Abstract: A telehandler (1) includes a plurality of operating apparatuses (12, 14, 17, 13, 180, 122), including a telescopic operating arm, stabilizers or the like, each operated by one or more actuator devices (19) and electronic processing means (2) which include an acquisition module (21) configured to receive one or more alignment parameters which represent, for the operating apparatuses (12, 14, 17, 13, 180, 122), respective target operating conditions. The telehandler (1) includes detection means (4) for detecting current operating conditions of the operating apparatuses (12, 14, 17, 13, 180, 122) and transmitting corresponding detection signals to the processing means (2), the latter also including a verification module (22) configured to determine, as a function of the detection signals, whether the operating apparatuses (12, 14, 17, 13, 180, 122) are in the respective target operating conditions.

Abstract: A shrimp processing method and system, the system comprising a plurality of clamps, wherein each clamp is configured to hold a shrimp proximate a tail of the shrimp, a plurality of processing stations comprising at least one data collection station capable of collecting data regarding a shrimp held in a clamp and at least one functional station capable of changing the shrimp held in a clamp, a conveying system connecting the plurality of processing stations, the conveying system configured to move the plurality of clamps between the processing stations, and a controller operably connected to the conveying system and the processing stations, the controller configured to operate the conveying system and to selectively activate each processing station.

Abstract: Shrimp processing apparatus to peel shrimp along with methods for peeling shrimp are described herein. The shrimp processing apparatus may be provided in systems including one or more processing stations configured to peel individual shrimp, where peeling may involve removal of shell segments on the dorsal surfaces of the shrimp abdomen and/or removal of pleopods/swimmerets on the ventral surfaces of the shrimp abdomen and, optionally, separation of shell segments. The processing systems and methods may, in one or more embodiments, include apparatus for and methods of measuring the shrimp.

Abstract: A separation and singulation system for presenting shrimps or other product individually to a processor. The separation and singulation system includes a divider pan that separates a layer of shrimp into several lanes, a shaker pan that receives the lanes of shrimp and agitates them to separate clumps of shrimp and a flume for providing further singulation and acceleration of the shrimp. The singulated, separated shrimps are then sent to a processor.

Abstract: A shrimp processing machine includes a frame assembly and a processing assembly operably coupled with the frame assembly. The processing assembly includes a drive assembly, a clamp mechanism, and a decapitation system. The drive assembly is operably coupled with the frame assembly. The clamp mechanism is adapted to engage the shrimp. The decapitation system is adapted to separate the shrimp body from the shrimp head.

Abstract: A crab meat removal device that is extremely easy and fast to remove crab meat and eliminates the need for traditional more tedious devices and methods associated with removing crab meat. The crab meat removal device includes a handle, an elongated stem, and a contact head. The contact head may be circular or oval and may push or pull the crab meat from the crab leg that accommodates the anatomy of the crab shell and tendons. The crab meat removal device may be made from stainless steel that is subjected to an electro phasing process to prevent corrosion and to meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules and regulations. The crab meat removal device also includes a corresponding method for removing crab meat.

Abstract: A shrimp processing machine includes a frame assembly, a drive assembly coupled therewith, a bracket member, and an adjustable cutting assembly. The adjustable cutting assembly is movable between a raised position and a lowered position and includes a cutting device and an adjustable cam plate operably coupled with the cutting device. The adjustable cam plate has a cam body, an adjustment mechanism, and an engagement region having first, second, and third engagement surfaces. The adjustable cutting assembly is adjustable between a first configuration whereby the cutting device has a slow drop-in rate and a second configuration whereby the cutting device has a fast drop-in rate.

Abstract: The present application provides an automatic crayfish washing machine, comprising: a first water tank, a second water tank, a first brush, a second brush, a reducer, a coupling, a motor, a frame, a crayfish container, and a circulating water system. With the washing machine, time is substantially reduced with good washing effect.

Abstract: An improved cleaning device comprises linked rollers that roll over a cleaning surface to remove debris from shrimp or other product. The cleaning device comprises a trough with a cleaning surface, an oscillating shaft within the trough and rollers biased into contact with the cleaning surface. At least some of the rollers are connected through a coupling device, which connects the rollers to the oscillating shaft via a roller connector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous on-board drying method for Antarctic krill and a continuous on-board processing method of shelled Antarctic krill. The drying method includes the following steps: 1) subjecting fishing materials to cleaning, sorting, and dewatering with a vibrating screen; 2) rapidly heating the krill to the temperature of up to 70° C. using infra-red rays; 3) hot-air drying; 4) impurity removal by vacuum; 5) cooling to obtain dried krill. The processing method includes the following steps: a) subjecting fishing materials to cleaning, sorting, and dewatering with a vibrating screen; b) rapidly heating the krill to the temperature of up to 70° C. using infra-red rays; c) hot-air drying; d) subjecting the dried krill to shelling treatment to separate shell from meat, to obtain shelled krill; e) impurity removal by vacuum to obtain shelled krill product.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for deheading and peeling shrimp hydraulically using the Venturi Effect. A shrimp-laden fluid is pumped through a conduit system including one or more venturi tubes. The acceleration of the fluid through the venturis detaches the heads and loosens or detaches the shells from the shrimp. The venturis may be used in conjunction with a roller peeler to increase peeling quality. An inspection station receives shrimp from the roller peeler and directs incompletely peeled shrimp back to the peeler or one or more of the venturis.

Abstract: Peeling apparatus and cam followers for lowering and raising the finger frames of roller-type peeling apparatus. The cam followers have monolithic hardened stainless steel cam rollers with journals extending outward of central wheels into bronze bushings retained stationarily in holders. The monolithic cam rollers roll on pivoting cams at the four corners of the finger frame to raise and lower the finger frame in synchrony with the back and forth rotation of peeling rollers forming peeling channels. Support rollers supporting the ends of the peeling rollers also rotate in stationary bronze bushings.

Abstract: A roller-type peeler having a rack gear retractable for servicing peeler rollers and a method for servicing peeler rollers by retracting the rack gear. A jack attached to the rack gear allows an operator to jack the rack gear up to a service position and out of engagement with roller gears so that the rollers can be removed and replaced and to lower the rack gear back into engagement with the gears of the replaced rollers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning the peeling section of a roller-type peeling machine. The apparatus includes an x-y robot disposed above the peeling section of the peeling machine. The robot has a cleaning tool, such as a liquid spray nozzle, as an end effector. A controller commands the robot to control the movement of the cleaning tool along a predetermined cleaning path to clean the peeling section. One such cleaning path follows each of the insert rollers in the peeling section of a peeling machine. An underside cleaner may be used in conjunction with the robot to simultaneously clean the underside of the peeling section.

Abstract: A shrimp peeling machine (1) is provided with a closed chain (3) consisting of a number of joints (14,15), which contain cylindrical rollers (4, 5, 6). The cylindrical rollers' longitudinal axis is displaced 90 degrees in relation to the shrimp peeling process direction (13). The rollers can be turned by activation of toothed wheel (7), the chain operated by at least one toothed wheel (12), which is connected to a motor device (10,11). The rollers' mutual placement can be adjusted using position regulation guys (17). It is hereby achieved that the shrimp peeling machine, contrary to the hitherto known technique, can be mounted and function in shrimp trawlers. With the invention, in a continuous process, shrimp can be landed in a shrimp trawler and be boiled, peeled and packaged on the vessel and thus be ready for sale to the consumers, as soon as the trawler reaches harbour.

Abstract: A shrimp peeling machine (1) is provided with a closed chain (3) consisting of a number of joints (14,15), which contain cylindrical rollers (4, 5, 6). The cylindrical rollers' longitudinal axis is displaced 90 degrees in relation to the shrimp peeling process direction (13). The rollers can be turned by activation of toothed wheel (7), the chain operated by at least one toothed wheel (12), which is connected to a motor device (10,11). The rollers' mutual placement can be adjusted using position regulation guys (17). It is hereby achieved that the shrimp peeling machine, contrary to the hitherto known technique, can be mounted and function in shrimp trawlers. With the invention, in a continuous process, shrimp can be landed in a shrimp trawler and be boiled, peeled and packaged on the vessel and thus be ready for sale to the consumers, as soon as the trawler reaches harbour.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cleaning the peeling section of a roller-type peeling machine. The apparatus includes an x-y robot disposed above the peeling section of the peeling machine. The robot has a cleaning tool, such as a liquid spray nozzle, as an end effector. A controller commands the robot to control the movement of the cleaning tool along a predetermined cleaning path to clean the peeling section. One such cleaning path follows each of the insert rollers in the peeling section of a peeling machine.

Abstract: A peeling machine having series of insert rollers held down into notches between larger-diameter power rollers by holddowns. The holddowns include pins made of a bearing material received directly in bores in the ends of the insert rollers without conventional bearing sleeves. The heads of the pins may be coned to provide thrust bearings against concave interior ends of the bores.

Abstract: A tool for shelling crustaceans (C), in particular prawns, imperial prawns and the like. The tool (1) comprises a base element (2), which includes a seat (7) for inserting and blocking the crustacean, and a slider (3) slidably coupled with said base element (2) for sliding along a first predetermined direction (X). The slider comprises cutting means (14) susceptible to interact with the crustacean blocked in said seat for cutting the shell thereof during the sliding of the slider.

Abstract: Roller-type peeling apparatus and crowned rollers in the peeling channels of the peeling apparatus. Each peeling channel includes small-diameter insert rollers frictionally counterrotated by simultaneous contact with two large-diameter, rotating powered rollers separated across a gap. Holddowns at spaced locations along the length of the insert rollers hold the insert roller against the two powered rollers and into the mouth of the gap. The insert roller or the powered rollers are crowned between consecutive holddowns to compensate for the tendency of the insert roller to deflect and to provide uniform contact pressure between the insert roller and the powered rollers along the insert roller's length.

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: Peeling apparatus and a method for biasing lower idle rollers of a roller-type peeling machine against power rollers to maintain the rollers in contact as the rollers wear. The apparatus includes biasing means, such as a cylinder applying upward pressure against the upper ends of the lower rollers to keep the rollers in constant contact.

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: Methods and apparatus for cleaning the peeling section of a roller-type peeling machine. The apparatus includes an x-y robot disposed above the peeling section of the peeling machine. The robot has a cleaning tool, such as a liquid spray nozzle, as an end effector. A controller commands the robot to control the movement of the cleaning tool along a predetermined cleaning path to clean the peeling section. One such cleaning path follows each of the insert rollers in the peeling section of a peeling machine. An underside cleaner may be used in conjunction with the robot to simultaneously clean the underside of the peeling section.

Abstract: A cutting tool for cutting the outer shells of shellfish such as crabs, shrimp, and the like. The tool includes an elongated handle and one or more longitudinally-outwardly-extending ends that include V-shaped openings. The openings include inner, angularly-opposed cutting edges, and the bisector of the angle defined by the cutting edges extends in a generally perpendicular direction relative to the handle longitudinal axis.

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: The skewered shrimp of the invention comprises a stick having at least one shrimp mounted thereon, each shrimp having a shelled central portion defined between a non-shelled head portion and a non-shelled tail portion, wherein the stick is mounted through the head portion and the tail portion of each shrimp in such a manner that the central portion extends to one side of the stick without being pierced by the stick, the shrimps preferably being mounted in pairs, being disposed head-to-tail.

Abstract: A crawfish peeling device provides a post that can be mounted on a tray. The post has first and second end portions, the first end portion having a slotted passageway, appointed tip, a pair of tapered flanges that are spaced apart on opposite sides of the slotted passageway and a ramp that is at the bottom of the slotted portion for catching the edible meat product when the user threads the tail upon the tip and then moves the tail from the first to the second end portion of the post. The present invention also provides an improved method of peeling a crustacea such as a crawfish or crawfish that includes the step of providing a post that has first and second end portions, the first end portion having a tip, a slot, tapered flanges on opposite sides of the slot, and a ramp at one end portion of the slot opposite the tip. The crawfish tail is threaded upon the tip. The tail is then moved toward the ramp.

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: An assembly for a seafood cleaning machines provides increased efficiency and decreases loss of meat of cleaned seafood items, such as shrimp, prawns, and the like. The assembly has a plurality of parallel rollers, a plurality of secondary rollers spaced between and mounted slightly above the power rollers, and a plurality of insert rollers fitted between adjacent power rollers and secondary rollers. Each insert roller has a variable diameter outside surface, gradually increasing from an upstream portion to the downstream portion. Smaller diameter upstream portion forms a tighter channel between the rollers and help the rollers to grab even smaller portions of the inedible parts of the crustaceans. To remove peeled off inedible portions, the assembly provides for a two-level water spraying, from above and below the insert rollers, thereby preventing a build-up of debris on the rollers and decreasing a possibility of over-peeling.

Abstract: An assembly for a seafood cleaning machines provides increased efficiency and decreases loss of meat of cleaned seafood items, such as shrimp, prawns, and the like. The assembly has a plurality of parallel rollers, a plurality of secondary rollers spaced between and mounted slightly above the power rollers, and a plurality of insert rollers fitted between adjacent power rollers and secondary rollers. Each insert roller has a variable diameter outside surface, gradually increasing from an upstream portion to the downstream portion. Smaller diameter upstream portion forms a tighter channel between the rollers and help the rollers to grab even smaller portions of the inedible parts of the crustaceans. To remove peeled off inedible portions, the assembly provides for a two-level water spraying, from above and below the insert rollers, thereby preventing a build-up of debris on the rollers and decreasing a possibility of over-peeling.

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 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: The present invention provides automated devices and methods for extracting substantially all the tail meat from the crawfish exoskeleton. The devices and methods consistently remove the intestinal tract, without damage to the meat, and are capable of processing crawfish of all sizes and shell hardness at a rate greater than that of hand peeling.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing shrimp, comprises a first conveyor for transporting the cooked shrimp away from a cooking unit, a cooling device for cooling the cooked shrimp received from the first conveyor, a second conveyor for transporting the cooled shrimp from the cooling device to a peeling device, and a control device for controlling the second conveyor so that shrimp are delivered to the peeling device at a predetermined temperature distribution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated apparatus and method for extracting substantially all the tail meat from the crawfish exoskeleton, while consistently removing the intestinal tract, and without damage to the meat. In addition, the apparatus is capable of processing crawfish of all sizes and shell hardness at a rate greater than that of hand peeling.

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: An apparatus for extracting tailmeat and other edible materials from crustaceans. The apparatus of the present invention includes a pair of clamps movably mounted to a frame which grasp the head and tail portions of the crustacean and then momentarily impact the head portion towards the tail portion, thus rupturing an internal membrane that bonds the tailmeat to the shell of the crustacean thereby greatly easing the extraction of the tailmeat from the shell. After impact, the clamps are separated from each other so as to separate the head portion of the crustacean from the tail portion. The tail clamp allows the tail portion to flex slightly, which avoids a shearing effect and which retains more edible material in the separated tail portion, where it is subsequently extracted.

Abstract: A powered shrimp deveining assembly includes a motor coupled to an output and a secondary shaft both housed in a removable enclosure, the output shaft and the secondary shaft extending through an adapter to turn a cutter against the rotation of a pair of guide disks. The adapter is provided with a boss in which one end of a bell crank is engaged, the other end of the bell crank extends in a threaded projection through an arcuate slot formed in a cover that is mounted on the adapter to shield the cutting mechanism. An idler roller on the bell crank is thus pivotally spaced from the guide disks to direct shrimp bodies against the cutter, the same bell crank fixing mechanism also retaining the cover in place.

Abstract: A shrimp deveining machine for cutting and deveining shrimp comprises a motorized driving mechanism inside a housing and a cutting mechanism outside the housing. An upper pair of rotating flexible disks grasps the top side of shrimp bodies and propel them past a cutting disk which slices the sand vein from the back of the shrimp. A lower pair of flexible disks is mounted on an adjusting shaft which may be positioned to adjust the depth of cut on the shrimp. The lower pair of flexible disks grasps the bottom side of the shrimp bodies and dynamically adjusts the position of the shrimp bodies in relation to the cutting disk, thereby achieving a more uniform depth of cut on shrimp of different sizes. The flexible disks also prevent longitudinal rotation of the shrimp bodies, and enable the deveining machine to make a butterfly cut on the shrimp bodies.

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: An apparatus for shelling dried shrimp comprising an outer container and an inner container for receiving a quantity of dried shrimp for shell removal. The inner container is positioned within the outer container so as to leave a shell collecting space between the bottom of the inner container and the bottom of the outer container. The inner container bottom has a multiplicity of holes to allow communication between the inner container and the outer container at the shell collecting space. After a quantity of dried shrimp is placed in the inner container, the shrimp is mixed and turned by a rotating blade which loosens and removes the shells from the shrimp. Suction is applied in the shell collecting space by a vacuum means which pulls the loose shells from the inner container into the shell collecting space.

Abstract: Whole crayfish is processed to derive a food serving resembling in appearance a small lobster by deheading the crayfish, making a U-shaped incision around the belly shell encompassing the anal opening of the crayfish, and peeling away the belly shell including the anal opening and the digestive tract still attached to the anal opening, thereby to devein the crayfish and expose the edible flesh contained in the hard shell in a single operation. When subsequently heated during cooking, the flesh tends to curl slightly away from the hard shell for easier extraction.

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: An automatic size-grading and shrimp peeling machine for shrimps; the automatic grading machine includes a plate-partition conveyer mounted to a slanting platform; the slanting platform is mounted with at least three conveying screw shafts coupled with the plate-partition conveyer and a plurality of feeding pipes of peeling machine. The automatic grading machine is mounted on a machine supporting frame so as to have all feeding ports mounted over the peeling machine, which includes at least three peeling units; each unit includes a large swing peeling roller and two small revolving peeling rollers; a pressing roller and at least one squeezing wheel are mounted between two small revolving peeling rollers. The squeezing wheel and the pressing roller are mounted in parallel each other, but perpendicular to the small revolving peeling rollers.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and deveining shrimp comprises a motor driving means inside a housing and a cutting mechanism outside the housing. A pair of rotating flexible disks grasp shrimp bodies and propel them past a cutting disk which slices the sand vein from the back of the shrimp. An idler roller is mounted on an adjusting shaft which may be positioned to adjust the depth of cut on the shrimp. An improved adjusting mechanism and external crank arm on the adjusting shaft enables adjustment of the idler roller while completely sealing the motor housing from any debris from the cutting operation. Polyurethane flexible disks reduce the growth of surface bacteria.

Abstract: This invention increases the yield of output shrimp meat produced by roller type peeler apparatus, and achieves this without any substantial decreases in throughout quantity. The yield increase is achieved by means of critical interacting operating relationships in the peeling action between power rollers, intermediate rollers and insert rollers, expressed in terms of relative roller diameters. Preferred sets of rollers are identified that significantly increase the yields of cold water Pandalus species of shrimp in sizes of 90/kg to 350/kg over conventional commercial rollers. Surprisingly, the high throughput quantity of the peelers is not seriously compromised and may be even increased by the ability to provide more peeling channels in a conventional size peeling tray by replacement with smaller diameter power rollers. The preferred roller sets for use in current standard commercial equipment, without other changes, has lower power rollers of 2.5 inch (6.

Abstract: An apparatus for shelling shellfish such as shrimps consists of a dosing chamber (3) and a heat treatment chamber (5) separated by a slide valve (11) and sealed by cylindrical membrane valves (7, 9). From a funnel (31) the shellfish fall down into the dosing chamber (3) whose valve (7) is closed. The slide valve (11) is opened and a portion of animals fall down into the heat treatment chamber (5), whose bottom is closed by another membrane valve (9). The slide valve (11) is closed and steam at high pressure and temperature is induced into the heat treatment chamber (5). The pressure is removed from the membrane valve (9) after which the standing overpressure in the chamber (5) blows the shellfish out of the discharge opening (19) towards a rebound plate (35). Hereby the meat and shells of the shellfish are separated.