US3731344A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
In-feed for automatic cut-up saw
Assignee: Pillsbury Co
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Filing: 1971-02-01
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Granted: 1973-05-08
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Expires: 1991-02-01
Abstract
Abstract A poultry wing and breast saw is constructed of laterally spaced parallel longitudinally extending chain conveyors for transporting poultry past a plurality of blades employed for removing wings as well as for subdividing the bird longitudinally. Poultry is introduced into the inlet end thereof by the provision of a feed mechanism consisting of an endless feed conveyor composed of a chain provided with longitudinally spaced poultry supporting fixtures or buckets positioned to travel toward the inlet of the saw assembly. Each bucket includes side members which support the body of the bird such that the wings are in the proper position to enter the saw mechanism and a pusher plate at the rearward end thereof for transferring the poultry pieces into the saw assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 M Phares
- 👤 P Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:10
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C21/00; A22C21/0023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
For use with a poultry saw assembly including a supporting framework, a plurality of cutting elements adapted to sever appendages from the major body section of poultry, and a means for directing the poultry body section past the cutting elements, a feed conveyor comprising: a. an endless flexible driving element entrained over a pair of spaced rotatable drive elements and having holding fixtures thereon, b. said feed conveyoR having an inlet end defining a loading station accessible to operators for the placement of poultry thereon and being driven to carry the poultry to the poultry saw assembly from the loading station toward the cutting elements and into engagement therewith to thereby cut the appendages therefore, c. a drive means connected to the flexible endless element for advancing the holding fixtures along an axis extending from the loading station toward the inlet of the saw assembly d. said holding fixtures being longitudinally spaced apart and being secured to said endless flexible element, e. said fixtures each having poultry engaging means for supporting the appendages to hold them in positions extending laterally from the fixture across the cutting edge of the cutting elements, f. each of the holding fixtures also including means for engaging the poultry product to orient the longitudinal axis thereof in alignment with the axis of motion of the holding fixtures toward the inlet of the saw assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
For use with a poultry saw assembly including a supporting framework, a plurality of cutting elements adapted to sever appendages from the major body section of poultry, and a means for directing the poultry body section past the cutting elements, a feed conveyor comprising: a. an endless flexible driving element entrained over a pair of spaced rotatable drive elements and having holding fixtures thereon, b. said feed conveyoR having an inlet end defining a loading station accessible to operators for the placement of poultry thereon and being driven to carry the poultry to the poultry saw assembly from the loading station toward the cutting elements and into engagement therewith to thereby cut the appendages therefore, c. a drive means connected to the flexible endless element for advancing the holding fixtures along an axis extending from the loading station toward the inlet of the saw assembly d. said holding fixtures being longitudinally spaced apart and being secured to said endless flexible element, e. said fixtures each having poultry engaging means for supporting the appendages to hold them in positions extending laterally from the fixture across the cutting edge of the cutting elements, f. each of the holding fixtures also including means for engaging the poultry product to orient the longitudinal axis thereof in alignment with the axis of motion of the holding fixtures toward the inlet of the saw assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a means for engaging the meat product to force the meat product into the saw assembly comprises a plate affixed to the rearward edge of the fixture for engaging the trailing surface of the meat product to thereby press against the trailing surface of the meat product as the fixture moves toward said inlet to transfer the meat product into the saw assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein, the saw assembly includes an elongated poultry body orientation bar extending from the inlet end thereof to a position adapted to guide the poultry past the saw blade and said transfer plate is provided with an opening therein to accommodate the end of the orientation bar as the poultry product is forced onto the end of the orientation bar.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for cutting meat products comprising a supporting framework, a saw assembly mounted on the framework including a blade for severing the meat product into pieces when traveling therethrough, said saw assembly having an inlet, a means for directing the meat product to pass through the apparatus into position relative to the blade to be severed thereby as the product travels therethrough, an in-feed conveyor comprising an endless flexible driving element entrained over a pair of spaced rotatable drive members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holding fixtures secured to the endless flexible element, a drive means connected to the flexible endless element for advancing the holding fixtures along an axis extended from a remote point toward the inlet of the saw assembly, each of the holding fixtures comprising a pair of spaced members for engaging opposite sides of the meat product to orient the longitudinal axis thereof with the axis of motion of the holding fixtures toward the inlet of the saw assembly.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
165 words
An apparatus for cutting meat products comprising a supporting framework, a saw assembly mounted on the framework including a blade for severing the meat product into pieces when traveling therethrough, said saw assembly having an inlet, a means for directing the meat product to pass through the apparatus into position relative to the blade to be severed thereby as the product travels therethrough, an in-feed conveyor comprising an endless flexible driving element entrained over a pair of spaced rotatable drive members, a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart holding fixtures secured to the endless flexible element, a drive means connected to the flexible endless element for advancing the holding fixtures along an axis extended from a remote point toward the inlet of the saw assembly, each of the holding fixtures comprising a pair of spaced members for engaging opposite sides of the meat product to orient the longitudinal axis thereof with the axis of motion of the holding fixtures toward the inlet of the saw assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein body orientation elements are provided on the holding fixture for engaging the body of a chicken such that the wings are located in a predetermined position adapted to enter the saw assembly whereby the wings can be severed from the body by said saw assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein a pressing element is provided on the in-feed conveyor at the rear of the holding fixture in a position to engage the trailing end of the poultry to transfer the poultry into the inlet end of the saw assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the saw assembly includes endless conveyor means for transferring the poultry therethrough past the cutting means and said in-feed conveyor connected in driving engagement with the saw assembly conveyor to move in synchronization therewith feeding meat products thereto at timed intervals.
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) | 1976-05-07 | 1976-11-06 | 1977-05-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-07 | 1980-11-06 | 1981-05-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-07 | 1984-11-06 | 1985-05-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |