Assembly and method for beheading slaughtered fish

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (10) for beheading slaughtered fish (11), comprising a trough conveyor (12) for a transverse axial conveying of the slaughtered fish (11) abdomen-first in the transport direction T on a substantially horizontal transport plane E, a device (13) for securing and aligning the fish (11) in troughs (14) of the trough conveyor (12) before and during the beheading process, and a device (15) for completely separating the head (16) from the fish body (17). The trough conveyor (12) has a plurality of troughs (14), each of which is intended for receiving an individual fish (11), and each trough (14) comprises a head support (18) and a body support (19) at a distance to the head support (18). The trough conveyor (12) is associated with means (21), in the region of a gap (20) formed between each head support (18) and each body support (19), for positioning the fish (11) to be beheaded in the region of the root (22) of the pectoral fins (23), the device (13) for securing and aligning the fish (11) comprising at least one positioning element (24) which is designed and configured to be movable, perpendicularly to the transport plane E, downwards from above onto the fish (11) lying on its side in the region of the head (16) in order to secure the fish (11) in the trough (14) and upwards again and, in order to align the fish (11) in the trough (14), transversely to the transport direction T in such a way that the secured fish (11) can be pressed within the trough (14) in the direction of the tail against the means (21) for positioning the fish (11) to be beheaded in the region of the root (22) of the pectoral fins (23), the device (15) for separating the head (16) from the fish body (17) comprising a separating blade (25) which is situated, in the transport direction T, behind the means (21) for positioning the fish in the region of the gap (20) and is designed and configured to completely separate the head (16). The assembly is characterized in that at least parts of each positioning element (24) are designed and configured to carry out a rotational movement about a rotational axis D in addition to the up-and-down movement perpendicularly to the transport plane E and in addition to the transverse movement in the direction of the means (21) for positioning the fish, the rotational axis being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the transport plane E. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] Arrangement and procedure for beheading killed fish

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to an arrangement designed and configured for beheading killed fish, comprising a trough conveyor for conveying the killed fish belly-first in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T, a device for fixing and aligning the fish in troughs of the trough conveyor before and during beheading, and a device for completely separating the head from the fish body, wherein the trough conveyor has several troughs, each for receiving a single fish, and each trough comprises a head support and a body support spaced apart from the head support, and wherein means for positioning the fish to be beheaded in the region of the base of the pectoral fins are assigned to the trough conveyor in the area of ​​a gap formed therein between each head support and each body support, wherein the device for fixing and aligning the fish comprises at least one positioning element.The device is designed and configured to be movable, firstly, vertically to the transport plane E in the head region, for fixing the fish in the recess downwards from above onto the side-lying fish and upwards again, and secondly, for aligning the fish in the recess transversely to the transport direction T, such that the fixed fish within the recess can be pressed in the tail direction against the means for positioning the fish to be headed in the region of the base of the pectoral fins, wherein the device for separating the head from the fish body comprises a separating blade which is arranged in the area of ​​the gap in the transport direction T behind the means for positioning and is designed and configured for completely separating the head.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method for decapitating killed fish, comprising the steps of: conveying the killed fish belly-first in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor into the area of ​​a device for separating the head from the fish body, fixing the fish in the area of ​​the head of the fish to be decapitated before and during decapitation, and moving the fixed, still undecapitated fish in the tail direction into a predetermined position determined by the pectoral fins of the fish by means of a device for fixing and aligning the fish so that the fish lie in a cutting plane with their predetermined position, and completely separating the head from the fish body by means of a decapitation cut by means of the device for completely separating the head from the fish body.

[0005] Such arrangements and methods are used in the fish processing industry to decapitate killed fish. For this purpose, the fish are transported lying in the troughs with their lengthwise orientation perpendicular to the transport direction T. During transport, the fish lie on their side so that one pectoral fin points upwards towards the positioning aids, while the other pectoral fin points downwards through the gap in each trough. The troughs can be oriented longitudinally at an angle of 90° to the transport direction or at an angle other than 90°, whereby the angle other than 90° is chosen to be small / large enough to ensure that the fish are always transported belly-first in the transport direction T.Before the fish reach the device for completely separating the head from the body, they are first secured by a fixing and alignment device. This involves placing a positioning element on top of the fish's head, fixing it in the recess or on a head support within the recess. Subsequent movement of the positioning element, and thus the fish, in the direction of its tail presses it against the positioning elements. The pectoral fins become entangled at their bases in these elements, stopping the fish's lateral movement and positioning it in the predetermined plane of the cutting process. This cutting plane runs along the gap in each recess. As the fixed and aligned fish are transported in the direction T, they encounter a separating blade of the device in the predetermined position.The stationary separating blade, which is fixed in and against the direction of transport, performs the head cut due to the relative movement of the fish to the separating blade.

[0006] With current arrangements, only a straight head cut is possible, as the fish are transported in their fixed and aligned position along and parallel to the cutting plane. The separating blade determines the cut or cutting line, resulting in a linear cut. The cut or cutting line runs parallel to the transport direction T of the fish. If the troughs, and thus the fish, are oriented transversely (at an angle of 90°) to the transport direction T, the resulting cutting line in the fish is parallel to the transport direction T. If the fish lies at an angle in the trough, or if the trough, and thus the fish, is oriented at an angle other than 90°, the resulting cutting line in the fish is inclined to the longitudinal direction of the fish. In any case, the prior art only allows for a head cut with a straight, linear cutting line.

[0007] WO 01 / 03510 describes a generic arrangement with a corresponding method. A serious disadvantage of the known solution is that the straight head cut separates valuable meat located in the skull plate from the actual fillet meat, which is then discarded unused along with the severed head.

[0008] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a simple arrangement that ensures improved yield efficiency. A further objective is to propose a corresponding method.

[0009] This problem is solved by the aforementioned device in that at least parts of each positioning body are rotatably designed and configured to move about a rotational axis D, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the transport plane E, in addition to the up-and-down movement perpendicular to the transport plane E and the transverse movement in the direction of the positioning means. With this inventive design of the arrangement, namely a rotational movement of parts of the positioning body or the entire positioning body about the rotational axis D during the head-cutting process, an arc-shaped head-cut can be achieved, which in particular allows the meat in and near the skull plate to be obtained. The particular advantage is that the meat in the head region is not only obtained but also remains attached to the fillet meat of the fish, so that more meat can be obtained in one piece.Simply put, the inventive design, due to the additional degree of freedom of at least parts of the positioning body, enables an improved fillet yield. Advantageously, the trough conveyor is driven in a continuous loop, and each trough has a stop on its trailing side (in the transport direction T) for positioning the fish. The stop can be separate from the trough or, for example, formed by a wall element or the like, which is integrally formed with the trough in the area of ​​the head support and / or the body support. Preferably, the stop(s) are positioned at the trailing end of each trough, such that the fish can be positioned with their dorsal side against the stop. This simplifies the pre-positioning of the fish in the troughs for the subsequent, final alignment transverse to the transport direction T, thus enabling qualitatively and quantitatively improved cutting results.

[0010] A preferred embodiment of the arrangement is characterized in that the means for positioning the fish to be decapitated in the region of the base of the pectoral fins comprise at least one catching device, wherein an upper part of the catching device is designed and configured to capture a pectoral fin of the fish facing away from the hollow, and a lower part of the catching device is designed and configured in the region of the gap to capture a pectoral fin of the fish projecting through the gap of the hollow. This arrangement allows each fish lying on its side, regardless of size, to be brought uniformly and symmetrically into a predetermined position in order to perform a maximally efficient decapitation. Each fish, regardless of its characteristics and / or size, can be positioned in the predetermined position in the cutting plane to achieve optimal cutting results.The fishing device can also be designed as a single piece or as more than two pieces and may include elements or components that are designed and set up to hold the fish in a predetermined position.

[0011] Advantageously, the device for fixing and aligning the fish in the respective troughs of the trough conveyor is designed as a carousel conveyor, which is rotatably driven about a pivot axis B oriented transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the transport plane E. The orientation of the pivot axis B transversely to the transport direction T also includes an orientation in which the pivot axis B is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T, preferably at an angle of 90° ± 15°. In such an orientation, the positioning elements or parts thereof are then inclined relative to the troughs of the trough body. However, it is particularly preferred that the pivot axis B is oriented at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T.The carousel conveyor serves as a device for fixing and aligning the fish, ensuring efficient and precise positioning of the fish for preparation of the head cut, coordinated with the transport speed of the trough conveyor.

[0012] A preferred embodiment is characterized in that the carousel conveyor comprises a rotatably driven support element on which several, preferably twelve, positioning bodies are pivotably arranged and evenly distributed around the circumference. This design ensures secure fixing and precise alignment of the fish in sync with their feeding by the trough conveyor into the area of ​​the separation device.

[0013] Advantageously, each positioning element is pivotally mounted on the support element about a pivot axis S, which is aligned parallel to the rotation axis B of the carousel conveyor. This allows each positioning element to be optimally positioned in relation to the fish to be fixed and aligned.

[0014] Particularly preferably, each positioning element, preferably cam-controlled, is designed and configured to pivot from a waiting position to a working position within the trough conveyor, in which its underside is oriented essentially parallel to the transport plane E, and back again about the pivot axis S, wherein the working position extends over at least one trough, preferably two troughs, and particularly preferably over three troughs. The working position thus extends over a functional section along which the positioning element is in contact with the fish. Due to the rotation of the carousel conveyor, the positioning elements repeatedly lower themselves perpendicular to the transport plane E to perform the up-and-down movement. The mobility about the pivot axis S ensures that each positioning element, with its underside, rests as flat as possible against the fish.more precisely, the movement targets the head of the fish and maintains this position throughout the entire working position, i.e., along the entire functional path. Instead of the cam control, other actuation devices can also be used to move the positioning elements from the waiting position to the working position and back.

[0015] Advantageously, each positioning element is designed and configured for a positive-locking and / or force-locking engagement with the fish to be decapitated. A combined engagement design is particularly preferred. A force-locking component is formed by the positioning element resting on the fish's head and the resulting holding force. At least one projection, e.g., in the form of a spike or the like, but preferably several such projections, on the underside of the positioning element facing the recess and thus the fish lying in the recess, ensure a positive-locking engagement for securely fixing and aligning the fish.

[0016] Advantageously, the drive speeds of the trough conveyor and each positioning element are essentially the same, at least in the working position. At least in the working position, where the fish are sandwiched between the trough and the positioning element, the trough conveyor and the positioning elements run at the same speed in the transport direction T, allowing for precise alignment of the fish perpendicular to the transport direction T and precise separation of the head from the body.

[0017] A particularly advantageous embodiment is characterized in that each positioning body comprises a base body and a fixing body rotatably mounted on the base body. This means that the orientation of the base body of the positioning body relative to the groove remains essentially constant during the head-cutting process, while the orientation of the fixing body relative to the base body and also relative to the groove can be changed during the head-cutting process. With this design, at least parts of the fish, preferably and in particular the head of the fish, can be changed in orientation during the head-cutting process in order to shape the cutting line – in particular, an arc shape. The cutting line is therefore not determined solely by the cutting blade, but also actively by the positioning body through a change in the position of at least parts of the fish relative to the cutting blade.

[0018] In a further development of the arrangement, the base body and the fixing body of the positioning body, on the one hand, and each trough of the trough conveyor, on the other hand, are aligned with their longitudinal axes in the same direction and at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T, at least during the fixing and alignment of the fish. This alignment of the longitudinal axes to the transport direction T initially consists of a starting position when the positioning bodies are lowered onto the fish, i.e., during fixing. As soon as the fish is in its predetermined position, i.e., after alignment, and the cutting of the fish has begun, the fixing body is movable relative to the base body, so that the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the fixing body changes to a final position with respect to the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the base body and also with respect to the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the trough.In other words, the longitudinal axis of the fixing body is aligned at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T in the final position.

[0019] In another embodiment of the arrangement, at least during the fixing and alignment of the fish, the fixing body of the positioning body, on the one hand, and each trough of the trough conveyor, on the other hand, are aligned with their longitudinal axes in the same direction and at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T, while the base body of the positioning body is aligned with its longitudinal axis at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T. This alignment of the longitudinal axes to the transport direction T initially consists of a starting position when the positioning bodies are lowered onto the fish, i.e., during fixing.Once the fish is in its predetermined position, i.e., after alignment, and the cutting process has begun, the fixing body is movable relative to the base body. This causes the orientation of the fixing body's longitudinal axis to change to a final position relative to the longitudinal axis of the base body and also relative to the longitudinal axis of the trough. In other words, in the final position, the fixing body's longitudinal axis is oriented at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base body.The inclined position of the base body in the starting position, combined with the parallel alignment of the longitudinal axis of the fixing body to the longitudinal axis of the recess, results in the fish being moved, after the positioning body is lowered, with a component both transverse to the transport direction T and a component in the transport direction T during alignment (i.e., when the positioning body moves perpendicular to the transport direction T). In other words, the fish is moved diagonally backwards in the tail direction and forwards in the transport direction T within the recess, thus moving the fish away from the trailing stop.

[0020] This creates a distance between the fish and the stop, providing space to rotate the head further back when the fixing body is rotated relative to the base body. This results in a further optimized cutting line. Furthermore, this design reduces the load on the fixing body and the force required to rotate the head. Preferably, each base body with the fixing body attached to it is designed and configured to move along a first circular path by rotating the carousel conveyor around the axis of rotation B perpendicular to the transport plane E in the head area. This movement secures the fish in the trough, moving downwards from above onto the fish lying on its side and then upwards again. The carousel conveyor rotates around the axis of rotation B in the manner of a Ferris wheel, so that the positioning bodies are inevitably moved towards and away from the trough conveyor.

[0021] A preferred embodiment of the arrangement is characterized in that at least parts of each positioning element are movably arranged on the support element in addition to the pivoting movement, such that each positioning element or parts thereof, preferably cam-controlled, can be moved against a spring force from a starting position in which the positioning element contacts the head of the fish, transversely to the transport direction T, to a final position defined by the means for positioning the fish to be headed in the region of the base of the pectoral fins. This sliding movement allows the fish, regardless of size, to be moved quickly and precisely into the predetermined position with the bases of the pectoral fins against the positioning means, so that the fish lie precisely in the cutting plane.

[0022] A preferred embodiment of the arrangement is characterized in that at least the fixing element of the positioning body is designed and configured to be movable relative to the support element of the carousel conveyor transversely to the transport direction T. In this embodiment, the fixing element is also movable relative to the base body transversely to the transport direction T in order to move the fish in the tail direction. Preferably, however, the positioning body as a whole, i.e., the base body with the fixing element, is movable relative to the support element of the carousel conveyor as a sliding unit.

[0023] Advantageously, at least parts of each positioning element are arranged vertically to the transport plane E and are deflected against a spring element on the support element. This allows for compensation of size differences in the fish being decapitated. A large fish is thicker than a small fish, so the positioning element will strike the fish sooner when dealing with a large fish. To prevent the pressure of the positioning element on the fish from becoming too great, the positioning element can deflect – depending on the selected spring force of the spring element. Particularly preferably, the fixing element is arranged vertically to the transport plane E and is deflected against a spring element on the base body. This achieves the same effect in a simple manner.

[0024] Advantageously, the fixing body has means on its underside facing the conveyor for a positive-locking engagement with the fish. Particularly preferably, the fixing body has a plurality of spikes on its underside facing the conveyor to form a nail plate. This ensures that the fish are held securely during alignment and head removal.

[0025] A preferred embodiment of the arrangement is characterized in that the fixing element is arranged on the underside of the base body facing the trough conveyor, wherein the fixing element is associated with an actuating lever for rotation about the axis of rotation D, which is positioned on the upper side of the base body facing away from the fixing element. This design enables precise and simple adjustment of the position of the fixing element relative to the base body.

[0026] Advantageously, the fixing element is connected to the actuating lever, preferably by means of a bolt rotatably mounted in the base body or the like. Active adjustment of the fixing element is thus particularly simple and direct.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the arrangement is characterized in that the fixing body is held in a starting position against a first stop by means of a spring element or the like. As described, the starting position can be a position in which the fixing body is aligned parallel to the troughs of the conveyor and inclined or oblique to the base body, or in which the fixing body is aligned parallel to the troughs of the conveyor and parallel to the base body. In this starting position, the positioning body rests on the fish. The spring element ensures in a simple manner that the selected starting position can be maintained during fixing and alignment. Advantageously, the fixing body is designed and configured to rotate the head relative to the fish body from the starting position to a final position against a second stop by means of a cam or the like.In their final position, the fixing elements, depending on their initial position, are either parallel to the base body—and thus inclined or oblique to the trough—or inclined or oblique to the base body and therefore also inclined or oblique to the trough. As the carousel conveyor rotates, each fixing element crosses the cam located on its path of travel. The cam presses against the actuating lever. As the carousel conveyor continues to rotate, the cam deflects the actuating lever. This causes the fixing element to rotate from its initial position toward the final position. The rotation is limited by the second stop. A reliable rotation of the fixing element within predetermined limits, and thus the defined rotation of the head relative to the fish body, ensures a simple and precise arc-shaped cut.

[0028] Advantageously, both stops for the fixing body and the actuating lever are arranged in a fixed position on the top of the base body.

[0029] Advantageously, the cam is arranged separately from the positioning element on a frame, base, or similar structure. Particularly preferably, the cam is resiliently mounted on the frame, base, or similar structure such that it is designed and configured to deflect relative to the actuating lever as soon as the force exerted on the cam by the actuating lever exceeds the spring force holding the cam. This ensures that the actuating lever can overcome or be moved past the cam, as the cam deflects when excessive force is applied.

[0030] Advantageously, the position of the cam relative to the actuating lever is designed and configured to be variable, at least transversely to the transport direction T, and in particular adjustable. This allows the optimal point of engagement of the cam on the actuating lever to always be selected and set, especially depending on the size of the fish to be decapitated. In further embodiments, the position of the cam relative to the actuating lever is optionally designed and configured to be variable, either cumulatively or as an alternative to transverse adjustment, in the transport direction T, and in particular adjustable. The problem is also solved by a method with the steps mentioned above by making an arc-shaped decapitation cut. This allows the meat located in and near the skull plate to be extracted in such a way that it remains attached to the fillet meat and can be extracted together with it.

[0031] Advantageously, the position of the head is changed relative to the fish body during transport in the transport direction T when the head is cut. This also changes the position of the head relative to the trough conveyor and the head-cutting device, in particular a cutting blade. The cutting blade of the cutting device, preferably a rotating circular blade, is stationary in a gap in the troughs of the trough conveyor. The fish are conveyed through the circular blade by the trough conveyor. The rotation of the head towards the neck area of ​​the fish during cutting results in an arc-shaped cut, allowing the circular blade to be brought closer to the skull plate in the transport direction T to extract meat.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the fish's head is rotated around a pivot axis D during the decapitation process. This axis is essentially perpendicular to the transport plane of the fish being decapitated. This rotation—clockwise when viewed from above on the trough conveyor—turns the fish's head backward, bringing the separating knife closer to the skull plate during transport. Consequently, the cutting line is no longer solely determined by the separating knife, but is also significantly influenced by the rotation of the fish, or more specifically, the fish's head, relative to the body during the decapitation process.

[0033] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the head cut begins on the ventral side of the fish until the pectoral fins are reached, and the fish is then rotated around the axis of rotation D. As soon as the cut passes the pectoral fins, or while the central bone is being cut, the fish's head is turned backwards, so that, beginning with the rotation of the head—that is, the relative movement between the knife and the fish—an arc-shaped cut is made. This achieves, firstly, an optimal head cut without damaging the fish's roe. Secondly, it also yields the meat located in the area of ​​the skull plate, specifically the meat that remains on the fish's fillet.

[0034] Advantageously, the rotational movement of the head in both directions is limited by stops.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, when moving the fixed, still unheaded fish tail-first into a predetermined position, one component is moved perpendicular to the transport direction T, and another component is moved in the transport direction T. This means the fish is moved not only perpendicular to the transport direction T, but also in the transport direction T within a trough. The resultant is an oblique displacement path, which moves the fish away from a stop that trails in the transport direction T.

[0036] The resulting distance to the strike creates space in which the fish's head can be turned backwards relative to its body.

[0037] The method is particularly preferably carried out with an arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 28. The resulting advantages have already been described in connection with the arrangement, so that, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the corresponding passages, which also apply accordingly to the method.

[0038] Further expedient and / or advantageous features and further developments of the arrangement will become apparent from the dependent claims and the description. A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows:

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an arrangement for beheading killed fish in front view,

[0040] Fig. 2 shows an enlarged side view of a positioning body engaged with a fish.

[0041] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of a positioning body, Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of three positioning bodies located in a working area according to a first embodiment of the invention in top view, and

[0042] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of another embodiment of the invention in top view.

[0043] An arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 5 is used for the automatic decapitation of killed fish of different sizes and species. The arrangement is also suitable for separating collar bones remaining on the body of decapitated fish.

[0044] Figure 1 shows an arrangement 10 designed and configured for decapitating killed fish 11. The arrangement 10 comprises a trough conveyor 12 for conveying the killed fish 11 belly-first in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T, and a device

[0045] 13 for fixing and aligning the fish 11 in troughs 14 of the trough conveyor 12 before and during decapitation, and a device 15 for completely separating the head 16 from the fish body 17. The trough conveyor 12 has several troughs 14, each for receiving a single fish 11, and each trough 14 comprises a head support 18 and a body support 19 spaced apart from the head support 18. Means 21 for positioning the fish 11 to be decapitated in the area of ​​the base 22 of the pectoral fins 23 are provided to the trough conveyor 12 in the area of ​​a gap 20 formed between each head support 18 and each body support 19.The device 13 for fixing and aligning the fish 11 comprises at least one positioning body 24, which is movable, on the one hand, perpendicular to the transport plane E in the area of ​​the head 16, downwards from above onto the fish 11 lying on its side and upwards again, for fixing the fish 11 in the trough 14, and on the other hand, is designed and configured to be movable transversely to the transport direction T for aligning the fish 11 in the trough 14, such that the fixed fish 11 is within the trough.

[0046] The device 15 for separating the head 16 from the fish body 17 comprises a separating blade 25, which is arranged in the area of ​​the gap 20 in the transport direction T behind the positioning means 21 and is designed and configured for completely separating the head 16.

[0047] This arrangement 10 is characterized according to the invention in that at least parts of each positioning body 24 are designed and configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis D, which is oriented essentially perpendicular to the transport plane E, in addition to the up-and-down movement perpendicular to the transport plane E and the transverse movement in the direction of the means 21.

[0048] 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 figures, or described in a common embodiment, can also functionally and independently further develop the arrangement 10 described above.

[0049] The trough conveyor 12 is driven in a continuous loop. For this purpose, several troughs 14 are preferably detachably arranged on a transport chain or the like. The head support 18 and body support 19 can be moved on a common chain or on separate chains. The fish 11 rest with their head 16 on the head support 18 and with their body 17 on the body support 19. The cutting plane C (defined by the X and Y axes in Figure 1) of the separating knife 25 runs along the gap 20 between the head support 18 and the body support 19. The cutting plane C is aligned parallel to the transport direction T. The separating knife 25 is preferably a circular knife 26, which is designed and configured to rotate about a rotational axis A.The axis of rotation A lies behind the positioning means 21 in the transport direction T, such that the circular knife 26 with its cutting edge 27 projects into the gap 20 opposite the transport direction T and also passes through the gap 20 perpendicular to the transport plane E. The circular knife 26 is fixed in position along the transport direction T, but its position is adjustable. Each recess 14 has a stop 28 on its trailing side in the transport direction T for positioning the fish 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the stop 28 is designed as a rear wall element 29. Preferably, the head support 18 and the body support 19 are equipped with such a rear wall element 29. The means 21 for positioning the fish 11 to be headed in the region of the base 22 of the pectoral fins 23 comprise at least one catching device 30.The catching device 30 is designed and configured to stop fish 11 moving in a tail-direction direction in the region of the bases 22 of the pectoral fins 23. The bases 22 define a measure for the separation of the head 16 from the fish body 17, thus specifying the position of the fish with respect to the sectioning plane C. The catching device 30 comprises at least an upper part 31, which is directed towards the positioning body 24 and is designed and configured to capture a pectoral fin 23 of the fish 11 facing away from the depression 14. The catching device 30 preferably also comprises a lower part 32, which is designed and configured in the region of the gap 20 to capture a pectoral fin of the fish 11 projecting through the gap 20 of the depression 14. At least the upper part 31 of the catching device 30 is preferably mounted on a linkage 33 or the like that is compliant vertically with respect to the transport plane E. The linkage 33 can be spring-loaded or, for example,be mounted in plain bearings.

[0050] Above the trough conveyor 12, the device 13 for fixing and aligning the fish 11 in the respective troughs 14 of the trough conveyor 12 is arranged. The device 13 is designed as a carousel conveyor 34, which is rotatably driven about a pivot axis B that is oriented transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the transport plane E. The carousel conveyor 34 comprises a rotatably driven support element 35 on which several, preferably twelve, positioning bodies 24 are pivotably arranged, evenly distributed around the circumference. The support element 34 is rotatably mounted about the pivot axis B on a frame 36 or the like. Each positioning body 24 is pivotably mounted on the support element 35 about a pivot axis S that is oriented parallel to the pivot axis B of the carousel conveyor 34. For this purpose, the positioning bodies 24 are mounted on the support element 35 by means of shafts 37, 38.

[0051] Each positioning element 24 is designed and configured to pivot about the pivot axis S from a waiting position to a working position in the area of ​​the trough conveyor 12, preferably by cam control. In this working position, the underside of the positioning element 24 is oriented essentially parallel to the transport plane E, and back again. The working position extends over at least one trough 14, preferably two troughs 14, and particularly preferably three troughs 14. For this purpose, the positioning elements 24 are mounted on sliding elements 40 or the like in a channel curve 39. These sliding elements 40 roll in the channel curve 39 when the support element 35 rotates. The channel curve 39 is oval.The oval-shaped channel curve 39 is arranged relative to a circular path 41 described by the support element 35 such that the channel curve 39 and the circular path 41 described by the support element 35 intersect in such a way that they move the positioning bodies 24 together in a lowest position facing the recesses 14 along a path approximately parallel to the recesses 14. In this way, it is ensured that in the lowest position of the positioning bodies 24, i.e., in the working position, their undersides run approximately parallel to the inner surfaces of the recesses 14.

[0052] The carousel conveyor 34 and the trough conveyor 12 are driven synchronously. For this purpose, the support element 35, and thus also the sliding elements 40 running in the channel curve 39, are mechanically connected, e.g., via a chain, to chains of a drive by means of which the troughs 14 are moved. As a result, the support element 35 has a rotational speed such that the linear speed of the positioning elements 24 in their lowest position, the working position, corresponds to the drive speed at which the troughs 14 are moved. In other words, the drive speeds of the trough conveyor 12 on the one hand and each positioning element 24 on the other hand are essentially identical, at least in the lowest position of the positioning element 24.

[0053] The working position, in which each positioning body 24 is aligned with its underside approximately parallel to the transport plane E, extends over a functional section 42. The functional section 42 comprises several segments, namely, along the transport direction T, a lowering segment 43, an alignment segment 44, and a release segment 45. In the lowering segment 43, the positioning body 24 is lowered onto the fish 11 to such an extent that the fish 11 is fixed by means of a positive and / or force-fit connection. To fix the fish 11, each positioning body 24 is designed and configured for a positive and / or force-fit engagement with the fish 11 to be decapitated.In the alignment section 44, the fish 11 is moved tail-first transversely to the transport direction T until it reaches a predetermined position, namely up to the bases 22 of the pectoral fins 23, against the catching device 30, so that the fish 11 lies within the cutting plane C in which the circular blade 26 rotates. In the release section 45, the positive and / or non-positive connection of the positioning body 24 to the fish 11 or the head 16 of the fish 11 is released. The now freed positioning body 24 continues to rotate and is lowered again in the lowering section 43 to fix and align a subsequent fish 11 lying in the trough conveyor 12.

[0054] In the embodiment shown particularly in Figures 4 and 5, each positioning body 24 comprises a base body 46 and a fixing body 47 rotatably mounted on the base body 46. The fixing body 47 is rotatable relative to the base body 46 about the axis of rotation D in both directions. The axis of rotation D is oriented essentially vertically to the transport plane E. In a first embodiment according to Figure 4, the base body 46 and the fixing body 47 of the positioning body 24, on the one hand, and each trough 14 of the trough conveyor 12, on the other hand, are aligned with their longitudinal axes L1, L2, L3 at least during the fixing and alignment of the fish 11 and at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T (see in particular Figure 4 for the two left-hand positioning bodies 24). This alignment applies to the initial position in which the positioning body 24 strikes the fish 11 from above in the lowering section 43 and fixes them.This orientation is initially maintained during transport in the transport direction T, particularly also in the alignment section 44, in order to align the fish 11 in the tail direction. After the fish 11 has been cut, the fixing body 47 is actively rotated relative to the base body 46 by means of the additional degree of freedom about the axis of rotation D, so that the longitudinal axis L2 of the fixing body 47 is aligned at an angle to the longitudinal axis L1 of the base body 46 and to the longitudinal axis L3 of the trough 14 in an end position (see Figure 4 at the right positioning body 24).

[0055] In a further embodiment, at least during the fixing and alignment of the fish 11, at least the fixing body 47 of the positioning body 24, on the one hand, and each trough 14 of the trough conveyor 12, on the other hand, are aligned with their longitudinal axes L2, L3 in the same direction and at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T, while the base body 46 of the positioning body 24 is aligned with its longitudinal axis L1 at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T. This alignment applies to the initial position in which the positioning body 24 strikes the fish 11 from above in the lowering section 43 and fixes them. This alignment is initially maintained during transport in the transport direction T, and in particular also in the alignment section 44, in order to align the fish 11 in the tail direction.After the fish 11 has been cut, the fixing body 47 is rotated relative to the base body 46 about the axis of rotation D by means of the additional degree of freedom, so that the longitudinal axis L1 of the base body 46 is aligned approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis L2 of the fixing body 47 and at an angle to the longitudinal axis L3 of the trough 14 in an end position. The initial position shown in Figure 5 is achieved by aligning the base body 46 with its longitudinal axis L1 at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T.

[0056] As described, each base body 46, with the attached fixing body 47, is designed and configured to move along a first circular path 41 by rotating the carousel conveyor 34 about the axis of rotation B perpendicular to the transport plane E in the area of ​​the head 16. This movement is downwards from above onto the fish 11, which lies on its side, in the trough 14 and then upwards again. Through the superposition of the movement about the axis of rotation B on the circular path 41 with the movement along the curved path 39 on the one hand, and the pivoting about the pivot axis S on the other, the base bodies 46 with the associated fixing bodies 47 reach the fish 11 in the trough 14 in the lowering section 43 with their underside oriented approximately parallel to the transport plane E.

[0057] In addition to pivoting, at least parts of each positioning body 24 are arranged to be movable on the support element 35, such that each positioning body 24 or parts thereof, preferably cam-controlled, can be moved in the working position of the positioning body 24, i.e., in particular in the alignment section 44, against a spring force from a starting position, in particular in the lowering section 43, in which the positioning body 24 meets the head 16 of the fish 11, transversely to the transport direction T into an end position specified by the means 21 for positioning the fish 11 to be headed in the area of ​​the root 22 of the pectoral fins 23.

[0058] In an embodiment not shown, at least the fixing element 47 of the positioning body 24 is designed and configured to be movable transversely to the transport direction T relative to the support element 35 of the carousel conveyor 34 and thus also relative to the base body 46. In such an embodiment, the fixing element 47 is designed and configured to move the fish 11 transversely to the transport direction T in the tail direction and to rotate the head 16 relative to the fish body 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning body 24 as a whole, i.e., base body 46 with fixing element 47, is designed and configured as a sliding unit to be movable transversely to the transport direction T relative to the support element 35 of the carousel conveyor 34. The transverse movement of the sliding unit can be executed parallel to the longitudinal axis L3 of the trough 14 or obliquely to the longitudinal axis L3 of the trough 14, depending, among other things, on the position of the base body 46 and / or the fixing element 47 in the alignment section 44.To effect the transverse movement of the positioning body 24, it is arranged on two pivot levers 48, 49, which in turn are pivotably mounted on a support 50 carrying the shafts 37, 38. The two pivot levers 48, 49 are pivotable about pivot axes F. The two pivot levers 48, 49 are connected via a coupling element 51 to a spring element 52, which is attached to the frame 36. By means of the spring tension of the spring element 52, the pivot levers 48, 49, and thus the base body 46 with the fixing body 47, can be moved transversely to the transport direction T in the tail direction of a fixed fish 11. The actuation of the pivot levers 48, 49 is cam-controlled. The cam releases the pivot levers 48, 49 as soon as the fixed fish 11 and the positioning body 24 fixing the fish 11 are in the alignment section 44.Optionally, the position of the pivot levers 48, 49 in the alignment position, i.e., in the position in which the spring element 52 pushes the pivot levers 48, 49 and thus the fixed fish 11 against the catching device 30, can be temporarily locked with a latch system 53 or the like, at least during the head-cutting.

[0059] At least parts of each positioning body 24 are arranged vertically to the transport plane E on the support element 35 so as to be deflectable against a spring element 54. In the illustrated example, the spring element 54 is mounted on one side in a holding element 55, which is attached to the pivot levers 48, 49, and on the other side is connected to the base body 46 such that the base body 46 is designed to be deflectable upwards with the fixing body 47. In embodiments not shown, the fixing body 47 can be arranged vertically to the transport plane E on the base body 46 so as to be deflectable against a spring element.

[0060] It was mentioned above that the positioning body 24 is designed and configured for positive and / or force-fit engagement with the fish 11. In the preferred embodiment, the fixing body 47 has means 56 on its underside facing the trough conveyor 12 for positive engagement with the fish 11. A plurality of spikes 57, thorns, or the like are arranged as means 56 to form a nail plate on its underside facing the trough conveyor 12.

[0061] In order for the spikes 57 to engage with the fish 11, specifically with the flesh covering of the head 16 as the most dimensionally stable part of the fish 11, the fixing body 47 is arranged on the underside of the base body 46 facing the trough conveyor 12. An actuating lever 58 for rotation about the axis of rotation D is associated with the fixing body 47 and is positioned on the upper side of the base body 46 facing away from the fixing body 47. In a preferred embodiment, the fixing body 47 is connected to the actuating lever 58 by means of a bolt or the like rotatably mounted in the base body 46. The bolt allows free rotation of the fixing body 47, as one end of the bolt is fixed to the actuating lever 58 and the other end is fixed to the fixing body 47. However, this free rotation is limited by stop means.

[0062] In a starting position, the fixing body 47 is held against a first stop 59 by means of a spring element or the like. In other words, the spring element or any other suitable holding element pulls the actuating lever 58 against the first stop 59. To rotate the head 16 relative to the fish body 17, the fixing body 47 is rotatably designed and configured to move from the starting position to a second stop 61 in an end position by means of a cam 60 or the like. The cam 60 holds the actuating lever 58 against the second stop 61. Both stops 59, 61 for the fixing body 47 and the actuating lever 58, respectively, are fixedly arranged on the top of the base body 46. Preferably, the stops 59, 61 are detachably arranged on the base body and, for example, fastened in a slotted guide so that the position of the stops 59, 61 relative to the actuating lever 58 is adjustable.

[0063] The cam 60, or any other release element for pivoting the actuating lever 58, is arranged separately from the positioning body 24 on a frame 36, or the like, of the arrangement 10. Preferably, the cam 60 is resiliently mounted on the frame 36, or the like, such that the cam 60 is designed and configured to be able to move away from the actuating lever 58 as soon as the force exerted on the cam 60 by the actuating lever 58 is greater than the spring force holding the cam 60. Preferably, the position of the cam 60 relative to the actuating lever 58 is designed and configured to be variable at least transverse to the transport direction T, and in particular, adjustable.

[0064] The method is described in more detail below. The method according to the invention is used for decapitating killed fish 11. The fish 11 are placed manually or automatically onto a conveyor by means of which they are transported. The killed fish 11 are conveyed belly-first in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor 12 into the area of ​​a device 15 for separating the head 16 from the fish body 17. Preferably, the fish 11 are transported continuously.Before the fish 11 reach the separating device 15, they are fixed in the head 16 region of the fish 11 to be decapitated, both before and during the decapitation process. Each fixed, still unheaded fish 11 is moved tail-wise into a predetermined position, defined by the pectoral fins 23 of the fish 11, by means of a fixing and aligning device 13, so that the fish 11 lie in a cutting plane with their predetermined position. The fixed and aligned fish 11 are then fed to the separating device 15. The head 16 is completely separated from the body 17 by a decapitation cut using the device 15.

[0065] According to the invention, this method is characterized by the fact that an arc-shaped head cut is performed.

[0066] When the fish 11 are fixed and aligned, they lie in the trough 14 without any relative movement of head 16 to body 17. Only during cutting, i.e., after the cutting blade 25 enters the fish 11, is the position of the head 16 changed relative to the trough conveyor 12 during transport in the transport direction T. Since the fish 11 is only fixed at the head 16, this causes the position of the head 16 relative to the body 17 to change. This actively influences the course of the cutting line. During the head-cutting process, the head 16 of the fish 11 is rotated about an axis of rotation D, which is essentially perpendicular to the transport plane E of the fish 11 being headed. By transporting the fish 11 belly first in transport direction T, the fish 11 also reaches the separating knife 25 belly first. Accordingly, the cut of the head cut begins on the belly side until the pectoral fins 23 of the fish 11 are reached.Until then, the fish 11 remains unchanged in the recess 14. Only when the separating blade 25 is approximately at the level of the pectoral fins 23 is the head 16 of the fish 11 rotated around the axis of rotation D. Thus, as soon as the head cut reaches or passes the pectoral fins 23, the head 16 of the fish 11 is rotated backwards, so that, beginning with the rotation of the head 16, i.e., the relative movement between the fish 11 and the separating blade 25, an arc-shaped head cut is made. During the execution of the arc-shaped head cut, the rotational movement of the head 16 in both directions is limited by stops 59 and 61.

[0067] As mentioned, before the actual decapitation, the fish 11 are first moved into their predetermined position, in which, regardless of their size, the fish 11 rest against the catching device 30 at the bases 22 of the pectoral fins 23. This movement can only occur transversely to the transport direction T. In other embodiments, the fixed, still unheaded fish 11 can be moved tail-wise into a predetermined position with one component transverse to the transport direction T and with another component in the transport direction T.

[0068] The method is particularly preferably carried out with an arrangement according to one or more of claims 1 to 28.

Claims

1. Arrangement (10), designed and equipped for beheading killed fish (11), comprising a trough conveyor (12) for conveying the killed fish (11) belly-first in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T, a device (13) for fixing and aligning the fish (11) in troughs (14) of the trough conveyor (12) before and during decapitation, and a device (15) for completely separating the head (16) from the fish body (17), wherein the trough conveyor (12) has several troughs (14), each for receiving a single fish (11), and each trough (14) comprises a head support (18) and a body support (19) spaced apart from the head support (18), and means (21) for positioning the fish (11) to be headed in the area of ​​the base (22) of the pectoral fins (23) are assigned to the trough conveyor (12) in the area of ​​a gap (20) formed thereby between each head support (18) and each body support (19), wherein the device (13) for fixing and aligning the fish (11) comprises at least one positioning element (24) which is movable, firstly, perpendicular to the transport plane E in the area of ​​the head (16) downwards from above onto the side-lying fish (11) in the trough (14) and upwards again, and secondly, transversely for aligning the fish (11) in the trough (14). is designed and equipped to be movable in the direction of transport T, such thatthat the fixed fish (11) within the recess (14) can be pressed in the tail direction against the means (21) for positioning the fish (11) to be headed in the region of the base (22) of the pectoral fins (23), wherein the device (15) for separating the head (16) from the fish body (17) comprises a separating blade (25) which is arranged in the region of the gap (20) in the transport direction T behind the means (21) for positioning and is designed and configured for completely separating the head (16), by which it is indicated that at least parts of each positioning body (24) are designed and configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis D, which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the transport plane E, in addition to the up-and-down movement perpendicular to the transport plane E and the transverse movement in the direction of the means (21) for positioning.

2. Arrangement (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the trough conveyor (12) is driven in a circumferential manner and each trough (14) is on its in the direction of transport T, the side trailing has a stop (28) for positioning the fish (11).

3. Arrangement (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the means (21) for positioning the fish (11) to be headed in the region of the root (22) of the pectoral fins (23) comprise at least one catching device (30), wherein an upper part (31) of the catching device (30) is designed and configured in the direction of the positioning body (24) for catching a pectoral fin (23) of the fish (11) facing away from the depression (14) and a lower part (32) of the catching device (30) is designed and configured in the region of the gap (20) for catching a pectoral fin (23) of the fish (11) projecting through the gap (20) of the depression (14).

4. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the device (13) for fixing and aligning the fish (11) in the respective troughs (14) of the trough conveyor (12) is designed as a carousel conveyor (34) which is designed and set up to be driven in rotation about a rotation axis B which is oriented transversely to the transport direction T and parallel to the transport plane E.

5. Arrangement (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the carousel conveyor (34) comprises a rotatably driven support element (35) on which several, preferably twelve, position bodies (24) are pivotably arranged evenly distributed around the circumference.

6. Arrangement (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that each positioning body (24) is pivotably mounted on the support element (35) about a pivot axis S which is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation B of the carousel conveyor (34).

7. Arrangement (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that each positioning body (24), preferably cam-controlled, is designed and configured to pivot from a waiting position into a working position in the area of ​​the trough conveyor (12), in which the positioning body (24) is aligned with its underside substantially parallel to the transport plane E, and back about the pivot axis S, wherein the The working position extends over at least one recess (14), preferably two recesses (14) and particularly preferably over three recesses (14).

8. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each positioning body (24) is designed and configured for positive and / or force-locking engagement with the fish (11) to be headed.

9. Arrangement (10) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the drive speeds of the trough conveyor (12) on the one hand and of each position body (24) on the other hand correspond substantially at least in the working position.

10. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each positioning body (24) comprises a base body (46) and a fixing body (47) rotatably mounted on the base body (46).

11. Arrangement (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that the base body (46) and the fixing body (47) of the positioning body (24) on the one hand and each trough (14) of the trough conveyor (12) on the other hand are aligned with their longitudinal axes (L1 , L2, L3) in the same direction and at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T at least during the fixing and alignment of the fish (11).

12. Arrangement (10) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least during the fixing and aligning of the fish (11) the fixing body (47) of the positioning body (24) on the one hand and each trough (14) of the trough conveyor (12) on the other hand are aligned with their longitudinal axes (L2, L3) in the same direction and at an angle of 90° to the transport direction T, while the base body (46) of the positioning body (24) is aligned with its longitudinal axis (L2) at an angle other than 90° to the transport direction T.

13. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that each base body (46) with the fixing body (47) mounted thereon is rotated along a first circular path (41) by rotation of the The carousel conveyor (34) is designed and equipped to move downwards from above onto the fish (11) lying on its side and upwards again around the axis of rotation B perpendicular to the transport plane E in the area of ​​the head (16) for fixing the fish (11) in the trough (14).

14. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that at least parts of each positioning body (24) are arranged movably on the support element (35) in addition to the pivoting movement, such that each positioning body (24) or parts thereof, preferably cam-controlled, can be brought in the working position of the positioning body (24) against a spring force from a starting position in which the positioning body (24) meets the head (16) of the fish (11), transversely to the transport direction T into an end position specified by the means (21) for positioning the fish (11) to be headed in the region of the root (22) of the pectoral fins (23).

15. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that at least the fixing body (47) of the positioning body (24) is designed and configured to be movable transversely to the transport direction T relative to the support element (35) of the carousel conveyor (34).

16. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the positioning body (24) as a whole, i.e. base body (46) with fixing body (47), is designed and configured to be movable relative to the support element (35) of the carousel conveyor (34) transversely to the transport direction T.

17. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that at least parts of each positioning body (24) are arranged vertically to the transport plane E against a spring element (54) on the support element (35) in a way that allows it to move away from the support element.

18. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 17, characterized in that the fixing body (47) is arranged vertically to the transport plane E so as to be able to deflect against a spring element on the base body (46).

19. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 18, characterized in that the fixing body (47) has means (56) on its underside facing the trough conveyor (12) for positive engagement with the fish (11).

20. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 19, characterized in that the fixing body (47) has a plurality of spikes (57) on its underside facing the trough conveyor (12) for forming a nail plate.

21. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 20, characterized in that the fixing element (47) is arranged on the underside of the base body (46) facing the trough conveyor (12), wherein an actuating lever (58) for rotation about the axis of rotation D is associated with the fixing element (47), which is positioned on the upper side of the base body (46) facing away from the fixing element (47).

22. Arrangement (10) according to claim 21, characterized in that the fixing body (47) is connected to the actuating lever (58), preferably by means of a bolt rotatably mounted in the base body (46) or the like.

23. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 22, characterized in that the fixing body (47) is held in a starting position against a first stop (59) by means of a spring element or the like.

24. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 10 to 23, characterized in that the fixing body (47) is rotatably designed and configured to rotate the head (16) relative to the fish body (17) from the initial position against a second stop (61) into an end position by means of a cam (60) or the like.

25. Arrangement (10) according to claim 24, characterized in that both stops (59, 61) for the fixing body (47) and the actuating lever (58) are fixedly arranged on the top of the base body (46).

26. Arrangement (10) according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that the cam (60) is arranged separately from the positioning body (24) on a frame (36), frame or the like of the arrangement (10).

27. Arrangement (10) according to claim 26, characterized in that the cam (60) is resiliently mounted on the frame (36), frame or the like, such that the cam (60) is designed and arranged to be able to move away from the actuating lever (58) as soon as the force exerted on the cam (60) by the actuating lever (58) is greater than the spring force holding the cam (60).

28. Arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that the position of the cam (60) relative to the actuating lever (58) is designed and set up variably at least transversely to the transport direction T and is in particular adjustable.

29. Method for automatically decapitating killed fish (11), comprising the steps of: conveying the killed fish (11) belly-first in a substantially horizontal transport plane E in the transport direction T by means of a trough conveyor (12) into the area of ​​a device (15) for separating the head (16) from the fish body (17), Fixing the fish (11) in the area of ​​the head (16) of the fish (11) to be beheaded before and during beheading, and moving the fixed, still unbeheaded fish (11) in the tail direction into a predetermined position, which is determined by the pectoral fins (23) of the fish (11), by means of a device (13) for fixing and aligning the fish (11), so that the fish (11) lie in a cutting plane with their predetermined position, and completely separating the head (16) from the fish body (17) by means of a decapitation cut by means of the device (15) for completely separating the head (16) from the fish body (17), which is characterized by the fact that an arc-shaped decapitation cut is carried out.

30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that the position of the head (16) is changed during the transport of the fish (11) in the transport direction T when the head (16) is cut from the fish body (17) relative to the fish body (17).

31. Method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that the head (16) of the fish (11) is rotated during the decapitation about an axis of rotation D which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the transport plane of the fish (11) to be decapitated.

32. Method according to one or more of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the incision of the head cut begins on the ventral side of the fish (11) until the pectoral fins (23) of the fish (11) are reached, and the head (16) of the fish (11) is then rotated about the axis of rotation D.

33. Method according to one or more of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the rotational movement of the head (16) in both directions of rotation is limited by stops (59, 61).

34. Method according to one or more of claims 29 to 33, characterized in that the fish (11) are moved in the tail direction to a predetermined position with one component transverse to the transport direction T and with another component in the transport direction T when the fixed, still unheaded fish (11) are moved.

35. Method according to one or more of claims 29 to 34, characterized in that it is carried out with an arrangement (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 28.

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