Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry leg boning apparatus for removing meat from the upper and lower leg bones of a poultry leg. The apparatus includes a first, cutting machine for cutting open the meat of the poultry leg along one side of the upper and lower leg bones, and a second, tendon cutting machine for removing the lower leg bone from the poultry leg. Also disclosed are methods for cutting open the meat of the poultry leg along one side of the upper and lower leg bones, and removing the meat from the lower leg bone.

Abstract: A poultry leg boning apparatus for removing meat from the upper and lower leg bones of a poultry leg. The apparatus includes a first, cutting machine for cutting open the meat of the poultry leg alone one side of the upper and lower leg bones, and a second, tendon cutting machine for removing the lower leg bone from the poultry leg. Also disclosed are methods for cutting open the meat of the poultry leg along one side of the upper and lower leg bones, and removing the meat from the lower leg bone.

Abstract: A poultry skinner comprises a stationary frame having a pair of chain guides attached thereto, and a pair of parallel endless chains mounted for movement upon the chain guides. The chains, driven by a motor through a Geneva drive transmission, which produces intermittent motion, carry a series of birds over a first peeling roll for removing skin from the breasts, and, after the bird is inverted, over a second peeling roll which removes the skin from the back. The bird is then automatically engaged by a fixture which supports it for further processing.Also disclosed is an improved stripper roll arrangement for cleaning peeling rolls, and a skin nicking device for cutting tendons critical to the skinning operation.

Abstract: A poultry leg splitting machine adapted to be employed either alone or in combination with a poultry leg/back processor wherein separated whole poultry legs comprised of the joined drumstick and thigh portions are delivered by a flited helical conveyor to a rotating slotted pocket wheel which in cooperative combination with fold-over guide rails automatically bends the drumstick-to-thigh ball-and-socket joint about the joint natural flex arc thereof across the slotted pocket wheel circumferential edge for angled slot blade severing of one set of distended joint side tendons thereby enabling the joint to pop under continued fold-over guide rail pressure and pocket wheel arcuate transport displacement thus permitting continued passage of the angled slot blade through joint tissue and remaining joint connecting tendons only without ball-and-socket joint bone contact to effect a completed transverse splitting of the poultry leg into separated thigh and drumstick cuts.