Abstract: A cutlery apparatus that is configured to provide efficient removal of corn kernels from a corn cob. The cutlery apparatus includes a support member that is planar in manner having an upper surface and a perimeter edge. A first brace member and a second brace member are mounted to the upper surface of the support member and further include a void therebetween. The first brace member and second brace member are parallel to each other and angularly oriented on the support member. A cutting member is provided wherein the cutting member has a first portion disposed within the void and a second portion extending beyond the perimeter edge of the support member. The second portion of the cutting member is a metal blade. A clamp member extends across the void and is movably secured to the first brace member and second brace member.

Abstract: A toothed crushing disk for a grain processor includes teeth having a trailing tooth flank, which is a so-called tooth back, and a leading tooth flank, which is a so-called tooth face, on the surface of the teeth. The teeth have a wear protection zone in the region of the tooth back which is continuous or is divided into partial zones and has a wear resistance which is greater than that of the material of a base member of the toothed crushing disk. The base member has a tooth structure which determines the shape of the teeth and the wear protection zone is produced by using a high-energy beam method with the geometry of the tooth structure being substantially maintained. A method for producing a toothed crushing disk for a grain processor having teeth on the surface thereof is also provided.

Abstract: A zester having an elongated body with a handle portion at one end and a cutting portion form by a plurality of raised cutting elements at the other end portion. A lower member is moveably mounted on said body beneath said plurality of cutting elements to form a collection chamber. A flexible squeegee is affixed to said lower member to scrape zest material from beneath the cutting elements as the lower member is extended outward from the housing after use of the zester.

Abstract: A breading removal device includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of teeth protruding from the bottom surface of the base for pressing into and removing a breading portion of a baked item; and a handle attached to the top surface of the base for rotating or moving the base and the plurality of teeth pressed into the breading portion. The base may be planar and substantially round, rectangular, square, or oval shaped. The base may be made of metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or a combination thereof. The handle may be substantially straight, or in a shape of a cross. Each of the teeth may have a tapered tip and the teeth may be arranged in an inner ring or square and an outer ring or square. The base, the handle, and the teeth may be formed as a single unitary unit.

Abstract: A stuffing hand tool for inserting food material into pitted or cored produce items such as olives, figs, strawberries, cherries, which includes a body easily gripped with one hand by a user allowing a tube projecting from one end to be pressed into a mass of food material creating a plug of food material retained in the tube which is stuffed into an item when a plunger is advanced by depressing a pusher cylinder extended out from the opposite end of the body.

Abstract: A corn creamer includes a blade bit with a cylindrical body having a first circular end and a second circular end, and said cylindrical body and circular ends define an interior chamber with an interior circumference defined by an interior surface of the circular ends and the cylindrical body. Teeth are disposed on the first circular end of said blade bit, and a scraping blade member with a cutting edge is attached to said cylindrical body and said cutting edge extends inward from the cylindrical body partially into the interior chamber. The second circular end of the blade bit is attached to a shaft and the device is used to cut and cream corn.

Abstract: A leafy vegetable having a core end and a leafy end is processed after being harvested. The harvested leafy vegetable is transported to a trim area on a conveyor. A first cutting implement located in the trim area trims a portion of the core end. A second cutting implement located in the trim area trims a portion of the leafy end. The first and second cutting implements are spaced a set distance apart, which defines an amount of the leafy vegetable remaining after the portions of the core and leafy ends are trimmed. As the portions of the core and leafy ends of the leafy vegetable are being trimmed by the first and second cutting implements, a set of one or more nozzles located in the trim area sprays a rinsing liquid on cut sites on the leafy vegetable to rinse off natural juices exuding from the cut sites.

Abstract: A breading removal device includes a base having a top surface and a bottom surface; a plurality of teeth protruding from the bottom surface of the base for pressing into and removing a breading portion of a baked item; and a handle attached to the top surface of the base for rotating or moving the base and the plurality of teeth pressed into the breading portion. The base may be planar and substantially round, rectangular, square, or oval shaped. The base may be made of metal, plastic, wood, ceramic, or a combination thereof. The handle may be substantially straight, or in a shape of a cross. Each of the teeth may have a tapered tip and the teeth may be arranged in an inner ring or square and an outer ring or square. The base, the handle, and the teeth may be formed as a single unitary unit.

Abstract: A large scale processing method for separating banana pulp from its peel is shown. In this method bananas are separated into two parts (generally in a transverse direction), each part having a tip end and a cut end. A compression force is applied to those banana parts such that the force increases from the tip end to the cut end. A device which implements that process, comprising a cutting device, a means for feeding bananas into the cutting device, and two processing conveyor devices (to apply the compression force to the banana parts), is also shown.

Abstract: A cleaning device can include a strainer that includes a base including an upper open end and an inner surface having abrasive scouring elements for removing debris from associated articles placed into the strainer. Openings extend through the base to allow liquid to pass through the openings carrying debris away from the associated articles retained in the strainer.

Abstract: A zester having an elongated body with a handle portion at one end and a cutting portion form by a plurality of raised cutting elements at the other end portion. A lower member is moveably mounted on said body beneath said plurality of cutting elements to form a collection chamber. A flexible squeegee is affixed to said lower member to scrape zest material from beneath the cutting elements as the lower member is extended outward from the housing after use of the zester.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing and separating an associated agricultural product into two or more sub-parts is provided. A first housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive the associated agricultural product to be reduced. A first reducing assembly is disposed between and in communication with the inlet and the outlet of the first housing and includes a first rotatable reducing member, a second rotatable reducing member, and a reaction member. The first reducing member, the second reducing member and the reaction member are disposed adjacent to the other and cooperate to receive and reduce the associated agricultural product to a plurality of first sub-parts. A second housing includes an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being configured to receive select ones of the plurality of first sub-parts. A second reducing assembly is disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the second housing and includes a reducing rotor and a stationary reducing ring.

Abstract: A leafy vegetable having a core end and a leafy end is processed after being harvested. The harvested leafy vegetable is transported to a trim area on a conveyor. A first cutting implement located in the trim area trims a portion of the core end. A second cutting implement located in the trim area trims a portion of the leafy end. The first and second cutting implements are spaced a set distance apart, which defines an amount of the leafy vegetable remaining after the portions of the core and leafy ends are trimmed. As the portions of the core and leafy ends of the leafy vegetable are being trimmed by the first and second cutting implements, a set of one or more nozzles located in the trim area sprays a rinsing liquid on cut sites on the leafy vegetable to rinse off natural juices exuding from the cut sites.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a central portion of piece of bread from a crust portion of said piece bread.

Abstract: A horizontal meat slicer includes a frame and a lower conveyor belt having forward and rearward ends, the lower conveyor belt operative to receive a meat product thereon and transport it into and through the device. An upper pressing conveyor belt includes forward and rearward ends, the upper pressing conveyor belt and the lower conveyor belt cooperating such that meat product is compressed between the lower conveyor belt and the upper pressing conveyor belt. A rotating blade is mounted on the frame, the rotating blade having a cutting edge interposed between the lower conveyor belt and the upper pressing conveyor belt. Finally, at least one drive device such as a motor is operatively connected to each of the conveyor belts and the rotating blade to drive them to pull the meat product through the device and cut the meat product via the cutting edge of the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing pericarp from a seed, such as a corn kernel. The method includes sonicating the kernel to loosen the pericarp and then separation of the pericarp. One example of separation is by frictional milling. An additional optional aspect of the invention is isolation of the pericarp from the remainder of the seed and/or further cleaning or purification of the pericarp.

Abstract: A preferred device for cleaning an ear of corn including at least one of shuck and silk includes a platform having a top surface and a bottom surface. A cob cleaner aperture arranged in the platform is configured to receive the ear of corn therethrough. A cleaning member extends into the cob cleaner aperture and is adapted to engage the ear of corn inserted into the cob cleaner aperture. The cleaning member is adapted to remove at least a portion of at least one of the shuck and silk as the ear of corn is rotated and engages the cleaning member. Methods of operation are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an assembly for cutting kernels or corn from an ear of corn comprising: a) a container having an open top, an enclosed bottom, a front side, and a rear side, said front side defining a front slit extending from the top of the container to a point near the bottom of the container, said rear side defining a rear slit corresponding to said front slit so that a cutting plane extending through both slits transects the top and bottom of the container; b) a lid positionable atop of said container, said lid defining an orifice eccentrically transected by the cutting plane; and c) a concave pedestal attached to the bottom of said container transected by the cutting plane and adapted to stabilize the tip end of the ear of corn when it is held in an upright position in the container.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for cooking, cutting and preparing the doner meat automatically and without any human intervention in the same amount and form for service and an integrated instrument for cooking and cutting doner. This invention relates to a method for cooking the front sides of the meat boxes which are filled and frozen beforehand, by rotating said meat boxes around a center arranged circularly or with multi sides having 4, 5 or 7 cookers (radiant or LPG), cutting the cooked meat part and sending the cooked meat part for cooking again by rotating around itself and carrying out of these operations at a pre-determined amount and speed without human intervention controlled from a central command and turning table and a integrated doner cooking and cutting instrument for performing this method.

Abstract: A preferred device for making cream-style corn includes a corn-receiving member and a blade member. The corn-receiving member incorporates a first open end and defines an interior that is configured to receive at least a portion of an ear of corn. The blade member includes a blade that is movably mounted within the interior so as to be movable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the extended position, the blade is configured to engage an ear of corn inserted into the interior of the corn-receiving member so that, as the ear of corn is rotated about its longitudinal axis, the blade tears open individual kernels of the ear of corn and allows liquid and fibrous contents of the kernels to drain into the corn-receiving member. Systems and methods also are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting kernels of fresh corn from ears thereof and recovering kernels and cream therefrom for eating or preserving for future eating. The apparatus comprises a hand-held electric drill having a drill bit adapted to grip the ear at its stalk-end while the drill rotates the ear about the axis of the drill while pressing the ear into cutting tube having screw points projecting inwardly thereof causing said kernels to be ripped from the ear and discharged along with corn cream downwardly by gravity into a receiver for further processing.

Abstract: A system for preparing a skinned food product includes a roasting unit, a smoking chamber, and a conveyor system for transporting the skinned food product through the roasting unit and through the smoking chamber. The roasting unit has a heated zone for at least partially loosening the skin of the skinned food product. The heat in the heated zone may also blacken portions of the skinned food product. The conveyor system rotates the skinned food product as the product passes through the heated zone. The contact with the smoke in the smoking chamber provides the skinned food product with a desired flavor. A method for preparing a skinned food product includes contacting the product with heat to at least partially loosen a skin thereof, and contacting the product with smoke for a period of time sufficient to provide the product with a smoked flavor. The system and method may be used to prepare skinned food products such as tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, corn, potatoes, and artichokes.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the removal of solid contaminants which utilizes at least one rotating mesh screen container designed to pass the food therethrough while trapping the solid contaminant. The rotation of the cylindrically-shaped mesh screen causes the food to pass through because of the centrifugal force. The addition of a second mesh or membrane-like placed around the first screen but rotated in the opposite direction is also utilized to trap solid contaminants which are large enough to be trapped by the mesh screen when it is not oriented so as to pass through the screens along its length. Different spacings in mesh and different rotation velocities are utilized to change contaminant screen characteristics.

Abstract: A beansprouts roots, husks, cleaning machine is disclosed. The machine has an internal spiral (7) and external spiral (6) in opposite directions mounted on the perforated cylinder (3) with integrated grouts bearings (8) driven by a motor rotating inside a casing cylinder (1). When the unclean sprouts are loaded by the given direction into the rotating perforated cylinder (3); causing by the rotating cycle, the roots are broken and the husks separated which then gets through the holes (4) into the gap (5) between the rotating cylinder (3) and casing (1), pushing out in one direction by the external spiral (6) as by-product. The clean sprouts are being pushed out by the internal spiral (7) in another direction as products. The machine can be used as a single or double, even multicylinders to clean the roots and husks and in different quantities of product in demand.

Abstract: An improved hand-held, hand-crank operated rotary drum-type grater for cheese and the like is provided. The grater is adapted to incorporate molded plastic or metal components but preferably utilizes a cage-type drum body having a cylindrical surface defined by a metal sheet having bladed perforations. The drum is insertable into either end of a cylindrical cavity defined transversely in the grater hopper and thereafter is engagable with a crank. The drum has an internally threaded hub at one end that is engagable with a threaded stub shaft of the crank. The hopper has an improved integral support handle and also is associated with an improved press plate with an integral support arm. The arm pivotably extends adjacently to the handle, both the handle and the arm are graspable by one hand. The grater has few components, and the food contacting components thereof can be readily dissembled so that the entire grater is easily cleaned after use.

Abstract: A vegetable peeling and shaping machine has a preliminary cutting assembly for cutting off portions of a vegetable to produce a vegetable core insertable into a tube, and a main cutting assembly with a tube positioned to sequentially receive vegetable cores from the preliminary cutting assembly. A reciprocable plunger is operable to push the vegetable cores sequentially through the tube, the tube having a series of circumferentially spaced shaped slots therein, and a series of reciprocable non-rotatable cutter blades is circumferentially spaced around the tube. The cutter blades are shaped correspondingly to the slots in the tube and are movable from a position exterior to the tube through the slots into the tube to cut a vegetable core to form a vegetable product of the desired shape.

Abstract: Spiny pads are centrifugally propelled in a spiralling-outward pathway by a plurality of fingers that swing around a cylindrical chamber from a concentric shaft. The interior surface of the chamber is partially lined with spine shearers such as a rasp, so that the pads scrape against the rasp and thereby are despined. Spine pieces leave the chamber through small perforations in the chamber wall.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for removing palm hearts from cut lengths of stalks of palm each of which includes a large "meristem" section that is joined to a smaller diameter top section by an intermediate tapered section, and has a palm heart that runs the length of the stalk as a core member inside an intermediate layer that is surrounded by a thorny outer bark layer. Each such stalk is caused to move longitudinally through bark removal means for slitting the outer bark layer of its smaller diameter section and removing the bark from the remainder of the stalk. The smaller section, after having been severed from the rest of the stalk, is caused to move longitudinally through intermediate layer removal means for slitting and removing the intermediate layer from the underlying palm heart. Embodiments include each such means per se and acting cooperatively with the other, and methods for carrying out the foregoing processes.

Abstract: An apparatus for routering sprouts from tubers comprises a plurality of sprout routering units, each scanning the surface of a tuber and removing sprouts therefrom if any, and a rotary table on which these sprout routering units are mounted and which rotates them horizontally about a support column. Each sprout routering unit comprises a mechanism which holds a tuber between the ends of upper and lower rods, rotates the tuber at a constant speed and moves the tuber along the common axis of the rods, a sprout detecting part provided with a camera which detects tuber sprouts by color differentials, and a sprout routering part which routs detected sprouts to their roots with a drill. A plurality of these sprout routering units are mounted at equal intervals in the direction of rotation on a rotary table rotatably mounted on a support column projecting upward from a base, and rotate together with the rotary table.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to convert fluffy cotton seed to an animal feedstuff, comprises delinting the fluffy cotton seed to remove lint and tails therefrom, coating the delinted cotton seed with a binder, adding a filler to the cotton seed coated with the binder, and drying the coated cotton seed to produce a flowable product. The method and apparatus converts a hitherto waste product to a valuable commercial product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a product of predetermined shape from a vegetable, in which a cylindrical plug is cut into the vegetable, a cylindrical pocket is cut in the plug, and the base of the plug is severed from the vegetable to form a cup.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for removing flesh from a cooked baked potato half supported in a pocket on a indexed conveyor. The apparatus comprises a plunger carrying a convex-shaped dicer head which is automatically reciprocated by a predetermined stroke in synchronism with the passage of a potato thereunder. The dicer head comprises a plurality of apertures or channels through or into which potato flesh passes as the dicer head is depressed into the potato half. The flesh is either immediately transferred to a conveyor or passes to a conveyor after accumulating above the dicer head. The potato is held down as the plunger is withdrawn by a potato keeper which keeper is carried on the plunger mounted to slide with respect to the dicer head and resiliently biassed to stay in position on the potato as the dicer head is withdrawn. The withdrawal of the dicer head may be assisted by gas jets activated in synchronism with the withdrawal of the dicer head.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing pulp from a fruit which has been cut so as to expose a portion of the fruit pulp surrounded by an exposed area of peel including apparatus for mounting the fruit, apparatus arranged in spaced relation to the apparatus for mounting for directing one or more jets of gas onto the exposed portion of pulp so as to separate it from the remainder of the fruit, and apparatus for substantially preventing impingement of the one or more jets of gas on the exposed area of peel.

Abstract: A scooper for a circular piece of bread-like material including a holder having a substantially circular base, a wall extending vertically upwardly from the perimeter of said base, and a gripper mounted on said base; the holder is adapted to receive the material, thereby preventing it from rotating. A rotor having a substantially circular bottom with a periphery fitting within the base and adapted for rotation with respect thereto. A cutter having a blade is located on the bottom and extends therebelow, so that said blade is at the leading edge of said cutter as the rotor turns. The blade is arcuate, whereby rotation of said rotor causes the blade to cut into the piece and remove a portion thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating baked goods, such as bagels, is disclosed. An outer ring including downwardly projecting pins is secured to the cut surface of a previously sliced bagel half. A cutting disc having an upwardly projecting handle and downwardly projecting cutting blades is rotatable within the outer ring, which out ring serves as a guide and as a bearing. By turning the cutting disc while maintaining the bagel and the outer ring stationary, a circular trough will be cut in the dough of the bagel half by the cutting blades. In an antomatic version of the apparatus, a flat, upwardly projecting screw is mounted in a base plate and a bagel half is secured by base plate mounted pins about the flat screw. A cutting disc is provided with a slot to receive the flat screw in a manner to automatically rotate the cutting disc relative to the bagel when the cutting disc is axially moved toward the base plate.

Abstract: A utensil for cutting kernels from an ear of corn and thereafter extracting the cream from the cob. A cutting blade extends through an opening in the lower portion of a U-shaped trough, whereby an ear of corn may be manually drawn back and forth through the trough and the kernels will be cut from the cob and pass through the opening into an underlying receptacle. A second blade is removably inserted through laterally aligned openings in the trough wall and has a scraping edge over which the cob is drawn to extract the liquid which also passes downwardly through an opening in the bottom of the trough, into the receptacle below.

Abstract: An automated system for processing whole potatoes maintains a substantially constant mass flow of potatoes into an adjustable potato peeler that is capable or removing from the potatoes varying amounts of potato peel. Peeled potatoes are conveyed downstream of the peeler, while being electromagnetically inspected to determined the uniformity of peel removal, the presence of unacceptable material, and to identify oversized potatoes that exceed a predetermined size limitation. A diverter gate separates oversized potatoes and foreign materials from potatoes that have been identified as satisfactory.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed which is capable of cutting solid pieces of potato from potato halves. A potato half (42) is supported in the cup (28) of a potato holder (18) beneath a plate (60). The plate (60) slides across the flat surface of the potato half to restrain it from movement, and while this happens a curved blade (88) moves into the potato half through a slot (64) in the plate (60) to cut out a solid piece (b 116) from the potato half (42). The depth to which the blade (88) penetrates the potato as it sweeps through it is controlled by a cam (100).

Abstract: An automated portable cutting machine for severing kernels from ears of corn and which includes adjustable cob supporting spindles which rotatably support the ear of corn relative to an adjustable cutting element which is longitudinally moved with respect thereto by manual operation of a tracking element with a power shaft driven by the drive source for the rotatable spindles.

Abstract: An apparatus for shelling beans is provided and consists of a machine for piercing the beans and separating their pods. The pods are then automatically removed and placed in a container while the beans are automatically removed and placed in another container.

Abstract: An apparatus for routering sprouts of a tuber such as a potato has: a drill-like blade having a distal end with a tapered portion; a blade motor for rotating the drill-like blade; a drilling unit having a feeding unit for reciprocally feeding the drill-like blade; a rotating member mounted with a hydropneumatic cylinder having clamping members for clamping the tuber therebetween; and a tuber motor for rotating the rotating member.

Abstract: Apparatus for mechanical separation of the seeds of pomegranates or similar produce comprising a gas jet directed on the portion of the produce to be separated for effecting the separation desired. In particular, such apparatus comprising apparatus for exposing the interior of the produce, apparatus for supporting the produce such that its interior is exposed, and a gas jet arranged so as to direct a flow of pressurized gas against the exposed interior of the produce thereby effecting the desired separation.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for recovering the skins from baked potato parts and for recovering the potato meat that is scooped out of potato shells. Cupped shaped molds arranged to firmly hold potato halves in tray assemblies positioned at predetermined space points are attached to a conveyor that rotates about a first stationary drum. Cutter units form part of knife assemblies which are on the outer periphery of an opposed parallel rotating drum which assemblies are positioned at predetermined spaced locations corresponding to that of the cup shaped molds on the first stationary drum. The location of the molds and knives and their movement around the axis of their respective drums are synchronized so that when they are at the points at which they are closest during their movement about the axis of the respective drums the meat can be scooped from the potato by the knives to prepare the potato skins and the extracted meat can be recovered.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing decayed portions from the exterior of potatoes is disclosed. The potatoes are supported and advanced on a series of rollers some of which include a plurality of resilient fingers which disrupt the decayed portions of the potato surface while leaving the remaining portions of the surface intact, and then advance the potatoes relative to a plurality of water spray nozzles, said rollers adapted to orient the potatoes so that the entire surface of the potato is subjected to spray emanating from said nozzles. The water sprays have sufficient force to disrupt and remove decayed portions of the potatoes while leaving the remaining portions of the potatoes substantially intact.

Abstract: Decayed portions of potatoes are removed by supporting and advancing the potatoes on a series of rollers relative to a plurality of water spray nozzles with rubber fingers being mounted on some of the rollers. The rubber fingers contact the potatoes with sufficient force to penetrate the decayed portions without damaging the peel or other sound portions of the potatoes while water sprays contact the potatoes with sufficient force to remove the penetrated decayed portions while leaving the remaining portions intact.

Abstract: A machine for carrying out the degermination of Kernels including rotating discs having corrugation in their facing surfaces in which the kernels are caught and crushed from the thin edges toward the center while avoiding crushing of the relatively flat disc surfaces.

Abstract: A system is provided for slicing raw, whole potatoes into sticks or strips; sorting the sticks, separating out sticks having black or discolored spots thereon, snipping the ends of the separated sticks and sorting the separated sticks after snipping.

Abstract: The invention comprises an apparatus for automatically removing fat from a meat carcass. A sensing station includes a row of needle probes which can be inserted into the carcass and which produce an electric signal at a fat/lean interface. The position of this interface relative to a support is recorded for each probe in a memory unit, and the carcass is then passed to a cutting section where it is drawn over a knife blade. The height of the knife blade is adjustable by a servo-motor controlled from the memory unit, and as the carcass is pulled over the knife, information from the memory unit is progressively released to adjust the knife so that the cut through the carcass follows the previously-sensed fat line.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating bean sprouts to remove hulls, cut-off roots from the sprouts, and to wash them. The apparatus comprises essentially an open-top tank having a chute at one end for receiving sprouts to be cleaned, and a plurality of jets adjacent to the chute which delivers water thereto to agitate the sprouts. A source of water under pressure includes spray nozzles for filling the tank and further agitation. A conduit extends to a low pressure screen drum. From the latter, another conduit extends to a pump. A discharge chute communicates with the screen drum. Between the screen drum and the feed chute is a cylindrical screen which rotates in unison with the screen drum. A motor-driven drive belt rotates the screen drum and the cylindrical screen in unison. The cylindrical screen enhances the agitation and partially removes foreign material from the cylindrical member. The screen drum also has a plurality of radially extending blades which not only further the agitation, but also pick up foreign matter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating meat from bones particularly after most of the meat has been otherwise removed. Separation of meat from the bones occurs in a cyclical process wherein at least a portion of the separated meat is frozen and formed into small particles which are then recycled and impinged, at relatively high velocities, against meat containing bones to separate the meat from the bones. One embodiment of the apparatus includes mechanical means for exposing various surfaces of the meat containing bones to the frozen impinging meat particles to assure that all of the meat is separated from the bones. In another embodiment, the meat containing bones are supported by an air column which also agitates the meat containing bones and exposes various surfaces thereof to the impinging frozen meat particles.