Apparatus and method for skinning poultry

A poultry skinning apparatus comprising a plurality of elongated rollers rotatively mounted to a support frame at a declining angle to define a longitudinal processing path between a first end and a second end of each roller. Each elongated roller, in accordance with the preferred embodiments, defines a plurality of helical teeth and spaces, having a first helix angle, which extend about a longitudinal axis and define the periphery of each roller. The elongated rollers are independently mounted in pairs and define an adjustable pinch gap originating at the first ends of the rollers. In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the elongated rollers include a reversed segment proximate to the second ends having a plurality of teeth and spaces at a second helix angle which opposes the first helix angle. The elongated rollers define a flat surface near the second ends in a second preferred embodiment and a second reversed segment of teeth and spaces is proximate to the first ends in a third preferred embodiment. A vertically adjustable second mounting assembly, in a fourth preferred embodiment, enables repositioning of the second ends of the elongated rollers to produce different roller slope angles. In accordance with preferred methods, the poultry skinning apparatus is interposed within a typical poultry processing assembly line to allow skinning of poultry fowl with no aging of the fowl being necessary.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention related generally to the field of poultry processing 
and, in its most preferred embodiments, to the field of apparatus and 
methods for skinning poultry. 
Today, poultry products comprise an ever-growing portion of the diet 
consumed by humans and animals around the world. Poultry products, 
including those derived from chickens and turkeys, are delivered to 
consumers in a variety of forms with many consumers preferring products 
which are boneless and/or skinless. To produce a boneless product, a 
poultry processor may employ in-line automated deboning machinery which is 
capable of removing necessary bones to yield the various desired end 
products. Such automated deboning machinery, generally, interacts smoothly 
with the remainder of a poultry processing plant's equipment and 
operations to enable fast, continuous processing of a bird. Unfortunately, 
to produce a skinless product, a bird's skin must usually be removed by 
hand after off-line "aging" of the bird's skin, thereby disrupting the 
desirable, continuous on-line processing of a bird. 
In a typical poultry processing plant, the body of a chicken or turkey is 
first eviscerated to remove the bird's internal organs. After 
evisceration, the bird is conveyed to a sizing and cut-up operation where 
the bird is weighed and routed to one of many cutting lines where each 
cutting line comprises equipment which has been appropriately configured 
for a particular range of bird weights. The cutting equipment slices the 
bird's body into a "front half", including the breasts, wings, ribs, and a 
portion of the backbone, and a "back half" or "saddle", including the 
thighs, legs, and the remaining portion of the backbone. The front and 
back halves are then conveyed to an off-line "aging" process where the 
bird halves are packed in ice and stored in a cooler for approximately 24 
hours. The aging process is partially necessary to enable easier removal 
of the bird's skin when the bird halves are removed from the cooler and 
introduced into an on-line deboning operation where the skin is, 
generally, removed by hand. Unfortunately, the aging process and related 
handling of the bird halves can contribute to the growth of bacteria which 
may be harmful to humans. Also, the manual handling of the bird halves 
required by the off-line aging process coupled with the hand removal of 
the bird's skin increase the labor costs associated with producing a 
skinless poultry product for consumers. 
Perhaps because the most profitable end products (i.e., the breasts) are 
derived from the front half, a few attempts have been made to develop 
automated equipment which can skin the front half of a bird's body. One 
such machine requires special cutting and handling to properly orient the 
front half of the bird before the skinning process begins. Another machine 
employs special cutting rollers and a knife to remove the skin while the 
from half travels laterally across the rollers and knife. Neither machine, 
however, eliminates or reduces the need for the aging process and, 
therefore, does not enable continuous processing of a bird between the 
evisceration and deboning operations. 
There is, therefore, a need in the industry for an apparatus and method 
which can skin the front half of a chicken, turkey, or similar poultry 
fowl without requiring prior off-line aging of the front half and can 
solve other related and unrelated problems that become apparent upon 
reading and understanding this specification. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Briefly described, the present invention includes a poultry skinning system 
which enables the removal of skin from the front half of a poultry fowl, 
including at least chickens and turkeys, without the aging step normally 
required to produce skinless end products in a conventional poultry 
processing plant. More particularly, the present invention includes a 
poultry skinning system which employs a plurality of rotating, 
intermeshing, spiral-toothed, elongated rollers to create a pinching 
action which first engages or grasps the skin and a subsequent pulling 
action which tears the skin away from the front half of the bird. 
In the preferred embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention, 
four elongated rollers having helically-extending teeth are rotatively 
mounted in a support frame. The elongated rollers extend longitudinally, 
in a downwardly sloping plane, between an intake conveyor and a discharge 
end of the poultry skinner. The first ends of the elongated rollers are 
adjustably mounted in counterrotating pairs, with each pair including an 
inner and outer roller. The inner elongated rollers of each pair define a 
gap (also referred to herein as a pinch gap) near their first ends and, 
hence, near the intake conveyor. By virtue of the adjustable mounting and 
interaction of the elongated rollers with other components of the 
apparatus, the pairs of elongated rollers are capable of being 
independently positioned to define pinch gaps of various widths. The 
second ends of the elongated rollers, in accordance with a preferred 
embodiment, are adjustably mounted in a mounting assembly having a 
vertical position which is alterable to modify the angle (also referred to 
herein as a slope angle) of the sloping plane in which the elongated 
rollers extend. 
The elongated rollers, in accordance with certain preferred embodiments, 
include reversed segments of teeth (i.e., a segment having teeth which 
define a helix angle opposite to the helix angle defined by an adjacent 
segment of teeth) near their second ends to aid in discharging removed 
skin which has become lodged in the spaces between the teeth of the 
rollers, thereby reducing skin removal efficiency. To additionally aid in 
discharging removed skin from the inner elongated rollers when front 
halves are processed, a reversed segment of each inner roller also has a 
fiat surface which is oriented to produce a vertical gap between the inner 
rollers for each rotation of the rollers. The vertical gap thus produced 
enables removed skin to fall, by virtue of gravity, into a skin discharge 
chute extending beneath the elongated rollers. An additional reversed 
segment is employed in a third preferred embodiment near the first end of 
each elongated roller. The additional reversed segment enhances the 
pinching action created by the counterrotating inner rollers, thereby 
enabling the inner rollers to better grasp and maintain their grasp of the 
skin. 
In accordance with a preferred method of the present invention, the poultry 
skinner is interposed in a poultry processing assembly line between 
cutting and deboning steps (and, hence, between cutting and deboning 
equipment) to skin front halves of chickens, turkeys, and other poultry 
fowl without prior aging (which requires removing the front halves from 
assembly line processing) or cooling (whereby the temperature of the front 
halves is reduced) of the front halves. The from halves are conveyed 
directly from the cutting step to the skinning step where the intake 
conveyor of the poultry skinner serially receives the front halves. The 
intake conveyor transports the front halves to a position above the first 
ends of the elongated rollers. After falling onto the rotating elongated 
rollers, each front half is moved primarily by the inner rollers in a 
longitudinal direction, defined between the first and second ends of the 
rollers, toward the elevationally lower discharge end of the poultry 
skinner. Upon initial contact with the rollers at the pinch gap, a portion 
of the front half is instantaneously pulled slightly downward between the 
counterrotating inner rollers and into the pinch gap, thereby enabling the 
rollers to initially engage the skin and begin pulling it away from the 
membrane located immediately beneath the skin. Upon subsequent contact of 
a turkey front half with a reversed segment near the pinch gap, the 
rollers gain a better grasp of the skin. As the front half is propelled 
toward the discharge end, the front half remains principally in contact 
with the inner rollers which continue to grasp and pull skin away from the 
membrane. The outer rollers, rotating in a direction opposite to an 
adjacent inner roller, mesh with the inner rollers to dislodge loose skin 
which otherwise adheres to the inner rollers. The meshing of the teeth of 
the outer rollers with the spaces of the inner rollers also squeezes 
removed skin in the clearance gap created by the meshing action, thereby 
emulsifying a portion of the removed skin. After being transported to the 
second end of the elongated rollers while having its skin removed, the 
front half falls into a product discharge chute from which it is 
immediately removed and placed onto deboning equipment. 
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to remove the skin from 
the front half of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry fowl without 
exposing the front half to an off-line aging process. 
Another object of the present invention is to remove the skin from the 
front half of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry fowl while conveying the 
front half in a continual manner between the cutting and deboning steps of 
poultry processing. 
Still another object of the present invention is to remove the skin from 
the front half of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry fowl without 
damaging the membrane located immediately beneath the skin. 
Still another object of the present invention is to remove the skin from 
the front half of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry fowl while conveying 
the front half in a longitudinal path. 
Still another object of the present invention is to remove the skin from 
the front half of a poultry fowl while conveying the front half within a 
downward sloping plane. 
Still another object of the present invention is to remove the skin from 
the front half of a poultry fowl by exposing the skin to at least two 
counterrotating rollers having spirally-extending teeth and spaces. 
Still another object of the present invention is to remove the skin from 
the front half of a poultry fowl while conveying the front half in a 
longitudinal direction atop at least two longitudinally-extending 
elongated rollers. 
Still another object of the present invention is to create a pinch gap 
between two elongated rollers to enhance grasping of the skin of a poultry 
fowl's front half. 
Still another object of the present invention is to create a pinch gap 
between two elongated rollers having an adjustable gap width. 
Still another object of the present invention is to position a plurality of 
elongated rollers having spirally-extending teeth in a common plane which 
slopes downward between an intake end and a discharge end. 
Still another object of the present invention is to position a plurality of 
elongated rollers having spirally-extending teeth in a common plane having 
an adjustable slope angle. 
Still another object of the present invention is to incorporate a reversed 
segment of teeth near the first end of an elongated roller having a 
plurality of teeth to enhance grasping of the skin of a poultry fowl's 
front half. 
Still another object of the present invention is to incorporate a reversed 
segment of teeth at the second end of an elongated roller having a 
plurality of teeth to aid in dislodging portions of skin removed from a 
poultry fowl's front half. 
Still another object of the present invention is to incorporate flat 
surfaces at the second end of an elongated roller to improve the 
discharging of skin removed from a poultry fowl's front half which 
stubbornly adheres to the elongated roller. 
Still another object of the present invention is to emulsify removed skin 
for disposal. 
Still another object of the present invention is to discourage the growth 
of bacteria during processing of a poultry fowl's front half by 
eliminating the need for aging. 
Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the amount of 
manual handling of a poultry front half during processing. 
Still another object of the present invention is to reduce the labor cost 
associated with the removal of skin from the front half of a chicken, 
turkey, or other poultry fowl. 
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification 
when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like 
components throughout the several views, a poultry skinner 50, in 
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is 
shown schematically in FIGS. 1-3. The poultry skinner 50 comprises an 
intake portion 52 and a skinning portion 54 interposed between an intake 
end 56 and a discharge end 58 which define a longitudinal axis of the 
poultry skinner 50. The intake portion 52 includes a conveyor 60 which is 
slidably mounted to a support frame 62 (see FIG. 4) to enable sliding of 
the conveyor 60 relative to the skinning portion 54 along the longitudinal 
axis of the poultry skinner 50. The conveyor 60 extends, generally, from a 
first end 64 located near intake end 56 to a second end 66 proximate to 
the skinning portion 54. Preferably, the skinning portion 54 includes a 
plurality of elongated rollers 68 which reside within a trough 69 formed 
by front and back covers 70,72. The elongated rollers 68 are rotatively 
mounted to the support frame 62 and have a first end 74 positioned 
proximate to and below the second end 66 of conveyor 60. Extending 
longitudinally to a second end 76 located near discharge end 58 and below 
their first end 74, the elongated rollers 68 define a common plane 236 
sloping downward toward the discharge end 58 to form slope angle, 
".alpha.", with a horizontal plane 238 as shown in FIG. 1. A first 
discharge chute 78 removably connects to the poultry skinner 50 near the 
second end 76 of the elongated rollers 68 to expedite the removal of 
skinned poultry. A second discharge chute 80 removably extends from below 
the first discharge chute 78 and the elongated rollers 68 to facilitate 
the discharge of removed poultry skin. 
As seen in the front view of FIG. 1 and the exploded view of FIG. 5, the 
conveyor 60 comprises a front frame 82a and a laterally-opposed back frame 
82b which is substantially similar to the front frame 82a. Each frame 82 
includes an upper member 84 which is vertically-opposed to a lower member 
86. The upper and lower members 84,86 extend longitudinally between the 
first and second ends 64,66 of the conveyor 60 and are manufactured, 
preferably, from square tube stainless steel. The upper and lower members 
84,86 of each frame 82 are joined by an adjacent upright member 88 rigidly 
attached, preferably, by welding, near the first end 64 of the conveyor 
60. The upright member 88 is, preferably, manufactured from stainless 
steel angle and defines holes 90. Each frame 82 further includes a 
tensioner bracket 92 which is rigidly attached, preferably, by welding, 
adjacent to the upper and lower members 84,86 near the second end 66 of 
the conveyor 60. Each tensioner bracket 92 is manufactured, preferably, 
from stainless steel and defines a longitudinally-extending cavity 94. 
Each frame 82 also includes a tensioner 96 manufactured, preferably, from 
stainless steel and having a tubular portion 98 and a flange portion 100 
which defines holes 102. As shown in FIG. 5, the longitudinally-extending 
cavity 94 of the tensioner bracket 92 slidably receives the tubular 
portion 98 of the tensioner 96. 
A pillow block bearing 104 is removably secured to each upright member 88 
by bolts 106 which extend through holes defined by the bearings 104 and 
the holes 90 defined by the upright members 88. The pillow block bearings 
104 receive a drive shaft 108 which extends rotatively between the pillow 
block bearings 104. The drive shaft 108 is, preferably, machined from 
stainless steel. Laterally-opposed sprockets 110 are adjustably secured in 
position about the drive shaft 108 and between the pillow block bearings 
104 by stainless steel set collars 112. The drive shaft 108 further 
extends through pillow block bearing 104b and connects to a 
variable-speed, motor/gear box assembly 114 which is mounted to a pair of 
stainless steel members 115 extending laterally from upper member 84b. 
Near the second end 64 of the conveyor 60, a flange bearing 116 is 
removably secured to each tensioner 96 by bolts (not visible) which extend 
through holes defined by the flange bearing 116 and the holes 102 defined 
by the flange portion 100 of the tensioners 96. Similar to the pillow 
block bearings 104 described above, the flange bearings 116 receive an 
idler shaft 118 which extends rotatively between the bearings 116. The 
idler shaft 118 is, preferably, machined from stainless steel and is 
received by laterally-opposed sprockets 120 which are adjustably secured 
to the idler shaft 118 by stainless steel set collars 122. 
The conveyor 60 further comprises a continuous, interlocking conveyor belt 
124 which partially encircles the sprockets 110, 120 while extending 
longitudinally between the first and second ends 64,66 of the conveyor 60. 
The conveyor belt 124 defines a moving bed 126 which extends laterally and 
adjacent to poultry guides 128. The poultry guides 128 are, preferably, 
manufactured from stainless steel and are each fixed to an upper member 
84, preferably, by welding. The conveyor 60 also includes guide strips 130 
which are removably secured atop support frame members 132 by clamps 134 
(see FIG. 1). The guide strips 130 are manufactured, preferably, from 
wear-resistant plastic and have a, generally, "L"-shape lateral 
cross-section as seen in FIG. 5. The guide strips 130 extend 
longitudinally atop conveyor support members 132 and partially beneath the 
lower members 86 of the conveyor frames 82. A lock 136 releasably secures 
the lower members 86 of the conveyor flames 82 to the support frame 
members 132 (also referred to herein as conveyor support members). A 
handle 138 extends from the lower members 86 and enables a user to 
longitudinally slide the lower members 86 relative to the guide strips 130 
and, hence, longitudinally slide the conveyor 60 relative to the skinning 
portion 54 of the poultry skinner 50 upon release of the lock 136. 
The conveyor support members 132, comprising a portion of the support frame 
62 seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, protrude longitudinally from the remainder of 
the support frame 62 in a direction toward the intake end 56 of the 
poultry skinner 50. The conveyor support members 132 are joined at ends 
140 by a laterally-extending member 142 and are supported from below by 
angled members 144. A plate 146 is attached to the conveyor support 
members 132 and members 144 for receipt of a motor controller 148. 
Preferably, the support frame 62, except where noted, is manufactured from 
square tube stainless steel members which are rigidly joined by welding. 
As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the support frame 62 is enclosed by a from panel 
150, back panel 152, and end panels 154,156. Panels 150,152,154,156 are, 
preferably, manufactured from stainless steel. Casters 158 extend from the 
support frame 62 to enable the support frame 62 and, hence, the entire 
poultry skinner 50 to be movable by a user. 
Referring now to FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 6A and 6B, the front cover 70 of the 
skinning portion 54 rests atop the support frame 62 and extends 
longitudinally from the discharge end 58 of the poultry skinner 50 to a 
location proximate to the second end 66 of the conveyor 60. The from cover 
70 is, preferably, manufactured from stainless steel and has a front panel 
160, a top panel 162, opposed end panels 164, 166, and trough panel 168. 
The front panel 160 includes a lip 172 which extends laterally from the 
from of the poultry skinner 50 and longitudinally between the end panels 
164, 166. Hinges 174 are interposed between the from panel 160 and the 
support frame 62. A handle 176 is attached to the top panel 162 and, in 
conjunction with the hinges 174, enables a user to rotate the front cover 
70 about the hinges 174 to better expose the elongated rollers 68 for 
cleaning and other maintenance. The lip 172 contacts front panel 150 when 
the front cover 70 is rotated fully about the hinges 174 by a user. The 
trough panel 168 partially defines the trough 69 which funnels downward to 
the elongated rollers 68 and has a first portion 177 and a second portion 
178 (seen best in FIG. 6B). The first portion 177 of the trough panel 168 
extends longitudinally between the end panels 164, 166 and slopes inward 
and downward toward the elongated rollers 68. The second portion 178 of 
the trough panel 168 has a, generally, tapered shape and bends vertically 
downward from the first portion 177 of the trough panel 168 near the 
discharge end 58 of the poultry skinner 50. Together, the first and second 
portions 177,178 of the trough panel 168 define an edge 180 which extends 
longitudinally between the cover end panels 164, 166 and adjacent to the 
elongated rollers 68 following the, generally, downward slope angle, 
.alpha., of the elongated rollers 68 toward the discharge end 58. 
The back cover 72 of the skinning portion 54 is substantially similar to 
the front cover 70 and is, therefore, not discussed herein except to note 
that the back cover 72 does not include a handle 176 like that of the 
front cover 70. In addition to being hingedly connected to the support 
frame 62, the back cover 72 is hingedly connected to a top cover 182 which 
is, preferably, manufactured from stainless steel. The top cover 182 has 
ends 184,186 and comprises a top panel 188, a front panel 190, and a back 
panel 192 (see FIG. 6). The top panel 188 has an inside surface 194 and 
defines an aperture 196. A water rail 198 mounts adjacent to inside 
surface 194 and has an inlet fitting 200 which extends through aperture 
196 (see FIGS. 1 and 3). The water rail 198 extends longitudinally toward 
the ends 184, 186 of the top cover 182 and receives a plurality of 
spraying nozzles 202 and a shower head 204. The front and back panels 
190,192 of the top cover 182 extend vertically downward from the top panel 
188 and have a, generally, tapered shape. The front and back panels 190, 
192 extend longitudinally between the top cover's ends 184, 186 and each 
panel 190, 192 has a lip 206,208, respectively, which extends laterally 
inward to oppose inside surface 194. A handle 210, fixedly attached to the 
front panel 190 enables a user to rotate the top cover 182 about its 
hinges. When the poultry skinner 50 is in use, the top cover 182 is 
positioned above the elongated rollers 68 with lips 206,208 contacting the 
front and back covers 70,72, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2. When the 
poultry skinner 50 is not in use, the top cover 182 may be positioned with 
the back panel 192 contacting the back cover 72 as illustrated in FIG. 3. 
In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the 
skinning portion 54 of the poultry skinner 50 includes, as displayed in 
FIGS. 3 and 4, at least four elongated rollers 68. It is believed that the 
use of four elongated rollers 68 results in optimum skin removal with the 
two inner rollers 68b,c cooperating to perform the majority of skin 
removal, while the two outer rollers 68a,d cooperate with the two inner 
rollers 68b,c, respectively, to aid in disposal of the removed skin. It is 
understood that the inclusion of a greater or lesser number of elongated 
rollers 68 is considered to be within the scope of the present invention. 
As seen in the isolated views of FIGS. 7-8, each elongated roller 68 
comprises a, generally, cylindrical core portion 212 having a length, "A", 
and a diameter, "B", which extends between the first and second ends 74,76 
of the roller 68 about a longitudinal axis 214. A plurality of elongated 
teeth 216 extend radially from the core portion 212 and spiral about the 
core portion 212, generally, between the first and second ends 74,76 to 
form a helix angle, .beta., with the longitudinal axis 214. Each tooth 216 
has a top surface 218, having a width, "C", and opposed faces 220,222 
which extend radially from the core portion 212 for a distance, "D", to 
define edges 224,226, respectively, with the top surface 218. The faces 
220,222 of adjacent teeth 216 define spaces 228 which, like the teeth 216, 
spiral about the core portion 212, generally, between the first and second 
ends 74,76. As seen in FIG. 7, a first shaft 230, having a diameter, "E", 
protrudes longitudinally from the core portion 212 at the first end 74 of 
each elongated roller 68. 
Preferably, the elongated rollers 68 are machined from stainless steel rod 
and have the following specifications: core portion length, "A", of 28 
inches; core portion diameter, "B", of 1.343 inches; helix angle, ".beta." 
of 17 degrees; number of teeth, "F", of 18; tooth width, "C", of 0.11 
inches; tooth height, "D", of 0.204 inches; and, shaft diameter, "E", of 
0.75 inches. Note that the core portion diameter, "B", when combined with 
the tooth height, "D", yields an outside diameter, "G", for each elongated 
roller 68 of 1.75 inches. Also, note that numbers of teeth, "F", ranging 
between 16 and 26 and outside diameters, "G", ranging between 1.5 and 2.25 
inches are considered acceptable. It is believed that employment of lesser 
numbers of teeth, "F", results in less efficient skin removal, while 
employment of greater numbers of teeth, "F", results in more efficient 
skin removal. 
The elongated rollers 68, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of 
the present invention, are mounted between first and second mounting 
assemblies 232,234 which allow the rollers 68 to rotate relative to the 
support frame 62 (see FIG. 4). The first mounting assembly 232 rotatively 
receives the first ends 74 of the elongated rollers 68 and positions the 
first ends 74 near the second end 66 of the conveyor 60 (see FIG. 3). The 
second mounting assembly 234 rotatively receives the second ends 76 of the 
elongated rollers 68 and positions the second ends 76 near the discharge 
end 58 of the poultry skinner 50. In conjunction, the first and second 
mounting assemblies 232,234 position each elongated roller 68 to reside, 
generally, adjacent to another elongated roller 68 in a common plane 236 
which passes through the longitudinal axis 214 of each elongated roller 68 
(see FIG. 1). The first mounting assembly 232 is located above the second 
mounting assembly 234, thereby causing the elongated rollers 68 slope 
downward toward the discharge end 58 to define the slope angle, .alpha., 
between the common plane 236 of the elongated rollers 68 and a horizontal 
plane 238 (see FIG. 1 ). Preferably, the slope angle, .alpha., has a value 
of 5 degrees, but values in the range of 3 to 11 degrees are acceptable. 
Note that use of slope angles, .alpha., less than 5 degrees decreases the 
rate at which the poultry travels toward the discharge end 58 of the 
poultry skinner 50. It is believed that use of slope angles, .alpha., less 
than 3 degrees may result in dramatically reduced processing throughput 
and may cause damage to the membrane located immediately below the skin of 
the poultry. Note also that use of slope angles, .alpha., greater than 5 
degrees increases the rate at which the poultry travels toward the 
discharge end 58 of the poultry skinner 50. It is believed that use of 
slope angles, .alpha., greater than 11 degrees may result in dramatically 
increased processing throughput, but may cause the poultry skinner 50 to 
fail to remove portions of the poultry skin. 
The first and second mounting assemblies 232,234 also position elongated 
roller 68c and elongated roller 68b to define a gap 240 (also referred to 
herein as a pinch gap 240) between the rollers 68b,c. The gap 240, shown 
in FIGS. 4, 10, 20, 28, 34, and 39 in exaggerated form for clarity, is a 
tapered area lying in the common plane 236 of the elongated rollers 68 and 
extends from its widest point at the first ends 74 of elongated rollers 
68b,c to an endpoint 242 located distant from the first ends 74 of the 
rollers 68b,c. During operation, the gap 240 prevents contact between 
elongated rollers 68b,c at their first ends 74, but allows progressively 
more engagement of the teeth 212 and spaces 228 of elongated rollers 68b,c 
as the gap 240 tapers toward endpoint 242. Between endpoint 242 and the 
second ends 76 of the rollers 68b,c, the teeth 212 and spaces 228 of 
elongated roller 68b mesh with the spaces 228 and teeth 212 of elongated 
roller 68c, thereby imparting the rotation of elongated roller 68c, as 
discussed below, to elongated roller 68b. In accordance with the preferred 
embodiments, a gap width, "H", is defined as the distance between the top 
surfaces 218 of opposing teeth 212 of elongated rollers 68b,c at a 
location 0.75 inches from the first ends 74 of the rollers 68b,c. 
Preferably, the gap width, "H", is set to a value of 0.0625 inches, but 
other values in the range between 0.0156 and 0.1875 inches are acceptable. 
It is believed that, during operation, the gap 240 enables poultry to 
instantaneously become lodged between elongated rollers 68b,c, thereby 
allowing the teeth 212 of the rollers 68b,c to better initially engage the 
skin of the poultry. 
In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the 
first and second mounting assemblies 232,234 further position the teeth 
216 and spaces 228 of elongated roller 68c to repeatedly mesh along their 
entire length with the spaces 228 and teeth 216 of elongated roller 68d 
when the first shaft 230 of elongated roller 68c is rotated during 
operation by the motor/gearbox unit 240. Similarly, the teeth 216 and 
spaces 228 of elongated roller 68a are positioned, by the first and second 
mounting assemblies 232,234, to repeatedly mesh along their entire length 
with the spaces 228 and teeth 216 of elongated roller 68b when rotated 
during operation. FIG. 11 schematically displays the typical meshing 
between any two elongated rollers 68 which mesh (i.e, elongated rollers 
68a and 68b, elongated rollers 68c and 68d, and elongated rollers 68b and 
68c between gap endpoint 242 and their second ends 76), but for 
illustration purposes, FIG. 11 employs elongated rollers 68a,b. As seen in 
FIG. 11, a meshing tooth 216 and space 228 of elongated rollers 68a,b, 
respectively, define a gap 244 between the tooth 216 of roller 68a and the 
core portion 212 of elongated roller 68b. The gap 244 provides a clearance 
246 defined as the distance between the tooth 216 of elongated roller 68a 
and the core portion 212 of elongated roller 68b as measured along a line 
joining the centers of the elongated rollers 68a,b. Preferably, the 
clearance 246 has a value of 0.001 inches. It is believed that a properly 
selected value of clearance 246 limits binding between the meshing 
elongated rollers 68 and enables a meshing tooth 216 and space 228 to 
emulsify skin which becomes trapped in the gap 244. 
Referring now to FIGS. 4, 10, and 12-15, the first mounting assembly 232 
comprises first and second mounting blocks 248a,b and a lateral member 250 
which is rigidly attached, preferably, by welding, to support frame 
members 251a,b. Preferably, the lateral member 250 is manufactured from 
stainless steel angle and is oriented so that a first leg 252 points 
toward the discharge end 58 of the poultry skinner 50, while a second leg 
254 points downward. The first leg 252 has a top surface 256 and a bottom 
surface 258. Slots 260 extend laterally in the direction defined by the 
front 259 and back 261 of the poultry skinner 50 (see FIG. 3) and 
vertically between the top and bottom surfaces 256,258 of the first leg 
252. The first and second mounting blocks 248 are, preferably, also 
manufactured from stainless steel and are substantially similar. 
Therefore, in the discussion that follows, only one mounting block 248 is 
described, but it is understood that the description applies equally to 
both mounting blocks 248a,b. The mounting block 248 defines first and 
second bores 262a,b which extend radially about centerlines 264a,b and 
longitudinally between a front 266 and back 268 of the mounting block 248. 
The first and second bores 262a,b receive bushings 270a,b, respectively, 
which extend between the front 266 and back 268 of the mounting block 248. 
The bushings 270a,b define radial passages 272a,b about centerlines 
264a,b, respectively. Third and fourth bores 274a,b extend between a top 
276 of the mounting block 248 and the first and second bores 262a,b, 
respectively, to enable lubrication of the bushings 270a,b. A threaded 
bore 278 extends partially into the mounting block 248 from a bottom 280 
to enable adjustable securing of the block 248 to the lateral member 250. 
The mounting blocks 248a,b are adjustably positioned above the lateral 
member 250, as illustrated in FIG. 16, with the bottom 280 of each block 
248a,b resting against the top surface 256 of the lateral member 250. The 
first mounting block 248a receives the first shafts 230a,b of elongated 
rollers 68a,b and the second mounting block 248b receives the first shafts 
230a,b of elongated rollers 68c,d. Bolts 282a,b, having heads 284a,b, 
extend through slots 260a,b and into threaded bores 278a,b, respectively. 
The bolt heads 284a,b rest against the bottom surface 258 of the lateral 
member 250 to secure the mounting blocks 248a,b in position. Note that the 
lateral position of each mounting block 248 relative to the support frame 
members 251a,b and to the other mounting block 248 is independently 
adjustable by the interaction between the laterally extending slots 260 
and the mounting blocks 248. Note also that the lateral position of 
mounting block 248a to mounting block 248b determines the width of gap 
240, discussed above, which is adjustable by virtue of the independently 
adjustable lateral position of each mounting block 248. 
Referring momentarily to FIG. 4, a conventional motor/gearbox unit 286 
resides below the mounting blocks 248 and elongated rollers 68. The 
motor/gearbox unit 286 is removably mounted to a plate 288 which is 
rigidly attached to the support frame 62, preferably, by welding. The 
motor/gearbox unit 286 has a shaft 290 which extends longitudinally toward 
the intake end 56 of the poultry skinner 50 and into connection with a 
first sprocket 292. A chain 294 partially encircles the first sprocket 292 
and extends upward to partially encircle a second sprocket 296 which 
connectedly receives the first shaft 230 protruding from elongated roller 
68c. Collectively, the first and second sprockets 292,296 and chain 294 
form a drive train 298 which, in conjunction with the motor/gearbox unit 
286, causes clockwise rotation of elongated roller 68c (as seen viewing 
from the intake end 56 toward the discharge end 58) and subsequent 
counterclockwise rotation of elongated roller 68b during operation of the 
poultry skinner 50 (see FIG. 16). The clockwise rotation of inner 
elongated roller 68c causes. counterclockwise rotation of adjacent meshing 
outer elongated roller 68d. Similarly, the counterclockwise rotation of 
inner elongated roller 68b causes clockwise rotation of adjacent meshing 
outer elongated roller 68a. It is believed that the opposite rotation of 
inner elongated rollers 68b,c tends to cause the poultry's skin to be 
grasped and pulled downward between the rollers 68b,c. Preferably, the 
motor/gearbox unit 286 and drive train 298 rotate elongated roller 68c at 
a speed of 175 revolutions per minute (RPM), but speeds in the range 
between 140 and 225 RPM are considered acceptable. It is believed that 
speeds slower than 175 RPM cause the poultry to travel slower between the 
first and second ends 74, 76 of the elongated rollers 68, thereby 
resulting in increased contact time with the rollers 68. Note that 
increased contact time can result in more effective skin removal, but too 
much contact time can result in damage to the membrane located immediately 
beneath the poultry skin. It is further believed that speeds faster than 
175 RPM cause the poultry to travel faster between the first and second 
ends 74, 76 of the elongated rollers 68, thereby resulting in decreased 
contact time with the rollers 68. Note that decreased contact time can 
produce greater throughput, but may result in less effective skin removal. 
FIGS. 17-19 display an isolated elongated roller 68, in accordance with the 
first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and was partially 
described above. Note that the elongated roller 68 includes a second shaft 
299 extending longitudinally from the second end 76 of the roller 68. Note 
also that the elongated roller 68 defines a first plurality of teeth and 
spaces 300 (also referred to herein as a first segment of teeth and spaces 
300) having a first helix angle, .beta., above the longitudinal axis 214 
(as seen in the top view of FIG. 17) and a second plurality of teeth and 
spaces 302 defining a second helix angle, .gamma., oriented opposite the 
first helix angle, .beta., below the longitudinal axis 214. The second 
plurality of teeth and spaces 302 is also referred to herein as a 
"reversed" segment 302 because the helix angle, .gamma., of its teeth 216 
and spaces 228 is opposite or "reverse" to the helix angle, .beta., of the 
first plurality of teeth and spaces 300 when viewed relative the 
longitudinal axis 214. Preferably, the first and second helix angles, 
.beta.,.gamma., have equal values which, preferably, measure 12.5 degrees. 
The first plurality of teeth and spaces 302 extends from the first end 74 
of the elongated roller 68 toward the second end 76 of the elongated 
roller 68 for a distance, "I", to an end 308. The second plurality of 
teeth and spaces 302 extends from end 308, for a distance, "J", to the 
second end 76 of the elongated roller 68. Preferably, distance, "I", 
measures 27 inches and distance, "J" measures 1 inch. It is believed that 
the "reversed" orientation of the second plurality of teeth and spaces 302 
relative to those of the first plurality 300 aids in removing skin, which 
typically becomes embedded in the spaces 228 of the elongated rollers 68. 
FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate, by isolation from the remainder of the poultry 
skinner 50, the relative orientation and relationship between the 
elongated rollers 68 in accordance with the first preferred embodiment. 
The elongated rollers 68 are positioned in pairs with a portion of the 
teeth 216 and spaces 228 of elongated rollers 68a,68b intermeshing between 
ends 74,76 and a portion of the teeth 216 and spaces 228 of elongated 
rollers 68c,68dsimilarly intermeshing between ends 74,76. The pinch gap 
240 is seen, in exaggerated fashion, extending between the pairs of 
elongated rollers 68. Note that the first helix angles, 
.beta..sub.b,.beta..sub.c, and the second helix angles, 
.gamma..sub.a,.gamma..sub.b, of elongated rollers 68b,68c, respectively, 
are oriented toward opposite sides of their longitudinal axes 214 as 
viewed in the top view of FIG. 20. Similarly, the first helix angles, 
.beta..sub.a,.beta..sub.b and .beta..sub.c,.beta..sub.d, and the second 
helix angles, .gamma..sub.a,.gamma..sub.b and .gamma..sub.c,.gamma..sub.d, 
of the pairs of elongated rollers, 68a,68b and 68c,68d, respectively, are 
oriented toward opposite sides of their longitudinal axes 214. FIG. 21 
displays the relative rotational directions of the elongated rollers 68 as 
viewed from the discharge end 58 looking back toward the intake end 56. It 
is believed that the opposite rotational direction of outer elongated 
roller 68a to inner elongated roller 68b and the opposite rotational 
direction of outer elongated roller 68d to inner elongated roller 68c aids 
in dislodging removed skin which tends to adhere to the inner elongated 
rollers 68b,68c. The dislodged skin is then carried by the rotation of the 
outer elongated rollers 68a,68d away from the inner elongated rollers 
68b,68c for release into the second discharge chute 80 extending below the 
elongated rollers 68. 
In accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention 
and as displayed in FIGS. 22 and 23, the second mounting assembly 234 is 
located at the discharge end 58 of the poultry skinner 50. The second 
mounting assembly 234 comprises a third mounting block 304 and vertical 
members 306 which extend between support frame members 310,312 and support 
frame members 310,3 14, respectively. The vertical members 306 are, 
preferably, manufactured from stainless steel angle and are rigidly 
attached, preferably, by welding, to the support frame members 
310,312,314. Each vertical member 306 includes a first leg 316 having an 
inner surface 318 and an outer surface 320. The inner surfaces 318 of legs 
316 are aligned in a vertical plane with vertical ends 322,324 of support 
frame members 312,3 14, respectively. Each leg 316 defines first and 
second holes 326,328 which extend laterally between the inner and outer 
surfaces 318,320. 
The third mounting block 304 is, preferably, manufactured from stainless 
steel and is removably mounted between the vertical members 306. The third 
mounting block 304 includes a fight side 334 and a left side 336 which 
abut the inner surfaces 318 of vertical member legs 316a,b, respectively. 
First and second threaded bores 338,340 extend partially into the third 
mounting block 304 from the right and left sides 334,336. The first 
threaded bores 338 align axially with the first holes 326 and the second 
threaded bores 340 align axially with the second holes 328. Bolts 342, 
having heads 344, extend through the first and second holes 326,328 in 
vertical member legs 316 and into the first and second threaded bores 
338,340 of the third mounting block 304. The heads 344 rest against the 
outer surfaces 320 of the legs 316 to secure the third mounting block 304. 
The third mounting block 304 also includes a bottom 346 which rests atop 
support frame member 310. 
As seen in FIGS. 22 and 23, the third mounting block 304 further comprises 
a front 348, back 350, and top 352. Radial bores 354 extend between the 
front 348 and back 350 of the third mounting block 304. Each radial bore 
354 receives a bushing 356 which defines a passageway 358 extending 
between the front 348 and back 350. Each passageway 358 receives a second 
shaft 299 of an elongated roller 68 and adjacently positions the second 
ends 76 of the rollers 68 to enable meshing of the teeth 216 and spaces 
228 as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, thereby transferring the rotation of 
elongated roller 68c to the other rollers 68a,b,d during operation. Note 
that the third mounting block 304 also defines bores 360 which each extend 
between the top 352 of the block 304 and a radial bore 354. Bores 360 
enable lubrication of the bushings 356. 
In accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
the poultry skinner 50' is substantially similar to the poultry skinner 50 
of the first preferred embodiment, but includes inner elongated rollers 
68' as shown in FIGS. 24-27. Note that a flat surface 362' is defined at a 
position laterally offset from the longitudinal axis 214' to form a chord 
363' of the elongated roller 68'. The flat surface 362' extends between 
end 308' and the second end 76' of the elongated roller 68' to define a 
width, "J", which is, preferably, 1 inch. The flat surface 362' has a top 
edge 365' and an opposed bottom edge 367' which are formed by the 
intersection of the teeth 216' and spaces 228' of the second plurality of 
teeth and spaces 302' and the flat surface 362'. Preferably, the flat 
surface 362' is formed by "machining down" portions of the teeth 216' of 
the second plurality of teeth and spaces 302'. As seen in the side and 
sectional views of FIGS. 25 and 27, respectively, the flat surface 362' 
has a, generally, rectangular shape. It is understood that the scope of 
the present invention includes elongated rollers 68' which comprise other 
flat-like surfaces having different shapes and sizes. 
FIGS. 28 and 29 schematically illustrate the orientation and relationship 
between the flat surfaces 362b',362c' of the inner elongated rollers 
68b',68c', respectively, in accordance with the second preferred 
embodiment at a point in time. As seen best in the sectional view of FIG. 
29, the flat surface 362b ' of elongated roller 68b ' is vertically 
adjacent to and opposes the flat surface 362c' of elongated roller 68c '. 
The flat surfaces 362b',362c' define a gap 369' between the elongated 
rollers 68b',68c'. It is believed that the gap 369' reduces clogging of 
the rollers 68', during operation, by enabling removed poultry skin to 
fall downward between the flat surfaces 362' whenever they are opposed. 
Note that the flat surfaces 362b',362c' are vertically opposed one time 
per rotation of each elongated roller 68b',68c'. 
In accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
the poultry skinner 50" is substantially similar to the poultry skinners 
50,50' of the first and second preferred embodiments, but includes 
elongated rollers 68" as shown in FIGS. 30-35. Note that the first 
plurality of teeth and spaces 300" of each elongated roller 68" includes a 
third plurality of teeth and spaces 364" defining a third helix angle, 5". 
Preferably, the third helix angle, .delta.", is oriented relative to the 
longitudinal axis 214" like the second helix angle, .gamma.", defined by 
the second plurality of teeth and spaces 302". Also, the third helix 
angle, .delta.", preferably, has the same measure as the second helix 
angle, .beta.". The third plurality of teeth and spaces 364", also 
referred to herein as a second "reversed segment" 364" (i.e., the first 
"reversed segment" 302" being the second plurality of teeth and spaces 
302"), has a first end 366" which is positioned at a distance, "K", from 
the first end 74 of the elongated rollers 68" The third plurality of teeth 
and spaces 364" extends longitudinally toward the second end 76 of the 
elongated rollers 68" to a second end 368" which is located at a distance, 
"L", (also referred to as the second segment's "length") from the first 
end 366". Preferably, the segment's position, "K", is 6 inches from the 
first end 74 of the elongated rollers 68" and the segment's length, "L", 
is 1 inch. It is believed that inclusion of the second reversed segment 
364" enhances skin removal by better enabling the elongated rollers 68" to 
better engage the skin of the poultry. 
In accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
the poultry skinner 50'" is substantially similar to the poultry skinner 
50 of the first preferred embodiment, but includes elongated rollers 68'", 
as shown in FIGS. 36-40, and an adjustable second mounting assembly 234'", 
as seen in FIGS. 41 and 42. Each elongated roller 68'" includes a 
plurality of teeth 216'" and spaces 228'" which extend spirally about the 
core portion 212'" of the roller 68'"between the first and second ends 
74'",76'". The teeth 216" and spaces 228" define a helix angle, .beta.", 
similar to the teeth 216 and spaces 228 of the elongated rollers 68 of the 
first preferred embodiment. The elongated rollers 68'" further include a 
bore 370'" which extends radially about the longitudinal axis 214'" and 
longitudinally partially into the core portions 212'" from the second end 
76" of the rollers 68'". Each bore 370'" receives a bushing 372'" which 
defines a cavity 374'" for receipt of a rod 376'" as discussed below (see 
FIGS. 41 and 42). 
The second mounting assembly 234'", in accordance with the fourth preferred 
embodiment and displayed in FIGS. 41 and 42, is manufactured, preferably, 
from stainless steel components and is removably mounted between vertical 
members 306'". The second mounting assembly 234'" comprises a plurality of 
rods 376'" which each extend longitudinally from the cavity 374'" of an 
elongated roller's bushing 372'", thereby enabling each elongated roller 
68'" to rotate relative to a rod 376'". Each rod 376'" is rigidly 
attached, preferably, by welding, to a bar 378'" which extends angularly 
downward to a base 380'" The base 380'" resides, generally, between the 
vertical members 306'" and has a top surface 384'", a bottom surface 
386'", and a front 388'". Each bar 378'" is attached, preferably, by 
welding, to the front 388'" of the base 380'". Holes 390'" extend between 
the top and bottom surfaces 384'",386'" of the base 380'" and receive 
threaded rods 392'" which extend vertically downward from blocks 394'". 
Nuts 396'" receive the threaded rods 392'" and are positioned in contact 
with the top and bottom surfaces 384'",386'" of the base 380'" to secure 
the base 380'" and, hence, the second ends 76'" of the elongated rollers 
68'" at a desired vertical position. Note that adjustment of the location 
of the nuts 396'" along the threaded rods 392'" enables adjustment of the 
vertical position of the base 380'" and the second ends 76'" of the 
elongated rollers 68'", thereby enabling adjustment of the slope angle, 
.alpha., of the elongated rollers 68'". 
Each threaded rod 392'" is rigidly attached, preferably, by welding, to a 
block 394'" which is removably mounted to a vertical member 306'". Each 
block 394'" has an inner side 398'" and an outer side 400'" which resides 
adjacent to a leg 316'" of a vertical support member 306'". The inner and 
outer sides 398'",400'" define holes 402'",404'" which extend between the 
sides 398'",400'". Each block 394'" also has a top 406'", which resides 
adjacent to and below a support frame member 312'",314'", and a back 408'" 
which attaches to a threaded rod 392'". Holes 402'",404'" align axially 
with holes 326'",328'" defined by a first leg 316'" of each vertical 
member 306'". Bolts, 342'", having heads 344", extend through holes 
402'",404'" and holes 326'",328'", respectively, and through nuts 346'". 
Bolt heads 344'" reside adjacent to the inner sides 398'" of the blocks 
394'" and nuts 346'" reside adjacent to the outer surfaces 320'" of the 
first legs 316'" to secure the blocks 394'" in place. 
FIG. 43 displays the steps of a first preferred method of the present 
invention. Note that the steps are, preferably, performed in a sequential, 
continuous manner employing assembly line processing equipment, thereby 
limiting any processing delays to those encountered while transporting a 
poultry fowl (or poultry fowl portion) between the equipment employed to 
execute the steps. The method begins at step 500 and proceeds to step 502 
where the body of a chicken, turkey, or other poultry fowl, having been 
previously killed, is eviscerated to remove the internal organs. After 
evisceration, the method continues, at step 504, where the body of the 
poultry fowl is "sized" (i.e., weighed) and routed, based upon its size 
(i.e., weight), to a line of cutting equipment configured for a range of 
body sizes including the size of the poultry fowl. At step 506, the 
cutting equipment severs the fowl's body into a front half, including the 
breasts, wings, ribs, and a portion of the backbone, and a "back half" or 
"saddle", including the thighs, legs, and the remaining portion of the 
backbone. After severance of the fowl's body, the front half is conveyed 
immediately, with no time delay for aging, to a poultry skinner 50 in 
accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
Continuing at step 508, the front half of the poultry fowl is placed, after 
the front half of a previous poultry fowl, in a serial manner atop the 
conveyor belt 124 near the first end 64 of the conveyor 60. The 
motor/gearbox assembly 114 rotates the conveyor's drive shaft 108 to cause 
the conveyor belt 124 to move between the poultry guides 128 and toward 
the conveyor's second end 66, thereby transporting the front half toward 
the skinning portion 54 of the poultry skinner 50. Upon reaching the 
second end 66 of the conveyor 60, the from half falls downward onto the 
elongated rollers 68 at a location near their first ends 74. The front 
half, after falling onto the elongated rollers 68, is transported by the 
downward sloping angle of the rollers 68 and the conveying motion of the 
helical teeth 216 and spaces 228 in a longitudinal path defined by the 
longitudinal axis 214 of the rollers 68 toward the discharge end 58 of the 
poultry skinner 50. The front half is transported primarily by the inner 
rollers 68b,68c and rapidly encounters the pinch gap 240 between elongated 
rollers 68b,68c. The counterrotation of elongated rollers 68b,68c tends to 
pull the front half partially into the pinch gap 240, thereby enabling the 
teeth 216 and spaces 228 of the rollers 68b,68c to better grasp and engage 
the skin. Once grasped between the teeth 216 and spaces 228 of the 
elongated rollers 68b,68c, the skin is pulled downward and apart from the 
front half by the continuing rotation of the elongated rollers 68b,68c. 
In accordance with the first preferred method, the elongated rollers 68 
continually propel the front half toward the discharge end 58 of the 
poultry skinner 50 while repeatedly grasping and pulling the remaining 
skin away from the front half. Water is also sprayed steadily onto the 
elongated rollers 68 and front half by the plurality of spraying nozzles 
202 and shower head 204 depending from the top cover 182. Some of the 
larger portions of the removed skin fall between the elongated rollers 68 
and into a first discharge chute 80 located beneath the elongated rollers 
68. Some of the smaller portions of the removed skin adhere to the 
elongated rollers 68b,68c and are squeezed by the adjacent meshing rollers 
68a, 68d, respectively, until the skin emulsifies and drips into the first 
discharge chute 80. In accordance with a second preferred method of the 
present invention, skin grasping and pulling is enhanced by the second 
reversed segments 364 of the elongated rollers 68. Upon reaching the 
second ends 76 of the elongated rollers 68, the front half falls, by 
gravity, into the first discharge chute 78. Removed skin, which tends to 
also be conveyed to the second ends 76 of the elongated rollers 68, is 
dislodged by the first reversed segments 302 and falls into the second 
discharge chute 80. In accordance with a third preferred method of the 
present invention, other removed skin falls through the gap 369 defined by 
the flat surfaces 362 of the elongated rollers 68. 
After a front half falls into the first discharge chute 78, the front half, 
in accordance with the first preferred method, is transported non-stop to 
a deboning step 510 where the breasts, wings, and other products are 
harvested from the front half. At step 512, the first preferred method 
ends. 
Whereas this invention has been described in detail with particular 
reference to its most preferred embodiments and methods, it will be 
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the 
spirit and scope of the invention, as described herein before and as 
defined in the appended claims.