Abstract: Fish, such as salmon, are caused to move along a predetermined path until the leading part of the fish hits a lever to initiate a cycle of operations comprising: a) holding the fish by releasable holding means, b) stunning the fish, c) killing the fish in such manner as to effect exsanguination thereof, and d) releasing the killed fish.

Abstract: The rotary bird hanger 30 includes a turning gear 38 having on its upper surface a lock collar 42, with lock notches 50 formed at intervals about the lock collar 42. The non-rotatable hanger support 32 includes a cam lock 62 movably supported by the hanger support 32 and a lock pin 82 engagable with the lock notches 50 of the hanger turning gear 38. Cams 78 are positioned along the processing path for engaging the cam lock 62 and for releasing the lock pin 82 from a lock notch 50, thereby permitting the rotary bird hanger 30 to rotate with respect to the hanger support 32 such that the lock pin 82 can engage others of the lock notches 50 to secure the rotational movement of the hanger 30 until the cam lock 62 engages additional cams 78 along the processing path.

Abstract: An overhead conveyor system for slaughtered chickens or other poultry comprises a track (2) supported above the floor, a number of suspension hooks (4) which are movable along the track and are positioned one after the other, each having two brackets (6) for receiving the legs of a chicken, a continuous chain (24) or cable to which each suspension hook is connected and means for moving the chain or cable with the suspension hooks connected thereto. Each suspension hook is provided with a bar (8) which connects the brackets, a disc (10) connected to the top section of the bar, a rotation bush (12) of square cross section which forms part of the bar or is connected thereto and has a twisted shape in the longitudinal direction, and a guide bush (14) which is arranged around the said bar and allows both a limited longitudinal movement and a rotary movement of the bar.

Abstract: Device for removing at least the crop of slaughtered poultry, comprising means for holding a carcass of the poultry, a crop probe assembly with a crop probe holder and an elongated crop probe, which is provided with crop engaging means in an end portion, such as a number of teeth/sprockets, means for moving the crop probe up and down between a non-active position to one or more active positions, means for turning the crop probe about its longitudinal axis, in which the crop probe is provided with a nose on the outer end of the end portion, and in which on the side of the holder means facing away from the crop probe the device is provided with a neck breaker with neck breaking means and with means for activating the neck breaker and with means for moving the neck breaker toward the carcass and away from it, said means for moving the crop probe, the activating means and the means for moving the neck breaker being geared to one another such that during activation of the neck breaker the nose of the crop probe is

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the evisceration of carcasses conveyed on a slaughter line suspended in gambrels or hooks, where the abdomen and breast have been cut open, the hams divided and the fat end loosened, and wherein the carcass intestines are loosened, removed and placed on a gut pan or conveyor, the diaphragm is loosened and the plucks are removed and placed on a plucks conveyor. In loosening of the intestines, the connections of the intestines with the spinal column are broken, so that the intestines are made to hang out of the abdominal cavity. The diaphragm and leaf fat are loosened mechanically while the intestines are hanging out of the carcass and are connected to the plucks. The latter loosening is effected by a pressing device (5) and a hoop device (6) which can be moved independent of each other in the lengthways direction of the carcass.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the treatment, such as anaesthetization or killing, of poultry by using gas. The gas comprises oxygen and carbon dioxide, among other components. During the treatment, the oxygen concentration is kept constant at a normal level (18-22 vol. %). This is important as it allows the poultry to breathe normally while the natural body functions can be maintained in their normal state until anaesthetization takes place. The concentration of carbon dioxide is increased either continuously or discontinuously. Accordingly, it is possible to anaesthetize poultry before slaughter in a way which produces low levels of stress and discomfort in the poultry while, at the same time, the quality of the meat is better than with the use of traditional methods. In the apparatus, the poultry are exposed to the gas in a chamber (1). The apparatus may include a belt conveyor (5) and can be separated into three treatment zones (2, 3 and 4).

Abstract: The invention entails a defeathering cylinder having a plurality of fingers extending radially from its curved surface. The cylinder is mounted on a shaft positioned along the axis of the cylinder. The cylinder is rotatably mounted to an enclosure having a top, a bottom, a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, and sides connecting the front wall to the back wall. The front wall of the enclosure contains a cylinder opening. The back wall contains a plurality of apertures sized to substantially inhibit the passage of feathers. A power source such as an electric motor is functionally connected to the shaft on which the cylinder is mounted. Operation of the motor causes the shaft and the cylinder to revolve within the cylinder opening. The revolution of the fingers extending from the cylinder causes air to flow into the cylinder opening and out the apertures. When a bird is placed in contact with the revolving fingers, the feathers will be removed and drawn into the enclosure and toward the back wall.

Abstract: A locking device for a tool, such as a ratchet wrench, having a jointed drive head which may be situated in a series of angular positions relative to a handle, and which has means for temporarily holding the drive head of the tool at a predetermined angle with respect to the handle. The tool includes a spring-biased locking element disposed in the handle and which may be either engaged with, withdrawn from, or disengaged from the drive head. In the engaged position, the tool drive head is locked in place by the locking element. In the withdrawn position, the locking element is withdrawn from the head, and held away from it by the user to permit continuous changes in the angular relationship between the handle and the drive head. Finally, in the third orientation, the locking element is withdraw from the head and secured in a temporary holding position, allowing continual changes in the angular relationship between the handle and the head without the need for the user to continually hold the locking element.

Abstract: A method for rinsing pieces of meat, which preferably in connection with the slaughtering process itself have been sorted out, because they have been poured over with blood, where a portion of pieces of meat are centrifuged during simultaneously adding of cold rinsing water for a period of 2-4 minutes, and where said portion thereafter is further treated by centrifuging without adding rinsing water for a period in the order of 2-3 minutes, whereafter the rinsed and drained meat, which now may be used for consumer purposes, preferably automatically is emptied from the centrifuge, and an apparatus in the form of a centrifuge of the slinging/scrabing type with a stationary cylindric collecting container (8) for the meat to be rinsed, said apparatus comprising a motor-driven, circular bottom plate (22) with bringing along ribs (24) surrounded by a detachable ring-shaped hole plate (18), said collecting container (8) is at the inner side provided with upright inclined ribs (16) and a side opening with a screened o

Abstract: A shrimp conveying and positioning apparatus (10) includes a track (13) oriented along an inclined path in one direction. The track is reciprocated along an inclined path in a direction opposite to the inclined orientation of the track. The apparatus also includes a contact plate (26) wherein the shrimp ride upon the contact plate to position the shrimp from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing loins from pork bellies to result in a high yield of loin in a two-step method, the first step involving the removal of the loin and the second step involving the skinning of the loin portion removed. A unique knife shaped in the form of a Z is used to cut all the way through the belly. Once complete, the skin from the belly remains on the loin and is subsequently run through a loin skinner in a controlled cutting process that significantly reduces the chance of cutting below the loin fat and into the muscle.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing slaughtered poultry, the following steps are carried out: drawing the viscera package out of the carcass of the poultry; separating the viscera package from the carcass; conveying the viscera package in a viscera package conveyor member; conveying the carcass in a carcass conveyor member; and inspecting the viscera package and the carcass. The viscera package conveyor member and the carcass conveyor member are coupled together at least during the inspection. The viscera package conveyor member and the carcass conveyor member may form part of one combined conveyor member. Prior to the inspection, at least the intestines, and in particular the intestines and the gall bladder, are removed from the viscera package.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing and filling a tubular packaging casing, wherein the production rate of the casing is adjusted in dependence on the withdrawal rate of the casing from a buffer reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for cleaning poultry carcasses having a cavity. A plurality of cleaning heads are spaced about a sprayer carousel that is rotatably mounted upon a vertical shaft. The cleaning heads are mounted upon a plurality of vertically oriented guide rails which are spaced about the sprayer carousel. A circumferential cam is fixedly connected to the vertical shaft inside the sprayer carousel. A cam follower connected to each cleaning head follows the profile of the cam, displacing the cleaning head vertically along the guide rails. A conveyor transports the carcasses sequentially into and out of engagement with the sprayer carousel and an indexing member maintains each of the carcasses in alignment with one of the cleaning heads. In response to relative movement between the fixed cam and the rotatable sprayer carousel the cam follower of each cleaning head follows the circumferential profile of the cam.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing the energy of a shock wave and a reaction pulse from an explosion used for tenderizing meat has an inner tank (50) for holding the meat and a watertight outer tank (100) within which the inner tank is held optionally immersed in water, and into which the inner tank can rebound downward from the force of the explosion. The outer tank includes an inner surface dissimilar in shape to the outer surface of the inner tank; this breaks up the initial shock wave. An air space at least partially surrounding the outer tank helps to contain the shock wave. The water, the inner tank, and outer tank act as an hydraulic damper or dash pot to cushion the force of the slower reaction pulse, which follows the shock pulse and pushes the inner tank downward.

Abstract: This invention relates to both a method and an apparatus for placing slaughtered poultry on a carrier and a method and an apparatus for subsequently removing the skin from the slaughtered poultry on the carrier.

Abstract: A de-boning apparatus and method for removing bones and other undesirable elements from meat. The apparatus preferably includes a conveyor assembly conveying meat to and from a head assembly which removes the bones, one or more rail assemblies located beside the conveyor assembly for keeping meat on the conveyor assembly as it passes through the apparatus, a conveyor drive system for powering the conveyor assembly, and a head drive assembly for powering the head assembly. The conveyor assembly preferably has a conveyor drum and an idler wheel about which a conveyor belt runs. The conveyor belt conveys meat to the head assembly preferably located beside the conveyor drum at a point when the conveyed meat is bowed as it passes around the conveyor drum, thereby better exposing bones for removal. The head assembly preferably includes a pin bone wheel (driven by the head drive system) and a head block spaced from the pin bone wheel to define a gap therebetween.

Abstract: The invention relates to decontaminating meat by locating a body of meat (10) within a chamber (15), providing a volume (25) of decontaminating water (27) sufficient to fill the chamber (15) and immerse the body of meat; supplying the decontaminating water (27) at e.g. 80.degree. C. to the chamber at multiple inlet point (31-34) accompanied by substantial turbulence as it fills the chamber (15) and discharging the decontaminating water from the chamber (15) after the body of meat (10) has been decontaminated (e.g. after ten seconds). The volume of decontaminating water (27) is provided in an elevated vessel (26) connected to the chamber (15) through a supply passage (30) of relatively large flow area.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing is eliminated by injecting a highly viscous material comprising a mixture of food grade constituents through the vent opening so as to create a self-adhering plug in the lower colon and rectum of the animal. The plug material preferably comprises a blended mixture of water, gum, modified food starch and a preservative whose viscosity is in the range of from about 220,000 centipoise to 480,000 centipoise. Being formed from food grade constituents, the offal can safely be harvested and used in animal feed as a by-product of the meat processing operation.