The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 21, 1998
Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH & Co. KG, Lubeck, DE;
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for separating legs from poultry carcasses having a saddle-shaped carcass section with a pelvis, a lower portion of a vertebral column, and hip joints connecting the legs to the pelvis. The apparatus comprises a main conveyor defining a conveyance path and having shackles configured to hold the poultry carcasses by the legs to convey the carcasses along the path with the vertebral column in longitudinal direction. A guide member runs along the conveyance path between the main conveyor and the vertebral column and is configured to engage an inside contour of the pelvis and both legs along a substantial length of the legs. A support conveyor is positioned below the main conveyor and has a surface to engage the carcasses and move them along the conveyance path. A set of cutting devices is located above the support conveyor and on opposing sides of the conveyance path and orientated along the path of the hip joint to cut the connective tissue in an area of the bend of each hip joint and to cut a leg tendon adjacent each hip joint. Restraining means which are also comprised in the apparatus engage the pelvis for restraining movement of the pelvis relative to the first conveyor to separate the legs from the pelvis at the hip joint.