Trough and trough conveyor, configured and designed to transport fish transversely to their longitudinal extent

Abstract

The invention relates to a trough (10), configured and designed to receive fish (11) which are able to be transported transversely to their longitudinal extent in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor (38), wherein the trough (10) comprises at least in each case a head support (13) and a main support (14), wherein each main support (14) comprises a main body (15) with a support surface (16) parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface (17) oriented substantially perpendicularly to the support surface (16), characterised in that the contact surface (17) is formed by a divider (18) oriented at an angle β≠ 0 to a longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), wherein the divider (18) divides the support surface (16) of the main support (14) into two separate regions, namely in particular into a body support region (19) and a tail support region (20). The invention also relates to a trough conveyor (12) having such troughs (10).

Description

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

[0002] Trough and trough conveyor, designed and equipped to transport fish transversely to their longitudinal extent

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a trough designed and configured to receive fish which can be transported transversely to their longitudinal extent in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor, wherein the trough comprises at least one head support and one main support, wherein each main support comprises a base body with a support surface parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface.

[0005] Furthermore, the invention relates to a trough conveyor, designed and configured for transporting fish transversely to their longitudinal extent in the transport direction T, comprising a circulatingly drivable transport conveyor with a transport run defining the transport plane E and a return run, wherein the endless transport conveyor is guided around at least two deflection elements rotatable about a rotation axis D for driving and / or guiding the transport conveyor and troughs for receiving fish are arranged on the transport conveyor, wherein the troughs are aligned with their longitudinal axis L transversely to the transport direction T.

[0006] Such troughs and trough conveyors are used in the fish processing industry to transport the fish lying on their sides in the troughs – preferably belly first – precisely to the area of ​​a processing station, for example, a fish-heading station, and / or to a transfer area. There, namely in the transfer area from the transport section to the return section, they are delivered in a targeted and directed manner as the troughs follow the transport conveyor as they are deflected around the deflection element. The trough conveyor can serve as a stand-alone device for pure transport purposes or be part of a fish processing machine for transporting the fish along processing stations, such that the fish are processed lying in the troughs, for example, by head-cutting.In particular, in the event that the trough conveyor is part of a fish processing machine, a further transport means is arranged downstream of the trough conveyor to form an arrangement such that the fish are to be transferred from the trough conveyor to the downstream transport means.

[0007] When beheading fish, it is crucial that the separating device cuts as close as possible to the collar bone of the fish to maximize the harvest of neck meat. In other words, the neck meat must be prevented from being severed from the fish body during the beheading cut. The trough conveyor transports the fish belly-first with their backs resting against a support surface of the trough to the beheading station. This also positions them relative to the separating device during the actual separation process. The trough conveyor, with its troughs, therefore serves not only a transport function but also a positioning function.

[0008] In the case of previously known trough conveyors, in which the troughs are aligned with their longitudinal axis transverse to the direction of transport, transverse in the sense of essentially vertical, yield losses occur in the area of ​​the collar bone during the head cut, such that any meat present in the area of ​​the collar bone is severed from the later fillet together with the head. Since the contact surfaces of the troughs in the known troughs are arranged on the trailing edge in the direction of transport, the fish lie with their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the cutting plane S, which leads to the aforementioned yield losses. To reduce this effect, DE 200 08 828 U1 proposes positioning the troughs overall at an angle on the conveyor chain so that the fish lie with their longitudinal axis at an angle, such that the cutting cut runs in a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fish.Due to the angled mounting of the troughs on the conveyor, a different structure of the conveyor is required compared to conventionally mounted troughs, whose longitudinal axis is aligned essentially perpendicular to the transport direction in the transport plane. This makes retrofitting existing trough conveyors with troughs particularly difficult. The invention is therefore based on the object of proposing a universally applicable and easily retrofittable trough that enables efficient extraction of neck meat during the head-cutting of fish. The object is also to create a corresponding trough conveyor.

[0009] This object is achieved by a trough as mentioned above in that the support surface is formed by a dividing web aligned at an angle ß 0 to the longitudinal axis L of the trough, wherein the dividing web divides the support surface of the main support into two separate areas, namely in particular a body support area and a tail support area. With the oblique orientation of the dividing web, the trough forms, on the one hand, a support surface for the fish, which enables the fish to be transported at an angle in such a way that the separating cut runs in a plane that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fish. On the other hand, the trough with the main support itself can be mounted with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T, so that this trough can be adapted to existing systems.In other words, this trough combines the advantages of a trough with its longitudinal axis aligned perpendicular to the transport direction T, which facilitates assembly and especially retrofitting, with the possibility of inclined transport of the fish for efficient recovery of the neck meat when beheading the fish.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the trough is characterized in that the dividing web extends approximately from an intersection point between an end face of the main support facing away from the head support and a front edge of the main support pointing in the transport direction T, counter to the transport direction T, to an intersection point between an end face of the main support facing the head support and a rear edge of the main support pointing counter to the transport direction T. Simply put, the dividing web extends diagonally across the support surface, thereby determining the inclined position of the fish to be positioned. Of course, the dividing web can also have a different profile, as long as a contact surface is formed that runs diagonally relative to the longitudinal axis L of the trough, which is oriented perpendicular to the transport direction T. The profile according to the invention achieves optimal positioning of the fish for maximum yield efficiency.Advantageously, each head support comprises a base body with a support surface parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface, wherein the contact surface of the head support is formed on a trailing edge of the head support in the transport direction T and extends as an extension of the contact surface of the main support. This design enables the angled positioning of the fish in the trough over the entire length of the fish in a simple and space-saving manner, in order to align the fish obliquely to the separation plane S during transport and to hold them securely in position during processing.

[0011] The divider bar expediently has an opening in the area of ​​the side facing the head support, which extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction of the support surface of the main support. This opening, which can also be a recess or material depression, serves to avoid collisions with other machine parts, such as so-called fin catchers, measuring devices, pressing elements or parts thereof. The opening thus ensures continuous and collision-free transport of the troughs carrying the fish through processing stations, such as the station for head-decorating the fish. The size and position of the opening can vary and, in particular, can only extend over part of the height of the divider bar. Optionally, the opening can also extend to the support surface of the main support.

[0012] Advantageously, the contact surface of the head support also has an opening that extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction of the contact surface of the head support. This opening, which can also be a recess or material depression, serves to prevent collisions with other machine parts. The opening thus ensures continuous and collision-free transport of the troughs carrying the fish. The size and position of the opening can vary and, in particular, can extend only over part of the height of the contact surface. Optionally, the opening can also extend to the contact surface of the head support.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the trough is characterized in that all areas of the support surface of the main support and the support surface of the head support of a trough lie in the same plane, parallel to the transport plane E. This ensures safe transport and stable positioning of the fish, particularly given that the head and body of a first fish and the tail of a second fish can be positioned on one and the same trough. Different levels can also be provided optionally. For example, the tail support area can be higher than the body support and head support areas, since the tail area of ​​the fish is generally flatter than the body of the fish.

[0014] Advantageously, the divider diagonally separates the support surface of the main support and is designed and configured as a linear stop for the back of the fish to be transported on the side facing the transport direction T. This design supports the inclined transport and positioning of the fish with the trough generally aligned vertically to the transport direction T.

[0015] A particularly preferred development of the trough is characterized in that the distance between the longitudinal axis L of the trough and a longitudinal axis L TThe angle ß enclosed by the separating web is between 5 and 45 degrees, preferably between 10 and 30 degrees, and particularly preferably between 15 and 20 degrees. This inclination achieves an optimal angle at which a separating agent of a station for separating the head from the body strikes the fish to be beheaded. The preferred angle range enables a particularly yield-efficient beheading cut.

[0016] The divider is expediently formed integrally with the base body. Accordingly, the contact surface of the headrest is also formed integrally with the base body of the headrest. This allows for simple production, e.g., by injection molding or molding, and creates a stable and resilient trough, ensuring the fish are securely held in the trough. The divider or contact surface can also be formed separately from the base body and, for example, attached or otherwise connected to the base body, preferably detachably.

[0017] An advantageous further development of the trough is characterized in that the dividing web divides the support surface into two essentially triangular partial areas, wherein the partial area facing in the transport direction T to form the body support area is larger than the partial area facing away from the transport direction T to form the tail support area. This division ensures that the fish with its center of gravity is provided with a sufficient and maximum support surface. The body requires maximum support for precise positioning, while the tail only needs to be secured against "kinking". The dividing web can also divide the support surface of the main support into other geometric areas with different size distributions. However, the claimed subdivision creates a space-optimized and functionally optimized solution.

[0018] The thickness of the divider strip decreases perpendicular to the support surface, starting from the side facing the headrest towards the side opposite the headrest. This creates a material-saving design that is, above all, adapted to the anatomy of the fish. The fish decreases in thickness - when lying on its side - from the head towards the tail, so that the divider strip is only as high or thick as the fish needs it to be. The height or thickness of the divider strip can, of course, vary. The same applies to the width of the divider strip. The wider the divider strip, the smaller the support surface. The width of the divider strip can therefore also be used to adapt the trough to different fish sizes, for example by

[0019] Additional plug-in elements or the like are provided which can be plugged onto the partition walls.

[0020] Advantageously, the head support and main support are designed as separate components and arranged at a distance from each other, forming a gap. This design simply ensures that there is sufficient space between the main support and head support for the separating agent to cut through the fish without collision.

[0021] A particularly advantageous further development is characterized in that a longitudinal axis L K the headrest is inclined to a longitudinal axis L of the main support. Particularly preferably, the longitudinal axis L Kthe head support starting from the longitudinal axis L of the trough, which runs perpendicular to the transport direction T, in the transport plane E or parallel to this diagonally backwards against the transport direction T. In other words, the base body of the head support is attached at an angle to the base body of the main support in such a way that the fish are provided with a common inclined support surface. In this way, particularly precise positioning of the fish in an inclined position, the longitudinal axis of the fish therefore does not run perpendicular to the transport direction T, is ensured in the trough, whose own longitudinal axis L is aligned perpendicular to the transport direction. The "kinking" of the head support ensures optimal positioning of the fish in a particularly compact and space-saving manner, which enables a yield-efficient separating cut.

[0022] Advantageously, the front edges of the main support and head support pointing in the transport direction T are each aligned parallel to the rear edges of the main support and head support pointing opposite to the transport direction T, wherein the edges of the main support are aligned transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough, and the edges of the head support are inclined backwards at an angle starting from the main support, opposite to the transport direction T. This design further supports the advantages described above.

[0023] Particularly preferably, each trough comprises, in addition to the main support and head support, a fastening element arranged at the end of the main support opposite the head support. The additional fastening element, which preferably also comprises a plate-like base body, allows the trough according to the invention to be quickly and easily exchanged for other troughs with the same fastening structure. The head support and the fastening element together serve to ensure secure and guided fastening of the trough on both sides.

[0024] The three components of a trough—the fastening element, the main support, and the head support—are conveniently connected via a bearing rod. This simplifies handling of the troughs during assembly and / or retrofitting. Furthermore, the precise alignment of the individual components is maintained even when not assembled, reducing the effort required for retrofitting or conversion.

[0025] Advantageously, at least the fastening element and the head support comprise fastening means by means of which the trough is designed and configured to be mountable on the transport conveyor with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the transport direction T. For this purpose, the head support and the fastening element can have, for example, threaded holes on their underside facing away from the support surface, which preferably all lie on a linearly directed axis that runs parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough. The axis A can lie on the longitudinal axis L or at a distance from it. With this design, the trough according to the invention can be integrated into known systems, in particular into trough conveyors with an orientation of the troughs with a longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the transport direction T, without redesign or adaptation measures.

[0026] The object is also achieved by a trough conveyor mentioned above in that each trough is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 17. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the trough, so reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition. The troughs according to the invention create a trough conveyor according to the invention, by means of which safe transport and optimized positioning of the fish for processing, in particular the separation of the head from the body, are ensured.

[0027] Advantageously, two adjacent troughs form a single support for a single fish, such that a fish can be positioned with its head on the head support of a first trough and with its body on the body support area of ​​the main support of the first trough, while the tail of the same fish can be positioned on the tail support area of ​​an adjacent second trough leading in the transport direction T. With this design and arrangement of the adjacent troughs, a desired inclined positioning of the fish can be achieved in a space-optimized manner without the troughs themselves being arranged at an angle.

[0028] For practical purposes, the longitudinal axis L of each trough in the transport plane E is aligned perpendicular to the transport direction T. This describes an exactly vertical alignment - naturally taking manufacturing and / or assembly tolerances into account - which significantly facilitates the quick and easy replacement and retrofitting of troughs in a space-saving manner.

[0029] Advantageously, the troughs are designed to be open on the leading side in the transport direction T, so that the fish lying in the troughs fall out of the troughs in the transition area Ü from the transport section to the return section. This design ensures the further transport and / or further processing of the fish decapitated in the trough in a simple manner. The conveyor belt conveniently comprises a conveyor chain consisting of several chain links. The conveyor chain forms a very robust and reliable conveyor belt, which also enables a secure and fixed, yet detachable, connection to the troughs.

[0030] Advantageously, in addition to the main support and head support, each trough comprises a fastening element arranged at the end of the main support opposite the head support. Each trough is releasably attached to chain links of the conveyor chain in the area of ​​the head support and the fastening element. This further supports the previously described advantages.

[0031] A preferred development of the trough conveyor is characterized in that threaded holes are formed on the underside of the head support and fastening element facing the transport chain, with all threaded holes of a trough lying on a linear axis that is oriented transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough. Instead of the threaded holes, other fastening means can also be formed, such as plug-in and / or locking elements or the like.

[0032] Advantageously, the three components of a trough—the fastening element, the main support, and the head support—are connected to one another via a bearing rod, such that the main support is movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the head support and fastening element components, which are permanently connected to the transport chain. Due to the detachable connection of the head support and the fastening element to the transport chain, these components follow the movement path of the chain. The main support is at least partially movable independently of this relative to it, for example, to determine the exact discharge position.

[0033] Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments of the trough conveyor are evident from the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0034] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the trough according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the trough according to Figure 1,

[0035] Fig. 3 the trough according to Figure 1 in bottom view,

[0036] Fig. 4 two troughs according to Figure 2 with a fish positioned on them, and

[0037] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a trough conveyor with several troughs according to Figure 1.

[0038] The trough with the trough conveyor shown in the drawing is designed and configured for the transverse axial transport of whitefish, particularly cod and hake, belly first with the dorsal end at the trailing end of the trough. The troughs with the trough conveyor are specifically designed and configured for transporting and positioning the fish in the area of ​​a header. However, the troughs and the trough conveyor are also suitable for transporting and positioning other species of fish, particularly those of varying sizes.

[0039] Figures 1 to 4 show a trough 10 which is designed and configured to receive fish 11 which can be transported transversely to their longitudinal extent in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor 38. The trough 10 comprises at least one head support 13 and one main support 14, each main support 14 comprising a base body 15 with a support surface 16 parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface 17 oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface 16.

[0040] This trough 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the contact surface 17 is formed by a separating web 18 aligned at an angle ß 0 to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10, wherein the separating web 18 divides the support surface 16 of the main support 14 into two separate areas, namely in particular into a body support area 19 and a tail support area 20. The features and developments described below represent preferred embodiments, considered individually or in combination with one another. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the figures or described in a common embodiment can also functionally independently develop the trough 10 described above.

[0041] The separating web 18 extends perpendicular to the support surface 16 of the base body 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition from the separating web 18 to the base body 15 is provided with a radius R, whereby the size of the radius can vary and can optionally also be replaced by a sharp transition from the separating web 18 to the base body 15. The separating web 18 extends approximately from an intersection point Si between an end face 21 of the main support 14 facing away from the head support 13 and a front edge 22 of the main support 14 pointing in the transport direction T, counter to the transport direction T, approximately to an intersection point S2 between an end face 23 of the main support 14 facing the head support 13 and a rear edge 24 of the main support 14 pointing counter to the transport direction T. As shown in the figures, the separating web 18 can also begin and / or end somewhat away from the intersection points Si, S2 or at a distance from the front edge 22 or rear edge 24.

[0042] Due to the inclination of the separating web 18, an angle ß is formed between the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10, which is aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis L of the main support 14, and the longitudinal axis L T of the separating web 18. This is formed between the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 and the longitudinal axis L T The angle ß included in the separating web 18 is particularly between 15 and 20 degrees.

[0043] Just like the main support 14, each head support 13 also comprises a base body 25 with a support surface 26 parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface 27 oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface 26, wherein the contact surface 27 of the head support 13 is formed on a trailing edge 28 of the head support 13 in the transport direction T and extends as an extension of the contact surface 17 of the main support 14. Both the contact surface 17 of the main support 14 and the contact surface 27 of the head support 14 have a material recess. The separating web 18 has an opening 29 in the region of the side facing the head support 13, which opening extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction of the contact surface 16 of the main support 14.The distance of the opening 29 from the end face 23 is smaller than from the end face 21 and depends on the location of components of other devices and machines that would cause a collision when the troughs 10 are transported in the transport direction T. The opening 29 extends vertically in the direction of the support surface 16 only over part of the height / thickness of the separating web 18 and ends at a distance from the support surface 16. The contact surface 27 of the head support 13 also has an opening 30 that extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction of the support surface 26 of the head support 13.

[0044] The thickness or height of the separating web 18 perpendicular to the support surface 16 decreases from the end face 23 facing the head support 13 in the direction of the end face 21 opposite the head support 13. The separating web 18 also has a width B transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10, which is essentially constant at least from the opening 29 in the direction of the end face 21. The separating web 18 is formed integrally with the base body 15. Accordingly, the contact surface 27 of the head support 13 is also formed integrally with the base body 25 of the head support 13. The components, preferably manufactured from a plastic by injection molding, namely the head support 13 and the main support 14, together with a fastening element 31, which is also preferably manufactured from a plastic by injection molding, form the trough 10.

[0045] The dividing web 18 divides the support surface 16 into two essentially triangular partial surfaces, wherein the partial surface facing in the transport direction T to form the body support area 19 is larger than the partial surface facing away from the transport direction T to form the tail support area 20. The dividing web 18 separates the support surface 16 of the main support 14 diagonally and is designed and configured on the side facing in the transport direction T as a linear stop for the back of the fish 11 to be transported. The stop surface 27 of the head support 13 also forms a linear stop for the head of the fish 11. All areas of the support surface 16 of the main support 14 and the support surface 26 of the head support 13 of a trough 10 lie in the same plane parallel to the transport plane E.Not only the body support area 19 and the tail support area 20 of the main support 14 lie in one plane, but also the support surface 26 of the head support 13. Finally, the fastening element 31 of the recess 10 is also located in the same plane. The head support 13 and the main support 14 are designed as separate components and are arranged at a distance from one another, forming a gap 32. The fastening element 31 is also designed separately from the main support 14 and is also arranged to form a gap 33. The longitudinal axis L. K The headrest 13 is inclined to the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14. Preferably, the longitudinal axis L K the headrest 13 approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis L Tof the separating web 18. The front edges 22, 34 of the main support 14 and the head support 13 pointing in the transport direction T are each aligned parallel to the rear edges 24, 28 of the main support 14 and the head support 13 pointing opposite to the transport direction T, wherein the edges 22, 24 of the main support 14 are aligned transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 and the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14, and the edges 28, 34 of the head support 13 are inclined obliquely backwards starting from the main support 14, opposite to the transport direction T. A longitudinal axis L B of the fastening element 31 extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14.

[0046] As already mentioned, each trough 10 comprises, in addition to the main support 14 and head support 13, the fastening element 31, which is arranged at the end of the main support 14 opposite the head support 13. All three components of a trough 10, i.e. the fastening element 31, the main support 14, and the head support 13, are connected to one another via a bearing rod 35 or the like, wherein the main support 14 is rotatable relative to the fastening element 31 and the head support 13. At least the fastening element 31 and the head support 13 comprise fastening means 36, by means of which the trough 10 is designed and configured to be mountable on a transport conveyor of a trough conveyor with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the transport direction T.Preferably, threaded bores 37 are formed on the underside of fastening element 31 and head support 13, which preferably lie on an axis A which is aligned parallel (see in particular Figure 3) to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10.

[0047] The troughs 10 can be used as individual parts, in particular as replacement and / or retrofit parts. However, the troughs 10 are also, in particular, a component of a trough conveyor 38. Furthermore, the invention therefore also relates to the trough conveyor 38, which is designed and configured to transport fish 11 transversely to their longitudinal extent in the transport direction T. The trough conveyor 38 comprises a continuously drivable transport conveyor 39 with a transport run 40 defining the transport plane E and a return run 41, wherein the endless transport conveyor 39 is guided around at least two deflection elements 42 rotatable about a rotation axis D for driving and / or guiding the transport conveyor 39. In the illustrated embodiment, more than two deflection elements 42 are provided, which are not explicitly shown and can optionally also be designed and configured as tensioning elements.Troughs 10 for receiving fish 11 are arranged on the transport conveyor 39, wherein the troughs 10 are aligned with their longitudinal axis L transverse to the transport direction T.

[0048] This trough conveyor 38 is characterized according to the invention in that each trough 10 is designed and configured according to one or more of claims 1 to 17, as described in detail above.

[0049] The trough conveyor 38 comprises a plurality of troughs 10, wherein two adjacent troughs 10 each form a total support for a single fish 11, such that a fish 11 can be positioned with its head on the head support 13 of a first trough 10 and with its body on the body support area 19 of the main support 14 of the first trough 10, while the tail of the same fish 11 can be positioned on the tail support area 20 of an adjacent second trough 10 leading in the transport direction T. All troughs 10 are aligned with their longitudinal axis L in the transport plane E perpendicular to the transport direction T.In order to be able to transfer the processed fish 11 to a subsequent processing station after a processing step, in the illustrated embodiment after a head cut, the troughs 10 are designed to be open on the side leading in the transport direction T in such a way that the fish 11 lying in the troughs 10 fall out of the troughs 10 in the transition area Ü from the transport run 40 into the return run 41.

[0050] The transport conveyor 39 comprises a transport chain 43 formed from a plurality of chain links not explicitly shown. In addition to the main support 14 and head support 13, each trough 10 comprises a fastening element 31 arranged at the end of the main support 14 opposite the head support 13. Each trough 10 is detachably fastened to the chain links of the transport chain 43 in the region of the head support 13 and the fastening element 31. For this purpose, threaded bores 37 are formed on the underside of the head support 13 and the fastening element 31 facing the transport chain 43, with all threaded bores 37 of a trough 10 lying on an axis A that is oriented transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10.For this purpose, the three components of a trough 10—the fastening element 31, the main support 14, and the head support 13—are connected to one another via a bearing rod 35, such that the main support 14 is movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the head support 13 and fastening element 31 components, which are firmly connected to the transport chain 43. This allows the fish 11 to be discharged in a targeted manner from the trough conveyor 38 in the transition area Ü.

[0051] The trough conveyors 38 can be used as an independent conveying element. However, the trough conveyors 38 are preferably part of a processing station. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the trough conveyor 38 is part of a station 44 for beheading fish 11. The beheading station 44 comprises, in addition to the trough conveyor 38, a cutting device 45 with a separating means, namely preferably a rotating circular blade 46, which enters the gap 32 between the head support 13 and the main support 14 to separate the head from the body, as well as a control device not explicitly shown. For beheading, the trough conveyor 38 is preferably moved continuously in the transport direction T, wherein the fish 11 - enforced by the inventive design of the troughs 10, which itself is aligned with its longitudinal axis L in the transport plane E perpendicular to the transport direction T - are inclined, i.e. with their longitudinal axis L Fessentially parallel to the longitudinal axis L T of the separating web 18, strike the circular knife 46, so that a yield-efficient head cut occurs along the separating plane S.

Claims

1 . Trough (10) designed and configured to receive fish (11) which can be transported transversely to their longitudinal extent in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor (38), wherein the trough (10) comprises at least one head support (13) and one main support (14), wherein each main support (14) comprises a base body (15) with a support surface (16) parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface (17) oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface (16), characterized in that the contact surface (17) is formed by a dividing web (18) oriented at an angle ß 0 to a longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), wherein the dividing web (18) divides the support surface (16) of the main support (14) into two separate areas, namely in particular into a body support area (19) and a tail support area (20).

2. Trough (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating web (18) extends approximately from an intersection point (Si) between an end face (21) of the main support (14) facing away from the head support (13) and a front edge (22) of the main support (14) pointing in the transport direction T, counter to the transport direction T, approximately to an intersection point (S2) between an end face (23) of the main support (14) facing the head support (13) and a rear edge (24) of the main support (14) pointing counter to the transport direction T.

3. Trough (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each head support (13) comprises a base body (25) with a support surface (26) parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface (27) aligned substantially perpendicular to the support surface (26), wherein the contact surface (27) of the head support (13) is formed on a trailing rear edge (28) of the head support (13) in the transport direction T and extends in extension of the contact surface (17) of the main support (14).

4. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separating web (18) has an opening (29) in the region of the side facing the headrest (13) which extends perpendicular to Transport plane E extends in the direction of the support surface (16) of the main support (14).

5. Trough (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the contact surface (27) of the head support (13) has an opening (30) which extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction of the contact surface (26) of the head support (13).

6. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that all areas of the support surface (16) of the main support (14) and the support surface (26) of the head support (13) of a trough (10) lie in the same plane parallel to the transport plane E.

7. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the separating web (18) diagonally separates the support surface (16) of the main support (14) and is designed and arranged on the side facing in the transport direction T as a linear stop for the back of the fish (11) to be transported.

8. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the angle ß enclosed between the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10) and a longitudinal axis LT of the separating web (18) has a size between 5 and 45 degrees and preferably between 10 and 30 degrees and particularly preferably between 15 and 20 degrees.

9. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the separating web (18) is formed integrally with the base body (15).

10. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dividing web (18) divides the support surface (16) into two substantially triangular partial surfaces, wherein the partial surface facing in the transport direction T for forming the body support area (19) is larger than the partial surface facing away from the transport direction T for forming the tail support area (20).

11. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the thickness of the separating web (18) decreases perpendicular to the support surface (16) starting from the end face (23) facing the head support (13) in the direction of the end face (21) opposite the head support (13).

12. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the head support (13) and main support (14) are designed as separate components and are arranged at a distance from one another to form a gap (32).

13. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a longitudinal axis L K the headrest (13) is inclined to a longitudinal axis L of the main support (14).

14. Trough (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the front edges (22, 34) of the main support (14) and the head support (13) pointing in the transport direction T are each aligned parallel to the rear edges (24, 28) of the main support (14) and the head support (13) pointing counter to the transport direction T, wherein the edges (22, 24) of the main support (14) are aligned transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), and the edges (28, 34) of the head support (13) are inclined obliquely backwards starting from the main support (14) counter to the transport direction T.

15. Trough (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each trough (10) comprises, in addition to the main support (14) and head support (13), a fastening element (31) which is arranged at the end of the main support (14) opposite the head support (13).

16. Trough (10) according to claim 15, characterized in that the three components of a trough (10), i.e. the fastening element (31), the main support (14) and the head support (13) are connected to one another via a bearing rod (35).

17. Trough (10) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that at least the fastening element (31) and the head support (13) comprise fastening means (36) by means of which the trough (10) is designed and arranged to be mountable on a transport conveyor with its longitudinal axis L perpendicular to the transport direction T.

18. Trough conveyor (38), designed and arranged for transporting fish (11) transversely to their longitudinal extent in the transport direction T, comprising a circulatingly drivable transport conveyor (39) with a transport run (40) defining the transport plane E and a return run (41), wherein the endless transport conveyor (39) is guided around at least two deflection elements (42) rotatable about a rotation axis D for driving and / or guiding the transport conveyor (39) and troughs (10) for receiving fish (11) are arranged on the transport conveyor (39), wherein the troughs (10) are arranged with their longitudinal axis L transversely to T ransport direction T are aligned, characterized in that each trough (10) is designed and arranged according to one or more of claims 1 to 17.

19. Trough conveyor (38) according to claim 18, characterized in that two adjacent troughs (10) form a total support for a single fish (11), such that a fish (11) can be positioned with its head on the head support (13) of a first trough (10) and with its body on the body support area (19) of the main support (14) of the first trough (10), while the tail of the same fish (11) can be positioned on the tail support area (20) of an adjacent second trough (10) leading in the transport direction T.

20. Trough conveyor (38) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the longitudinal axis L of each trough (10) in the transport plane E is aligned perpendicular to the transport direction T. 21 . Trough conveyor (38) according to one or more of claims 18 to 20, characterized in that the troughs (10) are designed to be open on the side leading in the transport direction T in such a way that the (10) lying fish (11) fall out of the troughs (10) in the transition area Ü from the transport run (40) into the return run (41).

22. Trough conveyor (38) according to one or more of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the transport conveyor (39) comprises a transport chain (43) which is formed from a plurality of chain links.

23. Trough conveyor (38) according to claim 22, characterized in that each trough (10), in addition to the main support (14) and head support (13), comprises a fastening element (31) which is arranged at the end of the main support (14) opposite the head support (13), wherein each trough (10) is detachably fastened to chain links of the transport chain (43) in the region of the head support (13) and the fastening element (31).

24. Trough conveyor (38) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that threaded bores (37) are formed on the underside of the head support (13) and fastening element (31) facing the transport chain (43), wherein all threaded bores (37) of a trough (10) lie on an axis A which is oriented transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10).

25. Trough conveyor (38) according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the three components of a trough (10), i.e. the fastening element (31), the main support (14) and the head support (13), are connected to one another via a bearing rod (35) in such a way that the main support (14) is movable, in particular rotatable, relative to the head support (13) and fastening element (31) components which are firmly connected to the transport chain (43).

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