US3750233A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shrimp separating methods
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-06-19
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Granted: 1973-08-07
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Expires: 1989-06-19
Abstract
Abstract After a net load of shrimp and fish is pulled aboard a shrimp boat the intermingled shrimp and fish are subjected to an electric shock for purposes of electrocuting same. The catch is then dumped into a flotation tank forming part of a sorting machine located on the shrimp boat. The lower portion of the flotation tank is filled with water and the shocked shrimp sink to the bottom of the tank, while the shocked fish float to the surface of the water therein. In sinking to the bottom, the shrimp fall through an inclined screening tray and onto a conveyor which removes them from the tank. After the shrimp have had time to settle to the bottom, the lower portion of the screening tray is elevated for purposes of dumping the larger fish onto a conveyor which carries them to a fish meal machine. A continuous flow of water is supplied to the tank and this serves to flow the smaller fish out of an outlet at the rear of the tank, from whence they are dumped back into the sea or into the fish meal machine.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lovett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 22:31
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C29/00; A22C29/005; A22C25/00; A22C25/04; B; B03; B03B; B03B5/00; B03B5/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of separating shrimp and other crustaceans from fish where both are caught in an intermingled manner comprising: subjectiNg an intermingled bunch of crustaceans and fish to an electric shock; placing the shocked bunch in a container of water, whereupon the shocked crustaceans sink and the shocked fish float; and removing the crustaceans from the lower portion of the container.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of separating shrimp and other crustaceans from fish where both are caught in an intermingled manner comprising: subjectiNg an intermingled bunch of crustaceans and fish to an electric shock; placing the shocked bunch in a container of water, whereupon the shocked crustaceans sink and the shocked fish float; and removing the crustaceans from the lower portion of the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the electric shock is of sufficient magnitude to electrocute at least the majority of the crustaceans and fish.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 and further including removing the fish from the upper portion of the water in the container.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 and further including: supplying a continuous flow of water to the container for floating the smaller fish out of an upper outlet of the container; and moving a screening mechanism through the water in the upper portion of the container for removing the larger fish from the container.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of separating shrimp and other crustaceans from fish where both are caught in an intermingled manner comprising: catching a net load of intermingled crustaceans and fish; inserting electrical probe means into the net load of crustaceans and fish; applying an electric voltage to the probe means for subjecting the crustaceans and fish to an electric shock; removing the probe means from the net; dumping the catch of crustaceans and fish in a container of water, whereupon the shocked crustaceans sink and the shocked fish float; and removing the crustaceans from the lower portion of the container.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of separating shrimp and other crustaceans from fish where both are caught in an intermingled manner comprising: catching a net load of intermingled crustaceans and fish; inserting electrical probe means into the net load of crustaceans and fish; applying an electric voltage to the probe means for subjecting the crustaceans and fish to an electric shock; removing the probe means from the net; dumping the catch of crustaceans and fish in a container of water, whereupon the shocked crustaceans sink and the shocked fish float; and removing the crustaceans from the lower portion of the container.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of separating fish from shrimp and other nonfloating marine bodies in a catch which comprises the steps of confining the catch in a compact mass, subjecting the catch to an energy discharge of a character to immobilize the animal life in the catch, separating the floating bodies from the nonfloating bodies in the catch by means of a liquid bath, discharging the floating bodies from the surface of the bath into a first disposal means, and discharging the nonfloating bodies from an outlet at the bottom of the bath into a second disposal means.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
96 words
The method of separating fish from shrimp and other nonfloating marine bodies in a catch which comprises the steps of confining the catch in a compact mass, subjecting the catch to an energy discharge of a character to immobilize the animal life in the catch, separating the floating bodies from the nonfloating bodies in the catch by means of a liquid bath, discharging the floating bodies from the surface of the bath into a first disposal means, and discharging the nonfloating bodies from an outlet at the bottom of the bath into a second disposal means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of separating fish and other floating bodies from shrimp and other non-floating bodies which comprises the steps of confining the catch in a compact mass, killing the confined catch, separating the floating bodies from the non-floating bodies in the catch by means of a liquid bath, discharging the floating bodies from the surface of the bath into a first disposal means, and discharging the non-floating bodies into a second disposal means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
73 words
The method of separating fish and other floating bodies from shrimp and other non-floating bodies which comprises the steps of confining the catch in a compact mass, killing the confined catch, separating the floating bodies from the non-floating bodies in the catch by means of a liquid bath, discharging the floating bodies from the surface of the bath into a first disposal means, and discharging the non-floating bodies into a second disposal means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-08-06 | 1977-02-05 | 1977-08-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-06 | 1981-02-05 | 1981-08-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-06 | 1985-02-05 | 1985-08-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |