GB248623A - Process and means for the skinning of cartilaginous fishes, such as sharks - Google Patents

Abstract

248,623. Ehrenreich, A. May 14, 1925, [Convention date]. Carcases, treating.-Relates to a process and apparatus for the skinning of cartilaginous fishes, particularly sharks, the skin being used in leather making. The fins and the tail are cut off, the skin is cut along a line c, Fig. 5, running along the back of the fish, the cut c meeting a transverse cut d running around the fish adjacent the gills 7, the gilled part of the skin being removed by cuts which run into the holes 3<1> left by the severance of the pectoral fins. The holes 4<1>, 5<1> left by the severance of the ventral and anal fins may be combined in a single cut-out portion as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The skin may be stripped off by hand or the apparatus shown in Fig. 8 may be used, in which case the fish is suspended by the head from a tripod or like structure 11, and the edges of the skin at the cut d are, at several points, held by gripping-devices which are secured to cables or chains 13. The fish is hoisted by the tackle 9 and the skin is stripped off from the head to the tail by pulling on the cables 13. In a modified form of apparatus, the fish is suspended in a well or trench, the head only projecting above the floor level. The grippers are attached to the skin at the cut d and the cables attached thereto are anchored. The fish is hoisted by tackle and the skin is thus removed. The grippers are shown in Fig. 10 and comprise members 20 with fluted faces to engage the skin, and pincers 12 having rings 22 which are attached to the cables 13.