US 5,853,321 A · Fish processing machine having refrigerated wheels

Abstract

A fish processing machine that uses a large pair of refrigerated wheels to hold a fish for processing. The wheels rotate in a clockwise direction. A fish is introduced at the top of the wheels, where it is pressed against the refrigerated wheels. By the phenomenon of frost adhesion, the fish adheres to the wheels. The wheels are angled so that they are spaced closer at the top and farther apart at the bottom. As the wheels rotate, a pair of filleting knives cut the fillets from the carcass. As the wheels continue to rotate, the fillets are automatically separated by adhering to the refrigerated wheels. The remainder of the fish falls down between the wheels to a conveyer for disposal or further processing. As the wheels continue to turn, the fillets can be further processed before the fillets are removed from the skin and the skin is cleaned from the wheels.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A fish processing device for removing fillets from a fish having a top, a bottom, and a carcass, comprising:

a) a frame;
b) a pair of rotating wheels, each wheel having a frost susceptible rim, rotatably attached to said frame, said pair of rotating wheels being articulated so that the pair of wheels is spaced close together at one point of rotation, and are spaced farther apart at a later point of rotation;
c) means for refrigerating said frost susceptible rim of each wheel;
d) a means for introducing a fish into said pair of wheels, whereby said fish becomes attached to said pair of wheels by frost adhesion;
e) a means for cutting a pair of side fillets from said fish;
such that as said pair of fillets are cut from said fish, said pair of fillets are adhered to said pair of wheels and are removed from the fish;
and
f) a means for rotating said pair of rotating wheels.

5 more elements

A fish processing device for removing fillets from a fish having a top, a bottom, a backbone, a rib cage, and a carcass, comprising:

a) a frame;
b) a pair of rotating wheels, each wheel having a frost susceptible rim, rotatably attached to said frame, said pair of rotating wheels being articulated so that the pair of wheels is spaced close together at one point of rotation, and are spaced farther apart at a later point of rotation, such that as said fish is introduced to said pair of rotating wheels, said fish adheres to said frost susceptible rims of said pair of wheels, and further such that said fish is then carried by said pair of rotating wheels as said pair of rotating wheels move in a rotating motion;
c) a means for chilling a refrigerant liquid;
d) a means for introducing said refrigerant liquid into said frost susceptible rim or each wheel;
e) an upper guide for supporting the top of said fish, being pivotably attached to said frame, and being placed adjacent to said pair of rotating wheels;
f) a lower guide for supporting the bottom of said fish, being pivotably attached to said frame, and being placed adjacent to said pair of rotating wheels;
g) a pair of rotating fillet knives in an operable position with respect to said pair of rotating wheels, such that said pair of rotating fillet knives engages said fish and cuts alongside said backbone of said fish, thereby removing said fillets from said fish as said fish moves with said pair of rotating wheels;
h) a pair of axles, fixedly attached to said pair of wheels, and also being rotatably attached to said frame;
and
i) a pair of drive motors, operably attached to said pair of axles.

7 more elements

A fish processing device for removing fillets from a fish having a top, a bottom, a backbone, a rib cage, a roe sac, and a carcass, comprising:

a) a frame;
b) a pair of rotating wheels, each wheel having a frost susceptible rim, rotatably attached to said frame, said pair of rotating wheels being articulated so that the pair of wheels is spaced close together at one point of rotation, and are spaced farther apart at a later point of rotation, such that as said fish is introduced to said pair of rotating wheels, said fish adheres to said frost susceptible rims of said pair of wheels, and further such that said fish is then carried by said pair of rotating wheels as said pair of rotating wheels move in a rotating motion;
c) a means for chilling a refrigerant liquid;
d) a means for introducing said refrigerant liquid into said frost susceptible rim or each wheel;
e) a sling for supporting said fish;
f) a knife housing, fixedly attached to said frame and positioned above said pair of rotating wheels;
g) a pair of knives, operably positioned within said knife housing;
h) a means for causing said pair of knives to descend from said knife housing into said fish, whereby said pair of knives cuts into said fish and removes the fillets from said fish;
i) a pair of axles, fixedly attached to said pair of wheels, and also being rotatably attached to said frame;
and
j) a pair of drive motors, operably attached to said pair of axles.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Fish processing machine having refrigerated wheels

Life of this patent

Fish processing machine having refrigerated wheels

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20