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Apparatus and method for monitoring the eating quality of meat
Assignee: Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
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Filing: 1994-02-04
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Granted: 1997-04-29
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Expires: 2014-02-04
Abstract
Abstract PCT No. PCT/GB94/00203 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 7, 1995 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 7, 1995 PCT Filed Feb. 4, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO94/18554 PCT Pub. Date Aug. 18, 1994A method and apparatus for obtaining information relating to the eating quality of meat. The meat under test may include a hot or cold meat carcass, raw or cooked meat or live animal. The method includes the steps of injecting an acoustic signal into the meat, monitoring the effect of the meat on at least one characteristic of the acoustic signal propagated into the meat, and applying the monitored effects to a predetermined algorithm relating eating quality to monitored acoustic effects to indicate the eating quality of the meat under test. The acoustic probe assembly of the apparatus includes a pair of arms adapted for insertion into a meat carcass. The arms carry respective means for coupling acoustic signals into and receiving signals from the carcass. Further, the arms include means for coupling the acoustic signals to the surface of a carcass and monitoring scattering of the acoustic signals to predict the eating quality of meat.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher A. Miles
- 👤 Christopher C. Warkup
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:43
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/44; G01N29/4463; G01N29/04; G01N29/07; G01N29/11; G01N29/22; G01N29/30; G01N33/00; G01N33/02; G01N33/12; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02466; G01N2291/02475; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/044; G01N2291/048
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for obtaining information relating to the eating quality of meat, comprising the steps of: injecting an acoustic signal into the meat; monitoring the effect of the meat on at least one characteristic of said acoustic signal propagated into the meat; and applying said monitored effects to a predetermined algorithm relating eating quality as determined by human panel analysis to monitored acoustic effects to indicate the eating quality of the meat under test.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for obtaining information relating to the eating quality of meat, comprising the steps of: injecting an acoustic signal into the meat; monitoring the effect of the meat on at least one characteristic of said acoustic signal propagated into the meat; and applying said monitored effects to a predetermined algorithm relating eating quality as determined by human panel analysis to monitored acoustic effects to indicate the eating quality of the meat under test.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic signal comprises ultrasound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said at least one characteristic comprises one or more of the time of flight, scatter, and attenuation of the injected signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said applying step comprises comparing said monitored effects with a previously determined table containing data defining a predetermined relationship between the eating quality of meat and said monitored acoustic effects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the meat comprises an uncooked carcass and said predetermined algorithm defines the eating quality of cooked meat from the carcass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said acoustic signal is in the range 40 KHz to 20 MHz.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein said acoustic signal is in the range of 1 to 10 MHz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined algorithm defines eating quality at least partly by texture scores.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined algorithm defines eating quality at least partly by juiciness scores.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined algorithm defines eating quality at least partly by tenderness scores.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
An acoustic probe assembly, comprising: a pair of arms configured to be inserted into a meat carcass; means, disposed in each arm, for coupling a plurality of first acoustic signals into and for receiving said plurality of first acoustic signals from said meat carcass; and means, disposed in each arm, for coupling a plurality of second acoustic signals to the surface of said meat carcass and for monitoring scattering of said plurality of second acoustic signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
An acoustic probe assembly, comprising: a pair of arms configured to be inserted into a meat carcass; means, disposed in each arm, for coupling a plurality of first acoustic signals into and for receiving said plurality of first acoustic signals from said meat carcass; and means, disposed in each arm, for coupling a plurality of second acoustic signals to the surface of said meat carcass and for monitoring scattering of said plurality of second acoustic signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said pair of arms are connected to each other by a cross-member so that the assembly is U-shaped, said cross-member forming a handle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said means for coupling a plurality of first and second acoustic signals are configured so that said first and second acoustic signals are injected in said meat carcass in the direction of a line connecting said pair of arms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of first and second acoustic signals comprise ultrasonic signals.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for obtaining information relating to the eating quality of meal, comprising: means for injecting an acoustic signal into the meat; means for monitoring the effect of the meat on at least one characteristic of said acoustic signal propagated into the meat; and means for applying the monitored effects to a predetermined algorithm relating eating quality as determined by human panel analysis to monitored acoustic effects to indicate the eating quality of the meat under test.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for obtaining information relating to the eating quality of meal, comprising: means for injecting an acoustic signal into the meat; means for monitoring the effect of the meat on at least one characteristic of said acoustic signal propagated into the meat; and means for applying the monitored effects to a predetermined algorithm relating eating quality as determined by human panel analysis to monitored acoustic effects to indicate the eating quality of the meat under test.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said applying means comprises: a processor; and a store, said store containing information defining the relationship between said monitored acoustic effects and eating quality values.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said eating quality values comprise texture scores.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said eating quality values comprise juiciness scores.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said eating quality values comprise tenderness scores.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-04-28 | 2000-10-28 | 2001-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-28 | 2004-10-28 | 2005-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-28 | 2008-10-28 | 2009-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |