Method and apparatus for processing poultry parts moving in succession along a path of conveyance. The method provides for an apparatus (1) including at least a conveyor (5) arranged to convey a succession of poultry parts along the path of conveyance downstream of a loading area. The method further includes the step of loading the poultry parts on the conveyor (5) in the loading area, while operating the conveyor to convey the poultry parts in succession. Further the apparatus provided by the method also includes a transfer means (57) in the path of conveyance downstream of the loading area. The transfer means (57) is operated to divide the succession of poultry parts into at least two parallel streams. When coincident with the at least two parallel streams the method performs at least two processing steps in a side-by-side arrangement at a location downstream along the path of conveyance. The processing steps thereby being effective to process each poultry part either identically or differently, while these are divided into the at least two parallel streams of conveyance.

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.

A poultry breast deboning apparatus and method for guiding a plurality of poultry combinations that have a breast and attached wings, the apparatus including a transport assembly with carts mounted to a drive system. Each of the carts has an opening to receive one of the wings of each combination. Moveable cutters are disposed adjacent the transport assembly for seating against the carts for severing tissue connecting the wings and the breast. Moveable bars are biased to urge the wings into the cart openings.

The present invention is drawn to apparatuses and methods for producing improved spirally cut meat products, such as spirally cut hams. The apparatus includes a shaft having a pad disposed at one end, said shaft slidably arranged includes a hollow tube mounted to a bracket. The apparatus includes a lever that rotates about a pivot mounted to the bracket. One end of the lever may engage with the end of the shaft opposite the pad. The apparatus includes an elastic member having one end attached to the tube and the other end affixed to the end of the shaft opposite the pad. As the lever rotates, the shaft may be pushed through the tube in one direction, or pulled in the tube in the other direction, depending on the direction, of rotation of the lever. The bracket may be configured to mount to a meat slicing device having a cutting element that projects through the bracket. Methods of spirally cutting meat products using the meat slicing device and the apparatus are also disclosed.

A poultry breast deboning apparatus and method for guiding a plurality of poultry combinations that have a breast and attached wings, the apparatus including a transport assembly with carts mounted to a drive system. Each of the carts has an opening to receive one of the wings of each combination. Moveable cutters are disposed adjacent the transport assembly for seating against the carts for severing tissue connecting the wings and the breast. Moveable bars are biased to urge the wings into the cart openings.

Method and apparatus for processing poultry parts moving in succession along a path of conveyance. The method provides for an apparatus (1) including at least a conveyor (5) arranged to convey a succession of poultry parts along the path of conveyance downstream of a loading area. The method further includes the step of loading the poultry parts on the conveyor (5) in the loading area, while operating the conveyor to convey the poultry parts in succession. Further the apparatus provided by the method also includes a transfer means (57) in the path of conveyance downstream of the loading area. The transfer means (57) is operated to divide the succession of poultry parts into at least two parallel streams. When coincident with the at least two parallel streams the method performs at least two processing steps in a side-by-side arrangement at a location downstream along the path of conveyance. The processing steps thereby being effective to process each poultry part either identically or differently, while these are divided into the at least two parallel streams of conveyance.

A method of, and an apparatus (1) for, continuously harvesting surrounding meat from a successive plurality animal legs having articulated first and second animal bones and an intermediate joint. The method continuously conveys the animal legs through a path of conveyance, and determines a location of the intermediate joint. Based on the determined location of the intermediate joint, adjusting a position of the intermediate joint and a cutting implement relative to one another, and performing cutting of tissue at a location commensurate with the location of the intermediate joint. The step of determining the location of the intermediate joint is performed contactless, and without interrupting continuous conveyance of the animal legs.

The technology as disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for deboning a meat item, and more particular for deboning a poultry item including performing an initial shoulder cut for removing boneless breast meat from the poultry carcass or frame. The technology as disclosed and claimed further includes a method and apparatus for removing a tender meat portion from a poultry item. The method and apparatus disclosed and claimed herein is a combination of a robotic arm including an ultrasonic knife implement and/or an annular blade knife implement and a vision system for varying the cut path based on the shape and size of the poultry item. The combination as claimed including the ultrasonic knife can perform a meat cut while penetrating the meat with less force than the typical penetration that occurs when using a traditional knife. The combination as claimed including the annular blade knife implement can remove the tender meat portion for the keel bone and posterior sheath.

Method for obtaining a food product for human consumption from a chicken back piece (2), the food product comprising at least one scapula bone (3, 4) of the chicken, the method comprising the steps: inserting a knife (6) in the length direction adjacent to the backbone (5) on its first side and subsequently on its second side in the width direction (W) of the backbone (5) and cutting the meat in the first and second width direction (W) under the first and second scapula bone (3, 4); inserting the knife (6) in the width direction (W) above the backbone (5) and subsequently cutting in the length direction (L) between the backbone (5) and the scapula bones (3, 4) so that the food product (8) comprising both scapula bones (3, 4) is removed from the backbone (5).

There is provided an article inspection system including: an additional processing control unit that executes additional processing on an article determined to be defective among inspected articles, according to an inspection result of an article inspection unit, in which the additional processing control unit includes a quality state determination unit that determines which one of a plurality of preset quality states the inspection result corresponds to, and processing request selection means for selecting any one of first processing request information for requesting a working machine to perform first additional processing work by the working machine and second processing request information for requesting second manual additional processing work, according to a determination result of the quality state determination unit.