Abstract:
A cutting implement particularly useful for manually deveining shrimp or other crustaceans includes a blade with a cutting edge, a handle attached to the cutting implement, and a vein-removal brush mounted on the cutting implement. The user exposes the intestinal cavity of the crustacean with the cutting edge, and then laterally rotates the cutting implement such that the vein-removal brush is adjacent to the cavity. The user then sweeps the intestinal cavity with the vein removal brush such that the crustacean is cleaned of intestinal debris.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This U.S. patent application relates to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/157,030 entitled “Shrimp Kleen,” filed Oct. 1, 1999. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates generally to knives, and in particular, a manual tool for shelling, cutting, and cleaning crustaceans. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the preparation of shrimp or similar crustaceans for cooking and eating, it is often desirable to remove the head, shell and other outer appendages, and to remove the intestines. Because this process can be time-consuming and labor intensive, many attempts have been made to develop tools which effectively prepare the crustacean, with minimal effort and expenditure of time, while optimizing the appearance, consistency, and flavor of the crustacean. 
     Some tools focus on shelling, “butterflying”, and removing the intestine in a single hand-guided motion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,126 (McCoy) discloses a knife, which comprises a curved blade with angled teeth adjacent to the handle of the knife. When inserted into the cavity of a de-headed crustacean, a thrusting motion removes the shell, slits the crustacean in a “butterfly” fashion and removes the vein. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,353,207 (Weinberger) discloses a knife having a handle and a blade. The cutter portions consist of an obtuse angle positioned at the end of the blade, below which are teeth that simultaneously remove the intestines while the cutter portions slit the shell. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,287 (DeSordi) discloses a device which includes an elongated body having a tapered portion at one end, a de-heading portion at another end, and a handle adjacent to the de-heading portion. The tapered portion is adapted for lengthwise insertion into the body of the crustacean, thereby rupturing its shell. The device also includes an elongated ridge which deveins the crustacean as the device is inserted. This device ruptures the body of the shrimp. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,178,765 (Gorton) and 3,271,814 (Gorton), also disclose an elongated tapered tool which attempts to simultaneously shell and devein the crustacean. The tool incorporates teeth, which may be positioned along its entire length or a portion thereof, and which may vary in size and alignment. 
     Other tools attempt to remove the intestines from the crustacean without cutting or otherwise opening it lengthwise. U.S. Pat. No. 4,967,446 (Padel) discloses a method of and device for tweezing the intestines out through a small opening made with a piercing member. 
     A problem common to the above devices is that they often cause the intestine to rupture, break, or disintegrate during the removal process. As with most biological matter, the consistency of the intestine may vary, and coupled with variances in the amount of pressure or force used by the human operator, these devices rarely remove the intestine. This leaves the operator with the task of removing the debris that is then loose in the cavity of the crustacean. As the intestines contain waste products which may pose a health hazard and which often cause a gritty sensation when eaten, it is critical to remove this debris. None of these devices provides an effective means of removing loose debris from the intestinal cavity. 
     It is well known in the art that a knife may be used to remove a crustacean&#39;s head and shell, and to expose the intestines, which can then be scraped out. However, if the knife is used for scraping the cavity, the operator again runs the risk of rupturing the intestines and releasing the contents. Further, using a knife to cut and then another implement to remove the intestines requires the operator to alternate between two implements repeatedly, thereby significantly decreasing efficiency, and increasing the amount of exertion required. 
     Another problem common to the devices in the prior art is the lack of a safe means of storing the device while it is not in use. If stored in an ordinary tableware drawer or container, the prior art devices have teeth or other appendages can be easily be damaged by other implements stored in the same manner, and can be hazardous to any person reaching into the drawer or container. 
     Thus, there is a need in the art for one implement that is equipped to complete both tasks quickly and easily, and which minimizes the risk of rupturing the intestines. There is also a need in the art for a device that includes an integrated safe storage means that protects both the device, and the hands of a potential operator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a means for cutting, removing the shell, and deveining crustaceans, while minimizing the risk that the intestines will be ruptured, and providing an effective and efficient means of removing intestinal debris from the intestinal cavity. In accordance with the present invention, these objectives are accomplished by providing a device for cutting the shell and flesh of the crustacean, comprising: a cutting implement which includes a blade with a cutting edge; a handle attached to the cutting implement; and a vein-removal brush mounted on the cutting implement. The present invention also seeks to provide a carrying case, which enables the device to be safely stored with other culinary implements. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a blade is fixed to an easy-to-grip handle, and is configured so that it easily cuts through the shell of a crustacean, enabling the operator to remove the head and shell, and to cut through the flesh of the crustacean thereby exposing the intestinal “vein”. Using the brush fixed opposite the cutting side of the blade, the operator can then remove the intestines and any debris present in the cavity of the crustacean. This cutting implement can be used as a kitchen implement for preparing raw food, and as tableware for preparing cooked food for eating. 
     When the implement is not in use, it can be stored in its case. The case includes a ventilating means that allows the brush to dry, while preventing injury to potential operators and protecting the implement from damage. 
     Alternative embodiments incorporating the present invention are readily apparent. For example, the entire implement can be manufactured in a variety of sizes. The implement could be manufactured with a removable and reversible blade, allowing the operator to detach the blade from the handle, turn it around, and reinsert it into the handle. Vent holes can be positioned on any surface or surfaces of the carrying case, which may be open on either or both ends. The case can be comprised of an interlocking cap and a base, or of one section that protects the entire implement and attaches itself directly with the implement. The vein-removal brush can be attached to the implement, or integral to the handle or the blade. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a case for the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now in more detail to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the cutting implement  10  embodying the present invention. Generally speaking, the person operating this invention achieves a firm grasp of the handle  12  of the implement  10  by means of grips  14 , which are molded to conform to a typical operator&#39;s hand. The operator then holds the raw or cooked crustacean in the opposite hand. Using the implement&#39;s cutting edge  22 , possibly including its sharpened surface  24  and the tip  28  of the blade  18 , the operator can effectively cut and/or remove the outer shell and appendages and slice the crustacean in such a manner as to expose its intestines. Without having to release the implement  10  or switch hands, the operator can then turn the implement  10  in his or her hand, while maintaining a hold on the crustacean. Using the brush  30  mounted on the non-cutting edge  26  of the blade, the intestines can be scraped out of the intestinal cavity, preferably intact. If the intestines rupture or other debris is found in the cavity, the operator can repeatedly sweep the cavity with the brush  30  until all debris is removed. Alternatively, the operator can use any part of the blade  18  to remove the intestines, with the brush  30  being reserved to clean any remaining debris from the cavity. Because the cutting implement  10  can be used to clean raw or cooked food, it can be used as both a kitchen implement and as tableware. 
     When the implement  10  is not in use, it can be stored in its case  50  as shown in FIG.  2 . The case  50  allows the brush  30  to dry while preventing injury to potential operators and protecting the blade  18  and brush  30  from damage. This effect is achieved by means of a cap  64 , which covers the blade  18 , the end  66  of such cap  64  having a plurality of vent holes  74 . Having been placed over the blade  18 , the cap snaps onto the base  52  of the case  50 , the base  52  having been placed over the handle  12 . 
     The cutting implement  10  shown in FIG. 1 will now be described in detail. The cutting implement  10  comprises a handle  12  with grips  14  which facilitate a firm grasp by the operator&#39;s hand. At the handle base  16 , the blade  18  is affixed at its base  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, a blade  18  is configured so that its base  20  can be fixed onto a handle  12 , and a handle  12  is configured so as to receive and securely hold the blade  18  in place. The blade  18  is generally flat, and tapers to a relatively narrow tip  28 . The cutting edge  22  of the blade  18  may be curved so as to approximate the natural body curvature of crustaceans such as shrimp, prawns, or crawfish, and comprises a sharpened edge  24 . The non-cutting edge  26  of the blade  18  opposite the cutting edge  22  may be curved to a lesser degree, and has sufficient area upon which to affix a vein-removal brush  30  for cleaning the intestinal cavity of a crustacean. The vein-removal brush  30  comprises at least one row of tines or bristles  32 , which are held in place by a brush base  34  which may extend integrally into a brush handle  36 . The brush handle  36  is affixed to both the base  16  of the handle  12  and along a portion of the non-cutting edge  26  of the blade  18 . 
     The case  50  for storing or carrying the implement  10  is shown in FIG. 2, generally comprising a base section  52  and a cap section  64 . In the embodiment shown, the base  52  is closed at one end  54 . The opposite end  56  of the base  52  has an orifice  58  for receiving the implement handle  12 . The interior surface  60  of the orifice  58  may be smooth to aid in sliding the handle  12  into the base, or may be lined with a rubbery material, possibly with a non-slip coating. The open end  56  of the base is equipped with a means, such as a friction-fit ridge, for interlocking and securing with the open end  68  of the cap  64 . The cap  64  is vented at one end  66 . The opposite end  68  of the cap has an orifice  70  for receiving the implement blade  18 . The interior surface  72  of the orifice  70  may be smooth to aid in sliding the blade  18  into the cap, and may be lined with a rubbery material, possibly with a non-slip coating. The open end  68  of the cap  64  is equipped with a means for interlocking with the open end, as described above. The vented end  66  of the cap  64  is constructed with a plurality of vent holes  76 , which facilitate the exposure of the brush  30  to outside air, thereby allowing the brush  30  to dry. An individual vent hole  78  may be of any shape that will permit air to enter the case  50 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the vent holes  76  may be positioned at intervals on any surface or surfaces of the cap  64 . In another embodiment, the base  52  of the case  50  can be either entirely open or vented at its end  54 . 
     In another embodiment, the case  50  is comprised of one section, instead of having a base  52  section and a cap  64  section. The case  50  could interlock directly with the handle  12 , or otherwise fit securely over the implement  10 . 
     In other embodiments, the implement  10  can be manufactured in a variety of sizes. The blade  18  can be removable and/or reversible. 
     In another embodiment, the brush  30  can be mounted on the handle  12  of the implement  10 , or integrated therewith. 
     In yet another embodiment, the case  50  could be constructed so as to also store a safety glove, which would protect the hands of an operator from accidental cuts. 
     Thus, the invention provides an implement which streamlines the process of preparing raw or cooked shellfish, by minimizing the number of tools needed to effectively complete the task, reducing the risk to the operator of injury, and reducing the risk of damage to the implement during storage. 
     Those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and devices described herein are not related or limited to any particular material or method of construction. Rather, various materials may be used to construct the implement, and it can be used to clean various types of crustaceans and other food. For example, the blade may be constructed of metal or any other material sufficiently hard to cut through a crustacean&#39;s shell. The vein-removal brush may be constructed of plastic, or of the same material as the handle of the cutting implement. The handle of the cutting implement may be constructed of rubber, plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. 
     While the present invention in its various aspects has been described in detail with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, and an example of alternative embodiments have been provided, it should be understood that variations, modifications and enhancements can be made to the disclosed apparatus and procedures without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.