Apparatus for transferring poultry carcasses

Abstract

Apparatus for transferring poultry carcasses from a first overhead conveyor to a second overhead conveyor, in which overhead conveyors the carcasses are transported suspended from shackles and the like, comprising a transfer wheel rotatable about a vertical axis and positioned between both overhead conveyors, which wheel is provided with holders for the carcasses and with first means for transferring the carcasses from the first overhead conveyor to the transfer wheel and with second means for transferring the carcasses from the transfer wheel to the second overhead conveyor, orientation means further being present for equalizing the spacial initial orientation of the carcass in the holder at receipt on the transfer wheel and the spacial final orientation of the carcass in the holder at its discharge from the transfer wheel.

1 . Apparatus for transferring poultry carcasses from a first overhead conveyor to a second overhead conveyor, in which overhead conveyors the carcasses are transported suspended from shackles and the like, comprising a transfer wheel rotatable about a vertical axis and positioned between both overhead conveyors, which wheel is provided with holders for the carcasses and with first means for transferring the carcasses from the first overhead conveyor to the transfer wheel and with second means for transferring the carcasses from the transfer wheel to the second overhead conveyor, orientation means further being present for equalizing the spacial initial orientation of the carcass in the holder at receipt on the transfer wheel and the spacial final orientation of the carcass in the holder at its discharge from the transfer wheel.  
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , the orientation means being adapted for keeping the spacial orientation of the carcass in the holder constant during the transport on the transfer wheel.  
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , the holders being bearing mounted in the transfer wheel to be rotatable about themselves about a vertical axis.  
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 3 , the orientation means being adapted for relative rotation of the holders with respect to the transfer wheel.  
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , the orientation means being adapted for letting the holders rotate 1:1 with the transfer wheel.  
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4 , the orientation means comprising first orientation means for orienting a first of the holders, and second orientation means for orienting others of the holders, which second orientation means are operated by the first orientation means.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , the first orientation means comprising a first driving disc provided on the first holder, a second driving disc placed loosely on the axis but retained in spacial orientation, and a driving belt or driving chain running circumferentially about both.  
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , the diameter of both driving discs being equal.  
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , further provided with a tension pulley for the driving belt or driving chain.  
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , the second orientation means comprising a first toothed wheel that is attached to the first holder in a rotatably fixed manner, a central toothed wheel freely rotatable on the axis and driven by the first toothed wheel, as well as second toothed wheels attached in a rotatably fixed manner to every other holder, which second toothed wheels are in driving engagement with the central toothed wheel.  
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , the second toothed wheels having a diameter that is equal to the one of the first toothed wheel.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for transferring poultry carcasses from a first overhead conveyor to a second overhead conveyor, in which overhead conveyors the carcasses are transported suspended from shackles and the like, comprising a transfer wheel rotatable about a vertical axis and positioned between both overhead conveyors, which wheel is provided with holders for the carcasses and with first means for transferring the carcasses from the first overhead conveyor to the transfer wheel and with second means for transferring the carcasses from the transfer wheel to the second overhead conveyor, orientation means further being present for rotating the holders with respect to the transfer wheel during the transport of the holders by the transfer wheel.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , the orientation means being adapted for 1:1 rotation of the holders and the transfer wheel.  
     
     
         14 . Holder for suspended transport of a poultry carcass, provided with accommodation spaces for the legs of the carcass, the accommodation spaces each forming a continuous slit in horizontal direction, the distance between the accommodation spaces at their one end being different from the distance therebetween at their other end.  
     
     
         15 . Holder according to  claim 14 , inclined turned end members being arranged on either side of one end of the accommodation spaces to prevent unintentional backwards movement of the legs.  
     
     
         16 . Holder according to  claim 14 , the distance between the accommodation spaces being larger at said one end than at said other end, inclined turned end members being arranged on either side of said one end of the accommodation spaces to prevent unintentional backwards movement of the legs out of said one end.  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , the holders being provided with accommodation spaces for the legs of the carcass, the accommodation spaces each forming a continuous horizontal slit.  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus according to  claim 17 , in the holders the distance between the accommodation spaces at their one end being different from the distance therebetween at their other end.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus according to  claim 12 , the holders being provided with accommodation spaces for the legs of the carcass, the accommodation spaces each forming a continuous slit in horizontal direction.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus according to  claim 19 , in the holders the distance between the accommodation spaces at their one end being different from the distance therebetween at their other end.