Automated meat breaking system and method
AssigneeCargill, Incorporated
InventorsTom A. Bolte, David R. McKenna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automated system and method for breaking a primal cut of meat into smaller components includes a conveyor for advancing the primal cut from a first end of the system to a second end of the system, at least one automated cutting assembly for performing a first cut and a second cut to separate the primal cut into three sub-components, and a guide for orienting the primal cut on the conveyor. In some embodiments, the guide is configured to align with a spinal groove in the primal cut. In some embodiments, the at least one automated cutting assembly includes a first automated cutting assembly for performing the first cut and a second automated cutting assembly for performing the second cut.
Claims28
A method of separating a forequarter of meat to form a rib and a chuck, the method comprising:
- a. positioning the forequarter at a first end of an automated system;
- b. moving the forequarter towards a second end of the automated system;
- c. performing a first cut on the forequarter to remove a navel and a brisket bone from the forequarter, wherein the first cut is performed using at least one automated cutting assembly;
- and
- d. performing a second cut on the forequarter to remove a plate short ribs and a chuck short ribs from the forequarter to form a remaining portion of the forequarter, which includes a rib and a chuck, wherein the second cut is performed using the at least one automated cutting assembly.
A method of separating a wing section of beef comprising a rib, a plate, and a navel, the method comprising:
- a. positioning the wing section at one end of an automated system;
- b. directing the wing section towards a first automated cutting assembly configured for a first cutting path;
- c. separating the navel from the rib and the plate by conveying the wing section through the first cutting path;
- d. directing the wing section towards a second automated cutting assembly configured for a second cutting path;
- and
- e. separating the plate from the rib by conveying the wing section through the second cutting path.
A system for cutting a primal of meat that includes a rib, a plate and a navel, the system comprising:
- a conveyor for advancing the primal of meat;
- at least one automated cutting assembly for performing a first cut to separate the navel from the plate and the rib and a second cut to separate the plate from the rib;
- and
- a guide for orienting the primal of meat on the conveyor.
A system for separating a wing section of beef into a rib, a plate and a navel, the system comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- a conveyor configured to move the wing section from the first end of the system to the second end of the system;
- an orientation device to align the wing section on the conveyor;
- an advancement device configured to contact a trailing edge of the wing section and prevent the wing section from moving in a direction opposite to a direction of movement by the conveyor;
- and
- a first automated cutting assembly configured to perform a first cut to separate the navel from the plate and the rib;
- and
- a second automated cutting assembly configured to perform a second cut to separate the plate from the rib.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.