Abstract: A method and a filling machine for the temperature control of a mass flow in a filling machine, wherein the mass flow passes through several sections. In order to also process temperature-sensitive types of filling material reliably with the minimum outlay, the temperature of the filling material is measured in several sections of the filling machine and the temperature of the filling material is controlled by a heating/cooling device to a certain temperature in dependence of the measured temperatures.

Abstract: A device for producing meat products by stuffing meat mass in a double casing made up of a film and a net, has a stuffing tube with a diameter, a mechanism for passing the meat mass through the stuffing tube and into the double casing and a mechanism for shaping the film into a cylinder that is adapted to the diameter of the stuffing tube, the shaping mechanism forming longitudinal folds for allowing radial expansion of the cylinder when the cylinder is fed with meat mass through the stuffing tube by unfolding the folds.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for protecting against and stopping an attack by stinging flying insects. The apparatus is modular and activated by an operator of a mobile conveyance turned victim of an insect attack. A tank contains an insect killing solution, and the tank is fluidly connected by a hose with a delivery system that is characterized by a plurality of spray nozzles. In response to an attack by stinging flying insects, an operator activates an electric pump that delivers the solution from the tank to the delivery system under pressure via the hose. The pump, hose and delivery system are incorporated into the tank, with the hose and delivery system disposed in channels on the surface of the tank, in order to create a modular assembly that may be mounted to the mobile conveyance.

Abstract: A system and method for stunning live poultry is presented. In one aspect, the system presented has a poultry stunner defining a partially enclosed passageway and at least one first conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source, configured to direct a first stream of fluid into at least a portion of the at least partially enclosed passageway. In one aspect, the system also can have at least one second conduit in fluid communication with the fluid source, configured to direct a second stream of fluid into at least a portion of the at least partially enclosed passageway. In one aspect, the system comprises an electrical power source coupled to at least one of the first conduit(s) and/or at least one of the second conduit(s). Thus, an electric circuit is formed between the first and second streams of fluid via any of the live poultry that come into contact with the first and second streams of fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting elongated meat includes a frame that has a longitudinal axis and a motor proximate the frame. At least two generally circular blades are rotatably mounted to the frame each about a respective blade axis. Each blade axis is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The blades axes are positioned generally on an imaginary plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The blades are rotated by the motor and cut the elongated meat when the elongated meat is placed generally collinear with the longitudinal axis and contacts the blades.

Abstract: A highly automated method and system for providing individual animal electronic identification, measurement and value based management of cattle in a large cattle feedlot. Through the use of (1) a computer system integrated with (2) automatic individual animal identification (3) multiple measurement and remeasurement systems with automatic data input and (4) a cattle handling and sorting system, animals are individually (a) identified and (b) measured by weight, external dimensions and characteristics of internal body tissue. With this information together with animal physiological characteristics and historical data, the computer system calculates the optimum (c) slaughter weight, (d) economic end point and (e) marketing date for shipment to a packing plant. After measurement, individual animals are (f) sorted by direction of the computer in response to calculations from the measurements.

Abstract: A layered pad comprising a bottom impervious layer, a top layer of a fibrous high loft non woven capable of entrapping fine or coarse particles and preventing their scatter, optionally combined with a middle layer of fibers and super absorbent agent, wherein liquids pass through the top layer, become absorbed by the middle layer, and evaporate. As particles from an animal litter box or cage, shoes, metal cutting, wood shavings, and copy machines are generated, they immediately encounter the high loft non-woven top layer, which immediately immobilizes and then entraps them, preventing them from scattering. The filament count of the non-woven can be varied to design the pads to be more effective in trapping smaller or larger particles. In addition, a film of oily substance can be applied to the fibers to make them more sensitive to absorbing and entrapping extremely small particles. If absorbency is required under the high loft fibrous non-woven, a layer of absorbent material is added between the two layers.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for loading items onto a rack is described.

Abstract: A dehider includes a pneumatic motor driving a pair of disk blades in opposed cutting oscillations and a governor that controls the speed of the motor. Governor balls, acting as centrifugal weights, spin with the motor and push against an inclined flange on a valve head to move the valve head towards a valve seat. The motion of the valve head compresses a biasing spring and restricts the flow of pressurized air as the desired speed is exceeded. As speed decreases, centrifugal force decreases and the biasing spring opens the valve to provide additional power to the motor. The disk blades are provided with a cylindrical central lip that substantially increases the area of the central bearing that the blades turn on and produces significantly longer blade life.

Abstract: A rodent killing trap includes a case having front and rear sides. A plurality of electrodes are operatively coupled to the case and exposed adjacent the case front and rear sides so as to electrocute a rodent upon contact. The rodent killing trap may be connected to an electrical power source and includes a switch for selectively actuating the plurality of electrodes by electrical connection to the power source. The device may only be activated or deactivated using a tool or implement so as to be safe from use by children.

Abstract: A system for stunning poultry located in cages in which the system utilizing an automated control system and a series of stunning apparatuses for progressively increasing exposure of the poultry to a subduing gas. The system is adjustable to allow for varying concentrations of the subduing gas, as well as adjusting the time for which the poultry is exposed to the subduing gas. In addition, the conveyor system includes methods for maintaining the poultry in a calm state prior to dispatch.

Abstract: The vertical rodent trap provides a rodent trap that is oriented in a substantially vertical direction and spaced apart from a support surface, thus requiring a rodent to achieve a substantially vertical position in order to attempt to remove bait therefrom. This vertical position of the rodent is optimal for capture and killing thereof. The vertical rodent trap includes a conventional rodent trap that is vertically spaced apart from a horizontal support surface, such as the ground. A base, adapted for being horizontally mounted on the horizontal support surface, is further provided, and the lower end of a rod is secured to the base. The rod projects upwardly from the base and supports the conventional rodent trap, both spacing the rodent trap from the base and vertically orienting the rodent trap. Preferably, steel wool is secured to a bait-receiving member of the rodent trap for retaining bait thereto.

Abstract: The invention concerns a clip machine comprising at least one closure lever which has a bearing element defining a pivot axis, a receiving element for at least one first closure tool and a force application element for connection to a drive element, wherein the closure lever is mounted pivotably between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the first closure tool can be brought into engagement with a second closure tool to close a clip. In that respect the closure lever is produced at least partially from a fiber-reinforced plastic composite (FRPC).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for inducing artificial hibernation of marine animal, wherein the temperature of sea water with marine animals is gradually lowered in stepwise process, while the sea water temperature is kept as is for a predetermined period of time at each step of lowering temperature, whereby the predetermined period of time maintained for each step of the lowered temperature is gradually increased to a point where changes of oxygen consumption by the marine animals greatly decreased or the changes of oxygen consumption is reached almost zero, and starting from this point, the time of constantly maintaining the sea water temperature at each step is gradually reduced to thereby ensuring a long survival rate (viability) of marine animals.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and associated devices for rucking sleeves of covering material onto a chute body include a translating member disposed in a housing having an axis of movement configured to reciprocally translate a chute body about the axis of movement; and at least one gripping member disposed in the housing in cooperating alignment with the translating member. Each at least one gripping member has a gripping edge portion that defines a gripping surface. The at least one gripping member configured to reciprocally translate substantially orthogonal to the axis of movement.

Abstract: A device (1) for carving, boning, and defatting slaughtered animals is provided having a handle (3), with a head part (9) mounted at its front end. The head part (9) carries a knife carrier (21) with a rotatably mounted circular knife (17). The knife carrier (21) can be connected to the head part (9) via guiding cams (27) which are inserted into recesses (29) at the head part (9).

Abstract: A retention device for a tubular casing material for receiving a viscous or granular filling material in a packaging machine, in particular a clipping machine that has a filling tube for filling the tubular casing material with the filling material, where the retention device includes: a first brake ring, which can be mounted coaxially on the filling tube, the inner diameter of first brake ring being larger than the outer diameter of the filling tube and on the inner circumference of which a first brake is provided, along which the casing material can be guided in the filling direction of the filling material against a friction force acting upon the casing material.

Abstract: A flexible, composite unitary belt for forming spaced intervals in a stuffed casing, and method therefore, the belt cooperating with another belt to pinch the stuffed casing. The belt comprises a body forming a continuous loop and having at least one embedded flexible reinforcing member extending throughout. Additionally, the belt has at least one pinching member extending outwardly from the body and positioned to cooperate with a pinching member of another belt to pinch the stuffed casing when fed between the belts and pinched by the pinching members.

Abstract: Fish processing machines and methods for realigning fish during processing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a fish processing machine in accordance with the invention includes a fish processing unit for use with a processing machine having a fillet assembly and/or a skinner assembly. The processing unit includes an inspection assembly with a conveyor system operably coupled to the fillet assembly and/or skinner assembly and an alignment device operably coupled to the conveyor system. The conveyor system extends along a processing path to transport a fillet of fish that has been sliced from a trunk of the fish. The alignment device is positioned to automatically realign the fillet with respect to the processing path without manually manipulating the fillet before the fillet is transferred from the conveyor system to an inspection table.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for cutting a pork leg to create a meat cut which includes an exposed bone feature and a squared face. The method for making the exposed bone feature involves trimming shank meat bare from a fibula bone and removing a tibia bone above a knee cap joint leaving a stifle joint intact. The method for making the squared face involves removing light and dark butt trim and a rump point to form a generally flat surface. When oriented downward, the flat surface aligns with any flat support surface and holds the meat cut in a standing position. The standing position directs the exposed bone feature generally upward in a unique and attractive presentation. Additionally, the present invention relates to the resultant product formed by the same method where the meat cut allows for improved roasting, braising, slow-cooking, and carving of a ham roast.