Apparatus for cutting free the flank bones of decapitated, slaughtered fish that preferably have opened abdominal cavities, and method and filleting machine for filleting decapitated, slaughtered fish that preferably have opened abdominal cavities, in particular comprising such an apparatus

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (10) designed and configured for cutting free the flank bones (11) of decapitated, slaughtered fish (12) which preferably have opened abdominal cavities and which are transported in the transport direction T tail first with the backbone (13) resting on transport saddles (14), the apparatus at least comprising: a frame (22) and, associated therewith, an upper bone guide (15) which is designed and configured to guide the backbone (13) from the dorsal side of the fish (12) to be processed; a lower bone guide (16) which is designed and configured to guide ventral spokes, formed in the region from the tail to the abdominal cavity, of the fish (12) to be processed; a separating assembly (17) for detaching fish fillets from the flank bones (11) surrounding the abdominal cavity of the fish (12) to be processed, wherein the separating assembly (17) comprises a separating means (18) having a corresponding counter support (19) and can be brought from a standby position into a working position and vice versa, and a detaching device (20) which is arranged in the region of the upper bone guide (15) and is at least designed and configured to loosen the bone connection (21) between flank bones (11) and backbone (13) of at least some of the flank bones (11). The apparatus is characterised in that a scraper device (23) is arranged in the region of the upper bone guide (15) and is designed and configured to detach at least parts of the flesh located between the flank bones (11) and the backbone (13). The invention also relates to a corresponding filleting machine (56) comprising such an apparatus (10), and to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] Nordic Engineering Rud. Baader GmbH + Co KG, Geniner Str. 249, D-23560

[0002] Lübeck

[0003] Device for cutting away the flank bones of beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened fish, as well as method and filleting machine for filleting beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened fish, in particular with such a device

[0004] The invention relates to a device designed and equipped for cutting away the flank bones of beheaded, slaughtered, and preferably opened fish, which are transported tail-first in the transport direction T with their main bone resting on transport saddles, comprising at least a frame and an associated upper bone guide designed and equipped to guide the main bone from the dorsal side of the fish to be processed, a lower bone guide designed and equipped to guide ventral spokes of the fish to be processed extending from the tail to the abdominal cavity, and a separating unit for separating fish fillets from the flank bones surrounding the abdominal cavity of the fish to be processed, wherein the separating unit comprises a separating means with a corresponding counter-position and can be moved from a waiting position to a working position and vice versa.as well as a release device arranged in the area of ​​the upper bone guide, which is designed and equipped to release the bone connection between flank bones and main bone of at least some of the flank bones.

[0005] The invention further relates to a filleting machine for filleting beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened fish in their abdominal cavity, comprising back knives for exposing dorsal spokes up to the main bone, belly knives for exposing ventral spokes extending from the tail to the abdominal cavity up to the main bone, a device for cutting out flank bones, separating knives for separating the fillets in the tail region from the main bone by cutting through the bridge left around the main bone by belly and back knives, an endless conveyor for transporting the fish tail-first and a number of fish saddles arranged on the conveyor for securely holding the fish in their abdominal cavity.

[0006] The invention further relates to a method for filleting beheaded, slaughtered, and preferably opened fish, comprising the steps of: transporting the fish to be processed tail-first in transport direction T through a filleting machine, cutting free the dorsal spokes up to the main bone, cutting free the ventral spokes up to the main bone, at least partially loosening the flank bones at least partially in the area of ​​their osseointegration to the main bone, cutting free the flank bones, and separating the fillets in the tail area from the main bone by cutting through the ridge left around the main bone when cutting free the dorsal and ventral spokes.

[0007] Such devices, filleting machines, and processes are used in the fish processing industry to automatically fillet fish, particularly salmon, whitefish, and other species. However, the anatomy, and especially the structure of the skeletal system, varies from species to species. All fish share a central main bone (hereinafter also referred to as the midbone or spine). Extending upwards along the main bone are essentially vertical dorsal spokes, also known as dorsal spokes. From the tail to the beginning of the abdominal cavity, essentially vertical ventral spokes, also known as ventral spokes, extend downwards. The course and structure of the flank bones, which run along the main bone on both sides of the abdominal cavity, often differ. While the flank bones, for example,In whitefish, the flank bones extend obliquely and essentially linearly, or with only a slight downward curve, from the midbone around the abdominal cavity. In contrast, in sea bass, for example, the flank bones are more strongly curved. In the case of sea bass, the flank bones, particularly those located near the head of the abdomen, initially extend essentially horizontally from the midbone before curving downwards in a wider arc around the abdomen. Furthermore, the flank bones in sea bass, especially those near the head of the abdomen, are stronger and thicker. In other words, the species differ in the shape, orientation, and stability of their flank bones.

[0008] A key step in the automated filleting of fish is removing the fillets, ideally completely, from the flank bones, also known as rib bones, which extend on both sides of the main bone and surround the fish's abdominal cavity. The fish are transported by conveyor saddles to the individual processing tools, including the device for removing the flank bones. The upper and lower bone guides hold and guide the fish in the optimal processing position on the conveyor saddle. The separating unit is typically positioned on both sides of the fish being processed, allowing the fillets to be removed from the flank bones either simultaneously or sequentially. The separating agent and the counter-position define a cutting gap. When removing flank bones that do not have such a pronounced arched structure, i.e., those that are more like, for example, rib bones, the separating unit is used to create a more defined cutting gap.Since the flank bones of the whitefish species are rather linear / flat in the plane defined by the separating agent or the counter-layer, they can be guided into the cutting gap by the separating agent and a chamfer provided on the separating agent.

[0009] In sea bass and similar species, the arched structure of the flank bones, i.e., the rib arch structure, is particularly pronounced. This means that the flank bones have a greater curvature and describe a larger arc. The flank bones also exhibit exceptional stability, especially those extending from the main bone at the head end of the abdominal cavity. With increasing curvature and stability of the flank bones, the process of removing them becomes less reliable. Since the flank bones, at least partially, do not fit through the cutting gap formed between the separating agent and the fillet, there is a risk of cutting into the bones, resulting in them remaining partially or completely attached to the fillet. This significantly increases the subsequent trimming effort, particularly the removal of flank bones or parts thereof.To accommodate these anatomical conditions, a loosening device is provided in the area of ​​the upper bone guide. This device at least partially breaks the flank bones at their junction with the main bone. This allows the loosened flank bones to be positioned suitable for further filleting. However, the problem remains that with the existing attachments, particularly the back blades for exposing the dorsal spokes up to the main bone, it is not possible to completely remove the meat between the flank bones and the main bone, especially in the area of ​​the tail and head ends of the abdominal cavity. In other words, the known attachments are mechanically limited in their ability to penetrate the described area of ​​the bone structure at the transition between the flank bones and the main bone, close to the dorsal spokes.This ensures that valuable meat remains attached to the bone structure during the final filleting process.

[0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a device for removing the flank bones of fish, which optimizes the yield of automated filleting, particularly in species with a pronounced rib arch structure, such as sea bass. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to propose a corresponding filleting machine and a corresponding method.

[0011] This problem is solved by a device with the aforementioned features, in that a scraping device is arranged in the area of ​​the upper bone guide. This scraping device is designed and configured to loosen at least portions of the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone. With this scraping device, it is possible to obtain additional flesh remnants from the fish fillets that previously remained attached to the bone structure and were discarded. The scraping device ensures that the flesh between the flank bones and the main bone is loosened and obtained close to the dorsal radius bones, particularly in the tail and head regions of the abdominal cavity. Before scraping the flesh, the device ensures that a preferably point load is applied to the junction of the flank and main bones to at least fracture the flank bones.The phrase "at least enough to loosen" refers to the breaking of the solid bone connection between a flank bone and the main bone or vertebral body, without the flank bone being completely detached from the main bone, including all remaining connections. Even if a residual connection still exists between the flank bone and the main bone, for example, in the form of remaining bone material and / or other connecting material, such as tissue, the resistance of the at least partially broken flank bone is reduced, allowing the flank bone to be positioned suitable for further filleting, in particular to be guided into or through the cutting gap between the separating agent and the backing material. Partial loosening does not preclude complete detachment, i.e., separation.The phrase "at least some of the flank bones" indicates that not all flank bones necessarily need to be partially or completely loosened, but they can be. The device automatically and particularly effectively ensures that the flank bones are at least partially loosened and guided into a position suitable for cutting them free, where they are then guided into and through the cutting gap. This, combined with the subsequent scraping action, results in fillets freed from the flank bones having the maximum meat content and being free of flank bones and / or their remnants. Consequently, the bone structure is virtually meat-free, and any necessary post-processing, such as trimming the freed fillets, is significantly reduced.

[0012] A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized by the fact that the scraping device is dynamically controlled. This means that the position of the scraping device can be actively changed, specifically in the direction of the transport plane and back. The up and down movement can be controlled by a separate control unit or by a shared control unit of the device. For this purpose, all controllable components of the device are connected to the control unit. The dynamic movement, and especially the lowering, of the scraping device ensures that the area to be scraped is reliably reached – preferably even individually along the entire length of the fish – and with constant pressure, regardless of the fish size.This allows the meat lying against the dorsal spokes in the critical area between the flank bones and the main bone to be reliably and reproducibly scraped off and harvested together with the fillet.

[0013] Advantageously, the scraping device includes at least one

[0014] A swivel mechanism, at least one scraping tool preferably detachably connected to the swivel mechanism, and a pneumatic cylinder for swiveling the scraping tool about a pivot axis S. The swivel mechanism, controlled by the pneumatic cylinder and to which the scraping tools are detachably connected, allows for quick and precise control of each scraping tool to achieve a reliable and yield-optimized scraping result despite the high production speeds of the device and, in particular, the filleting machine. The swivel mechanism provides a robust and compact means of actively deflecting each scraping tool.

[0015] Advantageously, the scraping device comprises two scraping tools positioned or arranged on opposite sides of the upper bone guide. The scraping tools, preferably arranged in pairs and spaced apart from each other, are simple means of scraping, preferably simultaneously on both sides of the dorsal spokes, the meat located in the transition area between the main bone and the flank bones on the dorsal spokes, which cannot be reached by the back blades used to expose the dorsal spokes up to the main bone.

[0016] The pivot axis S, positioned in front of the scraping tool in the transport direction T of the fish, is particularly advantageous. This allows the scraping tool to perform a kind of "tilting" movement via the pivot mechanism. In other words, the scraping tool, or each scraping tool, can be tilted / folded downwards to perform the scraping motion, thus reaching deeper towards the main bone and loosening the flesh.

[0017] A further development is characterized in that the pivoting mechanism comprises at least one pivot arm, which is pivotally mounted on the frame about the pivot axis S. The pivot arm can have one lever arm section, two lever arm sections, or even more than two lever arm sections. Several pivot arms, preferably interconnected, can also be provided. With the pivot arm(s), short and direct levers for rapid position changes are implemented in a simple and compact manner.

[0018] Preferably, the swivel arm is connected at one end to the scraping tool(s). The connection can be direct or indirect, for example via a base body or the like. By connecting the swivel arm to the scraping tool(s), the movement of the swivel mechanism can be directly transmitted to the scraping tool(s).

[0019] Advantageously, the swivel arm is guided at its other end in a guide. This guide ensures that not only the swivel arm, but also the scraping tools, are guided precisely and parallel to the transport direction T.

[0020] A particularly advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the pneumatic cylinder comprises at least one housing and a piston movable within the housing, with a piston rod. The housing of the pneumatic cylinder is pivotally mounted on the frame such that the housing of the pneumatic cylinder is movable relative to the frame about an axis A, and the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder is pivotally connected to the swivel mechanism such that the piston rod of the pneumatic cylinder is movable relative to the swivel mechanism about an axis B. The movable mounting of the pneumatic cylinder relative to the frame on the one hand and the swivel mechanism on the other ensures continuous and reliable movement and guidance of the scraping tools, and in particular allows for the compensation of unevenness in the jig and the like.

[0021] Advantageously, each scraping tool comprises a loosening section and a guiding section. The loosening section allows the meat to be reliably and completely detached from critical areas, particularly the dorsal spokes at the transition between the main bone and the flank bones, i.e., scraped. The guiding section directs the detached meat outwards, away from the bone structure, so that it remains attached to the fillet and does not tear when the flank bones are being cut free.

[0022] Advantageously, the loosening section is arranged ahead of the guiding section, opposite to the direction of transport T of the fish being processed, such that the flesh to be scraped first encounters the loosening section, at least to loosen the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone, and subsequently the guiding section to scrape free the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone. This design ensures that the flesh to be obtained is first loosened from the bone structure and then guided away from the bone structure.

[0023] Advantageously, the removal section should have a sharp edge at least in part along one of the removal edges facing the flank bones, while the guiding section should have a blunt edge in part to form a guiding edge. This ensures that the meat is reliably scraped from the bone structure and that the removed meat is then guided outwards without damage.

[0024] Preferably, the sharp-edged removal edge extends from a lower edge facing the flank bones to a front edge facing away from the direction of transport T of the fish being processed. This design ensures that the flesh is reliably scraped from the bone structure along its entire length.

[0025] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the blunt guiding edge extends along the lower edge facing the flank bones, in line with the sharp-edged loosening edge, and the blunt guiding edge additionally extends transversely to the transport direction T to form a guide chamfer. This extension and design of the guiding edge ensure the reliable and gentle stripping of the loosened, i.e., scraped, meat.

[0026] Advantageously, the lower edge of each scraping tool, formed by the loosening edge and the guiding edge, slopes downwards in the transport direction T of the fish being processed. This allows the flesh on the dorsal spokes to be loosened independently of and in addition to the active control, down to deep into the transition zone between the main bone and the flank bones.

[0027] In a first embodiment, the scraping device is designed separately from the unchopping device, which is arranged upstream of the cutting unit in the transport direction T and downstream of the cutting unit in the transport direction T. This option allows for easy retrofitting of the scraping device to existing filleting machines. A particularly preferred embodiment is characterized in that the scraping device is an integral part of the unchopping device, forming a combined unchopping and scraping unit. This creates a particularly compact and stable design that ensures precise and maximum yield in meat processing. Thus, only a single installation space is required for a dual-function device.The inventive design thus enables maximum, product-friendly harvesting of the meat located in the transition zone between the main bone and the flank bones within a very small installation space. This is achieved by first at least partially loosening the flank bones and then scraping the meat located between the flank bones and the main bone from the bone structure. The combined loosening and scraping device is therefore designed and configured to loosen the bone connection between the flank bones and the main bone, at least from the flank bones located towards the head region, i.e., at the head end of the abdominal cavity of the fish being processed, on both sides of the main bone. The flank bones become increasingly stronger and more firmly connected to the main bone and also more pronounced in their curvature towards the head end.The loosening and scraping device is designed and configured to bring these particularly curved flank bones, which lie far outside the plane defined by the separating agent or the counter-layer (where the cutting gap is also located), into a kind of forced contact in order to at least break them up and guide them into the cutting gap formed between the separating agent and the counter-layer. Additionally, the same loosening and scraping device is designed and configured to scrape the meat from the bone structure. Everything described above regarding the scraping device and the scraping tool as separate, independent components also applies accordingly to the combined scraping and loosening device with integrated combination tools. Ultimately, the scraping tools of the scraping device and the loosening elements of the loosening device are essentially identical in construction.This means that the scraping device described above as a separate unit is designed and arranged in the same construction in the transport direction T in front of the separation unit as a combined loosening and scraping device.

[0028] Advantageously, a scraping tool of the scraping device and a release element of the release device each form an integral combination tool, with each combination tool comprising a release section and a guide section. This creates a particularly compact, highly effective, and simple device that requires only a few parts / components for maintenance and / or cleaning, and therefore takes up less space.This achieves a particularly effective method: during the flank cut, i.e., during the freeing of the flank bones, the combination tools, with their loosening sections, first at least partially break the flank bones and then, with their guide sections, bring them into a preferred forced position, namely pressing them against the counter-position of the cutting unit. The same combination tools then use the loosening sections to scrape the meat from the bone structure and, with the guide sections, direct the loosened meat outwards, away from the main bone. The combination tools straighten and slightly rotate the at least partially loosened flank bone so that it lies in the plane defined by the separating agent or the counter-position and can be guided under the separating agent and thus through the cutting gap. Even the originally stiff and strongly curved flank bones can be guided through the cutting gap undamaged in this way.Following the cracking of the flank bones and their passage through the cutting gap, the meat is scraped from the bone structure using the same combination tools, so that the fillets are obtained free of flank bones and / or their residues.

[0029] Advantageously, the combined scraping and loosening device comprises at least two combination tools positioned or arranged on opposite sides of the upper bone guide. These combination tools, preferably arranged in pairs and spaced apart from each other, are simple means of first loosening, at least partially breaking, the flank bones in the transition area to the main bone, preferably simultaneously on both sides of the dorsal spokes, and then scraping off the meat located on the dorsal spokes in the transition area between the main bone and the flank bones, which cannot be reached by the back blades used to expose the dorsal spokes up to the main bone. This ensures a particularly efficient extraction of the meat.

[0030] An advantageous embodiment is characterized in that the combination tools are dynamically controlled and configured, and are detachably connected to a pivoting mechanism to which a pneumatic cylinder is assigned for pivoting the combination tools about a pivot axis S. The combination tools can be controlled by a separate control unit or by a common control unit of the device. For this purpose, all controllable components of the device are connected to the control unit. The active control of the combination tools enables reliable breaking, i.e., cracking, of the flank bones, since the pressure of the combination tools on the flank bones can be kept constant along the entire length of the fish and can also be varied as needed, in particular increased, to reliably crack the flank bones.Furthermore, the active control of the combination tools ensures that the area to be scraped is reliably reached, regardless of the fish size – preferably even individually along the entire length of the fish – and with constant pressure. This allows the meat in the critical area between the flank bones and the main bone, located against the dorsal spokes, to be reliably and reproducibly scraped off and harvested together with the fillet.

[0031] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that each of the two combination tools is assigned a guide element, which is arranged in front of the combination tool in the transport direction T, wherein the guide element additionally has an extension transverse to the transport direction T. The guide element ensures, on the one hand, that the gap between the combination tools and the upper bone guide is closed to prevent the ingress of meat remnants or the like. On the other hand, it ensures that the fish strikes the combination tools in a centered position and that the meat cut free during the back cut is kept away from the dorsal spokes, particularly by the lateral extension of the guide elements transverse to the transport direction T, so that the combination tools can engage the dorsal spokes directly.

[0032] Advantageously, the dissolving section is arranged ahead of the guiding section, opposite to the transport direction T of the fish being processed, such that the flank bones to be loosened and the flesh to be scraped first encounter the dissolving section, at least for the purpose of loosening the flank bones from the main bone and loosening the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone. Subsequently, they encounter the guiding section, which directs the at least partially loosened flank bones into a cutting gap located between the separating agent and the counter-position of the separating unit, and for scraping free the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone. This facilitates particularly effective flesh harvesting, especially ensuring that all the flesh detached from the bone structure remains attached to the fillet, thereby significantly improving the value of the final product.This training ensures the forced and / or controlled loosening and positioning of the flank bones into the desired constrained position and the separation of the flesh from the bone structure during the transport of the fish to be processed through the device.

[0033] Preferably, the release section has a sharp edge at least partially along one release edge facing the flank bones, while the guide section has a blunt edge at least partially to form a guide edge. The sharp release edge allows the release element to apply a point-like force to the connection between the flank bone and the main bone, ensuring that the bone is reliably at least partially fractured. Optionally, surface or linear force applications are also possible. The blunt guide edge effectively ensures that the at least partially fractured flank bone is pressed securely onto the inclined surface of the counter-surface and thus guided through the cutting gap below the release agent. This design also ensures that the meat is reliably scraped from the bone structure and then guided outwards without damage.

[0034] An advantageous further development is characterized by the fact that the sharp-edged removal edge extends from a lower edge facing the flank bones to a front edge that opposes the transport direction T of the fish being processed. With this design and extension of the removal edge, all flank bones can be reliably "picked up" and guided to the lower edge, so that the increasing pressure between the removal element and the flank bone on the lower edge at least partially loosens the bones. This design also ensures that the flesh is reliably scraped from the bone structure along its entire length.

[0035] Preferably, the blunt guiding edge extends along the lower edge facing the flank bones, in line with the sharp-edged loosening edge. The blunt guiding edge also extends transversely to the transport direction T to form a guide chamfer. This extension of the guiding edge can be continuous or offset. The guide chamfer ensures that the at least partially loosened flank bones are pressed into the appropriate / desired position—namely, stretched and slightly rotated against the opposing surface—to guide them through the cutting gap. The aforementioned extension and design of the guiding edge further guarantee the reliable and gentle removal of the loosened, i.e., scraped, meat.

[0036] Advantageously, the lower edge of each combination tool, formed by the loosening edge and the guiding edge, is designed to slope downwards in the transport direction T of the fish being processed. This reduces the distance between the lower edge of the loosening elements and the flank bones during transport in the transport direction T through the device. As a result, the pressure of the combination tools on the flank bones increases, creating forced contact and reliably loosening / breaking the flank bones, at least those at the head end of the abdominal cavity of the fish being processed. This effect can be selectively and individually enhanced by dynamic control. Furthermore, this design allows the flesh to be loosened along the dorsal radius bones down to the transition zone between the main bone and the flank bones.

[0037] The problem is also solved by a filleting machine mentioned at the outset, which is characterized by the fact that the device for removing the flank bones is designed according to one or more of claims 1 to 26. The resulting advantages have already been mentioned in connection with the device for removing the bones, so to avoid repetition, reference is made here to the relevant passages.

[0038] The problem is also solved by a method comprising the steps mentioned above, characterized in that, following the at least partial loosening of the flank bones, the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone is scraped from the flank bones. By loosening the flank bones on the one hand and scraping the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone on the other, the yield when harvesting the fish fillets can be increased, since the flesh in the aforementioned areas can be detached from the bone structure and obtained while remaining attached to the fillet.

[0039] The flesh between the flank bones and the main bone is scraped either before or after the flank bones are freed from the dorsal spokes. In one variation, the flank bones are (partially) cracked by the dislodging device after the back cut, i.e., after the dorsal spokes have been freed, and before the flank bones are freed. Only after the flank bones have been freed is the flesh between the flank bones and the main bone scraped from the bone structure. In the final step, the fish fillets containing the scraped flesh are completely separated from the main bone. In a preferred variation, both the partial dislodging of the flank bones and the scraping of the flesh between the flank bones and the main bone take place before the flank bones are freed.

[0040] For this purpose, a combined loosening and scraping device is advantageously inserted into the meat, which has been previously loosened by back knives, first loosening the flank bones at least partially and then scraping off the meat remaining on the flank bones before the flank bones are cut free.

[0041] The combined loosening and scraping device is particularly advantageous when, after the flank bones have been loosened, it is actively moved downwards, perpendicular to the transport plane, to at least partially scrape the meat through this dynamic movement, especially due to the resulting pressure on the flank bones. However, the combined loosening and scraping device can also be actively moved downwards even during the initial loosening of the flank bones to increase the pressure on them. Furthermore, the dynamic control of the loosening and scraping device allows for compensation of changing distances between the combined tools of the loosening and scraping device and the bone structure, particularly those caused by anatomical variations.

[0042] Advantageously, at least the flank bones located towards the head region on both sides of the main bone are loosened, preferably at least fractured. These flank bones, which extend in a strongly curved arc around the abdominal cavity from the main bone in the head region and exhibit great stability, are loosened or fractured before the actual cutting and scraping of the meat and brought into a position in which they fit through the cutting gap formed between the separating agent and the counter-surface of a separating unit for cutting the flank bones.

[0043] Advantageously, at least to loosen the herringbone connection between the flank and main bones, a preferably point load is applied in order to break the tight connection. By applying the force at a single point in the area of ​​the herringbone connection, a reliable and safe breaking or rupture of the connection can be ensured.

[0044] A preferred further development is characterized by the fact that the point load on the bone connection increases with the transport of the fish to be processed in the transport direction T and / or through the dynamic movement of the loosening and scraping device. This significantly increases the reliability and efficiency of loosening, cracking, breaking, and / or breaking the bones on the one hand, and the efficiency of scraping the flesh located between the flank bones and the main bone on the other, particularly in the case of the flank bones located at the head end of the abdominal cavity of the fish to be processed.

[0045] Preferably, the at least partially loosened flank bones are rotated and guided into a cutting gap formed between a separating agent and a counter-position of a cutting unit for freeing the flank bones. By loosening the bones and thus breaking or eliminating the rigid bone connection, the loosened flank bones can be pressed, for example, during continuous transport of the fish to be processed in the direction of transport T or against the direction of transport T, so that the flank bones rotate flatly to the side and lie in the plane defined by the separating agent or the counter-position. In other words, the cutting gap is formed in the working position between the flat separating agent, for example, a circular blade, and the flat counter-position, which can be a single piece or preferably multi-piece.The plane defined by the release agent lies essentially parallel to the plane defined by the counter-surface, offset only by the size of the cutting gap. Depending on the viewing angle, the plane of the release agent lies above or below the plane of the counter-surface to form the cutting gap. Accordingly, the flank burrs are, strictly speaking, forced onto the surface of the counter-surface and guided into a position between the two previously defined planes, namely within the cutting gap, to ensure that all flank burrs pass through the cutting gap without damage.

[0046] The method is particularly preferably carried out using a filleting machine according to claim 27. Further advantages arising therefrom have been described in detail above, and therefore reference is made to the relevant passages to avoid repetition.

[0047] Further suitable and / or advantageous features and developments of the device and the filleting machine, as well as of the corresponding method, are described in the dependent claims and the description. Particularly preferred embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a filleting machine with a device according to the invention for cutting away the side bones,

[0049] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view through the device according to Figure 1 in the transport direction T with a flank section of a fish of the species European sea bass, before the combined loosening and scraping device comes into contact with the flank bones,

[0050] Fig. 3 shows the view according to Figure 2, with the loosening and scraping device in contact with the flank bones,

[0051] Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the loosening and scraping device arranged in the area of ​​the upper fishbone guide, in an enlarged view from an oblique angle above.

[0052] Fig. 5 shows the view according to Figure 4 from a low angle,

[0053] Fig. 6 shows the representation according to Figures 4 and 5 in side view,

[0054] Fig. 7 shows a side view of a combination tool associated with a pivoting mechanism of the release and scraping device in an enlarged view; Fig. 8 shows the front view according to Figure 7.

[0055] Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a combination unit in enlarged representation, and

[0056] Fig. 10 shows a pair of two of the combination tool shown in Figure 9 in perspective view.

[0057] The device shown and according to the invention is used for cutting away the flank bones (hereinafter also referred to as rib bones) of beheaded, gutted, and preferably opened fish of the species European sea bass, which are transported tail-first in the direction of their swimming motion. The device can, of course, also be used to detach the fillets from the ribs of other fish species. It can also be used with fish transported head-first in the direction of their swimming motion. The invention also relates to devices for cutting away the flank bones of beheaded, gutted fish that have not yet been opened in their abdominal cavity.

[0058] In the device 10 shown in the drawing for removing the flank bones 11, the device 10 is shown and described only for processing one side of a fish for the sake of clarity. In practice, however, the components described below are located on both sides of a fish 12 to be processed, so that the two fillets of a fish 12 can preferably be separated from the flank bones 11 simultaneously on both sides, but optionally also with a time delay.

[0059] The illustrated device 10 is designed and equipped for cutting away the flank bones 11 of beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened fish 12, which are transported tail-first in the transport direction T with their main bone 13 resting on transport saddles 14.This device 10 comprises at least one frame 15 and associated with it an upper bone guide 16, which is designed and configured to guide the main bone 13 from the dorsal side of the fish 12 to be processed; a lower bone guide 17, which is designed and configured to guide ventral spokes 18 of the fish 12 to be processed, extending from the tail to the abdominal cavity; a separating unit 19 for separating fish fillets from the flank bones 11 surrounding the abdominal cavity of the fish 12 to be processed, wherein the separating unit 19 comprises a separating means 20 with a corresponding counter-position 21 and can be moved from a waiting position to a working position and vice versa; and a loosening device 22 arranged in the area of ​​the upper bone guide 16, which is designed at least to loosen the bone connection 23 between flank bones 11 and main bone 13 of at least some of the The flank bones are 11 formed and equipped.

[0060] According to the invention, this device 10 is characterized in that a scraping device 24 is arranged in the area of ​​the upper bone guide 16, which is designed and equipped to loosen at least parts of the meat located between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13.

[0061] The features and further developments described below represent preferred embodiments, either individually or in combination. It is expressly pointed out that features summarized in the claims and / or the description and / or the drawing, or described in a common embodiment, can also functionally and independently further develop the device 10 described above.

[0062] The features described below relate to the preferred embodiment in which the scraping device 24 is an integral part of the release device 22, forming a combined release and scraping device 25. In other embodiments not shown, the scraping device 24 is designed separately from the release device 22, which is arranged upstream of the separating unit 19 in the transport direction T, and downstream of the separating unit 19 in the transport direction T. The features described below with reference to the release and scraping device 25 apply equally to both the release device 22 and the scraping device 24. Accordingly, embodiments are also disclosed in which both the release device 22 and the scraping device 24 are designed as separate units, each with all the features described in connection with the combined release and scraping device 25.The release and scraping device 25 comprises at least one integral combination tool 26, preferably two integral combination tools 26, each consisting of a scraping tool 27 of the scraping device 24 and a release element 28 of the release device 22. The scraping tool 27 and the release element 28 can be identical in construction and, in the described embodiment, form one and the same combination tool 26. A single combination tool 26 of the release and scraping device 25, which can also be a release element 28 of the release device 22 or a scraping tool 27 of the scraping device 24, is shown in Figure 9. Two such combination tools 26 form a tool pair, as shown in Figure 10. The combined scraping and release device 25 thus comprises two combination tools 26, which are positioned or arranged on opposite sides of the upper herringbone guide 16.

[0063] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the loosening and scraping device 25 is designed and configured to loosen the bone connection 23 between flank bones 11 and main bone 13 at least from the flank bones 11 located towards the head region, i.e. at the head-side end of the abdominal cavity of the fish 12 to be processed, on both sides of the main bone 13, and to scrape the flesh located between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13 on both sides of the main bone 13. The upper bone guide 16 comprises at least two guide jaws 29, 30, which are spaced apart from each other, such that their free, downward-facing ends are designed and arranged to guide the main bone 13 from the dorsal side, and the inner sides of the guide jaws 29, 30 facing each other provide sufficient space, the so-called guide gap 31, to ensure the passage of the dorsal spokes 32.From the ventral side, the main bone 13 is guided on the one hand by the transport saddle 14, and on the other hand, namely especially in the area from the abdominal cavity to the tail end, by the lower bone guide 17.

[0064] The loosening and scraping device 25 is designed and configured to be dynamically controlled. Specifically, the combination tools 26 are designed and configured to be dynamically, i.e., actively, controllable. For this purpose, the loosening and scraping device 25 comprises at least one pivoting mechanism 33, the two combination tools 26 preferably detachably connected to the pivoting mechanism 33, and a pneumatic cylinder 34 for pivoting the combination tools 26 about a pivot axis S. The pivot axis S is located upstream of the combination tools 26 in the transport direction T of the fish 12. The pivoting mechanism 33 comprises at least one pivot arm 35, which is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis S on the frame 15. Each pivot arm 35, preferably two pivot arms 35, which are positioned on opposite sides of the upper bone guide 16, is connected at one end 36 to each combination tool 26.The other end 37 of the swivel arm 35 is guided in a guide 38. In the illustrated embodiment, each swivel arm 35 is designed in two parts. A first partial or lever arm 39 of the swivel arm 35 extends from each combination tool 26 to the pivot axis S. The second partial or lever arm 40 of each swivel arm 35 extends from the pivot axis S to the guide 38. The swivel arm 35 is sandwiched between the two combination tools 26 at its end 36. Preferably, there is a detachable connection between the combination tools 26 and the swivel arm 35.

[0065] The pneumatic cylinder 34, by means of which the pivoting mechanism 33 is pivotable about the pivot axis S, comprises at least one housing 41 and a piston movable within the housing 41 with a piston rod 42, wherein the housing 41 of the pneumatic cylinder 34 is pivotally mounted on the frame 15 such that the housing 41 of the pneumatic cylinder 34 is movable relative to the frame 15 about an axis A, and the piston rod 42 of the pneumatic cylinder 34 is pivotally connected to the pivoting mechanism 33 such that the piston rod 42 of the pneumatic cylinder 34 is movable relative to the pivoting mechanism 33 about an axis B. Each combination tool 26 is movable via the pivoting mechanism 33 by means of the pneumatic cylinder 34 and is designed and configured, in particular, to perform a tilting movement about the pivot axis S from an upper starting position to a lower working position and back.The tilting movement allows the combination tools 26 to be moved downwards to increase the pressure on the flank bones 11. Furthermore, the tilting movement enables the bone structure to be scraped free along and near the dorsal spokes 32 up to the transition area of ​​the flank bones 11 to the main bone 13. Each combination tool 26 comprises a loosening section 43 and a guiding section 44.The loosening section 43 is arranged ahead of the guiding section 44 in the opposite direction T of the transport direction T of the fish 12 to be processed, such that the flank bones 11 to be loosened and the flesh to be scraped first encounter the loosening section 43 at least to loosen the flank bones 11 from the main bone 13 and to loosen the flesh located between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13 and subsequently the guiding section 44 to guide the at least loosened flank bones 11 into a cutting gap 45 existing between the separating agent 20 and the counter-position 21 of the separating unit 19 and to scrape free the flesh located between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13. The design of the release sections 43 and the guide sections 44 can vary, as can the arrangement and assignment of release section 43 to the respective guide section 44.

[0066] The removal section 43 has at least a partially sharp edge on a removal edge 46 facing the flank bones 11, while the guide section 44 has a partially blunt edge to form a guide edge 47. In the exemplary embodiment, the sharp-edged removal edge 46 even extends from a lower edge 48 facing the flank bones 11 to the area of ​​a front edge 49 facing the direction of transport T of the fish 12 to be processed. Sharp-edged can mean that the removal edge 46 is actually razor-sharp. In other embodiments, it is sufficient if the removal edge 46 is provided with converging flanks such that the breaking up of the flank bones 11 or the loosening and scraping of the flesh from the bone structure is ensured.The blunt guide edge 47 extends along the lower edge 48 facing the flank ridges 11, in extension of the sharp-edged release edge 46, and the blunt guide edge 47 also extends transversely to the transport direction T to form a guide chamfer 50. The shape of the blunt guide edge 47 and its relationship to the release edge 46 can also vary.

[0067] The guide chamfer 50 is a blunt and beveled edge designed and configured to press the flank ridges 11, which have been at least partially detached by the release edge 46, into the desired position. The desired position is defined as one in which the flank ridges 11 are brought by the guide chamfer 50 from their originally curved orientation (see in particular Figure 2) into the twisted and flattened, essentially linear orientation (see in particular Figure 3) and lie there to be guided through the cutting gap 45 between the release agent 20 and the counter surface 21. By means of the guide chamfer 50, which is inclined downwards transversely to the transport direction T from the release edge 46, the flank ridges 11 are pressed against the counter surface 21 until they lie essentially in the plane defined by the counter surface 21 and below the release agent 20, i.e., in the cutting gap 39.

[0068] The lower edge 48 of each combination tool 26, formed by the release edge 46 and the guide edge 47, slopes downwards in the transport direction T of the fish 12 being processed. The release edge 46 and the guide edge 47 essentially merge into one another in the transport direction T. In the preferred embodiment according to the drawing, the lower edge 48 of each combination tool 26, formed by the release edge 46 and the guide edge 47, slopes downwards in the transport direction T of the fish 12 being processed. Preferably, however, the flank bones 11 do not lie continuously against the lower edge 48 during transport, since the guide edge 47 is offset vertically relative to the release edge 46 in the transport direction T. In other words, the lower edge 48 makes a step 51 at the transition from the release edge 46 to the guide edge 47.First, the pressure of the lower edge 48 on the flank ridges 11 is continuously increased by the release edge 46, which slopes down in the transport direction T, until the flank ridges 11 are at least partially fractured. Then, the maximum pressure on the flank ridges 11 is initially relieved by the setback 51 in the lower edge 48 and increased again by the guide edge 47, which also slopes down in the transport direction T and is inclined obliquely downwards perpendicular to the transport direction T. Simultaneously, the flank ridges 11 are laterally "folded over" by the guide chamfer 50 so that they can be guided flat and linearly through the cutting gap 45.

[0069] The combination tools 26 can be made of multiple parts. Preferably, however, the combination tools 26 are made of a single piece. The thickness of the combination tools 26, and in particular their extent transverse to the transport direction T, is selected, on the one hand, to ensure the effect of loosening / breaking and scraping, and, on the other hand, to ensure that the fish 12 to be processed, whose fillets are already partially separated from the skeleton by back and belly cuts when reaching the device 10, is not damaged by the combination tools 26 and that the scraped flesh is directed away from the skeleton.

[0070] Each of the two combination tools 26 is assigned a guide element 52, which is arranged in front of the combination tool 26 in the transport direction T, and which also extends transversely to the transport direction T. The guide elements 52 are fixedly but detachably attached to the frame 15. Between the guide elements 52 on the one hand and the combination tools 26 on the other, there is only a very narrow gap in the transport direction T. Transversely to the transport direction T, the guide element 52 essentially covers the gap existing between the combination tools 26 and the guide jaws 29, 30 of the upper jig guide 16.

[0071] In embodiments not shown, several release elements 28 and / or scraping tools 27 and / or combination tools 26 can also be provided one after the other on one or both sides of the upper bone guide 16 in the transport direction T. It is also possible that the release elements 28 and / or the scraping tools 27 and / or the combination tools 26 are arranged on a handling device, for example a multi-axis robot arm or the like, the function of which is coordinated with the control of the cutting unit 19. Means for detecting fish-specific data and information can also be connected to the control, as can, for example, the conveying means for transporting the fish 12 to be processed through the device 10, so that individual or synchronized control of the release elements 28 and / or scraping tools 27 and / or combination tools 26 is ensured.

[0072] For a better understanding of the device 10 according to the invention, an exemplary embodiment of the device 10 is described, particularly with regard to the design of the separating unit 19. It is expressly pointed out that this is only an exemplary option and the separating unit 19 can also have a different design. By means of the bone guides 16, 17, the fish 12 to be processed, which is usually transported on the transport saddle 14 into the area of ​​the separating unit 19, is held in a defined position such that the fish 12 lies in a defined orientation with respect to the separating unit 19. The separating unit 19 has the separating element 20, to which the corresponding counter-position 21 is assigned. The separating element 20 of the device 10 can, for example, be designed as a rotating circular knife 53 and can be driven in a rotating manner by means of a drive with variable speed (not explicitly shown).The counter-position 21 is preferably designed in two parts: a fixed support element 54, which, together with the circular blade 53, is designed and arranged to be movable from the standby position to the working position and back; and a separate, variable support element 55, which is designed to be movable relative to the fixed support element 54, and in particular, is movable against a spring force. The entire cutting unit 19 is generally in a standby position. The fixed support element 54 has a defined gap to the circular blade 53, the size of which corresponds to the cutting gap 45. For example, the size of the gap can be 0.5 to 1 mm, but also 2 mm or more.

[0073] The movable support element 55 is positioned slightly higher than the fixed support element 54 in the waiting position. In other words, the support elements 54 and 55 span different planes in the waiting position, which are parallel and offset, and thus do not form a common plane. The movable support element 55 extends further in the opposite direction of transport T than the fixed support element 54, so that when the fish 12 to be processed enters, the flank bones 11 initially run up against the movable support element 55 and may even rest on top of it. As soon as the first flank bone 11, which is moving ahead in the direction of transport T, reaches the working area of ​​the circular knife 53, the cutting unit 19 is moved upwards from the waiting position into the working position.First, the circular cutter 53 and the fixed support element 54 associated with the circular cutter 53 are moved upwards together, without changing the constant but adjustable gap distance.

[0074] Once the fixed support element 54 is at the same height as the movable support element 55, and the two support elements 54 and 55 thus form a common flat surface and a common plane parallel to the plane spanned by the circular blade 53, further upward movement of the circular blade 53 and the fixed support element 54 into the final working position causes the movable support element 55 to be carried along, for example, by mechanical drivers or optionally by active control. In the final working position, the cutting gap 45 is then formed between the underside of the circular blade 53 and the common surface of the two support sections 54 and 55. The movements of the circular blade 53 and the support sections 54 and 55 can be linear, for example. However, pivoting movements using suitable drive means are preferred.

[0075] Due to the exemplary arrangement and design of the cutting unit 19, the flank bones 11 rest on the movable support elements 55 as they enter the area of ​​the device 10, while the belly flaps of the already partially cut fish fillets extend into the area of ​​the fixed support elements 54. The release elements 28 and / or the scraping tools 27 and / or the combination tools 26 of the release device 21 or the scraping device 24 or the combined release and scraping device 25 therefore interact with the movable support elements 55. The flank bones 11 rest on the surface of the support element 55.The support elements 55 are brought into contact with the support element 55 by being lifted along with it, and are subjected to localized pressure from above by the release sections 43 until they break (or begin to break). They are then rotated by the guide sections 28 and 29 so that they lie flat on the surface of the movable support element 55. If the contact pressure exerted on the flank ridges 11 by the release elements 28 and / or the scraping tools 27 and / or the combination tools 26 becomes too high, the contact pressure can be compensated for or limited by the spring-loaded arrangement / suspension of the movable support element 55. In optional embodiments, an actuating device (not shown) may also be provided, which is designed and configured for actively controlling the displacement of the movable support element 55.In other words, the pressure on the flank ribs 11 can be controlled and adjusted by actively actuating the evasibly positioned support element 55 using the actuating means.

[0076] The device 10 can be designed as a standalone unit. In this case, the device 10 itself comprises conveying means with at least one transport saddle 14. However, the device 10 described above is particularly preferably a component of a filleting machine 56.The filleting machine 56 for filleting beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened fish 12 comprises back knives 57 for exposing the dorsal spokes 32 up to the main bone 13, belly knives 58 for exposing the ventral spokes 18 extending from the tail to the abdominal cavity up to the main bone 13, a device 10 for cutting away flank bones 11, separating knives 59 for separating the fillets in the tail region from the main bone 13 by cutting through the bridge left around the main bone 13 by belly and back knives 58, 57, an endless conveyor 60 for transporting the fish 12 tail first, and a number of transport saddles 14 arranged on the conveyor 60 for securely receiving the fish 12 in their abdominal cavity. This filleting machine 56 is characterized according to the invention in that the device 10 for cutting away the flank bones 11 is designed according to one or more of claims 1 to 26.

[0077] In the event that fish 12 are processed with the abdominal cavity not yet opened, the abdominal knives 58 are used additionally to open the abdominal cavity.

[0078] The procedure principle is explained in more detail below, particularly with reference to the drawing:

[0079] The fish 12 to be processed is beheaded and gutted before being placed on the transport saddle 14, so that the abdominal cavity of the fish 12 is preferably also opened. The "headless" fish is then pushed onto the transport saddle 14 until a stop surface of the transport saddle 14 contacts the end of the abdominal cavity. The fish 12, thus positioned, is preferably transported tail-first through a filleting machine 56. During this process, the dorsal spokes 32 are preferably cut sequentially up to the main bone 13, followed by the ventral spokes 18 up to the main bone 13, and finally the flank bones 11. Before and / or during the cutting of the flank bones 11, at least some of the flank bones are at least partially loosened in the area of ​​their osseointegration 23 with the main bone 13.The fillets are then separated from the main bone 13 in the tail area by cutting through the bridge left around the main bone 13 when the dorsal and ventral spokes 32, 18 were cut free.

[0080] According to the invention, following the at least partial loosening of the flank bones 11, the meat located between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13 is scraped from the flank bones 11. Preferably, the meat between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13 is scraped from the dorsal spokes 32 before the flank bones 11 are freed. For this purpose, a combined loosening and scraping device 25 is inserted into the meat previously loosened by back blades 57. First, the flank bones 11 are at least partially loosened, and then the meat remaining attached to the flank bones 11 is scraped off before the flank bones 11 are freed. Firstly, the loosening of the flank bones 11 and the scraping of the bone structure are carried out by the design and setup as well as the positioning of combination tools 26 of the loosening and scraping device 25.Secondly, the loosening of the flank bones 11 and / or the scraping of the bone structure are supported by the dynamic movement of the combination tools from an upper starting position to a lower working position.

[0081] For this purpose, the combined loosening and scraping device 25 is actively controlled downwards, perpendicular to the transport plane, at the latest after the flank bones 11 have been loosened, in order to scrape off at least part of the flesh through this dynamic movement, particularly through the pressure exerted on the flank bones 11. However, the active movement of the combination tools 26 of the loosening and scraping device 25 by pivoting about a pivot axis S using the pivoting mechanism 33 can also be triggered earlier, for example, when the fish 12 reaches the combination tools 26. This allows the flank bones 11 to be loosened first and then the flesh to be scraped from the bone structure in a continuous movement of the combination tools 26.

[0082] Due to the relative movement of the fish 12 with respect to the combination tools, caused by the transport of the fish 12 on the one hand and / or the active movement of the combination tools 26 on the other, at least the flank bones 11 located towards the head region on both sides of the main bone 13 are loosened, preferably at least fractured, and the flesh located between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13 is scraped from the bone structure. In other words, the firm and rigid connection of the flank bones 11 to the main bone 13 is loosened or completely separated, so that the flank bones 11 can be rotated from their curved structure into a flat position / orientation before the fish 12 to be processed reaches a cutting gap 45 of a separating unit 19 with its flank bones 11 for cutting the flank bones 11 free.

[0083] To loosen the bone connection 23 between the flank bones 11 and the main bone 13, a preferably point load is applied to separate the tight connection. Preferably, the point load on the bone connection 23 increases with the transport of the fish 12 to be processed in the transport direction T and can be further increased by actively controlling the combination tools 26 downwards. After loosening / breaking / breaking, the at least partially loosened flank bones 11 are rotated and guided into a cutting gap 45 formed between a separating agent 20 and a counter-position 21 of a cutting unit 19 for cutting the flank bones 11 free. Not only can the point load on the bone connection 23 increase due to the dynamic movement of the loosening and scraping device 25.The combination tools 26 also reach deeper into the transition area of ​​the flank bones 11 to the main bone 13 along the dorsal spokes 32 in order to scrape the meat located there from the bone skeleton.

[0084] The loosening or breaking, or complete breaking, of the flank bones 11, followed by feeding the flattened flank bones 11 into the cutting gap 45 and scraping the bone structure free, can be carried out in various ways. The method is particularly preferably carried out with a filleting machine 56 according to claim 27.

Claims

1. Device (10), designed and equipped for cutting away the flank bones (11) of beheaded, slaughtered, and preferably opened fish (12) which are transported tail-first in the transport direction T with their main bone (13) resting on transport saddles (14), comprising at least a frame (15) and an associated upper bone guide (16) designed and equipped to guide the main bone (13) from the dorsal side of the fish (12) to be processed, a lower bone guide (17) designed and equipped to guide ventral spokes (18) of the fish (12) to be processed, extending from the tail to the abdominal cavity, and a separating unit (19) for separating fish fillets from the flank bones (11) surrounding the abdominal cavity of the fish (12) to be processed.wherein the separating unit (19) comprises a separating agent (20) with a corresponding counter-position (21) and is moveable from a waiting position to a working position and vice versa, and a loosening device (22) arranged in the area of ​​the upper bone guide (16), which is designed and configured at least for loosening the bone connection (23) between flank bones (11) and main bone (13) of at least some of the flank bones (11), thereby indicating that a scraping device (24) is arranged in the area of ​​the upper bone guide (16), which is designed and configured for loosening at least parts of the meat located between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the scraping device (24) is designed and configured to be dynamically controllable.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the scraping device (24) comprises at least one pivoting mechanism (33), at least one scraping tool (27) preferably detachably connected to the pivoting mechanism (33) and a pneumatic cylinder (34) for pivoting the scraping tool (27) about a pivot axis S.

4. Device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the scraping device (24) comprises two scraping tools (27) which are arranged on top of each other are positioned or arranged on opposite sides of the upper rib guide (16).

5. Device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the pivot axis S in the transport direction T of the fish is positioned in front of the scraping tool (27).

6. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the pivoting mechanism (33) comprises at least one pivoting arm (35) which is pivotally mounted about the pivot axis S on the frame (15).

7. Device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the swivel arm (35) is connected at one end (36) to the scraping tool or each scraping tool (27).

8. Device (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the swivel arm (35) is guided at its other end (37) in a guide (38).

9. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 3 to 8, characterized in that the pneumatic cylinder (34) comprises at least one housing (41) and a piston movable within the housing (41) with a piston rod (42), wherein the housing (41) of the pneumatic cylinder (34) is pivotally mounted on the frame (15) such that the housing (41) of the pneumatic cylinder (34) is movable relative to the frame (15) about an axis A, and the piston rod (42) of the pneumatic cylinder (34) is pivotally connected to the pivoting mechanism (33) such that the piston rod (42) of the pneumatic cylinder (34) is movable relative to the pivoting mechanism (33) about an axis B.

10. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each scraping tool (27) comprises a release section (43) and a guide section (44).

11. Device (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the loosening section (43) is arranged ahead of the guide section (44) in the opposite direction of transport T of the fish (12) to be processed, such that the flesh to be scraped first encounters the loosening section (43) at least to loosen the flesh located between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13) and subsequently the guide section (44) to scrape free the flesh located between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13).

12. Device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the release section (43) is formed with sharp edges at least in sections at least on a release edge (46) facing the flank ridges (11), while the guide section (44) is formed with blunt edges at least in sections to form a guide edge (47).

13. Device (10) according to claim 12, characterized in that the sharp-edged release edge (46) extends from a lower edge (48) facing the flank bones (11) to the area of ​​a front edge (49) facing the direction of transport T of the fish (12) to be processed.

14. Device (10) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the blunt guide edge (47) extends in extension of the sharp-edged release edge (46) on the lower edge (48) facing the flank ridges (11), wherein the blunt guide edge (47) additionally has an extension transverse to the transport direction T to form a guide chamfer (50).

15. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the lower edge (48) of each scraping tool formed from the release edge (46) and the guide edge (47) is designed to slope downwards in the transport direction T of the fish (12) to be processed.

16. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the scraping device (24) is designed separately from the release device (22), which is arranged in the transport direction T in front of the separating unit (19), and is arranged in the transport direction T behind the separating unit (19).

17. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the scraping device (24) for forming a combined release and scraping device (25) is an integral part of the release device (22).

18. Device (10) according to claim 17, characterized in that a scraping tool (27) of the scraping device (24) and a release element (28) of the release device (22) each form an integral combination tool (26), wherein each combination tool (26) comprises a release section (43) and a guide section (44).

19. Device (10) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the combined scraping and loosening device (25) comprises at least two combination tools (26) which are positioned or arranged on opposite sides of the upper fishbone guide (16).

20. Device (10) according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the combination tools (26) are designed and configured to be dynamically controllable and are detachably connected to a pivoting mechanism (33) to which a pneumatic cylinder (34) is assigned for pivoting the combination tools (26) about a pivoting axis S.

21. Device (10) according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that each of the two combination tools (26) is assigned a guide element (52) which is arranged in the transport direction T in front of the combination tool (26), wherein the guide element (52) additionally has an extension transverse to the transport direction T.

22. Device according to one or more of claims 18 to 21, characterized in that the loosening section (43) is arranged leading ahead of the guide section (44) in the opposite direction T of the transport direction of the fish (12) to be processed, such that the flank bones (11) to be loosened and the flesh to be scraped first reach the loosening section (43) at least to loosen the flank bones (11) from the main bone (13) and to loosen the tissue located between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13). meat and subsequently meet the guide section (44) to guide the at least partially detached flank bones (11) into a cutting gap (45) existing between the separating agent (20) and the counter-position (21) of the separating unit (19) and to scrape free the meat located between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13).

23. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 18 to 22, characterized in that the release section (43) is formed with sharp edges at least in sections at least on a release edge (46) facing the flank ridges (11), while the guide section (44) is formed with blunt edges at least in sections to form a guide edge (47).

24. Device (10) according to claim 23, characterized in that the sharp-edged release edge (46) extends from a lower edge (48) facing the flank bones (11) to the area of ​​a front edge (49) facing the direction of transport T of the fish (12) to be processed.

25. Device (10) according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the blunt guide edge (47) extends in extension of the sharp-edged release edge (46) on the lower edge (48) facing the flank ridges (11), wherein the blunt guide edge (47) additionally has an extension transverse to the transport direction T to form a guide chamfer (50).

26. Device (10) according to one or more of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the lower edge (48) of each combination tool (26) formed from the release edge (46) and the guide edge (47) is designed to slope downwards in the transport direction T of the fish (12) to be processed.

27. Filleting machine (56) for filleting beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened fish (12) in their abdominal cavity, comprising a back knife (57) for exposing dorsal spokes (32) up to the main bone (13), a belly knife (58) for exposing ventral spokes (18) extending from the tail to the abdominal cavity up to the main bone (13), a device (10) for cutting away flank bones (11), and a separating knife (59) for separating the fillets in the tail region from the main bone (13) by cutting through the bridge left around the main bone (13) by belly and back knives (58, 57), an endless conveyor (60) for transporting the fish (12) tail first, and a number of transport saddles (14) arranged on the conveyor (60) for securely receiving the fish (12) in their abdominal cavity, that the device (10) for cutting free the flank bones (11) is designed according to one or more of claims 1 to 26.

28. Method for filleting beheaded, slaughtered and preferably opened in their abdominal cavity fish (12), comprising the steps: - Transporting the fish to be processed (12) tail first in transport direction T through a filleting machine (56), - Clearing the dorsal spokes (32) up to the main bone (13), - Clear the ventral spokes (18) up to the main bone (13), - at least partial detachment of the flank bones (11) at least partially in the area of ​​their osseointegration (23) to the main bone (13), - Clearing the flank bones (11), and - Separating the fillets in the tail area from the main bone (13) by cutting through the bridge left around the main bone (13) when freeing the dorsal and ventral spokes (32, 18), thereby making it clear that, following at least partial loosening of the flank bones (11), meat located between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13) is scraped from the flank bones (11).

29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the meat between the flank bones (11) and the main bone (13) is optionally scraped before or after the flank bones (11) are freed from the dorsal spokes (32).

30. Method according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that a combined loosening and scraping device (25) is inserted into the previously prepared The meat is loosened with back knives (57), first loosening the flank bones (11) at least partially and then scraping off the meat remaining on the flank bones (11) before the flank bones (11) are cut free.

31. Method according to claim 30, characterized in that the combined loosening and scraping device (25) is actively controlled downwards, perpendicular to the transport plane, at the latest after the flank bones (11) have been loosened, in order to scrape off at least part of the meat by means of the dynamic movement, in particular by the pressure on the flank bones (11) that arises therefrom.

32. Method according to one or more of claims 28 to 31, characterized in that at least the flank ridges (11) located in the direction of the head region are loosened, preferably at least partially fractured, on both sides of the main ridge (13).

33. Method according to one or more of claims 28 to 32, characterized in that at least to loosen the herringbone connection (23) between flank herringbones (11) and main herringbones (13) a preferably point load is applied in order to separate the tight connection.

34. Method according to one or more of claims 31 to 33, characterized in that the point load on the bone connection (23) increases with transport of the fish (12) to be processed in transport direction T and / or through the dynamic movement of the loosening and scraping device (25).

35. Method according to one or more of claims 28 to 34, characterized in that the at least partially loosened flank burrs (11) are rotated and guided into a cutting gap (45) formed between a separating agent (20) and a counter-position (21) of a separating unit (19) for cutting free the flank burrs (11).

36. Method according to one or more of claims 28 to 35, characterized in that it is carried out with a filleting machine (56) according to claim 27.

Images