Apparatus and methods for producing peelable shrimp are described herein.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63/253,689, filed 08 October 2021, and titled PEELABLE SHRIMP PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Shrimp for human consumption may be processed by, for example, performing one or more processes such as heading, peeling, deveining, etc.

In some instances, shrimp may be processed to facilitate peeling at the time of consumption after cooking (sometimes referred to as “peel and eat” shrimp). Such shrimp may be processed only to remove their heads, leaving the shell of the shrimp (including the abdominal shell segments (e.g., abdominal somites), ventral sternites (e.g., exoskeletal components on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp), and tail (e.g., the telson, exopod, endopod, and uropod)) intact along with the appendages (e.g., pleopods or swimmerets) attached to the ventral side of the abdomen of the shrimp.

While that preparation is common, in some instances the shrimp may be further processed by slitting or cutting the dorsal side of the abdominal shell segments along the length of the abdomen (e.g., along a superior-inferior axis extending between the head and the tail of the shrimp) and using a brush (or other processing) to remove the mud vein of the shrimp, with the dorsal shell segment slitting can make peeling of the shrimp at the time of consumption easier. SUMMARY

Peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods are described herein. In one or more embodiments, the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp are separated along the superior-inferior axis while leaving the dorsal surfaces of the abdominal shell segments intact.

Shrimp processed by the apparatus and methods described herein provide a product that is easier to peel at the time of consumption as compared to shrimp in which the abdominal shell segments and the ventral sternites are intact. Although deveining processes in which the dorsal surfaces of the abdominal shell segments are slit or cut may provide a product that is easier to peel at the time of consumption, such processing also degrades the quality of the meat of the shrimp because the meat is exposed during cooking. In many cases, dorsal slitting and deveining also results in removal of some meat. Removing meat from shrimp reduces their weight which, in turn, typically reduces revenue for the producer because shrimp are typically priced based on weight.

In contrast, shrimp processed by the apparatus and methods described herein in which the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen on a shrimp are separated does not result in significant removal or degradation of the abdominal meat of the shrimp while still producing a product that is easier to peel as compared to shrimp in which the abdominal shell segments and the ventral sternites are left intact. In addition, leaving the dorsal surfaces of the abdominal shell segments intact may provide benefits during cooking by protecting the majority of the abdominal meat as well as providing a more visually appealing product that, due to separation of the ventral sternites as described herein, is easy to peel at the time of consumption.

In one or more embodiments, the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein may be used in conjunction with the shrimp peeling apparatus and methods described in International Application WO 2021/158897 titled SHRIMP PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS (Eid et al.) in which only the pleopods (swimmerets) along with any pereiopods (walking legs) found on the ventral side of the shrimp are removed, with the abdominal shell segments (and ventral sternites) on the abdomen of shrimp left intact. Removal of the pleopods (swimmerets) using the shrimp peeling apparatus and methods described in the above application before processing shrimp using the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein may result in an even more superior product for peeling at the time of consumption.

In a first aspect, one or more embodiments of a peelable shrimp processing system configured to separate the ventral stemites on the ventral surfaces of shrimp includes: a shrimp restraint positioned opposite a working surface, the shrimp restraint configured to move between a stored position and restraint position relative to the working surface, wherein the shrimp restraint is spaced from the working surface to allow for positioning of a shrimp between the shrimp restraint and the working surface when the shrimp restraint is in the stored position, and wherein the shrimp restraint is closer to the working surface when the shrimp restraint is in the restraint position than when the shrimp restraint is in the stored position such that the shrimp restraint is configured to force a shrimp located between the shrimp restraint and the working surface against the working surface when the shrimp restraint is in the restraint position; a restraint actuator configured to move the shrimp restraint between the stored position and the restraint position; an access channel located in the working surface, the access channel facing the shrimp restraint when the shrimp restraint is in the restraint position, wherein the access channel defines a separating axis extending along the working surface; a separating apparatus configured to move along the access channel between a home position and a separating position, wherein the separating apparatus comprises a separator configured to separate ventral stemites on ventral surfaces of shrimp; a separating actuator configured to move the separating apparatus between the home position and the separating position along the access channel; and a controller. The controller is operably connected to the restraint actuator and the separating actuator and configured to: operate the restraint actuator to move the shrimp restraint from the stored position to the restraint position, and operate the separating actuator to move the separating apparatus from the home position to the separating position. In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to operate separating actuator to move the separating apparatus from the home position to the separating position after operating the restraint actuator to move the shrimp restraint to the restraint position. In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to operate separating actuator to move the separating apparatus from the home position to the separating position before operating the restraint actuator to move the shrimp restraint to the restraint position. The separating apparatus is configured to separate ventral stemites on a ventral surface of an abdomen of a shrimp located on the working surface between the access channel and the shrimp restraint when the shrimp restraint is in the restraint position, wherein the ventral sternites are separated along a line aligned with the separating axis.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the separating apparatus is recessed within the access channel when in the home position and wherein the separator of the separating apparatus protrudes from the working surface when moving towards the separating position.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the controller is configured to operate the separating actuator to return the separating apparatus to the home position after operating the restraint actuator to return the shrimp restraint to the stored position from the restraint position.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the controller is configured to operate the separating actuator to return the separating apparatus to the home position before operating the restraint actuator to return the shrimp restraint to the stored position from the restraint position.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the separator of the separating apparatus is mounted on a separator carriage, wherein the separator carriage and the separator move in a direction aligned with the separating axis when moving the separating apparatus between the home position and the separating position. In one or more embodiments, a height of the separator above the working surface increases when the separating apparatus moves out of the home position towards the separating position. In one or more embodiments, a position of the separator relative to the separator carriage is fixed as the separating apparatus moves from the home position towards the separating position. In one or more embodiments, the separator carriage moves towards the working surface and the shrimp restraint when moving from the home position towards the separating position, and wherein, optionally, the separator carriage moves away from the working surface and the shrimp restraint when moving from the separating position towards the home position. In one or more embodiments, wherein the separator comprises a sharpened cutting edge.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the separating apparatus comprises a plurality of separators mounted on a separator carriage, wherein the separator carriage and the plurality of separators move in a direction aligned with the separating axis when moving the separating apparatus between the home position and the separating position. In one or more embodiments, a height of each separator of the plurality of separators above the working surface increases when the separating apparatus moves out of the home position towards the separating position. In one or more embodiments, a position of each blade of the plurality of separators relative to the separator carriage is fixed as the separating apparatus moves from the home position towards the separating position. In one or more embodiments, the separator carriage moves towards the working surface and the shrimp restraint when moving from the home position towards the separating position, and wherein, optionally, the separator carriage moves away from the working surface and the shrimp restraint when moving from the separating position towards the home position.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the separator of the separating apparatus comprises a separating wheel mounted on a separator carriage, wherein the separator carriage and the separating wheel move in a direction aligned with the separating axis when moving the separating apparatus between the home position and the separating position, and wherein the separating wheel is configured to rotate about a wheel axis when moving the separating apparatus from the home position to the separating position, wherein the wheel axis is generally transverse to the separating axis. In one or more embodiments, a height of at least a portion of the separating wheel above the working surface increases when the separating apparatus moves out of the home position towards the separating position. In one or more embodiments, the separator carriage moves towards the working surface and the shrimp restraint when moving from the home position towards the separating position, and wherein, optionally, the separator carriage moves away from the working surface and the shrimp restraint when moving from the separating position towards the home position. In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the separator of the separating apparatus comprises a reciprocating separator assembly that comprises a pair of serrated separators, wherein at least one serrated separator of the pair of serrated separators is configured to move relative to the other serrated separator of the pair of serrated separators in a direction aligned with the separating axis. In one or more embodiments, the pair of serrated separators extend out of the access channel when the separating apparatus is in the separating position.

In one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein, the restraint actuator comprises a force-limited actuator configured to apply a compressive restraint force up to a selected restraint force limit on a shrimp located on the working surface between the shrimp restraint and the working surface.

In a second aspect, one or more embodiments of a method of processing shrimp as described herein includes separating the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp.

In one or more embodiments, the methods of processing shrimp as described herein include: positioning an abdomen of a shrimp on a working surface, wherein a ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp faces an access channel located in the working surface; restraining the abdomen of the shrimp on the working surface after positioning the abdomen of the shrimp on the working surface such that ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp face the access channel; and separating the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp after restraining the abdomen of the shrimp on the working surface.

In one or more embodiments of the methods of processing shrimp as described herein, separating the ventral sternites comprises moving a separating apparatus through the ventral sternites along a separating axis aligned with the access channel. In one or more embodiments, restraining the abdomen of the shrimp on the working surface comprises forcing the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp against the working surface. In one or more embodiments, forcing the ventral sternites against the working surface comprises moving a shrimp restraint into contact with a dorsal surface of the abdomen of the shrimp. In one or more embodiments of the methods of processing shrimp as described herein, separating the ventral stemites comprises moving a separating apparatus through the ventral stemites along a separating axis aligned with the access channel; and restraining the abdomen of the shrimp on the working surface comprises forcing the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp against the working surface. In one or more embodiments, forcing the ventral stemites against the working surface comprises moving a shrimp restraint into contact with a dorsal surface of the abdomen of the shrimp.

In one or more embodiments of the methods of processing shrimp as described herein, the separating apparatus comprises a separator, wherein separating the ventral stemites on the shrimp comprises moving a separator through the ventral stemites, and, optionally, moving the separator comprises separating the ventral stemites proximate a tail of the shrimp and proceeding in a direction away from the tail. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises moving the separator through a majority of the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp. In one or more embodiments, moving the separator comprises moving the separator out of the access channel towards the dorsal surface of the abdomen of the shrimp, in one or more embodiments, the separator is mounted on a separator carriage, and wherein moving the separator comprises moving the separator carriage and the separator towards the working surface before moving the separator through the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp.

In one or more embodiments of the methods of processing shrimp as described herein, separating the ventral stemites on the abdomen of the shrimp comprises simultaneously moving a plurality of separators through the ventral stemites on the abdomen of the shrimp. In one or more embodiments, moving the plurality of separators through the ventral stemites comprises moving the plurality of separators out of the access channel towards the dorsal surface of the abdomen of the shrimp. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of separators are mounted on a separator carriage, and wherein moving the separating apparatus moves the separator carriage and the plurality of separators towards the working surface before moving the plurality of separators through the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp. In one or more embodiments of the methods of processing shrimp as described herein, separating the ventral stemites on the abdomen of the shrimp comprises rotating a separating wheel about a wheel axis while moving the separating wheel along the access channel. In one or more embodiments, a height of at least a portion of the separating wheel above the working surface increases when moving the separating wheel along the access channel.

In one or more embodiments of the methods of processing shrimp as described herein, separating the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of the shrimp comprises contacting the ventral sternites with a reciprocating separator assembly.

As used herein, the term “shrimp” should be construed to refer to crustaceans harvested for human consumption that are referred to as either shrimp or prawns in, for example, the sub-orders Pieocyemata (Shrimp) and Dendrobranchiata (Prawns). Further, because the physical characteristics of shrimp capable of being processed using the peelable shrimp processing systems and methods described herein can vary widely, any dimensions discussed herein are provided only as a general guide and further refinement of any such dimensions may be required to optimize operation of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein based on for example, the size, species, and/or general conditions of shrimp being processed.

If used herein, relational terms such as above, below, top, bottom, etc. are (unless otherwise specified in this description and/or the claims) used only to facilitate description of the various features of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein and should not be construed to require any specific orientation of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and/or the methods described herein unless explicitly required otherwise.

When used herein, the term “aligned with” as used in connection with various components, axes, directions of travel, etc. includes both parallel and generally parallel arrangements. For example, two axes (or other components, features, etc.) may be described as “aligned with” when the axes (or other components, features, etc.) are both perfectly parallel with each other or nearly parallel, e.g., the axes (or other components, features, etc.) may form an angle with each other that is greater than 0° but 10° or less. If used herein, the term “substantially” has the same meaning as “significantly,” and can be understood to modify the term that follows by at least about 75%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at least about 98%. The term "not substantially" as used herein has the same meaning as “not significantly,” and can be understood to have the inverse meaning of "substantially," i.e., modifying the term that follows by not more than 25%, not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than 2%.

Numeric values used herein include normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilled in the art and should be understood to have the same meaning as “approximately” and to cover a typical margin of error, such as ±5 % of the stated value.

Terms such as “a,” “an,” and “the” are not intended to refer to only a singular entity but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for illustration.

The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are used interchangeably with the term “at least one.” The phrases “at least one of’ and “comprises at least one of’ followed by a list refers to any one of the items in the list and any combination of two or more items in the list.

As used here, the term “or” is generally employed in its usual sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or a combination of any two or more of the listed elements.

The recitations of numerical ranges by endpoints include all numbers subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc. or 10 or less includes 10, 9.4, 7.6, 5, 4.3, 2.9, 1.62, 0.3, etc.). Where a range of values is “up to” or “at least” a particular value, that value is included within the range.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the disclosure, including the claims.

The above summary of the invention is not intended to describe each embodiment or every implementation of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus and methods described herein. Rather, a more complete understanding of the invention will become apparent and appreciated by reference to the following description of illustrative embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. l is a perspective view of one illustrative embodiment of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus of FIG. 2 after movement of the shrimp restraint to its restraint position from its stored position depicted in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus of FIG. 2 with a shrimp in position for processing.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus of FIG. 3 with a shrimp in position for processing.

FIG. 6 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein including one alternative embodiment of a separating apparatus.

FIG. 7 depicts the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 6 with the separating apparatus moved to the separating position from the home position as seen in FIG. 6 (with the shrimp restraint depicted as translucent to expose the separating apparatus).

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus for a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

FIG. 9 is a side view depicting the components of the separating apparatus of FIG. 8 with the separating apparatus in its home position.

FIG. 10 is a side view depicting the components of the separating apparatus of FIG. 9 after movement of the separating apparatus to its separating position from the home position seen in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 depicts one illustrative embodiment of a separator used in the separating apparatus of FIGS. 8-10. FIG. 12 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus for a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein using a separating wheel, with the separating apparatus depicted in the home position.

FIG. 13 depicts the separating apparatus of FIG. 12 with the separating apparatus moved to its separating position from the home position as seen in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 depicts one illustrative embodiment of a separating wheel used in the separating apparatus of FIGS. 12-13.

FIG. 15 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus for a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein using a serrated blade, with the separating apparatus depicted between the home and separating positions.

FIG. 16 depicts the serrated blade used in the separating apparatus of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a reciprocating blade assembly used in a separating apparatus of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

FIG. 18 is a schematic block diagram of components that may be found in one or more embodiments of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

While the above-identified figures (which may or may not be drawn to scale) set forth some illustrative embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which form a part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIGS. 1-5 depict one illustrative embodiment of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 as described herein. The peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 incudes one illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus 20, a separating actuator 30, a shrimp restraint 40, and a restraint actuator 50.

In the depicted illustrative embodiment of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 the shrimp restraint 40 and the restraint actuator 50 are supported above a working surface 14 on which shrimp to be processed are located. In the depicted illustrative embodiment both the shrimp restraint 40 and the restraint actuator 50 are supported above the working surface 14 by a frame assembly 12. With reference to, e.g., FIGS. 4-5, each shrimp S is moved along the working surface 14 in a direction aligned with a processing axis 11 to a processing location 15 on working surface 14. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, each shrimp S is restrained in a clamp 18, with clamp 18 and a shrimp restrained therein being advanced over the working surface 14 to position a shrimp in processing location 15 in the depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10. The direction of travel and the orientation of the shrimp S when in the processing location 15 may be described as being aligned with the superior-inferior axis of the shrimp S. One or more illustrative embodiments describing movement of shrimp across working surfaces in shrimp processing apparatus using clamps as described herein are discussed in, e.g., International Application WO 2021/158897 titled SHRIMP PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHODS (Eid et al ).

The illustrative embodiment of a shrimp restraint 40 depicted in connection with the illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 includes a platen 42 which, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, includes a receiving channel 44 formed therein to facilitate restraint of a shrimp between the platen 42 and the working surface 14. The receiving channel 44 in platen 42 may assist in preventing lateral motion of a shrimp restrained on the working surface 14 (where lateral motion of the shrimp would be motion transverse to the processing axis 11). The shrimp restraint 40 is positioned opposite the working surface 14 which, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, means that the platen 42 of the shrimp restraint 40 is positioned above the processing location 15 on working surface 14. The shrimp restraint 40, more particularly, the platen 42, is configured to move between a stored position as seen in, e.g., FIGS. 1-2, to a restraint position relative to the working surface. The platen 42 of the shrimp restraint 40 is depicted in its restraint position in both FIGS. 3 and 4, with a shrimp restrained between the shrimp restraint 40 and the processing location 15 on working surface 14 in FIG. 5. In one or more embodiments, the shrimp restraint 40 may be described as being spaced from the working surface 14 to allow for positioning of a shrimp S between the shrimp restraint 40 and the working surface 14 when the shrimp restraint 40 is in the stored position as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4.

In one or more embodiments, the shrimp restraint 40 may be described as being located closer to the working surface 14 when the shrimp restraint is in the restraint position than when the shrimp restraint 40 is in the stored position such that the shrimp restraint 40 is configured to force a shrimp located between the shrimp restraint 40 (in the depicted embodiment, the platen 42) and the processing location 15 on working surface 14 against the working surface 14 when the shrimp restraint 40 is in the restraint position.

The illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 also includes a restraint actuator 50 configured to move the shrimp restraint 40 between its stored position and its restraint position. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the restraint actuator rotates the platen 42 of the shrimp restraint 40 about a restraint axis 41 when moving the shrimp restraint 40 between its stored position and restraint position. In one or more alternative embodiments, however, the shrimp restraint and restraint actuator used in a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein may employ any type of motion (e.g., lateral, translational, etc.) when moving a shrimp restraint between its stored and restraint positions. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, the restraint actuator 50 is in the form of a double acting cylinder including a housing 52 and a rod 54 as seen in, e.g., FIG. 3. When extended as seen in FIG. 3 to move the shrimp restraint 42 its restraint position, the rod 54 extends out of the housing 52. In one or more embodiments, the restraint actuator 50 may be in the form of a force-limited actuator configured to apply a compressive restraint force up to a selected restraint force limit on a shrimp S located on the working surface 14 between the shrimp restraint 40 and the working surface 14. Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 includes a double acting cylinder to move the shrimp restraint 40 between its stored and restraint positions, many mechanisms could be used to move a shrimp restraint between its stored and restraint positions. Examples of potentially useful actuators include, but are not limited to, a pistons/cylinders operated pneumatically (as depicted) or hydraulically, a motor with or without a gear assembly (e.g., a rack and pinion, etc.), magnetic/electromagnetic linear actuators, rotary actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators, magnetic/electromagnetic actuators, etc.), etc.

In the depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 as depicted in FIGS. 2-3, operation of the depicted illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus 20 and separating actuator 30 can be described noting that in FIGS. 2-3 the housing containing the components of the separating apparatus 20 and the separating actuator are exposed within the housing 16 on which working surface 14 is located in the depicted illustrative embodiment.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of separating apparatus 20 also includes an access channel 22 formed in working surface 14 and, more particularly in the depicted illustrative embodiment, within the processing location 15 on working surface 14. The access channel 22 faces the shrimp restraint 40 when the shrimp restraint 40 is in its restraint position. In one or more embodiments, the access channel 22 can be described as defining a separating axis extending along the working surface 14, with the separating axis being aligned with the processing axis 11 defined by the working surface and movement of the clamps 18 used to position shrimp in the processing location 15 as described herein.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of separating apparatus 20 is configured to move between a home position and a separating position. With reference to FIGS. 2-3, the separating apparatus is depicted in its home position in FIG. 2 and its separating position in FIG. 3. The separating apparatus 20 is configured to separate abdominal shell segments of a shrimp located on the working surface (more particularly, above the access channel 22 in processing location 15 on working surface 14) when the shrimp restraint is in its restraint position, with the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen being separated along a line aligned with the separating axis (and, therefore, the processing axis 11). As described herein, it is preferred that the shrimp located in the processing location 15 on working surface 14 using clamps 18 position the shrimp such that the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the shrimp abdomen faces the working surface 14 and, more accurately, access channel 22 while the shrimp restraint 40 contacts the dorsal surfaces of the abdominal shell segments on the abdomen of the shrimp to force the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of a shrimp against the working surface 14 and the access channel 22 located therein.

In one or more embodiments, the separating apparatus 20 may be described as being recessed within the access channel 22 when the separating apparatus 20 is in its home position while the separating apparatus 20 protrudes from the working surface 14 through access channel 22 when moving towards the separating position.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of separating apparatus 20 includes a separator carriage 24 on which a separator 26 is mounted. In the depicted embodiment, the position of the separator 26 relative to the separator carriage 24 is fixed as the separating apparatus 20 moves from its home position towards its separating position. In this embodiment, the separator carriage 24 and the separator 26 move in a direction aligned with the separating axis (and, therefore, the processing axis 11) when the separating apparatus moves between its home position and its separating position. The separating carriage 24 in the depicted embodiment includes a guide pin 23 that moves within a guide slot 25 while the height of the separator 26 above the working surface 14 increases when the separating apparatus moves out of its home position and towards the separating position. In the depicted embodiment, the separator height 26 relative to the working surface 14 changes because the working surface 14 is recessed in the processing location 15 as seen in, e.g., FIGS. 2-3. As a result, although the separator 26 moves along a constant height relative to the guide slot 25, the reduced height of the working surface 14 in the processing location 15 results in the separator 26 protruding from the working surface 14 when moving from the home position towards the separating position. That protruding separator 26 separates the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of a shrimp positioned in the processing location 15 on the working surface 14.

The separator 26 may take a variety of forms with the understanding that regardless of the form, the separator 26 separates the ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of a shrimp to facilitate peeling/removal of the shell components on the abdomen of the shrimp using the separated edges on the ventral stemites. Although separation of the ventral stemites on the ventral surface may be accomplished using a sharpened edge (e.g., a blade or blades, a gut hook, etc.) that may be described as cutting or slitting the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen, in other embodiments separation of the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen may be accomplished using an unsharpened structure such as, e.g., a pin, dowel, hook, etc.

Separators used in connection with the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein that are not in the form of sharpened blades may preferably have a relatively narrow width as measured transverse to the direction of travel of the separator and also preferably to the superior-inferior axis of the shrimp S. In one or more embodiments, the width of the separators measured transverse to the direction of travel of the separator and also preferably to the superior-inferior axis of the shrimp S may be 3 millimeters or less, 2 millimeters or less, or even 1 millimeter or less. Although the unsharpened separators may have a flat leading edge, in one or more embodiments, an unsharpened separator may have, at a lower end, a rounded leading edge having a radius of 0.1 millimeter or more, 0.2 millimeter or more, or 0.5 millimeter or more. In one or more embodiments, it may be convenient to start processing shrimp using a sharpened blade with the understanding that the blade will dull during use, but that efficacy of the separation process will remain functionally unchanged.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of separating actuator 30 is in the form of a double acting cylinder including a housing 32 and a rod 34 as seen in, e.g., FIG. 2. When extended as seen in FIG. 2 when the carriage 24 of the separating apparatus 20 is in its home position, the rod 34 extends out of the housing 32. Movement of the separating apparatus 22 its separating position is caused by movement of the rod 34 into housing 32 as depicted in FIG. 3. Although the depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 includes a double acting cylinder to move the separating apparatus between its home and separating positions, many mechanisms could be used to move the separating apparatus 20 between its home and separating positions. Examples of potentially useful actuators include, but are not limited to, a pistons/cylinders operated pneumatically (as depicted) or hydraulically, a motor with or without a gear assembly (e.g., a rack and pinion, etc.), magnetic/electromagnetic linear actuators, rotary actuators (e.g., pneumatic actuators, magnetic/electromagnetic actuators, etc.), etc.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus of FIG. 2 with a shrimp S in position for processing and FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus of FIG. 3 with a shrimp S in position for processing. As depicted in FIG. 4, the shrimp S is in the processing location 15 on working surface 14 above access channel 22 and the platen 42 of shrimp restraint 40 is in its stored position. As depicted in FIG. 5, the shrimp S is in the processing location 15 on working surface 14 and the platen 42 of shrimp restraint 40 is in its restraint position to secure the shrimp S in position at the processing location. The separating apparatus has moved from its home position to its separating position as indicated by the location of guide pin 23 in guide slot 25 (noting that the guide pin 23 is obscured when in its home position in FIG. 4 by the carrier on which clamp 18 is located).

Another illustrative embodiment of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110 as described herein is depicted in FIGS. 6-7. In the depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110, a shrimp restraint 140 and associated restraint actuator 150 are supported positioned above a working surface 114 by frame 112. The restraint actuator 150 is used to move the shrimp restraint 140 between its stored position and its restraint position by rotating the shrimp restraint 140 about a restraint axis 141 as described above in connection with peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10.

A clamp 18 is depicted in position on working surface 114 to show the position of a shrimp located on the working surface 114. As depicted in connection with the peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10 of FIGS. 1-5, a processing location 115 is located adjacent the clamp 18 with a shrimp to be processed using the peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110 being located within the processing location 115 on working surface 114.

The depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110 also includes a separating actuator 130 in the form of a double acting cylinder including a housing 132 and rod 134 although, as discussed above, many alternative mechanisms could be used for a separating actuator of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein. The depicted illustrative embodiment of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110 also includes a separating carriage 124, with the separating actuator 130 being used to move the separating carriage 124 in a direction aligned with the processing axis 111. The separating apparatus used in peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110 includes, however, a plurality of separators 126 as compared to the single separator 26 provided on carriage 24 of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10. Each of the separators 126 may, in one or more embodiments, be configured and spaced to separate one or more ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of a shrimp located in the processing location 115 on working surface 114.

The separating carriage 124 includes a pair of guide pins 123 which move along guide slots 125 when moving the separating apparatus between its home position as seen in FIG. 6 and its separating position as seen in FIG. 6. In the depicted illustrative embodiment, guide slots 125 are configured to raise the carriage 124 and the separators 126 located thereon when moving between the home position as seen in FIG. 6 and the separating position as seen in FIG. 7. Raising the height of the carriage and the attached separators 126 causes separators 126 to protrude above the working surface 114 of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus 110. That vertical movement of the separating carriage 124 and separators 126 is, in the depicted embodiment, needed because the working surface has a consistent height, i.e., the processing location 115 is not recessed relative to the remainder of the working surface (as seen above in connection with processing location 15 of peelable shrimp processing apparatus 10).

FIGS. 8-11 depict another illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus that may be used in one or more embodiments of a peelable shrimp processing system as described herein. The components of the separating apparatus are located within a housing 216 with the side of the housing 216 removed in FIGS. 9-10 to expose the components within a housing 216. Also depicted in FIGS. 8-10 are a working surface 214 and a processing location 215 in which an access channel 222 is located. The access channel 222 is aligned with a processing axis 211.

The separating apparatus of FIGS. 8-10 includes a separating carriage 224 on which separator 226 is mounted. The separating carriage 224 is moved between a home position as seen in FIG. 9 and a separating position as seen in FIG. 10 by a separating actuator 230. The separating actuator 230 is in the form of a double acting cylinder including a housing 232 and rod 234 although, as discussed above, many alternative mechanisms could be used for a separating actuator of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

The separator 226 of the separating apparatus protrudes above the working surface 214 as the carriage 224 and separator 226 located thereon move from the home position as seen in FIG. 9 to the separating position as seen in FIG. 10 (as well as in FIG. 8). The carriage 224 also moves upwards towards the working surface 214 as the separating apparatus is moved from its home position as seen in FIG. 9 to its separating position as seen in FIG. 10. That movement of carriage 224 towards working surface 214 is, in the depicted embodiment, caused by movement of guide pins 223 in guide slot 225.

The separator 226 used in the separating apparatus depicted in FIGS. 8-10 is depicted separately in FIG. 11. As seen in FIG. 11, the separator 226 includes a sharpened edge 227 that is configured to (when sharp) slit or cut the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of a shrimp located in the processing location 215 on working surface 214 as the separating apparatus (e.g., carriage 224 and separator 226) are moving back towards the home position as seen in FIG. 9 from the separating position as seen in FIG. 10.

FIGS. 12-14 depict another illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus that may be used in one or more embodiments of a peelable shrimp processing system as described herein. The components of the separating apparatus are located within a housing 316. Also depicted in FIGS. 12-13 are a working surface 314 and a processing location 315 in which an access channel is located. The access channel is aligned with a processing axis 311.

The separating apparatus of FIGS. 12-13 includes a separating wheel 326 mounted on a separator carriage 324 within housing 316. The separating wheel 326 and separator carriage 324 move between a home position as seen in FIG. 12 and a separating position as seen in FIG. 13 by a separating actuator (not shown). As discussed herein, separating actuators may be in the form of a double acting cylinder or many other alternative mechanisms.

The separating wheel 326 preferably rotates about a wheel axis 327 when moving between the home position and the separating position. The rotating wheel 326 of the separating apparatus protrudes above the working surface 314 as the carriage 324 and separating wheel 326 located thereon move from the home position as seen in FIG. 12 to the separating position as seen in FIG. 13. In particular, the height of at least a portion of the separating wheel 326 above the working surface standard 14 increases as the separating apparatus moves out of the home position as seen in FIG. 12 towards the separating position as seen in FIG. 13. The carriage 324 also moves upwards towards the working surface 314 as the separating apparatus is moved from its home position as seen in FIG. 12 to its separating position as seen in FIG. 13. That movement of carriage 324 towards working surface 314 is, in the depicted embodiment, caused by the orientation and distance between the working surface 314 and the guide slot 325.

The separating wheel 326 used in the separating apparatus depicted in FIGS. 12-13 is depicted separately in FIG. 14. As discussed herein, the separating wheel 326 preferably rotates about a central axis 327. The separating wheel 326 may rotate about axis 327 when moving in both directions between the home position and the separating position or, alternatively, the separating wheel 326 may only rotate about the axis 327 when moving in one direction between the home position and the separating position. Although wheel 326 includes teeth, one or more embodiments of a separating wheel used in a separating apparatus of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein may take any form suitable to separate the ventral stemites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of shrimp.

Figure 15-16 depict another illustrative embodiment of a separating apparatus that may be used in one or more embodiments of a peelable shrimp processing system as described herein. The components of the separating apparatus are located within a housing 416 with the side of the housing 416 removed in FIG. 15 to expose the components within the housing 416. Also depicted in FIG. 15 are a working surface 414 and a processing location 415 in which an access channel is located. The access channel is aligned with a processing axis 411.

The separating apparatus of FIG. 15 includes a separating carriage 424 on which blade 426 is mounted. The separating carriage 424 is moved between a home position and a separating position by a separating actuator 430. The separating actuator 430 is in the form of a double acting cylinder including a housing 432 and rod 434 although, as discussed above, many alternative mechanisms could be used for a separating actuator of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

The separating apparatus is located at an intermediate location between the home position and the separating position in FIG. 15. The home position would correspond to the far right end of guide slot 425 while the separating position would correspond to the far left end of guide slot 425. The guide slot pointed 25 is oriented such that the distance between the guide slot 425 and the working surface 414 decreases when moving from the home position to the separating position (i.e., from right to left in FIG. 15) with the carriage 424 and blade pointed 26 also moving upwards towards the working surface 414 such that the blade 426 protrudes above the working surface 414 within the processing location 415 on working surface 414.

The blade 426 used in the separating apparatus depicted in FIG. 15 is depicted separately in FIG. 16. As seen in FIG. 16, the blade 426 includes a serrated separating edge 427 that is configured to separate ventral sternites on the ventral surface of the abdomen of a shrimp located in the processing location 415 on working surface 414.

Figure 17 depicts another illustrative embodiment of a separator that may be used in one or more embodiments of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein. The depicted embodiment of separator 526 is in the form of a reciprocating assembly that includes a pair of serrated separators 526a and 526b that move relative to each other along the processing axis 511 in a manner similar to that found in reciprocating assemblies of, e.g., hedge trimmers, electric knives, etc.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of components that may be found in one illustrative embodiment of a peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein. The depicted system includes a controller 600 operably connected to a separating actuator 630 and a restraint actuator 650. Although not depicted, the controller 600 may also be operably connected to a shrimp apparatus to move shrimp into and out of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus as described herein.

The separating actuator 630 is operably connected to a separating apparatus 620 of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein. As described herein, the controller 600 is configured to operate the separating actuator 630 to move the separating apparatus 620 between its home position and a separating position.

The restraint actuator 650 is operably connected to a shrimp restraint 640 of the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein. As described herein, the controller 600 is configured to operate the restraint actuator 650 to move the shrimp restraint 640 between its stored position and a restraint position.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 600 is configured to operate the restraint actuator 650 to move the shrimp restraint 640 from the stored position to the restraint position.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 600 is configured to operate the separating actuator 630 to move the separating apparatus 620 from the home position to the separating position after operating the restraint actuator 650 to move the shrimp restraint 640.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 600 is configured to operate the separating actuator 630 to return the separating apparatus 520 to the home position before operating the restraint actuator 650 to return the shrimp restraint 640 to the stored position from the restraint position.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 600 is configured to operate the separating actuator 630 to return the separating apparatus 520 to the home position after operating the restraint actuator 650 to return the shrimp restraint 640 to the stored position from the restraint position.

In one or more embodiments, the controller 600 is configured to operate the separating actuator 630 to return the separating apparatus 620 to the home position before operating the restraint actuator 650 to return the shrimp restraint 640 to the stored position from the restraint position.

The controller 600 may be provided in any suitable form and may, for example, include memory and a controller. The controller may, for example, be in the form of one or more microprocessors, Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA), Digital Signal Processors (DSP), microcontrollers, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machines, etc. The controllers may include one or more of any suitable input devices configured to allow a user to operate the peelable shrimp processing apparatus described herein (e.g., keyboards, touchscreens, mice, trackballs, etc.), as well as display devices configured to convey information to a user (e.g., monitors (which may or may not be touchscreens), indicator lights, etc.). Although not depicted separately, the controller 600 may incorporate a pneumatic and/or hydraulic control system in those systems in which one or more of the actuators use pneumatic and/or hydraulic components.

All references and publications cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety into this disclosure, except to the extent they may directly contradict this disclosure. Although specific illustrative embodiments have been described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. It should be understood that this disclosure is not intended to be unduly limited by the illustrative embodiments and examples set forth herein and that such examples and embodiments are presented by way of example only with the scope of the disclosure intended to be limited only by the claims.