# US 12,178,214 B2 · System for stunning animals using an anoxic stunning gas

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- Number: US 12,178,214 B2
- Document ID: US12178214B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/201,389
- Filed: 2023-05-24
- Published: 2023-11-30
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2022-05-30
- Assignees: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
- Applicants: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
- Inventors: Nadia Mayoufi Ouerghemmi; Ansgar Rinklake; Marcel Brouns
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178214B2

## CPC

- A22B 3/005: {by means of gas}
- A22B: SLAUGHTERING

## Abstract

A method for stunning animals and a respective stunning system is disclosed. Animals are lowered in a cradle into a pit filled with anoxic stunning gas. The cradle is provided with a heat sink, preferably comprising solid carbon dioxide, for cooling the stunning gas in the pit resulting in a density increase of the stunning gas in the pit. This reduces demixing of the stunning gas and rising of components such as nitrogen (N2) usually having a lower density than the air surrounding the stunning system.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for stunning animals before slaughter, comprising
having the animals enter into a cradle which is lowered into a pit; and
filling the pit with a stunning gas,
wherein at the cradle a heat sink is positioned to cool the stunning gas in the pit while being lowered into the pit.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the stunning gas comprises nitrogen.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink is positioned at the bottom side of the cradle.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the heat sink comprises solid carbon dioxide.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method according to claim 4, wherein gaseous carbon dioxide generated by sublimation of the solid carbon dioxide is vented from the heat sink to the outside of the heat sink.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein gaseous carbon dioxide is only vented, when the cradle is in the pit.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The method according to claim 5, wherein gaseous carbon dioxide is only vented, when the cradle is outside the pit.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the stunning gas in the pit is cooled by the heat sink by way of an indirect heat exchange through a thermally conductive and gas-tight wall.

### Claim 9

A stunning system for stunning animals before slaughter, comprising
a pit with filling equipment to maintain a stunning gas atmosphere in the pit; and
a cradle which is lowered into and raised from the pit,
wherein the cradle comprises a heat sink for cooling the stunning gas.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system according to claim 9, further comprising a paternoster system for lowering and raising the cradle.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system according to claim 9, further comprising a dip lift system for lowering and raising the cradle.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system according to claim 9, wherein the heat sink comprises a reservoir for solid carbon dioxide.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The system according to claim 9, wherein the heat sink comprises a thermally conductive and gas tight wall.

### Claim 14 (depends on 9)

The system according to claim 9, wherein the heat sink is positioned at the bottom side of the cradle.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The system according to claim 9, wherein the heat sink comprises a fan.