Abstract: A system and method for automatically suspending poultry from a carrier of a carrier conveyor. A vision guided robot can pick up poultry from a feedline and suspend the poultry from the carrier. An imaging device can be connected to a decision-making tool to process images from the poultry on the feedline, wherein the decision-making tool is arranged to detect a head of the poultry and to control the vision guided robot to pick up the poultry from the feedline by engaging the poultry at or below the head, and to subsequently suspend the poultry with its head up from the carrier of the carrier conveyor.

Abstract: A restraint apparatus is provided for stabilizing a suspended carcass having a head and a neck. The restraint apparatus includes a supporting structure, a mobile arm relative to the supporting structure, and a restraint device fastened on the arm. The restraint device has restraining means configured to, in use, exert a first contact with the head and a second contact with the neck, and a second contact exclusive with at least one part of the rear portion of the neck.

Abstract: A deskinning apparatus including a conveyor with shackles from which a poultry leg or part of a poultry leg is suspendable by the ankles. Rollers may be positioned below the conveyor to define a nip between the rollers, which may be movable to engage, grip and draw skin on the poultry leg or part of the poultry leg into the nip. The rollers may be arranged to stop rolling after gripping the skin to hold the skin in the nip and may be equipped to subsequently move away from the poultry leg so as to pull the skin loose from the poultry leg The rollers can be configured to enable rotation in one direction only so that after the rollers have stopped rolling to hold the skin in the nip between the rollers, the rollers are blocked from rotating in a counter direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (S) for conveying fowl giblets (not shown) that is installed in a machine (M) for processing fowl giblets (not shown) to clean said giblets (not shown). The system (S) includes a station (1) for guiding giblets (not shown) against a cleaning assembly (2), both of which are simultaneously moved by a movement assembly (4) so that the guide station (1) continuously shakes and presses the giblets (not shown) against the cleaning assembly (2), the movement of said station removing residual parts from the giblets (not shown) passing through the system (S).

Abstract: A cutting machine includes a cutting device and a co-operating conveyor device for conveying food products in a conveying direction. The conveyor device includes at least one conveyor unit having a conveyor belt which is guided by at least one deflection roll and which comes into contact with the food products in the contact area and having at least one guide means for guiding the conveyor belt. The at least one guide means has a first support portion for supporting the conveyor belt at a first height and a second support portion for supporting it at a second height, these heights being spaced apart in a direction extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction, and at least one recess arranged between the first height and the second height, in which the conveyor belt can give way at least partly due to contact with a food product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is for recovering back-flesh from back parts of poultry carcasses having a hip side and body interior side. The back part includes a spinal column and rib structure. A transport conveyor transports the back parts along a transport path with a centre axis in a direction of transport and has a transport element for conveying at least one holding element, arranged on the transport element, for receiving the back part. A first cutting assembly is along the transport path in the region of the transport element and has a loosening means for loosening the back-flesh along the rib structure. A second cutting assembly is along the transport path downstream of the first assembly and has at least one separating knife for separating the back-flesh substantially along the spinal column. The holding element holds the back part on the holding element by non-positive and/or positive locking engagement.

Abstract: A separation and singulation system for presenting shrimps or other product individually to a processor. The separation and singulation system includes a divider pan that separates a layer of shrimp into several lanes, a shaker pan that receives the lanes of shrimp and agitates them to separate clumps of shrimp and a flume for providing further singulation and acceleration of the shrimp. The singulated, separated shrimps are then sent to a processor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a gambrel that defines two hooks configured to support an animal carcass. A fastening system is operatively connected to the gambrel and is configured to releasably connect a bladed tool to the gambrel. In one embodiment, the fastening system includes at least one magnet that retains one or more tools with magnetic force. The apparatus provides a convenient, safe, and clean place to store tools while processing an animal carcass.

Abstract: A bung driller is provided for cutting free the anal opening and rectum end of an animal carcass by cutting around the anal opening and rectum end. The bung driller includes a longitudinal, drilling tube with an open cutting end, a mandrel centralized inside the drilling tube, and a bung holder located inside of the drilling tube and surrounding the mandrel. Contamination of skin surface and meat surface by fecal matter is a problem when cutting free the anal opening and rectum end of a carcass. The bung holder located inside of the drilling tube provides a holding force to the skin surface around the anal opening and makes a volume wherein fecal matter escaping from the intestine is caught.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions useful for improving conditions in animal housing. In some embodiments, the compositions may include, in combination: a) an organic acid; b) an organic terpene; and optionally, c) a strong mineral acid. In some embodiments, the composition has a pH of from 2 to 5, or from 2.5 to 4, or from 3 to 3.5. Also provided are processes for the control of ammonia and microbes in animal housing, which may include applying a composition as taught herein to at least a portion of the house, e.g., to the bedding of the house, whereby said applying steps result in the control of ammonia and/or microbes in the animal housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method and a device for mechanically filleting and removing pin-bones from gutted fish using conventional filleting devices, where the fish rests on a saddle on a conveyor using pairs of circular knives to separate the fillet from the backbone. The apparatus and method are designed to facilitate mechanical filleting and pin-bone removal of gutted fish with the head intact. The present invention provides a more accurate method of positioning the pin-bones in the gutted fish.

Abstract: A meat processing apparatus has an automated analysis stage for analysing meat parts with penetrating radiation. Data is generated for sue in both feedforward and feedback information, and may be used for robotic control of trimming and boning operations. There is a radiation-shielded chamber within which there is a tomography scanner with a scanner controller, arranged to perform analysis of meat parts. A port is used for entry and exit of meat parts placed in carriers into and out of the chamber for analysis by the scanner, and a handling system performs automated movement of the carriers between the port and the scanner. The port has an interlock chamber, having an inner door and an outer door and a controller to ensure that while the scanner is operating only one door can open.

Abstract: A pressing device for pressing meat products, in particular frozen and/or partly frozen meat products, preferably fresh meat products and/or bacon, comprises a pressing chamber which extends along a longitudinal axis and into which a product to be pressed can be inserted, wherein the pressing chamber comprises at least one counter-element and at least one contact element, which is movable in the direction of the counter-element, that cooperate such that the product inserted into the pressing chamber can be compressed between the at least one counter-element and the at least one contact element; and wherein the pressing device comprises at least one servomotor that is configured to move the at least one contact element.

Abstract: The disclosed technology includes a pet collar that can be configured to determine its geolocational position and evaluate that position with respect to the geo-fence of a predetermined, geo-fenced “safe” zone. If the collar determines that its position is inside a safe zone but is near the geo-fence, the collar may be configured to provide a warning correction. If the collar determines that it is outside a predetermined safe zone, the collar can also be configured to provide a stronger correction to discourage the pet from continuing away from the safe zone. The collar may also be configured to guide the pet back to the safe zone such as by varying the strength and/or type of correction provided based at least in part on the distance of the collar from the geo-fence.

Abstract: An animal carcass is moved along a movement trajectory which passes through an inspection zone between at least one X-ray emitter and at least one X-ray detector, which are stationary relative to the inspection zone. X-ray detections are performed at successive moments during movement of the animal carcass through the inspection zone, the animal carcass being made to rotate around an axis of rotation which is transversal to lines of propagation of X-rays emitted by the at least one X-ray emitter in the inspection zone, so that what is obtained is a plurality of two-dimensional radiographic images of the animal carcass in different angular positions around the axis of rotation. The two-dimensional radiographic images are processed to determine a cutting pattern and/or a structure of the animal carcass, such as a position of bones, fat and/or lean parts in the animal carcass.

Abstract: A leash device having a housing that comprises a handle portion; a leash assembly; an engagement opening; a reservoir; a sprayer outlet; a liquid sprayer that fluidly communicates the sprayer outlet to the reservoir, and a trigger for urging a jet of liquid from the reservoir and through the sprayer outlet and a method of stopping bad behavior of an animal by using the above-mentioned leash device, including filling the reservoir with a liquid; connecting a leash to a leash hook; and triggering the liquid sprayer to urge a jet of liquid from the reservoir, through the spray outlet, and toward the animal engaged in bad behavior.

Abstract: A poultry defeathering device, including a first plate having a first opening configured to be coupled to a driveshaft of a hub, a second plate having a plurality of second openings, each of the second openings configured to be coupled to a respective finger, and a hinge connecting the first plate and the second plate, and at least one standoff bushing that determines a distance between the first plate and the second plate when the hinge is in a closed position.

Abstract: Shrimp processing apparatus to head and optionally sever the mud veins of shrimp, along with methods for heading and mud vein severing are described herein. The shrimp processing apparatus may be provided in systems may include one or more processing stations configured to perform one or more of the following functions on each shrimp: measurement of individual shrimp, severing the mud vein of individual shrimp, and heading of individual shrimp.

Abstract: In a method of pressing and processing meat products, in particular frozen and/or partly frozen meat products, preferably fresh meat products and/or bacon, the products are inserted into a pressing chamber of a pressing device and are pressed in the pressing chamber by at least one displaceable contact element, with the contact element being moved by means of a servomotor.

Abstract: A dog collar with detachable and retractable leash attachment. The leash attachment includes a leash in the form of an elastomeric cord is provided inside a sleeve that may be temporarily engaged around the dog collar. One end of the leash pivotally attached to the collar using a clip, and a handle is provided at the other end. Grasping and pulling the handle releases the sleeve from the collar and stretches the elastomeric cord, providing a short leash for a pet owner to control and direct a dog over short distances. The leash attachment may include an engagement surface that is operable to temporarily attach to a complementary surface on the exterior of the collar.