A clamping device for a bone-in limb meat according to an embodiment includes a base portion, a pair of clamp pieces mounted to the base portion and configured to hold a bone-in limb meat, and an orientation adjusting member for adjusting an orientation of the bone-in limb meat, the orientation adjusting member being mounted to the base portion independently of the pair of clamp pieces and having an inclined surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to a center line between the pair of clamp pieces. When the pair of clamp pieces are in an opened state, in a planar view, at least a part of the inclined surface of the orientation adjusting member is disposed so as to overlap a space formed between the pair of clamp pieces.

An apparatus and method, configured for transferring articles of the fish and meat processing industry in a predetermined end position, including a continuous conveying device with a plurality of transport sections for individually receiving the articles and movable in the conveying direction, which transport sections comprise in the conveying position a transport element pair forming two article support surfaces. Each transport element is configured to be controllably pivotable about axles, running in the edge region of the respective transport section, so that the articles (10) are transferred to the predetermined end position, under the effect of gravity, in a plane lying below the conveying plane by controlled pivoting of both transport elements while retaining the article orientation or by controlled pivoting of one of the respective transport elements of one of the respective transport element pairs while changing the article orientation.

Slaughter installation including a conveyor line with carriers for suspending poultry by the legs and conveying the poultry in a conveying track. Head positioning means arranged for forcing the bill of the poultry in a direction opposite to the transport direction of the suspended poultry. Killing device having at least a first rotary knife positioned alongside of the conveying track for cutting into the neck of the suspended poultry while avoiding to cut a certain parts. A first guide wheel upstream and proximate to the first rotary knife, which first guide wheel is positioned alongside the conveying track. A passageway between the first rotary knife and the first guide wheel through which the poultry neck is able to pass.

A food processing system and a method, includes: an overhang rail system having a plurality of spaced apart shackles designed for carrying carcass parts such that the carcass parts are at least partly freely hanging, a re-positioning apparatus having an engagement structure selectively moveable by a moving mechanism, and at least one food processing device for performing at least one food processing step on the carcass parts while the carcass parts are conveyed past the at least one food processing device. The plurality of spaced apart shackles and the engagement structure move in a synchronized manner. The engagement structure is configured to engage the carcass parts at a position different from the carrying position of the shackle and adjusting the angular position relative to a vertical axis from an initial angular position to a pre-defined angular processing position.

A poultry conveying system includes: an endless conveyor including a connection block; a mandrel for supporting a poultry carcass or a part thereof; an intermediate section having a first end and a second end, the first end connecting to the mandrel and the second end connecting to the connection block, wherein the mandrel is arranged for rotating at the first end of the intermediate section around a first axis and around a second axis at a non-zero angle relative to the first axis; and a first actuator arranged for actuating the rotation of the mandrel around the first axis, and a second actuator arranged for actuating the rotation of the mandrel around the second axis, wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are located at the second end of the intermediate section.

A clamping device for a bone-in limb meat according to an embodiment includes a base portion, a pair of clamp pieces mounted to the base portion and configured to hold a bone-in limb meat, and an orientation adjusting member for adjusting an orientation of the bone-in limb meat, the orientation adjusting member being mounted to the base portion independently of the pair of clamp pieces and having an inclined surface inclined at an acute angle with respect to a center line between the pair of clamp pieces. When the pair of clamp pieces are in an opened state, in a planar view, at least a part of the inclined surface of the orientation adjusting member is disposed so as to overlap a space formed between the pair of clamp pieces.

A slaughtered pig part processing plant including a plurality of pig part processing stations and a conveyor supporting via respective couplings a plurality of spaced apart clamp structures, the conveyor advancing the couplings with a respective clamp structure in a machine direction (T) from a first station for introducing a pig part between jaws of a clamp structure, towards a last station for removing the bone of the processed pig part from the clamp structure, wherein in the said clamp structures being connected to the conveyor so as to allow for a turning movement of the clamp structures about a vertical axis (D), the processing plant including elongated guiding elements engaging the clamp structures or the couplings as they are advanced in the machine direction (T), for bringing about the turning movement about the vertical axis (D).

A system and method for measuring a shoulder joint position of a carcass part of slaughtered poultry are disclosed. The system includes a position measurement device, having a mechanical contact member which is adapted to engage at least one shoulder joint during a measurement of the shoulder joint position, and a product carrier which is adapted to support the carcass part during movement of the product carrier along the conveying path past the position measurement device. The position of the product carrier during the measurement of the shoulder joint position is such that the carcass part is arranged relative to the position measurement device with the left shoulder joint and right shoulder joint one behind the other as seen in the transport direction so as to allow the mechanical contact member to engage a shoulder joint bone structure of a shoulder joint.

A carcass cutting system including a belt positioned below a conveyor such as to stabilise a carcass during imaging and/or cutting operations. An offset section of conveyor track in the region of the belt may be utilized to urge the carcass against the belt. Imagining may use an optical imaging system, an X-ray imaging system, a laser scanning camera, a time of flight camera or a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry system. Imaging information may be used to calculate cutting paths and/or weight distribution of carcass portions. Cutting may be performed by a robotic cutter using a circular saw or a circular knife.

System for placement of a supply of poultry front halves in a processing line equipped with a train of movable carriers for the poultry front halves. Exemplary embodiments may include a train of receptacles provided and movable in a conveyor line, wherein the receptacles are equipped to receive the front halves at an input station of the system, and the conveyor line is equipped to move the receptacles with the poultry front halves received therein from the input station towards and along the processing line with the carriers. The receptacles can be equipped to transfer the poultry front halves onto the carriers in the processing line and may be equipped with a breast support plate, a bottom plate and upstanding inserts.