US 4,385,419 A · Chicken deboning apparatus and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for deboning chicken is disclosed which includes providing a novel chicken deboning horn B,B' which is rigidly mounted to a stabilized table top conveyor A so that a chicken carcass P may be rigidly supported and conveyed for carving of the meat away from the bones in a mass production system. The deboning horn preferably includes a smooth horn 40 having a contoured surface 42 inclined upwardly to a reduced upper portion 40b which enters an internal cavity 43 of the carcass P. Thus, inserted, the horn contour bears against and engages spaced portions in the cavity to hold it rigid and upright while enabling rotation of the carcass for selective carving. The horn contour accepts a wide range of carcass cavity sizes owing to its cone-shaped contour. Alternate chicken retaining supports 50, 62 support poultry portions 58, 72 separately for deboning. At least the upper run of conveyor A is stabilized by means of longitudinal guide rails 12 having guide slots 12a in which opposing ends 20a, 20b of the conveyor links 20 are effectively retained.

Claims16

Dependent claims

Apparatus for deboning chicken comprising:

an elongated frame;
an elongated conveyor carried by said frame;
means stabilizing said conveyor against movement in vertical and transverse directions with respect to the direction of conveyance providing a generally rigid moving platform;
a plurality of chicken retaining means carried by said conveyor in spaced relation along the length of said conveyor for supporting chicken carcasses;
said chicken retaining means including cone-shaped means with a substantially smooth surface thereon receivable in an internal cavity of said chicken carcass engaging portions of said chicken carcass within said internal cavity rigidly supporting said chicken carcass in a generally upright vertical position for permitting deboning;
means rigidly mounting said retaining means on said conveyor so that said conveyor and said retaining means, are unitarily rigid and said chicken carcasses are firmly held in said upright position as they are moved along the run of said conveyor;
whereby persons standing along said conveyor can readily debone said chickens as said chickens are moved along the length of said elongated frame.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Chicken deboning apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Chicken deboning apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16