A system and a method for automatically loosening or removing shoulder blades from shoulders of animal carcasses includes a holding means operably connected to transport means, and is provided for securing a shoulder selected from the shoulders at the leg portion and transporting the shoulder in a transport direction. A separator means is provided including an elongated separation section arranged to abut the shoulder blade as the shoulder blade is transported past the elongated separation section. The elongated separation section is positioned at an angle relative to the transport direction of the shoulder such that an increasing pulling force is obtained onto the shoulder blade until the shoulder blade is either loosened or separated from the shoulder.

Method and apparatus (1, 11) for longitudinally cutting poultry legs along a contour defined by an inwardly extending bone structure. The method comprises the steps of, and the apparatus (1, 11) having means (25) for, suspending at least one poultry leg at its ankle joint, and conveying the thus suspended poultry leg along a predefined path of conveyance (21). At least one cutting unit (1) with a directionable knife (73) is provided in the predefined path of conveyance (21). The at least one poultry leg is positioning such that it is lined-up for a longitudinal cutting engagement by the directionable knife (73), and the directionable knife (73) is brought into cutting engagement with the thus positioned poultry leg. During cutting engagement, position and cutting direction of the directionable knife are continuously adjusted to follow the contour defined by the bone structure of the poultry leg, while the positioned poultry leg is conveyed past the directionable knife (73).

Intervention of contamination of an exposed carcass meat surface during processing of an animal carcass comprises providing a flexible sheet having first and second major surfaces comprising an antimicrobial agent on the first major surface of the flexible sheet, wherein the flexible sheet is food-contact safe; detaching a portion of hide from the carcass, thereby providing an exposed carcass meat surface; and placing the flexible sheet on the exposed carcass meat surface so that the antimicrobial agent contacts the exposed carcass meat surface. The flexible sheet is also described.

Method and apparatus (1, 11) for longitudinally cutting poultry legs along a contour defined by an inwardly extending bone structure. The method comprises the steps of, and the apparatus (1, 11) having means (25) for, suspending at least one poultry leg at its ankle joint, and conveying the thus suspended poultry leg along a pre-defined path of conveyance (21). At least one cutting unit (1) with a directionable knife (73) is provided in the pre-defined path of conveyance (21). The at least one poultry leg is positioning such that it is lined-up for a longitudinal cutting engagement by the directionable knife (73), and the directionable knife (73) is brought into cutting engagement with the thus positioned poultry leg. During cutting engagement, position and cutting direction of the directionable knife are continuously adjusted to follow the contour defined by the bone structure of the poultry leg, while the positioned poultry leg is conveyed past the directionable knife (73).

A system and a method for automatically loosening or removing shoulder blades from shoulders of animal carcasses includes a holding means operably connected to transport means, and is provided for securing a shoulder selected from the shoulders at the leg portion and transporting the shoulder in a transport direction. A separator means is provided including an elongated separation section arranged to abut the shoulder blade as the shoulder blade is transported past the elongated separation section. The elongated separation section is positioned at an angle relative to the transport direction of the shoulder such that an increasing pulling force is obtained onto the shoulder blade until the shoulder blade is either loosened or separated from the shoulder.

The invention relates to a tool for manual or especially automatic removal of tenderloins from half-carcasses of slaughtered animals. The tool comprises a circular knife blade, a blade housing supporting the knife blade, and a movable knife blade protector. The tool is connected to a motor capable of driving the knife blade. A tenderloin is partly cut free with the knife, the knife blade protector is activated to protect the knife blade and the tool is used to pull the tenderloin free from the half-carcass without damaging the tenderloin with the knife. The tool can be arranged on a robot and can be used for automatic removal of tenderloins from half-carcasses at slaughterhouses.

The invention relates to a system for processing a slaughtered poultry carcass part at least comprising a back portion and legs, comprising a conveyor for moving the carcass part, suspended, in a conveying direction, and comprising a groin skin cutting device for cutting groin skin while the carcass part is moved past said cutting device, comprising a cutter having an elongate base portion having a cutting edge, a puncturing tip at an upstream end of the cutter, the cutter positioned and configured such that, the puncturing tip punctures groin skin upon movement of the carcass part in the conveying direction thereby creating a puncture hole so that the cutter enters underneath the groin skin, wherein the groin skin is cut by the cutting edge making a cut through the groin skin starting from the puncture hole, as a result of the continued movement of the carcass part.

A system and method for cutting a carcass. The system comprises a support assembly (12) movable along a first path and a second path adjacent to a first portion and a second portion of the carcass respectively; a retractable assembly (14) movable between an extended configuration when the support assembly is moved along the first path and a retracted configuration away from the carcass when the support assembly (12) is being moved along the second path; a first cutting tools (16) processing the first portion of the carcass when the support assembly (12) is moved along the first path, and disengaging from the carcass when the retractable assembly (14) is in the retracted position; and a second cutting tool processing the second portion of the carcass when the support assembly (12) is moved along the second path. The first cutting tool (16) is independently and separately movable relatively to movement of the second cutting tool (18).

The present disclosure includes improved apparatuses and methods related to meat processing. One example method includes performing a first cut in association with a rinsing process performed on an animal, wherein performing the first cut includes severing at least one jugular vein of the animal; and subsequent to performing the first cut, performing a second cut that includes one of: making an incision in a vena cava of the animal that provides an exit location for treatment solution introduced into a circulatory system of the animal; and severing the vena cava of the animal such that the severed vena cava provides an exit location for treatment solution introduced into the circulatory system of the animal.

Presented is a rib paring device with a linear motion drive, that features a piston rod, that is flexibly guided in the rib paring device in a direction that is longitudinal to the stationary direction of the rib paring device, and that exercises a driving force on the piston rod in the stationary line of action of the rib paring device, the direction of which will change directions periodically, and with combination made up of a blade and a blade holder that features a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of which is detachably connected with the piston rod and the distal end of which is detachably connected with the blade.