Hand-held Tool Patents (Class 452/137)
  • Patent number: 11213035
    Abstract: A separating device for separating first and second bones or cartilage parts comprises a first structure with a first elongated member and a stationary engaging member at one end of the first elongated member; a second structure with a second elongated member and a separation member at one end of the second elongated member; a moving device for moving the second structure relative to the stationary engaging member from a contracted position to a closed position. An angular position of the first and the second structures are adjusted, so the subsequent movement of the separation member towards the closing position intersects a separation area between the first and second bones or cartilage parts causing an immediate separation between the first and second bones or cartilage parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MAREL MEAT B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Joannes Janssen, Jan Meerdink
  • Patent number: 11129391
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and maneuvering an animal carcass includes a frame and a carcass holding device connected with the frame. The carcass holding device includes a gear assembly, a pair of support arms, and a pair of plates connected with the support arms. The support arms each have a first end connected with the gear assembly and a second end with which the plates are connected. The gear assembly is operable to displace the plates between a retracted position in which the plates may be inserted into an animal carcass rib cage, and an expanded position wherein the plates engage the rib cage to secure the animal carcass for butchering. Preferably, the frame is adjustable to provide linear displacement and rotation of the carcass holding device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Inventor: Gary Steven Hendrix
  • Patent number: 9820494
    Abstract: A method for cutting extra-large poultry to fit within existing industrial fryers and remain as recognizable pieces to the consumer is provided. The method provides for the cuts necessary to create pieces of poultry from the extra-large poultry that are sized comparably to a normal sized bird. Furthermore, the method provides for keeping the cut pieces in a shape that the consumer recognizes as a particular piece of poultry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Tyson Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Hultz Smith
  • Patent number: 9192186
    Abstract: Disclosed is a food product formed from the leg of a fowl comprising: a) a central leg bone having a foot end and a thigh end, said leg bone preferably being substantially without at least a foot knuckle; and b) a first portion of natural meat originally located around a portion of the foot-end of said bone and displaced from said foot end toward said thigh-end such that at least a portion of said foot-end bone is exposed and such that said displaced portion of meat remains indirectly attached to the bone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: ISO FOOD GROUP
    Inventors: Eugene D. Gagliardi, Jr., Paul Malvestuto, Joseph P. McGonigal, Victor Orsini
  • Patent number: 8758098
    Abstract: A safety use deboning knife includes a blade having a distally disposed carcass flesh penetration tip disposed immediately adjacent the blade curved cutting edge and spacedly disposed from the blade non-cutting upper edge by a planar distal edge, which distal edge subtends an acute angle of less than about 45° and preferably in less than about 25° with entire cutting portion disposed below the blade center line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Dexter-Russell, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Neal
  • Patent number: 8628387
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a breast from a game bird provides first and second blades pivotally attached to a stabilizer bar projecting outwardly between the first and second blades. The stabilizer bar is generally adapted for insertion into the abdomen of a bird, and the first and second blades can be actuated using one or more handles to create a scissoring effect whereby a region of the abdomen, or the breast, is severed from the bird. Methods of removing a breast from a bird are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventor: O'Neal Wood
  • Publication number: 20130196583
    Abstract: A safety use deboning knife includes a blade having a distally disposed carcass flesh penetration tip disposed immediately adjacent the blade curved cutting edge and spacedly disposed from the blade non-cutting upper edge by a planar distal edge, which distal edge subtends an acute angle of less than about 45° and preferably in less than about 25° with entire cutting portion disposed below the blade center line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Scott Neal
  • Patent number: 8382562
    Abstract: A knife for deboning rib meat from ribs includes a plurality of spaced apart blades arranged in side by side relation, each blade having forward end, a rearward end and a sharp bottom edge, a deboning head transversely interconnecting the blades and which includes a sharp bottom edge, wherein a sharp grooved surface interconnects a forward end of both blades and the deboning head and a handle connected to the rearward end of the blades. The sharp grooved surface is contoured to a rib of predetermined animal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Philip Lavretsky
  • Patent number: 8342918
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a breast from a game bird provides first and second blades pivotally attached to a stabilizer bar projecting outwardly between the first and second blades. The stabilizer bar is generally adapted for insertion into the abdomen of a bird, and the first and second blades can be actuated using one or more handles to create a scissoring effect whereby a region of the abdomen, or the breast, is severed from the bird. Methods of removing a breast from a bird are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Oneal Wood
  • Publication number: 20120052782
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing a breast from a game bird provides first and second blades pivotally attached to a stabilizer bar projecting outwardly between the first and second blades. The stabilizer bar is generally adapted for insertion into the abdomen of a bird, and the first and second blades can be actuated using one or more handles to create a scissoring effect whereby a region of the abdomen, or the breast, is severed from the bird. Methods of removing a breast from a bird are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: O'Neal Wood
  • Patent number: 7850511
    Abstract: A method and a device for facilitating the removal of a pin bone (2) from fish flesh, wherein the pin bone (2) is cut within a filet part of the fish flesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Eiganes Invest AS
    Inventors: Tor Voll, Oddmund Haugland
  • Patent number: 7806753
    Abstract: A method for the skin-on deboning of a ham prior to processing in a conventional skinner. The ham is deboned and the inside musculature, outside musculature, knuckle musculature and inner shank musculature are removed prior to the removal of skin and fat from the various cuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Stork Townsend Inc.
    Inventor: Donald D. Holms
  • Patent number: 7704132
    Abstract: A device (1) for carving, boning, and defatting slaughtered animals is provided having a handle (3), with a head part (9) mounted at its front end. The head part (9) carries a knife carrier (21) with a rotatably mounted circular knife (17). The knife carrier (21) can be connected to the head part (9) via guiding cams (27) which are inserted into recesses (29) at the head part (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: SUHNER Inter-Trade AG
    Inventors: Paul Luthi, Hans Isenschmid
  • Publication number: 20090227192
    Abstract: A device (1) for carving, boning, and defatting slaughtered animals is provided having a handle (3), with a head part (9) mounted at its front end. The head part (9) carries a knife carrier (21) with a rotatably mounted circular knife (17). The knife carrier (21) can be connected to the head part (9) via guiding cams (27) which are inserted into recesses (29) at the head part (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: SUHNER Inter-Trade AG
    Inventors: Paul Luthi, Hans Isenschmid
  • Patent number: 7247086
    Abstract: An apparatus and procedure for extracting pin bones from fish. The procedure comprises detaching the pin bones from the meat using vibrations, and then, extracting the pin bone using only enough traction force in order to pull out the pin bone, thus preserving its integrity, without damaging the interior and exterior of the meat. The apparatus comprises a vibrations generator, a pin boning device, and a device for transmitting vibrations from the generator to the pin boning device. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a torque generator including a maximum output torque controlling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Prointech S.A.
    Inventor: Chistian Garcia Schneidedr
  • Patent number: 7153202
    Abstract: Helical members applied in flexshaft assemblies for retaining lubricant inside a flexshaft casing 22. The helical members have a helix that is opposite of a helix of wires that make up a flexible drive member. The helical members direct the lubricant away from an end of the flexshaft assembly that the helix of wires tends to direct the lubricant toward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Marinel Rosu, Dennis R. Seguin, Geoffrey D. Rapp
  • Patent number: 6751872
    Abstract: A rotary knife comprising, an annular blade having a central axis, a blade supporting head assembly supporting the blade for rotation about the axis, a manually grippable handle assembly connected to the head assembly, and a flex shaft drive transmission for driving the blade about the axis. The handle assembly comprises a core, a hand grip surrounding the core, and a connector unit that secures the hand grip to the core. The core has a first end region rigidly fixed with respect to the head assembly and a second end region spaced from the bead assembly. The core defines a drive transmission guiding channel leading toward the blade. The hand grip has a first end region proximal the blade support assembly and a second end region proximal the second core end region. The connector detachably secures the hand grip in fixed relationship with the core. The connector engages the second end regions and is detachable for enabling hand grip removal and replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Robert L. Leimbach, Raymond Herrmann
  • Patent number: 6745477
    Abstract: A cutting tool and method for removing the tenders from a poultry carcass wherein the cutting tool is a deboning knife having a pair of blades attached to a handle in a side by side relation with a distance therebetween. The surfaces of the blades include undulations for accommodating the curvature of the keel from which the tenders are removed. The method for removing the tenders comprises manual manipulation of the deboning knife to simultaneously remove two tenders from the carcass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Dale Gray
  • Publication number: 20040058635
    Abstract: Apparatus for removing the pelvic bone from a slaughtered animal carcass which has been split longitudinally, comprising an elongated arm, fulcrum means at one end of the arm for location against the carcass and engagement means intermediate the ends of the arm for engaging the pelvic bone adjacent the ischium thereof, whereby in use a force applied to the other end of said arm causes by a levering action about the fulcrum means, removal of the pelvic bone from the carcass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy Andrew Budd
  • Publication number: 20030196333
    Abstract: A rotary knife having an annular blade, a split blade housing for supporting the blade for rotation, a handle assembly including a head member for supporting the split blade housing, and a clamping assembly including a clamp body for clamping the split blade housing to the head member. A portion of the split blade housing is provided with an area of scoring along a bearing surface that bears against the clamp body. Similarly, the clamp body is provided with an area of scoring along a bearing surface that bears against the blade housing bearing surface. The areas of scoring coact to inhibit movement of one end of the split blade housing with respect to a second end of the split blade housing when the split blade housing is clamped to the head member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 23, 2003
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Whited
  • Publication number: 20030084576
    Abstract: A rotary knife comprising, an annular blade having a central axis, a blade supporting head assembly supporting the blade for rotation about the axis, a manually grippable handle assembly connected to the head assembly, and a flex shaft drive transmission for driving the blade about the axis. A depth of cut limiting device engages material as an operator moves the rotary knife across a surface to trim material from that surface. The depth of cut limiting device has particular utility in trimming fat from meat while leaving a controlled thickness of fat on the meat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Applicant: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Robert L. Leimbach, Robert R. Bolin
  • Patent number: 6142862
    Abstract: A de-boning apparatus and method for removing bones and other undesirable elements from meat. The apparatus preferably includes a conveyor assembly conveying meat to and from a head assembly which removes the bones, one or more rail assemblies located beside the conveyor assembly for keeping meat on the conveyor assembly as it passes through the apparatus, a conveyor drive system for powering the conveyor assembly, and a head drive assembly for powering the head assembly. The conveyor assembly preferably has a conveyor drum and an idler wheel about which a conveyor belt runs. The conveyor belt conveys meat to the head assembly preferably located beside the conveyor drum at a point when the conveyed meat is bowed as it passes around the conveyor drum, thereby better exposing bones for removal. The head assembly preferably includes a pin bone wheel (driven by the head drive system) and a head block spaced from the pin bone wheel to define a gap therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Genesis Custom Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Joe Dalgord, Eric Orville Evenson
  • Patent number: 6095913
    Abstract: A method for the removal of the spinal bones from fish, such as freshwater fish, by positioning an annular member, such as a ring attached to a shaft, around the spine of a deheaded fish and forcing it along the spine from the head portion to the tail portion of the fish, to thereby detach the spinal column from the torso of the fish and then pulling out the detached spinal column. The fish preferably has its tail cut off prior to the operation. A device for carrying out the method consists of a ring attached to a shaft with its plane extending substantially transverse to the rod. Various sized rings may be detachable connected to the shaft which may be provided with a handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sasha St Clair
    Inventor: Nicholas Peat
  • Patent number: 5947808
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for removing skin, membranes, bones, cartilage, antennae, legs, shell, beard and/or veins from seafood prior to, during and/or after the seafood is cooked. The apparatus generally having: (a) measuring means for locating bones within the seafood; (b) cutting means for separating the skin, membrane, bone, cartilage, antennae, legs, shell, beard or vein from the seafood; and (c) pinching means for gripping and removing the skin, membrane, bone, cartilage, antennae, legs, shell, beard or vein from the seafood. The apparatus may further comprise such elements as, but not limited to: (d) handle means for holding and manipulating the measuring means, cutting means, or pinching means during use of the apparatus; (e) gripping means for enhancing the ability to securely grip the handle means during use thereof; and/or (f) means for selectively removing the cutting means from the handle means for easy cleaning thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Clariant GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas W. Adams
  • Patent number: 5940972
    Abstract: A rotary knife having a blade with an annular body rotatable about a central axis and an annular blade section projecting away from the body. The blade section comprises a first radially inner surface, a second radially outer surface and, a cutting edge defined along the projecting end of the blade section and extending about the central axis. The cutting edge defines a sinuous line extending about the central axis forming first curved segments having radii of curvature centered radially inwardly from the edge, second curved segments interposed between adjacent first segments and having radii of curvature centered radially outwardly from the edge, and a blade edge curvature inflection location between each adjacent first and second segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Baris, Jeffrey Whited
  • Patent number: 5904616
    Abstract: A device comprising two rollers (1,2) built of ribs (4,9) whereof one roller (2) may rotate inside the other (1) with a rotational speed which is somewhat larger than the rotational speed of the external roller (1), and where there between the ribs (4,9) may pass bones, e.g. fish bones, is suited for removing such (fish) bones from (fish) meat by rolling the device over the piece of meat from which the bones are to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Espen Welin Larsen
  • Patent number: 5692307
    Abstract: A rotary knife blade comprising an annular body rotatable about a central axis, gear teeth projecting away from the body to form a ring gear, and an annular blade section projecting away from the body. The blade section comprises a first frustoconical, radially inner surface, a second frustoconical, radially outer surface, a third annular surface extending between the first and second surfaces remote from the body and an array of shallow flutes formed in the blade section. The flutes are disposed circumferentially about the blade section, extending from the projecting blade section end toward the body and opening in the first and third surfaces. The junctures of the third surface with the first surface and the flutes define a cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Bettcher Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Whited, Robert L. Leimbach, G. Daniel Harper
  • Patent number: 5529534
    Abstract: The subject apparatus includes three implements which complement each other in the removal of skin portions, abdominal lining portions and bone portions from a fish steak. One implement is tongs having a plurality of tips which are pressed into the steak, surrounding the central bone portions, allowing their removal by pressing the tips toward each other to grasp and then remove those portions. A second implement is a blade on a handle. The blade is essentially perpendicular to the handle, sharp on both edges and its broad surfaces are perpendicular to the long axis of the handle. The blade is passed between the flesh portions of the steak and the skin portion and the abdominal cavity lining portion (if any) to separate and allow removal of those portions. A third implement is a tweezers specially adapted to grasping the ends of bones which extend through the steak perpendicular to its broad, flat surfaces and to grasping and removing the free skin and lining portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Inventor: Thomas W. Adams