Abstract: A stain-adsorbing backing sheet for use with a decorative surface covering; a decorative surface covering comprising a stain-adsorbing backing sheet; and a method for forming a stain-adsorbing backing sheet for a decorative surface covering. The backing sheet comprises an additive which is effective in adsorbing a stainant that comes into contact with the backing sheet and which is present in an amount effective to reduce the degree of staining which tends to be visible in the top surface of the covering. The additive is preferably an adsorbing material that does not affect adversely the visual characteristics of the sheet and surface covering.

Abstract: A stain-adsorbing backing sheet for use with a decorative surface covering; a decorative surface covering comprising a stain-adsorbing backing sheet; and a method for forming a stain-adsorbing backing sheet for a decorative surface covering. The backing sheet comprises an additive which is effective in adsorbing a stainant that comes into contact with the backing sheet and which is present in an amount effective to reduce the degree of staining which tends to be visible in the top surface of the covering. The additive is preferably an adsorbing material that does not affect adversely the visual characteristics of the sheet and surface covering.

Abstract: Manually segmenting animal carcasses into primary cuts involves an enormous amount of manual labor and attendant expense. However, known automated systems for segmenting carcasses cannot match the accuracy of expert butchers. The apparatus for segmenting animal carcasses disclosed herein provides an imaging station having a vision system that determines parameters of the interior and/or exterior of the carcass. Using these parameters, a computer determines a cutting path or a plurality of cutting paths for segmenting the carcass. For instance, one cutting path may be calculated for trimming the fatty tissue from the carcass, and another cutting path may be calculated for segmenting the trimmed carcass. A mounting vehicle, which securely holds the carcass, transports the carcass from the imaging station to a cutting station. In the cutting station, electrically controlled cutting implements, such as high-pressure water jets or lasers, segment the carcass along the determined cutting path or paths.

Abstract: Manually segmenting animal carcasses into primary cuts involves an enormous amount of manual labor and attendant expense. However, known automated systems for segmenting carcasses cannot match the accuracy of expert butchers. The apparatus for segmenting animal carcasses disclosed herein provides an imaging station having a vision system that determines parameters of the interior and/or exterior of the carcass. Using these parameters, a computer determines a cutting path or a plurality of cutting paths for segmenting the carcass. A mounting vehicle, which securely holds the carcass, transports the carcass from the imaging station to a cutting station. In the cutting station, electrically controlled cutting implements, such as high-pressure water jets or lasers, segment the carcass along the determined cutting path or paths.

Abstract: Manually segmenting animal carcasses into primary cuts involves an enormous amount of manual labor and attendant expense. However, known automated systems for segmenting carcasses cannot match the accuracy of expert butchers. The apparatus for segmenting animal carcasses disclosed herein provides an imaging station having a vision system that determines parameters of the interior and exterior of the carcass. Using these parameters, a computer determines a cutting path or a plurality of cutting paths for segmenting the carcass. A mounting vehicle, which securely holds the carcass, transports the carcass from the imaging station to a cutting station. In the cutting station, electrically controlled cutting implements, such as high-pressure water jets, segment the carcass along the determined cutting path or paths.

Abstract: Manually segmenting animal carcasses into primary cuts involves an enormous amount of manual labor and attendant expense. However, known automated systems for segmenting carcasses cannot match the accuracy of expert butchers. The apparatus for segmenting animal carcasses disclosed herein provides an imaging station having a vision system that determines parameters of the interior and/or exterior of the carcass. Using these parameters, a computer determines a cutting path or a plurality of cutting paths for segmenting the carcass. A mounting vehicle, which securely holds the carcass, transports the carcass from the imaging station to a cutting station. In the cutting station, electrically controlled cutting implements, such as high-pressure water jets or lasers, segment the carcass along the determined cutting path or paths.