Disclosed are various embodiments of either self-contained, separate or combinations thereof of modular units for the processing of comestible products. The modular unit is configured with sections to create hygienic zoning of food to be processed. The modular unit is can contain components to process food from a raw state, such as an animal carcass or freshly harvested produce, through primary and (optionally) secondary processing. The modular unit can be utilized to process various types of food, and, therefore, the modular unit is provided in various embodiments depending on the food to be processed therein, and the types of processing that are desired. The modular unit is constructed and the sections therein are configured such that as the food undergoes processing, it flows through the sections of the modular unit in an orderly manner, which helps to minimize or prevent food safety problems, such as cross contamination.

An automatic machine that through a hook detachment group comprising at least one rotating eccentric positioned between two conveyor belts allows the removal of hooks from bacon slabs.

In a method and a plant for the storage of sausages, two rows of sausages are simultaneously transferred from a loading station to a support cross member of a vertical store by a pick-and-place device. The pick-and-place device has two support arms that are parallel to one another, have an elongated shape, have respective pluralities of holding members, and are movable relative to one another between a closed position and an open position. The sum of the holding members of the two support arms is equal to the number of hooking members of the support cross member of the store.

A system and a method are provided for deskinning and/or defatting animal carcass while being conveyed by an overhang rails system carrying the carcass. The method includes: sensing, by a sensing device, an incoming animal carcass, using the resulting sensing data from the sensing device by a control unit in controlling a movement of a first device while deskinning and/or defatting the carcass by the first device. The controlled movement includes: setting the first device to an initial angular position and engaging the skin and/or fat of the incoming animal carcass at an engaging position; moving the first device in a movement direction including a movement direction perpendicular to the conveying direction along the animal carcass while following an outer profile of the surface of the carcass and simultaneously adapting the angular position of the first device to the shape of the carcass for partial removal of skin or fat.

A method for handling longitudinal smoking rods for storing sausage-shaped products, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of the rod-like elements having a length; providing a clipping machine configured to produce the sausage-shaped products; providing a hanging line configured to load the produced sausage-shaped products on the rod-like elements and comprising a measuring position for measuring the length of the rod-like elements, and a loading position for loading the sausage-shaped products on the rod-like elements; feeding one of the rod-like elements to the measuring position of the hanging line; measuring the length of the rod-like element; determining whether the length is within a tolerance range of a desired length; loading a predetermined number of the produced sausage-shaped products on the rod-like element, if the length is within the tolerance range; and discarding the rod-like element from the hanging line, if the length is not within the tolerance range.

The present invention relates to a guide device for guiding a suspension element, like a loop, being attached to one end of a sausage-shaped product, like a sausage, from a first apparatus, like an apparatus for producing sausage-shaped products, in a guide direction to a second apparatus, like a handling device for said sausage-shaped products. The guide device comprises a guide unit for guiding the suspension element and support means for radially and axially supporting the guide unit. According to the present invention, the support means comprise a first support unit and a second support unit for a functional separation of the axial support and the radial support of the guide unit.

Provided is a sausage sticking system capable of changing a position and an interval at which a chain of sausages is hung on a stably held stick according to a length of a casing. The sausage sticking system includes a hook conveying unit, a stick holding unit, and a pivoting imparting unit. A loop of a chain of sausages hooked on each of the pivoting hooks of the hook conveying unit is configured to be dropped onto a stick passing through the loop by which pivoting hooks are pivoted. The stick holding unit holds both ends of the stick, and includes a fixed arm and a pair of actuating arms, wherein the pair of actuating arras alternately holds the stick and avoids the loop of the chain of sausages. The pivoting imparting unit sequentially pivots the plurality of pivoting hooks at a predetermined pivoting imparting position.

A method for processing beef includes the steps of preparing a beef carcass for butchering, reducing the carcass temperature by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, removing primal cuts from the carcass, cooling the primal cuts to 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit, and packaging the primal cuts. To prepare the beef carcass, the head of the cattle is removed and the carcass is eviscerated. The carcass is then cooled for approximately three to four hours to lower its temperature to 75-85 degrees in preparation of removing the primal cuts. After this, the carcass is arranged on a butchering device and the primal cuts are removed. The cuts are then packaged and placed in a cooler for approximately 60 minutes to reduce their temperature to 32-34 degrees Fahrenheit, at which time they are prepared for distribution. The entire beef processing method, from kill floor to packaging and cooling, will be complete within 24 hours.

A method and a device provide portions of pasty food mass provided in a casing, in particular small sausage portions. In the device, at least a drive of a suspension machine or a drive of a looper horn or a portioning belt drive of a portioning apparatus is controlled by a controller. The controller assures that a defined number of portions is transferred from the portioning apparatus to a last hook of the suspension machine by looper horn at the end of a production phase.

A method and a device provide portions of pasty food mass provided in a casing, in particular small sausage portions. In the device, at least a drive of a suspension machine or a drive of a looper horn or a portioning belt drive of a portioning apparatus is controlled by a controller. The controller assures that a defined number of portions is transferred from the portioning apparatus to a first hook of the suspension machine by looper horn at the beginning of a production phase.