Abstract: In a method and device for making an incision in the skin of the belly of a slaughtered animal which is provided with a vent opening produced by cutting out the vent, the skin is processed at a position near the bottom point of the breastbone of the animal, and an incision is made between the vent opening and said position. In order to support the skin during the skin processing operation, a supporting element is fitted subcutaneously through an opening in the skin. In a method and device for processing a slaughtered animal, prior to or during the evisceration of the carcass of the animal, tissue connections are broken between the belly skin and the viscera, in particular between the belly fat situated on the inside of the belly skin and the stomach.

Abstract: In a method and device for making an incision in the skin of the belly of a slaughtered animal which is provided with a vent opening produced by cutting out the vent, the skin is processed at a position near the bottom point of the breastbone of the animal, and an incision is made between the vent opening and said position. In order to support the skin during the skin processing operation, a supporting element is fitted subcutaneously through an opening in the skin. In a method and device for processing a slaughtered animal, prior to or during the evisceration of the carcass of the animal, tissue connections are broken between the belly skin and the viscera, in particular between the belly fat situated on the inside of the belly skin and the stomach.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing slaughtered poultry, the following steps are carried out: drawing the viscera package out of the carcass of the poultry; separating the viscera package from the carcass; conveying the viscera package in a viscera package conveyor member; conveying the carcass in a carcass conveyor member; and inspecting the viscera package and the carcass. The viscera package conveyor member and the carcass conveyor member are coupled together at least during the inspection. The viscera package conveyor member and the carcass conveyor member may form part of one combined conveyor member. Prior to the inspection, at least the intestines, and in particular the intestines and the gall bladder, are removed from the viscera package.

Abstract: In a method and device for separating at least one piece of visceral tissue from at least one organ connected thereto, in which the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated is smaller than said at least one organ, the cluster of visceral tissue and organ or organs is moved relative to and over a surface provided with holes. The holes are effectively at least as large as the smallest cross-section of the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated. A piece of visceral tissue to be separated which passes into a hole is retained in the hole.

Abstract: Method and device for mechanical removal of the viscera package from the belly cavity of slaughtered poultry hanging by the legs from hooks which are moved in a conveyor along a drawing device. For removal of the viscera package, the body of the poultry is tilted from the hanging, vertical position through a predetermined angle about an axis parallel to a line through the hip joints to a second position, in which the shoulder joints are situated at essentially the same height as or higher up than the hip joints. The latter body position thereafter remains retained during the veterinary inspection of the poultry or the carrying out of further operations on the viscera package and/or the carcass.