Abstract: The invention relates to a portioning device for packaging of food products (3) in a portion carrier, comprising positioning device and gripping device (1), which gripping device comprises first and second articulating jaws (12a, 12b) having first and second ends that together with a belt or table (5) for a food product (3) define an opening between said jaws (12a, 12b) arranged to grip the food product laying on the belt or table (5), wherein said first and second jaws (12a, 12b) are articulately arranged in order to be movable between at least two relative positions, one holding position and one open position, wherein the portioning device also comprises a cutting device (2) arranged at said first and/or second ends of said first and second articulating jaws (12a, 12b), and wherein said cutting device (2) is arranged to use the belt/table (5) as support for cutting. The invention also relates to a method for packaging of food products by use of the portioning device.

Abstract: A chicken wing cutter is provides a safe and sanitary way to cut chicken wings and fry them. The chicken wings cutter is a device that holds chicken wings in place and cut them without having to use a knife. It provides safety measure to cut chicken wings without the use of knives or machinery having to hold and touch the chicken. This will avoid contamination or carrying of such bacteria caused while handling poultry and avoid spills from frying. The device allows you to place the chicken in the cradles. Once secure in the cradles, the chicken cutter cut the chicken in precise pieces in preparation for cooking chicken wings in a fryer. The device has blades within the lid that retracts and closed and oval locked is secure the chicken is ready to cut then after placed on cradle for frying.

Abstract: The invention relates to an L-shaped supporting body for accommodating a fish and for conveying said fish tail first through a cutting unit having a circular blade pair of a fish processing apparatus, which has a continuously revolving conveyor, wherein the supporting body has a main body for fastening said supporting body to the conveyor and a bearing web, which protrudes beyond a side wall of the main body and which has a supporting edge arranged at the top for accommodating the backbone of the fish to be accommodated, the bearing web having a groove arranged on the underside, which groove is designed as a counter-support for the circular blade pair. In addition, the invention relates to a corresponding apparatus for processing fish.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable removal of the head or other portion of a fish in a particularly reliable and efficient manner. The systems include a conveyor drive motor which provides continuous movement of a conveyor device for transporting fish along a transport path and which simultaneously provides intermittent movement of a blade across the transport path to sequentially sever a portion of each fish. An intermittent drive mechanism is coupled to the conveyor drive motor and coupled to the blade to convert continuous movement produced by the conveyor drive motor to intermittent movement of the blade between a standby position and a cutting position. Related methods for severing a portion of each fish in a series of transported fish are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing fish are provided which enable removal of the head or other portion of a fish in a particularly reliable and efficient manner. The systems include a conveyor drive motor which provides continuous movement of a conveyor device for transporting fish along a transport path and which simultaneously provides intermittent movement of a blade across the transport path to sequentially sever a portion of each fish. An intermittent drive mechanism is coupled to the conveyor drive motor and coupled to the blade to convert continuous movement produced by the conveyor drive motor to intermittent movement of the blade between a standby position and a cutting position. Related methods for severing a portion of each fish in a series of transported fish are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for severing a spare rib (RR) from a backbone (R), whereby the split backbone is conveyed inside a guideway (2), which is comprised of two guide plates (21, 22) and which delimits a wedge-shaped channel (23) through which the spare rib (R) projects each time and a cutting edge (10) of a cutting device (1) traverses past on the side of the rib. The cutting device (1) is a rotary blade with a cutting rim (10), which is tapered to form a sharp edge, and its cutting blade (11) is arranged nearly parallel to the guide plates (21, 22) whose distance from one another can be adjusted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for portioning food items. The inventive apparatus preferably comprises: a carrier structure having a cavity provided therein for receiving a first portion of a food item; a holding device for imparting a force to the food item sufficient to hold the first portion of the food item in the cavity; and a saw or knife having a blade receivable between the carrier structure and the holding structure for cutting the food item into the first portion and a second portion. The holding structure is preferably an upper belt-type conveyor and the apparatus most preferably comprises a series of carrier plates conveyed by a lower conveyor system. Alternatively, the holding structure can be replaced with a vacuum system for generating a vacuum in the plate cavities.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing meat from waste body parts of fish. In one embodiment, a fish processing machine includes a primary processing line and a reclamation processing line. The primary processing line can include a first conveyor system to transport a fish trunk along a primary processing path, a first cutter at a first location along the primary processing path configured to separate a waste body part from the fish trunk, and a second cutter at a second location along the primary processing path downstream from the first cutter. The second cutter has at least one knife arranged to slice high-value meat from the trunk. The reclamation processing line is coupled to the primary processing line. The reclamation processing line can include a recovery cutter to separate an additional meat portion from the waste body part and a transfer mechanism to automatically transport the waste body part to the recovery cutter without manually manipulating the body part.

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses with legs and backs remaining are suspended from shackles (25) by their legs and moved in sequence along a processing path. The backs are received on a surface conveyor (18) having parallel conveyor flights (36, 37), so that the rounded portions (31) of the surfaces of the backs (30) seek the space between the conveyor flights, thereby tending to center the carcasses moving along the poultry path. The backs are turned from inverted attitudes to upright attitudes while the legs remain inverted, thereby tending to rotate the thighs with respect to the backs, loosening the sockets between the thighs and backs, and the visceral cavities are placed on a rotary disk (28) formed of UHMW and having peripheral teeth with radially extending teeth surfaces which engage the backbone areas of the visceral cavities of the carcasses.

Abstract: A catfish fillet machine for filleting fish, such as a catfish, with ribs extending through the belly flesh up to the skin. The catfish fillet machine includes a pair of scraping tools for dividing the flesh of each fish half into at least two independent segments up to the skin. Advantageously, the belly flesh is stripped from the ribs on both sides, thereby resulting in a minimum wastage of fillet flesh. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the catfish fillet machine includes a pelvic fin and bone cutter/remover. A mechanism advantageously stretches the nuggets (belly flaps) of the fish tightly against the scraper knives and cutting support of the scraper tools. A fish saddle which engages and moves the fish along the conveyance path has top rail removably fastened to a base and made of a polymer material softer than the cutting blades.

Abstract: In a device and method for processing a slaughtered animal or a part thereof, the slaughtered animal or the part thereof is conveyed on a holding support of a carrier connected to an overhead conveyor. The holding support is provided with devices for fixing the slaughtered animal or part thereof. The carrier is conveyed past filleting tools disposed in an essentially fixed orientation, while the holding support of the carrier provided with a swivelling device can be swivelled by means of a control device which controls the swivelling device during the passage past the filleting tools, in order to carry out-the filleting operations with the filleting tools.

Abstract: The invention relates to a carriage for supporting a poultry breast piece and includes a surface engaging the inner side of said breast piece and a device for holding the breast piece to the carriage. The carriage comprises at one side a projecting head, which at its bottom is provided with a slit-shaped recess extending in the plane of symmetry of the carriage. It is possible that shortly behind the head, in the plane of symmetry of the carriage, a projection is provided. A U-shaped clamping brace cooperating with the head may be included.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for filleting the breast piece of a slaughtered bird having a conveyor for the breast piece and filleting devices positioned alongside the conveyor. The filleting devices comprise scraping plates having an operative contour adapted to the shape of part of the breast piece to be processed. It is possible to provide scraping plates extending substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal medial plane of the conveyor and/or scraping plates extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal medial plane of the conveyor.

Abstract: A device for decapitating fish which are transported in a transport plane and in a transport direction, as they lie on one side on a conveyor belt (12) with their nose facing in the transport direction. At the end of the conveyor belt and above it there is located an endless cutting band (30) which is moved in a circuit around rollers (22, 24, 26) which are supported by a frame (6), the lower edge of the band (30) being sharp and extending in a cutting planewhich is parallel to the transport plane. A third actuator device (80) is arranged to stop the fish in turn in a defined position in relation to the cutting band, a second actuator device (66, 68, 70, 72) is arranged to form the band sections which during the band's (30) rotation are located near this position, according to the contour of the gills of the stopped fish concerned, and a first actuator device (16) is arranged to raise and lower the cutting band (30) for cutting off the fish head immediately behind the gills.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for deboning fish of the mackerel family such as the Thunnus genus, the scomboid type and the like, and an apparatus for performing this method. Fish of this family have belly spokes extending along the full length of the backbone into the area of the belly cavity, so that conventional cutting free of the back and belly spokes will lead to a separation of the ribs from the remaining bone structure. To allow an accurate filetting of mackerel fish with their specific bone structure in the ventral cavity region, the invention suggests a slice of fish meat including the ribs to be cut free automatically by providing a computer controlled tool including a knife with a cutting edge diverging with respect to the conveying path of the fish, and a supporting element, which in combination with the knife allows the ribs to be cut away progressively while respecting the anatomical characteristics of the fish.

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses are moved in series along a conveyor (26), mounted upon a series of mandrels (33). As the poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path and are mounted on their mandrels (33), the carcasses are automatically engaged by a clamp tool (77) that clamps the poultry carcasses against their mandrels (33) in tight locking engagement to hold the poultry carcasses on their mandrels (33). A series of processing stations (42-50) engage and remove the wings, skin and progressively separate the meat from the skeletal structures of the poultry carcasses as said poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path (27) by the conveyor (26).

Abstract: An apparatus for filleting the breast piece of slaughtered poultry includes a device for supporting and conveying the breast piece in a conveying direction along a conveying path. A device is included for cutting the breast meat loose from the breast piece from the sternum and wishbone of the breast piece. The cutting device includes a substantially v-shaped device which is driven synchronously with the breast piece along at least a portion of the conveying path. The v-shaped device engages the breast piece and separates the breast meat adjacent the wishbone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically subdividing carcasses, especially fish bodies, into individual slab sections. A preferred embodiment of the cutting apparatus includes a feed mechanism and a cutting mechanism coordinated by computer. The feed mechanism comprises a motor-driven carriage that rides upon rails. Between the rails is a feed track formed by parallel guides having angled facing surfaces defining a channel to accommodate a fish body aligned along the channel. A retainer on the carriage secures the head end of the fish body so that it can be advanced along the channel by the carriage without a change in orientation. The cutting mechanism includes a reciprocating blade that is advanced in a direction to define a cutting plane intersecting the path the fish body takes as it is transported by the carriage beyond the end of the feed track. Holding blocks at the end of the feed track clamp the fish body securely in position for cutting.

Abstract: An automatic device for cutting the legs of pork carcasses laying transversally onto a conveyor. A support carrier is mounted onto a frame extending close to the conveyor in such a manner as to be movable toward and away from the conveyor. The support carrier supports a circular saw extending in a vertical plane parallel to the moving direction of the conveyor at a sufficient height to cut the legs projecting away from the same. The support carrier also supports a device called "feeler" that is pivotably hung to a horizontal pivot at a predetermined distance from the saw, which corresponds to the average length for the legs to be cut. A control system is operatively connected to a presence sensor mounted in such a manner to detect the legs of the carcasses when these legs reach the feeler. The control system is also connected to a motion detector that detects any swing of the feeler, and to a power jack for moving the support carrier.

Abstract: A middle splitter for use to split an animal's middle into two parts. The splitter has a work table and a conveyor belt to move the middle forward. The splitter also has a circular saw which extends in a longitudinal slot in the conveyor belt. A guide extends from upstream down to the saw. This guide is parallel and extends above the conveyor belt in order to hold the middle against it. The splitter further has a caterpillar drive which extends before and past the saw. The drive is parallel to the conveyor belt and has a contour belt mounted onto a support of longitudinal shape. The contour belt has protruding plates shaped and positioned to engage the middle. The conveyor belt is driven into rotation by a shaft connected to a motor, so that the side of the contour belt nearest the saw moves forward. As a result, when the motor rotates the belt, the drive pulls the middle forward toward the circular saw for it to be cut.

Abstract: Previously eviscerated poultry carcasses are moved in series along a conveyor (17), mounted upon a series of modules (22). As the poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path and are mounted on their modules (22), the carcasses are automatically engaged by a clamp tool (48) that clamps the poultry carcasses against their modules (22) in tight locking engagement to hold the poultry carcasses on their modules (22). A series of meat removal stations (61, 62, 63 and 64) engage and progressively separate the meat from the skeletal structures of the poultry carcasses as said poultry carcasses are moved along their processing path by the conveyor (17).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filleting the breast piece of slaughtered poultry including at least the sternum and the wishbone defined by both clavicles, wherein the breast piece is supported and the breast flesh is cut loose from the sternum and the wishbone by means of cutting means. Prior to cutting loose the breast flesh, the wishbone is pressed inwardly as seen relative to the breast piece. Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method having a pressure means movable to and fro which in an operative position can engage the wishbone in order to press it inwardly relative to the breast piece.

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: A device for cutting up the wings of poultry bodies into their component parts is described. The device comprises a saddle conveyor for receiving the poultry bodies in the form of front halves with wings. The wings are engaged and synchronously accompanied by auxiliary conveyors and guided into a guide system where they are cut up by means of "anatomic" cuts, i.e. cuts running through the joints. The device is adapted to by integrated into a processing line for filleting breast meat or the like.

Abstract: A fish processing machine has a deheading station and a finishing station at which the throat tissue of the deheaded fish is removed. These stations are located on a reciprocating carriage in conjunction with a main body conveyor, a head positioning conveyor and a hold-down conveyor which are continuously advancing and positioning the fish being processed. The head positioning conveyor has head and tail sprockets and has head positioning pins which are in engagement with the heads of conveyed fish behind the deheading station. These pins are swing-mounted so that they will remain in upright position as they are withdrawn from the fish heads while passing over the front quadrant of the head sprocket before the fish heads reach the deheading station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing flat fish is disclosed. The fish (5) are placed on a conveyor (1) and transported on a conveying surface (1.1) over an array of photosensing elements (3.4) which generate light absorbtion signals as the fish is advanced. These signals are sent to a computer, which determines the contour of the fish using information regarding the conveyor speed and computes cutting control signals using pre-programmed proportionality factors relating to the fish species. The cutting line control signals are sent to a cutting apparatus (4). As the advanced fish arrives at the cutting apparatus, two rotary knives (4.1) cut into the dorsal and ventral sides of the fish in response to the control signals to remove the dorsal fin together with a strip of fatty tissue (5.12) from one edge of the fish and the internal organs, the anal fin and the ventral strip of fatty tissue (5.11) from the other edge of the fish.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting wings from boned whole poultry breasts includes a pair of spaced chain loops supporting laterally aligned pairs of fixtures which hold the wings to support the breasts and serve as anvils for annular knife blades which are driven outward from a central position to cut the breasts from the wings. Thereafter, the wings remain secured in the fixtures, while first the tips are removed by a guillotine-type cutter, and then the flat wing segment is folded against the drumette before the elbow joint is cut.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for processing the bodies of slaughtered poultry and thereby removing meat from the skeleton, specifically in the region of the clavicle (clavicula). The apparatus has a conveyor with saddles for carrying and conveying the poultry body with the breastbone directed upwards and the clavicle leading. In order to remove the meat from the branches of the clavicle, a block having groove-shaped recesses is inserted between the clavicle branches such that the branches slip into the recesses and lie flush with the flank surfaces. Scraping knives are then guided over the flank surfaces to separate the meat from the clavicle. In order to avoid the scraping knives from catching broken or stretched clavicles and thus push bone splinters into the meat, pressing elements are provided which operate directly upstream of the scraping knives and ensure that any broken bone pieces are pushed together with the rest of the clavicle branches into the recesses.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing fish (24), especially sole, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having a longitudinal axis along the direction of movement of the fish as they are processed. The fish are placed onto a conveyor (200) that includes blocks (204) for centering the fish and advancing them parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and into jaws (202). The jaws open as the fish passes through and measure each fish as well as help center the fish. The length measurement taken by the jaws is sent to a logic controller that determines the approximate dimensions of the fish. The controller uses this information to activate cutters at the proper times. The cutters include dorsal and anal fin cutters (212, 210), a tail cutter (214), and a head and organ cutter (216). The fish is carried into the cutters by spiked belts (222, 224, 230, 232, 234). The belts also transport the fish through an exit chute (362) into more processing equipment or simply into an exit bin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method with the following working steps:holding the limb (1) to be boned;severing the center joint (3), including the tendons adhering thereto;severing the end joint portion (5) and/or the end portion (6), including the tendons adhering thereto;clamping the limb (1) between a first pressure plate (10) and a second pressure plate (11),pressing the meat of the limb (1) between the pressure plates (10, 11) and partly pushing out the at least one bone (7, 8, 9) through the pressure plate; andejecting the at least one bone (7, 8, 9) with the aid of a pushing means (12, 13, 14).

Abstract: A fish processing machine has a deheading station and a finishing station at which the throat tissue of the deheaded fish is removed. These stations are located on a reciprocating carriage in conjunction with a main body conveyor, a head positioning conveyor and a hold-down conveyor which are continuously advancing and positioning the fish being processed. The shuttle cycle of the carriage is controlled so that it is completed in the time period that a fish on the main conveyor advances the distance between conveyor flights.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing fish (24), especially sole, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having a longitudinal axis along the direction of movement of the fish as they are processed. The fish are placed onto a conveyor (200) that includes blocks (204) for centering the fish and advancing them parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and into jaws (202). The jaws open as the fish passes through and measure each fish as well as help center the fish. The length measurement taken by the jaws is sent to a logic controller that determines the approximate dimensions of the fish. The controller uses this information to activate cutters at the proper times. The cutters include dorsal and anal fin cutters (212, 210), a tail cutter (214), and a head and organ cutter (216). The fish is carried into the cutters by spiked belts (222, 224, 230, 232, 234). The belts also transport the fish through an exit chute (362) into more processing equipment or simply into an exit bin.

Abstract: The head of a fish is severed from the fish body in a two-stage operation, in the first stage the root of the fish head beneath the gill covers being cut partway through and in the second stage the severance of the fish head from the fish body being completed. The first stage cutting operation is effected by cooperating disk cutters converging toward the fish head at an acute angle, means for sensing the thickness of a fish, and means for adjusting the spacing of the disk cutters in accordance with the thickness of the fish sensed. The fish are transported unidirectionally, and the spacing of the cutting disks is adjusted while the cutters are being reciprocated in the same direction of the travel as the fish is transported, and the disk cutters are then reciprocated in the direction opposite the direction of transport of the fish to effect the first stage cutting operation.

Abstract: An auxiliary feeding apparatus (3) for a fish processing machine is described which comprises a conveyor equipped with saddle-like supporting members (1) for supporting the trunks of decapitated fish whose abdominal cavities are open on the ventral side. The auxiliary feeding apparatus (3) comprises an auxiliary saddle (9) for initially supporting each fish to be processed. The auxiliary saddle (9) can be controlled to move into and out of the path of the supporting members (1). The fish to be processed is placed on the auxiliary saddle (9) with its tail leading and, on lowering the auxiliary saddle, is transferred to the supporting member (1). The lowering movement is controlled in such a way, that each fish is taken over by the supporting member without the projecting end (8) of the supporting member coming into contact with the end of the abdominal cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for detaching wings from a poultry body is described in which the detachment is effected by means of three pairs of separating tools with varying arrangements and forms of knife blades. The poultry bodies are prepared as front halves and pass through the processing areas of the separating tools fixed on supporting saddles which are moved forward by conveying means and convey the poultry body with the neck portion leading and the breast portion uppermost. This "three-cut" separation procedure allows an extremely economical detachment of the wing and greatly increases the yield of breast fillet meat while avoiding bone splinters in the region of attachment of the wings.

Abstract: A fish fillet trimming device having a swing arm mounted rotary blade which rides on the surface of a moving conveyor table. The fish fillets are passed between the cutting blade and the conveyor surface for trimming blemished portions of the fillets. The method permits an inspector using an endless belt candling table to detect blemishes in the fillets and orient the fillets on the belt surface so as to pass beneath the trimming knife without removal of the fillets from the processing travel path.

Abstract: An apparatus assembly for cutting a foodstuff has a conveyor and a carrier affixed to the conveyor for transporting a foodstuff, a cutting device having a circular blade and a pusher for positioning a foodstuff in the carrier for cutting. The carrier is separated into two,portions by a gap and has a hinged cover which extends from a position adjacent the gap for covering one portion of the carrier between the sidewalls. The cover is configured for holding the foodstuff in position in the carrier during cutting of the foodstuff, as the carrier passes a blade of the cutting device which passes through the gap from one sidewall to the other for cutting the foodstuff into pieces, and the cover also is configured for allowing, prior to cutting, the foodstuff to be pushed for positioning an amount of the foodstuff under the cover for cutting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing fish (24), especially sole, is disclosed. The apparatus includes a frame having a longitudinal axis along the direction of movement of the fish as they are processed. The fish are placed onto a conveyor (200) that includes blocks (204) for centering the fish and advancing them parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and into jaws (202). The jaws open as the fish passes through and measure each fish as well as help center the fish. The length measurement taken by the jaws is sent to a logic controller that determines the approximate dimensions of the fish. The controller uses this information to activate cutters at the proper times. The cutters include dorsal and anal fin cutters (212, 210), a tail cutter (214), and a head and organ cutter (216). The fish is carried into the cutters by spiked belts (222, 224, 230, 232, 234). The belts also transport the fish through an exit chute (362) into more processing equipment or simply into an exit bin.

Abstract: A chicken breast processor has an endless conveyor on which are mounted a series of special fixtures for supporting a bird carcass during automatic butchering. Each fixture has a pair of spaced bars bearing respective upper and lower arms. Each of the arms has abeveled upper surface, so that an open "V" is formed for supporting both the backbone from within the carcass, and the breasts from below, to better locate the carcass for precise cutting. Carcasses are transferred from a tined disk onto the fixtures as the fixtures are rotated toward the disk to compensate for speed differential between it and the conveyor. A variety of cuts can be obtained from the device.

Abstract: A method for preparing a pig's head for mechanical boning including making a transverse cut in the snout from the underside of the head so that the transverse cut separates the greater part of the rostral bone from the greater part of the jaw-bone, and apparatus for carrying out the method which includes a support structure for upside down placing thereon of the pig's head for preparing and cutting a member movable toward the support structure in direction inclining relative to the support structure and adapted for making a transverse cut in the snout from the underside of the head.

Abstract: An automated fish marking system includes a conveyor system moving a set of fish trays through a marking or cutting station. In the illustrated embodiment, the trays are filled manually by several workers and subsequent marking steps are automated. Thus, fish handling is limited to filling of the trays and once the fish are placed in the trays they suffer no further handling. The trays retain the fish in a given position and orientation for movement past a water jet cutting system. The cutting system marks each fish by severing a particular fin as it passes through the marking station. After marking, the fish may be automatically returned to a holding tank.

Abstract: A single natural butterfly boneless breast of chicken interconnected by an intermediary portion or central spine is conveyed towards two horizontally oriented saw blades which cut across through approximately 80-95%, preferably 85-90% and most preferably 90% of the width of the single natural butterfly boneless breast to leave an intermediary portion or central spine of width of 5-20% of the single natural butterfly boneless breast at a central portion of the single natural butterfly boneless breast. A single saw blade located downstream from the two horizontally aligned saw blades is aligned perpendicular to the two horizontally aligned saw blades so as to form a longitudinal cut down through the centrally located intermediary portion or spine of the single natural butterfly boneless breast so as to separate the single natural breast into two portions.

Abstract: A semiautomated machine (10) cuts a disk (60a) from the mouth side of sea urchin shells (60) for efficient extraction of gonads, the sea urchin reproductive organs, with minimal damage. The machine is capable of preserving intact the original five segmented star configuration. A conveyor (12) receives and retains sea urchins (60) with the mouth side of the sea urchin shells facing away from the conveyor. A cutter (15) is mounted over the conveyor at a cutting location (16). A relatively thin elongate cutting element (38) is spaced from the conveyor (12) and oriented generally transversely across the conveyor. An extended aligning plane (65,66) parallel to the conveyor is mounted on the opposite side of the elongate cutting element (38) from the conveyor (12) at the cutting location (16). The aligning plane (66) contacts the mouth side of the sea urchin shells and aligns and maintains orientation of the sea urchins with the mouth side of the sea urchin shells facing the aligning plane.

Abstract: The present invention allows fish processing machinery designed to process pollock or salmon, such as the Baader 182, to be adapted to process flat fish, such as sole. One embodiment of the present invention includes a generally rectangular fish holder that replaces the current fish holders on a fish processing machine. The fish holders include two arms which extend over a portion of the fins and body of a flat fish and hold it in place in the fish holder. The arms include two recesses that have slanted rear walls that center the flat fish as it is placed within the fish holder. Two slots extend across the width of the fish holder to allow a rotating blade to extend beneath the upper surface of the fish holder so as to ensure that the blades cut cleanly through the thickness of the fish. The present invention allows fish processing machinery to hold and center a flat fish so that the head and tail may be cut off to produce various products, such as kirimi.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a method and apparatus for use in processing fish body sections that have been transversely cut. The system uses a frame with a pair of shrouds, each having an interior space that contains an illumination system for illuminating the fish section. A pair of video cameras housed respectively within the shrouds scan opposed flat sides of the fish section to produce images of the respective sides. Screens move behind the fish section in sequential fashion as each camera scans the fish section.

Abstract: A keel bone aligning apparatus (70) aligns the keel bone (78) of a carcass (10) with a rotary halving blade (61) so that the keel bone (78) is centrally cut with precision as the carcass (10) is carried along a processing path (12) and suspended by its legs (13) via a conveyor (11). As the carcass approaches the keel bone aligning apparatus (70), the visceral cavity (22) is introduced onto an internal guide rail (33). The keel bone aligning apparatus (70) has an angled guide plate (75) and a rollers (76a, 76b). The angled guide plate (75) initially engages and guides a portion of the carcass in the area of the keel bone. The rollers (76a, 76b) subsequently engage and guide the carcass portion during the cutting of the keel bone (78) by the rotary, halving blade (61).

Abstract: A device for cutting up deep-frozen foodstuffs, in particular fish, has a plurality of saw bands (6) of a band saw arranged side by side at a distance apart, which cut the right parallelepipedal bodies (2, 3) into a plurality of smaller right parallelepipedal units. The fragments produced during cutting are extracted by a current of blast air, which flows around each saw band, onto a pressure roller (9) arranged on top of the right parallelepipedal bodies (2, 3) viewed in the direction of transport before the saw bands (6). The pressure roller (9) spreads the fragments onto the right parallelepipedal bodies (2, 3). After being cut by the saw bands (6), the smaller units undergo no further changes.

Abstract: A method of dressing a thigh cut of poultry having an upper surface, a lower surface and an elongated thigh bone having an axis. The thigh bone is positioned between the upper and lower surfaces. A first cut is made generally perpendicular to the upper surface along a first cut line extending generally parallel to the axis of the bone to remove a first side portion of the thigh cut. The first cut line is spaced from a first side of a bone by a first predetermined distance. A second cut is made generally perpendicular to the upper surface along a second cut line extending generally parallel to the axis of the bone to remove a second side portion of the thigh cut. The second cut line is spaced from a second side of the bone by a second predetermined distance such that the remaining portion of the thigh cut is generally in the form of a parallelogram in cross-section.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the mechanical skinning and filleting of poultry bodies these are saddled on carriers and guided to pass corresponding processing tools. To achieve the objects of skinning in an optimal manner, on the one hand, and obtaining a high yield in fillet meat, on the other, the carriers are designed to pivot about a vertical axis and at least one reversing mechanism is provided for the carriers, one of such reversing mechanisms being arranged between a skinning tool and a tool for releasing the meat, this reversing mechanism serving for pivoting the carriers about 180.degree..

Abstract: An installation for processing flatfish, in particular for severing the head, and, if necessary, the tail thereof, comprises a feeding device (1), means for aligning the fish and means for conveying the same in rest position on one of their sides through the operative area of processing tools. The installation can be characterized in that the conveying means (13) is provided with entrainers (14) which engage the fish at its flank remote of that lying on the support surface (16), and are controlled to turn about an axis which is perpendicular to said support surface (16). Each fish is taken over by the entrainer (14) with attention being paid to a detected measured value with respect to its size such that the point of engagement of the entrainer is uniform independent of the size.