Patent ID: 7174724
Filing Date: 2007-02-13
Classification: A22C,A23B,F25D

Abstract:
1. A chiller for reducing the temperature of buoyant birds comprising: an elongated tank having a semi-cylindrical side wall defining a central tank axis, said semi-cylindrical side wall extending higher than said central tank axis for holding chilled water with a water level higher than said central tank axis, an auger in said tank, said auger having an auger shaft substantially coextensive with said central tank axis and a helical blade having flights extending about said auger shaft and extending to the semi-cylindrical side wall of said tank, such that when the tank is filled with water and the auger is rotated, the birds in the water are moved along the tank and are moved from a dead side of the tank to a pulling side of the tank such that the majority of birds tend to accumulate in masses of birds at each flight of the auger, at the surface of the water, and on the pulling side of said tank, a water supply system in communication with said tank for chilling water and recirculating chilled water through said tank and maintaining water above the axis of rotation of said auger, at least one nozzle positioned at said side wall of said tank oriented for directing a stream of water into the water in said tank and toward the masses of buoyant birds accumulated in said tank to disperse some of the birds from the masses of birds, said nozzle oriented to direct the stream of water from the pulling side of the tank, beneath the auger shaft, and into the dead side of the tank, such that birds are urged by the stream of water toward the dead side of the tank.