Abstract: An article support assembly is disclosed for movement by a conveyor along a conveying path that has processing stations and turning stations therealong. The article support includes a carriage for riding along the conveyor and a holder depending from the carriage for supporting an article. The holder is rotatably mounted with respect to the carriage. A turning block is associated with and rotates with the holder to enable rotation of a supported article when the turning block is rotated. Rotation is effected in response to the article support, and particularly the turning block, being moved past a turning station along a conveying path. Position stops are operatively arranged between the turning block and the carriage for holding the turning block and thus the holder yieldably in at least one predetermined indexed orientation relative to the carriage.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat. The device includes a deboning unit adapted to be associated with a supporting tray for supporting one of the animal parts, a stripper diaphragm on one end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit, and a movable bone pusher rod and a movable tubular knife on an opposite end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit. The bone pusher rod and the tubular knife are arranged concentrically about one another. A mechanism is provided for advancing and retracting the bone pusher rod and the tubular knife between first positions, allowing loading of the animal part, and second positions, in which the meat is collected against the stripper diaphragm and the bone is pushed partly through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method of removing a sleeve of meat (D) from an animal part having a bone with a first knuckle (B) on one of two opposite ends of an elongate bone shaft (A) and a second knuckle (C) on another of the two opposite ends. The method includes the steps of engaging the bone of the animal part with a part of a meat stripper (13) between its first knuckle (B) and the sleeve of meat (D) and engaging the bone by a knuckle gripper (71) between the part of the meat stripper (13) and the first knuckle (B). The method continues with moving the meat stripper (13) and the knuckle gripper (71) away from one another, while stripping and gathering the sleeve of meat (D) towards the second knuckle (C). In a subsequent step the method discontinues moving away the meat stripper (13) and knuckle gripper (71) from one another upon the part of the meat stripper (13) engaging the second knuckle (C).

Abstract: Meat processing method and apparatus for automatically cutting individual poultry or fowl carcasses into various meat products, including conveying at least one previously eviscerated individual carcass along a path of conveyance and through a freezing unit arranged for allowing at least a portion of the at least one carcass to become frozen and conveying the at least one carcass, upon its exit from the freezing unit, to a cutting station downstream of the freezing unit for performing at least one partial cut through a frozen portion of the at least one carcass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof, comprising a conveyor having supports for retaining the carcasses or parts thereof, which conveyor is provided with means for leading the supports in a supply direction past at least one processing installation. The device further comprises a skinner for skinning the carcasses or parts thereof, which skinner is provided with skin gripping means for gripping the skin and means for moving the skin gripping means relatively with respect to the carcass and substantially perpendicular to the supply direction during skinning.

Abstract: The shackle assembly (10) has a lock gear (22) non-rotatably mounted to the shackle (11). Lock collar (45) has inwardly projecting lock collar teeth (51) that engage with the lock gear teeth (28A-28D). When the lock collar is moved toward the lock gear against the bias of spring (58), the lock gear teeth (28) move into the interior cavity (50) of the lock collar. This protects the teeth of both the lock gear and the lock collar at all times.

Abstract: The shackle assembly (10) has a lock gear (22) non-rotatably mounted to the shackle (11). Lock collar (45) has inwardly projecting lock collar teeth (51) that engage with the lock gear teeth (28A-28D). When the lock collar is moved toward the lock gear against the bias of spring (58), the lock gear teeth (28) move into the interior cavity (50) of the lock collar. This protects the teeth of both the lock gear and the lock collar at all times.

Abstract: A leg part cutter (1) skins and cuts poultry leg parts, in particular thighbones (P), which parts are provided with a bone. A frame (2, 3) and skinning rolls (19) arranged on the frame for skinning the leg part. Knives (24, 25) are arranged on the frame for cutting through the leg part along the bone. A conveyor (4) conveys the leg part past the skinning rolls and after that past the knives.

Abstract: When the stomach, intestines, and other viscera have been pulled from the visceral cavity of a bird traveling in series with other birds on a suspended conveyor line, the gullet holds the viscera in a position suspended outside of the bird where it can be inspected by a health official. The gullet cutter 20 is moved downwardly by its cam roller following the sloped cam track 15 until its tube 1 and rod 2 reach into the visceral cavity of a bird. The rod 2 that is inserted into the visceral cavity and its hook-shaped protrusion 5 are rotated by gear wheels 8, 21, 22 to create a scissors-cutting effect between the protrusion 5 and its notch 4 to cut the gullet. During cutting, the bird is urged by a rotatable bracket 10 into a desired position so that the gullet of the bird is urged into the hook-shaped protrusion, effecting an accurate cut of the gullet by the protrusion.

Abstract: Container for transporting poultry, comprising a frame and a number of tray-shaped decks for the poultry, the container having a loading side, where the poultry can be placed on the decks, as well as an opposite rear side and lateral sides, whereby at least the decks above the lowermost deck have a bottom, which as a whole is hinged to the frame by means of a hinge connection or pivot connection situated at a distance from the rear side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof, comprising a conveyor having supports for retaining the carcasses or parts thereof, which conveyor is provided with means for leading the supports in a supply direction past at least one processing installation. The device further comprises a skinner for skinning the carcasses or parts thereof, which skinner is provided with skin gripping means for gripping the skin and means for moving the skin gripping means relatively with respect to the carcass and substantially perpendicular to the supply direction during skinning.

Abstract: Device for skinning and cutting leg parts, in particular thighbones, of poultry, which portions are provided with a bone, comprising a frame and means arranged on the frame for skinning the leg part, as well as means arranged on the frame for cutting through the leg part along the bone, in which the device furthermore comprises means for conveying the leg part past the skinning means and after that past the cutting means.