Patent ID: 6338674
Filing Date: 2002-01-15
Classification: A22B

Abstract:
An anal seal for sealing the anus of the carcass of a slaughtered animal, the anal seal including a plug for insertion through the anus and into the rectum of the carcass of the slaughtered animal so that tissues contract behind the plug, a clamp associated with the plug and arranged for movement towards the plug to a clamping position in which it engages with tissues that have contracted behind the plug so as to clamp the tissues between the plug and the clamp, the plug and clamp being provided with cooperating male and female formations so operative to guide the clamp into its clamping position to clamp the tissues that have contracted behind the plug, the male formation comprising a projection extending from the back end of the plug and the female formation comprising a hole through which the projection passes so that the clamp can be slid along the projection to accurately adopt its clamping position behind the back end of the plug, and retaining means associated with the clamp and operative to hold the clamp in its clamping position so that the anus is sealed and the anal seal assembly comprising the plug, clamp and retaining means holding the clamp in its clamping means is releasable and remains in place maintaining the anus sealed prior to and during subsequent processing of the carcass.