Abstract: A device for processing picked and eviscerated poultry backs, each having kidneys, fatty portions on opposite sides and a tail, the device including a first conveyor for advancing the backs successively longitudinally along a prismatic slide; a pair of cutters spaced transversely of the slide for trimming the fatty portions of the backs advanced along the slide; openings in the slide which register with the kidneys of advancing backs; a control system for applying vacuum to the openings when registered with the kidneys to remove them from the backs; a second conveyor extended transversely of the first conveyor for receiving the backs from the slide and advancing them transversely therefrom; and a second cutter disposed to trim the tails from the backs as they advance along the second conveyor.

Abstract: A method for denaturing a food product including the steps of intermixing a marking agent and a carrier agent which is immiscible with the food product at ambient temperature; heating the resultant mixture above ambient temperature to make the mixture flowable; and applying the mixture to the food product; and an apparatus for performing the method including a mechanism for intermixing the marking and carrier agents; a pump system connected to the mechanism and operable to pump the mixture from the mechanism into contact with the food product; and a heating system communicating with the mechanism and the pump system operable to heat the mixture above ambient temperature to impart flowability to the mixture.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for an apparatus for denaturing food products, the nozzle having an inlet end mounted on a source of flowable food product material which is propelled in a stream along the axis of the nozzle, a planar surface contacting the material and extending at right angles to a plane normal to the axis, and a duct extending along the axis for injection of a denaturing agent to form a streak of the agent extending longitudinally of the stream.

Abstract: A method of denaturing food products not intended for human consumption including the steps of propelling such products in a flowable comminuted form in a stream, injecting a denaturing agent which is immiscible with the product into the stream so that the agent is distributed longitudinally along the stream, and thereafter accumulating the stream in a striped, striated or marbled mass; an apparatus for such purpose having a conduit, a pump for propelling such products through the conduit, a duct connected to the conduit, and a second pump for propelling the denaturing agent through the duct and into products flowing through the conduit; and the resultant improved denatured product.