초록 ▼

A fish eviscerating apparatus employs at least one rotating brush for removing viscera from a beheaded, belly-slit fish. Bristles of the at least one brush have a length and stiffness which, when combined with a predetermined brush holdown, force, are effective for removing a predetermined portion o

A fish eviscerating apparatus employs at least one rotating brush for removing viscera from a beheaded, belly-slit fish. Bristles of the at least one brush have a length and stiffness which, when combined with a predetermined brush holdown, force, are effective for removing a predetermined portion of viscera. A water jet may be integrated with the brush for aiding the cleaning of the fish body cavity. In one embodiment, one rotating brush is controlled to contact the forward end of the body cavity with a stiff holddown force for removing the fish swim bladder and assorted viscera in the vicinity thereof and a second brush with softer bristles is controlled with less stiff holddown force for contacting and cleaning viscera and other debris from substantially the entire body cavity. A water jet cleans a dark, mucous-like liner from the inner surfaces of the belly flaps of the fish. Initial abrasion by the rotating brush, or branches, aids the cleaning action of the water jet. A pressure roller forces the dorsal fin of the catfish through a slot. A cutting knife is timed to remove the dorsal fin without sacrificing a significant amount of flesh. A snaggle, having a plurality of backward-pointing pins on its inner surfaces, engages and pulls free an intestinal fragment to complete the cleaning of the fish.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for processing fish, said fish having had its head removed and its belly slit, comprising: a conveyor; said conveyor including means for moving said fish along a predetermined path with said belly uppermost; at least one processing station; said at least one processing station including a

Apparatus for processing fish, said fish having had its head removed and its belly slit, comprising: a conveyor; said conveyor including means for moving said fish along a predetermined path with said belly uppermost; at least one processing station; said at least one processing station including a rotating brush; means for spreading belly flap of said fish to reveal an interior of said belly; and means for controlling a position of said rotating brush for bringing a perimeter thereof into contact and out of contact with a predetermined portion of said interior, wherein said means for controlling are capable to control said position during the operation of said apparatus, said means of controlling, comprising means for exerting a predetermined hold-down force of said brush, whereby at least a portion of viscera are removed from said interior.