System and method for cleaning intestines

#The present invention relates to a system and method for cleaning animal intestines. More particularly, it relates to a system for cleaning both the interior surface and the exterior surface of an extracted animal intestine using a washing action provided by a cleaning fluid.

#In the slaughter of mammalian or red-meat animals, the primary meat and meat products are derived from the animal's skeletal muscles (i.e., those muscles that are attached to the skeleton and function to facilitate movement and support the weight of the animal). A number of other parts of the carcass are either consumed directly by people or used in the production of other foods. These portions of the carcass are often referred to as “offal.” Various types of red-meat slaughter animals include beef or bovine (e.g., cattle, steers, heifers, cows, bulls, and buffalo), pork or porcine (e.g., sows, gilts, barrows, boars, and pigs), and ovine (e.g., sheep and lamb). Typical beef offal includes the stomach, heart, brains, tongue, liver, kidneys, intestines, and mesentery (the folds of the peritoneum that connect that intestines to the dorsal abdominal wall). Typical pork offal includes the liver, kidney, brains, head, and intestines. Also, the wall of the intestine, with the inner lining (commonly referred to as the “mucosa”) removed, is used for packaging of sausages.

#The present invention is directed to a system for cleaning the intestines, including both the small and large intestines, of these various red-meat slaughter animals, so that the intestines are suitable for human consumption. The intestine is a generally soft, tubular element, which extends from the stomach to the anus. The small intestines of various red-meat animals vary in length from about 15 feet to about 120 feet. The small intestines of cattle, for example, typically extend 80 feet to 120 feet, more typically from 100 feet to 110 feet, while the small intestines of hogs typically extend 15 feet to 18 feet. These animal intestines are generally extracted from the carcass of the dead animal during the slaughtering process. When extracted, the intestines generally remain attached to the mesentery and are disposed in a sinuous configuration. The intestines typically have connective tissue, fat tissue, and glands attached to an exterior surface, which must be removed prior to human consumption.

#FIG. 1 is a side view of an intestine washing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 2A is a sectional view of a nozzle assembly of the carrier of FIG. 2B, according to one embodiment of the present invention

#FIG. 2B is a front view of a carrier, for use with the intestine washing system, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

#FIG. 1 shows a side view of an intestine washing system 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 includes a base 16, a frame assembly 18, an outer track 20, an inner track 21, a lift drive chain 22, a return drive chain 24, and a carrier 25. As shown in FIG. 1, the base 16 is connected to and supports the frame assembly 18 above ground level. In one embodiment, the base 16 supports the frame assembly 18 at a level of 3 to 4 feet off the ground for the convenience of an operator 26, who must connect intestine sections or product 27 to the trolley or carrier 25. The frame assembly 18, in one embodiment, is constructed from steel, although structural members of any type can be used.

#The frame assembly 18 supports the outer track 20 and the inner track 21, which together define a closed travel path of the carrier 25. In one embodiment, the outer track 20 and the inner track 21 are constructed from metal rods, such as steel. The outer track 20 and the inner track 21 are generally coplanar and maintain a constant spacing or separation adapted to support the carrier 25, as further discussed below.

#The lift drive chain 22 is attached to the frame assembly 18 by a set of sprockets or drive plates 28. The tension in the lift drive chain 22 is adjustable by the tension assembly 30, and the lift drive train 22 is driven by an electric lift motor 32. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the electric lift motor 32 is mounted to the frame assembly 18. The return drive chain 24 is also connected to the frame assembly 18 through sprockets or drive plates 34. The tension in the return drive chain 24 is adjustable by the tension assembly 36, and the return drive chain 24 is driven by an electric return motor 37. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the electric return motor 37 is mounted to the base 16 of the intestine cleaning system 10.