Abstract: Deboning modules 50 move along a processing path for deboning poultry legs or wings having bones connected by an intermediate joint. The modules each include an ankle knuckle holder 60 and a hip knuckle holder 90 for supporting the leg and the hip bone in alignment with each other. Stripping claw 154 and hip knuckle holder 90 move toward each other for stripping meat from the leg bone and hip bone toward the intermediate leg joint. A cylinder blade 71 moves about the ankle knuckle holder toward the hip knuckle holder for cutting the accumulated meat at the hip knuckle holder.

Abstract: Poultry wings are suspended by their tip segments and oriented so that their outside surfaces face one side of the processing path, with right wings oriented with their elbows leading, and left wings oriented with their elbows trailing. The lower, primary segments are bent at the elbow joints by a bending guide, laterally and upwardly about an elbow guide, opening the elbow joints. The open joints are cut so as to release the primary segments. The mid-wing segments are compressed and the bone ends are moved laterally from the wing tip segments, causing the bone ends of the mid-wing segments to pop out of the tip segments. In both instances, the bones of the segments are exposed in the final products, so when the products are cooked, the exposed bone ends are free of grease, etc. and are suitable for grasping by the fingers of the hand for eating as finger food.

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: Apparatus for transferring poultry carcasses from a first overhead conveyor to a second overhead conveyor, including a transfer wheel rotatable about a shaft and disposed between the first and the second overhead conveyors. The apparatus also includes a receipt point and a discharge point, the receipt point being disposed between the first overhead conveyor and the transfer wheel, the discharge point being disposed between the transfer wheel and the second overhead conveyor, and the receipt and discharge points are disposed on a centerline of the transfer wheel. The apparatus further includes a plurality of holders, each holder being configured to receive one of the carcasses from the first overhead conveyor at the receipt point and to discharge the carcass to the second overhead conveyor at the discharge point. Each holder has a first orientation at the receipt point and a second orientation at the discharge point, and the first and second orientations are relative to the centerline and are the same.

Abstract: A shackle assembly (10) transports poultry carcasses along a poultry processing line. Turning block (50) turns the stirrups (18) of the shackle in response to engagement with turning pins (75) that are located along the processing path, so as to properly orient the bird carried by the shackle to the next cutting station. One of the side wings (66) of the turning block (50) is relieved such that its turning slots will not engage the turning pin, thereby avoiding the turning of the stirrups. This assures that the stirrups, and therefore the bird carried by the stirrups, are properly oriented for the next cutting station.

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: Device for drying washed and rinsed crates or cases, comprising a frame and receiving or accommodation spaces carried by the frame for the crates or cases, in which the accommodation spaces are attached to a rotating shaft and are situated on either side of it in a symmetrical manner, and furthermore comprising means for rotating the rotating shaft and thus the accommodation spaces in order to cast off the water present on the crates or cases from them through centrifugal forces.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring poultry carcasses from a first overhead conveyor to a second overhead conveyor, in which overhead conveyors the carcasses are transported suspended from shackles and the like, comprising a transfer wheel rotatable about a vertical axis and positioned between both overhead conveyors, which wheel is provided with holders for the carcasses and with first means for transferring the carcasses from the first overhead conveyor to the transfer wheel and with second means for transferring the carcasses from the transfer wheel to the second overhead conveyor, orientation means further being present for equalizing the spacial initial orientation of the carcass in the holder at receipt on the transfer wheel and the spacial final orientation of the carcass in the holder at its discharge from the transfer wheel.

Abstract: Device for hanging conveyance of poultry, comprising a hanger, which is possibly provided with means for attachment to an overhead conveyor, in which the hanger is provided with at least one accommodation space for a leg of the poultry, which accommodation space is provided with an access opening for entrance and exit of leg, in which the hanger is provided with means for closing off the access opening, which closing means are moveable between a closed position which closes off the access opening and an open position releasing the access opening, and with means for locking the closing means in the closed position.

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses with legs and backs remaining are suspended from shackles (25) by their legs and moved in sequence along a processing path. The backs are received on a surface conveyor (18) having parallel conveyor flights (36, 37), so that the rounded portions (31) of the surfaces of the backs (30) seek the space between the conveyor flights, thereby tending to center the carcasses moving along the poultry path. The backs are turned from inverted attitudes to upright attitudes while the legs remain inverted, thereby tending to rotate the thighs with respect to the backs, loosening the sockets between the thighs and backs, and the visceral cavities are placed on a rotary disk (28) formed of UHMW and having peripheral teeth with radially extending teeth surfaces which engage the backbone areas of the visceral cavities of the carcasses.