Abstract: A low-profile cart for transporting a large, nonambulatory animal includes a floor supported a predetermined height above the ground by a set of wheels including rear wheels, each of which has a radius approximately equal to the predetermined height. A push bar coupled to the floor may support a sun shade for protecting the animal from sunlight. The floor may be surrounded by detachable railings. A ramp may be provided for allowing the animal to easily enter and exit the cart.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for handling poultry, such as chicken, turkey, geese, duck and quail, comprising the steps of (i) taking the poultry; (ii) placing the poultry in a confinement such that the poultry legs extend from the confinement; and (iii) coupling the poultry legs to a handling unit, and to an installation for handling poultry, such as chicken, turkey, duck and quail that takes the poultry and places the poultry in a confinement such that the poultry legs extend from the confinement; and the poultry legs are coupled to the handling unit.

Abstract: A knock box including an inlet end and a discharge end. The knock box includes a vertically movable discharge gate at one side thereof. The knock box also includes a laterally movable squeeze panel or push-out panel which narrows the interior of the box for smaller animals and which may be used to push an animal outwardly through the discharge opening when the discharge gate is in its open position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for euthanizing poultry by rapidly impacting the spinal column of the bird.

Abstract: An apparatus for slaughtering fishes, killing the fish by taking it from the operculum and positioning in a stunning position and cutting the gills only, without causing any visible damage to the exterior, comprising: transverse positioning means that receives the fish, holding by the sides and keeping in the center thereof to be positioned in an initial working position; longitudinal positioning means, allowing the longitudinal displacement of the fish and stopping its movement when it is in the initial working position; gripping means for taking the fish from the initial working position, holding it from the operculum and placing it in a stunning position, also allowing the opening of the operculum to expose the gills in a cutting position; stunning means for stunning the fish in the stunning position; cutting means for cutting in the gills of stunned fish; and releasing means allowing the release of the slaughtered fish.

Abstract: Disclosed are an animal stunning apparatus and method for inducing rapid unconsciousness and insensibility. The apparatus includes a stunning station wherein a live animal is confined and an applicator contacts an application point on the animal's head overlying a frontal portion of the brain and couples microwave radiation to the head. A microwave generator generates microwave energy of suitable power and frequency, and a waveguide directs microwave radiation to the applicator. An auto-tuner in the waveguide uses a directional coupler to detect forward and reflected power and to tune in real time the impedance for matching the load and optimizing effective power transfer. A switch discontinues the application of microwave radiation heating of the frontal portion induce unconsciousness and insensibility. The period may be sufficient only to rapidly induce insensibility, and insufficient for the insensibility induced to be irreversible, or cause significant heating of deeper brain tissues.

Abstract: Disclosed are an animal stunning apparatus and method for inducing rapid unconsciousness and insensibility. The apparatus includes a stunning station wherein a live animal is confined and an applicator contacts an application point on the animal's head overlying a frontal portion of the brain and couples microwave radiation to the head. A microwave generator generates microwave energy of suitable power and frequency, and a waveguide directs microwave radiation to the applicator. An auto-tuner in the waveguide uses a directional coupler to detect forward and reflected power and to tune in real time the impedance for matching the load and optimizing effective power transfer. A switch discontinues the application of microwave radiation heating of the frontal portion to induce unconsciousness and insensibility. The period may be sufficient only to rapidly induce insensibility, and insufficient for the insensibility induced to be irreversible, or cause significant heating of deeper brain tissues.

Abstract: Described are animal stunning apparatus and methods for inducing rapid unconsciousness and insensibility. The apparatus includes a stunning station in which a live subject animal is located in a confined position and an applicator contacts an application point on the live subject animal's head immediately overlying a frontal portion of the animal's brain and couples microwave radiation to the head. A microwave generator generates microwave energy of a suitable power level and frequency, and a waveguide directs the microwave radiation to the applicator. A switch discontinues the application of microwave radiation effecting heating of the frontal portion of the brain after a period of time sufficient to have raised the temperature of the frontal portion of the brain of the subject animal to thereby induce the unconsciousness and insensibility.

Abstract: Described are animal stunning apparatus and methods for inducing rapid unconsciousness and insensibility. The apparatus includes a stunning station in which a live subject animal is located in a confined position and an applicator contacts an application point on the live subject animal's head immediately overlying a frontal portion of the animal's brain and couples microwave radiation to the head. A microwave generator generates microwave energy of a suitable power level and frequency, and a waveguide directs the microwave radiation to the applicator. A switch discontinues the application of microwave radiation effecting heating of the frontal portion of the brain after a period of time sufficient to have raised the temperature of the frontal portion of the brain of the subject animal to thereby induce the unconsciousness and insensibility.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and installation for stunning poultry, such as chicken, turkey, duck and quail, comprising the steps of: i) suspending the poultry with the poultry head down; ii) positioning the suspended poultry head; and iii) stunning the poultry via the suspended and positioned poultry head, and to obtainable debleeded poultry.

Abstract: This document relates to live bird shackle transfer. In one embodiment, a live bird transfer system includes a perch conveyor, configured to transport a live bird on a perch mechanism from a distal end to a proximal end of the perch conveyor, and a shackle line, including a pallet assembly including a trolley supporting a pallet and a star-wheel mechanism configured to position the trolley such that the pallet is aligned with the proximal end of the perch conveyor during transfer of the live bird from the perch mechanism to the pallet. In another embodiment, a live bird transfer system includes a perch conveyor configured to transport a live bird from a distal end to a proximal end of the perch conveyor; a body-grasper at the proximal end of the perch conveyor; and virtual exit lighting positioned at the proximal end of the perch conveyor and above the body-grasper.

Abstract: A shock absorption device of a running apparatus is provided with a shock absorbing elastic member at the rear side thereof. The shock absorption device includes a foot pedal, a lifted base, a support frame and an elastic member. The lifted base is disposed under the foot pedal and the support frame is attached to the bottom of the lifted base. The elastic member is connected to the support frame with a pivotal shaft. When the user runs on the foot pedal, the foot pedal can be lifted an inclining angle with the lifted base rotating with respect to the pivotal shaft to mitigate an impact force caused by the elastic member so as to protect the knees and ankles from injury.

Abstract: A head gate assembly for restraining the head of an animal during ritual and humane slaughter includes first and second head gates including sliding plate supported for relative sliding movement between restraining and release positions. Each head gate includes a chin lift arm and a pivot assembly mounting the chin lift arm to the associated sliding plate. Each pivot assembly includes a bushing block welded to the associated sliding plate. The bushing block carries a bushing and pivot pin that is received in a mounting portion defined on the end of the chin lift arm. A neck restraint includes a neck tube supported by a support disposed to be located rearwardly of the head of, and in non-contacting relation with the neck of, an animal being restrained by the head gate assembly, maximizing access to a rearward portion of the head of the animal to facilitate stunning of the animal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining an animal within an animal squeeze. The animal squeeze has a “V” shaped passage in which the animal is suspended by relative movement of the sidewalls and the floor. A pressure member is movable into an operative position engaging a back of the animal and restraining the animal. An animal, such as a deer, suspended in a “V” shaped passage, will normally continue to struggle. However, when pressure is exerted upon the back of the deer by the pressure member, the deer ceases to struggle.

Abstract: Fish, such as salmon, are caused to move along a predetermined path until the leading part of the fish hits a lever to initiate a cycle of operations comprising: a) holding the fish by releasable holding means, b) stunning the fish, c) killing the fish in such manner as to effect exsanguination thereof, and d) releasing the killed fish.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for humane slaughtering of animals in accordance with Jewish and Muslim dietary laws with a high degree of reliably, are characterized by an animal enclosure that is mounted to a base for rotation about a longitudinal axis between a normal position and an inverted position. The enclosure has a top, bottom and opposite sides, and one of the opposite sides has a normally closed access opening adjacent the enclosure bottom that may be opened for permitting access to the hooves of the animal when the enclosure is inverted, whereby the animal can be easily shackled after having been inverted, i.e., turned over onto its back. Provision also is made for stretching and holding stretched the neck of the animal during slaughtering, and for laterally restraining the animal when being inverted onto its back, for properly longitudinally positioning the animal in the enclosure prior to inversion, and for allowing ready removal of the slaughtered animal from the enclosure.

Abstract: A cut is made in the neck of slaughtered poultry to permit access to a tool for removing the crop. The cut is made by an apparatus which includes a carousel for moving the poultry, arch-shaped tracks which have sections which are horizontal, upward-sloping and downward-sloping, and running wheels which move in the tracks to effect vertical movement of handling units and bird positioning units. Each handling unit includes a tilting arm which has a blade fitted at its upper end, a centering fork with two centering elements which contact opposite sides of the neck of a bird, and a running wheel at its lower end where the running wheel rides in a track. During movement of the running wheel on its track, the tilting arm is first tilted from its sloping non-operative position to a less sloping vertical position to center the neck of a bird and to bring the blade against the neckskin, and the arm then makes a downward movement to form a cut in the neck.

Abstract: A fish harvester for the automatic and humane slaughter of fish comprises a fish accommodating space having an entrance for insertion of a fish and an exit for removal of a fish. The harvester includes means for positioning and retaining a fish, a slaughtering member for slaughtering a fish by contact with some portion of a fish; and driving means for driving said slaughtering member. The slaughter member preferably includes spikes for insertion into the brain of the fish. The harvester preferably automatically severs a major blood vessel in order to allow bleeding of said fish. The harvester preferably automatically gauges the size of the fish and positions the fish and the slaughtering member relative to each other, with reference to the size of the fish, in order to allow effective operation. A method of automatically slaughtering fish is also provided.

Abstract: The holding fixture has a narrow neck fork designed to fit entirely inside of and between the shoulder joints of the carcass so as to utilize the inside surfaces of the shoulder joints as a means of centering the carcass and precluding side-to-side movement thereof. Each arm of the fork is narrow enough to fit entirely between the neck and the corresponding shoulder joint. A modified fixture for use with a crop-inclusive eviscerator has a resilient projection on the backrest between the arms of the fork to yieldably push the backbone at the base of the neck out away from the backrest to facilitate snagging of the esophagus by a hook-shaped dislodging tool utilized as part of the eviscerator.

Abstract: An apparatus for restraining ruminant mammals; especially deer. The apparatus includes a "V" shaped open ended chute having opposed sidewalls and a floor. Shoulder pads are secured in opposed relation to the opposed sidewalls adjacent one open end. The shoulder pads engage shoulders of an animal attempting to pass through chute, thereby retarding the animals forward progress. Relative movement of the sidewalls and the floor is effected, thereby suspending the animal in the "V" shaped open ended chute.

Abstract: A poultry slaughtering machine includes a shackle conveyor for carrying a series of birds, suspended by their feet in a predetermined orientation with their breast facing to one side, along a first path, and a head capturing device disposed generally below the shackle conveyor and offset away from the breast side. The capturing device includes a flexible carrier constrained to follow an endless second path, a series of pairs of relatively movable jaws affixed to the endless carrier, and a cam rail for closing each pair of jaws about the neck of a bird. A rotary blade incises major blood vessels of tile neck, but is prevented from cutting the trachea or the spinal cord, and the jaws are opened to release the neck as soon as the cut has been made.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the humane slaughter and efficient processing of ratites, for example, ostrich and emu, which are generally large, heavy, and hostile animals. The method envisions transporting ratites from station to station in succession within a facility via a rail system in order to process them on a mass scale. Initially, each ratite is rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge. The ratites are then hung in an inverted position on the rail system. The ratites are killed by lacerating the arteries in the neck and also the windpipe. The head of each ratite is removed and useful parts are extracted. Next, the ratites are de-feathered and skinned. The viscera of each ratite is removed. The gizzard, heart, and liver are extracted for further processing. Finally, the edible meat products are removed from each ratite and are processed for human use.

Abstract: A small livestock head restraint device is provided which can be temporarily secured to a fence for field use in securely capturing the head of a small animal. The small livestock head restraint device includes a vertical support member typically positioned adjacent to fence railings or a cylindrical pole, and a pair of clamps which can be tightened about the railings or pole to securely fix the support member to the fencing. A slider bracket is attached to the support member, and a mounting shaft, having fixed thereto a headrest arm and the animal headrest, is movable vertically within the slider bracket to adjust the height of the animal headrest after the device has been secured to the fencing. In one preferred form, a pair of rail clamps are adjustably fixed to the support member for engaging generally horizontal fence rails. In another preferred form, a pair of pole clamps are attached to the mounting shaft and pivot to grasp a generally vertical pole therebetween.

Abstract: A head gate mounted on a cattle squeeze chute through a series of spring-type shock absorbers allows the head gate to move a limited distance in the longitudinal direction from the squeeze chute when impacted by an animal as the pivoting doors on the head gate restrain the animal's forward movement through the chute.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the humane slaughter and efficient processing of ostrich. The method envisions transporting ostrich from station to station within a facility via a rail system. First, an ostrich is rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge to the head or neck region. The ostrich is hung in an inverted position on the rail system. The ostrich is then killed by lacerating the arteries in the neck and also the windpipe. The head is removed and useful parts are extracted. Next, the ostrich is de-feathered, and then skinned. The viscera is removed from the ostrich. The gizzard, heart, and liver are extracted for further processing. Finally, the edible meat products are removed from the ostrich and are processed for human use.

Abstract: Animals such as pigs which are to be slaughtered at slaughterhouses are unloaded from the transport truck and driven into pens and stalled in these for some time, until they are driven out of the pens and over to a stunning apparatus. The pigs of a supplied lot to the slaughterhouse, or part of the supplied lot, are treated as a separate unit during one or more of the above-mentioned stages of treatment, which means that pigs of a unit are to be constantly kept separated from pigs belonging to other units. Each unit may comprise e.g. 15 pigs. The treatment of the animals in units reduces their aggressions, and their well-being is increased, which will result in a lower incidence of rind damages, blood splashings and deviant meat quality of the carcasses. A system for stalling of the pigs includes a number of oblong pens (1), which are placed next to each other. Each of the pens has an entrance gate (6), an exit gate (8) and a driving gate (10) which is movable in the longitudinal direction of the pen.