Abstract:
A tool, or probe, is provided for insertion into a avian or poultry carcass for removing the crop and/or windpipe and/or gullet and/or other undesired viscera from the neck of the bird carcass. The probe has helical threads protruding from a probe body. V-shaped voids are cut into the helical threads to provide teeth for removal of the crop and other inedible viscera from the carcass. A cam and method of manufacturing a cam for use in decropping machines and other food processing machinery is provided. The cam includes plastic guides that are pre-shaped in two dimensions and then wrapped about a three dimensional cam frame to provide a desired path for a cam follower.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates, generally, to poultry processing devices and other machinery used in food processing. One aspect of the invention relates to a system for removing the crop, gullet and viscera from poultry carcasses that have been previously slaughtered and at least partially eviscerated as the poultry carcasses are suspended by their legs and moved in series along an overhead conveyor. In particular, this aspect of the present invention relates to a probe or probe tip for attachment to a probe arm, or decropping tool, that is inserted into the neck of an eviscerated and decapitated carcass for capture and removal of the crop and/or windpipe and/or gullet from the neck of the bird carcass. In addition, the present invention relates to a cam for use in a decropping machine, or in other food processing machinery that utilize cam controlled movement.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     In the processing of poultry, chickens for example, a bird is beheaded, defeathered and eviscerated by cutting a vent in the bird and removing the heart, liver, intestines, lungs and other viscera from the bird. Various means for automated effecting of the foregoing operations are known in the art.  
         [0003]     Following the above decapitation and evisceration process, it is necessary to remove the crop and gullet and possibly some remaining viscera from the bird. This can be done by hand, but in recent years automated equipment has been developed for removing the crop, etc. from birds. In general, the bird carcass hanging neck down on a conveyor with the carcass breast part facing either toward or away from a processing machine, passes to a decropping operation wherein carcass parts commonly accepted as being inedibles are removed using a probe, these parts comprising the crop, trachea, esophagus, and membrane. After the crop has been pulled as described above, the probes are generally cleaned and then retracted in an upward direction so the probe heads are withdrawn back through the bird before the bird moves with the conveyor line away from the machine.  
         [0004]     The automated equipment in common use at the present time for the removal of the crops of birds comprises a rotary machine placed in the overhead conveyor line of a poultry processing plant. The conveyor line rotates an outer turret of the machine about an inner stationary support frame. The inner stationary support frame includes a cam. Cam followers are attached to probes mounted at the circumference of the turret that revolve with the turret. As the birds are moved about the cam via the turret, the probes following the cam move downwardly into the previously opened vents of the birds, and downwardly through the neck opening of the birds and pull the crops and other viscera with them as they move out of the neck openings. The probes usually are rotated during its downward movement, and the heads of the probes include teeth or other protrusions that tend to gather the crop, etc. during the rotational movement. After the crop has been pulled as described above, the probes are then retracted by following the cam track in an upward direction so that the probe heads are withdrawn back through the bird before the bird moves with the conveyor line away from the machine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,050 to Tieleman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,749 to Hazenbroek et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,350 to Hunking et al., incorporated herein in their entirety by reference, disclose crop removal machines of this general type.  
         [0005]     As discussed above, automated crop removal can be accomplished with a rotary probe which enters the carcass cavity to remove the crop and other viscera parts by grabbing same, the probe being designed to enter and pass down through the neck passage and outwardly of the carcass, the removed crop and other viscera parts then being cleared from the probe before it retracts upwardly through the carcass for a new decropping operation. The inventions described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,050 and 4,788,749 are representative of such probe devices.  
         [0006]     The rotary probes described in the above-referenced patents, as well as most others used in the industry, are rigid, for example, metal components. Further the probes have rigid teeth, commonly placed at opposite diametrical locations on the probe. If a carcass that is to be decropped is only slightly misaligned with respect to the operating travel path of the rotary probe, the probe, which travels a fixed course through the carcass, may drive through the side of the carcass. The resulting damage can require reworking of the carcass, or even render the carcass incapable of reworking and thus result in a loss of yield.  
         [0007]     Another disadvantage of prior art rotary probes is the potential for damage caused by the rigid teeth of the probe. The teeth are used to grab the membrane, crop, etc. to be removed. In doing this, as well as in passing through the carcass generally, these rigid elements can strike and break carcass ribs, shoulder bones, pulley bones, etc., and the tooth action also can chew up the neck bone. All such damage leads to additional problems in subsequent processing of the carcass. Yet another disadvantage of prior art probes is due to the orientation and arrangement of the teeth, which usually comprise rather large open areas or voids. The existence of such larger voids makes the capture of smaller and springier tissues difficult.  
         [0008]     While newer probes, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,350, have been developed that are flexibly structured to greatly reduce damage caused by misalignment of the probe with the carcass and damage caused by the probe teeth, the aggressive shape and/or orientation of the teeth continue to cause carcass damage. Moreover, increasing the flexibility of the probe teeth results in decreased effectiveness in removal of the crop from the carcass. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a probe that reduces damage caused by misalignment and by probe teeth encountering obstructions (such as bones), while at the same time maintaining effective crop removal.  
         [0009]     Most prior art probes require the inclusion of a blunt foremost tip, or distal probe end, which defines the maximum diameter of the probe and the teeth extending from the probe. The purpose of such a distal probe end is to provide a “lead-in” for the probe teeth. The lead-in protects the teeth from breaking as the probe initially enters and moves through the carcass. While the lead-in tip does help to protect the teeth from breaking, it primarily benefits the teeth most closely positioned to the tip. This single lead-in does not provide protection for individual teeth, especially located away from the distal end of the probe. Therefore, it would be beneficial to provide a lead-in for a probe that protects individual teeth, especially those situated away from the distal end of the probe.  
         [0010]     The cam discussed above with respect to the decropping machines of the prior art is similar to the cams used in numerous other food processing machinery of the prior art, such as the product transfer station described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,082, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Due to USDA requirements, the materials from which cams for decropping machines, product transfer stations, and other food processing machinery, can be constructed is limited primarily to stainless steel or plastic. Thus, two variations of prior art cams currently exist for food processing machinery; a welded steel cam, and a machined nylon or plastic cam. Both prior art cams are extremely labor intensive and expensive to manufacture.  
         [0011]     Manufacture of the welded steel cam generally requires that linear steel tubing (rods, strips, channels or the like) be incrementally bent about a cam frame and welded to the generally cylindrical or conical cam frame to form the cam track. Due to the difficulty of bending the steel tubing to form the desired position of the cam track, manufacture of a steel cam is extremely time consuming and often inaccurate. Often the steel cam frame is a steel drum, from the surface of which the cam track protrudes. Alternatively, the frame is sometimes manufactured in a more open framework arrangement to allow for easier cleaning of the machine.  
         [0012]      FIGS. 8 and 8 A show a welded steel cam assembly of the prior art intended for use with a decropping machine.  FIG. 8  shows welded steel cam  63  statically mounted to vertical axle  72  within a turret assembly.  FIG. 8A  shows welded steel cam  63  statically mounted to vertical axle  72 , with the turret assembly removed. Vertical axle  72  is mounted to a support frame (not shown). The turret assembly includes lower rotary disk  76  and upper rotary disk  74 , which are mounted to vertical axle  72  via rotational bearings. A plurality of guide rods  52  extend between the outer peripheries of lower disk  76  and upper disk  74 , with guide rods  52  being attached at their upper ends to upper disk  74 . Although two guides rods  52  are shown in  FIG. 8  for purposes of example, it is understood that additional guide rods can be included in actual operation of the decropping machine arranged in a circumferential array about lower disk  76  and upper disk  74 . The combination of lower disk  76 , upper disk  74 , and guide rods  52  form a rigid turret that is rotatable about stationary vertical axle  72  and stationary cam  63 .  
         [0013]     Cam  63  is positioned inside the array of guide rods  52  and is mounted in fixed relationship with respect to stationary vertical axle  72 . Cam track  67  is formed by a pair of rails or tubes that is welded to and protrudes from the outer surface of cam  63 . Transmission components  54  are slideably mounted to guide rods  56  and each includes a cam follower roller  62  (not shown) that rides within cam track  67  so as to move upward and downward as the turret and guide rods  52  are rotated around cam  63 . Probe rods  56  are mounted to transmission components  54  so as to slide up and down with transmission components  54 . Probes  60  are mounted to the end of probe rods  56  upward and downward movement with transmission components  54  and probe rods  56 . Transmission components  54  also include a drive mechanism (not shown) which provides rotation of probe rods  56  and probes  60  as they move up and down through a carcass.  
         [0014]     As an alternative to the welded steel cam, the other variation of the prior art cams for use in food processing machinery is manufactured of nylon. Such a cam is machined from a large block or drum of nylon wherein the cam track is grooved into the nylon. The machined cam allows for increased accuracy of the cam track over that of the welded steel cam. Nevertheless, such a large block of nylon is of itself extremely expensive, and the machining is time consuming and costly. In addition, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to manufacture a nylon cam having an open framework, as such a cam is machined from a single piece of nylon. While nylon cams are often machined down close to the cam track, there still exists a single, continuous ring of nylon. Thus, cleaning of machines utilizing nylon cams is often difficult.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 9 and 9 A show a machined nylon cam assembly of the prior art intended for use with a decropping machine.  FIG. 9  shows nylon cam  63  statically mounted to vertical axle  72  within a turret assembly.  FIG. 9A  shows nylon cam  63  statically mounted to vertical axle  72 , with the turret assembly removed. The turret assembly shown in  FIG. 9  is constructed and operates in the same manner as the turret assembly described above with respect to  FIG. 8 , the only difference being the use of a nylon cam in place of the welded steel cam. Nylon cam  63 , shown in  FIGS. 9 and 9 A, include cam track  67  which is a channel or groove machined into (instead of protruding from) the cam surface.  
         [0016]     A disadvantage of both the welded steel cams and the machined nylon cams of the prior art discussed above, is the fact that the cam tracks cannot be altered once the cam is manufactured. Thus, if it is desired to change the cam track path in a machine for any reason, such as to alter the rate in which a decropper probe moves downward or upward through a carcass, it is necessary to disassemble the machine, remove the cam and install a new cam. Such a process can be extremely time consuming and expensive. In addition the path of a cam track is manufactured into the cam based upon the direction of rotation (i.e. clockwise or counter-clockwise). If the path has the proper shape, but is manufactured into the cam in the wrong direction, the machine usually will not function, and a new cam is necessary. If a cam is being replaced in an existing machine, and the wrong cam is obtained (i.e. clockwise when a counter-clockwise is required), the machine will often be out of service until a new cam can be ordered and delivered. This can be extremely costly to a food processing facility. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cam for use in food processing machinery that is easier and less expensive to manufacture and clean than those of the prior art, and which has a cam path that is easy to reverse and/or modify.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a probe for use in poultry decropping apparatus which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.  
         [0018]     It is another object of the invention to provide a probe for poultry decropping apparatus which functions while producing fewer broken carcass bones and other incidents of carcass damage.  
         [0019]     Another object of the invention to provide a probe for poultry decropping, the employment of which results in less carcass rework, higher meat yield and a safer final product.  
         [0020]     Yet another object is to provide a probe for poultry decropping which removes a higher percentage of membrane, crop, trachea and esophagus inedibles from a poultry carcass than possible with known probe constructions.  
         [0021]     A still further object is to provide a probe for poultry carcass decropping which is flexibly structured to minimize its potential to cause carcass damage yet is highly effective to the end of snagging and removing and pulling away inedibles from the carcass.  
         [0022]     Another object is to provide a probe for poultry carcass decropping which is easier to clean than prior probes and therefore lessens processing contamination.  
         [0023]     A further object is to provide a probe having tissue support portions, or lead-ins, positioned precedent to the snagging tooth or void to space more continuously rigid tissues from capture in the void and to allow smaller and springier tissues to be captured in the void or by the teeth.  
         [0024]     Another object of this invention is to provide a durable and inexpensive poultry crop removal system which functions reliably to remove the crop and related viscera from birds as the birds move in series through an automated poultry processing system.  
         [0025]     Another object of this invention is to provide an improved probe head which is effective to engage and gather the crop and related viscera of a bird as the probe head moves downwardly through the visceral cavity and through the neck opening of a decapitated, partially eviscerated bird.  
         [0026]     The objects of the instant invention are accomplished through a probe that includes a probe head of special design that is adapted to engage the crop, gullet and related viscera as the probe rotates and moves through the visceral cavity and neck opening of the bird. The probe includes a generally cylindrical support surface from which helical threads protrude. V-shaped voids are cut into the helical threads to form teeth. The outer diameter of the helical threads function as lead-ins for each tooth.  
         [0027]     An additional object of the instant invention is to provide an improved cam assembly for use with a decropping machine and various other machinery, and especially food processing machinery.  
         [0028]     Another object of the instant invention is to provide a cam assembly that is easy to manufacture with a high degree of cam path accuracy, and which is easy to clean during or after operation.  
         [0029]     Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a cam assembly for which the cam path is reversible and/or easily modified.  
         [0030]     The objects of the instant invention are accomplished through a cam assembly that includes a cam frame and plastic guides mounted to the frame. The guides are made from a two-dimensional sheet of plastic and wrapped around the three-dimensional frame.  
         [0031]     The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of the invention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possible embodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawings comprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations of invention may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of this invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     Preferred embodiments of the invention, illustrative of the best modes in which the applicant has contemplated applying the principles, are set forth in the following description and are shown in the drawings and are particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a vertical central section of a poultry carcass depicting the location in the carcass of the crop and certain other inedibles that are to be removed in a decropping operation;  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is an elevational view with parts in section of apparatus with which decropping of a poultry carcass can be carried out, the apparatus being fitted with the probe of the instant invention;  
         [0035]      FIG. 2A  is a fragmentary elevational view on enlarged scale of a decropping unit portion of the apparatus showing details of the cropping unit mounting and means by which rotation and sliding of the probe is effected;  
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the probe of the instant invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is an end plan view of the probe shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0038]      FIGS. 5 and 5 A are side perspective views of the probe shown if  FIGS. 3 and 4 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 6  is a vertical sectional view of a poultry half carcass showing the deflection of a flexible embodiment of the probe of the instant invention when it encounters the carcass breast due to misalignment of the suspended carcass.  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a vertical sectional view through a poultry half carcass showing how the inventive probe widens the neck passage incident to travel therein for removal of the inedibles;  
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of a turret and cam assembly utilizing a prior art welded cam;  
         [0042]      FIG. 8A  is a side perspective view of the cam assembly shown if  FIG. 8  removed from the turret assembly;  
         [0043]      FIG. 9  is a side perspective view of a turret and cam assembly utilizing a prior art machined nylon cam;  
         [0044]      FIG. 9A  is a side perspective view of the cam assembly shown if  FIG. 9  removed from the turret assembly;  
         [0045]      FIG. 10  is a side perspective view of a turret and cam assembly utilizing the cam of the instant invention;  
         [0046]      FIG. 10A  is a side perspective view of the inventive cam assembly shown if  FIG. 10  removed from the turret assembly;  
         [0047]      FIG. 10B  is a side perspective view of the inventive cam assembly of  FIGS. 10 and 10 A showing a follower guide unwrapped from the cam frame.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0048]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present inventions are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.  
         [0049]     Reference is made to  FIG. 1  to allow a general description of the poultry carcass decropping operation contemplated by the instant invention. Carcass  10  (only a half section thereof being shown in  FIG. 1 ) arrives at the decropping operation headless and defeathered. The carcass is in an upside-down orientation with the neck portion of the carcass facing the floor.  
         [0050]     The stomach cavity previously has been cleaned of certain poultry parts, and the purpose of decropping is to remove certain inedible carcass parts which comprise crop  12 , esophagus  14 , trachea  16  and numerous areas of membrane  18 . Membrane 18 lines parts of cavity  20  and is also entwined with and overlays the other inedibles shown in  FIG. 1 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are lung  22 , carcass ribs  24  and carcass neck  26  having passage  28  wherein both the trachea and esophagus extend.  
         [0051]     Crop  12  is depicted in dashed line to reflect that the crop lies behind the plane of the view shown in  FIG. 1  to one side of carcass intermediate meat  30  of carcass  10 , and the skin; the crop being close to the shoulder and being attached to the esophagus as at  32 . In the decropping process, a decropping tool carrying a probe is inserted in cavity  20 . During its travel downwardly toward neck passage  28  the probe will snag trachea part  14 A first to start a capture and pulling of crop  12  and rotating to bring crop  12  into the cavity and moving downward toward portal  34  of neck passage  28 . As the probe arrives at portal  34  it is carrying trachea part  14 A and it may also have started a snagging of membrane  18  such that a good grip on the inedibles by the probe is first realized.  
         [0052]     As the probe passes through neck passage  28 , pull away of trachea  14 , membrane  18  and esophagus  14  continues so that eventually the neck passage is free of those inedibles. Once outside of carcass  10  and below neck  26 , the inedibles will be cleaned from the probe with, for example, a counter rotating brush. Following removal of the inedibles from the probe, the rotation of the tool will be reversed as the tool and probe thereon are raised back up through and out of the decropped carcass ready for the next operating cycle on a new carcass. Proper entry of the probe into the portal region  34  of the neck passage, without encountering any obstruction within the cavity, requires appropriate alignment of the carcass with respect to the fixed travel path of the probe. Obtaining appropriate carcass alignment is often difficult, if not impossible. Thus, the rigid probe constructions of the prior art, coupled with the rotating nature of the probe, can result in unwanted damage to the carcass such as puncture of the carcass or the breaking of bones within the carcass. Such damage requires carcass rework and even meat yield loss, which can be very costly to a poultry processing facility.  
         [0053]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 2 A, a decropping station portion of poultry carcass apparatus  40  is shown, Except for the probe and cam (not shown in detail) of the instant invention embodied in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A, of the depicted apparatus is of generally known construction. The apparatus described U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,050, 4,788,749, and 5,597,350 are exemplary of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2 A.  
         [0054]     Apparatus 40 includes upright and crosswise support framing  42  and  44 , respectively, which carries moving components such as conveyor  46  having shackles with hangars  48  from which suspended carcasses  10  hang. Carcasses  10  pass serially through the decropping station. Each carcass  10  hangs by the legs with its breast facing inwardly toward the machine, although carcass orientation could be reversed so that the carcass back faces the machine without effecting the decropping process. Associated with each carcass  10  is a decropping, or inedibles removal unit, shown generally at  50 , decropping unit  50  travels in tandem with the shackles. The shackle/decropping unit travel is such that during the decropping operation, the carcass  10  shown at the right of  FIG. 2  approaches the viewer and makes a turnaround 180 degrees to the left so as to depart from the viewer, with the decropping occurring during this approaching and departing travel.  
         [0055]     Each decropping unit  50  includes a guide bar,  52 , on which is carried transmission component  54  which transmits rotary and sliding movement to tubular rod  56 . Probe  60  is attached to the end of tubular rod  56 . Transmission component  54  is mounted to slide along guide bar  52 . Transmission component  54  also includes bearing  55  for rotary support of transmission component  54 . Transmission component  54  is rotated via square drive rod  58  which is driven from above transmission component  54  by means and manner known in the art. Rod  58  engages with square opening  53  in cap  59  of bearing  55  such that rotation of rod  58  produces rotation of tubular rod  56 , and in turn, probe  60 . Each transmission component  54  also includes cam follower roller  62 , which rides on fixed cam guide  64 . As each decropping unit travels around the decropping station, transmission component  54  and hence, the probe  60  associated therewith, is slid downward and then upward in the straight line of travel defined by the longitudinal axis of probe  60 .  
         [0056]     The embodiment of probe  60  shown in  FIG. 2  will be described further with reference to  FIGS. 3-5 . Probe  60  has an elongated probe body (or support surface)  66 , preferably of cylindrical or conical configuration and on which is carried a plurality of teeth  68 , the teeth  68  being formed by cutting V-shaped voids  84  in helical threads  81 ,  82  and  83  that extend along and protrude from probe body  66 . Threaded void  69  is located in the base end of probe  60 , opposite to probe distal end  88 , to permit probe  60  to be removably attached to probe rod  56  of a decropping machine. The teeth  68  advantageously are made integral with probe body  66  as by molding, machining or likewise forming the probe body and teeth.  
         [0057]     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , V-shaped voids  84  are made in threads  81 ,  82  and  83  by making two separate cuts along a line tangent to the cylindrical support surface  66 . A first cut is made along tangent line  87 , and a second cut is made along tangent line  85 . In a preferred embodiment the angle between tangent lines  85  and  87  is an acute angle, preferably between 5 and 10 degrees. Such results in a relatively narrow void, increasing the potential for snagging inedibles. In addition, the existence of an acute angle reduces the exposure of tooth leading edge  85  to obstructions as probe  60  travels through a carcass. As shown in  FIG. 4 , tangent cuts  85  and  87  are made along the entire length of the of probe body  66 , such that multiple teeth  68  are located along a single line that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of probe body  66 . Such an arrangement allows for easier cleaning of the probe as a brush can easily be drawn through the aligned voids and across the aligned teeth.  
         [0058]     Outer edges  86  of threads  81 ,  82  and  83  define an outermost, or maximum, diameter of probe  60 . As probe  60  rotates through a carcass, the foremost ends of threads  81 ,  83  and  83 , which terminate near probe distal end  88 , will function as lead-ins for the first of teeth  68  to engage with the carcass the is being decropped. The lead-in functions to protect teeth  68  from breaking as the probe initially enters and moves through the carcass. As probe  60  continues to rotate, the first teeth will function as lead-ins for subsequent teeth. Such is possible because outer edge  86 , which is the trailing surface of teeth  68 , defines the maximum diameter of the probe and shelters the trailing teeth as they rotate through the carcass.  
         [0059]     Although support surface  66  of probe  60  shown in  FIGS. 3-5  is generally cylindrical in shape and the outer perimeters of threads  81 ,  82  and  83  are also generally cylindrical in shape, it will be appreciated that various alternative shapes can be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. For example, in an alternative embodiment of the instant invention, the support surface  66  and the outer perimeters of threads  81 ,  82  and  83  are generally conical in shape. In this manner, the diameters of threads  81 ,  82  and  83 , and likewise the diameter of probe  60 , increase from distal end  88  toward the base of probe  60  and the maximum diameter of the probe will be located at or near the base of probe  60 . Nevertheless, the outer perimeter of the helical thread still functions as a lead-in for trailing teeth in the manner describe above. In addition, it will be appreciated that the shape of support surface  66  and that of threads  81 ,  82  and  83  can vary from each other and do not require a generally circular or cylindrical cross section. For example, support surface  66  could have a generally square or rectangular shape, while threads  81 ,  82  and  83  are generally cylindrical in shape. Furthermore, it is understood that the term “diameter” as used in the instant application and the appended claims, in no way dictates the shape of any object to which that term refers. Specifically, it is understood that the term “diameter” may refer to a line passing through the center of any figure, including but not limited to a circle, sphere, cylinder, square, cube, rectangle, or triangle.  
         [0060]     In a preferred embodiment the thread pitch is approximately between 30 and 120 millimeters, with a thread pitch of approximately 60 millimeters being preferred. Such a thread pitch provides a suitable angle of attack for the teeth to move forward through carcass  10  adequately removing the inedibles while also limiting the aggressiveness of the decropping procedure. Decreasing thread pitch will result in increased crop engagement with the teeth as a higher number of rotations will be necessary to move the probe through the same length of carcass  10 ; however, decreasing thread pitch will also result in a more aggressive angle of attack of teeth  68  with the sides of carcass  10  and will be more likely to result in carcass damage.  
         [0061]     In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , probe  60  includes three helical threads,  81 ,  82 , and  83 , each spaced approximately 120 degrees apart from one another. The use of multiple threads  81 ,  82  and  83  provides three separate paths through carcass  10  along the same length of probe  60  as would be present with a single thread. Such allows multiple opportunities for teeth  68  to engage with the inedibles in carcass  10 , while at the same time permitting the angle of attack of each tooth  68  to be reduced with respect to the side of carcass  10 . The helical threads of the preferred embodiment of probe  60  shown in  FIGS. 3-5  have a slightly concave shape, as opposed to being primarily perpendicular to probe body  66 , to further reduce the angle of attack of each tooth with respect to the sides of carcass  10 .  
         [0062]     In a preferred embodiment, polymeric based compositions are used for constructing probe  60 , including teeth  68 , to be flexibly structured. In such a preferred embodiment, a selected polymer will be one approved by the USDA for use with dry, aqueous and fatty foods. Particularly suited is a urethane based material made from VIBRATHANE 8007 prepolymer manufactured by Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc. of Middlebury, Conn. cured with VIBRACURE A 125 extender of the same company or with 1,4 Butanediol or mixtures of these extenders. It is appreciated that other materials, such as plastics, resin, metal, and which may or may not result in flexible structure of probe  60  or teeth  68 , could be used to construct probe  60  without departing from the scope of the instant invention.  
         [0063]      FIG. 6  shows a carcass-probe misalignment condition, i.e., where probe longitudinal axis T is offset relative to portal  34 , such that a non-flexible probe will most likely result in damage to the carcass. In  FIG. 6 , the misalignment is shown as such that axis T intersects the breast side of the carcass. It is equally possible that misalignment could occur at the other side of the carcass, i.e., the carcass back side or either flank of the carcass, such that axis T intersects the carcass. As the tip of a flexibly structured probe  60 , such as that of the preferred embodiment discussed above, encounters the breast or the back side of the carcass, deflection (bending) of probe  60  will occur and damage to the carcass will be avoided.  
         [0064]     Entry of the probe tip end into the neck passage from the portal will force spreading enlargement of the neck structure to accommodate the probe pass through. In pass through of the neck passage, probe  60 , positioned as shown in  FIG. 7 , will snag any membrane therein, will pull away the trachea and esophagus portions in the neck as well as the inedibles pulled away earlier so that as the probe passes out of the neck it will pull along the trailing removed inedibles in addition to those snagged and wrapped around the probe itself.  
         [0065]      FIG. 10  shows the wrapped cam assembly of the instant invention as it is used with a decropping machine. In  FIG. 10  wrapped cam  63  is statically mounted to vertical axle  72  within a turret assembly of a decropping machine.  FIG. 10A  shows wrapped cam  63  statically mounted to vertical axle  72 , without the turret assembly shown in  FIG. 10 . As discussed above with respect to the prior art cam assemblies, vertical axle  72  is mounted to a support frame (not shown). The turret assembly includes lower rotary disk  76  and upper rotary disk  74 , which are mounted to vertical axle  72  via rotational bearings. A plurality of guide rods  52  extend between the outer peripheries of lower disk  76  and upper disk  74 , with guide rods  52  being attached at their upper ends to upper disk  74 . Although two guides rods  52  are shown in  FIG. 8  for purposes of example, it is understood and appreciated that additional guide rods can be included in actual operation of the decropping machine arranged in a circumferential array about lower disk  76  and upper disk  74 . The combination of lower disk  76 , upper disk  74 , and guide rods  52  form a rigid turret that is rotatable about stationary vertical axle  72  and stationary cam  63 .  
         [0066]     Wrapped cam  63  is positioned inside the array of guide rods  52  and is mounted in fixed relationship with respect to stationary vertical axle  72 . Cam  63  is made of a steel frame or cage that includes upper support member  78 , lower support member  79 , and a plurality vertical support members  76  which are connected together to form the frame of rigid cam  63 . Upper support member  78  and lower support member  79  are statically connected to vertical axle  72  to provide the fixed relationship between cam  63  and axle  72 .  
         [0067]     Cam track  67  is formed by a pair of guide rails, or plastic strips ( 64  and  65 ), that are wrapped around the cage of cam  63  and attached to vertical support members  76 . Transmission components  54  are slideably mounted to guide rods  56  and each includes a cam follower roller  62  (not shown) that rides within cam track  67  so as to move upward and downward as the turret and guide rods  52  are rotated around cam  63 . Probe rods  56  are mounted to transmission components  54  so as to slide up and down with transmission components  54 . Probes  60  are mounted to the end of probe rods  56  for upward and downward movement with transmission components  54  and probe rods  56 . Transmission components  54  also include a drive mechanism (not shown) which provides rotation of probe rods  56  and probes  60  as they move up and down through a carcass.  
         [0068]      FIG. 10B  illustrates how cam path  67  for the wrapped cam of the instant invention is made.  FIG. 10B  shows lower boundary plastic guide  64  in an unwrapped, planar arrangement, and upper boundary plastic guide  65  after it has been wrapped about cam  63 . A desired cam path is established about the three-dimensional cam  63  based upon the path of travel desired for the cam follower. The desired cam path generally includes an upper boundary and a lower boundary. The three-dimensional upper and lower boundaries are translated into two-dimensional representations, such that when the two-dimensional representation is wrapped around the surface of cam  63 , it will form the three dimensional boundary. In other words, the cam surface is essentially unwrapped from its three-dimensional shape and into a flat shape. This unwrapping of the three-dimensional boundaries into two-dimensional representations can be accomplished physically, mathematically, by modeling, or by any other means currently known or later discovered. In the preferred embodiment, the two-dimensional representations are determined through the use of mathematical modeling.  
         [0069]     Once two-dimensional representations of the upper and lower boundaries are determined, those representations will be utilized to shape upper and lower plastic guides,  65  and  64  respectively. Plastic guides  64  and  65  are cut from a flat sheet of plastic using any suitable cutting tool known or discovered. In the preferred embodiment, either a laser or water jet cutter is used for production efficiency and accuracy. The plastic guides are then wrapped around cam  63  and attached to vertical support members  76  at the appropriate position for the desired cam path.  
         [0070]     Plastic guides  64  and  65  include a plurality of voids or holes through which bolts, screws, or other means for attachment can be extended to attach the guides to support members  76 . Likewise, support members  76  include a plurality of voids or holes through which bolts, screws, etc. can be extended and which align with the holes located in the plastic guides. In addition, support members  76  of the shown embodiment include extra holes along the length of the support member to provide alternative locations for the attachment of either additional plastic guides, or plastic guides of varying cam paths. Such an arrangement allows cam path  67  for any cam  63  of the instant invention to be easily modified by removing the plastic guides and installing new ones without the need for replacement of the entire cam assembly as is necessary in prior art assemblies. In addition, in the event it is desired or else required to reverse the direction of the cam while maintaining the original cam path, such can be accomplished merely by removal of plastic guides  64  and  65  from the cam, turning the guides over and reinstalling to the cam. Thus, the need to maintain two separate cams having identical but reversed cam paths present in the prior art is eliminated. Furthermore, custom cam paths can be quickly, easily and cost-efficiently manufactured.  
         [0071]     It will be appreciated, that although wrapped cam  63  of the instant invention and shown in  FIGS. 10, 10A  and  10 B is shown in connection with a decropping machine, the wrapped cam is intended to, and will be, used in connection with any machinery in which cams are utilized, including but not limited to the product distribution station disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,082, and/or other food processing machinery.  
         [0072]     In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover, the description and illustration of the inventions is by way of example, and the scope of the inventions is not limited to the exact details shown or described.  
         [0073]     Certain changes may be made in embodying the above invention, and in the construction thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not meant in a limiting sense.  
         [0074]     Having now described the features, discoveries and principles of the invention, the manner in which the inventive apparatuses and methods are constructed and used, the characteristics of the construction, and advantageous, new and useful results obtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appended claims.  
         [0075]     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.