Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically electrically stunning animals to be slaughtered. The apparatus includes two V-shaped restrainers, where the second restrainer runs faster than the first restrainer to automatically space the animals apart. A pair of electrodes which are adapted to extend downwardly into the second V-shaped restrainer, are disclosed. The automatic spacing provided by the second restrainer, operating at a faster speed than the first, insures that there is no voltage transfer between one animal and the next.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically stunning animals to be slaughtered by use of electrodes which pivot about horizontal axes in their initial position, the electrodes extend downwardly into a V-shaped passageway extending between two endless conveyors. Each electrode is biased substantially in its initial position by a spring absorber mechanism, which includes a damper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for improving the tenderness of the meat of slaughter cattle by means of an electric current, which current according to the invention is passed through the animal during at least part of the time following the stunning and ending with the clinical death of the animal which electric stimulating current can be applied by the stunning electrodes after the stunning, by separate electrodes in the conveyor, by the conveyor parts itself or by the knife for stabbing the animal, which electric stimulation can be done before the bleeding starts, during the bleeding or even when the bleeding is almost finished.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for automatically electrically stunning animals to be slaughtered. The apparatus includes two V-shaped restrainers, where the second restrainer runs faster than the first restrainer to automatically space the animals apart. A pair of electrodes which are adapted to extend downwardly into the second V-shaped restrainer, are disclosed. The electrodes are specially shaped and are preferably adapted to transversely engage the head of the animal to be stunned. The electrodes are pivotally suspended from a reciprocating frame which is provided to move with the restrainer carrying an animal during the period that stunning is taking place, in order to maintain contact between the animal and the electrodes during the period of stunning.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for conveying animals to be stunned. The apparatus comprises two sets of endless conveyor belts. Each set of belts defines a substantially V-shaped passageway. Animals are wedged between the V-shaped belts and conveyed into contact with stunning electrodes. The conveyor belts include a plurality of curved plates hinged together at their edges to form a gap free and uninterrupted operating surface to contact the animals's skin. The trailing edge of each plate partly surrounds the leading edge of the following plate. The outer surface of each plate is curved so that the surface is generally concentric with the axis of the reversing wheel. The gap between the first set of conveyor belts and the second set of conveyor belts is bridged by guide rollers positioned tangentially to the operating surface of the conveyor belts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for electrically stunning slaughter cattle in particular horned cattle such as horned sheep. Said apparatus having a set of electrodes 4, 5, 22, 29 mounted at the outer ends of levers 6, 7, 24, 25, 31, 32 which can extend into the passage between the endless conveyor belts 1, 2 in a forward, inward and rearward direction said electrodes preferably being pivotably mounted at the outer ends of said levers by means of transverse pivot shafts 19 or selfcentering resilient universal joints, means being provided to swing the electrodes 4, 5 out of said passage which means can be formed by the cylinder 18 or by mounting the levers 24, 25 upon a shaft 26 which can be rotated and carry the plurality of levers with electrodes, or by using endless chains 33 carrying a plurality of levers 31, 32 with electrodes 29, 30 which chains can be driven in the direction of movement of the conveyor belts 1, 2.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically stunning animals, in particular pigs. The apparatus comprises a restrainer in the form of two endless conveyors positioned to form a V-shaped passageway between opposed operating surfaces which hold an animal and further comprises a pair of electrodes extending downwardly into said passageway. Said electrodes are arranged side by side to engage or contact the sides of the head of the animal. The electrodes are shaped to conform to the contour of an animal's head. Said electrodes preferably are formed by plates having the outwardly turned edge parallel to the adjacent operating surface while the other edges first diverge upwardly and by a curvature merge into converging parts. The plates have a profile such that they also converge in the direction of conveyance.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically stunning animals to be slaughtered. Said apparatus comprises electrodes which are pivotable about horizontal axes and, in their initial position, extend downwardly into a V-shaped passageway formed between two parallel endless conveyors. Said electrodes are mounted within a frame which is movable in a direction coinciding with the direction of movement of the conveyors. Said frame is connected to a driving mechanism which is adapted to move the frame with substantially the same speed as the speed of the conveyors and which starts its movement upon closure of the circuit between the electrodes by an animal to be stunned.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for electrically stunning animals. Said apparatus comprises two endless conveyors running parallel to each other and positioned to form a V-shaped passageway therebetween and two sets of electrodes which extend downwardly into the V-shaped passageway. Each set of electrodes is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis located above the passageway to enable the electrodes to pivot in the direction of movement of the conveyors. The first set of electrodes slopes downwardly and forwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyors, and the first electrodes have a small electrode contact surface at their bottom end. The second set slopes downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyors, and the second electrodes have an electrode contact surface covering substantially the entire side that faces the first set of electrodes.