Abstract: A method of preparing shrimps includes boiling them at a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure, at a temperature exceeding the boiling temperature of water at atmospheric pressure, for keeping the meat of the shrimps in a compressed state while causing the meat to solidify and loosen from the shells of the shrimps. The shrimps are then rapidly cooled for causing the meat to be separated from the shells in an area behind the head of the shrimp and above the tail. Subsequently, the shrimps are peeled by mechanically opening the shells for allowing the meat contained within the shells to fall out. The meat is separated from the remains of the shrimps, including shell parts and eggs, by introducing the meat and remains into a separation liquid, causing the meat to float on the separation liquid while allowing the remains to sink. Finally, the meat is removed from the separation liquid.

Abstract: A method of gutting a cephalopod, such as squid, the cephalopod having an outer mantle containing internal organs, and the method comprising retaining the outer mantle at a fixed distance from a central axis while rotating the mantle about the said axis whereby the internal organs are subjected to a centrifugal force sufficient to eject the organs outwardly through an open end of the mantle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing squid whereby a squid is placed on a spike and is conveyed past a backstructure surface causing the squid to spin about the spike, the friction against the outside and the inside of the squid tube body causing the loosening and the removal of parts of the squid attached to the tube body, thereby cleaning the squid. The cleaning action can be enhanced by spraying the squid with water or air, and by drawing material away from the squid with a suction device.

Abstract: A shellfish processing apparatus (10) particularly intended for Scallop Processing, in which a gripped shellfish is partially opened initially by manipulator means (12) so as to enable meat to be removed from one shell half at a station (22), and then opened fully at a station (24) for evisceration at a station (28) removal of meat from the remaining shell half at a station (32). The evisceration means (113) preferably includes a backing plate (122) which serves to concentrate water around the shell half being eviscerated and to hold the adductor muscle in place.

Abstract: A bivalve peeling-off method and apparatus and a before-separation heating device are disclosed. The bivalve peeling-off apparatus includes a heating means 6 for heating the surface of one of shells 2A of a starting bivalve 2, so that an edible part 2a in the starting bivalve 2 is maintained in a raw state. Thus, the edible part can be efficiently separated from the shell of the starting bivalve in a state in which a quality suitable for use in raw eating is maintained.