Patent ID: 6354933
Filing Date: 2002-03-12
Classification: A22B,A22C

Abstract:
An apparatus for deboning a piece of meat having an elongate bone portion, said apparatus comprising:holding means for maintaining the piece of meat in a predetermined cutting position wherein its elongate bone portion is substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis defined by said holding means; and a cutting tool including an elongate shearing knife having a base portion pivotally mounted on a support structure and an inwardly arcuate section defining a cutting edge longitudinally extending over a length that is at least equal to the length of said elongated bone portion, said cutting tool further including means mounted on said structure for selectively controlling pivotal movement of the knife between a first position allowing the piece of meat to be disposed in the predetermined cutting position and a second position wherein the elongate bone portion is separated from the deboned meat piece in a single tool movement following travel of the cutting edge through the meat piece according to a curvilinear cutting path transversely extending about said longitudinal axis.