Abstract: Apparatus for the vertical scalding of animal carcasses on a continuously moving conveyor line and having at least one chamber, a conveyor system supported in the chamber forming a path through the chamber, and for suspending carcasses at spaced intervals along the conveyor, and continuously moving them within the chamber, a first hot water deluge located along a first portion of the conveyor, and a first supply for supplying hot water so that hot water may pour continuously downwardly alongside each side of the first portion of the conveyor, a collector beneath the first conveyor portion for collecting water, and a filter for filtering the water collected, and a pump for pumping the water back upwardly, a further hot water deluge, and collector, and filter, and pump for a further conveyor portion, so that hot water may be separately poured downwardly around the further conveyor portion, and collected therebeneath and filtered and pumped therefrom upwardly once more, and a heat source for each of the water su

Abstract: A processing facility, for subjecting products to process conditions for lengths of time and having a processing chamber equipped for establishing a predetermined condition within and throughout the chamber, a pair of continuous flexible conveyor elements, extending through the chamber along a generally zig-zag pathway, rotatable bearing members for supporting the flexible elements in predetermined lengths, spaced one above the other, and spaced apart from one another, the flexible elements being extended around respective bearing members, in a generally zig-zag fashion, product supports extending between the flexible elements, attachments at each end of the products supports for attachment to respective flexible elements, so that the product supports are freely swingably supported between the flexible elements, and the rotatable bearing members being spaced apart on opposite sides of the chamber a distance greater than the length of the product supports so that the product supports may freely pass between th

Abstract: Apparatus for the injection into meat sections of a cold milled particle reduction suspension of finely divided meat pieces in a liquid mixture, and having pump means on a container for pumping the suspension from the container at a constant pressure of a set point between about 30 and about 90 psi, to a plurality of injection needles, a support for supporting at least one meat section in registration with the injection needles; a movement device for reciprocating the needles towards, into, and away from the meat sections, smoothly curved conduits connecting from the needles, and, valves for opening and closing all the conduits simultaneously, the valves being normally closed prior to insertion, and being all openable simultaneously when at least some of the needles enter the meat sections, the pump being operable to pump the suspension of meat pieces through all the valves and all the injection needles at the pre-set pressure, whether the needles are located in a meat section or not, and thereby ejecting sus

Abstract: A product support apparatus for supporting products on a conveyor system during processing, and having a hanger assembly upon which products may be placed, and having leg portions and abutments at each end, a support bar for the hanger assembly, the support bar having a pair of parallel spaced-apart rods supported side-by-side and defining an elongated slot therebetween, junctions, extending between the rod members clear of the slot, connection devices secured to the rod members for connection to a conveyor system, and, a check at each end of the rod members engageable by the abutments on the hanger assembly to restrict sliding movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for the separation of back fat from a loin portion of a carcass and having a conveyor for supporting and moving a loin portion with the back fat lowermost, a pressure device for applying pressure to the upper surface of a loin portion, a generally arcuate blade interposed between the conveyor and the pressure device, the blade being moveable relative to the conveyor, a device for sensing the thickness of back fat on the loin portion between the conveyor and the lean portion of the loin, and generating measurement signals, and thereby moving the blade, and a method of separating back fat from loins by the use of such apparatus.

Abstract: A product conveyor for a processing chamber in use in a meat processing facility, where meat products are carried through the facility on carriers, and the conveyor for the processing chamber having trolleys with hooks, which engage the carriers carrying the products and lift the carriers off the carrier rail from the other facilities in the plant, and carry them through the processing chamber and then lower then down onto a further carrier rail for movement through the remainder of the facility, the hooks disengaging from the carriers which are then free to move.

Abstract: Carcass processing apparatus having an overhead carrier for suspension of carcasses, a carcass conveyor located below the carrier with an angled support surface, the conveyor moving in unison with the carcass along the carrier, and water deluge apparatus for directing a deluge flow of water onto each carcass. Also disclosed is a method of processing carcasses by supporting the carcasses on a moving conveyor located at an angle, for drainage of bodily fluids, and subjecting the carcasses to a continuous deluge flow of water for washing.

Abstract: Support apparatus for supporting products on a processing line of the type wherein a plurality of support bars are supported transversely of such line, and comprising hanger means shaped and adapted for supporting products therefrom, attachment means at either end of said hanger means, for attachment to a respective said support bar, connecting means at each end of each said support bar for interengagement with said attachment means on said hanger means, and wherein such attachment means and connection means are interengageable with each other from either end of such support bar whereby said hanger means may be attached to said respective support bar.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing meat sections under atmospheric pressure and under a high vacuum, and having, a container of generally square cross-section and having an open top, reinforcing members attached at spaced apart intervals on the exterior of each of the side walls and further reinforcing members on the exterior of the bottom wall, a closure for the top to hermetically seal it, a stirring shaft and arms supported on the closure and a stirring motor with a shaft extending through the closure to the stirring shaft, reinforcing bars extending across the upper surface of the closure, and a hose connection on the closure for connection to a suitable vacuum pump.