Apparatus and methods for processing meat

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for slicing and seasoning meat, such as a ham. In one example, the apparatus includes a blade for slicing meat and a sprayer, such as a nozzle, for providing a stream of liquid seasoning in the direction of the blade during slicing, such that the liquid seasoning is distributed in between each slice substantially throughout the cut of meat. The sprayer may be coupled to a domestic water supply and/or at least one reservoir for holding a liquid seasoning. The apparatus may further include a spiral slicing configuration such that the meat is rotated while it is sliced and seasoned. Angling the blade with respect to the meat advantageously provides an opening in the meat so liquid seasoning may be distributed therein during the slicing process. In other examples, multiple sprayers and/or blades may be used.

1 . An apparatus for processing meat, the apparatus comprising: 
 a blade having a cutting edge configured to slice a piece of meat during relative rotation between the blade and the piece of meat, the blade further configured to cause an opening between adjacent slices of the piece of meat during slicing; and    a sprayer aligned substantially co-planar with the cutting edge of the blade, the sprayer further configured to spray a seasoning generally into the opening between the adjacent slices to season the piece of meat.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable mount configured to rotate the piece of meat while the piece of meat is being sliced and seasoned.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the blade is further configured to slice the piece of meat without slicing a bone extending through the piece of meat.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the blade is configured to move around the piece of meat to slice the piece of meat while the piece of meat is kept substantially stationary.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a movable support block having both the blade and the sprayer attached thereto, wherein the movable support block, the blade and the sprayer are configured to move together along a rotational axis of the piece of meat during slicing and spraying.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir configured to hold the seasoning.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the blade further comprises a rearward edge opposite the cutting edge, the rearward edge having a greater thickness than the cutting edge.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the sprayer is aligned substantially co-planar with the rearward edge of the blade, the sprayer being further configured to spray the seasoning generally toward the rearward edge.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump in fluid communication with the sprayer.  
   
   
       10 . A method for processing meat, the method comprising: 
 slicing a piece of meat such that the piece of meat continues to remain substantially intact, wherein said slicing creates an opening between adjacent slices of the piece of meat during said slicing; and    applying a seasoning, substantially concurrently with said slicing, in the opening between the adjacent slices of the piece of meat.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , additionally comprising rotating the piece of meat during at least a portion of said slicing.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said slicing comprises moving a blade along a length of the piece of meat while the piece of meat is rotated.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said applying a seasoning comprises spraying at least one seasoning.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , additionally comprising mixing the seasoning with a water supply prior to said spraying.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the piece of meat comprises a non-planar surface.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the piece of meat comprises a bone extending therethrough, and wherein the adjacent slices of the piece of meat remain substantially attached to the bone during said slicing.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein said slicing is performed at least in part by an elongated reciprocating blade.  
   
   
       18 . An apparatus for slicing and seasoning a piece of meat, the apparatus comprising: 
 means for slicing meat and creating an opening between adjacent slices of the meat, wherein said means for slicing allows the adjacent slices to remain attached together following slicing; and    means for applying a seasoning in the opening between the adjacent slices of the meat, wherein said means for applying operates substantially currently with said means for slicing.    
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising means for rotating the meat during slicing and seasoning of the meat.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said means for slicing and said means for spraying are configured to move together along a rotational axis of the meat.