Method and apparatus for unloading a poultry transport container

Abstract: In a method for unloading a poultry transport container (1), which comprises at least one loading tray (2) with a side unloading flap (6), the end of a discharge conveyor (9) is applied from the side of the unloading flap (6) closely above the loading tray (2). This end is gradually moved towards the side of the loading tray (2) opposite the unloading flap (6), thus forcing the poultry to take place onto the discharge conveyor (9). The loading tray (2), the discharge conveyor (9) or both may be displaceable for obtaining their relative movement.

Description: The invention relates to a method for unloading a poultry transport container which comprises at least one loading tray with a side unloading flap. Further the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out this method. In a known method a poultry transport container, which is formed by a number of loosely stacked crates, is unstacked at an appropriate location, whereafter the crates are unloaded through their unloading flaps. The poultry unloaded like this is then conveyed to a first processing station. It is a disadvantage of this known unloading method that the poultry is rather disturbed by handling the crates during unstacking and unloading, especially when the poultry transport container comprises a large number of crates stacked one on top of the other. This makes further processing of the poultry rather difficult. Further it appears in practice that slaughtering disturbed poultry leads to an inferior quality of the flesh compared to slaughtering calm poultry. Thus it is common practice nowadays that trucks supplying poultry transport containers comprising poultry to a slaughter house stand still for a while near to the slaughter house before starting unloading, such that the poultry will come at ease. However, the known unloading method completely disturbs this effect. The document US-A-3,722,477 shows a method for loading a poultry transport container, using which the end of a conveyor is moved closely above the loading tray from the side opposite of the unloading flap towards the side of the unloading flap. The loading tray is fixed to the container. While the respective end of the conveyor is gradually moved towards the side of the unloading flap each poultry individual is successively forced to take place onto the loading tray. According to the invention, however, the loading tray is movable relative to the transport container. Preferably, the method is characterized in that the poultry transport container is stationary, whereas the loading tray is moved relative thereto. Of course methods are possible too, in which a combination is possible, such as partially moving the loading tray or poultry transport container, respectively, as well as at the same time partially moving the discharge conveyor. It is only important that the loading tray is moved relative to the transport container, such that the end of the discharge conveyor is gradually moved relative to the loading tray from the unloading flap towards the opposite side. As an example a variation of the method according to the invention is mentioned, in which firstly the end of the discharge conveyor is moved into close proximity of the container and above the level of the loading tray to be unloaded, next the loading tray with its outer end positioned at the side of the unloading flap is moved until below the end of the discharge conveyor, whereafter the loading tray is moved out of the container while the discharge conveyor maintains the same position relative to the loading tray, that, when the loading tray is partially moved out of the container, the discharge conveyor does no longer move along therewith and lowers its end substantially to engage the loading tray, and that the loading tray moves along until reaching its fully extended position and remains in this position, whereafter the discharge conveyor moves with its end until at the innermost end of the loading tray. Using this variation of the method according to the invention it is possible to unload the poultry from the container as smoothly as possible. In practice it appears, that moving the discharge conveyor into the container while at the same time the loading tray is positioned entirely in the container, may lead to a disturbance of the poultry, that then flocks together at the innermost end of the loading tray. If then the loading tray would be shift outwardly individuals could get entangled with their wings. If now however the loading tray is firstly partially moved out of the container before the discharge conveyor is moved with its end towards the innermost end of the loading tray creating a threatening situation for the poultry is prevented. In this variation it is preferred, that the discharge conveyor when reaching the innermost end of the loading tray, is driven with increased velocity for a short while, whereas the loading tray and the end of the discharge conveyor move apart a short distance relative to each other and next return to the position, in which the end of the discharge conveyor is positioned at the innermost end of the loading tray. Due to the to and fro movement of the discharge conveyor relative to the loading tray poultry, which is still entangled, can be unloaded. The short time accelaration of the discharge conveyor then prevents, that the poultry steps back onto the loading tray when the discharge conveyor is moved out of the container. If the method is carried out for unloading a poultry transport container comprising a number of loading trays positioned one on top of the other one again can choose between vertically moving the discharge conveyor or vertically moving the poultry transport container, respectively, for obtaining a proper orientation of the end of the discharge conveyor relative to the loading tray to be unloaded. The invention further relates to an apparatus according to claim 7. Further it is possible, that the discharge conveyor is movable, or that means are provided for moving the poultry transport container itself. In such a case also a combination of such provisions may be provided. Finally an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is mentioned, in which the discharge conveyor comprises a conveyor belt, of which the end applicable above the loading tray has a small constructive height. Using such a discharge conveyor the poultry can be unloaded without having to overcome a large difference in level to be positioned onto the discharge conveyor. A disturbance of the poultry then may be prevented or may be minimised. Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated referring to the drawing, in which a number of embodiments are illustrated. Fig. 1 shows a first phase while carrying out a method for unloading a transport container; fig. 2 shows a later phase while carrying out the method of fig. 1; fig. 3 shows a phase while carrying out a method according to the invention; fig. 4 shows a detail of an embodiment of the apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention, and fig. 5 shows in nine successive steps a special variation of the method according to the invention. Fig. 1 shows a poultry transport container 1 comprising a number of loading trays 2 until 5 positioned one on top of the other. Each loading tray 2 until 5 comprises an unloading flap 6. On top of the loading trays poultry, such as chickens 7, is supported. Using a supplying apparatus 8, only indicated schematically, the poultry transport container can be supplied to an unloading station at which a discharge conveyor 9 is provided. For unloading the poultry the transport container 1 using the discharge conveyor 9 firstly an unloading flap 6 belonging to a loading tray to be unloaded is opened by means not shown in detail. Next the end of the discharge conveyor 9 is positioned closely above the respective loading tray (for example loading tray 2 in fig. 1) from the side of the unloading flap. Then this end of the discharge conveyor 9 is gradually moved towards the side of the loading tray opposite to the unloading flap. This has been indicated schematically in fig. 2. During this movement of the discharge conveyor 9 chickens 7 will successively be forced to take place onto the end of the discharge conveyor 9 and they will be discharged from the poultry transport conveyor through this discharge conveyor. In this way the entire respective loading tray can be unloaded by moving the end of the discharge conveyor 9 until at the rear most boundary wall 10 of the loading tray. While applying the end of the discharge conveyor 9 it firstly may be supplied at some distance above the respective loading tray and next be lowered, such that one can take account for variations in shape or position of the loading tray. In the embodiment of the method according to fig. 1 and 2 the poultry transport container 1 and the loading trays 2 until 5 provided therein have a stationary position, whereas the discharge conveyor is moved (by means not shown). However, it is possible too that the discharge conveyor 9 assumes a stationary position, whereas the poultry transport container 1 or the loading trays 2 until 5 are moved. An example thereof which embodies the invention is shown in fig. 3, in which a poultry transport container 11 is visible comprising loading trays 12 until 15 movable relative thereto. In the situation illustrated in fig. 3 loading trays 12 and 13 already have been unloaded, whereas unloading of loading tray 14 is being carried out. In this case the discharge conveyor 9 assumes a fixed position, whereas the loading tray 14 is gradually moved to the right, such that its boundary wall 16 increasingly approaches the end of the discharge conveyor 9 thus forcing all chickens 7 to take place onto the discharge conveyor. The relative horizontal displacements of the discharge conveyor 9 relative to the loading trays 2 until 5 and 12 until 15 further could be realised by a combination of the movements described above. With respect to the relative vertical displacement between the discharge conveyor 9 and the loading trays basically the same applies. The poultry transport containers 1 and 11, respectively, could be displaceable vertically, the discharge conveyor 9 could be displaceable vertically or a combination of such movements could be provided for. For carrying out such movements in accordance with the invention appropriate means are applied, as a result of which the discharge conveyor may be moved or moving the poultry transport container 1 and 11, respectively, or moving the loading trays 2 until 5 or 12 until 15, respectively, is made possible. Fig. 4 shows on a larger scale the end of an embodiment of the discharge conveyor 9, which in the present case comprises a conveyor belt, of which the end applicable above the loading tray (for example loading tray 2) has a small constructive height. This may be realised using special guidings 18 or alike. Finally fig. 5 shows in nine successive steps a special variation of the method according to the invention. A poultry transport container 1 is visible having a loading tray 17 to be unloaded. The container 1 is provided with an unloading flap 6 belonging to the loading tray 17, whereas the loading tray 17 comprises at its innermost end a boundary wall 16. Further the discharge conveyor 9 is represented. Fig. 5a shows the situation, in which the loading tray 17 is positioned entirely in the container 1, the unloading flap 6 is still closed and the discharge conveyor 9 is moved towards the container 1. In fig. 5b the situation is represented, in which the unloading flap 6 is opened, the discharge conveyor 9 is positioned with its end near to the container 1 and at some distance above the level of the loading tray 17, and the loading tray 17 is positioned with its outermost end just below the end of the discharge conveyor 9. Next fig. 5c shows the situation, in which the loading tray 17 and the discharge conveyor 9 commonly move to the right, whereby their relative position does not change. When the loading tray 17 has moved out of the container 1 over some distance, for example halfway its length (see fig. 5d), the end of the discharge conveyor 9 is lowered until substantially at the level of the loading tray 17. Next only the loading tray 17 moves along until its totally extended position (fig. 5e). Then, in correspondence with fig. 5f, the loading tray 17 is maintained in the position reached, whereas the discharge conveyor is moved into the direction of the innermost end of the loading tray 17 defined by the boundary wall 16. After having reached this innermost end the discharge conveyor is for a short while accelarated, wherein further its end is again moved to the right over a short distance. At the same time the loading tray 17 is moved over a short distance to the left. This has been indicated in fig. 5g. In correspondence with fig. 5h next a movement opposite to that of fig. 5g occurs, such that the end of the discharge conveyor 9 reaches again the innermost end of the loading tray 17. Finally the discharge conveyor 9 moves entirely out of the container 1, while the loading tray 17 is entirely retracted into the container 1 towards its original position. This is shown in fig. 5i. The unloading flap is closed again. Using the variation of the method according to the invention shown in fig. 5 the poultry can be unloaded without disturbance. Only after the loading tray (as shown in fig. 5d) has been moved out of the container 1 over some distance (preferably halfway its length), the discharge conveyor 9 is moved into the direction of the innermost end of the loading tray. As a result the poultry is hardly disturbed. If however, starting from fig. 5a the discharge conveyor would be moved directly into the container 1 the risk occurs that the poultry is terrified and flocks together at the boundary wall 16 and gets entangled. The to and fro movement of the discharge conveyor relative to the loading tray in correspondence with fig. 5g and 5h is meant for unloading of poultry, that nevertheless got entangled. By for a short while increasing the velocity of the discharge conveyor one can prevent that the poultry steps back from the discharge conveyor onto the loading tray 17.

Claims: Method for unloading a poultry transport container (1; 11) which comprises at least one loading tray (2-5; 12-15; 17) with a side unloading flap (6), by applying the end of a discharge conveyor (9) from the side of the unloading flap closely above the loading tray and gradually moving the end of the discharge conveyor towards the side of the loading tray opposite the unloading flap, wherein during the unloading operation the loading tray is moved relative to the transport container. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the poultry transport container (1; 11) is stationary, whereas the loading tray (2-5; 12-15; 17) is moved relative thereto. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that firstly the end of the discharge conveyor (9) is moved into close proximity of the container (1) and above the level of the loading tray (17) to be unloaded. next the loading tray with its outer end positioned at the side of the unloading flap (6) is moved until below the end of the discharge conveyor, whereafter the loading tray is moved out of the container while the discharge conveyor maintains the same position relative to the loading tray, that, when the loading tray is partially moved out of the container, the discharge conveyor does no longer move along therewith and lowers its end substantially to engage the loading tray, and that the loading tray moves along until reaching its fully extended position and remains in this position, whereafter the discharge conveyor moves with its end until at the innermost end (16) of the loading tray. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the discharge conveyor (9) does no longer move along with the loading tray (17) when the latter has substantially halfway moved out of the container (1). Method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the discharge conveyor (9), when reaching the innermost end (16) of the loading tray, is driven with increased velocity for a short while, whereas the loading tray (17) and the end of the discharge conveyor move apart a short distance relative to each other and next return to the position, in which the end of the discharge conveyor is positioned at the innermost end of the loading tray. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that firstly the loading tray (17) is moved over a short distance into the container (1) while at the same time the discharge conveyor (9) is moved in the opposite direction and next the loading tray and discharge conveyor are moved in opposite direction. Apparatus for unloading a poultry transport container (1; 11), which container comprises at least one loading tray (2-5; 12-15; 17) with a side unloading flap (6), said apparatus comprising a discharge conveyor (9) having an end to be moved from the side of the loading tray near to the unloading flap towards the side of the loading tray opposite the unloading flap, wherein means are provided for moving the loading tray relative to the transport container. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the discharge conveyor (9) is movable. Apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that means are provided for moving the poultry transport container (1; 11) itself. Apparatus according to one of the claims 7-9, characterized in that the discharge conveyor (9) comprises a conveyor belt, of which the end applicable above the loading tray (2-5; 12-15; 17) has a small constructive height.

Inventors: ZEGERS CORNELIS JOHANNES MARIA, ZEGERS, CORNELIS JOHANNES MARIA
Applicants: MEYN MASCHF, MACHINEFABRIEK MEYN B.V.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A01K45
IPC codes: B65G67, A01K45