NL2025016B1

NL2025016B1 - Cutting device and method for cutting meat

Info

Publication number: NL2025016B1
Application number: NL2025016A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Toebes Harm
Original assignee: Dennis Grolleman
Priority date: 2020-02-28
Filing date: 2020-02-28
Publication date: 2021-10-14

Abstract

The invention relates to a cutting device and a method for cutting meat, wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting member for cutting along a cutting line and a conveyor for consecutively conveying a plurality carcasses in a transport direction towards the cutting member, wherein the cutting device further comprises a plurality of holders which are nmvable together with the conveyor in the transport direction, wherein each holder is adapted for receiving a portion of one of the plurality of carcasses to position said. portion with respect to the cutting line.

Description

P138098NL00 Cutting device and method for cutting meat

BACKGROUND The invention relates to a cutting device and a method for cutting meat. GB 1,169,209 A discloses a conventional band saw machine for cutting meat and other foodstuffs. The band saw machine comprises two tables which can be moved towards and away from the endless band saw to reduce the physical strain of manually moving the foodstuff relative to the endless band saw.

To date, the band saw, with or without the tables as disclosed in GB 1,169,209 A is still used quite frequently in slaughter houses to cut meat parts that — due to their non-uniform shape - cannot be easily cut in an automated process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A disadvantage of the known band saw machine is that a worker has to manually position the meat relative to the band saw. Moreover, the band saw machine, due to its open configuration, provokes the worker to manually keep the meat in position during the cutting. This can lead to unsafe situations and serious injuries.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting device and a method for cutting meat, wherein the positioning of the meat during the cutting and/or the safety of the worker can be improved.

According to a first aspect, the invention provides a cutting device for cutting meat, wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting member for cutting along a cutting line and a conveyor for consecutively conveying a plurality carcasses in a transport direction towards the cutting member, wherein the cutting device further comprises a plurality of holders which are movable together with the conveyor in the transport direction, wherein each holder is adapted for receiving a portion of one of the plurality of carcasses to position said portion with respect to the cutting line.

With the aid of the plurality of holders, the plurality of carcasses and/or the portions thereof that are received in said holders can be properly positioned and/or aligned with respect to the cutting line upstream of said cutting member. In particular, the carcasses may comprise a main body and a heel or a leg protruding from said main body. A worker can easily place the heel or the leg in the holder while the main body of the carcass remains on the conveyor. As the holders move along with the conveyor, the carcass can be left alone after it has been properly positioned. More in particular, the worker can keep clear of the carcass as it is being conveyed towards the cutting member for cutting and during the cutting. Hence, the safety for the workers can be increased significantly. Moreover, as the carcasses can be conveyed to the cutting member consecutively, i.e. in a continuous process, the efficiency of the cutting device can be increased as well.

In one embodiment the cutting device further comprises a drive member for driving the plurality of holders in the transport direction. The drive member can be arranged separately and/or independently from the conveyor. Hence, the holders be driven independently of the conveyor alongside said conveyor.

Preferably, the drive member comprises an endless drive element with a transport run for moving the plurality of holders in the transport direction towards the cutting member and a return run for returning the plurality of holders in a return direction away from the cutting member.

By returning the holders to the transport run via the return run, the movement can be made continuous. In other words, the holders can be returned to the transport run automatically.

More preferably, the return run is located below the transport run. Hence, the area above the transport run can be kept free for other operations and/or parts of the cutting device.

In another embodiment the drive member comprises a plurality of sprocket wheels and an endless chain arranged around said plurality of sprocket wheels. The endless chain can be driven continuously around, i.e. in a loop, around the sprocket wheels.

In another embodiment the plurality of holders are fixedly coupled to the drive member. The plurality of holders can thus remain in the same position on or relative to the drive member during the movement in the transport direction and/or the return direction.

In another embodiment the drive member is independently controllable with respect to the conveyor. This may be convenient for performing small corrections to the positioning and/or alignment of the carcass and/or the portion received in the holder with respect to the cutting member. In particular, the speed of the holders may be temporarily increased relative to the speed of the conveyor to rotate the carcass slightly on the conveyor.

Preferably, the drive member is synchronized with the conveyor so as to move the plurality of holders in the transport direction at the same speed or substantially the same speed as the conveyor. Hence, the position or alignment of the carcass and/or the portion thereof received in the holder can be maintained during the conveyance of said carcass to the cutting member.

In another embodiment the cutting line is parallel to the transport direction. Consequently, the carcasses can already be prepositioned on the conveyor in a proper position with respect to the cutting line, upstream of the cutting member. The worker does not have to guide the carcass towards and/or up to the cutting member, thereby significantly increasing the safety of the worker. Preferably, the conveyor extends at a first side of the cutting line in a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the plurality of holders extend at a second side of the cutting line opposite to the first side. Hence, the main portion of the carcass can be supported on the conveyor while only the portion that is received in the respective holder extends across the cutting line into said respective holder.

In another embodiment each holder defines a support surface for supporting the portion of said one carcass 1n a vertical direction when the respective holder is moved in the transport direction, i.e. when the respective holder is moving at or along the transport run of the drive member. The portion of the carcass received in the respective holder can thus be reliably supported in the vertical direction, preventing that the portion bends downwards or 1s pushed downward during the cutting.

Preferably, the conveyor defines a plane of conveyance for supporting the plurality of carcasses in the vertical direction, wherein the support surface extends above said plane of conveyance when the respective holder is moved in the transport direction, i.e. when the respective holder is moving at or along the transport run of the drive member. The support surface can thus support the portion of the carcass received in the respective holder at in a support plane that is higher than the plane of conveyor, i.e. to support a leg of the carcass in a substantially level orientation with respect Lo its connection to the carcass.

In another embodiment each holder defines a first side surface and a second side surface facing said first side surface for confining the portion of said one carcass in the transport direction between the first side surface and the second side surface when the respective holder is moved in said transport direction, i.e. when the respective 5 holder is moving at or along the transport run of the drive member. Hence, shifting of the portion received in the respective holder in the transport direction can be prevented.

Preferably, at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface is arranged at an oblique angle to the transport direction. The first side surface and the second side surface may for example taper towards each other at an angle that is similar or substantially to the shape and/or contour of the leg of the carcass that is received in the respective holder. Hence, side surfaces can be located in closer proximity to the leg, thereby more reliably holding said leg in position in the respective holder.

In another embodiment each holder further comprises an abutment member for abutting the portion of said one carcass in a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The abutment member can effectively limit the length or depth of the portion that can be received in the respective holder in the lateral direction.

Preferably, the abutment member is adjustable in the lateral direction. Hence, portions of different sizes, lengths and/or depths can be received in the same holder by adjusting the lateral position of the adjustment member.

In another embodiment the cutting device further comprises a plurality of shields at a first side of the cutting line in a lateral direction perpendicular to the transport direction, for shielding the plurality of carcasses, except for the portions of said plurality of carcasses that are received in the plurality of holders at a second side of the cutting line opposite to the first side, from the cutting line at said first side of the cutting line, wherein the plurality of shields are movable together with the plurality of holders in the transport direction. The shields can prevent that portions of the carcass that should not be cut off unintentionally extend across the cutting line.

Preferably, for each holder, at least one shield of the plurality of shields forms a group with said holder to receive and shield, respectively, the same carcass. Hence, the holder may be arranged for receiving a portion of the carcass across the cutting line while the shield is arranged for shielding the remaining portion of the same carcass from the cutting line.

In another preferred embodiment the cutting device further comprises a plurality of carriers for supporting the shields, wherein each carrier comprises a mounting part at the first side of the cutting line for mounting one of the plurality of shields to said carrier, a base part that extends at the second side of the cutting line, and a bridge part connecting the mounting part to the base part, wherein the bridge part extends below the cutting member when the carrier is moved past the cutting member in the transport direction, i.e. when the respective holder is moving at or along the transport run of the drive member. The cutting member can thus be moved past the shields without the shields, the base parts and/or the bridge parts interfering with the cutting operation.

More preferably, for each holder, at least one base part is located adjacent to the respective holder in the transport direction. Hence, the shields can be held in the same or a similar position offset in the transport direction relative to the respective holder.

As mentioned before, the cutting device comprises a drive member for driving the plurality of holders in the transport direction. This drive member may also be used to drive the plurality of shields in the same transport direction. Consequently, the holders and the shields can be driven at the same speed, in the same direction and/or in the same way.

Preferably, the drive member comprises an endless drive element with a transport run for moving the plurality of holders and the plurality of shields in the transport direction towards the cutting member and a return run for returning the plurality of holders and the plurality of shields in a return direction away from the cutting member. In other words, not only the holders, but also the shields can be returned to the transport run automatically.

In another embodiment the plurality of holders and the plurality of shields are arranged at regular intervals along the drive member. The holders and the shields can thus remain in the same sequence and/or at the same interval relative to each other.

In a further embodiment, each holder is arranged for transitioning from the transport run into the return run at a side downstream of the cutting member in the transport direction, wherein during said transitioning, the respective holder is turned upside down to release the portion of the carcass held therein under the influence of gravity. A collection unit can be placed at the end of the transport run for collecting the cut off portions falling out of the respective holders under the influence of gravity. Importantly, this collection can be automatic, i.e. without requiring a worker to reach into the holders close to the cutting member. Hence, the safety of the worker at the collection side of the cutting member can be increased significantly.

In another embodiment the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt. The endless conveyor belt can provide a continuous and stable support for the carcasses as they are being transported towards the cutting member. Hence, the position of the carcasses relative to the cutting member can be maintained more reliably.

In another embodiment the cutting member is a disc cutter. The disc cutter has a limited cutting depth, which allows the disc cutter to cut off the portions of the carcasses in the holders, while remaining clear of the structure of the cutting device, in particular the aforementioned bridge parts.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for cutting meat using the cutting device according to any one of the aforementioned embodiments, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - placing a plurality of carcasses on the conveyor; - receiving a portion of each of the plurality of carcasses in a respective one of the plurality of holders to position said portions with respect to the cutting line; — consecutively conveying the plurality carcasses in the transport direction towards the cutting member; and — moving the plurality of holders together with the conveyor in the transport direction.

The method relates to the practical implementation of the cutting device in steps of a slaughtering process, and thus has the same technical advantages as the cutting device and its respective embodiments. These technical advantages will not be repeated hereafter for reasons of conciseness.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of moving the plurality of holders in the transport direction towards the cutting member in a transport run and returning the plurality of holders in a return direction away from the cutting member in a return run.

More preferably, the return run is located below the transport run.

Most preferably, the method further comprises the step of transitioning each holder from the transport run into the return run at a side downstream of the cutting member in the transport direction, wherein during said transitioning, the respective holder is turned upside down to release the portion of the carcass held therein under the influence of gravity.

The various aspects and features described and shown in the specification can be applied, individually, wherever possible, These individual aspects, in particular the aspects and features described in the attached dependent claims, can be made subject of divisional patent applications. For example, the plurality of shields may be applied to the cutting device independently of or without the plurality of holders. In other words, the main goal of the invention may be to shield at least a part of the carcass from the cutting line. The portion to be cut off may then protrude between the shields across the cutting line, without any holders to receive these portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be elucidated on the basis of an exemplary embodiment shown in the attached schematic drawings, in which: figure 1 shows a side view of a cutting device according to the invention; figure 2 shows a top view of the cutting device according to figure 1; figure 3 shows an isometric view of a plurality of holder and a plurality of shields for use in the cutting device according to figure 1; and figure 4 shows a top view of the plurality of holder and the plurality of shields according to figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 and 2 show a cutting device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for use in a slaughter house, a slaughtering line, a deboning room or a cutting room. In this example, the cutting device 1 is used to cut meat originating from swine or hogs.

As best seen in figure 1, the cutting device 1 comprises a cutting member 2 for cutting along a cutting line C and a conveyor 3 for consecutively conveying or transporting a plurality pieces of meat or carcasses 91, 92 in a transport direction T towards the cutting member 2.

The cutting member 2 is a disc cutter 20. Preferably, the conveyor 3 comprises an endless conveyor belt 30 that provides a continuous support for the carcasses 91, 92 when conveying said carcasses 91, 92 in the transport direction T towards the cutting member 2. The endless conveyor belt 30 has an upper run or a transport run 31 for moving the carcasses 91, 92 in the transport direction T and a lower run or a return run 32 moving in a return direction R. The transport run 31 defines a plane of conveyance P for supporting the plurality of carcasses 21, 92 in the vertical direction V. In this exemplary embodiment, the return direction R is parallel yet opposite to the transport direction T. Preferably, the cutting line C extends parallel or substantially parallel to the transport direction T.

The carcasses 9 are partial carcasses, i.e. full carcass cut in parts during a previous step of a slaughtering process (not shown) so that each partial carcass 91, 92 only has one leg 93, 94. The leg 93, 94 may be a foreleg or a hind leg. In this exemplary embodiment, the feet or hoofs are also removed from the legs 93, 94 during a previous step of the slaughtering process (not shown) so that only the heels remain. When reference is made to ‘leg’ in this application, it is to be interpreted as the portions 93, 94 of the carcasses 91, 92 below the shoulder joint, with or without hoofs.

As best seen in figure 1, the cutting device further comprises a plurality of holders 4, a plurality of shields 5 and a drive member 6 for driving the plurality holders 4 and the plurality of shields 5 in the transport direction T. The plurality of holders 4 and the plurality of shields 5 are arranged or configured to move together with the conveyor 3 in the transport direction T, i.e. at the same speed or substantially the same speed. In this exemplary embodiment, the drive member 6 is arranged separately from the conveyor 3 and the conveyor 3 has its own drive. Hence, the drive member 6 is independently controllable with respect to the conveyor 3. Preferably, the drive member 6 is synchronized with the conveyor 3 so as to move the plurality of holders 4 in the transport direction T at the same speed or substantially the same speed as the conveyer 3. Alternatively, the conveyor 3, the holders 4 and the shields 5 may have a common drive member. Like the conveyor 3, the drive member 6 comprises an endless element 60, in particular an endless chain 60 arranged around a set of sprocket wheels 63, 64. The Endless element 60 has a transport run 61 for moving the plurality of holders 4 in the transport direction T towards the cutting member 2 and a return run 62 for returning the plurality of holders 4 in the return direction R away from the cutting member 2 and/or back to the start of the transport run 61, The return run 62 of the drive member 6 is located below the transport run 61 of the drive member

6. In this exemplary embodiment, the transport run 61 of the drive member 6 is at the same level or substantially the same level as the transport run 31 of the conveyor 3. I.e. both transport runs 31, 61 can run alongside each other. The return run 62 of the drive member 6 is slightly below the return run 32 of the conveyor 3, to allow for a larger radius between the transport run 61 and the return run 62. The plurality of holders 4 and the plurality of shields 7 are fixedly coupled to the drive member 6. Preferably, the holders 4 and the shields 5 are arranged at regular intervals along the drive member 6, i.e. at every link of the endless chain or at every few chain links. Note that the endless conveyor belt 30 and the endless element 60 have the same length to ensure that the holders 4 and the shields 5 remain in position and/or remain synchronized with the endless conveyor belt 30, at least along the respective transport runs 31, 61. To compensate for the additional length in the larger radii, the transport run 61 of the drive member 6 is slightly shorter than the transport run 31 of the conveyor 3. It will be clear that there are various other ways of matching the length of the endless conveyor belt 30 to the length of the endless element 60.

As shown in figure 2, each holder 4 is adapted for receiving the leg 93, 94 of one of the plurality of carcasses 91, 92. An operator or a worker places the leg 93, 94 of said one carcass 91, 92 in a respective one of the holders 4 at a position upstream of the cutting member

2. Said one holder 4 then maintains or keeps the leg 93, 94 in position, as the carcass 91, 92 is moved in the transport direction T towards and beyond the cutting member

2. In other words, said one holder 4 can keep the leg 93, 94 is position relative to or with respect to the cutting line C. There is no need for the operator or the worker to keep the carcass 91, 92 in position after the placement of said carcass 91, 92 on the conveyor 3. The carcasses 91, 92 can be transported autonomously, i.e. without further assistance from the operator or the worker, to the cutting member 2. The cutting device 1 may be provided with safety measures like safety screens or sensors to prevent or detect unauthorized access to the cutting device 1 at or near the cutting member 2.

The conveyor 2 extends at a first side of the cutting line C in a lateral direction L perpendicular to the transport direction T and the plurality of holders 4 extend at a second side of the cutting line C opposite to the first side. In other words, the holders 4 extend alongside the conveyor 2, at an opposite side of the cutting line C with respect to said conveyor 2.

As best seen in figures 3 and 4, each holder 4 defines a support surface 40 for supporting the portion 93,

94 of said one carcass 91, 92 in the vertical direction V when the respective holder 4 is moved in the transport direction T, i.e. when the respective holder 4 is moving at or along the transport run 61 of the drive member 6. The support surface 40 extends slightly above the plane of conveyance P defined by the transport run 31 of the conveyor 3 when the respective holder 4 is moved in the transport direction T along said transport run 31. Hence, the portion 93, 94 of the carcass 91, 92 received in said holder 4 can be supported in a substantially level orientation with respect to its connection to the rest of the carcass 91, 92. Each holder 4 further defines a first side surface 41 and a second side surface 42 facing said first side surface 41 in the transport direction T.

In this exemplary embodiment, one of the side surfaces 41, 42, more in particular the second side surface 42, is placed at an oblique angle to the transport direction T.

The side surfaces 41, 42 are arranged for containing or confining the portion 93, 94 of said one carcass 91, 92 in the transport direction T, i.e. between the first side surface 41 and the second side surface 42 when the respective holder 4 is moving in said transport direction T along the transport run 31 of the conveyor 3 and/or when the respective holder 4 is moving at or along the transport run 61 of the drive member 6. As best seen in figure 4, each holder 4 further comprises an abutment member 43 for abutting the portion 93, 94 of the carcass 91, 92 in said holder 4 in the lateral direction L.

In this exemplary embodiment, the abutment member 43 is adjustable in the lateral direction L, i.e. by moving the abutment member 43 through a corresponding slot 44 extending transverse or perpendicular to the transport direction T.

As shown in figure 3, the plurality of shields 5 are arranged at the first side of the cutting line C in the lateral direction L, i.e. at the same side of the cutting line C as the conveyor 3. In said position, the shields 5 are arranged for shielding the carcasses 91, 92, except for the portions 93, 94 of said carcasses 91, 92 that are received in the plurality of holders 4 at the second side of the cutting line C opposite to the first side, from the cutting line C at said first side of the cutting line C. In other words, the shields 5 are configured to shield the rest of the carcasses 91, 92 from the cutting line C at the first side of said cutting line C to prevent that any other part other than the portions 93, 94 of the carcasses 91, 92 that are received in the holders 4 are cut off. An operator or a worker may also manually push loose parts or flaps of the carcass 91, 92 behind said shields 5 with respect to the cutting line C to prevent that those loose parts or flaps are cut off. For each holder 4, at least one shield 51, 52 of the plurality of shields 5 forms a group with said holder 4 to receive and shield, respectively, the same carcass 91,

92. In particular, the plurality of shields 5 comprises a first shield 51 that is directly adjacent to the respective holder 4 in the transport direction T and a second shield 52 that is directly adjacent to the first shield 51 at a side of said first shield 51 in the transport direction T opposite to the respective holder 4. Consequently, the group of the holder 4, the first shield 51 and the second shield 52 together facilitate the proper positioning and/or shielding of a respective one of the carcasses 91, 92. As further shown in figure 3, the cutting device 1 further comprises a plurality of carriers 7 for supporting the shields 5. Each carrier 7 comprises a mounting part 71 at the first side of the cutting line C for mounting one of the plurality of shields 5 to said carrier 7, a base part 70 that extends at the second side of the cutting line C, and a bridge part 72 connecting the mounting part 71 to the base part 70. The bridge part 72 extends below the cutting member 2 when the carrier 7 is moved past the cutting member 2 in the transport direction T. The cutting member 2 can thus be moved past the shields 5 without the shields 5, the base parts 70 and/or the bridge parts 72 interfering with the cutting operation. Note that, again, for each holder 4, at least one base part 70 is located adjacent to the respective holder 4 in the transport direction T.

As shown in figure 1, each holder 5 is arranged for transitioning from the transport run 61 into the return run 62 of the drive member 6 at a side downstream of the cutting member 2 in the transport direction T. It is during this transitioning that the respective holder 4 is turned upside down to release the portion 93, 94 of the carcass 91, 92 held therein under the influence of gravity. In other words, the portion 93, 94 — which has just been cut off from the carcass 91, 92 — can simple fall out of the respective holder 4 while the rest of the carcass 91, 92 continuous on the conveyor 3 to a downstream processing station {not shown). A collection unit 8, i.e. box or a crate, is placed at the end of the transport run 61 of the drive member 6 for collecting the cut off portions 93, 94 falling out of the respective holders 4 under the influence of gravity. Importantly, this collection can be automatic, i.e. without requiring an operator or a worker to reach into the holders 4 close to the cutting member 2. Hence, the safety of the worker at the collection side of the cutting member 2, downstream of the cutting member 2 in the transport direction T, can be increased significantly.

A method for cutting meat using the aforementioned cutting device 1 will now briefly be described with reference to figures 1-4.

In particular, figures 1 and 2 show the situation in which two carcasses 91, 92 are placed by an operator or a worker on the conveyor 3 at a position safely upstream of the cutting member 2 in the transport direction T. The operator or worker manually pushes or places the portions 93, 94 of the carcasses 91, 92 to be cut off in the respective holders 4. The operator or worker subsequently lets go of the carcasses 91, 92, which can then be transported autonomously to the cutting member 2.

The carcasses 91, 92 may consecutively be conveyed in the transport direction T towards the cutting member 2 by the conveyor 3, while the plurality of holders 4 and the plurality of shields 5 are moved together with the conveyor 3 in the transport direction T. The term ‘consecutively’ is to be interpreted as conveying the carcasses 91, 92 in the transport direction T as part of a continuous or substantially continuous process, i.e. without interruption and/or without moving said carcasses 91, 92 backwards, unless there is a malfunction.

The carcasses 91, 92 are moved past the cutting member 2 which then cuts off the portions 93, 94 of said «carcasses 91, 92 that are received in the respective holders 4. The cut off portions 93, 94 remain in the respective holders 4 until said holders 4 transition from the transport run 61 of the drive member 6 to the return run 62 of the drive member 6. During said transition, the cut off portions 93, 94 fall out of the respective holders 4 into the collection unit 8 underneath the drive member 6. The empty holders 4 are returned in sequence, together with the shields 5, in the return direction R towards the start of the transport run 61 of the drive member 6 and the entire process may be repeated.

It is to be understood that the above description is included to illustrate the operation of the preferred embodiments and is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. From the above discussion, many variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art that would yet be encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A cutting device for cutting meat, the cutting device comprising a cutting member for cutting along a cutting line and a conveyor for sequentially conveying a plurality of carcasses in a conveying direction toward the cutting member, the cutting device further comprising a plurality of includes containers movable together with the conveyor in the conveying direction, each container being adapted to receive a portion of one of the plurality of carcasses to position the portion with respect to the cutting line,

The cutting device according to claim 1, wherein the cutting device further comprises a driving member for driving the plurality of containers in the conveying direction.

The cutting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the drive member comprises an endless drive member having a conveying barrel for moving the plurality of containers in the conveying direction toward the cutting member and a return barrel for returning the plurality of containers in a return direction. of the cutting part.

Cutting device according to claim 3, wherein the return barrel is located below the transport barrel.

A cutting device according to any one of claims 2-4, wherein the drive member comprises a plurality of sprockets and an endless chain arranged around the plurality of sprockets.

Cutting device as claimed in any of the claims 2-5, wherein the plurality of holders are fixedly coupled to the drive part.

7. Cutting device as claimed in any of the claims 2-6, wherein the drive part is independently controllable with respect to the conveyor.

The cutting device of claim 7, wherein the drive member is synchronized with the conveyor such that the plurality of containers are moved at the same speed or substantially the same speed in the conveying direction as the conveyor.

9. Cutting device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the cutting line is parallel to the conveying direction.

The cutting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the conveyor extends on a first side of the cutting line in a lateral direction perpendicular to the conveying direction and the plurality of containers extends on a second side of the cutting line opposite to the first side.

A cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each container defines a support surface for supporting the portion of the one carcass in a vertical direction when the respective container is moved in the conveying direction.

The cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the conveyor defines a conveying surface for supporting the plurality of carcasses in the vertical direction, the supporting surface extending above the conveying surface when the respective container is moved in the conveying direction.

The cutting device of any preceding claim, wherein each container defines a first side surface and a second side surface facing the first side surface for confining the portion of the one carcass in the conveying direction between the first side surface and the second side surface when the respective container is moved in the conveying direction.

The cutting device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first side surface and the second side surface is arranged at an oblique angle to the conveying direction.

A cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each holder further comprises a stop member for abutting the portion of the one carcass in a lateral direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

A cutting device according to claim 15, wherein the stop part is adjustable in the lateral direction.

The cutting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the cutting apparatus further comprises a plurality of shields on a first side of the cutting line in a lateral direction perpendicular to the conveying direction for shielding the plurality of carcasses except the portions thereof received in the said cutting device. plurality of containers on a second side of the cutting line opposite to the first side of the cutting line on the first side of the cutting line, the plurality of shields being movable in the conveying direction together with the plurality of containers.

The cutting device of claim 17, wherein, for each container, at least one shield of the plurality of shields is grouped with the container for respectively receiving and screening the same carcass.

The cutting device of claim 17 or 18, wherein the cutting device further comprises a plurality of carriers for supporting the shields, each carrier including a mounting portion on the first side of the cutting line for mounting one of the plurality of shields on the carrier, a base portion extending on the second side of the cutting line, and a bridge portion connecting the mounting portion to the base portion, the bridge portion extending below the cutting portion when the carrier is moved along the cutting portion in the conveying direction.

The cutting device of claim 19, wherein, for each container, at least one base portion is located adjacent to the respective container in the conveying direction.

A cutting device according to any one of claims 17-20, wherein the cutting device comprises a drive member for driving the plurality of containers and the plurality of shields in the conveying direction.

The cutting apparatus of claim 21, wherein the drive member comprises an endless drive member having a conveying barrel for moving the plurality of containers and the plurality of shields in the conveying direction toward the cutting member and a return barrel for returning the plurality of holders and the plurality of shields in a return direction away from the cutting member.

The cutting apparatus of claim 21 or 22, wherein the plurality of holders and the plurality of shields are arranged at regular intervals along the drive member.

The cutting device of claim 4, wherein each container is adapted to transition from the conveying barrel to the return barrel on a side downstream of the cutting member in the conveying direction, the respective container being turned upside down during the transition to reveal the portion of the carcass it includes release under the influence of gravity.

A cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conveyor comprises an endless conveyor belt.

A cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting part is a cutting disc.

A method for cutting meat using the cutting device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - placing a plurality of carcasses on the conveyor; - receiving a portion of each of the plurality of carcasses in a respective container of the plurality of containers so as to position the portions relative to the cut line; - sequentially conveying the plurality of carcasses in the conveying direction in the direction of the cutting member; and

- moving the plurality of containers in the conveying direction together with the conveyor.

The method of claim 27, wherein the method further comprises the step of moving the plurality of containers in the conveying direction toward the cutting member in a conveying run and returning the plurality of containers in a return direction away from the cutting member. in a return loop.

The method of claim 28, wherein the return barrel is located below the transport barrel.

The method of claim 29, the method further comprising the step of transitioning each container from the conveying barrel into the return barrel on the side downstream of the cutting member in the conveying direction, turning the respective container upside down during the transition for releasing the portion of the carcass contained therein under the influence of gravity.

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