US3765055A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl
Assignee: Gainesville Machine Co Inc
•
Filing: 1971-03-03
•
Granted: 1973-10-16
•
Expires: 1991-03-03
Abstract
Abstract 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 neck of the bird adjacent the base of the skull to sever the jugular vein. The apparatus 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 include 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 dispensing means for lubrication to permit the neck of the fowl to be moved easily through the guide means. Rotary cutting means is detailed in location relative to the predetermined path and predetermined location to make the cut through the neck of the bird adjacent the base of the skull for severing the jugular vein leading from the brain as the bird is advanced along the predetermined path. The depth of the cut in the neck of the bird is detailed to sever the jugular vein without severing the spinal cord, gullet or windpipe and to allow the head to remain attached to the neck portion of the poultry.
Inventors
- 👤 E Lewis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:35
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C21/00; A22C21/0015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
An improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl comprising in combination: 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; and cutting means supported relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location for making a cut in the neck of the bird adjacent the jawbone for severing the jugular vein leading from the brain in response to advancement along said predetermined path, the depth of said cut being detailed to prevent severing the windpipe and gullet of the bird, said advancing means including a pair of spaced driven roller means said roller means being provided with surface portions detailed for advancing the neck portion of the bird along said predetermined path and in said angular direction during a killing operation, said cutting means including at least one element fixed to one of said driven roller means whereby a cut will be made in the neck of the bird adjacent the base of the skull in response to advancement of said bird along said predetermined path and after said neck and head of said bird have reached said predetermined location.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
An improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl comprising in combination: 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; and cutting means supported relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location for making a cut in the neck of the bird adjacent the jawbone for severing the jugular vein leading from the brain in response to advancement along said predetermined path, the depth of said cut being detailed to prevent severing the windpipe and gullet of the bird, said advancing means including a pair of spaced driven roller means said roller means being provided with surface portions detailed for advancing the neck portion of the bird along said predetermined path and in said angular direction during a killing operation, said cutting means including at least one element fixed to one of said driven roller means whereby a cut will be made in the neck of the bird adjacent the base of the skull in response to advancement of said bird along said predetermined path and after said neck and head of said bird have reached said predetermined location.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said cutting means includes at least one rotary cutting element, and wherein said rotary cutting element includes means for limiting the depth of said cut.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said cutting means includes at least two rotary cutting elements and wherein said rotary cutting elements are longitudinally spaced relative to said predetermined path and detailed in position relative to said predetermined location for making said cut in the neck of said fowl adjacent the jawbone of the fowl.
Claim 5
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 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
In an 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 7
Dependent Claim
253 words
An improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl comprising in combination: 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; and cutting means supported relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location for making a cut in the neck of the bird adjacent the jawbone for severing the jugular vein leading from the brain in response to advancement along said predetermined path, the depth of said cut being detailed to prevent severing the windpipe and gullet of the bird, said advancing means including a pair of spaced driven roller means, said roller means being provided with surface portions detailed for advancing the neck portion of the bird along said predetermined path and in said angular direction during a killing operation, said pair of spaced driven roller means being detailed in spacing and driving relation whereby the neck of said bird will be advanced in said angular direction relative to said predetermined path to position the head of said bird against a surface portion of said driven roller means, and a rotary cutting element being affixed to one of said rollers and detailed in location for making a cut in the neck of the bird adjacent the jawbone after the head of said bird has been positioned against a surface portion of said driven roller means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
253 words
An improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl comprising in combination: 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; and cutting means supported relative to said predetermined path and said predetermined location for making a cut in the neck of the bird adjacent the jawbone for severing the jugular vein leading from the brain in response to advancement along said predetermined path, the depth of said cut being detailed to prevent severing the windpipe and gullet of the bird, said advancing means including a pair of spaced driven roller means, said roller means being provided with surface portions detailed for advancing the neck portion of the bird along said predetermined path and in said angular direction during a killing operation, said pair of spaced driven roller means being detailed in spacing and driving relation whereby the neck of said bird will be advanced in said angular direction relative to said predetermined path to position the head of said bird against a surface portion of said driven roller means, and a rotary cutting element being affixed to one of said rollers and detailed in location for making a cut in the neck of the bird adjacent the jawbone after the head of said bird has been positioned against a surface portion of said driven roller means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
73 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said pair of driven roller means includes at least two cutting elements longitudinally spaced along the length of one of said roller means and wherein said rotary cutting elements are angularly oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of said roller means and angularly oriented relative to a line drawn perpendicular to said longitudinal axis.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
In an improved apparatus for killing poultry or other fowl as described in claim 7 further characterized in that said roller means includes helically arranged grooved surface portions for effecting said advancing operation and wherein said cutting elements are aligned with said helically arranged grooves.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |