Abstract: A processing line, inspection line, or both, includes a first conveyor line with shackles for suspending the poultry by the legs. The conveyor line is arranged to move the poultry in a conveying direction passed a processing and/or inspection station for the poultry, wherein at least along a part of the conveyor line an endless belt is provided that supports the shackles and moves the shackles sideways away from a first neutral vertical suspension position to a second position in which the shackles are suspended obliquely in the conveyor line so as to arrange that any back-and-forth movement of the shackles in their conveying direction is prevented or counteracted.

Abstract: A processing line, inspection line, or both, includes a first conveyor line with shackles for suspending the poultry by the legs. The conveyor line is arranged to move the poultry in a conveying direction passed a processing and/or inspection station for the poultry, wherein at least along a part of the conveyor line an endless belt is provided that supports the shackles and moves the shackles sideways away from a first neutral vertical suspension position to a second position in which the shackles are suspended obliquely in the conveyor line so as to arrange that any back-and-forth movement of the shackles in their conveying direction is prevented or counteracted.

Abstract: Processing line and method for inspecting a poultry carcass and/or a viscera package taken out from the poultry carcass, wherein the poultry carcass and/or viscera package moves in the processing line and wherein the inspection is carried out by an inspector selecting a particular poultry carcass and/or viscera package as to be rejected, wherein the selection of the particular poultry carcass and/or viscera package to be rejected is executed by the inspector without touching said poultry carcass and/or viscera package.

Abstract: Processing line and method for inspecting a poultry carcass and/or a viscera package taken out from the poultry carcass, wherein the poultry carcass and/or viscera package moves in the processing line and wherein the inspection is carried out by an inspector selecting a particular poultry carcass and/or viscera package as to be rejected, wherein the selection of the particular poultry carcass and/or viscera package to be rejected is executed by the inspector without touching said poultry carcass and/or viscera package.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out an operation on slaughtered poultry, comprising suspension devices for suspending the poultry by the legs, a first drum which at its periphery is provided with a first curve formed by a first groove which is being traced by a first projection that connects to a first processing organ so as to arrange that movement of the first processing organ along the periphery of the first drum causes said first processing organ to be placed in an operational position with respect to the poultry being suspended by the legs. Further there are second processing device that cooperate with a second drum provided with a second curve formed by a second groove which is being traced by a second projection connected with the second processing device so as to arrange that by its movement along the periphery of the second drum said second processing device is positioned in its operational position with reference to the poultry.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a cleaning operation applied to the internal neck skin of slaughtered poultry by removing the windpipe, gullet, glandular tissue or remainders thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out an operation on slaughtered poultry. In one exemplary aspect such includes suspension devices for suspending the poultry by the legs. A first drum at its periphery is provided with a first curve formed by a first groove, which is being traced by a first projection that connects to a first processing means so as to arrange that movement of the first processing means along the periphery of the first drum causes the first processing means to be placed in an operational position with respect to the poultry being suspended by the legs. Second processing means cooperate with a second drum provided with a second curve formed by a second groove which is being traced by a second projection connected with the second processing means so as to arrange that by its movement along the periphery of the second drum the second processing means is positioned in its operational position with reference to the poultry.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a cleaning operation applied to the internal neck skin of slaughtered poultry by removing the windpipe, gullet, glandular tissue or remainders thereof.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for poultry is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more transfer units placed intermediate of, conveying poultry from, a first line to a subsequent second line, wherein both the first line and the second line are selected from the group including a slaughtering line, an evisceration line, a chilling line, a sorting line and a cutup line. Each transfer unit is embodied with a circulating support that includes material that is magnetically conductive and transfer devices are provided with at least one magnet so as to induce eddy currents in the circulating support that counteracts relative motion between the transfer devices and the circulating support.

Abstract: A poultry processing line is provided having a series of poultry carriers and a processing unit or processing units, wherein the poultry carriers are movable to and from the processing unit or processing units and the poultry carriers and the processing unit or processing units are synchronized to enable processing of the poultry by the processing unit or processing units. A switch is provided such that the poultry carriers and/or the processing unit or processing units are selectable between an operational position in which the poultry is processed by the processing unit or units and an inoperational or idle position in which the poultry is prevented from being processed by the processing unit or units.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for poultry is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more transfer units placed intermediate of conveying poultry from, a first line to a subsequent second line, wherein both the first line and the second line are selected from the group including a slaughtering line, an evisceration line, a chilling line, a sorting line and a cutup line. Each transfer unit is embodied with a circulating support that includes material that is magnetically conductive and transfer means are provided with at least one magnet so as to induce eddy currents in the circulating support that counteracts relative motion between the transfer means and the circulating support.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for poultry is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more transfer units placed intermediate of, conveying poultry from, a first line to a subsequent second line, wherein both the first line and the second line are selected from the group including a slaughtering line, an evisceration line, a chilling line, a sorting line and a cutup line. Each transfer unit is embodied with a circulating support that includes material that is magnetically conductive and transfer means are provided with at least one magnet so as to induce eddy currents in the circulating support that counteracts relative motion between the transfer means and the circulating support.

Abstract: A processing apparatus for poultry is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes one or more transfer units placed intermediate of, conveying poultry from, a first line to a subsequent second line, wherein both the first line and the second line are selected from the group including a slaughtering line, an evisceration line, a chilling line, a sorting line and a cutup line. Each transfer unit is embodied with a circulating support that includes material that is magnetically conductive and transfer means are provided with at least one magnet so as to induce eddy currents in the circulating support that counteracts relative motion between the transfer means and the circulating support.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying organ packages to a processing station or stations is provided. The apparatus can include a tray-conveyor having a series of trays movable in the conveying direction. Each such tray is arranged to receive an organ package. The tray-conveyor has at least one discharge-station for the organ packages that are to be moved to the processing station or stations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for conveying organ packages to a processing station or stations is provided. The apparatus can include a tray-conveyor having a series of trays movable in the conveying direction. Each such tray is arranged to receive an organ package. The tray-conveyor has at least one discharge-station for the organ packages that are to be moved to the processing station or stations.

Abstract: A device for picking or plucking poultry feathers is provided that includes a sleeve-coupling and, connected or connectable thereto, a plucking plate with receptacles for plucking fingers, which sleeve-coupling is mountable on a drive-shaft for the plucking plate. The sleeve-coupling is provided with a circumferentially extending slot for receipt of a radially extending pin that is provided on the drive-shaft, and the circumferentially extending slot has an opening between the slot-extremities to allow the pin to enter and to exit the slot so as to securely mount the sleeve coupling on the drive shaft with the pin being located at one of the slot extremities.

Abstract: A device for picking or plucking poultry feathers is provided that includes a sleeve-coupling and, connected or connectable thereto, a plucking plate with receptacles for plucking fingers, which sleeve-coupling is mountable on a drive-shaft for the plucking plate. The sleeve-coupling is provided with a circumferentially extending slot for receipt of a radially extending pin that is provided on the drive-shaft, and the circumferentially extending slot has an opening between the slot-extremities to allow the pin to enter and to exit the slot so as to securely mount the sleeve coupling on the drive shaft with the pin being located at one of the slot extremities.