Method and apparatus for venting/opening, eviscerating/cropping, inspecting and cleaning of poultry

US6186881A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Foodcraft Equipment Co., Inc. · US

Inventors

• Eugene G. Martin · Denver, US
• Michael J. Curtis · Sacramento, US
• Scott Cook · Strasburg, US
• Sheldon Lynn Horst · Columbia, US
• Michael E. Lease · Lowell, US
• Thomas M. McCarty · New Holland, US
• Duane E. Newswanger · Conestoga, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 27, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 13, 2001
• Expiry date: Jan 27, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A22C21/06
• WIPO field: Other special machines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

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. The clean out station automatically recognizes whether a particular poultry is to receive the normal or radical clean out procedure, thereby reducing processing time.