Importance

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Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatically separating the breast (15), back (17) and saddle (21) of poultry carcasses (10) while the carcasses are moving along a poultry processing line. The carcasses are initially engaged by a disk cutter (26) which cuts along the visceral cavity between the breast and thighs of the carcass to enlarge the opening of the visceral cavity. The carcasses are carried into a first processing station (29) wherein the breast and upper back are separated from the legs, thighs and lower back of the carcass, and the breast is split and the backbone cut away from the upper back. After being separated from the breast and upper back of the carcass, the legs, thighs and lower back are carried into a second processing station (40) where the thighs are engaged by a pair of joint opening guide rods (72 and 73) which press the thighs away from the back to open the connecting joints between the thighs and lower back. A pair of cutting blades (69) separate the lower back from the legs and thighs of the carcass.

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First Claim