide faces enclosing therebetween an angle between 120° and 140°. Finally the guide means are provided with guide wheels conformed to the shape of the guide faces.

As a result of the mentioned combination of measures on one hand the occurrence of tribocorosion is avoided in a reliable manner, whereas on the other hand a precise guiding of the transfer means relative to the support is guaranteed.

In correspondence with a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the angle enclosed between the guide faces is 130°. It appeared from practical tests that such an angle generally leads to the most optimal results.

Further, it is preferred that each transfer means is provided with four guide wheels which in pairs engage both guide profiles of the guide means. As a result of the application of four guide wheels, the transfer means offer an extremely stable position in respect of the guide means.

Further, it may be advantageous in certain circumstances that at least one pair of guide wheels is settable in common on the transfer means. With this arrangement, assembling and disassembling of the transfer means is extremely simple. Further, this enables a simple setting.

Finally, a special embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is mentioned in which each transfer means carries a guide skid which upon a certain load on the transfer means can engage the surface of the support. Under normal circumstances the guide skid is positioned at some distance above the surface of the support. Only when the load on the transfer means becomes too large and a damaging thereof or of the guide profile or guide wheels, respectively, threatens, the guide skid engages the surface of the support and thus creates a limit to the deformation of said parts. In this aspect, the guide skid is shaped such that a relative notion between it and the surface of the support may occur with little friction, such that the operation of the apparatus in its entirety is not or hardly influenced.

Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated by means of the drawing in which an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows, schematically, a top plan view of part of a transfer means provided in an apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side-elevational view,

FIG. 3 shows on a larger scale the detail indicated with III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 corresponds to FIG. 1 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/623,467.

FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG. 2 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/623,467.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 3 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/623,467.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which is illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not meant as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. It is intended that the present application cover such modifications and variations of the invention.

The transfer means which has been illustrated partially in the figures forms part of an apparatus which is described in Dutch patent application 1.000.029 in the name of applicant. For a detailed description of such an apparatus, reference is made to said application incorporated herein.

The transfer means 1, which has only been illustrated partially in the figures, substantially has the same function as the transfer means indicated by reference number 23 in said above referenced Dutch patent application. Now, of such a transfer means only that part is illustrated which co-operates with a support 2 (illustrated in dotted lines in FIG. 2) which for example may comprise a rotating disc. Thus, the transfer means 1 again may be provided with a construction which enables weighing a bird conveyed by the transfer means. For a detailed description of such a construction again reference is made to the above mentioned Dutch patent application.

In correspondence with the present invention, the support 2 comprises an endless plastic guide means 3. When the support 2 is shaped as a rotating disc, the guide means 3 has the shape of an endless ring.

At its inner side and at its outer side the guide means 3 is provided with guide profiles each comprising two guide faces 4 and 5 which therebetween enclose an angle between 120° and 140°.

The transfer means 1 is provided with four guide wheels 6-9. These guide wheels are arranged into pairs 6, 8 and 7,9. The guide wheels 6 and 8 are attached to a slidable part 10 which is settable relative to the transfer means 1 by any manner of setting means not shown further and which can be fixed, for example by means of a screw 11.

Each guide wheel 6-9 has a circumferential shape which corresponds with the shape of the guide profiles of the guide means 3 which are defined by the guide faces 4 and 5. Thus, each guide means 6-9, as illustrated in FIG. 3, comprises two guide faces 12 and 13 which therebetween enclose an angle which is complementary to angle a between the guide faces 4 and 5. As a result, a proper co-operation between the guide wheels and the guide means 3 occurs.

In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, said angle α is 130°. Whereas the guide means 3 is made of plastic material, the guide wheels are made of steel or a steel alloy. Thus, the occurrence of tribocorosion is avoided.

Further, it appears from the figures that the transfer means 1 carries a guide skid 14 which, in the illustrated position with its lower side, is free from the surface of the support 2. When the load on the transfer means 1 becomes too high, the lower side of the guide skid 14 will engage the surface of the support 2 such that an excessive deformation or load, respectively, of the transfer means 1 (or the guide means 3 or guide wheels 6-9, respectively) may be avoided.

The connection between the guide skid 14 and the transfer means 1 may be settable, for example through the provision of screws 15 indicated schematically.

Mounting means (connections, openings etc. provided on the transfer means 1 for parts which also belong to the transfer means in correspondence with Dutch patent application 1.000.029) are not necessary for an understanding of the invention and have not been illustrated.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above which can be varied widely within the scope of the claims. In a way equivalent with the illustrated embodiment, the guide means 3 may be made of steel and the wheels 6-9 may be made of plastic material. This does not change the principle.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is intended that the appended claims and their equivalents cover such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transferring poultry from a first conveyor device to a second conveyor device, comprising:

a first conveyor device with a supply station for supplying slaughtered poultry, and a second conveyor device for receiving slaughtered poultry from said first conveyor device;

a transfer unit operably disposed between said first and second conveyor devices and comprising a receiving station and a delivery station, said transfer unit further comprising transfer devices including poultry carrier devices mounted on a substantially circular movable support configured for receiving poultry at said receiving station, transporting said received poultry to said delivery station, and transferring said poultry to said second conveyor device at said delivery station;

a non-obstructed portion defined along said support wherein said support is drivingly engaged with said transfer devices so that there is substantially no relative movement between said transfer devices and said support, and an obstructed portion defined along said support wherein there is relative movement between said transfer devices and said support;

an endless guide member disposed on said support comprising angled guiding profiles on at least one side thereof;

at least two guide wheels disposed on said transfer devices so as to contact said guide member on at least one of said opposite sides thereof, said guide wheels having angled circumferential profiles complimenting said angled guiding profiles of said guide member; and

wherein at least one of said guide member or said guide wheels is formed of a non-metal material so that there is substantially no metal-to-metal contact between said guide member and said guide wheels in said obstructed portion of said support.

2. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said guide member comprises an endless plastic member mounted on said support.

3. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said angled guide profiles comprises angled guide faces defining an angle of generally between 120 degrees and 140 degrees therebetween.

4. The apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said guide wheels are formed of one of a steel or steel alloy material.

5. The apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said guide member comprises said angled guide profiles on opposite sides thereof and said transfer devices comprise at least two pairs of oppositely facing said guide wheels disposed thereon to contact said guide member on said opposite sides thereof.

6. The apparatus as in claim 5, wherein at least one of said pairs of guide wheels is adjustably mounted relative to said transfer device.

7. The apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a guide skid operably disposed between said transfer device and said support in a non-contacting manner relative to said support in an unloaded condition of said transfer device, said guide skid contacting said support in an overload condition of said transfer device so as to limit deformation of said transfer device.

8. An apparatus for transferring poultry from a first conveyor device to a second conveyor device, comprising:

a first conveyor device with a supply station for supplying slaughtered poultry, and a second conveyor device for receiving slaughtered poultry from said first conveyor device;

a transfer unit operably disposed between said first and second conveyor devices and comprising a receiving station and a delivery station, said transfer unit further comprising transfer devices including poultry carrier devices mounted on a substantially circular movable support configured for receiving poultry at said receiving station, transporting said received poultry to said delivery station, and transferring said poultry to said second conveyor device at said delivery station;

a non-obstructed portion defined along said support wherein said support is drivingly engaged with said transfer devices so that there is substantially no relative movement between said transfer devices and said support, and an obstructed portion defined along said support wherein there is relative movement between said transfer devices and said support;

an endless guide member formed of a plastic material disposed on said support comprising at least two angled guiding profiles on opposite sides thereof; and

at least one pair of guide wheels disposed on said transfer devices so as to contact said guide member on said opposite sides thereof, said guide wheels having angled circumferential profiles complimenting said angled guiding profiles of said guide member;

wherein at least one of said guide member or said guide wheels is formed of a non-metal material so that there is substantially no metal-to-metal contact between said guide member and said guide wheels in said obstructed portion of said support; and

a guide skid operably disposed between said transfer device and said support in a non-contacting manner relative to said support in an unloaded condition of said transfer device, said guide skid contacting said support in an overload condition of said transfer device so as to limit deformation of said transfer device.