Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for induction welding a first plastic member to a second plastic member. A contacting portion of the first plastic member is clamped into contact with a contacting portion of the second plastic member. A current is induced in conductive material external to the plastic members and proximate one of the contacting portions to generate heat sufficient to bond the contacting portions together. The method and apparatus are capable of sealing plastic members that are devoid of conductive material.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for testing filled containers. The apparatus includes both a vacuum sensor and displacement sensors in combination. A computer is utilized to analyze the data from both the vacuum sensor and the displacement sensors, and based on preselected criteria, determines the seal integrity for the container.

Abstract: The process for shaping and slicing primal meat cuts and then packaging the slices to increase the shelf-life thereof includes crust freezing the primal cuts to a depth of approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch. The crust frozen primal cuts are then tempered for a period of time until the internal temperature reaches approximately 26.degree.-28.degree. F. and the tempered cuts are shaped in a molding press. The shaped primal cuts are then sliced, placed in a tray, and a gas pervious film is applied skin-tight to the slices and the upper surface of the tray. The packages are then frozen before shipment to retain outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping the casing from casing enclosed sausage sticks includes an indexing device which moves sausages in an arcuate path during which the front end of the sausage stick is severed. The sausage sticks are then moved horizontally, front end first, by a positioning conveyor, and the front edges of the casing are engaged by a casing stripper device. The casing is pulled from the sausage stick as the latter is moved by a positioning conveyor. The decased front end of the sausage stick is gripped by a movable gripper device which pulls the sausage from the casing. An ejector mechanism ejects the sausage from the gripper device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for automatically and continuously cutting hog carcasses into primal cuts includes means for moving the hog carcasses in a predetermined path of travel. The carcasses are first separated into carcass sides and are conveyed on adjustable support mechanisms. Optical scanning devices view each primal cut portion of each carcass to locate a reference structure on the primal cut portion. The scanned reference structure is compared to a programmed cut pattern by a computer which controls operation of a plurality of cutting devices. The cutting devices are adjusted in response to the comparison of the scanned reference structure of the primal cut with the pre-programmed cut pattern. The computer program will include many cut patterns for each primal cut. The computer may be programmed daily, or in more frequent intervals, to select a particular cut pattern for each primal cut. The computer selects the desired cut pattern which has been predetermined for that particular time.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting the heads of animals comprises a conveyor including a plurality of head support members. Indexing drive means move the conveyor in incremental steps to successively advance each head support member to a cutting station. A stop means is provided for releasably locking the conveyor against movement and to precisely position a head support member at the cutting station. A shiftable cutting device is operable to split each head in half when each head is positioned at the cutting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting animal carcasses being conveyed by an overhead conveyor, which includes a tracking carriage engaging the carcass to be split, and being shiftable in the direction of movement of the carcass. A lateral feed carriage is mounted on the tracking carriage for movement relative thereto towards and away from the carcass to be split. A positioning plate assembly is mounted on the tracking carriage. A carcass engaging assembly is mounted on the lateral feed carriage and clamps the carcass to be split against the positioning plate assembly. A saw carrier is vertically mounted on the lateral feed carriage and is vertically shiftable relative thereto. The saw carriage is operable, when shifted vertically downwardly, to cut longitudinally through the length of the backbone of the carcass.

Abstract: A hand skinner device for removing strips of skin from animal carcasses comprises an elongate handle including an air motor and having a housing mounted at one end thereof. The housing has a skinning blade supported thereon and a revolvable tooth roll assembly for engaging and pulling the skin against the skinning blade. A pair of uniquely constructed clips clamp the blade downwardly against the housing and clamp the tooth roll shaft upwardly against the housing. The multifunctional clips permit ready assembly and disassembly of the skinning device for cleaning and replacement of parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing clips from sausage sticks in preparation for packaging includes a feed mechanism for sequential and indexed movement of the sausage sticks through a plurality of gripping stations. The clipped ends of each sausage stick are pulled outwardly by gripping means at each gripping station to dispose the clipped ends in optimum condition for clamping at a clamping station. The clipped ends of each sausage stick are clamped by clamping mechanisms at the clamping station and the sausage sticks are rotated by gate means to twist the clips from the sausage sticks. The declipped sausage sticks are then moved to a labeling station where labels are mechanically applied to the sticks.

Abstract: A frank making apparatus for extruding a frank having a hollow interior filled with a condiment, such as chili, cheese, taco sauce or the like, includes a reciprocating stuffing horn assembly. The stuffing horn assembly includes concentrically arranged inner and outer stuffing tubes which are secured together and which reciprocate between advanced and retracted positions. The outer stuffing tube, when in the advanced position, is disposed in communicating relation with a metering pump connected to a source of sausage material so that the sausage material is extruded from a cylindrical chamber located between the inner and outer stuffing tubes.

Abstract: A frank making apparatus for extruding a frank having a hollow interior filled with a condiment, such as chili, cheese, taco sauce or the like, includes a reciprocating stuffing horn assembly. The stuffing horn assembly includes concentrically arranged inner and outer stuffing tubes which are secured together and which reciprocate between advanced and retracted positions. The outer stuffing tube, when in the advanced position, is disposed in communicating relation with a metering pump connected to a source of sausage material so that the sausage material is extruded from a cylindrical chamber located between the inner and outer stuffing tubes.

Abstract: A skinning apparatus includes a suspension device and a skinning device suspended by the suspension device for easy manipulation by an operator in removing the skin from the ham area of a hog carcass which is suspended from an overhead support. The skinning device includes a revolvable tooth roller and blade which cooperate with each other and which are dimensioned to progressively remove the skin from both ham areas of a hog carcass in a single pass. The suspension device permits easy manipulation of the heavy skinning device in following the contours of the ham areas of the suspended hog carcass during the skinning operation. Control means on the hand grips of the skinning device control operation of both the skinning and suspension device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making biological discs comprises the steps and means for welding the longitudinal edges of a pair of identical rectangular plastic sheets together to form a single large sheet. This single large sheet is conveyed to a heating and vacuum forming station where the sheet is heated and vacuum formed to have a plurality of convex cup-like projections formed in the surface thereof. The sheet is then moved to a cutting station where heating mechanisms form openings therein for accommodating an axle and a plurality of tie rods, and the sheet is cut in circular configuration by a cutting device shiftable on a radius of predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a contaminant solvent from a gas such as air or the like. Contaminated air or gas to be treated is initially directed through a first absorber containing an oil which absorbs the solvent to cleanse the gas. The air or gas may then be returned to the environment. The oil is transferred to a stripper, where inert gas passing therethrough absorbs the solvent to cleanse the oil. Condenser means adapted to receive inert gas outputted from the stripper facilitates recovery of the solvent. The inert gas is further cleansed in an auxiliary oil absorber and from thence passes to an activated charcoal filter which removes remaining traces of solvent from the inert gas through the process of adsorption. Cleansed inert gas is then recycled by returning it to the stripper for repetition of the process. Absorbent oil is also recycled by continuously pumping it between the stripper and the absorbers.

Abstract: In carrying out the method of sampling gas with our novel apparatus, a user will blow air into an elastic fluid impervious diaphragm which extends into the mouth of a rigid container. As the elastic diaphragm expands inwardly it forces air or gas outwardly of the container through a valve-controlled port, the diaphragm will eventually engage and adhere to substantially the entire inner surface of the container and the valve-controlled port will then be closed. The container will then be placed in a sampling zone and the valve-controlled port will again be opened to communicate with the sampling zone to thereby permit gas to enter and fill the container. The valve-controlled port will then be closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the biological treatment of waste water comprises a tank having a plurality of overlapped revolvable, partially submerged, circular discs positioned in the tank. The waste water is caused to flow longitudinally through the tank and along the surfaces of the revolving disc, whereby the waste water will be continuously treated by the aerobic bacteria growing on the surfaces of the discs. The tank is preferably provided with a cover or housed in a building for covering those portions of the biological disc which project above the surface of the water.