Abstract:
Apparatus for processing both whole and portioned food products along a processing line for part cut-up and deboning in a mass production system. The apparatus consists of numerous food carriers, evenly spaced over a subscribed distance, connected by means of a mounting block, which is connected to a thermal plastic chain or a stainless steel chain by means of locking pins. The apparatus also includes food product take-away conveyors for the meat portions and scraps removed from the carcass. The carrier conveyance and the take-away conveyance have been incorporated into a common support frame. The apparatus will allow interchangeable food carriers for the type of process desired. Each food carrier is unique to the type of process being performed along the processing line. The chain is designed in such a manner as to allow vertical movement within a specified elevation change. Each food carrier is attached to a mounting block, which becomes an attachment to the chain. The mounting block is designed with hold-down tabs (extended flanges), which slide through longitudinal block guide channels, which in turn provides stability in both lateral directions. Additionally, each food carrier is rigidly mounted in a longitudinal position to permit consistent viewing and a rigid carving position of the food product part being manipulated.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the removal of parts and portions of meat from poultry, beef, pork, fish, and other various food products by manually cutting and carving the parts and portions from the carcass. Particularly, the present invention relates to the apparatus for presenting food products to a food processing person to remove whole parts, segmenting whole parts, and portions of meat from carcasses of food products and transferring these parts on a take-away conveyance. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus, which supports both whole and portioned food products in a rigid carving position with unique food product process carriers and which further allows configuration of the processing line with multiple specified radius curves and multiple elevation changes. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior food conveyance apparatuses are known to the art. One such conveyor is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,419, issued to Cantrell. The conveyor is formed of rigid segments, which interlock to form a continuous conveyor platform, which extend laterally into guide rails to stabilize the platform upon which the poultry carcasses are supported. The conveyor segments are configured and connected so that the conveyor may only travel along a straight processing line. The conveyor is only flexible in a single direction, so that it may invert when it reaches the end of the processing line to travel back to the beginning of the line. The chicken carcasses are supported on deboning “horns,” which are rigidly mounted on the conveyor platform. The conveyor disclosed in Cantrell presents a number of problems. First, a processing line using the disclosed apparatus may only be positioned along a straight line. It cannot be positioned around a curve to optimize the use of available floor space. Additionally, the platform disclosed is incapable of ascending along an incline or decline. This presents problems in terms of overall design of the integrated processing plant, in that it limits the capability to raise and lower a conveyor to accommodate a second conveyor crossing beneath it. 
     A further problem with a conveyor of the type disclosed is the inability to thoroughly clean the conveyor. Debris that collects along the edges of the conveyor may not be easily dislodged. The area between the adjacent segments of the conveyor platform is inaccessible for cleaning, except at the ends of the processing line, where the conveyor inverts to change its direction of travel. 
     Another such conveyor system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,876, issued to Larry Fortenberry, et al. The conveyor is formed by connecting a plurality of poultry mounts to each other using a chain of cooperative links to form a continuous conveyor. The pivotal junctures between each of the cooperative links are configured so as to provide both lateral and vertical flexibility, allowing the conveyor to be positioned along curves and inclines. Each of the links has a linking post extending from one side and a pair of linking arms extending from the opposite side. The linking arms are spaced apart to receive the linking post of an adjacent link. The links are connected by pins, which extend through apertures in the linking arms and through a bore in the linking post of the adjacent link. The diameter of the bore in the linking post is larger than that of the pin, so that the connection is flexible laterally. Each of the poultry mounts includes a base block, which is stabilized by laterally extending rectangular flanges positioned to slide along guide channels in guide members extending along the conveyor frame. Additionally, each mount includes freely rotatable member for holding the poultry carcasses on the mount. The conveyor disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,876 presents a number of problems. First, the support structures for the conveyor frame is so designed as to only consider support needs for said conveyor. Therefore, when adjacent take-away conveyors are mounted relatively close for proper workstations, an unsanitary condition occurs, as the metal surfaces of both frameworks are typically too close for proper cleaning methods. 
     A further problem with a conveyor of the type disclosed is the ability of the carcass mount to rotate freely. Because the mount can rotate freely, the proper resistance necessary to make a cut on a poultry part or meat portion is not possible. As a cut is being made, the carcass tends to move away from the cutting edge. In addition, the carcass mount design only supports a small amount of the available inside surface area of a carcass leaving the ability of the carcass to move on the support mount. Furthermore, the support mount is not easily and readily adaptable for conversion to other types of processing other than deboning. 
     Additionally, the mount is an integral part of the chain, which is manufactured by others. Removing a pre-manufactured link and replacing with a customized module jeopardizes the integrity of the entire continuous chain. 
     Furthermore, the groove in the guide rail in which the base module flanges are supported is small in size creating difficult sanitary conditions. In addition, because the flange extends in a rectangular shape away from the rectangular base module, the physical area of support for the poultry mount is very small in relation to the overall size of the poultry mount and, therefore, supplies only miniscule support for the poultry mount. Such structure enhances the likelihood that breakage of the support flange occurs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     The principal object of the present invention is to provide a versatile food processing line. The versatility is gained by various and unique food product carriers with each product carrier being designed in particular for a specific process. Each food product carrier provides rigid stability for proper cutting and carving of meat portions. Additionally, each food product carrier allows the highest yields of cuts and carves to be obtained by providing a food carrier, which compliments the shape and/or contour of the food part or carcass. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a versatile food processing line, which can be designed to accommodate plant layout configuration needs involving flexibility to travel along radius turns and elevation changes. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a food processing line, which may be easily and thoroughly cleansed. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a food processing line, which may be integrated into expanded or reduced processing capacity by means of adding or removing generic sections of conveyance. 
     A feature of the invention is the design of the common frame support system. By combining the carrier conveyance system with the take-away conveyance system, a tremendous amount of redundancy in leg frame support is eliminated thus reducing the amount of sanitizing required. Additionally, the proximity of the take-away conveyance is positioned in an optimum position in regards to the worker process station. 
     These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a continuous traveling chain, which consists of cooperative links. The pivotal junctures between each of the cooperative links are configured so as to provide both lateral and vertical flexibility. The cooperative links consists of a linking post on one end and two linking arms on the opposite end spaced apart so that the linking post of an adjacent link will fit between the two arms and the linking post of the adjacent link. The linking post is bored slightly larger than the diameter of the pin, therefore creating the ability of lateral and vertical movement. Each food product carrier is supported by a mounting block, which is designed with flanges facing in a downward direction and whose inside dimension matches the outside dimension of the associated chain link. The mounting block is secured to the chain link by means of extending the stainless steel pins to the length equal to the outside dimension of the mounting block&#39;s downward flanges. Each mounting block is designed with hold-down tabs extending laterally from the mounting block. The mounting block hold-down tabs extend into guide channels of a pair of guide rails which are mounted on opposite sides of each chain. The hold-down tabs are configured in a wedge shape configuration and extend into similarly but inversely configured wedge shaped grooves forming the guide channels. This wedge shape offers the proper amount of necessary support surface area, while not having a detrimental effect of increased friction. 
     A threaded mounting shaft is screwed into the mounting block and secured with a lock nut. The shaft then extends to a specified length needed for supporting the food product carrier. The product carrier is then secured to the mounting shaft by means of a threaded fitting and stainless steel lock nut. The food product carrier is so designed as to allow the food product to be presented in front of the worker position in a fixed and rigid manner. The support structure frame is located directly below the take-away conveyor. Small tube-like supports cantilever from the main support structure to allow reinforced support to the food product carrier conveyance system. The side frame member of the carrier conveyance system is common and is shared with the side frame member of the take-away conveyor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood by one skilled in the art by referring to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the disclosure, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 an elevational side view of the food processing line system of the present invention and illustrates a plurality of spaced food carriers mounted to a food carrier conveyor mechanism supported on a frame. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the food product carrier conveyance system of FIG.  1  and further illustrates a food take-away conveyor mounted between a pair of spaced food carrier conveyors. 
     FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 illustrating two food carrier conveyors and an intermediate food take-away conveyor. A common support assembly is shown supporting the three conveyors. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the embodiment of a food carrier shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3  and illustrates a pair of food carriers mounted on mounting blocks which are affixed to a chain drive assembly of the food carrier conveyors. 
     FIGS. 5-23 are perspective views of different embodiments of the food carriers of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     As may be seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , apparatus  10  of the DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS of the present invention includes a plurality of conveyor systems  12 ,  14  and  16  supported from a common frame  18  having vertical frame components  20  and horizontal frame components  21  placed in spaced strategic locations along the length of the frame  18  for common frame conveyance support of the conveyor systems. A plurality of food carrier assemblies  22  are joined together by a chain drive  24  (more clearly shown in FIG. 4) having a plurality of cooperative links  26 . Each food carrier assembly  22  includes a food support member  26  which is connected to a threaded mounting shaft  28 , of a subscribed length, by means of a stainless steel nut  30 . A second similar nut  32  is located next to the first nut  30  to non-rotatably lock in place shaft  28  of the food carrier assembly  22 . The shaft  28  then extends in threaded relation into the top portion  34  of a mounting block  36 . A third stainless steel nut  29  is threaded on the shaft  28  to lock in place each food carrier assembly  22  to the mounting block  36 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 4 each of the mounting blocks  36  includes a substantially wedged shaped configuration with downward extending flanges  38  and  40  extending on opposite sides of chain drive  24 . A necessary distance is maintained between the links  26  of the chain drive  24  and mounting block  36  for sanitary reasons. The downward extending flanges  38  and  40  have spaced bores  42  and  44  which match the center distances of stainless steel connecting pins  46  of chain assembly  24 . The mounting block  36  also has laterally extended flanges  48  and  50  which bear a wedge (dovetail) shape defined by a pair of upwardly sloping surfaces  41  and  43  which slope upwardly to top surface  34  of block  36 . 
     Support shaft  28  is affixed to and extends substantially perpendicular from the upper surface  34  of the mounting block  36 . The diameter of shaft  28  is equal throughout. Both upper and lower portions of the shaft  28  terminate in a threaded portion to receive nuts  30 ,  32  and  39  in threaded relation. 
     The cooperative links  26  used to join the food carrier assemblies  22  are similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,641,831 issued to Palmaer. As best shown in FIG. 4 each link  26  has a linking post  52  with a bore  54  defined therethrough, and a pair of linking arms  56  and  58  with coaxial apertures  60  defined therethrough. The linking post  52  extends outwardly from the link  26  on the end opposite from the linking arms  56  and  58  and is dimensioned to fit between adjacent link&#39;s arms  52  and  54  of an adjacent link  26 . The links  26  are connected to each other using a plurality of pins  46 , which extend through the apertures  60  in the linking arms  52  and  54 . The diameter of the bores in the linking posts  52  of the cooperative links  26  have a dimension which exceeds that of the diameter of the pin  46  sufficiently so that the pin  46  may move laterally with in the bores additionally slots  44  may be elongated. Each link  26  has a central aperture  62  formed in the body of the link, for engagement with the teeth of the sprocket wheel. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the food carriers  22  are spaced apart along the food carrier conveyor, and are connected by the plurality of links  26 . To provide adequate stability for cutting and carving, the mounting blocks  36  are mounted for slidable movement along parallel guide members  64  and  66  which extend along the length of the conveyor frame (Only a portion of the guide members are shown in FIG.  4 ). The stabilizing lateral flanges  48  and  50  of the mounting blocks  36  extend into tracks  63  and  65  of the opposite guide members  64  and  66 . The links  26 , however, do not extend laterally to meet the guide members  64  and  66  or the conveyor frame, providing an open configuration, which facilitates cleaning of the conveyor. A drive  68  (FIG. 1) rotates a sprocket wheel (not shown), which engages the central apertures  62  in the body of the links  26  to urge the conveyor along the frame  18 . 
     FIG. 4 also shows one embodiment of a food product carrier used for conveying whole and portions of whole poultry. A food support member  72  supporting food on the carrier includes a lower portion  70 , which is a dome shape. At a point tangent to the dome, the middle portion  72  of the food support member is connected to the dome portion  70 . The middle food supporting portion maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  74  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom. The upper portion  74  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  72 . 
     FIG. 5, wherein like numbers refers to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole and portions of the whole poultry. A food support member  72  of the carrier includes a lower portion  70 , which is a dome shape. At a point tangent to the dome, the middle food supporting portion  72  of the carrier is connected to the dome portion  70 . The middle portion  72  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom. The upper portion  74  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  72 . Located at the approximate middle of the elongated shaft  28  is a square shaped tray  76  with small upwards-pointing sides  78 . The bottom portion  80  of the tray has a small diameter bores  82  creating a perforated effect. The tray is used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 6, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier  22  used for conveying whole and portions of whole poultry. A carrier food support member  83  includes a lower portion  84 , which is a circular flat shape. The middle portion  86  of the food support member is connected to the circular flat portion  84 . The middle portion  86  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  88  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  84 . The upper portion  88  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  86 . 
     FIG. 7, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole and portions of whole poultry. A carrier food support  89  member includes a lower portion  88 , which is a circular flat shape. The middle portion  90  of the carrier is connected to the circular lower flat portion  88 . The middle portion  90  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  92  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  88 . The upper portion  92  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  90 . Located at the approximate middle of the elongated shaft  28  is a square shaped tray  94  with small upwards-pointing sides  96 . The bottom portion  98  of the tray has small diameter bores  100  creating a perforated effect. The tray is used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 8, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying two whole and portions of the whole poultry. The carrier includes two food support members  102  and  104  having similar configurations. Each is provided with a lower portion  106  which is a dome shape. At a point tangent to the dome, the middle portion  108  of each support member is connected to the dome portion  106 . The middle portion  108  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  110  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  106 . The upper portion  110  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  108 . The elongated shaft  28  extending upwardly from mounting block  26  connects to a middle horizontal section  112  which then connects to two upper vertical sections  113  and  114  which support the food support members  102  and  104 . 
     FIG. 9, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying two whole and portions of the whole poultry. The carrier includes two food support members  116  and  118  having similar configurations. Each is provided with a lower portion  120  which is a dome shape. At a point tangent to the dome  120 , the middle portion  122  of the carrier is connected to the dome portion. The middle portion  122  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  124  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  120 . The top  124  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  122 . The elongated shaft  28  extending upwardly from mounting block  36  connects middle horizontal bar  126 , which then connects to two upper vertical shafts  128  and  130  which support the food support members. Located at the approximate bottom of the elongated shafts  128  and  130  are square shaped trays  132  with small upwards-pointing sides  134 . The bottom portion  136  of the tray has small diameter bores  138  creating a perforated effect. The trays are used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 10, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying two whole and portions of the whole poultry. The carrier includes two food support members  142  and  144  having similar configurations. Each is provided with a lower portion  140  which is a circular flat shape. The middle portion  146  of members  142  and  144  is connected to the circular flat portion  146 . The middle portion  146  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  146  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  140 . The upper portion  146  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  146 . The elongated shaft  28  extending upwardly from block  26  connects to a middle horizontal section  148  which then connects to two upper vertical sections  150  and  152  which supports the food support members  142  and  144 . 
     FIG. 11, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying two whole and portions of the whole poultry. The carrier includes two food support members  154  and  156  having similar configurations. Each is provided with a lower portion  158  which is a circular flat shape. The middle portion  160  of the members  154  and  156  is connected to the circular flat portion  158 . The middle portion  160  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  162  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  158 . The upper portion  162  is a cap with a matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  160 . The elongated shaft  28  extending upwardly from the mounting block  36  connects to a middle horizontal bar  162  which then connects to two upper vertical sections  164  and  166  which support food support members  154  and  156 . Located at the approximate bottom of the elongated shaft  164  is a square shaped tray  166  with small upwards-pointing sides  168 . The bottom portion  170  of the tray has small diameter bores  172  creating a perforated effect. The tray is used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 12, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole poultry tenders. The carrier includes a flat food support member  174  comprised of a plastic compound base plate  176  with a horizontal groove  178  cut full width of the base plate  176  and a vertical groove  180  cut full height of the base plate  176 . The approximate center of the base plate  176  has a routed indention  182  to match the approximate size and shape of the poultry tenders. 
     FIG. 13, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole poultry tenders. The carrier includes a flat food support member  184  comprised of a plastic compound base plate  186  with a horizontal groove  188  cut full width of the base plate  186  and a vertical groove  190  cut full height of the base plate  186 . The approximate center of the base plate  186  has a routed indention  192  to match the approximate size and shape of the poultry tenders. Located at the approximate center of the elongated shaft  28  is a square shaped tray  194  with small upwards-pointing sides  196 . The bottom portion  198  of the tray has small diameter bores  200  creating a perforated effect. The tray is used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 14, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying a plurality of whole poultry tenders. The carrier includes two flat food support members  202  and  204  having similar configurations. Each is comprised of a plastic compound base plate  206  with a horizontal groove  208  cut full width of the base plate  206  and a vertical groove  210  cut full height of the base plate  206 . The approximate center of the base plate  206  has a routed indention  208  to match the approximate size and shape of the whole poultry tenders. 
     FIG. 15, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole poultry breast fillets. The carrier includes a flat food support member  212  comprised of a plastic compound base plate  214  with a horizontal groove  216  cut full width of the base plate  214  and a vertical groove  218  cut full height of the base plate  214 . The approximate center of the base plate  214  has a routed indention  219  to match the approximate size and shape of the breast filets. 
     FIG. 16, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole poultry breast fillets. The carrier includes a flat food support member  220  comprised of a plastic compound base plate  222  with a horizontal groove  224  cut full width of the base plate  222  and a vertical groove  224  cut full height of the base plate  222 . The approximate center of the base plate  222  has a routed indention  226  to match the approximate size and shape of the poultry breast filet. Located at the approximate center of the elongated shaft  28  is a square shaped tray  228  with small upwards-pointing sides  230 . The bottom portion  232  of the tray has small diameter bores  234  creating a perforated effect. The tray is used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 17, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying two whole poultry breast fillets. The carrier includes two flat food support members  236  and  238  comprised of a plastic compound base plate  240  with a horizontal groove  240  cut full width of the base plate  242  and a vertical groove  244  cut full height of the base plate  240 . The approximate center of the base plate  242  has a routed indention  246  to match the approximate size and shape of the desired poultry part. The support members are spaced on opposite sides of shaft  28  and are angled upwardly to be joined at the ends at their ends  241  at a juncture plate  243 . 
     FIG. 18, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying whole poultry leg quarters. The carrier  22  includes a tilted food support member  248  including a stainless steel base plate  250  approximately rectangular in shape. Located at the top of the base plate  250  are two stainless steel pins  252  which are affixed permanently to the base plate  250 . The poultry parts will be supported in an inverted fashion by means of hanging the pieces from the pins  252 . 
     FIG. 19, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier used for conveying two wholes and two portions of whole poultry leg quarters. The carrier includes food support members  257  comprising two stainless steel base plates  258  and  260  approximately rectangular in shape. Located at the top of each base plate  258  and  260  are two stainless steel pins  262 , which are affixed permantley to the base plates  258  and  260 . The leg quarters will be supported in an inverted fashion by means of hanging them from the pins  262 . The base plates are disposed on opposite sides of shaft  28  and are angled upwardly to be joined together at a juncture plate  259  which is secured to shaft  28 . 
     FIG. 20, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier for conveying extra large portions of whole poultry. The carrier includes an enlarged food support member  264  which is secured to shaft  28  and which is provided with a lower portion  266  which is a circular flat shape. The middle portion  268  of the carrier is connected to the circular flat portion  266 . The middle portion  268  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  270  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  266 . The upper portion  270  is a cap with matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  268 . 
     FIG. 21, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier for conveying extra large portions of whole poultry. The carrier includes an enlarged food support member  272  which includes a lower portion  274  which is a circular flat shape. The middle portion  276  of the carrier is connected to the circular flat portion  274 . The middle portion  276  maintains a conical shape starting with a smaller diameter on the top  278  and ending with a larger diameter on the bottom  274 . The upper portion  278  is a cap with matching circumference as the top of the middle portion  274 . Located at the approximate middle of the elongated shaft  28 , which extends upwardly from mounting block  36  is a square shaped tray  280  with small upwards-pointing sides  282 . The bottom portion  284  of the tray has small diameter bores  286  creating a perforated effect. The tray is used for the conveyance of both poultry parts and scrap. 
     FIG. 22, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier for conveying whole and portions of whole poultry. The carrier includes a food support member  288  which consists of a stainless steel rod  290  bent in an approximate “W” shape. The whole or portion of whole poultry will be supported in an inverted fashion by means of hanging the piece from the double loops of the “W” shape. 
     FIG. 23, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, shows a food product carrier for conveying whole and portions of whole food products. The carrier includes a food support member  292  which includes a tray  294  with upward pointing sides  296 . The tray includes a base  298  having small diameter bores  300  therethrough. The whole or portion of whole food product will be supported in the tray  294  and will be confined to the tray by the sides  296 . Cutting and carving taken place on the food product while traveling along the processing line. 
     It is to be understood that a space exists between conveyor  12  and the takeaway conveyor  16  and the conveyor  14  and the takeaway conveyor  16 . To prevent food from falling into this space, a cap  25  is releasably mounted on the top of the frame along the length thereof. 
     Also, as seen in FIG. 3, personnel ergonomic stands  27  are mounted along the frame. The stands are adjustable to accommodate the height of the meat cutter and are also foldable to be moved away from the meat cutter, as desired. 
     Thus, the present invention provides an advantageous apparatus for conveying whole and portions of whole food products along a processing line. The versatility is gained by the various and unique product carriers with each product carrier being designed in particular for a specific process. Each product carrier provides rigid stability for proper cutting and carving of meat portions. Additionally, each product carrier allows the highest yields of cuts and carves to obtained by providing a carrier, which compliments the shape and/or contour of the food part or carcass. Another asset of the invention is the design of the common frame support system. By combining the carrier conveyance system with the takeaway conveyance system, a tremendous amount of redundancy in leg frame support is eliminated thus reducing the amount of sanitizing required. Additionally, the proximity of the take-away conveyance is positioned in an optimum position in regards to the worker process station. Still another asset of the invention is to provide a versatile food processing line, which can be designed to accommodate plant layout configuration needs involving flexibility to travel along radius turns and elevation changes. The openness of the links and food carriers provides a food processing line, which may be easily and thoroughly cleansed. Finally, the invention provides a food processing line, which may be integrated into expanded or reduced processing capacity by means of adding or removing generic sections of conveyance.