Abstract: A reservoir and chute cooperate to deliver mollusks such as clams, oysters, scallops and the like, oriented in a row to a conveyor forming a part of an apparatus for removing their shells. The reservoir in which an appropriate supply of mollusks is stored and from which they are delivered to the chute is provided with an elevator mechanism for maintaining the top of the supply above the upper end of the chute so that mollusks are supplied from the top of the supply to the chute in which they are advanced toward the lower discharge end by a combination of gravity and controlled vibration.

Abstract: Clams are conveyed in support cradles first past liquid nitrogen applying nozzles then through high intensity flame to effect opening of the shells of the clams which are then dumped into a tumbler and then into a flotation tank for final flesh-shell separation.