445results about "Meat processing plants" patented technology

A method and apparatus for measuring target animals, including livestock animals and full carcasses, and more specifically livestock animals such as cattle and hogs using a single camera system. More particularly, the method of the invention is directed toward obtaining key measurements of the target animal, such as animal weight, animal hip height and animal hip width.

A method of linking source units of food with product items that include at least a portion of one or more of the source units of food, where a conversion process produces a plurality of product items from a plurality of source units (e.g., at a meat processing plant). A conversion algorithm is created to estimate within a desired confidence level a range of the amount of time required by the conversion process to produce a product item from one or more of the source units of food. A range of an amount of conversion time required to produce a selected product item is estimated by applying the conversion algorithm. The estimated range amount of conversion time for the selected product item is subtracted from the time of exit from the conversion process for the selected product item to generate an estimated time range of entry. Each source unit having a time of entry into the conversion process within the estimated time range of entry is identified.

The present invention provides a substantially purified growth differentiation factor (GDF) receptor, including a GDF-8 (myostatin) receptor, as well as functional peptide portions thereof. In addition, the invention provides a virtual representation of a GDF receptor or a functional peptide portion thereof. The present invention also provides a method of modulating an effect of myostatin on a cell by contacting the cell with an agent that affects myostatin signal transduction in the cell. In addition, the invention provides a method of ameliorating the severity of a pathologic condition, which is characterized, at least in part, by an abnormal amount, development or metabolic activity of muscle or adipose tissue in a subject, by modulating myostatin signal transduction in a muscle cell or an adipose tissue cell in the subject. The invention also provides a method of modulating the growth of muscle tissue or adipose tissue in a eukaryotic organism by administering an agent that affects myostatin signal transduction to the organism.

A method and apparatus for measuring the physical characteristics of livestock animals such as cattle and hogs. The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of strategically positioned cameras that are used to obtain data concerning volumetric, curvilinear (surface) and linear measurements of livestock animals such as cattle and hogs and the full carcasses thereof. In accordance with the method of the invention, the data is analyzed to provide information that substantially assists the commercial producer of livestock animals in producing a high-quality end-product for the consumer while adding profitability to the enterprise.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a plunger for mechanically interconnecting a remote device with the power supply. The plunger may be extendable / retractable to interfit with the remote device. In a second aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply with a movable primary that allows for close alignment between the primary and the secondary when the remote device is disposed within a range of different positions with respect to the charging surface. The movable primary may, for example, be coupled to the remote device by a peg, a plunger or a magnet. Alternatively, the position of the movable primary may be adjusted manually. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a charging bowl having a plurality of charging stations disposed about a common axis. Each charging station may include a movable primary that permits some freedom in positioning of the remote device on the charging surface. In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a wireless power supply having a manually movable primary.

A method for measuring the physical characteristics of livestock animals such as cattle and hogs. The apparatus of the invention includes a plurality of strategically positioned cameras that are used to obtain data concerning volumetric, curvilinear (surface) and linear measurements of livestock animals such as cattle and hogs and the full carcasses thereof. In accordance with the method of the invention, the data is analyzed to provide information that substantially assists the commercial producer of livestock animals in producing a high-quality end product for the consumer while adding profitability to the enterprise.

A process and apparatus for removing or reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria present on an eviscerated carcass. The process includes introducing the eviscerated carcass to a cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus generally includes a housing structure having an entrance and an exit. Disposed within the housing structure is a rotating brush assembly and a spray assembly. The brushing assembly provides brushing and massaging actions to the surfaces of the carcass whereas the spraying assembly simultaneously directs a cleaning solution onto the surfaces of the carcass.

A vehicle game lift adapted for releasable attachment to a trailer hitch mounted on a rear of a vehicle. The game lift is used for suspending a killed animal above a ground surface. The lift includes an inverted “L” shaped post having a vertical post member and a horizontal hoist arm. The hoist arm is attached to a upper portion of the vertical post member. One end of a trailer hitch tongue is adapted for attachment to a trailer hitch. An opposite end of the trailer hitch tongue is attached to a tongue collar. The tongue collar is received around a lower portion of the vertical post member. One end of a moveable horizontal suspension arm is attached to a sliding collar. The sliding collar is received around a portion of the vertical post member. An opposite end of the suspension arm is attached to a balance beam having a plurality of hooks thereon. The hooks are adapted for releasable attachment to the killed animal. A chain hoist is attached to the horizontal suspension arm and the horizontal hoist arm. The chain hoist is used for raising and lowering the suspension arm and the balanced beam when attached to the killed animal.

A game hanger includes a curved first major plate secured to a curved minor plate by a vertical support. Straps engage the ends of the major plate and a tensioner used to tighten the straps around a tree or post. A horizontal support secures to the major plate, and may include multiple sections. A pulley system having two pulleys extends perpendicularly from the support. A first pulley is attached to the support near the end most distal to the tree. Game can be attached at the bottom of the second pulley by means of a spreader secured thereto.

The present invention relates to compositions including peroxyacetic acid and peroxyoctanoic acid and methods for reducing microbial contamination on poultry. The methods include the step of applying a mixed peroxycarboxylic acid composition to poultry.

The invention relates to an apparatus for automatically removing a tail from poultry. An overhead conveyor moves the poultry or part of a bird suspended by the legs, and a guiding device is disposed underneath the overhead conveyor for supporting and guiding the poultry. A cutting device is functionally disposed behind a lead element for the poultry and which is part of the guiding device. The overhead conveyor is designed to convey the poultry with the back facing forward while the guiding device supports and guides the poultry substantially at the side of the back. The cutting device is disposed in or under an effective supporting surface of the guiding device.

The present invention discloses portable game gallows for hoisting and skinning multiple game. The portable game gallows includes a winch having a strap or cable that can be used to raise game into position for hanging on a rotating tree and for skinning game that is hung from the tree. The present invention discloses a dual purpose pulley that can be locked into a first position for hoisting a game or a second position for skinning a game.

Poultry wings are suspended by their tip segments and oriented so that their outside surfaces face one side of the processing path, with right wings oriented with their elbows leading, and left wings oriented with their elbows trailing. The lower, primary segments are bent at the elbow joints by a bending guide, laterally and upwardly about an elbow guide, opening the elbow joints. The open joints are cut so as to release the primary segments. The mid-wing segments are compressed and the bone ends are moved laterally from the wing tip segments, causing the bone ends of the mid-wing segments to pop out of the tip segments. In both instances, the bones of the segments are exposed in the final products, so when the products are cooked, the exposed bone ends are free of grease, etc. and are suitable for grasping by the fingers of the hand for eating as finger food.