US3789456A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rib cutting apparatus
Assignee: Doerfer Corp
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Filing: 1971-09-09
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-09-09
Abstract
Abstract An animal processing machine including rib cutting apparatus constructed and arranged so as to optimize the rib portion cut from an animal side. The rib cutting apparatus includes a frame having a movable conveyor thereon operable to convey an animal side to a rib cut knife. Driven rotatable means urge the animal side against the conveyor. The rib cut knife is mounted at an angle relative to the direction of conveyor travel and is adapted to be tilted relative to the animal side and then raised from the animal side to provide a desirable taper on the end of the cut ribs.
Inventors
- 👤 R Neebel
- 👤 R Doerfer
- 👤 H Leymaster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:14
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C17/00; A22C17/004; A22C17/0046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An animal side processing machine, comprising, in combination, frame means, a rib cutting station on said frame means, means on said frame means for conveying animal sides in a substantially fixed position relative to said conveying means, said conveying means moving said animal sides to and from said rib cut station, a rib cut knife mounted on said frame means at said rib cutting station in a position for removing a rib section from each of said animal sides, and means for changing the orientation of said rib cut knife relative to said rib section in accordance with the changing contour of said ribs, as said rib cut knife is removing said rib section from an animal side.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An animal side processing machine, comprising, in combination, frame means, a rib cutting station on said frame means, means on said frame means for conveying animal sides in a substantially fixed position relative to said conveying means, said conveying means moving said animal sides to and from said rib cut station, a rib cut knife mounted on said frame means at said rib cutting station in a position for removing a rib section from each of said animal sides, and means for changing the orientation of said rib cut knife relative to said rib section in accordance with the changing contour of said ribs, as said rib cut knife is removing said rib section from an animal side.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said rib cut knife is disposed at an angle relative to the direction of travel of said conveying means, and includes means for raising said rib cut knife from the animal side after the rib cut knife has cut a rib section therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said orientation changing means includes means for pivoting said rib cut knife upwardly relative to said animal side to provide a desirable taper on the end of said rib section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The machine of claim 3 including control means responsive to the position of said animal side for actuating said pivoting means thereby changing the orientation of said rib cut knife relative to said rib section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The machine of claim 1 including control means responsive to the location of said animal side for actuating said orientation changing means for properly moving said rib cut knife relative to said rib section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said conveying means includes a rotatable means comprising a rotatable slat conveyor for applying uniform traction on the top of said animal side for holding said animal side on the conveying means during the rib cutting operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The machine of claim 1 including a first frame supported on said frame means for movement toward and away from said conveying means, and a second frame pivotally supported on said second frame, said rib cut knife being secured to said second frame, at least a portion of said conveying means being carried by said second frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The machine of claim 7 wherein said orientation changing means includes a fluid cYlinder means connected between said first frame and said second frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The machine of claim 2 wherein said raising means includes fluid cylinder means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The machine of claim 3 including a control switch mechanism on said frame means actuable by an animal side in a predetermined location of said animal side on said conveying means for actuating said pivoting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The machine of claim 10 including means for raising said rib cut knife from said animal side after said rib cut knife has cut a rib section, a raise switch mechanism responsive to pivoting of said rib cut knife for actuating said raising means after said rib cut knife has been pivoted.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
The machine of claim 1 including a belly drum positioned downstream of said rib cut station for pulling said animal side down the conveying means free from said rib cut knife, after said rib cut section has been removed from said animal side.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The machine of claim 1 wherein said conveying means includes a gripping conveyor for applying uniform traction on the top of said animal sides for holding said animal side on the conveying means during the rib cutting operation.
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) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |