An apparatus, configured and adapted for scalding slaughtered poultry, includes a scalding tank, which is open at the top, for receiving and for holding a liquid scalding medium, and a transport means, arranged above the scalding tank, for transporting the poultry in a hanging manner within the scalding tank along a scalding channel formed of a plurality of scalding channel sections from an input region to an output region. There is formed beneath the scalding channel a receiving compartment for scalding medium. There is arranged inside the receiving compartment at least one pump device as a turbulence-generating body for forming a pressure chamber which acts along the entire scalding channel. A corresponding method is also provided.

A poultry part harvesting, sorting, and packaging apparatus and system utilizes an arrangement of hoppers to batch poultry parts removed by cut-up machines and deposits the batches onto a transportation conveyor. Each batch is contained within a separate zone on the conveyor, and the system tracks the location of batches and open spaces on the conveyor to deliver the batches to user defined locations.

A transport apparatus for poultry bodies/parts includes a frame, a transport unit on the frame with a revolvingly driven transport means, and a holding apparatus for saddling/holding the poultry during transport/processing. The holding apparatus includes a clamping device with a clamping hook pivotable by an actuating mechanism about a rotational axis from a standby into a clamping position and back. The actuating mechanism includes an adjusting lever pivotable about a rotational axis into connection with an actuating member, on the frame along the transport path, for pivoting the adjusting lever and hook. The holding apparatus rotates relative to the transport means about an axis perpendicular to the transport direction, and is brought into operative connection with an actuating lever on the frame. The adjusting lever rotational axis is oriented perpendicular to the hook axis. The actuating lever for rotating the holding apparatus is before the adjusting lever actuating member.

An apparatus for measuring the shoulder joint position of continuously conveyed poultry bodies has a measuring station, arranged along a conveying line, which is adapted to detect the shoulder joint position. Also provided is an arrangement for filleting poultry bodies having such an apparatus for measuring, and to corresponding methods.

A conveying apparatus for food-processing industry articles includes a conveying device to convey articles in a transport direction with holding elements adapted for receiving the articles. At least one guide extends in the transport direction, and guides guide elements arranged thereon in the transport direction. One holding element is vertically adjustably arranged on each guide element. Controllable adjusting means are arranged on the conveying line for adjusting the vertical position of the holding elements relative to the respective guide element. The adjusting means controllably come into adjusting engagement with passing holding elements to adjust the holding element vertical position. Each holding elements is arranged on the respective guide element by a self-holding device configured such that the holding element is upwardly movable relative to the guide element against gravity and is downwardly releasably locked in a stop position. An assembly for processing articles and corresponding methods are also provided.

The present invention relates to a machine (M) for conveying fowl giblets (not shown) that is provided with an input belt (M1) for conveying fowl giblets (not shown) to a cleaning system (S) and an output belt (M2) for conveying fowl giblets (not shown) away from the cleaning system (S), said giblets being moved onto the output belt (M2) by a collection and distribution device (M3). The machine (M) includes an assembly (5) for tensioning the belts (M1 and M2) between a stretched position, a working position and a retracted position for cleaning. The invention also relates to a method for conveying fowl giblets (not shown).

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.

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.

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.

An offset weighing apparatus and method for use with poultry processing equipment includes a weigh assembly to weigh an animal connected to a shackle assembly as the shackle moves in contact with a force sensor along a conveyor line. A diverter assembly laterally displaces a shackle retaining the animal from below the conveyor line into engagement with the force sensor. The bending axis of the force sensor is approximately parallel to the displaced shackle. The angular position of the bending axis and shackle, and relative positions, friction, and forces of the components of the shackle assembly and weigh assembly are analyzed to calculate the weight of the animal connected to the shackle without removing the animal from the shackle or ceasing movement of the conveyor line.