Abstract: An automatic meat stuffing apparatus which comprises a meat extruder including a filling nozzle, a casing supply unit including a carrier for carrying a tubular network casing from a reel to a point adjacent to the filling nozzle while running axially with the filling nozzle, and a net expander for expanding an open end of the casing through which meat is stuffed in the casing. The net expander is reciprocably movable along the filling nozzle. Pawls are provided for holding the casing, with the pawls being closable at a point adjacent to the open end of the filling nozzle. The pawls are openable so as to expand the open end of the casing and allow meat to be stuffed therein through the filling nozzle. A cutting and clipping device cuts the casing to a desired length and closes the casing with a clip, with the cutting and clipping device being located adjacent to the open end of the filling nozzle.

Abstract: A shrimp peeler and deveiner provides a hooked handle that fits over the hand of the user and further provides an upwardly angled, pointed cylindrical probe that is inserted into the shrimp to perform the peeling and deveining process. The probe is attached to the handle near the bottom of a grip portion that crosses the user's palm and is kept in ready, grippable position by the hooked part of the handle, allowing the user to open his hand for manual shell peeling without having to set down the tool.

Abstract: To effect shelling of crustaceans surface heated crustaceans are shot against a water covered deflector plate in a vacuum chamber, whereby a practically complete deshelling is obtainable without any recirculation. The crustaceans are shot against the deflector plate in very thin flows through periodically operating inlet valves, whereby each single crustaceans will hit the deflector plate and be effectively deshelled thereby, with the crustaceans being subjected to aqueous surroundings for only a very short time.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved shrimp processing machine which employs a constant speed conveyor feed means which permits the utilization of a reduced number of clamp assemblies for clamping and transporting shrimp to be processed to various processing stations. The machine further includes shrimp deflection means to prevent shrimps from falling into the machine and improved adjusting means for adjusting the means for removing shrimp meat from the shell following a cutting operation.

Abstract: A food patty molding machine of the horizontally reciprocating mold plate type, using a plunger type food pump, has its food product storage hopper set off to one side, horizontally offset from the mold plate and its drive and also clear of the food pump plunger and its drive; the mold plate and plunger pump drives are also offset horizontally as well as vertically so that the pump feed path is an offset V and there is clear access to the mold plate, to the food pump plunger, and to their drives for both machine changeover and maintenance purposes. All machine operations are driven by fluid pressure drive motors to facilitate changes in the overall time of the machine cycle by varying only one operating interval, preferably the dwell of the machine occurring immediately after knock-out.

Abstract: Device for supporting a carcass or part of a carcass of slaughtered poultry, having a first and a second support member having surface parts facing one another, in which one of the support members is so constructed that it is suitable for penetrating into connective tissue and/or flesh parts of the carcass.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of eliminating infection of poultry by undesirable microorganisms such as salmonella during processing. The method consists of dipping the poultry carcass prior to plucking into scald water containing an effective amount of an acid polyformate salt.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the stuffed casing diameter includes shoes which ride against the stuffed casing to monitor its diameter. These shoes drive a digital encoder which issues pulses representing deviations of the stuffed diameter from a predetermined nominal value. A microcomputer process these pulses and issues an appropriate control signal to a stepping motor for increasing and decreasing drag on the casing as may be needed to correct the stuffed diameter of the casing. The microcomputer can include a delay so that each stuffed product is the reference for establishing the drag characteristics of the next product to be stuffed.

Abstract: An adjustable food forming device for producing individual patties from foods, such as ground meat and the like and a method for using such device. A circumferential cutting means such as a mold cup containing a patty ejector or mold plate and a thickness adjustment means is provided. The circumferential cutting means has a sleeve connected thereto which extends upwardly from the mold cup. A shaft extends upwardly from the center of the mold plate within the sleeve. The height of the mold plate relative to the base of the mold cup determines the thickness of the patty to be produced. The height is determined by the arrangement of a key protruding from the wall of one of the plunger shaft or sleeve member, the key being slidably engaged in one of a plurality of keyways of differing lengths inscribed in the wall of the other of the sleeve member or plunger shaft.

Abstract: A method for severing the heads from fish makes a better yield of fish flesh supplied for human consumption possible. In this method the supracleithra forming the connection between the head skeleton and the shoulder girdle arcs are split off after the gill cavity has been opened ventrally by cutting through the isthmus and finally the head is pulled from the rump in a position where it is jack-knifed towards the nape of the neck.

Abstract: A device for the ejection of a poultry carcass hanging on a conveyor track with two oblong outer gudies and a guide surface opposite them for confining a leg of a bird in which of two guides of the same type (inner or outer guides) part of this guide, greater in length than the diameter of the leg, is formed by a supporting element which is movable transversely to the guide, said supporting elements lying opposite each other and being joined together in such a way that they can move together in the same direction.

Abstract: In a method for removing skin from fish and fowl, the fish and fowl are exposed to intense heat for a short duration. The heat is sufficiently intense to destroy the bond between the skin and underlying flesh without significantly affecting the underlying flesh. The high temperature is removed and the skin is refrozen. The fish or fowl is carried to a skinning station where a high velocity spray, which is directed at the skin, rapidly separates the skin from the underlying flesh without removing the flesh.

Abstract: A fish scaling apparatus includes a container having a bottom and an upstanding side wall, and a cylindrical insert including a plurality of inwardly-extending projections. The projections in the insert into the interior of the insert, and are provided with a rough or sharp edge. A paddle member is disposed within the interior of the cylindrical insert, and is connected to a shaft extending exteriorly of the container. The shaft is adapted for connection to the chuck of a portable drill. When the drill is operated, rotation of the paddle member is caused within the interior of the cylindrical insert. Such rotation causes fish disposed within the interior of the cylindrical insert to come into contact with the inwardly-extending projections disposed on the side wall of the cylindrical insert, for removing the scales from fish. The paddle member may also be provided with a series of spaced projections for aiding in the removal of scales from the fish during agitation.

Abstract: A fish eviscerating apparatus employs at least one rotating brush for removing viscera from a beheaded, belly-slit fish. Bristles of the at least one brush have a length and stiffness which, when combined with a predetermined brush holddown force, are effective for removing a predetermined portion of viscera. A water jet may be integrated with the brush for aiding the cleaning of the fish body cavity. In one embodiment, one rotating brush is controlled to contact the forward end of the body cavity with a stiff holddown force for removing the fish swim bladder and assorted viscera in the vicinity thereof and a second brush with softer bristles is controlled with less stiff holddown force for contacting and cleaning viscera and other debris from substantially the entire body cavity. A water jet cleans a dark, mucous-like liner from the inner surfaces of the belly flaps of the fish. Initial abrasion by the rotating brush, or brushes, aids the cleaning action of the water jet.

Abstract: A method and device for filleting fish using an adjustable cutting blade, having a cutting edge mounted between first and second parallel legs which are rigidly connected by a base portion, opposed to the cutting blade. The length and curvature of the blade may be adjusted to conform to the thickness and roundness of the fish to be filleted.

Abstract: To achieve automatic removal of a sausage link string 6 from a feeding device 3, 4 and to attain a delivery to curing rods 11, hooks 7 are supported at a revolving moving chain 8 to be rotatable in their longitudinal axis and to be pivotable transversely to the chain longitudinal direction. By means of appropriate control devices in the form of a rotary lever 18 which coacts with a control edge 20 and a disk 23, and a block-shaped guide link 19, which rests upon a guide rail 21, the hook 7 is moved into its different positions. Herein the hook 7 is in its lowermost pivoting position during reception of the individual loops of the sausage link string 6, and the bent-over hook end 16 is oriented towards the front in conveyance direction and grips a loop from beneath.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding small game animals or fish during skinning, scaling or butchering operations is provided. The apparatus includes a support member defining an upper serrated surface and a plurality of arm members pivotally mounted to the support member and to each other whereby movement of the members in relationship to each other enlarges or diminishes the size of a triangular opening bounded by serrated surfaces.

Abstract: The main purpose is to provide an electronic controlling apparatus for controlling the setting members for processing tools and guides of a fish processing machine, which apparatus is easy to handle and designed to guarantee a disturbance-free operation. To this end, there is provided a first module as central computer, a second module comprising a signal amplifier and adapting means, as well as third module designed as a computer periphery circuit. The third module comprises a control unit commonly forming memory, combinatorial and control means, as well as an input part and an output part, which are provided for signal decoupling, signal noise suppressing and signal processing. In particular, each module is designed in the form of a plate, the three plates being interconnected electrically and mechanically for forming a structural unit.

Abstract: In a poultry processing conveyor system a plurality of evisceration lines are fed from a single kill line by means of a rotary hock cutter transfer carousel.

Abstract: A shirred food casing stick with enhanced overall interpleat coherency is produced by imparting a rotational force to the stick as it is shirred, in a direction opposite to the rotational force imparted to the stick by the shirring means.