FR2867990A1 - Automatic cleaning and asepticising procedure for rotary cutters used for removing spinal tissue from cattle carcases includes antiseptic fluid injection stage - Google Patents

Abstract

The procedure for cleaning the rotary cutting tool (1) consists of inserting it into a slider (10) which is then pushed inside a housing with a chamber (2) and cover (4). At the end of the insertion the slider actuates a micro-valve (25) which initiates a timed cleaning cycle that sprays the tool with a cleaning and/or antiseptic fluid through outlets or injectors (41) on a fluid feed tube (44). The housing is designed to contain, recover and channel away the soiled fluid, while a floating plug (32) limits the amount of fluid drawn in by the tool, and a support (9) ensures that the cleaning unit is inclined in the best position for drainage. The cleaning fluid can comprise hot water at 85-90[deg]C, an antiseptic solution, steam, compressed air, or a combination of degreasing and antiseptic products.

Description

2867990 -1-

  The present invention relates to a device for cleaning a specific tool called: rotary conical knife with suction channel of the dura. This tool is used in slaughterhouses to complete the extraction of the dura mater from the spinal canal after the two-part split of cattle carcasses.

  Indeed, the consequences of prion disease of E.S.B. impose this health operation. In order to limit the risk of contamination between each carcass, at present, the tool is more or less rinsed with a raw jet of water at a temperature of approximately 40 to 50 C. This operation does not allow the zones to be sanitized. the tool coming into contact with the carcasses.

  The cleaning device for the tool makes it possible: a) To automatically clean and sanitize the areas of the tool that come into contact with the carcasses by spraying product such as hot water at a temperature above 85 ° C , possibly sanitizing liquids, pressurized water vapor, compressed air or a combination of several fluids or degreasing and sanitizing products, inside a housing, thus avoiding external projections.

  b) Ensure the safety of the surrounding personnel when the tool is stored in the cleaning device.

  The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention: FIG. 1 represents the assembly of the invention, in section.

  FIG. 2 is a sectional view (top view) of the assembly of the invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the spray zone; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the assembly of the invention; FIG. loading level of the tool), introduction on the right.

  - Figure 5 shows a partial section, the slider for holding the tool: introduction to the right - Figure 6 shows in partial section, the slider for holding the tool: alternatively, introduction to the left - Figure 7 represents partially in section, the slider retaining the tool as a variant, introduction on the left With reference to these drawings, the device comprises in FIG. 1: the tool (1) to be cleaned, a housing in which the cleaning takes place, composed of a tank (2), a cover (4) articulated on hinges (5) integral with the tank (2), the handle (6) is the means for actuating the lid (4), a support ( 9) for fixing the entire device on a wall, a slider (10) maintains the tool (1) and the start control cleaning.

  In the embodiment, according to Figure (1), the tank (2), in its lower left part allows the fixing of the support and guide assembly of the tool (1) and in its lower right part, against bottom, ensures the collection of soiled liquid, to the emptying port.

  2867990 2 The cover (4) has, on the left side, an opening visible in Figure (4) allowing the passage of the tool (1).

  The support (9) gives the position of the entire device ensuring, among other things, the flow of the soiled liquid. It has on three of its faces, holes allowing a fixing at the choice of the installer.

  The slider (10) is designed to allow insertion and maintenance of the tool (1). This slide according to its assembly in FIG. 2, will admit the introduction of the tool (1) by the right, or, on the left, FIG. 6 with the minimum of different parts.

  In the embodiment according to FIG. 5, for the introduction to the right, the slider (10) is composed of a support plate (11), a wedge (12), a centering plate ( 13) and a guide (14).

  In the embodiment according to Figure (7), for the introduction to the left, the slider (10) is composed of a support plate (18), a wedge (12), a plate of centering (13) and a guide (19) All parts (11), (12), (13), (14) or (18), (12), (13), (19) is connected by bolts or any other means of assembly.

  The slider (10) flows back and forth, on a slide (21), fixed to the vessel (2). The slide (10) is limited in its movements in advance by the slide (21), and back by the wall of the tank (2), via the stop (15) integral with the guide (14) of the slide (10).

  The end position is stabilized by the own weight of the slider (10), since the device will be fixed in an inclined position ensuring the flow of liquids and dirt to the emptying hole located in the bottom of tank (2). This position will be defined by the shape of the support (9). The end position of back Figure 1 is maintained by the lifting effect of the slide (10) relative to the slide (21) causing a clamping between the slide (10) and the slide (21), via the stop (15) supported on two symblots (3) integral with the tank (2). This principle of holding in position may be replaced by any other system corresponding to the desired function.

  In the end position of the slide (10), the support plate (11) or (18) will support the roller or the pusher of a micro-valve (25) or a switch depending on whether the automation is treated under pneumatic or electrical fluid. The micro-valve (25) will trigger a timer allowing the opening of a pneumatically operated valve (47) (or solenoid valve) connected to a union (46), thereby supplying the device with cleaning fluid Figure 3.

  The precision of the guide of the slider (10) is completed by a profile (23) U to be placed in a groove made on the support plate (11) or (18). The profile (23) is raised by the cleat (22). The slide assembly (21), batten (22), profile (23), micro-valve support (24) and the micro-valve (25) or switch, is bolted to the tank (2).

  According to a variant, not illustrated, the guide may consist of pins and bearings smooth or ball, made of stainless steel and polymer material.

  After inserting the tool (1) into the slider (10), advance the slider (10) into the cleaning box, at the end of the advance stroke, the slider (10) actuates the micro-valve (25). ) which starts the delayed cleaning cycle by opening the valve (47) for arrival of the coolant flowing into the manifold (45), integral with the tank (2), distributing the fluid to the injectors (41), through the circuit composed by a tee (42), a ramp (44), an elbow (43).

  The cleaning fluid used will be: A) Hot water from 85 to 90 C or possibly: B) Liquid in a sanitizing solution C) Water vapor D) Compressed air Injectors (41) will be angularly positioned so that efficiency translates into the best cleaning result.

  The tool (1), being connected to a vacuum cleaner which may be in permanent operation, a floating plug (32) will limit the amount of cleaning fluid sucked.

  In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the floating plug (32), supported by a bridge (31) secured to the tank (2), is held in position by a screw (33), a washer (34) and a nut -frein (35). This assembly will allow a moderate freedom of the plug (32) being introduced into the mouth of the rotating conical knife (1) and will self center under the effect of suction.

  According to a variant, not shown, the cap (32) may allow a spraying of the cleaning fluid at the inner mouth of the rotating conical knife (1). In this case, the plug (32) will be supplied with cleaning fluid via a hose connected to the ramp (44).

Claims (5)

  1) The method of automatic cleaning and sanitizing of a tool (1) called rotary conical knife with suction channel of the dura, characterized in that it consists in introducing laterally the tool (1), in the slider (10), to push the slider (10) inside a housing consisting of a tank (2) and a lid (4) articulated on the tank (2), that the end of advance of the slider (10) actuates a microvalve (25) which initiates a delayed cycle of cleaning by spraying the tool (1) with cleaning fluid and / or sanitizer, through orifices or injectors (41) oriented on a tubing for supplying the fluid.   2) Automatic device for cleaning and sanitizing a tool (1), called rotary conical knife with suction channel of the dura, characterized in that it comprises a housing consisting of a tank (2) and a cover (4) defining a spray cleaning chamber, for containing, recovering, channeling the soiled projections and liquid, a slider (10) supporting and allowing the introduction of the tool (1) into the said cleaning chamber, is fixed on the tank (2), a manifold consisting of a manifold (45), a ramp (44), supplies the cleaning fluid oriented injectors (41), a floating plug (32). ) limiting the suction of cleaning fluid by the tool (1), a support (9) involves the inclined position of the device and promoting the flow to the emptying port.   3) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the shutter plug (32), alternatively, not illustrated, may allow a spraying of cleaning fluid at the internal suction mouth of the tool (1) 4) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the cleaning fluid used may be: Hot water 85 to 90 C, a liquid aseptic solution, water vapor, compressed air or a combination of several fluids or degreasers and sanitizers 5) Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the slider (10) can allow the introduction of the tool (1) lateral right, according to the assembly, Figure 2 and 5, with the parts (11) , (12), (13), (14), and to the left according to the assembly, FIGS. 6 and 7, with the parts (18), (12), (13), (19).