Troughs and trough conveyors configured and adapted to transport fish laterally along their longitudinal length.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a trough (10) configured and adapted to receive fish (11) that can be transported laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish (11) in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T using a trough conveyor (38), wherein the trough (10) comprises at least one head support (13) and at least one main support (14), each main support (14) comprising a body (15) having a support surface (16) parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface (17) oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface (16), wherein the trough is characterized in that the contact surface (17) is formed by a partition (18) oriented at an angle β≠0 with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), the partition (18) divides the support surface (16) of the main support (14) into two separate regions, namely a body support region (19) and a tail support region (20). The present invention further relates to a trough conveyor (38) having such a trough (10).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a trough configured and adapted to receive fish that can be transported laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T using a trough conveyor, wherein the trough comprises at least one head support and at least one main support, each main support comprising a body having a support surface parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a trough conveyor configured and adapted to transport fish laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish in the transport direction T, wherein the trough conveyor comprises a transport conveyor that can be driven in a rotating manner, having a transport path defining a transport plane E and a return path, the circulating transport conveyor is guided around at least two deflection elements that are rotatable about a rotation axis D for driving and / or guiding the transport conveyor, troughs for receiving fish are arranged on the transport conveyor, the troughs having their longitudinal axis L oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction T. [Background technology]

[0003] Such troughs and trough conveyors are used in the seafood processing industry to transport fish lying on their sides in the trough into the area of ​​a processing station, for example into a station for cutting the fish's heads, and / or into a transport area, preferably with their bellies facing forward and in a precise position; that is, in the transport area from the transport path to the return path, the fish are delivered in a purposefully oriented manner as the trough follows the transport conveyor while deflecting around a deflection element. The trough conveyor can serve as a standalone device for transport purposes only, or it can be part of a seafood processing machine to transport fish lying on their sides in the trough along a processing station in a manner such as receiving processing, for example, head cutting. In detail, when the trough conveyor is part of a seafood processing machine, other transport means are arranged downstream of the trough conveyor to form the equipment, and as a result the fish are transported from the trough conveyor to the downstream transport means.

[0004] When cutting off the heads of fish, it is crucial that the separation means for cutting off the heads cut as close as possible along the base of the head to obtain as much of the gill meat as possible. In other words, it is also necessary to prevent the gill meat from separating from the body of the fish when cutting off the heads. A trough conveyor is used to transport the fish into the area of ​​the head-cutting station with the back of the fish in contact with the trough's contact surface and the belly facing forward, and to position the fish relative to the separation means during the actual separation process. Thus, a trough conveyor with a trough has a positioning function in addition to a transport function.

[0005] In known trough conveyors, where the trough's longitudinal axis is oriented laterally to the transport direction, i.e., substantially perpendicular to it, a decrease in productivity occurs in the region at the base of the head when the head is cut off. As a result, the meat in the region at the base of the head is separated from the lateral cut along with the head. In the case of known troughs, the contact surfaces of the trough are aligned with the trailing edge of the rear end in the transport direction, so the fish are positioned with their longitudinal axis perpendicular to the separation cutting plane S, resulting in the aforementioned decrease in productivity. To mitigate this effect, German Utility Model No. 20008828(U1) proposes positioning the trough as a whole obliquely on the transport chain, so that the fish are positioned with their longitudinal axis obliquely, and as a result, the cut for separation extends in a plane that does not extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fish. Because the trough is mounted diagonally on the conveyor, the conveyor needs to have a different structure compared to troughs mounted in the conventional way. The longitudinal axis of this trough is oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of transport within the transport plane, which makes it difficult to retrofit troughs to existing trough conveyors. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] German Utility Model Specification No. 20008828(U1) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] Therefore, the fundamental objective of the present invention is to propose a universally usable and easily retrofittable trough that enables the production of a fish head in a highly efficient manner when cutting off the fish's head. The objective is further to provide a corresponding trough conveyor. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This objective is achieved by the trough described earlier, in that a contact surface is formed by a partition oriented at an angle β≠0 with respect to the longitudinal axis T of the trough, and the partition divides the support surface of the main support into two distinct regions, namely, a body support region and a tail support region. By oriented the partition diagonally, the trough forms a contact surface for the fish, on the one hand, that allows the fish to be transported diagonally so that the cutting for separation extends in a plane that does not extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the fish. On the other hand, the trough itself, with the main support, can be mounted with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transport direction T, and as a result, this trough can be adapted to existing systems. In other words, this trough combines the advantages of a trough whose longitudinal axis is oriented perpendicular to the transport direction T, thereby making it easier to mount, in particular retrofit, and allowing the fish to be transported diagonally to obtain the gills in a production-efficient manner when cutting the fish's heads.

[0009] A preferred embodiment of the trough is characterized in that the partition extends from the intersection of the end face of the main support, facing approximately away from the head support, and the front edge of the main support, facing the transport direction T, to the intersection of the end face of the main support, facing approximately the head support, and the rear edge of the main support, facing the opposite direction of the transport direction T. In short, the partition extends diagonally across the support surface, thereby defining the oblique position of the fish to be positioned. Naturally, the partition may have different paths, as long as a contact surface is formed that extends obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the trough, oriented perpendicular to the transport direction T. With the paths according to the present invention, optimal positioning of the fish is achieved to obtain maximum production efficiency.

[0010] Advantageously, each head support comprises a body having 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 located at the rear end of the head support in the transport direction T and extends as an extension of the contact surface of the main support. This configuration is a simple and space-saving method that allows the fish to be positioned obliquely in the trough along its entire length, on the one hand to orient the fish obliquely with respect to the separation plane S during transport, and on the other hand to securely hold the fish in place during processing.

[0011] For convenience, the partition has an opening in the region facing the head support, extending perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction toward the support surface of the main support. This opening, which may also be a recess or a depression in the material, serves to avoid collisions with other mechanical parts, such as so-called fin removers, measuring instruments, pressure elements, or parts thereof. Thus, the opening ensures that the fish transport trough is transported continuously and without collisions through processing stations, such as a station for cutting off the fish's heads. The size and location of the opening may vary, and in detail may extend only over a portion of the partition's height. Optionally, the opening may 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 toward the support surface of the head support. This opening, which may also be a recess or a depression in the material, serves to avoid collision with other mechanical parts. Thus, the opening ensures that the fish-carrying trough is transported continuously and without collision. The size and location of the opening may vary, and in detail may extend only over a portion of the height of the contact surface. Optionally, the opening may also extend to the support surface of the head support.

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the trough is characterized in that all areas of the support surfaces of the main support and the head support of the trough lie in the same plane parallel to the transport plane E. This ensures the safe transport and stable positioning of the fish, in particular, with the ability to position the head and body of a first fish, as well as the tail of a second fish, on the same trough. Optionally, different planes may also be provided. For example, since the tail region of the fish is configured to be flatter in principle than the body region of the fish, the tail support region may be higher than the body support region and the head support region.

[0014] Advantageously, the partition is configured and adapted to diagonally separate the support surfaces of the main support and to face the transport direction T as a linear stopper for the back of the fish to be transported. This configuration orients the trough substantially perpendicular to the transport direction T to assist in the diagonal transport and positioning of the fish.

[0015] Another particularly preferred form of development of the trough is the longitudinal axis L of the trough and the longitudinal axis L of the partition. T The angle β enclosed between the two points is characterized by having a size between 5° and 45°, preferably between 10° and 30°, and particularly preferably between 15° and 20°. This oblique position achieves the optimal angle at which the separation means of the station for separating the head from the body encounters the fish whose head is to be cut off. The preferred angle range enables particularly efficient head cutting.

[0016] For convenience, the partition is constructed as an integral part of the main body. Accordingly, the contact surface of the head support is also constructed as an integral part of the main body of the head support. This allows for simple manufacturing, for example, using injection molding or dead-mould casting, and creates a stable, loadable trough in which fish are securely held. The partition or contact surface can also be constructed separately from the main body and can be fitted or connected to the main body, preferably in a releasable manner, for example, by another method.

[0017] Another advantageous development of the trough is characterized in that the partition divides the support surface into two substantially triangular partial surfaces, and the partial surface facing in the conveying direction T for forming the body support region is configured to be larger than the partial surface facing in the direction opposite to the conveying direction T for forming the tail support region. This division ensures that a sufficient maximum support surface is provided for the fish having a center of gravity. The body requires the largest support for accurate positioning, while the tail only has to be fixed while resisting "bending downwards". The partition can also divide the support surface of the main support into other geometric surfaces having different size distributions. However, the claimed division provides a spatially and functionally optimized solution.

[0018] For the sake of convenience, the thickness of the partition perpendicular to the support surface decreases in the direction starting from the side facing the head support and towards the opposite side of the head support. In this way, space is saved and an embodiment adapted to the anatomical form of the fish in particular is provided. The thickness of the horizontal fish decreases in the direction from the head to the tail, and as a result, the partition has only the height or thickness required at that part of the fish. The height or thickness of the partition can of course vary. The same also applies to the width of the partition. The wider the partition, the smaller the contact surface. Therefore, the trough can also optionally be adapted to different fish sizes across the width of the partition by providing, for example, auxiliary insertion elements that can fit into the separating wall.

[0019] Advantageously, the head support and the main support are configured as separate components and are arranged spaced apart from each other so as to form a gap. This configuration ensures in a simple way that there is sufficient space between the main support and the head support for the separating means to cut the fish without colliding.

[0020] Another particularly advantageous development is that the longitudinal axis L of the head support K is oriented at an angle to the longitudinal axis L of the main support H In particular, preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the head supportK It starts from the longitudinal axis L of the trough extending at right angles to the transfer direction T and extends obliquely rearward or parallel to the transfer direction T within the transfer plane E in the opposite direction. In other words, the body of the head support is arranged obliquely on the body of the main support, and as a result, a common oblique support surface is provided for the fish. In this method, it is ensured that the fish is positioned particularly accurately at an oblique position. Therefore, the longitudinal axis of the fish does not extend at right angles to the transfer direction T in the trough where the longitudinal axis L of the trough is oriented at right angles to the transfer direction. By "bending the direction" of the head support, the optimal positioning of the fish is ensured in a method that particularly does not take up space and saves space, enabling a cut for highly efficient separation.

[0021] Advantageously, the front edges of the main support and the head support facing the transfer direction T are in each case oriented parallel to the rear edges of the main support and the head support facing in the opposite direction to the transfer direction T, the edge of the main support is oriented transversely to the transfer direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough, and the edge of the head support slopes obliquely rearward starting from the main support in the opposite direction to the transfer direction T. With this configuration, the above advantages are further supported.

[0022] Particularly preferably, each trough comprises, in addition to the main support and the head support, fastening elements arranged at the end of the main support on the opposite side of the head support. Preferably, an additional fastening element having a body like a plate is also used, and the trough according to the invention can be quickly and easily replaced with other troughs having the same fastening structure. The head support and the fastening elements together act to fasten the trough securely and in such a way as to guide the trough on both sides.

[0023] For the sake of convenience, the three components of the trough, namely the fastening element, the main support, and the head support, are connected together via a bearing rod. In this way, the handling of the trough during mounting and / or retrofitting becomes easy. Moreover, the exact connection of the individual components to each other remains in a non-mounted state, and as a result, the cost for retrofitting or modification is reduced. [[ID=??]]

[0024] Advantageously, at least the fastening elements and head supports are provided with fastening elements that configure and adapt the trough so that its longitudinal axis L is perpendicular to the transport direction T when mounted on the transport conveyor. To achieve this objective, the head supports and fastening elements may have, for example, threaded holes on the underside of the head supports and fastening elements, facing away from the support surface, and all of these threaded holes preferably lie on linearly oriented axes extending parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough. Axis A may lie on the longitudinal axis L or be positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis L. With this configuration, the trough according to the present invention can be integrated into known systems without reconfiguration or adaptation means, in particular into trough conveyors having a trough orientation such that the transport direction T is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

[0025] This objective is also achieved by the trough conveyor mentioned earlier, in that each trough is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 17. The advantages arising therefrom have already been described in relation to the troughs, and therefore, to avoid repetition, refer to the corresponding section. The present invention provides a trough conveyor that ensures reliable transport and optimized positioning of fish for processing, in particular for separating the head from the body, using the troughs according to the present invention.

[0026] Advantageously, the two adjacent troughs form a complete support for a single fish, allowing the fish to position its head on the main support of the first trough and its body on the body support area of ​​the first trough's main support, while the tail of the same fish can be positioned on the tail support area of ​​the adjacent second trough, which is connected in the transport direction T. With this configuration and arrangement of adjacent troughs, the desired oblique positioning of the fish can be achieved in a spatially optimized manner without having to arrange the troughs themselves obliquely.

[0027] For convenience, the longitudinal axis L of each trough is oriented within the transport plane E perpendicular to the transport direction T. Thus, taking into account manufacturing and / or mounting tolerances, we describe a precise perpendicular orientation that facilitates substantially quick and easy replacement and space-saving retrofitting of troughs.

[0028] JPEG2026517421000002.jpg36153

[0029] For convenience, the conveyor is equipped with a transfer chain formed from numerous chain members. The transfer chain forms a very robust and reliable conveyor, which also allows for secure and fixed, yet openable, connection to a trough.

[0030] Advantageously, each trough is provided with fastening elements arranged at the end of the main support opposite the head support, in addition to the main support and head support, and is releasably fastened to the chain members of the transport chain within the area of ​​the head support and the area of ​​the fastening elements. This further supports the advantages mentioned above.

[0031] Another preferred development of the trough conveyor is characterized by the provision of threaded holes on the underside of the head support and the underside of the fastening elements, facing the transport chain, wherein all threaded holes in the trough lie on a linear axis oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough. In place of threaded holes, other fastening means, such as plug-in elements and / or latching elements, may also be provided.

[0032] Advantageously, the three components of the trough—the fastening element, the main support, and the head support—are connected together via a bearing rod, and as a result, the main support is movable, and more specifically rotatable, relative to the components of the head support and fastening element, which are fixedly connected to the transport chain. Thanks to the releasable connection of the head support and fastening element to the transport chain, these components follow the movement path of the chain. The main support is movable relative to the chain, or at least partially, independently of the chain, for example, to allow for the determination of a precise release position.

[0033] Other favorable and / or advantageous features of the trough conveyor, as well as other developmental forms, will become apparent from the dependent claims and specification. Particularly preferred embodiments of the subject matter of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0034] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view of a trough according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a top view of the trough. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a bottom view of the trough. [Figure 4] Figure 2 shows two troughs with the fish positioned above. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a trough conveyor with multiple troughs. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The trough shown in the figure, along with the trough conveyor, is configured and adapted in detail to transport white-fleshed fish of the species "cod and hake" across the body axis with the belly facing forward and the dorsal end of the trough at the rear. The trough with the trough conveyor is, in very detail, configured and adapted to transport the fish to the area of ​​a head-cutting machine and position the fish in the area of ​​the head-cutting machine. However, the trough and even further trough conveyor are suitable, in even more detail, for transporting and positioning other species of fish with different size ranges.

[0036] Figures 1 to 4 show a trough 10 configured and adapted to receive fish 11 that can be transported laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish 11 in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T using a trough conveyor 38. The trough 10 comprises at least one head support 13 and at least one main support 14, each main support 14 comprising a body 15 having a support surface 16 parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface 17 oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface 16.

[0037] The trough 10 is characterized by the fact that the contact surface 17 is formed by a partition 18 oriented at an angle β≠0 with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10, the partition 18 dividing the support surface 16 of the main support 14 into two separate regions, namely, a fuselage support region 19 and a tail support region 20.

[0038] The features and other variations described below are preferred embodiments when considered individually or in combination with each other. It should be explicitly noted that the features combined in the claims and / or this specification and / or drawings, or the features described in the common embodiments, can also functionally independently create the trough 10 described above.

[0039] The partition 18 extends perpendicular to the support surface 16 of the main body 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the transition from the partition 18 to the main body 15 has a radius R, the size of which may vary and may optionally be replaced by an even more abrupt transition from the partition 18 to the main body 15. The partition 18 extends from the intersection S1 between the end face 21 of the main support 14, which faces away from the head support 13, and the front edge 22 of the main support 14, which faces the transport direction T in the opposite direction to the transport direction T, to the intersection S2 between the end face 23 of the main support 14, which faces away from the head support 13 in the opposite direction to the transport direction T, and the rear edge 24 of the main support 14, which faces the opposite direction to the transport direction T. As shown in the figure, the partition 18 may also start and / or end a short distance from the intersections S1, S2, or at a distance from the front edge 22 or the rear edge 24. Thanks to the diagonal position of partition 18, the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14 H The longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 and the longitudinal axis L of the partition 18 are oriented parallel to each other. T An angle β is formed between the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 and the longitudinal axis L of the partition 18. T This angle β, enclosed between the two points, has a size of between 15° and 20° in detail.

[0040] Similar to the main support 14, each head support 13 also comprises a body 25 having a support surface 26 parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface 27 oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface 26, wherein the contact surface 27 of the head support 13 is located at the rear end, at the rear 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 13 have recesses in the material. The partition 18 has an opening 29 in the region facing the head support 13, which extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in the direction toward the support surface 16 of the main support 14. The distance from the end face 23 to the opening 29 is shorter than the distance from the end face 21 and depends on the location of other device and machine components that could lead to collisions while the trough 10 is being transported in the transport direction T. The opening 29 extends perpendicularly toward the support surface 16 over only a portion of the height / thickness of the partition 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 toward the support surface 26 of the head support 13.

[0041] The thickness or height of the partition 18 perpendicular to the support surface 16 decreases from the end face 23 facing the head support 13 toward the end face 21 opposite the head support 13. The partition 18 also has a width B lateral to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10, and this width is substantially constant from at least the opening 29 toward the end face 21. The partition 18 is constructed integrally with the body 15. Accordingly, the contact surface 27 of the head support 13 is also constructed integrally with the body 25 of the head support 13. Preferably, components made from plastic material by injection molding, namely the head support 13 and the main support 14, together with fastening elements 31 also preferably made from plastic material by injection molding, form the trough 10.

[0042] Partition 18 divides the support surface 16 into two substantially triangular partial surfaces, and the partial surface facing the transfer direction T for forming the body support region 19 is configured to be larger than the partial surface facing in the direction opposite to the transfer direction T for forming the tail support region 20. Partition 18 diagonally separates the support surface 16 of the main support 14 and is configured and adapted as a linear stop for the back of the fish 11 to be transferred on the side facing the transfer direction T. The contact surface 27 of the head support 13 similarly forms a linear stop for the head of the fish 11. All regions of the support surface 16 of the main support 14 and the support surface 26 of the head support 13 of the trough 10 are in the same plane parallel to the transfer plane E. Not only the body support region 19 and the tail support region 20 of the main support 14, but also the support surface 26 of the head support 13 are in one plane. Finally, the fastening element 31 of the trough 10 is also in the same plane.

[0043] The head support 13 and the main support 14 are configured as separate components and are arranged spaced apart from each other to form a gap 32. The fastening element 31 is also configured separately from the main support 14 and is arranged to form a gap 33 with respect to the main support 14 as well. The longitudinal axis L of the head support 13 K is oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14 H . Preferably, the longitudinal axis L of the head support 13 K extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the partition 18 T . The front edges 22, 34 of the main support 14 and the head support 13 facing the transfer direction T are in each case oriented parallel to the rear edges 24, 28 of the main support 14 and the head support 13 facing in the direction opposite to the transfer direction T. The edges 22, 24 of the main support 14 are oriented transversely to the transfer direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10, or parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14 H . The edges 28, 34 of the head support 13 start from the main support 14 and slope obliquely rearward in the direction opposite to the transfer direction T. The longitudinal axis L of the fastening element 31 B extends parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the main support 14 H .

[0044] As already mentioned, each trough 10 includes a main support 14 and a head support 13, as well as fastening elements 31 arranged at the end of the main support 14 opposite the head support 13. All three components of the trough 10, namely the fastening elements 31, the main support 14, and the head support 13, are connected together via bearing rods 35 and the like, and the main support 14 is rotatable relative to the fastening elements 31 and the head support 13. At least the fastening elements 31 and the head support 13 are provided with fastening means 36 that configure and adapt the trough 10 so that its longitudinal axis L is perpendicular to the transport direction T and it is mounted on the transport conveyor of the trough conveyor. Threaded holes 37 are preferably located on the underside of the fastening elements 31 and the underside of the head support 13, and these threaded holes are preferably located on an axis A oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough 10 (see Figure 3 in detail).

[0045] The trough 10 can be used as a separate component, more specifically as a replacement component and / or an add-on component. However, the trough 10 is also, more specifically, a component of the trough conveyor 38.

[0046] Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a trough conveyor 38 configured and adapted to transport fish 11 in the transport direction T and laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish 11. The trough conveyor 38 comprises a transport conveyor 39 having a transport path 40 defining a transport plane E and a return path 41, which can be driven in a rotating manner, and the circulating transport conveyor 39 is guided around at least two deflection elements 42 that are rotatable about a rotation axis D in order to drive and / or guide the transport conveyor 39. In the illustrated embodiment, three or more deflection elements 42 are provided, and these deflection elements are not expressly shown and may be further configured and adapted as tension elements at an optional choice. Troughs 10 for receiving fish 11 are arranged on the transport conveyor 39, and the troughs 10 are oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction T, with their longitudinal axis L.

[0047] According to the present invention, the trough conveyor 38 is characterized in that each trough 10 is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, as described in detail above.

[0048] TIFF2026517421000003.tif95170

[0049] TIFF2026517421000004.tif124170

[0050] The trough conveyor 38 can be used as an independent transport element. However, preferably, the trough conveyor 38 is part of a processing station. In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the trough conveyor 38 is part of a station 44 for cutting the heads of the fish 11. In addition to the trough conveyor 38, the station 44 for cutting the heads comprises a cutting device 45 having separation means, i.e., a circular knife 46, which can be driven in a rotational state and enters a gap 32 between a head support 13, a main support 14, and a control device (not explicitly shown) to separate the head from the body. For cutting the heads, the trough conveyor 38 preferably moves continuously in the transport direction T, and the fish 11 forced by the configuration of the trough 10 according to the present invention encounter the circular knife 46 at an angle, and the trough 10 itself has its longitudinal axis L in the transport plane E, i.e., its longitudinal axis L is the longitudinal axis L of the partition 18 T The components are oriented substantially parallel to the transport direction T and perpendicular to it, resulting in highly efficient head cutting along the separation plane S.

Claims

1. A trough (10) configured and adapted to receive fish (11) so that the fish (11) can be transported laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish (11) in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T using a trough conveyor (38), wherein the trough (10) comprises at least one head support (13) and at least one main support (14), each of the main support (14) having a support surface (16) parallel to the transport plane E and substantially relative to the support surface (16) A trough (10) comprising a main body (15) having a contact surface (17) oriented perpendicular to the main body, wherein the contact surface (17) is formed by a partition (18) oriented at an angle β≠0 with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10), and the partition (18) divides the support surface (16) of the main support (14) into two separate regions, namely, a body support region (19) and a tail support region (20).

2. The partition (18) is located at approximately the intersection (S) between the end face (21) of the main support (14), which faces in the direction opposite to the head support (13), and the front edge (22) of the main support (14), which faces the transport direction T. １ From ) in the direction opposite to the transport direction T, approximately in the direction opposite to the transport direction T, the intersection (S) between the end face (23) of the main support (14) facing the head support (13) and the rear edge (24) of the main support (14) facing in the direction opposite to the transport direction T ２ The trough (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that it extends to ).

3. Each head support (13) comprises a body (25) having a support surface (26) parallel to the transport plane E and a contact surface (27) oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface (26), wherein the contact surface (27) of the head support (13) is located at the rear end 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), characterized in that, the trough (10) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the partition (18) has an opening (29) in the region facing the head support (13) that extends perpendicular to the transport plane E in a direction toward the support surface (16) of the main support (14).

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

6. The trough (10) according to any one 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 the trough (10) are in the same plane parallel to the transport plane E.

7. The trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the partition (18) separates the support surface (16) of the main support (14) in a diagonal direction and is configured and fitted on the side facing the transport direction T as a linear stopper for the back of the fish (11) to be transported.

8. The longitudinal axis L of the trough (10) and the longitudinal axis L of the partition (18) Ｔ The trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the angle β enclosed between has a size between 5° and 45°, preferably between 10° and 30°, and particularly preferably between 15° and 20°.

9. The trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the partition (18) is integrally formed with the main body (15).

10. The trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the partition (18) divides the support surface (16) into two substantially triangular sub-surfaces, and the sub-surface facing the transport direction T for forming the body support region (19) is larger than the sub-surface facing the opposite direction to the transport direction T for forming the tail support region (20).

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

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

13. The longitudinal axis L of the head support (13) Ｋ The longitudinal axis L of the main support (14) Ｈ A trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is oriented at a certain angle relative to the surface.

14. The trough (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the front edges (22, 34) of the main support (14) and the head support (13), which are facing the transport direction T, are in all cases oriented parallel to the rear edges (24, 28) of the main support (14) and the head support (13), which are facing in the direction opposite to the transport direction T, the edges (22, 24) of the main support (14) are oriented laterally with respect 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) start from the main support (14) and are inclined diagonally backward in the direction opposite to the transport direction T.

15. The trough (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that each trough (10) comprises, in addition to the main support (14) and the head support (13), fastening elements (31) arranged at the end of the main support (14) opposite to the head support (13).

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

17. The trough (10) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that at least the fastening element (31) and the head support (13) are provided with fastening means (36) that configure and adapt the trough (10) so that the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10) is perpendicular to the transport direction T and the trough (10) is mounted on the transport conveyor.

18. A trough conveyor (38) configured and adapted to transport fish (11) in a transport direction T and laterally with respect to the longitudinal length of the fish (11), comprising a transport conveyor (39) having a transport path (40) defining a transport plane E and a return path (41) that can be driven by a rotating method, wherein the circulating transport conveyor (39) is guided around at least two deflection elements (42) that are rotatable about a rotation axis D in order to drive and / or guide the transport conveyor (39), and troughs (10) for receiving the fish (11) are arranged on the transport conveyor (39), wherein the troughs (10) have their longitudinal axis L oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction T, and each trough (10) is configured and adapted according to one or more of claims 1 to 17.

19. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 18, characterized in that two adjacent troughs (10) form a complete support for a single fish (11), and as a result the fish (11) can be positioned with its head on the head support (13) of the first trough (10) and its body on the body support region (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 region (20) of the adjacent second trough (10) which is connected in the transport direction T.

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

21.

22. The trough conveyor (38) according to any one of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the transfer conveyor (39) comprises a transfer chain (43) formed from a large number of chain members.

23. Each trough (10) is provided with fastening elements (31) arranged at the end of the main support (14) opposite to the head support (13), in addition to the main support (14) and the head support (13), and is releasably fastened to the chain members of the transport chain (43) in the area of ​​the head support (13) and the area of ​​the fastening elements (31), as described in claim 22, for the trough conveyor (38).

24. A trough conveyor (38) according to claim 22 or 23, characterized in that threaded holes (37) are provided on the lower side of the head support (13) and the lower side of the fastening element (31) facing the transport chain (43), and all of the threaded holes (37) of the trough (10) are located on an axis A oriented laterally with respect to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the trough (10).

25. The trough conveyor (38) according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the three components of the trough (10), namely the fastening element (31), the main support (14), and the head support (13), are connected together via a bearing rod (35), and as a result the main support (14) is movable, and more specifically rotatable, with respect to the components of the head support (13) and the fastening element (31), which are fixedly connected to the transport chain (43).

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