Poultry processing improvement

Claim 2

An improved method for processing a partially eviscerated poultry carcass, said method comprising: holding the carcass suspended by the legs from a shackle with the neck extending downwardly; engaging the stern and neck of the carcass against displacement; cutting the neck at a point below said shoulders; lowering a vacuum nozzle into the body cavity of the carcass through an incision in the stern thereof; and reciprocating the nozzle within said cavity to clear the cavity of debris while the carcass is thus suspended and engaged.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 wherein the position of the carcass stern and shoulders are first detected and the vacuum nozzle and means for severing are positioned in accordance therewith.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 wherein the carcass is being continuously moved along a path.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 wherein the vacuum nozzle is lowered substantially simultaneously with the engaging and cutting of the neck.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 wherein the neck is engaged at a location closely adjacent the carcass shoulders and is cut immediately below said location.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 including a step of estimating the approximate position of a selected anatomical feature of the carcass and wherein the nozzle is cyclically reciprocated with respect to said feature.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein a vacuum is applied through said nozzle during upward movement thereof and the nozzle is rotated from side to side.

Claim 9

An improved apparatus for processing a partially eviscerated poultry carcass suspended from shackle means by the legs with the neck thereof extending downwardly, said apparatus comprising: means for engaging the stern and neck of the carcass against displacement; means for cutting the neck of the carcass at a point adjacent the engaging means; a vacuum nozzle mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the suspended carcass and into the body cavity thereof; and means to raise and lower said vacuum nozzle with respect to the carcass.

Claim 10

An improved apparatus for processing a partially eviscerated poultry carcass suspended from shackle means by the legs with the neck thereof extending downwardly, said apparatus comprising: means for engaging the stern and neck of the carcass against displacement; means for cutting the neck of the carcass at a point adjacent the engaging means; a vacuum nozzle mounted for reciprocal movement with respect to the suspended carcass and into the body cavity thereof; and means to raise and lower said vacuum nozzle with respect to the carcass.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 8 including sensor means movable to detect the position of the carcass shoulders and stern, said sensor means being connected to position said vacuum nozzle and said means for cutting the neck.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 9 including proportioning means connected between said sensor means for approximating the relative position of a selected anatomical feature of the carcass, and control means for cyclically reciprocating said vacuum nozzle with respect to said proportioning means.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 8 including actuating means to pivot and rotate said nozzle and valve means to control the vacuum to said nozzle.

Claim 14

The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the means for engaging the neck of the carcass is carried on the sensor means movable to detect the position of the carcass shoulders.