Importance

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Abstract

Disclosed is a middle splitter for use in splitting middles of processed animals. This middle splitter has a work table onto which a conveyor belt is mounted. The conveyor belt is slotted along its length. A circular saw extends in the slot of the conveyor belt to cut the middle laid on the conveyor belt as it moves forward. A guide extends parallel to the slot and above the conveyor belt. This guide holds the middle flat against the belt as it is cut. A driving wheel having a vertical axis and peripheral corrugations is driven by a motor to pull the middle towards the saw and push the spine of the middle towards the guide while exerting a pressure to it. The guide includes two proximity switches operatively connected to the pressure-exerting device in such a manner that the pressure exerted by the wheel onto the spine is varied while the middle moves forward. The guide may further include a block located opposite the saw to distance the spine from the saw. The driving wheel is preferably conical, the top part being wider than the bottom part and the bottom part being cylindrical and flat and lying at a predetermined distance above the conveyor belt. This middle splitter is useful for avoiding cutting a portion of the shoulder blade that may be present in the middle.

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First Claim