[Problem]

To provide a fish sedating device capable of reliably energizing and sedating fish to satisfactorily perform a slaughter operation.

[Solution]

The fish sedating device includes fish placement means 3 on which fish F can be placed, electrodes 4a and 4b that energize the fish F placed on the fish placement means 3 through high-resistance water in a state present on the fish placement means 3 and having a higher electrical resistance than that of the fish, and a power source that supplies electricity to the electrodes 4a and 4b.

Methods and apparatus for inducing unconsciousness by warming of the brain of an animal by applying microwave radiation through an applicator are described. An electromagnetic flux concentrator comprises a tubular section of reducing internal cross-sectional area and at least one ridge internally thereof extending longitudinally. The applicator is pre-tuned by directing low-power microwave radiation therethrough to a load that approximates the properties of the animal's head, and adjusting the impedance of the applicator to optimize the impedance match. A compensator associated with the waveguide compensates for changes in detected reflected power.

Methods and apparatus for inducing unconsciousness by warming of the brain of an animal by applying microwave radiation through an applicator are described. An electromagnetic flux concentrator comprises a tubular section of reducing internal cross-sectional area and at least one ridge internally thereof extending longitudinally. The applicator is pre-tuned by directing low-power microwave radiation therethrough to a load that approximates the properties of the animal's head, and adjusting the impedance of the applicator to optimize the impedance match. A compensator associated with the waveguide compensates for changes in detected reflected power.

An electric gaff hook device includes an elongated pole having at least one hook that is positioned along the distal end. Each of the hooks including a curved shape, a sharpened tip, and a plurality of electrodes. A controller, user interface, power source and power output unit are provided along the pole. The power output unit receives power from the power source and sends amplified power to the plurality of electrodes based on a command from the user interface. The power discharged by the electrodes functions to stun and immobilize a fish for between about 1 and 3 minutes. A spike is provided along the distal end of the pole and includes a plurality of apertures forming a channel for receiving an elongated wire to euthanize and perform ike jime on the stunned fish.

An electric gaff hook device includes an elongated pole having at least one hook that is positioned along the distal end. Each of the hooks including a curved shape, a sharpened tip, and a plurality of electrodes. A controller, user interface, power source and power output unit are provided along the pole. The power output unit receives power from the power source and sends amplified power to the plurality of electrodes based on a command from the user interface. The power discharged by the electrodes functions to stun and immobilize a fish for between about 1 and 3 minutes. A spike is provided along the distal end of the pole and includes a plurality of apertures forming a channel for receiving an elongated wire to euthanize and perform ike jime on the stunned fish.

This invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for further processing. The system has an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a hanging box, a vacuum system and a shackle. The alignment conveyor conveys poultry from an input point to the alignment stunner. The alignment stunner urges the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor and stuns the poultry. The hanging box grasps the stunned poultry and places the poultry into the shackle for further processing. A computer and at least one sensor control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized.

This invention relates to automated systems and methods for hanging live poultry for further processing. The system has an alignment conveyor, an alignment stunner, a hanging box, a vacuum system and a shackle. The alignment conveyor conveys poultry from an input point to the alignment stunner. The alignment stunner urges the poultry to move to a desired position on the alignment conveyor and stuns the poultry. The hanging box grasps the stunned poultry and places the poultry into the shackle for further processing. A computer and at least one sensor control operation of the system so that human intervention is minimized.

A poultry stunning apparatus and method, the apparatus including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. In the method, DC voltage/current is applied for initial stunning, followed by an AC voltage/current to immobilize poultry and to further relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, such that the poultry does not exhibit involuntary motions, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue.

A poultry stunning apparatus and method, the apparatus including an electrical control module configured to apply a DC current to the poultry at a voltage sufficient to stun the poultry and to apply AC current to the stunned poultry at a voltage and for a period of time sufficient to immobilize and relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue. In the method, DC voltage/current is applied for initial stunning, followed by an AC voltage/current to immobilize poultry and to further relax the muscles of the stunned poultry, such that the poultry does not exhibit involuntary motions, while at the same time avoiding or minimizing damage to the poultry tissue.

A tortoise electric slaughtering device includes an electric slaughtering box, an end of the box is disposed with an outlet, a bottom wall of another end thereof is disposed with a concave area, and a discharging plate is mounted at the outlet. The box is supported on a ground through a frame, and a bottom of the box and an upper surface of the frame have a gap therebetween. A driving wheel rotatably disposed between side walls at one end of the box, a driven wheel rotatably mounted on an end of the frame away from the driving wheel, deflector rollers mounted in a slope direction between side walls of the box at the concave area, and a guiding roller mounted on the box and near the driven wheel, are connected through a conveyer belt. A clamping device is mounted on the box and mounted with a cutting device.