Patents by Inventor Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes van der Steen

Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes van der Steen 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).

  • Patent number: 11950602
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatic transfer of a carcass or carcass parts suspended from a first carrier to being suspended from a second carrier where at least one of the carriers is tilted at least during a part of the transfer. The carcass parts may be a half carcass that may have been eviscerated and cleaned. The first carrier may be an industry standard gambrel or a single carrier, for example a Euro Hook or a modified Euro Hook. The second carrier may be a single carrier, for example a Euro Hook, or a modified Euro Hook carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Meerdink, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen, Adriaan Ebergen, Ronald Kranenbarg, Cornelis Joannes Janssen, Bastiaan Martinus Cornelis Albers
  • Publication number: 20240032549
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatic transfer of a carcass or carcass parts suspended from a first carrier to being suspended from a second carrier where at least one of the carriers is tilted at least during a part of the transfer. The carcass parts may be a half carcass that may have been eviscerated and cleaned. The first carrier may be an industry standard gambrel or a single carrier, for example a Euro Hook or a modified Euro Hook. The second carrier may be a single carrier, for example a Euro Hook, or a modified Euro Hook carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jan MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Adriaan EBERGEN, Ronald KRANENBARG, Cornelis Joannes JANSSEN, Bastiaan Martinus Cornelis ALBERS
  • Publication number: 20240032548
    Abstract: A food processing system and a method, includes: an overhang rail system having a plurality of spaced apart shackles designed for carrying carcass parts such that the carcass parts are at least partly freely hanging, a re-positioning apparatus having an engagement structure selectively moveable by a moving mechanism, and at least one food processing device for performing at least one food processing step on the carcass parts while the carcass parts are conveyed past the at least one food processing device. The plurality of spaced apart shackles and the engagement structure move in a synchronized manner. The engagement structure is configured to engage the carcass parts at a position different from the carrying position of the shackle and adjusting the angular position relative to a vertical axis from an initial angular position to a pre-defined angular processing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Jan MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Frans VAN DEN HURK
  • Publication number: 20240000087
    Abstract: A system and a method are provided for deskinning and/or defatting animal carcass while being conveyed by an overhang rails system carrying the carcass. The method includes: sensing, by a sensing device, an incoming animal carcass, using the resulting sensing data from the sensing device by a control unit in controlling a movement of a first device while deskinning and/or defatting the carcass by the first device. The controlled movement includes: setting the first device to an initial angular position and engaging the skin and/or fat of the incoming animal carcass at an engaging position; moving the first device in a movement direction including a movement direction perpendicular to the conveying direction along the animal carcass while following an outer profile of the surface of the carcass and simultaneously adapting the angular position of the first device to the shape of the carcass for partial removal of skin or fat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2021
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Inventors: Jan Johannes MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Frank VAN HAPPEN
  • Publication number: 20230329251
    Abstract: A method and system of removing meat from a bone of a carcass leg part, includes the subsequent steps of: a) holding, by a support device, of the leg part, b) moving a meat removing device: into a pre-cut, c) then away from the support device along the bone to a first end position so that meat is removed from the bone, d) then away from the bone, forcing meat away from the bone and severing further meat from the bone, e) then towards the support device, f) and then towards the bone, g) and then again away from the support device along the bone to a second end position distanced further from the support device than the first end position so that further meat is removed from the bone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Frank VAN HAPPEN, Jan MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN
  • Patent number: 11766048
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for processing a carcass leg part comprising a holding section at or near a foot portion. The system comprises a loading station comprising a first conveying device having a supporting surface for supporting and transporting the carcass part towards a loading zone and comprising a positioning device having a first positioning element arranged to be moved along with the carcass part while supported on the supporting surface, configured for positioning the holding section with respect to the supporting surface. The system further comprises a second conveying device comprising a plurality of carriers which are movable through the loading zone. The system is configured such that in the loading zone a carcass part is transferred from the supporting surface to a carrier at the holding section of the carcass part, in an automated manner in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Joannes Janssen, Dennis Stoots, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen
  • Publication number: 20230225338
    Abstract: A cutting system is provided for cutting carcass parts while the carcass parts are carried by carriers connected to and moved by an overhang transport system. A detection device is provided for determining a cutting position of an incoming carcass part. At least one cutting device having an upwardly and downwardly facing surface structure is provided and a moving mechanism is mechanically connected to the at least one cutting device for controlling the position of the at least one cutting device on the basis of the determined cutting position. A carcass displacement device is arranged to initiate displacement of the carcass part away from the at least one cutting position while the carcass part or a resulting sub-part carried by a carrier and is located between the upstream cutting edge and the downstream edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Jan MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Cornelis Joannes JANSSEN, Bastiaan Martinus Cornelis ALBERS, Heinz MADSEN, Leonardus Jozephus Antonius TIGGELOVEN, Niels Antonio William KOSTER
  • Publication number: 20230189827
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for processing a carcass leg part comprising a holding section at or near a foot portion. The system comprises a loading station comprising a first conveying device having a supporting surface for supporting and transporting the carcass part towards a loading zone and comprising a positioning device having a first positioning element arranged to be moved along with the carcass part while supported on the supporting surface, configured for positioning the holding section with respect to the supporting surface. The system further comprises a second conveying device comprising a plurality of carriers which are movable through the loading zone. The system is configured such that in the loading zone a carcass part is transferred from the supporting surface to a carrier at the holding section of the carcass part, in an automated manner in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Cornelis Joannes JANSSEN, Dennis STOOTS, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN
  • Patent number: 11612166
    Abstract: A system and a method for separating a fore end of a half pig carcass by making a first cut between ribs three and four up to the shoulder blade followed by a second cut through the rest of the carcass. The first cut is made using a regular knife blade, the second cut is made using a scissor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Johannes Meerdink, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen, Adriaan Ebergen, Ronald Kranenbarg
  • Patent number: 11477988
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatic transfer of carcass parts suspended from a first carrier to being suspended from a second carrier. The carcass parts may be a half carcass that may have been eviscerated and cleaned. The first carrier may be an industry standard gambrel or a single carrier or a Marel DeboFlex carrier, for example a Euro Carrier. The second carrier may be a single carrier, for example a Euro Carrier, or a Marel DeboFlex carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Johannes Meerdink, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen, Adriaan Ebergen, Ronald Kranenbarg
  • Patent number: 11388905
    Abstract: A system and a method for separating a middle portion of a half pig carcass, hanging from an overhead conveyor in a carrier, by cutting between the hip bone and the chine bone (backbone) and optionally between the tail bone and the hip bone, the cut causing a middle portion of the half pig carcass part to be partly separated from the remaining half pig carcass part via gravity. Further cutting the connection between the middle part of the half pig carcass part along a curve along the muscle defining the ham cut to separate the middle portion from the rest of the half pig carcass part causing the ham part of the half pig carcass part to remain hanging in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Jan Johannes Meerdink, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen, Adriaan Ebergen, Ronald Kranenbarg
  • Publication number: 20220142187
    Abstract: A system and a method for separating a fore end of a half pig carcass by making a first cut between ribs three and four up to the shoulder blade followed by a second cut through the rest of the carcass. The first cut is made using a regular knife blade, the second cut is made using a scissor blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Johannes MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Adriaan EBERGEN, Ronald KRANENBARG
  • Publication number: 20220142185
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatic transfer of carcass parts suspended from a first carrier to being suspended from a second carrier. The carcass parts may be a half carcass that may have been eviscerated and cleaned. The first carrier may be an industry standard gambrel or a single carrier or a Marel DeboFlex carrier, for example a Euro Carrier. The second carrier may be a single carrier, for example a Euro Carrier, or a Marel DeboFlex carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Johannes MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Adriaan EBERGEN, Ronald KRANENBARG
  • Publication number: 20220142184
    Abstract: A system and a method for separating a middle portion of a half pig carcass, hanging from an overhead conveyor in a carrier, by cutting between the hip bone and the chine bone (backbone) and optionally between the tail bone and the hip bone, the cut causing a middle portion of the half pig carcass part to be partly separated from the remaining half pig carcass part via gravity. Further cutting the connection between the middle part of the half pig carcass part along a curve along the muscle defining the ham cut to separate the middle portion from the rest of the half pig carcass part causing the ham part of the half pig carcass part to remain hanging in the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Jan Johannes MEERDINK, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Adriaan EBERGEN, Ronald KRANENBARG
  • Patent number: 10278401
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatically loosening or removing shoulder blades from shoulders of animal carcasses includes a holding means operably connected to transport means, and is provided for securing a shoulder selected from the shoulders at the leg portion and transporting the shoulder in a transport direction. A separator means is provided including an elongated separation section arranged to abut the shoulder blade as the shoulder blade is transported past the elongated separation section. The elongated separation section is positioned at an angle relative to the transport direction of the shoulder such that an increasing pulling force is obtained onto the shoulder blade until the shoulder blade is either loosened or separated from the shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Johannes Cornelius Antonius Maria Van Der Leest, Dennis Antoon Johan Stoots, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen
  • Publication number: 20190047730
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an infeed conveyor configured to convey food products from an infeed position to a free end of the infeed conveyor. Means are provided for detecting positions of the food products on the infeed conveyor, and a tray feeding conveyor is configured to convey empty trays to a tray filling position where food products are released from the free-end of the infeed conveyor and into the trays. Means are provided for detecting positions of empty trays on the tray feeding conveyor. A moving means adjusts the position of the free end of the infeed conveyor, and a control unit controls the moving means by utilizing the detected positions of the food products and the detected positions of the empty trays as operation parameters in adjusting the position of the free end when releasing the food products from the releasing end of the infeed conveyor and into the trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN, Sjaak WILLEMS, Frank VAN HAPPEN
  • Publication number: 20190008170
    Abstract: A system and a method for automatically loosening or removing shoulder blades from shoulders of animal carcasses includes a holding means operably connected to transport means, and is provided for securing a shoulder selected from the shoulders at the leg portion and transporting the shoulder in a transport direction. A separator means is provided including an elongated separation section arranged to abut the shoulder blade as the shoulder blade is transported past the elongated separation section. The elongated separation section is positioned at an angle relative to the transport direction of the shoulder such that an increasing pulling force is obtained onto the shoulder blade until the shoulder blade is either loosened or separated from the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Inventors: Johannes Cornelis Antonius Maria VAN DER LEEST, Dennis Antoon Johan STOOTS, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes VAN DER STEEN
  • Patent number: 9717257
    Abstract: A system for processing a carcass or carcass part of a porcine, bovine, ovine, or caprine slaughter animal involves a plurality of processing steps. The system includes a primary transport system that includes an overhead conveyor and a plurality of carriers for holding a carcass or carcass part, a plurality of processing stations, which processing stations are arranged along the track, each of the processing stations being adapted to carry out one or more processing steps on a carcass or carcass part, wherein in at least one processing station a step of removing a part of the carcass or carcass part is carried out, a secondary transport system, which secondary transport system is arranged adjacent to the processing station in which said part is removed from the carcass or carcass part, which secondary transport system is adapted to receive said part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT PROCESSING B.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen, Adrianus Josephes Van Den Nieuwelaar, Jan Johannes Meerdink, Cornelis Joannes Janssen
  • Patent number: 9675086
    Abstract: A skinning device for removing skin from an animal carcass or carcass parts when conveyed by a conveyor means includes a frame, a housing rotatably mounted on the frame using a rotation mechanism, a motor driven tooth roll mounted on the housing, a support structure mounted on the housing encasing at least a portion of the tooth roll, a cutting blade positioned adjacent to the support structure between the support structure and the tooth roll, and a sensing structure for sensing incoming animal carcass or carcass parts. The rotation mechanism is operably connected to the housing and adapted to execute, in response to a reaction from the sensing structure, a movement of the housing including rotational movement around a longitudinal axis of the tooth roll from a first angular position to a second angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT PROCESSING B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Joannes Janssen, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen
  • Patent number: 9591859
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating meat from bone parts, comprising the successive method steps of: placing the bone parts in a press; exerting a pressure on the bone parts so that meat is separated from the bones; re-orienting the bone parts; and exerting a pressure on the re-oriented bone parts again. The invention also relates to a device for separating meat from bones by subjecting the bones to a pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Marel Meat Processing B.V.
    Inventors: Gerardus Frederikus Jozef Leenen, Franciscus Theodorus Henricus Johannes Van Der Steen