Optimal Hog Carcass Processing System and Method

Abstract

A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.

1 . A method of determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses, the method comprising: 
 collecting data from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses;    determining, based on the data, whether a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning; and    adjusting the cut point of the selected carcass based on the determination of whether the selected carcass is appropriate for boning.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cut point of the selected carcass is set closer to the second rib than to the first rib.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cut point of the selected carcass is set at or about second rib.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the cut point of the selected carcass is set at or after the second rib.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one criterion used for selecting boning carcasses is a weight.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one criterion used for selecting boning carcasses is a lean percentage.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one criterion used for selecting boning carcasses is a pH.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one criterion used for selecting boning carcasses is weight and lean percentage.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the at least one criterion used for selecting boning carcasses is stored and referenced in a table.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising adjusting a laser light located on a cutting table according to whether the carcass is appropriate for boning, wherein the laser light is used to identify the break point of the carcass.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the break point of the carcass is adjusted to two ribs from the head if the carcass will be boned.  
   
   
       12 . A hog processing system for tracking and determining the optimal break point of a plurality of hog carcasses, the system comprising: 
 a computer for collecting and analyzing data, relating to the plurality of hog carcasses, relevant to whether each of the plurality of hog carcasses will be boned;    a trolley identification system for tracking a selected carcass from the plurality of hog carcasses, the trolley system in communication with the computer such that the computer can access and analyze the data associated with the selected carcass to determine if the selected carcass will be boned;    a PLC networked with the computer and configured to receive the analysis from the computer relating to the selected carcass; and    a laser light on a cutting table used for identifying the break point of the selected carcass, wherein the laser light is controlled by a signal from the PLC and adjusted based on the determination of whether the selected carcass will be boned.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the computer collects at least one criterion for identifying a boned carcasses from the plurality of hog carcasses, and further wherein the data is used to determine if the carcass will be boned, based on the at least one criterion.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the trolley system assigns a trolley number to each of the plurality of hog carcasses, and wherein the computer stores the trolley number in association with the data collected for each of the plurality of hog carcasses.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the data relating to the plurality of hog carcasses includes a weight.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the data relating to the plurality of hog carcasses includes a lean percentage.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the data relating to the plurality of hog carcasses includes a pH.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the data relating to the plurality of hog carcasses includes a weight and a lean percentage.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the laser light is adjusted such that the break point of the selected carcass is at two ribs from the head, if the carcass will be boned.  
   
   
       20 . A method of adjusting a break point of a selected carcass, the method comprising: 
 entering criteria for identifying the selected carcasses into a data table, based on suitability for boning;    collecting carcass data from a plurality of carcasses relating to the quality of the plurality of hog carcasses;    comparing the data table with the carcass data and deciding whether to bone the carcass, based on the criteria; and    adjusting a laser light on a cutting table, based on the decision, wherein the laser light is used to align the break point of the selected carcass.    
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the carcass data includes a weight.  
   
   
       22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the carcass data includes a lean content.  
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the carcass data includes a pH.