The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 06, 2004
Filed:
Jan. 18, 2001
Leonard G. Clark, Dawsonville, GA (US);
Hill & Sons, Inc., Ball Ground, GA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for removing feces from a bird's intestines while avoiding contact between the feces and the bird's skin. The apparatus includes a clasping device for supporting the bird laterally and for applying squeezing forces to opposite sides of the bird. The clasping device is rotatable between a first position, in which the bird is in a substantially vertical position, and a second position, in which the bird is in a substantially horizontal position. The apparatus further includes a compression assembly that is configured for forcing feces out of the bird by exerting a compressive force on an exterior surface of the bird while the clasping device is squeezing the bird and while the clasping device is in the second position. This compression assembly preferably includes compression members that move in tandem with the bird and the clasping device as the bird moves through an automated processing system.