Abstract: A support apparatus for dressing quarters of animals includes a suspension point for the leg end of the quarter, a substantially vertical support plate with a support bar, the longitudinal direction of which is in the vertical plane and parallel to the plate. Spaced under the plate is a lower support plate inclined at an angle to the vertical plane. The horizontal direction of the lower support plate is parallel to that of the plate. The lower support plate has two support rails which are downwardly converging. The leg end suspension point is substantially vertically above the central point of the quarter-supporting surface of the plate.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for sharpening of knives. The apparatus comprises a holder for the knife, a sharpening element, structure for displacing the sharpening element along the edge of the knife with a predetermined angle between the plane of the knife blade and the finishing surface of the sharpening element. Structure is arranged to periodically shift the engagement between the sharpening element and the knife between the two sides of the edge. Structure is arranged for relatively displacing the sharpening element transverse to the longitudinal direction of the edge, and the sharpening element is arranged with successively increasing sharpening fineness in said transverse displacement direction. The highest sharpening fineness of the sharpening element is formed by a sharpening steel section.

Abstract: A process for the coarse cutting-up of a carcass part comprising a limb, such as a shoulder part or a leg part, wherein a primary meat piece is separated from a skeleton portion of the carcass part by making incisions in the carcass part in a pattern adapted for the part while the part is held supported by the foot-end of the limb, the meat piece being cut loose from said skeleton portion while the limb is held rigid at the foot-end against bending, and the meat piece is gripped in the region of the vertically upper portion thereof and is subjected to pulling force away from the carcass part during the cutting loose operation.

Abstract: A plant for handling of meat in connection with cutting up thereof, comprises two horizontal cylinders arranged side by side. Each cylinder displaceably carries a wire supply comprising a wire biased winding up reel for a wire to which a gripping tool is connected. The drive members are arranged to drive said gripping means in counterphase. A baffle means is arranged in the movement path for each tool. When the tool is pulled into engagement with the baffle means, the jaws of the tool are released and latched in open condition. When the tools are returned by the cylinders to the workstation, the hooks of the tool can be clamped into a meat piece simply by releasing the latch.

Abstract: A device for handling meat comprises a handle (1) which is provided with a claw (3, 4) that comprises a shaft (3) with a die (4). The claw is replaceably mounted at the handle (1). The die (4) may be fork shaped and provided with a sharpened edge. The handle comprises a power cylinder (8, 9) which drives a punch (6) toward the die (4) for clamping a meat piece between the punch (6) and the die (4). The handle (1) may be pivotably mounted on a support arm (22). The support arm (22) is preferably vertically length adjustable. The arm (22) is mounted on a horizontal beam (25). The beam (25) is connected to a power cylinder (27) which is arranged to displace beam (25) and thereby arm (22) and handle (1), in a horizontal direction. The punch drive, the length adjustment of support arm (22) and drive of cylinder (27) can be controlled by the operator, e.g. by means of valve sets (30, 31) arranged on the handle (1).