Knife arrangement, apparatus, and method for filleting decapitated, slaughtered fish with an opened abdominal cavity

Abstract

The invention relates to a knife arrangement (10) for separating fillets (12) from decapitated, slaughtered fish (11) with an opened abdominal cavity (13), said knife arrangement comprising: a transport device (21) having at least one transport element (22) for transporting the fish (11) in a transport plane (23) in a transport direction (24); at least one scraping knife unit (25) that is arranged along the transport direction (24) and is designed to penetrate at least certain regions of the transport plane (23), wherein the scraping knife unit (25) comprises a scraping knife (26) and a scraping knife counter-support (27), wherein the scraping knife unit (25) is designed and configured to perform a peeling separation of at least portions of fillets (12) from the ribs (20) surrounding the abdominal cavity (13), while compensating for the yielding counter-pressure from the spine (14). The invention is characterised in that the knife arrangement (10) comprises an adjusting device (29) that is connected to the scraping knife unit (25), wherein the adjusting device (29) is designed and configured to swivel the scraping knife (26) about at least one swivel axis (30, 31) either clockwise or counterclockwise (32, 33). The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus for separating fillets (12) from fish (11), and to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] Knife assembly, device and method for filleting decapitated, slaughtered and abdominally opened fish

[0002] The invention relates to a knife arrangement for at least partially separating fillets from decapitated, slaughtered fish with the abdominal cavity opened, comprising a transport device with at least one transport element for transporting the fish in a transport plane with the tail first in a transport direction, at least one scraping knife unit arranged along the transport direction and designed to penetrate into the transport plane at least partially, wherein the scraping knife unit comprises a scraping knife and a corresponding scraping knife counter-support spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element, wherein the scraping knife unit is designed and configured for at least partially peeling fillets from the ribs surrounding the abdominal cavity under evasive counterpressure of the spine.

[0003] Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for at least partially separating fillets from decapitated, slaughtered fish with the abdominal cavity opened, comprising a transport device with at least one transport element for transporting the fish in a transport plane with the tail first in a transport direction, at least one back knife for exposing the back spokes up to the spine, at least one belly knife for exposing the belly spokes in the tail region up to the spine, at least one separating knife which is designed and configured to separate the fillets from the spine, wherein the web remaining around the spine from the at least one belly knife and the at least one back knife is severed.

[0004] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for at least partially separating fillets from beheaded, slaughtered fish with the abdominal cavity opened, comprising the steps of transporting the fish in a transport plane with the tail first in a transport direction by means of a transport device with at least one transport element, at least partially penetrating a scraping knife unit into the transport plane, the scraping knife unit comprising a scraping knife and a corresponding scraping knife counter-support spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element, at least partially peeling separation of fillets from the ribs surrounding the abdominal cavity under evasive counterpressure of the spine by means of the scraping knife unit.

[0005] Such knife assemblies, devices, and methods for separating fillets are generally known from the prior art. The knife assemblies for separating fillets are regularly part of complex devices and machines that include additional knife assemblies. In the known devices / methods, in addition to the conventional belly and back filleting knives and separating knives for freeing the ribs, corresponding scraping tools were also integrated. These scraping tools have, among other features, cutting edges that scrape directly over the ribs or vertebral processes. As a result, in contrast to the rigid rib knives sometimes used in the also known devices, less fillet meat remains stuck to the bone structure, which improves the yield.When using such scraping tools, however, it is advisable to advance the cutting cut to separate the strips of meat remaining on the sides of the backbone after the belly and back fillet cuts before cutting the ribs. This is necessary because the scraping knife, located in the plane of the lower edges of the back guides, strips the fillet from the ribs. This requires a complete separation of the fillet and leads to a more complex and specific processing of the fish.

[0006] Furthermore, it has been shown that this type of cutting sequence leads to irregularities in the cut, which impairs the quality and yield of the filleting result. In addition, it is difficult to ensure that the separated fillets can always be placed in a specific position, e.g. flat on the skin side. This is, however, necessary for smooth automatic further processing, such as skinning. In addition, the usual arrangements / devices and procedures can usually only process uniform species or fish sizes. The scraping tools are adjusted to a specific fish species, so the corresponding positioning and spacing between the tools used must be selected accordingly. If there are large differences between the fish to be processed, the susceptibility to errors increases, which leads to yield losses and damage to the fish to be filleted.Devices with scraping tools are also known, featuring wedge-shaped cutting edges and spring-loaded counter-supports on both sides of the belly and dorsal guides. These scraping tools move immediately before reaching the end of the fish's abdominal cavity to subject the fillets to the scraping forces while stretched out. This results in a smoother cut surface and an improved yield. Furthermore, the fillets are only fully released after scraping by the separating cuts, allowing them to be conveniently deposited for further automatic processing. This well-known machine works well with various fish species such as redfish, tuna, and salmon, where the upper abdominal cavity wall extends directly to the anus. However, it has been shown that these devices and methods cannot be used satisfactorily with other fish species, such as tilapia.Tilapia is a mass-produced or farmed fish with a body shape and bone structure similar to that of redfish, but with significant qualitative and anatomical differences. Tilapia has strong, curved flank bones that are difficult to scrape with common scraping tools. Furthermore, tilapia's flank bones are more loosely attached to the main body, which can lead to bone breakage and a lower-quality product. Tilapia's abdominal cavity contains internal ridges of fatty tissue that form a leathery connection to the lower abdominal cavity. This presents a further challenge because tilapia has a large, single-piece swim bladder, unlike other fish, which have a two-piece swim bladder.

[0007] WO 02 / 03807 A1 also discloses a corresponding device and method for facilitating processing suitable for tilapia. However, such a device and method only allow the setting of a rigid / fixed flank angle of the scraping tools, in particular of the scraping knife. This means that the existing flank bones must always follow the path of the cutting edge. Such a forced guidance can lead to cutting errors, which subsequently prevent the production of a bone-free fillet. This results in increased subsequent trimming effort, which must be carried out either manually or automatically, but which in each case is associated with a significant loss of yield. Overall, the separation using the known devices and methods can only be adjusted to specific fish sizes or species, which means that only limited process reliability and process diversity can be guaranteed.Currently, the knives used are set to a fixed angle, forcing the flank bones along the cutting edge. Since flank bones vary greatly from species to species, they must always follow the cutting edge, and it can happen that the bones are severed in certain areas due to a lack of flexibility.

[0008] Furthermore, the known devices and methods require considerable setup and cleaning times. The devices must be manually adapted to the respective fish size or species, for example by setting and positioning the individual gap dimensions, distances or angles of the individual tools accordingly. This often requires additional test runs and readjustments, which further increase the time required and produce additional waste. Convenient, automatic and short-term tool conversion is not possible with the known devices. Also, taking into account different fish sizes or species within the fish to be processed is not possible with the current state of technology. Furthermore, the space available for corresponding arrangements and devices is often cramped, which makes cleaning difficult.Cleaning is only possible by extensively exposing components, which involves the risk of injury and requires additional time.

[0009] The existing devices continue to offer only limited options for individual cuts. In various fish species, especially tilapia, there are meaty areas within the abdominal cavity of slaughtered and opened fish that cannot be harvested, or can only be harvested unsatisfactorily, using the existing devices and methods. When filleting, the existing devices focus only on separating the meat from the ribs, without considering other areas or providing a wide range for different species.

[0010] The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a knife assembly that ensures reliable, yield-efficient, and individualized extraction of fillets, thereby achieving the most complete possible separation or detachment of the meat from the fish's bone structure. Furthermore, the object is to propose a corresponding device and method.

[0011] The object is achieved by a device mentioned at the outset in that the knife arrangement comprises an adjusting device connected to the scraping knife unit, wherein the adjusting device is designed and configured to pivot the scraping knife at least partially about at least one pivot axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This offers the advantage that at least the scraping knife can be pivotally adjusted at least partially about at least one pivot axis, preferably about two pivot axes, in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In a preferred embodiment, the scraping knife and the scraping knife counter-support can be pivotally adjusted synchronously in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction by means of the adjusting device in order to design and configure a uniform variability of the scraping knife unit when separating the fillets.In this way, the scraping knife is optimally designed for separating the fillet from the bone structure using the knife arrangement, depending on the anatomy of the fish to be processed. At least one area-related variability of at least the scraping knife about the at least one pivot axis enables different positioning of the scraping knife unit in relation to the transport plane. By at least one variability of the position of the scraping knife, the alignment of the scraping knives relative to the transport plane is adjusted, so that the fillets are separated with high precision. The position of the scraping knife is preferably selected so that it separates the fillet as close as possible to the bone structure of the fish, without damaging or cutting into the bone structure or parts thereof. In this way, the rejects or waste can be reduced.The undissolved meat adhering to the bones after filleting can be reduced, thus increasing the filleting yield. This leads, on the one hand, to greater efficiency of the knife arrangement and, on the other hand, to less effort in any subsequent recovery of the residual meat remaining on the bones or the removal of the bones (parts of them). Furthermore, the quality of the end product can be increased in this way, as larger, coherent meat portions are achieved. The solution to the problem according to the invention provides for dynamic adjustment of the scraping knife unit, in particular the scraping knife, relative to the transport plane about at least one pivot axis without time-consuming retooling.

[0012] In particular, due to the pivotability of the scraping knife, a tool-free change of the position of at least the scraping knife relative to the fish transported by means of the transport device is possible. Because the scraping knife can be adjusted or changed, the scraping knife can be individually preset or changed as needed over the course of the processing by means of the adjustment device by at least partially changing it around the at least one pivot axis. In other words, the scraping knife can be adjusted starting from a preset position by, for example, pivoting at least the scraping knife at least partially around the at least one pivot axis depending on the fish species, the fish size or the fish anatomy, thereby enlarging or reducing the processing area so that the fish fillet is separated from the bone structure as completely as possible.Preferably, no tool is required to configure and set up pivotability of the scraping knife about the at least one pivot axis. The pivot axis can also be referred to as a rotation axis. In particular, pivoting or rotating at least the scraping knife clockwise or counterclockwise takes place about the pivot axis. Preferably, only section-wise pivoting of the scraping knife is provided in order to configure and set up a partial change in the orientation of the scraping knife if necessary. Further preferably, the adjusting device is designed and set up to pivot the scraping knife by a few degrees, i.e. preferably by 1° to 20°, wherein this is adjustable in particular depending on the fish to be filleted.Put simply, the invention enables product-specific presetting / modification of the scraping knives with the effect of yield-efficient and adaptable separation of fillets depending on the particular fish present.

[0013] "Fish" within the meaning of the invention generally includes all (edible) fish species suitable for industrial / mechanical processing. Suitable fish species include whitefish, such as cod or haddock, especially tilapia. However, the device can also be used for other fish species, particularly salmon. The decapitated and gutted fish each exhibit different anatomies, which are determined in particular by age, sex, species, origin, feed, and gene pool. Fish anatomy encompasses the anatomical characteristics or parameters of the fish.

[0014] All devices suitable for transporting the fish along the transport direction in a specific direction within the transport plane can be considered as the transport device. For this purpose, the fish is positioned or arranged on at least one transport element of the transport device. The transport device preferably comprises a drive means and a continuous transport means for transporting the fish or the transport elements along the transport direction or the transport path. More preferably, the at least one transport element is designed and configured as a number of fish saddles for securely receiving the fish in their abdominal cavity for the purpose of transport and processing by means of the scraping knife unit. The fish saddles are arranged in particular on the continuous transport means.In one possible embodiment of the invention, it is conceivable for the fish to be transported head-first rather than tail-first. This requires a correspondingly different and adapted scraping blade unit that is guided against the fish. The transport plane is essentially determined by the plane of symmetry of the fish transported by the transport elements. The transport plane therefore preferably extends essentially perpendicular to the transport direction along the respective transport path of the fish to be transported.

[0015] The scraping knife unit for separating the fillets comprises the scraping knife and the scraping knife counter-support for performing the required scraping processes. The knife assembly or the scraping knife unit can expressly include additional components, in particular suspensions for the scraping knives as well as drive and control means.

[0016] The knife arrangement preferably comprises at least one control device and / or at least one computer unit. The at least one control device and / or at least one computer unit serves in particular to change the orientation of the scraping knife unit by means of the adjusting device, that is to say in particular to pivot it. Furthermore, the process of separating the fillets can be monitored by means of the at least one control device and / or the at least one computer unit and, if necessary, an adjustment can be made. More preferably, the at least one control device and / or the at least one computer unit can be integrated into the adjusting device and / or be operatively connected to it, so that the at least one control device and / or the at least one computer unit do not have to represent a separate component.

[0017] A useful embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the adjusting device comprises at least one adjusting element, in particular a drive element, wherein the at least one adjusting element is designed and configured to create and establish at least a partial pivotability of the scraping blade about the at least one pivot axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This enables a high degree of adaptability and flexibility of the scraping blade. The adjusting element is designed such that the scraping blade can be pivoted about at least one pivot axis both clockwise and counterclockwise. In this way, the adjusting element can be easily adapted to different requirements and conditions, thereby improving the efficiency and performance of the scraping bar.Furthermore, the ability to pivot in both directions opens up a wide range of applications, making the knife assembly according to the invention versatile and adaptable, especially with regard to different fish sizes or species. Furthermore, the movement of the scraping knife at different angles enables efficient and precise removal of the fillets. The ability to pivot at least the scraping knife via the adjustment element also facilitates operation and maintenance.

[0018] A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the adjusting device is configured to set a defined angle and / or a defined angular profile of the scraping knife with respect to the transport plane, in particular to ensure that the fillets are separated at a predetermined cutting angle and / or a cutting angle profile. In this way, a targeted adjustment of a defined angle and / or a corresponding angular profile of the scraping knife with respect to the transport plane is possible, in particular for separating fillets with a predetermined cutting angle and / or cutting angle profile. This allows for the required separation of fillets depending on the bone structure of the respective fish.This allows for an increase in the product quality of the fillets to be separated while simultaneously increasing the yield, which increases the efficiency of the knife assembly according to the invention while simultaneously reducing production costs. Overall, this development of the invention significantly improves accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, enabling broad application in various sectors.

[0019] A practical embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one pivot axis is designed and configured substantially parallel to the transport plane. This preferred embodiment of the invention has several advantages. Firstly, the substantially parallel alignment of the pivot axis to the transport plane enables precise guidance and alignment of the scraping knife along the desired plane, resulting in more consistent and accurate operation. Furthermore, arranging the pivot axis in this way increases the stability and reliability of the scraping knife's movement, which can lead to less wear and a longer service life. In addition, aligning the pivot axis substantially parallel to the transport plane facilitates the positioning of the scraping knife with respect to the fish for separating fillets and enables intuitive and better control of the scraping knife's movement.Overall, this improvement contributes to improving the precision, stability and user-friendliness of the invention, making it particularly suitable for applications requiring precise and reliable processing of fish. This enables the scraping knife to be pivoted at least at a predetermined angle to the transport plane, thereby altering the distance of the scraping knife. The region of the scraping knife is preferably pivotable about the pivot axis starting from the transport plane, thereby altering the angle of engagement during filleting. “Substantially parallel to the transport plane” within the meaning of the invention means that the at least one pivot axis is designed and configured either parallel or almost parallel, i.e. with a deviation from the transport plane of a maximum of ± 10°, particularly preferably in the range of ± 2 to 5°.

[0020] A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the at least one adjusting element is designed and configured as at least one pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, and / or electromagnetic actuating element, in particular as a servomotor for controlling the regional pivotability about the at least one pivot axis. If more than one pivot axis is provided, two corresponding adjusting elements of the adjusting device, in particular two actuating elements for implementing the pivotability, are preferably included. On the one hand, this design enables a particularly precise and controlled pivoting movement of the scraping knife. By using pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, or electromagnetic actuating elements, in particular servomotors, extremely precise and finely metered settings can be made, leading to high processing accuracy.Furthermore, the invention can be individually adapted to different requirements and applications by selecting the appropriate type of adjustment elements. This increases flexibility in application and the targeted use of the adjustment element or the scraping knife. The adjustment elements enable quick and reliable adjustment of the movement of the scraping knife, thereby reducing processing time and optimizing the entire production process, particularly yield and post-processing effort. The use of servo motors and at least one adjustment element increases the reliability and controllability of the knife arrangement. This minimizes downtime and contributes to improving overall performance.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the knife assembly further comprises at least one detection unit arranged upstream of the scraping knife unit, which is designed and configured to detect the fish anatomy, in particular the height, length, width and / or abdominal cavity position of the fish. "Fish anatomy" within the meaning of the invention is understood to mean, in particular, the height, length, width and / or abdominal cavity position of the fish. The knife assembly according to the invention is designed and configured to process the meat of the fish, or at least parts thereof, based on their specific fish anatomy. For this purpose, the fish are presented to the knife assembly already beheaded and at least partially or predominantly eviscerated. Depending on the design of the knife assembly, evisceration and beheading devices can be arranged directly upstream in a processing line.In principle, any detection unit that enables the detection of fish or parts thereof can be provided as a "detection unit." For this purpose, cameras, sensors, X-ray machines, photoelectric devices, etc. can be used, for example, to detect the fish or parts thereof. The detection unit is thus preferably a mechanical, electrical, and / or electronic device designed and configured to detect fish anatomy. The detection unit is designed to detect and / or determine data relevant to fish size and detects the fish anatomy, preferably in the form of one or more data sets, in order to further preferably store these and subsequently make them available for further use. The fish anatomy data includes not only the body size of the fish, including length, height, width, abdominal cavity position, etc., but in particular also relationships, shapes, colors and firmness between the fish to be processed. The fish anatomy data is preferably stored in a database. The fish anatomy parameters to be recorded by the recording unit should in particular contain parameters for the needs-based control of the corresponding knife elements, whereby further parameters can explicitly be included that can be used in subsequent processing steps. The aim is to record the fish anatomy as best as possible in order to localize the meat areas and then remove them using the scraping knife unit with as little loss and damage as possible; more preferably, the recording unit can be designed to localize the bone structure or the bones in order to then adapt the corresponding meat extraction to the location of the bones.Depending on the fish parameters to be recorded, the respective recording unit comprises suitable recording systems, such as sensor systems, rotary encoders, optical recording modules, weighing devices, X-ray devices, sound sensors, etc. The recording unit thus comprises mechanical, electronic, optical components or combinations of elements thereof that are suitable for recording and / or determining data relevant to fish size. The recording unit particularly comprises elements by means of which the height, length, width and / or abdominal cavity position of the fish can be determined and / or with which the position of the fillet, spine and / or bones, in particular of the ribs surrounding the abdominal cavity, can be determined, i.e. in particular directly recorded and / or determined using appropriate calculation models. The recording unit is further preferably arranged in a stationary manner in the area of ​​the transport device.Further preferably, multiple detection units are provided at different positions to form a multi-part detection of the fish. In another preferred embodiment, the detection unit further comprises at least one computer unit for processing or evaluating the data of the detected fish. In further advantageous embodiments, the computer unit is a separate component for performing corresponding computing operations.

[0022] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the adjusting device is configured to adjust the at least partial pivotability of the scraping knife about the at least one pivot axis depending on the fish anatomy detected by the detection unit. The adjusting device thus enables, in conjunction with the at least one detection unit, an individual and needs-based adjustment of the position of the scraping knife unit, in particular of the scraping knife, to the fish anatomy, in particular to the height, length, width and / or abdominal cavity position of the fish or to the location / position of the fish or parts of the fish in relation to the respective transport element. This provides the possibility of processing fish individually depending on their anatomy, which leads to yield- and quality-optimized results.

[0023] A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the adjustability of the pivotability takes place automatically or in an automated manner depending on the fish anatomy, wherein during the separation of fillets in the transport direction, at least one changeability of the scraping knife about at least one pivot axis is designed and configured in a clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction. During the filleting process during transport of the fish in the transport direction, this further development enables an automatic or automatable change in the position of the scraping knife relative to the transport plane about at least one pivot axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. This automated approach enables adaptive and specific processing of the fish according to their individual anatomy.The ability to move the scraping knife in at least two directions of rotation allows the scraping knife to be adjusted to increase or decrease the angle of the scraping, allowing efficient and gentle separation of fillets and improving the quality and versatility of fish processing.

[0024] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the adjustment device comprises at least one measuring element for measuring and / or detecting the angular position of the scraping knife. This allows the position of the scraping knife to be monitored and specifically adjusted during operation. By integrating a measuring element, deviations or changes in the angular position of the scraping knife can be detected and corrected or adjusted accordingly. This contributes to maintaining consistent or adjusted filleting, which further increases the efficiency and quality of fish processing.

[0025] A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one adjusting element is designed and configured to adjust the scraping knife unit, in particular the scraping knife, into a cleaning position, wherein the angle of the scraping knife with respect to the transport plane is preferably in the range between 10° and 150°, preferably between 30° and 120°, particularly preferably between 45° and 90°. This adaptability enables simple and efficient cleaning of the scraping knife unit, which significantly improves maintenance and the possibility of cleaning the knife arrangement. By specifically controlling the angle in this range, cleaning can be carried out particularly thoroughly and safely, which in turn increases the quality of fish processing.

[0026] A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the spring force of the at least one spring element of the scraping knife counter-support is variable, in particular automatically or automatically adjustable, and is designed and configured to adjust a variable spring load during the separation of the fillets. In this way, an adaptive spring force is ensured during filleting of the fish. This approach enables dynamic adjustment of the spring force to the specific requirements during the filleting process, in particular to the fish anatomy, in particular to the bone structure. This automatic or automated control contributes to uniform and gentle filleting and ensures that the fish is processed with optimal precision and efficiency. The efficiency and quality of the filleting process are thereby increased.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the knife assembly further comprises at least one trimming element, in particular a driven or drivable knife element, which is designed and configured to trim an area in the abdominal cavity of fish. The trimming element is an additional component of the knife assembly in order to further optimize the processing of the fish or to further increase the yield. During the processing process, it may be desirable, particularly depending on the degree of automation of the device, to remove certain parts from the abdominal cavity of the fish in order to maintain the highest quality of the final product or to harvest additional meat components. The trimming element enables this task to be carried out efficiently and precisely. Due to its driven or drivable configuration, it can be operated with the required processing power and accuracy to reliably trim the desired areas.This not only improves the efficiency of the processing process but also reduces labor. The integration of this trimming element into the knife assembly expands the functionality of the entire device. This enables comprehensive processing of the fish, including not only filleting but also trimming part of the abdominal cavity. Overall, this leads to improved quality and precision in fish processing and contributes to meeting industry requirements for the highest standards. In general, trimming can also be understood as separating, severing, separating, etc., since areas within the abdominal cavity in particular are removed. The trimming element is preferably provided for removing parts of the abdominal flap and / or flank bones or parts thereof. More preferably, the at least one trimming element is designed and configured synchronously with the scraping knife unit.In a further advantageous embodiment, the scraping blade unit comprises the at least one trimming element in order to simultaneously form and set up a change in the at least one trimming element when the scraping blade unit is changed.

[0028] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the knife arrangement comprises at least one trimming element adjustment device connected to the at least one trimming element, wherein the trimming element adjustment device is designed and configured to pivot the trimming element at least partially about at least one pivot axis clockwise or counterclockwise. The integration of this trimming element adjustment device is advantageous because it enables targeted adjustment of the trimming element during the processing process. The trimming element can be pivoted into various angular positions to meet the specific requirements during fish processing. This enables targeted processing of the fish, whereby the corresponding areas in the abdominal cavity can be efficiently removed.The ability to pivot the trimming element both clockwise and counterclockwise increases the flexibility and adaptability of the trimming element adjustment device. This is particularly important for the effective processing of different fish species and sizes, as different trimming requirements may apply. This design contributes to increasing the efficiency and precision of fish processing, which in turn improves the quality of the end products and meets the requirements of the food industry.

[0029] A useful embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the at least one trimming element and the scraping knife unit are designed and configured to correspond to one another, wherein the trimming is provided depending on the fillet to be separated. Due to the corresponding design of the at least one trimming element and the scraping knife unit, they can be coordinated with one another in order to achieve efficient and complete separation of the fillets. This means that the trimming of the fish, in particular the removal of the corresponding areas in the abdominal cavity, can be precisely adapted to the individual conditions of the fillet to be separated. This adaptability to the fillet to be separated is relevant in that different fish species or fish sizes can place different demands on the trimming process.This adaptation allows fish processing to be optimized, increasing efficiency and significantly improving the quality of fish products. Thus, the invention provides a flexible solution that is precisely tailored to different fish species and sizes, meeting the diverse requirements of the fish processing industry.

[0030] Furthermore, the object is achieved by the device mentioned at the outset in that the device comprises at least one knife arrangement with at least one scraping knife unit, which is designed and configured for at least partially peeling fillets from the ribs surrounding the abdominal cavity under evasive counterpressure of the spine according to one or more of the above preferred embodiments. This device offers numerous advantages for fish processing, in particular a significant increase in efficiency and accuracy, as it enables rapid and precise separation of the fillets. This leads to an increase in production speed and a reduction in labor. In this way, a more comprehensive separation of the fillets is achieved, which increases the yield and reduces any necessary post-processing.Furthermore, the device is designed to separate the fillets from the ribs with high accuracy and uniformity, thereby improving product quality. The device operates while taking into account the evasive counterpressure of the spine, ensuring that filleting is carried out without damaging the spine and with as complete a separation of the fillet as possible, thus preserving the quality of the fillets. The angle adjustability of the scraping knife unit allows the device to be adapted to different fish species and sizes, expanding its applicability in the fish processing industry. The automation of the device significantly facilitates work and reduces the physical strain on employees, contributing to an improved working environment.Last but not least, the device leads to cost savings by increasing operational efficiency and optimizing the yield of fish fillets, which in turn increases profit.

[0031] To avoid repetition, in connection with the device according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages already described in detail in connection with the knife arrangement according to the invention. These also apply analogously to the specified device according to the invention.

[0032] Furthermore, the object is achieved by the method mentioned at the outset in that the scraping knife is pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise, at least in part, about at least one pivot axis by means of an adjusting device. This offers the advantage that at least the scraping knife can be pivoted clockwise or counterclockwise, at least in part, about at least one pivot axis, preferably about two pivot axes. In a preferred embodiment, the scraping knife and the scraping knife counter-support are pivotally adjusted synchronously clockwise or counterclockwise by means of the adjusting device in order to design and establish uniform variability of the scraping knife unit when separating the fillets. In this way, the scraping knife is optimally designed for separating the fillet from the bone structure using the knife arrangement, depending on the anatomy of the fish to be processed.The ability to at least partially adjust at least the scraping knife about the at least one pivot axis enables different positioning of the scraping knife unit in relation to the transport plane. The at least one adjustability of the position of the scraping knife adjusts the alignment of the scraping knives relative to the transport plane, so that the fillets are separated with high precision. The position of the scraping knife is preferably selected so that it separates the fillet as close as possible to the fish's bone structure without damaging or cutting into the bone structure or parts thereof. In this way, waste or the undissolved meat adhering to the bones after filleting can be reduced, thus increasing the filleting yield. This improves the quality of the end product, as larger, cohesive meat portions are achieved.In the solution to the problem according to the invention, a dynamic adjustment of the scraping knife unit, in particular of the scraping knife, relative to the transport plane about at least one pivot axis is provided without time-consuming retooling.

[0033] To avoid repetition, in connection with the method according to the invention, reference is made to the advantages already described in detail in connection with the knife arrangement according to the invention and the device according to the invention. These also apply analogously to the specified method according to the invention. A further expedient embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the scraping knife is pivoted, at least in regions, clockwise or counterclockwise about the at least one pivot axis by means of at least one adjustment element comprising the adjustment device, in particular a drive element.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a defined angle and / or a defined angular profile of the scraping knife is set with respect to the transport plane by means of the adjusting device, in particular in order to separate the fillets at a predetermined cutting angle and / or in a predetermined cutting angle profile. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one adjusting element is designed and configured to adjust the scraping knife unit, in particular the scraping knife, into a cleaning position, wherein the angle of the scraping knife with respect to the transport plane is preferably in the range between 10° and 150°, preferably between 30° and 120°, particularly preferably between 45° and 90°.

[0035] An advantageous further development is characterized in that at least one pivot axis is designed and arranged substantially parallel to the transport plane.

[0036] The fish anatomy, in particular the height, length, width and / or abdominal cavity position of the fish, is / are expediently recorded by a recording unit located upstream of the scraping knife unit.

[0037] Particularly preferably, the area-wise pivotability of the scraping knife about the at least one pivot axis is adjusted depending on the fish anatomy detected by the detection unit.

[0038] A preferred development of the invention is characterized in that the pivotability of the scraping blades is adjusted automatically or automatically depending on the fish anatomy, wherein during the separation of fillets in the transport direction, at least the scraping blade is pivoted clockwise and / or counterclockwise about the at least one pivot axis. A further expedient development of the invention is characterized in that the angular position of the scraping blade is measured and / or detected by means of at least one measuring element.

[0039] A further advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the spring force of the at least one spring element of the scraping knife counter-support is changed, in particular automatically or automatically adjusted, in order to set a variable spring load during the separation of the fillets.

[0040] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an area in the abdominal cavity of the fish is trimmed by means of at least one trimming element, in particular a driven or drivable knife element.

[0041] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the at least one trim element is pivoted at least partially about at least one pivot axis clockwise or counterclockwise by means of at least one trim element adjustment device.

[0042] Preferably, the at least one trimming element and the scraping knife unit are designed and configured to correspond to one another, wherein the fish is trimmed depending on the fillet to be separated.

[0043] The method according to the invention is particularly preferably carried out with a knife arrangement according to the invention and / or with a device according to the invention.

[0044] Further advantages resulting from the process steps have already been described in connection with the knife arrangement and the device, which is why reference is made to the corresponding passages to avoid repetition.

[0045] Further useful and / or advantageous features and developments, as well as preferred embodiments of the invention, emerge from the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments of the knife assembly according to the invention, the device according to the invention, and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a knife assembly according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0046] Fig. 2a is a schematic representation of a fish body intended for processing in cross-sectional view,

[0047] Fig. 2b is a further schematic representation of a fish body arranged on a transport element,

[0048] Fig. 3a is a front view of the knife arrangement shown in Fig. 1 with an indicated cutting path,

[0049] Fig. 3b is a schematic cross-sectional view of the knife arrangement shown in Fig. 3a along the cutting path,

[0050] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a device according to the invention in a front view and

[0051] Fig. 5 is a detailed side view of a device according to the invention.

[0052] The knife arrangement according to the invention, the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the above-mentioned figures.

[0053] The knife assembly 10 shown in the drawings is designed and configured for at least partially separating fillets 12 from beheaded, slaughtered fish 11 with the abdominal cavity 13 opened. The fish 11 intended for processing is in the form of a beheaded, slaughtered fish body 11 with the abdominal cavity 13 opened, as shown in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b. The fish body 11 shown in simplified form in the figures is a fish body 11 of the species Tilapia. However, the specific species is not relevant to the invention, and it is equally possible to process other species of fish 11 with the knife assembly 10 according to the invention, wherein the dimensions, spacing, and speeds may be adapted to the particular fish species present. Fish 11 of the species Tilapia generally have a relatively pronounced main bone 14, which can also generally be referred to as the backbone 14. Fig.Figure 2a schematically shows the skeleton 15 or the bone structure 15, from which the dorsal bones 16, extending over the entire length of the fish 11, branch upwards, and the abdominal bones 17 branch downwards in the area in front of the caudal fin 19. In the area of ​​the abdominal cavity 13, the bone structure 15 is curved, with the flank or rib bones 18 extending from the spine 14. The spine 14 can also generally be referred to as the spine 14, while the dorsal bones 16 and the flank or rib bones 18 can be collectively and simply referred to as ribs 20.

[0054] Fig. 1 and Figs. 3 to 5 each schematically show an embodiment of a knife assembly 10 according to the invention comprising a transport device 21 with at least one transport element 22 for transporting the fish 11 in a transport plane 23 with the tail 46 first in a transport direction 24. The knife assembly 10 further comprises at least one scraping knife unit 25 arranged along the transport direction 24 and designed to penetrate at least partially into the transport plane 23, wherein the scraping knife unit 25 comprises a scraping knife 26 and a corresponding scraping knife counter-support 27 spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element 28. The scraping knife unit 25 is designed and configured to peel and separate fillets 12 from the ribs 20 surrounding the abdominal cavity 13 under evasive counterpressure of the spine 14, at least in sections. In Figs. 2a and 2b, in particular in Fig.2a, the anatomy of the fish 11 is shown schematically. The transport device 21 is shown, at least in sections, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 to Fig. 5, wherein the transport direction 24 and the transport plane 23 are shown in particular in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, the transport device 21 comprises, by way of example, two transport elements 22, which are designed and configured here as schematic transport saddles for arranging the fish 11. The transport device 21 is preferably designed as an endless conveyor with a plurality of transport elements 22. In Fig. 2b, a corresponding transport element 22 is shown in side view with a fish 11 arranged thereon as an example. The specific design of the transport elements 22 is not relevant to the invention, wherein at least a reliable arrangement of the fish 11 is ensured in order to process them accordingly using the knife arrangement 10.

[0055] This knife arrangement 10 is characterized according to the invention in that the knife arrangement 10 comprises an adjusting device 29 connected to the scraping knife unit 25, wherein the adjusting device 29 is designed and configured at least for partially pivoting the scraping knife 26 about at least one pivot axis 30, 31 clockwise or counterclockwise 32, 33. Fig. 1 and Figs. 3 to 5 show, by way of example, a knife arrangement with a first pivot axis 30 and a second pivot axis 31, about which the scraping knife 26 is designed and configured to be pivotable at least partially clockwise or counterclockwise 32, 33 by means of the adjusting device 29. In the figures, the scraping knife 26 is designed as a tapered knife element with a cutting edge that increases in size in the transport direction 24.Essentially corresponding thereto, the scraping knife counter-support 27 is designed to ensure a respective counter-pressure during the separation of fillets 12. The at least one spring element 28—not shown in detail in the figures—is provided in particular for the resilient mounting of the scraping knife counter-support 27 during the separation process. In a preferred embodiment, the spring force of the at least one spring element 28 of the scraping knife counter-support 27 is variable, in particular automatically or automatically adjustable, and is designed and configured to set a variable spring load during the separation of the fillets 12.

[0056] The embodiments of the knife arrangement 10 shown in the figures each comprise only one corresponding knife arrangement 10 or a scraping knife unit 25 on one of the sides along the transport direction 24. Preferably, such knife arrangements 10 or devices 40 have two scraping knife units 25, which are particularly preferably arranged mirror-symmetrically to one another along the transport plane 23 in order to form and set up a simultaneous separation of fillets 12 of the fish.

[0057] The transport plane 23 and the respective pivot axes 30, 31 are shown schematically and in simplified form in the figures, in particular to show their position in relation to the knife arrangement 10 according to the invention or to the device 40 according to the invention. By means of the adjusting device 29, the position of the scraping knife unit 25 in relation to the transport plane 23 of the fish 11 can be changed, in particular adjusted, thereby ensuring a customized separation of the fillet 12. From Fig. 3a, which shows the cross-sectional view of Fig. 3b with its section axis AA 34, it can be seen that a distance between the transport plane 23 and at least the scraping knife 26 can be increased and / or decreased accordingly by pivoting by means of the adjusting device 29 clockwise or counterclockwise 32, 33 about the pivot axis 30.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one pivot axis 30 is designed and arranged substantially parallel to the transport plane 23.

[0058] 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 knife arrangement 10 or the device 40 described above.

[0059] The adjusting device 29 preferably comprises at least one adjusting element 35, in particular a drive element, wherein the at least one adjusting element 35 is designed and configured to create and set up at least a regional pivotability of the scraping knife 26 about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction 32, 33. In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting device 29 is designed to set a defined angle 36 and / or a defined angular profile of the scraping knife 26 with respect to the transport plane 23, in particular to create a separation of the fillets 12 at a predetermined cutting angle 36 and / or a cutting angle profile. Fig. 4 shows an example of a corresponding angle 36 or cutting angle 36 between the transport plane 23 and the position of the scraping knife 26. Depending on the size of the fish, the type of fish and / or the desired scraping process, this angle 36 orCutting angle 36 can be adjusted accordingly, especially during the transport of the fish 11 in the transport direction 24.

[0060] Fig. 1, Fig. 3b and Fig. 5 show a pivot axis 30 running substantially parallel to the transport plane 23. Further preferably, alternatively or additionally, at least one further pivot axis 31 is provided, as shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3b and Fig. 5. The at least one further pivot axis 31 is likewise designed and configured to pivot the scraping blade 26 clockwise or counterclockwise, at least in certain areas. This provides a further, small-scale and needs-oriented option for changing the distance of the scraping blade 26 from the transport plane 23.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one adjusting element 35 is designed and configured as at least one pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and / or electromagnetic actuating element - not shown in detail in the figures - in particular as a servo motor for controlling the region-wise pivotability about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31.

[0062] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the knife assembly 10 further comprises at least one detection unit 37 arranged upstream of the scraping knife unit 25, which is designed and configured to detect the fish anatomy, in particular the height, length, width, and / or abdominal cavity position of the fish 11. In Fig. 1 and Fig. 3b, a corresponding detection unit 37 is schematically arranged upstream of the scraping knife unit 25, which is provided in particular for the contactless detection of the fish anatomy 39 of the fish 11 to be processed. For this purpose, the detection area 38 is schematically shown in the drawings, which represents, for example, the IR radiation, X-ray radiation, or the camera detection area. The detection area 38 comprises at least the transport plane 23 in order to detect the fish 11 transported in the transport direction 24 accordingly.However, different recording units 37 for recording the fish anatomy 39 are also conceivable, which, for example, form and set up a mechanical recording.

[0063] Preferably, the adjusting device 29 is configured to adjust the at least regional pivotability of the scraping knife 26 about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 depending on the fish anatomy 39 detected by the detection unit 37. For this purpose, the pivotability is more preferably adjusted automatically or in an automated manner depending on the fish anatomy 39, wherein during the separation of fillets 12 in the transport direction 24, at least one regional changeability of the scraping knife 26 about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 is designed and configured in a clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction 32, 33. Further means can be provided for detecting the actual state or the actual position of the corresponding adjusting element 35 or the position of the scraping knife 26, in particular with respect to the transport plane 23.For this purpose, the adjustment device 29 comprises, for example, at least one measuring element - not shown in detail in the figures - for measuring and / or detecting the angular position of the scraping knife 26. The detected angular position is, for example, either the absolute angular position of the scraping knife 26 with respect to the aligned substrate and / or the angular position with respect to the transport plane 23. Preferably, an absolute or incremental detection of the angular position is designed and arranged by means of the at least one measuring element.

[0064] In a further preferred embodiment - not shown in the figures - the at least one adjusting element 35 is designed and configured to adjust the scraping knife unit 25, in particular the scraping knife 26, into a cleaning position, wherein the angle 36 of the scraping knife 26 with respect to the transport plane 23 is preferably in the range between 10° and 150°, preferably between 30° and 120°, particularly preferably between 45° and 90°.

[0065] The knife arrangement 10 according to the invention or the device 40 further preferably comprises at least one trimming element 41, in particular a driven or drivable knife element 42, which is designed and configured for trimming an area in the abdominal cavity 13 of fish 11. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the knife element 42 is designed as a driven circular knife 42. Preferably, at least one trimming element adjusting device 43 connected to the at least one trimming element 41 is further provided, wherein the trimming element adjusting device 43 is designed and configured for at least partially pivoting the trimming element 41 about at least one pivot axis 44 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction 32, 33. The trimming element 42 is designed in particular for trimming an area within the abdominal cavity 13 of the fish 11.Such an area can be considered a "flesh bulge" within the abdominal cavity 13 of the fish 11, which can be trimmed using the at least one trimming element 41 to increase the yield of meat components. Furthermore, this area can be the abdominal lobe, i.e., the lower (belly-side) line of the flank fillet meat. In tilapia, this area is often particularly strongly cartilaginous and adheres to the flank bones, which complicates flank cutting, particularly with the scraping knives 26, and can lead to errors, e.g., incorrect cuts or "blockages" in the corresponding knife arrangement 10 or device 40. Preferably, the trimming element 41 is arranged in front of or in the area of ​​the scraping knife unit 25, as shown in Fig. 1. However, positioning it downstream of the scraping knife unit 25 for the corresponding trimming is also possible.Further preferably, the at least one trimming element 41 and the scraping knife unit 25 are designed and configured to correspond to one another, wherein the trimming is provided depending on the fillet 12 to be separated.

[0066] The invention also relates to a device 40 designed and configured for at least partially separating fillets 12 from decapitated, slaughtered fish 11 with the abdominal cavity 13 opened. The device shown in Fig. 4 and Fig.The embodiment of the device 40 according to the invention shown in Figure 5 comprises a transport device 21 with at least one transport element 22 for transporting the fish 11 in a transport plane 23 with the tail 19 first in a transport direction 24, at least one back knife 45 for exposing the back spokes / back bones 16 up to the spine 14, at least one belly knife for exposing the belly spokes / belly bones 17 in the tail region 46 up to the spine 14, and at least one separating knife which is designed and configured to separate the fillets 12 from the spine 14, wherein the web remaining around the spine 14 from the at least one belly knife and the at least one back knife 45 is severed. Such separating knives, belly knives and back knives 45 are already known from the prior art and are not shown in detail in the figures. The fish 11 are separated in such devices 40 manually or automatically or.automatically transported by means of the transport device 21 along the transport direction 24 in the transport plane 23 by engagement with the respective knives. During this transport in the transport direction 24, the fish 11 are processed accordingly by the respective knives to expose the backbone 16, to expose the belly bone 17, or to separate the fillet 12.

[0067] This device 40 is characterized according to the invention in that the device 40 comprises at least one knife assembly 10 with at least one scraping knife unit 25, which is designed and configured for at least partially peeling fillets 12 from the ribs 20 surrounding the abdominal cavity 13 under evasive counterpressure of the spine 14. The knife assembly 10 comprises features of at least one embodiment of the knife assembly 10 according to the invention described above. The invention further relates to a method for at least partially separating fillets 12 from beheaded, slaughtered fish 11 with the abdominal cavity 13 opened. The fish 11 are transported manually or automatically in a transport plane 23 with the tail 46 first in a transport direction 24 by means of a transport device 21 with at least one transport element 22. Fig. 1 and Fig.2b show, by way of example, a corresponding transport element 22 designed as a transport saddle. During this transport in the transport direction 24, a scraping knife unit 25 penetrates at least partially into the transport plane 23 or the fish 11 transported thereon. The scraping knife unit 25 comprises a scraping knife 26 and a corresponding scraping knife counter-support 27 spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element 28. During the transport of the fish 11 by means of the transport device 21 in the transport plane 23, fillets 12 are peeled off, at least in part, from the ribs 20 surrounding the abdominal cavity 13 by means of the scraping knife unit under evasive counterpressure of the spine 14. For this purpose, the scraping knife 26 is inserted with its tip starting from the tail region 46 of the fish 11 in order to peel off the fillets 12 as close as possible to the skeleton 15.The spring force of the at least one spring element 28 of the scraping knife counter-support 27 is preferably variable during the separation process of the fillets 12, in particular automatically or automatically adjustable, in order to set a variable spring load during the separation of the fillets 12.

[0068] This method is characterized according to the invention in that the scraping knife 26 is pivoted at least partially about at least one pivot axis 30, 31 clockwise or counterclockwise 32, 33 by means of an adjusting device 29. The scraping knife can be pivoted about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 by means of the transport device 21 before, during and / or after the transport of the fish 11, whereby the separation area is adapted / adjusted. The adjustability clockwise or counterclockwise 32, 33 is particularly evident in Fig. 1, Fig. 3a, 3b and Fig. 5 by the corresponding schematically identified pivot axes 30, 31. Preferably, at least one pivot axis 30, 31 is designed and arranged substantially parallel to the transport plane 23.The adjusted / adjusted separation process of fillets 12 is preferably achieved by pivoting the scraping knife 26, at least in part, about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 clockwise or counterclockwise 32, 33, by means of at least one adjustment element 35 comprising the adjustment device 29, in particular a drive element. Further preferably, a defined angle 36 and / or a defined angular profile of the scraping knife 26 with respect to the transport plane 23 is set by means of the adjustment device 29, in particular in order to separate the fillets 12 at a predetermined cutting angle 36 and / or in a predetermined cutting angle profile. The angular position of the scraping knife 26 is preferably measured and / or recorded by means of at least one measuring element—not shown in detail in the figures.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the fish anatomy 39, in particular the height, length, width and / or position of the abdominal cavity 13 of the fish 11, is detected by a detection unit 37 arranged upstream of the scraping knife unit 25. Based on the fish anatomy 39 detected by the detection unit 37, the regional pivotability of the scraping knife 26 about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 is adjusted as a function thereof. In a further preferred embodiment, the pivotability of the scraping knives 26 is adjusted automatically or in an automated manner as a function of the fish anatomy 39, wherein during the separation of fillets 12 in the transport direction 24, at least the scraping knife 26 is pivoted about the at least one pivot axis 30, 31 clockwise and / or counterclockwise 32, 33.

[0070] Preferably, a region of the abdominal cavity 13 of the fish 11 is trimmed by means of at least one trimming element 41, in particular a driven or drivable knife element 42. For trimming that is as individual-specific as possible, the at least one trimming element 41 is pivoted at least partially about at least one pivot axis 44 in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction 32, 33 by means of at least one trimming element adjustment device 43. In preferred embodiments, it can be provided to pivot the trimming element 41 about two or more pivot axes. More preferably, the at least one trimming element 41 and the scraping knife unit 25 are designed and configured to correspond to one another, wherein the fish 11 is trimmed by means of the scraping knife unit 25 and the trimming element 41 depending on the fillets 12 to be separated.The method is particularly preferably carried out with a knife arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 14 and / or with a device according to claim 15.

Claims

1. Knife arrangement (10) for at least partially separating fillets (12) from decapitated, slaughtered fish (11) with the abdominal cavity (13) opened, comprising a transport device (21) with at least one transport element (22) for transporting the fish (11) in a transport plane (23) with the tail (46) first in a transport direction (24), at least one scraping knife unit (25) arranged along the transport direction (24) and designed to penetrate at least partially into the transport plane (23), wherein the scraping knife unit (25) comprises a scraping knife (26) and a corresponding scraping knife counter-support (27) spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element (28), wherein the scraping knife unit (25) for at least partially peeling and separating fillets (12) from the ribs (20) surrounding the abdominal cavity (13) under evasive counterpressure the spine (14) is designed and arranged, characterized in thatthat the knife arrangement (10) comprises an adjusting device (29) connected to the scraping knife unit (25), wherein the adjusting device (29) is designed and arranged at least for the partial pivoting of the scraping knife (26) about at least one pivot axis (30, 31) in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (32, 33).

2. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting device (29) comprises at least one adjusting element (35), in particular a drive element, wherein the at least one adjusting element (35) is designed and configured to form and set up at least a partial pivotability of the scraping knife (26) about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31) in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction (32, 33).

3. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the adjusting device (29) is designed to set a defined angle (36) and / or a defined angular profile (36) of the scraping knife (26) in relation to the transport plane (23), in particular to set a Separating the fillets (12) at a predetermined cutting angle (36) and / or a cutting angle profile (36).

4. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one pivot axis (30, 31) is designed and arranged substantially parallel to the transport plane (23).

5. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the at least one adjusting element (35) is designed and configured as at least one pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical and / or electromagnetic actuating element, in particular as a servo motor for controlling the region-wise pivotability about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31).

6. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one detection unit (37) arranged upstream of the scraping knife unit (25), which is designed and configured to detect the fish anatomy (39), in particular the height, the length, the width and / or the abdominal cavity position (13) of the fish (11).

7. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the adjusting device (29) is designed to adjust the regional pivotability of the scraping knife (26) about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31) depending on the fish anatomy (39) detected by the detection unit (37).

8. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the adjustability of the pivotability depending on the fish anatomy (39) takes place automatically or automated, wherein during the separation of fillets (12) in the transport direction (24) at least one variability of the scraping knife (26) about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31) in the clockwise and / or counterclockwise direction (32, 33) is designed and arranged.

9. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the adjusting device (29) has at least one Measuring element for measuring and / or detecting the angular position of the scraping knife (26).

10. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the at least one adjusting element (35) is designed and configured to adjust the scraping knife unit (25), in particular the scraping knife (26), into a cleaning position, wherein the angle (36) of the scraping knife (26) with respect to the transport plane (23) is preferably in the range between 10° and 150°, preferably between 30° and 120°, particularly preferably between 45° and 90°.

11. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the spring force of the at least one spring element (28) of the scraping knife counter-support (27) is variable, in particular automatically or automatically adjustable, designed and arranged to set a variable spring load during the separation of the fillets (12).

12. Knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, further comprising at least one trimming element (41), in particular a driven or drivable knife element (42), which is designed and arranged for trimming an area in the abdominal cavity (13) of fish (11).

13. Blade arrangement (10) according to claim 12, further comprising at least one trimming element adjustment device (43) connected to the at least one trimming element (41), wherein the trimming element adjustment device (43) is designed and configured to pivot the trimming element (41) at least partially about at least one pivot axis (44) in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (32, 33).

14. Knife arrangement (10) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the at least one trimming element (41) and the scraping knife unit (25) are designed and arranged to correspond to one another, wherein the trimming is provided as a function of the fillet (12) to be separated.

15. A device (40) for at least partially separating fillets (12) from decapitated, slaughtered fish (11) with the abdominal cavity (13) opened, comprising a transport device (21) with at least one transport element (22) for transporting the fish (11) in a transport plane (23) with the tail (46) first in a transport direction (24), at least one back knife (45) for exposing the back spokes (16) up to the spine (14), at least one belly knife for exposing the belly spokes (17) in the tail region (46) up to the spine (14), at least one separating knife which is designed and configured to separate the fillets (12) from the spine (14), wherein the web remaining around the spine (14) from the at least one belly knife and the at least one back knife (45) is severed, characterized in thatthat the device (40) comprises at least one knife arrangement (10) with at least one scraping knife unit (25), which is designed and arranged for at least partially peeling fillets (12) from the ribs (20) surrounding the abdominal cavity (13) under evasive counterpressure of the spine (14) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14.

16. A method for at least partially separating fillets (12) from beheaded, slaughtered and opened in the abdominal cavity (13) fish (11), comprising the steps: - transporting the fish (11) in a transport plane (23) with the tail (46) first in a transport direction (24) by means of a transport device (21) with at least one transport element (22), - at least partial penetration of a scraping knife unit (25) into the transport plane (23), the scraping knife unit (25) comprising a scraping knife (26) and a corresponding scraping knife counter-support (27) spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element (28), - at least partially peeling the fillets (12) from the ribs (20) surrounding the abdominal cavity (13) under evasive counterpressure of the spine (14) by means of the scraping knife unit (25), characterized in that the scraping blade (26) is pivoted at least partially about at least one pivot axis (30, 31) clockwise or counterclockwise (32, 33) by means of an adjusting device (29).

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the scraping knife (26) is pivoted at least in regions about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31) clockwise or counterclockwise (32, 33) by means of at least one adjusting element (35) comprising the adjusting device (29), in particular a drive element.

18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that by means of the adjusting device (29) a defined angle (36) and / or a defined angular profile (36) of the scraping knife (26) is set in relation to the transport plane (23), in particular in order to separate the fillets (12) at a predetermined cutting angle (36) and / or at a predetermined cutting angle profile (36).

19. Method according to one or more of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that at least one pivot axis (30, 31) is designed and arranged substantially parallel to the transport plane (23).

20. Method according to one or more of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that the fish anatomy (39), in particular the height, the length, the width and / or the abdominal cavity position of the fish (11) is / are detected by a detection unit (37) arranged upstream of the scraping knife unit (26).

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the regional pivotability of the scraping knife (26) about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31) is adjusted as a function of the fish anatomy (39) detected by the detection unit (37).

22. Method according to claim 21, characterized in that the pivotability of the scraping blades (26) is adjusted automatically or automatically depending on the fish anatomy (39), wherein during the separation of fillets (12) in the transport direction (24) at least the scraping knife (26) is pivoted about the at least one pivot axis (30, 31) clockwise and / or counterclockwise (32, 33).

23. Method according to one or more of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the angular position (36) of the scraping knife (26) is measured and / or detected by means of at least one measuring element.

24. Method according to one or more of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that the spring force of the at least one spring element (28) of the scraping knife counter-support (27) is changed, in particular automatically or automatically adjusted, in order to set a variable spring load during the separation of the fillets (12).

25. Method according to one or more of claims 16 to 24, characterized in that by means of at least one trimming element (41), in particular a driven or drivable knife element (42), an area in the abdominal cavity (13) of the fish (11) is trimmed.

26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that the at least one trimming element (41) is pivoted at least in regions by means of at least one trimming element adjusting device (43) about at least one pivot axis (44) clockwise or counterclockwise (32, 33).

27. Method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the at least one trimming element (41) and the scraping knife unit (25) are designed and arranged to correspond to one another, wherein the fish (11) is trimmed depending on the fillet (12) to be separated.

28. Method according to one or more of claims 16 to 27, characterized in that it is carried out with a knife arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 14 and / or with a device (40) according to claim 15.

Images