Mechanical deboning of meat from animals

Abstract

An apparatus and a process for extracting beef, pork or lamb meat from crushed and dismembered beef, pork or lamb pieces is provided. The extracting method is based on mechanical separation utilizing heated water spray within a rotating drum assembly for removal and separation of meat from bone and collagen. The water is collected, pumped into a holding tank, and may be flavored with natural meat flavor extract and antifoam agent for recycle within the process. The apparatus includes a hopper, an inclined rotating drum assembly having perforated or slotted walls and an internally located nozzle dispensing a water spray for separating meat from bones, a tank having at least one water jet for separating meat from bone fragments, a vibrating dewatering apparatus for separating meat from the water, and a recircualtion system for collection, reheating, and re-using the solution of water and optionally, flavor extract. The apparatus provides bone free beef, pork or lamb that retains the natural meat flavor and has a low bacterial count because the process is performed in 170° F. water solution.

1 . An apparatus for extracting meat from crushed or dismembered beef, pork or lamb pieces comprising: 
 conveying pieces into a hopper;    conveying pieces from said hopper to a drum assembly for receiving said fractured shells, said drum assembly comprising:    a rotating drum having a plurality of perforations therein;    a nozzle for pressurized dispersion of a solution in warm water into the drum to separate said meat from bones;    a separation assembly operatively connected to said drum assembly for receiving said meat and said solution, said separation assembly segregating said meat from said solution;    a solution holding tank fluidically connected to said separation assembly for receiving said solution from said separation assembly and from said drum assembly, and for supplying said solution to said drum assembly; and    means for transporting said solution from said separation assembly to said holding tank, and from said holding tank to said drum assembly.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said holding tank further comprises a heating element capable of warming said solution to a temperature of approximately 170° F.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said drum assembly is inclined, with a first elevated end associated with said means for conveying pieces from said hopper and a second lower end operatively associated with said separation assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said perforations in said rotating drum are holes of approximately 0.25 inch in diameter.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 1  wherein said perforations in said rotating drums are slots of approximately 0.025 inch in width.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said nozzle is positioned inside said rotating drum, and said drum assembly further comprises a sluice jacket positioned around a lower portion of said rotating drum, said sluice jacket collecting meat pieces and solution passed through said perforations in said drum.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said sluice tank further comprises a grooved inclined surface for allowing a continuous flow of said meat and said solution across said surface from a first elevated end to a second lower end of said sluice tank.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus for extracting meat as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said solution holding tank further comprises a means for dispensing meat flavor extract into said solution holding tank.  
   
   
       9 . A process for extracting meat from crushed and dismembered beef, pork and lamb pieces comprising the steps of: 
 depositing crushed and dismembered pieces into a hopper;    washing said pieces with a water solution;    removing said meat from bone material;    segregating said separated meat and said solution from said bone material;    separating said meat from said solution;    collecting said solution; and    re-circulating said solution from said collecting step to said washing step.    
   
   
       10 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said washing step comprises washing said bones and said meat with a solution heated to approximately 170° F.  
   
   
       11 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said meat removing step further comprises providing a drum assembly, said drum assembly receiving said bones and said meat from said washing step.  
   
   
       12 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said meat removing step further comprises: 
 providing a rotating drum;    providing a nozzle inside said rotating drum; and    providing a solution to said nozzle, wherein said nozzle directs said solution at said beef, pork or lamb pieces.    
   
   
       13 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a rotating drum further comprises providing walls of said drum having a plurality of holes of approximately 0.25 inch diameter, wherein said nozzle directs said solution at said pieces and said meat, forcing said solution and said meat through said holes, said solution and said meat exiting said rotating drum.  
   
   
       14 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the step of providing a rotating drum further comprises providing walls of said drum having a plurality of slots having a width of about 0.025 inch diameter, wherein said nozzle directs said solution at said meat pieces and said meat, forcing said solution and said meat through said holes, said solution and said meat exiting said rotating drum.  
   
   
       15 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said segregating step further comprises: 
 providing a first step having a first tank receiving said meat, said bone pieces and said solution from said removing step;    providing a sluice tank, said sluice tank receiving said meat and said solution from said bone pieces; and    providing a second separating step having a second tank receiving said meat and said solution from said step of providing said sluice tank.    
   
   
       16 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 15 , wherein said second separating step further comprises separation said solution by the steps of: 
 reciprocating a perforated pan containing meat and solution;    vibrating a screen, said screen collecting meat; and    providing a container underneath said vibrating screen, said container collecting solution.    
   
   
       17 . The process for extracting meat as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said re-circulating step further comprises: 
 collecting solution for said washing step, said removing step, said segregating step, said separating step, and said collection step;    provide piping for distributing said solution to a holding tank;    reheating said solution in said tank to at least 170° F.;    optionally mixing meat flavor extract into said reheated solution; and    dispensing said reheated solution to said meat removing step.