Abstract: A method for processing fish fillets by separating a superficial layer of said fillet comprising the skin and an apparatus for performing this method is described. The apparatus essentially comprises a conveying roller (3) for carrying the fish fillets skin-side down and a pressing shoe (6) which, with its pressing surface (7) forms a conveying gap witht he conveying roller (3). At the input side of the conveying gap, the pressing shoe (6) is formed as a first knife (11), above which a driven second knife (16) is arranged in a knife guide (14). With this arrangement, it is possible to detach a further superficial layer apart from the skin layer and to collect these two layers separately.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus for removing a surface layer from fish fillets. To permit the apparatus to operate with high precision and optimal yield for a large variety of fish species it comprises an entrainer roller which serves as a conveying surface and a pressing shoe having a pressing surface spaced from the outer surface of the entrainer roller by a gap. The pressing shoe comprises a guide for an endless belt knife. Pressing means in the form of a plurality of driven pressing rollers are arranged in an area directly above the cutting edge of the knife to act on the knife as the fish fillets are processed. The pressing rollers are mounted to rotate with two degrees of freedom thus permiting them to exert pressure with maximum surface possible and reliably flatten the fish prior to its arrival at the belt knife.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a automatic skinning machine. The automatic skinning machine includes a blade holder with a plurality of indentations disposed thereon. The cutting blade is adopted to be positioned adjacent to blade holder such that the cutting edge is recessed behind the leading edge of the blade holder and generally extends across each of the indentations formed on the leading edge. The invention further includes attaching apertures formed only on the bottom surface of the blade holder such that crevices and cracks which could lead to contamination are not exposed to product passing over the blade holder. The invention further includes the use of locking pins in conjunction with the apertures formed on the bottom surface of the blade holder such that the blade can be easily held in position. The invention further includes a camming structure for automatically moving the cutting shoe of the device between an initial position and a skinning position.

Abstract: An upper conveyor and trimming blade assembly for an automatic trimmer adapted for trimming a layer of material, conforming with the shape of a trimming blade, from a meat product. The assembly includes an upper conveyor mounted in a vertically spaced relation above a lower conveyer wherein cooperative movement of the upper and lower conveyor is operative to transport the meat product into trimming engagement with a trimming blade. A trimming blade is mounted on the skinning machine base frame, for trimming the unwanted material from the meat product. The trimming blade is mounted in a holder adapted to bend the blade into a shape conforming with the shape of the meat product being trimmed.The assembly may be constructed as a replacement kit for installation on existing machines or installed during the fabrication of the automatic trimming machine.

Abstract: A meat skinning machine has a supporting surface with a discharge edge adjacent the surface of a toothed gripper roll, with an elongated skinning blade spaced from and opposite to the discharge edge. A curved deflector plate is located downstream from the blade and curves upwardly and rearwardly to cause a chunk of meat departing the blade to move upwardly and rearwardly for redeposit on the supporting surface. A method of skinning a meat product with a gripper roll and a blade by moving a skinned chunk of meat upwardly and rearwardly with respect to the blade after departing the blade for purposes of skinning another surface of the meat chunk.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a fish body to remove skin therefrom includes a frame that supports multiple scraper arms. Each of the arms is pivotally or slideably mounted to the frame. Each of the arms has a first end portion attached to the frame at a structural support. The opposing end of the scraper arm is a "free" end that carries a scraper blade member. Each of the blade members has a holder portion and a blade portion pivotally connected to the blade holder. This pivotal attachment evenly distributes the scraping portion to the fish body during processing. By changing the tension of the springs that bias each arm into engagement with the fish body, the scraping tension can be adjusted so that it is very light. This prevents undesirable removal of the meat product that underlies the very thin skin outer surface.

Abstract: The machine for skinning meat has a frame, an input conveyor, a gripper roll, a skinning blade assembly comprising a shoe with a skinning blade thereon, a hold down roll to apply downward pressure on a meat product to be skinned, and an outlet conveyor. The skinning blade assembly is supported on a pair of control arms that can be selectively positioned by cam elements to place the blade assembly in a desired position with respect to the gripping roll. A pair of sensor controlled air cylinders are secured to the control arms to move the blade skinning assembly with respect to the gripping roll. A cam controls the attitude of the blade gripping assembly as it is moved with respect to the gripping roll. The hold down roll is mounted on a pair of arms which are also controlled by a pair of sensor controlled air cylinders.

Abstract: A skinning and trimming machine having a roller system comprised of three rollers, namely a traction roller, a stripping roller driven in the same direction of rotation and a cleaning roller that, like the traction roller, has a toothed surface that meshes with that of the traction roller, and in which annular grooves engaged by the teeth of a cleaning comb are disposed on the surface of this cleaning roller.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for skinning and trimming a product to be treated, in which the product to be treated is delivered on a delivery device to a cutting unit. The cutting unit is embodied as a cutting blade and is associated with a traction roller. A linear rotary device is received by a retaining device and is disposed adjacent the cutting unit. In an operating position, the rotary device engages the product to be treated and sets it into rotation, to enable skinning in the circumferential direction of the product to be treated. After the skinning operation, either the rotary device is transferred to a discharge position and the product to be treated is removed from the apparatus via a discharge device or the delivery device is retracted so that the product being treated can drop downward. Another option for discharge of the product for treatment after the skinning operation is for the product being treated to be removed from the processing position laterally by an arm.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a toolless quick change blade holder for receiving and supporting a blade in a skinning machine for trimming a layer of unwanted material from a meat product. The disclosed blade holder is equally well adapted for both automatic and manual machines. The blade holder comprises a lower base plate and an upper clamping plate adapted to be removably secured to the lower base plate. The blade is positioned between the forward portions of the lower and upper plates. A fulcrum device is included for removably securing the upper plate to the lower plate and for limiting upward movement of the central portion of the clamping plate relative to the base plate. A device for releasably separating the rearward portions of the upper and lower plates activates the fulcrum device causing pressure to be applied on the forward portions of the plates urging them together thereby creating a clamping action on the blade, retaining it in position.

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: An apparatus for removing skin from the bodies of body parts of slaughtered poultry is described. The apparatus comprises a skin entraining means (2) having a non-skid or "gripping" outer surface (13) and a pressing means (4) with a knife (3), which is arranged spaced from the outer surface (13) by a gap. An auxiliary conveying means is located above the knife (3) which consists of at least one rotary member (19, 20) driven in the opposite sense to the skin entraining means (2) and has a protruding helical web (21, 22) around its circumference.

Abstract: An automatic feed mechanism upper conveyor for an automatic trimmer wherein a layer of material may be removed from a meat product. The automatic feed mechanism upper conveyor comprises: a conveyor frame, means for mounting the conveyor frame, first and second drive shafts mounted at each end of the frame and connected in tandem by a drive chain. A plurality of friction engagement wheels is mounted in spaced relation on each of the first and second drive shafts. The friction engagement wheels in cooperation with the feed means is operative to advance the meat product into trimming engagement with the trimming means and is operative to trim a layer of material from the meat product without pivoting the meat piece.

Abstract: In a preliminary dissection operation, a meat-carrying thigh bone is obtained by cutting the metatarsal bone at an intermediate position. The meat-carrying bone is then processed to remove the bone from the meat by grasping the ankle end of the tibia bone in the claim of a pulling mechanism; forming a substantially C-shaped cut reaching the bone circumferentially around the tibia adjacent the ankle end; forming a longitudinal cut in the meat along the bone before or after the bone is grasped in the clamp; stripping the meat off the tibia from the ankle to the knee joint by pulling the bone through the opening of a stripper mechanism, exposing the tibia side tendon near the knee joint; cutting the exposed tibia side tendon; stripping meat from the knee joint, exposing the femur side tendon adjacent the joint; cutting the femur side tendon; and then stripping the rest of the meat off the femur by pulling the femur through the stripper opening.

Abstract: The inclined automatic trimmer apparatus of the present invention includes a base frame and trimming blade mounted on the base frame for trimming unwanted material from the meat product. A feed conveyor is situated forwardly of the trimming blade for transporting the meat product to the trimming blade. A feed roller is mounted on the base frame adjacent the trimming blade to receive the meat product transported by the feed conveyor and to advance the meat product into trimming engagement with the trimming blade. A press roller is mounted on the base frame for rotating the meat in trimming engagement with the trimming blade. The feed roller trimming blade and press roller all form a "V" shaped trough for receiving 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 meat skinning machine has a frame, an elongated skinning blade with a cutting edge, a rotatable gripping roll positioned adjacent the blade, and a motor operatively connected to the gripping roll. The skinning machine is also provided with a pivotal deflector plate for deflecting a meat product upwardly as the product is fed past the blade. The angle of the deflector plate is adjustable to accommodate different meat products and different operators. In one embodiment, the distance between the deflector plate and the skinning blade is also adjustable. The upward deflection of the meat product allows the product to be flipped forwardly to a position in front of the skinning blade for additional feeding past the skinning blade, without the operator reaching across the skinning blade to pick up or grasp the meat product.

Abstract: A plate deboner for processing a rib plate by severing the lean portion from the rib portion along a desired cut line by rotating the rib plate along the circumference of a drum and over a reciprocating cutting blade located below the center axis of the drum.

Abstract: A skinning machine for removing a layer of predetermined thickness from a body. The skinning machine comprising a downwardly sloping first table with feeding means to feed the body to a cutting station where a blade removes the layer from the body and a discharge station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a de-rinding device for pork having a de-rinding knife (7) at one free end and, at a distance from same corresponding to the rind thickness, a contact surface. As a relative movement is carried out between a meat area to be de-rinded and the knife passing with the contact surface, the rind (5) is separated. A drive unit (10) is provided for the knife. According to the invention the knife and the drive unit constitute a manual de-rinding device (3) which is portable in operation and is equipped with at least one handle (16) on a device housing (9). The de-rinding knife (3) is suitable to de-rind whole or half hogs in strips before cutting them into pieces, in particular in a suspended position. A simple, safe and low-cost de-rinding process is thus afforded.

Abstract: A device for removing membranes from meat products having a source of pressurized fluid, a fixed upstanding nozzle, a conduit connecting the nozzle to the source of pressurized fluid and a blade connected to the nozzle. The nozzle can be used to direct fluid at the joint between the membrane and the meat product to begin to separate them. The blade means extending from the nozzle facilitates the separation of the membrane from the meat product. The preferred pressurized fluid is air. A method of membrane removal is also known.

Abstract: An apparatus for skinning fish fillets having the roller-presser shoe-structure comprises an oscillating knife (17) is particularly appropriate for skinning fillets of flatfish, i.e. fillets of fish which show a rather intimate and close connection between the skin and the muscle meat at least partially caused by fine tendons. In order to improve the insufficient yield in fillet meat caused by the structure of such machines, and in order to obtain a remaining of the so-called silver mirror on the fillet meat, the presser shoe (6) carrying and guiding the oscillating knife (17) is arranged to pivot about the axis (9) of the roller (3) against spring force, and the pivoting movement is used for retracting the oscillating knife (17), so that the cutting edge (19) thereof comes to lie behind a stationary cutting edge (13) formed on the presser shoe (6) at the entrance side thereof.

Abstract: A safety control system for power operated equipment which ensures operator safety by immediately disconnecting the power drive from a power driven rotating member, such as a toothed feed shaft of a meat skinning machine or a moving blade of a band saw, and then positively stops and then reverses the direction of movement of the rotating member, upon a metal conductive glove worn by the operator, contacting the blade or toothed shaft. The operator's glove is electrically connected to a safety mechanism and upon the glove completing a circuit upon contact with the rotating member or equipment immediately disconnects the power drive from the rotating member by actuating a clutch or tensioning cylinder. A trigger mechanism then is actuated and permits a positive stopping element to engage and stop the moving element.

Abstract: A method for mechanically detaching the meat from the bodies of slaughtered poultry in the form of fillets is performed with a starting product in the shape of a so called "front-half", i.e. a body portion obtained by a cross-section made obliquely through the poultry body. From this body portion the pelvis has been severed together with the legs, and by a further step the wings have been severed. The treatment in individual processing steps, the performance of which is limited to very narrowly restricted working areas by means of tools which can thus be adapted without compromise to the anatomically conditioned circumstances. Moreover, the sequence of the processing steps is selected such that the increasing destabilization of the poultry body is controlled with each processing step so that the respective subsequent working steps are influenced in a minimum manner possible. The result is a high yield in fillet meat of excellent quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for lifting the skin and loading a poultry part into a skinning machine and, in particular, for loading a poultry breast fillet into a poultry breast fillet skinning machine. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of endless loop link chains travel around a path defined by respective pairs of vertically rotating sprocket wheels. The forward sprocket wheels are located at a slightly lower elevation than the rear sprocket wheels. Each of the links in the two link chains contains an outwardly projecting gripping finger. As the links pass over the sprocket wheels the gripping fingers tend to separate at their outer ends. As the links travel along the straight segments between the sprocket wheels, the gripping fingers tend to assume a more closely spaced relationship which pinches folds of skin on the poultry part.

Abstract: Method and device for processing the skin of a leg of a slaughtered bird. The bird or leg is moved along in a conveyor. The skin of the leg is cut through completely or almost completely in the vicinity of the knee joint between the region of the kneecap and the region of the back of the knee, the tissue lying under the skin remaining essentially intact, by conveying the leg past a cutting device and putting it in contact therewith. The leg is supported by leg positioning elements while it is passing the cutting device. The cutting depth of the cutting means is limited by a stop which is connected to the cutting means. Provision is made for a stripping device for stripping the severed thigh skin away from the suspended leg downwards. Provision is also made for a roll-up device for rolling up the drumstick skin prior to separating the leg into a thigh portion and a drumstick.

Abstract: The automatic trimmer apparatus of the present invention includes a base frame and trimming blade mounted on the base frame for trimming unwanted material from the meat product. A feed conveyor is situated forwardly of the trimming blade for transporting the meat product to the trimming blade. A feed roller is mounted on the base frame adjacent the trimming blade to receive the meat product transported by the feed conveyor and to advance the meat product into trimming engagement with the trimming blade. A press roller is mounted on the base frame for rotating the meat in trimming engagement with the trimming blade.

Abstract: A machine for removing fish, in particular what is left on the bones after filleting, from the bones, in which the machine comprises two shafts (4, 4') which are movable relative to each other and on which there are wheels (9) with knurled surfaces which can draw a fish bone over scrapers (14, 14') which are provided for the purpose and which scrape over the side bones and against the main bone along the top and along the bottom and left and right of the main bone, and by means of which fish is obtained in the form of strips with the original structure.

Abstract: This invention involves a novel blade holder for use in food-processing machines particularly skinning machines. This blade holder has as two major elements a top and a bottom piece having at their front terminal portions a place where the blade is clamped. In the center section of each piece are a number of connecting screws or bolts which not only connect the top and bottom pieces but also act as a fulcrum. Thus, when the rear sections of the top and bottom pieces are forced apart by a lever action, their front terminal portions move tightly together to form a firm grip or clamp effect on the blade. To remove the blade, the rear sections are brought closer together thus releasing the tight clamp in the front terminal portions and thus releasing the blade.

Abstract: A method for obtaining leg meat from poultry drumsticks and an apparatus for performing the method are described. Deriving from an apparatus by which, following the performance of an encircling cut in the region of the distal condyle (41) and the consequent severing of the tendons, skins and ligaments of the drumstick bone (44) under retention of the leg meat is pulled by means of a strip-off diaphraghm, an apparatus is described by which a pair of gripping elements (17 and 18) are provided, which can be brought into a position for gripping around the drumstick bone (44) and each of which is respectively provided with a recess (20) in this embracing region, which can be aligned laterally displaced with regard to the position of the drumstick bone (44), and by which apparatus a severing device (16) is integrated with the gripping elements (17 and 18), the cutting mechanism of which is effective immediately next to the recess (20).

Abstract: This invention provides a safety means for powered machinery comprising a conventional wire mesh safety glove adapted for wearing by the machine operator. The machine with which it is used has a grounded frame, an electrical motor, a control switch, with the electrical motor being connected to a source of electrical energy through the control switch. A control safety circuit connects the electroconducting wire mesh safety glove and bypasses the conventional control switch for the machine which is in turn connected to the motor of the machine. The safety circuit includes a circuit breaking means, preferably a relay, whereby the relay will open and deprive the motor from electrical power whenever the wire mesh glove comes in contact with the grounded frame of the machine. An alternate form of the invention connects the wire mesh glove of the operator to the antenna of a wireless electromagnetic transmitter worn by the operator.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing the skin from animal parts, such as from poultry thighs, comprises a rotary turntable for supporting the poultry thighs and for conveying them along a path in a forward direction and a pair of counter-rotating peeler rollers positioned beneath the turntable. The rotary turntable has an aperture formed therein and a vacuum means positioned adjacent the rollers for drawing a portion of the skin of the poultry part through the aperture and toward the rollers to reliably engage the skin of the poultry part in the peeler rollers.

Abstract: A comb for connection to the skin meshing unit adjacent the cutter blades to contact the blades to remove the skin from the blades. The comb includes a plurality of slots which accommodates a portion of the cutter blades as the blades rotate through the skin sample passed under the blades. Each longitudinal end of the slot includes angled side wall and is bevelled relative to the bottom wall of the comb to form a V-shaped groove which engages the cutting edge of the blades in close contact to remove the skin from the cutter.

Abstract: An apparatus for deboning a chicken leg includes a conveyor for holding the leg by the hock, a plunge knife device for severing the knee joint and pulling the femur from the thigh meat, a cutting device for severing the tendons at the hock of the leg, and a scraper for pulling the drumstick meat along the tibia and fibia toward the knee. The scraping mechanism includes a laterally movable carriage supporting at least one pair of jaws having notches along their edges to clear the leg bones, a first air cylinder for closing and opening the jaws, and a second air cylinder for moving the carriage away from the hock-restraining conveyor.

Abstract: This invention provides a safety means for powered machinery comprising a conventional wire mesh safety glove adapted for wearing by the machine operator. The machine with which it is used has a grounded frame, an electrical motor, a control switch, with the electrical motor being connected to a source of electrical energy through the control switch. A control safety circuit connects the electroconducting wire mesh safety glove and bypasses the conventional control switch for the machine which is in turn connected to the motor of the machine. The safety circuit includes a circuit breaking means, preferably a relay, whereby the relay will open and deprive the motor from electrical power whenever the wire mesh glove comes in contact with the grounded frame of the machine. An alternate form of the invention connects the wire mesh glove of the operator to the antenna of a wireless electromagnetic transmitter worn by the operator.

Abstract: A skinning machines having a gripping roll, a skinning blade, a power unit for rotating the gripping roll, and a safety circuit responsive to manual contact of the machine operator with danger zone of the skinning machine. A clutch is provided to the skinning machine is operatively connected to the gripping roll and the power source for the gripping roll. A brake is connected to the safety circuit and the gripping roll. The clutch is normally operative, and the brake is normally inoperative, whereby the brake will stop the rotation of the gripping roll when the safety circuit is activated to overcome the operative condition of the clutch. The brake includes a coiled spring that tightens on a hub connected to the gripping roll when the safety circuit is actuated. The safety circuit includes a solenoid device that releases the spring to tighten on the hub when the safety circuit is actuated.

Abstract: An apparatus for trimming back fat off a pork loin comprises (a) a flat and arcuate cutting blade, (b) a conveyor formed of an endless belt arcuate in cross section and having a smooth top surface, and (c) a pair of endless chains provided with teeth. In operation, the loin is conveyed toward the blade between the endless chains and the top surface of the conveyor. During its transport toward the blade the pork loin is pressed between the two chains and the conveyor with the teeth of the chains penetrating the meat. The conveyor and the chains are driven at different linear speeds to produce in the pressed loin a compression and tension distribution which facilitates passage of the meat through the cutting blade and improves trimming of the back fat. As the top surface of the conveyor is smooth, it allows the conveyed loin to slide laterally toward the center of the conveyor. The loin is thereby centered before it reaches the blade.

Abstract: A method and system for dressing cattle in which, after kill, the carcass is suspended in a generally horizontal position by at least one foreleg and one hind leg, with the legs uppermost, and transported while so suspended along a dressing line. In such position, the hide is partially cut longitudinally in the chin, neck and upper brisket area to form a longitudinal cut line. Thereafter, portions of the hide around the foreleg are grasped and pulled downwardly away from the skin to separate the hide from the skin on the forelegs, brisket and chin and form a gap between the underside of the hide and skin on the back of the neck. The carcass is then repositioned with the head up and tail down by suspension from at least one foreleg, the hide cut to form a cut line in the belly region from the brisket to the tail, and the edges of the hide along the cut line gripped and pulled back to separate the hide from the carcass.

Abstract: This invention utilizes a conventional meat skinning machine having a frame, an elongated skinning blade, a rotatable gripping roll closely positioned adjacent the blade, an electrical motor operatively connected to the gripping roll and to a source of electrical power, and a danger zone defined by the area approximate to the gripping roll closely adjacent the blade. The motor is a braking motor which has a normally inoperative braking means adapted to stop the motor substantially instantaneously when becoming operative. A safety circuit is electrically connected to the braking motor, the blade and the gripping roll. The safety circuit is normally open and is adapted to be closed when the blade and gripping roll are electrically connected by any electroconducting means, such as an operator's glove made of electroconducting material, that simultaneously comes into electrical contact with the blade and the gripping roll.

Abstract: In a skinning apparatus comprising a skinning roller, a presser face opposing and at a slight distance from said roller's circumferential surface, and a skinning knife associated with said presser face, the circumferential surface of the skinning roller includes a plurality of grooves extending essentially parallel to the axis of rotation and defining a roller surface which is limited to the ridge faces of the tooth webs separating two neighboring grooves, the grooves being designed generally flat and with relatively large pitch and having a cross-section, whose depth amounts to a maximum of 0.5 mm in the region of the leading flanks of the tooth webs and exceeds this in the region of the trailing flanks.

Abstract: The skinner falls within the art field of machines utilized by the fish processing industry, and serves to remove the skins of non-scaly varieties such as cuttlefish, octopus and squid; operation is entirely automatic, from the entry of the fish onto an angled and tilted infeed surface right through to their collection with the skins removed.