Animal cleaning system

#The present disclosure relates generally to an animal cleaning system. Aspects of the disclosure are particularly directed to a spray system for cleaning areas of a beef or pork carcass.

#It is generally known to use automated carcass washing systems to aid in the removal of physical and microbial contaminants during the harvest process for hided carcasses, de-hided pre-evisceration carcasses, split carcass sides as well as specific parts or areas of the carcass. In such known systems, the whole or split carcass (or part thereof) is conveyed along a chain or rail through at least one (usually a series of) cabinet(s) typically comprised of stationary or oscillating arbor(s) with a series of nozzles attached. Additionally, nozzles are typically placed along a series of arbors to provide directional flow of the contaminants from top to bottom of the carcass or part.

#However, one shortcoming associated with such known carcass washing systems is that a large amount of wash solution (air, water, chemical, etc.) is wasted between carcasses (or parts of the carcass) as they move along the chain or rail. Furthermore, known oscillating systems and directionally placed flow nozzle systems require a considerable number of nozzles to perform properly.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carcass cleaning system according to an exemplary embodiment.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a spray system of the carcass cleaning system shown in FIG. 1.

#FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the spray system shown in FIG. 2 according to an alternative embodiment.

#Overview

#Specific details of several embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the FIGURES.

#One aspect of the present disclosure is directed toward an apparatus for cleaning a plurality of carcasses of harvested animals. The apparatus includes a track system configured to convey the carcasses through a plurality of carcass disassembly stations. The apparatus also includes a spray system for directing a fluid at a portion of at least one of the carcasses. The spray includes a plurality of nozzles configured to rotate relative to the track system. The spray system directs the fluid onto each of the carcasses in a tracking manner as the carcass moves from a first carcass location to a second carcass location.