Method and apparatus for processing fish fillets and other food items into predetermined portions

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for cutting or marking fish fillets and other foodstuffs of varying cross-section into portions of predetermined size by conveying each product through a volume scanning unit, computing correct cut locations, and then cutting or marking at each location using a guillotine-type knife mechanism. The guillotine-type knife mechanism moves in a longitudinal direction while cutting perpendicular to the conveyor surface. Dislocation of the fillet is eliminated by synchronizing knife speed with the conveyor, and by overcoming resistance of blade retraction with a retraction mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for processing food. In 
another aspect, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for the 
automated cutting of foodstuffs into portions of predetermined sizes. In 
still another aspect, this invention relates to a method and apparatus for 
the automated cutting of fish fillets, chicken, meat or other foodstuffs 
of irregular cross-section into portions of predetermined sizes. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
In the production of packaged frozen foods such as meat, chicken or fish 
products, it is important that the weight of the portions be controlled as 
accurately as possible, otherwise the weights will vary at the time of the 
filling of the packages resulting in certain disadvantages. For example, 
underweight portions of incorrect weight have to be rejected leading to 
significant losses of fish or meat material while overweight portions have 
to be adjusted to the correct weight, which increases the cost of 
processing and packaging. 
Fish, chicken and meat portions of uniform weight are also desired by 
restaurants to ensure that customers receive servings which are neither 
too slight nor too generous. For example, a restaurant may prefer to serve 
its patrons 6 ounce or 8 ounce portions of fish and will pay more for fish 
portions which are within a given tolerance of the desired weight. 
When whole fish is commercially processed, the fish is typically sent to a 
filleting machine which cuts the fish along the backbone to produce two 
elongated portions or "fillets." The fillets are further divided into 
portions of predetermined size by making cuts transverse to their long 
axis, such cuts being spaced at distances which depend on the 
cross-section of the fillet. 
Prior art methods for estimating and cutting such fillet portions to a 
predetermined size include both manual and automatic methods. 
Manual methods of cutting fillet portions generally consist of manually 
estimating the portion of a fish fillet necessary to provide the desired 
weight, and then manually cutting the fillet. The cut fillet portions are 
then weighed to determine if they were within the tolerance desired for a 
particular use. Manual estimating and cutting suffers from being 
relatively slow and labor-intensive, and even the most skilled laborer 
cannot always produce accurate portions. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,019, issued Dec. 10, 1985, to Van Devanter et al. and 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,254, issued Oct. 24, 1989, to Rudy et al. both 
disclose apparatus for automatically portioning fish fillets, in which 
fillets are applied to a conveyor belt, passed through an electronic image 
scanning system, then cut into a plurality of portions by a cutting 
mechanism. The electronic image scanning system detects and scans the 
shape of the fillet, computes the weight of the fillet, and then activates 
the cutting mechanism to make the desired cuts. 
The Van Devanter et al. cutting mechanism is a rotary saw which is passed 
across the fillet in a direction slightly skewed from transverse to 
prevent the saw blade from displacing the fillet longitudinally while 
cutting. However, the high mass and lengthy travel of the rotary saw 
limits repetition rate of cuts or requires large and expensive drive and 
support components to achieve adequate repetition rate. Thus while the 
apparatus may be suitable for limited commercial production, without an 
adequate repetition rate, it is not possible to integrate the Van Devanter 
et al. apparatus into an automatic filleting line. It is also well known 
that the apparatus does not ensure a complete division or separation of 
the fillet portions reliably because it is difficult to operate the saw 
such that it cuts through the fillet without also cutting the conveyor 
belt. Furthermore, the transverse motion of the saw tends to displace the 
fillet from the position in which it was measured on the conveyor, 
upsetting precision of subsequent cuts. Finally, the saw kerf can remove a 
significant amount of flesh which is wasted. 
Rudy et al. utilizes as the cutting mechanism a high pressure water-knife 
system. Unfortunately, the water-knife system is very expensive and 
generates a high level of audible noise which is disruptive in a 
production environment. 
Since both prior art systems utilize a projected light pattern and 
electronic camera to measure fillet volume, they are subject to problems 
created by spurious reflections of light due to specularity such as that 
created when the conveyor belt is wet. 
Therefore a need exists in the art for an apparatus and method for 
automatically portioning fish, chicken, meats and other foodstuffs into 
portions of predetermined size, without the prior art deficiencies. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
According to one embodiment of this invention there is provided an 
apparatus for cutting a fillet of irregular cross-section into a plurality 
of reduced size portions comprising: a frame; a conveyor comprising an 
endless loop belt and adapted to travel in the longitudinal direction; 
means for measuring the fillet as it moves on the conveyor to determine 
longitudinal position and transverse angle for each of a plurality of 
desired cuts; and at least one guillotine-type cutting means comprising a 
guillotine blade, said means for cutting along the line of action as 
determined above, located above the conveyor, moveable in a direction 
longitudinal to the conveyor. 
According to another embodiment of this invention there is provided a 
process for cutting a fillet of irregular cross-section into a plurality 
of reduced size portions comprising: conveying the fillet in a linear 
path; measuring the fillet as it moves on the conveyor to determine 
longitudinal position and transverse angle for each of a plurality of 
desired cuts; and cutting the fillet with a guillotine-type cutting 
mechanism as determined above. 
According to yet another embodiment of this invention there is provided a 
process for marking a fillet of irregular cross-section into a plurality 
of reduced size portions comprising: conveying the fillet in a linear 
path; measuring the fillet as it moves on the conveyor to determine 
longitudinal position and transverse angle for each of a plurality of 
desired cuts; and cutting the fillet with a guillotine-type cutting 
mechanism as determined above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Wherever mentioned herein, the term "fillet" should be taken to include any 
fish, chicken, meat or other foodstuffs of irregular cross-section to be 
cut into predetermined sizes. 
FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 
of the present invention. It can be seen that the apparatus of the present 
invention generally comprises a series of stations, each disposed along, 
above or proximate to a conveyor system. The apparatus of the present 
invention comprises frame 1, a feeding system (not shown) located 
generally at feed area 200, a conveyor system 100, volume measuring unit 
5, and cutting mechanism 6. 
Conveyor system 100 is a conventional conveyor system that conveys fillet 
28 in a linear path represented by direction arrow 85. Conveyor system 100 
comprises endless loop, elongated conveyor belt 2 with a smooth, 
non-specular finish, conveyor drive 3, and takeup roller 4. 
The feeding system is required to place the foodstuffs to be processed on 
conveyor belt 2 at feed area 200 and may be a manual system or it may be 
any of the feeding systems well known in the art. The apparatus of the 
present invention may also be fed from the discharge end of any commercial 
filleting system such as for example that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 
4,542,559, issued Sep. 24, 1985 to Brower. 
Volume measuring unit 5 determines the volume of the fillet 28 and further 
determines the longitudinal position for each of a plurality of 
perpendicular transverse cuts to be made. Volume measuring unit 5 is 
typically a camera that inputs an image into a computer or processor unit 
for the determination of volume. Suitable volume measuring units include 
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,557,019 and 4,875,254, both herein 
incorporated by reference. Commercially available volume measuring units 
include video camera Model No. TM240T from Pulnix America, Inc. for use 
with a wide variety of computer systems, and a processing unit and camera 
system, the Opcon IS-10 "Inspector Series", available from Opcon Company 
of Everett, Wash. 
Cutting mechanism 6 is a guillotine-type cutting mechanism. 
Endless loop, elongated conveyor belt 2 is supported by support frame 1, 
and driven at a constant speed by conveyor drive 3 in a direction shown by 
direction arrow 85. The conveyor belt 2 travels sequentially through 
volume measuring unit 5, through guillotine-type cutting mechanism 6, 
around conveyor takeup roller 4, through a belt cleaning mechanism 7, 
before returning to the location of conveyor drive 3. 
In operation, fillet 28 is placed on the conveyor belt 2 at feed area 200, 
near the conveyor drive 3 and carried under the volume measuring unit 5. 
The volume measuring unit 5 determines the volume of the fillet 28 and 
further determines the longitudinal position for each of a plurality of 
perpendicular transverse cuts to be made. Volume measuring unit 5 receives 
pulses from rotary encoder 8 to synchronize measurements with the conveyor 
belt 2, and issues a signal to cutting controller 9 at the proper times to 
cut each portion. 
Referring additionally to FIG. 2, which shows an enlarged view of cutting 
mechanism 6, it can be seen that stepping motor 11 is supported in a fixed 
location by chassis plate 10 and rotates at a substantially constant speed 
proportional to the speed of the conveyor belt 2. Signals from the rotary 
encoder 8 are received by the cutting controller 9 which then drives 
stepping motor 11. As fillet 28 advances under cutting mechanism 6 to the 
point at which a cut is required, cutting controller 9 issues an 
electrical current to operate clutch 12 which converts rotation of stepper 
motor 11 through sprocket 13 and timing belt 14 into translation 87 (87a 
is shown to the right, and 87b is shown to the left) of carriage plate 15. 
Timing belt 14 is held taut by tensioning cable 17 which passes around 
idle pulley 18 and tensioned by belt tensioning spring 19. Carriage plate 
15 is secured to chassis plate 10 using roller ways 16 which constrain 
carriage plate 15 to a single degree of freedom, being translation 87 in a 
direction longitudinal to the conveyor belt 2. 
A predetermined time after clutch 12 is engaged, and carriage plate 15 has 
reached a speed exactly matching the conveyor belt 2, the cutting 
controller 9 issues an electrical current to operate solenoid valve 20 
which allows compressed air from air supply 21 to actuate pneumatic 
cylinder 22 which is supported by carriage plate 15. 
The shaft of pneumatic cylinder 22 pushes plunger 23 along plunger guide 
frame 24 downward in a direction 86a perpendicular to the plane of 
conveyor belt 2. Plunger 23 is attached firmly to fixed knife jaw 25 which 
joins with removable knife jaw 26 to retain razor blade 27. The sharp edge 
of razor blade 27, aligned in a direction transverse to the conveyor belt 
2, is forced through fillet 28 in a downward direction perpendicular to 
the plane of conveyor belt 2 until it nearly touches conveyor belt 2 which 
is supported rigidly by belt support 29. 
After a predetermined cutting time sufficient to complete the cutting 
motion, cutting controller 9 removes electrical current from solenoid 
valve 20 which reverses the cylinder 22, pulling razor blade 27 upward in 
direction 86b from fillet 28. 
After a predetermined retraction time, sufficient to retract blade 27 to 
the full upward position, controller 9 removes electrical current from 
clutch 12, releasing carriage plate 15 which is pulled back to rest 
position by carriage return spring 33 into shock absorber 34, ready to 
begin a new cut cycle. 
Referring now to FIGS. 3A-D it can be seen that as blade 27 is forced 
downward in direction 86a into fillet 28 that is moving in direction 85, 
retractor blade wiper 30 is stopped upon meeting the surface of fillet 28, 
swiveling retractor hinge plate 31 which is fixed to top of fixed knife 
jaw 25 (FIG. 2), and stretching retractor spring 32. As blade 27 is 
withdrawn upward in direction 86b , retractor blade wiper 30 remains in 
contact with surface of fillet 28 until razor blade 27 has fully emerged, 
preventing suction along sides of razor blade 27 from lifting fillet 28 up 
from conveyor belt 2. Since while cutting, blade 27 is moving at same 
longitudinal speed in direction 87a as conveyor belt 2 is moving in 
direction 85, and since fillet 28 is held securely by retractor blade 
wiper 30 while blade 27 is being retracted, the position of fillet 28 
relative to the conveyor 2 is not substantially disturbed, ensuring that 
subsequent cuts on the same fillet 28 as the blade 27 is moved to a new 
position in direction 87b are not substantially adversely affected. 
Razor blade 27 is low in cost and is typically replaced and discarded when 
cutting efficiency becomes diminished. 
Weather strip 35 (FIG. 2) forms a water-tight contact with glide sheet 36 
to keep water out of upper section of cutting mechanism. In the embodiment 
shown, weather strip 35 is comprised of Teflon but may be comprised of any 
other suitable material, and glide sheet 36 is comprised of polyethylene 
and may also be comprised of any other suitable material. 
Adjustable leg 37 (FIG. 1) can be changed in height to set the gap between 
razor blade 27 when extended and conveyor belt 2. A large gap may be set 
if it is desired only to mark fillet 28 rather than substantially sever 
fillet 28. 
After leaving guillotine-type cutting mechanism 6 (FIG. 1), divided fillet 
28 is ready for further processing, and may be further conveyed to another 
station, such as a packaging station (not shown). In the embodiment shown 
(FIG. 1), divided fillet 28 is removed from conveyor belt 2, by catch 
shelf 38 where it is taken away at leisure by the operator. 
Referring now to FIG. 4, it can be seen that conveyor belt 2 proceeds 
around conveyor takeup roller 4 to belt cleaning mechanism, shown 
generally at 300, and is held taut by roller 39. 
Belt cleaning mechanism 300 generally comprises belt sprayer 40, scraper 
41, squeegee 42, and drain pan 43. Belt sprayer 40 delivers a spray of 
pressurized cleaning liquid to the surface of belt 2, loosening 
accumulated scales, flesh or slime. Scraper 41 removes loosened matter 
which is carried away by runoff from liquid spray. Squeegee 42 removes 
excess liquid from belt 2, resulting in a clean, dry belt surface to be 
presented for new fillets 28, preventing spurious reflections of light 
from disturbing measurements of volume measuring unit 5. Drain pan 43 
gathers liquid spray caused by the action of belt sprayer 40, and liquid 
and loosened matter caused by squeegee 42, all of which exit out of drain 
43a to be discarded. 
A plurality of fillets may be situated on the conveyor simultaneously 
limited only by the need to separate individual fillets a minimum distance 
so that they may be distinguished by volume measuring unit 5. 
Optionally, an improved embodiment of guillotine-type cutting mechanism 6 
uses an ultrasonically assisted knife as illustrated in FIG. 5. In this 
optional embodiment, plunger 23 and fixed knife jaw 25 are separated by 
piezoelectric crystal 44 and resilient cushion 45. Excited by appropriate 
voltage and frequency from sinusoidal electrical source 46, piezoelectric 
crystal 44 undergoes mechanical strain at a like frequency, imparting 
vibrations into the assembly comprising resilient cushion 45, fixed knife 
jaw 25, removable knife jaw 26 and razor blade 27. Frequency of electrical 
source 46 is chosen such that assembly vibrates in a mode of resonance, 
producing a standing wave across the assembly having displacement nodes 47 
and peaks 48 occurring such that one displacement peak aligns with edge of 
razor blade 27. The ensuing rapid motion of the edge of razor blade 27 
imparts energy into the cutting process, enhancing the knife effectiveness 
particularly in durable materials such as frozen fish flesh. 
Optionally, as illustrated in FIG. 6, an embodiment of the guillotine-type 
cutting mechanism 6 may be rotated about its axis of extension prior to 
cutting to achieve a cut at angles other than transverse to the conveyor 
belt. Such ability may be useful where diagonal cuts are required as with 
fish fillet portions where cuts are desired to be parallel to the head end 
or "collar" of the fillet which generally forms an acute angle relative to 
the back edge of the fillet. The preferred embodiment of this option 
comprises a linear actuator 49, actuating along a linear path 88, 
imparting torque through lever arm 50 and cylinder 22 to plunger 23 
secured to carriage plate 15 via rotary thrust bearing 51 to rotate 
plunger 23 to a predetermined angular position in angular direction 89a or 
89b. 
The description given herein is intended to illustrate the preferred 
embodiments of the present invention. It is possible for one of ordinary 
skill in the art to make various changes to the details of the present 
invention, including changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as 
in the details of the illustrated construction without departing from the 
spirit of this invention. Therefore, it is intended that all such 
variations be included within the scope of the present invention as 
claimed.