CA1171313A - Method and apparatus for deboning fish - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for deboning fishInfo
- Publication number
- CA1171313A CA1171313A CA000392694A CA392694A CA1171313A CA 1171313 A CA1171313 A CA 1171313A CA 000392694 A CA000392694 A CA 000392694A CA 392694 A CA392694 A CA 392694A CA 1171313 A CA1171313 A CA 1171313A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belly
- fish
- deboning
- knives
- guide
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A22—BUTCHERING; MEAT TREATMENT; PROCESSING POULTRY OR FISH
- A22C—PROCESSING MEAT, POULTRY, OR FISH
- A22C25/00—Processing fish ; Curing of fish; Stunning of fish by electric current; Investigating fish by optical means
- A22C25/16—Removing fish-bones; Filleting fish
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Food Science & Technology (AREA)
- Processing Of Meat And Fish (AREA)
- Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE:
The invention relates to a method of deboning beheaded fish of the herring and/or mackerel type conveyed at their backs with the head end foremost comprising effecting a preparatory incision of the tail portion of the fish along both sides of the spine as far as the region of the back radii before the deboning cut. The tail portion is for this purpose driven onto belly filleting knives which are freed only during the passing of this portion of the fish, so that the spine can be cut out economically in the tail portion of the fish. The subsequent deboning cut is effected by knives which perform relatively inclined inci-sions starting from immediately above the ribs, which are spread apart together with the belly flaps, and converging to meet in the region of the fin holders of the dorsal fin.
The invention relates to a method of deboning beheaded fish of the herring and/or mackerel type conveyed at their backs with the head end foremost comprising effecting a preparatory incision of the tail portion of the fish along both sides of the spine as far as the region of the back radii before the deboning cut. The tail portion is for this purpose driven onto belly filleting knives which are freed only during the passing of this portion of the fish, so that the spine can be cut out economically in the tail portion of the fish. The subsequent deboning cut is effected by knives which perform relatively inclined inci-sions starting from immediately above the ribs, which are spread apart together with the belly flaps, and converging to meet in the region of the fin holders of the dorsal fin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF TRE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present lnvention relates to a method and apparatus for the deboning of decapitated fish, especially herring and/or mackerel type fLsh, conveyed by engagement at their backs in swimming position with $heir decapitation ends foremost.
1. Field of the Invention The present lnvention relates to a method and apparatus for the deboning of decapitated fish, especially herring and/or mackerel type fLsh, conveyed by engagement at their backs in swimming position with $heir decapitation ends foremost.
2. Description of the Prior Art In the filleting of small to medium large bulk flsh, due to the processing stock becoming increas~ngly more scarce and expensive, increasing value is attached to processing the fish with the smallest possible loss of flesh suitable for human con-sumption. This presupposes that the method for the removal of the bone skeleton provides a cutting sequence which permits an exact and most economical performance of the deboning. When the overall design of apparatus for this purpose is directed to the ulfilment of these requirements, then it becomes evident that the back region alone is available for the engagement of the con-veying means for the conveying of the fish, as the flank region in particular must be kept free for varlous guide eleme~ts.
F1lleting apparatus with a conveyor con~eying the fish with the head end forward while engaging at the back thereof is dis-closed i~ DE PS 11 54 913. As is evident from this specification, the working run of the conveyor is so guided by means of presser rollers reslliently deflectable in the direction of the conveying path that entraining means of the conveyor, which are provided with prismatic recesses, are held ln contact wi~h the back of ., ~ .
' the ish~ However, the conveyor has proved in practice not to display the flexibility desired for the purpose of adap-tation to the back outline of the fish. As a result, the con-veyed fish tends to assume the shortest course between the in-dividual supporting rollers, i.e., to assume the position ofthe connecting tangent of two successive rollers. This is particularly dlsadvantageous during the processing of herring-type fish, even more 50 in the case of mackerel-type fish which have a distinctly spindle-shaped structure resulting in an un-clean cutting line, as the tail region of the fish is not helddown and thereby guided to allow the belly filleting knives to process this region. This has the consequence that the guides, which are arranged downstream o this tool and adapted to the presence of belly filleting cuts, cannot engage the tail region to allow execution of the subsequent deboning cut in the desired manner. In that case, either the bone skeleton in the ail region of the fi~h is not cut completely, or the fillets are cut free with appreciable loss of yield because spreading of the fillets cannot take place in this region, so that the deboning knives also remove a part of the flank flesh. Moreover, particularly in the first-m~ntioned case, mechanical skinning of the obtalned double fillet cannot always be readily carriad out, since the neces~ary laying-~lat o~ the fillets is not possible due to the absence of incisions in the tail region.
2S 3. Object of the Invention Accordingly it is a main object of the invention to provlde a debonlng method and apparatus which make separation of the bone skeleton of fish possible with exact and most economical cutting lines.
, ~.~'7~3~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of deboning a decapitated fish cut open at its belly, in particular herring and mackerel type fish, conveyed by its back with its head end leading and belly side downward, the method comprising the steps of cutting the tail portion of the fish by means of filleting cuts extending from the belly side of the fish up to the region of the back spokes, spreading the belly walls and ribs of the fish, and severing the skeleton from the fish by means of deboning cuts inclined relatively to each other which extend immediately above the guided ribs spread with the belly flaps and converge to meet in the region of the fin holders of the dorsal fin.
Preferably, the tail portion of the fish is cut free as far as the region of the back radii by means of a pair of filleting cuts conducted from the belly side immediately after the opening of the abdominal cavity and the bone skeleton is subsequently severed by means of a pair of deboning cuts which are started immediately above the ribs conducted spread out with the belly lobes, ex-tend in wedge shape and meet in the region of the fin holders of the back fins.
The advantages of such a method essentially reside in that the tail portion of the fish can be firmly guided laterally through the engagement into the filleting cuts as far as the region of the fin holders of the back fins during the deboning cuts, whereby a high yield can be achieved because on the one hand symmetrical processing is assured and on the other hand it is made possible for the cut free filIet portions to be guided over deboning knives without operation thereof.
According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for deboning a decapitated fish cut ~' . .i
F1lleting apparatus with a conveyor con~eying the fish with the head end forward while engaging at the back thereof is dis-closed i~ DE PS 11 54 913. As is evident from this specification, the working run of the conveyor is so guided by means of presser rollers reslliently deflectable in the direction of the conveying path that entraining means of the conveyor, which are provided with prismatic recesses, are held ln contact wi~h the back of ., ~ .
' the ish~ However, the conveyor has proved in practice not to display the flexibility desired for the purpose of adap-tation to the back outline of the fish. As a result, the con-veyed fish tends to assume the shortest course between the in-dividual supporting rollers, i.e., to assume the position ofthe connecting tangent of two successive rollers. This is particularly dlsadvantageous during the processing of herring-type fish, even more 50 in the case of mackerel-type fish which have a distinctly spindle-shaped structure resulting in an un-clean cutting line, as the tail region of the fish is not helddown and thereby guided to allow the belly filleting knives to process this region. This has the consequence that the guides, which are arranged downstream o this tool and adapted to the presence of belly filleting cuts, cannot engage the tail region to allow execution of the subsequent deboning cut in the desired manner. In that case, either the bone skeleton in the ail region of the fi~h is not cut completely, or the fillets are cut free with appreciable loss of yield because spreading of the fillets cannot take place in this region, so that the deboning knives also remove a part of the flank flesh. Moreover, particularly in the first-m~ntioned case, mechanical skinning of the obtalned double fillet cannot always be readily carriad out, since the neces~ary laying-~lat o~ the fillets is not possible due to the absence of incisions in the tail region.
2S 3. Object of the Invention Accordingly it is a main object of the invention to provlde a debonlng method and apparatus which make separation of the bone skeleton of fish possible with exact and most economical cutting lines.
, ~.~'7~3~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a method of deboning a decapitated fish cut open at its belly, in particular herring and mackerel type fish, conveyed by its back with its head end leading and belly side downward, the method comprising the steps of cutting the tail portion of the fish by means of filleting cuts extending from the belly side of the fish up to the region of the back spokes, spreading the belly walls and ribs of the fish, and severing the skeleton from the fish by means of deboning cuts inclined relatively to each other which extend immediately above the guided ribs spread with the belly flaps and converge to meet in the region of the fin holders of the dorsal fin.
Preferably, the tail portion of the fish is cut free as far as the region of the back radii by means of a pair of filleting cuts conducted from the belly side immediately after the opening of the abdominal cavity and the bone skeleton is subsequently severed by means of a pair of deboning cuts which are started immediately above the ribs conducted spread out with the belly lobes, ex-tend in wedge shape and meet in the region of the fin holders of the back fins.
The advantages of such a method essentially reside in that the tail portion of the fish can be firmly guided laterally through the engagement into the filleting cuts as far as the region of the fin holders of the back fins during the deboning cuts, whereby a high yield can be achieved because on the one hand symmetrical processing is assured and on the other hand it is made possible for the cut free filIet portions to be guided over deboning knives without operation thereof.
According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for deboning a decapitated fish cut ~' . .i
3~
open at its belly, comprising endless conveyor means for conveying a decapitated fish cut open at its belly with its decapitation end foremost and its belly downward along a conveying path, the conveyor means being provided with entraining means or entraining the fish at its back, and facing the conveying path, the apparatus further comprising belly filleting knives and deboning knives inclined rela-tively to each other, belly guide means arranged at least in the region of the belly filleting knives, presser means for the working run of the conveyor associated at least with the filleting tools, and being resiliently deflectable relative to the conveying path, and at least one feeler means for monitoring the position of the fish to be treated respectively, wherein the belly guide means comprise a guide system arranged upstream of the belly filleting knives, which system comprises resiliently deflectable internal belly guide means covering the leading cutting edges of the belly filleting knives, and resiliently deflectable external belly guide means which are controllable for synchronous movement symmetrically with respect to the centre of the conveying path and adapted to define guide means facing the conveying means, the internal guide means being positionable to project into said guide means from their base.
By such apparatus the cutting accuracy necessary for achieving an optimum yield will be obtained in a ad~anta-geous structural manner.
:, 7~
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pair of belly filleting knives and a pair of deboning knives which are placed in wedge shape relative to each other, belly guides for the fish arranged at least in the region of the belly fillet-ing knives, a conveyor facing the fish conveying path and pro-vided with entraining members for conveying engagement at the back of the fish, presser means for the conveyor associated at least with the filletlng knives and deflectable relative to the fish conveying path against the force of a spring, and at least one feeler monitoring the position of the fish to be processed.
The belly guides in the region of the filleting knives compxise an tnternal belly guide arranged in front of the knives to be deflectable against the force of a spring from a rest position in which it covers at least the leading cutting edge portions of the knives, and centre-symmetrically synchronously control-lable resiliently deflectable external belly guides defining a guide passage which faces the conveyor and through the base of which the internal guide protrudes.
Preferably, the external guides are provided with setting means, which stand ln operative connection with the ~eeler and which keep the external guides in the deflected position until immediately after entry of the flsh therebetweenO The setting means can be operatively connected in such a manner with the presser means, associated with the filleting knives, that the downward pressing force thereof, which is at first nearly the same as the force of the spring of the internal guide, is in-creased on inward movement of the external guldes. This avoids the usual disadvantage of the leading decapitation surface of 1.~'7~3~L~
the fish having to displace the external guides from their nar-rowest setting, i.e., lying practically against each other, with consequent braking effect, which can lead to blockages. At the same time, it is attained that the filleting knives are actuated only when the abdominal cavity of the fish has already run past these, so that the danger of cutting off the ribs does not exist, while on the other hand the desired severing of the filleting in the tail portion as far as the region of the back radii is carried out properly.
A resiliently deflectable presser element, which comes into contact with the outline of the back of the fish and is operatively connected to the external belly guldes, can be arranged at least ln the region of the belly filleting knives.
For the purpose of guidance of the underside of the spine in the abdominal cavity region and of the bone strip containing the b~lly radii in the tail portlon o the fish or ~f the back fin strip, the sides of the internal guide and of the presser element facing the fish are each provided with a respective groove-shaped recess.
Preferably the entralning elements of the conveying means and the sides of the external belly guides may be shaped prismatically, which guarantees a particularly safe and exact self-center~ng vf the fish.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other and further objects of the present invention will be ~5 apparent from the following description and claims and are illus-trated in the accompanying schematic drawings, which, by way of illustration, ~how preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what now are considered to be the 3~3~
best modes contemplated for applying these principles. Other 2mbodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the scope of the suspended claims.
In the drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of deboning apparatus, according to the said embodiment, with a back conveyor with pris-matic entraining elements shown supexelevated for reasons of clarity, Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation of the deboning apparatus before the arrival of the abdominal cavity end of a fish, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Flg. 2 showing the arrival of the abdominal cavity of the fish, and ~ig. 4 is a cross-section through a modified deboning apparatus directly in front of belly filleting knives of the apparatus, in the operating phase accoxding to Fig. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREF~RRED EMBODIMENT
Refexring now to the drawings, a fish conveying path is defined by di~ferent guide elements in a framP (not shown) of a de~oning machine ~or fish of the herring and mackerel type. Ar-ranged along the conveying path are a belly fllletlng tool 2 with a pair of belly filleting knivss 1 having cutting adges 3 and a deboning tool 5 with a pair of deboning knives 4 arranged ~n wedge shape relative to each other. Disposed immediately in r1 front of the knlves 2, which are arranged spaced from each other, is an internal belly guide 6, which is held by the force of a spring 7 in a position covering the cutting edges 3 of the belly filletlng knives 2. The internal guide 6 i5 mounted to be pivot-able about a rvtational axis 8 of the knlves 2 and is provided atits side facing the fish with a groove-shaped recess 9.
Arranyed immediately in front of the internal belly guide 6 i5 a rigld guide element 10 for guiding the fish in its abdominal cavity and arranged along the lateral regions of the guide 6 is a pair of external belly guides 12, which are pivotable by a setting means 15, against the force of a spring 14, centre-synchronously about vertical axies 13 (Figs. 1 and 4). ~he guides 12, together with the guide 6 protruding therebetween, form a prismatic guide passage for the fish.
Adjoining the belly filleting tool 1 is a transfer guide com-prising metal guide plates 11 which cover the rearward cutting edges 3 of the knive~ 2 and which pass over to a autting countersupport element 16. The element 16 extends to a point between the deboning knives 5 of the deboning tool 4 and comprises surfaces arranged in roof-shape at the angle o~ the deboning knives 5. At the highest setting, the element 16 leaves the upper part of the cutting edges of the deboning knives 5 free. The cutting countersupport element 16 is flanked on both sides by individually sprung presser fingers 17, which form presser surfaces adapting to the flank outlines of the fish and which are effectlve immediately ln front of the cutting edges of the deboning knives 5. The element 16 is controllable in known manner in dependence on the position of the fish so that the actuatlon of the deboning tool ~ can be restricted to the time during which the abd~minal cavity of the fish passes this tool.
Adjoining -the deboning tool 4 is a roof-shaped guide 18, which covers the rearward cutting edges of the deboning knives 5. Axranged above the fish path is a conveyor 19, which extends parallel to the path and which consists of one ~Fig. 1) or two (Fig. 4) conveyor belts 20 e~uipped with prismatic entraining members 21 or gripper halves 22, and which is supported by pres-ser means 23. The presser means 23 are constructed as track rollers and only one is shown by way of example. The presser means 23 associated with the belly filleting tool 1 is mounted at the free end of a pivot levex which is connected through a resilient link 25 with the external belly guide~ 12 that, on inward movement of the guides 12 by the setting means 15, the pressure of the pressex means 23 is increased. In the case of a conve~or 19 with two conveyor belts 20, the lever is instead connected in like manner to a presser 26 projecting into the fish path through the gap between the conveyor belts 20.
In operation, a fish, which has been beheaded and opened at its belly mechanically or manually in a ~itable manner, is brought with its beheadlng cut sur~ace foremost and riding on the ~uide eIement 10 into the effective range of the conveyor 19, which engages its back and initially feeds it to ths belly f~lletlng tool 1. On arrival of the fish at this tool, the e~fectiveness of the tool is still inhibited through the internal belly guide 6 disposed in its rest position, i.e., in the positlon covering the leading cutting edges 3 of the belly filleting knives 2. Equally, the ex~ernal belly guides 12 are held out of engage-ment through actuation of the settlng means 1S. On arrival of the abdominal cavity end of the fish, the setting means 15 is relieved, which has the consequence that ~he external belly guides ~ ~'7~
12 are pivoted into the fish path under the force of the spring 15 and thereby come into contact with the fish. At the same time, the pressing force of the pressing means 23 is reinforced by the lever through the resilient link 25 in such a manner that the tail portion of the fish is pressed through the conveyor 19 against the belly filleting knives 2 and the internal belly guide 6 is pressed down against the spring 7. This operation results in incision of the tail portion of the fish along both sides of the spine as far as the region of the bac~ radii, so that the fish leaves the belly filleting tool 1 with incisions cut as far as the tail root. In that case, the external belly guides 12 ensure that the slim tail portion is guided centre-symmetrically without the sensitive belly lobes or flaps being stressed. The operation of the pressing-down of the tail portlon can, in the case of two spaced apart conveyor belts 20, be produced through the presser 26 protruding through the space therebetween and into the fish path, which has the advantage that this operation can be controlled moxe sensitively~
The fish thus prepared is now conducted to the deboning tool
open at its belly, comprising endless conveyor means for conveying a decapitated fish cut open at its belly with its decapitation end foremost and its belly downward along a conveying path, the conveyor means being provided with entraining means or entraining the fish at its back, and facing the conveying path, the apparatus further comprising belly filleting knives and deboning knives inclined rela-tively to each other, belly guide means arranged at least in the region of the belly filleting knives, presser means for the working run of the conveyor associated at least with the filleting tools, and being resiliently deflectable relative to the conveying path, and at least one feeler means for monitoring the position of the fish to be treated respectively, wherein the belly guide means comprise a guide system arranged upstream of the belly filleting knives, which system comprises resiliently deflectable internal belly guide means covering the leading cutting edges of the belly filleting knives, and resiliently deflectable external belly guide means which are controllable for synchronous movement symmetrically with respect to the centre of the conveying path and adapted to define guide means facing the conveying means, the internal guide means being positionable to project into said guide means from their base.
By such apparatus the cutting accuracy necessary for achieving an optimum yield will be obtained in a ad~anta-geous structural manner.
:, 7~
In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus comprises a pair of belly filleting knives and a pair of deboning knives which are placed in wedge shape relative to each other, belly guides for the fish arranged at least in the region of the belly fillet-ing knives, a conveyor facing the fish conveying path and pro-vided with entraining members for conveying engagement at the back of the fish, presser means for the conveyor associated at least with the filletlng knives and deflectable relative to the fish conveying path against the force of a spring, and at least one feeler monitoring the position of the fish to be processed.
The belly guides in the region of the filleting knives compxise an tnternal belly guide arranged in front of the knives to be deflectable against the force of a spring from a rest position in which it covers at least the leading cutting edge portions of the knives, and centre-symmetrically synchronously control-lable resiliently deflectable external belly guides defining a guide passage which faces the conveyor and through the base of which the internal guide protrudes.
Preferably, the external guides are provided with setting means, which stand ln operative connection with the ~eeler and which keep the external guides in the deflected position until immediately after entry of the flsh therebetweenO The setting means can be operatively connected in such a manner with the presser means, associated with the filleting knives, that the downward pressing force thereof, which is at first nearly the same as the force of the spring of the internal guide, is in-creased on inward movement of the external guldes. This avoids the usual disadvantage of the leading decapitation surface of 1.~'7~3~L~
the fish having to displace the external guides from their nar-rowest setting, i.e., lying practically against each other, with consequent braking effect, which can lead to blockages. At the same time, it is attained that the filleting knives are actuated only when the abdominal cavity of the fish has already run past these, so that the danger of cutting off the ribs does not exist, while on the other hand the desired severing of the filleting in the tail portion as far as the region of the back radii is carried out properly.
A resiliently deflectable presser element, which comes into contact with the outline of the back of the fish and is operatively connected to the external belly guldes, can be arranged at least ln the region of the belly filleting knives.
For the purpose of guidance of the underside of the spine in the abdominal cavity region and of the bone strip containing the b~lly radii in the tail portlon o the fish or ~f the back fin strip, the sides of the internal guide and of the presser element facing the fish are each provided with a respective groove-shaped recess.
Preferably the entralning elements of the conveying means and the sides of the external belly guides may be shaped prismatically, which guarantees a particularly safe and exact self-center~ng vf the fish.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other and further objects of the present invention will be ~5 apparent from the following description and claims and are illus-trated in the accompanying schematic drawings, which, by way of illustration, ~how preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what now are considered to be the 3~3~
best modes contemplated for applying these principles. Other 2mbodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the scope of the suspended claims.
In the drawings Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of deboning apparatus, according to the said embodiment, with a back conveyor with pris-matic entraining elements shown supexelevated for reasons of clarity, Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation of the deboning apparatus before the arrival of the abdominal cavity end of a fish, Fig. 3 is a view similar to Flg. 2 showing the arrival of the abdominal cavity of the fish, and ~ig. 4 is a cross-section through a modified deboning apparatus directly in front of belly filleting knives of the apparatus, in the operating phase accoxding to Fig. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREF~RRED EMBODIMENT
Refexring now to the drawings, a fish conveying path is defined by di~ferent guide elements in a framP (not shown) of a de~oning machine ~or fish of the herring and mackerel type. Ar-ranged along the conveying path are a belly fllletlng tool 2 with a pair of belly filleting knivss 1 having cutting adges 3 and a deboning tool 5 with a pair of deboning knives 4 arranged ~n wedge shape relative to each other. Disposed immediately in r1 front of the knlves 2, which are arranged spaced from each other, is an internal belly guide 6, which is held by the force of a spring 7 in a position covering the cutting edges 3 of the belly filletlng knives 2. The internal guide 6 i5 mounted to be pivot-able about a rvtational axis 8 of the knlves 2 and is provided atits side facing the fish with a groove-shaped recess 9.
Arranyed immediately in front of the internal belly guide 6 i5 a rigld guide element 10 for guiding the fish in its abdominal cavity and arranged along the lateral regions of the guide 6 is a pair of external belly guides 12, which are pivotable by a setting means 15, against the force of a spring 14, centre-synchronously about vertical axies 13 (Figs. 1 and 4). ~he guides 12, together with the guide 6 protruding therebetween, form a prismatic guide passage for the fish.
Adjoining the belly filleting tool 1 is a transfer guide com-prising metal guide plates 11 which cover the rearward cutting edges 3 of the knive~ 2 and which pass over to a autting countersupport element 16. The element 16 extends to a point between the deboning knives 5 of the deboning tool 4 and comprises surfaces arranged in roof-shape at the angle o~ the deboning knives 5. At the highest setting, the element 16 leaves the upper part of the cutting edges of the deboning knives 5 free. The cutting countersupport element 16 is flanked on both sides by individually sprung presser fingers 17, which form presser surfaces adapting to the flank outlines of the fish and which are effectlve immediately ln front of the cutting edges of the deboning knives 5. The element 16 is controllable in known manner in dependence on the position of the fish so that the actuatlon of the deboning tool ~ can be restricted to the time during which the abd~minal cavity of the fish passes this tool.
Adjoining -the deboning tool 4 is a roof-shaped guide 18, which covers the rearward cutting edges of the deboning knives 5. Axranged above the fish path is a conveyor 19, which extends parallel to the path and which consists of one ~Fig. 1) or two (Fig. 4) conveyor belts 20 e~uipped with prismatic entraining members 21 or gripper halves 22, and which is supported by pres-ser means 23. The presser means 23 are constructed as track rollers and only one is shown by way of example. The presser means 23 associated with the belly filleting tool 1 is mounted at the free end of a pivot levex which is connected through a resilient link 25 with the external belly guide~ 12 that, on inward movement of the guides 12 by the setting means 15, the pressure of the pressex means 23 is increased. In the case of a conve~or 19 with two conveyor belts 20, the lever is instead connected in like manner to a presser 26 projecting into the fish path through the gap between the conveyor belts 20.
In operation, a fish, which has been beheaded and opened at its belly mechanically or manually in a ~itable manner, is brought with its beheadlng cut sur~ace foremost and riding on the ~uide eIement 10 into the effective range of the conveyor 19, which engages its back and initially feeds it to ths belly f~lletlng tool 1. On arrival of the fish at this tool, the e~fectiveness of the tool is still inhibited through the internal belly guide 6 disposed in its rest position, i.e., in the positlon covering the leading cutting edges 3 of the belly filleting knives 2. Equally, the ex~ernal belly guides 12 are held out of engage-ment through actuation of the settlng means 1S. On arrival of the abdominal cavity end of the fish, the setting means 15 is relieved, which has the consequence that ~he external belly guides ~ ~'7~
12 are pivoted into the fish path under the force of the spring 15 and thereby come into contact with the fish. At the same time, the pressing force of the pressing means 23 is reinforced by the lever through the resilient link 25 in such a manner that the tail portion of the fish is pressed through the conveyor 19 against the belly filleting knives 2 and the internal belly guide 6 is pressed down against the spring 7. This operation results in incision of the tail portion of the fish along both sides of the spine as far as the region of the bac~ radii, so that the fish leaves the belly filleting tool 1 with incisions cut as far as the tail root. In that case, the external belly guides 12 ensure that the slim tail portion is guided centre-symmetrically without the sensitive belly lobes or flaps being stressed. The operation of the pressing-down of the tail portlon can, in the case of two spaced apart conveyor belts 20, be produced through the presser 26 protruding through the space therebetween and into the fish path, which has the advantage that this operation can be controlled moxe sensitively~
The fish thus prepared is now conducted to the deboning tool
4, the cutting edges of which are freed, before arrival of the fish, through corresponding setting of the cutting counter-support element 16 so that the deboning knives 5 can incise above the ribs pressed flat by the presser fingers 17. By reason of their superelevated arrangement in the fish path, the cutting planes o~ the deboning ~nives 5 meet in the region of the back radii, i.e., above the spine, and sever this simultaneously with the ribs. On arrival of the abdomlnal cavlty end, the cutting countersupport element 16 is raised t whereby the parts of the ~.-.L71313 cutting edg~s severing the ribs become ineffective, so that the alxeady incised tail portion of the fish is conducted away over the deboning tool 4 merely with continuation of the cut severing the spine.
The obtained product is a double illet, which ~s contiguous at its back seam, is cut economically and can be readily skinned mechanically, since lt is split as far as the tail root and con-sequently can be spxead out flat~ The setting means 15 are rep-recentative of any suitable setting member, the drive of which can take place through a measuring faeler feeling the position of the fish to be pxocassed. In the case of cyclically (timed) operating machines, the function of the setting member can be taken oYer by mechanical means actuated through the dxive of the machine.
The obtained product is a double illet, which ~s contiguous at its back seam, is cut economically and can be readily skinned mechanically, since lt is split as far as the tail root and con-sequently can be spxead out flat~ The setting means 15 are rep-recentative of any suitable setting member, the drive of which can take place through a measuring faeler feeling the position of the fish to be pxocassed. In the case of cyclically (timed) operating machines, the function of the setting member can be taken oYer by mechanical means actuated through the dxive of the machine.
Claims (7)
1. A method of deboning a decapitated fish cut open at its belly, in particular herring and mackerel type fish, conveyed by its back with its head end leading and belly side downward, the method comprising the steps of cutting the tail portion of the fish by means of filleting cuts extending from the belly side of the fish up to the region of the back spokes, spreading the belly walls and ribs of the fish, and severing the skeleton from the fish by means of deboning cuts inclined relatively to each other which extend immediately above the guided ribs spread with the belly flaps and converge to meet in the region of the fin holders of the dorsal fin.
2. Apparatus for carrying out the method claimed in claim 1, comprising endless conveyor means for conveying a decapitated fish cut open at its belly with its decapitation end foremost and its belly downward along a conveying path, the conveyor means being provided with entraining means for entraining the fish at its back, and facing the conveying path, the apparatus further comprising belly filleting knives and deboning knives inclined relatively to each other, belly guide means arranged at least in the region of the belly filleting knives, presser means for the working run of the conveyor associated at least with the filleting tools, and being resiliently deflectable rela-tive to the conveying path, and at least one feeler means for monitoring the position of the fish to be treated respectively, wherein the belly guide means comprise a guide system arranged upstream of the belly filleting knives, which system comprises resiliently deflectable internal belly guide means covering the leading cutting edges of the belly filleting knives, and resi-liently deflectable external belly guide means which are con-trollable for synchronous movement symmetrically with respect to the centre of the conveying path and adapted to define guide means facing the conveying means, the internal guide means being positionable to project into said guide means from their base.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the external belly guide means comprise setting means, which are operatively connected to the feeler means so as to hold out of engagement the external belly guides immediately upon entrance of the fish between the latter.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the setting means are so operatively connected to the presser means associated with the belly filleting knives as to cause the resilient force biasing the presser means, which force initially is substantially equal to a resilient force biasing the internal belly guide means downwardly, to be increased on movement of the external guides towards each other.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein a resiliently deflectable pressing element is arranged at least in the region of the belly filleting knives to engage the back of the conveyed fish operatively connected to the external guides.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the internal guide and the pressing element are provided at sides thereof facing the fish conveying path with groove-shaped recesses.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2, 3 and 6, wherein the entraining means of the conveyor means and the sides of the external belly guides facing the conveying means are each shaped prismatically.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEP3048194.8-23 | 1980-12-20 | ||
| DE3048194A DE3048194C2 (en) | 1980-12-20 | 1980-12-20 | Method and device for deboning fish |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1171313A true CA1171313A (en) | 1984-07-24 |
Family
ID=6119754
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000392694A Expired CA1171313A (en) | 1980-12-20 | 1981-12-18 | Method and apparatus for deboning fish |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1171313A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD208071A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3048194C2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK152165C (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2496407A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2089642B (en) |
| IS (1) | IS1181B6 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO151347C (en) |
| SE (1) | SE432514B (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3206274C2 (en) * | 1982-02-20 | 1984-03-01 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co KG, 2400 Lübeck | Device for filleting fish |
| DE3321727C1 (en) * | 1983-06-16 | 1984-08-23 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co KG, 2400 Lübeck | Equipment on fish filleting machines |
| DE8414262U1 (en) * | 1984-05-10 | 1985-09-05 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co KG, 2400 Lübeck | Device for processing fish |
| SE445874C (en) * | 1984-12-05 | 1988-08-01 | Olof Lindh | FISH PROCESSING MACHINE |
| DE3444430C1 (en) * | 1984-12-06 | 1986-04-03 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader GmbH + Co KG, 2400 Lübeck | Process for obtaining meat from poultry and device for carrying out the process |
| DE3930195C1 (en) * | 1989-09-09 | 1991-04-04 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader Gmbh + Co Kg, 2400 Luebeck, De | |
| DE4130291C2 (en) * | 1991-09-12 | 1995-07-06 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Process for processing farmed fish |
| EP0693256B1 (en) * | 1994-07-16 | 1998-04-29 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader Gmbh + Co Kg | Device for the severing of flesh from the bone skeleton of fish |
| US6994617B2 (en) * | 2002-08-07 | 2006-02-07 | Carnitech A/S | Fish filleting machine |
| NZ611660A (en) | 2010-11-12 | 2014-06-27 | Marel Salmon As | A fish filleting machine |
| CA2976145C (en) * | 2015-02-10 | 2021-10-26 | Marel Salmon A/S | A trimming system for trimming fish |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2704378A (en) * | 1950-05-19 | 1955-03-22 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Apparatus for filleting fish |
| DE1154913B (en) * | 1954-11-05 | 1963-09-26 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Device for transporting fish through a fish processing machine |
| DE2538430A1 (en) * | 1975-08-29 | 1977-03-03 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Fish filleter with pairs of belly, rib and backbone blades - for filleting fish with vertebral attachments at different angles |
| GB1483965A (en) * | 1976-02-05 | 1977-08-24 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Filleting machine for filleting fish |
| DD128113A5 (en) * | 1976-07-14 | 1977-11-02 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | FISH PROCESSING MACHINE |
| DE2804232C2 (en) * | 1978-02-01 | 1980-01-03 | Nordischer Maschinenbau Rud. Baader Gmbh + Co Kg, 2400 Luebeck | Fish processing machine |
-
1980
- 1980-12-20 DE DE3048194A patent/DE3048194C2/en not_active Expired
-
1981
- 1981-11-16 DK DK505281A patent/DK152165C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1981-11-18 SE SE8106852A patent/SE432514B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1981-12-03 GB GB8136479A patent/GB2089642B/en not_active Expired
- 1981-12-16 NO NO814314A patent/NO151347C/en unknown
- 1981-12-17 IS IS2692A patent/IS1181B6/en unknown
- 1981-12-17 DD DD81235897A patent/DD208071A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1981-12-17 FR FR8123641A patent/FR2496407A1/en active Granted
- 1981-12-18 CA CA000392694A patent/CA1171313A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2089642A (en) | 1982-06-30 |
| DE3048194A1 (en) | 1982-07-08 |
| FR2496407B1 (en) | 1985-04-26 |
| FR2496407A1 (en) | 1982-06-25 |
| IS1181B6 (en) | 1985-05-13 |
| DK152165B (en) | 1988-02-08 |
| NO151347B (en) | 1984-12-17 |
| NO814314L (en) | 1982-06-21 |
| DD208071A5 (en) | 1984-03-28 |
| NO151347C (en) | 1985-03-27 |
| DK505281A (en) | 1982-06-21 |
| GB2089642B (en) | 1984-03-21 |
| IS2692A7 (en) | 1982-06-21 |
| DE3048194C2 (en) | 1983-08-18 |
| DK152165C (en) | 1988-06-27 |
| SE432514B (en) | 1984-04-09 |
| SE8106852L (en) | 1982-06-21 |
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| MKEC | Expiry (correction) | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |