GB1268593A - Spraying apparatus and method for use in conjunction with fowl defeathering apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

1,268,593. Scalding poultry. FOOD EQUIPMENT INC. 17 Feb., 1970, No. 7570/70. Heading A2U. Fowl carcases are prepared for defeathering by a feather-loosening and sterilizing spray treatment in an enclosed housing in which the temperature is controlled by a flow of air. The apparatus shown has an inclined housing 7 of cylindrical cross-section supported by framework 11, and a conveyor 1 by which the carcases, suspended from shackles 2, are transported firstly through a pre-rinse housing 3 in which they are washed by a cold or warm water spray, and then through the housing 7 along one side of a longitudinal division 71 before turning to return along the other side of the division to pass into a mechanical defeathering apparatus (not shown). The housing 7 and division 71 are of doublewalled sheet metal construction, e.g. of stainless steel, and the space between the walls 52, 53 may contain insulation, e.g. glass fibre matting. Pipes 54, each with a number of radially directed spray nozzles 63, extend lengthwise of the housing 7 between the walls 52, 53 and are connected by pipes 61, 58 to a steam supply, e.g. at 300‹F. Pipes 73 enclosed within the walls of the division 71 have spray nozzles 74 and are connected by pipes 72 with the pipes 61. The internal temperature of the housing 7 is maintained at e.g. 170‹F and hot spots avoided by a current of air which enters through swing doors (not shown) by which the carcases enter and leave the housing and passes out through a butterfly valve 92 operated by an electric motor 96 controlled by a thermometer in the housing. Means are provided for draining condensate from the housing and from the pipes 61. A duplicate pipe system may be fitted for spraying hot water, and provision may be made for cleaning the nozzles by compressed air.