Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
262 words
Device for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first conveyor track having first suspension hooks, engaging on the knee-stumps of the birds, to a second conveyor track, having second suspension hooks, also engaging on the knee-stumps of the birds, with an input station adjoining the first track, for introducing the birds into transfer units having reception members which protrude from a transfer track running between the first and second conveyor track and having an output station, adjoining the second track, for transferring the birds from the transfer units to the second hooks, the transfer units each being constructed with two reception slots, located next to one another, for receiving the upper legs of the birds, characterised in that the input station is provided with a plurality of overhanging units moving in a closed track, the movement of which is synchronised in such a way with the movement of the suspension hooks moving in front of it and the transfer units moving below it that the respective positions thereof always coincide over a portion of the track thereof, and each overhanging unit is provided with an overhanging member, itself provided with two reception slots, the member being caused to move to and fro in such a manner about a horizontal axis in a vertical plane in front of the suspension hooks and transfer hooks that during the upward movement the legs of the birds are raised out of the suspension hooks by the reception slots and at the end of the subsequent downward movement are placed in the reception slots of a transfer unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
262 words
Device for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first conveyor track having first suspension hooks, engaging on the knee-stumps of the birds, to a second conveyor track, having second suspension hooks, also engaging on the knee-stumps of the birds, with an input station adjoining the first track, for introducing the birds into transfer units having reception members which protrude from a transfer track running between the first and second conveyor track and having an output station, adjoining the second track, for transferring the birds from the transfer units to the second hooks, the transfer units each being constructed with two reception slots, located next to one another, for receiving the upper legs of the birds, characterised in that the input station is provided with a plurality of overhanging units moving in a closed track, the movement of which is synchronised in such a way with the movement of the suspension hooks moving in front of it and the transfer units moving below it that the respective positions thereof always coincide over a portion of the track thereof, and each overhanging unit is provided with an overhanging member, itself provided with two reception slots, the member being caused to move to and fro in such a manner about a horizontal axis in a vertical plane in front of the suspension hooks and transfer hooks that during the upward movement the legs of the birds are raised out of the suspension hooks by the reception slots and at the end of the subsequent downward movement are placed in the reception slots of a transfer unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that each overhanging unit is provided with at least one blocking member which is rotatable about a horizontal axis, which member blocks any vertical movement of the suspension hooks during the movement along the input station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that both the overhanging member and the blocking member are carried by a tilting arm which is connected to a control arm which cooperates with a stationary control curve.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
94 words
Device according to Claim 1-3, characterised in that both the input station and the output station are provided with a rotating guide synchronised with the speed of the first and second track respectively, the guide having guide members cooperating with the respective transfer units alternately, in such a way that over at least a part of the track of the transfer units along the respective stations the speed and position of these units are determined by the guide members while between these stations the transfer units are driven slidingly and at a higher speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
Device according to Claim 4, characterised in that each transfer unit is provided with guide rolls cooperating with a guide track and with two clamping blocks, which are under spring pressure, and which cooperate with a circulating drive track which is driven at a higher speed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Device according to Claim 5, characterised in that one of the clamping blocks is connected, for cancelling the spring pressure, to a pivotable release lever which is operable by coming up against a stop cam present on each transfer hook.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Device according to Claims 1-6, characterised in that the guide track of the transfer units is shifted outward over that part of its track which coincides with the path in which the overhanging members execute the downward motion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
86 words
Device according to Claims 1-7, characterised in that in the output station the hook track runs over a portion of an arc of a circle and in this portion cooperates with radially protruding drivers on the periphery of a carrier which is rotatable about a vertical axis and is coupled with guide members, located below it and provided with drivers for the transfer units, and in that in the said path an ejector rail is provided below the transfer unit and converging with the track thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
122 words
Device according to Claims 1-8, characterised in that the input station is provided with a driver which rotates about a vertical axis and is, over a portion of the first track, coupled thereto, the driver being connected to overhanging units located below it and arranged in a circle and the transfer unit guide members mounted below these, and that in the space enclosed by the overhanging units there is located a stationary control drum with control curves extending around its periphery, the lower control curve cooperating with a control cam at the end of the tilting arm of the overhanging member and the upper control curve cooperating with a control cam at the end of the tilting arm of the blocking member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Device according to Claims 1-9, characterised in that the first hooks are the hooks, known per se, of an eviscerating line, and the second hooks are the hooks, known per se, of a refrigeration line, both belonging to an installation for the processing of slaughtered poultry.