Abstract: A poultry chiller 100 has a hanger 140 suspended from the upper portion of the tank 102 that supports the bearing block 160 of the auger shaft 112 between the auger blades. A conical bird deflector 175 is mounted on the auger shaft and radially deflects the birds away from the bearing block as the birds are urged across the bearing block.

Abstract: A chiller for reducing the temperature of previously eviscerated whole birds and the like, includes a tank having a bird outlet end, a bird inlet end, an inlet end plate, an outlet end plate, and a water reservoir between the ends. The poultry chiller also includes water circulation means for introducing water into the reservoir at the bird outlet end of the tank, draining water at the bird inlet end of the tank, and forming a movement of water generally from the bird outlet end toward the bird inlet end of the tank. The chiller further includes a motive device for urging the birds from the bird inlet end to the bird outlet end of the tank, the motive device being in driven relationship with a power means. A transverse wall having a lower portion, a central portion, and a top edge, is disposed at the bird inlet end of the tank substantially parallel to the inlet end plate such that a sump is formed between the lower portion of the transverse wall and the inlet end plate.

Abstract: A hanger bearing assembly for use in an auger type poultry chiller, the poultry chiller has an auger with a first flight and a second flight both secured to an auger shaft, the first flight having a first flange plate and the second flight having a second flange pate. A bearing disk is secured between the first flange plate and the second flange plate. A bearing block disposed about the bearing disk, a lower bearing plate is secured to the poultry chiller, and the lower bearing plate has a support segment configured to receive the bearing block. An upper bearing plate configured to receive the bearing block. The upper bearing plate is secured to the lower bearing plate, thereby maintaining the bearing block adjacent the bearing disk and securing the auger to the lower bearing plate.

Abstract: A chiller for reducing the temperature of previously eviscerated whole birds and the like, includes a tank having a bird outlet end, a bird inlet end, an inlet end plate, an outlet end plate, and a water reservoir between the ends. The poultry chiller also includes water circulation means for introducing water into the reservoir at the bird outlet end of the tank, draining water at the bird inlet end of the tank, and forming a movement of water generally from the bird outlet end toward the bird inlet end of the tank. The chiller further includes a motive device for urging the birds from the bird inlet end to the bird outlet end of the tank, the motive device being in driven relationship with a power means. A transverse wall having a lower portion, a central portion, and a top edge, is disposed at the bird inlet end of the tank substantially parallel to the inlet end plate such that a sump is formed between the lower portion of the transverse wall and the inlet end plate.

Abstract: A rotating disc for cutting ice in an industrial ice maker includes a center mounting hole for rotatably mounting the disc in the ice maker. The round flat top surface having a plurality of triangularly shaped through holes. The base of the triangularly shaped through holes being equally spaced from the mounting hole. The base is also positioned near the outer edge. The disc has plurality of cutter knives with triangular shapes. Each of the plurality of cutter knives are securely fastened to the round flat top surface and fixedly positioned to nearly cover each of the triangularly shaped through holes. A slot remains and extends nearly from the mounting hole to the outer edge. There is a raised portion which forms a cutting edge and is positioned over the triangularly shaped hole and parallel with the slot. The cutting edge extends nearly from the mounting hole to the outer edge of the rotating disc.

Abstract: Poultry is chilled by moving the birds with an auger in one direction and chilled water in the opposite direction. The auger that moves the birds has a segmented auger blade (23) formed with a series of blade segments (24) which overlap one another along the auger shaft (22) and define water passages (26) therebetween. A grill (36) is positioned in the passages. The water passages permit movement of chilled water through the tank, and the offset edges of adjacent auger blade segments, together with the water movement, causes a tumbling and reorientation of the birds as they are chilled and conveyed through the tank.

Abstract: Fat removal apparatus for removing fat from the surface of a liquid body includes a rotary fat skimmer mounted for rotation above said surface of the liquid body and a plate having an inclined front face surface and an outer periphery partially submerged in the liquid body, a fat removal opening is provided in the plate portion co-axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the plate, a spiral shaped fat capture flange extends forwardly from the surface of the plate and has an inner end at the fat removal opening centered in the plate and an outer leading end edge positioned radially outward from the fat removal opening to engage and remove fat from the surface of the liquid body and deliver it to the fat removal opening.

Abstract: A reverse cycle defrost or water defrost type ice-maker refrigeration system includes a programmable controller which initiates a freezing cycle in which water is pumped for application to the chilled surface of an evaporator for freezing. All water that fails to be frozen absorbs minerals from the frozen water and is returned to the sump. The programmable controller terminates replenishment of water removed from the sump substantially prior to completion of the freezing cycle so that the sump level falls and the mineral content of water in the sump increases substantially. The ice is harvested at the end of the freezing cycle by hot refrigerant gas from the compressor directed to the evaporator or warm water while the sump is being drained and subsequently refilled prior to the initiation of a subsequent cycle of operation. The operation is energy efficient since water is saved and a reduced amount of water is used and a reduced amount of previously refrigerated water is disposed of by drainage of the sump.

Abstract: In an auger-type product chiller having an auger including a series of successive flights that form a generally helical structure that, when rotated, moves product through cold water for chilling the product, control elements extending from faces of the flights at a non-zero angle. The control structures prevent "clumping" and packing of poultry product, break up any "clumps" and packs of the product that may develop, and improve product uniformity. In this manner, the advantages of proper agitation, as well as rapid, predictable and even product cooling and moisture introduction, are achieved. Implementations of the control elements include sets of rods extending from the flights at 30.degree. angles from radial lines of affixation to the flights, flat plates extending from the flights at 30.degree. angles from radial lines of affixation to the flights, and sets of rods extending between successive flights near peripheries of the flights.

Abstract: A U-shaped tube end connector for use on a horizontal shell and tube heat exchanger with the U-shaped tube end connector having close centerline-to-centerline capability and being molded from transparent plastic or cast stainless steel with built in O-ring type sealing gasket that eliminates the need for cumbersome space consuming special clamps by allowing for the bolting of the molded U-shaped tube end connector directly onto the face of a tube sheet on the heat exchanger vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is shown for subjecting animal carcasses immediately after slaughter and evisceration to residence for a specific time period in a steam chamber for the purpose of preheating the skin of the carcasses to assist in controlling the moisture absorption of the carcasses in a chiller as well as for sterilization of the carcasses to kill harmful bacteria on all exposed surfaces of the eviscerated carcasses.

Abstract: A golf flag assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a flagpole and comprises a flag and means for attaching the flag to the pole, said means further comprising a pair of facing panel members adapted to receive one edge of the flag therebetween and means for securing the panel members together so that the edge of the flag is entrapped between the panel members. At least one tubular cylindrical member is secured along one edge of both of the panel members so that the panel members extend radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical member. The tubular cylindrical member is constructed of resilient material and is adapted to receive the flagpole therethrough so that the cylindrical member grasps the flagpole to secure the golf flag assembly to the flagpole.