Rectum separating

An apparatus for separating and closing the rectum (13) of a slaughtered animal carcass (10) characterised by:

• a gripping apparatus (20) over which a closure bag (15) can be located so that the gripping apparatus is located at the closed end of the bag, the gripping apparatus (20) being operable to grip tissues (19) in the region of the anus (11) of the carcass (10) acting through the bag (15) but without perforating the bag,
• bagging means (30) for advancing the closure bag (15) so as to surround the rectum (13) where tissues around the rectum have been cut to a depth inside the pelvic cavity of the carcass without piercing the rectum, whereby the bag (15) can be constricted around the rectum (13) at a location spaced inwardly of the anus (11) so as to thereby constrict the rectum whereby the bag encloses the anus and a terminal end section of the rectum,
• the gripping apparatus (20) being releasable allowing the bagged anus (11) and terminal end section of the rectum (13) to enter deeper into the pelvic cavity of the carcass (10) for removal together with other viscera without discharge from the anus contaminating the carcass.

Apparatus as claimed in 5 characterised by advancing means (45) operative after the bag (15) has enclosed the anus (11) and terminal end section of the rectum (13) and has been constricted around the rectum to advance the bung member (21) and clamp (25) generally in the cranial direction so as to push the bagged anus and technical end section of the rectum (13) through the pelvic cavity towards the bulk of the abdominal viscera of the carcass.

Apparatus as claimed in 4 and further characterised by cutting means (41, 42) for mechanically cutting the tissues around the rectum (13) to a predetermined depth inside the pelvic cavity of the carcass (10).