Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating into parts an entrails package removed from a slaughtered bird, the package comprising gizzard, proventriculus, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder and intestines. The method includes loosening the tissue connections between the gizzard and the intestines, separating the entrails package in a package comprising liver, gallbladder and intestines on one hand and a package comprising gizzard, proventriculus, heart and lungs on the other hand, as well as separating the gizzard with proventriculus from the heart with lungs. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: In the invention poultry to be suspended with its legs from a suspension conveyor is first oriented in parallel with a certain direction, such as the conveying direction of the suspension conveyor, next spaced at a certain mutual distance, thereafter oriented in the same direction with its belly and finally, in this position, engaged by its legs and lifted by the suspension conveyor. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a conveyor supporting and supplying the poultry, means for orienting the poultry in parallel with the conveying direction of the conveyor and means for orienting the poultry with its belly in the conveying direction.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for orienting birds, which are applied by a belt conveyor, with their heads in the direction of conveyance. The apparatus comprises two positioning means located alongside each other and rotating around a vertical axis defining therebetween a passage for the birds to be oriented. At the passage, the one positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed in the direction of conveyance of the conveyor and the other positioning means has a circumferential velocity directed opposite to the direction of conveyance. Further, auxiliary means are provided for supplying the birds to the positioning means facing with their head or facing with their tail in the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for dividing a package removed from a bird, which may include intestines, liver and heart with lungs, into separate parts. Using the method and apparatus, firstly the heart-lungs assembly is cut loose from the package, whereafter the intestines and liver are separated. For cutting loose the heart-lungs assembly, a cutting means positioned alongside a conveyor for the package may be applied, whereas the separation of the intestines and liver may be carried out through a separating means cooperating with the conveyor. As the conveyor, a rotating disc with reception slots for the packages may be considered. In the alternative, a chain conveyor comprising carriers with reception slots is also possible.

Abstract: Apparatus for retaining poultry suspended with its legs from a suspension conveyor while submitting the poultry to a processing operation. The apparatus comprises two horizontally spaced apart retaining plates receiving the poultry therebetween. The plates are movable between an upper position for engaging the thighs of the poultry and a lower position for engaging the wings of the poultry. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus comprises a brace applicable between the legs of the poultry and supports applicable underneath the wings of the poultry.

Abstract: Apparatus for conveying entrails packages which have been removed from birds, comprising a conveyor for the entrails packages having a number of conveying means. Each conveying means is provided with a carrier which is pivotable between a lower position and an upper position. In the upper position the entrails packages can be applied to the carrier for the supply thereof to a separating device.

Abstract: Apparatus for suspending poultry from its legs, said poultry being supplied by a conveyor, comprising lifting bars extending transversely to the conveyor and applicable against the ankle joint of a bird, being provided with clamping parts cooperating therewith, such as clamping rods which are movable between a position releasing the legs and a position clamping the legs. The clamping rods may be mounted on slides movable to and fro along the bars which for obtaining their motion are provided with follower rolls cooperating with the bar.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removing the entrails from the abdominal cavity of poultry suspended by its legs from a suspension conveyor wherein the entrails, after being entirely disconnected, are moved along over some distance synchronously with the poultry by a belt conveyor. Transferring the entrails from the eviscerating means towards the belt conveyor occurs through a transferring device preferably comprising a drum rotatable around a vertical axis and being provided with transferring means regularly spaced on its circumference. Two cooperating clamping parts movable relative to each other are applied at each respective transferring means.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of processing poultry carcasses of removing and separating the entrails from the abdominal cavities of the carcasses. The separated entrails are moved on an inspection conveyor which is spaced from the suspension conveyor which conveys the carcasses and which moves synchronously with the suspension conveyor, so that the entrails and the carcasses move past an inspection station at the same time. The invention includes apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: In an apparatus for eviscerating slaughtered birds an eviscerating means (15) is applied, which at its foremost end carries a processing member for engaging the gullet of the bird. The eviscerating means (15) is pivotable from and towards the spinal column of the bird, whereas the processing member comprises two halves, which are rotatable between a position, in which they are substantially aligned and a position in which they engage each other substantially in a coplanar fashion while clamping between them the gullet of the bird. Preferably the processing member halves comprise each a substantially C-shaped brace (28, 29). The pivotal movement of the eviscerating means (15) and the rotational movement of the processing member halves (28, 29) are mutually coupled.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring objects from a first conveyor to a second conveyor which comprises a rotating carousel with a transferring devices regularly spaced about its circumference. The transferring devices are selectively activatable for transferring objects from one conveyor to the other conveyor. Preferably the transferring devices move up and down, for example, through a stationary curved track cooperating therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory a slide block can be moved to and fro along a substantially cylindrical rod that has at least one flattened surface that is engaged by a guide wheel journalled in the slide surface block. The flattened surface extends partially rectilinearly and partially spirally along the cylindrical rod.

Abstract: A method for examining food products for undesired ingredients by means of laser irradiation. A laser beam scans the food products according to a predetermined pattern. Variations in the intensity of the laser beam passing through the food products indicate the presence of undesired ingredients. This method is carried out by an apparatus which comprises two parabolic mirrors, a laser emitting a laser beam so as to originate from the focus of one of the mirrors and a detection means positioned in the focus of the other mirror. The food products are moved between the mirrors by conveyor belts.

Abstract: A method for separating the heart and the lungs of a heart-lungs package of poultry makes use of the difference in specific weight of the heart and the lungs. When the separated heart and lungs are introduced into a water basin, the lungs will float whereas the hearts will sink. Separately discharging the heart and lungs then is easy for accomplish.The apparatus for separating the heart and the lungs comprises two cooperating parallel rolls for removing the muscle tissue from the package and a water basin for separating the heart and lungs due to their different specific weights. Separate discharge means are provided for the heart and lungs.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring fowl from shackles carried on a first conveyor line to shackles carried on another conveyor line. The apparatus includes a positioning means for positioning the fowl for transfer to a transfer wheel positioned between the first conveyor line and the second conveyor line. The transfer wheel 40 has a plurality of gripping devices 56 which grip the legs of the chicken as the chicken is rotated from adjacent the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line. When the transfer wheel is rotated so that the chicken is positioned adjacent the second conveyor line, a rotatable wheel 74 engages the ankles of the chicken forcing the chicken into a shackle 76 carried on the second conveyor line. The second conveyor line is equipped with a shackle positioning device 82 which hold the shackle during the transfer operation.

Abstract: A revolving apparatus for automatically transversely cutting open fowl hanging by the ankle joints from an overhead conveyor, having a stationary cutting knife and a number of stretching members regularly spaced about the circumference of the apparatus. The stretching members work in succession as they revolve about the central shaft of the apparatus moving along with the conveyor. Each stretching member is vertically movable down towards a fowl carried by the conveyor and away again from the fowl. During the downward movement of a stretching member the same is inserted into an opening in the fowl previously made by cutting out its vent, whereafter the stretching member is moved radially outwardly to stretch the abdominal skin of the fowl from the inside radially outwardly towards the stationary knife which cuts the skin as the fowl passes the knife.

Abstract: A rotating apparatus for separating the neck of a headless fowl hanging by the ankle joints from a hook of an overhead conveyor, the apparatus having a fork-shaped clamping member for receiving the neck of the fowl and co-operating with a pivoting pressure arm adapted to be moved into the fork opening of the clamping member to pinch off the fowl'neck. A further fork member is provided above the clamping member and adapted to support the fowl by its shoulders.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory a slide block can be moved to and fro along a substantially cylindrical rod that has at least one flattened surface that is engaged by a guide wheel journalled in the slide surface block. The flattened surface extends partially rectilinearly and partially spirally along the cylindrical rod.