Patent ID: 9572353
Date: 2017-02-21
CPC Classifications: A22B,A22C

Claim:
1. An apparatus for cleaning a carcass, comprising: an overhead conveyance system for transporting a carcass in a horizontal path of travel that extends along a longitudinal extent of a main frame, the carcass being suspended from the overhead conveyance system so that the carcass lies in a substantially vertical plane under the influence of gravity as it is transported along the longitudinal extent of the main frame; a striker assembly having a plurality of striking members extending radially from an axis of rotation and a motor to mechanically rotate the striking members about the axis of rotation; a striker assembly lifting mechanism in communication with the striker assembly, wherein the striker assembly lifting mechanism is oriented to displace the striker assembly in a vertical plane substantially parallel to the vertical plane of the carcass; a longitudinally stabilizing vertical column having a plurality of roller assemblies fixed thereto, wherein each roller assembly includes a roller in communication with a first vertical tracking plate, the longitudinally stabilizing vertical column is secured in a fixed position while the first vertical tracking plate is fixed with respect to the striker assembly and displaced concomitantly with the striker assembly; the roller assemblies fixed to the longitudinally stabilizing vertical column produce a stabilizing force on the first vertical tracking plate in a longitudinal direction while also enabling the first vertical tracking plate to roll along the roller in each roller assembly fixed to the longitudinally stabilizing vertical column when the first vertical tracking plate is displaced in the vertical direction; a transversely stabilizing vertical column having a plurality of roller assemblies fixed thereto, wherein each roller assembly includes a roller in communication with a second vertical tracking plate, the transversely stabilizing vertical column is secured in a fixed position while the second vertical tracking plate is fixed with respect to the striker assembly and displaced concomitantly with the striker assembly; and the roller assemblies fixed to the transversely stabilizing vertical column produce a stabilizing force on the second vertical tracking plate in a transversal direction while also enabling the second vertical tracking plate to roll along the roller in each roller assembly fixed to the transversely stabilizing vertical column when the second vertical tracking plate is displaced in the vertical direction.