Abstract: An apparatus for separating materials of different flowability that are mixed together has a frame structure; a hollow drum driven in a rotational direction and having a perforated peripheral surface and an open end face; a continuous press belt pressed from outside onto the peripheral surface when wrapped around part of the circumference of the drum; a product intake wedge formed by the belt and drum, for conducting a product stream into the apparatus between the drum and belt; and a device for discharging separated product, which has been pressed from the outside through the perforated peripheral surface into the hollow chamber, from the end face. The discharging device includes a scraping element in an upper region of the drum, and includes at least one scraping element section, which has a tilt angle of more than 90° to a tangential plane of the peripheral surface against the direction of rotation.

Abstract: A shredding drum for a cutting and separating device, including a pressure housing, on a first end portion of which an inlet opening is formed and on a second end portion of which an outlet opening is formed, wherein a multiplicity of cutting openings are arranged in a pressure housing portion of the pressure housing and pass right through the pressure housing portion from an inner wall to an outer wall, wherein the cutting openings are oriented with hole axes inclined at an angle (?O1, ?O2) in relation to the inner wall. The underlying object was therefore to improve a shredding drum in such a way that the cutting performance of the cutting and separating device and the quality of the desired food ingredient are significantly improved. The object is achieved in that the inclination of the hole axes being chosen such that they are facing the inlet opening on the inner wall.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating materials with different flowability has a rotationally driven hollow drum with a perforated peripheral surface, stripping means for stripping away material, and a continuous compression belt pressed from outside onto the drum by wrapping around part of the circumference of the drum, an intake wedge for the material. The belt is mounted by a drive roller and bearing roller. The drive roller controllably variably presses into a pressing position against the drum, separated by the belt. The drive roller position is adjustably set by a first positioning device via a control device, with a first end abutment element for mechanical position limitation. Part of the first positioning device comes into blocking contact with a first counter-surface of the first end abutment element in the pressing position of the drive roller and the first counter-surface of the first end abutment element is adjustable by the control device.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing poultry or a part thereof in a processing line, including the step of detaching and/or collecting a cartilage of the poultry's keel bone, whereby during transport of the poultry's carcass in the processing line, a cut is made in the cartilage of the keel bone. The cut is made initially transverse to the transport direction of the poultry and towards the poultry's backbone. The cut develops from the transverse direction to eventually a direction opposed to the transport direction.

Abstract: A filleting device and method for harvesting fillets from poultry carcasses that are moved in a conveyer-line supported on carriers is provided. In one exemplary embodiment, the first guide rails are provided to guide at least a part of the fillets so as to increase this part's distance from the carcass and break the tissue connections that connect the fillet or fillets in their natural position to the keel-bone of the carcass. Flexible elements are provided that complete the harvesting of the fillets by peeling the fillets entirely loose from the keel-bone.

Abstract: Deboning machines and methods of operating deboning machines are provided. In one aspect, a deboning machine includes a housing, a bearing supported by the housing, a separation chamber supported by the housing and including perforations defined through the separation chamber from an interior surface to an exterior surface, an auger including a shaft and a flute formed about the shaft with the auger extending through the separation chamber and the flute adapted to be positioned a working distance from the interior surface of the separation chamber. The deboning machine also includes a retainer rotatably supported by the bearing with the auger extending through the retainer, a nut rotatably coupled to a threaded portion of the auger and rotation of the moves the flute relative to the separation chamber to establish the working distance between the flute and the interior surface of the separation chamber.

Abstract: A system and method of processing bone is disclosed. A tissue separator is utilized to separate tissue comprising at least one of muscle, periosteum and connective tissue from bone in a safe, sterile and efficient manner. In one aspect, the particle reducer can include an impeller positioned with respect to a cutting surface on a drum. At least one of the impeller and the drum is rotated by a power source such that harvested tissue frictionally engages the cutting surface. In another aspect, a source of pressurized fluid can be directed at tissue to separate bone from non-bone tissue.

Abstract: Meat processing, especially but not exclusively for bone-in-meat product (for example, chicken), uses a combination of equipment or process parameters to obtain high quality ground or boneless meat. Particular equipment implementations include a piston pump in combination with an extrusion screen, and particular process parameters include speed, temperature, pressure and screen configuration.

Abstract: Separation chambers, deboning machines, and methods of operating the same are provided. In one aspect, a separation chamber for a compression-type deboning machine includes a body defining an internal cavity therein having a frusto-conical shape. A central longitudinal axis of the body extends from a first opening of the cavity near a first end of the body to a second opening of the cavity near a second end of the body. The first opening is larger than the second opening. The separation chamber also includes a plurality of perforations defined through the body from an inner surface of the body to an outer surface of the body. Each perforation includes a perforation axis extending longitudinally through a center of the perforation. The perforation axes of the plurality of perforations are transverse to a radial axis extending perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the body.

Abstract: A process for trussing up meat attached to at least one bone of a poultry part around an end of the poultry part, which includes the steps of loading each of a series of poultry parts into a trussing up unit at a loading position and positioning the bones of the poultry part into a bone positioning device, displacing each trussing up unit from a loading position towards and along a trussing up pathway and fixing the bones into the bone positioning device, displacing at least one bone partly through the meat through at least one bone positioning device by a pusher, retracting at least one of the bones from the meat and removing the trussed up poultry part.

Abstract: A desirably close clearance between outer edges of the flights of a conveying screw and the inside surface of a separator housing and screen can be obtained by offsetting the axis of the screw within the screen and by rotating the axis of the screw about the axis of the separator housing. Adjustments to the amount of such offset of the screw axis can be made in steps as the outer edges of the flights on the conveying screw wear.

Abstract: A desirably close clearance between outer edges of the flights of a conveying screw and the inside surface of a separator housing and screen can be obtained by offsetting the axis of the screw within the screen and by rotating the axis of the screw about the axis of the separator housing. Adjustments to the amount of such offset of the screw axis can be made in steps as the outer edges of the flights on the conveying screw wear.

Abstract: A separator apparatus that separates meat from bone in two distinct separation stages includes a rotary cam pump in series with a deboning screw assembly. In the first separation stage, substantially bone-free meat is separated from bone as the meat-bone mixture passes through the rotary cam pump, and expelled from the separator apparatus. The rotary cam pump then drives the remaining meat bone mixture into the deboning screw assembly, where a second separation stage occurs in which additional substantially bone-free meat is separated from bone as the meat-bone mixture passes through the deboning screw assembly, and is also expelled from the separator apparatus. The remaining bone residue is expelled from a bone residue outlet on the separator apparatus. The meat separated during the first stage can have a different coarseness than that separated during the second stage, and each can be expelled and collected at a different location.

Abstract: A separation chamber particularly suited for meat processing is configurable to have various feed and discharge end diameters and/or chamber length. The separation chamber may also have configurable cutting perforations.

Abstract: A pin bone removal device that provides a plurality of fixed members arranged substantially in side-by-side orientation. The invention also comprises a plurality of moveable members also substantially arranged in a side-by-side orientation. In one aspect, the fixed members and moveable members collectively form a stack of members in which a moveable member is positioned adjacent each fixed member. In this aspect, a linear drive is operatively connected to each of the moveable members and is configured to cause oscillating movement of each moveable member to cause the moveable members to contact the adjacent fixed member. This movement causes pinch points to be created and released between the fixed and moveable members. As the fillet of fish is moved along the stack of members, the pin bones are caught at each pinch point and then released.

Abstract: A feed section of a de-boning apparatus connected with an output section. The feed section comprises a cylinder forming a loading section and a packing section. The portion forming the loading cylinder section has a larger radius than the cylinder portion forming the packing section. A tapered face interconnects the cylinder portion forming the packing section. An auger having a helical flight of a constant radius passes through the cylinder forming a void along its length between the cylinder portion having a larger radius and the helical flight. The void allows product fed into the feed section to completely surround the auger and fill the helical void within the loading section with reduced pressure against the product.

Abstract: A separator apparatus that separates meat from bone in two distinct separation stages includes a rotary cam pump in series with a deboning screw assembly. In the first separation stage, substantially bone-free meat is separated from bone as the meat-bone mixture passes through the rotary cam pump, and expelled from the separator apparatus. The rotary cam pump then drives the remaining meat bone mixture into the deboning screw assembly, where a second separation stage occurs in which additional substantially bone-free meat is separated from bone as the meat-bone mixture passes through the deboning screw assembly, and is also expelled from the separator apparatus. The remaining bone residue is expelled from a bone residue outlet on the separator apparatus. The meat separated during the first stage can have a different coarseness than that separated during the second stage, and each can be expelled and collected at a different location.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for extracting poultry meat from crushed and dismembered poultry pieces is provided. The extracting method is based on mechanical separation utilizing heated water spray within a rotating drum assembly for removal and separation of meat from bone and collagen. The water is collected, pumped into a holding tank, and is flavored with natural poultry extract and antifoam agent for recycle within the process. The apparatus includes a hopper, an inclined rotating drum assembly having perforated walls and an internally located nozzle dispensing a water spray for separating meat from bones, a tank having at least one water jet for separating meat from bone fragments, a vibrating dewatering apparatus for separating meat from the water, and a re-circulation system for collection, reheating, and re-using the solution of water and poultry extract.

Abstract: A device for trussing up poultry parts, the poultry parts having first and second elongated bones with meat attached to the bones. The device includes carrier trays which receive the poultry part. The first and second bones are placed in first and second recesses of a meat stripping tool. A pusher device displaces the first and second bones through the recesses and at least some of the meat is compressed between the at least a part of the pusher device and at least a part of the stripping tool. At least one gripper retracts at least one of the first and second bones from the meat after the meat has been trussed up.

Abstract: In a device, assembly and method for separating meat from bone parts, at least a chamber (2) is provided for receiving bone parts which are connected to meat, having a first open end (4) and a second open end (5) which is located opposite the first open end (4), a plunger (7), first displacement means for displacing the plunger (7) inside the chamber (2) from the first open end (4) thereof, and a stop element (13) at the second open end (5) for creating a closed space (3) together with the chamber (2) and the plunger (7). A pressure is applied to the bone parts by displacing the plunger (7) in the chamber (2). The stop element (13) is arranged at a distance from the chamber (2), so that at least one gap (15) is formed between the chamber (2) and the stop element (13), for the passage of meat which has been separated from the bone parts under the influence of pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to method and apparatus for removing bones from meat, such as pin-bones from fish filet e.g. whitefish such as cod comprising a conveyor (2) for transporting the meat and a bone removing unit (5) for removing the bones as the meat is transported along the conveyor. The bone removing unit (5) is movably hinged to the frame (1) of the apparatus and moveable in an approximated up- and downward direction toward the conveyor (2). The conveyor comprises an upwardly extending edge (52) allowing the bone removal unit to be brought into contact with a particular area to remove the bones that are primarily located therein. In this manner it is possible to adjust the apparatus according to the configuration figure of each individual fish filet.

Abstract: A deboning device for separating bone (8) and meat (9) of an animal part (7) has a support system (5) for supporting at least one deboning unit (1) and moving the at least one deboning unit (1) from a loading position (3) for loading the animal part (7) to a deboning position (4) for deboning the animal part (7), the deboning unit (1) being provided to receive the animal part (7) in the longitudinal direction thereof, the deboning unit (1) involving a meat stripper device (2) with a meat stripper disc (21) made of a flexible material, the meat stripper disc (21) involving an aperture (22) for receiving the bone (8) in the longitudinal direction there through, the deboning unit (1) also involving a bone pusher assembly (10), the bone pusher assembly (10) being aligned with the meat stripper disc (21) and being slidably movable in the longitudinal direction of the animal part (7) so as to co-operate with the meat stripper disc (21) to displace the bone (8) in the longitudinal direction of the meat (9), at least

Abstract: A poultry processing machine including a distribution housing, a rotating dome and a truncated conical surface outwardly of the dome for the distribution of quarter legs to several processing units. Gates control the admission of the pieces to the processing units. The processing unit includes a converging inlet within which horizontal extending bars are positioned to allow the smaller end of the piece to drop downwardly into the unit. A rotatable circular blade and traction wheels draw the piece downwardly along with the operation of vacuum from a rotatable cutter. A passageway concentrically arranged within the cutter receives the bone of the quarter leg and vacuum drawn through the rotatable cutter draws the piece downwardly. A spreading surface lays the now deboned and longitudinally sliced piece into a flat slab. A skinning device having vacuum associated with a porous wheel pulls the skin away from the flesh. A skinning knife assists in this process.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a meat including a frame and a driving mechanism attached to the frame. A carriage is attached to the driving mechanism and is movable along a path. The carriage is adapted to support the meat. A cutting head is disposed along the path to cut the meat into at least two pieces of meat when the driving mechanism forces the meat through the cutting head.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for separating meat from bones comprising meat remainders, comprising: a cylinder with a cylinder wall; a piston movable in the cylinder; infeed means for carrying bones comprising meat remainders into the cylinder; a plurality of holes arranged in the cylinder wall for passage of meat out of the cylinder placed under pressure; outfeed means for discharging bones from the cylinder; and a drive device for driving the piston, wherein the smallest passage of the holes lies between 3 mm and 12 mm and the drive device is adapted to apply a pressure in the cylinder with magnitude of between 30 bar and 120 bar.

Abstract: A tongue squeezer includes a cylindrical roller operably mounted on one end of a pivot arm to pivot the roller between a "working" position spaced vertically above a second roller, and an "open" position spaced upwardly away from the second roller. A weight is attached to the pivot arm to bias the first roller downwardly towards the second roller to thereby squeeze a meat product directed between the first and second rollers. A second pair of rollers is operably mounted downstream of the first pair of rollers, with a third roller mounted below a fourth roller. The fourth roller is mounted on a second pivot arm with a weight attached thereto, to apply a biasing force to squeeze the meat product as it is directed between the second pair of rollers, from the first pair of rollers.

Abstract: A deboning device for poultry: (i) has deboning units mounted along an endless chain to be moved in longitudinal direction along a processing path, each deboning unit extends in cross direction of the endless chain, and at one end of the unit there is a meat stripper disc assembly with a meat stripper disc having an aperture for receiving the bone of the poultry part therethrough in longitudinal direction of the bone and stripping the meat from the bone, at the other opposing end of the unit there is a bone pusher assembly for displacing the bone towards and through the aperture of the meat stripper disc, and at one side of the unit facing the meat stripper disc there is a carrier for carrying the poultry part to be deboned; (ii) has structure for guiding the bone pusher assembly towards the meat stripper disc into engagement with the poultry part, and (iii) has at least one deboning position, which deboning position contains the structure for guiding the bone pusher assembly towards the meat stripper disc, w

Abstract: Poultry thighs (13) are placed on carrier trays (22) of a tray conveyor (14) and move on an endless loop conveyor first through a rectilinear loading run (24), then through a curved deboning run (26), and then through a lower return run (25). The curved deboning run extends about the deboning unit (35), which includes a stationary cam drum (36) and a revolving carrier assembly (38) that carries the series of deboning modules (55) about the drum (36). Each deboning module becomes aligned with a carrier tray and is actuated by the cam tracks (81) of the stationary cam drum (36) so as to engage and push the bone of the turkey thigh through the aperture (63) of a stripper disk (61). The stripper disk reciprocates toward the carrier tray during the initial deboning of the thigh and separates from the carrier tray to allow enough space to remove the meat from the apparatus.

Abstract: Poultry drumsticks (13) are placed on carrier trays (22) of a tray conveyor (14) and move on an endless loop conveyor first through a rectilinear loading run (24), then through a precutting run, then a curved deboning run (26), and then through a lower return run (25). The pre-cutting run involves pre-cutting separate drumsticks of poultry, especially turkeys, with a pre-cutting device 110 in preparation of its deboning, comprising means to transversely cut the muscular tissue, especially tendons, at or near their connection to the drumstick bone. The curved deboning run extends about the deboning unit (35), which includes a stationary cam drum (36) and a revolving carrier assembly (38) that carries the series of deboning modules (55) about the drum (36). Each deboning module becomes aligned with a carrier tray and is actuated by the cam tracks (81) of the stationary cam drum (36) so as to engage and push the bone of the poultry drumstick through the aperture (63) of a stripper disk (61).

Abstract: Poultry parts (13) are placed on carrier trays (22) of a tray conveyor (14) and move on an endless loop conveyor first through a rectilinear loading run (24), then through a curved deboning run (26), and then through a lower return run (25). The curved deboning run extends about the deboning unit (35), which includes a stationary cam drum (36) and a revolving carrier assembly (38) that carriers the series of deboning modules (55) about the drum (36). Each deboning module becomes aligned with a carrier tray and is actuated by the cam tracks (81) of the stationary cam drum (36) so as to engage and push the bone of the poultry part through the aperture (63) of a bowed resilient stripper disk (61) that is mounted in a meat stripper disk assembly (56) having a disk retainer plate (132).

Abstract: Poultry parts which have elongated bones, such as poultry thighs (10), legs (40), or segments of wings (not shown) are moved with respect to a stripper element, such as an apertured disk (24 or 54) or stripper blades (79 and 80), so as to partially strip the meat (12, 42) from the bone (11, 41). The partially deboned product is formed with the meat accumulated at one end of the bone, with the stripped portion of the bone being substantially free of meat. The product is cooked and the cooked meat remains at one end of the product, leaving the substantially bare bone available for grasping by the fingers of the human hand, so that the product becomes finger food that is substantially free of grease, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for gaining fish meat in pulp form is described. The apparatus comprises a fish filleting machine, a separating device arranged downstream of said filleting machine and comprising a perforated drum and a pressing belt wrapped around a portion of the drum, and a transport apparatus. In order to ensure that the fish enter the straining apparatus in the correct orientation and substantially flat so that the straining apparatus may operate efficiently even when double fillets are produced by the filleting machine, the transport apparatus comprises upper and lower conveying belts which positively engage the fish fillets between them and convey the fillets fixed in the correct orientation.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for separating components having different viscosities and/or sizes from a composition are disclosed The apparatus comprises a rotatable hollow drum having an outer surface which is perforated, and an endless belt in engagement with a portion of the outer surface of said drum. The belt and said outer surface define an input zone where the belt and the outer surface engage. The input zone has the form of a wedge, and in use, the belt rotates synchronously with the outer surface. The apparatus further comprises an adjustable compression roller positioned to press the belt against said portion of the outer surface of the hollow drum, and a device positioned within the input zone. The device tends to urge the compression belt away from the outer surface. The apparatus has an improved input capability, particularly for bulky material.

Abstract: Deboning device for partially deboning meat surrounding a bone, which deboning device is provided with means for holding partially to be deboned meat, a diaphragm and a pin with a cam, in which the diaphragm and the pin with the cam are placed on either side of the means for holding partially to be deboned meat, and means for moving the pin in a direction towards the diaphragm, so that a bone of meat placed in the means for holding partially to be deboned meat can be pushed by the pin through the diaphragm, in which the deboning device is further provided with a stop for the pin, which stop is placed at a side of the diaphragm which is directed to the means for holding partially to be deboned meat and which stop limits the moving of the pin in the direction of the diaphragm so that a bone of meat placed in the means for holding partially to be deboned meat can only be partially pushed through the diaphragm by the pin and in which the deboning device is further provided with a push-back pin placed on a side of

Abstract: The invention concerns a pressing belt for separators which include a hollow drum having a perforated outer surface around which an endless flexible pressing belt is partially wrapped under pressure to form a pull-in or input zone with the drum. Separators of this kind serve to separate the flowable components from the less flowable components of material mixtures and are principally used in the food industry. In order to improve the wear and thus the durability of the belt, it is provided with a multi-layer structure with a high-tenacity intercalation and an upper layer, the material characteristics of the various layers being adaptable to the precise nature of the application and thereby allowing the durability to be optimised.

Abstract: Bones (10) with meat attached thereto are suspended in a substantially fluid medium (14). The fluid medium or matrix (14) includes meat, fat and other soft material (16) which behaves similarly to a fluid when a pressure is applied thereto. The substantially fluid medium (14) also includes a substantially compressible material (18) such as a gas included in voids within the matrix. Once the bones (10) are properly suspended, the entire matrix of material (14) is compressed from an initial pressure to a detachment pressure which may be in a range of 5 pounds per square inch over atmospheric to 1000 pounds per square inch over atmospheric. The meat attached to the bones (10) within the matrix (14) tends to migrate away from the bone and eventually detach from the bone. However, since of all of the bones (10) remain suspended in a substantially fluid medium, pressure is applied evenly across the entire surface of the bones without breaking the bones and contaminating the meat with bone fragments.

Abstract: A slotted separation chamber for a compression type deboning machine comprises a plurality of elongated slots each formed of a pair of spaced apart side walls presenting interior side edges, and formed of a opposing arcuate end walls presenting interior arcuate end edges, the slots being oriented such that side edges lie at an angle relative to the central axis of the separation chamber so as to be tilted in the direction of rotation of an cooperating auger. The side and end edges cooperate with the fluted turns of the auger to shave or peel away the meat from the bone to produce a coarser and highly textured separated product.

Abstract: Poultry thighs (13) are placed on carrier trays (22) of a tray conveyor (14) and move on an endless loop conveyor first through a rectilinear loading run (24), then through a curved deboning run (26), and then through a lower return run (25). The curved deboning run extends about the deboning unit (35), which includes a stationary cam drum (36) and a revolving carrier assembly (38) that carries the series of deboning modules (55) about the drum (36). Each deboning module becomes aligned with a carrier tray and is actuated by the cam tracks (81) of the stationary cam drum (36) so as to engage and push the bone of the turkey thigh through the aperture (63) of a stripper disk (61).

Abstract: An improved meat deboning apparatus of the horizontally-arranged type, which is linear in a horizontal plane and fully supported by an integral base member throughout its length. Among the improvements made is the elimination of the prior art one-piece feed can and replacement with a split feed can with a replaceable insert. The split feed can of the present invention has a bottom half and a removeable top half. A replaceable insert is contained within. The insert is replaced by removing the top half of the feed can, removing the old insert and replacing it with a new insert. Because the feed can top half is removeable, a one-piece auger may also be used rather than the multiple-sectioned augers required by the pressure housings of the prior art. The thrust bearing and bearinged pillow blocks of the prior art are replaced with spherical roller bearing pillow blocks, thereby eliminating the need for a thrust bearing and its associated housing.

Abstract: An article, an apparatus, and a method for processing a meat product. The inventive article comprises: a shaft; a spiral conveying channel on the exterior of the shaft; and a cutting member projecting from the shaft and positioned within the conveying channel. The inventive apparatus comprises the inventive article and a driving assembly for rotating the inventive article about its longitudinal axis. The inventive method comprises the step of conveying a meat item through the conveying channel of the inventive article such that the cutting member contacts and forms a cut in the meat item.

Abstract: A poultry and swine pulverizing or grinding apparatus comprises an enclosed housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. A grinding drum is rotatably mounted within the enclosed housing and provided with raised cutting teeth extending in a helical orientation along the longitudinal length of the grinding drum. A carcass retention element is positioned adjacent the length of the grinding drum and cooperates therewith to facilitate pulverizing or grinding of animal carcasses by the grinding drum into small size particles which exit the housing through the outlet end. The grinding drum of the apparatus is motivated by an operatively connected motor. Also described is an automated system for preparing animal carcasses for lactic acid fermentation and/or further processing utilizing the aforesaid grinding apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating mixed material of different flowability comprises a hollow drum driven to rotate and having a perforated outer drum surface, about a portion of which is wrapped an endless compression belt adapted to apply pressure onto the hollow drum. For stripping material which remains on the outer surface of the hollow drum after compression, a stripping blade is provided which is arranged to float essentially radially with respect to the drum.

Abstract: A press for separating meat from bones includes an annular pressure chamber defined by an inner slotted separation chamber surrounded by an outer slotted separation chamber for reducing pressure within the chamber by increasing the total open area in the slotted chambers through which the meat can flow, to improve upon the texture of the meat recovered, to reduce its calcium content, and to avoid the total destruction of the bone. Pressure reduction is effected by reducing the volume of the product being depressed in the annular chamber, the elongated slots of the separation chambers present shearing edges for shearing away the meat from the bone as the separation chambers are counter-rotated. A back pressure control valve automatically opens in response to annular chamber pressure acting as a flow restrictor for controlling the pressure.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for removal of meat from bones. Bones particularly suitable are round elongate bones, such as commonly found in the limbs of animals. The apparatus uses a collar where, as the collar travels along the length of the bone, meat is pushed aheat of the collar resulting in its separation from the bone. Various clamping and retaining means may be used in conjunction with the apparatus. It may also be desirable to sever any tendons connecting meat to the bone before effecting travel of the collar.

Abstract: A screen for use in a separator device includes an inner portion opening onto the screen inner surface and an outer portion extending the remainder of the way through the screen material. The outer portion of the screen opening allows the desired material to pass therethrough, while blocking the entry of large pieces of hard material. The inner portion of the screen opening includes a deflecting surface forming an acute deflecting angle with the inner screen surface in the direction at which a cutting element passes over the screen opening. Large pieces of hard material that may partially enter the screen opening are pressed against the deflecting surface as the cutting element passes over the screen opening, the deflecting surface serving to deflect the hard material out of the screen opening without chipping off or cutting off any of the hard material, which could then pass through the screen opening along with the desired material.

Abstract: A machine for segregating meat from bone, heavy tissue, and skin and having a material conveying screw mounted for rotation within a perforated conduit serving as a screen through which the meat is extruded as the bone, heavy tissue, and skin are conveyed toward the discharge end of the machine, is provided with a cutter ring with a cutting face against which the bone, heavy tissue, and skin are projected and cut before discharge. The conveying screw is preferably a cutter screw having a spiral flight which bears against the inside of the screen and contacts the margins of the perforations of the screen in a close cutting action as the screw rotates. Feeding cut meat and bone into the machine and operating the machine constitutes the method of the invention.

Abstract: A poultry and swine pulverizing or grinding apparatus comprises an enclosed housing having an inlet end and an outlet end. A grinding drum is rotatably mounted within the enclosed housing and provided with raised cutting teeth extending in a helical orientation along the longitudinal length of the grinding drum. A carcass retention element is positioned adjacent the length of the grinding drum and cooperates therewith to facilitate pulverizing or grinding of animal carcasses by the grinding drum into small size particles which exit the housing through the outlet end. The grinding drum of the apparatus is motivated by an operatively connected motor.

Abstract: A method for gaining the remaining meat from the bones of cutlet strings or racks and a separating apparatus for carrying out this method are described. The separating apparatus essentially comprises a hollow drum (1) having a perforated outer surface (7), on which a compression belt (2) partially wrapped around said drum (1) is held under pressure. The hollow drum (1) includes a groove (8) in its central region which extends radially and around said drum and comprises perforated limiting faces. The cross-section of the groove (8) essentially corresponds to that of the bone string to be processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for a meat deboning machine are disclosed of the type which includes a drive motor with a motor shaft, an auger for conveying meat and bone material product, and a motor coupling for coupling the auger to the drive motor shaft. A housing surrounds the auger which includes a feed can having an inlet into which the product is fed to an entry end of the auger, and a sieve screen through which the meat passes radially to separate from the bone material. The auger includes two sections consisting of a feed auger and a compression auger which have a continuous taper and flights when coupled together as a single auger. The flights have an increased depth, to receive more product with reduced cavitation and pressure. The inlet of the feed can feeds only a single entry flight of the auger so that product does not back up into the feed opening. The root of the auger has a taper of about 9.degree.