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.

An arrangement for automatically removing a strip of dark meat from a fish fillet has a conveying unit for transporting the fish fillet from an inlet to an outlet area in a transport direction along a transport path. Starting from the inlet area, successively along the transport path, are provided: a first means for detecting dark meat; a first cutting apparatus for removing a middle partial strip of dark meat; a means for opening up the fillet such that cut surfaces of a ventral-side partial and of a dorsal-side partial strip of dark meat point upwards; a cutting unit for removing the partial strips, the cutting unit comprising second and third cutting apparatuses for removing the ventral and dorsal-side partial strips. A control device is connected to the detecting means and the cutting apparatuses, and all cuts are based on information from the detecting means. A corresponding method is provided.

An arrangement for automatically removing a strip of dark meat from a fish fillet has a conveying unit for transporting the fish fillet from an inlet to an outlet area in a transport direction along a transport path. Starting from the inlet area, successively along the transport path, are provided: a first means for detecting dark meat; a first cutting apparatus for removing a middle partial strip of dark meat; a means for opening up the fillet such that cut surfaces of a ventral-side partial and of a dorsal-side partial strip of dark meat point upwards; a cutting unit for removing the partial strips, the cutting unit comprising second and third cutting apparatuses for removing the ventral and dorsal-side partial strips. A control device is connected to the detecting means and the cutting apparatuses, and all cuts are based on information from the detecting means. A corresponding method is provided.

An improved method for the production of a smoked product of fish is described. A product produced by the method is also described.

An improved method for the production of a smoked product of fish is described. A product produced by the method is also described.

An apparatus for weakening an attachment of a pin bone to muscle or adipose tissue in a fillet of fish. An electrode coupled to a power supply and in electrical contact with a first end of the pin bone conducts electrical current to the pin bone. The pin bone conducts the electrical current from the first end of the pin bone to a second end of the pin bone. The pin bone has an electrical current resistivity which causes Joule heating that produces sufficient heat in the connective tissue that attaches the pin bone to the muscle or adipose tissue in the fillet of fish to degrade or denature the connective tissue and thereby weaken the attachment of the pin bone to the muscle or adipose tissue.

A separating machine separates a food source material into first and second food portions. The separating machine a separating arrangement with a roller assembly; a belt assembly including a belt; a drum assembly including a drum, and holes extending between the surfaces of the drum. The drum assembly is arranged proximate to the belt assembly to define a separation area. The belt assembly is arranged relative to the belt assembly such that the food source material delivered by the inlet assembly into the separation area is pressed by the belt against the outer surface of the drum and the first food portion is pressed through the holes into the drum interior, thereby separating the first and second food portions. The separating machine further includes a belt tensioning device configured to reposition at least a portion of the roller assembly to adjust a tension of the belt.

A separating machine separates a food source material into first and second food portions. The separating machine a separating arrangement with a roller assembly; a belt assembly including a belt; a drum assembly including a drum, and holes extending between the surfaces of the drum. The drum assembly is arranged proximate to the belt assembly to define a separation area. The belt assembly is arranged relative to the belt assembly such that the food source material delivered by the inlet assembly into the separation area is pressed by the belt against the outer surface of the drum and the first food portion is pressed through the holes into the drum interior, thereby separating the first and second food portions. The separating machine further includes a belt tensioning device configured to reposition at least a portion of the roller assembly to adjust a tension of the belt.

An apparatus for weakening an attachment of a pin bone to muscle or adipose tissue in a fillet of fish, comprising an energy source to supply sufficient heat to substantially only the pin bone and connective tissue that attaches the pin bone to the muscle or adipose tissue in the fillet of fish to degrade or denature the connective tissue without degrading or denaturing the muscle or adipose tissue and thereby weaken the attachment of the pin bone to the muscle or adipose tissue in the fillet of fish.

A cutting apparatus for cutting an essentially V-shaped strip from meat products fed in a transport direction has a knife carrier to which two knife units are assigned. Each knife unit has a circular knife and a drive for rotationally driving the circular knife about a central axis of rotation. The two circular knives are set substantially in a V-shape to each other in a position enclosing an angle. An adjustable arrangement of the knife units provides for setting of the size of the angle. The offset of the two central axes of rotation to each other is equal to zero in the transport direction and the two knife units are adjustable exclusively synchronously with each other. A corresponding apparatus and method for cutting an essentially V-shaped strip from meat products fed in transport direction is also provided.