Patent · US Expired

Middle splitter

US5725424A · kind A · utility

7Cited by
8References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 14, 1997
Grant dateMar 10, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 14, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T83/525
  • WIPO fieldOther special machines
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

A middle splitter for use to split an animal's middle into two parts. The splitter has a work table and a conveyor belt to move the middle forward. The splitter also has a circular saw which extends in a longitudinal slot in the conveyor belt. A guide extends from upstream down to the saw. This guide is parallel and extends above the conveyor belt in order to hold the middle against it. The splitter further has a caterpillar drive which extends before and past the saw. The drive is parallel to the conveyor belt and has a contour belt mounted onto a support of longitudinal shape. The contour belt has protruding plates shaped and positioned to engage the middle. The conveyor belt is driven into rotation by a shaft connected to a motor, so that the side of the contour belt nearest the saw moves forward. As a result, when the motor rotates the belt, the drive pulls the middle forward toward the circular saw for it to be cut. A pressure device is provided to push the drive towards the guide to push on the spine and straighten it up while the middle is cut.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.