Device and method for automatically stunning and / or bleeding fish

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) which is designed to automatically stun and / or bleed fish (11) being transported head-first in the transport direction T and back-side-up, comprising a transport device (12) for transporting the fish (11) along a transport path from a supply region for the fish (11) into the region of a working position, in which a stunning unit (13) and / or a bleeding unit (14) is arranged, said stunning unit (13) being designed to stun each individual fish (11) transported into the working position and / or said bleeding unit (14) being designed to bleed stunned fish (11), a trigger element (15) which is arranged in the region of the working position for triggering the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14), a first detection means (16) which is designed to detect at least one fish parameter relevant to the stunning and / or bleeding process, wherein the first detection means (16) is arranged upstream of the working position in the transport direction T, and a transport means (17) for transferring the fish (11) from the working position onto a transport means (18) arranged downstream of the device (10). The device is characterized in that the transport means (17) comprises a discharge mechanism (19) behind the working position in the transport direction T of the fish (11), said discharge mechanism being designed to separately discharge the fish (11) out of the device (10) into at least two product streams (P1, P2). The invention additionally relates to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] Device and method for automatically stunning and / or bleeding fish

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a device designed and configured for the automatic stunning and / or bleeding of fish transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards, comprising a transport device for transporting the fish from a fish feed area along a transport path to the area of ​​a working position in which a stunning unit and / or a bleeding unit is arranged, the stunning unit for stunning each individual fish transported to the working position and / or the bleeding unit for bleeding stunned fish, a triggering element arranged in the area of ​​the working position for triggering the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit, a first detection means designed and configured to detect at least one fish parameter relevant for stunning and / or bleeding, wherein the first detection means is arranged in front of the working position in the transport direction T,and a transport means for transferring the fish from the working position to a removal means arranged downstream of the device.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for automatically stunning and / or bleeding fish transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards, comprising the steps of: transporting the fish from a feed area of ​​the fish along a transport path into the area of ​​a working position by means of a transport device, detecting at least one fish parameter relevant for stunning and / or bleeding during transport in the direction of the working position by means of a first detection means, stunning the fish and / or bleeding stunned fish in the working position by means of a stunning unit ora bleeding unit, wherein the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit are triggered by means of a trigger element actuated by the fish when all detected fish parameters meet the requirements, and forwarding the fish from the working position towards a downstream removal means by means of a transport means.

[0005] Such devices and methods are used in the fish processing industry to stun fish in the working position, to stun them first and then kill them, or to kill fish that have already been stunned outside the working position. Killing occurs by severing the main artery, causing the fish to bleed. For this purpose, the fish are actively or passively transported into a working position within the area of ​​the device of this type. For example, the fish can move against a generated water current into the feed area of ​​the device, from where they then slide towards the working position under gravity. The fish can also be transported to the feed area by means of transport or manually.For a good process result, i.e. effective stunning and / or reliable bleeding, it is important that the fish are in a desired orientation, for example head first and belly down and / or in a defined weight range, for example from three to seven kilos, and / or a defined size range and / or other fish parameters relevant to the process result during stunning and / or bleeding and are transported to the area of ​​the working position in order to then reliably stun the fish in the working position, or first reliably stun them and then kill them, or reliably kill previously stunned fish.It is therefore crucial that the fish are monitored during transport into the working position, particularly with regard to head-tail alignment and / or belly-back detection and / or weight determination and the like, in order to remove fish that are incorrectly positioned, do not correspond to the required dimensions in terms of weight and / or size, or slip into the working position in double or multiple positions, i.e. do not meet at least one fish parameter relevant for a good process result, from the working position without stunning and / or killing.

[0006] Furthermore, fish that are correctly positioned in the working position but have not been correctly stunned and / or killed, i.e., fish that have an unsatisfactory process result because the stunning and / or bleeding unit did not function correctly, must be removed from the working position in order to be released. Currently, all fish, regardless of the process result – i.e., regardless of whether the fish were correctly fed and correctly positioned in the working position or not, and whether they have been sufficiently stunned and / or bled or not – are transported from the working position via a transport device that connects the working position to a removal device, to the sole and therefore shared removal device downstream of the working position. At least one operator is positioned at this removal device, which transports the fish for further processing, to monitor the process result.Fish that have not been correctly stunned and / or bled, regardless of whether they were not stunned and bled due to incorrect positioning, double or multiple positioning or other non-fulfillment of fish parameters, or whether they led to an unsatisfactory process result due to insufficient or faulty stunning and / or bleeding, are removed manually and taken to another stunning and / or bleeding unit or are manually stunned and / or bled.

[0007] The known devices and methods therefore have the disadvantage that all fish arriving at the working position are discharged into a single, common product stream, regardless of the processing result. This places a significant burden on the operating personnel positioned behind the stunning and / or bleeding device, leading to errors. As a result, unsuitable fish, and especially those that have not been stunned and / or bled, reach downstream processing stations, which must be avoided for reasons of animal welfare and due to official and / or legal regulations.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a simple device that reliably and quickly separates fish with different processing results before transferring them to the downstream transport means. The object is further to propose a corresponding method.

[0009] This object is achieved by a device mentioned above in that the transport means comprises a discharge mechanism downstream of the working position in the transport direction T of the fish, which is designed and configured to discharge the fish from the device separately into at least two product streams. By automatically dividing the fish sliding out of the working position into at least two product streams, the number of fish that reach the discharge means can be reduced. The first product stream is used for further processing without any rework and is conveyed directly to the discharge means. The proportion of fish with a sufficient process result is in the order of magnitude of approximately 80-90% of the fish.The operator on the discharge conveyor, which predominantly carries properly processed fish with satisfactory processing results, therefore has a lower workload when inspecting the fish on the discharge conveyor. The remaining 10-20% of the fish, which are assigned to the second product stream, must be fully reprocessed. Therefore, no operator inspection is required for the fish in the second product stream. This results in a lower error rate in the monitoring of the fish by the operator, so that fewer improperly processed fish, especially fewer live fish, reach downstream processing.

[0010] A preferred development is characterized in that the transport means downstream of the work position comprises a controllable slider as a discharge mechanism, by means of which the fish can be selectively assigned to one or the other product stream. A first product stream is assigned to the removal means for the fish to be further processed. The second product stream is assigned to a separate transport element, with which the fish are transported to any necessary post-processing. Post-processing can mean, on the one hand, that the fish are returned to the work position. On the other hand, post-processing can mean that the fish are stunned and / or bled directly manually or automatically at a station downstream of the work position. The controllable slider can be a simple sheet metal or profile.Instead of the pusher, any other (gripping) device designed and equipped to guide the fish into one or the other product stream can be used.

[0011] Particularly preferably, the transport means comprises a downwardly inclined chute, to which a pivoting slider is assigned, by means of which the fish emerging from the working position can be assigned to at least two different product streams, only one of which is directed in the direction of the removal means. This ensures a particularly simple and rapid distribution of the fish sliding from the working position onto the chute. Instead of the pivoting slider, linearly adjustable guide elements, for example, by means of stepper motors, can also be used. The transport means, which can be designed separately from or integrally with the removal means, is optionally also designed as a belt, trough, or the like.

[0012] Advantageously, the discharge mechanism is designed in several stages, such that the second product stream, which is diverted away from the discharge means, is further subdivided into additional substreams. This subdivision can be achieved, for example, by an additional controllable slide for the second product stream in the area of ​​the additional transport element, allowing for individual and customer-specific division of the fish to be processed.

[0013] Preferably, the chute with the pivoting slide is designed and configured to direct a first product stream, namely the main product stream, to the downstream removal means, while each additional product stream, namely one or more by-product streams, is diverted upstream of the removal means. This ensures reliable distribution of the fish based on an evaluation by the detection means. Fish that meet all detected fish parameters can be assigned to the first product stream. Fish that only fail to meet one detected fish parameter can be assigned to the second product stream.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the discharge mechanism comprises a controllable drop flap. The drop flap can also be designed and configured as single-stage or multi-stage, as well as pivotable and / or linearly movable, to divide the fish sliding out of the working position based on their respective process results. In principle, the product flows can also be divided using only a single-stage or multi-stage slide and / or a single-stage or multi-stage drop flap.

[0015] Advantageously, the transport means comprises a downwardly inclined chute, and the drop gate is integrated into the chute, which connects the working position to the downstream removal means. The or each drop gate can be provided as an alternative to or in addition to the pivoting gate to enable fine subdivision of the second product stream.

[0016] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises a control device to which the trigger element, the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit, the first detection means, as well as the slider and / or the drop flap are connected. This allows for the processing of the fish that meet the detected fish parameters in a particularly simple and reliable manner, and for the division of all fish sliding out of the working position into the first product stream of processed fish and the second product stream of unprocessed fish downstream of the working position.

[0017] An advantageous development is characterized in that the device comprises a centering device for pre-centering the fish during transport of the fish toward the working position and holding the fish in the working position, wherein the centering device is connected to the control device. Both stunning and killing by bleeding require sufficient positioning and centering of the fish before and especially in the working position in order to precisely insert a pneumatically actuated firing pin of the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit onto and into the fish. Furthermore, centered fish ensure more precise detection of the fish parameters of the fish being fed into the working position, which optimizes the control of the pivoting slides and / or the trap doors.

[0018] A particularly advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the device comprises at least one second detection means, which is arranged in the region of the working position and / or immediately adjacent to the processing position in the region of the transport means. The or each additional detection means can detect additional fish parameters, which, on the one hand, optimizes the control of the pivoting slides and / or the drop flaps and, on the other hand, ensures a finer subdivision, in particular of the second product stream, into further substreams. This simplifies and makes more efficient the reprocessing of fish that do not achieve the required process result in a first pass.

[0019] The second and each additional detection means are expediently connected to the control device. This ensures effective and precise control of the pivoting slides and / or the trap doors. In particular, the control device receives not only the information from the first detection element relating to the fish itself and its shape / weight, position, and the like, but also the information from the second or each additional detection element relating to the processing result in the working position, i.e., correct stunning and / or correct bleeding. This achieves an improved distribution of the product flows, preventing live fish, i.e., fish that have been improperly stunned and killed, from reaching the removal device for further processing.Accordingly, the second and each further detection means are advantageously designed and configured to detect the stunning and / or bleeding result.

[0020] Particularly advantageously, the second detection means is arranged and positioned in the area of ​​the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit and comprises at least one sensor means connected to the control device, which is designed and configured to detect an air pressure profile in at least one compressed air supply line and / or a reset air line and / or to detect an air volume flow profile through at least one of the compressed air supply lines and / or the reset air lines of the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit. If both a stunning unit and a bleeding unit are provided, the detection means then comprises sensor means so that both pneumatic units can be monitored and tested for their functionality.Deviations from the aforementioned measurement parameters then indicate that proper stunning and / or bleeding may not have occurred, so that these fish can be fed into the second product stream using the control device. Alternatively, or as an alternative to the sensor means for detecting pressure fluctuations or the like, other detection means, such as sensor means for monitoring the fish's eyes, can also be used.

[0021] Advantageously, the control device comprises an evaluation unit which is designed to provide a status signal on the basis of the detected air pressure curve and / or the detected air volume flow curve, which allows a conclusion to be drawn about the function of the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit for controlling the pivotable slide and / or the drop flap.

[0022] This task is also solved by a method with the steps mentioned above. Upon leaving the working position, the fish are automatically divided into at least two separate product streams, of which only one is directed to the discharge conveyor. This division results in fewer fish reaching the discharge conveyor, reducing the monitoring burden on the operating personnel, as the fish that are channeled past the discharge conveyor do not need to be monitored.

[0023] Preferably, the fish that meet all detected fish parameters are directed to the removal means in a first product stream, while the fish that do not meet at least one of the fish parameters are discharged in at least a second product stream. If information about the fish itself, such as its position, orientation, weight, size, and the like, is collected both during the transport path toward the work station, as well as in and / or behind the work station regarding the processing quality of the stunning and / or bleeding of the fish, reliable and rapid separation is improved.

[0024] In a practical further development, the second product stream is automatically divided even more finely into at least two sub-product streams. For example, a first sub-product stream, also referred to as the sub-stream, can be fed directly to an automatic electrical stunning device, while a second sub-stream, also referred to as the sub-stream, is fed directly back to the working position. For example, as an alternative or supplementary option, it is also possible to feed sub-streams to manual post-processing for stunning and / or killing the fish. Furthermore, the second product stream can also be divided into sub-streams, of which one sub-stream of a first size range is fed to electrical stunning, while another sub-stream of a second size range is fed to manual stunning and / or manual bleeding.The criteria for dividing the river into two or more substreams can vary and depend largely on the fish parameters detected.

[0025] Particularly advantageously, the fish are fed into either the first product stream or the second product stream by means of a pivoting slide and / or a drop flap, depending on whether the detected fish parameters are met. This ensures safe and fast separation.

[0026] Advantageously, the pivoting slide and / or the drop flap are controlled by a control device to which the first detection device, the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit, as well as the triggering element are also connected. Optionally, the second and any additional detection devices are also connected to the control device in order to make a precise and reliable selection of the fish based on all detected fish parameters for the individual product streams on the one hand and the substreams on the other.

[0027] For practical purposes, a centering device is activated by the control system to pre-center the fish during transport toward the working position and to hold them in that position. Centering the fish ensures more precise and high-quality detection of relevant fish parameters.

[0028] As already mentioned, at least one additional detection means may be provided. Preferably, the second detection means detects fish parameters in the working position and / or immediately behind the working position and in front of the downstream removal means, which assess the stunning and / or bleeding results.

[0029] A preferred development is characterized in that with the second and / or each further detection means an air pressure profile in at least one compressed air supply line and / or a reset air line and / or an air volume flow profile through at least one of the compressed air supply lines and / or the reset air lines of the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit is detected, wherein on the basis of the detected air pressure profile and / or the detected air volume flow profile a status signal is provided which allows a conclusion to be drawn about the function of the stunning unit and / or the bleeding unit for controlling the pivotable slide and / or the drop flap.Preferably, the fish are then selectively fed to the first product stream or the second product stream based on an evaluation of the detection by the first and second detection means by controlling the pivotable slide and / or the drop flap. Only the fish that meet all detected fish parameters are assigned to the first product stream, which is fed to the removal means, while the fish that do not meet at least one fish parameter are assigned to the second product stream and kept away from the removal means. Optionally, the fish in the second product stream are selectively fed back to the work position or are further processed either manually or automatically behind the work position.

[0030] The method is particularly preferably carried out using a device according to one or more of claims 1 to 14. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the device, which is why reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.

[0031] Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments of the device and method are set forth in the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0032] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for stunning and killing by bleeding the fish,

[0033] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of an embodiment of the discharge mechanism behind the working position, and

[0034] Fig. 3 shows a slaughterhouse with several modules, each of which comprises the device according to the invention.

[0035] A device illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 is used for slaughtering, i.e., stunning and bleeding, fish of the salmon species. The device according to the invention is accordingly designed and configured solely for stunning or killing stunned fish and is not limited to the salmon species.

[0036] Figures 1 to 3 show a device 10 which is designed and configured for the automatic stunning and / or bleeding of fish 11 transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards. The device 10 comprises a transport device 12 for transporting the fish 11 from a feed area for the fish 11 along a transport path into the area of ​​a working position in which a stunning unit 13 and a bleeding unit 14 are arranged. The stunning unit 13 is designed and configured to stun each individual fish 11 transported to the working position. The bleeding unit 14 is designed and configured to bleed stunned fish 11. A trigger element 15 for triggering the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14 is arranged in the area of ​​the working position.Above the transport device 12 and upstream of the working position in the transport direction T, a first detection means 16 is arranged, which is designed and configured to detect at least one fish parameter relevant for stunning and bleeding. Furthermore, the device 10 comprises a transport means 17 for forwarding the fish 11 from the working position to a removal means 18 arranged downstream of the device 10.

[0037] This device 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the transport means 17 comprises, behind the working position in the transport direction T of the fish 11, a discharge mechanism 19 which is designed and configured for the separate discharge of the fish 11 from the device 10 in at least two product streams.

[0038] The features and developments described below represent preferred embodiments, considered individually or in combination with one another. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the figures or described in a common embodiment can also functionally independently develop the device 10 described above.

[0039] The first detection means 16 is optionally an optical sensor means with which, for example, incorrect positions of the fish 11, double or multiple positions, fish jams in front of the work station, size ranges of the fish 11 or other fish parameters can be detected. The detection means 16 can also comprise several sensor means with different functionalities. In Figure 1, the transport device 12 is shown as a chute-like fish guide 20 that is inclined downwards towards the work position and into which the fish 11 slides towards the work position. The fish guide 20 itself is designed to be at least partially movable. In the illustrated embodiment, the fish guide 20 is designed to be movable overall. For this purpose, the fish guide 20 is assigned, for example, a pneumatic cylinder 21.In the working position, the initially still-living fish 11 (in the event that the device 10 is only used for bleeding, stunned fish 11 slide into the working position) rest with their head undersides on the fish guide 20. The firing pins of the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14 are in a retracted waiting position.

[0040] The transport means 17 downstream of the working position comprises a controllable slide 22 as a discharge mechanism 19, by means of which the fish 11 can be selectively assigned to one or the other product stream P1, P2. The transport means 17 further comprises a downwardly inclined chute 23, which connects the working position with the downstream removal means 18 and to which a pivotable slide 22 is assigned, by means of which the fish 11 coming from the working position can be assigned to at least two different product streams P1, P2, of which only one product stream P1 is directed in the direction of the removal means 18. In the embodiment shown, the discharge mechanism 19 additionally comprises a controllable drop flap 24. The drop flap 24 is integrated into the chute 23 and pivotably mounted on a bottom wall 25 of the chute 23. Downstream of the drop flap 24, the pivotable slide 22 is positioned.The position of the drop flap 24 on the one hand and the slider 22 on the other hand as well as their assignment to each other can vary.

[0041] The discharge mechanism 19 can be designed in multiple stages, such that the second product stream P2, which is diverted by the removal means, is further divided into additional substreams. This can be achieved, for example, by additional drop flaps and / or pivoting slides. The chute 23 with the pivoting slide 22 is designed and configured to direct a first product stream P1, namely the main product stream, to the downstream removal means 18, while each further product stream P2, namely one or more by-product streams, is diverted upstream of the removal means 18 and fed to a separate transport means 26.

[0042] The device 10 comprises a control device 27 to which the trigger element 15, the stunning unit 13, the bleeding unit 14, the first detection means 16, as well as the slide 22 and the drop flap 24 are connected. The connection to the individual components can be made via lines 28 or wirelessly. In addition, the device 10 comprises a centering device 29 for pre-centering the fish 11 during transport of the fish 11 toward the working position and for holding the fish 11 in the working position, wherein the centering device 29 is also connected to the control device 27 via lines 28. In addition, the pneumatic cylinder 21 for moving the fish guide 20 can also be connected to the control device 27 via lines 28 in order to coordinate the discharge of the fish 11 from the working position and the distribution between the product streams P1 and P2.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment of Figure 1, the device 10 comprises a second detection means 30, which is arranged in the region of the working position. The detection means 30 comprises two sensors 31, 32. The sensors 31, 32 are connected to the control device 27 via lines 28. A sensor 31 is assigned to the stunning unit 13, and a sensor 32 is assigned to the bleeding unit 14. The sensor 31, 32 are designed and configured to detect the stunning and bleeding results before the fish 11 leave the working position. The sensor means 31, 32 are designed and configured to detect an air pressure profile in at least one compressed air supply line and / or a reset air line and / or to detect an air volume flow profile through at least one of the compressed air supply lines and / or the reset air lines of the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit.

[0044] The control device 27 further comprises an evaluation unit 33 which is designed to provide a status signal on the basis of the detected air pressure profile and / or the detected air volume flow profile, which allows a conclusion to be drawn about the function of the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14 for controlling the pivotable slide 22 and the drop flap 24.

[0045] The device 10 forms a single slaughter module. Several such slaughter modules, preferably five such slaughter modules, form a slaughter system 34. In this slaughter system 34, the individual modules are detachably arranged in a common frame 35. Starting from a water tank 36, the fish 11 reach a feed area 37, from which the fish 11 slide toward and into the working position by gravity alone.

[0046] The invention also relates to a method for automatically stunning and bleeding fish 11 transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards. The fish 11 are guided manually or automatically or independently to a feed area 37 and transported from this feed area 37 by means of a transport device 12 along a transport path into the area of ​​a working position. The live fish 11 preferably swim against a generated water current towards the feed area 37 and then slide downwards automatically. Accordingly, the fish 11 are transported from the feed area 37 along a transport path by means of a transport device 12 into the area of ​​a working position. During transport towards the working position, at least one fish parameter relevant for stunning and bleeding is detected by means of a first detection means 16.Preferably, several fish parameters are detected, for example, an incorrect or double layer, weight range and / or size range of the fish 11, or the like. In the working position, the fish 11 that meet all detected fish parameters, i.e., in particular, are correctly aligned and individually positioned in the working position, are within the desired size range and / or weight range, and the like, are stunned by means of a stunning unit 13 and then bled by means of a bleeding unit 14. If a fish 11 fails to meet just one of the desired fish parameters, the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14 remain inactive. Finally, all fish 11 are forwarded from the working position by means of a transport means 17 toward a downstream removal means 18.

[0047] According to the invention, upon leaving the working position, the fish 11 are automatically divided into at least two separate product streams P1, P2, of which only one product stream P1 is directed to the removal means 18. Only the fish 11 that satisfy all detected fish parameters are directed to the removal means 18 in a first product stream P1, while the fish 11 that do not satisfy at least one of the detected fish parameters are discharged in at least a second product stream P2. Optionally, a further and finer subdivision of the product streams, in particular of the product stream P2, can be carried out. For this purpose, the second product stream P2 is automatically subdivided even more finely into at least two partial product streams.

[0048] Depending on whether the detected fish parameters are met, the fish 11 are fed selectively to the first product stream P1 or the second product stream P2 by means of a pivoting slide 22 and a drop flap 24. For this purpose, the pivoting slide 22 and the drop flap 24 are controlled by a control device 27, to which the first detection means 16, the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14, as well as the trigger element 15 are also connected. The detection element 16 checks, for example, the belly-to-back position. For this purpose, a signal is transmitted to the control device 27. If the signal corresponds to the desired position, for example belly down, and the fish 11 has actuated the trigger element 15, the control device 27 controls the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14, so that the fish 11 is stunned and bled.Such a processed fish 11 is then fed via the transport means 17 in a first product stream P1 to the removal means 18, which transports the fish 11 longitudinally, i.e., in the transport direction T, or transversely thereto, for direct further processing. If the signal does not correspond to the desired position, namely belly upward in the working position, the control device 27 does not control the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14. This means that the firing pins each remain in their waiting position, so that the fish 11 is then removed via the transport means 17 without being processed, specifically in a second product stream P2, for example, by opening the drop flap 24 by means of the control device 27. Optionally, the pivotable slide 22 can also be pivoted about an axis S by means of the control device 27 in order to guide the fish 11 into the second product stream P2.

[0049] Optionally, a centering device 29 is controlled by the control device 27 when the fish 11 are transported towards the working position. With the centering device 29, the fish 11 are pre-centered during transport of the fish 11 towards the working position and held centered in the working position so that the actual processing, namely stunning and bleeding, can be carried out. However, since problems can arise during stunning and / or bleeding even with optimally positioned and centered fish 11 that meet all the fish parameters detected by the detection means 16, at least a second detection means 30 detects fish parameters in the working position and / or immediately behind the working position and upstream of the downstream removal means 18, which assess the stunning and bleeding results.

[0050] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the second detection means 30 detects an air pressure profile in at least one compressed air supply line and / or a reset air line and / or an air volume flow profile through at least one of the compressed air supply lines and / or the reset air lines of the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14 via appropriately designed and configured sensor means 31, 32. Based on the detected air pressure profile and / or the detected air volume flow profile, a status signal is provided which allows a conclusion to be drawn about the function of the stunning unit 13 and the bleeding unit 14 for controlling the pivotable slide 22 and / or the trap door 24. If the signal does not correspond to the desired quality, the fish 11 is fed to the second product stream P2 by means of the slide 22 and / or the trap door 24, which is kept away from the removal means 18.The fish 11 of the second product stream P2 are either fed back to the working position or are reprocessed either manually or automatically behind the working position.

[0051] With the method according to the invention, the fish 11 are selectively fed to the first product stream P1 or the second product stream P2 on the basis of an evaluation of the detection of the first and second detection means 16, 30 by controlling the pivotable slide 22 and / or the trap door 24, wherein only the fish 11 that satisfy all detected fish parameters are assigned to the first product stream P1, which is fed to the removal means 18, while the fish 11 that do not satisfy at least one fish parameter are assigned to the second product stream P2 and kept away from the removal means 18.

[0052] The method is particularly advantageously carried out with a device 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 14.

Claims

1. A device (10) designed and configured for the automatic stunning and / or bleeding of fish (11) transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards, comprising a transport device (12) for transporting the fish (11) from a feed area of ​​the fish (11) along a transport path to the area of ​​a working position in which a stunning unit (13) and / or a bleeding unit (14) is arranged, the stunning unit (13) for stunning each individual fish (11) transported to the working position and / or the bleeding unit (14) for bleeding stunned fish (11), a trigger element (15) arranged in the area of ​​the working position for triggering the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14), a first detection means (16) designed and configured to detect at least one fish parameter relevant for stunning and / or bleeding,wherein the first detection means (16) is arranged in the transport direction T upstream of the working position, and a transport means (17) for forwarding the fish (11) from the working position to a removal means (18) arranged downstream of the device (10), characterized in that the transport means (17) comprises a discharge mechanism (19) downstream of the working position in the transport direction T of the fish (11), which is designed and configured for separately discharging the fish (11) from the device (10) in at least two product streams (P1, P2).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport means (17) arranged downstream of the working position comprises a controllable slide (22) as a discharge mechanism (19), by means of which the fish (11) can be selectively assigned to one or the other product stream (P1 or P2).

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transport means (17) comprises a downwardly inclined chute (23) to which a pivotable slide (22) is assigned, by means of which the fish (11) coming from the working position can be assigned to at least two different product streams (P1, P2), only one of which is directed in the direction of the removal means (18).

4. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the discharge mechanism (19) is designed in several stages, such that the second product stream (P2), which is diverted away from the removal means (18), is further divided into additional substreams.

5. Device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the chute (23) with the pivotable slide (22) is designed and arranged to guide a first product stream (P1), namely the main product stream, to the downstream removal means (18), while each further product stream (P2), namely one or more by-product streams, is diverted upstream of the removal means (18).

6. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the discharge mechanism (19) comprises a controllable drop flap (24).

7. Device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the transport means (17) comprises a downwardly inclined chute (23), and the drop flap (24) is integrated into the chute (23) which connects the working position with the downstream removal means (18).

8. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a control device (27) to which at least the triggering element (15), the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14), the first detection means (16) and the slider (22) and / or the drop flap (24) are connected.

9. Device (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a centering device (29) for pre-centering the fish (11) during transport of the fish (11) towards the working position and holding the fish (11) in the working position, wherein the centering device (29) is connected to the control device (27).

10. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises at least one second detection means (30) which is arranged in the region of the working position and / or immediately following the processing position in the region of the transport means (17).

11. Device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the second and each further detection means (30) are connected to the control device (27).

12. Device (10) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the second and each further detection means (30) are designed and arranged to detect the stunning and / or bleeding result.

13. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the second detection means (30) is arranged and positioned in the region of the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14) and comprises at least one sensor means (31, 32) connected to the control device (27), which is designed and configured to detect an air pressure profile in at least one compressed air supply line and / or a reset air line and / or to detect an air volume flow profile through at least one of the compressed air supply lines and / or the reset air lines of the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14).

14. Device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the control device (27) comprises an evaluation unit (33) which is designed to provide a status signal on the basis of the detected air pressure profile and / or the detected air volume flow profile, which allows a conclusion to be drawn about the function of the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14) for controlling the pivotable slide (22) and / or the drop flap (24).

15. A method for automatically stunning and / or bleeding fish (11) transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards, comprising the steps: Transporting the fish (11) from a feed area of ​​the fish (11) along a transport path into the area of ​​a working position by means of a transport device (12), detecting at least one fish parameter relevant for stunning and / or bleeding during transport in the direction of the working position by means of a first detection means (16), Stunning the fish (11) and / or bleeding stunned (11) fish in the working position by means of a stunning unit (13) or a bleeding unit (14), wherein the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14) are triggered by means of a trigger element (15) actuated by the fish (11) when all detected fish parameters meet the requirements, and Forwarding the fish from the working position in the direction of a downstream removal means (18) by means of a transport means (17), characterized in that the fish (11) are automatically divided into at least two separate product streams (P1, P2) when leaving the working position, of which only one product stream (P1) is directed to the removal means (18).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the fish (11) which satisfy all the detected fish parameters are guided to the removal means (18) in a first product stream (P1), while the fish (11) which do not satisfy at least one of the fish parameters are discharged in at least a second product stream (P2).

17. Method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the second product stream (P2) is automatically divided even more finely into at least two partial product streams.

18. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the fish (11) are fed selectively to the first product stream (P1) or the second product stream (P2) by means of a pivotable slide (22) and / or a drop flap (24) depending on the fulfilment of the detected fish parameters.

19. Method according to claim 18, characterized in that the pivotable slide (22) and / or the drop flap (24) are controlled by means of a control device (27) to which at least the first detection means (16), the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14), as well as the triggering element (15) are connected.

20. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that a centering device (29) for pre-centering the fish (11) during transport of the fish (11) in the direction of the working position and holding the fish (11) in the working position is controlled by the control device (29).

21. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 20, characterized in that with at least one second detection means (30) fish parameters are detected in the working position and / or immediately behind the working position and in front of the downstream removal means (18), which assess the stunning and / or bleeding result.

22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that with the second and / or each further detection means (30) an air pressure profile in at least one compressed air supply line and / or a reset air line and / or an air volume flow profile through at least one of the compressed air supply lines and / or the reset air lines of the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14) is detected, wherein on the basis of the detected air pressure profile and / or the detected air volume flow profile a status signal is provided which allows a conclusion to be drawn about the function of the stunning unit (13) and / or the bleeding unit (14) for controlling the pivotable slide (22) and / or the drop flap (24).

23. Method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the fish (11) are selectively fed to the first product stream (P1) or the second product stream (P2) on the basis of an evaluation of the detection of the first and the second detection means (16, 30) by controlling the pivotable slide (22) and / or the drop flap (24), wherein only the fish (11) which satisfy all detected fish parameters are fed to the first product stream (P1) which is fed to the removal means (18), while the fish (11) which do not satisfy at least one fish parameter are assigned to the second product stream (P2) and kept away from the removal means (18).

24. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 23, characterized in that the fish (11) of the second product stream (P2) are optionally fed back to the working position or are optionally manually or automatically reprocessed behind the working position.

25. Method according to one or more of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that it is carried out with a device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14.

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