A restraint apparatus is provided for stabilizing a suspended carcass having a head and a neck. The restraint apparatus includes a supporting structure, a mobile arm relative to the supporting structure, and a restraint device fastened on the arm. The restraint device has restraining means configured to, in use, exert a first contact with the head and a second contact with the neck, and a second contact exclusive with at least one part of the rear portion of the neck.

An apparatus for supporting and maneuvering an animal carcass includes a frame and a carcass holding device connected with the frame. The carcass holding device includes a gear assembly, a pair of support arms, and a pair of plates connected with the support arms. The support arms each have a first end connected with the gear assembly and a second end with which the plates are connected. The gear assembly is operable to displace the plates between a retracted position in which the plates may be inserted into an animal carcass rib cage, and an expanded position wherein the plates engage the rib cage to secure the animal carcass for butchering. The frame is adjustable to provide linear displacement and rotation of the carcass holding device.

The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant. The disclosed technology can include an enclosure configured to house livestock. The enclosure can include an enclosure entrance, an enclosure exit, and moveable walls to partition the enclosure into separate pens and automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit. A passageway can be connected to the enclosure exit and include moveable walls to automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure exit toward a processing plant. The moveable walls can be configured to move at a predetermined speed such that the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as offspring, are reared in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the passageway approximately when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.

The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant. The disclosed technology can include an enclosure configured to house livestock. The enclosure can include an enclosure entrance, an enclosure exit, and moveable walls to partition the enclosure into separate pens and automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit. A passageway can be connected to the enclosure exit and include moveable walls to automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure exit toward a processing plant. The moveable walls can be configured to move at a predetermined speed such that the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as offspring, are reared in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the passageway approximately when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.

A system and a method for automatic transfer of carcass parts suspended from a first carrier to being suspended from a second carrier. The carcass parts may be a half carcass that may have been eviscerated and cleaned. The first carrier may be an industry standard gambrel or a single carrier or a Marel DeboFlex carrier, for example a Euro Carrier. The second carrier may be a single carrier, for example a Euro Carrier, or a Marel DeboFlex carrier.

The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant. The disclosed technology can include an enclosure configured to house livestock. The enclosure can include an enclosure entrance, an enclosure exit, and moveable walls to partition the enclosure into separate pens and automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit. A passageway can be connected to the enclosure exit and include moveable walls to automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure exit toward a processing plant. The moveable walls can be configured to move at a predetermined speed such that the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as offspring, are reared in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the passageway approximately when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.

The disclosed technology includes systems and methods for continuously supplying livestock to a processing plant. The disclosed technology can include an enclosure configured to house livestock. The enclosure can include an enclosure entrance, an enclosure exit, and moveable walls to partition the enclosure into separate pens and automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure entrance toward the enclosure exit. A passageway can be connected to the enclosure exit and include moveable walls to automatically direct the livestock from the enclosure exit toward a processing plant. The moveable walls can be configured to move at a predetermined speed such that the plurality of livestock enter the enclosure as offspring, are reared in the enclosure, and are directed through the enclosure exit into the passageway approximately when the plurality of livestock have reached slaughter weight.

A method for hanging poultry in an overhead conveyor provided with carriers and can include an overhead-conveyor-section of the overhead conveyor and a first conveyor for conveying the poultry towards a section thereof being below the overhead-conveyor-section. The poultry can be conveyed by the first conveyor towards the section. An operator picks the poultry or parts thereof and hangs the poultry in the carriers being conveyed along the overhead-conveyor-section. The operator may be carried via a second conveyor beside the section of the first conveyor and in the direction of the carriers in the overhead-conveyor-section while the operator is picking and hanging the poultry.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

There is disclosed an apparatus for storing organic materials, the apparatus including: a body having an opening for receiving the organic materials to be stored; an outlet formed in the body through which the organic materials are unloaded from the body; a cooling fluid circuit for circulating cooling fluid through the organic material collected by the hopper.