FEATHER PLUCKING FINGER USED FOR PLUCKING POULTRY FEATHER

Technical Field

The invention is related to a plucking finger block used in poultry plucking machines which are portable and fixed. The mentioned plucking finger has a structure which can be easily mounted or demounted to and from the motion shaft.

Prior Art

A dry plucking system is a feather removal technique which is a natural method as the feathers are plucked one by one manually, and said method has been existent since the creation of humanity until the present day. At the same time, this system is a very difficult and laborious process that needs patience. For this reason, companies resort to plucking feathers by immersing poultry into hot scalding tubs. Since a large number of poultry animals enter the same tub, the poultry both contaminates the water and they also become contaminated by the water. The poultry contaminating each other during plucking decreases the shelf life of the poultry and the quality of the meat.

The feather plucking stage creates a significant contamination source for Staphylococcus, Campylobacter, Salmonella and E. coli. These bacteria can find their way into the feather follicles following the plucking process and they may participate in the cross contamination from the follicles.

In wet plucking applications, in order to decrease contamination, methods such as applying chemicals (chlorinated water) to the water and changing the soaking water frequently are used. However, these methods do not provide sufficient performance in preventing contamination and they also increase application costs.

Therefore, with the purpose of cleaning the poultry from their feathers, applying the dry plucking technique is preferred.

In dry plucking techniques, the poultry is not subjected to water before being processed by the plucking procedure. Hence, the process minimizes the cross contamination from animals.

Nevertheless, since the skin and feather of the animal is not wetted during the dry plucking process, the plucking is more difficult in comparison to wet plucking. For this reason, it is expected that the equipment used applies high performance plucking without harming the animal's skin.

The classic plucking method is to pluck each feather one by one, manually. This method is not preferred today, both because of the labor cost and since the time spent for plucking is too long. Carrying out the plucking process by using plucking machines instead of the classical methods lowers the cost and the time used for the plucking process.

The system which provides plucking poultry animals by means of plucking fingers positioned around a drum can be given as an example to dry plucking machines. The plucking fingers strike the poultry body with the circular movement of the drum and cause the feathers to separate from the skin. The mentioned feather plucking machines can be used with the purpose of applying dry plucking and they can also be used with the purpose of applying wet plucking. Patent applications with number US 2543372, US 2436214, US 2412108, US 2595435, US 2358693, US 2337201, US 3537128 and WO 2015113064 describe fixed plucking machines whose fingers formed around a drum aim to create a plucking effect on the poultry with the circular movement of the drum.

The patent application number EP 3075257 describes a plucking machine which embodies plucking fingers mounted around a drum but which has a portable structure. This portable form is created especially for plucking the winged prey animals in nature .

Within the scope of the mentioned machines, the plucking fingers are mounted onto the drum body one by one. The drum serves as a mounting piece formed around the motion shaft with the purpose of mounting the plucking fingers. The mentioned drum is either a part of the motion shaft or it is attached to the motion shaft.

In order to mount the fingers onto the drum surface, various numbers of slots are formed. The plucking fingers are inserted into these slots and are fixed to the drum.

Since the plucking fingers generally have a conical form, they are fixed to the drum by being inserted through the inner sides on the motion shaft, being shut. Since the housing formed on the drum is wide enough for the tip of the finger to pass but narrow enough not to allow the base to pass as it is conical, the finger can be squeezed into the slot.

The flexible rubber fingers which remove the feathers on the carcass and which is a part of the feather plucking system are abraded and worn down through time and they need to be changed. However, demounting the plucking fingers from the slot that have been fixed therein is very difficult and it is not cost effective. The machine needs to be stopped for a long time for demounting the plucking fingers from the drum and the fingers are needed to be retrieved by opening the interior of the drum by demounting the drum from its position. In this case, the machine is going to be stopped for a long period of time and it will cease to operate and extra labor will be necessary with the purpose of retrieving the fingers.

In fact, with the purpose of eliminating this important technical problem encountered in the prior art, it has been an obligation to develop special finger demounting equipment. The application numbered US 5711703 mentions a special finger demounting apparatus as such.

The application number US 5711703 describes an apparatus which does not aim to demount the plucking fingers mounted on the drum easily and at low cost, used with the purpose of plucking poultry feather. The apparatus cuts the fingers by fixing them within its structure. By this means, the fingers can be retrieved from the drum without the need to demount the drum.

On the other hand, the plucking finger can be mounted to the drum by means of different mounting components. In this case, the plucking fingers are fixed on the drum by using mounting elements such as a clamp. However, it is laborious to mount/demount the mounting elements belonging to each finger one by one .

As further described within the scope of the invention, one of the main problems with the dry plucking systems is the difficulty of carrying out the plucking process without wetting the skin and the feather. This situation actually results from the fact that the plucking finger structure used in the prior art is not sufficiently elastic.

The systems embodying the plucking finger in the known state of the art are formed by mounting the plucking fingers on a drum. Since the drum structures used in the mentioned systems house the mounting of the fingers, their dimensions need to be large. The drum structures in which the fingers that generally have a conical structure are mounted from the inside of the drum by tightening have to comprise an inner space which is at least the size of a plucking finger between the motion shaft and the drum wall. The mounting of the plucking finger cannot be performed through tightening with the drums which do not have this space.

By using drums of this type, it will not be possible to form small dimension feather plucking systems. Within the scope of the patent applications number US 2543372, US 2436214, US 2412108, US 2595435, US 2358693, US 2337201, US 3537128 and WO 2015113064, these types of large drum structures and plucking machines having large dimensions formed by such drums are described .

Although a plucking machine having more limited dimensions have been attempted to be formed by aiming the use of space with the patent application number EP 3075257, the plucking fingers mounted on a drum caused the part of the machine which is composed of the drum and the fingers to be largest sized part . The Problems that the Invention Aims to Solve

The drum structure necessary for mounting the plucking fingers in the known systems is completely eliminated by the invention. By eliminating the drum structure, the volume/dimension of the plucking machine part which embodies the plucking fingers and hence, the volume/dimension of the whole machine is decreased.

On the other hand, the load on the motor is reduced by eliminating the drum. By this means, the motor both operates more quietly and the lifecycle of the motor increases.

Reducing the drum volume enables to form truly portable plucking machines having small dimensions.

The most important technical problem encountered in the plucking machines embodying the known plucking fingers is the finger mounting/demounting process. By means of the invention, this technical problem is eliminated by producing fingers that are already mounted on a shaft mounting body and by mounting the finger directly on the motion shaft by this means. In the case of the fingers being worn out, the user will be able to separate the finger attached on the shaft and replace it easily. Therefore, there is no need for stopping the machine for long periods of time for the replacement and maintenance of the fingers, or for costly demounting operations or for the use of extra finger demounting equipment.

Another problem solved by the invention is to form a more flexible finger structure. In order to fulfil this purpose, the central piece in relation to the finger and the fingers themselves are produced from polymer. The fingers attached to the motion shaft realize a tension-relaxation oscillation suitable for the rotational movement, starting from the central piece with the circular movement of the motion shaft. By this means, with the circular movement of the shaft, the effect of each finger striking the poultry body, on the body is limited.

The resulting force during the contact of each finger with the poultry body creates a tension-relaxation oscillation at the tip of the finger by means of the stretch created on the central piece and the harm to the animal skin is limited by this means. This situation enables performing the dry plucking with ease, without harming the animal's skin.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1. Perspective view of the plucking finger

Figure 2. Front view of the plucking finger

Figure 3. Perspective view of the plucking finger which embodies the plucking finger rods entirely equipped with grooves

Figure 4. Front view of the plucking finger which embodies the plucking finger rods entirely equipped with grooves and equipped with the mounting protrusion

Figure 5. Front view of the plucking finger which embodies the plucking finger rods entirely equipped with grooves and embodies the triangular central piece shaft mounting hole

Figure 6. Exploded view of the plucking fingers as arranged on the motion shaft

Figure 7. Perspective view of the plucking fingers as arranged on the motion shaft

Figure 8. Front view of the plucking fingers as arranged on the motion shaft

Figure 9. Front view of the plucking finger which embodies a single plucking finger rod piece Figure 10. Front view of the plucking finger which embodies

3 plucking finger rod pieces

Figure 11. Front view of the plucking finger which embodies

4 plucking finger rod pieces

Figure 12. Exploded view of the plucking fingers as arranged on the motion shaft which embodies locking protrusions .

Description of the reference numbers in the figures

1. Plucking finger block

2. Plucking finger central piece

3. Plucking finger rod piece

4. Central piece shaft mounting hole

5. Smooth part

6. Grooved part

7. Mounting protrusion

8. Motion shaft

9. Positioning piece

10. Fixation protrusion

Description of the Invention

In the most basic form, the invention is related to a plucking finger block (1) which is composed of a plucking finger rod piece (3) that carries out the plucking function and a plucking finger central piece (2) that comprises at least one central piece shaft mounting hole (4) for the plucking finger block (1) to be placed on the motion shaft (8) and fixed.

The plucking finger block (1) is connected to the motion shaft (8) by means of the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) . The central piece shaft mounting hole (4) defines an intentionally left blank space on the plucking finger central piece (2) . The central piece shaft mounting hole (4) can define a space having different structures to be suitable for the form of the motion shaft (8) which is connected to the motor providing the movement .

The central piece shaft mounting hole (4) may be a piece which can completely circumvent the motion shaft (8) and it may also be positioned on the motion shaft (8) in such a way as to leave a part of the motion shaft (8) free.

The purpose of the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) is to enable the coupling of the plucking finger block (1) to the motion shaft (8) . With this coupling, it is aimed for the plucking finger block (1) to move compatibly with the rotational movement of the motion shaft (8) and not to break off from the motion shaft (8) even though it bends during the movement .

The central piece shaft mounting hole (4) forms, which are suitable for different applications in relation to the invention, are shown in the figures.

In Figure 1, a central piece shaft mounting hole (4) which has a cross-sectional area of a square form is shown. Mounting this plucking finger block (1) to a motion shaft (8) which has a square cross-section area is aimed.

In Figure 4, a central piece shaft mounting hole (4) equipped by two mounting protrusions (7) is shown. Mounting this plucking finger block (1) to a motion shaft (8) which embodies recesses suitable for fitting the mounting protrusions (7) is aimed . In Figure 4, the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) comprising two mounting protrusions (7) is shown, however, different applications in relation to the invention may comprise a central piece shaft mounting hole (4) equipped by more than one mounting protrusions (7) . In this case, the motion shaft (8) should comprise a number of recesses suitable for fitting the mounting protrusions (7) in the way to comply with the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) .

In Figure 5, the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) having a triangular cross-section area is shown. Mounting this plucking finger block (1) to a motion shaft (8) having a triangular cross-section is aimed.

In different applications of the invention, central piece shaft mounting holes (4) having cross-section areas of different geometrical forms and different motion shaft (8) cross-section areas which make it possible for the connection with the same may be used.

For the plucking process to be more efficient, a part of the plucking finger rod piece (3) or its entirety can be equipped with grooves.

Figure 1 describes a plucking finger rod piece (3) which is comprised of a smooth part (5) and a grooved part (6) . In Figure 3, the entire plucking finger rod piece (3) is comprised of a grooved part (6) .

In Figure 4, the smooth part (5) is limited and a large section of the plucking finger rod piece (3) is formed by the grooved part (6) . According to an application in relation to the invention, the grooved part (6) is in the form of a screw thread. With this purpose, the grooves are arranged on the grooved part (6) spirally .

In Figure 6, the exploded view of the structure formed by the 4 plucking finger block (1) being placed on the motion shaft (8) is shown.

The invention may be operated by connecting at least one plucking finger block (1) on the motion shaft (8) . In order to arrange the position of the plucking finger block (1) on the motion shaft (8), positioning pieces (9) are used.

In Figure 6, one positioning piece (9) is positioned on each two ends of the plucking finger block (1) line formed for fixing the plucking finger blocks (1) connected to the motion shaft ( 8 ) .

The positioning pieces (9) enable the plucking finger blocks (1) to be fixed to the suitable position on the motion shaft (8) . By this means, it is provided for the plucking finger blocks (1) to be positioned at the most suitable section on the motion shaft (8) for plucking the poultry.

For the positioning pieces (9) and the plucking finger blocks (1) positioned on the motion shaft (8) to be fixed, the motion shaft (8) is equipped by at least one fixation protrusion (10) within the scope of different applications in relation to the invention .

According to Figure 12, the motion shaft (8) comprises fixation protrusions (10) on each end. The subject of the invention plucking finger blocks (1) comprises at least one plucking finger rod piece (3) . In different applications in relation to the invention, plucking finger blocks (1) embodying different numbers of plucking finger rod pieces (3) may be used.

While plucking finger blocks (1) comprising 2 plucking finger rod pieces (3) are shown between Figures 1-8, In Figure 9, a plucking finger block (1) comprising 1 plucking finger rod piece (3) and in Figure 10, a plucking finger block (1) comprising 3 plucking finger rod pieces (3) and in Figure 11, a plucking finger block (1) comprising 4 plucking finger rod pieces (3) are shown.

The plucking finger blocks (1) of the invention are made from polymer. By this means, stretching of the plucking finger blocks (1) perpendicular to the motion shaft (8) during the circular movement is provided.

Each plucking finger block (1) is connected by the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) close fitting the motion shaft (8) . With the circular movement of the motion shaft (8), each plucking finger block (1) stretches and relaxes by centering the motion shaft (8) . In this case, each plucking finger rod piece (3) will separate from the motion shaft (8) and stretch by means of the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) when the circular forces affect them in that direction and when the circular forces change, they will relax by again being placed on the motion shaft (8) central piece shaft mounting hole (4) .

The continuous stretch and relaxation of each plucking finger rod piece (3) due to the circular forces being constantly changed will both limit the forces on the poultry body and cause the same to have an effect for a limited period. By this means, minimum harm will come to the animal's skin from the feather plucking process.

On the other hand, the stretching of the plucking finger rod piece (3) thanks to the central piece shaft mounting hole (4) formed on the plucking central piece (2) will cause its length to constantly grow and shrink. Each plucking finger rod piece (3) will experience the most severe impact with the poultry body in the maximum stretch state of the plucking finger rod piece (3), which means when its length is the longest. Since the surface area of the plucking finger rod piece (3) will be limited when its length is the shortest, which means in the case of minimum stretching, the severity of the impact will be limited. Therefore, the most severe impact of the plucking finger rod piece (3) with the poultry body is when the plucking finger rod piece (3) weight on the impact surface is the lightest. In this case, the plucking finger rod piece (3) will do the minimum harm to the animal's skin.

With the purpose of increasing the flexibility of the plucking finger block (1), a polymer material having 20-50 shore hardness is used.

In the preferred application of the invention, the plucking finger block (1) is produced from a polymer material having 20-30 shore hardness.

Figures 6, 7, 8 shows the motion shaft (8) equipped by the plucking finger blocks (1) composed of 2 plucking finger rod pieces (3) . The plucking machines formed by arranging the plucking finger blocks (1) composed of different numbers of plucking finger rod pieces (3) on the same motion shaft (8) are within the scope of the invention.

According to the preferred embodiment of the invention, the plucking finger block (1) is composed of the plucking finger central piece (2) and the plucking finger rod piece (3), in one-piece. Nevertheless, embodiments composed of a mountable- demountable plucking finger central piece (2) and plucking finger rod piece (3) in the way to form an indivisible whole can be used in different applications of the invention.

Applicability of the Invention to the Industry

The plucking finger block (1) subject to the invention has a structure suitable for use in both fixed and portable plucking machines .

By eliminating the obligation of mounting the plucking finger blocks (1) on a drum and by providing the connection of the plucking finger block (1) directly to the motion shaft (8), the dimensions of the related parts in the plucking machine is decreased .

By this means, it will be possible to form machines which can perform plucking by the plucking fingers which use a drill as the motion provider and which can be easily carried. The user can carry out the plucking process by placing the suitable motion shaft (8) and the plucking finger blocks (1) on the motion shaft (8) .

On the other hand, with the fixed machines and especially with the industry-type plucking machines, the machine dimensions will be decreased and production having the same efficiency in more limited production areas will be possible by the use of the plucking finger block (1) described within the scope of the invention.

By placing a large number of plucking finger blocks (1) on a motion shaft (8), it is possible to form industry type plucking machines which enable the simultaneous plucking of a large number of poultry. Thus, a large number of poultry can be plucked by means of the same plucking machine.

The plucking finger blocks (1) described within the scope of the invention especially aims to render the dry plucking processes more efficient. The plucking finger blocks (1) described within the scope of the invention however can also be easily used in the wet plucking processes.