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US 5,314,374 AGranted
Apparatus for removing tenders from a poultry carcass
OwnerJay Koch, Andrew C. Estesinventors
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OwnerJay Koch, Andrew C. Estesinventors
Estimating the term…
The present invention is an approved apparatus for the removal of tenders from poultry carcasses. The apparatus of the present invention is used in conjunction with a conveyor having mandrels for receiving and supporting the eviscerated poultry carcass in the proper position for the removal of the tenders. A series of knives and plows partially separate the tender from the poultry carcass. The improved apparatus of the present invention employs fully automated gripping elements which are positioned so as to grip the partially severed tender and to remove the partially severed tender from the poultry carcass by tearing away the remaining connections. The gripper then releases the separated tender onto an auxiliary conveyor. The operation of the gripper mechanism depends on a timing sequence which is initiated by a trigger located on one or both grippers. The motions of the gripper are initiated by contact of the triggers with the shoulder bone of the poultry carcass.
In combination with an apparatus for butchering poultry carcasses including conveyor means for advancing the poultry carcasses along a path and means associated with the conveyors for positioning the poultry carcasses upright and longitudinally aligned with the path, an apparatus for removing tenders from the sides of the the poultry carcass, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.