Patents by Inventor Daniel P. LaVecchia

Daniel P. LaVecchia has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPENING SHELLFISH USING INFRARED ENERGY
    Publication number: 20140120813
    Abstract: A method for shucking bi-valve shellfish, especially clams, includes imparting a wide array of infrared energy from at least one infrared heater from above to a first shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to detach an adductor muscle from the first shell. The bi-valve shellfish are inverted to expose a second shell. Infrared energy is imparted again from above to a second shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to release a shellfish meat from between the first and shell and the second shell. A system for carrying out this method includes a tank for washing the shellfish, a dryer, the infrared heaters, a device for inverting the shellfish, a tank for quenching the shellfish, and a conveyor for transporting the shellfish under the infrared heaters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventor: Daniel P. LaVecchia
  • Method and system for opening shellfish using infrared energy
    Patent number: 8647180
    Abstract: A method for shucking bi-valve shellfish, especially clams, includes imparting a wide array of infrared energy from at least one infrared heater from above to a first shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to detach an adductor muscle from the first shell. The bi-valve shellfish are inverted to expose a second shell. Infrared energy is imparted again from above to a second shell of the bi-valve shellfish sufficient to release a shellfish meat from between the first and shell and the second shell. A system for carrying out this method includes a tank for washing the shellfish, a dryer, the infrared heaters, a device for inverting the shellfish, a tank for quenching the shellfish, and a conveyor for transporting the shellfish under the infrared heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Daniel P. LaVecchia, Lawrence M. Handman