Abstract: A mechanical method for splitting the breastbone of hog carcasses comprises the steps of determining, by means of a sensor device, the length of the carcass by determining the distance between a datum plane and the snout of the carcass. The cutting of the carcass is then initiated, by means of a remote controlled cutting hit point on the carcass that is located at a distance from the datum plane that is a function of the length of the carcass. The length of the cut from the hit point to a cut termination point on the carcass is controlled as a function of the length of the carcass as determined by the position of its snout. The breast splitter comprises a snout height sensor for determining the length of the suspended carcass by determining the distance between the datum plane and its snout. A detector is provided for detecting the positioning of the selected suspended carcass at a control point along the path of the overhead conveyor. A robotic cutter is provided.

Abstract: The meat packaging machine of the present invention is designed to vacuum pack meat products between two webs of heat sealable thermo-plastic material. One web of each package is formed with at least two pockets connected by and bounded by a sealing flange extending outwardly therefrom. The second web which closes the pockets also extends over the sealing flange and the entire interface between the two webs is heat sealed to prevent migration of meat juices. The machine includes a sealing head and a sealing die mounted one on either side of the sealing plane. Heated sealing members are located in the sealing head and in the sealing die which, when the head and die are in the closed position, are disposed to engage the first and second webs therebetween to effect a heat seal over the entire sealing interface of the webs.

Abstract: The meat packaging machine of the present invention is designed to vacuum pack meat products between two webs of heat sealable thermo-plastic material. One web of each package is formed with at least two pockets connected by and bounded by a sealing flange extending outwardly therefrom. The second web which closes the pockets also extends over the sealing flange and the entire interface between the two webs is heat sealed to prevent migration of meat juices. The machine includes a sealing head and a sealing die mounted one on either side of the sealing plane. Heated sealing members are located in the sealing head and in the sealing die which, when the head and die are in the closed position, are disposed to engage the first and second webs therebetween to effect a heat seal over the entire sealing interface of the webs.

Abstract: In a vacuum packaging machine there is provided the combination of a sealing unit and vacuum unit. The sealing unit comprises first and second sealing dies and the vacuum unit comprises a primary spacer located adjacent the input end of the sealing dies. The primary spacer is spaced from the first die to form a first web feeding passage therebetween and is spaced from the second die to form a second web feeding passage therebetween. The vacuum unit also includes a secondary spacer located adjacent the input end of the dies and mounted for movement between a retracted position permitting closure of the dies to effect sealing and an extended position maintaining at least a portion of the webs which passed through the first and second web feeding passages, in a spaced relationship to permit evacuation of the container space formed between the webs.

Abstract: A device for removing meat hangers from meat and a hanger storage stand are provided by this invention. The device for removing meat hangers comprises a frame having a stripping station, a first support on one side of the stripping station for supporting a hanger and a second support on the other side of the stripping station supporting a body of meat and a stripper plate mounted for movement with respect to the frame to extend into the stripping station between the first and second support as to engage the meat hanger and drive the needles out of the meat. The support stand includes guide rods for receiving hangers and guiding them to fall onto a base member which is angularly inclined with respect to the guide rods at an angle equal to half the included angle between the main body and the needles so that the hangers nest one within the other to form a compact stack of hangers.