Abstract: A method for the harvesting of back skin from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, from which carcass part the breast cap has been removed, wherein the carcass part initially consisting of at least a part of the upper back and at least a part of the legs connected to the back, wherein the part of the upper back consists of back meat and back skin, and wherein the leg parts consist of at least the thighs and are provided at least partially with leg skin, the leg skin being connected at least partially to the back skin, which carcass part has a front, a rear and two sides.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing skin and fat from meat parts, includes a toothroll assembly. The toothroll assembly includes a first section having an outer surface, and a second section having an outer surface. The first section is adapted to rotate at a first surface speed, and the second section is adapted to rotate at a second surface speed independently from the first surface speed.

Abstract: This is a machine for the removal of ammonia burns and skin from the paws of poultry. The machine does this by using two high speed brushes. The paws of poultry are positioned in between the two brushes by using a top guide bar, a bottom guide bar and an adjustable guide bar. The adjustable guide bar is uniquely designed to have a protrusion in approximately the middle of the adjustable guide bar that aids in the process of guiding the poultry paws within the bristles of the high speed brushes. The brushes then clean off the ammonia burns and take away the skin from the paws. This process occurs prior to cutting the paws off the poultry.

Abstract: A roller assembly for a meat skinning device having a frame, a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the frame and having a female groove, and an elongated roller having a male prong frictionally received within the female groove, a bearing housing secured to the drive shaft, and a seal mounted on the roller and separated from a food zone of the roller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for gripping the skin of a game comprising a mass tethered to a collar formed of a rigid material. The mass is tethered to the collar with a flexible cord. The skinning tool enables the user to grip and to forcibly pull the skin of a game by placing a sheet of the skin around the mass and engaging the mass through the skin with a collar of rigid material to form a generally arcuate line or contract between the collar and the skin, and the skin and the mass. The rigid material from which the collar is formed may be coupled to a pulling tool such as a hook and winch, or to a cross-bar for pulling by hand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that uses safety apparel that has an identification element so that a sensor on a machine may detect the presence of the identification element. Upon detecting the presence of the identification element, the sensors electronically activate a series of switches and relays that allow the machine to operate. A plurality of relays can be set up so that when certain operational parameters occur, or do not occur, the machine is shut down. This includes a timing circuit to ensure the machine is being properly operated. Once the machine shuts down the operator must repeat the procedure of placing the identification element in communication with the sensors.

Abstract: An automated skinning and deboning apparatus for processing poultry thigh portions to remove the skin and bone from the meat portion in a single pass includes a support frame and housing having a feed inlet and a product discharge outlet. The feed inlet includes a guide chute which aligns the thigh portion such that the longitudinally extending bone is disposed parallel to the chosen path of travel. A first pair of conveyors receives the thigh portion and transports it to a skinning station wherein the skin is pulled away from the underlying meat portion via a pinching or trapping action of the skin engaged between a rotating fin and an arcuate surface of a pinch block mounted along the path of travel.

Abstract: A leg part cutter (1) skins and cuts poultry leg parts, in particular thighbones (P), which parts are provided with a bone. A frame (2, 3) and skinning rolls (19) arranged on the frame for skinning the leg part. Knives (24, 25) are arranged on the frame for cutting through the leg part along the bone. A conveyor (4) conveys the leg part past the skinning rolls and after that past the knives.

Abstract: The bottom of the clamp in a blade assembly has an elongated truncated tapered recess that receives the blade of similar shape. The blade has a vertical rearward edge. When the blade is placed in the recess of the clamp, an opening exists between the rearward edge of the blade and the rearward wall of the recess. To remove the blade an ice pick or similar tool is inserted in the space in the recess between the rearward edge of the blade and the vertical wall at the rearward end of the recess to pry the blade out of the recess.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for removing skin from the bodies of animals, preferably of fowls, and a device for implementing said method. Known devices comprise skin-removing rollers, designed to enable height adjustment via a control cam. Said devices, however, have the disadvantage of not enabling the rollers to be accurately positioned on the bodies of animals of different shapes, in particular on bodies with curves. The invention aims at supplying a device and a method ensuring optimal positioning enabling the skin to be removed without damage. This is achieved by the fact that the inventive device comprises skin-removing rollers with two degrees of freedom, thereby enabling said rollers to be optimally positioned, independently of the size of the animal body.

Abstract: There is provided a first cable assembly, a second cable assembly, and a common hook unit connected to the first and second cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a cable guide and skin gripper member which includes a plurality of blunt-end gripper bumps. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of removing skin from an animal carcass is provided which includes the steps of: attaching the carcass to a fixed object, such as a tree; splitting the skin from the inside of all four legs and down the stomach of the carcass; attaching a first cable loop assembly to skin of a first leg of the carcass; attaching a second cable loop assembly to skin of a second leg of the carcass; and pulling both cable loop assemblies using a vehicle, whereby the skin is pulled off of the carcass.

Abstract: The bottom of the clamp in a blade assembly has an elongated truncated tapered recess that receives the blade of similar shape. The blade has a vertical rearward edge. When the blade is placed in the recess of the clamp, an opening exists between the rearward edge of the blade and the rearward wall of the recess. To remove the blade an ice pick or similar tool is inserted in the space in the recess between the rearward edge of the blade and the vertical wall at the rearward end of the recess to pry the blade out of the recess.

Abstract: An animal skinner apparatus includes a first cable assembly, a second cable assembly, and a common hook unit connected to the first and second cable assemblies. Each cable assembly includes a cable guide and skin gripper member which includes a plurality of blunt-end gripper bumps. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of removing skin from an animal carcass is provided which includes the steps of: attaching the carcass to a fixed object, such as a tree; splitting the skin from the inside of all four legs and down the stomach of the carcass; attaching a first cable loop assembly to skin of a first leg of the carcass; attaching a second cable loop assembly to skin of a second leg of the carcass; and pulling both cable loop assemblies using a vehicle, whereby the skin is pulled off of the carcass.

Abstract: A skinning blade assembly with a blade, clamp, and shoe where the blade is frictionally received in a recess formed in the bottom surface of the clamp, the clamp having a slot that extends from the top of the clamp through the bottom of the clamp such that a tool can be inserted in the slot to apply sufficient force against the back edge of the blade to overcome the frictional force of the clamp acting on the blade to remove the blade from the receiving recess.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for aseptically separating and removing the hide of an animal from its carcass wherein the hide is separated from the carcass prior to marking of the hide using at least one cutting implement inserted between the hide and the carcass for cutting the connecting tissue attaching the hide and carcass. The hide, once separated, is then marked and removed from the carcass.

Abstract: A hand held skinner having a handle portion, a base portion and a neck portion connecting the handle portion to the base portion. The base portion has finger portions extending from the neck portion toward a first and second tip respectively. The fingers are angularly spaced apart to define a channel therebetween. A cutting member is mounted so as to transverse the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering meat from the head of a slaughtered animal. A jaw support clamps and supports the head by clamping the jaw. Cheek pullers having clamps engage with and hold the cheeks of the animal head in the vicinity of the mouth. A drive arrangement has a lateral drive for moving the cheek pullers outwardly away from each other and has a posterior drive for moving the cheek pullers in the posterior direction so as to pull tissues from both the jaw and the skull. A jaw separation means comprises a snout ring to be fitted to the snout of the skull and a drive moves the snout ring so as to move the skull relative to the jaw with an at least partially arcuate path of movement so as to continue to open the mouth wider as or after the cheek meat is removed from the animal head.

Abstract: A substantially rectangular platform that has a top surface and a bottom surface. A pair of sectional tubular stanchions has one end connected to the platform. A cross-member is connected between the pair of stanchions other ends. A winch with a cable and an elongated carcass lifting member is mounted onto the cross-member. A pair of adjustable carcass leg retaining members each having one end secured to the winch's elongated carcass lifting member. The adjustable carcass leg retaining member's other ends are detachably securable to the carcass's legs. A pair of adjustable carcass skin retaining members each having one end secured to the platform by hooks. The adjustable carcass skin retaining member's other end is detachably securable to the carcass's skin.

Abstract: Device for skinning and cutting leg parts, in particular thighbones, of poultry, which portions are provided with a bone, comprising a frame and means arranged on the frame for skinning the leg part, as well as means arranged on the frame for cutting through the leg part along the bone, in which the device furthermore comprises means for conveying the leg part past the skinning means and after that past the cutting means.

Abstract: An automated poultry skinning apparatus which includes a support frame having a product feed inlet and discharge outlet and housing a conveyor aligned to engage the upper surface of a piece of poultry product entering the feed outlet. The apparatus is provided with a rotatably mounted gripper provided with a plurality of radially extending fins adapted to engage the lower surface of the piece of poultry passing between the gripper and toe conveyor. An arcuate pinch surface is provided which is mounted in closely spaced relationship to the arcuate path traveled by the rotating fins of the gripper and define therewith an opening for trapping the outer skin attached to the poultry product between the arcuate surface and the outer end of a rotating fin to entrap a portion of the skin and pull the skin from the poultry product piece.

Abstract: A conventional meat skinning machine has a frame, a horizontal auger on the frame having a forward end, a tooth gripping roll rearwardly mounted on the frame and extending across the forward end of the conveyor, and an elongated cutting blade mounted on the frame adjacent the gripping roll to remove material from the outer surface of a meat product coming in contact therewith. An elongated flipper plate is mounted on the frame adjacent the cutting edge of the cutting blade. A pair of parallel arms are pivotally secured to the frame adjacent the sides of the conveyor and extend upwardly and forwardly from their pivotal connections. A resilient hold down roll is rotatably mounted between the forward ends of the arms. A lifting mechanism is provided on the frame and connected to the arms for raising and lowering the arms at selected intervals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing fish prior to canning to increase yield. The method includes the steps of first preparing the fish body for further processing by: removing (12) the tail, pectoral, and thoracic fins from a frozen fish body, removing the scales (20) from the frozen fish body, dipping the fish body in a hot bath (24) to thaw the skin and subdermal layer of the fish, dipping the fish body in a cooling bath (28) to stop fixer thawing, skinning (32) the fish body, and finally removing the dorsal and ventral fins (36). The method also includes the steps of preparing separated loin portions of the fish body for canning by: immersing frozen loin pieces in a heated broth bath (84) to coat the pieces with broth and then cooking the pieces in a hot water bath (88) until the internal temperature of the pieces reaches a preferred temperature. A preferred scaling apparatus includes a scaler assembly (42), a holder (44) for the fish body, and means for moving the scaler assembly close to the holder.

Abstract: A mechanism for gripping an object employing a set of jaws which are adjusted to fit the size of the object by means of a limit or sizing stop device. The object is gripped by the jaws secured to the end of a stationary lower member while a movable upper member grips the opposite side of the object. A post operably supports a piston which is pivotally connected to the end of the upper member so that the piston, when moved up and down under pneumatic control, causes the jaws to move together or spread apart.

Abstract: A method for cutting a portion of a flat or outside animal round into a plurality of meat products including steaks having substantially enhanced value comprises removing substantially all of a fat layer from the exterior surface of the portion of the animal round. A natural seam on the muscle is located and a cut is made along the seam to divide the portion of the beef round into at least two separate portions, a first portion having coarse grains extending in multiple directions and a second portion having generally parallel grains. Substantially all of the cartilage, membrane, fat, and other non-meat tissue is removed from the outside of the first portion. Substantially all of the cartilage, membrane, fat and other non-meat tissue is also removed from the outside of the second portion. The second portion is tenderized and is then cut across the grain in a direction generally parallel to natural seam into a plurality of steaks, each steak being very low in fat content and of relatively high economic value.

Abstract: This invention relates to the development of a new and useful improvement in fish dressing tools, which has as its prime objective a means whereby a fish may be quickly and efficiently dressed, having its skin and entrails removed. The device has two rounded tines, the sharpened ends of which are usefully engaged with the spine of the catfish that is to be cleaned after the body of said fish has been cut by a bladed instrument. Thereafter, force is applied to the skinning device in a pulling manner, typically in a direction corresponding to the long axis of said fish, and away from the cuts made so as facilitate the snapping of the spinal column and thereafter the cleaning of the fish, the skinner device firmly engaging the spinal column of the body of the fish during said pulling movement.

Abstract: A machine for cutting away undesired tissue (VP), e.g. fat tissue from fish fillets (F), said undesired tissue (VP) extending substantially in one main direction e.g. in the longitudinal direction of a fish fillet, comprises a rotary freezing drum (7) for freezing fillets (F) thereto in order to retain the fillets while a knife (18) cuts a fish meat slice (FS) loose from the freezing drum (7), a conveyor (3) being adapted to supply fillets (F) to the freezing drum (7). The freezing drum (7) is formed with at least one circumferential groove (7a) receiving said fat tissue portion (VP), an underlying conveyor (3), through the shape, design and suspension thereof, being adapted to press said fat tissue portion (VP) into the groove (7a) within which the fat tissue portion (VP) freezes and, thus, is retained, withdrawn from the drum mantle face (7') when the knife (18) cuts loose a fish slice (FS) freed from fat tissue.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a automatic skinning machine. The automatic skinning machine includes a blade holder with a plurality of indentations disposed thereon. The cutting blade is adopted to be positioned adjacent to blade holder such that the cutting edge is recessed behind the leading edge of the blade holder and generally extends across each of the indentations formed on the leading edge. The invention further includes attaching apertures formed only on the bottom surface of the blade holder such that crevices and cracks which could lead to contamination are not exposed to product passing over the blade holder. The invention further includes the use of locking pins in conjunction with the apertures formed on the bottom surface of the blade holder such that the blade can be easily held in position. The invention further includes a camming structure for automatically moving the cutting shoe of the device between an initial position and a skinning position.

Abstract: An automatic stripping machine for meat products such as hams or other meat products which have been previously baked in a mold and compressed by a lid inserted in the mold and provided with at least a crosspiece mounted in a floating arrangement on two or more columns integral with the lid, with interposition of a resilient device and arms having a toothed profile for locking the lid to the mold, being hinged on one end of the crosspiece and having one of their teeth locked under an external rim which surrounds the mold opening. The machine carries out in a sequential and automatic way the operations of sequential feeding of the molds filled with the meat product and closed with a lid; identifying the number of lid locking arms for the purpose of subsequently removing the lid; removing the lid from the mold; stripping the product from the mold; and separately discharging the product and the empty mold.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for holding, among other possible things, a squirrel or other animal during skinning. The mechanism includes a rigid band under which a tail of the animal is gripped. The band is pivoted between an open and closed position by a foot-operated treadle which is connected to the band by an elongated rigid link.

Abstract: A safety glove for use with a meat cutting machine that has a gripping roll and an elongated skinning blade utilizes a glove shell having hollow thumb and finger elements, and a hand compartment. The glove is comprised of a flexible insulation material and has a battery and wireless signal transmitter mounted thereon. First and second wires extend from the battery and the transmitter and these wires are wound around each other and have a layer of insulation on the outer surfaces thereof. The wires are embedded in close proximity to each other within the glove shell by virtue of being wound around each other so that if the glove is cut with an electroconducting instrument, such as the blade of the skinning machine, the wires will be electrically connected together.

Abstract: A skinning apparatus is provided which is constructed of durable metal and consists of a flat back plate segment and a plate key insert containing a slot. On the back plate segment are a first aperture situated over a second aperture. The first aperture is a circular hole, and is intended to be affixed to a cable or chain attached to a truck or other vehicle. The second aperture is a key-shaped hole and forms the orifice through which the hide of the animal will be inserted. Once the skin of the game is pushed through the slot in the plate key insert, the skin is wrapped and folded about the plate key insert and inserted through the second aperture. The skin is then secured by locking the plate key insert within the second aperture.

Abstract: A tool 15 for clamping and hand holding of a head 16 of a fish 17 while its body 19 is skinned. A pair of handles 21, 22 in tool 15 are manually manipulated to provide a pivotal action for prongs 31, 32 mounted on extensions members 25, 26, respectively, to the handles 21, 22, piercing the head 16. The single prong 32 and the prongs 31 grip the head 16 while skinning of the fish's body 17 proceeds after cutting a line 46 behind its head 16. Bosses 37, 38 are provided in the handles 21, 22, respectively, engaging one another in a full closure mode for the tool 15. A pocket 40 is provided in handle 22 for seating of a portion 39 of handle 21 adjacent a pivotal assembly 23 for handles, extensions, and prongs, the bosses 37, 38 in alignment with one another for cooperative engagement to limit pivotal action of the tool 15 to its closed mode.

Abstract: A portable game hoist for hanging game or other objects from an existing support structure. The inventive device includes a main beam which can be rested upon or secured relative to a support structure such as spaced rafters or a vertical support. A winch is secured relative to a first end of the main beam and stores a cable which is directed through the main beam to a second end thereof. The cable extends over a pulley at the second end of the main beam and couples with a hanger so as to permit hanging of game animals or the like relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A portable game hoist and skinning aid which includes a support frame for supporting a deer carcass in a hoisted position off the ground and which may be attached to a tree, post or other vertical object by straps, chains or other means. The device includes a hand operated winch having a cable which may be passed over an upper pulley attached to the support frame to raise the deer carcass into position. The cable may also be run through a lower pulley and then attached to the skin of the animal so that operation of the winch provides assistance in skinning the suspended animal carcass.

Abstract: A mobile abattoir, particularly for slaughtering and processing sheep and members of the deer family. The abattoir is in the form of a towable, wheel-carried and covered vehicle which includes a machine room (11) that houses equipment for supplying electricity, water and heat distribution, a personnel room (50) and three processing stations, namely a first station (20) which includes lifting and transporting equipment for bringing a slaughtered animal to a first hanging and carcass processing position, a second station (30) which includes equipment for transferring the animal carcass from a hanging position in the first station to a lying position on a longitudinally movable processing bench (31), where the skin of the animal is removed from the carcass, equipment for connecting the carcass to a third station (40) which includes a movable transport part (15) and in which the carcass is finally processed while hanging from the path, whereafter the thus processed carcass is moved to a cooling space (60).

Abstract: A method for reducing contamination of animal carcasses during slaughtering, particularly bovine carcasses. Contamination of carcasses during slaughtering is reduced by applying water and/or an aqueous antimicrobial solution to the carcass concurrently with hide removal. The stickiness of the exposed carcass surface is reduced, so fewer contaminants adhere to the surface, or adhere less tightly, thus minimizing contamination and improving the efficiency of subsequent cleaning procedures.

Abstract: A method and device for retaining a pre-determined thickness of fat on a carcass or piece of meat is provided. A guide for a trimming knife is provided comprising a means for contacting meat that is capable of compressing fat substantially to the surface of meat but not substantially into the meat. The guide includes a means for directing fat away from meat after fat has been severed from the meat and a means to secure the guide to the knife. The guide is particularly adapted for use with conventional circular-blade knives and for trimming fat in an uncongealed state from an animal carcass.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the skin from an animal carcass. The apparatus comprises a cable, a two stage ball, and a skinner plate. The specially shaped two stage ball has a larger lobe and a relatively smaller lobe and a neck connecting the two lobes. To begin the skinning process, cuts are made in the deer's skin, or hide, and a portion of skin behind the deer's neck is pulled back. The skinner plate is placed on the raw side of the hide. The relatively smaller lobe of the two staged ball is pushed through an aperture in the skinner plate from the hair side of the hide. The cable is then tightened around the neck of the two stage ball, thereby cinching the hide to the two stage ball. A pulling force can then be applied on the cable and the skin peeled from the animal carcass.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating the bones from parts of pigs' legs, including a machine base having a horizontal track, a sliding board moved in the track and having a center hole for inserting the bone of the part of the pig's leg to be processed, a first hydraulic cylinder, a first pull rope driven by the first hydraulic cylinder to pull the bone of the part of the pig's skin upwards, a second hydraulic cylinder, and a second pull rope driven by the second hydraulic cylinder to pull the skin of the part of the pig's leg downwards.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the humane slaughter and efficient processing of ratites, for example, ostrich and emu, which are generally large, heavy, and hostile animals. The method envisions transporting ratites from station to station in succession within a facility via a rail system in order to process them on a mass scale. Initially, each ratite is rendered unconscious by an electrical discharge. The ratites are then hung in an inverted position on the rail system. The ratites are killed by lacerating the arteries in the neck and also the windpipe. The head of each ratite is removed and useful parts are extracted. Next, the ratites are de-feathered and skinned. The viscera of each ratite is removed. The gizzard, heart, and liver are extracted for further processing. Finally, the edible meat products are removed from each ratite and are processed for human use.

Abstract: A meat skinning machine has a frame, an elongated skinning blade with a cutting edge, a rotatable gripping roll positioned adjacent the blade, and a motor operatively connected to the gripping roll. The skinning machine is also provided with a pivotal deflector plate for deflecting a meat product upwardly as the product is fed past the blade. The angle of the deflector plate is adjustable to accommodate different meat products and different operators. In one embodiment, the distance between the deflector plate and the skinning blade is also adjustable. The upward deflection of the meat product allows the product to be flipped forwardly to a position in front of the skinning blade for additional feeding past the skinning blade, without the operator reaching across the skinning blade to pick up or grasp the meat product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for skinning while protecting the hide and carcass of game animals while the game animal may be held in a horizontal position at ground level. The apparatus includes a head harness for connection of the head of the game animal to a stationary object. Also included is a skin remover which is attachable to the skin of the animal just below a neck incision and is also attachable to a vehicle bumper. A wrap-around game bag locatable beneath the game during the skinning process ensures that dirt and debris are kept away from the game during the skinning process. The method of skinning includes attaching the head of the game to a stationary object, attaching the skin remover to a vehicle and then applying force with the vehicle to the skin of the animal while the animal remains attached to the stationary object. Just before the skinning occurs and when tension is maximized, the bag is located in its open orientation beneath the game animal.

Abstract: A pelt puller apparatus and method utilizing hydraulic power means for stripping a pelt from an animal carcass suspended by both fore and hind legs in an upside down cradle position. The pelt puller apparatus includes a puller assembly and a kick bar assembly. The puller assembly is generally defined as an L-shaped frame structure and includes a pair of hydraulically operated clamp assemblies for holding the worked up sock portions of the animal pelt. The vertical frame portion of the L-shape framework includes a pair of telescopingly adjustable frame members and a hydraulic power means for providing vertical height adjustment of the clamp assemblies with respect to the animal carcass. The puller assembly framework is connected to an overhead rail system via a wheeled carriage assembly and includes hydraulic power means for providing fore/aft (push/pull) movement to the puller assembly.

Abstract: A safety control system for power operated equipment which ensures operator safety by immediately disconnecting the power drive from a power driven rotating member, such as a toothed feed shaft of a meat skinning machine or a moving blade of a band saw, and then positively stops and then reverses the direction of movement of the rotating member, upon a metal conductive glove worn by the operator, contacting the blade or toothed shaft. The operator's glove is electrically connected to a safety mechanism and upon the glove completing a circuit upon contact with the rotating member or equipment immediately disconnects the power drive from the rotating member by actuating a clutch or tensioning cylinder. A trigger mechanism then is actuated and permits a positive stopping element to engage and stop the moving element.

Abstract: A method for mechanically detaching the meat from the bodies of slaughtered poultry in the form of fillets is performed with a starting product in the shape of a so called "front-half", i.e. a body portion obtained by a cross-section made obliquely through the poultry body. From this body portion the pelvis has been severed together with the legs, and by a further step the wings have been severed. The treatment in individual processing steps, the performance of which is limited to very narrowly restricted working areas by means of tools which can thus be adapted without compromise to the anatomically conditioned circumstances. Moreover, the sequence of the processing steps is selected such that the increasing destabilization of the poultry body is controlled with each processing step so that the respective subsequent working steps are influenced in a minimum manner possible. The result is a high yield in fillet meat of excellent quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for lifting the skin and loading a poultry part into a skinning machine and, in particular, for loading a poultry breast fillet into a poultry breast fillet skinning machine. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of endless loop link chains travel around a path defined by respective pairs of vertically rotating sprocket wheels. The forward sprocket wheels are located at a slightly lower elevation than the rear sprocket wheels. Each of the links in the two link chains contains an outwardly projecting gripping finger. As the links pass over the sprocket wheels the gripping fingers tend to separate at their outer ends. As the links travel along the straight segments between the sprocket wheels, the gripping fingers tend to assume a more closely spaced relationship which pinches folds of skin on the poultry part.

Abstract: Method and device for processing the skin of a leg of a slaughtered bird. The bird or leg is moved along in a conveyor. The skin of the leg is cut through completely or almost completely in the vicinity of the knee joint between the region of the kneecap and the region of the back of the knee, the tissue lying under the skin remaining essentially intact, by conveying the leg past a cutting device and putting it in contact therewith. The leg is supported by leg positioning elements while it is passing the cutting device. The cutting depth of the cutting means is limited by a stop which is connected to the cutting means. Provision is made for a stripping device for stripping the severed thigh skin away from the suspended leg downwards. Provision is also made for a roll-up device for rolling up the drumstick skin prior to separating the leg into a thigh portion and a drumstick.

Abstract: This invention provides a safety means for powered machinery comprising a conventional wire mesh safety glove adapted for wearing by the machine operator. The machine with which it is used has a grounded frame, an electrical motor, a control switch, with the electrical motor being connected to a source of electrical energy through the control switch. A control safety circuit connects the electroconducting wire mesh safety glove and bypasses the conventional control switch for the machine which is in turn connected to the motor of the machine. The safety circuit includes a circuit breaking means, preferably a relay, whereby the relay will open and deprive the motor from electrical power whenever the wire mesh glove comes in contact with the grounded frame of the machine. An alternate form of the invention connects the wire mesh glove of the operator to the antenna of a wireless electromagnetic transmitter worn by the operator.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for skinning fish, particularly tuna fish, which comprises passing a precooked and cooled fish along conveyor belt means and the like while a series of rotating brushes above one side of and adjacent to the belly and back of the fish scrape the skin from those parts of the fish, passing the fish on the conveyor belt to a wheel around which the belt passes while a second belt contacts the opposite side of the fish and also passes around the wheel to hold the fish intact on the wheel until the fish is half way around the wheel and is turned over, depositing the turned over fish onto a third conveyor belt that receives the fish with the unscraped side thereof in the upper position, subjecting the unscraped side of the fish, and optionally, the belly and back thereof, to the rotating brushes to remove substantially all of the skin from the fish, and simultaneously spraying streams of water on the fish passing thereunder and the belts while removing skin from the fish and reducing deposit o

Abstract: A comb for connection to the skin meshing unit adjacent the cutter blades to contact the blades to remove the skin from the blades. The comb includes a plurality of slots which accommodates a portion of the cutter blades as the blades rotate through the skin sample passed under the blades. Each longitudinal end of the slot includes angled side wall and is bevelled relative to the bottom wall of the comb to form a V-shaped groove which engages the cutting edge of the blades in close contact to remove the skin from the cutter.