Abstract: An apparatus for metered infeeding, compacting as required, and pumping coarse material of little fluidity such as raw feathers includes infeed metering transferring compacting and pumping mechanisms. The infeed metering mechanism intermittently infeeds a slug of material being at original uncompressed bulk density and approximately equal to an amount of material required for each cycle of operation of the apparatus. The transferring mechanism has a rotatable screw conveyor operable for rapidly receiving and transferring the slug and a wiper arm mounted to a discharge end of the screw conveyor to rotate therewith and create a plane of cleavage in the material being discharged therefrom. The compacting mechanism has an elongated chute with an offset located adjacent the discharge end of the screw conveyor and a compactor reciprocally movable in the chute between retracted and extended positions. The chute is disposed in transverse relation to the screw conveyor for receiving the slug of material therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the continuous conversion of feathers, hair, and other keratinaceous material into usable products, including a first vessel, said first vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the material therein without subjecting it to pressure, and paddles disposed for violently agitating the material within the vessel while gradually traversing it therethrough, a second vessel, a pump interconnected between the two vessels and providing for the transfer of the now fluidized material from the first vessel and into the second vessel while preventing the escape of any second vessel pressure back into the first vessel, the second vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the fluidized and flowable material therein to elevate temperatures while agitating the same to effect its hydrolyzation, and another pump connecting with the outlet side of the second vessel to provide for continuous discharge of the now hydrolyzed material and some pressure while the second vessel continuously hydrolyzes

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the continuous conversion of feathers, hair, and other keratinaceous material into usable products, including a first vessel, said first vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the material therein without subjecting it to pressure, and paddles disposed for violently agitating the material within the vessel while gradually traversing it therethrough, a second vessel, a pump interconnected between the two vessels and providing for the transfer of the now fluidized material from the first vessel and into the second vessel while preventing the escape of any second vessel pressure back into the first vessel, the second vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the fluidized and flowable material therein to elevated temperatures while agitating the same to effect its hydrolyzation, and another pump connecting with the outlet side of the second vessel to provide for continuous discharge of the now hydrolyzed material and some pressure while the second vessel continuously hydrolyze

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the continuous conversion of feathers, hair, and other keratinaceous material into usable products: including a first vessel, said first vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the material therein without subjecting it to pressure, and paddles disposed for violently agitating the material within the vessel while gradually traversing it therethrough; a second vessel, a pump interconnected between the two vessels and providing for the transfer of the now fluidized material from the first vessel and into the second vessel while preventing the escape of any second vessel pressure back into the first vessel, the second vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the fluidized and flowable material therein to elevated temperatures while agitating the same to effect its hydrolyzation, and another pump connecting with the outlet side of the second vessel to provide for continuous discharge of the now hydrolyzed material and some pressure while the second vessel continuously hydrolyze

Abstract: A process for the conversion of feathers into a foodstuff is disclosed wherein moistened feathers are subjected to an elevated temperature and a pressure of 15-40 psig without agitation to form a pulpy mass of the feathers. The pulpy mass of feathers is then hydrolyzed at a pressure of 40-80 psig, to convert the feathers into a highly nutritious food product. The converted feathers can be dried to form a highly nutritious feather meal or combined with other poultry by-products such as offal or blood to form an aggregate or mixture of these by-products.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the continuous conversion of feathers, hair, and other keratinaceous material into usable products; including a first vessel, said first vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the material therein without subjecting it to pressure, and paddles disposed for violently agitating the material within the vessel while gradually traversing it therethrough; a second vessel, a pump interconnected between the two vessels and providing for the transfer of the now fluidized material from the first vessel and into the second vessel while preventing the escape of any second vessel pressure back into the first vessel, the second vessel being jacketed and capable of heating the fluidized and flowable material therein to elevated temperatures while agitating the same to effect its hydrolyzation, and another pump connecting with the outlet side of the second vessel to provide for continuous discharge of the now hydrolyzed material and some pressure while the second vessel continuously hydrolyze