Cargill Inc.

Randall S Cooper

Darren J Grose

Garry P Knopik

Howard G Dolezal

Bruce C Winegar

Daniel W Linke

An apparatus and method for identifying a carcass during meat production. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a band sized to fit around a limb of the carcass and a readable identification tag affixed to the band for remote identification of the carcass. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a block adapted to couple to a trolley carrying the carcass and a readable identification tag coupled to or embedded in the block. The readable identification tag may be used to read and write information relating to the carcass to a database.

Apparatus for tracking carcasses

A system and method for storing and selecting animal carcasses within a cooler. A storage area has at least one storage loop forming a continuous loop upon which carcasses may circulate. A feed rail leads to the storage area. A loop entry rail branches from the feed rail onto each storage loop. A removal rail intersects each storage loop and leads to an exit rail. Each carcass may have an identification tag. Readers read the tag and a processor and database store and process information associated with the tag. Carcasses enter the storage area via the feed rail and are routed onto the loop entry rail of the storage loop having the greatest available capacity. When carcasses meeting specific criteria are desired, the database is searched and the processor causes the appropriate carcasses to circulate to the removal rails. The carcasses exit the storage loops onto the removal rails.

Growing community of inventors

Gypsum, KS, United States of America

Randall S Cooper