Meat processing equipment having improved yieldable arresting means

摘要

Meat processing equipment is disclosed that includes a first element having a first face; a second element having a second face. The first and second faces extend parallel to one another and define a common plane between the first and second faces. The first and second elements are relatively movable with respect to one another. Yieldable arresting features are included for yieldably arresting the first and second elements in at least one predetermined position of relative movement, the yieldable arresting features include cooperating first and second permanent magnets associated with at least one of the first and second elements.

主权项

1. Meat processing equipment for conveying a piece of meat along a processing path and allowing selective reorientation of the piece of meat as it moves along the processing path, the meat processing equipment comprising:
a first element having a first face; a support configured to receive and support a piece of meat, the support being selectively orientable with respect to the first element; a second element having a second face and being mounted to the support such that orientation of the second element relative to the first element causes corresponding orientation of the support relative to the first element; a plunger slidably held in a cavity extending through the face of one of the first element and the second element, the plunger being movable within the cavity between a first position projecting out of the cavity and a second position retracted into the cavity relative to the first position; an indexing feature formed in the other one of the first and second elements and being positioned for engagement by the plunger when the plunger is moved to the first position; the plunger and the indexing feature, when engaged, defining yieldable arresting means for yieldably arresting the second element and the support in at least one predetermined orientation relative to the first element; at least first and second permanent magnets associated with at least one of the first and second elements and the plunger, the first and second permanent magnets being arranged to urge the plunger yieldably to its first position engaging the indexing feature; and a turning station positioned and configured to interact with the second element as the meat is conveyed along the processing path so as to orient the second element and thereby the support and the piece of meat in the at least one predetermined orientation.