A poultry processing system for inline processing a poultry carcass front half

Abstract

A poultry processing system for inline processing a poultry carcass front half. The system comprises a mandrel having a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation for supporting a carcass front half having a neck end and a tail end with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry of the mandrel. The system comprises a conveyor for conveying the mandrel in a horizontal conveyance direction. The mandrel is coupled to the conveyor in a fixed orientation relative to the conveyance direction in which the plane of symmetry aligns with the conveyance direction. The system comprises a poultry processing station in a conveyance path of the conveyor. The poultry processing station comprises a processing member for engaging the carcass front half as the carcass front half is conveyed on the mandrel in the fixed orientation along the poultry processing station. The processing member is movable relative to the conveyor along a trajectory within a vertical plane parallel to the plane of symmetry between a first position for allowing the carcass front half to pass the processing member, and a second position for engaging the carcass front half.

Description

P137125NL00 Title: A poultry processing system for inline processing a poultry carcass front half FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the eld ofpoultry processing. In particular, the invention relates to the field ofprocessing of a front half of a poultry carcass for harvesting meat therefrom. BACKGROUND The processing of poultry carcasses, for harvesting poultry meat therefrom, may involves a separation of the poultry carcass into a back half that generally includes the legs andsometimes part ofthe lowerback portion, and a front halfthat generally includes the breast and an upper back portion. The carcass front halfparticularly includes breast meat and tenders, which can be extractedfrom the carcass front halfin an automatedmanner. Known poultry processing systems convey carcass front halves in succession along a series of processing stations, wherein each front half is suspended by a mandrel. Eachprocessing stationperforms aprocessing step on the front half, such as cutting, and extracting skin or meat. Known poultry processing systems employ mandrels with increased mobility, so as to change the orientation ofthe poultry carcass for enhanced cooperation with the different processing stations. Known mandrels are for example congured to pivot about multiple pivot axis, and requiring complex actuation mechanisms therefor. Poultry processing systems with such mandrels may therefore be relatively costly to assemble, operate, clean, and maintain. SUMMARY It is an object to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art. It is also an object to provide alternative structures which are less cumbersome in assembly and operation and which moreover can be made relatively inexpensively. Alternatively it is an object to at least provide a useful alternative. An aspect provides a poultry processing system for inline processing a poultry carcass front half. The system comprises a mandrel having a plane ofsymmetry for supporting a front halfhaving a neck endand a tail end with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry of the mandrel. The system comprises a conveyor for conveying the mandrel in a horizontal conveyance direction. The conveyor can comprise and endless conveyor and / or an overhead conveyor. The mandrel is coupled to the conveyor in a fixed orientation relative to the conveyance direction in which the plane of symmetry is vertical and aligns with the conveyance direction. The mandrel can be rotationally and / or translationally fixed with respect to the conveyance direction. The system comprises a poultry processing station in a conveyance path ofthe conveyor. The poultry processing station comprises a processing member. The processing member is congured for engaging the carcass front half as the carcass front half is conveyed on the mandrel in the xed orientation along the poultry processing station. The processing member is movable relative to the conveyor along a trajectory within a vertical plane parallel to the plane ofsymmetry between a rst position for allowing the carcass front half to pass the processing member, and a second position for engaging the carcass front half. The processing member can for example comprise a knife for cutting a certain part ofthe poultry carcass front half. The trajectory can be at least partially linear and / or circular within the vertical plane. With the mandrel being in the fixed orientation with respect to the conveyance direction, the processing member can vertically approach the poultry carcass front half to perform a processing operation thereon, such as cutting, deskinning, extracting, etc., as the poultry carcass front half is conveyed, and be withdrawn from the poultry carcass front half thereafter. The processing station may particularly manipulate a breast-side of the poultry carcass front half. In an example, the mandrel is only be translatable relative to the conveyor in a direction transverse to the conveyance direction, for example horizontally or vertically, or a combination thereof. Optionally, the mandrel in the xed orientation extends in the horizontal conveyance direction from a trailing proximal end where the mandrel connects to the conveyor to a leading free distal end. Optionally, the conveyor includes horizontally transverse guide rods congured for guidingmovement ofthe mandrel in ahorizontal direction transverse to the conveyance direction, while maintaining the mandrel in the fixed orientation. Themandrelmayhence be translatedlaterally with respect to the conveyance direction. Optionally, the trajectory of the processing member is adjustable based on a dimension of the poultry carcass front half. The trajectory of the processingmembermayhence be adapted to a size ofthe poultry carcass front half. The poultry processing system may for example comprise a sensor for measuring the dimension of the poultry carcass front half, for example a vertical position or extent ofthe poultry carcass front half. Based on a sensor signal generated by the sensor, the trajectory may be adjusted between successive poultry carcasses. The second position may hence vary between cycles of the processing member, in dependence on the poultry carcass to be processed during that cycle. Optionally, the poultry processing station is a wishbone pre-cutting station. The processing member may include a pivot arm that is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis extending transverse to the conveyance direction, and a stabbing knife that is mounted to the pivot arm. The pivot arm can be an elongate member. The stabbing knife can comprise a blade and / or cutting means. The pivot arm is congured for being pivotally moved from the rst position, inwhich the pivot arm for example is in a substantially horizontal orientation, to the second position, in which the pivot arm for example is in a substantially vertical orientation. The second position is with respect to the conveyance direction in front of the mandrel for stabbing a leading part of the poultry carcass front half with the stabbing knife. The stabbing knife can be configured to cut the tissue between the wishbone and the remaining part ofthe carcass front half. The stabbing knife can comprise a sharp tip, and one or more sharp edges. Optionally, the stabbing knife is movably mounted to the pivot arm, and the poultry processing station is configured for imparting a stabbing motion to the stabbing knife relative to the pivot arm. It will be appreciated that the stabbing motion involves a motion ofthe stabbing knife towards the poultry carcass front half, e.g. generally along a longitudinal direction ofthe knife, with the aim to insert the stabbing knife into poultry carcass front half. The stabbing knife can be mounted to the pivot arm by means of a telescopic mechanism and / or a slide-out mechanism. Optionally, the stabbing motion is in a direction substantially opposite to the conveyance direction. The stabbing may hence be performed with a relative speed that is higher than the conveyance speed. The stabbing motion can be configured to be in a direction such that it engages a leading part of the wishbone, such that the stabbing knife is configured to cut the tissue connecting the leading part of the wishbone to the remaining part of the carcass front half. Optionally, the stabbing motion is at an oblique downward angle with respect to the conveyance direction. The stabbing motion can be congured to be in a direction substantially parallel to a part ofthe wishbone, in order to cut the tissue between the wishbone and the remainingpart ofthe carcass front halfwith the stabbing motion using the stabbing knife. Optionally, the poultry processing station is a breast meat cutting station. The processing member may include a breast meat cutter having a cutting plane transverse to the plane of symmetry. The breast meat cutter can comprise a knife, such as a rotatable knife. The breast meat cutter is congured for beingmoved along a cyclic trajectory in a plane parallel to the plane of symmetry. The cyclic trajectory can be in a vertical plane that is parallel to the plane of symmetry. The cyclic trajectory can have an at least partially cylindrical, ellipse and / or oval shape. Optionally, the cyclic trajectory includes a trajectory section, associated with the second position, in which the breast meat cutter is moved in synchrony with the mandrel for providing a cut in the poultry carcass front halfin the cuttingplane. At the trajectory section, the breastmeat cuttermay hence be moved in generally the same direction and at generally the same speed as the poultry carcass front half. The trajectory section can hence relatively linear parallel to the conveyance direction. Optionally, the poultry processing station is a carcass front half unloading station configured for unloading the carcass front half from the mandrel at a leading end of the mandrel. The carcass front half unloading station can hence be congured to unload the carcass front half from the mandrel in a direction counter to the conveyance direction ofthe conveyor. Optionally, the processing member comprises a pusher organ arranged above the conveyance path. The processing member is configured for, while the poultry carcass front half is being conveyed on the mandrel, being moved relative to the mandrel in a substantially vertical direction for pushing a leading part ofthe carcass front halfdownwards. The pusher organ may be congured to push the poultry carcass front half so as to initiate a release of the poultry carcass front halffrom the mandrel. The pusher organ may for example push the leading part ofthe carcass front halfsuch that the carcass front half shifts, particularly tilting its leading part downward, with respect to the mandrel. The pusher organ can be configured to move between the rst position and the second position as described in view of the processing member. Optionally, the pusher organ is pivotably movable about a horizontal pivot axis that extends transverse to the conveyance direction. It will be appreciated that the pusher organ can alternatively or additionally be translationally movable a vertical direction. Optionally, the pusher organ is biased towards the second position. The pusher organ can hence be pre-tensioned towards the second position such that it is configured to automatically return to the second position after it has been released from the first position. The biasing force towards the second positionmay drive the pushing motion ofthe pusher organ. Optionally, the carcass front half unloading station comprises a stationary guide. The stationary guide is arranged with respect to the conveyance path downstream of the pusher organ for engaging the poultry carcass front half and guiding the poultry carcass front half further downward to urge the carcass fronthalfoffthe mandrel. The stationary guide can be arranged to engage the poultry carcass front half and guide it downwardly awayfrom the mandrel. Underinuence ofthe stationary guide, the carcass front half may hence tilt with respect to the mandrel, to be released therefrom at the leading side of the mandrel. The tilting of the poultry carcass front halfmay initiated by the pusher organ, and be taken over by the stationary guide for completing the release ofthe poultry carcass front halffrom the mandrel. The stationary guide a bottom surface and / or a top surface of the poultry carcass front half. Alternatively, the stationary guide can be arranged to engage the poultry carcass front half at a substantially middle portion in vertical direction ofthe carcass front half. Optionally, the stationary guide includes two mutually symmetric guides being laterally spaced apart from each other. The two mutually symmetric guides comprise an upstream ramp section arranged at a downwardly directed incline with respect to the conveyance direction, an intermediate horizontal section parallel to the conveyance direction, and a downstream ramp section at a downwardly directed incline with respect to the conveyance direction. The upstream downwardly directed ramp may be arranged to engage a leading end of the poultry carcass front half as the carcass front half is conveyed, and guide the leading end downwardly. The intermediate horizontal section is configured for enabling the poultry carcass to shift with respect to the mandrel in an upstream direction, as the downwardly directed guiding force of the upstream ramp diminishes. The downstream downwardly directed ramp subsequently engages the leading end of the poultry carcass front half, and guides the leading end further downwardly to tilt it over the leading end of the mandrel to complete the release from the mandrel. The poultry carcass front half may be collected below the stationary guide, e.g. for further processing. Another aspect provides a method for inline processing of a poultry carcass front half. The method comprises supporting the carcass front halfon a mandrel. The mandrel has a plane ofsymmetry in a vertical orientation for supporting the carcass front half having a neck end and a tail end with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top of the mandrel with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry of the mandrel. The method comprises conveying the mandrel in a horizontal conveyance direction with a conveyor. The mandrel is coupled to the conveyor in a xed orientation relative to the conveyance direction in which the plane of symmetry aligns with the conveyance direction. The method comprises during conveying, selectively engaging the carcass front half with a processing member of a poultry processing station in a conveyance path ofthe conveyor as the carcass front half is conveyed on the mandrel in the xed orientation along the poultry processing station. The processingmember is movable relative to the conveyor along a trajectory within a vertical plane parallel to the plane of symmetry between a rst position for allowing the carcass front half to pass the processing member, and a second position for engaging the carcass front half. Optionally, the poultry processing station is a wishbone pre-cutting station. The processingmember includes a pivot arm that is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis extending transverse to the conveyance direction. The processingmember includes a stabbing knife that is mounted to the pivot arm. The method further comprises pivotally moving the pivot arm from the first position, in which the pivot arm for example is in a substantially horizontal orientation, to the second position, in which the pivot arm for example is in a substantially vertical orientation. The second position is with respect to the conveyance direction in front ofthe mandrel for stabbing a leading part ofthe poultry carcass front halfwith the stabbing knife. Optionally, the method is carried out according to the characteristics described in view ofthe poultry processing system, wherein the poultry processing station is a wishbone pre-cutting station as described herein. Optionally, the poultry processing station is a breast meat cutting station. The processingmember includes a breast meat cutter having a cutting plane transverse to the plane ofsymmetry. The method further comprises moving the breast meat cutter along a cyclic trajectory in a plane parallel to the plane ofsymmetry. Optionally, the method is carried out according to the characteristics described in view ofthe poultry processing system, wherein the poultry processing station is a breast meat cutting station as described herein. Optionally, the poultry processing station is a carcass front half unloading station. The method further comprises unloading, using the carcass front halfunloading station, the carcass front halffrom the mandrel at a leading end ofthe mandrel. Optionally, the method is carried out according to the characteristics described in view ofthe poultry processing system, wherein the poultry processing station is a carcass front halfunloading station as described herein. Another aspect provides a multi-station poultry processing system for inline processing a poultry carcass front half. The multi-station poultry processing system comprises a mandrel and a conveyor such as described in view ofthe poultry processing system. The system comprises at least two poultry processing stations as described in view ofthe poultry processing system. Each ofthe at least two poultry processing stations comprises a different one of a wishbone pre-cutting station, a breast meat cutting station and a carcass front halfunloading station as described in view ofthe poultry processing system. The at least two poultry processing stations are consecutively positioned in the conveyance path ofthe conveyor. Another aspect provides a method for multi-station inline processing ofa poultry carcass front half. The method comprises supporting the carcass front halfon a mandrel. The method comprises conveying the mandrel in a horizontal conveyance direction with a conveyor. The method comprises during conveying, selectively engaging the carcass front halfwith a processingmember ofa poultry processing station as described in view of the method for inline processing ofa poultry carcass front half. The method comprises performing at least two method steps, each step being performed with one of at least two poultry processing stations as described herein. Each ofthe at least two method steps comprises a different one ofpivotally moving the pivot arm from the rst position to the second position, moving the breast meat cutter along a cyclic trajectory in a plane parallel to the plane ofsymmetry, and unloading the carcass front halffrom the mandrel at a leading end ofthe mandrel, as described herein. The at least two method steps are consecutively performed on the carcass front halfwhile the mandrel is being conveyed in the conveyance direction. It will be appreciated that any ofthe aspects, features and options described in view of the poultry processing system for inline processing a poultry carcass front halfapply equally to the method for inline processing of a poultry carcass front half, the multi-station poultry processing system for inline processing of a poultry carcass front half, the method for multi-station inline processing of a poultry carcass front half, and vice versa. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above aspects, features and options can be combined. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTHE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1Aand 1B show illustrations ofa schematic representation ofan example ofa side view ofa poultry processing system; Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show illustrations of a schematic representation ofan example ofa side view of a poultry processing system; Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show illustrations of a schematic representation ofan example ofa side view of a poultry processing system; Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show illustrations of a schematic representation ofan example ofa side view of a poultry processing system; Figures 5A and 5B show illustrations of a detailed representation ofan example ofa wishbone pre-cutting station; Figures 6A and 6B show illustrations of a detailed representation ofan example ofa breast meat cutting station; Figures 7A and 7B show illustrations of a detailed representation ofan example ofa carcass front halfunloading station; Figure 8 shows an illustration of a schematic representation of an example ofa side view ofa multi-station poultry processing system; and Figure 9 shows an exemplary ow chart of a method for inline processing of a poultry carcass front half. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figures 1Aand 1B show illustrations ofa schematic representation of an example of a side view of a poultry processing system 1 for inline processing a poultry carcass front half 2. The system 1 comprises a mandrel 4, a conveyor 6 and a poultry processing station 8. The mandrel 4has a plane of symmetry S in a vertical orientation congured for supporting a carcass front half 2 having a neck end 10 and a tail end 12 with its skeletal structure including a keel bone on top ofthe mandrel 4 with the keel bone aligned with the plane ofsymmetry S ofthe mandrel 4. The poultry carcass front half2 in this example comprises a wishbone 7. The conveyor 6 is configured for conveying themandrel 4in ahorizontal conveyance direction 14. The mandrel 4 is coupled to the conveyor 6 in a fixed orientation relative to the conveyance direction 14. The mandrel 4 can be rotationally and / or translationally xed with respect to the conveyance direction 14. The plane ofsymmetry S aligns with the conveyance direction 14. The poultry processing station 8 is positioned in a conveyance path of the conveyor 6. The poultry processing station 8 comprises a processing member 16 for engaging the carcass front half 2 as the carcass front half2 is conveyed on the mandrel 4 in the xed orientation along the poultry processing station 8. In this example, the poultry processing station 8 is mounted horizontally below the conveyor 6 using mounting means 18. The processingmember 16 is movable relative to the conveyor 6 along a trajectory T1 within a vertical plane parallel to the plane ofsymmetry S between a first positionP 1 for allowingthe carcass front half2 to pass the processingmember 8, and a second position P2 for engaging the carcass front half 2. In Figure 1A, the processingmember 16 is in the rst position P1. Figure 1B shows the processing member 16 in the second position P2. The processing member 16 in this example comprises an elongateblade congured for cuttingthe poultry carcass front half. It will be appreciated that the processing member 16 can comprise other types ofcutting means and / or means for processing at least a part ofthe carcass front half 2. Here, the processingmember 16 is congured to slidably move between the first and second position P1, P2. Thereto, the processingmember 16 comprises acam track 20 and the mounting means 18 comprise a cam roller 22. Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D show illustrations of a schematic representation of an example of a side view of a poultry processing system 1 for inline processing a poultry carcass front half 2. The poultry processing station 8 ofthe system 1 is in this example a wishbone pre-cutting station 24. The processing member 16 includes a pivot arm 26 and a stabbing knife 28. The pivot arm 26 is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis extending transverse to the conveyance direction 14. The stabbing knife 28 is mounted to the pivot arm 26. The pivot arm 26 is congured for being pivotally moved from the rst position P1, in which the pivot arm 26 for example is in a substantially horizontal orientation, to the second position P2, in which the pivot arm for example is in a substantially vertical orientation. The second position P2 is with respect to the conveyance direction in front ofthe mandrel 4 for stabbing a leading part of the poultry carcass front half 2 with the stabbing knife 28. In Figure 2A, the pivot arm 26 is in the rst position P1. Figure 2B shows the pivot arm 26 in the second position P2. The stabbing knife 28 is in this example movably mounted to the pivot arm 26. The poultry processing station 8 is congured for imparting a stabbing motion to the stabbing knife 28 relative to the pivot arm 26. Figure 2C shows the stabbing knife 28 in a stabbing position after the stabbing motion was imparted thereto. The stabbing motion is in this example in a direction substantially opposite to the conveyance direction 14. Here, the stabbing motion is at an oblique downward angle with respect to the conveyance direction 14. The stabbing knife 28 is in this example configured to cut the tissuebetween the wishbone 7 andtheremainingpart ofthe carcass front half 2. Thereto, the stabbing knife 28 has one or more sharp edges. The stabbing knife 28 is congured to return, after completing the stabbing motion, to its initial retracted position relative to the pivot arm 26. In Figure 2D, the stabbing knife 28 has, after the stabbing motion, returned to the retracted position with respect to the pivot arm 26. Figures 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show illustrations of a schematic representation of an example of a side view of a poultry processing system 1 for inline processing a poultry carcass front half 2. The poultry processing station 8 ofthe system 1 is in this example a breast meat cutting station 30. The processingmember 16 includes a breast meat cutter 32 having a cutting plane transverse to the plane of symmetry S. The breast meat cutter 32 is congured for being moved along a cyclic trajectory T3 in a plane parallel to the plane ofsymmetry S. The breastmeat cutter 32 in this example comprises a rotatable blade. Here, the rotatable blade is configured for cutting one or more tendons that connect the wishbone 7 to the remainder of the carcass front half 2. In this example, the cyclic trajectory T3 includes a trajectory section, associated with the second position P2, in which the breast meat cutter 32 is moved in synchrony with the mandrel 4 for providing a cut in the poultry carcass front half2 in the cuttingplane. In Figure 3A, the breastmeat cutter 32 is in the first position P1. Figure 3B shows the breast meat cutter 32 in the second position P2. In Figure 3C, the breast meat cutter 32 is in the third position P3. The breast meat cutter 32 is in the fourth position P4 in Figure 3D. Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show illustrations of a schematic representation of an example of a side view of a poultry processing system 1 for inline processing a poultry carcass front half 2. The poultry processing station 8 of the system 1 is in this example a carcass front half unloading station 34. The carcass front half unloading station 34 is configured for unloading the carcass front half 2 from the mandrel 4 at a leading end ofthe mandrel 4. The processing member 16 in this example comprises a pusher organ 36 arranged above the conveyance path. The pusher organ 36 is congured for, while the poultry carcass front half2 is being conveyed on the mandrel 4, being moved relative to the mandrel 4 in a substantially vertical direction for pushing a leading part of the carcass front half 2 downwards. Here, the pusher organ 36 is pivotably movable about a horizontal pivot axis that extends transverse to the conveyance direction 14. It will be appreciated that the pusher organ 36 can be translationally movable in a vertically downward direction instead. The pusher organ 36 is configured to move between the first and second position P1, P2. In Figure 4A, the pusher organ 36 is in the rst position P1. Figures 4B and 4C show the pusher organ 36 in the second position P2. In Figure 4D, the pusher organ 36 is movedback into the rst position P1. The pusher organ 36 is in this example biased towards the second position P2. The carcass front halfunloading station 34 comprises a stationary guide 38 in this example. The stationary guide 38 is arranged with respect to the conveyance path downstream of the pusher organ 36 for engaging the poultry carcass front half 2 and guiding the poultry carcass front half 2 further downward to urge the carcass front half2 offthe mandrel 4. Here, the stationary guide 38 includes two mutually symmetric guides being laterally spaced apart from each other. The guides comprise an upstream ramp section arranged at a downwardly directed incline with respect to the conveyance direction 14, an intermediate horizontal section parallel to the conveyance direction, and a downstream ramp section at a downwardly directed incline with respect to the conveyance direction 14. Figures 5Aand5B show illustrations ofa schematic representation ofan example ofa wishbone pre-cutting station 24. The wishbone pre-cutting station 24 in this example comprises two processing members 16 arranged side to side. The pivot arms 26 and stabbing knives 28 of the processing members 16 are congured to each engage the carcass front half 2 as the carcass front half 2 is conveyed on the mandrel 4. Therefore in this example the wishbone pre-cutting station 24 is congured for processing carcass front halves 2 in two parallel streams of conveyed carcass front halves 2. The stabbing knife 28 in this example has an arrow shape for cutting the tissue and / or tendonsbetween the Wishbone 7 andthe remainder ofthe carcass front half2. Figure 5Ashows a perspectiveview ofthe wishbone pre-cutting station 24, and Figure 5B shows a front view ofthe wishbone pre-cutting station 24. Figures GAandGB show illustrations ofa schematic representation of an example of a breast meat cutting station 30. The breast meat cutter 32 ofthe breast meat cutting station 30 in this example comprises two rotatable blades. Here, each rotatable blade is congured for cutting the tendons and / or tissue of a different one oftwo sides ofthe wishbone 7 loose from the carcass front half 2. Figure GA shows a side view of the breast meat cutting station 30, and Figure GB shows a back view ofthe breast meat cutting station 30. Figures 7Aand 7B show illustrations ofa schematic representation of an example of a carcass front halfunloading station 34. The carcass front half unloading station 34 in this example comprises two parallel pusher organs 36 and two parallel stationary guides 38. The stationary guides 38 each comprise a slanted surface with respect to the horizontal. Figure 7A shows a side view of the carcass front half unloading station 34, and Figure 7B shows a back view ofthe carcass front halfunloading station 34. Figure 8 shows an illustration of a schematic representation of an example of a side view of a multi-station poultry processing system 40 for inline processing a poultry carcass front half 2. The multi-station poultry processing system 40 comprises the mandrel 4, the conveyor 6 and at least two poultry processing stations 8 as described. In this example, the at least two poultry processing stations 8 comprises the wishbone pre-cutting station 24, the breast meat cutting station 30, and the carcass front half unloading station 34 as described in view of Figures 1A-4D. The at least two poultry processing stations 8 are consecutively positionedin the conveyance path, e.g. in the conveyance direction 14, ofthe conveyor 6. Figure 9 shows an exemplary ow chart ofa method 100 for inline processing ofa poultry carcass front half 2. The method 100 can be performed using a poultry processing system 1 according to any of Figures 1A-4D. Optional steps are shown in dashed boxes. In a rst step 102, the method 100 comprises supporting the carcass front half2 on the mandrel 4. The mandrel 4 is conveyed in a horizontal conveyance direction 14 with the conveyor 6 in step 104. In case the poultry processing station 8 is a wishbone pre-cutting station 24, the method 100 can further comprise pivotally moving the pivot arm 26 from the first position P1 to the second position P2 in step 106. Ifthe poultry processing station 8 is a breast meat cutting station 30, optional step 108 can comprise moving the breast meat cutter 32 along a cyclic trajectory T3 in a plane parallel to the plane of symmetry S. During conveying, the carcass front half 2 is selectively engaged with the processing member 16 of the poultry processing station 8 in the conveyance path ofthe conveyor 6 as the carcass front half 2 is conveyed on the mandrel 4 in the fixed orientation along the poultry processing station 8 in step 110. If the poultry processing station 8 is a carcass front halfunloading station 34, the carcass front half 2 can be unloadedfrom the mandrel 4 at a leading end ofthe mandrel 4 in step 1 12. The method 100 can be performed as a method for multi-station inline processing ofa poultry carcass front half 2, ifat least two different ones of the optional steps 106, 108 and 112 are performed. Each step can be performed with the respective one of the at least two different poultry processing stations 8 as described. The at least two ofthe method steps 106, 108 and 112 are consecutivelyperformed on the carcass front half2 while the mandrel is being conveyed in the conveyance direction 14. The method for multi-station inline processing of a poultry carcass front half 2 can e.g. be performed using the multi-station poultry processing system 40 described in view ofFigure 8. Herein, the invention is described with reference to specic examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged. However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The specications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope ofthe invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some ofthe features described. In the claims, any reference signsplacedbetweenparentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Theword comprising does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words a and an shall not be construed as limited to only one, butinstead areused tomean at least one, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination ofthese measures cannot be used to an advantage.

Claims

1. Poultry processing system for the in-line processing of a front half of a poultry carcass, comprising: - a spindle with a plane of symmetry for supporting a front half of a carcass with a neck end and a tail end, the skeletal structure comprising a keel bone on the spindle with the keel bone with the plane of symmetry of the spindle aligned, - a conveyor for transporting the spindle in a horizontal transport direction, whereby the spindle is in a fixed orientation relative to the transport direction is linked to the conveyor where the plane of symmetry is vertical and aligned with the transport direction; and - a poultry processing station in a transport path of the transporter, where the poultry processing station is a processing section includes for engaging the front half of the carcass while the front half of the carcass on the spindle in the fixed orientation along the is transported poultry processing station, where the processing part is movable relative to the carrier along a trajectory within a vertical plane parallel to the plane of symmetry between a first position around the front half of the carcass the to let the processing part pass, and a second position to the front half of to seize the carcass.

2. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 1, whereby the poultry processing station is a wishbone cutting station, and the processing part comprises a swivel arm that swivels around a horizontal pivot axis extending transversally with respect to the direction of transport, and a stabbing knife mounted on the swivel arm, and where the swivel arm is configured to be moved swiveling from the first position, in which the swivel arm, for example, is in a predominantly horizontal orientation, towards the second position, in which the swivel arm, for example, is in a substantially vertical position is orientation, where the second position is relative to the direction of transport is located in front of the spindle to a front part of the front half of the to stab the poultry carcass with the paring knife.

3. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 2, whereby the the cutting blade is movably mounted on the swivel arm, and the The poultry processing station is configured for the stabbing knife. applying a stabbing motion relative to the swivel arm.

4. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 3, where the stabbing motion in a direction that is substantially opposite to the direction of transport 5. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 4, where the stabbing motion at an oblique downward angle is relative to the direction of transport 6. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 1, where the poultry processing station is a breast meat cutting station and the processing part a brisket slicer comprises with a cutting edge that is transverse to the plane of symmetry, where the brisket slicer is configured to run along a to be moved in a cyclic trajectory in a plane parallel to the plane of symmetry.

7. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 6, where the cyclic trajectory comprises a trajectory section, associated with the second position, in which the brisket slicer is moved synchronously with the spindle to make a cut to make in the cut surface in the front half of the poultry carcass.

8. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 1, whereby the poultry processing station an unloading station for the front half of the carcass is configured for unloading the front half of the spindle carcass at a front end of the spindle.

9. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 8, whereby the processing section comprises a push mechanism provided above the transport path and is configured to, while the front half of the poultry carcass on the pivot is transported, relative to the spindle in a substantially vertical to be moved in direction to a front part of the front half of the to push the carcass down.

10. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 9, whereby the push mechanism swiveling movable is around a horizontal pivot axis that extends transversally with respect to the direction of transport.

11. Poultry processing system in accordance with one of claims 8, 9 or 10, where the pushing mechanism towards the second position is pre-tensioned.

12. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 9, 10 or 11, where the unloading station for the front half of the carcass includes a stationary guide which is provided with respect to the transport path downstream of the pushing mechanism for gripping the front half of the poultry carcass and guiding the front half of the poultry carcass further down to penetrate the front half of the spindle carcass.

13. Poultry processing system within the meaning of claim 12, where the stationary conductor comprising two mutually symmetrical conductors that laterally extend are placed one after the other, whereby the conductors have an upstream slope section include which is arranged at a downward slope with respect to the direction of transport, an intermediate horizontal section parallel to the transport direction, and a downstream slope section under a downward include a directional slope relative to the direction of transport.

14. Method for in-line processing of a front half of a poultry carcass, comprising: - supporting the front half of the carcass on a spindle, whereby the pivot has a plane of symmetry in a vertical orientation for support of the front half of the carcass with a neck end and a tail end, with the skeletal structure including a keel bone on the spindle with the keel bone aligned with the plane of symmetry of the spindle; - transporting the spindle in a horizontal transport direction with a conveyor, where the spindle is in a fixed orientation relative to the transport direction is linked to the conveyor where the plane of symmetry is aligned with the transport direction; - selective engagement of the front half of during transport the carcass with a processing part of a poultry processing station in a transport path of the conveyor while the front half of the carcass on the spindle transported in the fixed orientation along the poultry processing station is becoming, where the processing part is movable relative to the carrier along a trajectory within a vertical plane parallel to the plane of symmetry between a first position around the front half of the carcass the to let the processing part pass, and a second position to the front half of to seize the carcass.

15. Method according to conclusion 14, whereby the poultry processing station is a wishbone cutting station, and the processing part comprises a swivel arm that is swivelable to a horizontal pivot axis extending transversally with respect to the direction of transport, and a cutting knife mounted on the swivel arm, and where the method of operation furthermore the pivoting movement of the swivel arm from the first position, in which the swivel arm, for example, is in a predominantly horizontal orientation, towards the second position, in which the swivel arm, for example, is in a substantially vertical position orientation is encompassed, whereby the second position is relative to the transport direction located in front of the spindle around a front part of the front half to cut from the poultry carcass with the paring knife.

16. Method according to conclusion 15, whereby the method is further carried out in accordance with the characterizing part of one of the conclusions 3-5.

17. Method according to claim 14, whereby the poultry processing station is a breast meat cutting station and the processing part includes a brisket slicer that includes a cutting surface that is transverse to the plane of symmetry, and where the method further the moving of the brisket slicer along a cyclic trajectory in a plane parallel to the includes plane of symmetry.

18. Method according to conclusion 17, whereby the method is further carried out in accordance with the characterizing part of claim 7.

19. Method according to claim 14, whereby the poultry processing station an unloading station for the front half of the carcass includes, and where the working method further includes the unloading, with the unloading station for the front half of the carcass, of the front half of the carcass of the spindle at encompasses a front end of the spindle.

20. Method according to conclusion 19, whereby the method is further carried out in accordance with the characterizing part of one of the claims 9-13. 2 1. Multi-station poultry processing system for in-line processing of a front half of a poultry carcass, comprising: - a spindle and a transporter within the meaning of claim 1; and - at least two poultry processing stations in accordance with claim 1, where each of the at least two poultry processing stations a various one of the following includes: - a wishbone pre-cutting station according to one of claims 2-5; - a brisket cutting station according to one of claims 6 or 7; and - an unloading station for the front half of the carcass according to one of conclusions 8-13, regarding the at least two poultry processing stations are positioned successively in the transport path of the carrier.

22. Procedure for multi-station in-line processing of a front half of a poultry carcass, comprising: - support the front half of the carcass on a pivot, transporting the spindle in a horizontal transport direction with a conveyor, and during transport, selective engagement of the front half of the carcass with a processing part of a poultry processing station within the meaning of claim 14; and - performing at least two procedure steps, where each step is carried out with one of at least two poultry processing stations according to claim 14, where each of the at least two method steps a various one includes of: - swiveling movement of the swivel arm from the first position to the second position according to one of conclusions 15 or 16; - moving the brisket slicer along a cyclical trajectory in a plane parallel to the plane of symmetry according to one of the claims 17 or 18; and - detach the front half of the spindle carcass to a leading edge of the spindle according to one of claims 19 or 20, where the ten at least two procedure steps are performed successively on the front half of the carcass while the spindle is in the direction of transport transported.

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