Abstract: An apparatus for processing a carcass middle portion of an animal includes a working surface onto which the carcass middle is positioned, the working surface supported by a frame above a support surface. A loin knife assembly for separating a loin portion from the carcass middle is disposed at a first selected location on the frame. A skinner assembly is disposed at a second selected location on the frame for skinning skin and fatback from the loin portion. A conveyor conveys the carcass middle past the first selected location to engage the loin knife assembly and past the second selected location to engage the skinner assembly. In preferred embodiments, the skinner assembly includes a contoured blade using a tooth roll assembly having tooth rolls of varying diameters driven by drive rolls having varying diameters based on the tooth roll diameters.

Abstract: A contour-following loin puller for separating the loin from the belly through the finger lean. The contour-following loin puller follows the contour of the surface rib line through at least one rib height sensor and positions the z-blade relative to the surface rib line. The contour-following loin puller offers the ability to greatly increase yield by automating the separation of the loin and the belly to produce finger lean even on thin, soft or nearly frozen product which is very difficult to manipulate manually.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ribs, namely the spare ribs, from a pork carcass belly, referred to as a rib lifter. The rib lifter automatically cuts and removes the spare ribs from a pork belly immediately following the process where the loin and baby back ribs have previously been removed. The part that needs to be removed from the pork belly consists of the brisket bone along with the additional ribs. The rib lifter detects the rib height and adjusts the rib blade to cut immediately below the ribs without nicking the rib material or going too deep in creating what is known in the industry as a “snowball,” a large white spot on the belly, thus making it unsalable.

Abstract: A contour-following loin puller for separating the loin from the belly through the finger lean. The contour-following loin puller follows the contour of the surface rib line through at least one rib height sensor and positions the z-blade relative to the surface rib line. The contour-following loin puller offers the ability to greatly increase yield by automating the separation of the loin and the belly to produce finger lean even on thin, soft or nearly frozen product which is very difficult to manipulate manually.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.

Abstract: An apparatus for defining a loop handle in a tubular covering, such as an expanded mesh plastic covering, for a food. The apparatus of the present invention includes a frame for supporting the various assemblies that comprise the apparatus and for engaging a support surface such as a floor. The apparatus of the present invention further includes a conveyor assembly, which conveys the food product from a production line and into the slide area or chute. Positioned proximate the distal end of the chute is a voider assembly defined by a stationary set of voider gates and a moveable set of voider gates.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning an animal carcass middle and for separating a loin and fatback portion from the carcass middle including a dual blade loin knife assembly for making appropriate cuts to separate the loin and fatback portion. The dual blade loin knife assembly includes a z-blade and a j-blade in which the z-blade separates the loin portion from the belly portion while leaving about a 2 inch to about a 2⅝ inch shelf on the belly portion incorporating an amount of “finger” lean while leaving a portion of finger lean on loin portion and the j-blade separates a selected depth of fatback from the loin portion based on the desired profile. The j-blade is positioned proximate the z-blade such that the carcass middle engages the j-blade subsequent to engagement of the z-blade. The dual blade loin knife assembly increases the useable size of a shelf cut on the belly portion of the carcass middle.

Abstract: An improved loin knife for a loin puller apparatus having a scribe saw with an associated decelerator and depth gauge immediately in advance of the loin knife for the purpose of cutting through the ribs of the carcass middle. The loin knife has a bight region that is positioned and configured so as to extend through the fatback and to pull the loin portion with the fatback, and in pork carcasses the skin, intact. The bight has a substantially horizontal region that cuts through virtually the entire length of the fingers of lean, which include portions of the serratus dorsalis muscle. To assist in orienting a carcass middle with regard to the scribe saw and loin knife, the apparatus is provided with a load bar that engages the chine and provides for a more uniform alignment of the carcass middle with the loin knife in relation to the position of the chine.

Abstract: A loin puller apparatus that incorporates a scribe saw with an associated decelerator and depth gauge immediately in advance of the loin knife for the purpose of cutting through the ribs of the carcass middle. To assist in orienting a carcass middle with regard to the scribe saw and loin knife, the apparatus is provided with a load bar that engages the chine and provides for a more uniform alignment of the carcass middle with the loin knife in relation to the position of the chine. Also, a guide bar that is in substantial alignment with the load bar is provided to assist in the initial alignment of the carcass middle as the carcass middle is loaded into the loin puller. A laterally driven impeller is provided to force the chine portion of the carcass middle into the load bar, thus straightening the chine against the load bar. The impeller is also rotatably driven to assist in driving the carcass middle toward the loin knife.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a loin and ribs from a carcass half that incorporates a scribe saw assembly immediately in advance of a loin knife for the purpose of cutting through the ribs of the carcass. This scribe saw assembly is mounted from the lever arm of a roller, the roller being biased against the surface of a carcass and moving vertically with response to that surface. Thus, the scribe saw assembly also moves vertically in unison with the roller. The scribe saw blade creates a kerf for passage of a portion of the blade of the loin puller. Provision is made so that the lateral orientation of the blade of the saw corresponds to the lateral orientation of the portion of the loin knife that is to pass through the cut ribs. When the position of the loin knife is changed, the lateral position of the saw blade is changed accordingly. The apparatus also provides for the flattening of remaining ribs and the separation of these flattened ribs from the rib fat of the carcass half after the removal of the loin.

Abstract: An improved loin puller (10) for trimming the back fat (34) from a loin (32) and from a rib portion (37) which are attached to a carcass half (3o) by using an automated system having a variable width and depth of cut. A frame (12) is provided to support the individual components of the improved loin puller (10) a selected distance above a support surface (38). A conveyor belt (50) is provided for conveying the carcass half (30) toward a cutting blade (76). Loin and rib engagement chains (56, 57) are provided for pulling the loin (32), ribs (37), and associated back fat (34) toward and across the cutting blades (76,158) which are provided for separating the loin (32) and ribs (37) from the back fat (34). selectively controlling the depth of cut. A cutting width adjustor (22) is provided for selectively varying the width of the cut without substantially varying the depth of the cut.

Abstract: A two-hand controller for preventing trigger tie-down (10) for preventing the tie-down of an activation control switch (36,38) on equipment provided with two activation control switches (36,38). The two-hand controller for preventing trigger tie-down (10) includes a power supply (20) for supplying low voltage power to the two-hand controller (10). A comparator (18) is provided for comparing a signal (166) associated with the operation of the activation controls. An optocoupler (164) is included for receiving an optical signal (168) and activating a pilot relay (118). A constant current circuit (24) is provided for regulating the magnitude of current. A logic circuit (16) is provided for processing the signals (74,76) delivered by the activation controls (36,38) for determining when the activation controls (36,38) have been activated within a selected period of time. An inverter (46) is provided to process the output of the logic circuit (16).

Abstract: An improved loin puller (10) for trimming the back fat (34) from a loin (32) which is attached to a carcass half (30) by using an automated system having a variable width and depth of cut. A frame (12) is provided to support the individual components of the improved loin puller (10) a selected distance above a support surface (38). A conveyor belt (50) is provided for conveying the carcass half (30) toward a cutting blade (76). Loin engagement chains (56) are provided for pulling the loin (32) and associated back fat (34) toward and across the cutting blade (76). The cutting blade (76) is provided for separating the loin (32) from the back fat (34). A cutting depth adjuster (20) is provided for selectively controlling the depth of cut. A cutting width adjustor (22) is provided for selectively varying the width of the cut without substantially varying the depth of the cut.

Abstract: An electronic braking circuit, for use with normal motor energizing circuits, to achieve rapid and controlled stopping of rotating AC motors after removing the driving power. The braking circuit comprises a transformer having a relatively high voltage-low current AC output, e.g. 120v fused at 15A, which is rectified by a full wave bridge rectifier. A phase-controlled triac is provided for selectively applying the unipolar output of the rectifier to the windings of the motor, causing a unidirectional current flow through the windings which charges the inductance of the windings and generates a braking torque. One or more diodes are provided for discharging the inductance of the motor windings during the non-conducting periods of the triac, thereby continuing the unidirectional current flow through the windings. Phase control circuitry is provided for determining the conducting and non-conducting periods of the triac.

Abstract: A butchering saw (10) particularly suited for splitting hogs is provided. The saw (10) includes a cutting blade (70) which rotates in the preferred embodiment. A drive shaft (48) is provided which has a power take-off location at one end (50) operatively associated with the blade. A motor (38) serves to rotatably drive the drive shaft (48) for turning the blade and performing the cutting operations. A driving mass mechanism (86) is carried by the drive shaft (48) to assist in maintaining a constant motion of the drive shaft during butchering operations in which the blade (70) cuts through soft tissue and bone which apply varying resistances or loads to the cutting motions.

Abstract: A head-held, pressurized fluid operated, shears unit for use in the processing of poultry and the like. The shears unit has a body member having a weight and size for ready grasp by a user. One of the cutting blades is fixed in position, and the second blade is pivotally-mounted so as to move toward and away from the first blade to effect a cutting action. The motion of the pivotal blade is effected by connecting that blade, through a pivotal linkage, to a reciprocatable piston rod that extends from a forward end of the body member. This piston rod is fastened at a second end to a double-acting piston within a piston cylinder in the body member. A master valve operated by a lever for grasp by a user directs the pressurized fluid to one of two sides of the double-acting piston so as to effect moving of the piston and piston rod and thus opening or closing the pivotal blade with respect to the fixed blade.

Abstract: A safety device is provided for a cloth cutting machine having a motor driven cutting blade and a presser foot rod. The safety device (10) includes a housing (30) which in one embodiment serves as a magnetic concentrator. This housing (30) carries an electromagnet (40) which selectively activates a stopping mechanism (60) which secures the presser foot rod (16) at a selected location while the machine (12) is in operation. Upon termination of the cutting operation, the safety device (10) releases the presser foot rod (16) and allows the rod to slide under the force of gravity to its extended position such that the cutting blade (22) is shielded. In the preferred embodiment, a control circuit is provided for selectively energizing and de-energizing the electromagnet (40) which operates the stopping mechanism (60). This control mechanism releases the presser foot rod (16) upon termination of the machine operation.

Abstract: A high speed evacuation chamber packaging machine (10) and method is provided. The machine (10) includes a frame (12) which carries a plurality of stations (18). Each station (18) includes a platen (32) which faces upwardly and carries the bagged product during the evacuation operations. A hood (34) is associated with each platen and is selectively operable between an open position for loading and unloading the bag product and a closed position which defines an evacuation chamber (34) with the platen. Means are provided for selectively evacuating and reducing the vacuum level within the chamber (36) containing the bagged product and for selectively evacuating the bag itself to a preselected level which has a lower pressure than the pressure within the chamber. A device (84) for sealing and trimming the bag subsequent to the evacuation is also provided and carried along a path of travel similar to the travel of the bag position on a station platen.

Abstract: Sharpening mechanism for moving at a variable speed along the length of the sharp edge of a reciprocating knife used in cloth cutting machines is disclosed. The apparatus includes a driven grinding apparatus (26) such as is known in the art for contacting an edge of a reciprocating knife (24). Driven grinding apparatus (26) is moved by a tubular carrier member (44) which moves the grinding mechanism (26) along the edge of reciprocating knife (24) in a manner also known in the art. A traverse mechanism for moving the carriage along the knife edge includes a guide mechanism (52) attached to tubular member (44) for following left and right hand peripheral threads (34) cut in the drive shaft (32).