Abstract:
An apparatus and method for a water removing roller device for removing excess water from the hide of a cattle, which uses pliable urethane roller stacks that can be attached by an arm structure. The roller structure can be mounted on a hinge to an arm thereby allowing the structure to swivel. The arm can be attached to a stationery device with a hinge, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to processing cattle or other livestock animals during the slaughter process and, more particularly, to washing/rinsing the hide of an animal and removing water from the hide. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    In a meat processing plant, an animal&#39;s exterior hide is usually cleaned before the hide is removed, because it is typical for contaminants present on the exterior of the hide to be transferred to the meat of the animal during the hide removal process. As an alternative, the hide of the cattle can simply be wetted to remove loose contaminants or particles from the hide. This transfer can typically occur when knife cuts are made into the hide. Cleaning or wetting animals in meat processing plants can be challenging, but it is necessary because animals typically arrive at a meat processing plant with at least some contamination on their exterior. Contamination can often be worst around the animal&#39;s anal region, but can exist anywhere on the hide. Cattle and other livestock have been traditionally washed or wetted at abattoirs/slaughter houses, prior to slaughter, by either hosing them down with a high pressure water hose, or by allowing the animals, particularly so in the case of sheep, to pass through a swim bath. Using a high pressure spray separately or in combination with a bath may result in the spread of contamination present on a hide or the swim wash/wetting used on its own may also provide a breeding ground for contamination. The animals may superficially appear to be clean, but in fact may pick up contamination from the spray off another animal or from the bath, which may in turn contaminate the meat. 
         [0005]    Animals when processed are typically suspended from their hind legs, thus contamination from the anal regions can easily be spread from there to other parts of the animal&#39;s exterior. Therefore, animals are typically cleaned or wetted while they are alive and on their own feet. The cleaning often involves baths or spray washes and it is usually necessary to allow the animals to at least partially dry before further processing. 
         [0006]    However, while they are still alive, the animals can still defecate and can contaminate one another, and since their bodies are warm any residual water or moisture on the animal&#39;s body can simply help to stimulate the re-growth of large populations of microbial contaminants. The methods typically employed involved the use of manual steps. If water is used in the cleaning or wetting operation, it is difficult for a single operator to apply sufficient water and to control where the water goes. Water that is allowed to drain from one region of the hide to another can result in contamination to other parts of the animal&#39;s hide and therefore this draining action must be minimized. Also, water that sprays off an animal as it is being cleaned can contaminate other animals on the chain. 
         [0007]    Yet another problem with water draining from the hide of cattle is the water can also contaminate and/or reduce the quality of the blood plasma rendered from the slaughtered cattle by dripping and intermingling with the plasma such that the plasma is no longer fit for subsequent use. If water is still dripping during the Plasma Saving section of the slaughter process, water can inadvertently drip into the bleed pan, thereby affecting the blood plasma by rupturing the red blood cells in the raw blood thereby not allowing for a quality plasma to be produced. Previous efforts for removing excess water, thereby reducing water run off, have not been effective enough to reduce the water drainage by a significant enough level such that a quality plasma can be produced. Previous solutions have been to wet the cattle after the Plasma Saving section or to allow enough drip time to occur before the cattle reach the Plasma Saving section. This methodology is a disruption to the natural flow of the conveyance line and could require significant modifications to the kill floor layout where there is not enough drip time to allow for excess water run off. In facilities where the animals are bled before the cattle wetter, there is often a lower blood yield and higher protein loadings sent to the wastewater treatment facility. After the initial bleed time, there is still a significant amount of blood that will drip from the wound. This blood has value if it can be successfully processed and will result in increased cost if it is sent to the wastewater treatment facility. 
         [0008]    The spread of contaminants into the air can also result when spraying an already wet animal resulting in the spread of contaminants throughout the immediate area. Therefore, it can be necessary to contain the cleaning or wetting within an isolated compartment to prevent the spread of contaminants to other parts of the production line or between animals. It is crucial that contaminants are not allowed to spread from one animal to another. Various drying techniques have been attempted, which follow quickly behind any water washing or wetting activities. The effectiveness of the drying technique can effect the spread of contaminants. Vacuum nozzles as well as blower nozzles have been attempted. 
         [0009]    It is desirable to clean or wet the pelt in such a way that it is not damaged, and it is also particularly desirable that dirt is removed from the pelt in at least those areas where incisions will be made by the slaughter men, in order to minimize the risk of contamination of the meat either by cutting through a dirty pelt, or when the carcass is being opened up, a dirty portion of the pelt falling back on to the meat, giving rise to the possibility of contamination if dirt or bacteria in contact with the open carcass. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0010]    The invention is a system and method to assist in the removal of water from the hides of cattle meant for slaughter after the hides have been cleaned or wetted The present invention can be utilized to remove extra water that could potentially negatively impact plasma production. One embodiment of the present invention can be a water removing roller device, which uses pliable urethane dual roller stacks that can be attached by a V-Shaped or V-configured structure. 
         [0011]    The roller stacks can each include multiple rollers vertically stacked one atop the other. Multiple stacked individual smaller rollers can be more effective than a single solid elongated roller because the spaces between each of the stacked rollers can have a wicking effect for channeling water away from the hide and through the spaces. The V-shaped (or two extension member structure) roller structure (roller stack assembly) can be pivotally mounted on to an arm thereby allowing the structure to swivel or pivot about the mount. The arm can be attached to a stationery device or support member with a hinge or pivot mount, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder or other type of actuation cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the roller stack assembly structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section. 
         [0012]    Another embodiment of the present invention can be a water removing roller device, which uses four pliable urethane roller stacks attached to outer ends of the appendages or branches of a cross structure. The quad stack roller structure can be mounted on a hinged arm in a manner that allows the structure to swivel. The arm can be attached to a stationery device with a hinge, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder or other actuation cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section. 
         [0013]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention can be the use of one or more dual roller stack assemblies in combination with one or more four (or quad) roller stack assemblies arranged in line one with respect to the other and both adjacent a line of conveyance along which animal carcasses are being conveyed. The embodiment can also include a combination of single roller stack assemblies or multiple roller stack assemblies having two or more roller stacks. 
         [0014]    These and other advantageous features of the present invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out herein below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is an illustrative perspective view of a two roller stack water removal assembly configuration adjacent a line of conveyance; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1A  is an illustrative perspective view of a two roller stack water removal assembly configuration; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an illustrative front plan view of a two roller stack water removal assembly configuration; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an illustrative top view of a two roller stack water removal assembly; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is an illustrative rear view of a two roller stack configuration; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an illustrative bottom view of a two roller stack water removal assembly configuration; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an illustrative perspective view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly configuration adjacent a line of conveyance; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  is an illustrative perspective view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly configuration; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an illustrative top plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is an illustrative bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a front plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack assembly; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is an illustration of a rear plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack assembly; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack assembly; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is an illustrative perspective view of a two roller stack and four roller stack assembly water removal assembly configuration adjacent a line of conveyance; 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  is an illustrative perspective view of a two roller stack and four roller stack assembly water removal assembly configuration; 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  is an illustrative rear view of a two roller stack and four roller stack water removal assembly; and 
           [0032]      FIG. 14  is an illustrative top view of a two roller stack and four roller stack water removal assembly. 
       
    
    
       [0033]    While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0034]    According to the embodiment(s) of the present invention, various views are illustrated in  FIG. 1-14  and like reference numerals are being used consistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of the invention for all of the various views and figures of the drawing. Also, please note that the first digit(s) of the reference number for a given item or part of the invention should correspond to the Fig. number in which the item or part is first identified. 
         [0035]    One embodiment of the present invention comprising roller stacks attached to an arm structure and a related method teaches a novel apparatus and method for removing excess water from a hide of an animal. A plurality of rollers can be rotatably mounted about a proximately vertical oriented roller axle and vertically stacked one atop another forming a roller stack can be provided as illustrated in  FIG. 2  and alternatively in  FIG. 8 . The proximately vertical oriented roller axle can be between 0 degrees to about approximately 20 degrees off vertical. Alternatively, the orientation can be absolutely vertical. The roller stack can be retained from above and below on said roller axle between an upper and lower retention bracket respectively forming a roller stack assembly. The upper and lower retention brackets can be pivotally mounted on a common roller stack assembly pivot about which the roller stack assembly can rotate. The roller stack assembly pivot can be mounted on an engaging end of a substantially horizontally extending support arm where a distal end of said support arm is pivotally mounted on a vertically oriented support arm pivot about which the support arm rotates and where said support arm pivot is mounted to a support member. The substantially horizontal orientation of the support arm can be absolutely horizontal or alternatively proximately horizontal between 0 degrees to about approximately 20 degrees off horizontal. An actuation cylinder can have an actuation shaft attached to the support arm where the actuation cylinder actuates the actuation shaft to extend out and retract causing the pivot arm to rotate about a pivot to an engaging position and a disengaging position of the roller stack assembly. 
         [0036]    The roller stack assembly can further comprise a second roller stack forming a dual roller stack assembly as shown in  FIG. 2 , which illustrates a v-shape or v-configured roller stack configuration—see top plan view of  FIG. 3 . The roller stack assembly can also comprise a third and fourth roller stack forming a quad roller stack assembly as shown in  FIG. 8 , which illustrates a cross configuration—see top plan view of  FIG. 7 . The roller stack assembly can comprise an extension member as shown in  FIG. 7  having shock absorbing spring loaded piston member, which attaches the roller stack to the roller stack assembly. Optionally, the roller stack assembly pivot can include a spring loaded mechanism adapted to resist pivotal rotation of the roller stack assembly about said roller stack assembly pivot. 
         [0037]    As shown in  FIG. 8  an arm member can be pivotally attached on one end to a support member by a pivot mount and extending from the pivot mount to a distal end. A bracket can be pivotally mounted to said distal end of said arm member and can extend from said distal end to a central axle of a roller stack assembly. A plurality of rollers can be rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical oriented roller axle and retained thereon and vertically stacked one atop another forming a roller stack. An extension member can be pivotally attached to said central axle and can extend from said central axle to said roller stack thereby forming a roller stack assembly. An actuation cylinder having an actuation shaft attached to said distal end of said support arm, where said actuation cylinder actuates the actuation shaft to extend out and retract causing the roller stack assembly to extend toward an engagement position and retract from said engagement position to a disengagement position thereby progressively engaging and disengaging the roller stack assembly with a hide. 
         [0038]    The invention includes a method for removing excess water from an animal hide comprising the steps of pressing a plurality of rollers rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical oriented roller axle and vertically stacked one atop another forming a roller stack, against a wet hide of an animal thereby making contact between at least a portion of the plurality of rollers and the wet hide. The roller stack can be retained from above and below on said roller axle between an upper and lower retention member respectively thereby forming a roller stack assembly. The method can include maintaining contact between the at least a portion of the plurality of rollers and the wet hide while conveying the hide along a path of conveyance thereby pressing and wicking liquid from the wet hide. This can be accomplished by the use of an actuator that is selectively controlled by a controller. The method can also include the step of blowing air on the hide to assist the drying process. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8  the substantially vertical roller axle can be off vertical by about approximately 10 degrees off vertical—plus or minus 5 degrees off vertical. Also as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  the method can include the step of blowing air on the roller stack. Also as shown in  FIG. 2 , the method can include the step of pressing a second plurality of rollers rotatably mounted about a substantially vertical oriented second roller axle and vertically stacked one atop another forming a second roller stack, against the wet hide of an animal thereby making contact between at least a portion of the second plurality of rollers and the wet hide 
         [0040]    The details of the invention and various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the figures of the drawing. Referring to  FIG. 1 , an illustrative perspective view of the two roller stack assembly configuration is provided. The water removal assembly  100  can be positioned adjacent a line of conveyance  103  for animal carcasses. Multiple water removal assemblies can be spaced along the conveyance line and positioned proximate to the line of conveyance such that the hides of the animals can be engaged to remove any excess water. The assembly support member  102  can be mounted to be stationery by an assembly mounting plate  114 . A support arm  104  can be pivotally attached to the assembly support member  102 . The assembly support arm  104  can pivot in order to engage the hide of the animal. Attached to the support arm  104  is the dual roller stack assembly  106 . 
         [0041]    The dual roller stack assembly  106  can be pivotally attached to the support arm  104 . The dual roller stack assembly can include an upper dual extension retention bracket  108  and a lower dual extension retention bracket  109 . The retention brackets  108  and  109  can include extension members extending outward and retaining the roller stacks. The roller stacks  112  and  113  can be mounted between the retention brackets or between the extension members. The roller stacks can include a plurality of rollers stacked one atop another and rotatively mounted on a spool or axle and retained by the upper and lower extensions of the upper and lower retention brackets. The roller stacks  112  and  113  can be stacked on the roller stack spools (axles)  120  and  122 , respectively. 
         [0042]    The roller stack assembly can be pivotally mounted on a pivot member  110  and can be retained by a roller stack assembly pivot bolt. Therefore, the support arm  104  can pivot back and forth in order to engage the hide of the animal. Further, the arm  104  and the roller stack assembly can pivot back and forth in order to follow the contours of the hide. Further, the dual roller stack assembly can pivot in order to further follow the contours of the hide. The dual roller stack assembly  106  can also include a left vent  116  and a right vent  118  mounted between the retention plates. These vents or ducts can be utilized to direct blown air onto the hide to further the water removal process. The vents can also be utilized to blow or shed water from the roller stacks. The spaces between the individual rollers can act to wick water away from the hide and the blowers can further facilitate removing water from the hide as well as the rollers. The support arm  104  can be rotatively mounted on a pivot and retained by the support arm pivot bolt  105 . The pivot assembly is attached to the assembly support member  102 . The support arm  104  can be induced to pivot back and forth by an actuation cylinder that is mounted to the assembly support member  102  by the cylinder mounting bracket  124 . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an illustrative front plan view of the two roller stack water removal assembly configuration is provided. This illustration provides further insight into the operation of the assembly. The roller stacks  112  and  113  can be urged toward the hide of an animal to engage the hide of the animal in order to force water from the hide. The pressing action of the rollers causes water to be pressed and squeezed from the hide of the animal. The spacing between the rollers assists in wicking water away from the hide of the animal. As discussed above, an alternative embodiment can include vents  116  and  118  can optionally provide forced air to further the drying process of the hide and further it to remove and dry water from the rollers. 
         [0044]    The roller stacks  112  and  113  can be mounted on spools (axles)  120  and  122  between the retention brackets or the retention bracket extensions. The spools can alternative be referred to as axles. The pivoting back and forth of the support arm  104  is induced by an actuation cylinder that pivots the support arm  104  about the support arm pivot  105 , which is mounted to the support member by the support arm pivot mount  200 . The actuation cylinder is mounted to the support member  102  by the actuation cylinder mounting bracket  124  and cylinder pivot mount  202 . Item  202  shown in  FIG. 2  is the actuation cylinder pivot mount on the assembly support member side of the actuation cylinder. The actuation cylinder can be operably designed to be controllable and can utilized to selectively keep a continuous pressure of the roller stacks against a wet hide as it is being conveyed along a path of conveyance adjacent the assembly. The actuator can also be controlled to vary the pressure between the roller stacks and a wet hide. 
         [0045]    The roller stacks can be angled off vertical as indicated by angles  204  and  206  so that the roller stacks can better follow the contour of the animal hide. The angles can vary depending on the application and the roller stacks can be designed to be adjustable so that the angle can be varied to achieve optimal performance. 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , an illustrative top plan view of the two roller stack assembly configuration is provided. This top view provides a quick illustration of the actuation cylinder  300  and its operation to pivot the support arm  104  back and forth and further illustrates the pivoting action of the dual roller stack assembly. The support arm  104  can have a support arm line rotation as indicated by arc  310 . The support arm  104  can be induced along this range line of rotation by the actuation cylinder  300 . The actuation cylinder  300  can actuate the cylinder shaft  304  in and out in order to pivot the support arm along the line of rotation  310 . The cylinder shaft  304  can be pivotally mounted to the support arm  104  by a cylinder shaft pivot  306 . The opposing end of the actuation cylinder can be pivotally mounted to the cylinder mounting bracket  124  by the actuation cylinder pivot mount  202 . The mounting bracket  124  is in turn mounted to the assembly support member  102 . 
         [0047]    Therefore, when the actuation cylinder actuates the cylinder shaft in and out, the support arm  104  pivots about a pivot member along the line of rotation as indicated by the arc labeled  310 . The dual roller stack assembly  106  is pivotally mounted to the support arm and has a pivoting range of rotation as indicated by the roller stack assembly rotation arc  312 . This top view shows the assembly with the top retention bracket  108  and the vent assembly  308  is generally located as shown between the retention brackets which can be utilized to channel air onto the hide as well as on the roller stacks. The upper extension members  314  and  316  are also shown. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an illustrative rear view of the two roller stack configuration is shown. This rear view provides a further illustration of the dual roller stack assembly  106 . The roller stack assembly pivots  400  and  402  are shown. The dual roller stack assembly  106  pivots about the roller stack assembly pivots  400  and  402 . This rear view also illustrates a rear duct  406  where a forced air hose can be attached to force air through the vents  116  and  118 . This rear view also further illustrates the actuation cylinder interface with the support arm  104 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , an illustrative bottom view of the two roller stack configuration is shown. This view provides a further illustration of the detailed configuration of the dual roller stack assembly  106 . As indicated previously, the vent assembly  308  can have vents  116  and  118  for directing air toward the hide and/or toward the rollers. In this particular configuration the air flow  500  and  502  are shown directed toward the hide of the animal. However, the vents can also be made or configured to be directed toward the roller stacks. The rear duct is also further illustrated which provides a connection point for attached forced air. 
         [0050]    The pivotal rotation of the support arm is further illustrated by the arc  510 . The pivotal rotation of the roller stack assembly is further illustrated by arc  504 . The roller stack can also reciprocate as indicated by directional arrow  506 . The pivoting mechanism for allowing the roller stack assembly to pivot as indicated by arc  504  can be spring loaded to resist either direction of rotation such that a pressure can be maintained against the hide. The roller stack reciprocation mechanism for reciprocation along direction  506  can also be outwardly spring loaded to resist inward retraction, again to maintain pressure against the hide. Each of these spring loaded mechanisms can be adjustable to vary the loading. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an illustrative perspective view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly configuration adjacent a line of conveyance is shown. The water removal assembly  600  can be positioned adjacent a line of conveyance  603  for animal carcasses. Multiple water removal assemblies can be spaced along the conveyance line and positioned proximate to the line of conveyance such that the hides of the animals can be engaged to remove any excess water. The assembly support member  602  can be mounted by an assembly mounting plate  615 . A support arm  604  can be pivotally attached to the assembly support member  602 . The assembly support arm  604  can pivot in order to engage the hide of the animal. Attached to the support arm  604  is the quad roller stack assembly  606 . 
         [0052]    The quad roller stack assembly  606  can be pivotally attached to the support arm  604  by roller stack assembly pivot  610 . The quad roller stack assembly can include an upper extension retention bracket  608  and a lower extension retention bracket  609 . The roller stacks can include a plurality of rollers stacked one atop another and rotatively mounted on a spool  620 ,  622 ,  624 ,  626  and retained by the upper and lower extensions of the upper and lower retention brackets. The roller stacks  612  and  613  can be stacked on the roller stack spools or axles. 
         [0053]    The roller stack assembly can have a quad pivot member  638  and can be retained by a roller stack assembly pivot bolt  640  and the upper and lower extension retention brackets  608  and  609 . Therefore, the support arm  604  can pivot back and forth about pivot  642  in order to engage the hide of the animal. Further, the arm  604  can pivot back and forth in order to follow the contours of the hide. Further, the quad roller stack assembly can pivot about pivot  610  in order to further follow the contours of the hide. 
         [0054]    The spaces between the individual rollers can act to wick water away from the hide and blowers can further facilitate removing water from the hide as well as the rollers. The support arm  604  is rotatably mounted on a pivot and retained by the support arm pivot bolt. The pivot assembly is attached to the assembly support member  602 . The support arm  604  can be induced to pivot back and forth by an actuation cylinder that is mounted to the assembly support member  602  by the cylinder mounting bracket  630 . 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , an illustrative perspective view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly configuration is shown. The actuation cylinder  632  is more clearly shown and the cylinder shaft  634  and the cylinder shaft pivot mount  636 . Each of the four roller stacks of the quad roller stack assembly are mounted by way of an extension member to a central quad roller pivot  640 . The pivot mechanism for pivot  610  and pivot  640  can be spring loaded to resist rotation about the pivot in order to apply pressure against the hide. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an illustrative top plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly is shown. The direction of rotation of the quad roller stack is indicated by  700 . Each of the four roller stacks can be mounted on an extension member  710 . The extension member can be design to reciprocably compress and extend its length as indicated by  702 . The extension member can be a spring loaded actuation member. This extension member can also assist in applying pressure to the hide with the roller stacks. The direction of rotation of the retention bracket is indicated by  704 . The position of the support arm is controlled by the extension of the cylinder shaft as indicated by  705 . The support arms direction of rotation is indicated by  708 . Referring to  FIG. 7A , an illustrative bottom plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack water removal assembly is shown. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , an illustration of a front plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack assembly is shown. The angles off vertical are illustrated by  800 ,  802 ,  804  and  806 . The roller stacks can be designed such that the roller stacks are adjustable to adjust the angle off vertical. Referring to  FIG. 9 , an illustration of a rear plan view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack assembly is shown. The actuation cylinder is more clearly shown. Referring to  FIG. 10 , an illustration of a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment four roller stack assembly is shown. 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , an illustrative perspective view of a combination two roller stack and four roller stack assembly water removal assembly  1102  and  1104  configuration adjacent a line of conveyance  1106  is shown. The animals  1106  and  1100  are illustrated as being conveyed down the line of conveyance. The remaining figures merely illustrate the combination of the dual and the quad configurations. Referring to  FIG. 12 , an illustrative perspective view of a two roller stack and four roller stack assembly water removal assembly configuration is shown. Referring to  FIG. 13 , an illustrative rear plan view of a two roller stack and four roller stack water removal assembly is shown. Referring to  FIG. 14 , an illustrative top plan view of a two roller stack and four roller stack water removal assembly is shown. 
         [0059]    One or more of the dual and/or quad stack assemblies can be utilized in line and adjacent a path of conveyance along which an animal carcass is conveyed. Single or multiple stack assemblies can also be utilized individually or in combination and in line one with respect to the other. Use of two or more of the assemblies in combination can serve the purpose of addressing all contours and recesses of the hide. 
         [0060]    The various animal hide de-watering examples shown above illustrate a novel method and apparatus for removing excess water from the hide of an animal during the slaughtering process. A user of the present invention may choose any of the above animal hide de-watering embodiment, or an equivalent thereof, depending upon the desired application. In this regard, it is recognized that various forms of the subject invention could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0061]    As is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. It is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the sprit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0062]    Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.