Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: A poultry skinner comprises a stationary frame having a pair of chain guides attached thereto, and a pair of parallel endless chains mounted for movement upon the chain guides. The chains, driven by a motor through a Geneva drive transmission, which produces intermittent motion, carry a series of birds over a first peeling roll for removing skin from the breasts, and, after the bird is inverted, over a second peeling roll which removes the skin from the back. The bird is then automatically engaged by a fixture which supports it for further processing.Also disclosed is an improved stripper roll arrangement for cleaning peeling rolls, and a skin nicking device for cutting tendons critical to the skinning operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting breast-attached wings into segments includes a conveyor chain for carrying the wings, attached to whole breasts, along respective gaps between panels on either side of the breasts and over a rotating knife for removing the wing tips, thence over a stationary knife for removing the flat segments, and finally past rotating knives for removing the drumettes from the breasts. Fully automatic and particularly accurate cuts are obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing gizzards uses a gizzard splitter, a gizzard defatter and a gizzard peeler. The splitter includes upper and lower conveyors which define pockets for receiving an individual poultry gizzard. The pockets retain the gizzard as it is pushed over a rotating probe. The rotating probe includes a nipple-shaped head which washes foreign matter from the gizzard. The conveyor pockets also pass the gizzard by a rotating knife which slits the gizzard. The splitter includes a spray system for cleaning the upper and lower conveyor assemblies. The gizzard defatter includes a plurality of stationary picker fingers and a rotating frame having picking fingers mounted thereon. The picking fingers engage the gizzards removing fat and other debris. The peeler includes a plurality of sets of helically cut intermeshing gizzard peeler rolls or rollers and a rotating auger. A plurality of pins are positioned on the auger. The pins contact the gizzards and flip them on the gizzard peeler rollers.

Abstract: A gizzard harvester is disclosed having a pair of opposed conveyors for receiving a gizzard and holding the same against rotation as the gizzard is advanced onto a rotating cone spindle which both washes foreign matter from the gizzard and removes its lining by rotating the lining with respect to the gizzard. Washing ports are provided at the tip of the cone, which ports also assist removal of the liner from the spindle.

Abstract: A gizzard harvester is disclosed having a support receiving a gizzard and holding the same against rotation as the gizzard is lowered onto a rotating cone spindle which both washes foreign matter from the gizzard and removes its lining by rotating the lining with respect to the gizzard. A mechanism for advancing the gizzard onto the spindle includes a laterally split device whose halves are biased together by spring tension so that the gizzard remains restrained as it is forced downward over the cone. Washing parts are provided at the tip of the cone, which ports also assist removal of the liner from the spindle.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing skin from the meat of a poultry part, such as a turkey thigh, includes an elongated conveyor supported on a frame in spaced relationship to an elongated loading and stretch bar. The conveyor moves the poultry part along the bar. A rotary cutter is positioned below the bar for cutting the skin of the part. Two pairs of counter-rotating, helical skinning rollers are positioned below the bar and downstream of the rotary cutter. Each pair of skinning rollers defines a nip. The rollers engage the skin on the poultry part and pull the skin from the part.