Sara Lee Corporation

Kenneth Marvin Ware

Jeffrey A Williams

Frank C Mello

Jack Wayne France, Sr

A method of grading pork bellies which involves flattening the bellies to a pre-selected thickness with a pressure roller. The bellies are measured at a number of locations to establish an average thickness and thereafter selectively directed to collecting areas based on their thickness and surface area. The collected bellies are then given final grades based on their leanness and quality and moved on for further processing.

Method of grading pork bellies

Apparatus and process for treating pork bellies, the apparatus utilizing a frame carrying a belly supporting surface, a belly treating station made up of various belly engaging devices, a comb positionable in the treated belly flank side after the flank side has been engaged at the belly treating assembly, and an accumulation table carried by the frame for holding the treated and combed bellies after removal from the belly treating station. The belly treating assembly includes the flank side movable engaging stop, fatback side and lower side presses movable substantially horizontally to engage and compress the belly flank side, and a hold down assembly engaging the belly face and resisting its upward bowing or movement when the flank side is compressed. A belly hanging structure is positioned adjacent the accumulation table for receiving and supporting the combed bellies so that the bellies will lengthen and square during the smoking process. The process involves positioning the pork belly on a combing table with the flank side forming the leading edge, applying pressure to the fatback and lower sides to reduce the length of the flank side leading edge, combing the leading edge while in the reduced length condition to maintain the leading edge in a reduced length condition, and hanging the belly by the comb for subsequent processing to induce elongation and symmetry.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Bluff, MS, United States of America

Kenneth Marvin Ware