Patent ID: 7467996
Filing Date: 2008-12-23
Classification: A22C

Abstract:
1. A meat processing conveyor system comprising: a conveyor frame means positioned on a supporting surface and having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side; a first elongated and generally horizontally disposed conveyor belt movably mounted on said conveyor frame means and having a first end, a second end, an upper carry belt portion and a lower return belt portion; said first end of said first conveyor belt being positioned adjacent said first end of said conveyor frame means; said second end of said first conveyor belt being positioned adjacent said second end of said conveyor frame means; a second elongated and generally horizontally disposed conveyor belt movably mounted on said conveyor frame means and having a first end, a second end, an upper carry belt portion and a lower return belt portion; said second conveyor belt being positioned closely laterally adjacent said first conveyor belt at said first side of said conveyor frame means; said first end of said second conveyor belt being positioned adjacent said first end of said first conveyor belt; said second conveyor belt having a length which is less than the length of said first conveyor belt; a third elongated and generally horizontally disposed conveyor belt movably mounted on said conveyor frame mans and having a first end, a second end, an upper carry belt portion and a lower return belt portion; said third conveyor belt being closely positioned laterally adjacent said first conveyor belt at said second side of said conveyor frame means so that said first conveyor belt is positioned between said second and third conveyor belts; a first elongated, generally horizontally disposed personnel conveyor belt closely positioned laterally of said second conveyor belt and having first and second ends, an upper carry portion and a lower return portion; said first personnel conveyor belt having its said first end positioned adjacent said first end of said second conveyor belt and having its said second end positioned adjacent said second end of said second conveyor belt; a second elongated, generally horizontally disposed personnel conveyor belt closely positioned laterally of said third conveyor belt and having first and second ends, an upper carry portion and a lower return portion; said upper carry portion of said first personnel conveyor belt being disposed in a plane below said second conveyor belt so that personnel on said first personnel conveyor belt may have access to said carry portions of said first and second conveyor belts; said upper carry portion of said second personnel conveyor belt being disposed in a plane below said third conveyor belt so that personnel on said second personnel conveyor belt may have access to said carry portions of said first and third conveyor belts; said first, second, third conveyor belts and said first and second personnel conveyor belts being moved at the same speed; a first personnel walkway positioned laterally of said first personnel conveyor belt and having a first end and a second end to enable a person who is standing on and being moved by said first personnel conveyor belt between said first and second end thereof may step from said first personnel conveyor belt at said second end of said carry portion thereof onto said second end of said first personnel walkway and walk to said first end of said first personnel walkway and then step onto said first end of said first personnel conveyor belt; a second personnel walkway positioned laterally of said second personnel conveyor belt and having a first end and a second end to enable a person who is standing on and being moved by said second personnel conveyor belt between said first and second ends thereof may step from said second personnel conveyor belt at said second end of said carry portion thereof onto said second end of said second personnel walkway and walk to said first end of said second personnel walkway and then step onto said first end of said second personnel conveyor belt.