Abstract:
A poultry wing segmenting system and method of use, includes a drive mechanism, a conveyor having a plurality of spaced shackles which hold the poultry wing suspended by their shoulder joints vertically positioned and presented to a horizontally rotatable wheel which has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral notched slots therearound, the rotatable wheel has a pair of annular slots into which cutting blades are positioned, a plurality of wing engaging members and guide members to bias and open the wing joints against cutting blades drawn through the annular to produce separate poultry wing segments of drumette, flat, and tip.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure generally relates to butchering and more specifically, it is related to subdivision of a poultry wing into three segments. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The poultry wings, especially chicken wings, are typically presented as spiced buffalo wings in the form of flats and drums. Such poultry wings or wing segments are eaten by holding the cooked wings or wing segments in the hands and eating the meat away from the bones. In order to segment the poultry wings into flats and drumettes the poultry wing must be portioned into drumette, flat, and tip. 
     At first, the separation of the wing segments from one another was performed by hand. For example, the poultry wing is removed from the poultry carcass by cutting the poultry carcass at the carcass shoulder joints and then cutting the poultry wings at the elbow joint between the drumette and flat, and at the tip joint between the flat and wing tip sections to produce separate poultry wing segments. Such manual poultry wing processing was expensive and time consuming. However, with the growing consumer demand for segmented poultry wings, it became desirable to automate the processing of poultry wings. 
     One approach is a poultry wing portioner, which after the whole wing(s) are removed from the carcass they are manually placed in a vertically rotatable wheel which has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral troughs therearound, in which the poultry wings are horizontally positioned and presented for being cut into drumette, flats, and tip wing. Specifically, such vertically rotatable wheel has a pair of annular slots or grooves into which cutting blades whether stationary or rotating, are positioned. With the poultry wing received in one of the circumferentially spaced lateral troughs such that the elbow joint and tip joint of such poultry wing align respectively with the two annular slots of such wheel, the poultry wing portionor may be used to draw knife blades through such slots so as to cut apart the poultry wing at the respective joints. 
     Another approach is a poultry wing cutting apparatus or wing portioner characterized by a rotatably mounted drum-like wing retaining member provided with a plurality of spaced wing receiving grooves extending generally in an axial direction along the outer surface of the retaining member. A plurality of axially spaced slots is provided which intersect the grooves. Knife means are provided which extend into predetermined portions of said slots and cooperative with a plurality of wing engaging members which are disposed in other preselected slots to bias said wing downwardly against each of said knife means to selectively sever the wing at desired locations. Such wing portioner may operate efficiently at 50-60 wings per minute; however, this speed is dependent on the operator&#39;s ability to load wings into the portioner. 
     Another approach includes a loop conveyor of poultry wing shackles and a circular saw or a conveyor that holds the carcass in an inverted attitude suspended by their legs from shackles as their torsos move between a pair of guide rods and guide rails specifically for guiding the pair of elbow joints through the disc cutters. The portioner is configured to enable a user to place poultry wings in the shackles, which are conveyed past a circular saw. The circular saw cuts the poultry wings into drumette, flats, and tip wing. 
     Another approach includes poultry wings suspended by their tip segments and oriented so that their outside surfaces face one side of the processing path, with right wings oriented with their elbows leading, and left wings oriented with their elbows trailing. The elbow joints are bent by a bending guide, opening the elbow joints. The open joints are cut and separated into drumettes and flats. 
     The problems associated with such poultry wing apparatus include the requirement to load left wing and right wing differently, the accuracy of the joint cuts is dependent on the individual sizes of the drumette, flat, and tip and also dependent upon whether the poultry wing is a right hand wing or a left hand wing. If the poultry wing(s) are incorrectly cut such cuts will produce wing segments that contain shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow contamination resulting in degraded and less valuable wing segments. 
     Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a recognizable unmet need for a poultry wing segmenting system and method of use that is not dependent on left wing and right wing orientation, and which can produce consistent high speed joint cuts without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow contamination. 
     SUMMARY 
     Briefly described, in an example embodiment, the present apparatus and method overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for a poultry wing segmenting system and method of use, in general, a drive mechanism, a conveyor having a plurality of spaced shackles which hold the poultry wing suspended by their shoulder joints vertically positioned and presented to a horizontally rotatable wheel which has a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral notched slots therearound, to receive the vertical hung poultry wing, the rotatable wheel has a pair of annular slots or grooves into which cutting blades are positioned, a plurality of wing engaging members and guide members which are disposed in other preselected positions to bias and open the wing joints against cutting blades drawn through the annular slots to selectively sever the wing at the elbow joint between the drumette and flat, and at the tip joint between the flat and wing tip to produce separate poultry wing segments of drumette, flat, and tip and discharge them into individual receptacles and, thus, functions to produce consistent high speed joint cuts without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow contamination. 
     According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present apparatus meets the recognized need for a poultry wing segmenting system to segment the poultry wing into segments, a drumette having a shoulder joint, a flat having an elbow joint and a tip joint, and a tip, said system includes a drive mechanism, a conveyor having a plurality of spaced shackles configured to vertically hold the poultry wing suspended by its shoulder joint, a segmented wheel configured with a plurality of contoured troughs circumferentially disposed laterally therearound said segmented wheel, said wheel configured to receive the vertical hung poultry wing from said shackles, and wherein said segmented wheel is configured with one or more annular slots wherein at least one cutting blade is positioned, and wherein said segmented wheel is further configured with a pivotable wing tip cup, at least one guide bar disposed adjacent said segmented wheel to bias the at least one segment of the poultry wing against said contoured trough of said segmented wheel and to draw said cutting blade through said annular slots to sever the poultry wing into one or more segments. 
     Accordingly, a feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to reduce the bottle neck of having a single operator feed individual poultry wings into a vertical wing wheel of a wing portionor, and thus, expand to multiple operators feeding individual poultry wings into shackles along a shackle line. 
     Another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to reduce the number of motors required to operate a poultry wing portioner. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to reduce energy consumption of the wing portioner station and reduce the overall energy demand of the poultry processing line. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to improve the overall efficiency of a poultry processing line and the efficient operation of the wing portioner station or processing phase. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to efficiently and consistently provide Grade A high speed joint cuts without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow contamination. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a more safe work environment for machine operators by eliminating rotating blades as a cutting means. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to hang the poultry wing in the shackle by gripping the shoulder joint or drumette rather than hanging the poultry wing by the wing tip, which can slip from the shackle. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to remove or transfer the poultry wing from its shackle to a wheel or rotary drum prior to cutting the poultry wing into itssegments. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a wheel or rotary drum having cutouts with adjacent pivoting cams to facilitate transfer of the poultry wing from its shackle to a wheel or rotary drum prior to cutting the poultry wing into its segments. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a pivotable cam for each rotary drum cutout to drop or unload the poultry wing tip into its receptacle rather than prior arts use of gravity. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide guide bars which hold the poultry wing segments until dropped into their respective receptacles rather than holding the poultry wing only while it&#39;s being cut. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide guide bars which guide and hold the poultry wing segments (tip, mid, and drum sections) until dropped into their respective receptacles. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a spring loaded finger to unload the tip into its receptacle. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide slide plates which hold the poultry wing flat segment until slid and dropped into its receptacle. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a separation arc, which holds the poultry wing drumette segment until dropped into its receptacle. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a separation arc, which holds the poultry wing drumette segment until dropped into its receptacle. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to hold the drumette using a drumette guide rod on the outside of the drumette and a drumette guide plate on the inside of the drumette. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to drop segmented poultry wing segments in sequence of tip, flat, and drumette into individual receptacle. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a pivotable blade to enable easy cleaning and maintenance and repair or replacement. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a poultry wing shackle system rather than a single operator feed wheel enabling faster processing times and multiple workers may load poultry wings along a moving shackle system. 
     Yet another feature of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use is its ability to provide a new stationary blade design and configuration. 
     These and other features of the poultry wing segmenting system and method of use will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Drawings, Detailed Description and Claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present retractable display system and method of use or the like will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference to numerals denote similar structures and refer to like elements throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary poultry wing segmenter; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of a prior art wing wheel; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective bottom view of an exemplary wing wheel of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial perspective side view of the exemplary poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing one or more exemplary shackle assemblies traversing an exemplary shackle rail for loading poultry wings therein wing wheel; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial perspective side view of the exemplary poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing one or more exemplary guide bars to assist shackle assemblies with positioning or loading poultry wings therein troughs of wing wheel; 
         FIG. 5A  is a partial perspective side view of the poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing one or more exemplary guide bars to assist shackle assemblies with release and/or transfer of poultry wings therein troughs of wing wheel; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing first blade positioned therein first annular slot; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing poultry wings released from shackle assemblies into troughs of the wing wheel: 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing second blade positioned therein first annular slot; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing operation of tip cup module  24  about cam  41 B; 
         FIG. 10  is a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing flat slide plate configured to carry poultry wing flat; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter of  FIG. 1 , showing discharge of drumette from the poultry wing segmenter; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an exemplary poultry wing, shown with segments drumette D, flat FL, and tip T. 
     
    
    
     It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-12  specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure; however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may; however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples, and are merely examples among other possible examples. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated an example embodiment exemplary poultry wing portioner or poultry wing segmenting system  10 . Preferably, poultry wing segmenter  10  includes support structure, such as frame  12  configured to form the framework or support for poultry wing segmenter  10 . Preferably, adjustable or leveling casters or foot pads  13  are preferably removeably affixed to frame  12  (likely on its underside) and provide contact support to a surface area, such as the plant floor and enable adjustment to level poultry wing segmenter  10 . Frame  12  may be configured as solid or hollow member(s) having tubular, angled, sheet, or rectangular beam cross-section or the like to permit frame  12  to support poultry wing segmenter  10 . Furthermore, poultry wing segmenter  10  preferably includes rotary guide or track, such as shackle rail  14 , and a plurality of shackle assemblies  18  having wheels, such as rollers  16  to enable rotational travel and connection of shackle assembly  18  along and to shackle rail  14 , spaced at intervals and travel as indicated by direction arrows  19 . Preferably, shackle assemblies  18  are oriented to hold the poultry wing shoulder joint SJ and hold the poultry wing PW in a vertical orientation adjacent shackle rail  14 . Still further, poultry wing segmenter  10  preferably includes rotational power source  17  which may further include motor, shaft, gear box or differential gear or drive gear, or toothed sprocket or belt or chain (not shown) to impart rotary movement of shackle assembly  18  about shackle rail  14  as indicated by direction arrows  19 . Still yet further, poultry wing segmenter  10  preferably includes wing wheel  20  rotationally driven by power source  17  as indicated by arc direction arrows  19  and guide rods or guide bars  15  disposed along the perimeter of wing wheel  20 , which guide poultry wing PW thereabout wing wheel  20 . 
     It is recognized that poultry wing segmenter  10  may be configured with a single power source  17 , thus reducing the number of motors required to operate poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     It is further recognized that poultry wing segmenter  10  configured with a single power source  17  preferably reduces energy consumption of the wing portioner station and reduces the overall energy consumption of the poultry processing line as a whole. 
     Frame  12 , shackle assembly  18 , shackle rail  14 , and foot pads  13  are preferably formed, molded or configured from a suitable material, such as stainless steel, aluminum, sheet metal, plastic, or alternative resin, fiber, reinforced fiber, or other suitable rigid support material or the like and any manufacturing method, capable of providing structure to frame  12 , shackle assembly  18 , shackle rail  14 , and foot pads  13 . Preferably, the material includes other suitable characteristics, such as strength, rigidity, durability, water-resistance, light weight, smooth surface, impact resistant surface, cleanability, sterilization, chemical inertness, oxidation resistance, safety, longevity, or other beneficial characteristic understood by one skilled in the art. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a prior art wing wheel  20 PA. Wing wheel  20 PA includes a multi-piece wing wheel assembly formed of wheel segments, such as first wheel segment  21 PA where the poultry wing drumette is positioned (not shown), second wheel segment  22 PA where the poultry wing flat is positioned (not shown), third wheel segment  23 . 1 PA where the poultry wing tip is positioned (not shown), and fourth wheel segment  23 . 2 PA assembled about a common horizontal drive axis H. Positioned between multi-piece wing wheel segments are one or more knife blades (not shown), such as between first wheel segment  21 PA and second wheel segment  22 PA is first annular slot  27 PA for receipt of an annular cutting blade (not shown) and between third wheel segment  23 . 1 PA and fourth wheel segment  23 . 2 PA is second annular slot  28 PA for receipt of an annular cutting blade (not shown). Additionally, a plurality of teeth elements  29 PA of predetermined shape are formed about the periphery of each of the respective wheel segments. Such wheel segments are collectively rotated about a common horizontal drive axis H in fixed relative alignment such that the teeth elements  29 PA form a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral troughs  25 PA for receiving poultry wings therein to be cut apart by annular cutting blade (not shown) disposed in first annular slot  27 PA and second annular slot  28 PA. Moreover, wing wheel  20 PA includes cup  26 PA to hold the poultry wing tip in place to prevent it from dislodging horizontally from wing wheel  20 PA. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated an example embodiment exemplary wing wheel  20 . Preferably, wing wheel  20  includes a multi-piece wing wheel assembly formed of wheel segments, such as first wheel segment  21  configured and positioned to receive and/or support the poultry wing drumette (not shown), second wheel segment  22  configured and positioned to receive and/or support the poultry wing flat (not shown), and third wheel segment  23  configured and positioned to receive and/or support the poultry wing tip (not shown), and such wheel segments are assembled about common vertical drive axis V. Positioned between multi-piece wing wheel segments preferably are one or more knife blades (not shown) and one or more annular slots, such as between first wheel segment  21  and second wheel segment  22  therein is preferably first annular slot  27  for receipt of first annular cutting blade (not shown) and between second wheel segment  22  and third wheel segment  23  is preferably second annular slot  28  for receipt of second annular cutting blade (not shown). Additionally, a plurality of teeth elements  29  of predetermined shape are formed about the periphery of each of respective wheel segments, first wheel segment  21 , second wheel segment  22 , and third wheel segment  23 . Such wheel segments are collectively rotated about a common vertical drive axis V in fixed relative alignment such that teeth elements  29  form a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral troughs  25  for receiving poultry wings therein to be cut into poultry wing segments of drumette, flat, and tip by first and second annular cutting blades (not shown) disposed in first annular slot and second annular slot  28 . It is contemplated herein that troughs  25  may be configured as contoured, concave, convex, combinations and the like. Moreover, wing wheel  20  preferably includes wing tip cup module  24 , which is preferably pivotable by contacting and following a cam (not shown) to enable proper loading and positioning of poultry wing tip (not shown) within troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  and to prevent poultry wing tip (not shown) from an untimely dislodging horizontally from troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 . Furthermore, wing tip cup module  24  includes mounting base  24 A, pivot member  24 C, pin  24 B to removably affix mounting base  24 A thereto pivot member  24 C and to preferably enable hinged or pivot movement therebetween, wheel or roller  24 D is preferably releasably affixed to the underside of pivot member  24 C by attachment device  24 E where roller  24 D preferably rides cam  41  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) to an open position to timely unload or discharge poultry wing tip (shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing one or more exemplary shackle assemblies  18  traversing an exemplary shackle rail  14  for loading left or right poultry wings therein to wing wheel  20 . Preferably, poultry wing segmenter  10  includes one or more shackle assemblies  18  moving in series along shackle rail  14  via a trolley chain (not shown), as indicated by direction arrows  19 . Each shackle assembly  18 , such as shackle assembly  18 . 1 , preferably includes one or more support segments and one or more transition points, such as first support segment  18 E oriented in an upright attitude and releasably connected on its upper end to roller  16  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) via attachment device  18 F. Furthermore, first support segment  18 E is preferably connected and/or transitioned to second support segment  18 D oriented in a horizontal attitude and further connected or transitioned to third support segment  18 C oriented in an upright attitude, which is preferably connected or transitioned to lower end of shackle  18 , such as fourth support segment  18 B and fifth support segment  18 A, which form a bifurcated, u-shaped, and/or v-shaped poultry wing shoulder carrier. 
     It is recognized herein that poultry wing segmenter  10  may accommodate left poultry wings PWL and/or right poultry wings PWR, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     It is further recognized herein that poultry wing segmenter  10  reduces the bottle neck of having a single operator feed individual poultry wings into a vertical wing wheel of a wing portioner, and thus, expands operation to multiple operators feeding individual poultry wings PW into shackles  18  along a shackle line or shackle rail  14 . 
     It is further recognized herein that shackles  18  of poultry wing segmenter  10  are preferably configured to hang poultry wing PW in shackle  18  by bifurcated fourth support segment  18 B and fifth support segment  18 A gripping shoulder joint SJ or drumette D rather than hanging the poultry wing PW upside down by hanging from wing tip T, which can slip from the shackle  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing one or more exemplary guide bars  15  preferably configured to assist shackle assemblies  18  with delivery, positioning, holding, loading and/or unloading of poultry wings PW in troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 . Preferably, poultry wing segmenter  10  includes one or more guide bars  15 , such as drumette guide bar  40  and tip guide bar  42 . Moreover, drumette guide bar  40  includes one or more drumette support bars  40 A, such as drumette support bar  40 A 1 , drumette support bar  40 A 2 , and drumette support bar  40 A 3  configured to provide support and position therefrom frame  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and delivery, positioning, holding, loading and/or unloading of drumette D. Preferably, drumette support bars  40 A position and support drumette guide bar  40 B from frame  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Furthermore, tip guide bar  42  includes one or more tip support bars  42 A, such as tip support bar  42 A 1  and tip support bar  42 A 2  configured to provide support and position therefrom frame  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and delivery, positioning, holding, loading and/or unloading of tip joint TJ, flat FL, and tip T. Preferably, tip support bars  42 A positions and supports tip leading guide bar  42 B from frame  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     It is recognized herein that drumette guide bar  40 B and tip leading guide bar  42 B are configured as stationary curved rods that extend in the poultry wings PW processing path adjacent the perimeter of wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19  until poultry wings PW begin to move in an arcuate path about wing wheel  20 . This preferably assures that poultry wings PW will be properly positioned within troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 , such as drumette D is positioned in first wheel segment  21  of troughs  25 , flat FL is positioned in second wheel segment  22  of troughs  25 , and tip T is positioned in third wheel segment  23  of troughs  25  as poultry wings PW are being frictionally engaged by drumette guide bar  40 B and tip guide bar  42 B. It is recognized herein that this sequence properly orients either left poultry wings PWL and/or right poultry wings PWR within troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  for subsequent processes. 
     In use, as shackle assemblies  18  preferably traverses around wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , drumette D of poultry wings PW preferably contacts drumette guide bar  40 B. Drumette guide bar  40 B is preferably configured to urge, push, hold, and/or force drumette D into first wheel segment  21  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10  without operator assistance. As poultry wings PW continues its sequence shackle assemblies  18  continues on an inner path relative to of wing wheel  20  outer path, wherein drumette guide bar  40 B transfers or releases drumette D of poultry wings PW to first wheel segment  21  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  as poultry wings PW traverses wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     Moreover, as shackle assemblies  18  preferably traverses around wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , tip T of poultry wings PW preferably contacts tip guide bar  42 B. Tip guide bar  42 B is preferably configured to urge, push, hold, and/or force tip T and/or flat FL into third wheel segment  23  and second wheel segment  22 , respectively, of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10  without operator assistance. As poultry wings PW continues its sequence tip guide bar  42 B preferably urges or pushes tip T of poultry wings PW into third wheel segment  23  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  as roller  24 D of wing tip cup module  24  contacts and pivots about cam  41 B, such wing tip cup module  24  is preferably configured to fold tip T of poultry wings PW and hold tip T of poultry wings PW as poultry wings PW traverses wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     It is recognized herein that the configuration set forth in this  FIG. 5 , more specifically first wheel segment  21 , second wheel segment  22 , third wheel segment  23  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 , drumette guide bar  40 B, tip guide bar  42 B, wing tip module  24 , and roller  24 D of wing tip cup module  24  contacts and pivots about cam  41 B, such configuration enable different sized poultry wings PW to be accommodated by poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing one or more exemplary guide bars  15  preferably configured to assist shackle assemblies  18  with release and transfer of poultry wings PW into troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 . Preferably, shackle assemblies  18  preferably traverses around an inner circle or path relative to wing wheel  20 , as indicated by inner direction arrows  19 . 1  while wing wheel  20  traverses around an outer circle or path relative to shackle assemblies  18 , as indicated by outer direction arrows  19 , whereby wing wheel  20  pulls and shackle assemblies  18  releases poultry wings PW into troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 , and poultry wings PW is preferably held therein by guide bars  15 , such as drumette guide bar  40 B (and tip guide bar  42 B), which transfers or releases drumette D of poultry wings PW to first wheel segment  21  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  in preparation for portioning. 
     It is recognized herein that poultry wing segmenter  10  is preferably configured to remove or transfer poultry wings PW from shackle assemblies  18  to wing wheel  20  prior to cutting poultry wings PW into is segments. 
     It is recognized herein that poultry wing segmenter  10  is preferably configured to provide wing wheel  20  to have troughs  25  with adjacent pivoting wing tip cup module  24  activated or operated by cam  41 B to facilitate transfer of poultry wings PW from shackle assemblies  18  to wing wheel  20  prior to cutting poultry wings PW into its segments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing one or more stationary knives or blades, such as first blade  50 . Preferably, first blade  50  includes releasable holder  52 , an adjustment device, such as collar adjuster  56 , shaft  54  affixed to frame  12 , and blade attachment device  59  and blade guard  58 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , further rotation or movement of poultry wings PW about wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , causes poultry wings PW to come in contact with first blade  50  cutting the poultry wing PW at the mid or elbow joint positioned between the drumette D and flat FL while the poultry wings PW are bent about the mid or elbow joint positioned between the drumette D and flat FL by preferably drumette guide bar  40 B. 
     It is recognized herein that first poultry wings PW, as shown in  FIG. 6 , further movement of first poultry wings PW about wing wheel  20  causes further outward bending of first poultry wings PW at the mid or elbow joint positioned between the drumette D and flat FL to provide Grade A high speed elbow joint cuts between drumette D and flat FL without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow and contaminations thereof. 
     It is recognized herein that the configuration set forth in  FIG. 6 , more specifically first wheel segment  21 , second wheel segment  22 , are preferably contoured or convex configuration of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 , drumette guide bar  40 B, such configuration enables cutting by first blade  50  of poultry wing PW at the mid or elbow joint positioned between drumette D and flat FL while the poultry wings PW are bent about contoured or convex configuration of troughs  25 . Contoured or convex configuration of troughs of poultry wing segmenter  10  preferably separates the elbow joint between the drumette D and flat FL to provide Grade A high speed elbow joint cuts between drumette D and flat FL without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow and contaminations thereof. 
     It is recognized herein that the configuration set forth in this  FIG. 6 , more specifically wing wheel  20 , in which the poultry wings PW are vertically positioned and presented for being cut into drumette D, and flats FL, at this stage of the sequence. Specifically, such horizontally rotatable wing wheel  20  has one or more annular slots or grooves, such as first annular slot  27  into which first blade  50  is preferably positioned. With poultry wing PW received in one of contoured troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  such that the elbow joint of such poultry wing PW aligns respectively with first annular slot  27  of wing wheel  20 , poultry wing segmenter  10  is preferably configured to draw first blade  50  through such first annular slot  27  so as to cut apart poultry wing PW at the respective elbow joint between drumette D and flat FL. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing poultry wings PW released from shackle assemblies  18  into troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 , and poultry wings PW is preferably held therein by guide bars  15 , such as drumette guide bar  40 B (and drumette exit guide bar  40 C), which transfers or releases drumette D of poultry wings PW to first wheel segment  21  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  in preparation for portioning. Preferably, at this sequence, poultry wings PW is preferably separated or portioned at the elbow joint between the drumette D and flat FL by first blade  50  and flat FL is preferably deposited or discharged onto a horizontal surface, such as slide plate  64  positioned therein at least one of annular slots or grooves, such as second annular slot  28 . Flat FL is preferably further rotated by wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , and second wheel segment  22  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  and slide plate  64  are preferably configured to carry or hold flat FL, as indicated by direction arrows  19 , until flat FL reaches slide plate edge  65  where flat FL is preferably discharged into a bin, shoot, or receptacle (shown in  FIG. 11 ) for collecting flat FL. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing one or more stationary knives or blades, such as second blade  70 . Preferably, poultry wing segmenter  10  includes second blade  70  similarly affixed to frame  12  as first blade  50  and includes releasable holder  72  and blade handle  70 C. Second blade  70  preferably includes bifurcated blade  70 A, beveled edge  70 E, guide wire  70 B, blade handle  70 C, and blade opening  70 C. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , further rotation or movement of poultry wings PW about wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , causes poultry wings PW to traverse guide wire  70 B, and aligned contact with bifurcated blade  70 A of second blade  70  cutting the poultry wing PW at the lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T while the poultry wings PW are bent about the lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T preferably by tip guide bar  42 B (as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 ). 
     It is recognized herein that first poultry wings PW, as shown in  FIG. 8 , further movement of first poultry wings PW about wing wheel  20  causes beveled edge  70 E to separate the lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T to provide Grade A high speed lower or wrist joint cuts between the flat FL and tip T without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow and contaminations thereof. 
     It is recognized herein that first poultry wings PW, as shown in  FIG. 8 , further movement of first poultry wings PW about wing wheel  20  causes further outward bending of first poultry wings PW at the lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T to provide Grade A high speed lower or wrist joint cuts between the flat FL and tip T without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow and contaminations thereof. 
     It is recognized herein that the configuration set forth in  FIG. 8 , more specifically second wheel segment  22 , third wheel segment  23 , are preferably contoured or convex configuration of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20 , tip guide bar  42 B, wing tip cup module  24 , and/or roller  24 D of wing tip module  24 , such configuration enables cutting by second blade  70  of poultry wing PW at the lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T while the poultry wings PW are bent about contoured or convex configuration of troughs  25 . Contoured or convex configuration of troughs of poultry wing segmenter  10  preferably separates the lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T to provide Grade A high speed elbow joint cuts between flat FL and tip T without producing shattered or fragmented bone segments, exposed open bone areas, and/or bone marrow and contaminations thereof. 
     It is recognized herein that the configuration set forth in this  FIG. 8 , more specifically wing wheel  20 , in which the poultry wings PW are vertically positioned and presented for being cut into flats FL and tip T, at this stage of the sequence. Specifically, such horizontally rotatable wing wheel  20  has one or more annular slots or grooves, such as second annular slot  28  into which second blade  70  is preferably positioned. With poultry wing PW received in one of contoured troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  such that lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T aligns respectively with second annular slot of wing wheel  20 , poultry wing segmenter  10  is preferably configured to draw second blade  70  through such second annular slot  28  so as to cut apart poultry wing PW at the respective lower or wrist joint positioned between the flat FL and tip T. 
     Moreover, as shackle assemblies  18  preferably traverses around wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , poultry wings PW is preferably separated or portioned at the elbow joint between the drumette D and flat FL by first blade  50  and flat FL is preferably deposited or discharged onto a horizontal surface, such as slide plate  64  positioned therein at least one of annular slots or grooves, such as second annular slot  28  and poultry wings PW is preferably separated or portioned at the lower or wrist joint between the flat FL and tip T by second blade  70  and tip T is preferably held by tip guide bar  42 B in third wheel segment  23  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  as roller  24 D of wing tip cup module  24  contacts and pivots about cam  41 B, such wing tip cup module  24  is preferably configured to fold tip T of poultry wings PW and hold tip T of poultry wings PW as poultry wings PW traverses wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing operation of tip cup module  24  about cam  41 B. Preferably cam  41 B includes one or more cams, such as cam  41 B 1 , cam  41 B 2 , and cam  41 B 3  and such cams are positioned and supported by cam supports  41 A, (including  41 A 1 ,  41 A 2 ,  41 A 3 ,  41 A 4 , and  41 A 5 ) positioned between frame  12  and cams  41 B. Preferably, as poultry wings PW continues its sequence roller  24 D of wing tip cup module  24  contacts and pivots about cams  41 B 1 , such that wing tip cup module  24  is preferably configured to pivot and fold tip T of poultry wings PW and hold tip T of poultry wings PW. Preferably, as poultry wings PW continues its sequence roller  24 D of wing tip cup module  24  contacts and pivots about cams  41 B 2 , such that wing tip cup module  24  bends or pivots to releases tip T of poultry wings PW to preferably discharged tip T into a bin, shoot, or receptacle (shown in  FIG. 11 ) for collecting tip T as poultry wings PW traverses wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     It is recognized herein that the configuration set forth in  FIG. 9 , preferably enables wing tip cup module  24  to pivot in and out of poultry wing segmenter  10 , and more specifically pivot in and out relative to wing wheel  20  to enable tip T of the poultry wings PW to be loaded and closed to hold tip T of the poultry wings PW in wing wheel  20  for cutting, and opens again after cutting to enable tip T of the poultry wings PW to be discharged into a bin, shoot, or receptacle (shown in  FIG. 11 ) for collecting tip T as poultry wings PW traverses wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10 . It is further recognized herein that tip T will not release or discharge from of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  unless wing tip cup module  24  pivots about pin  24 B by movement of roller  24 D across cam  41 B. 
     Moreover, if the tip T of the poultry wings PW happens to stick to wing tip cup module  24  and tip T is unable to discharge poultry wing segmenter  10 , poultry wing segmenter preferably includes rotational unloader bar  82  rotationally affixed to frame  12  and a bias mechanism, such as spring  82 A. Preferably unloader bar  82  is disposed or positioned adjacent open tip cup module  24  to contact tip T stuck in wing tip cup module  24  and discharged tip T into a bin, shoot, or receptacle (shown in  FIG. 11 ) for collecting tip T as poultry wings PW traverses wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing slide plate  64  configured to carry flat FL, as indicated by direction arrows  19 . Preferably second wheel segment  22  of troughs  25  of wing wheel  20  and slide plate  64  are preferably configured to carry flat FL, as indicated by direction arrows  19 , until flat FL reaches slide plate edge  65  where flat FL is preferably discharged or falls into a bin, shoot, or receptacle (shown in  FIG. 11 ) for collecting flat FL. 
     Moreover, as poultry wings PW traverses around wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , drumette D of poultry wings PW preferably contacts outside drumette guide bar  40 B 1  and inside drumette guide bar  40 B 2 , both preferably configured to urge and/or pull drumette D from troughs  25  of first wheel segment  21  of wing wheel  20  of poultry wing segmenter  10  preferably discharged drumette D into a bin, shoot, or receptacle (shown in  FIG. 11 ) for collecting flat FL. It is recognized that outside drumette guide bar  40 B 1  and inside drumette guide bar  40 B 2  separate from one another to enable wing wheel  20  to discharged drumette D. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated a partial cutaway perspective side view of poultry wing segmenter  10  showing discharged of drumette D into a bin, shoot, hopper, or receptacle  100 . Preferably, as poultry wings PW traversearound wing wheel  20 , as indicated by direction arrows  19 , drumette D of poultry wings PW is preferably released from poultry wing segmenter  10  as outside drumette guide bar  40 B 1  and inside drumette guide bar  40 B 2  separate from one another as shown by gap  84  to enable wing wheel  20  to discharged drumette D into receptacle  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12  by way of example, and not limitation, there is illustrated poultry wings PW. Preferably, poultry wing segmenter  10  segments or portions poultry wings PW by cutting poultry wings PW at the elbow joint EJ between the drumette D and flat FL, and at the tip joint TJ between the flat FL and tip T sections to produce separate poultry wing segments drumette D, flat FL, and tip T. 
     The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those ordinarily skilled in the art that the disclosures within are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one ordinarily skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Moreover, the present invention has been described in detail; it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.