WO2021150116A1

WO2021150116A1 - Poultry processing system for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2021150116A1
Application number: PCT/NL2021/050043
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juul Floris VAN DEN BERG; Adriaan Hendrik DE KONING; Michiel Manuel Johannes GERLACH; David Scott Hazenbroek
Original assignee: Foodmate B.V.
Priority date: 2020-01-24
Filing date: 2021-01-25
Publication date: 2021-07-29
Also published as: EP4093207A1; NL2024755B1

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a poultry processing system comprising a poultry transporter for transporting a poultry carcass, or a part thereof, through one or more processing units, the poultry transporter including a first conveyor line (2) and a second conveyor line (4) separate from the first conveyor line. The poultry processing system comprises a poultry transfer station for transferring the poultry carcass or a part thereof from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line. The poultry transfer station includes a plurality of drive coils (33) forming a stator of a linear motor, and at least one poultry carriage (5) comprising a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track.

Description

Title: Poultry processing system for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a poultry processing system for processing poultry carcasses or parts thereof.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Poultry is typically processed by a series of processing units wherein one or more conveyor line is employed to convey poultry carcasses, or parts thereof, along the series of processing units. Each conveyor line and its associated processing units perform a series of automated processing operations on the poultry carcass or parts thereof.

For efficiency, the configuration of the conveyor lines is adapted to their associated processing units, such that individual conveyor lines are configured differently. For example, a transportation speed or a poultry carrier spacing may differ between individual conveyor lines. These differences make automated transferring of poultry carcasses between two conveyor lines difficult to achieve.

Conventionally, poultry is manually transferred from one conveyor line to another, which is very labor intensive and relatively slow. A poultry processing unit with an automated transfer station for transferring poultry carcasses between two differently configured conveyor lines is for example described in US5340351. Herein, the transfer station comprises a mechanism that involves a rotation of a cylindrical drum with slidable travel bars that rotate with the drum, whereby ends of the travel bars follow an elliptical or eccentric trajectory by means of a cam system. This accommodates for a change in carrier spacing and speed between two parallel conveyor lines. A disadvantage of this automated system is its complexity. Due to its many moving parts it is difficult to maintain in a clean environment of a poultry processing facility where hygiene standards are extremely high. Furthermore, the automated transfer system requires very precise synchronization between the transfer unit and each of the conveyor lines which is in practice difficult to achieve, and moreover difficult to adjust once installed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object to at least alleviate some of these disadvantages. More particular, it is an object to provide an improved processing system that is easy to maintain in a poultry processing facility, and easily adaptable.

According to a first aspect is provided a poultry processing system comprising a poultry transporter for transporting a poultry carcass, or a part thereof such as a poultry leg or poultry drumstick, along one or more processing units. The poultry transporter includes a first conveyor line and a second conveyor line separate from the first conveyor line. The poultry processing system comprises a poultry transfer station for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line. The poultry transfer station can be arranged for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from a loading section adjacent the first conveyor line to an unloading section adjacent the second conveyor line. The poultry transfer station comprises a poultry transportation track and at least one poultry transportation carriage. The poultry transfer station can comprises a poultry transfer conveyor line. The poultry transportation carriage includes a poultry carrier for carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof. The poultry transfer station is arranged for moving the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the poultry transportation track. The poultry processing system comprises a transfer means for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof to and from the poultry carrier of the poultry transportation carriage. The transfer means can include a loader for transferring the poultry carcass from the first conveyor line onto the poultry carrier. The transfer means can include an unloader for transferring the poultry carcass from the poultry carrier onto the second conveyor line. The poultry processing system includes a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track. The poultry transfer station includes a linear electric motor. A linear electric motor is an electric motor that has had its stator and rotor "unrolled" thus instead of producing a torque it produces a linear force along its length. However, linear motors are not necessarily straight.

The poultry transportation track can include a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of the linear electric motor. The at least one poultry carriage can comprise a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track.

In the stator of the linear motor, a plurality of electrical drive coils forming the stator are arranged along the transportation track. The drive magnet of the poultry transportation carriage has one or more drive magnets, e.g. one or more permanent magnets and/or coils, which interact with the drive coils. The electric drive coils of the transportation track and the drive magnets of one or more poultry translocation carriages together form a linear motor, e.g. a long-stator linear motor, which can be a synchronous machine or an asynchronous machine. By actuating the individual drive coils in an area of a poultry transportation carriage for regulating the magnetic flux generated, a propulsive force is generated in conjunction with the excitation magnets of the poultry transportation carriage and the carriage can be moved along the transportation track.

Such a linear motor allows for individual regulation/control of the movement, e.g. position, speed and acceleration, of the poultry transportation carriages along the transportation track. In particular, the movement of individual poultry transportation carriages can be individually controlled to have variable speeds along the poultry transportation track. For instance, the movement of individual poultry transportation carriages can be synchronized to both the first conveyor line and the second conveyor line at different track segments of the transportation track, even when a speed and/or pitch of the first conveyor line differs from a speed and/or pitch of the second conveyor line. At a first track segment of the transportation track, the poultry transportation carriage can be synchronized to the first conveyor line and in second track segment to the second conveyor line. In this way, the poultry carcass or part thereof can easily be transferred from the first conveyor line to the poultry carrier of the poultry transportation carriage at the first track segment, and easily be transferred from the poultry carrier of the poultry transportation carriage to the second conveyor line at the second track segment.

Hygiene is extremely important in meat processing facilities, and the transportation track may be shielded from the environment, for example by a fluid tight casing, which is easily cleanable. The fluid tight casing can include or be a plastics material. The fluid tight casing can include or be a metal, such as stainless steel.

Optionally, a plurality of poultry transportation carriages are arranged along the transportation track, wherein movement of the poultry transportation carriages can be controlled individually and independently of each other.

Optionally, the poultry carrier is rotatably mounted on the poultry transportation carriage, and rotatable about an upright, e.g. vertical, axis of rotation. This allows altering of the orientation of the poultry carcass during transfer from the first to the second conveyor line. The poultry carrier is preferably at least 180 degrees rotatable about the standing axis of rotation, which allows to reverse orientation of the poultry carcass or part thereof between the first and second conveyor line. The poultry carrier can e.g. be rotatable over increments of 90 degrees, such as over 180 degrees.

Optionally, the poultry carrier comprises a carrier slit defined between two, e.g. horizontal, support edges of the poultry carrier. The slit is arranged for receiving a slender section of a leg or leg part of the poultry carcass. The support edges are arranged for supporting the leg or leg part extending through the carrier slit. The support edges can e.g. be arranged for supporting an ankle knuckle or hip knuckle.

Optionally, the carrier slit extends between two open ends on opposing sides of the poultry carrier. This allows the leg or leg part to be received into the carrier slit from opposite sides of the carrier, and similar to release the leg or leg part at opposing sides of the carrier.

Optionally, the first conveyor line includes a first endless chain conveyor, and the second conveyor line includes a second endless chain conveyor different from the first chain conveyor.

Optionally, the poultry transporter includes an overhead conveyor.

Optionally, the poultry transportation carriage comprises a guide means for guiding the poultry carriage along the transportation track.

Optionally, the guide means include one or more guiding wheels.

Optionally, the transportation track includes one or more guiding slots for guiding the one or more guiding wheels along the transportation track.

Optionally, the first conveyor line and the second conveyor line comprises one or more shackles and/or one or more mandrels for carrying the poultry carcass or a part thereof. The shackles or mandrels of the first conveyor line can be of a different type than the shackles or mandrels of the second conveyor line. The shackles or mandrels may be provided at regular intervals from each other. The shackles or mandrels of the first conveyor line can be at a different interval than the shackles or mandrels of the second conveyor line. According to a second aspect is provided a poultry transfer station for transferring a poultry carcass or part thereof from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line. The poultry transfer station comprises a transportation track, and at least one poultry transportation carriage. The poultry transfer station comprises transfer means for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof to and from the poultry transportation carriage. The poultry transfer station comprises a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track. The transportation track and at least one transportation carriage form a linear electric motor.

The transportation track can comprises a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of the linear electric motor. The at least one poultry transportation carriage can comprise a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track.

Optionally, the poultry transportation carriage includes a poultry carrier for carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof. The poultry transfer station can be arranged for moving the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the poultry transportation track.

According to a third aspect is provided a method for transferring a poultry carcass or part thereof from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line. The method comprises transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from the first conveyor line onto a poultry carrier of a poultry transfer station. The method comprises moving the poultry carrier from a first position to a second position by controlling a linear electric motor. Controlling the linear electric motor can include controlling a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of a linear motor of the poultry transfer station. The poultry transfer station can comprise a poultry transfer conveyor line including a poultry transportation track and at least one poultry transportation carriage. The poultry transportation carriage can include a poultry carrier for carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof. The poultry transfer station can be arranged for moving the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the poultry transportation track. The poultry transportation track includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of a linear motor. The at least one poultry carriage can comprise a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track. The poultry transfer station can include a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track. The method includes transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from poultry carrier onto the second conveyor line.

The speed of the first conveyor line is typically constant and limited by the slowest processing step of the associated processing unit. Similarly, the speed of the second conveyor line is typically constant and limited by the slowest processing step of associated processing unit, which may be a different speed than the speed of the first conveyor line. Most processing units will thus perform under their maximum capacity, and, as a consequence, poultry carcasses need to wait idly before they are processed by the next processing unit while the next processing step could have been performed at a much higher speed. In that idling time, the poultry is exposed to the environment with a risk of being contaminated. Processing units are typically spaced apart along the first and/or second conveyor line, in view of dimensions of the processing units. As a consequence, and since the poultry carcasses are transported at the speed of the slowest processing unit, a number of poultry carcasses will typically be in the process of moving from a first processing unit to a subsequent processing unit without any processing steps being carried out on the poultry carcass or part thereof. As a result, a large number of poultry carcasses is present in the poultry processing system without any processing being performed thereon a large portion of the time. In that time, the poultry is exposed to the environment with a risk of being contaminated. To at least alleviate this problem, a fourth aspect provides a poultry processing system comprising a poultry transporter for transporting a poultry carcass, or a part thereof, along one or more poultry processing units. The poultry transporter includes a transportation track and at least one poultry transportation carriage. The poultry processing system includes one or more of poultry processing units for processing the poultry carcass, or a part thereof, transported by the transporter. The transporter comprises a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track. The poultry transporter includes a linear electric motor.

The transporter can include a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of the linear electric motor. The at least one poultry carriage can comprise a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track.

For instance, the poultry processing system comprises a poultry transporter for transporting a poultry carcass, or a part thereof, such as a breast cap, leg or drumstick, along one or more poultry processing units.

The system comprises one or more poultry processing units for processing the poultry carcass or part thereof transported by the transporter. Each or the poultry processing units can include one of a measurement unit, a weighing unit, a cutting unit, a deskinning unit, a pulling unit, a meat stripping unit, a harvesting unit, or the like. The transporter comprises a transportation track and one or more poultry transportation carriages including a poultry carrier for carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof. The transporter is arranged for moving the one or more poultry transportation carriages along the transportation track, wherein the transportation track includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of a linear motor, and wherein the one or more poultry carriage comprise a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track. The poultry processing system comprises a controller for controlling a movement of the one or more poultry transportation carriages along the transportation track.

This transporter allows the one or more poultry transportation carriages to have different speeds at different positions along the transportation track. Preferably, in the poultry transport system, movement of each of the one or more poultry transportation carriages can be controlled individually, i.e. independent from other transportation carriages. For example, the speed of an individual carriage can be varied along the conveyor line, wherein the carriage can advance through a processing unit at a higher speed than possible with a constant speed conveyor line which is inherently bounded by the slowest processing step. Furthermore, travelling between consecutive processing units can be performed at higher speeds. Accordingly, the overall time the carcass or part thereof is present in the poultry processing system, and thus the overall exposure time, per poultry carcass or part thereof can be minimized, as poultry carcasses can advance quicker through the complete series of processing steps. This thus also minimizes risk of contamination since the time between entry and packaging of an individual poultry carcasses, or parts thereof, can be reduced with respect to constant speed conveyor line.

Optionally, the poultry carrier includes a shackle for carrying a poultry leg or leg part, or a mandrel for carrying a poultry carcass.

All features and options as described in view of the first, second and third aspects similarly apply to the poultry processing system according to the fourth aspect.

The transportation track can be positioned horizontally. The drive coils can be encased, e.g. in a plastics material or a metal, such as stainless steel. The poultry carrier can be positioned below the transportation track. The poultry carrier can be positioned above the transportation track. The poultry carrier can be positioned beside the transportation track. The guiding wheels can have a tapered tread. The guiding slots can be tapered, e.g. to match the guiding wheel. The poultry transportation carriage can be made of stainless steel. The poultry transportation carrier can include a safety bracket for preventing the carrier from falling off the transportation track.

According to a fifth aspect is provided a method for transporting a poultry carcass or part thereof through a poultry processing system. The method comprise carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof by a poultry carrier. The method comprises moving the poultry carrier from a first position to a second position using a linear electric motor. Moving the poultry carrier from the first position to the second position can include controlling a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of a linear motor of the poultry processing system. The poultry processing system can comprise a poultry transportation track and at least one poultry transportation carriage. The poultry transportation carriage can include a poultry carrier for carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof. The poultry processing system can be arranged for moving the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the poultry transportation track. The poultry transportation track includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of a linear motor. The at least one poultry carriage can comprise a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track. The poultry processing system can include a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track.

It will be appreciated that any of the aspects, features and options described in view of the poultry processing systems apply equally to the apparatuses and methods, and vice versa. It will also be clear that any one or more of the above aspects, features and options can be combined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The aspects as covered by the appended claims as well as other aspects, features and advantages will be explained in further detail in the description below in reference to the accompanying drawings, in wich

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an example of a poultry transporter;

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the poultry transporter;

Figure 3 shows an exemplary schematic top view of a poultry processing system;

Figure 4A shows an example of a loading section;

Figure 4B shows an example of an unloading section; and

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of an example of a poultry processing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a poultry transporter 1 comprising a poultry transportation track 3 and a poultry transportation carriage 5. Here, the transporter 1 is a transporter of a transfer station for transferring poultry leg parts from a first conveyor line 2 to a different, second conveyor line 4, see Figure 3. In this example, the first conveyor line 2 has a first holder 2 A for holding a poultry leg part. The second conveyor line 4 has a different, second holder 4A for holding a leg part. In this example, a pitch of the holders 2A is different than a pitch of the holders 4A.

In Figure 1 two identical poultry transportation carriages are shown. The poultry transportation track 3 includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of a linear electric motor. The drive coils and associated electronic hardware are provided in a track casing 7 to protect it from the environment, and to allow easy cleaning of the track. In this example the track casing is stainless steel sheet. The poultry transportation carriage 5 comprises a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track 3. The transporter 1 is arranged for moving the carriages 5 along the transportation track as indicated by the arrows above the carriages 5. The poultry transportation carriage 5 also comprises a carriage casing 9 to protect the interior components from the environment.

The poultry transportation carriage 5 further comprises a poultry carrier 11 for carrying a poultry part, here a leg part. Alternatively, the poultry carrier may comprise a shackle or a mandrel for carrying a carcass or a part thereof, such as a breast cap, leg or drumstick. The poultry carrier as shown in Figure 1 comprises a carrier slit 15 defined between two horizontally arranged support edges 17A, 17B of a support platform 19. The carrier slit 15 is arranged for receiving a slender section of leg or leg part, wherein the support edges 17A, 17B are arranged for supporting the leg or leg part extending through the carrier slit 15. In this example, the carrier slit is arranged, e.g. sized, for receiving the slender part just above the ankle knuckle.

The poultry carrier 11 is rotatably mounted on the poultry transportation carriage 5, and is rotatable around an upright axis of rotation 31. This allows altering of the orientation of the poultry carcass or part with respect to the carriage 5 during transfer from the first to the second conveyor line. Here, the poultry carrier is 180 degrees rotatable about the upright axis of rotation 31, which allows to reverse orientation of the poultry carcass or part thereof between the first and second conveyor line.

The carrier slit 15 extends between two open ends on opposing sides of the poultry carrier 11. This allows the leg or leg part to be received into the carrier slit 15 from opposite sides of the carrier 11, and similar to release the leg or leg part at opposing sides of the carrier 11.

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross sectional view of the poultry transporter 1 of Figure 1, wherein the drive coil 33 of the transportation track 3 and the drive magnet 35 of the transportation carriage 5 are arranged to face each other. Further, a poultry leg part 21, here a drumstick, is provided in the carrier slit 15. It is to be understood that alternative body parts of poultry may by carried by the poultry carrier, such as thigh parts, wings, torso parts etc. As shown in Figure 2, the poultry transportation system 1 comprises a guide means for guiding the poultry transportation carriage 5 along the transportation track 3. Here the guide means include a first guiding wheel 23 and a second guiding wheel 25. Here both guide wheels support a weight of the carriage 5 and define a distance between the transportation track 3 and the poultry carriage 5. Each guide wheel runs in a respective guiding slot 27, 29 for guiding the guiding wheels 27, 29 along the transportation track 3. In this example, the second guiding wheel 25 runs in a groove on the top side of the track 3. It is also possible that the second guiding wheel runs on a side surface of the track 3, e.g. in a groove, e.g. on the same side as the first guiding wheel 23. In such case, magnetic force may be used for keeping the transportation carriage 5 adhered to the track 3. The guiding slots 27 and/or 29 can then provide horizontal alignment of the carriage 5.

Figure 4A shows an example of side view of a loading section of the transfer station. In this example, the first conveyor line 2 comprises a plurality of shackles 2A each carrying two leg parts 21. A loading bar 35 is mounted stationary relative to the first conveyor line 2. The loading bar 35 is positioned such that the leg part is moved upwardly in the shackle and towards the carriage 5 while moving in the direction of movement Di of the first conveyor line 2. As a result, the loading bar lifts the leg part out of the shackle and pushes it into the carrier slit 15 onto the support platform 19. Thus, the leg part is loaded from the shackle 2A of the first conveyor line 2 onto the poultry carrier 11 of the transfer station.

Figure 4B shows an example of a top view of an unloading section of the transfer station. In this example, the poultry carrier 11 carries the leg part. An unloading bar 37 is mounted stationary relative to the second conveyor line 4. The unloading bar 37 is positioned such that the leg part is moved outwardly from the poultry carrier 11, out of the carrier slit 15 and towards the shackle 4A of the second conveyor line 4 while moving in the direction of movement D2 of the second conveyor line 4. As a result, the unloading bar pushes the leg part out of the carrier slit 15 and pushes it into the shackle 4A. Thus, the leg part is unloaded from the poultry carrier 11 of the transfer station onto the shackle 4 A of the second conveyor line 4.

Figure 5 shows an example of a poultry processing system according to a further aspect. The transporter 1 is as described in view of Figures 1-4B. Here, however, the transporter is not a transporter of a transfer station for transferring poultry leg parts from a first conveyor line to a different, second conveyor line. Instead, in this example, the transporter 1 transports the poultry carcass or part thereof, here a leg, past one or more processing units. In this example the transportation carriages 5 are transported in the direction D. The transportation carriages 5 are transported to a first processing unit 41, here a cutting station, e.g. having a knife, such as a rotary knife 43. The transportation carriages 5 are transported to a second processing unit 45, here a further cutting station, e.g. having a knife, such as a rotary knife 47. In this example, the transportation carriages 5 are transported to a third processing unit 49, here an harvesting unit, e.g. having a meat stripper 51. However, it will be appreciated that alternative processing units can be addressed by the transporter. Such processing units can be a measurement unit, a weighing unit, a cutting unit, a deskinning unit, a pulling unit, a meat stripping unit, a harvesting unit, or the like.

Herein, the invention is described with reference to specific examples of embodiments of the invention. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein, without departing from the essence of the invention. Also kinematic inversions are considered inherently disclosed and to be within the scope of the present invention. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, alternative embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described in these separate embodiments are also envisaged. In the example of Figure 5 the transportation carriages carry a poultry leg. It will be appreciated that the transportation carriages can also carry a complete poultry carcass, or other parts thereof, such as a breast cap, a drumstick, or the like.

However, other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. The specifications, drawings and examples are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than in a restrictive sense.

For the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words ‘a’ and ‘an’ shall not be construed as limited to ‘only one’, but instead are used to mean ‘at least one’, and do not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to an advantage.

Claims

1. Poultry processing system comprising a poultry transporter for transporting a poultry carcass, or a part thereof, along one or more processing units, the poultry transporter including a first conveyor line and a second conveyor line separate from the first conveyor line; a poultry transfer station for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from a loading section adjacent the first conveyor line to an unloading section adjacent the second conveyor line, wherein the poultry transfer station comprises a poultry transportation track and at least one poultry transportation carriage, including a poultry carrier for carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof, the poultry transfer station being arranged for moving the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the poultry transportation track; transfer means for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof to and from the poultry carrier of the poultry transportation carriage; and a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track, wherein the poultry transfer station includes a linear electric motor.

2. Poultry processing system according to claim 1, wherein the poultry transportation track includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of the linear electric motor, and wherein the at least one poultry carriage comprises a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the poultry transfer track.

3. Poultry processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one poultry carrier is rotatable, with respect to a remainder of the poultry transportation carriage, about an upright axis of rotation.

4. Poultry processing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one poultry carrier comprises a carrier slit defined between two support edges of the poultry carrier, the carrier slit being arranged for receiving a slender section of a leg or leg part adjacent a knuckle of the poultry carcass, wherein the support edges are arranged for supporting the leg or leg part extending through the carrier slit by engagement of the knuckle.

5. Poultry processing system according to claim 4, wherein the carrier slit extends between two open ends on opposing sides of the poultry carrier.

6. Poultry processing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first conveyor line includes a first endless chain conveyor, and the second conveyor line includes a second endless chain conveyor different from the first chain conveyor.

7. Poultry processing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the poultry transporter includes an overhead conveyor.

8. Poultry processing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the first conveyor line comprises one or more shackles or one or more mandrels for carrying the poultry carcass or a part thereof.

9. Poultry processing system according to any preceding claim, wherein the poultry transportation carriage comprises a guide means for guiding the poultry carriage along the transportation track.

10. Poultry processing system according to claim 9, wherein the guide means include one or more guiding wheels.

11. Poultry processing system according to claim 10, wherein guiding means include a guiding slot for guiding the one or more guiding wheel along the transportation track.

12. Poultry transfer station for transferring a poultry carcass or part thereof from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line, comprising a transportation track; at least one poultry transportation carriage; transfer means for transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof to and from the poultry transportation carriage; and a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track, wherein the transportation track and at least one transportation carriage form a linear electric motor.

13. Poultry transfer station according to claim 12, wherein the transportation track includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of the linear electric motor, and

The at least one poultry transportation carriage comprises a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track.

14. Method for transferring a poultry carcass or part thereof from a first conveyor line to a second conveyor line, comprising transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from the first conveyor line onto a poultry carrier of a poultry transfer station; moving the poultry carrier from a first position to a second position by controlling a linear electric motor; and transferring the poultry carcass or part thereof from poultry carrier onto the second conveyor line.

15. Poultry processing system comprising a poultry transporter for transporting a poultry carcass, or a part thereof, along one or more poultry processing units, the poultry transporter including a transportation track and at least one poultry transportation carriage; one or more of poultry processing units for processing the poultry carcass, or a part thereof, transported by the transporter; and a controller for controlling a movement of the at least one poultry transportation carriage along the transportation track; wherein the poultry transporter includes a linear electric motor.

16. Poultry processing system according to claim 15, wherein the transporter includes a plurality of drive coils forming a stator of the linear electric motor, and at least one poultry carriage comprising a drive magnet arranged for interacting with the drive coils of the transportation track.

17. Method for transporting a poultry carcass or part thereof through a poultry processing system, comprising carrying the poultry carcass or part thereof by a poultry carrier; and moving the poultry carrier from a first position to a second position using a linear electric motor.