In an embodiment, an apparatus for processing meat product and a method of using same is provided. A first station includes a flattener which is configured to flatten a meat product, and a scanner which is configured to scan features of the meat product after flattening. A second station is configured to dock front and rear ends of the meat product in accordance with information received from the scan of the features.

In an embodiment, an apparatus for processing meat product and a method of using same is provided. A first station includes a flattener which is configured to flatten a meat product, and a scanner which is configured to scan features of the meat product after flattening. A second station is configured to dock front and rear ends of the meat product in accordance with information received from the scan of the features.

A tray conveyor comprising ice-coated magnetic trays driven by a linear-motor stator along a rail track. The ice coating is applied to the trays to provide a product-bearing ice surface. After the product is processed and transferred off the tray, the top layer of the contaminated ice coating is removed and the tray with the remaining ice coating reused.

A method and apparatus for use in the field processing of downed big game animals, without removing the entrails of the animal. The procedure may be implemented by one or more persons with the use of a multi-purpose tool that is portable, relatively light weight and suitable to fit into or on to a backpack when collapsed. The multi-purpose tool has features making it suitable for various outdoor activities; but it is especially adapted to form a sturdy tripod stand having telescoping legs and a rope locking mechanism on its head. When assembled as a tripod stand, rope is used to temporarily lift and hold each leg of the animal individually until each quarter and portion is skinned and removed from the carcass in the field.

A method and apparatus for use in the field processing of downed big game animals, without removing the entrails of the animal. The procedure may be implemented by one or more persons with the use of a multi-purpose tool that is portable, relatively light weight and suitable to fit into or on to a backpack when collapsed. The multi-purpose tool has features making it suitable for various outdoor activities; but it is especially adapted to form a sturdy tripod stand having telescoping legs and a rope locking mechanism on its head. When assembled as a tripod stand, rope is used to temporarily lift and hold each leg of the animal individually until each quarter and portion is skinned and removed from the carcass in the field.

A system 10 for analyzing and trimming pork bellies and other three-dimensional food and non-food products which are to be subsequently portioned or sliced so as to achieve an optimum harvest of slices from the food product bearing in mind achieving a maximum yield together with a desired quality level of the portions/slices. The system 10 includes a conveyor 12 for carrying the workpieces (WP) to be trimmed prior to subsequent slicing of the workpiece past a scanning system 14 for scanning the workpiece WP to ascertain the physical characteristics of the workpiece, including, for example, its three-dimensional shape as well as its position on the conveyor.

A cutting station 16 trims the workpiece WP into a desired two-dimensional shape which represents an optimum shape for the workpiece that seeks to maximize the harvest of slices from the workpiece while maintaining a desired quality level for the slices. A slicing station uses high speed cutters or slicers for portioning/slicing the workpiece into portions/slices which have been simulated by a processing system 18 employing a processor or computer 20.

A system 10 for analyzing and trimming pork bellies and other three-dimensional food and non-food products which are to be subsequently portioned or sliced so as to achieve an optimum harvest of slices from the food product bearing in mind achieving a maximum yield together with a desired quality level of the portions/slices. The system 10 includes a conveyor 12 for carrying the workpieces (WP) to be trimmed prior to subsequent slicing of the workpiece past a scanning system 14 for scanning the workpiece WP to ascertain the physical characteristics of the workpiece, including, for example, its three-dimensional shape as well as its position on the conveyor.

A cutting station 16 trims the workpiece WP into a desired two-dimensional shape which represents an optimum shape for the workpiece that seeks to maximize the harvest of slices from the workpiece while maintaining a desired quality level for the slices. A slicing station uses high speed cutters or slicers for portioning/slicing the workpiece into portions/slices which have been simulated by a processing system 18 employing a processor or computer 20.

A bone-meat separation device for a bone-in limb meat according to an embodiment is a bone-meat separation device for a bone-in limb meat for separating a meat part adhering to a trunk-side end bone head of a bone-in limb meat, the device including a plurality of clamp portions for conveying the bone-in limb meat along a conveying path, a guide portion disposed on the conveying path and forming a V-shaped guide space with an open end thereof being directed upstream in a conveying direction of the bone-in limb meat, a cutter disposed at a downstream end of the guide space in the conveying direction, and a holding portion holding the meat part below the guide portion and the cutter. The holding portion is configured to hold the meat part of the bone-in limb meat when the meat part is cut from the trunk-side end bone head with the cutter.

A bone-meat separation device for a bone-in limb meat according to an embodiment is a bone-meat separation device for a bone-in limb meat for separating a meat part adhering to a trunk-side end bone head of a bone-in limb meat, the device including a plurality of clamp portions for conveying the bone-in limb meat along a conveying path, a guide portion disposed on the conveying path and forming a V-shaped guide space with an open end thereof being directed upstream in a conveying direction of the bone-in limb meat, a cutter disposed at a downstream end of the guide space in the conveying direction, and a holding portion holding the meat part below the guide portion and the cutter. The holding portion is configured to hold the meat part of the bone-in limb meat when the meat part is cut from the trunk-side end bone head with the cutter.

A system and method for removing a bone from a primal or sub primal meat cut that includes a conveyance system having a continuous conveyor extending along a path of conveyance from an upstream point at the loading end to a downstream point at the discharge. The system includes a pair of opposing support surfaces projecting vertically upward from a first position of the continuous conveyor along the path of conveyance whereby each of the opposing support surfaces of the pair inwardly extend one toward the other, from an upper level downward vertically to a lower level. Each opposing support surface of the pair has a downward slope and each opposing surface of the pair converges at a recessed valley at the lower level.