EP1434489A1

EP1434489A1 - Control means for an apparatus for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals and method and apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1434489A1
Application number: EP01974059A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Knud Krogh
Original assignee: SFK Danfotech AS
Current assignee: SFK Systems AS
Priority date: 2001-10-03
Filing date: 2001-10-03
Publication date: 2004-07-07
Also published as: CN1558721A; CN100396186C; JP2005503815A; WO2003028469A1

Abstract

Control means (1) for an apparatus for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals, said apparatus comprising saw blade/splitting knives or saws (5) for the implementation of the symmerical splitting, said control means (1) comprising at least two and substantially identical control elements, a first control element (2) and a second control element (3), said first control element (2) and said second control element (3) being disposed substantially opposite each other, and where each control element (2, 3) comprises a surface (20) for engagement against the spinal column (9) wich comprises spinous processes (4) wholly or partly laid free by a first cutting means. It is hereby achieved that the spinous processes stand immovable, so that the saw blade can engage with the centre of these and carry out a clean cutting of the spinous processes.

Description

CONTROL MEANS FOR AN APPARATUS FOR THE SPLITTING ALONG THE SYMMETRICAL PLANE OF SLAUGHTERED ANIMALS AND METHOD AND APPARATUS

The invention relates to control means for an apparatus for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals, said apparatus comprising saw blade/splitting knives or saws for the implementation of the symmetrical splitting, said control means comprising at least two substantially identical control elements, a first control element and a second control element, said first control element and said second control element being placed substantially opposite each other. The invention also relates to a method and an apparatus.

In connection with the handling of slaughtered animals, there is normally carried out a separation between the spine and the muscles of the carcass.

This is effected by means of knives. These knives effect a laying free of the spinous processes by a cutting in and along each side of the spinous processes, whereby the_, exposed bones appear, and with the cutting-in the flesh falls from the bones. There thus arises a form of V-shaped opening, in which V-shaped opening a blade later at a subsequent processing station effects a cutting (symmetrical splitting) of the slaughtered animal through the exposed spinous process and through the spine.

The problem with this subsequent process, where the splitting takes place, is that the sawing through, or the symmetrical splitting, becomes non-uniform due to the elasticity of the spine, which is unacceptable for the abattoirs.

From US patent no. 4,109,347, for example there is known a control means for an apparatus for the symmetrical splitting of slaughtered animals, which comprises splitting knives or saws for carrying out the symmetrical splitting.

The control means comprises a pin, where the partly through-running slot permits the splitting knife to penetrate when this assumes its lowest splitting position. In a partly pivotal manner, the ends of the pin are mounted on and between two horizontally separated control plates, so that the tip assumes an angle in the order of 90° in relation to the control plates. The pin can also be mounted in a fixed manner as described in US patent no.

3,829,932, but that the pin is partly pivotal prevents it getting clamped during its movement.

During the symmetrical splitting, the pin is brought into a position from which it can be lowered to the centre of the cavity in the spinal cord. When the pin is lowered down in the opening in the spinal cord, the bone structure will bring about an orientation for the pin and hereby a controlling of the cut made by the splitting knife. The spine is thus divided by a clean cut. However, the positioning of the pin does not at the same time allow for a clean cutting of the spinous processes, in that these are elastic in their position in the carcass. With the pin placed inside the spine, this can not control and/or align the spinous processes, the result being that these are thus split differently.

From EP-A-508551 there is known a control means and an apparatus as disclosed in the introduction. However, the control means which shall control the deviation of the spinal column are laid on the outside of the skin of the animal, and are pressed very strongly down around the spinal column's spinous processes which are covered with skin and tissue. Inasmuch as the control means thus does not have direct contact against the spinal column itself, no definitive control is effected of the spine itself, which will move elastically during the remaining handling of the carcass. When the saw blade thus effects a sawing up from the back side, the saw must effect a sawing up through this thin process, which in itself will be quite difficult, and the indirect contact of the control means will also give rise to a movement between the skin and the spinous processes, brought about by the fat and connective tissue etc. which is lying between the bone part and skin.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a control means which solves the above-mentioned problems, and where a control of the spinous processes is effected so that their positioning is clearly defined, and that the saw blade or the knife can subsequently carry out a clean cut down in the centre of the spine and centrally through the spinous processes. The saw blade can be applied either from the belly or the back side.

This is achieved with a control means of the kind disclosed in the preamble, and also where each control element comprises a surface for contact against the animal's spine comprising spinous processes which are wholly or partly laid free by a first cutting means.

The present control means are mounted on the apparatus which following known principles is used for the cutting up by means of a saw blade. The control means thus serves its function after a cutting free of the spinal column has been effected, which takes place by means of a cutting-free knife, for example as disclosed in Danish Patent no. 172769. After this cutting free, where a cut right in to the spinous processes is effected, these have been exposed. By cutting-free and laid free it is to be understood that the skin is thus removed, whereby the control means have direct contact on the inner tissue, i.e. bones or/and sinews/muscles. Subsequently, the con- trol means will now make contact with the control elements' contact surface against parts of the spinous processes or against sinews and muscular tissue lying close to said processes.

At the same time a carriage, which is otherwise constructed substantially in accordance with known principles, will be moved in against the spine from the belly side, inasmuch as a cutting-up of the belly has already been effected. From the back side, where as mentioned the control means have their point of engagement, there will also be an auxiliary counter-stop element in the form of a carriage consisting in this case of two identical wheels placed opposite one another and which are rotatable, and in the periphery of which there are also mounted rotatable rollers. By means of this auxiliary counter-stop element, a further control of the movement of the carcass itself can take place, in that the rotatability of the auxiliary counter-stop element's wheels themselves provide one form of movement, while the friction of the rollers against the skin of the animal will provide a second form of control.

There is now effected a movement downwards, in that it is envisaged that the animal is preferably suspended by its rear legs, and a cutting means preferably in the form of a saw blade is subsequently introduced from the belly side and thus carries out a sawing through of the spinal column, and where the advantage of cutting via the belly side is that the saw blade hereby engages with the thickest part of the spinal column, whereas in cases where it is preferred to carry out the sawing-up up from the back side, its point of engagement will be with the spinous process mentioned earlier. This, however, will also be able to be done, precisely because of the very exact control of the spinal column as a consequence of the control means having direct contact in against the spinous processes or the adjoining tissue.

The whole of the apparatus with saw, carriage and auxiliary counter-stop element and control means is now moved downwards towards the head of the animal. The saw blade will preferably be deactivated in the region of the head, so that a sawing through of the head of the animal does not take place. This has the advantage that the contamination is minimised. Upon conclusion of the handling, the animal will thus have been parted, but still hanging together in the region of the neck, which can subsequently be cut through when this is deemed convenient. By providing a control means according to the invention and as disclosed in claim 2, a sensible engagement of the control means is achieved.

In order to prevent deviation of the spinous processes to a higher degree, the first control element and the second control element can assume a position as disclosed in claim 3.

By providing a control means according to the invention and as disclosed in claim 4, a clearance is achieved whereby the two control elements can wander, and thus that they do not become wedged, and where the distance, which is thus greater than the distance between the cutting-free knives, ensures that engagement against the spinal column or surrounding tissue becomes a firm engagement.

By providing a control means according to the invention and as further disclosed in claim 5, an expedient construction for movement of the control elements is achieved.

By providing a control means according to the invention and as further dis- closed in claim 6, a counter-stop for the control means is achieved, partly so that the spine is straightened out and partly so that this is immovable during the cutting of the saw blade through the spinous processes.

By providing a control means according to the invention and as further dis- closed in claim 7, an expedient establishing of the effect of the counter-stop element and mobility is achieved in one and the same construction.

The invention also relates to a method for the control of spinous processes, such as disclosed in claims 8-13, and where claim 8 is as follows: Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of a slaughtered animal whereby use is made of a control means, said control means comprising at least two and substantially identical control elements, a first control element and a second control element, said control elements being disposed sub- stantially opposite each other in the provision of an opening/passage, and where the skin of the animal and parts of underlying tissue are removed at least in the back area opposite the spinal column by means of a first cutting means, and that the first respectively the second control element are brought into direct engagement with the spinal column of the animal on each side of the spinous processes cut free from the back side, so that parts of the surface of the control element rest against the spinal column or adjoining tissue.

The invention also relates to an apparatus for symmetrical splitting of slaughtered animals, comprising saw blade/splitting knives or saws for carrying out the symmetrical splitting and comprising control means for use during the symmetrical splitting, said control means comprising at least two, substantially identical control elements, a first control element and a second control element, said first control element and said second control element being disposed substantially opposite each other, and where each control element comprises a surface for engagement against the animal's spinal column including spinous processes, which wholly or partly have been laid free by a first cutting means.

Claims 15-21 disclose expedient construction details for the apparatus.

Finally, the invention relates to the use of the apparatus and the control means.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing, where fig. 1 shows a section through a spinal column and the apparatuses which are used for the splitting, including a control means according to the invention,

fig. 2 shows an example of the positioning of a control means according to the invention, seen from the side,

fig. 3 shows an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, where the cutting takes place from the belly side, and

fig. 4 shows an example embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, where the cutting takes place from the back side,

fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to the invention comprising the saw blade, control means and counter-stop elements, and used on a porker,

fig. 6 shows the auxiliary counter-stop element used in the example embodiment shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 1 shows a section through a spinal column 9 and the apparatus 8 which is used for the cutting. On the spinal column 9 are seen the spinous processes 4 and the apparatus 8, said apparatus 8 comprising a first control element 2 and a second control element 3 which have contact on each their side of the spinous process 4, and which engage at the bottom so that the spinous process 4 does not change position. Each control element 2, 3 has a contact surface 20 which, for example, can be curved in the vertical direction and plane to rounded in the horizontal direction, in the provision of a surface which partly supports and partly permits a movement across the spine.

The control means 1 for the spinous processes 4 is mounted on the same apparatus 8 as and in front of the saw blade 5, where the saw blade 5 is formed following known principles. The saw blade 5 is mounted in such a manner that its function follows the control means 1 for the spinous processes 4. The controlling of the spinous processes takes place just ahead of the saw blade.

The distance between the first control element 2 and the second control element 3 is preferably in the order of 7 mm, which corresponds to the breadth of a spinous process 4 plus a certain possibility of travel of around 1 mm. This distance is maintained for the whole of their movement along the spine 9, and the first control element 2 and the second 3 control element will thus be separated during the whole of their execution, called the function extent, by which an opening/passage 21 is created between the two elements.

The thickness of the blade lies in the order of 2-3 mm, preferably around

2.6 mm, which thus means that it is very important that the position of the spinous processes can be strictly defined, in that these also have a thickness which is greatly varying and in some places lies at around 4 mm, and for this reason it will be obvious to those familiar with the technique that the control is particularly important. The dimensions mentioned are those which apply for porkers.

The shape of the first control element 2, which is identical with the second control element 3, can for example be similar to the pin disclosed in US patent no. 4,109,347, though without the mentioned slit, or as knives as known from the splitting, but since the control means 1 shall not effect any cutting, it is not configured with a cutting edge but as a blunt control means 1. The positioning of the control means 1 in relation to the spine 9 can be effected in different ways, for example at right-angles or as shown in the drawing with a certain slope for further prevention of the deviation of the spinous processes 4.

It is thus important for the first and the second control element that they have a certain extent of contact surface against the spine for well-defined positioning, and at the same time that the extent in the horizontal level should be held at a minimum in order to ensure a well-defined contact against the spine. It can thus be expedient for the configuration of the contact surface to be curved in the vertical direction and narrow linear/flat- shaped in the horizontal direction.

On the control means 1 there can be mounted further technical characteristics, for example such as barbs at the front end or facing in towards the spinous processes 4 for further prevention of deviation of the spinous processes 4. It can also be envisaged that the control element 1 can also be formed in a completely smooth manner, whereby its passage along the spine is made easier. None of these characteristics are shown in the drawing.

Moreover, the apparatus 8 possibly also comprises at least one control element 6 for the blade 5, a so-called blade guide, which for example can be in the form of plastic blocks. In the drawing, two control elements 6 are seen.

On their one side 11 , the control elements 6 have contact against or are at a very small distance from the blade 5, whereby the deviation of the blade is considerably reduced. On their opposite side 12, they are respectively in contact against the first control element 2 and the second control element 3.

Finally, the apparatus 8 comprises a motor 10 for execution of the function. By means of either a hydraulic or a pneumatic system 7, the apparatus 8 can effect horizontal movements, so that its position in relation to the slaughtered animal is optimised. The movement is indicated by arrows.

Fig. 2 shows an example of a control means 1 according to the invention seen from the side, and which shows a spinal column 9 including spinous processes 4.

The apparatus 8 itself comprises a saw blade 5, said saw blade 5 comprising the control means 1 for the spinous processes 4 and the control ele- ment 6, in which drawing only the first control element 2 or the second control element 3 is seen, and one of the control elements 6.

The cutting process and the control by the control means 1 take place by the saw blade 5, which rotates clockwise (see arrow indication), starting from the upper suspension, which is the hams. Hereafter, the first control element 2 and the second control element 3 move in between the first and the second spinous process 4 uppermost on the slaughtered animal, where this is cut free, and go to the bottom for contact against the innermost bottom of the joint. The position of the spine is hereby controlled in such a manner that the spinous process 4 sitting on the spine deviates neither to the right nor the left when the saw blade 5 subsequently runs through for cutting of remaining parts. It is thus important that for the whole of their function extent, the first control element 2 and respectively the second control element 3 effect control on each side of the spinous process 4, so that the saw blade 5 engages centrally in the spinous processes 4. From here, in the whole of its breadth the saw blade 5 follows the movement of the first control element 2 and the second control element 3, and follows these for the whole of their movement down towards the head region of the slaughtered animal (see arrow indication for control means). The saw blade 5 can be an ordinary rotating blade, but can also function as a circular stroke.

Fig. 3 shows an apparatus 8 according to the invention during use for the splitting of a slaughtered animal, where the splitting takes place from the belly side. The apparatus 8 comprises first and second control elements

2,3, with the blunt rounding of said control elements lying up against the spinal column 9 on each side of the spinous processes 4.

On the opposite side of the spinal column there is placed a counter-stop element 15 which, via hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders 17, is displaced forwards in an inclined movement for contact and for termination of the movement. The counter-stop element 15 comprises movement means in the form of wheels/rollers 16, preferably four wheels, where there are two wheels on each side of the spine 9. This counter-stop element is also called a bogie carriage. The bogie carriage is fed into the belly by means of the inclined movement by means of said hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders 17. The movement must be resilient, so that it presses the spine out against the first and second control element, also described as metal runners.

The fixings in the form of the bogie carriage and the metal runners are pressed together so that they straighten up the vertebra before these are sawn through by the saw blade 5. They are brought down together symmetrically with the saw blade during the sawing of the carcass, whereby the distance between the fixing means 15, 2, 3 and the saw blade 5 is constant. The two first and second control elements, also called metal runners, run on each side of the spinous processes which are cut free. As discussed earlier, the geometry of these first and second control elements can be compared with the cutting-free knives. By means of hydraulic and pneu- matic cylinders 17, these first and second control elements are moved vertically in against the spinal column 9, after which they move horizontally down towards the head. During this movement, they are controlled in the vertical movement.

The saw blade 5 itself is fed horizontally in towards the carcass until the first zone has been sawn through, after which it continues vertically down towards the head, where it is withdrawn. The fixing of the spine 9 is relevant for that region known as zone 2, which is a critical part of the carcass. Moreover, it is achieved that the forces must change direction as a conse- quence of the blade changing its direction of movement on this piece.

As mentioned, the controlling of the spinous processes is effected both by an external movable part and an internal movable part, where the external part consists of the first and second control element, while the internal part consists of the above-mentioned bogie carriage.

Fig. 4 shows an example of the apparatus according to the invention where the cutting takes place from the back side. In this case, the saw blade 5 is fed in horizontally towards the carcass until zone 1 has been sawn through, after which it continues vertically down towards the head, where it is withdrawn. The horizontal movement must start as high up on the carcass as possible. In the sawing through of the first zone, the fixing of the pubis will hold the uppermost spinous processes in position, whereby it is possible for these to be sawn through correctly. With the sawing through of zone 2, however, it is important that a straightening-up of the spinal column is effected before it is sawn through. This takes place while making use of the above-mentioned bogie carriage 15 with wheels 16, which forms a counter-stop against the first and second control elements 2,3 on the opposite side. As mentioned, the configuration of the first and second control elements (the metal runners) can be similar to that of the cutting-free knife, and during the vertical movement they must be controlled horizontally. Also in this case the bogie carriage 15 must have a flexible movement, so that it presses the vertebrae up against the first and second control elements. The saw blade, the bogie carriage and the first and second control elements must all move together during the sawing through of zone 2.

In connection with the sawing through of zone 3, the barbs will secure the head with the result that this will be split correctly. It can thus be ascertained that the place in which it is important that the control means comprising first and second control element and bogie carriage are active is in the second zone.

The dividing up into zones is done on the basis of the anatomy of the slaughtered animal. It is done in order mechanically to achieve more homogenous segments for use in the solutions described above, in that zone 1 represents tail and pelvic vertebrae. The anatomy of the animal does not permit an external fixing at this zone. Internally, a stationary pubis fixing can be placed relatively easily.

Zone 2 is the long, linear middle piece consisting of lumbar and breast vertebrae. Here, the anatomy of the animal allows both an internal as well as an external fixing, where the first-mentioned takes place by means of the bogie carriage, and where the latter takes place by means of the first and the second control element. Both fixings can be variable. Zone 3 comprises the neck vertebrae and the head. The neck vertebrae can be fixed externally, and internally only with difficulty. The head can be fixed both internally and externally.

The saw 5, which effects the centre piece handling and also the fore-end and boning-process, starts its fixing and processing of the centre piece from the division between the breast vertebrae no. 5 and 6, and up to the division between the pelvic vertebrae no. 2 and 3. In addition to this, it starts its fixing and processing of the fore-end from the division between breast vertebrae no. 5 and 6 and down.

It must further be mentioned that the internal/external stationary fixing is a form of fixing which supports the carcass at a number of points without moving during the splitting, while the internal and external movable fixing is a fixing which supports the carcass at a number of points and which moves during the splitting. This comprises the bogie carriage and the first and second control element discussed above.

It must also be noted that the fixing where the shoulders of the bogie carriage support the carcass internally, and the first and second control elements support in the groove left by the cutting-free knives, will give rise to a straightening-up and securing of the spinal column. This means that the better the grip achieved on the vertebrae, the more precisely the cut can be placed.

One of the advantages of carrying out a cut along the belly side is that the suspension of the animal can take place by hanging it from the neck, without a sawing-through of the head being effected. It is also possible to saw from the broad side of the spinous processes, which means that it will be easier to fulfil the demand concerning 10 mm-high spinous processes when sawing is effected from the belly side. Fig. 5 shows an apparatus according to the invention in a preferred embodiment. The animal 36, in this case a porker, is suspended by the hind legs. Before the actual splitting process, a cutting-free of the spine's spinous processes is carried out by means of cutting-free knives, for exam- pie such as those configured in Danish patent no. 172769. The distance, the so-called first distance, between these knives, which consist of two parallel knives, is of an order which is less than the distance of the control means 1 between the contact surfaces.

The cutting through of the spinal column 9 is carried out after the cutting- free of the spinous processes. In this case it is selected that the cutting- through thus takes place from the belly side, inasmuch as an opening of the belly is effected, after which the saw blade 5 is brought into position for the cutting through.

In this connection there are thus a number of auxiliary elements, comprising a so-called bogie carriage 15, also called the counter-stop element, which consists of a pair of rotating rollers 16 which slide along the spine on its belly side. Opposite, and in contact in a substantially diametrical manner, but on the back side of the animal, there is placed an auxiliary counter-stop element 35 which is a rotatable, circular element consisting of two circular units 37, wheels, and which are otherwise described in more detail in connection with fig. 6. In the periphery of these two circular units there are placed rollers which are similarly rotatable, and where these can be turned both clockwise and anticlockwise. There can hereby be achieved a better stability of the animal in connection with its suspension and cutting. Between the two circular units there is placed a control means 1 according to the invention comprising two identical control elements, a first control element 2 and a second control element 3, also called runners, and which are configured substantially similar to the cutting-free knives discussed earlier, but naturally where the contact surface against the spine is blunt. The engagement surface of the runners lies outside the contact surfaces of the auxiliary counter-stop element, i.e. its rollers 16.

Hereafter, a movement of the individual parts of the apparatus takes place, i.e. the support elements 35 and 15 move together with the control means 1 down towards the head part of the animal, at the same time that the saw carries out its cutting through of the spinal column. As mentioned, the spinal column will be relatively immovable, due to the direct contact of the control means against the spinal column or its surrounding tissue.

As mentioned, fig. 6 shows a section along the line VI-VI of the auxiliary counter-stop element shown in fig. 5, and this thus comprises two circular units 37 which can be turned around a centre axis mounted in an axle 38, and which in the periphery comprises rollers 16 which are rotatable both clockwise and anticlockwise, and where the axis of rotation is tilted 90° in relation to the axle 38. The control means 1 in the form of a first and a second control element are mounted between the two circular units 37, and the contact surfaces 39 of these are displaced so far forwards in relation to the rollers' engagement surfaces 35 that these surfaces are laid free. This is naturally necessary, because the rollers have contact against the skin on the back of the carcass, while the engagement surfaces 20 of the runners are in contact in against the tissue of the spinal column, possible the bone, and on each side of the exposed spinous processes.

The system is primarily envisaged for use for porkers, but can also be used for other slaughtered animals.

It shall thus be mentioned that during the control of the spinous processes during the sawing, a fixing of the pelvic and breast vertebrae takes place, i.e. an internally movable fixing by means of the so-called bogie carriage, and an externally movable fixing by means of the so-called auxiliary counter-stop element.

It should further be observed that the bogie carriage consists substantially of four wheels, namely placed on each side of the spinal column. This is fed into the belly by means of an inclined movement and where the movement must be resilient, so that it presses the spine out against the metal runners and the auxiliary counter-stop element.

It should further be observed that the process itself is subject to a number of demands, namely that the carcass is opened along the centreline plus/minus 5 mm, that the breast shall be cut open so that all joints and the breastbone are hanging together, that the hams shall be divided, that the pubis shall be cut over in the cartilage part so that there is just as much bone on both hams, that the intestines and the inner organs shall be removed, that the head shall not be cut off, and that the spinous processes shall be wholly or partly cut free.

The symmetrical splitting saw must thus saw through the spine of the carcass from the root of the tail. This means that with a later cutting-off of the head, the whole of the neck bone must be divided. After the sawing through, the two halves of the carcass shall be hanging together by a piece of neck skin. Demands are made with regard to both the channel depth and spinous process remains, in that the carcass shall be sawn through the spine with a precision around the centre plane of plus/minus 3 mm, measured at the depth of the spinal cord channel. In practice, this is done by measuring the depth of the channel in both halves of the carcass, and deducting the values from one another. The demand regarding the length of the spinous process for each single vertebra and its associated spinous process is that the length of the cut surface after sawing through shall be a minimum of 20 mm on the one side of the carcass, while the length of the cut surface on the same vertebra and spinous process on the other side shall be at least 30 mm.

Claims

1. Control means (1) for an apparatus for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals, said apparatus comprising saw blade/splitting knives or saws (5) for the implementation of the symmetrical splitting, said control means (1) comprising at least two substantially identical control elements, a first control element (2) and a second control element (3), said first control element (2) and said second control element (3) being disposed substantially opposite each other, c h a r a c te ri sed in that each control means (2,3) comprises a surface (20) for contact against the spinal column (9) comprising spinous processes (4) which have been wholly or partly laid free by a first cutting means.

2. Control means (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the distance between the contact surfaces (20) is greater than the distance - the first distance - between two parallel knives of the first cutting means.

3. Control means according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that in relation to the saw blade 5, the first control element (2) and second control element (3) respectively are placed plane parallel with this, and each with its one surface facing towards the slaughtered animal's wholly or partly laid-free spinous processes

(4) and/or surrounding tissue in the provision of an opening/passage (21 ).

Control means (1) according to any of the foregoing claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the distance between the two control elements, the first control element (2) and the second control element (3), is in the order of 5-10 mm, preferably 7 mm.

5. Control means according to any of the foregoing claims, character i s e d in that this comprises displacement means, preferably hydraulic or pneumatic elements, for bringing about a movement of the control elements and with a substantially constant distance to the saw blade in the vertical direction during its symmetrical splitting of the spinal column.

6. Control means according to any of the foregoing claims, character i s e d in that this comprises at least one counter-stop element with means for movement of the counter-stop element in relation to the spinous processes.

7. Control means according to claim 6, characterised in that the counter-stop element(s) means comprise wheels/rollers, said wheels/rollers having contact against the spinal column and/or the back side of the animal.

8. Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of a slaughtered animal whereby use is made of a control means (1), said control means (1) comprising at least two and substantially identical control elements, a first control element (2) and a second control element (3), said control elements being disposed substantially opposite each other in the provision of an opening/passage, characterised in that the skin of the animal and parts of underlying tissue are removed at least in the back area opposite the spinal column by means of a first cutting means, and that the first (2) respectively the second control element (3) are brought into direct engagement with the spinal column (9) of the animal on each side of the spinous processes (4) which are completely or partly cut free from the back side, so that parts of the surface (20) of the control element rest against the spinal column or adjoining tissue.

9. Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals according to claim 8, characterised in that a cutting means, preferably a saw blade (5), is brought into the cutting position and with its cutting surface in engagement with the spinal column, and said saw blade cuts through the spinal column.

10. Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals according to claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the first control element (2) and respectively the second control element (3) and the saw blade (5) are moved with displacement means, whereby said distance between first and second control element and the saw blade is constant.

11. Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals according to claims 8-10, characterised in that the saw blade (5) starts from the upper suspension and thereafter follows the movement of the first control element (2) and the second control element (3), and follows these elements for the whole of their movement through the animal's spinal column comprising tail vertebrae, pelvic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, breast vertebrae, and with the start position from the tail vertebrae.

12. Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals according to claims 8-11, characterised in that the saw blade cuts through the spinal column with its cutting edge in engagement with the belly side of the spinal column.

13. Method for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals according to claims 8-12, characterised in that during the symmetrical splitting, a counter-stop element for the support of the spinal column is placed on the belly side, and also that an auxiliary counter-stop element is placed with contact against the back of the animal.

14. Apparatus for the splitting along the symmetrical plane of slaughtered animals, comprising saw blade/splitting knives or saws for the implementation of the symmetrical splitting, and comprising control means for use during the symmetrical splitting, said control means (1) comprising at least two and substantially identical control elements, a first control element (2) and a second control element (3), said first control element (2) and said second control element (3) being disposed substantially opposite each other, characterised in that each control element comprises a surface (20) for engagement against the animal's spinal column (9) comprising spinous processes (4) which have been wholly or partly laid free by a first cutting means.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, characterised in that the distance between the engagement surfaces (20) is greater than the distance - the first distance - between the two parallel knives of the first cutting means.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that in relation to the saw blade (5), the first control means (2) and second control means (3) are respectively placed plane parallel with said blade, and each with its one surface facing towards the animal's laid-free spinous processes (4) and/or surrounding tissue in the provision of an opening/passage.

17. Apparatus according to claims 14-16, characterised in that the distance between the two control elements, the first control element (2) and the second control element (3), is in the order of 5-10 mm, preferably 7 mm.

18. Apparatus according to claims 14-17, characterised in that this comprises means of displacement, preferably hydraulic or pneumatic elements, for bringing about a movement of the control elements, and with substantially constant distance to the saw blade in the vertical direction during its symmetrical splitting of the spinal column.

19. Apparatus according to claims 14-18, characterised in that this comprises at least one counter-stop element with means for movement of the counter-stop element in relation to the spinous processes.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, c h a ra cte ri s e d in that the counter-stop elements comprise a bogie carriage (15) which, during its function, is placed with engagement surface (39) against or in the belly of the animal and on the side opposite the engagement surface (20) for the control elements (2,3), and further comprises an auxiliary counter- stop element (35) placed on the same side as the control element and with engagement surface on the back side of the animal.

21.Apparatus according to claim 19-20, characterised in that the engagement surfaces and means of movement of the counter-stop elements (15,35) comprise wheels/rollers (16).

22. Use of an apparatus according to claims 14-21 for execution of the method according to claims 8-13.

23. Use of a control means according to claims 1-7 for execution of the method according to claims 8-13.

24. Use of a control means according to claims 1-7 in an apparatus accord- ing to claims 14-21.