Abstract: A plurality of wires (16a-16h) are each connected at one one to an oscillating ring 14, with the other ends of the wires connected to springs 18a-18h. When the ring 14 is rotated in one direction, the wires move closer to the longitudinal axis (28) of the ring. The bone of a poultry thigh is grasped by a grasping member (48) and is pulled through the polygon shape formed by the wires. The wires tend to wrap around the poultry bone (54), and as the bone is pulled between the wires, the wires strip the meat from the bone (FIGS. 7-12).

Abstract: A continuous conveyor assembly 11 comprises a plurality of conveyor plates 18 that define a longitudinal space 19 along the center portion of the conveyor. Carcass supports 21 are carried by the conveyor assembly at spaced intervals for transporting poultry carcasses 44. Breast support brackets 34 are mounted on the conveyor assembly adjacent each carcass support 21 for supporting the breast just above the conveyor assembly. The conveyor assembly carries the carcasses first through a pair of wing-cutting disks 48, then about a breast-cutting disk 51 that protrudes upwardly through the slot of the conveyor to cut the downwardly-facing breast of each carcass, and then through a back-cutting station 43 where the backbone is either split by a backbone cutter 62, or is cut from the carcass by a pair of spaced cutting disks 60 and 61. A guide 50 extends between the pair of back-cutting disks or about the backbone cutting disk to stabilize the carcass as the back is being cut.

Abstract: Eviscerated poultry is conveyed upon a shackle through a refrigerated space in a compact configuration for a time sufficient to chill birds so as to cause them to self-retain the compact configuration when delivered to a bird packaging station for packing in the same configuration. The shackle itself has a basket pivotably mounted to a lower portion of a hanger bar and a canopy mounted to an upper portion of the bar.

Abstract: A plurality of bird openers (36) are positioned in a circular array about a revolving carrousel framework (22) which is rotated by engagement with a moving overhead conveyor system. Each bird opener is moved vertically by a cam arrangement (35) as the carrousel framework rotates. Birds suspended from the conveyor are positioned adjacent each bird opener, with the bird opener protruding between the legs of its bird, and each bird opener is lowered down into engagement with its bird, so that a cutting element (75) enters the body cavity of the bird and cleats (54) engage the body of the bird about the opening of the body cavity to hold the bird in a stationary attitude upon further movement with the carrousel. The cutting element is thrust in an upwardly directed arc (100) away from the center axis of the carrousel framework so as to cut through the body portion of the bird and to enlarge the vent opening of the bird while the bird is held in position by the cleats.