Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing poultry gizzards at substantially high line speeds. A plurality of gizzards preferably with the stomach and intestines attached are directed in a random arrangement into a feeding and aligning station. Feed roll means at that station apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard and transport each gizzard along a predetermined path. Orienting means adjacent said feed roll means applys a second orienting force to each gizzard which cooperates with the first orienting force to orient each gizzard into a preselected position. Means are also provided to secure each gizzard in said preselected position. Means then remove the stomach and intestines from the tender lining of each gizzard. Slitting and spreader means slit and open each gizzard, and cleaning means flush the contaminants from the opened gizzards. Shearing means then engage and remove the residual tender lining from each gizzard, and peeling means peel the interior lining or membrane from the gizzards.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing poultry gizzards at substantially high line speeds. A plurality of gizzards preferably with the stomach and intestines attached are directed in a random arrangement into a feeding and aligning station. Feed roll means at that station apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard and transport each gizzard along a predetermined path. Orienting means adjacent said feed roll means applys a second orienting force to each gizzard which cooperates with the first orienting force to orient each gizzard into a preselected position. Means are also provided to secure each gizzard in said preselected position. Means then remove the stomach and intestines from the tender lining of each gizzard. Slitting and spreader means slit and open each gizzard, and cleaning means flush the contaminants from the opened gizzards. Shearing means then engage and remove the residual tender lining from each gizzard, and peeling means peel the interior lining or membrane from the gizzards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing poultry gizzards at substantially high line speeds. A plurality of gizzards preferably with the stomach and intestines attached are directed in a random arrangement into a feeding and aligning station. Feed roll means at that station apply an initial orienting force to each gizzard and transport each gizzard along a predetermined path. Orienting means adjacent said feed roll means applys a second orienting force to each gizzard which cooperates with the first orienting force to orient each gizzard into a preselected position. Means are also provided to secure each gizzard in said preselected position. Means then remove the stomach and intestines from the tender lining of each gizzard. Slitting and spreader means slit and open each gizzard, and cleaning means flush the contaminants from the opened gizzards. Shearing means then engage and remove the residual tender lining from each gizzard, and peeling means peel the interior lining or membrane from the gizzards.

Abstract: A boning apparatus and method is disclosed for removing the meat of an animal or poultry part from an elongate bone over the knuckled joint end. The apparatus includes meat stripping blades with a variable size opening therein for encircling the elongate portion of the bone, and bone holding blades for holding one end of the bone and pulling the bone through the blade opening to strip the meat from the elongate portion of the bone. A sensor detects the proximity of the stripping blade to the knuckle joint end and causes the size of the blade opening to increase by an amount which just allows the knuckle joint to pass therethrough. The meat is thereby cleanly and completely removed from the knuckle joint end of the bone.

Abstract: At the infeed end of a poultry gizzard processing machine are two roller chains comprising a smaller chain riding piggyback on a larger chain. The larger chain has links which extend past either side of the smaller chain and up to define a platform for supporting the gizzard above the smaller chain. The stomach does not rest on this platform but descends between those links to ride on the smaller chain. The smaller chain moves faster than the larger chain to exert a pulling force on the stomach with respect to the gizzard.

Abstract: The poultry gizzard with the gut and stomach attached descends along a chute having a slot through which the gut hangs from the gizzard. Below the lower end of the chute are a pair of rolls having the tops rotating toward each other. These rolls have interengaging gears at each end with spaced, ribbed intermediate portions. The first pair of gears detaches the gut and the second pair of gears detaches the stomach. A second pair of rolls coaxial with the first pair have their upstream portions spaced apart and interengaging gears at the far end. These rolls rotate so that their tops move away from each other. A rotary cutting knife extends upwardly through the space between the first portions of the second pair of rolls. Downstream from the second pair of rolls are rails to receive the split and opened gizzard. A cleaning spray is directed upwardly through the rails. At the far end of the rails are a pair of peeling rolls positioned at right angles to the rails.

Abstract: A pair of rolls extend upstream from beyond the upstream end of a generally horizontal feed trough. The configuration and the rotation of the rolls is such that the gizzard and stomach are supported on the tops of the rolls while the gut and gullet, including the crop, depend below the rolls. The rotation of the rolls moves the stomach and gizzard onto the feed trough. Below the feed trough are a pair of gears rotating about vertical axes with the nip of the gears positioned below a slot in the feed trough. These gears pull the gut and gullet in a downstream direction and as they do so a knife below the gears severs the gut and gullet.