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US4847954A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Support apparatus for use in video imaging and processing of transverse fish sections

Assignee: Laitram LLC
•
Filing: 1988-06-03
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Granted: 1989-07-18
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Expires: 2008-06-03
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Abstract

Abstract A processing apparatus for use in the processing of transverse fish body sections includes a support frame and a video camera for providing a video image of a transverse fish body section to be processed when aimed at the fish body section along a preselected line of sight. A fish section support is provided for supporting the transverse fish section substantially over its area. The support can be invisible on the video photo image and preferably includes a plurality of spaced apart beams which are of a small dimensional width so that they do not appear on the video photo image that contains the fish body sections. A fluid jetting knife is movable with respect to the transverse fish body section for cutting the section with a pressurized fluid stream and positioned to traverse both the fish section and the support means during the cutting operation.

Inventors

  • 👤 James M. Lapeyre
  • 👤 John P. Farrell
  • 👤 Ronald H. Burch
  • 👤 Mark E. Sutton
  • 👤 Joseph F. Scamardo, Jr.

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 07:55
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C25/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/364

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 191 words
Processing apparatus for separating selected portions of a transverse fish body section comprising: a visual station having a known location and further having a photo-imaging means for providing a visual image of said transverse fish body section when viewed along a preselected line of sight, said imaging means defining the selected portions of said fish body section; a cutting station using a pressurized fluid stream for separating selected portions of said fish body section as defined by said photo-imaging means; a plurality of means for supporting said transverse fish section substantially over its area, each of said (means for supporting) plurality being substantially invisible to said photo-imaging means and being suitable for receiving said pressurized fluid stream such that the fluid stream can transverse the fish body section and said plurality of means for supporting without substantially altering the position of said fish section with respect to said means for support, and further for moving from said known location of said visual station to a cutting station having another known location; and means for controlling the relative movement of the pressurized fluid stream with respect to the transverse fish body section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 191 words
Processing apparatus for separating selected portions of a transverse fish body section comprising: a visual station having a known location and further having a photo-imaging means for providing a visual image of said transverse fish body section when viewed along a preselected line of sight, said imaging means defining the selected portions of said fish body section; a cutting station using a pressurized fluid stream for separating selected portions of said fish body section as defined by said photo-imaging means; a plurality of means for supporting said transverse fish section substantially over its area, each of said (means for supporting) plurality being substantially invisible to said photo-imaging means and being suitable for receiving said pressurized fluid stream such that the fluid stream can transverse the fish body section and said plurality of means for supporting without substantially altering the position of said fish section with respect to said means for support, and further for moving from said known location of said visual station to a cutting station having another known location; and means for controlling the relative movement of the pressurized fluid stream with respect to the transverse fish body section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting comprises a carriage for moving on a runway between said imaging station and said cutting station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 25 words
The processing apparatus of claim 2 wherein said runway comprises a guide rail and said carriage includes a member for cooperating with said guide rail.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for supporting includes multiple spaced beams.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selected portions of said fish body section defined by said imaging means includes the loin and blood meat portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The processing apparatus of claim 5 wherein said selected portions of said fish body section defined by said imaging means further includes the skin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 24 words
The processing apparatus of claim 6 wherein said selected portions of said fish body section defined by said imaging means further includes the bones.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 26 words
The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selected portions of said fish body section defined by said imaging means includes the skin and loin portions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 27 words
The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selected portions of said fish body section defined by said imaging means further includes the bones and loin portions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
The processing apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selected portions of said fish body section defined by said imaging means includes the bones and blood meat portions.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

CH141833A Cited
US3089775A Cited
US3800363A Cited
US3978748A Cited
US4020528A Cited
US4217679A Cited
US4520702A Cited
US4651479A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-07-17 1993-01-16 1993-07-18 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-07-17 1997-01-16 1997-07-18 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-07-17 2001-01-16 2001-07-18 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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