Abstract: A poultry defeathering apparatus comprising a compression plate with a central aperture operationally associated with a hub drive shaft of a feather plucking machine, wherein the compression plate is secured to the hub drive shaft, a finger plate operationally associated with the hub drive shaft and the compression plate, the finger plate includes a central aperture, an annular abutment ring operationally associated with the central aperture, a plurality of finger apertures surrounding the central aperture, a plurality of fingers secured to the finger plate by insertion through the finger plate, with the body extending through a finger aperture, wherein the hub drive shaft is secured to the finger plate and wherein the oversized base of each finger is compressed between the compression plate and the finger plate and a mounting bolt secured on the finger plate within the mounting hole of the hub drive shaft.

Abstract: A poultry defeathering apparatus comprising a compression plate with a central aperture operationally associated with a hub drive shaft of a feather plucking machine, wherein the compression plate is secured to the hub drive shaft, a finger plate operationally associated with the hub drive shaft and the compression plate, the finger plate includes a central aperture, an annular abutment ring operationally associated with the central aperture, a plurality of finger apertures surrounding the central aperture, a plurality of fingers secured to the finger plate by insertion through the finger plate, with the body extending through a finger aperture, wherein the hub drive shaft is secured to the finger plate and wherein the oversized base of each finger is compressed between the compression plate and the finger plate and a mounting bolt secured on the finger plate within the mounting hole of the hub drive shaft.

Abstract: A unitary resilient rubber finger pad for a poultry plucking machine, and a finger pad assembly for such machine, the assembly having: a backing plate with a central aperture adapted for engaging a drive hub of a poultry feather plucking machine; a finger pad having a base with a central mounting aperture, a flat rear face abutting the backing plate and a front face opposite the rear flat face, a plurality of fingers extending from the front; a star washer having a plurality of arcuate recesses on its periphery, each of which engages a base of a finger; and a mounting bolt for attaching said finger pad assembly to a drive shaft having a threaded hole in the end thereof. The method of mounting the finger pad assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for de-feathering (i.e. picking or plucking) poultry. More particularly, picking apparatus employing a plurality of elongated picking elements which are resistant to cracking and/or micro-poring, and which are preferably flexible and/or bendable and which are of sufficiently low mass such as to decrease poundage yield loss (e.g. decrease fat loss and poultry wing damage). In some embodiments, apparatus is provided having a plurality of filaments rotatable about an axis for removing feathers from a poultry carcass.

Abstract: Fowl-plucking device which is comprised of elastic tines arranged at different angles for the purpose of removing the feathers (plucking) the fowl and a fan which blows air for the purpose of projecting the feathers removed toward a disposable bag which collects the feathers and the user removes when he so deems suitable.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing is reduced or eliminated by applying a curable adhesive composition to the vent opening and permitting the applied curable composition to cure to form a cured firmly adherent vent seal after de-feathering has been completed or has progressed substantially. The curable sealing compositions are safe in the fully-cured state and do not liberate undesirable materials during curing.

Abstract: A poultry picker comprises four independently movable banks of rotary picker heads. Each bank is supported at its ends by brackets, which are independently, vertically movable on respective uprights. Each bank can be moved toward or away from its upright by one adjustment mechanism, and another mechanism is provided for tilting the bank about its longitudinal axis. In addition, the uprights are pivotally mounted on a common base, and can be tilted outward from their normal vertical position, to provide access to the picker heads for cleaning.