US3732727A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for testing the tenderness of meat
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1971-12-07
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Granted: 1973-05-15
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Expires: 1991-12-07
Abstract
Abstract A method for testing the tenderness of a slice of meat comprising supporting the slice of meat in a horizontal plane, piercing the slice of meat with a plurality of semi-blunt needlelike piercing means, detecting the maximum force required for piercing the slice of meat, and recording the maximum piercing force on a strip chart in an electronic recorder/indicator. Apparatus for carrying out the method including a means for driving a test member into a slice of meat, means for detecting and indicating the force applied in driving the test member into the slice of meat, the test member having a head portion comprising a plurality of semi-blunt elongated needle-like elements of small diameter and a plate-like base portion for supporting the slice of meat while the needle-like elements are being driven through the slice of meat and through holes in the plate-like base portion.
Inventors
- 👤 L Hinnergardt
- 👤 J Tuomy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/12; G01N3/00; G01N3/40; G01N3/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In a process for testing a raw meat to determine how tender it will be after cooking, the steps of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel, semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of said raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration, each of said needle-like piercing means having a circular land on its free end having a diameter of from about 0.055 to about 0.059 inches and having a taper at its free end of from about 0.200 to about 0.500, and recording as the indication of tenderness the resistance encountered by the piercing means during travel thereof through said raw meat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a process for testing a raw meat to determine how tender it will be after cooking, the steps of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel, semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of said raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration, each of said needle-like piercing means having a circular land on its free end having a diameter of from about 0.055 to about 0.059 inches and having a taper at its free end of from about 0.200 to about 0.500, and recording as the indication of tenderness the resistance encountered by the piercing means during travel thereof through said raw meat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein in said step of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel, semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration, said plurality of needle-like piercing means are moved with the central axes thereof substantially parallel to the grain of said raw meat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
A process according to clAim 1, wherein in said step of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration, said plurality of piercing means are spaced apart a distance at least three times the diameter of said piercing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein in said step of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel, semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration said piece of raw meat is in the form of a slice of substantially uniform thickness, said slice is held in a substantially horizontal plane, and the grain of said slice is substantially perpendicular to said horizontal plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A process according to claim 4, wherein in said step of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel, semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration said piercing means are moved with the central axes thereof substantially parallel to the grain of said slice of raw meat and substantially perpendicular to said horizontal plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein in said step of pressing a plurality of substantially parallel, semi-blunt, needle-like piercing means substantially through a piece of raw meat which is held firmly in its original form against substantial distortion during penetration each of said needle-like piercing means has a diameter of between about 0.110 and about 0.140 inches.
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) | 1976-05-14 | 1976-11-13 | 1977-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-05-14 | 1980-11-13 | 1981-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-05-14 | 1984-11-13 | 1985-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |