Abstract: A method for eviscerating intestine packs of slaughtered poultry using evisceration devices. Each devise includes an evisceration spoon, which is inserted into the body of the poultry to a fully advanced position, in which the spoon surrounds the intestine pack on the breast side thereof. The evisceration spoon is subsequently retracted, thereby pulling the intestine pack out of the body. A guide is inserted together with the spoon and is moved across the esophagus during the forward movement within the body. While the crop is being pulled loose, the guide forms a bend on the esophagus, so that the esophagus extends from the bend to the crop in a direction more aligned with the retraction direction than the portion of the esophagus extending from the bend to the spoon.

Abstract: A method for eviscerating intestine packs of slaughtered poultry by which decapitated poultry suspended in legs or joints are eviscerated in an evisceration apparatus comprising a number of evisceration devices. Each evisceration devise comprises an evisceration spoon, which is inserted into the body of the poultry in a movement forward and towards the breast bone, then moved forward along the breast bone and finally swung towards the back of the poultry to a fully advanced position, in which the spoon surrounds the intestine pack on the breast side thereof. The evisceration spoon is subsequently retracted, thereby pulling the intestine pack out of the body. The evisceration device further comprises a guide means, which is inserted together with the spoon and is moved across the esophagus during the forward movement within the body.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for designing electronic circuits, including analog and mixed signal (AMS) circuits, based on an evolutionary optimization approach. In one exemplary embodiment, the optimization approach is implemented using a computer program running on one or more computers. The optimization program receives inputs from the designer regarding (i) optimization objectives for the design process, and (ii) the constraint mechanisms to be applied. Both constrained and unconstrained optimization formulations can be addressed by the program. Various objective function evaluation mechanisms are implemented. The program also advantageously allows for continuously encoded variables, which are particularly useful for solving AMS design problems.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for designing electronic circuits, including analog and mixed signal (AMS) circuits, based on an evolutionary optimization approach. In one exemplary embodiment, the optimization approach is implemented using a computer program running on one or more computers. The optimization program receives inputs from the designer regarding (i) optimization objectives for the design process, and (ii) the constraint mechanisms to be applied. Both constrained and unconstrained optimization formulations can be addressed by the program. Various objective function evaluation mechanisms are implemented. The program also advantageously allows for continuously encoded variables, which are particularly useful for solving AMS design problems.