Method and device for longitudinally cutting poultry legs along a contour defined by an inwardly extending bone structure

Abstract

Method and apparatus () for longitudinally cutting poultry legs along a contour defined by an inwardly extending bone structure. The method comprises the steps of, and the apparatus () having means () for, suspending at least one poultry leg at its ankle joint, and conveying the thus suspended poultry leg along a predefined path of conveyance (). At least one cutting unit () with a directionable knife () is provided in the predefined path of conveyance (). The at least one poultry leg is positioning such that it is lined-up for a longitudinal cutting engagement by the directionable knife (), and the directionable knife () is brought into cutting engagement with the thus positioned poultry leg. During cutting engagement, position and cutting direction of the directionable knife are continuously adjusted to follow the contour defined by the bone structure of the poultry leg, while the positioned poultry leg is conveyed past the directionable knife ().