Apparatus for tracking carcasses

• US 7,772,983 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation (Cargill, Inc. (Agricultural Services Division))
• Original Assignee: Cargill, Inc. (Agricultural Services Division)
• Inventors: Grose, Darren J., Dolezal, Howard G., Cooper, Randall S.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/290,131
• Publication Number:
  US 20060109133A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,714 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/572.4, 340/572.8, 340/573.1, 340/573.3, 340/573.4, 340/10.1, 340/10.42, 340/10.52, 235/375, 235/385, 119/14.14, 209/540, 452/157
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• 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 means for supporting the carcass;

a readable identification tag for remote identification of the carcass;

the readable identification tag being removably coupled to the means for supporting the carcass via a snap-fit coupling; and

a means for housing the readable identification tag.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for housing the readable identification tag comprises a means for coupling the readable identification tag to the means for supporting the carcass.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the readable identification tag comprises an RFID tag.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the RFID tag comprises a passive RFID tag.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the passive RFID tag includes an identification number.

6. The device of claim 3, wherein the RFID tag comprises an active RFID tag adapted for storing information.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequency of about 13.56 megahertz.

8. The device of claim 6, wherein the RFID tag operates at a frequency of about 2.45 gigahertz.

9. The device of claim 1, further including a second RFID tag coupled to the means for supporting the carcass.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the readable identification tag is at least partially embedded in the means for supporting the carcass.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for supporting the carcass includes a barcode identification for identification by a bar code reader.

12. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means for sensing temperature or a means for sensing humidity coupled to the means for supporting the carcass.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a means for detecting the presence of a specified biological organism coupled to the means for supporting the carcass.

14. A device for identifying a carcass during meat production along a meat processing line, the device comprising:

a trolley to support the carcass during meat production;

a readable identification tag for remote identification of the carcass;

the readable identification tag being removably coupled to the trolley via a snap-fit coupling; and

a housing for the readable identification tag.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the trolley comprises a frame and the housing for the readable identification tag is coupled to the frame.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the housing for the readable identification tag comprises a notch.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the notch comprises first and second opposing fingers.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the first and second opposing fingers each comprise an angled surface.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the angled surface of each finger functions as a ramp to guide coupling of the trolley with the notch of the housing.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the housing for the readable identification tag comprises a resilient portion that can flex to provide the snap-fit coupling.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein the readable identification tag comprises an RFID tag.

22. The device of claim 14, further comprising one or more of a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor coupled to the trolley.

23. The device of claim 14, further comprising a sensor that can detect the presence of a specified biological organism coupled to the trolley.