METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR WASHING INTESTINES

• US 20080242206A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Barclays Bank PLC (Barclays PLC)
• Original Assignee: Swift & Company (JBS USA Lux SA)
• Inventors: Larson, LaWayne
• Granted Patent: US 7,828,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 452/123
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 17/16 Cleaning of intestines; Machines for removing fat or slime from intestines cleaning the stomach of slaughtered animals A22B5/18

Abstract

Methods, devices, and systems are provided for washing an animal intestine. The device may include one or more flushing arms connected to a rotating fluid tank. The rotating fluid tank provides the fluid to the flushing arms, which in turn provide the fluid to the animal intestine. The rotating fluid tank may be adapted to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and during such rotation moves the flushing arms through a number of working sections around the washing machine.

Claims

1. A method of washing animal intestines, comprising:

securing at least one intestine section to a flushing arm;

rotating the flushing arm about a central axis of a rotating fluid tank;

receiving fluid under pressurized conditions at the flushing arm from the rotating fluid tank; and

causing the fluid to issue under pressure from the flushing arm to wash the at least one intestine section secured thereto.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

continuing to rotate the flushing arm about the central axis of the fluid tank until the flushing arm enters an unloading section;

stopping the flow of fluid from the flushing arm; and

releasing the at least one intestine section from the flushing arm.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

continuing to rotate the flushing arm about the central axis of the fluid tank until the flushing arm enters a loading section; and

securing a new at least one intestine section to the flushing arm.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one intestine section comprises a length between about 1 ft and about 20 ft.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the flushing arm comprises a plurality of spigots and wherein a first of the at least one intestine section is in fluid communication with a first of the plurality of spigots and a second of the at least one intestine section is in fluid communication with a second of the plurality of spigots.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising adjusting the rotation rate of the fluid tank.

7. A device for washing at least a portion of animal intestine using a cleaning fluid, comprising:

a fluid supply line;

a rotating fluid tank fluidically connected to the fluid supply line and adapted to rotate about the fluid supply line; and

at least one flushing arm fluidically connected to the rotating fluid tank and operable to rotate about the rotating fluid tank.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the rotating fluid tank is further adapted to store cleaning fluid at a predetermined pressure and selectively supply the cleaning fluid to the at least one flushing arm.

9. The device of claim 7, further comprising:

a flush valve between the at least one flushing arm and fluid tank; and

a valve controller adapted to change the flush valve from an open state to a closed state and vice versa.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the valve controller comprises at least one of a mechanical, electromechanical, and electrical controller.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the valve controller comprises a lever pivotally connected to the flush valve and operable to pivot between a first position and a second position, wherein when the lever is in a first position the flush valve is in a first state and when the lever is in a second position the flush valve is in a second state.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

a platform adapted to allow the fluid supply line pass therethrough and about which the lever is able to rest on; and

a riser adjacent to the platform and adapted to cause the lever to change from the first position to the second position.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the riser substantially defines a washing section.

14. The device of claim 7, wherein the at least a portion of animal intestine is secured to the at least one flushing arm, and wherein the device further comprising a trip lever operable to cause the at least a portion of the animal intestine to become unsecured from the at least one flushing arm.

15. The device of claim 7, further comprising at least one spigot, wherein the at least one spigot is fluidically connected to the at least one flushing arm, and wherein the at least one spigot is adapted to provide cleaning fluid to at least one of the interior and exterior of the at least a portion of animal intestine.

16. A device for cleaning a portion of an animal intestine, comprising:

means for holding the portion of animal intestine;

means for rotating the animal intestine about a substantially vertical axis, wherein the means for rotating further comprises a means for storing cleaning fluid;

means for supplying cleaning fluid to the means for storing cleaning fluid; and

means for controlling the flow of cleaning fluid to the means for holding.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the means for rotating causes the means for holding to move though a loading section, a washing section, and an unloading section.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the means for controlling permits the cleaning fluid to flow from the means for storing to the means for holding while the means for holding is in the washing section and wherein the means for controlling restricts the cleaning fluid from flowing from the means for storing to the means for holding while the means for holding is in the loading section.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein the portion of animal intestine comprises an intestine segment from at least one of a bovine, porcine, and ovine type of animal.

20. The device of claim 16, further comprising means for adjusting the speed of rotation of the means for rotating.