Abstract: The invention provides a gutting device for gutting a fish along its abdominal cavity. A blade for cutting the fish open, and a shielding element are movably mounted on a controllable movable arm. The shielding element has a blunt tip, and it is arranged for being in: 1) a retracted position, where the shielding element allows the blade to cut the fish, 2) a tracking position, where the blunt tip of the shielding elements is inside the abdominal cavity of the fish, so as to track the end of the abdominal cavity of the fish, and 3) a shielding position, where the shielding element is pushed upwards by contact with the end of the abdominal cavity at a genital opening of the fish, thereby shielding the blade from further contact with the fish. This provides a precise method for without unintentionally damaging the fish.

Abstract: Filleting apparatus for cutting fish fillets from flank bones. The fish fillets been processed by a ventral knife assembly and a dorsal knife assembly. A conveying apparatus, transporting fish tail-first in transport direction, having an endlessly circulating transport conveyor with at least one transport saddle receiving/securing a fish, a flank knife assembly with two flank knife units, opposing each other on both sides of the transport conveyor in the region of a transport saddle guide. Each flank knife unit has a rotatably drivable circular knife and counter-surface arrangement Circular knife is arranged at a distance from the counter-surface arrangement to form a cutting gap and a control device moves flank knife units relative to the transport conveyor from standby position into working position and back. The counter-surface arrangements vary the size of the cutting gap controllably during the processing operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for removal of pin bones from fish meat, preferably from a fillet of white fish, comprising a frame for supporting a drive device and a rotatably driven member driven by drive device, the rotatably driven member being provided with engagement means, and a counter pressure element for providing a clamping function between the counter pressure element and the rotatably driven element. The rotatably driven member has a curved convex engagement surface directed towards the fillet and adapted to match the shape of said fillet where the pin bones are located when the fillet is lying on a flat surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for completely separating fillets from the skeleton of decapitated and gutted fish, cutting through a web left by separating tools mounted in front of the apparatus in the direction of transport T, comprising a separating unit with a pair of circular blades for separating the web, and an endlessly rotating transport conveyor with at least one saddle-shaped supporting body for receiving the fish and conveying them in the direction of transport T through the separating unit tail first, wherein the circular blades are mounted on a carrier which is movable up and down transversely to the plane of transport E, which is distinguished in that the two circular blades of the separating unit are driven in the same direction opposite the direction of transport T. Furthermore the invention relates to a corresponding method.

Abstract: A Vertically Integrated Aquaculture System for producing high quality consumer seafood products at a significantly reduced cost. The Vertically Integrated Aquaculture System includes at least one aquaculture grow-out module for containing an aquaculture species, a feed handling system for distributing feed to the aquaculture species located in the aquaculture grow-out module(s), an aquaculture species moving system for routing the aquaculture species at least out of the aquaculture grow-out module(s), and a processing system for processing the aquaculture species after harvesting from the aquaculture grow-out module(s).

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable cutting of the fish and removal of the viscera without damage to either the viscera or the remaining fish product. The systems may include an adjustable cutting device to cut the belly in a particularly unobtrusive manner and/or an adjustable gutting device to severe a gullet of the fish from the fish body and to gather and remove the viscera without significant damage to the viscera or the remaining fish product. Extractors for severing the connection between the gullet and the fish are also provided to assist in removal of the viscera, including the gonads. Vacuum head assemblies for cleaning a cavity of the fish after the viscera is removed are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable cutting of the fish and removal of the viscera without damage to either the viscera or the remaining fish product. The systems may include an adjustable cutting device to cut the belly in a particularly unobtrusive manner and/or an adjustable gutting device to severe a gullet of the fish from the fish body and to gather and remove the viscera without significant damage to the viscera or the remaining fish product. Extractors for severing the connection between the gullet and the fish are also provided to assist in removal of the viscera, including the gonads. Vacuum head assemblies for cleaning a cavity of the fish after the viscera is removed are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable cutting of the fish and removal of the viscera without damage to either the viscera or the remaining fish product. The systems may include an adjustable cutting device to cut the belly in a particularly unobtrusive manner and/or an adjustable gutting device to severe a gullet of the fish from the fish body and to gather and remove the viscera without significant damage to the viscera or the remaining fish product. Extractors for severing the connection between the gullet and the fish are also provided to assist in removal of the viscera, including the gonads. Vacuum head assemblies for cleaning a cavity of the fish after the viscera is removed are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable cutting of the fish and removal of the viscera without damage to either the viscera or the remaining fish product. The systems may include an adjustable cutting device to cut the belly in a particularly unobtrusive manner and/or an adjustable gutting device to severe a gullet of the fish from the fish body and to gather and remove the viscera without significant damage to the viscera or the remaining fish product. Extractors for severing the connection between the gullet and the fish are also provided to assist in removal of the viscera, including the gonads. Vacuum head assemblies for cleaning a cavity of the fish after the viscera is removed are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable cutting of the fish and removal of the viscera without damage to either the viscera or the remaining fish product. The systems may include an adjustable cutting device to cut the belly in a particularly unobtrusive manner and/or an adjustable gutting device to severe a gullet of the fish from the fish body and to gather and remove the viscera without significant damage to the viscera or the remaining fish product. Extractors for severing the connection between the gullet and the fish are also provided to assist in removal of the viscera, including the gonads. Vacuum head assemblies for cleaning a cavity of the fish after the viscera is removed are also provided.

Abstract: A system for processing fish of different anatomic constitution where the fish (22) having at least an end waste part (23, 24), a body part (26) and a transition (30) between the end waste part and the body part. The system comprising a frame including a fish loading area (18) for receiving the fish and a fish unloading area (52), an optical measurement unit (36) monitoring at least part of the fish loading area for producing a digital representation of the fish, a grabbing unit (40) mounted on the frame downstream in relation to the optical measurement unit for collecting the fish from the fish loading area and placing the fish on the fish unloading area, a processing unit for receiving the digital representation of the fish, determining the transition between the end waste part and the body part of the fish and a separation arrangement for separating the end waste part from the body part at the transition.

Abstract: A system for processing fish of different anatomic constitution where the fish (22) having at least an end waste part (23, 24), a body part (26) and a transition (30) between the end waste part and the body part. The system comprising a frame including a fish loading area (18) for receiving the fish and a fish unloading area (52), an optical measurement unit (36) monitoring at least part of the fish loading area for producing a digital representation of the fish, a grabbing unit (40) mounted on the frame downstream in relation to the optical measurement unit for collecting the fish from the fish loading area and placing the fish on the fish unloading area, a processing unit for receiving the digital representation of the fish, determining the transition between the end waste part and the body part of the fish and a separation arrangement for separating the end waste part from the body part at the transition.

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: A method for gutting beheaded and non-beheaded fish, and in particular farmed fish, uses a circular blade with a guide gouge for opening the abdominal cavity. Then, the entrails are aspirated and extracted separately from the aspirating and extracting of the blood and water. Separate suction pipes connected to separate collecting receptacles are used for aspirating and extracting the entrails and the blood and water, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods for cleaning residual visceral matter from the belly cavity of a gutted fish. The cleaning apparatus includes a scraper attached at the mouth of a suction tube by a hinge. An actuator pivots the scraper about the hinge between an extended position biased into contact with the interior wall of the belly cavity and a retracted position out of contact with the wall. In the retracted position, the scraper covers the mouth of the suction tube to prevent dislodged visceral matter from falling back into the belly cavity. In the extended position, the scraper uncovers the mouth of the suction tube to allow scraped visceral matter to be sucked from the belly cavity.

Abstract: In a device and method for controlling the commencement of operation of at least one tool in a fish processing machine, a guide element penetrates the interior of the fish so as to perform alignment of the fish before the tool begins its application. A monitoring device associated with the guide element includes a sensor for determining the guide element/fish position. An evaluating unit connected to the sensor compares nominal and actual position values. On reaching an adjustable nominal position value, a signal for actuating the tool is triggered. Therefore, the tool comes into operation only when the monitoring device yields an actual value for the fish position which corresponds to the nominal value when the guide element has penetrated properly.

Abstract: A fish is scaled, and its internal organs removed, by continuously advancing the fish along a treatment path while simultaneously exposing the fish body to high-pressure water jets. During treatment the fish is positioned vertically, with the belly downwards. The forces required for holding and transporting the fish are applied laterally to the upper part of the fish body, which is harder, without touching the belly area, which is soft and therefore is left free. The descaled fish proceeds to a position for cutting the belly area and removing the internal organs. The treatment is carried out in the same devices efficiently and without deterioration of the gustatory properties.

Abstract: An apparatus for coring out or dissecting an anal sphincter and mobilizing a rectum of an animal includes a probe attached to a first side of a support member and at least one knife blade attached to the support member a fixed distance from the probe. The distance from the surface of the probe to the knife blade is greater than a thickness of a rectal wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for exercising the abdominal muscles where the exerciser is seated and the legs are spread apart and held in that position during the exercise which is accomplished by bending the upper torso forwardly and rearwardly through exertion of the abdominal muscles against a resistance offered by a weight stack. The machine includes a movement arm having a resistance pad engageable by the chest of the exerciser as the exerciser moves forwardly to perform positive work and rearwardly to perform negative work. The movement arm includes two parts one of which includes the resistance pad and is mounted to the other part by means of a spring mechanism so that the pad is spring mounted and may be moved to a raised position to allow easy entrance and exit from the machine. A cam fixed to the movement arm is connected to the weight stack pin by means of an actuating lever located below the weight stack.

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: 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: A method and apparatus for eviscerating a beheaded fish without belly slitting the fish. A brush having a generally cylindrical shape is used to remove the entrails of a beheaded fish. In preferred form, the brush has multiple rows of bristle extending radially outwardly from a central shaft with the rows also being wrapped spirally around the shaft. The preferred brush is also cone shaped having a smaller diameter at the end of the brush first placed into the fish. The brush is driven by a hydraulic motor with a safety hood provided. A guide trough is used to help guide the fish onto the brush. A water nozzle helps rinse the brush between uses.

Abstract: A bent blade holder for receiving, bending and supporting a flexible blade in an automatic skinning machine for trimming a non-linear layer of unwanted material from a meat product. The bent blade holder has a base plate having a base curved surface of a size and shape for removably receiving the flexible blade, a clamping plate adapted to be removably secured to the base plate and having a clamping curved surface substantially conforming to the base curved surface and means for removably securing the clamping plate to the base plate. The blade is removably secured between the base plate and the clamping plate and bent to conform to the base and clamping curved surfaces. A meat product is transported to the blade and maintained in trimming engagement therewith such that a portion of material conforming to the curve of the blade is trimmed from the meat product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing fish with minimal damage to eggs and entrails is shown, the machine includes adjustable arms that conform to the inner belly wall of a fish passing through the machine which detach eggs and entrails from the belly wall of the fish, further adjustable entrail removal arms remove the eggs and entrails from the fish through a slit made by a blade.

Abstract: A fish scraping and sliming tool (10) for the removal of the bloodline (101) from the body cavity (103) of a fish (100); wherein, the tool comprises a handle unit (11) and a scraping head scraping edge (40) which are angularly offset from the axis of a handle extension member (30) by approximately the same angular value such that the axis of the users forearm will be angularly disposed at an angle of approximately 45.degree. relative to the axis of the handle unit (11) when the user grasps the handle unit in the neutral wrist position.

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: Apparatus including a continuously traveling endless conveyor having receptacles for receiving fish in an aligned position, passing them under a rotating cutter to cut through the head and backbone of the fish and then through an impact device to engage the partially decapitated head and forcibly sever it from the body while simultaneously at least partially eviscerating the fish.

Abstract: In a fish processing machine consisting of fish body feeder, decapitator, belly filleting and viscera removing device, and dark-colored flesh removing device, the fish body feeder is designed to transport the fish body supplied in lying position by feeding onto the tray while aligning the back-belly direction uniformly, and the dark-colored flesh removing device is intended to separate the ordinary flesh and dark-colored flesh of the fish body efficiently to remove the dark-colored flesh.

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.