1995-06-15
1997-01-28
Little, Willis
Butchering
Deboning
452128, 452136, A22C 1704
Patent
active
055973515
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for the deboning of carcasses and the dressing of meat generally.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,749 describes a process for the coarse cutting up of a meat carcass which includes the step of attaching a gripping means to the meat to widen incisions and to make it easier for a knife to be inserted to cut loose meat from a skeleton.
FR-A-2,093,160 describes a spreading device for skinning or cutting up meat carcasses. The back legs of the carcass are attached to hooks which are splayed apart by a ram.
EP-A-0,198,329 describes a process for cutting up the fore-quarters of cattle by suspending the quarter on a vertical hook, using a second hook to incline the quarter so that its two ends are extended by gravity, releasing the first hook allowing the quarter to become horizontal, and extending the quarter in the horizontal position.
WO-A-88/08250 describes a process for separating skeleton bones from a carcass by hanging the carcass on a first hook, and attaching a second meat hook to a part of the carcass to be removed. An arm is provided to press the carcass forwardly to assist in separating the skeletal parts from the meat. The driving force and the speed of the arm are regulated independently of each other. The second meat hook is held static at the overhead conveyor by a support when the skeleton part is separated from the carcass.
FR-A-2,598,887 describes an arrangement for handling carcasses including a rail mounted hook and a stop against which the carcasses is engaged. A drop arm pushes the carcass against the stop. The skeleton is stripped off by attaching a gripping means to the skeleton and pushing or pulling the skeleton from the meat.
While all of the devices described in these prior specifications are improvements over a purely manual system for deboning carcasses, there is still a need for an improved apparatus for and method of deboning carcasses. In particular, there is a need to provide a deboning apparatus and method which is easily operated and facilitates separation of skeleton parts from a carcass.
According to one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for deboning carcasses comprising: engagement means in a lowered position relative to the transport rail to apply a separating force as a skeletal part is being separated from a carcass.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the engagement means comprises a drop arm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drop arm is pivotally mounted adjacent to the transport rail.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the drop arm has a support hook for engagement with part of the carcass.
Preferably the hook is attached to the drop arm by a link means.
Most preferably, the link means comprises a chain.
In one embodiment of the invention, the means for pushing the drop arm downwardly comprises a drop arm ram means.
In a preferred arrangement, the drop arm is movable upwardly as a skeletal part is separated from a carcass.
In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes transport hook engaging means for pushing a transport hook along the rail as a skeletal part is being separated from a carcass.
Preferably, the transport hook engaging means comprises a hook engaging finger mounted to a transport hook ram means for movement of the finger and hence the transport hook.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the transport hook ram means is a double action ram.
In one embodiment of the invention, the hook engaging finger is mounted to engage a transport hook in only one direction of travel. Typically, the finger is hingedly mounted.
In another embodiment of the invention, at least portion of the drop arm is provided by a drop rail which is engageable in a raised position with the transporting rail for directing portion of a carcass carried by a drop arm hook to a transporting rail.
In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes an additional transport rail for leading the carcass to further cutting or trimming stations.
Preferably, the drop arm
REFERENCES:
patent: 3811152 (1974-05-01), Herubel
patent: 4389749 (1983-06-01), Korhonen
patent: 5108344 (1992-04-01), Debey
Lennon Oliver
Queally Peter
Eez-Away Limited
Little Willis
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