Abstract: A clamp assembly for a shrimp processing machine includes a center bracket and first and second clamps. The center bracket defines a support surface for supporting a shrimp. The first and second clamps are mounted relative to the center bracket and movable between an open position and a closed position. The first clamp includes a first jaw including a first engaging surface for engaging a first side shell portion of the shrimp in the closed position. The second clamp includes a second jaw including a second engaging surface for engaging a second side shell portion of the shrimp in the closed position. Additionally, a shoulder extends from the second jaw away from support surface of the center bracket for applying a force to the shell when the second clamp moves toward the closed position to roll the shrimp toward the first clamp and tear the shrimp shell.

Abstract: A clamp assembly for a shrimp processing machine includes a center bracket and first and second clamps. The center bracket defines a support surface for supporting a shrimp. The first and second clamps are mounted relative to the center bracket and movable between an open position and a closed position. The first clamp includes a first jaw including a first engaging surface for engaging a first side shell portion of the shrimp in the closed position. The second clamp includes a second jaw including a second engaging surface for engaging a second side shell portion of the shrimp in the closed position. Additionally, a shoulder extends from the second jaw away from support surface of the center bracket for applying a force to the shell when the second clamp moves toward the closed position to roll the shrimp toward the first clamp and tear the shrimp shell.

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 processing machine and method of processing shrimp are disclosed. The machine uses a reciprocating meat picking assembly which employs power generated by a main drive wheel of the machine to rotate a cam wheel positioned to cause a cam arm of the meat picking assembly to reciprocate relative to the drive wheel. Since meat picking tines are mounted to the cam arm, the meat picking tines move toward and away from, and thus retrieve a shrimp from, the drive wheel upon each rotation of the cam wheel. The machine further includes a deveining brush having a substantially v-shaped cross sectional profile to optimize the operation of removing a vein from a processed shrimp. Moreover, 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 timing mechanism for a shrimp processing machine which enables a user to easily adjust the timing of the cutting blade assembly is disclosed. The timing mechanism includes 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 thus the cutting blade, to move when the end of the cutter bar enters the recess. 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 a spring, the biasing force of which can be overcome by a user sliding the indexing gear away from the cam wheel.

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.

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.

Abstract: A machine for peeling a shell from shrimp comprising a movement device, a plurality of clamp assemblies mounted on and moved by the device past a number of processing stations. In the first style of processing wherein the entire shell is removed, the operative stations include a cutting station, a deveining station, and a meat removal station. In the second style wherein the tail and the first shell section are allowed to remain on the meat, there is also an operative disjointing station wherein the joint or connection between the first and second shell sections is broken. Each clamp assembly includes a tail clamp, a shell disjointing clamp, and a main body clamp, and cam devices are provided for operating the clamps. An actuating mechanism having an active position and an inactive position is provided, this mechanism having interconnected parts at the disjointing station and at the meat removal station.

Abstract: A tail breaker cam assembly for use with a shrimp processing machine for aiding in the fracturing of the tail of a shrimp from the main shrimp shell, the tail breaker cam assembly including a first, fixed cam member and a second cam member pivotal about the first cam member with a biasing means to urge the pivoting cam member to move in one direction and means for limiting the amount of travel of the pivotable second cam member.

Abstract: A guide and cutting assembly for shrimp processing equipment in which a rotary cutting blade is adjustably positioned to enter a slot in a biased guide means. The guide means includes a one-piece guide bar having a pair of spaced guide legs each having tapered guide surfaces. A cam means is utilized to space the rotary cutting blade relative to the guide bar whereby the depth of cut in a shrimp is selectively determined.