Method and apparatus for electrical stimulation of an animal carcass
AssigneeLeFiell Company
InventorWilson H. Swilley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for automatically electrically stimulating a series of carcasses in a production environment applies an electrical impulse to selective portions of an endless belt which are in contacting relationship with the carcass. The portions of the belt which come into contact with carcasses are sterilized prior to contacting subsequent carcasses. A plurality of impulses of predetermined duration are applied and these impulses are separated by periods of relaxation of predetermined duration.
Claims11
An apparatus for applying electrical energy to a carcass of an animal, comprising:
- (a) a base;
- (b) an endless belt supported upon said base and having segments with diverse electrical conductivity properties;
- (c) means for continuously moving said endless belt relative to said base through a predetermined working area;
- (d) means for movingly supporting an animal carcass and contacting relationship with said endless belt in said predetermined working area;
- (e) means for applying electrical energy to selective segments of said endless belt in said predetermined area.
A method of electrically stimulating an animal carcass, comprising:
- (a) rotating an endless belt having a plurality of segments of electrical conductors separated by electrical insulators;
- (b) applying an electrical charge to selected segments of electrical conductors;
- and
- (c) contacting the selected segments with an animal carcass and passing the electrical charge applied to selected segments through the animal carcass.
A method of tenderizing an animal carcass by electrical stimulation, comprising:
- (a) applying a series of electrical impulses to an animal carcass, each of the impulses having a magnitude between 500 and 700 volts and having a duration of approximately two seconds to repeatedly contract muscles in the carcass;
- and
- (b) separating each of the impulses by a period of relaxation, each relaxation period having a duration of approximately one second.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.