Abstract: A water-resistant electric motor having an end bell with a passage that prevents the formation of a vacuum between the shaft seal and the shaft bearing. The passage extends from the interior region of the motor through the end bell bypassing the bearing to communicate with a gap between the seal and the bearing. The motor housing includes a vent to expose the motor's interior region and the gap to atmospheric pressure or to a source of higher-pressure air or gas to prevent water from being sucked into the motor's interior.

Abstract: Peeling apparatus and cam followers for lowering and raising the finger frames of roller-type peeling apparatus. The cam followers have monolithic hardened stainless steel cam rollers with journals extending outward of central wheels into bronze bushings retained stationarily in holders. The monolithic cam rollers roll on pivoting cams at the four corners of the finger frame to raise and lower the finger frame in synchrony with the back and forth rotation of peeling rollers forming peeling channels. Support rollers supporting the ends of the peeling rollers also rotate in stationary bronze bushings.

Abstract: A roller-type peeler having a rack gear retractable for servicing peeler rollers and a method for servicing peeler rollers by retracting the rack gear. A jack attached to the rack gear allows an operator to jack the rack gear up to a service position and out of engagement with roller gears so that the rollers can be removed and replaced and to lower the rack gear back into engagement with the gears of the replaced rollers.

Abstract: Peeling apparatus and cam followers for lowering and raising the finger frames of roller-type peeling apparatus. The cam followers have monolithic hardened stainless steel cam rollers with journals extending outward of central wheels into bronze bushings retained stationarily in holders. The monolithic cam rollers roll on pivoting cams at the four corners of the finger frame to raise and lower the finger frame in synchrony with the back and forth rotation of peeling rollers forming peeling channels. Support rollers supporting the ends of the peeling rollers also rotate in stationary bronze bushings.

Abstract: A roller-type peeler having a rack gear retractable for servicing peeler rollers and a method for servicing peeler rollers by retracting the rack gear. A jack attached to the rack gear allows an operator to jack the rack gear up to a service position and out of engagement with roller gears so that the rollers can be removed and replaced and to lower the rack gear back into engagement with the gears of the replaced rollers.

Abstract: An improved feed mechanism for a processor of solid objects includes a plunging paddle connected via connectors and eccentrics to a rotating shaft driven by a motor. The rotating shaft has an axis offset from the centers of the eccentrics. The plunging paddle plunges product on a conveyor belt from a feed tank to create a single layer for conveying the product to a processor.

Abstract: A feed trough for a grader or other solid object processing system. The feed trough includes a plurality of feed channels, each having at least one flexible flap extending from a discharge end for transitioning a product from the feed channel to a processing region. Two converging flexible flaps may extend from the discharge end and contact a processing channel for guiding product to the processing channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for grading products and forming predetermined mixes of graded products. Graders sort products into different grades. The graded products are formed into batches of known quantity. Each batch is designated for deposit in a bin specified to have a certain mixture of graded products. A conveyor conveys the batches to the designated bin. The quantity of each batch is determined by count or weight.

Abstract: A counterflow chiller for cooling products on a conveyor employs a plurality of recirculating cooling modules in fluid communication with each other. Each recirculating cooling module sprays coolant over a portion of the conveyor to adjust the temperature of a product on the conveyor. An axial pump pumps coolant from a reservoir in a first recirculating coolant module to a sprayer, which sprays coolant over the product. Overflow coolant spills from one recirculating cooling module to another recirculating cooling module operating at a higher equilibrium temperature.

Abstract: A flexible scraper for a grader or other solid object processing system. The flexible scraper is adjustably mounted to a frame and contacts a rotating roller to clean the rotating roller or prevent components from wrapping around the roller, as well as maintain products within designated lanes. Connectors allow insertion and release of the scraper into and from the frame. The flexible scraper is inserted into slots in the frame and held against the rotating roller by gravity.

Abstract: A self-floating skimmer that can operate remotely from a vessel. Pontoons allow the skimmer to float at the surface of a body of water. An inclined belt conveyor whose lower end is submerged just below the surface of the water conveys material to be collected up the incline to the upper end where it is dumped from the surface of the belt into a collection tank below. For convenience in storage or transit, the skimmers can be stacked atop one another. The belt conveyor can include a bidirectional conveyor belt that is driven in either direction by a selectively reversible drive motor.

Abstract: A deveining device efficiently removes veins from shrimp while preserving the meat of the shrimp in both appearance and quantity. The deveining device comprises a channel having a blade extending along a section of the channel for cutting the back of the shrimp as it rolls through the channel to expose a vein. A downstream vein remover severs the exposed vein from the shrimp body. Nozzles spray fluid into the channel to propel the shrimp through the channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating lightweight waste from product with air supplied by a plenum. An air separator includes a blower duct directing air upward through product conveyed on a foraminous conveyor. The blower duct is in communication with a plenum through an opening. One or more blowers fill and pressurize the plenum with air without blowing the air directly through the opening. The drop in pressure from the plenum to the exit end of the duct draws air uniformly through the opening and into the duct. The uniform flow of air through the duct and the conveyor lifts lightweight waste from the product.

Abstract: An improved feed mechanism for a processor of solid objects includes a plunging paddle connected via connectors and eccentrics to a rotating shaft driven by a motor. The rotating shaft has an axis offset from the centers of the eccentrics. The plunging paddle plunges product on a conveyor belt from a feed tank to create a single layer for conveying the product to a processor.

Abstract: A roller-type grader having adjustable, widening gauging passages between consecutive rotating grader rollers and an associated method for adjusting the gauging passages. A drive rotates all the rollers in the same direction on their axes. The ends of the rollers at each end are rotatably and pivotally suspended from adjustment yokes that are movable laterally in unison along tracks by an adjustment shaft. Positioning the yokes positions the ends of the rollers relative to each other. Minimum and maximum widths of the gauging passages at opposite ends of the rollers are adjusted by rotating the adjustment shafts.

Abstract: A tilt roller grader for grading solid objects, such as shrimp. The grader has grading rollers obliquely arranged across a tilted grading bed. Jacks in cross members supporting the bed are used to jack up the grading bed across its width to adjust the flatness of the bed for uniform grading gaps between the grading rollers and the bed.

Abstract: A rigid, foraminous, ball-shaped container for housing products treated in a product-tumbling apparatus. The container allows selected products to be segregated from a mass flow of products and can protect a sensor mounted in the container from damage that can be caused by the tumbling action.

Abstract: A feed trough for a grader or other solid object processing system. The feed trough includes a plurality of feed channels, each having at least one flexible flap extending from a discharge end for transitioning a product from the feed channel to a processing region. Two converging flexible flaps may extend from the discharge end and contact a processing channel for guiding product to the processing channel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for grading products and forming predetermined mixes of graded products. Graders sort products into different grades. The graded products are formed into batches of known quantity. Each batch is designated for deposit in a bin specified to have a certain mixture of graded products. A conveyor conveys the batches to the designated bin. The quantity of each batch is determined by count or weight.

Abstract: A tilt roller grader for grading solid objects, such as shrimp. The grader has grading rollers obliquely arranged across a tilted grading bed. Jacks in cross members supporting the bed are used to jack up the grading bed across its width to adjust the flatness of the bed for uniform grading gaps between the grading rollers and the bed.