Abstract This invention relates to a method and apparatus for killing chicken or other fowl suspended in a head lowermost position by making a cut or similar opening through the skull of the bird to sever the arteries going to the brain and eyes adjacent the base of the brain. More particularly, this invention includes a pair of spaced guide means detailed for guiding and orienting the head of the fowl to be killed along a predetermined path and to a predetermined location. The spaced guide means includes rotary guiding and orienting members which are provided for advancing the neck of the fowl along the predetermined path and for moving the head to the predetermined location. The rotary guide members are provided with fluid lubricating means to permit the neck of the fowl to be moved easily through the guide means. A rotary cutting member is detailed in location relative to the predetermined path and predetermined location to make a cut or similar opening through the skull of the bird for severing the arteries going to the brain and eyes as the bird is advanced along the predetermined path. The rotary cutter means is adjustable relative to the predetermined location whereby the angular position and depth of the cutting operation can be varied.
Inventors
👤 E Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number—
JurisdictionUS
Data Sourcegoogle_patents
Last Synchronized2026-11-08 23:53
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C21/00; A22C21/0015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl comprising, in combination: a. means for advancing the head of a bird along a predetermined path, said advancing means including means for moving the head of the bird in an angular direction relative to said predetermined path during said advancing operation for positioning said head at a predetermined location, said advancing means includes a pair of spaced driven roller means, wherein said roller means are provided with surface portions detailed for advancing the neck portion of poultry along said predetermined path and in said angular direction during a killing operation, said roller means includes helically arranged grooved surface portions for effecting said advancing operation; and b. cutting means supported relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location for making a cut through the skull on the back side of the head for severing the arteries going to the brain and eyes adjacent the base of the brain in response to advancement along said path, wherein the depth of said cut is detailed to allow the head to remain attached to the body and neck portion of the poultry.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl comprising, in combination: a. means for advancing the head of a bird along a predetermined path, said advancing means including means for moving the head of the bird in an angular direction relative to said predetermined path during said advancing operation for positioning said head at a predetermined location, said advancing means includes a pair of spaced driven roller means, wherein said roller means are provided with surface portions detailed for advancing the neck portion of poultry along said predetermined path and in said angular direction during a killing operation, said roller means includes helically arranged grooved surface portions for effecting said advancing operation; and b. cutting means supported relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location for making a cut through the skull on the back side of the head for severing the arteries going to the brain and eyes adjacent the base of the brain in response to advancement along said path, wherein the depth of said cut is detailed to allow the head to remain attached to the body and neck portion of the poultry.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said apparatus includes dispensing means for dispensing lubricating material on said advancing means for lubricating said advancing means during said advancing operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said advancing means includes a pair of spaced guide means with one of said guide means located on each side of said predetermined path and wherein said guide means are adjustable relative to each other to increase or decrease the space therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said cutting means includes selectively settable means for adjusting the position of said cutting means relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location.