Abstract: A system for removing the neck, windpipe and esophagus from poultry where the neck is broken with an opening through the neck skin at the break which includes a neck removal machine and a pulling machine past which the poultry is moved on an overhead conveyor. The neck removal machine holds the windpipe and esophagus at the neck break and engages the broken end of the neck with a finger member to displace the neck from the poultry to break the neck skin and release the neck while leaving the windpipe and esophagus intact. The pulling machine engages the windpipe and esophagus to pull them out of the poultry carcass which also removes any crop still attached to the esophagus.

Abstract: Gizzard peeling apparatus including a pair of rolls with intermeshing helical teeth and bores in the opposite ends of each. A sleeve bearing is mounted in each bore and a support shaft is rotatably mounted in each bearing to rotatably support the rolls between supports.

Abstract: A system for processing a gizzard with the viscera attached where the viscera is conveyed along a poultry processing line by conveying means including adjusting means for adjusting the viscera to a predetermined length while the viscera is conveyed by the conveying means; viscera separating means for separating the gizzard from the rest of the viscera; transfer means for automatically transferring the viscera from the conveying means into said viscera separating means; conveyor means for moving the gizzard along a processing path; gizzard splitting means for splitting a gizzard moved along the processing path by the conveyor means to open the pocket in the gizzard; gizzard washing means for washing the contents from the open pocket in the gizzard moving along the processing path by the conveyor means; gizzard peeling means operatively associated with the conveyor means to receive the split and washed gizzard therefrom and peel the lining from the gizzard; transfer means for transferring the gizzard from the r

Abstract: A system for processing a gizzard with the viscera attached where the viscera is conveyed along a poultry processing line by conveying means including adjusting means for adjusting the viscera to a predetermined length while the viscera is conveyed by the conveying means; viscera separating means for separating the gizzard from the rest of the viscera; transfer means for automatically transferring the viscera from the conveying means into said viscera separating means; conveyor means for moving the gizzard along a processing path; gizzard splitting means for splitting a gizzard moved along the processing path by the conveyor means to open the pocket in the gizzard; gizzard washing means for washing the contents from the open pocket in the gizzard moving along the processing path by the conveyor means; gizzard peeling means operatively associated with the conveyor means to receive the split and washed gizzard therefrom and peel the lining from the gizzard; transfer means for transferring the gizzard from the r

Abstract: This invention relates to poultry picking machines and more particularly to a poultry picking machine for removing the feathers from fowl with multiple finger action using a first plurality of picking fingers rotatable about axes of rotation extending generally transversely of the path of travel of the fowl through the machine and with a second plurality of picking fingers rotating about axes extending generally parallel to the path of travel of the fowl through the machine so that the first plurality of picking fingers is located on one side of the path of travel while the second plurality of picking fingers is located on the opposite side of the path of travel.

Abstract: A lung removal apparatus for poultry in which an access opening to their body cavity has been formed at their vent wherein the apparatus includes a conveyor from which shackle members are flexibly suspended to engage and support the poultry by their hocks, a guide for selectively locating the shackle members, a positioning member having a hook engagable with the poultry at their access opening in opposition to the shackle member and means for selectively varying the spacing between the hook and the shackle member to support poultry between the shackle member and hook so that the access opening is in a fixed plane while the breast portion of the poultry is flexibly supported in a cantilever fashion through its bone and muscle structure. A vacuum tool is reciprocally mounted on a traveling table adjacent the fixed plane in which the access opening is located and extendible through the fixed plane and access opening into the body cavity while the table moves the tool along in alignment with the poultry.

Abstract: A poultry cutting machine for opening poultry suspended from shackles being conveyed along a process line for evisceration at a predetermined velocity. The machine comprises a pair of advancing rollers disposed adjacent one another; a cutting blade mounted adjacent the pair of advancing rollers; shackle positioners mounted for movement above the pair of advancing rollers in contact with the shackles for guiding poultry into engagement with the advancing rollers; and a drive for driving the advancing rollers in mutually opposite rotational directions and the shackle positioners above the counter rotating advancing rollers.

Abstract: A viscera removal apparatus for poultry having a preformed access opening to their body cavity including a conveying and positioning means for successively moving poultry along a prescribed path; a plurality of vacuum operated tool assemblies; carriage means for selectively moving the tool assemblies into the body cavities of the poultry through the access openings so that the operating ends thereof overlie the viscera to be removed; vacuum means for imposing a vacuum through the operating ends of the tool assemblies to withdraw the viscera; and muffler means for introducing ambient air into the body cavity to reduce the operating noise level. The method of operation is also contemplated.

Abstract: A lung removal method for poultry in which an access opening to their body cavity has been formed at their vent including the steps of supporting poultry by its hocks and at an access opening at the vent so as to locate the access opening in a fixed plane while the breast portion of the poultry is flexibly supported therefrom in cantilever fashion through the bone and muscle structure of the poultry. The method also includes inserting an eviscerating tool through the access opening to eviscerate the poultry while it is supported. A separate vacuum may be imposed through the tool on different parts of the viscera to remove same.

Abstract: A method of processing poultry including conveying the poultry in a head lowermost position successively along a prescribed path, moving a processing tool synchronously with each of the birds, moving the tool through a series of predetermined positions with respect to the bird as it is moved synchronously therewith, and selectively holding and orienting each bird by its body as the tool is moved through the series of predetermined positions to orient the tool with respect to the bird during the processing operation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for breaking the necks of fowl being conveyed along a conveyor line in an inverted position for processing. The method comprises the steps of positioning neck gripping guide bars about opposite sides of a fowl neck, converging the neck gripping guide bars into gripping engagement with the neck, and striking the gripped neck with sufficient force to break the neck.A machine is also disclosed for breaking the necks of fowl being conveyed along a conveyor line in inverted positions for processing. The machine comprises a frame and a carriage mounted to the frame for movement along an orbital path having an upper arcuate portion. At least one neck breaking blade is supported on the carriage. Cylinders are provided for reciprocally driving the blade laterally the orbital path while the carriage is moving along the upper arcuate portion of the orbital path.