Abstract: System for placement of a supply of poultry front halves in a processing line equipped with a train of movable carriers for the poultry front halves. Exemplary embodiments may include a train of receptacles provided and movable in a conveyor line, wherein the receptacles are equipped to receive the front halves at an input station of the system, and the conveyor line is equipped to move the receptacles with the poultry front halves received therein from the input station towards and along the processing line with the carriers. The receptacles can be equipped to transfer the poultry front halves onto the carriers in the processing line and may be equipped with a breast support plate, a bottom plate and upstanding inserts.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a system and method of detecting woody breast using image analysis of carcass features, and more particularly to a real-time system and method of detecting woody breast in broilers using non-destructive and/or non-contact image analysis of carcass features. The system and method assess woody breast in broilers at the fillet level using image analysis of the angle or area associated with the tip of the keel bone and surrounding breast meat of broiler carcasses. The method is configured be incorporated into and utilized by vision grading system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an evisceration tool, designed and configured for removing internal organs and in particular an intestine pack from the body of slaughtered poultry, comprising a spoon-shaped basic body, wherein the basic body has a spoon base (12) and a spoon edge which extends around at least part of the spoon base to form a spoon bowl, which is distinguished in that the basic body is made at least partly of a resilient material, wherein the resilient material is on the one hand flexible enough to adapt to a contour of the body during removal of the internal organs and on the other hand stiff enough to remove the internal organs from the body. The invention relates also to an evisceration apparatus having such an evisceration tool.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable cutting of the fish and removal of the viscera without damage to either the viscera or the remaining fish product. The systems may include an adjustable cutting device to cut the belly in a particularly unobtrusive manner and/or an adjustable gutting device to severe a gullet of the fish from the fish body and to gather and remove the viscera without significant damage to the viscera or the remaining fish product. Extractors for severing the connection between the gullet and the fish are also provided to assist in removal of the viscera, including the gonads. Vacuum head assemblies for cleaning a cavity of the fish after the viscera is removed are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method 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 provides for gripping the entrails after their removal from the abdominal cavity.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 poultry processing machine has a suction tube for use in extracting an organ from a membrane-covered socket in the body cavity of a poultry carcass. The tube is connectable with a source of vacuum pressure and provided with an intake opening through which the organ is passes as it is sucked into the tube. A sharp tooth inside the suction tube is disposed for breaking the membrane during extraction of the organ.

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: 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: Apparatus for mechanically and automatically processing a bivalve shellfish having a first shell (11) an second shell (12) so as to recover an edible portion (30) of the shellfish. The apparatus includes suction cups (55, 56) to part the two shells (11, 12) without completely separating the two shells. Flexible detaching blades (21, 22) enter the space between the two shells and diverge to contact and to follow the inner surfaces (11a, 12a) of the shells to cut the edible portion (30) of the shellfish from both the first shell (11) and the second shell (12) simultaneously. The blades (21, 22) then grip the edible portion to enable recovery thereof and the shells are discarded.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for taking out the viscera of a fish. A fish, the head of which is cut off, is conveyed by conveying belts and the belly of the fish is incised with a cutting blade. The fish, the belly of which has been incised, is caused to rise along a bone-supporting plate to make the position of the bone constant. The pointed end of a membrane peeling-off blade is inserted into the top portion outside a coelomic membrane of the fish to strip the coelomic membrane from the fish. Since the viscera of the fish is wrapped in the coelomic membrane, the viscera is taken out from the fish meat by stripping the coelomic membrane from the fish meat.

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: A process of eviscerating an inverted animal carcass (10) inclined at 35.degree. to 40.degree. includes pushing the viscera (30) comprising both the thoracic viscera (31) and abdominal viscera (32) in a direction (B) from the cranial end (11) of the carcass (10) towards the caudal end (12) so as to pass between the hind legs (13) and fall from the carcass. Connecting tissues including the aorta (35) and external iliac arteries (36) are partially severed prior to pushing the viscera from the carcass so that the viscera detaches completely from the carcass after being pushed between the hind legs (13). The diaphragm (25) may be pierced at its periphery so that the force of the pushing operation causes the diaphragm to tear around its peripheral edges from the walls of the thoracic cavity. The pubic symphysis (60) is split before the pushing operation whereby the viscera (30) can pass both above and below and through the split in the pubic symphysis (60).

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: A method and apparatus for cutting tongues, cheeks and belly flaps from fish heads and for cutting apart jaws of fish heads. The fish head is mounted on a reinforced beam beneath a spiked chain which moves the head along the beam, first towards horizontal knives which cut the tongue from the head, and then to vertical knives which cut the cheeks and the belly flaps from the head. Over the tongue knives are jaw rods which hold the jaw up to the beam adjacent the tongue knives. Inside the beam is a stick which can be driven down from the beam to locate the tongue in a cutting position below the tongue knives. The head hits a sensor which activates a power source for the stick. The belly flaps are held up by belly flap rods, which lie beneath the collar bones and keep the belly flaps from the tongue knives. The cheeks and belly flaps are cut off with two vertical cheek knives.

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 fish scraping and sliming tool (10) for the removal of the bloodline (101) from the body cavity (103) of a fish (100); wherein, the tool comprises a handle unit (11) and a scraping head scraping edge (40) which are angularly offset from the axis of a handle extension member (30) by approximately the same angular value such that the axis of the users forearm will be angularly disposed at an angle of approximately 45.degree. relative to the axis of the handle unit (11) when the user grasps the handle unit in the neutral wrist position.

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 internally processing slaughtered poultry comprises a processing device and a counterpressure plate engaging the back of the poultry. The plate is essentially movable towards and away from the poultry. As a result, the apparatus is suited for use with poultry of different dimensions and different weight. Preferably, the counterpressure plate is attached to the piston rods of two cylinder-piston assemblies positioned one above the other.