Trussing system and method

1. An apparatus for trussing a slaughtered bird, the apparatus including:

two or more members having trussing band retaining members,

wherein the apparatus is configured to truss a slaughtered bird with a trussing band, and

wherein the apparatus is an end effector of a robot.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of the two or more members includes a load cell configured to determine the tension of a retained trussing band.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least two of the two or more members for at least part of a length of the member have a first transverse axis larger than a second transverse axis at the same location on the member.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein two of the at least two of the two or more members are configured to move from a first position in which the first axis of a first of the two members is collinear to the first axis of a second of the two members to a second position in which the first axis of the two members is parallel and wherein in the second position in which a trussing band located on the length of the members having a first transverse axis larger than a second transverse axis at the same location spreads the trussing band.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the shape of the length of the members having a first transverse axis larger than a second transverse axis at the same location is selected from the group consisting of rectangular, oval and obround.

6. A method of trussing a slaughtered bird with a trussing band, the method including:

positioning a slaughtered bird in a holder with the front of the slaughtered bird facing outwards;

controlling a trussing apparatus to:

pass the trussing band over a front of the slaughtered bird,

pass the trussing band under a first and second wing of the slaughtered bird while maintaining tension on the trussing band;

bring the trussing band over a back of the slaughtered bird;

twist the trussing band over the back of the slaughtered bird to create a cross-over point in the trussing band;

pass the trussing band underneath a first and second hock of the slaughtered bird;

pass the trussing band over the first and second hock of the slaughtered bird; and

pass the trussing band underneath a first and second hock of the slaughtered bird.

7. The method of claim 6 further including retaining a portion of the trussing band against a movable rod using a tension of the trussing band.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein retaining a second portion of the trussing band against the first and second hock further includes: wrapping a third portion of the trussing band around the first hock, and

wrapping a fourth portion of the trussing band around the second hock,

such that the first and second hocks are biased against one another using a tension of the trussing band.

9. A slaughtered bird trussed according to the method of claim 6 .