System and method for transferring poultry legs

A poultry transfer system comprising:

• a supply conveyor configured to transport a plurality of poultry legs;
• and
• a poultry transfer unit configured to receive the poultry legs from the supply conveyor, the poultry transfer unit comprising:
• a transfer body;
• and
• at least one carrier engaging the transfer body and configured, such that in a transporting mode the at least one carrier moves along with the transfer body, and in a buffering mode the at least one carrier moves relative to the transfer body, the at least one carrier comprising a gripper configured for receiving one poultry leg;
• wherein the at least one carrier comprises a resistance means including a rotor and a stator, wherein the rotor is driven by a motion of the at least one carrier relative to the transfer body;
• wherein the stator is stationary with respect to the at least one carrier;
• and
• wherein the supply conveyor comprises one or more conveyor pushers adapted to move with supply shackles of the supply conveyor, and configured for selectively moving the poultry legs from the supply shackle into the gripper of the at least one carrier.

A method for transferring poultry legs from a supply conveyor to a discharge conveyor, the method comprising:

• receiving a poultry leg from the supply conveyor on a gripper mounted on a carrier movably engaging to a transfer body, wherein the carrier comprises:
• a rotor and a stator;
• wherein the rotor is driven by a motion of the carrier relative to the transfer body;
• and
• wherein the stator is stationary with respect to the carrier;
• moving the transfer body in a transporting mode, and moving the carrier to a discharge position;
• discharging the poultry leg from the gripper to the discharge conveyor;
• and
• while moving the transfer body, buffering the carrier by moving the carrier relative to the transfer body in a buffering mode prior to receiving the poultry leg and/or prior to discharging the poultry leg.