Patent ID: 7090573

Claim:
A method for processing fish fillets using a processing apparatus, wherein the fillets include at least one skin layer and a fillet flesh layer as well as sinew and fat regions connecting the two layers, and are defined by a thinner tail end and a thicker head end, the method comprising freeing the fillet flesh layer from the skin, fat and sinew components, wherein the fish fillets lying on the skin side are subjected to a brief pulling cut in the tail region, by a cutting edge moving transversely back and forth relative to a conveying direction to form a transverse pulling cut, and then, splitting separation by a stationary separating edge of said apparatus which, when the fillets approach, enters in the region of the pulling cut between said skin and flesh layers and separates the two layers from each other, while at the same time a pull is exerted on the skin layer by the apparatus, characterized in that pressure is exerted by a pressing roller on the flesh side of the fillet in an input region thereof against the separating edge, and the pulling transverse cut is triggered under the control of a signal generated by movement of the pressing roller upon contact with the flesh side of the fillet, effected in at least one stroke and interrupted again immediately afterwards under the control of the signal, whereupon the separating edge enters the region of the transverse pulling cut between said skin and flesh layers for continuation of a final separating operation to separate the skin and flesh layers.