Abstract:
A trim table for use by trimming and/or cutting of food products, such as chicken or fish, has conveyors ( 2, 12 ) for feeding products to a number of operator stands (O 1  . . . O 8 ), each of which receivers ( 14, 24 R,  28 R) for receiving products ( 10 ), a cutting table ( 16, 24 C,  28 C) for trimming and/or cutting the products ( 10 ) into product pieces ( 10   a   , 10   b ) and sorters ( 6, 20 ), and further, transport of the cut or trimmed products ( 10   a   , 10   b ). One or more of the operator stands (O 1  . . . O 8 ) are provided with mechanisms ( 18, 24, 28 ) for automatic transferal of the products ( 10 ) from the receivers ( 14, 24 R,  28 R) onto the cutting table ( 16, 24 C,  28 C). By a trim table, the products are brought to the operator, so that the operator is spared from having to repeatedly lift products as has necessary in the past. As a result, the operator&#39;s working position is significantly improved, just as the work place at the trim table according to the invention is also improved ergonomically.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/466,493. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a trim table for use by trimming and/or cutting of food products, such as chicken or fish, comprising conveying means for feeding products to a number of operator stands, each of which comprising means for receiving products, a cutting table for trimming and/or cutting the products into product pieces and means for sorting and further transport of the cut or trimmed products.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0005]     Within the food processing industry, it is common to arrange a trim table of the above-mentioned kind after a filleting machine or other process equipment for preliminary partition of meat products. After this, the meat products, in particular fish or chicken products are trimmed and cut into product pieces at the trim table.  
         [0006]     The trim table comprises a first conveyor with a number of operator stands at each side of the conveyor, and a second conveyor for onward transport of the cut product pieces. An operator can order a portion of products for trimming, which is supplied on the above conveyor. In front of the operator, an arm is swung out across the conveyor and directs a product portion to the magazine of the operator stand. From this magazine, the operator takes one or more products at the time down to the cutting table for trimming and product cutting. After the trimming and cutting, the operator sorts the individual products after the product quality, size and/or type, just as the cut-away waste remains are disposed of. Each of the cut product pieces are led out through one of the arranged sorting chutes, which are arranged in connection with the cutting table and the outlet conveyor(s).  
         [0007]     In connection with the inlet of the first conveyor of the trim table means may be arranged for automatic in-weighing of the product portions, just as a weighing out of the cut product pieces may be performed in connection with the second conveyor. Finally, a quality control operation may be arranged in connection with the out-weighing. With these weighing data a surveillance of the quantity and the quality of the trimming operations at the trim table may be carried out.  
         [0008]     This type of trim table is known for the production of fish and chicken products. The process may be adapted to potentially particular demands to the handling of a given type of products, e.g., a particularly careful handling in connection with the conveying of the product portions to the operators magazine.  
         [0009]     3. Description of Related Art  
         [0010]     From published French Patent Application FR-A-2 689 374, a device with an operator stand is known in relation to a trim table, where the incoming products arrive in a transport container which is emptied into a magazine container, which is placed between an upper conveyor for onward transport of finished cut products and a lower conveyor for removal of waste. From the container, the operator must lift the products down to the cutting plate for trimming or cutting out the products. This lifting operation involves an extraordinary inconvenient, unergonomic working position, since the operator has to bend across the cutting plate in order to get to the products in the magazine.  
         [0011]     By the magazine, the operator must repeatedly lift the products from the magazine down to the cutting table, which results in a bad ergonomic working position with repetitive movement. This is unhealthy for the operator and this working operation may contribute to a reduction in the working tempo.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an improvement of this relation and provide an improved working position for the operators at a trim table within the food processing industry.  
         [0013]     This object is achieved by a trim table of the initially mentioned kind, where one or more of the operator stands are provided with means for automatic transferral of the products from the receiving means to handling on the cutting table.  
         [0014]     By a trim table according to the invention, the products are brought to the operator, so that the operator is spared from the repeated lifts that are characteristic for the hitherto known solutions. This means that the operator&#39;s working position is significantly improved, just as the work place at the trim table according to the invention is also improved ergonomically.  
         [0015]     In a first embodiment of the invention, the receiving means are constituted by a tray for receiving and storing a portion of products and the means for transferral of the products comprise a sliding surface, which connects the tray with the cutting table. Hereby, a product in the portion may easily be guided from the storage tray onto the cutting table. The tray may be arranged in a level above the cutting table and wherein the sliding surface is provided with an inclination towards the cutting table. As a result, the product may easily slide down onto the cutting table, whereby the operator does not have to help by guiding the product transferral and without the product getting stuck, e.g., sticking to the tray due to the presence of mucus or another adhesive substance.  
         [0016]     In a particular embodiment, the tray and/or the sliding surface may be provided with vibration means, a push device, and/or a conveyor. As a result, the products will automatically be aided down towards the cutting table without the risk of being retained. The vibration means may either be individually arranged and controlled at each operator stand or arranged as a common vibration device for a number of trays at more operator stands.  
         [0017]     In the first embodiment, the sorting means include a number of sorting openings between the tray and the cutting table for categorization of the trimmed product pieces and preferably for dispatch of product remains, said openings being connected with means for further transport of the product pieces for further handling and/or dispatch of the product remains.  
         [0018]     In a second embodiment, the tray is funnel shaped and provided with two inclined sliding surfaces, which guide the products down to the bottom of the funnel-shaped tray, the bottom being substantially level with the cutting table. Furthermore, means for collecting and delivery of the products from the sorting openings to a conveyor are preferably arranged in association with the sorting openings; the means for delivery are controlled according to the achievement of a predetermined sorting pattern on the conveyor. Thus, a well-organized trim table is provided, which provides for an appropriate workflow at the manual trimming/carving process. By arranging discharge means in connection with the dispatch of the sorted, cut-out products, the products may intermittently be laid out on a common conveyor in a known order, whereby the further handling of the products, e.g. in connection with weighing and packaging, by be carried out automatically and with a high quality.  
         [0019]     Preferably, sorting openings are arranged at least at one side of the cutting table for receiving litter and with chutes for the removal of the product remains or the like. Furthermore, an underlying conveyor is provided with a sectioning in longitudinal sections and where the chutes in association with an operator stand are arranged for delivery of product remains and the like in two different sections. As a result, the product remains, such as waste or other product types, which are not handled on the present trim table, are sorted with respect to their further destination.  
         [0020]     In a third embodiment, the receiving means are constituted by a tray for the receipt and storage of a product portion and the means for transfer of products comprise means for lowering the tray to the level of the cutting table. In particular, the means for lowering the tray are made up of a pivotable side hinging of the tray and a telescopic actuator, such as a pneumatically actuatable cylinder for pivoting the tray, whereby its surface constitutes a sliding surface. This embodiment is particularly suited to relative large and heavy products where the products may be received and transferred to the trimming on the cutting table without the operator having to handle the products and thereby exposing himself to risking to distortions or otherwise straining lifting operations.  
         [0021]     In a fourth embodiment, the receiving means and the cutting table is a rotatable receiving and cutting plate, which has a receiving position, a cutting position and a sorting position for the products, and wherein the means for transfer comprises rotation means for rotating the plate. According to this embodiment, a portion of products may be delivered to the receiving position of the plate. The plate may then be rotated so that the portion is brought to the operator at the cutting position. After the trimming and sectioning at the cutting position, the cutting table is turned again so that the cut-out product pieces are moved to the sorting position for sorting and onwards transport. In this embodiment of the invention, a relative large cutting table is achieved as parts of the receiving and sorting sections may be used, e.g., by large products and/or if the operator for other reasons find it necessary.  
         [0022]     In this embodiment, the cutting plate may be a substantially circular cutting plate, which is rotatably arranged for rotation in the direction from the receiving position towards the sorting position. Moreover, the sorting means are provided with one or more stationary, essentially tangentially orientated sorting ribs for sorting and further transport of the cut/trimmed product pieces for further handling by rotation of the plate. Hereby, the cut-out product pieces must only be placed in a given radial position on the table and then the sorting and the discharge of the product pieces for further transport takes place automatically, since the sorting ribs “scrape” the products off the plate.  
         [0023]     In a further variant of this fourth embodiment, the sorting means comprise a number of sorting openings between the conveying means and the cutting plate for sorting the cut/trimmed product pieces, said openings being connected to means for further transport of the product pieces for further handling and/or removal of the product remains. Thus, the operator may sort the product pieces in the different product categories by discharging the product pieces into a relevant sorting opening from which the products automatically are transported onwards.  
         [0024]     In a fifth embodiment of a trim table according to the invention, the receiving means and the cutting table is a shiftable receiving and cutting plate, which is provided with one or more categorization markings for sorting the cut/trimmed products and which cooperates with means for further transport of the product pieces for further handling. Hereby, an operator stand is achieved which only takes up a limited amount of space along the conveyor which in turn means that more operator stands along the trim table may be established, whereby the capacity of the trim table may be increased without increasing the overall length of the trim table.  
         [0025]     In a particularly preferred variant of this embodiment, the shiftable cutting plate is substantially horizontally orientated in the receiving, storage and cutting positions and pivoted for dispatching the cut products from the plate in the sorting and emptying position. This results in that an automatic discharge of the cutting plate is achieved, since the cutting plate in the sorting and emptying position functions as a discharge chute from which the cut-out products slide down to the underlying outlet conveyor for further transport.  
         [0026]     In this embodiment, two adjacent, shiftable cutting plates are preferably arranged at each operator stand. This means that a quick trimming and cutting process may be achieved since a new portion of products may be ordered on one plate, which is then waiting for processing while the products on the other plate are being processed.  
         [0027]     The displacement of the cutting plate or plates is preferably controlled by operator operated control means, preferably in a predetermined pattern of movement. This means that the operator does not have to move anything else but the products around on the cutting table, as a control signal is given, e.g., by the operator moving his knife passed a sensor for shifting the position of the table.  
         [0028]     In the following, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is a schematic top view of a trim table,  
         [0030]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a section of a trim table with an operator stand according to the invention,  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is a sectional side view of the same,  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a second embodiment of a trim table according to the invention,  
         [0033]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the second embodiment,  
         [0034]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  show details of a third embodiment,  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a fourth embodiment of a trim table according to the invention,  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a top view of a variation of the fourth embodiment,  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  is a top view of a fifth embodiment of a trim table according to the invention,  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a schematic side view for illustration of a preferred variation of the fifth embodiment of the trim table, and  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  shows the organization of the product piece on the outlet conveyor by a trim table according to the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     In  FIG. 1  is shown a schematic view of a trim table which is intended for trimming and cutting out meat products in the food processing industry, e.g., for use in processing fish or chicken products. The trim table comprises a conveyor  2  at each side of which a number of operator stands O 1 , O 2 , . . . O 8  are arranged where operators carry out trimming and cutting-out of the products  10  which are forwarded to the operator along a first conveyor  2  in portions. The portions are weighted in, e.g., at a weighing station  4 , and the weight of each portion is registered in a computer based control system (not shown). After the products are trimmed and cut out into product pieces  10   a ,  10   b , the pieces are discharged from the trim table on at least one outlet conveyor  6 . The product pieces  10   a ,  10   b  from each of the operators are weighed out at one or more weighing stations  8  similar to the first weighing station  4 . The weights of each of the portions of product pieces  10   a ,  10   b  from each of the operators are also registered in the control system so that a control with the waste percentages, production efficiency, etc. may be kept.  
         [0041]     The trim table functions so that an operator, e.g., by O 7 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , orders a portion of products  10 , which results in that an arm  12  is swung across the supply conveyor  2  so that a portion is “swept” into the operator stand (e.g., O 7  as shown in  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0042]     In a first embodiment of the invention, the portion of products  10  then falls down in a tray  14  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) where they are basically retained. From here, the operator may direct one or more products via a chute  18  and down on a cutting table  16  where the product(s) is/are trimmed and cut out, e.g. into fillets. The cut-out products  10   a ,  10   b  are classified according to product type and sorted into one or more sorting openings  20   a . . .  20   d  from which the product pieces are fed via a chute or the like and down on an outlet conveyor  6  and transported away for further processing. Optionally, further product sorting openings or waste collections  20   e  and  20   f  may be provided at each side of the cutting table so that the operator simply has to sweep the cut-away product remains, such as bones, fat or the like, over the side of the cutting table  16 . Alternatively, one or more of the sorting openings  20   a ,  20   b ,  20   c ,  20   d  could be dedicated for this purpose.  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the sliding surface  18  is slopped down towards the cutting table  16 . The tray  14  is also provided with a small inclination, so that the products can slide down towards the chute  18 . In order to aid the products towards the sliding surface  18 , the tray may be provided with vibration means  22  or pushing means (e.g., a pusher) so that the products are not prevented from sliding because they stick to the substrate.  
         [0044]     In  FIG. 4 , a preferred form of a second embodiment of the invention is shown. The products  10  are supplied to the trim table, which comprises a number of operator stands O 1 , O 2 , . . . O 8 . The products  10  are delivered via a inlet conveyor  3  onto a conveyor  2  from which the products or portions of products  10 , via sweepers  12  at each operator stand O 1 -O 8 , may be guided down to the operator on demand. The trays  14  in connection with the sweepers  12  are form a funnel shape, so that the products are guided away from the supply conveyor  2  via the sweepers  12  and down into the trays. The products then slide via the sloping sliding surfaces  18  down into the bottom of the funnel shaped tray which is essentially level with the cutting plate  16 , and from which the operator easily may take out a product for trimming. On each side of the tray  14 , sorting openings  14  are arranged for the different types of products that are cut out of the product or a portion of products. The products that are put into these openings are guided onwards down on a conveyor  6  for further processing, such as packaging. The conveyor  6  is moreover connected to a weighing station  8  for determination of the weight of the individual portions. The types of products in the individual openings are laid on the conveyor  6  in a predetermined order and opening means in connection with each of the openings  20 , which are controlled by a superior control system (not shown), ensure that the products from each of the operator stands O 1  to O 8  are positioned on the conveyor  6  in a well known order, so that the subsequent sorting, e.g. for packaging or by product types, product weight, etc. may be carried out automatically and controlled by the superior control system.  
         [0045]     At each side of the cutting plate  16  further sorting openings  20   e  are arranged, e.g., for the cut-away material, such as waste. The material which is put into these sorting openings  20   e  are guided via a chute  20   f  down a conveyor  40  for discharge. The conveyor  40  is preferably divided into sections by separation walls  41 ,  42  being arranged in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor. Moreover, sidewalls  43  are preferably arranged on each side of the conveyor  40 . The chutes  20   f  are arranged in pairs at each operator stands and they are preferably designed in such a way that the material from each cutting plate  16  are guided down into different sections on the conveyor  40 .  
         [0046]     In  FIG. 5 , a schematic cross-sectional view is shown, which shows how the conveyors  2 ,  6 ,  40  are arranged in relation to each other and in relation to the operator stands of the trim table.  
         [0047]     Each of the operator stands O 1  to O 8  are preferably provided with a platform, which may be adjusted in height relative to the cutting plate  16 . Moreover, a preferably height adjustable chair  46  may be arranged on the platform  44  (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ).  
         [0048]     In  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  a third embodiment is shown, where the automatic transferal takes place by the tray  14 , which acts as a receiving plate that may be tilted since the tray  14  at one end is hinged with a hinge  47  and which is supported by a telescopic actuator  48 , such as an electric actuator or a pneumaticaly actuatable cylinder. As it may be seen in  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the tray  14  is arranged substantially level with the supply conveyor  2  adjacent a sweeper  12 , i.e., at a level above the cutting plate  16 . The tray  14  is preferably arranged next to or displaced from the cutting plate  16  so that a product  10 , which is swept away from the conveyor  2  over to the tray  14  by an operator activated inclination of the tray  14 , slides down on the cutting table  16  for processing, such as shown in  FIG. 6   b . This embodiment makes the trim table particularly suitable for trimming of larger meat products, e.g., in connection with portion cutting of pork or beef.  
         [0049]     In  FIG. 7  is shown a fourth embodiment of a trim table according to the invention. According to this embodiment, the products  10  are delivered on a rotatable cutting plate  24  which has a receiving section  24 R at the edge of the conveyor  2  adjacent a sweeper arm  12 , a cutting section  24 C and a sorting section  24 S. The cutting plate  24  is rotatably supported and may be rotated so that the products  10  which are delivered at the receiving section  24 R are transferred to the cutting position  24 C for trimming. When the products  10   a ,  10   b  are trimmed and cut out, they are sorted by placing the products in different radial positions on the plate  24  according to a classification, so that the product pieces in the emptying/sorting position  24 S are swept off the plate  24  by one or more sorting ribs  26  that catches the sorted product pieces  10   a ,  10   b  and guide them away from the plate and onwards for further processing.  
         [0050]     In a variation of this embodiment, the sorting means comprise a number of sorting openings  20   a ,  20   b  which are positioned in a concentric hole  30  in the cutting plate  24 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In these holes, the cut out product pieces are placed by the operator according to a classification of the product pieces  10   a ,  10   b . Moreover, one or more sorting ribs  26  may also be arranged according to this embodiment, such as shown in  FIG. 5 . Beside the cutting plate, there may be arranged means for waste collection also, so that the cut away remains from the products simply may be swept over the side edge of the plate and down into the waste collection (not shown).  
         [0051]     The cutting plate  24  is preferably shaped as a circular plate, which is provided with rotary drive means so that the operator simply has to give a signal in order to turn the products  10  on the plate  24  for transferring the products  10  to the next operation at the trim table. Alternatively or as a supplement, means may preferably be arranged for an automatic stop by a pressure on the cutting plate  24 , so that the cutting plate  24  does not move when work is being done on the plate.  
         [0052]     By the invention, it is realized that the arrangement of the operator stand according to the fourth embodiment of the invention may be mirrored in its design with respect to the design shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  in order to suit the operator stand to a left-handed operator.  
         [0053]     In connection with the rotary cutting table  24 , stationary knives or saws may potentially be arranged, e.g., in connection with the sorting ribs  26 , so that the operator simply must orientate the products  10  on the cutting plate  24 , so that the products automatically are cut out when they are rotated against such cutting ribs (not shown).  
         [0054]     A fifth embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Here, the products are received on a displaceable cutting plate  28 . This embodiment is particularly suited for trimming smaller product portions and there are preferably arranged two adjacent cutting plates  28  at each operator stand.  
         [0055]     Each cutting plate  28  is shiftably arranged for being displaceable between a receiving position  28 R immediately adjacent the arm  12  by the conveyor  2 . When the operator is ready to process a waiting portion for trimming, the cutting plate  28  may possibly be moved forward to a forward cutting position  28 C or the products may be processed with the cutting plate in the position  28 R. When the products  10  are processed, i.e., trimmed and cut out into product pieces  10   a ,  10   b , these pieces are sorted on the plate, whereafter the cutting plate  28  is moved back to an emptying position  28 S, where the plate  28  is pivoted or swept, so that the product pieces slide off the cutting plate  28  and down on a conveyor  6  for transport to further processing, potentially via an intermediate storage, so that the product pieces  10   a ,  10   b  are put on the outlet conveyor  6  in a predetermined manner. Between each of the cutting plates, collection magazines  20   c  are preferably arranged for product remains, such as cut-away remains.  
         [0056]     On the outlet conveyor  6 , the production of product types from each of the operators is gathered, such as shown in  FIG. 11 . As indicated, sub-portions of product pieces  10   a  from O 1 , O 2  to O 8  respectively, and then, sub-portions of the next type of product pieces  10   b  are arranged successively on the conveyor  6 . Each sub-portion from the individual operator is weight on the scale  8  (see  FIG. 1 ) for surveillance of the productivity of the trim table. Moreover, a quality control unit may be built into the control system so that selected sub-portions are guided via a quality control unit for inspection of e.g., the quality of the trimming and the portion cutting of the product.  
         [0057]     By the invention, it is realized that a trim table with means for automatic transfer of product portions to the cutting table may be arranged in other variant than the above described preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, which is described in the accompanying claims.