Automatic poultry processor and method

Abstract

Automatic poultry processor and corresponding methodology permits poultry to be directly received from a conventional overhead track, without manual intervention. Spring loaded leg drags temporarily impede movement of a bird relative an overhead track, during which time a loading cone is inserted into the body cavity of the bird. The loading cone is driven by a continuous loop conveyor for positively driving the breast half of the bird as the hind quarters are positively directed by the overhead track, whereby the bird is directed towards a knife for separating the hind quarters from the breast half. Thereafter, the hind quarters are carried away by the overhead track, while the loading cone may be used to drive the breast half towards further processing steps, such as automatic halving and automatic deboning. The continuous conveyor supporting the loading cone has a double curvature in the vicinity of the conveyor flow where birds are loaded. The double curvature helps guide the tip of the loading cone into the body cavity and then helps thrust it deeper into the cavity so as to be fully seated.