Fowl scalding apparatus and method
AssigneeCentennial Machine Company, Inc.
InventorGrover S. Harben, Jr., deceased
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for scalding or chilling poultry carcasses or the like. Fans are positioned to recirculate a flow of air toward the path travelled by the birds, and droplets of heated or chilled water are introduced to the air stream. A flow of water advantageously is introduced immediately upstream of the fans, so that the fan blades atomize the water and direct the water droplets toward the carcasses.
Claims14
Apparatus for causing significant heat transfer relative to the carcasses of birds or the like, comprising:
- means defining an enclosed region on a path along which the carcasses are moved;
- means directing an air flow of relatively high velocity within the enclosed region in a direction toward the carcasses moving along the path;
- and
- means introducing a flow of water immediately upstream of the air flow means, such that the water flow impinges the air flow means and is fragmented into small droplets propelled toward the path to strike the carcasses at a substantial velocity, whereby heat transfer between the water droplets and the carcasses occurs without causing thermal damage to the surface of the carcasses.
Apparatus for scalding fowl carcasses to enhance the removability of feathers, comprising:
- means defining an enclosed region along which the fowl move;
- a fan operative to direct a recirculating stream of air intersecting the fowl within the enclosed region;
- a reservoir for receiving a supply of liquid;
- means associated with the reservoir for heating the liquid therein to a predetermined temperature sufficient to accomplish scalding of the fowl when the heated liquid is applied thereto;
- a pump operative to withdraw heated liquid from the reservoir and introduce the liquid to the air stream so that the liquid becomes atomized and airborne in the air stream;
- and
- liquid return means collecting the liquid falling out from the air stream and returning the collected liquid to the reservoir,
- whereby airborne droplets of heated liquid are blown against the carcasses and heat the carcasses sufficiently to loosen the feathers.
Method for causing heat transfer on the exterior of bird carcasses or the like moving along a path, comprising the steps of:
- defining an enclosure along a portion of the path, so that the birds pass through the enclosure;
- disposing at least one fan in air flow communication with a side of the enclosure, so as to direct a flow of air at a relatively high velocity toward the bird carcasses moving along the path;
- and
- introducing a flow of water at a nonambient temperature immediately upstream from the fan so that the water flow is fragmented by the fan into small droplets and the droplets become entrained in the air flow and are propelled toward the path to strike the carcasses at a substantial velocity,
- thereby causing heat transfer between the water droplets and the carcasses.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.