US 7,686,679 B2 · Carcass processing apparatus and method

Abstract

To shorten a long aging time required for meat processing and reducing the viable cell count of a carcass before being cooked, an electric stimulus is imparted by applying an AC voltage via from electrode needles to at least the neck and legs of the meat carcass. The AC voltage is turned on for a time Ton and then turned off for a time Toff, and the application of the voltage is repeated a predetermined number of cycles. The Ton period is not longer than the Toff period, although the first Ton period can be longer than the Toff period. The voltage is not higher than 100V, and the frequency is not higher than the commercial frequency (maximum, 60 Hz). The aging effect is improved by stimulating the entire meat carcass electrically from at most three points.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A carcass processing apparatus comprising:

a carcass transfer device for transferring eviscerated carcass in a state before vigor mortis sets in but during while the vigor mortis is occurring;
and
a voltage applying device for applying electrical stimulation to a carcass transferred in the state before vigor mortis sets in but during while the vigor mortis is occurring,
wherein the voltage is alternating voltage and the electrical stimulation includes a plurality of periods of voltage applications and a period between the voltage applications, and
wherein each period of the voltage applications, the period between the voltage applications, the period from a first voltage application set-in to a last voltage application cutoff, and amplitude and frequency of the alternating voltage, are adjustable.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Carcass processing apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Carcass processing apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20