Abstract: This invention concerns a cutting device for use in slaughtering animals, wherein:the swinging bar is associated with a position sensor assessing the back-pivoting of the swinging bar corresponding to the escape of the lower roller with respect to the lower end of the carcass,the swinging bar is connected to an actuator whose functioning is controlled by the detector to provoke displacement of said bar in the direction for which it pushes the carcass and moves it away from the cutting member before the latter reaches the lower end.The invention is applicable to limiting the splitting of carcasses to the major part of the spine.

Abstract: Method for fixation of cut up carcasses of slaughter hogs (3), which are suspended at their hind legs and which have been eviscerated after the cutting, during which fixation in particular the spinal column of the hog is aligned relative to the median plane of the carcass by means of a member (10) clutching the snout of the animal, said member exerting a downwards pull to stretch out the animal during the cutting of the carcass, or for processes requiring a similar fixation.

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: Disclosed is a middle splitter for use in splitting middles of processed animals. This middle splitter has a work table onto which a conveyor belt is mounted. The conveyor belt is slotted along its length. A circular saw extends in the slot of the conveyor belt to cut the middle laid on the conveyor belt as it moves forward. A guide extends parallel to the slot and above the conveyor belt. This guide holds the middle flat against the belt as it is cut. A driving wheel having a vertical axis and peripheral corrugations is driven by a motor to pull the middle towards the saw and push the spine of the middle towards the guide while exerting a pressure to it. The guide includes two proximity switches operatively connected to the pressure-exerting device in such a manner that the pressure exerted by the wheel onto the spine is varied while the middle moves forward. The guide may further include a block located opposite the saw to distance the spine from the saw.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for preparing for detaching meat from the extremities of a slaughtered animal, particularly the legs of poultry. In this method, the meat is initially at least partially detached from the bone structure at the rear side of the extremity from its proximal end to its distal end to form a cavity and then the meat layer surrounding the bone structure is cut open with an incision made from the outside of the extremity towards the cavity. The partial detachment of meat is performed by a curved spike-shaped element, which is inserted between the muscle meat and bone in the region of the proximal end of the extremity and advanced through the extremity along the rear side of the bone structure up to the distal end. The spike-shaped element subsequently serves as a counter support for a knife, which is guided from outside to cut open the meat layer surrounding the bone structure.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for separating meat (2) from ribs (3) of a carcass side (4) comprises a main framework (15). A clamp (37) mounted within the main framework (15) clamps and supports the carcass side (4). A carriage (62) vertically slidable in the main framework (15) carries a cylindrical housing (51) within which a carrier arm (50) is longitudinally slidable. A carcass engaging disc (54) is rotatably carried at the end of the carrier arm (50) and is moved by a ram (57) into engagement between adjacent ribs (3) for rupturing a membrane (8) and urging the meat (2) from the ribs (3). The housing (51) is pivoted about a spindle (82) by a hydraulic ram (85) for moving the carcass engaging disc (54) along the ribs (3).

Abstract: A wild game dressing tool that is light in weight and small in size, comprising two handles connected by a saw blade for field dressing a deer or the like: the tool offers a quick, safe, and easy way to split an animal's pelvic bone, allowing better cleaning of the anal area and thereby resulting in more consistent, high quality meat.

Abstract: This invention relates to a pelvic splitter device and method of use thereof used primarily by hunters to split the pelvis of a large game animal during the gutting and cleaning of the animal. The pelvic splitter device comprises a shaft having a hook member and a knife edge at one end thereof and further comprises an impact and handle means having two longitudinal half bodies having mirrored sides with grooves, longitudinal recesses, and recessed portions therein to receive the shaft. The impact and handle means slides upon the shaft and functions, in addition to storing the shaft when not in use, as a slide hammer to impact the rearward end of the shaft to urge the hook member and knife edge through and split the pelvis of the game animal such as a deer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for temporarily connecting a tool and a tool-holder, characterized in that:the tang comprises two convergent edges and an opening located between said edges,the support member comprises a mortise and presents, between its edges, a through housing,the removable fixation system comprises a block placed in relation with the housing and bearing a mobile lock disposed in said housing, provided with a locking head and associated with means for manual control in position of retraction and for actuation in locking position.The invention is applicable to machines for splitting the carcasses of slaughtered animals.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for taking out the viscera of a fish. A fish, the head of which is cut off, is conveyed by conveying belts and the belly of the fish is incised with a cutting blade. The fish, the belly of which has been incised, is caused to rise along a bone-supporting plate to make the position of the bone constant. The pointed end of a membrane peeling-off blade is inserted into the top portion outside a coelomic membrane of the fish to strip the coelomic membrane from the fish. Since the viscera of the fish is wrapped in the coelomic membrane, the viscera is taken out from the fish meat by stripping the coelomic membrane from the fish meat.

Abstract: A fish fillet trimming device having a swing arm mounted rotary blade which rides on the surface of a moving conveyor table. The fish fillets are passed between the cutting blade and the conveyor surface for trimming blemished portions of the fillets. The method permits an inspector using an endless belt candling table to detect blemishes in the fillets and orient the fillets on the belt surface so as to pass beneath the trimming knife without removal of the fillets from the processing travel path.

Abstract: A chicken breast processor has an endless conveyor on which are mounted a series of special fixtures for supporting a bird carcass during automatic butchering. Each fixture has a pair of spaced bars bearing respective upper and lower arms. Each of the arms has abeveled upper surface, so that an open "V" is formed for supporting both the backbone from within the carcass, and the breasts from below, to better locate the carcass for precise cutting. Carcasses are transferred from a tined disk onto the fixtures as the fixtures are rotated toward the disk to compensate for speed differential between it and the conveyor. A variety of cuts can be obtained from the device.

Abstract: A method for preparing a pig's head for mechanical boning including making a transverse cut in the snout from the underside of the head so that the transverse cut separates the greater part of the rostral bone from the greater part of the jaw-bone, and apparatus for carrying out the method which includes a support structure for upside down placing thereon of the pig's head for preparing and cutting a member movable toward the support structure in direction inclining relative to the support structure and adapted for making a transverse cut in the snout from the underside of the head.

Abstract: A single natural butterfly boneless breast of chicken interconnected by an intermediary portion or central spine is conveyed towards two horizontally oriented saw blades which cut across through approximately 80-95%, preferably 85-90% and most preferably 90% of the width of the single natural butterfly boneless breast to leave an intermediary portion or central spine of width of 5-20% of the single natural butterfly boneless breast at a central portion of the single natural butterfly boneless breast. A single saw blade located downstream from the two horizontally aligned saw blades is aligned perpendicular to the two horizontally aligned saw blades so as to form a longitudinal cut down through the centrally located intermediary portion or spine of the single natural butterfly boneless breast so as to separate the single natural breast into two portions.

Abstract: A semiautomated machine (10) cuts a disk (60a) from the mouth side of sea urchin shells (60) for efficient extraction of gonads, the sea urchin reproductive organs, with minimal damage. The machine is capable of preserving intact the original five segmented star configuration. A conveyor (12) receives and retains sea urchins (60) with the mouth side of the sea urchin shells facing away from the conveyor. A cutter (15) is mounted over the conveyor at a cutting location (16). A relatively thin elongate cutting element (38) is spaced from the conveyor (12) and oriented generally transversely across the conveyor. An extended aligning plane (65,66) parallel to the conveyor is mounted on the opposite side of the elongate cutting element (38) from the conveyor (12) at the cutting location (16). The aligning plane (66) contacts the mouth side of the sea urchin shells and aligns and maintains orientation of the sea urchins with the mouth side of the sea urchin shells facing the aligning plane.

Abstract: Apparatus for opening a carcass hide preparatory to removal of the hide (20) from the carcass (26). The apparatus includes a clearing blade (11) with a leading cutting edge (16) which is inserted between the hide (20) and subcutaneous tissues (21) and is advanced along the carcass (26) to separate the hide (20). An opening blade (31) trails behind the clearing blade (11) and creates an opening cut along the hide. The hide edges (22, 23) peel up and outwardly and can be clamped. A drive arrangement (50) includes a mounting (51) for the clearing blade (11) and the opening blade (30) and drive means (52) to advance the mounting (51) along a track (56) located adjacent to the carcass (26). Rump lifting means (65) elevates the carcass rump to the desired height for starting the hide opening at the cleared opening (61) at the anus.

Abstract: A keel bone aligning apparatus (70) aligns the keel bone (78) of a carcass (10) with a rotary halving blade (61) so that the keel bone (78) is centrally cut with precision as the carcass (10) is carried along a processing path (12) and suspended by its legs (13) via a conveyor (11). As the carcass approaches the keel bone aligning apparatus (70), the visceral cavity (22) is introduced onto an internal guide rail (33). The keel bone aligning apparatus (70) has an angled guide plate (75) and a rollers (76a, 76b). The angled guide plate (75) initially engages and guides a portion of the carcass in the area of the keel bone. The rollers (76a, 76b) subsequently engage and guide the carcass portion during the cutting of the keel bone (78) by the rotary, halving blade (61).

Abstract: A process of eviscerating an inverted animal carcass (10) inclined at 35.degree. to 40.degree. includes pushing the viscera (30) comprising both the thoracic viscera (31) and abdominal viscera (32) in a direction (B) from the cranial end (11) of the carcass (10) towards the caudal end (12) so as to pass between the hind legs (13) and fall from the carcass. Connecting tissues including the aorta (35) and external iliac arteries (36) are partially severed prior to pushing the viscera from the carcass so that the viscera detaches completely from the carcass after being pushed between the hind legs (13). The diaphragm (25) may be pierced at its periphery so that the force of the pushing operation causes the diaphragm to tear around its peripheral edges from the walls of the thoracic cavity. The pubic symphysis (60) is split before the pushing operation whereby the viscera (30) can pass both above and below and through the split in the pubic symphysis (60).

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing an animal carcass (8). Suspension means (122, 123) suspends the carcass (8) in an inverted position with the spine inclined upwardly towards the neck (11) with the spine located beneath the carcass (8) and so that the diaphragm (119) is approximately vertical. A cutting assembly, (130) moves into the abdominal cavity adjacent to the diaphragm (119), and a cutting means (28) cuts the diaphragm (119) around the periphery. A brisket shearing means (21) cuts the brisket (20) with a shearing action along the brisket (20) from the abdomen and towards the neck end of the brisket (20). The reaction member (188) is pivotally movable relative to the brisket (20) about a rear end to generally follow the contours of the brisket (20).

Abstract: A device for cutting up deep-frozen foodstuffs, in particular fish, has a plurality of saw bands (6) of a band saw arranged side by side at a distance apart, which cut the right parallelepipedal bodies (2, 3) into a plurality of smaller right parallelepipedal units. The fragments produced during cutting are extracted by a current of blast air, which flows around each saw band, onto a pressure roller (9) arranged on top of the right parallelepipedal bodies (2, 3) viewed in the direction of transport before the saw bands (6). The pressure roller (9) spreads the fragments onto the right parallelepipedal bodies (2, 3). After being cut by the saw bands (6), the smaller units undergo no further changes.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of separating a turkey carcass into a white meat portion and a dark meat hind saddle portion and processing the dark meat prior to rigor mortis. A live turkey is slaughtered, defeathered, eviscerated, and halved into the breast and hind saddle portions. The warm dark meat hind saddle portion is immediately conveyed to a deboning room where the warm dark meat muscle portion is removed, reduced in size and chilled within a short period of time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for cutting open the stomach of a bird comprising a cutting means shaped as a nozzle for ejecting a high pressure liquid jet. For obtaining an optimised cutting action the nozzle preferably is displaceable away from or towards the stomach to be processed. Constructively it is preferable that the nozzle is mounted at the outer end of an arm pivoting in a vertical plane said outer end engaging the stomach through guiding means, such as a follower roll.

Abstract: In order to obtain absolutely smooth, splinter-free and bone meal-free separating surfaces, a tool for dissecting and dismembering slaughtered stock is configured as a circular or curved blade having a plurality of cutting edges (3) with intermediate cutting gaps (2), the cutting edges (3) exhibiting, at their end pointing in the direction of cutting, a concave area (4), which extends between two approximately equally tall cutting tips (6, 7), and an adjoining convex or straight area (5) sloping away counter to the direction of cutting.

Abstract: A method for automatically cleaning fish such as cod comprises gripping the fish and subsequently cutting it open, first transversely behind the head from the belly of the fish and subsequently in its longitudinal direction along the belly, and finally removing the entrails.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting tongues, cheeks and belly flaps from fish heads and for cutting apart jaws of fish heads. The fish head is mounted on a reinforced beam beneath a spiked chain which moves the head along the beam, first towards horizontal knives which cut the tongue from the head, and then to vertical knives which cut the cheeks and the belly flaps from the head. Over the tongue knives are jaw rods which hold the jaw up to the beam adjacent the tongue knives. Inside the beam is a stick which can be driven down from the beam to locate the tongue in a cutting position below the tongue knives. The head hits a sensor which activates a power source for the stick. The belly flaps are held up by belly flap rods, which lie beneath the collar bones and keep the belly flaps from the tongue knives. The cheeks and belly flaps are cut off with two vertical cheek knives.

Abstract: Automatic poultry processor and corresponding methodology permits poultry to be directly received from a conventional overhead track, without manual intervention. Spring loaded leg drags temporarily impede movement of a bird relative an overhead track, during which time a loading cone is inserted into the body cavity of the bird. The loading cone is driven by a continuous loop conveyor for positively driving the breast half of the bird as the hind quarters are positively directed by the overhead track, whereby the bird is directed towards a knife for separating the hind quarters from the breast half. Thereafter, the hind quarters are carried away by the overhead track, while the loading cone may be used to drive the breast half towards further processing steps, such as automatic halving and automatic deboning. The continuous conveyor supporting the loading cone has a double curvature in the vicinity of the conveyor flow where birds are loaded.

Abstract: A method and device for transverse dividing of a slaughtered bird, in which the carcass of the bird hanging by the legs in a conveyor is moved along with the breast in the direction of conveyance, the method comprising the steps of: placing the bird in an oblique position relative to the conveyance direction in such a way that the legs are in front of the rest of the carcass, viewed in the conveyance direction; bringing down the chest relative to the legs by exerting an essentially downward directed force on both sides thereof, so that the plane in which the transverse dividing operation takes place lies below the thighs and above the chest; and dividing the bird into a back half hanging from the conveyor and a front half. Prior to the dividing operation, the skin is cut through along the top edge of the thighs adjoining the chest.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a fish body into a plurality of transverse fish body section includes a plurality of spaced apart vertically standing work stations, each including a structural frame that supports a continuous rail or runway. The runway includes inclined sections that extend between the work station thereby defining an inclined travel path between the work stations. A wheeled carriage is movably mounted upon the runway and includes a set of spring loaded jaws for holding a fish body section to be processed. The carriage is movably mounted upon the runway so that the carriage can travel from one work station to the next in a sequential fashion. Each work station has a section of rail connected to the inclined runway which is at a lower elevation than the previous work station by a dimension which is equal to the thickness of the fish body section to be processed. Each work station may include a cutting blade such as, for example, a rotary band saw. The saws are at a constant elevation.

Abstract: A fish tail splitting method and apparatus are disclosed in which a finger plate having a probe and a curved central portion is passed relative to the length of a fish. The finger probe is located into the rib tunnel along the vertebral column and the fish and finger plate move relative to one another separating the ribs and muscle tissue. The finger plate includes a sharpened portion such that the skin will also be severed. The tail splitting apparatus method separates the muscle tissue and ribs through the length of the fish exposing the kidney along the vertebral column and the vertebral column for subsequent processing.

Abstract: Device for forming a cut in breast and belly of the carcass of a slaughtered animal comprising a mandrel, a cutting blade and two pressure rollers lying on either side of the mandrel engaging the rear side of the carcass near the head, each roller being fitted at the first end of an arm which at the other end is connected to a carrier situated beside the mandrel and extendable in the direction of the carcass, which arms can each be swung about the longitudinal axis of the carrier the roller being provided with a disc-shaped flange right angles to the roller axis.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatically separating the legs and thighs of birds from the backs of birds while the birds are moving along a poultry processing line. The thigh joints between the thighs and lower backs of the birds are engaged between the angular contact edges (43 and 44) of a pair of yieldable cam shoes (37 and 38) and the side surfaces (33 and 34) of a vertical center guide partition (31). As a result, the thigh joints are aligned with the cutting blades (54 and 56) of a cutting means (36), positioned downstream of the yieldable cam shoes (37 and 38), which cuts through the thigh joints to separate the legs and thighs from the back portions of the birds.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for automatically separating the breast from the neck, shoulders, back and saddle of birds while the birds are moving along as overhead conveyor line (12). A mandrel (61) is inserted into the visceral cavity of each bird to rigidly support each bird, and causes the breast of each bird to protrude outwardly. An auger (73) is mounted adjacent the rear surface (62) of the mandrel (61) and engages the visceral cavity of each bird as the mandrel (61) is inserted into the visceral cavity of each bird. A tiltable holding plate (76) is pivoted upwardly as the mandrel (61) and auger (73) are fully inserted into each bird, and engages the neck of each bird in a clamping relationship with the mandrel (61) to thereby hold each bird in place during cutting function.

Abstract: Device for severing the pubis of the carcass of a slaughtered animal, comprising a positioning element, a rotary-driven cylindrical first cutting element, and a blade- type cutting element, which are combined into a functional unit which can be moved as a whole to and from the carcass, and a pressure element which is situated next to the cylindrical cutter, at the end of a guided carrier movable parallel to the direction of movement of said cutter, which pressure element has a U-shaped pressure stirrup for gripping around the tail and pressing it down.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing an animal carcass (8). Suspension means (122, 123) suspends the carcass (8) in an inverted position with the spine inclined upwardly towards the neck (11) with the spine located beneath the carcass (8) and so that the diaphragm (119) is approximately vertical. A cutting assembly, (130) moves into the abdominal cavity adjacent to the diaphragm (119), and a cutting means (28) cuts the diaphragm (119) around the periphery. A brisket shearing means (21) cuts the brisket (20) with a shearing action along the brisket (20) from the abdomen and towards the neck end of the brisket (20). The reaction member (188) is pivotally movable relative to the brisket (20) about a rear end to generally follow the contours of the brisket (20).

Abstract: A method and a machine for cutting a nape muscle of a fish from a front-part of a fish, after the fish has been parted, and removing the fish skin from the nape muscle. The method includes moving the front part along a fixed, straight track to and past vertical circular knives which cut vertical cuts at each side of the spinal crest and at the same time to and past horizontal fixed knife blade edges, fixed on the leading portion of a plough structure, which in turn is fixed to the shaft mount for the shaft of the circular knives. The plough structure cuts lateral cuts from the spine to the skin, but not through the skin. The outermost side part of the plough structure, the plough spade, is not sharp and is used to tear the nape muscle from the attached skin, when the skin is pulled forwards through a gap formed between the plough spade and a sliding table below the plough structure, the nape muscle being retained at the upper surface of the plough structure.

Abstract: This device is used to remove the tendon from a cut of meat and the meat product produced thereby. The device includes at least one blade which is capable of substantially surrounding the tendon. The tendon is pulled through the blade and the tissue which is in close proximity to the tendon without severing other tissue, allowing the cut of meat to remain substantially intact after the tendon is removed. The cutting blade may be a singular oval-shaped blade or may be two blades placed adjacent each other to form an opening through which the tendon can be pulled. The tendon can also be attached to a grasping device which pulls the tendon past the cutting edges. This grasping device can be attached to an actuator which moves it in a linear direction away from the cutting blade thus drawing the meat tissue adjacent the tendon into contact with the cutting edges of the blade. The actuator may be mechanically, hydraulically, or pneumatically powered.

Abstract: Apparatus intended for implementation in a high speed industrial slaughter house for the automatic evisceration of slaughtered animal carcasses including an automatic mechanical distribution and anal obstructor system, and a mobile structure supporting a circular blade for ventral incision, a circular saw for progressive penetration into the sternum, and nozzles projecting water at an adjustable pressure for disengaging the entrails from the path of the cutting tools.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and a machine for removing spine 2, headbone 13 and organs 4, 5, 6 and 10 from a front part 1 of a fish "parting" of the fish into two parts, rear part and front part 1, where the pectoral nose 9 is uncut, and the pectoral bond 20 is uncut, and the belly cut 39 does not separate the lower end of the pectoral bones 19. The method includes moving, by means of a spiked chain at each side, the front part 1 with the belly 3 at front and the head 18 at rear along a fixed straight track 21 to a fixed U-formed beam comprising a belly scraper 16 at the end of the spiked chains 23. The belly 3 is threaded upon the belly scraper 16, which scrapes the inside of the belly 3, so that the organs get loose from the front part 1 and are moved into the belly scraper 16.At front of the belly scraper 16 is a gill knife 17, which cuts the lower ends of the gills 10 from the radix of the tongue 8.

Abstract: An apparatus for severing the fillets from fish rumps comprises cutting tools each composed of pairs of circular knives for cutting free the belly spokes, the back spokes and the ribs or vertebral appendages, respectively. The last mentioned cutting tool has a double function which consists in that each circular knife of this tool is associated with a guiding element, which, in its rest position, lies against the inner face of the circular knife with its guiding face. The guiding edges of the guiding elements support the vertebrae of the vertebral column and can be displaced within the cutting planes of the circular knives and can be controlled, in their displaced position, into a position in which a gap for the passage of the ribs or the vertebral appendages is opened between the inner face of the circular knives and the guiding face. The displacement of the guiding elements occurs by the effect of transporting disks, which support the vertebrae of the vertebral column on the opposing side.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically processing an animal carcass (8). Suspension means (122, 123) suspends the carcass (8) in an inverted position with the spine inclined upwardly towards the neck (11) with the spine located beneath the carcass (8) and so that the diaphragm (119) is approximately vertical. A cutting assembly (130) moves into the abdominal cavity adjacent to the diaphragm (119), and a cutting means (28) cuts the diaphragm (119) around the periphery. A brisket shearing means (21) cuts the brisket (20) with a shearing action along the brisket (20) from the abdomen and towards the neck end of the brisket (20). The reaction member (188) is pivotally movable relative to the brisket (20) about a rear end to generally follow the contours of the brisket (20).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of cutting meat. The apparatus and method is particularly directed to separating a backbone portion from a rib portion of a piece of meat. The apparatus is comprised of a vertical orientation unit for vertically orienting the piece of meat. The orientation unit includes a longitudinal receiving channel having a generally horizontal top surface, the surface having a slot. The width of the slot accommodates the rib portion but not the backbone portion so that the backbone portion is held above the orientation unit. A moving unit is provided and is adapted to contact the backbone portion for moving the piece of meat horizontally in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the channel. A cutting unit is provided which includes a saw blade, a portion of which is oriented horizontally, wherein the cutting unit horizontally cuts the rib portion from the backbone portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting up carcasses in an abattoir, and in particular for cleaving them in two, comprises: a support beam securely mounted on a cleaving carriage via a pivot mount enabling the beam to pivot angularly about a pivot axis extending parallel to the cleaving direction; and adjustment means interposed between the cleaving carriage and the support beam to adjust the angular position of the beam about its pivot, and also to lock it in position. The apparatus is suitable for cutting up or cleaving in two the carcasses of slaughtered animals.