DEVICE FOR REMOVING THE CRAW OF SLAUGHTERED POULTRY

Abstract: A device for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry comprises a mandrel (1) carrying on its circumference projections (2) with blunt outer ends (4). The projections (2) extend in the direction of rotation and the direction of motion of the mandrel (1) and define the outer limitation thereof.

Description: The invention relates to a device for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry, especially turkeys, comprising a rotatable mandrel having a leading end adapted to be moved via the opening in the belly into and through the neck of the poultry and projections carried by the mandrel extending in a circumferential direction and the direction of the leading end of the mandrel. Such a device is known from the European patent application 178.825. With this known device the projections include one or a number of series tongues axially positioned behind each other, of which tongues points are situated on or inside a cylindrical surface extending through a foremost blunt outer end of the mandrel. With turkeys the craw is deeply sunk in the skin, so that it is not possible with the known device to catch this craw. Further it appears, that the sharp outer ends of the tongues of this known device lead to serious damages of the neck of the turkey. It is an object of the invention to provide a device of the present type not having said disadvantages. Therefore, the device according to the invention is characterized in that each projection is provided with a blunt outer end defining the outer limitation of the device. Because the projections are provided with a blunt outer end it is prevented that the neck of the turkey will be damaged; however as a consequence of the fact that the blunt outer ends define the outer limitation of the device the craw sunk deeply in the skin is catched in an effective manner. In this respect it is important, that the craw of turkeys indeed is deeply sunk in the skin, however is not attached that much, so that also projections provided with a blunt outer end exercise enough force to loosen the craw. In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention the outer end of each projection is ball-shaped. In practice it appeared, that herewith an optimal compromise is obtained between the strength by which the craw is catched and the avoiding of damages of the neck. According to another preferred embodiment each projection tapers from its junction with the mandrel towards its transition to the blunt outer end. In this manner between the mandrel and the blunt outer end close to the latter a rather wide clearance is obtained between the projections, between which the craw can be received and from which the craw, after the mandrel has left the neck stub of the poultry in a known manner, can be removed by means of a brush means or the like. According to an advantageous embodiment of the device the projections are positioned in axial series disposed along the circumference of the mandrel. In particular the device is very effective when there are three axial series and when each axial series comprises three projections. The mandrel can have several constructive designs; so it is possible that the mandrel is cylindrically shaped having a blunt rounded foremost end. According to another embodiment the mandrel comprises three axially extending, mutually angles of 120° enclosing plates positioned in a star-shaped manner and rounded at the foremost end of the mandrel. The invention will hereafter be illustrated with reference to the drawing in which several embodiments of the device according to the invention are shown. Fig. 1 shows a side view of the active part of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a top view of the invention according to fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a side view of the active part of a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, and Fig. 4 shows a top view of the device according to fig. 3 The device for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry, especially turkeys shown in figs. 1 and 2, comprises a mandrel 1 and a number of projections 2 positioned thereon. The mandrel 1 is cylindrically shaped and has a blunt rounded foremost end 3. The projections 2 are provided with a ball-shaped blunt outer end 4, which outer ends 4 together define the outer limitation of the device. Each projection 2 comprises an inner section 5 extending substantially radially and adjoining thereto an outer section 6 carrying the blunt outer end 4 and extending substantially tangentially. As appears from an accurate study of fig. 1 each projection 2 tapers from its junction with the mandrel 1 towards its transition to the blunt outer end 4. Further it appears, that the projections 2 are regularly disposed along the circumference of the mandrel 1; in particular in both embodiments shown the projections 2 are positioned in three axial series of each three projections 2 disposed along the circumference of the mandrel 1. According to the embodiments of the figs. 3 and 4 the cylindrical mandrel is replaced by a mandrel 7, which comprises three axially extending, mutually angles of 120 o enclosing plates 8 positioned in a star-shaped manner and rounded at the foremost end of the mandrel 7. Again the projections comprise again an inner section 5, an outer section 6 and the ball-shaped blunt outer end 4. During the use of the device the mandrel 1 or 7, respectively, is with the projections 2 entered throught the opening in the belly of the slaughtered poultry and moved through the neck of the poultry. During this axial motion the mandrel is at the same time rotated, the direction of rotation being such, that the projections 2 are substantially directed in this direction of rotation; therefore the direction of rotation of the mandrel, as seen in fig. 2 and fig. 4, is counter-clock wise. Because the blunt outer ends 4 are axially positioned slightly ahead of the outermost end 6, it applies too that the projections substantially are directed in the direction of motion of the mandrel 1 or 7, respectively. In this way an effective operation of the projections is stimulated. Apart of the embodiments of the mandrel and the projections shown also other embodiments are imaginable. So it is possible that the projections are placed on the surface of a suitable formed mandrel via spiral series. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be varied widely within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: Device for removing the craw of slaughtered poultry, especially turkeys, comprising a rotatable mandrel (1) having a leading end (3) adapted to be introduced via the opening in the belly into and through the neck of the poultry and projections (2) carried by the mandrel (1) extending in a circumferential direction and in the direction of the leading end (3) of the mandrel (1), characterized in that each projection (2) is provided with a blunt outer end (4) defining the outer limitation of the device. Device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the outer end (4) of each projection (2) is ball-shaped. Device as set forth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each projection (2) tapers from its junction with the mandrel (1) towards its transition to the blunt outer end (4). Device as set forth in one of the claims 1-3, characterized in that each projection (2) comprises an inner section (5) extending substantially radially and adjoining thereto an outer section (6) carrying the blunt outer end (4) and extending substantially tangentially. Device as set forth in one of the claims 1-4, characterized in that the projections (2) are regularly disposed along the circumference of the mandrel (4). Device as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the projections (2) are positioned in axial series disposed along the circumference of the mandrel (1). Device as set forth in claim 6, characterized in that there are provided three axial series. Device as set forth in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that each axial series comprises three projections (2). Device as set forth in one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the mandrel (1) is cylindrically shaped having a blunt rounded foremost end (3). Device as set forth in one of the claims 1-8, characterized in that the mandrel (1) comprises three axially extending, mutually angles of 120° enclosing plates (8) positioned in a star-shaped manner and rounded at the foremost end (3) of the mandrel (1).

Inventors: MEYN, CORNELIS
Applicants: MACHINEFABRIEK MEYN B.V.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A22C21
IPC codes: A22C21