Abstract: An automated loading station for meat portions configured so as to hook, at a hooking area, a meat portion to a sustaining element, which loading station is provided with a movement apparatus for moving the sustaining elements configured so as to move a sustaining element at the hooking area, a conveying apparatus for conveying the meat portions configured so as to convey the meat portion at the hooking area and to align a segment of the meat portion to a plurality of needles of the sustaining element, and a press configured so as to press the meat portion against the needles of the sustaining element positioned in the hooking area to penetrate the meat portion with the needles.

Abstract: A meat processing device for defining a uniform shape of a pork belly, and including a frame, a shoulder defining a confinement space with the frame, and a tine for securing the meat in the confinement space. A cover may be joined to the frame to further define the confinement space, and may releasably engage the shoulder for a secure confinement of the pork belly.

Abstract: A meat processing device for defining a uniform shape of a pork belly, and including a frame, a shoulder defining a confinement space with the frame, and a tine and a retaining member for securing the meat in the confinement space.

Abstract: A support hook for moving meat, more specifically for pieces or cubes of bacon/belly during the processing and/or curing thereof includes a framework and a plurality of tips. The plurality of tips are integral with the respective framework via respective heads arranged on both sides and the holes of the framework such that each tip can be inserted and interchanged even at a later time, if any tip should be broken or chipped. This type of hook is generally called comb or bacon comb.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon. The hanger is characterized by a plate comprised of an integral support member, and an integral generally rectangular base frame made from the plate that lies in a first plane and an integral plurality of prongs that extend generally normal to the plate plane. The prong members may be at different elevations to ensure engagement with the cutaneous trunci muscle. The bacon hanger preferably includes a spaced extension which provides for a space between the pork belly and the plate member.

Abstract: A bacon comb hangs a bacon belly in a vertical position for processing and has laterally extending hooks engaging and supporting both the primary lean muscle and the secondary lean CT muscle at the top end of the bacon belly to prevent drop-away of the secondary lean CT muscle from the primary lean muscle, to increase the number of bacon slices per bacon belly meeting #1 grade criteria.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon characterized by support member, and a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members may be at different elevations to ensure engagement with the cutaneous trunci muscle. The hanger structure may be stabilized by a generally vertical rod connecting the base frame and the support member.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon. The hanger is characterized by a plate comprised of an integral support member, and an integral generally rectangular base frame made from the plate that lies in a first plane and an integral plurality of prongs that extend generally normal to the plate plane. The prong members may be at different elevations to ensure engagement with the cutaneous trunci muscle. The bacon hanger preferably includes a spaced extension which provides for a space between the pork belly and the plate member.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon characterized by support member, a force distributing strut member and a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The force is distributed in the hanger structure from the support member to the base frame by a generally vertical force distributing rod connecting the base frame and the support member.

Abstract: A method of processing pork bellies to produce sliced bacon comprises receiving at least one pork belly, having a flank end and a shoulder end, from a pork belly treating process. The flank end and the shoulder end of the at least one pork belly is docked. The docked pork belly is placed on a slicing machine and sliced to produce sliced bacon.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon which is characterized by a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The prong assembly includes a cross bar spaced from and generally parallel to the base frame that defines a space between the cross bar of the prong assembly and the base frame. The space is designed to receive the latch of a mechanical device for removal of the hanger from the pork belly.

Abstract: A hanger designed for supporting pork bellies during handling and processing into slabs of bacon which is characterized by a generally rectangular base frame with a top bar and a bottom bar, and a series of generally L-shaped prong members attached to the base frame and defining a prong assembly extending laterally from the base frame. The prong members are attached to the bottom bar opposite the side of the prong assembly. The bottom bar includes an offset extending laterally from the base frame in a direction opposite the prong assembly. The offset is designed to receive the latch of a mechanical device for removal of the hanger from the pork bellie.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for treating pork bellies, the apparatus utilizing a frame carrying a belly supporting surface, a belly treating station made up of various belly engaging devices, a comb positionable in the treated belly flank side after the flank side has been engaged at the belly treating assembly, and an accumulation table carried by the frame for holding the treated and combed bellies after removal from the belly treating station. The belly treating assembly includes the flank side movable engaging stop, fatback side and lower side presses movable substantially horizontally to engage and compress the belly flank side, and a hold down assembly engaging the belly face and resisting its upward bowing or movement when the flank side is compressed. A belly hanging structure is positioned adjacent the accumulation table for receiving and supporting the combed bellies so that the bellies will lengthen and square during the smoking process.

Abstract: A bacon decomber suspended above a work table for pulling and separating a bacon comb from a bacon belly, including a belly hold-down member for engaging a belly, a pneumatically driven carriage having tines for positioning between a belly and a comb, and a hand-operated trigger plate for selectively activating the carriage.

Abstract: A product hanger apparatus for hanging products such as meat products during processing through a processing chamber, the processing chamber incorporating a conveyor for conveying products through the chamber, and a controller for controlling the processing conditions within the chamber, the hanger apparatus having, support bars secured to the conveyor at spaced intervals, to span the width within the processing chamber, the support bars defining a pre-determined length having two ends, product hangers defining a pre-determined length having first and second ends, attachment means on said product hangers, so that they may be connected to the support bars at either end, and, a plurality of spaced apart needle members extending from the product hangers normal thereto, whereby individual pieces of product may be engaged by the needle members, and the hangers may be suspended from the support bars within the processing chamber, with the products spaced apart from one another side-by-side along the hangers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for combing bacon bellies or similar generally compressible items in order to transform a conveyed flow of those items into a stream of those items, each of which is suspended from a comb which impales the item. The thus combed items are then suitable for transport along track means to subject the item to treatment conditions such as transporting them into smoking and flavoring environments. The apparatus and method are particularly well suited for combing pork bellies and as a component of a commercial line in which pork bellies are processed into sliced and packaged bacon products.