CA1208402A - Device for the automatic supplying of fish processing machines - Google Patents
Device for the automatic supplying of fish processing machinesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1208402A CA1208402A CA000449748A CA449748A CA1208402A CA 1208402 A CA1208402 A CA 1208402A CA 000449748 A CA000449748 A CA 000449748A CA 449748 A CA449748 A CA 449748A CA 1208402 A CA1208402 A CA 1208402A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fish
- guiding
- toothed roller
- bevel
- feeding channel
- 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
Links
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
- A22C25/08—Holding, guiding, or conveying fish before, during or after its preparation ; Devices for sizing fish; Automatically adapting conveyors or processing machines to the measured size
Landscapes
- 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)
- Mechanical Means For Catching Fish (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The invention concerns a device for the automatic supplying of fish uniformly aligned with respect to their belly-back and head-tail position to fish processing machines. The object of the invention comprises the improvement of a known construction including a feeding channel, a positively effective conveyor for the fish, an uprighting station with a toothed roller and a guiding element as well as a discharge channel. It is the objective to make the known device suitable for processing a greater quality tolerance. To achieve this it is suggested that the conveyor is deflected out of engagement only shortly upstream of the uprighting station which effects the engagement of the head flank of the fish head on the bottom surface of the feeding channel which is neces-sary for a troublefree righting of the fish.
The invention concerns a device for the automatic supplying of fish uniformly aligned with respect to their belly-back and head-tail position to fish processing machines. The object of the invention comprises the improvement of a known construction including a feeding channel, a positively effective conveyor for the fish, an uprighting station with a toothed roller and a guiding element as well as a discharge channel. It is the objective to make the known device suitable for processing a greater quality tolerance. To achieve this it is suggested that the conveyor is deflected out of engagement only shortly upstream of the uprighting station which effects the engagement of the head flank of the fish head on the bottom surface of the feeding channel which is neces-sary for a troublefree righting of the fish.
Description
`` ~2~84~2 The present invention concerns a device for the automatic supplying of fish to fish processing machines.
A device of this type is known from DE-PS
1 454 092. In this device the fish already aligned head first are guided in a timed manner to an uprighting station by a conveying wheel equipped with needles in that the needles penetrate the bottom surface of the feeding channel in the region of the highest point of their orbit, the timed sequence of the fish corresponding to that of the needles. The kinetic energy imparted to the fish in this way effects its further transport into the uprighting station, which consists of a driven toothed roller extending above the bottom surface of the feeding channel. The guiding surEace of a guiding element is arranged resiliently at a distance opposite the circumferential surface of the toothed roller, the front end of the guiding element being twisted.
The ~ ~
........... . .
feeding channel is arranged very steeply inclined and runs into a discharge channel of less inclination in the region in f~ont of the toothed roller.
The practical use of this arrangement has proved that a satisfactory manner of working, i.e. sufflciently high functional security and therefore the desired rationalising effect is only guaranteed if the fish coming to be processed are of high quality.
A clear dependence of the working results on the undesired additional catch in the form of extremely small and larges sizes, the amount of damages and distortions caused hy the catch or the intermediate storage, on the consistency of the fish as well as on changes of body contour or fish shape due to the time of year the catch is made, e.g. if the catch occurs in spawning time, can be seen. The security of the manner of working of the device depends on the fish reaching the passage between the circumferential surface of the toothed roller and the guiding element with their head flank lying fla~, since this is a prerequisite for the orderly uprighting of each fish. The different inclination of the feeding channel and discharge channel represents very well a feature effective in this sense. However, it has become apparent that a fur~her improvement is necessary. Fur-thermore, this feature is responsible for the de~ice being built undesirably high and therefore difficult to inspect from the operator's stand arranged on the subsequent machine. Apart from that the fish must be lifted to this level by a corresponding lifting conveyor and platforms or steps are necessary to enable access.
~2~
It is therefore an essential object of the invention to simplify the known device. It is a further object of the invention to suggest a device suitable for processing fish of a larger quality tolerance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a device for the automatic supply.ing of fish of a predetermined range of sizes defined by a smallest and a largest fish to be handled to fish processing machines, said fish having a longitudinal extension defined by a head end, a rump portion and a tail portion, a height extension determined by a belly and a back defin.ing the lower and upper sides of said fish, respectively, and a pair of shoulder girdle bones situated in a part of said rump portion close to said head end, said device comprising at least one belly-back aligning section for aligning said fish into uniform belly-back position according to said height entension and conveying said fish in a conveying direction, wherein 1~ said aligning section comprises a. feeding channel means defining a path for said fish, guiding said fish head end first, singly, one behind the other, having bottom surface means and including conveyor means for a positive 3~ conveying of said fish, b. an uprighting station for said fish including driven toothed roller means defining a toothed circumferential surface between ~2~8~
an upper and a lower frontside, and guiding means which defir~e a guiding surface, lie opposite said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means and are resiliently deflectable, and c. discharge channel means downstream of said uprighting station and having discharge bottom surface means;
A device of this type is known from DE-PS
1 454 092. In this device the fish already aligned head first are guided in a timed manner to an uprighting station by a conveying wheel equipped with needles in that the needles penetrate the bottom surface of the feeding channel in the region of the highest point of their orbit, the timed sequence of the fish corresponding to that of the needles. The kinetic energy imparted to the fish in this way effects its further transport into the uprighting station, which consists of a driven toothed roller extending above the bottom surface of the feeding channel. The guiding surEace of a guiding element is arranged resiliently at a distance opposite the circumferential surface of the toothed roller, the front end of the guiding element being twisted.
The ~ ~
........... . .
feeding channel is arranged very steeply inclined and runs into a discharge channel of less inclination in the region in f~ont of the toothed roller.
The practical use of this arrangement has proved that a satisfactory manner of working, i.e. sufflciently high functional security and therefore the desired rationalising effect is only guaranteed if the fish coming to be processed are of high quality.
A clear dependence of the working results on the undesired additional catch in the form of extremely small and larges sizes, the amount of damages and distortions caused hy the catch or the intermediate storage, on the consistency of the fish as well as on changes of body contour or fish shape due to the time of year the catch is made, e.g. if the catch occurs in spawning time, can be seen. The security of the manner of working of the device depends on the fish reaching the passage between the circumferential surface of the toothed roller and the guiding element with their head flank lying fla~, since this is a prerequisite for the orderly uprighting of each fish. The different inclination of the feeding channel and discharge channel represents very well a feature effective in this sense. However, it has become apparent that a fur~her improvement is necessary. Fur-thermore, this feature is responsible for the de~ice being built undesirably high and therefore difficult to inspect from the operator's stand arranged on the subsequent machine. Apart from that the fish must be lifted to this level by a corresponding lifting conveyor and platforms or steps are necessary to enable access.
~2~
It is therefore an essential object of the invention to simplify the known device. It is a further object of the invention to suggest a device suitable for processing fish of a larger quality tolerance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, there is provided a device for the automatic supply.ing of fish of a predetermined range of sizes defined by a smallest and a largest fish to be handled to fish processing machines, said fish having a longitudinal extension defined by a head end, a rump portion and a tail portion, a height extension determined by a belly and a back defin.ing the lower and upper sides of said fish, respectively, and a pair of shoulder girdle bones situated in a part of said rump portion close to said head end, said device comprising at least one belly-back aligning section for aligning said fish into uniform belly-back position according to said height entension and conveying said fish in a conveying direction, wherein 1~ said aligning section comprises a. feeding channel means defining a path for said fish, guiding said fish head end first, singly, one behind the other, having bottom surface means and including conveyor means for a positive 3~ conveying of said fish, b. an uprighting station for said fish including driven toothed roller means defining a toothed circumferential surface between ~2~8~
an upper and a lower frontside, and guiding means which defir~e a guiding surface, lie opposite said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means and are resiliently deflectable, and c. discharge channel means downstream of said uprighting station and having discharge bottom surface means;
2) said conveyor means a. form at least one part of said bottom surface means and b. comprise endlessly rotating driven conveying belt means equipped with spi~e means emerging into said feeding channel means near an upstream end thereof;
3) said conveying belt means are deflected near said toothed roller means to ?O diverge from said bottom surface of - -said feeding channel; and
4) said spike means are arranged at a pitch distance to each other which is greater than the length of said largest fish to be handled.
It is expedient that a stopping flap be provided in the region - -~Z~ LU2 of the place where the spikes emerge into the feeding channel, the stopping flap being positioned to extend into the path of the fish Erom above opposite the emerging position of the spikes such that each fish is gripped conveyingly in the region shortly behind the shoulder girdle. In other words, the stoppiny flap is arranged at a distance downstream of said emerging position of the spikes, which distance corresponds at least to the distance between the front end of the ~ish head and the shoulder girdle of the largest fish coming to be handled. It is safeguarded thereby that the head flank of the fish is brought to rest on t~e bottom surface of the feeding channel since the spikes are deflected at their disappear-ing point with increasing inclination in the direction of movement which effects that the fish head is forced towards the bottom surface. This effect can be heightened by arranging the spikes inclined in the conveying direction. To achieve a similar effect or even to increase the same the guiding element can have a bevel pointing away from the circumferential surface of the toothed roller on its lower edge facing the bottom surface of the feeding channel, which bevel ends or runs out in the reglon of the greatest proximity of the guiding surface of the guiding element to the circumferential surface.
Since the fish are fed in an undefined manner with respect to their belly-back position it is expedient if a guide member is arranged opposite the guiding element in the region of the feeding channel, which guide member forms a funnel-shaped inlet with the guiding surface of the guiding element, and if a bevel pointing outwards is positioned on the lower edges of the guide member and the guiding element facing the bottom surface, which bevel runs out - ~.z~a z or ends in the region of the circumferential surface of the toothed roller.
In order to safeguard the conveying engagement of the toothed roller shortly before the uprighting the toothed roller can have a bevel on its front face pointing towards a bottom surface of the discharge channel, the peripheral surface of this bevel being toothed corresponding to the circumferential surface.
A device of even ]ower construction is achieved lf the dis-charge channel and the toothed roller are inclined downwardly in the direction of passage of the fish and the feeding channel is arranged essentially horizontally, and if a deflecting surface is associated to the upper front side of the toothed roller. Thereby it is also possible to interrupt the bottom surface in the region of the uprighting station so that additional catch and other foreign bodies and impurities may fall out. By forming the de-flecting surface as a cover disc attached to the upper front side of the toothed roller and rotating with the latter, the conveying of the fish in the uprighting station can be so improved that the danger of the fish being obstructed at this position can be further reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the -following description and claims and are illus-2S trated in the accompanying drawings, which by way of illustrationschematical~y show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what now are considered to be the best modes contemplated for app~ying these principles. Other :~L2~ 2 embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent pxinciples 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 appended claims.
Fig. 1 shows a view in partial section of the device in simplified representation, Fig. 2 shows a top view of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a variation of the device with an overhead deflecting surface; and Fig. 4 shows an axonometric representation of the device seen from the sectional line I-I in Fig. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ~F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Several elongate guide paths are arranged, preferably side by side, in a frame of a device not shown in detail for aligning fish directed head first i~ uniform belly-back position, along which paths the fish are supplied. For reasons of better clarity only one guide or supplying path ~ is shown partially. It comprises essentially an inclined supplying or feeding channel 2 an~ a horizontal elongate discharge channel 3. ~ toothed roller 4 is positioned in the region of that end of the discharge channel 3 which is remote from the machine to be supplied, which roller 4 rotates, laterally offset, about an axis 5 essentially perpen-dicular to a bottom surface 5 o~ the discharge channel 3. The driving of the toothed roller 4 ensues such that its circumfer-ential surface 7 projecting into the discharge channel 3 is moved in the direction of the named end according to the arrow shown in Fig. 2. The transitional area between the circumferential surface 7 and a front face 8 of the toothed roller 4 facing the bottom surface 5 is formed by a bevel 9. A guiding element 10 pivotal about an essentially vertical pivot axis ll positioned next to the discharge channel 3 and upstream of the toothed roller ~ when seen in the direction of movement of the fish lies opposite the circum-ferential surface 7. The guiding element lO together with the circumferential surface 7 of the toothed roller 4 forms an essen-tially parallel passage l2 which can be enlarged by displacementagainst the force of a spring l3. The guiding element lO ends in a twisted portion continued via the place of the guide element's greatest proximity to the circumferential surface 7 and with its lower edge forms a gap l4 with respect to the bottom surface 5.
The feeding channel 2 changes over into the discharge channel 3 shortly upstream of the toothed roller 4, the inclination of the feeding channel 2 to the discharge channel being about 15. A
bottom surface l5 of the feeding channel 2 has a gap l6. A con-veyor l7 is driven continuously to rotate essentially underneath the bottom surface l5 and at least partly in the gap l6. The conve~or 17 comprises an endless conveying belt l~ which carries spikes or needles 19, which penetrate the ~ap l6. The spikes 19 are arranged at a distance to each other which is greater than the length of the largest fish coming to be processed~ The conveying belt 18 is deflected about two ~eflection wheels or rollers 20 so that in the region of a stopping flap 21 displaceable against the force of a spring 31 above the bottom surface l5 the spikes l9 appear above the bottom surface l5 and disappear in the region of 2~ 2 the transition between the feeding channel 2 and the dischargechannel 3.
According to the embodiment of FigO ~ a guide member 29 is arranged in the inlet region of the toothed roller 4, which member 29 forms a side wall of the feeding channel 2 in its end part and a ~unnel-shaped inlet with the yuiding element 10 lying opposite.
Both the guide member 29 and the guiding element 10 have bevels 30 extending outwardly on their lower edges pointing towards the bottom surface 15, which bevels 30 run out near the circumfe.rential surface 7 of the toothed roller 4.
The embodiment according to Fig. 3 shows a modified structure in which the feeding channel 2 lies essentially horizontally. A
discharge channel 22 inclined at about 15 follows downstream thereof, a toothed roller 24 having an upper face 26 over the bottom surface 23 of the discharge channel 22, which toothed roller 24 rotates about an axis 25 essentially perpendicular to the bottom surface 23. The toothed roller 2~ carries a deflecting surface 27 at its upper front face 26, which deflecting surface rotates with the toothed roller. ~s described above the guiding element 1~ is opposed to the circumferential surface of the toothed roll~r 24, the arrangement of the guiding element 10 being such that the deflec-ting surface 27 forms the basis and not the bottom surface 5 (as in ~ig. 1). The bottom surface 15 of the feeding channel 2 ends shortly in front of the toothed roller 24 and leaves a free opening 28.
The method of operation of the de~ice is described as follows:
Coming from a suitable head-tail aligning section the fish reach the bottom surface 15 of the feeding channel 2 in side ``- 12~
position, singly and head first, and are first of all held back by the stopping flap 21. Each fish stays there until one of the spikes 19 of the conveyor 17 penetrates the bottom surface 15 and entrains the fish, penetrating the belly wall shortly behina the shoulder girdle. The fish is thus guided to the uprighting station. Before it reaches the latter the conveyor 17 is deflected by the left one of the deflection wheels 20 so that the spike 19 disappears under the bottom surface 15. Its inclination in the conveying direction thus increases which has the consequence that the fish head is forced onto the bottom surface 5 of the discharge channel 3 before the spike 19 disengages from the fish. The inherent kinetic energy of the latter effects its penetration into the passage between the guiding element 10 and the circumferential surface 7 of the toothed roller 4. Due to the drop-shaped cross-section of the fish body with burr-li~e belly contour according to its position the fish with this contour either runs under the bevel 9 o~ the toothed roller 4 or penetrates the gap 14 between the bottom surface 5 and the lower edge of the guiding element 10. The pressure exerted on the guiding element 10 by means of the spring 13 effects that the fish rights itself into the swimming position by displacement of the guiding element 10. From this position it is then turned into uniform side position by means of the twisted portion of the guiding element 10.
As described above it is necessary for a secure uprighting of the fish that the head lies with its head flank on the bottom sur~ace 15. According to Fig. 4 this is safeguarded in that the lower jaw side of the head runs under the bevel 30 of either the guiding element 10 or the guide member 29O Due to the width of the _ g _ . .
cranium no guiding occurs in the respective bevel 30 lying opposite so that, in addition to the forcing down of -the head Elank on the bottom surface 15, an uprighting moment about the longitudinal axis of the fish is produced already in this area of the device.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the structure is such that the fish, due to its inherent energy, is guided at an acute angle against the deflecting surface 27 inclined downwards with respect to the direction of movement of the fish. The repulsing force acting upon the fish in that process also effects the necessary engagement of the head flank and safeguards that the fish is righted which means its turning into the belly upward position in this embodiment of the device.
It is expedient that a stopping flap be provided in the region - -~Z~ LU2 of the place where the spikes emerge into the feeding channel, the stopping flap being positioned to extend into the path of the fish Erom above opposite the emerging position of the spikes such that each fish is gripped conveyingly in the region shortly behind the shoulder girdle. In other words, the stoppiny flap is arranged at a distance downstream of said emerging position of the spikes, which distance corresponds at least to the distance between the front end of the ~ish head and the shoulder girdle of the largest fish coming to be handled. It is safeguarded thereby that the head flank of the fish is brought to rest on t~e bottom surface of the feeding channel since the spikes are deflected at their disappear-ing point with increasing inclination in the direction of movement which effects that the fish head is forced towards the bottom surface. This effect can be heightened by arranging the spikes inclined in the conveying direction. To achieve a similar effect or even to increase the same the guiding element can have a bevel pointing away from the circumferential surface of the toothed roller on its lower edge facing the bottom surface of the feeding channel, which bevel ends or runs out in the reglon of the greatest proximity of the guiding surface of the guiding element to the circumferential surface.
Since the fish are fed in an undefined manner with respect to their belly-back position it is expedient if a guide member is arranged opposite the guiding element in the region of the feeding channel, which guide member forms a funnel-shaped inlet with the guiding surface of the guiding element, and if a bevel pointing outwards is positioned on the lower edges of the guide member and the guiding element facing the bottom surface, which bevel runs out - ~.z~a z or ends in the region of the circumferential surface of the toothed roller.
In order to safeguard the conveying engagement of the toothed roller shortly before the uprighting the toothed roller can have a bevel on its front face pointing towards a bottom surface of the discharge channel, the peripheral surface of this bevel being toothed corresponding to the circumferential surface.
A device of even ]ower construction is achieved lf the dis-charge channel and the toothed roller are inclined downwardly in the direction of passage of the fish and the feeding channel is arranged essentially horizontally, and if a deflecting surface is associated to the upper front side of the toothed roller. Thereby it is also possible to interrupt the bottom surface in the region of the uprighting station so that additional catch and other foreign bodies and impurities may fall out. By forming the de-flecting surface as a cover disc attached to the upper front side of the toothed roller and rotating with the latter, the conveying of the fish in the uprighting station can be so improved that the danger of the fish being obstructed at this position can be further reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the -following description and claims and are illus-2S trated in the accompanying drawings, which by way of illustrationschematical~y show preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof and what now are considered to be the best modes contemplated for app~ying these principles. Other :~L2~ 2 embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent pxinciples 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 appended claims.
Fig. 1 shows a view in partial section of the device in simplified representation, Fig. 2 shows a top view of the device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 3 shows a variation of the device with an overhead deflecting surface; and Fig. 4 shows an axonometric representation of the device seen from the sectional line I-I in Fig. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION ~F THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Several elongate guide paths are arranged, preferably side by side, in a frame of a device not shown in detail for aligning fish directed head first i~ uniform belly-back position, along which paths the fish are supplied. For reasons of better clarity only one guide or supplying path ~ is shown partially. It comprises essentially an inclined supplying or feeding channel 2 an~ a horizontal elongate discharge channel 3. ~ toothed roller 4 is positioned in the region of that end of the discharge channel 3 which is remote from the machine to be supplied, which roller 4 rotates, laterally offset, about an axis 5 essentially perpen-dicular to a bottom surface 5 o~ the discharge channel 3. The driving of the toothed roller 4 ensues such that its circumfer-ential surface 7 projecting into the discharge channel 3 is moved in the direction of the named end according to the arrow shown in Fig. 2. The transitional area between the circumferential surface 7 and a front face 8 of the toothed roller 4 facing the bottom surface 5 is formed by a bevel 9. A guiding element 10 pivotal about an essentially vertical pivot axis ll positioned next to the discharge channel 3 and upstream of the toothed roller ~ when seen in the direction of movement of the fish lies opposite the circum-ferential surface 7. The guiding element lO together with the circumferential surface 7 of the toothed roller 4 forms an essen-tially parallel passage l2 which can be enlarged by displacementagainst the force of a spring l3. The guiding element lO ends in a twisted portion continued via the place of the guide element's greatest proximity to the circumferential surface 7 and with its lower edge forms a gap l4 with respect to the bottom surface 5.
The feeding channel 2 changes over into the discharge channel 3 shortly upstream of the toothed roller 4, the inclination of the feeding channel 2 to the discharge channel being about 15. A
bottom surface l5 of the feeding channel 2 has a gap l6. A con-veyor l7 is driven continuously to rotate essentially underneath the bottom surface l5 and at least partly in the gap l6. The conve~or 17 comprises an endless conveying belt l~ which carries spikes or needles 19, which penetrate the ~ap l6. The spikes 19 are arranged at a distance to each other which is greater than the length of the largest fish coming to be processed~ The conveying belt 18 is deflected about two ~eflection wheels or rollers 20 so that in the region of a stopping flap 21 displaceable against the force of a spring 31 above the bottom surface l5 the spikes l9 appear above the bottom surface l5 and disappear in the region of 2~ 2 the transition between the feeding channel 2 and the dischargechannel 3.
According to the embodiment of FigO ~ a guide member 29 is arranged in the inlet region of the toothed roller 4, which member 29 forms a side wall of the feeding channel 2 in its end part and a ~unnel-shaped inlet with the yuiding element 10 lying opposite.
Both the guide member 29 and the guiding element 10 have bevels 30 extending outwardly on their lower edges pointing towards the bottom surface 15, which bevels 30 run out near the circumfe.rential surface 7 of the toothed roller 4.
The embodiment according to Fig. 3 shows a modified structure in which the feeding channel 2 lies essentially horizontally. A
discharge channel 22 inclined at about 15 follows downstream thereof, a toothed roller 24 having an upper face 26 over the bottom surface 23 of the discharge channel 22, which toothed roller 24 rotates about an axis 25 essentially perpendicular to the bottom surface 23. The toothed roller 2~ carries a deflecting surface 27 at its upper front face 26, which deflecting surface rotates with the toothed roller. ~s described above the guiding element 1~ is opposed to the circumferential surface of the toothed roll~r 24, the arrangement of the guiding element 10 being such that the deflec-ting surface 27 forms the basis and not the bottom surface 5 (as in ~ig. 1). The bottom surface 15 of the feeding channel 2 ends shortly in front of the toothed roller 24 and leaves a free opening 28.
The method of operation of the de~ice is described as follows:
Coming from a suitable head-tail aligning section the fish reach the bottom surface 15 of the feeding channel 2 in side ``- 12~
position, singly and head first, and are first of all held back by the stopping flap 21. Each fish stays there until one of the spikes 19 of the conveyor 17 penetrates the bottom surface 15 and entrains the fish, penetrating the belly wall shortly behina the shoulder girdle. The fish is thus guided to the uprighting station. Before it reaches the latter the conveyor 17 is deflected by the left one of the deflection wheels 20 so that the spike 19 disappears under the bottom surface 15. Its inclination in the conveying direction thus increases which has the consequence that the fish head is forced onto the bottom surface 5 of the discharge channel 3 before the spike 19 disengages from the fish. The inherent kinetic energy of the latter effects its penetration into the passage between the guiding element 10 and the circumferential surface 7 of the toothed roller 4. Due to the drop-shaped cross-section of the fish body with burr-li~e belly contour according to its position the fish with this contour either runs under the bevel 9 o~ the toothed roller 4 or penetrates the gap 14 between the bottom surface 5 and the lower edge of the guiding element 10. The pressure exerted on the guiding element 10 by means of the spring 13 effects that the fish rights itself into the swimming position by displacement of the guiding element 10. From this position it is then turned into uniform side position by means of the twisted portion of the guiding element 10.
As described above it is necessary for a secure uprighting of the fish that the head lies with its head flank on the bottom sur~ace 15. According to Fig. 4 this is safeguarded in that the lower jaw side of the head runs under the bevel 30 of either the guiding element 10 or the guide member 29O Due to the width of the _ g _ . .
cranium no guiding occurs in the respective bevel 30 lying opposite so that, in addition to the forcing down of -the head Elank on the bottom surface 15, an uprighting moment about the longitudinal axis of the fish is produced already in this area of the device.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 the structure is such that the fish, due to its inherent energy, is guided at an acute angle against the deflecting surface 27 inclined downwards with respect to the direction of movement of the fish. The repulsing force acting upon the fish in that process also effects the necessary engagement of the head flank and safeguards that the fish is righted which means its turning into the belly upward position in this embodiment of the device.
Claims (39)
1. A device for the automatic supplying of fish of a pre-determined range of sizes defined by a smallest and a largest fish to be handled to fish processing machines, said fish having a longitudinal extension defined by a head end, a rump portion and a tail portion, a height extension determined by a belly and a back defining the lower and upper sides of said fish, respectively, and a pair of shoulder girdle bones situated in a part of said rump portion close to said head end, said device comprising at least one belly-back aligning section for aligning said fish into uniform belly-back position according to said height extension and conveying said fish in a conveying direction, wherein 1) said aligning section comprises a. feeding channel means defining a path for said fish, guiding said fish head end first, singly, one behind the other, having bottom surface means and including conveyor means for a positive conveying of said fish, b. an uprighting station for said fish including driven toothed roller means defining a toothed circumfer-ential surface between an upper and a lower front side, and guiding means which define a guiding surface, lie opposite said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means and are resiliently deflectable, and c. discharge channel means downstream of said uprighting station and having discharge bottom surface means;
2) said conveyor means a. form at least one part of said bottom surface means and b. comprise endlessly rotating driven conveying belt means equipped with spike means emerging into said feeding channel means near an upstream end thereof;
3) said conveying belt means are deflected near said toothed roller means to diverge from said bottom surface of said feeding channel; and 4) said spike means are arranged at a pitch distance to each other which is greater than the length of said largest fish to be handled.
2) said conveyor means a. form at least one part of said bottom surface means and b. comprise endlessly rotating driven conveying belt means equipped with spike means emerging into said feeding channel means near an upstream end thereof;
3) said conveying belt means are deflected near said toothed roller means to diverge from said bottom surface of said feeding channel; and 4) said spike means are arranged at a pitch distance to each other which is greater than the length of said largest fish to be handled.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein stopping flap means are provided close to the position where said spike means emerge into said feeding channel means, said stopping flap means being positioned to extend into said path of said fish from above opposite said emerging position of said spike means such that each fish is gripped conveyingly in the region shortly behind said shoulder girdle bones.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spike means are arranged inclined in said conveying direction.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said guiding means include first bevel means pointing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means on its lower edge facing said bottom surface means, which first bevel means end in the region of the greatest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumfer-ential surface,
5. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said guiding means include first bevel means pointing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means on its lower edge facing said bottom surface means, which first bevel means end in the region of the greatest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumfer-ential surface.
6. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said guiding means include first bevel means pointing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means on its lower edge facing said bottom surface means, which first bevel means end in the region of the greatest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumfer-ential surface.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel means, which guide member forms a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means run out in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means.
8. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel means, which guide member forms a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means run out in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means.
9. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel means, which guide member forms a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means run out in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means.
10. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel means, which guide member forms a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means run out in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means.
11. A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein said toothed roller means have roller bevel means defining a peripheral surface around said lower front side facing said discharge bottom surface means, said peripheral surface being toothed corresponding to said circumferential surface.
12. A device as claimed in any one of claims 3, 4 and 7, wherein said toothed roller means have roller bevel means defining a peripheral surface around said lower front side facing said discharge bottom surface means, said peripheral surface being toothed corresponding to said circumferential surface.
13. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said discharge channel means together with said toothed roller means are inclined downwardly in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel means are arranged essentially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper front side of said toothed roller means.
14. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said discharge channel means together with said toothed roller means are inclined downwardly in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel means are arranged essentially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper front side of said toothed roller means.
15. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said discharge channel means together with said toothed roller means are inclined downwardly in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel means are arranged essentially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper front side of said toothed roller means.
16. A device as claimed in claims 5 or 6, wherein said discharge channel means together with said toothed roller means are inclined downwardly in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel means are arranged essentially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper front side of said toothed roller means.
17. A device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein said guiding means have upper bevel means facing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means, which upper bevel means are arranged along an upper edge of said guiding means facing said deflecting surface means and end in the region of the greatest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumfer-ential surface.
18. A device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein said deflecting surface means are formed as a cover disc attached to said upper front side of said toothed roller means and rotating with the latter.
19 A device as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein said guiding means have upper bevel means facing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller means, which upper bevel means are arranged along an upper edge of said guiding means facing said deflecting surface means and end in the region of the greatest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumferential surface, and wherein said deflecting surface means are formed as a cover disc attached to said upper front side of said toothed roller means and rotating with the latter.
20. A device for the automatic supplying to fish processing machines of fish of a predetermined range of sizes, said fish having a longitudinal extent defined by a head end, a rump portion and a tail portion, a height extent determined by a belly and a back defining the lower and upper sides of said fish, respectively, and a pair of shoulder girdle bones situated in a part of said rump portion close to said head end, said device comprising at least one belly-back aligning section for aligning said fish into uniform belly-back position according to said height extent and conveying said fish in a conveying direction, said belly-back aligning section comprising:
a. a feeding channel having a bottom surface for receiving said fish head end first, singly, one behind the other, and guiding said fish along a path in said conveying direction, said bottom surface having a longi-tudinal slot therein, b. an uprighting station for said fish downstream of said feeding channel and communicating therewith, c. an endless belt conveyor for positively conveying said fish along said bottom surface of said feeding channel to said uprighting station, and d. a discharge channel downstream of said uprighting station and communicating therewith, and having a discharge bottom surface, said uprighting station including a driven toothed roller having a toothed circumferential surface between an upper and a lower side, and resiliently-deflectable guiding element having a guiding surface disposed opposite said circumferential surface of said toothed roller, said conveyor including spaced deflection rollers mounting an endlessly rotating driven conveying belt forming at least one part of said bottom surface of said feeding channel and having spikes projecting therefrom and positioned to extend through said longitudinal slot in said bottom surface into said feeding channel, said deflection rollers being positioned to cause said spikes to enter said longitudinal slot in said feeding channel bottom surface at a point proximate to an upstream end of said feeding channel, and to be deflected angularly proximate to said toothed roller and to diverge from said bottom surface of said feeding channel at a point proximate to said toothed roller, whereby to press the head flank of the fish firmly against said bottom surface of said feeding channel in the vicinity of said toothed roller, said spikes being arranged at a pitch distance to each other which is greater than the length of the largest fish in said range of fish sizes, said bottom surface of said feeding channel being arranged at an acute angle with said discharge bottom surface of said discharge channel.
a. a feeding channel having a bottom surface for receiving said fish head end first, singly, one behind the other, and guiding said fish along a path in said conveying direction, said bottom surface having a longi-tudinal slot therein, b. an uprighting station for said fish downstream of said feeding channel and communicating therewith, c. an endless belt conveyor for positively conveying said fish along said bottom surface of said feeding channel to said uprighting station, and d. a discharge channel downstream of said uprighting station and communicating therewith, and having a discharge bottom surface, said uprighting station including a driven toothed roller having a toothed circumferential surface between an upper and a lower side, and resiliently-deflectable guiding element having a guiding surface disposed opposite said circumferential surface of said toothed roller, said conveyor including spaced deflection rollers mounting an endlessly rotating driven conveying belt forming at least one part of said bottom surface of said feeding channel and having spikes projecting therefrom and positioned to extend through said longitudinal slot in said bottom surface into said feeding channel, said deflection rollers being positioned to cause said spikes to enter said longitudinal slot in said feeding channel bottom surface at a point proximate to an upstream end of said feeding channel, and to be deflected angularly proximate to said toothed roller and to diverge from said bottom surface of said feeding channel at a point proximate to said toothed roller, whereby to press the head flank of the fish firmly against said bottom surface of said feeding channel in the vicinity of said toothed roller, said spikes being arranged at a pitch distance to each other which is greater than the length of the largest fish in said range of fish sizes, said bottom surface of said feeding channel being arranged at an acute angle with said discharge bottom surface of said discharge channel.
21. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein stopping flap means are provided proximate to the point at which said spikes enter said slot in said feeding channel bottom surface, said stopping flap means being positioned to extend from above into said path of said fish in line with the point at which said spikes emerge into said feeding channel, whereby said each fish is gripped conveyingly in the region shortly behind said shoulder girdle arcs.
22. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said spikes are arranged at an inclined angle in conveying direction.
23. A device as claimed in claim 20, whrerein said guiding element includes first bevel means pointing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller on its lower edge facing said bottom surface, said first bevel means ending in the region of the closest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumferential surface.
24. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said guiding element includes first bevel means pointing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller on its lower edge facing said bottom surface, said first bevel means ending in the region of the closest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumferential surface.
25. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said guiding element includes first bevel means pointing away from said circumferential surface of said toothed roller on its lower edge facing said bottom surface, said first bevel means ending in the region of the closest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumferential surface.
26. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel, said guide member forming a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means end in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller.
27. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel, said guide member forming a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means end in the region of said circum-ferential surface of said toothed roller.
28. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel, said guide member forming a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means end in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller.
29. A device as claimed in claim 23, wherein a guide member is arranged opposite said guiding surface in the region of said feeding channel, said guide member forming a funnel-shaped inlet with said guiding surface, and wherein second bevel means facing outwards are positioned on the lower edges of said guide member and said guiding means facing said bottom surface, which second bevel means end in the region of said circumferential surface of said toothed roller.
30. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said toothed roller bevel means defining a peripheral surface around said lower side facing said discharge bottom surface, said peripheral surface being toothed corres-ponding to circumferential surface.
31. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said toothed roller includes roller bevel means defining a peripheral surface around said lower side facing said discharge bottom surface, said peripheral surface being toothed corresponding to said circumferential surface.
32. A device as claimed in claim 22, wherein said toothed roller bevel means defining a peri-pheral surface around said lower side facing said discharge bottom surface, said peripheral surface being toothed corresponding to said circumferential surface.
33. A device as claimed in claim 23, wherein said toothed roller includes roller bevel means defining a peripheral surface around said lower side facing said discharge bottom surface, said peripheral surface being toothed corresponding to said circum-ferential surface.
34. A device as claimed in claim 26, wherein said toothed roller bevel means defining a peripheral surface around said lower side facing said discharge bottom surface, said peripheral surface being toothed corresponding to said circumferential surface.
35. A device as claimed in claim 20, wherein said discharge channel together with said toothed roller are inclined downwardly at an acute angle in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel is arranged substantially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper side of said toother roller.
36. A device as claimed in claim 21, wherein said discharghe channel together with said toothed roller are inclined downwardly at an acute angle in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel is arranged substantially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper side of said toothed roller.
37. A device as claimed in claim 25, wherein said discharge channel together with said toothed roller are inclined downwardly at an acute angle in said conveying direction of said fish, and said feeding channel is arranged substantially horizontally, and wherein deflecting surface means are associated to said upper side of said toothed roller.
38. A device as claimed in claim 35, wherein said guiding element has upper means facing away from said circumferential surface and said toothed roller, said upper bevel means being arranged along an upper edge of said guiding element facing said deflecting means and end in the region of the greatest proximity of said guiding surface to said circumferential surface.
39. A device as claimed in claim 38, wherein said deflecting surface means are formed as a cover disc attached to said upper side of said toothed roller and rotating with the latter.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19833309602 DE3309602C1 (en) | 1983-03-17 | 1983-03-17 | Device for the automatic loading of fish processing machines |
| DEP3309602.3 | 1983-03-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1208402A true CA1208402A (en) | 1986-07-29 |
Family
ID=6193779
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000449748A Expired CA1208402A (en) | 1983-03-17 | 1984-03-16 | Device for the automatic supplying of fish processing machines |
Country Status (11)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1208402A (en) |
| DD (1) | DD216378A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3309602C1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK159521C (en) |
| ES (1) | ES8500551A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI75476C (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2542576B1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2139075B (en) |
| IS (1) | IS1275B6 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO840991L (en) |
| SE (1) | SE453878B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19522238C2 (en) * | 1995-06-20 | 1999-08-26 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Device for aligning fish |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE454092C (en) * | 1927-12-29 | H G Waldhelm Filztuchfabrik | Woven dewatering felt for paper machines | |
| US1653906A (en) * | 1926-05-29 | 1927-12-27 | John F Heinbockel | Automatic feed for fish-cleaning machines |
| US1893903A (en) * | 1930-01-31 | 1933-01-10 | Fred J Mullins | Fish handling device |
| US3187375A (en) * | 1963-01-15 | 1965-06-08 | Fisadco Ltd | Fish-dressing machines |
| FR1414404A (en) * | 1964-11-17 | 1965-10-15 | Nordischer Maschinenbau | Device for the automatic feeding of packaging machines for fish |
| SE344879B (en) * | 1966-11-17 | 1972-05-08 | Arenco Ab | |
| SE404987B (en) * | 1976-08-05 | 1978-11-13 | Arenco Ab | WAY TO FIX A FISH WITH REGARD TO ITS DOCTOR IN A FISH PROCESSING MACHINE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE KIT |
-
1983
- 1983-03-17 DE DE19833309602 patent/DE3309602C1/en not_active Expired
-
1984
- 1984-02-21 SE SE8400928A patent/SE453878B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-02-24 DK DK96484A patent/DK159521C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-02-27 FI FI840778A patent/FI75476C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-03-05 IS IS2889A patent/IS1275B6/en unknown
- 1984-03-14 ES ES530586A patent/ES8500551A1/en not_active Expired
- 1984-03-14 DD DD26089384A patent/DD216378A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1984-03-14 NO NO840991A patent/NO840991L/en unknown
- 1984-03-15 GB GB08406746A patent/GB2139075B/en not_active Expired
- 1984-03-16 CA CA000449748A patent/CA1208402A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-03-16 FR FR8404149A patent/FR2542576B1/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| IS2889A7 (en) | 1984-04-13 |
| DD216378A5 (en) | 1984-12-12 |
| GB8406746D0 (en) | 1984-04-18 |
| IS1275B6 (en) | 1987-05-27 |
| NO840991L (en) | 1984-09-18 |
| SE453878B (en) | 1988-03-14 |
| DK96484D0 (en) | 1984-02-24 |
| FI75476B (en) | 1988-03-31 |
| FI840778A (en) | 1984-09-18 |
| GB2139075B (en) | 1986-11-05 |
| FR2542576A1 (en) | 1984-09-21 |
| FI840778A0 (en) | 1984-02-27 |
| DK159521B (en) | 1990-10-29 |
| DK96484A (en) | 1984-09-18 |
| SE8400928L (en) | 1984-09-18 |
| GB2139075A (en) | 1984-11-07 |
| ES530586A0 (en) | 1984-11-01 |
| DK159521C (en) | 1991-04-02 |
| DE3309602C1 (en) | 1984-06-14 |
| FI75476C (en) | 1988-07-11 |
| ES8500551A1 (en) | 1984-11-01 |
| SE8400928D0 (en) | 1984-02-21 |
| FR2542576B1 (en) | 1987-01-16 |
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| MKEX | Expiry |