Table for processing and stunning fish that controls the fish entry rate, and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a table for processing and stunning fish that controls the entry rate of fish to be processed and comprises a supply channel and a fish stunning unit downstream. The table comprises a fish entry portion, a water level control gate for controlling the water level in the supply channel, a fish outlet with a control for the one-by-one passage of fish to be processed, a hinged bottom configured to oscillate, thereby achieving an expansion function to control the entry rate of fish into the fish outlet portion, with clean water inlets to form a wall and with a counter-flow rate, and control means that are operatively connected to different sensors and actuators. The invention further relates to an associated method.

Description

[0001] FISH PROCESSING AND KNOCKOUT TABLE THAT CONTROLS FISH ENTRY RATE, METHOD.

[0002] DESCRIPTIVE MEMORY

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to the fish processing industry, particularly to a device for processing fish, and more specifically, the present invention consists of a fish processing and knockout table with a feed channel that allows controlling the rate at which fish enter the fish knockout section, achieving a buffer or lung function for the mass of fish entering, keeping the volume of fish to be processed relatively constant, independent of the volume entering said fish processing channel, wherein the knockout section is based on the functions of knocking out and cutting the gills or aorta in the exact position, regardless of the size of the fish, and automatically regulating itself to the size of each fish, and once the fish is dead, it moves in the same direction from which it came, preventing the fish from going back.It is worth mentioning that the lung function is based on cushioning the differences between excess or decrease in demand to maintain a delivery of services or products in a substantially constant regime, and for this invention to have a more constant and efficient use of at least one knockout or stunner or slaughter device.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In the state of the art, various solutions have been found for fish processing to reduce harvest times through the use of knockout agents, among other problems in the industry.

[0007] Within the state of the art is the application PCT / EP2018 / 052563 which refers to an arrangement for processing fish, comprising a fish slaughtering device with a fish counting device, a first conveying device for transferring stunned fish to a spiral tank device, said first conveying device having at least a first measuring device which is designed to record a first mass output of stunned fish and the spiral tank device, comprising a receptacle which is designed to receive liquid, said receptacle being equipped with a rotatably supported screw conveyor, which together with the receptacle forms a plurality of fish receiving chambers, in order to transport the fish present in the fish receiving chambers through the liquid,a second conveying device arranged at the second end of the receptacle which is designed to transfer the fish to at least one fish processing machine arranged downstream of the spiral tank device, and a control device with an evaluation unit which is designed to determine in each case a prediction variable related to the amount of fish for at least one of the fish receiving chambers, according to the number of fish recorded and the first recorded mass production and associated method, but does not control the rate of entry of fish to the processing table, nor does it prevent the fish from becoming disoriented, nor does it prevent the fish from being processed one at a time and knocked out in the right place, whereby the fish meat is not of high quality, furthermore it does not prevent the generation of foam and water waste.,

[0008] Another prior art document is application PCT / EP2014 / 067946 which discloses a fish stunning apparatus, comprising a fish feeding device, which is configured to transport fish upside down, a fish receiving space loadable by the fish feeding device with the fish in the upside down position, a fish positioning device having fish positioning means coupled to the head of the fish which, for the purpose of stunning the fish in the fish receiving space, defines a temporary holding position of the fish which can be released after stunning to discharge the fish, a stunning means for stunning to be effected over the head end region of the fish in its temporary holding position in the fish receiving space,a trigger device by means of which the temporary stop position can be determined and operation of the stunning means for acting on the head can be activated, and an apparatus control device for controlling the operation which is operatively connected to the fish positioning device, the stunning means and the activation device, wherein the fish positioning device is configured with a fish size determining device and a method for activating a stunning means for stunning a fish acting on the head end region of the fish, wherein the fish is positioned with its head region below the stunning means in a temporary stop position by abutting with a positioning element that engages the head of the fish, wherein,the positioning member forming a trigger stop member for activating the stunning means by the fish head stop moving from a start position to an end position corresponding to the stop position, which automatically determines a fish size value, but does not control the rate of fish entering the processing table, nor does it prevent the fish from being disoriented, nor does it prevent the fish from being processed one at a time and knocked out in the right place, so that the fish meat is not of high quality, furthermore it does not prevent the generation of foam and the waste of water.

[0009] SOLUTION TO THE TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0010] To solve the problem posed, a fish processing and knocking out table is presented that allows to control the rate of entry of fish to the processing table, thanks to the lung function provided by a lowered bottom that allows to vary the useful container volume of fish, prevents the fish from becoming disoriented and this is supported by a flow of water against the direction of movement of the fish, which between both elements motivate the fish to advance to the next stage of processing also supported by tilting feeders that allow the controlled processing of a single fish at a time thereby achieving a decrease in harvest times, which in turn prevents the generation of foam, and water waste, due to the high rate of recirculated water and low losses of water mixed with fish waste, that is, the low generation of riles.Another necessary element that must be addressed, in conjunction with the above, is achieving a reduction in harvest times with high quality standards, especially for fish meat. This is achieved by correctly knocking the fish out by adjusting the knocker according to the size of the fish and ensuring that the fish is in the correct position to be knocked out. Furthermore, the knocking stage includes cutting the gills or aorta in the exact position regardless of the size of the processed fish. Once the fish is dead, it is moved in the same direction from which it came, preventing the fish from recoiling.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention relates to a fish processing and knockout table that allows controlling an entry rate of fish to be processed, comprising a feed channel and downstream a fish knockout assembly, comprising a fish inlet portion, a water level control gate in the feed channel, a fish outlet with one-by-one passage control of the fish to be processed; a sluice box configured to oscillate and thereby achieve a lung function to control the entry rate of fish to the fish outlet portion, with various clean water inlets to form a wall and with counter-flow, control means, which can be a programmable logic control known as PLC operatively connected to the sluice box, to a tilting feeder, a fish counter and calibrator and to a fish detector;and a paddle integrally connected to the fish counter and calibrator and to a brake means. In addition, this invention has a method comprising: starting the start-up process through the subprocess of calibrating the water level and once calibrated, starting and repeating the steps of producing fish to be knocked out through detecting a fish through a fish detector, actuating a tilting feeder so that the fish to be processed descends by gravity and its operation is released at a predetermined time of between 0.01 seconds to 10 seconds, to lower the tilting feeder, while the tilting feeder is actuated it slows down the passage of the next fish, move a paddle by the action of the passage of the fish which is captured by a fish counter and calibrator, all of the above, controlled by the control means, and simultaneously, brake the paddle, to prevent the passage of the next fish, while the fish to be processed is in process;and adapting a fish knocker assembly to fit the size of the fish to be processed, due to reading the signal from the fish counter and gauge and processing the fish, at a predetermined average rate of fish per minute which is between 1 to 20 fish per minute, which is activated with the same fish and once the fish is processed the brake means of the paddle is unlocked, so that the next fish can pass and so on, until the production of processed fish is stopped.;

[0013] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] Figure 1 shows a side view of the fish processing and knocking table (100), with the folding bottom (13) raised for the direct passage of fish to at least one feeding channel and at least one fish knocking assembly.

[0015] Figure 2 shows a side view of the fish processing and knocking table (100), with the folding bottom (13) in a horizontal position with respect to the base to keep more fish on the table before being processed and thereby cushion or control the entry of fish to be processed.

[0016] Figure 3 shows a top view of a preferred configuration of the fish processing and knocking table (100), with a folding bottom (13) and two production lines, consisting of two feed channels and two fish knocking assemblies.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] 1 to 3, the present invention discloses a fish processing and knocking table (100) allowing to control an input rate of fish to be processed, comprising a feed channel (1) and downstream a fish knocking assembly (50), because it comprises: a fish inlet portion (21) that is upstream of the feed channel (1), a control gate (26) for adjusting a water level (10) in the feed channel (1) of the fish inlet portion (21), and a fish outlet portion (23), comprising a fish outlet (24), in a position opposite to the fish inlet portion (21) and downstream of the feed channel (1);a reed bed (13) positioned at the fish inlet portion (21), the reed bed (13) being configured to acquire one of a plurality of angular positions and to oscillate around said angular position with an angular amplitude, thereby achieving a buffer function to control the rate of entry of fish into the fish outlet portion (23); and a first clean water inlet (31) positioned at the fish outlet portion (23) forming a water wall, a second clean water inlet (32) counter-flowing formed by a perforated base; a clean water outlet (25) positioned at the fish inlet portion (21) and before, in the fish inlet-outlet direction, said reed bed (13);control means (40), which may be a PLC, operatively connected to the abattoir bottom (13), to a tilting feeder (12), a fish counter and calibrator (14) and to a fish detector (17), the latter three positioned in the fish outlet portion (23); and a paddle (15) integrally connected to the fish counter and calibrator (14) and to brake means (15A); water circulation means in fluid connection with the first clean water inlet (31), the second clean water inlet (32) against flow and with the clean water outlet (25) and to a second clean water outlet (33);

[0019] The fish processing and knocking table (100) further comprises: the tilting feeder (12) which is configured to acquire at least two positions, a collapsed position and an elevated position;and tilting means operatively connected to the tilting feeder (12) and controlled by the control means (40), wherein the tilting feeder (12) has a grooved portion (27) pivotally connected to a wall portion (to keep the fish upright, preventing it from turning over or losing its upright posture), wherein in the lowered position the grooved portion (27) extends substantially coextensive with a wall portion (27A), and wherein in the raised position the wall portion (27A) forms an angle with the grooved portion (27) that prevents the passage of other fish towards the grooved portion (27), and the grooved portion (27) prevents the fish to be processed from turning to keep it in an upright position, wherein said tilting means comprises a lever (30) connected to the grooved portion (27) and a linear actuator (30A) operatively connected to the lever to activate and deactivate the tilting feeder (12).;

[0020] In a preferred configuration, the tilting feeder (12) and / or the folding bottom (13) have a frame with a grid formed by multiple cylinders configured longitudinally, which are perforated to reduce hydraulic friction when going up or down and thus reduce the energy consumption of this table.

[0021] The multiple cylinders of the tilting feeder (12) and / or the folding bottom (13) are configured in parallel to the direction of advance of the fish from the fish inlet portion (21) to the fish outlet (24), to reduce friction and possible damage to the surface of the fish, which is important to maintain a high quality of the fish meat including salmon meat, which is why this table apart from saving water keeps the fish meat in optimal conditions to meet the high quality standards of exports and final consumers, avoiding the drop in price of fish meat due to bruises or blows. Another important advantage is that it reduces hydraulic friction when raising or lowering the folding bottom (13) and therefore lowers energy consumption.

[0022] In another preferred configuration, the tilting feeder (12) and the folding bottom (13) have a reticulated shape and / or a perforated mesh supported by a frame.

[0023] The tilting feeder (12) in the raised position, the grooved portion (27) and the wall portion (27A) form an angle a of between 60° and 1 10°, and in the lowered position, the grooved portion (27) and the wall portion (27A) form an angle a of between 150° and 180°.

[0024] In another preferred configuration, the fish outlet portion (24) comprises at the base an inclined lower surface, said inclined lower surface having a rail, not shown in the figures, wherein one end of said wall portion (27A) that opposes the pivoting connection is slidably connected to said rail.

[0025] One end of the grooved portion (27) opposing the pivotal connection with the wall portion (27A) is pivotally connected with a bottom surface of the fish outlet portion (23).

[0026] In another preferred configuration, the tilting means comprise indicator means (15B) that deactivate the fish detector (17) which prevents the tilting feeder (12) from changing to a raised position and where the indicator means (15B) are an encoder, which converts the movement into an electrical signal that can be read by the PLC.

[0027] The said plurality of angular positions of the abatióle bottom (13) is between 0 oand 45° with respect to a lower surface of the fish inlet portion (21 ) and the angular amplitude is between 0.1° and 30°, to stimulate the movement of the fish from the fish inlet portion (21 ) to the fish outlet portion (23), wherein said abatióle bottom (13) oscillates with a frequency of between 0.5 Hz and 100 Hz, to stimulate the movement of the fish from the fish inlet portion (21 ) to the fish outlet portion (23), and the counterflow water inlet surface comprises one angular holes comprising an angle [3 of between 0 o at 50° with respect to the horizontal and the fish outlet portion (23) also comprises a water / fish separation filter (22).

[0028] In another preferred configuration, a height limiter located in the fish outlet portion (23) or at the entrance to the fish knocker assembly (50) that prevents one fish from passing over another. The fish processing and knocker table (100) further comprises: the fish knocker assembly (50) located downstream of the fish outlet portion (23) and at a decent angle to take advantage of gravity and so that the fish to be processed does not return (in the direction indicated by the arrow) where the fish knocker assembly (50) comprises a support assembly and a knocker piston assembly (51); a central assembly attached to said support assembly comprising a housing, a guide assembly for the entry and processing of the fish and comprising a lower guide plate, a trigger assembly (52) that triggers the knocker piston assembly; an adjustment assembly for the size of the fish to be processed,comprising a lower base with a lower axis where said lower guide plate pivots and a lateral joint where the pivot of said upper guide plate is transmitted to the knockout assembly that varies its position pivoting according to the displacement of the upper guide plate and the size of the fish to be processed; an input and output assembly comprising: a fixed lateral guide plate (53) that is on one side of the central assembly; a movable lateral guide plate that is on the opposite side of the fixed lateral guide plate on the central assembly, wherein said movable lateral guide plate moves from the extended position when the fish enters to a retracted position to release the fish and then this fish passes to the production line in the same direction in which it entered; displacement means that move the movable lateral guide plate; and a pneumatic circuit that connects the trigger assembly, the knockout piston assembly and the displacement means,not shown in the figures, controlled through the control means (40), wherein said water circulation means are configured to provide a flow rate between 0.1 m / s and 5 m / s. The fish counter and calibrator (14) integrally attached to a paddle (15), positioned in the fish outlet portion (23), where the paddle (15) is actuated by the passage of the fish to be processed and the displacement height of said paddle (15) actuated by the passage of the fish to be processed indicates the size of fish that is captured by the fish counter and calibrator (14) and is returned to its resting position by return means, where the return means are: gravity, a piston plunger with compressed fluid, a spring and / or a mixture of them, which allow the fish counter and calibrator (14) and the paddle (15) to return to their resting position and the paddle (15) not to become detached from the fish when it passes, in order to obtain the fish size data.

[0029] In another preferred configuration, the return means further comprise a braking means, controlled by the control means (40), which allows the next fish to be put on hold when the previous fish is being processed by the fish knocking device (50), wherein a fish detector (17) comprises a light beam emitter, wherein the light emitter is a laser emitter, wherein the fish detector (17) is connected to the control means (40), to know the existence of the fish, wherein the fish detector (17) is positioned below a water level (10), because this prevents the light bounce that generates false positives and the reading problem generated by the foam, since the foam does not allow reading the passage of the fish because it is a shield for the light emitter.

[0030] The water level (10) control gate (26) is controlled manually or is operatively connected with the control means (40), to control the water level (10), and thereby also control a foam level generated by the movement and recirculation of the water.

[0031] In another preferred configuration, a plurality of fish inlet portions (21 ); feed channels (1 ); fish outlet portions (23); abatiole bottoms (13); tilting feeders (12), fish counters and calibrators (14), fish detectors (17), paddles (15), brake means (15A); grooved portions (27) and fish knockout assemblies (50), allow the processing and knockout of multiple fish in parallel, either with parallel tables or tables composed of different fish knockout assemblies (50) and their upstream components.

[0032] In another preferred configuration, the control means (40) are a processor / controller or programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to control the operation of said fish processing and knocking table (100), through the connection with: the at least one tilting feeder (12) by means of the linear actuator (30A) which is a first actuator that receives signals; the at least one folding bottom (13) by means of a second actuator that receives signals; the at least one fish counter and calibrator (14) that sends signals; the at least one paddle (15) and the brake means (15A) by means of a third actuator that receives signals; the at least one indicator means (15B) that sends signals; the at least one fish detector (17) that sends signals; the at least one control gate (26) by means of a fourth actuator that receives signals or is manually operated and the at least one fish knocking device (50) that sends and receives signals.

[0033] In another preferred configuration, the fish processing and knocking table (100) further comprises a fish position sensor (52A), which corroborates the position of the fish in the fish knocker (50), wherein the location of said fish is observed through the color of the fish, if it is located correctly or incorrectly, wherein said fish position sensor (52A) is located in a trigger assembly (52), which determines if the fish is in the correct position, the fish knocking is started and if the fish is in the incorrect position an exit assembly is opened so that the fish passes without being processed, wherein the fish knocker (50), the trigger assembly (52), the fish position sensor (52A) are operatively connected to the control means (40); and where the criteria for correct and incorrect position are: correct position: the fish is with its back facing upwards and a dark colour is detected, with a wavelength of less than 520 nm or greater than 670 nm;and incorrect position: the fish is upside down and a light color is detected, with a low wavelength between 520nm and 670nm, which prevents mistreatment of the animal when being processed, since only well-positioned animals / fish are processed and not those that are upside down, and with them it is avoided that they suffer unwanted blows and cuts, and the consequent stress related to said poorly positioned blows and cuts.

[0034] In addition, the fish position sensor (52A) is configurable in wavelength according to the type of fish to be processed.

[0035] In another preferred configuration, a lid covers the entire system, so that the fish are not scared and only feel the flow of water and see a light associated with the knocker.

[0036] The present invention further comprises a method of processing and knocking out fish that allows controlling a rate of entry of fish to be processed, executed on the fish processing and knocking out table (100) of the previous pages, where the method comprises the following steps:

[0037] Start the start-up process through the subprocess of calibrating the water level (10) through the following steps: i- actuate a first clean water inlet (31) to form a wall of water;

[0038] i- actuating a second inlet of clean water (32) that generates a counter flow; iii- calibrating a control gate (26) to adjust the water level (10) to a predetermined height in a feed channel (1 ), iv- activating the abattoir bottom (13) in a superior position, activating the production of knocked out fish through the following steps: a- detecting a fish through a fish detector (17) that sends a signal to control means (40); b- actuating a tilting feeder (12) by means of the control means (40) so that the fish to be processed goes down by gravity and its actuation is released at a predetermined time (* between 0.01 to 10 seconds) to lower the tilting feeder (12), while the tilting feeder (12) is actuated it slows down the passage of the fish that follows;c- moving a paddle (15) by the action of the passage of the fish which is captured by a fish counter and calibrator (14) sends a signal to the control means (40) of the passage of the fish and the size of the fish to be processed, simultaneously with c-: c1 - sending a signal to a brake means (15A) of the paddle (15) from the control means (40), to avoid the passage of the next fish, while the fish to be processed is in process; and c2- adapting a fish knocker assembly (50) to adjust said fish knocker (50) to the size of the fish to be processed from the control means (40), due to the reading of the signal from the fish counter and calibrator (14) sent to the control means (40);d- process the fish to be processed through the fish knocking device (50), at a predetermined average rate of fish per minute, which is activated with the same fish and once processed sends a signal to the control means (40) to unlock the brake means (15A) of the paddle (15), so that the next fish can pass.;

[0039] To maintain constant production, steps ad are repeated while knocked-out fish are in production.

[0040] In another preferred configuration, in stage b- the predetermined time is between 0.01 seconds and 10 seconds to lower the tilting feeder (12).In another preferred configuration, the method further comprises the steps of: activating the abattoir bottom (13) to lower it by means of a second actuator that receives a signal managed by the control means (40), when the fish counter and calibrator (14) detects a fish passage rate greater than the predetermined average rate of fish per minute or activating the abattoir bottom (13) to raise it by means of a second actuator that receives a signal managed by the control means (40), when the fish counter and calibrator (14) detects a fish passage rate less than or equal to the predetermined average rate of fish per minute, wherein, the predetermined average rate of fish per minute is in a range between 1 and 16 fish per minute for each fish knocker assembly (50) and is controlled by the control means (40).

[0041] In another preferred configuration, the method also comprises the steps of: in case the tilting feeder (12) lets two or more fish to be processed pass, these pass one by one, one after the other, through the narrowness of the channel and the fish counter and calibrator (14) lets the first fish pass through the paddle (15) and the brake (15A) is activated, the second fish presses and keeps the paddle (15) pressed by gravity and moves it a predetermined distance (clearance from 0.1 to 30°) where said distance is captured by the fish counter and calibrator (14) to send a signal to the control means (40) and leaves the tilting feeder (12) idle, until the first fish is processed by the fish knocker assembly (50), and after that the brake (15A) of the paddle (15) is released so that the second fish passes and the cycle of the tilting feeder (12) of step c1 is activated again. .

[0042] According to the previously detailed description, it is possible to obtain a feed channel for a fish processing and knockdown table that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. It should be understood that the various options previously described for different technical characteristics of the feed channel for a fish processing and knockdown table of the present application may be combined with each other, or with other options known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, in any manner provided, without limiting the scope of the present application, and including parallel fish processing.

[0043] Different options described for different technical characteristics may be combined with each other, or with other options known to a person normally versed in the art, without limiting the scope of this application.

[0044] In the context of this application, without limiting its scope, "at least one" shall be understood as one or more of the elements referenced. Consequently, the number of elements referenced does not limit the scope of this application. Additionally, if more than one element is provided, said elements may or may not be identical to each other, without limiting the scope of this application.

[0045] In the context of this application, without limiting its scope, "plurality" shall be understood as two or more of the elements referred to. Consequently, the number of elements of the plurality referred to does not limit the scope of this application as long as it is greater than or equal to two. Additionally, said elements of the plurality may or may not be identical to each other, without limiting the scope of this application.

[0046] APPLICATION EXAMPLES

[0047] With the fish processing and knockout table (100) that allows controlling the rate of entry of fish to be processed, which comprises a feed channel (1) and downstream a fish knockout assembly (50), an operating test was carried out with trout fish, with the following working conditions with the fish processing and knockout table (100) with counter flow, which comprised:

[0048] • a pump with a frequency regulator set to 42 Hz

[0049] • a wall valve with water 20% from its start. • a backflow preventer with water 50% from its start.

[0050] • a 105° water level spoiler.

[0051] The process begins with a catch that obtained an average weight of 3.7 kg, where the weight range of the fish is from 2 kg minimum to 4.5 kg maximum, with a feed flow to the table of 24 fish on average per minute, reaching a maximum of 36 fish per minute and a minimum of 0 fish per minute, with two processing teams with knocking. This test was carried out in a continuous working time of 1 hour with an effectiveness percentage of 96% (well knocked out and well cut gills) and 4% ineffectiveness where 1% was found in equipment inefficiency, 2% with fish upside down (incorrect position), 0.5% tail and 0.5% two fish at a time, a total of 1,503 fish are processed per hour, giving an average per team of 12,525 fish per minute.

[0052] Under the following operating conditions:

[0053] • Good water quality in the pool.

[0054] • Controlled and constant pumping (maintaining 24 fish per minute).

[0055] • Good oxygenation of the fishery, for example, with oxygenation equipment that provides oxygen of at least 90% purity.

[0056] • A loose throw.

[0057] Another operational test was then carried out with the salar salmon species.

[0058] Working conditions counter-flow table.

[0059] • a variable frequency pump regulated at 42 Hz

[0060] • a wall valve water 20% from its start.

[0061] • a backflow preventer 50% from the start.

[0062] • a 90° water level spoiler. The process begins with a catch of fish with an average weight of 6.8 kg, where we find fish of 3 kg minimum and 10 kg maximum weight, with a feed flow on the table of 24 fish per minute, reaching a maximum of 36 fish per minute and a minimum of 0 fish per minute, with two processing teams with knocking. A continuous work time of 1 hour was also obtained with a 95% effectiveness percentage (well knocked out and well cut gills) and 5% ineffectiveness where we find 1% inefficiency per team, with 3% upside down fish (incorrect position), 0.5% tail-on fish and 0.5% two fish at a time, a total of 1452 fish are processed per hour, giving an average per team of 12.1 fish per minute.

[0063] Under the following operating conditions:

[0064] • Good water quality in the pool.

[0065] • Controlled and constant pumping (maintaining 24 fish per minute).

[0066] • Good oxygenation of the fishery, for example, with oxygenation equipment that provides oxygen of at least 90% purity.

[0067] • A loose throw.

[0068] To facilitate the understanding of the figures, the following list of component parts is presented: a feed channel (1 ) a water level (10) a tilting feeder (12) a folding bottom (13) a fish counter and calibrator (14) a paddle (15) a brake means (15A) indicator means (15B) a fish detector (17) a fish inlet portion (21 ) a water / fish separation filter (22) a fish outlet portion (23) a fish outlet (24) a clean water outlet (25) a control gate (26) a grooved portion (27) a wall portion (27A) a first clean water inlet (31 ) a second clean water inlet (32) a linear actuator (30A) a second clean water outlet (33) control means (40) a fish knocker assembly (50) a knocker piston assembly (51 ) a trigger assembly (52) a fish position sensor (52A) a fixed side guide plate (53) a gill cutter (54) a processing and knocking tableof fish (100)

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A fish processing and knocking table (100) allowing to control an input rate of fish to be processed, comprising a feed channel (1 ) and downstream a fish knocking assembly (50), CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a fish inlet portion (21 ) that is upstream of the feed channel (1 ), a control gate (26) for adjusting a water level (10) in the feed channel (1 ) of the fish inlet portion (21 ), and a fish outlet portion (23), comprising a fish outlet (24), in a position opposite to the fish inlet portion (21 ) and downstream of the feed channel (1 );a reed bed (13) positioned at the fish inlet portion (21), the reed bed (13) being configured to acquire one of a plurality of angular positions and to oscillate around said angular position with an angular amplitude, thereby achieving a buffer function to control the rate of entry of fish into the fish outlet portion (23); and a first clean water inlet (31) positioned at the fish outlet portion (23) forming a water wall, a second clean water inlet (32) counter-flowing formed by a perforated base; a clean water outlet (25) positioned at the fish inlet portion (21) and before, in the fish inlet-outlet direction, said reed bed (13);control means (40) operatively connected to the abattoir bottom (13), to a tilting feeder (12), a fish counter and calibrator (14) and to a fish detector (17), the latter three positioned in the fish outlet portion (23); and a paddle (15) integrally connected to the fish counter and calibrator (14) and to a brake means (15A); water circulation means in fluid connection with the first inlet; clean water (31), the second clean water inlet (32) against flow and with the clean water outlet (25) and a second clean water outlet (33).

2. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that: the tilting feeder (12) is configured to acquire at least two positions, a collapsed position and an elevated position; and tilting means operatively connected to the tilting feeder (12) and controlled by the control means (40), wherein the tilting feeder (12) has a grooved portion (27) pivotally connected to a wall portion (to keep the fish upright, preventing it from turning over or losing its upright posture), wherein in the lowered position the grooved portion (27) extends substantially coextensive with a wall portion (27A), and wherein in the raised position the wall portion (27A) forms an angle with the grooved portion (27) that prevents the passage of other fish towards the grooved portion (27), and the grooved portion (27) prevents the turning of the fish to be processed to keep it in an upright position.

3. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that said tilting means comprise a lever (30) connected to the grooved portion (27) and a linear actuator (30A) operatively connected to the lever to activate and deactivate the tilting feeder (12).

4. The fish processing and knocking-out table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the tilting feeder (12) and / or the folding bottom (13) have a frame with a grate formed by multiple longitudinally configured cylinders.

5. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 4, CHARACTERIZED in that the multiple cylinders of the tilting feeder (12) and / or the folding bottom (13) are configured in parallel to the direction of advance of the fish from the fish inlet portion (21) to the fish outlet (24), so as to reduce friction and possible damage to the fish's surface.

6. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the tilting feeder (12) and the folding bottom (13) have a reticulated shape and / or a perforated mesh supported by a frame.

7. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that, tilting feeder (12) in the raised position, the grooved portion (27) and the wall portion (27A) form an angle α of between 60° and 1 10°.

8. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that, in the folded position, the grooved portion (27) and the wall portion (27A) form an angle α of between 150° and 180°.

9. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the fish outlet portion (24) comprises at the base an inclined lower surface, said inclined lower surface having a rail, wherein one end of said wall portion (27A) that opposes the pivoting connection is slidably connected to said rail.

10. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 2, characterized in that one end of the grooved portion (27) opposing the pivotal connection with the wall portion (27A) is pivotally connected with a lower surface of the fish outlet portion (23). 1 1. The fish processing and knocking out table (100) of claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that the tilting means comprise indicator means (15B) that deactivate the fish detector (17) which prevents the tilting feeder (12) from changing to an elevated position.

12. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said plurality of angular positions of the folding bottom (13) is between 0 o and 45° with respect to a lower surface of the fish inlet portion (21) and the angular amplitude is between 0.1° and 30°, to stimulate the movement of the fish from the fish inlet portion (21) to the fish outlet portion (23), wherein said abatement bottom (13) oscillates with a frequency of between 0.5 Hz and 100 Hz, to stimulate the movement of the fish from the fish inlet portion (21) to the fish outlet portion (23).

13. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the counterflow water inlet surface comprises one angular holes comprising an angle [3 between 0 oat 50° with respect to the horizontal and the fish outlet portion (23) also comprises a water / fish separation filter (22).

14. The fish processing and knockout table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a height limiter located in the fish outlet portion (23) or at the entrance to the fish knockout assembly (50) that prevents one fish from passing over another.

15. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises: the fish knocking assembly (50) located downstream of the fish exit portion (23) and at a decent angle to take advantage of gravity and so that the fish to be processed does not return where the fish knocking assembly (50) comprises a support assembly and a knocking piston assembly (51); a central assembly attached to said support assembly comprising a housing, a guide assembly for the entry and processing of the fish and comprising a lower guide plate, a trigger assembly (52) that triggers the knocking piston assembly;an adjustment assembly for the size of the fish to be processed, comprising a lower base with a lower axis where said lower guide plate pivots and a lateral joint where the pivot of said upper guide plate is transmitted to the knockout assembly that varies its position by pivoting according to the movement of the upper guide plate and the size of the fish to be processed; an input and output assembly comprising: a fixed side guide plate (53) that is on one side of the central assembly; a movable side guide plate that is on the opposite side of the fixed side guide plate on the central assembly, wherein said movable side guide plate moves from the extended position when the fish enters to a retracted position to release the fish and then this fish passes to the production line in the same direction in which it entered; displacement means that move the movable side guide plate; and a pneumatic circuit that connects the trigger assembly, the knockout piston assembly and the displacement means controlled through the control means (40).

16. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said water circulation means are configured to provide a flow velocity between 0.1 m / s and 5 m / s.

17. The fish processing and knocking out table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the fish counter and calibrator (14) is integrally attached to a paddle (15), positioned in the fish exit portion (23), wherein the paddle (15) is actuated by the passage of the fish to be processed and the displacement height of said paddle (15) actuated by the passage of the fish to be processed indicates the size of fish that is captured by the fish counter and calibrator (14) and is returned to its resting position by return means, wherein the return means are: gravity, a piston plunger with compressed fluid, a spring and / or a mixture of them, which allow the fish counter and calibrator (14) and the paddle (15) to return to their resting position and the paddle (15) not to become detached from the fish when it passes, in order to obtain the fish size data.

18. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 17, CHARACTERIZED in that the return means further comprise a braking means, controlled by the control means (40), which allows the fish to be left on hold. next fish when the previous fish is being processed by the fish knocker (50).

19. The fish processing and knockout table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a fish detector (17) comprising a light beam emitter, wherein the light emitter is a laser emitter, wherein the fish detector (17) is connected to the control means (40), to know the existence of the fish.

20. The fish processing and knockout table (100) of claim 19, CHARACTERIZED in that the fish detector (17) is positioned below a water level (10).

21. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the water level (10) control gate (26) is controlled manually or is operatively connected with the control means (40), to control the water level (10).

22. The fish processing and knockout table (100) of claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of: fish inlet portions (21); feed channels (1); fish outlet portions (23); abatiole bottoms (13); tilting feeders (12), fish counters and calibrators (14), fish detectors (17), paddles (15), brake means (15A); grooved portions (27) and fish knockout assemblies (50), for processing and knocking out multiple fish in parallel.

23. The fish processing and knockout table (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the control means (40) are a processor / controller or programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to control the operation of said fish processing and knockout table (100), through the connection with: the tilting feeder (12) by means of the linear actuator (30A) which is a first actuator that receives signals; the bottom abatement (13) by means of a second actuator that receives signals; the fish counter and gauge (14) that sends signals; the paddle (15) and the brake means (15A) by means of a third actuator that receives signals; the indicator means (15B) that sends signals; the fish detector (17) that sends signals; the control gate (26) by means of a fourth actuator that receives signals or is manually operated and the fish knockout device (50) that sends and receives signals.

24. The fish processing and knocking table (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises a fish position sensor (52A), which corroborates the position of the fish in the fish knocker (50), wherein the location of said fish is observed through the color of the fish, if it is located correctly or incorrectly, wherein said fish position sensor (52A) is located in a trigger assembly (52), which determines if the fish is in the correct position, the fish knocking is started and if the fish is in the incorrect position an exit assembly is opened so that the fish passes without being processed, wherein the fish knocker (50), the trigger assembly (52), the fish position sensor (52A) are operatively connected to the control means (40);and where the correct and incorrect position criteria are: correct position: the fish is with its back facing upwards and a dark colour is detected, with a landa wavelength of less than 520 nm or greater than 670 nm; and incorrect position: the fish is with its back facing downwards and a light colour is detected, with a landa wavelength of between 520 nm and 670 nm.

25. A method of processing and knocking out fish that allows controlling the rate of entry of fish to be processed, executed at the processing table and fish knockout (100) of claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises the following steps: Start the start-up process through the subprocess of calibrating the water level (10) through the following steps: i- actuate a first clean water inlet (31) to form a wall of water; i- actuating a second inlet of clean water (32) that generates a counter flow; iii- calibrating a control gate (26) to adjust the water level (10) to a predetermined height in a feed channel (1 ), iv- activating the abattoir bottom (13) in a superior position, activating the production of knocked out fish through the following steps: a- detecting a fish through a fish detector (17) that sends a signal to control means (40); b- actuating a tilting feeder (12) by means of the control means (40) so that the fish to be processed goes down by gravity and its actuation is released at a predetermined time (* between 0.01 to 10 seconds) to lower the tilting feeder (12), while the tilting feeder (12) is actuated it slows down the passage of the fish that follows;c- moving a paddle (15) by the action of the passage of the fish which is captured by a fish counter and calibrator (14) sends a signal to the control means (40) of the passage of the fish and the size of the fish to be processed, simultaneously with c-: c1 - sending a signal to a brake means (15A) of the paddle (15) from the control means (40), to avoid the passage of the next fish, while the fish to be processed is in process; and c2- adapting a fish knockout assembly (50) to adjust said; fish knocker (50) to the size of the fish to be processed from the control means (40), due to the reading of the signal from the fish counter and calibrator (14) sent to the control means (40); d- process through the fish knocker device (50) the fish to be processed, at a predetermined average rate of fish per minute, which is activated with the same fish and once processed sends a signal to the control means (40) to unlock the brake means (15A) of the paddle (15), so that the next fish can pass.

26. The method of processing and knocking out fish of claim 25, CHARACTERIZED in that the steps ad are repeated, while producing knocked out fish.

27. The fish processing and knocking out method of claim 25, CHARACTERIZED in that in step b- the predetermined time is between 0.01 seconds and 10 seconds to lower the tilting feeder (12).

28. The fish processing and knocking-out method of claim 25, CHARACTERIZED in that: activating the abattoir bottom (13) to lower it by means of a second actuator that receives a signal managed by the control means (40), when the fish counter and calibrator (14) detects a fish passage rate greater than the predetermined average rate of fish per minute or activating the abattoir bottom (13) to raise it by means of a second actuator that receives a signal managed by the control means (40), when the fish counter and calibrator (14) detects a fish passage rate less than or equal to the predetermined average rate of fish per minute.

29. The fish processing and knockout method of claim 28, wherein: the predetermined average rate of fish per minute is in a range of between 1 and 16 fish per minute for each fish knockout assembly (50) and is controlled by means of control (40).

30. The fish processing and knocking-out method of claim 27, CHARACTERIZED in that: in the event that the tilting feeder (12) lets two or more fish to be processed pass, they pass one by one, one after the other, through the narrowness of the channel and the fish counter and calibrator (14) lets the first fish pass through the paddle (15) and the brake (15A) is activated, the second fish presses and holds the paddle (15) by gravity and moves it a predetermined distance (clearance from 0.1 to 30°) where said distance is captured by the fish counter and calibrator (14) to send a signal to the control means (40) and leaves the tilting feeder (12) idle, until the first fish is processed by the fish knocking-out assembly (50), and after that the brake (15A) of the paddle (15) is released so that the second fish passes and the cycle is activated again. tilting feeder (12) of stage c1.

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