A tendon extraction device is disclosed. The device may include a gripping portion and an extracting portion. The gripping portion may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to securely grip a tendon of a piece or cut of raw meat. The extracting portion may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to extract (e.g., by cutting or stripping away) the tendon from the raw meat. Thus, a user may use the device to remove tendon(s) prior to cooking the meat in an easy and efficient manner. In some embodiments, the gripping portion and the extracting portion optionally may be configured to interface with one another (e.g., for ease of storage and retrieval). To that end, the gripping portion and the extracting portion may be interfaced via a snap-fit connection, in accordance with some embodiments.

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 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.

An eviscerating tool include jaw arms provided with jaws at extremities of the jaw arms. At least one jaw arm of the jaw arms is rotatable around an axis of rotation to provide that the eviscerating tool is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the jaws can grip and in the closed position the jaws can hold poultry intestines. At least one jaw arm of the jaw arms is provided with an actuation part for moving the eviscerating tool between the open position and the closed position. A cam plate is drivable for moving at least one jaw arm of the jaw arms can be subjected to a load so as to bias the cam plate into a position in an aperture.

An eviscerating tool include jaw arms provided with jaws at extremities of the jaw arms. At least one jaw arm of the jaw arms is rotatable around an axis of rotation to provide that the eviscerating tool is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the jaws can grip and in the closed position the jaws can hold poultry intestines. At least one jaw arm of the jaw arms is provided with an actuation part for moving the eviscerating tool between the open position and the closed position. A cam plate is drivable for moving at least one jaw arm of the jaw arms can be subjected to a load so as to bias the cam plate into a position in an aperture.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

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.

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.