Patent US2414862A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3602038A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring the tenderness of meat
Assignee: Armour Food Co
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Filing: 1969-10-29
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-10-29
Abstract
Abstract To test raw meat in order to determine how tender it will be upon cooking, a pointed probe is probed is pressed into the meat and the resistance of the meat to the movement of the probe is measured and the result compared with a standard established by similar tests on meat of the same class under similar conditions. The meat may be supported or suspended when the probe is introduced into the meat, and preferably the probe is pressed to a predetermined depth in the meat and at an angle to the grain of the meat. The apparatus employed may include retainer means for holding or suspending the meat to be tested, pointed probe means for penetrating the meat, stop means for limiting the extent of penetration to a predetermined depth, and means for measuring the force of the penetration.
Inventors
- 👤 Leo J Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for testing meat, comprising a frame member equipped with a guide, a probe support slidably mounted in said guide, probes carried by said support, clamping means for securing said frame member upon a meat body to be tested, means for pressing said probe support downwardly through said guide to cause said probes to penetrate said meat, means for limiting the depth of said penetration, and means for measuring the force of penetration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus for testing meat, comprising a frame member equipped with a guide, a probe support slidably mounted in said guide, probes carried by said support, clamping means for securing said frame member upon a meat body to be tested, means for pressing said probe support downwardly through said guide to cause said probes to penetrate said meat, means for limiting the depth of said penetration, and means for measuring the force of penetration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which a lever is mounted upon said frame and engages the top of said probe support for moving said support downwardly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 in which said clamping means comprises plate members for engaging opposite sides of said meat.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 in which spring means urges said plates toward each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 3 in which handle means is provided for engaging and disengaging said plates from said meat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a meat-testing device, a probe plate, a plurality of spaced probes carried by said plate and having depending pointed ends adapted to be pressed into meat, a frame member for pressing said plate, means interposed between said frame and plate responsive to force exerted upon said frame in pressing said probes into meat, and indicator means depending from said frame for indicating evenness of penetration by said probes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a meat-testing device, a probe plate, a plurality of spaced probes carried by said plate and having depending pointed ends adapted to be pressed into meat, a frame member for pressing said plate, means interposed between said frame and plate responsive to force exerted upon said frame in pressing said probes into meat, and indicator means depending from said frame for indicating evenness of penetration by said probes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 6 in which said indicator means extend along opposite sides of said plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of Claim 6 in which said indicator means terminate intermediate the length of said probes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The structure of claim 6 in which said frame is in the shape of an inverted U.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 9 in which said indicator feet are depending extensions of said frame.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a meat-testing device, a handle, a frame member secured to said handle and having outwardly and downwardly turned sides terminating at their lower ends in evenness of penetration indicating feet, a probe plate between said handle and feet, a plurality of probes carried by said plate and having depending pointed ends for penetrating meat, and a pressure-responsive member extending between the frame and said probe plate for transmitting force from said frame to said plate and for indicating the force exerted upon said handle in pressing the probes into meat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
In a meat-testing device, a handle, a frame member secured to said handle and having outwardly and downwardly turned sides terminating at their lower ends in evenness of penetration indicating feet, a probe plate between said handle and feet, a plurality of probes carried by said plate and having depending pointed ends for penetrating meat, and a pressure-responsive member extending between the frame and said probe plate for transmitting force from said frame to said plate and for indicating the force exerted upon said handle in pressing the probes into meat.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 11 in which said pressure-responsive member is flexibly connected to gauge means for displaying indicia representative of the force applied to said handle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The structure of claim 12 in which said frame encloses said pressure-responsive member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |