Patent ID: 6918825
Filing Date: 2005-07-19
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. De-feathering apparatus comprising: a plurality of elongating picking elements comprising structures selected from the group consisting of: filaments, fibers, bristles, wires, and substantially rigid threads, said elements consist essentially of a material which has a mass per unit length which is substantially less than rubber; said picking elements having first and second ends and coupled first ends being affixed to at least a first rotatable unit connected to a motor driven system for causing rotation of said rotatable unit and which is functionally installed on a motorized picking apparatus comprising: a first bank of rotatable units having a plurality of said picking elements affixed thereon; and a second bank of rotatable units having a plurality of said picking elements affixed thereon, said second bank of rotatable units located so as to be spaced apart from and substantially opposite said first bank of rotatable units such that said first and said second banks of rotatable units define a space therebetween for passage of a line of poultry therethrough; and each of said first and second banks of rotatable units including a plurality of disks comprising first and second outer walls defining a hollow interior space there between, one of the first and second outer walls including a plurality of apertures, the picking elements extending through one of the apertures and into the hollow interior space, then extending out of another of the apertures to form a portion of the picking elements not inside the hollow interior space.