Patent · US Expired

Poultry neck cutting, breaking and stretching method

US4184230A · kind A · utility

19Cited by
6References
10Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 7, 1977
Grant dateJan 22, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 7, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA22C21/0023
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Apparatus and method for processing poultry and other fowl for removal of the windpipe, esophagus and crop from the neck of the fowl. Fowl suspended with their necks hanging down are moved on an overhead conveyor in synchronism with a rotating holding and positioning carriage. A cutting blade is rotated in synchronism with the holding and positioning carriage against the back of the fowl neck to cut an incision to a controlled depth and to break the neck bone. The neck is then stretched by engagement with a stationary stretching member while the cutting blade remains engaged with the neck of the moving fowl to open the incision and separate the neck bone to allow access to the windpipe, esophagus and crop.The method includes cutting an incision to a controlled depth in the neck of a fowl and breaking the neck bone, and stretching the neck with a stationary stretching member to open the incision and separate the neck bone while moving the fowl along a predetermined path.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.