A method and apparatus are disclosed for cross-stream samnpling of bulk material from a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a sampler movable across the conveyor belt for segregating a cross-stream increment of bulk material from the belt and ejecting the sample into a collection chute positioned adjacent the belt. The sampler has a trapezoidal cross-section so that the surface area which is projects upstream of the bulk material flow is relatively small in comparison to its sample-accepting c...

A method and apparatus are disclosed for cross-stream sampling of bulk material from a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a sampler movable through an arcuate path across the conveyor belt for removing a cross-stream increment of bulk material from the belt. Provision is made for modulating the normal troughing of the conveyor belt and supporting and conforming the belt to the arcuate path of the sampler. When the conveyor belt is modulated to conform to the arcuate path of the sampler and th...

An operator protective device for operator controlled apparatus, the protective device including a platform upon which an operator may be situated and a canopy extending over at least a portion of the platform and having at least an overhanging portion thereof spaced from the platform to provide a protective cover over an operator situated on the platform. Means is provided to selectively increase and decrease the relative spaced apart distance between the platform and the portion of the canopy ...

A method and apparatus are provided for cross-stream sampling of bulk material on a belt conveyor. The cross-stream sampling apparatus disclosed includes sample taking elements movable across the conveyor for removing a cross-stream increment of bulk material and contour elements for modulating the normal troughing of the conveyor belt and supporting and conforming the conveyor belt to the operative course of the sample taking elements as it moves across the conveyor belt. One form of the method...

A method and apparatus are disclosed for cross-stream sampling of bulk material from a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a sampler movable across the conveyor belt for segregating a cross-stream increment of bulk material from the belt and ejecting the sample into a collection chute positioned adjacent the belt. The sampler has a trapezoidal cross-section so that the surface area which it projects upstream of the bulk material flow is relatively small in comparison to its sample-accepting ca...

A method and apparatus are disclosed for cross-stream sampling of bulk material from a conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a sampler movable through an arcuate path across the conveyor belt for removing a cross-stream increment of bulk material from the belt. Provision is made for modulating the normal troughing of the conveyor belt and supporting and conforming the belt to the arcuate path of the sampler. When the conveyor belt is modulated to conform to the arcuate path of the sampler and th...

Water and meat pieces (P) are pumped through a conduit (100), the walls of which are made of plastic having an acoustic impedance close to that of water. The conduit is immersed in a tank (400) full of water. A shock wave generator 200 (chemical explosive or capacitor discharge electrodes) creates a shock wave in the water. The shock wave passes through the conduit without substantial reflection because the impedance of the conduit wall matches the impedance of the water. The shock wave tenderiz...

Bacteria on and in meat, for example hamburger, is killed by subjecting the meat to an explosive shock front pressure wave propagated through an inert liquid medium at a rate of at least 6100 meters per second.

An operator protective device for operator controlled apparatus, the protective device including a platform upon which an operator may be situated and a canopy extending over at least a portion of the platform and having at least an overhanging portion thereof spaced from the platform to provide a protective cover over an operator situated on the platform. Means is provided to selectively increase and decrease the relative spaced apart distance between the platform and the portion of the canopy ...

Improved tenderization of meat is achieved by using, individually or in combination, (1) a capacitor discharge chamber of shortened height; (2) a drum-head on which the meat sits during treatment and which is located at the upper end of the capacitor discharge chamber; (3) meat supporting structure which substantially holds the meat in place on the drum-head during capacitor discharge; (4) an indexing carousel for delivery the meat to a location above the capacitor discharge chamber and for tran...