Back to results
US 12,604,909 B2Granted
Apparatus for suspending and supporting cuts of meat during processing
AssigneeDuBose Industries, Inc.
InventorsRichard Lee, Earl DeWayne Stone, Geng Jinghua
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Described herein is an apparatus for supporting cuts of meat during meat production processes, such as bacon production processes. The apparatus includes a frame, frame members, supports, and prongs affixed to the frame that are inserted into the meat cut such that the meat cut is supported by the apparatus.
Claims22
An apparatus for supporting cuts of meat during processing comprising:
- a frame comprising
- a first frame member comprising a one-piece substantially rectangular support comprising an upper bar, a lower bar, a first side bar, and a second side bar, wherein said upper bar and said lower bar are parallel and said first side bar and said second side bar are parallel;
- and
- a second frame member comprising a u-shaped support comprising a lower bar, a first side bar, a second side bar, wherein said first side bar and said second side bar of the u-shaped support bend substantially 90 degrees outward to form a first side bar extension at a first end of the u-shaped support and a second side bar extension at a second end of the u-shaped support, each side bar extension extending in opposite directions and each positioned parallel to and beneath a bottom surface of said lower bar of said first frame member,
- wherein said substantially rectangular support is positioned above and vertically co-planar with said u-shaped support,
- wherein a top surface of said first and second side bar extensions are affixed to said bottom surface of said lower bar of the first frame member forming a plurality of junctions securing said second frame member to said first frame member,
- and
- a plurality of prong units, each prong unit comprising at least two arms the entirety of which extend outward and at an acute angle to the vertical plane of said substantially rectangular support and said u-shaped support comprising terminal points, and a support bar spanning between and adjoining said at least two arms,
- wherein a set of three or more prong units are affixed to said lower bar of the first frame member and a set of one or more prong units are affixed to said lower bar of the second frame member.
6 more elements
An apparatus for supporting cuts of meat during processing comprising:
- a frame comprising
- a first frame member comprising a one-piece substantially rectangular support comprising an upper bar, a lower bar, a first side bar, and a second side bar, wherein said upper bar and said lower bar are parallel and said first side bar and said second side bar are parallel;
- and
- a second frame member comprising a u-shaped support comprising a lower bar, a first side bar, a second side bar, wherein said first side bar and said second side bar of the u-shaped support bend substantially 90 degrees outward to form a first side bar extension at a first end of the u-shaped support and a second side bar extension at a second end of the u-shaped support, each side bar extension extending in opposite directions and each positioned parallel to and beneath a bottom surface of said lower bar of said first frame member,
- wherein said substantially rectangular support is positioned above and vertically co-planar with said u-shaped support:
- wherein a top surface of said first and second side bar extensions are affixed to said bottom surface of said lower bar of the first frame member forming a plurality of junctions securing said second frame member to said first frame member,
- and
- a plurality of prong units, each prong unit comprising at least one arm the entirety of which extends outward and at an acute angle to the vertical plane of said substantially rectangular support and said u-shaped support comprising a terminal point, and a support bar,
- wherein a first set of prong units comprises a first double prong unit, a second double prong unit, a first single prong unit, and a second single prong unit affixed to said lower bar of the first frame member and a second set of prong units comprises a first double prong unit and a second double prong unit affixed to said lower bar of the second frame member.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.