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US 4,307,490 AGranted
Method and apparatus for applying an electrical potential to animal carcasses
AssigneeIowa Beef Processors, Inc.
InventorsRobert F. Watkins, Robert L. Davis, Leslie B. Arndt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical potential is applied to suspended animal carcasses by a cylindrical carcass-contacting electrode which is continuously rotated about its central axis. A rear portion of the electrode circumference is surrounded by an enclosure within which a cleansing spray is directed on the electrode to avoid cross contamination of carcasses.
Claims24
An electric shocker for livestock carcasses which are supported on an elongated rail, comprising,
- an elongated electrode having a central longitudinal axis adapted to lie generally parallel to the carcass-supporting rail, said electrode having a carcass-contacting peripheral surface which is longitudinally stationary, said peripheral surface having a longitudinally elongated portionn which is electrically conductive and occupies a forward position facing toward the carcasses, said peripheral surface having another longitudinally elongated portion which is electrically conductive and occupies a rearward position facing away from the carcasses, said central longitudinal axis lying between the forward and rearward positions occupied by the peripheral surface portions of the electrode,
- means for applying an electrical potential to the electrode which is different from the electrical potential of the carcasses to cause an electrical current to flow through the carcasses when they are contacted by the electrode,
- drive means for rotating the electrode about said central longitudinal axis which lies between the forward and rearward positions occupied by the peripheral surface portions of the electrode, said drive means moving some portions of the peripheral surface of the electrode from forward positions to rearward positions, while moving other portions of the peripheral surface of the electrode from rearward positions to forward positions, and
- means for cleansing a portion of the peripheral surface which lies in a rearward position to assure that each carcass is contacted only by cleansed surfaces of the electrode to avoid cross contamination of the carcasses.
1 more element
A method of electrically shocking a livestock carcass which is supported on an elongated rail, comprising the steps of,
- contacting a carcass with a longitudinally stationary elongated electrode having a central longitudinal axis which is generally parallel to the rail supporting the carcass, said electrode having a peripheral surface with a longitudinally elongated portion which is electrically conductive and occupies a forward position facing toward the carcasses, said peripheral surface having another longitudinally elongated portion which is electrically conductive and occupies a rearward position facing away from the carcasses, said central longitudinal axis lying between the forward and rearward positions occupied by the peripheral surface portions of the electrode,
- applying an electrical potential to the electrode which is different from the electrical potential of the carcass to cause an electrical current to flow through the carcass,
- rotating the electrode about said central longitudinal axis which lies between the forward and rearward positions occupied by the peripheral surface portions of the electrode, said rotating step moving some portions of the peripheral surface of the electrode from forward positions to rearward positions, while moving other portions of the peripheral surface of the electrode from rearward positions to forward positions, and
- cleansing a portion of the peripheral surface which lies in a rearward position to assure that a subsequent carcass will be contacted only by cleansed surfaces of the electrode to avoid cross contamination of carcasses.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.