US3896522A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for removing meat from animal bone
Assignee: Laitram LLC
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Filing: 1973-07-20
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Granted: 1975-07-29
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Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for the separation of meat from the bones of fowl or other animals or animal parts. One or more drums are arranged for rotation about an axis removed from the drum to provide an intended centrifugal force to fowl introduced therein. The drum or drums are also rotatable about their own respective axes to provide a constantly changing outer-lying wall surface for engagement with the fowl. The drum walls are formed of a grid of cutting edges for separating meat from the bone and whose interstices form apertures through which the separated meat is removed from the drum by action of centrifugal force. A method for removing meat from animal bones comprising the steps of; moving a grid of cutting elements in a closed path about its axis; revolving the grid about an axis; revolving the grid about an axis removed from the grid axis; supplying meatcontaining bone to the grid; removing meat from an outer portion of the grid; and removing bone from an inner portion of the grid.
Inventors
- 👤 James M Lapeyre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 03:53
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C21/00; A22C21/0069; A22C17/00; A22C17/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for removing meat from animal bones comprising: at least one generally cylindrical drum formed of a grid of cutting elements; means for mounting said at least one drum for rotation about its axis at a first predetermined rate; means for revolving said at least one drum about an axis removed from the drum axis at a second predetermined rate higher than said first rate to provide an intended centrifugal force; means for supplying meat-containing bone to the upper end of said at least one drum; means for removing meat from the outer portion of the grid of said at least one drum; and means for collecting bones from the lower end of said at least one drum.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
Apparatus for removing meat from animal bones comprising: at least one generally cylindrical drum formed of a grid of cutting elements; means for mounting said at least one drum for rotation about its axis at a first predetermined rate; means for revolving said at least one drum about an axis removed from the drum axis at a second predetermined rate higher than said first rate to provide an intended centrifugal force; means for supplying meat-containing bone to the upper end of said at least one drum; means for removing meat from the outer portion of the grid of said at least one drum; and means for collecting bones from the lower end of said at least one drum.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said at least one drum comprises a plurality of sections each of which contains a grid of cutting elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of spikes extend inwardly from the drum wall for engagement with meat disposed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said grid of cutting elements comprises a plurality of longitudinal wire segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said grid of cutting elements comprises a plurality of interlocking perpendicularly disposed knife edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for removing meat from the outer portion of the grid of said at least one drum includes a rotatable table member and a deflector plate for engagement with said table member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 and further comprising a cover member for deflecting meat removed from the outer portion of said at least one drum onto said rotatable table member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said drum is of generally truncated conical configuration having a larger bottom diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for remOving meat from the bones of fowl comprising: a housing; a base member including first driving means; a drive shaft supported by said base member and driven for rotation at a first rate by said driving means to provide an intended centrifugal force; at least one generally cylindrical drum disposed within said housing and formed of a grid of cutting elements and containing a plurality of apertures; means for mounting said at least one drum for rotation at said first rate about an axis external of said drum and defined by said drive shaft; means for mounting said at least one drum for rotation about its axis at a second predetermined rate slower than said first rate; at least one second driving means for rotating said at least one drum about its axis at said second rate; means for supplying fowl to the upper end of said at least one drum; means for receiving meat removed through said apertures in said at least one drum; and means for collecting bones from the lower end of said at least one drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
182 words
Apparatus for remOving meat from the bones of fowl comprising: a housing; a base member including first driving means; a drive shaft supported by said base member and driven for rotation at a first rate by said driving means to provide an intended centrifugal force; at least one generally cylindrical drum disposed within said housing and formed of a grid of cutting elements and containing a plurality of apertures; means for mounting said at least one drum for rotation at said first rate about an axis external of said drum and defined by said drive shaft; means for mounting said at least one drum for rotation about its axis at a second predetermined rate slower than said first rate; at least one second driving means for rotating said at least one drum about its axis at said second rate; means for supplying fowl to the upper end of said at least one drum; means for receiving meat removed through said apertures in said at least one drum; and means for collecting bones from the lower end of said at least one drum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including means for vibrating said at least one drum to enhance the cutting engagement of said fowl and said grid of cutting elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said fowl supplying means includes a hopper disposed substantially in alignment with the axis of said drive shaft; chute means coupled to said hopper and extending therefrom to the upper end of said at least one drum.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
106 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said meat receiving means includes a first rotatable table disposed for rotation adjacent the periphery of said at least one drum for collection of meat emanating from said grid of cutting elements; first receptacle means; and means for diverting said collected meat on said first table to said first receptacle means; and wherein said bone collecting means includes a second rotatable table disposed for rotation below said at least one drum for collection of bone from said at least one drum; second receptacle means; and means for diverting said collected bone on said second table to said second receptacle means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
A substantially continuous method for removing meat from animal bones comprising the steps of: moving a grid of cutting elements along a predetermined continuous closed path to provide unidirectional rotation about its axis; revolving said grid of cutting elements about an axis removed from said grid axis to produce an intended centrifugal force; supplying meat-containing bone to said grid of cutting elements to cause relative movement between said meat-containing bone and said grid and engagement of said cutting elements therewith; removing meat from an outer portion of said grid; and removing bone from an inner portion of said grid.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
99 words
A substantially continuous method for removing meat from animal bones comprising the steps of: moving a grid of cutting elements along a predetermined continuous closed path to provide unidirectional rotation about its axis; revolving said grid of cutting elements about an axis removed from said grid axis to produce an intended centrifugal force; supplying meat-containing bone to said grid of cutting elements to cause relative movement between said meat-containing bone and said grid and engagement of said cutting elements therewith; removing meat from an outer portion of said grid; and removing bone from an inner portion of said grid.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 13 including the further step of vibrating said grid of cutting elements to enhance the engagement of said cutting elements with said meat-containing bone.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2734537A
Cited
US2761479A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-01-27 | 1979-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-28 | 1983-01-27 | 1983-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-28 | 1987-01-27 | 1987-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |