Apparatus for orienting birds, which are supplied by a belt conveyor, with their heads in the direction of conveyance

Abstract: Apparatus for orienting birds, which are supplied by a belt conveyor (1), with their heads in the direction of conveyance. The apparatus comprises two positioning means (7,8,14,15) located alongside each other and rotating around a vertical axis defining therebetween a passage for the birds to be oriented. At the passage the one positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor and the other positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed opposite to the direction of conveyance. Further auxiliary means (2,3,4) are provided for supplying the birds to the positioning means facing with their head or facing with their tail in the direction of conveyance.

Description: The invention relates to an apparatus for orienting birds with their heads in the direction of conveyance which birds are supplied by a belt conveyor. When automatedly processing birds it may be required that these birds, that are still living at that moment, are oriented in the same way, for example facing each with the head into the direction of conveyance. Birds oriented thus may simply be engaged by processing apparatuses, such as for example an apparatus for suspending the birds with their legs into the hooks of a suspension conveyor known per se. Such an apparatus is known e.g. from EP-A-0145077. Apparatuses which have already been proposed in the past for positioning birds do appear not to work optimally in practice. The chance that an individual bird is not correctly positioned is considerable and by the application of such an apparatus this often can lead to failures. It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of the type referred to above having a high efficiency, that means an apparatus by which a high percentage of the supplied birds can be positioned correctly. Thus the apparatus according to the invention is characterized by two positioning means located substantially alongside each other and rotating around vertical axes, and defining therebetween a passage for the birds to be oriented, wherein the positioning means rotate in the same sense such that, at the passage, the one positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor and the other positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed opposite to the direction of conveyance, whereas further auxiliary means are provided for supplying the birds to the positioning means facing with their head or facing with their tail in the direction of conveyance. When a bird enters the passage between the two positioning means with its head facing in the direction of conveyance (thus already correctly positioned), the one positioning means tries to move the bird in correspondence with the direction of conveyance, because this one positioning means has, at the passage, a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance. Although the other positioning means has, at the passage, a circumferential velocity opposite to the direction of conveyance said positioning means can hardly exert a force onto the bird, because its surface moves in the direction of the feathers of the bird. Thus an already correctly positioned bird will remain correctly positioned and will pass the passage in this position. If however a bird enters the passage between the two positioning means with its tail facing in the direction of conveyance the one positioning means again will try to move the bird through the passage in the direction of conveyance. However, as a result of its circumferential velocity at the passage, the other positioning means moves opposite to the direction of conveyance and opposite to the direction of the feathers of the bird, such that in combination with the force exerted by the one positioning means a rotation of the bird around a vertical axis will occur, until the bird faces with its head in the direction of conveyance. Thus the bird will be positioned correctly when leaving the passage (with its head facing in the direction of conveyance). The auxiliary means take care of supplying the birds to the positioning means in one of both previously mentioned positions. A preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that a light source is positioned at that side of the one positioning means which faces away from the passage. The light source attracts the attention of the birds which are supplied with their head facing in the direction of conveyance. As a result it is obviated that birds which are positioned like this will move their head to much in the direction of the other positioning means, which means then would obtain the possibility to rotate already correctly positioned birds. Further it is preferred, that, as seen in the direction of conveyance, behind the other positioning means an air jet-emitting element is positioned. The air jet prevents that a bird, which has passed the passage between the two positioning means, turns it head to far in the direction of the other positioning means, which could lead to an undesired rotation of the bird. Further it is possible, that as seen in the direction of conveyance, behind the other positioning means an auxiliary positioning means is positioned rotating around a vertical axis, which together with the one positioning means defines a passage for the birds and which at said passage has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance, wherein the one positioning means and the auxiliary positioning means, substantially transverse to the direction of conveyance, are position alongside each other, whereas the one positioning means and the other positioning means as seen in the direction of conveyance, are staggered relative to each other. As a result of the cooperation between the one and the other positioning means the bird is positioned with its head facing in the direction of conveyance, in correspondence with the above. As a result of the cooperation between the one positioning means and the auxiliary positioning means the bird can then be moved in the direction of a following processing apparatus, such as an apparatus for suspending the birds. Of course this special embodiment can be combined with an air jet-emitting element and a light source. Further it is handy, when the auxiliary means comprise at least two rolls rotating around a vertical axis and defining a passage for the birds, said rolls both at the passage having a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance. Using these rolls birds sitting transverse to the direction of conveyance can be oriented in the direction of conveyance with their head or their tail. Further it is possible, that between the rolls and the positioning means a stationary bird guide extends obviating a rotation of the birds. After leaving this stationary bird guide the birds directly reach both positioning means. Between the rolls and the bird guide one or more guide rolls can be positioned, which supply the birds from the rolls in the bird guide. Further it is advantageous, if at least one of the positioning means has a rough surface, and for example exists of a brush. Such brushes have, when moving in the direction of the feathers of the bird a low resistance, whereas they can exert a large force on the birds opposite to the direction of the feathers. Of course also the auxiliary positioning means, the rolls and guiding rolls could exist of such brushes. In correspondence with a special embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the one positioning means has a rough surface and the other positioning means has a smooth one, wherein said rough positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor and said smooth positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed opposite to the direction of conveyance, whereas the smooth positioning means further has a circumferential recess at the level of the head of birds to be supplied. When a bird enters the passage between the two positioning means with its head facing in the direction of conveyance (thus already correctly positioned) the rough surface of the one positioning means will move the bird forward. The smooth surface of the other positioning means however can hardly engage the bird, because the respective foremost part of the bird, namely the head, is positioned at the circumferential recess of the smooth positioning means. Thus, an already correctly positioned bird will remain correctly positioned. If however a bird enters the passage between the two positioning means facing with its tail into the direction of conveyance a rotation of the bird will occur. For, the rough positioning means moves the one side of the bird in the direction of conveyance, whereas however now the smooth positioning means will engage the tail of the bird (which does not fit into the circumferential recess), which is larger in comparison to the head, with enough force, such that said respective side of the bird is moved opposite to the direction of conveyance, which will result in a rotation of the bird around a vertical axis. It is noted, that the smooth surface of one of the positioning means contributes advantageously to not rotating an already correctly positioned bird, said smooth surface not getting much grip onto the bird. Only if a bird is supplied wrongly positioned, such a wide part of the bird will engage this smooth positioning means too that it can move the bird along with sufficient force to make it rotate. Constructively it is advantageous if the positioning means exist of rolls. In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention the smooth roll has the shape of an hour glass; further it is advantageous if the rough roll exists of a brush. The operation of this special embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention may be further optimized by an embodiment, in which the smooth roll is staggered relative to the rough roll in the direction of conveyance, whereas ahead of the rolls a bird guide is provided extending under an angle relative to the direction of conveyance and substantially towards the smooth roll. By this bird guide, which is substantially directed towards the smooth roll, a supplied bird is somewhat inclined relative to the belt conveyor. Thus the tail of a wrongly positioned bird effectively engages the smooth roll; at the same moment the rough roll, as a result of the staggered location of the smooth relative to the rough roll, will effectively engage the head of the bird, which will be displaced in forward direction. In this aspect further an embodiment is advantageous, in which the bird guide comprises a first guide plate, in the extension of which substantially the rotation axis of the smooth roll is positioned and a second guide plate, the extension of which nearly touches the circumference of the rough roll directed towards the passage. This embodiment especially offers an advantageous effect, when a bird is supplied in an already correct position. The forwardly directed head of the bird will, as a result of the circumferential recess of the smooth roll, be positioned just past the rotation axis of this roll, thus effectively avoiding a rotation of the bird, which is now not desired. The rough roll then engages the body of the bird and pushes it forward. The previously mentioned bird guide as it were has a double effect. Firstly the supplied birds, which are generally spreaded along the width of the belt conveyor, are correctly guided towards the passage between the positioning means. Secondly the velocity component caused by the inclined position of the bird guide in the direction of the smooth positioning means creates the effect described above. In order to optimally guide the birds spreaded along the width of the belt conveyor towards the passage, an embodiment is advantageous in which the guide plates provide a narrowing bird guide. Finally an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention is mentioned, in which at least one of the positioning means is spring-loaded movable towards the passage. As a result an automatic adaption of the apparatus to birds having different dimensions may be obtained, without diminishing the effectiveness of the apparatus. Hereinafter the invention will be elucidated referring to the drawing, in which two embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention are illustrated. Fig. 1 shows, schematically, a top plan view of a first embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, fig. 2 shows in three steps the passage of an already correctly positioned bird through the last section of the apparatus of fig. 1, fig. 3 shows the passage of a bird positioned backwards, fig. 4 shows, schematically, a top plan view of a second embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, fig. 5 shows a view according to V-V in fig. 4, and fig. 6 shows in four successive steps the operation of the apparatus shown in fig. 4. In the top plan view of fig. 1 a conveyor 1, for example belt conveyor, is visible, of which the direction of conveyance is indicated by an arrow. In the direction of conveyance of the conveyor 1 successively two rolls 2 and 3, a guiding roll 4, two guide plates 5 and 6, positioning means 7 and 8 and an auxiliary positioning means 9 are visible. The function of these apparatus elements will now be described. Both rolls 2, 3 rotate around vertical axes, and determine therebetween a passage. The direction of rotation of the rolls 2, 3 is such that both at the passage have a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor 1. By means of these rolls 2, 3 birds, which are sitting transversally to the direction of conveyance of the conveyor 1, can be positioned with their head or their tail in the direction of conveyance. These rolls 2, 3 may comprise rotating brushes. It is possible to apply more pairs of rolls. The guide roll 4 also rotates around a vertical axis in the direction indicated by an arrow. Using this guide roll 4 birds, which have passed the passage between the rolls 2, 3, are supplied to a guide, which exists of two guide plates 5, 6. The guide plates 5, 6 might define a guide which narrows in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor 1. While passing the guide plates 5, 6 the birds remain positioned with their head or tail facing in the direction of conveyance. Behind the guide plates 5, 6 the pair of positioning means 7, 8 is located, which in the shown embodiment also comprise brushes rotating around vertical axes. Between themselves the positioning means 7, 8 again define a passage for the birds. The direction of rotation of the positioning means 7, 8 appears from the indicated arrows. It appears, that the circumferential velocity of the positioning means 7 at the passage is substantially directed in the direction of conveyance, whereas the circumferential velocity of the positioning means 8 is directed opposite to the direction of conveyance. Using the positioning means 7, 8 all birds are directed with their head in the direction of conveyance. In this aspect also a light source 10 and an air jet-emitting element 11 are of use. The operation thereof will be elucidated later referring to fig. 2 and 3. Behind the positioning means 8 finally an auxiliary positioning means 9 is located, which together with the positioning means 7 again defines a passage for the birds. In fig. 2 the situation is represented, in which a bird 12 has just passed the guide plates 5 and 6. The light source 10 is switched on, such that it attracts the attention of the bird. The bird will engage the positioning means with its head. The light source 10 should prevent that the bird, after passing the guide plates 5 and 6, presses its head against the positioning means 8, thus running the risk of being rotated backwards. Entrained by the rough surface of the positioning means 7 the bird reaches the position which is shown in fig. 2b. Indeed the surface of the positioning means 8 rotates against the bird, but in the direction of the feathers, such that hardly a force can be exerted on the bird and it can pass the passage between the positioning means 7 and 8, also helped by the propelling force of the positioning means 7 and of the conveyor 1. Next the element 11 is switched on for emitting an air-jet (fig. 2c), so that the bird moves its head away from the positioning means 8 and enters the passage between the auxiliary positioning means and the positioning means 7 and is discharged further in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor 1. It is not necessary that the light source 10 and the element 11 are continuously switched on; this can occur at the respective most appropriate moments. In fig. 3 the situation is illustrated, in which a bird has passed the guide plates 5, 6 facing with its tail in the direction of conveyance. Preferably the light source is switched on. Now the bird 12 engages the positioning means 7 with its tail and thus is rotated with its tail in the direction of the positioning means 8. In the situation represented in fig. 3b also the positioning means 8 engages the bird and moves opposite to the direction of the feathers. As a result the bird 12 obtains a rotation around its vertical axis, helped by the rotation of the positioning means 7. The head of the bird 12 will pass the positioning means 7 and, in correspondence with fig. 3c, the bird will be rotated with its head in the direction of conveyance as a result the situation in correspondence with fig. 2c is obtained, whereafter a further discharge of the bird may occur in a corresponding way. From the above it appears that, irrespective the way in which the birds are supplied, birds can be oriented with their head in the direction of conveyance using the apparatus. The rolls 2 and 3, the guide roll 4, the positioning means 7 and 8 and the auxiliary positioning means 9 may be mounted displaceable, to take account for birds having different dimensions. In fig. 4 a top plan view of a part of a belt conveyor 13 is visible which, as seen in fig. 4, moves birds from the left to the right. At a short distance above this belt conveyor 13 two positioning means 14, 15 are provided shaped as rolls and located alongside each other substantially transverse to the direction of conveyance. Between each other the positioning means 14 and 15 define a passage for the birds. The one positioning roll 14, assuming a stationary position, is shaped as a brush having a rough surface. The other positioning roll 15 has a smooth surface and is attached to an arm 17 pivotable around a pivot point 16 and being spring-loaded by a spring 18. Ahead of the positioning rolls 14 and 15 a stationary bird guide is provided having a narrowing shape, the last section of which comprises a first guide plate 19 in the extension of which substantially the rotation axis 21 of the smooth positioning roll 15 is located, and a second guide plate 20, the extension of which in substance touches the circumference of the rough positioning roll 14 facing the passage. As appears clearly from fig. 5 the smooth positioning roll 15 is provided with a circumferential recess 22 at the level of the head of supplied birds. The positioning rolls 14 and 15 are rotated in directions indicated by arrows in fig. 4. A bird 23 being supplied as indicated in fig. 4 (thus facing with its tail in the direction of conveyance) will enter said bird guide and will be guided in the direction of the positioning rolls 14 and 15 by these plates 19 and 20. Because the tail of the bird 23 engages the guide plate 20 the bird tries to twist its tail somewhat in the direction of the guide plate 19. As a result this tail will be effectively engaged by the smooth positioning wall 15, whereas at the same moment the rough positioning roll 14 will engage the bird 23, especially its head. Thus, as seen in fig. 4 an anti-clockwise rotation of the bird 23 will occur. Like this the bird is positioned facing with its head in the direction of conveyance. This effect is also shown in fig. 6. In fig. 6a the moment is visible at which the bird 23 has reached the passage between the positioning rolls 14 and 15 after leaving the channel between the guide plates 19 and 20. The bird 23 engages with its tail the smooth positioning roll 15 and engages with its body or its head the rough positioning roll 14. As a result the bird will successively assume the positions substantially in correspondence with fig. 6b, 6c and 6d. During said rotation of the bird the smooth positioning roll 15 may move through a pivoting of the arm 17 against the load of the spring 18 (see fig. 4). When a bird passes the channel between the guide plates 19 and 20 facing with its head in the direction of conveyance, as seen in fig. 4, the head of said bird generally will project through the circumferential recess 22 past the rotation axis 21 of the smooth positioning roll 15, such that this smooth positioning roll can hardly engage the bird. The rough positioning roll 14 however engages the body of the bird, such that the bird is only moved forward in the direction of conveyance without any rotation. It is noted, that, instead of the illustrated rolls, the positioning means also might comprise conveyor belts defining a passage therebetween.

Claims: Apparatus for orienting birds with their heads in the direction of conveyance, which birds are supplied by a belt conveyor, characterized by two positioning means (7, 8; 14, 15) located substantially alongside each other and rotating around vertical axes, and defining therebetween a passage for the birds to be oriented, wherein the positioning means rotate in the same sense such that, at the passage, the one positioning means (7; 14) has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor (1; 13) and the other positioning means (8; 15) has a circumferential velocity directed opposite to the direction of conveyance, whereas further auxiliary means (2, 3, 4, 5, 6; 19, 20) are provided for supplying the birds to the positioning means facing with their head or facing with their tail in the direction of conveyance. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that a light source (10) is positioned at that side of the one positioning means (7) which faces away from the passage. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, as seen in the direction of conveyance, behind the other positioning means (8) an air jet-emitting element (11) is positioned. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that, as seen in the direction of conveyance, behind the other positioning means (8) an auxiliary positioning means (9) is positioned rotating around a vertical axis, which together with the one positioning means (7) defines a passage for the birds and which at said passage has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance, wherein the one positioning means (7) and the auxiliary positioning means (9), substantially transverse to the direction of conveyance, are position alongside each other, whereas the one positioning means (7) and the other positioning means (8) as seen in the direction of conveyance, are staggered relative to each other. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that the auxiliary means comprise at least two rolls (2, 3) rotating around a vertical axis and defining a passage for the birds, said rolls both at the passage having a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that between the rolls (2, 3) and the positioning means (7, 8) a stationary bird guide extends obviating a rotation of the birds. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the bird guide exists of two guide plates (5, 6) defining a passage for the birds. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that between the rolls (2, 3) and the bird guide (5, 6) one or more guide rolls (4) are positioned. Apparatus according to one of the previous claims, characterized in that at least one of the positioning means (7; 14) has a rough surface. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that the respective positioning means (7; 14) exists of a brush. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the one positioning means (14) has a rough surface and the other positioning means (15) has a smooth one, wherein said rough positioning means (14) has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor (13) and said smooth positioning means (15) has a circumferential velocity directed opposite to the direction of conveyance, whereas the smooth positioning means (15) further has a circumferential recess (22) at the level of the head of birds to be supplied. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the positioning means (14, 15) exist of rolls. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the smooth roll (15) has the shape of an hour glass. Apparatus according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the rough roll (14) exists of a brush. Apparatus according to one of the claims 12-14, characterized in that the smooth roll (15) is staggered relative to the rough roll (14) in the direction of conveyance, whereas ahead of the rolls a bird guide (19, 20) is provided extending under an angle relative to the direction of conveyance and substantially towards the smooth roll (15). Apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the bird guide comprises a first guide plate (19), in the extension of which substantially the rotation axis of the smooth roll (15) is positioned and a second guide plate (20), the extension of which nearly touches the circumference of the rough roll (14) directed towards the passage. Apparatus according to claim 16, characterized in that the guide plates (19, 20) provide a narrowing bird guide. Apparatus according to one of the claims 11-17, characterized in that at least one of the positioning means (15) is spring-loaded movable towards the passage.

Inventors: MEYN CORNELIS, MEYN, CORNELIS, MEYN, CORNELIS, C/O MACHINEFABRIEK MEYN B.V.
Applicants: MEYN MASCHF, MACHINEFABRIEK MEYN B.V.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A01K45
IPC codes: A01K45