Abstract: A device for removing skin from meat cuts of irregular thickness is presented. The device for removing skin from meat cuts includes an overhead roller having a drive roller and a pair of idler rollers rotatably mounted to a pair of support plates. The device further includes a belt extending around the driver roller and pair of idler rollers. A support shaft extends between the support plates within a loop of the belt. A plurality of resistive devices are attached to the hold down members to provide varying resistance when a meat product is lifted into contact with the belt.

Abstract: An automatic skinning assembly having a loading station, a first device, and a conveyor assembly extending between the first skinning device and the second skinning device.

Abstract: A system for processing carcass parts includes an overhead conveyor and a saw module comprising supporting means for interacting with a lower end portion of each incoming carcass part, the supporting means adjusting an angular position of the carcass parts as a result of the carcass parts resting at least partly on the supporting means while being conveyed by the overhead conveyor. A positioning conveyor having a plurality of spaced-apart positioning pair structures arranged below the overhead conveyor and adjacent to the supporting means receives the carcass parts from the supporting means. Each carcass part is guided into a predetermined position within the positioning pair structures and cut at a predetermined position, e.g. defined by a 360° cut through skin and muscle structures of each of the carcass parts.

Abstract: A conveying system for transporting a food product from an oven to a loading or packaging machine includes a transport conveyor system that has an input conveying belt and an output conveying belt that is parallel, driven at different speeds, and operatively mounted to a frame for transporting a food product. A plurality of displacement members are secured to the frame and positioned adjacent the input conveying belt. A sensor is located adjacent to a first end of the frame and adjacent to the input conveyor. Connected to the drives, the displacement members, and the sensor is a controller. The controller activates a selected displacement member based upon a sensed position of the food product as compared to a determined theoretical position of the food product to move the food product from the input belt to the output belt. The geometry of the belts on the transport conveyor allow the food product to self-center on the belt after the transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: A system for processing carcass parts includes an overhead conveyor and a saw module comprising supporting means for interacting with a lower end portion of each incoming carcass part, the supporting means adjusting an angular position of the carcass parts as a result of the carcass parts resting at least partly on the supporting means while being conveyed by the overhead conveyor. A positioning conveyor having a plurality of spaced-apart positioning pair structures arranged below the overhead conveyor and adjacent to the supporting means receives the carcass parts from the supporting means. Each carcass part is guided into a predetermined position within the positioning pair structures and cut at a predetermined position, e.g. defined by a 360° cut through skin and muscle structures of each of the carcass parts.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: A peeling system and device that eliminates the need for a steam tube and/or air blasts by moving the position of a cutter blade or the use of a pincher wheel.

Abstract: A stuffing tube mounting assembly and follower includes an elongated member with a tapered portion at one end that fits within a tapered end of a stuffing horn. The stuffing horn is inserted through a bore of a collar. The bore of the collar has a tapered section that engages the tapered end of the horn when the collar is attached to the member. The follower has a housing having a bore. An opening in a sidewall of the housing is in communication with the bore. Disposed within the bore is a wiper. A cap having a central opening in an end wall is attached to the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: A conveying system that corrects spacing inconsistencies between food products on transport conveyors. Sensor elements are used to determine the position of food products on a first conveyor. Displacement members then move the food products to a slower second conveyor and different locations to correct the position between the food products.

Abstract: A variable speed linking device wherein the rotational speed of the chains is reduced approximately when the outer edge of the pinchers first engage a casing.

Abstract: A cutting system that conveys a meat product to the throat and blade of a saw. A positioning conveyor positions the meat product into a predetermined position. An adjustable laser is then used to locate a predetermined area of the meat product so that the saw blade can be adjusted to align with the laser beam before cutting of the meat product.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products to a loading station having a cooling conveyor that selectively drops food product into a distributor. The distributor separates product into at least two lanes and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor monitors and counts product in each lane and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter transfers product from a loading conveyor to a buffer conveyor. The buffer conveyor transfers product to a main conveyor which transfers product to a loading head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of transporting food products (10) to a loading station (12) having a cooling conveyor (14) that selectively drops food product into a distributor (34). The distributor (34) separates product into at least two lanes (48, 50) and drops product onto a conveyor. A balancing and diverting conveyor (46) monitors and counts product in each lane (48, 50) and diverts product selectively based upon the sensed product. An orienter (70, 80) transfers product from a loading conveyor (68) to a buffer conveyor (72). The buffer conveyor (72) transfers product to a main conveyor (76) which transfers product to a loading head (84).