The present invention relates to an improved method and a device for mechanically filleting and removing pin-bones from gutted fish using conventional filleting devices, where the fish rests on a saddle on a conveyor using pairs of circular knives to separate the fillet from the backbone. The apparatus and method are designed to facilitate mechanical filleting and pin-bone removal of gutted fish with the head intact. The present invention provides a more accurate method of positioning the pin-bones in the gutted fish.

The present invention relates to an improved method and a device for mechanically filleting and removing pin-bones from gutted fish using conventional filleting devices, where the fish rests on a saddle on a conveyor using pairs of circular knives to separate the fillet from the backbone. The apparatus and method are designed to facilitate mechanical filleting and pin-bone removal of gutted fish with the head intact. The present invention provides a more accurate method of positioning the pin-bones in the gutted fish.

The invention concerns a method of producing output wares of the highest possible quality from input wares, wherein the input wares being processed are optically scanned, brought to a target weight, and then formed into a shape suitable for packaging and/or further processing. The invention comprises using deep-frozen input ware, scanning the position, shape and size of the individual input ware by an optical scanning means with direct or indirect consideration of the fiber position of the tuna fish meat, calculating at least one cutting line through the input ware for the cutting off of a tuna fish cut having a desired target weight and/or a desired shape, wherein the calculation of the cutting line involves an optimization process, and cutting along the calculated cutting line in one cutting step.

The invention concerns a method of producing output wares of the highest possible quality from input wares, wherein the input wares being processed are optically scanned, brought to a target weight, and then formed into a shape suitable for packaging and/or further processing. The invention comprises using deep-frozen input ware, scanning the position, shape and size of the individual input ware by an optical scanning means with direct or indirect consideration of the fiber position of the tuna fish meat, calculating at least one cutting line through the input ware for the cutting off of a tuna fish cut having a desired target weight and/or a desired shape, wherein the calculation of the cutting line involves an optimization process, and cutting along the calculated cutting line in one cutting step.

A cutting device for cutting a food product that is conveyed by a conveyor means. The cutting device includes a first cutting blade and a moving mechanism attached to the first cutting blade for moving the first cutting blade sideways in either direction across the conveyor means, and a control unit. The first cutting blade is adapted to cut at least one incision in the product from one side of the product. The control unit is adapted to control the first cutting blade and the moving mechanism based on image data of the food product, and includes utilizing the image data in instructing the moving mechanism to adjust the position of the first cutting blade across the conveyor means.

A cutting device for cutting a food product that is conveyed by a conveyor means. The cutting device includes a first cutting blade and a moving mechanism attached to the first cutting blade for moving the first cutting blade sideways in either direction across the conveyor means, and a control unit. The first cutting blade is adapted to cut at least one incision in the product from one side of the product. The control unit is adapted to control the first cutting blade and the moving mechanism based on image data of the food product, and includes utilizing the image data in instructing the moving mechanism to adjust the position of the first cutting blade across the conveyor means.

A pin bone removal system involves automatically removing a pin bone area of a fish fillet when conveyed by a conveyor after undergoing a cutting process, and includes at least two side by side arranged conveyor belts extending from a first end for receiving a fish fillet to a second end. The internal arrangement of the side by side arranged conveyor belts is such that the spacing varies among first end the conveyor belts along their length. The transversal position of the fish fillet in relation to the first end is adjusted when the fish fillet arrives at the downstream position such that the position of the cut pin bone area is such that the cut pin bone area falls through the space while the remaining part of the fish fillet remains on the first and/or second conveyor belts.

A pin bone removal system involves automatically removing a pin bone area of a fish fillet when conveyed by a conveyor after undergoing a cutting process, and includes at least two side by side arranged conveyor belts extending from a first end for receiving a fish fillet to a second end. The internal arrangement of the side by side arranged conveyor belts is such that the spacing varies among first end the conveyor belts along their length. The transversal position of the fish fillet in relation to the first end is adjusted when the fish fillet arrives at the downstream position such that the position of the cut pin bone area is such that the cut pin bone area falls through the space while the remaining part of the fish fillet remains on the first and/or second conveyor belts.

Methods and systems for processing fish, such as salmon, are provided which enable filleting of the fish in a particular efficient manner. An example method includes exposing a backbone of a fish from a belly side of the fish, positioning the backbone of the fish on a conveyor device, and conveying the fish with the backbone in contact with the conveyor device. The conveyor may be a spiked chain, and positioning the backbone of the fish on the conveyor device may include engaging the backbone of the fish with the spiked chain such that the fish straddles the spiked chain as the fish is transported. The method may further include cutting the fish from the dorsal side on each of opposing sides of a central plane of the fish to a location adjacent a connection of the pinbones of the fish with the vertebrae of the fish while the fish is conveyed with the backbone in contact with the conveyor device, and subsequently peeling the ribs and ventral spines from fillets of the fish.

Methods and systems for processing fish, such as salmon, are provided which enable filleting of the fish in a particular efficient manner. An example method includes exposing a backbone of a fish from a belly side of the fish, positioning the backbone of the fish on a conveyor device, and conveying the fish with the backbone in contact with the conveyor device. The conveyor may be a spiked chain, and positioning the backbone of the fish on the conveyor device may include engaging the backbone of the fish with the spiked chain such that the fish straddles the spiked chain as the fish is transported. The method may further include cutting the fish from the dorsal side on each of opposing sides of a central plane of the fish to a location adjacent a connection of the pinbones of the fish with the vertebrae of the fish while the fish is conveyed with the backbone in contact with the conveyor device, and subsequently peeling the ribs and ventral spines from fillets of the fish.