Apparatus for processing and grading food articles and related methods

A grading device mounted above a conveyor having a surface, wherein the grading device is configured to move one or more portions of a food article from one area of the surface of the conveyor to another area, or remove one or more of portions of the food article from the surface of the conveyor, wherein the grading device comprises:

• a first support member that is horizontally movable with respect to the conveyor;
• a second support member slidably coupled to the first support member that is vertically movable with respect to the conveyor;
• a first actuator attached to the horizontally movable support member;
• a second actuator attached to the vertically movable support member;
• and
• a plurality of needle sets attached to a lowermost portion of the vertically movable support member,
• wherein each needle set comprises a plurality of needles pointed in a direction normal to the top surface of the conveyor,
• wherein the second actuator is configured to extend or retract the second support member that is vertically movable with respect to the conveyor, and wherein the second actuator when extended causes at least one needle set to extend towards the surface of the conveyor along the axis normal to the surface of the conveyor and pierce flesh at the top surface of the food article on the conveyor,
• wherein the first actuator is configured to push or pull the first support member that is horizontally movable with respect to the conveyor, thereby moving the portion of the food article pierced by at least one needle set across the width of the conveyor, and
• wherein each needle set is configured to activate independently of another needle set within the plurality of needle sets.