Meat processing equipment is disclosed that includes a first element having a first face; a second element having a second face. The first and second faces extend parallel to one another and define a common plane between the first and second faces. The first and second elements are relatively movable with respect to one another. Yieldable arresting features are included for yieldably arresting the first and second elements in at least one predetermined position of relative movement, the yieldable arresting features include cooperating first and second permanent magnets, associated with at least one of the first and second elements.

A system and method for transferring poultry legs from a supply conveyor to a discharge conveyor. The poultry transfer unit comprises a transfer body configured for continuously moving. The poultry transfer unit comprises at least one carrier engaging to the transfer body, such that the at least one carrier in a transporting mode moves along with the transfer body and in a buffering mode moves relative to the transfer body. The at least one carrier comprises a gripper for receiving the poultry leg. The at least one carrier further comprises resistance means having a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor is driven by a motion of the carrier relative to the transfer body, and wherein the stator is stationary with respect to the carrier.

A system and method for rehanging poultry suspended by the head in a first shackle of a first shackle conveyor to a second shackle of a second shackle conveyor in which the poultry is or will be suspended by the legs. A leg positioning unit may be arranged to support the poultry at the legs while the poultry is maintained suspended by the head in the first shackle of the first shackle conveyor. A movable takeover unit operates on the legs of the poultry and is movable towards the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor to move the legs of the poultry into the second shackle of the second shackle conveyor.

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.

An apparatus and method for processing a poultry carcass includes a first assembly with parallel guide plates opposite a second assembly with parallel guide plates. The assemblies include a cutting element presenting an edge extending beyond a bottom edge of the guide plates. A bracket secures the cutting element to the guide plate allowing adjustment of the cutting edge. The carcass is advanced into engagement with the apparatus whereby the cutting edges cut the connective tissue between the leg and back. A bracket leading edge prevents tissue from being driven between the cutting element and guide plate. The cutting edge can extend further from the bottom edge of the guide plates at the heel than at the point. Manual processing of the carcass includes: cutting tissue between the leg and back; and separating the leg from the back wherein muscle tissue connecting the leg and the back remain intact.

A poultry processing line with a conveying track and can include at least one carriage movable in the conveying track. Wheels on opposite sides of the carriage are mounted on an axle guided through a shaft or bore of the carriage, and are movable along supports for the respective wheels on opposite sides of the conveying track. The shaft or bore has a convex inner top surface and convex inner bottom surface as seen in the shaft or bore's longitudinal direction.

The invention provides a device for changing the orientation of slaughter products, comprising an endless guide extending along a conveying path, product carriers which are movable along the guide.

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.

This invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for further processing. The system has an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a hanging box, a vacuum system and a shackle. The alignment conveyor conveys poultry from an input point to the alignment stunner. The alignment stunner urges the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor and stuns the poultry. The hanging box grasps the stunned poultry and places the poultry into the shackle for further processing. A computer and at least one sensor control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized.

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.