CARCASS HIDE OPENING

摘要

2073429 9210102 PCTABS00013 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.