Beheading Patents (Class 452/64)
  • Patent number: 9021987
    Abstract: A Vertically Integrated Aquaculture System for producing high quality consumer seafood products at a significantly reduced cost. The Vertically Integrated Aquaculture System includes at least one aquaculture grow-out module for containing an aquaculture species, a feed handling system for distributing feed to the aquaculture species located in the aquaculture grow-out module(s), an aquaculture species moving system for routing the aquaculture species at least out of the aquaculture grow-out module(s), and a processing system for processing the aquaculture species after harvesting from the aquaculture grow-out module(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignees: Aquama of Aquaculture Technologies, Ltd, Dakota Fisheries, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary Myers
  • Publication number: 20080227378
    Abstract: A blade for a vertical axis wind turbine and a lift type vertical axis wind turbine having the blade are provided to easily suppress excessive increase of the rotation rate of the wind turbine with a simple mechanical structure when increasing the rotation rate of the wind turbine to a prescribed value or more. The blade has an air brake and a shaft bearing disposed at a position nearer the rear edge with respect to the gravity center of the air brake. The air brake is mounted rotatably on the blade through the shaft bearing. Inside the front portion of the air brake, a substantially S-shaped spring backing plate is mounted. The spring backing plate largely protrudes frontward out of the air brake and urged by spring members serving as a protrusion forbidding member disposed nearer the front portion of the windsail chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventor: Tadashi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 7056202
    Abstract: A device and method for slaughtering fish, in particular white fish, has at least one fish receptacle for positioning and receiving the fish, a throat cutting apparatus for cutting through the throat in preparation for the pharynx cut, a pharynx cutting apparatus for completely cutting through the pharynx, a slaughtering apparatus for opening the abdominal cavity, a gut severing apparatus for releasing the entrails from the abdominal cavity and a peripheral fish receiving drum with which the fish can be moved to the individual processing stations. The fish receiving drum is driven intermittently in rotation about a horizontal shaft. The fish are movable transversely to their longitudinal axis on an essentially vertical circular path. The fish receptacle includes pectoral fin receptacles and a torso clamp for fixing the fish torsos. Also, a head support with a head clamp is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud.Baader GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Ronald Pein
  • Patent number: 6776701
    Abstract: A head removal apparatus (10) includes a pivoting saw assembly (30). A first end of the pivot assembly (30) is connected to the frame (11) and a second end is free to move up and down downstream from the first end. A saw (68) is operatively connected to the second. A guide, proximate the first end, is provided whereby the connecting strip between the head and the carcass is guided toward the saw, whereby the head travels downstream under the pivot arm and raises the pivot arm. The pivot arm raises the saw to the proper cutting height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventor: Frank D. Fryer
  • Publication number: 20040110457
    Abstract: A head removal apparatus (10) includes a pivoting saw assembly (30). A first end of the pivot assembly (30) is connected to the frame (11) and a second end is free to move up and down downstream from the first end. A saw (68) is operatively connected to the second end. A guide, proximate the first end, is provided whereby the connecting strip between the head and the carcass is guided toward the saw, whereby the head travels downstream under the pivot arm and raises the pivot arm. The pivot arm raises the saw to the proper cutting height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Hormel Foods, LLC
    Inventor: Frank D. Fryer
  • Patent number: 6648746
    Abstract: A toe web cutter has a pivoted inner hooked blade and stationary outer blades adjacent to the sides and end of the inner blade. Cutting edges on the adjacent blades produce an elongated cut to remove the web from between the toes of a carcass. The stationary outer blades allow the tool to be aligned before the cut is made by placing the stationary blades in contact with the web at the desired location for the cut. The inner blade is pivoted by a trigger-operated pneumatic drive mechanism, which includes a piston and a drive rod. The drive rod is connected through a link to drive the inner blade. The link produces a side load on the drive rod that is counteracted by a wheel mounted on the end of the drive rod and by a fixed reaction plate that supports the wheel as it rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Jarvis Products Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Gwyther
  • Patent number: 6461232
    Abstract: A toe web cutter has a pivoted inner hooked blade and stationary outer blades adjacent to the sides and end of the inner blade. Cutting edges on the adjacent blades produce an elongated cut to remove the web from between the toes of a carcass. The stationary outer blades allow the tool to be aligned before the cut is made by placing the stationary blades in contact with the web at the desired location for the cut. The inner blade is pivoted by a trigger-operated pneumatic drive mechanism, which includes a piston and a drive rod. The drive rod is connected through a link to drive the inner blade. The link produces a side load on the drive rod that is counteracted by a wheel mounted on the end of the drive rod and by a fixed reaction plate that supports the wheel as it rolls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Jarvis Products Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Gwyther
  • Patent number: 6361426
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing meat from waste body parts of fish. In one embodiment, a fish processing machine includes a primary processing line and a reclamation processing line. The primary processing line can include a first conveyor system to transport a fish trunk along a primary processing path, a first cutter at a first location along the primary processing path configured to separate a waste body part from the fish trunk, and a second cutter at a second location along the primary processing path downstream from the first cutter. The second cutter has at least one knife arranged to slice high-value meat from the trunk. The reclamation processing line is coupled to the primary processing line. The reclamation processing line can include a recovery cutter to separate an additional meat portion from the waste body part and a transfer mechanism to automatically transport the waste body part to the recovery cutter without manually manipulating the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: American Seafoods Company
    Inventor: Henrik Kragh
  • Patent number: 6062973
    Abstract: A cutting tool is provided which includes a cutter blade assembly. The cutter blade assembly is adaptable to a universal power head. The cutter blade assembly includes a pair of plates pivotally mounted on the power head. The pair of plates are mounted in a parallel spaced relationship to each other to form a space therebetween. Each plate of the pair of plates has an inside edge on one end thereof. The cutter blade assembly also includes a cutter blade mounted on the power head for pivotal motion in the space between tne pair of plates and a cutting edge on the cutter blade. The cutting edge has at least one point therealong which is contained in an imaginary line transverse to imaginary lines containing the inside edges of each plate of the pair of plates. The cutter blade and the pair of plates pivot simultaneously in opposite directions with respect to each other for the cutting edge of the cutter blade to cooperate with the inside edges of each plate of the pair of plates to cut a material to be cut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Lee A. Baertlein
  • Patent number: 6033297
    Abstract: A laboratory animal decapitator assembly includes a base plate and a frame fixed thereto. A first platen is fixed to the frame and is provided with a first notch in an edge thereof. A second platen is slidably movable in the frame between a first position substantially removed from the first platen and a second position alongside the first platen. The second platen is provided with a second notch in an edge thereof, the second notch being substantially opposed to the first notch when the second platen is in the first position, such that the first and second notches cooperatively define an aperture. The second notch is provided with a sharp edge. An actuating lever is connected to the assembly and is operable to cause movement of the second platen between the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Inventor: Anthony F. Denietolis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6019675
    Abstract: A device for decapitating fish which are transported in a transport plane and in a transport direction, as they lie on one side on a conveyor belt (12) with their nose facing in the transport direction. At the end of the conveyor belt and above it there is located an endless cutting band (30) which is moved in a circuit around rollers (22, 24, 26) which are supported by a frame (6), the lower edge of the band (30) being sharp and extending in a cutting planewhich is parallel to the transport plane. A third actuator device (80) is arranged to stop the fish in turn in a defined position in relation to the cutting band, a second actuator device (66, 68, 70, 72) is arranged to form the band sections which during the band's (30) rotation are located near this position, according to the contour of the gills of the stopped fish concerned, and a first actuator device (16) is arranged to raise and lower the cutting band (30) for cutting off the fish head immediately behind the gills.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Thor Berg
  • Patent number: 5514031
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically shearing the leg from a carcass moving along a carcass rail includes an arm having a first end pivotally attached to a support structure and a second end attached to a shearing assembly. The arm is pivotally attached to said support structure in a manner such that the arm swings along a first swing axis between a first predetermined location and a second predetermined location adjacent the carcass rail, and a second swing axis substantially parallel to the carcass rail. In a first embodiment, the shearing assembly shears a carcass leg projecting perpendicular to the carcass rail. The arm driver moves the arm along the first swing axis between the first predetermined location and the second predetermined location. The arm pivots along the second swing axis if the shearing assembly becomes entangled with the moving carcass. A deactivation sensor deactivates the apparatus and the carcass rail if the arm moves a predetermined distance along the second swing axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Jarvis Products Corporation
    Inventor: Philip G. Meyer
  • Patent number: 5507688
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing the neck of a slaughtered animal such that the skull is separated from the vertebral column, which method comprises the steps of:(1) positioning a slaughtered animal for processing;(2) providing a separating device, for instance a hydraulically or pneumatically energized pair of scissors, to arrange a separation in the cervical vertebral column, for instance between the skull and the first cervical vertebra;(3) determining the location where the separation must take place; and(4) positioning the separating device and activating same on the basis of the result of step (3) in order to arrange the separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Assignee: Stork R.M.S. B.V.
    Inventor: Sander A. Van Ochten
  • Patent number: 5480347
    Abstract: A fish processing machine has a deheading station and a finishing station at which the throat tissue of the deheaded fish is removed. These stations are located on a reciprocating carriage in conjunction with a main body conveyor, a head positioning conveyor and a hold-down conveyor which are continuously advancing and positioning the fish being processed. The shuttle cycle of the carriage is controlled so that it is completed in the time period that a fish on the main conveyor advances the distance between conveyor flights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Flohr Metal Fabricators, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy S. Hicks
  • Patent number: 5458535
    Abstract: The head of a fish is severed from the fish body in a two-stage operation, in the first stage the root of the fish head beneath the gill covers being cut partway through and in the second stage the severance of the fish head from the fish body being completed. The first stage cutting operation is effected by cooperating disk cutters converging toward the fish head at an acute angle, means for sensing the thickness of a fish, and means for adjusting the spacing of the disk cutters in accordance with the thickness of the fish sensed. The fish are transported unidirectionally, and the spacing of the cutting disks is adjusted while the cutters are being reciprocated in the same direction of the travel as the fish is transported, and the disk cutters are then reciprocated in the direction opposite the direction of transport of the fish to effect the first stage cutting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Smith Berger Marine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Bullock, Belvin L. Graham
  • Patent number: 5454754
    Abstract: A toe web gland cutter blade assembly having a pair of plates mounted in a parallel spaced relation with a cutting edge on the inside edge of each plate, a cutting blade pivotally mounted between the plates, the blade including a cutting edge on each side which cooperates to cut the gland and a hook at the outer end for drawing the gland into the space between the plates, the hook including a cutting edge for cutting the gland transversely to the cutting edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1995
    Inventor: Lee A. Baertlein
  • Patent number: 5405287
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) are disclosed for deheading shrimp. The apparatus has grasping means (18) for grasping shrimp positioned upon a support plate (17) and rotating the shrimp to an upright position adjacent a deheading station (14). The deheading station has a pinch block (19) having an elongated edge (46) and a pinch plate (20) which is moved closely past the pinch block. The body of the shrimp is pulled from the head as the shrimp is pinched between the pinch block and the moving pinch plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Robert B. Kennedy
    Inventor: Reid Allain
  • Patent number: 5290186
    Abstract: A poultry processing device having a pair of substantially flat cooperating side-by-side thin blade-mounting members with a pair of cooperating blades mounted upon and extending forwardly in angled relation from the forward portions thereof, and secured at their rear portions by a transverse pivot pin. An adjustable spring member encircles the pivot pin and has opposite end portions each secured to a different one of the mounting members to urge the blades toward open position. A shiftable pin connects one end of the spring to one of the mounting members and shifts between a variety of positions along the length of one end portion of the spring to vary its torque. The lower blade extends downwardly at about a 45.degree. angle and is longer than the upper blade to compensate for the slicing action of the upper blade which results from the location of the pivot pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: John Juranitch
  • Patent number: 5195923
    Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing an animal carcass (8). Suspension means (122, 123) suspends the carcass (8) in an inverted position with the spine inclined upwardly towards the neck (11) with the spine located beneath the carcass (8) and so that the diaphragm (119) is approximately vertical. A cutting assembly, (130) moves into the abdominal cavity adjacent to the diaphragm (119), and a cutting means (28) cuts the diaphragm (119) around the periphery. A brisket shearing means (21) cuts the brisket (20) with a shearing action along the brisket (20) from the abdomen and towards the neck end of the brisket (20). The reaction member (188) is pivotally movable relative to the brisket (20) about a rear end to generally follow the contours of the brisket (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Australian Meat & Live-Stock Research & Development Corporation
    Inventors: Russel J. Rankin, David J. de Chastel, deceased, Graeme L. Wescombe, David T. Kerr, Phillip R. Boyce, Raymond M. White, Robert W. Tritchler, John W. Buhot
  • Patent number: 5152713
    Abstract: A universal head for actuating one of a number of cutting and trimming assemblies, the head including a handle, a double acting piston and cylinder assembly secured to the handle, a blind bore in each end of the piston and cylinder assembly, each blind bore being connected to the cylinder assembly, an air inlet passage and an air discharge passage connected to each end of each of the bores, a pressure responsive valve member in each bore, a spring mounted in each bore for biasing the valve members to a closed position with respect to each of the air inlet passages, the valve members being responsive to air pressure in the inlet air passage to direct air into the cylinder assembly and a trigger operated air valve member mounted on the housing for selectively connecting the source of air pressure to one or the other of the air inlet passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: Vac-Air, Inc.
    Inventor: Lee A. Baertlein
  • Patent number: 5104350
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a support base, the support base including a top and bottom wall arranged in a parallel relationship, with the top wall including a lower track, with an upper track spaced from the lower track in a parallel confronting relationship to receive a slide plate therewithin. The slide plate cooperates with a portal opening directed through a guide flange extending coextensively between the upper and lower guide tracks, with the slide plate including a cutting edge defining an acute included angle between the lower track and the cutting edge directed past the portal to effect a cutting procedure. A support tray mounting a handle, with wheel members mounted to the base adjacent the lower wall effects ease of transport and manipulation of the apparatus. A modification of the invention includes a fluid chemical receiving sponge mounted within and above the portal to receive a fluid chemical from an overlying reservoir to effect anesthesizing of the associated animal prior to a cutting procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Inventors: Sean C. Morlack, Henry B. Rue
  • Patent number: 5083971
    Abstract: The head-separating tool is a pair of pivoted blades, each having two sections. The section closest to the pivot comprises a wedge on each blade positioned so that the wedges come together in nearly point-to-point contact to engage in the beef neck's Atlas joint to separate the joint. The portions of the blade farther from the pivot are shears which overlap when closing to cut the soft neck tissue below the Atlas bone. The blades are power-actuated to disjoint at the Atlas joint with substantially no bone chipping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kentmaster MFG. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph K. Karubian, John Leamen
  • Patent number: 5001811
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignees: Union Financiere pour le Developpement de l'Economie Cerealiere* *Unigrains, Union Financiere Pour le Developpement de l'Economie Cerealiere* *Unigrains
    Inventors: Daniel Villemin, Janusz Plusa