Importance

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Abstract

The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatically separating the breast from the neck, shoulders, back and saddle of birds while the birds are moving along as overhead conveyor line (12). A mandrel (61) is inserted into the visceral cavity of each bird to rigidly support each bird, and causes the breast of each bird to protrude outwardly. A tiltable holding plate (76) is pivoted upwardly as the mandrel (61) is fully inserted into each bird, and engages the neck of each bird in a clamping relationship with the mandrel (61) to thereby hold each bird in place during cutting function. The birds are carried into engagement with a first rotary disk cutter (94) which cuts in to the birds between the breast and neck of each bird to separate the breast form the neck, shoulders and upper back of each bird. A second rotary disk cutter (99), positioned downstream from the first rotary disk cutter (94), engages the birds between the breast and saddle and lower back of each bird, completing the removal of the breast of the birds.

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First Claim