Keel harvesting apparatus and method
AssigneePrime Equipment Group, LLC
InventorGeno N. Gasbarro
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for removing a keel from a poultry carcass that is conveyed at a predetermined speed along a path. Planar members extend radially outwardly from a continuous loop driven adjacent the path at the predetermined speed. A keel-receiving gap is configured between a pair of planar members. At least one blade is disposed between the path and the continuous loop for severing the keel from the carcass. A ramp above the path has a downwardly-facing surface angled to the path for contacting the poultry carcass and adjusting its vertical position relative to the blade. A keel guide spaced from the plurality of planar members may contact the keel to adjust the keel relative to the blade.
Claims14
An apparatus for removing a keel from a poultry carcass that is conveyed at a predetermined speed along a path, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of spaced members disposed adjacent the path and defining at least one gap between the spaced members that is configured to receive the keel, the spaced members being configured to move at the predetermined speed;
- and
- (b) a blade disposed adjacent the path and the spaced members, the blade having an edge configured to sever the keel from the poultry carcass.
An apparatus for removing a keel from a poultry carcass that is conveyed at a predetermined speed along a path, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a plurality of planar members extending radially outwardly from a continuous loop configured to be driven adjacent the path at the predetermined speed, wherein at least one pair of planar members defines a keel-receiving gap therebetween that is configured to receive at least the keel;
- (b) a stationary blade with a sharp edge disposed between the path and the continuous loop for severing the keel from the carcass;
- (c) a ramp disposed above the path, the ramp having a downwardly-facing surface angled to the path for contacting, and adjusting a vertical position relative to the blade of, the poultry carcass;
- and
- (d) a keel guide disposed adjacent the path and spaced from the plurality of planar members for contacting the keel and adjusting the keel relative to the blade.
A method of removing a keel from a poultry carcass that is conveyed along a path at a predetermined speed, the method comprising:
- (a) driving a continuous loop adjacent the path at the predetermined speed, the continuous loop having at least one pair of planar members extending radially outwardly therefrom to define a keel-receiving gap therebetween that receives at least the keel;
- (b) disposing a ramp above the poultry carcass, wherein the ramp has a surface angled to the path for adjusting the poultry carcass on the elongated member relative to the blade;
- (c) disposing a keel guide adjacent the path and spaced a predetermined distance from the plurality of planar members for adjusting the keel relative to the blade;
- and
- (d) conveying the keel into at least one blade mounted between the path and the continuous loop, thereby severing the keel from the carcass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.