Abstract: An apparatus for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles includes a conveyor device forming a conveying line, a processing station arranged along the conveying line and having a processing tool, and a positioning unit having a transverse slide and a longitudinal slide for positioning the tools. An assembly for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses has such an apparatus and utilizes corresponding methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically recovering breast fillets from poultry bodies or parts thereof has a conveying device to continuously convey the poultry bodies in a conveying direction. The conveying device has receiving elements to hold and convey the poultry bodies along a processing path. Processing stations are arranged on the processing path and the stations include at least a furcula-removal station and a breast fillet detaching station. At least one measuring device is arranged on the processing path downstream of the breast fillet detaching station. The poultry bodies held by the receiving elements are conveyed past the measuring device such that the sternum of the poultry bodies is oriented at least substantially transversely to the conveying direction with the breast side facing the measuring device. The measuring device has a scanning element to mechanically scan the poultry bodies on the breast side. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a gutted poultry carcass includes a framework, a transport unit mounted on the framework having a transport means, at least one holding apparatus fastened to the transport means for holding the gutted poultry carcass during transport, and at least one processing station for processing the gutted poultry carcass. The processing station includes a knife arrangement for cutting into the gutted poultry carcass or the part located in an effective range of the knife arrangement. A knife of the knife arrangement is movable from a standby position into a cutting position and back. Each holding apparatus is in a position wherein a center axis of the holding apparatus is oriented transverse to a transport direction. The knife is arranged laterally to the transport means and carries out movement of the knife from the standby position into the cutting position as a cutting movement.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate a tendon connecting a breast fillet of a gutted poultry body, from which wings have been removed, to a carcass of the poultry body, has a transport apparatus having a transport unit which is driven in a revolving manner, and a holding apparatus fastened thereto to hold the poultry body or part thereof during processing, and a means for separating the tendon. The means for separating is movable from a standby position into a separating position and back. The transport unit, with the holding apparatus, with the formation of a transport path, transports the poultry body or the part thereof in a direction of transport, with the anus side leading, in the direction towards the means for separating. The means for separating the tendon includes at least one combination tool which has a portion that displaces the breast fillet and a portion that separates the tendon.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a gutted poultry carcass includes a framework, a transport unit mounted on the framework having a transport means, at least one holding apparatus fastened to the transport means for holding the gutted poultry carcass during transport, and at least one processing station for processing the gutted poultry carcass. The processing station includes a knife arrangement for cutting into the gutted poultry carcass or the part located in an effective range of the knife arrangement. A knife of the knife arrangement is movable from a standby position into a cutting position and back. Each holding apparatus is in a position wherein a center axis of the holding apparatus is oriented transverse to a transport direction. The knife is arranged laterally to the transport means and carries out movement of the knife from the standby position into the cutting position as a cutting movement.

Abstract: An apparatus for the moving-along tool positioning of linearly conveyed articles includes a conveyor device forming a conveying line, a processing station arranged along the conveying line and having a processing tool, and a positioning unit having a transverse slide and a longitudinal slide for positioning the tools. An assembly for removing the wishbone from poultry carcasses has such an apparatus and utilizes corresponding methods.

Abstract: A conveying device, apparatus and method for continuously conveying poultry bodies or parts oriented into different processing positions in a conveying direction. A continuous conveyor, which is provided with receiving elements for holding the poultry bodies revolves in a conveying plane and forms a conveying path. The receiving elements each of which include a saddle element to receive one of the poultry bodies, are arranged on a base element to be pivotable about an axis of rotation lying perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveying plane is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination ? greater than 0° and less than 90°, and the base elements are each arranged on the continuous conveyor by angled elements with an angle of extension ? less than 180° and greater than 90°.

Abstract: An apparatus to separate a tendon connecting a breast fillet of a gutted poultry body, from which wings have been removed, to a carcass of the poultry body, has a transport apparatus having a transport unit which is driven in a revolving manner, and a holding apparatus fastened thereto to hold the poultry body or part thereof during processing, and a means for separating the tendon. The means for separating is movable from a standby position into a separating position and back. The transport unit, with the holding apparatus, with the formation of a transport path, transports the poultry body or the part thereof in a direction of transport, with the anus side leading, in the direction towards the means for separating. The means for separating the tendon includes at least one combination tool which has a portion that displaces the breast fillet and a portion that separates the tendon.

Abstract: An arrangement for skinning poultry parts containing the poultry breast includes a conveying device having saddle elements configured for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along a skinning device. The skinning device has at least one rotationally driven profiled roller and a guide element. The roller, together with an entry edge of the guide element, is adapted to form an entry gap for gripping the skin on the side of the poultry breast. The guide element has flank guide elements each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part, wherein the flank guide elements have inner guide surfaces adapted for contacting the flesh of the poultry part. A method is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically recovering breast fillets from poultry bodies or parts thereof has a conveying device to continuously convey the poultry bodies in a conveying direction. The conveying device has receiving elements to hold and convey the poultry bodies along a processing path. Processing stations are arranged on the processing path and the stations include at least a furcula-removal station and a breast fillet detaching station. At least one measuring device is arranged on the processing path downstream of the breast fillet detaching station. The poultry bodies held by the receiving elements are conveyed past the measuring device such that the sternum of the poultry bodies is oriented at least substantially transversely to the conveying direction with the breast side facing the measuring device. The measuring device has a scanning element to mechanically scan the poultry bodies on the breast side. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A holding apparatus is configured and adapted for holding eviscerated poultry bodies or parts thereof during processing in a processing apparatus. The holding apparatus includes a supporting body, a fastening body for holding the supporting body and for fastening the holding apparatus to a revolving transport unit of the processing apparatus, and also a clamping device for fixing the poultry body or parts on the supporting body. The supporting body is detachably connected to the fastening body by a fastening element. The fastening element, in the mounted state of the holding apparatus, is accessible from outside. At least one stationary supporting bolt and at least one movable guide bolt are arranged on the fastening body, and the supporting body has corresponding recesses into which the bolts engage. A transport apparatus, a processing apparatus, and a method for maintenance of a holding apparatus, are also provided.

Abstract: An arrangement for skinning poultry parts containing the poultry breast includes a conveying device having saddle elements configured for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along a skinning device. The skinning device has at least one rotationally driven profiled roller and a guide element. The roller, together with an entry edge of the guide element, is adapted to form an entry gap for gripping the skin on the side of the poultry breast. The guide element has flank guide elements each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part, wherein the flank guide elements have inner guide surfaces adapted for contacting the flesh of the poultry part. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A holding apparatus is configured and adapted for holding eviscerated poultry bodies or parts thereof during processing in a processing apparatus. The holding apparatus includes a supporting body, a fastening body for holding the supporting body and for fastening the holding apparatus to a revolving transport unit of the processing apparatus, and also a clamping device for fixing the poultry body or parts on the supporting body. The supporting body is detachably connected to the fastening body by a fastening element. The fastening element, in the mounted state of the holding apparatus, is accessible from outside. At least one stationary supporting bolt and at least one movable guide bolt are arranged on the fastening body, and the supporting body has corresponding recesses into which the bolts engage. A transport apparatus, a processing apparatus, and a method for maintenance of a holding apparatus, are also provided.

Abstract: A conveying device, apparatus and method for continuously conveying poultry bodies or parts oriented into different processing positions in a conveying direction. A continuous conveyor, which is provided with receiving elements for holding the poultry bodies revolves in a conveying plane and forms a conveying path. The receiving elements each of which include a saddle element to receive one of the poultry bodies, are arranged on a base element to be pivotable about an axis of rotation lying perpendicular to the conveying direction. The conveying plane is arranged inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle of inclination ? greater than 0° and less than 90°, and the base elements are each arranged on the continuous conveyor by angled elements with an angle of extension ? less than 180° and greater than 90°.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for an electrosurgical gripping instrument with an electrode, a heating element and a resilient insulator arranged between the electrode and the heating element to insulate them from one another, wherein the insulator is soft relative to bending. The invention further relates to an electrosurgical gripping instrument with an electrode arrangement according to the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrode arrangement for an electrosurgical gripping instrument with an electrode, a heating element and a resilient insulator arranged between the electrode and the heating element to insulate them from one another, wherein the insulator is soft relative to bending. The invention further relates to an electrosurgical gripping instrument with an electrode arrangement according to the invention.