Patents by Inventor Andrew L. Finney

Andrew L. Finney has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Carcass hide opening
    Patent number: 5346435
    Abstract: Apparatus for opening a carcass hide preparatory to removal of the hide (20) from the carcass (26). The apparatus includes a clearing blade (11) with a leading cutting edge (16) which is inserted between the hide (20) and subcutaneous tissues (21) and is advanced along the carcass (26) to separate the hide (20). An opening blade (31) trails behind the clearing blade (11) and creates an opening cut along the hide. The hide edges (22, 23) peel up and outwardly and can be clamped. A drive arrangement (50) includes a mounting (51) for the clearing blade (11) and the opening blade (30) and drive means (52) to advance the mounting (51) along a track (56) located adjacent to the carcass (26). Rump lifting means (65) elevates the carcass rump to the desired height for starting the hide opening at the cleared opening (61) at the anus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Meat Research Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Green, Russel J. Rankin, Phillip R. Boyce, Raymond M. White, John W. Buhot, Darryl J. Heidke, Andrew M. Leiner, Andrew L. Finney, Matthew Aqualini, Edward G. Mills, Richard J. Gibbons, John C. Abood, David G. Roberts, David P. Thomas
  • Head washing apparatus
    Patent number: 5312293
    Abstract: A head washing apparatus has a head support (20) which supports the animal head (15) so that the muzzle is directed upwardly. A plurality of nozzles (16, 17) direct water under pressure in a plurality of directions onto the animal head (15) so that water is directed into upwardly opening orifices (18). Head turning means (30) turns the head support (20) in increments relative to the nozzles (16, 17) so that water is directed onto the head (15) and into the orifices (18) by the nozzles while the head is in different orientations relative to the nozzles (16, 17). Conveyor means (24) conveys the head support (20) to and from the head washing station. The nozzles (16, 17) are mounted by a carriage (50) which tracks the movement of the head (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Assignees: Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organisation, Meat Research Corporation
    Inventors: Russel J. Rankin, Phillip R. Boyce, Raymond M. White, John W. Buhot, Darryl J. Heidke, Andrew M. Leiner, Andrew L. Finney, Matthew Aquilini
  • Boning method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5302149
    Abstract: A boning process and apparatus for separating meat and bone, particularly ribs, in an animal carcass. The spine (12) is restrained relative to the ribs (16) and which are moved in an arc (A) so as to dislocate the joints (17) and to sever connective tissue. This exposes the ribs (16) at the dislocated joints (17) and the exposed ends (16a) are moved along a line (B or C) to progressively extend the exposed portions (16a) so as to separate a major part of each rib (16) from tissues (20) remaining attached to the spine (12). Cuts (21, 22) are formed in the tissues adjacent to the spine (12) and adjacent to the joint (17) to assist in exposing the ribs (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1994
    Assignees: William John Witham, Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization, Meat Research Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Witham, Russel J. Rankin, Andrew M. Leiner, Darryl J. Heidke, Richard J. Gibbons, Edward G. Mills, Paul A. Green, Matthew Aqualini, John W. Buhot, Phillip R. Boyce, Andrew L. Finney