Abstract: The machine employs a plurality of individual, pointed mandrels that are attached to a closed loop conveyor having an upper processing run and a lower return run. As the mandrels move along the upper run, they are periodically reoriented into a number of successive positions so that skin removal operations can be performed on carcasses that have been impaled on the mandrels by workers stationed at the loading end of the machine. At a first station the wings are severed from each successive carcass in an upright position with special movement of the cutters being effected to prevent overly deep cutting into the breast meat. As the carcass approaches a second station with the back up and the posterior end leading, a slit is made in the back skin down the full length of the backbone by a slitting nozzle that injects air under the back skin while it is inserted between the back skin and the meat therebeneath.

Abstract: Apparatus for fileting breast meat and removing tenders and wings from a front poultry section includes two pairs of rotary cutters which are mounted for swinging movement in front of the path of the poultry carcass which is carried on a mandrel. the two pairs of rotary cutters provide slightly overlapping cuts to partially sever the connection between the wings and the carcass at precise locations consistent from bird to bird. Downstream of the rotary cutters, two pairs of depending peeling fingers incremently slice through connections between the tenders and the sternum and a pair of wiping elements mounted for pivotal movement swing inwardly around the severed shoulder joint to firmly engage the carcass and peel away the remaining connections and the tenders and the sternum.

Abstract: Apparatus for fileting breast meat and removing tenders and wings from a front poultry section includes two pairs of rotary cutters which are mounted for swining movement in front of the path of the poultry carcass which is carried on a mandrel. The two pairs of rotary cutters provide slightly overlapping cuts to partially sever the connection between the wings and the carcass at precise locations consistent from bird to bird. Downstream of the rotary cutters, two pairs of depending peeling fingers incremently slice through connections between the tenders and the sternum and a pair of wiping elements mounted for pivotal movement swing inwardly around the severed shoulder joint to firmly engage the carcass and peel away the remaining connections and the tenders and the sternum.

Abstract: The two spindle machine has an innermost, elongated, vent-entering probe associated with one spindle and an elongated, cylindrical cutter associated with a second spindle concentrically receiving the probe. The probe may be telescoped into and out of the open end of the cutter, the latter having notched cutting teeth at the lower end thereof, so that, when extended, the probe and an enlargement at the lower end of the probe may be inserted into the vent opening. When the probe is partially retracted up into the cutter, cooperating, close-fitting surfaces between the latter and the probe grip the intestine and retain the same as the cutter is then rotated to sever the skin surrounding the vent; whereupon the probe and the cutter may be withdrawn together to likewise partially withdraw the intestine from the carcass.

Abstract: A bird is gripped by its thighs adjacent the vent hole and is shifted toward a knife until the hole has reached a predetermined location that corresponds to a certain depth of insertion of the knife into the hole. Since location of the hole is being used as the determining factor with respect to depth of knife insertion, the knife always enters to the same extent regardless of the length of the bird. Operation of the knife once fully inserted causes the skin to be slit between the hole and the keel bone, thus making an enlarged opening to the body cavity.

Abstract: In the course of the mechanized eviscerating procedure, the viscera-removing tool is introduced into the body cavity of a carcass in an entry stroke through an opening at the stern of the carcass. The tool moves arcuately along the breast of the carcass during the entry stroke, and substantially at the full innermost limit of the entry stroke of the tool, the carcass is lifted by its shoulders upwardly against the lowermost tip of the tool to locate the latter substantially at the intersection of the neck and the shoulders within the body cavity. Simultaneously with this action, the neck of the carcass is cocked abruptly toward the breast side of the carcass to maximize the depth of insertion of the tool into the body cavity.

Abstract: A bird is gripped by its thighs adjacent the vent hole and is shifted toward a knife until the hole has reached a predetermined location that corresponds to a certain depth of insertion of the knife into the hole. Since location of the hole is being used as the determining factor with respect to depth of knife insertion, the knife always enters to the same extent regardless of the length of the bird. Operation of the knife once fully inserted causes the skin to be slit between the hole and the keel bone, thus making an enlarged opening to the body cavity.