The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 05, 1997
Carruthers Equipment Co., Warrenton, OR (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for pulling a cooked meat product into individual strands. A preferred embodiment including a feed roller set that compresses a cooked meat product to initially start the separation process and controllably delivers the food product to a feed station. An auger in the feed station delivers the food product into a rotating drum. Longitudinal rakes are rotatably mounted in the drum and during rotation will engage and elevate the food product. As the food product is elevated the food product will be delivered into the rotational path of a rotating puller bar that is rotatively mounted and driven in the drum. The rotating bar will separate the food product into strands and propel the food product against the surface of the drum. The strands will sift through the rakes and progress toward the exit end of the drum with the remaining large pieces being elevated by the rakes to be delivered into the path of the puller bar. Radial baffles are provided at intervals along the length of the drum to the control the rate of travel of the food product along the drum. The inclination of the drum is adjustable to control the rate of travel of the food product within the drum.