Abstract: An apparatus and method is for recovering back-flesh from back parts of poultry carcasses having a hip side and body interior side. The back part includes a spinal column and rib structure. A transport conveyor transports the back parts along a transport path with a centre axis in a direction of transport and has a transport element for conveying at least one holding element, arranged on the transport element, for receiving the back part. A first cutting assembly is along the transport path in the region of the transport element and has a loosening means for loosening the back-flesh along the rib structure. A second cutting assembly is along the transport path downstream of the first assembly and has at least one separating knife for separating the back-flesh substantially along the spinal column. The holding element holds the back part on the holding element by non-positive and/or positive locking engagement.

Abstract: A work measurement device according to an aspect includes a posture holding surface for holding a posture of a work, a first work presser capable of pressing the work against the posture holding surface from an opposite side to the posture holding surface across the work, a contact disposed to be able to contact the work, a moving unit for moving, relative to the contact, the work pressed against the posture holding surface by the first work presser. The contact is configured to contact the work downstream of the first work presser in a relative movement direction of the work by the moving unit.

Abstract: A method and system of removing meat from a bone of a carcass leg part, includes the subsequent steps of: a) holding, by a support device, of the leg part, b) moving a meat removing device: into a pre-cut, c) then away from the support device along the bone to a first end position so that meat is removed from the bone, d) then away from the bone, forcing meat away from the bone and severing further meat from the bone, e) then towards the support device, f) and then towards the bone, g) and then again away from the support device along the bone to a second end position distanced further from the support device than the first end position so that further meat is removed from the bone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for de-keeling poultry are provided. The system includes a trap module with an assembly roof, an assembly wall that extends downwards from the assembly roof, and a trap door, where the trap door is attached to the assembly roof and extends downwards parallel to the assembly wall. The system further includes a blade module with a vertical blade mount, one or more blades attached to the vertical blade mount, and one or more movement systems, the trap module and the blade module are each attached to one of the one or more movement systems and are move horizontally along the one or more movement systems.

Abstract: A deboner for a poultry part equipped with a first jaw and a second jaw mounted on an up-and-down movable slide block supporting a first frame portion, a second frame portion, and a third frame portion. The first jaw and the second jaw are movable towards and away from each other, wherein the first jaw is through a first hinge connected with the first frame portion so as to enable a rotational movement of the first jaw with respect to the first frame portion. A second hinge pivotably connecting the first frame portion to the third frame portion and a third hinge pivotably connecting the second frame portion with the third frame portion share a common axis of rotation.

Abstract: A slit forming device according to an aspect includes a damper configured to pass through a plurality of stations arranged on a circumference, a slit forming blade disposed on an outer circumference side or an inner circumference side of a slit forming station among the plurality of stations, and a damper rotating part capable of rotating the damper about a vertical line such that a slit forming surface of a work faces the slit forming blade in the slit forming station.

Abstract: A poultry meat product and method of producing the same. The meat product has breast meat divisible into a first portion attached to a wishbone and separated from a second portion. The first portion remains attached to the wishbone and has a width having a dimension of between 1.0 and 1.5 times a first distance between tips of the wishbone and having a length having a dimension of between 0.5 and 1.5 times a length of the wishbone. A shaped blade may be inserted into a bird carcass for cutting the breast fillets. A V-shaped cut has a first segment approximately parallel to a first wishbone leg and a second segment approximately parallel to a second wishbone leg. The cut defines a portion of the breast fillets that remain attached to the wishbone. The wishbone remains intact within the attached portion of breast fillet for producing a unique meat product.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for cutting pork to create a meat cut that mimics a pork chop meat. The method involves removing the bone and meat from the pork leg. The method then includes sealing the pork chop within a hermetic enclosure and chilling the enclosed pork chop to a temperature in the range of 35 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The resulting meat cut includes, bones or no bones pork chops.

Abstract: A bird cleaning machine is provided that enables a user to cut through a body of a bird from inside out to remove internal organs and parts (breast) of a bird such as a dove. In a particular illustrative embodiment of the invention, a bird cleaning machine includes but is not limited to a vertical guide spear rod, a back spreader bar, two side blades, wing flanges, a bird holding plate, a spring and a foot lever.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting poultry bodies/parts has a transport saddle fastened to a transport unit. A holding apparatus fastens the saddle to the unit, and has a receptacle body for the unit and a fastening body for the saddle. The fastening body is releasably and rotatably connected to the body. The holding apparatus has a latching device to lock the fastening body and saddle, having a latching lever and two latching bolts. The lever on a main body of the receptacle body pivots from a locking position where the lever engaged the bolt into a release position where the lever is out of engagement with the bolt. A first actuating member actuates the lever from the locking into the release position and a second actuating member rotates the fastening body in the release position. First and second magnetic elements with unlike poles pull the lever into the locking position.

Abstract: Deskinning apparatus for a poultry leg or part of a poultry leg, including a conveyor with conveyor hooks from which the poultry leg or part of the poultry leg is suspendable, and rollers below the conveyor that are rotatable in opposite directions and are provided with meshing teeth that are contactable with a skin on the poultry leg or part of the poultry leg that is suspended from the conveyor hooks for stripping the skin from the poultry leg or part of the poultry leg, wherein the rollers are movable up and down.

Abstract: A cartilage cutting device for a bone-in meat according to an embodiment includes a cutting blade disposed on a conveying path for a bone-in meat and an elastic support portion for elastically supporting the cutting blade so that the cutting blade can recede by a reaction force applied to the cutting blade when cutting the bone-in meat. The elastic support portion is configured such that an elastic supporting force of the elastic support portion is switchable between a first elastic supporting force and a second elastic supporting force. The first elastic supporting force is capable of cutting a cartilage adhering to a bone part of the bone-in meat. The second elastic supporting force is smaller than the first elastic supporting force and is incapable of cutting the cartilage.

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: An apparatus and method for removing a keel from a poultry carcass that is conveyed at a predetermined speed along a path. Planar members extend radially outwardly from a continuous loop driven adjacent the path at the predetermined speed. A keel-receiving gap is configured between a pair of planar members. At least one blade is disposed between the path and the continuous loop for severing the keel from the carcass. A ramp above the path has a downwardly-facing surface angled to the path for contacting the poultry carcass and adjusting its vertical position relative to the blade. A keel guide spaced from the plurality of planar members may contact the keel to adjust the keel relative to the blade.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a drumstick from a poultry's leg suspended by the ankles in hooks of a carrier, including clamping the poultry's leg with a clamp and arranging that the poultry's leg is kept in position, cutting the ligaments between the drumstick and the thighbone for removal of the thighbone and providing the drumstick, raising the clamp with the poultry's leg so as to raise the ankles from the hooks of the carrier and arranging that the knee joint is positioned at a predetermined altitude, and providing that a cutter is positioned at the predetermined altitude and is activated to cut through the knee joint so as to separate the thighbone from the drumstick.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for protecting an operator of an electrically powered saw from the blade during operation, the saw being of the type including a cutting table through which the blade passes, comprising: an image processing arrangement operable to sense, within a predefined three-dimensional sensing zone, the presence of a glove worn by the operator which has a colour distinguishable by the image sensor from the colour of an object being cut by the blade, the three-dimensional sensing zone being located in a cutting path of the blade; and an electronic controller communicable with the image sensor and operable to control an arresting mechanism to arrest movement of the blade responsive to the coloured glove being detected within the three-dimensional sensing zone.

Abstract: A fish decapitating apparatus includes a fish holder configured to receive a fish with the belly side facing up at an in-feed station, a cutting station and a conveying apparatus configured to convey the fish in the fish holder from the in-feed station to the cutting station. The fish holder includes opposingly arranged guide members moveable in a hinge like manner. The guide members are configured to clamp the fish behind the collar bones such that the collar bones rest on an outer side of the guide members in the clamped state with the fish head sticking out from the fish holder. The fish decapitating apparatus includes a measuring device configured to measure the position of the collar bones when in the clamped position, and a control unit configured to automatically adjust the position of the cutting station during cutting in accordance with the measured position of the collar bones.

Abstract: A wishbone separator device for separating a wishbone from a poultry carcass includes a primary wishbone cutter including a front cutter portion including a central front apex, a left and a right front cutting edge, which diverge from said central front apex, a wishbone limb cutter portion, including a left and a right limb cutting edge. An intersection point of an extension of the left limb cutting edge and an extension of the right limb cutting edge is arranged on a center line parallel to the cutting direction through the central front apex. The left and right front cutting edge are arranged forward of the left and right limb cutting edge, respectively as seen in the cutting direction and outward relative to said imaginary extension line from the left and right limb cutting edge, respectively.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of mechanically deboning animal thighs for separating and collecting meat there from and an apparatus and an alternative apparatus for performing the method, including automated individual processing steps. The processing steps include: grasping a thigh bone of an animal thigh at a hip knuckle with a bone holder; cutting tissue near the hip knuckle; and engaging the thigh bone adjacent the bone holder with a meat stripper. The processing steps further include: moving the bone holder and meat stripper away from one another in a direction substantially coextensive with the longitudinal extend of the thigh bone; allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle; and collecting the meat separated from the bone. In particular the method includes and each of the apparatuses perform the process step of cutting tissue adjacent a knee knuckle of the thigh bone, prior to allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle.

Abstract: Method and device for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry in a processing line. A carcass part may be supported on a carrier that is movable in the processing line and includes wing joints, coracoids, a wishbone being embodied with two legs that merge into each other at an acute angle, a keel bone, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets, and means are applied for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone from the carcass part.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish, such as salmon, are provided which enable filleting of the fish in a particular efficient manner. An example method includes exposing a backbone of a fish from a belly side of the fish, positioning the backbone of the fish on a conveyor device, and conveying the fish with the backbone in contact with the conveyor device. The conveyor may be a spiked chain, and positioning the backbone of the fish on the conveyor device may include engaging the backbone of the fish with the spiked chain such that the fish straddles the spiked chain as the fish is transported. The method may further include cutting the fish from the dorsal side on each of opposing sides of a central plane of the fish to a location adjacent a connection of the pinbones of the fish with the vertebrae of the fish while the fish is conveyed with the backbone in contact with the conveyor device, and subsequently peeling the ribs and ventral spines from fillets of the fish.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for mechanically deboning animal thighs for separating and collecting meat therefrom and an apparatus for performing the method, including automated individual processing steps. The processing steps include: grasping a thigh bone of an animal thigh at a hip knuckle with a bone holder; cutting tissue near the hip knuckle; and engaging the thigh bone adjacent the bone holder with a meat stripper. The processing steps further include: moving the bone holder and meat stripper away from one another in a direction substantially coextensive with the longitudinal extent of the thigh bone; allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle; and collecting the meat separated from the bone. In particular the method includes and the apparatus performs the process step of cutting tissue adjacent a knee knuckle of the thigh bone, prior to allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an animal body measuring apparatus, designed to individually detect features of slaughtered animal bodies that are conveyable in a row at a distance from each other and along a path, in particular poultry bodies, which measuring apparatus comprises at least one sensor, a measurement passage space for conveying the animal bodies through along a measurement passage path, on which at least one said sensor is arranged, and a holding means. The holding means comprises a movement means, by means of which said sensor, by moving the sensor back and forth, is displaceable between the measurement position lying within the measurement passage space and an outer position permitting free passage of the animal bodies, which outer position as such lies completely outside the measurement passage space.

Abstract: A contour measurement apparatus and a contour measurement method for measuring a contour of a poultry carcass, and a deboning device for a poultry carcass are provided. The contour measurement apparatus includes: a fixing jig on which the poultry carcass is placed and fixed; a conveyer forming a conveyance path for conveying the fixing jig; a contact element being supported movably in an upper and lower direction within a two-dimensional plane, and being able to be in contact with a measurement target portion of the poultry carcass; an upper and lower direction position sensor for detecting a position of the contact element in the upper and lower direction; a fixing jig position sensor for detecting a position of the fixing jig moving in a conveying direction; and a contour calculation unit for calculating a contour of a surface of the poultry carcass on the two-dimensional plane based on detected values.

Abstract: A poultry tenderloin extraction apparatus is provided that can achieve higher poultry tenderloin extracting process performance without posing a risk of bone chips mixing in the poultry tenderloin. The poultry tenderloin extraction apparatus includes: a fixing jig configured to move while holding a poultry carcass; a poultry tenderloin extraction body section disposed on each of left and right sides with respect to a conveying direction of the fixing jig; a first moving unit configured to move the poultry tenderloin extraction body section toward the moving fixing jig; and a second moving unit configured to move the poultry tenderloin extraction body section away from the moving fixing jig.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of mechanically deboning animal thighs for separating and collecting meat there from and an apparatus and an alternative apparatus for performing the method, including automated individual processing steps. The processing steps include: grasping a thigh bone of an animal thigh at a hip knuckle with a bone holder; cutting tissue near the hip knuckle; and engaging the thigh bone adjacent the bone holder with a meat stripper. The processing steps further include: moving the bone holder and meat stripper away from one another in a direction substantially coextensive with the longitudinal extend of the thigh bone; allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle; and collecting the meat separated from the bone. In particular the method includes and each of the apparatuses perform the process step of cutting tissue adjacent a knee knuckle of the thigh bone, prior to allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle.

Abstract: A sinew separating apparatus for the automatic separation of sinews and/or sinew portions present on inner breast fillets of gutted poultry bodies which have had the wings completely removed, in which both the inner breast fillet lying directly on the carcass and the outer breast fillet covering the inner breast fillet lie in their natural position, and the poultry bodies are transported, the shoulder joints forward, in transport direction T along a transport route defining the transport plane E, in which the downwardly directed breast bone is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the transport direction T and parallel to it, comprising a pair of separators for separating the sinews and/or sinew portions from the inner breast fillet, wherein the two separators are located on opposite sides of the transport route of poultry bodies to be processed, characterized in that the separators are formed as sticking knives wherein each sticking knife is designed and configured to perform at least two cutting movemen

Abstract: In a deboning process, a knee joint length is measured in a work loading section of a first process station, and incision making of a thigh meat portion is performed in a second process station based on the measured knee joint length. At the same time, the entire length of a work is measured, and the knee joint length is calculated from previously collected data based on the measured entire length of the work. Positioning of a cutting blade and a meat separator is performed based on these values in subsequent process stations, and cutting of a tendon adhering to a knee joint and tearing of thigh meat are performed. A thigh bone is separated from a lower thigh in a further process station.

Abstract: Method of and system for automatically deboning poultry breast caps containing meat and a skeletal structure to obtain breast fillets. The method includes providing a mandrel with a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation and supporting a breast cap with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel. The breast cap being held to the mandrel with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry. By moving the mandrel through a conveying path extending through a substantially horizontal plane in a direction of travel it passes a cutting implement of a breast cutter engaging the meat along the keel bone. The cutting implement causes at least one incision along the area where the meat is attached to the keel bone and a breast fillet remover downstream of the breast cutter engages between the skeletal structure and the meat and separates the meat as a pair of single fillets from the skeletal structure.

Abstract: A system for processing a carcass or carcass part of a porcine, bovine, ovine, or caprine slaughter animal involves a plurality of processing steps. The system includes a primary transport system that includes an overhead conveyor and a plurality of carriers for holding a carcass or carcass part, a plurality of processing stations, which processing stations are arranged along the track, each of the processing stations being adapted to carry out one or more processing steps on a carcass or carcass part, wherein in at least one processing station a step of removing a part of the carcass or carcass part is carried out, a secondary transport system, which secondary transport system is arranged adjacent to the processing station in which said part is removed from the carcass or carcass part, which secondary transport system is adapted to receive said part.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for harvesting thigh meat and oyster meat from a poultry thigh that includes a thigh bone with a hip knuckle and a knee knuckle. The poultry thigh is held at a knuckle, after which meat present on the thighbone below the knuckle is scraped from the thighbone away from the knuckle. The meat is subsequently separated from the thighbone and collected for further handling. The poultry thigh is suspended from the hip knuckle and the oyster meat is disconnected from the hip knuckle prior to scraping the meat from the thighbone away from the hip knuckle.

Abstract: Method of and system for automatically deboning poultry breast caps containing meat and a skeletal structure to obtain breast fillets. The method includes providing a mandrel (25) with a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation and supporting a breast cap having a neck end and a tail end with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel (25). The breast cap being held to the mandrel (25) with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry. By moving the mandrel (25) through a conveying path extending through a substantially horizontal plane in a direction of travel (27) it passes a cutting implement (145) of a breast cutter (113) engaging the meat along the keel bone. The cutting implement (145) causes at least one incision along the area where the meat is attached to the keel bone and a breast fillet remover (115) downstream of the breast cutter (113) engages between the skeletal structure and the meat and separates the meat as a pair of single fillets from the skeletal structure.

Abstract: Two hooking members of a hooking unit used in a device for conveying bone-in meat respectively have belt-like main body parts, blade-like pointed ends provided at ends on one side of the main body parts, and barbs provided on first sides of the main body parts to be continuous with the points. The hooking members are supported so as to be in parallel with each other with an elastically changeable interval therebetween and to be rotatable about rotation axes along longitudinal axes of the main body parts. Further, the hooking unit has an actuator which rotates the hooking members about the rotation axes.

Abstract: Method of and system for automatically deboning poultry breast caps containing meat and a skeletal structure to obtain breast fillets. The method includes providing a mandrel (25) with a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation and supporting a breast cap having a neck end and a tail end with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel (25). The breast cap being held to the mandrel (25) with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry. By moving the mandrel (25) through a conveying path extending through a substantially horizontal plane in a direction of travel (27) it passes a cutting implement (145) of a breast cutter (113) engaging the meat along the keel bone. The cutting implement (145) causes at least one incision along the area where the meat is attached to the keel bone and a breast fillet remover (115) downstream of the breast cutter (113) engages between the skeletal structure and the meat and separates the meat as a pair of single fillets from the skeletal structure.

Abstract: A filleting device and method for harvesting fillets from poultry carcasses that are moved in a conveyer-line supported on carriers is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the first guide rails are provided to guide at least a part of the fillets so as to increase this part's distance from the carcass and break the tissue connections that connect the fillet or fillets in their natural position to the keel-bone of the carcass. Flexible elements are provided that complete the harvesting of the fillets by peeling the fillets entirely loose from the keel-bone.

Abstract: Two hooking members of a hooking unit used in a device for conveying bone-in meat respectively have belt-like main body parts, blade-like pointed ends provided at ends on one side of the main body parts, and barbs provided on first sides of the main body parts to be continuous with the points. The hooking members are supported so as to be in parallel with each other with an elastically changeable interval therebetween and to be rotatable about rotation axes along longitudinal axes of the main body parts. Further, the hooking unit has an actuator which rotates the hooking members about the rotation axes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for mechanically deboning animal thighs for separating and collecting the meat therefrom. The method includes the steps of grasping a thigh bone of an animal thigh at a hip knuckle with a bone holder, cutting tissue adjacent a knee knuckle, cutting tissue near the hip knuckle, and engaging the thigh bone adjacent the bone holder with a meat stripper. The method also includes moving the bone holder and meat stripper away from one another in a direction substantially coextensive with the longitudinal extent of the thigh bone, allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle, and collecting the meat separated from the bone. The apparatus includes a plurality of processing stations for carrying out the individual steps, with the processing stations being arranged along a path of conveyance defined by a conveyor chain moving through a predefined path.

Abstract: A device for removing a breast gristle from a poultry breast carcass includes a transport apparatus for moving the breast carcass along a straight motion path in a fixed orientation. A median plane of the breast carcass is oriented perpendicularly to the motion path. A stationary cutting apparatus has a transversal blade, for making a transversal cut passing through the breast gristle, the transversal cut extending in a transversal cut plane arranged perpendicularly to the median plane. The transversal cut plane and a transversal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and include an angle up to 30°. A frontal blade is provided for making a frontal cut passing through the breast gristle. The frontal cut plane and a frontal plane of the breast carcass are arranged perpendicularly to the median plane and perpendicularly to the transversal plane include an angle up to 30°.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing poultry or a part thereof in a processing line, including the step of detaching and/or collecting a cartilage of the poultry's keel bone, whereby during transport of the poultry's carcass in the processing line, a cut is made in the cartilage of the keel bone, which cut is made initially transverse to the transport direction of the poultry and towards the poultry's backbone, and which cut develops from said transverse direction to eventually a direction opposed to the transport direction.

Abstract: Method for processing a part of a slaughtered animal which comprises a meat part connected to a bone and cartilage, comprising the steps of encapsulating an axial end of the bone together with the cartilage into an encapsulating means provided at a bone pusher; activating the encapsulating means into a radially open position for receiving said axial end and bringing the encapsulating means into a radially closed position for encapsulating said axial end; separating the meat part from the bone and cartilage; and releasing the axial end of the bone and cartilage from the encapsulating means.

Abstract: A method of removing a sleeve of meat (D) from an animal part having a bone with a first knuckle (B) on one of two opposite ends of an elongate bone shaft (A) and a second knuckle (C) on another of the two opposite ends. The method includes the steps of engaging the bone of the animal part with a part of a meat stripper (13) between its first knuckle (B) and the sleeve of meat (D) and engaging the bone by a knuckle gripper (71) between the part of the meat stripper (13) and the first knuckle (B). The method continues with moving the meat stripper (13) and the knuckle gripper (71) away from one another, while stripping and gathering the sleeve of meat (D) towards the second knuckle (C). In a subsequent step the method discontinues moving away the meat stripper (13) and knuckle gripper (71) from one another upon the part of the meat stripper (13) engaging the second knuckle (C).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.

Abstract: Deboning modules 50 move along a processing path for deboning poultry legs or wings having bones connected by an intermediate joint. The modules each include an ankle knuckle holder 60 and a hip knuckle holder 90 for supporting the leg and the hip bone in alignment with each other. Stripping claw 154 and hip knuckle holder 90 move toward each other for stripping meat from the leg bone and hip bone toward the intermediate leg joint. A cylinder blade 71 moves about the ankle knuckle holder toward the hip knuckle holder for cutting the accumulated meat at the hip knuckle holder.

Abstract: A device for separating a wishbone from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, includes a primary wishbone knife, for separating the wishbone from meat that is naturally present thereon in the plane of the wishbone, wherein the primary wishbone knife is adapted to be introduced into and removed from the carcass part via the neck opening, two secondary wishbone knives, each for separating the wishbone from meat that is present on the outside of a leg of the wishbone, and a secondary wishbone knives actuator assembly. The secondary wishbone knives actuator assembly prescribes a secondary cutting path for each of the secondary wishbone knives relative to the carcass part. The secondary cutting paths have a curved shape that substantially follows the outer contour of the wishbone.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of mechanically deboning animal thighs for separating and collecting meat there from and an apparatus and an alternative apparatus for performing the method, including automated individual processing steps. The processing steps include: grasping a thigh bone of an animal thigh at a hip knuckle with a bone holder; cutting tissue near the hip knuckle; and engaging the thigh bone adjacent the bone holder with a meat stripper. The processing steps further include: moving the bone holder and meat stripper away from one another in a direction substantially coextensive with the longitudinal extend of the thigh bone; allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle; and collecting the meat separated from the bone. In particular the method includes and each of the apparatuses perform the process step of cutting tissue adjacent a knee knuckle of the thigh bone, prior to allowing the meat stripper to pass over the knee knuckle.

Abstract: In an automated deboning device for deboning a bone-in leg of livestock carcass, a clamp unit 12 suspending the work w includes a servomotor 104, a threaded shaft 106 connected to an output shaft of the servomotor 104 and a lifting and lowering block 108 threadably mounted on the threaded shaft 106. A lifting and lowering roller 92 mounted on a lifting and lowering shaft 70 travels in a traveling path 94 to lower and transfer the work w to a next work station. By bring a swinging roller 84 mounted on the lifting and lowering shaft 70 in contact with the cam plate 170, 180, 182, the lifting and lowering shaft 70 is rotated by a setting angle so that the work w faces round cutter blades 22, 64. Thus, the pathway of the round cutter blades 22, 64 can be approximately straight, thereby simplifying and reducing the cost of the moving mechanism.

Abstract: A method for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, the carcass part including bone parts with at least a part of the rib cage and a part of the spine, at least a part of the back meat that is naturally present on the rib cage and the spine, and at least a part of the abdominal muscle tissue, the method includes making a first incision through the back meat near the abdominal muscle tissue at least up to the underlying bone parts of the carcass part, and detaching the back meat from the bone parts of the carcass part. A device is provided to perform the method.

Abstract: A method for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry includes making a preliminary incision on both sides of the sternum, the preliminary incision leaving the part of the membrane that is present between the inner fillet and the outer fillet intact, scraping loose the meat that lies against the sternum on either side using a first scraper, scraping at least a part of the meat of the inner fillet loose from the rib cage using a second scraper, cutting through the membrane connection between the inner fillet and the rib cage, and removing the outer fillet and the inner fillet from the bone parts of the carcass part, in which the connection between the inner fillet and the outer fillet remains intact.

Abstract: A device for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry in a processing line is provided. The carcass part is supported on a carrier that moves in the processing line. The carcass part includes wing-joints, coracoids, a wishbone embodied with two legs that merge into each other at an acute angle, a keelbone, a membrane and/or ligament that connects at least to the wishbone and the keel-bone, and naturally present meat including inner and outer fillets. The device includes apparatus for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone from the carcass part. The device is arranged such that the apparatus for cutting and/or removing of the wishbone can be a knife equipped to cut the wishbone and disconnect it from the membrane and/or ligament with an increased yield of meat that is retained on the carcass part.

Abstract: A device for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, the carcass part, at the start of the process, including bone parts with at least a part of the rib cage, at least a part of the clavicle, and at least a part of the wing joint, at least a part of the outer fillet, where the part of the outer fillet that is present is connected to the part of the rib cage that is present, at least a part of the inner fillet, at least a tendon that connects the inner fillet to the wing joint, the device including an outer fillet guide to maintain at least a part of the outer fillet in the first position, a clavicle guide to hold the free ends of the wishbone in the second position, and at least one blade to cut through the tendon.