GB704282A - Improvements relating to the mechanical handling of fish - Google Patents

Abstract

704,282. Photo-electric control systems. BAADER, R. Oct. 30, 1951 [Dec. 24, 1948], No. 25359/51. Class 40 (3) [Also in Group VI] Fish are positioned with all their backs or all bellies facing the same direction for dropping through a hopper 25 to a fish dressing machine by mechanism in which a light-detector, such as as a photo-electric cell actuated by the greater light reflected thereto by the belly 1, actuates mechanism to rotate a fish through 180 degrees if originally facing the wrong direction. Each fish falls through an elliptical hopper 1 into an elliptical tube 3 closed at the bottom by a pair of pivoted flaps 6. Four such tubes are arranged around a rotary structure 2. As each tube 3 is moved into the position 11 a light beam from 12 directed through a slot 13 on to the fish is reflected to a light detector 14. If sufficient light is reflected as from the lighter belly, a current flows to a relay and amplifier control 16 which energizes an electromagnet 17. 17 attracts an armature 18 of a lever 19 whereby an arcuate toothed rack 22 is moved in, to be engaged by teeth 23 on the tube 3. As the teeth 23 roll along the fixed length of the rack 22 the tube is rotated through 180 degrees whereby the back of each fish then faces outwards. The fish is discharged from its tube 3 as it is swung round past position III whereby a cam roller 28 on 3 contacts a cam 27 on the fixed discharge hopper 25. The cam roller operates levers to open the flaps 26 allowing the fish to drop into the hopper 26 for feeding to a fish-dressing machine.