David S Halvorson

US Patent:

56978367, Dec 16, 1997

Filed:

Mar 8, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/612609

Inventors:

David A. Halvorson - Falcon Heights MN
Jonathan Chaplin - Minneapolis MN
Scott Richard Holicky - LeCenter MN
Sally L. Noll - St. Paul MN

Assignee:

Regents of the University of Minnesota - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

A22C 2100

US Classification:

452120

Abstract:

The method of processing poultry comprises the slitting of a poultry carcass along at least one lateral side from the thoracic inlet to the midline of the abdomen, to permit separating a breast portion of the poultry carcass from the back by hinging along an opposite lateral side from the cut. This opens the carcass for evaluation of bacterial contamination of internal organs. The location of the cut is along a line where few bones need to be severed, and the internal organs are not broken or torn, which is a major cause of contamination in conventional poultry processing methods. The longitudinal cut extends from the neck to the pubis and when the breast portion, including the wing on the lateral side where the cut is made is moved, air sac membranes and fat layers will contain the intestines and form separation planes to separate the breast portion from the liver, spleen, heart and intestines. The processing can be mechanized. Processing is greatly speeded up as well and there is a reduction in likelihood of contamination.