US 12,376,596 B2
Cutting device for splitting an animal carcass in half and robot incorporating such cutting device
Francisco Javier Jané López, Cardona (ES); and Jordi Cañellas Garrigasait, Cardona (ES)
Assigned to FRONTMATEC-AIRA, SOCIEDAD LIMITADA SOCIEDAD UNIPERSONAL, Cardona (ES)
Appl. No. 18/554,356
Filed by FRONTMATEC-AIRA, SOCIEDAD LIMITADA SOCIEDAD UNIPERSONAL, Cardona (ES)
PCT Filed Apr. 1, 2022, PCT No. PCT/ES2022/070198
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 6, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/214720, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 13, 2022.
Claims priority of application No. 202130314 (ES), filed on Apr. 9, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0188575 A1, Jun. 13, 2024
Int. Cl. A22C 17/00 (2006.01); A22C 17/02 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC A22C 17/0006 (2013.01) [A22C 17/02 (2013.01); B25J 11/0045 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cutting tool for cutting a meat piece carcase into two halves, wherein the carcases are suspended hanging from their legs, wherein the cutting tool is made to be coupled to a robot, and wherein the cutting tool comprises:
a frame, configured to be connected to a robot arm,
a cutting unit configured for cutting the carcase in two halves by means of a longitudinal cut,
an actuating unit configured for actuating the cutting unit, and
a guiding unit configured for guiding the carcase during a cutting process, comprising:
an inner follower mechanism of the inner side of the carcase, configured to follow the inner side of the carcase during the cutting process, and
an outer follower mechanism of the outer side of the carcase, configured to follow the outer side of the carcase during the cutting process,
wherein the inner follower mechanism of the carcase comprises at least the following elements:
an arm articulated at its upper end to a point on the frame,
a first actuating unit configured for actuating the articulated arm,
an inner side support, which is articulatedly fastened at the lower end of the articulated arm,
a second actuating unit configured for rotating the inner side support, and
one or more inner side rollers connected to the inner side support, where the one or more inner side rollers are configured to guide the ventral part of the carcase.