A tenderness testing device and a method of determining tenderness

摘要

970, 209. Tenderness testing; recording apparatus. FEED SERVICE CORPORATION. Sept. 17, 1962 [Feb. 7, 1962], No. 35350/62. Headings G1J and G1S. A meat tenderness testing device comprises a cylindrical cutter 21 having a dull blade shaped as shown in Fig. 1A. The end cap 25 is removed from the device and spikes 73 are inserted in the meat to initially position the cutter which is slidably and rotatably mounted and urged towards the meat with a constant force by four springs 57. Additional springs 92 may be used to counteract the additional force due to the weight of the cutter and associated parts if the machine is used in a vertical position. The cutter is rotated by means of a motor 29 a predetermined number of times, a follower 74 preventing meat falling into the path of cutter, and the depth to which the cutter penetrates is shown by means of a resilient stylus engaging a drum 79 which moves axially with the cutter and is rotated therewith.