Poultry Back Meat Separation With Segmented Cutting Sections

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices and methods for harvesting poultry back meat from a carcass yield a reduced fraction and require complex, inefficient, and expensive equipment.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising an endless conveyor with poultry carriers, pre-cutting and separation sections, and rotatable cutting elements that allow for the partial and complete separation of poultry back meat from the ribcage, optimizing the cutting process and increasing yield.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional devices and methods are used for harvesting poultry back meat, then the equipment can be relatively simple, but the yield of back meat is reduced and the process is inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveback meat yieldVSAvoidequipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the cutting process into multiple sections: a pre-cutting section that makes initial incisions to separate the back meat from the ribcage, and a separation section that completes the separation and removes the meat fillet. This segmentation allows each section to perform a specific function efficiently, improving overall yield while keeping individual components relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pre-cutting section performs preliminary cutting actions before the main separation process. By making initial incisions and partially separating the back meat in advance, the main separation section can more efficiently complete the process, thereby improving productivity without requiring overly complex equipment throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If conventional devices are used for harvesting poultry back meat, then the equipment design can be straightforward, but the process is complicated and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveharvesting efficiencyVSAvoidprocess complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The harvesting process is segmented into distinct functional zones along the conveyor path: pre-cutting section, separation section, and meat removal section. Each zone has a specific purpose and uses appropriately simple machinery for that function, avoiding the need for complex integrated equipment while improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor system acts as an intermediary that transports the poultry through the different processing sections in a controlled manner. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the overall process by providing a stable platform for the cutting and separation operations, reducing the complexity requirements of the cutting equipment itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If conventional devices are used for harvesting poultry back meat, then the equipment can be relatively simple, but the meat waste increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeat wasteVSAvoidcutting process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-cutting section performs preliminary separation of the back meat from the ribcage before the final separation process. This preliminary action ensures that the meat is properly positioned and prepared for complete separation, minimizing waste by preventing premature or incomplete separation that would result in meat loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The device is designed with the meat fillet remaining on the conveyor belt after separation, allowing for easy collection and accounting of all produced meat. This feedback mechanism ensures that no meat is lost during the process, as the complete fillet is captured in the collection container, thereby reducing meat waste without requiring complex waste recovery systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4595760A1Device and method for removing meat from poultry, and poultry carrier
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 IFEC BV
  • EP4595760A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4595760A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4595760A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for removing meat from poultry, in particular for removing poultry back meat from a poultry ribcage of slaughtered poultry. The invention also relates to a poultry carrier for use in said device. The invention further relates to a method for removing meat from poultry, in particular for removing poultry back meat from a poultry ribcage, in particular by using a device according to the invention.