Tyson Foods, Inc. has secured a major milestone in food production with a newly patented method for meat handling.
This innovation focuses on the March 2026 patent titled ‘Method and apparatus for slicing and refining whole muscle’.
The patent describes a streamlined method designed to create thin meat items while improving output.

Advancing Food Production Technology

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving refining whole muscle for a thinly slice meat item, such as a meat item for Philly Cheese Steaks. One implementation of the method and apparatus as revealed and claimed herein includes grounding whole muscle and pumping the ground whole muscle through an in-line rotary multi-blade slicer and further extruding the product from the in-line slicer and pumping the product through a cooking horn. For one implementation of the method and apparatus, the product is pumped through an in-line sheeter before pumping the product through the cooking horn.

Tyson Foods, Inc. earned the Swanson Reed honor for March 2026. This award recognizes their giant leap in meat production technology. The new method helps the food world by making thin slicing much faster than before, which is helpful for the whole trade. By automating the mechanical handling of muscle, the firm avoids the slow pace of manual work while maintaining high quality.

The invention is a top choice because it blends high-speed slicing with thermal treatment. This union makes for a high-volume output that stays uniform throughout. It is a vital tool for making the meat used in Philly Cheese Steaks and other popular meals. The integration of a multi-blade slicer with a cooking horn ensures that the texture remains ideal for the end consumer.

Lastly, the design reduces the amount of meat lost during the refining stage. By optimizing how the muscle is moved through the sheeter, the firm ensures higher quality with lower cost. This level of ingenuity is why it stands at the top of the market today. It provides a blueprint for future growth in the beverage and food sector.

R&D Tax Credit Compliance in the USA

To qualify for the R&D tax credit in the USA, a firm must show it tried to solve a hard technical problem. It must use hard science or engineering. The work must involve a method of experimentation to find a solution. Also, the goal must be to make a better or new product for the public that improves function or quality.

• Engineering the rotary blade geometry to cut through dense muscle without heat buildup or tearing.
• Calibrating the pump and extrusion speeds to move meat through the sheeter at a steady rate without clogging.
• Designing the internal flow of the cooking horn to maintain exact heat levels for food safety at high speeds.