Abstract: Bird carriers and methods of restraining birds are disclosed. Each bird carrier may include a torso support, one or more leg clamps, and a head support. The head support may further include a beak receiving passage such that at least a portion of the birds' beaks are exposed. The bird carriers may restrain one or both legs and heads of the birds while supporting their torsos. Restraining the legs and the heads of the birds while supporting their torsos may produce a calming effect such that the birds exhibit significantly reduced struggling in an attempt to free themselves from the carrier.

Abstract: Fourth toe processing apparatus and methods for the processing the fourth toes of a bird are disclosed. The fourth toe processing apparatus includes a shield, a non-contact energy source emitting energy towards the shield, a shank restraint structure receiving a shank of a bird located proximate the second side of the shield, and a fourth toe aperture extending through the first side and the second side of the shield. Energy emitted towards the shield by the energy source passes through the fourth toe aperture so that a fourth toe of a bird having its shank positioned in the fourth toe aperture is exposed to the energy.

Abstract: Injection apparatus and methods of positioning an injection needle in an injection apparatus are described herein. The injection apparatus may include one or more axes of rotation. The injection apparatus may include an injection unit attached to a support assembly that moves between a rearward position and a forward position, with the injection unit attached to the support such that it rotates relative to the support assembly about an injection unit axis.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a composition to a bird. A selected dosage of the composition may be delivered directly to one or both nostrils of the bird. The deliveries are performed through one or two fluid passages that are preferably in direct fluid communication with the birds' nostrils. Delivery of the composition may limited to only one nostril or both nostrils of each bird. The nostril or nostrils to which the selected dosages are delivered may be isolated from fluid communication with ambient atmosphere during the delivery process. The isolation may be provided by a conformable seal. The beak of the bird may be restrained in a closed position during delivery of the composition.

Abstract: Bird carriers and methods of restraining birds are disclosed. Each bird carrier may include a torso support, one or more leg clamps, and a head support. The head support may further include a beak receiving passage such that at least a portion of the birds' beaks are exposed. The bird carriers may restrain one or both legs and heads of the birds while supporting their torsos. Restraining the legs and the heads of the birds while supporting their torsos may produce a calming effect such that the birds exhibit significantly reduced struggling in an attempt to free themselves from the carrier.

Abstract: Fourth toe processing apparatus and methods for the processing the fourth toes of a bird are disclosed.

Abstract: Poultry processing methods and systems that provide for the processing of poultry at a plurality of processing stations, with the poultry being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each individual poultry is retained in a poultry carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the poultry carriers is preferably designed to retain only one individual poultry at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the poultry through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the poultry themselves or they may be associated with the poultry carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating the beaks of poultry to prevent further growth by non-contact heating while protecting the birds' tongues. The birds' tongues are protected by providing pressure on underside of the lower beak of the bird, proximate the base of the lower beak.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating the upper and lower beaks of poultry by non-contact heating of the upper and lower beaks of the bird are disclosed. The upper and lower beak treatment may include delivery of energy to the upper and lower beak in amounts sufficient to retard the growth and/or result in erosion of portions of both the upper beak and the lower beak. The energy incident on the lower beak may be reflected from a lower beak energy director (e.g., a reflector) or it may be provided a separate energy source.

Abstract: Poultry processing methods and systems that provide for the processing of poultry at a plurality of processing stations, with the poultry being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each individual poultry is retained in a poultry carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the poultry carriers is preferably designed to retain only one individual poultry at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the poultry through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the poultry themselves or they may be associated with the poultry carriers.

Abstract: Hatchling processing methods and systems that provide for the processing of hatchlings at a plurality of processing stations, with the hatchlings being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each of the hatchlings is retained in a hatchling carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the hatchling carriers is preferably designed to retain only one hatchling at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the hatchling through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the hatchlings themselves or they may be associated with the hatchling carriers.

Abstract: Poultry processing methods and systems are disclosed that provide for the processing of poultry at a plurality of processing stations, with the poultry being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each individual poultry is retained in a poultry carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the poultry carriers is preferably designed to retain only one individual poultry at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the poultry through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the poultry themselves or they may be associated with the poultry carriers.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for treating the beaks of poultry to prevent further growth by non-contact heating while protecting the birds' tongues. The birds' tongues are protected by providing pressure on underside of the lower beak of the bird, proximate the base of the lower beak.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for delivering a composition to a bird are disclosed. A selected dosage of the composition may be delivered directly to one or both nostrils of the bird. The deliveries are performed through one or two fluid passages that are preferably in direct fluid communication with the birds' nostrils. Delivery of the composition may limited to only one nostril or both nostrils of each bird. The nostril or nostrils to which the selected dosages are delivered may be isolated from fluid communication with ambient atmosphere during the delivery process. The isolation may be provided by a conformable seal. The beak of the bird may be restrained in a closed position during delivery of the composition.

Abstract: Hatchling processing methods and systems that provide for the processing of hatchlings at a plurality of processing stations, with the hatchlings being transferred between stations using an automated conveying system. Each of the hatchlings is retained in a hatchling carrier designed to be conveyed by the automated conveying system. Each of the hatchling carriers is preferably designed to retain only one hatchling at a time. The systems and methods may also include identification tags that may be used to direct the hatchling through the processing system with the automated conveying system. The identification tags may be associated with the hatchlings themselves or they may be associated with the hatchling carriers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for treating the upper and lower beaks of poultry by non-contact heating of the upper and lower beaks of the bird are disclosed. The upper and lower beak treatment may include delivery of energy to the upper and lower beak in amounts sufficient to retard the growth and/or result in erosion of portions of both the upper beak and the lower beak. The energy incident on the lower beak may be reflected from a lower beak energy director (e.g., a reflector) or it may be provided a separate energy source.

Abstract: A friction stir welding tool includes a friction stir welding head having a probe and spindle rotatably mounted at a first end. A support supports the stir welding head between the first end and a second end for movement about a pitch axis. A pitch actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the stir welding head at a point longitudinally spaced from pitch axis to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A turntable supports the stir welding head for movement about a yaw axis. A yaw actuator includes an elongated arm coupled to the turntable laterally spaced from the yaw axis, to overcome the relatively large forces exerted at the probe. A controller maintains an angle of attack of the probe with respect to direction of travel of the probe along the work piece.

Abstract: The present invention relates to debeaking turkey and chick poultry through non-contact thermal transfer from a source of high frequency heat generating radiation. The present invention directs heat onto the upper beak of a live bird by convection or radiation to thereby affect the continued growth of the beak. Such heating of the bird's upper beak provides a debeaking method which allows the bird's upper beak to stay in place for several days allowing the bird to eat and drink. Heating the portion of the upper beak also allows the poultry tongue and lower beak to be shielded from the heat causing less trauma and injury to the bird. The heat may be directed onto the poultry upper beak by radiation or convection.

Abstract: A method of declawing poultry by applying a form of heat to the claws of a one-day old poult. The preferred form of heat is microwave energy, which is applied for one-half second. After such a bloodless and relatively painless treatment, the claws fall off in one to three weeks. Declawing apparatus including a magnetron supplying microwave energy into a waveguide into which a poult's toes are inserted by conveyer which carries the poult in inverted position by shackles from which the poult is suspended in inverted position.

Abstract: A personnel door for sealing a room having a source of Radio Frequency (RF) radiation. The door when swung into a closed position can be energized to be partially disposed in an opening below floor level directly beneath the door. Sealing between the door and the door frame of the room can occur around the borders of the door including the part disposed in the opening below floor level. A step up into the room or use of a ramp to gain access to the room is thereby eliminated. In the preferred embodiment, the door is retained above the opening below floor level by springs and energized to move vertically downward into the opening against the force of the springs by an air cylinder.