Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a suspension unit and a method for taking up and transporting sausage loops with a guide rail and hooks circulating around the guide rail, where the guide rail has an elongate front side and an oppositely disposed rear side. The guide rail is inclined relative to a horizontal plane such that the front side is at a higher level than the rear side.

Abstract: A processing line for harvesting hearts from viscera packages taken out from poultry carcasses. An apparatus with an infeed section below a conveying track to mechanically grip the viscera package. The infeed section is equipped to transfer the viscera package from which the gizzard is removed to a processing section. An outfeed section that follows the processing section, which outfeed section is arranged to make the heart as separated from the viscera package available at an outlet for the heart.

Abstract: A cutting assembly and corresponding workpiece processing for cutting a workpiece, the cutting assembly including a first cutting tool adapted to cut the workpiece along a first cutting plane, and a second cutting tool adapted to cut the workpiece along a second cutting plane, the first and second cutting planes defining an inner angle therebetween, the cutting assembly being adapted to cut the workpiece along the first and second cutting planes in a single operation.

Abstract: A system and method for deboning a poultry leg part, including at least one bone and meat surrounding the bone. The system includes a conveying unit arranged for transporting the poultry leg part along a conveying path. The system also includes a deboning unit. The deboning unit includes a gripper arranged for gripping the meat surrounding the bone, the gripper being associated with a first carrier; a gripper actuator arranged for opening and closing the gripper, the gripper actuator being associated with a second carrier; and a gripper tensioner arranged for providing a biasing force for closing the gripper, the gripper tensioner being associated with a third carrier. The first, second and third carriers are arranged for displacement relative to a base member, and the base member is arranged for being transported in horizontal direction along the conveying path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting livestock including a livestock processing station, a computer network system, and a livestock routing mechanism. The livestock processing station confines the individual livestock, allowing individual livestock data to be collected and analyzed. The computer network system includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) for data input at the livestock processing station and a sorting application coupled to the PLC via a computer network, the sorting application for analyzing individual livestock data and assigning livestock to pens.

Abstract: An eversion device for small intestine eversion and a small intestine processing line, includes a water tank formed by walls, has a first side wall and a second side wall. The eversion device includes at least one conveyor assembly arranged in one of the side walls of the tank. The conveyor assembly is configured to transport at least one small intestine along the side wall, and the tank is configured to overflow water over at least one part of an upper edge of the side wall that receives the conveyor assembly. A small intestine processing line has the aforementioned eversion device and includes at least one stool removal device with a way to feed small intestines to the tank of the eversion device, and at least one mucosa removal device arranged posteriorly to the tank of the eversion device.

Abstract: A poultry meat product and method of producing the same. The meat product has breast meat divisible into a first portion attached to a wishbone and separated from a second portion. The first portion remains attached to the wishbone and has a width having a dimension of between 1.0 and 1.5 times a first distance between tips of the wishbone and having a length having a dimension of between 0.5 and 1.5 times a length of the wishbone. A shaped blade may be inserted into a bird carcass for cutting the breast fillets. A V-shaped cut has a first segment approximately parallel to a first wishbone leg and a second segment approximately parallel to a second wishbone leg. The cut defines a portion of the breast fillets that remain attached to the wishbone. The wishbone remains intact within the attached portion of breast fillet for producing a unique meat product.

Abstract: An animal feeder and method of use is described herein. The animal feeder is configured to distract, calm, or occupy an animal for an extended period of time. The animal feeder includes an elastomeric body having an obverse side and a reverse side. The obverse side includes a feeding section having a plurality of nubs. The plurality of nubs are configured to slow an animal's ability to lick food therefrom. On the reverse side is one or more suction cups to suction the animal feeder to a surface to secure the feeder system in a single location. The animal feeder further includes a guard extending laterally from the feeding section to keep the surface below the guard free from saliva, drool, or slobber from the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for removing the skin of poultry pieces at a skinning station 12 includes an infeed conveyor 14 for transporting or feeding poultry pieces to the skinning station 12. The infeed conveyor 14 includes an endless belt 16 that is trained around an end roller 18 at the downstream end of the infeed conveyor. A pinch block 20 is configured with a concave pinch surface 22 having curvature closely following the curvature of the endless belt 16 trained around the end roller 18 to define a narrow gap 24 therebetween for capturing the skin of the poultry piece and forcing the skin through the gap 24, thereby pulling the skin away from the underlying flesh of the poultry piece. A transfer roller 26 assists in transferring the skinned poultry piece to an outfeed conveyor 28.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically recovering breast fillets from poultry bodies or parts thereof has a conveying device to continuously convey the poultry bodies in a conveying direction. The conveying device has receiving elements to hold and convey the poultry bodies along a processing path. Processing stations are arranged on the processing path and the stations include at least a furcula-removal station and a breast fillet detaching station. At least one measuring device is arranged on the processing path downstream of the breast fillet detaching station. The poultry bodies held by the receiving elements are conveyed past the measuring device such that the sternum of the poultry bodies is oriented at least substantially transversely to the conveying direction with the breast side facing the measuring device. The measuring device has a scanning element to mechanically scan the poultry bodies on the breast side. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fast chilling method for improving beef tenderness, including the following steps: step 1, sample pretreatment: taking beef longissimus dorsi muscle after slaughter, removing surface fat and connective tissue, and vacuum packaging; step 2, rapid chilling: rapidly transferring the pre-treated sample completed in step 1 to a chilling equipment for chilling to a sample temperature of ?3 degrees Celsius (° C.), where the chilling is completed within 5 hours (h) after slaughter; step 3, chilling and aging at super-chilled temperature: transferring the samples rapidly chilled in step 2 to a chilled warehouse, and continuing to chilling and aging until 24 h after slaughter; and step 4, chilling storage and aging: cutting the sample equally into 2.5 centimeters (cm) thickness 24 h after slaughter, and then completing a vacuum skin packaging and refrigerating for aging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for automatically positioning and/or handling a carcass and/or carcass part during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale and to a device for cutting a carcass and/or carcass part during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale. The invention also relates to a method for automatically positioning and/or handling a carcass and/or carcass part of a slaughtered animal during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale as well as a method for automatically cutting a carcass and/or carcass part of a slaughtered animal during the slaughter of animals on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A meat processing system comprising a blade, a blade movement assembly, a controller and a conveyor. The blade is configured to cut a carcass into pieces and lies substantially in a blade plane. The conveyor is configured to move the carcass along a first axis. The controller is configured to control the blade movement assembly to rotate the blade or a portion of the blade to vary an angle between the blade plane and the first axis. The blade movement assembly may also be configured to translate the blade to move the blade transverse to the first axis. A method of operating a meat processing system is also disclosed. The method includes conveying a carcass or section of carcass along a first axis, controlling a blade movement assembly to rotate a blade or a portion of a blade to vary the angle between a blade plane and the first axis, and cutting the carcass or section of carcass into pieces.

Abstract: A method of processing fish portions determines at a control unit a target weight of a cut fish portion; inspects a fish portion using an inspection unit to determine a mass distribution of said fish portion and providing said mass distribution to the control unit; calculates a cutting plan of the poultry fish portion based on the target weight and the mass distribution using the control unit; uses a mechanical gripper so as to grip the fish portion and arrange said poultry fish portion for execution of the cutting plan; and cuts the fish portion using a cutting unit in accordance with the cutting plan so as to produce a cut fish portion in accordance with the target weight. A system for processing fish portions is configured to perform the foregoing method, among others.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant. The disclosed technology can include an enclosure configured to house livestock. The enclosure can include an enclosure entrance, an enclosure exit, and moveable walls to partition the enclosure into separate pens and automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit. A passageway can be connected to the enclosure exit and include moveable walls to automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure exit toward a processing plant. The moveable walls can be configured to move at a predetermined speed such that the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as offspring, are reared in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the passageway approximately when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.

Abstract: A method and apparatus involving a euthanasia process are provided. The euthanasia process is carried out in a chamber including electric stunning to induce insensibility and reduced atmospheric pressure to induce hypoxia. The described method and apparatus provide a more humane system for euthanizing animals and reducing any negative impacts for people carrying out the process.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a device for constricting and/or separating a sausage strand moving in direction of transport with two separating devices which in relation to sausage strand are disposed opposite one another, each comprising: a disk mounted to be rotatable about a first axis, a disk arranged thereabove mounted to be rotatable about a second axis with an axis spacing from first axis, at least two connecting elements, at least one of which comprises a displacement element, where a first end of respective connecting element is mounted to be rotatable in first disk at a respective distance r from first axis and a second end in second disk is mounted to be rotatable at same distance from second axis, where connecting elements are guided such that at least one displacement element, during its rotation about first axis, is always aligned at a predetermined angle relative to direction of transport.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a game animal field dressing and gutting assistance tool. The tool is used for holding the legs of a game animal open while the hunter dresses and guts the animal. The tool comprises a telescoping pole that can be adjusted and selectively-affixed in length for use with different game animals. The telescoping pole includes two ends, each end having a strap assembly housing a strap and a lock for securing the strap. The straps can be connected to the animal's legs and the telescoping pole can be selectively-affixed in length to enable a hunter to spread the legs of the game animal to a desired distance. The straps and pole keep the legs open while the hunter dresses and guts the animal.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a gutted poultry carcass includes a framework, a transport unit mounted on the framework having a transport means, at least one holding apparatus fastened to the transport means for holding the gutted poultry carcass during transport, and at least one processing station for processing the gutted poultry carcass. The processing station includes a knife arrangement for cutting into the gutted poultry carcass or the part located in an effective range of the knife arrangement. A knife of the knife arrangement is movable from a standby position into a cutting position and back. Each holding apparatus is in a position wherein a center axis of the holding apparatus is oriented transverse to a transport direction. The knife is arranged laterally to the transport means and carries out movement of the knife from the standby position into the cutting position as a cutting movement.

Abstract: A system, method, and/or apparatus comprises a rod clasp, a leg fitting formed on the rod clasp, and at least one leg attached to the rod clasp with the leg fitting. The system can further comprise a strike indicator formed on an exterior of the rod clasp. The system can further comprise a light formed on an exterior of the rod clasp and a switch connected to the light. The system can further comprise a speaker formed on an exterior of the rod clasp. The leg can further comprise at least two subsections wherein the subsections are telescoping.