Device and method for removing a poultry breast gristle

A device for removing a breast gristle from a poultry breast carcass includes a transport apparatus for moving the breast carcass along a straight motion path in a fixed orientation. A median plane of the breast carcass is oriented perpendicularly to the motion path. A stationary cutting apparatus has a transversal blade, for making a transversal cut passing through the breast gristle, the transversal cut extending in a transversal cut plane arranged perpendicularly to the median plane. The transversal cut plane and a transversal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and include an angle up to 30°. A frontal blade is provided for making a frontal cut passing through the breast gristle. The frontal cut plane and a frontal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and perpendicularly to the transversal plane include an angle up to 30°.

The invention relates to a device for removing breast cartilage from a poultry breast carcass.

The breast cartilage (Engl. “keel bone”), which in the case of poultry forms the extension of the breastbone, is needed by the pharmaceutical industry as raw material for the recovery of chondroitin sulfate and sodium hyaluronate and other medicinally valuable amino acids.

As a rule, the separating and collecting of the small pieces of cartilage weighing only a few grams is expensive manual work such that not all theoretically recoverable pieces of breast cartilage are actually recoverable and the demand outstrips the available amount by a multiple.

Poultry stripping is extensively automated in Europe and is effected for the most part by machines where in a first step for separating the breast fillet from the poultry body, the entire breast piece with bones (sternum, breast cartilage and costal arches) is separated off and the breast piece is clamped in a further automatic stripping machine. In said machine, the breast piece is pulled through the stripping device by a conveyor. In the case of the conveying speeds usually applied, for example approximately 15 km/h, it is impossible to recover the breast cartilage by hand.

The object of the invention is to propose a device by way of which the breast cartilage can be separated from a breast piece without slowing down the conveying speed of the breast piece or having to hold the breast piece again in another device.

This object is achieved as claimed in the invention by a device for removing breast cartilage from a poultry breast carcass, said device having a conveying device for moving the breast carcass along a straight, in particular horizontal path of motion in a fixed orientation, wherein a median plane of the breast carcass is aligned perpendicularly with respect to the path of motion, a positionally fixed cutting device having a transversal blade for carrying out a transversal cut, which passes through the breast cartilage and extends in a transversal cutting plane arranged perpendicularly to the median plane, wherein the transversal cutting plane encloses an angle of up to 30° with a transversal plane of the breast carcass which transversal plane is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane, and having a frontal blade for carrying out a frontal cut which passes through the breast cartilage and extends in a frontal cutting plane arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane, wherein the frontal cutting plane encloses an angle of up to 30° with a frontal plane of the breast carcass which frontal plane is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane (20) and perpendicularly with respect to the transversal plane.

As a result of the predetermined orientation of the positionally fixed cutting device in comparison with the moved breast carcass, the two blades, the transversal and the frontal blade, are able to cut the breast cartilage from the breastbone in a defined manner without any unwanted contact between the transversal and/or frontal blade and the conveying device or other parts such as meat or bones of the breast carcass.

According to the definition, the transversal and frontal planes extend perpendicularly with respect to the median plane of the breast carcass and perpendicularly with respect to each other, it not being necessary, however, for the transversal and frontal cutting planes to be necessarily perpendicular with respect to each other.

Preferably, the transversal blade and/or the frontal blade is (are) plane. In addition, it is preferred that the transversal blade and/or the frontal blade is (are) realized in a straight manner. The transversal blade extends preferably manner in the transversal cutting plane. Also the further transversal blade extends preferably in the transversal cutting plane. The frontal blade extends preferably in the frontal cutting plane.

In addition, it can be provided that the transversal blade and/or the frontal blade is (are) arranged at an acute angle with respect to the path of motion, in particular at an angle of up to 10°, 15° or 20° with respect thereto.

The transversal blade and the frontal blade can extend from a tip pointing in opposition to the direction of movement. In this case, it can be envisaged that a start region adjacent the tip (up to 10%, 20% or 30% of an overall length, starting with the tip, of the respective blade of the transversal blade and/or of the frontal blade is obtuse. An acute angle enclosed between the start regions of the transversal and frontal blades can be between 5° and 30°, preferably between 10° and 20°.

The invention provides preferably that the transversal blade has associated therewith a further transversal blade, which is opposite said transversal blade, for carrying out a further transversal cut, in particular in the transversal cutting plane. The further transversal blade can be realized as a rotating cutting blade or as a rigidly held cutting blade, for instance as a cutting blade arranged converging with the transversal blade at an acute angle in the direction of movement of the breast carcass.

In a further development of the invention it can be envisaged that a mechanical entrainment means and/or scraper for moving breast cartilage, separated completely or in part from the breast carcass, in the direction of movement of the breast carcass and/or for scraping the transversal blade is arranged over and/or under the transversal blade.

The entrainment means or scraper can be coupled to a drive element which is arranged above the transversal blade and is movable by the conveying device or by the breast carcass which is moved by said conveying device.

In a preferred embodiment it is envisaged that the drive element and the entrainment means each have radially extending arms and are rotatably mounted.

As an alternative or in addition to the entrainment means, a scraper, which scrapes the transversal blade or further transversal blade after each cutting operation, can be provided above and/or below the transversal blade or the further transversal blade, in an expedient manner in opposition to the direction of movement of the breast carcass.

The invention also relates to a method for removing breast cartilage from a poultry breast carcass, in particular using a device as claimed in the invention, where the breast carcass is moved along a straight, in particular horizontal path of motion and a median plane of the breast carcass is aligned perpendicularly with respect to the path of motion, a positionally fixed cutting device having two blades is provided, and by interaction between the moved breast carcass and the positionally fixed cutting device, a transversal cut is carried out which extends through the breast cartilage and extends in a transversal cutting plane arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane, wherein the transversal cutting plane encloses an angle of up to 30° with a transversal plane of the breast carcass which transversal plane is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane, and a frontal cut is carried out which extends through the breast cartilage and extends in a frontal cutting plane arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane, wherein the frontal cutting plane encloses an angle of up to 30° with a frontal plane of the breast carcass which frontal plane is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane and perpendicularly with respect to the transversal plane, wherein at least part of the breast cartilage is separated from the breast carcass.

Preferably, a frontal plane of the breast carcass is aligned vertically, or within an angular range of up to 10°, 15°, 20° or 30° with respect to the vertical.

The transversal cut can be carried out preferably in the sagittal direction extending horizontally forward.

The frontal cut can be carried out preferably in the vertical direction extending downward.

Preferably it is envisaged that the transversal cut and the frontal cut extend from a common starting point or a common starting line.

It is preferably envisaged that there is carried out a further transversal cut, which extends in the opposite direction to the transversal cut and can extend in the same plane as the transversal cut.

A transversal cut, a frontal cut and a further transversal cut can be carried out at the same time.

It is envisaged that preferably at least one of the transversal cut, frontal cut and further transversal cut is carried out progressively in a proportional manner with respect to a progression of movement of the breast carcass, in particular in comparison with or at a speed of 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, 40% or 50% of a conveying speed of the breast carcass.

A conveying device for holding and moving poultry breast carcasses as well as the aligning and fixing of a poultry breast carcass on the conveying device is explained first of all with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 1shows a side view of a fixing element2for a poultry breast carcass4, indicated by the broken line, having a guide portion6and a fixing portion8. The guide portion6has an undercut guide groove10which is T-shaped in cross section, by way of which guide groove the fixing element2can be pulled on a guide rail of a conveying device realized with a corresponding cross section in order to convey the poultry breast carcass4held on the fixing portion8one after the other to different processing stations. The poultry breast carcass4is insertable between a hook-shaped projection12and an angled, suitably contoured contact surface14of the fixing portion8and can be fixed in a positive locking manner and with low play by a fixing journal16(FIG. 4) which can be pulled out in the direction of the projection12, asFIG. 7shows in comparison withFIG. 2.

In the position fixed on the fixing portion8, shown inFIGS. 5 to 7, a median plane20of the poultry breast carcass4extends in a vertical manner and in the longitudinal direction of the fixing element2, that is centrally through the contact surface14, the fixing journal16and the projection12. As the median plane of the poultry breast carcass is the plane which extends centrally though the backbone and breastbone as a plane of symmetry, a vertical alignment of the breastbone22and the breast cartilage24at the same time is ensured with this orientation. It can be seen that the median plane20extends perpendicularly with respect to a path of motion26, along which the fixing element2moves forward in the conveying direction in a direction of movement28.

As, in practice, a specific processing installation and conveying device always processes slaughtered animals of one and the same size, it is ensured that the breast carcasses4also always have the same dimensions such that fixing of the same on the fixing elements2can be effected in a reproducible manner and with low play. In a side view,FIG. 6once again clearly shows the arrangement of breastbone22and breast cartilage24located directly adjacent a lower portion of the contact surface14.

The device for separating off the breast cartilage as claimed in the invention is explained below with reference toFIGS. 8 to 11. A cutting device30arranged in a positionally fixed manner with reference to the conveying device and the moved fixing elements2is positioned such that the poultry breast carcasses, which are fixed on the fixing elements2moved forward along a predetermined path of motion, move in a forcible manner into engagement with the cutting device, as a result of which the breast cartilage is separated off in a targeted manner without the breast carcass being otherwise impaired in any other way.

The cutting device30has at least two blades for this purpose, namely first of all a transversal blade32, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is arranged parallel to a transversal plane34(see alsoFIG. 7) of the breast carcass4, and in addition a frontal blade36which is arranged parallel to a frontal plane38of the breast carcass4. The transversal plane34extends perpendicularly with respect to the median plane20and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, runs in a substantially horizontal manner. The frontal plane38also extends perpendicularly with respect to the median plane20and in addition perpendicularly with respect to the transversal plane34and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, runs in a vertical manner. As the median plane20extends perpendicularly with respect to the path of motion26and to the direction of movement28of the carcass, the transversal and frontal planes34,38each run parallel to the path of motion26and to the direction of movement28.

Because variations are possible with reference to the shape of the breast cartilage and also with reference to the fixing of the breast carcass4on the fixing element2, it can be expedient when the transversal blade32does not run precisely in the transversal plane34, but in a transversal cutting plane extending at an angle thereto in order to be able to follow in a more precise manner, for example, a non horizontal, but inclinedly extending transition40(FIG. 6) between the breastbone22and the breast cartilage24. In each case it is expedient when the transversal blade32runs in a plane parallel to the path of motion26so that when the breast carcass moves past the stationary blade, there is no height misalignment in a direction transversely with respect to the conveying movement.

In order to enable a gradual cutting operation in, for example, a sagittal direction42, i.e. in a direction running in the median plane20and transversal plane34, pointing away from the fixing element2, the transversal blade32is arranged at an acute angle t with reference to the path of motion26or to the direction of movement28.

The frontal blade36does not have to run precisely in the frontal plane38either, but can be arranged in a frontal cutting plane running at an angle thereto, also with the aim of compensating for certain deviations in the shape or fixing of individual breast carcasses. In order to obtain a gradual cutting progression in the downward direction43also in the region of the frontal blade36corresponding to the forward movement of the breast carcass, the frontal blade36, just as the transversal blade32, is arranged at an acute angle f with respect to the path of motion26or to the direction of movement28of the breast carcass4.

The transversal blade32and frontal blade36are arranged such that they converge in a substantial manner at a point, proceeding from a tip44in the region of which they are comparatively obtuse. The tip44is positioned such that it penetrates into the breast cartilage or between the breast cartilage and the fixing element directly adjacent the breastbone at the level of the transition40between the breastbone and the breast cartilage such that from this point, the transversal blade32can carry out a substantially horizontal cut along the transition40in the direction42and the front blade36can carry out a substantially vertical cut between the breastbone and the breast cartilage in the direction43.

The effect of the obtuse development of the blades in the region of the tip is that when the tip initially penetrates there is no cutting action, but the breast cartilage is raised or lifted off the fixing element in part due to the wedge effect of the tip and the subsequent cutting operation is simplified and improved.

FIG. 9shows the first phase of the penetration of the tip between the breast cartilage and the breastbone or costal arch.

FIG. 10shows the further cutting development, the sharp regions of the transversal and frontal blades now taking effect.

In order to simplify cutting off the breast cartilage completely, there is provided in an advantageous manner a further transversal blade50which is arranged in the plane of the transversal blade32and is also aligned at an acute angle with respect to the path of motion26, although in the reverse orientation, such that between the two transversal blades32,50a tapering, narrowing gap is formed into which the breast cartilage is moved on account of the movement of the breast carcass4and at the end of which it is cut off in a defined manner.

FIG. 11shows a top view onto a cutting device30as claimed in the invention, it being possible to see the transversal and frontal blades32,36arranged at an acute angle with respect to the path of motion26, the tip44and the further transversal blade50. Shown by the broken line is also a mechanical entrainment means52with arms54underneath the transversal blades32,50, the purpose of which is to move the breast cartilage, separated off substantially or completely, further in the direction of movement28each time a breast carcass moves past so that there is no jam in the region of the cutting device. The entrainment means52can be non-rotatably connected to a rotatable drive element, which is arranged above the transversal blade32and also has one or more radially extending arm or arms which (in each case) is (are) to be entrained by a passing breast carcass.

A further embodiment of the invention is explained below by way ofFIGS. 12 to 17, said embodiment matching the previously explained embodiment in many respects such that the same references are used for the same elements.

The fixing element2with contact surfaces14, the projection12of which is only indicated, is guided by way of its guide groove10on a guide rail11, which is indicated by the broken line, the cross section of which (indicated in a hatched manner inFIG. 12) matches that of the guide groove10.

As shown byFIGS. 13,15and17, there is provided a transversal blade32and a further transversal blade50arranged in the same plane, said blades being arranged at an acute angle at approximately 20° with respect to each other and at the same angles with respect to the direction of movement of the incoming breast carcasses or with respect to the longitudinal direction of the guide rail11.

FIG. 13clarifies the position of the median plane20which extends centrally through the fixing element2perpendicularly with respect to the plane of the drawing and perpendicularly with respect to the (horizontal) direction of movement28. As shown inFIG. 14, in which the median plane20is also indicated along with the surface lying in the drawing plane, the transversal blade32and the further transversal blade50(not shown separately) extend in a transversal cutting plane35which is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane20. The transversal cutting plane35can enclose an angle is of up to 30°, in the present case for instance between 5 and 10°, with the transversal plane34, which is fixed by the geometry of the breast carcass4and as a rule, extends in a horizontal manner.

The frontal blade36extends in a frontal cutting plane39, which is arranged perpendicularly with respect to the median plane20and can enclose an angle fs of up to 30°, in the present case for instance between 5 and 10°, with the frontal plane38, which is fixed by the geometry of the breast carcass4and extends perpendicularly with respect to the transversal plane34, in the example shown, that is in a vertical manner.

As can be seen in particular inFIG. 16, all the blades32,36and50are mounted on a rectangular cutting body60, which has an approximately horizontal portion62, on which the transversal blade32and the further transversal blade50are mounted, and an approximately vertical portion64, which proceeds therefrom and on which the frontal blade36is mounted. The tip44protrudes in opposition to the direction of movement28in the transition region between the horizontal and vertical portion62,64. All the blades are realized as interchangeable inserts or cutting blades which are fixed by clamping plates fastened on the cutting body60by screws so as to be easily exchangeable.FIG. 16shows this for the frontal blade36, which is formed as an insert66which is held so as to be interchangeable on the vertical portion64by a clamping plate68and screws70, as well as the transversal blades32,50. The position of the respective insert, in this case, is fixed precisely by a recess in an outside edge of the respective portion, for instance by a recess72in the vertical portion64.

An upper scraper74and a lower scraper76are held on the horizontal portion62of the cutting body60so as to be non-rotatable on a scraper shaft78which is rotatably mounted perpendicularly with respect to the transversal cutting plane35. In addition, an actuating lever80is non-rotatably mounted on the scraper shaft78, said actuating lever, on the arrival of a fixing element2or a breast carcass4, is pivoted by the same and at the same time entrains the scrapers74,76such that they are moved along above and below the transversal blade32and the further transversal blade50and first of all strip past them in the direction of movement28. In this case, any possibly adhering residual meat is scraped off, and in addition the scraper74and/or the scraper76fulfill an entrainment function as in the case of the first embodiment in order to move the breast cartilage along the blades and to avoid adherence.

Pivotally connected on the actuating lever80is a spring-loaded pressure cylinder82, which moves the actuating lever80back into the initial position after a fixing element2or a breast carcass4has passed through (seen clockwise inFIG. 13), until the actuating lever80bears against a stop84which is fixed to the cutting body. In this case, once the breast carcass has passed through, the scrapers are moved in opposition to the direction of movement28and once again strip the transversal and further transversal blades.