APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROLLED FEEDING AND TRANSPORTATION OF FISH FILETS OR MEAT PORTIONS IN A FLOW LINE PROCESSING SYSTEM

Abstract: The invention concerns apparatus and method for an automatic, controlled feeding and transportation of pieces of material, such as fish fillets and/or meat portions onto and between conveyor belts and workstations in a flow line system, said apparatus comprising a first conveyor belt for transportation of the pieces of material from a first workstation to a second workstation, and a second conveyor belt for transportation of the pieces of material away from the second workstation. The material is transported in such a way as to suffer minimum impact and is fed onto conveyor belts for subsequent processing in the optimum position at the correct time. This is achieved with co-ordinated equipment whereby the fish fillets (15) are moved from the first conveyor belt (2) into a storage compartment (5), before they are taken to a workstation (4) for further processing, then transferred from there by special feeder equipment (8) onto a second conveyor belt (9) for further processing and/or handling.

Description: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATIC CONTROLLED FEEDING AND TRANSPORTATION OF FISH FILETS OR MEAT PORTIONS IN A FLOW LINE PROCESSING SYSTEM Technical field of the invention The invention concerns apparatus and method for an automatic, controlled feeding and transportation of pieces of material, such as fish fillets and/ or meat portions onto and between conveyor belts and workstations in a flow line system, said apparatus comprising a first conveyor belt for transportation of the pieces of material from a first workstation to a second workstation, and a second conveyor belt for transportation of the pieces of material away from the second workstation. Background of the invention Flow lines are well known in modern fish processing systems. These are integrated processing lines for trimming of fish. The processing line is built virtually around the person who trims the fish. An employee takes a fish fillet from a conveyor belt and places it, for example, on a candle table for examination and removal of bones, blood spots or other extraneous objects. Afterwards he takes the fillet and places it in a collecting tray where it is either emptied onto a conveyor belt or transported by other means for further processing. Each piece of material is weighed in order to calculate the employee's productivity. The main aims of the flow line are to ensure a constant and even flow of material to and from the employees who trim it, to increase productivity, and to yield better information about processing. A further aim is to make it as easy as possible for the employee to perform his task. Like almost all food products, fish is a very sensitive product. Steadily growing demands for quality and hygiene make product handling a crucial factor. Known processing systems have not been able to establish a reliable way to ensure the best possible handling of fish fillets. An important factor for the fish fillets is to be placed onto the conveyor belt immediately after trimming in the optimum position. If this is not done, the fillets may twist, an irregular distance may be formed between individual fillets, and they may lie pointing in various directions. All these factors have an impact on weighing, cutting and size grading, and on further processing. This is particularly the case with salmon, which is sensitive to all handling, but also applies in principle to most species of fish as well as other food products. General description of the invention The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for automatic controlled feeding and transportation of pieces material such as fish fillets or meat portions onto and between conveyor belts and workstations in a flow line processing system, so that the flow of material on the processing line can be controlled, is while being transported in such a way as to suffer minimum impact and fed onto conveyor belts for subsequent processing in the optimum position at the correct time. Detailed description of the invention The object in accordance to the invention is achieved by an apparatus characterised in that it comprises: a storage compartment for receiving pieces of material from the first conveyor belt, a feeder arm for a displacement of the pieces of material from the first conveyor belt into the storage compartment, said pieces of material being removable from said storage compartment for a handling in the second workstation, a feeder platform for receiving the processed pieces of material and feeding them onto another conveyor belt, one or more measuring device for registration of the position of and the distance between the pieces of material on the flow line, and a control equipment for receiving and collecting data from measuring device and controlling individual units of the apparatus and thereby the transportation of the pieces of material between places of processing and transportation. This configuration enables the simple and reliable controlled feeding and transportation of pieces of material between conveyor belts and workstations, so that the position of individual pieces of material is always known. The physical impact upon the material is minimal. An even flow is ensured on the processing line and the controlled feeding of material onto the conveyor belt for further processing is made accurate and reliable. A very convenient design in accordance to the invention is the feeder arm for displacement of the pieces of material from the first conveyor belt to the storage compartment comprises a substantially vertical plate extending parallel to the direction in which is parallel to the direction in which the belt is moving, and being horizontally movable across the conveyor belt to and from the storage compartment. Further in according to the invention, a storage compartment for receiving pieces of material from the first conveyor belt comprises a substantially horizontal plate fixed to the equipment on a rotatable axle which extend along one of the sides of the plate parallel to and in substantially the same plane as the first conveyor belt, said plate comprising means for rotating the axle in such a manner that the edge at the opposite side of said plate moves repeatedly upwardly and downwardly towards and away from a surface of the second workstation. In accordance to a special configuration of the invention the feeding platform is placed above and parallel to the plane of the second conveyor belt, at least one section of the platform being movable in a direction towards and away from said second conveyor belt, and the surface of said feeding platform is covered with a endless feeder belt for transportation of the pieces of material, and the belt extending around the platform is advanced in steps in the direction of the second conveyor belt with a synchronised and repeated forward and backward movement of the movable section of the platform. A further configuration of the feeder platform is unique in that the feeder belt is extended to a position exactly above the second conveyor belt by the movement of the movable section of the platform, whereby said feeder belt is pulled over the remaining stationary section. Furthermore, the feeder platform is unique in that in that the movable section of the feeder platform is retracted from a position exactly above the second conveyor belt while the feeder belt remaining fixed in position on the stationary section so that it is pulled down and away from beneath the pieces of material, such as fillet, whereby said pieces of material falls down on the second conveyor belt. Further in accordance to the invention the forward and backward movement of the platform is connected to the action of unidirectional rollers. Further in accordance to the invention the forward and backward movement of the platform is connected to the action of unidirectional rollers at each of the platform, that said unidirectional rollers are enclosed inside the feeder belt ins such a manner that the rear roller turns with the forward movement of the moveable section of the platform and the front roller turns with its backward movement thereof, whereby the feeder belt is advanced by the forward movement of the movable section of the platform by the backward movement thereof. The unidirectional rollers are equipped with ratchets which engage with sockets in the feeder belt, so as to interconnect said feeder belt and said unidirectional rollers. Furthermore, the invention is unique in that the forward and backward motion of the platform is performed by one or more (double action) air-powered jacks. In addition, the invention is unique in that the feeder platform can be fitted with a weighing scale. Detailed description of drawings The invention will be explained in detail with reference to the following drawings in which: Fig. la shows a flow line for fish processing with automatic feed and transportation of material, Fig. lb shows a detailed configuration of the flow line, Fig. 2 shows a detailed configuration of the feeder platform, Fig. 3 shows the transfer movement of the feeder platform, and Fig. 4 shows the feeder belt with sockets for ratchets. Fig. la shows a flow line for fish processing with automatic equipment for controlled feeding and transportation of material. Essentially the apparatus consists of a first conveyor belt (2), a feeder arm (6), a storage compartment (5), a workstation (4), a feeder platform (8), a measuring equipment (41, 43), and a frame ( 1) which supports and connects the individual components. Process functions are controlled by control equipment ( 1 1). Material which is transported along the first conveyor belt (2) from the primary processing stage, which could be for example a filleting machine (3), is fed according to predetermined parameters into the storage compartments by means of the feeder arm (6). Varying quantities can be fed into each storage compartment (5). The control equipment ( 1 1) monitors the position of individual pieces of material on the belt (2) and controls their feeding into the storage compartments (5), as well as records the amount fed into each compartment (5). Likewise, the equipment controls the feeding of pieces of material onto a second conveyor belt (9) for further processing. This equipment is connected, for example, to a weighing device (47), in order to weigh products from the processing stage. The connection of the control equipment (11) to individual parts of the system is shown schematically. Fig. lb shows the equipment and a detailed configuration of individual parts of the flow line. Detectors (41) enable the control equipment (not shown) to determine the location of the fillet on the conveyor belt (2). The fillet is then directed into the appropriate storage compartment (5) by a feeder arm (6). The storage compartment (5) for receiving the pieces of material from the first conveyor belt (2) consists of, in a first position, a substantially horizontal plate (5) which is at one side fixed to the frame of the equipment on a rotatable axis ( 12). The axis lies parallel to the first conveyor belt (2) and the plate can be rotated about the axis ( 12), so that the edge of its opposite side ( 13) can be moved downwardly and upwardly to and from the surface of the second workstation (4). The storage compartment (5) can contain more than one fillet. When it is in the down position, the employee can easily moved a new fillet to the workstation (4) for processing. At the end of processing, which can involve removal of bones and or bloodspots, the employee moves the fillet onto a feeder platform (8). Detector (43) detect that a fillet has been placed on the platform, and in coordination with the control equipment the fillet is automatically moved across the platform. The platform (8) delivers the fillet to the second conveyor belt (9) for further transportation and processing. The feeder platform rests on the system frame and at least part of it is movable in a direction ( 17) to and from the second conveyor belt (9). Its surface consists of a continuous feeder belt ( 18), which is used for controlled feeding and transportation of material and extends around the platform (8). It is advanced in steps, for example by jacks, in a repeated forward and backward motion in the direction of the second conveyor belt. By means of this forward and backward motion of the movable section of the platform, the feeder belt (18) is advanced, and the fillet with it. When the mobile section of the platform is retracted, the upper part of the belt remains static against it, so that the platform is pulled away from beneath the fillet located on its front section. The fillet then drops onto the second conveyor belt (9), which transports it to the further processing stage. Fig. 2 shows a cross-section of the feeder platform (8). A continuous feeder belt ( 18) encloses the platform. The front section (20) of the platform is movable. At the end (28) of the movable section (20) of the platform is a shaft or roller (22), which is unidirectional, turning only clockwise. The roller is fitted with ratchets (31), which co-operate with sockets in the feeder belt ( 18). Likewise, the end (27) of the fixed section (21) of the platform is fitted with a shaft or roller (23), which is unidirectional, turning only clockwise. The second roller is also fitted with ratchets (31), which co-operate with sockets in the feeder belt ( 18). The movable section, whereby it is pulled over the fixed metal arch or roller (45) of the fixed section (21) and also over a metal arch or roller (44), which moves in step with the movable section (20), advances the feeder belt ( 18). Fig. 3 shows a detailed configuration of the feeder platform (8) and the way in which fillets ( 15, 15') are moved from the first conveyor belt or raw material belt (2) over to the storage compartment (5), onto the workstation (4) and finally across to a second conveyor belt or product belt (9). Five positions of the movement are shown, A to E. The first position, A, shows the platform in the retracted position. Above it is the first conveyor belt (2), which transports the fish ( 15, 15') to the equipment. By means of a feeder arm (6) the fish is moved into the storage compartment (5), where it waits for the feeder compartment (5) to be lowered until its front edge ( 13) stops at the workstation surface. When it is in that position, the employee takes the fillet into the workstation for trimming without needing to lift it. Afterwards he places it on the feeder platform (8). In the first position (A) the movable section (20) of the platform has been withdrawn to align with its fixed section (21). (A-B) A fish fillet ( 15) is placed on the platform. The movable section (20) is moved away from the fixed section (21), and at the same time pulls the feeder belt ( 18) forwards while it locked against the shaft or (unidirectional) roller (22) on its front section ( 18). The roller is only able to turn in a clockwise direction. On the other end of the platform there is also a unidirectional roller (23) which turns in synchronisation. These two shafts or rollers are fitted with ratchets, which co-operate with sockets in the feeder belt (9), thereby ensuring that they act together. In the second position (B) the platform is fully extended. The belt has been pulled out across the second conveyor belt and the fillet ( 15) has advanced along it. In the third position (C) the movable section of the platform has been retracted. The feeder belt ( 18) is drawn in under the platform, which is ready to receive a new fillet ( 15'). The first piece of fish ( 15) has reached the end of the platform, creating space for a new piece of fish ( 15') which has been placed on the other end. The platform waits for sufficient space to be formed on the second conveyor belt (9) so that it can deliver the fillet onto it. The motion is now repeated and the movable section is moved once again to the fully extended position (4th position, (D)); both fillets advance and the first fillet ( 15) is in position above the second conveyor belt (9). With the next backward motion of the moving section (20), the feeder belt ( 18) is retracted from beneath the fillet ( 15), which drops onto the conveyor belt (9). In position (E) the platform has delivered the fillet to the conveyor belt and is ready in the starting position to receive a new one. This motion is then repeated continuously. Fig. 4 shows the feeder belt ( 18) with sockets (30) which have been punched at regular intervals approx. 1 - 2 cm inside its edge. These sockets engage with the ratchets of the rotating shafts or rollers of the feeder platform. It should be underlined that the number of workstations and other accompanying equipment is not restricted to that shown on the diagrams. The design explained in principle above is only one of many possible configurations. The same applies to the use of the equipment. The equipment can be used for virtually any conceivable transportation and controlled feeding of material, although the present description is confined to its adaptation for the flow line of a fish processing system and the possibility of its application for meat processing is mentioned. The invention is not confined to the configuration described here. It may be adapted in various ways without deviating from the basic concept of the invention. For example, the equipment may be used in any type of production process where it is necessary to control the feed of material and pieces of material between conveyor belts and workstations for any kind of assembly tasks.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. Apparatus for automatic, controlled feeding and transportation of pieces of material, such as fish fillets and/ or meat portions onto and between conveyor belts (2, 9) and workstations in a flow line system, said apparatus comprising a first workstation (3) to a second workstation (4), and second conveyor belt for transporting of the pieces of material away from the second workstation (4), c h ar a c t er is e d in that that the apparatus comprises: a storage compartment (5) for receiving pieces of material from the first conveyor belt (2), a feeder arm (6) for a displacement of the pieces of material from the first conveyor belt (2) into the storage compartment (5), said pieces of material being removable from said storage compartment for a handling in the second workstation (4), a feeder platform (8) for receiving the processed pieces of material and feeding them onto another conveyor belt (9), one or more measuring device (41 , 43) for registration of the position of and the distance between the pieces of material on the flow line, and a control equipment ( 1 1) for receiving and collecting data from measuring device (41 , 42) and controlling individual units of the apparatus and thereby the transportation of the pieces of material between places of processing and transportation. 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the feeder arm (6) for displacement of the pieces of material from the first conveyor belt (2) to the storage compartment (5) comprises a substantially vertical plate extending parallel to the direction in which is parallel to the direction in which the belt (2) is moving, and being horizontally movable across the conveyor belt (2) to and from the storage compartment (5). 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the storage compartment (5) for receiving pieces of material from the first conveyor belt (2) comprises a substantially horizontal plate fixed to the equipment on a rotatable axle (12) which extend along one of the sides of the plate parallel to and in substantially the same plane as the first conveyor belt (2), said plate comprising means for rotating the axle (12) in such a manner that the edge at the opposite side of said plate moves repeatedly upwardly and downwardly towards and away from a surface of the second workstation (4). 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the feeding platform (8) is placed above and parallel to the plane of the second conveyor belt (9), at least one section (20) of the platform (8) being movable in a direction (17) towards and away from said second conveyor belt (9), and the surface of said feeding platform (8) is covered with a endless feeder belt (18) for transportation of the pieces of material, and the belt extending around the platform (8) is advanced in steps in the direction of the second conveyor belt (9) with a synchronised and repeated forward and backward movement of the movable section (20) of the platform. 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 - 4, characterised in that the feeder belt (18) is extended to a position exactly above the second conveyor belt (9) by the movement of the movable section (20) of the platform (8), whereby said feeder belt is pulled over the remaining stationary section (21). 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the movable section of the feeder platform (8) is retracted from a position exactly above the second conveyor belt (9) while the feeder belt (18) remaining fixed in position on the stationary section (21) so that it is pulled down and away from beneath the pieces of material, such as fillet (15), whereby said pieces of material falls down on the second conveyor belt (9). 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the forward and backward movement of the platform (8) is connected to the action of unidirectional rollers (22, 23). 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 - 7, characterised in that the forward and backward movement of the platform (8) is connected to the action of unidirectional rollers (22, 23) at each (27, 28) of the platform (8), that said unidirectional rollers (22, 23) are enclosed inside the feeder belt (18) ins such a manner that the rear roller (22) turns with the forward movement of the moveable section (20) of the platform (8) and the front roller (23) turns with its backward movement thereof, whereby the feeder belt (18) is advanced by the forward movement of the movable section (20) of the platform (8) by the backward movement thereof. 9. An apparatus as claimed in 4 - 8, characterised in that the unidirectional rollers (22, 23) are equipped with ratchets (31) engaging sockets (30) in the feeder belt (18) so as to interconnect said feeder belt (18) and said unidirectional rollers (22, 23). 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4-9, characterised in that the forward and backward movement of the platform (8) is performed by one or more (double action) air-powered jacks. 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 -9, characterised in that the feeder platform (8) is equipped for fitting with a weighing scale.

Inventors: EYTHORSSON ARNBJORN, GUDLAUGSSON HARALDUR, HALLDORSSON THORKELL H, THEODORSSON THORDUR, EYTHORSSON, ARNBJORN, GUDLAUGSSON, HARALDUR, HALLDORSSON, THORKELL, H., THEODORSSON, THORDUR
Applicants: EYTHORSSON ARNBJORN, GUDLAUGSSON HARALDUR, HALLDORSSON THORKELL H, MAREL HF, THEODORSSON THORDUR, EYTHORSSON, ARNBJORN, GUDLAUGSSON, HARALDUR, HALLDORSSON, THORKELL, H., MAREL HF., THEODORSSON, THORDUR
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A22C25
IPC codes: A22C17, A22C25, B65G37