In-line batching

ES 2 379 705 T3

DESCRIPTION

Online Batching

The present invention relates to a facility for processing slaughtered animal parts from slaughtered animals and forming batches each containing one or more slaughtered animal parts.

The slaughtered animals to be processed can be poultry, for example chickens, ducks, turkeys, although the invention also relates to the processing of other slaughtered animals such as pigs, cows, etc.

The installation according to the invention comprises a conveyor system with a single conveyor device or with a plurality of conveyor devices, in which each conveyor device comprises:

- an endless transport guide that follows a path,

- a large number of product carriers, product carriers that are attached to the transport guide in a suspended manner, wherein the product carriers are each configured to carry one or more parts of slaughtered animals, and

- drive means for moving the product carriers in a transport direction along the transport guide.

In the case of a plurality of conveyor devices, a transfer device is provided between two conveyor devices which is configured to receive one or more parts of slaughtered animals from a product carrier of a conveyor device and to transfer it / them to a product carrier. of the other conveyor device.

The facility further comprises at least one slaughtered animal treatment device which is positioned along the path of a conveyor device and is configured to subject at least some of the slaughtered animal parts undergoing physical treatment.

The installation is additionally provided with an installation control device having means for determining the position of the part of the slaughtered animal relative to the conveyor system and which substantially continuously know the position of each part of the slaughtered animal in the conveyor system, and additionally having memory means in which, for each part of the slaughtered animal in the conveyor system, at least one memory field is present for a parameter relating to the part of the slaughtered animal.

A facility as described hereinabove is generally known for processing poultry. Facilities for processing slaughtered birds are known in the art, wherein a batching device adapted for processing parts of slaughtered animals is present in the facility. See also Us-A-4372099.

In known facilities for the processing of slaughtered birds, physical treatments are carried out on the birds (for example by dividing the birds into parts, removing the skin, etc.) in the transport system with product carriers suspended in one. or usually more bird treatment devices. The installation control device knows in this case the current position of each bird part in the conveyor system and furthermore, in suitable memory means it collects a plurality of data items for each bird part.

In known installations, the bird parts to be grouped into batches are removed from the conveyor system with overhead conveyors that is visible to the facility control device and are then transferred to a batching device which is in fact operating in a smooth manner. autonomous.

Known batching devices for poultry parts comprise a conveyor belt with a series of collection supports on one or both sides of the belt. The parts of birds to be grouped in batches arrive at the beginning of said conveyor belt. On each collection bracket, a movable selector arm is present which, in an export position, extends over the continuously advancing belt in such a way that a poultry part slides from the belt and reaches the collection bracket. In a position of passage of the selector arm, a bird part can pass the arm in question, and therefore the associated collecting support. The bird parts to be grouped into batches are weighed just before the conveyor belt and, based on the weight, the selector arms are activated so that a part of the bird arrives at the collection stand defined by the grouping algorithm in batches. Often, a weighing device is provided to determine the total weight of the bird parts present on the collection stand.

ES 2 379 705 T3

An object of the invention is to propose improvements and / or alternatives in the field of a facility for processing slaughtered animals, in which a batching device is present to form batches of parts of slaughtered animals.

The invention provides an installation according to claim 1.

In this installation a first weighing device is provided, a first weighing device that is located along the path of a conveyor device with suspended product carriers and is configured to determine the weight of the one or more parts of birds carried by a product carrier. Suitable weighing devices are described, for example, in EP 343 700.

The installation control device is implemented in such a way that in the memory means for each bird part in the conveyor system, at least one memory field is present for the weight, determined by the first weighing device, of the part of slaughtered animal.

Furthermore, it is envisaged that the batching device is coupled to the installation control device.

In this case, the batching algorithm is configured to assemble the batches based on one or more batching parameters, in which the weight, as stored in the memory means of the installation control means, serves as the first batching parameter.

A part of the conveyor system that is located directly upstream of the batching device forms a buffer section, the beginning of which is defined by where, for each passing product carrier, each batching parameter of the one or more parts of slaughtered animals carried by the product carrier is known in the facility control device and is available for the batching algorithm, so that the discharge position can be selected based on the batching algorithm.

Compared with known installations, a relevant aspect is the integration or coupling of the installation controller to the controller of the batching device and the batching algorithm that calculates the selection of the discharge positions. As will be more apparent based on various preferred embodiments, such integration or coupling enables various relevant advantages to be achieved as a function of the selected embodiment.

The integration may include the fact that the facility control device, often a complex central computer system that activates the operation of the conveyor system and many treatment devices based on a production plan, also performs the grouping algorithm in batches and thus activates the batching device.

The coupling may include the fact that the facility control device sends data relating to the parts of slaughtered animals to be batched from the memory means to a remotely located batch control device which then performs the grouping algorithm in batches.

A batch to be assembled may in practice contain a plurality of parts of slaughtered animals of the same type, for example a batch of chicken thighs, chicken quarters, or for example hams. However, it is also conceivable that a batch comprises only a single part of slaughtered animal, for example the entire carcass of a slaughtered, gutted chicken.

In another possible variant, it is envisaged that a batch contains a plurality of parts of slaughtered animals of various types, for example a batch comprising chicken thighs and chicken quarters. It should be noted in this case that it is conceivable that various types of products, such as chicken thighs and chicken quarters mentioned in this case, are conveyed at the same time on a conveyor device with product carriers implemented in the same way. However, it is also conceivable for this to provide an installation in which two conveyor devices extend along a common batching device, for example as a result of the fact that the transport guides of said conveyor devices run parallel between yes over a distance at the site of the batching device.

In an embodiment that is considered advantageous, it is envisaged that the memory means for each part of the slaughtered animal in the conveyor system have a plurality of memory fields, in which a memory field is present for weight, determined by the first weighing device, of the slaughtered animal part, and another field is present for a second batching parameter that differs from the weight and refers to the slaughtered animal part. Examples of such a second batching parameter are included in this application. In such an embodiment, it is envisaged that the batching algorithm is configured to assemble the batches at least

ES 2 379 705 T3 based on both the weight and the second batching parameter as stored in the memory means of the installation control means.

In a possible embodiment, it is envisaged that an observation device is located along the path of the conveyor system, which observation device is configured to determine the second parameter of grouping in batches of the one or more parts of slaughtered animals carried by a product carrier.

For example, the observation device is configured to carry out a visual observation using a camera or other optical device, where then, based on the appropriate processing of the obtained optical observation, the second grouping parameter is determined in batches and sent to the installation driver.

For example, the second batching parameter is representative of externally visible damage (eg skin damage, bruises) or other external characteristics of the parts of slaughtered animals that pass (eg color, dimensions).

Another second batching parameter could be, for example, the tenderness of the part of the slaughtered animal, for example as described in EP 1815744.

The second batching parameter could optionally be used in such a way that it is established based on the second batching parameter whether a part of slaughtered animal may or may not be part of a batch, ie as a selection parameter. For example, a set of minimum requirements may be set for the external appearance of the part of the slaughtered animal and if visual observation reveals that a part does not meet these requirements, the part of the slaughtered animal in question may be declared unsuitable for inclusion in a lot. If possible, the same observation can also be used to divide parts of slaughtered animals suitable for batching into a plurality of quality classes, so that for example batches of a specific weight and a specific quality class can be formed.

The advantages of the invention are for example relevant to carry out the installation in which the batching takes place on the basis of the principle of grouping into batches of fixed weight. In fixed weight batching, a large group of batches are formed that have a specific target weight. The goal is to differ as little as possible from that target weight. This is particularly relevant if using a fixed-price, fixed-weight lot grouping, where lots are sold at a fixed price so that no excess weight is delivered for free.

Also described herein are batching devices that can be positioned along the path of a conveyor device of the type described herein for transporting parts of slaughtered animals.

The invention further relates to a slaughterhouse equipped with a facility as described herein.

The invention also relates to a method for processing parts of slaughtered animals and forming batches each containing one or more parts of slaughtered animals, in which use is made of a facility as described herein.

The invention will now be described in greater detail herein with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. It will be clear to one skilled in the art that aspects of these exemplary embodiments can be used if desired in various combinations within the scope of the present invention.

Brief description of the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a part of a first exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a part of a second exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention; Figure 3 shows a part of a third exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a part of a fourth exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows an overview of a slaughterhouse for poultry in which a fifth exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention is installed;

Figure 6 shows an overview of a slaughterhouse for poultry in which a sixth exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention is installed;

Figure 7 shows a part of a seventh exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention; Y

ES 2 379 705 T3 Figure 8 shows a part of an eighth exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention.

A first exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows merely a part of the installation, as will be apparent from the further description.

The shown part of the installation contains components that allow bird parts of slaughtered birds to undergo one or more physical treatments and subsequently batches of said bird parts to be formed, in this example fixed weight batches, that is, batches that they have a predefined target weight (eg based on an order for consumer packages each containing a batch of such poultry parts). In this example and the additional examples herein, chicken parts will be assumed, but it will be clear that the invention can be applied to other birds as well.

It will also be clear that the inventive idea can also be applied to slaughtered animals such as cows and pigs, etc.

A conveyor system can be seen having in this example a single conveyor device 1 represented schematically. Said conveyor device 1 comprises:

- an endless transport guide that follows a path 2 (not shown in this case but in a practical embodiment for example formed by a rail),

- a large number of product carriers 3 (merely a single carrier shown in this case), product carriers 3 that are attached to the transport guide in a suspended manner, the product carriers each configured to carry one or more parts poultry (in this example two chicken thighs in each case), and

- drive means (not shown) for moving the product carriers in a transport direction along the transport guide.

In general, examples of conveyor devices of this type are known for one or more parts of birds.

The embodiment shown of the conveyor device discloses, as is preferable, that the endless conveyor guide is of the type known to experts as a raised conveyor device, in which the path extends at a distance above the ground, the height of which it may vary along the way.

It is also disclosed, as preferred, that the product carriers 3 are each provided with a trolley part with one or more wheels, which trolley part hangs from a track construction forming the path. As preferred, the product carriers are coupled to each other by a chain or a cable.

One or more bird treatment devices 10, 11, 12 that are each configured to subject at least some of the parts of birds undergoing physical treatment, are located along path 2 of the conveyor device. For example, one or more of the devices 10, 11, 12 are cutting devices that are configured to subject the parts of birds that go through a cutting treatment (for example a cutting module to cut a part), but also to other physical treatments (such as a skinning device to remove the skin), a stretching device to stretch parts of the birds (for example wings), a scraping device to scrape the meat, etc. The physical treatment could also be the application of a marinade or other additive with the help of a device suitable for this purpose.

It is not shown, but it is obviously conceivable and already implemented in practice that the treatment device (s) 10-12 is / are coupled, as regards their activation and / or transfer of data, to the installation control device 30 which will be described hereinafter in greater detail.

Figure 1 shows a first weighing device 20 which is located along the path 2 of a conveyor device and is configured to determine the weight of the one or more poultry parts carried by a product carrier 3. As indicated hereinabove, it is envisaged in this example that each carrier 3 carries two chicken thighs at the same time. The weighing device 20 can then determine, for example, the combined weight of the two chicken thighs, in which it is then envisaged that both chicken thighs are discharged in the same way on the same collection support, that is, of fact that they are treated as a single bird part. In the case of a possible individual discharge of chicken thighs or the like from a product carrier for a plurality of bird parts, it could for example be assumed that each chicken thigh weighs half of the total measured weight. As will be described in greater detail, an optional check weighing can correct during batching for any errors in that assumption, or a weighing error by the first weighing device 20.

ES 2 379 705 T3

In another variant, it is provided that the weighing device 20 weighs the weight separately, during the passage of a carrier 3 which at the same time carries a plurality of bird parts, for each part of the bird carried. In still another variant, each carrier 3 carries only a single bird part.

The installation further comprises an installation control device 30 which is schematically indicated in this case in the form of a housing of a computer controlled device but which in practice can be particularly extensive and complex, as is known in the specialized field. The facility control device 30 may comprise one or more centrally located computers, but could also comprise a network of remote computers.

The control device 30 comprises means for determining the position of bird parts relative to the conveyor system and substantially continuously knows the position of each bird part in the conveyor system. This is a known aspect in the field of poultry slaughterhouses and an example of means of this type is described in the applicant's document NL 1024150.

It is also known in the field in question that the control device 30 has memory means in which, for each part of the bird in the conveyor system, at least one memory field is present for the weight, determined by the first recording device. weighing, of the poultry part, as also mentioned in document NL 1024150. The transfer of the weights determined by the weighing device 20 to the control device 30 is indicated schematically by the signal line 21.

As noted hereinabove, one or more of the bird treatment devices 10-12 may also be connected to the control device 30, for example to subject or not to subject selectively determined bird parts to treatment and / or to supply the device with data that is defined by the processing device (s) and related to the bird parts, for example to store this data in additional fields on the memory means.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a batching device 40 that is located along the path of a conveyor device and is configured to form batches each containing one or more bird parts.

The batching device has a plurality of discharge positions along the path 2 of the conveyor device 1.

This example shows that said conveyor device 1 is the same one that has fed the parts of birds to be grouped in batches along one or more poultry treatment devices 10, 11, 12 and along the weighing device 20. Since such a conveyor device is in fact under the control of the installation controller 30, the batch process could now take place very efficiently, as will be illustrated hereinafter. Furthermore, the conveyor device in this case is not a separate conveyor device that is related to the batching device, as is conventional in the state of the art. This allows for example to save space in the poultry slaughterhouse.

It can be seen in this example that the bird parts in the section between the passage along the treatment devices 10, 11, 12 and the weighing device 20 to the batching device do not detach from the carrier 3 in question and in this case likewise they are not transmitted from one conveyor device within the control of the installation control device 30 to another conveyor device within the control of the installation control device 30.

As for its activation, the batching device 40 is coupled to the installation control device 30 and is configured to select, based on an associated batching algorithm, a discharge position for the one or more bird parts. carried by a product carrier, in which a collection support is present in each unloading position in which unloaded bird parts are collected until the batch is complete.

The batching algorithm is configured to assemble the batches at least based on the weight defined by the weighing device 20 as stored in the memory means of the installation control means 30.

A part of the conveyor system 1 that is located directly upstream of the batching device 40 forms an intermediate storage section 50, the beginning of which is defined by the place where, for each passing product carrier, the weight is known of the one or more bird parts carried by the product carrier, in this example in the weighing device 20. That weight is available to the batching algorithm at least during the passage of the product carrier through the buffer section 50, such that the discharge position can be selected based on the batching algorithm.

ES 2 379 705 T3

In an embodiment that is considered advantageous in practice, it is envisaged that the buffer section has at least a length such that there are 50 product carriers within the buffer section 50, particularly preferably at least 100 product carriers . This offers the batching algorithm a "buffer" of bird parts, so that the batching algorithm can easily achieve high throughput (ie, assemble batches of the intended composition, for example have the target weight alleged). For example, the path 2 comprises between the first weighing device 20 and the batching device one or more meandering circuits in order to thereby provide the buffer section 50 with the desired length.

As indicated by line 41, based on the batching algorithm it is determined at which discharge position the chicken thighs are discharged from the carrier 30, for example by operating a discharge actuator in the batching device.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the unloaded poultry parts are envisioned to drop downwardly from the product carrier 3 hanging from a rail or the like and into a collection support 42 located in the unloading position. Said collection supports 42 in this case form part of the batching device 40 and each has walls and a movable bottom 43, in this case side walls and a pivoting bottom fin (having one or more pivoting portions) that can operated by an actuator (not shown).

During the completion of a batch, the bottom fin 43 is in a carrying position so that the unloaded bird parts are collected on the bottom fin. If the installation controller has observed that the batch is complete, the bottom flap pivots downward, so that the batch of bird parts in this case enters a lower support 44. The bottom flap 43 is then pivoted back up, so that a new batch can be formed on the collection holder. Activation of the bottom flap 43 by the installation controller 30 is indicated schematically by the control line 45.

The batch that has reached the lower support 44 should be able to be removed therefrom by hand, but preferably an operable bottom flap is also provided which, when opened, releases the batch for further discharge.

In a possible embodiment, a discharge of a batch from the batching device to a packing station or the like is provided by means of a belt conveyor 55 with an endless belt. In a possible embodiment, compartments are indicated on said belt graphically or otherwise, the position of which in the control device in relation to the belt conveyor (optionally integrated in the installation control device 30) is constantly known , so that it is known which batch (which has the total weight) is located in which compartment. Such information can then be used for example during packaging of the batch in question in a consumer package, for example to indicate the total weight.

The batching device 40 may be provided with a second weighing device that is configured to determine the weight of bird parts that have been collected in a batch, i.e. in this example, a second weighing device on each weighing rack. pickup. In this way, the weight of the batch can be monitored and any errors of the first weighing device 20 are compensated for. This increases the accuracy of the batching process and has, for example in fixed price, fixed weight batching, the advantage that the “gift”, giving away excess weight for free, can be effectively kept as low as possible. .

In a variant that is considered particularly advantageous of the installation according to the invention, it is envisaged that the memory means for each part of the bird in the conveyor system have a plurality of memory fields, in which a memory field is present for the weight, determined by the first weighing device 20, of the bird part, and another field is present for a second batching parameter that differs from the weight and refers to the bird part. In this case, the term "batching parameter" refers to a parameter that is variable with respect to the bird parts in the conveyor system and a parameter that is part of the batching algorithm.

The batching algorithm then does not work exclusively based on the weight determined by the first weighing device 20, but is then configured to assemble the batches at least based on both the weight and the second batching parameter as specified. stored in the memory means of the installation control means.

This means that the part of the conveyor system that is located directly upstream of the batching device and that forms the buffer section has a start that is defined by where, for each passing product carrier, it is knows both the weight and the second batching parameter of the one or more poultry parts carried by the product carrier. During the time that the product carrier in question with poultry parts is located in the buffer section, the batching algorithm can then determine at which discharge position the poultry parts in question can best be discharged.

ES 2 379 705 T3

In the example of Figure 1, an observation device 60 is envisaged to be located along path 2 of the conveyor system, which observation device 60 is configured to determine the second batching parameter of the one or more parts. of birds carried by a product carrier 3.

For example, the observation device 60 is configured to carry out a visual observation using a camera or other optical device, in which then, based on the appropriate processing of the obtained optical observation, the second grouping parameter is determined into batches. and is sent to the installation controller 30, indicated schematically in this case by the signal line 61.

For example, the second batching parameter is representative of externally visible damage (eg skin damage, bruises) or other external characteristics of passing bird parts (color, dimensions).

In Figure 2, the components corresponding in construction and / or function to the components that have been described with reference to Figure 1 are endowed with the same reference numerals.

In FIG. 2, another batching device 80 is located along the path 2 of the conveyor device, wherein said conveyor device forms between the weighing device 20 and the batching device 80 the storage section 50. intermediate described hereinabove.

As described hereinabove, the batching algorithm should, if desired, be capable of making use of both the weight and a second batching parameter, for example a second parameter determined using the device 60. camera.

The batching device 80 has in this case, at each unloading position along the path 2, a movable arm 81 provided with a gripping assembly 82 which is configured to securely grip the one or more bird parts. carried by a product carrier 3 and then withdraw it (s) from the product carrier. In this example, the gripper assembly 82 is configured to grip parts of birds hanging on the product carrier, in this case two parts of the leg (such as thighs or chicken quarters) next to each other.

In this batching device 80, there is additionally provided a holder 83 for a supply (in this case a stack) of pickup holders 85, in this case, as preferred, of upwardly open trays, which are not part of the batching device and for example implemented as (part of) a consumer package in which the products are ultimately offered in batches to the consumer in stores.

The batching device is provided with a collection support transport device 86 that moves the collection supports from the supply support 83 to a filling position where the bird parts are placed on the collection support by means of the movable arm with the grip assembly 82. In this example, a belt conveyor 86 is provided that feeds the pick supports along all of the movable arms 81.

It is conceivable that the bird parts, which are unloaded from the conveyor device 1 at various unloading positions, arrive on a single bird part collection support, since the batching device can put a collection support 85 within reach. of a plurality of arms 81 movable with grip assembly 82.

Each of the movable arms 81, which for example can be implemented as an industrial (multiaxial) robot, is activated on command of the batching algorithm that is processed in this case in the control device 30. The movable arms 81 are activated by the signal line 88 which in this case is indicated schematically.

Activation of a mechanism, in this case an unstacker, to release a pickup support 85 from the supply support 83, also takes place from the control device 30, in this case via the schematically indicated signal line 89.

The movable arms 81 may be provided with or coupled to a control weighing device, so that a control weighing signal can be supplied to the control device 30, in this case via the schematically indicated signal line 90.

Figure 3 shows a variant of the installation according to figure 1, in which the components corresponding in construction and / or function to the components that have been described with reference to figure 1 are provided with the same numbers of reference.

The product carriers 3 'are in this case of an embodiment known per se, and are each provided with a cone that is inserted into the part of the bird to be carried. For example, the cone can be used to transport the breast or front half of slaughtered birds.

ES 2 379 705 T3

As is known and preferred, the cone can pivot about a plurality of axes, for example at least about a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, so that the cone can be brought to various spatial positions. In the past, product carriers 3 'of this type have been used in conveyor devices that move poultry parts along one or more treatment devices, for example a cutting device (s), a skinner, etc. (eg treatment devices 10, 11, 12).

Figure 3 shows that the path 2 of the conveyor device provided with such a conveyor device extends along the batching device 40 ', so that the bird parts carried by these product carriers 3' can be released. directly on the pickup supports 44.

For example, a discharge actuator is provided at each discharge position which displaces the bird part in question from the cone. If the product carrier 3 'is also provided with a locking mechanism for the bird part, for example a movable hook as is known in the art, then that locking mechanism will also be disengaged to unload the bird part.

Figure 4 shows a variant of the installation according to figure 1, in which the components corresponding in construction and / or function to the components that have been described with reference to figure 1 are provided with the same numbers of reference.

It can also be seen that device 60, which serves in this case to observe a second batching parameter upstream of one or more poultry handling devices 10, 11, 12 is located along the path of the conveyor device. For example, device 60 could also be positioned between such treatment devices.

It is conceivable that the second batching parameter is a parameter substantially independent of the resulting physical treatment (s) carried out on the poultry part, for example color and / or the presence of damage (such as for example skinning).

As indicated earlier herein, the second batching parameter can (also) be used to select parts, so that the selected parts are no longer part of a batch to be formed, for example because the external appearance of the party in question does not meet the specific minimum requirements. It will be clear that in such a case a discharge station is provided, for example upstream of the batching device, to discharge parts of slaughtered animals which are not discharged into the batching device.

It is also conceivable that the second batching parameter is also used by the facility control device 30 to activate the operation of one or more poultry treatment devices, which are located downstream of the point at which the second is determined. batching parameter, for example to establish whether or not a specific bird part should be subjected to treatment by said aftertreatment device. Obviously, the signal lines are then lines between the control device 30 and each of said bird treatment devices 10, 11, 12 which are not shown in this case.

Figure 5 shows an overall view of a slaughterhouse for poultry in which a fifth embodiment is installed by way of example of an installation according to the invention.

The slaughterhouse includes a facility in which the parts corresponding in function and / or construction to the components of the facility in Figure 1 are provided with the same reference numerals.

One skilled in the art will recognize on the "entry side" of the slaughterhouse, devices for slaughtering the birds, removing the feathers, removing the entrails, examining the slaughtered birds and / or entrails, and the like.

These "inlet side devices" are generally upstream of a system for cooling slaughtered birds which is here indicated by the reference numeral 100. After cooling the slaughtered birds, (additional) physical treatments of the birds are generally carried out by one or more devices downstream (i.e. on the outlet side), such as for example dividing the birds into parts, marinating, etc. .

On this outlet side, batching also takes place, in this case using a batching device 40 that is located directly upstream of the cooling system 100, so that chilled poultry parts are supplied directly to said device. grouping into batches. For example, the batching device 40 that is located there is intended to batch entire carcasses, but it is also possible to provide that the birds are already divided upstream of the cooling system 100, for example to form rear halves which then They are cooled in the cooling system.

It can be seen that, in this example, upstream of the cooling system 100, one or more of the batching parameters used for the batching algorithm (i.e. weight and / or one second) are already determined.

ES 2 379 705 T3 batching parameter), preferably all batching parameters so that, in fact, the length of the conveyor system extending through the cooling system is available as the buffer section 50 . Since the length of the conveyor system through the cooling system comprises more than a thousand product carriers, often more than ten thousand product carriers, the matching algorithm can have a huge buffer of bird parts and thus provide highly effective results. optimal.

This example shows that the weight, which serves as the batching parameter, is determined at the weighing device 20 that is located upstream of the cooling system 100. In this case, the weighing device 20 is implemented as a transfer device between two conveyor devices, in which the transfer device is provided with an integrated weighing mechanism. Transfer devices of this type are known in this specialized field. In this example, the conveyor device located downstream of the transfer device 20 is then the device that extends through the one or more cooling spaces and / or along one or more devices that promote cooling (cold water spray , etc.).

It can be seen that in this case the batching device 40 is located along the same conveyor device that feeds the poultry parts through the cooling system 100.

In this example, it can be seen that the second batching parameter, which differs from weight, is determined upstream of the cooling system, in this example using a camera device that observes visual aspects, in this case whole birds directly after of the sacrifice and the removal of the feathers but before the removal of the viscera. For example, it is thus possible to establish whether the birds have an external appearance so that they are suitable to be selected as a whole carcass (after removal of the entrails and cooling) in the batching device 40, which is located directly after the system. cooling, and unloaded onto a collection media of the batching device. In this case, it is conceivable that a flock consists of only a single bird having the desired weight and external appearance. By determining said two batching parameters even before the start of the cooling system, the batching algorithm can work optimally by designing the appropriate samples in the buffer section to be downloaded to the batching device 40. . The birds that have not been unloaded are then processed in downstream devices, where the birds will often be divided into parts.

When visual observation is carried out to establish the second batching parameter in a bird part with a wing, it is preferable to place a wing stretching device upstream of the observing device so that the wing is stretched and therefore the body is more clearly visible.

In Figure 5, signal line 101 schematically indicates that a batching parameter, optionally even a third batching parameter, can be observed or otherwise inferred based on the cooling process and / or system 100 Cooling.

Figure 6 shows a variant of the slaughterhouse according to Figure 5, in which the parts corresponding in function and / or construction to the components of the plant in Figure 5 are provided with the same reference numerals.

A difference from the Figure 5 installation is the fact that the batching device 40 is located in this case along a conveyor device 110 which does not extend through the cooling system 100 in this case. but which is located directly downstream of the conveyor device 105 which extends through the cooling system. A transfer device 120 is present between these conveyor devices. It is relevant that the two conveyor devices 105, 110 and also the transfer device 120 are within the range of the control device 30, at least as far as the locating means are concerned, so that from each bird part, it is know where you are at all times on that conveyor system that is now constructed of a plurality of conveyor devices.

In such an embodiment, the transfer from the conveyor device 105 to the conveyor device 110 does not influence the possibility of making use, for the batching algorithm, of one or more batching parameters already defined upstream of the batching system 100. cooling. After all, said parameters, despite the transfer from one conveyor device to another, remain uniquely coupled in the memory means to the bird part.

The transfer device 120 could be configured as a transfer device with a weighing function, for example to monitor the weight after passing through the cooling system. For example, in the case of an unwanted difference from that weight, then it could still be decided by the batching algorithm not to download the bird part in question to device 40.

ES 2 379 705 T3

The same monitoring could be carried out using an additional camera device 130 coupled to the monitoring device, for example so that in the event of an unwanted external appearance after cooling, the birds are not selected for the batch.

Parameters determined directly downstream of the cooling system, such as for example weight and / or external characteristics of the chilled poultry part, can naturally be used to activate one or more processes that take place downstream of the cooling system, for example to activate one or more bird treatment devices. This is generally known in the specialized field.

It is conceivable that the parameters determined directly downstream are used not for batching the bird parts that emerge directly from the cooling system (and are not further processed), but rather for the post-treatments described earlier herein and / or for batch processes that take place later.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of an installation according to the invention, in which it is envisaged that the bird parts are externally treated with an additive, for example by applying one or more layers and / or particles to the outside of the part. of bird. An example is the application of a marinade coating to the exterior of the product as is known in the art, for example according to EP 1792541 or EP 1737300.

A conveyor device 140 can be seen having product carriers 141 (shown on a larger scale in the inset) that can be moved along an endless guide 142 by impulse with a motor 143. In this case one or more devices are located along the conveyor device 140 for externally applying an additive to the bird parts, indicated in this case by 150 and 155. For example, a device 155 applies an adhesion promoting additive, and the device 150 subsequently a marinade coating, for example as described in EP 1737300.

A batching device 40 is located downstream of the one or more additive application devices 150, 155, along the same conveyor device 140. The discharge actuators, which are not related to said device 40, are located in each discharge position and cause, at the command of the grouping algorithm in batches, the discharge of a poultry part from the product carrier 141, are not shown .

The weight, as a parameter for grouping into batches, is determined in this example by the first weighing device 20 which in this example is located not on the conveyor device 140 but on a conveyor device 160 positioned upstream thereof, for example a device a conveyor that also runs the length of one or more bird handling devices in which the birds are divided into parts.

As previously described herein, a transfer device 170 is located between devices 160 and 140, such that control device 30 knows the current position of each bird part on conveyor devices 160, 140.

Any increase in the weight of the poultry parts as a result of the additive application can be neglected for batching or accounted for based on a presumed uniform increase in weight.

As shown, an optional second batching parameter could also be determined upstream of the conveyor device, for example a parameter related to the external appearance of the bird part. Said parameter could then also be used to activate the additive application (s).

In a variant, the transfer device 170 is also implemented as a first weighing device, so that the section between said transfer device 170 and the batching device acts as a buffer section for the batching process. .

Figure 8 shows a variant of the installation according to Figure 1, in which the parts corresponding in function and / or construction to the components of the installation in Figure 1 are provided with the same reference numerals.

A batching device 180 can be observed that is configured so that, in product carriers that carry two parts of birds close to each other and supply them to the batching device independently of each other, to be able to unload on various collection supports 181, 182 .

Such an idea could also be implemented in the batching device 40, for example by placing a group of picking supports 42 on both sides of the conveyor path and providing each picking support with a discharge actuator that discharges the individual bird part. of the product carrier.

ES 2 379 705 T3

In Fig. 8, the positioning in each unloading position of a movable bird part elevator 183, implemented therein as a rotating wheel with a grip, which can then already be operated, for a bird part is envisaged.

In the case of proper operation, such an elevator 183 grabs the bird part to be unloaded and deposits the bird part on a collecting support 181, 182 which is related to the batching device. When the batch is complete, the batch can be removed (optionally by hand) from the collection holder and / or unloaded in a suitable manner or by a suitable mechanism.