Method and apparatus for spiral ham slicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for spiral cutting of ham result in incomplete cuts and a high percentage of non-prime products, leading to lost productivity and consumer appeal due to slices lacking structural support from the femur, which can fall off or deform during handling and packaging.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that stabilizes the ham using a pad attached to a shaft and elastic member, ensuring the meat remains secure as it rotates, with a cutting element that progressively elevates to create a continuous spiral cut, minimizing missed cuts and defectively sliced products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a reciprocating knife structure is used for spiral slicing, then the cutting action is achieved, but the meat slices lack structural support and slices fall off or become deformed during handling and packaging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary stabilization of the meat product by inserting a rod through the bone and into the meat before the spiral cutting process begins. This preliminary action ensures that the meat remains stable and supported throughout the cutting operation, preventing slices from falling off or deforming during handling and packaging while still allowing easy removal of the final spiral-sliced product.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ham is cut into half portions for retail, then consumer convenience is improved, but the structural support from the femur is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a rod as an intermediary element that connects to the bone structure and extends into the meat. This intermediary provides continuous structural support throughout the ham, including in half-portions sold at retail, ensuring that even when the ham is divided, the slices maintain their structural integrity and do not fall off or deform during handling and packaging.
3Productivity
If existing spiral slicing apparatus are used, then spiral cutting is achieved, but a high percentage of non-prime products are produced due to incomplete cuts
Solution Approach 1:
The rod is inserted and secured before the cutting process begins, establishing a stable reference structure that guides the cutting operation. This preliminary setup ensures that the spiral blade follows a precise path around the bone, completing full 360-degree cuts around the entire femur length, thereby eliminating incomplete cuts and producing only prime products.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod serves as a physical feedback mechanism that the spiral blade follows during cutting. As the blade rotates around the rod and bone, the rod's position provides continuous guidance, ensuring the blade maintains the correct trajectory and depth, thereby achieving complete and precise spiral cuts around the entire bone structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces the production of non-prime products, ensuring more of the ham is cut efficiently and maintaining the structural integrity of slices, enhancing both productivity and consumer appeal by minimizing the occurrence of 'number 2' products.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the elastic member is securely attached to a portion of the hollow tubular member and the second end of the elastic member is securely attached to the distal end of the shaft, wherein the elastic member comprises means for exerting a force on the distal end of the shaft in a direction from the distal end to the proximal end of the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is drawn to apparatuses and methods for producing improved spirally cut meat products, such as spirally cut hams. The apparatus includes a shaft having a pad disposed at one end, said shaft slidably arranged includes a hollow tube mounted to a bracket. The apparatus includes a lever that rotates about a pivot mounted to the bracket. One end of the lever may engage with the end of the shaft opposite the pad. The apparatus includes an elastic member having one end attached to the tube and the other end affixed to the end of the shaft opposite the pad. As the lever rotates, the shaft may be pushed through the tube in one direction, or pulled in the tube in the other direction, depending on the direction, of rotation of the lever. The bracket may be configured to mount to a meat slicing device having a cutting element that projects through the bracket. Methods of spirally cutting meat products using the meat slicing device and the apparatus are also disclosed.