Method of mechanically removing skin from animal parts

Method of mechanically removing skin from animal parts that have a bone part extending therein, the method including:

• obtaining at least one bone holder associated with a conveyor for moving the bone holder through a given path;
• obtaining an animal part with the bone part therein;
• holding the animal part with the at least one bone holder by engagement of its bone part by the at least one bone holder;
• moving the animal part through the given path;
• engaging an outer surface of the animal part, when moving through the given path, with a rotating gripper means having an axis of rotation extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the animal part through the given path;
• maintaining a force on the animal part when it is in engagement with the gripper means;
• entrapping a portion of skin of the animal part between a gap of the gripper means;
• and
• pulling the skin away from underlying meat of the animal part.