DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING MEAT FROM POULTRY, AND POULTRY CARRIER

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A device for removing meat from poultry, comprising: at least one conveyor for transporting pieces of poultry along a transport path, at least one poultry carrier attached to and/or forming part of said conveyor wherein each poultry carrier is configured to carry and/or support at least one piece of poultry, at least one pre-cutting section arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, comprising at least one pre-cutting element positioned such that at least a part the poultry meat is partially separated from a remaining part of the poultry, and at least one meat separation section, arranged downstream of said pre-cutting section along the transport path of the conveyor, comprising at least one rotatable cutting element for making a separating incision to separate said at least one pre-cut poultry part from said remaining poultry part, wherein said meat separation section is further configured to physically remove said separated poultry part from said remaining poultry part in at least direction away from the transport path.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-cutting element comprises at least one non-linear blade section.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pre-cutting element is configured to pre-cut a poultry such that two distant poultry meat flaps are created which are positioned at opposite sides of an uncut part of the poultry, and/or wherein the at least one pre-cutting element is configured to pre-cut a poultry back such that two distant poultry back meat flaps are created which are positioned at opposite sides of a backbone of a poultry ribcage.

4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one poultry meat product alignment section, arranged between the pre-cutting section and meat separation section, for aligning the poultry with respect to the rotatable cutting element.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the alignment section comprises at least one alignment element to move at least a part of the pre-cut poultry part away from the remaining poultry part to create at least one space between the pre-cut poultry part and the remaining poultry part.

6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least one alignment element is configured to lift at least one pre-cut poultry part in a direction away from the remaining poultry part to create said at least one space.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one alignment element is configured as guide bar for guiding the pre-cut poultry part and/or as slide bar for allowing the pre-cut poultry part to slide and/or to be pulled over said slide bar.

8. The device according to claim 5, wherein the at least one alignment element is aligned with the rotatable cutting element of the separation section.

9. The device according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of a highest edge of the at least one alignment element is positioned at the same level or at a higher level compared to a cutting location of the rotatable cutting element.

10. The device according to claim 5, wherein at least a part of a highest edge of the at least one alignment element is positioned at substantially the same level or at a lower level compared to the at least one pre-cutting element.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting element comprises an axially rotatable disc, wherein a cutting edge is provided at a circumferential edge of said disc.

12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the axis of rotation of the disc is inclined with respect to the transport path, wherein a cutting location of the rotatable disc is a lowest location of the disc.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein the radius of said disc is at least 10 centimeters.

14. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one counterpressure section, said counter pressure section comprising at least one counterpressure element arranged along the transport path in proximity of and/or overlapping with, an upstream part of the pre-cutting element, arranged at a side of the pre-cutting element facing away from the conveyor.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one counter pressure element is formed by a roller and/or a belt.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein said roller and/or belt is non-driven.

17. A method of removing meat from poultry, comprising the steps of: A) loading at least one poultry carrier with at least one piece of poultry, B) conveying said loaded poultry carrier at least along a pre-cutting section and a separation section, wherein: i. in the pre-cutting section, at least a part the poultry meat is partially separated from a remaining part of the poultry by at least one pre-cutting element, and wherein ii. in the separation section, at least one separating incision is made by at least one rotatable cutting element to separate said at least one pre-cut poultry part from said remaining poultry part, C) removing said separated poultry part from said remaining poultry part in at least direction away from the transport path, wherein said separated poultry part is unloaded from the device, and D) unloading the remaining poultry part from the poultry carrier.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated based on the following non-limitative figures, wherein:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a schematical overview of the device, in terms of functional steps;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows a first detailed view of a preparation section of the device;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a detailed perspective view of the preparation section shown in FIG. 2;

[0046] FIG. 4 shows a second detailed view of a part of the device according to the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of at least one pre-cutting section;

[0048] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a further part of the device according to the present invention;

[0049] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of a part of the unloading section of the present invention;

[0050] FIGS. 8a and 8b show two positions of a poultry-carrier according to the present invention; and

[0051] FIG. 9 shows a poultry-carrier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] FIG. 1 depicts a schematical overview of the device 1 according to a non-limitative embodiment of the present invention. The device comprising a conveyor 2, which in this instance is an endless conveyor 2, for transporting of one or more poultry-carriers (not depicted) along the various processing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700. When the meat is transported along the processing sections 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700 various processing steps may be performed and/or guided. Preferably, said processing steps are performed in the depicted order along the transport path formed by the conveyor 2. Starting at point T1, which depicts an optional rotation-point of the poultry-carrier along the transport path. Rotating the poultry carrier carrying a poultry ribcage may be beneficial, or even needed, for processing steps, in particular a primary processing step 100.

[0053] Preferably, a second point T2 depicts the activation of a clamping mechanism (not shown in this figure) of the poultry-carrier, in order to clamp the poultry ribcage to the poultry-carrier. Preferably, the primary processing section 100 is formed by a preparation section 100, for preparing the poultry ribcage for downstream processing steps, said preparation section 100 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. Said preparation section 100 may comprise at least one cutting element for cutting of at least a portion of the poultry ribcage, preferably for cutting a coracoid bone of a piece of poultry, particularly a chicken. Optionally, said cutting element is arranged for cutting both a coracoid bone and a clavicle bone, preferably in proximity of the poultry spine. After the preparation section 100, the poultry-carrier is rotated at point T3. Preferably, the rotation of the poultry carrier is such that the piece of poultry carried on the carrier is oriented in an upstream facing direction prior to entering the pre-cutting section 200 of the device. Said pre-cutting section 200, which is depicted in more detail in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 6, comprises at least one pre-cutting element. Said pre-cutting section 200 is arranged for making an incision in the piece of poultry such that a part of the poultry meat, in particular back meat, is partially separated from the remaining part of poultry. Preferably, the pre-cutting section 200 comprises at least one pre-cutting element which is configured to pre-cut a poultry such that two poultry meat flaps are created which are positioned at opposite sides of an uncut part of the poultry, and/or wherein at least one pre-cutting element comprises is configured to pre-cut a poultry back such that two poultry back meat flaps are created which are positioned at opposite sides of a backbone of a poultry ribcage. Optionally, the device 1 comprises an alignment section 700, for allowing the pre-cut piece of poultry to be aligned in a predefined orientation for a subsequent processing step. Said alignment section 700 may in particular allow for alignment of the pre-cut flaps of back meat. Optionally, at least one optional splitting section 300 is arranged. In particular downstream of the pre-cutting section, and in particular parallel or overlapping at least partially with the alignment section 700. Said splitting section comprising at least one cutting element for making of at least one incision in the pre-cut piece of poultry. In particular, said cutting element of the splitting section 300 being arranged for cutting in a direction parallel to a poultry spine. The splitting section 300 may also form part of the alignment section. Preferably, said cutting element is arranged for cutting in a piece of meat of the poultry back that is attached to the ribcage, in particular between the aforementioned two separated flaps. This splitting section 300 is completely optional, but may allow the device 1 to remove two pieces of meat from the poultry ribcage. After pre-cutting 200 and the optional alignment 700 and optional splitting 300, the device 1 comprises a meat separation section 400, which comprises, at least in this embodiment, a rotatable cutting element, for making of a separating incision to separate the at least one pre-cut poultry part from said remaining poultry part, in particular to separate said pre-cut poultry back meat entirely from said poultry ribcage. The separation section, in particular a cutting element thereof, is further configured to physically remove said separated poultry part from said remaining poultry part, in particular to physically remove said separated poultry back meat from said poultry ribcage, the partially separated meat product from the poultry, and discharging the separated meat product in at least direction away from the transport path. Preferably, after the piece of meat has been removed from the poultry, the actuatable clamp that was activated at point T2 is released at point T4. Preferably, after releasing the actuatable clamp at T4, the device 1 comprises a unloading section 500, for discharging of the processed piece of poultry from the poultry carrier. Preferably, the emptied poultry carriers are transported along a returning section of the conveyor 2 and provided with a new, unprocessed, piece of poultry at a loading section 600.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the preparation section 100 of the device 1. This figure schematically depicts the first point T1, where the poultry-carrier 3 is rotated around a vertical rotational axis 10 of the poultry-carrier 3, such that a frontal side of the meat carrier is facing in an inward direction of the conveyor 2. The conveyor 2 is formed by a plurality of shackles to which the poultry-carriers 3 are rotatably attached. The rotation T1 of the poultry carriers 3 is arranged upstream of the preparation section 100 and allows for orienting a poultry carried on a poultry carrier 3 with respect to the preparation section 100. The preparation section 100 as shown in this embodiment comprises a substantially horizontal cutting element 102. Said cutting element 102 being rotatable around a vertical axis of rotation 103, The cutting element 102 shown in this embodiment is driven by at least one motor 101, in particular being an electro motor 101. Said cutting element 102 comprises a plurality of cutting teeth 104, which contributes to cutting of one or more bones of the piece of poultry. In particular said cutting element 102 is oriented such as to cut one or more coracoid bones of a piece of poultry transported along said cutting element 102 by a poultry-carrier 3, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Prior to passing along the preparation section 100 of the device, the poultry-carrier 3 is transported along point T2. At this point T2 an activator 6 is arranged, for activating of the actuatable clamp 4 of the poultry-carrier. Said activator 6 is arranged for activating the clamping element 4 into a clamping position, which may alternatively be referred to as locking position, for clamping of a piece of poultry on the carrier 3. After the clamping element 4 is positioned in the clamping position, or the locked position, the piece of poultry carried by a poultry carrier 3 may be stabilised in order to prevent that one of the cutting elements of the devices removes or displaces said piece of poultry. The activator 6 shown in this embodiment is a static activator 6 which may form part of a frame 8 of the device, at least arranged stationary with respect to the moving conveyor 2. The activator 6 co-acts with an activating element 7 of the clamping element 4. The clamping element 4 is pivotally attached to the poultry carrier 3 around a pivot point 5. Said activating element 7 may co-act with the activator 6 by means of a guiding action of the activator 6, gradually forcing said activating element to pivot the clamping element 4 around the pivot point 5. The poultry-carrier 3 preferably comprises a locking latch 9 for locking of the clamping element 4 in a clamping position. Said locking latch 9 may be activated upon a predetermined rotation of the clamping element 4.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows a detailed perspective view of a part of the preparation section 100 shown in FIG. 2. This figure provides a representation of a piece of poultry 11 that is carried on a carrier 3. The piece of poultry comprises an upper side 11a and a lower side 11b. The upper side 11a normally carrying the back meat of the ribcage 11, the lower side 11b being the side to which the breast is attached. As can be seen, the carrier is shaped such that the upper side 11a of the poultry is carried substantially horizontally by the carrier 3. This allows for more efficient processing of the piece of poultry 11. In this figure, the clamping element 4 is positioned and locked, by the locking latch 9, in the clamping position, pressing the poultry 11 against the carrier 3. The cutting element 102 of the preparation section 100 is positioned such as to cut through a (schematically indicated) coracoid bone 105 of the piece of poultry 11. This allows for (subsequent) removal of the back meat. The cutting element 102 is positioned such as to cut the coracoid bone 105 in proximity of the spine of the poultry 11.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows a subsequent processing step of the pre-cutting section 200. Prior to entering the pre-cutting section 200 the meat carrier 3 is rotated around the rotational axis 10 such as to orient a piece of poultry in an upstream direction. The poultry-carrier 3 is configured to rotate around its rotational axis 10 by means of a co-acting rotation elements 12, 13. Said co-acting rotation elements 12, 13 allow the poultry-carrier to be rotated at point T3, which is positioned just upstream with respect to the pre-cutting section 200. The co-acting rotation elements 12, 13 are formed by a protrusion 12 and a recess 13, wherein at least one of the protrusion 12 or recess 13 is statically positioned along the transport path. In the embodiment depicted, the protrusion 12 is arranged along the transport path such that a poultry-carrier 3 moving along said protrusion causes a rotation thereof. The pre-cutting section 200 comprises at least one cutting element 201 said cutting element 201 arranged for making an incision in a piece of poultry. An upstream side 202 of the pre-cutting element 201 is substantially non-linear, in particular angular and/or partially curved. The pre-cut incision will be elaborated in more detail with respect to FIG. 5. In order to further assure an accurate incision placement of the pre-cutting section 200 a counterpressure section 800 is arranged at a distance with respect to the pre-cutting section 200. The counterpressure section 800 is arranged at a distance, in a direction facing away from the pre-cutting element, from the pre-cutting element 201. The counterpressure section 800 is preferably positioned such as to at last partially press the poultry carried on the poultry carrier 3. The counterpressure section 800 in this particular embodiment is formed by a driven belt 801, wherein said belt 801 is arranged around a pair of drive wheels 803, for driving said belt. To this end the drive wheels 803 may comprise teeth, for co-action with teeth on an inner side of the drive belt 801. Preferably, at least one drive wheel 803 is driven, in particular by a drive motor 804. It is conceivable that the drive belt 801 comprises one or more relief sections 802. Said relief sections may be positioned such that at least one relief section 802 is aligned with a part of the poultry-carrier 3. Preferably, the relief section 802 is configured to contact an exterior side of a part of the back meat of the poultry ribcage in order to guide and/or align a part of the back meat with the pre-cutting section 200. In the embodiment shown in this figure, a guiding portion 805 is arranged in an interior of the driven belt 802. The guiding portion 805 is formed by a guiding body 806, wherein said guiding body 806 is pivotally attached around a pivot axis 808. A part of the guiding body 806, at a distance from said pivot axis 808, is resilient 807 in a direction towards the cutting section 200. This may ensure that an exterior side of the belt 801 remains in contact with the poultry back meat at least during transport through the pre-cutting section 200. It is imaginable that at least one, preferably each, pre-cutting element is resiliently pivotable around a pivot axis 205 which extends substantially parallel to the transport path. Preferably, the pivot axis 205 is positioned below and/or at a lateral distance with respect to the transport path. Pivoting the pre-cutting element 201 may allow to account for small deviations between the pieces of poultry. For example, not every ribcage has the same dimension. Hence, in case a ribcage is slightly larger, the pre-cutting element 201 may be forced outwardly to account for the larger dimensions. Preferably, the pre-cutting element has an first maximum position, wherein the pre-cutting element is closest to the transport path, preferably which position (or a further inward rotating motion) is physically or mechanically determined and/or bounded. To this end, the pre-cutting section 200 may comprise at least one stopper (not visible), for stopping of a rotation of the pre-cutting element 201 in a downward direction. Hence, said stopper defining a resting position of the pre-cutting element(s) 201. The poultry ribcage can move the pre-cutting elements 201 outwardly with respect to the stopper, and upon the ribcage passing the pre-cutting elements causing the pre-cutting elements to resiliently return (e.g., via springs 206) to the resting position.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a detailed example of a cutting section 200 according to an embodiment o the present invention. The figure further depicts an embodiment of the counterpressure section 800 according to the present invention. The counterpressure section 800 in this embodiment is formed by a single counterpressure roller 809. Said roller being positioned in alignment with the pre-cutting section 200, in particular a upstream end of the cutting elements 201. The different embodiments of the counterpressure section 800 may be used interchangeably. In the non-limitative embodiment depicted in this figure, the pre-cutting section 200 comprises a pair of pre-cutting elements 201, which are positioned at a mutual distance from each other 203. The distance is preferably larger than about 1 cm, and/or wherein said distance is smaller than 5 centimetre. The pair of pre-cutting elements 201 are arranged for making a cut in the poultry which extends at least partially parallel to a transport direction. In this embodiment, mutually facing edges 204 of the pre-cutting elements 201 are substantially parallel. This allows for convenient passage of a piece of poultry 11 through the space 203 between the cutting elements 201. FIG. 5 further shows a schematical cross sectional view C-C of a pre-cut piece of poultry 11. The cross-sectional representation of the poultry 11 shows the spine 19 of the poultry, to which the ribcage 14 is attached. On a back side of the poultry 11 a piece of back meat 15 is (partially) attached. The pre-cutting elements 201 shown in this figure are arranged for each making an incision 17, 18 in the back meat 15. Said incision preferably follows the shape of the ribcage 14. Due to the cutting elements 201 being mutually spaced apart, a part 19 of the back meat remains attached to the poultry 11, in particular to an outward side of the ribcage 14. The incisions 17, 18, made by the pre-cutting elements 201 form two distant flaps 20, 21 in the back meat 15 are created.

[0058] FIG. 6 shows a detailed view of a further part of the device according to the present invention. This figure depicts, in order from upstream to downstream, the pre-cutting section 200, the counterpressure section 800, the alignment section 700, a splitting section 300 and a separation section 400. The details in respect of the pre-cutting section 200 and counterpressure section 800 as elaborated above, apply similarly to this figure. In this embodiment, the separation section 800 is positioned at a distance from the pre-cutting section 200. In order to provide for a proper alignment of the piece of meat, an alignment section 700 is arranged between the pre-cutting section 200 and the downstream separation section 400. Said alignment section 400 is arranged directly adjacent to said pre-cutting section 200 and separation section 400 and allows for aligning of the pre-cut poultry part with respect to a rotatable cutting element 401 of the separation section 400. In the depicted embodiment, the alignment section 700 comprises a pair of mutually spaced apart alignment elements 705, said alignment elements being arranged at a predetermined distance 701 with respect to each other. The alignment elements 705 are configured to move a part of the pre-cut poultry part (such as a meat flap) in a direction away from the remaining poultry part. Particularly to lift said pre-cut meat flap such as to create a space between the meat flap and the remaining poultry part. In the embodiment depicted in this figure, said alignment parts are formed by a guide bar 705 or slide bar 705 along which a pre-cut poultry part is slid, or pulled in a direction towards the separation section 400. Preferably, the alignment elements 705 are aligned with the position of the rotatable cutting element 401 of the separation section 400. In order to allow an efficient separation of the pre-cut poultry, it may be preferred that at least a part of a highest edge of at least one alignment element 705 is positioned at the same level or at a higher level compared to a cutting location of the rotatable cutting element 401. Preferably, a downstream edge or side 703 of at least one alignment element 705 is at least partially shaped in conformity with the rotatable cutting element 401, preferably, said side is at least partially concavely curved. Hence, the downstream edge 703 of the alignment elements 705 is preferably directly adjacent to the rotatable cutting element 401. An upstream end 702 of the alignment elements 705 may be substantially tapered, which may contribute to directly conveying the pre-cut poultry to the alignment section 700. The rotatable cutting element 401 is positioned at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The rotatable cutting element 401 is preferably driven by at least one motor 402 such as an electro motor 402.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows a detailed view of a part of the unloading section 500 according to a non-limitative embodiment of the present invention. Prior to arriving at the unloading section 500, the poultry-carrier, in particular the clamping element 4 needs to be released from clamping the poultry, in particular the ribcage, to the poultry-carrier 3. To this end, at a location upstream of the unloading section 500, the device comprises a release element 23, located at point T4 along the transport path. The release element 23 is configured to release the clamping element 4 such that the clamping element 4 is in a non-clamping position. To this end, the release element 23 is configured to co-act with the locking latch 9 of the poultry-carrier 3. The release element 23 comprises a release surface 24, which is at least partially placed in the transport path, such as to abut against a part of the locking latch 9. In particular the release surface is positioned such as to rotate the locking latch 9. Rotation of the locking latch 9 causes a protrusion 9A of the locking latch to be displaced from a locking position, in which it prevents movement of the clamping element, into a release position in which it allows a movement of said clamping element 4 into a non-clamping position. Downstream of the release position T4, the unloading section 500 is arranged. The unloading section may remove a processed piece of poultry, in particular a processed poultry ribcage, from the poultry-carrier 3. In this embodiment, the unloading section 500 comprises at least one scraping element 501, for mechanical removal of the processed poultry part. The mechanical scraping element 501 is a stationary element, attached to a part of the frame of the device. Once the processed piece of poultry is removed by the unloading element or scraping element 501, the poultry-carrier can be provided with a new, to be processed, piece of poultry.

[0060] FIGS. 8a and 8b further show the clamping (8b) and non-clamping (8a) position of the clamping element 4 respectively. In the clamping position (FIG. 8b) a distance 26 between a clamping end of the clamping element 4 is positioned closer to the poultry-carrier 3 such as to clamp a piece of poultry. Contrary, in the non-clamping position (FIG. 8a) a distance 26 between a clamping end of the actuatable clamp 4 is positioned further away to the poultry-carrier 3 such as to release a piece of poultry. In the clamping position indicated in FIG. 8b the actuatable 4 is locked by the locking latch 9. In particular, a locking part 9A of the locking latch 9 is positioned to block a part 4A of the actuatable clamp 4. In particular, said locking part 9A prevents a releasing motion of the part 4A of the actuatable clamp 4. As can be seen in the no-clamping position in FIG. 8a, the locking part 9A of the locking latch 9 does not prevent a releasing motion of the part 4A of the actuatable clamp. By pivoting the actuatable clamp 4 towards its clamping position (hence from position as shown in FIG. 8a to the position shown in FIG. 8b) the locking part 9A of the locking latch 9 automatically moves in the rotational path of the actuatable clamp 4 such as to prevent a returning movement of the actuatable clamp.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows a poultry-carrier according to a different aspect of the present invention. Although the poultry-carrier 3 may be used for transporting of a poultry carcass in the present invention, it is conceivable that the poultry-carrier 3 and its aspect may be separately applied, independent of the device as described. The poultry carrier 3 as shown in this non-limitative embodiment comprises a base structure 3A which is attachable or mounted to the belt of a conveyor. Preferably, said base structure 3A is rotatably attached to a conveyor, wherein at least said base 3A is rotatable around a vertical rotational axis 10. The poultry carrier 3, in addition to the base structure 3A preferably comprises a poultry carrying structure 3B, configured to hang poultry onto said carrying structure 3, such that poultry is positioned at a distance from the base structure 3A. The poultry carrier 3, in particular the carrying structure 3B comprises at least one insertable body 36, which may be inserted into a poultry ribcage. Said insertable body 26 is in particular tapered towards one end, in particular an outward end. The tapering of the insertable body 26 may be substantially similar to the (average) tapering of a poultry ribcage. In order to increase the grip on an (interior side) of a poultry ribcage, the insertable body 26 comprises a relief structure 27, wherein said relief is applied at a side of the insertable body 26 facing away from the base structure 3A. The relief structure 27 may also be referred to as a serrated structure. Ideally, the relief structure 27 may accommodate one or more ribs of the ribcage in order to partially suppress sliding of the ribcage. Moreover, the insertable body 26 may comprise a pair of retaining fingers 29, 30, for engaging with an interior part of the poultry. Said at least two retaining fingers 29, 30 are placed at a mutual distance with respect to each other. This may allow a cutting element to pass through said retaining fingers during a processing action to the poultry ribcage. In order to increase functionality of the retaining fingers 29, 30 it was surprisingly found that making at least one retaining finger resilient and/or mounting at least one finger resiliently to the insertable body 26 significantly increased the grip to the poultry ribcage. In this embodiment, a bottom retaining finger 30 is resiliently mounted to the insertable body 26. The resilient mount 31 may be formed by a spring blade 31. The poultry-carrier may further comprise at least one actuatable clamp 4, which may also be referred to as clamping element 4. The clamp 4 may be movable between a locking position, as indicated in this figure, and an unlocking position. In the locking position, as indicated in this figure, the actuatable clamp 4 is positioned to secure and/or clamp a part of the poultry with respect to the carrier 3. In the unlocking position, the clamp 4 is positioned such that the poultry is unsecured and/or unclamped allowing for unloading poultry. Optionally, the clamp 4 or the carrier 3 comprises at least one locking part 25 configured to be moved between said locking position and said unlocking position, and an actuating element 7, preferably position at a distance from said locking part 25, configured to be actuated by the device to cause movement of the locking part 25 between said locking position and said unlocking position. In particular the locking part 25 or clamping part 25 and the actuating element 7 preferably are arranged at opposing sides of the carrier structure 3B. The clamp 4 is preferably pivotally attached to the poultry carrier 3, in particular the carrier structure 3B thereof. Said clamp 4 preferably extends through an opening 32 of the carrier structure 3B. Preferably. The poultry carrier 3 further comprises at least one latch 9, in particular a resilient latch, for locking the actuatable clamp 4 in at least one of the locking position or unlocking position.

[0062] The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts, including inventive details, may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application and/or alternative embodiment.

[0063] The ordinal numbers used in this document, like first, second, and third are used only for identification purposes. Hence, the use of expressions like a second component, does therefore not necessarily require the co-presence of a first component. By complementary or co-acting components is meant that these components are configured to co-act with each other. However, to this end, these components do not necessarily have to have complementary forms. The verb comprise and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only comprise, but are also understood to mean the phrases contain, substantially consist of, formed by and conjugations thereof.

[0064] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by means of the non-limitative set of clauses presented below.

CLAUSES

[0065] 1. Device for removing meat from poultry, in particular for removing poultry back meat from a poultry ribcage, comprising: [0066] at least one conveyor, in particular an endless conveyor, for transporting pieces of poultry along a transport path, [0067] at least one poultry carrier attached to and/or forming part of said conveyor wherein each poultry carrier is configured to carry and/or support at least one piece of poultry, in particular a poultry ribcage with poultry back meat attached to said ribcage, [0068] at least one pre-cutting section arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, comprising at least one pre-cutting element positioned such that at least a part the poultry meat is partially separated from a remaining part of the poultry, in particular wherein at least a part of the poultry back meat is partially separated from the poultry ribcage, [0069] at least one meat separation section, arranged downstream of said pre-cutting section along the transport path of the conveyor, comprising at least one rotatable cutting element, for making a separating incision to separate said at least one pre-cut poultry part from said remaining poultry part, in particular to separate said pre-cut poultry back meat entirely from said poultry ribcage, wherein said meat separation section is further configured to physically remove said separated poultry part from said remaining poultry part, in particular to physically remove said separated poultry back meat from said poultry ribcage, in at least direction away from the transport path.

[0070] 2. Device according to clause 1, wherein the pre-cutting section is configured to make at least one pre-cut in said poultry which extends in a direction parallel to a transport direction of the poultry passing through said pre-cutting section.

[0071] 3. Device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the pre-cutting section comprises a plurality of pre-cutting elements positioned at mutual distance from each other, wherein the mutual distance is preferably larger than 1 centimetre and/or wherein the mutual distance is preferably smaller than 5 centimetre.

[0072] 4. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the pre-cutting section comprises at least one stationary pre-cutting element.

[0073] 5. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one pre-cutting element comprises at least one non-linear, such as an angular and/or curved, preferably concavely curved, blade section.

[0074] 6. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one pre-cutting element comprises is configured to pre-cut a poultry such that two distant poultry meat flaps are created which are positioned at opposite sides of an uncut part of the poultry, and/or wherein at least one pre-cutting element comprises is configured to pre-cut a poultry back such that two distant poultry back meat flaps are created which are positioned at opposite sides of a backbone of a poultry ribcage.

[0075] 7. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one pre-cutting element is aligned with the rotatable cutting element of the separation section.

[0076] 8. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein a highest edge of at least one pre-cutting element is positioned at the same level or at a higher level compared to a cutting location of the rotatable cutting element.

[0077] 9. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising at least one poultry meat product alignment section, arranged between the pre-cutting section and meat separation section, for aligning the poultry, in particular the at least one pre-cut poultry part, with respect to the rotatable cutting element.

[0078] 10. Device according to clause 9, wherein the alignment section comprises at least one alignment element, preferably at least mutually spaced two alignment elements, to move at least a part of the pre-cut poultry part away from the remaining poultry part to create at least one space between the pre-cut poultry part and the remaining poultry part.

[0079] 11. Device according to clause 9 or 10, wherein the at least one alignment element, preferably at least mutually spaced two alignment elements, is configured to lift at least one pre-cut poultry part in a direction away from the remaining poultry part to create said at least one space.

[0080] 12. Device according to clause 10 or 11, wherein at least one alignment element, preferably each alignment element, is configured as guide bar for guiding the pre-cut poultry part and/or as slide bar for allowing the pre-cut poultry part to slide and/or to be pulled over said slide bar.

[0081] 13. Device according to any of clauses 10-12, wherein at least one alignment element is aligned with the rotatable cutting element of the separation section.

[0082] 14. Device according to any clause 10-13, wherein at least a part of a highest edge of at least one alignment element is positioned at the same level or at a higher level compared to a cutting location of the rotatable cutting element.

[0083] 15. Device according to any of clauses 10-14, wherein at least a part of a highest edge of at least one alignment element is positioned at substantially the same level or at a lower level compared to the at least one pre-cutting element.

[0084] 16. Device according to any of clauses 9-15, wherein the alignment section connects to and/or is positioned directly adjacent to both the pre-cutting section and the separation section.

[0085] 17. Device according to any of clauses 9-16, wherein the alignment section comprises two distant alignment elements, which mutually enclose a slotted passage for feed-through of an uncut portion of the poultry, wherein said uncut portion is preferably located in between two cut portions of the poultry.

[0086] 18. Device according to any of the clauses 9-17, wherein a side of the alignment section facing the rotatable cutting element is at least partially concavely curved.

[0087] 19. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the cutting element comprises and/or is formed by an axially rotatable disc, wherein a cutting edge, preferably a circular cutting edge, is provided at a circumferential edge of said disc.

[0088] 20. Device according to clause 19, wherein the axis of rotation of the disc is inclined with respect to the transport path, wherein a cutting location of the rotatable disc is preferably a lowest location of the disc.

[0089] 21. Device according to clause 20, wherein the radius of said disc is at least 10 centimetre, preferably at least 15 centimetre.

[0090] 22. Device according to any of clauses 19-21, wherein an upper side of said disc is at least partially textured and/or roughened, and/or wherein a peripheral annular portion of said upper side of said disc has a more coarse surface than a centre portion of said upper side of said disc.

[0091] 23. Device according to any of clause 19-22, wherein an upper side of said disc is configured to act as support surface for the separate poultry meat and to subsequently remove the poultry meat from the disc due to a centrifugal force exerted by the disc onto the poultry meat.

[0092] 24. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein said endless conveyor comprises at least one endless belt.

[0093] 25. Device according to clause 24, wherein said endless belt conveyor comprises an upper run and a lower run, wherein intermediate space is defined between the upper run and the lower run, and wherein at least a part of said upper run defines the transport path.

[0094] 26. Device according to clause 25, wherein said belt conveyor comprises at least one belt return device facilitating transitioning of the endless belt between the lower run and the upper run.

[0095] 27. Device according to clause 26, wherein said belt return device comprises at least one guide sprocket, preferably at least one driven guide sprocket and optionally at least one non-driven guide sprocket.

[0096] 28. Device according to the any of clauses 24-27, wherein the conveyor comprises a plurality of poultry carriers attached to said at least one endless belt.

[0097] 29. Device according to any of clauses 24-28, wherein at least one, preferably each, poultry carrier is configured to carry at least one piece of poultry at a distance from the belt.

[0098] 30. Device according to any of clauses 24-29, wherein at least one, preferably each, poultry carrier comprises a base structure mounted to said belt, and at least one poultry carrying structure attached to and erected from said base structure, wherein said poultry carrying structure is preferably configured to hang poultry onto said carrying structure such that the poultry is positioned at a distance from the base structure.

[0099] 31. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one, preferably each, poultry carrier comprises at least one insertable body configured to be inserted into a poultry ribcage.

[0100] 32. Device according to clause 30 and 31, wherein the insertable body makes part of the carrying structure.

[0101] 33. Device according to clause 31 or 32, wherein the insertable body is tapered towards an outer end.

[0102] 34. Device according to any of clauses 31-33, wherein an insertable body is pointed towards its outer end in a direction opposite to a transport direction of the poultry carrier, at least along the transport path of the conveyor.

[0103] 35. Device according to any of the clauses 31-34, wherein the insertable body comprises a pair of retaining fingers for engaging with an interior part of the poultry.

[0104] 36. Device according to clause 35, wherein at least one of said retaining fingers is resilient and/or resiliently attached, in particular via a spring leaf, to a remaining part of the poultry carrying structure.

[0105] 37. Device according to clause 35 or 36, wherein the at least two retaining fingers are placed at a mutual distance.

[0106] 38. Device according to any of the clauses 35-37, wherein a part of the upper side of the insertion body and/or an upper side of at least one retaining finger is provided with a relief structure, such as a serrated structure, for increasing grip on an interior side of the poultry.

[0107] 39. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one, preferable each, poultry carrier comprises at least one actuatable clamp, said clamp being movable between: [0108] an locking position, wherein the actuatable clamp is positioned to secure and/or clamp a part of poultry, preferably an interior part of the poultry, with respect to the poultry carrier; and [0109] an unlocking position, wherein the actuatable clamp is positioned such that the poultry is unsecured and/or unclamped allowing unloading of the poultry from the poultry carrier.

[0110] 40. Device according to clause 39, wherein the clamp comprises at least one locking part configured to be moved between said locking position and said unlocking position, and an actuating part, preferably position at a distance from said locking part, configured to be actuated by the device to cause movement of the locking part between said locking position and said unlocking position.

[0111] 41. Device according to clause any of clauses 30-40, wherein the actuatable clamp is pivotally attached to the poultry carrying structure, and preferably extends through said poultry carrying structure.

[0112] 42. Device according to clause 40 and 41, wherein the locking part and the actuating part are positioned at opposite sides of the poultry carrying element.

[0113] 43. Device according to any of the clauses 39-42, wherein at least one, preferably each, poultry carrier comprises at least one latch, in particular a resilient latch, for locking of the actuatable clamp in at least one of the locking position or unlocking position.

[0114] 44. Device according to any of the clauses 39-43, wherein the actuatable clamp is in the locking position during transport of the poultry along an optional preparation section, and/or the pre-cutting section, and/or the optional alignment section, and/or the separating section.

[0115] 45. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least a part of at least one poultry carrier is rotatable with respect to the conveyor, preferably about an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the transport path.

[0116] 46. Device according to clause 45, wherein at least a part of at least one poultry carrier is configured to be intermittently rotated by the device, in particular the conveyor.

[0117] 47. Device according to clause 45 or 46, wherein at least one, preferably each, poultry carrier comprises an axially rotatable base structure mounted to said belt, and at least one poultry carrying structure attached to and erected from said base structure, wherein the base structure acts as driven wheel, in particular a square drive wheel, and wherein the device, in particular the conveyor, comprises at least one drive cam, such as a pin, preferably a stationary pin, configured to co-act with and consequently to rotate the driven wheel once the driven wheel passes said drive cam.

[0118] 48. Device according to clause 47, wherein the driven wheel comprises a plurality of n slots, wherein n is preferably 4, configured to successively engage with the drive cam to rotate the base structure over an angle of 360/n degrees, wherein the driven wheel is preferably a square drive wheel wherein each slot connects to a corner of said square driven wheel and extends towards the axis of rotation of said square driven wheel.

[0119] 49. Device according to any of clauses 45-48, wherein the device comprises at least one Maltese cross drive to intermittently rotate at least a part of the poultry carrier.

[0120] 50. Device according to any of clauses 45-49, wherein the device is configured to rotate the poultry carrier upstream of the pre-cutting section, such that the poultry is oriented facing in a direction in line with or opposite to the transport direction.

[0121] 51. Device according to any of clauses 45-50, wherein the device is configured to rotate the poultry carrier upstream of a preparation section.

[0122] 52. Device according to any of clauses 45-51, wherein the device is configured to rotate the poultry carrier upstream of a loading section and/or upstream of an unloading section.

[0123] 53. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising unloading section, arranged downstream of the meat separation section, comprising at least one unloading element, for removing the remaining poultry part, in particular the poultry ribcage, from the poultry carrier.

[0124] 54. Device according to clause 53, wherein the unloading section comprises at least one, preferably stationary, scraping element to mechanically remove, in particular slide, the remaining poultry part, in particular the poultry ribcage, from the poultry carrier.

[0125] 55. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising at least preparation section, arranged upstream of the pre-cutting section along the transport path, said preparation section comprising at least one cutting element, preferably a horizontally mounted cutting element, wherein said cutting element is positioned for making at least one incision between the chest bone and the spine of a poultry carried on a poultry carrier.

[0126] 56. Device according to clause 55, wherein the preparation section, in particular the cutting element thereof, is positioned to cut at least one bone, in particular a coracoid, in proximity of the spine of a carcass.

[0127] 57. Device according to clause 55 or 56, wherein the cutting element is a circular axially rotatable cutting element, wherein a plurality of notches and/or teeth are provided along a circumference edge of said cutting element, wherein said cutting element is preferably rotatable about an axis which is perpendicular to the transport path.

[0128] 58. Device according to any of the clauses 55-57, wherein the preparation section is situated laterally with respect to the conveyor, and wherein the device is configured to rotate the poultry carrier and/or poultry carried by said poultry carrier, towards the preparation section, at least when the poultry carrier passes along the preparation section.

[0129] 59. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein an upstream end of at least one pre-cutting element is narrower compared to a downstream end.

[0130] 60. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising at least one counterpressure section, said counter pressure section comprising at least one counterpressure element arranged along the transport path in proximity of and/or overlapping with, an upstream part of the pre-cutting element, arranged at a side of the pre-cutting element facing away from the conveyor.

[0131] 61. Device according to clause 60, wherein at least one counter pressure element is formed by a roller and/or a belt.

[0132] 62. Device according to clause 61, wherein said roller and/or belt is non-driven.

[0133] 63. Device according to clause 61, wherein said roller and/or belt is driven, wherein the driving speed is preferably synchronized with the driving speed of the conveyor.

[0134] 64. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the conveyor is an endless conveyor having a supplying portion for supplying of poultry to be processed.

[0135] 65. Poultry carrier for use in a device according to any of the preceding clauses.

[0136] 66. Method of removing meat from poultry, in particular for removing poultry back meat from a poultry ribcage, in particular by making use of the device according to any of clauses 1-64, comprising the steps of: [0137] A) loading at least one poultry carrier with at least one piece of poultry, in particular a poultry ribcage with poultry back meat attached to said ribcage, [0138] B) conveying said loaded poultry carrier at least along a pre-cutting section and a separation section, wherein: [0139] i. in the pre-cutting section, at least a part the poultry meat is partially separated from a remaining part of the poultry, in particular wherein at least a part of the poultry back meat is partially separated from the poultry ribcage, by at least one pre-cutting element, and wherein [0140] ii. in the separation section, at least one separating incision is made by at least one rotatable cutting element to separate said at least one pre-cut poultry part from said remaining poultry part, in particular to separate said pre-cut poultry back meat entirely from said poultry ribcage, [0141] C) removing said separated poultry part from said remaining poultry part, in particular removing said separated poultry back meat from said poultry ribcage, in at least direction away from the transport path, wherein said separated poultry part is preferably unloaded from the device, and [0142] D) unloading the remaining poultry part from the poultry carrier.