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: 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: An apparatus for filleting the breast piece of slaughtered poultry includes a device for supporting and conveying the breast piece in a conveying direction along a conveying path. A device is included for cutting the breast meat loose from the breast piece from the sternum and wishbone of the breast piece. The cutting device includes a substantially v-shaped device which is driven synchronously with the breast piece along at least a portion of the conveying path. The v-shaped device engages the breast piece and separates the breast meat adjacent the wishbone.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first suspension conveyor towards a second suspension conveyor, and includes a supply station and a discharge station and with a receiving station which is drivable in synchronisation with the supply station as well as a delivery station which is drivable in synchronisation with the discharge station. Further, a transfer track with transfer means movable there along is provided with carriers for the poultry. The transfer track comprises a roundgoing support which is provided with an endless plastic guide means guiding the transfer means. The guide means includes guide profiles positioned at its outer side and inner side, respectively, wherein the guide profiles each comprise two guide faces which therebetween enclose an angle between 120.degree. and 140.degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for deboning a leg of slaughtered poultry comprising upper leg and lower leg, with a device to stretch the leg, a stripping diaphragm and a hollow tube movable to and fro for pushing the leg through the diaphragm and receiving the upper leg or lower leg up to the knee joint while engaging between the bone and the meat of said respective leg part. The hollow tube is at its frontal edge provided with a projecting part which can engage over the knee-cap of the knee joint. Thus, it is prevented that the knee-cap together with the meat is torn off the bone. Preferably the projecting part is an arcuate extension of the cylindrical wall of the hollow tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for processing an trails package removed from slaughtered poultry, comprising two parallel and adjacently positioned shafts drivable for an opposite rotation, with a helically extending surface profile, the shafts defining a slot between themselves. At least one of the shafts is provided with at least one ring-shaped circumferential section at which the helically extending surface profile is missing and of which the surface is positioned at least at the level of the crest of the adjacent helically extending surface profile. Both shafts may be provided with a number of such circumferential sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for deboning a leg of slaughtered poultry. The leg is firstly stretched and next, starting from a forward end of the leg, the meat is stripped from the leg towards the rearward end of the leg. An apparatus for carrying out said method comprises means for stretching the leg, a stripping diaphragm and driving means for moving the leg through the diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for opening the body cavity of a slaughtered bird starting from the cloaca. Through the cloaca, a tensioning means is moved into the body cavity and towards the tip of the chest, which tensioning means tensions the skin of the bird. Next, a cutting device cooperating with the tensioning means in a scissors-like manner cuts the skin. The tensioning means may comprise two plate sections positioned alongside each other. The apparatus may be part of a rotating processing apparatus at the circumference of which a number of such apparatus are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for dividing into separate parts an assembly removed from an entrails package of a slaughtered bird comprising heart and lungs. The apparatus comprises two rotating axes defining a slit therebetween. A first part of the axes is provided with a coarse profile, whereas a successive second part is provided with a fine profile shaped as interengaging teeth. Further, it is possible that the second part is followed by a third part which again is provided with a more coarse profile.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eviscerating device for removing the entrails from slaughtered poultry, comprising a substantially U-shaped brace with two legs extending in the same plane and a brace bottom connecting the legs. The legs and the brace bottom comprise a rod with a smooth surface without projections. At the brace bottom, the rod is shaped such that it comprises, at the crest of the brace bottom, a bend projecting from the plane of the brace legs having a shape adapted to the expected shape of the spine of the poultry to be processed. Thus a good loosening function is combined with a substantially reduced chance of damage to the entrails or poultry.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for processing poultry suspended from their legs and includes a processing device and a positioning brace provided for engagement between the legs of the poultry. A plate section is mounted onto the positioning brace which will engage the tail of the poultry and which is pivotable relative to the positioning brace around a horizontal pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first suspension conveyor towards a second suspension conveyor, having a supply station contiguous with the first suspension conveyor and a discharge station contiguous with the second suspension conveyor. The device included a transfer unit positioned between the two suspension conveyors, the transfer unit being provided with a receiving station which is drivable in synchronization with the supply station and with a delivery station which is drivable in synchronization with the discharge station and further with a transfer track connecting the receiving station with the delivery station and vice versa, the track including a transfer mechanism movable there along with carriers for the poultry.

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: The invention relates to a method for separating into parts an entrails package removed from a slaughtered bird, the package comprising gizzard, proventriculus, heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder and intestines. The method includes loosening the tissue connections between the gizzard and the intestines, separating the entrails package in a package comprising liver, gallbladder and intestines on one hand and a package comprising gizzard, proventriculus, heart and lungs on the other hand, as well as separating the gizzard with proventriculus from the heart with lungs. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out such a method.

Abstract: In a method for unloading a poultry transport container, which comprises at least one loading tray with a side unloading flap, the end of a discharge conveyor is applied from the side of the unloading flap closely above the loading tray. This end is gradually moved towards the side of the loading tray opposite the unloading flap, thus forcing the poultry to take place onto the discharge conveyor. The loading tray, the discharge conveyor or both may be displaceable for obtaining their relative movement.

Abstract: According to the invention, a conveyor belt, especially fit for application in a water jet cutter, consists of a number of distanced strip-shaped members extending transversally to the conveyor belt. The edge of the strip-shaped member defining the transporting surface of the conveyor belt is provided with a serrated profile. Thus, rebounding of a waterjet is effectively prevented.

Abstract: In the invention poultry to be suspended with its legs from a suspension conveyor is first oriented in parallel with a certain direction, such as the conveying direction of the suspension conveyor, next spaced at a certain mutual distance, thereafter oriented in the same direction with its belly and finally, in this position, engaged by its legs and lifted by the suspension conveyor. The apparatus according to the invention comprises a conveyor supporting and supplying the poultry, means for orienting the poultry in parallel with the conveying direction of the conveyor and means for orienting the poultry with its belly in the conveying direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for dressing a slaughtered bird, especially for positioning each wing tip underneath the upper arm. Preferably the apparatus comprises first means for confining the wing tip in a starting position, second means for moving the wing tip from this starting position towards an intermediate position and third means for moving the wing tip with its end from said intermediate position towards a position underneath the upper arm. As first means confinement plates may be used, as second means a pivot plate and as third means a pressure means engaging the wing tip.

Abstract: Apparatus for dressing a slaughtered bird, with cutting means for making cuts in the chest skin of the bird next to the thighs and with locating means for locating in these cuts the ends of the legs of the bird as defined by the hock joints. Preferably the locating means exist of means which are movable rectilinearly for bending the knees and which are rotatable for positioning the legs into the cuts. Further these means may carry the cutting means.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory a slide block can be moved to and fro along a substantially cylindrical rod that has at least one flattened surface that is engaged by a guide wheel journalled in the slide surface block. The flattened surface extends partially rectilinearly and partially spirally along the cylindrical rod.