Abstract: Packaged meat products, methods of packaging meat, and systems for packaging meat. With respect to packaged meat products, one particular embodiment of a packaged meat product comprises a container having a low gas permeability and an enclosed interior volume. The packaged meat product further includes a meat product enclosed within the interior volume of the container and a modified atmosphere comprising not greater than about 10% carbon monoxide within the interior volume of the container. The meat product has a first volume less than the interior volume, and the modified atmosphere has a second volume such that a volume ratio of the second volume to the first volume is not greater than approximately 1:1.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for slicing a food product having a non-uniform cross-sectional area. A laser line scanner scans the cut face of the food product. A line scan camera receives light reflected from the cut face of the food product. The line scan camera is positioned such that the line field of view of the line scan camera intersects the scanning line of the laser line scanner at the cut face of the food product. A controller determines an area of the cut face of the food product using the light reflected from the cut face of the food product and advances the food product to be cut by the cutting device by an amount such that a next slice of the food product cut by the cutting device will have a thickness such that the next slice will be of the predetermined weight based upon the area of the cut face.

Abstract: A combination container and container cap (10) includes a container cap (11) having a deformable cover (14) on which a plurality of levers (15) are operatively connected. The levers (15) move from a first position to a second position, wherein the levers (15) move downward and radially outward to puncture a membrane (20) thereby allowing the substance in the container cap (11) to mix with a liquid (102) in a cavity (101) of a container (100).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of using an antimicrobial composition on a food product where the antimicrobial composition is applied to a food product, the food product is packaged and sealed, and then activation energy is applied to the sealed food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to A method and apparatus for making a sand core (112) utilizing purge air through a core box (100 and 100?) to harden the binder in the sand core (112) proximate the ejection pins (106 and 106?). The sand core (112) may be removed from the core box (100 and 100?) prior to drying the binder completely thereby resulting in an improved production rate of the sand core (112).

Abstract: One aspect of the invention includes an automated method of removing a stockinette from meat having an end, sides, and a length. The stockinette enveloped meat is conveyed in a first direction as the stockinette is cut proximate the end of the meat with a first knife. The stockinette enveloped meat is then conveyed in a second direction as the stockinette is cut proximate the sides of the meat with a second knife and a third knife. The cuts made by the second knife and the third knife intersect with the cut made by the first knife. The cuts in the stockinette create a flap in the stockinette between the cuts. The flap is engaged and peeled away from the meat, and the meat is removed from the stockinette.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing meat such as, but not limited to, turkey breast meat. The meat is vacuum tumbled prior to coagulation of blood within the meat, and the blood is withdrawn from the meat. The meat is then injected with a brine solution, tumbled, and further processed.

Abstract: A method of drying a sand mold mixture containing moisture includes restraining the sand mold mixture and exposing the sand mold mixture to a vacuum. The vacuum flashes off the moisture within the sand mold mixture thereby drying the sand mold mixture to create a solidified sand mold. The restraining member prevents voids from forming in the sand mold during exposure to the vacuum.

Abstract: A method for processing and treating meat to reduce an appearance of holes after the meat has been cooked includes infusing the meat with sodium bicarbonate, placing the infused meat in a vessel, and applying a vacuum within the vessel.

Abstract: A disposable, tamper-resistant condiment shaker (10) containing a condiment (37) is supported within a cavity (24) of a decorative sleeve (20) to provide a more aesthetically pleasing condiment dispensing assembly (100). The sleeve (20) includes a securing member (29, 42, 44) to support the shaker (10) within the cavity (24). When the condiment supply within the shaker (10) has become depleted, the shaker (10) may be removed from the sleeve (20), discarded, and replaced with a new shaker (10). This cartridge type loading and refilling of the condiment (37) eliminates the need to pour condiment (37) into a dispenser.

Abstract: A tamale loading apparatus (10) includes a converging mechanism (61) and diverter wheels (83, 84) to position tamales (200) on a belt (24). The belt is run at a speed to fly the tamales (200) into a can (300) wherein the tamales are automatically loaded and it is no longer necessary to load the tamales (200) by hand into the cans (300).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing skin from a torso of an animal using a rotatable drum having a circumference. A gripper is positioned at a point on the circumference of the rotatable drum adapted to engage a portion of the skin causing the torso of the animal to rotate as the rotatable drum rotates. A sharp blade is positioned near the point on the circumference of the rotatable drum for cutting the skin from the animal. A dull blade is spaced a dull blade gap distance away from the circumference of the rotatable drum and a setback distance away from the sharp blade opposite from the gripper, the dull blade adapted to contact the skin of the animal as the animal rotates. An adjustment arm is coupled to the dull blade for controlling the dull blade gap distance. A controller is coupled to the adjustment arm for automatically adjusting dull blade gap distance in accordance with a predetermined profile for the dull blade gap distance which varies around the torso of the animal.

Abstract: Pressure is measured inside of a high pressure vehicle. A substance is compressed at a first pressure to create a preform having a first density. The preform is placed inside of a high pressure vessel and subjected to a second pressure, greater than the first pressure. The preform therefore changes in density to a second density, greater than the first density, whereby the second pressure can be determined. The method may also be used in determining the pressure inside of a food product during food processing and a high pressure vessel.

Abstract: A head removal apparatus (10) includes a pivoting saw assembly (30). A first end of the pivot assembly (30) is connected to the frame (11) and a second end is free to move up and down downstream from the first end. A saw (68) is operatively connected to the second. A guide, proximate the first end, is provided whereby the connecting strip between the head and the carcass is guided toward the saw, whereby the head travels downstream under the pivot arm and raises the pivot arm. The pivot arm raises the saw to the proper cutting height.

Abstract: A head removal apparatus (10) includes a pivoting saw assembly (30). A first end of the pivot assembly (30) is connected to the frame (11) and a second end is free to move up and down downstream from the first end. A saw (68) is operatively connected to the second end. A guide, proximate the first end, is provided whereby the connecting strip between the head and the carcass is guided toward the saw, whereby the head travels downstream under the pivot arm and raises the pivot arm. The pivot arm raises the saw to the proper cutting height.

Abstract: An electrical stunning device (10) to stun and immobilize an animal includes a first contact tip (15) and a second contact tip (23) to contact the animal. The first contact tip (15) is operatively connected to a first voltage wire (47) and the second contact tip (23) is operatively connected to a second voltage wire (46). The second contact tip (23) is pivotable to activate a proximity switch (43), which closes the circuit and allows voltage to be applied to the first contact tip (15) via the first voltage wire (47) and the second contact tip (23) via the second voltage wire (46) to stun the animal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making a sand mold (112) utilizing reverse purge air through a core box (100 and 100′) to harden the binder in the sand mold (112) proximate the ejection pins (106 and 106′). The sand mold (112) may be removed from the core box (100 and 100′) prior to drying the binder completely.

Abstract: A combination stuffing horn (60) and skin brake (70) allows for a stuffing apparatus (10) for meat products (130) to be utilized. The stuffing horn (60) includes an elongate member (62) with a bore (62a) through which the meat product passes. The elongate member (62) has an outer cross section. The skin brake (70) has an inflatable bladder which is positioned around the elongate member. The bladder, when inflated, conforms to the outer cross section, wherein pressure is exerted on a shirred casing as the casing is being pulled over the horn (60) as the meat product (130) is stuffed into the casing.