US3751766A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Shrimp processing machine and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-02-18
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1991-02-18
Abstract
Abstract A shrimp processing machine and method including an intermittently operating conveyor from which beheaded shrimp are pulled tail first by sets of clamps on a rotary wheel turning at a uniform rate. The shrimp shells and part of the meat are slit, and the sand vein is removed by the rotary brush. The intermittently operating conveyor mechanism is driven from the rotary wheel by a Geneva drive mechanism. The shrimp meat is finally removed from the shell by a shell separating mechanism and delivered to a discharge conveyor.
Inventors
- 👤 G Jonsson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:30
CPC Classifications
A; A22; A22C; A22C29/00; A22C29/02; A22C29/024; A22C29/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp including carrier means for a plurality of individual relatively shiftable means for initially gripping the tail and thereafter clamping the ventral body portion of a shrimp and longitudinally shifting said shrimp, intermittently movable conveyor means for delivering the tail of a shrimp toward an approaching gripping means, drive means for said carrier means, control means interposed between said drive means and said conveyor means for controlling the intermittent movement of said conveyor means and for locking said conveyor means in a momentary position of dwell, means effecting the relative shifting of a said gripping means adjacent the conveyor means during a momentary position of dwell of said conveyor means for the tail gripping and ventral clamping of the said gripping means, means for longitudinally slitting the shell of the gripped shrimp, and means for separating the shell and meat of a gripped shrimp.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp including carrier means for a plurality of individual relatively shiftable means for initially gripping the tail and thereafter clamping the ventral body portion of a shrimp and longitudinally shifting said shrimp, intermittently movable conveyor means for delivering the tail of a shrimp toward an approaching gripping means, drive means for said carrier means, control means interposed between said drive means and said conveyor means for controlling the intermittent movement of said conveyor means and for locking said conveyor means in a momentary position of dwell, means effecting the relative shifting of a said gripping means adjacent the conveyor means during a momentary position of dwell of said conveyor means for the tail gripping and ventral clamping of the said gripping means, means for longitudinally slitting the shell of the gripped shrimp, and means for separating the shell and meat of a gripped shrimp.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 1, wherein the conveyor is provided with an edge portion to permit projection of a shrimp tail portion toward an approaching gripping means, said conveyor being adapted to move shrimp laterally along a linear path into alignment with a said gripping means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 2, wherein the conveyor means includes V-shaped troughs for longitudinally accommodating a shrimp with the tail portiOn thereof projecting toward an approaching gripping means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carrier means is moveable along a circular path, and the drive means is adapted to impart continuous movement to said gripping means along said circular path.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 1, wherein said control means includes a first rotary member driven by said driving means, a second rotatable member intermittently rotated by said first member, and means coupling said second member with said conveyor means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 5, wherein means is provided which, during a portion of each complete cycle of rotation of said first member, interlocks said first and second members so as to momentarily lock said second member against movement in timed relation with respect to the functioning of said gripping means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 5, wherein said first and second members form elements of a Geneva movement device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp comprising carrier means for a plurality of individual relatively shiftable gripping means for initially gripping the tail portion of a shrimp and longitudinally shifting the shrimp conveyor means for intermittently positioning the tail of a shrimp to be received by a said gripping means, self-locking intermittent transfer mechanism for controlling the intermittent movement of said conveyor in timed relation with the movement of said gripping means, means effecting the relative shifting of a said gripping means adjacent the conveyor means during intermittent stoppage of said conveyor means for the tail gripping function of said gripping means, means for longitudinally slitting the shell of a gripped shrimp, and means for engaging the meat of a gripped shrimp and for relatively shifting the shell and meat of a gripped shrimp to effect separation thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp comprising carrier means for a plurality of individual relatively shiftable gripping means for initially gripping the tail portion of a shrimp and longitudinally shifting the shrimp conveyor means for intermittently positioning the tail of a shrimp to be received by a said gripping means, self-locking intermittent transfer mechanism for controlling the intermittent movement of said conveyor in timed relation with the movement of said gripping means, means effecting the relative shifting of a said gripping means adjacent the conveyor means during intermittent stoppage of said conveyor means for the tail gripping function of said gripping means, means for longitudinally slitting the shell of a gripped shrimp, and means for engaging the meat of a gripped shrimp and for relatively shifting the shell and meat of a gripped shrimp to effect separation thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 8, wherein the self-locking intermittent transfer mechanism comprises a Geneva movement device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 8, wherein the self-locking intermittent transfer mechanism includes a first rotary member, a second rotary member intermittently driven thereby, and means coupling said second rotary member with said conveyor means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for processing shrimp as set forth in claim 10, wherein the second rotary member, during each complete cycle of rotation, is adapted to impart at least six successive intermittent movements and periods of dwell to said conveyor 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) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |