Apparatus for transferring slaughtered poultry from a first suspension conveyer towards a second suspension conveyer

An apparatus for transferring poultry from a first conveyor device to a second conveyor device wherein the conveying velocities of the first and second conveyor devices may vary, comprising:

• a first conveyor device and a supply station contiguous with and driven in synchronization with said first conveyor device;
• a second conveyor device and a discharge station contiguous with and driven in synchronization with said second conveyor device;
• a transfer unit operably disposed between said first suspension conveyor and said second suspension conveyor for transferring poultry from said first conveyor device and said supply station to said discharge station and said second conveyor device, said transfer unit further comprising a receiving station driven in synchronization with said supply station, and a delivery station driven in synchronization with said discharge station, said transfer unit further comprising a transfer track connecting said receiving station and said delivery station;
• transfer devices configured with said transfer unit and movable along said transfer track between said receiving station and said delivery station, said transfer device comprising poultry carrier devices;
• said transfer unit comprising a moving transfer support defining said transfer track, said transfer devices carried by said transfer support;
• and
• a non-obstructed portion defined along said transfer track wherein said transfer support drivingly engages with said transfer devices so that there is substantially no relative movement between said transfer devices and said transfer support, and an obstructed portion defined along said transfer track comprising an obstructing device configured to drivingly disengage said transfer support from said transfer devices so that there is relative movement between said transfer devices and said transfer support.