Blade Assembly and Apparatus and Method for Processing Animal Products

Abstract

The present invention particularly relates to a blade assembly (10) configured and adapted to perform filleting cuts on a clamped and gutted fish (100), the blade assembly (10) comprising at least one cutting head (11) with at least one housing (12) having a blade unit (13) and a drive unit (14) configured and adapted to rotationally drive a blade shaft (16), the blade shaft (16) having a cutting blade (15) rotatably supported inside the housing (12), the cutting blade (15) being arranged on the blade shaft (16) at a free end (17) of the blade shaft (16) for co-rotation, the blade shaft (16) being configured to be axially movable relative to the housing (12) and configured to be separable from the drive unit (14) for the purpose of axially moving the blade shaft (16), such that the rotational movement of the blade shaft (16) can be performed independently of the axial movement of the blade shaft (16). The present invention further relates to an apparatus (62) and method for processing animal products, in particular for preparing fillets.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to a blade assembly configured and adapted to perform filleting cuts on fastened, beheaded and at least partially gutted fish, the blade assembly comprising at least one cutting head having at least one housing having a blade unit, and a drive unit configured and adapted to rotationally drive a blade shaft, the blade shaft having a cutting blade and rotatably mounted within the housing, the cutting blade being arranged on the blade shaft at its free end for co-rotation.

[0002] The invention further relates to an apparatus for processing animal products, in particular for preparing fillets, comprising a conveying device for holding and conveying the products to be processed along a conveying path in a conveying direction T, and at least one work station for processing the animal products along the conveying path.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a method for processing animal products, in particular for making fillets, the method comprising the steps of feeding the animal product to be processed in a conveying direction T by a conveying device to at least one work station, and using a blade assembly as the work station to perform a processing cut on the product to be processed by conveying the product along at least one rotary driven cutting blade of a cutting head of the blade assembly, the rotary cutting blade being moved axially from a standby position to a cutting position and back again for placement against the product to be processed, or vice versa. [Background technology]

[0004] Blade assemblies and devices of this type are used in the animal processing industry, in particular for preparing poultry and fish fillets. When processing animals, and in particular for preparing fillets, a large number of different cuts must be performed to separate the flesh, in particular the fillets, from the skeleton of the animal or fish. For this purpose, the product is conveyed by a conveying device along a conveying path in a conveying direction T. At least one work station is arranged along this conveying path. Preferably, multiple work stations are arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction T so that various work steps, in particular (severing) cuts, can be performed. Using the example of preparing fillets of fish that has been killed, beheaded, and at least partially gutted, the work stations are arranged to perform filleting cuts, including the belly cut, the flank cut, the flank cut, the backbone cut, the small bone cut or belly cut, the severing cut, and other cuts. The number, configuration, order, and arrangement of the work stations can vary depending on the product.

[0005] Part of the work station is configured as a blade assembly with either a single cutting blade or a pair of cutting blades. The function and structural design of the blade assembly are essentially product-independent. This means that a typical blade assembly for working with poultry is configured similarly to a corresponding blade assembly for working with fish, in terms of the adjustment of the cutting blade from the standby position to the cutting position and back, and vice versa. The or each cutting blade or pair of cutting blades is configured as a circular blade, for example, for performing ventral cuts, flank cuts, and in particular also backbone cuts. Each cutting blade or pair of cutting blades is arranged on the free end of the blade shaft and is positioned and oriented relative to the product according to the cut to be made, depending on the product to be processed. Using the example of a backbone cut, each cutting blade, with its oblique orientation, enters the fish from below, so that the cutting blade is positioned near one side of the backbone, or near both sides of the backbone in the case of a pair of cutting blades, and the backbone is cut from below along the entire length of the fish, up to the dorsal fin. In the case of a pair of cutting blades, the two cutting blades form an inverted V, and the two cutting blades forming the inverted V are positioned as upright as possible at an acute angle to each other, and are placed as close as possible to the spine, or even in direct contact with the spine.

[0006] A common feature among many of these cuts, specifically the flank cut, the flank bone cut, and especially the backbone cut, is that the position of the cutting blade relative to the product being cut may not always be the same due to both anatomical and individual variations in the product. Fixing the cutting blade would result in insufficient yield and / or damage to the product. By way of example only, and without limiting the invention to this example, in the case of cutting the backbone of a fish that has been clamped, beheaded, and at least partially gutted, fixing the cutting blade can result in significant yield loss if the cutting blade is positioned too far from the backbone. Portions of the flesh will remain as a membrane on the backbone. This should be avoided at all costs. If the cutting blade is fixed too close to the backbone, it may cut into or even penetrate the backbone (sometimes called the spine), thereby rendering the harvested flesh defective. This should also be avoided at all costs. Thus, the position of each cutting blade relative to the product being cut can be adjusted to set the optimum position of the cutting blade relative to the backbone. The same applies to cutting blades that perform other filleting cuts on fish, poultry, or other animals suitable for and used in processing.

[0007] In order to achieve an optimized cutting pattern, for example to obtain a better yield and / or cleaner cuts that are gentler on the flesh, and / or for other reasons, it is necessary to make the blade assembly, or at least the or each cutting blade of the blade assembly, adjustable so that, on the one hand, the or each cutting blade or its position can be adapted to the size of the product to be processed, and, on the other hand, the or each cutting blade can be moved from a waiting position, which places the or each cutting blade at a distance from the product to be processed (at a distance from the spine in the example of a spine cut), to a cutting position in which the or each cutting blade contacts the product (the spine in the example of a spine cut) and back again, or vice versa. In conclusion, a waiting position refers to all positions which are not actual cutting positions.

[0008] Various adjustment options are known for setting the position of the cutting blade relative to the product being processed. For example, the blade assembly, i.e. the entire unit consisting of the drive unit and the blade shaft with the cutting blade, can be moved from a standby position to a cutting position and back again by a stepper motor or the like. In another variant, an air cylinder or the like is provided to actively control the cutting blade. Another variant provides an active or passive spring-loaded adjustment, the adjustment of which is carried out in a manner that simply controls the product.

[0009] In the case of active control systems, the entire blade assembly must be moved for adjustment, which requires the movement of a large mass. Such systems are therefore limited in terms of their dynamic performance. A large mass is slower, resulting in correspondingly longer adjustment cycles, i.e., longer movements from the standby position to the cutting position and back again, or vice versa. In other words, when moving a large mass, more time is required to transport the cutting blade from the standby position to the cutting position, thereby reducing the number of possible cycles and, in particular, limiting the useful life / durability of such systems. A further drawback of known systems requiring the movement of a large mass is that, in practice, only large, correspondingly massed products can move the cutting blade or blade assembly. Only large products with a certain mass, in particular products weighing more than approximately 500 g, have sufficient mass to activate the cutting blades or blade assemblies transversely to the conveying direction, for example against the spring force, i.e. to push the cutting blades or blade assemblies outward so that (in the example of a fish filleting cut) the backbone of the product reaches between the cutting blades, and as the product is conveyed, the cutting blades are guided along the backbone, in particular the backbone located close to the cutting blades, without damaging it. Furthermore, only large products are long enough within the time period from the waiting position to the cutting position and back again, to give the cutting blades sufficient time to perform the actual filleting cut at the cutting position. Known systems are not suitable, nor are they configured or adapted to process products with a smaller mass, for example products weighing less than 500 g, and products with a length shorter than that required for dynamic performance.

[0010] For smaller mass products, e.g., fish weighing less than 500 g, the entire heavy blade assembly cannot be used to guide the cutting blade precisely and in a controlled manner, e.g., along the outside of the spine. The mass of the blade assembly or other components controlling the cutting blade is large enough to always exert a large force on the product, and thus may even damage it. This problem is significant with smaller mass products. Furthermore, because smaller mass products are quite short, the cutting blade has only a short amount of processing time. That is, there is only an extremely short period of time to bring the cutting blade into the appropriate position, which cannot be achieved with larger masses due to inertia. For cutting (i.e., for a spine cut, when performing a cutting cut along the entire length of the fish as close to the spine as possible), the cutting blade must be moved from a standby position to a cutting position and then from the cutting position back to the standby position. Therefore, existing systems are unable to accurately bring the cutting blade into the proper position with high yield and with the corresponding efficiency and dynamic performance required for processing smaller / lighter products, especially those with a mass of less than 500g. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] It is therefore an object of the present invention to create a compact, dynamically adjustable blade assembly that cuts even small products reliably, precisely and with a high yield. Furthermore, it is an object to propose a corresponding device and a corresponding method for filleting animal products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This object is achieved by a blade assembly of the first-mentioned type, in which the blade shaft is configured to be axially movable relative to the housing and separable from the drive unit for axial movement of the blade shaft, allowing the rotational movement of the blade shaft to be performed independently of the axial movement of the blade shaft. Therefore, the mass of the blade assembly components required for the movement of the cutting blade to the appropriate position is reduced. Because the blade assembly configuration according to the invention has a mass-optimized blade shaft and a reduced number of components / parts that are movable for axial adjustment movement, the blade shaft, which only contains the cutting blade, is configured and adapted to be axially adjustable relative to the housing as the blade shaft rotates. The configuration according to the invention results in an extremely dynamically adjustable cutting blade. Extremely dynamic preferably refers to a system that allows more than 10 movement cycles per second, where one movement cycle refers to the movement of the cutting blade from the standby position to the cutting position and back again, or vice versa. During the movement cycle, the product is worked on the blade assembly until a subsequent product is transported to the area of ​​the blade assembly. Due to the high dynamic performance, especially for light / small products, there is sufficient time to perform the operation, e.g., filleting cut, in the case of a backbone cut, filleting cut along the backbone, since the mere positioning movement can be performed in a time-optimized manner, i.e. especially more quickly. Overall, the arrangement according to the invention leads to a greater yield efficiency, especially even in the case of a backbone cut. However, an improvement in yield efficiency, especially for small / light products, is also achieved for other filleting cuts with the use of the blade assembly according to the invention.

[0013] Advantageously, the blade assembly is configured and adapted to perform a spinal cut on clamped, decapitated and gutted fish, which is fed head end first to the blade assembly. The advantages of a compact, mass-optimized design and of the dynamic performance obtained in controlling / positioning the cutting blade are particularly evident in this filleting cut, since in particular the arrangement according to the invention allows for dynamic and sufficiently sensitive axial adjustment to be achieved even in the range of ±2 mm, preferably ±1 mm.

[0014] A preferred development of the blade assembly is characterized in that the adjustment force, or the actuator that generates the adjustment force, is mechanically decoupled from the blade shaft so as to move the blade shaft axially. The actuator acts on the blade shaft independently of the drive unit. Because the actuator is mechanically decoupled from the blade shaft, the rotational movement of the drive unit to the blade shaft can be performed independently and superimposed on the axial movement of the blade shaft. Therefore, the mass to be moved during the axial movement is significantly reduced, thereby further improving the dynamic performance during the adjustment of the cutting blade.

[0015] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that the drive sleeve is arranged on the blade shaft and is operatively connected to the drive unit on the one hand and to the blade shaft on the other hand, which results in a compact configuration that allows a rotational movement on the one hand and an axial movement superimposed on the rotational movement on the other hand.

[0016] Advantageously, the blade shaft is arranged and guided in an axially displaceable manner inside the drive sleeve, so that the movable mass for adjusting / controlling the cutting blade is reduced to a minimum, thereby improving dynamic performance.

[0017] An advantageous development is characterized in that, on the one hand, the bevel gear of the drive unit is fixedly connected to the drive sleeve so as to drive the latter in rotation, and, on the other hand, the driver element is fixedly connected to the drive sleeve so as to transmit the rotation of the drive sleeve to the blade shaft. This configuration is compact and allows for a reliable transmission of rotation from the drive sleeve to the blade shaft.

[0018] In a convenient embodiment, the blade shaft has a recess in which the driver element engages, which is configured and adapted to, on the one hand, transmit the rotational movement of the drive sleeve to the blade shaft and, on the other hand, ensure that the blade shaft moves axially relative to the drive sleeve. The driver element is preferably a kind of slide, fixedly connected to the drive sleeve, establishing an operable connection to the blade shaft, for example by friction fit, on the one hand, transmitting the rotation of the drive sleeve to the blade shaft, and, on the other hand, allowing the blade shaft to move axially relative to the drive sleeve within the boundaries of the recess. The axial adjustment path is maximally limited by the side walls of the recess, so that the side walls form a kind of stop for the adjustment path. However, the adjustment path can also be smaller so that the driver element is always at a certain distance from the two side walls of the recess. In this case, the stop limiting the axial adjustment movement can also be formed by the interaction of a stop surface of the drive sleeve and a stop surface of the blade shaft.

[0019] Advantageously, the drive sleeve is rotatably supported within the housing and is arranged within the housing so as to be immovable in the axial direction, and the blade shaft is configured to be axially movable relative to the drive sleeve, and the blade shaft, and therefore the cutting blade, is held in the cutting position by a spring element when the blade assembly is in the start position, in which the blade shaft with the cutting blade is extended and pressed against a stop on the drive sleeve at its end position. The start position refers to the position of the blade assembly just before the product to be processed reaches the blade assembly. In the start position, the cutting blade is in its maximum extension position. If two cutting blades are provided, these cutting blades are at the smallest distance from each other in the start position, which actually forms the cutting position. The stop can be, for example, a protrusion on the drive sleeve.

[0020] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that the actuator for axially moving the blade shaft relative to the drive sleeve includes an air unit that applies an adjusting force for axially moving the blade shaft against the spring force of the spring element, holding the blade shaft, and thus the shearing blade, in a standby position in which the blade shaft with the shearing blade retracts and presses against a stop on the drive sleeve. The air unit allows for particularly simple and particularly sensitive, i.e., precise, control of the axial movement. In combination with a spring element that ultimately applies a spring force toward the product, the air unit allows for an axial adjustment movement that is highly dynamic and at the same time easy to adjust, particularly in both the direction toward and away from the product. In particular, the configuration according to the present invention allows for rapid and precise activation of the shearing blade. That is, the configuration according to the present invention allows not only axial movement away from the product, but also rapid and precise adjustment toward the product, so that the shearing blade contacts the product more gently. The stop against which the blade shaft rests in the retracted position may be a protrusion on the drive sleeve, but the stop may also be the spring element itself or formed by the spring force of the spring element.

[0021] Advantageously, the spring elements are configured and adapted to be replaceable to change the spring force, or the spring force of the spring elements is configured and adapted to be adjustable. This allows for control of dynamic performance. In other words, the sensitivity of the positioning of the cutting blade can be changed. A larger spring force can return the blade shaft with the cutting blade to the cutting position more quickly. In this case, the cutting blade also contacts the product more firmly and with greater force. However, when processing smaller products, a smaller spring force may be desirable or necessary, for example, to reduce strain on the product. This can be achieved by using spring elements, in particular compression springs with different spring forces. In other embodiments, the degree of spring bias, and therefore the spring force, can be changed, for example, by changing the length of the spring path using a spacer.

[0022] A preferred development is characterized in that the blade shaft is constructed from at least two parts, with the two blade shaft sections being fixedly but releasably interconnected. Besides the option of constructing the blade shaft as a single part, a multi-part construction is preferred, with a two-part design being particularly preferred. The two blade shaft sections are arranged so that they cannot rotate relative to each other. Constructing the blade shaft from multiple parts allows for a compact construction of components used for axial movement, such as spring elements and air units. Furthermore, a two- or multi-part construction in a modular design allows, for example, for the spring elements to be easily and quickly replaced.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the first blade shaft portion supports a cutting blade, which is preferably configured as a circular blade, and has a recess for the driver element, and the second blade shaft portion is configured hollow cylindrical, a piston rod is arranged in the cavity, and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion is connected by the piston rod to the blade shaft portion supporting the cutting blade. The piston rod arranged in the hollow cylindrical second blade shaft portion is releasably connected to the first blade shaft portion, for example by a threaded connection, although other fastening systems or fastening means may also be used.

[0024] Conveniently, the piston rod, or its peripheral surface, is arranged at a distance from the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion to form an air chamber, and the piston rod seals the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion at the end face opposite the cutting blade. The outer diameter of the piston rod is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion. This creates an annular air chamber inside the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion. To achieve a closed air chamber, the piston rod seals the air chamber at the end face. For example, a suitable sealing ring or other sealing means can be used for this purpose. On the side of the piston rod facing away from the end face, the air chamber is bounded and closed by the drive sleeve and the blade shaft wall.

[0025] An advantageous development is characterized in that the air chamber has at least one air flow opening into the peripheral region, which is in flow communication with a compressed air inlet to which a compressed air unit is connected. Preferably, a plurality of air flow openings are provided, for example, distributed annularly around the circumference of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft section. The or each air flow opening is formed in the wall of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft section. The or each air flow opening places the air chamber in flow communication with the compressed air inlet, which is configured and adapted to deliver and pass compressed air. The peripheral region refers to the region located outside the blade shaft. The region of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft section away from the cavity forms the peripheral region. The compressed air unit allows compressed air to be injected into the air chamber through the compressed air inlet and the air flow opening, which presses the blade shaft against the guide bushing and thereby presses the blade shaft into the retracted position (standby position) against the spring force of the spring element. As soon as the adjustment force exceeds the spring force, the blade shaft is adjusted axially inward so that the distance from the cutting blade to the product increases. Thus, the blade shaft with the cutting blade is in a standby position. As soon as the pressure in the compressed air unit is reduced or removed, compressed air can escape from the air chamber through the air flow opening and the compressed air inlet. Upon pressure release, as soon as the spring force exceeds the adjustment force, the spring element presses the blade shaft axially outward, toward the product to be processed. As soon as the blade shaft with the cutting blade is extended axially, the blade shaft with the cutting blade is in a cutting position.

[0026] Conveniently, the compressed air inlet comprises a rotary coupling for compressed air, the compressed air being controlled to enter and exit the air chamber through the or each air flow opening, thereby achieving an uninterrupted and compact configuration of the blade assembly, by means of which the rotational movement of the blade shaft may be effected in a manner that superimposes the axial movement of the blade shaft.

[0027] In a particularly advantageous embodiment, a second air chamber is formed between the end face of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft section (or the piston rod closing the shaft end) and the housing on the side of the blade shaft facing away from the cutting blade. The second air chamber is in flow communication with a second compressed air inlet, to which a compressed air unit is connected. After the blade shaft is activated in the standby position, i.e., after the blade shaft is retracted, the compressed air acts in the direction of the spring force of the spring element, transporting the blade shaft more quickly to the cutting position, i.e., the extended position. The compressed air unit preferably supports the spring element, resulting in so-called pulsed compressed air control. The extension of the blade shaft back to the cutting position initially generates a pulse of compressed air, which preferably ends before the cutting blade contacts the product. The spring element then guides the cutting blade to its final cutting position relative to the product. In this embodiment, the dynamic performance of the cutting blade adjustment can be further increased, since less time is required for the blade shaft retraction, especially the blade shaft extension. Furthermore, in this way the compressive force of the cutting blade on the product can be simply and variably adapted.

[0028] In a further advantageous embodiment, the drive sleeve is formed of at least two parts, with two drive sleeve portions fixedly but releasably interconnected. Besides the option of constructing the drive sleeve as a single part, a multi-part design is preferred, with a two-part design consisting of two drive sleeve portions being particularly preferred. The two drive sleeve portions are configured as approximately hollow cylinders and surround the two blade shaft portions. The first drive sleeve portion is preferably positioned substantially within the area of ​​the first blade shaft portion. The second drive sleeve portion is preferably positioned substantially within the area of ​​the second hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion. The two drive sleeve portions are arranged to prevent rotation relative to each other, preferably via a releasable threaded connection. Other fastening systems or fastening means may also be used. Configuring the drive sleeve in multiple parts allows for compact construction of components used for axial movement, such as spring elements.

[0029] Advantageously, the first drive sleeve portion supports the bevel gear and the driver element, and the second drive sleeve portion forms, at least in some portions between itself and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion, a gap in which at least a spring element is disposed. In addition to the or each spring element, a group of springs may also be used, and spacers or spacer rings may also be preferably disposed in the gap. Preferably, the spacer rings are placed on the outer periphery of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion to adjust the length of the spring path of the spring elements. The spring elements are supported on the one hand on the protrusions of the drive sleeve, directly or indirectly, for example on a spacer, and on the other hand on the protrusions of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion.

[0030] A convenient development is characterized in that at least one lubricant outlet is provided, which is arranged to protect the axial adjustment area of ​​the blade shaft in the area of ​​the blade shaft where it emerges from the housing and supports the cutting blade. Optionally, at least one second lubricant outlet may also be provided, preferably arranged in the area of ​​the opposite end of the blade shaft relative to the cutting blade. The or each lubricant outlet forms a so-called protective curtain, preventing dirt particles and other unwanted particles from entering the axial guiding area of ​​the blade shaft and drive sleeve.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the blade assembly is characterized in that it comprises two cutting heads, which are constructed as already claimed and can be controlled individually or synchronously. When the blade assembly is in the starting position with the two cutting blades in the cutting position, there is a gap between the two cutting blades. The size of the gap can be automated by axial adjustment and can be changed during operation of the blade assembly.

[0032] The object of the invention is also achieved by an apparatus for making fillets having the initially mentioned features, wherein the work station is a blade assembly configured and adapted according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

[0033] Preferably, the apparatus is configured to process clamped, beheaded and at least partially gutted fish, the fish being transported head end first in the transport direction T. However, in other embodiments the blade assemblies may also be arranged along a transport device configured and adapted to transport fish tail end first.

[0034] For convenience, one cutting head of the blade assembly is arranged on one side of the conveying path, and the two cutting heads are configured to be controllable synchronously or independently of each other, so that products, and in particular fish conveyed in a longitudinally stretched state, can be processed accurately and effectively.

[0035] The apparatus advantageously comprises a control unit configured and adapted to control the conveying device and the or each work station, thereby ensuring accurate and efficient processing of the products.

[0036] An advantageous development of the device is characterized in that the transport device comprises a transport means, which is optionally configured as a conveyor belt, a double conveyor belt, a conveyor chain with holding means, a spike chain conveyor, an overhead conveyor system, etc.

[0037] In addition to the blade assembly, a plurality of work stations are advantageously arranged along the conveying path, arranged in the conveying direction T either upstream or downstream of the blade assembly according to any one or more of claims 1 to 20.

[0038] The advantages obtained have already been described with respect to the blade assembly, so please refer to the above section to avoid repetition.

[0039] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is achieved by a method having the steps mentioned at the beginning, in which the axial adjustment of the cutting blade is superimposed on the rotational movement of the cutting blade, and only the blade shaft supporting the cutting blade moves relative to the housing of the cutting head of the blade assembly. Unlike the prior art, only a few components, namely those necessary to position the cutting blade relative to the product, such as the blade shaft carrying the cutting blade, are moved axially, thereby achieving an optimized positioning of the masses and improving dynamic performance.

[0040] Advantageously, the processing steps are performed synchronously or in staggered time on both sides of the product by transporting the product between two rotationally driven cutting blades of two cutting heads of a blade assembly arranged on either side of the product to be processed. The product may be processed in staggered time on both sides, or in a spatially staggered manner. Preferably, the product is processed in parallel in time and space on both sides.

[0041] In a preferred procedure, each cutting blade is essentially held in the cutting position as a result of the blade shaft supporting it being moved axially out of the housing by a spring force. Each cutting blade performing a processing cut is first moved axially into the waiting position against the spring force by the blade shaft supporting it being moved axially into the housing by compressed air. As soon as the product to be processed is correctly positioned relative to the cutting blade in the conveying direction T, each cutting blade returns to the cutting position due to the reduction and release of compressed air by the blade shaft supporting it being moved axially out of the housing by the spring force. Due to the spring force in the starting position, the cutting blade waits in the cutting position, and in the cutting position, the distance from the cutting blade to the product is minimum. Just before the product to be processed is conveyed into the working / operating area of ​​the cutting blade, an adjusting force generated by the compressed air and opposing the spring force moves the cutting blade axially, thereby increasing its distance from the product. The cutting blade is thus moved to its waiting position. When the leading edge of the product reaches the level of the cutting blade (referred to as the exact position of the cutting blade relative to the product; in the case of two cutting blades, the exact position is reached when the product to be processed is located at its leading edge between the two cutting blades), the cutting blade then moves again, under the force of the spring, closer to the product and again enters the cutting position from the side to perform the actual processing cut.

[0042] On the one hand, the shear blade is moved from the waiting position to the cutting position by the spring force as soon as the spring force exceeds the adjusting / countering force generated by the compressed air, and on the other hand, the return position to the cutting position brought about by the spring force can be assisted, at least initially, by compressed air acting in the direction of the spring force.

[0043] Particularly preferably, the method is characterized in that the cutting of the spine is performed on a clamped, decapitated and at least partially gutted fish by using two cutting blades of the blade assembly to transport the fish to be processed head-end first into the area of ​​the cutting blades in the cutting position, moving the cutting blades away from each other against the spring force of the spring elements using compressed air before the spine of the fish reaches between the cutting blades, then, as soon as the spine is positioned between the cutting blades, moving the cutting blades towards each other again using at least the spring force, and then sliding the cutting blades along the spine in contact with the spine with an adjustable constant pressure as a result of the spring force.

[0044] In the case of an automated method, it is particularly advantageous if the transport device and the or each work station are controlled by a control device.

[0045] The advantages obtained have already been described with respect to the blade assembly, so please refer to the above section to avoid repetition.

[0046] Further expedient and / or advantageous features and developments of the blade assembly, apparatus and method for filleting animal products will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the blade assembly and apparatus and method will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of a blade assembly with a cutting head, seen obliquely from above and from the front. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a view of the cutting head according to FIG. 1 from the rear at an angle. [Figure 3] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cutting head according to FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cross section according to FIG. [Figure 5] An enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the cutting head. [Figure 6]1 is a schematic diagram of a fish processing device from an oblique top view, the device comprising two cutting heads or a blade assembly having a pair of cutting blades. [Figure 7] 7 is a view of the device according to FIG. 6 from obliquely below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] The illustrated blade assemblies and apparatus are configured and adapted for use in cutting free the spine of a fastened, beheaded, and at least partially gutted fish from below to the dorsal fin. The cut, also known as a spine cut or stalk cut, is merely exemplary and illustrates the suitability and configuration of the blade assemblies. It goes without saying that the blade assemblies and apparatus are configured and adapted accordingly to perform, for example, a flank bone cut or severing cut in the process of filleting fish. Blade assemblies and apparatus according to the present invention are equally configured, adapted, and therefore suitable for filleting and / or deboning other animal products, such as poultry.

[0049] The illustrated blade assembly 10 is particularly configured and adapted to perform filleting cuts on a fastened, beheaded and at least partially gutted fish 100, the blade assembly 10 comprising at least one cutting head 11 having at least one housing 12 having a blade unit 13, and a drive unit 14 configured and adapted to rotatably drive a blade shaft 16 having a cutting blade 15 rotatably mounted within the housing 12, the cutting blade 15 being disposed at a free end 17 of the cutting head 11 on the blade shaft 16 for co-rotation. The cutting blade 15 is part of the blade unit 13.

[0050] According to the present invention, the blade assembly 10 is characterized in that the blade shaft 16 is configured to be axially movable relative to the housing 12 and is configured to be separable from the drive unit 14 in order to move the blade shaft 16 axially so that the rotational movement of the blade shaft 16 can be performed independently of the axial movement of the blade shaft 16. During the separating process, the separating blade 15 is driven in a circular, rotating, and preferably constant manner. The axial movement is temporary and is intended to move the separating blade 15 from a standby position to a cutting position and / or from the cutting position to a standby position, thereby increasing or decreasing the distance from the separating blade 15 to the product to be treated. The blade shaft 16 is separated from the drive unit 14 in connection with the axial movement, at least in situations in which the axial movement overlaps with the rotational movement.

[0051] The features and developments described below, whether taken on their own or in combination with one another, represent preferred embodiments. It is expressly noted that features combined in the claims and / or the description and / or the drawings or described in a common embodiment may also improve the above-described blade assembly 10 in a functionally independent manner.

[0052] As already mentioned, the present invention will be described based on the processing of a fish 100, which is shown diagrammatically based on a fish skeleton, and the processing will be described using the example of cutting a flank bone. In the illustrated embodiment, the blade assembly 10 is configured and adapted to perform a spine cut on a clamped, beheaded, and gutted fish 100, which is fed head-end first to the blade assembly 10. The flank bone cut is a filleting cut, in which the cutting blade 15, after previously separating the flank bone from the spine, cuts freely along the entire length of the fish from below to the dorsal fin, so that the spine forms a kind of axis. For this reason, it is also referred to as an axis cut. The drive unit 14, only a portion of which is shown, can be configured differently. By way of example, the drive unit 14 comprises a drive motor (not shown), a drive shaft 18, and at least one bevel gear 19. It goes without saying that other drive units 14 may also be used.

[0053] The cutting head 11 includes an actuator 20. The actuator 20 is configured and adapted to effect or actuate the axial movement of the blade shaft 16. The adjusting force, or the actuator 20 generating the adjusting force, is mechanically separated from the blade shaft 16 so as to axially move the blade shaft 16. In the described embodiment, a drive sleeve 21 is arranged on the blade shaft 16 and operatively connected to the drive unit 14 on the one hand and to the blade shaft 16 on the other hand, so that the actuator 20 can actuate the axial movement of the blade shaft 16 independently of or superimposed on the rotational movement of the blade shaft 16. The drive sleeve 21 is rotatably supported in a housing, for example by two ball bearings 22, 23. The blade shaft 16 is arranged and guided inside the drive sleeve 21 so as to be axially displaceable. For this purpose, a sliding guide, a sliding membrane, or the like is arranged or formed in at least some parts between the outer circumferential surface of the blade shaft 16 and the inner surface of the drive sleeve 21. In order to transmit the drive movement of the drive unit 14 to the drive sleeve 21, the bevel gear 24 of the drive unit 14 is fixedly connected on one side to the drive sleeve 21 so as to rotatably drive the drive sleeve 21. In order to transmit the rotation of the drive sleeve 21 to the blade shaft 16, the driver element 25 is fixedly connected on the other side to the drive sleeve 21.

[0054] The driver element 25 engages with the blade shaft 16 to establish an operational connection. For this purpose, the blade shaft 16 has a recess 26 in which the driver element engages. The dimensions of the recess 26 can vary. In the axial direction (i.e., in the direction of the axial adjustment movement A), the recess 26 is larger than the driver element 25. In other words, the side walls 27, 28 of the recess 26 are arranged at a distance from the driver element 25, i.e., in each case at least 1 mm, so as to allow axial movement in both adjustment directions A. In the illustrated embodiment, the driver element 25 is a sliding block that is configured and adapted, on the one hand, to transmit the rotation of the drive sleeve 21 to the blade shaft 16, and, on the other hand, to allow the blade shaft 16 to be axially movable relative to the drive sleeve 21. Other solutions and configurations of the driver element 25 performing these two functions can also be used.

[0055] As described above, the drive sleeve 21 is rotatably supported within the housing 12 and is arranged within the housing 12 so as to be axially fixed. In addition to supporting the drive sleeve 21, sealing means are provided between the outer circumferential surface of the drive sleeve 21 and components of the drive unit 14 and / or housing 12 that contact said outer circumferential surface. The blade shaft 16 is configured to be axially movable relative to the drive sleeve 21, and the blade shaft 16, and therefore the cutting blade 15, is held in the cutting position by a spring element 29 when the blade assembly 10 is in the start position, in which the blade shaft 16 with the cutting blade 15 is extended and presses against a stop 30 on the drive sleeve 21. In principle, the blade shaft 16 with the cutting blade 15 is in the extended position when in the cutting position. The spring element 29 is pressed against a protrusion 31 on the axially fixed drive sleeve 21 and contacts a protrusion 32 on the blade shaft 16, causing the blade shaft 16 to remain pressed axially against a stop surface 33 on the drive sleeve 21. Sealing and / or braking means 34 may be arranged between the protrusion 32 on the blade shaft 16 and the stop surface 33 on the drive sleeve 21.

[0056] The actuator 20 for effecting or actuating the axial adjustment movement may, for example, be equipped with a motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 20 for axially moving the blade shaft 16 relative to the drive sleeve 21 comprises an air unit 35 by means of which an adjustment force for axially moving the blade shaft 16 against the spring force of the spring element 29 can be applied, so that the blade shaft 16, and thus the cutting blade 15, is held in a standby position in which the blade shaft 16 with the cutting blade 15 is retracted and presses against a stop 36 on the drive sleeve 21. The stop 36 is formed by a protrusion 37 on the drive sleeve 21, which provides a stop surface 38. Sealing and / or braking means 39 may be arranged between the protrusion 32 on the blade shaft 16 and the stop surface 38 of the drive sleeve 21.

[0057] The spring element 29, located on the outer circumferential surface of the blade shaft 16, is supported between the protrusion 32 on the blade shaft 16 and the protrusion 31 on the drive sleeve 21, as described above. At least one spacer ring 40, preferably multiple spacer rings 40, is located between the spring element 29 and the protrusion 31 on the drive sleeve 21. The number of spacer rings 40 can be changed to change the spring force and / or spring path. The spring element 29 can optionally be replaced to change the spring force, which is made simpler by the modular design. For this purpose, the blade shaft 16 is formed in at least two parts, and the two blade shaft portions 41, 42 are fixedly but releasably interconnected. The two blade shaft portions 41, 42 are threaded to prevent rotation relative to each other. The first blade shaft portion 41 supports the cutting blade 15, preferably configured as a circular blade, and has a recess 26 for the driver element 25. The second blade shaft portion 42 is constructed in a hollow cylindrical shape, a piston rod 43 is arranged in this cavity, and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42 is connected by means of said piston rod to the blade shaft portion 41 supporting the cutting blade 15. Naturally, the allocation of the individual components to each blade shaft portion 41, 42 can be varied. The connection between the two blade shaft portions 41, 42 is established by means of a threaded connection by means of the piston rod 43, but can also be established otherwise, for example by means of a bayonet connection and / or a clamping or latching connection.

[0058] Preferably, the piston rod 43 is disposed entirely within the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42. The piston rod 43 or its peripheral surface is disposed at a distance from the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42 so as to form an air chamber 44. For this purpose, the outer diameter of the piston rod 43 is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42. The piston rod 43 seals the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42 at the end face of the blade shaft 16 opposite the cutting blade 15. For this purpose, suitable sealing means 45 are used. The air chamber 44 has at least one air flow opening 46 to the peripheral region and is in flow communication with a compressed air inlet 47 to which a compressed air unit 48 is connected. The compressed air unit 48 comprises a compressed air pump and ducts for delivering and passing compressed air and is part of the actuator 20. In the wall of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42, a plurality of holes are arranged distributed around the circumference, and the plurality of holes are used to deliver compressed air to the air chamber 44 and to pass the compressed air from the air chamber 44 through the compressed air inlet 47.

[0059] The air chamber 44 extends from the or each air flow opening 46 along the piston rod 43 into the gap between the piston rod 43 and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42 in the direction of the cutting blade 15 up to an opening 49 which opens into a cavity 50 defined by the drive sleeve 21 and the blade shaft 16. The axially movable blade shaft 16 can be pressed against the drive sleeve 21 by compressed air, which flows into the air chamber 44, in particular against the spring force of the spring element 29. As the blade shaft 16 is driven in rotation, the compressed air inlet 47 has a rotary coupling 51 for compressed air, which is controlled to enter and exit the air chamber 44 through the or each air flow opening 46.

[0060] In addition to the first air chamber 44 inside the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42, a second air chamber 52 is provided on the side of the blade shaft 16 located outside the blade shaft 16, i.e., facing away from the cutting blade 15. The second air chamber 52 is formed between an end face 53 of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42 and the housing 12 and is in flow communication with a second compressed air inlet 54. A compressed air unit 55 is connected to the compressed air inlet 54. The compressed air unit 55 includes a compressed air pump and lines for delivering and passing compressed air and is part of the actuator 20. The compressed air units 48 and 55 can also be combined together to form a joint compressed air unit. The compressed air unit 55 can optionally be expanded, for example, by a proportional valve. Because a spring action is achieved in this way, the spring element 29 can be omitted.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, not only is the blade shaft 16 composed of two parts, but the drive sleeve 21 is also composed of at least two parts, with two drive sleeve portions 56, 57 fixedly but releasably interconnected. A threaded connection is preferably provided for this purpose. The two drive sleeve portions 56, 57 are threaded to prevent rotation relative to each other. Both drive sleeve portions 56, 57 are hollow. The first drive sleeve portion 56 supports the bevel gear 24 and the driver element 25. The second drive sleeve portion 57 forms a gap 58 between itself and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion 42, at least in some areas, in which at least the spring element 29 is disposed. In the illustrated embodiment, a spacer ring 40 is also disposed adjacent to the spring element 29 in the gap 58 formed between the second drive sleeve portion 57 and the second blade shaft portion 42.

[0062] Preferably, at least one lubricant outlet 59 is provided in the blade assembly 10, the at least one lubricant outlet 59 being arranged to protect the axial adjustment area of ​​the blade shaft 16 in the area of ​​the blade shaft 16 where it emerges from the housing 12 and supports the cutting blade 15. In the embodiment shown, a second lubricant outlet 60 is provided. The or each lubricant outlet 59, 60 forms a so-called protective curtain, preventing dirt particles, water and other disturbing particles from entering the axial guiding area of ​​the blade shaft 16 and the drive sleeve 21.

[0063] Up to now, the blade assembly 10 has been described with only one cutting head 11. In a preferred embodiment, the blade assembly 10 comprises two cutting heads 11, 61, which are shown rather diagrammatically in Figures 5 and 6 by their respective cutting blades 15. The two cutting heads 11, 61 are constructed similarly as above and may be controlled individually or synchronously. In the starting position, when the cutting blades 15 are in the cutting position, there is a gap between the two cutting blades 15, which gap corresponds approximately to the thickness of the product to be cut, or in the case of a spine cut, the spine.

[0064] The blade assembly 10 may be configured as an individual unit or as a replaceable or replaceable unit, but preferably the blade assembly 10 is part of a higher-level apparatus 62, i.e. preferably an apparatus 62 for processing, in particular filleting, animal products, the apparatus 62 comprising a conveying device 63 for holding and conveying the products to be processed along a conveying path in a conveying direction T, and at least one work station 64 along the conveying path for processing the animal product.

[0065] According to the invention, this work station 64 is characterized in that it is a blade assembly 10 configured and adapted according to any one of claims 1 to 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the device 62 is configured to process fish 100 that have been clamped, decapitated, and at least partially gutted, which are transported head-first in a conveying direction T. To perform the spine cut, one cutting head 11, 61 of the blade assembly 10 is arranged on one side of the conveying path, and the two cutting heads 11, 61 are configured to be controllable synchronously or independently of each other. For controlling the conveying device 63 and the or each work station 64, the device 62 comprises a control unit. In the illustrated device 62, the conveying device 63 is a spiked chain 65 comprising two chain elements driven in a circular motion. Each chain element has a spike that rotates towards each other so that the fish 100 is held and transported on both sides in the area where the two chain elements receive the fish 100 between them. Instead of the spike chain 65, a conveyor belt, a double conveyor belt, a conveyor chain with a transport saddle, an overhead conveyor system, etc. may be used as the transport means.

[0066] Particularly preferably, in addition to the blade assembly 10 as the work station 64, the device 62 comprises further work stations 66 to 70 to provide a complete, automated filleting process. In the example of filleting fish 100, the work stations 66 to 70 are arranged along the conveying path, either upstream or downstream in the conveying direction T of the blade assembly 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 20. Upstream of the blade assembly 10 in the conveying direction T, for example, blade assemblies for performing a belly cut, a flank cut, and a flank bone cut may be provided. Downstream of the blade assembly 10 in the conveying direction T, blade assemblies for performing a bone cut and a severing cut may be provided. It goes without saying that further work stations may be provided along the conveying path. In principle, all blade assemblies 10 are configured and adapted to be adjustable. Axial adjustment of the cutting blade 15 transverse to the conveying direction T in order to move the cutting blade 15 closer to the product or further away from the product can be carried out in a manner according to the invention by correspondingly configuring and adapting the blade assembly 10 as described by way of example in connection with the blade assembly 10 for performing spine cuts.

[0067] The method according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. The invention relates to a method for processing animal products, in particular for preparing fillets. In particular, poultry and fish 100 are designated as processed products, but other animals or products suitable for consumption can also be explicitly processed using the method according to the invention. In the method, the processed products are transported by a conveying device 63 in a conveying direction T to at least one work station 64. At the work station 64, a processing cut is made on the processed product. This processing cut is made by moving the processed product through the work station 64 until it reaches the working area / operating area of ​​the cutting blade 15 of the blade assembly 10 as the work station 64, i.e., by conveying the product along at least one rotary-driven cutting blade 15 of the cutting head 11 of the blade assembly 10. To position the rotary cutting blade 15 relative to the processed product, the cutting blade 15 is moved axially from a waiting position to a cutting position and back, or vice versa.

[0068] According to the present invention, when the axial adjustment of the cutting blade 15 is superimposed on the rotational movement of the cutting blade 15, only the blade shaft 16 supporting the cutting blade 15 is moved relative to the housing 12 of the cutting head 11 of the blade assembly 10.

[0069] The or each processing step is advantageously performed synchronously or at staggered times on both sides of the product by transporting the product to be processed between two rotationally driven cutting blades 15 of two cutting heads 11, 61 of the blade assembly 10 arranged on either side of the product to be processed. In principle, each cutting blade 15 is held in a cutting position as a result of the blade shaft 16 supporting it being moved axially from the housing 12 by spring force, each cutting blade 15 performing a processing cut is first moved axially by the blade shaft 16 supporting it to a waiting position by compressed air against the spring force, and each cutting blade 15 returns to the cutting position by moving the blade shaft 16 supporting it axially from the housing 12 by spring force as soon as the animal product to be processed is in the correct position in the conveying direction T relative to the cutting blade 15 due to the reduction and release of compressed air. The axial movement of the blade shaft 16 from the housing 12 is achieved on the one hand by a spring force and on the other hand, at least initially, is assisted by a restoring force which is generated by compressed air and acts in the direction of the spring force.

[0070] Particularly preferably, the method is used in particular for performing spine cuts. For this purpose, the spine cut is performed by using the two cutting blades 15 of the blade assembly 10 to transport the fish 100 to be processed, head-end first, to the area of ​​the cutting blades 15 in the cutting position on a clamped, decapitated and at least partially gutted fish 100, and then, before the spine of the fish 100 reaches between the cutting blades 15, moving the cutting blades 15 away from each other against the spring force of the spring elements 29 using compressed air, and then, as soon as the spine is located between the cutting blades 15, moving the cutting blades 15 towards each other again using at least the spring force, and then sliding the cutting blade 15 along the spine and in contact with it with an adjustable constant pressure as a result of the spring force. For this purpose, the transport device 63 and the or each work station 64, 66 to 70 are controlled by a control device.

[0071] The working principle of the blade assembly 10 according to the invention, which has two cutting heads 11, 61, can be summarized as follows: the cutting heads 11, 61 of the blade assembly 10 are in cutting position on either side of the conveying path. This means that the blade shafts 16 with the cutting blades 15 are maximally extended axially from the housing 12 by the spring elements 29, creating a minimum distance between them. Before the fish 100 to be processed arrives at the blade assembly 10, the fish 100, which has been clamped, gutted and usually decapitated, is conveyed head-end first, and the blade shafts 16 with the cutting blades 15 are moved away from each other by compressed air against the spring force of the spring elements 29 into a waiting position, i.e., moved back (away from the fish), conveying the thicker end of the spine in the head region compared to the tail region between the cutting blades 15 and ensuring that the spine is received between the cutting blades 15.

[0072] As soon as the spine is positioned between the cutting blades 15, the compressed air or supply of compressed air is stopped and released, so that the cutting blades 15 can move towards each other under the force of the spring until they contact the spine. As the fish 100 continues to move through the blade assembly 10, the thickness of the spine determines the distance between the cutting blades 15. The return of the cutting blades 15 from the waiting position to the cutting position can be assisted, or even accelerated, at least initially, by pulses of compressed air, so that the shortest possible time is spent transporting the cutting blades 15 from the cutting position to the waiting position, and in particular from the waiting position to the cutting position, and accordingly, the most possible time is available for making the cutting cut along the spine. By combining or superimposing the spring force of the spring element 29 with an adjusting force controlled by compressed air in the same direction and opposing the spring force, significantly shorter cycles can be achieved, so that even small fish 100, particularly those with a short length and low mass, can be processed in a precise manner with optimized yield.

[0073] Particularly preferably, the method is carried out using an apparatus 62 as defined in any one or more of claims 21 to 26, and a blade assembly 10 or a plurality of blade assemblies 10 as defined in any one or more of claims 1 to 20 is used.

Claims

1. A blade assembly (10) configured and adapted to perform filleting cuts on a fish (100) that has been clamped, beheaded and at least partially gutted, said blade assembly (10) comprising at least one cutting head (11) having at least one housing (12), and a drive unit (14) configured and adapted to rotationally drive a blade shaft (16) that supports a cutting blade (15) and is rotatably supported within said housing (12), said cutting blade (15) rotating together with said blade shaft (16). A blade assembly (10) in which a blade shaft (16) is supported at its free end (17) for co-rotation, the blade shaft (16) being configured to be axially movable relative to the housing (12), and the blade shaft (16) being configured to be separable from the drive unit (14) for the purpose of axially moving the blade shaft (16), such that rotational movement of the blade shaft (16) can be performed independently of axial movement of the blade shaft (16).

2. 2. The blade assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein the adjusting force, or an actuator (20) that generates the adjusting force, is mechanically decoupled from the blade shaft (16) so as to move the blade shaft (16) axially.

3. 3. A blade assembly (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a drive sleeve (21) is arranged on the blade shaft (16) and is operably connected to the drive unit (14) on the one hand and to the blade shaft (16) on the other hand.

4. 4. A blade assembly (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the blade shaft (16) is arranged and guided axially displaceably inside the drive sleeve (21).

5. A blade assembly (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, on the one hand, the bevel gear (24) of the drive unit (14) is fixedly connected to the drive sleeve (21) so as to drive the drive sleeve (21) in rotation, and, on the other hand, the driver element (25) is fixedly connected to the drive sleeve (21) so as to transmit the rotation of the drive sleeve (21) to the blade shaft (16).

6. 6. The blade assembly (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that the blade shaft (16) has a recess (26) in which the driver element (25) engages, and the driver element (25) is configured and adapted to, on the one hand, transmit the rotational movement of the drive sleeve (21) to the blade shaft (16) and, on the other hand, ensure that the blade shaft (16) moves axially relative to the drive sleeve (21).

7. 7. A blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the drive sleeve (21) is rotatably supported within the housing (12) and is arranged within the housing (12) so as to be immovable in the axial direction, the blade shaft (16) is configured to be axially movable relative to the drive sleeve (21), the blade shaft (16), and therefore the cutting blade (15), is held in a cutting position by a spring element (29) when the blade assembly (10) is in a starting position, and in the cutting position, the blade shaft (16) with the cutting blade (15) is extended and pressed against a stop (30) on the drive sleeve (21).

8. 8. The blade assembly (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuator (20) for axially moving the blade shaft (16) relative to the drive sleeve (21) comprises an air unit (35) by means of which an adjusting force for axially moving the blade shaft (16) against the spring force of the spring element (29) can be applied, so that the blade shaft (16) and therefore the cutting blade (15) are held in a standby position in which the blade shaft (16) with the cutting blade (15) is retracted and pressed against a stop (36) on the drive sleeve (21).

9. 9. A blade assembly (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the spring element (29) is configured and adapted to be replaceable in order to change the spring force of the spring element (29), or the spring force of the spring element (29) is configured and adapted to be adjustable.

10. A blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the blade shaft (16) is made up of at least two parts, the two blade shaft portions (41, 42) being fixed but releasably interconnected.

11. 11. A blade assembly (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that a first blade shaft portion (41) supports the cutting blade (15) configured as a circular blade, a second blade shaft portion (42) is configured as a hollow cylinder, a piston rod (43) is arranged inside the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42), and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42) is connected by the piston rod to the blade shaft portion (41) supporting the cutting blade (15).

12. 12. The blade assembly (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the piston rod (43) or the peripheral surface of the piston rod (43) is arranged at a distance from the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42) so as to form an air chamber (44), and the piston rod (43) seals the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42) at an end face opposite the cutting blade (15).

13. 13. The blade assembly (10) of claim 12, wherein the air chamber (44) has at least one air flow opening (46) to the surrounding area and is in flow communication with a compressed air inlet (47) to which a compressed air unit (48) is connected.

14. 14. A blade assembly (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the compressed air inlet (47) comprises a rotary coupling (51) for compressed air, the compressed air being controlled to enter and exit the air chamber (44) through the or each air flow opening (46).

15. 15. A blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that a second air chamber (52) is formed between the end face (53) of the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42) and the housing (12) on the side of the blade shaft (16) directed away from the cutting blade (15), and is in flow communication with a second compressed air inlet (54) to which a compressed air unit (55) is connected.

16. A blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 9 and claims 10 to 15 which rely on claim 3, characterized in that the drive sleeve (21) is made up of at least two parts, the two drive sleeve parts (56, 57) being fixed but releasably interconnected.

17. The blade shaft (16) is made up of at least two parts, two blade shaft portions (41, 42) are fixedly but releasably interconnected, the second blade shaft portion (42) is a hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42) made up of a hollow cylindrical shape, the drive sleeve (21) is made up of at least two parts, two drive sleeve portions (56, 57) are fixedly but releasably interconnected, and the first drive sleeve portion (56) is fixedly connected to the drive sleeve (21) so as to rotationally drive the drive sleeve (21).

10. The blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the second drive sleeve portion (57) supports a bevel gear (24) connected to the second drive sleeve portion (57) and a driver element (25) fixedly connected to the drive sleeve (21) so as to transmit the rotation of the drive sleeve (21) to the blade shaft (16), the second drive sleeve portion (57) forming a gap (58) in which at least the spring element (29) is arranged in at least some portions between the second drive sleeve portion (57) itself and the hollow cylindrical blade shaft portion (42).

18. 18. A blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that it comprises at least one lubricant outlet (59) arranged to protect the axial adjustment area of ​​the blade shaft (16) in the area of ​​the blade shaft (16) where it emerges from the housing (12) and supports the cutting blade (15).

19. A blade assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blade assembly (10) comprises two cutting heads (11, 61).

20. 20. An apparatus (62) for processing animal products to produce fillets, said apparatus (62) comprising a conveying device (63) for holding and conveying the processed products along a conveying path in a conveying direction T, and at least one work station (64) along said conveying path for processing the products, characterized in that said work station (64) is a blade assembly (10) configured and adapted according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

21. 21. The device (62) of claim 20, wherein the device (62) is configured to process fish (100) that have been killed, decapitated and at least partially gutted, and the fish (100) are transported head-first in the transport direction T.

22. 22. The device (62) according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that one cutting head (11, 61) of the blade assembly (10) is arranged on one side of the conveying path, and the two cutting heads (11, 61) are configured to be controllable synchronously or independently of each other.

23. 23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the apparatus (62) comprises a control unit, the control unit being configured and adapted to control the transport device (63) and the or each work station (64).

24. 24. Apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized in that the transport device (63) comprises a transport means, selectively configured as a conveyor belt, a double conveyor belt, a conveyor chain with holding means, a spike chain conveyor (65), an overhead conveyor system, etc.

25. An apparatus (62) according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that a plurality of work stations (66 to 70) are arranged along the conveying path and are arranged in the conveying direction T either upstream or downstream of the blade assembly (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

26. 1. A method of processing an animal product to produce a fillet, said method comprising: - feeding said products to be treated by a conveying device (63) in a conveying direction T to at least one work station (64); - using a blade assembly (10) as a work station (64) to perform a treatment cut on said product by conveying said product along at least one rotary driven shearing blade (15) of a cutting head (11) of said blade assembly (10); Including, - the rotary cutting blade (15) is moved axially from a waiting position to a cutting position and back again for placement against the product to be treated, or vice versa, When the axial adjustment of the cutting blade (15) is superimposed on the rotational movement of the cutting blade (15), only the blade shaft (16) supporting the cutting blade (15) is moved relative to the housing (12) of the cutting head (11) of the blade assembly (10).

27. 27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the processing steps are carried out synchronously or at staggered times on both sides of the product by transporting the product between two rotationally driven cutting blades (15) of two cutting heads (11, 61) of the blade assembly (10) arranged on either side of the product to be processed.

28. A method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that each of the cutting blades (15) is held in a cutting position as a result of the blade shaft (16) supporting it being moved axially from the housing (12) by a spring force, and each of the cutting blades (15) performing the processing cut is initially moved axially against the spring force to a waiting position by the blade shaft (16) supporting it being moved axially into the housing (12) by compressed air, and each of the cutting blades (15) is returned to its cutting position by moving the blade shaft (16) supporting it axially from the housing (12) by a spring force for reducing and releasing compressed air as soon as the product to be processed is in the correct position relative to the cutting blade (15) in the conveying direction T.

29. 29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the movement of the blade shaft (16) supporting the cutting blade (15) from the waiting position back to the cutting position caused by spring force is at least initially assisted by compressed air.

30. 30. The method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the cutting of the spine is performed by using the two cutting blades (15) of the blade assembly (10) on a fastened, decapitated and at least partially gutted fish (100), transporting the fish (100) head-end first into the area of ​​the cutting blades (15) in the cutting position, moving the cutting blades (15) away from each other against the spring force of spring elements (29) using compressed air before the spine of the fish (100) arrives between the cutting blades (15), then, as soon as the spine is placed between the cutting blades (15), moving the cutting blades (15) towards each other again using at least the spring force, and then sliding the cutting blade (15) along the spine in contact with the spine with an adjustable constant pressure as a result of the spring force.

31. 31. A method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, characterized in that the transport device (63) and the or each work station (64, 66 to 70) are controlled by a control device.

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