Patent ID: 6179701
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
Overhead conveyor system for slaughtered chickens or other poultry, comprising:a track (2) supported above the floor,a number of suspension hooks (4) which are movable along the track (2) and are positioned one after the other, each having two brackets (6) for receiving the legs of a chicken,a continuous chain (24) or cable to which each suspension hook (4) is connected,means for moving the chain (24) or cable with the suspension hooks (4) connected thereto,and means mounted beneath the track (2) to enable the suspension hooks (4) to be rotated through 90.degree.,characterised in that each suspension hook (4) is provided with:a bar (8) which connects the said brackets (6),a disc (10) connected to the top section of the bar (8),a rotation bush (12) of square cross-section which forms part of the bar (8) or is connected thereto and has a twisted shape in the longitudinal direction,a guide bush (14) which is arranged around the said bar (8) and allows both a limited longitudinal movement and a rotary movement of the bar (8),a hinge pin (16) which is joined to the guide bush (14) and which always extends in the direction of transport of the suspension hooks (4) and is mounted on trolleys (18) having wheels (22) engaging on the track in such a way that the guide bush (14), with bar (8) and brackets (6), is able to hinge in a plane perpendicular to the direction of transport of the suspension hooks (4),and in that the means enabling rotation of the suspension hooks through 90.degree. comprise, on the one hand, a ramp (30) which is able to engage on the underside of the said disc (10) of the suspension hooks (4) and, on the other hand, sloping contact tracks (32) which are able to engage on the rotation bush (12) of twisted shape.