Abstract: An apparatus and method for a water removing roller device for removing excess water from the hide of a cattle, which uses pliable urethane roller stacks that can be attached by an arm structure. The roller structure can be mounted on a hinge to an arm thereby allowing the structure to swivel. The arm can be attached to a stationery device with a hinge, which is also allowed to swivel. A tension device, for example, a spring or a hydraulic cylinder can be attached to the back of the arm and connected to the stationery device to provide enough tension on the structure to keep the rollers in contact with the cattle hide, thereby pressing out the water allowing it to run off prior the blood plasma saving section.

Abstract: A method and system for producing portions of ground meat having a predetermined target weight is disclosed. This system includes a pump assembly that is capable of extruding a stream of ground meat, a conveyor that is capable of transporting the stream of ground meat from the pump assembly, a portioning mechanism that is capable of separating the stream of ground meat into a plurality of portions, a weighing mechanism that is capable of weighing each portion of the plurality of portions, and at least one filling mechanism that provides an additional amount of ground meat to each portion of the plurality of portions so that each portion of the plurality of portions can substantially attain the predetermined target weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of cleaning cutting residue from one or both sides of cut meat. Meat, after being cut, for example with a band saw or the like, is passed through a curtain of fluid to impinge fluid on to at least one side of the meat for removing a substantial portion of the deleterious residue. The cleaned meat surface may then be passed through a drying area for removing cleaning fluid if the cleaning fluid contains liquid. After passing through a drying zone, brine or other ingredients may be applied to one or both sides of the cut meat.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a meat cut classification and fat trimming for sensing the thickness of a layer of fat of a cut of meat and the various contours thereof as it travels along a conveyance and providing the fat thickness or classification information to a downstream system for performing a fat trimming operation. The meat cut classification system comprises a split/multi-belt conveyor having split/multi-belts proximately spaced apart extending in the same direction and having a uniform equidistant gap there between and said conveyor having a drive for conveying the meat cut through the classification system and a multi-probe mechanism assembly operable to position the probes between the multi-belts of the conveyor and extend the probes upward between the multi-belts to penetrate the meat cut for measuring the fat thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for classification of a meat cut based on the thickness of the fat layer. The meat classification system comprises a split dual-belt conveyor system and a probe/trolley mechanism assembly where the probe is operable to penetrate the meat cut for measuring fat thickness as the meat cut is being conveyed along the dual belts.

Abstract: A method and system for producing portions of ground meat having a predetermined target weight is disclosed. This system includes a pump assembly that is capable of extruding a stream of ground meat, a conveyor that is capable of transporting the stream of ground meat from the pump assembly, a portioning mechanism that is capable of separating the stream of ground meat into a plurality of portions, a weighing mechanism that is capable of weighing each portion of the plurality of portions, and at least one filling mechanism that provides an additional amount of ground meat to each portion of the plurality of portions so that each portion of the plurality of portions can substantially attain the predetermined target weight.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a meat cut classification and fat trimming for sensing the thickness of a layer of fat of a cut of meat and the various contours thereof as it travels along a conveyance and providing the fat thickness or classification information to a downstream system for performing a fat trimming operation. The meat cut classification system comprises a split/multi-belt conveyor having split/multi-belts proximately spaced apart extending in the same direction and having a uniform equidistant gap there between and said conveyor having a drive for conveying the meat cut through the classification system and a multi-probe mechanism assembly.

Abstract: The invention is an image analysis system and method for grading of meat, predicting quality of meat and/or predicting meat yield of an animal. One embodiment of the invention is particularly designed to capture an image of the 12th rib cross section of the ribeye and perform an image analysis of the ribeye for grading purposes. The image capturing camera portion of the system has a wedged shaped camera housing for ease of insertion into the ribbed incision. The image capturing portion of the system further comprises a camera with a flash for consistent lighting. The camera is positioned such that it views the ribeye cross section at an angle to accommodate the wedge shape of the camera housing for ease of insertion in the incision. The camera housing also has various alignment means to facilitate the user's ability to capture images in a consistent manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a meat cut classification and fat trimming for sensing the thickness of a layer of fat of a cut of meat and the various contours thereof as it travels along a conveyance and providing the fat thickness or classification information to a downstream system for performing a fat trimming operation. The meat cut classification system comprises a split/multi-belt conveyor having split/multi-belts proximately spaced apart extending in the same direction and having a uniform equidistant gap there between and said conveyor having a drive for conveying the meat cut through the classification system and a multi-probe mechanism assembly operable to position the probes between the multi-belts of the conveyor and extend the probes upward between the multi-belts to penetrate the meat cut for measuring the fat thickness.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for a meat cut classification and fat trimming for sensing the thickness of a layer of fat of a cut of meat and the various contours thereof as it travels along a conveyance and providing the fat thickness or classification information to a downstream system for performing a fat trimming operation. The meat cut classification system comprises a split/multi-belt conveyor having split/multi-belts proximately spaced apart extending in the same direction and having a uniform equidistant gap there between and said conveyor having a drive for conveying the meat cut through the classification system and a multi-probe mechanism assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for classification of a meat cut based on the thickness of the fat layer. The meat classification system comprises a split dual-belt conveyor system and a probe/trolley mechanism assembly where the probe is operable to penetrate the meat cut for measuring fat thickness as the meat cut is being conveyed along the dual belts.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a plurality of injector needles is disclosed. The method comprises exposing the plurality of injector needles to a cleaning solution, removing the plurality of injector needles from the cleaning solution, and exposing simultaneously the hollow interior shaft of each injector needle to a gaseous stream. The gaseous stream removes any moisture and fine particles that remain in the plurality of injector needles after the injector needles are cleaned. In one embodiment the injector needle's hollow interior shaft is of a lesser diameter at the tip than at the head of the injector needle. The gaseous stream is directed into the injector needle through the tip and exits the needle through the head, thereby simultaneously backflushing the injector needles.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for packaging foodstuffs such as beef, pork, seafood and poultry products wherein the system provides an apparatus and various methods for exposing the food products to one or more gases, or a blend of gases, in a series of steps controlling the pressure of the chamber during one or more flushing operations wherein at least some of the gas or gases associated with at least one flush are allowed to at least partially penetrate the structure of the food product, and thereafter sealing the food product in a container.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for classification of a meat cut based on the thickness of the fat layer. The meat classification system comprises a split dual-belt conveyor system and a probe/trolley mechanism assembly where the probe is operable to penetrate the meat cut for measuring fat thickness as the meat cut is being conveyed along the dual belts.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for effecting the formation of a packaged food product with the food being contained within a receptacle having a cover adhered to the receptacle. Prior to securing the cover to the receptacle, the surface that is to be sealed to the cover is cleaned by wiping with towel material. The towel material is advanced from a supply to a cleaning position to wipe a cover engaging surface to remove at least a portion of contaminants or foreign material present on the container, thereby improving adhesion of the cover to the receptacle. Towel material can be advanced from time to time from the supply to a take-up mechanism to present clean or fresh towel material at predetermined intervals. A method for cleaning container-sealing surfaces is also provided.

Abstract: The invention is an image analysis system and method for grading of meat, predicting quality of meat and/or predicting meat yield of an animal. One embodiment of the invention is particularly designed to capture an image of the 12th rib cross section of the ribeye and perform an image analysis of the ribeye for grading purposes. The image capturing camera portion of the system has a wedged shaped camera housing for ease of insertion into the ribbed incision. The image capturing portion of the system further comprises a camera with a flash for consistent lighting. The camera is positioned such that it views the ribeye cross section at an angle to accommodate the wedge shape of the camera housing for ease of insertion in the incision. The camera housing also has various alignment means to facilitate the user's ability to capture images in a consistent manner.

Abstract: The invention is an image analysis system and method for grading of meat, predicting quality of meat and/or predicting meat yield of an animal. One embodiment of the invention is particularly designed to capture an image of the 12th rib cross section of the ribeye and perform an image analysis of the ribeye for grading purposes. The image capturing camera portion of the system has a wedged shaped camera housing for ease of insertion into the ribbed incision. The image capturing portion of the system further comprises a camera with a flash for consistent lighting. The camera is positioned such that it views the ribeye cross section at an angle to accommodate the wedge shape of the camera housing for ease of insertion in the incision. The camera housing also has various alignment means to facilitate the user's ability to capture images in a consistent manner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing the spinal cord from the animal carcass during processing prior to splitting the carcass. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a catheter tube, which comprises a flexible vacuum casing having a flexible rotating shaft captured therein where a cutting bit member is attached to the tip end of the rotating shaft for breaking down the spinal tissue such that a vacuum can be applied to the catheter to aspirate the spinal cord tissue. The catheter tube can be fed down the spinal channel prior to the carcass being split and as the catheter is being inserted the cutting tip is rotated to break down the spinal tissue and a vacuum is applied to aspirate the broken down tissue. Another embodiment of the apparatus for the concept of removing the spinal cord prior to splitting the carcass comprises a semi-flexible pull line or pull chain/ curly spring.

Abstract: An automated cleaning system for an endless belt conveyor. The cleaning system having a central control which controls pump supplying hot water, soap and a sanitizer to a plurality of controllable spray valves for plural spray bars.