Abstract: A separating apparatus employs a foraminous drum with a resilient belt forming a nip therebetween. A take-up roller upstream of the nip is rotatably supported about a center of rotation that is parallel to, but offset from a central axis of the take-up roller. As the wobbling roller rotates, it constantly changes the point on the circumference of the foraminous drum at which contact is made with the resilient belt. This overcomes a tendency for entering items to bridge the nip.

Abstract: A fish eviscerating apparatus employs at least one rotating brush for removing viscera from a beheaded, belly-slit fish. Bristles of the at least one brush have a length and stiffness which, when combined with a predetermined brush holdown, force, are effective for removing a predetermined portion of viscera. A water jet may be integrated with the brush for aiding the cleaning of the fish body cavity. In one embodiment, one rotating brush is controlled to contact the forward end of the body cavity with a stiff holddown force for removing the fish swim bladder and assorted viscera in the vicinity thereof and a second brush with softer bristles is controlled with less stiff holddown force for contacting and cleaning viscera and other debris from substantially the entire body cavity. A water jet cleans a dark, mucous-like liner from the inner surfaces of the belly flaps of the fish. Initial abrasion by the rotating brush, or branches, aids the cleaning action of the water jet.

Abstract: A fish eviscerating apparatus employs at least one rotating brush for removing viscera from a beheaded, belly-slit fish. Bristles of the at least one brush have a length and stiffness which, when combined with a predetermined brush holddown force, are effective for removing a predetermined portion of viscera. A water jet may be integrated with the brush for aiding the cleaning of the fish body cavity. In one embodiment, one rotating brush is controlled to contact the forward end of the body cavity with a stiff holddown force for removing the fish swim bladder and assorted viscera in the vicinity thereof and a second brush with softer bristles is controlled with less stiff holddown force for contacting and cleaning viscera and other debris from substantially the entire body cavity. A water jet cleans a dark, mucous-like liner from the inner surfaces of the belly flaps of the fish. Initial abrasion by the rotating brush, or brushes, aids the cleaning action of the water jet.

Abstract: A separating machine of a type having a foraminous drum with a resilient belt forming a nip therebetween includes a take-up, roller upstream of the nip, having an axis skewed with respect to an axis of the take-up roller. The wobbling motion of the take-up roller distorts the resilient belt sufficiently to overcome a tendency for entering items to bridge the nip.

Abstract: A fish eviscerating apparatus employs at least one rotating brush for removing viscera from a beheaded, belly-slit fish. Bristles of the at least one brush have a length and stiffness which, when combined with a predetermined brush holddown force, are effective for removing a predetermined portion of viscera. A water jet may be integrated with the brush for aiding the cleaning of the fish body cavity. In one embodiment, one rotating brush is controlled to contact the forward end of the body cavity with a stiff holddown force for removing the fish swim bladder and assorted viscera in the vicinity thereof and a second brush with softer bristles is controlled with less stiff holddown force for contacting and cleaning viscera and other debris from substantially the entire body cavity. A water jet cleans a dark, mucous-like liner from the inner surfaces of the belly flaps of the fish. Initial abrasion by the rotating brush, or brushes, aids the cleaning action of the water jet.