WO2009070040A2

WO2009070040A2 - Improvements in pelt removal from animal carcasses

Info

Publication number: WO2009070040A2
Application number: PCT/NZ2008/000320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter James Finnie; Wayne Mortimer Duncan
Original assignee: Millers Mechanical (Nz) Limited
Priority date: 2007-12-01
Filing date: 2008-12-01
Publication date: 2009-06-04
Also published as: WO2009070040A3

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus and methods of use to remove the pelt of an animal from a carcass. Advantages from the invention include the potential for full automation of this processing step with a high degree of accuracy and reliability as well as minimised risk of contamination and pelt damage.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN PELT REMOVAL FROM ANIMAL CARCASSES

STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the Provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application Number 556463, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to improvements in pelt removal from animal carcasses. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting a pelt as it is removed from an animal carcass.

BACKGROUND ART

A common step in processing of an animal carcass in production of meat is the removal of the pelt from the carcass. This step is taken because the pelt is not edible and needs to be removed to allow proper processing of the carcass. Whilst the pelt is a valuable by-product if it is removed without damage, dirt and other matter on the exterior of the pelt is a potential source of contamination of the edible parts of the carcass.

As may be appreciated by those skilled in the art there can be a number of processing issues associated with this pelt removal step including (but not limited to): • The considerable strength or force required to remove the pelt from the carcass;

• The relatively high speed with which this step must be completed in a typical meat processing plant;

• The repetitive nature of the work;

• The avoidance of contamination of the carcass by dirt and other matter that may be present on the exterior of the pelt;

• The avoidance of stretching, straining, ripping or otherwise deforming the shape of the pelt;

• The very high reliability required in full scale processing operations, particularly where a mechanical device takes the place of manual labour.

Existing methods of removal are either manually, use of a fully automated mechanical device, or mixtures of both manual and mechanical devices.

Manual methods employ the use of a person who physically pulls the pelt from the carcass by hand. As may be appreciated, this requires considerable strength, particularly over the course of a processing run. In addition, removal of the pelt without causing contamination of the carcass takes considerable skill. Finally, besides the issues of strength and skill, due to the repetitive nature of the job, there is also the potential for injury through over use.

One mechanical method is the use of a 'final puller apparatus'. In this case, the carcass is presented to the apparatus hanging from the forelegs, supported by an attachment carried by an overhead chain conveyor and with the pelt partially removed from the forequarter area of the carcass. The apparatus clamps the partially removed pelt and completes the removal of the pelt by pulling the pelt in a generally downwards direction relative to the carcass, thereby removing the pelt from the carcass.

The final puller apparatus may have sensors to allow the apparatus to automatically clamp the pelt accurately at a pre-determined location as the carcass is presented. Alternatively, an operator may manually activate clamping of the pelt on presentation of the carcass and pelt. In a further example of the art, the operator manually places the pelt into the final puller apparatus.

As noted above, one key issue with pelt removal is that of contamination. The above final puller apparatus attempts to avoid risk of contamination as it operates by pulling the pelt off the hind legs as "socks". A drawback though is that the pulling force required also gives rise to quality problems as a result of excessive strain damage to the pelt as it is pulled away from the carcass. Misshapen or in worst cases, ripped or deformed pelts can be the result with a corresponding loss in value of this by-product. A further drawback of the above process is that an additional processing step is required where the carcass feet, hooves or even hocks may need to be removed and/or the pelt, adjacent to the carcass foot, scribed around, so as to cut the pelt prior to pelt removal to allow the sock to be cleanly pulled free from the carcass.

One solution to the problem of misshaped pelts is the insertion of a 'spear' cut which is a longitudinal cut starting at the inside of the leg just above the hoof moving up towards the top of the leg. This is completed prior to the final pull operation and removal of the pelt taking place. The spear cut is a cut up the pelt on the inside of each of the hind legs of the carcass. Whether the pelt removal is completed manually or mechanically, the insertion of a spear cut is a common practice. The spear cut also ensures that the pelt can be laid flat, as is required for further processing. If the spear cut is not carried out as the carcass is being processed, then the cut has to be completed later during the pelt processing operation. Later cutting is also more difficult as the pelt no longer has a physical structure to cut against, which takes extra processing time. The spear cut also has the advantage that it reduces the force required to remove the pelt from the carcass and therefore reduces the incidence of deformed pelts. However, to ensure clean removal of the pelt, the scribing and cutting of pelt adjacent to the carcass foot (termed a 'sock ring' cut) is still required.

Insertion of a spear cut may also have significant draw backs. The spear cut can be a source of contamination when the knife travels up through dirt or faecal sour material adhered to the pelt exterior and transfers this material to the carcass. This faecal material can be present due to the animal scouring post crutching, or may simply be dirt adhered to the wool.

Stockyard interventions such as chemical cleaning of animal's pelt pre slaughter exist to attempt to remove contamination sources prior to processing. These steps can have limited success resulting in the animal still being presented onto the slaughter floor in a dirty condition. In addition, the cleaning steps undertaken add further cost to the process in labour and raw materials such as water effluent treatment being required and chemical costs where chemicals are used.

The ramifications of contaminated carcasses to the process are significant. Whole carcasses may need to be condemned or down graded to non-human consumption only. Sometimes a carcass can still be processed following contamination with the area contaminated trimmed away. Processing in this way can result in significant additional costs due to the special handling required. For example the carcass may not be able to follow the normal line of processing, requiring specialist cutting operations out of the normal sequence of events. These extra steps and handling attract considerable extra cost to the processor. Further problems with manual insertion of a spear cut are that skill is required in cutting the appropriate area in the time allowed by the speed of the processing line in manual operations.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications are referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Throughout this specification, the word "comprise", or variations thereof such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention broadly relates to an apparatus and method of use that cuts the pelt during removal of the pelt therefore minimising risk of contamination whilst also allowing the pelt to be removed without risk of a strained or otherwise damaged pelt.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'pelt' refers to the animal skin and any exterior hair, wool and other debris on the skin exterior.

The term 'final puller' refers to the arm or arms that pull the pelt from the animal.

The term 'sock' refers to the region of the leg extending at least partially from the hoof or foot to the torso of the animal carcass.

The term 'rest position' refers to a neutral position for the apparatus when it is not actively processing the animal carcass.

The term 'hock' refers to foot or hoof and up to the first and second joints.

The term 'hoof or 'foot' or grammatical variations thereof are used interchangeably in this specification and refer to the end portion of the leg.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a pelt removal apparatus to remove a pelt from an animal carcass including a cutting mechanism and a final puller assembly wherein:

the cutting mechanism includes at least one cutting edge and at least one grip which position and maintain the cutting edge(s) in a position to cut the pelt;

and wherein the final puller assembly includes at least one arm that pivots about a support with at least one clamp that clamps the pelt;

and wherein, in use, the cutting mechanism grips at least one of the lower legs or feet of the carcass and the final puller arm rotates pulling the clamped pelt in a generally downwards direction relative to the carcass thereby removing the pelt from the carcass and, wherein the arm rotation pulls the pelt across the at least one cutting edge splitting the sock.

Preferably, the carcass before presentation to the apparatus is in a conveyor hanging by the fore legs and with the pelt partially removed from the upper carcass.

Preferably, in the above embodiment, the cutting mechanism of the pelt removal apparatus grips the lower hind legs of the carcass, the conveyor grips the forelegs, and the pelt is removed over the hind portion of the animal carcass. It should be appreciated that were the animal carcass aligned the opposite way with the hind legs attached to the conveyor, the opposite process for the pelt removal apparatus may also be completed without departing from the scope of the invention. Further discussion below is made with respect to the first orientation described above with the hind legs held in the pelt removal apparatus and the conveyor gripping the forelegs. This should not be seen as limiting.

Preferably, the cutting mechanism includes two sets of grips and cutting edges, one for each hind leg.

Preferably, the cutting mechanism is orientated so as to apply a cut along at least part of the length of the leg portion of the pelt, as the pelt is pulled from the carcass.

In one embodiment, the cutting mechanism applies a cut from the exterior side of the pelt as the pelt is pulled form the carcass.

In an alternative embodiment, the cutting mechanism applies a cut from the carcass side of the pelt as the pelt is pulled form the carcass. In one embodiment the cutting edge may be a fixed blade. In an alternative embodiment, the cutting edge may be a rotating disc. Other embodiments of cutting edge may also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

In one embodiment, the grip or grippers hold the cutting edge or edges proximal to the pelt on the lower hind leg of the carcass.

In one embodiment, the grip or grippers apply an opposing force on the leg and the cutting edge or edges are held adjacent the pelt.

In one embodiment, the final puller arm includes two or more clamps that apply an opposing force across the pelt.

Preferably, the final puller arm pivots about an axis that in turn applies a rotationally downward force on the pelt. As may be appreciated, the degree of rotation force applied from directly downwards to a completely perpendicular direction may be varied depending on the processing requirements.

Following removal of the pelt, the final puller arm clamps release and the pelt drops via gravity to a collection area for further processing. The final puller arm then returns to a resting position ready for processing of the next carcass.

Also following removal of the pelt, the cutting mechanism grips release the hind legs and return to a resting position ready for the next carcass.

In further embodiments, additional apparatus to the pelt remover above may be used to capture, orientate, transport and deliver the hind legs of the carcass and pelt to the pelt remover.

The inventors have found that correct delivery and the timing of this operation is very important to the reliability of the overall process. In one embodiment an additional capture and orientation apparatus is used. This capture and orientation apparatus is situated prior to the pelt removal apparatus and includes an assembly to collect and orientate the hind legs of the animal carcass, deliver this to a twin clamping and transport mechanism which then presents the hind legs and pelt in a position which the pelt removal apparatus can attach to. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations in this capture and orientation apparatus may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. As may also be appreciated, it may also be possible to not require a capture and orientation apparatus although the inventors have found this additional apparatus useful in maximising reliability.

In one embodiment a sock ring cut may be made to the hind leg prior to the final pull and removal of the pelt occurring.

As may be appreciated, the pelt removal apparatus described may be used for a variety of animal carcasses including, but not limited to sheep, cattle, deer, pigs and other animals.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for removing a pelt form an animal carcass using a pelt removal apparatus by the steps of:

(a) presenting an animal carcass to a pelt removal apparatus wherein the carcass has a partially removed pelt and is hung in a prone position by the upper fore or hind legs;

(b) gripping of the lower legs by a cutting mechanism wherein the cutting mechanism includes at least one cutting edge and at least one grip;

(c) clamping of the partially removed pelt and pulling the pelt using the clamp or clamps in a generally downward direction relative to the carcass wherein, as the pelt is pulled from the carcass, the lower leg section or sections of the pelt are pulled across at least one cutting edge of the cutting mechanism which applies a cut to the pelt along at least part of the length of the lower leg portion of the pelt as it is pulled from the carcass.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing the pelt from a carcass using the apparatus substantially as described above.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a pelt removal apparatus substantially as described above in the processing of an animal carcass.

It should be appreciated from the above description that there is described a pelt removal apparatus. Key to the apparatus is the drawing of the pelt across a cutting edge or edges as the pelt is removed from the carcass. The advantages which should be apparent to those skilled in the art include:

• Automation of the pelt removal step with a reliability acceptable for use in small and large scale meat processing operations;

• The high speed and accuracy of the apparatus and method therefore removing a potential bottle neck in the process;

• The avoidance of carcass contamination as the need for a spear cut is removed and the blade and carcass do not physically need to come into contact;

• The avoidance of pelt downgrades as the apparatus avoids pelt strain and or slipping/ripping; The cutting of the sock reduces the force required to remove the sock and therefore lowers the risk of the final puller arm clamps slipping from the pelt or ripping of the pelt.

The avoidance of needing to remove the hoof or animal foot prior to pelt removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a front elevation and side cross section elevation of one embodiment of the present invention in a first position where the machinery is at rest with no carcass;

Figure 2 shows a front elevation and side cross section elevation of one embodiment of the present invention in a second position where the carcass is in position for leg transfer;

Figure 3 shows a front elevation and side cross section elevation of one embodiment of the present invention in a third position with the carcass transferred in position for loading;

Figure 4 shows a front elevation and side cross section elevation of one embodiment of the present invention in a fourth position with the carcass part way through a cycle and the leg transfer retracted for next carcass; Figure 5 shows a front elevation and side cross section elevation of one embodiment of the present invention in a fifth position with the carcass positioned immediately before pelt removal and the next carcass in position for leg transfer;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the cutting mechanism of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a front elevation and side elevation of one embodiment of the cutting mechanism; and

Figure 8 shows a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the cutting mechanism.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is now described with reference to one embodiment of the invention.

The first example includes the use of an additional apparatus to the pelt removal apparatus which captures, orientates, transports and delivers the legs of the carcass and pelt to the pelt remover. It should be appreciated this additional apparatus is provided by way of example only and that other similar apparatus may be used (or not used altogether) without departing from the scope of the invention.

Reference is also made below to the carcass being orientated in a 'head up' alignment with the fore legs of the carcass gripped in an overhead conveyor and the hind legs and rear of the animal carcass in the down position. Reference is made to this orientation as it is common on meat processing although this should not be seen as limiting as the opposite orientation may also be possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Second and third examples describe processing variations that may also be used.

EXAMPLE 1

In this example, a general process is described to illustrate one embodiment for the pelt removal apparatus generally indicated by arrow 1 and method of use. Figures 1 to 8 are referred to.

Initially the animal carcass A, shown in this example as a sheep carcass A, travels along the conveyor 2. The carcass A has already been processed in earlier operations to partially remove the pelt 3 from the forequarter area 4 of the carcass A.

A capture and delivery apparatus 7 senses the arrival of the carcass A. Automatic sensors known in the art may be used such as light arrays, lasers and the like (not shown). Alternatively, operation may be triggered manually by an operator (not shown).

The capture and delivery apparatus 5 includes two parts being a capture assembly 6 and a twin clamping mechanism 7. The capture assembly 6 is mounted to a support 8. The twin clamping mechanism 7 is mounted to a transport system 9 and vertical support 10. The capture assembly 6 locates the hind legs 11 , captures them and raises the hind legs 11 into a position for the twin clamping mechanism 7 to clamp the lower portions or hocks of the hind legs 11. When the hocks 11 have been clamped by the twin clamping mechanism 7, the capture assembly 6 lowers and returns to its rest position (see Figure 1) ready for the next carcass B to be captured.

The twin clamping mechanism 7 is designed to ensure that the hind legs 11 are correctly orientated and are located at the correct height ready for delivery to the pelt removal apparatus 1. The height of the twin clamping mechanism 7 can be varied as required by the carcass A, B, C size, either by manual adjustment of its operating height or by pneumatic, electric or hydraulic adjustment in accordance with the sensed carcass A, B, C length.

The capture and delivery apparatus 5 are located prior to the pelt removal apparatus 1 so as to provide time for correct capture and orientation of the hind hocks 11 prior to being transferred to the pelt removal apparatus 1.

The twin clamping mechanism 7, together with the held hind leg hocks 11 move forward from a rest point (Figure 1) towards (Figures 2 and 3) the pelt removal apparatus 1 , and positions the hocks 11 for the cutting mechanism grips 12 to close on the hocks 11 and hold them in place.

The twin clamping mechanism 7 then releases the hocks 11 and is transported back to a rest point (Figure 4) ready to receive the next pair of hind legs 11 , from animal carcass B.

The transport system 9 described above for the twin clamps 7 may be pneumatically or hydraulically or electrically powered.

The final puller arm 13 then clamps the carcass pelt 3 using clamps 14 and pivots about a support point 15 causing the clamps 14 holding the pelt 3 to move in a generally downwards direction relative to the animal carcass A. As the pelt 3 is pulled from the carcass A by the final puller clamps 14, the cutting mechanism 12 and grip 12 with the hocks 11 gripped repositions the rear legs 11 of the carcass A as the final puller arm 13 continues to move down and remove the pelt 3 off the carcass. The pelt 3 is pulled off as a split sock (not shown) with the pelt 3 passing over the cutting mechanism 12 cutting edge(s) 16. The cut pelt 3 then pulls free of the lower legs or hocks 11 and passes around the cutting mechanism 12. An example of where the cut is placed 18 is shown in Figure 7 as dashed lines.

When the final puller arm 13 and the pelt 3 cutting mechanism 12 with the hocks 11 gripped has moved down the appropriate distance then the grippers 12 open and release the animal's hocks 11 and the pelt 3 clamps 14 release the pelt 3. Release is typically into a chute (not shown) which transports the pelt 3 away via gravity to another processing area. Hocks typically remain with the carcass A at this time and are removed later in the process.

The final puller arm 13 and open clamps 14 then pivots back up to a rest position, with the cutting mechanism 12 also repositioning so as to be at a rest position and ready to receive the next animal carcass B.

To assist with removal, a sock ring cut 17 may be placed on the hind leg 11.

EXAMPLE 2

In this example, different cutting mechanisms 12 are described. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 8.

As noted above, the cutting mechanism 12 includes at least one cutting edge 16. In one embodiment produced by the inventors, the cutting mechanism includes two cutting edges 16, each edge 16 cutting the pelt 3 sock corresponding to a hock 11. The cutting edge 16 in one embodiment may be a fixed blade 17. A fixed blade 17 presents a simple and easily maintained option. In the inventors experience this blade17 does require sharpening on a regular basis.

An alternative embodiment is the use of a rotating disc blade 18. The disc 18 has a sharpened edge across which the pelt 3 is pulled. Optionally, the disc 18 may self sharpen with each revolution of the disc 18 causing the edge 18 to alternately present a cutting edge and then pass through a sharpener. In further embodiments the disc may be sharpened at set intervals during processing or be manually sharpened away from the machine with alternate blades being used.

A further alternative may be the use of a fixed or reciprocating blade that rotates or varies the cutting angle over time. An aim of this altered orientation is to reduce the frequency at which sharpening is required as the blade edge wears at a range of angles and not just at one orientation.

Further cutting edge 16 embodiments may also be used including but not limited to reciprocating blades, curved blades, serrated blades, and so on.

EXAMPLE 3

In this example, different embodiments are described in more detail where the pelt 3 is cut on the exterior side or on the carcass side.

In the embodiment described and shown in Example 1 and in Figures 1 to 7, the cutting edge 16 is a rotating disc 16 which cuts the pelt 3 on the inside of the pelt 3 as the pelt 3 is drawn across the disc edge 16. This method has the advantage that contamination is minimised.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in Figure 8, the cutting edge 16 may be from the exterior side of the pelt. In this embodiment the pelt 3 is peeled back from the carcass A and in doing so, the exterior of the pelt 3 is drawn over the cutting edge 16. The cutting edge 16 may be a rotating disc, fixed blade or other cutting edge.

Both options for cutting may be used in the present invention and with careful design, minimise or even eliminate the risk of contamination.

As should be appreciated from the above examples, the apparatus and methods of use resolve problems in the art with existing pelt removal devices such as carcass contamination and damage to the animal pelt. The apparatus and method is also able to be fully automated with a high level of reliability thereby creating further processing efficiencies.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A pelt removal apparatus to remove a pelt from an animal carcass including a cutting mechanism and a final puller assembly wherein:

and wherein, in use, the cutting mechanism grips at least one of the lower legs or feet of the carcass and the final puller arm rotates moving the clamped pelt in a generally downwards direction relative to the carcass thereby removing the pelt from the carcass and,

wherein the arm rotation pulls the pelt across the at least one cutting edge splitting the sock.

2. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carcass, before presentation to the apparatus, is in a conveyor hanging by the fore legs and with the pelt partially removed from the forequarter area and the cutting mechanism of the pelt removal apparatus grips the lower hind legs or feet of the carcass and the pelt is removed over the hind portion of the animal carcass.

3. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the carcass before presentation to the apparatus is in a conveyor hanging by the hind legs and with the pelt partially removed from the hindquarter area and the cutting mechanism of the pelt removal apparatus grips the lower fore legs or feet of the carcass and the pelt is removed over the fore portion of the animal carcass.

4. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the cutting mechanism includes two sets of grips and cutting edges, one for each leg.

5. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cutting mechanism is orientated so as to apply a cut along at least part of the length of the leg portion of the pelt, as the pelt is pulled from the carcass.

6. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the cutting mechanism applies a cut from the exterior side of the pelt as the pelt is pulled form the carcass.

7. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the cutting mechanism applies a cut from the carcass side of the pelt as the pelt is pulled form the carcass.

8. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cutting edge may be a fixed blade.

9. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cutting edge may be a rotating disc.

10. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the grip or grippers hold the cutting edge or edges proximal to the pelt on the lower hind leg of the carcass.

11. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the grip or grippers apply an opposing force on the leg and the cutting edge or edges are held adjacent the pelt.

12. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the final puller arm includes two or more clamps that apply an opposing force across the pelt.

13. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the final puller arm pivots about an axis that in turn applies a rotationally downward force on the pelt.

14. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein, following removal of the pelt, the final puller arm clamps release and the pelt drops via gravity to a collection area for further processing.

15. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein, following removal of the pelt, the cutting mechanism grips release the hind legs and return to a resting position ready for the next carcass.

16. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein a capture and delivery apparatus is used to capture, orientate, transport and deliver the lower legs of the carcass and pelt to the pelt remover apparatus.

17. The pelt removal apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the capture and delivery apparatus is situated before the pelt removal apparatus and includes an assembly to collect and orientate the hind legs of the animal carcass, deliver this to a twin clamping and transport mechanism which then presents the hind legs and pelt in a position which the pelt removal apparatus can attach to.

18. A method for removing a pelt from an animal carcass using a pelt removal apparatus by the steps of:

(b) gripping of the lower legs by a cutting mechanism wherein the cutting mechanism includes at least one cutting edge and at least one grip; (c) clamping of the partially removed pelt and pulling the pelt using the clamp or clamps in a generally downward direction relative to the carcass wherein, as the pelt is pulled from the carcass, the lower leg section or sections of the pelt are pulled across at least one cutting edge of the cutting mechanism which applies a cut to the pelt along at least part of the length of the lower leg portion of the pelt as it is pulled from the carcass.

19. A method of removing the pelt from a carcass using the pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17.

20. Use of a pelt removal apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 in the processing of an animal carcass.

21. A pelt removal apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the Examples and Figures.