Method and compositions for processing poultry feathers

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and compositions for processing poultry feathers. In one embodiment, the method for processing poultry feathers comprises contacting a plurality of poultry feathers having an average particle size with a detergent capable of imparting a static charge to the plurality of poultry feathers; reducing the average particle size of the plurality of poultry feathers; increasing entanglement of the plurality of poultry feathers; adding an anionic polymeric adduct to the plurality of poultry feathers; adding a cationic species to the plurality of poultry feathers; and dewatering the plurality of poultry feathers. In another embodiment, a composition for processing poultry feathers, comprises a detergent capable removing at least a portion of fats and oils from a poultry feather and imparting a static charge to the poultry feather; an antimicrobial compound; an anionic polymeric adduct; and a cationic species.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
   
   
       28 . A composition for processing poultry feathers, comprising: 
 detergent capable of removing at least a portion of fats and oils from a poultry feather and imparting a static charge to the poultry feather;    an anionic polymeric adduct; and    a cationic species.    
   
   
       29 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein said detergent comprises a chemical compound selected from the group consisting of: alkyl amine oxides, ethylene oxide adducts of alcohols, propylene oxide adducts of alcohols, phosphate esters, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers, alkyl ethers, alkyl ether sulfates, alkoxylated alkyphenols, fatty betaines, fatty amine betaines, ethylene oxide adducts of fatty acids, propylene oxide adducts of fatty acids, glycosides, alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, alkyl benzene sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, neutralized fatty acid amides, alcohol sulfates, neutralized salts of alcohol sulfates, fatty acid alkanolamides, polyethylene glycol esters of fatty carboxylic acids, glycol ethers, butyl solvents, sodium silicate, metasilicates, phosphates, alkanolamines, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       30 . A composition for processing poultry feathers, comprising: 
 an anionic polymeric adduct; and    a cationic species.    
   
   
       31 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein said anionic polymeric adduct comprises a chemical compound selected from the group consisting of: hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, homopolymers of acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid and acrylamide, copolymers of acrylamide and anionic monomers, silica sols, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       32 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein said cationic species comprises an inorganic chemical compound selected from the group consisting of: aluminum sulfate, aluminum chloride, aluminum chlorohydrate, aluminum silicate, phosphate, polyaluminum chloride, polyaluminum sulfate, polyaluminum sulfate silicate, ferrous iron, ferric iron, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       33 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein said cationic species comprises an organic chemical compound selected from the group consisting of: cationic starch, homopolymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, copolymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, epichlorihydrin alkylamine condensate polymers, ethylene dichloride ammonia polymers, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       34 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein said cationic species comprises copolymers of acrylamide having a cationic monomer greater than approximately 1,000,000 molecular weight.  
   
   
       35 . The composition of  claim 30 , further comprising a thermosetting polymer.  
   
   
       36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein said thermosetting polymer is selected from the group consisting of: amine resins, linear polyethylene, phenolics, alkyds, polyesters, silicones, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       37 . The composition of  claim 36 , wherein said amine resins are selected from the group consisting of: condensations of epichlorohydrin, alkylamine, and dicarboxylic acids and condensations of methyl bis (aminopropyl) amine, epichlorohydrin, oxalic acid and urea.  
   
   
       38 . The composition of  claim 30 , further comprising an antimicrobial compound.