Field of the Invention The invention relates to a device for processing of meat products, using one or more powered saws. In particular the invention relates to the separation of loin meat from the bone structure, in particular to removal of one or more bones from a striploin carcass portion. Background

Powered saws are used for processing various meat products. Traditionally, in high throughput processing plants, meat products are manually manipulated on a bandsaw, by a human operator. Whilst an important step in many processing methods, manually operated bandsaws can be, and often are, very dangerous to the operator(s).

Processing of meat on a bandsaw requires the operator to grip the product with his or her hands and to physically pass the product through the bandsaw blade. As such the operators hands travel extremely close to the blade and chances of contact with the blade are increased.

Due to the risk involved with this method, the operator cannot cut the meat product as close to the optimal position as possible. Further, accurate alignment of saws with the, meat is difficult in many prior systems. This leads to losses in yield and processing inefficiency.

Current bandsaw safety systems which can, simultaneously, increase yield and remove operator risk, do not exist in the industry. In other applications circular saws are used and similar considerations apply.

Powered saws are used in various meat processing applications, including but not limited to the processing of animal carcasses, carcass portions and other meat products.

Reference to any prior art in this specification does not constitute an admission that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. It is an object of the invention to address at least some of the above problems or disadvantages associated with current powered saw meat processing, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Summary of the Invention

In a first aspect the invention provides an apparatus for separating loin meat from a striploin carcass portion, the striploin carcass portion including ribs, a chine bone and loin meat, the apparatus including: a holder configured to hold a striploin carcass portion; a first cutting device arranged for cutting the chine bone away from the loin meat; a support arrangement configured to support the striploin carcass portion during cutting; the holder and the first cutting device being configured for relative movement so as to cause relative cutting movement between a striploin carcass portion held in the holder and the first cutting device, wherein during said relative cutting movement the chine bone is removed from the loin meat.

Preferably a human operator's hands do not touch the loin meat during said relative cutting movement. Preferably the first cutting device is fixed and the holding device moves relative to the first cutting device to pass a striploin carcass portion through the first cutting device. Preferably the relative cutting movement is along a linear slide-way.

Preferably the first cutting device is a bandsaw.

Alternatively the first cutting device is a serrated circular knife.

Alternatively the first cutting device is a circular saw.

Preferably the apparatus further includes a second cutting device arranged for cutting the ribs away from the loin meat.

Preferably the second cutting device is a circular saw.

Alternatively the second cutting device is a bandsaw, Preferably the first and second cutting devices are mounted in fixed relation to each other.

Preferably the support is a static support. Alternatively the support is a dynamic support that moves with the holder.

Preferably the apparatus allows linear movement of the loin without a human operator having to touch the clamped product. Preferably the apparatus includes an alignment arrangement configured to assist a human operator in mounting a striploin carcass portion in the holder such that it is correctly aligned with respect to the first cutting device. Preferably the alignment arrangement includes one or more visual elements.

Preferably the visual elements include one or more laser lines projected onto a striploin carcass portion positioned in the holder, such that alignment of the laser lines with particular parts of the striploin carcass portion aligns the striploin carcass portion correctly with respect to the cutting devices.

Preferably the holder includes first and second clamps configured to engage the ends of the striploin carcass portion. Preferably the clamps have handles by which a human operator may move the holder relative to the cutting devices.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of separating loin meat from a striploin carcass portion, the striploin carcass portion including ribs, a chine bone and loin meat, the apparatus including: mounting the striploin carcass portion in a holder configured to hold a striploin carcass portion; moving the holder relative to a first cutting device, the first cutting device being arranged for cutting the chine bone away from the loin meat, wherein the moving step causes relative cutting movement between a striploin carcass portion held in the holder and the first cutting device, wherein during said relative cutting movement the chine bone is removed from the loin meat and during said relative cutting movement the striploin carcass portion is supported by a support arrangement. Brief Description Of Figures

One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation of the apparatus;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a striploin carcass portion;

Figure 5 shows the alignment of a cutting device to a striploin carcass portion; and

Figure 6 shows a striploin carcass portion after removal of the chine bone. Detailed description

The apparatus provides a holder and cutting arrangement for processing a striploin carcass portion, in such a way to allow removal of the chine bone and optionally also rib bone(s), with minimal yield (saleable material) loss and without requiring physical contact by a human operator with the striploin carcass portion.

The striploin comes from removing, from the shortloin, the tenderloin (muscle that runs on the inside of the ribs) and all bones. The shortloin is the section between the ribs and the pelvic bone incorporating vertebrae, featherbones and transverse processes (short rib sections), where, at least in beef products, the vertebrae are split in half (because beef is processed as two sides). In this specification the term "striploin carcass portion" refers to the striploin meat with ribs and chine bone still attached (i.e. the shortloin with the tenderloin removed). A striploin carcass portion is shown in cross-section in Figure 4. The chine bone C and ribs R are attached to the striploin meat M. In general the striploin meat includes three muscles, the longissimus dorsi Ml , gluteus medius M2 and multifidus dorsi M3. The invention involves processing of the striploin carcass portion to remove those bones, separating the striploin meat. After processing some bones may remain, such as featherbones and transverse processes, which may be boned out manually.

The holder holds the striploin carcass portion, and the striploin carcass portion may be aligned in the holder such that relative movement of the holder and cutting devices causes the striploin carcass portion to follow a predetermined path through the one or more cutting devices (either by movement of the carcass portion relative to the cutting devices, or movement of the cutting devices relative to the carcass portion).

The one or more cutting devices may be any suitable devices, preferably powered saws. In some embodiments a single cutting device is provided. In other embodiments two or more cutting devices may be used. Each cutting device may be either a bandsaw or a circular saw.

The apparatus may also include an alignment arrangement that aids a human user to align a striploin carcass portion in the holder.

Embodiments of the apparatus of the invention may be configured with varying levels of automation. In one embodiment an operator may manually load, unload and actuate the process. Relative movement of the carcass portion with respect to the cutting devices may be caused manually or automatically. The movement may be guided or restricted by one or more guides, such as rails, sliding carriages or the like.

Embodiments of the invention may be used to cut and process carcass portions from a wide variety of animals, including but not limited to sheep, cattle, goats and pigs. Depending on the particular type of animal carcass and the section of the carcass to be removed, the cutting devices may be adapted accordingly so as to be appropriately dimensioned and configured to cut the relevant section with sufficient efficiency. Similarly, due to the differing size requirements for different types of animals, the different sections of the carcass to be removed, the cutting devices may be adapted to provide the particular required cut.

Referring to figures 1 , 2 and 3, there is shown an embodiment of apparatus according to the invention, generally marked 1. While this apparatus includes two cutting devices for removal of chine and rib bones, other embodiments may include only the cutting device for removal of the chine bone. In general one or more cutting devices will be provided. Apparatus 1 includes two pneumatic handles 2 which include two pneumatic activator switches 3. A holder includes two handles 2 and two clamps 12. The handles 2 are connected by a pneumatic cylinder 7, which is activated by depressing switches 3 on the handles 2. Alternatively a foot pedal 4 or other suitable actuator may be used to activate the pneumatic cylinder 7. Activation of the pneumatic cylinder 7 causes inward movement of two clamps 12, one positioned near each handle 2. The clamps 12, handles 2 and pneumatic cylinder 7 are secured on to a platform, which may be in the form of ninety degree section 15. The ninety degree section 15 is connected to a linear rail 13, allowing linear translation of the clamps 12 and handles 2 along the rail 13. The holder is therefore constrained to move in a predetermined path along the rail 13.

The pneumatic mechanism may be provided with force feedback or pressure sensors, or the like, in order to provide a desired clamping force.

A first cutting device 6 and a second cutting device 5 are positioned relative to a base table 14 and are aligned at such an angle and position to allow optimum cut for specified product(s). In use, a human operator positions a striploin carcass portion in the holder between the two clamps 12 and then moves the holder and carcass portion through the cutting devices 5, 6. As the holder moves along the rail 13, the table 14 supports the carcass section between the two clamps 12. Alternatively a moving support may be provided, for example a plate on which the two holders are mounted. The moving support therefore moves with the holders.

The handles 2 may each include a buttons which, when activated together, engage both saw systems. This ensures that a users hands are both positioned on the handles 2, out of the way of the cutting devices.

The first cutting device may be a bandsaw, such as a tri-wheel bandsaw. The bandsaw is composed of three pullies (at angled increments), a blade and a motor. The pulley's three-wheel arrangement forces the bandsaw blade to a predetermined angle with the cutting table 14. Preferably, the blade is set to an optimum angle for cutting. The bandsaw provides a means for the removal of the spinal column (i.e. the "chine bone") from the product.

The second cutting device may be a circular saw. The circular saw is positioned to cut simultaneously with the bandsaw at a given fixed or variable angle. The circular saw comprises a means for removal of rib bones, simultaneously while the bandsaw removes the spinal column. The second cutting device may be positioned adjacent the first cutting device or either upstream or downstream of the second cutting device. That is, the carcass portion may enter the two cutting devices at the same point of travel, or may enter one cutting device before the other.

The product is loaded onto table 14 in such a position as to align the product cut lines to indicators provided by an alignment arrangement, which may include lasers 1 1. The position should reflect the optimum cutting angle (0°- 35° from horizontal for removal of the chine bone, depending on product) to remove the chine bone and/or rib bone(s). The product should be positioned in such a way to allow stability when clamping.

Figure 5 shows a striploin carcass portion in cross-section. The position of the first cutting device 6 is also shown. As the carcass portion moves through the first cutting device 6 the chine bone C is separated from the striploin meat M. Figure 6 shows the striploin carcass portion after removal of the chine bone C. The second cutting device 5 makes a cut along the junction between the ribs R and the striploin meat M. The junction is clearly shown in Figures 4-6, although the position of the second cutting device 5 is not shown.

The alignment arrangement may include laser spots or lines, either directed in the path of the cut or aligned with desired position of a particular point of anatomy, or otherwise aiding correct alignment of the striploin carcass portion in the holder. The user may position the carcass portion in the holder such that it aligns appropriately with the laser spots or lines. Referring to the embodiment shown in figures 1, 2 and 3, the product should be loaded with the chine bone facing away from the handles 2 and lying along the length of the support table 14. In the embodiment shown two lasers 1 1 are used to align the product 9 to the blades 6 and 5. The product is held in place by clamps 12. Clamps 12 can be activated by manually by pushing them closer, or semi-manually by engaging the pneumatic cylinder 7 or automatically, with sensors detecting the product alignment and clamping as needed. The clamped product is supported by base table 14.

Blades 6 and 5 can only be initiated when thumb buttons 3 are simultaneously depressed. The activation (and continued running) of the blades requires both the operator's thumbs to hold down buttons 3. If at any stage of the process the thumb buttons are disengaged, the blades will stop running. This is a built in safety feature which eliminates the possibility of the contact between the operator and blade. The operator's hands must both be safely positioned on the handles in order for the blades to run. The laser lights 1 1 are aligned to the bandsaw blade 6 which allow the operator to align the product to the blade with a visual reference.

Once the aforementioned buttons 3 are depressed, the product can then be moved through the cut (relative to the original load position) on linear rail 13. The product can be moved manually, with the operator moving the holder, or the holder can be moved using an automated method.

The system operation panel 10 controls the overall electrical processes of the system. The hydraulic cylinders 8 can be used to adjust for product specifications. Embodiments of the invention may be adapted for use in combination with systems found in existing meat processing plants. In particular, embodiments of the invention are preferably adapted to be used in conjunction with known conveyors used for transporting a carcass, or portions thereof, around such plants.

The Applicant's invention provides significant improvements in safety and reduced wastage. While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.