Abstract: A support for carrying a front-half of a chicken through a deboning process, including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a base for attaching to a conveyor belt. The upper portion includes a first shelf and a second shelf for resting under the shoulder knuckles of the front-half of the chicken and a protrusion positioned between the first shelf and the second shelf for spreading the shoulder knuckles. The lower portion of the support has two sections for resting under the breast meat of the front-half of the chicken. The first section of the lower portion of the support slopes downward and outward from the upper portion, while the second section of the lower portion slopes downward and inward from the first section.

Abstract: A paw selector for maintaining poultry paws in an ordered, indexed manner so that each paw can be matched with the carcass from which it was removed is provided. The paw selector has a tray coupled to a rotatable shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes the walls of the tray to rotate, thereby urging paws on the tray over a stationary tray bottom. Upon reaching a void in the tray bottom, the paws drop through the void on a lower tray or into a predetermined receptacle for further processing. At least on sensor can maintain correlation between the paw and the carcass from which it was removed for disposal of any rejected paws.

Abstract: A paw selector for maintaining poultry paws in an ordered, indexed manner so that each paw can be matched with the carcass from which it was removed is provided. The paw selector has a tray coupled to a rotatable shaft. Rotation of the shaft causes the walls of the tray to rotate, thereby urging paws on the tray over a stationary tray bottom. Upon reaching a void in the tray bottom, the paws drop through the void onto a lower tray or into a predetermined receptacle for further processing. At least on sensor can maintain correlation between the paw and the carcass from which it was removed for disposal of any rejected paws.

Abstract: A carrier for supporting a carcass part of slaughtered poultry includes a carrier body having a support surface for engaging at least a part of the inner face of the carcass part, a hook for holding the carcass part on the carrier body, a positioning element for positioning the carcass part relative to the carrier, which has a dome shaped engagement end for engaging the inner face of the carcass part, and is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position in which the dome shaped engagement end of the positioning element protrudes from the support surface of the carrier body. The positioning element is arranged such relative to the support surface of the carrier body that in its extended position, the dome shaped engagement end of the positioning element engages the inner face of the carcass part at or adjacent to the facies visceralis sterni of the sternum in the region between the left and right margo costalis of the sternum.

Abstract: A poultry wing segmenting blade to segment a poultry wing into segments at the poultry wing joint, the blade includes a bifurcated blade having a first edge and a second edge, and further comprises a guide, the guide configured to align the poultry wing joint with the bifurcated blade configured to separate the joint and cut the poultry wing and, thus, functions to produce consistent high speed joint cuts without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow contamination.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing poultry or a part thereof in a processing line, including the step of detaching and/or collecting a cartilage of the poultry's keel bone, whereby during transport of the poultry's carcass in the processing line, a cut is made in the cartilage of the keel bone, which cut is made initially transverse to the transport direction of the poultry and towards the poultry's backbone, and which cut develops from said transverse direction to eventually a direction opposed to the transport direction.

Abstract: A poultry neck meat harvester for mechanized harvesting of neck meat from a poultry body is adapted to be arranged along the path of a poultry body conveyor having at least one product carrier for supporting a poultry body and conveying the poultry body in a direction of conveyance. The harvester includes one or more neck positioning devices, each adapted to receive and position the poultry neck portion of a poultry body that is supported by a product carrier, a neck conveyor with neck positioning devices adapted to convey each neck positioning device in a manner that is synchronized with a product carrier so as to allow receipt of the poultry neck portion while the poultry body is supported by the product carrier, a neck meat cutting member adapted to cut loose the neck meat from the neck vertebrae while the neck portion is received and positioned by the neck positioning device.

Abstract: A poultry neck meat harvester for mechanized harvesting of neck meat from a poultry body is adapted to be arranged along the path of a poultry body conveyor having at least one product carrier for supporting a poultry body and conveying the poultry body in a direction of conveyance. The harvester includes one or more neck positioning devices, each adapted to receive and position the poultry neck portion of a poultry body that is supported by a product carrier, a neck conveyor with neck positioning devices adapted to convey each neck positioning device in a manner that is synchronized with a product carrier so as to allow receipt of the poultry neck portion while the poultry body is supported by the product carrier, a neck meat cutting member adapted to cut loose the neck meat from the neck vertebrae while the neck portion is received and positioned by the neck positioning device.

Abstract: An apparatus for suspending the poultry front half frame on a poultry processing line leaving fewer ribs. An apparatus utilizing spikes strategically located on the cone. Attached at the base of the Swivel Spike Cone is a swivel mechanism that enables the poultry front half frame to rotate 360 degrees when attached to the post located on the chain that moves the birds up the processing line. The present invention uses strategically located spikes allowing for various sizes of birds in the industry. Currently being used in Processing Plants is a smooth surfaced cone that requires the ribs to be left on the poultry front half frame. If the poultry ribs were removed while using these smooth cones it would simply fall off. By enabling poultry processing plants to take off the ribs (leaving them attached to the leg quarters) the leg quarters weigh more, creating additional revenue.

Abstract: A method and device for processing a carcass-part of slaughtered poultry in a processing line is provided. Means are applied for cutting the membrana and/or removing of the wishbone from the carcass-part. The means for cutting the membrana and/or removing of the wishbone include an arrow-shaped knife and two blades arranged on opposite sides of the knife. After the means for cutting the membrana and/or removing of the wishbone are introduced into the carcass part, the arrow-shaped knife and the two blades are moved in a unitary movement from within the carcass-part in a sideways direction away from the carcass part so as to lift the wishbone legs while they are still connected to the wing joints, and subsequently turn the wishbone legs out of the wing joints of the carcass-part.

Abstract: A method and device for processing a carcass-part of slaughtered poultry in a processing line is provided. Means are applied for cutting the membrana and/or removing of the wishbone from the carcass-part. The means for cutting the membrana and/or removing of the wishbone include an arrow-shaped knife and two blades arranged on opposite sides of the knife. After the means for cutting the membrana and/or removing of the wishbone are introduced into the carcass part, the arrow-shaped knife and the two blades are moved in a unitary movement from within the carcass-part in a sideways direction away from the carcass part so as to lift the wishbone legs while they are still connected to the wing joints, and subsequently turn the wishbone legs out of the wing joints of the carcass-part.

Abstract: A device for removing a breast from a fowl has a base supporting a platform with a slot open to one side of the platform. An upright channel member extended through the slot is secured to the base and platform. The channel member accommodates a bar having a lower end pivoted to the lower end of the channel member to allow the bar to be moved from an upright position to a generally horizontal position to remove a breast from a fowl positioned on the platform and around the channel member.

Abstract: A method for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, which carcass part includes bone parts with at least a part of the rib cage, at least a part of the breast fillet, other muscle tissue that does not form part of the breast fillet, for example at least a part of the back meat that is naturally present on the rib cage and the spine and/or at least a part of the abdominal muscle tissue. This method includes the steps of making an incision through the meat at least up to the bone parts lying under the meat, which incision is made in an area between the breast fillet and the other muscle tissue that does not form part of the breast fillet, and which incision in that area substantially follows the shape of the breast fillet, and detaching the breast fillet from the bone parts of the carcass part.

Abstract: A filleting system for poultry, such as chickens, includes a conveyor system incorporating carriers for the poultry. Processing stations are provided in or along the path of the conveyor system for successively processing parts of the poultry, wherein the processing stations include at least one skinner, one wishbone remover, a fillet scraper, and either a breastbone scraper or a cutter for halving breast fillets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry,

Abstract: Method for obtaining an inner fillet and device for mechanically detaching the undesired tendon part from an inner fillet. The poultry carcass is mounted on a fixing member and positioned so that the tendons are exposed. A processing device, comprising rotating cutters, either partially or completely detaches the tendon from the inner fillets. The cutters make a uniform incision at the moment when the inner fillet and the associated tendon are still essentially in their natural position. The fillets may then be removed manually or mechanically from the carcass.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing both whole and portioned food products along a processing line for part cut-up and deboning in a mass production system. The apparatus consists of numerous food carriers, evenly spaced over a subscribed distance, connected by means of a mounting block, which is connected to a thermal plastic chain or a stainless steel chain by means of locking pins. The apparatus also includes food product take-away conveyors for the meat portions and scraps removed from the carcass. The carrier conveyance and the take-away conveyance have been incorporated into a common support frame. The apparatus will allow interchangeable food carriers for the type of process desired. Each food carrier is unique to the type of process being performed along the processing line. The chain is designed in such a manner as to allow vertical movement within a specified elevation change. Each food carrier is attached to a mounting block, which becomes an attachment to the chain.

Abstract: A device for processing a slaughter product comprises a conveyor which can move along a path and to which a first body, which can rotate about a first axis, is connected. A second body, which can rotate about a second axis, is connected to the first body. A first actuating device sets various first angular positions of the first body with respect to the first axis, while a second actuating device sets various second angular positions of the second body with respect to the second axis. A locking device fixes the first and/or second angular position. A slaughter product fixing device connects a breast portion of the slaughter product to the second body.

Abstract: A method for dividing a body of slaughtered poultry is described, wherein the body hangs down by its legs from a transport means, is transported with the breast leading in the direction of transport and is cut through during transport thereof by means of a first cutting operation, wherein the body is brought into a position inclined to the direction of transport before and during the first cutting operation so that the legs are located in front of the remaining body, wherein the body is moved towards a spike in such a manner that the spike enters a rear opening between the legs located between the legs of the body and the first cutting operation is performed in a diagonal direction in a plane which essentially extends between the thighs of the legs and the spike so that the body is divided into a rear half including the legs, the thigh portions corresponding to the legs and a back portion, and a front half including a breast portion and a main proportion of the back portion of the body, wherein the front half

Abstract: Apparatus for harvesting the cartilage connected to the breastbone on the skeletal portion of a poultry carcass including positioning means for positioning the breastbone for movement along a prescribed processing path and separating means for mechanically separating the cartilage from the breastbone as it moves along the processing path.

Abstract: There is disclosed a procedure for use in deboning poultry comprising locating the prepared poultry carcass with its wingbones (12) clamped on wingbone rests (13) defining edges which abut the wingbones at their wing joint (11a) ends whereby the wingbones are securely held in fixed positions with the carcass (11) depending therefrom, defining cutting axes between the wingbones and triosseum junctions and cutting on said axes to sever tendons and ligaments.

Abstract: A device under the control of a programmable logic controller, cuts poultry carcasses into a predetermined amount of pieces that remain together and are deposited into a compartmentalized conveyor for continued separation until the cut up carcass or carcasses are deposited into the final packaging configuration. The device, can cut the tail, breast tip, drumsticks, split the breast into two halves in the front, remove internal organs not removed in the evisceration process, cut wings, split the back from the top of the breast to the bottom of the thigh, cut the breast portion from the thigh portion, and remove the leaf fat from the bottom of the thigh. The disclosed device can also skip some of the above cuts to generate different end products.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, the slaughtered animal or the part thereof is conveyed on a holding support of a carrier connected to an overhead conveyor. The holding support is provided with devices for fixing the slaughtered animal or part thereof. The carrier is conveyed past filleting tools disposed in an essentially fixed orientation, while the holding support of the carrier provided with a swivelling device can be swivelled by means of a control device which controls the swivelling device during the passage past the filleting tools, in order to carry out-the filleting operations with the filleting tools.

Abstract: This invention relates to both a method and an apparatus for placing slaughtered poultry on a carrier and a method and an apparatus for subsequently removing the skin from the slaughtered poultry on the carrier.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, the slaughtered animal or the part thereof is conveyed on a holding support of a carrier connected to an overhead conveyor. The holding support is provided with devices for fixing the slaughtered animal or part thereof. The carrier is conveyed past filleting tools disposed in an essentially fixed orientation, while the holding support of the carrier provided with a swivelling device can be swivelled by means of a control device which controls the swivelling device during the passage past the filleting tools, in order to carry out the filleting operations with the filleting tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carriage for supporting a poultry breast piece and includes a surface engaging the inner side of said breast piece and a device for holding the breast piece to the carriage. The carriage comprises at one side a projecting head, which at its bottom is provided with a slit-shaped recess extending in the plane of symmetry of the carriage. It is possible that shortly behind the head, in the plane of symmetry of the carriage, a projection is provided. A U-shaped clamping brace cooperating with the head may be included.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for stabilizing a poultry breast for deboning thereof. The device comprising a mandrel adapted to conform to the shape of the underside of a poultry breast. The device further comprises two prongs mounted on the mandrel which are adapted to engage a V joint between a severed wing bone and a breast bone of a poultry breast.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for filleting the breast piece of a slaughtered bird having a conveyor for the breast piece and filleting devices positioned alongside the conveyor. The filleting devices comprise scraping plates having an operative contour adapted to the shape of part of the breast piece to be processed. It is possible to provide scraping plates extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal medial plane of the conveyor and/or scraping plates extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal medial plane of the conveyor.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for automatic removal of at least an inner fillet from slaughtered poultry or a part thereof before the connection between the inner fillets and the carcass is broken, a separation is made in the opening bounded by the clavicle and the breastbone, whereupon the inner fillets are at least partly scraped off from the carcass. In another method of filleting, the canalis triosseus is cut open in the shoulder joint, whereupon at least the inner fillets are pulled free from the carcass with the aid of the humerus. Previously, the connection between the membrane of the inner fillets and the breastbone in the region of the coracoideum is broken. For placing a front half of a slaughtered bird on a carrier, a bird is hung by its legs on a suspension element, whereupon the front half and the back half are separated from one another except for a rear connection. The front half is thereupon placed on the carrier and the rear connection is broken.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating bone and meat of the upper half of a poultry carcass with a variety of the sizes are provided, wherein first cutting is effected in the neighborhood of a shoulder joint to disconnect tissues under influence of a separation force applied between the upper half of a poultry carcass and the head of a humerus, second cutting is effected along the surface of the front side of a furcula, and then breast meat is efficiently separated by a conventional device with a higher recovery rate and an auto-loading system comprising a plurality of buffer conveyors is provided, wherein the upper halves of poultry carcasses are continuously loaded to as many apparatuses for the separating without downtime.

Abstract: A poultry breast filleting mandrel 10 for carrying an eviscerated poultry carcass along a processing path through a breast filleting process in which the meat of the poultry carcass is removed from the skeleton of the carcass, includes a base 12 for mounting to a conveyor, a shroud 14 removably mounted to the base for receiving thereabout the visceral cavity of the breast of a poultry carcass, and a movable clamp 46 for grasping the breast of a poultry carcass for holding the breast of the poultry carcass on the shroud. A shroud lock 112 is provided for locking the shroud to the base during processing and a shroud lock release 117 is provided for disengaging the shroud lock and allowing removal of the shroud for cleaning, repair, etc.

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses are moved in series along a conveyor (26), mounted upon a series of mandrels (33). As the poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path and are mounted on their mandrels (33), the carcasses are automatically engaged by a clamp tool (77) that clamps the poultry carcasses against their mandrels (33) in tight locking engagement to hold the poultry carcasses on their mandrels (33). A series of processing stations (42-50) engage and remove the wings, skin and progressively separate the meat from the skeletal structures of the poultry carcasses as said poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path (27) by the conveyor (26).

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses are moved in series along a conveyor (17), mounted upon a series of modules (22). As the poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path and are mounted on their modules (22), the carcasses are automatically engaged by a clamp tool (48) that clamps the poultry carcasses against their modules (22) in tight locking engagement to hold the poultry carcasses on their modules (22). A series of meat removal stations (61, 62, 63 and 64) engage and progressively separate the meat from the skeletal structures of the poultry carcasses as said poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path by the conveyor (17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filleting the breast piece of slaughtered poultry including at least the sternum and the wishbone defined by both clavicles, wherein the breast piece is supported and the breast flesh is cut loose from the sternum and the wishbone by means of cutting means. Prior to cutting loose the breast flesh, the wishbone is pressed inwardly as seen relative to the breast piece. Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method having a pressure means movable to and fro which in an operative position can engage the wishbone in order to press it inwardly relative to the breast piece.

Abstract: A device for cutting up the wings of poultry bodies into their component parts is described. The device comprises a saddle conveyor for receiving the poultry bodies in the form of front halves with wings. The wings are engaged and synchronously accompanied by auxiliary conveyors and guided into a guide system where they are cut up by means of "anatomic" cuts, i.e. cuts running through the joints. The device is adapted to by integrated into a processing line for filleting breast meat or the like.

Abstract: A variable-offset, poultry deboning system having a conveyor fitted with variable-offset, poultry support arms that bend toward the sides of the conveyor and create a two-sided, poultry deboning-conveyor. The support arms are installed so that successive arms turn toward opposite sides of the conveyor. Poultry support fittings, including, but certainly not limited to, deboning cones and half-pads are mounted on the top of each support arm. Support arms that bend toward the same side of the conveyor are fitted alternately with deboning cones and half-pads. However, in one alternative configuration, all support arms are fitted with deboning cones, while in another alternative configuration, all support arms are fitted with deboning half-pads. Additionally, in still other alternative configurations, products-conveyors may be mounted above the conveyor bed or on each side of the conveyor bed.

Abstract: A chicken tender cutting machine includes two relatively moveable carriages supported on the frame above a processing line. The first device includes a knife for making an incision in the tenderloin between the wishbone and the rib cage of the bird to free the upper end of the tenderloin; the second device is supported on the frame downstream of the first device, and has a blunt-tipped instrument which is moved downward between the tenderloin and the rib cage, so that the blunt tip sweeps along the keel to sever the tenderloin's connection to the keel.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for processing the bodies of slaughtered poultry and thereby removing meat from the skeleton, specifically in the region of the clavicle (clavicula). The apparatus has a conveyor with saddles for carrying and conveying the poultry body with the breastbone directed upwards and the clavicle leading. In order to remove the meat from the branches of the clavicle, a block having groove-shaped recesses is inserted between the clavicle branches such that the branches slip into the recesses and lie flush with the flank surfaces. Scraping knives are then guided over the flank surfaces to separate the meat from the clavicle. In order to avoid the scraping knives from catching broken or stretched clavicles and thus push bone splinters into the meat, pressing elements are provided which operate directly upstream of the scraping knives and ensure that any broken bone pieces are pushed together with the rest of the clavicle branches into the recesses.

Abstract: A variable-offset, poultry deboning system having a conveyor fitted with variable-offset, poultry support arms that bend toward the sides of the conveyor and create a two-sided, poultry deboning-conveyor. The support arms are installed so that successive arms turn toward opposite sides of the conveyor. Poultry support fittings, including, but certainly not limited to, deboning cones and half-pads are mounted on the top of each support arm. Support arms that bend toward the same side of the conveyor are fitted alternately with deboning cones and half-pads. However, in one alternative configuration, all support arms are fitted with deboning cones, while in another alternative configuration, all support arms are fitted with deboning half-pads. Additionally, in still other alternative configurations, products-conveyors may be mounted above the conveyor bed or on each side of the conveyor bed.

Abstract: Poultry carcasses, having open abdominal cavities, are suspended from a foot shackle conveyor. As each carcass approaches a knife for severing the upper and lower portions of the carcass, the top portion is transferred onto an approaching tine which enters the cavity, dipping downward as it does so. After the carcass is halved, the lower portion remains suspended in the foot shackle conveyor, and the top portion is carried away by the tine for further processing.

Abstract: An improvement to the type of poultry processing machinery in which a poultry carcass is placed upon a cone shaped mandrel carried past various processing stations by a conveyor. The improvement comprises a pin with a piercing point carried by the mandrel such that the pin pierces the keel bone of the poultry carcass to more firmly fix the poultry carcass in position upon the mandrel. In one embodiment the pin is mechanically retractable and extendable. In another embodiment, the pin is fixed in position upon the mandrel.

Abstract: Breast meat is stripped from a poultry carcass, after the shoulder joints have been separated and preliminary cuts have been made in the shoulder area with a cutter designed to leave the wings attached to the breast meat, by pulling the wings and breast meat attached thereto downward on the carcass. The breast fillets and wings remain attached to the carcass, facilitating visual inspection of the product. An apparatus for performing this method comprises special devices operating at four successive stations of an inline machine; the inspection is done at a fifth station.

Abstract: An auxiliary feeding apparatus (3) for a fish processing machine is described which comprises a conveyor equipped with saddle-like supporting members (1) for supporting the trunks of decapitated fish whose abdominal cavities are open on the ventral side. The auxiliary feeding apparatus (3) comprises an auxiliary saddle (9) for initially supporting each fish to be processed. The auxiliary saddle (9) can be controlled to move into and out of the path of the supporting members (1). The fish to be processed is placed on the auxiliary saddle (9) with its tail leading and, on lowering the auxiliary saddle, is transferred to the supporting member (1). The lowering movement is controlled in such a way, that each fish is taken over by the supporting member without the projecting end (8) of the supporting member coming into contact with the end of the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: Poultry processing apparatus is disclosed for automatically performing shoulder-wing separation and severing cuts, short transverse shoulder cuts and long back cuts in the rib cage breast meat of a poultry carcass preparatory to removal of the wings and breast meat from the carcass. The apparatus includes a conveyor having a series of carcass support cones sequentially moveable along a predetermined path of travel. Combination shoulder-wing joint locating and separating members cooperate with C-shaped cutters pivotally thereon to define scissors mechanism located at a fixed position along the conveyor path to displace each wing bone from its respective shoulder socket and to then sever respective connective shoulder muscle and tendons while at the same time performing the short shoulder cuts in the carcass breast meat.

Abstract: An apparatus for detaching wings from a poultry body is described in which the detachment is effected by means of three pairs of separating tools with varying arrangements and forms of knife blades. The poultry bodies are prepared as front halves and pass through the processing areas of the separating tools fixed on supporting saddles which are moved forward by conveying means and convey the poultry body with the neck portion leading and the breast portion uppermost. This "three-cut" separation procedure allows an extremely economical detachment of the wing and greatly increases the yield of breast fillet meat while avoiding bone splinters in the region of attachment of the wings.

Abstract: A chicken breast processor has an endless conveyor on which are mounted a series of special fixtures for supporting a bird carcass during automatic butchering. Each fixture has a pair of spaced bars bearing respective upper and lower arms. Each of the arms has abeveled upper surface, so that an open "V" is formed for supporting both the backbone from within the carcass, and the breasts from below, to better locate the carcass for precise cutting. Carcasses are transferred from a tined disk onto the fixtures as the fixtures are rotated toward the disk to compensate for speed differential between it and the conveyor. A variety of cuts can be obtained from the device.

Abstract: In a method for mechanically gaining flesh from poultry bodies and an apparatus for carrying out this method, a series of tools are employed that are arranged along a conveyor (1) which has supporting elements (4) for supporting poultry bodies (58). These tools are formed with the aim of achieving a high quality end product at a high yield that is appealing to the eye. The processing of the poultry bodies (58), which are conveyed and securely held by the supporting elements (4), is performed sequentially using controllable scraping elements, stop elements, scraping blades, knives and strippers which loosen the connection between the skeleton (69) and the fillet flesh in a specific order.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating wings and attached breast from poultry carcasses comprising prescoring the flesh of the poultry carcass over the shoulder joint, separating the wing from the poultry carcass at the shoulder joint using a rotating cup knife having a broadly wedge shaped cutting edge, cutting along the scapula bone so as to separate tendons which tend to bind a portion of the breast meat to the poultry carcass and partially tearing the wing portion and attached breast portion including the "eye" and the flesh in the vicinity of the wishbone from the poultry carcass. The apparatus comprises separate processing stations for accomplishing each of the separation steps. The apparatus is designed to be used in conjunction with a moving conveyor belt having mandrels upon which the front half of a poultry carcass is mounted.

Abstract: A keel bone aligning apparatus (70) aligns the keel bone (78) of a carcass (10) with a rotary halving blade (61) so that the keel bone (78) is centrally cut with precision as the carcass (10) is carried along a processing path (12) and suspended by its legs (13) via a conveyor (11). As the carcass approaches the keel bone aligning apparatus (70), the visceral cavity (22) is introduced onto an internal guide rail (33). The keel bone aligning apparatus (70) has an angled guide plate (75) and a rollers (76a, 76b). The angled guide plate (75) initially engages and guides a portion of the carcass in the area of the keel bone. The rollers (76a, 76b) subsequently engage and guide the carcass portion during the cutting of the keel bone (78) by the rotary, halving blade (61).

Abstract: The present invention is an approved apparatus for the removal of tenders from poultry carcasses. The apparatus of the present invention is used in conjunction with a conveyor having mandrels for receiving and supporting the eviscerated poultry carcass in the proper position for the removal of the tenders. A series of knives and plows partially separate the tender from the poultry carcass. The improved apparatus of the present invention employs fully automated gripping elements which are positioned so as to grip the partially severed tender and to remove the partially severed tender from the poultry carcass by tearing away the remaining connections. The gripper then releases the separated tender onto an auxiliary conveyor. The operation of the gripper mechanism depends on a timing sequence which is initiated by a trigger located on one or both grippers. The motions of the gripper are initiated by contact of the triggers with the shoulder bone of the poultry carcass.