Abstract: A gas stunning apparatus and system includes a first environment and a second environment. An animal is passed through the first environment until the carbon dioxide concentration within the first environment is about 40%, rendering the animal unconscious. The animal is then passed through the second environment until the carbon dioxide concentration within the second environment is about 100%, rendering the animal irrevocably unconscious.

Abstract: An offset weighing apparatus and method for use with poultry processing equipment includes a weigh assembly to weigh an animal connected to a shackle assembly as the shackle moves in contact with a force sensor along a conveyor line. A diverter assembly laterally displaces a shackle retaining the animal from below the conveyor line into engagement with the force sensor. The bending axis of the force sensor is approximately parallel to the displaced shackle. The angular position of the bending axis and shackle, and relative positions, friction, and forces of the components of the shackle assembly and weigh assembly are analyzed to calculate the weight of the animal connected to the shackle without removing the animal from the shackle or ceasing movement of the conveyor line.

Abstract: A method of processing a poultry carcass includes exposing an area of tissue between a leg and the carcass, cutting the tissue between the leg and the carcass where the muscle tissue connecting the leg to the back of the carcass remains intact, and separating the leg bone from the carcass with the leg muscle tissue remaining connected to the back muscle tissue. The cut extends between about 0.1 mm to about 7.0 mm below the surface of the tissue. In an implementation, the teres ligament is cut.

Abstract: A poultry part harvesting, sorting, and packaging apparatus and system utilizes an arrangement of hoppers to batch poultry parts removed by cut-up machines and deposits the batches onto a transportation conveyor. Each batch is contained within a separate zone on the conveyor, and the system tracks the location of batches and open spaces on the conveyor to deliver the batches to user defined locations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing a poultry carcass includes a first assembly with parallel guide plates opposite a second assembly with parallel guide plates. The assemblies include a cutting element presenting an edge extending beyond a bottom edge of the guide plates. A bracket secures the cutting element to the guide plate allowing adjustment of the cutting edge. The carcass is advanced into engagement with the apparatus whereby the cutting edges cut the connective tissue between the leg and back. A bracket leading edge prevents tissue from being driven between the cutting element and guide plate. The cutting edge can extend further from the bottom edge of the guide plates at the heel than at the point. Manual processing of the carcass includes: cutting tissue between the leg and back; and separating the leg from the back wherein muscle tissue connecting the leg and the back remain intact.

Abstract: A pressure shoe assembly for a skinner includes a back plate that is demountably received within a groove in a mount assembly. Ends of the back plate have extensions presenting an oblique contact surface for engagement of a retention member. The angle of the contact surface secures the back plate I the mount limiting vertical movement of the pressure shoe when in use. The mount assembly includes a ledge for supporting the assembly when removed for cleaning. A lift assist mechanism aids in moving the assembly between the groove and ledge.

Abstract: A skinning machine for separating skin from the tissue of a poultry part is provided, which includes a frame supporting a skin roller comprising bands of teeth and grooves for engaging the skin, a pressure shoe disposed adjacent to the skin roller for removing the skin from the tissue, a pressure roller assembly for biasing the skin and tissue against the skin roller, and a scraper interfacing with the skin roller for removing the skin from the skin roller. The pressure shoe is releasably mounted to the frame allowing removal and cleaning thereof. The pressure roller assembly includes a body that deforms against the poultry part to accommodate parts of varying sizes and thickness without damaging the tissue. The scraper interfaces with the teeth and grooves of the skin roller allowing removal of poultry skin and fat from the roller with little or no need for water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.

Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.

Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.

Abstract: A probe for cleaning the eviscerated body cavity of an animal, including a bird, has a washer assembly rotatably mounted about a tube. The washer assembly includes a nose having apertures extending between the interior and exterior of the nose. A bore within the tube feeds fluid to the apertures in the nose. As the probe is inserted into and withdrawn from the body cavity the nose rotates and fluid washes the body cavity. Alternatively, the probe includes a helical auger mounted about the tube that rotates as the probe moves into and out of the body cavity to assist in agitating the fluid within the body cavity and to displace the leaf fat. The nose may seal the anterior opening of the bird carcass to allow the body cavity to fill with fluid and the auger to agitate the accumulated fluid.

Abstract: A retractable post assembly with alarm function is disclosed. The retractable post assembly includes: a stationary post being a column member; a moveable post being a column member and moveably sleeved with the stationary post; and an alarm device, such as an air whistle, an electrically-controlled buzzer unit, and an electrically-controlled alarm lamp unit, installed in the retractable post assembly at a proper location. When the moveable post is making a relative movement with respect to the stationary post, the alarm device senses the movement and raises an alarm accordingly.

Abstract: A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.

Abstract: A retractable post with an alarm device includes a plurality of retractable pipes retractably sleeved with each other. A retractable air whistle is secured by a latch block at a proper location inside the retractable pipe. A plug piece is installed at a bottom of the retractable post. The plug piece and the latch block make an interior of the retractable pipe present a dummy seal state, wherein the retractable pipe is almost but not completely sealed. When an abnormal rapid falling displacement of the retractable pipes occurs, the latch block and the retractable air whistle compress the air inside the retractable pipe, and then a bellow of the retractable air whistle is further compressed, such that the air inside the bellow is rapidly discharged through a sounding valve disposed at a front end of the air whistle, thereby generating an alarm sound.

Abstract: A photographic reflector includes an engagement unit, a support frame, a fabric canopy, and a lamp holder. The engagement unit includes an engagement seat and an engagement member moveably mounted in the engagement seat. The support frame includes a plurality of ribs and a plurality of stretchers corresponding to each respective rib. One end of each rib is pivotally connected to the engagement seat. One end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to a preset location of the corresponding rib, and the other end of each stretcher is pivotally connected to the engagement member. The fabric canopy is mounted on the ribs of the support frame and has a reflective layer at an inside thereof and a mounting hole defined at a location close to the engagement unit. The lamp holder is mounted in the mounting hole of the fabric canopy. The photographic reflector can be folded as compactly as desired, easily stored, and convenient in transportation and use.

Abstract: Provided is a tripod structure of a stand, which is combined on a central post of the stand and allows the leg units of the stand to be folded, and includes: an upper tripod unit having a central post orifice and at least three leg unit connection parts evenly arranged at the outer periphery of the central post and formed with at least an accessory part, wherein the upper tripod unit is fastened at a preset location of the central post of the stand via the central post orifice, and each leg unit of the stand is respectively hinged with each leg unit connection part; and a lower tripod unit having a post plug and at least three moveable support rod connection parts evenly arranged at the outer periphery of the post plug, and each moveable support rod connection part is correspondingly formed with a leg unit buckling part and formed with at least an accessory part, wherein the post plug is installed at the distal end of the central post of the stand, and hinged to the leg unit and the moveable support rod conne