Field of invention

The present invention generally relates to a gutting device for gutting fish, The present invention more particularly relates to a hand-held gutting device for gutting an animal including fish by means of a cutting knife and a suction unit for providing a vacuum .

Prior art

Gutting apparatuses are widely used to gut animals such as fish. A typical large scale fish gutting device is connected a suction device adjacent of a conveyor for transversely positioned fish. A knife is used for cutting the fish in order to provide access for the suction device to suck out the belly of the fish.

From DK 159585 B, an apparatus for gutting salmon is known. The apparatus is provided with a suction handle having a suction pipe coupled to a vacuum device. The suction pibe is coupled through a valve and the handle is provided with a control device for opening and closing of the valves. The handle is further provided with two electrical key switches. One switch controls the blade and keeps it in a forwarded position, as long as the switch is activated. When not activated, the blade is withdrawn. The other switch controls the valves, thus opning the valves when the switch is not activated.

These large gutting apparatuses are not suitable for being used in the open sea due to limited amount of space. Accordingly, the traditional way of gutting fish in the open sea is by means of a manual procedure, in which the fish is cut by a knife.

The manual procedure is, however, time consuming and exhausting. Therefore, the gutting procedure is often carried out ashore.

Thus, there is a need for an apparatus which enables an easier and faster way of gutting fish, including flat-fish, in the open sea. Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention can be achieved by a hand-held gutting device as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent sub-claims, explained in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The hand-held gutting device according to the invention is a hand-held gutting device for gutting an animal including fish, which gutting device comprises a cutting knife, a suction unit for providing a vacuum, and a further unit said further unit being configured for moving the cutting knife in a predefined movement pattern before and/or while the suction unit provides a vacuum.

Hereby, it is possible to provide an apparatus which makes it easier and faster to gut an animal such as fish, including fiat-fish in the open sea.

The hand-held gutting device according to the invention is a hand-held gutting device suitable for gutting animals such as poultry and fish including flat-fish. The hand-held gutting device may be applied to gut other types of animals as well.

The cutting knife may have any suitable geometrical form and be produced in any suitable material including metal, such as steel (e.g. stainless steel). The cutting knife may have circular cutting portion and a centrally provided opening, so that away portion of the animal (e.g. a fish) can be sucked through the opening in the cutting knife.

The gutting device comprises a unit for moving the cutting knife in a predefined movement pattern before and/or while the suction unit provides a vacuum .

The unit for moving the cutting knife may be adapted to translate the cutting knife and to rotate the cutting knife.

The cutting knife can be adapted to be rotated in order to provide a circular cut in the animal (e.g. a fish).

It may be an advantage that the gutting device comprises a motor rotatably mounted to rotate the cutting knife.

Hereby, the cutting knife can be rotated in order to provide a circular cut in the animal (e.g. a fish).

The motor may comprise a toothed wheel (gear) that engages with another toothed wheel (gear) that is mechanically connected to the cutting knife.

Alternatively, it is possible to apply a magnetic drive or a magnetic coupling to transfer torque from the motor to the cutting knife. The motor may be arranged at any suitable position in the gutting device.

It may be beneficial that the gutting device comprises a contact member adapted to be brought into contact with an animal (e.g. a fish), wherein an opening is provided in the contact member, through which opening the cutting knife extends when the cutting knife is rotated.

Hereby, the contact member can be brought into contact with an animal (e.g. a fish) in order to allow the cutting knife to be positioned in the most suitable position. Moreover, by bringing the contact member in contact with the animal it is possible to maintain the animal in a fixed position relative to the gutting device by providing a vacuum condition (the animal is sucked into contact with the gutting device).

It may be an advantage that the cutting knife is configured to be maintained in the same position along a Iongitudinal axis of the gutting device and that the contact member is made in a resilient material such as rubber.

It may be beneficial that the cutting knife is configured to be arranged in a first position, in which the cutting knife does not protrude from the gutting device when the contact member is not compressed, and that the cutting knife is configured to be arranged in a second position, in which the cutting knife protrudes from the gutting device, when the contact member is compressed.

Hereby, the cutting knife can be bought into a protruding configuration simply by compressing the resilient contact member. The contact member may be compressed by the vacuum provided when the handle is used to seal the opening in the pipe housing.

Accordingly, there is no need for (mechanical) means for displacing the cutting knife.

It may be advantageous that the cutting knife is displaceably mounted.

Hereby, it is possible to bring the cutting knife down into the animal (e.g. a fish) in order to provide a suction opening. Moreover, the knife can be retracted into a positioned, in which the knife member does not protrude from the gutting device,

It may be an advantage that the cutting knife is displaceably mounted in a pipe housing.

It may be beneficial that the gutting device is configured to provide a vacuum that allows the gutting device to be kept in contact with an animal (e.g. a fish) as long as the vacuum is maintained.

Hereby, the gutting device can keep the animal fixed to the gutting device and the belly (or other unwanted parts) of the animal can be removed.

It may be advantageous that the gutting device comprises a handle that is configured to activate the cutting knife and to activate a valve member providing vacuum that allows the gutting device to effectively suck up the part of the animal (e.g. a fish) that is cut by the cutting knife. Hereby, the gutting device can provide a cut and suck away the unwanted parts of the animal (e.g. a fish), including the belly.

The valve member may be a moveably mounted plate structure.

The handle may be rotatably mounted to the gutting device.

It may be an advantage that the handle is configured to, preferably at the same time, activate the established vacuum in the contact member or the area around the cutting knife.

It may be beneficial that the gutting device comprises a weight device for weighing an animal such as a fish. It may be an advantage that the gutting device is configured to weigh the fish while the fish is maintained in contact with the gutting device due to vacuum .

Hereby, the gutting device can be used to weigh the fish in a fast manner while using the gutting device.

It may be advantageous that the gutting device comprises a spring member arranged in a manner in which the length of the spring member is detected by means of a position indicator and a corresponding position sensor of the gutting device.

Hereby, the length of the spring member can be used to determine the weight of the animal. It may be beneficial that the spring member is arranged in the pipe housing.

It may be an advantage that the cutting knife can be arranged in a first position, in which the cutting knife does not protrude from the gutting device and in a second position, in which the cutting knife protrudes from the gutting device, wherein the gutting device is adapted to displace the cutting knife between the first position and the second position.

Hereby, the cutting knife can be used to cut in the second position and be kept in a safe way (wherein there is no risk for injury to the person handling the gutting device) when positioned in the first position.

It may be advantageous that the motor is a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor,

The motor may be an electrical motor.

It may be an advantage that the gutting device comprises an outer pipe connection member configured to receive an inner pipe connection member.

Hereby it is possible to connect a suction tube or suction pipe or suction hose to the outer pipe connection member of the gutting device. The gutting device may preferably be provided with a regulation member for regulating the pressure provided by the gutting device. Such regulation member may be a mechanical regulation member or an electronic regulation member. It may be advantageous that the gutting device comprises a conduct structure and a spiked spike member provided with a number of openings, wherein the spike member is attached to the distal end of the conduit structure and configured to be inserted into the abdomen of a fish. Hereby, it is possible to insert the spike member and inject or spray a media into the fish in order to facilitate the cleaning process.

It may be beneficial that the gutting device comprises a pressure generating unit connected to the conduct structure, wherein the pressure generating unit is configured to pressurise a fluid and pump it into the conduct structure and further into the fish through the openings in the spike member,

Hereby, it is possible to pressurise a fluid and pump it into the conduct structure and further into the fish through the openings in the spike member in order to facilitate an improved cleaning process. Furthermore, it prevents collapse of the abdomen of the fish when the belly is sucked out of the abdomen, The pressure generating unit may be of any suitable type and size. The pressure generating unit may be a pump, a compressor or an injector.

It may be an advantage that the gutting device comprises a pipe structure, wherein the spike member is attached to the pipe structure by means of an attachment structure.

Hereby, it is possible to move the spike member synchronously with the cutter knife along the longitudinal axis of the gutting device. Accordingly, the cutter knife and the spike member may be driven by the same actuation device.

It may be beneficial that the spike member is provided next to the cutting knife and protrudes from the cutting knife. Hereby, the spike member can introduce fluid into the abdomen of a fish in a manner in which the fluid can be sucked into the gutting device through a cut-away area (hole) in the cutter knife.

It may be beneficial that the gutting device comprises an activation device configured to turn on and turn off the pressure generating unit.

Hereby, it is possible to control when fluid is introduced into the abdomen of the fish. one embodiment according to the invention, the gutting device comprises a regulation device configured to regulate the flow of the fluid. The regulation device may be a frequency converter being part of a pump or compressor,

It may be an advantage that the spike member is detachably attached to a conduct structure.

Hereby, it is possible to replace the spike member and reuse the conduct structure. it may be an advantage to have a first device for displacing the cutter knife and a second device for displacing the spike member,

Description of the Drawings

The invention wil l become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below. The accompanying drawings are given by way of illustration only, and thus, they are not limitative of the present invention, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig, 1A shows a schematic top view of a flat-fish that has been manually cut;

Fig, IB shows a schematic top view of a flat-fish that has been cut by means of a gutting device according to the invention;

Fig, 1C shows a schematic side view of a flat-fish that has been cut by means of a gutting device according to the invention;

Fig, 2A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a gutting device according to the invention being used to gut a flat-fish;

Fig. 2B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device shown in Fig. 2A when the gutting process has been conducted;

Fig, 3A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a gutting device according to the invention while the cutting knife is retracted;

Fig, 3B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device shown in Fig. 3A, in a configuration in which the cutting knife protrudes from the gutting device.

Fig. 4A shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutter device according to the invention in a configuration in which the cutting knife does not protrude from the contact member;

Fig. 4B shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutter device shown in Fig. 4A in a configuration in which the cutting knife protrudes from the contact member and has cut a hole in a fish;

Fig. 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutter device according to the invention comprising a spring member;

Fig. 6A shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of the distal portion of a gutting device according to the invention;

Fig. 6B shows a schematic, cross-sectional, close-up view of the most distal portion of the gutting device shown in Fig. 6A;

Fig. 7A shows a schematic, cross-sectional view of the distal portion of a gutting device according to the invention and

Fig. 7B illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional, close-up view of the most distal portion of the gutting device shown in Fig. 7A. Detailed description of the invention

Referring now in detail to the drawings for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention, a gutting device 2 according to the present invention is illustrated in Fig. 2A. Fig. 1A illustrates a schematic top view of a flat-fish 2 that has been manually cut in a traditional way. The cut 4 is indicated by a dotted line. The cut 4 is arced and extends from the fin 6 to the periphery of the fish 2. The manual gutting procedure is conducted by means of a knife and the belly is removed manually.

Fig. IB illustrates a schematic top view of a flat-fish 2 that has been cut by means of a gutting device according to the invention. It can be seen that the cut 4' is circular (indicated with a dotted line). The circle basically encircles the fin 6. Fig. IC illustrates a schematic side view of a flat-fish 2 that has been cut by means of a gutting device according to the invention. It can be seen that that a cut-away area (hole) 8 is provided in the fish 2. Fig. 2A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a gutting device 10 according to the invention being used to gut a flat-fish 2. The gutting device 10 comprises a housing 12, into which an end plate 16 is attached by means of two screws 20, 20'. The gutting device 10 comprises a pipe housing 52 extending in extension of the proximal end of the housing 12,

A through-going hollow pipe member 30 extends through the housing 12 and through the pipe housing 52.

A motor 14 is mounted in the housing 12. A toothed wheel 24 is provided in the distal end of the motor 14. The toothed wheel 24 engages with a toothed wheel 26 that is fixed to the hollow pipe member 30. Accordingly, when the motor 14 rotates, the hollow pipe member 30 wi ll rotate. The motor may be a hydraulic motor connected to a hydraulic pipe. However, the motor may alternatively be a pneumatic motor coupled to a pressure pipe or be an electronic motor powered by a battery or another electric power source.

The hollow pipe member 30 is rotatably mounted by means of a first bearing 36 and a second bearing 38. In the distal end of the end plate 16 an outer pipe connection 32 is provided. The outer pipe connection 32 extends perpendicular to the outer surface of the outer pipe connection and protrudes therefrom. A suction hose 18 is connected to the outer pipe connection 32 and pipe member 30 by means of an inner pipe connection member 34 that is screwed into the outer pipe connection 32.

A cutting knife 50 is siidably arranged in the distal end of the pipe housing 52. Accordingly, the cutting knife 50 can be arranged in a first position, in which the cutting knife 50 does not protrude from the gutting device 10 and in a second position (shown in Fig. 2A), in which the cutting knife 50 protrudes from the gutting device 10. The gutting device 10 is adapted to displace the cutting knife 50 between the first position and the second position by using a handle 40 that is rotatabiy mounted to the pipe housing 52, A spring member 42 presses the handle 40 away from the pipe housing 52, however, in Fig, 2A the handle 40 has been pushed towards the pipe housing 52 in order to displace the cutting knife 50 into the second position.

When the handle 40 has been brought into the position as illustrated in Fig, 2A, a sealing member 46 is sealingly abutting an opening 48 provided in the pipe housing 52. Accordingly, the vacuum provided by a suction device (not shown) connected to the hose 18 can provide a vacuum in the pipe member 30. Therefore, a vacuum is established in the contact area in front of the cutting knife 50 that is provided with a central opening. The fish 2 is sucked into a fixed position relative to the gutting device due to the vacuum provided by means of the pipe member and the suction device (not shown).

The sealing member 46 is mechanically attached to the inside portion of the handle 40 and configured to seal the opening 48 in the pipe housing 52. An indentation 56 is provided in the distal section of the pipe member 30,

A first sealing gasket 28 is provided between the pipe member 30 and the end plate 16. A second sealing gasket 28' is provided between the pipe member 30 and the housing 12.

Fig. 2B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device 10 shown in Fig. 2A when the gutting process has been carried out.

The gutting device has been removed from the fish 2 and a cut-away area (a hole) 8 is left back. The belly of the fish 2 has been sucked through the opening in the cutting knife 50 and through hose 18 via the pipe member 30. Accordingly, the fish is ready to be placed in the right fish box.

In order to determine the weight of the fish 2, a weight device 22 is integrated in the gutting device 2. The weight device may be configured to determine the weight of the fish 2 by means of a pressure sensor detecting the pressure with which the fish 2 abuts the gutting device 10. A heavy fish 2 will (due to gravity) provide less pressure towards the gutting device 2 than a light fish 2. However, in another embodiment, a spring member (see Fig, 5) is used to determine the weight of the fish 2.

Fig, 3A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a gutting device 2 according to the invention while the cutting knife 50 is retracted and

Fig, 3B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device 2 shown in Fig. 3A, in a configuration in which the cutting knife 50 protrudes from the gutting device 2, The gutting device comprises the same features as shown and explained with reference to Fig. 2A and Fig, 2B,

In Fig. 3A the handle 40 is pressed into a position in which the sealing member 46 does not seal the opening 48 in the pipe housing 52, Accordingly, the pipe member 30 will suck air in through the opening 48 as well as the opening in the cutting knife 50. The hose 18 is not connected to the outer pipe connection member 32, however, the threaded inner pipe connection 34 can be screwed into the threaded outer pipe member 32 in order to connect a suction device (not shown) to the gutting device 10 by means of the hose 18.

In Fig. 3A the spring member 42 has its resting length, whereas the spring member 42 is compressed in Fig. 3B. Accordingly, in Fig. 3B the sealing member 46 seals against the pipe housing 52 and hereby sealingiy closes the opening 48 in the pipe housing 52. In Fig. 3B the cutting knife 50 has been displaced along the longitudinal axis X of the gutting device 10 and thus the cutting knife 50 protrudes from the distal portion of the pipe housing 52, Fig, 4A illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device 10 according to the invention in a configuration in which the cutting knife 50 does not protrude from the contact member 54, The contact member 54 may be made in a soft rubber material allowing the contact member 54 to be compressed. The thickness T ₂ of the contact member 54 is indicated. The handle 40 is (by means of the spring member 42) arranged in a position in which the sealing member 46 does not sea! the opening 48 in the pipe housing 52. Accordingly, no vacuum is provided at the distal end of the gutting device 10. Fig. 4B illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device 10 shown in Fig. 4A in a configuration in which the cutting knife 50 protrudes from the contact member 54 and has cut a hole 8 in the fish 2 attached (by suction) to the gutting device 10. The thickness Ti of the contact member 54 is indicated and it can be seen that the contact member 54 has been compressed. Accordingly, the uncompressed thickness T2 of the contact member 54 is larger than the thickness Ti of the contact member 54. This means that:

(1) T ₂ > Ti

The handle 40 is arranged in a position in which the sealing member 46 seals against the opening 48 in the pipe housing 52 and the spring member 42 is compressed. Accordingly, vacuum is provided at the distal end of the gutting device 10 and the fish 2 is maintained attached to the gutting device 10 as long as vacuum is provided.

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of the gutting device 10 according to the invention comprising a spring member 58 for weighing the fish 2 attached to the gutting device 2. Like in Fig. 4B the handle 40 is arranged in a position in which the sealing member 46 seals against the opening 48 in the pipe housing 52 and the spring member 42 is compressed. Therefore, vacuum is provided at the distal end of the gutting device 10 and the fish 2 is maintained attached to the gutting device 10 as long as vacuum is provided. The pipe housing 52 is arranged vertically, and therefore, a valid weighing can be performed. The spring member 58 is arranged in the in the pipe housing 52 of the gutting device 10. When the length of the spring member 58 changes the position indicator 60 attached to the pipe structure 68 is displaced relative to the position sensor 62 arranged at the inside surface of the pipe housing 52. The position sensor 62 sends a wireless signal 64 to an externa! device 66 configured to receive and monitor the weight of the fish 2, The weight of the fish 2 shown in Fig, 5 is 1080 g,

Instead of an external device 66, it is possible to apply a display integrated in the gutting device 10. A wireless or wired connection between the display and the position sensor may be applied,

Fig. 6A illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional view of the distal portion of a gutting device 10 according to the invention. Fig, 6B illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional, close-up view of the most distal portion of the gutting device 10 shown in Fig. 6A, The gutting device 10 basically corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 4A and in Fig. 4B. The gutting device 10 comprises a housing 12 and a conduct structure 74, 76 comprising : a) an internal conduit 74 extending inside the housing 12 and the pipe housing 52 attached thereto and b) an external conduit 76 extending outside the housing 12 and attached to the internal conduit 74. A spiked spike member 70 is attached to the distal end of the internal conduit 74, The internal conduit 74 may be a hose made in a flexible and/or extendible material allowing the internal conduit 74 to be elongated and hereby move the spike member 70 forward towards a fish (see Fig. 7B). A plurality of openings 72 are provided in the spike member 70. The spike member 70 comprises a conical body member and the openings 72 are provided in the distal portion of the conical body member of the spike member 70. The spike member 70 comprises an attachment member 84 arranged in the proximal end of the spike member 70. The attachment member 84 is attached to the internal conduit 74, It may be an advantage that the attachment member is detachabiy attached to the internal conduit 74. The attachment member may be detachabiy attached to the internal conduit 74 by means of a rotatable connector device. The spike member 70 is provided next to a cutting knife 50.

Fig. 7A illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional view of the distal portion of a gutting device 10 according to the invention, Fig, 7B illustrates a schematic, cross-sectional, close-up view of the most distal portion of the gutting device 10 shown in Fig. 7A,

The gutting device 10 almost corresponds to the one shown in Fig. 4A and in Fig. 4B. The gutting device 10 is provided with a housing 12 and a conduct structure 74, 76 comprising an internal conduit 74 extending inside the pipe housing 52 attached thereto. A spiked spike member 70 is attached to the distal end of the internal conduit 74. The internal conduit 74 may be a hose made in a flexible and/or extendible material allowing the internal conduit 74 to be elongated and hereby move the spike member 70 forward towards a fish 2. A plurality of openings 72 are provided in the distal portion of the conical body member of the spike member 70.

The spike member 70 is provided next to a cutting knife 50. The spike member 70 comprises an attachment member 84 arranged in the proximal end of the spike member 70. The attachment member 84 is detachabiy attached to the internal conduit 74. The attachment member may be detachabiy attached to the internal conduit 74 by means of a rotatabie connector device. The gutting device 10 is configured to displace the cutting knife 50 along the longitudinal axis X of the gutting device 10 between the first position as shown in Fig. 7A and the second position as shown in Fig. 7B by using a handle 40 that is rotatably mounted to the pipe housing 52. A spring member 42 is arranged to press the handle 40 away from the pipe housing 52 as shown in Fig. 7A. In Fig. 7B, however, the handle 40 has been pushed towards the pipe housing 52 in order to displace the cutting knife 50 into the second position, in which the cutting knife 50 has been inserted into the fish 2. A fluid 80 is guided through the conduit 74 and sprayed into the abdomen 82 of the fish 2. The fluid 80 may be a gas such as air or a liquid such as water (e.g. sea water). Hereby, the fluid 80 can be sucked out of the abdomen 82 of the fish 2 through the pipe structure 68 together with the belly of the fish 2.

The fluid 80 is sprayed through the openings 72 and a flow 78 is created towards the pipe structure 68. Hereby, the fluid 80 introduced to the abdomen 82 facilitates the process in which the belly of the fish 2 is sucked into the pipe structure 68. It may be an advantage that a liquid fluid 80 such as water is introduced into the abdomen of the fish 2, because the water wi ll facilitate the cleaning process by enabling a more efficient suction. By introducing a fluid 80 into the abdomen 82 of the fish 2, it is possible to maintain an abdomen volume of a predefined size. Accordingly, the abdomen 82 will not collapse when the belly is sucked into the pipe structure 68 when the suction unit of the gutting device 10 provides a vacuum .

The spike member 70 is attached to the pipe structure 68 by means of an attachment structure 86. Accordingly, the spike member 70 is moved synchronously with the cutter knife 50 along the longitudinal axis X of the gutting device 10. The attachment structure 86 is a rigid structure comprising a first portion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the gutting device 10 and a second portion extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the gutting device 10.

The spike member 70 is attached to the pipe structure 68 in order to ensure that the spike member 70 is moved parallel with the cutting knife 50. The spike member 70 is moved synchronously with the cutter knife 50 along the longitudinal axis X of the gutting device 10.

The gutting device 10 may comprise a first device for pressuring the fluid 80 and a second device for creating the negative pressure. In one embodiment according to the invention, the gutting device 10 comprises only one device for pressuring the fluid 80 and for creating the negative pressure for sucking out the belly of the fish 2 once the cutting knife 50 has made a hole in the fish 2.

The gutting device 10 may comprise a spring member for weighing the fish 2 attached to the gutting device 2. List of reference numerals

2 Fish (fiat-fish)

4, 4' Cut

6 Fin

8 Cut-away area (hole)

10 Gutting device

12 Housing

14 Motor

16 End piate

18 Hose

20, 20' Screw

22 Weight device

24 Toothed wheel (gear)

26 Toothed wheel (gear)

28, 28' Gasket

30 Pipe member

32 Outer pipe connection member

34 Inner pipe connection member

36 Bearing (roller bearing)

38 Bearing (roller bearing)

40 Handle

42 Spring member

46 Sealing member

48 Opening

50 Cutting knife

52 Pipe housing

54 Contact member

56 Indentation

58 Spring member

60 Position indicator

62 Position sensor

64 Signal

66 External device

68 Pipe structure 70 Spike mem ber

72 Opening

74 Conduit

76 Conduit

78 Flow

80 Flu id

82 Abdomen

84 Attachment member

86 Attachment structure

Ti, T ₂ Thickness

X Longitudinal axis