Abstract: A rack unloader apparatus (10) is used for unloading bars (150) having a plurality of pepperoni sticks (160) from a drying rack (140). The apparatus (10) includes a rail (23) operatively connected to a support frame (20). A motor (62) is operatively connected to a sliding mechanism (30) mounted on the rail (23) for moving the sliding mechanism between first and second positions. A pickup arm (40) has the sliding mechanism (30) operatively connected thereto proximate its first end (40a). A pickup arm assembly (103) is operatively connected to the second end (40b) of the pickup arm (40). A lifting mechanism (51) is carried by the sliding mechanism (30). The lifting mechanism (41) is operatively connected to the pickup arm (40) to move the second end of the pickup arm vertically, wherein the pickup assembly (103) is indexed to the rack (140) and lifts the pickup arm assembly (103) and removes the bar (150) from the rack (140).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) configures animal carcasses (C) for processing by leaf lard puller. The apparatus (10) includes a frame (20) with a carriage (40) operatively connected to the frame (10) for movement and in alignment with a conveyor suspending a hog carcass (C). A connecting member (60) has a first end operatively connected to the carriage (40) and a second end moveable between a first position and a second position. A pair of opposable arms (72, 73) are movable between an open position and a configuring position. The arms (72, 73) are positioned around the hog carcass in the open position and as the arms move to the configuring position, the hog carcass (C) is moved to the desired width for further processing by a leaf lard puller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing casings (15a) from elongated casing enclosed sausage sticks (15). An indexing conveyor (22) receives the casing-enclosed sausage sticks (15). An inflating mechanism is provided for inflating the casing-enclosed sausage sticks. An end cap removal section provides for the removal of the end caps. A casing slitting mechanism laterally slits the casings and the casings are then removed in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the sausage sticks. Preferably a mechanism is provided for removal of the casings after they have been taken off from the sausage sticks by means of forced air.

Abstract: A carcass splitting apparatus 10 splits the carcass of an animal suspended by a suspension mechanism from an overhead conveyor. The apparatus includes a frame and a carriage assembly for moving along the frame. A drive mechanism moves the carriage along the frame and a saw is connected to the carriage for general vertical movement to split the carcass. A suspension member pusher is connected to the assembly for controlling movement of the carcass independent of the overhead conveyor. The apparatus includes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders and transducers to monitor the locations of the various components of the carcass splitting apparatus.

Abstract: A loin separation apparatus and method of operation therefor controls a loin knife assembly in a manner which simulates the anthropomorphic motions of a human operator during a loin pulling operation. The loin knife assembly includes a U-shaped knife blade which is mounted to an arm which is connected to the apparatus through a universal joint to permit lateral and vertical displacement of the knife blade. Moreover, the separation between the sides of the loin knife may be varied. The combination of lateral displacement and varying the separation between the sides of the blade enables the sides of the knife blade to follow separate profiles. The loin separation apparatus generates customized cutting profiles and/or modifies standard cutting profiles for the loin knife assembly, as well as for a scribe saw assembly which may also be included on the apparatus, based upon the particular dimensions, contours, etc. of a specific side of meat.

Abstract: A loin separation apparatus and method of operation therefor controls a loin knife assembly in a manner which simulates the anthropomorphic motions of a human operator during a loin pulling operation. The loin knife assembly includes a U-shaped knife blade which is mounted to an arm which is connected to the apparatus through a universal joint to permit lateral and vertical displacement of the knife blade. Moreover, the separation between the sides of the loin knife may be varied. The combination of lateral displacement and varying the separation between the sides of the blade enables the sides of the knife blade to follow separate profiles. The loin separation apparatus generates customized cutting profiles and/or modifies standard cutting profiles for the loin knife assembly, as well as for a scribe saw assembly which may also be included on the apparatus, based upon the particular dimensions, contours, etc. of a specific side of meat.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for testing filled containers. The apparatus includes both a vacuum sensor and displacement sensors in combination. A computer is utilized to analyze the data from both the vacuum sensor and the displacement sensors, and based on preselected criteria, determines the seal integrity for the container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stripping the casing from casing enclosed sausage sticks includes an indexing device which moves sausages in an arcuate path during which the front end of the sausage stick is severed. The sausage sticks are then moved horizontally, front end first, by a positioning conveyor, and the front edges of the casing are engaged by a casing stripper device. The casing is pulled from the sausage stick as the latter is moved by a positioning conveyor. The decased front end of the sausage stick is gripped by a movable gripper device which pulls the sausage from the casing. An ejector mechanism ejects the sausage from the gripper device.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting the heads of animals comprises a conveyor including a plurality of head support members. Indexing drive means move the conveyor in incremental steps to successively advance each head support member to a cutting station. A stop means is provided for releasably locking the conveyor against movement and to precisely position a head support member at the cutting station. A shiftable cutting device is operable to split each head in half when each head is positioned at the cutting station.

Abstract: An apparatus for splitting animal carcasses being conveyed by an overhead conveyor, which includes a tracking carriage engaging the carcass to be split, and being shiftable in the direction of movement of the carcass. A lateral feed carriage is mounted on the tracking carriage for movement relative thereto towards and away from the carcass to be split. A positioning plate assembly is mounted on the tracking carriage. A carcass engaging assembly is mounted on the lateral feed carriage and clamps the carcass to be split against the positioning plate assembly. A saw carrier is vertically mounted on the lateral feed carriage and is vertically shiftable relative thereto. The saw carriage is operable, when shifted vertically downwardly, to cut longitudinally through the length of the backbone of the carcass.

Abstract: A hand skinner device for removing strips of skin from animal carcasses comprises an elongate handle including an air motor and having a housing mounted at one end thereof. The housing has a skinning blade supported thereon and a revolvable tooth roll assembly for engaging and pulling the skin against the skinning blade. A pair of uniquely constructed clips clamp the blade downwardly against the housing and clamp the tooth roll shaft upwardly against the housing. The multifunctional clips permit ready assembly and disassembly of the skinning device for cleaning and replacement of parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing clips from sausage sticks in preparation for packaging includes a feed mechanism for sequential and indexed movement of the sausage sticks through a plurality of gripping stations. The clipped ends of each sausage stick are pulled outwardly by gripping means at each gripping station to dispose the clipped ends in optimum condition for clamping at a clamping station. The clipped ends of each sausage stick are clamped by clamping mechanisms at the clamping station and the sausage sticks are rotated by gate means to twist the clips from the sausage sticks. The declipped sausage sticks are then moved to a labeling station where labels are mechanically applied to the sticks.

Abstract: An apparatus for slashing meat includes a support frame having a conveyor mounted thereon and comprised of endless conveyor elements arranged in side-by-side relation. Upper and lower blade assemblies are mounted on the support frame, and each is comprised of a plurality of independently mounted driven blades arranged in overlapping relation. Cuts of meat are moved by the conveyors and are simultaneously slashed through the upper and lower surfaces thereof by the upper and lower blade assemblies, which permit ready visual determination of the presence of abscesses and other defects in the meat, and also permits easy removal of the meat from the bone.

Abstract: A hand held power driven skinning device includes a housing having a handle connected thereto and having a blade assembly mounted thereon. A driven tooth roll assembly is provided with a shaft that is journaled on the housing. A clean-out bar assembly is mounted in the housing and engages the tooth roll assembly. A retainer element on the blade assembly and a locking element on the shaft for the tooth roll assembly coact to releasably lock the blade assembly, the tooth roll assembly and the clean-out bar assembly on the housing. Manipulation of the locking element permits ready disassembly and reassembly of the tooth roll assembly, the blade assembly and the clean-out bar assembly on the housing.

Abstract: A shoulder skinning apparatus includes a skinning device comprised of a housing having a revolvable toothed roller mounted therein and a blade mounted thereon in close proximity to the toothed roller. The skinning device is suspended from a suspension device and power means permits vertical positioning of the skinning device to assure effective removal of the skin from the shoulder area of the hog carcass. The toothed roller and skinning blade are dimensioned whereby when the toothed roller is revolved by power means, the skin from the shoulder area of the hog carcass may be progressively removed in a single pass. A separate control handle controls the positioning and operation of the skinning device by a means of a unique cam arrangement.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the mid-section portion of the skin from the carcass of an animal, such as a hog, includes a revolvable drum mounted on a frame. A flap forming mechanism is mounted on the drum and is operable to form a skin flap and grip the same to hold the skin against the drum during the skinning operation. A skinning blade is mounted on the frame and positioned adjacent the drum to cut the skin from the torso. A skin hold-back mechanism is mounted on the frame and includes an arm having a blade which engages the drum to remove the skin from the drum. This hold-back device engages the drum and dislodges the skin from the toothroll cavity when the mid-section portion of the skin is completely removed from the animal. The frame is mounted on a shock absorbing device which absorbs vertical forces transmitted to the frame during the skinning operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the torso portion of the skin from the carcass of an animal, such as a hog, includes an overhead support from which a carcass is suspended during the skin removing operation. The skin is first removed from the hind quarters of the carcass and then a cut is made in the skin of the torso completely around the carcass just rearwardly of the fore limbs. A flap forming blade makes a longitudinal cut in the carcass and the longitudinal edge of the skin defined by the longitudinal cut is gripped by revolvable toothed cylinders carried by a revolvable drum to form a flap which is wound about the toothed cylinder. A carcass engaging device holds the carcass against the drum during the flap forming operation. A flexible pressurized movable blade positioned adjacent the drum progressively cuts the skin from the carcass as the drum is revolved.

Abstract: A skinning apparatus includes a suspension device and a skinning device suspended by the suspension device for easy manipulation by an operator in removing the skin from the ham area of a hog carcass which is suspended from an overhead support. The skinning device includes a revolvable tooth roller and blade which cooperate with each other and which are dimensioned to progressively remove the skin from both ham areas of a hog carcass in a single pass. The suspension device permits easy manipulation of the heavy skinning device in following the contours of the ham areas of the suspended hog carcass during the skinning operation. Control means on the hand grips of the skinning device control operation of both the skinning and suspension device.

Abstract: A hand supported skinning device for removing the skin from animal carcasses includes a housing having a handle attached thereto. A stationary blade is mounted on the housing closely adjacent a driven revolvable feeder roll which grips and pulls the animal skin against the blade to permit the skin to be progressively moved from the carcass.