Abstract: A system and method for managing cost containment within a plurality of projects. Standardized tasks for each of the projects and a schedule for the standardized tasks is defined. Resource data including pricing data for each of the standardized tasks is collected. Based on the defined schedule and the collected data, multi-tiered reimbursement/payment price milestones for each project are developed.

Abstract: A device for detecting bone fragments in deboned poultry carried on a conveyor belt of flexible clear plastic material. Fluorescent lights are positioned under the conveyor. A second conveyor positioned above the first conveyor is made up of a linked series of rigid clear plastic slats which bear down on the deboned poultry passing over the light table in order to reduce the thickness to allow the light to show through and reveal bone fragments. A video camera positioned inside the conveyor and looking down on the flattened poultry parts is used to identify bone fragments. In another embodiment, the inspection may done by operators. In either embodiment filters, desirably rose colored, are used to enhance the visibility of the bone fragments. Computer image recognition may additionally be used to identify and reject parts with bone fragments.

Abstract: An improvement to the type of poultry processing machinery in which a poultry carcass is placed upon a cone shaped mandrel carried past various processing stations by a conveyor. The improvement comprises a pin with a piercing point carried by the mandrel such that the pin pierces the keel bone of the poultry carcass to more firmly fix the poultry carcass in position upon the mandrel. In one embodiment the pin is mechanically retractable and extendable. In another embodiment, the pin is fixed in position upon the mandrel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating wings and attached breast from poultry carcasses comprising prescoring the flesh of the poultry carcass over the shoulder joint, separating the wing from the poultry carcass at the shoulder joint using a rotating cup knife having a broadly wedge shaped cutting edge, cutting along the scapula bone so as to separate tendons which tend to bind a portion of the breast meat to the poultry carcass and partially tearing the wing portion and attached breast portion including the "eye" and the flesh in the vicinity of the wishbone from the poultry carcass. The apparatus comprises separate processing stations for accomplishing each of the separation steps. The apparatus is designed to be used in conjunction with a moving conveyor belt having mandrels upon which the front half of a poultry carcass is mounted.

Abstract: The present invention is an approved apparatus for the removal of tenders from poultry carcasses. The apparatus of the present invention is used in conjunction with a conveyor having mandrels for receiving and supporting the eviscerated poultry carcass in the proper position for the removal of the tenders. A series of knives and plows partially separate the tender from the poultry carcass. The improved apparatus of the present invention employs fully automated gripping elements which are positioned so as to grip the partially severed tender and to remove the partially severed tender from the poultry carcass by tearing away the remaining connections. The gripper then releases the separated tender onto an auxiliary conveyor. The operation of the gripper mechanism depends on a timing sequence which is initiated by a trigger located on one or both grippers. The motions of the gripper are initiated by contact of the triggers with the shoulder bone of the poultry carcass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for lifting the skin and loading a poultry part into a skinning machine and, in particular, for loading a poultry breast fillet into a poultry breast fillet skinning machine. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of endless loop link chains travel around a path defined by respective pairs of vertically rotating sprocket wheels. The forward sprocket wheels are located at a slightly lower elevation than the rear sprocket wheels. Each of the links in the two link chains contains an outwardly projecting gripping finger. As the links pass over the sprocket wheels the gripping fingers tend to separate at their outer ends. As the links travel along the straight segments between the sprocket wheels, the gripping fingers tend to assume a more closely spaced relationship which pinches folds of skin on the poultry part.

Abstract: A poultry breast fillet skinner includes a table, a lower conveyor supported on the table, an upper conveyor with means to allow the upper conveyor to be pressed down toward the lower conveyor so as to firmly grip the poultry breast fillet, and a wing disposed between the upper and lower conveyors which affects the separation of the skin from the poultry breast fillet. In the preferred embodiment the separation process is assisted by a pair of openings provided on the pointed ends of the projections of the wing. Pressurized air is expelled into natural pockets formed between the skin and the meat portion of the poultry breast fillet which assist in beginning the process of separating the skin from the meat portion of the poultry breast fillet.