Field of the invention

The invention relates to a fish processing machine comprising a first fish processing arrangement including at least one first conveyer means and one or more first fish processing means arranged to process fish transported by the first conveyer means. The fish processing machine further comprises a second fish processing arrangement including at least one second conveyer means and one or more second fish processing means arranged to process fish transported by the second conveyer means. The invention also relates to a method for processing fish.

Background of the invention

Automated processing of fish where the fish is gutted, cleaned, cut or in other ways processed is well-known in the art. E.g. because fish relatively quickly go off or at least is reduced in quality it is advantageous to be able to ensure that fish processing machines have a high capacity.

Thus, from US 2005/0009463 Al it is known to arrange several fish processing machines in parallel to increase capacity. However, this type of fish processing plant is expensive and space consuming.

An object of the invention is therefore to provide for an advantageous technique for processing fish. The invention

The invention provides for a fish processing machine comprising a first fish processing arrangement including at least one first conveyer means and one or more first fish processing means arranged to process fish transported by the first conveyer means. The fish processing machine further comprises a second fish processing arrangement including at least one second conveyer means and one or more second fish processing means arranged to process fish transported by the second conveyer means. The fish processing machine also comprises an entry opening through which fish enters the fish processing machine, wherein the second fish processing arrangement is arranged above the first fish processing arrangement and wherein elevator means is arranged between the entry opening and the first and second fish processing arrangement so that the elevator means delivers fish entering trough the entry opening alternating to the first fish processing arrangement or the second fish processing arrangement.

Arranging a second fish processing arrangement above a first fish processing arrangement is advantageous in that it hereby is possible to form a compact fish processing machine with a high capacity. Furthermore, placing one fish processing arrangement on top of the other enables that the two fish processing arrangement can be enclosed by the same shielding or enclosure and e.g. be operated by the same control system to reduce cost of the machine.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to provide such a fish processing machine with elevator means in that it hereby is possible to quickly distribute fish entering the machine between the different fish processing arrangements arranged at different vertical levels.

The term "fish processing arrangement" is in this context to be understood as any kind of processing device suited for processing fish - i.e. any kind of conveyer, apparatus, or machine comprising fish processing means in the form of any kind of processing device suited for e.g. cleaning, cutting, gutting, filleting or in another way processing the fish - typically to a more refined state.

Furthermore, the term "conveyer means" should in this context be understood as any kind of conveyer suited for transporting fish in a fish processing arrangement - i.e. any kind of haulier, carrier, belt, chain or other. It should further be noted that in this context the term "elevator means" should be understood as any lift, crane, actuator arrangement, guide arrangement or any combination thereof or any similar elevator suitable for transporting fish between different levels in a fish processing machine.

In an aspect of the invention, the elevator means comprises a first elevator conveyer and a second elevator conveyer and wherein the second elevator conveyer is arranged above the first elevator conveyer. Forming the elevator means with several elevator conveyers arranged on top of each other is advantageous in that it increases the capacity of the elevator means and enables that the elevator means may perform several operations simultaneously.

Furthermore, making the elevator means comprise conveyers is advantageous in that these enable that fish may easily and quickly enter and exit the elevator means.

In an aspect of the invention, the elevator distance between the first elevator conveyer and the second elevator conveyer is substantially half the arrangement distance between the first fish processing arrangement and the second fish processing arrangement.

Forming the elevator means so that the vertical distance - or the pitch - between the elevator conveyers is half the vertical distance - or the pitch - between the fish processing arrangements is advantageous in that it hereby is possible to distribute fish entering e.g. at a single point - e.g. the entry opening - to two fish processing arrangement arranged at different level by simply moving the elevator means between only two fixed positions. Thus, the vertical displacement of the elevator means can be done relatively inexpensively e.g. by means of a simple linear pneumatic actuator. In an aspect of the invention, the first elevator conveyer and the second elevator conveyer is substantially identically.

Forming the elevator conveyers of the elevator means substantially identical is advantageous in that it simplifies assembly, production and maintenance.

In an aspect of the invention, the elevator means comprises displacement means for alternating aligning the first elevator conveyer with the at least one first conveyer means while the second elevator conveyer is aligned with the entry opening or aligning the second elevator conveyer with the at least one second conveyer means while the first elevator conveyer is aligned with the entry opening.

Providing the elevator means with displacement means enabling that the first elevator conveyer alternating is aligned with the at least one first conveyer means or with the entry opening while the second elevator conveyer is concurrently alternating aligned with the entry opening or with the at least one second conveyer means is advantageous in that the capacity of the elevator means hereby is doubled in a simple and cost- efficient way. It should be noted that in this context the term "displacement means" should be understood as any kind of actuator, motor, solenoid or similar displacement device suitable for displacing elevator means in a fish processing machine.

In an aspect of the invention, the direction of travel of the displacement means is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the first conveyer means and the second conveyer means.

Forming the direction of travel of the displacement means substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the first and second conveyer means is advantageous in that the it enables a short displacement distance and thereby a high capacity. In an aspect of the invention, the first elevator conveyer and the second elevator conveyer are driven by common drive means so that the first elevator conveyer and the second elevator conveyer are arranged to convey simultaneously.

Forming the elevator conveyers so that they are simultaneously driven by the same common drive means is advantageous in that this is cost-effective and enables a more compact and light design. It should be noted that in this context the term "drive means" should be understood as any kind of actuator, motor, solenoid or similar driver suited for driving the conveyers of elevator means in a fish processing machine.

In an aspect of the invention, the first fish processing arrangement and the second fish processing arrangement is substantially identically.

Forming the fish processing arrangements substantially identical is advantageous in that it simplifies assembly, production and maintenance. In an aspect of the invention, the first conveyer means comprises one or more first side conveyers and wherein the second conveyer means comprises one or more second side conveyers.

Forming the conveyer means as side conveyers - i.e. conveyers designed to support of or contact the side of the fish to convey it forward - is advantageous in that it hereby is possible to position the fish more precisely in relation to the fish processing means.

In an aspect of the invention, the elevator means comprises displacement means for alternating aligning the elevator means with the first fish processing arrangement or the second fish processing arrangement. Alternating aligning the elevator means with the respective fish processing arrangement is advantageous in that this is cost-effective and enables a compact design.

In an aspect of the invention, the elevator means comprises sensor means for detecting a property of the fish passing through the elevator means.

Placing sensor means in the elevator means is advantageous in that it increases the capacity of the machine and it enables a compact design.

The invention provides for a method for processing fish. The method comprises the steps of: · delivering fish to elevator means of a fish processing machine through an entry opening of the fish processing machine,

• alternating delivering the fish from the elevator means to a first fish processing arrangement or to a second fish processing arrangement arranged above the first fish processing arrangement, and

· concurrently processing fish in the first fish processing arrangement and the second fish processing arrangement.

Processing fish both at an upper fish processing arrangement and a lower fish processing arrangement during the same period of time is advantageous in that it enables a compact machine design and a machine having a high capacity.

In an aspect of the invention, fish is delivered from the elevator means to either the first fish processing arrangement or to the second fish processing arrangement while at substantially the same time fish is being delivered to the elevator means through the entry opening. Simultaneously both leading fish in and out of the elevator means ensures a high capacity of the fish processing machine.

In an aspect of the invention, the method is a method for processing fish in a fish processing machine according to any of the previously mentioned fish processing machines.

Figures

The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which fig. 1. illustrates a fish processing machine, as seen from the side, fig. 2 illustrates the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1, as seen in perspective, illustrates a cross section through the middle of the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means in bottom position, as seen from the side, illustrates a cross section through the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means in bottom position, as seen from the front, fig. 5 illustrates a cross section through the middle of the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means in top position, as seen from the side, fig. 6 illustrates a cross section through the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means in top position, as seen from the front, fig. 7 illustrates elevator means, as seen from the side, fig. 8 illustrates a elevator means, as seen from the front, and fig. 9 illustrates a elevator means, as seen from the top.

Detailed description

Fig. 1 illustrates a fish processing machine 1, as seen from the side and fig. 2 shows the fish processing machine 1 shown in fig. 1, as seen in perspective.

In this embodiment the fish processing machine 1 is shown without cover plates which would normally enclose the machine 1 so that an operator or others are protected from the inner machinery - e.g. the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 - during operation. The machine is shown without cover plates to enable a better view of the inner parts of the fish processing machine 1.

In this embodiment the fish processing machine 1 comprises a first fish processing arrangement 2 arranged at the bottom of the machine 1 and a second fish processing arrangement 6 arranged directly above the first fish processing arrangement 2. I.e. in this embodiment the fish processing machine 1 only comprises two fish processing arrangements 2, 6 but in another embodiment the machine 1 could comprise three, four, five, six or even more fish processing arrangements 2, 6 where some could be arranged side by side but at least one would have to be arranged directly above another fish processing arrangement 2, 6. In this embodiment each of the two fish processing arrangements 2, 6 comprises conveyer means 3, 7 and a number of fish processing means 4, 21 and in this embodiment the two fish processing arrangements 2, 6 are substantially identical in that they comprise the same number and types of conveyer means 3, 7 and fish processing means 4, 21. However in another embodiment the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 could be different i.e. they could comprise different types of conveyer means 3, 7 and/or fish processing means 4, 21 and/or they could comprise different numbers of conveyer means 3, 7 and/or fish processing means 4, 21. In this embodiment the fish processing machine 1 comprises an entry opening 8 arranged at one end of the machine 1. Though this opening 8 fish 5 can be fed manually or automatically into the fish processing machine 1. In another

embodiment the fish processing machine 1 could comprise two, three, four or more entry openings 8 and the entry openings could be positioned differently on the fish processing machine 1.

However, even though the two fish processing arrangements 2, 6 in this embodiment are substantially identical they do not have to operate synchronously. I.e. since the elevator means in this embodiment delivers fish 5 alternatingly to the first fish processing arrangement 2 or the second fish processing arrangement 6, the two fish processing arrangements 2, 6 will in this embodiment operate asynchronously - i.e. substantially identical fish processing means 4, 21 at the first fish processing arrangement 2 will not operate simultaneously with the fish processing means 4, 21 at the second fish processing arrangement 6. However in another embodiment the two fish processing arrangements 2, 6 could operate more or less synchronously - thus, enabling common drive means and other features that would reduce cost.

In this embodiment fish 5 fed through the entry opening 8 will enter into elevator means 9 arranged between the entry opening 8 and the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 and in this embodiment the elevator means 9 comprises a first elevator conveyer 10 and a second elevator conveyer 11. The elevator conveyers 10, 11 will aid in pulling the fish 5 into the machine 1, they will aid in delivering the fish to the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 and they will aid in maintaining the orientation of the fish 5. In another embodiment the elevator means 9 could comprise another number of elevator conveyers 10, 11 - such as one, three, four, six or more - and/or the elevator conveyers 10, 11 could be arranged differently in relation to each other - such as side by side, staggered or other.

In this embodiment the elevator means 9 comprises displacement means 12 arranged to displace the elevator conveyers 10, 11 substantially vertically up and down between two fixed positions to alternately align the first elevator conveyer 10 with the first fish processing arrangement 2 - while the second elevator conveyer 11 is aligned with the entry opening 8 - or align the second elevator conveyer 11 with the second fish processing arrangement 6 - while the first elevator conveyer 11 is aligned with the entry opening 8. However in another embodiment the elevator means 9 would only comprise a single elevator conveyer 10, 11 and the displacement means 12 would therefore have to stop at at least three different positions.

In this embodiment the displacement means 12 is a single linear pneumatic actuator but in another embodiment the displacement means 12 could comprise one or more electrical linear actuators, motors and pulley drive, a chain drive, a rack and pinion drive or other or any combination thereof.

This, in this embodiment the direction of travel of the displacement means 12 is substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the first conveyer means 3 and the second conveyer means 7. But in another embodiment the direction of travel of the displacement means 12 could be slanting or follow a more or less complex curve and therefore at least not always be perpendicular to the direction of travel of the conveyer means 3, 7. In this embodiment, all the fish processing means 4, 21 and all the conveyer means 3, 7, 10, 11 are lined up so that the longitudinal direction of the fish 5 are arranged substantially perpendicular to the transport direction. In principle the fish 5 could in another embodiment also or instead be arranged side by side - instead of head to tail.

Thus, in another embodiment the fish processing means 4, 21 could instead be arranged parallel side by side in the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 so that the longitudinal direction of fish 3 was arranged substantially perpendicular with the transport direction of the conveyer means 3, 7, 10, 11.

By the term "longitudinal direction" is to be understood the direction defined by the length of the fish 5 i.e. the length measured from head of the fish 5 to the tail fin of the fish 5. It should be noted that on all illustrations the fish 5 is shown without a tail fin but in an embodiment of the invention the fish 5 would comprise its tail all the way through the fish processing machine 1 or the tail could be removed in the fish processing machine 1. Fig. 3 illustrates a cross section through the middle of the fish processing machine 1 shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means 9 in bottom position, as seen from the side and fig. 4 illustrates a cross section through the fish processing machine 1 shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means 9 in bottom position, as seen from the front. In this embodiment the elevator means 9 comprises sensor means 16 in the form of a measuring arm arranged for detecting the outer contour of the abdomen of the fish 5 passing through the elevator means 9. However, in another embodiment the sensor means 16 could comprise other types of sensors, such as radar, infrared sensors, ultrasound sensors, proximity switches or other or any combination thereof and/or the sensor means 16 could be arranged to detect other properties of the fish 5 such as the height, the length, the size of the head, the location of the mouth or other.

In another embodiment the elevator means 9 could also or instead comprise fish processing means 4, 21.

In this embodiment the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 comprises fish processing means 4, 21 in the form of an abdomen cutting device 25 for cutting open the abdomen of the fish 5, mouth access providing means 22 i.e. means for enabling access to the inside of the fish 5 through its mouth and oesophagus severing means 20 to be inserted through the mouth access providing means 22 and the mouth of the fish 5 for cutting the oesophagus free of the fish 5 through the mouth. In this embodiment the oesophagus severing means 20 is formed hollow so that by establishing a partial vacuum inside the oesophagus severing means 20, the oesophagus severing means 20 is also used for removing the entrails of the fish 5 through the mouth. However, in another embodiment the entrails could be removed in another operation.

In this embodiment the fish processing arrangements 2, 6 further comprises fish processing means 4, 21 in the form of a cutting device 23 arranged to cut the blood vein extending along the spine of the fish 5 and a cleaning device 24 arranged to clean the inside of the fish 5 by means of suction.

However, in another embodiment the fish processing means 4, 21 could be arranged in a different order, one or more of the fish processing means 4, 21 could be omitted or replaced by other types of fish processing means 4, 21 or further fish processing means 4, 21 could be added.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cross section through the middle of the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means in top position, as seen from the side and fig. 6 illustrates a cross section through the fish processing machine shown in fig. 1 with the elevator means in top position, as seen from the front.

In the embodiment disclosed in fig. 3 and 4 the elevator means 9 is positioned in lower position where the first elevator conveyer 10 is aligned with the first conveyer means 3 of the first fish processing arrangement 2 while the second elevator conveyer 11 is aligned with the entry opening 8.

And in the embodiment disclosed in fig. 5 and 6 the elevator means 9 is positioned in upper position where the first elevator conveyer 10 is aligned with the entry opening 8 while the second elevator conveyer 11 is aligned with the second conveyer means 7 of the second fish processing arrangement.

Hereby the elevator means 8 always only have to stop in two fixed positions. This setup requires that the elevator distance ED between the first elevator conveyer 10 and the second elevator conveyer 11 is substantially half the arrangement distance AD between the first fish processing arrangement 2 and the second fish processing arrangement 6 - i.e. the entry opening 8 will have to be positioned vertically substantially in the middle between the first elevator conveyer 10 and the second elevator conveyer 11. However in another embodiment the elevator means could comprise means for mutual vertical displacement of the first elevator conveyer 10 and the second elevator conveyer 11 so that the elevator distance ED would not necessary have to be half the arrangement distance AD. I.e. in this embodiment fish 5 is delivered into the fish processing machine 1 through the entry opening 8 where it in the embodiment continues into the first elevator conveyer 10 of the elevator means 9. Once the fish 5 is fully in position in the first elevator conveyer 10 the displacement means 12 will lower the elevator means 9 so that the first elevator conveyer 10 is now aligned with the first conveyer means 3 of the first fish processing arrangement 2 while the second elevator conveyer 11 is aligned with the entry opening 8. The first elevator conveyer 10 will now deliver the fish to the first fish processing arrangement 2 while a new fish 5 is being fed into the second fish elevator conveyer 11 through the entry opening 8. Once the new fish is in place in the second fish elevator conveyer 11 and the first fish 5 have been delivered to the first fish processing arrangement 2 the displacement means 12 will lift the elevator means 9 so that the first elevator conveyer 10 is aligned with the first conveyer means 3 of the first fish processing arrangement 2 while the second elevator conveyer 11 is aligned with the entry opening 8 and the new fish 5 is now delivered to the second conveyer means 7 of the second fish processing arrangement 6 while a third fish 5 is being positioned in the first elevator conveyer 10 and so on.

Fig. 7 illustrates elevator means, as seen from the side, fig. 8 illustrates a elevator means, as seen from the front, and fig. 9 illustrates a elevator means, as seen from the top.

In this embodiment the first elevator conveyer 10 and the second elevator conveyer 11 is substantially identical and in this embodiment both conveyers 10, 11 are formed as side conveyers so that if the fish 5 is delivered with the abdomen facing upwards this orientation is maintained all the way through the conveyers 10, 11 in that the side conveyers will support the fish and ensure that it does not fall over.

In this embodiment the first elevator conveyer 10 and the second elevator conveyer 11 comprise individual drive means 13 but since both conveyers operates

substantially simultaneously during normal operation the first elevator conveyer 10 and the second elevator conveyer 11 could in another embodiment be formed with only a single common drive motor or other.

The invention has been exemplified above with reference to specific examples of fish processing arrangements 2, 6, fish processing means 4, 21, elevator means 9 and other. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be designed and altered in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims.

List

1. Fish processing machine

2. First fish processing arrangement

3. First conveyer means

4. First fish processing means

5. Fish

6. Second fish processing arrangement

7. Second conveyer means

8. Entry opening

9. Elevator means

10. First elevator conveyer

11. Second elevator conveyer

12. Displacement means

13. Drive means

14. First side conveyers

15. Second side conveyers

16. Sensor means

17. First fish processing station

18. Second fish processing station

19. Abdomen cutting device

20. Oesophagus severing means

21. Second fish processing means

22. Mouth access providing means

23. Cutting device

24. Cleaning device

ED. elevator distance

AD. arrangement distance