Patent ID: 6042467
Filing Date: 2000-03-28
Classification: A22B,A22C

Abstract:
Apparatus for squeezing a meat product to remove blood, comprising:a first elongated roller having a smooth cylindrical surface, operably mounted above a support surface;a drive means connected to the first roller for rotating the roller;means connected to the first roller for biasing the first roller towards the support surface, to squeeze a meat product directed between the roller and the support surface;a support table with an upper surface extending from a location proximal to the support surface, to support a meat product and direct it between the first roller and the support surface;wherein the support surface is a second roller with a smooth cylindrical surface, parallel to the first roller and spaced therefrom;wherein the second roller is connected to the drive means to drive the second roller in a direction opposite the rotation of the first roller;a spray bar mounted downstream of the first roller and support surface, having a spray nozzle directed to a location downstream of the first roller to spray a meat product passing out from between the first roller and the support surface;a support frame having upper and lower ends and forward and rearward ends, and wherein:said first roller is operably mounted on one end of a pivot arm, a second end of the pivot arm pivotally connected to the upper end of the support frame for pivotal movement through a vertical plane; andthe biasing means includes a weight attached to the pivot arm between the first and second ends;a third roller rotatably mounted parallel to the second roller and spaced horizontally forwardly therefrom;a fourth roller rotatably mounted parallel to the third roller and spaced vertically thereabove; andmeans connected to the fourth roller for biasing the fourth roller towards the third roller.