System and method for trussing slaughtered birds

Abstract

A system for trussing slaughtered birds comprises a conveyer provided with at least one bird holder for transporting a bird to at least one working position along the transport path of the conveyer, a bird trussing station located at the working position, which station includes a trussing module defining a working zone, and a mechanical arrangement for bringing the bird within the working zone in predetermined position and orientation relative thereto to allow for operation of the trussing module according to a trussing pattern by which a trussing element catches and maintains the bird in a trussed condition. The system further comprises a controller operatively connected to the conveyer and the bird trussing station. The system may also comprise a bird's legs crossing station located at a working position upstream the trussing station where the trussing of bird's legs is desired. The system may further comprise a bird's legs flexing station located at a working position upstream the bird's legs crossing station, to flex bird's legs sufficiently to provide relaxation thereof prior to flexion. A further trussing station for applying a further trussing element to the bird according to another pattern may also be used by the system.