US3722032A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cutting and removing meat from bones
Assignee: Pillsbury Co
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Filing: 1970-11-17
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Granted: 1973-03-27
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Expires: 1990-11-17
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for removing meat from bones of animals, e.g., chickens, consisting of a nozzle for forming a jet of a liquid (water or other liquid) having the form of a relatively thin sheet composed of several aligned parallel streams. The jet is directed at the animal preferably at a relatively small angle of incidence to the surface of the bone. The animal is placed upon a conveyor and advanced relative to the jet to form an elongated knife-like cut through the meat. In a typical application breast fillets are removed from the sternum (keel) and rib cage.
Inventors
- 👤 J Draper
- 👤 J Rejsa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:55
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C21/00; A22C21/0069; A22C21/0023; B; B26; B26F; B26F3/00; B26F3/004; B65; B65G; B65G17/00; B65G17/30; B65G17/32; B65G17/323; B65G2201/00; B65G2201/02; B65G2811/00; B65G2811/06; B65G2811/0647
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for removing meat from the bone of an animal comprising a nozzle having a plurality of side by side aligned openings therein spaced from one another by about 0.5 to 3 times their own diameter, a single nozzle thereby containing a plurality of openings to form a plurality of side by side streams having the overall form of a relatively flat thin sheet of liquid which sheet of liquid is operative on a single portion of the meat and a conveyor means operatively associated between the animal and the nozzle, said conveyor being oriented relative to the liquid for producing relative motion between the animal and the liquid with the openings in the nozzle being oriented so that the plane of said sheet is positioned parallel to said path of relative motion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus for removing meat from the bone of an animal comprising a nozzle having a plurality of side by side aligned openings therein spaced from one another by about 0.5 to 3 times their own diameter, a single nozzle thereby containing a plurality of openings to form a plurality of side by side streams having the overall form of a relatively flat thin sheet of liquid which sheet of liquid is operative on a single portion of the meat and a conveyor means operatively associated between the animal and the nozzle, said conveyor being oriented relative to the liquid for producing relative motion between the animal and the liquid with the openings in the nozzle being oriented so that the plane of said sheet is positioned parallel to said path of relative motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the diameter of the openings is on the order of about 0.002 inches to about .020 inches and the pressure of the liquid supplied thereto is at least 750 psi.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for removing meat from the bone of an animal comprising a nozzle having a plurality of aligned openings therein to form a plurality of streams having the overall form of a relatively flat thin sheet of liquid and a conveyor means operatively associated between the animal and the nozzle, said conveyor being oriented relative to the liquid for producing relative motion between the animal and the liquid with the openings in the nozzle being oriented so that the plane of said sheet of liquid is positioned parallel to said path of relative motion and the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor having a plurality of longitudinally spaced supporting fixtures thereon, each fixture including a pair of separable arms mounted such that the free ends can be moved toward or away from each other and adapted to extend into the thoracic cavity of the fowl to support the fowl in a rigid position, and means urging the free ends of the arms away from one another for securely retaining the fowl in a predetermined position on the conveyor.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
178 words
An apparatus for removing meat from the bone of an animal comprising a nozzle having a plurality of aligned openings therein to form a plurality of streams having the overall form of a relatively flat thin sheet of liquid and a conveyor means operatively associated between the animal and the nozzle, said conveyor being oriented relative to the liquid for producing relative motion between the animal and the liquid with the openings in the nozzle being oriented so that the plane of said sheet of liquid is positioned parallel to said path of relative motion and the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor having a plurality of longitudinally spaced supporting fixtures thereon, each fixture including a pair of separable arms mounted such that the free ends can be moved toward or away from each other and adapted to extend into the thoracic cavity of the fowl to support the fowl in a rigid position, and means urging the free ends of the arms away from one another for securely retaining the fowl in a predetermined position on the conveyor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
64 words
The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein a means is provided for normally urging the jaws apart and an energizing means is operatively associated with the arms for moving the arms towards one another as each pair of jaws pass each end of the conveyor to provide loading and unloading stations whereby the birds can be placed upon and removed from the supporting fixtures.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for removing meat from the bone of an animal comprising a nozzle having a plurality of aligned openings therein spaced from one another by about 0.5 to 3 times their own diameter, a single nozzle thereby containing a plurality of openings to form a plurality of streams having the overall form of a relatively flat thin sheet of liquid composed of separate streams positioned parallel to each other which sheet of liquid is operative on a single portion of the meat, a pump means operatively associated with the nozzle for introducing a liquid to the nozzle at a pressure of at least 750 psi. and said nozzle being adapted to be moved at a uniform speed along a portion of the animal where a cut is to be made to thereby form a continuous cut therein.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for removing meat from the bone of an animal comprising a nozzle having a plurality of aligned openings therein spaced from one another by about 0.5 to 3 times their own diameter, a single nozzle thereby containing a plurality of openings to form a plurality of streams having the overall form of a relatively flat thin sheet of liquid composed of separate streams positioned parallel to each other which sheet of liquid is operative on a single portion of the meat, a pump means operatively associated with the nozzle for introducing a liquid to the nozzle at a pressure of at least 750 psi. and said nozzle being adapted to be moved at a uniform speed along a portion of the animal where a cut is to be made to thereby form a continuous cut therein.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the openings have a diameter of from about 0.002 inches to about 0.020 inches and the spacing between the openings is about the same as the diameter of said openings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-26 | 1976-09-25 | 1977-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-26 | 1980-09-25 | 1981-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-26 | 1984-09-25 | 1985-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |