Abstract: The invention provides a method for opening a slaughtered animal comprising the following steps of:(1) providing a slaughtered animal;(2) suspending the animal from the hind legs;(3) arranging a cut in the belly wall close to the hind legs substantially in the plane of symmetry of the animal;(4) continuing this cut in substantially vertical downward direction; and(5) holding the intestines clear of the belly wall during step (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing the neck of a slaughtered animal such that the skull is separated from the vertebral column, which method comprises the steps of:(1) positioning a slaughtered animal for processing;(2) providing a separating device, for instance a hydraulically or pneumatically energized pair of scissors, to arrange a separation in the cervical vertebral column, for instance between the skull and the first cervical vertebra;(3) determining the location where the separation must take place; and(4) positioning the separating device and activating same on the basis of the result of step (3) in order to arrange the separation.

Abstract: A device for removing the anus of slaughtered animals. The device includes a cutting device for cutting out the anus of a slaughtered animal, which cutting device comprises a substantially cylindrical blade drivable for rotation and translation and having a leading cutting edge. The device further includes positioning elements for initially positioning the blade such that the center line thereof extends substantially through the anus of the slaughtered animal and a blunt locating pin for causing the blade to follow a curved path such that the cutting edge follows substantially the form of the rectum of the slaughtered animal while avoiding contact with bone.

Abstract: A device for removing the anus of slaughtered animals, which device comprises: a cutting device (14) for cutting out the anus (9) of a slaughtered animal transported by the transporting means (10, 11, 12), which cutting device comprises: a displaceable carriage (24); and a rotatably drivable and axially displaceable, substantially cylindrical blade (32) carried by this carriage (24) and having a leading cutting edge and a blunt locating pin (33) placed coaxially of this blade (32), wherein during removal of an anus (9) the centreline (34) of the blade (32) is substantially stationary relative to the slaughtered animal being processed, is characterized by positioning means for positioning the carriage (24) such that the centreline (34) of the blade (32) extends through the anus (9) of the slaughtered animal, which positioning means comprise two drives which can move the carriage in two respective non-parallel directions; measuring means for measuring the position of the anus of a slaughtered animal for process