APPARATUS FOR CUTTING FISH FILLETS FROM FLANK BONES, FILLETING APPARATUS WITH SUCH AN APPATATUS, AND METHOD FOR CUTTING FISH FILLETS FROM FLANK BONES

Abstract

Filleting apparatus cutting fish fillets from flank bones. The fish fillets been processed by a ventral knife assembly and a dorsal knife assembly. A conveying apparatus, transporting fish tail-first in transport direction, having an endlessly circulating transport conveyor with at least one transport saddle receiving/securing a fish, a flank knife assembly with two flank knife units, opposing each other on both sides of the transport conveyor in the region of a transport saddle guide. Each flank knife unit has a rotatably drivable circular knife and counter-surface arrangement Circular knife is arranged at a distance from the counter-surface arrangement to form a cutting gap and a control device moves flank knife units relative to the transport conveyor from standby position into working position and back. The counter-surface arrangements vary the size of the cutting gap controllably during the processing operation.

Claims

1. An apparatus (10), designed and configured for processing headed fish (11), namely for cutting the fish fillets of the fish (11), which preferably have already been processed by a ventral knife assembly and a dorsal knife assembly, from the flank bones, comprising a conveying apparatus (12), designed and configured for transporting the fish (11) tail-first in transport direction T, wherein the conveying apparatus (12) has an endlessly circulating transport conveyor (13) with at least one transport saddle (14) for receiving and securing a fish (11), a flank knife assembly (15), wherein the flank knife assembly (15) has two flank knife units (16, 17), opposing each other on both sides of the transport conveyor (13) in the region of a transport saddle guide (18), and each flank knife unit (16, 17) comprises a rotatably drivable circular knife (19, 20) as well as a counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) for the circular knife (19, 20), wherein the circular knife (19, 20) is arranged at a distance from the counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) to form a cutting gap S, as well as at least one control device for moving the flank knife units (16, 17) relative to the transport conveyor (13) from a standby position into a working position and back, characterised in that the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) are designed and configured to vary the size of the cutting gap S controllably during the processing operation.

2. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) are associated with at least one control device for moving the counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) relative to the circular knife (19, 20) in such a manner that the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) are designed to be movable, at least section by section, relative to the respective circular knife (19, 20) of the flank knife units (16, 17) for varying the size of the cutting gap S during the processing operation.

3. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that each counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) comprises at least two separate counter-surface elements (24, 25; 26, 27), of which a first counter-surface element (24, 26) is arranged on the flank knife unit (16, 17) at a fixed gap distance SA1 from the circular knife (19, 20), forming a cutting gap S, and movable against a spring force, and the second counter-surface element (25, 27) is arranged on the flank knife unit (16, 17) so as to be separately controllable and movable towards the circular knife (19, 20) and away from the circular knife (19, 20) for varying the size of a gap distance SA2, forming a cutting gap S.

4. The apparatus (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the first counter-surface element (24, 26) has a substantially rectangular support surface (28, 29), wherein a corner region of the support surface (28, 29) is recessed in a region of the first counter-surface element (24, 26), which is at the rear in transport direction T, on the side directed away from the transport conveyor (13) in order to form a recess (30), and in that the second substantially crescent-shaped counter-surface element (25, 27) is arranged in the region of this recess (30).

5. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that each flank knife unit (16, 17) is associated with a cam control, by means of which the flank knife units (16, 17) can be moved from the standby position into the working position and vice versa, and in that each counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) is associated with a cam control, by means of which the counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) can be moved, at least section by section, relative to the circular knife (19, 20), wherein the movements of the flank knife units (16, 17) and the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) can be superimposed on each other.

6. The apparatus (10) according to one claim 1, characterised in that the second counter-surface element (25, 27) is associated with a cam control in such a manner that the second counter-surface element (25, 27) can be moved, in particular can be pivoted, from a first position, in which the second counter-surface element (25, 27) substantially fills the recess (30) of the first counter-surface element (24, 26) and the sizes of the cutting gaps S between the first counter-surface element (24, 26) and the circular knife (19, 20) and the second counter-surface element (25, 27) and the circular knife (19, 20) are substantially identical, into a second position, in which the second counter-surface clement (25, 27) uncovers the recess (30) of the first counter-surface element (24, 26) and increases the cutting gap S between the second counter-surface element (25, 27) and the circular knife (19, 20), and vice versa.

7. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that each flank knife unit (16, 17) is associated with a cam control, by means of which the flank knife units (16, 17) can be moved from the standby position into the working position and vice versa, and in that each counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) is associated with an electrically controllable drive means, using which the counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) can be moved, at least section by section, relative to the circular knife (19, 20), wherein the movements of the flank knife units (16, 17) and the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) can be superimposed on each other.

8. The apparatus (10) according to claim 3, characterised in that the second counter-surface element (25, 27) is associated with a pneumatic cylinder (31) in such a manner that the second counter-surface element (25, 27) can be moved, in particular can be moved linearly, from a first position, in which the second counter-surface element (25, 27) substantially fills the recess (30) of the first counter-surface element (24, 26) and the sizes of the cutting gaps S between the first counter-surface element (24, 26) and the circular knife (19, 20) and the second counter-surface element (25, 27) and the circular knife (19, 20) are substantially identical, into a second position, in which the second counter-surface element (25, 27) uncovers the recess (30) of the first counter-surface element (24, 26) and increases the cutting gap S between the second counter-surface element (25, 27) and the circular knife (19, 20), and vice versa, wherein the pneumatic cylinder (31) is connected to a control device.

9. The apparatus (10) according to claim 1, characterised in that both the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) and the flank knife units (16, 17) are associated with electrically controllable drive means for adjusting the position, wherein the drive means are connected to a control device via electrical connections.

10. The apparatus (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that the or each control device includes at least one control program, by means of which the flank knife units (16, 17) can be moved during the processing operation between their positions and/or each counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) or counter-surface elements (25, 27) thereof can be moved during the processing operation, away from the circular knife for increasing the gap distance SA2 from the circular knife (19, 20), which forms the cutting gap S, and towards the circular knife for decreasing the gap distance SA2 from the circular knife (19, 20).

11. A filleting apparatus (32), designed and configured for completely separating the fish fillets from headed fish (11), characterised by an apparatus (10) according to claim 1, a ventral knife assembly for processing the ventral side of the headed fish from the tail to the anus region of the fish as well as a dorsal knife assembly for processing the dorsal side of the headed fish over their entire length, wherein the ventral knife assembly and the dorsal knife assembly arc each arranged upstream of the flank knife assembly of the apparatus in transport direction T, and a separating assembly for completely separating the fish fillets from the skeleton of the headed fish, wherein the separating assembly is arranged downstream of the flank knife assembly in transport direction T, as well as a control device for controlling the filleting apparatus.

12. A method for processing headed fish (11), namely for cutting the fish fillets of the fish (11), which preferably have already been processed by a ventral knife assembly and a dorsal knife assembly, from the flank bones, comprising: Feeding headed fish (11) tail-first by a conveying apparatus (12) comprising a transport conveyor (13) along a transport path in transport direction T into the region of a flank knife assembly (15), wherein the flank knife assembly (15) comprises two flank knife units (16, 17) which are situated on opposing sides of the transport conveyor (13), Moving the flank knife units (16, 17) relative to the transport conveyor (13) from a standby position into a working position when the fish (11) reach the region of the flank knife units (16, 17) with the leading end of their abdominal cavity, Cutting the fish fillets from the flank bones on both sides of the transport path by means of one flank knife unit (16, 17) in each case, wherein the flank bones are guided through a cutting gap S formed between a rotatably drivable circular knife (19, 20) and a counter-surface arrangement (21, 22) of the flank knife units (16, 17), characterised in that the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) are lowered at least section by section for temporarily increasing the cutting gap S during cutting of the fish fillets from the flank bones and are then raised again.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterised in that the counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) each comprise two counter-surface elements (24, 25; 26, 27), wherein first counter-surface elements (24, 26) of both counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) form a fixed gap distance SA1 from the circular knife (19, 20), and second counter-surface elements (25, 27) of both counter-surface arrangements (21, 22) are separately controlled in such a manner that the gap distance SA2 from the circular knife (19, 20) varies and in particular increases when the fish (11) reach the circular knives (19, 20) of the flank knife units (16, 17) with their ventral fins.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterised in that the fish (11) are processed by means of a ventral knife assembly (33) and a dorsal knife assembly (34) before flank cutting, and in that the fish (11) are detached completely from the skeleton by means of a separating assembly (35) after flank cutting.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterised in that said method is carried out with a filleting apparatus (32) designed and configured for completely separating the fish fillets from headed fish (11), characterised by an apparatus (10) according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, a ventral knife assembly for processing the ventral side of the headed fish from the tail to the anus region of the fish as well as a dorsal knife assembly for processing the dorsal side of the headed fish over their entire length, wherein the ventral knife assembly and the dorsal knife assembly are each arranged upstream of the flank knife assembly of the apparatus in transport direction T, and a separating assembly for completely separating the fish fillets from the skeleton of the headed fish, wherein the separating assembly is arranged downstream of the flank knife assembly in transport direction T, as well as a control device for controlling the filleting apparatus.

Description

[0030] Further expedient and/or advantageous features and developments of the apparatus for flank cutting and the filleting apparatus on the one hand, and the method emerge from the dependent claims and the description. Especially preferred embodiments of the apparatuses and the principle of the method are explained in greater detail with reference to the attached drawing. The drawing shows:

[0031] FIG. 1 a diagrammatic and partial representation of the apparatus for flank cutting with flank knife units in the standby position and the counter-surface arrangement in a first (supporting) position,

[0032] FIG. 2 the apparatus according to FIG. 1 with the flank knife units in the standby position, the transport saddle being in a position advanced in transport direction T, and the counter-surface arrangement being in a second (supporting and uncovering) position in which a counter-surface element is in a position increasing the cutting gap,

[0033] FIG. 3 a further view of the apparatus for flank cutting according to FIG. 2,

[0034] FIG. 4 a diagrammatic and partial representation of a flank knife unit,

[0035] FIG. 5 a further view of the flank knife unit according to FIG. 4,

[0036] FIG. 6 a diagrammatic representation of a filleting apparatus with an apparatus for flank cutting according to FIGS. 1 to 5, and

[0037] FIG. 7 a diagrammatic representation of the knife assemblies of the filleting apparatus according to FIG. 6.

[0038] The apparatus 10 illustrated in the drawing is used for cutting fish fillets from flank bones, More precisely, this apparatus 10 is designed and configured for processing headed fish 11, namely for cutting the fish fillets of the fish, which preferably have already been processed by a ventral knife assembly and a dorsal knife assembly, from the flank bones. The apparatus 10 comprises a conveying apparatus 12, designed and configured to transport the fish 11 tail-first in transport direction T, the conveying apparatus 12 having an endlessly circulating transport conveyor 13 with at least one transport saddle 14 for receiving and securing a fish 11. The apparatus 10 further comprises a flank knife assembly 15, the flank knife assembly 15 having two flank knife units 16, 17, opposing each other on both sides of the transport conveyor 13 in the region of a transport saddle guide 18, and each flank knife unit 16, 17 comprising a rotatably drivable circular knife 19, 20 as well as a counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 for the circular knife 19, 20, the circular knife 19, 20 being arranged at a distance from the counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 to form a cutting gap S, as well as at least one control device (not explicitly illustrated) for controlling the flank knife units 16, 17 relative to the transport conveyor 13 from a standby position into a working position and back. In the standby position, the cutting edges of the circular knives 19, 20 are at least partially covered by the transport saddle guide 18. To move the circular knives 19, 20 into their working position, they are steered upwards in such a manner that the cutting edges of the circular knives 19, 20 are exposed above the transport saddle guide 18.

[0039] This apparatus 10 is characterised according to the invention in that the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 are designed and configured to vary the size of the cutting gap S controllably during the processing operation. This means that, in addition to setting the size of the cutting gap S before or after the processing operation, i.e. during the standstill phase of the apparatus 10, in order to determine the cutting thickness on the one hand and to determine the appropriate time for engagement of the circular knives 19, 20 in the fish 11 on the other hand, adjustment of the size of the cutting gap S is ensured during processing or cutting the fish fillets from the flank S bones. As a result, an individual incision can be achieved by varying the size of the cutting gap S preferably for each fish 11 and in particular for each position of the circular knives 19, 20 in the flail In other words, the movement of the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 downwards, i.e. away from the circular knife 19, 20, to increase the cutting gap S, creates space which is required so that the belly flaps with the ventral fins run under the circular knives 19, 20 or can be guided along below the circular knives 19, 20 so that these remain on the skeleton.

[0040] When taken on their own or in combination with each other, the features and developments described below illustrate preferred embodiments. It is expressly pointed out that features which are summarised in the claims and/or the description and/or the drawing or are described in a common embodiment can also further develop the apparatus 10 described above in a functionally independent manner.

[0041] The transport conveyor 13 preferably comprises a plurality of transport saddles 14. Using the transport saddles 14, the headed fish 11 are transported along a transport path or processing path into and through the operating area of the flank knife assembly 15. The conveying apparatus 12 or the transport conveyor 13 can be driven continuously or clocked. The or each transport saddle 14 is preferably detachably arranged on an endlessly circulating transport chain or the like as transport conveyor 13. The two circular knives 19, 20 are preferably inclined to each other and aligned with the transport saddle guide 18. More precisely, the circular knives 19, 20 preferably drop outwards and obliquely downwards starting from the transport saddle guide 18. The angle of inclination of the circular knives 19, 20in relation to the transport saddle guide 18is preferably adjustable. Each circular knife 19, 20 can have its own drive 23. Alternatively, it is also possible for the circular knives 19, 20 to be driven via a common drive. The two counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 associated with the circular knives 19, 20 can be configured separately or coupled with each other. The cutting gap S is formedat least during the processing or cutting operationbetween the circular knives 19, 20 and the respectively associated counter-surface arrangements 21, 22. The size of the cutting gap S is adjustable.

[0042] The counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 are preferably associated with at least one control device for moving the counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 relative to the circular knife 19, 20 in such a manner that the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 are designed to be movable, at least section by section, relative to the respective circular knife 19, 20 of the flank knife units 16, 27 for varying the size of the cutting gap S during the processing operation. By, means of the control device, the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 can be specifically moved away from or towards the circular knife 19, 20. The control device can optionally be designed mechanically and/or electrically. In a first embodiment, each counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 is associated with a separate control device. In a further embodiment, a common control device is provided for both counter-surface arrangements 21, 22. The counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 can be moved up and down completely or partially or section by section relative to the circular knife 19, 20 by the or each control device.

[0043] Each of the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 can be formed in one piece. However, each counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 preferably comprises at least two separate counter-surface elements 24, 26; 26, 27, of which a first counter-surface element 24, 26 is arranged on the flank knife unit 15, 16 at a fixed gap distance S.sub.A1 from the circular knife 19, 20, forming a cutting gap 5, and movable against a spring force, and the second counter-surface element 25, 27 is arranged on the flank knife unit 16, 17 so as to be separately controllable and movable towards the circular knife 19, 20 and away from the circular knife 19, 20 for varying the size of a gap distance S.sub.A2, forming a cutting gap S. In this connection, fixed means that the first counter-surface elements 24, 26 are not actively controllable but are merely arranged on the flank knife units 16, 17 yieldingly against the spring force exerted by the fish 11 itself. For this purpose, the first counter-surface. element 24, 26 is preferably pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation D. Instead of a spring for applying the spring force, pressure cylinders or the like can also be provided for applying a holding force. Optionally, the first counter-surface elements 24, 26 can also be actively controllable.

[0044] The first counter-surf-ace element 24, 26 in each case has a substantially rectangular support surface 28, 29, a corner region of the support surface 28, 29 being recessed in a region of the first counter-surface element 24, 26, which is at the rear in transport direction T, on the side directed away from the transport conveyor 13, in order to form a recess 30. As a result, the support surface 28, 29 has a shape similar to a meat cleaver. The support surface 28, 29 serves primarily to support the ends of the bones (vertebral processes) of the ventral bones of the fish 11. The basic shape of the support surfaces 28, 29 can vary as long as the ends of the bones receive sufficient support and a partial region of the support surfaces 28, 29 on the sides directed towards the circular knives 19, 20 is recessed.

[0045] The second counter-surface element 25, 27 in each case has a substantially crescent or half-moon shape and is arranged in the region of this recess 30. This means that the second counter-surface element 25, 27 is generally in an upper position in which the gap distance S.sub.A1 between the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and the circular knife 19, 20 on the one hand and the gap distance S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface element 25, 27 and the circular knife 19, 20 on the other hand is approximately equal in size (see FIG. 1 for example). The second counter-surface element 25, 27 can be moved from this upper position into a lower position (see FIG. 2 for example) in which the gap distance S.sub.A1 between the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and the circular knife 19, 20 is smaller than the gap distance S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface element 25, 27 and the circular knife 19, 20. In other words, sufficient space is created in the lower position of the second counter-surface element 25, 27 so that the free end of the belly flap with the ventral fins can be guided along below the circular knives 19, 20. The basic shape of the second counter-surface element 25, 27 is also variable. This means that the second counter-surface elements 25, 27 can also have a different shape than the crescent shape as long as the supporting function in the upper position is ensured on the one hand and a relative movement to the first counter-surface element 24, 26 can be realised collision-free on the other hand.

[0046] In a first embodiment, each flank knife unit 16, 17 is associated with a cam control, by means of which the flank knife units 16, 17 can be moved from the standby position into the working position and vice versa. The back and forth or up and down movement of the flank knife units 16, 17, i.e. the adjustment of the position of the flank knife units 16, 17, can be performed by a common cam control for both flank knife units 16, 17. Optionally, each flank knife unit 16, 17 can also be associated with a separate cam control. Accordingly, each counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 can also be associated with a separate cam control, by means of which the counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 can be moved, at least section by section, relative to the circular knife 19, 20, it being possible to superimpose the movements of the flank knife units 16, 17 and the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 on each other. Optionally, the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 can also be associated with a common cam control. In the event that the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 are formed in at least two parts, the second counter-surface element 25, 27 is associated with a cam control in such a manner that the second counter-surface element 25, 27 can be moved, in particular can be pivoted, from a first position, in which the second counter-surface element 25, 27 substantially fills the recess 30 of the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and the sizes of the cutting gaps S or the gap distances S.sub.A1 between the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and the circular knife 19, 20 and S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface element 25, 27 and the circular knife 19, 20 are substantially identical, into a second position, in which the second counter-surface element 25, 27 uncovers the recess 30 of the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and increases the cutting gap S or the gap distance S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface element 25, 27 and the circular knife 19, 20, and vice versa.

[0047] In a further especially preferred embodiment of the apparatus 10, each flank knife unit 16, 17 is again associated with a cam control, as already described above in connection with the first embodiment, by means of which the flank knife units 16, 17 can be moved from the standby position into the working position and vice versa. In this embodiment, however, the or each counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 is associated with an electrically controllable drive means, using which the counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 can be moved, at least section by section, relative to the circular knife 19, 20, it being possible to superimpose the movements of the flank knife units 16, 17 and the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 on each other.

[0048] Advantageously, the second counter-surface element 25, 27 is associated with a pneumatic cylinder 31 in such a manner that the second counter-surface element 25, 27 can be moved, in particular can be moved linearly, from a first position, in which the second counter-surface element 25, 27 substantially fills the recess 30 of the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and the sizes of the cutting gaps S or gap distances S.sub.A1 between the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and the circular knife 19, 20 and S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface element 25, 27 and the circular knife 19, 20 are substantially identical, into a second position, in which the second counter-surface element 25, 27 uncovers the recess 30 of the first counter-surface element 24, 26 and increases the cutting gap S or the gap distance S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface element 25, 27 and the circular knife 19, 20, and vice versa, the pneumatic cylinder 31 being connected to a control device. For example, electric cables or the like can be provided for controlling, for example, valves of a compressed air supply for the pneumatic cylinder 31.

[0049] It is basically possible to implement a pivoting movement of the second counter-surface element 25, 27. However, the second counter-surface elements 25, 27 are preferably designed and configured to perform a linear movement initiated by the pneumatic cylinder 31. It is possible that a common pneumatic cylinder 31 is provided for the two counter-surface elements 25, 27. Preferably, however, the second counter-surface element 25, 27 is associated with a separate pneumatic cylinder 31. Other electrically controllable adjusting elements can also be used instead of the pneumatic cylinder 31.

[0050] The apparatus 10 can have a plurality of control devices which are controlled by means of a higher-level control device. However, the apparatus 10 can also have a single central control device by means of which the individual components of the apparatus 10, which are controllable, are controlled.

[0051] In a further embodiment, both the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 and the flank knife units 16, 17 can be associated with electrically controllable drive means for adjusting the positions, the drive means being connected to a control device via electrical connections. As positions, the standby position and working position of the flank knife units 16, 17relative to the transport saddle guideand the different positions of the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 or the second counter-surface elements 25, 27 relative to the circular knife 19, 20 should be mentioned in particular.

[0052] Optionally, the or each control device can include at least one control program, by means of which the flank knife units 16, 17 can be moved during the processing operation between their positions and/or each counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 or second counter-surface elements 25, 27 thereof can be moved during the processing operation, away from the circular knife for increasing the gap distance S.sub.A2 from the circular knife 19, 20, which forms the cutting gap S, and towards the circular knife for decreasing the gap distance S.sub.A2 from the circular knife 19, 20.

[0053] In a further optional embodiment, monitoring meanspreferably opticalwhich are directed at the region of the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 and the circular knives 19, 20 can also be provided. The monitoring means can also be connected to a or the control device so that the information determined, e.g. the location/position of the fish 11 in relation to the circular knife 19, 20 and/or to the counter-surface arrangement 21, 22, can be used in particular to control the second counter-surface elements 25, 27.

[0054] The apparatus 10 for flank cutting can be designed as a separate apparatus or also as a retrofit kit. However, the apparatus 10 for flank cutting is preferably part of a filleting apparatus 32 (see FIG. 6 for example). The filleting apparatus 32 is designed and configured for completely separating the fish fillets from headed fish 11. The filleting apparatus 32 comprises an apparatus 10 according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, as previously described in detail, a ventral knife assembly 33 for processing the ventral side of the headed fish 11 from the tail to the beginning of the abdominal cavity of the fish 11 or up to the head incision, as well as a dorsal knife assembly 34 for processing the dorsal side of the headed fish 11 over their entire length, the ventral knife assembly 33 and the dorsal knife assembly 34 each being arranged upstream of the flank knife assembly 15 of the apparatus 10 in transport direction T, and a separating assembly 35 for completely separating the fish fillets from the skeleton of the headed fish 11, the separating assembly 35 being arranged downstream of the flank knife assembly 15 in transport direction T, as well as a control device for controlling the filleting apparatus 32.

[0055] The arrangement of the assemblies is explained in principle with reference to FIG. 7. In transport direction T of the fish 11, the fish initially meet the ventral knife assembly 33 and the dorsal knife assembly 34. The order in which the ventral knife assembly 33 and dorsal knife assembly 34 are arranged can vary. Preferably, the circular knives of the ventral knife assembly 33 are driven anti-clockwise for a transport direction T from right to left (as in the view shown in FIG. 7). The circular knives of the dorsal knife assembly 34 are preferably driven in the clockwise direction. The flank knife assembly 15, the circular knife 20 of which is preferably driven in the clockwise direction, is arranged in transport direction T downstream of the ventral knife assembly 33 and the dorsal knife assembly 34. The opposing circular knife 19 has an opposing direction of rotation. The separating assembly 35, the separating knives, preferably circular knives, of which are preferably driven in the clockwise direction, is arranged in transport direction T downstream of the flank knife assembly 15.

[0056] The control device of the filleting apparatus 32 can also be designed and configured to control all components of the apparatus 10 and in particular can also include corresponding control programs. The or each control device can also be connected to an intranet or an external network.

[0057] The method is explained in greater detail below with reference to the drawing: Many fish species have ventral fins arranged in pairs in the ventral region, the so-called pelvic fins. After the fish 11 have been headed, they are placed directly or with opened and/or gutted abdominal cavity onto a transport saddle 14 of a conveying apparatus 12. The flank bones of the skeleton, to which and on which the belly flaps consisting of flesh and skin are attached (in the sense of grown on), extend on both sides of the transport saddle 14. The ventral fins are located at a substantially constant distance from the anus which is located in the region of the tail-side end of the abdominal cavity.

[0058] The method is used for processing headed fish 11, namely for cutting the fish fillets of the fish 11, which preferably have already been processed by a ventral knife assembly 33 and a dorsal knife assembly 34, from the flank bones. Firstly, a conveying apparatus 12 comprising a transport conveyor 13 feeds the headed fish 11 tail-first along a transport path in transport direction T into the region of a flank knife assembly 15. The flank knife assembly 15 comprises two flank knife units 16, 17 which are situated on opposing sides of the transport conveyor 13. The flank knife units 16, 17 are moved relative to the transport conveyor 13 from a standby position into a working position when the fish 11 reach the region of the flank knife units 16, 17 with the leading end of their abdominal cavity. The fish fillets are cut from the flank bones on both sides of the transport path when the fish 11 arrive in the operating area of the flank knife units 16, 17, The flank bones are guided through a cutting gap S formed between a rotatably drivable circular knife 19, 20 and a counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 of the flank knife units 16, 17.

[0059] According to the invention, the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 are lowered at least section by section for temporarily increasing the cutting gap S during cutting of the fish fillets from the flank bones, and are then raised again.

[0060] Advantageously, the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 each comprise two counter-surface elements 24, 25; 26, 27, first counter-surface elements 24, 26 of both counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 forming a fixed gap distance SAI from the circular knife 19, 20, and second counter-surface elements 25, 27 of both counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 being separately controlled in such a manner that the gap distance S.sub.A2 from the circular knife 19, 20 varies and in particular increases when the fish 11 reach the circular knives 19, 20 of the flank knife units 16, 17 with their ventral fins.

[0061] The beginning of flank cutting is signalled by the leading tip of the transport saddle 14. In other words, the tip of the transport saddle 14 is the significant point for the beginning of flank cutting. This means that the flank knife units 16, 17 are moved upwards out of their standby position into their working position when the tip of the transport saddle 14 arrives in the region of the circular knives 19, 20. As a result, the circular knives 19, 20 dip between the flank bones and the flesh of the fish fillet, from inside and below as it were, so that the flank bones slide along below the circular knife 19, 20 and the flesh with the skin (i.e. the fish fillets or belly flaps) slide along above the circular knives 19, 20. When the fish 11 reaches the region of the circular knives 19, 20 with its ventral fins, the ventral fins are separated from the fish fillet, on the one hand by the exposed cutting edges of the circular knives 19, 20 located in their working position, and on the other hand by lowering of the counter-surface arrangement 21, 22 or the second counter-surface element 25, 27 of the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22. Lowering of the second counter-surface element 25, 27 creates spaces which the spatial extension of the ventral fins requires in order to run under the circular knives 19, 20 in the region of the flank bones.

[0062] The path or distance from the anus to the ventral fins (pelvic fins) is substantially constant, regardless of the size of the fish 11 to be processed. Knowing the distance, the control device can be used to determine when the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 or individual elements thereof must be controlled, i.e, moved downwards, to establish a greater distance and when the counter-surface arrangements 21, 22 or individual elements thereof must be controlled, i.e. moved upwards, to establish the original distance. The original distance is the cutting gap S, at which the gap distances S.sub.A1 between the first counter-surface elements 24, 26 and the circular knives 19, 20 and S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface elements 25, 27 and the circular knives 19, 20 are substantially identical. Deviating from this, the gap distance S.sub.A2 between the second counter-surface elements 25, 27 and the circular knives 19, 20 is temporarily increased.

[0063] With the method according to the invention it is thus achieved that the fish fillets or belly flaps are guided along the circular knives 19, 20 in variable orientation according to the transport progress, i.e. on the one hand resting completely on the counter-surface elements 24, 25, 26, 27 and on the other hand at least partially suspended from the counter-surface element 24, 26, in order to achieve an individual incision which omits the ventral fins.

[0064] Preferably, the fish 11 are processed by means of a ventral knife assembly 33 and a dorsal knife assembly 34 before flank cutting and are detached completely from the skeleton by means of a separating assembly 36 after flank cutting. To do this, two circular knives of the ventral knife assembly 33 cut from the tail root to the abdominal cavity, freeing lower ray bones of the skeleton extending up to the backbone/central bone and then insert into the abdominal cavity. Two circular knives of the dorsal knife assembly 34 cut from the tail root over the entire length of the fish, freeing upper ray bones of the skeleton up to the backbone. The two circular knives 19, 20 of the flank knife assembly 15 cut the two fish fillets from the flank bones on both sides (right and left). Two separating knives of the separating assembly 35 are used to cut the fish fillets from the backbone on both sides (right and left) from the tail root up to the flank bones.

[0065] Especially preferably, this method is carried out with a filleting apparatus 32 according to claim 11 which is described above.