Patent ID: 7662032
Filing Date: 2010-02-16
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. An improved automated apparatus for cutting a piece of meat into a plurality of portions of a selected size and shape, the apparatus having at least one carrier block mounted on a conveyor for travel along a selected path and for rotation about a vertical axis relative to said path of travel, the carrier block having a recess with an open top and a selected shape and volume, a plurality of slots in said carrier block intersecting said recess and comprising a first set of laterally spaced slots disposed substantially parallel to the selected path of travel of said carrier block and a second set of slots intersecting said first set of slots at a predetermined angle, a first and second cutting station mounted in longitudinally spaced relationship along said selected path of travel, each cutting station including a channel opening for receiving said carrier block to define a confined volume in cooperation with said recess in said carrier block and a pre-selected plurality of cutting edges mounted in a predetermined laterally spaced relationship to one another and extending parallel to said path of travel of said carrier block, the improvement comprising: (a) a rotation gear rigidly mounted to said carrier block and having a plurality of gear teeth; (b) at least one rotation bracket mounted at a fixed position along said selected path and having at least two pivot teeth configured to engage said carrier block to selectively rotate between a first position defined by said first set of slots aligned substantially parallel to the path of travel to receive said cutting edges in said first cutting station during passage of said carrier block through the channel in said first cutting station and a second position defined by said second set of slots aligned substantially parallel to the path of travel to receive said cutting edges in said second cutting station during passage of said carrier block through the channel in said second cutting station; (c) whereby a meat product disposed in said recess may be cut into a plurality of smaller pieces having a shape and size dependent upon the lateral spacing and angle of intersection of said first and second sets of slots and the number and spacing of said cutting edge.