Abstract: The invention relates to a system for processing slaughtered products, comprising a first and second circulating element and first and second product carriers cooperating with these, and a transmission device for coupling the first and second circulating elements for opposite rotation, wherein a slaughtered product is transferred from a first to a second product carrier at a transfer location, comprising a first and second gear wheel connected to the first and second circulating element, wherein the first gear wheel is coupled to the second gear wheel via a first and second transmission gear wheel for rotation, and a displacement device which is adapted to displace the centre of gravity of the first and/or second transmission gear wheel while maintaining the toothed engagement, in such a way that an angular position of the first gear wheel changes with respect to an angular position of the second gear wheel. The invention also relates to a method for positioning product carriers of such a system.

Abstract: Evisceration apparatus for eviscerating a poultry carcass suspended by the legs. The apparatus may include an evisceration tool that is movable up and down and into and out of a body cavity of the poultry. The evisceration tool can include two bracket halves that connect to each other with a hinge at a lower extremity of the tool, wherein the two bracket halves may be embodied with cooperating clamping faces adjacent to said hinge for clamping a part of the viscera of the poultry when the two bracket halves are moved towards each other from an open position into a closed position.

Abstract: An evisceration apparatus for eviscerating a poultry carcass suspended by the legs. An exemplary apparatus includes an evisceration tool that is movable up and down, and into and out of a body cavity of the poultry. The evisceration tool includes two bracket halves that connect to each other with a hinge at a lower extremity of the tool. The two bracket halves are embodied with cooperating clamping faces adjacent to the hinge for clamping a part of the viscera of the poultry when the two bracket halves are moved towards each other from an open position into a closed position.

Abstract: A method for eviscerating slaughtered poultry having a carcass with a viscera pack in a body cavity of the carcass, includes entering the body cavity of the retained carcass with an eviscerating tool via an opened vent end, passing a front end of the eviscerating tool along the breast side of the body cavity so that the front end thereof moves past the viscera pack at least till beyond the liver, using a gizzard pre-lifting tool, which is entered into the body cavity of the retained carcass via the opened vent end, which gizzard pre-lifting tool is operated to grasp the gizzard and/or belly fat bonded to the gizzard and is operated to lift the gizzard thereby entraining a further portion of the viscera pack, the lifting of the gizzard being performed prior to the front end of the eviscerating tool passing along the breast side.

Abstract: An evisceration apparatus for eviscerating a poultry carcass suspended by the legs, including an evisceration tool is movable up and down, and into and out of, a body cavity of the poultry, and two bracket halves that connect to each other. A hinge at a lower extremity of the tool is embodied with cooperating clamping faces adjacent to the hinge for clamping a part of the viscera of the poultry when the two bracket halves are moved towards each other from an open position into a closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for separating a viscera set eviscerated from slaughtered poultry and held by a viscera holder of a viscera conveyer in manner whereby at least the liver, the intestines and the gallbladder are suspended below the viscera holder. The method comprises the steps of: arranging the viscera set in an elongate opening of a guide member and separating the intestines and the gallbladder from the remaining viscera set. The intestines and the gallbladder are separated from the remaining viscera set while at least the liver rests on a separation support surface of the guide member, arranged with an angle relative to the horizontal plane. A guide assembly having two movable parts for use in such method/system is further disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for removing the entrails from the abdominal cavity of poultry suspended by its legs in a first conveyor. The apparatus includes an evisceration tool which is movable into and out of the abdominal cavity of the poultry for removing the entrails from the abdominal cavity. The apparatus includes gripping means for gripping the entrails after their removal from the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a scraper head for cleaning the neck of poultry carcasses. The invention also relates to a device for cleaning the neck of poultry carcasses provided with such a scraper head. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for cleaning the neck of poultry carcasses, wherein a scraper head is moved out of the chest cavity into the neck.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a plunger for mechanically interconnecting a remote device with the power supply. The plunger may be extendable/retractable to interfit with the remote device. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply with a movable primary that allows for close alignment between the primary and the secondary when the remote device is disposed within a range of different positions with respect to the charging surface. The movable primary may, for example, be coupled to the remote device by a peg, a plunger or a magnet. Alternatively, the position of the movable primary may be adjusted manually. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a charging bowl having a plurality of charging stations disposed about a common axis. Each charging station may include a movable primary that permits some freedom in positioning of the remote device on the charging surface.

Abstract: Two bone sawing blades are attached in a spaced parallel alignment and attached to a handle for cutting out a section of a pelvic bone in field dressing a game animal. A pivoting handle with a side opening enables the double blades to be pivoted into the handle for storage. A rigid handle is attached to the blades by a hand shield.

Abstract: A tool usable for disemboweling fowl or other game animals includes a handle, a shank extending from the handle and a plurality of barbs extending radially from the shank. The plurality of barbs can be located on fins extending radially from the shank or arranged in columns extending the length of the shank. Each fin or column includes multiple barbs of a first size and/or shape and multiple barbs of a second size and/or shape. In general, the tool is shaped to be easily insertable and advanceable into the cloaca of a fowl or other game animal and to readily engage a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the animal, such that, when retracted, the tool will remove at least a portion of the gastrointestinal tract of the animal and may remove other desired internal organs of the animal.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for clamping or otherwise securing an esophagus between the crop and certain internal organs, including the viscera, and substantially simultaneously cutting or otherwise separating, or weakening for subsequent predictable separation, the esophagus at or near the clamped location, thereby avoiding pulling apart the crop and the resulting contamination of the carcass.

Abstract: A device (10) and method for clamping or otherwise securing an esophagus between the crop and certain internal organs, including the viscera, and substantially simultaneously cutting or otherwise separating, or weakening for subsequent predictable separation, the esophagus at or near the clamped location, thereby avoiding pulling apart the crop and the resulting contamination of the carcass.

Abstract: A device for removing viscera from slaughtered poultry via an opening in the abdomen thereof, having a removal member that can be moved between the stomach wall and the viscera into the abdominal cavity and then towards the back, as well as a bracing member for retaining the viscera, such as the gullet, with respect to the removal member. A retaining member is provided that can be moved between the back and the viscera into the abdominal cavity, which retaining member has a retaining surface at the bottom, and the removal member has an opposing retaining surface such that the retaining surface of the retaining member and the opposing retaining surface of the removal member moved towards the back can be held in the direction in which they are pushed towards one another, clamping the viscera.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatic cutting of organs from a plucks set from a carcass by a cutting device, the plucks set comprising larynx, gullet and windpipe, lungs and heart. The apparatus comprises a suspension device for holding the pipes, moving device for moving the plucks set relative to the cutting device, while the pipes are held in the suspension device, and a guiding device adapted to guide the plucks set to the cutting deice and keep the lungs and the heart separated from each other.

Abstract: An eviscerating member for processing a cluster of viscera of a slaughtered animal comprises two jaw parts to be moved at least partially into and out of the body cavity of the slaughtered animal. The jaw parts can move with respect to one another between an open position, in which a first jaw part is situated at a distance from the second jaw part, and a closed position, in which the first jaw part and the second jaw part substantially clamp onto part of the cluster of viscera. The eviscerating member also comprises a support mechanism supporting the jaw parts, and an actuating mechanism moving the jaw parts with respect to one another between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: In a method for separating abdominal fat from abdominal skin of a slaughtered bird, a supporting surface is positioned against at least a part of that side of the abdominal skin which is remote from the abdominal fat. At least a section of the abdominal fat is scraped off the abdominal skin with the aid of a movable scraper member. The movement of the scraper member is directed substantially parallel to the supporting surface. The supporting surface forms part of a flat plate. The scraper member comprises a bracket, a claw or a body provided with a scraping edge.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises: a running conveyor (1) with hooks (2) for suspending a set (5) of organs by the diaphragm (6) and conveying it in a conveying direction of the conveyor (1); a slit device (10; 11) arranged below the conveyor (1) with a slit (13; 44) for guiding horizontally in the slit a connective tissue part (9; 6) of the set (5) of organs during the conveyance of the set of organs on the conveyor with an organ (8; 7) located below the slit (13; 44), a retaining device (14-16; 40) arranged in a conveying path which the organ (8; 7) follows with the connective tissue part (9; 6) guided by the slit (13; 44), the retaining device (14-16; 40) being adapted to retain the organ (8; 7) on the retaining device by the conveyor's (1) pull in the set (5) of organs; and (22, 23; 49-51, 54) for causing separation between the organ (8; 7) and the connective tissue part (9; 6) when such retention has been provided.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises: a running conveyor (1) with hooks (2) for suspending a set (5) of organs by the diaphragm (6) and conveying it in a conveying direction of the conveyor (1); a slit device (10; 11) arranged below the conveyor (1) with a slit (13; 44) for guiding horizontally in the slit a connective tissue part (9; 6) of the set (5) of organs during the conveyance of the set of organs on the conveyor with an organ (8; 7) located below the slit (13; 44), a retaining device (14-16; 40) arranged in a conveying path which the organ (8; 7) follows with the connective tissue part (9; 6) guided by the slit (13; 44), the retaining device (14-16; 40) being adapted to retain the organ (8; 7) on the retaining device by means of the conveyor's (1) pull in the set (5) of organs; and means (22, 23; 49-51, 54) for causing separation between the organ (8; 7) and the connective tissue part (9; 6) when such retention has been provided.

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: A field dressing tool of the type for field dressing small game, is provided. The field dressing tool including: a pair of handles each having a first and second end, each handle forming a trough; a cutting blade connected to a first end of each of said handles, the cutting blades functionally interconnected by a pivot joint; a knife member having a first edge tapering to a point and a notch formed proximate the point on an edge opposite the first edge, the knife member pivotally connected to the second end of one of the handles and pivotable from a position disposed within a trough to a position extending from a handle; and a rake member pivotally connected to the second end of one of the handles, the rake being pivotable from a position disposed within a trough to a position extending from a handle.

Abstract: An eviscerating member for processing a cluster of viscera of a slaughtered animal comprises two jaw parts to be moved at least partially into and out of the body cavity of the slaughtered animal. The jaw parts can move with respect to one another between an open position, in which a first jaw part is situated at a distance from the second jaw part, and a closed position, in which the first jaw part and the second jaw part substantially clamp onto part of the cluster of viscera. The eviscerating member also comprises support means for supporting the jaw parts, and actuating means for moving the jaw parts with respect to one another between the open position and the closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the evisceration of carcasses conveyed on a slaughter line suspended in gambrels or hooks, where the abdomen and breast have been cut open, the hams divided and the fat end loosened, and wherein the carcass intestines are loosened, removed and placed on a gut pan or conveyor, the diaphragm is loosened and the plucks are removed and placed on a plucks conveyor. In loosening of the intestines, the connections of the intestines with the spinal column are broken, so that the intestines are made to hang out of the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm and leaf fat are loosened mechanically while the intestines are hanging out of the carcass and are connected to the plucks. The latter loosening is effected by a pressing device (5) and a hoop device (6) which can be moved independent of each other in the lengthways direction of the carcass.

Abstract: Apparatus for putting gullet ligatures into place on ruminants, and in particular on cattle, said apparatus comprising a ring designed to be engaged around the gullet and a rod enabling the ring to be pushed along the gullet to the vicinity of the rumen of the carcass, the apparatus comprising in combination: an actuator suitable for displacing the rod over a length substantially equal to that of the gullet, a device enabling the actuator to be immobilized relative to the gullet, an open ring secured to the end of the rod, and a control device enabling the actuator to be actuated to move the rod in both directions.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: Water is conserved and poultry raised for human consumption is cleaned by a viscera-removing machine that incorporates a unique nozzle member positioned adjacent a crop-removing tool. The close positioning of the nozzle to the crop-removing tool insures that contaminates are washed out of the internal cavity of the bird immediately upon crop removal. This prevents contaminates from being absorbed into tissue surrounding the internal cavity. The nozzle is mounted in longitudinal alignment with the crop-removing tool at the lowermost or leading end of a spiral rod that rotates about its axis of symmetry and reciprocates up and down as previously slaughtered poultry is delivered to a crop-removing and washing station. Each downward motion of the spiral rod causes the tool and nozzle to enter the vent of a bird and to exit at the neck opening.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

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: Device for removing at least the crop of slaughtered poultry, comprising means for holding a carcass of the poultry, a crop probe assembly with a crop probe holder and an elongated crop probe, which is provided with crop engaging means in an end portion, such as a number of teeth/sprockets, means for moving the crop probe up and down between a non-active position to one or more active positions, means for turning the crop probe about its longitudinal axis, in which the crop probe is provided with a nose on the outer end of the end portion, and in which on the side of the holder means facing away from the crop probe the device is provided with a neck breaker with neck breaking means and with means for activating the neck breaker and with means for moving the neck breaker toward the carcass and away from it, said means for moving the crop probe, the activating means and the means for moving the neck breaker being geared to one another such that during activation of the neck breaker the nose of the crop probe is

Abstract: Device for removing at least the crop of slaughtered poultry, comprising means for holding a carcass of the poultry, a crop probe assembly with a crop probe holder and an elongated crop probe, which is provided with crop engaging means in an end portion, such as a number of teeth/sprockets, means for moving the crop probe up and down between a non-active position to one or more active positions, means for turning the crop probe about its longitudinal axis, in which the crop probe is provided with a nose on the outer end of the end portion, and in which on the side of the holder means facing away from the crop probe the device is provided with a neck breaker with neck breaking means and with means for activating the neck breaker and with means for moving the neck breaker toward the carcass and away from it, said means for moving the crop probe, the activating means and the means for moving the neck breaker being geared to one another such that during activation of the neck breaker the nose of the crop probe is

Abstract: A method and device for releasing intestines in a carcass opened on the abdominal side, in particular a sheep, pig or cattle carcass, having the steps of:placing at least one bracket member in an operative position between the peritoneum and the abdominal wall,moving the bracket member substantially parallel to the spinal column whereby the peritoneum with organs arranged therein is at least partially released from the abdominal wall, andcarrying the bracket member from the operative position out of the carcass.

Abstract: Device for removing the viscera from the carcass of a slaughtered bird, comprising means for holding the carcass with its vent upward, means for gripping the gullet, said gripping means comprising at least two jaw members which are movable towards each other to fixedly and positively clamp the gullet between them, means for engaging under the viscera and means for moving the gripping means and the engaging means downward inside the carcass to the area of the gullet and operating means to move them subsequently in an active position upwards to eviscerate the viscera, wherein the gripping means and the engaging means are formed by one and the same scoop member which is hingedly connected to the lower end of a carrier bar means, wherein the gripping means and the scoop means are arranged for being simultaneously moved between a non-active position and an active position and vice versa.

Abstract: The invention relates to an eviscerating device for removing the entrails from slaughtered poultry, comprising a substantially U-shaped brace with two legs extending in the same plane and a brace bottom connecting the legs. The legs and the brace bottom comprise a rod with a smooth surface without projections. At the brace bottom, the rod is shaped such that it comprises, at the crest of the brace bottom, a bend projecting from the plane of the brace legs having a shape adapted to the expected shape of the spine of the poultry to be processed. Thus a good loosening function is combined with a substantially reduced chance of damage to the entrails or poultry.

Abstract: The evisceration process removes the entire alimentary tract, including the crop, in one operation and without damaging the tract. After the removal spoon enters the opening at the vent end of the carcass and moves along the breast bone, it swings over against the back wall of the body cavity to clamp the esophagus against the backbone at a point just below the weak region of attachment of the esophagus to the stomach. Simultaneously, a crop loosening hook enters a slit in the neck of the carcass, moves up along the esophagus into the body cavity, and intertwines with the esophagus by rotating through 360.degree.. During the time that the esophagus is clamped against the backbone by the removal spoon, the loosening hook is pulled back down along the esophagus, stripping the crop from its connective tissues and loosening the crop for withdrawal. When the removal spoon is then withdrawn up and out of the cavity, the esophagus pulls the loosened crop up and out of the carcass with the rest of the viscera.

Abstract: A flexibly structured probe carrying flexible fingers arrayed on the probe is used in decropping apparatus to snag and pull away from a poultry carcass membrane, crop, trachea and esophagus inedibles, the probe passing through the carcass stomach cavity and the neck passage in effecting this removal. The probe can be made of a resilient material such as a urethane this composition giving sufficient flexibility that the probe can deflect when encountering carcass inside obstructions to avoid damaging the carcass, and also the flexible fingers bending to prevent same breaking bones in the carcass when the rotating probe encounters such bones.

Abstract: A carcass holding fixture for transporting, locating and securely stabilizing a carcass relative to the fixture while the fixture is moving and processing operations are carried out on the carcass has a pair of hip stabilizing arms that squeeze inwardly against opposite sides of the carcass and upwardly against the hips as the carcass is clamped into processing position. When the stabilizing arms are fully closed, the carcass is clamped up against a straddle bar on the fixture. Simultaneously, a shoulder stabilizing yoke adjacent the neck portion of the carcass has raised up into firm engagement with the shoulders of the carcass to eliminate the possibility of significant movement of the trunk portion of the carcass. Once the processing operations are complete, the hip stabilizing arms swing away from the carcass and the shoulder stabilizing yoke moves to a lower position whereby to completely release the carcass and allow it to be separated from the holding fixture and moved to the next processing station.

Abstract: Method and device for separating one or more organs or a part thereof from a cluster of interconnected internal organs from a slaughtered animal, making use of a fixing device which is moved through an evisceration opening into the body of the slaughtered animal, in which method a part of the cluster is fixed with the aid of and relative to the fixing device, the connection between the organs and the body is broken, and the organs are taken out of the body. The fixing is maintained after the organs have been taken out of the body and until a separating operation has been carried out on one or more organs or a part thereof in a spatial orientation determined by the fixing. The fixing is achieved by clamping a part of the cluster. During the fixing, organs can be separated from the cluster of organs with the aid of guide elements, stripping elements, separating rollers, and cutting elements.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically removing the tendon from the tenderloin fillet of a poultry breast which includes a continuous conveyor for carrying the fillet of meat to a tendon gripping and pulling station mounted adjacent to the conveyor. The conveyor comprises a plurality of laterally extending trays adapted to receive a meat fillet and each tray includes a slot at the outer or lateral edge thereof for receiving an exposed strip portion of the major tendon contained in the fillet. The exposed strip of tendon in the slot hangs downwardly below the tray. The tendon gripping and supporting assembly is mounted below the upper run of trays on the conveyor and is aligned with the path of the slots in the trays moving along the conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing viscera from a poultry carcass carried substantially horizontally on a first conveyor. A frame supports a pair of continuous second conveyors attached to sprockets. The second conveyors are driven in synchronization with the travel of the first conveyor. A plurality of spoon modules attach in spaced-apart relation to the pair of second conveyors. Each spoon module comprises a pair of blocks attached to a separate one of the second conveyors with the pair being transversely aligned. A pair of spaced-apart rods connect between the blocks and slidably receives a plate for transverse travel between the pair of conveyors. A spoon including a cam wheel pivotally connects to the plate. The cam wheel follows a cam track in a V-shaped path for extending and retracting the spoon to remove viscera from the poultry carcass.

Abstract: Method and device for mechanical removal of the viscera package from the belly cavity of slaughtered poultry hanging by the legs from hooks which are moved in a conveyor along a drawing device. For removal of the viscera package, the body of the poultry is tilted from the hanging, vertical position through a predetermined angle about an axis parallel to a line through the hip joints to a second position, in which the shoulder joints are situated at essentially the same height as or higher up than the hip joints. The latter body position thereafter remains retained during the veterinary inspection of the poultry or the carrying out of further operations on the viscera package and/or the carcass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided in which an eviscerating means is moved into and out of poultry to be processed. The spine of the poultry extends horizontally and transversely to the direction of conveying the poultry. During the evisceration, the eviscerating means reciprocates horizontally in the direction of the poultry and moves synchronously with the poultry in the direction of conveying during the evisceration.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removing the entrails from the abdominal cavity of poultry suspended by its legs from a suspension conveyor wherein the entrails, after being entirely disconnected, are moved along over some distance synchronously with the poultry by a belt conveyor. Transferring the entrails from the eviscerating means towards the belt conveyor occurs through a transferring device preferably comprising a drum rotatable around a vertical axis and being provided with transferring means regularly spaced on its circumference. Two cooperating clamping parts movable relative to each other are applied at each respective transferring means.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of processing poultry carcasses of removing and separating the entrails from the abdominal cavities of the carcasses. The separated entrails are moved on an inspection conveyor which is spaced from the suspension conveyor which conveys the carcasses and which moves synchronously with the suspension conveyor, so that the entrails and the carcasses move past an inspection station at the same time. The invention includes apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for decropping poultry including a probe for use with an automatic poultry cropping machine of the type adapted for advancing the probe through the belly cavity of the bird and into the neck and for rotating the probe. The probe includes an elongate body having a hollow interior chamber and adapted to be connected to a vacuum source. The elongate body has two rows of teeth for capturing the crop, gullet, windpipe, etc., of the poultry as the probe is advanced into the neck and rotated, with at least some of the teeth pointing generally toward the forward end of the probe. In one embodiment the elongate body is tapered and the teeth have ball-shaped tip portions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for eviscerating slaughtered birds an eviscerating means (15) is applied, which at its foremost end carries a processing member for engaging the gullet of the bird. The eviscerating means (15) is pivotable from and towards the spinal column of the bird, whereas the processing member comprises two halves, which are rotatable between a position, in which they are substantially aligned and a position in which they engage each other substantially in a coplanar fashion while clamping between them the gullet of the bird. Preferably the processing member halves comprise each a substantially C-shaped brace (28, 29). The pivotal movement of the eviscerating means (15) and the rotational movement of the processing member halves (28, 29) are mutually coupled.

Abstract: A probe for removing the crop and other viscera in poultry. The probe is cylindrical and is rounded at its distal end. Intermediate its ends is a grasping comb section consisting of a plurality of axially disposed channels. The channels each have walls that terminate in a plurality of spaced generally arcuate teeth the surfaces of which are essentially flush with the cylindrical probe. The probe is mounted on a module that in turn is mounted to traverse synchronously with poultry carrying shackles on an endless line. The probe and mechanisms therefor is detailed to enter into the neck portion of the chicken, rotate therein to thereby grasp with the teeth the crop and to withdraw the crop through the same opening that the probe entered.

Abstract: A device for removing one or more organs or parts thereof from a slaughtered animal, in particular a bird, comprising: an organ guide device with an open organ feed end to be inserted temporarily into the slaughtered animal; an organ conveyance device for removing organs or parts thereof along the organ guide device; a separating device which is fitted near the organ feed end or along the organ guide device for making a separation in organs or connecting tissue between them at a predetermined place; and a device for establishing the position of the organs relative to the separating device. The device for establishing the position of organs may be fitted at the open organ feed end of the organ guide device and may comprise an organ feed aperture with such dimensions that first organs can pass said aperture and second organs connected to the first organs cannot pass said aperture.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatically separating the breast from the neck, shoulders, back and saddle of birds while the birds are moving along as overhead conveyor line (12). A mandrel (61) is inserted into the visceral cavity of each bird to rigidly support each bird, and causes the breast of each bird to protrude outwardly. An auger (73) is mounted adjacent the rear surface (62) of the mandrel (61) and engages the visceral cavity of each bird as the mandrel (61) is inserted into the visceral cavity of each bird. A tiltable holding plate (76) is pivoted upwardly as the mandrel (61) and auger (73) are fully inserted into each bird, and engages the neck of each bird in a clamping relationship with the mandrel (61) to thereby hold each bird in place during cutting function.

Abstract: A device for removing abdominal fat from a slaughtered bird, comprising a scraper element which is movable through an abdominal opening between the legs, and a device for discharging the fat scraped off by the scraper element, further comprising an elongated hollow mandrel, which can be connected to a vacuum source. The mandrel at the end facing the bird is provided with a suction aperture, at a distance from which the scraper element is fitted, said scraper element being provided with a scraping edge for interacting with the complementary-shaped edge of a supporting element, for scraping the abdominal fat along the scraping edge during a movement of the scraper element interacting with the supporting element away from the bird. An installation may comprise a number of such devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for imparting a simultaneous rotational movement to an object moving along a rectilinear trajectory a slide block can be moved to and fro along a substantially cylindrical rod that has at least one flattened surface that is engaged by a guide wheel journalled in the slide surface block. The flattened surface extends partially rectilinearly and partially spirally along the cylindrical rod.