Jeffrey Alfred Pyatt

US Patent:

6688461, Feb 10, 2004

Filed:

Jul 23, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/911110

Inventors:

Rocky S. Frazier - Guntersville AL
Jeffrey A. Pyatt - Boaz AL

Assignee:

Fabco Equipment Company, Inc. - Huntsville AL

International Classification:

B65G 2900

US Classification:

19886709, 452165, 452177, 452196, 452197

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.