Abstract: A water treatment system for a poultry chiller including a chiller tank is described herein. The system includes a float holding tank at a downstream section of the chiller tank; a fan at the downstream section of the chiller tank that is configured to blow float formed on a surface of the water in the chiller tank into the float holding tank; and a float removal mechanism at the float holding tank that is configured to remove the float from the float holding tank. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for immersion treatment system fluidized unloading. In one embodiment, a product is immersed in a treatment liquid in a chamber of an immersion treatment system. A product mixture is discharged from the chamber to an entry point of a fluidized unloader. The product mixture is transported from the entry point to an exit point via the fluidized unloader. A residence time of the product in the treatment liquid while in the chamber and the fluidized unloader is controlled. The product is separated from the treatment liquid at the exit point of the fluidized unloader.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a decontamination tank and method for treating reducing microbial contamination of a food product. In one embodiment, decontamination tank comprises a first chamber for holding a first antimicrobial bearing liquid for reducing a microbial contamination on a surface of the food product. The decontamination tank further comprises a second chamber for holding a second antimicrobial bearing liquid of different content than the first antimicrobial bearing liquid in the first chamber, for further reducing the microbial contamination on the surface of the food product. The decontamination tank further comprises a first unloader configured to remove the food product from the first antimicrobial bearing liquid in the first chamber and to deposit the food product toward the second chamber. The decontamination tank further comprises a second unloader configured to remove the food product from the second antimicrobial bearing liquid in the second chamber.

Abstract: A water treatment system for a poultry chiller including a chiller tank is described herein. The system includes a float holding tank at a downstream section of the chiller tank; a fan at the downstream section of the chiller tank that is configured to blow float formed on a surface of the water in the chiller tank into the float holding tank; and a float removal mechanism at the float holding tank that is configured to remove the float from the float holding tank. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A water treatment system for a poultry chiller including a chiller tank is described herein. The system includes a float holding tank at a downstream section of the chiller tank; a fan at the downstream section of the chiller tank that is configured to blow float formed on a surface of the water in the chiller tank into the float holding tank; and a float removal mechanism at the float holding tank that is configured to remove the float from the float holding tank. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of a rocker-style treatment tank equipped with instrumentation. In one embodiment, a rocker treatment tank includes a dasher configured to oscillate within treatment liquid in the rocker treatment tank. The dasher includes a dasher shaft, one or more dasher arms coupled to the dasher shaft, and at least one dasher blade coupled to the dasher arm(s). The rocker treatment tank also includes one or more sensors configured to provide data directly or indirectly indicating a torque transmitted to the dasher to effect oscillation.

Abstract: A method for automated cleaning of an immersion tank (14) includes: substantially enclosing an interior volume (30) of the immersion tank (14); increasing the temperature and humidity in the interior volume (30) of the immersion tank (14); then applying cleaning solution to interior surfaces of the immersion tank (14); and rinsing the cleaning solution and soil off the interior surfaces of the immersion tank (14).

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A water treatment system for a poultry chiller including a chiller tank is described herein. The system includes a float holding tank at a downstream section of the chiller tank; a fan at the downstream section of the chiller tank that is configured to blow float formed on a surface of the water in the chiller tank into the float holding tank; and a float removal mechanism at the float holding tank that is configured to remove the float from the float holding tank. Related methods are also described.

Abstract: A system for vacuum chilling poultry product includes: a vacuum chamber configured to be evacuated to chill poultry product in the vacuum chamber; at least one inclined or vertical conduit coupled to the vacuum chamber, with the at least one conduit configured to hold at least one water seal when the vacuum chamber is evacuated; and a conveying mechanism that is configured to continuously convey the poultry product upwardly through the at least one conduit, then into and through the vacuum chamber, and then downwardly through the at least one conduit.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A system for vacuum chilling poultry product includes: a vacuum chamber configured to be evacuated to chill poultry product in the vacuum chamber; at least one inclined or vertical conduit coupled to the vacuum chamber, with the at least one conduit configured to hold at least one water seal when the vacuum chamber is evacuated; and a conveying mechanism that is configured to continuously convey the poultry product upwardly through the at least one conduit, then into and through the vacuum chamber, and then downwardly through the at least one conduit.

Abstract: A rocker chiller includes a chilling tank and a baffle assembly. The baffle assembly includes a drive shaft, a baffle blade extending along a bottom of the tank and a plurality of spaced-apart and elongate baffle members extending in a radial direction from the drive shaft towards the bottom of the tank. The elongate baffle members contact the drive shaft at spaced-apart locations along the drive shaft and define a plurality of openings therebetween. The elongate baffle members are sized and shaped to push at least a majority of the carcasses laterally through the heat exchanging liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to a lengthwise forward movement of the carcasses from the first end of the tank to the second end of the tank.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A rocker chiller includes a chilling tank and a baffle assembly. The baffle assembly includes a drive shaft, a baffle blade extending along a bottom of the tank and a plurality of spaced-apart and elongate baffle members extending in a radial direction from the drive shaft towards the bottom of the tank. The elongate baffle members contact the drive shaft at spaced-apart locations along the drive shaft and define a plurality of openings therebetween. The elongate baffle members are sized and shaped to push at least a majority of the carcasses laterally through the heat exchanging liquid in a direction generally orthogonal to a lengthwise forward movement of the carcasses from the first end of the tank to the second end of the tank.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

Abstract: A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.