Bent blade holder apparatus and method

In combination:

• an automatic skinning machine for trimming a layer of unwanted material from a meat product, having a base frame, trimming means mounted on the base frame for trimming unwanted material from the meat product, feed means extending forwardly of the trimming means for transporting the meat product into trimming engagement with the trimming means, feed roller means and press roller means for frictionally engaging the meat product, drive means for engaging and moving the feed means, feed roller means, and press roller means, such that the cooperative action of said feed means, said feed roller means and said press roller means is operative to initiate and maintain trimming engagement of said meat product with said trimming means;
• a flexible blade;
• a bent blade holder for receiving, bending, and supporting said flexible blade in said automatic skinning machine said bent blade holder having,
• a base plate having a base curved surface of a size and shape for removably receiving said blade,
• a clamping plate adapted to be removably secured to said base plate and having a clamping curved surface substantially conforming to said base curved surface;
• and
• means for removably securing said clamping plate to said base plate wherein said blade is removably secured between said base plate and said clamping plate and bent to conform to said base and clamping curved surfaces;
• and
• mounting means for mounting said base plate and clamping plate on an automatic skinning machine base wherein cooperative movement of said press roller and said feed roller is operative to transport said meat product past said blade and into trimming engagement therewith such that a portion conforming to the shape of said blade is trimmed therefrom.

A method of trimming a layer of unwanted material from a meat product using an automatic skinning machine adapted to receive any one of a plurality of bent blade holders each having a different degree of curvature therein comprising:

• providing an automatic skinning machine having a feed means, a press roller and a flexible trimming blade and a plurality of bent blade holders having different curvatures therein;
• selecting a meat product to be trimmed;
• selecting a bent blade holder adapted to removably receive said flexible trimming blade and having a curvature therein best corresponding to the shape and amount of material to be trimmed from said meat product;
• installing said flexible trimming blade in said bent blade holder;
• installing said bent blade holder and associated flexible trimming blade in said automatic skinning machine;
• placing a meat product to be trimmed on said feed means;
• advancing said meat product on said feed means to said press roller;
• advancing said press roller in a direction to engage said meat product;
• advancing said meat product into trimming engagement with said flexible trimming blade;
• trimming said layer of material from said meat product corresponding to said selected blade holder curvature;
• and
• discharging said trimmed meat product from said trimmer.