Abstract:
A method of rotating an article being conveyed on a carrier travelling along a track of a conveyor system is provided. The method comprises stopping the carrier on a first section of track disposed at an angle to a second section of track which supports a second carrier, and rotating the first and second sections of track with respective carriers such that the article is rotated onto the second carrier. Apparatus for performing the method is also provided.
Abstract:
Automatic front leg cutter in a slaughtering transport line 1 where the touch of the last hind leg and the transport hook 12 on the sensitive antenna arms 10 and 11 activate two lifting arms 4 to lift up the front legs of the animal and a plate 5 for raising them into a position where the two holders 6 fall down and fix the legs while the cutters 7 cut of the front legs of the animal.
Abstract:
The plant for semiautomatic treatment of quarters of meat of cattle or other quadrupeds comprises an overhead rail arrangement (1) at constant height forming a closed loop, a plurality of suspending arms (6) suspended at regular intervals along the overhead rail (1), means for continuously driving the set of the arms along the said closed overhead rail loop (1), a plurality of stationary treatment stations (8) arranged along at least one part of the closed loop and outside the latter, each station (8) comprising a platform (9) equipped with means for automatic vertical movement with manual control, a conveyor belt system (10, 11) arranged under the path of the arms (6) in order to receive the muscles removed at various treatment stations (8), and an automatic transfer and loading device (18) equipped with a grasping member capable of performing a telescopic movement followed by a rotary movement in order to move a quarter initially hanging from a rail (17 ) as far as a suspending arm (6) situated in a region (4 ) of the closed loop forming a suspending station.
Abstract:
A downwardly biased, upwardly movable wheel is positioned in the path of bodies of meat advancing on a conveyor having lateral hooks for impaling and retaining the meat. The rotational axis of the wheel lies at an acute angle to the conveyor direction, guiding the meat-engaging portion of the wheel in a path which lies convergent to the conveyor direction and has a lateral component opposed to the hooks. A pork side engaged by the rotating wheel is shifted laterally during conveyor movement to drive the pork side into impaled engagement on a hook for subsequent cutting of the loin from the belly.
Abstract:
A hog head is removed by suspending the carcass in a head-down position, marking the skin of the carcass around the neck, engaging a hook in the jaw of the carcass and applying force to the hook to rotate the head upwardly, and disengage the atlas joint whereby the head is substantially removed from the carcass. Continuous apparatus includes a head pulling structure running parallel to and synchronized with the carcass suspension system, and preferably horizontally offset therefrom, so that the carcass assumes a "bellydown" attitude when head-pulling force is applied thereto. Semi-continuous apparatus may apply the required force using a flywheel, a crank, a lever or a fluid cylinder.
Abstract:
Apparatus for diverting severed articles, such as spare ribs, carried on top of another article, such as a hog carcass. A conveyor belt carries the hog carcass along a path of travel with previously severed spare ribs resting thereon. A diverting device is positioned laterally of the spare ribs as the conveyor continuously carries the spare ribs and the hog carcass along their path of travel. An air cylinder is operatively connected to the diverting device. A limit switch detects when the leading edge of the hog carcass and spare ribs are in such a position that the diverting apparatus is opposite the spare ribs, and then activates the air cylinder to move the diverting means to engage and transversely divert the spare ribs from the conveyor and from the hog carcass. Preferably, a holding device bears down on the fat back portion to hold the entire hog carcass, including the belly and fat back portions, from lateral movement on the conveyor during the diversion of the spare ribs therefrom. Means are also provided for receiving the ejected spare ribs.
Abstract:
An overhead track for controlled turning of suspended carcasses comprises a rail which forms a sinuous portion. Trolleys rotatably mounting hangers for suspending carcasses therefrom are positively advanceable along the rail, and stationary abutments are provided at one side of the sinuous portion of the rail opposite the concave bends thereof to engage the hangers at a distance from the rotational center thereof for rotating the hangers.
Abstract:
A tension adjusting device, alongside a conveyor frame, which provides a meat animal passage, and alongside a shackle-equipped animal transportation track, is supported inwardly of the shackle chain for movement up and down or toward and away from the passage so as to yield when the shackle is applied to an animal''s leg and then to swing outwardly and/or down to maintain tension upon the attached shackle as the animal moves through the passage.