Tenderizing poultry meat through constant electrical stimulation
OwnerBertram B. Burnettinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for automatically electrically stimulating poultry carcasses in poultry processing plants in order to tenderize the poultry meat are disclosed. Carcasses suspended by shackles from a moving processing line are transported between two preferably curved electrical conductive bars, which are positioned to apply the electrical stimulation across the breast of the suspended carcass. The carcasses may otherwise be dragged through a charged saline or water solution, or across a charged metal mesh or grill. The carcasses are subjected to electrical stimulation for by the application of an intermediate level voltage for the period of stimulation.
Claims50
A method of electrically stimulating a poultry carcass to tenderize said carcass following the cutting of the neck of said carcass, comprising the step of:
- applying an intermediate voltage source across a substantial portion of said carcass for a predetermined time period, wherein said voltage source provides a constant energy source which causes constant muscle contraction in said carcass, and
- wherein said constant energy source is applied to said carcass at least 20 seconds after said necks of said poultry are cut.
An apparatus for automatically electrically stimulating poultry carcasses suspended from a moving processing line during the processing of said carcasses, wherein a cutter which cuts the necks of said poultry is positioned along said line, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a constant energy source positioned along a portion of said processing line, said energy source being in a contacting relationship with a portion of each said poultry carcasses being processed for a predetermined period of time,
- wherein said constant energy source is applied to said poultry carcasses at least 20 seconds after said necks of said poultry carcasses are cut by said cutter;
- and
- b. wherein said constant energy source is provided to said poultry carcasses using a first conductive bar, said bar being connected to an intermediate-level voltage source.
An apparatus for automatically electrically stimulating poultry carcasses suspended from a moving processing line during the processing of said carcasses, wherein a cutter which cuts the necks of said poultry is positioned along said line, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a constant energy source positioned along a portion of said processing line in a contacting relationship with a portion of each said poultry carcasses being processed for a predetermined period of time,
- wherein said constant energy source is applied to said poultry carcasses at least 20 seconds after said necks of said poultry carcasses are cut by said cutter;
- and
- b. wherein said constant energy source is provided to said poultry carcasses using a trough containing a charged aqueous solution, said trough being connected to an intermediate-level voltage source.
An apparatus for automatically electrically stimulating poultry carcasses suspended from a moving processing line during the processing of said carcasses, wherein a cutter which cuts the necks of said poultry is positioned along said line, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a constant energy source positioned along a portion of said processing line in a contacting relationship with a portion of each said poultry carcasses being processed for a predetermined period of time,
- wherein said constant energy source is applied to said poultry carcasses at least 20 seconds after said necks of said poultry carcasses are cut by said cutter;
- and
- b. wherein said constant energy source is provided to said poultry carcasses using a conductive metal mesh, said mesh being connected to an intermediate-level voltage source.
An apparatus for automatically electrically stimulating poultry carcasses suspended from a moving processing line during the processing of said carcasses, wherein a stunner which stuns said poultry is positioned along said line, and wherein a cutter which cuts the necks of said poultry is positioned along said line, the apparatus comprising:
- a. an energy source positioned along said processing line after said cutter and said stunner, wherein said energy source tenderizes said poultry;
- wherein said energy source is provided to each said carcass using a first conductive bar, said bar being electrically connected to an intermediate-level voltage source, and said bar is in a contacting relationship with each said carcass for a predetermined period of time;
- and
- b. a second conductive bar in a contacting relationship with each said carcass.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.