Method and apparatus for processing fish fillets and other food items into predetermined portions
AssigneeInnerspace Technologies of Alaska, Inc.
InventorLarry J. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for cutting or marking fish fillets and other foodstuffs of varying cross-section into portions of predetermined size by conveying each product through a volume scanning unit, computing correct cut locations, and then cutting or marking at each location using a guillotine-type knife mechanism. The guillotine-type knife mechanism moves in a longitudinal direction while cutting perpendicular to the conveyor surface. Dislocation of the fillet is eliminated by synchronizing knife speed with the conveyor, and by overcoming resistance of blade retraction with a retraction mechanism.
Claims20
Apparatus for cutting a fillet of irregular cross-section into a plurality of reduced size portions comprising:
- a) a frame;
- b) conveyor comprising an endless loop belt and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction;
- c) means for measuring the fillet as it moves on the conveyor to determine longitudinal position and transverse angle for each of a plurality of desired cuts;
- d) at least one guillotine blade, said cutting means for cutting as comprising a guillotine blade, said cutting means for cutting as determined from the longitudinal position and transverse angle of step (c), located above the conveyor, movable in a direction longitudinal to the conveyor, and
- e) means for keeping the cutting means positioned above the fillet and moving at the same longitudinal speed as the fillet during a cut.
A process for cutting a fillet of irregular cross-section into a plurality of reduced size portions comprising:
- a) conveying the fillet in a linear path;
- b) measuring the fillet as it moves on the conveyor to determine longitudinal position and transverse angle for each of a plurality of desired cuts;
- and
- c) cutting the fillet with a guillotine-type cutting mechanism as determined from the longitudinal position and transverse angle of step (b), wherein during cutting, the cutting mechanism travels at the same longitudinal speed as the fillet.
Apparatus for cutting a fillet of irregular cross-section into a plurality of reduced size portions comprising:
- a) a frame;
- b) conveyor comprising an endless loop belt and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction;
- c) means for measuring the fillet as it moves on the conveyor to determine longitudinal position and transverse angle for each of a plurality of desired cuts;
- d) at least one cutting means for cutting as determined from the longitudinal position and transverse angle of step (c);
- e) means for keeping the cutting means positioned above the fillet and moving a the same longitudinal speed as the fillet during a cut;
- and
- f) a cleaning means for continuously removing detritus and liquid from the surface of the conveyor belt, said cleaning means comprising a means for directing a cleaning fluid toward said belt, a means for scraping the belt to remove the detritus, and a means for squeegeeing the belt to squeegee off the liquid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.