Carcass cutting methods and apparatus

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing a longitudinal cut along a saddle section of a carcass. A pair of spaced apart tines are located in one end of a spinal column of the saddle section. The saddle section is then moved relative to a cutting tool to cut longitudinally through the spinal column to cut the saddle section in half with the cutting tool passing between the pair of spaced apart tines.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of performing a longitudinal cut along a saddle section of a carcass including the steps of:
 a. locating a pair of spaced apart tines in one end of a spinal column of the saddle section; and   b. moving the saddle section relative to a cutting tool to cut longitudinally through the spinal column to cut the saddle section in half with the cutting tool passing between the pair of spaced apart tines.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a pair of spaced apart tines are located at each end of the spinal column. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein locators are forced on either side of feather bones to orient the spinal column to orient the saddle section. 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein locators are forced on either side of feather bones to orient the spinal column to orient the saddle section. 
     
     
         5 . A carcass cutting apparatus including:
 a. a pair of tines adapted to engage in one end of a spinal column of a saddle section of a carcass; and   b. a cutting tool having a blade that passes between the tines that is relatively movable with respect to the saddle section so as to as to cut longitudinally through the spinal column of a saddle section of a carcass whilst it is positioned by the tines.   
     
     
         6 . A carcass cutting apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  wherein a pair of tines engage each end of the spinal column of the saddle section and are positioned such that the blade passes between each pair of tines. 
     
     
         7 . A carcass cutting apparatus as claimed in  claim 5  including locators positioned to apply force either side of feather bones to orient a spinal column so as to orient the saddle section. 
     
     
         8 . A carcass cutting apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  including locators positioned to apply force either side of feather bones to orient a spinal column so as to orient the saddle section.