A tendon extraction device is disclosed. The device may include a gripping portion and an extracting portion. The gripping portion may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to securely grip a tendon of a piece or cut of raw meat. The extracting portion may be configured, in accordance with some embodiments, to extract (e.g., by cutting or stripping away) the tendon from the raw meat. Thus, a user may use the device to remove tendon(s) prior to cooking the meat in an easy and efficient manner. In some embodiments, the gripping portion and the extracting portion optionally may be configured to interface with one another (e.g., for ease of storage and retrieval). To that end, the gripping portion and the extracting portion may be interfaced via a snap-fit connection, in accordance with some embodiments.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

An automated method for processing a variable flow of an incoming viscera stream from a carcass processing facility. A cooling fluid is used to convey and cool the incoming viscera stream from an eviscerating site to an attached modular facility. The viscera stream is directed by the cooling fluid towards a divert valve and diverted between modular facilities based on a comparison of the flow rate of the incoming viscera stream with the processing capacity of the modular facility. The divert valve can divert the viscera stream to finished feed processing equipment when flow rates exceed a minimum flow rate. Flow rates below the minimum flow rate are directed to an ingredient stream. A cooked product of the viscera stream can be cooled using wastewater from the cooling fluid. The cooled product can be stored without refrigeration at the modular facility.

An automated method for processing a variable flow of an incoming viscera stream from a carcass processing facility. A cooling fluid is used to convey and cool the incoming viscera stream from an eviscerating site to an attached modular facility. The viscera stream is directed by the cooling fluid towards a divert valve and diverted between modular facilities based on a comparison of the flow rate of the incoming viscera stream with the processing capacity of the modular facility. The divert valve can divert the viscera stream to finished feed processing equipment when flow rates exceed a minimum flow rate. Flow rates below the minimum flow rate are directed to an ingredient stream. A cooked product of the viscera stream can be cooled using wastewater from the cooling fluid. The cooled product can be stored without refrigeration at the modular facility.

A method and apparatus for maximizing the creation of value-added ingredient and feed products from an independently controlled variable flow of an incoming viscera stream at a modular facility attached to a carcass processing facility. A measured flow rate signal is used to control processing of an incoming viscera stream. Flow rates exceeding a minimum flow rate are directed to finished feed processing equipment. Flow rates below the minimum flow rate are directed to an ingredient stream. Both viscera-based ingredient product and viscera-based final feed can be stored and transported without refrigeration.

A method and apparatus for maximizing the creation of value-added ingredient and feed products from an independently controlled variable flow of an incoming viscera stream at a modular facility attached to a carcass processing facility. A measured flow rate signal is used to control processing of an incoming viscera stream. Flow rates exceeding a minimum flow rate are directed to finished feed processing equipment. Flow rates below the minimum flow rate are directed to an ingredient stream. Both viscera-based ingredient product and viscera-based final feed can be stored and transported without refrigeration.

A method to eviscerate poultry, in particular waterfowl such as ducks, having a carcass with a body, neck and head is disclosed. The method involves damaging skin of the poultry at a back side of the neck of the poultry, damaging an esophagus of the poultry at or near the head of the poultry, removing skin from the neck of the poultry in which the esophagus is removed along with the skin, and removing a viscera pack from the poultry along with the esophagus removed from the neck of the poultry. Further, a collector device for collecting a viscera pack of poultry is also disclosed.

A method to eviscerate poultry, in particular waterfowl such as ducks, having a carcass with a body, neck and head is disclosed. The method involves damaging skin of the poultry at a back side of the neck of the poultry, damaging an esophagus of the poultry at or near the head of the poultry, removing skin from the neck of the poultry in which the esophagus is removed along with the skin, and removing a viscera pack from the poultry along with the esophagus removed from the neck of the poultry. Further, a collector device for collecting a viscera pack of poultry is also disclosed.

A method to eviscerate poultry, in particular waterfowl such as ducks, having a carcass with a body, neck and head is disclosed. The method involves damaging skin of the poultry at a back side of the neck of the poultry, damaging an esophagus of the poultry at or near the head of the poultry, removing skin from the neck of the poultry in which the esophagus is removed along with the skin, and removing a viscera pack from the poultry along with the esophagus removed from the neck of the poultry. Further, a collector device for collecting a viscera pack of poultry is also disclosed.