Abstract: A poultry conveying system includes: an endless conveyor including a connection block; a mandrel for supporting a poultry carcass or a part thereof; an intermediate section having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to the mandrel and the second end connecting to the connection block, wherein the mandrel is arranged for rotating at the first end of the intermediate section around a first axis and around a second axis at a non-zero angle relative to the first axis; and a first actuator arranged for actuating the rotation of the mandrel around the first axis, and a second actuator arranged for actuating the rotation of the mandrel around the second axis, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are located at the second end of the intermediate section.

Abstract: A system and method for deboning a poultry leg part, including at least one bone and meat surrounding the bone. The system includes a conveying unit arranged for transporting the poultry leg part along a conveying path. The system also includes a deboning unit. The deboning unit includes a gripper arranged for gripping the meat surrounding the bone, the gripper being associated with a first carrier; a gripper actuator arranged for opening and closing the gripper, the gripper actuator being associated with a second carrier; and a gripper tensioner arranged for providing a biasing force for closing the gripper, the gripper tensioner being associated with a third carrier. The first, second and third carriers are arranged for displacement relative to a base member, and the base member is arranged for being transported in horizontal direction along the conveying path.

Abstract: A method of harvesting meat fillets from a poultry carcass, wherein a poultry breast cap is supported inverse to its natural position on a carrier moving along a path of conveyance, wherein the poultry breast cap is moved past a measuring system that detects the poultry breast cap and generates information for determining an approximated size of the poultry breast cap, wherein breast meat is optionally engaged by a dynamic guide bar system, and is cut adjacent a keel bone of the poultry carcass, an outer fillet is cut along the keel bone of the poultry breast cap, wherein inner and outer fillets are separated, and wherein the poultry carcass remains are discarded.

Abstract: Method and device for carrying out the method of mechanically harvesting inner and outer meat fillets from a poultry carcass breast cap. A poultry breast cap (23) is conveyed while being supported inversed to its natural position on a carrier (17) through a path of conveyance (25). The outer fillet is cut along a keel bone of the poultry breast cap (23) to enable separation of the inner and outer fillets. After separation and successive harvesting of the outer and inner breast fillets the carcass remains are discarded. The device (1, 13) for carrying out the method comprises means (15, 17, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43) for performing at least the steps of conveying, separating and harvesting inner and outer breast fillets, and discarding carcass remains.

Abstract: A poultry shackle and a method and system for adjusting a height of a poultry shackle. The shackle includes a carrier having a bore, a shaft extending through the bore, wherein the shaft is movable relative to the carrier along an axial direction of the bore, and a retainer, movable relative to the carrier at an angle, such as substantially perpendicular to. the axial direction. The retainer is movable between a first and second position. In the first position the retainer engages the shaft for maintaining the shaft in a predetermined axial position relative to the carrier. In the second position the retainer releases the shaft for allowing axial movement of the shaft relative to the carrier.

Abstract: A system and method for deboning a poultry leg part, including at least one bone and meat surrounding the bone. The system includes a conveying unit arranged for transporting the poultry leg part along a conveying path. The system also includes a deboning unit. The deboning unit includes a gripper arranged for gripping the meat surrounding the bone, the gripper being associated with a first carrier; a gripper actuator arranged for opening and closing the gripper, the gripper actuator being associated with a second carrier; and a gripper tensioner arranged for providing a biasing force for closing the gripper, the gripper tensioner being associated with a third carrier. The first, second and third carriers are arranged for displacement relative to a base member, and the base member is arranged for being transported in horizontal direction along the conveying path.

Abstract: A Cutting unit and method for cutting meat parts from suspended previously eviscerated poultry carcasses, when the carcasses are each suspended upside-down by their legs from a shackle in an overhead conveyor that transports a succession of shackles through poultry cut-up apparatus. The cutting unit includes at least one cutting element. The cutting unit includes a guiding and positioning member for guiding and positioning a predetermined portion of a poultry carcass in respect of the at least one cutting element. The guiding and positioning member is associated with an auxiliary conveyor adapted to move synchronously with shackles in an overhead conveyor. The auxiliary conveyor has an endless chain articulated about first and second return sprocket. The articulated chain moves in a vertical plane parallel to a vertical plane common to a path of movement of the conveyor shackles.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus (1) for, continuously harvesting surrounding meat from a successive plurality animal legs having articulated first and second animal bones and an intermediate joint. The method continuously conveys the animal legs through a path of conveyance, and determines a location of the intermediate joint. Based on the determined location of the intermediate joint, adjusting a position of the intermediate joint and a cutting implement relative to one another, and performing cutting of tissue at a location commensurate with the location of the intermediate joint. The step of determining the location of the intermediate joint is performed contactless, and without interrupting continuous conveyance of the animal legs.

Abstract: A Cutting unit and method for cutting meat parts from suspended previously eviscerated poultry carcasses, when the carcasses are each suspended upside-down by their legs from a shackle in an overhead conveyor that transports a succession of shackles through poultry cut-up apparatus. The cutting unit includes at least one cutting element. The cutting unit includes a guiding and positioning member for guiding and positioning a predetermined portion of a poultry carcass in respect of the at least one cutting element. The guiding and positioning member is associated with an auxiliary conveyor adapted to move synchronously with shackles in an overhead conveyor. The auxiliary conveyor has an endless chain articulated about first and second return sprocket. The articulated chain moves in a vertical plane parallel to a vertical plane common to a path of movement of the conveyor shackles.

Abstract: A method of, and an apparatus (1) for, continuously harvesting surrounding meat from a successive plurality animal legs having articulated first and second animal bones and an intermediate joint. The method continuously conveys the animal legs through a path of conveyance, and determines a location of the intermediate joint. Based on the determined location of the intermediate joint, adjusting a position of the intermediate joint and a cutting implement relative to one another, and performing cutting of tissue at a location commensurate with the location of the intermediate joint. The step of determining the location of the intermediate joint is performed contactless, and without interrupting continuous conveyance of the animal legs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (1, 11) for longitudinally cutting poultry legs along a contour defined by an inwardly extending bone structure. The method comprises the steps of, and the apparatus (1, 11) having means (25) for, suspending at least one poultry leg at its ankle joint, and conveying the thus suspended poultry leg along a predefined path of conveyance (21). At least one cutting unit (1) with a directionable knife (73) is provided in the predefined path of conveyance (21). The at least one poultry leg is positioning such that it is lined-up for a longitudinal cutting engagement by the directionable knife (73), and the directionable knife (73) is brought into cutting engagement with the thus positioned poultry leg. During cutting engagement, position and cutting direction of the directionable knife are continuously adjusted to follow the contour defined by the bone structure of the poultry leg, while the positioned poultry leg is conveyed past the directionable knife (73).

Abstract: Method and device for carrying out the method of mechanically harvesting inner and outer meat fillets from a poultry carcass breast cap. A poultry breast cap (23) is conveyed while being supported inversed to its natural position on a carrier (17) through a path of conveyance (25). The outer fillet is cut along a keel bone of the poultry breast cap (23) to enable separation of the inner and outer fillets. After separation and successive harvesting of the outer and inner breast fillets the carcass remains are discarded. The device (1, 13) for carrying out the method comprises means (15, 17, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43) for performing at least the steps of conveying, separating and harvesting inner and outer breast fillets, and discarding carcass remains.

Abstract: Method and apparatus (1, 11) for longitudinally cutting poultry legs along a contour defined by an inwardly extending bone structure. The method comprises the steps of, and the apparatus (1, 11) having means (25) for, suspending at least one poultry leg at its ankle joint, and conveying the thus suspended poultry leg along a pre-defined path of conveyance (21). At least one cutting unit (1) with a directionable knife (73) is provided in the pre-defined path of conveyance (21). The at least one poultry leg is positioning such that it is lined-up for a longitudinal cutting engagement by the directionable knife (73), and the directionable knife (73) is brought into cutting engagement with the thus positioned poultry leg. During cutting engagement, position and cutting direction of the directionable knife are continuously adjusted to follow the contour defined by the bone structure of the poultry leg, while the positioned poultry leg is conveyed past the directionable knife (73).

Abstract: A wing cutter for narrow pitch poultry processing lines includes a subframe supporting functional components of the wing cutter and a main frame to which the subframe is pivotally mounted. The subframe, and thus the functional components of the wing cutter, can be pivoted to a selected angle relative to the processing path depending at least in part on the pitch of the processing line. In one embodiment, the subframe and working components are rotated to an angle between about zero degrees and about fifteen degrees when the pitch of the processing line is about 8 inches.

Abstract: A wing cutter for narrow pitch poultry processing lines includes a subframe supporting functional components of the wing cutter and a main frame to which the subframe is pivotally mounted. The subframe, and thus the functional components of the wing cutter, can be pivoted to a selected angle relative to the processing path depending at least in part on the pitch of the processing line. In one embodiment, the subframe and working components are rotated to an angle between about zero degrees and about fifteen degrees when the pitch of the processing line is about 8 inches.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat. The device includes a deboning unit adapted to be associated with a supporting tray for supporting one of the animal parts, a stripper diaphragm on one end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit, and a movable bone pusher rod and a movable tubular knife on an opposite end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit. The bone pusher rod and the tubular knife are arranged concentrically about one another. A mechanism is provided for advancing and retracting the bone pusher rod and the tubular knife between first positions, allowing loading of the animal part, and second positions, in which the meat is collected against the stripper diaphragm and the bone is pushed partly through the diaphragm.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for mechanically collecting meat from animal parts having an elongated bone extending through a sleeve of meat. The device includes a deboning unit adapted to be associated with a supporting tray for supporting one of the animal parts, a stripper diaphragm on one end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit, and a movable bone pusher rod and a movable tubular knife on an opposite end of the supporting tray, when associated with the deboning unit. The bone pusher rod and the tubular knife are arranged concentrically about one another. A mechanism is provided for advancing and retracting the bone pusher rod and the tubular knife between first positions, allowing loading of the animal part, and second positions, in which the meat is collected against the stripper diaphragm and the bone is pushed partly through the diaphragm.