Systems and methods for processing carcass parts

Abstract

A system for processing carcass parts of slaughtered poultry including at least a back portion and a leg portion connected thereto comprises a conveyor for suspending and moving the carcass in a conveying direction, and a groin skin cutting device for cutting the groin skin as the carcass parts pass the groin skin cutting device, the cutter having an elongated base with a cutting edge, a piercing tip at an upstream end of the cutter, the cutter being positioned and configured such that as the carcass parts move in the conveying direction, the piercing tip pierces the groin skin to form a piercing hole and the cutter advances under the groin skin, and continued movement of the carcass parts in the conveying direction results in the groin skin being cut by the cutting edge starting from the piercing hole and forming a cut in the groin skin.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for processing a carcass part, preferably a backhalve, the carcass part having at least a back portion and a leg portion connected thereto. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0002] It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for processing such carcass parts, which allows for an improved cut of the legs from the back section. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for processing carcass parts which reduces impurities that may remain in the legs after cut from the back section. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method which allows for cutting the skin of the groin area in a reliable and accurate manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] One or more of the above objects are achieved by a system and method according to the present invention. In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for processing carcass parts of slaughtered poultry including at least a back portion and a leg portion connected thereto. The system comprises a conveyor for suspending and moving the carcass parts in a conveying direction with the leg portion suspended from the conveyor during use of the system. The system further comprises a groin skin cutting device for cutting the groin skin during use while the carcass part passes through the groin skin cutting device. The groin skin cutting device comprises a cutter, preferably a fixed cutter, having an elongated base portion with a cutting edge and a puncturing tip provided at an upstream end of the cutter. The fixed cutter is positioned and configured so that, in use, as the carcass part moves in the conveying direction, the piercing tip pierces the skin of the groin, thereby forming a piercing hole and causing the cutter to penetrate under the skin of the groin, and so that, in use, continued movement of the carcass part in the conveying direction results in the skin of the groin being cut by the cutting edge starting from the piercing hole and forming a cut in the skin of the groin.

[0004] The advantage of providing a groin skin cutting device that pierces and then cuts the groin skin is that it can cut the groin skin very efficiently and accurately, effectively cutting at least a portion of the groin skin that should not remain connected to the legs after the legs have been cut from the back part, because such at least a portion of the groin skin is considered unsanitary as it originates from the part of the carcass close to the cloaca and may be contaminated. In this respect, it is noted that the groin skin is the skin between the legs and the cloaca.

[0005] This is in contrast to prior art methods where no such specific puncturing and subsequent cutting is performed, so that a relatively large amount of groin skin may remain connected to the leg after the leg is cut from the back portion. Such residual portions of the groin skin connected to the leg are usually not directly connected to the meat but hang loosely like a flap, which is also undesirable from a commercial perspective. In such prior art methods, the mentioned portions of the groin skin must be manually cut off after the leg is cut from the back portion, which involves a relatively large number of workers along the processing line, which is undesirable from a cost perspective. Also, by providing a groin skin cutting device according to the present invention, where the groin skin is punctured and then cut, a very accurate predetermined location of the cut in the groin skin may be achieved. As a result, the groin skin remaining connected to the leg may be effectively reduced.

[0006] In one embodiment, the cutter is wedge-shaped at least at its upstream end for tensioning the groin skin for cutting the groin skin. Using tension on the groin skin makes the cut more reliable and accurate.

[0007] In one embodiment, the cutter is arranged and configured such that, in use, the carcass portion of the slaughtered poultry passes along the outer longitudinal side of the cutter with its legs on the outside of the cutter, which outer longitudinal side faces the inside of the legs in use. The base portion has a thickness that is the maximum thickness of the upstream end of the wedge, and the cutting edge is provided on the inner longitudinal side of the cutter opposite the outer longitudinal side. In this way, the skin of the groin is kept taut during cutting.

[0008] The upstream end of the cutter may be curved inwardly in plan view, meaning that it curves away from said outer longitudinal side, to reduce the likelihood that the cutter will accidentally pierce the flesh of the leg instead of the flesh of the groin skin.

[0009] The cutter may be angled inwards in plan view to also reduce the likelihood that the cutter will accidentally pierce the leg meat rather than the groin skin as the carcass portion passes over the outside of the leg and cutter.

[0010] In one embodiment, the cutter includes a guide portion at the upstream end of the cutter, with the cutting edge beginning downstream of the guide portion. The guide portion may have the wedge shape described above. The cutter may be arranged and configured such that, in use, after the piercing tip forms a piercing hole and the cutter enters under the skin of the groin, the skin of the groin slides over the guide portion toward the cutting edge, and then the cutting edge cuts through the skin of the groin. The provision of the guide portion increases the effect of tensioning the skin of the groin before cutting, improving the reliability and accuracy of the cut.

[0011] In one embodiment, the groin skin cutting device has two cutters arranged as mirror images of each other for cutting the groin skin along the inside of both legs of the carcass part. The system may further have a leg positioning device upstream of the cutters for spreading the legs and positioning them for subsequent cutting of the groin skin, thereby improving the accuracy of the piercing and subsequent cutting.

[0012] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a back support device movable in the conveying direction and arranged to support the back portion while at least the carcass portion passes along the cutting device. The speed of movement of the back support device can be set equal to the speed of movement of the conveyor in one embodiment. By supporting the back portion of the carcass portion during at least the cutting by the cutting device, the reliability and accuracy of the cutting can be increased. The back support device may also lift the back portion while at least the carcass portion passes through the cutting device. Such lifting causes the legs to move apart, thereby increasing the available space for piercing and cutting by the cutting device. Another effect of lifting the back portion is that the skin of the groin area may be crumpled up. The crumpling occurs because the orientation of the legs relative to the back portion changes. If the groin skin is twisted, the cutter is more likely to pierce the groin skin and not miss the groin skin while the carcass portion passes through the cutter. In an embodiment comprising a leg positioning device, the groin skin is preferably crumpled up, meaning that the back portion is preferably lifted up by the back support device while the carcass portion passes through the leg positioning device.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cutting device has a bypass element configured to selectively bypass the cutter by the carcass part during use, preventing the piercing tip from piercing the groin skin when moving in the conveying direction of the carcass part, thereby preventing the groin skin from being cut by the cutting edge. In one embodiment, the cutting device further has a bypass element movable during use between a first position in which a movement of the piercing tip of the carcass part in the conveying direction pierces the groin skin but passes the cutting device of the groin skin, and a second position in which the bypass element covers at least the piercing tip of the cutter such that the movement of the carcass part in the conveying direction prevents the piercing tip from piercing the groin skin when moving in the conveying direction of the carcass part, thereby preventing the groin skin from being cut by the cutting edge. The provision of such a bypass element increases the versatility of the system, since in this way the cutter of the cutting device can be simply and effectively bypassed when temporarily required, such as when a particular batch of poultry carcass parts (BaBtch) is being processed in which cutting of a particular groin skin is not required. In another embodiment, the cutting device may have a bypass element configured to move the cutter, in use, between a first position in which movement of the piercing tip of the carcass part in the conveying direction pierces the groin skin but passes the cutting device of the groin skin, and a second position in which the cutter is moved out of reach of the groin skin to prevent the piercing tip from piercing the groin skin upon movement of the carcass part in the conveying direction, thereby preventing the groin skin from being cut by the cutting edge.

[0014] In one embodiment, the cutter is positioned such that in use the back portion of the carcass portion passes under the cutter, with the cutting edge inclined downwards so that its upstream end is visible across the conveying direction. For embodiments having a back support device, the cutting edge is preferably inclined downwards with its upstream end relative to the support surface of the back support device below the cutting device. The downward inclination of the cutting edge further aids in maintaining tension on the skin of the groin during cutting.

[0015] In one embodiment, the system further comprises a separating device downstream of the cutter and configured to separate the legs from the back portion, which may consist for example of a separating element such as a circular rotary blade separating at or near the hip joints, or of a pulling element pulling the back portion downwards relative to the legs with a view to separating the legs from the back portion as a result of the pulling action.

[0016] In an embodiment, the carcass portion is a back half of a slaughtered poultry carcass, the back half having a back portion and a leg portion connected thereto, and during use of the system, the back half is suspended from the conveyor and moved in the conveying direction with the leg portion suspended from the conveyor.

[0017] Corresponding embodiments of the system presented throughout the specification and claims are also applicable to the method described below according to the second aspect of the invention. The system according to the first aspect of the invention can be configured to carry out the method according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0018] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for processing a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, the carcass part being preferably a back half, using a system according to the present invention as described above, the carcass part comprising at least a back part and a leg part connected thereto, the method comprising: moving the carcass part in a conveyor suspended in a conveying direction with the leg part suspended from the conveyor; piercing the groin skin with a piercing tip of a cutter while the carcass part moves past a groin skin cutting device, and thereafter cutting the groin skin with the cutting edge.

[0019] The advantages of the method according to the invention and its embodiments are similar to those of the system according to the first aspect of the invention and its embodiments described above.

[0020] In embodiments having a cutter with a guide portion at its upstream end and a cutting edge beginning downstream of the guide portion, the method involves the puncture tip forming a puncture hole and the cutter advancing under the groin skin, which slides over the guide portion toward the cutting edge, which then slits and cuts the groin skin.

[0021] In embodiments having a leg positioner upstream of the cutter, the leg positioner is used to spread and position the legs for subsequent cutting of the groin skin.

[0022] In embodiments having a back support device, the back portion is supported, and preferably lifted while being supported, by the back support device at least during the passage of the carcass portion along the cutting device, i.e. at least during cutting.

[0023] In one embodiment, the skin of the groin may be twisted upstream of the cutter, i.e., before cutting. Such twisting may be provided by lifting the back portion by the back support device. In embodiments also having leg positioners, the skin of the groin is preferably twisted while the carcass portion passes through the leg positioners.

[0024] In general terms, the present invention relates to a system and method for processing carcass parts of slaughtered poultry comprising a back portion and a leg portion, comprising a conveyor for moving the suspended carcass parts in a conveying direction, and a cutting device for cutting the skin of the groin as the carcass parts are moved past the cutting device, the cutter comprising an elongated base portion having a cutting edge, a cutter having a piercing tip at an upstream end of the cutter, the cutter being arranged and configured such that as the carcass parts move in the conveying direction, the piercing tip pierces the skin of the groin, thereby forming a piercing hole and causing the cutter to penetrate under the skin of the groin, and continued movement of the carcass parts results in the severing of the skin of the groin by the cutting edge starting from the piercing hole and forming a cut in the skin of the groin. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which embodiments of the invention are shown and in which like reference numbers indicate the same or similar elements.

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a part of a system according to the invention in a side view. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows a detail of FIG. 1 including carcass parts of a slaughtered poultry. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 shows the system of claim 1 as viewed in the conveying direction. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a detail of FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a cutter of a system according to the invention in a side view and a top view. [Figure 5B] FIG. 5B shows a cross section taken along line Vb-Vb of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5C] FIG. 5C shows a cross section taken along line Vc-Vc of FIG. 5A. [Figure 5D] FIG. 5D shows an embodiment of a cutter of a system according to the invention in a side view and a top view. [Figure 5E] FIG. 5E shows a top view of a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A shows another embodiment of a cutter of the system according to the invention in a side view and a top view. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B shows the cross section VIb-VIb of FIG. 6A. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C shows another embodiment of a cutter of a system according to the invention in side and top views. [Figure 6D] FIG. 6D illustrates a variation of the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6C in top view. [Figure 7A] FIG. 7A shows yet another embodiment of a cutter of the system according to the invention in side and top view. [Figure 7B] FIG. 7B shows the cross section VIIb-VIIb of FIG. 7A. [Figure 7C]FIG. 7C shows yet another embodiment of a cutter of a system according to the invention in side and top view. [Figure 8A] FIG. 8A shows an embodiment of a step of the method according to the invention, where the poultry carcass parts are seen in the conveying direction. [Figure 8B] FIG. 8B is a perspective side view of the embodiment of FIG. 8A. [Figure 8C] FIG. 8C shows a detail of FIG. 8B. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows, in a side view, another embodiment of a cutting device of the system according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027] Figures 1-4 show a system 1 for processing carcass parts of slaughtered poultry (one carcass part 2 shown in Figure 2 comprises at least a back part 3 and a leg part 4 connected thereto), see also Figures 8a and 8b. The carcass part is preferably a so-called back half. The system 1 comprises a conveyor 6 for moving the carcass part 2 in a hanging vertical conveying direction 8, with the leg part 4 hanging from the conveyor 6, during use of the system 1, see also Figure 2. As is commonly used in poultry processing, successive carcass parts are moved by the conveyor in use, each carcass part being carried by a respective successive carrier 7 of the conveyor 6. Only one such carrier is shown in Figure 1.

[0028] The system further comprises a groin skin cutting device 10 for cutting the groin skin 12 while the carcass part 2 passes through the groin skin cutting device. To this end, the cutting device 10 comprises two fixed cutters 14 each for cutting the groin skin 12 on the inside of the respective leg 4 of the carcass part 2. To this end, the two fixed cutters 14 are arranged in mirror images of each other (see in particular FIG. 3 and FIG. 8a for a very schematic representation of the two cutters relative to the carcass part). Upstream of the cutting device 10, the system 1 further comprises a leg positioning device 40 for spreading and positioning the legs 4 for the purpose of the subsequent cutting of the groin skin by the cutting device 10. As FIG. 3 shows, the two cutters 14 arranged adjacent to each other are inclined inwards in a plan view.

[0029] Each cutter 14 has an elongated base portion 16 with a cutting edge 18 and a piercing tip 20 at an upstream end 22 of the cutter 14, see in particular Figures 2 and 5a-5d. The fixed cutters 14 are fixedly arranged in a frame 15 of the system, or at least in a part of the system fixedly connected to the frame. Each cutter 14 is arranged and configured such that, in use, the piercing tip 20 pierces the groin skin 12 upon movement of the carcass part 2 in the conveying direction 8, thereby forming a piercing hole 24 to allow the cutter 14 to pass partially under the groin skin 12, as shown in particular in Figures 8b and 8c. The groin skin 12 is cut by the cutting edge 18 starting from the piercing hole 24 and forming a cut (indicated by reference numeral 26 in Figures 8b and 8c) in the groin skin 12 as a result of continued movement of the carcass part 2 in the conveying direction 8 past the cutting device 10 in use.

[0030] The system further comprises a back support device 50 movable in the conveying direction 8. The back support device 50 slightly lifts the back portion 3, so that the legs 4 move apart and more space is available for piercing and cutting by the cutting device 10. Another effect of lifting the back portion 3 by the back support device is that the groin skin 12 is twisted upstream of the cutter 14. It is twisted due to the change in orientation of the legs relative to the back portion. It is desirable for the groin skin to be twisted while the carcass portion passes the leg positioning device 40.

[0031] The cutter 14 is positioned such that, in use, the back portion 3 of the carcass portion 2 passes underneath the cutter 14. The cutting edge 18 is angled downwards at its upstream end 22 when viewed transversely to the conveying direction, as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2. This means that the cutting edge 18 is angled downwards relative to a back support device 50 directly below the cutter 14.

[0032] At least at its upstream end 22, the cutter 14 is wedge-shaped in order to tension the groin skin 12 in order to cut the groin skin, see in particular the top view in Fig. 5d. The cutter 14 is arranged and configured such that, in use, the carcass part 2 of the slaughtered poultry passes outside the cutter 14 together with its legs 4 along its outer longitudinal side 28, which faces the inside of the legs 4. The base part 16 has a thickness t that matches the maximum thickness of the wedge-shaped upstream end 22, as shown in Fig. 5d, and the cutting edge 18 is provided on the inner longitudinal side 30 of the cutter 14 opposite the outer longitudinal side 28. The fixed cutter 14 also comprises a guide part 32 at the upstream end 22, which cutting edge 18 starts downstream of the guide part 32, as shown in particular in Figs. 5a and 5d. This means that the guide part 32 does not have a cutting edge. Cutter 14 is positioned and configured such that, during use, after piercing tip 20 forms piercing hole 24 and cutter 14 is placed under the groin skin, the groin skin slides over guide portion 32 toward cutting edge 18, i.e., without yet being cut, and then cutting edge 18 cuts by forming a cut 26 that starts from piercing hole 24 through groin skin 12. During sliding, due to the wedge shape of cutter 14, the groin skin is also stretched to some extent.

[0033] Also, in an embodiment shown very diagrammatically in Fig. 9, the cutting device 10 may have a bypass element 60, in the example of Fig. 9, formed as an elongated strip-like element in its operative position as shown in Fig. 9, which at least covers the piercing tip 20 of the upstream end 22 of the cutter 14 so that, in use, poultry carcasses moved along the cutting device remain out of reach of the cutter 14 and do not pierce or cut the skin of the groin. This may be problematic when processing a particular batch of poultry carcasses for which the cutting device is not required. The bypass element 60, like the cutter 14, is provided on the frame 115 of the system. The bypass element 60 can be moved, such as by being pivoted in direction 61 about pivot axis 62 as shown in the embodiment of Figure 9, from a second position shown in Figure 9 in which the bypass element 60 covers at least the piercing tip of the cutter to prevent the piercing tip from piercing the groin skin, thereby preventing the cutting edge from cutting the groin skin, to a first position in which, in use, the piercing tip pierces the groin skin as the carcass portion moves in the conveying direction through the groin skin cutting device. That is, in the first position, the bypass element 60 is pivoted away from the cutter 14 such that the piercing tip is no longer covered by the bypass element, so that it can be used in the manner described above for piercing and cutting. Movement of the bypass element can be effected by means not shown, such as an electromagnetic motor, solenoid, pneumatic actuator, etc.

[0034] Figure 5e shows a cutter 414 which is a variation of the embodiment of Figures 5a-d, the only difference from cutter 14 being that the upstream end 422 of cutter 414 is curved inwards in plan view, meaning that the upstream end 422 is curved away from the leg, so to speak.

[0035] Figures 6a-6c show another embodiment of a cutter that can be used in the system 1 instead of the cutter 14. The cutter 114 in Figures 6a-6c is flat. Therefore, it lacks a wedge-shaped upstream end. The cutter 314 shown in Figure 6d is also a variant of the cutter 114, which has an inwardly curved upstream end 322, similar to the cutter 414. Figures 7a-7c show yet another embodiment of a cutter that can be used in the system 1 instead of the cutter 14. The cutter 214 in Figures 7a-7c has a wedge-shaped upstream end 222, but does not have a guide portion. That is, its cutting edge 218 starts from the piercing tip 220. In one embodiment, a thickened portion can be added to the cutter 114, so that a cutter comparable to the cutter 214 with a wedge-shaped upstream end is obtained, but with the difference that the cutter with the thickened portion is made of two individual parts, while the cutter 214 is made as one piece. The cutter 314 can also have a thickened portion added to it. Additionally, the cutter 14, 214, 414 may be constructed from multiple individual pieces to achieve the overall shape shown in the figures.

[0036] The system further comprises a separating device 60 (only diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1 ) arranged downstream of the fixed cutter 14 and configured to separate the leg portion 4 from the back portion 3. The separating device may consist of a separating element as shown (circular rotary blade) or may consist of, for example, a pulling element for pulling the back portion downwards with respect to the leg portion for separation.

[0037] The method according to the invention comprises moving a carcass part 2 in a suspended state by a conveyor 6 in a conveying direction 8, with the legs 4 suspended from the conveyor, and piercing the groin skin 12 by the piercing tips 20 of the cutters 14 while the carcass part moves past a groin skin cutting device 10, followed by cutting the groin skin by the cutting edges 18.

[0038] Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. The foregoing description provides embodiments of the invention by way of example only. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. One or more objects of the invention are achieved by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for processing the carcass part of a slaughtered poultry having at least a back part and legs connected thereto, The system includes a conveyor for suspending and moving the carcass part with the legs suspended from the conveyor during use of the system. The system further includes a groin skin cutting device for cutting the groin skin while the carcass part passes through the groin skin cutting device during use. The groin skin cutting device is - an elongated base part having a cutting edge, - a cutter having a piercing tip at the upstream end of the cutter. During use, when the carcass part moves in the conveying direction, the piercing tip pierces the groin skin, thereby forming a piercing hole, and the cutter enters under the groin skin. As a result of the continuous movement of the carcass part in the conveying direction during use, the groin skin is cut by the cutting edge starting from the piercing hole to form a cut in the groin skin. The cutter is arranged and configured as such. System.

2. The cutter has at least its upstream end in a wedge shape in order to tension the groin skin for cutting the groin skin. The system according to claim 1.

3. During use, the carcass part of the slaughtered poultry passes outside the cutter along the outer longitudinal side surface of the cutter together with its legs outside the cutter, and its outer longitudinal side surface faces the inside of the legs during use. The cutter is arranged and configured as such. The base part has a thickness adapted to the maximum thickness of the wedge-shaped upstream end. The cutting edge is provided on the inner longitudinal side surface opposite to the outer longitudinal side surface of the cutter. The system according to claim 2.

4. The cutter is provided with a guide part at the upstream end of the cutter. The cutting edge starts from downstream of the guide part, During use, after the puncturing tip forms the puncture hole and the cutter enters under the skin of the groin area, the skin of the groin area slides on the guide part towards the cutting edge, and then the cutting edge forms the cut on the skin of the groin area and is cut, and the cutter is arranged and configured accordingly. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. During use, the breast meat part of the slaughtered poultry passes outside the cutter along with its legs along the outer longitudinal side surface of the cutter, and the outer longitudinal side surface faces the inside of the legs during use. The upstream end of the cutter is arranged and configured to curve inward in plan view. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. During use, the breast meat part of the slaughtered poultry passes outside the cutter along with its legs along the outer longitudinal side surface of the cutter, and the outer longitudinal side surface faces the inside of the legs during use. The cutter is arranged and configured to incline inward in plan view. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The groin skin cutting device has two cutters arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other for cutting the skin of the groin area along the inside of both legs of the breast meat part. The system further has a leg positioning device upstream of the cutter to spread the both legs and position the legs for the subsequent cutting of the skin of the groin area. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. Further comprising a back support device movable in the conveying direction and arranged to support the back part at least while the breast meat part passes along the cutting device. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

9. The cutting device has a bypass element configured such that during use, the cutter is selectively bypassed by the flank portion, whereby when the flank portion moves in the conveying direction, the puncturing tip is prevented from puncturing the skin of the groin, thereby preventing the skin of the groin from being cut by the cutting edge. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

10. The cutter is arranged such that during use, the back portion of the flank portion passes under the cutter, and the cutting edge is inclined downward at its upstream end. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. Further comprising a separating device provided downstream of the cutter and configured to separate the leg from the back portion. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. The flank portion is the back half of the flank of a slaughtered poultry, The back half includes a back portion and legs connected thereto, During use of the system, with the legs suspended from the conveyor, the back half is suspended from the conveyor and moved in the conveying direction. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. A method for processing a flank portion of a slaughtered poultry using the system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: The flank portion is preferably the back half, and the flank portion comprises at least a back portion and legs connected thereto. The method includes suspending the flank portion from the conveyor and moving it in the conveying direction with the legs suspended from the conveyor. While the flank portion passes through the groin skin cutting device, including: - Puncture the skin of the groin with the puncturing tip of the cutter, and then, - Cut the skin of the groin with the cutting edge A method for processing the breast meat portion of slaughtered poultry.

14. After the puncturing tip forms the puncture hole and the cutter enters under the skin of the groin, the skin of the groin slides on the guide portion toward the cutting edge, and then, a cut is formed in the skin of the groin by the cutting edge The method according to claim 13.

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