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: 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 for peeling shrimp including powered roller assemblies each made up of a peeling roller and a drive member attached by a releasable connection. Roller connection structure at a first end of each roller assembly mates with reciprocal drive connection structure in the drive member. An adjustable element extending through the drive member allows the connection to be released and the roller assembly separated into a roller segment and a drive member segment. In other versions the roller segment can be composed of a series of segments having the same or different peeling surface characteristics in which the individual roller segments are similarly releasably connected.

Abstract: An easily adjustable grader for sizing and sorting food products, especially shellfish such as shrimp. The grader includes a series of parallel rotating rollers attached at either end to drive chains. The drive chains include adjustment levers attached rotatably at each roller position. The levers have a first arm terminating in a rolling wheel and a second arm whose end conforms to the chain. An adjustment rail is positioned above each chain along the length of the grader. The wheels of the levers ride along cam surface on the underside of the rail. Rail adjusters at each end of the rail raise and lower each end of the rail to change the spacing between the cam surface and the chain along the length of the grader. The pressure exerted by the cam surface on the lever causes the chain to kink in proportion to the distance between the cam surface and the chain, which adjusts the gap between consecutive rollers. The widths of the gaps determine the size gradations of the grader.

Abstract: An improved drive system for a shrimp peeling apparatus includes a support frame with a first and a second plurality of rollers mounted thereon. One of the plurality of rollers have rollers that are of a larger diameter than the other rollers. The drive mechanism includes a computer controlled motor that engages a cylindrically-shaped shaft of each roller and a drive mechanism that engages the cylindrically-shaped end portion. The motor drive can be a computer controlled vector motor that can vary the rotational angular movement of each roller during each stroke. This enables variations in angular rotation and rotational speed depending upon the type and grade of shrimp. This configuration also enables each roller to constantly "advance" by changing the degree of angular rotation of each roller at each stroke, gradually presenting a different wear surface to the shrimp and prolonging roller life.

Abstract: A shrimp peeling apparatus includes a support frame upon which are mounted a plurality of larger diameter rollers and a plurality of smaller diameter insert rollers. Each smaller diameter insert roller is supported by two adjacent larger diameter rollers and is held in contact to the adjacent larger diameter rollers with a hold down assembly. The assembly includes a tension member and an adjustment for varying the load transfer between a selected smaller diameter insert roller and the pair of larger diameter rollers.

Abstract: A shrimp peeling apparatus provides an improved geometry that increases efficiency and yield. The apparatus has particular utility when used to peel Pendulous Borealis variety shrimp. The apparatus includes a support frame that supports a first plurality of rollers wherein the central longitudinal axis of each of the rollers of the first plurality lies in a common inclined plane. A second plurality of insert rollers is supported by the first plurality of rollers, wherein the diameter of each of the first plurality of rollers is much greater than the diameter of each of the second plurality of insert rollers. An improved geometry governs the respective positions of the smaller diameter insert rollers relative to the common plane of the larger diameter rollers.

Abstract: This invention provides improvements in modular links and conveyor belt systems for transferring moving articles from one conveyor belt to another disposed at ninety degrees. Thus a transferring belt has specially constructed links with two integrally formed portions across the width, one for pivotable connection in a moving belt configuration and the other specially constructed with features for more effective transfer of articles from the edge of a transfer belt to a moving belt disposed at ninety degrees which excludes inter-link pivoting structure. Thus with specially formed belt edge transfer modular links, a planar edge transfer platform is formed by the upper surfaces of a series of link end and belt edge planar conveyance surfaces located on the respective belt links.