GB1522312A - Trimming of fish skeletons - Google Patents

Abstract

1522312 Trimming residual flesh from fish skeletons BLUE LAKE FORGE CO Ltd 28 Nov 1975 [28 Nov 1974] 51619/74 Heading A4C [Also in Divisions A1-3] Apparatus for trimming residual flesh and associated lateral bones from fish skeletons after removal of fillets comprises means for the successive feeding of the skeletons to a cutting station at which a pair of cutting devices 17A, 17B are located, the cutting devices being spaced apart laterally with respect to the skeleton feeding direction and being adapted to sever simultaneously from the skeletons two side portions while allowing unobstructed passage of the backbones, means for detecting the approach to the cutting devices of an enlarged portion of the skeleton, such as a belly portion, and operative on detection of the enlarged portion to actuate means for varying the spacing of the cutting devices so as to allow substantially unobstructed passage between the cutting devices of the enlarged portion, separating substantially all of that portion from the severed side portions. The means for feeding the skeletons include a belt 13 and feed wheels 15, 16 adapted to engage successive skeletons. The cutting devices each comprise an upper serrated cutting knife 18 and a pair of lower serrated cutting knives 19 rotatable about a common axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the upper knife, the lower knives being spaced apart axially to embrace a peripheral portion of the upper knife so as to effect a shearing action. The teeth on wheels 15 and 16, on upper knives 18 and on the innermost lower wheels of each pair 19 are trailing with respect to the skeleton movement, and the outermost wheels of each pair 19 are leading with respect to the skeleton movement, so that the back bone is not held by the teeth and passes to a waste shoot 24, whereas the side portions are carried by the outermost knives and fall on to a delivery conveyer 22. A pivoted feeler arm 27 projects into the path of movement of the belly cavity portions and is moved upon encountering a bell cavity portion, thus triggering a fluid-pressure actuator which alters the spacing between the cutting devices 17A, 17B, when the belly cavity portion of the skeleton has reached the cutting station.