Abstract:
An apparatus for flattening pieces of meat without piercing nor shredding the meat including a first roller set, each roller in the first roller set having non-sharpened outer edges; a second roller set, each roller in the second roller set having non-sharpened outer edges, the first roller set directly opposing and being spaced and fully separated from the second roller set, the first and second roller sets together having a product in-feed end into which meat pieces are drawn and having a product out-feed end at which flattened meat pieces are expelled from between the first and second roller sets; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the first roller set and the second roller set, where meat passing between the first and second roller sets is substantially flattened but not pierced nor shredded; and an in-feed conveyor belt assembly at the in-feed end including an in-feed conveyor belt and a rolling mechanism for rolling the in-feed conveyor belt in a direction to advance meat pieces placed on the in-feed conveyor belt to the in-feed end.

Description:
FILING HISTORY 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/246,682, filed on Feb. 8, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,132, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/122,737, filed on Jul. 27, 1998, now abandoned. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of food preparation equipment. More specifically the present invention relates to an apparatus for tenderizing, progressively flattening and smoothing various meats, including but not limited to veal, poultry, beef, pork, alligator, seafood, ostrich, quail, duck, horse, lamb, goat, buffalo, venison and fish. This apparatus is an improved version of the meat flatting apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,786, issued on Dec. 22, 1998 to the present applicant, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
     The apparatus includes two generally parallel and adjacent rows or sets of rollers, the sets being spaced apart from each other and oriented such that the sets converge toward each other to define a gap between the sets tapering from a wider gap end to a narrower gap end for progressively flattening pieces of meat fed between the sets at the wider gap end, and includes a pair of opposing and spaced apart belts in the form of an out-feed conveyor belt assembly and an adjacent meat finishing conveyor belt assembly, both parallel to the roller sets and having receiving ends adjacent to the gap narrower end for engaging and smoothing flattened pieces of meat discharged from the gap narrower end. The sets of rollers are preferably oriented substantially horizontally to provide user access to the entire apparatus at a convenient height, but the sets may be mutually oriented at any angle relative to horizontal, and may be oriented vertically. An in-feed conveyor belt is preferably provided and is positioned to be parallel and adjacent to the gap wider end on which pieces of meat are placed and advances the pieces of meat to the gap wider end where they are engaged by and drawn between the rollers. A marinated spray device is also preferably provided at the one of the roller sets and has a sprayer nozzle directed toward the roller set to spray marinate or water onto the rollers so that the marinate or water is pressed into the meat during processing. Sprayed water serves to rehydrate the meat and is also used to keep the rollers clean from meat particles during production, and to prevent the meat itself from sticking to the rollers, and thus prevents the meat from becoming pasty. 
     Each set of rollers includes several mutually parallel and laterally adjacent rollers arrayed in a series from first to last which is preferably substantially rectilinear but may alternatively be curvalinear. Each set of rollers includes several flattening rollers preferably having non-sharpened protrusions about their circumfferential surfaces to knead the meat. The flattening rollers are not necessarily all identical. The teeth on the flattening rollers preferably become progressively smaller from on roller to the next as the series progresses toward the meat exit of the apparatus. Each set preferably also includes one or a group of tenderizing rollers, ahead of the flattening rollers in the series, but may also have tenderizing rollers behind or in the middle of the flattening rollers. At each end of the series of tenderizing roller is a scraper roller for dislodging and remove particles of meat caught in the tenderizing rollers. One set of rollers optionally includes a cutter roller for cutting the meat into strips or cubes, the cutter roller preferably being behind the flattening rollers in the roller series, but which may also have strip or cube cutting rollers ahead of or in the middle of the flattening rollers. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There have long been techniques for flattening meat. These have generally required the labor butchers and food preparers who have to grip the meat with their hands, leading to inherent sanitation problems. Furthermore, such manual techniques do not result in a uniform flatness which can be necessary for even cooking and consistent cooking time for all areas of the meat, and for a desired aesthetic appearance. Similar problems exist for flattening chicken, veal, pork, lamp, goat, buffalo and venison. 
     Attempts have been made to solve these problems, and these attempts have led to the development of the devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,135,960, issued on Nov. 8, 1938 to Campell; U.S. Pat. No. 2,243,492, issued on May 27, 1941 to Wilson; U.S. Pat. No. 2,718,028, issued on Sep. 20, 1955 to Read, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,893 issued on Feb. 20, 1973 to Vogelsang; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,482 issued on Apr. 25, 1978 to Charron, none of which actually overcame these problems. The tenderizer type machines pierce and penetrate meat and further cause the meat to be chopped into separate pieces. 
     The apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,786, issued on Dec. 22, 1998 to the present applicant does overcome these problems in that the device flattens uniformly and tenderizes pieces of meat mostly without need of handling by a person. Yet it would be further desirable to provide an apparatus which additionally marinates, rehydrates, flattens and then tenderizes the meat, or which tenderizes, and then flattens and smooths the meat, or which tenderizers, flattens and strip or cube cuts and smooths the meat, or which flattens, then strip or cube cuts and smooths the meat, or which processes the meat according to various other meat roller type combinations, to further minimize the need for manual handling of the meat and to enhance processing efficiency. The roller processing of the meat changes the shape of the meat pieces, repairs damaged meat and knits two or more pieces of meat together to become one piece. 
     It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for flattening meat which includes conveyor belt means for finishing the meat by smoothing the broad surfaces of the flattened meat. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which also includes means for applying marinate to the meat during tenderizing, flattening, strip cutting or cube cutting so that people do not have to handle the meat to perform this processing step. 
     It is still another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which also includes means for applying water to rehydrate the meat during tenderizing, flattening, strip cutting or cube cutting. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which also includes means for administering water or marinate to prevent the meat from sticking to the rollers during production. 
     It is a still further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which additionally includes an in-feed belt for increasing ease and efficiency of feeding pieces of meat into the apparatus. 
     It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which processes pieces of meat at high volume and rapidly, with minimal cost and maximum reliably. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification. 
     An apparatus is provided for flattening pieces of meat without piercing nor shredding the meat, the apparatus including a first roller set, each roller in the first roller set having non-sharpened outer edges; a second roller set, each roller in the second roller set having non-sharpened outer edges, the first roller set directly opposing and being spaced and fully separated from the second roller set, the first and second roller sets together having a product in-feed end into which meat pieces are drawn and having a product out-feed end at which flattened meat pieces are expelled from between the first and second roller sets; an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the first roller set and the second roller set, where meat passing between the first and second roller sets is substantially flattened but not pierced nor shredded; and an in-feed conveyor belt assembly at the in-feed end including an in-feed conveyor belt and a rolling mechanism for rolling the in-feed conveyor belt in a direction to advance meat pieces placed on the in-feed conveyor belt to the in-feed end. The in-feed conveyor belt assembly preferably includes an in-feed conveyor frame including a pair of spaced apart and substantially parallel elongate composite frame plates including pivotally connected frame hinge segments, the frame plates being interconnected by a series of in-feed conveyor support plates over which the in-feed conveyor belt rides as it rolls and by a series of in-feed conveyor support rods, and an in-feed conveyor drive pulley extending between and rotatably mounted to the composite frame plates at the longitudinal ends of the elongate composite frame plates. The hinge segments each preferably include a belt adjuster plate bolted to an end of each of the frame plates and having an adjustment slot through which the adjuster plate mounting bolts pass and screw into ports in the given frame plate, where the slot in the belt adjuster plates permit the hinge segments to pivot to collapse the frame and move one of the conveyor drive pulleys inward generally toward the other conveyor drive pulley to release the in-feed conveyor belt, and then to move the conveyor drive pulley outward and generally away from the other drive pulley to pull taut and thereby engage the in-feed conveyor belt. 
     An apparatus for flattening meat without piercing nor shredding the meat is further provided, the apparatus including a first roller set, each roller having non-sharpened outer edges; a second roller set, each roller having non-sharpened outer edges, the first roller set directly opposing and being spaced and fully separated from the second roller set, the first and second roller sets together having a product in-feed end into which meat pieces are drawn and having a product out-feed end at which flattened meat pieces are expelled from between the first and second roller sets; an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the spacing between the first roller set and the second roller set, where meat passing between the first and second roller sets is substantially flattened but not pierced nor shredded; and an out-feed conveyor belt assembly at the out-feed end, including an out-feed conveyor belt and a rolling mechanism for rolling the out-feed conveyor belt in a direction to advance meat pieces placed on the out-feed conveyor belt away from the out-feed end. The apparatus preferably additionally includes a finisher conveyor belt assembly at the out-feed end, the finisher conveyor belt assembly having a finisher conveyor belt generally parallel with, opposing and spaced apart from the out-feed conveyor belt and a rolling mechanism for rolling the out-feed conveyor belt in a direction to advance meat pieces placed on the out-feed conveyor belt away from the out-feed end; so that meat pieces expelled from between the out-feed end pass and are carried between the out-feed conveyor belt and the finisher conveyor belt by the rolling of the out-feed conveyor belt, and a finisher conveyor drive pulley drive mechanism, the finisher conveyor belt comprising a smoothing mechanism for smoothing the product. 
     The out-feed conveyor belt assembly preferably includes an out-feed conveyor belt and an out-feed conveyor frame including a pair of opposing spaced apart and parallel elongate out-feed frame plates and each out-feed frame plate having contiguous frame hinge segment and belt adjustor plate, the opposing frame plates and the opposing belt adjustor plates being interconnected, respectively, by a series of conveyor support plates over which the out-feed conveyor belt rolls, an out-feed conveyor drive pulley on which the out-feed belt rolls at each end of the out-feed conveyor frame, an out-feed conveyor drive pulley extending between and rotatably mounted to each end of the frame plates and to the opposing belt adjustor plate on which the conveyor belt rolls. 
     The finisher conveyor belt assembly preferably includes a finisher conveyor belt and a finisher conveyor frame including a pair of opposing, spaced apart and parallel elongate finisher frame plates, the finisher frame plates each having a contiguous frame hinge segment and a finisher belt adjustor plate, the opposing finisher frame plates being interconnected by a series of conveyor support plates over which the finisher conveyor belt rolls and a conveyor drive pulley extending between and rotatably mounted to the opposing frame plates and the opposing finisher belt adjuster plates on which the finisher conveyor belt rolls, and conveyor drive pulley drive mechanism. 
     The apparatus preferably additionally includes a marinator assembly mounted adjacent to one of the roller sets, and marinator assembly including a marinate supply mechanism and marinator nozzle oriented to spray marinate onto the rollers for delivery onto meat pieces and prevent the meat from sticking to the rollers. The apparatus preferably further includes an apparatus cover with a cover opening, where the marinator assembly includes a mounting fitting fastened to the outside of the cover and extends into and through the cover opening and has a central fitting port surrounded by a protruding and an annular flange having annular interior threads and annular flange external threaded, and a fitting fastening nut screwed onto the annular flange external threads thereby securing the mounting fitting into the cover opening and a sprayer nozzle screwed into the annular flange internal threads, the nozzle having external threads onto which a locking fitting having locking fitting internal threads is screwed, the locking fitting having a radial mounting flange protruding from its mid-section with at least one notch at its circumferential edge for receiving ends of mounting fitting fastening screws so that when the locking mount fitting is rotated the at least one notch engages and locks to the fitting fastening screws, where the locking fitting has locking nozzle external threads and where a marinate flow valve with internal threads is screwed onto the locking fitting external threads, where the flow valve has an operating lever for manually operated by a person, the marinator assembly further including a male quick release section screwed into the opposing end of the flow valve, and a marinate supply hose connector secured to the male quick release section. 
     The apparatus preferably additionally includes an adjustment plate adjustably mounted to each frame plate, a bracket secured to each frame plate, each bracket having a receiver block pivotally mounted to pivot into engagement with a adjustment shaft ball connecting the finisher conveyor belt assembly with the out-feed conveyor belt assembly, there enabling the adjustment shaft to move the finisher conveyor belt assembly toward and away from the out-feed conveyor belt assembly. At least one of the first roller set and the second roller set includes a tenderizing roller, a flattening roller, a scraper roller and a cutter roller. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire apparatus, showing the cabinet, cabinet doors, the top cover and cover handles. 
     FIG. 2 is a view as in FIG. 1 with the top cover partially lifted off the apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 a  is a close-up view, broken away from the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, showing a recessed pocket which is provided inside a bump guard into which a magnet is inserted and a screw which secures the magnet to the pocket. 
     FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the marinator device. 
     FIG. 4 is a view of the apparatus with the top cover entirely removed, exposing the in-feed conveyor belt assembly, the out-feed conveyor belt assembly, the finisher conveyor belt assembly, the first roller set and the motor and electrical circuit and switch. 
     FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the drain assembly. 
     FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the apparatus as show in FIG. 4, with the top cover removed. 
     FIG. 6 a  is a perspective, close-up view of the brass adjustment shaft and pocket. 
     FIG. 6 b  is a perspective close-up view of a lubricated bushing positioned to be fit into a roller. 
     FIG. 6 c  is a perspective close-up view of the adjustment shaft ball end positioned to fit into a pocket in a rail, and showing the brass receiver block. 
     FIG. 7 is a broken away, perspective view of the chain drive elements including the chain and various sprockets for driving the rollers. 
     FIG. 7 a  is an exploded, perspective close-up view of the drive shaft bushing block, chain drive and extra long drive shaft bushing. 
     FIG. 8 is an exploded, perspective close-up view of the shaft bushing, spacer, double sprocket and locking key and drive shaft fitting through a port in a rail. 
     FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 8, but showing a triple sprocket and drive coupling. 
     FIG. 10 is a view as in FIG. 9, additionally showing a double sprocket with hub and drive shaft bushing block. 
     FIG. 11 is a broken away perspective view of the permanent and adjustable drive side rails with the conveyor drive paddle shaft, conveyor mounting pad, single sprocket and related elements. 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective, exploded view of the block used to mount idler sprocket, idler sprockets spacer, and shaft bolt on which these elements are secured. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the finisher conveyor belt assembly. 
     FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an adjustment shaft guide tube, finisher conveyor adjustment shaft with shaft ball end, block and related elements. 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the finisher conveyor frame, plate inserts and free spinning finisher conveyor rollers. 
     FIG. 16 is an exploded, perspective view of a pulley drive shaft, mounting elements and finisher conveyor frame plate. 
     FIG. 17 is an exploded, perspective view of the in-feed conveyor frame. 
     FIG. 17 a  is an exploded, close-up view of the belt adjuster plate, bolt and spacer. 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the out-feed conveyor frame, rollers and plate inserts. 
     FIG. 18 a  is broken away close-up perspective view of the plate inserts and aluminum support plate. 
     FIG. 18 b  is a broken away, close-up perspective view of a bushing and exit conveyor roller. 
     FIG. 18 c  is an exploded, perspective view of the bracket that hinges upward to connect onto the adjustment shaft ball to connect the finisher conveyor and the out-feed conveyor, and related elements. 
     FIG. 18 d  is perspective, close-up view of the bracket that hinges upward to connect onto the adjustment shaft ball. 
     FIG. 18 e  is a perspective, close-up view of the conveyor scraper and scraper bracket. 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective end view of the apparatus frame, permanent and adjustable rails and roller mounting structures. 
     FIG. 19 a  is a close-up, perspective view of the adjustable rail and rub pads. 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the motor assembly. 
     FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the electrical box and relay. 
     FIG. 22 is another perspective view of the motor assembly. 
     FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the removable start and stop box assembly with the box lid removed. 
     FIG. 24 is a perspective view as in FIG. 23 with the box lid in place on start and stop box assembly. 
     FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the roller cradles and cradle brackets, and six of the rollers positioned for placement into the roller cradles. 
     FIG. 26 is a view as in FIG. 19, with the roller cradles and several rollers fitted into place on the cradle brackets. 
     FIG. 27 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with one of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 28 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with one of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 29 is a partial, broken away view of intermeshing scraper and tenderizing rollers. 
     FIG. 30 is a partial, broken away view of intermeshing tenderizing rollers. 
     FIG. 31 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with another of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 32 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with another of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 33 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with another of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 34 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with another of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 35 is a partial, broken away view of intermeshing cutter blade and flattening rollers. 
     FIG. 36 is a side view of the permanent and adjustable rails with another of several contemplated roller combinations. 
     FIG. 37 is an exploded, perspective view of a tenderizing roller. 
     FIG. 38 is an exploded, perspective view of a cutter roller. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various. Figures are designated by the same reference numerals. 
     First Preferred Embodiment 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-38, a meat processing apparatus  300  is disclosed for tenderizing, progressively flattening, strip cutting or cube cutting, marinating or rehydrating, perforating texture and smoothing various pieces of meat, including but not limited to veal, poultry, beef, pork, alligator, seafood, ostrich, quail, duck, horse, lamb, goat, buffalo, venison and fish. Apparatus  300  is an improved version of the meat flatting apparatus described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,786, issued on Dec. 22, 1998 to the present applicant, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. 
     Apparatus  300  includes two generally parallel and adjacent rows or sets I and II of rollers  169  and  174 , the roller sets I and II being spaced apart from each other and oriented such that roller sets I and II converge toward each other to define a gap  190  between the sets tapering from a wider gap end to a narrower gap end for progressively flattening pieces of meat fed between the sets at the wider gap end, and includes a pair of opposing and spaced apart belts in the form of an out-feed conveyor belt assembly  40  and a meat finisher conveyor belt assembly  43 , both parallel to the roller sets and having receiving ends adjacent to the gap  190  narrower end for engaging and smoothing flattened pieces of meat discharged from the gap narrower end. The roller sets I and II, as well as the individual rollers  169  and  174 , are preferably oriented substantially horizontally to provide user access to the entire apparatus  300  at a convenient height, but roller sets I and II may be mutually oriented at any angle relative to horizontal, and may be oriented vertically. An in-feed conveyor belt  23  is preferably provided and is positioned to be parallel and adjacent to the gap  190  wider end on which pieces of meat are placed and advances the pieces of meat to the gap  190  wider end where they are engaged by and drawn between the roller sets I and II. A marinated spray device  10  is also preferably provided at the one of roller set I and has a nozzle  17  directed toward roller set I to spray marinate onto the rollers  174  so that the marinate is pressed into the meat during processing. Details of roller sets I and II and marinated sprayer device  10  construction are set forth in the paragraphs which follow. 
     Each roller set I and II includes several mutually parallel and laterally adjacent rollers  169  and  174  arrayed in a series from first to last which is preferably substantially rectilinear but may alternatively be curvalinear. Each roller set  1  and II includes several flattening rollers  174  preferably having non-sharpened protrusions about their circumferential cylindrical surfaces to knead the meat. The flattening rollers  174  are not necessarily all identical. The teeth on the flattening rollers  174  preferably become progressively smaller from on roller to the next as the series progresses toward the meat exit of the apparatus  300 . Each set I and II preferably also includes one or a group of tenderizing rollers  170 , preferably ahead of the flattening rollers  174  in the series. Reference numeral  201  indicates the transition point between rollers  174  and  170 . The tenderizing rollers  170  selected determine the extent of penetration through the meat when tenderizing by adjusting the adjustment shafts, as well as determines penetration depth. 
     Each tenderizing roller  170  preferably includes a tenderizing roller axle  185  fitted with a series of non-sharpened and generally disk-shaped tenderizing blades  184 , and with blade spacers  181  between the blades  184  in the form of metal rings each having a radial threaded bore for encircling the axle  170   a . See FIG.  37 . Each tenderizing blade  184  preferably has v-shaped notches about its circumference defining blade teeth. At each end of the series of tenderizing rollers  170  is a scraper roller  169  in the form of a solid cylinder having a scraper roller axle  169   a  with a series of, nonsharpened and disk-shaped circumferential integrally molded blades  169   b  spaced apart from each other with circumferential grooves  169   b . The circumferential integrally molded blades  169   b  each extend at least partially between adjacent tenderizing blades  184  to dislodge and remove particles of meat caught between the tenderizing blades. Reference numeral  202  indicates the points at which blades  184  pass between blades  184 . FIGS. 27-36 show various exemplary and preferred roller arrangements, which are designated as Series A-G, respectively. 
     One roller set I or II optionally includes a cutter roller  175  for cutting the meat into strips or cubes, including a cutter roller axle  179  fitted with a series of sharpened and disk-shaped cutter blades  180  spaced apart from each other a distance equal to the desired width of meat strips to be cut. See FIG.  38 . Between the cutter blades  180  are blade spacers  181  as described above for the tenderizing rollers  170 , respectively. The diameters of the cutter blades  180  are greater than the diameters of the flattening rollers  176  and  177  to extend fully across the gap  190  and thus entirely through the pieces of meat being fed through the sets of rollers. The cutter blades  175   b  optionally enter circumferential grooves or slots in a slotted flattening rollers  176  and  177 . The cutter roller  175  optionally includes a series of longitudinal blades oriented parallel to the cutter roller axle  170   a  and extending between the disk shaped cutter blades  180  for cube cutting meat. A drive cap  182  is provided having external threads and which screws into internal threads of axle  185 , and then is pinned onto axle  185  with a dowel pin  183 . Tenderizer blades  184  slide onto axle  185  and are spaced between spacer  186  to determine the space between each of the tenderizer blades  184 . Bushing cap  187  threads onto shaft  185 , and roller bushing  188  presses into bushing cap  187 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 34-35, a slotted flattening roller  176  is provided having-clearance slots so that the cutter blades  176  or  177  pass into the slots in roller  176 . A flattening roller  176  or  177  is provided having clearance slots in which cutter blades  180  pass into slots  177 . The meat pieces pass between rollers  177  and  175 , creating a shear point so that the blades on roller  175  cut complete through the meat pieces. As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the axle  179  in which the cutler blades  180  are installed and the spacer  181  which space the distance between cutler blades  180 . 
     The rollers in each roller set I and II each have a mounted end and a driven end. The mounted ends have axial and protruding mounting axles (not shown) with bearing points which fit into conical mounting drive caps  171  secured in longitudinal series along a side of an adjustable rail  54 . The drive cap  171  has a crosspin which is aligned with the slot on drive shaft  172 . The roller driven ends each engage into a drive shaft  172  protruding axially from the rail  193  or  194  and fitted with a drive chain sprocket  172   a . The drive shaft  172  ends protrude through axle ports in an adjustable drive side rail  93 . Screw  53  shows how the pin shaft engages into it and twists. The idler side rail  55  and drive side rail  94  of the first set are permanently mounted to a machine frame and the adjustable idler side rail  54  and adjustable drive side rail  93  of the second set are free floating and are connected to the machine frame only by bracket guide rods  149  along which the rub pads  146  that are attached to flattening roller  193  slide up or down between machine frame  36  and guide plate  148 , and adjustment shafts  42  which by their rotation advances the first rollers set I either toward or away from the second roller set II along guide rods  149 . This selective movement of second roller set II relative to first roller set I permits adjustment of the extent and taper of gap  190 . 
     The numbers  1 - 12  are engraved on top of rail  54 . Reference numeral  192  marks the locations of other numbers engraved on the sides of the rollers which are used to install the rollers, the combined roller number matching the number on the frame adjacent the given roller for proper roller placement. Each group of rollers starting with group  1  has a slightly deeper groove than group  2 . Group  2  has a slightly deeper groove than group  3 . This reduction groove depth continues to the last group of flattening rollers  174 , which have very shallow depth and a smaller groove profile. This is how apparatus  300  achieves progressive meat flattening with a smooth natural texture. More pressure is applied to the meat as it passes between each group of flattening rollers  193  and is reduced in thickness. The meat then passes underneath the finisher conveyor belt  43  and presses against the out-feed conveyor belt  40   a  producing a smooth tightly knitted product that looks natural. The finisher conveyor belt assembly  43  is adjusted up or down by the two adjustment shafts  42  to control the pressure applied to the meat pieces. 
     Apparatus  300  includes machine frame  36  having horizontal and vertical frame structural members  36   a  and frame feet  37  extending downwardly from the rest of frame  36  mounted to the inside of the cabinet on which apparatus  300  stands. Frame  36  includes a conveyor support frame  39  in which the out-feed conveyor belt assembly  40  rests when it is installed. A support rod  144  interconnects adjustable idler side rails to support a catch tray  145 . A rub pad  146  is mounted to adjustable rail  54  and slides between a side frame  147  and a guide plate  148 . Support guide rod  149  is mounted through adjustable idler side rail  54  and into permanent rail  55  through spacer block  150 . A cradle bracket  165  is positioned on top of rail  94  and rail  55 , and cradle  166  is placed on top of cradle bracket  165  so that cradle bracket  165  tips of the cradle  167  and rests on bracket  165 . After bracket  165  and cradle  166  are installed several optional rollers  168  and  169  are placed in the cradle  166 . After brackets  165 ,  166  and  168  are installed, cap  171  is aligned with drive shaft  172 . Then cradle  166  is pushed towards the drive shaft  172  and roller installation pin  52  is fitted through hole  173  into tenderizing roller bushing  188 . 
     The in-feed conveyor belt assembly  155  preferably includes an in-feed conveyor belt  23 , a pair of spaced apart and parallel elongate plates  28   a  and contiguous frame hinge segments  110 , together defining the in-feed conveyor frame  28 . See FIGS. 2,  4  and  17 . The frame plates  28   a  are interconnected by a series of conveyor support plates  130  over which the in feed conveyor belt  23  rides and by a series of support rods  131 . A conveyor scraper blade  106  mounts onto a bracket  132 . Finisher conveyor rollers  119  and out-feed conveyor rollers  120  rotate within bushing  133 . A conveyor drive pulley  126  on which the belt  23  rolls is provided at each end of frame  28 . Conveyor pulleys  126  each extend between and are rotatably mounted to the frame plate  28   a , each pulley  126   a  has an axle pressed into both ends  126   b  which protrudes from the remote longitudinal ends of the pulley  126   a . Drive pulley  126   c  has traction grooves on it which grip the conveyor belt for positive traction. A conveyor bushing  124  is fitted onto each of these protruding axle  126   b  ends, and an annular conveyor bearing spacer  121  fits over each conveyor bushing  124 . The portions of conveyor bushings  124  protruding through conveyor bushings  124  extend into. bushing ports in frame plates  28   a  and hinge sections  110 . A conveyor drive pin  89  fits inside coupling  123  protruding ends and an annular mounting pad  92  fits around each conveyor drive coupling  123  and is screwed to the frame plate  28   a  with screws  128 . An axial screw  125  screws into the outer end of each conveyor drive coupling  123  to retain the conveyor drive coupling  123  onto the drive pulley. Conveyor bearing spacer  121  is secured to frame plate  28  by the screws  127 . The hinge segments  110  each include a belt adjuster plate  113  bolted to the hinge segment  110  outer face which has three longitudinal adjustment slots  113   a  and a curved adjustment slot  113   b  through which the plate  113  mounting bolts  113   c  pass and screw into ports in the given hinge segment  110 . Slots  113   a  and  113   b  in belt adjuster plates  113  permit hinge segments  110  to pivot to collapse the frame  28  and move one of the conveyor drive pulleys  126  inward to release a worn out belt  23  and to move the conveyor drive pulleys  126  back outward to engage a fresh belt  23 . 
     A spacer bushing  129  is provided which permits bolts  114  to be tightened without bolt tightening  113  onto  110  enabling  110  to hinge upward releasing the conveyor belt  23 . Spacer bushing  129  mounts through each belt adjuster plate  113  thereby enabling hinge segments  110  to swivel freely up and down when bolts  114  are tightened. A conveyor bump  122  protrudes downwardly from one of the frame plates  28   a  and serves to align the conveyor drive by pushing the conveyor drive in until it hits the bump stops  122  on the machine frame  36  and then slides the in-feed conveyor belt assembly  155  into the drive, engaging circular mounting pad  92  into conveyor mounting pad  90 . A conveyor drive block  123  rotates inside conveyor bushing  124 . Screws  127  are fitted into conveyor bearing spacer  121  and hold spacer  121  firmly onto in-feed conveyor frame  28 . Screws  128  hold circular mounting pad  92  firmly onto in-feed conveyor frame  28 . 
     The out-feed conveyor belt assembly  40  preferably includes an out-feed conveyor frame  41  made up of a pair of spaced apart and parallel elongate frame plates  41   a  and contiguous frame hinge segments  110  and belt adjustor plates  113 . See FIGS.  5  and  18 - 18   e . The frame plates  41   a  are interconnected by a series of conveyor support plates  134  over which the out-feed conveyor belt  40   a  rides. A conveyor drive pulley  126  on which the belt  40   a  rides is provided at each end of frame  41 . Conveyor drive pulleys  126  each extend between and are rotatably mounted to the frame plates  41   a , each including two drive pulley cylinders  126   a  mounted on a drive pulley shaft  126   b  which protrudes from the remote longitudinal ends of the drive pulley cylinders  126   a.    
     At one end of the frame  41  adjacent to one of the conveyor drive pulleys  126  are a series of preferably six out-feed conveyor rollers  120 , which extend between and are rotatably mounted to conveyor frame plates  41   a . Each conveyor roller  120  includes a cylindrical roller body  120   a  with a reduced diameter mounting segment  120   b  at each longitudinal end and a bushing  133  fitted over each mounting segment  120   b  which fits into a roller port in a frame plate  41   a . Out-feed conveyor rollers  120  rollingly support the conveyor belt  40   a . Between the group of conveyor rollers  120  and the drive pulley  126  at the opposing end of frame  41  are a longitudinal series of aluminum support plates  135  extending between and secured with fasteners to corresponding opposing points on conveyor frame plates  41   a . Two stainless steel plate inserts  134  cover the upper surfaces of the aluminum support plate  135  ends, leaving a gap between the plate inserts  134 . See FIG. 18 a . Stainless steel plate inserts  134  function to prevent excessive wear of aluminum parts. Meat pieces pass between the two opposing conveyor belts  40   a  and  41   a  they press the belt  40   a  against the plate inserts  134 . 
     As described above, the hinge segments  110  each include a belt adjuster plate  113  bolted to the hinge segment  110  outer face which has three longitudinal adjustment slots  113   a  and a curved adjustment slot  113   b  through which the plate  113  mounting bolts  113   c  pass and screw into ports in the given hinge segment  110 . Slots  113   a  and  113   b  in belt adjuster plates  113  permit hinge segments  110  to pivot to collapse the frame  41  and move one of the conveyor drive pulleys  126  inward to release a worn out belt  40   a  and to move the conveyor drive pulleys  126  back outward to engage a fresh belt  40   a.    
     A notch  107  is provided in the lower edge of an end of each frame plate  41   a  into which a conveyor scraper bracket  106  mounts onto frame plates  41   a . See FIGS. 18 and 18 e . A threaded end of a conveyor scraper knob  108  is screwed into a set screw port in the end of each frame plate  41   a  adjacent to the notch  107  to enter the notch  107 , so that scraper knob  108  can be screwed into engaging contact with scraper bracket  106  and thereby function as a set screw. 
     A bracket  136  is secured to the outer side at the middle region of each frame plate  41   a . Each bracket  136  contains a brass receiver block  137  and hinges upward to connect onto an adjustment shaft ball  57  which engages the finisher conveyor belt assembly  43  with the out-feed conveyor  41  enabling the adjustment shaft to move the finisher conveyor belt assembly  43  upward or downward. See FIG. 18 d . A screw  140  fastens block  137  and lid  138  onto bracket  136 . Receiver block  137  is installed in pocket  141 , and thus controlling the space between the out-feed conveyor belt assembly  41  and the finisher conveyor belt assembly  43 . FIG. 18 c  shows how a lid  138  is installed onto a bass receiver block  137  for receiving a shaft ball  57 , which in turn fits into a receiving a pocket  142  in each bracket  136 . A screw  140  fastens the receiver block  137  and the lid  138  onto the corresponding bracket  136 . The brackets  136  each pivot to receive the shaft ball  57  as shown in FIG. 18 d  by first loosening a bracket  136  securing knob  139 . A pivot pin  136   a  is provided which extends through the bracket  136  lower end and into an adjustment plate  143  which in turn is adjustably mounted to the given frame plate  41   a . A bracket anchor knob  139  is provided which has a knob shaft and which passes through a notch in a side of the bracket  136 . Knob  139  engagingly bears against the bracket  136  to retain bracket  136  against pivoting until knob  139  is rotated to release the bracket  136  and thereby permit bracket  136  to rotate on pivot pin  136   a . Rotation of bracket  136  out of vertical orientation permits the shaft ball  57  to drop down adjacent to pivoted bracket  136 . See FIG. 18 d . When the shaft ball  57  is adjacent to the bracket  136  the bracket  136  is pivoted to receive the shaft ball  57 , and then securing knob  139  is rotated to screw into the given frame plate  41   a  and thereby tighten against and anchor the bracket  136  in its upright shaft ball, retaining position. 
     The finisher conveyor belt assembly  43  preferably includes a pair of spaced apart and parallel elongate plates  44   a  and contiguous frame hinge segments  110  and belt adjustor plates  113  together defining the finisher conveyor frame  44 . See FIGS. 13-16. The frame plates  44   a  are interconnected by a series of conveyor support plates  134  over which the in-feed conveyor belt  43   a  rides. A conveyor drive pulley  111  on which the belt  43   a  rolls is provided at each end of frame  44 . Conveyor drive pulleys  111  each extend between and are rotatably mounted to the frame plates  44   a , each including two drive pulley cyclinders  126   a  mounted on a drive pulley shaft  117  which protrudes from the remote longitudinal ends of the drive pulley cyclinders  126   a . A bushing  116  presses into an axial opening in the end of drive pulley shaft  117 , and a roller installation pin  52  is inserted into an axial opening  118  in bushing  116 . A spacer  114  is provided to increase the thickness of the frame plates  44   a  so that conveyor bushing  115  is longer and has more surface area for pulley shaft  117  to rotate within. Spacer  114  is secured to the adjacent frame plate  44   a  with conventional fasteners. The frame plates are interconnected by a series of rotatable mounted finisher conveyor rollers  119 . A pin  196  fits into the finisher conveyor frame  44  and into the and secures conveyor frame  44  in place. 
     Belt adjustor plate  113  serves as a slide and pivot guide for hinge section  110  to permit hinge section  110  to pivot to a substantially right angle relative frame plates  44   a  for belt  43   a  mounting and removal. Belt adjustor plates  113  have three longitudinal adjusted slots  113   a  and a curved adjusted slot  113   b  through which the plate  113  mounting bolts  113   c  pass and screw into ports in the given hinge segment  110 . Slots  113   a  and  113   b  in belt adjuster plates  113  permit hinge segments  110  to pivot to collapse the frame  44  and move one of the conveyor drive pulleys  111  inward to release a worn out belt  43   a  and to move the conveyor drive pulleys  111  back outward to engage a fresh belt  43   a.    
     To adjust the distance between the finisher conveyor belt  43   a  and the out-feed conveyor belt  40   a , finisher conveyor adjustment shafts  42  are provided having numbers and lines along their lengths used to determine the space between the first and second roller sets I and II while the cover  2  is on the machine. The adjustment shafts  42  are fitted into adjustment shaft guide tubes  45  used to guide the adjustment shaft  42  into a firmly held position and also used for calibrating the shaft  42  lines and numbers. Shafts  42  have gripping knobs  1 . The adjustment shaft guide tubes are mounted into tube bores within adjustment shaft guide tube mounting blocks  46 , one of which is bolted to a side of each of the hinge sections  110 . Brass adjustment shaft threaded blocks  37  are provided which are replaceable and self-lubricating. Adjustment shafts  42  are calibrated to the proper position when the brass adjustment threaded blocks are rotated. Each adjustment shaft  42  has an adjustment shaft ball end  57  which extends through and protrudes from the bore in the mounting block  46 . Adjustment shaft ball ends  57  extend into brackets  136  as described in the paragraphs which follow. As shown in FIG. 6 a , a pocket  48  is used to insert threaded block  47 , and a lid  49  is used to enclose each threaded block  47  within a pocket  48 . Knobs  1  may be rotated to adjust the longitudinal angles between the series of rollers from entry to exit to determine the extent to which meat is flattened overall and the entry and exit roller spacings. Knobs  1  can also be rotated for left side or right side adjustment, to create sort of a lopsided spacing between roller sets, so that opposing roller ends converge toward each other on one side of the apparatus  300 . This second optional adjustment is suited for processing meat pieces which are significantly thicker at one lateral end than at the other lateral end, so that the meat piece is oriented to place the thicker meat piece end at the narrower, converging lateral end of the roller sets. As a result, as the meat piece is fed between the roller sets I and II, the thicker meat piece end is flattened by essentially forcing the mass of meat at the thicker end to flow or become displaced along the meat piece toward the opposing meat thinner end, to create more uniformity in meat cross-section. 
     Lubricated bushings are installed into the roller that rotates around a roller installation pin  52 . See FIG. 6. A screw  53  secures roller installation pin  52 . FIG. 6 also shows the block  56  in which the conveyors assemblies  40  and  43  are supported after the conveyor assemblies  40  and  43  are installed. FIG. 6 c  shows the brass receiver block  58  used to connect with adjustment shaft  42 , and the pocket  59  in the rail  54  used to install brass receiver block  58  into the rail  54 . A pocket  60  inside brass receiver block  58  is installed onto adjustment shaft ball end  57  and screw  61  is used to secure pocket  58  into the rail. A screw  62  is used to mount bottom cover  29  onto conveyor frame  39 . See FIG.  6 . Reference numeral  63  marks the location in which the bottom out-feed conveyor  41  is mounted. Pin  197  secures conveyor  41  in place. Reference numeral  64  marks the location at which the finisher conveyor frame  44  is mounted. A screw  65  secures the frame  39  and the bottom cover  29  to the cabinet. A block  66  mounts idler sprocket  67  and takes up slack in chain  68 . A chain tension screw  69  adjusts the tension in chain  68  when rotated to move inwardly or outwardly. See FIG. 7. A drive coupling  70  is provided and a drive shaft bushing block is mounted to a chain guide  72  and secures the extra long drive shaft  73 . See FIG.  10 . Chain guide  72  functions to guide the chain  68  around the sprocket so that the chain  68  does not skip off the idler sprocket  67 . As shown in FIG. 10, an extra long drive shaft  73  rotates inside an extra long drive shaft bushing  74  in drive shaft bushing block  71 . Other elements and their relationships to each other are illustrated in FIGS. 8-10, and include a spacer  75 , a shaft bushing  76 , a double sprocket  83  and drive shaft bushing  74 , all fitted over extra long drive shaft  73 . Shaft  73  passes through ports in adjustable drive side rail  93  and drive shaft bushing block  71 . C-clip  77  snaps over drive shaft  73  and into slot  78  in drive shaft  73 . A longitudinal locking key notch  79  is provided in an end of drive shaft  73  which receives a locking key  80 . Sprocket set screws  82  are provided to tighten locking key  80  after key  80  is fitted into locking key notch  79 . A single sprocket  83 , double sprocket  84  and single sprocket  85  are illustrated in FIGS. 8,  9  and  11 , respectively. It is contemplated that another embodiment of the invention might substitute gears and ball bearings for the chains, sprockets and bushings of this embodiment. 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the conveyor paddle bushing  86  fitted around the conveyor drive paddle shaft  87 , where paddle ends of shaft  87  go between the two conveyor drive pins  89  when conveyors are installed into the machine. See FIG. 13. A conveyor mounting pad  90  is secured to the side rail  93  and includes a central opening which registers with a shaft passing bore in the side rail  93 . See FIG. 11. A spacer  95  is provided to keep idler sprocket  67  away from block  66 . Sprocket  67  rotates on bushing  96  which fit around shaft bolt  97 . A handle  98  is provided for use in installation of the finisher conveyor  44 . A block  99  is used to enclose shaft threaded block  47 , block  47  being removed from the finisher conveyor  44  to remove the finisher conveyor belt  43   a . A set screw  199  is threaded through block  99  and presses against adjustment shaft guide tube  45  in the proper calibrated position with the adjustment shaft  42  so that the numbers and lines on shaft  42  are level and legible. Threaded block  47  is received in pocket  100 , and lid  101  closes block  47  within block  99 . See FIG.  14 . Lid  101  is secured onto block  99  with a screw  102 . A bushing  103  is pressed into each adjustment shaft guide tube  45  so that when the adjustment shaft  42  rotates it absorbs vibration and noise. Fastening knobs  104  on threaded shafts are provided for securing onto hinge sections  110 , described below, by rotating the knobs  104  until they press tightly in the area of a notch  105 . A notch  107  is provided so that conveyor scraper knob  108  tightens down and holds meat scraper  106  into place. A knob  109  on a threaded shaft is used to secure hinge section  110 , which is hinged upward after the conveyor belt is installed. 
     The marinator spray device  10  fits into a cover opening  2   a  in the apparatus  300  removable cover  2  adjacent to one of the roller set I. See FIGS. 2 and 3. Device  10  preferably includes a mounting fitting  20  which is fastened to the outside of the cover  2  and extends into and through the cover opening  2   a  and has a central fitting port P surrounded by a protruding and internally and external threaded annular flange  20   a . A fitting fastening nut  21  is screwed onto the annular flange  20   a  outer threaded to secure the mounting fitting  20  into the cover opening  2   a  and a sprayer nozzle  17  is screwed into the annular flange  20   a  internal threads, directed toward the interior of the cover  2  and toward the adjacent first roller set I. Nozzle  17  has external threads onto which a locking fitting  16  having internal threads is screwed. Locking fitting  16  has a radial mounting flange  16   a  protruding from its mid-section having notches  18  at its circumferential edge for receiving ends of mounting fitting fastening screws  19  such that when locking mount fitting  16  is rotated the notches  18  engage and lock to the fitting fastening screws  19 . The end of locking fitting  16  opposite nozzle  17  is externally threaded and a marinate flow valve  15  having internal threads is screwed onto the locking fitting  16  external threads, the flow valve  15  having an operating lever  14  which can be manually operated by a person. A male quick release section  13  is screwed into the opposing end of the flow valve  15 , and a marinate supply hose connector  11  is secured to the male quick release section  13 . Hose connector  11  has a quick release button  12  for disconnecting from a marinate supply hose (not shown). 
     Marinator spray device  10  sprays a mist of water or marinate onto the top, first roller set I, so that the rollers of roller set I become wet with the water or marinate and press the marinate or water into the meat pieces as they pass in between all of the first and second roller sets I and II. In this way marinator spray device  10  adds marinate flavor to the meat or rehydrates the meat with water if the meat has lost its moisture and also may be used to keep the roller sets I and II clean of any sticky meat particles or other residue, if any, and to prevent the meat from sticking to the rollers, and thus prevents the meat from becoming pasty. 
     The motor assembly M and drive means for the rollers are as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,786 issued to the present applicant. Motor activation is controlled from outwardly directed on/off switch  8  on cabinet  4 . See FIG.  1 . Switch  8  includes a switch bump guard  9 . A removable electrical start and stop box assembly  25  is secured within cabinet  4  behind switch  8  which is removed by turning knobs  24  and is mounted onto the motor assembly M when the motor is removed for cleaning. See FIG.  4 . An electrical start and stop box assembly pad  26  supports box assembly  25 . A flexible electrical conduit  27  extends from the switch  8  to the motor assembly M. 
     The motor assembly M is secured to machine frame  36  with motor mounting knobs  35  on threaded motor mounting shafts extending into frame  36 . Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, the motor assembly M includes an electrical box  151 , an electrical relay  152  and electrical breaker  153  within electrical box  151 , and a gooseneck bracket  154 . A magnetic safety switch  156  is installed into a gooseneck bracket  154 , and when the in-feed conveyor  28  is installed magnetic safety switch  156  makes contact with a magnet  155  on the in-feed conveyor  28 . See FIGS.  4  and  22 - 24 . A pin  198  secures in-feed conveyor  28  to the drive means. A magnetic safety switch  157  is installed in a threaded hole  159  in electrical box lid  158 . When the top cover  2  is installed on apparatus  300  the magnetic switch  157  makes contact with magnet  160 , both the cover and the in-feed conveyor  28  must be installed in order for the machine to operate. A magnet  160  is provided so that, when the cover  2  is removed, apparatus  300  does not operate because the magnet disengages from the magnetic safety switch  156 . A recessed pocket  194  is provided inside bump guard  9  into which magnet  160  is inserted and screw  195  secures magnet  160  to pocket  194 . When top cover  2  is removed from the cabinet  4 , the magnet  160  is no longer in contact with the magnetic switch  157 , and as a result apparatus  300  cannot operate. A mounting pad  161  is provided for electrical start/stop switch assembly  25 . See FIG.  10 . This pad  161  is used when removing the motor assembly M from apparatus  300 . The electrical start/stop switch  25  must be placed onto the pad  161 . A hole  162  is provided in motor assembly  25  through which the threaded shafts of knobs  35  pass. A drive spider  163  absorbs friction, vibration and heat between the two drive couplings. An electrical wire cable  164  is provided for magnetic safety switch  156 . 
     Removable top cover  2  is preferably removably secured over the machine frame  36 , as shown in FIG.  1 . Top cover  2  has a peripheral lower side edge with a series of vertical cover slots  6  which fit over threaded shafts of cover securing knobs  5  which extend into threaded ports in the lower cabinet  4 . Tightening knobs  5  against top cover  2  secures top cover  2  onto cabinet  4  and over the apparatus  300  internal mechanisms. Cabinet  4  preferably includes cabinet doors  3  and lifting handles  7 . Cabinet  4  is also designated the bottom cover  29 , onto which top cover  2  fits. Bottom cover  29  includes a bottom cover drain assembly  30  assembly for draining the marinate or water after it drips through the rollers and falls onto the bottom cover  29 . Drain assembly  30  includes a drain  32  containing a drain screen  31  and secured with a drain fastening nut  33 . The bottom cover  29  is slopped toward the drain assembly  30  so that dripping liquid flows to and into drain  32 . Spacers  38  are used to keep the bottom cover away from and mounted to the frame  36 . 
     The functions of the optional rollers set forth in FIGS. 27-36 and designated as Series A-G are as follows. Series A rollers are used for tenderizing meat in the # 2  and # 3  positions and flattening meat in the # 4  through # 12  positions on apparatus  300 . The # 1  roller  169  feeds the meat pieces into the # 2  tenderizing roller  170 . This function permits the meat pieces to become internally tenderized with a smooth natural texture. Series B rollers are used for tenderizing meat pieces in the # 2  through # 5  positions and flattening the meat in the # 6  through # 12  positions on apparatus  300 . The # 1  roller  169  feeds the meat into the # 2  tenderizing roller  170 . This function permits the meat pieces to become internally tenderized with a smooth natural texture. Series C rollers are used for flattening meat pieces in the # 1  through # 9  positions and tenderizing in the # 10  and # 11  positions and the # 12  scraper roller  169  pulls the meat pieces out of the tenderizing roller  170  and guides them on the out-feed conveyor belt assembly  41 . When series C rollers are used the meat pieces has a coarse perforated texture. To maintain this coarse texture in the meat pieces so that they do not become smooth, finisher conveyor belt assembly  43  must be removed from apparatus  300 . Series D rollers are used for flattening meat pieces in the # 1  through # 7  locations, for tenderizing meat pieces in the # 8  through # 11  locations, and # 12  scraper roller # 169  pulls the meat pieces out of the tenderizing roller  170  and guides the meat pieces onto the out-feed conveyor belt assembly  41 . When the D series is used the meat pieces has a coarse perforated texture. Once again, to maintain this texture in the meat pieces so that they do not become smooth, the finisher conveyor belt assembly  43  must be removed from apparatus  300 . Series E rollers are used for tenderizing in the # 2  and # 3  locations, for flattening in the # 4  through # 10  locations, and for strip or dice cutting in the # 11  locations and the # 12  roller guides the meat pieces onto the out-feed conveyor belt assembly  41 . The # 1  scraper roller  169  feeds the meat pieces into the # 2  tenderizing roller  170 . Series E is used for tenderizing meat pieces that have heavy muscle, for flattening the meat pieces to make them texture smooth and natural, and to strip or dice cut the meat pieces. Series F rollers are used for tenderizing in the # 2  through # 5  locations for flattening in the # 6  through # 10  locations and for strip or dice cutting in the # 11  locations. The # 12  rollers guide the meat pieces onto out-feed conveyor belt assembly  41 . The # 1  roller  169  feeds the meat pieces into the # 2  tenderizing roller  170 . 
     The F series is used for tenderizing meat pieces that have heavy muscle, for flattening the meat pieces to make the meat texture smooth and natural and for strip or dice cutting. Series G rollers are used for flattening in the # 1  through # 10  locations, for strip or dice cutting in the # 11  location and the # 12  roller guides the meat pieces onto the out-feed conveyor belt  41 . The assembly G series is used for flattening meat to a specific thickness and then strip or dice cutting the meat pieces. 
     While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.