A method and a cutting system are provided for opening belly and breast of animal carcasses. The system includes a first cutting device capable of cutting open the belly and breast along the ventral side of an animal carcass. A guide pin is capable of being directed along the inside of the carcass abdominal wall and capable of providing a first force on the inside of the carcass belly. At least one pressure device is capable of providing a second force on the outside of the carcass belly, breast and/or neck. The pressure device is fixed or movable at least in the direction of the first and second force.

A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass and identifies an age-indicating indicia. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

The invention relates to a method for cutting open a slaughtered animal, in particular fowl, which is suspended with its legs from a suspension hook of a conveyor, in particular, but not limited to, making an incision in the belly of a slaughtered bird, wherein the method comprises the step of making a first incision in the skin of the slaughtered animal, which first incision extends substantially in a first direction of the slaughtered animal.

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).

A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass and identifies an age-indicating indicia. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass and identifies an age-indicating indicia. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

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).

A system for processing a suspended beef carcass as the carcass is moved along a defined path. A robotic arm is carried on a moveable table and has mounted thereon a servo motor-driven band saw capable of effecting a splitting operation on the beef carcass. The band saw is counterbalanced by a mass having a weight less than the weight of the band saw, and the robotic arm has a maximum load-carrying capacity less than the weight of the band saw. A torque monitor for the servo motor detects breaks in the band saw or breaks in the support for the band saw. A vision-based sensor system detects location of a tail bone on the beef carcass and identifies an age-indicating indicia. The system includes a controller in communication with the carcass rail, the carcass processing device and motor, and the vision-based sensor system.

The invention relates to a device for cleaning and processing the rectum and pelvis of slaughtered pigs, that is mainly mechanical in nature, and its operating method and that it solves the problem of the cleaning and disinfection operations of these devices, basically of the blades and the mandrel which are inserted into the animal's rectum, this invention carries out these operations in a single operation, which allows it to successively in about 2 to 3 seconds enter the animal's rectum, cut it out and make an incision in the animal's pelvis and then simultaneously clean and sterilize by incorporating into the device a semi-enclosed chamber in which this cleaning takes place.

A field dressing apparatus includes an elongated handle. The handle includes a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a head member. The head member includes an at least generally planar, at least substantially smooth first surface. The head member further includes an at least substantially smooth second surface cresting apart from the first surface. The head member further includes an at least substantially smooth tip extending between the first surface and the second surface. The apparatus also includes a blade fixedly attached to and extending between the second end of the handle and the first surface of the head member. The blade includes a blade edge. The blade edge and the first surface of the head member together form a notch in front of the blade edge.