GB1265635A - - Google Patents

Abstract

1,265,635. Conveying animals to slaughter. CINCINNATI BUTCHER'S SUPPLY CO. 16 Nov., 1970, No. 54508/70. Heading B8A. An animal conveying apparatus includes a conveyer comprising a pair of spaced-apart conveyer surfaces 10, 12 and an animal walkway 14 below at least a part of the conveyer adjacent an inlet end thereof, the shortest distance between the conveyer surfaces being less than the greatest width of an animal to be conveyed, and the vertical distance between the conveyer and the walkway increasing in the conveying direction over at least a part of the latter walkway, such that an animal proceeding along the walkway becomes supported by its flanks and conveyed towards an outlet end of the conveyer. The shortest distance between the conveyer surfaces is approximately equal to the width of an animal to be conveyed at its knees. The conveyer surfaces are movable in a substantially horizontal direction whilst the walkway is inclined downwardly. The conveyers each comprise hardwood slots 18 having brackets 50, 52. The latter are fitted respectively to endless conveyer chains which are driven by sprockets 20 on drive shafts S. The slots have rollers 62 which engage a guide rail 62 so as to bear the weight of the conveyed animals. On the load engaging run of each conveyer, rollers 56 bear on a track member 66. After being stunned the animals were carried on to a roller conveyer 16. In operation, the animal walking on the walkway 14 is guided by plates 68 into engagement with the conveyer surfaces 10, 12. As the walkway slopes downwardly, the animal becomes supported wholly by the conveyers and can then be conveniently stunned.