Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extruding extrudate through an extruding horn having a geometry that allows for a uniform flow from the discharge end into a cooking section that sets the outer surfaces of continuous flow of all meat specie. The technology as disclosed and claimed allows for uniform product thickness throughout the cooking process, increased system throughput, and increased bind in the sheet leading to overall increased product yields. The technology eliminates the need for a meat press ahead of the system to set thickness further reducing yields.

Abstract: Food preservation can include depositing dry ice and food within packaging. The packaging can include a flexible liner defining a wall aperture and an internal chamber. The internal chamber can receive the deposited dry ice and food and have an internal atmosphere. The packaging can include a check valve mounted to the flexible liner and covering the wall aperture. The check valve can be configured to occupy: (i) a closed state blocking fluid communication between the internal chamber and ambient via the wall aperture and (ii) an open state enabling fluid flow from the internal chamber, through the wall aperture, and into ambient.

Abstract: A meat product and method of cutting a boneless elongated meat member are disclosed. The elongated meat member is the loin of a hog carcass; the elongated meat member has a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis between the first and second ends. The method includes separating the elongated meat member into at least three elongated meat portions, two exterior elongated meat portions, and an interior elongated meat portion between the two exterior portions, the interior elongated meat portion is substantially in the shape of a rectangular prism. The separating step includes cutting the elongated meat member end to end in substantially the same direction of the longitudinal axis the length of the elongated meat member. The method also includes dividing the boneless elongated meat member into a plurality of smaller meat pieces by cutting the boneless elongated meat member substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A system and method for a chromium recovery process for recovering chromium from byproducts resulting from a tannery process. A system and process for solubilizing chromium contained in the oil byproduct into the remaining water content within the oil and extracting the water from the oil with the chromium sufficiently solubilized in the water such that the chromium content in the oil is sufficiently reduced below hazardous levels.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes new meat products and new processing and cutting techniques that more effectively utilize an animal carcass. A method of forming one or more bone-in products and one or more boneless meat products from the same segment of carcass are disclosed. The bone-in meat products and boneless meat products are formed by dividing a carcass segment having at least three rib bones into a bone-in meat portion and a boneless meat portion. The bone-in meat portion has a portion of rib bones exposed and a generally cylindrically meat member spanning its length. The boneless meat portion may be a formed by enveloping the meat portion with a flap created from attached fat or skin of the boneless meat portion thereby forming a boneless meat product that is a continuous piece of material and generally cylindrical in shape.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method for economically retrieving pre-rigor lean and fat for pork sausage from a butcher hog; barrow (a male pig that has been castrated) or gilt (female pig less than six months old that has never been pregnant), (a pig approximately 285 lbs live weight, 6 months old and ready for market with no abnormalities). Retrieving pre-rigor pork sausage from a butcher hog is not known currently in the industry because the perception is that it is not economically feasible. The process technology as disclosed and claimed herein is a new method for economically retrieving and processing certain sections of a butcher hog for producing ground pork sausage while maintaining the value from the primal cuts. The ground pork sausage from this process has comparable texture, color, consistency and other characteristics as compared to the pork sausage retrieved from the older sows, which are typically utilized in industry.

Abstract: A method for cutting extra-large poultry to fit within existing industrial fryers and remain as recognizable pieces to the consumer is provided. The method provides for the cuts necessary to create pieces of poultry from the extra-large poultry that are sized comparably to a normal sized bird. Furthermore, the method provides for keeping the cut pieces in a shape that the consumer recognizes as a particular piece of poultry.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.

Abstract: A method for economically retrieving pre-rigor lean and fat for pork sausage from a butcher hog; barrow (a male pig that has been castrated) or gilt (female pig less than six months old that has never been pregnant), (a pig approximately 285 lbs live weight, 6 months old and ready for market with no abnormalities). Retrieving pre-rigor pork sausage from a butcher hog is not known currently in the industry because the perception is that it is not economically feasible. The process technology as disclosed and claimed herein is a new method for economically retrieving and processing certain sections of a butcher hog for producing ground pork sausage while maintaining the value from the primal cuts. The ground pork sausage from this process has comparable texture, color, consistency and other characteristics as compared to the pork sausage retrieved from the older sows, which are typically utilized in industry.

Abstract: A system and method for a chromium recovery process for recovering chromium from byproducts resulting from a tannery process. A system and process for solubilizing chromium contained in the oil byproduct into the remaining water content within the oil and extracting the water from the oil with the chromium sufficiently solubilized in the water such that the chromium content in the oil is sufficiently reduced below hazardous levels.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing. The system and method further includes the use of a modular colony basket for interchangeable use with the described system.

Abstract: A shredding assembly includes a shredder having a plurality of interspersed, rotational, shredding blades. A shredder block supports the shredder and shredding blades, and further includes a first set of a plurality of vertical counter plates which are intercalated between the blades. Each counter plate has a top surface, and the top surfaces of the counter plates forms a platform. The platform serves to support pieces of a food product during shredding, and helps in the shredding process by providing a pinching action to the pieces of the product when the blades engage the pieces of the product on the platform.

Abstract: A colony basket and method of using the same for handling poultry from DOC through the growing process and on to a production facility comprising a harvesting system, a loading system, a transport system, an unloading and storing system, hanging system and cleaning system. The system and method performs the steps of harvesting and colonizing live poultry into a singly stackable and transportable colony basket, stacking and loading the trays on a transport, unloading and temporarily storing the poultry for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A poultry house has a floor with a surface area. Litter covers substantially the entire surface area of the floor. A nourishment dispensing device, which is preferably a water trough or other watering device, is preferably positioned above the floor and litter in a nourishment area. A platform is located in the nourishment area above the litter and floor, and below the nourishment dispensing device. The platform is preferably comprised of a grate or a series of slats, and preferably extends throughout substantially the entire nourishment area. The platform is constructed with through-holes or slits which are structured to allow liquids, such as, to pass through the platform to the litter below. However, the through-holes or slits are not so large as to allow the feet of chicken or other poultry from passing there through to make contact with the wet litter below.