GB1276900A - Method of and apparatus for gripping a fish for mechanical dressing - Google Patents

Abstract

1276900 Dressing fish NORDISCHER MASCHINENBAU RUD BAADER 15 Aug 1969 40966/69 Heading A2U A method of gripping a fish for the performance of a dressing operation, e.g. beheading, comprises positioning the fish against a locating projection 19 which indents its abdominal integuments between the collar bones with the fish aligned so that its sides are symmetrically disposed relative to the projection, and retaining the fish against the projection by retaining means, which as shown comprise the free end portions 33a, 34a of a pair of two-armed levers 33, 34, the retaining means being adapted to contact the back of the fish. The fish is positioned for a beheading operation by placing it manually between a pair of guide plates 12, 13 which are carried 'by depending arms 6b, 7b of two-armed levers 6, 7 whose other arms 6a, 7a interengage as shown to provide for simultaneous automatic adjustment, against the action of springs 11, to suit the size of the fish. The guide plates provide sloping and oblique guide surfaces 14, 15 to guide the fish into a position in which it rests with its pectoral fins overhanging horizontal and parallel support portions 16, 17. As the fish move past the end portions 33a, 34a of the levers 33, 34, these levers pivot about pivots 26 carried by the guide plates opposed by springs 29, until the abdominal integuments of the fish are indented by the projection 19, at which point the end portions 33a, 34a snap back to engage the back of the fish and retain it in position. A pair of oppositely inclined rotating cutter discs 24, 25 mounted for longitudinal sliding movement are then moved rearwardly so that the fish is beheaded, the heads pivoting backwardly about the lever end portions 33a, 34a prior to falling off into a shoot (not shown). The projection 19 is formed by a rearwardly extending apex portion of a roof-shaped member carried by an overhead supporting structure on which the levers 6, 7 are pivotally mounted.