Patent Publication Number: US-2023148615-A1

Title: Apparatus and method for moving-along tool positioning as well as assembly and method for wishbone removal

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the U.S. National Stage of PCT/EP2020/068516 filed on Jul. 1, 2020, the entire content is herein referenced in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles, as well as to an assembly for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses with such an apparatus. The invention relates further to a method for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles as well as to a method for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses. 
     Such apparatuses and methods are used whenever articles are continuously conveyed along a processing line and processing of the articles is to be carried out during the conveying process. For this purpose, the respective tools for processing must be moved along synchronously with the article to be processed during processing so that the tool and the article do not move relative to one another in the conveying direction. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In particular in the field of the automatic processing of poultry carcasses, such apparatuses and methods are used to process the poultry bodies with different tools while they are being transported in a conveying direction. 
     Generally, the tools, in a work cycle, are moved along in the conveying direction parallel to the processing line so that the tools are stationary in the conveying direction from the point of view of the articles to be processed. Processing of the articles takes place during the work cycle. When processing is complete, the tools are moved back again contrary to the conveying direction in a return cycle so as to be brought into a starting position for the next processing operation. 
     It is therefore necessary to move the tools to and fro in and contrary to the conveying direction. Owing to the moment of inertia of the tools, high forces occur at the time of the change of direction. The maximum frequency of the to and fro movement is thus limited. An upper limit is therefore placed on the conveying speed, so that the number of articles which can be processed per unit of time is limited. 
     In addition, the high forces that occur lead to a considerable mechanical load on the drive, high mechanical wear and to pronounced vibrations, which make the movement of the tools appear “out of true”. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to propose an apparatus which ensures reliable positioning of moving-along tools, in particular also at a high conveying speed. In addition, it is an object of the invention to reduce to a minimum mechanical loads and vibrations that occur. The object consists further in proposing a corresponding method. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object is achieved by the apparatus mentioned hereinbefore, which comprises a conveyor device forming a conveying line for conveying the articles in a conveying direction and having a plurality of receiving elements adapted to hold the articles, and a processing station arranged along the conveying line and having at least one processing tool adapted to process the articles, wherein the processing station has a positioning unit adapted to position the at least one processing tool, wherein the positioning unit is formed by a longitudinal slide, which is slidable in the conveying direction relative to a carrier element, and a transverse slide, which is arranged on the longitudinal slide so as to be slidable transverse to the conveying direction, wherein the longitudinal slide is driven in an oscillating manner such that the longitudinal slide on the one hand, in a work cycle, moves along synchronously with the receiving elements in the conveying direction from a starting position into an end position and on the other hand, in a return cycle, moves contrary to the conveying direction from the end position back into the starting position, and wherein the transverse slide has at least one guiding element which engages into a stationarily arranged link guide, wherein the link guide on the one hand is adapted, during the work cycle, to move the transverse slide transverse to the conveying direction towards the receiving elements from a standby position into a working position and from the working position back into the standby position, and on the other hand is configured, during the return cycle, to guide the transverse slide transverse to the conveying direction without deflection. 
     The apparatus according to the invention has the advantage that, by means of the positioning device, the at least one processing tool is positively guided both in the conveying direction and transverse to the conveying direction by means of the link guide. This effects on the one hand a concurrent movement that is always synchronous with the conveying speed during the work cycle and on the other hand an infeed movement transverse to the conveying direction that is bound to the conveying speed. In this manner, positioning of the at least one processing tool with high precision is always ensured. Advantageously, the processing station comprises a plurality of the processing tools which are moved in a correspondingly guided manner by means of the longitudinal and transverse slides of the positioning device. 
     An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the link guide comprises at least a work cycle guiding path and a return guiding path, wherein the return guiding path is configured so as to extend linearly parallel to the conveying line and the work cycle guiding path extends, starting from the return guiding path, in each case from the starting position and the end position of the longitudinal slide to the working position. The return guiding path is thus adapted to guide the longitudinal slide back precisely, without deflection of the transverse slide, while the work cycle guiding path is adapted to feed the transverse slide to the article to be processed transverse to the conveying direction during the work cycle and then to return it. 
     A preferred further development of the invention is distinguished in that the work cycle guiding path is in the form of a cam track. This has the advantage that the deflection of the transverse slide takes place as far as possible without vibrations. In addition, acting forces are reduced by the curved track and a generally “smoother” movement sequence is achieved. In particular, the cam track is adapted to be free of steps. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the guiding element is in the form of a guiding wheel. In particular, the guiding wheel has ball bearings or is formed of a ball bearing. The guiding wheel has the advantage of low friction, so that the mechanical wear of the guiding element and the link guide is minimised and thus the lifetime of the apparatus according to the invention is increased. A further advantage is that the forces that occur are greatly reduced. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the work cycle guiding path and the return guiding path of the link guide are each in the form of guiding recesses in which the guiding wheel is guided. The guiding element is guided precisely and — where necessary —on both sides by the guiding recess. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the guiding recesses have a predetermined excess relative to the guiding wheel in the respective transition regions between the work cycle guiding path and the return guiding path. This has the advantage that, specifically at the reversal points at which the directions of movement change, namely that of the longitudinal slide in the conveying direction and vice versa and that of the transverse slide towards the articles and back again transverse to the conveying direction, the guiding element is no longer in contact with the link guide. 
     In other words, the guiding element is not in guiding engagement with the link guide at the above-mentioned reversal points. Guiding thus becomes “loose” at the reversal points. Advantageously, strong forces acting suddenly on the link guide are thus avoided and a calmer movement sequence overall is achieved, and the occurrence of high pulse-like force effects is reliably avoided. Overall, the tendency of the apparatus as a whole to vibrate is improved. 
     A preferred further development of the invention is distinguished in that pivotable guide elements are arranged in the guiding recess, namely a first guide element on the starting position side in the region of the transition from the return guiding path to the work cycle guiding path and a second guide element on the end position side in the region of the transition from the work cycle guiding path to the return guiding path. By means of the guide elements it is ensured that the guiding element always changes from the return guiding path to the work cycle guiding path and vice versa. Thus, precise guiding is ensured in every cycle. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second guide elements are each arranged so as to be pivotable out of and into the path plane of the guiding recesses. Thus, the guiding element is able to pass through the respective guiding path without any blockages. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide element comprises a return guiding path blocking element which is configured and adapted to allow the guiding element to pass during the return cycle by pivoting out of the path plane of the return guiding path and, after the guiding element has passed, to block the return guiding path for passage of the guiding element during the work cycle by pivoting of at least the return guiding path blocking element into the path plane of the guiding recess of the return guiding path. 
     The return guiding path blocking element is thus adapted to allow the guiding element to pass when the guiding element is moving in the return guiding path contrary to the conveying direction. When the guiding element is moving in the conveying direction, the return guiding path blocking element pivoted into the path plane of the guiding recess forms a wall of the guiding recess and guides the guiding element into the work cycle guiding path. Thus it is ensured that the guiding element is always guided precisely from the return guiding path into the work cycle guiding path. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the return guiding path blocking element comprises a first guiding element sensing part and a work cycle guiding path part, wherein the first guiding element sensing part is of ramp-like form with a width that increases contrary to the conveying direction, and wherein the work cycle guiding path part forms at least a first wall section of the work cycle guiding path. The first guiding element sensing part with the mentioned ramp-like form has the advantage that the guiding element slides over the first guiding element sensing part while at the same time being pivoted. The first guiding element sensing part thus allows the guiding element to pass while it is moving contrary to the conveying direction. By contrast, the work cycle guiding path part in the non-deflected state forms the first wall section of the work cycle guiding path. In this manner, the guiding element is always reliably transferred from the return guiding path into the work cycle guiding path. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the second guide element comprises a work cycle guiding path blocking element which is configured and adapted to allow the guiding element to pass during the work cycle by pivoting out of the path plane of the work cycle guiding path and, after the guiding element has passed, to block the work cycle guiding path for passage of the guiding element during the return cycle by pivoting of at least the work cycle guiding path blocking element into the path plane of the guiding recess of the work cycle guiding path. The work cycle guiding path blocking element —analogously to the return guiding path blocking element — ensures that the guiding element is always guided precisely from the work cycle guiding path into the return guiding path. 
     The work cycle guiding path blocking element is thus adapted to allow the guiding element to pass when the guiding element is moving in the work cycle guiding path in the conveying direction. When the guiding element is moving in the conveying direction, the work cycle guiding path blocking element pivoted into the path plane of the guiding recess forms a wall of the guiding recess and guides the guiding element into the return guiding path. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the work cycle guiding path blocking element comprises a second guiding element sensing part and a return guiding path part, wherein the second guiding element sensing part is of ramp-like form with a width that increases in the conveying direction, and wherein the return guiding path part forms at least a second wall section of the return guiding path. The second guiding element sensing part with the mentioned ramp-like form has the advantage that the guiding element slides over the second guiding element sensing part while at the same time being pivoted. The second guiding element sensing part thus allows the guiding element to pass while it is moving in the conveying direction. By contrast, the return guiding path part in the non-deflected state forms the first wall section of the return guiding path. In this manner, the guiding element is always reliably transferred from the work cycle guiding path into the return cycle guiding path. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide element and the second guide element are configured such that they pivot back into the path plane automatically. Advantageously, after the guiding element has passed, the respective guiding path is thus automatically barred. For example, the first and second guide elements are adapted such that they pivot back automatically under the force of gravity. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that there are arranged on the first guide element and/or on the second guide element restoring means which are adapted to pivot those elements back into the path plane automatically. This has the advantage that the restoring force is adjustable by the choice of the restoring means. The time taken for the elements to pivot back can be adapted according to the magnitude of the restoring force. Increasing the restoring force effects more rapid restoring, so that the restoring operation takes place sufficiently quickly even at high conveying speeds. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the conveyor device comprises a conveyor chain, on which the receiving elements are arranged, and a drive for driving the conveyor chain, wherein the drive comprises at least one continuously circulating belt drive or chain drive with which the longitudinal slide is coupled by means of a coupling rod. Thus, the movement sequence of the longitudinal slide is rigidly mechanically coupled with the movement of the conveyor device. This has the advantage of absolute synchronicity between the positioning device according to the invention and the receiving elements of the conveyor device. Preferably, the drive comprises a drive motor for driving the conveyor chain of the conveyor device. The belt drive or chain drive is mechanically coupled with the conveyor chain. The belt and/or chain drive is in this case driven by the conveyor chain. 
     Any fluctuations in the conveying speed are thus synchronously transferred to the movement sequence of the longitudinal slide and of the transverse slide. In this manner, it is always ensured that the movements of the longitudinal and transverse slides are synchronised with the conveying speed. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the positioning unit comprises a longitudinal slide spring unit which is configured and adapted to be spring-pretensioned between the longitudinal slide and the carrier element when a predefined return position of the longitudinal slide is reached during a return cycle. The longitudinal slide spring unit has the advantage that the longitudinal slide is slowed down gently. In addition, the longitudinal slide spring unit accumulates mechanical energy during the return cycle, which subsequently assists the operation of accelerating the longitudinal slide and the transverse slide at the beginning of the work cycle. 
     The longitudinal slide spring unit in this manner assists the drive of the positioning unit according to the invention. Drive forces acting in the drive section are thus significantly reduced. Overall, an extremely low-vibration movement sequence with high running smoothness is achieved. Preferably, the longitudinal slide spring unit is configured such that it is spring-pretensioned over a distance of at least two thirds of the total return distance. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal slide spring unit comprises at least one longitudinal spring element which is arranged on one side on the carrier element and the one free longitudinal spring element side of which is adapted to come into mechanical contact with a longitudinal counter-surface element arranged on the longitudinal slide when the predefined return position is reached. The longitudinal spring element is thus spring-pretensioned when the predefined return position is reached. Over the remaining part of the return distance, the longitudinal spring element is not in mechanical engagement and is relaxed. 
     Alternatively, the longitudinal slide spring unit comprises at least one longitudinal spring element which is arranged on one side on the longitudinal slide and the one free longitudinal spring element side of which is adapted to come into mechanical contact with a longitudinal counter-surface element arranged on the carrier element when the predefined return position is reached. Preferably, the at least one longitudinal spring element is in the form of a compression spring or in the form of a tension spring. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the positioning unit comprises a transverse slide spring unit which is configured and adapted to be spring-pretensioned between the transverse slide and the longitudinal slide when a predefined deflected position of the transverse slide is reached during a work cycle. The above-mentioned advantages of the longitudinal slide spring unit apply analogously also to the transverse slide spring unit. The transverse slide spring unit on the one hand has the advantage that the transverse slide is slowed down gently on transfer from the work cycle to the return cycle. On the other hand, the transverse slide spring unit is adapted, during the work cycle, to be pretensioned in order to store mechanical energy which is used at the beginning of the return cycle to accelerate the transverse slide. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the transverse slide spring unit comprises at least one transverse spring element which is arranged on one side on the longitudinal slide and the one free transverse spring element side of which is adapted to come into mechanical contact with a transverse counter-surface element arranged on the transverse slide when the predefined deflected position is reached. Until the predefined deflected position is reached, the transverse spring element is not in mechanically acting contact with the transverse slide. 
     Pretensioning of the transverse spring element only takes place once the predefined deflected position has been reached. This has the advantage that no additional tensioning work is to be performed by the drive specifically at the beginning of the acceleration phase. Only when the transverse slide has a certain speed transverse to the conveying direction is some of the drive energy used to perform tensioning work for pretensioning the transverse spring element. Preferably, the predefined deflected position is situated at approximately ⅓ of the total forward travel distance during the work cycle. That is to say, no pretensioning of the transverse spring element takes place over the first third of the forward travel distance. The transverse spring element is pretensioned over ⅔ of the forward travel distance. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the transverse slide spring unit comprises at least one transverse spring element which is arranged on one side on the transverse slide and the one free transverse spring element side of which is adapted to come into mechanical contact with a transverse counter-surface element arranged on the longitudinal slide when the predefined deflected position is reached. This preferred embodiment is an alternative form of the preferred embodiment mentioned above. The transverse spring element can thus be arranged on one side either on the longitudinal slide or on the transverse slide. Further preferably, the at least one transverse spring element is in the form of a compression spring or in the form of a tension spring. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the carrier element is adapted to be adjustable in terms of its position transverse to the conveying direction. In this manner, the positioning unit can be optimally oriented transverse to the conveying direction and the distance between the processing tools can be optimally adapted to different types of article. 
     The invention relates further to the assembly mentioned hereinbefore for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses, which comprises a mentioned apparatus for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles, wherein the articles are poultry carcasses, the receiving elements are adapted to hold in each case one of the poultry carcasses with its neck side facing the processing station, and the at least one processing tool is in the form of a wishbone removal unit. 
     This has the advantage that the at least one wishbone removal unit is adapted to be positionable precisely and as quickly as possible by means of the apparatus according to the invention. By means of the positioning unit of the apparatus according to the invention, the at least one wishbone removal unit, during the work cycle, is on the one hand moved parallel to and synchronously with the receiving elements conveyed in the conveying direction. On the other hand, the at least one wishbone removal unit is moved transverse to the conveying direction towards the receiving elements via an infeed movement in order to bring the wishbone removal unit into a position close to the poultry carcasses as is required for processing. 
     The wishbone removal unit itself therefore does not need to perform its own infeed movement towards the poultry carcasses. The movement sequence of the wishbone removal unit can therefore be limited to the necessary movement of the separating devices which interact with the poultry body, so that these are carried out correspondingly quickly. In this manner, the throughput, that is to say the number of poultry carcasses which can be processed per unit time, can be significantly increased and the conveyor device can be operated with a correspondingly high conveying speed. 
     The object is further achieved by the corresponding method mentioned hereinbefore for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles, comprising the steps: 
     Conveying the articles by means of a plurality of receiving elements adapted to hold the articles in a conveying direction along a conveying line on which there is arranged a processing station having at least one processing tool adapted to process the articles, by means of a conveyor device forming the conveying line, wherein the processing station has a positioning unit adapted to position the at least one processing tool, wherein the positioning unit is formed by a longitudinal slide, which is slidable in the conveying direction relative to a carrier element, and a transverse slide, which is arranged on the longitudinal slide so as to be slidable transverse to the conveying direction; driving the longitudinal slide in an oscillating manner such that the longitudinal slide on the one hand, in a work cycle, moves along synchronously with the receiving elements in the conveying direction from a starting position into an end position and on the other hand, in a return cycle, moves contrary to the conveying direction from the end position back into the starting position; and moving the transverse slide during the work cycle transverse to the conveying direction towards the receiving elements from a standby position into a working position and from the working position back into the standby position by means of at least one guiding element which engages into a stationarily arranged link guide; and guiding the transverse slide without deflection during the return cycle transverse to the conveying direction by means of the link guide. The advantages of the method according to the invention have already been explained in detail in connection with the apparatus according to the invention. Because the method steps are analogous to the apparatus, reference is made at this point and in relation to the advantageous further developments of the method according to the invention described in the following text to the advantages already mentioned in connection with the apparatus. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised by moving the transverse slide during the work cycle by means of at least one work cycle guiding path of the link guide and moving the transverse slide during the return cycle by means of a return guiding path which extends linearly and runs parallel to the conveying line. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, movement of the transverse slide takes place by means of the work cycle guiding path in the form of a cam track. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the guiding element is in the form of a guiding wheel which is guided in a rolling manner along the link guide. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the work cycle guiding path and the return guiding path of the link guide form guiding recesses in which the guiding wheel is guided. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the guiding wheel, in the respective transition regions between the work cycle guiding path and the return guiding path, runs in the respective guiding recesses at least substantially without guiding. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised by pivoting of guide elements pivotably arranged in the guiding recess, namely a first guide element, which is arranged on the starting position side in the region of the transition from the return guiding path to the work cycle guiding path, and a second guide element, which is arranged on the end position side in the region of the transition from the work cycle guiding path to the return guiding path. 
     A further expedient embodiment is characterised by pivoting of the first and second guide elements out of and into the path plane of the guiding recesses. 
     A preferred further development of the invention is characterised by pivoting of a return guiding path blocking element of the first guide element out of the path plane of the guiding recess of the return guiding path during the return cycle as the guiding element passes, in order to allow the guiding element to pass, and pivoting of at least the return guiding path blocking element into the path plane of the guiding recess of the return guiding path after the guiding element has passed, in order to block the return guiding path for passage of the guiding element during the work cycle. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the pivoting out of the path plane takes place in that the guiding element comes into contact with a ramp-like first guiding element sensing part, which widens in the conveying direction, of the return guiding path blocking element, so that the return guiding path blocking element is pivoted out of the path plane and, for blocking the return guiding path during the work cycle, a work cycle guiding path part of the return guiding path blocking element forms at least a first wall section of the work cycle guiding path. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised by pivoting of a work cycle guiding path blocking element of the second guide element out of the path plane of the work cycle guiding path during the work cycle as the guiding element passes, in order to allow the guiding element to pass, and pivoting of at least the work cycle guiding path blocking element into the path plane of the work cycle guiding path after the guiding element has passed, in order to block the work cycle guiding path for passage of the guiding element during the return cycle. 
     A preferred further development of the invention is distinguished in that the pivoting out of the path plane takes place in that the guiding element comes into contact with a ramp-like second guiding element sensing part, which widens in the conveying direction, of the work cycle guiding path blocking element, so that the work cycle guiding path blocking element is pivoted out of the path plane and, for blocking the work cycle guiding path during the return cycle, a work cycle guiding path part of the work cycle guiding path blocking element forms at least a second wall section of the return guiding path. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the first guide element and the second guide element pivot back into the path plane automatically. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the automatic pivoting back is effected by restoring means arranged on the first guide element and/or on the second guide element. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the oscillating driving of the longitudinal slide takes place via a coupling rod which is coupled with a continuously circulating belt drive or chain drive which drives a conveyor chain on which the receiving elements of the conveyor device are arranged. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised by spring-pretensioning of a longitudinal slide spring unit, which acts between the longitudinal slide and the carrier element and is part of the positioning unit, when a predefined return position of the longitudinal slide is reached during a return cycle. 
     A preferred further development of the invention is distinguished in that the spring-pretensioning of the longitudinal slide spring unit is effected by means of at least one longitudinal spring element which is arranged on one side on the carrier element and the one free longitudinal spring element side of which comes into mechanical contact with a longitudinal counter-surface element arranged on the longitudinal slide when the predefined return position is reached. 
     An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the spring-pretensioning of the longitudinal slide spring unit is effected by means of the at the least one longitudinal spring element which is arranged on one side on the longitudinal slide and the one free longitudinal spring element side of which comes into mechanical contact with a longitudinal counter-surface element arranged on the carrier element when the predefined return position is reached. 
     A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised by spring-pretensioning of a transverse slide spring unit, which acts between the transverse slide and the longitudinal slide, when a predefined deflected position of the transverse slide is reached. 
     An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterised in that the spring-pretensioning of the transverse slide spring unit is effected by means of at least one transverse spring element which is arranged on one side on the longitudinal slide and the one free transverse spring element side of which comes into mechanical contact with a transverse counter-surface element arranged on the transverse slide when the predefined deflected position is reached. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment, the spring-pretensioning of the transverse slide spring unit is effected by means of the at least one transverse spring element which is arranged on one side on the transverse slide and the one free transverse spring element side of which comes into mechanical contact with a transverse counter-surface element arranged on the longitudinal slide when the predefined deflected position is reached. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the position of the carrier element is adjustable transverse to the conveying direction. 
     The invention relates further to a method for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses, characterised by carrying out the steps of the method for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles, wherein the articles are poultry carcasses, in each case one of the poultry carcasses is held by means of the receiving elements with its neck side facing the processing station, and the wishbone of the poultry carcass is removed by means of the at least one processing tool, which is in the form of a wishbone removal unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further preferred and/or expedient features and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description. Particularly preferred embodiments will be explained in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the assembly according to the invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  1   , looking at the underside; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a wishbone removal unit; 
         FIG.  4    is a plan view of the wishbone removal unit shown in  FIG.  3   , looking from beneath, in which the tools are in a standby position; 
         FIG.  5    is a plan view of the wishbone removal unit shown in  FIG.  3   , looking from beneath, in which the tools are in a processing position; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective detail view of the link guide during the work cycle; 
         FIGS.  7  to  9    show the link guide shown in  FIG.  6    with different positions of the guiding wheel during transfer from the work cycle guiding path into the return guiding path; 
         FIGS.  10  to  12    show the link guide shown in  FIG.  6    with different positions of the guiding wheel during transfer from the return guiding path into the work cycle guiding path; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the assembly according to the invention, looking at the longitudinal slide spring unit; 
         FIG.  14    shows the assembly shown in  FIG.  13    with a detail view of the longitudinal spring element; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the assembly according to the invention, looking at the transverse slide spring unit; and 
         FIG.  16    is a detail view of the assembly shown in  FIG.  15   , looking at the transverse spring element. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The preferred embodiments of the assembly according to the invention and of the apparatus will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  16    described hereinbelow. In order to avoid repetition, this description will also serve to explain the method according to the invention in greater detail. The method according to the invention will be discussed in greater detail only when the respective method steps are not analogous to the apparatus or assembly according to the invention. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of the assembly according to the invention. The assembly comprises an apparatus for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles. This apparatus according to the invention comprises a conveyor device  10 , which forms a conveying line. The articles - not shown in  FIG.  1    - are conveyed in a conveying direction  11 . For this purpose, the conveyor device  10  has a plurality of receiving elements  19  - shown in  FIG.  2    - which are adapted to hold the articles. By way of example, the receiving elements  19  shown in  FIG.  2    are here in the form of receiving saddles for holding poultry carcasses. The apparatus according to the invention is of course not limited solely to the processing of poultry carcasses. The representation chosen in  FIG.  2    serves merely for illustrative purposes and to explain the assembly according to the invention. In principle, the apparatus according to the invention is suitable for the processing of any articles, provided that the receiving elements  19  are in each case correspondingly adapted to those articles. 
     Along the conveying line there is arranged at least one processing station  12 , which comprises processing tools  13  adapted to process the articles. In the drawing, a processing station  12  with three processing tools  13  is shown by way of example. The number of processing stations  12  can in principle be chosen freely as required. 
     The processing station  12  has a positioning unit  14  adapted to position the at least one processing tool  13 . The positioning unit  14  comprises a longitudinal slide  15 . The longitudinal slide is arranged on a carrier element  16  so as to be slidable in and contrary to the conveying direction  11 . The carrier element  16  is formed by two side parts  17  and at least two drive elements  61 . The longitudinal slide  15  is guided in the conveying direction  11  by means of the drive elements  61 . The drive elements  61  form with the side parts  17  the carrier element  16 , which is thus of frame-like form. 
       FIG.  2    shows a transverse slide  18 , which is arranged on the longitudinal slide  15  so as to be slidable transverse to the conveying direction  11 . In this manner, it is possible to position the transverse slide transverse to the conveying direction  11 , that is to say in the y-direction, and the longitudinal slide in the conveying direction, that is to say in the x-direction. 
     The longitudinal slide  15  is driven in an oscillating manner such that the longitudinal slide  15  on the one hand, in a work cycle, moves along asynchronously with the receiving elements  19  in the conveying direction  11  from a starting position  20  — shown in  FIG.  12    —into an end position  21  — shown in  FIG.  6   . Furthermore, the drive — not shown in the drawing - is configured such that the longitudinal slide  15 , in a return cycle, moves contrary to the conveying direction from the end position  21  back into the starting position  20 . 
       FIGS.  6  to  12    show a stationarily arranged link guide  22 , into which a guiding element  23  of the transverse slide  18  engages. The link guide  22  is therefore configured to move the transverse slide  18 , during the work cycle, transverse to the conveying direction  11  from a standby position towards the receiving elements  19  into a working position  60  and from the working position  60  back into the standby position. The sequence is shown indirectly in  FIGS.  6  to  12    by means of the respective positions of the guiding element  23 . Furthermore, the link guide  22  is adapted to guide the transverse slide  18 , during the return cycle, transverse to the conveying direction  11  without deflection. This movement sequence is again shown indirectly and schematically in  FIGS.  9  to  12    by means of the positions of the guiding element  23 . 
     As is shown in  FIGS.  6  to  12   , the link guide  22  preferably comprises at least a work cycle guiding path  24  and a return guiding path  25 . The return guiding path  25  is oriented parallel to the conveying line and extends linearly parallel thereto. The work cycle guiding path  24  extends, starting from the return guiding path  25 , from the starting position  20  and the end position  21  to the working position  60  of the longitudinal slide. In other words, the work cycle guiding path  25  is so configured that it leads towards its centre in the direction of the receiving elements  19  transverse to the conveying direction  11  in order to effect the deflection of the transverse slide  18 . 
     Particularly preferably, the work cycle guiding path  24  is in the form of a cam track  27 . For example, the cam track  27 , as shown in the drawing, is in the form of a double S-curve, the maximum deflection of which in the direction transverse to the conveying direction  11  is at the centre of the cam track  27 . In particular, the cam track  27  is free of steps. The cam track  27  therefore does not have any points of discontinuity. The cam track  27  is consequently free of jump points. 
     The guiding element  23  is preferably in the form of a guiding wheel  26 . The guiding wheel  26  is thus guided by means of the cam track  27  with as little friction as possible. In particular, the guiding wheel  26  has ball bearings or is in the form of a ball bearing. 
     The work cycle guiding path  24  and the return guiding path  25  of the link guide are each in the form of guiding recesses  28  and are configured to guide the guiding element  23  or guiding wheel  26 . Preferably, the guiding recesses  28  of the work cycle guiding path  24  and of the return guiding path  25  merge into one another and thus form a closed guiding path. 
     Preferably, the guiding recesses  28  have a predetermined excess relative to the guiding wheel  26  at the respective transition regions  29  between the work cycle guiding path  24  and the return guiding path  25 . This has the advantage that the guiding wheel  26  is not mechanically limited in the respective guiding recess  28  in particular at the reversal points of the to and fro movement of the longitudinal slide  15  and at the reversal points of the to and fro movement of the transverse slide  18 . Thus, abrupt slowing of the movement sequence and mechanical loads which would otherwise be high and act in a pulse-like manner are avoided and, overall, a low-vibration movement sequence is made possible. 
     Advantageously, a first pivotable guide element  30  and a second pivotable guide element  31  are each arranged on the guiding recesses  28 . The first guide element  30  is arranged on the starting position side in the region of the transition  32  from the return guiding path  25  to the work cycle guiding path  24 . The second guide element  31  is arranged on the end position side in the region of the transition  33  from the work cycle guiding path  24  to the return guiding path  25 . In other words, the guide elements  30 ,  31  are each arranged at the end of the path. 
     The first and second guide elements  30 ,  31  are each arranged so that they can be pivoted out of and into the path plane of the guiding recesses  28 . The guide elements  30 ,  31  are thus arranged such that they project into the guiding recess  28  and at least — in the pivoted-in state — extend at least over part of the height of the guiding recesses  28 , for example as shown in  FIGS.  9 ,  10  and  12   . As is shown in  FIGS.  7 ,  8  and  11   , the guide elements  30 ,  31  — as described in detail hereinbelow — can be pivoted out of the mentioned path plane so that the guiding recess  28  becomes free at the respective guide element position for the passage of the guiding element  23  or guiding wheel  26 . In this manner, the first and second guide elements  30 ,  31  each form a switch element which is adapted to ensure reliable transfer of the guiding element  23  from the return guiding path  25  into the work cycle guiding path  24  and vice versa. 
     Advantageously, the first guide element  30  comprises a return guiding path blocking element which is configured and adapted to allow the guiding element  23  or guiding wheel  26  to pass during the return cycle by pivoting out of the path plane of the return guiding path  25 . This operation is shown in  FIG.  11   . After the guiding element  23  has passed, the return guiding path  25  is blocked for passage of the guiding element  23  during the work cycle by pivoting of at least the return guiding path blocking element  34  into the path plane of the guiding recess  28  of the return guiding path  25 . This is illustrated in  FIG.  12   . The guiding element  23  has already passed the return guiding path blocking element  34 , wherein the return guiding path blocking element  34  has been pivoted out of the path plane during passage of the guiding element  23 . After it has pivoted back into the path plane, the return guiding path blocking element  34  prevents the guiding element  23  from entering and guides it into the work cycle guiding path  24 , so that the guiding element is guided — as shown in  FIG.  6    — in the work cycle guiding path  24 . 
     Preferably, the return guiding path blocking element  34  comprises a first guiding element sensing part  35  and a work cycle guiding path part  36 . The first guiding element sensing part  35  is preferably of ramp-like form with a width that increases contrary to the conveying direction  11 . The width of the guiding element sensing part  35  extends in the vertical direction of the guiding recess  28 . The work cycle guiding path part  36  is adapted such that it forms at least a first wall section  37  of the work cycle guiding path  24 . The functioning of the guiding element sensing part  35  and of the work cycle guiding path part  36  with its first wall section  37  is apparent in particular from  FIGS.  11  and  12   .  FIG.  11    shows the passage of the guiding wheel  26 , in which it slides over and beyond the ramp-like guiding element sensing part  35 , wherein the guiding element sensing part is pivoted out of the path plane - downwards in the drawing. The first guide element  30  then returns to the starting position automatically. This state is shown in  FIG.  12   . The first wall section  37  then forms part of the work cycle guiding path  24 . 
     Further preferably, the second guide element  31  comprises a work cycle guiding path blocking element  38  which is configured and adapted to allow the guiding element  23  to pass during the work cycle by pivoting out of the path plane of the work cycle guiding path  24 , as is shown by way of example in  FIGS.  7  and  8   . After the guiding element  23  has passed, the work cycle guiding path blocking element  38  pivots into the path plane of the guiding recess  28  of the work cycle guiding path  24 , so that the work cycle guiding path  24  is blocked for passage of the guiding element  23  during the return cycle, as is shown by way of example in  FIG.  9   . 
     The work cycle guiding path blocking element  38  comprises a second guiding element sensing part  39  and a return guiding path part  40 . The second guiding element sensing part  39  is preferably of ramp-like form with a width that increases in the conveying direction  11  relative to its height in the guiding recess  28 , while the return guiding path part  40  forms at least a second wall section  41  of the return guiding path  25 . 
     The fundamental mode of functioning is shown in  FIGS.  6  to  9   . The guiding wheel  26  is guided in the work cycle guiding path  24  ( FIG.  6   ). In  FIGS.  7  and  8   , it is shown by way of example how the guiding wheel  26  comes into contact with the guiding element sensing part  39  and slides over and beyond it, while the guiding element sensing part pivots out of the path plane - downwards in the drawing. The passage for the guiding wheel  26  is thus free. After the guiding element sensing part  39  has been passed, it pivots back into the path plane, as is shown by way of example in  FIG.  9   . The return guiding path part  41  then forms, with its second wall section  40 , a barrier which reliably prevents the guiding element  23  or guiding wheel  26  from entering the work cycle guiding path  24  contrary to the conveying direction  11  and guides it into the return guide path  25 . 
       FIGS.  6  to  12    show a further advantageous embodiment of the invention. A further, third guide element  42  is optionally shown in the return guiding path  25 . This guide element  42  is likewise adapted to be pivotable out of the path plane. In contrast to the first and second guide elements  30 ,  31 , however, this guide element is mechanically coupled with the second guide element  31  such that, when the second guide element  31  is pivoted out of the path plane, the third guide element  33  is pivoted into the path plane. In this pivoted-in state, as is shown by way of example in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , the guide element  33  forms a third wall section  43  of the work cycle guiding path  24 . 
     After the guiding element  23  or guiding wheel  26  has passed and the second guide element  31  has pivoted back into the path plane, the third guide element  42  - as is shown by way of example in  FIG.  9    - is at the same time pivoted out of the path plane of the return guiding path  25  by the mechanical coupling, so that the guiding recess  28  becomes free for the passage of the guiding element  23  or guiding wheel  26 . 
     Preferably, the first guide element  30  and the second guide element  31  are configured such that they pivot back into the path plane automatically. According to the preferred embodiment with the third guide element  42 , this likewise affects the mechanical coupling of the second guide element  31  with the third guide element  42 . In this case, the second guide element  31  is so adapted that it pivots back into the path plane automatically, while the third guide element  42  is pivoted out of the path plane. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, restoring means — not shown in the drawing — are arranged on the first guide element  30 , the second guide element  31  and/or the third guide element  42  and are adapted to pivot the guide elements back into the path plane automatically. There are used as restoring means, for example, tension or compression springs or pneumatic cylinders. 
     Preferably, the conveyor device  10  comprises a conveyor chain — not shown in the drawing — on which the receiving elements  19  are arranged. The conveyor device  10  further comprises a drive — not shown in the drawing — which is adapted to drive the conveyor chain. This drive comprises at least one continuously circulating belt drive or chain drive with which the longitudinal slide  15  is coupled by means of a coupling rod. Thus, on the one hand rigid synchronisation of the movement of the longitudinal slide movement is achieved and at the same time the oscillating to and fro movement of the longitudinal slide  15  in and contrary to the conveying direction  11  is effected. 
     As is shown in  FIG.  13   , the positioning unit  14  comprises a longitudinal slide spring unit  44 . The longitudinal slide spring unit  44  is configured to be spring-pretensioned between the longitudinal slide  15  and the carrier element  16  when a predefined return position of the longitudinal slide  15  during a return cycle is reached.  FIG.  13    shows by way of example how the longitudinal slide spring unit  44  is already partially pretensioned. Particularly preferably, the predefined return position is located at approximately ⅓ of the total return distance. In this first third of the distance, the longitudinal slide spring unit  44  is not in engagement with the longitudinal slide  15 . Thereafter, the longitudinal slide spring unit  44  is spring-pretensioned in a sliding manner. An enlarged detail view of the longitudinal slide spring unit  44  shown in  FIG.  13    is shown in  FIG.  14   . 
     As is shown by way of example in  FIG.  13   , the longitudinal slide spring unit  44  comprises at least one longitudinal spring element  45 . The longitudinal spring element  45  is optionally — not shown in the drawing — arranged on one side on the carrier element  16 . A free longitudinal spring element side  46  is adapted to come into mechanical contact with a longitudinal counter-surface element  47  arranged on the longitudinal slide  15  when the predefined return position is reached. 
     Optionally, the longitudinal slide spring unit  44  — as is shown in  FIG.  13    — comprises at least the one longitudinal spring element  45  which is arranged on one side on the longitudinal slide  15  and the free longitudinal spring element side  46  of which is adapted to come into mechanical contact with the longitudinal counter-surface element  47  arranged on the carrier element  16  when the predefined return position is reached. As is shown in the drawing, the at least one longitudinal spring element  45  is in the form of a compression spring. Alternatively, the longitudinal spring element  45  is in the form of a tension spring. 
       FIG.  15    shows the positioning unit  14 , which comprises a transverse slide spring unit  48 . This is configured and adapted to be spring-pretensioned between the transverse slide  18  and the longitudinal slide  15  when a predefined deflected position of the transverse slide  18  is reached during a work cycle. 
       FIG.  16    shows an enlarged detail view of the transverse slide spring unit  48  shown in  FIG.  15   . Preferably, the transverse slide spring unit  48  comprises at least one transverse spring element  49 , in particular two of the transverse spring elements  49 . The at least one transverse spring element  49  is arranged on one side on the longitudinal slide  15 . Its one free transverse spring element side  50  is adapted to come into mechanical contact with a transverse counter-surface element — not visible in the drawing — arranged on the transverse slide  18  when the predefined deflected position is reached. The functioning of the transverse slide spring unit  48  is identical with that of the longitudinal slide spring unit  44 . The advantages and modes of functioning mentioned there also apply to the transverse slide spring unit  48  according to the invention. Preferably, the transverse slide  18  is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal such that a movement of the transverse slide  18  towards the processing tools  13  is adapted to be assisted by gravity. In other words, the transverse slide  18  is arranged so that it is inclined downwards towards the processing tools  13 . 
     Alternatively, the at least one transverse spring element  49  is arranged on one side on the transverse slide  18 . Its one free transverse spring element side is adapted to come into mechanical contact with the transverse counter-surface element arranged on the longitudinal slide  15  when the predefined deflected position is reached. Preferably, the transverse spring element(s)  49  — as shown in the drawing — is/are in the form of compression spring(s). It is, however, also possible to configure them as tension springs. The articulation of the transverse spring element  49  is then to be adapted accordingly. 
     Preferably, the carrier element  16  is adapted to be adjusted in terms of its position transverse to the conveying direction  11 . In this manner, the zero position of the processing tools  13  relative to the receiving elements  19  can be adjusted optimally. The carrier element  16  has for this purpose, for example, threaded bores — not shown in the drawing — through which stationarily arranged threaded rods are guided. The position adjustment takes place by turning the threaded rods. 
     The present invention is suitable in particular for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses. The present invention therefore also includes an assembly for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses. This assembly comprises the above-described apparatus according to the invention, wherein the articles are poultry carcasses, the receiving elements  19  are adapted to hold in each case one of the poultry carcasses with its neck side facing the processing station  12 , and the at least one processing tool  13  is in the form of a wishbone removal unit  51 . 
       FIG.  3    shows a perspective view of such a wishbone removal unit  51 . On a supporting frame  52  there are slidably arranged two outer separating elements  53  and a double separating element  54  with two cutting edges  55  which is located therebetween. 
       FIG.  4    shows the separating elements  53  and the double separating element  54  in a standby position, in which they are at the greatest possible distance from the receiving elements  19  and thus from the poultry carcasses — not shown in the drawing — to be processed. 
     For detaching and/or removing the wishbone, the separating elements are displaced, as shown in  FIG.  5   , in a separating position by means of an actuator  56  transverse to the conveying direction  11 , that is to say in the direction towards the receiving elements  19 , namely in an infeed direction  57 . 
     The separating elements  53  are each arranged inclined relative to the infeed direction  57  such that, in the separating position, their free ends  58  meet or nearly meet, in particular at an acute angle. The double separating element  54  is of arrow-like form and the separating elements  53  thereof are each oriented substantially parallel or parallel to the separating elements  53 . Optional fillet guiding elements  59  serve to keep flesh regions away from the cutting path, in particular in order to displace the outer fillets to the side in the shoulder region so that the separating elements  52  can optimally remove the wishbone without coming into contact or colliding with the mentioned flesh regions. 
     As described hereinbefore, at least one of the above-described wishbone removal devices  51 , as a processing tool  13 , is part of the positioning device  14  according to the invention. The positioning device  14  is configured on the one hand to move all the wishbone removal devices  51  in the conveying direction  11  with the poultry carcasses to be processed and on the other hand, during the work cycle, to guide them transverse to the conveying direction  11  in the direction towards the receiving elements  19  to the poultry carcasses to be processed. By means of a control device — not shown in the drawing — the actuator  56 , once the maximum deflection of the transverse slide  18  has been reached, is made to displace the separating elements  53  and the double separating element  54  from the standby position shown in  FIG.  3    into the separating position. The positioning unit  14  according to the invention is therefore configured to pre-position the at least one wishbone removal device  51  by means of a general movement and thus bring it as close as possible to the poultry carcasses to be processed. The wishbone removal device  51  therefore has to perform only a comparatively small movement, namely bring the separating elements  53  and the double separating element  54  out of the standby position into the separating position. Owing to the above-mentioned advantages of the positioning unit  14  according to the invention, the wishbone removal devices  51  are thus pre-positioned with great speed and precision. The wishbone removal devices  51  themselves scarcely perform any infeed movement towards the receiving elements  19 . Advantageously, the number of poultry carcasses that can be processed per unit of time can thus be increased significantly.