Patent ID: 7867067

Claim:
A clamp assembly for a shrimp processing machine, the clamp assembly comprising: a center bracket defining a support surface for supporting the ventral side of a shrimp during a shrimp preparation process; a first clamp mounted relative to the center bracket; a second clamp mounted relative to the center bracket, the first and second clamps being movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position; a first jaw carried by the first clamp and including a first engaging surface for engaging at least a first side shell portion of the shrimp when the first clamp moves toward the closed position; a second jaw carried by the second clamp and including a second engaging surface, the second engaging surface being disposed opposite the first engaging surface for engaging at least a second side shell portion of the shrimp that is disposed opposite the first side shell portion of the shrimp when the second clamp moves toward the closed position; and a shoulder carried by the second jaw at a location adjacent the second engaging surface, the shoulder extending from the second jaw away from support surface of the center bracket and adapted to engage and apply a force to the second side shell portion of the shrimp when the second clamp moves toward the closed position to roll the shrimp toward the first clamp.