Abstract: A device for detaching and/or removing meat and the like from animal heads (2), comprises a conveyor line (4) with a series of holders (3) for heads, placed one after the other, spaced apart, in the direction of conveyance, on which holders essentially identically shaped animal heads (2) with essentially the same dimensions can be placed. Processing stations are disposed along the conveyor line at a distance from each other, past which stations the animal heads are moved and treated in succession by the conveyor line. Mechanically driven separators (14, 21; 36, 27, 28; 51; 54; 66, 72, 74, 75) comprise pin-shaped members (21, 36, 27, 51, 66) movable toward and away from said conveyor line (4) and fixed in such a way that they are resiliently movable. The device has a station (70) with a device for separating the lower jaw (22) from the animal head, which act on the free end (76) of the lower jaw for moving the free end a distance from the animal head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for boning carcass portions of an animal for slaughter. Said carcass portions are in particular abdominal sections on part of the inner surface of which lies a row of more or less encapsulated ribs forming the bone parts which are to be removed. When the method is performed, each abdominal section is held in place and supported, each abdominal section being passed along a number of processing units. According to the invention, the ribs are weakened locally between the ends, and then bent over at a subsequent processing unit so that they break at the location of the weakened areas. By this method, it is possible to remove by machine at least one of the two rib parts formed in this manner.

Abstract: Process and device for boning carcass belly pieces in which the belly piece is clamped by the part free from ribs along a line running essentially parallel to the line joining the inner ends of the ribs to each other, and the part of the belly piece containing the innermost parts of the ribs is supported, so that this part forms an internal angle of approximately 90.degree. with the other part of the belly piece containing no ribs, while the belly piece is moved along in a direction parallel to the said other part thereof and essentially at right angles to the said connecting line, and is guided through under a device which comprises a plurality of bars which, while the belly piece is being passed through the device, exert a force or blow on the meat in between the ribs so that the meat of the unsupported part of the belly piece is bent downwardly and the ribs protrude freely upwardly.

Abstract: A continuous process for recovering meat from a plurality of carcase sections in particular severed animal heads (11) is provided, which comprises mounting the parts on a conveyor (1), advancing them past a number of work stations, at each of which either a manual operator (A-T) or an automatic tool partially dissects the carcase part (11), and recovering the separated meat.Apparatus for performing the process is also provided, comprising a powered conveyor (1), means for securing carcase parts thereon, and at least one automatic tool which acts on the carcase parts, as they pass, by washing, scrubbing, incising, splitting, scraping, tearing, cutting or like procedures. The process divides the meat recovery process into several steps carried out in sequence along the conveyor (1). The process is more hygienic, less labour-intensive, and considerably more productive than conventional procedures.