Patent ID: 6129624
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A22C,Y10T

Abstract:
A hydrodynamic partial decortication apparatus for evisceration of fish, comprising:hydraulic means for propelling fish in a hydraulic flow;an elongated hydraulic guide conduit having an inlet connected to the hydraulic means for serially transporting and centering individual fish within the hydraulic flow;a hydraulic cutting conduit having an inlet connected to an outlet of the guide conduit, the cutting conduit having a plurality of elongated longitudinally oriented, radially directed blades each having one end adjacent to the inlet being pivotally connected to the cutting conduit and a distal free end removed from the inlet, the free end being inwardly biased and protruding into the hydraulic flow more so than the pivotally connected end, wherein adjacent cutting edges of the blades are separated at least by a minimum gap distance so that the fish passing through the cutting conduit are strip flayed to expose viscera of the fish; and,an eviscerating conduit having an inlet connected to an outlet of the cutting conduit, the eviscerating conduit having a plurality of inwardly directed projections for snagging the exposed viscera from the flayed fish and entraining the viscera in the hydraulic flow substantially separated from the flayed fish.