Apparatus with multiple nozzles for cleaning crustacea or game

An apparatus for cleaning crustacea or game has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall, a fluid inlet extending into the interior volume of the container, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the fluid inlet. The plurality of nozzles are directed in different directions. The plurality of nozzles are positioned adjacent to the wall of the container so as to direct the fluid from the fluid inlet toward another portion of the wall of the container. The fluid inlet is adapted to pass a fluid under pressure into the interior volume of the container. The plurality of nozzles are arranged one above another.

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the cleaning or washing of crustacea or game. More particularly, the present invention relates to the cleaning of crawfish prior to boiling the crawfish. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus that remove debris from the surface of the crustacea or game.

Seafood boils refer to various types of social events in which shellfish or crustacea are the central elements. Regional variations dictate the kinds of seafoods, the accompaniments and side dishes, and in the preparation techniques (e.g. boiling, steaming, baking, or raw). In some cases, a boil may be sponsored by a community organization as a fundraiser or a mixture. Boils are also held by individuals for their friends and family for weekend get-togethers and summer holidays. There are also companies that can cater a boil for large and small events.

Shrimp, crab and crawfish boils are a Louisiana tradition and can be found across Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. These shrimp, crab and crawfish boils are becoming more popular in various other areas around the United States and foreign countries. One reason for the popularity of crawfish is the price. Shrimp and crab or higher valued crustacea and may be a less affordable option for larger groups. A boil is usually carried out in a large pot (60 to 80 quarts) fitted with a strainer and heated by propane. Seasonings include crawfish boil packets, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, salt, lemons and bay leaves. Ears of corn, new potatoes, onions, and heads of garlic are usually added in shrimp and crawfish boils. Some people add smoked sausage links or mushrooms. When cooking crawfish, there is a debate over whether or not the crawfish must first be purged by covering them with clear water and a generous amount of salt for a few minutes. Advocates argue that this forces the crawfish to rid their bodies of impurities.

Prior to boiling the crustacea, it is important to clean the crustacea. Typically, the crawfish and shrimp can have debris and impurities on the outer surface thereof. If the crustacea are not cleaned, then this can present a gritty or unpleasant taste following the boil. Typical cleaning preparations, in the past, have been to place a large amount of crawfish into a bucket and then using a hose to spray water over the crawfish in the bucket. After the bucket is filled with water, the bucket is tipped over by hand manipulation so as to remove the debris-containing water. This requires a great deal of manual effort. Additionally, so as to assure that the crawfish and/or shrimp are very clean, this cleaning step must be carried out multiple times. Ultimately, after a suitable amount of cleaning, the crawfish or shrimp will be ready for the boil. During the steps of cleaning, it is quite common for some of the crawfish to escape the cleaning bucket. These crawfish must be manually retrieved and returned for further processing. Many people find that the process of cleaning the crawfish or shrimp is time-consuming and unpleasant. As such, a need has developed so as to be able to efficiently clean the crustacea prior to the step of boiling.

In the past, various patents have issued relating to processes for cleaning crustacea, such as crawfish. In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 2,660,754, issued on Dec. 1, 1953 to F. O. Roshko, shows a crawfish picking machine for separating meat from the hulls of crawfish. The picking machine includes a frame having an upper and a lower roller mounting member, upper and lower parallel horizontally disposed rollers mounted one substantially vertically above the other on these members, adjustable tensioning means between the mounting members that yieldably urge the members and the associated rollers together to form a crotch between the rollers, and a drive means operatively connected with the rollers for positively rotating the rollers in opposite directions at a uniform rate. A water jet sprays in front of the crotch substantially parallel with the lower forward peripheral portion of the upper roller and has jet openings directed toward the peripheral portion of the upper roller between the spray and the crotch.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,781,544, issued on Feb. 19, 1957 to T. C. Skarmetta, shows a seafood cleaning machine. This shrimp cleaning machine includes a longitudinally extending generally flat shrimp-receiving platform having flexible, transversely downwardly curved side edges, a support means of which the flexible side edges are entrained, a means operatively connected the platform for transversely reciprocating the platform, longitudinally extending rollers engaging a top surface of the platform adjacent the side edges to form crotches with the platform. The rollers are oscillatably driven by their contact with the top surface of the platform. The surfaces of the rollers and the platform have different coefficients of friction whereby a shrimp received in a crotch will cling to one surface and slip on the other surface to thereby rotate the shrimp until a loose end of the shell is caught between the roller and the platform and the shell is unwound from the shrimp and drawn through the crotch and from the platform.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,022, issued on may 18, 1976 to A. Danesh, describes a process for treating seafood. This treatment of seafood allows toxic heavy metal ions to be removed from the seafood so as to make the seafood safe for consumption. The method includes washing the seafood with an organic sulfur complexing agent for heavy metal ions and heating the seafood at a temperature and for a time sufficient to volatilize the heavy metal ions therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,087,257, issued on Aug. 8, 2006 to Prestenbach, teaches a crustacea and seafood process for preparing fresh uncooked crustaceans, such as crawfish, lobster, crab and shrimp for shipment to consumers in a frozen state. The process includes a washing process. This washing process submerges the crustaceans in a few inches of clean running water. The crustaceans are treated with ozone introduction of a preservative and a bacteriacide while under a vacuum. The crustaceans are spray coated with a seasoning and then quick frozen. They are then packaged in bulk for individualized cook-and-serve containers.

During the course of hunting, it becomes necessary to harvest the meat from the killed game. The game can be in the nature of birds, fish, deer, boars, and other commonly-hunted game. When the meat is harvested, the harvested meat is often tossed into a container, along with the associated debris, such as feathers, hair, blood, scales, and related debris. After the meat is collected in the container, the meat must be meticulously cleaned in order to separate the debris from the meat. This is a very time-consuming and difficult operation. As such, a need has developed so as to provide an apparatus and method so as conveniently and efficiently separate the debris from the meat.

In particular, in the hunting of fowl, the bird is de-breasted so that the breast meat can be tossed into the container. The person harvesting the meat will often have feathers and blood on his or her hands. Whenever the harvested breast is tossed into the container, the feathers and blood will also be passed into the container. After all of the breasts, blood and feathers have been accumulated in the container, another operation is required to take each of the breasts from the container and meticulously clean the breast of blood and feathers. As a result, a clean bird breast is obtained.

In the case in which fish are the game that is being caught, the fillets of the fish are separated from the body of the fish and also tossed into the container. During the process of descaling the fish, residual scales and blood will reside on the hands of the person cleaning the fish. The scales and blood will be delivered, along with the harvested meat, into the container. Once again, a need has developed so as to be able to properly separate the meat of the fish from the scales and the blood.

In the past, various patents have issued relating to devices for cleaning game. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,860,371, issued on Nov. 18, 1958 to R. M. Krull, describes a fish cleaning device. This fish cleaning device includes a generally cylindrical housing. The housing has a plurality of longitudinal corrugations therein spaced around an upper compartment. An electric motor is mounted in the lower compartment and has a vertical shaft extending through the wall into the upper compartment. A scaling plate is mounted on the shaft in rotatable relationship therewith adjacent the wall in the upper compartment. The plate has a plurality of angularly spaced upwardly projecting generally radial ridges thereon so as to cause tumbling action in fish contained in the upper compartment.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,159, issued on Dec. 27, 1960 to R. C. Ruegnitz, describes an egg washing apparatus. This egg washing apparatus includes a container having an imperforate detachable cover and includes a Tchamber adapted to receive a liquid. A perforate basket supports eggs within the container and has a sleeve extending centrally therein above a horizontal plane defined by the upper rim of the basket. The basket is removably suspended within the chamber. An agitator is provided that includes a vertical shaft equipped with a plurality of elongated vertical blades. A motor is arranged with the agitator for rotating the agitator.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,051, issued on Nov. 6, 1979 to J. P. Reid, describes a vegetable washer for washing food articles. The washing apparatus includes a container for housing the food articles, an agitation system and washing system for removing undesired foreign materials from the surface of the food articles, and a discharge system.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,095, issued on Feb. 23, 1988 to Bissell Jr. et al., discloses a fish scaler device. The device includes a water bucket, an abrasive continuous surface within the bucket, and an agitator for water within the bucket. As the water is agitated, fish suspended within the bucket gently tumble against the abrasive surface and are thereby scaled. The abrasive surface is an inwardly dimpled bucket liner. The agitator is a rotatable impeller.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,763,386, issued on Aug. 16, 1988 the H. A. Wissbroecker, teaches a fish scaling apparatus that includes a container and a cylindrical insert including a plurality of inwardly-extending projections. The projections are provided with a rough or sharp edge. A paddle member is disposed within the interior of the cylindrical insert and is connected to a shaft extending exterior of the container. The shaft is adapted for connection to the chuck of a portable drill. When the drill is operated, the rotation of the paddle member occurs within the interior of the cylindrical insert. The rotation causes fish disposed within the interior of the cylindrical insert to come into contact with the inwardly-extending projections so as to remove the scales from the fish.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,768, issued on Oct. 31, 1989 the C. K. Bright, shows a fish scaler that includes a bucket. A perpendicularly extending rod is rotatably connected to the lid of the bucket. A scaling element is attached to the rod. A plurality of scaling protrusions are attached to the exterior of the scaling element. The rotation of the scaling element causes relative movement between the scaling protrusions and the suspended fish so as to remove the scales from the suspended fish.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,855, issued on Jul. 14, 1992 to Bruckert et al., describes a fish scaler apparatus that includes an exterior cylindrical container with an interior cylindrical insert. A central axle is directed through a lid of the container so as to accommodate a drill so as to permit the rotation of the axle. The axle includes a central conduit with exterior ports to effect the washing of the fish within the container. The ports are in fluid communication with a fluid source, such as a garden hose.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0093107, published on Apr. 18, 2013 to R. Funderburg, discloses a fish and game washer that is designed to wash and clean meat. The meat is put into a bucket and a water source is connected thereto. Air is sucked in to mix with water. This causes the meat float up from the bottom and begin to toss and tumble. This takes the loose scales, feathers, blood and debris over the top of the bucket.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0127986, published on May 8, 2014 to W. Cady, describes a cleaning device that uses water pressure to prepare fish and wild game for consumption. A bucket is described having a conduit affixed to a wall thereof. The conduit can be connected to a source of water pressure such that water pressure is directed into the interior of the bucket so as to interact with the game within the interior of the bucket.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,320,286, issued on Apr. 26, 2016 to the present inventor, shows an apparatus and method for cleaning game. This apparatus has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall and a pipe positioned in the container adjacent to the wall. The pipe has at least one aperture suitable for directing a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container. The pipe extends generally vertically along the wall of the container. The pipe includes a plurality of apertures formed in spaced relation to each other along the length of the pipe.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,408,412, issued on Aug. 9, 2016 to the present inventor, describes an apparatus and method for cleaning produce. This apparatus has a container with an interior volume defined by a wall in a pipe positioned in the container adjacent the wall. The pipe has at least one aperture suitable for directing a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container. The pipe extends generally appropriate vertically along the wall of the container. The pipe includes a plurality of apertures formed in spaced relation to each other along the length of the pipe. The method includes overflowing the container such that the debris on the produce is removed from the produce.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning crustaceans or game that efficiently and effectively separates debris from the body of the crustaceans or the game.

It is another object of the present invention provide an apparatus for cleaning crustacea and game serves to pressure wash the crustacea or game.

It is another object of the present invention provide an apparatus for cleaning crustacea and game that avoids the need to hand wash the crustacea or game.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for washing crustacea or game that facilitates the ability to clean the container after the washing process.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning crawfish which avoids the loss of crawfish during the washing process.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an apparatus for cleaning crustacea or game that comprises a container having an internal volume defined by a wall, a fluid inlet extending into the interior volume of the container so as to pass a fluid under pressure into the interior of the container, and a plurality of nozzles connected to the fluid inlet. The plurality of nozzles are connected to the flow inlet. The plurality of nozzles are directed in different directions. The plurality of nozzles are positioned adjacent to the wall of the container so as to direct the fluid from the fluid inlet toward another portion of the wall of the container.

The plurality of nozzles are arranged one above the other. One of the plurality of nozzles is directed generally toward the bottom of the container. Another of the plurality of nozzles is directed toward the upper edge of the container. The plurality of nozzles are adapted to direct the flow in a cyclonic pattern within the container.

Each of the plurality of nozzles has an opening. This opening can be either a slit, a chord of a circle, or a circle.

The fluid inlet extends through the wall of the container. The fluid inlet has a portion positioned exterior of the container. A connector is affixed to the portion of the fluid inlet exterior of the container.

The container has a diameter greater than a height of the container. The container has a lip extending outwardly of the upper edge thereof. The lip curves outwardly and downwardly from the upper edge.

A drain is affixed to the wall of the container and communicates with the interior volume of the container. The drain is positioned adjacent to a bottom of the container. The drain has a first end positioned outwardly of the wall of the container and a second end positioned within the interior volume of the container. The drain has an interior passageway extending between the first and second ends. The second end has a plurality of openings communicating with the interior passageway. The first end of the drain has a thread thereon. This thread is adapted to connect with a hose. A closure can be removably affixed to the drain.

The connector is a water hose connector such that the pipe can be connected to a water hose. The container has a first handle and a second handle formed or affixed adjacent the upper edge of the container. The first handle is diametrically opposite to the second handle. In the preferred embodiment the present invention, the crustacea are crawfish.

The plurality of nozzles comprises at least three nozzles. These nozzles are directed at an obtuse angle with respect to the fluid inlet. The present invention can include a water source and a hose connected to the water source and connected to the fluid inlet so as to pass water under pressure from water source into the fluid inlet.

This foregoing Section is intended describe, with particularity, the preferred embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that modifications to these preferred embodiments can be made within the scope of the present claims. As such, this Section should not be construed, in any way, as limiting of the broad scope of the present invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIG. 1, there shown the apparatus10used for the cleaning of crustacea or game in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus10includes a container12having an interior volume defined by a wall14. The container12has a bottom16and an upper edge18. An inlet pipe20positioned adjacent the bottom16of the container12. The inlet pipe20has a portion21that extends outwardly of the wall14of the container12. A drain23is affixed through the wall14of the container12. The drain23will communicate with the interior volume of the container12. The drain23is positioned adjacent to the bottom16of the container12. The closure25can be removably affixed over the open end of the drain23so as to block the flow of fluid from or into interior volume of the container12.

InFIG. 1, it can be seen that the container12has a diameter that is greater than a height of the container12. For the washing of crawfish, this is particularly important so as to create the desired cyclonic path of water for the proper cleaning of crawfish within the interior volume of the container12. A lip27extends outwardly of the upper edge18of the container12. As will be described hereinafter, the lip27curves outwardly and downwardly from the upper edge18. A first handle29and a second handle31are formed or affixed adjacent to the upper edge18of the container12. The first handle29is diametrically opposite to the second handle31. In the embodiment of the present invention shown inFIG. 1, each of the handles29and31can be formed of a flexible cord-type material, such as a rope or a loop. The first handle29and the second handle31allows a user to properly move the container12to a desired location.

The wall14of the container12is tapered so as to widen from the bottom16toward the upper edge18. This tapered configuration allows multiple containers12to nest within one another. This facilitates the ability to store, ship, and display the apparatus10. As such, this tapered configuration will allow for a small amount of space to exist between the bottom of a higher container and the bottom of a lower container. As such, this space can be used to accommodate the various appliances, such as the connector20, the drain23, and the closure25.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus10of the present invention. InFIG. 2, can be seen that the fluid inlet26extends through the wall14of the container12. The fluid inlet26includes the inlet pipe20(as shown inFIG. 1). A connector is affixed to the fluid inlet26on a portion of the fluid inlet26extending outwardly of the wall14of the container12at an exterior of the container12. A plurality of nozzles28are illustrated as extending outwardly from the fluid inlet26. The fluid inlet26is adapted deliver fluid, such as water, under pressure into each of the nozzles28. A lowermost nozzle28is generally directed toward the bottom16of the container12. An uppermost nozzle of the plurality of nozzles28is generally directed toward the upper edge26of the container12. There is a central nozzle between the lowermost nozzle in the uppermost nozzle which is directed in a direction generally parallel to the bottom16of the container12. In normal use, the lowermost nozzle31directs a pressurized flow of water adjacent to the bottom16of the container12. This particular flow of water will flow adjacent to the bottom16so as to generally provide an agitation and a lift to the crustacea33residing on the bottom16. The uppermost nozzle33serves to direct a pressurized flow of water to the crustacea33that may be suspended within the interior volume35of the container12. As such, nozzle33acts to pressure wash the crustacea33. The central nozzle35is also directed toward the crustacea33as they become elevated from the bottom16of container12. Nozzle35serves to remove debris from the crawfish and wash the crustacea.

InFIG. 2, the lip27is particularly illustrated. Lip27extends outwardly of the upper edge18of the container12so as to curve outwardly and downwardly from the upper edge. This curved lip is important in the process of cleaning crawfish. Crawfish are alive when they are being cleaned. As such, if there are sharp edges or corners at the upper edge18of the container12, the crawfish will have a surface to grasp in order to crawl out of the container18. The curved surfaces associated with the lip27inhibit the ability of the crawfish to get a proper hold onto any edge for the purposes of crawling out of the container12. Furthermore, the curved surface formed by lip27slows the flow of water outwardly of the container12during the process of washing so that a more complete cleaning of the crawfish can be carried out.

InFIG. 2, it can be seen that the plurality of nozzles28are arranged one above the other. Additionally, the plurality of nozzles28will be directed at an obtuse angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the fluid inlet26. This configuration of the plurality of nozzles28serves to create a cyclonic flow path of water within the interior volume35of the container12. This configuration is particularly illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates a plan view of the container12showing the upper edge18of the container12. The container12has an inner wall37that defines the interior volume35of the container12. The plurality of nozzles28extend at an obtuse angle with respect to the fluid inlet26. The direction of the plurality of nozzles28creates the cyclonic path of water flow within the container12.

Water is directed from the interior of the fluid inlet26outwardly through the plurality of nozzles28. The water flow is generally directed toward the inner wall37of the container12at an area away from the fluid inlet26. The cyclonic path of water flow48serves to effectively separate the debris from the crustacea or game. The plurality of nozzles28distribute the jets of water over a substantial portion of the height of the container12. This has been found to enhance the strength of the cyclonic flow path and to create an improved washing effect. The various water flows from the plurality of nozzles28serve to substantially increase the turbulence within the container for the purpose of separating debris from the crustacea or game. The water flow48agitates the water flow and pressure washes the crustacea or game simultaneously.

FIGS. 4A-4Cillustrate the various types of openings or apertures at the end of the plurality of nozzles28. In particular,FIG. 4Ashows one type of nozzle51having a slit53opening at the end thereof. This creates a water jet of a generally laminar flow.FIG. 4Billustrates an opening55which is a chord of a circle on nozzle57. The opening55has a flat surface59and a curved surface61. It has been found that this type of opening creates a laminar flow the water flowing over the straight surface59. The curved surface61tends to distribute the water flow in a fan-type pattern upwardly and outwardly of the nozzle57.FIG. 4Cshows a nozzle63having a circular opening65. This circular opening directs a purely fan-style flow of water in various directions so as to distribute the flow of water over a greater area.

FIG. 5illustrates the drain23that is used on the container12. The drain23has a first end80and a second end82. The first end80has threads84thereon. Threads84are adapted to accommodate the threaded fitting of a water hose. As such, if it is desired to cause the draining of the container12to a remote location, a water hose can be connected to the drain23at the first end80and then draped to a desired location for disposing of the water. As an example, if the user does not wish to drain the container12on a patio or driveway, a hose can be connected to the threaded connection84and moved so that the water can be released of into a sewer system, a lawn, a body of water, or other location.

It can be seen that the second end82will be located within the interior35of the container12. The second end82includes a plurality of openings86formed therethrough. The plurality of openings86will open to an interior passageway extending through the drain23. Another opening88can be located at the end of the interior passageway of the drain23. If any of the openings86and88should become clogged, the drain can still properly operate through the use of the other openings.

Importantly, the drain23is particularly adapted to allow the user to clean the interior of the container after use. After the debris is been removed from the crustacea or game, a certain amount of the debris will drift to the bottom of the container and reside thereon. The drain23can be used so as to drain the water from the container in a desired manner. Furthermore, the drain23can also be utilized so as to allow for water to be introduced into the container so as to clean the interior of the container. For example, a water hose can be connected to the threaded fitting84at the first end80so as to introduce water, under pressure, through the drain23and through the openings86and88. As such, the present invention facilitates the proper cleaning of the interior of the container.

FIG. 6shows a step in the cleaning of crustacea or game in accordance with a apparatus of the present invention. InFIG. 6, the apparatus10includes the container12having the fluid inlet positioned adjacent to the bottom16of the container12. The plurality of apertures28are connected to the fluid inlet26and are located within the interior volume35of the container12. A garden hose90is connected to the fluid inlet26. As such, the garden hose90can the can deliver water under pressure through the fluid inlet26and into the interior of the plurality of nozzles28.

InFIG. 6, water has been introduced through the plurality of nozzles28and into the interior35of the container12. The introduction of water and the cyclonic flow path illustrated inFIG. 3causes the crustacea or game33to tumble in the area adjacent to the bottom16of the container12. The fan-type flow of water from the plurality of nozzles28will serve to pressure-wash the tumbling crustacea or game33. The debris38, in the nature of dirt, mud, feathers, blood, or the like, will tend to move upwardly toward the upper edge18of the container12. This is because the debris38is generally less dense than water and less dense than the crustacea or game33. The cyclonic flow of water within the container12also serves to urge the debris38upwardly. The continual flow of water into the interior35of the container12will continually dilute the debris within the container. As such, soluble debris will be diluted as more and more water is introduced into the interior35the container12. Ultimately, the insoluble and soluble debris will be discharged in the manner shown inFIG. 7.

InFIG. 7, it can be seen that after a certain amount of time, the game or crustacea33will reside adjacent to the bottom16of the container12. The water92from the interior35of the container12overflows the upper edge18of the container12. This overflow will serve to discharge the debris38outwardly of the container12. Ultimately, after a period of time, the debris from the crustacea or game will continue to dilute until only clear water resides within the interior35of the container12. After the debris38has been discharged over the upper edge18of the container12, and after the water has become sufficiently clear, the water flow can be turned off and the crustacea or game33removed from the interior35of the container12. The crustacea or game will be very clean and suitable for use without further treatment. As such, when crawfish is the crustacea used in the system of the present invention, the crawfish will be almost polished completely clean. As such, they can be passed for boiling during a crawfish boil. The system of the present invention avoids the requirement for meticulously manually washing the crustacea or game. There is no need to fill buckets with crawfish and then use a water hose with the bucket in order to spray the crawfish and further dump the bucket after several sprayings. The present invention allows the crustacea or game to be cleaned in a relatively short period of time.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof. Various changes in the details of the illustrated construction can be made is the scope of the present invention without departing from the true spirit of the invention. The present invention should only be limited by the following claims and their legal equivalents.