Abstract: A multi-purpose cutting device for removing the spinal cord and spinal meninx lining of the spinal cord of a slaughtered animal which has been longitudinally cut in two along the length of the spinal cord. The cutting device comprises a rotary cutting tool having a hub with radially outwardly projecting cutting fingers equidistantly spaced apart around the hub. The cutting fingers have blunt ends and are of substantially uniform length. A pair of circular saw blades are rigidly secured to opposite faces of the cutting tool. The saw blades have a circumference that approximately matches the effective circumference of the working ends of the cutting fingers. In use, when the cutting device is powered by a drive motor, the cutting fingers and saw blades rotate in unison. The cutting fingers rotate to remove the spinal cord and spinal meninx from the carcass while the saw blades cut into bone along opposite sides of the meninx.

Abstract: By providing in a carcass saw an easily accessible switch and associated blade-reversing means, serious jamming of the saw-blade and related jumping of the blade out of its guides in the saw are avoided and a return to normal saw operation in minimal time and with minimal damage is assured.

Abstract: By providing in a carcass saw an enclosure including at least one exhaustible receptacle for bone dust and other waste generated in the course of sectioning a carcass in a slaughter house, contamination of succeeding carcasses by such waste is eliminated.

Abstract: By increasing the mass and reducing the surface friction of the piston driving a penetrating bolt in an animal stunning gun and providing that bolt with a conically-shaped recess at its tip, maximum penetrating force with minimum gun complexity is achieved. The control valve releases the piston driving fluid, e.g. compressed air, very rapidly for the maximum surge effect on the piston driving the bolt. Further simplification of the gun without the sacrifice of any performance is achieved by utilizing magnetic or mechanical retention means for the bolt prior to the firing of the gun.

Abstract: By increasing the mass and reducing the surface friction of the piston driving a penetrating bolt in an animal stunning gun and providing that bolt with a conically-shaped recess at its tip, maximum penetrating force with minimum gun complexity is achieved. Further simplification of the gun without the sacrifice of any performance is achieved by utilizing magnetic retention means for the bolt prior to the firing of the gun.

Abstract: The present splitting saw generally comprises an elongated housing one end of which generally constitutes a drive end and the opposite end a driven end for an endless saw blade. The drive end mounts an electric motor connected by gearing to a drive pulley around which the drive end of said saw blade is trained, and the driven end is provided with a takeup pulley over which the opposite end of the pulley is trained.Both the drive and the driven pulleys are provided with radially and uniformly spaced drive pins, and the saw blade is provided with apertures that are spaced to receive the outer ends of said drive pins thereby effecting drive connections between the drive pins and the pulleys and the apertures in the saw blade.