Method and apparatus for tracking carcasses

• US 20060109133A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 05/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (Cargill, Inc. (Agricultural Services Division))
• Original Assignee: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (Cargill, Inc. (Agricultural Services Division))
• Inventors: Grose, Darren J., Dolezal, Howard G. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 7,772,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/573.100
• CPC Class Codes: A22B 7/007 Means containing information relative to the carcass that can be attached to or are embedded in the conveying means

Abstract

An apparatus and method for identifying a carcass during meat production. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a band sized to fit around a limb of the carcass and a readable identification tag affixed to the band for remote identification of the carcass. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a block adapted to couple to a trolley carrying the carcass and a readable identification tag coupled to or embedded in the block. The readable identification tag may be used to read and write information relating to the carcass to a database.

Claims

1. An apparatus for identifying a carcass during meat production, the apparatus comprising:

a band sized to fit around a limb of the carcass; and

a readable identification tag coupled to the band for remote identification of the carcass.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the readable identification tag is a bar code identification for identification by a bar code reader.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to the band.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a biosensor coupled to the band, adapted to detect the presence of a specified biological organism.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a ferrous wire loop embedded in the band to facilitate detection by a metal detector.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the band is constructed from plastic that is capable of withstanding high temperatures during meat production.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the band is brightly colored to facilitate visual identification.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a sensor embedded in the band for detection of an ambient condition.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the band is shaped as a loop with an opening therein.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the band is formed in frusto-conical shape.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the band is a plastic strip having a first end and a second end, the plastic strip formed into a ring sized to fit around the limb of the carcass by attaching the first end to the second end.

2. (canceled)

13. An apparatus for identifying a carcass during meat production, the apparatus comprising:

a band sized to fit around a gambrel used to support the carcass; and

a readable identification tag coupled to the band for remote identification of the carcass.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the readable identification tag is a bar code identification for identification by a bar code reader.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the band is a plastic strip having a first end and a second end, the plastic strip formed into a ring sized to fit around the gambrel by attaching the first end to the second end.

14. (canceled)

17-43. -43. (canceled)