Abstract: For measuring the fat content of meat it is known to determine the specific gravity of the meat, which at a given temperature and for a given type of meat is a measure for the fat content. This invention provides a novel way to realize this easily and rapidly in the factory, e.g. in a production line. Thereto, meat portions are weighed and compressed in a closed space, of which the volume in compressed condition of the meat is determined, so that the ratio of weight and volume gives the specific gravity. The weighing device is mounted to the side of an upstanding cylinder press with its top at the level of the weighing surface or of an immediately adjacent table surface, an easily movable cover to open and close the cylinder and a bottom being a press platen piston movable up and down to compress the meat with closed cover and to move it further upwards to above the cylinder with open cover.

Abstract: A press for putting under pressure therein animal meat with bones in order to bring the meat into a paste-like condition and thus to have it flow out of the space within the press, comprises a slide valve adapted to open and close a large opening in the front face of the space within the press in order to allow, after opening thereof, discharge of the bones remaining in said space after pressing by moving the movable pressing body further in the pressing direction with respect to the press cylinder, a number of fine openings for allowing passage of meat in a paste-like condition so located as to open into a surface perpendicular to the direction of movement of the pressing body, said openings give communication to a discharge of such meat paste from the space within the press, said openings being movable in such a way that their entries bordering the space within the press will slide along another metal part of the structure when the slide valve is moved.

Abstract: A press for separating flesh from bones in which a charge of bones with flesh attached is received in a chamber and a plunger moveable axially in the chamber compresses the bones and flesh to liberate from the bones flesh in the form of a paste which flows through restricted size passages to exit the chamber. Bones retained in the chamber during compression are discharged thereafer through a passage in a cover on the chamber which passage is selectively opened and closed by a valve associated with a cover.

Abstract: A meat deboning device includes opposed pressing surfaces at least one surface having a recess to conform to the shape of the bones, the surfaces being of elastically deformable material, the recess being surrounded by a portion that applys a compressive force to the meat without crushing the bone thereby shearing the meat from the bone.