Abstract: This invention is a process and device for electrically stunning and stabbing of slaughter animals by using electrodes which from both sides grip round the snout of the animal and after stunning pull up the head to stretch its neck so that sticking of the carotid artery can take place into the property positioned neck by a properly positioned and guided knife which knife can be mounted upon an electrode.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically electrically stunning animals to be slaughtered. The apparatus includes two V-shaped restrainers, where the second restrainer runs faster than the first restrainer to automatically space the animals apart. A pair of electrodes which are adapted to extend downwardly into the second V-shaped restrainer, are disclosed. The automatic spacing provided by the second restrainer, operating at a faster speed than the first, insures that there is no voltage transfer between one animal and the next.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically stunning animals to be slaughtered by use of electrodes which pivot about horizontal axes in their initial position, the electrodes extend downwardly into a V-shaped passageway extending between two endless conveyors. Each electrode is biased substantially in its initial position by a spring absorber mechanism, which includes a damper.

Abstract: Scraper block (1) for a dehairing machine for slaughter cattle, said block (1) comprising a thick rectangular slab (2) of elastic material reinforced by a leaf spring (3) which is incorporated inside the slab (2) over substantially the entire length and width of the slab (2) preferably in its center place, holes (7) being provided for fastening purposes which are provided with bushes (6,12) placed in holes of the leaf spring (3) for bolts or rivets (11).

Abstract: Scalding machine for treating the carcass of slaughtered pigs, said machine comprising at least two compartments (4,5) disposed one behind the other, each compartment (4,5) having a cylindrical bottom (2,3) concentric with the axis of rotation of a drum (8,9) mounted for rotation above each compartment (4,5) and being provided at its periphery with spaced apart rows of carrier arms (12-19), the construction being such that the turning circles (36,37) of the arms (12-19, 12'-19') of successive drums (8,9) intersect each other and the arms of one drum are in vertical planes (20-25) which lie inbetween the vertical planes (27-32) of the arms of the next drum, which drums preferably are driven intermittently in synchronism such that when one drum rotates the other is stationary and vice versa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the tenderness of the meat of slaughter cattle by means of an electric current, which current according to the invention is passed through the animal during at least part of the time following the stunning and ending with the clinical death of the animal which electric stimulating current can be applied by the stunning electrodes after the stunning, by separate electrodes in the conveyor, by the conveyor parts itself or by the knife for stabbing the animal, which electric stimulation can be done before the bleeding starts, during the bleeding or even when the bleeding is almost finished.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic electric stunning of slaughter animals, in particular pigs, is disclosed. Two gravity biased pendulum mounted electrodes are placed next to each other in the V-shaped passage formed between two endless conveyors. The electrodes are suspended from a transverse shaft placed high above the conveyors so that the electrodes, like a pendulum, can be pushed aside in the direction of transportation by the animal to be stunned and return into the vertical starting position by gravity. The electrodes are preferably positioned close to the exit of the conveyors with the receiving surface sufficiently low to make sure that a stunned animal does not prevent the return of the electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, as well as to a system for carrying out said method, for dehairing slaughtered livestock. A carcass following a warm water treatment is roughly dehaired by means of beating and scraping tools while simultaneously being rotated around its longitudinal axis. Then fine hairs are removed using burner means while still rotating the carcass. A special feature of the invention involves the removal of fine hairs over the whole length of the carcass using burners acting on various zones of the carcass with differences in operating time and/or intensity. In the system according to the invention, differential burner action may be achieved using pivotable burners or reciprocating burners. Alternatively, differential burner action may be achieved using fixed burners having different flame intensities or operating times.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically electrically stunning animals to be slaughtered. The apparatus includes two V-shaped restrainers, where the second restrainer runs faster than the first restrainer to automatically space the animals apart. A pair of electrodes which are adapted to extend downwardly into the second V-shaped restrainer, are disclosed. The electrodes are specially shaped and are preferably adapted to transversely engage the head of the animal to be stunned. The electrodes are pivotally suspended from a reciprocating frame which is provided to move with the restrainer carrying an animal during the period that stunning is taking place, in order to maintain contact between the animal and the electrodes during the period of stunning.

Abstract: Drive corridor for slaughter cattle said drive corridor having a straight side wall 1 and an opposite side wall 2 provided with steps 3, 4 such that the width of the drive corridor stepwise decreases to the width of one animal, said drive corridor according to the invention having a fence 10, 11, 12 movable in the forcing up direction and comprising fence parts 10, 11 and 12 swingably supported from transverse rods or shafts 13, 14, 15 and each part 10, 11, 12 having the width of a drive corridor step, said shafts 13, 14, 15 having wheels 16, 17, 18 for moving the fence. According to the invention endless chains 9 can be provided for moving the shafts 13, 14, 15 said chains having means such as pawls 22, 23 which can engage the shafts 13, 14, 15 and disconnect the shafts 13, 14, 15 from the chains 9.

Abstract: The invention relates to a set of two electrodes for an apparatus for electrically stunning slaughter cattle, said electrodes extending downwardly and forwardly into the V-shaped passage between two endless conveyors, which electrodes (1) according to the invention have rounded lower edges (4) which smoothly merge into converging inner edges (5) which through a reverse bending (6) merge into a straight portion (7) said electrodes being preferably made from a flat plate shaped such that its angle with respect to a reference plane (9) from top to bottom increases and decreases while its distance to a reference plane (9 ) for the outer edge (3) remains equal in the first one third part of the length then decreases slightly, increases in the center range and decreases again such that said two electrodes can engage the animals head like thumb free finger closed hands.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for conveying animals to be stunned. The apparatus comprises two sets of endless conveyor belts. Each set of belts defines a substantially V-shaped passageway. Animals are wedged between the V-shaped belts and conveyed into contact with stunning electrodes. The conveyor belts include a plurality of curved plates hinged together at their edges to form a gap free and uninterrupted operating surface to contact the animals's skin. The trailing edge of each plate partly surrounds the leading edge of the following plate. The outer surface of each plate is curved so that the surface is generally concentric with the axis of the reversing wheel. The gap between the first set of conveyor belts and the second set of conveyor belts is bridged by guide rollers positioned tangentially to the operating surface of the conveyor belts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for electrically stunning slaughter cattle in particular horned cattle such as horned sheep. Said apparatus having a set of electrodes 4, 5, 22, 29 mounted at the outer ends of levers 6, 7, 24, 25, 31, 32 which can extend into the passage between the endless conveyor belts 1, 2 in a forward, inward and rearward direction said electrodes preferably being pivotably mounted at the outer ends of said levers by means of transverse pivot shafts 19 or selfcentering resilient universal joints, means being provided to swing the electrodes 4, 5 out of said passage which means can be formed by the cylinder 18 or by mounting the levers 24, 25 upon a shaft 26 which can be rotated and carry the plurality of levers with electrodes, or by using endless chains 33 carrying a plurality of levers 31, 32 with electrodes 29, 30 which chains can be driven in the direction of movement of the conveyor belts 1, 2.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically stunning animals, in particular pigs. The apparatus comprises a restrainer in the form of two endless conveyors positioned to form a V-shaped passageway between opposed operating surfaces which hold an animal and further comprises a pair of electrodes extending downwardly into said passageway. Said electrodes are arranged side by side to engage or contact the sides of the head of the animal. The electrodes are shaped to conform to the contour of an animal's head. Said electrodes preferably are formed by plates having the outwardly turned edge parallel to the adjacent operating surface while the other edges first diverge upwardly and by a curvature merge into converging parts. The plates have a profile such that they also converge in the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically stunning animals to be slaughtered. Said apparatus comprises electrodes which are pivotable about horizontal axes and, in their initial position, extend downwardly into a V-shaped passageway formed between two parallel endless conveyors. Said electrodes are mounted within a frame which is movable in a direction coinciding with the direction of movement of the conveyors. Said frame is connected to a driving mechanism which is adapted to move the frame with substantially the same speed as the speed of the conveyors and which starts its movement upon closure of the circuit between the electrodes by an animal to be stunned.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically stunning animals. Said apparatus comprises two endless conveyors running parallel to each other and positioned to form a V-shaped passageway therebetween and two sets of electrodes which extend downwardly into the V-shaped passageway. Each set of electrodes is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis located above the passageway to enable the electrodes to pivot in the direction of movement of the conveyors. The first set of electrodes slopes downwardly and forwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyors, and the first electrodes have a small electrode contact surface at their bottom end. The second set slopes downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyors, and the second electrodes have an electrode contact surface covering substantially the entire side that faces the first set of electrodes.