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.

An apparatus and method for processing poultry carcasses with a slaughter opening located between the legs includes a drivable transport conveyor for continuously conveying the carcasses, at least one holding apparatus on the transport conveyor for holding the carcasses, and a processing station. The station includes an engagement basic body rotatably mounted on a rotary axis and at least one engagement element. The engagement element is configured for at least partial engagement with the slaughter opening. During the at least partial engagement of the at least one engagement element with the carcass a widening of the slaughter opening is effected while maintaining the continuous conveyance with the generation of a torque. The engagement basic body is configured for receiving the torque. If the torque exceeds a predetermined torque, the engagement basic body is automatically released from the slaughter opening by rotation of the engagement basic body about the rotary axis.

Method and apparatus for removing a kneecap from a thighbone, the kneecap to which at least a portion of kneemeat attaches. A forward end of a chisel engages the thighbone and is subsequently moved between the thighbone and the kneecap so as to detach at least part of the naturally present connections between the thighbone and the kneecap.

An apparatus for cutting open a slaughtered poultry body suspended by the legs and already cut free in the region of the cloaca to form a vent opening includes a supporting apparatus for holding/positioning the poultry body during cutting, a tensioning device with a tensioning means for tensioning abdominal skin of the poultry body, and a separating device having at least one separating knife for making a longitudinal cut in the tensioned abdominal skin between the vent opening the sternum tip. The tensioning means is in the form of a knife carrier, with the separating knife pivotably mounted on the carrier to form a unit. The knife is movable relative to the carrier from a standby position, with the knife completely covered inside the carrier, into a cutting position, with the knife protruding from the carrier, and back. A corresponding method is disclosed.

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.

The invention relates to a device for removing meat from poultry, in particular for removing poultry back meat from a poultry ribcage of slaughtered poultry. The invention also relates to a poultry carrier for use in said device. The invention further relates to a method for removing meat from poultry, in particular for removing poultry back meat from a poultry ribcage, in particular by using a device according to the invention.

An evisceration weighing system includes a frame portion and a rotatable portion. The frame portion includes a first weigh plate and a second weigh plate, with the rotatable portion rotatably mounted with respect to the frame portion. The rotatable portion includes a first support arm pivotally mounted to the rotatable portion capable of applying a force to the first weigh plate that is indicative of a weight of a first poultry carcass supported by the first support arm, and a second support arm pivotally mounted to the rotatable portion capable of applying a force to the second weigh plate that is indicative of a weight of a second poultry carcass supported by the second support arm. The evisceration weighing system is capable of weighing the first poultry carcass at the same time as the second poultry carcass.

An apparatus and method for poultry deboning. The poultry deboning apparatus may include a holder device including a holder chuck configured to hold a poultry product. The holder chuck may include an opening configured to receive a first portion of the poultry product and one or more blades configured to engage the first portion of the poultry product. The poultry deboning apparatus may include a grabber device including a grabber chuck configured to grab a second portion of the poultry product. The grabber chuck may include an opening configured to receive the second portion of the poultry product and one or more blades configured to extend into the opening and engage the second portion of the poultry product. The grabber device may be configured to move away from the holder chuck to remove a bone in the second portion of the poultry product.

A dual waterfall cabinet includes a hollow basin having front and rear openings to allow workpieces to move therethrough. The cabinet also includes waterfall assemblies on either side of the hollow basin that form waterfalls of solution to be applied to the workpieces. To provide thorough interior and exterior coverage, the distance between the waterfalls can vary along a length of the cabinet.

A system for inspecting poultry slaughter products, includes a supply transport line, having successive first product carriers; a discharge transport line, including successive second product carriers; at least two inspection lines, each comprising successive inspection product carriers; each of the first, second and inspection product carriers being configured to carry and transport a respective one of the products. The system has an inspection station along each of the inspection lines, with each inspection station being arranged for inspecting products passing the inspection station while being transported by the associated inspection line during use; and, a first product transfer system for successively transferring products from first product carriers to respective inspection product carriers while distributing the products over all of the at least two inspection lines; a second product transfer system for successively transferring products from inspection product carriers to respective second product carriers of the discharge transport line.