IES63729B2

IES63729B2 - Separating meat from bone in a carcass

Info

Publication number: IES63729B2
Authority: IE
Inventors: Martin Finucance
Original assignee: Kepak Patents
Priority date: 1994-10-25
Filing date: 1994-10-25
Publication date: 1995-06-14
Also published as: GB2294382B; GB2294382A; GB9421702D0; IES940846A2

Abstract

An operator 1 stands on a platform 2 which is part of a support structure 3 which can be moved up and down by the operator's foot operating a control member 6 which actuates hydraulically-operated height-adjustment means (not shown). Carcasses 9 are supported by supporting devices 11 which are movable along a rail 10. When a carcass is presented to the operator he separates meat from bone using a butcher's tool or tools and by attaching one end of a chain 7 to the meat, the other end of the chain being fastened to the support structure 3 so that downward movement of the latter causes meat to be pulled away from bone.

Description

SEPARATING MEAT FROM BONE IN A CARCASS This invention relates to the separation of meat from bone in a carcass, which term is intended to mean a whole carcass or a part of a carcass, for example a quarter of beef.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for separating meat from bone in a carcass, in which the carcass is suspended and an operator, who effects the separation of the meat from the bone, is supported by a support structure which the operator causes to be raised and/or lowered, carrying the operator upwardly and/or downwardly, during the process.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus which is suitable for use in performing the process according to the first aspect of the invention, comprising a substantially horizontal rail, supporting devices which are movable along the rail and from which respective carcasses can be suspended, a support structure at a lower level than the rail which can support an operator and can be raised and lowered so as to carry the operator upwardly and downwardly and height-adjustment means controllable by the operator, when supported by the support structure, to effect the raising and lowering of the support structure.

An example according to the first and second aspects of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a perspective view of an operator standing on a support structure and separating meat from bone in a quarter of beef.

The operator 1 stands on a platform 2 which is part of a support structure 3 which also includes a back panel 4 and side safety bars 5. The support structure 3 could also include carcass-restraining bars -2(not shown) for holding a carcass to be deboned in a desired position relative to the operator.

There is a control member 6 projecting upwardly from the platform 2 and operable by the foot of the operator 1, when he is standing on the platform 2, to actuate height-adjustment means (not shown) which raise and lower the support structure 3. The height-adjustment means may, for example, be hydraulically operated and the control member 6 may be a lever. A tie in the form of a chain 7 has one end secured to the support structure 3 and has at its other end a hook 8 by means of which the chain is connected to meat in a quarter of beef 9.

A horizontal rail 10 carries a number of supporting devices 11, only one of which is shown, which can be moved along the rail. Quarters of beef suspended from the respective supporting devices 11 can thus be brought into and out of a position where they can be deboned by the operator, standing on the platform 2, using one or more conventional butcher's tools (not shown). During the deboning process, the operator causes the support structure 3 to move up and down so that he is always in an optimum position as regards comfort and efficiency of operation, with resultant improvement in the quality and speed of the work and reduction in operator fatigue.

The separation of meat from bone is facilitated by the operator attaching the hook 8 to the meat and then causing the support structure 3 to move downwardly so that meat is pulled away from bone instead of merely cutting it away.

Although the example described above is concerned with the deboning of quarters of beef, the invention could be applied also to deboning of larger or smaller portions of a carcass of beef or to separation of meat other than beef from bone. In some cases it may be more convenient for the operator to work whilst seated so that the support structure 3 could consist of or include a seat.

Claims

1. A process for separating meat from bone in a carcass., in which the carcass is suspended and an operator, who effects the separation of the meat from the bone, is supported by a support structure which the operator causes to be raised and/or lowered, carrying the operator upwardly and/or downwardly, during the process.

2. A process according to claim 1 in which a tie is connected to the meat and to the support structure so that downward movement of the support structure pulls meat away from bone, the support structure is preferably caused to be raised and/or lowered by the operator's foot actuating a control member, and the carcass is preferably suspended from a substantially horizontal rail along which supporting devices for supporting several carcasses travel.

3. Apparatus which is suitable for use in performing the process according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a substantially horizontal rail, supporting devices which are movable along the rail and from which respective carcasses can be suspended, a support structure at a lower level than the rail which can support an operator and can be raised and lowered so as to carry the operator upwardly and downwardly and height-adjustment means controllable by the operator, when supported by the support structure, to effect the raising and lowering of the support structure.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which there is a control member operable by the operator's foot to actuate the height-adjustment means, the height-adjustment means is preferably hydraulically operated, the control member is preferably a foot-operated lever, and a tie chain is preferably attached at one end to the support structure and can be attached to the meat so that downward movement of the support structure pulls meat away from bone. -4

5. A process for separating meat from bone, or apparatus which is suitable for use in separating meat from bone, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.