Abstract: A gas stunning apparatus and system includes a first environment and a second environment. An animal is passed through the first environment until the carbon dioxide concentration within the first environment is about 40%, rendering the animal unconscious. The animal is then passed through the second environment until the carbon dioxide concentration within the second environment is about 100%, rendering the animal irrevocably unconscious.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for the controlled delivery of a gas from a mobile container (11) that comprises a connection unit (12) configured to connect a unit, to measure and regulate the flow (35) of the gas to the container (11) and a management unit (32) configured to control and manage the unit to measure and regulate the flow (35), on the basis of information correlated to a quantity of the gas to be delivered.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for the controlled delivery of a gas from a mobile container (11) that comprises a connection unit (12) configured to connect a unit, to measure and regulate the flow (35) of the gas to the container (11) and a management unit (32) configured to control and manage the unit to measure and regulate the flow (35), on the basis of information correlated to a quantity of the gas to be delivered.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a rotational speed sensor of a motor vehicle with a signal encoder ring having a plurality of magnet elements arranged uniformly over its circumference with alternating orientation, and with a signal receiver having at least two sensor elements arranged uniformly apart from one another for sensing magnetic fields of the magnets. Information bits are generated based on magnetic field strengths detected by the sensor elements and made available as a rotational speed information signal. At a low rotational speed, an additional rotational speed information signal is generated and added to the rotational speed information signal. The additional signal comprises additional rotational speed pulses inserted between two normal rotational speed pulses. As a result, a plurality of rotational speed pulses are available per period of the encoder ring and a higher resolution of determination of the speed becomes possible.

Abstract: A sensor housing for a wheel-sensor device for a vehicle includes a first receiving aperture, a second receiving aperture, a first rotational-speed sensor, a rotary transducer, and a second rotational-speed sensor. The first sensor is configured to be inserted into the first aperture, and the sensor housing with the inserted first sensor is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The rotary transducer is configured to co-rotate with a vehicle wheel and to trigger a change in a first physical quantity. The second sensor is configured to be inserted adjacent to the first sensor in the first aperture or in the second aperture, and the sensor housing, with the inserted first and second sensors, is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The rotary transducer co-rotating with the rotating wheel triggers the change in the first physical quantity and a change in a second physical quantity.

Abstract: A gas stunning apparatus and system includes a first environment and a second environment. An animal is passed through the first environment until the carbon dioxide concentration within the first environment is about 40%, rendering the animal unconscious. The animal is then passed through the second environment until the carbon dioxide concentration within the second environment is about 100%, rendering the animal irrevocably unconscious.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for operating a rotational speed sensor of a motor vehicle with a signal encoder ring having a plurality of magnet elements arranged uniformly over its circumference with alternating orientation, and with a signal receiver having at least two sensor elements arranged uniformly apart from one another for sensing magnetic fields of the magnets. Information bits are generated based on magnetic field strengths detected by the sensor elements and made available as a rotational speed information signal. At a low rotational speed, an additional rotational speed information signal is generated and added to the rotational speed information signal. The additional signal comprises additional rotational speed pulses inserted between two normal rotational speed pulses. As a result, a plurality of rotational speed pulses are available per period of the encoder ring and a higher resolution of determination of the speed becomes possible.

Abstract: A sensor housing for a wheel-sensor device for a vehicle includes a first receiving aperture, a second receiving aperture, a first rotational-speed sensor, a rotary transducer, and a second rotational-speed sensor. The first sensor is configured to be inserted into the first aperture, and the sensor housing with the inserted first sensor is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The rotary transducer is configured to co-rotate with a vehicle wheel and to trigger a change in a first physical quantity. The second sensor is configured to be inserted adjacent to the first sensor in the first aperture or in the second aperture, and the sensor housing, with the inserted first and second sensors, is configured to be mounted on the vehicle. The rotary transducer co-rotating with the rotating wheel triggers the change in the first physical quantity and a change in a second physical quantity.

Abstract: A pressure shoe assembly for a skinner includes a back plate that is demountably received within a groove in a mount assembly. Ends of the back plate have extensions presenting an oblique contact surface for engagement of a retention member. The angle of the contact surface secures the back plate I the mount limiting vertical movement of the pressure shoe when in use. The mount assembly includes a ledge for supporting the assembly when removed for cleaning. A lift assist mechanism aids in moving the assembly between the groove and ledge.

Abstract: A pressure shoe assembly for a skinner includes a back plate that is demountably received within a groove in a mount assembly. Ends of the back plate have extensions presenting an oblique contact surface for engagement of a retention member. The angle of the contact surface secures the back plate I the mount limiting vertical movement of the pressure shoe when in use. The mount assembly includes a ledge for supporting the assembly when removed for cleaning. A lift assist mechanism aids in moving the assembly between the groove and ledge.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.

Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.

Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.

Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.

Abstract: A probe for cleaning the eviscerated body cavity of an animal, including a bird, has a washer assembly rotatably mounted about a tube. The washer assembly includes a nose having apertures extending between the interior and exterior of the nose. A bore within the tube feeds fluid to the apertures in the nose. As the probe is inserted into and withdrawn from the body cavity the nose rotates and fluid washes the body cavity. Alternatively, the probe includes a helical auger mounted about the tube that rotates as the probe moves into and out of the body cavity to assist in agitating the fluid within the body cavity and to displace the leaf fat. The nose may seal the anterior opening of the bird carcass to allow the body cavity to fill with fluid and the auger to agitate the accumulated fluid.

Abstract: A spacing apparatus singulates and spaces items for further processing and packaging. The apparatus comprises a rotatable dispensing wheel member having apertures for receiving items, such as food parts. The apertures are configured to place the items in a consistent alignment on a conveyor system. As the dispensing wheel rotates, the items are deposited from the apertures sequentially and with consistent positioning on a conveyor system that transports the singularized items to a measuring point. The rate of rotation of the dispensing wheel member can be controlled by a controller. A guide disposed above the dispensing wheel member provides greater accuracy in depositing items into the slots.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating wanted tissues from a bird carcass comprises mechanical and manual manipulation of the tissues. Mechanical manipulation includes scoring the lateral side of the carcass below the ribs between the neck opening and vent to separate the breast tissue from the skeletal system, and cutting the breast tissue and tenderloin tissue from the breast bone. Manual manipulation of the wanted tissues includes: mounting the carcass on a fixture, grasping the breast tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the breast tissue from the carcass; and grasping the tenderloin tissue adjacent the neck opening, and moving the hand toward the vent to separate the tenderloin tissue from the carcass. Alternatively, the breast tissue may be harvested as a butterfly filet by scoring the lateral side of the carcass and removing the breast tissue from the carcass.

Abstract: A probe for cleaning the eviscerated body cavity of an animal, including a bird, has a washer assembly rotatably mounted about a tube. The washer assembly includes a nose having apertures extending between the interior and exterior of the nose. A bore within the tube feeds fluid to the apertures in the nose. As the probe is inserted into and withdrawn from the body cavity the nose rotates and fluid washes the body cavity. Alternatively, the probe includes a helical auger mounted about the tube that rotates as the probe moves into and out of the body cavity to assist in agitating the fluid within the body cavity and to displace the leaf fat. The nose may seal the anterior opening of the bird carcass to allow the body cavity to fill with fluid and the auger to agitate the accumulated fluid.

Abstract: A removable break-away shackle assembly for suspending an animal carcass during processing includes a shackle connected to a drop rod, where the drop rod is connected to a conveyor system. The drop rod includes an elongated body with a connector at one end. The shackle includes bendable opposing arms forming a widenable gap. The shackle is separable from the drop rod by passing the drop rod through the widenable gap causing the arms to bend and the gap to widen, or by passing the widenable gap across a depression in the drop rod.

Abstract: A valve for providing a pulsating discharge of fluid includes a valve assembly rotatably received within a housing. The housing is a tubular chamber with a fluid inlet port at a back end, a plurality of fluid outlet ports at a front end, with the valve assembly in between. The valve includes a lower body disposed adjacent the front end, and includes a plurality of valve openings that sequentially rotate into and out of communication with the fluid outlet ports as the valve assembly is rotated thereby causing a sequential discharge of fluid from the tubular chamber. The valve openings may have various dimensions thereby causing a variation in the pulsating fluid discharge effect. The distance between the valve lower body and the fluid outlet ports may be increased or decreased to allow uninterrupted fluid flow out of the tubular chamber and through the plurality of fluid outlet ports.