US 12,108,768 B2
Meat processing method and apparatus
Declan Arthur McDonnell, Blackrock (IE); Sven Gerhard Dudeck, Kirchheim (DE); Eik Arnold, Munich (DE); and Matthias Goldammer, Munich (DE)
Assigned to DEVRONE UNLIMITED COMPANY, Ardee (IE)
Appl. No. 17/786,560
Filed by DEVRONE UNLIMITED COMPANY, Ardee (IE)
PCT Filed Dec. 9, 2020, PCT No. PCT/EP2020/085389
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jun. 17, 2022,
PCT Pub. No. WO2021/122247, PCT Pub. Date Jun. 24, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 19218654 (EP), filed on Dec. 20, 2019; and application No. 19218659 (EP), filed on Dec. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0022593 A1, Jan. 26, 2023
Int. Cl. A22C 17/00 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC A22C 17/0086 (2013.01) [A22C 17/004 (2013.01); A22C 17/0093 (2013.01); B25J 11/0045 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A meat processing apparatus comprising an automated analysis stage comprising:
a radiation-shielded chamber,
a tomography scanner with a scanner controller, and arranged to perform analysis of meat parts,
a digital data processor linked with the scanner for processing scan data and providing outputs,
a port for entry and exit of meat parts placed in carriers into and out of the chamber for analysis by the scanner, and
a handling system for automated movement of the carriers between the port and the scanner, and a controller for the handling system,
wherein the scanner comprises a loading conveyor having a bed with a flat planar surface for supporting a carrier while allowing access by a gripper for engaging the carrier.