ORDER AND PROCEDURE FOR POULTRY PROMOTION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for transferring slaughter poultry between conveyor lines in a poultry processing plant.

[0002] Such arrangements and processes are used in poultry conveying and processing plants. Such plants typically comprise a multitude of different conveying and processing lines, at whose respective interfaces, the transfer of poultry carcasses from one line to another is required.

[0003] Document EP 2 687 101 B1 discloses a poultry processing facility with a transfer unit for transferring poultry carcasses from one conveyor line to another. Each transfer unit comprises a rotating carrier with several transfer means. By switching between a blocked and a blockage-free state, the carriers either move synchronously with the rotating carrier or are decoupled from this rotating movement.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known device is that the conveying speed of the transfer means can only be varied between two speeds: either zero or the speed of the rotating carrier. The known transfer unit therefore has a very limited range of applications. In particular, if fluctuations occur in the conveying speed of one of the conveyor lines, the conveying speed of the transfer means cannot be adjusted accordingly. This can lead, among other things, to transfer errors when transferring poultry carcasses from one conveyor line to the other.

[0005] The transfer means known from document EP 2 687 101 B1 are each designed to receive a poultry carcass. For this purpose, the transfer means have corresponding receptacles into which both legs of each poultry carcass are suspended. According to the teaching of EP 2 687 101 B1, the poultry carcasses are transferred by simultaneously transferring both legs from one, discharging conveyor line to the other, receiving conveyor line. Due to this transfer principle, correspondingly wide radii of the rotating support are essential to ensure reliable transfer. This places strict limits on the freedom of choice regarding the geometry of the conveyor lines.

[0006] Document EP 0 736 255 A1 discloses a conveyor system for transferring slaughtered poultry between conveyor lines in a poultry processing plant. This system comprises a rotary conveyor system for suspended conveying of slaughtered poultry along a curved conveyor path, comprising a plurality of suspended supports each configured to hold a poultry carcass by both legs, and a linear motor conveyor system with a guide rail comprising a linear drive and forming a circulating conveyor path with a plurality of runners arranged along the guide rail by means of the linear drive. The rotary conveyor system and the linear motor conveyor system are arranged such that the curved conveyor path at least partially overlaps, in a transfer area, with a curved section of the circulating conveyor path for transferring the slaughtered poultry between the conveyor lines.

[0007] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose an arrangement that ensures a highly reliable transfer of slaughter poultry between conveyor lines, wherein the conveyor lines exhibit the greatest possible variability in terms of their geometry and conveyor speed. Furthermore, the object is to propose a corresponding method.

[0008] The object is achieved by an arrangement having the features mentioned at the outset, wherein the arrangement comprises at least one rotary device for the hanging conveyance of slaughtered poultry along a curved conveyor path with a plurality of hanging receptacles each configured to hold a poultry carcass by both legs, a linear motor conveyor device with a guide rail comprising a linear drive and forming a circulating conveyor path with a plurality of runners arranged along the guide rail in a manner that is separately controllable by means of the linear drive, as well as holding elements each configured to hold a poultry leg, wherein one of the holding elements is arranged on each of the runners, and wherein the rotary device and the linear motor conveyor device are arranged in such a way thatthat the curved conveyor line in a transfer area at least partially overlaps with a curved section of the circulating conveyor line for transferring the poultry for slaughter between the conveyor lines.

[0009] The arrangement according to the invention offers a whole range of advantages. The linear motor conveyor system offers maximum variability in terms of the choice of conveyor speeds and positioning options. The conveyor speeds or conveyor speed profiles can be specified for each of the conveyors. In this way, the conveyor speed of each conveyor can be individually adjusted to the respective conditions. In particular, it is possible to stop the poultry carcasses to perform treatment and / or processing steps on them.

[0010] Because each leg is conveyed by a separately controllable runner, a single leg transfer occurs when transferring the poultry carcasses between the conveyor lines. This allows for curved sections in the transfer area with significantly reduced curve radii compared to those known from the prior art. A further advantage is that the flexible speed selection of the runners allows them to be optimally adapted to any fluctuations in the conveyor speed of the rotary conveyor system, thus ensuring a precise and highly reliable transfer at all times.

[0011] A practical embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the linear motor conveyor device comprises a control device designed for the variable-control conveyance of one poultry carcass at a time by moving a pair of runners in pairs, wherein the runner pair comprises two adjacent runners. In other words, two of the separately controllable runners located adjacent on the conveyor rail form a runner pair, each configured to convey one of the poultry carcasses. The adjacent runners are thus coupled to one another on the control side. Both of the runners move interdependently.

[0012] Further preferably, the distance between any two adjacent runners can be adjusted in a control-variable manner. By varying the distance between the runners of such a runner pair, it is possible to change the vertical alignment of the poultry carcass to a certain extent. Increasing the distance leads to the poultry carcass lifting; decreasing it leads to it sinking. In this way, it is possible to optimally position and align the poultry carcass, for example, for a subsequent processing operation. Furthermore, it is possible to pre-tension the poultry carcass more or less strongly for certain processing steps in order to achieve improved processing results.

[0013] According to an advantageous development, the runners each include position tracking means for determining the respective runner position. This offers the advantage that the current positions of each of the runners are recorded, thus ensuring, on the one hand, precise positioning of each of the runners at all times by means of the linear motor conveyor system, and, on the other hand, the current positions and speeds of each poultry carcass are recorded via the respective runner positions.

[0014] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the control device is designed to control the linear drive in such a way that the distance between the holding elements of the runners of one of the runner pairs corresponds at least substantially to a predetermined runner pair distance.

[0015] The distance between the runner pairs is understood to be the distance between the holding elements of the two adjacent runners, and therefore also corresponds to the distance between the poultry legs suspended in the respective holding elements.

[0016] Advantageously, for example, one of the runners forming a pair of runners is configured as the "master," whose current speed and position are specified by the control device as required. The other runner of this pair of runners is configured as the "slave" and follows the first runner, prompted by the control device, such that the distance between the respective holding elements of the runners remains constant or essentially constant.

[0017] Advantageously, the control device is therefore configured to control the position and / or speed of at least one of the runners of each of the runner pairs based on a target position and / or a target speed. Further preferably, the control device is configured to track the position and / or speed of the other runner of each of the runner pairs while maintaining the respective runner pair spacing.

[0018] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary device comprises a drive unit and is driven at least substantially at a constant rotational speed. Advantageously, the rotary device comprises sensor means configured to detect the angular position of the rotary device, to detect the actual rotational speed, and to determine the respective current positions of at least one of the suspended supports. The rotary device is further configured to transmit the variables thus detected to the control device. In this way, for example, load-dependent fluctuations in the rotational speed of the rotary device can be detected and its current angular position can be determined at any time. This serves as the starting point for synchronizing the transfer of the poultry carcasses from the rotary device to the linear motor conveyor.

[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, the control device is designed to control the position and / or speed of the runners of a runner pair based on the detected actual rotational speed and the determined current position of the at least one hanging receptacle such that one of the runners for the individual leg transfer meets the respective hanging receptacle of the rotary device at the same time in the transfer area. In other words, the control device is designed to synchronize a coordinated meeting of one of the runners with the leg to be transferred by the rotary device. The control device is designed, for example, to calculate in advance from the aforementioned output variables which speed or speed profile of the runner is required to precisely meet the leg of the poultry carcass to be transferred in the transfer area.

[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary conveyor is configured to transfer the poultry carcasses to the linear motor conveyor, and the arrangement further comprises a second rotary conveyor configured to transfer the poultry carcasses from the linear motor conveyor to the second rotary conveyor. This offers the advantage that the poultry carcasses are transferred from the rotary conveyor to the linear motor conveyor in a controllable manner. The poultry carcasses conveyed by the linear motor conveyor are now decoupled from the cycle of the rotary conveyor and can be stopped, for example, for stationary processing purposes. They are then conveyed further by the linear motor conveyor and transferred to the second rotary conveyor.Both rotary conveyors are preferably designed to operate synchronously with a main conveyor line. While the rotary conveyor is configured to first remove the poultry carcasses from the main conveyor line and transfer them to the linear motor conveyor, the second rotary conveyor is configured to subsequently remove the poultry carcasses from the linear motor conveyor and finally return them to the main conveyor line.

[0021] Furthermore, the object is achieved by a corresponding method with the features mentioned at the outset in that the method comprises the steps of conveying the slaughtered poultry by means of a linear motor conveyor device comprising a linear drive along a circulating conveyor path formed by a guide rail by controlled movement of a plurality of runners arranged along the guide rail by means of the linear drive in a separately controllable manner, wherein a poultry leg is held by means of holding elements arranged on each of the runners; controlling the linear drive by means of a control device such that one of the poultry carcasses is conveyed in a controllably variable manner by moving a pair of runners in pairs, wherein the pair of runners each comprises two adjacent runners.By means of two of the separately controllable runners located adjacently on the conveyor rail, a pair of runners is advantageously formed, each of which conveys one of the poultry carcasses. Adjacent runners are therefore coupled on the control side, so that the movement of the runners is dependent or linked to one another. By coupling two of the runners in this way, reliable conveyance of the poultry carcasses is ensured. Both legs of the poultry carcass are securely held by one runner with one of the holding elements. The positively coupled movement of the two runners creates a type of rigid double hanging holder for the poultry carcass to be conveyed. The distance between the holding elements of such a double hanging holder is, however, set up so that it can be controlled variably, so that the distance can be varied to a certain extent for different purposes.

[0022] A preferred development of the invention is characterized by determining the respective rotor position by means of position tracking means.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the linear drive is controlled by means of the control device in such a way that the distance between the holding elements of the runners of one of the runner pairs corresponds at least substantially to a predetermined runner pair distance.

[0024] A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized by controlling the position and / or the speed of at least one of the runners of one of the runner pairs on the basis of a desired position specification and / or a desired speed specification.

[0025] According to a further preferred embodiment, the position and / or the speed of the other runner of each of the runner pairs is tracked by means of the control device while maintaining the respective runner pair distance.

[0026] The advantages and benefits associated with the above-mentioned inventive method have already been described in detail in connection with the inventive arrangement, so that at this point, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the advantages mentioned there. These also apply analogously to the inventive method.

[0027] Further preferred and / or expedient features and embodiments of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a perspective overview view of the arrangement according to the invention Fig. 2 a perspective detailed view of the arrangement according to the invention, Figs. 3 - 8 each show perspective views in different stages of the transfer of a poultry carcass, Figs. 9 and 10 top views of a selection of the Figures 3 to 8 shown handover stages and Fig. 11 a plan view of the Figure 1 shown view.

[0029] Figure 1 shows a perspective overview of the arrangement according to the invention. Part of this arrangement is the device according to the invention, which is also shown in Figure 1. Figure 2 shows a perspective detailed view of the arrangement according to the invention and the device according to the invention. To avoid repetition, the arrangement according to the invention and the device according to the invention are explained in detail below in the context of the associated method according to the invention.

[0030] The Figures 1 and 2show, by way of example, the arrangement according to the invention for transferring slaughter poultry. The arrangement comprises at least one rotary device 10, 11, which is designed for the suspended conveyance of slaughter poultry along a curved conveyor path. The curved conveyor path is defined by the structure of the rotary device. The curved conveyor path can, for example, be circular. In this case, the at least one rotary device 10, 11 is wheel-shaped and rotates around an axis of rotation that runs through the wheel center. Alternatively, the axis of rotation can be arranged eccentrically with respect to the wheel center.Preferably, the at least one rotary device 10, 11—as shown in the drawing—is wheel-shaped with an eccentrically arranged axis of rotation and comprises an adjustment mechanism by means of which the distance between the hanging receptacles 13 increases during the rotation toward the linear motor conveyor device 16, while the distance between the hanging receptacles 13 decreases accordingly during the rotation toward the main conveyor line 14. The increased distance between the hanging receptacles 13 in the transfer area 22 has a beneficial effect on the time window available for transferring the poultry carcasses 12, thus ensuring a flawless transfer at all times.

[0031] The at least one rotary device 10, 11 has a plurality of hanging receptacles 13 each designed to hold a poultry carcass 12 on both legs.

[0032] Preferably—but not necessarily—the arrangement comprises a main conveyor line 14, by means of which the poultry carcasses 12 are conveyed suspended in double shackles 15. The main conveyor line 14 and the at least one rotary device 10, 11 preferably operate synchronously, i.e., the conveyor speeds are coordinated to enable transfer of the poultry carcasses 12 from the main conveyor line to the at least one rotary device 10, 11 and vice versa.

[0033] As shown in the drawing, two of the rotary devices are preferably provided, namely the rotary device 10 and the second rotary device 11. For clarity, only one of the rotary devices 10, 11 will be described below. However, all statements regarding this apply equally to each of the rotary devices 10, 11.

[0034] The arrangement according to the invention further comprises a linear motor conveyor 16 having a linear drive. The linear motor conveyor 16 forms a circulating conveyor path 17 with a plurality of runners 19 arranged along a guide rail 18, each of which can be separately controlled by the linear drive. For reasons of clarity, only two of these runners are shown in the drawing. Such a linear motor conveyor 16 is, for example, the XTS linear transport system from Beckhoff. A plurality of individually controllable electromagnets are arranged in the guide rail 18 of such a linear motor conveyor 16, while the runners 19 are mounted for displacement along the guide rail 18 by means of ball or roller bearings.The linear drive is realized by the controllable electromagnets of the guide rail 18 as well as magnets integrated in the runners 19, so that each of the runners 19 can be individually and individually controlled and thus can be moved separately.

[0035] On each of the runners 19 there is arranged a holding element 20 which is designed and configured to receive a poultry leg 21.

[0036] The rotary device 10 and the linear motor conveyor device 16 are arranged such that the curved conveyor path in a transfer area 22 at least partially overlaps with a curved section 23 of the circulating conveyor path 17. This enables the transfer of the slaughtered poultry or poultry carcasses 12 between the conveyor lines, i.e., the at least one rotary device 10, 11 and the linear motor conveyor device 16. As can be seen from the drawing, the respective open sides of the hanging receptacles 13 of the at least one rotary device 10, 11 and the holding elements 20 for receiving one of the poultry legs 21 in the transfer area 22 each face each other, so that the respective poultry leg 21 can be transferred from the hanging receptacle 13 to the respective holding element 20 and vice versa.Partial overlap of the curved conveyor track and the curved section 23 of the circulating conveyor track 17 is understood to mean that the respective track sections are arranged such that they overlap at least at one point or have a minimum distance from each other that allows a reliable single leg transfer.

[0037] The linear motor conveyor 16 has a control device (not shown in the drawing) that is designed for the variable-control conveyance of one of the poultry carcasses 12 by moving one of the pairs of runners in pairs. Each pair of runners comprises two adjacent runners 19, i.e., two of the runners 19 arranged side by side on the guide rail 18. The control device is thus designed to move the two runners 19 of a pair of runners quasi-synchronously. The runners 19, moved together in this way, form a kind of "virtual" poultry carcass holder, the holding elements 20 of which for the two poultry legs 21 of each of the poultry carcasses 12 having a constant or at least substantially constant spacing. However, the spacing of the runners 19 of a pair of runners can optionally be varied by means of the control device, as explained in detail below.

[0038] In the Figures 1 and 2A processing station 24 is only schematically indicated. The processing station 24 is designed and configured for stationary processing of the poultry carcasses 12. The processing station 24 is designed, for example, for evisceration or for establishing access to the abdominal cavity of the poultry carcass 12 via the cloaca opening. In principle, the processing station 24 can be designed to carry out any conventional processing operation required for the processing of slaughtered poultry. For this purpose, several processing stations 24 with different functions can be arranged optionally along the circulating conveyor line 17.

[0039] The control device is further configured to move the poultry carcasses 12 into different processing positions as required by moving the runners 19 forming a pair of runners, so that optimal processing by means of the processing station 24 is enabled.

[0040] Preferably, the runners 19 each comprise position tracking means (not shown in the drawing) configured to determine the respective runner position. It is also possible for the control device of the linear motor conveyor 16 to comprise means for tracking the position of each individual runner 19. In this way, the respective position of each runner 19 is configured to be trackable. Position tracking can be achieved, for example, by teaching the runners 19 to a predefined zero position. If the position of the runner 19 is subsequently changed by the control device, the changed current position is continuously stored in the control device.

[0041] Alternatively, the runners 19 are provided with an identifier that is read by the control device and used to determine their position. Further preferably, the position tracking means are an integrated component of the control device of the linear motor conveyor 16. This offers the advantage that the desired positions of the runners 19 or the desired movement profile can be specified by the control device, and the control device takes over the exact positioning of the runners 19.

[0042] Advantageously, the control device is further configured to control the linear drive such that the distance between the runners 19 of each of the runner pairs at least substantially corresponds to a predetermined runner pair spacing. In this way, the distance between said runners 19 is kept substantially constant in order to reliably convey the poultry carcasses 12 suspended from the poultry legs 21 in a controllable manner.

[0043] The control device is also configured to control the position and / or speed of at least one of the runners 19 of each of the runner pairs based on a target position and / or a target speed. Such target position and / or speed specifications enable, on the one hand, a controlled transfer of the poultry carcasses 12 between one of the rotary conveyors 10, 11 and the linear motor conveyor 16, and, on the other hand, a temporary stop for stationary processing of the poultry carcasses by means of the processing station 24.

[0044] Preferably, the control device is further configured to track the position and / or speed of the other runner 19 of each of the runner pairs while maintaining the respective runner pair spacing. In other words, the control device is designed to specify the respective position of one of the runners 19 based on the target position specification and / or the target speed specification. The other runner 19 of the runner pair is tracked by means of the control device while maintaining the specified runner pair spacing, i.e., follows the first runner 19 at a predefined distance. The control device is thus configured to set the position and / or speed of the first runner of the runner pair as the "master," while the other runner 19 is tracked in "slave mode" behind the first runner 19 at a constant or substantially constant distance.

[0045] Preferably, the rotary device 10 comprises a drive unit (not shown in the drawing), by means of which it is driven at an at least substantially constant rotational speed. The rotational speed of the rotary device is preferably coordinated with the conveying speed of the main conveyor line 14. Further preferably, the drive of the main conveyor line is mechanically coupled to that of the rotary devices 10, 11, so that they are forcibly synchronized. According to an alternative embodiment, the rotary devices 10, 11 and the main conveyor line are each equipped with their own drive units, each with a coordinated drive speed.

[0046] The rotary device 10 and / or the rotary device 11 is / are configured to detect the angular position of the respective rotary device 10, 11 and comprises sensor means configured for this purpose. The sensor means are further configured to detect the actual rotational speed and to determine the respective current positions of at least one of the hanging receptacles 13. Furthermore, the control device is configured to control the position and / or speed of the runners of a runner pair based on the detected actual rotational speed and the determined current position of the at least one hanging receptacle such that one of the runners for the individual leg transfer meets the respective hanging receptacle of the rotary device at the same time in the transfer area 22.

[0047] In other words, the control device is designed to synchronize the runners 19 in the transfer area 22 with the rotation of the respective rotary device 10, 11, while in the remaining conveying sections of the circulating conveying path 17 of the linear motor conveying device 16, the movement of the runners 19 is independent of the rotational speed of the rotary devices 10, 11.

[0048] This should be done based on the Figures 3 to 8 , each showing perspective views at different stages of the transfer of a poultry carcass, as well as the corresponding Figure 9 and 10The plan views shown are explained in more detail below. The process is described by way of example for the transfer of a poultry carcass 12 from the rotary conveyor 10 to the linear motor conveyor 16, but also applies analogously to the transfer of a poultry carcass 12 from the linear motor conveyor 16 to the second rotary conveyor 11.

[0049] Figure 3shows the positions of the runners 19 of a runner pair before the start of the transfer of the poultry carcass 12 from the rotary conveyor 10 to the linear motor conveyor 16. The sensor means (not shown) provides the control device with information about the current (angular) position of the first rotary conveyor 10. The control device now controls the clockwise moving runners 19 of the linear motor conveyor 16 such that, at the latest upon entering the transfer area 22, they have a conveying speed that corresponds to the path speed of the poultry leg 21 to be transferred. The control device is further configured to determine in advance the expected time of the encounter of the runner 19 with the first of the poultry legs 21 and to determine the acceleration profile required for this purpose, with which the leading runner 19 of the runner pair is to be accelerated.

[0050] As a result, the leading runner 19 of the runner pair hits - as in Figures 4 and 5 shown - exactly with the holding element 20 of the first of the poultry legs 21 in the transfer area 22, so that the first of the poultry legs 21 is transferred from the hanging holder 13 of the rotary device 11 into the holding element 20 of the leading runner 19.

[0051] Figure 6 shows how the leading runner 19 has already taken over the first of the poultry legs 21, while now the second of the poultry legs 21 is transferred from the suspension holder 13 of the rotary device 11 to the holding element 20 of the trailing runner 19. In the Figures 6 and 7 it is shown how the poultry legs 21 finally leave the hanging holders 13 and are now suspended by means of the runners 19 in their holding elements 20 and are conveyed further by means of the linear motor conveyor device 16.

[0052] From the moment the carcasses leave the transfer area 22, the previously described forced synchronization between the carriages 19 and the rotary conveyor 10 ends. This means that the control device is configured to convey the carriages 19 as required along the circulating conveyor line 17 at any speed independent of the rotational speed of the rotary conveyors 10, 11. Thus, the poultry carcasses 12 can be stopped for processing purposes at the processing station 24, for example, for different lengths of time without affecting the conveying speed of the main conveyor line 14. This opens up the possibility of high-quality processing of the poultry carcasses 12.Due to the decoupling from a temporal processing window, which would otherwise be predetermined by the conveying speed of the main conveyor line 14 and within which the processing steps would have to be carried out, the present invention offers the advantage that the processing can be individualized and carried out in an optimal manner for each of the poultry carcasses 12. The . Figures 9 and 10 show additional top views of the Figures 4 and 7 handover stages shown.

[0053] As shown in the drawing, the rotary conveyor 10 is configured to transfer the poultry carcasses 12 to the linear motor conveyor 16. A second rotary conveyor 11 is configured to transfer the poultry carcasses 12 from the linear motor conveyor 16 to the second rotary conveyor 11. In other words, the rotary conveyor 10 is configured to remove the poultry carcasses 12 from the main conveyor line 14 and subsequently transfer them to the linear motor conveyor 16. The second rotary conveyor 11 is configured to receive the poultry carcasses 12 from the linear motor conveyor and subsequently return them to the main conveyor line 14 or to other conveyor lines not shown in the drawing.

[0054] The method according to the invention comprises conveying the slaughtered poultry or poultry carcasses by means of the linear motor conveyor device 16 comprising the linear drive along the circulating conveyor path 17 formed by the guide rail 18. The poultry carcasses 12 are conveyed by the controlled movement of a plurality of runners 19, each arranged separately and controllably along the guide rail 18 by means of the linear drive. The poultry legs 21 are held by means of holding elements 20 arranged on the runners 19.

[0055] The linear drive is controlled by the control device in such a way that one of the poultry carcasses 12 is conveyed at a time by moving a pair of runners in pairs. The runner position is determined by position tracking means and passed on to the control device for further processing. The distance between the runners 19 of one of the runner pairs is thus controlled such that it corresponds at least substantially to the predetermined runner pair distance. Preferably, the position and / or speed of at least one of the runners 19 of one of the runner pairs is / are controlled based on a desired position and / or a desired speed. More preferably, the position and / or speed of the other runner 19 of one of the runner pairs is / are tracked by the control device while maintaining the respective runner pair distance.

Claims

1. Arrangement for transferring slaughtered poultry between conveying lines in a poultry processing plant, comprising at least one rotary device (10, 11) for conveying slaughtered poultry in a suspended state along a curved conveying path with a plurality of suspension mounts (13), each designed to hold a poultry body (12) by both legs, a linear motor conveying device (16) with a guide rail (18) comprising a linear drive, forming a circulating conveying path (17) with a plurality of runners (19) each arranged to be separately controllable and movable along the guide rail (18) by means of the linear drive, and holding elements (20), designed to accommodate one poultry leg (21) at a time, wherein in each case one of the holding elements (20) is arranged on each of the runners (19), and wherein the rotary device (10, 11) and the linear motor conveying device (16) are arranged in such a manner that the curved conveying path at least partially overlaps with a curved portion of the circulating conveying path (17) in a transfer region (22) for transferring the slaughtered poultry between the conveying lines.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the linear motor conveying device (16) comprises a control device which is designed to convey one of the poultry bodies (12) at a time in a variably controllable manner by moving a pair of runners (19) in pairs, wherein the runner pair comprises two of the adjacent runners (19) in each case.

3. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the runners (19) each comprise position tracking means to determine the runner position in each case.

4. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the control device is configured to control the linear drive in such a manner that the distance in each case between holding elements (20) of the runners (19) of one of the runner pairs corresponds at least substantially to a predetermined runner pair spacing.

5. Arrangement according to any one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the control device is configured to control the position and / or the speed of at least one of the runners (19) of one of the runner pairs in each case based on a target position value and / or a target speed value.

6. Arrangement according to claim 5, characterised in that the control device is further configured to track the position and / or the speed of the respective other runner (19) of one of the runner pairs in each case while maintaining the respective runner pair spacing.

7. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the rotary device (10, 11) comprises a drive unit and is driven at least substantially at constant circulation speed.

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that the rotary device (10, 11) comprises sensor means configured to detect the angular position, to detect the actual circulation speed and to determine the respective current position of at least one of the suspension mounts (13).

9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterised in that the control device is designed to control the position and / or the speed of the runners (19) of a runner pair based on the detected actual circulation speed and the determined current position of the at least one suspension mount (13) in such a manner that in each case one of the holding elements (20) of the runners (19) for single-leg transfer and the respective suspension mount (13) of the rotary device (10, 11) come together simultaneously in the transfer region (22).

10. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the rotary device (10) is configured to transfer the poultry bodies (12) to the linear motor conveying device (16) and the arrangement further comprises a second rotary device (11) which is designed to transfer the poultry bodies (12) from the linear motor conveying device (16) to the second rotary device (11).

11. Method for transferring slaughtered poultry between conveying lines in a poultry processing plant, comprising conveying slaughtered poultry by means of at least one rotary device (10, 11) designed for conveying the slaughtered poultry in a suspended state along a curved conveying path, wherein the poultry bodies (12) are each held by both legs by a plurality of suspension mounts (13) of the rotary device (10, 11), conveying the slaughtered poultry by means of a linear motor conveying device (16), which comprises a linear drive, along a circulating conveying path (17) formed by a guide rail (18) by controlled movement of a plurality of runners (19) arranged along the guide rail (18), each runner being separately controllable and movable by means of the linear drive, wherein one poultry leg (21) in each case is held by means of holding elements (20), one each of which is arranged on each of the runners (19), transferring of the slaughtered poultry between the conveying lines by at least partial overlapping of the curved conveying path of the rotary conveying device (10, 11) with a curved portion of the circulating conveying path (17) in a transfer region (22).

12. Method according to claim 11, characterised by conveying one of the poultry bodies (12) at a time in a variably controllable manner by moving a pair of runners in pairs, wherein the runner pair comprises two of the adjacent runners (19) in each case.

13. Method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, characterised by determining the respective runner position using position tracking means.

14. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterised by controlling the linear drive by means of a control device in such a manner that the distance in each case between the holding elements (20) of the runners (19) of one of the runner pairs corresponds at least substantially to a predetermined runner pair spacing.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterised by controlling the position and / or the speed of at least one of the runners (19) of one of the runner pairs in each case based on a target position value and / or a target speed value.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterised in that the control device is further configured to track the position and / or the speed of the respective other runner (19) of one of the runner pairs in each case while maintaining the respective runner pair spacing.

17. Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterised by driving the rotary device (10, 11) at at least substantially constant circulation speed by means of a drive unit.

18. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, characterised by using sensor means to detect the angular position of the rotary device (10, 11), detect the actual circulation speed and determine the respective current position of at least one of the suspension mounts (13).

19. Method according to claim 18, characterised by controlling the position and / or the speed of the runners (19) of a runner pair by means of the control device based on the detected actual circulation speed and the determined current position of the at least one suspension mount (13), in such a manner that in each case one of the holding elements (20) of the runners (19) for single-leg transfer and the respective suspension mount (13) of the rotary device (10) come together simultaneously in the transfer region.

20. Method according to any one of claims 11 to 19, characterised by transferring the poultry bodies (12) from the rotary device (10) to the linear motor conveying device (16) and transferring the poultry bodies (12) from the linear motor conveying device (16) to a second rotary device (11).