Patent ID: 7527550
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: A22C,Y02A

Abstract:
1. A meat processing system, comprising: an elongated housing having a first end and a second end; said housing including a bottom wall and horizontally spaced-apart side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall; said housing being filled to a predetermined level with water; an endless belt conveyor having opposite side edges, an input end and an output end, movably mounted in said housing which extends between said first and second ends of said housing; said side edges of said belt conveyor being positioned adjacent said side walls of said housing; said belt conveyor including at least: said fourth conveyor portion having an upper end portion which is positioned above the water level in said housing; each of said conveyor portions having carry and return portions; said endless belt conveyor being movable so that pieces of meat placed on said first conveyor portion will be conveyed downwardly into said water in said housing, through the water in said housing by said endless belt conveyor; an air blower positioned above said second end of said housing which blows excess water downwardly from the pieces of meat after the meat has been moved upwardly from the water in said housing by said conveyor with the excess water being returned to the water in said housing; a water agitator associated with said housing to at least agitate the water adjacent said third conveyor portion so as to remove foreign material from the pieces of meat positioned on said carry portion of said third conveyor portion.