System for food product casing removal

摘要

An automated casing removal system for removing the casing of encased food products supported on a support frame. An inclined surface on the support frame has a staging area onto which encased food product is loaded. The staging area has a cutting member moveable along a portion of the length of the staging area, and a stop mechanism downstream from the cutting member on the inclined surface. The stop mechanism extends within a plane which intersects the inclined surface to prevent the food product from moving down the inclined surface. The staging area has retaining member upstream of the stop mechanism which retains the casing to unravel the casing from the food product as the food product rolls down the inclined surface when the stop mechanism is removed.

主权项

1. A system for removing a casing from an encased food product, the system comprising:
an inclined surface including a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is higher in elevation than the bottom end; a cutting member configured to move relative to the inclined surface and the encased food product to slit the casing of the encased food product; a retaining member configured to retain the casing of the encased food product subsequent to slitting the casing; a staging area at least partially defined by and positioned at the top end of the inclined surface, and wherein the staging area is configured to receive the encased food product prior to being slit by the cutting member; and a slot defined in the inclined surface, wherein at least a portion of the cutting member is positioned in the slot and is configured to move within and along the slot, through the inclined surface.