Abstract: The invention provides a fish processing device for cleaning blood and blood vessels from the spine of a fish, e.g. a salmon, after the visceral has been removed. A jet nozzle for spraying pressurized liquid and a movable suction device with a vacuum nozzle for entering the abdominal cavity of the fish serve in combination to clean the spine of the fish for blood and blood vessels. A controller controls an actuator for moving the vacuum nozzle to enter the abdominal cavity of the fish, and it is then moved in a first direction relative to the transport direction, until the first vacuum nozzle reaches an end of the abdominal cavity of said fish while sucking blood and blood vessels from the abdominal cavity along the spine of said fish. This is repeated by moving the vacuum nozzle in the opposite direction until reaching an opposite end of the abdominal cavity of said fish, where the vacuum nozzle exits the abdominal cavity. Preferably, the fish is continuously transported along with this cleaning process.

Abstract: A bleeding method for a fish includes step of forming a slit SL that connects pericardial cavity 11 to an outer part of the fish by cutting membrane 16 to split a head and an abdomen such that abdominal aorta 19 is not cut and internal organs incorporated in abdominal cavity 12 are not exposed to an outside air, step of spreading the slit such that arterial sphere 18 does not tomozure, and a caudal side surface of ventricle 171 is exposed, step of inserting tubular instrument 2 in heart 17, which runs through the spread slit SL from the caudal side surface of the ventricle toward arterial sphere 18, step of fixing tubular instrument 2 to heart 17, and step of discharging blood of the fish outside by press-fitting liquid into vascular system of the fish via tubular instrument 2.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out an operation on slaughtered poultry or on a part of slaughtered poultry. At least one carrier device, a drum which at its periphery is provided with at least one groove, which at least one groove is traced by a roller that is mounted on the at least one carrier device so as to arrange that movement of the at least one carrier device along the periphery of the drum causes the at least one carrier device to execute an operation with reference to the poultry or poultry part. A movable mounting block that supports the roller, wherein the movable mounting block is up-and-down movable with reference to the remainder of the at least one carrier device.

Abstract: A system for removing parasites from fish includes a downwardly angled enclosed conduit through which individual fish freely pass, and two or more spaced sets of arms extending inward from the conduit. There is a spray nozzle for each arm connected to a fluid source for dislodging parasites from the fish. The arms are adjustable relative to the enclosed conduit depending on the size of the fish in the conduit for closely spacing the spray nozzles with respect to the fish without stressing or harming the fish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a transporting station (10), designed and configured for transporting fish transverse to their longitudinal extent in a transport direction T, comprising a conveying device (11) for transporting individual, separated fish in a lying position along a transport path TL from an entry region E of the conveying device (11) to an exit region A of the conveying device (11), wherein the conveying device (11) comprises a rotationally driven transport element (12) which is characterised in that the conveying device (11) is assigned a change-over device (13) which is designed and configured and is in operative connection with the conveying device (11), in such a manner that the fish can be transferred automatically from the lying position on the transport path TL of the conveying device (11) into a suspended position on a transport path TH of the change-over device (13).

Abstract: The invention relates to a suction tool (10), configured and adapted for gutting fish (11) opened at the abdominal cavity, comprising a suction pipe (13) forming a main channel (12), wherein the suction pipe (13) has a connection (14) for a vacuum unit (15) at a free end and a suction opening (16) at the opposing end facing the abdominal cavity in the operating state, wherein the suction opening (16) laterally passes out of the suction pipe (13) and is thereby oriented radially in relation to the central axis M of the suction pipe (13), characterized in that an additional pipe element (23) for forming an auxiliary air channel (24, 31) is arranged in the region of the suction opening (16) of the suction pipe (13), wherein the pipe element (23) is arranged and adapted in such a way that a continuous suction air volume flow is maintained in the operating state of the suction tool (10). The invention also relates to an apparatus (17) and a method for gutting fish (11) opened at the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for harvesting of backmeat of a carcass or carcass part of slaughtered poultry in connection with a process of filleting of the carcass or carcass part is provided. The method can include scraping the backmeat loose from the carcass or carcass part whereby a connection is maintained with fillets of the carcass or carcass part. Prior to the filleting of the carcass or carcass part a neck portion of a backbone of the carcass or carcass parts is fixed in position, whereby thereafter the backmeat is scraped loose from the carcass or carcass part.

Abstract: A system and method to detect particles in a fluid stream. The system includes a separator configured to separate particles from bubbles passing through the fluid stream and a sensor configured to detect the particles. The method includes passing the fluid stream through the separator, separating the particles from bubbles passing through the fluid stream, and detecting the presence of the particles.

Abstract: An organ removal device and a method are provided for removing one or more organs or parts thereof located adjacent the spinal column of the carcass on opposite sides thereof from the wall of a body cavity of slaughtered eviscerated poultry having an access opening to the body cavity thereof. The device includes a poultry support device and a vacuum tube assembly comprising two vacuum tubes, each having at least one suction nozzle at an end thereof, the vacuum tube assembly further includes two scrapers, each arranged to scrape along a region of the wall of the body cavity to loosen organs adhering to the wall. A sweeping mechanism is provided to impart to each scraper a sweeping motion away and/or towards the spinal column.

Abstract: An organ removal device and a method are provided for removing one or more organs or parts thereof located adjacent the spinal column of the carcass on opposite sides thereof from the wall of a body cavity of slaughtered eviscerated poultry having an access opening to the body cavity thereof. The device includes a poultry support device and a vacuum tube assembly comprising two vacuum tubes, each having at least one suction nozzle at an end thereof, the vacuum tube assembly further includes two scrapers, each arranged to scrape along a region of the wall of the body cavity to loosen organs adhering to the wall. A sweeping mechanism is provided to impart to each scraper a sweeping motion away and/or towards the spinal column.

Abstract: Provided is poultry processing equipment and more particularly, an improved evisceration device and subassemblies thereof for removing organs from a membrane-covered socket in the body cavity of a poultry carcass, such as the lungs.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tool for gutting fish (12) which have been opened at the stomach cavity (11), the tool (13) being designed as a suction element (23) for extraction of the entrails by suction, which is distinguished in that the suction element (23) is allocated an element (35) for clamping and/or squeezing the entrails to be removed. Furthermore the invention concerns an apparatus for gutting fish (12) which have been opened at the stomach cavity (11), including a tool (13) for extraction of the entrails by suction, a measuring instrument (14) which is configured so as to detect specific fish data, and at least one control unit for controlling the tool (13) depending on the specific fish data detected by the measuring instrument (14), which is distinguished in that the tool (13) is designed as mentioned above. The invention further concerns a corresponding method for gutting fish (12).

Abstract: A method for producing a seafood product comprising a lobster in an intact shell said method comprising applying high pressure to effect detachment of the meat from the shell and thereafter removing the internal organs of the lobster using vacuum aspiration. The invention further includes seafood products prepared by the claimed methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tool for gutting fish (12) which have been opened at the stomach cavity (11), the tool (13) being designed as a suction element (23) for extraction of the entrails by suction, which is distinguished in that the suction element (23) is allocated an element (35) for clamping and/or squeezing the entrails to be removed. Furthermore the invention concerns an apparatus for gutting fish (12) which have been opened at the stomach cavity (11), including a tool (13) for extraction of the entrails by suction, a measuring instrument (14) which is configured so as to detect specific fish data, and at least one control unit for controlling the tool (13) depending on the specific fish data detected by the measuring instrument (14), which is distinguished in that the tool (13) is designed as mentioned above. The invention further concerns a corresponding method for gutting fish (12).

Abstract: Provided is poultry processing equipment and more particularly, an improved evisceration device and subassemblies thereof for removing organs from a membrane-covered socket in the body cavity of a poultry carcass, such as the lungs.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and method for fine cleaning of fish, where two tools working simultaneously and in opposite direction in the abdominal cavity of a gutted fish are employed.

Abstract: In a method for separating abdominal fat from abdominal skin of a slaughtered bird, a supporting surface is positioned against at least a part of that side of the abdominal skin which is remote from the abdominal fat. At least a section of the abdominal fat is scraped off the abdominal skin with the aid of a movable scraper member. The movement of the scraper member is directed substantially parallel to the supporting surface. The supporting surface forms part of a flat plate. The scraper member comprises a bracket, a claw or a body provided with a scraping edge.

Abstract: In a method and device for making an incision in the skin of the belly of a slaughtered animal which is provided with a vent opening produced by cutting out the vent, the skin is processed at a position near the bottom point of the breastbone of the animal, and an incision is made between the vent opening and said position. In order to support the skin during the skin processing operation, a supporting element is fitted subcutaneously through an opening in the skin. In a method and device for processing a slaughtered animal, prior to or during the evisceration of the carcass of the animal, tissue connections are broken between the belly skin and the viscera, in particular between the belly fat situated on the inside of the belly skin and the stomach.

Abstract: Water is conserved and poultry raised for human consumption is cleaned by a viscera-removing machine that incorporates a unique nozzle member positioned adjacent a crop-removing tool. The close positioning of the nozzle to the crop-removing tool insures that contaminates are washed out of the internal cavity of the bird immediately upon crop removal. This prevents contaminates from being absorbed into tissue surrounding the internal cavity. The nozzle is mounted in longitudinal alignment with the crop-removing tool at the lowermost or leading end of a spiral rod that rotates about its axis of symmetry and reciprocates up and down as previously slaughtered poultry is delivered to a crop-removing and washing station. Each downward motion of the spiral rod causes the tool and nozzle to enter the vent of a bird and to exit at the neck opening.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine is provided which automatically vents and opens the poultry, eviscerates the poultry, displays the poultry for inspection, and either provides a normal or radical clean out procedure to the poultry. When the poultry is being physically processed, it is maintained in a generally stationary position with respect to the surface supporting the poultry processor to provide for uniform positioning of the poultry on the conveyor. Further, the poultry is positioned in a generally horizontal position during the venting and opening, eviscerating and cleaning procedures, to facilitate removing the unwanted materials from the poultry without increasing the risk of contamination. The eviscerating station uses an eviscerating tool which includes an opening sized to receive the viscera package therethrough during the eviscerating process to prevent damage to the viscera package.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an apparatus for gutting fish which serves for preventing flaws that reduce the quality e.g., colon and blood residues or damage to the walls of the abdominal cavity, and for attaining a highly aesthetic product. The invention proposes that the rectum is initially supported by inserting an element through the anus in order to separate the rectum within the region of the anus, and that the lateral and dorsal connections between the rectum and the abdominal walls are subsequently separated.

Abstract: A poultry processing machine has a suction tube for use in extracting an organ from a membrane-covered socket in the body cavity of a poultry carcass. The tube is connectable with a source of vacuum pressure and provided with an intake opening through which the organ is passes as it is sucked into the tube. A sharp tooth inside the suction tube is disposed for breaking the membrane during extraction of the organ.

Abstract: In a method and device for separating at least one piece of visceral tissue from at least one organ connected thereto, in which the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated is smaller than said at least one organ, the cluster of visceral tissue and organ or organs is moved relative to and over a surface provided with holes. The holes are effectively at least as large as the smallest cross-section of the at least one piece of visceral tissue to be separated. A piece of visceral tissue to be separated which passes into a hole is retained in the hole.

Abstract: In a method for automatically gutting fish of the catfish species, the belly cavity is opened around the anal orifice either before or after opening the gills by severing the gullet and opening the blood stream, and the contents of the belly cavity are removed by pushing these from one of the openings of the cavity out of the other. In a machine for carrying out this method, the fish are conveyed sideways by a recessed conveyor. The belly cavity is opened in the vicinity of the anus by separating away the cartilaginous plate carrying the ventral fins. The contents of the ventral cavity are removed by a rotary body rotating synchronously with the conveyor and having tools successively arranged in a cantilevered helix around its circumference which comprise a clearing tool with scraping segments, a brush tool, a high-pressure spray device and a cutting tool for slitting open the belly cavity along its length.

Abstract: The present invention allows oval fish processing machinery designed to process pollock or salmon, such as the Baader 182, to be adapted to process flat fish such as sole to produce kirimi. One embodiment of the invention includes a generally rectangular fish holder that replaces the current fish holders on a fish processing machine. The fish holders include brackets having arms which extend over a portion of the fins and body of the flat fish to hold it in place on the fish holder. Two rotating blades cut through the flat fish held within the holder to remove the head and tail of the flat fish. Once the head and tail of the flat fish are removed, a water jet fish cleaning apparatus removes the blood spot and any internal organs remaining in the center portion of the flat fish to produce kirimi. The water jet fish cleaning apparatus includes a water jet nozzle that has one or more water passages. The passages direct a stream of water into the internal cavity in the center portion of fish.

Abstract: An apparatus for decropping poultry including a probe for use with an automatic poultry cropping machine of the type adapted for advancing the probe through the belly cavity of the bird and into the neck and for rotating the probe. The probe includes an elongate body having a hollow interior chamber and adapted to be connected to a vacuum source. The elongate body has two rows of teeth for capturing the crop, gullet, windpipe, etc., of the poultry as the probe is advanced into the neck and rotated, with at least some of the teeth pointing generally toward the forward end of the probe. In one embodiment the elongate body is tapered and the teeth have ball-shaped tip portions.

Abstract: A cutting device for arranging a cut around the anus of a slaughtered animal, which cutting device comprises:a positioning rod for insertion into the anus of a slaughtered animal;a rotatably drivable cylindrical beaker-shaped knife which is placed coaxially round the positioning rod and whereof the free end is provided with a cutting edge; andpressure means and suction means comprising a conduit extending through the positioning rod, debouching on the peripheral surface of the positioning rod at a distance from the cutting edge and connectable to a pressure source and an underpressure source respectively for generating an overpressure and an underpressure respectively at the position of the debouchment of that conduit.

Abstract: A probe for removing the crop and other viscera in poultry. The probe is cylindrical and is rounded at its distal end. Intermediate its ends is a grasping comb section consisting of a plurality of axially disposed channels. The channels each have walls that terminate in a plurality of spaced generally arcuate teeth the surfaces of which are essentially flush with the cylindrical probe. The probe is mounted on a module that in turn is mounted to traverse synchronously with poultry carrying shackles on an endless line. The probe and mechanisms therefor is detailed to enter into the neck portion of the chicken, rotate therein to thereby grasp with the teeth the crop and to withdraw the crop through the same opening that the probe entered.

Abstract: A device for removing one or more organs or parts thereof from a slaughtered animal, in particular a bird, comprising: an organ guide device with an open organ feed end to be inserted temporarily into the slaughtered animal; an organ conveyance device for removing organs or parts thereof along the organ guide device; a separating device which is fitted near the organ feed end or along the organ guide device for making a separation in organs or connecting tissue between them at a predetermined place; and a device for establishing the position of the organs relative to the separating device. The device for establishing the position of organs may be fitted at the open organ feed end of the organ guide device and may comprise an organ feed aperture with such dimensions that first organs can pass said aperture and second organs connected to the first organs cannot pass said aperture.

Abstract: A device for removing abdominal fat from a slaughtered bird, comprising a scraper element which is movable through an abdominal opening between the legs, and a device for discharging the fat scraped off by the scraper element, further comprising an elongated hollow mandrel, which can be connected to a vacuum source. The mandrel at the end facing the bird is provided with a suction aperture, at a distance from which the scraper element is fitted, said scraper element being provided with a scraping edge for interacting with the complementary-shaped edge of a supporting element, for scraping the abdominal fat along the scraping edge during a movement of the scraper element interacting with the supporting element away from the bird. An installation may comprise a number of such devices.

Abstract: A device for the removal of the gullet, crop, windpipe and adhering parts from the neck part of slaughtered poultry, comprising a rotary driven mandrel which is conveyed from the belly cavity into and through the neck opening of the poultry, wherein the mandrel, preferably a hollow cylinder, in the wall of which one or more openings are provided, forms part of a vacuum system, and is provided with gripping means for the parts to be removed, while openings are provided in the vacuum system near the gripping means. The gripping means advantageously lie entirely inside the outer wall of the cylinder. The gripping means may be composed of a lip which, viewed in the axial direction, is fitted above an opening in the cylinder wall. The mandrel may be composed of one or more strips which are fitted in the axial direction at the end of the decropper, one or more strips being provided with notches forming the gripping means.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a method for gutting fish is provided, which comprises in combination a conveyor including a number of segments at given intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to its moving direction and operating at a given speed in a certain direction, a rotary cutter for cutting off a head of a fish placed and carried on the conveyor while the venter located within the segment leads and the head is projected from one side edge of the conveyor, a retainer for retaining the fish to be beheaded in place, a plate for forcing the dorsal region of the beheaded fish onto the conveyor by the action of a spring, a guide plate fixed at a position where it comes into engagement with a cut end of the beheaded fish forced onto the conveyor by the plate, and a guts squeezer member formed of an elastomer adpated to be forcedly slid over the venter of the fish from the anus toward the cut end, the fish being now in engagement with the fixed guide plate and forced by the plate.

Abstract: A method for mechanical gutting of fish and device for execution of the method are disclosed, whereby the inner organs are removed via the fish's oral cavity (mouth) without opening the fish's abdomen. The inner organs are extracted with the aid of a vacuum. A tool is inserted into the fish through the oral cavity and removes the kidneys of the fish (blood ribbon) and the membrane which covers the kidneys. The tools of the device are connected to suitable drive systems of known types and are generally located concentrically about a straight center line and arranged so as to be moveable linearly along and rotatably about this line.

Abstract: Single organs, such as the hard-roe sacks or soft-roe are removed from fish by placing decapitated fish in a coneyor having troughs that are advanced transversely to the longitudinal axis of the fish. The fish are conveyed with their belly leading and lying on their side. The fish are fixed by engagement in the region of their tail end portion. The gaining of the organs occurs by controlled movement of one pressing element, each, into the trough, so that the pressing element compresses the belly cavity progressively from the belly side starting at the tail-side end of the belly cavity and progressing toward the decapitation end of the fish.

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for gutting non-decapitated fish, in particular breeding fish such as trout, it is characteristic for the processing that the fish are conveyed with their tails leading in longitudinally aligned conveyor troughs, and the treatment of the fish comprises the processing steps of slitting the belly cavity from the anus up to the region of the belly cavity; spreading the belly flaps and tearing open of the bloodstream; collecting and sucking off the entrails; and tearing off the gullet in the area of the mouth cavity. This processing can selectively be combined with the removal of the gills. For correctly performing this process, the cutting tool for slitting the belly cavity is provided with lateral knife blades, which sever the intestine in the anal region, while the suction nozzle is designed as a clamping mechanism in order to tear off the gullet.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a method for gutting fish is provided, which comprises in combination a conveyor including a number of segments at given intervals in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to its moving direction and operating at a given speed in a certain direction, a rotary cutter for cutting off a head of a fish placed and carried on the conveyor while the venter located within the segment leads and the head is projected from one side edge of the conveyor, a retainer for retaining the fish to be beheaded in place, a plate for forcing the dorsal region of the beheaded fish onto the conveyor by the action of a spring, a guide plate fixed at a position where it comes into engagement with a cut end of the beheaded fish forced onto the conveyor by the plate, and a guts squeezer member formed of an elastomer adapted to be forcedly slid over the venter of the fish from the anus toward the cut end, the fish being now in engagement with the fixed guide plate and forced by the plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for the improved and more rapid cleaning of, or the removal of the viscera or the so-called "guts" of dead fish without the need for the cutting open of the fish in order to get into or have access to the body cavity of the fish. The device is typically attached to a common garden hose type of water nozzle and is inserted into the anus of the bait fish. With the application of water pressure the intestines/viscera are forced out of the mouth of the dead fish. No cutting and stitching is required and the fish is substantially not altered in appearance thus not affecting its usefulness as a bait fish.