Patent ID: 6328645
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: A22B,A22C

Abstract:
An apparatus for automatically venting and opening a slaughtered poultry, the poultry having a pair of hocks, a ring muscle and a back, said apparatus comprising:a conveyor receiving the poultry and transporting the poultry along a predetermined path, the poultry being positioned on said conveyor in a first predetermined position wherein the poultry is hanging by its hocks with its back in a generally horizontal position;a venting and opening station receiving the conveyed poultry, said venting and opening station comprising:a positioning arm having a first end movable between a stowed position spaced from said conveyed poultry and a cutting position wherein the poultry is clamped in position on said first end for cutting and opening its vent, a support plate mounted on said first end of said positioning arm, said first end including a pivotally mounted clamping bar movable between an open position when said positioning arm is in said stowed position and a clamping position when said positioning arm is in said cutting position, said positioning arm being located with respect to said conveyor such that as said first end moves from said stowed position to said cutting position the support plate engages the back of the poultry to maintain the back in a generally horizontal position, said clamping bar being moved to said clamping position to bias the poultry toward said support plate to hold the poultry against said support plate in position for venting and opening when said positioning arm is in said cutting position;a cutting tool positioned with respect to said clamping bar and said support plate to consistently cut the poultry at a specific location on the poultry when the poultry is held against said support plate by said clamping bar.