Patent ID: 6283848
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
Poultry foot harvesting apparatus for removing the feet from poultry foot and leg parts having the hock knuckle thereon comprising:a) positioning means comprising:a1) a pair of spaced apart guide bars defining a prescribed space therebetween, said prescribed space larger than the poultry leg between the hock knuckle and foot but smaller than the hock knuckle so that the hock knuckle will engage said guide members when the hock knuckle is forced toward said guide bars while the poultry leg is positioned in said prescribed space between said guide bars to locate the hock knuckle in a first prescribed location, anda2) foot engaging means including a pair of brush assemblies constructed and arranged to engage the feet of the poultry while the hock knuckles are engaged by said guide bars; and means for rotating said brush assemblies to force the poultry feet away from said guide bars and maintain the hock knuckle in said first prescribed location against said guide bars; andb) foot cutoff means for severing the leg a prescribed distance from said first prescribed location to recover the foot.