Abstract: A timing mechanism for a shrimp processing machine including a cam wheel having a recess therein adapted to receive an end of a cutter bar to which a cutting blade is rotatably mounted. Rotation of the cam wheel causes the cutter bar, and the cutting blade to move. The cutter bar and blade are positioned proximate a main gear wheel to which shrimp are mounted, such that movement of the cutter bar and cutting blade causes the cuts to be placed into each shrimp. The timing mechanism includes mating gear teeth on the cam wheel and indexing gear mounted proximate the cam wheel. The cam wheel and indexing gear are held into engagement by the biasing force of a spring. The indexing gear may be disengaged from the cam wheel to allow the cam wheel to be rotated to change the timing of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A shrimp processing machine and method of processing shrimp are described. A reciprocating meat picking assembly powered by a main drive wheel of the machine rotates a cam wheel to cause a cam arm of the meat picking assembly to reciprocate relative to the drive wheel. Meat picking tines mounted to the cam arm reciprocate with respect to the drive wheel to retrieve a shrimp from the drive wheel upon each rotation of the cam wheel. A deveining brush having a substantially v-shaped cross sectional profile removes a vein from a processed shrimp. The cutting assembly of the machine is provided with a leaf spring which is aligned with the cutter arm of the assembly to ensure that the cutter arm is biased toward the drive wheel, but is done so in a manner which avoids off-axis loading of the cutter arm.

Abstract: A shrimp tray adapted for use in a shrimp processing machine has a stripe located contiguous to one end of the tray that allows an operator to visually orient a shrimp in the tray by locating the first segment of the shrimp in the tray relative to the stripe. A detent or ridge is disposed atop the stripe and permits an operator to further tactilely orient the shrimp in the tray by moving the shrimp along the tray length until the detent engages the shrimp segment.

Abstract: A feed device for a shrimp peeling machine in which a shrimp is delivered in a feed conveyor means to a shrimp clamp assembly located on a rotatable transport wheel and the feed conveyor is longitudinally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the clamp assembly. Means also are provided for synchronizing the drop off of a shrimp from the conveying means to a clamp assembly. The shrimp peeling machine also includes a hold-down wheel for assisting the clamping of shrimp in a clamp assembly, a dual brush deveining assembly and a shrimp meat removal device.