Abstract: A livestock squeeze chute is operable in parallel-squeeze, V-squeeze and inverted-V squeeze configurations, and has a head gate with a novel guide track construction for robust rolling support of the gate panels, and a neck extender having uniquely positioned actuators that pull the neck extender upwardly into its working position. The squeeze panels are supported in suspended and hinged fashion from a set of movable supports that are displaceable laterally back and forth along a set of overhead support tracks. A pair of upper actuators are operable to move the hinged-equipped supports, and thereby relocate the tops of the squeeze panels, while a set of lower actuators are operable to relocate the bottom ends of the squeeze panels. The head gate's guide track uses two L-shaped bars and a cooperating U-channel to define a pair of enclosed channels in which roller carriages of the two gate panels are respectively received.

Abstract: A fish descaling assembly includes a first panel that has a plurality of openings each extending through the first panel. Each of the openings has an ovoid boundary for having a fish positioned therein to restrain the fish. A first mesh screen is coupled to the first panel to support the fish when the fish are positioned in the openings. A second panel is hingedly coupled to the first panel and the second panel has a plurality of openings each extending through the second panel. Each of the openings in the second panel has an ovoid boundary to surround the fish when the second panel is closed onto the first panel. A second mesh screen is coupled to the second panel to support the fish when the fish are positioned in the openings in the second panel.

Abstract: An animal feeder and method of use is described herein. The animal feeder is configured to distract, calm, or occupy an animal for an extended period of time. The animal feeder includes an elastomeric body having an obverse side and a reverse side. The obverse side includes a feeding section having a plurality of nubs. The plurality of nubs are configured to slow an animal's ability to lick food therefrom. On the reverse side is one or more suction cups to suction the animal feeder to a surface to secure the feeder system in a single location. The animal feeder further includes a guard extending laterally from the feeding section to keep the surface below the guard free from saliva, drool, or slobber from the animal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an extrusion horn including an inner compression chamber having an interior channel extending from an open infeed port to an open exit port, where a top inner surface of the interior channel progressively tapers down with an initial slope having an initial downward taper to a target thickness, then top inner surface abruptly steps to an increased thickness of the channel, and then progressively tapers down with a secondary slope where the secondary slope has a steeper downward taper than the slope of the initial downward taper. An apparatus and method for extruding extrudate through an extruding horn conducive for producing bacon bits and jerky.

Abstract: A cartilage cutting device for a bone-in meat according to an embodiment includes a cutting blade disposed on a conveying path for a bone-in meat and an elastic support portion for elastically supporting the cutting blade so that the cutting blade can recede by a reaction force applied to the cutting blade when cutting the bone-in meat. The elastic support portion is configured such that an elastic supporting force of the elastic support portion is switchable between a first elastic supporting force and a second elastic supporting force. The first elastic supporting force is capable of cutting a cartilage adhering to a bone part of the bone-in meat. The second elastic supporting force is smaller than the first elastic supporting force and is incapable of cutting the cartilage.

Abstract: A deboned poultry meat batch to continuous feed system using a hopper input transferring the meat through a vacuum fill to a low pressure gravity separation small volume batch tank. The low pressure gravity separation small volume batch tank is connected through a rotary valve to a larger lower pressure level-maintenance tank with a tight parameter pressure regulation system to maintain a consistent flow output.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to mollusk with fluorescent coatings. Also disclosed are aquarium kits comprising a tank, mollusk and an excitation light source.

Abstract: A gambrel includes a frame including a fulcrum attachment. A first hanger is on a first lateral side of the frame. A second hanger is on a second lateral side of the frame. At least one line retainer is fixed relative to the frame.

Abstract: A processing system for bone-in limb meats according to an embodiment includes: a right-limb incision-forming portion for forming incision on a right bone-in limb meat; a left-limb incision-forming portion for forming incision on a left bone-in limb meat; a processing line including a plurality of processing stations to separate a bone part and a meat part of each bone-in limb meat on which incision is formed at the right-limb incision-forming portion or the left-limb incision-forming portion; and a loading portion arranged at an uppermost stream part of the processing line to receive the right bone-in limb meat with incision formed at the right-limb incision-forming portion and the left bone-in limb meat with incision formed at the left-limb incision-forming portion.

Abstract: A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.

Abstract: An end effector of a pelt removal apparatus has a rotatable effector base on which is mounted a pair of elongated gripper bars parallel to a rotation axis of the effector base. One of the gripper bars is fixed in position, while the other one is radially spaced from and freely pivotal about a pivot axis parallel to rotation axis. When rotated in a tightening direction from a start position in which the pelt is located in a transverse gap between the gripper bars, the free gripper bar moves, without dedicated actuation of the free gripper bar, to pinch the pelt between the bars, thus gripping the pelt and allowing removal thereof by the pelt removal apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, a coextrusion apparatus and a filling machine including a coextrusion apparatus of the type in question, wherein, during production of the sausage strand, the ratio of the volume flow of the casing material to the volume flow of the inner mass is variable along the sausage strand.

Abstract: A system 10 for analyzing and trimming pork bellies and other three-dimensional food and non-food products which are to be subsequently portioned or sliced so as to achieve an optimum harvest of slices from the food product bearing in mind achieving a maximum yield together with a desired quality level of the portions/slices. The system 10 includes a conveyor 12 for carrying the workpieces (WP) to be trimmed prior to subsequent slicing of the workpiece past a scanning system 14 for scanning the workpiece WP to ascertain the physical characteristics of the workpiece, including, for example, its three-dimensional shape as well as its position on the conveyor. A cutting station 16 trims the workpiece WP into a desired two-dimensional shape which represents an optimum shape for the workpiece that seeks to maximize the harvest of slices from the workpiece while maintaining a desired quality level for the slices.

Abstract: A method of processing poultry portions determines at a control unit a target weight of a cut poultry portion; inspects a poultry portion using an inspection unit to determine a mass distribution of said poultry portion and providing said mass distribution to the control unit; calculates a cutting plan of the poultry portion based on the target weight and the mass distribution using the control unit; uses a mechanical gripper so as to grip the poultry portion and arrange said poultry portion for execution of the cutting plan; and cuts the poultry portion using a cutting unit in accordance with the cutting plan so as to produce a cut poultry portion in accordance with the target weight. A system for processing poultry portions is configured to perform the foregoing method, among others.

Abstract: A bathing apparatus for a pet, comprising a top section comprising walls to hold a pet; a bottom section adapted to support and seat the apparatus on a surface; and a bathing section situated between the top and bottom sections comprising a bathing floor configured for the pet to sit or stand on; wherein the bathing section is adapted to allow bathing water to flow away from the pet. The bathing section may comprise a bathing floor and an outer section adapted to allow water to flow through. The apparatus may be used as a bath or a shower.

Abstract: A system and a method for separating a middle portion of a half pig carcass, hanging from an overhead conveyor in a carrier, by cutting between the hip bone and the chine bone (backbone) and optionally between the tail bone and the hip bone, the cut causing a middle portion of the half pig carcass part to be partly separated from the remaining half pig carcass part via gravity. Further cutting the connection between the middle part of the half pig carcass part along a curve along the muscle defining the ham cut to separate the middle portion from the rest of the half pig carcass part causing the ham part of the half pig carcass part to remain hanging in the carrier.

Abstract: An arrangement for skinning poultry parts containing the poultry breast includes a conveying device having saddle elements configured for conveying the poultry parts in a conveying direction along a skinning device. The skinning device has at least one rotationally driven profiled roller and a guide element. The roller, together with an entry edge of the guide element, is adapted to form an entry gap for gripping the skin on the side of the poultry breast. The guide element has flank guide elements each adapted for laterally guiding the poultry part, wherein the flank guide elements have inner guide surfaces adapted for contacting the flesh of the poultry part. A method is also provided.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for processing and grading food articles. For example, provided herein is a system for grading a portioned food article, in which the system includes: a first conveyor; a first receiving conveyor and a second receiving conveyor, defining a space therebetween; at least one spray-removal robot; and a third receiving conveyor. The spray-removal robot may include at least one valve with a nozzle, in which the valve ejects fluid through the nozzle to impact a food article being moved on the first conveyor toward the third receiving conveyor, such that at least one portion of the food article is moved by the impact through the space between the first receiving conveyor and the second receiving conveyor, and such that at least one portion of the food article is moved by the first receiving conveyor and the second receiving conveyor to the third receiving conveyor.

Abstract: A novel pig body scalding system, includes a scalding pool body. A separating fence in the middle of a scalding region in the scalding pool body divides the scalding region into a high-speed scalding and constant-speed scalding region; moreover, the two sides of the separating fence has a high-speed and a constant-speed scalding track corresponding to the to the high-speed and constant-speed scalding region respectively. The starting end of the high-speed scalding and that of the constant-speed scalding track can be connected with the same wobbling track, and wobbling track is located at the tail end of a pig body hanging track; an infrared thermometer and pressure sensor connected with a control system is provided below the pig body hanging track. The scalding system can perform targeted scalding on each pig body according to the condition of each pig body, thereby greatly reducing the influence of scalding on pork quality.

Abstract: The invention discloses a detachable and easily cleanable meat tenderizer, which includes a housing, a blade holder, a blade and a baffle plate. The housing is provided with a chamber that is sized to fit the blade holder. The housing is internally provided with a clamping-type locking device which includes a clamping-type locking body and a return spring. The clamping-type locking body is provided with a clamping groove at a lower end thereof, a return post at the rear thereof and a control button in the front thereof. A clamping portion adapted to the clamping groove is arranged at an upper part of the blade holder, and the blade holder is connected to the housing when the clamping portion is clamped into the clamping groove. Limiting cavities are arranged on both sides of the housing. Guide posts are arranged on both sides of the blade, one end of the guide post is located in the limiting cavity of the housing, and the other end of the guide post is detachably connected to the baffle plate.