Patent ID: 6533653
Filing Date: 2003-03-18
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
An apparatus for mechanically tenderizing meat comprising:(1) a plurality of elongated cutting blades having cutting edges formed on one end thereof, a frictional member proximate another end thereof, and a longitudinal axis; and (2) a reciprocatable head holding the plurality of cutting blades and movable from a first position wherein the plurality of blades is retracted to a second position wherein the plurality of blades is extended, the reciprocatable head comprising (a) a meat securing member, (b) a friction plate, and (c) a blade orienting member disposed to orient the blades in spaced relationship so that the longitudinal axis of each blade is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of each other blade, wherein the friction plate comprises a plurality of friction bars disposed to frictionally engage the friction members of the blades, wherein each bar of the plurality of bars frictionally engages the frictional member of each blade of a respective set of the blades so that a predetermined force is provided for independently holding each of the blades in a fixed position with respect to the friction plate as the blades move to the second position.