Poultry shackle redirecting apparatus and method for directing poultry shackles from a poultry processing line to a disposal line
US8562397B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 9, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 22, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 9, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA22C21/0053
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A poultry shackle redirecting apparatus can include a conveyor that conveys a plurality of poultry shackles and a guide bar having an entrance positioned along the conveyor. The guide bar can be adapted to redirect a shackle from a poultry processing line to a disposal line. A detection device can be positioned at a distance upstream of the entrance to identify a shackle to be removed. An encoder can be positioned between the detection device and the entrance. The encoder can track a position of the shackle to be removed along the conveyor. Upon receiving instructions from the encoder that the shackle to be removed is positioned in registry with the entrance, a pushing device can be adapted to push the shackle to be removed into the entrance of the guide bar. A method of directing poultry shackles from a poultry processing line to a disposal is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.