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:
Oct. 23, 2012
Filed:
May. 24, 2011
Thomas A. Bolte, Columbus, NE (US);
David R. Mckenna, Benton, KS (US);
Thomas A. Bolte, Columbus, NE (US);
David R. McKenna, Benton, KS (US);
Cargill, Incorporated, Wayzata, MN (US);
Abstract
An automated system and method for trimming fat from an outer surface of a primal of meat includes a conveyor for advancing the meat, an imaging system for creating at least one image of the meat in order to create a fat profile, and a trimming assembly that removes fat from the outer surface of the meat based on the created fat profile. An orientation device is used to secure and guide the meat on the conveyor. In some embodiments, the orientation device is configured to align with a spinal groove in the meat. In some embodiments, the primal of meat is a short loin; in some embodiments, it is a sirloin.