Apparatus and method for processing food products

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for processing food products (11), comprising: a transport device (12) having at least one transport element (14), wherein the at least one transport element (14) has at least one identifying feature (15), in particular in, next to, under and / or on the transport element (14), at least one processing station (13), which is designed and configured to process food products (11) arranged on the transport element (14), at least one capturing unit (20), which is designed and configured to capture and / or detect at least one of the identifying features (15) and / or a food product (11), wherein, when at least one of the identifying features (15) is being captured and / or detected, a region of the at least one transport element (14) can be assigned in order to form a processing region (22), wherein the at least one processing station (13) is designed and configured to process a food product (11), at least in the processing region (22) of the transport element (14), on the basis of the at least one captured and / or detected identifying feature (15). The invention also relates to a method for processing food products (11).

Description

[0001] Nordic Mechanical Engineering Rud. Baader GmbH + Co. KG, Geniner Str. 249, 23560

[0002] Lübeck

[0003] Device and method for processing food products

[0004] The invention relates to a device for processing food products comprising a transport device with at least one transport element for at least partially transporting food products, wherein the at least one transport element has at least one identification feature, in particular in, on, under and / or on the transport element, wherein in the case of a plurality of identification features, these are arranged at a distance from one another, at least one drive element for driving and / or guiding the at least one transport element in a transport direction at a transport speed, at least one processing station which is designed and configured to process food products arranged on the transport element, at least one detection unit,which is designed and configured to capture and / or detect at least one of the identification features of the at least one transport element and / or a food product.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for processing food products comprising the steps of transporting food products by means of a transport device with at least one transport element, wherein the at least one transport element has at least one identification feature, in particular in, on, under and / or on the transport element, driving and / or guiding the at least one transport element in a transport direction at a transport speed by means of at least one drive element, capturing and / or detecting at least one of the identification features of the at least one transport element and / or of a food product by means of at least one capturing unit, processing food products arranged on the at least one transport element by means of at least one processing station.

[0006] Devices and methods for processing food products have been known for many years and are used, in particular, for the efficient mechanical processing of food products in order to process them quickly, cleanly, and reliably. Such devices generally require a conveyor system to transport the food products through the device and to transport the food products to the appropriate processing station. In recent times, increased demands have been placed on the mechanical processing of food products and the resulting product extraction, which is to be implemented primarily through the use of more precise and faster devices.In addition, automated systems, such as robot-based processing equipment, are increasingly being used in processing stations. Coordination between the transport system and the processing station must be ensured to ensure processing is carried out at the right time and / or at the intended location. Due to the increased transport speeds and the increased accuracy requirements in the use of processing stations, inaccuracies or delays, for example, can lead to errors in the processing of food products, which can lead to rejects or time-consuming and costly reprocessing.

[0007] The transport systems for transporting food products comprise regularly rotating transport elements, which can also be designed as conveyor belts, conveyor belts, belt conveyors, transport belts, honeycomb belts, etc. For example, to determine the transport progress of an object on the transport system, measuring systems consisting of a rotary encoder with a gear wheel can be provided, which are connected to the conveyor belt. Such a measuring system is located, for example, at the infeed and outfeed ends of the conveyor belt. The times at which an object is located on the conveyor belt are estimated based on the progress of these rotary encoders. However, the existing measuring system does not allow for the precise determination of a food product on the conveyor belt in order to ensure reliable processing in a processing station.

[0008] Conveyor belts often experience changes in length over their service life or due to temperature fluctuations, which can change the throughput times and positioning of the objects on the conveyor belts. With the known devices, the estimated transport progress of the corresponding object at a given time becomes less accurate if the conveyor belt experiences different transport speeds or changes in length during the transport process. Changes in the transport speeds or the length of the conveyor belts make it less accurate to determine the time at which a certain object is located at a certain position in the device. Especially with longer conveyor belts, the achievable accuracy with the known measuring systems is further reduced. If the processing of the food products, for example,For applications involving waterjet cutting, a conveyor belt made of a resilient and durable material is generally required, which can be achieved, for example, with conveyor belts made of metal links. However, the metal link belts commonly used for waterjet cutting exhibit uneven transport speeds, which are caused by the flexibility of the belts on the one hand and the high mass or high transport resistance on the other. This can result in uneven wave motions and location-specific uneven transport speeds, which can lead to, among other things, inaccurate and imprecise cutting sequences.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for processing food products in which the food products can be reliably and accurately identified on a transport element in order to process them in a processing station with the greatest possible positioning accuracy. The object further consists in proposing a corresponding method.

[0010] This object is achieved by the device mentioned at the outset in that, upon detection and / or detection of at least one of the identification features and / or a food product, an area of ​​the at least one transport element can be assigned to form a processing area, wherein the at least one processing station is designed and configured to process the food product at least in the processing area of ​​the transport element depending on the at least one detected and / or detected identification feature.

[0011] The device according to the invention improves the accuracy during processing of food products by providing a concrete assignment of the corresponding food product intended for processing in conjunction with the at least one transport element in order to design and set up corresponding processing in the at least one processing station. The intended processing by the processing station can thus be synchronized with the food product arranged on the transport element, whereby precise and reliable processing of the food products can be provided. Upon recording and / or detection of at least one of the identification features, the progress of the at least one transport element can be measured independently of the at least one processing station, since a concrete assignment between the at least one identification feature and the transport element is provided.By determining and / or detecting the at least one identification feature and / or a food product in conjunction with the assignment of a processing area, position-specific processing of the food products by the processing station in the processing area can be carried out. The detection and / or detection of the at least one identification feature enables the determination of a reference value in order to assign the processing area, i.e., the area for processing the food products by the processing tools, to the transport element and to carry out a designated processing of the food product with the processing station. The at least one identification feature preferably assigns a unique identifier to the transport element, which can be identified independently of one another at different positions (e.g., at the "processing stations") of the device.The processing area is recorded and / or detected on the transport element in the transport direction relative to the at least one identification feature at the at least one processing station, or in other words, measured or retrieved, in particular taking into account at least one recorded and / or detected food product. Preferably, the processing area can be determined virtually, i.e., an area is provided on the at least one transport element in order to design and set up the subsequent processing of the food products in the at least one processing station. The virtual processing area can further preferably only be provided in a dedicated control and / or computer unit, wherein the subsequent processing can be carried out on the basis of this information of the processing area.In this way, each processing station can independently determine which identification feature of the transport element is currently located within its corresponding processing radius in order to design and configure appropriate processing for the respective food product. This allows identification features and / or processing areas on the transport element to be located and / or assigned at the time when they pass a processing station or are to be located there at a time. The processing area, in particular the virtual processing area, can further preferably be determined by means of at least one computer unit.

[0012] The device according to the invention ensures precise and targeted processing of the food product. Preferably, in this way, a detection of a food product on the at least one transport element is first configured and configured by means of the or another of the at least one detection units. This results in the processing area comprising the area of ​​the at least one transport element with the at least one food product arranged thereon. The processing area is preferably determinable based on one of the identification features, wherein the processing area extends from one of the identification features at a distance along the transport element in the transport direction T.The distance between one of the identification features and the processing area can also be "0," meaning that the processing area begins with the corresponding identification feature, which means that the food product to be processed is arranged essentially without any distance to it. The distance between the food product, or the processing area defined by the food product, and the at least one identification feature can also be referred to as an "offset" or "delta" (A). The distance can, for example, be a temporal and / or spatial difference.

[0013] Even in the case of non-triggered captures and / or detections of identification features, these missed identification features can preferably be counted "virtually," thereby increasing the device's accuracy and broadening its application range. The device's accuracy is independent of the elongation of the transport element, particularly if the delta (or offset) is taken into account. The recorded identification features during the transport element's rotations can, for example, provide information about the specific sequence of multiple identification features on the transport element in the case of a unique identification. The corresponding processing area can preferably be dynamically adapted to a food product.The detection of identification features is further preferably carried out by detecting the outer edge and / or the top and / or bottom of the at least one transport element according to a specific feature (points, elevations, notches, etc.). The "food products" are products that can be processed using the device according to the invention. The processing stations can carry out corresponding processing on the food products or on designated areas of the food products, which can be determined in connection with the identification features. The food products can be, among other things, raw products, already processed products, or further processed products. The food products are particularly preferably raw products containing meat, such as fish or poultry.

[0014] For the purposes of the invention, "transport devices" refers to all transport devices designed and configured for at least partially transporting food products. The transport devices have at least one transport element for transporting the food products. The transport device of the device according to the invention preferably has a single transport element designed and configured as an endless belt and can alternatively also be referred to as a transport belt, conveyor belt, belt conveyor, transport belt, etc. The transport element can in turn consist of several or a plurality of components, for example webs, which form the transport element. The material of the transport element is not relevant to the invention, but in preferred embodiments can consist of metal, plastic, rubber or a combination thereof.

[0015] "Identification features" generally include any features of the at least one transport element that enable detection by the detection unit. An identification feature can, for example, be an optically detectable feature such as a notch, a bulge, a thickening, a discoloration, a recess, a graphic design (code), a dot, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the identification features can include electrical or electronic components to provide or support detection and the corresponding formation of a processing area in connection with the food product. The identification features can, in particular, comprise, for example, magnetic coils, RFID chips, mechanical detection features, etc. More preferably, the identification features can be designed and configured so that they can be scanned tactilely / magnetically.For this purpose, the detection unit is preferably designed and configured to record and / or detect the identification features and / or the food products accordingly, so that a mechanical or magnetic counting (e.g. by means of a magnetizable band), a tactile scanning and / or height scanning can be provided.

[0016] In principle, any detection unit that enables the detection of identification features and / or food products can also be provided as a "detection unit." For example, cameras, in particular line-scan cameras, sensors, in particular infrared sensors, X-ray devices, light barriers, etc., can be provided for this purpose, which preferably represents at least one detection element of the detection unit. Further preferably, the detection unit can be designed and configured to detect magnetic coils, RFID chips, and / or mechanical components, or to provide tactile, magnetic, and / or height scanning. Preferably, the detection unit is designed and configured as an imaging detection unit. The detection unit is not limited to consisting of a single component.The detection unit comprises, in particular, at least two detection elements, for example, sensors and / or cameras, to design and configure detection of the at least one identification feature and a food product. Particularly preferably, the at least one detection unit comprises at least one pass-through light barrier, at least one reflective light barrier, and / or at least one inductive or capacitive sensor. The at least one detection unit is preferably arranged in a stationary manner in the region of the transport device.Further preferably, at least one detection element is located at a position upstream of the processing station in order to carry out a first detection of the identification features and / or food products, while at least one further detection element of the detection unit is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station in order to design and set up a renewed detection of the respective identification features and / or food products.

[0017] The "processing station" within the meaning of the invention can be any station that designs and sets up a processing of the food products. Such processing is, in particular, cutting, dividing, separating, etc., of the food products or parts thereof, which is carried out by means of suitable devices. However, processing of the food products can also include a further processing step, for example, to carry out forwarding, further transport, gripping, weighing, sorting, etc. of the food products. Such processing stations are also known under the terms cutting devices, gutting devices, separating devices, distribution devices, transfer devices, etc. The processing stations comprise at least one means that can be brought into engagement and / or interaction with the food products.

[0018] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least one detection unit is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station in order to design and set up a determination of the processing area in conjunction with the detection and / or detection of identification features before, during and / or after the processing of the food products. By appropriately arranging the at least one detection unit, the identification feature can be detected depending on the intended processing or configuration of the device. Preferably, at least one detection unit is arranged in front of the processing station in order to assign the processing area depending on the detected identification feature(s). A preferred positioning of at least one of the detection units orof a detection element of the detection unit, for example a sensor, is a location at which the identification feature has been detected and evaluated essentially at the exact moment the identification feature is located under or in the processing station. In a preferred embodiment, detection takes place first, for example by means of a hardware timer module, and then evaluation takes place, for example by means of a software control program. Due to delays in signal detection of identification features and the time-consuming evaluation of the detected identification features, in practice an arrangement of the at least one detection unit or detection element upstream of the processing station is preferred.The detection element can further preferably be positioned at a known distance in front of the processing station, which must be taken into account when allocating the processing area.

[0019] The detection of an identification feature behind a processing station can be relevant, for example, if it generates structural advantages, such as easier accessibility or ease of cleaning. Alternatively, at least one detection unit can be used for more than one processing station, with at least one of the detection units then preferably being arranged between two processing stations. The at least one detection unit is preferably arranged at a defined or known distance from the processing station. There is therefore a known position at which the at least one identification feature is detected and a known position at which the at least one processing station is arranged, from which the corresponding distance can be determined. This distance can be positive, zero, or negative.When the at least one identification feature is detected, the transport speed can be used to determine when the at least one identification feature is located directly below the processing station in order to form and initiate the corresponding processing on the food product by the processing station. This identification feature to be detected thus optimally represents the start of processing on the food product. Using the detection unit, the start of processing can further preferably take into account a distance to the identification feature to be detected, particularly if the start of processing is located behind the processing station.

[0020] An advantageous further development is characterized in that at least one product detection unit is arranged upstream of and / or in the at least one processing station in order to detect and / or detect a food product on the at least one transport element, wherein the detected and / or detected food product can be assigned to at least one detected and / or detected identification feature in order to define and establish a determination of the processing area on the at least one transport element for processing the food product by the at least one processing station. In this way, an association of the food product with the at least one identification feature can be formed in order to identify the corresponding food product upon subsequent renewed detection of the at least one identification feature in order to define and establish processing thereon.Preferably, the at least one product detection unit is a component of the detection unit in order to provide detection of the food product in conjunction with the at least one identification feature and to form and set up a renewed detection of the identification feature at the processing station. In advantageous embodiments, the product detection unit can be integrated into the detection unit, wherein the detection unit detects at least one food product and one identification feature. The detection unit further preferably comprises, for example, a sensor in order to detect the at least one identification feature, and the product detection unit comprises, for example, a camera, wherein a link between the food product and the at least one identification feature is provided in order to form and set up the processing area and the processing by the processing station.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one detection unit and / or the at least one product detection unit assigns a food product and / or a specific area of ​​a food product with at least one of the identification features, wherein the at least one processing station designs and sets up processing of the food product in the processing area. Assigning a specific area of ​​a food product is particularly useful when processing of the food product is intended in a predetermined area and / or when multiple identification features are located along the length of the food product on the transport element. With a corresponding assignment of a food product and / or a specific area of ​​the food product, targeted processing can be carried out by processing stations in the processing area.Preferably, a food product can have several processing areas, because each of the identification features can preferably form its own processing area, which can be assigned to the food product, in particular if the food product lies on at least one transport element with several identification features (e.g. webs), theoretically several processing areas are possible.

[0022] A useful embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one detection unit is designed and configured to determine a sequence between at least one further detected identification feature, based on a first detected and / or detected identification feature. The device preferably comprises a plurality or multiplicity of identification features. The detected sequence of multiple identification features allows the position of an associated food product to be determined based on a first detection of an identification feature and a further detection of a corresponding identification feature.If identification features are arranged at a distance from one another on the at least one transport element, the distance between at least one food product arranged therebetween and at least one of the identification features can further preferably be determined, taking the corresponding offset into account, in order to design and set up corresponding processing by the at least one processing station.

[0023] A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the determination of the sequence between two or more identification features is designed and configured taking into account the expected transport speed of the transport element and / or the time period between the capture and / or detection of two or more identification features and / or the number of captured and / or detected identification features. The expected transport speed represents, in particular, the predetermined transport speed of the transport element, although a slight deviation may occur due to the mechanical stress on the transport element.Furthermore, by detecting various identification features by at least one detection unit, it is possible to derive a conclusion about the transport speed of the transport element, taking into account the intervening time period, the sequence, and / or the distance. Alternatively, the expected transport speed can also be referred to, for example, as the virtual, calculated, or anticipated transport speed. The expected transport speed is particularly advantageous for a detection unit upstream of the processing station for detecting the identification features in order to determine the processing area for the food product based on the expected transport speed.The expected transport speed is further preferably predetermined, for example, by the transport device and can be provided for the control of the device and / or detected by means of transport speed sensors.

[0024] A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, starting from a recorded and / or detected identification feature, further identification features can be recorded and / or detected, wherein upon recording and / or detection of the further identification feature(s) by the recording unit, their distance and / or their sequence can be determined. The recorded identification features make it possible to determine the processing area of ​​the food products on the transport element. Furthermore, by recording different identification features by the at least one recording unit, taking into account the time interval between them, a conclusion can be drawn about the transport speed of the transport element.Further preferably, the actual object position of the food product on the transport element can be derived / determined by the time span, the sequence, and / or the count (so-called counter-identification feature assignment) between the recorded and / or detected identification features in conjunction with the recorded and / or detected food product, taking into account the approximate transport speed. The difference between the actual object position of a food product and the position of the related identification feature can be referred to, for example, as "delta" (A) or "offset." Preferably, the device comprises a plurality or multiplicity of identification features that can be recorded by the at least one recording unit in order to determine their distance and / or sequence.In this way, the processing area and / or the position of a food product can be determined with respect to at least one of the identification features in order to design and set up precise processing of the food product in the processing station.

[0025] A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the device, in particular the at least one detection unit and / or the at least one product detection unit, further comprises at least one computer unit and / or at least one control unit, which is designed and configured to associate the processing area of ​​the transport element with the detected and / or detected identification features and / or the food products. For this purpose, the at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit is further preferably designed and configured to determine the offset based on the position of at least one identification feature and the food product on the transport element.The at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit provide a means of coordinating, for example, the computing and / or control operations occurring during the determination of the processing area, the ascertainment of the expected transport speed, and the detection of the identification features and / or the food products with the processing by the processing station. Furthermore, the processing station is preferably controlled by means of the at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit. The device preferably comprises a central computer unit and / or control unit that designs and implements a calculation and / or control of the individual device components.In a further preferred embodiment, at least one computer unit and / or at least one control unit can be arranged in at least one of the detection units, in at least one of the product detection units or in at least one of the processing stations or can be connected thereto.

[0026] An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit is designed and configured to determine the processing area on the at least one transport element, wherein the sequence of the recorded and / or detected identification features can be determined in order to design and configure processing of the food product by means of the at least one processing station in the processing area. The at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit represents a possibility for efficiently designing and configuring, for example, the computing and / or control operations that occur when determining the processing area.The at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit can, for example, initially provide the detection of the identification features in order to subsequently carry out the evaluation of the detected identification features, for example, to determine or calculate the sequence, the transport speed, or the distance between at least two identification features. The at least one detection unit and / or the at least one computer and / or control unit can further preferably comprise a pulse counter (pulse counter) to assign a current pulse (pulse counter) to each of the detected identification features at a specific time in order to store this pulse in a database.Based on this database, taking into account the respective identification feature in conjunction with the counted pulse (pulse counter), it is possible to convert these values ​​into a distance, whereby the processing area for the food products can be determined taking into account the recorded and / or detected food products.

[0027] Preferably, the control and / or computer unit is connected to the detection unit in such a way that it is designed and configured to receive and evaluate the identification features detected by the detection unit, wherein the detected identification features form a data set. In a preferred embodiment, the control and / or computer unit is designed and configured as a component of the detection unit or is integrated into the detection unit. The control and / or computer unit is further preferably designed and configured to process data sets provided by the detection unit in order to provide for the comparison of the detected and / or detected identification features and subsequent processing of the food product by the processing station.

[0028] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the processing area can be calculated by means of the at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit by an upstream detection of a food product and at least one identification feature, wherein a synchronization between the at least one identification feature and the food product is designed and set up in such a way that an offset (A) between the food product and the at least one identification feature can be determined, wherein in a subsequent, in particular a temporal or spatial, detection of the food product, the position on the at least one transport element can be assigned to the at least one identification feature, taking into account the offset (A).In order to configure and set up the processing of a food product in the processing area by the processing station of the device, a pre-detection of a food product and an identification feature is preferably carried out to establish a "synchronization" between the identification feature and the food product, which results in the determined distance or offset with respect to the processing area. This allows the position of the food product on the transport element with the identification feature to be known, taking the offset into account.This means that as soon as the detection unit, which is preferably located at a known distance in front of the processing station, detects and / or records the area of ​​the transport element on which the food product is located using the identification feature, the food product can be processed by the processing station in the processing area resulting from the offset. In simple terms, the food product is processed by the processing station of the device after detection of the corresponding identification feature (position), taking into account the offset (distance) between the identification feature and the processing area (or food product) as well as the (expected) transport speed. In preferred embodiments, several or a plurality (at least two) of detection units (light barriers / sensors / etc.)) at various known positions in the area of ​​the transport element, so that since the position of the food products on the transport element with the offset is known, a reliable conclusion can be drawn as to where the corresponding food product is located for processing by the processing station. In this way, correspondingly precise processing by the processing station can be provided. Furthermore, with the device according to the invention, aging / elongation of the transport element can be compensated for and the device is robust against changes in the length of the transport element; the accuracy remains unchanged, in particular if the offset (or delta) of at least one food product is included in relation to at least one identification feature.Preferably, the offset for forming the processing area can be determined automatically by the at least one detection unit, wherein calculation and / or control operations are carried out for this purpose.

[0029] An advantageous further development is characterized in that the order, the number and / or the position of identification features in, on, under and / or on the at least one transport element is known in advance, wherein in the event of non-capture and / or detection of an identification feature, an estimated capture and / or detection is provided based on the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element. In this way, even if at least one of the identification features is not captured, an expected consideration or capture of at least one identification feature can be designed and set up. Consideration is preferably provided if no identification feature has been captured after a defined time interval and / or if a defined number of identification features and / or a defined sequence of identification features deviates from an actual value.If, for example, an identification feature was "skipped" during detection, i.e., if detection was omitted, a virtual / estimated / expected detection of the corresponding identification feature is preferably carried out. The virtual detection of at least one identification feature further provides an assignment of the processing area on the at least one transport element in order to design and set up processing of the food product by the processing station. It is further preferably provided that, during virtual detection of at least one of the identification features, an indication can be provided, which may, for example, contain a warning message. The warning message can, for example, indicate contamination, loss, or incorrect detection of the corresponding identification feature.The device is thus more accurate, and the susceptibility to errors is reduced by preventing inaccurate measurements and the influence of incorrect identification features. Time-consuming rework of food products is eliminated, as continuous processing of food products is ensured, reducing downtime.

[0030] In a further preferred development of the invention, at least one of the identification features can be recorded and / or detected in such a way as to form and establish a reference value for determining the processing area of ​​the at least one transport element. In this way, a possibility is provided for specifically or unambiguously recording at least one of the identification features and / or for assigning a specific value to at least one of the identification features. More preferably, all of the identification features present can be specifically recorded, whereby, for example, a predetermined value, position, or attitude can be assigned to each of the identification features. Preferably, the at least one identification feature is specially prepared to form a specific reference value (“zero value / reference identification feature”) so that it can be clearly distinguished from the other identification features (e.g.B. wider, narrower, removed, coded, visually marked, etc.), and can be recorded and / or detected as a reference value at each of the recording units or at each of the processing stations.

[0031] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the further identification features can be recorded and / or detected by means of the at least one recording unit based on the reference value, wherein the distance and / or the sequence between the identification features can be determined and / or ascertained. Based on such reference values, any errors during recording, in particular missed identification features, can be compensated or leveled with the next revolution of the transport element. Further preferably, the at least one recording unit or the at least one processing station can be operated more easily (e.g.by comparing the total number of identification features per revolution of the transport element) to detect systematic errors, such as a defective detection unit (detection element), an incorrectly arranged or adjusted detection unit (detection element) and / or defective, dirty and / or identification features that need to be adjusted. A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the at least one processing station is designed and set up as a cutting station for processing fish or parts thereof, in particular as a water jet cutting station for cutting or dividing fish and / or for cutting out bones located in the fish. The device according to the invention provides the possibility during water jet cutting of determining the times at which identification features appear on the at least one transport element (e.g.The position of the bones (pinbones in a fish fillet) in a specific position (e.g., at the position of the processing station / cutting station) must be determined as accurately as possible in order to perform a position-specific action (e.g., cutting). Thus, the device according to the invention enables automatic yet precise processing of fish, resulting in resource-saving and efficient processing.

[0032] The object is also achieved by the method mentioned at the outset in that at least one of the identification features and / or a food product is recorded and / or detected during transport by the at least one transport element, wherein an area of ​​the at least one transport element is assigned as a processing area in order to process the food product in the processing area of ​​the transport element by means of the at least one processing station depending on the at least one recorded and / or detected identification feature. In this way, a method is provided to ensure precise and reliable processing of food products, which is preferably designed and configured by means of the device according to the invention. By means of the method according to the invention, a specific processing area is assigned to the at least one transport element.Preferably, a food product arranged on the at least one transport element is thus detected for processing by the at least one processing station in order to carry out a predetermined processing. The processing area is determined by the food product in conjunction with the at least one identification feature in order to carry out the processing thereon. One of the advantages of the proposed method is that the transport of the food products takes place continuously and without disruption, while it is possible to provide the processing area for processing by the at least one processing station. For the intended processing of the food products, processing areas on the at least one transport element can thus be assigned, which on the one hand enables precise and dynamic determinations of the intended processing, ieThis is particularly dependent on the positioning of the food product on the at least one transport element. Food products are typically transported at high speeds, which is why uniform and reproducible production methods are essential for high quality standards. This is ensured by the allocation of the processing area in conjunction with the detection of at least one identification feature and / or a food product.

[0033] To avoid repetition, in connection with the method according to the invention, particular reference is made to the advantages already described in detail in connection with the device according to the invention. These also apply analogously to the method according to the invention described below.

[0034] An advantageous development of the invention is characterized in that the identification features are recognized and / or detected by means of the at least one detection unit before, during and / or after the processing of the food products in order to form and establish a determination of the processing area in connection with the at least one identification feature, wherein the at least one detection unit is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station.

[0035] A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a food product is detected and / or detected on the at least one transport element by means of at least one product detection unit arranged in front of and / or in the at least one processing station, wherein the detected and / or detected food product is assigned to at least one detected and / or detected identification feature in order to design and establish a determination of the processing area on the at least one transport element for processing the food product by the at least one processing station.

[0036] A further development is characterized in that by means of the at least one detection unit at least one food product and / or a specific area of ​​a food product is / are linked to at least one of the identification features, wherein the at least one food product and / or the specific area of ​​a food product is / are processed with the at least one processing station in the processing area.

[0037] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, a distance and / or a sequence to at least one further recorded and / or detected identification feature is determined by means of the at least one recording unit, starting from a first recorded and / or detected identification feature.

[0038] An expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the distance and / or the sequence between two or more identification features is determined taking into account the expected transport speed of the transport element and / or the time period between the recording and / or detection of two or more identification features and / or the number of recorded and / or detected identification features.

[0039] A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that, starting from a recorded and / or detected identification feature, further identification features are recorded and / or detected, wherein upon recording and / or detection of the further identification feature(s) by the recording unit, their distance and / or their sequence is determined.

[0040] A preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processing area of ​​the transport element is assigned to the recorded and / or detected identification features and / or the food products by means of at least one computer unit and / or by means of at least one control unit.

[0041] A further preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the processing area of ​​a food product on the at least one transport element is / are determined by means of the at least one computer unit and / or the at least one control unit, wherein the distance and / or the sequence of the recorded and / or detected identification features is determined and / or assigned in order to design and set up processing of the food product by means of the at least one processing station in the processing area. A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that, if at least one identification feature is not recorded and / or detected, the order, the distance and / or the sequence of the missing identification feature is estimated, in particular based on the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element.

[0042] A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one of the identification features is recorded and / or detected in such a way as to form and establish a reference value when determining the processing area of ​​the at least one transport element.

[0043] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, starting from the reference value, the further identification features are recorded and / or detected by means of the at least one recording unit, wherein the distance and / or the sequence between the identification features is determined and / or ascertained.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the at least one processing station is designed and configured as a cutting station for processing fish or parts thereof, in particular as a water jet cutting station for cutting or dividing fish and / or for cutting out bones in the fish.

[0045] Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments, as well as preferred device objects, are set forth in the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the device and the method are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0046] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in side view,

[0047] Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a section of a transport element of the device according to the invention in plan view,

[0048] Fig. 3a is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in side view and Fig. 3b is a further schematic representation of the device according to the invention shown in Fig. 3a in side view.

[0049] The device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are described in more detail with reference to the above figures.

[0050] The devices 10 shown in the drawings are described by way of example as independent and separate devices 10. However, the invention equally applies to a comparable device 10 that is integrated into a more complex system with multiple assemblies or upstream and / or downstream additional device or machine components. The device 10 according to the invention is, in particular, regularly a component of a machine / system for processing food products 11, such as fish 11, in that the transport device 12 of the device 10 designs and sets up a processing of food products 11 or starting products thereof.Such devices 10 can be designed and configured to be variable, in particular in terms of (machine) width and / or length, so that several food products 11 can be transported in parallel and / or consecutively by the device 10 and processed by the processing station 13. For this purpose, the provided devices and the respective means must be adapted accordingly to provide appropriate scalability.

[0051] The intended food products 11 are preferably processed and / or treated by means of a system that may comprise a device 10 according to the invention and / or downstream of which a device 10 according to the invention is arranged. Such a system—not shown in the figures—preferably comprises various system components in order to process and / or treat the corresponding food products 11 with the intended properties.

[0052] 1 to 3 each schematically show an embodiment or a detailed view of the device 10 according to the invention for processing food products 11, comprising a transport device 12 with at least one transport element 14 for at least partially transporting food products 11, wherein the at least one transport element 14 has at least one identification feature 15 or an identifier I, II, III, IV, n, in particular in, on, under and / or on the transport element 14, wherein in the case of a plurality of identification features 15, these are arranged at a distance from one another. In the side views of FIGS. 3a and 3b, the food product is shown in perspective on the transport element 14. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3a and 3b, a plurality of identification features 15 are shown, each having its own identifier I, II, III, IV.The number of identification features 15 is not exhaustive, which is why the identifier "n" stands for any additional number or a single identification feature 15. The transport device 12 preferably has a transport element 14, which is provided for transporting the food products 11. The transport element 14 can be constructed from several or a plurality of segments or individual parts, which are called, for example, webs 16. The webs 16 preferably represent identification features 15, which can be detected and / or captured by the at least one detection unit 20.

[0053] Fig. 2 shows a section of a transport element 14 of a transport device 12, which consists of a plurality of webs 16. An example of such a transport element 14 are conveyor belt elements 17, which are known, for example, under the name honeycomb belt. The webs 16 shown in Fig. 2 can, for example, be made of metal or a durable plastic, in order to simplify processing by water jet cutting in particular. Furthermore, the section of the device 10 in Fig. 2 has a detection unit 20, which is designed and configured in particular to detect identification features 15. In the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 2, the identification features 15 can be, for example, individual webs 16 or regions of the transport element 14, which may be specially marked or modified.

[0054] The at least one transport element 14 is preferably a conveyor belt element 17, in particular an endless conveyor belt element 17, which is designed and configured to form a plurality of circuits during operation of the device 10. To drive and / or guide the at least one transport element 14 in a transport direction T at a transport speed, the device 10 further comprises at least one drive element 18. Preferably, at least two drive elements 18 are provided. Furthermore, the device 10 comprises at least one processing station 13, which is designed and configured to process food products 11 arranged on the transport element 14, and at least one detection unit 20, which is designed and configured to detect and / or record at least one of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) of the at least one transport element 14. In Figs. 1, 3a and 3b,3b, the processing stations 13 are designed and configured as fish processing stations, each of which has a processing means 21. In the figures, the processing means is.

[0055] 21, a device for water jet cutting the corresponding food products 11, in particular fish or parts of fish. In principle, however, the type of processing station 13 is not directly relevant to the invention, provided that a specific processing of the food products 11 can be carried out using the processing stations 13.

[0056] The device 10 is characterized according to the invention in that, upon detection and / or detection of at least one of the identification features 15 and / or a food product 11, an area of ​​the at least one transport element 14 can be assigned to form a processing area 22, wherein the at least one processing station 13 is designed and configured to process the food product 11 at least in the processing area 22 of the transport element 14 depending on the at least one detected and / or detected identification feature 15. In Figs. 3a and 3b, the processing area 22 of the transport element 14 lies in the area of ​​the detectable identification features 15, which have the exemplary identifiers I, II, III, IV, n. In Fig. 3a, the food product 11 is located on the at least one transport element 14, wherein the food product 11 is shown in FIG. 3b for simplified representation.3b, shown in perspective. In the embodiment of Fig. 3a, the processing area is.

[0057] 22 on the transport element 14 can be determined by the identification features 15 by having the food product 11 in the corresponding area. The processing area 22 can be determined in particular by taking into account the offset (Delta "A") or the distance between the detected and / or detected identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and the food product 11 arranged on the transport element 14. In Fig. 3a, the offset A is shown as an example, starting from the identifier I of an identification feature 15 and the food product 11 arranged on the transport element 14. The offset A varies depending on the arrangement of the food product 11 on the transport element 14, with the offset A being smaller the closer the food product 11 is arranged to the corresponding identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n).The adjoining processing area 22 extends from the respective identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), taking into account the offset A, as well as the geometry or extension of the food product 11. In the exemplary embodiment in Fig. 3a, the food product 11 extends over a plurality of identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), whereby the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can also be arranged further apart or closer to one another in further embodiments (not shown). In Figs. 3a and 3b, the offset A is shown in front of the food product 11; theoretically, a determination of the offset A in the transport direction T behind the food product 11 is also possible.

[0058] As shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 3a and 3b, in preferred embodiments, at least one detection unit 20 is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station 13 in order to design and establish a determination of the processing area 22 in connection with the detection and / or detection of identification features 15 and / or food products 11 before, during and / or after the processing of the food products 11. The position of the detection unit 20 is significantly dependent on the transport direction T. In Fig. 1 and Figs. 3a and 3b, the detection units 20 are preferably located in front of the processing station 13 or in front of the corresponding processing means 21.

[0059] In preferred embodiments, at least one detection unit 20 is designed and configured as a product detection unit 23 for detecting and / or detecting food products 11. In further preferred embodiments, at least one product detection unit 23 is arranged in front of and / or in the at least one processing station 13 in order to detect and / or detect a food product 11 on the at least one transport element 14, wherein the detected and / or detected food product 11 can be assigned to at least one detected and / or detected identification feature 15 in order to design and configure a determination of the processing area 22 on the at least one transport element 14 for processing the food product 11 by the at least one processing station 13. In Figs. 3a and 3b,3b, the product detection unit 23 and the detection unit 20 are arranged in the transport direction T upstream of the processing station 13 in order to design and set up a detection of the food product 11 and a detection of the at least one identification feature 15 before the actual processing. In a preferred embodiment, the detection unit 20 can be designed and set up both to detect the identification features 15 and to detect the food products 11. Detection of the food products 11 is aimed in particular at detecting the length, the position, predetermined specific features (e.g. bones), wherein the arrangement of the food product 11 on the at least one transport element 14 is particularly preferably detectable. The detection unit 20 and / or the product detection unit 23 preferably comprises / comprise at least one detection element 24 orProduct detection element 25, which, for example, has at least one sensor for detecting the identification features 15 and / or the food products 11. More preferably, the at least one detection unit 20 and / or the at least one product detection unit 23 assigns a food product 11 and / or a specific area of ​​a food product 11 with at least one of the identification features 15, wherein the at least one processing station 13 designs and sets up processing of the food product 11 in the processing area 22. Fig. 3a shows a schematic assignment of the processing area 22, while Fig. 3b shows the corresponding processing of the food product 11 in the processing area 22.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b, the at least one detection unit 20 is designed and configured to determine the distance and / or a sequence between at least one further detected identification feature 15 based on a first detected and / or detected identification feature 15. If, for example, the processing of the food product 11 is to take place at identifier IV, as is shown by way of example in Fig. 3b, in an advantageous embodiment the sequence and / or the distance to identifier IV can be determined based on a first detected identification feature 15, for example with identifier I, as shown in Fig. 3a. The distance can be determined, for example, by counting the subsequent identification features 15, here by way of example with identifiers II and III.In a further preferred embodiment, the determination of the distance and / or the sequence between two or more identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is designed and configured taking into account the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element 14 and / or the time period between the recording and / or detection of two or more identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or the number of recorded and / or detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n). Preferably, starting from a recorded and / or detected identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), further identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can be recorded and / or detected, wherein upon recording and / or detection of the further identification feature(s) 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) by the recording unit 20, their distance and / or their sequence can be determined. In the schematic Fig. 3a and Fig.3b shows such a distance between identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), which can be determined when several identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) are detected.

[0061] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device 10, in particular the at least one detection unit 20 and / or the at least one product detection unit 23, further comprises at least one computer unit 26 and / or at least one control unit 26, which is designed and configured to associate the processing area 22 of the transport element 14 with the detected and / or detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or the food products 11. In Figs. 1 to 3, the at least one computer unit 26 and / or the at least one control unit 26 is shown by way of example in the detection unit 20 and the product detection unit 23 as a single component. In further embodiments—not shown in detail in the figures—the at least one computer unit 26 and / or the at least one control unit 26 can alternatively or additionally be a separate unit.In a further preferred embodiment, the processing station 13 can also comprise at least one computer unit 26 and / or at least one control unit 26, which is designed to carry out computing and / or control operations, in particular to associate the processing area 22 of the transport element 14 with the detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or the food products 11 in order to calculate and / or carry out the intended processing.Further preferably, the at least one computer unit 26 and / or the at least one control unit 26 is designed and configured to determine the processing area 22 on the at least one transport element 14, wherein the distance and / or the sequence of the recorded and / or detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can be determined in order to design and configure a processing of the food product 11 by means of the at least one processing station 13 in the processing area 22.

[0062] Preferably, the order, number and / or position of identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) in, on, under and / or on the at least one transport element 14 is known in advance, wherein, in the event of a lack of detection and / or detection of an identification feature 15, an estimated detection and / or detection is provided based on the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element 14. In Figs. 3a and 3b, identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) are identified by way of example, wherein, in particular, their order, number and / or position on the transport element 14 is known in advance. In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can be detected and / or detected in such a way as to form and establish a reference value for determining the processing area 22 of the at least one transport element 14.For example, the identification feature 15 with the identifier "I" can be determined as a reference value, for example by the identification feature 15 being different from the further identification features 15 (II, III, IV, n), thereby enabling specific detection and assignment as a reference value. Further preferably, based on the reference value, e.g. "I", the further identification features 15 (II, III, IV, n) can be detected and / or recorded by means of the at least one detection unit 20, wherein the distance and / or sequence between the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can be determined and / or ascertained.

[0063] As shown by way of example in Fig. 1, more preferably at least one of the at least one processing station 13 is designed and configured as a cutting station 27 for processing fish 11 or parts thereof, in particular as a water jet cutting station 27 for cutting or dicing fish and / or for cutting out bones located in the fish 11. For processing the fish 11, the fish can be transported in the transport direction T on the transport element 14 by means of the transport device 12, wherein the transport element 14 comprises at least one identification feature 15. Preferably, the fish 11 can first be detected by means of the at least one detection unit 20 and / or by means of the at least one product detection unit 25.In front of or in the cutting station 27, at least one detection unit 20 is arranged, which forms and sets up a detection of the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) in order to assign the processing area 22 for (water jet) cutting. For this purpose, Fig. 1 shows a device 10 according to the invention or a section of a system or machine that is designed and set up for cutting fish 11. For this purpose, the fish 11 are transported in Fig. 1 through the device 10 from an input side 28 to an output side 29 by means of the transport device 12 in the transport direction T. First, the food products 11, which in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3 are preferably fish 11, are detected by means of the detection unit 20 or product detection unit 23. The detection process is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.3 is exemplified by emitted "rays" 31, although these are generally not visible. The "rays" do not necessarily have to be radiation in the physical sense, or in the visible spectrum. Detection of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or the food products 11 can also be achieved, for example, by cameras, magnetically, via RFID technology, by tactile scanning, etc.

[0064] In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, the identification features 15 are arranged in the region of the transport element 14 in order to form and set up a detection system. Further preferably, at least one detection unit 20 is designed and set up to detect the identification features 15, and at least one further detection unit 20 or a product detection unit 23 is designed and set up to detect the food products 11. Preferably, the respective detection units 20 are arranged one above the other, i.e., substantially in the same plane, in order to create a corresponding association between the detected identification feature 15 and the food product 11. Further along the transport direction T, along the output side 29 of the device 10, there is at least one processing station 13, in Fig.3, three processing stations 13 are arranged, with at least one of the processing stations 13 being designed and configured as a cutting station 27, in particular for cutting fish 11. As shown in Fig. 1, at least one detection unit 20 is preferably located in front of each of the processing stations 13 in order to design and configure detection of the identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) detected with the food product 11 and to carry out the corresponding processing at the intended location by means of the processing station 13.

[0065] In a preferred embodiment, the device 10 of Fig. 1 has two sub-devices 33, 34, wherein the first sub-device 33 on the input side 28 can already be regarded as an independent device 10. The plurality of processing stations 13 in Fig. 1 can preferably be provided for forming different cuts on the food products 11 or fish. Between the first sub-device 33 and the second sub-device 34, a transition region 32 or a lock unit is further preferably provided in order to provide a transition or transfer of the food products 11 between the two sub-devices 33, 34. The last processing station 13 of the device 10 in Fig. 1 in the transport direction T is further preferably designed as a robot cutting station 30 in order to carry out flexible (water jet) cutting at intended locations on the food product 11.

[0066] The method is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The method is used for processing food products 11, comprising the steps of transporting food products 11 by means of a transport device 12 with at least one transport element 14, wherein the at least one transport element 14 has at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), in particular in, on, under and / or on the transport element 14; driving and / or guiding the at least one transport element 14 in a transport direction T at a transport speed by means of at least one drive element 18; capturing and / or detecting at least one of the identification features 15 of the at least one transport element 14 and / or of a food product 11 by means of at least one capturing unit 20; processing food products 11 arranged on the at least one transport element 14 by means of at least one processing station 13.

[0067] This method is characterized according to the invention in that at least one of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or a food product 11 is recorded and / or detected during transport by the at least one transport element 14, wherein an area of ​​the at least one transport element 14 is assigned as a processing area 22 in order to process a food product 11 in the processing area 22 of the transport element 14 by means of the at least one processing station 13 depending on the at least one recorded and / or detected identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n). The method is preferably carried out using the device 10 according to the invention.

[0068] To avoid repetition, the statements made in connection with the device 10 according to the invention also apply - where applicable - to the method according to the invention.

[0069] In an advantageous embodiment, the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or a food product 11 are recognized and / or detected by the at least one detection unit 20 before, during and / or after the processing of the food products 11 in order to design and establish a determination of the processing area 22 in connection with the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), wherein the at least one detection unit 20 is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station 13. Linking identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) with the food product 11 leads to positionally accurate processing.First, in a preferred embodiment, the food product 11 is detected by means of a detection unit 20 (product detection unit 23) and is assigned to a corresponding at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) of the at least one transport element 14. This allows an offset A between the food product 11 and the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) to be determined. Processing, ieThe processing of the food product 11, for example a cutting of the food product 11 by the at least one processing station 13, is carried out by a renewed detection of the food product 11 by means of a detection unit 20 (product detection unit 23) arranged in particular upstream of the processing station 13, wherein the previously determined offset A between the food product 11 and the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can be taken into account when detecting / determining the corresponding identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) for carrying out the processing by the processing station 13. The corresponding distance can thus be determined in order to design and set up processing with precise positioning. In Figs. 1 to 23, the detection units 20 are arranged, by way of example, in front of the processing stations 13 so that the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and the food products 11 arranged in this area are detected and / or detected before passing through the processing station 13. Further preferably, a food product 11 on the at least one transport element 14 is detected and / or detected by means of at least one product detection unit 23 arranged in front of and / or in the at least one processing station 13, wherein the detected and / or detected food product 11 is assigned to at least one detected and / or detected identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) in order to designate and establish a determination of the processing area 22 on the at least one transport element 14 for processing the food product 11 by the at least one processing station 13.

[0070] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one food product 11 and / or a specific region of a food product 11 is / are linked to at least one of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) by means of the at least one detection unit 20, wherein the at least one food product 11 and / or the specific region of a food product 11 is / are processed by the at least one processing station 13 in the processing area 22. Preferably, by means of the at least one detection unit 20, starting from a first detected and / or detected identification feature 15 (I), a distance and / or a sequence to at least one further detected and / or detected identification feature 15 (II, III, IV, n) is determined.More preferably, the distance and / or the sequence between two or more identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is determined taking into account the expected transport speed of the transport element 14 and / or the time period between the capture and / or detection of two or more identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or the number of captured and / or detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n). A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that, starting from a recorded and / or detected identification feature 15 (I), further identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) are recorded and / or detected, wherein upon recording and / or detection of the further identification feature(s) 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) by the recording unit 20, their distance and / or their sequence is determined.

[0071] In a further embodiment, the processing area 22 of the transport element 14 is assigned to the recorded and / or detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or the food products 11 by means of at least one computer unit 26 and / or at least one control unit 26. For this purpose, the food product 11 is preferably first recorded and linked to at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) in order to subsequently assign the corresponding processing area 22 on the transport element. The assigned processing area 22 or the food product 11 located thereon can then be processed in the processing station 13 by recording the at least one corresponding identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n).Depending on the arrangement of the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) in relation to the processing station 13, the offset A or the delay must be taken into account, for example, taking into account the transport speed, in order to carry out precise processing. Further preferably, the processing area 22 of a food product 11 on the at least one transport element 14 is / are determined by means of the at least one computer unit 26 and / or the at least one control unit 26, wherein the distance and / or the sequence of the recorded and / or detected identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is / are determined and / or assigned in order to design and set up processing of the food product 11 by means of the at least one processing station 13 in the processing area 22.The offset A can further preferably be determined or calculated by the at least one computer unit 26 and / or by the at least one control unit 26 on the basis of the data recorded by the recording unit 20 and / or the product recording unit 23.

[0072] In a further preferred embodiment, if at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is not detected and / or detected, the order, the distance and / or the sequence of the missing identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is estimated, in particular based on the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element 14. For the estimation, if one of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is not detected, as shown in the embodiments of Fig. 3a or Fig. 3b, the omitted identifier is virtually detected, for example counted, in the case of a subsequently detected identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n).Virtual detection is used, for example, when the distance or duration between two identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) was too large, which can be calculated or determined, for example, with the aid of the actually detected number and / or sequence of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or based on the actual or estimated transport speed.

[0073] Preferably, at least one of the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is recorded and / or detected in such a way as to form and establish a reference value when determining the processing area 22 of the at least one transport element 14. In a further preferred embodiment, based on the reference value, the further identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) are recorded and / or detected by means of the at least one recording unit 20, wherein the distance and / or the sequence between the identification features 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) is determined and / or ascertained.

[0074] As shown in the embodiments of Fig. 1 and Figs. 3a and 3b, at least one of the at least one processing station 13 is designed and configured as a cutting station 27 for processing fish 11 or parts thereof, in particular as a waterjet cutting station 27 for cutting or dividing fish 11 and / or for cutting out bones present in the fish. For this purpose, the fish 11 is fed to a corresponding device 10 for implementing the method according to the invention in order to carry out a corresponding comminution and / or specific processing by means of the cutting station 27.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment - not shown in detail in the figures - a pulse counter is provided which runs both on the control and / or computer unit 26 and on the at least one detection unit 20, in particular a line scan camera, and represents a trigger for a line of the at least one detection unit 20, in particular the line scan camera. This counter is synchronized (e.g. via a sensor interface) and dependent on the virtual, i.e. quasi the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element 14. In this way, x pulses per mm can be generated. The at least one detection unit 20, in particular the line scan camera, creates a cut within the food product 11, so that this can be transmitted to the pulse counter as a starting value.Further preferably, additional special timer modules are provided on the control and / or computer unit 26, which assign the pulse counter current at that time to each identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) recognized by the at least one detection unit 20 and write this data set (bridge counter) into a table. An example table is listed below:

[0076] If food product 11 starts at counter value 6003, it can be deduced that this corresponds to identification feature no. 3 + 1002 counter values. These counter values ​​can then be converted back into a distance, for example, in mm (e.g., 100 pulses per mm). This is then the sub-position of identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n), for example: starting point = identification feature no. 3 + 10.02 mm. Theoretically, an identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) could also be specified as a decimal number, for example, identification feature no. 3.5. This would only have the disadvantage that identification feature no. 4 would have to have already been recorded and / or determined.

[0077] A preferred position for the detection unit 20 for detecting / determining the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) and / or a food product 11 is located at a point where the at least one identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) has been evaluated in the computer and / or control unit 26 precisely as soon as it is located in the processing area 22. Here, the detection (hardware timer module) takes place first, followed by the evaluation (software control program).

[0078] The arrangement of the at least one detection unit 20 is further preferably carried out at a known distance (e.g. 50 mm) in front of the processing station 13. Thus, the starting position for processing by the processing station 13, e.g. a cut, is calculated according to the above example as: identification feature (no.) + sub-web offset + distance of the detection unit, i.e. web 3 + 7 mm + 50 mm. The further the arrangement of the at least one detection unit 20 is in front of the processing station 13, the more the predicted position deviates from the actual position, since it is not clearly known when the identification feature has traveled 50 mm, which can be determined, for example, via the expected transport speed.

[0079] Detection behind processing station 13 (e.g., by -30 mm) would result in the start identification feature for processing not being recognized until it is behind processing station 13, i.e., too late. However, if this is known, a correspondingly earlier identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) can be searched for / determined using the table (Identification Feature - Counter). Example: The cut start is at counter 6003. With 100 pulses per mm, a 30 mm distance corresponds to 3000 pulses. Thus, the corresponding identification feature 15 (I, II, III, IV, n) for counter 6003 - 3000 = 3003 can be determined / identified. According to the table, this is identification feature no. 2 (counter value 2998) + 5 counter values, so the starting value is identification feature no. 2 + 0.05 mm. Such determinations / processing are preferably automated, particularly with the aid of suitable computing units and / or computer programs (e.g.,algorithmic processing programs) to train and set up processing of food products 11.

Claims

1. Device (10) for processing food products (11) comprising: - a transport device (12) with at least one transport element (14) for at least partially transporting food products (11), wherein the at least one transport element (14) has at least one identification feature (15), in particular in, on, under and / or on the transport element (14), wherein in the case of a plurality of identification features (15), these are arranged at a distance from one another, - at least one drive element (18) for driving and / or guiding the at least one transport element (14) in a transport direction (T) at a transport speed, - at least one processing station (13) which is designed and equipped to process food products (11) arranged on the transport element (14), - at least one detection unit (20) which is designed and configured to detect and / or detect at least one of the identification features (15) of the at least one transport element (14) and / or of a food product (11), characterized in that upon detection and / or detection of at least one of the identification features (15) and / or of a food product (11), a region of the at least one transport element (14) can be assigned to form a processing region (22), wherein the at least one processing station (13) is designed and configured to process the food product (11) at least in the processing region (22) of the transport element (14) depending on the at least one detected and / or detected identification feature (15).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one detection unit (20) is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station (13) in order to design and set up a determination of the processing area (22) in connection with the detection and / or detection of identification features (15) and / or food products (11) before, during and / or after the processing of the food products (11).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one product detection unit (23) is arranged in front of and / or in the at least one processing station (13) in order to detect and / or detect a food product (11) on the at least one transport element (14), wherein the detected and / or detected food product (11) can be assigned to at least one detected and / or detected identification feature (15) in order to design and set up a determination of the processing area (22) on the at least one transport element (14) for processing the food product (11) by the at least one processing station (13).

4. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one detection unit (20) and / or the at least one product detection unit (23) assigns a food product (11) and / or a specific area of ​​a food product (11) with at least one of the identification features (15), wherein the at least one processing station (13) designs and sets up a processing of the food product (11) in the processing area (22).

5. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one detection unit (20) is designed and configured to determine a sequence between at least one further detected identification feature (15) based on a first detected and / or detected identification feature (15).

6. Device (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the determination of the sequence between two or more identification features (15) is designed and arranged taking into account the expected transport speed of the transport element (14) and / or the time period between the recording and / or detection of two or more identification features (15) and / or the number of recorded and / or detected identification features (15).

7. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the device, in particular the at least one detection unit (20) and / or the at least one product detection unit (23), further comprising at least one computer unit (26) and / or at least one control unit (26) which is designed and configured to associate the processing area (22) of the transport element (14) with the recorded and / or detected identification features (15) and / or the food products (11).

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one computer unit (26) and / or the at least one control unit (26) is designed and configured to determine the processing area (22) on the at least one transport element (14), wherein the position of the food product (11) can be determined as a function of the at least one recorded and / or detected identification feature (15) in order to design and configure a processing of the food product (11) by means of the at least one processing station (13) in the processing area (22).

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the processing area (22) can be calculated by means of the at least one computer unit (26) and / or the at least one control unit (26) by an upstream detection of a food product (11) and at least one identification feature (15), wherein a synchronization between the at least one identification feature (15) and the food product (11) is designed and set up in such a way that an offset (A) between the food product (11) and the at least one identification feature (15) can be determined, wherein in a downstream detection of the food product (11), the position on the at least one transport element (14) can be assigned to the at least one identification feature (15) taking the offset (A) into account.

10. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the order, number and / or position of identification features (15) in, on, under and / or on the at least one transport element (14) is known in advance, wherein in the absence of detection and / or detection of an identification feature (15), an estimated detection and / or detection is given on the basis of the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element (14).

11. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least one of the identification features (15) can be recorded and / or detected in such a way as to form and establish a reference value for determining the processing area (22) of the at least one transport element (14).

12. Device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that, starting from the reference value, the further identification features (15) can be recorded and / or detected by means of the at least one recording unit (20), wherein the sequence of identification features (15) can be determined and / or ascertained.

13. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that at least one of the at least one processing station (13) is designed and set up as a cutting station (27) for processing fish (11) or parts thereof, in particular as a water jet cutting station (27) for cutting or dividing fish (11) and / or for cutting out bones located in the fish (11).

14. Method for processing food products (11) comprising the steps: - Transporting food products (11) by means of a transport device (12) with at least one transport element (14), wherein the at least one transport element (14) has at least one identification feature (15), in particular in, on, under and / or on the transport element (14), - driving and / or guiding the at least one transport element (14) in a transport direction (T) at a transport speed by means of at least one drive element (18), - detecting and / or capturing at least one of the identification features (15) of the at least one transport element (14) and / or of a food product (11) by means of at least one detection unit (20), - Processing of food products (11) arranged on the at least one transport element (14) by means of at least one processing station (13), characterized in that at least one of the identification features (15) and / or a food product (11) is recorded and / or detected during transport by the at least one transport element (14), wherein an area of ​​the at least one transport element (14) is assigned as a processing area (22) in order to process the food product (11) in the processing area (22) of the transport element (14) by means of the at least one processing station (13) depending on the at least one recorded and / or detected identification feature (15).

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the identification features (15) and / or food products (11) are recognized and / or detected by means of the at least one detection unit (20) before, during and / or after the processing of the food products (11) in order to form and establish a determination of the processing area (22) in connection with the at least one identification feature (15), wherein the at least one detection unit (20) is arranged in front of, in and / or behind the at least one processing station (13).

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that a food product (11) on the at least one transport element (14) is detected and / or detected by means of at least one product detection unit (23) arranged in front of and / or in the at least one processing station (13), wherein the detected and / or detected food product (11) is assigned to at least one detected and / or detected identification feature (15) in order to design and set up a determination of the processing area (22) on the at least one transport element (14) for processing the food product (11) by the at least one processing station (13).

17. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that by means of the at least one detection unit (20) at least one food product (11) and / or a specific area of ​​a food product (11) is / are linked to at least one of the identification features (15), wherein the at least one food product (11) and / or the specific area of ​​a food product (11) is / are processed with the at least one processing station (13) in the processing area (22).

18. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that by means of the at least one detection unit (20) starting from a first recorded and / or detected identification feature (15), a sequence of at least one further recorded and / or detected identification feature (15) is determined.

19. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the sequence between two or more identification features (15) is determined taking into account the expected transport speed of the transport element (14) and / or the time period between the recording and / or detection of two or more identification features (15) and / or the number of recorded and / or detected identification features (15).

20. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that by means of at least one computer unit (26) and / or by means of at least one control unit (26) the processing area (22) of the transport element (14) is assigned to the recorded and / or detected identification features (15) and / or the food products (11).

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the processing area (22) of a food product (11) on the at least one transport element (14) is / are determined by means of the at least one computer unit (26) and / or the at least one control unit (26), wherein the sequence of the recorded and / or detected identification features (15) is determined and / or assigned in order to design and set up processing of the food product (11) by means of the at least one processing station (13) in the processing area (22).

22. Method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the processing area (22) is calculated by means of the at least one computer unit (26) and / or the at least one control unit (26) by a prior detection of a food product (11) and at least one identification feature (15), wherein a synchronization between the at least one identification feature (15) and the food product (11) is designed and arranged such that an offset (A) between the food product (11) and the at least one identification feature (15) is determined, wherein during a subsequent detection of the food product (11) the position on the at least one transport element (14) is assigned to the at least one identification feature (15) taking into account the offset (A).

23. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 22, characterized in that in the event of a lack of detection and / or detection of at least one identification feature (15), the order, the distance and / or the sequence of the missing identification feature (15) is estimated, in particular on the basis of the expected transport speed of the at least one transport element (14).

24. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that at least one of the identification features (15) is recorded and / or detected in such a way as to form and establish a reference value in the determination of the processing area (22) of the at least one transport element (14).

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, starting from the reference value, the further identification features (15) are recorded and / or detected by means of the at least one recording unit (20), wherein the sequence between the identification features (15) is determined and / or ascertained.

26. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 25, characterized in that at least one of the at least one processing station (13) is designed and set up as a cutting station (27) for processing fish (11) or parts thereof, in particular as a water jet cutting station (27) for cutting or dividing fish (11) and / or for cutting out bones located in the fish (11).

Images