Abstract: In a method and device for carrying out at least one processing operation on a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs, the bird is conveyed on a hook of a conveyor towards and into the processing area of a processing device in order for the at least one processing operation to be carried out on the bird. The bird is positioned in the processing area of the processing device by externally supporting the bird at at least two locations, which are selected from the group of locations which comprises the back, the sternum, the area of the clavicle, the wings and the sides of the bird. Then, the at least one processing operation is carried out in the processing device in the area of the breast of the bird. The bird may also be positioned in the processing area of the processing device by internally supporting the bird on the side of the sternum facing the abdominal cavity of the bird.

Abstract: A device for processing slaughtered animals or parts thereof, having a first station and a second station, comprises a conveyor which extends between the first station and the second station. The conveyor comprises at least one slot which is designed to carry and support the slaughtered animals, a supply device for supplying the slaughtered animals or parts thereof at the first station on the conveyor, and a discharge device for discharging the slaughtered animals or parts thereof from the conveyor at the second station. The device has at least one driven driving member which spans at least half of the width of the slot, passes through a path which is substantially parallel to the course of the slot and is designed to move the slaughtered animals or parts thereof which are in the slot along the slot.

Abstract: Method for obtaining an inner fillet and device for mechanically detaching the undesired tendon part from an inner fillet. The poultry carcass is mounted on a fixing member and positioned so that the tendons are exposed. A processing device, comprising rotating cutters, either partially or completely detaches the tendon from the inner fillets. The cutters make a uniform incision at the moment when the inner fillet and the associated tendon are still essentially in their natural position. The fillets may then be removed manually or mechanically from the carcass.

Abstract: In a method and device for carrying out at least one processing operation on a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs, the bird is conveyed on a hook of a conveyor towards and into the processing area of a processing device in order for the at least one processing operation to be carried out on the bird. The bird is positioned in the processing area of the processing device by externally supporting the bird at at least two locations, which are selected from the group of locations which comprises the back, the sternum, the area of the clavicle, the wings and the sides of the bird. Then, the at least one processing operation is carried out in the processing device in the area of the breast of the bird. The bird may also be positioned in the processing area of the processing device by internally supporting the bird on the side of the sternum facing the abdominal cavity of the bird.

Abstract: In a method and device for carrying out at least one processing operation on a slaughtered bird which is hung by its legs, the bird is conveyed on a hook of a conveyor towards and into the processing area of a processing device in order for the at least one processing operation to be carried out on the bird. The bird is positioned in the processing area of the processing device by externally supporting the bird at at least two locations, which are selected from the group of locations which comprises the back, the sternum, the area of the clavicle, the wings and the sides of the bird. Then, the at least one processing operation is carried out in the processing device in the area of the breast of the bird. The bird may also be positioned in the processing area of the processing device by internally supporting the bird on the side of the sternum facing the abdominal cavity of the bird.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing multiple automated poultry processing operations upon a slaughtered animal or a part thereof via a single machine is described. The machine contains at least two rotary processors in a single frame. A covering surrounds the processors. A venting processor cuts out and removes the vent of a slaughtered animal and in the process removes unwanted fecal or other material from the exterior and the interior of the carcass. The processors integrated into the single machine are coupled by a conveyor line following a preferably generally S-shaped route that carries the carcasses amongst the processors, preferably positioning the carcasses at the optimum registration point for the operation performed by the particular processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing multiple automated poultry processing operations upon a slaughtered animal or a part thereof via a single machine is described. The machine contains at least two rotary processors in a single frame. A covering surrounds the processors. A venting processor cuts out and removes the vent of a slaughtered animal and in the process removes unwanted fecal or other material from the exterior and the interior of the carcass. The processors integrated into the single machine are coupled by a conveyor line following a preferably generally S-shaped route that carries the carcasses amongst the processors, preferably positioning the carcasses at the optimum registration point for the operation performed by the particular processor.

Abstract: In a method and device for making an incision in the skin of the belly of a slaughtered animal which is provided with a vent opening produced by cutting out the vent, the skin is processed at a position near the bottom point of the breastbone of the animal, and an incision is made between the vent opening and said position. In order to support the skin during the skin processing operation, a supporting element is fitted subcutaneously through an opening in the skin. In a method and device for processing a slaughtered animal, prior to or during the evisceration of the carcass of the animal, tissue connections are broken between the belly skin and the viscera, in particular between the belly fat situated on the inside of the belly skin and the stomach.

Abstract: In a method and device for making an incision in the skin of the belly of a slaughtered animal which is provided with a vent opening produced by cutting out the vent, the skin is processed at a position near the bottom point of the breastbone of the animal, and an incision is made between the vent opening and said position. In order to support the skin during the skin processing operation, a supporting element is fitted subcutaneously through an opening in the skin. In a method and device for processing a slaughtered animal, prior to or during the evisceration of the carcass of the animal, tissue connections are broken between the belly skin and the viscera, in particular between the belly fat situated on the inside of the belly skin and the stomach.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting the presence of a bone fracture in a specific bone of a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, particularly fowl, especially for detecting a bone fracture in the leg bone of fowl, the apparatus comprising: retention means designed to retain an animal on a retention location thereof, fracture detection means designed for detecting a possible fracture in the relevant bone of the animal, and signalling means which are linked to the fracture detection means and signal whether a bone fracture is or is not present.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, the slaughtered animal or the part thereof is conveyed on a holding support of a carrier connected to an overhead conveyor. The holding support is provided with devices for fixing the slaughtered animal or part thereof. The carrier is conveyed past filleting tools disposed in an essentially fixed orientation, while the holding support of the carrier provided with a swivelling device can be swivelled by means of a control device which controls the swivelling device during the passage past the filleting tools, in order to carry out-the filleting operations with the filleting tools.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing multiple automated poultry processing operations upon a slaughtered animal or a part thereof via a single machine is described. The machine contains at least two rotary processors in a single frame. A covering surrounds the processors. A venting processor cuts out and removes the vent of a slaughtered animal and in the process removes unwanted fecal or other material from the exterior and the interior of the carcass. The processors integrated into the single machine are coupled by a conveyor line following a preferably generally S-shaped route that carries the carcasses amongst the processors, preferably positioning the carcasses at the optimum registration point for the operation performed by the particular processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for performing multiple automated poultry processing operations upon a slaughtered animal or a part thereof via a single machine is described. The machine contains at least two rotary processors in a single frame. A covering surrounds the processors. A venting processor cuts out and removes the vent of a slaughtered animal and in the process removes unwanted fecal or other material from the exterior and the interior of the carcass. The processors integrated into the single machine are coupled by a conveyor line following a preferably generally S-shaped route that carries the carcasses amongst the processors, preferably positioning the carcasses at the optimum registration point for the operation performed by the particular processor.

Abstract: This invention relates to both a method and an apparatus for placing slaughtered poultry on a carrier and a method and an apparatus for subsequently removing the skin from the slaughtered poultry on the carrier.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, the slaughtered animal or the part thereof is conveyed on a holding support of a carrier connected to an overhead conveyor. The holding support is provided with devices for fixing the slaughtered animal or part thereof. The carrier is conveyed past filleting tools disposed in an essentially fixed orientation, while the holding support of the carrier provided with a swivelling device can be swivelled by means of a control device which controls the swivelling device during the passage past the filleting tools, in order to carry out the filleting operations with the filleting tools.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for automatic removal of at least an inner fillet from slaughtered poultry or a part thereof before the connection between the inner fillets and the carcass is broken, a separation is made in the opening bounded by the clavicle and the breastbone, whereupon the inner fillets are at least partly scraped off from the carcass. In another method of filleting, the canalis triosseus is cut open in the shoulder joint, whereupon at least the inner fillets are pulled free from the carcass with the aid of the humerus. Previously, the connection between the membrane of the inner fillets and the breastbone in the region of the coracoideum is broken. For placing a front half of a slaughtered bird on a carrier, a bird is hung by its legs on a suspension element, whereupon the front half and the back half are separated from one another except for a rear connection. The front half is thereupon placed on the carrier and the rear connection is broken.

Abstract: A method and device for collecting poultry and transporting the poultry to a slaughterhouse, in which the birds are at least partially made unconscious prior to their arrival at the slaughterhouse. Prior to or during their collection, the birds can be conveyed through a tunnel containing a stunning gas. A goods vehicle for carrying crates or containers with poultry to a slaughterhouse can be provided with means for introducing a stunning gas into the crates or containers.

Abstract: A method and a device for boning a leg or a part thereof of a slaughtered animal. Prior to the removal of the meat from the leg or the part thereof, an incision is made through a tendon at the position of the condyle of the tibia in the ankle joint. During scraping of meat from the lower leg, the lower leg is retained by a lug which engages in the canalis tendineus. Prior to or during the boning operation, the kneecap of the leg is pressed through an opening of a stop element, following which the kneecap projecting from the opening is removed.

Abstract: In a method and device for separating at least one piece of visceral tissue from at least one organ connected thereto, in which the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated is smaller than said at least one organ, the cluster of visceral tissue and organ or organs is moved relative to and over a surface provided with holes. The holes are effectively at least as large as the smallest cross-section of the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated. A piece of visceral tissue to be separated which passes into a hole is retained in the hole.

Abstract: Method and device for stunning poultry (8a, 8b, 8c, 8d), which poultry are taken into a first chamber (23) by means of a conveyer (2, 6), which chamber contains a first straining gas or gas mixture which is mixed with oxygen, and are subsequently taken into a a second chamber (33) which is essentially separated from the first chamber as regards gas and which contains a second stunning gas or gas mixture for increasing the stunning achieved in the first chamber.