Abstract: An apparatus for fixing and transporting crabs during slaughter has a rotationally driven conveying element guided about deflection and/or drive elements to form an upper and lower run, and at least one holding apparatus for fixing the crabs. Each holding apparatus is attached to the conveying element for transporting the fixed crabs in a transport plane along a transport path in a transport direction from a loading station to at least one processing station. Each holding apparatus has a supporting plate for receiving a crab and at least two holding means arranged transversely to the transport direction at a distance from each other. The holding means are pivotable relative to the supporting plate about an axis AH, lying substantially in or parallel to the transport plane and directed transversely to the transport direction, from a receiving position into a clamping position and back. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: A flexibly structured probe carrying flexible fingers arrayed on the probe is used in decropping apparatus to snag and pull away from a poultry carcass membrane, crop, trachea and esophagus inedibles, the probe passing through the carcass stomach cavity and the neck passage in effecting this removal. The probe can be made of a resilient material such as a urethane this composition giving sufficient flexibility that the probe can deflect when encountering carcass inside obstructions to avoid damaging the carcass, and also the flexible fingers bending to prevent same breaking bones in the carcass when the rotating probe encounters such bones.

Abstract: Venting of a poultry carcass is carried out using a rotary cutter with a point sharpened tip end and point sharpened teeth cutting edges adjacent the cutting tip end while operating the cutter such that the tip end has a line speed in a range of about 36-52 meters/minute in consequence of which less useable meat is lost in the vent severing operation reflecting a significant saving and product recovery to the slaughterer. During the severing operation, a shroud can be positioned around the rotary cutter to confine contaminants such as fecal matter contained in and on the carcass from being spread on the carcass in the area around the vent. To assure proper registry of the anus of the carcass with the rotary cutter during venting, holder arms are use to lift and position the carcass in optimized held position thereof carcass relative to the cutter axis.

Abstract: Poultry carcasses are washed in apparatus which includes a frame in which a rotary carousel operates, the carcasses being transported through the apparatus on a shackle train which operates in tandem with the carousel. Associated with each shackle and carried on the carousel is a water lance that moves up and down inside the carcass as it transits the apparatus and sprays water on the carcass interior. Power means to move the lances up and down during washing transit of a carcass are provided as is means to control such power means operation. Scrubbing brushes are provided to scrub a carcass exterior as it exits the apparatus, and a final water rinse is applied to the carcass after its exit from the apparatus. The scrubbing brushes are specially fabricated and shaped from flat nylon strips.

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 holdown, 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 branches, aids the cleaning action of the water jet.

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 separating machine of a type having a foraminous drum with a resilient belt forming a nip therebetween includes a take-up, roller upstream of the nip, having an axis skewed with respect to an axis of the take-up roller. The wobbling motion of the take-up roller distorts the resilient belt sufficiently to overcome a tendency for entering items to bridge the nip.

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.