Abstract: A poultry stunning apparatus including a trough for containing water through which the poultry is carried for stunning. The apparatus also including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. The apparatus further including a stunning electrode positioned within the trough, the stunning electrode including a metal plate adapted and positioned within the trough to be contacted in a contact zone by the poultry as the poultry are carried along, the contact zone of the metal plate being substantially smooth and uninterrupted.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed for removing lesion material from poultry feet. The systems, for example, can include ax least one spray head located along a travel path of a plurality of movable shackles within a poultry processing line. Each shackle can be configured to hold a poultry member in a processing position as the shackles are moved along the processing line. The spray head configured to spray feet of the poultry members held by the plurality of shackles to remove the lesion material from the feet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for stunning and separating poultry during the stunning process. The apparatus includes a multi-zone trough having a plurality of basins and a separator adapted to separate shackled poultry hung from a conveyor system into a respective one of the plurality of basins. Each of the plurality of basins is separated by a divider. Once separated, the divider maintains the poultry in a separated condition during a stunning process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for stunning and separating poultry during the stunning process. The apparatus includes a multi-zone trough having a plurality of basins and a separator adapted to separate shackled poultry hung from a conveyor system into a respective one of the plurality of basins. Each of the plurality of basins is separated by a divider. Once separated, the divider maintains the poultry in a separated condition during a stunning process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of slaughtering a non-human animal, which method comprises administering an anesthetic amount of carbon monoxide to said animal and subsequently killing the anaesthetized animal.

Abstract: A system providing for on-site reclamation and re-use of reclaimed antimicrobial solution includes a dispenser, at least one receptacle, piping, and at least one pump. The dispenser sprays antimicrobial solution toward moving raw food products. Unspent antimicrobial solution that did not contact the moving raw food products and rebound antimicrobial solution that did contact the raw food products combine to form a reclaimed antimicrobial solution. The reclaimed antimicrobial solution is collected in the receptacle and is pumped through the piping to a location for reuse.

Abstract: System for the control of stunning current in a bird slaughtering equipment, controlling device for stunning current and bird stunning method A system, method and device to slaughter birds (13) are disclosed. The system comprises a first sensor group (15) to detect the hooks (12) from the line (11) and a second sensor group (16) to detect the presence of a bird (13) at a corresponding hook (12) upstream from the tub (14). Stunning characteristics (current, frequency, wave form and tension) are pre-programmed at a stunning current controlling device (20), which controls a power supply (28) so that the working power as supplied by the supply (28) is a function of the real quantity of birds (13) inside the tub (14) as detected by the sensor groups (15, 16).

Abstract: System for the control of stunning current in a bird slaughtering equipment, controlling device for stunning current and bird stunning method A system, method and device to slaughter birds (13) are disclosed. The system comprises a first sensor group (15) to detect the hooks (12) from the line (11) and a second sensor group (16) to detect the presence of a bird (13) at a corresponding hook (12) upstream from the tub (14). Stunning characteristics (current, frequency, wave form and tension) are pre-programmed at a stunning current controlling device (20), which controls a power supply (28) so that the working power as supplied by the supply (28) is a function of the real quantity of birds (13) inside the tub (14) as detected by the sensor groups (15, 16).

Abstract: An apparatus for stunning poultry is provided, comprising a power source, a first electrode connected to a first pole of the power source for engaging the head of the poultry and a second electrode connected to the opposite pole of the power source for externally engaging a groin area, except any part of a vent, of the poultry.

Abstract: A control system for applying an electrical charge in stunning an animal. The system includes an electrical charge control section directly controlling electrical charge transmitted to stun paddles for stunning an animal and a microprocessor controller linked to the electrical charge control section. The microprocessor controller generates instructions for controlling the waveform applied by the electrical charge control section by permitting adjustment of the stun current, stun frequency and stun time. The system further includes a user interface through which an operator may control the microprocessor controller and the electrical charge control section.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying an electric current to a crustacean comprising: (i) an electrically insulated tank adapted to contain the crustacean; (ii) two electrodes arranged such that the crustacean can be placed between the electrodes; and (iii) means for creating an electrical potential across the electrodes such that in use current flows between the electrodes and through the crustacean such that the crustacean is anaesthetised or killed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a saline solution containing elongated trough which is mounted at the end portions of four non-electrically conducting posts. The trough has an ingress funnel arrangement designed to restrict the thrashing of to-be-electrically stunned birds and an elongated grid having a portion immersed in the solution and a downstream portion out of the solution. The four posts extend upwardly and terminate in threaded portions. A frame carriage is provided which has four corners and at the four corners are suitably mounted driven gears with internal bores and threads adapted to engagingly rotate about the threaded portions of the posts. The carriage is suitably affixed to a conventional I-beam to which is movingly mounted a conventional endless cable and spaced shackle system for conveying upside down birds.

Abstract: The invention is a current controller for use in, for example, automatic animal stunning equipment.A problem in the past has been that animal stunning equipment has not always stunned animals sufficiently humanely prior to slaughter. For example, when a short circuit has occurred and an animal is not sufficiently stunned, the animal has suffered trauma prior to slaughter. Regulations are now being introduced so as to minimise such trauma.The invention solves this problem by providing an improved Wilson mirror constant current generator which can operate in high voltage circuits, with good dynamic response, thereby ensuring the preferred current is always applied to correctly stun an animal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the immobilization of live hard shell aquatic crustaceans "hard shell crabs" prior to or during processing. The apparatus includes a nonconductive container containing an electrolyte solution, the quantity of said electrolyte solution being sufficient to submerge a number of live hard shell crabs to be processed; positive and negative electrodes positioned in spaced relationship within the container and being at least substantially covered by the electrolyte solution, each of said electrodes comprising a pair of parallel metal rods projecting vertically from the bottom of the container; and an electric switch means contained in a connector box, said switch means being electrically connected intermediate the electrodes and an electrical power source for allowing an operator to activate the apparatus, whereby the electrical energy supplied to the electrodes is transferred via the electrolyte solution to the submersed crabs for their immobilization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the immobilization of live hard shell aquatic crustaceans "hard shell crabs" prior to or during processing. The apparatus includes a nonconductive container containing an electrolyte solution, the quantity of said electrolyte solution being sufficient to submerge a number of live hard shell crabs to be processed; electrodes are positioned in spaced relationship within the container and are at least substantially covered by the electrolyte solution, each of said electrodes including a pair of parallel metal rods projecting vertically from the bottom of the container; and an electric switch contained in a connector box, the switch being electrically connected intermediate the electrodes and an electrical power source for allowing an operator to activate the apparatus. Electrical energy supplied to the electrodes is transferred via the electrolyte solution to the submerged crabs for their immobilization.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in stunning fowl prior to slaughter has a mechanism for passing a predetermined electrical current through a series of items of varying electrical resistance, the mechanism including a continuous shackle train (10) having shackles (11) evenly spaced along its length, a water bath (15), electrical circuitry (21) having a connection to the bath (15) and means (12,16,17) for connecting the circuitry to the shackles (11) such that any object bridging a shackle (11) and the water bath (15) completes an individual electrical circuit, the circuitry being adapted (20) to maintain the predetermined current in all the circuits.

Abstract: According to the present invention a test apparatus for testing stunning baths in which fowl, each having a head, legs, and a body having a center, are to be stunned, includes a casing containing; electric circuitry having resistances corresponding to the electrical resistance between; the head and a point in the center of the body, the legs and the point in the center of the body, and any single point of contact with an adjacent bird and the point in the center of the body; means for suspending the casing from a moving shackle train; means for completing an electric circuit involving a water bath and the shackle train; and means for monitoring the current passing through at least one of the resistances.

Abstract: An apparatus for stunning poultry has a conveyor moving along a predetermined path, for suspending the poultry and a compartmentalized basin defining individual compartments for a conducting liquid. The basin is positioned below a portion of the conveyor. A circuit impresses a voltage across the conveyor and each of the individual compartments. The voltages are a function of the position of each of the compartments relative to the conveyor. The voltages are variable so as to produce a current regulated signal flowing between the conveyor and each of the individual compartments when the poultry is in contact with the conducting liquid in any of the individual compartments.

Abstract: An apparatus for stunning poultry has a conveyor moving along a predetermined path, for suspending the poultry and a compartmentalized basin defining individual compartments for a conducting liquid. The basin is positioned below a portion of the conveyor and moves at the same speed as the conveyor. A circuit senses the position of each of the compartments relative to a reference point. A circuit, responsive to the circuit for sensing, impresses a voltage across the conveyor and each of the individual compartments. The voltages are a function of the position of each of the compartments. The voltages are variable so as to produce a current regulated signal flowing between the conveyor and each of the individual compartments when the poultry is in contact with the conducting liquid in any of the individual compartments.