Abstract: The invention is a process for processing and treating the meat, and preferably, the muscles of swine, the muscles having water contained in themselves. The muscles are placed in a container 11 having an inner cavity. A vacuum is created by means of a plurality of vacuum pumps 19, 20 and 22. The vacuum being sufficient to lower, in the interior cavity, the temperature at which water boils so that water in the meat boils. The meat is agitated by tumbling in the container 11. The vapor inside of the cavity is exhausted and both cooling and massaging of the meat pieces are by means of the vacuum created.

Abstract: An apparatus for slashing meat includes a support frame having a conveyor mounted thereon and comprised of endless conveyor elements arranged in side-by-side relation. Upper and lower blade assemblies are mounted on the support frame, and each is comprised of a plurality of independently mounted driven blades arranged in overlapping relation. Cuts of meat are moved by the conveyors and are simultaneously slashed through the upper and lower surfaces thereof by the upper and lower blade assemblies, which permit ready visual determination of the presence of abscesses and other defects in the meat, and also permits easy removal of the meat from the bone.

Abstract: A hand held power driven skinning device includes a housing having a handle connected thereto and having a blade assembly mounted thereon. A driven tooth roll assembly is provided with a shaft that is journaled on the housing. A clean-out bar assembly is mounted in the housing and engages the tooth roll assembly. A retainer element on the blade assembly and a locking element on the shaft for the tooth roll assembly coact to releasably lock the blade assembly, the tooth roll assembly and the clean-out bar assembly on the housing. Manipulation of the locking element permits ready disassembly and reassembly of the tooth roll assembly, the blade assembly and the clean-out bar assembly on the housing.

Abstract: A shoulder skinning apparatus includes a skinning device comprised of a housing having a revolvable toothed roller mounted therein and a blade mounted thereon in close proximity to the toothed roller. The skinning device is suspended from a suspension device and power means permits vertical positioning of the skinning device to assure effective removal of the skin from the shoulder area of the hog carcass. The toothed roller and skinning blade are dimensioned whereby when the toothed roller is revolved by power means, the skin from the shoulder area of the hog carcass may be progressively removed in a single pass. A separate control handle controls the positioning and operation of the skinning device by a means of a unique cam arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the mid-section portion of the skin from the carcass of an animal, such as a hog, includes a revolvable drum mounted on a frame. A flap forming mechanism is mounted on the drum and is operable to form a skin flap and grip the same to hold the skin against the drum during the skinning operation. A skinning blade is mounted on the frame and positioned adjacent the drum to cut the skin from the torso. A skin hold-back mechanism is mounted on the frame and includes an arm having a blade which engages the drum to remove the skin from the drum. This hold-back device engages the drum and dislodges the skin from the toothroll cavity when the mid-section portion of the skin is completely removed from the animal. The frame is mounted on a shock absorbing device which absorbs vertical forces transmitted to the frame during the skinning operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating waste water includes a revolvable disc assembly partially submerged in a tank containing waste water. The disc assembly includes a plurality of similar lightweight nonmetallic discs, each disc comprising a plurality of similar disc sections. Adjacent discs of the disc assembly engage each other and each disc has a surface configuration that cooperates with the surface configuration of the next adjacent disc to define a plurality of concentric passages between the discs. A plurality of elongate rigid rods secure the disc through yieldable joints to a pair of circular end support members and to circular intermediate support members.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the torso portion of the skin from the carcass of an animal, such as a hog, includes an overhead support from which a carcass is suspended during the skin removing operation. The skin is first removed from the hind quarters of the carcass and then a cut is made in the skin of the torso completely around the carcass just rearwardly of the fore limbs. A flap forming blade makes a longitudinal cut in the carcass and the longitudinal edge of the skin defined by the longitudinal cut is gripped by revolvable toothed cylinders carried by a revolvable drum to form a flap which is wound about the toothed cylinder. A carcass engaging device holds the carcass against the drum during the flap forming operation. A flexible pressurized movable blade positioned adjacent the drum progressively cuts the skin from the carcass as the drum is revolved.

Abstract: Apparatus for pulling the skin from the hind legs of hog carcasses comprises a hand held power operated clamping device for gripping the skin of the hind leg of the carcass. A power operated retracting mechanism includes a pneumatic power unit connected to the clamping device by cable and the retracting mechanism is operable when retracted to pull the clamped skin from the hind leg. A control mechanism controls operation of the clamping device for selective cycling of the latter between clamping and released conditions, and automatically cycles the pneumatic retracting unit through the retracting and extension cycles.

Abstract: A marking device for marking animals, such as hogs, prior to slaughter includes a handle having a housing at one end which is provided with a plurality of hollow needles arranged to define identification numbers. A pump on the housing causes ink to be dispensed through the needles as the needles penetrate the animal's skin so that the identification numbers are formed in the subcutaneous fat layer of the animal.

Abstract: A hand supported skinning device for removing the skin from animal carcasses includes a housing having a handle attached thereto. A stationary blade is mounted on the housing closely adjacent a driven revolvable feeder roll which grips and pulls the animal skin against the blade to permit the skin to be progressively moved from the carcass.