Trough and trough conveyor configured and adapted to convey fish transversely to its longitudinal extension

Abstract

The invention relates to a trough (10) constructed and adapted to receive fish (11) that can be conveyed by means of a trough conveyor (38) in a substantially horizontal conveying plane E in a conveying direction T transverse to its longitudinal extension, where the trough (10) comprises at least one head support (13) and at least one torso support (14), where each torso support (14) comprises a body (15), the invention relates to a trough (10) for conveying a torso support (14) having a support surface (16) parallel to a conveying plane E and a contact surface (17) oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface (16), characterized in that the contact surface (17) is formed by a divider (18) oriented at an angle [beta] not equal to 0 with respect to a longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), in which the divider (18) divides the support surface (16) of the torso support (14) into two separate areas, in particular, the support is divided into a torso support region (19) and a tail support region (20). The invention also relates to a trough conveyor (12) having such a trough (10).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a feed trough constructed and adapted to receive fish that can be conveyed transversely to its longitudinal extension direction in a substantially horizontal conveying plane E by means of a trough conveyor, wherein the feed trough includes at least one head support and at least one body support, wherein each body support includes a body having a support surface parallel to the conveying plane E and a contact surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a trough conveyor constructed and adapted to convey fish transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the fish along a conveying direction T. The trough conveyor includes a conveying conveyor capable of being driven in a cyclic manner, having a conveying stroke and a return stroke defining a conveying plane E, wherein the annular conveyor is guided around at least two steering elements for driving and / or guiding the conveyor, the at least two steering elements being rotatable about a rotation axis D, and a plurality of troughs for receiving fish are arranged on the conveyor, wherein the plurality of troughs are oriented transversely to their longitudinal axis L in the conveying direction T. Background Technology

[0003] Such troughs and trough conveyors are used in the fish processing industry to convey fish lying on their sides, preferably belly-up, in a precise posture to processing stations, such as those for decapitation, and / or to transfer areas, where, i.e., in the transfer area from the conveying stroke to the return stroke, the fish are conveyed in a purposeful and directional manner as the trough follows the conveyor around a steering element. The trough conveyor can be used as a standalone device solely for conveying purposes, or as part of a fish processing machine for conveying fish along various processing stations in such a way that the fish lying in the trough undergo processing, such as decapitation. Particularly when the trough conveyor is part of a fish processing machine, another conveying device is arranged downstream of the trough conveyor to form an arrangement for transferring fish from the trough conveyor to the downstream conveying device.

[0004] When fish are being decapitated, it is crucial that the decapitating separation device cuts as close as possible to the fish's collarbone to extract as much neck meat as possible. In other words, during the decapitation cut, it is essential to prevent the neck meat from also separating from the fish's body. Using a trough conveyor, the fish are conveyed belly-to-forward with their backs resting against the contact surface of the trough into the area for decapitating, and the fish are also positioned relative to the separation device during the actual separation process. Therefore, in addition to its conveying function, the trough conveyor with its trough also has a positioning function.

[0005] In known trough conveyors where the trough is oriented transversely to the conveying direction (transversely in a substantially perpendicular sense), a loss of yield occurs in the clavicle region during head removal cutting, causing the meat in the clavicle region to separate from the head along with the head from subsequent fillets. Because the contact surface of the trough is located at its rear edge in the conveying direction, the fish lies with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the separation cutting plane S, resulting in the aforementioned yield loss. To mitigate this effect, DE20008828U1 proposes placing the trough as a whole at an angle on the conveyor chain, such that the fish lies with its longitudinal axis at an angle, allowing the separation cutting to occur in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fish. Due to the angled installation of the trough on the conveyor, the conveyor needs a different structure compared to conventionally installed troughs where the longitudinal axis is positioned substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction within the conveying plane, which presents particular difficulties for retrofitting existing trough conveyors with troughs. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a universal and easily modified feed trough that allows for high-yield harvesting of neck meat during fish decapitation. A corresponding trough conveyor is also provided.

[0007] This objective is achieved through the feed trough described at the beginning, wherein the contact surface is formed by a partition oriented at an angle β≠0 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the feed trough. This partition divides the support surface of the torso support into two separate regions, specifically a torso support region and a tail support region. Utilizing the inclined orientation of the partition, the feed trough, on the one hand, forms a contact surface for the fish, allowing for inclined transport of the fish so that separation and cutting occur in a plane not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fish. On the other hand, the feed trough itself with the torso support can be installed with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T, making it compatible with existing systems. In other words, this feed trough combines the advantages of an easily installable and, especially, modified feed trough oriented with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T with the possibility of inclined transport of fish to efficiently extract neck meat during decapitation.

[0008] A preferred embodiment of the feed trough is characterized in that the divider extends approximately from the intersection of the end face of the body support facing away from the head support and the front edge of the body support pointing in the conveying direction T, in the opposite direction of the conveying direction T, to the intersection of the end face of the body support facing the head support and the rear edge of the body support pointing in the opposite direction of the conveying direction T. In simple terms, the divider extends diagonally across the support surface, thereby defining the tilting posture of the fish to be placed. Of course, the divider can also have different extension trajectories, as long as it forms a contact surface that can extend obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis L oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction T. With the extension trajectory according to the invention, optimal placement of the fish to achieve maximum yield is achieved.

[0009] Advantageously, each head support includes a body having a support surface parallel to the conveying plane E and a contact surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface; wherein the contact surface of the head support is formed at the rear edge of the head support at its tail end in the conveying direction T and extends as a continuation of the contact surface of the body support. This configuration allows the fish to be tilted within the feed trough along its entire length in a simple and space-saving manner, so as to orient the fish at an angle relative to the separation plane S during conveying and to hold it securely in place during processing.

[0010] Advantageously, the separator has an opening in the region facing the head support, the opening extending perpendicularly to the conveying plane E in a direction toward the support surface of the body support. This opening, which may also be a recess or material indentation, is used to prevent collisions with other machine parts, such as so-called fin catchers, measuring devices, pressure elements, or components thereof. Therefore, the opening ensures that the feed trough carrying the fish passes continuously and without collisions through each processing station, such as, for example, for decapitating the fish. The size and position of the opening can vary, and in particular, it can extend only a portion of the height of the separator. Optionally, the opening may also extend to the support surface of the body support.

[0011] Advantageously, the contact surface of the head support also has an opening that extends perpendicularly to the conveying plane E in a direction toward the support surface of the head support. This opening, which may also be a recess or material indentation, is used to prevent collisions with other machine parts. Therefore, the opening ensures continuous and collision-free conveying of the fish-carrying trough. The size and position of the opening can vary, and in particular, it can extend only a portion of the height beyond the contact surface. Optionally, the opening may also extend to the support surface of the head support.

[0012] A preferred embodiment of the feeding trough is characterized in that all areas of the support surfaces of the body support member and the head support member are located in the same plane parallel to the conveying plane E. This ensures safe conveying and stable placement of the fish, particularly in the context of the head and body of the first fish and the tail of the second fish being able to be placed on the same feeding trough. Optionally, different planes can be provided. For example, the tail support area can be higher than the body and head support areas, since the tail area of ​​the fish is generally constructed to be flatter than the body.

[0013] Advantageously, the separator diagonally divides the support surface of the torso support and is constructed and adapted on the side pointing towards the conveying direction T to serve as a linear stop for the back of the fish to be conveyed. This configuration supports the tilted conveying and placement of the fish when the feed trough is oriented substantially perpendicular to the conveying direction T.

[0014] A particularly preferred improvement to the feed trough is that the longitudinal axis L of the feed trough and the longitudinal axis L of the dividing member are... T The angle β enclosed between them has a value between 5 and 45 degrees, preferably between 10 and 30 degrees, and especially preferably between 15 and 20 degrees. This tilting posture achieves an optimal angle at which the separation device at the workstation separating the head from the body meets the fish to be decapitated. The preferred angle range allows for particularly high-yield decapitation cutting.

[0015] Advantageously, the partition is integrally constructed with the body. Correspondingly, the contact surface of the head support is also integrally constructed with the body of the head support. This allows for simple manufacturing, for example by injection molding or die casting, and forms a stable and load-bearing trough and secure retention of the fish within it. The partition or contact surface can also be constructed separately from the body, for example, preferably releasably assembled or attached to the body in another manner.

[0016] A further beneficial improvement to the feed trough is that the divider divides the support surface into two substantially triangular portions, wherein the portion facing the conveying direction T for forming the body support area is configured to be larger than the portion facing away from the conveying direction T for forming the tail support area. This division ensures sufficient and maximum support surface for the fish at its center of mass. The body requires maximum support for precise placement, while the tail only needs to be secured to prevent "bending downwards." The divider can also divide the support surface of the body support into other geometries with different size distributions. However, the protected division provides a space-optimized and functionally optimized solution.

[0017] Advantageously, the thickness of the divider perpendicular to the support surface begins on the side facing the head support and decreases in the direction opposite to the head support. This provides a space-saving embodiment that is particularly adaptable to the body structure of the fish. The thickness of a side-lying fish decreases from the head towards the tail, so that the divider has the necessary height or thickness only in the corresponding part of the fish. Of course, the height or thickness of the divider can vary. The same applies to the width of the divider. The wider the divider, the smaller the contact surface. Accordingly, the feed trough can also optionally be adapted to different fish sizes in the width of the divider by providing, for example, supplementary inserts or the like that can be fitted to the divider walls.

[0018] Advantageously, the head support and the torso support are constructed as separate components and arranged spaced apart from each other to form a gap. This configuration ensures, in a simple manner, sufficient space between the torso support and the head support for the separation device to cut the fish without collision.

[0019] A particularly beneficial further improvement is that the longitudinal axis L of the head support member K Oriented relative to the longitudinal axis L of the body support member H It forms an angle. Particularly preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the head support member... K Starting from the longitudinal axis L of the feed trough, which extends perpendicular to the conveying direction T, the head support extends backward at an angle within the conveying plane E or parallel to it in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T. In other words, the main body of the head support is arranged at an angle on the main body of the torso support, providing a common angled support surface for the fish. In this way, it is ensured that the fish is positioned in an angled posture with particular precision, so that in the feed trough where its longitudinal axis L is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction, the longitudinal axis of the fish does not extend perpendicular to the conveying direction T. By “bending” the head support, optimal fish placement is ensured in a particularly compact and space-saving manner, thereby allowing for high-yield separation and cutting.

[0020] Advantageously, in each case, the front edges of the torso support and the head support, pointing towards the conveying direction T, are oriented parallel to the rear edges of the torso support and the head support, pointing in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T. Specifically, the edge of the torso support is oriented transversely to the conveying direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough, while the edge of the head support is obliquely angled rearward from the torso support in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T. This configuration further supports the aforementioned advantages.

[0021] Particularly preferably, in addition to the torso support and the head support, each feed trough also includes a fastening element disposed at the end of the torso support opposite to the head support. By means of the additional fastening element (which preferably also includes a plate-like body), the feed trough according to the invention can be quickly and easily replaced with other feed troughs having the same fastening structure. The head support and the fastening element work together to securely fasten the feed trough in a lateral, guided manner.

[0022] Advantageously, the three components of the trough—the fastening element, the torso support, and the head support—are connected together via bearing rods. This simplifies the operation of the trough during installation and / or modification. Furthermore, the precise connection between the components remains in an uninstalled state, reducing the cost of modification or repair.

[0023] Advantageously, at least the fastening element and the head support include a fastening mechanism by which the trough is constructed and adapted to be mounted on a conveyor with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the conveying direction T. For this purpose, the head support and fastening element can have, for example, threaded holes on their underside opposite the support surface, preferably located on a linearly oriented axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough. The axis A can be located on or spaced apart from the longitudinal axis L. With this construction, the trough according to the invention can be integrated into known systems without modification or adaptation, particularly into trough conveyors where the trough is oriented with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the conveying direction T.

[0024] The objective is also achieved by the trough conveyor described at the beginning, wherein each trough is constructed and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 17. The resulting advantages have been described in conjunction with the troughs and therefore, to avoid repetition, refer to the corresponding paragraphs. With the trough according to the invention, a trough conveyor according to the invention is provided, by means of which the stable transport and optimized placement of fish used for processing, especially those requiring separation of the head from the body, are ensured.

[0025] Advantageously, two adjacent feed troughs form a complete support for a single fish, allowing the fish to be positioned such that its head rests on the head support of the first feed trough and its body rests on the body support area of ​​the body support of the first feed trough, while the tail of the same fish can be positioned on the tail support area of ​​the adjacent second feed trough that is ahead in the conveying direction T. This construction and arrangement of the adjacent feed troughs allows for the desired tilted placement of the fish in a space-optimized manner without requiring the feed troughs themselves to be tilted.

[0026] Advantageously, the longitudinal axis L of each trough is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction T within the conveying plane E. Thus, a precise vertical orientation is described (taking into account manufacturing and / or installation tolerances, of course), which greatly facilitates the quick and easy replacement and retrofitting of the troughs in a space-saving manner.

[0027] Advantageously, the plurality of feed troughs are configured to be open on the front side in the conveying direction T, allowing the fish located within the plurality of feed troughs to fall out of them in the transfer zone Ü from the conveying stroke to the return stroke. This design ensures, in a simple manner, further guidance and / or further processing of the headless fish within the feed troughs.

[0028] Advantageously, the conveyor includes a conveyor chain formed by multiple links. The conveyor chain forms a very robust and reliable conveyor, which also allows for a secure and fixed yet releasable connection to the trough.

[0029] Advantageously, in addition to the torso support and the head support, each feed trough also includes a fastening element disposed at the end of the torso support opposite to the head support, wherein each feed trough is releasably fastened to a link of the conveyor chain within the area of ​​the head support and the fastening element. This further supports the aforementioned advantages.

[0030] A preferred further improvement to the trough conveyor is that threaded holes are formed on the lower side of the head support and the fastening element facing the conveyor chain, wherein all the threaded holes of the trough are located on a linear axis oriented transverse to the conveying direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough. Alternatively, other fastening mechanisms, such as, for example, insert and / or snap-fit ​​elements or the like, may be constructed instead of threaded holes.

[0031] Advantageously, the three components of the feed trough—the fastening element, the torso support, and the head support—are connected together via bearing rods, such that the torso support is movable, and in particular rotatable, relative to the head support and the fastening element, which are fixedly connected to the conveyor chain. Due to the releasable connection of the head support and the fastening element to the conveyor chain, these components follow the chain's path of movement. The torso support is movable at least partially independently of them, for example, to allow for precise determination of the discharge position. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other beneficial and / or advantageous features and further improvements of the trough conveyor will become apparent from the dependent claims and description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the subject matter of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0033] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the material trough according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 It is based on Figure 1 A top view of the hopper.

[0035] Figure 3 It is based on Figure 1 Bottom view of the trough.

[0036] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 2 It has two feeding troughs on which fish are placed, and

[0037] Figure 5 It has multiple bases Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a trough conveyor. Detailed Implementation

[0038] The attached diagram shows a trough-type conveyor with a trough structure adapted for transverse transport, particularly of cod and hake varieties, with their backs at the tail end of the trough. The trough is specifically designed to transport and place fish in the head-removal machine area. However, the trough, and indeed the trough-type conveyor, is also suitable for transporting and placing other varieties of fish, especially those of different sizes.

[0039] Figures 1 to 4 A feed trough 10 is shown, constructed and adapted to receive fish 11, which can be conveyed transversely to its longitudinal extension direction in a substantially horizontal conveying plane E by means of a trough conveyor 38. The feed trough 10 includes at least one head support 13 and at least one body support 14, wherein each body support 14 includes a body 15 having a support surface 16 parallel to the conveying plane E and a contact surface 17 oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface 16.

[0040] The difference of this feed trough 10 according to the invention is that the contact surface 17 is formed by a partition 18, which is oriented at an angle β≠0 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the feed trough 10, wherein the partition 18 divides the support surface 16 of the torso support member 14 into two separate regions, namely, a torso support region 19 and a tail support region 20.

[0041] The features and further improvements described below, when considered individually or in combination, are preferred embodiments. It should be explicitly noted that features combined in the claims and / or in the specification and / or in the drawings, or features described in the same embodiment, can independently further improve the functionality of the aforementioned feed trough 10.

[0042] The separator 18 extends perpendicularly to the support surface 16 of the body 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition portion from the separator 18 to the body 15 is provided with a radius R, wherein the size of the radius can be varied, and can also be optionally replaced by an abrupt transition portion from the separator 18 to the body 15. The separator 18 extends approximately from the intersection point S1 between the end face 21 of the torso support 14 facing away from the head support 13 and the front edge 22 of the torso support 14 pointing in the conveying direction T, in a direction opposite to the conveying direction T, to the intersection point S2 between the end face 23 of the torso support 14 facing the head support 13 and the rear edge 24 of the torso support 14 pointing in the direction opposite to the conveying direction T. As shown in the figures, the separator 18 can also start and / or terminate slightly off from the intersection points S1, S2 or at a certain distance from the front edge 22 or the rear edge 24. Due to the inclined orientation of the separator 18, the orientation of the feed trough 10 is relative to the longitudinal axis L of the torso support 14. H The parallel longitudinal axis L and the longitudinal axis L of the separator 18 T An angle β is formed between them. The longitudinal axis L of the material trough 10 and the longitudinal axis L of the separator 18 are intersected. T The angle β enclosed between them has a size between 15 and 20 degrees.

[0043] Similar to the torso support 14, each head support 13 also includes a body 25 having a support surface 26 parallel to the conveying plane E and a contact surface 27 oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface 26. The contact surface 27 of the head support 13 is formed at the rear edge 28 of the head support 13 at its tail end in the conveying direction T and extends as a continuation of the contact surface 17 of the torso support 14. Both the contact surface 17 of the torso support 14 and the contact surface 27 of the head support 14 have material recesses. The separator 18 has an opening 29 in the region facing the head support 13, extending perpendicular to the conveying plane E in a direction toward the support surface 16 of the torso support 14. The distance of the opening 29 from the end face 23 is less than its distance from the end face 21 and depends on the position of other equipment and machine components that may collide during transport of the feed chute 10 in the conveying direction T. The opening 29 extends vertically in the direction toward the support surface 16, passing only a portion of the height or thickness of the separator 18, and terminates at a distance from the support surface 16. The contact surface 27 of the head support 13 also has an opening 30, which extends perpendicularly to the conveying plane E in the direction toward the support surface 26 of the head support 13.

[0044] The thickness or height of the partition 18, perpendicular to the support surface 16, decreases from the end face 23 facing the head support 13 toward the end face 21 opposite to the head support 13. The partition 18 also has a width B transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the feed trough 10, which is substantially constant from at least the opening 29 toward the end face 21. The partition 18 is integrally constructed with the body 15. Correspondingly, the contact surface 27 of the head support 13 is also integrally constructed with the body 25 of the head support 13. Components preferably made of plastic by injection molding, namely the head support 13 and the torso support 14, form the feed trough 10 together with fastening elements 31, also preferably made of plastic by injection molding.

[0045] The separator 18 divides the support surface 16 into two substantially triangular portions, wherein the portion of the surface facing the conveying direction T, used to form the torso support region 19, is constructed to be larger than the portion of the surface facing away from the conveying direction T, used to form the tail support region 20. The separator 18 diagonally separates the support surface 16 of the torso support 14 and, on the side facing the conveying direction T, is constructed and adapted to form a linear stop for the back of the fish 11 to be conveyed. The stopping surface 27 of the head support 13 similarly forms a linear stop for the head of the fish 11. All areas of the support surface 16 of the torso support 14 and the support surface 26 of the head support 13 of the feed trough 10 lie in the same plane parallel to the conveying plane E. Not only the torso support region 19 and the tail support region 20 of the torso support 14, but also the support surface 26 of the head support 13, lie in the same plane. Finally, the fastening element 31 of the feed trough 10 also lies in the same plane.

[0046] The head support 13 and the torso support 14 are constructed as separate components and arranged spaced apart to form a gap 32. The fastening element 31 is also constructed separately from the torso support 14 and similarly arranged to form a gap 33 relative to the torso support 14. The longitudinal axis L of the head support 13... K Oriented to the longitudinal axis L of the torso support member 14 H Forming an angle. Preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the head support 13 is... K The longitudinal axis L, approximately parallel to the separator 18 T Extending this further, the front edges 22, 34 of the torso support 14 and head support 13, pointing towards the conveying direction T, are in each case oriented parallel to the rear edges 24, 28 of the torso support 14 and head support 13 in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T. Specifically, the edges 22, 24 of the torso support 14 are oriented transverse to the conveying direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 or the longitudinal axis L of the torso support 14. HThe edges 28 and 34 of the head support 13 are tilted backward in the opposite direction to the transmission direction T, starting from the torso support 14. The longitudinal axis L of the fastening element 31... B The longitudinal axis L parallel to the torso support 14 H extend.

[0047] As previously described, in addition to the torso support 14 and the head support 13, each trough 10 also includes a fastening element 31, which is arranged at the end of the torso support 14 opposite to the head support 13. All three components of the trough 10, namely the fastening element 31, the torso support 14, and the head support 13, are connected together via a bearing rod 35 or the like, wherein the torso support 14 is rotatable relative to the fastening element 31 and the head support 13. At least the fastening element 31 and the head support 13 include a fastening mechanism 36, by means of which the trough 10 is constructed and adapted to be mounted on the conveyor of a trough conveyor with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the conveying direction T. A threaded hole 37 is preferably constructed on the underside of the fastening element 31 and the head support 13, preferably located parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 (see especially...). Figure 3 On axis A of ).

[0048] The trough 10 can be used as a separate component, especially as a replacement and / or modification. However, the trough 10 is also part of the trough conveyor 38.

[0049] Therefore, the present invention further relates to a trough conveyor 38, which is constructed and adapted to convey fish 11 transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of fish 11 along the conveying direction T. The trough conveyor 38 includes a conveying conveyor 39 capable of being driven in a cyclic manner and having a conveying stroke 40 and a return stroke 41 defining a conveying plane E, wherein the annular conveying conveyor 39 is guided around at least two steering elements 42, which are rotatable about a rotation axis D and used to drive and / or guide the conveying conveyor 39. In the illustrated embodiment, more than two steering elements 42 are provided, which are not explicitly shown and may optionally be constructed and adapted as tensioning elements. A plurality of troughs 10 for receiving fish 11 are arranged on the conveying conveyor 39, wherein the plurality of troughs 10 are oriented with their longitudinal axis L transversely to the conveying direction T.

[0050] This trough conveyor 38 is characterized by each trough 10 being constructed and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as described in detail above.

[0051] The trough conveyor 38 includes a plurality of troughs 10, wherein in each case two adjacent troughs 10 form a complete support for a single fish 11, such that the fish 11 can be positioned with its head on the head support 13 of the first trough 10 and its body on the body support area 19 of the body support 14 of the first trough 10, while the tail of the same fish 11 can be positioned on the tail support area 20 of the adjacent second trough 10 in the forward direction of conveying T. All troughs 10 are oriented such that their longitudinal axis L is perpendicular to the conveying direction T in the conveying plane E. In order to transfer the processed fish 11 to the downstream processing station after the processing step (head removal cutting in the illustrated embodiment), the trough 10 is configured to be open on the forward side in the conveying direction T, such that the fish 11 located in the trough 10 falls out of the trough 10 in the transfer area Ü from the conveying stroke 40 to the return stroke 41.

[0052] The conveyor 39 includes a conveyor chain 43, which is composed of multiple links (not explicitly shown). In addition to the torso support 14 and the head support 13, each trough 10 also includes a fastening element 31 disposed at the end of the torso support 14 opposite to the head support 13. Each trough 10 is releasably fastened to a link of the conveyor chain 43 within the area of ​​the head support 13 and the fastening element 31. For this purpose, multiple threaded holes 37 are formed on the underside of the head support 13 and the fastening element 31 facing the conveyor chain 43, wherein all the threaded holes 37 of the trough 10 are located on axis A, which is oriented transverse to the conveying direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10. For this purpose, the three components of the trough 10, namely the fastening element 31, the body support 14, and the head support 13, are connected together via a bearing rod 35, such that the body support 14 is movable, and in particular rotatable, relative to the head support 13 and the fastening element 31, which are fixedly connected to the conveyor chain 43. Therefore, fish 11 can be purposefully delivered from the trough conveyor 38 in the transfer area Ü.

[0053] The trough conveyor 38 can be used as a stand-alone conveying element. However, preferably, the trough conveyor 38 is part of a processing station. (As shown...) Figure 5 In this embodiment, the trough conveyor 38 is part of a station 44 for deheading the fish 11. In addition to the trough conveyor 38, the deheading station 44 also includes a cutting device 45 with a separation mechanism (i.e., preferably a circular blade 46 capable of rotational drive and entering the gap 32 between the head support 13 and the torso support 14 to separate the head from the body), and a control device (not explicitly shown). For deheading, the trough conveyor 38 preferably moves continuously along the conveying direction T, wherein the fish 11, forced by the construction according to the invention of each trough 10 oriented perpendicular to its longitudinal axis L and whose longitudinal axis L lies in the conveying plane E, is inclined, i.e., with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the fish 11. FBasically parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the separator 18 T In this manner, it encounters the circular cutter 46, enabling high-yield head removal cutting along the separation plane S.

Claims

1. A trough (10), constructed and adapted to receive fish (11) that can be conveyed transversely to its longitudinal extension direction along the conveying direction T in a substantially horizontal conveying plane E by means of a trough conveyor (38), wherein, The feed trough (10) includes at least one head support (13) and at least one torso support (14), wherein each torso support (14) includes a body (15) having a support surface (16) parallel to the conveying plane E and a contact surface (17) oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface (16), characterized in that the contact surface (17) is formed by a partition (18) oriented at an angle β≠0 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the feed trough (10), wherein the partition (18) divides the support surface (16) of the torso support (14) into two separate regions, namely, in particular, a torso support region (19) and a tail support region (20).

2. The feed trough (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separator (18) extends approximately from the intersection (S1) between the end face (21) of the torso support (14) facing away from the head support (13) and the front edge (22) of the torso support (14) pointing in the direction of transport T, in the opposite direction of transport T, to the intersection (S2) between the end face (23) of the torso support (14) facing the head support (13) and the rear edge (24) of the torso support (14) pointing in the opposite direction of transport T.

3. The feed trough (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Each head support (13) includes a body (25) having a support surface (26) parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface (27) oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface (26), wherein the contact surface (27) of the head support (13) is formed at the rear edge (28) of the head support (13) at the tail end in the transport direction T and extends as a continuation of the contact surface (17) of the torso support (14).

4. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The separator (18) has an opening (29) in the region facing the head support (13), the opening extending perpendicularly to the transfer plane E in a direction toward the support surface (16) of the torso support (14).

5. The feed trough (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The contact surface (27) of the head support (13) has an opening (30) that extends perpendicularly to the transmission plane E in a direction toward the support surface (26) of the head support (13).

6. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that, All areas of the support surface (16) of the torso support (14) of the feed trough (10) and the support surface (26) of the head support (13) are located in the same plane parallel to the conveying plane E.

7. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The separator (18) diagonally separates the support surface (16) of the torso support (14) and is constructed on the side pointing to the conveying direction T to form a linear limiter for the back of the fish (11) to be conveyed.

8. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The longitudinal axis L of the material trough (10) and the longitudinal axis L of the separator (18) T The angle β enclosed between them has a size between 5 and 45 degrees, preferably between 10 and 30 degrees, and especially preferably between 15 and 20 degrees.

9. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The separator (18) is integrally constructed with the main body (15).

10. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The separator (18) divides the support surface (16) into two substantially triangular partial surfaces, wherein the partial surface pointing toward the conveying direction T for forming the body support region (19) is configured to be larger than the partial surface away from the conveying direction T for forming the tail support region (20).

11. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The thickness of the separator (18) perpendicular to the support surface (16) decreases from the end face (23) facing the head support (13) in a direction toward the end face (21) opposite to the head support (13).

12. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The head support (13) and the torso support (14) are constructed as separate components and are arranged to be spaced apart from each other to form a gap (32).

13. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The longitudinal axis L of the head support (13) K Oriented relative to the longitudinal axis L of the torso support (14) H Forming an angle.

14. The feed trough (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The front edges (22, 34) of the torso support (14) and the head support (13) pointing toward the conveying direction T are, in each case, oriented parallel to the rear edges (24, 28) of the torso support (14) and the head support (13) pointing in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T, wherein the edges (22, 24) of the torso support (14) are oriented transverse to the conveying direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), while the edges (28, 34) of the head support (13) are tilted backward from the torso support (14) in the opposite direction to the conveying direction T.

15. The feed trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, In addition to the torso support (14) and the head support (13), each feed trough (10) also includes a fastening element (31) disposed at the end of the torso support (14) opposite to the head support (13).

16. The feed trough (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that, The three components of the feed trough (10), namely the fastening element (31), the torso support (14) and the head support (13), are connected together via a bearing rod (35).

17. The feed trough (10) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that, At least the fastening element (31) and the head support (13) include a fastening mechanism (36) by means of which the trough (10) is constructed and adapted to be mounted on a conveyor with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the conveying direction T.

18. A trough conveyor (38), constructed and adapted to convey the fish transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the fish (11) along the conveying direction T, the trough conveyor including a conveying conveyor (39) capable of being driven in a cyclic manner, having a conveying stroke (40) and a return stroke (41) defining a conveying plane E, wherein, The annular conveyor (39) is guided around at least two steering elements (42) for driving and / or guiding the conveyor (39), the at least two steering elements being rotatable about a rotation axis D, and a plurality of troughs (10) for receiving fish (11) are arranged on the conveyor (39), the plurality of troughs (10) being oriented such that their longitudinal axis L is transverse to the conveying direction T, characterized in that each trough (10) is constructed and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 17.

19. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 18, characterized in that, Two adjacent feed troughs (10) form a complete support for a single fish (11), such that the fish (11) can be positioned with its head on the head support (13) of the first feed trough (10) and its body on the body support area (19) of the body support (14) of the first feed trough (10), while the tail of the same fish (11) can be positioned on the tail support area (20) of the adjacent second feed trough (10) in the forward direction of the conveying direction T.

20. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The longitudinal axis L of each feed trough (10) is oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction T within the conveying plane E.

21. The trough conveyor (38) according to one or more of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that, The plurality of feed troughs (10) are configured to be open on the front side in the conveying direction T, such that fish (11) located in the plurality of feed troughs (10) fall from the plurality of feed troughs (10) in the transfer area Ü from the conveying stroke (40) to the return stroke (41).

22. The trough conveyor (38) according to one or more of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that, The conveyor (39) includes a conveyor chain (43) formed by multiple chain links.

23. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 22, characterized in that, In addition to the torso support (14) and the head support (13), each feed trough (10) also includes a fastening element (31) disposed at the end of the torso support (14) opposite to the head support (13), wherein each feed trough (10) is releasably fastened to a link of the conveyor chain (43) in the area of ​​the head support (13) and the fastening element (31).

24. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that, Threaded holes (37) are constructed on the lower side of the head support (13) and the fastening element (31) facing the conveyor chain (43), wherein all the threaded holes (37) of the trough (10) are located on axis A, which is oriented transversely to the conveying direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10).

25. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, The three components of the feed trough (10), namely the fastening element (31), the torso support (14) and the head support (13), are connected together via a bearing rod (35) such that the torso support (14) is movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the head support (13) and the fastening element (31) which are fixedly connected to the conveyor chain (43).

Images