Automatic apparatus and process for shedding superficial adherent substances off creature

An automatic apparatus includes an input platform, a creature shaking mechanism, a flushing unit and an output platform. The input platform has a transporting unit. A creature container containing at least one creature is placed on the input platform. The creature shaking mechanism is connected to the input platform. When the creature container is transported to a positioning region of the creature shaking mechanism, the creature container is subject to a shaking operation in response to a power source, thereby turning over the creature and exposing different surfaces of the at least one creature. The flushing unit generates a spout of water to flush the different surfaces of the at least one creature so as to sufficiently shed superficial adherent substances off the at least one creature. The output platform is connected to the creature shaking mechanism for receiving the creature container that is departed from the positioning region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Taiwan Patent Application No. 097108713, filed on Mar. 12, 2008, and Taiwan Patent Application No. 097134178, filed on Sep. 5, 2008, in the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automatic apparatus and an automatic process for shedding superficial adherent substances off an object, and more particularly to an automatic apparatus and an automatic process for shedding superficial adherent substances off at least one creature.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the fields of food-processing and aquatic products and fishery industry, it is a continuous research issue to develop and improve a rapid and automatic way for shedding superficial adherent substances off creatures (e.g. fishes).

Taking conventional automatic apparatus and process for shedding fish scales as an example. After a fish is manually clamped, the fish scales are automatically or semi-automatically shed off the fish by a scraper set of the automatic apparatus. The same procedure is repeated until the fish scales of all fishes are shed off. In addition, another conventional automatic apparatus employs a flushing unit comprising a water source, a pressurizing motor and many high-pressure water pipes instead of the scraper set. The high-pressure spout of water generated by the pressurizing motor is employed to shed the fish scales off the clamped fishes one by one.

Moreover, the above mentioned apparatus may further comprise a channel with a conveyor belt for transporting the fishes into the channel one by one. Afterwards, the fish scales are automatically shed off the fishes so as to reduce the time period of processing the fishes.

The above techniques, however, still have some drawbacks. For example, since the procedure of shedding the fish scales should be performed on a single fishes in a clamped status or in the channel for each time, the processing speed is restricted. In addition, the conventional automatic apparatus and process fail to simultaneously shed the fish scales off multiple fishes and thus the throughput is usually insufficient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention provides an automatic apparatus and an automatic process for turning over a creature and exposing different surfaces of the creature, thereby shedding the superficial adherent substances off the creature.

Another object of the present invention provides an automatic apparatus and an automatic process for simultaneously shedding the superficial adherent substances off multiple creatures.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic apparatus for shedding superficial adherent substances off at least one creature. The automatic apparatus includes an input platform, a creature shaking mechanism, a flushing unit and an output platform. The input platform has a transporting unit. A creature container containing the at least one creature having a plurality of superficial adherent substances thereon is placed on the input platform. The creature container is transported by the transporting unit. The creature shaking mechanism has an input end connected to the input platform. When the creature container is transported by the transporting unit to a positioning region of the creature shaking mechanism, and the creature container is subject to a shaking operation in response to a power source, thereby turning over the creature and exposing different surfaces of the at least one creature. The flushing unit is disposed at one side of the positioning region for performing a flushing operation on the creature container and generating a spout of water to flush the different surfaces of the at least one creature so as to sufficiently shed the superficial adherent substances off the at least one creature. The output platform is connected to an output end of the creature shaking mechanism for receiving the creature container that is departed from the positioning region.

In an embodiment, the superficial adherent substances are grown on the surfaces of the creature.

In an embodiment, said creature is a fish and the superficial adherent substances are fish scales.

In an embodiment, the at least one creature contained in the creature container includes multiple creatures, wherein the creature container is subject to said shaking operation in response to the power source so as to turn over said multiple creatures and rub the multiple creatures against each other, thereby facilitating shedding the superficial adherent substances off the multiple creatures.

In an embodiment, the input platform is a stationary frame, the transporting unit includes an electric push rod electrically connected to the power source, and one side of the creature container that is placed on the stationary frame is pushed forwardly by the electric push rod to the positioning region of the creature shaking mechanism.

In an embodiment, the creature shaking mechanism includes a hollow-grid type structure and a shaking member, the shaking member being electrically connected to the power source.

In an embodiment, the positioning region is disposed at the middle of the open frame, and the creature shaking mechanism further includes two sets of stationary partition plates and two sets of movable partition plates. The two sets of stationary partition plates are disposed on left and right sides of the open frame and arranged in a direction parallel with a transporting direction of the creature container. The two sets of movable partition plates are disposed on front and rear sides of the open frame, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction of the creature container, and selectively uplifted or descended. During the shaking operation of the creature container is performed, the movable partition plates are uplifted to confine the creature container and prevent departure of the creature container from the positioning region.

In an embodiment, the creature shaking mechanism further comprises a wire cage, which is supported on upper edges of the stationary partition plates, for preventing detachment of the creature during the shaking operation of the creature container is performed.

In an embodiment, the shaking member includes several pivot shafts, several pivot slices and several pivot holes, which are arranged and connected between the power source and the open frame.

In an embodiment, the power source includes a driving motor and a rotatable wobble disk electrically connected with the driving motor, and the rotatable wobble disk is pivotally coupled to a main pivot shaft of the pivot shafts.

In an embodiment, the power source comprises a pump and a pneumatic driving device connected with the pump, and the pneumatic driving device is pivotally coupled to a main pivot shaft of said pivot shafts.

In an embodiment, the creature shaking mechanism further includes an exhaust structure and a water baffle. The exhaust structure is disposed under the open frame for collecting or exhausting the superficial adherent substances and/or the spout of water flushing the at least one creature during the flushing operation is performed. The water baffle is arranged between the power source and the positioning region for isolating the power source from the positioning region, so that a short circuit of the power source caused by the spout of water during the flushing operation is performed is avoided.

In an embodiment, the exhaust structure comprises a drain tank and a drain pipe.

In an embodiment, the flushing unit includes a water source, a pressurizing motor and at least one flushing pipe, and the spout of water generated by the pressurizing motor is a high-pressure spout of water that flushes the at least one creature in either a fixed direction or a non-fixed direction.

In an embodiment, the creature container is a closed cavity with a cover for preventing the at least one creature from dropping out of the creature container during the shaking operation; and alternatively the creature container is an open cavity.

In an embodiment, the creature container has at least one hole for the at least one flushing pipe to pierce through when the creature container is a closed cavity with a cover; and alternatively the at least one flushing pipe is above said creature container when said creature container is an open cavity.

In an embodiment, the shaking operation includes one or more actions selected from an upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action, a forward/backward moving action, a leftward/rightward moving action, a turning-over action, a rotating action and a combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the output platform is a horizontal stationary frame and includes an additional transporting unit. The transporting unit is electrically connected to the power source for completely departing the creature container from the positioning region.

In an embodiment, the additional transporting unit includes an additional electric push rod electrically connected to the power source, and another side of the creature container is pulled by the additional electric push rod.

In an embodiment, the power source includes several solenoid valves for driving and controlling the transporting unit of the input platform, one of the movable partition plates of the creature shaking mechanism and the additional transporting unit of the output platform.

In an embodiment, the output platform is an inclined stationary frame having a slant surface, and the creature container slides along the slant surface such that the creature container is completely departed from the positioning region.

In an embodiment, each of the transporting unit of the input platform and the additional transporting unit of the output platform includes a belt-type roller assembly having a conveyor belt and a roller set.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic process for shedding superficial adherent substances off at least one creature. Firstly, a power source is provided. Next, an input platform having a first transporting unit is provided, wherein the input platform is connected to an input end of a creature shaking mechanism, and the first transporting unit is electrically connected to the power source. Multiple creature containers are successively and intermittently placed on the input platform. Next, the first transporting unit is driven to automatically and successively transport the creature containers to a positioning region of the creature shaking mechanism, wherein each of the creature containers contains the at least one creature having a plurality of superficial adherent substances thereon. Next, a shaking operation is performed on the creature containers that are transported to the positioning region by the creature shaking mechanism in response to the power source, so that the at least one creature is turned over to expose different surfaces of the at least one creature. A flushing unit is provided at a side of the positioning region for performing a flushing operation to generate a spout of water to flush the different surfaces of the creature so as to sufficiently shed the superficial adherent substances of the at least one creature. Next, an output platform having a second transporting unit is provided, wherein the output platform is connected to an output end of the creature shaking mechanism, and the second transporting unit is electrically connected to the power source. A next creature container is transported to the positioning region by the first transporting unit to push forward a previous creature container that has been subject to the shaking operation and the flushing operation. Afterwards, the second transporting unit is driven to transport the previous creature container to be departed from the positioning region and completely moved to the output platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In this context, the superficial adherent substances are grown on the surfaces of the creatures. The present invention will be illustrated by referring fishes and fish scales as the creatures and the superficial adherent substances, respectively. Nevertheless, the automatic apparatus and the automatic process of the present invention can also be applied to shed mucosa off eels. Moreover, other creature characteristics of fish such as species, size, appearance and weight can be taken into consideration.

FIG. 1Ais a schematic perspective view illustrating an automatic apparatus for shedding superficial adherent substances off at least one creature according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1A, the automatic apparatus10principally comprises an input platform11, a creature shaking mechanism12and an output platform13. The input platform11has a first transporting unit111and the output platform13has a second transporting unit131.

FIG. 1Bis a schematic perspective view illustrating a creature container20used in the automatic apparatus10shown inFIG. 1A. Examples of the creatures are fishes30. Each of the fishes30has many fish scales grown on various surfaces thereof. The fishes30are received in the creature container20. Furthermore, the bottom or the side walls of the creature container20have at least a hollow-grid type rub structure21(e.g. a bulge or rough surface) for facilitating shedding the fish scales off the fishes30through the mutual friction. Due to the friction effect resulted from the rough surfaces of hollow-grid type rub structure21, the fish scales of even one single fish30can be shed off during the creature container20is subject to the shaking operation (as will be described later).

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare schematic perspective views illustrating the input platform11shown inFIG. 1and taken from different viewpoints. The input platform11is a stationary frame. The first transporting unit111includes a first electric push rod. The electric push rod is electrically connected to a power source15that is disposed in the creature shaking mechanism12(as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B).FIGS. 3A and 3Bare schematic perspective views illustrating the output platform13shown inFIG. 1and taken from different viewpoints. The output platform13is a horizontal stationary frame. The second transporting unit111includes a second electric push rod, which is also electrically connected to the power source15.

Hereinafter, the operations of the automatic apparatus10will be illustrated with reference toFIGS. 1,2and3. First of all, the creature container20is manually placed on the input platform11. Then, the creature container20is automatically pushed forwardly by the first electric push rod111to a positioning region1210of the creature shaking mechanism12(as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B). Then, the creature container20is subject to a shaking operation and a flushing operation by the creature shaking mechanism12. During the shaking operation and the flushing operation are performed, the fishes are turned over and rubbed against each other so as to facilitate shedding the fish scales off the fishes. Then, a next creature container20is manually placed on the input platform11and automatically pushed forwardly by the first electric push rod111to the creature shaking mechanism12. When the previous creature container20is pushed by the next container20, the previous container20begins to move from the positioning region1210toward the output platform13. When the previous creature container20enters the output platform13, one side of the previous creature container20is pulled by the second electric push rod131such that the previous creature container20is completely departed from the positioning region1210.

According to the practical requirements and depending on the size of the input platform11, two or more neighboring creature containers20can be simultaneously placed on the input platform11.

The operations of the creature shaking mechanism12according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated in more details with reference toFIGS. 4,5and6.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare schematic perspective views illustrating the internal components of the creature shaking mechanism12shown inFIG. 1and taken from different viewpoints.FIG. 4Cis a schematic perspective view illustrating the internal components of the creature shaking mechanism12shown inFIG. 1, in which a water baffle124is dispensed with. In addition to the input platform11, the creature shaking mechanism12and the output platform13mentioned above, the automatic apparatus10also comprises a flushing unit14and a power source15. The power source15includes a driving motor151and a rotatable wobble disk152. The rotatable wobble disk152is electrically connected with the driving motor151.

Alternatively, said power source includes a pump and a pneumatic driving device connected with said pump (not shown), and said pneumatic driving device is pivotally coupled to a main pivot shaft of said pivot shafts.

The creature shaking mechanism12comprises an open frame121with a hollow-grid type structure1210and a shaking member122. The shaking member122is electrically connected to the power source15. The hollow-grid type structure1210is disposed at the middle of the open frame121and served as the positioning region1210for positioning the creature container20. The creature container20is transported to the creature shaking mechanism12in a transporting direction S. In a direction parallel with the transporting direction S, two sets of stationary partition plates1211and1212are disposed on the left and right sides of the open frame121. In a direction perpendicular to the transporting direction S, two sets of movable partition plates1213and1214are disposed on the front and rear sides of the open frame121. The movable partition plates1213and1214can be uplifted or descended. In a case that the creature container20is subject to the shaking operation, the movable partition plates1213and1214are uplifted to confine the creature container20, thereby preventing departure of the creature container20from the positioning region1210.

The shaking member122includes several pivot shafts, several pivot slices and several pivot holes. These pivot shafts, pivot slices and pivot holes are connected between the power source15and the open frame121. A main pivot shaft1221of these pivot shafts is pivotally coupled to the rotatable wobble disk152of the power source15.

The shaking member122further includes an exhaust structure123and a water baffle124. The exhaust structure123is disposed under the open frame121. The water baffle124is arranged between the power source15and the positioning region1210for isolating the power source15from the positioning region1210. The fish scales that are shed off of the fishes30and/or a spout of water that flushes the fishes30can be exhausted or collected by the exhaust structure123. Since the power source15is isolated from the positioning region1210by the water baffle124, the spout of water fails to render a short circuit of the power source15during the flushing operation is performed. In some embodiments, the exhaust structure123comprises a drain tank1231and a drain pipe1232.

During the shaking operation is performed, the fishes30are turned over and rubbed against each other. For preventing detachment of the fishes30from the creature container20during the shaking operation is performed, the creature shaking mechanism12further comprises a wire cage125(as shown inFIG. 4D). The wire cage125is supported on the upper edges of the stationary partition plates1211and1212.

Hereinafter, a process of using the creature shaking mechanism12to perform the flushing operation and the shaking operation will be illustrated in more details with reference toFIGS. 4,5and6.

FIG. 5is a schematic perspective view illustrating the flushing unit14of the creature shaking mechanism12. The flushing unit14comprises a water source140(previously referring toFIG. 8andFIG. 9), a pressurizing motor141, several flushing pipes142and a flushing unit holder143. A high-pressure spout of water W (previously referring toFIG. 8andFIG. 9) generated by the pressurizing motor141flushes the fishes30in either a fixed direction or a non-fixed direction. The flushing pipes142are fixed on the flushing unit holder143. By means of the flushing unit holder143, the flushing unit14is fixed on the main body of the creature shaking mechanism12.

FIG. 6Ais a schematic perspective view illustrating the connection between the power source15, the open frame121and the shaking member122.FIGS. 6B,6C and6D are schematic side views illustrating the shaking operation of the open frame121that is driven by the shaking member122in response to the power source15.

The main pivot shaft1221of these pivot shafts is pivotally coupled to the rotatable wobble disk152of the power source15. In a case that the rotatable wobble disk152is driven by the driving motor152, the rotatable wobble disk152is rotated in a clock-wise direction to uplift one side of the open frame121and push forward the open frame121such that the open frame121is switched from a stationary status (as shown inFIG. 6B) to a forward shaking status (as shown inFIG. 6C). As the rotatable wobble disk152is continuously rotated in the clock-wise direction, the open frame121is descended and pulled back such that the open frame121is switched to a backward shaking status (as shown inFIG. 6D). The above procedures are repeated to perform the shaking operation. The shaking operation can turn over the fishes30and expose different surfaces of the fishes30, thereby facilitating the spout of water to flush the different surfaces of the fishes30.

In this embodiment, the shaking operation is illustrated by an upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action. It is noted that, however, those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. For example, the shaking operation may further comprise a forward/backward moving action, a leftward/rightward moving action, a turning-over action, a rotating action and a combination thereof.

The first electric push rod111of the input platform11, the movable partition plates1213and1214of the creature shaking mechanism12and the second electric push rod131of the output platform13are driven and controlled by several solenoid valves (not shown) of the power source15. The control mechanism of the solenoid valves is known in the art, and is not described herein.

FIG. 7is a schematic perspective view illustrating a variant of the output platform according to the present invention. In replace of the horizontal stationary frame13shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the output platform ofFIG. 7is an inclined stationary frame16. The inclined stationary frame16has a slant surface. Once the creature container20is pushed forwardly and moved from the positioning region1210toward the output platform13, the creature container20will slide along the slant surface such that the creature container20is completely departed from the positioning region1210.

FIG. 8is a schematic diagram illustrating an automatic apparatus10for shedding superficial adherent substances30off at least one creature when the creature container20thereof is an open cavity according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Further speaking, the creature container20placed on the positioning region1210can simultaneously contain multiple fishes30with fish scales to be shed. In response to the power source15, the creature container20is subject to a shaking operation H1and/or V1. Due to the shaking operation H1and/or V1, the fishes30are turned over and rubbed against each other. The flushing unit14is disposed in one side of the creature container12for generating the high-pressure spout of water W to flush different locations of the fishes30and then shedding the fish scales off their surfaces. Besides, the creature container20may contain only one fish30with fish scales to be shed.

InFIG. 8, the flushing pipe142of the flushing unit14is disposed above the creature container20by way of the flushing unit holder143and the high-pressure spout of water W generated by the water source140and the pressurizing motor141flushes the fishes30in either a fixed direction or a non-fixed direction.

FIG. 9is a schematic diagram illustrating an automatic apparatus10for shedding superficial adherent substances30off at least one creature when another creature container201thereof is a closed cavity with a cover according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. That is, the creature container201can simultaneously contain multiple fishes30with fish scales to be shed. In response to the power source15, the creature container201is subject to a shaking operation H2and/or V2. Due to the shaking operation H2and/or V2, the fishes30are turned over and rubbed against each other. Besides, the creature container201may contain only one fish30with fish scales to be shed.

Differing fromFIG. 8, the creature container201has many holes2011for the flushing pipes142to pierce through, and thus the high-pressure spout of water W may uniformly splash down the fishes30from the inside wall of the creature container201.

In addition, the flushing unit14may be movably mounted on one side of the creature container20(and201) in a reciprocated moving way.

The shaking operation H1(H2) and/or V1(V2) of the creature container20(and201), as is described in the first preferred embodiment, includes one or more actions selected from an upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action, a forward/backward moving action, a leftward/rightward moving action, a turning-over action, a rotating action and a combination thereof. For example, the creature container20is subject to a leftward/rightward moving action of the shaking operation H1in response to the lateral power source15. Alternatively, the creature container20is subject to the leftward/rightward moving action H1and an upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action V1so as to sufficiently turn over the fishes30.

Likewise, the shaking operation H2and/or V2of the creature container201, as is described in the second preferred embodiment, includes one or more actions selected from an upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action, a forward/backward moving action, a leftward/rightward moving action, a turning-over action, a rotating action and a combination thereof. For example, the creature container201is subject to an upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action of the shaking operation V2in response to the upward power source15. Alternatively, the creature container201is subject to the upward/downward reciprocated vibrating action V2and a leftward/rightward moving action H2so as to sufficiently turn over the fishes30.

In accordance with a key feature of the present invention, since multiple fishes30can be simultaneously contained in the creature containers20and201, the shaking operation will turn over the fishes30and cause the fishes30to rub against each other. As a consequence, the speed of shedding the fish scales is enhanced. Moreover, in the assistance of the high-pressure spouts of water W, the fish scales at the margins (e.g. gills or ridges) of the fishes may be flushed clearly and rapidly.

FIG. 10is a schematic perspective view illustrating an automatic apparatus for shedding superficial adherent substances off at least one creature according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 10, the automatic apparatus40principally comprises an input platform41, a creature shaking mechanism42and an output platform43. The input platform41a first transporting unit411and the output platform43has a second transporting unit431. In this embodiment, the first transporting unit411is a belt-type roller assembly having a conveyor belt4111and a roller set4112. Similarly, the second transporting unit431includes is another belt-type roller assembly having a conveyor belt4311and a roller set4312.

Hereinafter, an automatic process for shedding superficial adherent substances off at least one creature according to the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the flowchart ofFIG. 11.

After the process is started (Step110), a power source is provided (Step111). Next, an input platform having a first transporting unit is provided, wherein the input platform is connected to an input end of a creature shaking mechanism and the first transporting unit is electrically connected to the power source (Step112). Next, multiple creature containers are successively and intermittently placed on the input platform (Step113). Next, the first transporting unit is driven to automatically and successively transport the creature containers to a positioning region of the creature shaking mechanism, wherein each of the creature containers contains the at least one creature having a plurality of superficial adherent substances thereon (Step114). In response to the power source, a shaking operation is performed on the creature containers that are transported to the positioning region by the creature shaking mechanism, so that the at least one creature is turned over to expose different surfaces of the at least one creature (Step115). Next, a flushing unit is provided at a side of the positioning region for performing a flushing operation to generate a spout of water to flush the different surfaces of the creature so as to sufficiently shed the superficial adherent substances of the at least one creature (Step116). Next, an output platform having a second transporting unit is provided, wherein the output platform is connected to an output end of the creature shaking mechanism, and the second transporting unit is electrically connected to the power source (Step117). Next a next creature container is transported to the positioning region by the first transporting unit to push forward a previous creature container that has been subject to the shaking operation and the flushing operation. Afterwards, the second transporting unit is driven to transport the previous creature container to be departed from the positioning region and completely moved to the output platform (Step118). Until all creature containers have been subject to the shaking operations and the flushing operations, the process is terminated (Step119).

From the above description, the creature container can be automatically transported by the input platform and the output platform of the automatic apparatus of the present invention. By means of the creature shaking mechanism, a shaking operation and a flushing operation are performed on the creatures to turn over the creatures and expose different surfaces of the creatures. As a result, the automatic apparatus and the automatic process of the present invention can effectively shed the superficial adherent substances off the creatures.