Poultry Scapula Separation With Internal Skin Incision

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Solution Overview

Problem

The scapula incision-making process in poultry processing risks damaging the neck meat part, reducing its commercial value, and the separation and incision processes are inefficient when performed manually.

Innovation Solution

A poultry processing apparatus with a scraper part and an incision blade that separates meat around scapula bones and incises the skin between them, using a cutting edge that extends away from the holder and travels upstream, allowing a single process to improve yield and quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the skin between scapula bones is incised from the outside of the meat part, then the scapula bones can be separated from the meat part, but the neck meat part may be damaged and split wide open

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation processVSAvoiddamage to neck meat part

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional incision approach by making the incision from the inside of the meat part rather than from the outside. The incision blade is positioned between the scapula bones and the meat part, allowing the skin to be incised from the internal side, which prevents damage to the neck meat part while achieving effective separation of the scapula bones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by positioning the incision blade in the space between the scapula bones and the meat part. This intermediary position allows the blade to incise the skin from within the meat structure rather than from the external surface, thereby protecting the neck meat part from damage while still achieving separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If manual cutting and deboning is performed, then flexibility and control are maintained, but the processing efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol in cutting processVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by designing an automated processing system where the holder automatically positions the poultry carcass and the incision blade automatically performs the cutting operation. The system uses the carcass itself as a guide, with the blade following the natural contours of the scapula bones and meat part, eliminating the need for manual positioning and control while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical cutting system with an automated mechanical system. The holder and blade assembly forms an automated mechanism that performs the cutting and deboning operations without human intervention, significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining control through precise mechanical design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12382968B2Poultry processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.08.12 MAYEKAWA MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A poultry processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a scraper part for separating a meat part around scapula bones of a poultry carcass held by a holder from the scapula bones; and an incision blade with a cutting edge for incising a skin between the scapula bones of the meat part that rides up on the scraper part. The cutting edge extends in a direction away from the holder as the cutting edge extends upstream in a traveling direction in which the scraper part travels toward the holder in separating the meat part from the scapula bones.