Abstract: An apparatus for bacteriologically decontaminating poultry carcasses and then chilling the carcasses to a preservation temperature includes a decontaminating tank and a chilling tank. The decontaminating tank holds a disinfectant solution, which is maintained at a temperature from about 45.degree.-75.degree. C. The poultry carcasses are immersed in the tank for a period of about 3-10 seconds, depending upon the temperature, higher temperatures requiring less time than lower temperatures. Sonic transducers are used to sonicate the poultry to dislodge bacteria, and spray curtains wash the bacteria off of the carcasses. The heated temperature increases the effect of the disinfectant solution. After removal of the carcasses from the decontaminating tank, they are transferred to a chilling tank, which contains a liquid maintained at a temperature from about 0.degree.-3.degree. C. The carcasses remain in the chilling tank for at least 45 minutes, to assure that the carcasses are thoroughly cooled.

Abstract: Poultry are thoroughly cleaned after being sequentially treated along a conventional endless poultry line by the post poultry washer of the present invention. The device consists of a two rows of vertical conduits at oppositably disposed positions with vertically staggered spray nozzles. Special detailed three member vertical baffles are positioned in back of the said spray nozzles. The baffles and associated spray nozzles cause a vortex of spray washer water to encircle each fowl that is moved through the post poultry washer apparatus wherein the wash water collectively contact all exposed surfaces of the carcass.

Abstract: A method for removing oral cavity staining in a hog carcass is provided by the invention. The method includes steps of providing a carcass including an oral cavity, applying an aqueous stain removing solution including an oxygen bleaching agent to the oral cavity, and removing the aqueous stain removing solution from the oral cavity. In the preferred embodiments, the aqueous stain removing solution includes an aqueous sodium percarbonate solution containing between about 1% by weight and about 8% by weight sodium percarbonate, and is provided at a pH of between about 9.5 and about 12.0.

Abstract: An apparatus used for reducing the amount of pathogenic bacteria associated with a bird or other edible animal, and preferably chickens, comprising: (a) a unit having an interior portion having side and bottom walls, an exterior portion having side and bottom walls and end walls connecting said interior portion to said exterior portion wherein the area of said interior portion provides a space which completely surrounds one or more of the birds or animals being treated; (b) one or more flood nozzles mounted within said interior portion of said unit and connected to a source of a bacteria reducing chemical solution to enable the bacteria reducing chemical solution to be applied to the entire interior of the body cavity of the bird or animal being treated; (c) one or more spray nozzles mounted within said interior portion of said unit and connected to a source of a bacteria reducing chemical solution to enable the bacteria reducing chemical solution to be applied to the entire external surfaces of the bird or a

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning fecal matter from the interior of an extracted animal intestine. The apparatus has a water supply conduit, a water tube connected to the water supply conduit and at least one outlet for discharging water into an intestine surrounding the tube, and a transporter for moving intestines from one end of the tube towards the opposite end. A method for cleaning extracted tubular animal intestines by placing an animal intestine over a water tube, discharging water from the tube into the intestine and passing the tubular intestine along and off the tube without reversing the direction of movement is also disclosed.

Abstract: Machine for industrially cleaning cephalopods and similar mollusks, which is comprised of two working platforms positioned on one same working plane and equipped with means for synchronized movement between the two; a number of loaders on each platform, which can be aligned positioned opposite one another in twos for their synchronized, cyclic shifting, each loader being capable of holding one cephalopod for cleaning; means for turning the cephalopod inside out and simultaneously turning it right side out on its transfer from a loader on the first working platform to a loader on the second working platform; and means connected to the first and second working platform for cleaning the pertinent tubular mantle and internal organs of the cephalopod while they are positioned outside thereof.

Abstract: A vacuum steam wand for sanitizing a carcass includes a housing having a handle and a thermally conductive vacuum head with steam passages within that maintain the temperature of the vacuum head above a desired sanitizing temperature. The vacuum head includes a wall defining a vacuum region that is surrounded at the interior and exterior perimeter by multiple closely spaced steam nozzles that continuously wash the wall, spray the carcass to loosen contaminants and maintain the temperature of the wall at or above the sanitizing temperature. Only steam is used and water is not needed by the tool. A thermometer for monitoring temperature is provided and portions of the tool are coated with a nonstick coating to prevent contaminants from adhering due to the high temperature of the tool surface and to reduce friction with the carcass.

Abstract: A method for sanitizing a fowl that has been defeathered and eviscerated by contacting the fowl with peracetic acid solution containing from 100 to 2000 ppm peracetic acid. Completely contacting the fowl with peracetic acid solution effectively reduces the bacterial level found on the fowl to a level that will not produce disease in human beings.

Abstract: The present invention allows oval fish processing machinery designed to process pollock or salmon, such as the Baader 182, to be adapted to process flat fish such as sole to produce kirimi. One embodiment of the invention includes a generally rectangular fish holder that replaces the current fish holders on a fish processing machine. The fish holders include brackets having arms which extend over a portion of the fins and body of the flat fish to hold it in place on the fish holder. Two rotating blades cut through the flat fish held within the holder to remove the head and tail of the flat fish. Once the head and tail of the flat fish are removed, a water jet fish cleaning apparatus removes the blood spot and any internal organs remaining in the center portion of the flat fish to produce kirimi. The water jet fish cleaning apparatus includes a water jet nozzle that has one or more water passages. The passages direct a stream of water into the internal cavity in the center portion of fish.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing hog stomachs includes a base, an inversion member having a first end insertable through an opening in the stomach, a second end connected to the base, a first end opening in the first end, and a second end opening in the second end, the end openings coinciding with a passageway through the inversion member; and a contact member movably connected to the base and movable between a loading position adjacent the first end of the inversion member and an inverting position in the passageway.

Abstract: As a carcass moves down the conveyor in a meat processing plant, it may carry contaminants from an earlier processing step. The carcass surface is sterilized, and the contaminants are removed by bringing a cleaning wand to the carcass surface. The wand has a vacuum mouth, an internal hot water spray and an external steam spray. The wand sprays a sterilizing hot water spray onto the surface within the confines of the mouth of the wand. The wand sprays steam onto the carcass surface adjacent the wand. The wand vacuums away the water, steam and contaminants.

Abstract: A processing line for the defeathering of birds including a scrub washer (27) positioned upstream from the scalder (28) and picking station (29) of the processing line for precleaning the birds prior to scalding and picking the feathers from the birds. The scrub washer (27) includes a series of flexible fingers (63), which engage the bodies of the birds and ruffle the feathers of the birds to wipe dirt, loose feathers and contaminating material from the bodies of the birds. At the same time the flexible fingers tend to bear against the birds so as to urge contaminating material contained within the visceral cavities of the birds out of the visceral cavities. Spray nozzles (53) apply a fluid spray (54) to the birds to wash any loose feathers, dirt and contaminating matter from the birds. Thereafter, the precleaned birds are passed through a scalder (28) and through a picking station (29) where the feathers are moved from the birds.

Abstract: As a carcass moves down the conveyor in a meat processing plant, it may carry contaminants from an earlier processing step. The surface is sterilized, and the contaminants are removed by simultaneous delivery of steam to the surface and vacuuming away of the steam. A sterilizing hot water spray is controlled by a valve so that the operator may deliver it to particular spots that need more cleaning.

Abstract: An apparatus used for reducing the amount of pathogenic bacteria associated with a bird or other edible animal, and preferably chickens, comprising: (a) a unit having an interior portion having side and bottom walls, an exterior portion having side and bottom walls and end walls connecting said interior portion to said exterior portion wherein the area of said interior portion provides a space which completely surrounds one or more of the birds or animals being treated; (b) one or more deluge nozzles mounted within said interior portion of said unit and connected to a source of a bacteria reducing chemical solution to enable the bacteria reducing chemical solution to be applied to the entire interior of the body cavity of the bird or animal being treated; (c) one or more spray nozzles mounted within said interior portion of said unit and connected to a source of a bacteria reducing chemical solution to enable the bacteria reducing chemical solution to be applied to the entire external surfaces of the bird or

Abstract: Poultry carcasses are washed in apparatus which includes a frame in which a rotary carousel operates, the carcasses being transported through the apparatus on a shackle train which operates in tandem with the carousel. Associated with each shackle and carried on the carousel is a water lance that moves up and down inside the carcass as it transits the apparatus and sprays water on the carcass interior. Power means to move the lances up and down during washing transit of a carcass are provided as is means to control such power means operation. Scrubbing brushes are provided to scrub a carcass exterior as it exits the apparatus, and a final water rinse is applied to the carcass after its exit from the apparatus. The scrubbing brushes are specially fabricated and shaped from flat nylon strips.

Abstract: A head washing apparatus has a head support (20) which supports the animal head (15) so that the muzzle is directed upwardly. A plurality of nozzles (16, 17) direct water under pressure in a plurality of directions onto the animal head (15) so that water is directed into upwardly opening orifices (18). Head turning means (30) turns the head support (20) in increments relative to the nozzles (16, 17) so that water is directed onto the head (15) and into the orifices (18) by the nozzles while the head is in different orientations relative to the nozzles (16, 17). Conveyor means (24) conveys the head support (20) to and from the head washing station. The nozzles (16, 17) are mounted by a carriage (50) which tracks the movement of the head (15).

Abstract: A method for removing, killing or bringing into a passive condition of bacteria on and in the skin of slaughtered, plucked poultry by a chemical, mechanical and/or temperature treatment is disclosed, wherein the treatment(s) are effected after plucking of the poultry and prior to the opening of the carcass thereof. The skin of the poultry is preferably subjected to an acid treatment with an acid solution and a heat treatment at a temperature of about 50.degree. C. for two to three minutes. The poultry can be immersed in or sprayed with water at the desired temperature, the water being mixed with an acid. Advantageously, the skin of the poultry is brushed with rotating brushing elements, at the same time spraying a spraying liquid on the poultry from above and from the sides.

Abstract: A washer for forcefully spraying with water the inside of eviscerated poultry that is traversing a treatment line. The washer is mounted on a module frame that moves with the line. The washer descends into the body cavity of the bird and sprays water thereinto. The washer is an elongated member having a rotatable hollow core with tangentially placed holes to thereby rotate the core as a result of water egressing therethrough. The core is surrounded by a cage. The washer is pivotally mounted and is detailed to arc upwardly with a bird that the washer is in.

Abstract: An elongated washer for cleaning the inside of slaughtered, eviscerated poultry, comprising a spraying element to which cleaning liquid can be fed, and radially projecting parts, running mainly in the lengthwise direction, being disposed near the spraying element, which parts are provided with sharp projections. Preferably, the sharp projections run in the lengthwise direction. The projecting parts are advantageously plate-shaped and the radial dimensions thereof, viewed in the lengthwise direction, decrease from a central part towards both ends. In a method for cleaning birds using the washer the spraying element and the projecting parts are inserted through an opening near the anus of the bird and are moved in the direction of and through the neck part.

Abstract: Apparatus of the carousel type, which is disposed at a turning point of a conveyor belt, comprising a stationary central part which includes a vertically placed drum round which a frame has been suspended so as to be concentrically rotatable, the said frame carrying a number of vertically displaceable rod-shaped members which communicate with means for the supply of spraying water and each of which is also provided with spraying means for squirting the water supplied into the interior of the carcass and with at least one dilator for keeping the neck aperture of the carcass being treated sufficiently wide open to ensure proper flushing of the spray water.