Abstract: An apparatus for trussing a slaughtered bird, is described the apparatus including: two or more members having trussing band retaining members, wherein the apparatus is configured to truss a slaughtered bird with a trussing band. Also described is a slaughtered bird holder, a method for trussing's a slaughtered bird, a vision system and a controller.

Abstract: A poultry leg retainer having a bridle having a spar and side members defining loops or openings adapted to receive the hocks; an extensible strap attached to the spar and extending across the loops or openings and adapted to cooperate with knuckle creases on the hocks; a separator or tab projecting from the spar inwardly between the loops or openings for cooperating with the hocks so as to assist in retaining the hocks within the loops or openings; and an anchor having upturned ends adapted for engagement with an interior cavity of the poultry carcass, the bridle and extensible straps forming a basket structure for retaining the hocks to truss the legs against the poultry carcass. The anchor can have a front surface defining a protrusion and a back surface defining a groove complementary to the protrusion, the protrusion of one retainer being fittable within the groove of another retainer.

Abstract: A poultry leg retainer for use with a poultry carcass having legs with hocks, the retainer having an anchor, a connecting leg, and a bridle portion. The anchor has an anchor beam that extends in a substantially transverse direction of the retainer. First and second outer ends of the anchor beam are pointed and upturned. The connecting leg is coupled on a distal end thereof with a central portion of the transverse anchor beam and extends in a longitudinal direction of the retainer substantially perpendicular to the transverse direction of the anchor beam. A curvilinear member of the bridal portion has a central portion that is coupled with the proximal end of the connecting leg and first and second arcuate portions that define first and second downwardly-facing openings, respectively, configured to engage first and second poultry hocks, respectively. The retainer is also configured to facilitate stacking of multiple retainers.

Abstract: A method for detaching and enclosing an outer end of the rectum of a carcass comprises the processing steps of: releasing the outer end of the rectum; pulling the released outer end of the rectum out of the carcass; placing the pulled out outer end of the rectum onto a sheet of covering material; and positioning the sheet of covering material around the pulled out outer end of the rectum such that the sheet of covering material encloses the outer end of the rectum. A device is provided for detaching and enclosing an outer end of the rectum of a carcass.

Abstract: An incision closing clip for closing an incision. The invention includes: a pair of curved clamp members, each including: an semi-tubular body member; an elongated plate member, each an edge of the semi-tubular body members; a plurality of protrusions, disposed along the elongated plate members and extending outwardly and orthogonal therefrom; and a pair of handle members, each coupled to an edge of the semi-tubular body members. Additionally, there is a joint member rotatably coupled to the clamp members. The joint member comprises a torsion spring. In addition, a cross-section of the first plurality of protrusions and a cross-section of the second plurality of protrusions is substantially triangular.

Abstract: The invention provides a process and anal seal for sealing the anus of the carcass (10) of a slaughtered animal. The anal seal includes a plug (15) for insertion through the anus so that tissues (11) contract behind the plug, a clamp (20) movable towards the plug to clamp the tissues behind, and retaining means (40) to hold the clamp in its clamping position. The plug (15) is conical and has a back end (17) so that the clamp which is in the shape of a clamping disc (22) clamps against periphery (18) of the back end of the plug. The clamp (15) can slide on a stem (32) extending from the back end of the plug. The retaining means (40) can comprise biasing means (48) or a latch (41) to hold the clamp in its clamping position. An applicator tool (60) can mount the anal seal during insertion of the plug into the rectum and move the clamp from a retracted position to its operative clamping position.

Abstract: The internal organs of a slain deer are removed from the animal cavity by sealing the rectum passage prior to forming an access slit along the deer belly. An annular (tubular) cutter is rotated on the deer rump to severe a plug of flesh containing the anus, after which the cutter is drawn away from the deer carcass to expose the rectum. A cord is tied around the exposed rectum so that the rectum is sealed against the escape of waste material when the deer belly is cut to gain access to the internal organs.

Abstract: A weasand clip used to close the weasand (oesophagus) of slaughtered animals has a leading edge with a sharply configured knife edge for breaking the sinews and membranes along the exterior length of the weasand in a single stroke of the rodder used to push the closed clip along the weasand to a sealed position protecting against leakage of ingesta into the weasand.

Abstract: A poultry trussing device (25) is provided having a protective cap (30) which holds together the exposed hocks. The protective cap (30) forms a substantially smooth three-dimensional continuous surface (31-34) which grips and covers the hocks. The cap (30) is connected to an anchor (50) which is removably attached to the side portion of the backbone of the carcass.

Abstract: An oesophagus seal for sealing the oesophagus in a slaughtered animal comprises a plug (10) for insertion into the oesophagus (40) and a retainer in the form of a clamp (20) which internally engages and clamps to tissues of the oesophagus (40) to resist disengagement of the plug. The plug (10) has an outer peripheral clamp surface (13) and the clamp (20) is in the form of a clamp ring (21) which clamps the internal mucosa (41) of the oesophagus (40) between the clamp ring (21) and the outside clamp surface (13). The plug (10) has a reduced diameter neck (15) and a conical ramped outer surface (16) leading to the clamp surface. The clamp ring (21) is initially located beyond the neck (15) and is advanceable so that tissues (41) surrounding and projecting into the neck portion (15), e.g.

Abstract: A kit for identifying a cooking process applied to poultry includes color coded elastic loops having a polyester and cotton fabric sleeve which is color coded and correlated with the process applied to the poultry.

Abstract: A retainer for poultry hocks is formed as a ring of a thin unitary plastic material, such as nylon. The ring has hinged flaps extending inward from opposite sides thereof. Poultry hocks inserted through the ring cause the flaps to bend outward and then partially retract backward so that the edges of the flaps engage behind the hock knuckles, holding the thighs close to the body of the fowl. Preferably, either the ring or the flaps are cut away to increase the length of the hinge area. In a modification, legs extending away from the ring define an opening into which the tail of the poultry may be inserted.

Abstract: A retainer for use with a body of eviscerated fowl having first and second legs with respective hocks. The retainer includes a unitary substantially planar thin plastic member which mounts about the hocks. The thin plastic member has an outer portion defining an opening which is elongated and of sufficient size to receive the legs. A plurality of protuberances integral with the outer portion extend inwardly into the opening for engaging the legs so as to hold the legs in a position extending perpendicular to the thin plastic member substantially parallel to each other when the thin plastic member is mounted about the hocks.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing live animals into meat food products involving slaughtering the animal, inserting a gelled or a gellable material into the rectum of the slaughtered animal to form a plug obstructing the rectum, and then eviscerating the animal. The method can be integrated into automatic or semi-automatic processes for processing a live animal in order to substantially reduce fecal leakage and contamination.

Abstract: A support structure for storing a plurality of retainers each used with a body of eviscerated fowl having first and second legs with respective severed extremities. Each retainer is a substantially planar thin member mountable about the severed extremities. The thin member has an outer portion which defines an opening sized to receive the legs and a plurality of protuberances which extend inwardly from the outer portion into the opening for engaging the legs. The support structure comprises an elongate member having at least one longitudinally-extending bend connecting first and second longitudinally-extending sections with first and second edges so as to be substantially V-shaped in cross-section. The cross-section of the elongate member is sized to extend through the opening in the thin member. The bend in the elongate member is adapted to engage the outer portion of the thin member between adjacent protuberances.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for separating and closing the rectum (13) of a slaughtered animal carcass (10). A gripping apparatus (20) is first located inside a closure bag (15). The gripping apparatus (20) comprises a bung member (21) which is inserted into the rectum (13) past the anus (11) and a clamp (25) which is advanced to clamp the constricted sphincter muscle tissues (19) against the bung member without perforating the bag. The gripping apparatus (20) is retracted to tension and straighten the rectum (13) while surround tissues are cut. Then bagging means (30) advances the closure bag (15) so as to surround the rectum and the bag (15) is constricted by a ring (31) around the rectum (13) at a location spaced inwardly of the anus (11).

Abstract: The invention lies in the field of slaughtering animals in a slaughterhouse. One of the operations during the slaughtering process is the removal of the head of the animal, whereby the gullet is severed. The invention has for its object to offer provisions which can ensure an effective and rapid closure of the gullet. For this purpose the invention generally provides a plug for closing the gullet of a slaughtered animal from which the head has been removed, which plug is adapted to be inserted into the gullet and has a larger effective diameter than the gullet for closing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing live animals into meat food products involving slaughtering the animal, inserting a tampon-like plug into the rectum of the slaughtered animal to obstruct the rectum and substantially reduce fecal leakage past the plug, and then eviscerating the animal. The method can be integrated into conventional semi-automatic processes for processing a live animal in order to substantially reduce fecal leakage and contamination.

Abstract: An adhesive patch includes an applique of material with one side covered in cryanoacrylic ester tissue glue with dimensions sufficiently large to cover the natural pelvic vents of beef and pork carcasses. The material appliques are dispensed with glue applied at the moment of use on an animal slaughter processing line.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing is eliminated by injecting a highly viscous material comprising a mixture of food grade constituents through the vent opening so as to create a self-adhering plug in the lower colon and rectum of the animal. The plug material preferably comprises a blended mixture of water, gum, modified food starch and a preservative whose viscosity is in the range of from about 220,000 centipoise to 480,000 centipoise. Being formed from food grade constituents, the offal can safely be harvested and used in animal feed as a by-product of the meat processing operation.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing is reduced or eliminated by applying a curable adhesive composition to the vent opening and permitting the applied curable composition to cure to form a cured firmly adherent vent seal after de-feathering has been completed or has progressed substantially. The curable sealing compositions are safe in the fully-cured state and do not liberate undesirable materials during curing.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting out and plugging the anal orifice of slaughtered animals in any slaughtering facility. The method comprises cutting out the rectum of the animal with a cylindrical cutter arranged around a centering mandrel and provided with side openings for immediately removing any waste matter that becomes stuck within the cutter, and injecting ground fat or a similar material into the anus with a pressurizing device controlled by automation equipment of the facility. The device is connected via a flexible duct to an inner channel in the centering mandrel for the tool for cutting out the rectum. The method and apparatus are suitable for use in any slaughtering facility, particularly high throughput abattoirs.

Abstract: Charges of solid coolant granules are automatically inserted into a fresh animal carcass or a portion of an animal carcass by the use of an inserting tool. The granular solid coolant charge is contained within a chamber of the tool which also includes a flat spear blade. When the blade forms a slit in a selected muscle area, the granular solid coolant charge is positively, rapidly and consistently positioned within the pocket that had just been opened by the spear blade. The insertion tool and process are especially well-adapted for use in reducing the development of pale, soft and exudative meat, while accomplishing this in a manner that is rapid and minimizes variations from carcass to carcass.

Abstract: A poultry trussing device is provided having a protective cap which holds together and covers the exposed hocks. The protective cap forms a smooth three-dimensional continuous surface which grips and encloses the hocks. The cap is connected to an anchor which is removably attached to the side portion of the backbone of the carcass.

Abstract: A leg retainer for use with a half of a body of eviscerated poultry having a leg with a hock. The leg retainer comprises a unitary substantially coplanar thin plastic member which includes a first hook portion adapted for attachment to the body and a second hook portion adapted for hooking the leg. A connector joins the first hook to the second hook. The plastic member serves to pull the leg close to the body.

Abstract: Charges of solid coolant are automatically inserted into a fresh animal carcass or a portion of an animal carcass by the use of an inserting tool. The solid coolant charge is contained within a compartment of the tool which also includes a flat spear blade. When the blade forms a slit in a selected muscle area, the solid coolant charge is positively, rapidly and consistently positioned within the pocket that had just been opened by the spear blade. The insertion tool and process are especially well-adapted for use in reducing the development of pale, soft and exudative meat, while accomplishing this in a manner that is rapid and minimizes variations from carcass to carcass.

Abstract: A poultry hock truss for use with a body of eviscerated poultry having hocks and comprising a unitary substantially coplanar thin plastic member. The plastic member includes an anchor element adapted for attachment to the body of eviscerated poultry. A pair of side portions extend upwardly and outwardly from the anchor element and terminate in inwardly curved upper ends. An upper transverse crosspiece joins the inwardly curved upper ends of the side portions and a tab portion depends approximately from the midpoint of the upper transverse crosspiece toward the anchor element. The upper transverse crosspiece, the tab portion, the side portions and the anchor element define a generally heart-shaped opening with first and second juxtaposed lobes. The lobes of the heart-shaped opening are formed to hold the hocks together in juxtaposition.

Abstract: Apparatus for dressing a slaughtered bird, with cutting means for making cuts in the chest skin of the bird next to the thighs and with locating means for locating in these cuts the ends of the legs of the bird as defined by the hock joints. Preferably the locating means exist of means which are movable rectilinearly for bending the knees and which are rotatable for positioning the legs into the cuts. Further these means may carry the cutting means.

Abstract: A clamp to retain thighs in eviscerated poultry from which the legs and feet have been removed in trussed condition is formed of wire having a central, U-shaped portion. On either side of the U-shaped portion, the wire is symmetric and extends in a backward stretch at about a 90.degree. angle and then bends in an outward stretch into a plane at an angle to both the backward stretch and the U-shaped portion. In the aforesaid plane, the wire extends in an outward-downward stretch, a convex stretch and then a concave stretch. Below the concave stretch is a straight stretch which terminates in a hook stretch at about a 90.degree. angle to the straight stretch. In use, the hook stretches are inserted inside the poultry carcass and their ends fit into the kidney cavities of the carcass. The straight stretches extend out of the tail opening of the carcass.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing methods is reduced or eliminated by applying a curable adhesive composition to the vent opening and permitting the applied curable composition to cure to form a cured firmly adherent vent seal after slaughtering but prior to other processing steps. In a preferred embodiment, the curable adhesive comprises a cyanoacrylate adhesive which cures in a matter of seconds under processing conditions to form a cured vent seal which retains its sealing integrity even upon exposure to high temperature and high humidity environments encountered at downstream processing stations. The curable sealing compositions are safe in the fully-cured state and do not liberate undesirable materials during curing.

Abstract: A retainer for attachment to the body of eviscerated poultry having a spine and hocks to hold the hocks together. The retainer includes an anchor element having an arcuate central portion and opposed hooks extending from the central portion for hooking about the spine. An apparatus is provided for holding the hocks together in juxtaposition to each other. At least one connector joins the anchor element to the holding apparatus. In the preferred embodiments, the anchor element, holding apparatus and connector are integrally formed from plastic. The anchor element is generally annular and the central portion thereof is generally planar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for trussing a turkey carcass is provided wherein the skin of the carcass is slit on either side of the evisceration cavity, exposed hocks are pushed through each of the slits, the hocks are pulled toward each other until they are adjacent and a cap is applied over the hocks to hold them together. In this fashion, a portion of the skin of the carcass is used to hold and anchor the hocks downwardly against the carcass.

Abstract: Apparatus intended for implementation in a high speed industrial slaughter house for the automatic evisceration of slaughtered animal carcasses including an automatic mechanical distribution and anal obstructor system, and a mobile structure supporting a circular blade for ventral incision, a circular saw for progressive penetration into the sternum, and nozzles projecting water at an adjustable pressure for disengaging the entrails from the path of the cutting tools.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing methods is reduced or eliminated by applying a curable adhesive composition to the vent opening and permitting the applied curable composition to cure to form a cured firmly adherent vent seal after slaughtering but prior to other processing steps. In a preferred embodiment, the curable adhesive comprises a cyanoacrylate adhesive which cures in a matter of seconds under processing conditions to form a cured vent seal which retains its sealing integrity even upon exposure to high temperature and high humidity environments encountered at downstream processing stations. The curable sealing compositions are safe in the fully-cured state and do not liberate undesirable materials during curing.

Abstract: A method for eviscerating pig carcasses comprising insertion of a plug into the anus of the carcass in order to avoid contamination of the carcass.Before the plug is inserted into the anus it is cooled down to a low temperature, such as below -20.degree. C. The plug will freeze on to the area around the anus sealing the anus tightly.In this way the casing contents will not flow out during the cutting or boring-out of the rectum and further treatment of the casings.The plug comprises a sealing section 1 having a large cold capacity.

Abstract: A snap-on ankle strap poultry trussing device is provided having a plastic ankle strap which has a lower portion having an indent which extends upwardly between the exposed hocks of the carcass. The ankle strap is slipped over the exposed hocks and grasps the ankles of the poultry carcass and holds them together.

Abstract: A snap-on poultry trussing device is provided having a pair of resilient sockets wherein each socket is expanded to pass over an exposed hock and then contracts to grasp an ankle. A connector is provided for joining the pair of resilient sockets.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing methods is reduced or eliminated by applying a curable adhesive composition to the vent opening and permitting the applied curable composition to cure to form a cured firmly adherent vent seal after slaughtering but prior to other processing steps. In a preferred embodiment, the curable adhesive comprises a cyanoacrylate adhesive which cures in a matter of seconds under processing conditions to form a cured vent seal which retains its sealing integrity even upon exposure to high temperature and high humidity environments encountered at downstream processing stations. The curable sealing compositions are safe in the fully-cured state and do not liberate undesirable materials during curing.

Abstract: Fecal leakage and contamination from the vent opening of an animal carcass during slaughtering and processing is eliminated by injecting a highly viscous material comprising a mixture of food grade constituents through the vent opening so as to create a self-adhering plug in the lower colon and rectum of the animal. The plug material preferably comprises a blended mixture of water, gum, modified food starch and a preservative whose viscosity is in the range of from about 220,000 centipoise to 480,000 centipoise. Being formed from food grade constituents, the offal can safely be harvested and used in animal feed as a by-product of the meat processing operation.