Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for crop cover skin removal are proposed. For example, a method can include receiving a bird in a station. The method can also include grasping crop cover skin of the bird by a pair of peeler rollers. The method can further include tensioning the crop cover skin by the pair of peeler rollers. The method can additionally include slicing the crop cover skin while the crop cover skin is being tensioned.

Abstract: A method for inserting an interspinous spinal implant into an opened gap between first and second spinous processes of adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, respectively includes the following. First forming an opened gap between a first spinous processes of a superior vertebra and a second spinous processes of an adjacent inferior vertebra by first inserting a decompression knife into diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras, then cutting fascia tissue, then separating soft tissue from bone by rocking the decompression knife back and forth, and then inserting a broach cutter into the diseased areas of the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras and cutting interspinous ligament between the adjacent superior and inferior vertebras. Next, determining and selecting an appropriate sized and shaped interspinous spinal implant for the opened gap by inserting a sizing tool into the opened gap, and sizing the opened gap with the sizing tool.

Abstract: Poultry neck breaker machine for poultry suspended by the legs in a conveyor line, comprising a movable breaker device for imparting a breaking force to the poultry's neck, and comprising an anvil to provide support to the poultry's neck during operation of the movable breaker device, wherein the anvil is arranged for introduction into a poultry cavity through the poultry's vent. The invention also relates to a method for breaking a poultry's neck while the poultry is suspended by the legs in a conveyor line, wherein a breaking force is imparted to the poultry's neck while the poultry's neck is supported, wherein the poultry's neck is supported from within the poultry.

Abstract: A device for the clean removal of an animal part from an animal carcass is set forth. The device includes a puller that attaches to the animal part and to a cable. A piston is also provided. The piston is connected to the cable that pulls the part away from the animal carcass via the cable and the puller, and applies pressure to dislocate the bones from the animal carcass. The bones are dislocated without removing the dislocated section completely from the animal carcass.

Abstract: Poultry carcasses hanging by their legs from a moving overhead conveying line are presented to corresponding carcass processing fixtures moving in a closed loop of travel around an upright axis. As each carcass is presented to its fixture, a holder on the fixture takes control of the carcass and stabilizes it with the breast facing outwardly and the neck hanging downwardly against a sloped centering channel. Once the carcass is stabilized, an arm carrying a slitting knife swings up toward the front throat area of the neck but before the knife can contact the neck skin, a stretcher device mounted in close proximity to the knife but operable in a stretching motion relative to the knife engages the skin and pulls it downwardly into a taut condition to facilitate penetration and severance by the knife. The stretcher is operated in its stretching motion by camming engagement with the underside of a shoulder yoke on the holder as the arm presents the knife to the carcass.

Abstract: An apparatus for denecking a bird according to this invention has a generally U-shaped die having a forwardly open notch in which a bird neck is positioned, a punch complementary to the notch and engageable therethrough, and a ram or the like for pushing the punch through the notch and thereby cutting off the neck positioned in the notch. The die is generally flat and has a pair of arms defining the notch and the notch has a base lying between the arms and the arms extend downward at an acute angle to the horizontal from the base. The bird is held supine during denecking fixedly relative to a stationary support and a carriage is provided that carries the die, the punch, and ram that moves this punch. This carriage is displaceable horizontally on the support forward away and backward toward the bird. When pressed backward against the bird it presses the die backward against the bird at a base of the neck thereof.