Abstract: A knife for producing a butterfly cut of meat, the knife having a handle and a first knife blade attached at one end thereof to the handle, the first knife blade having a first distance between the top and the bottom thereof and being sharpened on the bottom thereof. A second knife blade is operatively attached at one end thereof to the handle, the second knife blade having a fixed position disposed generally parallel to the first knife blade, the second knife blade having being sharpened on the bottom thereof, the bottom of the second knife blade being disposed above and at a predetermined distance to one side of the bottom of the first knife blade over a major portion of the first and second knife blades when the second blade is attached to the handle in the fixed position thereof.

Abstract: A device for picking or plucking poultry feathers is provided that includes a sleeve-coupling and, connected or connectable thereto, a plucking plate with receptacles for plucking fingers, which sleeve-coupling is mountable on a drive-shaft for the plucking plate. The sleeve-coupling is provided with a circumferentially extending slot for receipt of a radially extending pin that is provided on the drive-shaft, and the circumferentially extending slot has an opening between the slot-extremities to allow the pin to enter and to exit the slot so as to securely mount the sleeve coupling on the drive shaft with the pin being located at one of the slot extremities.

Abstract: Methods of processing four-legged slaughter animals for consumption as meat and/or meat product(s) are described. The methods comprise: I) contacting exterior surfaces of the live animal at least once with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin, such contacting occurring at least once when the animal is en route to being slaughtered but before it is killed by exsanguination; or II) contacting the carcass of the animal, after exsanguination, with a microbiocidal solution formed from mixing together at least (i) water and (ii) at least one 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dialkylhydantoin or III) contacting at least one raw meat product and/or at least one processed meat product derived from the carcass. The contacting can be done one or more times in each of I), II), and III). Considerable advantages, which are described, are realized when using such methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for receiving and fixing fish within a device for processing fish. The apparatus includes a trunk clamping device and a pectoral fin receptacle including at least two stops. The trunk clamping device is capable of being moved out of a receiving position into a clamping position and vice versa. An additional device is provided for fixing the fish trunk.

Abstract: A separation chamber particularly suited for meat processing is configurable to have various feed and discharge end diameters and/or chamber length. The separation chamber may also have configurable cutting perforations.

Abstract: This invention addresses the problem of how to separately regulate the food intake of multiple animals using the same feeder with the goal of maintaining healthy weight for all. The invention provides a means to prevent access to the feeder by animals that have exceeded their allowance (as dictated by programmable profiles) as well as preventing unauthorized animals (such as excluded pets, wild animals or animals on a special diet). The methods can be applied to a broad range of feeders: for domestic pets, livestock, zoo animals and other managed animals. The invention is particularly well suited to dry food gravity feeders. The invention details electronic and electro-mechanical embodiments of devices intended for the described purpose.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the differential and purposeful stimulation of an animal carcass, i.e. substantially an entire animal carcass, without the purge problems typically found in the anterior and posterior portions of the animal carcass. In one embodiment, the method includes electrically stimulating at least a first section of the animal carcass to a first degree and electrically stimulating at least a second section of the animal carcass to a second degree less than the first degree. In one embodiment, the muscles of the midsection are electrically stimulated to a first degree and the muscles of the anterior and posterior end sections are electrically stimulated to a second degree less than the first degree. An apparatus for carrying out the methods of the present invention are further provided.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the production history of consumable animal primal cuts. Data collected from animal breeders and animal feeders is provided to a centralized data management system. An independent auditor also collects data on the operations of animal feeders. The data is analyzed to identify trends or relationships between aspects of the production lifecycle. Quality data on the quality of the primal cuts is also provided to the data management system. Feedback on procedures to be adjusted to improve primal cut quality can be provided to feeders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for removing and/or recovering external fat from animal stomachs prior to further processing in an animal harvest facility are described herein.

Abstract: A pin bone removal device that provides a plurality of fixed members arranged substantially in side-by-side orientation. The invention also comprises a plurality of moveable members also substantially arranged in a side-by-side orientation. In one aspect, the fixed members and moveable members collectively form a stack of members in which a moveable member is positioned adjacent each fixed member. In this aspect, a linear drive is operatively connected to each of the moveable members and is configured to cause oscillating movement of each moveable member to cause the moveable members to contact the adjacent fixed member. This movement causes pinch points to be created and released between the fixed and moveable members. As the fillet of fish is moved along the stack of members, the pin bones are caught at each pinch point and then released.

Abstract: A reusable parcel harness for securing a parcel to a dog's chest generally includes at least one pin bar having first and second mounting pins extending therefrom towards a latch housing, a spring-loaded latch to releasably secure the pin bar to the latch housing or pin bar in a closed configuration, a latch release mechanism, and a harness attached to the latch housing to secure the apparatus on a dog. The spring-loaded latch biases the pin bar and the latch housing towards an open configuration. A latch release processor actuates the latch release mechanism upon receipt of a locally or remotely generated latch release signal. A parcel to be secured to the harness includes a parcel body and straps extending from opposing sides of the parcel body. Each strap terminates in a mounting loop that can be secured about a mounting pin on the harness.

Abstract: One embodiment of a contiguous pet bowl and lid (30) comprising a watertight hollow utensil (60) connected to a lid (30) by a tether (21). The pet bowl is surrounded by an adjacent skirt portion (50) with a means to secure a watertight seal (40) around the rim (71). The topside aperture (71) is large enough to accommodate use by an animal. The lid (30) is sealable (41) when joined to the means to secure a watertight seal (40) retaining liquid or solid matter in any position. The lid (30) and pet bowl are also independent from a contiguous means. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to animal waste scooper device and system. The scooper includes a base having a blade having a front edge, a back edge, a first side, a second side, a plurality of openings. The base also includes an elongated member having a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the base is attached to or at the bottom portion of the elongated member; and the bottom portion is angled such that the blade axis has an angle in a range of between about 100 degrees and 140 degrees in relation to the top portion; and a hook mounted to the elongated member above the angle. The system further includes a pail having a handle; and a litter box having a bottom surface and four sides extending from the bottom surface, the four sides having a height between about 8 inches and about 12 inches.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the removal of the shell of a lobster, crab or shrimp by exposing the lobster, crab or shrimp to pressure for a period of time sufficient to effect detachment of the meat from the shell. Following pressurization, the shell can be easily removed using any available means to provide deshelled raw lobster, crab or shrimp meat.

Abstract: Devices for gathering sausage casings (1) filled with filling material, include at least one gathering element (2a, 2b) which can be fed from an initial position to an end position in the direction of the casing axis, and a mechanical drive (4a, 4b) for this gathering element (2a, 2b), which is assigned a control unit (6) for the movement sequence of the gathering element (2a, 2b). The devices are characterized in that the control unit (6) is designed in such a way that, automatically, the gathering element (2a, 2b) can be stopped during the feed movement in a forward reversal position between initial and end position, moved back in the direction of the initial position, stopped again in a rear reversal position and set moving in the direction of the end position again.

Abstract: A method of cutting a beef chuck roll to provide a plurality of higher value beef products includes the steps of: cutting the chuck roll along at least three cut lines to separate the chuck roll into four primary muscles, a first or eye muscle, a second or rhomboideus muscle, a third or splenius muscle and a fourth or serratus ventralis muscle; and trimming each of the four primary muscles to remove excess fat, seams, silver and other undesirable components. Some of the primary muscles are tenderized and marketed as boneless chuck roast products. Some of the primary muscles are cut across the grain into boneless chuck steaks.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for a shrimp processing machine includes a center bracket and first and second clamps. The center bracket defines a support surface for supporting a shrimp. The first and second clamps are mounted relative to the center bracket and movable between an open position and a closed position. The first clamp includes a first jaw including a first engaging surface for engaging a first side shell portion of the shrimp in the closed position. The second clamp includes a second jaw including a second engaging surface for engaging a second side shell portion of the shrimp in the closed position. Additionally, a shoulder extends from the second jaw away from support surface of the center bracket for applying a force to the shell when the second clamp moves toward the closed position to roll the shrimp toward the first clamp and tear the shrimp shell.

Abstract: Methods for producing encased products using selectable first and second horns to thereby produce products in selectable different casing types include: (a) providing an apparatus having a first horn that, in operation, is configured to be in fluid communication with a filler pump located upstream thereof; (b) removing the first horn from the apparatus; and (c) mounting a second horn assembly comprising an intermediate pipe segment in fluid communication with a casing horn to the apparatus. The casing horn can pivot side-to-side. Related apparatus, systems, kits, assemblies and computer program products are configured to allow dual operational modes of producing encased products using first or second horns.

Abstract: A motorized height-adjustable table apparatus including a table having a meat-cheese slicer mounted on a work surface thereof and having telescopic legs connected by a pair of perpendicular crossbars which are raised and lowered by a motor having a threaded shaft extending downwardly from a motor center axis, the shaft rotationally engaging an aperture in the center of the crossbars. The motor may be controlled by a hand-operated or a foot-operated control device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selectively or contemporaneously tenderizing and marinating meats or other desired food items, wherein implementation of the present method entails application of a sealable apparatus having a mechanical tenderizing assembly incorporated therein, thus permitting the sequestration and containment of raw meat juices, meat particulate, and/or marinade therewithin during the tenderizing process, thereby eliminating leakage and/or splatter of same, and reducing or eliminating associated bacterial proliferation and contamination of surrounding surfaces or food items.