Patent GB-1288422-A (GB)
IPC: A22C29/02
Filed: 1969-12-11
Abstract: 1288422 Shrimp processing apparatus G JONSSON 11 Dec 1969 [16 Dec 1968] 60428/ 69 Heading A2U In apparatus for processing shrimp, each shrimp is held by the shell with the shell split open and without exerting substantial force on the shrimp meat, and the meat is then engaged by means which are moved relative to the shell holding means first in one direction relative to the shrimp and then in the opposite direction to separate the meat from the shell. As shown, shrimps 122 are fed by hand to pockets 120 of an endless chain conveyer 38 which is driven step-by-step through Geneva mechanism, to give a positive lock when arrested, whereby each shrimp is positioned in turn for transfer to one of a number of carriers 32 on a continuously driven rotary structure, the shrimp being gripped by its shell, through main jaws 178 and tail gripping jaws 166, for movement past, in succession, a shell disjointing station 42, a shell cutting and sand vein removing station 44, a brushing and cleaning station 46, and a meat-removal station 48. The latter comprises an oscillating carriage 318 on which are mounted two rows of spikes 352, an independently oscillating knife 372, and a stripper 358, the spikes being adapted to engage the meat while the knife cuts it either part or the whole way through to produce either a "butterfly" shrimp or a "saddle" shrimp respectively, the arrangement being such that the meat is first urged by the spikes 352 forwardly relative to the carrier 32, i.e. rearwardly relative to the shell, to loosen the meat, and is then moved in the opposite direction to remove the meat from the shell, after which stripper 358 strips the meat from the spikes, the empty shell being discharged subsequently at station 50. The disjointing of the shell at station 42 ensures that the shell segment adjacent the tail of the shrimp is retained on the meat, for further processing. The carriage 318 comprises a frame 312 which carries a block to which the spikes 352 are secured, the frame being supported for movement parallel to itself by pairs of parallel links 308, 310 pivoted to the machine frame by shaft 304, 306, respectively. Shafts 314, 316 which provide the upper pivots of the links 308, 310 on the frame 312 also carry arms 368, 376 which support the knife 372 which has a raised edge portion 390. The knife is adapted to be moved independently relative to the frame 312 by a cam 334 co-operating with a follower roller 386 on an arm 384 mounted on a pivot 322 extending between the links 310, gearing 378, 382 connecting the arm 384 with the arms 376. The cam 334 is secured to a driving shaft 336 which oscillates the carriage through a crank arm 326 and link 320, between the positions of Figs. 19 and 21. The stripper 358, which has a longitudinal slot to allow passage of the knife 372 and notches to allow the spikes 352 to protrude through it, is pivoted to a bracket 354 on the carriage frame 312 and is supported by a link 360 from the pivot 322. Consequently, during oscillation of the carriage 318, its movement is such that the spikes 352 and knife 372 protrude through it to engage and cut the shrimp meat, respectively, when the carriage is moving into the Fig. 21 position, and the stripper removes the meat from the spikes as these and the knife are withdrawn when the carriage is moving into the Fig. 19 position. In order to effect the disjointing at station 42, the main jaws 178 of each carrier 32, which are pivoted at 212, 214, Fig. 12, to frame 160 of the carrier and have inwardly facing gripping portions 182, have associated with them a pair of supplementary jaws 208, 210 to the upper ends of which are pivoted, on vertical pivots 222, clutch dogs 220 which are normally maintained in abutment with the upper ends of the jaws 208, 210 by springs 224. Spikes 216 and 218, carried respectively by the upper ends of the supplementary jaws and by the clutch dogs, engage respectively in the segment of the shell adjacent the tail of the shrimp and in the segment immediately forwardly thereof, when cam followers 254 engage stationary cam tracks 256, Fig. 10, so urging the supplementary jaws inwardly against the action of springs 255. Shortly afterwards, cams 230 on the clutch dogs 220 are urged inwardly by cam tracks 280 and cause the clutch dogs to pivot such that the two segments are forced apart, disrupting the shell whereby the segment adjacent the tail of the shrimp can remain attached to the meat. The opening and closing of the main jaws 178 and the tail jaws 166 are effected by respective cam followers 190, 170 engaging respective cam tracks 188, 172. To prevent adhesion of the meat to the stripper at station 48, either an oscillating bar 430 is provided, oscillation being effected at the appropriate time by a cam follower 434 engaging a cam track 436 to cause pivoting of a block 428, which carries the bar 430, about the axis of the stripper, or the meat is washed off the stripper by jets of water (Figs. 25-31, not shown). The shell cutting and sand vein removing station 44 comprises a cutting wheel 288 carried by a pivoted arm 290. The arm may either be held by a weight 292 against a stop to give a predetermined depth of cut, or may be controlled by a cam (482, Figs. 35, 36, not shown) to cut through all except the shell segment adjacent the tail of the shrimp.