US882719A - Carcass-scrubber. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. SMITH.

GARGASS SGRUBBBR.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 8. 1906.

PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908.

C. L. SMITH.

CARGASS SCRUBBER.

APPLICATION FILED ooT..19oe.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

nnmmlunn F PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908.

No. 882,719. l Q L. SMITH,

GARGASS SGRUBBBR. APPLICATION FILED 0013.8. 1906. 7 SHEETS SEET 5.

figg.

No. 882,719. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908.

C. L. SMITH.

CARGASS SGRUBBER.

APPLICATION FILED 0OT.8. 1906.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

No. 882,719. PATENTED MAR. 24, 1908. G. L. SMITH.

CARGASS SGRUBBER.

APPLICATION FILED ooms. 190s.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 7.

1,15 @l llingaround suitable sprocket wheels and are UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARLTON L. SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGN OR TO ARMOUR & COMPANY, Oli CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

cARcAss-SCRUBBER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 24, 1908.

To all 'whom ,it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARLTON L. SMrrn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago,v in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carcass-Scrubbers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is the Aproduction or a brushing or scrubbing machine for cleaning carcasses of animals, particularly the dressed halvesof steers er beeves.

When the bodies are brushed and cleanedv by hand ina large slaughtering establishment the services of a number of workmen are required to perform the work, and considerable' strength and care is necessary to wash oiiand cleanse the carcasses including the bruised parts of the body so that they will present as little blemish as possible. By the use of my in'iproved power-driven scrubber the services of the brushing men may be dispensed with and the work is performed more quickly and satisfactorily than when manually done. In order to brush and Wash all parts of the body, both the outer and the inner split side, including the deep recesses or hollows on the latter side, to clean the exposed portions of bones, and to remove thel blood, the scrubber is made or built up of a number oi traveling brushing devices each adapted to brush downwardly and clean a particular portion of the body and each dis osed at the proper angle to most efficient y perform its function. Preferably the brushes of each device .are

mounted on endless sprocket chains passdisposed substantially upright performing, while supplied witha spray of water, the brushing operation downwardl on the body which dependsfrom aftrave ing conveyer carrying the half bodies through theiields of operation of the various brushing devices. Desirably each brushing device, which comprises a number of brushes fastened to the inks of a pair of sprocket chains, and its operating mechanism is mounted on a frame adjustable toward and from the carcass whereby an effective cleaning of the carcasses of vairous sizes may be obtained.

Although a greater or less number of brush-l ing devices may be used as circumstances require, in a machine in actual operation I have provided a brushing mechanism for each of the following named parts of the body-liip joint, shoulder joint, outside of shank or leg, split side of shank or leg, hip' and side, u per part of split side, outer surface of shou der, inner side of shoulder, outer side of neck, and inner side of neck.

In the accompanyin drawings, which form a part of this speci cation, I have illustrated in detail a desirable embodiment of my invention,l and in the various views of said drawings like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout.

Figure 1 is a plan view ot a portion of a complete carcass scrubber and cleaner embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view of tlie'remainder of the scrubbing device with certain parts omitted for the sake of clearness, Figs. 1 and 2, when placed end t0 end, illustrating a substantially complete plan of the machine Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, certain minor parts being omitted for the sake of clearness, Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by .the arrows, parts being omitted; Fig. 5 is a section on line 5-5 of Fig. 2 5 Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a portion of the machine and illustrates a half of a split carcass being o erated upon by the brushing device for t e s lit side of the shoulder; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of another portion of the machine as viewed from lthe opposite side of the device, and shows the outer side of the carcass being scrubbed by the shoulder brushing means Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the conveyer illustrating the details of its construction; Fig. 9 isa side elevation of` one of the brushes; Fig. 10 is an end view of the same; and Fig. 1] is aview showing the back of the brush. j

The scrubbing and cleaning machine illustrated includes a conveyer for transporting or moving the split carcass along in a depending condition in combination with a,

number of brushing devices much alike in structure and operation, the various brushing mechanisms cleanin different sections of the bodies as they pass t ough their fields of operation. The conveyor is mounted on the under side of anoverhoad horizontal beam and includes a pair of parallel Z-shaped -bars21 [Fig 8] supported at intervals along beam 20 by brackets 22, the u per outwardly extended flanges of parallel ars 21 resting on and being supported by the brackets while their lower inwardly projected flanges form a supporting trackway for a traveling chain 23 [Fig 7] which has attached to it at intervals lateral arms 24 to each of'whichisl pivoted a nger 25 [Fig 8]. lSupported on the brackets 22, or in any other convenient manner, is a plate 26 disposed in a vertical plane to form a track along the top edge of which the trolleys or carrlers conveying the v33, 34, 35, 36,37, 33 and 39.

bodies to be scrubbed may travel. Each trolley or transporting carrier includes a bracket arm 27 having agrooved wheel 28 at its upper` end adapted to ride on the top edge of track 26 and'having at its lower end a sharp hook-29 which is thrust through the gamb of the longitudinal half of the carcass. Fingers 25 by engaging the rear edges of car.- riers 27 cause the latter with their loads to travel along track 26 at a uniform speed. 20l

the carcass and act upon the outside of the hip andl shoulder joints, respectively, to brush and clean any bruises at those points, these portions of the animal being most subl ject to injury during transportation in the cattle cars or at other times in the pens. The staggered brushing devices 32 and 33 next operate upon the outer side and split or inner side of the leg or shank, and afterwards brushes 34 and 35 clean, respectively, the outer surface of the hip and side and the upper part of the split side of the creature. The outer and inner sides of the shoulder and neck, respectively, are scrubbed by brushing devices 36, 37, 38 and 39, respectively. As will be observed from the various views of the drawings these brushing devices are disposed at different angles to most efficiently and effectively scrub that portion of the carcass for which each is intended, and inasmuch as these brushing devices are substantially alike, except for size and inclination, a

complete description of the mechanical structure and functions of one will suflice forall.

Spaced apart and lying parallel on the floor are longitudinal wooden sills or beams 40` and disposed at intervals are upright osts 41 whic at their top ends support the orizontal beams 42, the latter being connected to the center support v2O by means of T- bars 43. The upstanding flanges of T-bars 43 form tracks, and at vthe lower part of the structure the/center beam 40 is connected to the outer side sills 4() by other -shaped tracks 44. Each ad'ustable brushing device includes a pair of incliined or vertical supports each of these members 45 are two bars 48 ,and 49 each equipped for a portion of its ,length with a rack 50 and 51 respectively.

Rotatably mounted in bearings 52 on the outer surfaces of the uprightv posts 41 are shafts 53 having grooved twin rollers 54 adapted to engage the upper surfaces of bars 48 and 49 to prevent the same from rising or becoming displaced. Beneath each rack 50 on bars 48 suitably mounted in bearings 55 is a shaft 56 having near its center a sprocket wheel 57 and at each end a pinion 58 meshing with the racks 50 above them. Near the lower portion of the structure beneath racks 51 is a similar shaft 59 with a sprocket Wheel 60 and pinions 61 coperating with the racks. A sprocket chain 62 asses around the two sprocket wheels 57 an 60 so that the rotation of the lower one is transmitted to the upper shaft. At one end shaft 59 has a gear 63 meshing with apinion 64 on a lower shaft 65 provided at its o posite end witha hand wheel 66. It will Ibe apparent from this construction that by turning hand wheel 66 and the various gears, sprocket wheels and chain, supports 45 may be fed inwardly and outwardly to the proper adjustment.

The pair of supports 45 have on their inner surfaces bearings for shaftsl 67 and 68, the

bearing for shaft 67 being adjustable up and.

down by a manually actuatedscrew 69 so that the s rocket chain 70fpassing over the two sproc et Wheels 71 on shaft 67 and'72 on s aft 68 may be tightened as occasion demands As shown there aretwo sprocket chains 70 and two wheels 71 and 72.

Each link 73 of sprocket chains 70 has a lateral projection 74` [Figs 9, 10 and 11] attached to an end of the back of a comparatively long brush 75. It will thus be ap arent that as the sprocket chains 7() w ich carry the series of brushes are caused to travel the brushes will likewise travel so as to brush the carcass downwardly, as shown in the various views. 0n each side of the machine at its top is a driving 'shaft 76 whose rotation is transmitted to shaft 68 by means of s rocket wheels 77 and 7 8 in connection wit sprocket chain 79. By driving shaft 68 instead of shaft 67 the portion of the brush chains next to the body 1s maintained taut.

Above each brushing device ata suitable height is a horizontal perforated water pipe 8() connected .by means of a flexible hose or tube 81 with a water-main 82. By means of this arrangement a constant s ray or shower of water is fed to each brushing .device so that its scrubbinrJr operation may be com lete and thorough. To prevent the carcass swinging or moving away'fromthe rapidly traveling brushes I 83 op osite each of e brushing devices, the same eing most clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2,3, 6 and 7. It is necessary to make these bars or yokes 83 yadjustable and a convenient arrangement to effect this result is the aper-v tured bearingsimounted on the supports 45, the bars having rearward extensions 85 to (pass through the-apertures of bearings 84 I an held in place by set screws 86. One side ofthe carcass slides albng bar 83 while its opposite side is being scrubbed whereby the body is revented-from swing/ing away from the brus es.

` As stated above, the .various brushing de.`

rcally or inclined only s ightly, as will be readily apparent from an inspection of the' drawings. `When the carcasses to be acted upon are larger and thicker or smaller and thinnervthanusual the brushing devices may be vmoved outwardly or inwardly the-proper amount by the adjustment means described so as to most effectually perform the cleansing operation. In Fig. 3 I have shown the brushes acting upon an lunusually large carcass and the brushingI devices in said figure' have been moved back a small amount to accommodate the extra large body.

I prefer to make the brushes with comparatively long bristles, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, in order that they may reach to the bottom of the recesses on the split side of the carcass ,and-pro e`rl clean the same,

To those skil ed 1n the art it will be yapparent that minor changes may be made 1n the mechanical details of the machine without departing from the substance of my invention, and the following'claims are invoo tended to cover all such modifications obvious to those acquainted with this art.

.Y Although I have illustrated and described my invention as being applicable for scrubbing the halves of dressed. beeves, it is to be understood that my invent to such use but may be employed for brushing and cleaning the carcasses of hogs, sheep, calves, etc., either whole or after being cut into parts.

I claim: y

1. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality of brushing devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, each of said brushing devices including afsprocket chain or belt adapted Vto travel and one or more brushes secured thereto, the field of operation of each of said brushing devices being at substantially the same angle as the.

general angle of that part of the carcass surface operated upon thereby, and means I'ovide a horizontal bar I ion is not limited to convey carcasses or parts thereof in a vtion of said brushing devices, substantially as described.

2. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a pluralityv of brushing devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, each of said brushing'devices including a sprocket chain or belt adapted to travel and one or more brushes securedthereto, the field of operation of each of said brushing devices being fixed vand at substantially the same angle as thegeneral angle of that part of the carcass surface operated upon thereby, and means to convey carcasses or parts thereof in a definite position through the fields of operation of said brushing devices, substan- 'tially as described.

3. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality of ybrushing devices adapted to clean'dlfierent portions of the carcass, each of said brushing devices including a sprocket lbeing at substantially thesame angle as the 'eneral angle of that part of the carcass surace operated upon thereby, and means to convey carcasses or parts thereof in a definite position through the fields of operation of said brushing devices ,transversely to the paths of travel of said brushes, substantially as described.

4. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality ofbrushing devices adaptedto clean different portions of the carcass by brushing downwardly, .the field of o eration of each of said devices being fixed an( at substantially the same angle as the general angle of-that part of the carcass surface operated upon thereby, and means to convey carcasses in a definite position or parts of carcasses through the fields of operation of said brushing devices, said carcasses or parts thereof depending from said conveying means, substantially as described.

l 5. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a pair of s rocket wheels adapted to rotate, a sproc et chain co-acting with said sprocket wheels, one or more brushes fastened to said chain, means to revolve one of said sprocket wheels to actuate said chain and brush or brushes, and means to convey the carcass to be scrubbed through the field of operation of said 4brush or'brushes transversely to the plane of said sprocket chain, substantially as described.

6. In a carcass scrubber, the combination -of apair of rotatable shafts, a palr of sprocket wheels mounted on and rotatable with each of said shafts, two sprocket chains, each coacting with a sprocket Wheel on each of said shafts, one or more brushes fastened to both of said chains and adapted to travel therewith, means to revolve one of said shafts,

and means to convey the carcass to be scrubbed through the field of operation of said brush or brushes, substantially as described.

7. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a pair of rotatable shafts, a pair of sprocket wheels mounted on and rotatable with each of said shafts, two sprocket chains each coacting with a sprocket wheel on each of said shafts, one or more brushes fastened to both of said chains and adapted to travel therewith, means to revolve one of said shafts, and means to convey the carcass to be scrubbed through the field of operation of said brush or brushes transversely to their path of travel, substantially as described.

8. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a pair of rotatable sprocket wheels, a sprocket chain co-acting with said sprocket wheels, one or more brushes fastened to said chain, means to revolve one of said sprocket wheels to actuate said chain and brushes, means to convey the carcass to be scrubbed through the field of operation of said brush f or brushes, and means to prevent the carcass from swinging away from said brushes while being operated upon thereby, substantially as described.

9. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a pair of rotatable sprocket wheels, a sprocket chain co-acting with said sprocket wheels, one or more brushes fastened to said chain, means to revolve one of said sprocket wheels to actuate said chain and brushes, means to convey the carcass to be scrubbed through the field of operation of said brush or brushes transversely to their path of travel, and means to prevent the carcass from swinging away from said brushes while being operated upon thereby,.substantially as described.

10. In a carcass scrubber, they combination of a frame or support, a pair of rotatable sprocket wheels mounted on lsaid frame or support, a sprocket chain co-acting with said sprocket wheels, one or more brushes mounted on said chain, means to convey` the carcass through the field of operation of said brush or brushes, means to revolve one of said sprocket wheels to actuate said chain and brush or brushes, and means toy adjust said frame toward or from the path of travel of the carcass, substantially as described.

11. In a carcass scrubber, thc combination of a frame or support, a pair of rotatable sprocket wheels mounted on said frame or support, a sprocket chain co-acting with said sprocket wheels, one or more brushes mounted on said chain, means to convey the carcass through the field of operation of said brush or brushes transversely to their path of travel, means to revolve one o f said sprocket wheels to actuate said cham and brush or brushes, and ymeans to adjust said frame toward Yor from the path-of travel of,

the carcass, substantially as described.

12. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a frame jor support, a pair of rotatable sprocket wheels mounted thereon, a sprocket chain co-acting with said sprocket Wheels,

one or more brushes mounted on said chain, f

means to revolve one of said sprocket Wheels to actuate said chain and brush or brushes, means toy convey carcasses through the field yof operation of said brush or brushes, onel brushes, means to convey carcasses throughthe field of operation of said brush or brushes transversely to their path of travel, one or more tracks on which said frame or support is adapted to travel to secure adjustments of said brush or brushes, and means to cause said frame or support to travel on said track or tracks, substantially as described.

14. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality of brushing devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, the field of operation of each of said devices being fixed and at substantially the same angle as the general angle of that part of the carcass surface operated upon thereby, and means to convey carcasses in a definite position through the fields of operation of said brushing devices, substantially as described.

15. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality of brushing `devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, the field of operation of each of said devices being fixed and at substantially the same angle as the general angle of that part of the carcass surface operatedL upon thereby, and means to convey carcasses in a definite position through the fields of operation of said brushing devices, said carcasses depending from said conveying means, substantially as described.

16. In a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality of brushing devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, the field of operation of each of said devices being at substantially the same angle as the general angle of that part of the carcass surface operated upon thereby, and means to convey carcassesin a definite lposition through the fields of operation ofsaid brushing devices, said carcasses depending from said conveying means, substantiall as described.

17. In a carcass scrub er, the combination y ield of operation of each of-said devices beof a plurality of brushing devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, the

ing ijed and at substantially thesame angle as the general angle of that part of the carcass surface operated Vupon thereby, and means to convey carcasses in a definite position through the fields of operation of said brushing devices transversely thereto, the carcasses depending from said conveying means, substantially as described.

18. In, a carcass scrubber, the combination of a plurality of brushing devices adapted to clean different portions of the carcass, the 1 ieldof operation of each of said devices being fixed and at substantiallyv the same angle as the general angle of that part of the carcass surface operated upon, each of said brushing devices including a sprocket chain or belt adapted to travel and one or more brushes secured thereto, and means to convey. carcasses or.parts thereof in'a definite position through the fields of operation of said brushing devices transversely to the paths of travel of said brushes, said 'carcasses or parts depending from said conveying means, substantially as described.

CARLTON L. SMITH.

Witnesses:

HARRY E. STAGER, ABRAM B. STRATroN.

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