Apparatus and method for mechanized filleting of smoked mackerel

Abstract

According to the invention a filleting apparatus (1) for smoked mackerel (2) comprises a conveyor belt (10), concavely shaped first and second sub-holders (21, 22) of a holder (20), and controllably moveable first and second high-pressure-waterjet nozzles (31, 32). If in the filleting apparatus a smoked mackerel is held simultaneously at its convex first and second sides (7, 8) by the first and second sub-holders (21, 22) in a transport condition of the holder (20), first and second high-pressure waterjets (41, 42) can cut loose first and second flank portions (81, 82) respectively, of the mackerel relative to the backbone (9) of the mackerel. Thanks to the invention mechanized filleting of smoked mackerel is possible, wherein it is prevented as good as possible that, on the one hand, the smoked mackerel meat falls apart and that, on the other hand, mackerel meat remains attached to the backbone waste.

Description

[0001] Title: Apparatus and method for mechanized filleting of smoked mackerel.

[0002] The present invention relates to an apparatus for mechanized filleting of smoked mackerel. The invention further relates to a method for mechanized filleting of smoked mackerel.

[0003] In practice, smoking of a mackerel usually is done as follows. After manual removal of the intestines from a fresh mackerel, the mackerel is steamed and smoked hot in a smoke oven at a temperature of 60 to 70 degrees Celsius.

[0004] In practice, filleting a smoked mackerel is done manually at a temperature of about 4 degrees Celsius. The reason for manually filleting smoked mackerel, is that fulfilling the wish to mechanize filleting of smoked mackerel encounters problems. For, the fact is that smoked mackerel meat quickly falls apart. And especially in case of filleting, smoked mackerel falls apart quickly, since filleting requires smoked mackerel meat to be freed from the bones. If smoked mackerel falls apart during filleting, one does not obtain large elongated mackerel fillets. This is disadvantageous, since large elongated mackerel fillets have a higher market value than smaller mackerel pieces. When manually filleting, the skills of fish filleters are used to prevent falling apart of smoked mackerel meat as much as possible, as well as to prevent as much as possible that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to fish bone waste. However, manual filleting of smoked mackerel is labour-intensive and therefore relatively expensive.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution according to which smoked mackerel can be filleted by machine, in such manner that falling apart of smoked mackerel meat is prevented as good as possible, and in such manner that it is prevented as good as possible that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the fish bone waste.

[0006] For that purpose, the invention provides an apparatus according to the appended independent claim 1, as well as a method according to the appended independent claim 9. Preferable embodiments of the invention are provided by the appended dependent claims 2-8 and 10-18.

[0007] Hence, the invention provides an apparatus for mechanized filleting of a smoked mackerel, wherein: said mackerel is understood to mean at least a body part of a smoked mackerel, and wherein such a mackerel has a head end and a tail end lying oppositely thereto, a back and a belly at a back side and a belly side, lying oppositely thereto, of the mackerel, respectively, and a first flank and a second flank at a first side and a second side, lying oppositely thereto, of the mackerel, respectively; the mackerel comprises a skeleton, wherein the skeleton comprises a backbone, as well as first pin bones and second pin bones, which are connected to the backbone, and which are extending through the first flank and the second flank, respectively; said mechanized filleting comprises at least partly removing the backbone from the mackerel; the apparatus comprises:

[0008] - a conveyor belt,

[0009] - a holder for holding the mackerel to be filleted, wherein the holder comprises a first sub-holder and a second sub-holder, which are configured for simultaneously holding, with a first exterior surface of the first sub -holder and with a second exterior surface of the second sub-holder, the mackerel at the first side and the second side of the mackerel, respectively, wherein the holder has a transport condition in which the holder is situated above the conveyor belt and is transported by the conveyor belt in a transport direction of the holder relative to an outside environment of the apparatus, and wherein the first sub -holder and the second sub -holder at the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, respectively, are concavely shaped around a direction parallel to the transport direction,

[0010] - a high-pressure-waterjet cutting device comprising a first high-pressure- waterjet nozzle and a second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle, which are configured to have a first cutting condition and a second cutting condition, respectively, in which the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle are producing a first high-pressure waterjet and a second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, which are directed downward for cutting from above through the mackerel to be filleted, while the holder is in said transport condition, while the mackerel is held by the holder, and while each of the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet is extending perpendicular to said transport direction of the holder or is extending in an otherwise crossing manner relative to said transport direction of the holder,

[0011] - a movement mechanism structure which is configured to effect translational movements and rotational movements of the first high- pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in order to effect in the first cutting condition and the second cutting condition changing locations and changing orientations of the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, relative to the conveyor belt, and

[0012] - a control system, which is configured to controllably vary in time, in said first cutting condition and in said second cutting condition, said translational movements and rotational movements of the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment; the holder is configured to be brought in a backbone-cutting-out -holding condition, in which the holder is in said transport condition, and in which the mackerel can be held simultaneously by the first sub-holder and the second subholder with the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, respectively, at the first side and the second side of the mackerel, respectively, while the mackerel with the head end or the tail end is facing in the transport direction, while a mackerel upper side, being one of the back side and the belly side, is facing upward, and while a mackerel lower side, being the other of the back side and the belly side, is facing downward; and the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device is configured for cutting loose a first flank portion of the first flank and a second flank portion of the second flank, respectively, relative to at least the backbone of the mackerel, wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion is done with the first high- pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, which are driven through an upper holder opening of the holder, and wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion is done in said backbonecutting-out -holding condition of the holder and in said first cutting condition and said second cutting condition, and wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the backbone. Thanks to the combination of the conveyor belt, the holder, the backbonecutting-out -holding condition in which the holder can be brought, the high-pressure- waterjet cutting device, the movement mechanism structure and the control system, it is possible to cut loose the first and second flank portions from the backbone, in an automated mechanized manner and very close on mutually opposite longitudinal sides along the backbone. Therein, the cutting surfaces can have very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes which can be controlled by the control system in dependence on each specific mackerel to be filleted. Thereby, it is prevented as good as possible that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the backbone. Partly thanks to the fact that, during the cutting in the backbone-cutting-out- holding condition of the holder, the mackerel at its convex first and second flanks is held simultaneously by the concave shapes of the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder, it is prevented as good as possible that smoked mackerel meat falls apart during cutting.

[0013] In a preferable embodiment of an apparatus according the invention, the apparatus further comprises an image recording system which is configured for recording image data of the mackerel, which is held by the holder in the backbonecutting-out -holding condition, wherein said control system is configured to control, based on said image data, said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements and rotational movements of the first high-pressure- waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the first cutting condition and in the second cutting condition. Said image recording system may, for example, be an X-ray system, wherein said image data are X-ray related data, a 2D or 3D image recording system, a color vision system, or a combination of one or more of such systems. Thanks to said image recording system, it is possible that said very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes of the cutting surfaces can be further optimized by the control system for the purpose of each specific mackerel to be filleted. Thereby, it is prevented to a further extent that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the backbone.

[0014] In a further preferable embodiment of an apparatus according the invention: said mechanized filleting further comprises at least partly removing the first pin bones and the second pin bones from the mackerel; the holder is configured to be able, in said transport condition and after said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion, to be hinged open from said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition to a first pin-bone-cutting- out-holding condition and a second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition of the holder, in which the holder still is in said transport condition, and in which the first flank portion and the second flank portion, respectively, by the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder, respectively, can be held with the first exterior surface and the second exterior surface, respectively, at the first side and the second side, respectively, of the mackerel, wherein said being able to be hinged open is realized in that the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder, respectively, are rotatable in a first rotation direction and a second rotation direction around a first rotation axis and a second rotation axis, respectively, which are parallel to the transport direction, wherein the first rotation direction and the second rotation direction are opposite to one another; the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device further comprises a third high- pressure-waterjet nozzle and a fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle, which are configured to have a third cutting condition and a fourth cutting condition, respectively, in which the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high- pressure-waterjet nozzle are producing a third high-pressure-waterjet and a fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, which are directed downward for cutting from above through the first flank portion in said first pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, while each of the third high-pressure-waterjet and the fourth high- pressure-waterjet is extending perpendicular to said transport direction of the holder or is extending in an otherwise crossing manner relative to said transport direction of the holder; said movement mechanism structure is additionally configured to effect translational movements and rotational movements of the third high-pressure- waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in order to effect in the third cutting condition and the fourth cutting condition changing locations and changing orientations of the third high-pressure- waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, relative to the conveyor belt; said control system is additionally configured to controllably vary in time, in said third cutting condition and in said fourth cutting condition, said translational movements and rotational movements of the third high-pressure- waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment; the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device is configured for cutting loose two first fillets, respectively, of the first flank portion relative to at least the first pin bones, wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets is done with the third high-pressure-waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets is done in said first pin -bone-cutting- out-holding condition in said third cutting condition and said fourth cutting condition, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the first pin bones; the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device further comprises a fifth high- pressure waterjet nozzle and a sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle, which are configured to have a fifth cutting condition and a sixth cutting condition, respectively, in which the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high- pressure waterjet nozzle are producing a fifth high-pressure-waterjet and a sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, which are directed downward for cutting from above through the second flank portion in said second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition, while each of the fifth high-pressure-waterjet and the sixth high- pressure-waterjet is extending perpendicular to said transport direction of the holder or is extending in an otherwise crossing manner relative to said transport direction of the holder; said movement mechanism structure is additionally configured to effect translational movements and rotational movements of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in order to effect in the fifth cutting condition and the sixth cutting condition changing locations and changing orientations of the fifth high-pressure- waterjet and the sixth high-pressure -waterjet, respectively, relative to the conveyor belt; said control system is additionally configured to controllably vary in time, in said fifth cutting condition and in said sixth cutting condition, said translational movements and rotational movements of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment; and the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device is configured for cutting loose two second fillets, respectively, of the second flank portion relative to at least the second pin bones, wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets is done with the fifth high-pressure-waterjet and the sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets is done in said second pin-bonecutting-out -holding condition in said fifth cutting condition and said sixth cutting condition, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the second pin bones.

[0015] In this preferable embodiment it is possible that in an automated mechanized manner the two first fillets can be cut loose from the first flank portion very close at mutually opposite longitudinal sides along the first pin bones, and the two second fillets can be cut loose from the second flank portion very close at mutually opposite longitudinal sides along the second pin bones. Therein hebben the cutting surfaces very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes which can be controlled by the control system in dependence on each specific concerned first flank portion and each specific concerned second flank portion to be filleted. Thereby, it is as good as possible prevented that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the first pin bones and the second pin bones. Thanks to the fact that during the cutting in the first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition and in the second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition of the holder, the first flank portion is held by the first sub -holder and the second flank portion is held by the second sub- holder, it is prevented as good as possible that smoked mackerel meat falls apart during cutting.

[0016] In a further preferable embodiment, an apparatus according the invention further comprises: a further image recording system which is configured for recording further image data of the first flank portion, which is held by the first sub-holder in the first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition, wherein said control system is configured to control, based on said further image data, said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements and rotational movements of the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the third cutting condition and in the fourth cutting condition, and a yet further image recording system which is configured for recording yet further image data of the second flank portion, which is held by the second subholder in the second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, wherein said control system is configured to control, based on said yet further image data, said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements and rotational movements of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high- pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the fifth cutting condition and in the sixth cutting condition.

[0017] Said further image recording system or, as the case may be, said yet further image recording system, may, for example, be an X-ray system, wherein said image data are X-ray related data, a 2D or 3D image recording system, a color vision system, or a combination of one or more of such systems. Thanks to said further image recording system or, as the case may be, said yet further image recording system, it is possible that the very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes of the cutting surfaces for the purpose of each specific first flank portion or, as the case may be, second flank portion, to be filleted can be further optimized by the control system. Thereby, it is prevented to a further extent that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the first pin bones or, as the case may be, the second pin bones.

[0018] In a further preferable embodiment of an apparatus according the invention, the first sub -holder and the second sub -holder comprise first pins and second pins, respectively, which at least with their first pin ends and their second pin ends, respectively, are protruding from a first exterior surface of the first subholder and a second exterior surface of the second sub-holder, respectively, in order to be, at least in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition, with at least a plurality of the first pin ends and the second pin ends in holding engagement with the first side and the second side, respectively, of the mackerel which is held by the holder. Such first pins and second pins improve to a yet further extent the accuracies of all cutting surfaces that arise in the above-mentioned cutting loose of the first flank portion and the second flank portion relative to the backbone of the mackerel, in the above-mentioned cutting loose of the two first fillets relative to the first flank portion, and in the above-mentioned cutting loose of the two second fillets relative to the second flank portion. A further preferable embodiment of an apparatus according the invention has the features that: in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition the holder comprises a lower holder opening for downward draining away from the holder at least water coming from the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, in said first cutting condition and said second cutting condition of the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle, respectively. Such a lower holder opening improves to a yet further extent the accuracies of the cutting surfaces that arise in the the above-mentioned cutting loose of the first flank portion and the second flank portion relative to the backbone of the mackerel.

[0019] A further preferable embodiment of an apparatus according the invention has the features that: in said first pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition of the holder the first sub-holder comprises a lower first sub-holder opening for downward draining away from the first sub-holder at least water coming from the third high-pressure- waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, in said third cutting condition and said fourth cutting condition of the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle, respectively; and in said second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition of the holder the second sub-holder comprises a lower second sub-holder opening for downward draining away from the second sub-holder at least water coming from the fifth high- pressure-waterjet and the sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, in said fifth cutting condition and said sixth cutting condition of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle, respectively. Such a lower first sub-holder opening and such a lower second sub-holder opening improve to a yet further extent the accuracies of the cutting surfaces that arise in the above- mentioned cutting loose of the two first fillets relative to the first flank portion, and in the above-mentioned cutting loose of the two second fillets relative to the second flank portion.

[0020] A further preferable embodiment of an apparatus according the invention has the features that: the holder is configured to be able, in said transport condition and after said cutting loose said two first fillets and said two second fillets to be hinged further open from said first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition and said second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition, respectively, to a first fillets-delivery- condition and a second fillets-delivery-condition of the holder, respectively, in which the holder still is in said transport condition, and in which the two first fillets and the two second fillets, respectively, can be delivered from the holder by the first subholder and the second sub-holder, respectively, wherein said being able to be hinged further open is realized in that the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder from said first pin -bone-cutting-out-holding condition and said second pin-bone-cutting- out-holding condition, respectively, are further rotatable in said first rotation direction and said second rotation direction, respectively, around the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis, respectively. Thereby, the two first fillets and the two second fillets can automatically be delivered to the conveyor belt.

[0021] The invention can also be embodied in a method for mechanized filleting of a smoked mackerel in an apparatus according to the invention, wherein the method comprises at least the following steps: bringing said holder in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition; and cutting loose said first flank portion and said second flank portion, respectively, relative to at least said backbone of said mackerel in the backbonecutting-out -holding condition of the holder, wherein said cutting loose is done with said first high-pressure waterjet and said second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, which are driven through said upper holder opening of the holder, and wherein said cutting loose is done in said first cutting condition and said second cutting condition, and wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion, respectively, takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the backbone.

[0022] In a preferable embodiment of a method according the invention: said bringing the holder in the backbone-cutting-out -holding condition is carried out in such manner, that said mackerel upper side is formed by the belly side of the mackerel and said mackerel lower side is formed by the back side of the mackerel. Thanks to thus filleting the mackerel with the belly side facing upward, it is possible that the very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes of the cutting surfaces be further optimized by the control system for the purpose of each specific mackerel to be filleted. Thereby, it is prevented to a further extent that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the backbone. In a further preferable embodiment of a method according the invention: said bringing the holder in the backbone-cutting-out -holding condition is carried out in such manner, that the mackerel is facing with the head end in the transport direction. Thanks to thus filleting a mackerel with the head end facing in the transport direction, it is possible that the very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes of the cutting surfaces be further optimized by the control system for the purpose of each specific mackerel to be filleted. Thereby, it is prevented to a further extent that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the backbone.

[0023] In further preferable embodiments of a method according the invention: said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion takes place at a temperature of the mackerel between minus 6 and minus 1 degrees Celsius, preferably between minus 5 and minus 2 degrees Celsius, and more preferably between minus 4 and minus 3 degrees Celsius. In said temperature ranges, better cutting results are achieved than outside said temperature ranges.

[0024] In further preferable embodiments of a method according the invention: said cutting loose of the first flank portion and said cutting loose of the second flank portion fully or partly take place simultaneously relative to one another. By thus cutting fully or partly simultaneously relative to one another, better cutting results are achieved than when a concerned flank portion or fillet is cut fully non-simultaneously.

[0025] Hereinafter the invention is further elucidated based on some non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the schematical figures in the attached drawing.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a schematical diagram with therein a number of components of an example of an embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, wherein the diagram shows, inter alia, how the control system of the apparatus is communicatively connected with, inter alia, the conveyor belt, the holder, the high- pressure-waterjet cutting device and the movement mechanism structure of the apparatus.

[0027] Fig. 2 shows, in a perspective view, a smoked mackerel and an example of an embodiment of the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle of the high-pressure- waterjet cutting device of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

[0028] Fig. 3A shows an example of an embodiment of the holder of the apparatus of Fig. 1, wherein the holder is in its transport condition, and wherein Fig. 3Ais a perspective view on the upper side of the holder, and wherein the holder is in its backbone-cutting-out-holding condition in which the holder holds the mackerel of Fig. 2, while the mackerel with its head end is facing in the transport direction, and while the belly side of the mackerel is facing upward.

[0029] Fig. 3B shows the situation of Fig. 3A again, however, wherein this time the mackerel is not shown, so that the holder can be better seen than in Fig. 3A.

[0030] Fig. 3C shows the situation of Fig. 3B again, however, this time in a front view on the holder, said front view being opposite to the transport direction.

[0031] Fig. 3D shows the situation of Fig. 3C again, however, wherein this time the mackerel of Fig. 3A is shown again, and wherein this time a mackerel head support of the holder is not shown, so that the mackerel can be better seen.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows, in a front view opposite to the transport direction, a transverse cross-section through a part of the situation of Fig. 3A, wherein the transverse cross-section is taken perpendicular to the transport direction, and wherein additionally parts of the first and second high-pressure-waterjet nozzles of the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device of the apparatus of Fig. 1 are shown in the first and second cutting conditions.

[0033] Fig. 5A shows the situation of Fig. 3A again, however, this time after the first flank portion of the first flank and the second flank portion of the second flank have been cut loose relative to at least the backbone of the mackerel, and after the holder has hinged open to its first pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition and its second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, and after at least the backbone, the head and the tail of the mackerel have been removed from the holder.

[0034] Fig. 5B shows the holder in the situation of Fig. 5A again, however, this time in a front view on the holder, said front view being opposite to the transport direction, wherein a frontmost holder frame part of the holder and the mackerel head support are not shown, so that the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder of the holder, as well as the first flank portion and the second flank portion of the mackerel can be better seen.

[0035] Fig. 6 shows, in a front view opposite to the transport direction, a transverse cross-section through a part of the situation of Fig. 5A, wherein the transverse cross-section is perpendicular to the transport direction, and wherein additionally parts of the third to sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzles of the apparatus of Fig. 1 in the third to sixth cutting conditions are shown, respectively. Fig. 7 A shows the situation of Fig. 5A again, however, this time after the two first fillets and the two second fillets have been cut loose relative to the first pin bones of the first flank portion and the second pin bones of the second flank portion, respectively, and after the holder from said first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition and said second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition has further hinged open to the first fillets-delivery-condition and the second fillets-delivery-condition, respectively, and wherein in Fig. 7 A no parts of the mackerel have been shown so that the holder can be better seen.

[0036] Fig. 7B shows the holder in the situation of Fig. 7A again, however, this time in another perspective view than in Fig. 7 A, and wherein this time also the two first fillets and the two second fillets are shown, while they are being delivered from the holder, and wherein a frontmost holder frame part and a sidewards holder frame part of the holder are not shown so that the two first fillets and the two second fillets can be better seen.

[0037] Fig. 8 shows a vertical view from above on the apparatus of Fig. 1 in operation condition during carrying out a method according to the invention, wherein the apparatus, by way of example, is embodied as a carrousel with a plurality of holders thereon for filleting of mackerel.

[0038] The reference signs used in the above-mentioned Figs. 1-8 are referring in the following manner to the above-mentioned parts and aspects of the invention, as well as to parts and aspects related thereto.

[0039] Based on the above introductory description, including the above brief description of Figs. 1-8, and based on the above-listed explanation of the reference signs used in Figs. 1-8, the shown embodiments of Figs. 1-8 are largely readily self- explanatory. The following extra elucidations are given.

[0040] The apparatus 1 of Figs. 1-8 is an apparatus according to the invention, as well as according to all above-mentioned preferable embodiments of the invention.

[0041] Now reference is first made to the very schematical diagram of Fig. 1. The filleting apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 comprises the conveyor belt 10, the holder 20, the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device 30 with the first to sixth high-pressure- waterjet nozzles 31-36, the movement mechanism structure 50 for effecting the movements of the high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31-36, the control system 60 for controllably varying in time the movements of the high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31-36 relative to the conveyor belt 10, and the image recording systems 70-72. It is remarked that the conveyor belt 10, the holder 20, the high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31-36 and the image recording systems 70-72 of the apparatus 1 in the vertical view from above of Fig. 8 are shown in somewhat less schematical ways. In Fig. 1 the lines 51 are very schematical representations of the connections between the movement mechanism structure 50 (such as actuators, drives, and the like) and the high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31-36 which are moved by the movement mechanism structure 50. The lines 61 in Fig. 1 are very schematical representations of the communicative connections (wired and / or wireless) between the control system 60 and several parts of the apparatus 1 which are controlled by the control system 60.

[0042] Fig. 2 shows the smoked mackerel 2, which is obtained after manual removal of the intestines from a fresh mackerel, and after the mackerel subsequently has been steamed and smoked hot in a smoke oven. Fig. 2 additionally shows the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31 of the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device 30 of the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1. Furthermore Fig. 2 shows, in likewise schematical manner as in Fig. 1, the movement mechanism structure 50 with the connections 51, as well as the control system 60 with the communicative connections 61.

[0043] It is assumed that in the situation of Fig. 2 the mackerel 2 is situated in the holder 20 of the apparatus 1 while the holder 20 is in its above-mentioned transport condition, more specifically in the above-mentioned backbone-cutting-out- holding condition, which is seen in Fig. 3A. However, for simplicity the holder 20 is not shown in Fig. 2. On the other hand, Fig. 2 does show the transport direction 14 of the holder 20. In the example of Fig. 2 it is seen that in the backbone-cutting-out- holding condition of the holder 20 the mackerel 2 is facing with the head end 3 in the transport direction 14, and that the mackerel upper side is formed by the belly side 6 of the mackerel 2 and that the mackerel lower side is formed by the back side 5 of the mackerel 2.

[0044] In Fig. 2 the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31 is shown in its first cutting condition, in which the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31 is producing the first high-pressure waterjet 41 in order to cut loose a first flank portion of the first flank of the mackerel 2 relative to at least the backbone 9 (see Fig. 4) of the mackerel 2.

[0045] Reference is now made to Figs. 3A-3D, in which the holder 20 is shown in its backbone-cutting-out-holding condition, and in which the holder is holding the mackerel 2 of Fig. 2, while the mackerel 2 is facing with its head end 3 in the transport direction 14, and while the belly side 6 of the mackerel is facing upward. Figs. 3 A- 3D show that the holder 20 further comprises the holder frame parts 18A- 18D, as well as the mackerel head support 15 and the first and second additional mackerel flank supports 101 and 102. As best seen in Fig. 3D, the mackerel 2 is held simultaneously by the first sub-holder 21 and the second sub-holder 22 on the first side 7 and the second side 8 of the mackerel 2, respectively. Therein, the first and second sides 7 and 8 of the mackerel 2, which have convex shapes, are lying against the first and second exterior surfaces 131 and 132, respectively, of the first and second sub-holders 21 and 22, respectively, which have concave shapes there. Figs. 3A-3D also show the above-mentioned first and second rotation axes 111 and 112. The first and second sub-holders 21 and 22 are rotatable in the first and second rotation directions 111 and 112, respectively, around the first and second rotation axes 111 and 112, respectively, wherein the first rotation direction 121 and the second rotation direction 122 are opposite relative to one another. Thereby, the holder 20 can be hinged open from said backbone-cutting-out -holding condition to the above-mentioned first and second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding conditions of the holder 20, and the holder 20 can subsequently be further hinged open from said first and second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding conditions to the above-mentioned first and second fillets-delivery-conditions, respectively, of the holder 20. Vice versa, by reversing the rotation directions 111 and 112, the holder 20 can be hinged back from said first and second fillets-delivery-conditions to said first and second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding conditions, respectively, and the holder 20 can subsequently be further hinged back from said first and second pin- bone-cutting-out -holding conditions to said backbone-cutting-out -holding condition.

[0046] It is remarked that the holder 20 as shown in the conditions of Figs. 3A- 3D, 4, 5A-5B, 6 and 7A-7B is symmetrical relative to an imaginary vertical midplane which is parallel to the transport direction 14.

[0047] Fig. 4 shows the first and second high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31 and 32 in the first and second cutting conditions, respectively. The two-direction arrows 16 and 17 shown in Fig. 4 are representing translational movements and rotational movements, respectively, which the movement mechanism structure 50, under control of the control system 60, can effect for the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31 during the first cutting condition and, independently thereof, for the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 32 during the second cutting condition. In the shown example, the movement mechanism structure 50 is configured to effect the translational movements 16 perpendicular to the transport direction 14, and to effect the rotational movements 17 around a direction which is parallel to the transport direction 14. In the shown example of Fig. 4, the rotational movements 17 of the high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31 and 32 take place around an axis which is extending parallel to the transport direction 14 (in Fig. 4 it is at a location where the shown high-pressure waterjets 41 and 42 are crossing one another). It is remarked that in the shown example of Fig. 4 the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 32 is shown in broken-away view. That is, the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 32 is located somewhat further in the transport direction 14 as compared to the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31 (this can be seen in Fig. 8). In relation to this, it is further remarked that alternative embodiments of the apparatus 1 are possible in which the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 32 is located at the same position in the transport direction 14 as the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31.

[0048] Thanks to the above-mentioned translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 during the first and second cutting conditions, the first and second flank portions 81 and 82 (shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 8) can, in an automated mechanized manner, be cut loose from the backbone 9 very close on mutually opposite longitudinal sides along the backbone 9. Since, therein, the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 in the transport condition of the holder 20 can be controllably varied in time by the control system 60, the cutting surfaces can have very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes which are dependent on each specific mackerel to be filleted 2. Thereby it is prevented as good as possible that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the backbone 9. Partly thanks to the fact that, during the cutting in the backbone-cutting-out- holding condition of the holder 20, the mackerel 2 by the first sub-holder 21 and the second sub-holder 22 is simultaneously held at the first side 7 and the second side 8, respectively, it is prevented as good as possible that smoked mackerel meat falls apart during cutting.

[0049] In Fig. 4, as well as in Figs. 3B and 3C, the reference numeral 23 indicates the upper holder opening of the holder 20. In Fig. 4 the reference numeral 26 indicates the lower holder opening of the holder 20.

[0050] In Fig. 4 parts of the mackerel which after the cutting become filleting waste, are indicated by reference numeral 18. This filleting waste 18 comprises fish bone waste, especially the backbone 9, as well as fin waste of the back side 5 and the belly side 6. But the filleting waste 18 also comprises the head and the tail of the mackerel 2. If the cutting in the backbone-cutting-out-holding condition is done on a frozen mackerel 2, the filleting waste 18 will substantially be formed by a frozen one-piece integral whole of said fish bone waste, said fin waste and said head and tail of the mackerel 2. Such one-piece filleting waste 18 can be easily removed from the holder 20 during or after hinging open of the holder 20 from said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition to the above-mentioned first and second pin- bone-cutting-out -holding conditions of the holder 20. Figs. 5A-5B show the situation of Fig. 3A again, however, this time after the first flank portion 81 and the second flank portion 82 have been cut loose relative to at least the backbone 9 of the mackerel 2, after the holder 20 has been hinged open from its backbone-cutting-out -holding condition to its first and second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding conditions, and after the filleting waste 18 has been removed.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a transverse cross-section through a part of the situation of Fig. 5A, wherein additionally parts of the third to sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 33-36 are shown in the third to sixth cutting conditions, respectively.

[0052] The two-direction arrows 16 and 17 shown in Fig. 6 are representing translational movements and rotational movements, respectively, which the movement mechanism structure 50 can effect, under control of the control system 60, for the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 33 during the third cutting condition and, independently thereof, for the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 34 during the fourth cutting condition and, independently thereof, for the fifth high-pressure- waterjet nozzle 35 during the fifth cutting condition and, independently thereof, for the sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 36 during the sixth cutting condition. In the shown example, the movement mechanism structure 50 is configured to effect the translational movements 16 perpendicular to the transport direction 14, and to effect the rotational movements 17 around a direction which is parallel to the transport direction 14.

[0053] In the shown example of Fig. 6, the rotational movements 17 of the high- pressure-waterjet nozzles 33 and 34 take place around an axis which is extending parallel to the transport direction 14 at a location in Fig. 6 where the shown high- pressure waterjets 43 and 44 are crossing relative to one another. It is remarked that in the shown example of Fig. 6 the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 34 is shown in broken-away view. Namely, the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 34 is located somewhat further in the transport direction 14 as compared to the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 33, as can be seen in Fig. 8. In relation to this, it is further remarked that alternative embodiments of the apparatus 1 are possible in which the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 34 is located at the same position in the transport direction 14 as the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 33.

[0054] Thanks to the above-mentioned translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 during the third and fourth cutting conditions, the two first fillets 91A and 9 IB (shown in Figs. 7 and 8) can, in an automated mechanized manner, be cut loose from the first pin bones 11 very close on mutually opposite longitudinal sides along the first pin bones 11. Since, therein, the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 in the transport condition of the holder 20 can be controllably varied in time by the control system 60, the cutting surfaces can have very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes which are dependent on each specific mackerel 2 to be filleted. Thereby it is prevented as good as possible that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the first pin bones 11. Partly thanks to the fact that, during the cutting in the first pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, the first flank portion 81 at its convex first side 7, is held at the location of the first exterior contact surface 131 by the first sub-holder 21, which has a concave shape there, it is prevented as good as possible that smoked mackerel meat falls apart during cutting.

[0055] Furthermore, in the shown example of Fig. 6 the rotational movements 17 of the high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 35 and 36 take place around an axis which is extending parallel to the transport direction 14 at a location where in Fig. 6 the shown high-pressure waterjets 45 and 46 are crossing one another. It is remarked that in the shown example of Fig. 6 the sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 36 is shown in broken-away view. Namely, the sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 36 is located somewhat further in the transport direction 14 relative to the fifth high- pressure-waterjet nozzle 35, as can be seen in Fig. 8. In relation to this, it is further remarked that alternative embodiments of the apparatus 1 are possible in which the sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 36 is located at the same position in the transport direction 14 as the fifth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 35.

[0056] Thanks to above-mentioned translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 during the fifth and sixth cutting conditions, the two second fillets 92A and 92B (shown in Figs. 7 and 8) can, in an automated mechanized manner, be cut loose from the second pin bones 12 very close on mutually opposite longitudinal sides along the second pin bones 12. Since, therein, the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 in the transport condition of the holder 20 can be controllably varied in time by the control system 60, the cutting surfaces can have very accurate and advanced threedimensional shapes which are dependent on each specific mackerel 2 to be filleted. Thereby it is prevented as good as possible that, after filleting, mackerel meat remains attached to the second pin bones 12. Partly thanks to the fact that, during the cutting in the second pin-bone-cutting-out- holding condition, the second flank portion 82 at its convex second side 8, is held at the location of the second exterior contact surface 132 by the second sub-holder 22, it is prevented as good as possible that smoked mackerel meat falls apart during cutting.

[0057] In Fig. 6, as well as in Fig. 5B, the reference numerals 27 and 28 are indicating the first and second lower sub-holder openings, respectively, of the first and second sub-holders 21 and 22, respectively.

[0058] Figs. 7A-7B show the situation of Fig. 5A again, however, this time after the two first fillets 91 A and 9 IB and the two second fillets 92 A and 92B have been cut loose from the first pin bones 11 of the first flank portion 81 and from the second pin bones 12 of the second flank portion 82, respectively, and after the holder 20 from said first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition and said second pin-bonecutting-out -holding condition has been further hinged open to the first fillets- delivery-condition and the second fillets-delivery-condition, respectively. It is remarked that in the view of Fig. 7A the locations of the second pins 25 of the second sub-holder 22 can be seen. Taking into account the above-mentioned symmetry of the holder 20, the locations of the first pins 24 of the first sub -holder 21 can be derived from Fig. 7 A.

[0059] Reference is now made to Fig. 8, which shows a vertical view from above on the apparatus 1 of Fig. 1 in operation condition. Fig. 8 additionally serves the purpose to illustrate an example of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. This is explained as follows.

[0060] In the example of Fig. 8 the apparatus 1 is embodied as a carrousel having subsequently a plurality of holders 20 thereon for filleting of mackerel. In Fig. 8 all shown holders 20 are in their transport condition. Therein, the conveyor belt 10 is turning clockwise relative to the outside environment of the apparatus 1, which appears from the local transport directions 14 of the holders 20 indicated by the arrows. For simplicity, various parts of each holder 20 are not shown in Fig. 8.

[0061] At the shown location I in Fig. 8, each time a holder 20, which is passing through there, has been brought in its backbone-cutting-out-holding condition. Furthermore, at the location I an operator each time has manually placed a smoked mackerel 2 in each holder 20 which is passing through there, in such manner that in the backbone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder 20 the mackerel 2 is held with some clamping force of the first and second sub-holders 21 and 22 in a manner as shown in Figs. 3A and 3D.

[0062] Hereinafter, the example of the method according to the invention is described for only one concerned mackerel 2 which has been placed at the location I in a concerned holder 20.

[0063] At the shown location II, the image recording system 70 is situated in a fixed manner relative to the outside environment of the apparatus 1. At the location II the image recording system 70 is recording image data of the mackerel 2 which is passing through and which is still held there by the holder 20 in the backbonecutting-out -holding condition.

[0064] At the shown location III a sub-apparatus of the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device 30 is situated in a fixed manner relative to the outside environment of the apparatus 1. Said sub-apparatus comprises the first and second high- pressure-waterjet nozzles 31 and 32, wherein the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31 is also shown in Fig. 2, and wherein the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 32 is similar to the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle 31. At the location III, the cutting actions, which are illustrated by Fig. 4, are performed by the first and second high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31 and 32. Therein, the control system 60 controls, based on the image data recorded by the image recording system 70, the movement mechanism structure 50 to vary in time the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 of the first and second high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31 and 32 in the first and second cutting conditions, in such manner that optimal cutting results are obtained. Therein, the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17, which are calculated by the control system 60, are, as compared between the first and second high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 31 and 32, independently optimized relative to one another.

[0065] At the shown location IV, the holder 20 has been hinged open from the backbone-cutting-out-holding condition to the first and second pin-bone-cutting-out- holding conditions, which are shown in Figs. 5A and 5B. At the location IV, an operator removes manually cutting waste from the holder 20. This cutting waste comprises at least the backbone of the mackerel. If the cutting in the backbonecutting-out -holding condition is performed on a frozen mackerel, the filleting waste will usually be substantially formed by a frozen one-piece integral whole of at least the backbone, fin waste, head and tail of the mackerel. Such a one-piece filleting waste is easily removable from the holder 20.

[0066] At the shown location V, the image recording systems 71 and 72 are situated in a fixed manner relative to the outside environment of the apparatus 1. At the location V the image recording systems 71 and 72 are recording image data of the first and second flank portions 81 and 82 passing through, respectively, which are held there by the first and second sub -holders 21 and 22, respectively, in the first and second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding conditions, respectively.

[0067] At the shown location VI, a further sub-apparatus of the high-pressure- waterjet cutting device 30 is situated in a fixed manner relative to the outside environment of the apparatus 1. Said further sub-apparatus comprises the third to sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 33-36, which are similar to the high-pressure- waterjet nozzles 31 and 32. At the location VI the cutting actions, which are illustrated by Fig. 6, are performed by the third to sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 33-36. Therein, the control system 60 controls, based on the image data recorded by the image recording systems 71 and 72, the movement mechanism structure 50 to vary in time the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17 of the third to sixth high-pressure-waterjet nozzles 33-36 relative to the outside environment in the third to sixth cutting conditions, in such manner that optimal cutting results are obtained. Therein, the translational movements 16 and rotational movements 17, which are calculated by the control system 60, are, as compared between the third to sixth high-pressure -waterjet nozzles 33-36, independently optimized relative to one another.

[0068] At the shown location VII the holder 20 has been hinged open further from the first and second pin -bone-cutting-out-holding conditions to the first and second fillets-delivery-conditions, respectively, which are shown in Figs. 7A and 7B. At the location VII an operator takes the two first fillets and the two second fillets manually out of the holder 20 for the purpose of packing the filets. Subsequently, between location VII and location I an operator manually removes cutting waste from the holder 20. This cutting waste substantially comprises the first and the second pin bones of the mackerel.

[0069] The holder of an apparatus according to the invention can be made of various materials, such as for example various metals and / or various metal alloys and / or various plastics, such as for example various materials of which it is known that they are used from the view point of food hygiene when working with fish products.

[0070] It is remarked that the above-mentioned examples of embodiments are not limiting the invention, and that within the scope of the appended claims various alternatives and modifications relative to the above-mentioned examples are possible.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus (1) for mechanized filleting of a smoked mackerel (2), wherein: said mackerel is understood to mean at least a body part of a smoked mackerel, and wherein such a mackerel has a head end (3) and a tail end (4) lying oppositely thereto, a back and a belly at a back side (5) and a belly side (6), lying oppositely thereto, of the mackerel, respectively, and a first flank and a second flank at a first side (7) and a second side (8), lying oppositely thereto, of the mackerel, respectively; the mackerel comprises a skeleton, wherein the skeleton comprises a backbone (9), as well as first pin bones (11) and second pin bones (12), which are connected to the backbone, and which are extending through the first flank and the second flank, respectively; said mechanized filleting comprises at least partly removing the backbone from the mackerel; the apparatus comprises:- a conveyor belt (10),- a holder (20) for holding the mackerel to be filleted, wherein the holder comprises a first sub-holder (21) and a second sub-holder (22), which are configured for simultaneously holding, with a first exterior surface (131) of the first sub-holder (21) and with a second exterior surface (132) of the second sub-holder (21), the mackerel at the first side (7) and the second side (8) of the mackerel, respectively, wherein the holder has a transport condition in which the holder is situated above the conveyor belt and is transported by the conveyor belt in a transport direction (14) of the holder relative to an outside environment of the apparatus (1), and wherein the first sub-holder (21) and the second sub-holder (22) at the first exterior surface (131) and the second exterior surface (132), respectively, are concavely shaped around a direction parallel to the transport direction (14),- a high-pressure-waterjet cutting device (30) comprising a first high- pressure-waterjet nozzle (31) and a second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle (32), which are configured to have a first cutting condition and a second cutting condition, respectively, in which the first high-pressure-waterjetnozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle are producing a first high-pressure waterjet (41) and a second high-pressure waterjet (42), respectively, which are directed downward for cutting from above through the mackerel to be filleted, while the holder is in said transport condition, while the mackerel is held by the holder, and while each of the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet is extending perpendicular to said transport direction of the holder or is extending in an otherwise crossing manner relative to said transport direction of the holder,- a movement mechanism structure (50) which is configured to effect translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the first high- pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in order to effect in the first cutting condition and the second cutting condition changing locations and changing orientations of the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, relative to the conveyor belt, and- a control system (60), which is configured to controllably vary in time, in said first cutting condition and in said second cutting condition, said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the first high- pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment; the holder is configured to be brought in a backbone-cutting-out-holding condition, in which the holder is in said transport condition, and in which the mackerel can be held simultaneously by the first sub-holder and the second subholder with the first exterior surface (131) and the second exterior surface (132), respectively, at the first side (7) and the second side (8) of the mackerel, respectively, while the mackerel with the head end or the tail end is facing in the transport direction, while a mackerel upper side, being one of the back side and the belly side, is facing upward, and while a mackerel lower side, being the other of the back side and the belly side, is facing downward; and the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device is configured for cutting loose a first flank portion (81) of the first flank and a second flank portion (82) of the second flank, respectively, relative to at least the backbone of the mackerel, wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion is done with the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet, respectively,which are driven through an upper holder opening (23) of the holder, and wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion is done in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder and in said first cutting condition and said second cutting condition, and wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the backbone.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an image recording system (70) which is configured for recording image data of the mackerel, which is held by the holder in the backbone-cutting-out-holding condition, wherein said control system is configured to control, based on said image data, said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the first cutting condition and in the second cutting condition.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: said mechanized filleting further comprises at least partly removing the first pin bones and the second pin bones from the mackerel; the holder is configured to be able, in said transport condition and after said cutting loose the first flank portion (81) and the second flank portion (82), to be hinged open from said backbone-cutting-out -holding condition to a first pin-bonecutting-out -holding condition and a second pin -bone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder, in which the holder still is in said transport condition, and in which the first flank portion and the second flank portion, respectively, by the first sub-holder (21) and the second sub-holder (22), respectively, can be held with the first exterior surface (131) and the second exterior surface (132), respectively, at the first side (7) and the second side (8), respectively, of the mackerel, wherein said being able to be hinged open is realized in that the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder, respectively, are rotatable in a first rotation direction (121) and a second rotation direction (122) around a first rotation axis (111) and a second rotation axis (112), respectively, which are parallel to the transport direction (14), wherein the first rotation direction (121) and the second rotation direction (122) are opposite to one another;the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device further comprises a third high- pressure-waterjet nozzle (33) and a fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle (34), which are configured to have a third cutting condition and a fourth cutting condition, respectively, in which the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high- pressure-waterjet nozzle are producing a third high-pressure-waterjet (43) and a fourth high-pressure-waterjet (44), respectively, which are directed downward for cutting from above through the first flank portion (81) in said first pin -bone-cutting- out-holding condition, while each of the third high-pressure-waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet is extending perpendicular to said transport direction of the holder or is extending in an otherwise crossing manner relative to said transport direction of the holder; said movement mechanism structure is additionally configured to effect translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the third high- pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in order to effect in the third cutting condition and the fourth cutting condition changing locations and changing orientations of the third high-pressure-waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, relative to the conveyor belt; said control system is additionally configured to controllably vary in time, in said third cutting condition and in said fourth cutting condition, said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the third high- pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment; the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device is configured for cutting loose two first fillets (91A, 9 IB), respectively, of the first flank portion (81) relative to at least the first pin bones, wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets is done with the third high-pressure-waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets is done in said first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition in said third cutting condition and said fourth cutting condition, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the first pin bones; the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device further comprises a fifth high- pressure waterjet nozzle (35) and a sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle (36), whichare configured to have a fifth cutting condition and a sixth cutting condition, respectively, in which the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high- pressure waterjet nozzle are producing a fifth high-pressure-waterjet (45) and a sixth high-pressure-waterjet (46), respectively, which are directed downward for cutting from above through the second flank portion (82) in said second pin-bonecutting-out -holding condition, while each of the fifth high-pressure-waterjet and the sixth high-pressure-waterjet is extending perpendicular to said transport direction of the holder or is extending in an otherwise crossing manner relative to said transport direction of the holder; said movement mechanism structure is additionally configured to effect translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the fifth high- pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in order to effect in the fifth cutting condition and the sixth cutting condition changing locations and changing orientations of the fifth high- pressure-waterjet and the sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, relative to the conveyor belt; said control system is additionally configured to controllably vary in time, in said fifth cutting condition and in said sixth cutting condition, said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment; and the high-pressure-waterjet cutting device is configured for cutting loose two second fillets (92A, 92B), respectively, of the second flank portion (82) relative to at least the second pin bones, wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets is done with the fifth high-pressure-waterjet and the sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets is done in said second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition in said fifth cutting condition and said sixth cutting condition, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the second pin bones.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a further image recording system (71) which is configured for recording further image data of the first flank portion, which is held by the first sub-holder inthe first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition, wherein said control system is configured to control, based on said further image data, said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high- pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the third cutting condition and in the fourth cutting condition, and a yet further image recording system (72) which is configured for recording yet further image data of the second flank portion, which is held by the second subholder in the second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, wherein said control system is configured to control, based on said yet further image data, said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the fifth cutting condition and in the sixth cutting condition.

5. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder comprise first pins (24) and second pins (25), respectively, which at least with their first pin ends and their second pin ends, respectively, are protruding from a first exterior surface of the first sub-holder and a second exterior surface of the second sub-holder, respectively, in order to be, at least in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition, with at least a plurality of the first pin ends and the second pin ends in holding engagement with the first side and the second side, respectively, of the mackerel which is held by the holder.

6. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition the holder comprises a lower holder opening (26) for downward draining away from the holder at least water coming from the first high-pressure waterjet and the second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, in said first cutting condition and said second cutting condition of the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle, respectively.

7. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and in any case according to claim 3, wherein:in said first pin -bone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder the first sub-holder comprises a lower first sub-holder opening (27) for downward draining away from the first sub-holder at least water coming from the third high-pressure- waterjet and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, in said third cutting condition and said fourth cutting condition of the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle, respectively; and in said second pin -bone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder the second sub-holder comprises a lower second sub-holder opening (28) for downward draining away from the second sub-holder at least water coming from the fifth high- pressure-waterjet and the sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, in said fifth cutting condition and said sixth cutting condition of the fifth high-pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle, respectively.

8. The apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, and in any case according to claim 3, wherein the holder is configured to be able, in said transport condition and after said cutting loose said two first fillets and said two second fillets to be hinged further open from said first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition and said second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, respectively, to a first fillets-delivery-condition and a second fillets-delivery-condition of the holder, respectively, in which the holder still is in said transport condition, and in which the two first fillets and the two second fillets, respectively, can be delivered from the holder by the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder, respectively, wherein said being able to be hinged further open is realized in that the first sub-holder and the second sub-holder from said first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition and said second pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition, respectively, are further rotatable in said first rotation direction (121) and said second rotation direction (122), respectively, around the first rotation axis (111) and the second rotation axis (112), respectively.

9. Method for mechanized filleting of a smoked mackerel in an apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps: bringing said holder in said backbone-cutting-out-holding condition; and cutting loose said first flank portion and said second flank portion, respectively, relative to at least said backbone of said mackerel in the backbone-cutting-out -holding condition of the holder, wherein said cutting loose is done with said first high-pressure waterjet and said second high-pressure waterjet, respectively, which are driven through said upper holder opening of the holder, and wherein said cutting loose is done in said first cutting condition and said second cutting condition, and wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion, respectively, takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the backbone.

10. The method according to claim 9, and in any case dependent on claim 2, wherein after said bringing the holder in the backbone-cutting-out-holding condition, and prior to cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion, respectively, in the first cutting condition and the second cutting condition, said image data of the mackerel held by the holder are recorded by said image recording system, wherein said control system, based on the recorded image data, controls said movement mechanism to vary in time said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the first high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the second high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the first cutting condition and in the second cutting condition.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein said bringing the holder in the backbone-cutting-out-holding condition is carried out in such manner, that said mackerel upper side is formed by the belly side of the mackerel and said mackerel lower side is formed by the back side of the mackerel.

12. The method according to any one of the claims 9-11, wherein said bringing the holder in the backbone-cutting-out -holding condition is carried out in such manner, that the mackerel is facing with the head end in the transport direction.

13. The method according to any one of the claims 9-12, wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and the second flank portion takes place at a temperature of the mackerel between minus 6 and minus 1 degrees Celsius, preferably between minus 5 and minus 2 degrees Celsius, and more preferably between minus 4 and minus 3 degrees Celsius.

14. The method according to any one of the claims 9-13, wherein said cutting loose the first flank portion and said cutting loose the second flank portion fully or partly take place simultaneously relative to one another.

15. The method according to any one of the claims 9-14, and in any case dependent on claim 3, comprising the following further steps: bringing said holder in said first pin-bone-cutting-out -holding condition and said second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition; cutting loose said two first fillets, respectively, relative to at least the first pin bones of said first flank portion, wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets, respectively, is done with said third high-pressure-waterjet and said fourth high- pressure-waterjet, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets, respectively, is done in the first pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder in said third cutting condition and said fourth cutting condition, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets, respectively, takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the first pin bones; and cutting loose said two second fillets, respectively, relative to at least the second pin bones of said second flank portion, wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets, respectively, is done with said fifth high-pressure-waterjet and said sixth high-pressure-waterjet, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets, respectively, is done in the second pin-bone-cutting-out-holding condition of the holder in said fifth cutting condition and said sixth cutting condition, respectively, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets, respectively, takes place at two mutually opposite longitudinal sides, respectively, of the second pin bones.

16. The method according to claim 15, and in any case dependent on claim 4, wherein: after said bringing said holder in said first pin -bone-cutting-out-holding condition, and prior to cutting loose said two first fillets, respectively, in the third cutting condition and the fourth cutting condition, said further image data of the first flank portion held by the first sub-holder are recorded by said image recording system, and wherein said control system, based on the recorded further image data, controls said movement mechanism to vary in time said translational movements(16) and rotational movements (17) of the third high-pressure-waterjet nozzle and the fourth high-pressure-waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the third cutting condition and in the fourth cutting condition, and after said bringing said holder in said second pin -bone-cutting-out-holding condition, and prior to cutting loose said two second fillets, respectively, in the fifth cutting condition and the sixth cutting condition, said yet further image data of the second flank portion held by the second sub-holder are recorded by said image recording system, and wherein said control system, based on the recorded yet further image data, controls said movement mechanism structure to vary in time said translational movements (16) and rotational movements (17) of the fifth high- pressure waterjet nozzle and the sixth high-pressure waterjet nozzle relative to said outside environment in the fifth cutting condition and in the sixth cutting condition.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets and said two second fillets takes place at a temperature of the mackerel between minus 6 and minus 1 degrees Celsius, preferably between minus 5 and minus 2 degrees Celsius, and more preferably between minus 4 and minus 3 degrees Celsius.

18. The method according to any one of the claims 15-17, wherein said cutting loose said two first fillets fully or partly take place simultaneously relative to one another, and wherein said cutting loose said two second fillets fully or partly take place simultaneously relative to one another.

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