A method and a system provide a feedback data indicating quality of a food processing performed by an operator. The method and system involve acquiring at least one image data of a food product from an operator; and processing the acquired image data. The processing includes detecting whether undesired objects are present in the food product, obtaining, in case undesired objects are detected, position data of the undesired objects within the food product, and utilizing the position data in issuing a feedback indicator indicating a position where the detected undesired objects are present within the food product processed by the operator.

A poultry chiller includes a tank and an auger rotatably held in the tank. The auger includes a first auger section and a second auger section. The first auger section includes a first auger shaft and a first auger flight. The first auger flight includes a first helical portion on the first auger shaft and a first flight extension that extends away from the first helical portion. The second auger section includes a second auger shaft coupled to the first auger shaft and a second auger flight. The second auger flight includes a second helical portion on the second auger shaft and a second flight extension that extends away from the second helical portion. The chiller includes a hanger bearing assembly between the first and second auger sections and extending to an upper portion of the tank.

A chicken wing meat removal apparatus for removing meat from chicken wings includes a planar tool body with a left end portion, a right end portion, and a body portion extending between the left end portion and the right end portion. The left end portion has a first left jaw and a second left jaw defining a left receiving area to receive a chicken wing. The first left jaw has a first left notch along a first left inner edge and the second left jaw has a second left notch along a second left inner edge. The right end portion has a first right jaw and a second right jaw defining a right receiving area to receive a chicken leg. The first right jaw has a first right notch along a first right inner edge.

A power operated rotary knife including an annular rotary knife blade supported for rotation in a blade housing. The rotary knife blade including a body and a blade section extending from the body. The body includes an outer wall including an arcuate surface having an upper region extending from a first upper end portion to a second intermediate portion and a lower region extending from the second intermediate portion to a third lower end portion. A plurality of gear teeth extend downwardly from the upper end of the body, each of the plurality of gear teeth including an outer peripheral face forming a portion of the upper region of the arcuate surface of the outer wall. The body outer wall includes a bearing surface having a lower bearing face in the lower region of the arcuate surface and an upper bearing face in the upper region of the arcuate surface.

A chicken wing meat removal apparatus for removing meat from chicken wings includes a planar tool body with a left end portion, a right end portion, and a body portion extending between the left end portion and the right end portion. The left end portion has a first left jaw and a second left jaw defining a left receiving area to receive a chicken wing. The first left jaw has a first left notch along a first left inner edge and the second left jaw has a second left notch along a second left inner edge. The right end portion has a first right jaw and a second right jaw defining a right receiving area to receive a chicken leg. The first right jaw has a first right notch along a first right inner edge.

An apparatus for supporting and maneuvering an animal carcass includes a frame and a carcass holding device connected with the frame. The carcass holding device includes a gear assembly, a pair of support arms, and a pair of plates connected with the support arms. The support arms each have a first end connected with the gear assembly and a second end with which the plates are connected. The gear assembly is operable to displace the plates between a retracted position in which the plates may be inserted into an animal carcass rib cage, and an expanded position wherein the plates engage the rib cage to secure the animal carcass for butchering. Preferably, the frame is adjustable to provide linear displacement and rotation of the carcass holding device.

A poultry chiller comprises a tank having a conveyor within the interior for urging poultry for movement along the tank, wherein the tank has an opening extending along a length of the tank, and a cleaning system for automatically cleaning the interior of the tank, the cleaning system comprising a plurality of distribution nozzles extending along the tank to direct cleaning fluid to the interior surface of the tank. Retrofitting kits are provided to automate cleaning in place of chiller tanks.

Meat processing methods providing reduced contamination from microbial sources, improved tenderness of the resulting meat product, and enhanced processing efficiency by decreasing cost, water usage, wastewater output, time, and energy necessary for processing meat carcasses are disclosed. The methods utilize hot water spray of the carcass in addition to subzero chilling. The methods reduce bacterial population during meat production, including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The hot water also cleans the carcass before exposure to the chilled water such that the chilled water can be used repeatedly.

A tool for removing leaf lard from an animal carcass includes a mandrel to wind a leaf lard. The mandrel includes a suction cavity with a round opening to engage with a part of the leaf lard. A first air device is located inside the mandrel for aspirating and blowing air into and away from the suction cavity. The mandrel can comprise at least one pushing device to loosen and push away a leaf lard wound around the mandrel, and at least one pushing element located inside and/or in front of the pushing device to be directed underneath a leaf lard. The tool may be used in a method for loosening or removing leaf lard from an animal carcass. The tool may be part of a system for automatic loosening or removing leaf lard from an animal carcass, the system may comprise robot arms, identification system and controlling system.

A tool for removing leaf lard from an animal carcass includes a mandrel to wind a leaf lard. The mandrel includes a suction cavity with a round opening to engage with a part of the leaf lard. A first air device is located inside the mandrel for aspirating and blowing air into and away from the suction cavity. The mandrel can comprise at least one pushing device to loosen and push away a leaf lard wound around the mandrel, and at least one pushing element located inside and/or in front of the pushing device to be directed underneath a leaf lard. The tool may be used in a method for loosening or removing leaf lard from an animal carcass. The tool may be part of a system for automatic loosening or removing leaf lard from an animal carcass, the system may comprise robot arms, identification system and controlling system.