Butchering – Crustacean – Shrimp processing
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-25
2001-08-14
Little, Willis (Department: 3643)
Butchering
Crustacean
Shrimp processing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273807
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to mechanically processing shrimp, and more particularly to the cutting of the shell and removal of the vein from the body of the shrimp.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The seafood industry has long been seeking to solve the problems associated with the peeling of the shell from a shrimp and removal of the sand vein in an efficient and economical manner, while at the same time producing a shrimp body having a desirable appearance. During the cutting of the shell prior to removal of the vein, the cutting blades often tear into the meat making many processed shrimp undesirable for presentation and useful, by way of example, only for a shrimp meat filling. There is a need for cutting the shell without damage to the meat, while still being able to effectively remove the shell and vein from the shrimp. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,345,682 to Lapeyre discloses the need for providing a clean-cut operation which preserves the integrity of the shrimp meat by individually cradling and securing one shrimp for cutting through a dorsal side of the shrimp and ripping out the vein.
By way of example for processing of large quantities, restaurants and retail stores have typically relied upon commercial processors for providing the peeled and deveined shrimp. Processors will typically rely on large machines such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,760,224; 3,040,374 to Miller; 3,787,928 to Domecki, and 4,393,543 to Martin, such machines typically require motorized cutting and shrimp handling devices which are costly and cumbersome.
Further, in the interest of freshness and cost, there is a need for a machine that can be effectively used by in the home, by the small grocer, chef, and small seafood retailer, by way of example, without having the need for the high volume processing and experience demanded by of a commercial processor. There is a further need to be able to cut the shrimp for deveining and ease in manually peeling the shell from the desirable shrimp body in a timely manner, without the undesirable handling, and with the result of a desirable production for the effort and time spent. The cleaning and preparation of a fresh shrimp should not have unfavorably impact on available space, equipment cleaning and power demands.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a shrimp deveining machine that is easily handled and economical for use in the home and small commercial establishments, such as a neighborhood grocery stores, seafood market, and restaurant.
This and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention, are provided by a shrimp deveining apparatus comprising a base and a partition upwardly extending from the base. The partition includes an arcuate surface for slidably receiving a shrimp. A lever arm has a proximal end rotatably attached to the partition and a distal end proximate the arcuate surface for receiving the shrimp in a cradling arrangement with the arcuate surface. Biasing means are operable with the lever arm for biasing the shrimp to the distal end. The biasing is employed as the lever arm is moved downstream the entrance opening toward the exit opening. A dorsal blade is positioned for cutting the shell of the shrimp along the dorsal side thereof as the shrimp is carried downstream along the arcuate surface. A brush is positioned downstream the dorsal blade for brushing the vein from the shrimp as the shrimp, now having a cut in the shell along the vein, is carried downstream past the brush.
A preferred embodiment includes a cover removably attached to the base and having an entrance opening for receiving a shrimp therethrough and an exit opening for ejecting the shrimp therefrom. A ventral blade opposes the dorsal blade for cutting the shell of the shrimp along the ventral side thereof. The biasing means comprise opposing first and second extension arms forming a passage therebetween for compressively receiving the distal end of the lever arm therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, the biasing means comprises opposing rollers forming a passage therebetween for compressively receiving the distal end of the lever arm therethrough for removably securing the shrimp to the distal end. A handle is attached to the lever arm for affecting movement of the lever arm.
A method aspect of the invention includes the steps of placing a shrimp onto an arcuate surface of the partition, biasing the distal ends of opposing lever arms against sides of the shrimp for cradling the shrimp within the distal ends and the arcuate surface, rotating the lever arms for sliding the shrimp along the arcuate surface, passing the shrimp past a dorsal cutting blade for cutting through the shell of the shrimp and exposing a vein carried therein, and sweeping the vein from the dorsal side of the shrimp for providing a deveined shrimp having a severed shell for manually peeling from the body.
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Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Little Willis
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