Abstract:
An improved method for processing sea cucumbers by applying pressure to the outer body of a decapitated sea cucumber, thereby forcing the layer of longitudinal muscle bands and internal viscera out of the outer body allowing for ready separation of the components for further processing, and an apparatus for implementing said improved method.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of marine aquaculture. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved method and apparatus for processing sea cucumbers. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    Sea cucumbers are any of the more than one thousand species of marine invertebrates belonging to a group of echinoderms called holothurians. They have soft, cylindrical bodies, ranging in length from less than an inch to several feet, and in thickness from half an inch to almost a foot. They are usually a dull, dark color and their outer skin is often warty, thus resembling a cucumber. They are sluggish, bottom dwelling animals that are found worldwide. Sea cucumbers have a tough, leathery outer skin, a mouth located at one end having a circle of branching tentacles, and an anal opening at the other end. The internal organs (viscera) of the sea cucumber lay within the tube-like body chamber surrounded by the skin and a layer of longitudinal muscle bands. 
         [0005]    There are several species of edible holothurians, including  Cucumaria frondosa , which is found off the northeast coast of the United States. Sea cucumber meat, which includes the body wall and longitudinal muscle bands, is highly prized in many Asian markets. Sea cucumbers traditionally have been processed by cutting the outer skin with a knife and removing the longitudinal muscle bands by hand. This is a labor-intensive, time consuming method. Moreover,  Cucumaria frondosa  has a particularly tough outer skin, making it especially difficult to prepare. 
         [0006]    Recently, there has been disclosed a method of improved sea cucumber processing utilizing a vacuum system for removing the viscera from a sea cucumber. However, this method still relies on an initial step of cutting open the sea cucumber by hand to expose the internal organs and fluids. It also does not separate the layer of longitudinal muscle bands from the outer skin. Moreover, it is complicated and costly and is not amenable to use by small sea cucumber processors. There is therefore a need for an improved method of separating the desirable portions of a sea cucumber during processing which is effective and simple to use while reducing the amount of labor needed to perform the task. 
         [0007]    The present invention overcomes the problem of separating the components of a sea cucumber to more readily obtain the desired portions. As more fully described below, the disclosed methods and apparatus utilize the application of pressure to a sea cucumber to force apart the various components of a sea cucumber quickly and easily, greatly facilitating further processing. 
         [0008]    It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide one or more useful methods for separating the components of a sea cucumber. 
         [0009]    It is a further objective of the present invention to provide one or more useful methods for separating the components of the species Cucumaria frondosa. 
         [0010]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide one or more useful methods for separating the components of a sea cucumber by the application of pressure thereto. 
         [0011]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide one or more useful methods for separating the components of a sea cucumber which are simple in application. 
         [0012]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful apparatus for separating the components of a sea cucumber. 
         [0013]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful apparatus for separating the components of the species  Cucumaria frondosa.    
         [0014]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful apparatus for separating the components of a sea cucumber by the application of pressure thereto. 
         [0015]    It is yet a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful apparatus for separating the components of a sea cucumber which is simple in application. 
         [0016]    Other objectives of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0017]    The present invention discloses various methods for processing sea cucumbers and apparatuses for practicing those methods. The methods utilize an application of mechanical pressure to a decapitated sea cucumber. The pressure on the outer portions of the sea cucumber forces the layer of longitudinal muscle bands and the viscera out of the sea cucumber through the opening created by the removal of the anterior portion (“head”) of the sea cucumber. 
         [0018]    The basic method involves the steps of obtaining a sea cucumber; removing a portion of the anterior end of the sea cucumber to expose the layer of longitudinal muscle bands and viscera; applying pressure to the sea cucumber such that the application of pressure squeezes the longitudinal muscle bands and viscera out of the sea cucumber through the first end; and separating the longitudinal muscle bands from the remainder of the sea cucumber. Variations of the basic method include using either a knife or other hand-held cutting implement to remove the anterior end of the sea cucumber or using an automated cutting device, such as a guillotine blade, a circular slicing blade, or the like. Other variations include using one or more cylindrical rollers to apply the pressure to the sea cucumber, or substantially planar pressing surfaces to apply the pressure to the sea cucumber, or a combination. Yet other variations employ conveyor belts to move the sea cucumbers into contact with the pressing mechanism. 
         [0019]    The apparatuses disclosed by the present invention are suitable for implementing the above described methods. These apparatuses may use one or more cylindrical rollers, or substantially planar pressing surfaces, or a combination. The apparatuses may be hand powered, electrically powered, hydraulically powered, or some combination thereof. Variations may also employ conveyor belts to move the sea cucumbers into contact with the pressing mechanism. 
         [0020]    Other features and advantages of the invention are described below. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes a cylindrical roller and a substantially planar pressing surface. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1B  is a plan view of the embodiment of the device and method depicted in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes two cylindrical rollers. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes two cylindrical rollers and a conveyor belt. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of yet another embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes multiple cylindrical rollers and the pressing surface is a conveyor belt. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes two substantially parallel pressing surfaces. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes two pressing surfaces at an angle to each other. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the device in which the method of applying pressure to the sea cucumber utilizes two pressing surfaces at an angle to each other, whereby the two pressing surfaces are hingedly connected to each other. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    The present invention discloses an improved method for processing a sea cucumber  10 . The method is applicable to any of the edible species of sea cucumbers  10 , but especially to the species  Cucumaria frondosa . In all cases, the sea cucumber  10  to be processed is substantially elongate, has a first end  12  and a second end  14  located opposite the first end  12 , and has an outer portion  16 , a layer of longitudinal muscle bands  18 , and internal viscera  19 . 
         [0030]    In the most general embodiment, the improved method comprises the steps of: 
         [0031]    A: obtaining a sea cucumber  10 ; 
         [0032]    B: removing a portion of the first end  12  of the sea cucumber  10 , thereby creating an opening  13  and exposing the layer of longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19 ; 
         [0033]    C: applying pressure to the sea cucumber  10  such that the application of pressure squeezes the longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19  out of the sea cucumber  10  through the opening  13  at the first end  12 ; and 
         [0034]    D: separating the longitudinal muscle bands  18  from the outer portion  16  and viscera  19 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment the removal of the portion of the first end  12  of the sea cucumber  10  to create an opening  13  in step B is performed by use of a knife. The knife may be held by a human hand in a manual operation. A circumferential cut is made about the first end  12  of the sea cucumber  10  through the outer portion  16 . Alternatively, the knife may be used to make a through cut through the outer portion  16  of the sea cucumber  10  at the first end  12  generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sea cucumber  10 . In other embodiments the knife may be attached to a mechanical device. 
         [0036]    In yet other embodiments the removal of the portion of the first end  12  of the sea cucumber  10  is step B is performed by use of an automated cutting device. The automated device may incorporate a guillotine blade for decapitating the sea cucumber  10  to create an opening  13  at the first end  12 . Alternately, a circular slicing blade may be used. Any other appropriate method for removing the first end  12  of the sea cucumber  10  known in the art, whether manual or by use of an automatic device, is also contemplated by this invention. 
         [0037]    Step C of the method involves applying pressure to the sea cucumber  10  to force the longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19  out of the opening  13  at the first end  12 . In the preferred embodiment the pressure is applied asymmetrically to the sea cucumber  10 , first beginning at its second end  14  and thereafter in a continuous manner being applied substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sea cucumber  10  towards its first end  12 . This action mimics, for example, the application of pressure to an open tube of tooth paste to cause the paste to be most efficiently squeezed therefrom. Alternatively, the pressure may be applied uniformly to the outer body  16  of the sea cucumber  10 . Because the outer portion  16  of the body is entirely intact except for the opening  13  at the first end  12 , the application of uniform pressure will tend to squeeze the longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19  out of the sea cucumber  10  through the opening  13  at the first end  12 . 
         [0038]    In one embodiment, the application of pressure to the sea cucumber  10  in step C of the method is accomplished by the use of a cylindrical roller  20  in near proximity to a substantially planar pressing surface  30 . See  FIG. 1 . The cylindrical roller  20  is spaced apart from the pressing surface  30  forming a gap  40  that is somewhat smaller than the cross-section of the sea cucumber  10 . Step C is performed by placing the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10  into the gap  40  between the cylindrical roller  20  and the pressing surface  30 , with the longitudinal axis of the sea cucumber  10  oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical roller  20 . The sea cucumber  10  is then moved through the gap  40 . The pressure exerted on the sea cucumber  10  by the cylindrical roller  20  and the pressing surface  30  squeezes the longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19  out of the sea cucumber  10 . 
         [0039]    In another embodiment of the method, the application of pressure to the sea cucumber  10  in step C is accomplished by the use of a plurality of cylindrical rollers  20  in near proximity to a substantially planar pressing surface  30 . See  FIG. 4 . Each of the cylindrical rollers  20  is oriented parallel to and in close proximity to the other cylindrical rollers  20 . The plurality of cylindrical rollers  20  work in conjunction with the pressing surface  30  in the same manner as in the embodiment utilizing just one cylindrical roller  20 , and the sea cucumber  10  is moved between the cylindrical rollers  20  and the pressing surface  30  in the same manner. In an alternative embodiment, each of the cylindrical rollers  20  forms a different sized gap  40  with the pressing surface  30 , with the largest gap  40  being formed between the pressing surface  30  and the cylindrical roller  20  which first contacts the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10 , and the gaps  40  for each successive cylindrical roller  20  being slightly smaller, with the final cylindrical roller  20  forming the smallest gap  40  with the pressing surface  30 . This configuration allows for pressure to be exerted in an ever increasing manner along the length of the sea cucumber  10 , thereby more efficiently extracting the longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19  while minimizing the risk of rupturing the outer body  16 . 
         [0040]    In yet another embodiment, the pressing surface  30  is a cylindrical roller  32  oriented substantially parallel to each of the other of the one or more cylindrical rollers  20 . See  FIG. 2 . 
         [0041]    In each embodiment of the method utilizing cylindrical rollers  20 , an alternate configuration provides that at least one of the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  has a circumferential band  22  having gripping members  24 . The gripping members  24  may be projections depending outward from the surface of the cylindrical roller  20 , such as teeth or small flanges, or depressions formed into the surface of the cylindrical roller  20 , or a combination of both, or simply a roughening of the surface. Ideally the circumferential band  22  is of substantially uniform width, though it need not be in all circumstances. The use of gripping members  24  improves movement of the sea cucumber  10  past the cylindrical roller  20 , as fluids extracted from the sea cucumber  10  during the application of pressure thereto may otherwise reduce the friction between the cylindrical roller  20  and the sea cucumber  10 . 
         [0042]    In the embodiments utilizing one or more cylindrical rollers  20 , the method may further comprise the steps of: 
         [0043]    B 1 : causing the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  to rotate, with each such roller  20  rotating in the same direction as each other roller  20 ; and 
         [0044]    B 2 : placing the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10  into the gap  40  between one of the cylindrical rollers  20  and the pressing surface  30  such that said roller  20  and said pressing surface  30  simultaneously contact the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10 . 
         [0045]    In these embodiments, step B 1  is begun before step C and continues until step C is completed. Step B 2  is performed after step B and before step C. Where the pressing surface  30  is also a cylindrical roller  32 , step B 1  is modified such that the pressing surface roller  32  rotates in a direction opposite the rotation of the other cylindrical rollers  20 . The rotation of the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  in step B 1  may be performed by use of a hand crank or other manual device. In the preferred embodiment the rotation is accomplished by use of one or more powered devices, such as an electric motor  70 . 
         [0046]    In an alternative embodiment of the method using one or more rotating cylindrical rollers  20 , step B 2  is performed by use of a conveyor belt  50 . See  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The conveyor belt  50  may be located adjacent to the gap  40  between the cylindrical roller  20  and the pressing surface  30 , such that a sea cucumber  10  placed on the conveyor belt  50  will be carried towards the gap  40 . In such a configuration when the sea cucumber  10  is placed on the conveyor belt  50  its second end  14  is oriented towards the gap  40 , and as the sea cucumber  10  reaches the end of the conveyor belt  50  its second end  14  extends beyond the end of the conveyor belt  50  and is placed into the gap  40 . In the preferred embodiment the conveyor belt  50  runs between the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  and the pressing surface  30 . In yet another embodiment the conveyor belt  50  itself serves as the pressing surface  30 . In all embodiments using a conveyor belt  50  and one or more rotating cylindrical rollers  20  the sea cucumber  10  should be placed on the conveyor belt  50  with its second end  14  oriented towards the one or more cylindrical rollers  20 . The conveyor belt  50  moreover may be a flexible, continuous belt that runs in a single direction, or a substantially rigid member which runs in two opposing directions. 
         [0047]    In yet another alternative embodiment of the method, the application of pressure to the sea cucumber  10  in step C is accomplished by the use of a first pressing surface  34  and a second pressing surface  36 . See  FIGS. 5-7 . The first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are substantially planar and are suitably adapted to move towards each other and away from each other. In one embodiment step C comprises the substeps of: 
         [0048]    C 1 : placing the sea cucumber  10  onto the first pressing surface  34  between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36 ; and 
         [0049]    C 2 : moving the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  towards each other such that the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  simultaneously contact the sea cucumber  10 . 
         [0050]    In one alternative of this embodiment the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are substantially parallel to each other. See  FIG. 5 . In another alternative the first pressing surface  34  is oriented substantially horizontal and the second pressing surface  36  is located above the first pressing surface  34  at an angle to the first pressing surface  34 . See  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment the sea cucumber  10  is placed onto the first pressing surface  34  in substep C 1  whereby the sea cucumber  10  is oriented with its first end  12  towards the greater separation between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  and its second end  14  towards the lesser separation between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36 . Thus, in substep C 2 , when the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  move towards each other the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  simultaneously contact the sea cucumber  10  beginning at its second end  14 . In this embodiment the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  may be connected to each other by a hinge  60 . See  FIG. 7 . In all embodiments using first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  hydraulics may be used to move the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  toward and away from each other. Other methods of moving the pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are also contemplated by the present invention. 
         [0051]    The present invention also discloses devices for accomplishing the method of the present invention. In one embodiment the device  100  comprises a cylindrical roller  20  in near proximity to a pressing surface  30 , with the pressing surface  30  being substantially planar, and with the cylindrical roller  20  forming a gap  40  between it and the pressing surface  30 , and with  12  the gap  40  being smaller than the cross-section of the sea cucumber  10 , as described above. See  FIG. 1 . The device  100  is suitably adapted to apply pressure to a decapitated sea cucumber  10  when the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10  is placed into the gap  40  between the cylindrical roller  20  and the pressing surface  30  and the cylindrical roller  20  is rotated such that the sea cucumber  10  is drawn between the cylindrical roller  20  and the pressing surface  30 . As such, the pressure applied to the sea cucumber  10  begins at the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10  and thereafter in a continuous manner progresses substantially along the longitudinal axis of the sea cucumber  10  towards its first end  12 , squeezing the longitudinal muscle bands t 8  and viscera  19  out of the sea cucumber  10  through the opening  13  at the first end  12 . As described above, the pressing surface  30  may also be a cylindrical roller  32  oriented substantially parallel to the rotating cylindrical roller  20 . See  FIG. 2 . 
         [0052]    In another embodiment the device  100  may comprise a plurality of cylindrical rollers  20  located in near proximity to a substantially planar pressing surface  30 . See  FIG. 4 . Each of the cylindrical rollers  20  is oriented parallel to and in close proximity to the other cylindrical rollers  20 . The plurality of cylindrical rollers  20  work in conjunction with the pressing surface  30  as described above. In an alternative embodiment, each of the cylindrical rollers  20  forms a different sized gap  40  with the pressing surface  30 , as described above. See  FIG. 4 . 
         [0053]    In each embodiment utilizing cylindrical rollers  20 , an alternate configuration provides that at least one of the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  has a circumferential band  22  having gripping members  24 , as described above. 
         [0054]    In the embodiments of the device  100 , 110  utilizing one or more cylindrical rollers  20 , the cylindrical rollers  20  may be powered to rotate in the same direction. Power may t 3  be provided by one or more electric motors  70 . Alternatively, the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  may be rotated by hand, as by a crank. Where the pressing surface  30  is also a cylindrical roller  32 , it will be rotated in the opposite direction as the other rollers  20 . 
         [0055]    In an alternative embodiment, the cylindrical roller  20  may be moved across the pressing surface  30  by a movable armature. In this embodiment the roller  20  is adapted to move in opposite directions, first rolling over the sea cucumber  10  to apply pressure and then rolling back, readying itself for the next sea cucumber  10 . 
         [0056]    In a preferred embodiment of the device  100 , the pressing surface  30  is a conveyor belt  50 . See  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In an alternative embodiment, the device  100  may utilize a conveyor belt  50  in conjunction with the one or more cylindrical rollers  20  and the pressing surface  30 . In such a configuration the conveyor belt  50  is suitably adapted to place the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10  into the gap  40  between one of the cylindrical rollers  20  and the pressing surface  30  such that said roller  20  and said pressing surface  30  simultaneously contact the second end  14  of the sea cucumber  10 . As described above, the conveyor belt  50  may be a flexible, continuous belt that runs in a single direction, or a substantially rigid member which runs in two opposing directions. In the latter embodiment, the conveyor belt  50  first moves in a direction towards the one or more cylindrical rollers  20 , and after pressure is applied to the sea cucumber  10  the conveyor belt  50  moves away from the one or more cylindrical rollers  20 . 
         [0057]    In another embodiment the device  200 , 210  comprises a first pressing surface  34  and a second pressing surface  36 . See  FIGS. 5-7 . The first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are substantially planar, the first pressing surface  34  is oriented substantially horizontal, and the second pressing surface  36  is located above the first pressing surface  34 . The first and second t 4  pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are further suitably adapted to move towards each other and away from each other. This may be accomplished by hydraulics, or any other method known in the art. 
         [0058]    In this embodiment a decapitated sea cucumber  10  is placed onto the first pressing surface  34  between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36 , and the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are moved towards each other, causing the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  to simultaneously contact the sea cucumber  10 . This application of pressure squeezes the muscles bands  18  and viscera  19  of the sea cucumber  10  out through the opening  13  at the first end  12 . 
         [0059]    In one embodiment of the device  200  the second pressing surface  36  is oriented substantially parallel to the first pressing surface  34 . See  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment pressure is applied substantially uniformly to all portions of the sea cucumber  10  simultaneously. In an alternative embodiment of the device  210  the second pressing surface  36  is oriented at an angle to the first pressing surface  34 . See  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment the sea cucumber  10  is placed onto the first pressing surface  34  between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  oriented with its first end  12  towards the greater separation between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  and its second end  14  oriented towards the lesser separation between the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36 . When the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  are moved towards each other the first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36  simultaneously contact the sea cucumber JO beginning at its second end  14 , with the pressure applied to the sea cucumber  10  beginning first at its second end  14  and thereafter in a continuous manner substantially along its longitudinal axis towards its first end  12 , squeezing the longitudinal muscle bands  18  and viscera  19  of the sea cucumber  10  through the opening  13  at the first end  12 . In yet another embodiment, the first pressing surface  34  may be hingedly connected to the second pressing surface  36 . See  FIG. 7 . 
         [0060]    In all embodiments of the device  200 , 210  utilizing first and second pressing surfaces  34 , 36 , the sea cucumbers  10  may be delivered to the first pressing surface  34  by a conveyor belt  50 . Alternatively they may be placed thereupon by hand. 
         [0061]    Those skilled in the art will perceive improvements, changes and modifications in the invention. Such improvements, changes and modifications within the skill of the art are intended to be covered by the claims set forth herein, and that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.