Meat tenderization methods and systems

Abstract

A method for tenderizing meat of a red meat slaughter animal including separating a vertebral column of the animal, hanging the carcass by pelvic suspension and applying electrical stimulation to the animal's musculature. Vertebral column separation is performed prior to the onset of rigor mortis to enable stretching of muscle fibers in the carcass. Electrical stimulation is focused on a midsection of the animal.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A system for processing animal carcass meat for consumption comprising:
 means for conveying a carcass through a processing facility at commercial chain speeds;   means for separating a vertebral column of the carcass;   means for hanging the carcass on the conveying means by pelvic suspension;   means for electrically stimulating the carcass while hung by pelvic suspension on the conveying means;   means for hanging the carcass on the conveying means by Achilles suspension; and   means for chilling the carcass while hung by Achilles suspension.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical stimulation means comprises an electrical stimulation apparatus having a plurality of electrical stimulation probes configured to electrically stimulate the carcass while hung by pelvic suspension. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising means for applying an additional stretching force to the carcass wink hanging the carcass by pelvic suspension, Achilles suspension, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising means for separating a hip joint of the carcass. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the conveying means comprises a trolley running along an overhead rail. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the electrical stimulation means comprises an electrical stimulation apparatus having a frame with an inlet and an outlet through which the carcass moves along a path on the conveying means during, a desired electrical stimulation protocol. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the frame comprises a left side frame a right side frame, or both, and the left side and right side frames include an upper ground, a lower wound and a plurality of electrical stimulation probes. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the upper grounds, lower grounds and plurality of electrical stimulation probes are positioned to contact the carcass as the carcass moves along the path. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the carcass comprises a surface and muscles targeted for electrical stimulation, and the upper grounds, lower grounds and plurality of electrical stimulation probes are positioned to contact the carcass surface about centrally to the muscles targeted for electrical stimulation. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the frame further comprises a space between the left side and right side frames that is sized to receive the carcass. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20  wherein the electrical stimulation probes extend away from the left side and right side frames and into the path in order to contact the carcass. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the electrical stimulation probes are attached to the left side and the right side frames by receivers that insulate the electrical stimulation probes from the upper and the lower grounds.