METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING PROCESSING OPERATIONS ON A SLAUGHTERED ANIMAL OR PART THEREOF

摘要

Apparatus and methods for performing multiple automated poultry processing operations upon a slaughtered animal or a part thereof via a single machine is described. The machine contains at least two rotary processors (103, 105) in a single frame (100). A covering (113) surrounds the processors. A venting processor cuts out and removes the vent of a slaughtered animal and in the process removes unwanted fecal or other material from the exterior and the interior of the carcass. The processors integrated into the single machine are coupled by a conveyor line (107) following a preferably generally S-shaped route that carries the carcasses amongst the processors, preferably positioning the carcasses at the optimum registration point for the operation performed by the particular processor.