Patent ID: 7597615

Claim:
A device for conveying slaughter fowl, the fowl comprising a head, neck, a body comprising a breast and shoulders, and legs, the device comprising: a first conveyor comprising at least one head carrier, wherein the head carrier is movable along a path of the first conveyor, wherein the first conveyor is adapted to engage the fowl only at its head, and wherein the first conveyor is adapted to convey the fowl while hanging in vertical orientation from the head carrier; a second conveyor comprising at least one double hook movable along a path of the second conveyor, the double hook comprising openings each adapted to receive a leg of the fowl and to carry the fowl while hanging from its legs, a leg support positionable along the path of the first conveyor, a leg support drive, wherein the leg support is adapted to be moved between a substantially vertical position and a substantially horizontal position, independently of the head carrier, by the leg support drive; wherein the leg support, when in the substantially vertical position, is adapted to contact at least the legs of the fowl as the fowl is hanging in vertical orientation from the head carrier of the first conveyor, wherein the leg support drive is adapted to move the leg support in contact with the legs of the fowl upward to the substantially horizontal position to position the legs of the fowl towards the double hook of the second conveyor, wherein the device is adapted to position the legs of the fowl while supported by the leg support in its horizontal position into the openings of the double hook; and wherein the device is adapted to move the leg support to its vertical position and to release the head of the fowl from the head carrier, causing the fowl to be hanging from its legs received in the openings of the double hook of the second conveyor.