Patent ID: 8002613
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: A22B

Abstract:
1. A meat processing line for bovine, porcine and ovine species comprising: a conveyor adapted for coupling to a carcass; a rail adapted for coupling to the conveyor, the rail including a first power chain segment adapted to translate the conveyor along the rail at a first operating speed and a second power chain segment adapted to translate the conveyor along the rail at a second operating speed that is optionally independent of the first operating speed; a work station for gutting the carcass; an accumulation area operably coupled to the rail between the first power chain segment and the second power chain segment, wherein the accumulation area is a dead rail stack that is configured for separating carcasses from a remainder of the meat processing line, accumulating the carcasses such that the remainder of the meat processing line is unhindered by the accumulated carcasses; a station for washing the carcass; and a station for inspecting the carcass; wherein the meat processing line is adapted for sequentially translating the carcass from the work station to the accumulation area to the station for washing, such that carcasses may be accumulated at the accumulation area between the first and second power chain segments.