Abstract: For the filler mass and each pattern die part required, a container (3A, 3B, 3C, 3D) each is provided with a filler device (4, 5) arranged in each of them, and a common force-meat filler fitting (11) and at least one pattern die (12) opening centrally into said fitting (11), laid out so that the overall outlet area corresponds to the cross section of a diagonally divided flask mold (15, 15') applicable to said filler fitting (11). The filler device consists preferably of a pressure generating elevating spindle gear (5) with a pressure piston (4) mounted thereon. The two parts of the flask mold (15, 15') comprise beads (17, 17') on their longitudinal edges, so that both halves may be secured by means of clamps engaging said beads and that a flask mold (15, 15') locked in this manner may be used as a cooking mold.

Abstract: A device for separating the shells of an oyster and removing edible meat cleanly from one of the shells. A flat-surfaced blade is inserted into the hinged connection between the shells and then twisted around the blade axis to break the shells apart. The blade side edge has a convex oviform profile that enables the blade to slide under the edible meat in one of the shells, whereby the meat can be scooped out of the shell in one easy motion.

Abstract: In an apparatus for producing sausages comprising a source of meat mass connected to a tubular injector of such a meat mass and which ends in a rotatable sausage forming sleeve member capable of rotating altogether with a tubular casing which is arranged about the tubular injector and passed through the sleeve member, and a pulling and constricting assembly which pulls out the tubular casing already filled with the meat mass from the sleeve member, the sleeve member including a longitudinal passage axially passing therethrough and which defines a converging inlet wherein a plurality of radially inwardly extending projections are arranged, said inlet leading to an inside surface wherein a plurality of rolling means are provided, both the projections and the rolling means are able to rotate and lead the tubular casing filled with meat mass through the sleeve member without excessive frictional engagement.

Abstract: An automated, self-contained apparatus for extracting meat from the appendages of crustaceans, such as crabs, the appendages having been severed from the body and cooked. The device includes a plurality of stations which recover and collect the meat in the appendages as well as dispose of the empty shell. The appendages are placed in radially extending recesses of a circular motor driven platter, the platter being used to transport the appendages from station to station. The appendages pass through a cutting station which removes the end of each appendage so that there is an opening large enough to allow the meat to be expelled and recovered when pressurized air is injected into the appendage at the third station, the meat extracting station. Pressurized air is also utilized at a second station to blow the appendage into its preferred position in its recess, and at the fourth station, the shell ejectment station, to remove the empty shells from the platter.

Abstract: A device for peeling shrimps, of any reasonable size, that comprises a reservoir and a cover with one or more openings where tubular knife assemblies are positioned. Cooperating opening in the cover align with the tubular knife assemblies and allow the peeled shrimp through. A knife element is mounted on the inner surface of the tubular knife assemblies to remove the visceral parts of the shrimp.

Abstract: A skinning device is provided for assisting in the skinning of squirrels and other small game which comprises a generally U-shaped holder including a front wall and side walls. The front wall includes a single central slot formed in the upper edge thereof, and this slot includes an upper generally V-shaped slot opening, an intermediate, part-circular portion in which the head of the squirrel is received during one step of a skinning operation and an elongate downwardly extending lower portion in which the tail of a squirrel is received during a separate step. A rope or cord connected to the side walls of the holder secures the holder to an upright such as a tree. The side walls include aligned holes through which the cord extends, and these aligned holes are located in the side walls at height relative to the intermediate portion of the slot such that the head of a squirrel being skinned is captured beneath the cord.

Abstract: Electrical stunning apparatus for beef cattle or other livestock uses head restraining means to hold the animal's head in place during contact by electrodes. The animal's head is prevented from moving upwardly by a pusher which contacts the top of its head or neck, while a chin lifter moves in from below the animal's head to hold it in place. An electrode on the chin lifter contacts the animal's nose allowing a stunning current to pass through the animal's head to another electrode on the pusher (for head stunning). If deep stunning is required an additional electrode may be moved into contact with the rear of the animal to apply a heart-stopping current.

Abstract: A conversion device is provided which permits an existing self-contained meat patty forming machine to be adapted for use with a separate, high capacity meat pump, so as to increase the output capacity of the patty former. The conversion structure includes an elongated, apertured meat delivery tube adapted to be used in lieu of an existing pivotal valving tube provided with the original machine, together with an accumulator coupled to the delivery tube. Operation of the separate pumping assembly is governed by that of the accumulator, and, ultimately, the operation of the patty forming apparatus. In this fashion the speed of the separate pumping assembly can be matched with that of the patty former so as to maintain continuous, trouble free operation.

Abstract: An automatic machine for sectioning poultry consisting of a series of rotatable blades for severing selected parts from the bird and a rotatable arbor associated with a conveyor belt to position the bird properly with respect to the blades.

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 cutting through the pubis of the carcass of a slaughter animal, having on a slaughter yoke with a positioning element surrounded by a rotating circular first cutting element, a second cutting element and a sensor for locating the pubis position, combined into a functional unit, the movement of the positioning element being independently of same of the other elements.

Abstract: A deboning press has a roller with a number of pressing stations around its periphery. It is rotated stepwise to bring each station in turn under a pressing element. Pieces of meat with at least one bone therein are brought in a station when it is not under the pressing element and are then, when the roller has rotated to the corresponding position, pressed by the pressing element so that the meat is pressed away sideways and the bone remains between the pressing surfaces. A sliding ejector removes the meat from the press. The pressing bodies may be hard-elastic and there may be a bone remover with movable hooks to remove the bones remaining in the stations of the roller.

Abstract: A sausage filling apparatus comprises a conventional sausage filling machine operable to extrude sausage meat into a compressed length of tubular sausage casing retained over a support pipe through which the meat is fed under pressure. The filled casing passes to a sausage linking machine where the casing is twisted into individually-linked sausages. The invention provides a moveable deflector plate which is moveable into the path of the tubular sausage casing between the nozzle and the linking machine. This causes the sausage casing to follow a tortuous path between these two points, dispelling air present in the casing and leading to more consistent weight and an improved appearance in the final product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for macerating meat to effect deep penetration of the meat at multiple muscle height levels for improved absorption of curing agents and improved bonding of multiple pieces of meat. The method involves feeding the meat into a compression zone where it is compressed and simultaneously engaged with multi-level maceration means which penetrate and tear the meat at two or more muscle height levels below the surface of the meat; continuously feeding the meat through the compression zone; continuously compressing and macerating the meat at multiple muscle height levels; and expelling the meat from the compression zone to allow the meat to expand to its previous dimensions so that multi-level macerated surfaces are available for bonding of the meat.

Abstract: Device for removing fat from slaughtered poultry, provided with a screw spindle drivable around its longitudinal axis, said spindle being rotatably mounted in a cylindrical sleeve surrounding at least a part of the screw thread on the spindle with a radial clearance. Machine with devices for removing fat from slaughtered poultry mounted in the shape of a roundabout.

Abstract: Method of injecting treatment solution into slaughtered animals involving electrical stimulation, chilling of the injection solution and use of a self-piercing injection nozzle, among other things.

Abstract: A shirring method and apparatus for shirring food casing in which the casing is shirred directly onto a sleeve which moves longitudinally through the shirring mechanism from a first position to a second position until a desired length of shirred casing is accumulated on the sleeve. The sleeve is held at its second position and the shirred casing is removed from the sleeve in the direction of shirring and thereafter the sleeve is returned to its first position.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stuffing food casing to produce sausage products with a high degree of dimensional uniformity for prepackaging applications. Substantially flat terminal end portions for higher product yields are prepared by a stuffing sequence which includes a time delay from shut down of the meat pump to actuation of the end-closure device. The length of the delay in actuating the end-closure device is dependent on the time required for pressure in the stuffing horn to dissipate after shut-down of the meat pump.

Abstract: A unitary limitedly flexible retainer for the legs of eviscerated poultry has multiple straps for engaging the creases in the poultry hocks together with an improved lower strap, together with a locking tab provides for positive locking of poultry legs of varying sizes and lengths for trussing poultry.

Abstract: A tool for grasping and manually removing a number of the pin bones from fillets of large fish, such as whitefish, lake trout, haddock, scrod and the like, is disclosed. A pair of pinching members, formed of flat, springy, sheet metal plates arranged in overlapping relationship, are attached to the ends of a forcep-type body portion. Manual forces applied to the body portion move adjacent free edges of the plates together to grasp pin bones between them. The free edge of one of the pinching members is bent inwardly towards the adjacent free edge of the other member to fit around and grip the curved end portions of the pin bones which are adjacent the surface of the fish fillet. A method for deboning the fish is also disclosed, whereby a number of pin bones may be removed simultaneously from a fish fillet.