The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 1984
Filed:
Nov. 21, 1983
Johnny R Graham, Gainesville, GA (US);
Kenneth Z Graham, Dawsonville, GA (US);
Cantrell Machine Co., Inc., Gainesville, GA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and method are disclosed for pulling out and separating the viscera from a fowl carcass during food processing. The apparatus includes a rotary carrier (B) on which are carried a plurality of gripping devices (A). A rotary axis (35) of the rotary carrier (B) mounted on a frame (70) is inclined to the horizontal at such an angle that the gripping devices (A) penetrate the cavities (24) of fowl carcasses (F) conveyed sequentially past the frame (70). The gripping device (A) includes serrated gripping jaws (10, 14) which clamp a viscera track (18) between the crop and stomach. The jaws are carried by spoke arms (48) carried radially on a hub (36) forming the rotary carrier (B). A spring (61) closes the jaws and cam plates (62, 63) open the jaws through a cam roller (64). Cam roller (64) pushes forward a rack gear (58) to open the jaws via a rotary shaft (54) having a jaw (14) affixed thereto. The carrier (B) and gripping devices (A) are driven in synchronism with an overhead conveyor (116) on which the fowl carcasses are carried. The gripping jaws (A) are closed and begin insertion at about four-o'clock. The jaws open at about five-o'clock when cam (62) is engaged and close at about the six-o'clock position when spring (61) is released after cam (62) is past over. The viscera track (18) is positively clamped between the jaws. During retraction, about six to eight-o'clock, the viscera is harvested by complete removal from the carcass which continues its travel on the conveyor. At about the eight-o'clock position, and after retraction, cam (63) is engaged again opening the jaws to release the harvested viscera.