Electric shock stunning of slaughter animals esp. pigs - involves use of pair of electrodes which contact with its head as it moves along V=shaped conveyor assembly

摘要

Slaughter animals and esp. pigs are stunned using an electric shock whilst restrained between two conveyor belts in the form of a Vee. As each pig approaches the stunning device, it comes into contact with two sets of electrodes. The first set consist of several parallel electrodes hinged about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the length of the conveyor and held in the downward position by springs. The second set consist of a pair of parallel electrodes similarly supported but with their lower ends bent toward the front of the conveyor. As the pig is carried by the restrainer it first comes into contact with the rearmost electrode. As it moves further forward, its head and, preferably, its eyes come into contact with the front electrodes. The consequent closure of the circuit between the two electrodes causes a sensing current to flow which is immediately followed by a strong, stunning shock. After this, a timer prevents any further flow of current until the pig is clear of the stunner. This prevents the pig behind from causing a premature discharge of current. Prior art required manual contacting of electrodes with the pig from behind. This requires considerable physical strength from the person carrying out the stunning and delivers a shock of uncertain strength and duration to the muscles in the neck of the pig. Such a shock may cause muscular contractions which damage the inside of the pig. The above device eliminates the need for hand placing of the electrodes and passes a precisely sized and timed shock into the brain of the pig thus causing immediate stunning with no muscle spasms.