Device for depositing poultry to a poultry conveyer

A depositing device for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyor. A tilting unit is configured for tilting the pile of one or more stacked crates around a tilt axis between a receiving position and a depositing position. A chute is tiltable between the receiving position and the depositing position independently to the tilting unit.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Dutch patent application No. 2026936, filed Nov. 20, 2020.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates to a depositing device for depositing poultry.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A device for depositing poultry is known from the European patent publication EP 0 122 682 A2, which discloses a device for depositing poultry onto a receiving surface from a container having a plurality of floors, via guide surfaces enclosed in a tiltable chute to adjoin the container and having an increasing length from bottom to top.

In use of such device, the chute is pivoted into a starting position in which the chute is abutted against the container carrying the poultry when a container with poultry is received by the device. Subsequently, the container and the chute are tilted together into a depositing position, in which the poultry is unloaded from the container onto the receiving surface. When the container is completely empty, the container and the chute are tilted back together into the starting position, whereafter the empty container is removed from the known device. Subsequently, another filled container is received by the known device and the process of depositing poultry onto the receiving surface is repeated.

A disadvantage of the known device is that the device is only capable of handling one container at a time, which makes the known device very uneconomical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one of many exemplary aspects, an object of the present invention to ameliorate or to eliminate one or more disadvantages of the known device for depositing poultry, to provide an improved device for depositing poultry or to at least provide an alternative device for depositing poultry.

In one exemplary aspect, the present subject matter relates to a depositing device for depositing poultry, from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyor. In another exemplary aspect, the invention relates to a method for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyer.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a depositing device for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyor, wherein the depositing device includes a tilting unit and a chute. In this embodiment, the tilting unit is configured for tilting the pile of one or more stacked crates around a tilt axis between a receiving position, in which the pile of one or more stacked crates is received, and a depositing position, in which poultry is transferred from the pile of one or more stacked crates to the poultry conveyor via the chute. For this embodiment, the chute is tiltable between the receiving position and the depositing position independently to the tilting unit.

In another exemplary aspect of the invention, a depositing device may provide the possibility to tilt the tilting unit back into the receiving position independently of the chute, when the pile of one or more crates is emptied and while simultaneously poultry is deposited from the chute to the poultry conveyor. The emptied pile of crates may be replaced with a filled pile of stacked crates, while the chute is in the depositing position and/or is being tilted back into its receiving position. When the chute is back in the receiving position, the tilting unit and the chute may be tilted into the depositing position again. In such case, it is no longer necessary to wait for the emptied pile of multiple crates being replaced by a filled pile of multiple crates, such that more poultry may be deposited to the poultry conveyor in a time period in comparison with the known depositing device. This result can provide a more cost-effective process of processing poultry.

In the context of the present patent application, a pile of one or more crates should also be understood as a plurality of stacked containers and/or as a module including different cages on top of each other.

In one exemplary embodiment, the chute is tiltable around the tilt axis.

In another exemplary embodiment, the tilting unit may include a tilting mechanism configured for tilting the tilting unit, and the chute includes an additional tilting mechanism configured for tilting the chute. By providing each of the tilting unit and the chute with its own tilting mechanism, controlling the tilting movement of each of the tilting unit and the chute is accomplished advantageously with a relatively easy construction.

In another exemplary embodiment, at least one of the tilting mechanism and the additional tilting mechanism is a rack and pinion actuator. The depositing device for example may be used in a slaughterhouse environment which may be very demanding for the components of the depositing device. In one exemplary aspect of the invention, the inventor has surprisingly found that using a rack and pinion actuator for tilting the tilting unit and the chute provides a reliable and robust tilting mechanism that may be used in rough environments.

In another exemplary embodiment, the chute may have four sidewalls defining a guiding channel within the chute for guiding poultry, and a door arranged for keeping the poultry in the chute when the door is closed. The depositing device described in EP 0 122 682 has a further disadvantage in that all poultry present within the container is unloaded at once from the respective container onto the receiving surface via the chute when the container and the chute are tilted together into the deposing position. As a result, all poultry may be deposited at once onto the receiving surface, such that all poultry is deposited onto a relatively small surface.

During use of the depositing device according to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, tilting the pile of one or more crates about the tilt axis can result in unloading poultry from the pile of one or more crates into the guiding channel within the chute. Subsequently, the door may be opened in order to deposit the poultry from the chute onto the poultry conveyor, such that the poultry may be deposited from the chute gradually. The poultry, therefore, is prevented advantageously from being deposited onto the poultry conveyor at once and is deposited onto the poultry conveyor over a larger surface in comparison with EP 0 122 682.

In another exemplary embodiment, the chute may include a guiding platform arranged therein, wherein the guiding platform divides the guiding channel into two or more sub-channels and is arranged such that each of the two or more sub-channels connects with at least one crate of the pile of one or more crates. In an exemplary embodiment thereof, the door may be arranged at the end of at least one of the two or more sub-channels facing away from the tilting unit, and the door may be configured for opening or closing the at least one sub-channel. In another exemplary embodiment, the depositing device includes a further door arranged at the end of another one of the two or more sub-channels facing away from the tilting unit, wherein the door and the further door are configured for opening and closing independently of each other. During use of the depositing device, the poultry present within one of the sub-channels may be deposited to the poultry conveyor by opening the door of that respective sub-channel, before the further door at another one of the two or more sub-channels is opened in order to deposit poultry from that respective sub-channel to the poultry conveyor. The poultry conveyor may be conveying the received poultry directly away from the depositing device. As a result, the poultry can be unloaded advantageously over a larger surface of the poultry conveyor in comparison with the depositing device of EP 0 122 682.

According to a another exemplary aspect, the present invention may provide a method for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyer by means of a depositing device that can include a tilting unit and a chute. The method can include providing the pile of one or more stacked crates to the tilting unit, while the tilting unit is in a receiving position; and tilting the tilting unit and the chute in order to bring the tilting unit and the chute into a depositing position, in which poultry is transferred from the pile of one or more stacked crates to the poultry conveyor via the chute. This exemplary method may include tilting the chute between the depositing position and the receiving position independently to the tilting unit.

This exemplary method of the invention can have at least the same advantages as described in relation to the depositing device according to earlier described embodiments of the invention.

In an exemplary embodiment where the chute includes four sidewalls defining a guiding channel within the chute for guiding poultry and a door arranged for keeping the poultry in the chute when the door is closed, the exemplary method may include opening the door in order to deposit poultry to the poultry conveyor, while the tilting unit is tilting back into the receiving position together with the pile of one or more stacked crates once the pile of one or more stacked crates is empty.

In another exemplary embodiment, wherein the chute includes a guiding platform arranged therein, wherein the guiding platform divides the guiding channel into two or more sub-channels and is arranged such that each of the two or more sub-channels connects with at least one crate of the pile of one or more crates, wherein the door is arranged at the end of at least one of the two or more sub-channels facing away from the tilting unit, the exemplary method may include opening the door to deposit poultry from the at least one sub-channel. Optionally, the door may be opened after the poultry has been deposited from another one of the two or more sub-channels

In another exemplary embodiment, wherein the chute is provided with a further door at the end of another one of the two or more sub-channels, the method may include opening the door and the further door independently of each other, while depositing poultry from the chute to the poultry conveyor.

According to another exemplary aspect, the invention provides an assembly for depositing poultry from a pile of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyor. The assembly may include a supplying conveyor configured for supplying piles of one or more stacked crates to a depositing device according to the first aspect of the invention; a depositing device according to the other exemplary aspects of the invention, arranged downstream of the supplying conveyor; a poultry conveyor can be arranged downstream of the depositing device and configured for receiving poultry from the depositing device and for conveying poultry away from the depositing device; and a removing conveyor can be arranged downstream of the depositing device and configured for removing emptied piles of one or more stacked crates from the depositing device.

These and other objects and advantages are provided by an apparatus and method according to the invention which has the features of one or more of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of describing the invention, reference now will be made in detail to embodiments and/or methods of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in or with the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, 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 or spirit of the invention. For instance, features or steps illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment or steps to yield a still further embodiments or methods. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

An exemplary embodiment of an assembly1for unloading poultry, such as turkeys, to a poultry conveyor2from a pile3of multiple crates is shown inFIGS.1A and1B. For this exemplary embodiment, the assembly1includes a supplying conveyor4, a depositing device5, and a removing conveyor6. During use, the supplying conveyor4supplies a pile3of multiple crates to the depositing device5, wherein the pile3of multiple crates is moved in a first transport direction T1. When the pile3of multiple crates is received by the depositing device5, the depositing device5is configured to deposit the poultry carried by the pile3of multiple crates to the poultry conveyor2. The poultry conveyor2is configured for conveying the poultry away from the depositing device5for further processing in a second transport direction T2substantially transverse or transverse to the first transport direction T1. When the pile3of multiple crates is emptied, the empty pile3of multiple crates is transferred to the removing conveyor6configured for moving the empty pile3of multiple crates away from the depositing device5in a third transport direction T3substantially parallel to the first transport direction T1. Subsequently, the empty pile3of multiple crates, for example, may be cleaned in order to be used again.

A first isometric view and a second isometric view of the depositing device5and the poultry conveyor2ofFIG.1Aare shown inFIGS.2A and2B, respectively.FIG.2Ashows the depositing device5in a receiving position, andFIG.2Bshows the depositing device5in a depositing position. The depositing device5includes a tilting unit7and a chute8. The tilting unit7is provided with a main frame10having first legs11arranged at one longitudinal side of the main frame10, and second legs12at the other longitudinal side of the main frame12. The first legs11are slightly lower than the second legs12. The depositing device5has stabilizing legs13arranged adjacent to the second legs12and extending substantially parallel to and approximately to the same height as the second legs12.

The tilting unit7is further provided with a tilting frame15tiltable arranged at the upper end of the second legs12. The tilting frame15has a first longitudinal roller track16and a second longitudinal roller track17opposite to the first roller track16for conveying the pile3of multiple crates along the tilting frame15and for supporting the pile3of multiple crates. The first roller track16and the second roller track17are operatively connected to a driving unit18by means of a driving axle19.

The tilting unit5further includes a locking portion20with locking levers21in order to lock the pile3of multiple crates to the tilting unit5, in particular the tilting frame15thereof. The locking portion20is provided with a pneumatic cylinder22in order to move the locking levers between a raised position, in which the pile3of multiple crates is locked to the tilting frame15, and a lowered position, in which the pile3of multiple crates is allowed to be transferred to the removing conveyor6.

A tilting mechanism30is provided for tilting the tilting frame15. The tilting mechanism30has a tilting drive31arranged at the main frame10. A tilting driving axle32extends in two opposite directions from the tilting drive31to the transverse sides of the main frame10. The ends of the driving axle32facing away from the tilting drive31are arranged rotatably at the main frame10. A pinion33is arranged at the driving axle32at both sides of the tilting drive31. The tilting frame15is provided with two curved racks34at the side facing the main frame10. Each of the two racks34is provided with an array of teeth35at the side facing towards the driving axle32for engaging with one of the pinions33, therewith constituting a rack and pinion actuator. During use, rotational movement of the pinions33causes the racks34to be moved along the pinions33, therewith resulting in a tilt movement of the tilting frame15around a tilt axis A extending through the upper ends of the second legs12.

For this exemplary embodiment, the chute8is provided with a chute frame40arranged rotatably around the tilt axis A at the upper end of the stabilizing legs13. The chute8has four sidewalls41defining a guiding channel, and a number of guiding platforms42arranged therebetween and substantially parallel to each other. The guiding platforms42divide the guiding channel into sub-channels for guiding the poultry towards the poultry conveyor2, and are arranged such that each of the sub-channels connects to at least one crate of the pile3of multiple stacked crates. A door43is provided at the end of each sub-channel and is arranged rotatably to the sidewalls41for opening or closing the sub-channel. Two door actuators44are arranged per door43at opposite sides of the chute8for opening and closing the respective door43.

An additional tilting mechanism50is arranged between the two stabilizing legs13for tilting the chute8. The additional tilting mechanism50has an additional tilting drive51with an additional tilting driving axle52extending from the additional tilting drive51towards each of the stabilizing legs13. The ends of the driving axle52facing away from the additional tilting drive51are arranged rotatably at the stabilizing legs13. An additional pinion53is arranged at the additional driving axle52at each side of the additional tilting drive51. The chute8is provided with two additional curved racks54at the side facing downwards. Each of the two additional racks54has an array of teeth55at the side facing towards the additional driving axle52for engaging with one of the additional pinions53, therewith constituting a rack and pinion actuator. During use, rotational movement of the additional pinions53causes the additional racks54to be moved along the additional pinions53, therewith resulting in a tilting movement of the chute8around the tilt axis A.

The depositing device5during the steps of a method for depositing poultry from a pile3of one or more stacked crates to a poultry conveyer2according to an embodiment of the invention is shown inFIGS.3A-3G.FIG.3Aindicates the depositing device5during the step of a pile3of multiple crates being received by the tilting unit7from the supplying conveyor4, while the tilting unit7and the chute are in the receiving position. Subsequently, the pile3of multiple crates is locked to the tilting frame15by means of the locking portion20.

FIG.3Bindicates the depositing device5during the step of rotating the tilting unit7in a first rotation direction over a first angle, in this case of approximately 5 degrees. During this step, the pile3of multiple crates goes into mechanical stop on the chute8.

FIG.3Cindicates the depositing device5during the step of rotating the tilting unit7and the chute8together in the first rotation direction over a second angle, in this case of approximately 60 degrees, into the depositing position. During rotating the tilting unit7and the chute8together, doors of the crates are opened and poultry, such as turkeys, is moved from the pile3of multiple crates into the chute8.

FIG.3Dindicates the depositing device5during the step of rotating the tilting unit7, in particular the tilting frame15thereof, in a second rotation direction, opposite to the first rotation direction, over a third angle, in this case of approximately 65 degrees. During this step, the crates of the pile3of multiple crates are empty and the turkeys are within the chute8.

FIGS.3E-3Gindicate the different stages of the step of sequentially opening the doors43of the chute41by operating the associated door actuators44. By sequentially opening the doors43, the turkeys are unloaded onto the active poultry conveyor2step-by-step, therewith spreading the turkeys over a large surface of the poultry conveyor2. During steps3E-3G, the emptied pile3of multiple crates is unlocked from the tilting frame by bringing the locking levers21into the lowered position, and is transferred to the removing conveyor6in order to be conveyed away from the depositing device5for further processing, such as cleaning. Simultaneously or at least almost simultaneously, another filled pile3of multiple crates is received by the tilting unit7. When step3G is completed, the doors43are closed and the chute8is returned to the position shown inFIG.3A. Since a new pile3of multiple crates is already waiting for the chute8, the step as indicated inFIG.3Bmay be performed immediately after the chute8reaching the position as shown inFIG.3A.