Abstract:
An oyster opening apparatus provides a rotary drum having an interior for holding unopened oysters. Projections or baffles on the drum interior lift and then drop the oysters, thereby loosening their shell parts. Removal of the edible part can then be completed manually using an oyster knife.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for opening oysters that employs a rotating housing or drum having an interior for containing a plurality of oysters and one or more projections or baffles placed within the interior. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for opening oysters that employs a rotating housing or drum having one or more projections or baffles configured to catch and hold oysters momentarily during rotation, each baffle dumping the oysters downwardly into the drum as the baffle reaches an upper portion of the drum, wherein the rotating action of the drum and baffles gradually loosens shells of each oyster, providing a gap that enables easy manual opening of the oysters after they are removed from the drum. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     An oyster is a bi-valve mollusk of the family Ostreidae. An oyster has an irregular shell that is closed by a single adductor muscle. The two part shell of an oyster is very tightly closed when the oyster is first harvested. In the past, oysters have been typically opened manually using a knife that is provided with a relatively blunt blade and a handle for gripping by the hand of a user. 
     Some machines have been patented, which disclose machines purported to open oysters. The following possibly relevant U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No. 
                 TITLE 
                 ISSUE DATE 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 4,348,788 
                 Oyster Opener 
                 Sep. 14, 1982 
               
               
                   
                 4,617,734 
                 Oyster Opener 
                 Oct. 21, 1986 
               
               
                   
                 D309,408 
                 Oyster Opener 
                 Jul. 24, 1990 
               
               
                   
                 D358,307 
                 Easy Oyster Opener 
                 May 16, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 5,482,500 
                 Claim and Oyster Opener 
                 Jan. 09, 1996 
               
               
                   
                 D404,978 
                 Oyster Opener 
                 Feb. 02, 1999 
               
               
                   
                 6,785,967 
                 Clam and Oyster Opener 
                 Sep. 07, 2004 
               
               
                   
                 D507,161 
                 Oyster Opener 
                 Jul. 12, 2005 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus for opening oysters. In one embodiment the method includes the following steps: (a) providing a rotating device; (b) providing a plurality of oysters to be opened; (c) placing the plurality of oysters in the rotating device; (d) rotating the plurality of oysters with the rotating device causing a plurality of the oyster shells to at least partially separated; (e) removing the plurality of oysters from the rotating device; and (f) opening the plurality of oysters which have been at least partially separated. 
     In one embodiment the rotating device is a drum or housing. 
     In one embodiment a sackfull of oysters are removed from the sack and placed in the drum during step “c” before being rotated in step “d.” 
     In one embodiment water is sprayed in the drum during step “d.” In one embodiment water is sprayed in the drum after step “d.” 
     In one embodiment the horizontal level of the drum or housing can be tilted relative to a horizontal plane either rotated upwards or rotated downwards. In one embodiment the rotation of the drum or housing can be performed while the drum is tilted (either upwardly or downwardly) from a horizontal plane. In one embodiment during step “d” the drum or housing can be tilted (either upwardly or downwardly) from a horizontal plane to control the falling and impact of the oysters inside the drum or housing. 
     In one embodiment during use, the drum is filled with a plurality of oysters to be opened. A plurality of plates, baffles or projections are provided within the housing or drum interior. These projections rotate with the drum or housing outer wall. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing includes at least one lifting plate, baffle, or projection. In one embodiment the drum or housing includes a plurality of lifting plates, baffles, or projections. 
     In one embodiment the plurality of lifting plates, baffles, or projections are symmetrically distributed around a cross section of the drum or housing. 
     In one embodiment the plurality of lifting plates, baffles, or projections are symmetrically distributed around a cross section of the drum or housing but are offset from the line of rotation of the drum or housing. In one embodiment the offset relative to the longitudinal line of rotation is about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, and 45 degrees. In various embodiments the offset is between about any two of the above referenced offsets. In various embodiments the offsets of the plurality of lifting plates, baffles, or projections are about equal and in the direction of rotation of the drum. 
     In one embodiment the plurality of plates, baffles, or projections include a rounded tip which resists chipping or cutting of the edges of the plurality of oysters in the drum or housing. 
     As the drum rotates, one or more oysters rests upon the plate, baffle, or projection and rotates upwardly with it. When the oysters reach an upper portion of the housing or drum, they are dumped from the baffle, plate, or projection and fall downwardly within the housing or drum. As the unopened oysters reach the bottom of the housing or drum, each oyster strikes the drum wall or another baffle. Continuous rotation of the drum results in repeated hits of the unopened oyster against the drum or housing or a projection or a baffle. Such action gradually weakens the connection that holds the two parts of the shell together. This weakening of the joint between the two parts of the shell produces a gap which can then be easily exploited with a knife (e.g. manually) to complete an opening of the oyster. 
     In one embodiment during separation the drum or housing can rotate about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 62, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and/or 100 revolutions per minute. In various embodiments the drum or housing can rotate between about any two of the above referenced rotational speeds. 
     In one embodiment during separation the drum or housing can rotate for about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 62, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and/or 120 seconds. In various embodiments the drum or housing can rotate between about any two of the above referenced times. 
     In one embodiment drum or housing can have an average diameter of bout 5, 10, 15, 20, 24, 25, 30, 35, 36, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 62, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and/or 120 inches. In various embodiments the drum or housing can have an average diameter between about any two of the above referenced diameter. 
     In one embodiment, the drum or housing can be mounted on a moving frame which enables the drum or housing to be tilted for either accepting a plurality of oysters or for discharging a plurality of oysters into a selected container such as a sack, bag, drum, box or the like. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing can be generally cylindrically shaped. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing can have end portions. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing can have end portions with an entry on one of its end portions. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing can have one or more drains. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing can have an outer wall which is perforated. 
     In one embodiment the drum or housing can have a motor drive operatively connected to and rotating the drum or housing. 
     In one embodiment the drum can have an internal spraying device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the drum in a loading position; 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing the drum door in an open position such as during loading; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of e present invention illustrating an addition of oysters to the drum interior when the drum is in a loading position; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of an oyster showing a gap that is produced after the oyster has been rotated in the drum part of the apparatus of the present invention for a selected period of time; 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating a discharge of oysters into a selected container after the oysters have been rotated within the drum for a selected time; and 
         FIGS. 10 and 11  are perspective views that illustrate an opening of the oyster shown in  FIG. 8 , having been rotated in the drum for a selected period of time. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-8  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  10 . Oyster opening apparatus  10  provides a housing or drum  11  that can be cylindrically shaped. The drum is supported with a support frame  12 . The support frame  12  moves between operating and loading positions. The drum support frame  12  is also movable between operating and unloading positions. 
     In  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  5 , the apparatus  10  of the present invention can be shown, with frame  12  movably supported in a room or other building or structure having a plurality of walls and a floor  22 . The walls can include walls  17 ,  18  and  21 . The drum or housing  11  can be in the form of a cylinder or cylindrical shape. The drum or housing  11  provides a cylindrically shaped side wall  23  and circular end walls  24 ,  25 . An interior  26  can also be generally cylindrically shaped. Drum cylindrical side wall  23  can be perforated, providing a plurality of perforations  27 . These perforations  27  enable water to escape during a spray rinsing of the oysters  70 . 
     A door  46  is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4  that can be opened and closed. The door  46  can be secured to drum  11  end wall  25  using a pin  47 . The pin  47  can extend through eyes  48  mounted on door  46  and eyes  49 . Eyes  49  can be provided on end wall  25  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed position, the pin  47  extends through eyes  48  and  49  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Arrow  79  in  FIG. 4  illustrates a removal of pin  47  when door  46  is to be opened. Arrow  80  in  FIG. 4  illustrates an opening of door  46 , and its removal from drum  11 . When connected to drum  11 , door  46  can be secured within channel  78  which extends along three sides of door  46  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . Channel  78  can be u-shaped in transverse cross section. 
     Horizontal beam  13  can span between walls  17 ,  18  as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 . Horizontal beam  13  can be an I-beam having a web  14  and flanges  15 ,  16  as shown. Inclined support  19  extends between horizontal beam  13  and floor  22 . Inclined support  19  provides a slot  20  that is receptive of one end portion  29  of beam  28  of drum support frame  12 . An opposing end portion  30  of beam  28  can be attached at pinned connection  31  to vertical beam  32 . An upper end portion of beam  32  can be connected to flange  15  of beam  13 , welded thereto for example. The beam  32  can be a vertical beam that is supported with diagonal members  33 ,  34 , laterally extending horizontal member  35  and vertical member  36 . Member  36  can be attached to wall  21  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     A pair of overhead lifting devices  37 ,  38  can be provided to travel upon beam  13 . Each lifting device  37 ,  38  can include a trolley  39 ,  40  and a winch or drum  41  or  42 . Each winch or drum  41 ,  42  is wound with a winch line or lift cable  43 ,  44 . The lift cable  43  attaches to beam  28  at lifting eye  45 . In this fashion, the beam  28  and thus the drum  11  can be lowered during filling as shown in  FIG. 5  and elevated during a rotational position of  FIG. 1 , and further elevated to discharge its contents as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Rotary bearings  50 ,  51  support drum or housing  11  for rotation. The bearings  50 ,  51  can best be seen in  FIG. 6 . A static perforated header  52  provides perforations or openings  53  for spraying water into drum interior  26 . The header  52  is suspended from and supported by first and second supports  54 ,  55 . The support  54  is a vertical member that is supported by beam  28  as shown in  FIG. 1 . A water supply hose  56  is fitted with valve  57  and coupler  58  for providing a water source to header  52 . Handle  59  enables valve  57  to be opened or closed. 
     Motor drive  60  is connected to and supported by support  54 . Motor drive  60  provides a drive gear that drives chain  61  which is connected to a drive gear that rotates drum  11 . Other drives could be used to rotate drum  11 . The support  55  can be attached to end  30  of beam  28  using welding for example. 
     Drum cylindrical side wall  23  supports one or more baffles, plates or projections  62 ,  63 ,  64  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Such baffles, plates or projections could be apart of the housing or drum  11  or welded or connected thereto. Each baffle, plate, projection  62 ,  63 ,  64  can have a rounded end portion  65 ,  66 ,  67 . 
     During use, the drum or housing  11  rotates in the direction of arrows  68  as shown in  FIG. 7 . Oysters  70  to be opened initially rest upon a projection  62 - 64  or in between a projection  62 - 64  and drum wall  23  as shown in  FIG. 7 . However, when the baffle, plate, or projection  62 ,  63 ,  64  reaches an upper position such as the plate  62  in  FIG. 7 , the oysters are dumped from the plate, baffle, or projection  62 ,  63 ,  64 . Oysters  70  then fall downwardly striking the drum wall  23 , or striking another plate or projection or baffle  62 ,  63 ,  64 . 
     As shown by  FIG. 7  plate, baffle, or projection  62 ,  63 ,  64  can be offset by angle  86 ,  88 , or  90  which may or may not be equal. 
     Continued rotation of the drum  11  gradually weakens the connective tissue of the oyster  70  that holds the two halves or parts  74 ,  75  of the shell together. As shown in  FIG. 8 , a gap  69  gradually opens for each oyster. 
     In one embodiment during separation the drum or housing  11  can rotate (schematically shown by arrow  82  in  FIG. 4  and arrows  68  in  FIG. 7 ) about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 62, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, and/or 100 revolutions per minute. In various embodiments the drum or housing  11  can rotate between about any two of the above referenced rotational speeds. 
     In one embodiment during separation the drum or housing  11  can rotate for about 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 62, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and/or 120 seconds. In various embodiments the drum or housing  11  can rotate between about any two of the above referenced times. 
     In one embodiment drum or housing  11  can have an average diameter of bout 5, 10, 15, 20, 24, 25, 30, 35, 36, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 62, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 110, 115, and/or 120 inches. In various embodiments the drum or housing  11  can have an average diameter between about any two of the above referenced diameter. In one embodiment drum or housing  11  has an average diameter is sufficient to produce the gap  69  as shown in  FIG. 8  for each of the oysters  70  that are tumbled within the drum  11  interior  26 . 
     Once the gap  69  has been opened, the oysters  70  are very easy to open using a conventional oyster knife  71 . In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the hands  72 ,  73  of a user are shown. One hand  72  is holding the oyster  70 . The other hand  73  holds the oyster knife  71 . The gap  69  as shown in  FIG. 8  enables the knife  71  to be placed in between the parts or halves  74 ,  75  of the shell of the oyster  70 . Once the shells or parts  74 ,  75  are separated, edible part  76  is easily removed using the knife  71 . When opening oysters  70  in this fashion, a clean receptacle  77  is employed wherein multiple edible parts  76  are dropped into receptacle  77  over a period of time. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 oyster opening apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 drum/housing 
               
               
                 12 
                 drum support frame 
               
               
                 13 
                 horizontal beam 
               
               
                 14 
                 web 
               
               
                 15 
                 flange 
               
               
                 16 
                 flange 
               
               
                 17 
                 wall 
               
               
                 18 
                 wall 
               
               
                 19 
                 inclined support 
               
               
                 20 
                 slot 
               
               
                 21 
                 wall 
               
               
                 22 
                 floor 
               
               
                 23 
                 cylindrical side wall 
               
               
                 24 
                 end wall 
               
               
                 25 
                 end wall 
               
               
                 26 
                 interior 
               
               
                 27 
                 perforations 
               
               
                 28 
                 beam 
               
               
                 29 
                 end portion 
               
               
                 30 
                 end portion 
               
               
                 31 
                 pinned connection 
               
               
                 32 
                 vertical beam 
               
               
                 33 
                 diagonal member 
               
               
                 34 
                 diagonal member 
               
               
                 35 
                 horizontal member 
               
               
                 36 
                 vertical member 
               
               
                 37 
                 lifting device 
               
               
                 38 
                 lifting device 
               
               
                 39 
                 trolley 
               
               
                 40 
                 trolley 
               
               
                 41 
                 winch/drum 
               
               
                 42 
                 winch/drum 
               
               
                 43 
                 line 
               
               
                 44 
                 line 
               
               
                 45 
                 lifting eye 
               
               
                 46 
                 door 
               
               
                 47 
                 pin 
               
               
                 48 
                 eye 
               
               
                 49 
                 eye 
               
               
                 50 
                 rotary bearing 
               
               
                 51 
                 rotary bearing 
               
               
                 52 
                 header 
               
               
                 53 
                 opening 
               
               
                 54 
                 support 
               
               
                 55 
                 support 
               
               
                 56 
                 water supply hose 
               
               
                 57 
                 valve 
               
               
                 58 
                 coupling 
               
               
                 59 
                 handle 
               
               
                 60 
                 motor drive 
               
               
                 61 
                 chain 
               
               
                 62 
                 baffle/plate/projection 
               
               
                 63 
                 baffle/plate/projection 
               
               
                 64 
                 baffle/plate/projection 
               
               
                 65 
                 rounded end portion 
               
               
                 66 
                 rounded end portion 
               
               
                 67 
                 rounded end portion 
               
               
                 68 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 69 
                 gap 
               
               
                 70 
                 unopened oyster 
               
               
                 71 
                 oyster knife 
               
               
                 72 
                 hand 
               
               
                 73 
                 hand 
               
               
                 74 
                 shell part 
               
               
                 75 
                 shell part 
               
               
                 76 
                 edible part 
               
               
                 77 
                 receptacle/container 
               
               
                 78 
                 channel 
               
               
                 79 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 80 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 82 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 86 
                 angle 
               
               
                 88 
                 angle 
               
               
                 90 
                 angle 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.