Abstract: A method of mechanically removing skin from animal parts that have a bone part extending therein, including moving the animal parts, suspended on shackles depending from an overhead conveyor, along a path of travel and cutting the part to separate the skin therefrom. The part moves into a skinning station in which the part is urged into engagement with skinning rolls. The skinning rolls are rotated and engage and draw the skin of the part therebetween. The skin is progressively pulled downwardly and away from underlying meat of the animal part as the part moves forwardly along its path of travel.

Abstract: An arrangement for skinning poultry parts containing the poultry breast includes a conveying device having saddle elements configured for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along a skinning device. The skinning device has at least one rotationally driven profiled roller and a guide element. The roller, together with an entry edge of the guide element, is adapted to form an entry gap for gripping the skin on the side of the poultry breast. The guide element has flank guide elements each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part, wherein the flank guide elements have inner guide surfaces adapted for contacting the flesh of the poultry part. A method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and processing device for processing an organ package taken out from slaughtered poultry is provided. At least two cooperating rollers that define a nip between the rollers selectively allow preselected organs from the organ package to pass through the nip. The rollers during operation rotate in opposite directions in order to convey the organ package and simultaneously promote that the preselected organs pass through the nip, wherein the rollers have a cross-sectional diameter, the value of which varies as seen in the longitudinal direction of the rollers and depends on the location of the cross-section between an entrance portion and an exit portion of the rollers so as to provide each of the rollers with a superficial curved contour.

Abstract: A skinning installation is adapted to remove skin from slaughtered poultry parts, e.g. from a part including the breast. A method for removing skin from slaughtered poultry parts, e.g. from the breast, uses the skinning installation. The installation includes a toothed skinning roller and an elongated shoe extending adjacent and essentially parallel to the toothed skinning roller. The shoe includes a central nose portion which is directed counter to the rotation direction of the skinning roller, having two side edges and a leading skin gripping edge, wherein the side of the nose portion facing the skinning roller comprises an arcuate surface having a curvature corresponding essentially to the curvature of the skinning roller, wherein a skin gripping gap is defined between the arcuate surface of the central nose portion and the skinning roller.

Abstract: A system for skin removal from defeathered whole leg or drumstick poultry products, includes a poultry products conveyor including a track including a circle arc track portion, and a series of poultry product carriers which are spaced apart from one another in the direction of the track and which are movable along said track. Each poultry product carrier is adapted to hold at least one defeathered whole leg or drumstick poultry product at the ankle joint thereof such that the poultry product is conveyed hanging from said carrier. A carousel skin removal device is arranged along the track of the poultry products conveyor at the circle arc track portion and adapted to remove skin from whole leg or drumstick poultry products held and conveyed by the poultry products conveyor.

Abstract: Method of mechanically removing skin from animal parts that have a bone part extending therein, including: obtaining at least one bone holder (16) depending from an overhead conveyor for movement through a given path; obtaining an animal part; holding the animal part from the at least one bone holder (16) by engagement of its bone part; moving the animal part through the given path; engaging an outer surface of the animal part, when moving through the given path, with a perimeter surface (44) of a rotating gripper (38); maintaining a downward force on the animal part on the rotating gripper; entrapping a portion of skin of the animal part between the perimeter surface (44) of the rotating gripper (38) and a fixed knife blade (40); and pulling the skin away from underlying meat of the animal part.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, includes a toothroll assembly. The toothroll assembly includes a first section having an outer surface, and a second section having an outer surface. The first section is adapted to rotate at a first surface speed, and the second section is adapted to rotate at a second surface speed independently from the first surface speed.

Abstract: A poultry skinner including a conveyor having ribs aligned to engage the upper surface of a poultry product. A rotatably mounted gripper has a plurality of radially extending fins adapted to engage the lower surface of the poultry passing between the gripper and the conveyor. An arcuate surface is mounted in closely spaced relationship to the arcuate path traveled by the rotating gripper fins and defines an opening for trapping the skin attached to the poultry product. The skin is trapped between the arcuate surface and the outer end of a rotating fin to pull the skin from the poultry product. A rotatably mounted cleaning roller having a plurality of fins is positioned in a close clearance relationship with the gripper. The rapidly rotating fins of the cleaning roller strip the poultry skin from the fins of the gripper and eject it into a collection bin below.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, includes a toothroll assembly. The toothroll assembly includes a first section having an outer surface, and a second section having an outer surface. The first section is adapted to rotate at a first surface speed, and the second section is adapted to rotate at a second surface speed independently from the first surface speed.

Abstract: An automated poultry defatting apparatus which includes a housing having a product feed inlet and discharge outlet and housing a conveyor aligned to engage the upper surface of a piece of poultry product entering the feed inlet. The apparatus is provided with upper and lower peeling members for engaging the upper and lower surfaces of the poultry product passing between the conveyor and the peeling members. The peeling members have a plurality of grooved rollers that rotate in a cooperative manner to pinch and pull fat off the product while leaving the underlying muscle intact. The conveyor is pivotably mounted to the housing to permit automatic adjustment to a range of sizes of poultry product while maintaining a controlled downward force against the product to maintain firm engagement with the peeling members.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for skinning and de-rinding a product to be treated such as pieces of meat or fish and similar products (2), said product to be treated being first skinned from one side by means of a first skinning unit (3). A combination of a first conveyer belt (12) and a reversing belt (13) reverses the piece of meat. A second skinning unit (15 removes the remaining fat and skin (10) from the other side of the product (2) to be treated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof, comprising a conveyor having supports for retaining the carcasses or parts thereof, which conveyor is provided with means for leading the supports in a supply direction past at least one processing installation. The device further comprises a skinner for skinning the carcasses or parts thereof, which skinner is provided with skin gripping means for gripping the skin and means for moving the skin gripping means relatively with respect to the carcass and substantially perpendicular to the supply direction during skinning.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for skinning and de-rinding a product to be treated such as pieces of meat or fish and similar products (2), said product to be treated being first skinned from one side by means of a first skinning unit (3). A combination of a first conveyer belt (12) and a reversing belt (13) reverses the piece of meat. A second skinning unit (15 removes the remaining fat and skin (10) from the other side of the product (2) to be treated.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for removing skin from the bodies of animals, preferably of fowls, and a device for implementing said method. Known devices comprise skin-removing rollers, designed to enable height adjustment via a control cam. Said devices, however, have the disadvantage of not enabling the rollers to be accurately positioned on the bodies of animals of different shapes, in particular on bodies with curves. The invention aims at supplying a device and a method ensuring optimal positioning enabling the skin to be removed without damage. This is achieved by the fact that the inventive device comprises skin-removing rollers with two degrees of freedom, thereby enabling said rollers to be optimally positioned, independently of the size of the animal body.

Abstract: A tool for removing leaf lard from a carcass includes a head for mechanically engaging the lard, a reversible driver for rotating the head in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, a trigger connected to operate the reversible driver and begin rotation of the head in the forward direction to wind lard onto the head, and a controller connected to the trigger, the controller automatically reversing the driver and rotating the head in the reverse direction to unwind lard from the head after the trigger is released. The head preferably includes multiple hooks arranged to engage the lard and positioned on the head to an avoid damage to adjacent meat.

Abstract: A poultry skinning apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated rollers rotatively mounted to a support frame at a declining angle to define a longitudinal processing path between a first end and a second end of each roller. Each elongated roller, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, defines a plurality of helical teeth and spaces, having a first helix angle, which extend about a longitudinal axis and define the periphery of each roller. The elongated rollers are independently mounted in pairs and define an adjustable pinch gap originating at the first ends of the rollers. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the elongated rollers include a reversed segment proximate to the second ends having a plurality of teeth and spaces at a second helix angle which opposes the first helix angle.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for skinning and trimming a product to be treated, in which the product to be treated is delivered on a delivery device to a cutting unit. The cutting unit is embodied as a cutting blade and is associated with a traction roller. A linear rotary device is received by a retaining device and is disposed adjacent the cutting unit. In an operating position, the rotary device engages the product to be treated and sets it into rotation, to enable skinning in the circumferential direction of the product to be treated. After the skinning operation, either the rotary device is transferred to a discharge position and the product to be treated is removed from the apparatus via a discharge device or the delivery device is retracted so that the product being treated can drop downward. Another option for discharge of the product for treatment after the skinning operation is for the product being treated to be removed from the processing position laterally by an arm.

Abstract: The inclined automatic trimmer apparatus of the present invention includes a base frame and trimming blade mounted on the base frame for trimming unwanted material from the meat product. A feed conveyor is situated forwardly of the trimming blade for transporting the meat product to the trimming blade. A feed roller is mounted on the base frame adjacent the trimming blade to receive the meat product transported by the feed conveyor and to advance the meat product into trimming engagement with the trimming blade. A press roller is mounted on the base frame for rotating the meat in trimming engagement with the trimming blade. The feed roller trimming blade and press roller all form a "V" shaped trough for receiving the meat product.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the mechanical skinning and filleting of poultry bodies these are saddled on carriers and guided to pass corresponding processing tools. To achieve the objects of skinning in an optimal manner, on the one hand, and obtaining a high yield in fillet meat, on the other, the carriers are designed to pivot about a vertical axis and at least one reversing mechanism is provided for the carriers, one of such reversing mechanisms being arranged between a skinning tool and a tool for releasing the meat, this reversing mechanism serving for pivoting the carriers about 180.degree..

Abstract: Method and device for processing the skin of a leg of a slaughtered bird. The bird or leg is moved along in a conveyor. The skin of the leg is cut through completely or almost completely in the vicinity of the knee joint between the region of the kneecap and the region of the back of the knee, the tissue lying under the skin remaining essentially intact, by conveying the leg past a cutting device and putting it in contact therewith. The leg is supported by leg positioning elements while it is passing the cutting device. The cutting depth of the cutting means is limited by a stop which is connected to the cutting means. Provision is made for a stripping device for stripping the severed thigh skin away from the suspended leg downwards. Provision is also made for a roll-up device for rolling up the drumstick skin prior to separating the leg into a thigh portion and a drumstick.

Abstract: The automatic trimmer apparatus of the present invention includes a base frame and trimming blade mounted on the base frame for trimming unwanted material from the meat product. A feed conveyor is situated forwardly of the trimming blade for transporting the meat product to the trimming blade. A feed roller is mounted on the base frame adjacent the trimming blade to receive the meat product transported by the feed conveyor and to advance the meat product into trimming engagement with the trimming blade. A press roller is mounted on the base frame for rotating the meat in trimming engagement with the trimming blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the skin from animal parts, such as from poultry thighs, comprises a rotary turntable for supporting the poultry thighs and for conveying them along a path in a forward direction and a pair of counter-rotating peeler rollers positioned beneath the turntable. The rotary turntable has an aperture formed therein and a vacuum means positioned adjacent the rollers for drawing a portion of the skin of the poultry part through the aperture and toward the rollers to reliably engage the skin of the poultry part in the peeler rollers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing a hide (14) from a carcass (12). A plurality of counterrotating members (18) engage a portion of the hide (14) hanging from the carcass (12). The counterrotating members (18) are then moved together to exert a gripping force on the hide (14). The counterrotating members (18) exert a pulling force on the hide (14) effective to remove the hide (14) from the carcass (12). The present invention provides an improved rate of hide (14) removal, reduces hide (14) damage, and reduces hazardous working conditions.

Abstract: Poultry parts (56), such as poultry breasts, necks and gizzards are placed on a pair of counter rotating peeler rolls (36 and 38). The peeler rolls (36 and 38) each has a series of helical teeth (46) formed along their lengths, which engage the skin (54) of the poultry parts and the visceral matter clinging to the poultry parts (56), peeling it away from the poultry parts (56) as the poultry parts (56) move along the length of the peeler rolls (36 and 38). The counter rotation of the peeler rolls (36 and 38) causes the peeler rolls (36 and 38) to tumble rapidly, enhancing the peeling function.