Abstract: A method of weighing poultry includes: conveying a plurality of birds which are closely adjacent to each other toward a weighing station; disentangling the wings of the birds from each other and separating the birds from each other by turning the birds; and then, while the wings of the birds are disentangled and while the birds are separated from each other, weighing the birds at the weighing station. The birds are suspended by their legs from suspension hooks and the suspension hooks are suspended from a conveyor suspension track.

Abstract: Process for weighing poultry which is conveyed suspended by the legs from suspension hooks directed in the direction of conveyance through a conveyor suspension track past a weighing station, prior to reaching the weighing position each of the hooks is turned through such an angle that during the weighing no contact between the birds, which would adversely affect weighing, occurs with conveyor hook especially suited for carrying out this process.

Abstract: Weighing device for articles such as small slaughtered animals which are carried along a transport track and of which this movement is temporarily interrupted during determination of the weight, comprising a moveable member which is loaded by the weight, acts upon a pressure transducer and cooperates with controllable locking means.

Abstract: Method for operating an installation for dividing up slaughtered poultry in a number of processing stations along a transport track in which the displacement of the delivered birds or parts thereof is temporarily interrupted at the location of an observation station, while maintaining the movement of the transport track.

Abstract: The invention relates to a killing device for poultry with a cutting slot moving with and aligned transversely to the transporting direction of the sideways conveyed animals (12), a head aligning means (62) located below the catching slot and a holding means (58) acting on the neck. This results in an always reliable severing of the carotids resulting in a reliable bleeding out of the poultry animal.

Abstract: A nerve expander used in plastic reconstruction surgery for lengthening damaged nerves which facilitates reattachment of damaged nerves to facilitate nerve operation and function after reconstruction. One or more saddles on an inflatable expansion member positionally accommodates a nerve in a saddle trough. The nerve expander with the saddle mounted nerve is subsequently inflated with saline solution injected into a self-sealing injection port causing the inflatable expansion member to expand and the nerve thereabout to be stretched and lengthened.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dividing up the carcass of a slaughtered bird, the carcass being suspended by its feet from a transport means, being transported with the breast to the front in the transport direction and, during transport thereof, being cut through by means of a cutting operation, the carcass being brought, before and during the cutting operation, into an oblique position relative to the transport direction such that the feet are placed in front of the remainder of the carcass, while an edge section, forming a boundry with the breast, of the rear opening, present between the feet of the carcass, is lowered from between the feet, and the cutting operation is carried out in a transverse direction in a plane extending between the lowered edge section and the thighs, so that the carcass is divided up into a rear half comprising the feet, thigh portions corresponding to the feet and a back portion, and a front half comprising a breast portion and a main portion of the back portion of the carcass, the fro

Abstract: Device for the selective transfer of slaughtered poultry, supplied on a conveyor track, to one or more discharge stations, under control of at least one grading station disposed along the conveyor track, with a control device in each discharge station for removing from the conveyor track poultry selected by the grading station, a buffer device in which the birds to be discharged can be temporarily stored, and a device for taking the birds to be discharged into the desired discharge position.

Abstract: Plucking device with two elongated, cylindrical, plucking elements positioned at some distance from each other, to be rotated in opposite directions and mounted along a conveyor track for slaughtered poultry said elements being provided with helical toothing with such a pitch, that with a suitable chosen rotational speed of the elements, the poultry is driven by the elements in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor track.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing an expandable member such as a tissue expander or like product for use in plastic, reconstructive, and other surgery. A compression mold with a desired initial, predetermined geometrical configuration shape is filled partially with a layer of unvulcanized flexible material, such as silicone, a thin layer of Teflon or like non-stick substance, and followed by another layer of unvulcanized material. The Teflon is "sandwiched" between the unvulcanized material and cured in an oven or by other suitable means. The non-stick material provides a separation region for subsequent expansion by injection of suitable material, air, fluid, etc. The non-stick material can be shaped to provide expansion only in the desired regions. Single, multiple, or overlapped layers of non-stick material may be employed to manufacture a variety of expandable products in the fields of medicine, surgery, consumer and industrial applications.

Abstract: A method and device for supporting a carcass or carcass portion of slaughtered poultry for the purpose of performing processing operations thereon, said carcass or carcass portion being clamped in position by means of support members forming an acute angle, in such a manner that, with a view to performing such operations, the carcass and portions thereof are externally freely accessible, said support members acting on carcass portions located in the vicinity of the neck opening.

Abstract: Device for supporting a carcass or part of a carcass of slaughtered poultry, having a first and a second support member having surface parts facing one another, in which one of the support members is so constructed that it is suitable for penetrating into connective tissue and/or flesh parts of the carcass.

Abstract: Widely adjustable anterior posterior headblock in a halo vest fixation system of graphite and other material for fixation of a head about an orthopedic jacket with respect to the cervical region, such as for spinal trauma. A slotted adjustment carrier member with ball, sockets and clamping screws at each end of the carrier fits over and between pairs of upright rods. Clamping screws and a slot in the carrier member provide for anterior and posterior movement of a saddle and an attached vertically aligned halo ring traction plate to position an attached halo ring. The halo ring traction plate moves vertically in a slot via an independent-acting, internally-captured adjustment screw to provide for vertical traction or distraction as applied to the halo ring. The halo ring rotates pivotally about a pitch axis to provide for flexion or extension adjustment of the halo ring.

Abstract: A device for the ejection of a poultry carcass hanging on a conveyor track with two oblong outer gudies and a guide surface opposite them for confining a leg of a bird in which of two guides of the same type (inner or outer guides) part of this guide, greater in length than the diameter of the leg, is formed by a supporting element which is movable transversely to the guide, said supporting elements lying opposite each other and being joined together in such a way that they can move together in the same direction.

Abstract: Eviscerating device with a spoon at the end of an oblong carrier pivotable about an axis transversely on the longitudinal axis of the carrier, and with a rounded front edge and a longitudinal slot in the longitudinal direction of the spoon, opening into an asymmetrical widened entry section, such that at corresponding positions along the axis of symmetry of the longitudinal slot the distance from the edge of the widened entry section is larger for one spoon half than it is for the other.

Abstract: A device for removing the breast skin from a poultry carcass which is conveyed breast first and hanging by the legs from a conveyor track, comprising a V-shaped guide breast guide disposed below the conveyor track and being open towards the conveyor track, and two V-shaped breast skin separating elements above said face, with the points directed against the direction of conveyance, with at the top rear end of each of the separating elements an oblong-shaped cutting element outside the plane thereof, facing the guide face and with a cutting face directed against the direction of conveyance; followed by at least one set of pinch rollers, situated under the guide face, driven in counter-rotation, and provided with intermeshing longitudinal toothing.

Abstract: Method and device for removing the crop from the neck of slaughtered poultry, using an extractor to be inserted into the neck of the poultry, having a number of radially projecting parts and surrounded by a sheath with a longitudinal cutout.

Abstract: Tissue expander system including a tissue expander, an injection port, and a tube connecting the tissue expander to the injection port. The tissue expander is of a one piece molded body of a pancake to waffle like configuration. Within the one piece molded body is a member of non-stick material of a slightly smaller geometrical shape similar to that of the one piece molded body. A self-sealing valve member closes off the tube in the tissue expander after injection of a solution for expanding the tissue expander. A Dacron mesh can be embedded in members of the one piece body providing for directional expansion of the tissue expander. In an alternative embodiment, Dacron mesh can be provided in both the upper and lower members of the one piece body. An accordion configured perimeter also provides for upward directional expansion. The tissue expanders can assume any geometrical configuration, whether it be square, rectangular, circular, oval, or kidney shaped.

Abstract: A device for severing a body part of slaughtered poultry in which use is made of a cutting element provided with a cutting edge in which the desired cutting place is positioned relative to the cutting edge by at least one positioning member coupled thereto and is subsequently cut through by the cutting edge moving relative to the bird.

Abstract: Device for separating the wings from the trunk of slaughtered poultry hanging by the legs on a conveyor track, comprising two cutting knives attached to a carrier which is rotatably driven in the conveying device, means for positioning the poultry between the cutting knives and a wing support for each knife which cooperates with the latter and intersects the path of the knife.