GB1117656A - Improvements in or relating to the skinning of animals - Google Patents

Abstract

1,117,656. Skinning pigs. S. C. JOWETT. 21 Oct., 1966 [3 Nov., 1965], No. 46511/65. Heading A2U. In a method of skinning a dead pig, whose body temperature has not been raised above normal, natural temperture, e.g. an unscalded, preferably uneviscerated pig, it is suspended head-downwards by its rear legs 3 between a conveyer 15 and anchoring means, such as a tensioning hook 9 hooked to the head 8 and secured to another hook fixed in the floor or ground. A blood-letting wound 2 is made in the throat, before or after the pig is suspended. An incision 4 is then made lengthwise through the skin, preferably centrally along the belly, from the wound 2 to a point 5 between the rear legs, and another, substantially transverse, encircling incision 10 is made through the skin, so as to pass through the wound 2, between the ears and eyes and over the top of the head. Two parallel incisions may be made instead of the single incision 4. Incisions 6 may be made, from the point 5, through the skin along the insides of the rear legs 3, e.g. to join incisions made around these legs near the hooves 7. Incisions may also be made along the forelegs to join the incision 10. Hooks or clamps (not shown), preferably clamps of the self-tightening or locking type, are then attached to the ears, and, if desired, to the skin just above the incision 10, and pulling forces, directed upwardly and lengthwise of the pig, are applied to said hooks or clamps, as by block-and-tackle or winding gear, to peel the skin off the carcase, e.g. during or after bleeding. The skin bordering the incisions may be flayed to facilitate removal. In an alternative method, the incised dead pig is suspended head-upwards on a hook passing through its jaw, and a downward stripping force is applied to the skin. In a further alternative method, the incised skin is anchored, and a pulling force is applied to the carcase, in a lengthwise direction, to pull the carcase out of the skin. Skin left on the head and neck may be cut away by hand.