Device for filleting at least one poultry breast and method for the same

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method for filleting at poultry breast from a carcass. The device comprises a conveyor, a poultry carrier attached to said conveyor, a first drive system for driving the conveyor, an interrupting mechanism configured for temporarily interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier, a scraping section arranged along the conveyor comprising a movable scraping element, which is displaceable between an operational state, for locally separating a part of the poultry breast from the poultry carcass, and a non-operational state in which the scraping element is positioned at a distance from the poultry carrier, for allowing an unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier past said scraping section, wherein a side of the scraping element facing towards the transport path, comprises a dull or blunt side for scraping the part of the poultry breast from the of the poultry carcass.

Description

[0001] Device for filleting at least one poultry breast and method for the same

[0002] The invention relates to a device for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula. The invention further relates to a method for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, preferably by making use of the device according to the invention.

[0003] Over the past few decades, numerous machines have been developed to meet the global demand for large-scale poultry consumption. These machines aim to enhance various aspects of poultry processing, particularly focusing on improving the efficiency of producing different cuts of poultry meat. While these machines are effective for making identical cuts on high speed, it lacks on modularity and spaceefficiency. These machines generally operate based on a transport line along which parts of poultry are conveyed at high speeds. The pieces of poultry are transported along sections of the machine where static knifes or scraping elements perform consecutive and incremental cuts to eventually arrive at a cut piece of poultry. One of such examples is the filleting of breast meat from a carcass. At high speeds the front halve is transported along stationary cutting sections where gradually the breast filet is separated from the front half.

[0004] Although this is way of filleting the poultry breast piece is effective, it requires a large amount of space and does not allow for tailored removal of the meat. It also proves to be difficult to make further and / or other processing steps to the meat that is transported as the machines have a very particular purpose, mostly a single purpose. Moreover, the machines are normally very space consuming, making it difficult to adopt in an already existing location, such as within an existing line of processing. Therefore, there is a need for a device which overcomes one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0005] It is a first objective of the invention to provide a device for efficiently filleting breast filets from a poultry carcass, in particular chicken breast from a chicken carcass. It is a second objective of the invention to provide a device which allows for a more modular and adjustable processing of pieces of poultry, in particular parts of the poultry carcass.

[0006] It is a third objective of the invention to provide a device which allows for more secure processing of poultry based on measurements.

[0007] It is a fourth objective of the invention to provide a device based on an alternative transporting principle compared to the conventional means of transport.

[0008] The present invention therefore proposes a device for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, comprising:

[0009] - at least one conveyor, preferably an endless conveyor, for transporting pieces of poultry along a transport path,

[0010] - at least one poultry carrier engaged and / or attached to and / or forming part of said conveyor wherein each poultry carrier is configured to carry and / or support at least one poultry carcass with at least one poultry breast attached to said carcass,

[0011] - preferably at least one first drive system for driving the conveyor,

[0012] - at least one interrupting mechanism, wherein the interrupting mechanism is configured for temporarily interrupting the movement of at least one poultry carrier along the transport path and / or for temporarily interrupting the movement of the conveyor,

[0013] - at least one scraping section arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, said scraping section comprising at least one movable scraping element, wherein said scraping element is displaceable between an operational state, for locally, preferably partially, separating a part of the poultry breast from a remaining portion of the poultry carcass, in particular an upper portion thereof, and a non- operational state, in which non-operational state the scraping element is positioned at a distance from the poultry carrier, for allowing an unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier past said scraping section, in particular wherein at least a side of the scraping element facing towards the transport path, is formed by or comprises a dull or blunt side for scraping the part of the poultry breast from the remaining portion of the poultry carcass. All of the solutions presented below at least contribute to provide a solution to the same problem of efficiently filleting breast filets from a poultry carcass.

[0014] Providing the interrupting mechanism it is possible to temporarily hold (interrupt the movement of) the poultry carrier at a point along the transport path. This allows for processing the poultry carried on said carrier in a tight space. Similarly, by providing an interrupting mechanism the conveyor can be driven intermittently (i.e. , temporarily interrupted) which allows for temporary stops in the movement of the conveyor. The combination of the temporary stops and the movable scraping element allow for a processing step to be performed using only very limited space as the scraping section is configured to perform the entire scraping step, without the need to introduce intermediate scraping steps. The scraping element is preferably not configured for or suitable for cutting through parts of the carcass and / or meat on said carcass. The scraping element is designed for pushing against the meat and tearing said meat away from the carcass without making an incision. The dull or blunt side of the scraping element facing towards the transport path, is in particular formed by or comprises a dull or blunt edge. Said dull or blunt edge is not suitable for cutting the meat of the poultry. The dull or blunt edge may be an unsharpened side, preferably having a thickness of at least 2mm, 4mm, or at least 6mm. The scraping element thus ensures a scraping action by means of the dull or blunt edge, rather tan cutting through the meat.

[0015] The present invention departs from prior-art techniques that rely on cutting, in which a sharpened edge penetrates and shears material along a defined line, producing a cleanly exposed meat surface but inherently generating waste and limiting yield. In contrast, the invention employs a scraping or tearing action using a dull or blunt element that engages the carcass to displace (for example push) and locally detach the meat from the carcass without forming a conventional cut kerf, resulting in a rougher, irregularly exposed meat surface. This scraping / tearing is therefore mechanically distinct from cutting, as material is progressively teared, surprisingly significantly improved yield. The scraping element is not bound to a defined line of movement and can move in a more organic way, thus increasing yield. Preferably, at least one scraping element comprises at least a base plate, said base plate comprising a cut-out for partially accommodating the poultry carcass, at least in the operational state. That is, when the scraping element is in the operational sate, for scraping the poultry breast, the cut-out is positioned such that the poultry carcass is partially received within the cut-out. In particular, the scraping element contacts the poultry carcass, in particular the breast, via an edge defining said cut-out. It is conceivable that the dull or blunt side of the scraping element is partially defined by an edge of the cut-out in the base facing towards the transport path. As such it is ensured that the part contacting the poultry carcass does not cut, but scrapes the breast, which improves the yield of the breast meat. Optionally, the scraping element comprises at least two side scraping portions, each formed by a side plate for engaging with a lateral portion of a poultry carcass, preferably wherein the side plates are connected, in particular under an angle, to a side, in particular the same side, of the base plate facing towards the transport path at a mutual distance relative to each other, such that the side plates form an extension of the cut-out. The side plates are preferably downwardly inclined relative to the base plate. The inclined orientation of the side plates may ensure that the outer breast filet is urged inwardly in the preferred direction. In particular it is preferred that both side plates are situated in the same plane, under the same angle relative to the base plate. The side plates may be integrally connected to the base plate and formed by bending. Preferably, mutually facing edges of the side plates are substantially parallel to each other, but may slightly taper. It was found that the side plates allow for increased yield during the scraping by not only contacting the front portion of the breast meat, but also ensuring side contact with the poultry carcass. It is conceivable that a pair of abutment plates is arranged at opposing sides of the base plate, wherein said abutment plates are both downwardly inclined for urging the outer breast filet in the preferred, in particular inward, direction. A part of said cut-out may taper in a direction facing away from the transport path. This way, it is ensured that good contact can be made for scraping the meat from the carcass. The cut-out is preferably arranged on a side of the base plate facing the transport path. A portion of the cut-out may be configured for accommodating a portion of a keel bone and / or wishbone. This portion may be formed by a slit that connects to the cut-out, wherein said slit is arranged at a side of the cut-out facing away from the transport path. This may allow the dull edge of the cut-out to be situated closed to the ribcage, and further increasing the yield. It is imaginable that the plate material has a thickness of at least 2mm, or at least 4mm, or at least 6mm. In the context of this patent document, a temporary interruption allows to form a conveyor or poultry carrier that advances in a series of intermittent steps. The conveyor (or poultry carrier) moves pieces of meat or poultry, especially a carcass, in a stop-and-go fashion, preferably synchronized with the operating section such as the scraping section, in particular the movement of the at least one scraping element, to ensure precise and controlled separation of the fillet from the remaining of the poultry carcass. The temporary interruptions allow for accuracy in positioning the carcass onto the conveyor as well as the processing step performed on the carcass, contributing to the overall efficiency of the meat processing system. The first drive system is preferably configured to stepwise move the conveyor over a predefined (e.g., angular or linear) distance and / or during a predefined time interval. Alternatively, the poultry carrier is temporarily interrupted from moving along the conveyor. This allows the poultry to be filleted to be(come) aligned with the scraping section to allow proper scraping of the carcass by the scraping element. Although it is preferred that the scraping element partially separates breast meat from a remaining portion of the carcass, it could be imaginable that the scraping element is configured for completely separating the breast meat from the poultry carcass.

[0016] The device according to the present invention is particularly configured for filleting poultry carcass from which wings have been separated. The legs may optionally be still attached to the carcass. Nonetheless, it is preferred that the carcass still comprises the furcula (i.e. , wishbone) and keel bone. The back meat of the poultry carcass may be still in place or already removed by a preceding processing step or machine. Preferably, at least one first pre-cut is made to the carcass prior to loading on the device of the present invention and / or before entering the scraping section. To this end, the device may comprise at least one pre-cutting section upstream of the scraping section along the transport path. Said pre-cutting section comprising at least one pre-cutting element, for making the first pre-cut in the poultry carcass. The first pre-cut is situated in the region of the shoulder joint, preferably in front (i.e., on the side of the breast filet) of the shoulder joint of the carcass. The first pre-cutting element is configured for cutting one or more tendons. Said first pre-cut preferably extending up to the furcula bone (wishbone). Optionally a second pre-cutting section is provided upstream of the scraping section comprising a second pre-cutting element. The second pre-cut is preferably made to at least one, preferably each, side of the carcass. Said second pre-cut preferably extending along a part of the scapula bone. The first pre-cut allows for an improved positioning and engagement of the scraping element to the breast meat of the carcass. Preferably, the poultry carrier is configured for support in the carcass in an upright position. This allows that during transportation of the poultry carcass on / by the carrier on conveyor along the different processing stations, the poultry carcass is oriented in an upright position, preferably wherein the spine or back is oriented substantially vertically. Preferably, at least one, more preferably each, poultry carrier is configured to carry at least one piece of poultry at a distance from the belt.

[0017] In the present invention, the scraping element is configured to, at least during part of the operational state, contact a part of a poultry carcass transported by at least one poultry carrier, in particular the furcula. That is in particular, the contact between the poultry carcass and the scraping element is without cutting through the meat. In the non-operational state the scraping element is positioned at a distance from the transport path and / or a part of the carcass, in particular the furcula such as to allow the carrier to pass along the scraping section of the device. Hence, the scraping element is positioned closer to an aligned poultry carrier or the transport path in the operational state compared to the non-operational state.

[0018] Although it is imaginable that the at least one scraping element can be displaced manually, preferably according to a mechanically predefined path, it is commonly preferred that this movement is entirely automated and preferably synchronized with the intermittent movement (i.e., temporary interruptions) of the conveyor or poultry carrier. To this end, the device preferably comprises at least one second drive system for, preferably continuously or intermittently, moving the at least one cutting element between the operational state and the non-operational state. Preferably, the first drive system or interruption mechanism and the second drive system are configured to mutually synchronize the movement of the at least one scraping element and the temporary interruption of the poultry carrier and / or of the (endless) conveyor. The synchronization of the movement of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor and the movement of the scraping or cutting element(s) can be realized in a mechanical manner and / or in an electronic manner, for example by making use of a control unit programmed to discretely, semi-continuously, or continuously synchronize both movements. In case at least one control unit would be used to synchronize both movements, the control unit is preferably configured to synchronize the (operation and / or movement of the) interrupting mechanism and / or first drive system and the (operation and / or movement of the) second drive system. It is conceivable that the device further comprises at least one sensor, for measuring one or more device properties. Said sensor may be communicatively connected to the control unit, such that the control unit is configured for controlling the drive system based on one or more sensors. At least one sensor may be a speed sensor, for example for measuring a rotational speed of the drive system and / or of the conveyor. At least one sensor may be a position sensor, such as an angular position sensor, a linear position sensor, a proximity sensor. At least one sensor may provide a continuous signal, however it is also conceivable that at least one sensor provides a signal in case the device is in a predetermined position. The second drive system preferably comprises at least two drive units, each drive unit configured for moving the scraping element in a predefined direction, wherein at least two predefined directions are at a mutual angle. Using two drive units, such as motors, the scraping element can be displaced in at least two distinct direction allowing for an improved trajectory. The trajectory of the scraping element may be defined as the predefined scraping path. Preferably, the two drive units allow for moving the scraping element in two orthogonal directions.

[0019] Preferably, the interrupting mechanism is configured to periodically, temporarily interrupt movement of the poultry carrier and / or of the endless conveyor, and wherein the second drive system is configured to position the at least one scraping element into the operational state when the poultry carrier and / or the endless conveyor is in an interrupted state, and to position the at least one scraping element into the non-operational state if the poultry carrier and / or endless conveyor is not in an interrupted state. This typically leads to a desired synchronization of the poultry carrier, wherein the carcass can be processed, in particular scraped by the scraping element, in a stationary state (interrupted state or non-moving state) of the poultry carrier or conveyor, which is in favour of the accuracy of the process. It is imaginable that said interrupting mechanism and said second drive system are configured to mutually cooperate with each other. Each drive system may be driven by its own drive motor, in particular an electric drive motor. However, it is also imaginable and preferably that the drive systems are driven by the same drive motor, in particular the same electric drive motor. It is preferred that in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier or conveyor at least one poultry carrier is aligned with a part with the scraping section, in particular the scraping element such that said elements may interact with the carcass transported on the carrier. The interrupting mechanism is preferably configured for interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier along the transport path by temporarily disengaging and / or detaching the poultry carrier from the conveyor; and / or interrupting the movement of the conveyor, in particular the drive mechanism, such that the conveyor is intermittently driven.

[0020] Various types of endless conveyors may be used in the device according to the invention. The device may comprise a plurality of endless conveyors of the same type and / or of different type. Another suitable endless conveyor to be used in the device according to the invention is an endless conveyor carousel, also referred to as carousel. This carousel is a type of conveyor system designed in a circular or oval shape. This conveyor configuration typically comprises a rotating platform or series of rotating carriers that move poultry carcasses according to the annular path (circular path or oval path) to guide carcasses to be processed from a loading location via the scraping and / or separating section to an unloading location. This particularly may contribute to the compactness of the device and allows for many processing steps to be performed on a relatively small surface. The rotating carousel preferably comprising a plurality or poultry carriers arranged along a circumference of said carousel, wherein said carousel is configured for aligning at least one poultry carrier with the scraping section, in particular the scraping element, preferably with the scraping section and separating section. It is also conceivable that the endless conveyor comprises or defines a carrying surface. Said carrying surface preferably being configured for engagement with a poultry carrier. The carrying surface of the conveyor allows for a transport of the poultry carrier along this carrying surface. The carrying surface or the poultry carrier, in particular a bottom side, may comprise a surface for providing a friction with respect to the endless conveyor, in particular the carrying surface. This allows the conveyor and poultry carrier to mutually engage, through friction, such that the poultry carrier can be transported by the conveyor. By engaging the conveyor and poultry carrier through mutual friction, it allows for interrupting the movement of the carrier by interrupting the passage, i.e. , physically blocking the movement. Yet, the interrupting mechanism may also be configured for interrupting the friction by lifting the carrier with respect to the conveyor. The conveyor may comprise at least one guide channel, and wherein the poultry carrier comprises at least one protrusion configured to be accommodated in the guide channel, at least when the conveyor is engaged with the conveyor. The guide channel preferably extends parallel along the conveyor. Said guide channel may be arranged in a static frame, which frame is attached to or part of the conveyor. The guide channel is preferably situated higher compared to the carrying surface of the conveyor. The opening of the guide channel preferably faces towards the poultry carriers. It is imaginable that the interrupting mechanism is coupled to the conveyor, in particular to a frame of the conveyor. This position is beneficial as it allows for interaction with the poultry carriers easily. The interrupting mechanism comprises a detecting section for detecting presence of a poultry carrier and an interrupting section for interrupting (temporarily) the movement of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor. The detecting section is arranged upstream of the interrupting section. Preferably said detection section and / or interrupting section are communicatively connected to a control unit for controlling the interrupting mechanism. The control unit may be arranged to control the interrupting section between an operational (interrupting) state and a non-operational (free passing) state based on the signals received from the detecting section. Preferably, the detecting section comprises at least one sensor for detecting a presence of a poultry carrier, and wherein the interrupting section comprises at least one actuatable stopping element for interrupting a movement of a poultry carrier, in particular the detected poultry carrier. Said sensor is configured for detecting a part of a poultry carrier passing through the guide channel of the conveyor. To this end, the sensor may be arranged at least partially inside the guide channel, or at least facing into the guide channel. The sensor may be a proximity sensor, a light sensor, a hall sensor, a weight sensor, or the like. Any sensor that allows for detecting passing of a poultry carrier may be provided to this end. The actuatable stopping element is preferably movable between a retracted position, wherein the actuatable stopping element is positioned at a distance from the transport path for allowing passage of a poultry carrier; and an extended position, wherein the actuatable stopping element is position at least partially in the transport path for blocking the passage of a poultry carrier. The actuatable stopping element may be arranged in the guide channel. Preferably the actuatable stopping element arranged in the guide channel is configured for temporarily lifting the poultry carrier, in particular via the protruding part thereof, from the conveyor. The actuatable stopping element may also be arranged facing towards the conveyor. It is also possible to provide a plurality of stopping elements. This allows for respectively passage of the carrier past the interrupting section and blocking of the passage of the carrier past the interrupting section. Hence, the carrier (with the poultry thereon) may selectively be stopped by moving the actuatable stopping element into the extended position and subsequently to provide a processing action (i.e. separating) on the poultry during the interruption. The actuatable stopping element of the interrupting section may be controlled by the control unit. The actuatable stopping element may for example be a solenoid pin which can be moved into the transport path (to obstruct movement of the carrier) and out of the transport path (to allow passage of the carrier). Preferably, the interrupting section is at least partially aligned with the scraping section, such that in an interrupted state the poultry carrier is aligned with the scraping section. This allows for processing the poultry once stopped by the interrupting mechanism.

[0021] Preferably, the device comprises a plurality of interrupting mechanisms, each for temporarily interrupting the movement of a poultry carrier and / or conveyor independently from one another. Preferably an interrupting mechanism is provided at each processing section to interrupt different poultry carriers at the different processing sections (scraping and separating). By stopping the carrier this allows for having a continuously running conveyor whilst the carrier can be aligned with the processing section. This reduces the need to accurately stop the movement of the conveyor since the individual interrupting mechanisms can be positioned such that the carrier is interrupted at the right point along the transport path.

[0022] It is imaginable that in the operational state of the scraping element at least a part of the scraping element is configured to be displaced along a predefined scraping path, wherein said predefined scraping path comprises at least a vertical directional component and at least a horizontal directional component extending away from and / or towards the transport path, preferably wherein said predefined scraping path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula. Preferably, wherein the predefined scraping path, along which the scraping element is configured to be moved, is at least composed out of a substantially vertical path section for vertical displacement of the scraping element and / or a rotational path section for rotation of the scraping element. Alternatively or additionally, it is imaginable that in the operational state of the scraping element at least a part of the scraping element is configured to be displaced along a predefined scraping path, preferably wherein said predefined scraping path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula. The scraping path may extend in upward and / or downward direction, depending on the way the carcasses are carried. The movement of the scraping element along the scraping path may be achieved by means of the second drive system of the invention. The predefined scraping path comprises at least a directional component away from and / or towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier. The scraping path in particular moves the scraping elements towards or away from the furcula for allowing an interaction between the scraping element and a breast fillet attached to the carcass, in particular a scraping interaction. This contributes to efficient separation of part of the fillet from a (remaining portion of) the carcass. Preferably, the predefined scraping path, along which the scraping element is configured to be moved, is at least composed out of a substantially vertical path section for vertical displacement of the scraping element and / or a rotational path section for rotation of the scraping element. Optionally the scraping path comprises at least one horizontal path section in a direction facing towards or away from an aligned poultry carrier. The latter may also be achieved by means of the rotational path section, particularly in case a rotational axis of said rotational path section is situated at a distance from an aligned poultry carrier or the transport path. This provides efficiently that the scraping element is moved in a direction having both a vertical and horizontal (from and towards the aligned carrier) directional component. This was proven beneficial to cause said scraping element to maintain contact with the furcula of the poultry carcass. If the predefined scraping path extends along substantially the entire frontal side of a carcass that is aligned, it is possible to fully separate the breast meat from the poultry carcass with the separating element. However, it is preferred to use the scraping element for making a local separation of the breast meat from the carcass.

[0023] The at least one scraping element may comprise a contact portion for, at least during at least a part of the operational state of the scraping element, contacting a part of the poultry carcass, in particular the furcula, wherein said contact portion is facing towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier. Preferably, wherein a part of the side of the contact portion facing towards the transport path and / or conveyor comprises and / or is at least partially formed by a dull surface. The dull surface may also be referred to as the engagement surface. The scraping element is thus not configured for cutting through parts of the carcass and / or meat on said carcass. The scraping element is designed for pushing against the meat and tearing said meat away from the carcass without making an incision. By providing a dull contact portion this may be further ensured, such that no unintentional cuts are made. Preferably, the contact portion is at least partially curved, in particular concaved towards the transport path and / or poultry carrier. This allows to shape the contact portion in conformity with a frontal side of the carcass, in particular in conformity with the furcula. This may contribute to making a good contact with the breast meat on the poultry and allowing for scraping along a substantial, preferably the entire width of the chest. This improves uniform scraping of the breast meat.

[0024] In order to provide for a smooth movement along the predefined scraping path it is preferred that at least a part of the scraping element, such as at least one cam, is directly or indirectly accommodated in at least one pair of aligned guide slots, said aligned guide slots mutually enclosing at least a part of the scraping element, for guiding a movement of the scraping element, wherein the predefined scraping path is at least partially defined by the pair of aligned guide slots. It is also conceivable, or even preferred, that the scraping element is accommodated in two pairs of aligned guide slots, such as by means of two cams. Said two cams that are accommodated in respective pairs of aligned guide slots may help to reduce an unintentional rotation of the scraping element around one of the cam axes. The guide slot in the context of this patent document may also be referred to as slot or track. The guide slot(s) define at least a part of the movement of a contact portion of the scraping element. Preferably, the aligned guide slots are aligned in a width direction, wherein the cam is formed by an elongated bar accommodated in both the guide slots. This allows the guide slots to define the movement of the scraping element. In case of two pairs of aligned guide slots, a rotation of the scraping element around said bar, which forms the cams, can be prevented. At least one pair of aligned guide slots is configured to limit or obstruct at least one rotational movement of scraping element, in particular the rotation around an axis of the at least one cam. Here, the rotational movement that is obstructed is different to the rotational movement induced by the rotational path section of the predefined guiding path. The rotational movement obstructed is preferably only the rotational movement of the scraping element around the cam axis. This allows the device to stably contact the furcula of a carcass without the scraping element rotating immediately upon contact with the carcass. The scraping section may comprise a frame, wherein the scraping element is movably connected to said frame of the scraping section. Preferably, the aforementioned guide slots are provided or arranged in said frame. The contact portion of the scraping element is preferably situated at a distance from the cam. Preferably, the second drive system is configured for moving, in particular pushing and / or pulling, the scraping element through the pair of aligned guide slots. This provides for an efficient drive of the scraping element along the predefined guiding path.

[0025] Although it is imaginable that the scraping element is configured for fully separating the breast meat from the carcass, it is preferred that said scraping element makes a preparatory separation of the breast meat from the carcass. The device may further comprise at least one separation section, arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, preferably at a location coincident or downstream of the scraping section, comprising at least one separating structure for separating the locally separated poultry breast from the remaining portion of the carcass. The separating section, in particular the separating structure thereof, allows for completely separating the partially separated breast meat from the remaining portion of the carcass. Preferably the separating structure is configured to co-act with the partially separated breast meat as obtained by the scraping section.

[0026] To allow for improved separating of the breast meat from the poultry carcass the separating structure preferably comprises at least one, preferably a pair of mutually movable co-acting, separating elements, wherein said co-acting separating elements are displaceable between at least an operational state, wherein both coacting separating elements are configured to contact, in particular to mutually clamp, a portion of the locally separated poultry breast, and a non-operational state, wherein both separating elements are positioned at a distance from the poultry carrier, for allowing an unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier past said separating section. Hence in the non-operational state the poultry carriers (optionally carrying a carcass) may move past the separating structure substantially unhindered, similar to the non-operational position of the scraping section / scraping element. The operational state of the co-acting separating elements allows for removal, in particular complete removal, of the breast meat from the poultry carcass. Preferably, said co-acting separating elements engage with the partially separated breast meat as obtained from the scraping section / element. In the operational state the pair of co-acting separating element is configured to mutually clamp, preferably resiliently, a part of the locally separated poultry breast. In particular, the co-acting separating elements are configured to clampingly engage with part of the separated breast meat. It is conceivable the pair of mutually movable co-acting separating elements are formed by a first separating element that is movable along a separating path, and a second separating element that is movably attached to the first separating element so as to be movable with respect to the first separating element. Preferably mutually forming a movable clamp, said clamp configured to grab the partially separated portion of the breast meat. By allowing the co-acting separating elements to clamp a part of the breast meat, the separating elements are configured for pulling the breast meat from the carcass. Due to the anatomy of the breast meat of the poultry, this allows for efficient separation in proximity to the carcass, hence efficiently harvesting the breast meat. It is imaginable that, due to said anatomy of the poultry breast meat, merely the breast meat is separated without removing the tenderloin meat from the carcass. Preferably, in the operational state, a part of at least one separating element is configured to be situated at a first side of the poultry breast facing towards the carcass, and wherein a part of at least one separating element is configured to be arranged at a second, different, side of the poultry breast facing away from the carcass. These first and second sides are alternatively referred to as the inner side and outer side of the breast meat. This allows for making the clamping action. Once the breast meat is clamped, the co-acting separating elements may be moved simultaneously to separate, in particular pull, the meat from the remaining portion of the carcass. To achieve the desired movement of the co-acting separating elements it is preferred that the co-acting separating elements are movable relative to each other, and preferably also jointly or collectively movable, i.e. , maintaining substantially the same mutual distance. To this end, the pair of co-acting separating elements are independently driven. Said pair of co-acting separating elements is preferably movable in substantially the same vertical space, i.e., suspended or movably arranged above one another. It is imaginable that the separating section is configured to co-act with the poultry breast meat. The breast meat may be either an outer breast filet and / or an inner breast filet.

[0027] It is preferred that in the non-operational state a distance between the pair of coacting separating elements is larger than the distance between the pair of co-acting separating elements in at least a part of the operational state, in particular the part where the co-acting separating elements mutually clamp the poultry breast. It is preferred that at least one co-actin separating element is downwardly inclined, with respect to a horizontal plane, and wherein at least one co-acting separating element is upwardly inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. Preferably, the bottom co-acting separating element is upwardly inclined, and the top co-acting separating element is downwardly, or at least horizontal, inclined. This allows both elements to engage with a different portion of the poultry breast. It is conceivable that at least one co-acting separating element is resilient, such as to engage with part of the poultry breast under pretension.

[0028] In at least a part of the operational state, at least one, preferably each of the pair of co-acting separating elements is configured to be displaced along a predefined separating path, preferably wherein said separating path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular the furcula and / or part of the keel. The wording extends along at least part of an aligned carcass, in particular the furcula and / or part of the keel does not necessarily mean that the co-acting separating elements make contact with said part, but must be understood as the extend along said components. That is, the co-acting separating elements may also extend along said parts at a distance from said parts, in order to achieve the desired separation of the poultry breast. Preferably, the predefined separating path comprises at least a directional component away from and / or towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier. It is imaginable that the predefined separating path is at least composed out of a substantially vertical path section and / or a rotational path section and / or a horizontal path section in a direction facing away from the poultry carrier of the scraping element. Preferably, an axis of rotation of said rotational path section is preferably situated at a distance from the transport path and / or poultry carrier, similar to the predefined scraping path. It is imaginable that part of the scraping path and separating path is the same or substantially the same. The separating path preferably extends further in a downward direction in order to provide for complete separation of the poultry breast from the remainder of the carcass. The co-acting separating elements of the present invention allow for an efficient separation of the meat from the carcass, using very little space.

[0029] Although it is imaginable that the at least one or both co-acting separating elements can be displaced manually, preferably according to a mechanically predefined path, it is commonly preferred that this movement is entirely automated and preferably synchronized with the intermittent movement of the conveyor. To this end, the device preferably comprises at least one third drive system for, preferably continuously or intermittently, moving the at least one or both co-acting separating elements between the operational state and the non-operational state. Preferably, the interrupting mechanism and the third drive system are configured to mutually synchronize the movement of the at least one or both co-acting separating elements and at least one temporary interruption of the poultry carrier and / or of the (endless) conveyor. The synchronization of the movement of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor and the movement of the separating element(s) can be realized in a mechanical manner and / or in an electronic manner, for example by making use of a control unit programmed to discretely, semi-continuously, or continuously synchronize both movements, preferably the same control unit as described in relation to the third drive mechanism. In case at least one control unit would be used to synchronize both movements, the control unit is preferably configured to synchronize the (operation and / or movement of the) first drive system and the (operation and / or movement of the) third drive system.

[0030] Preferably, at least one interruption mechanism is configured to periodically, temporarily interrupt movement of the poultry carrier and / or the endless conveyor, and wherein the third drive system is configured to position the at least one or both co-acting separating elements into the operational state when the poultry carrier and / or endless conveyor is in an interrupted state, and to position the at least one or both co-acting separating elements into the non-operational state if the poultry carrier and / or endless conveyor is not in an interrupted state. This typically leads to a desired synchronization of both movements, wherein the carcass can be processed, in particular to separate the breast meat by the co-acting separating elements, in a stationary state (interrupted state or non-moving state) of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor, which is in favour of the accuracy of the process. It is imaginable that said first drive system or interrupting mechanism and said third drive system are configured to mutually cooperate with each other. Each drive system may be driven by its own drive motor, in particular an electric drive motor. However, it is also imaginable and preferably that the drive systems are driven by the same drive motor, in particular the same electric drive motor. It is preferred that in an interrupted state of the conveyor at least one poultry carrier is aligned with a part with the separating section, in particular the co-acting separating elements such that said elements may interact with the carcass transported on the carrier. The third drive system is configured for displacing, preferably pushing and / or pulling, at least one of the co-acting separating elements through at least one guide slot, if applied. It is imaginable that the third drive system comprises a pair of drive elements, such as motors, each for individually driving one of the co-acting separating elements.

[0031] It is imaginable that in the operational state of the co-acting separating elements element at least a part of the separating elements is configured to be displaced along a predefined separating path, preferably wherein said predefined separating path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula and keel. The separating path may extend in upward and / or downward direction, depending on the way the carcasses are carried. The movement of the separating elements along the separating path may be achieved by means of the third drive system of the invention. The predefined separating path comprises at least a directional component away from and / or towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier. The separating path in particular moves the separating elements towards or away from the carcass for allowing an interaction between the separating elements and a breast fillet attached to the carcass, in particular a separating interaction by pulling the breast from the carcass by clamping the partially released breast meat. This contributes to efficient separation of the breast meat (fillet), completely, from the carcass. Preferably, the predefined separating path, along which the separating elements is configured to be moved, is at least composed out of a substantially vertical path section for vertical displacement of at least one of the separating elements and / or a rotational path section for rotation of at least one of the separating elements. Optionally the separating path comprises at least one horizontal path section in a direction facing towards or away from an aligned poultry carrier. The latter may also be achieved by means of the rotational path section, particularly in case a rotational axis of said rotational path section is situated at a distance from an aligned poultry carrier or the transport path. This provides efficiently that the separating elements are moved in a direction having both a vertical and horizontal (from and towards the aligned carrier) directional component.

[0032] The co-acting separating elements may comprise a contact portion for, at least during at least a part of the operational state of the separating elements, contacting a part of the poultry carcass, in particular the locally separated part of the breast meat, wherein said contact portion is facing towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier. Preferably, wherein a part of the side of the contact portion facing towards the transport path and / or conveyor comprises and / or is at least partially formed by a dull surface. The dull surface may also be referred to as the engagement surface. The co-acting separating elements are thus not configured for cutting through the meat on said carcass. The separating elements are designed for pulling the breast meat from the carcass without making an incision. By providing a dull contact portion this may be further ensured, such that no unintentional cuts are made. Preferably, the contact portion is at least partially curved, in particular concaved towards the transport path and / or poultry carrier. This allows to shape the contact portion in conformity with a frontal side of the carcass, in particular in conformity with the furcula. This may contribute to making a good contact with the locally separated part of breast meat on the poultry carcass.

[0033] In order to provide for a smooth movement along the predefined separating path it is preferred that at least a part of at least one separating element, such as at least one cam, is directly or indirectly accommodated in at least one pair of aligned guide slots, said aligned guide slots mutually enclosing at least a part of the separating elements, for guiding a movement of at least one co-acting separating element, wherein the predefined separating path is at least partially defined by the pair of aligned guide slots. It is also conceivable, or even preferred, that the co-acting separating elements is accommodated in two pairs of aligned guide slots, such as by means of two cams. Said two cams that are accommodated in respective pairs of aligned guide slots may help to reduce an unintentional rotation of the pair of coacting separating elements around one of the cam axes. The guide slot in the context of this patent document may also be referred to as slot or track. The guide slot(s) define at least a part of the movement of a contact portion of at least one of the co-acting separating elements. Preferably, the aligned guide slots are aligned in a width direction, wherein the cam is formed by an elongated bar accommodated in both the guide slots. This allows the guide slots to define the movement of the separating elements. In case of two pairs of aligned guide slots, a rotation of the separating element around said bar, which forms the cams, can be prevented. Such a guide slot preferably defines at least part of the movement of the contact portion of at least one separating element. Preferably, at least one separating element is arranged in one guide slot, other in the other or both. At least one pair of aligned guide slots is configured to limit or obstruct at least one rotational movement of at least one of the co-acting separating elements, in particular the rotation around an axis of the at least one cam. Optionally, the bottom co-acting separating element is resiliently rotatable around an axis of the at least one cam, for allowing a resilient clamping configuration of the locally separated breast meat.

[0034] The separating section may comprise at least one frame, wherein each of the coacting separating elements is movably connected, preferably independently movably connected, to a frame of the separating section. The guide slots are preferably arranged in said frame. It is also conceivable, and sometimes preferred, that at least one separating element, preferably each separating element, is substantially identical to at least one scraping element. Yet further, the separating section and the scraping section may at least partially, preferably entirely, be mutually integrated and / or at least partially formed by the same section.

[0035] It is imaginable that the device further comprising at least one imaging unit configured for determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass on a poultry carrier, wherein the imaging unit is preferably formed by or comprises an X- ray unit and / or a camera and / or a 3D scanner. It is conceivable that the imaging unit comprises a plurality of cameras or scanners for imaging the poultry carcass from different angles. The camera may be an infrared camera or a regular image camera, alternatively the location of the shoulder joint may be determined by a contact element. Locating the shoulder joint allows for determining the location at which contact (i.e. between carcass and scraping element) may start. To this end, the device further comprising at least one control unit, and preferably at least one imaging unit, wherein said control unit is configured for determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass; and adjusting a position, in particular in part of the operational state, of the scraping element and poultry carrier relative to each other based on the determined location of the shoulder joint. Determining the shoulder joint location is preferably based on the image received from the imaging unit. Optionally, if the second drive system comprises two drive units for driving the scraping element, the imaging unit and control unit may additionally enable dynamic adjustment of the predefined scraping path itself. This may be for example by adapting the respective motion profiles of the drive units of the second drive system in dependence on detected characteristics of the poultry carcass, such as the size or spacing of the shoulder joints and / or an image-based assessment of (part of) the breast region. This may be achieved by independently controlling the drive units of the second drive system by the control unit based on data received from the imaging unit. Use of such a control allows for more accurate processing of the meat, in particular to account for more variety in size and form of the poultry pieces, thereby reducing the need to pre-select the pieces of poultry according to their size and increasing the yield. The same configuration is applicable with respect to the separating section, to position the co-acting separating elements in a correct operational position relative to the carcass. To adjust the relative position the device preferably further comprises at least one adjusting structure for adjusting a position of the poultry carrier, in particular the shoulder joint of a carcass carried by the carrier, and scraping element relative to each other. Use of such a control system allows for more accurate processing of the meat, in particular to account for more variety in size and form of the poultry pieces. This may reduce the need to pre-select the pieces of poultry according to their size.

[0036] According to a further aspect the invention provides for a method for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, preferably by using the device according to the invention, comprising the steps of: a) positioning or loading one or more carcasses comprising breast meat to be filleted onto a poultry carrier which is engaged or attached to or part of to a conveyor of a filleting device, b) driving the conveyor by using a drive system such that said one or carcasses comprising breast meat are displaced in a transport direction, c) temporarily interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier along the endless conveyor and / or temporarily interrupting the movement of the conveyor, preferably using an interrupting mechanism or by said drive system, d) scraping, in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor, by mechanically moving, preferably automatedly moving, a movable scraping element of a scraping section of the device along a scraping path extending along a part of the breast-side of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula, e) periodically repeating at least steps a)-d). The method optionally further comprising the step of: f) separating, in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor, by mechanically moving, preferably automatedly moving, a pair of co-acting movable scraping elements of a separating section of the device along a separating path extending along a part of the breast-side of an aligned carcass wherein step f) is preferably performed after, in the same interrupted state and / or a subsequent interrupted state, step d). Preferably the method further comprises the step of: g) determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass transported by the conveyor; and h) adjusting, based on the determined location of the shoulder joint in step g), a position of the location of the intermediate joint and the scraping element of the scraping section relative to each other.

[0037] The same benefits as described in relation to the device of the invention apply mutatis mutandis to the method as provided for by the invention.

[0038] Further non-limitative embodiments according to the invention are defined in the following set of non-limitative clauses, wherein:

[0039] 1 . Device for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, comprising:

[0040] - at least one conveyor, preferably an endless conveyor, for transporting pieces of poultry along a transport path, - at least one poultry carrier engaged to and / or attached to said conveyor, wherein each poultry carrier is configured to carry and / or support at least one poultry carcass with at least one poultry breast attached to said carcass,

[0041] - at least one first drive system for driving the conveyor,

[0042] - at least one interrupting mechanism, wherein the interrupting mechanism is configured for temporarily interrupting the movement of at least one poultry carrier along the transport path and / or for temporarily interrupting the movement of the conveyor,

[0043] - at least one scraping section arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, said scraping section comprising at least one movable scraping element, wherein said scraping element is displaceable between an operational state, for locally separating a part of the poultry breast from a remaining portion of the poultry carcass, in particular an upper portion thereof, and a non- operational state, in which non-operational state the scraping element is positioned at a distance from the poultry carrier, for allowing an unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier past said scraping section, wherein at least a side of the scraping element facing towards the transport path, is formed by or comprises a dull or blunt side for scraping the part of the poultry breast from the remaining portion of the poultry carcass.

[0044] 2. Device according to clause 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one second drive system for, preferably continuously or intermittently, moving the at least one scraping element between the operational state and the non-operational state.

[0045] 3. Device according to clause 2, wherein the at least one interrupting mechanism and the second drive system are configured to mutually synchronize the movement of the at least one scraping element and the temporary interruption of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor.

[0046] 4. Device according to clause 2 or 3, wherein the interruption mechanism is configured to periodically, temporarily interrupt movement of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor, and wherein the second drive system is configured to position the at least one scraping element into the operational state when the poultry carrier and / or conveyor is in an interrupted state, and to position the at least one scraping element into the non-operational state if the poultry carrier and / or conveyor is not in an interrupted state.

[0047] 5. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the interruption mechanism is configured for interrupting exclusively a movement of the poultry carrier, whilst allowing a continuous movement of the conveyor.

[0048] 6. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the interrupting mechanism is configured for:

[0049] - interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier along the transport path by temporarily disengaging and / or detaching the poultry carrier from the conveyor; and / or

[0050] - interrupting the movement of the conveyor, in particular the drive mechanism, such that the conveyor is intermittently driven.

[0051] 7. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the poultry carrier is configured to be engaged with the conveyor through friction.

[0052] 8. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the conveyor comprises at least one guide channel, and wherein the poultry carrier comprises at least one protrusion configured to be accommodated in the guide channel.

[0053] 9. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the interrupting mechanism is coupled to the conveyor, in particular to a frame of the conveyor.

[0054] 10. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the interrupting mechanism comprises a detecting section and an interrupting section, wherein the detecting section is arranged upstream of the interrupting section, preferably communicatively connected to a control unit for controlling the interrupting mechanism.

[0055] 11 . Device according to clause 10, wherein the detecting section comprises at least one sensor for detecting a presence of a poultry carrier, and wherein the interrupting section comprises at least one actuatable stopping element for interrupting a movement of a poultry carrier, in particular the detected poultry carrier.

[0056] 12. Device according to clause 11 , wherein the actuatable stopping element is movable between:

[0057] - a retracted position, wherein the actuatable stopping element is positioned at a distance from the transport path for allowing passage of a poultry carrier; and

[0058] - extended position, wherein the actuatable stopping element is positioned at least partially in the transport path for blocking the passage of a poultry carrier.

[0059] 13. Device according to any of the clauses 10-12, wherein the interrupting section is at least partially aligned with the scraping section, such that in an interrupted state the poultry carrier is aligned with the scraping section.

[0060] 14. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein in the operational state of the scraping element at least a part of the scraping element is configured to be displaced along a predefined scraping path, preferably wherein said predefined scraping path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula.

[0061] 15. Device according to clause 14, wherein the predefined scraping path comprises at least a directional component away from and / or towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier.

[0062] 16. Device according to clause 14 or 15, wherein the predefined scraping path, along which the scraping element is configured to be moved, is at least composed out of a substantially vertical path section for vertical displacement of the scraping element and / or a rotational path section for rotation of the scraping element.

[0063] 17. Device according to one of clauses 14-16, wherein at least a part of the scraping element, such as at least one cam, is directly or indirectly accommodated in at least one pair of aligned guide slots, said aligned guide slots mutually enclosing at least a part of the scraping element, for guiding a movement of the scraping element, wherein the predefined scraping path is at least partially defined by the pair of aligned guide slots.

[0064] 18. Device according to clause 17, wherein at least one pair of aligned guide slots is configured to limit or obstruct at least one rotational movement of scraping element, in particular the rotation around an axis of the at least one cam.

[0065] 19. Device according to clause 2 and one of clauses 17-18, wherein the second drive system is configured for moving, in particular pushing and / or pulling, the scraping element through the pair of aligned guide slots.

[0066] 20. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein at least one scraping element comprises a contact portion for, at least during at least a part of the operational state of the scraping element, contacting a part of the poultry carcass, in particular the furcula, wherein said contact portion is facing towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier.

[0067] 21 . Device according to clause 20, wherein a part of the side of the contact portion facing towards the transport path and / or conveyor comprises and / or is at least partially formed by a dull surface.

[0068] 22. Device according to clause 20 or 21 , wherein the contact portion is at least partially curved, in particular concaved towards the transport path and / or poultry carrier.

[0069] 23. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the scraping section comprises a frame, wherein the scraping element is movably connected to the frame of the scraping section.

[0070] 24. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising at least one separation section, arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, preferably at a location coincident or downstream of the scraping section, comprising at least one separating structure for separating the locally separated poultry breast from the remaining portion of the carcass. 25. Device according to clause 24, wherein the separating structure comprises at least one pair of mutually movable co-acting separating elements, wherein said co-acting separating elements are displaceable between at least an operational state, wherein both co-acting separating elements are configured to contact, in particular to mutually clamp, a portion of the locally separated poultry breast, and a non-operational state, wherein both separating elements are positioned at a distance from the poultry carrier, for allowing an unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier past said separating section.

[0071] 26. Device according to clause 25, wherein in the non-operational state a distance between the pair of co-acting separating elements is larger than the distance between the pair of co-acting separating elements in at least a part of the operational state.

[0072] 27. Device according to clause 25 or 26, wherein in at least a part of the operational state each of the pair of co-acting separating elements is configured to be displaced along a predefined separating path, preferably wherein said separating path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular the furcula and / or part of the keel.

[0073] 28. Device according to any of clauses 25-27, wherein in the operational state the pair of co-acting separating elements is configured to mutually clamp, preferably resiliently, a part of the locally separated poultry breast.

[0074] 29. Device according to any of clauses 25-28, wherein the device comprises at least one third drive system for, preferably continuously or intermittently, moving both of the co-acting separating elements between the operational state and the non-operational state, in particular wherein said drive system is configured for independently moving each separating element between the operational state and non-operational state.

[0075] 30. Device according to clause 29, wherein the interrupting mechanism and the third drive system are configured to mutually synchronize the movement of the pair of co-acting separating elements and the temporary interruption of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor.

[0076] 31 . Device according to clause 30, wherein the interruption mechanism is configured to periodically, temporarily interrupt movement of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor, and wherein the third drive system is configured to position the pair of co-acting separating elements into the operational state when the poultry carrier and / or conveyor is in an interrupted state, and to position the pair of coacting separating elements into the non-operational state if the poultry carrier and / or conveyor is not in an interrupted state.

[0077] 32. Device according to any of the clauses 24-31 , wherein the separating section comprises at least one frame, wherein each of the co-acting separating elements is movably connected, preferably independently movably connected, to a frame of the separating section.

[0078] 33. Device according to any of the clauses 24-32, wherein at least one separating element, preferably each separating element, is substantially identical to at least one scraping element.

[0079] 34. Device according to any of the clauses 24-33, wherein the separating section and the scraping section are at least partially, preferably entirely, mutually integrated and / or at least partially formed by the same section.

[0080] 35. Device according to one of clauses 24-34, wherein at least a part of the coacting separating elements, such as at least one cam, is directly or indirectly accommodated in at least one pair of aligned guide slots, wherein said aligned guide slots mutually enclosing at least a part of the pair of co-acting separating elements, for guiding a movement of the co-acting separating elements, preferably wherein the predefined separating path is at least partially defined by the pair of aligned guide slots.

[0081] 36. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the conveyor is formed by a rotating carousel comprising a plurality of poultry carriers arranged along a circumference of said carousel, wherein said carousel is configured for aligning at least one poultry carrier with the scraping section, in particular the scraping element, preferably with the scraping section and separating section.

[0082] 37. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising at least one imaging unit configured for determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass on a poultry carrier, wherein the imaging unit is preferably formed by or comprises an X-ray unit and / or a camera and / or a 3D scanner.

[0083] 38. Device according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising at least one control unit, and preferably at least one imaging unit, wherein said control unit is configured for:

[0084] - determining a location of a shoulder joint and / or furcula of a poultry carcass; and

[0085] - adjusting a position, in particular in the operational state, of the scraping element and poultry carrier relative to each other based on the determined location of the shoulder joint and / or furcula.

[0086] 39. Device according to clause 38, wherein the device further comprises at least one adjusting structure for adjusting a position of the poultry carrier, in particular the shoulder joint of a carcass carried by the carrier, and scraping element relative to each other.

[0087] 40. Method for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, preferably by using the device according any of the preceding clauses, comprising the steps of: a) positioning or loading one or more carcasses comprising breast meat to be filleted onto a poultry carrier which is engaged with or attached to a conveyor of a filleting device, b) driving the conveyor by using a drive system such that said one or carcasses comprising breast meat are displaced in a transport direction, c) temporarily interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier along the endless conveyor and / or temporarily interrupting the movement of the conveyor, preferably by said drive system, d) scraping, in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor, by mechanically moving, preferably automatedly moving, a movable scraping element of a scraping section of the device along a scraping path extending along a part of the breast-side of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula, e) periodically repeating at least steps a)-d).

[0088] 41 . Method according to clause 40, further comprising the step of: f) separating, in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor, by mechanically moving, preferably automatedly moving, a pair of co-acting movable scraping elements of a separating section of the device along a separating path extending along a part of the breast-side of an aligned carcass wherein step f) is preferably performed after, in the same interrupted state and / or a subsequent interrupted state, step d).

[0089] 42. Method according to one of clauses 40 or 41 , wherein the method further comprises the step of g) determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass transported by the conveyor; and h) adjusting, based on the determined location of the shoulder joint in step g), a position of the location of the intermediate joint and the scraping element of the scraping section relative to each other.

[0090] The present invention will hereinafter be further elucidated based on the following non-limitative figures, wherein:

[0091] - figure 1 shows a schematic overview of a non-limitative embodiment of the present invention;

[0092] - figure 2 shows a perspective view of a scraping section according to the present invention;

[0093] - figure 3a and 3b respectively show a top- and side view of the scraping section as shown in figure 2;

[0094] - figure 4 shows a perspective view of the scraping section in a particular state;

[0095] - figure 5 shows a different embodiment of a scraping section according to the invention; - figure 6 shows a perspective view of a separating section according to the present invention;

[0096] - figure 7 shows the separating section of figure 6 in a front view;

[0097] - Figures 8a and 8b show two perspectives (front and rear) of another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0098] - Figure 9 shows an embodiment of the interrupting mechanism according to the invention.

[0099] Figure 1 depicts a schematic top view of the device 100 for filleting a poultry breast from a carcass according to an embodiment. The device 100 comprises a conveyor 1 , wherein a plurality of poultry carriers 2 are arranged along the circumference of said conveyor 1 . The conveyor shown in this embodiment is a carousel conveyor 1 , however different types of conveyors may be used. The carriers 2 are configured for carrying a poultry carcass, wherein said carcass comprises a furcula and at least one breast meat attached to said carcass. The device 100 comprises a first drive system 4, which in this case is a rotational drive 4, for rotating the carousel conveyor 1 in a predefined rotation direction 3. The device 100 further comprises two interruption mechanisms, which cause a temporary interruption in the drive of the conveyor 1 and / or the poultry carriers 2. The rotation induced by the first drive system 4 and / or the interruption of motion induced by the interruption mechanisms 400 causes the poultry carriers 2 to be aligned with the scraping section 200 and the separating section 300 according to the invention. Although this embodiment shows presence of eight carriers 2, it is imaginable that more or less carriers are used. The interruption mechanism 400 is configured for aligning at least one carrier 2 with the scraping section 200. Said scraping section comprising at least one scraping element 201 . Said scraping element 201 is configured for partially separating poultry breast meat from a remaining portion of the poultry carcass, that is, when a carrier is aligned with the scraping section. Similarly, the separating section 300 comprises a separating structure 301 for completely separating the locally separated breast meat from the remaining portion of the carcass, when a carrier 2 is aligned with the separating section 300. The interruption mechanism 400 aligns a carrier with the scraping section 200. During displacement of the carousel conveyor 1 , the scraping section, in particular the scraping element 201 in in a non-operational state. During an interrupted state of the conveyor 1 , i.e. , when a carrier 2 is aligned with the scraping section 200, the scraping element 201 is placed in an operational state for locally separating breast meat from the carcass.

[0100] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the scraping section 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. The scraping element 201 is moved by a second drive system 202, which is connected to the scraping element 201 . Said second drive system 202 is configured to be mutually synchronized the movement of the scraping element 201 with the intermittent movement of the conveyor by first drive system 4. The second drive system 202 in this embodiment is provided by pushing and / or pulling the scraping element upwardly or downwardly through the guide slots. The scraping element 201 , at least a contact portion 208 thereof, is configured to be moved along a predefined scraping path 203. Said predefined scraping path 203 is at least partially defined by two pairs of aligned guide slots 204, 205. A cam 206, formed in this embodiment by an axle, is accommodated in said guide slots 204, 205 and connected to a part 207 of the scraping element 201 . This allows to transfer the movement from the cam 206 to the contact portion 208 by displacing said cam 206 through the guide slots 204, 205. By providing two pairs of aligned guide slots 204, 205, and two cams 206 (see figure 3a) it is possible to prevent a rotation of the scraping element 201 around a cam axle. The guide slots 204, 205 are arranged in the frame 209 of the scraping section 200.

[0101] Figure 3a and 3b respectively show a top view and a side view of the scraping section 200 according to the invention. The top view of figure 3a shows the pair of cams 206, which are connected to a part 207 of the scraping element 201 . Said cams are configured to be moved, upwardly and / or downwardly, through the pair of aligned guide slots 204, 205, such as to move the contact portion 208 along the predefined scraping path 203. When the scraping element 201 is placed in the upper part of the scraping path 203, thus when cams 206 are in the uppermost positioned in said guide slots 204, 205, the scraping element is in the non- operational state. In this position the scraping element does not obstruct the passage of the carriers past the scraping section 200. When the scraping element 201 , i.e. , by displacing cams 206 through the slots 204, 205, the scraping element is in the operational state, for partially separating breast meat from the carcass. The predefined scraping path 203 comprises a vertical portion 203a and a curved portion 203b. Said vertical portion is configured to displace the scraping element 201 , in particular the contact portion 208 from a state wherein there is no contact with the carcass (non-operational state) to a state where initial contact with the aligned carcass is established (part of the operational state). The curved portion 203b is configured for following a trajectory along a part of the poultry carcass, in particular for moving the contact portion 208 along part of the furcula, such as to locally push the breast meat from the carcass.

[0102] Figure 4 shows the scraping section 200 during the operational state. The figure indicates a part of a poultry carcass, which shows the shoulder joints 210 and the scraping element, in particular the contact portion 208, in contact with part of the breast meat 211 . The contact portion 208 is arranged for pushing the breast meat 211 partially off the carcass. When the cams 206 are moved further downward compared to the depicted position in this figure, the contact portion 208 pushes the partially separated breast meat 211 further downward to establish the preferred local separation of the breast meat 211 form the remaining portion of the carcass. The contact portion 208 is concavely curved, preferably shaped to be scraped along a furcula of the poultry.

[0103] Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a scraping section 200 according to the present invention. This embodiment differs in the type of scraping element 201 and the second drive mechanism 202a, 202b. Rather than a single drive, this drive mechanism uses two drives 202a, 202b each for driving the scraping element 201 in a particular direction. The two directions are at an angle, which in the shown embodiment is orthogonal. The first drive 202b moves the scraping element 201 in height primarily, the second drive 202a moves the scraping element 201 relative from and to the transport path (not shown in figure). By controlling the drives 202a, 202b a predefined scraping path can be followed by the scraping element 201 which increases the yield of product. The scraping element is formed out of plate material, comprising a base plate 219 in which base plate 219 a cut-out 214 is formed. The cut-out 214 is formed to partially accommodate a poultry carcass in the operational state. The cut-out comprises a keel cut-out portion 216, which allows for passage of the keel bone of a poultry carcass during scraping. This allows the edge 218 of the cut-out 214 to be situated in closed proximity to the poultry carcass to increase the yield. A pair of side plates 215 is connected to the base plate 219 for engaging with a side portion of the poultry carcass. It was found that these plates 215 increased the yield even further. The side plates 215 are positioned at an angle relative to the base plate 219. The side plates are in particular downwardly inclined and are positioned such that the cut-out 214 is increased by said side plates 215. A further pair of abutment plates 217 is arranged at opposing sides of the base plate 219, which move the separated part of poultry breast to move in the correct direction.

[0104] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the separating section 300 according to the invention. The separating section 300 is arranged downstream of the scraping section 201 , and arranged to interact with the locally separated part of the breast meat. The separating section comprises a third drive system 302, which in this embodiment is formed by a pair of drive motors 305. Each of said motors drives a spindle 303, which spindles are arranged to each move on of the pair of co-acting separating elements 306, 307 of the separating structure 301 . The co-acting separating elements 306, 307 are configured to be independently and individually moved by the third drive system 302. The co-acting separating elements are configured for mutually clamp the locally separated breast meat and to pull the breast meat from the carcass. Said separating elements 306, 307 are displaceable between an operational state, in which said elements 306, 307 clampingly interact with the breast meat, and a non-operational state in which the co-acting separating elements 306, 307 are positioned to allow unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier 2 past the separating section 300. The co-acting separating elements 306, 307 are arranged to move along a predefined separating path which is defined by two pairs of aligned guide slots 308, 309. The co-acting separating elements 306, 307 are arranged in said guide slots 308, 309 via cams 310. The bottom co-acting separating element 306 is resiliently arranged by means of a spring 311 , which allows the device to resiliently clamp the piece of separated breast meat. The guide slots 308, 309 through which the cams 310 are movable are provided in a frame 312 of the separating section. Figure 7 shows a front view of the separating section 300 as shown in figure 6. The top or upper separating element 307 and lower or bottom separating element 306 are movable relative to each other, but also movable together without increasing mutual distance. In the non-operational state, the upper separating element 307 is positioned at the uppermost positioned, such that the cam 310 of said separating element 307 is in the top part of the guide slot 308, 309. The lower separating element 306, in said non-operational state, is positioned in the lowermost position wherein the cam 310 is in the lowest position of the guide slot 308, 309. When a carcass on a carrier 2 is aligned with the separating section, the upper and lower separating elements 306, 307 move towards one another until they engage with the locally separated breast meat. The upper and lower separating element 306, 307 each engage with a different side of the breast meat. The separating elements move towards each other until a clamping force is exerted onto the locally separated part of breast meat which is sufficiently strong to allow for a mutual pulling action. The mutual pulling action is achieved by moving the co-acting separating elements 306, 307, downwards without increasing their mutual distance and hence to maintain the clamping force.

[0105] Figures 8a and 8b show respectively a front view and rear view of the device 100 according to an embodiment. This embodiment comprises a continuous conveyor and makes use of an interrupting mechanism 400 based on an actuatable stopping element 402 to stop the motion of the poultry carrier 2 temporarily. The conveyor 1 is not visible in this figure but it carries the poultry carrier 2 along based on friction between the carrier 2 and conveyor surface 1. The conveyor 1 is positioned on a frame 1 which comprises two edges 6, 7. One of the edges 7 is provided with a guide channel 8, in which guide channel a protruding part 9 of the carrier 2 is accommodated. If the poultry carrier is moved by the conveyor 1 in the transport direction (towards the right in figure 8a and towards the left in 8igure 7b), the carrier 2 approaches the interrupting mechanism 400. First the carrier passes the upstream side of the interrupting mechanism including a detecting section 402. The detecting section 402 in this embodiment is formed by a sensor 402 arranged to detect the protruding part 9 of the carrier in the guide channel 8. Upon detecting the presence, a actuatable stop element 402 is configured to extend in a position blocking the carrier. The conveyor 1 may continue to move whilst the one carrier is stopped. This is beneficial as stopping the particular carrier 2 does not hinder the other carriers which may continue to be transported. Figure 7b shows a rear view of the same part of the device 100, wherein the carrier 2 is located, in particular temporarily interrupted, by the stop actuator 402.

[0106] Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the interrupting mechanism 400 according to an embodiment. The figure depicts part of the conveyor edge 7, which may be arranged along the conveyor. The conveyor edge 7 comprises a guide channel 8. As can be seen the detecting section 402 is formed by a sensor 402 which is arranged partially inside the channel 8. When a part of a carrier 2 passes through said channel 8 it temporarily blocks the “view” of the sensor 402 such as to detect the carrier 2. Upon detecting said carrier, an actuatable stop element may be put in a position to block the passage of the carrier 2 detected. In this embodiment the interrupting mechanism 400 comprises two stop elements 401 , 405. One stop element 405 is arranged in the guide channel 8. When the carrier 2 is detected by the sensor 402, the pair of stop elements 405 are formed by two pins which may be actuated via a block 404. The pins 405 may push the carrier upward and cause the carrier to be lifted from the conveyor 1 such that the carrier remains in the idle position substantially without friction. Another actuatable element 401 is formed by a driven solenoid 403, which may move in and out of the transport path to block the carrier.

[0107] The above-described inventive concepts are illustrated by several illustrative embodiments. It is conceivable that individual inventive concepts, including inventive details, may be applied without, in so doing, also applying other details of the described example. It is not necessary to elaborate on examples of all conceivable combinations of the above-described inventive concepts, as a person skilled in the art will understand numerous inventive concepts can be (re)combined in order to arrive at a specific application and / or alternative embodiment.

[0108] The ordinal numbers used in this document, like “first”, “second”, and “third” are used only for identification purposes. Hence, the use of expressions like a “second” component, does therefore not necessarily require the co-presence of a “first” component. By "complementary" or “co-acting” components is meant that these components are configured to co-act with each other. However, to this end, these components do not necessarily have to have complementary forms. The verb “comprise” and conjugations thereof used in this patent publication are understood to mean not only “comprise”, but are also understood to mean the phrases “contain”, “substantially consist of”, “formed by” and conjugations thereof.

Claims

Claims1 . Device for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, comprising:- at least one conveyor, preferably an endless conveyor, for transporting pieces of poultry along a transport path,- at least one poultry carrier engaged to and / or attached to said conveyor, wherein each poultry carrier is configured to carry and / or support at least one poultry carcass with at least one poultry breast attached to said carcass,- at least one first drive system for driving the conveyor,- at least one interrupting mechanism, wherein the interrupting mechanism is configured for temporarily interrupting the movement of at least one poultry carrier along the transport path and / or for temporarily interrupting the movement of the conveyor,- at least one scraping section arranged along the transport path of the conveyor, said scraping section comprising at least one movable scraping element, wherein said scraping element is displaceable between an operational state, for locally separating a part of the poultry breast from a remaining portion of the poultry carcass, in particular an upper portion thereof, and a non- operational state, in which non-operational state the scraping element is positioned at a distance from the poultry carrier, for allowing an unobstructed passage of a poultry carrier past said scraping section, wherein at least a side of the scraping element facing towards the transport path, is formed by or comprises a dull or blunt side for scraping the part of the poultry breast from the remaining portion of the poultry carcass.

2. Device according to claim 1 , wherein the device comprises at least one second drive system for, preferably continuously or intermittently, moving the at least one scraping element between the operational state and the non-operational state.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one interrupting mechanism and the second drive system are configured to mutually synchronize the movement of the at least one scraping element and the temporary interruption of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the interruption mechanism is configured to periodically, temporarily interrupt movement of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor, and wherein the second drive system is configured to position the at least one scraping element into the operational state when the poultry carrier and / or conveyor is in an interrupted state, and to position the at least one scraping element into the non-operational state if the poultry carrier and / or conveyor is not in an interrupted state.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein in the operational state of the scraping element at least a part of the scraping element is configured to be displaced along a predefined scraping path, wherein said predefined scraping path comprises at least a vertical directional component and at least a horizontal directional component extending away from and / or towards the transport path, preferably wherein said predefined scraping path extends along at least a part of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the predefined scraping path, along which the scraping element is configured to be moved, is at least composed out of a substantially vertical path section for vertical displacement of the scraping element and a curved path section for rotation of the scraping element, such that the scraping element follows a poultry carcass.

7. Device according to claim 2, wherein the second drive system comprises at least two drive units, each drive unit configured for moving the scraping element in a predefined direction, wherein at least two predefined directions are at a mutual angle.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one scraping element comprises at least a base plate, said base plate comprising a cut-out for partially accommodating the poultry carcass, at least in the operational state.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the dull or blunt side of the scraping element is partially defined by an edge of the cut-out in the base facing towards the transport path.

10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the scraping element comprises at least two side scraping portions, each formed by a side plate for engaging with a lateral portion of a poultry carcass, wherein the side plates are connected, in particular under an angle, to a side of the base plate facing towards the transport path at a mutual distance relative to each other, such that the side plates form an extension of the cut-out.11 . Device according to any of the claims 8-10, wherein a part of said cut-out tapers in a direction facing away from the transport path.

12. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one scraping element comprises a contact portion for, at least during at least a part of the operational state of the scraping element, contacting a part of the poultry carcass, in particular the furcula, wherein said contact portion is facing towards the transport path and / or the poultry carrier, wherein at least a part of the contact portion is dull.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the contact portion is at least partially curved, in particular concaved towards the transport path and / or poultry carrier.

14. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the interrupting mechanism is configured for:- interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier along the transport path by temporarily disengaging and / or detaching the poultry carrier from the conveyor; and / or- interrupting the movement of the conveyor, in particular the drive mechanism, such that the conveyor is intermittently driven.

15. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the poultry carrier is configured to be engaged with the conveyor through friction.

16. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor comprises at least one guide channel, and wherein the poultry carrier comprises at least one protrusion configured to be accommodated in the guide channel.

17. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the interrupting mechanism is coupled to the conveyor, in particular to a frame of the conveyor.

18. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the interrupting mechanism comprises a detecting section and an interrupting section, wherein the detecting section is arranged upstream of the interrupting section, preferably communicatively connected to a control unit for controlling the interrupting mechanism.

19. Device according to claim 18, wherein the detecting section comprises at least one sensor for detecting a presence of a poultry carrier, and wherein the interrupting section comprises at least one actuatable stopping element for interrupting a movement of a poultry carrier, in particular the detected poultry carrier.

20. Device according to claim 19, wherein the actuatable stopping element is movable between:- a retracted position, wherein the actuatable stopping element is positioned at a distance from the transport path for allowing passage of a poultry carrier; and- extended position, wherein the actuatable stopping element is positioned at least partially in the transport path for blocking the passage of a poultry carrier.21 . Device according to any of the claims 18-20, wherein the interrupting section is at least partially aligned with the scraping section, such that in an interrupted state the poultry carrier is aligned with the scraping section.

22. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scraping section comprises a frame, wherein the scraping element is movably connected to the frame of the scraping section.

23. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one imaging unit configured for determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass on a poultry carrier, wherein the imaging unit is preferably formed by or comprises an X-ray unit and / or a camera and / or a 3D scanner.

24. Device according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one control unit, and preferably at least one imaging unit, wherein said control unit is configured for:- determining a location of a shoulder joint and / or furcula of a poultry carcass; and- adjusting a position, in particular in the operational state, of the scraping element and poultry carrier relative to each other based on the determined location of the shoulder joint and / or furcula.

25. Device according to claim 24, wherein the device further comprises at least one adjusting structure for adjusting a position of the poultry carrier, in particular the shoulder joint of a carcass carried by the carrier, and scraping element relative to each other.

26. Method for filleting at least one poultry breast, in particular chicken breast, from a carcass, wherein the carcass preferably comprises a furcula, preferably by using the device according any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of: a) positioning or loading one or more carcasses comprising breast meat to be filleted onto a poultry carrier which is engaged with or attached to a conveyor of a filleting device, b) driving the conveyor by using a drive system such that said one or carcasses comprising breast meat are displaced in a transport direction, c) temporarily interrupting the movement of the poultry carrier along the endless conveyor and / or temporarily interrupting the movement of the conveyor, preferably by said drive system,d) scraping, in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier and / or of the conveyor, by mechanically moving, preferably automatedly moving, a movable scraping element of a scraping section of the device along a scraping path extending along a part of the breast-side of an aligned carcass, in particular along the furcula, e) periodically repeating at least steps a)-d).

27. Method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of: f) separating, in an interrupted state of the poultry carrier and / or conveyor, by mechanically moving, preferably automatedly moving, a pair of co-acting movable scraping elements of a separating section of the device along a separating path extending along a part of the breast-side of an aligned carcass wherein step f) is preferably performed after, in the same interrupted state and / or a subsequent interrupted state, step d).

28. Method according to one of claims 26 or 27, wherein the method further comprises the step of g) determining a location of a shoulder joint of a poultry carcass transported by the conveyor; and h) adjusting, based on the determined location of the shoulder joint in step g), a position of the location of the intermediate joint and the scraping element of the scraping section relative to each other.

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