Device and method for separating a surface layer from animal food products

Abstract

An apparatus for separating a surface layer from animal food products comprises a carrier roller, a cutting device opposite the carrier roller with a blade holder pressure body and a pressing device exerting a pressing force on the blade holder pressure body. An automatic traction gap for transporting the separated surface layer is formed between the driven carrier roller and the blade holder pressure body. A rear pressure body pivoting axis is set up on a side of the blade holder pressure body facing away from the carrier roller. The apparatus has a pressure body guiding device automatically shifting the blade holder pressure body out of the defined initial position, with which the rear pivoting axis is arranged and is automatically shiftable such that, in the case of the blade holder pressure body pivoting up through inlet of the surface layer against the pressing force, the traction gap becomes wider in an inlet area and narrower in an outlet area. The blade holder pressure body is held freely switchable against the pressing force so that that a floating application on the surface layer completely pulled into the traction gap occurs along the traction gap. A method for automatically separating the surface layer is executed in that during inlet of the surface layer into the traction gap the inlet area is simultaneously expanded and the outlet area is narrowed. The rear pivoting axis in an area behind the zenith of the carrier roller is shifted in an automatically guided manner towards it and the blade holder pressure body is held in a floating, switchable working position in the case of a traction gap completely filled with the surface layer.