Abstract: A poultry scalding apparatus includes an elongated first tank section having opposed side walls, end walls and a bottom wall, and defining a poultry travel path extending generally in the longitudinal direction of the first tank section. Water is delivered via troughs to the first tank section from both sides of the poultry travel path at a generally constant height along at least a portion of the length of the first tank section, and a conveyor is provided for conveying poultry along the poultry travel path in a head-down orientation while preferably moving the poultry vertically relative to the water delivery troughs as the poultry travels along the portion of the length of the first tank section in which the water delivery troughs are disposed.

Abstract: In the evisceration of poultry a special, slender tool is guided into the body cavity of the bird through an opening at the vent. A small diameter connection between the crop and the stomach is hooked by a finger on one end of the tool which swings into gathering relation to such connection after insertion is complete. The hook-like finger brings the viscera connection against a post, rigid to the tool adjacent the finger, all without any squeezing, pinching or clamping or other damaging action. The connection is draped over the bight of the finger and between a pair of anti-slippoff abutments such that the fold-over, wrap-around wrapping action effectively captures the connection before the pull-out motion commences. The swinging return of the finger to its normal position, for release of the viscera package, takes place only after the tool, including its guide, its post and its finger are outside the body cavity.

Abstract: A chilling system advances products through a conveying tube and simultaneously chills the products using the fluid-conveying medium itself. Conveyance is effected through hydraulic pressure without the application of direct mechanical forces to the products whereby to minimize the instances of damage thereto, and product advancement is carried out on a continuous, first-in, first-out basis with a uniform, readily predictable rate of discharge.