CA1192010A - Fish decapitator and eviscerator - Google Patents
Fish decapitator and evisceratorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1192010A CA1192010A CA000424181A CA424181A CA1192010A CA 1192010 A CA1192010 A CA 1192010A CA 000424181 A CA000424181 A CA 000424181A CA 424181 A CA424181 A CA 424181A CA 1192010 A CA1192010 A CA 1192010A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fish
- framework
- belt
- successively
- container
- 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
- A22C25/14—Beheading, eviscerating, or cleaning fish
- A22C25/145—Eviscerating fish
-
- 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
- A22C25/14—Beheading, eviscerating, or cleaning fish
- A22C25/142—Beheading 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)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A fish decapitator and eviscerator comprises a framework mounting a power driven conveyor belt including a series of flexibly connected open ended transverse containers, each container adapted to support a fish. An adjustable stop is spaced from the containers, and a power rotated brush is mounted upon the framework and rotatable in a plane at right angles to the belt. The bristles frictionally engage each fish thereunder during feeding of the belt laterally advancing the fish outwardly of its container successively to the stop. A power rotated knife rotates in a plane parallel to the stop for successively severing the fish heads during longitudinal movement of the belt. The fish move downwardly around the end of the belt and drop belly down into a transverse feed channel. A conveyor underlies the channel and advances the fish in a line to and between a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible fish holding and feeding conveyors. A power rotated cutter disc in a vertical plane slits each fish lengthwise on its belly side as it advances. Each fish successively moves over an upright separator support plate having a rounded edge. Water is fed upwardly into the slit fish body to eviscerate the fish. An upright power rotated scraper disc with cutting edges is arranged forward of the support plate for further cleaning out the fish as it is fed thereover, the fish falling by gravity for accumulation within a suitable container.
A fish decapitator and eviscerator comprises a framework mounting a power driven conveyor belt including a series of flexibly connected open ended transverse containers, each container adapted to support a fish. An adjustable stop is spaced from the containers, and a power rotated brush is mounted upon the framework and rotatable in a plane at right angles to the belt. The bristles frictionally engage each fish thereunder during feeding of the belt laterally advancing the fish outwardly of its container successively to the stop. A power rotated knife rotates in a plane parallel to the stop for successively severing the fish heads during longitudinal movement of the belt. The fish move downwardly around the end of the belt and drop belly down into a transverse feed channel. A conveyor underlies the channel and advances the fish in a line to and between a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible fish holding and feeding conveyors. A power rotated cutter disc in a vertical plane slits each fish lengthwise on its belly side as it advances. Each fish successively moves over an upright separator support plate having a rounded edge. Water is fed upwardly into the slit fish body to eviscerate the fish. An upright power rotated scraper disc with cutting edges is arranged forward of the support plate for further cleaning out the fish as it is fed thereover, the fish falling by gravity for accumulation within a suitable container.
Description
s~
rISH DECAPITATOR AND EVISCERATOR
l-leretofore in the commercial handling of small fish such as smelt7 sardines, anchovies and herring for illustration having a length in the general range of four to seven inches, these fish have been difficult to behead and eviscerate, except manually. It has been found over many years that this process is ullprofitable? since it is time consuming and production is extremely limited.
In the commercial handling of even small fish wherein large quantities must be processed on a continuous basis as for example one to two thousand fish per hour, the above described small fish have not been subjected to mechani~ed equipment so as to decapitate and eviscerate these fish commercially in large quantities.
Heretofore there has been no practical mechanism which accomplishes these functions and does it in a practical efficient manner. In most cases, the decapitating and eviscerating is done by hand.
Heretofore in processing a fish in commercial quantities, the Applicant has employed a fish orienter and feeder which is adapted to receis~e large quantities of fish and orieni them so as to move forwardly head first for further processing.
A fish feeding and orienting automatic device of this nature is disclosed in Applicant's copending Canadian patent application Serial Number 392,769, filed December 21, 1981. Such fish feeding and orienting mechanism may be conveniently used in conjunction with the present fish decapitator and eviscerator for supplying in a continuous manner and in commercial quantities fish which are oriented to move head first into the fish decapitator and eviscerator.
The present invention is directed to a practical fish decapitator and eviscerator adapted to continuously receive fish for successively beheading same, advancing the fish into and longitudinally of an eviscerating mechanism for delivering the decapitated and eviscerated fish to an accumulation area.
An important feature of the present invention is to provide a fish decapitator which includes a continuous conveyor belt upon a frameworlc having a series of flexibly connected open ended containers which extend transversely of the belt and each of which is adapted to receive and transport a fish.
A further feature includes a stop upon the framework spaced ~rorn the containers together with a power operated brush which overlies the belt and which is rotatable in a pl~ne at right angles to the ]ength thereof so that the brush bristles frictionally engage each fish thereulldel during feeding of the belt to laterally advance the fish outwardly of its container to said stop. So advanced that the fish are fed past a power rotated knife successively severing their heflds dllring longitudinal movement the fish within theh~ respective containers.
~ n importa!lt feature is that each fish respectively lies upon one side with its belly forward, with the decapitated fish adapted to rnove in ;ts container to and downwardly around the end of the conveyor remaining in a horizontal position and dropping from said container with its belly down.
A further feature includes a transverse elongated fish feed channel upon the framework which underlies the conveyor forwardly of the end thereof for successively receiving the fish as they drop from the conveyor belt, eflch fish remaining horizontal with its belly down.
A further feature includes a continuous power operated feed .sprocket chain which underlies the channel and is adapted to support and advance the fish successively in a line within said channel.
A further feature includes a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder sprocket chains upon the framework arranged at the end of the channel longitudinally thereof for successively receiving each fish therebetween frictionally and for operatively engaging its opposite sides and for advancing the fish longitudinally.
A fur ther feature includes a power ro-tated cutter disc upon the framework which is arranged in a vertical plane centrally urlderlying the feeding mechanism adapted to operatively engage and slit each fish on its belly side along its length as it advances thereover.
~ further feature includes an upright guide support plate upon the framework arranged forward of, adJacent to and coplanar with said cutter disc centrally of the fish feeding conveyors~ over which the fish is longituclinally fed holding the belly side open along its length.
A further feature includes within said guide SUppOI t plate water delivery conduits connected to a source of pressurized water outletting at its top edge for flushing out and eviscerating each fish during longitudinal movement thereover.
A further feature includes a power rotated scraper disc whieh rotates in a vertical plane and is arranged forwardly of and coplanar with said support plate and is adapted for further cleaning out the interior of the fish longitudinally thereof as the fish moves thereover subsequently dropping into a colles~tion area.
A further feature includes a power transmission means within the framework of the fish decapitator and eviscerator for supplying power to the fish feeding brush, power rotated knife for severing fish heads, the horizontal conveyor belt feeding the fish past the power rotated knife. The power means further includes a drive for the conveyor for the fish feeding channel, power to the fish feeding conveyors~ power to the cutter disc which slits the belly of the fish lengthwise and power to the rotatable scraper disc which finishes cleaning the fish body.
A further feature includes a water pipe within the framework adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure and wherein a plurality of branch water pipes are connected thereto for delivery of washing and flushing water to the power rotated knife and the beheaded fish as they drop into the transverse feed channel, and fluid through conduits upon the support plate for feeding pressurized water to the interior of the slit fish body eviscerating the same Qnd washing down other areas of the equipment.
According to the invention there is provided a fish decapitator comprising a framework including a base; a power driven horizontally disposed continuous conveyor belt mounted upon said framework including a series of flexibly connected open ended containers extending trnaversely of said belt; each container aclapted to receive and transport a fish; an elongated adjustable stop upon said framework spaced from said containers and parallel to said belt; a power rotated brush overlying said belt and mounted upon said framework and rotatable in a plane at right angles to the length of said belt; the brush bristles on rotation frictionally engaging each fish thereunder during feeding of said belt laterally advancing each fish outwardly of its container successively to said stop; and a power rotated knife mounted upon said framework for rotation in a plane parallel to and spaced from said stop laterally outward of said belt, for successively severing the fish heads during longitudinal movement of said bel~.
.~ccording to the invention there is further provided a fish eviscerator having a framework, an elongated feed channel upon said framework adapted to successively receive decapitated fish in a horizonta] position belly side down; a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel; said sprocket chain Iying in a vertical plane and including a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments, each segment having a pair of outwardly diverging guide rnembers for frictional and supporting engagement with the belly and sides of said fish retaining the fish belly side down.
These and other objects and features will be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drflwings.
~ igure 1 is a fragmentary perspeetive view of the present fish decapitator and eviscerator.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary front perspective view theréof.
Figure 3 is a schematic fragmentary partly sectioned side elevational view of the fish support and feeding mechansim, cutter for slicing the fish lengthwise, the spreader support plate for supporting fish and holding them open with hydraulic meehanism for flushing out and eviscerating the fish body and the power rotated seraper dise being on an inereased scale, defining the eviscerator assembly not shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a fragmeritary plan view taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Figure 3, on an increased scale.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view on an increased scale taken in the direction of arrows 5-5 of ~igure 3.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary section on an increased scale taken in the direction of arrows 6-6 of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a fragmentary section taken in the direction of arrows 7-7 of Figure 3 on an increased scale.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary view taken in the direetion of arrows 8-8 of FigUl'e 3J on an increased scale.
Figute 9 is a schematic diagram of the power dl ive mechanism.
Figure 10 is a schematic view of the hydraulic flushing mechanism.
It will be understood that the above drawings illustrate merely one embodiment of the invention and that otheI embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set forth.
Referring to the drawing, the present fish decapitator and eviscerator 11, Figures 1 and 2, includes frarnework 23, the underlying water collector tray 13, the housing 15 and transversely thereof the conveyor support platform 27. The housing includes upright partition 19 apertured at 20.
A power driven horizontally disposed continuous conveyor belt 29 overlies, extends along and is mounted upon the conveyor support 27, Figure 2 forming a part of the framework.
The continuous conveyor belt 29 includes a series of flexibly c onnected open ended containers 31 of general U-shape in cross section. Each container has an upright trailing stop wall 33 on one side. rhe opposite leading side 32 of each container is inclined forwardly and upwardly at an acute angle to the vertical.
~ he respective open ended containers 31 are each adapted to receive and transport therein a small fish F, such as smelt, sardines, anchovis, herring, etc., i.e., having a length 4"-7", approximately. As shown in Figure 29 each fish is oriented to lie upon one side with its belly facing forwardly upon the conveyor 29 within its respective container 31.
Mounted upon the framework spaced from the one ends of the containers 31 is an elongated adjustable stop plate ~3 parallel to conveyor 29.
~djustment is often needed for fish of different length.
The forward end of the continuous conveyor belt 29 is mounted over and clriven by feed roller 35, Figure 1, which is journaled between a pair of opposed brackets 89, Figure 2, adjustably mounted at 91 upon framework 27. The opposite end of the conveyor belt is supported upon a corIesponding idler roller 42, fragmentarily shown in Figure ]. Said idler roller is journaled between a pair of opposed idler support brackets 41 which form part of conveyor support platform 27.
Within housing 15 there is provided a pair of motors 193, 199, Figure 9 providing power drive to a series of driven members hereafter described. The drive roller 35 for the feed conveyor 29 is journaled at 39, Figure 2, between the oppoxed pair of support brackets 89 and is connected to motor 199, Figure 9.
Yieldable fish hold down plate 45~ constructed preferably of a transparent plastic materinl, overlies feed conveyor ~9 and at its trailing enc] is spaced above said conveyor and mounted upon horizontal bar 47 by fasteners ~19. Bar 47 projects from and is seeured to the upright bar support 51 connected to conveyor support 27. Hold down plate 45 is inclined forwardly and downwardly and at its forward edge overlies the respective containers 31 of the flexible conveyor 29 adjacent the transversely arranged fish feed brush 53.
Said brush is mounted upon a horizontal drive shaft 55 and is spaced above conveyor 29 with its bristles adapted for rotation in a plane at right angles thereto. Said drive shaft is journaled upon support 57 upon housing 15 and the adjacent cover 61 within which is disposed a po~er transmission assembly or flexible timing belt 59 or the like for driving engagement with shaft 55, Figure 9.
Fish hoid down plate 4~ engages the transverse containers 31 closely adjacent and in advance of the brush 53 for assuring that the fish F are lying upon their sides within the respective containers 31 as they move below brush 53. During continuous forward feed movement of the conveyor belt 29, brush 53 is rotating in a counter clockwise direction so that its bristles frictionally engage the indi~/idual fish thereunder for advancing the fish outwardly of one open end of the container 31 into engagement with the stop 43 parallel to belt 29.
The stop ~3 is adjustable and arranged a distanee from the adjacent open ends of the individual containers 31 as to permit the head portion of the fish to be advanced laterally outward of the conveyor belt so as to move in a path for operative registry with the revolving power operated knife 63. Said kife is secured upon drive shaft 65 journaled upon housing 15 and the framework 13 adapted for connection with a suitable power driving means, Figure 9 for rotating the knife disc 63 and for severing the heads off the fish as they move past knife 63, Figure 2.
The trailing side 33 of the flexibly interconnected fish containers 31 is substantially upright so as to forcefully move the fish forward while remaining horizontal into operative engagernent with revolving knife 63. The heads drop downwardly into the collection tray 13 ~mder the frarnework 23, further assisted by the flow of pressurized water through the branch conduit 99 connected to a water pipe within the housing and in turn corlrlected to a source of pressurized water, Figure 10.
3~
Semi-circular l<nife cover 1i7 overlies the rotatable knife 63 with the lower ends thereof outtllrnefl providing mount flanges 69 suitably secured to fl~arneworl~ 27. Adjflcent and outwardly of the power operated decapitating knife 63, there is provided a second fish hold down plate 71, preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material, which overlies the corresponding fisll s~ontainers 31 for retairling the fish F therein as they pass transversely with respect to said knife. The forward end 73 of hold down plate 71 is inclined upwardly and at its leading edge is anchored as at 75 to the mount bar 77 which extends transversely of conveyor belt 29 and is secured at 79 upon partition 19.
Shown in Figures 1 and '~ and arranged at the forward end of conveyor belt 29 is the substantially upright fish retainer plate 81 having a counter-weight 83.
Said plate is pivotally mounted at 85 upon the support bar 87. Said support bar at its outer end has a right angular depending portion which extends to and is secured to bracke-t 89.
Branch water pipe 93 extends transversely over the forward end of flexible conveyor belt 293 is capped at its outer end and on its undersurface has a series of longitudinally spaced spray or jet apertures 95 for providing a water spray down onto the fish F as they move around the forward end of the conveyor 29 within their respective containers 31.
~ he water pipe 93 is a branch of a main water pipe 94 within the housing 15 connected to a source of water under pressure, Figure 10. The bracl~et 9fi is secured to the fish retainer plate 81 for adjustably limiting pivotal movements thereof.
Mounted upon conveyor framework 27 and arranged below the forward end of conveyor 29 there is provided a transverse feed channel lOl adapted to receive the decapitated fish as they move around and downwardly of the forward end of the conveyor belt 29. The fish are positioned in the respective containers 31 forming a part of the conveyor belt 29 in such fashion that the belly side of the fish are faced forwardly, Figure 2, so that upon dropping off of the fish at the forward end of the conveyor as guidably retained by the plate 81, the fish drop belly side down in a horizontal position into the transverse feed channel 101, Figure 1.
The leading edges 32 of the individual fish containers 31 are inclined forwardly at an acute ang:le to the vertical so that as said containers move into a ~2~
substantially verlical position over the end of the conve~or 29, the fish therein will conveniently slide out of the containers 31 and into the transverse underlying feed chamlel 101 assistecl by water spray 95.
Underlying and arranged longitudinally of channel lO1 is an elongated feed sprocket chain 103, Figures 2 and 3 which is substantially horizontfll and supportably engflges the individual fish successive]y as dropped to said channel. Chain 103 is adapted for feeding the fish in a direction transverse to the movement of the fish along the conveyor belt 29.
The feed sprocket chain 103 shown in Figure 2 is further shown in detail and on an increased scale in Figures 3 and 5, said sprocket chain 103 lying in a vertical plane. Feed sprocket chain 103 at its forward end is mounted upon and extends around and is drivingly engaged by the drive sprocket 113 which engflges the respective transverse rollers 119 upon the corresponding pivots 109 which interconnect the series of opposed pairs of chain segments 107. Said segments form a continuous feed sprocket chain 103.
The opposite end of said chain is supported by a corresponding idler sprocket 117, Figure 2.
The opposed pairs of chain segments 107 have formed thereon diverging guides 111 which extend upwardly and outwardly and are arranged upon the underside and along the length of channel 101. These guides receive the fish F and hold them upright as they advance in a continuous line along the length of channel 101.
Said channel, Figures 1 and 2, is arranged at the end of the flexible conveyor helt 29 so as to receive the fish F as it drops thereinto in a horizontal position. The fish move along channel 101 through the aperture 20 within partition 19 for direction into that portion of the machine for eviscerating the fish successively as in Figures 1 flnd Figures 3 through 8. Said guides keep the fish belly side down.
As the fish are advanced in a line transversely along channel lO1 supported upon and driven by sprocket chain 103 they are advanced into and between a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder means or sprocket chain assemblies 123, 125, Figure 1.
The fish feeder means include a pair of opposed coplanar horizontally extending feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 which overlie the support 23 forming part of housing 15, Figure 1.
~.~33~
rhe opposed pAil' of horizontal feed sprocket chains are arranged forwardly of the end of channel lOl and are adapted to receive between the adjacent portions of the chains 123, 125 the succeeding fish which are gripped and fed longitudinally by the said sprocket chains, sometimes referred to as the yieldable fish feeder means.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 include a series of segments or links 127 pivotally interconnected at 129, Figure 4, wherein a plurality of forwardly extending serrations 131 are provided to frictionally engage opposite sides of the fish as it advances belly down holding the fish and for advancing the fish longitudinally with respect to the eviscerating mechanism shown in detail in Figures 3-8. ~ach of the chain links 127 have inwardly directed fish hold down flanges 128 to retainingly engage the back of the fish. Said flanges serve to hold down the fish so as to stay within sprocket ehain conveyors 123, 125.
Opposed coplanar laterally yieldable idler sprockets l33 support the one ends of the individual continuous feed sprockets chains 123~ 125. These sprockets are mounted upon corresponding arms 135, Figure 1, pivotally mounted upon the upright pivot posts 137 which project from base chain support 23. Additional laterally spaced and laterally yieldable pairs of opposed idler sprockets 133 are similarly mounted upon corresponding arms 135 and pivot posts 137 and are normally biased towards each other by tension springs 139.
The forward ends of the coplanar horizontal feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 are mounted upon, around and driven by a pair of opposed coplanar drive sprockets 141. These depend from corresponding drive shafts 142 within the housing 1!13 for supporting and drivingly engaging the sprockets 141 for rotation in opposite directions, to provide a continuous support and feed for the adjacent inner runs of the corresponding sprocket chains 123 and 125. These runs yield laterally to receive the fish fed thereto. An additional pair of outwardly biased sprockets 134 engage outer runs of sprocket chains 123, 125 adjacent drive sprockets 141, Figure 1.
Drive housing 143 is secured to housing 15 by the mount bracket 145 and encloses suitable drive mechanism 144 connected to a drive motor 193, Figure 9 within the motor housing 15 for drivingly engaging the corresponding drive shafts 142 for the sprockets 141.
'rhe portion for the present decapitating machine which is directed to the evisceration of the fish in a continuous manner is shown at the ri~ht side o~ Figure 1 and in detail in Figures 3 through 8.
The power rotated clltter disc l47 is arranged in a vertical plane and centrally underlies feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 directly in advance of the end of the trans\lerse fish support and feed channel 101. ~he fish individllally in a line are supportably engaged by the sprocket chains 123 and 125 as in Figure 4 and longitudinally advanced into operative engagement with the power rotated cutter disc 147 having a series of sharpened peripheral teeth 149.
As shown in Figures 3 and 6 AS the individual fish in a line are transported over the upper cutting edge portions of the knife 1479 each fish is slit at 150 along the belly side thereof during continuous longitudinal movement thereof. The power rotated cutter disc 147 has applied to opposite sides thereof a hub 151 of reduced diameter having a body which is transversely arcuate, Figure 6, over which the slit edge portions of the fish expand laterally outward and are outturned as at 155.
This facilitates opening up of the fish for the subsequent evisceration thereof. Water pipe 154, Figure 3 and 10 is connected eO main water pipe 9d~ and delivers a water spray adjacent the cutter disc 147.
A series of angular notches 153 are formed within peripheral portions of the hub body 151 to nssist in the longitudinal removal of heavy gut portions on power rotation of the cutter disc 147.
Said disc is suitably secured upon the outer end of drive shaft 156 and keyed thereto. Said shaft extends transversely of and below the corresponding feed conveyors 123 and 1~5 and connected to power transmitting means 195 within the housing, Figure 9, so that the cutter disc 147 rotates in a counter cloclcwise direction.
~ s the individual fish move longitudinally to the right of Figure 3 supported and advanced by the corresponding continuous feed sprocket chains 123 al)d 125, the fish as already slitted at 150 from the belly side moves onto, over and along inclined arcuate top of spreader support plate 159~
Said suppor t plate at its bottom edge 160 is supported as at 165 in an upright position to framework 23. Said plate centrally underlies the sprocket chains 123 and 125 and is coplanar with and forward of cutter disc 147. 'rhe trailing end of plflte 159 is concave as at 163 so as to be arranged closely adjacent cutter disc 1~7~
Thus the fish F advances onto plate 159 with its belly side longitudinal slit at 15() r eceiving said plate. On further longitudinal movement of the individual fish over said plate, its arcuate edge 161 extends into and along the fish body partly opening it up for flushing out.
The pair of substAntially upright branch water conduits 167 are bored through plate 159 and have outlets 169 which correspond to top edge 161 of said plate.
Plate 159 has fittings 171 adjacent the horizontal bottom edge 160 of said plate.
These conduits are connected to the branch water pipes 173 from water pipe 175 connected pipe 94 joined to the source of water under pressure, Figure 10.
Therefore, as the fish are successively moved over the support plate 159, there is a further opening out the body cavity thereof. The flppLication of pressurized water through the conduits 1~7 facilitates the evisceration of the fish, washing out the body contents which drop by gravity into a suitable collection tray 13 underlying the machine housing.
The corresponding horizontal feed sprocket chains 123, 125 continue to support the fish successively in a horizontal path as they move over the support plate 159 and over the closely adjacent coplanar upright power rotated scraper disc 177. Said disc extends into the end arcuate recess 178 in plate 159. The scraper disc 177 is secured to the transverse power drive shaft 179 which extends transversely of the sprocket chains 123 and 125 and spaced thereunder. Said shaft is suitably connected to a part of the drive mechanism 197 connected to motor 193 within the housing 15, Figure 9, so that the scraper disc 177 rotates counter clockwise as shown by the arrow.
The scraper disc 177 includes a series of radially extending cutting edges 181 Yigure 8, and with adjacent rndial apertures 183 formed therein for further cleaning out the cavity of the fish completing the eviscerating operation wherein the fish move longitudinally in the path 185 around the scraper disc 177 and drop by gravity into a suituble collector 187 mounted upon the base 23 fragmentarily shown in Figures 1-3.
As the fish move over the scraper disc 177 this corresponds to the rear end portions of the sprocket chains 123 and 125 shown in Figure 1. At this area J ~3 the fish are guided longitudinally so as to move over the scraper disc 177 in the path shown at ~ 85, Figure 3, into collector 187.
Water pipe 189 delivers pressurized water to flush the area down stream of scraper disc l77.
A splash guard 201, Figure 1, is hinged at 203 to housing 15 and normally overlies knife 63 and water pipes 9g. Said guard is shown elevated in Figure
rISH DECAPITATOR AND EVISCERATOR
l-leretofore in the commercial handling of small fish such as smelt7 sardines, anchovies and herring for illustration having a length in the general range of four to seven inches, these fish have been difficult to behead and eviscerate, except manually. It has been found over many years that this process is ullprofitable? since it is time consuming and production is extremely limited.
In the commercial handling of even small fish wherein large quantities must be processed on a continuous basis as for example one to two thousand fish per hour, the above described small fish have not been subjected to mechani~ed equipment so as to decapitate and eviscerate these fish commercially in large quantities.
Heretofore there has been no practical mechanism which accomplishes these functions and does it in a practical efficient manner. In most cases, the decapitating and eviscerating is done by hand.
Heretofore in processing a fish in commercial quantities, the Applicant has employed a fish orienter and feeder which is adapted to receis~e large quantities of fish and orieni them so as to move forwardly head first for further processing.
A fish feeding and orienting automatic device of this nature is disclosed in Applicant's copending Canadian patent application Serial Number 392,769, filed December 21, 1981. Such fish feeding and orienting mechanism may be conveniently used in conjunction with the present fish decapitator and eviscerator for supplying in a continuous manner and in commercial quantities fish which are oriented to move head first into the fish decapitator and eviscerator.
The present invention is directed to a practical fish decapitator and eviscerator adapted to continuously receive fish for successively beheading same, advancing the fish into and longitudinally of an eviscerating mechanism for delivering the decapitated and eviscerated fish to an accumulation area.
An important feature of the present invention is to provide a fish decapitator which includes a continuous conveyor belt upon a frameworlc having a series of flexibly connected open ended containers which extend transversely of the belt and each of which is adapted to receive and transport a fish.
A further feature includes a stop upon the framework spaced ~rorn the containers together with a power operated brush which overlies the belt and which is rotatable in a pl~ne at right angles to the ]ength thereof so that the brush bristles frictionally engage each fish thereulldel during feeding of the belt to laterally advance the fish outwardly of its container to said stop. So advanced that the fish are fed past a power rotated knife successively severing their heflds dllring longitudinal movement the fish within theh~ respective containers.
~ n importa!lt feature is that each fish respectively lies upon one side with its belly forward, with the decapitated fish adapted to rnove in ;ts container to and downwardly around the end of the conveyor remaining in a horizontal position and dropping from said container with its belly down.
A further feature includes a transverse elongated fish feed channel upon the framework which underlies the conveyor forwardly of the end thereof for successively receiving the fish as they drop from the conveyor belt, eflch fish remaining horizontal with its belly down.
A further feature includes a continuous power operated feed .sprocket chain which underlies the channel and is adapted to support and advance the fish successively in a line within said channel.
A further feature includes a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder sprocket chains upon the framework arranged at the end of the channel longitudinally thereof for successively receiving each fish therebetween frictionally and for operatively engaging its opposite sides and for advancing the fish longitudinally.
A fur ther feature includes a power ro-tated cutter disc upon the framework which is arranged in a vertical plane centrally urlderlying the feeding mechanism adapted to operatively engage and slit each fish on its belly side along its length as it advances thereover.
~ further feature includes an upright guide support plate upon the framework arranged forward of, adJacent to and coplanar with said cutter disc centrally of the fish feeding conveyors~ over which the fish is longituclinally fed holding the belly side open along its length.
A further feature includes within said guide SUppOI t plate water delivery conduits connected to a source of pressurized water outletting at its top edge for flushing out and eviscerating each fish during longitudinal movement thereover.
A further feature includes a power rotated scraper disc whieh rotates in a vertical plane and is arranged forwardly of and coplanar with said support plate and is adapted for further cleaning out the interior of the fish longitudinally thereof as the fish moves thereover subsequently dropping into a colles~tion area.
A further feature includes a power transmission means within the framework of the fish decapitator and eviscerator for supplying power to the fish feeding brush, power rotated knife for severing fish heads, the horizontal conveyor belt feeding the fish past the power rotated knife. The power means further includes a drive for the conveyor for the fish feeding channel, power to the fish feeding conveyors~ power to the cutter disc which slits the belly of the fish lengthwise and power to the rotatable scraper disc which finishes cleaning the fish body.
A further feature includes a water pipe within the framework adapted for connection to a source of water under pressure and wherein a plurality of branch water pipes are connected thereto for delivery of washing and flushing water to the power rotated knife and the beheaded fish as they drop into the transverse feed channel, and fluid through conduits upon the support plate for feeding pressurized water to the interior of the slit fish body eviscerating the same Qnd washing down other areas of the equipment.
According to the invention there is provided a fish decapitator comprising a framework including a base; a power driven horizontally disposed continuous conveyor belt mounted upon said framework including a series of flexibly connected open ended containers extending trnaversely of said belt; each container aclapted to receive and transport a fish; an elongated adjustable stop upon said framework spaced from said containers and parallel to said belt; a power rotated brush overlying said belt and mounted upon said framework and rotatable in a plane at right angles to the length of said belt; the brush bristles on rotation frictionally engaging each fish thereunder during feeding of said belt laterally advancing each fish outwardly of its container successively to said stop; and a power rotated knife mounted upon said framework for rotation in a plane parallel to and spaced from said stop laterally outward of said belt, for successively severing the fish heads during longitudinal movement of said bel~.
.~ccording to the invention there is further provided a fish eviscerator having a framework, an elongated feed channel upon said framework adapted to successively receive decapitated fish in a horizonta] position belly side down; a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel; said sprocket chain Iying in a vertical plane and including a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments, each segment having a pair of outwardly diverging guide rnembers for frictional and supporting engagement with the belly and sides of said fish retaining the fish belly side down.
These and other objects and features will be seen from the following specification and claims in conjunction with the appended drflwings.
~ igure 1 is a fragmentary perspeetive view of the present fish decapitator and eviscerator.
Figure 2 is a fragmentary front perspective view theréof.
Figure 3 is a schematic fragmentary partly sectioned side elevational view of the fish support and feeding mechansim, cutter for slicing the fish lengthwise, the spreader support plate for supporting fish and holding them open with hydraulic meehanism for flushing out and eviscerating the fish body and the power rotated seraper dise being on an inereased scale, defining the eviscerator assembly not shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a fragmeritary plan view taken in the direction of arrows 4-4 of Figure 3, on an increased scale.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view on an increased scale taken in the direction of arrows 5-5 of ~igure 3.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary section on an increased scale taken in the direction of arrows 6-6 of Figure 3.
Figure 7 is a fragmentary section taken in the direction of arrows 7-7 of Figure 3 on an increased scale.
Figure 8 is a fragmentary view taken in the direetion of arrows 8-8 of FigUl'e 3J on an increased scale.
Figute 9 is a schematic diagram of the power dl ive mechanism.
Figure 10 is a schematic view of the hydraulic flushing mechanism.
It will be understood that the above drawings illustrate merely one embodiment of the invention and that otheI embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the claims hereafter set forth.
Referring to the drawing, the present fish decapitator and eviscerator 11, Figures 1 and 2, includes frarnework 23, the underlying water collector tray 13, the housing 15 and transversely thereof the conveyor support platform 27. The housing includes upright partition 19 apertured at 20.
A power driven horizontally disposed continuous conveyor belt 29 overlies, extends along and is mounted upon the conveyor support 27, Figure 2 forming a part of the framework.
The continuous conveyor belt 29 includes a series of flexibly c onnected open ended containers 31 of general U-shape in cross section. Each container has an upright trailing stop wall 33 on one side. rhe opposite leading side 32 of each container is inclined forwardly and upwardly at an acute angle to the vertical.
~ he respective open ended containers 31 are each adapted to receive and transport therein a small fish F, such as smelt, sardines, anchovis, herring, etc., i.e., having a length 4"-7", approximately. As shown in Figure 29 each fish is oriented to lie upon one side with its belly facing forwardly upon the conveyor 29 within its respective container 31.
Mounted upon the framework spaced from the one ends of the containers 31 is an elongated adjustable stop plate ~3 parallel to conveyor 29.
~djustment is often needed for fish of different length.
The forward end of the continuous conveyor belt 29 is mounted over and clriven by feed roller 35, Figure 1, which is journaled between a pair of opposed brackets 89, Figure 2, adjustably mounted at 91 upon framework 27. The opposite end of the conveyor belt is supported upon a corIesponding idler roller 42, fragmentarily shown in Figure ]. Said idler roller is journaled between a pair of opposed idler support brackets 41 which form part of conveyor support platform 27.
Within housing 15 there is provided a pair of motors 193, 199, Figure 9 providing power drive to a series of driven members hereafter described. The drive roller 35 for the feed conveyor 29 is journaled at 39, Figure 2, between the oppoxed pair of support brackets 89 and is connected to motor 199, Figure 9.
Yieldable fish hold down plate 45~ constructed preferably of a transparent plastic materinl, overlies feed conveyor ~9 and at its trailing enc] is spaced above said conveyor and mounted upon horizontal bar 47 by fasteners ~19. Bar 47 projects from and is seeured to the upright bar support 51 connected to conveyor support 27. Hold down plate 45 is inclined forwardly and downwardly and at its forward edge overlies the respective containers 31 of the flexible conveyor 29 adjacent the transversely arranged fish feed brush 53.
Said brush is mounted upon a horizontal drive shaft 55 and is spaced above conveyor 29 with its bristles adapted for rotation in a plane at right angles thereto. Said drive shaft is journaled upon support 57 upon housing 15 and the adjacent cover 61 within which is disposed a po~er transmission assembly or flexible timing belt 59 or the like for driving engagement with shaft 55, Figure 9.
Fish hoid down plate 4~ engages the transverse containers 31 closely adjacent and in advance of the brush 53 for assuring that the fish F are lying upon their sides within the respective containers 31 as they move below brush 53. During continuous forward feed movement of the conveyor belt 29, brush 53 is rotating in a counter clockwise direction so that its bristles frictionally engage the indi~/idual fish thereunder for advancing the fish outwardly of one open end of the container 31 into engagement with the stop 43 parallel to belt 29.
The stop ~3 is adjustable and arranged a distanee from the adjacent open ends of the individual containers 31 as to permit the head portion of the fish to be advanced laterally outward of the conveyor belt so as to move in a path for operative registry with the revolving power operated knife 63. Said kife is secured upon drive shaft 65 journaled upon housing 15 and the framework 13 adapted for connection with a suitable power driving means, Figure 9 for rotating the knife disc 63 and for severing the heads off the fish as they move past knife 63, Figure 2.
The trailing side 33 of the flexibly interconnected fish containers 31 is substantially upright so as to forcefully move the fish forward while remaining horizontal into operative engagernent with revolving knife 63. The heads drop downwardly into the collection tray 13 ~mder the frarnework 23, further assisted by the flow of pressurized water through the branch conduit 99 connected to a water pipe within the housing and in turn corlrlected to a source of pressurized water, Figure 10.
3~
Semi-circular l<nife cover 1i7 overlies the rotatable knife 63 with the lower ends thereof outtllrnefl providing mount flanges 69 suitably secured to fl~arneworl~ 27. Adjflcent and outwardly of the power operated decapitating knife 63, there is provided a second fish hold down plate 71, preferably constructed of a transparent plastic material, which overlies the corresponding fisll s~ontainers 31 for retairling the fish F therein as they pass transversely with respect to said knife. The forward end 73 of hold down plate 71 is inclined upwardly and at its leading edge is anchored as at 75 to the mount bar 77 which extends transversely of conveyor belt 29 and is secured at 79 upon partition 19.
Shown in Figures 1 and '~ and arranged at the forward end of conveyor belt 29 is the substantially upright fish retainer plate 81 having a counter-weight 83.
Said plate is pivotally mounted at 85 upon the support bar 87. Said support bar at its outer end has a right angular depending portion which extends to and is secured to bracke-t 89.
Branch water pipe 93 extends transversely over the forward end of flexible conveyor belt 293 is capped at its outer end and on its undersurface has a series of longitudinally spaced spray or jet apertures 95 for providing a water spray down onto the fish F as they move around the forward end of the conveyor 29 within their respective containers 31.
~ he water pipe 93 is a branch of a main water pipe 94 within the housing 15 connected to a source of water under pressure, Figure 10. The bracl~et 9fi is secured to the fish retainer plate 81 for adjustably limiting pivotal movements thereof.
Mounted upon conveyor framework 27 and arranged below the forward end of conveyor 29 there is provided a transverse feed channel lOl adapted to receive the decapitated fish as they move around and downwardly of the forward end of the conveyor belt 29. The fish are positioned in the respective containers 31 forming a part of the conveyor belt 29 in such fashion that the belly side of the fish are faced forwardly, Figure 2, so that upon dropping off of the fish at the forward end of the conveyor as guidably retained by the plate 81, the fish drop belly side down in a horizontal position into the transverse feed channel 101, Figure 1.
The leading edges 32 of the individual fish containers 31 are inclined forwardly at an acute ang:le to the vertical so that as said containers move into a ~2~
substantially verlical position over the end of the conve~or 29, the fish therein will conveniently slide out of the containers 31 and into the transverse underlying feed chamlel 101 assistecl by water spray 95.
Underlying and arranged longitudinally of channel lO1 is an elongated feed sprocket chain 103, Figures 2 and 3 which is substantially horizontfll and supportably engflges the individual fish successive]y as dropped to said channel. Chain 103 is adapted for feeding the fish in a direction transverse to the movement of the fish along the conveyor belt 29.
The feed sprocket chain 103 shown in Figure 2 is further shown in detail and on an increased scale in Figures 3 and 5, said sprocket chain 103 lying in a vertical plane. Feed sprocket chain 103 at its forward end is mounted upon and extends around and is drivingly engaged by the drive sprocket 113 which engflges the respective transverse rollers 119 upon the corresponding pivots 109 which interconnect the series of opposed pairs of chain segments 107. Said segments form a continuous feed sprocket chain 103.
The opposite end of said chain is supported by a corresponding idler sprocket 117, Figure 2.
The opposed pairs of chain segments 107 have formed thereon diverging guides 111 which extend upwardly and outwardly and are arranged upon the underside and along the length of channel 101. These guides receive the fish F and hold them upright as they advance in a continuous line along the length of channel 101.
Said channel, Figures 1 and 2, is arranged at the end of the flexible conveyor helt 29 so as to receive the fish F as it drops thereinto in a horizontal position. The fish move along channel 101 through the aperture 20 within partition 19 for direction into that portion of the machine for eviscerating the fish successively as in Figures 1 flnd Figures 3 through 8. Said guides keep the fish belly side down.
As the fish are advanced in a line transversely along channel lO1 supported upon and driven by sprocket chain 103 they are advanced into and between a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder means or sprocket chain assemblies 123, 125, Figure 1.
The fish feeder means include a pair of opposed coplanar horizontally extending feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 which overlie the support 23 forming part of housing 15, Figure 1.
~.~33~
rhe opposed pAil' of horizontal feed sprocket chains are arranged forwardly of the end of channel lOl and are adapted to receive between the adjacent portions of the chains 123, 125 the succeeding fish which are gripped and fed longitudinally by the said sprocket chains, sometimes referred to as the yieldable fish feeder means.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, each of the feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 include a series of segments or links 127 pivotally interconnected at 129, Figure 4, wherein a plurality of forwardly extending serrations 131 are provided to frictionally engage opposite sides of the fish as it advances belly down holding the fish and for advancing the fish longitudinally with respect to the eviscerating mechanism shown in detail in Figures 3-8. ~ach of the chain links 127 have inwardly directed fish hold down flanges 128 to retainingly engage the back of the fish. Said flanges serve to hold down the fish so as to stay within sprocket ehain conveyors 123, 125.
Opposed coplanar laterally yieldable idler sprockets l33 support the one ends of the individual continuous feed sprockets chains 123~ 125. These sprockets are mounted upon corresponding arms 135, Figure 1, pivotally mounted upon the upright pivot posts 137 which project from base chain support 23. Additional laterally spaced and laterally yieldable pairs of opposed idler sprockets 133 are similarly mounted upon corresponding arms 135 and pivot posts 137 and are normally biased towards each other by tension springs 139.
The forward ends of the coplanar horizontal feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 are mounted upon, around and driven by a pair of opposed coplanar drive sprockets 141. These depend from corresponding drive shafts 142 within the housing 1!13 for supporting and drivingly engaging the sprockets 141 for rotation in opposite directions, to provide a continuous support and feed for the adjacent inner runs of the corresponding sprocket chains 123 and 125. These runs yield laterally to receive the fish fed thereto. An additional pair of outwardly biased sprockets 134 engage outer runs of sprocket chains 123, 125 adjacent drive sprockets 141, Figure 1.
Drive housing 143 is secured to housing 15 by the mount bracket 145 and encloses suitable drive mechanism 144 connected to a drive motor 193, Figure 9 within the motor housing 15 for drivingly engaging the corresponding drive shafts 142 for the sprockets 141.
'rhe portion for the present decapitating machine which is directed to the evisceration of the fish in a continuous manner is shown at the ri~ht side o~ Figure 1 and in detail in Figures 3 through 8.
The power rotated clltter disc l47 is arranged in a vertical plane and centrally underlies feed sprocket chains 123 and 125 directly in advance of the end of the trans\lerse fish support and feed channel 101. ~he fish individllally in a line are supportably engaged by the sprocket chains 123 and 125 as in Figure 4 and longitudinally advanced into operative engagement with the power rotated cutter disc 147 having a series of sharpened peripheral teeth 149.
As shown in Figures 3 and 6 AS the individual fish in a line are transported over the upper cutting edge portions of the knife 1479 each fish is slit at 150 along the belly side thereof during continuous longitudinal movement thereof. The power rotated cutter disc 147 has applied to opposite sides thereof a hub 151 of reduced diameter having a body which is transversely arcuate, Figure 6, over which the slit edge portions of the fish expand laterally outward and are outturned as at 155.
This facilitates opening up of the fish for the subsequent evisceration thereof. Water pipe 154, Figure 3 and 10 is connected eO main water pipe 9d~ and delivers a water spray adjacent the cutter disc 147.
A series of angular notches 153 are formed within peripheral portions of the hub body 151 to nssist in the longitudinal removal of heavy gut portions on power rotation of the cutter disc 147.
Said disc is suitably secured upon the outer end of drive shaft 156 and keyed thereto. Said shaft extends transversely of and below the corresponding feed conveyors 123 and 1~5 and connected to power transmitting means 195 within the housing, Figure 9, so that the cutter disc 147 rotates in a counter cloclcwise direction.
~ s the individual fish move longitudinally to the right of Figure 3 supported and advanced by the corresponding continuous feed sprocket chains 123 al)d 125, the fish as already slitted at 150 from the belly side moves onto, over and along inclined arcuate top of spreader support plate 159~
Said suppor t plate at its bottom edge 160 is supported as at 165 in an upright position to framework 23. Said plate centrally underlies the sprocket chains 123 and 125 and is coplanar with and forward of cutter disc 147. 'rhe trailing end of plflte 159 is concave as at 163 so as to be arranged closely adjacent cutter disc 1~7~
Thus the fish F advances onto plate 159 with its belly side longitudinal slit at 15() r eceiving said plate. On further longitudinal movement of the individual fish over said plate, its arcuate edge 161 extends into and along the fish body partly opening it up for flushing out.
The pair of substAntially upright branch water conduits 167 are bored through plate 159 and have outlets 169 which correspond to top edge 161 of said plate.
Plate 159 has fittings 171 adjacent the horizontal bottom edge 160 of said plate.
These conduits are connected to the branch water pipes 173 from water pipe 175 connected pipe 94 joined to the source of water under pressure, Figure 10.
Therefore, as the fish are successively moved over the support plate 159, there is a further opening out the body cavity thereof. The flppLication of pressurized water through the conduits 1~7 facilitates the evisceration of the fish, washing out the body contents which drop by gravity into a suitable collection tray 13 underlying the machine housing.
The corresponding horizontal feed sprocket chains 123, 125 continue to support the fish successively in a horizontal path as they move over the support plate 159 and over the closely adjacent coplanar upright power rotated scraper disc 177. Said disc extends into the end arcuate recess 178 in plate 159. The scraper disc 177 is secured to the transverse power drive shaft 179 which extends transversely of the sprocket chains 123 and 125 and spaced thereunder. Said shaft is suitably connected to a part of the drive mechanism 197 connected to motor 193 within the housing 15, Figure 9, so that the scraper disc 177 rotates counter clockwise as shown by the arrow.
The scraper disc 177 includes a series of radially extending cutting edges 181 Yigure 8, and with adjacent rndial apertures 183 formed therein for further cleaning out the cavity of the fish completing the eviscerating operation wherein the fish move longitudinally in the path 185 around the scraper disc 177 and drop by gravity into a suituble collector 187 mounted upon the base 23 fragmentarily shown in Figures 1-3.
As the fish move over the scraper disc 177 this corresponds to the rear end portions of the sprocket chains 123 and 125 shown in Figure 1. At this area J ~3 the fish are guided longitudinally so as to move over the scraper disc 177 in the path shown at ~ 85, Figure 3, into collector 187.
Water pipe 189 delivers pressurized water to flush the area down stream of scraper disc l77.
A splash guard 201, Figure 1, is hinged at 203 to housing 15 and normally overlies knife 63 and water pipes 9g. Said guard is shown elevated in Figure
2. Water pipes :L54, adjacent cutter disc 147, Figures 3 and ]0, deliver flushing water to interior portions L50 of the fish.
Claims (11)
1. In a fish decapitator having a framework including a base, a power driven horizontally disposed continuous conveyor belt mounted upon said framework including a series of flexibly connected open ended containers extending transversely of said belt, each container adapted to receive and transport a fish, an elongated adjustable stop upon said framework spaced from said containers and parallel to said belt, a power rotated brush overlying said belt and mounted upon said framework and rotatable in a plane at right angles to the length of said belt, the brush bristles on rotation frictionally engaging each fish thereunder during feeding of said belt laterally advancing each fish outwardly of its container successively to said stop, and a power rotated knife mounted upon said framework for rotation in a plane parallel to and spaced from said stop laterally outward of said belt, for successively severing the fish heads during longitudional movement of said belt, each fish lying upon one side with its belly forward, the decapitated fish moving in its container to and downwardly around the end of said conveyor in a horizontal position and dropping from its container with its belly down;
the improvement comprising:
a first fish hold down plate overlying said conveyor belt upstream of said brush at its trailing edge spaced above said belt and mounted upon said framework and inclined downwardly with its forward edge loosely and yieldably overlying said belt adjacent said brush retaining each fish in its container prior to movement under said brush, a second fish hold down plate yieldably overlying the conveyor containers adjacent said knife during decapitating of the fish therein, the forward end of said second hold down plate being inclined upwardly and mounted upon said framework, and a substantially upright fish retainer plate yieldably mounted at its upper end upon said framework overlying the forward end of said conveyor belt with lower portions thereof successively engaging the descending end fish containers retaining the fish therein in an upright position as they move downwardly therewith.
the improvement comprising:
a first fish hold down plate overlying said conveyor belt upstream of said brush at its trailing edge spaced above said belt and mounted upon said framework and inclined downwardly with its forward edge loosely and yieldably overlying said belt adjacent said brush retaining each fish in its container prior to movement under said brush, a second fish hold down plate yieldably overlying the conveyor containers adjacent said knife during decapitating of the fish therein, the forward end of said second hold down plate being inclined upwardly and mounted upon said framework, and a substantially upright fish retainer plate yieldably mounted at its upper end upon said framework overlying the forward end of said conveyor belt with lower portions thereof successively engaging the descending end fish containers retaining the fish therein in an upright position as they move downwardly therewith.
2. In the fish decapitator of claim 1, an elongated fish channel upon said framework underlying and extending transversely of the forward end of said belt successively receiving said fish as they drop from said belt guidably retaining each fish horizontally with its belly side down;
and a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel in a transverse path.
and a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel in a transverse path.
3. In the fish decapitator of claim 2, said sprocket chain lying in a vertical plane, and including a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments, each segment having a pair of outwardly diverging guide members for supporting engagement with the fish sides to retain its belly side down.
4. In the fish decapitator of claim 1, the leading edge of each fish container being inclined outwardly at an acute angle to the vertical to facilitate dropping of the fish therefrom.
5. In the fish decapitator having a framework including a base, a power driven horizontally disposed continuous conveyor belt mounted upon said framework including a series of flexibly connected open ended containers extending transversely of said belt, each container adapted to receive and transport a fish, an elongated adjustable stop upon said framework spaced from said containers and parallel to said belt, a power rotated brush overlying said belt and mounted upon said framework and rotatable in a plane at right angles to the length of said belt, the brush bristles on rotation frictionally engaging each fish thereunder during feeding of said belt laterally advancing each fish outwardly of its container successively to said stop, and a power rotated knife mounted upon said framework for rotation in a plane parallel to and spaced from said stop laterally outward of said belt, for successively severing the fish heads during longitudinal movement of said belt, each fish lying upon one side with its belly forward, the decapitated fish moving in its container to and downwardly around the end of said conveyor in a horizontal position and dropping from its container with its belly down;
the improvement comprising an elongated fish feed channel upon said framework underlying and extending transversely of the forward end of said belt successively receiving said fish as they drop from said belt guidably retaining each fish horizontally with its belly side down;
a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel in a transverse path;
a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder means mounted upon said framework adjacent one end of said channel longitudinally thereof for successively receiving each fish therebetween frictionally and operatively engaging its opposite sides and advancing said fish longitudinally;
and a power rotated cutter disc journaled upon said framework and arranged in a vertical plane centrally underlying said feeder means and operatively engaging and slitting each fish on its belly side along its length as it is advanced longitudinally over said cutter disc.
the improvement comprising an elongated fish feed channel upon said framework underlying and extending transversely of the forward end of said belt successively receiving said fish as they drop from said belt guidably retaining each fish horizontally with its belly side down;
a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel in a transverse path;
a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder means mounted upon said framework adjacent one end of said channel longitudinally thereof for successively receiving each fish therebetween frictionally and operatively engaging its opposite sides and advancing said fish longitudinally;
and a power rotated cutter disc journaled upon said framework and arranged in a vertical plane centrally underlying said feeder means and operatively engaging and slitting each fish on its belly side along its length as it is advanced longitudinally over said cutter disc.
6. In the fish decapitator of claim 5, an upright spreader support plate mounted upon said framework having an Inclined elongated transversely arcuate top edge forward of, adjacent to and coplanar with said cutter disc and arranged centrally of said fish feeder means, over which each fish is longitudinally fed by said fish feeder means;
said support plate separating and spreading the fish halves along its length during longitudinal movement thereof;
said support plate having a lower edge, a substantially upright water conduit through said plate having an inlet fitting at said lower edge and a water outlet at its top edge;
and a water pipe connected to a source of water under pressure connected to said fitting for flushing out and eviscerating each fish during longitudinal movement thereof along said support plate.
said support plate separating and spreading the fish halves along its length during longitudinal movement thereof;
said support plate having a lower edge, a substantially upright water conduit through said plate having an inlet fitting at said lower edge and a water outlet at its top edge;
and a water pipe connected to a source of water under pressure connected to said fitting for flushing out and eviscerating each fish during longitudinal movement thereof along said support plate.
7. In the fish decapitator of claim 5, and an upright power rotated scraper disc journaled upon said framework having a series of radially extending cutting edges arranged forward of, adjacent to and coplanar with said support plate and arranged centrally of and below said fish feeder means, over which each fish is fed by said feeder means, said scraper disc further cleaning out the interior of said fish along its length as it moves longitudinally thereover, the decapitated and eviscerated fish successively advancing over said scraper disc and falling by gravity for accumulation within a suitable container.
8. In the fish decapitator of claim 5, said fish feeder means including continuous laterally related sprocket chains;
spaced laterally yieldable idler sprockets mounted upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the one ends of said sprocket chains;
and a pair of laterally spaced power driven sprockets upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the other ends of said sprocket chains.
spaced laterally yieldable idler sprockets mounted upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the one ends of said sprocket chains;
and a pair of laterally spaced power driven sprockets upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the other ends of said sprocket chains.
9. In the fish decapitator of claim 8, opposed pairs of additional laterally yieldable sprocket chain supporting idler sprockets, within said sprocket chains respectively engaging the inner portions of each said sprocket chain;
and spring means interconnecting adjacent pairs of said additional idler sprocket chains in compression, adjacent portions of said pair of continuous sprocket chains yieldably receiving and engaging said fish automatically compensating for the widths thereof.
and spring means interconnecting adjacent pairs of said additional idler sprocket chains in compression, adjacent portions of said pair of continuous sprocket chains yieldably receiving and engaging said fish automatically compensating for the widths thereof.
10. In the fish decapitator of claim 8, each of said laterally related sprocket chains including a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments having a series of longitudinally spaced lateral feed projections thereon for frictional and supporting feed engagement with said fish;
there being inwardly projecting fish hold down flanges along the top of each segment.
there being inwardly projecting fish hold down flanges along the top of each segment.
11. In a fish eviscerator having a framework, an elongated feed channel upon said framework adapted to successively receive decapitated fish in a horizontal position belly side down;
a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel;
said sprocket chain lying in a vertical plane and including a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments, each segment having a pair of outwardly diverging guide members for frictional and supporting engagement with the belly and sides of said fish retaining the fish belly side down;
a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder means mounted upon said framework adjacent one end of said channel longitudinally thereof for successively receiving each fish therebetween frictionally and operatively engaging its opposite sides and advancing said fish longitudinally;
said fish feeder means including continuous laterally related sprocket chains;
spaced laterally yieldable idler sprockets mounted upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the one ends of said sprocket chains;
and a pair of laterally spaced power driven sprockets upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the other ends of said sprocket chains;
a power rotated cutter disc journaled upon said framework and arranged in a vertical plane centrally underlying said feeder means and operatively engaging and slitting each fish on its belly side along its length as it is advanced longitudinally over said cutter disc;
an upright spreader support plate mounted upon said framework having an inclined elongated transversely arcuate top edge forward of, adjacent to and coplanar with said cutter disc and arranged centrally of said fish feeder means, over which each fish is longitudinally fed by said fish feeder means;
said support plate further separating the fish halves along its length during longitudinal movement thereof;
and an upright power rotated scraper disc journaled upon said framework having a series of radially extending cutting edges arranged forward of, adjacent to and coplanar with said support plate and arranged centrally of and below said fish feeder means, over which each fish is fed by said feeder means, said scraper disc further cleaning out the interior of said fish along its length as it moves longitudinally thereof;
the eviscerated fish successively advancing over said scraper disc and falling by gravity for accumulation within a suitable container.
a continuous power operated feed sprocket chain centrally underlying said channel along its length for supporting and advancing said fish successively in a line within said channel;
said sprocket chain lying in a vertical plane and including a plurality of pivotally interconnected segments, each segment having a pair of outwardly diverging guide members for frictional and supporting engagement with the belly and sides of said fish retaining the fish belly side down;
a pair of opposed horizontal coplanar flexible laterally yieldable fish feeder means mounted upon said framework adjacent one end of said channel longitudinally thereof for successively receiving each fish therebetween frictionally and operatively engaging its opposite sides and advancing said fish longitudinally;
said fish feeder means including continuous laterally related sprocket chains;
spaced laterally yieldable idler sprockets mounted upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the one ends of said sprocket chains;
and a pair of laterally spaced power driven sprockets upon said framework coplanar to and supporting the other ends of said sprocket chains;
a power rotated cutter disc journaled upon said framework and arranged in a vertical plane centrally underlying said feeder means and operatively engaging and slitting each fish on its belly side along its length as it is advanced longitudinally over said cutter disc;
an upright spreader support plate mounted upon said framework having an inclined elongated transversely arcuate top edge forward of, adjacent to and coplanar with said cutter disc and arranged centrally of said fish feeder means, over which each fish is longitudinally fed by said fish feeder means;
said support plate further separating the fish halves along its length during longitudinal movement thereof;
and an upright power rotated scraper disc journaled upon said framework having a series of radially extending cutting edges arranged forward of, adjacent to and coplanar with said support plate and arranged centrally of and below said fish feeder means, over which each fish is fed by said feeder means, said scraper disc further cleaning out the interior of said fish along its length as it moves longitudinally thereof;
the eviscerated fish successively advancing over said scraper disc and falling by gravity for accumulation within a suitable container.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000424181A CA1192010A (en) | 1983-03-22 | 1983-03-22 | Fish decapitator and eviscerator |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000424181A CA1192010A (en) | 1983-03-22 | 1983-03-22 | Fish decapitator and eviscerator |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1192010A true CA1192010A (en) | 1985-08-20 |
Family
ID=4124846
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000424181A Expired CA1192010A (en) | 1983-03-22 | 1983-03-22 | Fish decapitator and eviscerator |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1192010A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114304242A (en) * | 2021-12-27 | 2022-04-12 | 邱琳 | Cleaning equipment is cut apart with ration to processing of freezing tuna |
-
1983
- 1983-03-22 CA CA000424181A patent/CA1192010A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN114304242A (en) * | 2021-12-27 | 2022-04-12 | 邱琳 | Cleaning equipment is cut apart with ration to processing of freezing tuna |
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