Device and method for clamping and cutting

1. In a device for processing a carcass, the improvement comprising:

a clamping and cutting assembly including—

a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface for cooperatively securing an esophagus within the carcass, and

a cutting element for cutting the esophagus,

wherein the first and second clamping surfaces and the cutting element substantially simultaneously secure and cut the esophagus.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the carcass is a poultry carcass.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the cutting element separates the esophagus at a particular location into at least two distinct parts.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the cutting element weakens the esophagus at a particular location so that, when the esophagus is subsequently pulled, the esophagus separates at the particular location into at least two distinct parts.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the clamping and cutting assembly further includes a guide element for aligning the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface.

6. A device for processing a carcass, the device comprising:

an actuator assembly for providing an actuation motion;

a linkage assembly coupled with the actuator assembly for receiving and translating the actuation motion; and

a clamping and cutting assembly coupled with the linkage assembly for receiving the translated actuation motion and, in response thereto, actuating to substantially simultaneously secure and cut an esophagus within the carcass, the clamping and cutting assembly including—

a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface for cooperatively securing the esophagus, and

a cutting element for cutting the esophagus,

wherein the first and second clamping surfaces and the cutting element substantially simultaneously secure and cut the esophagus.

7. The device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the actuator assembly includes a source for producing the actuation motion and a shaft for transferring the actuation motion to the linkage assembly.

8. The device as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the source is pneumatic, and the actuation motion is a substantially linear motion.

9. The device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the linkage assembly presents a first angled slot and a second angled slot.

10. The device as set forth in claim 9 , wherein the clamping and cutting assembly includes—

a first arm having a first end movably coupled with the first angled slot so as to receive the translated actuation motion, and a second end associated with the first clamping surface; and

a second arm having a first end movably coupled with the second angled slot, and a second end associated with the second clamping surface,

wherein movement of the first end of the first arm within the first angled slot, and movement of the first end of the second arm within the second angled slot, results in the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface moving together and apart.

11. The device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the cutting element separates the esophagus at a particular location into at least two distinct parts.

12. The device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the cutting element weakens the esophagus at a particular location so that, when the esophagus is subsequently pulled, the esophagus separates at the particular location into at least two distinct parts.

13. The device as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the cutting element includes a plurality of teeth for perforating the esophagus.

14. The device as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the clamping and cutting assembly further includes a guide element adapted to align the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface.

15. A device for facilitating the removal of an internal organ from a poultry carcass, the device comprising:

a pneumatic actuator assembly for providing a substantially linear actuation motion;

a linkage coupled with the actuator assembly for receiving and translating the linear actuation motion; and

a clamping and cutting assembly coupled with the linkage assembly for receiving the translated linear actuation motion and, in response thereto, actuating to substantially simultaneously secure and cut an esophagus, the clamping and cutting assembly including—

a first arm movably coupled with the linkage assembly, the first arm presenting a first clamping surface,

a second arm movably coupled with the linkage assembly, the second arm presenting a second clamping surface, wherein the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface cooperatively secure the esophagus,

a cutting element for cutting the esophagus, wherein the first and second clamping surfaces and the cutting element substantially simultaneously secure and cut the esophagus, and

a guide element for aligning the first clamping surface and the second clamping surface.

16. The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the cutting element separates the esophagus at a particular location into at least two distinct parts.

17. The device as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the cutting element weakens the esophagus at a particular location so that, when the esophagus is subsequently pulled, the esophagus separates at the particular location into at least two distinct parts.

18. A method of cutting an esophagus in a carcass so as to facilitate subsequent removal of an internal organ from the carcass, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) securing the esophagus between a first clamping surface and a second clamping surface; and

(b) cutting the esophagus substantially simultaneously with step (a).

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 , wherein step (b) includes separating the esophagus at a particular location into at least two distinct parts.

20. The method as set forth in claim 18 , wherein step (b) includes weakening the esophagus at a particular location so that, when the esophagus is subsequently pulled, the esophagus separates at the particular location into at least two distinct parts.