Abstract: An improved poultry broiler cage comprising a plurality of stacked cage tiers. Each cage tier in turn comprises an elongated confinement area and a poultry-supporting floor movable longitudinally with respect to the confinement area between an operative position and an inverted, lower, inoperative position whereby poultry can be loaded and unloaded into and out of the confinement areas. Each floor is selectively responsive to a driven axle and comprises rails (preferably low friction) secured to opposite sides of the confinement area, a tension pulling member (preferably a chain) rides and is movable longitudinally along each rail. A plurality of spaced support bars extend between and are secured to the pulling members and a flexible floor material extends between the pulling members and preferably are supported in trampoline-like fasion on the support bars.

Abstract: The fitting assembly embodies a pair of fittings, one of which is in the ure of a union having a thread on one end, a head on the other end and an axially disposed through aperture which has an enlarged central section provided with a sealing shoulder on the end. The second fitting is in the nature of metal or plastic tube which has a locking end divided into four quarters which permits the end sections to contract when advanced into the aperture and to expand into the central opening to form an anchor and a seal with an O-ring on the tube end when compressed on the sealing shoulder. The assembled fittings may, if desired, be rotatable relative to each other so that the union can have the thread rotated, via a tool engaged with a suitable wrenching surface, in the threaded aperture to which it is to be connected and the second fitting turned to have its end mated with an element to which it is to be joined.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for processing poultry and other fowl for removal of the windpipe, esophagus and crop from the neck of the fowl. Fowl suspended with their necks hanging down are moved on an overhead conveyor in synchronism with a rotating holding and positioning carriage. A cutting blade is rotated in synchronism with the holding and positioning carriage against the back of the fowl neck to cut an incision to a controlled depth and to break the neck bone. The neck is then stretched by engagement with a stationary stretching member while the cutting blade remains engaged with the neck of the moving fowl to open the incision and separate the neck bone to allow access to the windpipe, esophagus and crop.The method includes cutting an incision to a controlled depth in the neck of a fowl and breaking the neck bone, and stretching the neck with a stationary stretching member to open the incision and separate the neck bone while moving the fowl along a predetermined path.

Abstract: There is disclosed a valve having a valving element longitudinally reciprocable within a bore in the body of the valve between alternate positions for controlling the flow of a first fluid between lateral ports connecting with the bore. A piston connected to one end of the valving element is urged in a direction to move the valving element to one position by a force due to the pressure of a second fluid acting over the piston, and a stem on the other end extends through the valve body to provide an externally accessible part which may be manipulated to shift the valving element between its alternate positions. Means are provided for holding the valving element in its one position, automatically in response to manipulation of the stem to shift it into that position and irrespective of the pressure of the second fluid acting over the piston.

Abstract: A plurality of axially spaced blades are rotated by a drive shaft positioned above the feed trough. The blades rotate transversely through the upper feed layer skimming off the foreign matter which is deposited in a container alongside the trough as the blades are rotated downwardly. Preferably, the blades are rotated through scraping wires on their downward track to clean the blades prior to passing through the feed once more.

Abstract: Proper ventilation is achieved by exhaust fans which draw fresh air into the building through an inlet duct. The inlet opening is adjustable by a valve movable between generally open and closed positions and a movable deflector controls the direction of flow in accordance with the rate of flow to achieve even circulation. The valve and deflector position are controlled by an actuator responsive to the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the building. Preferably, the inlet opening is a longitudinal slot extending the length of the building along each side at the ceiling and the exhaust fans are positioned at the floor. Preferably, a louver in front of the opening controls the effective size of the opening and the deflection angle of flow into the building.