Abstract:
A cutting system that conveys a meat product to the throat and blade of a saw. A positioning conveyor positions the meat product into a predetermined position. An adjustable laser is then used to locate a predetermined area of the meat product so that the saw blade can be adjusted to align with the laser beam before cutting of the meat product.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to meat processing machines. More specifically this invention relates to a cutting system and a method of cutting meat using the same. 
     Meat cutting systems have been around for many years. One example is a system utilized to separate the butt from the picnic cut of meat. In this system the shoulder is hung on a shackle on a transport conveyor that transports the shoulder to a positioning conveyor. The positioning conveyor then utilizes a hook to rotate the leg into a predetermined position and the leg is conveyed to the throat of a stationary saw. Specifically the shoulder is positioned to attempt to align using the (Brachial) vein of the leg that runs between the shoulder and leg bone as a reference point with the blade of the saw such that when the shoulder is conveyed through the throat, the blade cleanly cuts the butt from the picnic at the most opportune position. 
     In current practice the operator is unable to properly align the blade of the saw with the optimal cut line using the vein of the leg to provide the exact cut as needed on the horizontal conveyor. As a result an inconsistent cut occurs. Sometimes this results in a portion of the humerus bone being included with the butt. In other instances much of the butt is left on the picnic after the cut, decreasing the yield of the pork from the cutting process. 
     In an attempt to improve the yield and provide a more consistent cut, manufacturers have begun using lasers to assist in the cutting process. In particular, machine operators attempt to use stationary lasers to manually position the vein of the leg as compared to the blade of the saw. Using the laser as a guide, workers physically move the shoulder to align the vein with the blade. While an improvement, obvious problems still remain. Having a person manually align the shoulder is susceptible to human error and human injury. Thus, yield is still lost or a portion of the humerus bone is included with the butt. 
     Therefore, a principal objective of the present invention is to provide a cutting system that will maximize the yield of meat cut from a meat product. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to improve worker safety. 
     These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the rest of the specification and claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A cutting system having a positioning conveyor that places a meat product in a predetermined location. A cutting apparatus is provided that has a saw body with a throat and a blade both that receive the meat product. An adjustable laser is provided that shines a laser beam on the meat product approaching the throat and blade and can adjust to shine at a predetermined location on the meat product. The cutting system then has an adjustment system that moves the saw body to align the blade with the predetermined location on the meat product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cutting system; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a cutting system; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a cutting system; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a cutting system; and 
         FIG. 5  is a partial side view of a cutting system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to the figures, a cutting system  10  includes a transport conveyor  12 , a positioning conveyor  14 , an adjustable cutting assembly  16 , an adjustable laser assembly  18 , and a controller  19 . The transport conveyor  12  extends longitudinally above the floor and preferably includes a continuous chain  20  slidably mounted to a track  22 . A plurality of shackles  24  are attached to the chain  20  and are used to secure a meat product  26  to the transport conveyor  12 . 
     The positioning conveyor  14  is positioned below and in spaced alignment with a portion of the transporting conveyor  12 . Preferably the positioning conveyor  14  is set at a 30 degree angle in relation to the floor and has a continuous chain  28  slidably mounted to a track  30 , a plurality of flights  32  connected to the chain, and a guide bar  34  positioned in spaced relation to a portion of the chain  28  to, in part, prevent the meat product  26  from engaging the chain  28 . 
     The adjustable cutting assembly  16  is positioned adjacent the positioning conveyor  14  so as to receive the meat product  26  for cutting. The assembly  16  includes a housing  38  that has a throat section/opening  40 . Disposed within and secured to the housing  38  is a saw (not shown) with a saw blade  42  that extends out of the housing  38  and across the upper portion of the throat  40 . Rotatably connected to the housing  38  are a pair of links  44  that are rotatably connected to a bracket  46  secured to a frame  48 . Disposed within the control box  58  is a linear actuator  62  that is connected to the link arms  44  in a manner that causes the link arms  44  to rotate as the linear actuator  62  extends and retracts. A pneumatic cylinder  50  is secured to the frame  48  at one end and the housing  38 . This cylinder  50  is used to assist the raising of the cutting assembly  16 . 
     The adjustable laser assembly  18  is positioned adjacent the cutting assembly  16  and includes a laser beam emitting device  52  connected to a support member  54 . Rotatably attached to the support member  54  are a pair of link arms  56  that are rotatably connected to a control box  58 . Disposed within the control box  58  is a linear actuator  60  that is connected to the link arms  56  in a manner that causes the link arms  56  to rotate as the linear actuator  60  extends and retracts. 
     In operation, the transport assembly  12  delivers a meat product  26  to a positioning assembly  14 . As the meat product  26  engages the flight  32  and guide bar  34 , the product  26  is advanced forward of shackle  24  and maintained in a desired position for cutting. The positioning conveyor  14  runs at a speed synchronous to the transport conveyor  12 . As the product  26  moves along the positioning conveyor  14  toward the cutting assembly  16  an operator positions the beam of the laser device  52  such that the beam aligns with the desired cut line of the meat product  26 . This is done by using the selector switch  64  to extend or retract actuator  60 . The position of actuator  60  is sent to the controller  19 . The controller  19  sends a signal to the linear actuator  62 . The actuator  62  extends or retracts to match the position of actuator  60 . Therefore, the cutting assembly  16  is raised or lowered to match the position of the laser device  52  which aligns the blade  42  with the desired cut line. 
     Once adjusted, the positioning conveyor  14  and transport conveyor  12  deliver the meat product  26  to the throat  40  of the cutting assembly  16  where the blade  42  cuts the meat product  26  along the desired cut line. As the meat product  26  exits the cutting assembly, the cut portion of the meat product drops to a conveyor or hopper and the attached portion is transported away for further processing. In a preferred embodiment, the meat product  26  is transported at a speed of six inches per second and the meat products are spaced at intervals of eighteen inches. This allows three seconds for an operator to make the needed adjustments. 
     Thus provided is a cutting system  10  that uses a laser  52  to adjust the position of a cutting assembly  16  before cutting. By using the system  10 , uniform cuts are provided causing more yield than previous systems and methods. In addition, an operator can control the system from the selector switch  64  without having to manually move the meat product thus improving safety. Thus at the very least all of the stated objectives have been met.