Apparatus and method for automatically stunning fish

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) designed and configured to automatically stun fish (11) that are transported head-first in the transport direction T and with their backs facing upwards, said apparatus comprising: a transport device (12) for transporting the fish (11) from a feed area of the fish (11) into the area of a stunning unit (13); and the stunning unit (13) for stunning each individual fish (11) transported into the active area of the stunning unit (13). The stunning unit (13) comprises: a striker pin (16) that can be moved from a retracted standby position through an opening (15) formed in a base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) into an active position and back; and a shock shield (17) which is detachably associated with the base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) and is positioned between the base plate (14) and the fish (11) to be stunned. The apparatus is characterised in that the shock shield (17) consists exclusively of an impact plate (18) which is pivotably mounted directly on the base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) that comprises the opening (15). The invention also relates to a corresponding method for stunning fish (11).

Description

[0001] Device and method for automatically stunning fish

[0002] The invention relates to a device designed and configured for the automatic stunning of fish transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards, comprising a transport device for transporting the fish from a feed area of ​​the fish into the area of ​​a stunning unit, the stunning unit for stunning each individual fish transported into the effective area of ​​the stunning unit, wherein the stunning unit comprises a firing pin which can be moved from a retracted waiting position through an opening formed in a base plate of the stunning unit into an effective position and back, and an impact protection which is detachably assigned to the base plate of the stunning unit and is positioned between the base plate and the fish to be stunned.

[0003] The invention further relates to a method for automatically stunning fish transported head first in the transport direction T and back upwards, comprising the steps of: feeding the fish in the transport direction T into the area of ​​a stunning unit, positioning the fish below the stunning unit, stunning the fish by a firing pin hitting the head of the fish from above, wherein the energy of the firing pin is evenly distributed over the head of the fish by means of an impact protection.

[0004] Such devices and methods are used in the fish processing industry. Before the fish are killed by bleeding, it must be ensured that they are reliably stunned for reasons of animal welfare. For this purpose, the fish are transported actively or passively via the conveyor system to the stunning unit area. The fish arrive at the stunning unit area at high speed and in a timed manner, namely at up to 20 to 30 fish per minute per stunning unit. The firing pin strikes the fish on the head, triggering the stunning. Since the firing pin is moved with high pneumatic pressure from a waiting position to an effective position striking the fish's head, the direct impact of the firing pin on the fish's head could potentially result in damage to the fish, in particular a fracture of the cranium, without reliable stunning.For this reason, the impact protection is provided, by means of which the energy of the firing pin is distributed over the head of the fish by applying a surface energy load instead of a point energy load.

[0005] In previously known devices, a so-called striking plate serves as impact protection, comprising a base body and an impact plate. The one-piece striking plate can be plugged onto the base plate of the stunning unit and releasably secured by means of locking lugs in operative connection with corresponding recesses. Recesses are formed in the base body of the striking plate into which projections formed on the base plate of the stunning unit engage. Both the base body and the impact plate are generally aligned essentially parallel to the transport plane or parallel to the base plate of the stunning unit. During operation of the device, the firing pin strikes the impact plate, which deforms and / or bends relative to the base body until the impact plate rests on the head of the fish and transfers the energy of the firing pin to the fish.As soon as the fish leaves the stunning position, the flexible design of the impact plate causes the impact plate to spring back into its original position parallel to the base body and thus parallel to the transport plane.

[0006] There are various problems with the known device, all of which are related to the stunning unit and, in particular, to the design and quality of the impact protection. A significant problem is the short service life of the impact protection. The impact of the firing pin on the impact plate and the associated deformation and deflection of the impact plate relative to the base body leads to the impact plate breaking from the base body. Furthermore, the intense stress on the impact protection causes the locking connection between the impact protection and the base plate of the stunning unit to break. A further disadvantage is that the impact protection must meet different and even contradictory requirements: high strength and high impact resistance on the one hand, and flexibility and resilience properties on the other, which complicates the material selection.Due to the necessary compromises in material selection, the intense impacts of the firing pin on the impact plate cause the material of the impact plate to become brittle and break. All of this leads to the short service life, which requires frequent replacement of the impact guard. Changing the impact guard is also only possible with auxiliary tools to pry free the locking connection, which poses the risk of damage to the impact guard and the base plate of the stunning unit. Furthermore, because the impact plate has springback properties relative to the base body, which hold the impact plate in an upper, essentially horizontal position, there are hidden surfaces between the impact guard and the base plate in which material residues or the like can accumulate, compromising the hygiene of the device and leading to higher frequency of cleaning cycles.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a simple and easy-to-clean device with improved service life of individual components.

[0008] This object is achieved by a device mentioned above in that the impact protection exclusively comprises an impact plate, which is mounted directly and immediately pivotably on the base plate of the stunning unit, which has the opening. This inventive design allows the impact plate to be made of a material optimized exclusively with regard to strength and impact resistance. Because the impact plate is pivotably mounted directly on the base plate of the stunning unit, the impact plate itself no longer needs to be flexible, so that the selected material can be chosen exclusively with regard to high strength and impact resistance. This alone enables longer service life.Furthermore, mounting the impact plate directly on the base plate eliminates the need for an additional base body, eliminating various weak points and breakages, both in the area of ​​the detachable attachment of the impact protection to the base plate of the stunning unit and in the impact protection itself. With the solution according to the invention, the impact protection lasts longer and therefore needs to be replaced less frequently.

[0009] Advantageously, the base plate of the stunning unit has an axle that is firmly connected to the base plate, in particular welded, and the impact plate has a round guide in which the axle of the base plate is mounted. In other words, the impact plate is mounted with the round guide on the axle of the base plate. The axle can also be assigned to the impact plate and the round guide to the base plate. As mentioned, the axle is preferably firmly welded to the base plate of the stunning unit. However, the axle can also be firmly connected to the base plate or a component assigned to the base plate in some other way. The round guide is preferably connected to the impact plate in one piece, e.g. by casting it on or producing the impact plate using an injection molding process, or is an integral part of the same. The decisive factor is that the impact plate can be freely pivoted, as this reduces the load on the impact plate and therefore lasts longer.Instead of forming a pivot bearing using an axle and a circular guide mounted on the axle, other pivot mechanisms or bearing designs can also be used.

[0010] A particularly preferred development of the device is characterized in that the impact plate is mounted on the axis in a freely pendulum manner with its circular guide, such that the impact plate is designed and configured to be movable by the fish to be stunned itself from a starting position in which it is essentially perpendicular to the horizontal, into an impact position lying on the head of the fish to be stunned. The impact plate hangs in the starting position solely by gravity. In this hanging starting position, the impact plate is directed vertically downwards, i.e. runs perpendicular to the horizontal or parallel to the vertical. In practice and preferably, however, the impact plate is not exactly vertical, i.e. parallel to the vertical, but at an angle of, for example, 12-25 degrees to the vertical. All of the possibilities mentioned are encompassed by the formulation "essentially perpendicular".In the hanging starting position there are no covered surfaces, which on the one hand means that less dirt can accumulate and accumulate, and on the other hand there is no need to dismantle the impact protection for cleaning purposes, as all surfaces are freely accessible. During transport towards the stunning position, the fish pushes the impact plate up from the starting position into the impact position, so that as the fish is transported under the firing pin the impact plate rests on the head of the fish to be stunned. In the impact position the impact plate is then essentially aligned horizontally and parallel to the base plate of the stunning unit. The positions of the impact plate are not limited to exactly vertical and exactly horizontal.Positions in which the impact plate hangs at an angle (other than 90 degrees) to the transport plane in the starting position and is not completely horizontal to the transport plane E in the impact position are also covered by the invention. In the starting position of the impact plate, the opening in the base plate of the stunning unit is free. The fish pushes the impact plate upwards into the impact position so that the opening in the base plate is at least partially covered from below by the impact plate and the firing pin can and does hit the impact plate through the opening from above. When the fish is in the stunning position, the impact plate is located between the underside of the base plate of the stunning unit and the transport device. If a fish is in the stunning position, the impact plate is located between the base plate and the fish.

[0011] The circular guide is preferably slotted transversely to the transport direction T. The slot can extend over part of the width of the circular guide. It is particularly advantageous if the circular guide is slotted across its entire width transversely to the transport direction T, with the width of the slot in the circular guide being slightly greater than the thickness of the base plate in the area where the axle is attached. The continuous slot in the circular guide makes it possible to move the impact plate not only about the axis but also in an axial direction transversely to the transport direction. The axial mobility is used in particular to pull the impact plate sideways off the axle for replacement - provided it is in the correct pivoting position with the slot on the base plate in the area where the axle is attached. The impact plate slides with and through the slot from the base plate to release the impact plate.Particularly preferred is the impact plate, which is detachably connected to the base plate of the stunning unit without the need for fasteners. This ensures easy and tool-free replacement of the impact plate.

[0012] An advantageous embodiment of the device is characterized in that the circular guide has a recess on its circumference on the side facing upwards in the impact position, which is operatively connected to a locking bolt or the like arranged on the base plate. The recess is preferably an elongated hole, but can also be any other depression. The locking bolt or any other pin- or bolt-like element is connected to the base plate directly or via an additional component. During normal operation of the device, i.e. during the stunning process, the locking bolt engages in the recess and thereby limits the angle of rotation, in the example of the elongated hole as a recess by the lateral boundaries of the elongated hole, thereby preventing damage to the impact plate and other components, such as centering flaps for centering the fish in the stunning position.The elongated hole or any other recess is shaped and positioned in such a way that the impact plate can rotate or pivot freely as long as there is contact between the firing pin and the impact plate in the active position. This prevents the firing pin from bending the impact plate. The rotation or pivot angle of the impact plate is only limited by the locking pin when the firing pin is in its upper, standby position without contact with the impact plate. Furthermore, the active connection between the locking pin and the recess prevents the impact plate from accidentally shifting in the axial direction. The combination of the locking pin and the recess thus creates a simple safety device for reliable stunning.

[0013] Particularly advantageously, the locking pin is designed and configured to be adjustable, in particular from an operative position within the recess of the impact plate to a release position outside the recess of the impact plate. Because the operative connection between the locking pin and the impact plate can be completely released, the locking pin can be rotated or moved linearly, for example, or moved completely out of the recess through a combination of linear and rotary movement, the impact plate is freely rotatable and axially movable, allowing it to be pulled laterally away from the axis of the base plate.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the device, the transport device is designed and configured as a fish guide inclined downwards toward the stunning unit. The fish can be manually inserted into the desired orientation at the top of the fish guide insertion area. With a fish guide, the fish slide automatically into the stunning position. Instead of the slide-like fish guide, other passive (non-driven) or active (driven) conveying means can be used. Instead of manual feeding of the fish, this can also be done automatically using suitable conveying means.Using salmon as an example, the fish guide can be preceded by an initially upwardly directed transport channel in which the live fish move upwards from a water tank against a generated water current and slide into the fish guide by gravity at the transition from the upwardly directed transport channel to the feed area of ​​the fish guide, i.e. at the apex.

[0015] A trigger element for triggering the firing pin is advantageously arranged at the end of the fish guide. The trigger element can be, for example, a sensor, a stop plate, a trigger element, or the like. A signal for actuating the firing pin can be transmitted via the trigger element. A pneumatic drive or any other suitable drive means is provided for actuating the firing pin.

[0016] In an advantageous development, the device comprises a control device that is connected to at least one pneumatic drive of the firing pin and the trigger element. The control device can automatically control the appropriate time for firing the firing pin to safely stun the fish before any bleeding is initiated.

[0017] An advantageous development of the device for increasing service life is characterized in that the firing pin is made of stainless steel, at least in the area of ​​the end that strikes the impact plate. Preferably, the entire firing pin is made of stainless steel or another corrosion-resistant material or a combination of materials. This provides the firing pin with better wear resistance than known firing pins made of anodized aluminum.

[0018] Particularly advantageously, the impact plate is made of one of the following materials: polyamide (PA6), polyoxymethylene (POM), or polyethylene (PE-UHMW), or the like, or a combination thereof. Other materials with comparable material properties can also be used. The inventive design of the impact plate allows materials to be selected for the impact plate that only exhibit high strength and high impact resistance. Compromises in material selection in favor of flexibility and resilience are eliminated, allowing the use of impact plates with greater wear resistance.The problem is also solved by a method with the steps mentioned above, in which the fish itself deflects a baffle plate as impact protection from an initial position, in which the baffle plate hangs freely swinging from a base plate of the stunning unit, upwards into an impact position on the fish's head before the firing pin then strikes the head. Because the fish itself moves the baffle plate from the initial position to the impact position, the load on the impact protection—in the case of the invention, the baffle plate—is significantly reduced, thereby achieving longer service life.

[0019] Advantageously, the fish moves the impact plate from the starting position, which is essentially perpendicular to the horizontal, into the impact position, which is essentially parallel to the base plate of the stunning unit. As mentioned above, the impact plate in its starting position can also be at an angle other than 90 degrees, and in particular at an angle of, for example, 15-20 degrees to the vertical. In the impact position, the impact plate can be aligned exactly parallel to the base plate or at a different angle, for example, 5 to 20 degrees to the base plate. In other words, in its impact position, the impact plate is essentially parallel to the base plate of the stunning unit and inclined at approximately 45 degrees + / - 10 degrees to the horizontal. The actual orientation of the impact plate relative to the transport plane therefore depends significantly on the orientation of the transport plane.All of the aforementioned possibilities are encompassed by the phrase "essentially perpendicular" or "essentially parallel." Thus, the impact plate is only in the impact position, essentially horizontally aligned, parallel to the base plate of the stunning unit. After the stunning process, the impact plate automatically swings back into its original position.

[0020] The method according to the invention thus ensures that concealed surfaces, which can lead to hygiene problems and complicate cleaning of the device, are avoided.

[0021] The fish conveniently activates the firing pin by triggering a release element that interacts with the firing pin's pneumatic drive. This ensures that the fish is in the correct position during the stunning process.

[0022] Advantageously, the impact plate is installed during operation, i.e. during

[0023] During the stunning process, when moving from the starting position to the impact position and back, the device is pivoted about an axis oriented transversely to the transport direction T. The resulting advantages have already been explained in connection with the device, which is why reference is made to the above passages to avoid repetition.

[0024] During operation, the impact plate is preferably locked axially by a locking pin perpendicular to the transport direction T, while the pivoting movement of the impact plate around the axis is limited. This ensures that the impact plate is optimally positioned by the fish and is secured against axial displacement and protected against collisions with other components. However, the locking mechanism can also be completely released to pivot the impact plate into a position where it can be pulled sideways off the axis.

[0025] The method is particularly preferably carried out with a device according to one or more of claims 1 to 13.

[0026] 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:

[0027] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a station for stunning and killing by bleeding the fish with the stunning device according to the invention,

[0028] Fig. 2 an enlarged view of the stunning unit in perspective view with the firing pin approximately in operative connection with the impact plate,

[0029] Fig. 3 shows the representation of Figure 2 in side view,

[0030] Fig. 4 the stunning unit according to Figure 2 with the impact plate in a change position in which the locking bolt is disengaged from the impact plate,

[0031] Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of the impact plate with a view of the side facing the base plate of the stunning unit, Fig. 6 is a section of the representation according to Figure 2 in perspective view, and

[0032] Fig. 7 shows a slaughterhouse with several slaughter modules, each comprising the device according to the invention.

[0033] A device illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 is used for the automatic stunning of salmon. The device according to the invention is also designed and configured in a corresponding manner for the automatic stunning of other fish species.

[0034] Figures 1 to 6 depict a device 10 designed and configured for automatically stunning 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 of ​​the fish 11 to the area of ​​a stunning unit 13, as well as the stunning unit 13 for stunning each individual fish 11 transported into the effective area of ​​the stunning unit 13. The stunning unit 13 comprises a firing pin 16 movable from a retracted waiting position through an opening 15 formed in a base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 into an effective position and back, as well as an impact protection device 17 detachably assigned to the base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 and positioned between the base plate 14 and the fish 11 to be stunned.

[0035] This device 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the impact protection 17 exclusively comprises an impact plate 18 which is mounted directly and immediately pivotably on the base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 having the opening 15.

[0036] 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. In Figure 1, the transport device 12 is shown as a chute-like fish guide 19, into which the fish 11 slides in the direction of the stunning unit 13. The firing pin 16 is in a retracted waiting position. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the fish 11 is already in contact with the impact plate 18. The opening 15, through which the firing pin 16 can be moved from the waiting position into the active position and back again, is formed in the base plate 14.In the situation shown in Figure 1, the opening 15 is still free, i.e., not covered by the impact plate 18. The base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 has an axis 20 that is firmly connected, in particular welded, to the base plate 14.

[0037] The axis 20 can be attached directly to the main body 21 of the base plate 14, or - as can be seen, for example, in Figure 2 - to a U-shaped projection 22 of the base plate 14. The impact plate 18 has a round guide 23 in which the axis 20 of the base plate 14 is mounted. The impact plate 18 comprises a flat, spatula-like plate body 24 and the round guide 23, which is an integral part of the plate body 24. The impact plate 18 is mounted so as to swing freely with its round guide 23 on the axis 20, such that the impact plate 18 is moved by the fish 11 to be stunned from a starting position in which it is essentially perpendicular (an angle α other than 90 degrees + / - approximately 20 degrees is also lower) to the horizontal orto the transport plane E, which is parallel to the horizontal or at an angle of, for example, 1 to 10 degrees to the horizontal, into an impact position located on the head of the fish 11 to be stunned. In the impact position, the impact plate 18 is aligned substantially parallel to the base plate 14 or at an angle of, for example, 5 to 20 degrees to the base plate 14.

[0038] The round guide 23 is slotted across its entire width, transverse to the transport direction T. The width of the slot 25 in the round guide 23 is slightly greater than the thickness of the base plate 14 in the area where the axle 20 is attached. As a result, the impact plate 18 is detachably connected to the base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 in a pivoted position of a by approximately 180 degrees (see in particular Figure 4). The impact plate 18 is connected to the base plate 14 without the need for fasteners and can therefore be removed from the base plate 14 without tools and / or aids. The round guide 23 has a recess 26 on its circumference on the side facing upwards in the impact position, which recess can be brought into operative connection with a locking bolt 27 arranged on the base plate 14 and is operatively connected during operation of the device 10. The recess 26 is designed as an elongated hole 28 and is formed approximately centrally and symmetrically to the longitudinal axis A in the longitudinal direction.The locking pin 27 is fastened in the region of the U-shaped projection 22 of the base plate 14 to a web 29 connected to the base plate 14 and arranged between two legs 30, 31 of the U-shaped projection 22. The locking pin 27 is designed and configured to be movable by a superimposed rotary and linear movement. The locking pin 27 can thus be moved from an operative position within the recess 26 of the impact plate 18 (see in particular Figure 2) to a release position outside the recess 26 of the impact plate 18 (see in particular Figure 4).

[0039] As already mentioned, the transport device 12 is designed and configured as a fish guide 19 inclined downwards toward the stunning unit 13. At the end of the fish guide 19, in a position where the head of the fish 11 is below the stunning unit 13, a trigger element 32 for triggering the firing pin 16 is arranged. In the embodiment shown, a trigger plate, against which the fish 11 strikes with its leading end, forms the trigger element 32, by means of which the firing pin 16 is triggered. For this purpose, the device 10 comprises a control device 33, which is connected to at least one pneumatic drive 34 of the firing pin 16 and the trigger element 32. The connection can be made via lines 35 or wirelessly.

[0040] The firing pin 16 is made of stainless steel, at least in the area of ​​the end 36 that strikes the impact plate 18. Preferably, the entire firing pin 16 is made of stainless steel. This firing pin 16 strikes the impact plate 18, which is made of one of the following materials: polyamide (PA6), polyoxymethylene (POM), or polyethylene (PE-UHMW), or the like, or a combination thereof, to stun the trigger.

[0041] The device 10 can be used as a standalone component. In Figure 1, the device 10 is part of a slaughter module 37 for stunning and killing by bleeding the fish 11 using a bleeding unit 38. Several of these slaughter modules 37, preferably five such slaughter modules 37, form a slaughter system 38 (see Figure 7). In this slaughter system 38, the individual slaughter modules 37 are detachably arranged in a common frame 39. Starting from a water tank 40, the fish 11 reach a feed area 41, from which the fish 11 slide towards and into the working position solely by gravity.

[0042] The method according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. The fish 11 are fed individually, manually or automatically, head first and back upwards in the transport direction T of the transport device, by means of which the fish 11 are fed in the transport direction T into the area of ​​a stunning unit 13. During transport, the fish 11 are aligned and positioned below the stunning unit 13 in their final position. The fish 11 preferably remain in their stunning position. In this position, the fish 11 are stunned by a firing pin 16 striking the head of the fish 11 from above, with the energy of the firing pin 16 being evenly distributed over the head of the fish 11 by means of an impact protection 17.

[0043] According to the invention, the fish 11 itself deflects a baffle plate 18 as impact protection 17 from a starting position in which the baffle plate 18 hangs freely swinging on a base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13, upwards into an impact position on the head of the fish 11 before the firing pin 16 then strikes the head. During transport in the transport direction T, the fish 11 deflects the baffle plate 18 from the starting position oriented substantially perpendicular to the horizontal or at an angle of, for example, 16 to 20 degrees to the vertical (angle a is approximately 65 to 75 degrees) into the impact position oriented substantially parallel to the base plate 14 (angle a is approximately 40 to 45 degrees). The impact plate 18 pivots - triggered by the fish 11 - during operation, i.e. during the stunning process when moving from the starting position to the impact position and back, about an axis 20 directed transversely to the transport direction T.In the impact position, the impact plate 18 is located between the base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 and the head of the fish 11. The impact plate 18 at least partially covers an opening 15 in the base plate 14 through which the firing pin 16 is moved. As soon as a trigger element 32 is actuated, preferably by the fish 11 triggering the trigger element 32, which interacts with a pneumatic drive 34 of the firing pin 16, the firing pin 16 is actuated. This is done via a control device 33, which is connected to both the pneumatic drive 34 and the trigger element 32. After stunning, i.e., after the firing pin 16 has struck the impact plate 18, the firing pin 16 is moved back to its waiting position.When the stunned fish 11 is transported further in the transport direction T and leaves the stunning position, releasing it for a subsequent fish 11, the impact plate 18 automatically swings back to its original position. The resetting of the impact plate 18, i.e., the movement of the impact plate 18 in front of the opening 15 in the base plate 14 in front of the firing pin, is then carried out again by the next fish 11.

[0044] In order to ensure that the impact plate 18 is in the correct position with respect to the head of the fish 11 and the opening 15 in the base plate 14 of the stunning unit 13 during stunning, the impact plate 18 is blocked during operation by a locking pin 27 in the axial direction transverse to the transport direction T. In addition, the locking pin 27 limits the pivoting movement of the impact plate 18 about the axis 20. For this purpose, the locking pin 27 engages in a recess 26 in the impact plate 18. The locking pin 27 can move within the limits of the recess 26 to ensure the pivoting movement from the starting position to the impact position and back.

[0045] To replace the impact plate 18, the locking pin 27 is moved out of the recess 26 so that the impact plate 18 can pivot freely and without restriction about the axis 20. To disassemble the impact plate 18, it is pivoted through an angle a of approximately 180 degrees until the slot 25 of the circular guide 23 in the area of ​​the base plate 14 is in the area where the axis 20 is attached. In this position, the impact plate 18 can be pulled sideways, transversely to the transport direction T, from the axis 20. The base plate 14 slides with its two legs 30, 31 through the slot 25 until the impact plate 18 is completely detached from the base plate 14 without the need for tools.

[0046] The method is particularly preferably carried out using the device 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 13. Stunning serves to prepare the killing by bleeding of the fish 11 in a device 38 for killing by bleeding arranged downstream in the transport direction T. The device 38 can also be arranged at the same height relative to the transport direction T, but is then controlled such that killing only takes place after stunning.

Claims

1. Device (10) designed and configured for automatically stunning 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) into the area of a stunning unit (13), the stunning unit (13) for stunning each individual fish (11) transported into the effective area of the stunning unit (13), wherein the stunning unit (13) comprises a firing pin (16) which is movable from a retracted waiting position through an opening (15) formed in a base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) into an effective position and back, and an impact protection device (17) which is detachably assigned to the base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) and is positioned between the base plate (14) and the fish (11) to be stunned, thereby nz ei ch n et ,that the impact protection (17) comprises exclusively an impact plate (18) which is mounted directly and immediately pivotably on the base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) having the opening (15).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) has an axis (20) which is firmly connected to the base plate (14), in particular welded, and the impact plate (18) has a circular guide (23) in which the axis (20) of the base plate (14) is mounted.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the impact plate (18) is mounted on the axis (20) in a freely swinging manner with its circular guide (23), such that the impact plate (18) can be moved by the fish (11) to be stunned from a starting position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal into a position on the head of the fish to be stunned (11) lying impact position is designed and arranged to be movable.

4. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the circular guide (23) is slotted transversely to the transport direction T.

5. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the impact plate (18) is connected to the base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) in a detachable and fastening-free manner.

6. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the round guide (23) is slotted over the entire width transversely to the transport direction T, wherein the width of the slot (25) of the round guide (23) is slightly greater than the thickness of the base plate (14) in the region of the fastening of the axis (20).

7. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the circular guide (23) has on its circumference on the side facing upwards in the impact position a recess (26) which is in operative connection with a locking bolt (27) or the like arranged on the base plate (14).

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking bolt (27) is designed and arranged to be adjustable, in particular from an operative position within the recess (26) of the impact plate (18) to a release position outside the recess (26) of the impact plate (18).

9. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the transport device (12) is designed and arranged as a fish guide (19) inclined downwards in the direction of the stunning unit (13).

10. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a trigger element (32) for triggering the firing pin (16) is arranged at the end of the fish guide (19).

11. Device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises a control device (33) which is connected to at least one pneumatic drive (34) of the firing pin (16) and the trigger element (32).

12. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the firing pin (16) is made of stainless steel at least in the region of the end (36) striking the impact plate (18).

13. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the impact plate (18) is made of one of the materials polyamide (PA6), polyoxymethylene (POM) or polyethylene (PE-UHMW) or the like or of a combination thereof.

14. A method for automatically stunning fish (11) transported head first in the direction of transport T and back upwards, comprising the steps: Feeding the fish (11) in the transport direction T into the area of a stunning unit (13), positioning the fish (11) below the stunning unit (13), stunning the fish (11) by a firing pin (16) striking the head of the fish (11) from above, wherein the energy of the firing pin (16) is evenly distributed over the head of the fish (11) by means of an impact protector (17), characterized in that the fish (11) itself deflects an impact plate (18) as impact protector (17) from an initial position in which the impact plate (18) hangs freely swinging on a base plate (14) of the stunning unit (13) upwards into an impact position lying on the head of the fish (11), before the firing pin (16) then strikes the head.

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the fish (11) moves the impact plate (18) from the initial position aligned substantially perpendicular to the horizontal into the impact position aligned substantially parallel to the base plate (14).

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the firing pin (16) is actuated by the fish (11) in that the fish (11) triggers a trigger element (32) which cooperates with a pneumatic drive (34) of the firing pin (16).

17. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the impact plate (18) during operation, i.e. during During the stunning process, when moving from the starting position to the impact position and back, the impact plate (18) is pivoted about an axis (20) directed transversely to the transport direction T.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the impact plate (18) is blocked during operation by a locking bolt (27) in the axial direction transversely to the transport direction T, while the pivoting movement of the impact plate (18) about the axis (20) is limited.

19. Method according to one or more of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that it is carried out using a device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 13.

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