Method and apparatus for tracking carcasses

• US 6,724,309 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (Cargill, Inc. (Agricultural Services Division))
• Original Assignee: Excel Incorporated
• Inventors: Grose, Darren J., Dolezal, Howard G. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US10/000,965
• Publication Number:
  US 20020054940A1
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/10.1, 340/10.42, 340/10.52, 452/157, 452/158, 452/173, 235/375, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• 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. A device for identifying a carcass hanging from a trolley, during meat production along a meat processing line, the device comprising:

a block adapted to couple to a frame of the trolley, the block including a base and two generally parallel arms defining a notch configured to surround the frame; and

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

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the readable identification tag is an RFID tag.

3. The device of claim 2 further including a second RFID tag coupled to the block.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein one of the arms includes a compartment for housing the RFID tag.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the passive RFID tag includes an identification number.

7. The device of claim 2 wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag adapted for storing information.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequency of about 13.56 megahertz.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequency of about 2.45 gigahertz.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the RFID tag is embedded in the block.

11. The device of claim 1 wherein the arms extend substantially the entire distance along a first and a second opposing edge of the base and are disposed generally perpendicular to the base.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein each of the arms includes a finger extending substantially the entire distance along the corresponding arm and extend generally parallel to the base, the fingers having an angled edge such that when the block contact the trolley frame, the opposing arms separate allowing the frame to mate with the notch.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the base defines a generally central opening adapted to accept an axle of the trolley.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the block includes a barcode identification for identification by a bar code reader.

15. The device of claim 1 further comprising a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor coupled to the block.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a biosensor coupled to the block, the biosensor adapted to detect the presence of a specified biological organism.

17. The device of claim 1 further comprising a supplemental fastener for further coupling the block to the trolley.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the block is made from a plastic material.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of:

polyethylene, acetyl, polypropylene, and nylon.

20. A device for tracking a carcass hanging from a trolley, during meat production along a meat processing line, the device comprising a block adapted to couple to a frame of the trolley, the block including a housing and two generally parallel arms defining a trolley notch adapted to couple to the frame, and an RFID tag coupled to the block.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein the housing includes first and second fingers extending laterally across the housing, the fingers having a leading edge having an angle sufficient to allow the frame to cause the fingers to separate and engage the frame.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein the housing defines an opening adapted to accept an axle of the trolley such that when engaged the block is restricted from moving longitudinally along the frame.

23. The device of claim 20 wherein the trolley notch is disposed closer to a first end than to a second end of the housing.

24. The device of claim 23 wherein the RFID tag is embedded within the housing near the second end.

25. The device of claim 20 wherein the block includes a barcode identification for identification by a bar code reader.

26. The device of claim 20 further comprising a temperature sensor or a humidity sensor coupled to the block.

27. The device of claim 20 further comprising a biosensor coupled to the block, the biosensor adapted to detect the presence of a specified biological organism.

28. The device of claim 20 further comprising a supplemental fastener for further coupling the block to the trolley.

29. The device of claim 20 wherein the block is made from a plastic material.

30. The device of claim 29 wherein the plastic material is selected from the group consisting of:

polyethylene, acetyl, polypropylene, and nylon.

31. The device of claim 20 wherein the RFID tag is a passive RFID tag.

32. The device of claim 20 wherein the RFID tag is an active RFID tag adapted for storing information.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequency of about 13.56 megahertz.

34. The device of claim 32 wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequency of about 2.45 gigahertz.